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<p>LIMA, Peru - This weekend, heads of state at the Summit of the Americas are expected to discuss the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/120412/united-states-latin-america-legalize-drugs-push" type="external">emerging Latin American consensus</a> for an alternative to the "war on drugs." Many leaders are fed up with the violence, and highlight how it has even failed to stop rising demand in the US and their own countries for cocaine and other illegal highs.</p>
<p>Yet one key country continues to back Washington's prohibitionist approach to narcotics: Peru.</p>
<p>According to the most recent United Nations statistics, this Andean nation is on the point of overtaking Colombia as the world's No. 1 grower of coca, the main ingredient in cocaine and crack.</p>
<p>Thousands of impoverished farmers depend on the crop for a modest cash income of a few hundred dollars a year. Meanwhile, the violence that has long plagued the remote, rugged cloud forests where the plant is traditionally grown is increasingly spilling onto the streets of the capital, Lima.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/110923/cocaine-growth-has-peru-changing-tactics" type="external">Cocaine's becoming king in Peru</a></p>
<p>Yet despite briefly flirting with a new approach, President Ollanta Humala - a former army officer who once commanded a garrison in a coca-growing region - has privately ruled out legalizing cocaine production or consumption, according to Ricardo Soberon, his former anti-drugs czar.</p>
<p>Soberon headed the government agency charged with combating illegal drugs - the National Council for the Development of Life without Drugs (or DEVIDA by its Spanish initials) - but his tenure only lasted five months. Having spent two decades as a narcotics analyst, including providing advice to coca growers' organizations, he adopted a softer approach.</p>
<p>"I knew legalization was not an option so I focused on other areas," says Soberon. He opted for the "reduction" of coca crops rather than "eradication." In practice, that meant broadening the approach from soldiers searching for and destroying coca plants to helping impoverished growers switch to alternative crops. Soberon also targeted the chemical ingredients and money laundering that are key to the drugs trade.</p>
<p>According to the most recent UN statistics, in 2010, Peru had a total of 61,200 hectares (over 150,000 acres) dedicated to growing coca, just 800 behind Colombia. Significantly, the Peru figure represents an almost 50 percent rise in the previous five years, while the Colombian number is actually down by a third over the same period.</p>
<p>Soberon's approach wasn't popular among conservative media and politicians, who attacked him for allegedly sympathizing with the coca growers. The US ambassador in Lima, Rose Likins, bypassed him in her contacts with the Peruvian government. He was removed from DEVIDA as part of a major cabinet reshuffle in December.</p>
<p>That shake-up also saw Prime Minister Salomon Lerner, a left-wing businessman, replaced by Oscar Valdes, a conservative former army colonel. Soberon now credits Valdes with Peru's orthodox, law-and-order approach to the drugs trade.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/120301/drug-legalization-central-america-guatemala" type="external">Guatemala wants to legalize it</a></p>
<p>Since 2003, Peru has had a law on the statute books that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of cocaine and marijuana for personal use. However, both police and the public here appear unaware of legislation, and officers continue to arrest people for using those drugs.</p>
<p>Peru's stance was recently summed up by Defense Minister Alberto Otarola, at a meeting of the Washington, DC think-tank Inter-American Dialogue, where he said the "frontal combat against drug trafficking dominates" Peruvian national security thinking.</p>
<p>"Humala's fundamental problem is that he thinks the military clearly understands the narco-traffickers, when they do not," says Soberon, a stocky, graying man in the cramped office of the Lima-based Drugs and Human Rights Research Center (CIDDH by its Spanish initials) where he now works.</p>
<p>Latin American leaders, including the presidents of Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico, have called for debate about legalizing and regulating aspects of drug production, trade or use. The push has gained unprecedented support in the lead-up to this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia, although the topic is not officially on agenda.</p>
<p>"The position of Peru will be very difficult to anticipate before the event," Soberon says.</p>
<p>"It is a very sensitive issue and there is already a prejudice, of the president himself - [the Humala administration] are surely going to have a very typical position, of a direct fight with the drugs trade. But I hope and believe that there is still space to convince them regarding the need to at least have the debate."</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/120217/peru-latin-america-economy-growth" type="external">Peru, Latin America's hidden growth story</a></p>
<p>As he talks, Soberon chews a fat wad of coca leaves. "It helps me work," he says of the habit, which is legal and widespread in Peru. It provides a mild buzz, similar to an espresso, and alleviates the symptoms of altitude sickness, not to mention a hangover, headache, tiredness and even menstrual pains.</p>
<p>Andeans have indulged in it since long before white people arrived in the region, and few here accept its stigmatization as a result of the havoc wrought by the modern, Western inventions of heavily processed cocaine and crack.</p>
<p>Soberon now argues for subsidies and tax breaks to encourage alternative crops such as coffee or cacao. And with the drugs research center, he is working to introduce stevia, the natural, spectacularly sweet alternative to sugar, as a new crop.</p>
<p>He also believes the Peruvian government needs to make a greater effort to integrate rural communities into Peru's dramatic economic growth, including more schools and better medical attention in the Andes.</p>
<p>In Aucayacu, one of the main coca-growing areas, some 400 miles east of Lima, in a typical high-school class of 120, just two will ever make it to university, says Soberon.</p>
<p>And most of the other top-performing students will end up either sucked into the drug trade, prostitution or some form of dead-end work such as driving a moto-taxi.</p>
<p>"That has to change," he says.</p> | false | 3 | lima peru weekend heads state summit americas expected discuss emerging latin american consensus alternative war drugs many leaders fed violence highlight even failed stop rising demand us countries cocaine illegal highs yet one key country continues back washingtons prohibitionist approach narcotics peru according recent united nations statistics andean nation point overtaking colombia worlds 1 grower coca main ingredient cocaine crack thousands impoverished farmers depend crop modest cash income hundred dollars year meanwhile violence long plagued remote rugged cloud forests plant traditionally grown increasingly spilling onto streets capital lima read cocaines becoming king peru yet despite briefly flirting new approach president ollanta humala former army officer commanded garrison cocagrowing region privately ruled legalizing cocaine production consumption according ricardo soberon former antidrugs czar soberon headed government agency charged combating illegal drugs national council development life without drugs devida spanish initials tenure lasted five months spent two decades narcotics analyst including providing advice coca growers organizations adopted softer approach knew legalization option focused areas says soberon opted reduction coca crops rather eradication practice meant broadening approach soldiers searching destroying coca plants helping impoverished growers switch alternative crops soberon also targeted chemical ingredients money laundering key drugs trade according recent un statistics 2010 peru total 61200 hectares 150000 acres dedicated growing coca 800 behind colombia significantly peru figure represents almost 50 percent rise previous five years colombian number actually third period soberons approach wasnt popular among conservative media politicians attacked allegedly sympathizing coca growers us ambassador lima rose likins bypassed contacts peruvian government removed devida part major cabinet reshuffle december shakeup also saw prime minister salomon lerner leftwing businessman replaced oscar valdes conservative former army colonel soberon credits valdes perus orthodox lawandorder approach drugs trade globalpost guatemala wants legalize since 2003 peru law statute books decriminalizes possession small amounts cocaine marijuana personal use however police public appear unaware legislation officers continue arrest people using drugs perus stance recently summed defense minister alberto otarola meeting washington dc thinktank interamerican dialogue said frontal combat drug trafficking dominates peruvian national security thinking humalas fundamental problem thinks military clearly understands narcotraffickers says soberon stocky graying man cramped office limabased drugs human rights research center ciddh spanish initials works latin american leaders including presidents colombia guatemala mexico called debate legalizing regulating aspects drug production trade use push gained unprecedented support leadup weekends summit americas cartagena colombia although topic officially agenda position peru difficult anticipate event soberon says sensitive issue already prejudice president humala administration surely going typical position direct fight drugs trade hope believe still space convince regarding need least debate globalpost peru latin americas hidden growth story talks soberon chews fat wad coca leaves helps work says habit legal widespread peru provides mild buzz similar espresso alleviates symptoms altitude sickness mention hangover headache tiredness even menstrual pains andeans indulged since long white people arrived region accept stigmatization result havoc wrought modern western inventions heavily processed cocaine crack soberon argues subsidies tax breaks encourage alternative crops coffee cacao drugs research center working introduce stevia natural spectacularly sweet alternative sugar new crop also believes peruvian government needs make greater effort integrate rural communities perus dramatic economic growth including schools better medical attention andes aucayacu one main cocagrowing areas 400 miles east lima typical highschool class 120 two ever make university says soberon topperforming students end either sucked drug trade prostitution form deadend work driving mototaxi change says | 557 |
<p>CURWOOD: It's Living on Earth. I'm Steve Curwood. Off to Conyers, Georgia, now where Peter Dykstras been looking beyond the headlines. Peters with Environmental Health News, EHN.org and the DailyClimate.org; hes on the line now. Hi there, Peter.</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: Well hi, Steve, theres a new element in the absolute free-for-all in the global energy biz. We know the scenario: Nuke plants closing in the US while countries like India plan for more nukes; the domestic coal industry is in freefall, wind and solar are taking off finally! And now, a word from OPEC. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries just issued a prediction that the oil and gas boom in the US spearheaded by the fracking industry, will grind to a halt this year.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: So lets see, weve lived through the dotcom bubble and the real estate bubble, is this the gas bubble? And also, dont forget, OPEC isnt exactly a disinterested party. The US used to be their biggest customer; now were a big competitor.</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: So true, but its not just OPEC dropping the hints. The US rig count is dropping dramatically, there have been big layoffs in fracking centers like North Dakota, and the US Energy Information Agency sees oil prices not getting back to a hundred dollars a barrel, but maybe rising to eighty bucks in the next few years. The rise in prices and the potential decline of fracking is likely why the industry is making a renewed push to drill offshore, in the Atlantic and in the Arctic.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Still, experts say that fighting climate change is going to require leaving billions and billions of dollars of oil in the ground every year. How does that figure into the industry discussion?</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: Well, bless your heart, Steve. No, the industry isnt showing any signs of surrendering its assets. But still, its a new day, full of different energy equations.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Okay, so watch this space. What do you have next for us?</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: Steve, I feel a tremor in the force</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Oh, my. What force is that?</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: The unseen force that makes people who seek the Republican Presidential nomination turn into climate deniers. The list of luminaries who acknowledged climate change, and then flip-flopped includes John McCain, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, and Newt Gingrich. But here comes Jeb Bush. Not quite an officially-declared 2016 candidate, but the former Florida Governor came perilously close to acknowledging climate change a week ago.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Well, one would think that a public figure in a low-lying state like Florida would be quick to point out the risks of doing nothing about sea level rise.</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: Well, tell that to Marco Rubio, Governor Bushs fellow Floridian and now an official 2016 candidate. Back in 2007, before he became a Senator, Rubio waxed poetic about the business opportunities presented by global warming, which is something that last week he said hes not so sure about and even if the climate is changing theres nothing we can do about it anyway and the climate is always changing and hes not a scientist anyway.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Well okay - but back to Governor Bush for a second, do you think this is a hint at some breakthrough on the political divide over climate change?</p>
<p>Jeb Bush at the CPAC 2015. (Photo: Gage Skidmore; Wikimedia CC BY-SA 3.0)</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: Its too soon to tell. One other luminary is making rumblings, though. Mitt Romney advocated strong action on climate when he was Massachusetts Governor, and then he ridiculed it in his Republican Convention speech in 2012, but earlier this year, he flipped again, saying climate change is a real and major problem.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: So we shall see. Hey, lets move on to the history calendar for this week.</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: I wrote a piece FOR Scientific American thats running on April 28 because April 28 is a red-letter day for climate deniers. Forty years ago, or for some of us, forty pounds ago, on April 28, 1975, Newsweek magazine published its still infamous piece noting that some scientists thought we could be on the verge of widespread global cooling. Forty years later, that nine-paragraph story in the back of the magazine is still an article of faith used by climate deniers to suggest that climate scientists cant make up their minds about anything.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: And oddly enough, Presidential candidate Ted Cruz just mentioned that Newsweek piece last month. But I recall that even though some scientists asked questions about global cooling back then, it was never really a dominant theory.</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: And when the evidence didnt begin to add up, scientists moved on. Even at the peak of talk about global cooling, scientific papers projecting a warming planet outnumbered the global cooling papers by about seven to one.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Well thats the way science works, your research improves, your data improves, and you go where the evidence leads you.</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: Well its the way everything works. People like George Will, Rush Limbaugh, and of course Senator Cruz still drag out this Disco-era magazine piece like it has any validity for anything today. Its time for even the hard-core climate change deniers to give it up. Can you imagine if we took forty year-old news stories on medical advances as being relevant today? How about computer technology? Things change. We move on. Its forty years, Steve. Its a Jay-Z and Beyonc world, and climate deniers keep dragging us back to the Captain and Tennille.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Peter Dykstras with Environmental Health News, thats ehn.org and the DailyClimate.org hey Peter, thanks for taking the time with us today.</p>
<p>DYKSTRA: All right Steve, thanks, well talk to you soon!</p>
<p>CURWOOD: And theres more on these stories at LOE.org.</p> | false | 3 | curwood living earth im steve curwood conyers georgia peter dykstras looking beyond headlines peters environmental health news ehnorg dailyclimateorg hes line hi peter dykstra well hi steve theres new element absolute freeforall global energy biz know scenario nuke plants closing us countries like india plan nukes domestic coal industry freefall wind solar taking finally word opec organization petroleum exporting countries issued prediction oil gas boom us spearheaded fracking industry grind halt year curwood lets see weve lived dotcom bubble real estate bubble gas bubble also dont forget opec isnt exactly disinterested party us used biggest customer big competitor dykstra true opec dropping hints us rig count dropping dramatically big layoffs fracking centers like north dakota us energy information agency sees oil prices getting back hundred dollars barrel maybe rising eighty bucks next years rise prices potential decline fracking likely industry making renewed push drill offshore atlantic arctic curwood still experts say fighting climate change going require leaving billions billions dollars oil ground every year figure industry discussion dykstra well bless heart steve industry isnt showing signs surrendering assets still new day full different energy equations curwood okay watch space next us dykstra steve feel tremor force curwood oh force dykstra unseen force makes people seek republican presidential nomination turn climate deniers list luminaries acknowledged climate change flipflopped includes john mccain mitt romney sarah palin newt gingrich comes jeb bush quite officiallydeclared 2016 candidate former florida governor came perilously close acknowledging climate change week ago curwood well one would think public figure lowlying state like florida would quick point risks nothing sea level rise dykstra well tell marco rubio governor bushs fellow floridian official 2016 candidate back 2007 became senator rubio waxed poetic business opportunities presented global warming something last week said hes sure even climate changing theres nothing anyway climate always changing hes scientist anyway curwood well okay back governor bush second think hint breakthrough political divide climate change jeb bush cpac 2015 photo gage skidmore wikimedia cc bysa 30 dykstra soon tell one luminary making rumblings though mitt romney advocated strong action climate massachusetts governor ridiculed republican convention speech 2012 earlier year flipped saying climate change real major problem curwood shall see hey lets move history calendar week dykstra wrote piece scientific american thats running april 28 april 28 redletter day climate deniers forty years ago us forty pounds ago april 28 1975 newsweek magazine published still infamous piece noting scientists thought could verge widespread global cooling forty years later nineparagraph story back magazine still article faith used climate deniers suggest climate scientists cant make minds anything curwood oddly enough presidential candidate ted cruz mentioned newsweek piece last month recall even though scientists asked questions global cooling back never really dominant theory dykstra evidence didnt begin add scientists moved even peak talk global cooling scientific papers projecting warming planet outnumbered global cooling papers seven one curwood well thats way science works research improves data improves go evidence leads dykstra well way everything works people like george rush limbaugh course senator cruz still drag discoera magazine piece like validity anything today time even hardcore climate change deniers give imagine took forty yearold news stories medical advances relevant today computer technology things change move forty years steve jayz beyonc world climate deniers keep dragging us back captain tennille curwood peter dykstras environmental health news thats ehnorg dailyclimateorg hey peter thanks taking time us today dykstra right steve thanks well talk soon curwood theres stories loeorg | 574 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>Former congressman, U.N. ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young is a featured speaker at this year’s Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly June 23-27 in Atlanta, CBF coordinator of ministries Bo Prosser reported to the Fellowship’s Governing Board Jan. 23 at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga.</p>
<p>“Andrew Young will challenge us on Thursday night with a ministry to the world, and that will be a wonderfully exciting time for us,” Prosser said at the second meeting of the 16-member body charged with administration in a new organizational structure of the 23-year-old moderate Baptist group adopted in 2013.</p>
<p>Prosser is staff liaison to the new Ministries Council which, along with a Missions Council, decentralizes power from a larger Coordinating Council that previously governed the whole CBF program. He said CBF partner Christian Churches Together also is planning a banquet with an unnamed speaker to encourage the predominantly white, 1,800-church Fellowship to embrace greater diversity.</p>
<p>“I am excited about that as well,” Prosser said. “I can’t announce it yet, because it’s not confirmed, but we’ll get it to you as quickly as possible.”</p>
<p>CBF Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter said the General Assembly, to be held in 2014 under one roof at the newly remodeled Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, is a major expression of CBF identity, a priority highlighted in the report of a blue-ribbon 2012 Task Force chaired by Alabama pastor David Hull and tasked with charting the movement’s course for the next 20 years.</p>
<p>Paynter, the first woman to lead the group which broke away from the Southern Baptist Convention in 1991 to defend principles like academic freedom in theological education and the freedom of local churches to call female pastors, said “how to clarify our identity” has been a major question since her election last year.</p>
<p>“One of the things that has been evident to me [is] as we have operated as CBF, we have expected identity to be a byproduct of what we did,” Paynter said. “So we would do things, and people would identify with them. What I have come to understand is that creating identity —&#160;and the task force report addressed this as a priority —&#160;is not something that should be incidental but has to be intentional.”</p>
<p>“We want to elevate the task of identity building,” Paynter said. “I’d say the General Assembly is one expression. A major focus of that meeting should be building identity.”</p>
<p>Another, she said, is establishing the Fellowship’s role in the larger Baptist family, reflected in cooperative work with groups like the New Baptist Covenant and Baptist World Alliance, as well as in the mission of local churches the Fellowship serves.</p>
<p>“Sometimes I feel it’s like an hourglass, where you’re in the middle and relating outward to a lot of audiences and then you are relating inward to a lot of audiences,” she said. “A part of our identity, I think, is to address both those domains.”</p>
<p>Paynter said internally, the CBF staff in Decatur, Ga., for now is focused on “highlighting congregational life and diversity.”</p>
<p>“If we did so much support at the beginning of CBF for missions and seminaries, it takes intentionality to really focus on supporting congregations now,” she said.</p>
<p>Another point of emphasis, she said, is reform of governance and the Movement Leadership Team, the designation for 18 employed coordinators of CBF state and regional affiliates.</p>
<p>“It is clear that our health and life depend on the state and regional expressions of CBF,” she said. “So how do we bring that together?”</p>
<p>“In looking at governance, I have really tried to be intentional about and thoughtful about bringing their wisdom, their leadership, their voice into every area of CBF life,” Paynter said. “This truly seamless organization has got to more intentionally have a conversation about state and regional leadership.”</p>
<p>Paynter said state and regional leaders have an important role to play in CBF life, “because they are representing the local church, essentially.”</p>
<p>Paynter, who in recent months <a href="http://cbfblog.com/2013/11/06/disaster-response-update-volunteers-requested-in-hattiesburg-miss/" type="external">juggled</a> demands of her job with distractions of having to rehab her family’s home, one of 1,500 flooded last Halloween by torrential rains in Austin, Texas, said one thing that kept her going was commitments she previously made to speak in CBF churches.</p>
<p>“The joy of my life in the last six months has been going to these fabulous churches,” she said. “We just have fabulous churches. They know who they are. They express their ministry. They are unique. They are winsome, full of life and leadership. It is just a joy.”</p>
<p>“We talk about it in the staff a lot,” she said. “People come back after the weekend and [talk about] where they’ve been, and it’s just so beautiful to see this constellation of churches and the beautiful way in which they express themselves.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/andrew-young-b-1932" type="external">Young</a>, 81, a former pastor, joined the staff of the National Council of Churches in 1957, the year President Eisenhower sent federal troops to desegregate public schools in Little Rock, Ark. He left his job as a pastor in 1961 to work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil-rights organization started by Martin Luther King Jr.</p>
<p>After King’s assassination, Young became the first African-American since Reconstruction to be elected to Congress from Georgia in 1972. He supported the 1976 campaign of President Jimmy Carter and was appointed by Carter as ambassador to the United Nations in 1977.</p>
<p>Young returned to Atlanta and in 1981 was elected the city’s mayor. He served as co-chair of the Atlanta Committee for the <a href="http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/sports-outdoor-recreation/olympic-games-1996" type="external">1996 Olympic Games</a>,</p>
<p>In 2003, Young founded the <a href="http://www.andrewjyoungfoundation.org/" type="external">Andrew Young Foundation</a>, an organization <a href="http://www.andrewjyoungfoundation.org/about-us/" type="external">formed</a> to “work toward a global community of peace, prosperity and inclusion” around the world.</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | bob allen former congressman un ambassador atlanta mayor andrew young featured speaker years cooperative baptist fellowship general assembly june 2327 atlanta cbf coordinator ministries bo prosser reported fellowships governing board jan 23 first baptist church decatur ga andrew young challenge us thursday night ministry world wonderfully exciting time us prosser said second meeting 16member body charged administration new organizational structure 23yearold moderate baptist group adopted 2013 prosser staff liaison new ministries council along missions council decentralizes power larger coordinating council previously governed whole cbf program said cbf partner christian churches together also planning banquet unnamed speaker encourage predominantly white 1800church fellowship embrace greater diversity excited well prosser said cant announce yet confirmed well get quickly possible cbf executive coordinator suzii paynter said general assembly held 2014 one roof newly remodeled hyatt regency downtown atlanta major expression cbf identity priority highlighted report blueribbon 2012 task force chaired alabama pastor david hull tasked charting movements course next 20 years paynter first woman lead group broke away southern baptist convention 1991 defend principles like academic freedom theological education freedom local churches call female pastors said clarify identity major question since election last year one things evident operated cbf expected identity byproduct paynter said would things people would identify come understand creating identity 160and task force report addressed priority 160is something incidental intentional want elevate task identity building paynter said id say general assembly one expression major focus meeting building identity another said establishing fellowships role larger baptist family reflected cooperative work groups like new baptist covenant baptist world alliance well mission local churches fellowship serves sometimes feel like hourglass youre middle relating outward lot audiences relating inward lot audiences said part identity think address domains paynter said internally cbf staff decatur ga focused highlighting congregational life diversity much support beginning cbf missions seminaries takes intentionality really focus supporting congregations said another point emphasis said reform governance movement leadership team designation 18 employed coordinators cbf state regional affiliates clear health life depend state regional expressions cbf said bring together looking governance really tried intentional thoughtful bringing wisdom leadership voice every area cbf life paynter said truly seamless organization got intentionally conversation state regional leadership paynter said state regional leaders important role play cbf life representing local church essentially paynter recent months juggled demands job distractions rehab familys home one 1500 flooded last halloween torrential rains austin texas said one thing kept going commitments previously made speak cbf churches joy life last six months going fabulous churches said fabulous churches know express ministry unique winsome full life leadership joy talk staff lot said people come back weekend talk theyve beautiful see constellation churches beautiful way express young 81 former pastor joined staff national council churches 1957 year president eisenhower sent federal troops desegregate public schools little rock ark left job pastor 1961 work southern christian leadership conference civilrights organization started martin luther king jr kings assassination young became first africanamerican since reconstruction elected congress georgia 1972 supported 1976 campaign president jimmy carter appointed carter ambassador united nations 1977 young returned atlanta 1981 elected citys mayor served cochair atlanta committee 1996 olympic games 2003 young founded andrew young foundation organization formed work toward global community peace prosperity inclusion around world | 534 |
<p>Jason Margolis from PRI's "The World" has the story.</p>
<p>Many of us spend eight or nine hours a day sitting in an office. To stay comfortable, and productive, we rely on air conditioning and heat, lights and computers. All of this sucks up a lot of energy. But a lot of this electricity just isn’t necessary. Take a city like Toronto...</p>
<p>Sweeny: “Buildings in northern climates, surprisingly, are air conditioned every day.”</p>
<p>Margolis: That’s architect Dermot Sweeny. I met him a on a recent freezing day amid Toronto’s downtown skyscrapers. Sweeny says most buildings in North American cities were designed for a different era.</p>
<p>Sweeny: “We’ve doubled and tripled the number of people in a building. So we’re producing more heat with our bodies…"</p>
<p>Margolis: Sweeny takes me inside the guts of a new 30-story office tower.</p>
<p>Sweeny: “We’ve added CPU’s, computers, they’re all huge generators of heat... We’ve increased the heat load, typically five fold since the 60’s...”</p>
<p>Margolis: To compensate, Sweeny says, older buildings blast in cool air, year round. But Sweeny says it doesn’t have to be like this. In this new building he’s turning architectural design upside down, literally.</p>
<p>Sweeny: “Everything that normally goes on in a ceiling now goes on in a floor.”</p>
<p>Margolis: Sweeny has taken the wiring and ventilation that’s normally above our heads and moved it beneath our feet. He’s given every person individual control of the temperature in their work space.He points to small, circular ventilation ducts spaced every few feet along the ground.</p>
<p>Sweeny: “That’s an air diffuser getting air out of the floor. And that’s adjustable.Margolis: “So someone would have their desk...”Sweeny: “So someone working here can lean down and open or close the air, control their own temperature and flow.”</p>
<p>Margolis: This has two benefits. First, office workers can adjust the temperature just the way they like it. Gone are the days of sitting right beneath an air vent, bundled up in a sweater, during summertime. Second, it saves lots of energy. You don’t need to cool an entire building, just the areas where people are too warm.</p>
<p>With this change, and other innovations, Sweeny says his buildings can use 35 to 50 percent less energy than a typical Toronto office building. And Sweeny is happy to share his ideas with colleagues…. Which is why he’s joined the Architecture 2030 challenge. It was started by New Mexico architect Edward Mazria.</p>
<p>Mazria: “The more brainpower we can bring to it the better, and so the more people we have working on it, the better.”</p>
<p>Margolis: Mazria is building on more than four decades in the business to get architects to share resources and commit to building smarter. He says new buildings can already cut energy use by 60 %. His goal is buildings that use no fossil fuels at all by 2030. He’s says that’s not implausible, if architects combine new technologies with old-fashioned ideas.</p>
<p>Mazria: “What materials you would use both inside and outside the building. Where you would locate the openings for windows, whether you would shade the openings or even shade the entire building in the summertime. It’s only with the advent of inexpensive fossil fuels that we’ve gotten away from those kinds of design principles. So in essence we’re going back in time.”</p>
<p>Margolis: So far, architects from 39 nations have signed on with Mazria’s Architecture 2030 challenge… They all share information. But what works in cold Canada, isn’t always what an architect in a place like Mexico would do.</p>
<p>Margolis: Insurgentes Avenue in Mexico City is said to be the longest avenue in the world: 29 miles. The buildings are an unimaginative mix of concrete and brick boxes, in various states of disrepair. Every so often though, a few buildings curve and swoop. They’re completely covered in glass. The glass allows Mexico’s ample sunshine to heat and light the building. The buildings also have open interiors with gaps in the ceiling. This allows hot air to funnel up and out of the buildings, like a chimney.</p>
<p>Picciotto: “I’m going to make just a turn here...”</p>
<p>Margolis: These structures were designed by architect José Picciotto, one of two Mexican architects who signed onto the 2030 Challenge. Picciotto took me on a driving tour of some his work. All of his buildings have a similar look, but one size does not fit all. He points to a hotel he designed.</p>
<p>Picciotto: “This building is responding to a specific situation, on a specific street, on a specific orientation.”</p>
<p>Margolis: The front of this building faces straight at the noonday sun. So, he’s covered the windows with small blue polka dots. The dots help block out some of the Mexican summer heat, while still allowing in plenty of light. Horizontal shades also extend several feet off the windows to provide additional cooling. This isn’t high tech stuff. But Picciotto says his buildings use up to two thirds less energy than comparable buildings in Mexico City. Still, it’s been hard to sell his ideas. He tells me about a conversation he had with a another local resident, when Picciotto mentioned he was an architect.</p>
<p>Picciotto: “And he told me, have you seen that building in the corner of blah, blah, blah, the blue one with those things? Don’t you think it’s horrendous? He didn’t know it was mine.”</p>
<p>Margolis: In Toronto, architect Dermot Sweeny has had similar difficulties.</p>
<p>Sweeny: “I approached a lot of developers, and they were quite honest, and they said, well nobody is doing this. Why would I do this?”</p>
<p>Margolis: The answer, Sweeny says, is that architecture has to change if we’re to have any chance of stopping global climate change. But the economics to build green don’t always work. Tenants benefit from lower energy costs. But developers have to pay for the capital improvements up front, and don’t necessarily recoup the long-term savings. That’s why Edward Mazria, the founder of Architecture 2030, says architects can’t solve the green building problem alone. He says it’s critical that governments play a role to make energy efficient buildings the rule, and not just an aspiration.</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.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">More "The World."</a></p> | false | 3 | jason margolis pris world story many us spend eight nine hours day sitting office stay comfortable productive rely air conditioning heat lights computers sucks lot energy lot electricity isnt necessary take city like toronto sweeny buildings northern climates surprisingly air conditioned every day margolis thats architect dermot sweeny met recent freezing day amid torontos downtown skyscrapers sweeny says buildings north american cities designed different era sweeny weve doubled tripled number people building producing heat bodies margolis sweeny takes inside guts new 30story office tower sweeny weve added cpus computers theyre huge generators heat weve increased heat load typically five fold since 60s margolis compensate sweeny says older buildings blast cool air year round sweeny says doesnt like new building hes turning architectural design upside literally sweeny everything normally goes ceiling goes floor margolis sweeny taken wiring ventilation thats normally heads moved beneath feet hes given every person individual control temperature work spacehe points small circular ventilation ducts spaced every feet along ground sweeny thats air diffuser getting air floor thats adjustablemargolis someone would desksweeny someone working lean open close air control temperature flow margolis two benefits first office workers adjust temperature way like gone days sitting right beneath air vent bundled sweater summertime second saves lots energy dont need cool entire building areas people warm change innovations sweeny says buildings use 35 50 percent less energy typical toronto office building sweeny happy share ideas colleagues hes joined architecture 2030 challenge started new mexico architect edward mazria mazria brainpower bring better people working better margolis mazria building four decades business get architects share resources commit building smarter says new buildings already cut energy use 60 goal buildings use fossil fuels 2030 hes says thats implausible architects combine new technologies oldfashioned ideas mazria materials would use inside outside building would locate openings windows whether would shade openings even shade entire building summertime advent inexpensive fossil fuels weve gotten away kinds design principles essence going back time margolis far architects 39 nations signed mazrias architecture 2030 challenge share information works cold canada isnt always architect place like mexico would margolis insurgentes avenue mexico city said longest avenue world 29 miles buildings unimaginative mix concrete brick boxes various states disrepair every often though buildings curve swoop theyre completely covered glass glass allows mexicos ample sunshine heat light building buildings also open interiors gaps ceiling allows hot air funnel buildings like chimney picciotto im going make turn margolis structures designed architect josé picciotto one two mexican architects signed onto 2030 challenge picciotto took driving tour work buildings similar look one size fit points hotel designed picciotto building responding specific situation specific street specific orientation margolis front building faces straight noonday sun hes covered windows small blue polka dots dots help block mexican summer heat still allowing plenty light horizontal shades also extend several feet windows provide additional cooling isnt high tech stuff picciotto says buildings use two thirds less energy comparable buildings mexico city still hard sell ideas tells conversation another local resident picciotto mentioned architect picciotto told seen building corner blah blah blah blue one things dont think horrendous didnt know mine margolis toronto architect dermot sweeny similar difficulties sweeny approached lot developers quite honest said well nobody would margolis answer sweeny says architecture change chance stopping global climate change economics build green dont always work tenants benefit lower energy costs developers pay capital improvements front dont necessarily recoup longterm savings thats edward mazria founder architecture 2030 says architects cant solve green building problem alone says critical governments play role make energy efficient buildings rule aspiration pris world onehour weekday radio news magazine offering mix news features interviews music around globe world coproduction bbc world service pri wgbh boston world | 616 |
<p>Things were looking bleak for Orange Grove Baptist Church and its aging membership when Greg Shoemaker arrived as its pastor about a year ago.</p>
<p>Located just north of Pascagoula, Miss., the congregation and community around it had been hit hard by years of flooding, the closing of a paper mill and elementary school and the decline of the local fishing industry.</p>
<p />
<p>Add to that the national trends driving down church attendance and all Orange Grove Baptist had were about a dozen mostly elderly members worshiping in a sanctuary meant for 120.</p>
<p>“It was a little discouraging,” said Shoemaker, 44, a bivocational pastor who also works in health-care administration. “They were a dying church with a lot stacked up against them.”</p>
<p>What he didn’t know at the time was that the decline in numbers would continue and raise questions about whether the church would survive.</p>
<p>Churches on the edge</p>
<p>It’s a question thousands of American churches confront each year. Estimates of annual church closures range from 3,500 to 7,000. That's likely to increase as younger generations, including the rise of the "nones," increasingly avoid organized religion.</p>
<p>One of the biggest dangers facing those churches is the failure to see the financial trap that puts them in, said Chris Gambill, manager of congregational health services at the Center for Congregational Health in Winston-Salem, N.C.</p>
<p>“A lot of established, traditional congregations don’t realize how close they might be to this scenario,” he said.</p>
<p>That scenario can spell trouble because aging members are the biggest givers in most American congregations. Gambill said 60 to 75 percent of giving comes from members who are 60 and older.</p>
<p>Gambill said those older members are often resistant to changes in ministries, and their giving isn’t being replaced after they leave or pass away.</p>
<p>“My best guess is that there is a 10- to 20-year window before most churches hit a financial crisis that will push them over the edge,” Gambill said.</p>
<p>Discerning that edge for Orange Grove Baptist church wasn’t alwasy easy, said Patsy Ready, 71, a member of the congregation since its founding as a mission of First Baptist Pascagoula in the 1960s.</p>
<p>“I can remember a time when it was full and we had youth groups and everything,” she said. “Then we began to have our ups and downs, and it was probably in the ‘80s when we began to see real declines and couldn’t seem to build back.”</p>
<p>Ready said a series of preachers brought with them surges in attendance followed by more declines. Not until three or four years ago did the idea of shutting down become a sustained conversation.</p>
<p>“Personally, I felt like it was going to go down,” Ready said. “The last three or four years we have really been down to where 10 is a big crowd.”</p>
<p>‘A time for reinvention’</p>
<p>While shutting down is a nightmarish concept for most churches, others have found it to be a graceful way for aging members to leave a legacy, said Molly Marshall, president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary near Kansas City.</p>
<p>In 2008, a St. Louis-area church closed and gave $2.2 million to the seminary. The money was used in part to create an endowed chair and programming that continues today, Marshall said.</p>
<p>Another church donated its property to the seminary, which is using the facility as a church start for a new congregation, she said.</p>
<p>“Congregational health doesn’t mean that you live forever,” Marshall said. “It means you are able to make wise decisions about your future, and sometimes wise decisions are to merge, move, sell or give away.”</p>
<p>Gambill agreed and said the center is hearing from an increasing number of churches wanting to know how to go about shutting down. But most inquire about other options, including mergers with other congregations. “I think it’s a time for reinvention and re-imagining,” Gambill said.</p>
<p>In Orange Grove, Miss., Shoemaker came out of the gate fast in exploring those kinds of options.</p>
<p>First, he got the church very close to an agreement with a residential treatment program for substance abusers, but it fell through because of the frequent flooding in the area.</p>
<p>A few months later, Orange Grove Baptist was close to inking a deal with an agency that uses empty church buildings to house homeless families as parents go through job training.</p>
<p>“We were ready to receive our first family … in August 2012, and that is when (Hurricane) Isaac came through,” Shoemaker said. “It was a mess – the church got 16 inches of water.”</p>
<p>The members were haggard from their own hurricane experience and dejected about losing the homeless ministry.</p>
<p>“It would have been easy to quit right there,” he said.</p>
<p>‘Rethink funding models’</p>
<p>Gambill said churches faced with these situations must be creative in the way they think about their facilities, revenues and ministries.</p>
<p>“Most established traditional churches need to think about their funding models and wrestle with the idea: is it realistic to think we can support this institution simply by passing the plate?”</p>
<p>Innovative solutions increasingly tried include hosting business incubators, schools, social service nonprofits, coffee houses and bookstores, Gambill said. Parking lots can also be revenue generators during non-worship times, he said.</p>
<p>“I think the day has passed that we can build big buildings and expect to be the only ones who use them,” Gambill said.</p>
<p>That turned out to be true for Orange Grove Baptist. Two weeks after Isaac, Shoemaker learned through the local Southern Baptist association of a growing Hispanic congregation in need of a permanent home.</p>
<p>Talks progressed quickly and by October 2012 the two churches agreed to merge. The long-time members of Orange Grove deeded the property to the Hispanic group in exchange for being able to worship there as long as they are able.</p>
<p>A celebratory joint worship service was held last month, though the two congregations will worship separately due to the language barrier, Shoemaker said.</p>
<p>There are a lot of practical benefits to the arrangement, Shoemaker added. It gives a young, growing congregation a home, and it takes the burden of building maintenance and expenses off the older, original members of Orange Grove Baptist.</p>
<p>“We had a building in need of remodeling and 12 old people who can’t do it, and they had between 60 and 80 who are all young and many of whom are laborers,” Shoemaker said.</p>
<p>But Ready said there is also the emotional benefit of being able to worship in a sanctuary she and her friends have called home for decades.</p>
<p>“Had this not happened, I think we would have just closed the doors,” she said. “And that just hurt.”</p>
<p>Jeff Brumley is assistant editor of Associated Baptist Press.</p> | false | 3 | things looking bleak orange grove baptist church aging membership greg shoemaker arrived pastor year ago located north pascagoula miss congregation community around hit hard years flooding closing paper mill elementary school decline local fishing industry add national trends driving church attendance orange grove baptist dozen mostly elderly members worshiping sanctuary meant 120 little discouraging said shoemaker 44 bivocational pastor also works healthcare administration dying church lot stacked didnt know time decline numbers would continue raise questions whether church would survive churches edge question thousands american churches confront year estimates annual church closures range 3500 7000 thats likely increase younger generations including rise nones increasingly avoid organized religion one biggest dangers facing churches failure see financial trap puts said chris gambill manager congregational health services center congregational health winstonsalem nc lot established traditional congregations dont realize close might scenario said scenario spell trouble aging members biggest givers american congregations gambill said 60 75 percent giving comes members 60 older gambill said older members often resistant changes ministries giving isnt replaced leave pass away best guess 10 20year window churches hit financial crisis push edge gambill said discerning edge orange grove baptist church wasnt alwasy easy said patsy ready 71 member congregation since founding mission first baptist pascagoula 1960s remember time full youth groups everything said began ups downs probably 80s began see real declines couldnt seem build back ready said series preachers brought surges attendance followed declines three four years ago idea shutting become sustained conversation personally felt like going go ready said last three four years really 10 big crowd time reinvention shutting nightmarish concept churches others found graceful way aging members leave legacy said molly marshall president central baptist theological seminary near kansas city 2008 st louisarea church closed gave 22 million seminary money used part create endowed chair programming continues today marshall said another church donated property seminary using facility church start new congregation said congregational health doesnt mean live forever marshall said means able make wise decisions future sometimes wise decisions merge move sell give away gambill agreed said center hearing increasing number churches wanting know go shutting inquire options including mergers congregations think time reinvention reimagining gambill said orange grove miss shoemaker came gate fast exploring kinds options first got church close agreement residential treatment program substance abusers fell frequent flooding area months later orange grove baptist close inking deal agency uses empty church buildings house homeless families parents go job training ready receive first family august 2012 hurricane isaac came shoemaker said mess church got 16 inches water members haggard hurricane experience dejected losing homeless ministry would easy quit right said rethink funding models gambill said churches faced situations must creative way think facilities revenues ministries established traditional churches need think funding models wrestle idea realistic think support institution simply passing plate innovative solutions increasingly tried include hosting business incubators schools social service nonprofits coffee houses bookstores gambill said parking lots also revenue generators nonworship times said think day passed build big buildings expect ones use gambill said turned true orange grove baptist two weeks isaac shoemaker learned local southern baptist association growing hispanic congregation need permanent home talks progressed quickly october 2012 two churches agreed merge longtime members orange grove deeded property hispanic group exchange able worship long able celebratory joint worship service held last month though two congregations worship separately due language barrier shoemaker said lot practical benefits arrangement shoemaker added gives young growing congregation home takes burden building maintenance expenses older original members orange grove baptist building need remodeling 12 old people cant 60 80 young many laborers shoemaker said ready said also emotional benefit able worship sanctuary friends called home decades happened think would closed doors said hurt jeff brumley assistant editor associated baptist press | 624 |
<p>BORDEAUX — The world is sitting by and watching in a state of disbelief at the “abhorrent” asylum policies of the Australian government, according to one of the world’s leading refugee and migration experts. <a href="http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/people/academics/alexander-betts" type="external" /></p>
<p>Alexander Betts, professor in refugee and forced migration studies at the UK's University of Oxford, says it’s time for the United Nations and Australia’s “silent majority” to speak out against human rights abuses under Prime Minister Tony Abbott.</p>
<p>“At the moment I think there’s almost a sense that because Australia is an otherwise liberal democratic state, somehow there’s a disbelief that its asylum policies can be quite as abhorrent as they are,” he says.</p>
<p>Betts contends that despite Tony Abbott’s anti-asylum seeker propaganda, refugees could actually be good for Australia, because their skills and entrepreneurial spirit could help create jobs and strengthen the economy.</p>
<p>Remarkably, he points to the refugee policy of Uganda — a country whose people on average <a href="http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD" type="external">earn less in a year</a> than Australians do in a week — as a model for what Abbott should do.</p>
<p>The prime minister’s current strategy is one of rejecting and demonizing foreigners in need of shelter. His ongoing campaign to “ <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140117/australia-sorry-indonesia-intrusion-vows-stop-boats" type="external">stop the boats</a>,” however, reached new lows this month with confirmation that Australia had handed asylum seekers <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28189316" type="external">back to Sri Lanka</a> — the country from which they had sought refuge and one with a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbl-Elax9uo" type="external">questionable human rights record</a> of its own.</p>
<p>The UN described the move as “ <a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=48216#.U70xTFaQcUo" type="external">deeply disturbing</a>,” while refugee advocacy groups issued a <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/140707/high-court-blocks-australia-handing-back-153-asylum-seeker" type="external">High Court challenge</a> to try to prevent a second boatload from suffering the same fate.</p>
<p>Despite his own unpopularity, a <a href="http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/07/08/essential-approval-rises-for-asylum-seeker-policy/" type="external">recent poll</a> suggests Abbott’s hardline stance on asylum <a href="http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/07/08/essential-approval-rises-for-asylum-seeker-policy/" type="external">remains popular</a> among some Australians, with 36 percent approving of the government’s asylum policy.</p>
<p>The role model: Uganda</p>
<p>In contrast to Australia, Uganda gives refugees the right to work and freedom of movement. They have access to public services, including health centers and schools. And the government employs health workers and teachers to assist in settlement.</p>
<p>Betts is the lead author of a new report on Uganda that challenges the myth — perpetuated by Abbott and commonly accepted in Australia — that refugees are an economic burden.</p>
<p>The study, <a href="http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/refugeeeconomies" type="external">"Refugee Economics: Rethinking Popular Assumptions</a>," found that refugees in Uganda are using economic freedom and social support to become self-sufficient. Rather than taking the jobs of locals, they are actually acting as job creators.</p>
<p>“Over 20 percent of the refugees we spoke to in Kampala were entrepreneurs employing other people, and of those that employed other people, 40 percent of their employees were Ugandan nationals,” says Betts.</p>
<p>“If we give them freedom and opportunities, refugees can make a positive contribution. If we restrict their ability to contribute, then we are likely to create a notion that they are a drain socially, politically, and economically.”</p>
<p>Uganda faces a far greater influx of refugees than Australia; in <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e483c06.html" type="external">July 2013 alone</a>, Uganda accepted more than 66,000 refugees fleeing civil unrest in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. &#160;</p>
<p>By comparison, <a href="http://unhcr.org.au/unhcr/images/Asylum%2520Trends%25202013.pdf" type="external">UN figures show</a> that throughout all of 2013, Australia received just 24,300 applications for asylum.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/politics/140423/11-ways-prime-minister-tony-abbott-ruining-australia-and-threatening-the-planet" type="external">11 ways Tony Abbott is ruining Australia and threatening the whole world</a></p>
<p>“We need to get things in perspective and recognize that the overwhelming majority of refugees — over 80 percent — are in the developing world,” says Betts.&#160; &#160;</p>
<p>“It is often the countries with the least capacity that actually take on the greatest degree of responsibility to protect and assist refugees. The ability of the Ugandan government to contribute in terms of its economic situation is far lower than Australia’s, but they’ve taken pioneering steps with regard to refugee policy.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.asrc.org.au" type="external">Australian Asylum Seeker Resource Centre</a> CEO Kon Karapanagiotidis agrees.</p>
<p>“We believe that asylum seekers and refugees are among the most resilient, entrepreneurial people on the planet,” he says.</p>
<p>Australia needs to create an infrastructure that allows refugees to overcome barriers to employment and self-reliance so they can thrive, he adds. &#160; “The focus shouldn’t be on charity, but on supporting asylum seekers to use their skills, experiences, resilience and ingenuity,” says Karapanagiotidis.</p>
<p>He says the current Australian system is unfair and discriminates against so-called "boat people."</p>
<p>“While asylum seekers who arrive by plane are able to work while they await the outcome of their refugee application, many asylum seekers living in the community who have come to Australia by boat are not afforded work rights,” he says.</p>
<p>“Asylum seekers in general are not eligible to access Centrelink [employment benefits], and those who are permitted to work can’t access <a href="https://employment.gov.au/job-services-australia-jsa" type="external">Job Services Australia</a> support to help them find employment, nor can they access apprenticeship and traineeship schemes.” &#160; Betts says the deprivation of the right to work is intended as a deterrent, “but it doesn’t work — it doesn’t stop people arriving.”</p>
<p>“Given how many of these people arriving by boat are refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention definition, the sooner we can enable them to be self-reliant and make contributions through their work and their taxes, the earlier we can enable them to become part of the community.”</p>
<p>He says more research is needed to make an economic case for refugees.</p>
<p>“The kind of data we now have for Uganda just doesn’t exist in the Australian context,” he says. “It’s very rare that economists have done research on refugees and asylum seekers, but it’s very important [because] if we want to challenge the rhetoric of governments, we can show these assumptions and claims to be false with that data and evidence.” &#160;</p>
<p>Fixing Australia</p>
<p>Betts insists that Australians should reject Abbott’s policies. “Politics needs to give voice to the country’s silent majority, and that takes political courage and leadership by elected politicians to ... mobilize that set of people who recognize that it’s not acceptable to have refugees under international law in danger at sea and not having access to the territory of another state when they’re seeking international protection.</p>
<p>“Organizations like UNHCR [the UN’s refugee agency] and international NGOs [need to] make it clear that the policies being adopted by the Abbott government are a violation of human rights and international refugee law.”</p>
<p>He said it was also the responsibility of the country’s allies — including the United States and the United Kingdom —&#160;to quietly condemn via diplomatic channels Australia’s “clear violation of the minimum standards of human rights we expect of a civilized country.”</p> | false | 3 | bordeaux world sitting watching state disbelief abhorrent asylum policies australian government according one worlds leading refugee migration experts alexander betts professor refugee forced migration studies uks university oxford says time united nations australias silent majority speak human rights abuses prime minister tony abbott moment think theres almost sense australia otherwise liberal democratic state somehow theres disbelief asylum policies quite abhorrent says betts contends despite tony abbotts antiasylum seeker propaganda refugees could actually good australia skills entrepreneurial spirit could help create jobs strengthen economy remarkably points refugee policy uganda country whose people average earn less year australians week model abbott prime ministers current strategy one rejecting demonizing foreigners need shelter ongoing campaign stop boats however reached new lows month confirmation australia handed asylum seekers back sri lanka country sought refuge one questionable human rights record un described move deeply disturbing refugee advocacy groups issued high court challenge try prevent second boatload suffering fate despite unpopularity recent poll suggests abbotts hardline stance asylum remains popular among australians 36 percent approving governments asylum policy role model uganda contrast australia uganda gives refugees right work freedom movement access public services including health centers schools government employs health workers teachers assist settlement betts lead author new report uganda challenges myth perpetuated abbott commonly accepted australia refugees economic burden study refugee economics rethinking popular assumptions found refugees uganda using economic freedom social support become selfsufficient rather taking jobs locals actually acting job creators 20 percent refugees spoke kampala entrepreneurs employing people employed people 40 percent employees ugandan nationals says betts give freedom opportunities refugees make positive contribution restrict ability contribute likely create notion drain socially politically economically uganda faces far greater influx refugees australia july 2013 alone uganda accepted 66000 refugees fleeing civil unrest neighboring democratic republic congo 160 comparison un figures show throughout 2013 australia received 24300 applications asylum globalpost 11 ways tony abbott ruining australia threatening whole world need get things perspective recognize overwhelming majority refugees 80 percent developing world says betts160 160 often countries least capacity actually take greatest degree responsibility protect assist refugees ability ugandan government contribute terms economic situation far lower australias theyve taken pioneering steps regard refugee policy australian asylum seeker resource centre ceo kon karapanagiotidis agrees believe asylum seekers refugees among resilient entrepreneurial people planet says australia needs create infrastructure allows refugees overcome barriers employment selfreliance thrive adds 160 focus shouldnt charity supporting asylum seekers use skills experiences resilience ingenuity says karapanagiotidis says current australian system unfair discriminates socalled boat people asylum seekers arrive plane able work await outcome refugee application many asylum seekers living community come australia boat afforded work rights says asylum seekers general eligible access centrelink employment benefits permitted work cant access job services australia support help find employment access apprenticeship traineeship schemes 160 betts says deprivation right work intended deterrent doesnt work doesnt stop people arriving given many people arriving boat refugees 1951 refugee convention definition sooner enable selfreliant make contributions work taxes earlier enable become part community says research needed make economic case refugees kind data uganda doesnt exist australian context says rare economists done research refugees asylum seekers important want challenge rhetoric governments show assumptions claims false data evidence 160 fixing australia betts insists australians reject abbotts policies politics needs give voice countrys silent majority takes political courage leadership elected politicians mobilize set people recognize acceptable refugees international law danger sea access territory another state theyre seeking international protection organizations like unhcr uns refugee agency international ngos need make clear policies adopted abbott government violation human rights international refugee law said also responsibility countrys allies including united states united kingdom 160to quietly condemn via diplomatic channels australias clear violation minimum standards human rights expect civilized country | 613 |
<p>Until recently, volleyball coach and science teacher Cathy Samford taught at a Christian academy in Rockwall, Texas, where she had been employed for three years. One year she was chosen coach of the year.</p>
<p />
<p>But when the 29-year-old single woman revealed that she was pregnant, the accolades ceased. So did her employment—leaving her without income and minus medical coverage for her and her soon-to-be-born baby. Samford cannot understand how they could do this to her. “We all have our different views and interpretations,” she said. “It’s not necessarily the Christian thing to do to throw somebody aside because of those.” She says she “was shocked” by the school’s decision saying she and her boyfriend planned to get married, but that something had interfered with their plans. She said they would go ahead and get married if that would help.</p>
<p>The school, on the other hand, believes teachers have an obligation to conduct themselves by the moral code of the institution—not to mention the Bible. School headmaster Ron Taylor says that part of Samford’s responsibility was to be a role model for students and he cites a morals clause in her contract with the school.</p>
<p>Most of us would feel a sense of compassion toward the woman and her unborn baby, but shouldn’t she have anticipated that her behavior might have consequences? After all, school officials are trying to reinforce a specific biblical worldview. For her part, Samford has indicated no remorse for being sexually active prior to marriage and sees no real inconsistency in the mixed-message presented by an unmarried pregnant teacher.</p>
<p>What concerns me even more than the behavior is the attitude.</p>
<p>And speaking of that, in a recent radio broadcast Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, spoke on racial overtones behind the Trayvon Martin case. The Associated Press reported, “On his weekly radio show recently, Richard Land claimed President Barack Obama, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton had shamefully exploited the case to stir up racial resentment in an attempt to turn out black voters for the presidential election.” He referred to Jackson and Sharpton as “race hustlers.”</p>
<p>As it turns out, not only were his words shameful, they were plagiarized. As he spoke, a Baylor University doctoral student, noting what he thought was unusual word choices, decided to Google Land’s words. Low and behold, they weren’t Land’s words at all.</p>
<p>Giving credit to neither the Washington Times nor to author Jeffrey Kuhner, Land quoted vertabim from an editorial. Within days backlashes developed both from his intellectual thievery and the explosive nature of the words. Still, Land defended what he had said.</p>
<p>As pressure mounted, Land issued an apology of sorts. He said that he apologized for any hurt or misunderstanding his comments generated, then added, “Clearly, I overestimated the progress that has been made in slaying the ugly racist ghosts of the past in our history. I also clearly underestimated the extent to which we must go out of our way not to be misunderstood when we speak to issues where race is a factor.” How’s that for an unapology?</p>
<p>The board of trustees of the ERLC announced an investigation and Land was asked to meet with leaders of the SBC both white and black, including Fred Luter who will be nominated to serve as the convention’s first African-American president at the annual meeting just days from now. After a five-hour meeting, Land again “apologized.” Black SBC leaders say they have accepted it.</p>
<p>Land reports that he has sent letters of apology to the national black leaders he offended.</p>
<p>Steve Faith, chairman of the ERLC trustees investigating charges of plagiarism, announced that he would present a report on the board’s investigation, then in a surprise move on May 24, suddenly announced his resignation from the board. Faith has not commented, but his replacement, Richard Piles, an Arkansas pastor, says that Faith needed to devote more time to his church which is without a pastor. What? Are we to believe that the needs of the church were so extreme as to demand his immediate departure from the board before he could make his report in 10 days?</p>
<p>Piles will report the findings of the board’s investigation on June 1, but his comments to Nashville’s newspaper, The Tennessean, may provide a glimpse of what to expect. “I am a fan of Dr. Land,” he said. “I am in his corner through this process and want to see him succeed and hope that he can continue in his ministry.”</p>
<p>In these two cases we observe parallels and contrasts. Samford is guilty as sin, we might say. For that matter, so is Land. That’s a parallel.</p>
<p>In Samford’s case, school officials are trying to reinforce a specific biblical worldview. In Land’s case the parallel is close. He is trying to enforce a bliblical worldview—on everybody else. For her part, Samford has indicated no remorse for being sexually active prior to marriage and sees no real inconsistency in the mixed-message presented by an unmarried pregnant teacher. Land’s apologies were forced and he, too, apparently sees no inconsistency in the mixed messages sent when the guy in charge of ethics for the SBC plagiarizes his material and proceeds to make shocking racial comments.</p>
<p>Now the contrasts: Her employer, recognizing her status as a role model, fired her. The ERLC board, on the other hand, appears ready to ignore any need on Land’s part to model integrity. Never mind that he is the president of the commission in the SBC dealing with ethics! Stealing someone else’s words is a serious offense. A student in a military academy would be kicked out of school for such an offense. But the SBC leadership must not expect its chief ethicist to measure up to West Point’s standards!</p>
<p>Land’s presidency has at times been characterized by arrogance, impulsiveness and lack of integrity. Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I would like to hear his thoughts about a teacher in a private Christian school who gets pregnant out of wedlock! &#160; Jim White ( <a href="mailto:jwhite@religiousherald.org" type="external">jwhite@religiousherald.org</a>) is executive editor of the Religious Herald.</p> | false | 3 | recently volleyball coach science teacher cathy samford taught christian academy rockwall texas employed three years one year chosen coach year 29yearold single woman revealed pregnant accolades ceased employmentleaving without income minus medical coverage soontobeborn baby samford understand could different views interpretations said necessarily christian thing throw somebody aside says shocked schools decision saying boyfriend planned get married something interfered plans said would go ahead get married would help school hand believes teachers obligation conduct moral code institutionnot mention bible school headmaster ron taylor says part samfords responsibility role model students cites morals clause contract school us would feel sense compassion toward woman unborn baby shouldnt anticipated behavior might consequences school officials trying reinforce specific biblical worldview part samford indicated remorse sexually active prior marriage sees real inconsistency mixedmessage presented unmarried pregnant teacher concerns even behavior attitude speaking recent radio broadcast richard land president southern baptist conventions ethics religious liberty commission spoke racial overtones behind trayvon martin case associated press reported weekly radio show recently richard land claimed president barack obama rev jesse jackson rev al sharpton shamefully exploited case stir racial resentment attempt turn black voters presidential election referred jackson sharpton race hustlers turns words shameful plagiarized spoke baylor university doctoral student noting thought unusual word choices decided google lands words low behold werent lands words giving credit neither washington times author jeffrey kuhner land quoted vertabim editorial within days backlashes developed intellectual thievery explosive nature words still land defended said pressure mounted land issued apology sorts said apologized hurt misunderstanding comments generated added clearly overestimated progress made slaying ugly racist ghosts past history also clearly underestimated extent must go way misunderstood speak issues race factor hows unapology board trustees erlc announced investigation land asked meet leaders sbc white black including fred luter nominated serve conventions first africanamerican president annual meeting days fivehour meeting land apologized black sbc leaders say accepted land reports sent letters apology national black leaders offended steve faith chairman erlc trustees investigating charges plagiarism announced would present report boards investigation surprise move may 24 suddenly announced resignation board faith commented replacement richard piles arkansas pastor says faith needed devote time church without pastor believe needs church extreme demand immediate departure board could make report 10 days piles report findings boards investigation june 1 comments nashvilles newspaper tennessean may provide glimpse expect fan dr land said corner process want see succeed hope continue ministry two cases observe parallels contrasts samford guilty sin might say matter land thats parallel samfords case school officials trying reinforce specific biblical worldview lands case parallel close trying enforce bliblical worldviewon everybody else part samford indicated remorse sexually active prior marriage sees real inconsistency mixedmessage presented unmarried pregnant teacher lands apologies forced apparently sees inconsistency mixed messages sent guy charge ethics sbc plagiarizes material proceeds make shocking racial comments contrasts employer recognizing status role model fired erlc board hand appears ready ignore need lands part model integrity never mind president commission sbc dealing ethics stealing someone elses words serious offense student military academy would kicked school offense sbc leadership must expect chief ethicist measure west points standards lands presidency times characterized arrogance impulsiveness lack integrity satisfy curiosity would like hear thoughts teacher private christian school gets pregnant wedlock 160 jim white jwhitereligiousheraldorg executive editor religious herald | 543 |
<p>After months of buildup, the 2016 presidential nomination contest kicked off yesterday with what for Democrats turned out to be the <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/iowa-caucus-2016-donald-trump-bernie-sanders-218547?lo=ut_a1" type="external">closest Iowa caucus in history</a>. An early morning <a href="http://iowademocrats.org/statement-from-idp-chair-on-tonights-historically-close-caucus-results/" type="external">statement</a> by the Iowa Democratic Party chairwoman gave Hillary Clinton the victory over Bernie Sanders by a razor-thin margin. Since Iowa caucus outcomes are measured in what’s known as “state delegate equivalents,” rather than raw vote totals, it’s not possible to tell how many voters separated the two candidates. But we do know this: Under the caucuses’ arcane rules, Clinton won at least six deadlocked precincts by a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/02/02/clinton-wins-at-least-six-iowa-precincts-by-coin-flip/" type="external">coin flip.</a></p>
<p>For gun reform advocates and Democratic strategists, the Iowa caucuses had an important subplot, providing the first real test of Clinton’s effort to use Sanders’s record on guns to raise doubts about his liberal principles. Since the party’s initial debate last fall, Clinton has hammered the Vermont senator on the issue, hitting him particularly hard on his vote in favor of legislation providing broad legal protections for gun businesses, a bill heavily promoted by the National Rifle Association. The Clinton campaign believed that a focus on guns could demonstrate to Sanders’s base of white liberal supporters that he “is not a purist, as he maintains,” in the words of Emily Tisch Sussman, a political strategist at the Center for American Progress.</p>
<p>In Iowa, which sets the narrative for the first leg of presidential primary contests, the Clinton camp hoped the gun issue would help her score a decisive win, leaving next week’s vote in New Hampshire, where Sanders holds a sizable lead in the polls, as a minor speed bump on Clinton’s march to the nomination. On Saturday, former congresswoman and gun violence prevention advocate&#160;Gabby Giffords, who rarely speaks in public, joined Clinton on the stump in a key Iowa county, an appearance meant to press Clinton’s perceived advantage on the issue. Meanwhile, the Sanders campaign, on the defensive, was sending out <a href="" type="internal">mailers in which he vowed to take on the NRA</a>. And after spending months defending his vote for the gun-industry immunity law, Sanders <a href="" type="internal">agreed to cosponsor</a>&#160;a bill that would repeal it.</p>
<p>But for all that drama, Clinton, as we know now, did not get the convincing Iowa triumph that her team was hoping for. The narrow outcome, in turn, makes the role that the gun issue played difficult to parse. Here are the big open questions.</p>
<p>There are reasons to see things that way.</p>
<p>Quinnipiac University’s <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/images/polling/ia/ia02012016_Ifsmb28.pdf" type="external">caucus day poll</a> showed that only 3 percent of Democratic Iowa caucus goers ranked&#160;guns as their most important issue. That’s not nearly as high as the percentages listing the economy, health care, or even climate change as their top priority —&#160;but it’s also well more than the margin separating Clinton and Sanders in the final result.</p>
<p>Perhaps more significantly, other survey data shows that the gun issue may have helped prevent more Clinton voters from defecting to Sanders as the race tightened. The highly regarded (though obviously not perfectly accurate) Des Moines Register-Bloomberg Politics poll, which released its final pre-caucus poll on Saturday, found that <a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2016/01/30/donald-trump-reclaims-lead-latest-iowa-poll/79562322/" type="external">10 percent</a> of Clinton supporters had backed Sanders at some earlier point in the race before coming home to Clinton during the race’s closing stretch. Separately, surveys of caucus-goers entering their precincts found that among those making up their mind on election day, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/02/01/us/elections/iowa-democrat-poll.html?_r=0" type="external">45 percent broke for Clinton</a>, versus 42 percent for Sanders. Some of those voters no doubt made their decisions based on the bigger question of electability. But by using Sanders’s gun record to paint him as just an ordinary politician, Clinton provided another reason — perhaps a crucial reason — not to feel the Bern.</p>
<p>Maybe not.</p>
<p>Gun-safety advocates will never absolve Sanders for his perceived sins of backing the gun-industry legal shield law and his subsequent attempts to explain his position as one intended to protect mom and pop gun shops in Vermont. But Sanders has voted for policies like assault weapons bans, and while Clinton can call herself proud to have the NRA as an enemy and point to her F rating from the gun lobby, Sanders’s own NRA grade is a D-minus. Clinton’s attacks on Sanders’s record also may be blunted by her own evolution on the issue. You may recall that in 2008, Barack Obama could credibly zing Clinton as sounding like “Annie Oakley” as she wooed firearms-owning Democrats following Obama’s musings on the gun-clinging of rural voters</p>
<p>And here we arrive at the biggest question of all where the 2016 Democratic primary and gun policy is concerned. Before Clinton’s event with Giffords, she had used the issue more aggressively in New Hampshire than she was in Iowa, devoting fully <a href="http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2016-01-21-US--DEM%202016-Clinton%20Guns/id-c80c21c75a594bbfb9b266a594ab0bf9" type="external">a quarter of her TV ads</a> in the Granite State to drawing a contrast between her and Sanders on gun reform. But to judge from public polling, that push has not moved the needle. As of very early this morning, FiveThirtyEight is <a href="http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/election-2016/primary-forecast/new-hampshire-democratic/" type="external">projecting</a> that Sanders will win 54.1 percent of the New Hampshire vote compared to Clinton’s 42.7 percent.</p>
<p>Guns may provide Clinton a bigger lift in the South Carolina primary on February 27, where polls have shown her leading by a wide margin in the first contest in which African American voters will be a significant factor. South Carolina is also where Clinton took up the mantle of gun reform in the wake of the Charleston church massacre last summer. If gun policy does not provide the Clinton campaign with a viable wedge issue to use against Sanders, it may yet have another benefit: As one political observer <a href="http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2016-01-21-US--DEM%202016-Clinton%20Guns/id-c80c21c75a594bbfb9b266a594ab0bf9" type="external">has noted</a>, Clinton “sees the chance to be the candidate of change on this one issue.” And when you’re a very familiar establishment candidate running against an insurgent promising a revolution, any opportunity to claim the role of change agent is valuable.&#160;</p>
<p>It’s also possible, of course, that the Clinton campaign will lay off the gun message as she seeks another way to staunch Sanders’s momentum. But what seems certain is that we have not heard the last gun policy-centric ad or talking point of the 2016 cycle. The distinctions&#160;between Clinton’s and Sanders’s gun records may not tip the Democratic contest, but the differences between the parties on the issue is vast. No matter who the Democrats and Republicans nominate, on guns there will be much to debate when the race turns to the general election.</p>
<p>[Photo:&#160;AP/Mic Smith]</p> | false | 3 | months buildup 2016 presidential nomination contest kicked yesterday democrats turned closest iowa caucus history early morning statement iowa democratic party chairwoman gave hillary clinton victory bernie sanders razorthin margin since iowa caucus outcomes measured whats known state delegate equivalents rather raw vote totals possible tell many voters separated two candidates know caucuses arcane rules clinton least six deadlocked precincts coin flip gun reform advocates democratic strategists iowa caucuses important subplot providing first real test clintons effort use sanderss record guns raise doubts liberal principles since partys initial debate last fall clinton hammered vermont senator issue hitting particularly hard vote favor legislation providing broad legal protections gun businesses bill heavily promoted national rifle association clinton campaign believed focus guns could demonstrate sanderss base white liberal supporters purist maintains words emily tisch sussman political strategist center american progress iowa sets narrative first leg presidential primary contests clinton camp hoped gun issue would help score decisive win leaving next weeks vote new hampshire sanders holds sizable lead polls minor speed bump clintons march nomination saturday former congresswoman gun violence prevention advocate160gabby giffords rarely speaks public joined clinton stump key iowa county appearance meant press clintons perceived advantage issue meanwhile sanders campaign defensive sending mailers vowed take nra spending months defending vote gunindustry immunity law sanders agreed cosponsor160a bill would repeal drama clinton know get convincing iowa triumph team hoping narrow outcome turn makes role gun issue played difficult parse big open questions reasons see things way quinnipiac universitys caucus day poll showed 3 percent democratic iowa caucus goers ranked160guns important issue thats nearly high percentages listing economy health care even climate change top priority 160but also well margin separating clinton sanders final result perhaps significantly survey data shows gun issue may helped prevent clinton voters defecting sanders race tightened highly regarded though obviously perfectly accurate des moines registerbloomberg politics poll released final precaucus poll saturday found 10 percent clinton supporters backed sanders earlier point race coming home clinton races closing stretch separately surveys caucusgoers entering precincts found among making mind election day 45 percent broke clinton versus 42 percent sanders voters doubt made decisions based bigger question electability using sanderss gun record paint ordinary politician clinton provided another reason perhaps crucial reason feel bern maybe gunsafety advocates never absolve sanders perceived sins backing gunindustry legal shield law subsequent attempts explain position one intended protect mom pop gun shops vermont sanders voted policies like assault weapons bans clinton call proud nra enemy point f rating gun lobby sanderss nra grade dminus clintons attacks sanderss record also may blunted evolution issue may recall 2008 barack obama could credibly zing clinton sounding like annie oakley wooed firearmsowning democrats following obamas musings gunclinging rural voters arrive biggest question 2016 democratic primary gun policy concerned clintons event giffords used issue aggressively new hampshire iowa devoting fully quarter tv ads granite state drawing contrast sanders gun reform judge public polling push moved needle early morning fivethirtyeight projecting sanders win 541 percent new hampshire vote compared clintons 427 percent guns may provide clinton bigger lift south carolina primary february 27 polls shown leading wide margin first contest african american voters significant factor south carolina also clinton took mantle gun reform wake charleston church massacre last summer gun policy provide clinton campaign viable wedge issue use sanders may yet another benefit one political observer noted clinton sees chance candidate change one issue youre familiar establishment candidate running insurgent promising revolution opportunity claim role change agent valuable160 also possible course clinton campaign lay gun message seeks another way staunch sanderss momentum seems certain heard last gun policycentric ad talking point 2016 cycle distinctions160between clintons sanderss gun records may tip democratic contest differences parties issue vast matter democrats republicans nominate guns much debate race turns general election photo160apmic smith | 626 |
<p>BOSTON -- Sydney Corcoran was standing near the Boston Marathon finish line when the first bomb exploded, blasting her backward. She tried to run through the billowing smoke and falling glass, but couldn’t. Then she fell to the ground.</p>
<p>Her next memory is staring up at a man she’d never seen before. “You're gonna be OK, buddy. Just stay with me, buddy,” he said.</p>
<p>The man was one of many perfect strangers who ran toward the danger instead of away from it on that horrific afternoon of April 15, 2013. Though many lacked any formal emergency training, in just a few heartbeats they were enrolled in an army of first responders that was later credited with saving many lives.</p>
<p>Corcoran, then 17, had been standing next to her parents, Celeste and Kevin, when the first of two bombs on Boylston Street went off just a few feet away.They were there to cheer on Sydney’s aunt, Carmen Acabbo, who was running her first marathon. Shrouded by thick smoke, Corcoran couldn’t see her parents anymore. She tried to put weight on her right foot, but couldn’t. She then stumbled over to a guard rail and slowly slid to the ground.</p>
<p>She knew something wasn’t right, but what she didn’t know was that a piece of the pressure cooker bomb roughly the size of a cellphone had pierced her right thigh, severing her femoral artery and causing her to lose a lot of blood very quickly.</p>
<p>“The next thing I remember is I'm flat on my back, looking up and there's a man who has his forehead to mine,” Corcoran recalls.</p>
<p>That man was Matt Smith, a 36-year-old from Dorchester, Mass., who had been celebrating a time-honored tradition with friends before the explosion.</p>
<p>Smith still can’t explain why he ran toward the smoke and screaming. Before he did, he told his friends to run as fast as they could away from the scene.</p>
<p>“I just knew something was wrong. I had never been in the military or any first-responder-type job, but I just knew I had to help,” Smith said.</p>
<p>He found Corcoran lying on the ground outside of Marathon Sports, where one stranger was already at her side. (That individual wishes to remain private, but he is seen in many photos and videos from that day with his T-shirt off. He had removed it to put it under Corcoran’s head as a makeshift pillow.)</p>
<p>As soon at Smith knelt down, he took over and another man, Zachary Mione, darted into the store to grab shirts to use as tourniquets when he saw how bad Corcoran’s wound looked.</p>
<p>Corcoran was one of more than 260 people injured that day. Remarkably, thanks to the quick thinking and selflessness of first responders, every person with injuries who was taken to a hospital survived.</p>
<p>Though Smith and Mione didn’t have any first responder training, there were many people near the finish line who did. Every year, the Boston Athletic Association staffs dozens of military and trained medical personnel on Boylston Street to assist with runners’ injuries. No one could have imagined, however, how much their expertise would be needed.</p>
<p>'Extraordinary work'</p>
<p>The site was cleared of victims with serious injuries within 22 minutes, according to <a href="" type="internal">a Harvard study on the attack</a>, and they were rushed to nearby hospitals very efficiently, since streets were closed and ambulances could get through with relative ease.</p>
<p>“I personally want to thank the extraordinary first responders for their just extraordinary work,” Gov. Deval Patrick said at a press conference the day after the bombing. “Those who were on site and those who got to the site promptly thereafter performed beautifully.”</p>
<p>Mione and Smith, the bystanders who worked furiously to prevent Sydney Corcoran from bleeding out, say the seconds and minutes after they reached her are an absolute blur.</p>
<p>But Corcoran has some vivid memories.</p>
<p>“I can remember a cop coming over and he was trying to ask my name, and they're all trying to keep me talking and awake,” Corcoran said. That cop was Sgt. Shawn Burns, an officer with the Boston Police Department for 13 years. Burns has worked the marathon almost every year since he started and it’s one of his favorite days of the year. He saw Corcoran sprawled on the ground and helped direct Mione and Smith on how to apply pressure and tie the tourniquets off.</p>
<p>“It may have been 30 seconds but it felt like two hours. It felt like forever,” Burns says of the moments after the first blast. In reality, it was only a matter of minutes before Burns, Mione and Smith were able to carry Corcoran away from the scene and onto a gurney so they could race her over to the medical tent, where the paramedics took over. All three distinctly remember thinking that she might not make it.</p>
<p>Burns accompanied Corcoran all the way to the ambulance, where several people thought he must have known her because of the way he was talking to her.</p>
<p>“I was talking to her like we had known each other for years. Just to keep her awake and feeling safe,” he said.</p>
<p>Burns had also grabbed Corcoran’s purse and “clutched it like a little old lady.” Even though the distance from the scene of the first explosion to the medical tent was only a few hundred yards, he said it felt like the longest run of his life.</p>
<p>Throughout all of this, Corcoran had no idea what had happened to either of her parents. Later, she learned that she ended up at the same hospital as her mother, Celeste, who had to have both of her legs amputated. Corcoran’s father, Kevin, was miraculously uninjured.</p>
<p>The next morning, Smith saw the now infamous photo (featuring him, Corcoran and Mione) on the cover of The Boston Globe and The New York Times and found out that she was being treated at Boston Medical Center.</p>
<p>Smith went to the hospital and asked to see her, but due to the heightened security, he was not allowed in. Finally, a security guard informed the family that Smith was waiting and Kevin went out to meet him.</p>
<p>“He asked me so many questions,” Smith remembers. Kevin wanted to make sure Smith was who he said he was and ultimately broke down in tears and embraced him, thanking him for what he had done, Smith said.</p>
<p>The doctors later told Celeste and Kevin that if those strangers hadn’t created tourniquets and kept Corcoran calm the way that they did, she likely would not have made it.</p>
<p>When he finally met her in the hospital, Smith says, he felt like he had known Corcoran forever.</p>
<p>That inextricable bond is deeply cherished by both Smith and Burns, who was also reunited with Corcoran at the hospital the week after the bombing. Today, they text or talk with Corcoran almost daily.</p>
<p>Mione didn’t see or speak with Corcoran again until five months later. He didn’t want any media attention and went back to Oregon in the days after the bombing. It was only when he had to come to Boston for a work trip that he decided to contact the Corcorans. At first, he says he felt pretty awkward about it but now Mione counts Sydney as part of his family.</p>
<p>“Anything she needs, anything she wants, she has from me for the rest of her life,” Mione said.</p>
<p>Though they’ve kept in touch over the phone, Mione, Smith and Burns were reunited for the first time in person earlier this month. They tried to piece together some of the details of that day, though much of it is still hazy for Mione and Smith. Burns, however, remembers what happened with astounding precision, down to what everyone was wearing. As a cop, he’d been trained to identify descriptions instantly.</p>
<p>Burns still marvels that while he knew more or less what to do in the situation, Mione and Smith had no first-responder training, but rushed in to help anyway.</p>
<p>“Those two guys made a decision to get down on their hands and knees and their actions saved that girl’s life. For me, that’s my job. I think I would have done it whether I was working or not but they didn’t have to stay and they did,” Burns said. “They are heroes in my book. No doubt about it.”</p>
<p>Smith considers himself the furthest thing from a hero. “All I know is that I did a good thing. I was just there to help this girl have a great rest of her life,” he said.</p>
<p>Smith will be back on Boylston Street on April 21, the day of this year’s race, to support Burns and Mione, who will be running the marathon for the first time this year, accompanying Sydney’s aunt. And though it will no doubt be difficult, Sydney and Celeste will be right there at the finish line, hoping to do what they never could last year because for them, it’s also about closure.</p>
<p>“It’s going to be so difficult to be there at the same exact spot as last year but somehow it’s OK,” Corcoran said. “We have to finish what we started.”</p>
<p>Follow NBC News Investigations on <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCInvestigates" type="external">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NBCInvestigates" type="external">Facebook</a>.</p> | false | 3 | boston sydney corcoran standing near boston marathon finish line first bomb exploded blasting backward tried run billowing smoke falling glass couldnt fell ground next memory staring man shed never seen youre gon na ok buddy stay buddy said man one many perfect strangers ran toward danger instead away horrific afternoon april 15 2013 though many lacked formal emergency training heartbeats enrolled army first responders later credited saving many lives corcoran 17 standing next parents celeste kevin first two bombs boylston street went feet awaythey cheer sydneys aunt carmen acabbo running first marathon shrouded thick smoke corcoran couldnt see parents anymore tried put weight right foot couldnt stumbled guard rail slowly slid ground knew something wasnt right didnt know piece pressure cooker bomb roughly size cellphone pierced right thigh severing femoral artery causing lose lot blood quickly next thing remember im flat back looking theres man forehead mine corcoran recalls man matt smith 36yearold dorchester mass celebrating timehonored tradition friends explosion smith still cant explain ran toward smoke screaming told friends run fast could away scene knew something wrong never military firstrespondertype job knew help smith said found corcoran lying ground outside marathon sports one stranger already side individual wishes remain private seen many photos videos day tshirt removed put corcorans head makeshift pillow soon smith knelt took another man zachary mione darted store grab shirts use tourniquets saw bad corcorans wound looked corcoran one 260 people injured day remarkably thanks quick thinking selflessness first responders every person injuries taken hospital survived though smith mione didnt first responder training many people near finish line every year boston athletic association staffs dozens military trained medical personnel boylston street assist runners injuries one could imagined however much expertise would needed extraordinary work site cleared victims serious injuries within 22 minutes according harvard study attack rushed nearby hospitals efficiently since streets closed ambulances could get relative ease personally want thank extraordinary first responders extraordinary work gov deval patrick said press conference day bombing site got site promptly thereafter performed beautifully mione smith bystanders worked furiously prevent sydney corcoran bleeding say seconds minutes reached absolute blur corcoran vivid memories remember cop coming trying ask name theyre trying keep talking awake corcoran said cop sgt shawn burns officer boston police department 13 years burns worked marathon almost every year since started one favorite days year saw corcoran sprawled ground helped direct mione smith apply pressure tie tourniquets may 30 seconds felt like two hours felt like forever burns says moments first blast reality matter minutes burns mione smith able carry corcoran away scene onto gurney could race medical tent paramedics took three distinctly remember thinking might make burns accompanied corcoran way ambulance several people thought must known way talking talking like known years keep awake feeling safe said burns also grabbed corcorans purse clutched like little old lady even though distance scene first explosion medical tent hundred yards said felt like longest run life throughout corcoran idea happened either parents later learned ended hospital mother celeste legs amputated corcorans father kevin miraculously uninjured next morning smith saw infamous photo featuring corcoran mione cover boston globe new york times found treated boston medical center smith went hospital asked see due heightened security allowed finally security guard informed family smith waiting kevin went meet asked many questions smith remembers kevin wanted make sure smith said ultimately broke tears embraced thanking done smith said doctors later told celeste kevin strangers hadnt created tourniquets kept corcoran calm way likely would made finally met hospital smith says felt like known corcoran forever inextricable bond deeply cherished smith burns also reunited corcoran hospital week bombing today text talk corcoran almost daily mione didnt see speak corcoran five months later didnt want media attention went back oregon days bombing come boston work trip decided contact corcorans first says felt pretty awkward mione counts sydney part family anything needs anything wants rest life mione said though theyve kept touch phone mione smith burns reunited first time person earlier month tried piece together details day though much still hazy mione smith burns however remembers happened astounding precision everyone wearing cop hed trained identify descriptions instantly burns still marvels knew less situation mione smith firstresponder training rushed help anyway two guys made decision get hands knees actions saved girls life thats job think would done whether working didnt stay burns said heroes book doubt smith considers furthest thing hero know good thing help girl great rest life said smith back boylston street april 21 day years race support burns mione running marathon first time year accompanying sydneys aunt though doubt difficult sydney celeste right finish line hoping never could last year also closure going difficult exact spot last year somehow ok corcoran said finish started follow nbc news investigations twitter facebook | 795 |
<p>GLOBALPOST EGYPT LIVE BLOG:</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/22/11 8:45 AM ET / 2:45 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egypt's stock exchange suspended trading on Tuesday, following a loss of more than 4 percent, according to an AP report <a href="http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/517348" type="external">published in Al-Masry Al-Youm</a>:</p>
<p>The Egyptian Exchange's benchmark EGX30 index had fallen by over 4 percent so far on Tuesday, its third consecutive day of declines as protests and violence in downtown Cairo raised questions about the country's stability days before pivotal parliamentary election are supposed to be held.</p>
<p>Market rules call for trading to be temporarily suspended if the broader EGX100 index moves by more than 5 percent.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/22/11 7:28 AM ET / 1:28 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>The <a href="http://academic.aucegypt.edu/caravan/" type="external">student newspaper</a> at the American University in Cairo has tweeted a video of the American study-abroad students who were reportedly arrested in Cairo over the weekend.</p>
<p>AUC's Caravan <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/caravan_auc/status/138930917023547392" type="external">tweeted</a> the following on Tuesday:</p>
<p>Video of detained AUCians, some of whom are Americans. MoI says they were arrested for throwing Molotovs at police</p>
<p>Here's the video:</p>
<p>CNN has also updated <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/22/world/africa/egypt-americans-arrested/" type="external">their story</a> on the three American detainees:</p>
<p>The three boys were throwing Molotov cocktails and had no passports on them when they were picked up," said Adel Saeed, a spokesman for Egypt's general prosecutor's office.</p>
<p>David Lynfield, deputy press officer in the U.S. Embassy said the "claims are being currently investigated."</p>
<p>Authorities described the three Americans as students and said one had an Indiana driver's license.</p>
<p>"They have been questioned by the police and will be further investigated today by the Cairo prosecutor," Saeed said.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/22/11 5:48 AM ET / 12:48 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Three Americans have been arrested during the clashes in Cairo, <a href="http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/22/3-americans-arrested-in-cairo-protests/" type="external">CNN is reporting</a>.</p>
<p>From CNN:</p>
<p>Three Americans were arrested Monday outside the Interior Ministry in Tahrir Square and are accused of throwing Molotov cocktails during the protests in Egypt, a local prosecutor said.</p>
<p>A public relations official at the American University in Cairo confirmed to GlobalPost that three American study-abroad students had been arrested at some point over the weekend, and that the school was working with the U.S. Embassy to investigate their detention.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/22/11 4:45 AM ET / 11:45 AM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egypt's military rulers have failed to improved human rights conditions in the Arab world's most populous nation, <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/egypt-military-rulers-have-crushed-hopes-25-january-protesters-2011-11-22" type="external">according to a new report published by Amnesty International</a>.</p>
<p>The London-based human rights group said that Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has, in some cases, a worse record of abuses than that of former president Hosni Mubarak.</p>
<p>"By using military courts to try thousands of civilians, cracking down on peaceful protest and expanding the remit of Mubarak's Emergency Law, the SCAF has continued the tradition of repressive rule which the January 25 demonstrators fought so hard to get rid of," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Acting Director.</p>
<p>The Amnesty report comes out following a bloody weekend of clashes in Cairo, with at least 33 deaths and hundreds injured. Read the whole report <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/egypt-military-rulers-have-crushed-hopes-25-january-protesters-2011-11-22" type="external">here</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/22/11 4:22 AM ET / 11:22 AM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood released a statement Tuesday saying that they will not participate in any further protests "that may lead to more confrontations and tensions."</p>
<p>The Islamist movement also called on Egypt's ruling military to withdraw all security forces from central Cairo.</p>
<p>Now, it has become clearly evident that certain parties are intent on igniting the situation in Egypt's Tahrir Square by attacking the demonstrators for three days running, with dozens dead and thousands injured. We therefore call for the rapid prosecution of all those who caused the heinous crimes that took place and were reported to the Attorney General. We also urgently call the government to stop the bloodshed by withdrawing the security forces from the bloody confrontation.</p>
<p>Read the whole statement <a href="http://www.ikhwanweb.com/iweb/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=32726%3Afjp-statement-on-november-21st-developments&amp;catid=10387%3Anewsflash&amp;Itemid=858&amp;utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter" type="external">here</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/22/11 3:59 AM ET / 10:59 AM CAIRO</p>
<p>Violent protests have raged in a small area of the downtown district in Egypt's capital, Cairo, for nearly 72 hours straight. &#160;</p>
<p>Small-scale clashes between Egyptian police forces and around 300 protesters continued throughout the early morning on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Before dawn on Tuesday, some protesters managed to get within one city block of Egypt's ministry of interior, a fortress-like headquarters for the police. Molotov cocktails were pitched into the lines of police, who responded by firing shotguns in the direction of the crowd. Several protesters fled the scene with critical injuries.</p>
<p>Here is video from the brief attack:</p>
<p>By late morning on Tuesday, intensified clashes between the two sides had resumed on the original front lines at Mohamed Mahmoud street. Police continued firing waves of tear gas to disperse the crowds.</p>
<p>Protesters, numbering in the thousands, responded with rocks and chants against the military-led government.</p>
<p>"Down with military rule!" screamed the swelling crowd.</p>
<p>Here is <a href="http://youtu.be/uzdXUL5OWkE" type="external">another video</a> of the general scene on Mohamed Mahmoud - the epicenter of recent clashes - on late Monday and early Tuesday.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 6:30 PM ET / 1:30 AM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egyptian protesters pushed past police lines in the early hours of Tuesday morning on Mohamed Mahmoud Street, the focal point for most of the violent clashes over the past three days.</p>
<p>Security forces seemed to be in full retreat to streets near their downtown Cairo headquarters, Egypt's interior ministry.</p>
<p>And although protesters celebrated a respite in the tear gas with chanting and a massive bonfire on the street, occasional gunfire could still be heard in the distance.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 5:30 PM ET / 12:30 AM CAIRO</p>
<p>The White House commented on the latest violence in Egypt on Monday, hours before the transitional government of Prime Minister Sharaf tendered its resignation to Egypt's military rulers.</p>
<p>White House spokesman Jay Carney called "for restraint on all sides, so that Egyptians can move forward together to forge a strong and united Egypt."</p>
<p>Carney said:</p>
<p>We don't -- as this process moves forward and as the Egyptian people shape their future, the United States continues to believe that the tragic events -- that these tragic events, rather, should not stand in the way of elections and a continued transition to democracy that is timely, peaceful, just and inclusive.</p>
<p>Here's the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/21/press-briefing-press-secretary-jay-carney-11212011" type="external">full comment</a> from today's press briefing.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 5:08 PM ET / 12:08 AM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egyptian actor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_Abdalla" type="external">Khaled Abdalla</a>, star of "The Kite Runner," spoke to Al Jazeera shortly after the resignation offer from the transitional government.</p>
<p>Here's the video:</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 4:32 PM ET / 11:32 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egypt's ruling military council issued a statement late on Monday calling for all political parties to launch an "urgent dialogue" following one of the worst weekends of violence since the ouster of Mubarak in February.</p>
<p>The army statement also appealed for calm to "ensure that the political process continues to usher in a democratic transition," reported Al Jazeera.</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Egypt" type="external">From Al Jazeera</a>:</p>
<p>The continued statement expresses "deep regret" about the casualties from the past three days, extends condolences to the families and victims, stresses that peaceful protest is a legitimate right for the citizens and announces the formation of a fact-finding committee within the Justice Ministry to determine how the violence occurred.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 4:17 PM ET / 11:17 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egypt's ruling military council has rejected the transitional government's request to resign, <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/27218.aspx" type="external">according to Ahram Online</a>, a state-funded newspaper.</p>
<p>The government spokesman, Mohamed Hegazi, said that "in appreciation of the critical situation in which the country is passing through, the government will continue to perform its duties until such a time as the SCAF decides upon the resignation." He added that the government calls upon the people to exercise restraint in order "to restore order to the country and to enable it to take the first step towards democracy by concluding parliamentary elections."</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 4:00 PM ET / 11:00 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egyptian riot police are still firing endless rounds of tear gas into the crowds near Tahrir Square at this late hour.</p>
<p>The narrow streets within a few blocks of Cairo's city center are covered in thick white tear gas. The effects of the gas include burning in the throat and eyes and a strong feeling of temporary suffocation in the lungs.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/21/tahrir-square-us-teargas-used-egypt?newsfeed=true" type="external">Guardian reported</a> today that Egyptian police are using mostly American-made gas, a fact that was not lost on protesters.</p>
<p>One Egyptian <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/outsiderx/status/138178982775492608" type="external">tweeted</a>:</p>
<p>American-made tear gas bombs are suffocating the defenseless Egyptian protesters in #Tahrir and all around #Egypt! #OWS #Occupy #USA</p>
<p>From the Guardian report:</p>
<p>Protesters say the CS gas seems more powerful than that used by Egyptian police during the country's last popular uprising in February. "It's stronger, it burns your face, it makes you feel like your whole body is seizing up," one witness said. He added: "It doesn't seem to be combated by Coke or vinegar."</p>
<p>Here's <a href="https://twitter.com/?photo_id=1#!/bencnn/status/138599369090928642/photo/1" type="external">one picture</a> of an empty canister found strewn about in the streets of central Cairo.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 2:50 PM ET / 9:50 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Heavy gunfire is ringing out in the streets near Cairo's Tahrir Square. Shotgun pellets could be heard ricocheting off concrete buildings, metal barricades, and other debris littered on <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/egyptian-security-and-protesters-clash-second-day" type="external">Mohamed Mahmoud Street</a> in the capital.</p>
<p>Egyptian riot police have been firing in the direction of a large crowd protesters, hundreds of whom are still chanting, "down with military rule."</p>
<p>One Egyptian on the scene <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/3effat/status/138704639989252096" type="external">wrote on Twitter</a> that there was at least one injury.</p>
<p>terrible terrible round of tear gas and bullets, saw a boy fall at the far frontline not moving, left behind. Retreated to square corner</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 2:25 PM ET / 9:25 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egyptian state television has announced that the nation's transitional cabinet of ministers has resigned.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2011/11/21/police_protesters_clash_for_3rd_day_in_egypt/" type="external">The Associated Press reports</a>:</p>
<p>Prime Minister Essam Sharaf's government has come under consistent criticism from across the political spectrum since it came to office in March for its perceived inefficiency and its subordination to the military.</p>
<p>Al-Jazeera reported earlier that Egypt's ruling military council had already accepted the cabinet's resignation. &#160;Reuters, however, <a href="http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7ML3JQ20111121" type="external">said the military has not yet made a decision</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 1:47 PM ET / 8:47 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 1:37 PM ET / 8:37 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Egypt's largest political movement, the once-banned Muslim Brotherhood, said today that Egypt's military rulers were responsible for the latest violence in Cairo.</p>
<p>What happened is a heinous crime, expressing a dark deep desire, an attempt to lure faithful patriotic citizens, in order to crush them and spread chaos everywhere, to intimidate the masses of the Egyptian people, to deprive them of the benefits of democracy.</p>
<p>Read the whole Muslim Brotherhood statement <a href="http://www.ikhwanweb.com/iweb/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=32725:mb-holds-scaf-responsible-for-violence-threatens-people-can-revolt-again&amp;catid=10387:newsflash&amp;Itemid=858" type="external">here</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 1:29 PM ET / 8:29 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Protesters in Cairo have been calling for Egypt's military rulers to present a transparent plan for the transfer of power to civilian leadership. Egypt's army, which assumed control of the country last February after Mubarak's ouster, failed to deliver on its pledge to hold free and fair elections within 6 months.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 1:07 PM ET / 8:07 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 10/21/11 12:51 PM ET / 7:51 PM CAIRO</p>
<p>Riot troops fired a hailstorm of tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd throughout the night. Even though street lamps were cut on the main battle line - <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/egyptian-security-and-protesters-clash-second-day" type="external">a small stretch of street</a> in the downtown district of the capital - hundreds of protesters surged into the line of police in the dark, attacking with rocks, Molotov cocktails, and slingshots.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the death toll in Egypt has risen to 33, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45383062/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/#.TsqO2WC74fk" type="external">according to MSNBC</a>.</p>
<p>We will continue to update this blog with all of the latest news from the clashes in Egypt.</p>
<p>&#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 | globalpost egypt live blog update 102211 845 et 245 pm cairo egypts stock exchange suspended trading tuesday following loss 4 percent according ap report published almasry alyoum egyptian exchanges benchmark egx30 index fallen 4 percent far tuesday third consecutive day declines protests violence downtown cairo raised questions countrys stability days pivotal parliamentary election supposed held market rules call trading temporarily suspended broader egx100 index moves 5 percent 160 update 102211 728 et 128 pm cairo student newspaper american university cairo tweeted video american studyabroad students reportedly arrested cairo weekend aucs caravan tweeted following tuesday video detained aucians americans moi says arrested throwing molotovs police heres video cnn also updated story three american detainees three boys throwing molotov cocktails passports picked said adel saeed spokesman egypts general prosecutors office david lynfield deputy press officer us embassy said claims currently investigated authorities described three americans students said one indiana drivers license questioned police investigated today cairo prosecutor saeed said update 102211 548 et 1248 pm cairo three americans arrested clashes cairo cnn reporting cnn three americans arrested monday outside interior ministry tahrir square accused throwing molotov cocktails protests egypt local prosecutor said public relations official american university cairo confirmed globalpost three american studyabroad students arrested point weekend school working us embassy investigate detention 160 update 102211 445 et 1145 cairo egypts military rulers failed improved human rights conditions arab worlds populous nation according new report published amnesty international londonbased human rights group said egypts supreme council armed forces scaf cases worse record abuses former president hosni mubarak using military courts try thousands civilians cracking peaceful protest expanding remit mubaraks emergency law scaf continued tradition repressive rule january 25 demonstrators fought hard get rid said philip luther amnesty internationals middle east north africa acting director amnesty report comes following bloody weekend clashes cairo least 33 deaths hundreds injured read whole report 160 update 102211 422 et 1122 cairo egypts muslim brotherhood released statement tuesday saying participate protests may lead confrontations tensions islamist movement also called egypts ruling military withdraw security forces central cairo become clearly evident certain parties intent igniting situation egypts tahrir square attacking demonstrators three days running dozens dead thousands injured therefore call rapid prosecution caused heinous crimes took place reported attorney general also urgently call government stop bloodshed withdrawing security forces bloody confrontation read whole statement 160 update 102211 359 et 1059 cairo violent protests raged small area downtown district egypts capital cairo nearly 72 hours straight 160 smallscale clashes egyptian police forces around 300 protesters continued throughout early morning tuesday dawn tuesday protesters managed get within one city block egypts ministry interior fortresslike headquarters police molotov cocktails pitched lines police responded firing shotguns direction crowd several protesters fled scene critical injuries video brief attack late morning tuesday intensified clashes two sides resumed original front lines mohamed mahmoud street police continued firing waves tear gas disperse crowds protesters numbering thousands responded rocks chants militaryled government military rule screamed swelling crowd another video general scene mohamed mahmoud epicenter recent clashes late monday early tuesday 160 update 102111 630 pm et 130 cairo egyptian protesters pushed past police lines early hours tuesday morning mohamed mahmoud street focal point violent clashes past three days security forces seemed full retreat streets near downtown cairo headquarters egypts interior ministry although protesters celebrated respite tear gas chanting massive bonfire street occasional gunfire could still heard distance 160 update 102111 530 pm et 1230 cairo white house commented latest violence egypt monday hours transitional government prime minister sharaf tendered resignation egypts military rulers white house spokesman jay carney called restraint sides egyptians move forward together forge strong united egypt carney said dont process moves forward egyptian people shape future united states continues believe tragic events tragic events rather stand way elections continued transition democracy timely peaceful inclusive heres full comment todays press briefing 160 update 102111 508 pm et 1208 cairo egyptian actor khaled abdalla star kite runner spoke al jazeera shortly resignation offer transitional government heres video 160 update 102111 432 pm et 1132 pm cairo egypts ruling military council issued statement late monday calling political parties launch urgent dialogue following one worst weekends violence since ouster mubarak february army statement also appealed calm ensure political process continues usher democratic transition reported al jazeera al jazeera continued statement expresses deep regret casualties past three days extends condolences families victims stresses peaceful protest legitimate right citizens announces formation factfinding committee within justice ministry determine violence occurred 160 update 102111 417 pm et 1117 pm cairo egypts ruling military council rejected transitional governments request resign according ahram online statefunded newspaper government spokesman mohamed hegazi said appreciation critical situation country passing government continue perform duties time scaf decides upon resignation added government calls upon people exercise restraint order restore order country enable take first step towards democracy concluding parliamentary elections 160 update 102111 400 pm et 1100 pm cairo egyptian riot police still firing endless rounds tear gas crowds near tahrir square late hour narrow streets within blocks cairos city center covered thick white tear gas effects gas include burning throat eyes strong feeling temporary suffocation lungs guardian reported today egyptian police using mostly americanmade gas fact lost protesters one egyptian tweeted americanmade tear gas bombs suffocating defenseless egyptian protesters tahrir around egypt ows occupy usa guardian report protesters say cs gas seems powerful used egyptian police countrys last popular uprising february stronger burns face makes feel like whole body seizing one witness said added doesnt seem combated coke vinegar heres one picture empty canister found strewn streets central cairo 160 update 102111 250 pm et 950 pm cairo heavy gunfire ringing streets near cairos tahrir square shotgun pellets could heard ricocheting concrete buildings metal barricades debris littered mohamed mahmoud street capital egyptian riot police firing direction large crowd protesters hundreds still chanting military rule one egyptian scene wrote twitter least one injury terrible terrible round tear gas bullets saw boy fall far frontline moving left behind retreated square corner 160 update 102111 225 pm et 925 pm cairo egyptian state television announced nations transitional cabinet ministers resigned associated press reports prime minister essam sharafs government come consistent criticism across political spectrum since came office march perceived inefficiency subordination military aljazeera reported earlier egypts ruling military council already accepted cabinets resignation 160reuters however said military yet made decision160 update 102111 147 pm et 847 pm cairo update 102111 137 pm et 837 pm cairo egypts largest political movement oncebanned muslim brotherhood said today egypts military rulers responsible latest violence cairo happened heinous crime expressing dark deep desire attempt lure faithful patriotic citizens order crush spread chaos everywhere intimidate masses egyptian people deprive benefits democracy read whole muslim brotherhood statement 160 update 102111 129 pm et 829 pm cairo protesters cairo calling egypts military rulers present transparent plan transfer power civilian leadership egypts army assumed control country last february mubaraks ouster failed deliver pledge hold free fair elections within 6 months update 102111 107 pm et 807 pm cairo 160 update 102111 1251 pm et 751 pm cairo riot troops fired hailstorm tear gas rubber bullets crowd throughout night even though street lamps cut main battle line small stretch street downtown district capital hundreds protesters surged line police dark attacking rocks molotov cocktails slingshots meanwhile death toll egypt risen 33 according msnbc continue update blog latest news clashes egypt 160 color bordercolorbbbbbb borderstylesolid borderwidth1px backgroundcolorf8f8f8 floatcenter marginleft 5px marginright 15px marginbottom 30px lineheight14px displayblock padding 15px | 1,236 |
<p>At least <a href="" type="internal">two million people</a>have signed up for health insurance in the last month on the new online exchanges, according to the federal government. It’s a huge last-minute flood, one the Obama administration is hoping will make up for the <a href="" type="internal">dismal roll-out</a>that kept people from enrolling last October when they opened.</p>
<p>And the government's woes continued - the federal website <a href="" type="internal">crashed again</a> on Monday morning.</p>
<p>Charlie Elizondo is one of the procrastinators. He got signed up on Friday afternoon, just three days before the deadline. "I am signing up for the one month because my employer is going to have enrollment for May," Elizondo, a 28-year-old nurse, told NBC News.</p>
<p>Elizondo has never had health insurance before, even though his employer offers it. "I'm in pretty good health. I wouldn't say I have very extensive health issues," said Elizondo, who lives in San Antonio, Texas.</p>
<p>So why sign up for just a month? Why not wait until his employer's open enrollment period?</p>
<p>"I do not want to take the penalty, which is I believe is $95 or one percent of your income, whichever is greater," Elizondo said. "I am in that one percent." So he got one month of catastrophic-only coverage, which will cost him $112.</p>
<p>"I am happy that I have insurance and I have that burden off my shoulders," Elizondo said. "But I am not happy my enrollment through work was so close."</p>
<p>Insurance companies are hoping the last-minute enrollees are like Elizondo — young and healthy, so they’ll pay premiums without making much use of medical care.</p>
<p>The administration hopes so, too, just for the success of the exchanges. For the idea to work well, insurers must be able to keep premiums as low as possible. They can’t do that if they get a stack of customers who are all sick and go to the doctor or to the hospital a lot in the first months they have insurance.</p>
<p>"I think both opponents and supporters of the law agree that the people who have health conditions, the people who need insurance the most, are the people who signed up first," said Jay Angoff, who once headed the agency that set up the exchanges and who is now at law firm Mehri &amp; Skalet, PLLC. "I would think that the people signing up at the end are overwhelmingly in pretty good health."</p>
<p>The standard equation is for 40 percent of new enrollees to be between 18 and 34. The latest statistics show <a href="" type="internal">only about 25 percent</a> of new signups are in this age group. It may be a few weeks before there is a breakdown of the two million-plus who have signed up in this final month, and it’s likely to vary from state to state.</p>
<p>"I would think that the people signing up at the end are overwhelmingly in pretty good health."</p>
<p>But be assured that insurance companies offering policies on the exchanges are checking those statistics right now. They are already trying to figure out what kind of policies to start offering in November, when open enrollment starts for 2015.</p>
<p>“It’s going to rush right to the end,” said Susan Millerick, a spokeswoman for Aetna, which is offering plans on 17 of the exchanges.</p>
<p>While the health law covers the whole country, the exchanges themselves are specific to each state. The federal government is running the exchanges for 36 states via HealthCare.gov. But each exchange must follow the insurance laws of the state it is in, and the insurance companies enroll customers from a statewide pool.</p>
<p>And the pools and policies will be different in the 14 states running their own exchanges, plus Washington, D.C., which is, too.</p>
<p>It’s especially tricky for them because 2014 is the first year insurers have had to take all comers. In years past, insurance companies could turn people down if they had pre-existing conditions, or they could refuse to cover care for a disease, condition or injury that someone had before they had the policy. Not any more.</p>
<p>Nor can they cap coverage. These were business methods insurers used to keep their costs down. But the Obama administration calls them abusive practices, and the 2010 Affordable Care Act was designed to put an end to them.</p>
<p>In return, the insurance companies demanded, and got, the individual mandate. So while plenty of people are getting exceptions this year — people who couldn’t get signed up in time, who have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to get subsidies, who have encountered other difficulties — they won’t continue indefinitely. The insurance companies and the administration want to maximize signups so more people are paying premiums.</p>
<p>The first few weeks of data showed that most people signing up for health insurance on the exchanges were middle-aged. Karen Ignani, of America’s Health Insurance Exchanges, hopes that will change.</p>
<p>“What we hope we see on April 1 is a large number of individuals who are healthy joining in March," Ignani said in a <a href="http://www.c-span.org/video/?318396-1/newsmakers-karen-ignagni" type="external">recent interview</a> on C-Span.</p>
<p>“We won’t really know that until after April,” Ignani added. “We had expected that the healthier people would probably wait until the last bit of time to sign up and join the health insurance pool, so we have to see now what happens.”</p>
<p>It’s not helping that the federal government and some, but not all, of the states are <a href="" type="internal">letting the March 31</a> deadline <a href="" type="internal">slip a bit.</a> “I think that what the company is really after is just to have clarity around, these are the dates, these are the rules,” Aetna’s Millerick said. “We do want a firm cutoff date for the special enrollment.”</p>
<p>And once coverage starts, consulting firm Avalere Health says people may get some unpleasant surprises. While the federal government is heavily subsidizing premiums for many, if not most, enrollees, other charges may be higher than people expected. “Consumers may be surprised to face significant cost-sharing and may learn their doctors and pharmacies are considered out-of-network,” Avalere advises.</p>
<p>"We do want a firm cutoff date for the special enrollment.”</p>
<p>But it also notes that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is running the exchanges, is taking notes and may tweak some of the regulations.</p>
<p>It’s important for people to like the health exchanges. More than 45 million Americans <a href="" type="internal">have no health insurance</a>at all now. Even if all 6 million new patients came from this group (and they clearly do not) that would make only a small dent in the number of people who are uninsured. And the main goal of the 2010 Affordable Care Act was to get more people covered.</p>
<p>But surveys <a href="" type="internal">show it isn’t</a> popular. An Associated Press-GfK survey finds only 26 percent of Americans support the Affordable Care Act. But a different survey by the Rand Corporation found people have changed their minds just over the past week. Their survey of 5,500 people who have been answering questions week after week shows that 39 percent have a favorable view of the law, and 51 percent an unfavorable view.</p>
<p>That compares to 53 percent who said they had an unfavorable view the week before, and just 32 percent who said they had a favorable opinion. So things may be shifting.</p>
<p>One thing everyone can count on is hearing a whole lot more about the law and the exchanges over the next few months. It’s an election year, and the Republicans have promised to <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/101298496" type="external">campaign against Obamacare</a>.</p> | false | 3 | least two million peoplehave signed health insurance last month new online exchanges according federal government huge lastminute flood one obama administration hoping make dismal rolloutthat kept people enrolling last october opened governments woes continued federal website crashed monday morning charlie elizondo one procrastinators got signed friday afternoon three days deadline signing one month employer going enrollment may elizondo 28yearold nurse told nbc news elizondo never health insurance even though employer offers im pretty good health wouldnt say extensive health issues said elizondo lives san antonio texas sign month wait employers open enrollment period want take penalty believe 95 one percent income whichever greater elizondo said one percent got one month catastrophiconly coverage cost 112 happy insurance burden shoulders elizondo said happy enrollment work close insurance companies hoping lastminute enrollees like elizondo young healthy theyll pay premiums without making much use medical care administration hopes success exchanges idea work well insurers must able keep premiums low possible cant get stack customers sick go doctor hospital lot first months insurance think opponents supporters law agree people health conditions people need insurance people signed first said jay angoff headed agency set exchanges law firm mehri amp skalet pllc would think people signing end overwhelmingly pretty good health standard equation 40 percent new enrollees 18 34 latest statistics show 25 percent new signups age group may weeks breakdown two millionplus signed final month likely vary state state would think people signing end overwhelmingly pretty good health assured insurance companies offering policies exchanges checking statistics right already trying figure kind policies start offering november open enrollment starts 2015 going rush right end said susan millerick spokeswoman aetna offering plans 17 exchanges health law covers whole country exchanges specific state federal government running exchanges 36 states via healthcaregov exchange must follow insurance laws state insurance companies enroll customers statewide pool pools policies different 14 states running exchanges plus washington dc especially tricky 2014 first year insurers take comers years past insurance companies could turn people preexisting conditions could refuse cover care disease condition injury someone policy cap coverage business methods insurers used keep costs obama administration calls abusive practices 2010 affordable care act designed put end return insurance companies demanded got individual mandate plenty people getting exceptions year people couldnt get signed time incomes high qualify medicaid low get subsidies encountered difficulties wont continue indefinitely insurance companies administration want maximize signups people paying premiums first weeks data showed people signing health insurance exchanges middleaged karen ignani americas health insurance exchanges hopes change hope see april 1 large number individuals healthy joining march ignani said recent interview cspan wont really know april ignani added expected healthier people would probably wait last bit time sign join health insurance pool see happens helping federal government states letting march 31 deadline slip bit think company really clarity around dates rules aetnas millerick said want firm cutoff date special enrollment coverage starts consulting firm avalere health says people may get unpleasant surprises federal government heavily subsidizing premiums many enrollees charges may higher people expected consumers may surprised face significant costsharing may learn doctors pharmacies considered outofnetwork avalere advises want firm cutoff date special enrollment also notes centers medicare medicaid services running exchanges taking notes may tweak regulations important people like health exchanges 45 million americans health insuranceat even 6 million new patients came group clearly would make small dent number people uninsured main goal 2010 affordable care act get people covered surveys show isnt popular associated pressgfk survey finds 26 percent americans support affordable care act different survey rand corporation found people changed minds past week survey 5500 people answering questions week week shows 39 percent favorable view law 51 percent unfavorable view compares 53 percent said unfavorable view week 32 percent said favorable opinion things may shifting one thing everyone count hearing whole lot law exchanges next months election year republicans promised campaign obamacare | 644 |
<p>Have you ever had that experience where-after happening upon the age of some celebrity or Silicon Valley tech maven who at 10 years your junior has already managed to accomplish more than you ever will-you find you have a rather difficult time getting out of bed?</p>
<p>Oh no?</p>
<p>Me either, I was asking for a friend.</p>
<p>But, hypothetically speaking, let’s say during another afternoon of ignoring something or someone more important by looking at your phone-</p>
<p>(I DON’T SEE WHAT THE BIG DEAL IS, I CAN RATHER EASILY MANAGE TO CHECK MY EMAIL WHILE ALSO PURPOSEFULLY MERGING ONTO THE SHOULDER ONLY TO QUICKLY SWERVE BACK INTO YOUR LANE WHILE YOU AVOID ME, DOES THIS NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE ELSE?)</p>
<p>-you stumble upon yet another article outlining the rather <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/10/franklin_graham_moves_to_addre.html" type="external">exorbitant salary,</a> <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/north-carolina-pastor-1-7-million-home-gift-god-article-1.1501934" type="external">housing needs</a> and/or <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/14/jesus-wants-me-to-have-this-jet.html" type="external">air travel vehicular requirements</a> of people folks in my part of the world refer to reverentially as:</p>
<p>“MEN OF GAWD”</p>
<p>Thus, forcing you to go ahead and let your car continue to veer off course into the weeds and abandoned Filet-O-Fish wrappers holding together most of America’s interstate system until it finally reaches the guardrail.</p>
<p>Few things give me pause about my current occupational trajectory (or lack thereof) as a professional Christian quite like dudes making millions for touting the supremacy of a homeless, wandering, executed 1st century Jewish rabbi from the Levant.</p>
<p>“Never trust a millionaire quoting the Sermon on the Mount.”</p>
<p>-Arcade Fire</p>
<p>But, and this is the legitimate argument of gentlemen who probably hunt humans for sport on a floating island made entirely of free motel New Testaments, what do people without thousands of followers pouring into hollowed-out Walgreens across America each Sunday morning even know about God? It’s not like people are listening to them anyway?&#160;</p>
<p>“Okay, so if God didn’t want me to make more money than the combined salaries of almost everyone in this room, why would so many people keep giving it to me? Eric, people are paid based on their worth, and judging by your salary and the growing cobwebs on your hire-ability, I’d say we all know where you stand with the Lord. So, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to pray for you and your family.”</p>
<p>-Reverend Steve Straw-man</p>
<p>Because God, according to an always-astonishingly high number of folks, blesses the faithful with his love and support in the concrete form of heated pools, vacation homes, and a jaw dropping inability to “read the room”.</p>
<p>For the record, whenever you encounter increasingly negative media scrutiny accompanying your exorbitant expense of money collected from single mothers in the name of a God who chose to enter the world as an (ahem) baby born to an impoverished unwed teen mom, I might reach for something other than the: “I won’t apologize for God’s blessings” emergency response button.</p>
<p>Seriously, Marie Antoinette and Mr. Burns have a better handle on out-of-touch-rich-person-spin control.</p>
<p>So, if these 70 inch flat screen TVs dressed up to look like people in pinstripe suits and Affliction T-Shirts won’t apologize for pouring gasoline all over the Christian faith and setting fire to it, I will.</p>
<p>Looks out over empty sanctuary filled mostly with feral cats and family members, takes deep breath, begins:</p>
<p>I’m sorry God used up all the divine blessings on 10 people with six-figure book deals when so many of you are just trying to pay the rent and your kid’s health insurance deductible.</p>
<p>“HASHBROWN BLESSED.”</p>
<p>-Kimmy Schmidt</p>
<p>&#160;I’m sorry that no matter how many times you manage to cling desperately to whatever thread-bare spirituality sustains you in the wasteland of regular employment and grocery budgets, some titan of Private-Jetstream-Conference-Center-Christianity comes and stomps on your fingers…WITH DIVINE AUTHORITY!</p>
<p>I’m sorry that for every ignored and forgotten prophet of the historic Christian faith tirelessly standing alongside all those on the underside of bourgeois American religiosity, it’s the salaries of the mega church millionaires that get all the pub.</p>
<p>“And I’m sorry for repeating it now.”</p>
<p>-Karen Smith, Mean Girls</p>
<p>I’m sorry that even the best of us pro-Christians can make most of the things you probably at one point of your life or another found meaningful seem insipid, foolish, backwards and even decidedly creepy when we talk about it into a lapel mic.</p>
<p>And, lastly, I’m sorry that even though I spent well north of the 500 words your internet brain space allows me before forcing you to switch to that Buzzfeed article about dogs in pajamas complaining about how other pastors and religious professionals and bloggers and internet Christians are ruining “the faith” (both mine and yours), I failed to mention the undeniable truth at the bottom of everything, really:</p>
<p>none of us should probably get paid for something God did for free before being murdered by the government occupying his homeland.</p>
<p>Please be patient with us pastors, we are (sadly) rather new to the idea that the way God blesses, loves, liberates and heals the world has decidedly little to do with our “platform,” and decidedly a great deal more to do with not being colossal wind-bags scrambling with each other for the table scraps of the American-Commercial-Industrial-Complex.</p>
<p>Or, as Dr. Christopher Turk from Scrubs put it:</p>
<p>“We’re all God’s children in the dark”</p>
<p>Even if the “dark” is our Last Supper-themed personal movie theatre in the basement of the 10,000 square foot tax shelter we call home.</p>
<p>Pray for us.</p>
<p>This opinion piece is in reference to an article on Baptist News Global from March 17, 2015:&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Big lessons for Creflo Dollar — and the church — in a $65M jet</a>.</p> | false | 3 | ever experience whereafter happening upon age celebrity silicon valley tech maven 10 years junior already managed accomplish ever willyou find rather difficult time getting bed oh either asking friend hypothetically speaking lets say another afternoon ignoring something someone important looking phone dont see big deal rather easily manage check email also purposefully merging onto shoulder quickly swerve back lane avoid work everyone else stumble upon yet another article outlining rather exorbitant salary housing needs andor air travel vehicular requirements people folks part world refer reverentially men gawd thus forcing go ahead let car continue veer course weeds abandoned filetofish wrappers holding together americas interstate system finally reaches guardrail things give pause current occupational trajectory lack thereof professional christian quite like dudes making millions touting supremacy homeless wandering executed 1st century jewish rabbi levant never trust millionaire quoting sermon mount arcade fire legitimate argument gentlemen probably hunt humans sport floating island made entirely free motel new testaments people without thousands followers pouring hollowedout walgreens across america sunday morning even know god like people listening anyway160 okay god didnt want make money combined salaries almost everyone room would many people keep giving eric people paid based worth judging salary growing cobwebs hireability id say know stand lord youll allow id like pray family reverend steve strawman god according alwaysastonishingly high number folks blesses faithful love support concrete form heated pools vacation homes jaw dropping inability read room record whenever encounter increasingly negative media scrutiny accompanying exorbitant expense money collected single mothers name god chose enter world ahem baby born impoverished unwed teen mom might reach something wont apologize gods blessings emergency response button seriously marie antoinette mr burns better handle outoftouchrichpersonspin control 70 inch flat screen tvs dressed look like people pinstripe suits affliction tshirts wont apologize pouring gasoline christian faith setting fire looks empty sanctuary filled mostly feral cats family members takes deep breath begins im sorry god used divine blessings 10 people sixfigure book deals many trying pay rent kids health insurance deductible hashbrown blessed kimmy schmidt 160im sorry matter many times manage cling desperately whatever threadbare spirituality sustains wasteland regular employment grocery budgets titan privatejetstreamconferencecenterchristianity comes stomps fingerswith divine authority im sorry every ignored forgotten prophet historic christian faith tirelessly standing alongside underside bourgeois american religiosity salaries mega church millionaires get pub im sorry repeating karen smith mean girls im sorry even best us prochristians make things probably one point life another found meaningful seem insipid foolish backwards even decidedly creepy talk lapel mic lastly im sorry even though spent well north 500 words internet brain space allows forcing switch buzzfeed article dogs pajamas complaining pastors religious professionals bloggers internet christians ruining faith mine failed mention undeniable truth bottom everything really none us probably get paid something god free murdered government occupying homeland please patient us pastors sadly rather new idea way god blesses loves liberates heals world decidedly little platform decidedly great deal colossal windbags scrambling table scraps americancommercialindustrialcomplex dr christopher turk scrubs put gods children dark even dark last supperthemed personal movie theatre basement 10000 square foot tax shelter call home pray us opinion piece reference article baptist news global march 17 2015160 big lessons creflo dollar church 65m jet | 533 |
<p>Accepted a new call? Been ordained? Church celebrating an anniversary? Mission trip or project that you would like highlighted on the HeraldBeat page? Send info to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at <a href="mailto:bfrancis@religiousherald.org" type="external">bfrancis@religiousherald.org</a>.</p>
<p>ON THE MOVE</p>
<p>James “Bob” Pipkin, to West End Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va., as pastor.</p>
<p>Joey Giles, to Eureka Baptist Church, Keysville, Va., as pastor.</p>
<p>Ben Jamison, to Effort Baptist Church, Palmyra, Va., as pastor. He previously served as Virginia coordinator for Fresh Expres­sions for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.</p>
<p />
<p>120 YEARS: Nelson Baptist Church celebrated its 120th anniversary on May 19. Pastor Don Wilson is pictured at right with one of the antique cars that were on display at the church for the celebration.</p>
<p />
<p>Bill Duganne, to Westhampton Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., as pastor.</p>
<p>Don Campbell, to St. Stephens (Va.) Church, as bi-vocational pastor. He recently celebrated 50 years in the&#160; ministry.</p>
<p>Daniel R. Wilson, to First Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va., as assistant pastor for family ministry and education.</p>
<p>Shelley Shust, to May Memorial Baptist Church, Powhatan, Va., as interim youth director.</p>
<p>Jeremy Humphrey, to Emmaus Baptist Church, Poquoson, Va., as youth minister.</p>
<p>Shane Faircloth, to Thalia Lynn Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Va., as youth minister, effective June 17.</p>
<p>Paul Westray, to Leesburg (Va.) Community Church, as interim worship leader.</p>
<p>Chris Robbins, to Monument Heights Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., as part-time youth minister.</p>
<p>Tim and Laura Cooper, to Glen Allen (Va.) Baptist Church, as interim co-directors of youth.</p>
<p>Jarrett Booker, to Childrey Church, Nathalie, Va., as youth minister.</p>
<p>RETIREMENTS</p>
<p>Chris Jenkins, retiring as minister of music and worship at First Baptist Church, Springfield, Va., following 16 years of ministry.</p>
<p>David Murdock, retiring as pastor of Eureka Baptist Church, Keysville, Va.</p>
<p>Temple Myers, retiring as pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Staunton, Va., following 40 years of ministry.</p>
<p>Daniel E. Scott, retiring as pastor of Lithia Baptist Church, Buchanan, Va., effective Feb. 28, 2012, concluding 46 years of active ministry.</p>
<p>ORDINATIONS</p>
<p>Jennifer Ann Clamon, ordained to the ministry by First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Va., on June 2.</p>
<p>Terry Blackburn-Parker, ordained to the ministry on May 26 by Salem Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, Va. She has been on the church staff for 26 years, currently serving as ministry coordinator.</p>
<p>Rhett Travis, ordained to the ministry on May 26 by Knollwood Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.</p>
<p>Lisa Willis, ordained to the ministry by Vision Community Church, Fredericksburg, Va., on June 2.</p>
<p>25 YEARS</p>
<p>Lenn Lloyd, celebrating 25 years as senior pastor of Leawood Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va.</p>
<p>Larry Sprouse, celebrating 25 years as pastor of Melrose Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.</p>
<p>15 YEARS</p>
<p>Peiling Zhoa, celebrating 15 years as music minister of Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Moseley, Va.</p>
<p>Charles Stover, celebrating 15 years as pastor of Lighthouse Community Church, Norfolk, Va.</p>
<p>10 YEARS</p>
<p>Wes Taylor, celebrating 10 years as pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Newport News, Va.</p>
<p>5 YEARS</p>
<p>Jon Greenhill, celebrating 5 years as associate pastor for youth and college ministries at Monument Heights Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>Terry Riddle, celebrating 5 years as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Va.</p>
<p>Jim Somerville, celebrating 5 years as senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>THURS., JUNE 13</p>
<p>Chesterfield Baptist Church, Moseley, Va.; seminar on human trafficking led by Sara Pomeroy, founder of the Richmond Justice Initiative, at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>SUN., JUNE 16</p>
<p>Vienna (Va.) Baptist Church;&#160; special music, two Coronation anthems by G.F. Handel presented by Chancel Choir, accompanied by strings, winds and organ.</p>
<p>SUN., JUNE 23</p>
<p>Derbyshire Baptist Church, Rich­mond, Va., IMAGE youth choir and Jubilate! young adult chorale will conclude its “A13 Tour” to Atlanta, Ga., in concert at Derbyshire at 8:30 and 11 a.m.</p>
<p>WED., JUNE 26</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C.; Baptist Women in Ministry 30th anniversary celebration. Worship at 7 p.m. followed by a reception.</p>
<p />
<p>Ivy Memorial Baptist Church in Hampton, Va., will celebrate its 100th anniversary in July. It was established on July 27, 1913, with 26 charter members in the town of Kecoughtan which became a part of Newport News. The weekend celebration, July 26-28, will include three special services with former pastors preaching and special music. Messages will be brought by Michael Poole on Friday at 6:30 p.m., David Bounds on Saturday at 2 p.m., and Gene Fant at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Soloist on Saturday afternoon is award-winning singer/songwrighter Mona Faith (Ramona Fant). Special music on Sunday will be presented by a celebration choir of current and former members directed by former minister of music Philip Johnson. John Etcher is senior pastor of Ivy Memorial. For further information contact the church at 757.838.3107 or <a href="mailto:ivy-100yrs@ivymemorial.org" type="external">ivy-100yrs@ivymemorial.org</a>.</p>
<p>Georgia Compton and John Fulcher have been elected to the board of trustees of the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund, a Martinsville, Va., foundation which provides grants to Baptist university and seminary students. Compton is controller of the Martinsville-based Harvest Foundation, which supports health, education and community projects. Fulcher is pastor of First Baptist Church in Martinsville. Keesee Fund grants are provided to residents of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina who attend a seminary or divinity school associated with the CBF or the SBC. They are also given to students at colleges, universities and military academies associated with the BGAV. During 2012-2013, the fund distributed $2,283,000 to 734 students.</p>
<p />
<p>This year Virginia Commonwealth University is working with CARITAS, a collaborative network of people and institutions that help those in need, in an effort to put un­wanted stu­dent be­longings to good use by providing families struggling to overcome homelessness with basic items they need as they move to permanent housing. CARITAS has dubbed the effort the “Alley Rally.” Lori Schmiege, its social enterprise developer, has been working with neighborhood associations to get financial support for the effort. CARITAS offers Central Virginia’s only furniture bank and has made a significant impact helping the homeless population in the Richmond area, serving about 800 families each year and providing beds to 2,000 children since 2010. “In addition to facilitating long-term stability for families, the furniture bank also helps the environment by receiving, repairing and dispersing tons of reusable goods and materials that would have gone to landfills,” said Lori Schmiege, CARITAS social enterprise developer.</p>
<p>Chaetoria Harris, who will graduate from J. H. Rose High School in Greenville, N.C. in June, has been awarded the 2013 Lakewood Manor Employee Scholarship. She is the daughter of Victoria Little, a CNA at Lakewood Manor, and will attend East Carolina University in the fall. Lakewood Manor Baptist Retirement Community is part of the ministry of the Virginia Baptist Homes, Inc.</p>
<p>Noodles for Newborns is a way for the members of NorthStar Church in Blacksburg, Va., to show Christ’s love. Every family leaving The Birth Place at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg receives a bag with a box of noodles, sauce and a box of brownies. Members donate the ingredients which can easily be prepared for a quick and simple meal for families returning home from the hospital with a newborn. The bag also contains information on the church. Recently on its website, a post read: “We had a new addition to our family earlier this month and we just wanted to thank you for the Noodles for Newborns. We used the meal the first night we came home and it was not only helpful to our family, but certainly a wonderful showing of our Savior’s love. God bless you all and we look forward to working with your church in the future while we are living here in Blacksburg.”</p>
<p>The Shawl Committee at Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church&#160;in&#160;Bassett, Va.,&#160;was formed in 2005 for creating knitted and crocheted shawls, hats, scarves and washcloths. Since that time it has made over 1,800 items that have been given to nursing and assisted living facilities and elementary school from as far away as China and New York and Florida in the U.S. Each item is labeled with a prayer note and is blessed by the church. A committee for quilts was formed two years ago and since that time over 45 children have received quilts.</p>
<p />
<p>The James River Baptist Association held its second annual Hispanic Community Day on April 20 at Arvon Baptist Church in New Canton, Va. With approximately 100 in attendance, participants included 45 Hispanics and Anglos from 13 area churches. In a carnival-like atmosphere, participants enjoyed the festivities and a meal. Music was provided by Nueva Generacion, a Hispanic band from Lynchburg, Va. There were get-acquainted relays and plenty of games, including a corn hole tournament. Children enjoyed a bounce house, facepainting and making friends on the playground. Older youth and adults also played soccer and horseshoes. Bud Whitten of Circle W Farm in Dillwyn, Va., provided mule wagon rides. Participants could have their blood pressure checked and view nutritional information on Memory Frames provided by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Board. An evangelistic message was given in Spanish by Evan Johnson, followed by a meal of hot dogs, hamburgers and authentic Mexican tostados prepared by Anita Morales, hostess of the weekly JRBA Hispanic Bible studies. The community day was a cooperative effort of the churches of the James River Baptist Association, local businesses and individuals.</p>
<p />
<p>A Stop Hunger Now meal packing event, sponsored by the James River Baptist Association, was held May 5 at the multi-purpose center of Maysville Baptist Church. Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief agency providing food and life-saving aid to the world’s poorest people. This was the largest Stop Hunger Now event hosted by JRBA with 133 volunteers from 15 area churches gathered to pack, weigh, seal and package 24,180 meals. Since June 2010, churches have packed 109,742 Stop Hunger Now meals at JRBA-sponsored events. $27,327 has been contributed and meals packed have been provided for people in Ivory Coast, Haiti, Uganda, the Philippines and Nicaragua.</p> | false | 3 | accepted new call ordained church celebrating anniversary mission trip project would like highlighted heraldbeat page send info heraldbeat editor barbara francis bfrancisreligiousheraldorg move james bob pipkin west end baptist church suffolk va pastor joey giles eureka baptist church keysville va pastor ben jamison effort baptist church palmyra va pastor previously served virginia coordinator fresh expressions virginia baptist mission board 120 years nelson baptist church celebrated 120th anniversary may 19 pastor wilson pictured right one antique cars display church celebration bill duganne westhampton baptist church richmond va pastor campbell st stephens va church bivocational pastor recently celebrated 50 years the160 ministry daniel r wilson first baptist church martinsville va assistant pastor family ministry education shelley shust may memorial baptist church powhatan va interim youth director jeremy humphrey emmaus baptist church poquoson va youth minister shane faircloth thalia lynn baptist church virginia beach va youth minister effective june 17 paul westray leesburg va community church interim worship leader chris robbins monument heights baptist church richmond va parttime youth minister tim laura cooper glen allen va baptist church interim codirectors youth jarrett booker childrey church nathalie va youth minister retirements chris jenkins retiring minister music worship first baptist church springfield va following 16 years ministry david murdock retiring pastor eureka baptist church keysville va temple myers retiring pastor memorial baptist church staunton va following 40 years ministry daniel e scott retiring pastor lithia baptist church buchanan va effective feb 28 2012 concluding 46 years active ministry ordinations jennifer ann clamon ordained ministry first baptist church waynesboro va june 2 terry blackburnparker ordained ministry may 26 salem baptist church fredericksburg va church staff 26 years currently serving ministry coordinator rhett travis ordained ministry may 26 knollwood baptist church winstonsalem nc lisa willis ordained ministry vision community church fredericksburg va june 2 25 years lenn lloyd celebrating 25 years senior pastor leawood baptist church lynchburg va larry sprouse celebrating 25 years pastor melrose baptist church roanoke va 15 years peiling zhoa celebrating 15 years music minister mount hermon baptist church moseley va charles stover celebrating 15 years pastor lighthouse community church norfolk va 10 years wes taylor celebrating 10 years pastor tabernacle baptist church newport news va 5 years jon greenhill celebrating 5 years associate pastor youth college ministries monument heights baptist church richmond va terry riddle celebrating 5 years pastor southside baptist church chesapeake va jim somerville celebrating 5 years senior pastor first baptist church richmond va thurs june 13 chesterfield baptist church moseley va seminar human trafficking led sara pomeroy founder richmond justice initiative 7 pm sun june 16 vienna va baptist church160 special music two coronation anthems gf handel presented chancel choir accompanied strings winds organ sun june 23 derbyshire baptist church richmond va image youth choir jubilate young adult chorale conclude a13 tour atlanta ga concert derbyshire 830 11 wed june 26 first baptist church greensboro nc baptist women ministry 30th anniversary celebration worship 7 pm followed reception ivy memorial baptist church hampton va celebrate 100th anniversary july established july 27 1913 26 charter members town kecoughtan became part newport news weekend celebration july 2628 include three special services former pastors preaching special music messages brought michael poole friday 630 pm david bounds saturday 2 pm gene fant 10 sunday soloist saturday afternoon awardwinning singersongwrighter mona faith ramona fant special music sunday presented celebration choir current former members directed former minister music philip johnson john etcher senior pastor ivy memorial information contact church 7578383107 ivy100yrsivymemorialorg georgia compton john fulcher elected board trustees charles b keesee educational fund martinsville va foundation provides grants baptist university seminary students compton controller martinsvillebased harvest foundation supports health education community projects fulcher pastor first baptist church martinsville keesee fund grants provided residents virginia north carolina south carolina attend seminary divinity school associated cbf sbc also given students colleges universities military academies associated bgav 20122013 fund distributed 2283000 734 students year virginia commonwealth university working caritas collaborative network people institutions help need effort put unwanted student belongings good use providing families struggling overcome homelessness basic items need move permanent housing caritas dubbed effort alley rally lori schmiege social enterprise developer working neighborhood associations get financial support effort caritas offers central virginias furniture bank made significant impact helping homeless population richmond area serving 800 families year providing beds 2000 children since 2010 addition facilitating longterm stability families furniture bank also helps environment receiving repairing dispersing tons reusable goods materials would gone landfills said lori schmiege caritas social enterprise developer chaetoria harris graduate j h rose high school greenville nc june awarded 2013 lakewood manor employee scholarship daughter victoria little cna lakewood manor attend east carolina university fall lakewood manor baptist retirement community part ministry virginia baptist homes inc noodles newborns way members northstar church blacksburg va show christs love every family leaving birth place montgomery regional hospital blacksburg receives bag box noodles sauce box brownies members donate ingredients easily prepared quick simple meal families returning home hospital newborn bag also contains information church recently website post read new addition family earlier month wanted thank noodles newborns used meal first night came home helpful family certainly wonderful showing saviors love god bless look forward working church future living blacksburg shawl committee pocahontas bassett baptist church160in160bassett va160was formed 2005 creating knitted crocheted shawls hats scarves washcloths since time made 1800 items given nursing assisted living facilities elementary school far away china new york florida us item labeled prayer note blessed church committee quilts formed two years ago since time 45 children received quilts james river baptist association held second annual hispanic community day april 20 arvon baptist church new canton va approximately 100 attendance participants included 45 hispanics anglos 13 area churches carnivallike atmosphere participants enjoyed festivities meal music provided nueva generacion hispanic band lynchburg va getacquainted relays plenty games including corn hole tournament children enjoyed bounce house facepainting making friends playground older youth adults also played soccer horseshoes bud whitten circle w farm dillwyn va provided mule wagon rides participants could blood pressure checked view nutritional information memory frames provided virginia cooperative extension board evangelistic message given spanish evan johnson followed meal hot dogs hamburgers authentic mexican tostados prepared anita morales hostess weekly jrba hispanic bible studies community day cooperative effort churches james river baptist association local businesses individuals stop hunger meal packing event sponsored james river baptist association held may 5 multipurpose center maysville baptist church stop hunger international hunger relief agency providing food lifesaving aid worlds poorest people largest stop hunger event hosted jrba 133 volunteers 15 area churches gathered pack weigh seal package 24180 meals since june 2010 churches packed 109742 stop hunger meals jrbasponsored events 27327 contributed meals packed provided people ivory coast haiti uganda philippines nicaragua | 1,112 |
<p>JULY 14, 2010</p>
<p>By PATRICK RYAN</p>
<p>San Francisco’s condominium lottery attempts to protect tenants from eviction,&#160; but it continues to discourage home ownership through delay and bureaucratic inefficiency — something evidenced by the city’s latest attempt to allow more residents to become condo owners.</p>
<p>A tenancy-in-common allows various people to purchase a percentage of a property, or a unit, ultimately sharing the entire property with other owners. As certain shareowners gain more revenue, they may desire to purchase their percentages independently by converting them into condominium units, thus becoming the sole owners of their “unit.”</p>
<p>The city requires every tenancy-in-common shareholder to enter a lottery before converting their share of the property into a condominium and becoming “unit owners.” The Department of Public Works only allows 200 units of three-to-six-unit buildings to convert annually.</p>
<p>Mayor Gavin Newsom, in an attempt to balance a potential $500 million deficit, proposed earlier this year to allow more than 2,000 TIC unit-owners to change their properties into condominiums for an increased fee, normally $9,099. The initiative could have collected approximately $8 million in revenue, while also allowing 1,799 unsuccessful lottery applicants a chance to transform their units into condominiums. The mayor’s press office did not provide a quote by deadline.</p>
<p>However, the budget committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently rejected the potential $8 million gain by blocking the mayor’s condominium lottery bypass proposal. Supervisors John Avalos, Sophie Maxwell and David Campos voted to table the proposal, while Supervisor Sean Elsbernd voted to recommend, with Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi excused.</p>
<p>Supervisor John Avalos, a member of the budget committee, told the San Francisco Examiner that the “conversion limit is intended to protect renters … An influx of conversions would increase evictions and reduce the rental stock, making it costlier for tenants who are struggling in the recession.”</p>
<p>San Francisco’s strict regulation of the housing market exacerbates California’s low homeownership rate. According to 2009 Census Bureau statistics, the state’s homeownership rate is 57 percent, only higher than New York state’s and the District of Columbia’s rates.</p>
<p>TICs have become a gateway for entry-level homeowners, as it allows them to easily purchase a percentage share of a property. Condominiums allow individuals to only purchase single units, while a homeowners association owns the rest. TICs have become increasingly popular since the implementation of the condo lottery in the early 1980s.</p>
<p>David R. Gellman and R. Boyd McSparran, two attorneys from the firm Goldstein, Gellman, Melbostad &amp; Harris, LLP (G3MH), contribute the popularity to four reasons: high prices for single residency homes, rent control, which discourages investment in multi-unit buildings, restrictive numeric limits on condominium conversion of existing buildings and loose restrictions on condominium conversions that pass the numeric limit, such as duplexes.</p>
<p>Duplexes are allowed to bypass the lottery after city approval. This has driven up premiums for two-unit properties, says Kasey Stevens, the vice president of Klingbeil Capital Management. “Three-to-six unit buildings might sell (generally speaking) in the $300 to $500 a foot range, while a duplex will sell in the $500 to $700 a foot range.”</p>
<p>Some grassroots organizations and legal firms realize the hazards of the lottery because of the increasingly lengthening amount of time it takes to convert units into condominiums. Plan C, a civic organization that supports reforms related to homelessness, homeownership and public education, avidly supported Mayor Newsom’s bypass option. On its Web site, the organization wrote that the program is “sensible legislation that helps everyone — it addresses the needs of TIC owners AND provides funding to low-income residents with special housing needs… the program would help thousands of first-time homeowners, would hurt no one, and that it would help solve the City’s budget mess.”</p>
<p>The Department of Public Works enforces and organizes the lottery. It tries to prioritize past unsuccessful applicants by granting them multiple tickets: one for the current year, one for every unsuccessful year from 1990-1994 and one for every year from 1994 to 2009. Ted Gulickson, president of the San Francisco Tenants Union, explained to Mission Local that the lottery was “put in place because of rampant property speculation in the 1980s.”</p>
<p>Unfortunately, according to David Gellman of G3MH, <a href="http://www.andysirkin.com/andysirkin/Resource/Lottery%20Chances%2008.pdf" type="external">new applicants may have to wait up to 20 years to buy their own units</a>. “Based on available data supplied by the city, a TIC group entering the lottery for the first time within the past couple of years&#160;can look forward to a wait of over 20 years to qualify for conversion under the lottery system; and the time gets longer every year, since the number of units awarded through the lottery stays the same every year (200 units) while the number of properties entering the lottery each year continues to increase.”</p>
<p>For those who have to wait, the options are slim. “Obviously, either an increase in the number of units awarded through the annual lottery above 200, or some other method of freeing up conversions, such as that proposed by Mayor Newsom, will be needed. The Tenant’s Union, to which a majority of the Supervisors are beholden, will oppose any such efforts.”</p>
<p>San Francisco communicates a truth about the northern coast of California, as businesses and people move inland because of expensive coastal properties. “All of the regulations, in some sense, restrict the supply of land, and make it more expensive,” says Professor Thomas Means, Research Fellow at the Independent Institute and Economics Professor at San Jose State University. Means said that large firms, such as Google and Chevron, will continue to move out of coastal areas like San Francisco.</p>
<p>As the mayor and the board of supervisors struggle to balance the San Francisco’s budget, the government is forced to consider the practical effects of costly regulations, and whether they discourage new taxpayers from living in the city.</p> | false | 3 | july 14 2010 patrick ryan san franciscos condominium lottery attempts protect tenants eviction160 continues discourage home ownership delay bureaucratic inefficiency something evidenced citys latest attempt allow residents become condo owners tenancyincommon allows various people purchase percentage property unit ultimately sharing entire property owners certain shareowners gain revenue may desire purchase percentages independently converting condominium units thus becoming sole owners unit city requires every tenancyincommon shareholder enter lottery converting share property condominium becoming unit owners department public works allows 200 units threetosixunit buildings convert annually mayor gavin newsom attempt balance potential 500 million deficit proposed earlier year allow 2000 tic unitowners change properties condominiums increased fee normally 9099 initiative could collected approximately 8 million revenue also allowing 1799 unsuccessful lottery applicants chance transform units condominiums mayors press office provide quote deadline however budget committee san francisco board supervisors recently rejected potential 8 million gain blocking mayors condominium lottery bypass proposal supervisors john avalos sophie maxwell david campos voted table proposal supervisor sean elsbernd voted recommend supervisor ross mirkarimi excused supervisor john avalos member budget committee told san francisco examiner conversion limit intended protect renters influx conversions would increase evictions reduce rental stock making costlier tenants struggling recession san franciscos strict regulation housing market exacerbates californias low homeownership rate according 2009 census bureau statistics states homeownership rate 57 percent higher new york states district columbias rates tics become gateway entrylevel homeowners allows easily purchase percentage share property condominiums allow individuals purchase single units homeowners association owns rest tics become increasingly popular since implementation condo lottery early 1980s david r gellman r boyd mcsparran two attorneys firm goldstein gellman melbostad amp harris llp g3mh contribute popularity four reasons high prices single residency homes rent control discourages investment multiunit buildings restrictive numeric limits condominium conversion existing buildings loose restrictions condominium conversions pass numeric limit duplexes duplexes allowed bypass lottery city approval driven premiums twounit properties says kasey stevens vice president klingbeil capital management threetosix unit buildings might sell generally speaking 300 500 foot range duplex sell 500 700 foot range grassroots organizations legal firms realize hazards lottery increasingly lengthening amount time takes convert units condominiums plan c civic organization supports reforms related homelessness homeownership public education avidly supported mayor newsoms bypass option web site organization wrote program sensible legislation helps everyone addresses needs tic owners provides funding lowincome residents special housing needs program would help thousands firsttime homeowners would hurt one would help solve citys budget mess department public works enforces organizes lottery tries prioritize past unsuccessful applicants granting multiple tickets one current year one every unsuccessful year 19901994 one every year 1994 2009 ted gulickson president san francisco tenants union explained mission local lottery put place rampant property speculation 1980s unfortunately according david gellman g3mh new applicants may wait 20 years buy units based available data supplied city tic group entering lottery first time within past couple years160can look forward wait 20 years qualify conversion lottery system time gets longer every year since number units awarded lottery stays every year 200 units number properties entering lottery year continues increase wait options slim obviously either increase number units awarded annual lottery 200 method freeing conversions proposed mayor newsom needed tenants union majority supervisors beholden oppose efforts san francisco communicates truth northern coast california businesses people move inland expensive coastal properties regulations sense restrict supply land make expensive says professor thomas means research fellow independent institute economics professor san jose state university means said large firms google chevron continue move coastal areas like san francisco mayor board supervisors struggle balance san franciscos budget government forced consider practical effects costly regulations whether discourage new taxpayers living city | 601 |
<p>In Chicago neighborhoods considered “high stroll” areas for prostitution, a full-size Winnebago is parked on the corner four nights a week. Inside, there are prostitutes, but no illicit sexual activity takes place.</p>
<p>This camper is more than just a camper; it could be called a traveling clinic. There is free HIV testing. There are videos created by the Chicago Department of Public Health on syphilis and other diseases. There is a display counter with pamphlets. They even serve coffee and soup.</p>
<p>This is the Night Moves camper, designed to reach Chicago sex workers. It is the brainchild of Nancy Jackson, executive director of Prologue, a nonprofit providing educational services. Her agency serves as the hub of Night Moves with many of its staff volunteering on the camper.</p>
<p>“[We’re] trying to work with the folks who need us most out there, who are operating in the shadows,” says Jackson, a former teacher from Detroit who moved to Chicago 20 years ago to attend law school but stayed in education. “[We have] been very committed to public health in general, serving very underserved populations.”</p>
<p>The camper parks in one of 11 “high stroll” areas on every Thursday through Sunday from midnight to 6 a.m., when most sex workers are awake and visible on the streets. On any given night, there are at least three staffers–”a driver, as well as one on the camper and another on the street.</p>
<p>Paris Willis, a transgendered former prostitute turned Night Moves volunteer, first entered the camper in 2006. “I went on the camper, and [it] looked so homey, you could be so comfortable in there. It kind of makes you start thinking about what your life can be like,” Willis says. “All I can do is help somebody with my story. What prostitutes need is somebody to understand. They don’t need anybody to preach to them.”</p>
<p>Jackson, who conceived of the idea for Night Moves four years ago in response to a request for proposal from the health department, never finished law school. Coming from a long line of teachers, education is in her blood. She switched to an education curriculum before graduating and has now been at Prologue for almost 18 years.</p>
<p>Jackson sat down with The Chicago Reporter to discuss what she sees as the causes of prostitution, what can be done to prevent it and the two individuals who inspired her to reach out to sex workers.</p>
<p>Are the people you help receptive when you approach them?</p>
<p>They are very receptive. They’re used to seeing us now. They have been seeing us for years out there on the streets. They know our staff people. They know the camper when they see it coming. It’s not decorated on the outside, but they know our camper. Occasionally, we may fly different banners that say the name of the program.</p>
<p>What do you actually say to them when you first approach them?</p>
<p>Would you like to have some information about HIV and AIDS? Would you like or need to use or have a safe sex kit? Would you like to come and have a cup of coffee right down there in our camper? Then we can engage in some further conversation and get to know the person’s name or street name. It’s usually the street name. They might have a cup of coffee and start talking about what their life has been or what their daily routine is or how many evenings a week they’re out there. They might ask us how often we’re going to be there so they can connect with us the next time. Does it usually take more than one meeting?</p>
<p>It takes a number of visits and a lot of hard knocks. Once you’ve gone through some scares, being assaulted, being raped, being arrested, having your money taken from you, having a –˜john’ run off without paying. Once enough of those sort of things pile up, people start thinking, –˜Maybe there is something better I can be doing with my life. Maybe I can find out some information from these people that will help me along.’ One of the things about being out on the street is that you stop thinking clearly and you start thinking in a very confused kind of way, and it just becomes a vicious cycle–”substance abuse, self medication–”walking around in a fog, and people can spend years in that fog.</p>
<p>Is it hard on the volunteers?</p>
<p>It’s a heavy commitment because the work is so emotionally challenging. You’ve really got to have the heart for it because people out on the street know when you’re not being for real with them. They know when people really don’t have the positive outlook and positive energy to give them. They’re around negative people and negative energy every day. So, they want to be encouraged. They want to be motivated. They want to hear ideas that will help them maybe think better of themselves and improve their lives.</p>
<p>Has it been dangerous for you or the volunteers?</p>
<p>We’ve had occasional run-ins, not so much with the johns but with some of the roughnecks trying to work some of the young women. Of course, they want to continue doing what they’re doing, in the shadows and unmolested, so to speak. If we see them out there, and they’re doing anything that crosses the line, then we’re going to pick up the phone, we’re going to say something to them until cops can get there.</p>
<p>You invite –˜johns’ onto the camper too. Why?</p>
<p>To a certain extent, everybody out there on the streets is victimized and has had a number of challenges that they are facing, and you’ve got to have an open mind and an open heart as you interact with people. Certainly, there are johns out there that are bad news, belligerent and all that other stuff, but there are some out there that are almost as deeply troubled as the client they might be soliciting and as deeply lonely and also not necessarily meaning to exploit but also being exploited themselves.</p>
<p>Have you been able to help any of them?</p>
<p>In fact, there is a gentleman we’ve had come around and speak to our groups of kids. He’s been a great positive motivator, especially with our young African-American males. He was a john and then he became a pimp himself and got incarcerated and then found God and stopped doing the bad things he was doing and stopped abusing substances and alcohol and has really turned things around.</p>
<p>What is the most common misconception about prostitutes?</p>
<p>That’s hard to say. I guess one of the most common misconceptions would be that the folks out there doing prostitution like what they’re doing. That’s probably the number one thing. At any given time, you’re having a knife put to your throat or a gun put to your head or a fist in your eye or teeth knocked out.</p>
<p>What do you think is the best preventive action to keep people from becoming sex workers?</p>
<p>What we have learned over the years is that, especially with the high-risk heterosexual young females, a lot of them are being exploited by their family members. They are not being exploited by some stranger on the street. You have a lot of small time roughneck kinds of guys who are really prostituting a lot of the younger girls–”and boys, for that matter. The kind of prevention that could take place, first of all, is that young people need to have stabilized housing. That is the number one reason that we’ve found linked to prostitution–”just not having a stable place to live.</p>
<p>You also have a lot of sex workers who’ve been turned on to drugs and as a result they’re trying to feed the drug habit and feed the housing habit that doesn’t ever really get satisfied. They go through periods of incarceration and then end up right back on the streets again because there are so few resources, especially [for] ex-offenders. Most of them have records related to their sexual work activity or homelessness, vagrancy, substance abuse or in the case of so many of the young men, a lot of them have gang and criminal records stemming from gang activity.</p>
<p>Why an interest in prostitutes?</p>
<p>Prologue is a mission-driven organization, and it’s very important to us that we work with young people that no one else wants to work with. Everybody’s got to have somebody that’s looking after their interests and trying to look after them. The sex-working community has been a community that has been in extreme amount of need, and because they operate in the shadows, it’s as if they don’t exist. That’s just not correct. They in fact are there. They are part of our neighborhood. They are part of our families. They are part of society. If we’re going to change things, we’ve got to roll up our sleeves and get in there together. That’s the mission-driven zeal [of the] Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis of Notre Dame [who] came out from their class in the early ’70s and changed the world. They have gone across the globe doing exceptional work, [and] two of them founded Prologue. We’ve continued our work in that spirit.</p> | false | 3 | chicago neighborhoods considered high stroll areas prostitution fullsize winnebago parked corner four nights week inside prostitutes illicit sexual activity takes place camper camper could called traveling clinic free hiv testing videos created chicago department public health syphilis diseases display counter pamphlets even serve coffee soup night moves camper designed reach chicago sex workers brainchild nancy jackson executive director prologue nonprofit providing educational services agency serves hub night moves many staff volunteering camper trying work folks need us operating shadows says jackson former teacher detroit moved chicago 20 years ago attend law school stayed education committed public health general serving underserved populations camper parks one 11 high stroll areas every thursday sunday midnight 6 sex workers awake visible streets given night least three staffersa driver well one camper another street paris willis transgendered former prostitute turned night moves volunteer first entered camper 2006 went camper looked homey could comfortable kind makes start thinking life like willis says help somebody story prostitutes need somebody understand dont need anybody preach jackson conceived idea night moves four years ago response request proposal health department never finished law school coming long line teachers education blood switched education curriculum graduating prologue almost 18 years jackson sat chicago reporter discuss sees causes prostitution done prevent two individuals inspired reach sex workers people help receptive approach receptive theyre used seeing us seeing us years streets know staff people know camper see coming decorated outside know camper occasionally may fly different banners say name program actually say first approach would like information hiv aids would like need use safe sex kit would like come cup coffee right camper engage conversation get know persons name street name usually street name might cup coffee start talking life daily routine many evenings week theyre might ask us often going connect us next time usually take one meeting takes number visits lot hard knocks youve gone scares assaulted raped arrested money taken john run without paying enough sort things pile people start thinking maybe something better life maybe find information people help along one things street stop thinking clearly start thinking confused kind way becomes vicious cyclesubstance abuse self medicationwalking around fog people spend years fog hard volunteers heavy commitment work emotionally challenging youve really got heart people street know youre real know people really dont positive outlook positive energy give theyre around negative people negative energy every day want encouraged want motivated want hear ideas help maybe think better improve lives dangerous volunteers weve occasional runins much johns roughnecks trying work young women course want continue theyre shadows unmolested speak see theyre anything crosses line going pick phone going say something cops get invite johns onto camper certain extent everybody streets victimized number challenges facing youve got open mind open heart interact people certainly johns bad news belligerent stuff almost deeply troubled client might soliciting deeply lonely also necessarily meaning exploit also exploited able help fact gentleman weve come around speak groups kids hes great positive motivator especially young africanamerican males john became pimp got incarcerated found god stopped bad things stopped abusing substances alcohol really turned things around common misconception prostitutes thats hard say guess one common misconceptions would folks prostitution like theyre thats probably number one thing given time youre knife put throat gun put head fist eye teeth knocked think best preventive action keep people becoming sex workers learned years especially highrisk heterosexual young females lot exploited family members exploited stranger street lot small time roughneck kinds guys really prostituting lot younger girlsand boys matter kind prevention could take place first young people need stabilized housing number one reason weve found linked prostitutionjust stable place live also lot sex workers whove turned drugs result theyre trying feed drug habit feed housing habit doesnt ever really get satisfied go periods incarceration end right back streets resources especially exoffenders records related sexual work activity homelessness vagrancy substance abuse case many young men lot gang criminal records stemming gang activity interest prostitutes prologue missiondriven organization important us work young people one else wants work everybodys got somebody thats looking interests trying look sexworking community community extreme amount need operate shadows dont exist thats correct fact part neighborhood part families part society going change things weve got roll sleeves get together thats missiondriven zeal sisters st joseph third order st francis notre dame came class early 70s changed world gone across globe exceptional work two founded prologue weve continued work spirit | 738 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>The U.S. Supreme Court ruled by a thin margin June 26 that the Constitution allows religious objection to same-sex marriage but does not permit the government to deny marriage benefits to gay couples that are available to married couples of the opposite sex.</p>
<p>Writing for a 5-4 majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said it is unconstitutional for a state to deny same-sex couples benefits of marital status including taxation, inheritance and property rights, hospital access, the authority to make medical decisions, adoption rights, health insurance and more.</p>
<p>“The limitation of marriage to opposite-sex couples may long have seemed natural and just, but its inconsistency with the central meaning of the fundamental right to marry is now manifest,” Kennedy wrote. “With that knowledge must come the recognition that laws excluding same-sex couples from the marriage right impose stigma and injury of the kind prohibited by our basic charter.”</p>
<p>Plaintiff Maurice “Bojangles” Blanchard, an ordained Baptist minister who with his partner sued for the right to marry in their home state of Kentucky, said the couple were “elated” by the Supreme Court decision.</p>
<p>“God led us each step of this long journey as we used the methods and teachings of Christ, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. to bring change where it seemed impossible,” Blanchard said in an email. “[We are] so thankful for all the other plaintiffs and their journeys as well. Love wins!”</p>
<p>Russell Moore, head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, predicted the ruling “will have wide-ranging and perilous consequences for the stability of families and for freedom of religion.”</p>
<p>“Despite this ruling, the church of Jesus Christ will stand fast,” Moore said. “We will not capitulate on this issue because we cannot. To minimize or ignore a Christian sexual ethic is to abandon the message Jesus handed down to us, and we have no authority to do this.”</p>
<p>Moore joined other evangelical leaders in signing a “ <a href="http://erlc.com/erlc/herewestand" type="external">Declaration of Marriage”</a>&#160;earlier today.</p>
<p>The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship <a href="http://cbfblog.com/2015/06/26/unity-in-christ-should-rule-in-response-to-high-court-decision/" type="external">issued a statement</a> Friday calling for unity in the wake of the ruling. CBF Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter said the ruling accentuates the diversity of the nation.</p>
<p>“People of faith woven into our nation’s vibrant religious tapestry fall along many points on the&#160;spectrum on the subject of same-sex marriage,” Paynter said in the statement. “In the High Court’s ruling today,&#160;that is borne out in both the majority opinion and in dissenting opinions referencing religious&#160;groups.”</p>
<p />
<p>The Alliance of Baptists welcomed the news, saying in a news release that without progress for all, there is no progress.</p>
<p>“We affirm that the Alliance of Baptists supports the rights of all citizens to full marriage equality, and we affirm anew that the Alliance will create places of refuge and renewal for those who are ignored by the church,” the statement said.</p>
<p>Alliance President Mike Castle added, “The historic win for marriage equality today and our willingness to seek justice allows the Alliance of Baptists to offer a powerful and prophetic witness to a Christian faith where love always wins.”</p>
<p>In his decision, Kennedy emphasized that groups and individuals who adhere to religious doctrines “may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned.”</p>
<p>“The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered.” Kennedy opined. “The same is true of those who oppose same-sex marriage for other reasons.”</p>
<p>“In turn, those who believe allowing same-sex marriage is proper or indeed essential, whether as a matter of religious conviction or secular belief, may engage those who disagree with their view in an open and searching debate,” Kennedy wrote. “The Constitution, however, does not permit the state to bar same-sex couples from marriage on the same terms as accorded to couples of the opposite sex.”</p>
<p>Opposing beliefs</p>
<p>In an initial assessment of the decision, Holly Hollman, general counsel for the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, noted the court’s majority “respectfully acknowledges that some deeply held and long-standing religious beliefs oppose same-sex marriage.”</p>
<p>“In doing so, I believe Justice Kennedy was trying to quell fears that religious beliefs at odds with the court’s view of same-sex marriage are beyond the pale of civil discourse,” Hollman said. “In heated public debates over marriage equality, religious beliefs have not always been treated so respectfully.</p>
<p>“Of course, this decision does not answer all the questions about the conflicts between religious institutions and legal rights of same-sex couples. It does, however, acknowledge that marriage has both religious and civil meanings. Respect for religious differences will be a key component of working out the various conflicts that will arise in the wake of this decision. The court today, however, was properly focused on the civil definition of marriage.”</p>
<p>Later, Hollman released an <a href="http://bjconline.org/obergefell-decision-does-not-remove-the-separation-of-church-and-state/" type="external">analysis</a> of the decision as it relates to churches.</p>
<p>The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists called today’s ruling “a significant milestone for the LGBTQ community.”</p>
<p>“Among core Baptist beliefs is the separation of church and state,” AWAB said in a statement.&#160;“In the secular arena, the Supreme Court’s ruling clearly recognizes the equality of marriage for&#160;all&#160;people completely independent of our or other Baptists’ religious beliefs.&#160; In the face of anti-equality rhetoric among part of the broader Baptist family, AWAB calls specifically on the Southern Baptist Convention to encourage civil compliance with equality law among their membership, regardless of whether individual churches choose to conduct or theologically acknowledge same-sex unions.”</p>
<p>Gus Reyes, director of the Christian Life Commission, the public policy and moral concerns agency of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, emphasized marriage as a divinely ordained “holy union between one man and one woman,” not subject to redefinition by any court.</p>
<p>“We respect the Supreme Court decision as the law of the land, but we believe in One who is higher than national laws, and ultimately, we must submit to God’s authority,” Reyes said. “Marriage is a God-designed and God-ordained institution, and no Supreme Court decision can redefine what has been defined by God.”</p>
<p>In light of the ruling, Reyes suggested churches consider taking several steps.</p>
<p>“First, we recommend churches adopt bylaws and employment policies that clearly define biblical marriage and protect church property from use in same-sex ceremonies. The CLC offers examples of how this may be done, which can be found on our <a href="http://texasbaptists.org/ministries/clc/ethics-justice/christianity-same-sex-marriage" type="external">website</a>,” he said.</p>
<p>“Additionally, ministers who do not agree with the state’s understanding of marriage may wish to refrain from signing state marriage licenses and move to offering a <a href="https://www.baptiststandard.com/news/texas/17094-pastors-encourage-covenant-certificates-as-alternatives-to-marriage-licenses?highlight=YTozOntpOjA7czo4OiJjb3ZlbmFudCI7aToxO3M6ODoibWFycmlhZ2UiO2k6MjtzOjE3OiJjb3ZlbmFudCBtYXJyaWFnZSI7fQ==" type="external">covenant marriage</a>&#160;consistent with biblical teaching.”</p>
<p>Grace and respect</p>
<p>David Hardage, executive director of the BGCT Executive Board, underscored Texas Baptists’ desire to share God’s love and “treat all people with grace and respect,” but he affirmed a traditional understanding of what the Bible teaches about marriage.</p>
<p>“Texas Baptists believe the love of God, demonstrated by the death of his son on the cross, was for all people. We are committed to loving and caring for all our neighbors,” Hardage said.</p>
<p>“At the same time, we strongly affirm the biblical view of marriage as that between one man and one woman. This has been, is and will be our position on this matter.”</p>
<p>The executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia also issued a statement.</p>
<p>“The Baptist General Association of Virginia honors the autonomy of the local church and of the individual believer,” said John Upton. “Each congregation and believer will have their own statements to make in response to the decision of the Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage released earlier today. The BGAV has, in annual sessions, challenged every congregation to be caring and respectful to all persons while affirming its commitment to the biblical view of marriage as between one man and one woman.”</p>
<p>Jeff Hood, an LGBT activist in the Dallas area and 2009 graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., likewise emphasized God’s love, but he took an altogether different view on the subject of same-sex marriage.</p>
<p>“God is love. When love wins, God wins,” said Hood, minister of social justice with Hope for Peace and Justice. “I am thankful that the Supreme Court stood with God this morning, and I pray that Texas Baptists will do the same.”</p>
<p>Ellin Jimmerson took the same approach on Facebook when the ruling was announced on Friday morning.</p>
<p>After declaring that “love wins,” she added: “Congratulations to all who have waited far too long!”</p>
<p>Jimmerson, an unpaid community minister at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville, Ala., became a statewide sensation —&#160;and to some, a villain —&#160;in February when she conducted Alabama’s first same-sex wedding.</p>
<p />
<p>Payback was swift. In March, the church was dismissed from the Madison (County) Baptist Association.</p>
<p>She said she will conduct same-sex weddings again, if asked, and hopes members of the LGBT community will see spiritual reality contained in the Supreme Court ruling.</p>
<p>“This is saying ‘we love you and God loves you,’” she said.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Richard Land, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary in suburban Charlotte, N.C., and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said the “battlefield shifts to religious freedom.”</p>
<p>“Will the progressive, totalitarian and intolerant left weaponize the government and attempt to force or compel people to affirm same-sex behavior and relationships?” he asked. “Or will they respect the freedom of conscience guaranteed by the Constitution? These will continue to be questions for the coming generations, now that the high Court has seized the historic role of defining marriage from the individual states and stripped it away from voters.”</p>
<p>Jim Denison, founding president of the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture in Dallas, compared the decision to the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion.“Now the court has sided again with an activist agenda rather than historic moral commitments,” said Denison, former pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas and theologian-in-residence with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.</p>
<p>“This decision renders marriage genderless and makes it primarily about he desires of adults rather than the welfare of children, families and society.”</p>
<p>Denison raised questions about what the ruling will mean for churches, Christian institutions and individual believers who conscientiously oppose same-sex unions.</p>
<p>“Most legal observers believe that pastors and churches will not be forced to perform same-sex marriages. But what about a church facility rented for weddings?” he asked. “What about universities that offer married heterosexual students housing but not married gay and lesbian students? What about hiring practices and spousal benefits at faith-based hospitals and ministries? Will statements defending biblical marriage be considered hate speech? Will religious nonprofits that support biblical marriage see their tax-exempt status threatened?</p>
<p>“The ruling is fresh, the questions are many, and the answers are few.”</p>
<p>Ken Camp, managing editor of the Baptist Standard, contributed to this story.</p>
<p>Related commentary:</p>
<p><a href="perspectives/same-sex-marriage-church-divided-but-liberty-protected/" type="external">Same-sex marriage: Church divided, but liberty protected</a>, by Marv Knox</p>
<p><a href="http://bjconline.org/obergefell-decision-does-not-remove-the-separation-of-church-and-state/" type="external">Obergefell decision does not remove the separation of church and state</a>, by Holly Hollman</p>
<p>Previous stories:</p>
<p><a href="culture/social-issues/item/29871-supreme-court-brief-argues-for-gay-baptist-minister-s-right-to-wed" type="external">Supreme Court brief argues for gay Baptist minister’s right to wed</a></p>
<p><a href="ministry/people/item/29749-baptist-minister-s-case-for-gay-marriage-going-to-supreme-court" type="external">Baptist minister’s case for gay marriage going to Supreme Court</a></p>
<p><a href="culture/social-issues/item/29483-gay-baptist-preacher-loses-marriage-lawsuit" type="external">Latest gay marriage ruling, which involved Baptist plaintiff, could hasten Supreme Court decision</a></p>
<p><a href="culture/social-issues/item/29052-court-considers-gay-marriage-arguments" type="external">Court considers gay marriage arguments affecting four states</a></p>
<p><a href="culture/social-issues/item/9051-gay-couple-fined-1-cent-for-trespassing" type="external">Gay couple fined 1 cent for trespassing</a></p> | false | 3 | bob allen us supreme court ruled thin margin june 26 constitution allows religious objection samesex marriage permit government deny marriage benefits gay couples available married couples opposite sex writing 54 majority justice anthony kennedy said unconstitutional state deny samesex couples benefits marital status including taxation inheritance property rights hospital access authority make medical decisions adoption rights health insurance limitation marriage oppositesex couples may long seemed natural inconsistency central meaning fundamental right marry manifest kennedy wrote knowledge must come recognition laws excluding samesex couples marriage right impose stigma injury kind prohibited basic charter plaintiff maurice bojangles blanchard ordained baptist minister partner sued right marry home state kentucky said couple elated supreme court decision god led us step long journey used methods teachings christ gandhi martin luther king jr bring change seemed impossible blanchard said email thankful plaintiffs journeys well love wins russell moore head ethics religious liberty commission southern baptist convention predicted ruling wideranging perilous consequences stability families freedom religion despite ruling church jesus christ stand fast moore said capitulate issue minimize ignore christian sexual ethic abandon message jesus handed us authority moore joined evangelical leaders signing declaration marriage160earlier today cooperative baptist fellowship issued statement friday calling unity wake ruling cbf executive coordinator suzii paynter said ruling accentuates diversity nation people faith woven nations vibrant religious tapestry fall along many points the160spectrum subject samesex marriage paynter said statement high courts ruling today160that borne majority opinion dissenting opinions referencing religious160groups alliance baptists welcomed news saying news release without progress progress affirm alliance baptists supports rights citizens full marriage equality affirm anew alliance create places refuge renewal ignored church statement said alliance president mike castle added historic win marriage equality today willingness seek justice allows alliance baptists offer powerful prophetic witness christian faith love always wins decision kennedy emphasized groups individuals adhere religious doctrines may continue advocate utmost sincere conviction divine precepts samesex marriage condoned first amendment ensures religious organizations persons given proper protection seek teach principles fulfilling central lives faiths deep aspirations continue family structure long revered kennedy opined true oppose samesex marriage reasons turn believe allowing samesex marriage proper indeed essential whether matter religious conviction secular belief may engage disagree view open searching debate kennedy wrote constitution however permit state bar samesex couples marriage terms accorded couples opposite sex opposing beliefs initial assessment decision holly hollman general counsel baptist joint committee religious liberty noted courts majority respectfully acknowledges deeply held longstanding religious beliefs oppose samesex marriage believe justice kennedy trying quell fears religious beliefs odds courts view samesex marriage beyond pale civil discourse hollman said heated public debates marriage equality religious beliefs always treated respectfully course decision answer questions conflicts religious institutions legal rights samesex couples however acknowledge marriage religious civil meanings respect religious differences key component working various conflicts arise wake decision court today however properly focused civil definition marriage later hollman released analysis decision relates churches association welcoming affirming baptists called todays ruling significant milestone lgbtq community among core baptist beliefs separation church state awab said statement160in secular arena supreme courts ruling clearly recognizes equality marriage for160all160people completely independent baptists religious beliefs160 face antiequality rhetoric among part broader baptist family awab calls specifically southern baptist convention encourage civil compliance equality law among membership regardless whether individual churches choose conduct theologically acknowledge samesex unions gus reyes director christian life commission public policy moral concerns agency baptist general convention texas emphasized marriage divinely ordained holy union one man one woman subject redefinition court respect supreme court decision law land believe one higher national laws ultimately must submit gods authority reyes said marriage goddesigned godordained institution supreme court decision redefine defined god light ruling reyes suggested churches consider taking several steps first recommend churches adopt bylaws employment policies clearly define biblical marriage protect church property use samesex ceremonies clc offers examples may done found website said additionally ministers agree states understanding marriage may wish refrain signing state marriage licenses move offering covenant marriage160consistent biblical teaching grace respect david hardage executive director bgct executive board underscored texas baptists desire share gods love treat people grace respect affirmed traditional understanding bible teaches marriage texas baptists believe love god demonstrated death son cross people committed loving caring neighbors hardage said time strongly affirm biblical view marriage one man one woman position matter executive director baptist general association virginia also issued statement baptist general association virginia honors autonomy local church individual believer said john upton congregation believer statements make response decision supreme court regarding samesex marriage released earlier today bgav annual sessions challenged every congregation caring respectful persons affirming commitment biblical view marriage one man one woman jeff hood lgbt activist dallas area 2009 graduate southern baptist theological seminary louisville ky likewise emphasized gods love took altogether different view subject samesex marriage god love love wins god wins said hood minister social justice hope peace justice thankful supreme court stood god morning pray texas baptists ellin jimmerson took approach facebook ruling announced friday morning declaring love wins added congratulations waited far long jimmerson unpaid community minister weatherly heights baptist church huntsville ala became statewide sensation 160and villain 160in february conducted alabamas first samesex wedding payback swift march church dismissed madison county baptist association said conduct samesex weddings asked hopes members lgbt community see spiritual reality contained supreme court ruling saying love god loves said meanwhile richard land president southern evangelical seminary suburban charlotte nc former president southern baptist conventions ethics religious liberty commission said battlefield shifts religious freedom progressive totalitarian intolerant left weaponize government attempt force compel people affirm samesex behavior relationships asked respect freedom conscience guaranteed constitution continue questions coming generations high court seized historic role defining marriage individual states stripped away voters jim denison founding president denison forum truth culture dallas compared decision 1973 roe v wade ruling legalized abortionnow court sided activist agenda rather historic moral commitments said denison former pastor park cities baptist church dallas theologianinresidence baptist general convention texas decision renders marriage genderless makes primarily desires adults rather welfare children families society denison raised questions ruling mean churches christian institutions individual believers conscientiously oppose samesex unions legal observers believe pastors churches forced perform samesex marriages church facility rented weddings asked universities offer married heterosexual students housing married gay lesbian students hiring practices spousal benefits faithbased hospitals ministries statements defending biblical marriage considered hate speech religious nonprofits support biblical marriage see taxexempt status threatened ruling fresh questions many answers ken camp managing editor baptist standard contributed story related commentary samesex marriage church divided liberty protected marv knox obergefell decision remove separation church state holly hollman previous stories supreme court brief argues gay baptist ministers right wed baptist ministers case gay marriage going supreme court latest gay marriage ruling involved baptist plaintiff could hasten supreme court decision court considers gay marriage arguments affecting four states gay couple fined 1 cent trespassing | 1,128 |
<p>NEW YORK — The swine flu mantra is: “rapidly evolving situation.” That’s what public health officials are saying and it means that no one knows what’s going to happen.</p>
<p>No one knows if it will be a gentle romp or a killer pandemic. You might as well consult a palm-reader. And that makes life neither easy nor enviable for those on the decision-making front lines.</p>
<p>If the experts are overly alarmist and close every public center and school, they’ll wreak havoc on day-to-day life unnecessarily, spark panic, and lose all credibility when the next epidemic strikes. If they are overly lax, the flu could spread and possibly kill — and they’ll lose all credibility when the next epidemic strikes.</p>
<p>“Our decision making is influenced by two things and that is 1918 and 1976 — 1918 is the worst case and 1976 is the worst overreaction,” said Dr. Stephen F. Morse, professor of clinical epidemiology at Columbia University. He was referring first to the flu epidemic of 1918 that killed upwards of 40 million people worldwide. And secondly, he was talking about the swine flu epidemic of 1976 that some feared would be a repeat global killer prompting a mass vaccination. The epidemic never amounted to much and the vaccine was linked to several cases of Gillian-Barre syndrome, that causes temporary paralysis. Didn’t help credibility.</p>
<p>This week, Janet Napolitano, the U.S. secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, declared swine flu a public health emergency. That allows funds to be released to support public health efforts. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control released about a quarter of its stockpile of anti-viral drugs, personal equipment and respiratory protective devices. Both Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) kill the virus. Experts warn that overusing the drugs could trigger resistant strains.</p>
<p>On Monday, The World Health Organization raised the public health alert to level four of six levels. That means the flu is transmitted from person to person and can cause sustained “community-level outbreaks ” with a possibility of a pandemic. Again, they cannot say for sure. A pandemic — which means its gone global not that it’s a particularly virulent — is a level 5 alert and some say the WHO is on the verge of calling it a 5.</p>
<p>“It’s all about wording so people will take precautions without feeling coerced,” said Dr. Howard Markel, an expert on pandemics and professor of pediatrics and history of medicine at University of Michigan.</p>
<p>According to the latest WHO report, there have been 79 confirmed cases and seven deaths worldwide. While Mexican authorities said the strain killed 149 people, the WHO is still investigating those deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported 64 confirmed cases in the U.S. with no deaths. There are reports but not confirmed cases in Spain, Costa Rica, and Israel.</p>
<p>While predictions are no more than guess work, experts do know a lot about the flu virus. For most people, the flu causes a high fever, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. The illness is bothersome but not dangerous. It can kill those who have weak immune system — every year the flu kills about 250,000 to half a million people worldwide.</p>
<p>The flu spreads from person-to-person. A person can catch the virus by inhaling the germs spewed when someone sneezes or coughs, or by touching an infected person and then touching their own mouth or nose. That’s why doctors say hand-washing is a good idea. Masks can help but only if worn properly.</p>
<p>The new virus, called influenza A/H1N1 is called a swine flu because it shares similar genes to previous viruses that came from pigs. Though Morse explained it also shares genes with strains of bird and human flu and “we haven’t found the guilty pig yet.” People are scared to eat pork but cooking meat kills any potential lurking germ.</p>
<p>Markel explained that H1N1“is not as novel as 1918 and that’s good. We hope that means a lower case fatality because some people will have circulating antibodies,” meaning they could mount an immune response.</p>
<p>Unlike prior epidemics, the news of this 21st-century germ scare spread with a speed never experienced before, thanks to the Internet. Anyone can tap into the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/" type="external">Centers for Disease Control website</a>and the <a href="http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/" type="external">website of the World Health Organization</a>for up-to-date information. Public health experts, while congratulating the CDC and the WHO for getting information out in a reasonable and rationale fashion (meaning: not panicking the public) worry that the flood of accessible information is confusing.</p>
<p>They also worry about the scare stories and the reliability of all the information out there. “I’m trying to decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing,” Morse said. “One of the things we are trying to do within the university is figure out the message strategy. We need to get across that they should be paying attention to what’s going on but not be overly concerned. The reality is that for most of us, it’s not something worth staying up all night.”</p>
<p>Could it reach that stage? Evolving situation. No one knows.</p>
<p>Randi Hutter Epstein MD is a medical journalist who has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Daily Telegraph and several national magazines. She is currently working on a book to be published by W.W. Norton about the medical and cultural history of childbirth.</p>
<p>More Dispatches on the swine flu epidemic:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/mexico/090427/flu-death-toll-keeps-rising" type="external">Mexico flu deaths at 149 and rising</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/health/090427/swine-flu-virus-spreads" type="external">Swine flu virus spreads</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/ngos/090426/tracking-the-swine-flu-epidemic" type="external">Tracking the swine flu epidemic</a></p> | false | 3 | new york swine flu mantra rapidly evolving situation thats public health officials saying means one knows whats going happen one knows gentle romp killer pandemic might well consult palmreader makes life neither easy enviable decisionmaking front lines experts overly alarmist close every public center school theyll wreak havoc daytoday life unnecessarily spark panic lose credibility next epidemic strikes overly lax flu could spread possibly kill theyll lose credibility next epidemic strikes decision making influenced two things 1918 1976 1918 worst case 1976 worst overreaction said dr stephen f morse professor clinical epidemiology columbia university referring first flu epidemic 1918 killed upwards 40 million people worldwide secondly talking swine flu epidemic 1976 feared would repeat global killer prompting mass vaccination epidemic never amounted much vaccine linked several cases gillianbarre syndrome causes temporary paralysis didnt help credibility week janet napolitano us secretary department homeland security declared swine flu public health emergency allows funds released support public health efforts us centers disease control released quarter stockpile antiviral drugs personal equipment respiratory protective devices tamiflu oseltamivir relenza zanamivir kill virus experts warn overusing drugs could trigger resistant strains monday world health organization raised public health alert level four six levels means flu transmitted person person cause sustained communitylevel outbreaks possibility pandemic say sure pandemic means gone global particularly virulent level 5 alert say verge calling 5 wording people take precautions without feeling coerced said dr howard markel expert pandemics professor pediatrics history medicine university michigan according latest report 79 confirmed cases seven deaths worldwide mexican authorities said strain killed 149 people still investigating deaths us centers disease control reported 64 confirmed cases us deaths reports confirmed cases spain costa rica israel predictions guess work experts know lot flu virus people flu causes high fever muscle aches extreme fatigue illness bothersome dangerous kill weak immune system every year flu kills 250000 half million people worldwide flu spreads persontoperson person catch virus inhaling germs spewed someone sneezes coughs touching infected person touching mouth nose thats doctors say handwashing good idea masks help worn properly new virus called influenza ah1n1 called swine flu shares similar genes previous viruses came pigs though morse explained also shares genes strains bird human flu havent found guilty pig yet people scared eat pork cooking meat kills potential lurking germ markel explained h1n1is novel 1918 thats good hope means lower case fatality people circulating antibodies meaning could mount immune response unlike prior epidemics news 21stcentury germ scare spread speed never experienced thanks internet anyone tap centers disease control websiteand website world health organizationfor uptodate information public health experts congratulating cdc getting information reasonable rationale fashion meaning panicking public worry flood accessible information confusing also worry scare stories reliability information im trying decide good thing bad thing morse said one things trying within university figure message strategy need get across paying attention whats going overly concerned reality us something worth staying night could reach stage evolving situation one knows randi hutter epstein md medical journalist written new york times washington post daily telegraph several national magazines currently working book published ww norton medical cultural history childbirth dispatches swine flu epidemic mexico flu deaths 149 rising swine flu virus spreads tracking swine flu epidemic | 530 |
<p>Recently, we ran&#160; <a href="" type="internal">a segment</a>&#160;here at The World in which I talked with our host Marco Werman about four news items from around the world that were all small links in the much larger global chain of stories about coal, carbon dioxide, and climate change.</p>
<p>The next day we got a complaint. It was one of those letters well-known to any news organization that makes a serious effort to cover climate change. The gist is that PRI's The World blindly accepts a bogus scientific consensus on “the AGW (anthropogenic global warming) notion.”</p>
<p>“Mr. Thompson [sic] and PRI should investigate what they are promoting.&#160;What they will find is that there is no reason to believe that global temperature and climate are affected any more than tangentially by CO2 concentration. Most certainly it has never been proved that there is any relationship between them, and Mr. Thompson’s authoritative pronouncements (IIRC) on the subject should always be prefaced with ‘Some people believe’ rather than flatly making the mistaken statements that he has (again IIRC, he stated that CO2 causes global warming)… The facts are strongly against what Mr. Thompson has stated on air. His pulpit should be taken away from him.”</p>
<p>The note prompted one of my colleagues to send me a note of her own: “You know, I’d love to get your smart and short answer to guys like this.”</p>
<p>It’s a variation on a question that swirls around a lot of newsrooms and, I’m sure, in the minds of many of our listeners/readers: How do we know what we know about climate change? Isn’t there still a debate over whether climate change is real, and if so what’s causing it? Why don’t we give more attention to the “skeptics?”</p>
<p>Climate science is maddeningly complex and even its fundamentals often outstrip the basic physics and chemistry most of us got in school. So it’s no wonder that journalists who don’t cover it regularly struggle to understand it. Even those of us who have been covering it for years are constantly challenged to keep up with its subtleties, finer points, grey areas and cutting edges, as well as the areas of genuine debate.</p>
<p>But on the fundamentals of climate change, there is no longer any serious scientific debate — the basic cause-and-effect principles are well understood and the evidence for the trajectory of rising average global temperatures is overwhelming.</p>
<p>However, there is a political debate — masquerading as a scientific debate— backed by immensely wealthy and powerful interests. And these folks have been extremely successful in muddying the popular understanding of both the science and the consequences of climate change.</p>
<p>So here is my reply to my colleague and anyone else who is interested:</p>
<p>I’d tell guys like this that every major national scientific academy in the world, and the vast majority of other credible and relevant scientific organizations, endorse the CO2-temperature link. It’s been demonstrated and proven for decades.</p>
<p>Then there’s the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), which, despite claims to the contrary based mostly on extremely small and marginal errors, accurately represents the consensus of thousands of scientists around the world.</p>
<p>I’d also remind him that science is a dynamic and ultimately self-correcting process and that while much remains unknown and uncertain in the unfathomably complex global climate system, and while many specific findings, projections and theories regarding climate change are and will continue to be proven wrong, the overall science and the physical and chemical principles behind it have been vetted more thoroughly than perhaps any others.</p>
<p>While it’s important to lay out the uncertainties when you get to specific parts of the science and projections, the basic science stands up and is overwhelming in its fundamental conclusions. Saying “some people believe” that levels of CO2 in the atmosphere affect the climate system is as absurd as saying that “some people believe” in evolution by natural selection or that “some people believe” in the laws of motion, gravity, thermodynamics, etc.</p>
<p>“Some people believe” that all of those things should be challenged, but they all have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. To suggest that journalists should somehow recapitulate the status or process of this proof, or acknowledge the objections of fringe elements in every mention of the issue, is to ask us to go down a rabbit hole of endless explanation of established fact, diverting time and resources from our real work. Which I’m fairly certain is what this fellow and other “skeptics” want.</p>
<p>And that’s why I actually wouldn’t bother telling him any of this, or anything else, because, while I’m not familiar with him in particular, the vast majority of folks like him who claim to debunk well-established climate science aren’t driven by facts or the scientific process, but by economic interests and/or ideologies. They don’t like the policy implications that climate science suggest for many people — primarily that we have to change the way we produce and use energy and other resources.</p>
<p>If they were intellectually honest, these folks would say, "yes, this is happening, but the costs to the economy or personal freedom, etc., of changing it are too high, so we shouldn’t even try." The problem is that, with most people, that would be a losing argument, so instead these folks try to undermine public understanding of the science and deliberately waste the time of scientists and journalists.</p>
<p>Which is why I’m not taking the bait anymore.</p>
<p>By the way, a great site/app for evaluating the assertions of climate “skeptics” is&#160; <a href="http://www.skepticalscience.com/" type="external">Skeptical Science</a>, run by an Aussie named John Cook who has a BA in physics and also happens to be an evangelical Christian.</p>
<p>Update on June 27, 2012: Yesterday,&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/27/science/earth/epa-emissions-rules-backed-by-court.html" type="external">a federal appeals court summed up my basic argument&#160;</a>in two simple, direct sentences in upholding the EPA’s decision to regulate greenhouse gas pollution:&#160;“This is how science works. EPA is not required to re-prove the existence of the atom every time it approaches a scientific question.”</p>
<p>I couldn’t have said it better myself.&#160;As for government agencies, so, too, for journalists — the basic understanding of climate change and the impact of increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is settled science. It doesn’t need to be re-explained, re-debated or questioned every time it comes up in our reporting.</p> | false | 3 | recently ran160 segment160here world talked host marco werman four news items around world small links much larger global chain stories coal carbon dioxide climate change next day got complaint one letters wellknown news organization makes serious effort cover climate change gist pris world blindly accepts bogus scientific consensus agw anthropogenic global warming notion mr thompson sic pri investigate promoting160what find reason believe global temperature climate affected tangentially co2 concentration certainly never proved relationship mr thompsons authoritative pronouncements iirc subject always prefaced people believe rather flatly making mistaken statements iirc stated co2 causes global warming facts strongly mr thompson stated air pulpit taken away note prompted one colleagues send note know id love get smart short answer guys like variation question swirls around lot newsrooms im sure minds many listenersreaders know know climate change isnt still debate whether climate change real whats causing dont give attention skeptics climate science maddeningly complex even fundamentals often outstrip basic physics chemistry us got school wonder journalists dont cover regularly struggle understand even us covering years constantly challenged keep subtleties finer points grey areas cutting edges well areas genuine debate fundamentals climate change longer serious scientific debate basic causeandeffect principles well understood evidence trajectory rising average global temperatures overwhelming however political debate masquerading scientific debate backed immensely wealthy powerful interests folks extremely successful muddying popular understanding science consequences climate change reply colleague anyone else interested id tell guys like every major national scientific academy world vast majority credible relevant scientific organizations endorse co2temperature link demonstrated proven decades theres ipcc intergovernmental panel climate change despite claims contrary based mostly extremely small marginal errors accurately represents consensus thousands scientists around world id also remind science dynamic ultimately selfcorrecting process much remains unknown uncertain unfathomably complex global climate system many specific findings projections theories regarding climate change continue proven wrong overall science physical chemical principles behind vetted thoroughly perhaps others important lay uncertainties get specific parts science projections basic science stands overwhelming fundamental conclusions saying people believe levels co2 atmosphere affect climate system absurd saying people believe evolution natural selection people believe laws motion gravity thermodynamics etc people believe things challenged proven beyond reasonable doubt suggest journalists somehow recapitulate status process proof acknowledge objections fringe elements every mention issue ask us go rabbit hole endless explanation established fact diverting time resources real work im fairly certain fellow skeptics want thats actually wouldnt bother telling anything else im familiar particular vast majority folks like claim debunk wellestablished climate science arent driven facts scientific process economic interests andor ideologies dont like policy implications climate science suggest many people primarily change way produce use energy resources intellectually honest folks would say yes happening costs economy personal freedom etc changing high shouldnt even try problem people would losing argument instead folks try undermine public understanding science deliberately waste time scientists journalists im taking bait anymore way great siteapp evaluating assertions climate skeptics is160 skeptical science run aussie named john cook ba physics also happens evangelical christian update june 27 2012 yesterday160 federal appeals court summed basic argument160in two simple direct sentences upholding epas decision regulate greenhouse gas pollution160this science works epa required reprove existence atom every time approaches scientific question couldnt said better myself160as government agencies journalists basic understanding climate change impact increasing greenhouse gases atmosphere settled science doesnt need reexplained redebated questioned every time comes reporting | 555 |
<p>The Sundarbans — a collection of densely populated islands in India’s sprawling Ganges delta — are so remote that the only way to get there is by boat. But human traffickers still manage to get in, and that's left many families with missing daughters.</p>
<p>The combined effects of climate change and extreme poverty make it easier to lure women and children into forced prostitution, marriage and labor. Trafficking in this part of&#160;northeastern India’s West Bengal has gotten so bad, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime <a href="http://www.unodc.org/documents/southasia/reports/Human_Trafficking-10-05-13.pdf" type="external">reports</a> a 25-fold increase in missing women and children since 2001. It’s the worst rate in the country.</p>
<p />
<p>Fifteen-year-old student, Rojina Khatun, was forced to drop out of school in order to work after floods damaged her family’s home. She’s now studying again and educating her peers about human trafficking as part of a Save the Children India children’s group in Dholkhali.</p>
<p>Sam Eaton</p>
<p>I visited a small village called Dholkhali a few miles from India’s watery eastern border with Bangladesh. Life here has always been a struggle.</p>
<p>Save the Children India’s Sunil Banra says climate change is causing human trafficking rates to soar in the Sundarbans. A recent UN report stated a 25-fold increase in missing women and children in West Bengal since 2001.</p>
<p>Sam Eaton</p>
<p>“They are at the mercy of God, mercy of environment, or you can say climate,” says <a href="https://www.savethechildren.in" type="external">Save the Children India</a>’s Sunil Banra.&#160;</p>
<p>He says human trafficking has always been a problem here. But it wasn’t until Cyclone Aila slammed the Sundarbans in May of 2009, displacing more than a million people, that the rate of human trafficking really began to rise.</p>
<p>As we walk along an earthen dike, past homes made of mud and sticks straddling the river, Banra points out how vulnerable island inhabitants are to even the slightest rise in sea level.</p>
<p>“You see the water level and you see their house, they are almost equivalent. And during rainy season their entire house is flooded with water,” he says.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>That flooding is not only eroding people’s land and livelihoods. It’s eroding the social fabric of these communities. Banra says families need money to repair damaged homes and to buy food after the floods — which now happen every year, sometimes caused just by high tides. The dire circumstances give families no choice but to send their children away, as young as 10 or&#160;11 years old, to work in factories or in cities.</p>
<p>“It’s now a culturally- and socially-accepted practice in the village,”&#160;Banra says.</p>
<p>The fact that child labor is so common here has made it easier for human trafficking rings to set up shop in the Sundarbans.</p>
<p>A woman and her daughter roll Beedis, the local cigarettes, for extra income in Dholkhali.</p>
<p>Sam Eaton</p>
<p>We visit a small classroom where about 30 kids, mostly girls, recite the day’s lesson. Every one of them was a dropout until this children’s group was formed as a way to catch them up on their studies and eventually re-enroll them in formal schooling.</p>
<p>But 15-year-old Rojina Khatun says that’s only one part of the program. They’ve also learned to keep an eye out for human traffickers. If an unknown person enters the village, they confront him to find out why he’s there. And if he seems out of place, she says, they report him to their teacher, who contacts authorities.</p>
<p>Collectively the children serve as a kind of vigilante group for their peers, checking in with kids’ families when they don’t show up for school and looking out for children talking to strangers, or leaving their homes wearing new clothes, something they wouldn’t do unless they were leaving town, possibly with a trafficker.</p>
<p>In the 80+ villages where the program now operates, trafficking rates have dropped nearly to zero. But challenges remain for the students.</p>
<p />
<p>With the Sundarbans coastline retreating about 650 feet a year and an average elevation of only three feet above sea level, scientists predict much of the Sundarbans could be underwater in 15 to 25 years.</p>
<p>Sam Eaton</p>
<p>Khatun says her dream now is to go to college and to get a good job. A dream that wasn’t possible before, because her parents had pulled her out of school to fish and earn extra income. And they still don’t support her going to school.</p>
<p />
<p>Her teacher, Mithu Mondal, says says she can empower the girls through education, but not financially, because there’s no vocational training at the school.</p>
<p>Not to say that she isn’t trying. Mondal has been teaching the children how to make Beedis, the local cigarettes, in order to sell them for extra money as an added incentive. Mondal says she tries to convince parents that if they give her at least three hours a day to teach their children, they can then make Beedis for the rest of the day to sell and earn money for the family.</p>
<p>It shows just how complicated the solution is for a problem that’s equally complex. Sunil Banra says the children’s groups are just the beginning. Save the Children India is also working to create&#160;community banks into which families pay a small amount every month in order to provide loans after the floods. And they’ve set up Child Protection Committees with adults from the village serving liaisons with the police and government officials on the mainland.</p>
<p />
<p>Most of the Sundarban islands in West Bengal are only accessible by boat despite being home to more than four million people.</p>
<p>Sam Eaton</p>
<p>Banra says if&#160;“the survival things are not addressed, unless the education for children is not well addressed, unless the basic necessities of daily life are not addressed, they give up before these traffickers and do whatever they ask them to do.”</p>
<p>The Indian government recently announced it would scale up Save the Children’s pilot program beyond the initial 80 villages. But the scope of the problem they’re trying to address has become a moving target. Scientists <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/02/18/world/asia/ap-as-india-vanishing-islands.html" type="external">predict</a> much of the Sundarbans will be underwater in as little as two decades.</p>
<p>And as one village elder I spoke with put it,&#160;it’s no longer a matter of improving their situation. They’re just fighting to keep it from getting any worse.</p> | false | 3 | sundarbans collection densely populated islands indias sprawling ganges delta remote way get boat human traffickers still manage get thats left many families missing daughters combined effects climate change extreme poverty make easier lure women children forced prostitution marriage labor trafficking part of160northeastern indias west bengal gotten bad united nations office drugs crime reports 25fold increase missing women children since 2001 worst rate country fifteenyearold student rojina khatun forced drop school order work floods damaged familys home shes studying educating peers human trafficking part save children india childrens group dholkhali sam eaton visited small village called dholkhali miles indias watery eastern border bangladesh life always struggle save children indias sunil banra says climate change causing human trafficking rates soar sundarbans recent un report stated 25fold increase missing women children west bengal since 2001 sam eaton mercy god mercy environment say climate says save children indias sunil banra160 says human trafficking always problem wasnt cyclone aila slammed sundarbans may 2009 displacing million people rate human trafficking really began rise walk along earthen dike past homes made mud sticks straddling river banra points vulnerable island inhabitants even slightest rise sea level see water level see house almost equivalent rainy season entire house flooded water says flooding eroding peoples land livelihoods eroding social fabric communities banra says families need money repair damaged homes buy food floods happen every year sometimes caused high tides dire circumstances give families choice send children away young 10 or16011 years old work factories cities culturally sociallyaccepted practice village160banra says fact child labor common made easier human trafficking rings set shop sundarbans woman daughter roll beedis local cigarettes extra income dholkhali sam eaton visit small classroom 30 kids mostly girls recite days lesson every one dropout childrens group formed way catch studies eventually reenroll formal schooling 15yearold rojina khatun says thats one part program theyve also learned keep eye human traffickers unknown person enters village confront find hes seems place says report teacher contacts authorities collectively children serve kind vigilante group peers checking kids families dont show school looking children talking strangers leaving homes wearing new clothes something wouldnt unless leaving town possibly trafficker 80 villages program operates trafficking rates dropped nearly zero challenges remain students sundarbans coastline retreating 650 feet year average elevation three feet sea level scientists predict much sundarbans could underwater 15 25 years sam eaton khatun says dream go college get good job dream wasnt possible parents pulled school fish earn extra income still dont support going school teacher mithu mondal says says empower girls education financially theres vocational training school say isnt trying mondal teaching children make beedis local cigarettes order sell extra money added incentive mondal says tries convince parents give least three hours day teach children make beedis rest day sell earn money family shows complicated solution problem thats equally complex sunil banra says childrens groups beginning save children india also working create160community banks families pay small amount every month order provide loans floods theyve set child protection committees adults village serving liaisons police government officials mainland sundarban islands west bengal accessible boat despite home four million people sam eaton banra says if160the survival things addressed unless education children well addressed unless basic necessities daily life addressed give traffickers whatever ask indian government recently announced would scale save childrens pilot program beyond initial 80 villages scope problem theyre trying address become moving target scientists predict much sundarbans underwater little two decades one village elder spoke put it160its longer matter improving situation theyre fighting keep getting worse | 583 |
<p>Three years ago, the School Reform Board hastily launched an alternative schools program to remove disruptive students from regular schools. Rocky at the outset, the program, now called “safe schools,” has yet to settle down.</p>
<p>“Basically, we started it up overnight,” acknowledges Sue Gamm, the board’s chief specialized services officer. “We knew we were going to tighten up the Uniform Discipline Code, and we didn’t want kids expelled to the street.”</p>
<p>Changes have come in school operators, program requirements, the kinds of students served and, this year, the number of seats available.</p>
<p>With student expulsions soaring, the number of students referred to safe schools has grown markedly. But budget cuts this year reduced the number of seats by a third—to 375, slightly more than half the total number of students expelled last school year.</p>
<p>School officials minimize the shortfall, saying that many students who are referred don’t show up or are chronic truants. However, at press time, the board was poised to amend its zero tolerance policy again to cut down on expulsions themselves. The proposed revision would provide an expulsion alternative to still more non-violent offenders.</p>
<p>The Safe Schools Program also has been a revolving door for school operators. Only three of the original 12 providers remain in the program. Ten have come and gone, and a handful have been added, bringing the current total to seven. The board declined to renew some contracts because the organizations had financial problems; it dropped others because their programs were deemed substandard. At least one agency withdrew from the program because it considered the funding inadequate for the job required.</p>
<p>The job is to educate and improve the behavior of students who have been expelled or who are so disruptive that their principals want them out.</p>
<p>A union priority</p>
<p>An alternative schools program had long been advocated by the Chicago Teachers Union. With money to spare and a get-tough agenda, Mayor Richard M. Daley’s school leadership team delivered.</p>
<p>In October 1995, the board issued a request for proposals (RFP) to organizations that had worked at least two years with troubled youth. Announcing the winners in December, Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas said, “Our goal is to remove violent students from the school system. These children impede the learning process of our student population.”</p>
<p>In February 1996, CPS’s safe schools opened with room for 558 students. The contracts paid $4,500 to $5,500 per student for the semester, depending on the services provided. In all, CPS budgeted about $3 million from its general operating funds.</p>
<p>Initially, the board restricted admission to students who had committed the most serious Uniform Discipline Code violations, including possession of a firearm, arson, aggravated assault and robbery. Responding to pleas from principals, it quickly expanded eligibility to include students who repeatedly committed lesser offenses that disrupted the education of other students.</p>
<p>For the first full school year of the program, 1996-97, the board budgeted $5,652,600 to provide 533 seats. But this time, it got an assist from the state, which forwarded $2.4 million from a new state program supporting alternative schools statewide.</p>
<p>To comply with a federal mandate, the state had passed the Gun Free Schools Act of 1995, which requires that all local school districts make expulsion the penalty for bringing a firearm to school. By August 1996, the state law had been amended to add the possession of any weapon, including knives, pipes or any item used to cause bodily harm. CPS went one step further. In April 1997, it made expulsion the penalty for the use, possession or sale of alcohol and illegal drugs on school property.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Chicago’s Office of Specialized Services began taking stock of its Safe schools program. “We looked at the profiles of the students” being sent to safe schools, says Renee Grant-Mitchell, who oversees the program. “A significant number of our kids [were there] for drug use and possession, and they had relations to gangs.” Thus, the office revised the RFP for 1997-98 to include the requirement that school operators be able to identify students with drug problems and offer services to them.</p>
<p>“We also wanted [the alternative schools] to highlight school-to-career programs,” Mitchell says.</p>
<p>The board retained the Arthur Andersen accounting firm to help develop a pricing model and evaluation criteria for proposals. The firm also analyzed the proposals and the programs. While the firm did not find anything the administration didn’t already know, says Gamm, it did generate “some good hard-core data to work with the schools on areas of weakness and to improve strengths.”</p>
<p>CPS decided to reduce the number of sites to make it easier to monitor the program. The contracts of some small agencies were not renewed because they could not provide the required services, says Mitchell.</p>
<p>Lawrence Hall Youth Services took itself out of contention. “It came down to finances,” says Margery Doss, director of education services for the non-profit social service agency. “We were proposing additional services, and the board was cutting the funding.”</p>
<p>Lawrence Hall had received $11,000 per student and planned to ask for more.</p>
<p>“The students had learning problems that had not been addressed; special ed needs that had not been identified,” Doss says. Some students were wards of the state or in foster care—”not very stable home situations,” she adds. “We are used to dealing with that [population],” Doss says, but the agency’s case workers were taking on caseloads that went beyond good practice.</p>
<p>At one time, Lawrence Hall served 75 safe-schools students at two sites. By the spring of 1997, it was down to 15 or 20, because it knew it was going to bow out,” Doss says.</p>
<p>For-profits to the rescue</p>
<p>For the 1997-98 school year, the board made up for lost seats by signing contracts with two for-profit operators of alternative and charter schools. Crawford First, which operates a school in the Virgin Islands and two in Virginia, where it is headquartered, contracted for 60 students at $11,000 each. Richard Milburn High School Inc., a Massachusetts-based firm that operates 13 schools in six states and Washington, D.C., contracted for 100 students at $6,000 each.</p>
<p>Milburn “underbid” itself, Mitchell acknowledges. Mid-year, when the school opened its high school, the board “reconfigured” its contract to supply more money.</p>
<p>Anticipating growing numbers of expulsions, the board contracted for additional seats during the 1997-98 school year, reaching a high of 580. Then, in March, it also eased up on expulsions by creating an alternative for students caught for the first time with small amounts of drugs. Its SMART Program (for Saturday Morning Alternative Reachout and Teach) provides drug rehabilitation and counseling; students who attend at least seven weeks are spared expulsion.</p>
<p>Even with SMART skimming off some non-violent offenders, 668 students had been expelled by the end of the summer, an eightfold increase from 1995-96, when expulsion was required only for bringing firearms to school.</p>
<p>Despite the record number of expulsions, the board cut the safe school budget this school year to save money. It allocated $3,750,000 for 375 seats. All but $750,000 of that amount comes from the state’s Safe Schools Program.</p>
<p>Mitchell notes, however, that not every student who is expelled enrolls in a safe school. “Some parents put their students in other schools, parochial, private; they transfer them out of the city,” she says. “Some students just don’t show up.”</p>
<p>According to board records, about 25 percent of the money earmarked in 1996-97 for safe schools was not spent. The following year, about 30 percent of the safe schools money was not disbursed.</p>
<p>Enrollment data supplied by the board show a similar pattern:</p>
<p>In 1996-97, 549 students enrolled in safe schools, but 283 were chronically truant, meaning they missed at least 18 days.</p>
<p>In 1997-98, 592 students were referred to safe schools, but a total of 549 enrolled. Records for the last half of the year show, however, that in any given month, no more than 373 students were enrolled, while an additional 59 to 140 students were no-shows or chronic truants.</p>
<p>But that was before 334 students were expelled last summer.</p>
<p>Show up or ship out</p>
<p>With only 375 safe-schools spots this school year, the board decided to run a tighter ship. It reduced the number of unexcused absences a student could log before losing his seat. Last school year, 10 to 18 days were permitted before a student risked losing his place. Now, only 5 unexcused absences are permitted. The student and parent sign a contract that outlines the rules, Mitchell says.</p>
<p>Bonnie Pollack, a board case manager whose portfolio includes Milburn Alternative, stresses that discontinued students may return to the program. “Anytime they are ready to come back, we will find a place for them,” she says. “We do everything we can to keep the child in school.”</p>
<p>However, the student may have to go to a different safe school and will have to attend a reinstatement conference at the new school with his parent and case manager.</p>
<p>Legally, the board is not obligated to serve an expelled student. “He cannot even come on Chicago public school grounds,” says Mitchell. “But we really feel that it is better for a student to be receiving some education.”</p>
<p>Students are enrolled for a minimum of 15 weeks and a maximum of two years. They are referred throughout the school year but can return to their home schools only at the end of a semester. Initially, they could return any time during the school year. Mitchell says the board then recognized that a mid-semester return put students at an academic disadvantage. “We don’t want to set these kids up to fail,” she says.</p>
<p>Mitchell now is pushing to have expulsion termination dates coincide with semester breaks.</p>
<p>Another change for 1998-99 was that the board decided to budget a flat $10,000 per student. “We’re expecting all of [the schools] to provide equal service and quality,” says Mitchell.</p>
<p>The program also stands to benefit from a recently announced federal grant to fund after-school substance abuse programs in Chicago, Elgin and Aurora. Mitchell says CPS will use its share, which she estimates at $2 million, for the safe schools and SMART and to train social workers, nurses, psychologists and youth outreach workers to identify and work with students who have substance abuse problems.</p>
<p>At press time, the board also was expected to make SMART an expulsion alternative for students who commit non-violent, non-threatening offenses that don’t involve guns, such as being caught with a box cutter. Under the proposal, says Mitchell, principals could refer such students to SMART if they believe they would benefit.</p>
<p>Mitchell readily acknowledges that the board is learning as it goes along. The Safe Schools program “is not perfect, and we’re not trying to act like it is,” she says.</p>
<p>The board has set specific performance goals for the safe schools.</p>
<p>For attendance, the target is 75 percent, a rate slightly higher than Chicago’s high school average but lower than its elementary average. Last school year, five safe school sites reported reaching the goal. Under the 1997-98 contracts, each was to receive a bonus equal to 10 percent of its funding. That incentive was dropped this year to save money, says Mitchell.</p>
<p>Other goals are:</p>
<p>70 percent of students should exhibit a decrease in aggressive behavior.</p>
<p>70 percent of high school students should earn at least two credits.</p>
<p>70 percent of their elementary school students should advance to the next grade.</p>
<p>70 percent should continue their education or seek employment.</p>
<p>The board did not make the results of these measures available to Catalyst.</p>
<p>Dora Phillips, the principal at Crawford First, a high school, says the number of credits earned is the best overall indicator of a student’s readiness to return to his home school. Students getting passing grades in science, algebra, history and English indicate “their outside world is under control,” she says.</p>
<p>After they leave?</p>
<p>In Mitchell’s mind, the best way to judge the program is to “track the students and see how successful they are after they leave.” The board has laid a foundation for that effort by compiling a database on students who entered the program last fall; it includes each student’s history in the school system and will be updated with information on his or her life after leaving the safe school.</p>
<p>Mitchell says she gets questions from “the community at large” about why the board is spending so much money on students who have such a poor track record. “They are the students who require the best,” she contends. If the school system doesn’t help them now, society eventually will pay more for their misdeeds. “It’s either now or somewhere down the line.”</p> | false | 3 | three years ago school reform board hastily launched alternative schools program remove disruptive students regular schools rocky outset program called safe schools yet settle basically started overnight acknowledges sue gamm boards chief specialized services officer knew going tighten uniform discipline code didnt want kids expelled street changes come school operators program requirements kinds students served year number seats available student expulsions soaring number students referred safe schools grown markedly budget cuts year reduced number seats thirdto 375 slightly half total number students expelled last school year school officials minimize shortfall saying many students referred dont show chronic truants however press time board poised amend zero tolerance policy cut expulsions proposed revision would provide expulsion alternative still nonviolent offenders safe schools program also revolving door school operators three original 12 providers remain program ten come gone handful added bringing current total seven board declined renew contracts organizations financial problems dropped others programs deemed substandard least one agency withdrew program considered funding inadequate job required job educate improve behavior students expelled disruptive principals want union priority alternative schools program long advocated chicago teachers union money spare gettough agenda mayor richard daleys school leadership team delivered october 1995 board issued request proposals rfp organizations worked least two years troubled youth announcing winners december chief executive officer paul vallas said goal remove violent students school system children impede learning process student population february 1996 cpss safe schools opened room 558 students contracts paid 4500 5500 per student semester depending services provided cps budgeted 3 million general operating funds initially board restricted admission students committed serious uniform discipline code violations including possession firearm arson aggravated assault robbery responding pleas principals quickly expanded eligibility include students repeatedly committed lesser offenses disrupted education students first full school year program 199697 board budgeted 5652600 provide 533 seats time got assist state forwarded 24 million new state program supporting alternative schools statewide comply federal mandate state passed gun free schools act 1995 requires local school districts make expulsion penalty bringing firearm school august 1996 state law amended add possession weapon including knives pipes item used cause bodily harm cps went one step april 1997 made expulsion penalty use possession sale alcohol illegal drugs school property meanwhile chicagos office specialized services began taking stock safe schools program looked profiles students sent safe schools says renee grantmitchell oversees program significant number kids drug use possession relations gangs thus office revised rfp 199798 include requirement school operators able identify students drug problems offer services also wanted alternative schools highlight schooltocareer programs mitchell says board retained arthur andersen accounting firm help develop pricing model evaluation criteria proposals firm also analyzed proposals programs firm find anything administration didnt already know says gamm generate good hardcore data work schools areas weakness improve strengths cps decided reduce number sites make easier monitor program contracts small agencies renewed could provide required services says mitchell lawrence hall youth services took contention came finances says margery doss director education services nonprofit social service agency proposing additional services board cutting funding lawrence hall received 11000 per student planned ask students learning problems addressed special ed needs identified doss says students wards state foster carenot stable home situations adds used dealing population doss says agencys case workers taking caseloads went beyond good practice one time lawrence hall served 75 safeschools students two sites spring 1997 15 20 knew going bow doss says forprofits rescue 199798 school year board made lost seats signing contracts two forprofit operators alternative charter schools crawford first operates school virgin islands two virginia headquartered contracted 60 students 11000 richard milburn high school inc massachusettsbased firm operates 13 schools six states washington dc contracted 100 students 6000 milburn underbid mitchell acknowledges midyear school opened high school board reconfigured contract supply money anticipating growing numbers expulsions board contracted additional seats 199798 school year reaching high 580 march also eased expulsions creating alternative students caught first time small amounts drugs smart program saturday morning alternative reachout teach provides drug rehabilitation counseling students attend least seven weeks spared expulsion even smart skimming nonviolent offenders 668 students expelled end summer eightfold increase 199596 expulsion required bringing firearms school despite record number expulsions board cut safe school budget school year save money allocated 3750000 375 seats 750000 amount comes states safe schools program mitchell notes however every student expelled enrolls safe school parents put students schools parochial private transfer city says students dont show according board records 25 percent money earmarked 199697 safe schools spent following year 30 percent safe schools money disbursed enrollment data supplied board show similar pattern 199697 549 students enrolled safe schools 283 chronically truant meaning missed least 18 days 199798 592 students referred safe schools total 549 enrolled records last half year show however given month 373 students enrolled additional 59 140 students noshows chronic truants 334 students expelled last summer show ship 375 safeschools spots school year board decided run tighter ship reduced number unexcused absences student could log losing seat last school year 10 18 days permitted student risked losing place 5 unexcused absences permitted student parent sign contract outlines rules mitchell says bonnie pollack board case manager whose portfolio includes milburn alternative stresses discontinued students may return program anytime ready come back find place says everything keep child school however student may go different safe school attend reinstatement conference new school parent case manager legally board obligated serve expelled student even come chicago public school grounds says mitchell really feel better student receiving education students enrolled minimum 15 weeks maximum two years referred throughout school year return home schools end semester initially could return time school year mitchell says board recognized midsemester return put students academic disadvantage dont want set kids fail says mitchell pushing expulsion termination dates coincide semester breaks another change 199899 board decided budget flat 10000 per student expecting schools provide equal service quality says mitchell program also stands benefit recently announced federal grant fund afterschool substance abuse programs chicago elgin aurora mitchell says cps use share estimates 2 million safe schools smart train social workers nurses psychologists youth outreach workers identify work students substance abuse problems press time board also expected make smart expulsion alternative students commit nonviolent nonthreatening offenses dont involve guns caught box cutter proposal says mitchell principals could refer students smart believe would benefit mitchell readily acknowledges board learning goes along safe schools program perfect trying act like says board set specific performance goals safe schools attendance target 75 percent rate slightly higher chicagos high school average lower elementary average last school year five safe school sites reported reaching goal 199798 contracts receive bonus equal 10 percent funding incentive dropped year save money says mitchell goals 70 percent students exhibit decrease aggressive behavior 70 percent high school students earn least two credits 70 percent elementary school students advance next grade 70 percent continue education seek employment board make results measures available catalyst dora phillips principal crawford first high school says number credits earned best overall indicator students readiness return home school students getting passing grades science algebra history english indicate outside world control says leave mitchells mind best way judge program track students see successful leave board laid foundation effort compiling database students entered program last fall includes students history school system updated information life leaving safe school mitchell says gets questions community large board spending much money students poor track record students require best contends school system doesnt help society eventually pay misdeeds either somewhere line | 1,239 |
<p>Super Mercado La Pequeña could be smack in the middle of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.</p>
<p>Takis, the brand-name of a corn tortilla snack popular in Mexico, are among the items stocked on the shelves. Hand-lettered signs in the large storefront window advertise “Tamales,” “Carnitas” and “Barbacoa” for sale. The freezer section stocks popular Mexican ice cream treats, including paletas, a type of Popsicle. The store’s logo is in red and green, on a white background—the colors of the Mexican flag.</p>
<p>But this market isn’t in Pilsen—it’s in the outer reaches of suburbia in Plainfield. Here, in the aftermath of a devastating 1990 tornado, corn fields gave way to subdivisions where Latinos and other immigrants, as well as African Americans, have moved in record numbers. The subdivisions are surrounded by rock quarries and industrial plants, but it’s easy to see why the area attracted so many newcomers looking to make a fresh start: The homes are affordable, with spacious yards and large ponds nearby that are often filled with geese.</p>
<p>Plainfield’s demographic shift isn’t unusual. Indeed, data from the 2010 U.S. Census show that a majority of the state’s Latinos—52 percent—now live in the Chicago suburbs. Just 38 percent live in the city. In Will County, where Plainfield is located, and in neighboring Kendall County, the percentage of Latino residents has roughly doubled in the last decade.</p>
<p>The shift has brought a sea change—and new challenges—to suburban schools that must educate a growing number of students whose native language is not English. Since 2005, a quarter of suburban school districts have seen their numbers of English-language learners double. In Plainfield School District 202, they have tripled.</p>
<p>Suburban districts are trying out different strategies, with varying degrees of success, to help these students become proficient in English and also teach higher-level academic content. Plainfield School District 202, for example, still hasn’t trained all of its teachers in its middle-grades strategy. And many districts still have difficulty finding certified bilingual teachers, although the long-standing statewide shortage has eased in recent years.</p>
<p>According to the results of the state’s ISAT, English-language learners in many suburban districts are struggling academically. Judy Yturriago, president of the Illinois Association for Multilingual Multicultural Education and former head of the bilingual program in Evanston schools, calls suburban school performance in this area “spotty.”&#160;</p>
<p>In four of the 10 suburban districts with the highest percentages of ELL students, reading scores of 8th-grade Latinos lag far behind scores of white students, with achievement gaps of between 17 and 23 percentage points, according to a Catalyst Chicago analysis of 2011 ISAT scores.</p>
<p>In high school, the gap may well increase as students tackle more complex academic content that requires high levels of English literacy. Aurora East District 131 has a staggering 45-point gap between the percentage of white and Latino students who met state standards on the reading section of the Prairie State exam. (Aurora East District 131 is the only one of the 10 districts that includes high school students.)</p>
<p>But, Yturriago says, there are some bright spots. “Wherever you have dual-language programs, the kids are doing really well,” she notes. Dual language—something of a “gold standard” for teaching language acquisition—aims to build students’ literacy in their native language as well as in English.</p>
<p>Yturriago cites Evanston District 65 (her former district), North Shore District 112 in Highland Park, and School District 54 in Schaumburg as models of how to implement dual-language programs. In all three districts, at least 80 percent of Latino 8th-grade students met state reading standards on the 2011 ISAT reading test.</p>
<p>Money, too, is an ongoing concern. While the enrollment of ELL students in the state is increasing—including the number of students who speak other languages besides Spanish—the pot of state bilingual dollars is shrinking.</p>
<p>Elgin District U-46 and Cicero School District 99 illustrate the challenges. Elgin has experienced a recent uptick in its Latino population, from a third of residents in 2000 to nearly half of the city in 2010. Cicero, in contrast, has long been mostly Latino, but rose from 77 percent in the 2000 Census to nearly 87 percent in 2010. (In both districts, not all Latinos are English-language learners.)</p>
<p>In Elgin, a class action lawsuit has been in the courts for more than six years, alleging that bilingual students were segregated, weren’t given enough support after transitioning out of bilingual programs, and were kept in overcrowded classes. The Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund has lawyers working on the lawsuit, along with other groups.</p>
<p>Alonzo Rivas, regional counsel in the Midwest office of MALDEF, says other lawsuits could be filed against other districts. Rivas says his office is investigating several complaints from suburban bilingual teachers who charge that bilingual classrooms are overcrowded, that administrators tell them not to offer native-language instruction—which is required by law—and that students who need to be in bilingual education are placed in regular classes.</p>
<p>If parents in the districts want to move forward, the lawsuits could be filed, Rivas says. But so far, many are hesitant. “They’re afraid that the district may retaliate against their children,” he says. “Some of them are also afraid because of their immigration status in this country.”</p>
<p>Elgin Superintendent Jose Torres (formerly an area officer in Chicago Public Schools), who was hired since the events at issue in the existing lawsuit, has instituted a dual-language approach for all bilingual kindergarteners and 1st- and 2nd-grade students. As the students get older, the program will add one grade level per year. Some Elgin schools also include English-speaking students to teach them Spanish.</p>
<p>In kindergarten, students get 80 percent of their instruction in Spanish; that percentage declines each year to reach 50 percent in 3rd through 8th grade. Using this approach helps shore up the literacy skills of native Spanish-speaking students and creates a stronger foundation for learning advanced academic content since they are taught basic concepts in their first language.</p>
<p>The strategy is evident in Filiberta Sachanski’s 1st-grade class at Hillcrest Elementary, as students work on math problems. “Llevar las cuentas con la calculadora,” the overhead reads, meaning, “Solve the problems with the calculator.”</p>
<p>Students are using a grid of numbers from 1 to 50—the “calculator”—to learn about subtraction, and they are doing so in an environment rich in academic Spanish vocabulary.</p>
<p>A bulletin board lists some of the transition words that students will need for academic writing in Spanish, such as principio, primero, segundo, luego, en medio, después, por lo tanto, sin embargo—meaning, beginning, first, second, later, in the middle, after, therefore, nevertheless.</p>
<p>Sachanski’s speech is rapid and her enthusiasm is contagious. The children cheer when they count on the number grid and arrive at number 6, which is key to the subtraction problem they are working on.</p>
<p>The district has a “curriculum alignment plan” that maps out how much time is spent on Spanish and English and in which subjects.</p>
<p>“If it’s Spanish time, it’s Spanish time, and all students are speaking Spanish,” says Hillcrest Principal Jennifer Tallitsch.</p>
<p>In Cicero, recent efforts to start a similar program fell short because of poor implementation. District officials failed to fully explain the philosophy behind the program to teachers, or even to many principals, says Michael Dziallo, the district’s assistant superintendent for educational services. The goal was to ensure that students stayed in the program through 8th grade and left fully fluent in English and Spanish, but some staff instead transitioned students swiftly out of bilingual classes.</p>
<p>With inconsistent teaching, students’ skills levels varied widely once they reached junior high. To compensate, the junior high created a dizzying mix of separate bilingual classes for students still at lower levels of English proficiency, a dual-language program and extra help in Spanish for students in English-only classes who needed the added support.</p>
<p>The program also faltered because the district had a hard time finding enough teachers who were sufficiently fluent in Spanish.</p>
<p>“Simply because you passed the [state language proficiency] test does not really mean that you’re truly bilingual,” Dziallo says. “Some teachers are stronger in one language or the other, and they tend to teach in the language that they’re stronger in.”</p>
<p>Cicero must now choose between two approaches. One is to try and reboot the dual-language program, despite the problems, because of the benefit to students in developing fluency and literacy in two languages. The second choice is to transition students out of bilingual classes more quickly and start before-school or after-school programs that allow students to maintain their Spanish.</p>
<p>The ability to speak two languages “should be seen as a plus [with] lots of advantages later in life,” says Ilyse Leland, the district’s director of English-language learner programs. “But on the other hand, our goal as a public school is to teach the children English, not to maintain the native language [though] we are trying to figure out a way that we can.”</p>
<p>Plainfield District 202 is also considering the possibility of starting a dual-language program.</p>
<p>Currently, the district offers a transitional program that aims to move students into English classes, with native language instruction for students in kindergarten through 5th grade and for older students who need the support. When students take content-area classes taught in English, a strategy called sheltered instruction allows them to be integrated into classes with native English speakers.</p>
<p>Parent Carmen Avalos, who moved to Plainfield from Bolingbook five years ago when the family purchased a house, says her 11-year-old son, Jesus, struggled before his school started a bilingual program. But when it began, “his grades went up,” she says through a translator.</p>
<p>“For me, the program is complete because when my daughter goes to the Spanish classroom, she is taught the same [material],” as the English-speaking students, Avalos says.</p>
<p>But she adds that parents also believe a dual-language program—part of a proposed five-year strategic plan that the school board hasn’t voted on yet—would be beneficial.</p>
<p>On a fall day, in a 7th-grade science class at Timber Ridge Middle School in Plainfield, teacher Tina Trabold uses sheltered instruction techniques. Her students read out loud the goals for the class period, which include explaining how and why organisms are classified. Trabold has students read the goals out loud to make sure that her English-language learners understand the lesson.</p>
<p>In Plainfield, sheltered instruction is used in the middle grades and in high school when students know enough English to be in regular classes but need extra support. Many districts have turned to sheltered instruction because the teacher doesn’t have to be bilingual and some research suggests it can improve student learning. But the strategy requires significant planning by teachers, especially as the students get older and the academic content gets increasingly difficult.</p>
<p>In Trabold’s class, students are told to write down how classification could be used to organize a clothes closet. The goal is to connect the lesson to students’ previous experiences “so it’s more meaningful to them,” says Linda Hoste, the district’s director of English-language learner programs.</p>
<p>Next, to provide an opportunity to speak English, the students share their examples with a partner. Trabold then calls on students to share their examples out loud. “By the time of the year, like seasons,” one boy says. “By, like, how long the sleeves are,” says another.</p>
<p>The students read aloud an article about how skunk identification has changed over the years and—to work on writing—answer comprehension questions in journals. Next, they’re talking again—sharing their journal entries with a partner.</p>
<p>The class moves quickly. Trabold leads them in several exercises, such as creating a key for identifying shoes. At each point, the activities provide opportunity for the students to practice using English. During a vocabulary exercise, students are asked to define the words “dichotomous,” “taxonomy,” and “classification” for their partners.“This is increasing their opportunities to interact,” Hoste says. “For a lot of them, this is their only opportunity to speak English.”</p>
<p>Researcher Diane August, who helps train teachers on the sheltered instruction program used in Plainfield, points out that lesson planning is difficult, particularly in the upper grades because of the more sophisticated academic content. Many teachers need pre-made curricula, she says.</p>
<p>One reason that school districts turn to sheltered instruction is the difficulty in finding certified bilingual teachers.Roger Prosise, the superintendent of Diamond Lake School District in Mundelein, says that his district struggled with that problem, as the percentage of ELL students tripled over the past decade. At one point, Prosise even sent staff to Spain to recruit teachers.</p>
<p>When that didn’t work, he had teachers switch to a sheltered model, limiting instruction in Spanish unless a student needed it for clarification.</p>
<p>Prosise, though, ran into problems because of the state requirement that students receive instruction in their native language.</p>
<p>Prosise believed he had verbal approval from the Illinois State Board of Education, and points out that the district received special recognition from the state for its test score gains. But when it came time for a spring 2007 compliance review, the state told Prosise that he had to change the program because it did not provide enough native language instruction.</p>
<p>In a worst-case scenario, districts that are not in compliance could lose their state bilingual money. After some back-and-forth, Prosise says, the district’s money and the program remained intact. But now, the district asks parents to sign waivers opting out of bilingual education, although it’s not clear whether such a request is legal.</p> | false | 3 | super mercado la pequeña could smack middle chicagos pilsen neighborhood takis brandname corn tortilla snack popular mexico among items stocked shelves handlettered signs large storefront window advertise tamales carnitas barbacoa sale freezer section stocks popular mexican ice cream treats including paletas type popsicle stores logo red green white backgroundthe colors mexican flag market isnt pilsenits outer reaches suburbia plainfield aftermath devastating 1990 tornado corn fields gave way subdivisions latinos immigrants well african americans moved record numbers subdivisions surrounded rock quarries industrial plants easy see area attracted many newcomers looking make fresh start homes affordable spacious yards large ponds nearby often filled geese plainfields demographic shift isnt unusual indeed data 2010 us census show majority states latinos52 percentnow live chicago suburbs 38 percent live city county plainfield located neighboring kendall county percentage latino residents roughly doubled last decade shift brought sea changeand new challengesto suburban schools must educate growing number students whose native language english since 2005 quarter suburban school districts seen numbers englishlanguage learners double plainfield school district 202 tripled suburban districts trying different strategies varying degrees success help students become proficient english also teach higherlevel academic content plainfield school district 202 example still hasnt trained teachers middlegrades strategy many districts still difficulty finding certified bilingual teachers although longstanding statewide shortage eased recent years according results states isat englishlanguage learners many suburban districts struggling academically judy yturriago president illinois association multilingual multicultural education former head bilingual program evanston schools calls suburban school performance area spotty160 four 10 suburban districts highest percentages ell students reading scores 8thgrade latinos lag far behind scores white students achievement gaps 17 23 percentage points according catalyst chicago analysis 2011 isat scores high school gap may well increase students tackle complex academic content requires high levels english literacy aurora east district 131 staggering 45point gap percentage white latino students met state standards reading section prairie state exam aurora east district 131 one 10 districts includes high school students yturriago says bright spots wherever duallanguage programs kids really well notes dual languagesomething gold standard teaching language acquisitionaims build students literacy native language well english yturriago cites evanston district 65 former district north shore district 112 highland park school district 54 schaumburg models implement duallanguage programs three districts least 80 percent latino 8thgrade students met state reading standards 2011 isat reading test money ongoing concern enrollment ell students state increasingincluding number students speak languages besides spanishthe pot state bilingual dollars shrinking elgin district u46 cicero school district 99 illustrate challenges elgin experienced recent uptick latino population third residents 2000 nearly half city 2010 cicero contrast long mostly latino rose 77 percent 2000 census nearly 87 percent 2010 districts latinos englishlanguage learners elgin class action lawsuit courts six years alleging bilingual students segregated werent given enough support transitioning bilingual programs kept overcrowded classes mexicanamerican legal defense educational fund lawyers working lawsuit along groups alonzo rivas regional counsel midwest office maldef says lawsuits could filed districts rivas says office investigating several complaints suburban bilingual teachers charge bilingual classrooms overcrowded administrators tell offer nativelanguage instructionwhich required lawand students need bilingual education placed regular classes parents districts want move forward lawsuits could filed rivas says far many hesitant theyre afraid district may retaliate children says also afraid immigration status country elgin superintendent jose torres formerly area officer chicago public schools hired since events issue existing lawsuit instituted duallanguage approach bilingual kindergarteners 1st 2ndgrade students students get older program add one grade level per year elgin schools also include englishspeaking students teach spanish kindergarten students get 80 percent instruction spanish percentage declines year reach 50 percent 3rd 8th grade using approach helps shore literacy skills native spanishspeaking students creates stronger foundation learning advanced academic content since taught basic concepts first language strategy evident filiberta sachanskis 1stgrade class hillcrest elementary students work math problems llevar las cuentas con la calculadora overhead reads meaning solve problems calculator students using grid numbers 1 50the calculatorto learn subtraction environment rich academic spanish vocabulary bulletin board lists transition words students need academic writing spanish principio primero segundo luego en medio después por lo tanto sin embargomeaning beginning first second later middle therefore nevertheless sachanskis speech rapid enthusiasm contagious children cheer count number grid arrive number 6 key subtraction problem working district curriculum alignment plan maps much time spent spanish english subjects spanish time spanish time students speaking spanish says hillcrest principal jennifer tallitsch cicero recent efforts start similar program fell short poor implementation district officials failed fully explain philosophy behind program teachers even many principals says michael dziallo districts assistant superintendent educational services goal ensure students stayed program 8th grade left fully fluent english spanish staff instead transitioned students swiftly bilingual classes inconsistent teaching students skills levels varied widely reached junior high compensate junior high created dizzying mix separate bilingual classes students still lower levels english proficiency duallanguage program extra help spanish students englishonly classes needed added support program also faltered district hard time finding enough teachers sufficiently fluent spanish simply passed state language proficiency test really mean youre truly bilingual dziallo says teachers stronger one language tend teach language theyre stronger cicero must choose two approaches one try reboot duallanguage program despite problems benefit students developing fluency literacy two languages second choice transition students bilingual classes quickly start beforeschool afterschool programs allow students maintain spanish ability speak two languages seen plus lots advantages later life says ilyse leland districts director englishlanguage learner programs hand goal public school teach children english maintain native language though trying figure way plainfield district 202 also considering possibility starting duallanguage program currently district offers transitional program aims move students english classes native language instruction students kindergarten 5th grade older students need support students take contentarea classes taught english strategy called sheltered instruction allows integrated classes native english speakers parent carmen avalos moved plainfield bolingbook five years ago family purchased house says 11yearold son jesus struggled school started bilingual program began grades went says translator program complete daughter goes spanish classroom taught material englishspeaking students avalos says adds parents also believe duallanguage programpart proposed fiveyear strategic plan school board hasnt voted yetwould beneficial fall day 7thgrade science class timber ridge middle school plainfield teacher tina trabold uses sheltered instruction techniques students read loud goals class period include explaining organisms classified trabold students read goals loud make sure englishlanguage learners understand lesson plainfield sheltered instruction used middle grades high school students know enough english regular classes need extra support many districts turned sheltered instruction teacher doesnt bilingual research suggests improve student learning strategy requires significant planning teachers especially students get older academic content gets increasingly difficult trabolds class students told write classification could used organize clothes closet goal connect lesson students previous experiences meaningful says linda hoste districts director englishlanguage learner programs next provide opportunity speak english students share examples partner trabold calls students share examples loud time year like seasons one boy says like long sleeves says another students read aloud article skunk identification changed years andto work writinganswer comprehension questions journals next theyre talking againsharing journal entries partner class moves quickly trabold leads several exercises creating key identifying shoes point activities provide opportunity students practice using english vocabulary exercise students asked define words dichotomous taxonomy classification partnersthis increasing opportunities interact hoste says lot opportunity speak english researcher diane august helps train teachers sheltered instruction program used plainfield points lesson planning difficult particularly upper grades sophisticated academic content many teachers need premade curricula says one reason school districts turn sheltered instruction difficulty finding certified bilingual teachersroger prosise superintendent diamond lake school district mundelein says district struggled problem percentage ell students tripled past decade one point prosise even sent staff spain recruit teachers didnt work teachers switch sheltered model limiting instruction spanish unless student needed clarification prosise though ran problems state requirement students receive instruction native language prosise believed verbal approval illinois state board education points district received special recognition state test score gains came time spring 2007 compliance review state told prosise change program provide enough native language instruction worstcase scenario districts compliance could lose state bilingual money backandforth prosise says districts money program remained intact district asks parents sign waivers opting bilingual education although clear whether request legal | 1,356 |
<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>Obama’s trade agenda is alive -- and could very well pass</p>
<p>To borrow an analogy from “Game of Thrones,” it’s no longer correct to think that President Obama’s trade agenda is Ned Stark ( <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW6wfXPeJTw" type="external">done and never coming back</a>). Instead, it looks more and more like The Mountain ( <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI3LW8XqKyc" type="external">raised from the dead and likely to get his way</a>). That’s the reality after the House passed a stand-alone Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill, 218-208, which now heads to the Senate. And the whole game now is whether or not a good chunk of the 14 Senate Democrats who voted for Obama’s trade agenda last month are willing to pass TPA as a stand-alone measure, with the promise that Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) will pass at a later time. NBC’s Frank Thorp got reaction from some of these pro-trade Democrats now that TPA is decoupled from TAA:</p>
<p>Game theory: Is TAA still a hostage if the Senate passes TPA?</p>
<p>Bottom line: It appears these Senate Democrats can be persuaded to vote for TPA again, as long as there’s some assurance that TAA gets approved down the road. Of course, remember that TAA -- long favored by Democrats -- was the vehicle that House Dems and organized labor torpedoed to stop TPA. “The current situation is exceedingly complicated, and exceedingly …. strange,” as the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/06/18/obamas-trade-agenda-back-from-the-dead/" type="external">Washington Post’s Greg Sargent notes</a>. Yet here’s also the game theory: If House Democrats have taken their own TAA hostage to prevent TPA from passing, but TPA goes ahead and passes, then there’s really no hostage left. As <a href="http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/boehner-confident-trade-pelosi-not-much/?dcz=emailalert" type="external">Roll Call puts it</a>, “Democrats don’t actually oppose TAA; they’re just hanging onto the prospect of possibly blocking TPA with the worker aid bill.” Indeed, here’s Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/18/politics/house-vote-trade-promotion-authority/" type="external">per CNN</a>: "That is the quintessential cutting of our noses to spite our face. And it's not cutting off our noses -- it's cutting off the noses of working people." And if that’s the case, then these pro-trade Senate Democrats PROBABLY can feel good about getting TAA passed at a later date. Then again, there are no guarantees in politics.</p>
<p>The longer TPA is alive (and has a chance to pass), the more pressure it puts on Hillary</p>
<p>But the longer that Obama’s trade agenda survives, the more Hillary Clinton has to perform verbal gymnastics -- as we saw yesterday. In an <a href="http://watch.knpb.org/video/2365512486/" type="external">interview with Nevada’s Jon Ralston yesterday</a>, Clinton appeared to signal that she opposes the TPA measure that’s headed to the Senate.</p>
<p>RALSTON: If you were in the Senate still…would you vote for TPA?</p>
<p>CLINTON: At this point, um, probably not because it’s a process vote and i don’t wanna say it’s the same as TPP. Right now I’m focused on making sure we get Trade Adjustment Assistance, and I certainly would not vote for it unless I were absolutely confident we would get Trade Adjustment Assistance.”</p>
<p>To be fair to Clinton, her answer isn’t too dissimilar from the Shaheen/Kaine/Coons statements above: She’s wary of TPA being passed without TAA. But this also is true: The longer TPA stays alive (and has a chance of passing) puts additional pressure on her. She’s trying to walk this line of giving labor a fig leaf of sympathetic support. But it is very hard to believe she’s actually against the TPP or TPA. Would she really be against this -- or even be this skeptical -- if she were already president? If TPA dies and TPP doesn’t happen, she’s on safe ground. But if it does pass, she’s going to look a little too cute by half.</p>
<p>Obama: "I didn’t say, yes, ‘I’ can; I said, yes, ‘we’ can"</p>
<p>At a fundraiser last night in Santa Monica, CA, President Obama talked about the horrific South Carolina shootings -- as well as the disappointments on things he’s been unable to change, like getting gun control passed. His response: If Americans are disappointed, they need to mobilize and organize, too. “If you’re dissatisfied that every few months we have a mass shooting in this country, killing innocent people, then I need you to mobilize and organize a constituency that says this is not normal and we are going to change it, and put pressure to elect people who insist on that change,” he said. “If you’re concerned about racial polarization in this country ... what are you doing to reach out in your own community to make sure that that child who does not look like your child has the same opportunities that your child does?”</p>
<p>2016ers react to the Charleston shootings</p>
<p>Marco Rubio also addressed the Faith &amp; Freedom confab yesterday, but strikingly, he didn’t address the Charleston shootings. When asked about that omission, his campaign noted <a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/611522523033833472" type="external">his tweet</a> from earlier in the day: “Saddened by the news from Charleston. The victims and their families are in my prayers today.”</p>
<p>Debate overSouth Carolina’s Confederate flag is back</p>
<p>One other thing to note about the Charleston violence: It’s revived the conversation about whether the state government of South Carolina should sanction the flying of a Confederate flag at the statehouse. Don’t be surprised if that returns as a national debate – especially with Democratic and Republican presidential candidates descending on South Carolina in the 2016 campaign season.</p>
<p>On “Meet the Press” this Sunday: NBC’s Chuck Todd will interview GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, as well as Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC).</p> | false | 3 | first read morning briefing meet press nbc political unit days important political stories matter obamas trade agenda alive could well pass borrow analogy game thrones longer correct think president obamas trade agenda ned stark done never coming back instead looks like mountain raised dead likely get way thats reality house passed standalone trade promotion authority tpa bill 218208 heads senate whole game whether good chunk 14 senate democrats voted obamas trade agenda last month willing pass tpa standalone measure promise trade adjustment assistance taa pass later time nbcs frank thorp got reaction protrade democrats tpa decoupled taa game theory taa still hostage senate passes tpa bottom line appears senate democrats persuaded vote tpa long theres assurance taa gets approved road course remember taa long favored democrats vehicle house dems organized labor torpedoed stop tpa current situation exceedingly complicated exceedingly strange washington posts greg sargent notes yet heres also game theory house democrats taken taa hostage prevent tpa passing tpa goes ahead passes theres really hostage left roll call puts democrats dont actually oppose taa theyre hanging onto prospect possibly blocking tpa worker aid bill indeed heres rep steve israel dny per cnn quintessential cutting noses spite face cutting noses cutting noses working people thats case protrade senate democrats probably feel good getting taa passed later date guarantees politics longer tpa alive chance pass pressure puts hillary longer obamas trade agenda survives hillary clinton perform verbal gymnastics saw yesterday interview nevadas jon ralston yesterday clinton appeared signal opposes tpa measure thats headed senate ralston senate stillwould vote tpa clinton point um probably process vote dont wan na say tpp right im focused making sure get trade adjustment assistance certainly would vote unless absolutely confident would get trade adjustment assistance fair clinton answer isnt dissimilar shaheenkainecoons statements shes wary tpa passed without taa also true longer tpa stays alive chance passing puts additional pressure shes trying walk line giving labor fig leaf sympathetic support hard believe shes actually tpp tpa would really even skeptical already president tpa dies tpp doesnt happen shes safe ground pass shes going look little cute half obama didnt say yes said yes fundraiser last night santa monica ca president obama talked horrific south carolina shootings well disappointments things hes unable change like getting gun control passed response americans disappointed need mobilize organize youre dissatisfied every months mass shooting country killing innocent people need mobilize organize constituency says normal going change put pressure elect people insist change said youre concerned racial polarization country reach community make sure child look like child opportunities child 2016ers react charleston shootings marco rubio also addressed faith amp freedom confab yesterday strikingly didnt address charleston shootings asked omission campaign noted tweet earlier day saddened news charleston victims families prayers today debate oversouth carolinas confederate flag back one thing note charleston violence revived conversation whether state government south carolina sanction flying confederate flag statehouse dont surprised returns national debate especially democratic republican presidential candidates descending south carolina 2016 campaign season meet press sunday nbcs chuck todd interview gop presidential candidate mike huckabee well rep james clyburn dsc | 513 |
<p>Forget about BRICS, it’s time to starting thinking PPICS.</p>
<p>According to French credit body <a href="http://www.coface.com/News-Publications/News/Coface-identifies-10-emerging-countries-hot-on-the-heels-of-the-BRICS" type="external">Coface</a>, the world’s emerging economies are to be found in nations like Peru, Philippines, Indonesia, Colombia and Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>“After 10 years of frenetic growth” the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa “are slowing down sharply,” said a report released by Coface on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The report said average economic growth in BRICS nations this year would be <a href="" type="external">3.2 percentage points less</a> than the average in the last 10 years.</p>
<p>“At the same time, other emerging countries are accelerating their development,” Coface said.&#160;</p>
<p>The 10 nations to watch were chosen because they have good production prospects and the financing to support expansion.</p>
<p>While the PPICS are showing encouraging signs, the other nations cited in the report — Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia — have “very difficult or extremely difficult business environments which could hamper their growth prospects.”</p>
<p>That’s why they’ve been divided into two groups (and the second doesn’t seem to have a catchy nickname yet).</p>
<p>Here’s a closer look at the Coface 10 (with data figures from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund):</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $369.6 billion (4.2 percent growth in 2014)</p>
<p>(Guillermo Legaria/AFP)</p>
<p>Colombia is not without its challenges. According to the <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/colombia/overview" type="external">World Bank</a>, economic growth slowed to four percent in 2012 from 5.9 just a year earlier. Lower commodity prices and domestic farm protests have hampered expectations, but the government “remains committed to fiscal stability.” Unemployment dropped slightly last year to 9.9 percent.</p>
<p>“Colombia has maintained sound macroeconomic performance, weathering well the bouts of global economic and financial stress of recent years,” <a href="http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2014/pr14101.htm" type="external">the IMF observed</a>&#160;in a report released earlier in March.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $878 billion (6.2&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>(Agung Parameswara/AFP)</p>
<p>Despite all the laurels from Coface, others suggest <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/indonesia" type="external">Southeast Asia’s largest economy</a> faces significant challenges in 2014. Controversial mineral export bans, tighter central bank policies, tapering in the United States and a weaker Chinese economy <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/11/indonesia-economy-idUSL3N0LC2E320140211" type="external">have all affected Indonesia</a>.</p>
<p>While many in Indonesia enjoying new standards of living, millions more are mired in poverty. The World Bank <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/indonesia/overview" type="external">said</a> almost half of all households in Indonesia live dangerously close to the poverty line of $22 per month. With that come health concerns such as infant and maternal mortality and access to sanitation.</p>
<p>Still, gross national income per capita climbed to $3,563 in 2012 from $2,200 a decade earlier. “Over the past decade, Indonesia has established a track record of strong economic performance and resiliency, underpinned by sound macroeconomic management and corporate and banking sector reforms,” <a href="http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2013/pr13503.htm" type="external">the IMF said</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $203.8 billion (6.3&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>(Mario Tama/AFP)</p>
<p>The World Bank deems Peru one of the best performing economies in Latin America, and a partnership between Peru and the <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/peru" type="external">World Bank</a> focused on improving equity through social services, infrastructure and competitiveness bodes well for the South American nation. While demand for Peru’s metals in China has lessened, <a href="" type="external">economists still forecasted</a> six percent growth this year.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $250.2 billion (6.8&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>(Jay Directo/AFP)</p>
<p>Rosy projections for the Philippines are a mixed blessing. Recovery from last year’s devastating Typhoon Haiyan is expected to generate 6.5 percent economic growth this year, a slight increase from earlier estimates, <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&amp;objectid=11227137" type="external">the IMF said</a>.</p>
<p>Growth in the Philippines has averaged about five percent in the last decade, <a href="" type="external">according to the World Bank</a>, a vast improvement over the previous decades. In 2010, the Philippines grew by 7.6 percent, the highest in 30 years.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $59.42 billion (6.4&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>(Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP)</p>
<p>If there was ever an economic argument for peace, one might look to Sri Lanka. The island nation has gone through drastic change since the end of the brutal civil war in 2009, <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/srilanka" type="external">the World Bank noted</a>.&#160;The economy grew about eight percent in 2011, and the resettlement of Sri Lankans who were displaced by the war is mostly complete.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka is now a middle-income country at peace. Its burgeoning tourism industry earned $1.4 billion in 2013, <a href="http://www.gulf-times.com/sri%20lanka/251/details/385917/lanka-sees-steep-rise-in-tourist-arrivals" type="external">according to the the country's central bank</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $116.4 billion (6.2&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>(Munir Uz Zaman/AFP)</p>
<p>Bangladesh’s “impressive track record for growth and development,” <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/bangladesh" type="external">the World Bank said</a>, has led to it “aspiring to be a middle-income country by its 50th birthday.” The World Bank has provided more than $15 billion to Bangladesh since it separation from Pakistan in 1972.</p>
<p>Known for being one of the world’s few Muslim democracies and the eighth most populous nation on earth, Bangladesh has been wracked by political violence of late that threatens its&#160; <a href="" type="external">tremendous economic and social gains</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $41.61 billion (8.5&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>(Carl De Souza/AFP)</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ethiopia" type="external">World Bank said</a> it wants to help “fight poverty and improve living standards in Ethiopia” by “promoting rapid economic growth and improving service delivery.”</p>
<p>It’s all in hopes of Ethiopia reaching middle income status by 2025, a big job since nearly 25 percent of Ethiopia’s 91 million people are unemployed, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/boosting-ethiopias-economic-growth-building-boom-064408834.html" type="external">according to Agence France-Presse</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $40.7 billion (4.6&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>(AFP)</p>
<p>By 2030, the Kenyan government “aims to accelerate sustainable growth, reduce inequality, and manage resource scarcity,” according to <a href="" type="external">the World Bank</a>. However, ambitious targets of 10 percent growth appear&#160;unlikely.</p>
<p>Recent turbulent events such as the prolonged terrorist attack inside a Kenyan mall, and national elections, had less impact on the economy than feared. The World Bank sees investment in infrastructure and domestic energy production as vital to helping pull more Kenyans <a href="http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2013/06/17886043/time-shift-gears-accelerating-growth-poverty-reduction-new-kenya" type="external">out of poverty</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $28.24 billion (6.9&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>(AFP)</p>
<p>A growing communications industry, steady population growth and strong domestic demand have all combined to fuel Tanzania over the last decade. Slightly lower food prices and better monetary policies are also a welcome development, although food is still more expensive in Tanzania than its neighbors, <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/tanzania/overview" type="external">the World Bank said</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GDP: $20.68 billion (7.3&#160;percent&#160;growth in 2012)</p>
<p>Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe during a visit to Zambia. (AFP)</p>
<p>Agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transport and finance combined to drive Zambia’s GDP to 7.3 percent in 2012&#160;from 6.8 percent a year earlier, <a href="http://www.afdb.org/countries/southern-africa/zambia/zambia-economic-outlook/" type="external">African Development Bank figures show</a>. At the same time, inflation declined to 6.5 percent from 8.7. Still, the poverty rate remained around 60 percent.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | forget brics time starting thinking ppics according french credit body coface worlds emerging economies found nations like peru philippines indonesia colombia sri lanka 10 years frenetic growth emerging economies brazil russia india china south africa slowing sharply said report released coface tuesday report said average economic growth brics nations year would 32 percentage points less average last 10 years time emerging countries accelerating development coface said160 10 nations watch chosen good production prospects financing support expansion ppics showing encouraging signs nations cited report bangladesh ethiopia kenya tanzania zambia difficult extremely difficult business environments could hamper growth prospects thats theyve divided two groups second doesnt seem catchy nickname yet heres closer look coface 10 data figures world bank international monetary fund 160 gdp 3696 billion 42 percent growth 2014 guillermo legariaafp colombia without challenges according world bank economic growth slowed four percent 2012 59 year earlier lower commodity prices domestic farm protests hampered expectations government remains committed fiscal stability unemployment dropped slightly last year 99 percent colombia maintained sound macroeconomic performance weathering well bouts global economic financial stress recent years imf observed160in report released earlier march 160 gdp 878 billion 62160percent160growth 2012 agung parameswaraafp despite laurels coface others suggest southeast asias largest economy faces significant challenges 2014 controversial mineral export bans tighter central bank policies tapering united states weaker chinese economy affected indonesia many indonesia enjoying new standards living millions mired poverty world bank said almost half households indonesia live dangerously close poverty line 22 per month come health concerns infant maternal mortality access sanitation still gross national income per capita climbed 3563 2012 2200 decade earlier past decade indonesia established track record strong economic performance resiliency underpinned sound macroeconomic management corporate banking sector reforms imf said 160 gdp 2038 billion 63160percent160growth 2012 mario tamaafp world bank deems peru one best performing economies latin america partnership peru world bank focused improving equity social services infrastructure competitiveness bodes well south american nation demand perus metals china lessened economists still forecasted six percent growth year 160 gdp 2502 billion 68160percent160growth 2012 jay directoafp rosy projections philippines mixed blessing recovery last years devastating typhoon haiyan expected generate 65 percent economic growth year slight increase earlier estimates imf said growth philippines averaged five percent last decade according world bank vast improvement previous decades 2010 philippines grew 76 percent highest 30 years 160 gdp 5942 billion 64160percent160growth 2012 lakruwan wanniarachchiafp ever economic argument peace one might look sri lanka island nation gone drastic change since end brutal civil war 2009 world bank noted160the economy grew eight percent 2011 resettlement sri lankans displaced war mostly complete sri lanka middleincome country peace burgeoning tourism industry earned 14 billion 2013 according countrys central bank 160 gdp 1164 billion 62160percent160growth 2012 munir uz zamanafp bangladeshs impressive track record growth development world bank said led aspiring middleincome country 50th birthday world bank provided 15 billion bangladesh since separation pakistan 1972 known one worlds muslim democracies eighth populous nation earth bangladesh wracked political violence late threatens its160 tremendous economic social gains 160 gdp 4161 billion 85160percent160growth 2012 carl de souzaafp world bank said wants help fight poverty improve living standards ethiopia promoting rapid economic growth improving service delivery hopes ethiopia reaching middle income status 2025 big job since nearly 25 percent ethiopias 91 million people unemployed according agence francepresse 160 gdp 407 billion 46160percent160growth 2012 afp 2030 kenyan government aims accelerate sustainable growth reduce inequality manage resource scarcity according world bank however ambitious targets 10 percent growth appear160unlikely recent turbulent events prolonged terrorist attack inside kenyan mall national elections less impact economy feared world bank sees investment infrastructure domestic energy production vital helping pull kenyans poverty 160 gdp 2824 billion 69160percent160growth 2012 afp growing communications industry steady population growth strong domestic demand combined fuel tanzania last decade slightly lower food prices better monetary policies also welcome development although food still expensive tanzania neighbors world bank said 160 gdp 2068 billion 73160percent160growth 2012 zimbabwes president robert mugabe visit zambia afp agriculture construction manufacturing transport finance combined drive zambias gdp 73 percent 2012160from 68 percent year earlier african development bank figures show time inflation declined 65 percent 87 still poverty rate remained around 60 percent160 | 691 |
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<p>This year’s Chicago Matters–the award-winning multimedia public affairs series made possible by The Chicago Community Trust with programming from WTTW 11, Chicago Public Radio, the Chicago Public Library, and The Chicago Reporter–will examine how the choices we make today impact our environment and the future of our region.</p>
<p>For more information, visit www.chicagomatters.org.</p>
<p>On a one-acre vegetable farm in Chicago, a bearded, 6 foot, 3 inch-tall black man squats before a bed of green, leafy radishes. Unlike most produce, these have been grown without toxic chemicals.</p>
<p>As he reaches into the dense foliage to harvest them, an oversized black t-shirt hangs on his thin square shoulders and red basketball shorts skim his calves.</p>
<p>Sunglasses shield his eyes, and a Bluetooth rests on his right ear. He sees a red, tennis ball-sized bulb and grabs its plume, plucking the radish from the ground.”That’s a big boy,” said Arthur King, 36, smiling as he pinches the stringy roots and threads them between his fingers to remove the dirt.</p>
<p>King is proud of his large radishes but prouder of what they represent. Unlike the bulk of organic, or low- to no-chemical food in Chicago, these radishes are not headed to white neighborhoods, an upscale grocery or gourmet farmers market. Growing Home, the Chicago nonprofit that runs this organic farm, is one of the few growers who markets its organic food to people of all races and incomes.</p>
<p>The roughly 10 pounds King gathers–”just enough to gauge buyer interest for the rest of the season–”will be taken to the grand opening of the Englewood Farmers Market the next day, along with several bunches of organic collard greens and kale.</p>
<p>Englewood is a predominantly black, low-income community that, like most black Chicago neighborhoods, offers residents few groceries where they can buy organic food. Organic food is healthier and environmentally friendly, but rarely found on store shelves in Chicago’s black neighborhoods. “It’s easier to find a semi-automatic weapon in our communities than it is to find a tomato, much less an organic tomato,” said LaDonna Redmond, a food justice activist at the Frederick Blum Neighborhood Assistance Center, a Chicago State University urban planning think tank.</p>
<p>No one has proven that residue from the carcinogens and neurotoxins–”cancerpromoting and nerve-damaging toxins–”used to grow most produce in the U.S. makes healthy adults sick, according to a March report by the Organic Center, a nonprofit, pro-organic research and education foundation. But a recent study suggests probable links between adult exposures to pesticides and diabetes, cancer, birth defects, premature birth and several neurological diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease, according to the report.</p>
<p>The environmental benefit of organic farms is also compelling, said Jerry DeWitt, director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Fertilizer that runs off into the Mississippi River has helped destroy the fish habitat in an 8,000 square-mile section of the Gulf of Mexico. The nitrogen in the runoff promotes excessive algal growth, suffocating marine life. Organic farms pollute less because their soil better traps the nitrogen, reducing the amount entering the water, DeWitt said.</p>
<p>“People are going organic because it is better for the soil, better for water, better for animals and better for humans,” DeWitt said.</p>
<p>But few grocery stores in black neighborhoods give residents the option to buy organic. As the black population increases, the number of stores selling organics in a community area decreases, according to a Chicago Reporter analysis. The Reporter surveyed 209 grocery stores spread across nine of the city’s 77 community areas. They were the three most populous black, white and Latino neighborhoods:</p>
<p>–¢ The population of the white neighborhoods was less than one-third of the total population of the communities examined, but were home to nearly two-thirds of the stores that carried organics.</p>
<p>–¢ Ten percent of stores in black communities carry organics, compared to 24 percent in Latino communities and 63 percent in white areas.</p>
<p>The Midwest’s largest distributor of organic food, Goodness Greeness, is located in Englewood. The company ships organic produce to 1,200 to 1,500 grocery stores across the nation. Ironically, none of them are in Englewood. Because the company doesn’t sell to the public, its neighbors can’t get its food without leaving their community.</p>
<p>One of the company’s 15 Chicago retail outlets is in a black community. One is in a Latino community, three are in mixed communities, nine are in white communities and one is accessible through the Internet. When the owners tried to interest local grocers in selling organics, the grocers in black communities said no. “African Americans are just as educated on the issues and more than willing to pay the money,” said Bob Scaman, president of Goodness Greeness. “They just have to drive four miles to get it.”</p>
<p>In West Garfield Park, a predominantly black community on Chicago’s West side, access to organic food is so limited that when a doctor diagnosed Redmond’s son with severe food allergies nine years ago, the food activist resorted to growing organic produce in her backyard. The closest place she could buy organics was at Whole Foods in west suburban River Forest.</p>
<p>Residents of black communities who want organic food can leave their neighborhoods to get it or attend a farmers market. More than one-third of Chicago’s 27 black community areas have a farmers market that sells some organics, according to a Reporter analysis of the city’s list of farmers markets. There are 10 farmers markets in black communities, compared to nine found in white communities. Just one farmers market is located in a Latino neighborhood. There are 13 in mixed communities.</p>
<p>Another way residents of black communities can get organics is through delivery, directly from the farm to their neighborhood. But fewer organic farms deliver to Chicago’s black communities. The Reporter found that there are just three drop-off points in Chicago’s 27 black communities, compared to four in Latino neighborhoods, 11 in white neighborhoods and 21 in mixed neighborhoods.</p>
<p>What some people want is an actual organic grocery store, and not having them is inconvenient and unfair, said Inez Teemer, founder of Chicago’s Black Vegetarian Society. Teemer, who lives in Chatham and has no car, said that her neighborhood Jewel carries a small selection of organics, but she travels 10 miles to get groceries. “Why do I have to travel all the way to the North Side to go to Trader Joe’s?” she said.</p>
<p>Origins in the U.S.</p>
<p>Nineteenth-century American farmers didn’t have man-made fertilizers, but their farms were far from organic. Many used lead and arsenic as pesticides, said Warren Belasco, professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. When a German scientist revealed the chemistry to make fertilizer in 1840, most U.S. farmers continued to use animal manure for another century. But it wasn’t because they were environmentalists or health enthusiasts. Manure was cheaper. Plus, the equipment to spread man-made fertilizer didn’t come into use until the 1940s, said Fred Kirschenmann, a distinguished fellow at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.</p>
<p>Between the 1930s and the 1940s, U.S. commercial farms more than doubled their average annual consumption of commercial fertilizer. Around 1947, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture argued that fertilizers would help farmers grow more food per acre, farmers began spreading it on their fields because they saw it as simple and a way to raise profits.</p>
<p>The widespread use of fertilizer and pesticide revolutionized the U.S. food system. Farmers started growing a single crop because the fertilizer and pesticides allowed for mechanization, which allowed them to plant, harvest and raise even more food. But without multiple species of crops and animals, the farms lacked natural predators, fertilizers and decomposers, which healthy ecosystems require. Soils grew thin, dry and infertile. Pest outbreaks and epidemics of infectious disease emerged. Instead of diversifying the species they grew, farmers added more toxic chemicals. A few soil scientists condemned these changes, arguing fertilizers and pesticides were harmful. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a smattering of U.S. farmers and grocers began to listen and ¬stopped using them. Many were hippies who moved from cities into the countryside and ¬taught themselves to grow food without chemicals. As this agrarian reform movement materialized in Chicago, it bypassed black neighborhoods. One of the first organic grocers in Chicago, Rainbow Grocers, opened on the North Side. Orrin Williams, 59, an African American, lived at 69th and Indiana in the Park Manor neighborhood at the time and remembers carpooling to Rainbow and buying groceries in bulk to share with his friends. “Since the earliest days of organic agriculture evolved it never has paid any attention to our community,” Williams said.</p>
<p>Today’s disparity</p>
<p>Organic farmers, meat and poultry packers, manufacturers and distributors said they don’t discriminate. “We’ll sell to anybody, as long as you have a health food store and that’s your primary focus,” said Michele Raddatz, a sales representative for NOW Foods, a manufacturer of organic dietary supplements and organic dried goods. NOW Foods supplies 18 ¬stores on Chicago’s South Side, Raddatz said. Few independent grocers in black communities have expressed an ¬interest in organics, said Raddatz and Jessica Cohen, marketing manager for Sommers Organic, an organic beef and poultry processor in Northwest suburban Wheeling.</p>
<p>Despite market research to the contrary, the grocers in predominantly black communities don’t believe their customers will buy organics, said Wes Jarrell, a professor of sustainable agriculture and natural resources at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and co- owner of Prairie Fruit Farms in Champaign. “A big part of [the limited access to organic food in black communities] is the pre-conception by suppliers that no one will pay more, that there’s no appreciation for what it takes to raise food,” Jarrell said.</p>
<p>It’s not just a pre-conception, said Erika Allen, who manages the Chicago branch of Growing Power, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit working to establish a healthy and equitable food system. Selling organic is labor intensive, Williams said. A grocer has to go to a market, buy the food, power a freezer to store it and regularly inspect it and discard what’s rotten. It can be a risky proposition with low profit margins, said Sherri Tillman, co-owner of A Natural Harvest Health Food Store &amp; Deli, a 26-year¬-old South Shore grocer and café. Produce spoils easily without aggressive marketing, Tillman said. Her store sells organic vitamins, supplements, and packaged foods and plans to start selling organic produce this fall.</p>
<p>Major chain groceries–” which carry organics in all their Chicago stores–”have a larger customer base and enough staff to rotate their organic produce, said Redmond.</p>
<p>But they also have more stores in white neighborhoods than black ones. There are 13 Jewel food stores in predominantly white community areas, six in predominantly black communities and four in majority Latino communities. Dominick’s has six stores in predominantly white communities, seven in mixed communities, two in black communities. Spokespeople for Dominick’s and Jewel declined to explain the disparity.</p>
<p>David Vite, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said disposable income, not race, determines which communities get grocery stores. “We acknowledge there are places in Chicago where there are issues with access to fresh food,” Vite said. For every dollar that a typical grocery store earned in 2007, 98 and 99 cents of it covered the cost of running the business, which means only one to two cents of it was profit, Vite said. With such a low profit margin, he said, gro¬cery stores cannot afford to experiment with opening stores in locations with low disposable incomes.</p>
<p>African Americans don’t have as much money as white people, but no one can deny that they buy groceries, even organics, Williams said.</p>
<p>“There’s this business model afoot that said [major grocers] don’t have to serve this community,” he said. “–˜I’m gonna sit back and put my store in a place where the economic and demographic profile said that I want to place my store,’ and then the gravy is all those black folk who show up and shop.”</p>
<p>What is being done?</p>
<p>In the spring of 2009, Redmond intends to break ground on Good Food Market, a 20,000-square-foot grocery store at Pulaski Road and Washington Street in West Garfield Park. Redmond intends to franchise Good Food Market in cities with similar access disparities. Orrin Williams has similar aspirations for the projects he’s coordinating at the Center for Urban Transformation, a nonprofit that he founded in 2000 to address food justice issues. The nonprofit plans to open a mobile grocery store, deploying street vendors with carts of produce, and supply staff to refresh and restock organics at independent grocers.</p>
<p>It could be years before either project spreads. “My paternal grandmother would tell you, –˜Don’t shop in the black community’, because she knew that the quality in white communities was better,” Williams said. Williams’ grandmother would be 109 if she were alive today. “We’re still in the same situation.”</p>
<p>Contributing: Madelaine Burkert, Alex Campbell, Stacie Johnson, Beth Wang and Matt Hendrickson</p> | false | 3 | years chicago mattersthe awardwinning multimedia public affairs series made possible chicago community trust programming wttw 11 chicago public radio chicago public library chicago reporterwill examine choices make today impact environment future region information visit wwwchicagomattersorg oneacre vegetable farm chicago bearded 6 foot 3 inchtall black man squats bed green leafy radishes unlike produce grown without toxic chemicals reaches dense foliage harvest oversized black tshirt hangs thin square shoulders red basketball shorts skim calves sunglasses shield eyes bluetooth rests right ear sees red tennis ballsized bulb grabs plume plucking radish groundthats big boy said arthur king 36 smiling pinches stringy roots threads fingers remove dirt king proud large radishes prouder represent unlike bulk organic low nochemical food chicago radishes headed white neighborhoods upscale grocery gourmet farmers market growing home chicago nonprofit runs organic farm one growers markets organic food people races incomes roughly 10 pounds king gathersjust enough gauge buyer interest rest seasonwill taken grand opening englewood farmers market next day along several bunches organic collard greens kale englewood predominantly black lowincome community like black chicago neighborhoods offers residents groceries buy organic food organic food healthier environmentally friendly rarely found store shelves chicagos black neighborhoods easier find semiautomatic weapon communities find tomato much less organic tomato said ladonna redmond food justice activist frederick blum neighborhood assistance center chicago state university urban planning think tank one proven residue carcinogens neurotoxinscancerpromoting nervedamaging toxinsused grow produce us makes healthy adults sick according march report organic center nonprofit proorganic research education foundation recent study suggests probable links adult exposures pesticides diabetes cancer birth defects premature birth several neurological diseases associated aging alzheimers disease according report environmental benefit organic farms also compelling said jerry dewitt director leopold center sustainable agriculture iowa state university fertilizer runs mississippi river helped destroy fish habitat 8000 squaremile section gulf mexico nitrogen runoff promotes excessive algal growth suffocating marine life organic farms pollute less soil better traps nitrogen reducing amount entering water dewitt said people going organic better soil better water better animals better humans dewitt said grocery stores black neighborhoods give residents option buy organic black population increases number stores selling organics community area decreases according chicago reporter analysis reporter surveyed 209 grocery stores spread across nine citys 77 community areas three populous black white latino neighborhoods population white neighborhoods less onethird total population communities examined home nearly twothirds stores carried organics ten percent stores black communities carry organics compared 24 percent latino communities 63 percent white areas midwests largest distributor organic food goodness greeness located englewood company ships organic produce 1200 1500 grocery stores across nation ironically none englewood company doesnt sell public neighbors cant get food without leaving community one companys 15 chicago retail outlets black community one latino community three mixed communities nine white communities one accessible internet owners tried interest local grocers selling organics grocers black communities said african americans educated issues willing pay money said bob scaman president goodness greeness drive four miles get west garfield park predominantly black community chicagos west side access organic food limited doctor diagnosed redmonds son severe food allergies nine years ago food activist resorted growing organic produce backyard closest place could buy organics whole foods west suburban river forest residents black communities want organic food leave neighborhoods get attend farmers market onethird chicagos 27 black community areas farmers market sells organics according reporter analysis citys list farmers markets 10 farmers markets black communities compared nine found white communities one farmers market located latino neighborhood 13 mixed communities another way residents black communities get organics delivery directly farm neighborhood fewer organic farms deliver chicagos black communities reporter found three dropoff points chicagos 27 black communities compared four latino neighborhoods 11 white neighborhoods 21 mixed neighborhoods people want actual organic grocery store inconvenient unfair said inez teemer founder chicagos black vegetarian society teemer lives chatham car said neighborhood jewel carries small selection organics travels 10 miles get groceries travel way north side go trader joes said origins us nineteenthcentury american farmers didnt manmade fertilizers farms far organic many used lead arsenic pesticides said warren belasco professor american studies university maryland baltimore county german scientist revealed chemistry make fertilizer 1840 us farmers continued use animal manure another century wasnt environmentalists health enthusiasts manure cheaper plus equipment spread manmade fertilizer didnt come use 1940s said fred kirschenmann distinguished fellow leopold center sustainable agriculture iowa state university 1930s 1940s us commercial farms doubled average annual consumption commercial fertilizer around 1947 us department agriculture argued fertilizers would help farmers grow food per acre farmers began spreading fields saw simple way raise profits widespread use fertilizer pesticide revolutionized us food system farmers started growing single crop fertilizer pesticides allowed mechanization allowed plant harvest raise even food without multiple species crops animals farms lacked natural predators fertilizers decomposers healthy ecosystems require soils grew thin dry infertile pest outbreaks epidemics infectious disease emerged instead diversifying species grew farmers added toxic chemicals soil scientists condemned changes arguing fertilizers pesticides harmful late 1960s early 1970s smattering us farmers grocers began listen Âstopped using many hippies moved cities countryside Âtaught grow food without chemicals agrarian reform movement materialized chicago bypassed black neighborhoods one first organic grocers chicago rainbow grocers opened north side orrin williams 59 african american lived 69th indiana park manor neighborhood time remembers carpooling rainbow buying groceries bulk share friends since earliest days organic agriculture evolved never paid attention community williams said todays disparity organic farmers meat poultry packers manufacturers distributors said dont discriminate well sell anybody long health food store thats primary focus said michele raddatz sales representative foods manufacturer organic dietary supplements organic dried goods foods supplies 18 Âstores chicagos south side raddatz said independent grocers black communities expressed Âinterest organics said raddatz jessica cohen marketing manager sommers organic organic beef poultry processor northwest suburban wheeling despite market research contrary grocers predominantly black communities dont believe customers buy organics said wes jarrell professor sustainable agriculture natural resources university illinois urbanachampaign co owner prairie fruit farms champaign big part limited access organic food black communities preconception suppliers one pay theres appreciation takes raise food jarrell said preconception said erika allen manages chicago branch growing power milwaukeebased nonprofit working establish healthy equitable food system selling organic labor intensive williams said grocer go market buy food power freezer store regularly inspect discard whats rotten risky proposition low profit margins said sherri tillman coowner natural harvest health food store amp deli 26yearÂold south shore grocer café produce spoils easily without aggressive marketing tillman said store sells organic vitamins supplements packaged foods plans start selling organic produce fall major chain groceries carry organics chicago storeshave larger customer base enough staff rotate organic produce said redmond also stores white neighborhoods black ones 13 jewel food stores predominantly white community areas six predominantly black communities four majority latino communities dominicks six stores predominantly white communities seven mixed communities two black communities spokespeople dominicks jewel declined explain disparity david vite president ceo illinois retail merchants association said disposable income race determines communities get grocery stores acknowledge places chicago issues access fresh food vite said every dollar typical grocery store earned 2007 98 99 cents covered cost running business means one two cents profit vite said low profit margin said groÂcery stores afford experiment opening stores locations low disposable incomes african americans dont much money white people one deny buy groceries even organics williams said theres business model afoot said major grocers dont serve community said im gon na sit back put store place economic demographic profile said want place store gravy black folk show shop done spring 2009 redmond intends break ground good food market 20000squarefoot grocery store pulaski road washington street west garfield park redmond intends franchise good food market cities similar access disparities orrin williams similar aspirations projects hes coordinating center urban transformation nonprofit founded 2000 address food justice issues nonprofit plans open mobile grocery store deploying street vendors carts produce supply staff refresh restock organics independent grocers could years either project spreads paternal grandmother would tell dont shop black community knew quality white communities better williams said williams grandmother would 109 alive today still situation contributing madelaine burkert alex campbell stacie johnson beth wang matt hendrickson | 1,354 |
<p>By Vicki Brown</p>
<p>Congress established the 501(c)3 tax-exempt status applicable to churches, religious organizations and ministers “in recognition of their unique status in American society,” the IRS claims in its <a href="file:///C:UsersRobertDownloadsirs.govpubirs-pdfp1828.pdf" type="external">Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations</a>.</p>
<p>The designation benefits those that qualify in a number of ways. Public charities are exempt from paying federal corporate income tax and often from state and local corporate income taxes as well. That means houses of worship and church-related organizations save money.</p>
<p>For churches, perhaps the most important benefit is the ability to solicit charitable donations — including offerings from members — that are tax deductible for the donor.</p>
<p>The IRS provision sets five primary requirements in place that entities must meet to qualify for the designation. Two of the five govern political activity: No “substantial” part of the organization’s activities may “involve attempts to influence legislation,” and the group cannot “intervene” in political campaigns.</p>
<p>The code says organizations that qualify as not-for-profits under 501(c)3 “are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.” The code further prohibits any “public statements of position” — verbal or written.</p>
<p>The IRS interprets that portion of the code to mean speech could be restricted, even if a candidate isn’t “expressly” named, if the information in the communication is sufficient for readers or listeners to be able to identify the candidate. A communication can be construed as a violation if it “expresses approval or disapproval of one or more candidates’ positions or actions.”</p>
<p>That point caught the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the 2012 presidential election cycle. Although Graham did not endorse anyone for president, he met with then-Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Media reports declared the famous evangelist “sort of” endorsed Romney through that meeting.</p>
<p>Later Graham authorized newspaper ads in which he urged people to vote for candidates who supported marriage as biblically defined, who were pro-life and who would defend religious freedom.</p>
<p>While he did not explicitly endorse Romney or any Republican candidates nor openly oppose Democratic ones, the Freedom from Religion Foundation sued the IRS for failure to investigate the political activities of churches and religious organizations, singling out Graham’s association.</p>
<p>While the tax code appears restrictive, congregations, other religious organizations and church leaders do have options.</p>
<p>Churches and religious organizations are allowed to set up a separate 501(c)4 tax-exempt political arm through which to endorse candidates and lobby for or against issues. The primary restriction is that contributions to a 501(c)4 are not tax-deductible for donors, and monies given to the 501(c)3 cannot be transferred to or used by the political arm.</p>
<p>Even as a 501(c)3, a church can allow candidates to appear and speak in a worship service, as long as all candidates are given equal time and the speaker introductions are made in neutral language.</p>
<p>Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty Executive Director Brent Walker emphasized pastors and other ministers, while specifically forbidden to participate in politics in their official capacity, still retain their First Amendment constitutional rights as individuals “as long as it’s clear they are doing it on their own.”</p>
<p>The prohibition against political campaign intervention by tax-exempt nonprofits 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 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>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 both 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>“Pulpit politicking threatens to divide congregations and communities and replace the theological mission of the church with one focused on partisanship and division,” 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>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>Each year, usually in October, the Alliance Defending Freedom has been seeking to push the law’s boundaries by sponsoring <a href="http://www.speakupmovement.org/church/LearnMore/details/4702" type="external">Pulpit Freedom Sunday</a>, which encourages pastors to openly defy the law in a worship service.</p> | false | 3 | vicki brown congress established 501c3 taxexempt status applicable churches religious organizations ministers recognition unique status american society irs claims tax guide churches religious organizations designation benefits qualify number ways public charities exempt paying federal corporate income tax often state local corporate income taxes well means houses worship churchrelated organizations save money churches perhaps important benefit ability solicit charitable donations including offerings members tax deductible donor irs provision sets five primary requirements place entities must meet qualify designation two five govern political activity substantial part organizations activities may involve attempts influence legislation group intervene political campaigns code says organizations qualify notforprofits 501c3 absolutely prohibited directly indirectly participating intervening political campaign behalf opposition candidate elective public office code prohibits public statements position verbal written irs interprets portion code mean speech could restricted even candidate isnt expressly named information communication sufficient readers listeners able identify candidate communication construed violation expresses approval disapproval one candidates positions actions point caught billy graham evangelistic association 2012 presidential election cycle although graham endorse anyone president met thenrepublican candidate mitt romney media reports declared famous evangelist sort endorsed romney meeting later graham authorized newspaper ads urged people vote candidates supported marriage biblically defined prolife would defend religious freedom explicitly endorse romney republican candidates openly oppose democratic ones freedom religion foundation sued irs failure investigate political activities churches religious organizations singling grahams association tax code appears restrictive congregations religious organizations church leaders options churches religious organizations allowed set separate 501c4 taxexempt political arm endorse candidates lobby issues primary restriction contributions 501c4 taxdeductible donors monies given 501c3 transferred used political arm even 501c3 church allow candidates appear speak worship service long candidates given equal time speaker introductions made neutral language baptist joint committee religious liberty executive director brent walker emphasized pastors ministers specifically forbidden participate politics official capacity still retain first amendment constitutional rights individuals long clear prohibition political campaign intervention taxexempt nonprofits became part internal revenue service tax code 1954 thentexas sen lyndon b johnson introduced floor debate although groups believe johnson posited tax code addition means stop political challengers historical record senators reasoning exists 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 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 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 year usually october alliance defending freedom seeking push laws boundaries sponsoring pulpit freedom sunday encourages pastors openly defy law worship service | 576 |
<p>PARIS, France — From the day of their first public date — at Disneyland Paris of all places — their lives have always seemed torn from the pages of a fairy tale.</p>
<p>That was back in December 2007 when the confident new French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, courted the Italian-born model and French pop singer, Carla Bruni, as they wandered the pathways with Disney's fabled characters. Soon after, they wed and became an extraordinary media sensation.</p>
<p>But now it seems there might be some trouble in the magic kingdom. And if the latest rumors buzzing around the French blogosphere about them both having extramarital affairs are true, this glitzy political saga could be coming to an end. ( <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/france/100406/sarkozy-bruni" type="external">Repercussions of the Sarkozy/Bruni affair rumors</a>.)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.suchablog.com/carla-bruni-avec-benjamin-biolay-nicolas-sarkozy-avec-chantal-jouanno" type="external">Suchablog.com</a> has published posts saying that Carla Bruni fell in love with the French singer Benjamin Biolay, who just won the award for best male singer and best album of the year at the prestigious “Victoires de la musique.”</p>
<p>Bruni and Biolay have reportedly been friends for many years. And according to suchablog.com, Bruni and Biolay already live together. The same blog, which brands itself as a web magazine, also says that president Sarkozy has found “comfort in the arms” of right-wing politician Chantal Jouanno — a 40-year-old cabinet member in charge of the environment as well as a karate champion.</p>
<p>But the French establishment media is legendarily indifferent when it comes to covering the private affairs of their elected leaders. So there has been no questioning of the president about all this. The way the possible scandal has slowly emerged in France stands in stark contrast to how it would be covered in the tabloid culture of the American media, according to observers here.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/sports/091213/elin-nordegren-tiger-woods-wife-sweden" type="external">Can Elin go home again?</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/general/091224/sex-scandals-2009" type="external">Top sex scandals of 2009</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/south-africa/100209/zuma-infidelity" type="external">Zuma's love child scandalizes South Africa</a></p>
<p>Other websites to chronicle the rumor include the well-known blog <a href="" type="external">Le Post</a>, <a href="http://fr.news.yahoo.com/63/20100307/tod-sarkozy-jouanno-bruni-biolay-i-tl-ar-366b5ef.html" type="external">Yahoo News France</a> and <a href="http://www.agoravox.tv/culture-loisirs/people/article/bruni-biolay-sarko-jouanno-l-25527" type="external">Agoravoxtv</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE:&#160;While a blog of the Sunday newspaper <a href="http://actu-videos.lejdd.fr/2010/03/09/243-rumeurs-carla-bruni-croque-benjamin-biolay-sarkozy-se-console-avec-jouanno" type="external">Le Journal du Dimanche</a> had chronicled the rumors about the Sarkozy and Bruni affairs, the post has now been removed "by the editors"&#160;because the material was "seriously detrimental to privacy." See below for more on French privacy law.</p>
<p>For now mainstream media haven’t published the rumors, which bloggers said are more likely to become public after the March 21 regional elections in France.</p>
<p>On television, only the news channel i-tele has suggested that Sarkozy and Jouanno, and Bruni and Biolay, are close. An i-tele presenter said on the air that Bruni was the first to congratulate Biolay for his awards, and wondered whether Sarkozy had had the time to congratulate minister Jouanno on her recent karate win.</p>
<p>For its part, Sarkozy’s public relations office had no comment on the rumors in response to a request from GlobalPost.</p>
<p>Most mainstream French media are likely to stay away from the rumor because the president’s personal life is a touchy topic and they worry reporting on the rumors could put their jobs at risk. Also, in France, privacy law keeps tabloids off the shelves and offers public figures a greater measure of, well, privacy, than in the U.S.</p>
<p>"Journalists often whisper a few gossips off the record, but they do not publish them, because they don't want to jeopardize their relations with politicians," said Dominique Moisi, a French political expert at the French Institute of International Relations. "That said, sometimes it is a good thing, you don't want every gossip to get published."</p>
<p>According to word of mouth, Alain Genestar, the former editor-in-chief of the magazine Paris Match, was fired after he published an article and pictures that showed that Nicolas Sarkozy’s ex-wife, Cecilia, was having an affair with the media guru Richard Attias.</p>
<p>At the time, the public was shocked, according to Nicolas Thierry, president of the journalists’ union CFDT Journalistes. “Alain Genestar received a lot of sympathy from the public after this event,” Thierry said. “The public felt that it was only fair that Sarkozy’s personal life would be exposed, after he used the image of his wife a lot during his presidential campaign.”</p>
<p>But according to Thierry, the French public “doesn’t always support the media when they disclose personal information about famous people.”</p>
<p>“The French sometimes feel that paparazzi shouldn’t go too far,” Thierry said. “They think that sometimes journalists should leave personalities alone.”</p>
<p>It is widely accepted in France that public figures shouldn't be judged on their sentimental lives but on their work, especially when it comes to politicians. Former presidents Francois Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac reportedly had affairs, but this didn't ruin their political images, although Mitterrand's "hidden daughter" Mazarine did make the headlines when the story came out.</p>
<p>As for the current rumor, reactions from the streets of Paris seemed to show more disappointment with Sarkozy’s policies than keen interest in his love life.</p>
<p>“I couldn’t care less,” said Gauvin Leconte, a young professor. “What I care about is my everyday life and the president’s decisions. I am not happy at all with what Sarkozy does. He made things harder for us teachers.”</p>
<p>A man named Jean-Francois, who didn’t want his last name used, was chatting with a pal on a bench in front of Paris’ Saint Sulpice church and had a similar reaction.</p>
<p>“I am not interested in Sarkozy and in his huge ego,” said Jean-Francois. “At the end of the day if he did go with another chick, it would just be an expression of what he is inside ... a jerk.”</p>
<p>Raoni Moisan, a student in Paris, was a bit less harsh. “Frankly, I think that Sarkozy has other things to do,” Moisan said. “He’s probably focused on trying to keep his job and pursue his programs.”</p>
<p>As for Bruni’s alleged new choice of lover, Moisan suggested that it would definitely represent a step-down for the French-Italian diva.</p>
<p>“After Mick Jagger, Biolay is definitely a much smaller fish,” he said.</p>
<p>History — and sales — will decide on the artistic merits of singer Biolay, while the coming regional elections will surely give the French a chance to express themselves on what they apparently really care about the most: the president’s policy and its impact on the economy.</p> | false | 3 | paris france day first public date disneyland paris places lives always seemed torn pages fairy tale back december 2007 confident new french president nicolas sarkozy courted italianborn model french pop singer carla bruni wandered pathways disneys fabled characters soon wed became extraordinary media sensation seems might trouble magic kingdom latest rumors buzzing around french blogosphere extramarital affairs true glitzy political saga could coming end repercussions sarkozybruni affair rumors suchablogcom published posts saying carla bruni fell love french singer benjamin biolay award best male singer best album year prestigious victoires de la musique bruni biolay reportedly friends many years according suchablogcom bruni biolay already live together blog brands web magazine also says president sarkozy found comfort arms rightwing politician chantal jouanno 40yearold cabinet member charge environment well karate champion french establishment media legendarily indifferent comes covering private affairs elected leaders questioning president way possible scandal slowly emerged france stands stark contrast would covered tabloid culture american media according observers elin go home top sex scandals 2009 zumas love child scandalizes south africa websites chronicle rumor include wellknown blog le post yahoo news france agoravoxtv update160while blog sunday newspaper le journal du dimanche chronicled rumors sarkozy bruni affairs post removed editors160because material seriously detrimental privacy see french privacy law mainstream media havent published rumors bloggers said likely become public march 21 regional elections france television news channel itele suggested sarkozy jouanno bruni biolay close itele presenter said air bruni first congratulate biolay awards wondered whether sarkozy time congratulate minister jouanno recent karate win part sarkozys public relations office comment rumors response request globalpost mainstream french media likely stay away rumor presidents personal life touchy topic worry reporting rumors could put jobs risk also france privacy law keeps tabloids shelves offers public figures greater measure well privacy us journalists often whisper gossips record publish dont want jeopardize relations politicians said dominique moisi french political expert french institute international relations said sometimes good thing dont want every gossip get published according word mouth alain genestar former editorinchief magazine paris match fired published article pictures showed nicolas sarkozys exwife cecilia affair media guru richard attias time public shocked according nicolas thierry president journalists union cfdt journalistes alain genestar received lot sympathy public event thierry said public felt fair sarkozys personal life would exposed used image wife lot presidential campaign according thierry french public doesnt always support media disclose personal information famous people french sometimes feel paparazzi shouldnt go far thierry said think sometimes journalists leave personalities alone widely accepted france public figures shouldnt judged sentimental lives work especially comes politicians former presidents francois mitterrand jacques chirac reportedly affairs didnt ruin political images although mitterrands hidden daughter mazarine make headlines story came current rumor reactions streets paris seemed show disappointment sarkozys policies keen interest love life couldnt care less said gauvin leconte young professor care everyday life presidents decisions happy sarkozy made things harder us teachers man named jeanfrancois didnt want last name used chatting pal bench front paris saint sulpice church similar reaction interested sarkozy huge ego said jeanfrancois end day go another chick would expression inside jerk raoni moisan student paris bit less harsh frankly think sarkozy things moisan said hes probably focused trying keep job pursue programs brunis alleged new choice lover moisan suggested would definitely represent stepdown frenchitalian diva mick jagger biolay definitely much smaller fish said history sales decide artistic merits singer biolay coming regional elections surely give french chance express apparently really care presidents policy impact economy | 577 |
<p>NEW DELHI, India — Ever since 1947 when South Asians threw off the yoke of the British Raj, India has been dominated by the Congress party, led by the Gandhi family, with occasional interruptions from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.</p>
<p>Now a new force in Indian politics has emerged that threatens to wreck the established order.</p>
<p>Late last year, the Aam Aadmi Party, a ragtag collection of political amateurs, crushed the Congress party in elections for the Delhi assembly. And against everyone’s expectations, the party has taken the reins of power to govern the Indian capital.</p>
<p>The party’s leader, former tax inspector Arvind Kejriwal, engineered a political decapitation by defeating local Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, ending her 15-year tenure as Delhi’s chief minister. He did it <a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/news/delhi-election-results-sheila-dikshit-resigns-as-delhi-chief-minister/1204948" type="external">resoundingly</a>, with a whopping 25,600 margin.</p>
<p>AAP won 28 seats out of 70. That left Congress with only 8, and ruined the BJP’s hopes of a landslide victory by limiting them to 32 seats. The two big parties dared Kejriwal to form a government and he called their bluff, insisting that Congress supports AAP without conditions or influence in government. He was <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/kejriwal-swornin-as-delhis-chief-minister/article5511463.ece" type="external">sworn in</a> as chief minister a few days after Christmas.</p>
<p>Kejriwal had launched the Aam Aadmi Party — Hindi for “common man” — in 2012 with the promise of a “political revolution” to sweep corruption out of India after widespread demonstrations against graft, led by his mentor Anna Hazare.</p>
<p>The activists, who adopted the broom as their symbol, were dismissed by the big parties as a joke, a collection of childish idealists who were just playing at politics.</p>
<p>AAP’s detractors were stunned by the party’s extraordinary results in Delhi.</p>
<p>Now Kejriwal and his supporters are turning their attention to the national parliamentary elections, likely to take place in May 2014.</p>
<p>So, does the Aam Aadmi Party really stand any chance of winning a large number of seats in the Lok Sabha, India’s parliament? And what would they do if they came to power?</p>
<p>It is no small task to campaign in a country of 1.2 billion people with 22 official languages. The only truly national party is Congress — the BJP has little or no presence in many of the southern states and both parties have relied on complex coalitions to govern.</p>
<p>AAP grew from the networks of anti-corruption campaigners who joined Anna Hazare’s protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in 2011.</p>
<p>Kejriwal was among Hazare’s advisors, but a rift grew between the two men after Kejriwal decided to enter politics — something Hazare insisted he would never do.</p>
<p>The 45-year-old activist-turned-candidate built a network of volunteers from the students and young people who had joined the Jantar Mantar protests. During the Delhi elections, around 120,000 people canvassed for votes. Some had come from other states to help out.</p>
<p>Outside Delhi, few people believed AAP would get anywhere.</p>
<p>Odisha local leader Nishikanta Mohapatra told GlobalPost the party had a paltry 400 volunteers before the Delhi elections. He now wants 100,000 volunteers, to put a candidate up for every parliamentary seat in the state.</p>
<p>“We have a presence in 20 out of 30 districts here,” he said. “Right now lots of people are interested but we have to see how much they are dedicated to our cause.”</p>
<p>Since the Delhi elections on Dec. 8, AAP <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-aam-aadmi-party-opens-300-offices-aims-to-be-a-national-player-1944328" type="external">claims</a> to have gained 500,000 members and opened offices in more than 320 districts across India.</p>
<p>Party leaders had aimed for a relatively modest 100 candidates for the national poll, but say the huge swell of support <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/myindia-myvote/chunk-ht-ui-myindiamyvote-delhi/mission-delhi-over-aap-may-contest-300-lok-sabha-seats/sp-article10-1167815.aspx" type="external">means</a> they will stand in at least 300 of the 545 constituencies.</p>
<p>But some commentators believe AAP is naive to believe it can overturn the established political order.</p>
<p>Praveen Patil, a <a href="http://5forty3.wordpress.com/" type="external">political blogger</a> who works for the Vivekananda International Foundation, a New Delhi think tank, said he rates their chances of further success as “practically none.”</p>
<p>“I don’t even think they could replicate their performance in Delhi,” he told GlobalPost.</p>
<p>“They need infrastructure. Each state has about 150 to 200 polling booths. You need 10 to 12 volunteers at those booths to get voters in. So you need about 100,000 to 200,000 volunteers in each state.”</p>
<p>India has 28 states. Even attracting 500,000 volunteers in three weeks would not be enough for a truly national campaign.</p>
<p>AAP leaders seem to recognize the scale of the task. Activists have been asked to each donate 2014 rupees ($32) in pursuit of a $16million election war-chest.</p>
<p>And still people keep signing up, building the party infrastructure. In Punjab, AAP leader Harjot Singh Bains has been getting hundreds of calls a day.</p>
<p>“About 300 people are joining every hour,” he said. “We had maybe 5,000 members in Punjab before.” Three weeks after the Delhi vote, they <a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-29/india/45674608_1_aap-membership-drive-delhi-assembly-elections" type="external">claim</a> to have about 100,000 in the state.</p>
<p>Bains, a 22-year-old law student, has interrupted his studies to campaign. “They have given the responsibility of a state-level position to a student. None of the other parties would do this.”</p>
<p>The challenge to other parties is not lost on them. Rahul Gandhi, the likely Congress candidate for PM, promised his party would "learn from" AAP after the Delhi poll.</p>
<p>The opposition BJP candidate, Narendra Modi, had seemed to have gathered unstoppable momentum. Now he is facing a possibly serious challenge in his home state, Gujarat, where the AAP say they will field candidates for every seat and a <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/AAP-wave-sweeps-south-Gujarat-7000-join-in-Surat/articleshow/28299136.cms" type="external">reported</a> 7,000 people have signed up in a day.</p>
<p>Worse still for Modi, his solid support from business leaders is being <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/28340081.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=cppst" type="external">undermined</a> by high-profile executives coming out for AAP. Supporters include Captain Gorur Gopinath, the founder of budget airline Air Deccan; former Royal Bank of Scotland CEO Meera Sanyal; and Infosys exec V Balakrishnan — who was widely tipped to become the firm's next chief executive but resigned before Christmas and is devoting his time to Kejriwal's cause.</p>
<p>Congress and the BJP believe running a state government will distract AAP too much from the national campaign.</p>
<p>Kejriwal hopes Delhi will be a showcase. So far he has given the city's population an allowance of free water — shortages are common — and cut electricity bills in half for low-use customers.</p>
<p>It's too early to call AAP a revolution. But no one is dismissing Kejriwal as a joke any longer.</p> | false | 3 | new delhi india ever since 1947 south asians threw yoke british raj india dominated congress party led gandhi family occasional interruptions hindu nationalist bharatiya janata party new force indian politics emerged threatens wreck established order late last year aam aadmi party ragtag collection political amateurs crushed congress party elections delhi assembly everyones expectations party taken reins power govern indian capital partys leader former tax inspector arvind kejriwal engineered political decapitation defeating local congress leader sheila dikshit ending 15year tenure delhis chief minister resoundingly whopping 25600 margin aap 28 seats 70 left congress 8 ruined bjps hopes landslide victory limiting 32 seats two big parties dared kejriwal form government called bluff insisting congress supports aap without conditions influence government sworn chief minister days christmas kejriwal launched aam aadmi party hindi common man 2012 promise political revolution sweep corruption india widespread demonstrations graft led mentor anna hazare activists adopted broom symbol dismissed big parties joke collection childish idealists playing politics aaps detractors stunned partys extraordinary results delhi kejriwal supporters turning attention national parliamentary elections likely take place may 2014 aam aadmi party really stand chance winning large number seats lok sabha indias parliament would came power small task campaign country 12 billion people 22 official languages truly national party congress bjp little presence many southern states parties relied complex coalitions govern aap grew networks anticorruption campaigners joined anna hazares protests delhis jantar mantar 2011 kejriwal among hazares advisors rift grew two men kejriwal decided enter politics something hazare insisted would never 45yearold activistturnedcandidate built network volunteers students young people joined jantar mantar protests delhi elections around 120000 people canvassed votes come states help outside delhi people believed aap would get anywhere odisha local leader nishikanta mohapatra told globalpost party paltry 400 volunteers delhi elections wants 100000 volunteers put candidate every parliamentary seat state presence 20 30 districts said right lots people interested see much dedicated cause since delhi elections dec 8 aap claims gained 500000 members opened offices 320 districts across india party leaders aimed relatively modest 100 candidates national poll say huge swell support means stand least 300 545 constituencies commentators believe aap naive believe overturn established political order praveen patil political blogger works vivekananda international foundation new delhi think tank said rates chances success practically none dont even think could replicate performance delhi told globalpost need infrastructure state 150 200 polling booths need 10 12 volunteers booths get voters need 100000 200000 volunteers state india 28 states even attracting 500000 volunteers three weeks would enough truly national campaign aap leaders seem recognize scale task activists asked donate 2014 rupees 32 pursuit 16million election warchest still people keep signing building party infrastructure punjab aap leader harjot singh bains getting hundreds calls day 300 people joining every hour said maybe 5000 members punjab three weeks delhi vote claim 100000 state bains 22yearold law student interrupted studies campaign given responsibility statelevel position student none parties would challenge parties lost rahul gandhi likely congress candidate pm promised party would learn aap delhi poll opposition bjp candidate narendra modi seemed gathered unstoppable momentum facing possibly serious challenge home state gujarat aap say field candidates every seat reported 7000 people signed day worse still modi solid support business leaders undermined highprofile executives coming aap supporters include captain gorur gopinath founder budget airline air deccan former royal bank scotland ceo meera sanyal infosys exec v balakrishnan widely tipped become firms next chief executive resigned christmas devoting time kejriwals cause congress bjp believe running state government distract aap much national campaign kejriwal hopes delhi showcase far given citys population allowance free water shortages common cut electricity bills half lowuse customers early call aap revolution one dismissing kejriwal joke longer | 611 |
<p>Which teacher credentials make a difference in the classroom? It’s a research question with significance for districts who recruit teachers, for the principals who hire them and for a public concerned with teacher quality.</p>
<p>Unequal distribution of the teachers with the best credentials became a contentious issue in Chicago earlier this year. The Education Trust released a study that found that Chicago teachers who were rated lowest in experience, education and academic aptitude were concentrated in low-income, minority neighborhoods.</p>
<p>CPS has begun taking some steps toward easing the inequities. It recently won a federal grant aimed at luring teachers to low-performing schools with cash incentives for raising test scores.</p>
<p>Stepped-up recruiting efforts have raised the percentage of new hires with master’s degrees from 34 percent to 40 percent over the last two years. And in October, Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the district had set a goal to have 10 percent of teachers earn certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. (Nationally, only about 1 percent of teachers have board certification.)</p>
<p>But a teacher’s credentials—education, experience, test scores or any other measurable characteristic—actually predict only a small percentage of the impact that they have on student achievement. Researchers believe measurable characteristics only account for 10 percent or less of the gains students make on standardized tests.</p>
<p>That leaves more than 90 percent of teacher quality—as defined by test score gains—unaccounted for by any measure available to policy makers, says Daniel Goldhaber, a professor at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs in Seattle.</p>
<p>Research can’t capture the intangible teacher qualities—such as motivation or presentation—that apparently make a far bigger difference in student learning than their credentials, he explains.</p>
<p>Here is a round-up of local and national research on the characteristics that make a difference to student achievement.</p>
<p>Individual teachers matter most</p>
<p>While credentials appear to only have a modest impact on student achievement, the skills of individual teachers make an enormous difference, researchers say.</p>
<p>In a single year, students with the worst teachers made a half-year’s worth of reading gains, while those with the best teachers gained a year and a half, according to a study of children in Gary, Indiana by Eric Hanushek of Stanford University.</p>
<p>A 2003 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago found a six-month gap in math test score growth between Chicago freshmen who had teachers ranked in the top third of those studied, as compared to those in the bottom third.</p>
<p>The gap between similar students who had three effective teachers in a row versus three ineffective ones amounted to a whopping 50 percentage points on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, according to statistician William Sanders’ analysis of student data in Tennessee. (Sanders created Tennessee’s “value-added” assessment system, which measures test score growth.)</p>
<p>The studies defined good or effective teachers as those who raised test scores the most, while those who raised scores the least were deemed ineffective. The conclusion: It’s clear that the personal characteristics of individual teachers have a substantial impact on student achievement, but what those characteristics are remain unclear.</p>
<p>National Board certification</p>
<p>CPS is pushing National Board certification, and teachers who earn the prestigious credential do produce higher test score gains than those who failed or did not attempt the rigorous certification process, a number of studies concluded.</p>
<p>But researchers disagree on whether the differences between the groups are significant.</p>
<p>Sanders calls the differences so slight, they’re “about the thickness of your thumbnail.” His analysis of 260,000 student records in two North Carolina districts found that many nationally certified teachers proved among the least effective in raising scores. Meanwhile, some of the most effective teachers were not nationally certified. (His analysis controlled for student characteristics, including poverty.)</p>
<p>The chance that a teacher with National Board certification is more effective than one without is “only slightly better than a coin flip,” says Sanders.</p>
<p>Goldhaber studied a similar group of North Carolina teachers but found better results for those with National Board certification. Their students gained seven to 15 percent more on standardized tests compared to teachers who tried and failed to earn certification.</p>
<p>Still, “there are a lot of [nationally] certified teachers who are not as good as the average teacher,” Goldhaber acknowledges.</p>
<p>“That’s going to be true no matter what type of credential you look at,” he adds. “The credential may be predictive, but it doesn’t mean that everybody with that credential is going to fit the prediction.”</p>
<p>College selectiveness, test scores</p>
<p>Teachers who attended highly selective colleges or universities as undergraduates appear to produce higher academic gains in students, particularly in high school students, according to a research review by the Economic Policy Institute.</p>
<p>Having a teacher who attended a prestigious college seems to make an even greater difference for black students than for white students, according to a study co-authored by Ronald Ehrenberg, director of Cornell Higher Education Research Institute at Cornell University in New York. Ehrenberg speculates that black students in the study may have been more likely to come from single-parent households, or have a parent with less education, and thus received less support at home. Teacher quality is likely to be more important for children who get less home support, he adds.</p>
<p>“Basically, it’s important to get our best and brightest people into the classroom,” he says.</p>
<p>Teachers who score better on tests of literacy or verbal skills also produce higher gains in student test scores, according to a number of studies.</p>
<p>One study that analyzed the school records of African-American students in Gary, Indiana found that teachers with higher verbal skills produced higher gains on reading tests. Another study of Alabama schools found that teachers’ ACT scores were associated with higher test score gains in reading; the study found mixed results for math scores.</p>
<p>College coursework</p>
<p>Teachers are expected to earn master’s degrees—and are paid more for doing so—but that extra credential is not associated with higher student test score gains, except for high school math and science teachers who hold master’s degrees in those subjects, according to the Economic Policy Institute.</p>
<p>The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago study on CPS high school math teachers found that freshmen made an extra month of progress on standardized math exams when teachers had majored in math, science or education as undergraduates.</p>
<p>Another study found that high school math and science teachers who had taken subject-specific coursework appear to raise the achievement of high school students, up to a point. Those gains taper off after teachers have completed a certain number of college courses in their subject area. However, additional courses on how to teach their subject continued to boost achievement.</p>
<p>“Its one thing to know mathematics, but it’s another thing to understand how learners acquire that knowledge,” explains David Monk, dean of the College of Education at Pennsylvania State University, who co-authored that study. “The main message is that both are important.”</p>
<p>Teacher experience</p>
<p>Students with inexperienced teachers are at a disadvantage, a number of studies have found. Texas elementary school students gained significantly less on standardized math tests under first-year teachers, and slightly less under teachers in their second or third year, according to one study. In Chicago, freshmen with first-year math teachers also made smaller gains, according to the report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.</p>
<p>Researchers have generally not found that teaching experience beyond a few years influences student achievement. But it may be impossible to establish that fact conclusively without considering that teachers hired during economic boom times, when jobs are plentiful, may be less effective than those who had to compete when teaching jobs were scarce. So far, researchers have not examined that, according to a 2003 study in the Review of Education Research.</p>
<p>Overall, while credentials predict only a very small portion of teacher’s eventual success or failure, that doesn’t mean that the distribution of teachers with master’s degrees or experience is irrelevant, Goldhaber says.</p>
<p>It’s statistically unlikely that the real differences in teaching skill are any more equitably distributed between high and low income neighborhoods, he says. “That would be surprising.”</p>
<p>To contact Elizabeth Duffrin, call (312) 673-3879 or e-mail duffrin@catalyst-chicago.org.</p> | false | 3 | teacher credentials make difference classroom research question significance districts recruit teachers principals hire public concerned teacher quality unequal distribution teachers best credentials became contentious issue chicago earlier year education trust released study found chicago teachers rated lowest experience education academic aptitude concentrated lowincome minority neighborhoods cps begun taking steps toward easing inequities recently federal grant aimed luring teachers lowperforming schools cash incentives raising test scores steppedup recruiting efforts raised percentage new hires masters degrees 34 percent 40 percent last two years october mayor richard daley announced district set goal 10 percent teachers earn certification national board professional teaching standards nationally 1 percent teachers board certification teachers credentialseducation experience test scores measurable characteristicactually predict small percentage impact student achievement researchers believe measurable characteristics account 10 percent less gains students make standardized tests leaves 90 percent teacher qualityas defined test score gainsunaccounted measure available policy makers says daniel goldhaber professor university washingtons evans school public affairs seattle research cant capture intangible teacher qualitiessuch motivation presentationthat apparently make far bigger difference student learning credentials explains roundup local national research characteristics make difference student achievement individual teachers matter credentials appear modest impact student achievement skills individual teachers make enormous difference researchers say single year students worst teachers made halfyears worth reading gains best teachers gained year half according study children gary indiana eric hanushek stanford university 2003 study federal reserve bank chicago found sixmonth gap math test score growth chicago freshmen teachers ranked top third studied compared bottom third gap similar students three effective teachers row versus three ineffective ones amounted whopping 50 percentage points iowa test basic skills according statistician william sanders analysis student data tennessee sanders created tennessees valueadded assessment system measures test score growth studies defined good effective teachers raised test scores raised scores least deemed ineffective conclusion clear personal characteristics individual teachers substantial impact student achievement characteristics remain unclear national board certification cps pushing national board certification teachers earn prestigious credential produce higher test score gains failed attempt rigorous certification process number studies concluded researchers disagree whether differences groups significant sanders calls differences slight theyre thickness thumbnail analysis 260000 student records two north carolina districts found many nationally certified teachers proved among least effective raising scores meanwhile effective teachers nationally certified analysis controlled student characteristics including poverty chance teacher national board certification effective one without slightly better coin flip says sanders goldhaber studied similar group north carolina teachers found better results national board certification students gained seven 15 percent standardized tests compared teachers tried failed earn certification still lot nationally certified teachers good average teacher goldhaber acknowledges thats going true matter type credential look adds credential may predictive doesnt mean everybody credential going fit prediction college selectiveness test scores teachers attended highly selective colleges universities undergraduates appear produce higher academic gains students particularly high school students according research review economic policy institute teacher attended prestigious college seems make even greater difference black students white students according study coauthored ronald ehrenberg director cornell higher education research institute cornell university new york ehrenberg speculates black students study may likely come singleparent households parent less education thus received less support home teacher quality likely important children get less home support adds basically important get best brightest people classroom says teachers score better tests literacy verbal skills also produce higher gains student test scores according number studies one study analyzed school records africanamerican students gary indiana found teachers higher verbal skills produced higher gains reading tests another study alabama schools found teachers act scores associated higher test score gains reading study found mixed results math scores college coursework teachers expected earn masters degreesand paid sobut extra credential associated higher student test score gains except high school math science teachers hold masters degrees subjects according economic policy institute federal reserve bank chicago study cps high school math teachers found freshmen made extra month progress standardized math exams teachers majored math science education undergraduates another study found high school math science teachers taken subjectspecific coursework appear raise achievement high school students point gains taper teachers completed certain number college courses subject area however additional courses teach subject continued boost achievement one thing know mathematics another thing understand learners acquire knowledge explains david monk dean college education pennsylvania state university coauthored study main message important teacher experience students inexperienced teachers disadvantage number studies found texas elementary school students gained significantly less standardized math tests firstyear teachers slightly less teachers second third year according one study chicago freshmen firstyear math teachers also made smaller gains according report federal reserve bank chicago researchers generally found teaching experience beyond years influences student achievement may impossible establish fact conclusively without considering teachers hired economic boom times jobs plentiful may less effective compete teaching jobs scarce far researchers examined according 2003 study review education research overall credentials predict small portion teachers eventual success failure doesnt mean distribution teachers masters degrees experience irrelevant goldhaber says statistically unlikely real differences teaching skill equitably distributed high low income neighborhoods says would surprising contact elizabeth duffrin call 312 6733879 email duffrincatalystchicagoorg | 835 |
<p>Dan Ward is by any measure a complex man. The lawyer-priest righteously helps nuns on property matters and how to deal with a Vatican investigation.</p>
<p>A canonist and civil lawyer, he has also done extensive defense work for clergy sex offenders and their communities. He refused interview requests.</p>
<p>“It’s a little like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality — doing good for the nuns, while helping bishops or religious superiors deal with their sex offenders,” said Pat Wall, who was a young protégé to Ward at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota in the early 1980s.</p>
<p>Back then, Father Ward was advising religious communities in the early wave of abuse litigation. He told Wall “to get any case settled before it’s filed. You do not want to get involved in the civil discovery process.”</p>
<p>Ward, who leads the legal team of the Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI), has ended up opposite his former student, Wall, in several civil cases. Ward’s work for nuns, says Wall, has been secondary to “his biggest role in the last 25 years — as a consultant lawyer to various monasteries, dioceses and churches in defending them in cases of sexual abuse. Ward has functioned on every single level on the defense side.”</p>
<p>Sister Mary David Walgenbach is the head of the Holy Wisdom Monastery, an ecumenical institution that broke away from the Catholic Church, but with Ward’s help, held onto its land.</p>
<p>“I have the utmost regard for what Dan Ward and RCRI [Resource Center for Religious Institutes] have done for women religious,” said Walgenbach.</p>
<p>“He’s worked tirelessly for communities dealing with sexual abuse, helping victims and communities getting back on their feet. He’s laid down his life for the church with all of its frailties,” she said.</p>
<p>But Ward also has critics. Last fall, <a href="http://www.behindthepinecurtain.com/wordpress/former-student-1-remembers-father-dan-ward/" type="external">four people accused Ward of unwanted sexual advances</a> against them in the 1970s when they were college students at St. John’s in Collegeville, where he taught at the time. They sent statements to the abbot, according to letters posted by Patrick J. Marker, of Seattle, on BehindthePineCurtain.com.</p>
<p>The website excoriates the abbey for concealing abusive monks. In 2002, the abbey announced internal sanctions against 12 monks whose victims secured legal settlements. Marker, who studied at Collegeville, is an abuse survivor who received a legal settlement in 1989. He says that his purpose in posting the complaints “is to get him removed — not a lawsuit. Dan Ward helped shield various sexual perpetrators.”</p>
<p>Despite the allegations, Walgenbach said, “I can’t say enough good things about the man. I am sorry he has to pay the price” of the group, RCRI. It was named by William Cardinal Levada in his so-called “ <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/121213/new-inquisition-the-vatican-targets-us-nuns" type="external">Doctrinal Assessment</a>” of April 2012 when the Vatican investigated the RCRI for its ties to Leadership Conference of Women Religious, which was at the center of Levada’s probe.</p>
<p>The accusations against Ward surfaced six months after the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith posted its “Doctrinal Assessment.”</p>
<p>Sister Longo, the RCRI board president, said in a statement by email, “Many of us on the RCRI Board have known Father Dan Ward for many years, both personally and professionally, and have nothing but the highest regard for him and his integrity.”</p>
<p>St. John’s Abbey responded to questions about Ward with a statement saying that he “has not committed any act of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. There is no known investigation of Father Daniel being conducted by any law enforcement, public agency or ecclesiastical body.”</p>
<p>The order said, “the website operator (Marker) has engaged in a campaign to condemn Father Daniel to his colleagues and the public without any evidence.”</p>
<p>To date no legal action has arisen. Ward continues his work supporting nuns in various land matters.</p>
<p>In addition to his work for the Holy Wisdom Monastery, Ward has also assisted nuns in Sacramento, California, in the selling of a school, according to a spokesman for Bishop Jaime Soto.</p>
<p>In 2009, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) religious order, which had run a popular girls’ high school called Loretto, abruptly announced that the school would close.</p>
<p>The IBVM motherhouse in Wheaton, Illinois had been reduced to 80 sisters, facing elder care expenses. The decision to sell Loretto followed a fundraising campaign of several years that drew nearly $5 million for renovation of school property. The closure drew heavy media coverage.</p>
<p>Over objections by the board, donors, parents and alumni, the sisters sold Loretto to a charter school for a reported $8 million, netting $3 million. When donors and others sued the nuns to recoup a share of proceeds, Bishop Soto joined the suit, arguing that the diocese deserved compensation for its help in the renovation.</p>
<p>A California superior court rejected the suit.</p>
<p>Although Ward was not a defense counsel on the case, his legal architecture prevailed — just as it did at Holy Wisdom in Westport, Wisconsin. &#160;</p>
<p>GlobalPost Vatican correspondent Jason Berry, is author of “Render unto Rome: The Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church,” which received Investigative Reporters and Editors 2011 Book Award. This Special Report is supported in part by a Knight Grant for Reporting on Religion and American Public Life, sponsored by the Knight Program at the USC Annenberg School for Communication &amp; Journalism; the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting; and the Fund for Investigative Journalism.</p> | false | 3 | dan ward measure complex man lawyerpriest righteously helps nuns property matters deal vatican investigation canonist civil lawyer also done extensive defense work clergy sex offenders communities refused interview requests little like dr jekyll mr hyde personality good nuns helping bishops religious superiors deal sex offenders said pat wall young protégé ward st johns abbey collegeville minnesota early 1980s back father ward advising religious communities early wave abuse litigation told wall get case settled filed want get involved civil discovery process ward leads legal team resource center religious institutes rcri ended opposite former student wall several civil cases wards work nuns says wall secondary biggest role last 25 years consultant lawyer various monasteries dioceses churches defending cases sexual abuse ward functioned every single level defense side sister mary david walgenbach head holy wisdom monastery ecumenical institution broke away catholic church wards help held onto land utmost regard dan ward rcri resource center religious institutes done women religious said walgenbach hes worked tirelessly communities dealing sexual abuse helping victims communities getting back feet hes laid life church frailties said ward also critics last fall four people accused ward unwanted sexual advances 1970s college students st johns collegeville taught time sent statements abbot according letters posted patrick j marker seattle behindthepinecurtaincom website excoriates abbey concealing abusive monks 2002 abbey announced internal sanctions 12 monks whose victims secured legal settlements marker studied collegeville abuse survivor received legal settlement 1989 says purpose posting complaints get removed lawsuit dan ward helped shield various sexual perpetrators despite allegations walgenbach said cant say enough good things man sorry pay price group rcri named william cardinal levada socalled doctrinal assessment april 2012 vatican investigated rcri ties leadership conference women religious center levadas probe accusations ward surfaced six months congregation doctrine faith posted doctrinal assessment sister longo rcri board president said statement email many us rcri board known father dan ward many years personally professionally nothing highest regard integrity st johns abbey responded questions ward statement saying committed act sexual abuse minor vulnerable adult known investigation father daniel conducted law enforcement public agency ecclesiastical body order said website operator marker engaged campaign condemn father daniel colleagues public without evidence date legal action arisen ward continues work supporting nuns various land matters addition work holy wisdom monastery ward also assisted nuns sacramento california selling school according spokesman bishop jaime soto 2009 institute blessed virgin mary ibvm religious order run popular girls high school called loretto abruptly announced school would close ibvm motherhouse wheaton illinois reduced 80 sisters facing elder care expenses decision sell loretto followed fundraising campaign several years drew nearly 5 million renovation school property closure drew heavy media coverage objections board donors parents alumni sisters sold loretto charter school reported 8 million netting 3 million donors others sued nuns recoup share proceeds bishop soto joined suit arguing diocese deserved compensation help renovation california superior court rejected suit although ward defense counsel case legal architecture prevailed holy wisdom westport wisconsin 160 globalpost vatican correspondent jason berry author render unto rome secret life money catholic church received investigative reporters editors 2011 book award special report supported part knight grant reporting religion american public life sponsored knight program usc annenberg school communication amp journalism pulitzer center crisis reporting fund investigative journalism | 539 |
<p>“It was in October, must have been 1955,” says <a href="http://alejandromurguia.org" type="external">Alejandro Murguía</a>, San Francisco’s poet laureate, remembering his early years back in California. He was born in the United States, but moved with his family to Mexico when he was a toddler&#160;— first Mexico City, then Tijuana.</p>
<p>At age 6, he returned to Southern California with his family for economic reasons. It was a rough age to restart life in another country but, eventually, Murguía would author the Southern Front and This War Called Love. Both won the American Book Award.</p>
<p>Murguía, born in 1949, talked to us as part of our First Days series, when immigrants and refugees share their early memories of growing up in the US. Here, we’ve focused on his early school days as part of <a href="" type="internal">Global Nation’s education</a> coverage.</p>
<p>Back in California, Murguía remembers being “the only non-white person in the school” during his early grades. “Totally white kids, and so there was a period when I was very silent. It’s through reading that I break out and find my place in school,” he says.</p>
<p>By third grade, he was a voracious reader. “I remember my library card having like 30 books checked out that semester,” he says.</p>
<p />
<p>“By the time I’m 15, I start scribbling in notebooks every night. Here’s what would happen. I’d go to the liquor store and buy a big bottle of RC Cola, not realizing the caffeine was going to keep me up all night. So I’m writing in this journal until I finally fall asleep at one o’clock, something like that. But then the next morning, I can’t get up to go to school, right? So it became this endless cycle. High school was a complete disaster for me.”</p>
<p>But Murguía credits his art teacher, Grace García, with noticing his passion. “I started showing her some of my work, and she gives me a lot of books to read, a lot of heavy stuff. I’m reading Sartre, ‘No Exit,’ for example, and ‘Nausea’ and ‘Candide’ by Voltaire. And she’s sending us to museums to look at Picasso, Van Gogh and Dalí. And we’re all in love with Dalí because he’s so far out and crazy and stuff. And that’s probably where I first started reading poetry.”</p>
<p>García also encouraged Murguía to take his SATs. “I scored really high,” he says. “And so she showed up one day during that summer and takes me to Los Angeles City College and enrolls me. If she had not done that, I had no idea of going to college. My dad always encouraged us to not work like he did. He was a laborer. So he encouraged us to be educated. But obviously he didn’t know how to go about the process. He insisted that we finish high school, which we did, but after that, he had no idea how to enroll somebody in college. He’d never been on a college campus. So it was kind of fortuitous that Grace García sent me to college.”</p>
<p>Listen to Alejandro Murguía read “O California.” See English translation below.</p>
<p>O CALIFORNIA</p>
<p>se fueron</p>
<p>por el camino real</p>
<p>ese largo y triste camino de eucaliptos</p>
<p>en carretas con burros</p>
<p>un montón de frijol y maíz</p>
<p>y llegaron en lowered down chewys</p>
<p>with gafas fileros</p>
<p>speaking about the low life</p>
<p>tomando botellas de tequila</p>
<p>que decían Made in Mexico</p>
<p>hablando tres palabras en inglés</p>
<p>apple pie y coffee</p>
<p>cantando</p>
<p>Vámonos a California</p>
<p>Vámonos a California</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>se iban</p>
<p>por el alambre</p>
<p>indios de calzón blanco y huarache</p>
<p>y aterrizaban</p>
<p>pochos pachucos perdidos</p>
<p>vatos locos con tatuajes mágicos</p>
<p>de vida y muerte</p>
<p>esperando en las esquinas el big hit</p>
<p>the 5 &amp; 10 of caliente race track</p>
<p>that never came</p>
<p>cantando calladitos por las calles iban</p>
<p>Vámonos a California</p>
<p>Vámonos a California</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>they came</p>
<p>from New York</p>
<p>New York the big apple</p>
<p>to the big orange</p>
<p>Yorubas Jíbaros Borinquens</p>
<p>regando las calles de bacardí</p>
<p>piel color café oscuro</p>
<p>ojos de verde cocodrilo</p>
<p>y un tun-tun de tambores</p>
<p>de viejas selvas ancestrales</p>
<p>que alguna vez fueron</p>
<p>pero ahora con mil memorias</p>
<p>de viajes mal pagados</p>
<p>Vámonos a California</p>
<p>Vámonos a California</p>
<p>Vámonos a California</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>English translation:</p>
<p>O CALIFORNIA</p>
<p>they went</p>
<p>along the Camino Real</p>
<p>that long and sad road of eucalyptus</p>
<p>in carts with donkeys</p>
<p>an enormous heap of beans and corn</p>
<p>and arrived in lowered down chevys</p>
<p>with sunglasses switchblades</p>
<p>speaking about the low life</p>
<p>drinking bottles of tequila</p>
<p>that said Made in Mexico</p>
<p>speaking three words of English</p>
<p>apple pie and coffee</p>
<p>singing</p>
<p>Let's go to California</p>
<p>Let's go to California</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>they went</p>
<p>through the barbed wire</p>
<p>Indians in white trousers and sandals</p>
<p>and landed</p>
<p>pochos pachucos lost</p>
<p>crazy guys with magical tattoos</p>
<p>of life and death</p>
<p>waiting on corners for the big hit</p>
<p>the 5 &amp; 10 of Caliente Race Track</p>
<p>that never came</p>
<p>singing quietly they went along the streets</p>
<p>Let's go to California</p>
<p>Let's go to California</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>they came</p>
<p>from New York</p>
<p>New York the big apple</p>
<p>to the big orange</p>
<p>Yorubas Jíbaros Borinquens</p>
<p>watering the streets with Bacardi</p>
<p>skin the color of dark coffee</p>
<p>eyes of crocodile green</p>
<p>and a tun-tun of drums</p>
<p>of old ancestral jungles</p>
<p>that existed at one time</p>
<p>but now with a thousand memories</p>
<p>of voyages badly paid</p>
<p>Let's go to California</p>
<p>Let's go to California</p>
<p>Let's go to California</p>
<p>From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fiesta-Atzlan-Empringham/dp/0884961648/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1436136097&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Fiesta+en+Aztl%C3%A1n" type="external">Fiesta en Aztlán</a>, Capra Press, 1982.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheOtherBarrioTheFilm" type="external">Facebook page</a>about "The Other Barrio," a documentary about Murguía.</p> | false | 3 | october must 1955 says alejandro murguía san franciscos poet laureate remembering early years back california born united states moved family mexico toddler160 first mexico city tijuana age 6 returned southern california family economic reasons rough age restart life another country eventually murguía would author southern front war called love american book award murguía born 1949 talked us part first days series immigrants refugees share early memories growing us weve focused early school days part global nations education coverage back california murguía remembers nonwhite person school early grades totally white kids period silent reading break find place school says third grade voracious reader remember library card like 30 books checked semester says time im 15 start scribbling notebooks every night heres would happen id go liquor store buy big bottle rc cola realizing caffeine going keep night im writing journal finally fall asleep one oclock something like next morning cant get go school right became endless cycle high school complete disaster murguía credits art teacher grace garcía noticing passion started showing work gives lot books read lot heavy stuff im reading sartre exit example nausea candide voltaire shes sending us museums look picasso van gogh dalí love dalí hes far crazy stuff thats probably first started reading poetry garcía also encouraged murguía take sats scored really high says showed one day summer takes los angeles city college enrolls done idea going college dad always encouraged us work like laborer encouraged us educated obviously didnt know go process insisted finish high school idea enroll somebody college hed never college campus kind fortuitous grace garcía sent college listen alejandro murguía read california see english translation california se fueron por el camino real ese largo triste camino de eucaliptos en carretas con burros un montón de frijol maíz llegaron en lowered chewys gafas fileros speaking low life tomando botellas de tequila que decían made mexico hablando tres palabras en inglés apple pie coffee cantando vámonos california vámonos california 160 se iban por el alambre indios de calzón blanco huarache aterrizaban pochos pachucos perdidos vatos locos con tatuajes mágicos de vida muerte esperando en las esquinas el big hit 5 amp 10 caliente race track never came cantando calladitos por las calles iban vámonos california vámonos california 160 came new york new york big apple big orange yorubas jíbaros borinquens regando las calles de bacardí piel color café oscuro ojos de verde cocodrilo un tuntun de tambores de viejas selvas ancestrales que alguna vez fueron pero ahora con mil memorias de viajes mal pagados vámonos california vámonos california vámonos california 160 english translation california went along camino real long sad road eucalyptus carts donkeys enormous heap beans corn arrived lowered chevys sunglasses switchblades speaking low life drinking bottles tequila said made mexico speaking three words english apple pie coffee singing lets go california lets go california 160 went barbed wire indians white trousers sandals landed pochos pachucos lost crazy guys magical tattoos life death waiting corners big hit 5 amp 10 caliente race track never came singing quietly went along streets lets go california lets go california 160 came new york new york big apple big orange yorubas jíbaros borinquens watering streets bacardi skin color dark coffee eyes crocodile green tuntun drums old ancestral jungles existed one time thousand memories voyages badly paid lets go california lets go california lets go california fiesta en aztlán capra press 1982 facebook pageabout barrio documentary murguía | 568 |
<p>Despite modest increases in the number of available after-school opportunities for our young people over recent years, the demand for quality programs far outpaces the supply.&#160; According to Chapin Hall, an independent policy research institute, and the Chicago Out-of-School Time (OST) Project, there are only enough publicly funded opportunities to reach a little more than one-third of Chicago’s teens.&#160; Last summer, the number of applicants to the City’s YouthReadyChicago summer jobs program was more than 70,000—for fewer than 30,000 jobs.&#160;</p>
<p>Student achievement and success later in life is achieved when youth have proper support and supervision, and are in an environment conducive to pushing boundaries and with a high bar set for accomplishment.&#160; Acknowledging this, Chicago Public Schools plans to extend the day at select schools and will offer computer-based instruction in addition to other after-school enrichment activities.&#160;</p>
<p>But after-school programs don’t need to be academic in nature to be beneficial and schools cannot be expected to address all the challenges that face our city’s youth in isolation. New research shows that engaging youth in positive activities beyond the school day results in positive social change.&#160; For example:</p>
<p>•&#160;&#160;&#160; A study by After School Matters found that students who participated in its programs missed fewer days of school than their classmates and had higher graduation rates and lower dropout rates than similar students who did not participate.</p>
<p>•&#160;&#160;&#160; Other studies have found that youth at highest risk benefit most, and that the after-school hours are the prime hours for juvenile crime for those youth who do not have access to after-school programs.</p>
<p>My organization, the Chicago Training Center, offers youth an enhanced opportunity to achieve through non-traditional sports programming – rowing.&#160;</p>
<p>In order to provide this program we, like many other providers, have formed relationships with a variety of organizations, government agencies and private foundations.&#160; Though these partnerships are critical to our success, it has become clear to us that the current web-like system for providing after-school programs needs to change fundamentally if our communities are to ensure that every young person who wants to enroll in an after-school program has the opportunity to do so.</p>
<p>Some of the problem is financial. In many cases, large public institutions like Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District have been stretched to the limit financially. There are simply not enough funds to meet current, let alone future, demand. Other highly esteemed institutions (After School Matters &amp; the Department of Family and Support Services) simply cannot fund as many programs as they would like.&#160;</p>
<p>But funding is not the only problem. The system lacks fluidity and transparency and is unable to adapt as, over time, the age, location or ethnic character of its target audience changes. As a result, some programs are oversubscribed, while others rarely operate at full capacity. And in far too many cases, the achievement bar is woefully low or even unmeasured.&#160;</p>
<p>Luckily there are signs of potential change:</p>
<p>•&#160;&#160;&#160; Legislation recently passed in Springfield and awaiting Governor Pat Quinn’s signature will begin to address these problems and create a framework for coordinating and strengthening after-school services in Illinois.&#160; The After-School Youth Development Project Act (SB 3543), developed by ACT Now! (a coalition of after-school providers and advocates, including the Chicago Training Center), will for the first time support access to after-school programs as state policy.&#160; While this will not, by itself, solve the funding problem, it will create a transparent, sustainable, replicable and responsive after-school system with greater accountability and universal metrics by which to judge impact.</p>
<p>•&#160;&#160;&#160; The Chicago OST Project (a partnership of Chicago Public Schools, After School Matters, the Department of Family and Support Services, Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library) has created a data system called CitySpan that now promises cross-agency linked information about programs and participants, including more than 200,000 youth and 1,000 program sites. The Project has also established a baseline of common standards and measures for program quality across the programs they fund.&#160;•&#160;&#160;&#160; Several organizations and initiatives, like the OST Project’s AfterschoolChicago.org, Cabrini Connections, and IllinoisOutcomes.org, have also made inroads toward mapping the landscape of services available in our communities for multiple constituencies.</p>
<p>All of these efforts, while significant, are still in the formative stage and require different mixtures of funding, time and leadership to fully realize their promise. The public, families and young people need clear, easy-to-use, accountable information on the universe of options available to them, now regardless of the funding source.&#160; Currently, this is not available. For instance, the Jesse White Tumbling Team—arguably the most well-known and successful Chicago-based youth nonprofit—would not turn up on the OST Project’s Afterschoolchicago.org site, as the team does not receive financial support from the agencies that influence that site.</p>
<p>What is needed is for providers to take coordinated action to make information on all after-school options available to the public.&#160; A bottom-up approach will significantly enhance these larger initiatives and allow everything to run more effectively.&#160;</p>
<p>Organizing ourselves has the potential to improve the efficiency of the nonprofit organizations that provide programs in local communities, further encourage donors to invest in after-school efforts, and create the model for efficient, effective delivery that government (local, state, or national) can embrace.&#160;</p>
<p>To do this, providers will need to create common metrics and common ways to evaluate impact that can improve, directly or indirectly, the programming offered to youths and increase the number of youths that the programs benefit. This approach will not only keep kids safe and off the streets, but help ensure every dollar invested in our young people’s future helps to create a path worth following rather than just occupying.&#160;</p>
<p>The demand is clear, and the solutions are all around us.&#160; The promise of a more accountable, efficient and coordinated system is providers’ responsibility, and the time to act is now.</p>
<p>Montana Butsch is founder and executive director of the <a href="http://www.chicagotrainingcenter.org/" type="external">Chicago Training Center</a>, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the sport of rowing, with educational support, to Chicago’s south and west sides. A lifelong Chicagoan and former competitive rower, Butsch was a founding member of USRowing’s diversity task force.</p> | false | 3 | despite modest increases number available afterschool opportunities young people recent years demand quality programs far outpaces supply160 according chapin hall independent policy research institute chicago outofschool time ost project enough publicly funded opportunities reach little onethird chicagos teens160 last summer number applicants citys youthreadychicago summer jobs program 70000for fewer 30000 jobs160 student achievement success later life achieved youth proper support supervision environment conducive pushing boundaries high bar set accomplishment160 acknowledging chicago public schools plans extend day select schools offer computerbased instruction addition afterschool enrichment activities160 afterschool programs dont need academic nature beneficial schools expected address challenges face citys youth isolation new research shows engaging youth positive activities beyond school day results positive social change160 example 160160160 study school matters found students participated programs missed fewer days school classmates higher graduation rates lower dropout rates similar students participate 160160160 studies found youth highest risk benefit afterschool hours prime hours juvenile crime youth access afterschool programs organization chicago training center offers youth enhanced opportunity achieve nontraditional sports programming rowing160 order provide program like many providers formed relationships variety organizations government agencies private foundations160 though partnerships critical success become clear us current weblike system providing afterschool programs needs change fundamentally communities ensure every young person wants enroll afterschool program opportunity problem financial many cases large public institutions like chicago public schools chicago park district stretched limit financially simply enough funds meet current let alone future demand highly esteemed institutions school matters amp department family support services simply fund many programs would like160 funding problem system lacks fluidity transparency unable adapt time age location ethnic character target audience changes result programs oversubscribed others rarely operate full capacity far many cases achievement bar woefully low even unmeasured160 luckily signs potential change 160160160 legislation recently passed springfield awaiting governor pat quinns signature begin address problems create framework coordinating strengthening afterschool services illinois160 afterschool youth development project act sb 3543 developed act coalition afterschool providers advocates including chicago training center first time support access afterschool programs state policy160 solve funding problem create transparent sustainable replicable responsive afterschool system greater accountability universal metrics judge impact 160160160 chicago ost project partnership chicago public schools school matters department family support services chicago park district chicago public library created data system called cityspan promises crossagency linked information programs participants including 200000 youth 1000 program sites project also established baseline common standards measures program quality across programs fund160160160160 several organizations initiatives like ost projects afterschoolchicagoorg cabrini connections illinoisoutcomesorg also made inroads toward mapping landscape services available communities multiple constituencies efforts significant still formative stage require different mixtures funding time leadership fully realize promise public families young people need clear easytouse accountable information universe options available regardless funding source160 currently available instance jesse white tumbling teamarguably wellknown successful chicagobased youth nonprofitwould turn ost projects afterschoolchicagoorg site team receive financial support agencies influence site needed providers take coordinated action make information afterschool options available public160 bottomup approach significantly enhance larger initiatives allow everything run effectively160 organizing potential improve efficiency nonprofit organizations provide programs local communities encourage donors invest afterschool efforts create model efficient effective delivery government local state national embrace160 providers need create common metrics common ways evaluate impact improve directly indirectly programming offered youths increase number youths programs benefit approach keep kids safe streets help ensure every dollar invested young peoples future helps create path worth following rather occupying160 demand clear solutions around us160 promise accountable efficient coordinated system providers responsibility time act montana butsch founder executive director chicago training center nonprofit dedicated bringing sport rowing educational support chicagos south west sides lifelong chicagoan former competitive rower butsch founding member usrowings diversity task force | 601 |
<p>North Carolina's <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article68401147.html" type="external">controversial HB2 ordinance</a> — commonly referred to as the "bathroom bill" — prohibits transgender people from using public restrooms that correspond with their gender identities. The law has tangible consequences for the bodies and souls of transgender people in the state, says Erica Lachowitz, a transgender woman in Charlotte.</p>
<p>Lachowitz was “looking a little androgynous” when she was out with some friends one night. She needed to use the restroom, and because she didn’t feel like she was “passing” that night, she decided to use the men’s room.</p>
<p>“I felt, you know, not pretty enough to walk into the women’s room without, maybe, having somebody screaming, or having somebody’s boyfriend waiting for me outside to get punched,” she says. “[I thought], ‘I’ll go into the stall, do my business, wash my hands, leave.’ Well, when I went in there, a couple of people came in. I don’t want to swear, but there were some pretty nasty words said to me.”</p>
<p>She continues: “I locked myself in that stall. My palms were sweating. I was anxious. When you sit there so confined and afraid, and then more people start coming in, you don’t know what to do. Your heart is going through your chest and you’re being called these things, and everybody looks at you based off of your appearance. And [you think], ‘This may be it. Can it be that, in a bathroom, I may not walk out of here tonight?’ I don’t want anyone else to go through that.”</p>
<p>Even before he began taking testosterone, Austin J. Fonville, a transgender&#160;man living in New Bern, North Carolina, says he never felt comfortable using the women’s restroom.</p>
<p>“I would only like to go if I went with other friends — if I was by myself, I would hold it,” he says. “I had urinary tract infection on top of urinary tract infection because I was just scared to go into the women’s room because I felt like I didn’t belong. No one could see it, but in my mind what I saw myself as did not fit into that room. Every time I would stop and see the door, and you see the [sign] that says male or female, the female definitely didn’t feel right.”</p>
<p>HB2 came as a direct response to a local ordinance introduced by Charlotte's City Council, which protected the right of transgender people to use public restrooms that correspond with their gender identities. When North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed HB2 into law, he claimed he was fighting a battle in a culture war.</p>
<p>“This is not an issue I started,” he told FOX News last week. “This is an issue the left started, not the right. It's not just women's bathrooms, it's boys' bathrooms. And, in fact, the Obama Administration is now putting requirements on federal money given to states that they also have to have this gender identification requirement for our schools."</p>
<p>Fonville says he began using the men’s room about six years ago — even&#160;before he started “binding,”&#160;taping his chest down to make him appear more masculine. He said a man saw him in the restroom “and shrugged his shoulders and finished his business.” Fonville says this experience proves the governor wrong.</p>
<p>“Transgender people have been here, gender-nonconforming people have been here. Governor&#160;McCrory created a problem that did not exist, and then he ‘solved it’ by taking the rights away of one of the most marginalized groups of people in our society,” he says.</p>
<p>Fonville believes that most people in North Carolina disagree with McCory and those who support him. Before his name was changed, he says had to go to the hospital. He says he was the first transgender person the emergency room had ever treated, and all of the nurses and doctors were welcoming, and treated him with respect.</p>
<p>“Now there are some [negative] people, but that’s anywhere and everywhere you go,” he says. “I was able to go to a community college — one of the smallest community colleges in all of North Carolina — and all I had to do was tell people who I was, what I was to be called, and what my pronouns were. I used the men’s bathroom, and there was never any problem.”</p>
<p>But all that changed after the bathroom bill was signed into law.</p>
<p>“As soon as HB2 and all this stuff came out, it kind of put me in a different light, and I started to hear things,” Fonville says. “Now, my instructors and all of the staff in the school were fine — they actually, I think, were embarrassed because they put their head down and couldn’t even look at me. But I missed two weeks of school because I was actually too scared to go to school — I was afraid of what would happen when I went into school if I went to use the bathroom."</p>
<p>Fonville says that, thanks to a small group of people “who have an agenda,” the fight against transgender rights has become popular since the Supreme Court upheld gay marriage last year. But Lachowitz, a member of the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce, says it runs much deeper.</p>
<p>“We were their targets from the very beginning,” she says. “We did a focus group here in Charlotte and we had, before we passed the non-discrimination ordinance, various groups come together and show the pro and the con of what we were looking to do as a city. And I know when we look at the systemic battleground of LGB legitimacy over the past 30 years, we’ve seen some advances and we’ve seen some takebacks. But the religious right, they came out hard.”</p>
<p>When the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce would hold events, Lachowitz says people from outside of the city would come to protest and shout quotes from Leviticus.</p>
<p>“I am hearing all these Bible verses, but what I’m not hearing is dialogue,” she says. Lachowitz says she’s also offered to speak with Gov. McCrory, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest&#160;and other lawmakers in the Tar Heel State about transgender issues.</p>
<p>“If you look at how many years we’ve been trying to get people aware of transgender issues in general — people can understand it, but unless you are a transgender person it’s very, very hard to really grasp [the issues],” she says. “It’s almost impossible.”</p>
<p>In looking toward&#160;the future, Lachowitz hopes that the state, and the country, will become a more open&#160;and understanding place.</p>
<p>“Five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now, one of the things that I would hope would change is when you see something that is different, you don’t rush to a conclusion, but you pool from as many internal resources as you can and you keep it internal,” she says. “When [people] see things that are different and what they’re not used to seeing, it’s very often too easy to judge.”</p>
<p>Fonville says he hopes the state can move beyond HB2 quickly.</p>
<p>“I think in five years it’ll be sorted out, but I think we’ll look back and be a little ashamed of ourselves,” he says. “And we should be.”</p>
<p>A version of this <a href="http://www.wnyc.org/story/be-transgender-north-carolina" type="external">story</a> first aired as an interview on PRI's <a href="http://thetakeaway.org" type="external">The Takeaway</a>, a public radio program that invites you to be part of the American conversation.</p> | false | 3 | north carolinas controversial hb2 ordinance commonly referred bathroom bill prohibits transgender people using public restrooms correspond gender identities law tangible consequences bodies souls transgender people state says erica lachowitz transgender woman charlotte lachowitz looking little androgynous friends one night needed use restroom didnt feel like passing night decided use mens room felt know pretty enough walk womens room without maybe somebody screaming somebodys boyfriend waiting outside get punched says thought ill go stall business wash hands leave well went couple people came dont want swear pretty nasty words said continues locked stall palms sweating anxious sit confined afraid people start coming dont know heart going chest youre called things everybody looks based appearance think may bathroom may walk tonight dont want anyone else go even began taking testosterone austin j fonville transgender160man living new bern north carolina says never felt comfortable using womens restroom would like go went friends would hold says urinary tract infection top urinary tract infection scared go womens room felt like didnt belong one could see mind saw fit room every time would stop see door see sign says male female female definitely didnt feel right hb2 came direct response local ordinance introduced charlottes city council protected right transgender people use public restrooms correspond gender identities north carolina gov pat mccrory signed hb2 law claimed fighting battle culture war issue started told fox news last week issue left started right womens bathrooms boys bathrooms fact obama administration putting requirements federal money given states also gender identification requirement schools fonville says began using mens room six years ago even160before started binding160taping chest make appear masculine said man saw restroom shrugged shoulders finished business fonville says experience proves governor wrong transgender people gendernonconforming people governor160mccrory created problem exist solved taking rights away one marginalized groups people society says fonville believes people north carolina disagree mccory support name changed says go hospital says first transgender person emergency room ever treated nurses doctors welcoming treated respect negative people thats anywhere everywhere go says able go community college one smallest community colleges north carolina tell people called pronouns used mens bathroom never problem changed bathroom bill signed law soon hb2 stuff came kind put different light started hear things fonville says instructors staff school fine actually think embarrassed put head couldnt even look missed two weeks school actually scared go school afraid would happen went school went use bathroom fonville says thanks small group people agenda fight transgender rights become popular since supreme court upheld gay marriage last year lachowitz member charlotte lgbt chamber commerce says runs much deeper targets beginning says focus group charlotte passed nondiscrimination ordinance various groups come together show pro con looking city know look systemic battleground lgb legitimacy past 30 years weve seen advances weve seen takebacks religious right came hard charlotte lgbt chamber commerce would hold events lachowitz says people outside city would come protest shout quotes leviticus hearing bible verses im hearing dialogue says lachowitz says shes also offered speak gov mccrory lt gov dan forest160and lawmakers tar heel state transgender issues look many years weve trying get people aware transgender issues general people understand unless transgender person hard really grasp issues says almost impossible looking toward160the future lachowitz hopes state country become open160and understanding place five years 10 years 20 years one things would hope would change see something different dont rush conclusion pool many internal resources keep internal says people see things different theyre used seeing often easy judge fonville says hopes state move beyond hb2 quickly think five years itll sorted think well look back little ashamed says version story first aired interview pris takeaway public radio program invites part american conversation | 611 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />April 30, 2012</p>
<p>By John Hrabe&#160;</p>
<p>Following widespread criticism from online pundits and free speech advocates, California’s political watchdog is backing away from a plan to require news websites and bloggers to disclose payments received from campaigns and political committees.</p>
<p>Ann Ravel, chairwoman of the Fair Political Practices Commission, announced earlier this month her intention to pursue regulations of bloggers that are funded to advocate for or against candidates. “Ultimately I’d like to see the FPPC require it,” Ravel declared at an April 19 campaign finance conference in Sacramento, <a href="http://totalbuzz.ocregister.com/2012/04/19/fppc-chair-wants-bloggers-to-reveal-payments/84499/" type="external">the Orange County Register</a> reported. After listening to bloggers’ concerns, Ravel now says that that she will be looking for other ways to inform the public about any potentially biased online sources.</p>
<p>“There are probably insurmountable complexities to making them mandatory,” Ravel told CalWatchDog.com while on vacation in South America. “As opposed to asking the bloggers to do it on their sites, which is the most effective option for the consumer, it may be more reasonable and less problematic to require that we get an isolated accounting from the committees” for the campaigns.</p>
<p>“The committee should have the obligation, but not the blogger or the news media,” she added.&#160;</p>
<p>In addition to greater itemization of campaign committee payments, Ravel discussed a voluntary disclosure process for voters to verify with the FPPC that a blog or website does not receive campaign funds.</p>
<p>“Most people get [campaign] information from the Internet, and it should be known to them if people are getting paid,” she said.</p>
<p>Ravel’s reversal received mixed reaction from political bloggers.&#160;</p>
<p>“Today’s voluntary disclosure will be tomorrow’s mandatory regulation,” said Jon Fleischman, publisher of the <a href="http://www.flashreport.org/" type="external">Flash Report,</a> a website for which this author serves as a senior editor. “If the FPPC starts with voluntary disclosure of campaign payments, it will inevitably become a mandatory requirement of all blogs and websites.”</p>
<p>Other bloggers welcomed the idea of a voluntary disclosure process.&#160;</p>
<p>“I’d be happy to voluntarily post every dollar I receive,” said Scott Lay, who publishes <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/" type="external">AroundtheCapitol.com</a>, a non-partisan news aggregation website. “Let’s face it, we have some big time flacks that take money and tweet and blog all day long for money.”</p>
<p>Critics of a state-level disclosure requirement also complained that they would be at a disadvantage to websites that are physically based out of the state. “The Internet is global,” <a href="http://www.thecaliforniafix.com/blog/2012/4/23/ann-ravels-scarlet-letter.html" type="external">wrote Mark Paul on his blog</a>, the California Fix. “The commission’s jurisdiction is limited to California.”</p>
<p>The state’s top campaign regulator, who spoke to us by phone from Brazil, agreed that the Internet age changes how political information is shared and campaigns are regulated. However, she steadfastly defended the agency’s authority to regulate online political activities designed to influence California elections, even if sites are physically based out of the state.</p>
<p>“I believe we do have the power to go out of state,” Ravel said of online political activity intended to influence the California electorate. “If there is money being spent, no matter where that money comes from, we have the power to regulate that.”</p>
<p>CalWatchDog.com <a href="" type="internal">has previously reported</a>that some legal experts believe legal precedents could allow California’s political regulatory agency to cross state lines. UCLA law professor Stephen C. Yeazell argues that Pavlovich vs. Superior Court, a 2002 California Supreme Court case, established an “effects test” for evaluating jurisdictional claims in the Internet age. He believes it could provide a legal justification for the FPPC’s regulation of out-of-state bloggers, if the sites featured California ads or content.</p>
<p>In response to her original proposal, many bloggers expressed outrage with being singled out and treated differently from traditional media sources.</p>
<p>“While more transparency is a good idea across the board, bloggers often get singled out for ethics concerns when there are far greater conflict-of-interest problems with commentators in the traditional press,” said David Atkins, who has been blogging off and on for seven years for DailyKos and Digby’s Hullaballo. “I just resent the notion that bloggers are being singled for disclosure issues that are more prevalent and more consequential in the traditional media.”</p>
<p>Atkins, who also serves as the first vice-chair of the Ventura County Democratic Party, said that he goes out of his way to disclose any campaign affiliations, including when he is an “unpaid super-volunteer.”</p>
<p>“The same newspapers that are happy to print stories by the likes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Miller_(journalist)" type="external">Judith Miller</a>as ‘objective journalism’ seem overly concerned about the ethics of bloggers, and that double standard seems to be applied by the FPPC in this case as well,” Atkins said.</p>
<p>In Ravel’s mind, “it’s not bloggers versus regular media,” as long as the outlet accepts “advertisements at the market rate.”&#160;</p>
<p>Ravel said that her highest priority as the state’s ethics czar has been to increase disclosure.</p>
<p>“My aim is to have everything on the FPPC website. That is the goal. All those forms should be in one spot and easily searchable,” she said.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>In order to achieve that goal amid ongoing budget constraints, Ravel suggested that the state agency that oversees campaign fundraising might do fundraising of its own.</p>
<p>“The FPPC has the ability to fundraise,” Ravel pointed out. “I’ve been going out talking to a number of foundations and other public service groups that provide some coding work to see if there are ways to get this done.”</p>
<p>Stephen Frank, the conservative publisher and editor of the <a href="" type="external">California Political News and Views</a>, criticized the idea of a government regulatory agency, such as the FPPC, seeking funds from private organizations or advocacy groups.</p>
<p>“Imagine if Al Gore could start funding the EPA, imagine what damage that could do,” Frank said. “I am surprised that as a Democrat she wants to privatize a government agency because that is the slippery slope that she is suggesting.”</p>
<p>Frank believes that fundraising from “organizations of her choosing” would allow biased nonprofit organizations to influence regulators.</p>
<p>“I would strongly suggest she approach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros" type="external">George Soros</a>to fund her efforts to silence freedom of speech, that is his specialty,” he said.</p> | false | 3 | april 30 2012 john hrabe160 following widespread criticism online pundits free speech advocates californias political watchdog backing away plan require news websites bloggers disclose payments received campaigns political committees ann ravel chairwoman fair political practices commission announced earlier month intention pursue regulations bloggers funded advocate candidates ultimately id like see fppc require ravel declared april 19 campaign finance conference sacramento orange county register reported listening bloggers concerns ravel says looking ways inform public potentially biased online sources probably insurmountable complexities making mandatory ravel told calwatchdogcom vacation south america opposed asking bloggers sites effective option consumer may reasonable less problematic require get isolated accounting committees campaigns committee obligation blogger news media added160 addition greater itemization campaign committee payments ravel discussed voluntary disclosure process voters verify fppc blog website receive campaign funds people get campaign information internet known people getting paid said ravels reversal received mixed reaction political bloggers160 todays voluntary disclosure tomorrows mandatory regulation said jon fleischman publisher flash report website author serves senior editor fppc starts voluntary disclosure campaign payments inevitably become mandatory requirement blogs websites bloggers welcomed idea voluntary disclosure process160 id happy voluntarily post every dollar receive said scott lay publishes aroundthecapitolcom nonpartisan news aggregation website lets face big time flacks take money tweet blog day long money critics statelevel disclosure requirement also complained would disadvantage websites physically based state internet global wrote mark paul blog california fix commissions jurisdiction limited california states top campaign regulator spoke us phone brazil agreed internet age changes political information shared campaigns regulated however steadfastly defended agencys authority regulate online political activities designed influence california elections even sites physically based state believe power go state ravel said online political activity intended influence california electorate money spent matter money comes power regulate calwatchdogcom previously reportedthat legal experts believe legal precedents could allow californias political regulatory agency cross state lines ucla law professor stephen c yeazell argues pavlovich vs superior court 2002 california supreme court case established effects test evaluating jurisdictional claims internet age believes could provide legal justification fppcs regulation outofstate bloggers sites featured california ads content response original proposal many bloggers expressed outrage singled treated differently traditional media sources transparency good idea across board bloggers often get singled ethics concerns far greater conflictofinterest problems commentators traditional press said david atkins blogging seven years dailykos digbys hullaballo resent notion bloggers singled disclosure issues prevalent consequential traditional media atkins also serves first vicechair ventura county democratic party said goes way disclose campaign affiliations including unpaid supervolunteer newspapers happy print stories likes judith milleras objective journalism seem overly concerned ethics bloggers double standard seems applied fppc case well atkins said ravels mind bloggers versus regular media long outlet accepts advertisements market rate160 ravel said highest priority states ethics czar increase disclosure aim everything fppc website goal forms one spot easily searchable said160160 order achieve goal amid ongoing budget constraints ravel suggested state agency oversees campaign fundraising might fundraising fppc ability fundraise ravel pointed ive going talking number foundations public service groups provide coding work see ways get done stephen frank conservative publisher editor california political news views criticized idea government regulatory agency fppc seeking funds private organizations advocacy groups imagine al gore could start funding epa imagine damage could frank said surprised democrat wants privatize government agency slippery slope suggesting frank believes fundraising organizations choosing would allow biased nonprofit organizations influence regulators would strongly suggest approach george sorosto fund efforts silence freedom speech specialty said | 570 |
<p>LONDON, UK - Trailing <a href="" type="external">kudos</a> and <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/margaret-thatcher/8889476/The-Iron-Lady-Meryl-Streep-is-cashing-in-on-Thatcher-say-friends-of-former-PM.html" type="external">controversy</a>, "The Iron Lady" - the biopic about former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - is many things.</p>
<p>It is the role of an artistic lifetime for Meryl Streep, who delivers arguably her greatest performance.</p>
<p>It is a true exploration of aging and grief.</p>
<p>It is a film that continues a burgeoning trend: a positive reassessment of Thatcher's life by the kind of left-wing, publicly funded artists the former British PM was reputed to hate. The BBC's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1067578/" type="external">"The Long Walk to Finchley,"</a> a drama worth seeing, kick-started the trend a couple of years back.</p>
<p>In this new-era of reassessment, Thatcher is portrayed as a feminist class-warrior, fighting the prejudices of the male, privately-educated, Oxbridge elite that ran the Conservative Party when she first joined up. The tools she fights with are different, but much of her struggle takes place in the late '40s and early '50s before the better known arsenal of feminist politics had been mooted.</p>
<p>Mrs. T's greatest flaws - her unyielding nature and hard-heartedness in power - suddenly seem understandable in the context of a fight for her political career. She appears to be a pioneer, like the tough women who crossed the prairies, rather than a highly educated devotee of the free-market economics of Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek. She was a pioneer of sorts, at least, who happened to be married to an oil company executive.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/benelux/111123/tintin-the-rescue" type="external">Tintin film charms Europe</a></p>
<p>More than anything, "The Iron Lady," is a Shakespearean tragedy, if the Bard had written tragedies built around women. This is a King Lear with a woman at the center: in her world, she was once all powerful; now, as depicted by Streep, she becomes a ruin, lost in memory and hallucination.</p>
<p>But for all the wonderful things it is, the film is not history. The events that marked Thatcher's politics - her economics and their effect on the people of Britain - are not really part of this film.</p>
<p>This is history: Thatcher's economic policies led to two recessions in her 11 years in power. The second one was only just beginning when she was deposed.</p>
<p>This is history: the British government is an "elective dictatorship" in the words of Quintin Hogg, Thatcher's Lord Chancellor (who is in charge of courts and judiciary). Hogg was referring to the fact that in Britain there is no separate executive branch of government. The prime minister is a part of the legislative branch, and has a disciplined, well-whipped majority of MP's to vote through any legislation he or she wants.</p>
<p>Thatcher's program was radical. It amounted to nothing less than an attempt to rewrite the social contract that had existed in Britain since the end of World War II, and it was enacted with alacrity.</p>
<p>With inflation rampant, the new prime minister embarked on a strict anti-inflation program, raising interest rates and taxes while reducing government spending.</p>
<p>The result was predictable: a recession. Within 18 months the number of people out of work had doubled to 3 million, or 1 in 8 members of the work force. With her own party worrying about whether the jobless rate was too high a price to pay for her policies, she addressed them at the Conservative Party conference: "You turn if you want to; the Lady's not for turning."</p>
<p>That moment defined her time in office.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/france/111202/sarkozy-merkel-euro-rescue" type="external">Sarkozy sells out to Germany on euro rescue.</a></p>
<p>This is also history: Margaret Thatcher waged two wars. The first, in 1982, was against Argentina in the Falklands. The second, in 1984-85, was in Britain against the unions. More Britons died in the former. More Britons suffered in the latter.</p>
<p>Of all industrial workers in Britain, the miners were the most iconic. They were the men who risked their lives underground to bring up the fuel that had fired the industrial revolution. The coal mines had been nationalized for decades and the miners' union was strong. Thatcher believed in shrinking the state and taking on the nationalized coal industry and with it the miners' union was the battle she chose. Six people would die and thousands would be arrested.</p>
<p>She broke the union and the coal industry, but she didn't break the need for the government to be a big employer. It is still the largest employer in areas where the mining industry flourished. On the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3545591.stm" type="external">20th anniversary of the strike</a>, 28 percent of all jobs in Yorkshire - once a center of coal mining - were in the public sector.</p>
<p>This is personal history: I moved to Britain a few months after the miners' strike ended and many of the early stories I reported were from the north of England, an area particularly hard-hit by Thatcher's economic policies. The devastation can not be overstated.</p>
<p>Communities that were never wealthy, but that had been solid and respectable, were turned into slums as jobs disappeared and public services were cut back. A settled way of life that stretched back generations was ripped apart in a matter of months, as a result of deliberate government policy. I have reported from many troubled places but I have never heard the raw hatred for a political leader that I heard in those communities gutted by Thatcher's economic policies.</p>
<p>In 1987, I went to Liverpool to report on how the success of its professional football teams had become central to keeping the city's spirit alive as it struggled with mass unemployment. The local paper had one page of help wanted ads and two pages of death notices. As a metaphor for much of England and Wales under the Iron Lady it stands the test of time.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/germany/111201/why-germany-says-%E2%80%9Cnein%E2%80%9D-ecb-lender-last-resort" type="external">Germany says "Nein!" on central bank bailout.</a></p>
<p>The film recreates some of that history in images, but they fly by rapidly. If you don't know the back story they will have no meaning except to convey the sense that Margaret Thatcher turned some people into raving maniacs.</p>
<p>Curiously, in the kaleidoscope of recreated moments, one that is missing is the wellspring of emotion that has led to the current reappraisal.</p>
<p>As she left 10 Downing Street for the last time and stepped into a waiting car with her husband Denis, a photographer caught a shot though the car window of tears welling in her eyes. The Iron Lady had cracked. Even those who hated her and were rejoicing in her downfall, were moved by this show of feeling, something that Thatcher had kept bottled up during her 40 years of political life.</p>
<p>Of course, the biopic focuses on drama. If you want history, try the BBC documentary department or perhaps the Burns brothers. To understand the single most powerful politician Britain has known since Churchill, you want to examine the human being. Here is where Meryl Streep goes to a place that is simply devastating.</p>
<p>Margaret Thatcher as prime minister was so dominant that it seemed she had been born with handbag and helmet hair in place. In fact, her persona was created by image men who agreed with her message but didn't like the way it was presented.</p>
<p>They brought in a voice coach who helped her lower her voice and taught her to tone down her more strident way of expressing her opinions. But beneath the shell, she remained what she was: the daughter of a small-town grocery store owner in the days before credit cards existed. In her world, everything that was bought had to be paid for.</p>
<p>She grew up with the resentments of her class for those below them who were improvident, and those above them who had inherited their positions and not earned them. The secret of her success was that there were many traditional Labour voters who felt the same way. In America they were called Reagan Democrats. Thatcher won them over and for a while looked as if she had forged a new coalition that might win elections forever before it all went to her head.</p>
<p>Streep is astonishing in the way she catches all that complicated class history in her voice, in a flick of distaste in her eyes, and, finally, in the megalomania that led her own cabinet to depose her.</p>
<p>Thatcher's rise, fall and long decline into dementia is a story worthy of Shakespeare and is acted out by an artist more than up to the challenge. Even if the history is left out, the "Iron Lady" contains more truths about the psychological price this radical leader paid for her achievements than a hundred biographies.</p> | false | 3 | london uk trailing kudos controversy iron lady biopic former british prime minister margaret thatcher many things role artistic lifetime meryl streep delivers arguably greatest performance true exploration aging grief film continues burgeoning trend positive reassessment thatchers life kind leftwing publicly funded artists former british pm reputed hate bbcs long walk finchley drama worth seeing kickstarted trend couple years back newera reassessment thatcher portrayed feminist classwarrior fighting prejudices male privatelyeducated oxbridge elite ran conservative party first joined tools fights different much struggle takes place late 40s early 50s better known arsenal feminist politics mooted mrs ts greatest flaws unyielding nature hardheartedness power suddenly seem understandable context fight political career appears pioneer like tough women crossed prairies rather highly educated devotee freemarket economics milton friedman friedrich hayek pioneer sorts least happened married oil company executive read tintin film charms europe anything iron lady shakespearean tragedy bard written tragedies built around women king lear woman center world powerful depicted streep becomes ruin lost memory hallucination wonderful things film history events marked thatchers politics economics effect people britain really part film history thatchers economic policies led two recessions 11 years power second one beginning deposed history british government elective dictatorship words quintin hogg thatchers lord chancellor charge courts judiciary hogg referring fact britain separate executive branch government prime minister part legislative branch disciplined wellwhipped majority mps vote legislation wants thatchers program radical amounted nothing less attempt rewrite social contract existed britain since end world war ii enacted alacrity inflation rampant new prime minister embarked strict antiinflation program raising interest rates taxes reducing government spending result predictable recession within 18 months number people work doubled 3 million 1 8 members work force party worrying whether jobless rate high price pay policies addressed conservative party conference turn want ladys turning moment defined time office read sarkozy sells germany euro rescue also history margaret thatcher waged two wars first 1982 argentina falklands second 198485 britain unions britons died former britons suffered latter industrial workers britain miners iconic men risked lives underground bring fuel fired industrial revolution coal mines nationalized decades miners union strong thatcher believed shrinking state taking nationalized coal industry miners union battle chose six people would die thousands would arrested broke union coal industry didnt break need government big employer still largest employer areas mining industry flourished 20th anniversary strike 28 percent jobs yorkshire center coal mining public sector personal history moved britain months miners strike ended many early stories reported north england area particularly hardhit thatchers economic policies devastation overstated communities never wealthy solid respectable turned slums jobs disappeared public services cut back settled way life stretched back generations ripped apart matter months result deliberate government policy reported many troubled places never heard raw hatred political leader heard communities gutted thatchers economic policies 1987 went liverpool report success professional football teams become central keeping citys spirit alive struggled mass unemployment local paper one page help wanted ads two pages death notices metaphor much england wales iron lady stands test time read germany says nein central bank bailout film recreates history images fly rapidly dont know back story meaning except convey sense margaret thatcher turned people raving maniacs curiously kaleidoscope recreated moments one missing wellspring emotion led current reappraisal left 10 downing street last time stepped waiting car husband denis photographer caught shot though car window tears welling eyes iron lady cracked even hated rejoicing downfall moved show feeling something thatcher kept bottled 40 years political life course biopic focuses drama want history try bbc documentary department perhaps burns brothers understand single powerful politician britain known since churchill want examine human meryl streep goes place simply devastating margaret thatcher prime minister dominant seemed born handbag helmet hair place fact persona created image men agreed message didnt like way presented brought voice coach helped lower voice taught tone strident way expressing opinions beneath shell remained daughter smalltown grocery store owner days credit cards existed world everything bought paid grew resentments class improvident inherited positions earned secret success many traditional labour voters felt way america called reagan democrats thatcher looked forged new coalition might win elections forever went head streep astonishing way catches complicated class history voice flick distaste eyes finally megalomania led cabinet depose thatchers rise fall long decline dementia story worthy shakespeare acted artist challenge even history left iron lady contains truths psychological price radical leader paid achievements hundred biographies | 725 |
<p>The air in New York’s Times Square is thick with gritty, white dust — all that remains of hundreds of pieces of elephant ivory.</p>
<p>The piles waiting to be crushed include carved tusks, decorations and jewelry, ranging in size from little trinkets to large ornate statues. All of it was previously seized by federal agents, and much of it is tagged as evidence.</p>
<p>Piece by piece, these objects ride up a long conveyor belt at Broadway and 46th Street and topple into a giant crusher.</p>
<p>Antique ivory is legal in the United States, but these pieces are made from recently poached ivory, disguised to look old. Few penalties and skyrocketing prices make this crime increasingly attractive to terror groups and organized crime.</p>
<p>For this reason, the US&#160;government considers wildlife trafficking a national security issue. Last year, President Barack Obama’s administration created a strategy to deal with it. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, who leads a government taskforce on illegal ivory,&#160;spoke at the Times Square crush.</p>
<p>“We have transnational organized crime networks that see this as a low-risk and high-profit market. We are part of the problem. We must also be part of the solution,” she said.</p>
<p>That solution includes a unique coalition of players —&#160;conservation groups, USAID, the Department of Justice, and Homeland Security — all working to better enforce the law and reduce the demand for these products by raising public awareness.</p>
<p>But for now, the United States remains a major player in the global market for elephant ivory.</p>
<p>“What a lot of people don’t realize is that the U.S. is actually one of the top ivory markets in the world,” says Elly Pepper, an expert on the U.S. ivory market at the <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/" type="external">Natural Resources Defense Council</a> (NRDC).</p>
<p>Pepper says part of the problem is US&#160;ivory laws are confusing and hard to enforce.</p>
<p>“The US&#160;has permitted a limited legal market for years, but since it is so hard to date ivory —&#160;it requires DNA testing or bomb carbon dating, which are expensive and not widely-available processes — people sneak new ivory onto the shelves under the guise of old ivory,” she says. “That’s why while the US&#160;has banned most ivory for so long, it hasn’t really mattered. It just created this parallel illegal market."</p>
<p>New York City has long been at the heart of this, but new, strict state bans in the region mean there’s little ivory to see here.</p>
<p />
<p>Ivory on display in San Francisco's Chinatown.</p>
<p>Jennifer Strong</p>
<p>In San Francisco’s Chinatown, there are blocks of stores that sell at least some ivory. The Man Hing Ivory Imports store even has a Yelp page, despite the fact that importing ivory here has largely been illegal for decades.</p>
<p>California may soon pass a ban like New York’s, and word seems to be getting out. The windows of shops specializing in ivory are filled with posters advertising half-off and going out of business sales.</p>
<p>But for now, it’s still the wild west.</p>
<p>Attorney Zak Smith joins me for some browsing. He’s Pepper’s colleague at the NRDC.</p>
<p>“Some of the people working at these stores were absolutely up front about the fact that they were selling elephant ivory that was illegal, and that they would help you obtain documents to facilitate you being able to sell that ivory in New York, which right now has quite strict laws against the sale of ivory,” he says. “I was amazed. I did not expect that.”</p>
<p>Elly Pepper says the amount of illegal — or new — ivory that’s on store shelves recently doubled. It makes up roughly half of all ivory for sale here.</p>
<p>“What this means is that the amount of antique faking and the amount of pretending that ivory is old when it’s actually new is just becoming more common,” she says.</p>
<p>Bob Dreher, the associate director of the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/" type="external">US&#160;Fish and Wildlife Service</a>, says they’ve reached the same conclusion.</p>
<p>“We think that the current market provides cover for illegal ivory coming into the United States and permits poachers to profit from their crimes, so we are looking for a way to take the United States out of that equation,” he says.</p>
<p>But progress has been slow and hard won.</p>
<p>“The United States still has a problem with illegal ivory, in no small part because of a wide range of communities —&#160;whether it’s gun owners or musicians or antique dealers —&#160;they’ve raised concerns about a proposed fish and wildlife service rule and they’ve pushed back fairly hard,” says Delaware Senator Chris Coons, who is one of several lawmakers addressing this issue on Capitol Hill.</p>
<p>Bipartisan bills before the House and Senate seek to increase the penalties for violating federal law. Right now people who are convicted face small fines or months in prison. If passed, the new measures would equate wildlife trafficking with other forms of the crime, such as drugs or weapons.</p>
<p>Senator Coons applauds the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/27" type="external">Wildlife Trafficking Enforcement Act</a>, which was put before Congress earlier this year. If passed, it would establish penalties of up to 20 years in prison, or a half million dollars in fines.</p>
<p>“I think there’s a role for congressional action here, and I commend Senators Graham and Feinstein for starting on strengthening some of the rules and criminal penalties around trafficking in illegal wildlife products,” he says. “But I think there’s room for us to do more.”</p>
<p>Bob Dreher says the fish and wildlife service is also working on a variety of new restrictions.</p>
<p>“We have been considering and are very, very close to issuing a proposed regulation that would substantially eliminate interstate trade in ivory in the United States,” he says.</p>
<p>More than 20 states are also considering their own ivory bans. That’s important because federal rules don’t apply to trade within a state’s borders.&#160;Places to watch include California and Connecticut.</p>
<p>California: because it has a very large ivory trade.&#160;And Connecticut: because tight restrictions in neighboring states could push New York City’s illegal market across its border.</p> | false | 3 | air new yorks times square thick gritty white dust remains hundreds pieces elephant ivory piles waiting crushed include carved tusks decorations jewelry ranging size little trinkets large ornate statues previously seized federal agents much tagged evidence piece piece objects ride long conveyor belt broadway 46th street topple giant crusher antique ivory legal united states pieces made recently poached ivory disguised look old penalties skyrocketing prices make crime increasingly attractive terror groups organized crime reason us160government considers wildlife trafficking national security issue last year president barack obamas administration created strategy deal interior secretary sally jewell leads government taskforce illegal ivory160spoke times square crush transnational organized crime networks see lowrisk highprofit market part problem must also part solution said solution includes unique coalition players 160conservation groups usaid department justice homeland security working better enforce law reduce demand products raising public awareness united states remains major player global market elephant ivory lot people dont realize us actually one top ivory markets world says elly pepper expert us ivory market natural resources defense council nrdc pepper says part problem us160ivory laws confusing hard enforce us160has permitted limited legal market years since hard date ivory 160it requires dna testing bomb carbon dating expensive widelyavailable processes people sneak new ivory onto shelves guise old ivory says thats us160has banned ivory long hasnt really mattered created parallel illegal market new york city long heart new strict state bans region mean theres little ivory see ivory display san franciscos chinatown jennifer strong san franciscos chinatown blocks stores sell least ivory man hing ivory imports store even yelp page despite fact importing ivory largely illegal decades california may soon pass ban like new yorks word seems getting windows shops specializing ivory filled posters advertising halfoff going business sales still wild west attorney zak smith joins browsing hes peppers colleague nrdc people working stores absolutely front fact selling elephant ivory illegal would help obtain documents facilitate able sell ivory new york right quite strict laws sale ivory says amazed expect elly pepper says amount illegal new ivory thats store shelves recently doubled makes roughly half ivory sale means amount antique faking amount pretending ivory old actually new becoming common says bob dreher associate director us160fish wildlife service says theyve reached conclusion think current market provides cover illegal ivory coming united states permits poachers profit crimes looking way take united states equation says progress slow hard united states still problem illegal ivory small part wide range communities 160whether gun owners musicians antique dealers 160theyve raised concerns proposed fish wildlife service rule theyve pushed back fairly hard says delaware senator chris coons one several lawmakers addressing issue capitol hill bipartisan bills house senate seek increase penalties violating federal law right people convicted face small fines months prison passed new measures would equate wildlife trafficking forms crime drugs weapons senator coons applauds wildlife trafficking enforcement act put congress earlier year passed would establish penalties 20 years prison half million dollars fines think theres role congressional action commend senators graham feinstein starting strengthening rules criminal penalties around trafficking illegal wildlife products says think theres room us bob dreher says fish wildlife service also working variety new restrictions considering close issuing proposed regulation would substantially eliminate interstate trade ivory united states says 20 states also considering ivory bans thats important federal rules dont apply trade within states borders160places watch include california connecticut california large ivory trade160and connecticut tight restrictions neighboring states could push new york citys illegal market across border | 575 |
<p>Gal Gadot in ‘Wonder Woman.’ The Amazon warrior/princess finally makes it to the big screen in a new film opening this weekend. (Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)</p>
<p>The summer 2017 movie season leaps into action this Friday (June 2) with the long-awaited release of “Wonder Woman.” Israeli actress Gal Gadot plays the Amazon princess in her first solo cinematic outing.</p>
<p>Patty Jenkins (“Monster”) directs; she’s the first female director to helm a live-action movie with a budget of more than $100 million and the first woman to direct a major superhero movie. Chris Pine plays American Steve Trevor who draws Diana into the trenches of World War I where she discovers her own true powers.</p>
<p>Some of the other major studio releases this summer include “The Mummy,” (June 9) with Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe; “Transformers: the Last Knight” (June 9); “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (July 7) starring Tom Holland who recently wowed audiences with his spectacular drag performance to Rhianna’s “Umbrella” on Spike’s “Lip Sync Battle”; and, “War for the Planet of the Apes” (July 14) featuring an epic battle between humans led by Woody Harrelson and apes led by Andy Serkis.</p>
<p>Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’ (Photo courtesy Sony Pictures)</p>
<p>Following on the heels of “Snatched,” the raunchy summer comedies continue with “Rough Night” about a wild bachelorette party. Written and directed by Lucia Aniello, the movie stars Scarlett Johansson and out actors Kate McKinnon and Colton Haynes, along with Zoë Kravitz and Ilana Glazer as bickering ex-lovers.</p>
<p>On a smaller scale, several great films will be screened at regional film festivals.</p>
<p>In Baltimore on Saturday, June 3, the Creative Alliance hosts Rainbow Fest 2017, a fabulous celebration of queer cinema. The festival opens with “The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen,” a window into the amazing life of a woman who was a classical ballerina, a legendary dance teacher and a black lesbian feminist activist organizer, writer and professor. The festival continues with “Hot Shots,” a collection of short queer films that were selected by a jury of LGBT community members, and concludes with a special screening of the camp classic “Mommie Dearest” hosted by Baltimore drag superstar Betty O’Hellno.</p>
<p>The beautifully renovated Parkway Theatre in Baltimore’s Station North neighborhood will also host a series of LGBT films during Baltimore Pride (June 16-22). The full schedule can be found at <a href="http://www.mdfilmfest.com/parkway" type="external">mdfilmfest.com/parkway</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://thedccenter.org/reelaffirmations/" type="external">Reel Affirmations</a>, D.C.’s LGBT film festival and monthly series, opens its summer season with “Kiki” on June 16. The movie is a fascinating exploration of the “Kiki” scene in New York, an artistic activist subculture founded by queer youth of color.</p>
<p>Reel Affirmations’ monthly XTRA Film Series continues with the dramedy series “195 Lewis” on July 14 and “Kings, Queens and In-Betweens,” a documentary focused on gender, on Aug. 18. All films will screen at the HRC Equality Center Screening Room.</p>
<p>AFI Docs, the acclaimed celebration of documentary films led by openly gay filmmaker Michael Lumpkin, runs at various venues around D.C. from June 14-18. Queer highlights include “Whitney: Can I Be Me,’” an intimate portrait of the late pop star; “Anatomy of a Male Ballet Dancer,” an examination of the career of Marcelo Gomes, an openly gay principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre; “All Good Things,” about a polyamorous relationship; and, “Lady Eva,” which spotlights a contestant in a pageant for “letits,” transgender women in Tonga.</p>
<p>AFI Docs also includes a screening of “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” a follow-up to Al Gore’s Academy Award-winning 2006 film, which will also have a theatrical release later in the summer.</p>
<p>On June 23 and 24, D.C. Shorts presents <a href="http://www.dcshorts.com/laughs" type="external">D.C. Shorts Laughs</a> which brings together favorites from the popular festival celebrating short films and area stand-up comics.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the <a href="http://www.afi.com/silver/" type="external">AFI Silver Theatre</a> and Cultural Center in downtown Silver Spring continues to explore the richness of American and world cinema with its exciting combination of first-run indie features and curated collections of classic films from Hollywood and the world. The queer highlight of this summer’s schedule is the screening of two restored films from the acclaimed Merchant Ivory collection. The groundbreaking gay classic “Maurice” (screening June 23-24) stars James Wilby and Hugh Grant as forbidden lovers in Edwardian England. The Academy Award-winning “Howard’s End” (June 30 and July 1) features stellar performances from Emma Thompson, Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham-Carter and Vanessa Redgrave.</p>
<p>James Wilby and Hugh Grant in the gay classic ‘Maurice,’ based on the novel by E.M. Forster. (Photo courtesy Cohen Film Collection)</p>
<p>Other offerings at AFI Silver include the D.C. Caribbean FilmFest (June 9-12) which features the Puerto Rican film “Memories of a Penitent Heart” about a deceased gay family member who was forced to hide his sexual orientation and his HIV status and “Play the Devil,” a coming-of-age/coming-out story set during Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival season; the Recent Restoration Series (through July 6); Directed by David Lynch (May 12-July 6); and a number of encore presentations of recent favorites.</p>
<p>A number of great independent movies are also slated for theatrical release in D.C. this summer. As of press time, they include:</p>
<p>• “My Cousin Rachel” (June 9), starring Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin based on the novel by bisexual author Daphne du Maurier (“Rebecca” and “The Birds”).</p>
<p>• “Manifesto” (June 9), an astounding film that features Cate Blanchett recreating a number of famous historical manifestos in a variety of characters.</p>
<p>• “It Comes at Night” (June 9), a stylish psychological horror movie about two families trying to survive in the aftermath of an unnamed cataclysm.</p>
<p>• “Beatriz at Dinner” (June 16), a clash of wills between New Age healer Salma Hayek and businessman John Lithgow.</p>
<p>• “The Hero” (June 16) stars Sam Elliott as an ailing movie star coming to terms with his past and his mortality.</p>
<p>• “The Beguiled” (June 30), a Civil War drama about a Union soldier who takes refuge in a girls’ boarding school. Sofia Coppola recently won the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival for her work on the movie, which stars Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Colin Farrell.</p>
<p>Nicole Kidman in ‘The Beguiled.’ (Photo courtesy Focus Features)</p>
<p>• “Wish Upon” (July 14) marks a generational shift as former teen star Ryan Phillippe plays a father whose gift to his troubled daughter unwittingly sets off a horrific chain of events.</p>
<p>• “Detroit” (Aug. 4), Kathryn Bigelow’s examination of a 1967 police raid that led to one of the largest citizen uprisings in U.S. history.</p>
<p>• “Brigsby Bear” (Aug. 4), a delightfully quirky comedy about a young man kidnapped as a child who is restored to his birth family.</p>
<p>Kyle Mooney stars in ‘Brigsby Bear.’&#160; (Photo courtesy Sony Pictures Classic)</p>
<p>• “Patti Cake$” (Aug. 18), a breakout festival hit about a white woman from New Jersey and her unlikely quest for rap stardom.</p>
<p>Finally, the summer season comes to a close with two very different films based on Steven King novels. “The Dark Tower” (Aug. 4) settles the ancient vendetta between Idris Elba (the Gunslinger) and Matthew McConaughey (the Man in Black). And “It” (Sept. 14) is the cinematic retelling of the popular story of the evil clown Pennyfeather who haunts the children of Derry, Maine.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">AFI Silver Theatre</a> <a href="" type="internal">Andy Serkis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Anthony Hopkins</a> <a href="" type="internal">Baltimore</a> <a href="" type="internal">Baltimore Pride</a> <a href="" type="internal">Beatriz at Dinner</a> <a href="" type="internal">Betty O'Hellno</a> <a href="" type="internal">Brigsby Bear</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cannes Film Festival</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cate Blanchett</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chris Pine</a> <a href="" type="internal">Colin Farrell</a> <a href="" type="internal">Colton Haynes</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Caribbean FilmFest</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Shorts</a> <a href="" type="internal">Daphne du Maurier</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Lynch</a> <a href="" type="internal">Detroit</a> <a href="" type="internal">Emma Thompson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gal Gadot</a> <a href="" type="internal">Helena Bonham Carter</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hot Shots</a> <a href="" type="internal">Howard's End</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hugh Grant</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ilana Glazer</a> <a href="" type="internal">It</a> <a href="" type="internal">It Comes at Night</a> <a href="" type="internal">James WIlby</a> <a href="" type="internal">John Lithgow</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kate McKinnon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kathryn Bigelow</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kiki</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kirsten Dunst</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lucia Aniello</a> <a href="" type="internal">Manifesto</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maurice</a> <a href="" type="internal">Memories of a Penitent Heart</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mommie Dearest</a> <a href="" type="internal">My Cousin Rachel</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nicole Kidman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Parkway Theatre</a> <a href="" type="internal">Patti Cake</a> <a href="" type="internal">Patty Jenkins</a> <a href="" type="internal">play the devil</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rachel Weisz</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rainbow Fest 2017</a> <a href="" type="internal">Reel Affirmations</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rough Night</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ryan Phillippe</a> <a href="" type="internal">Salma Hayek</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sam Clafin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sam Elliott</a> <a href="" type="internal">Scarlett Johansson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Silver Spring</a> <a href="" type="internal">Snatched</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sofia Coppola</a> <a href="" type="internal">Spider Man: Homecoming</a> <a href="" type="internal">Steven King</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Beguiled</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Dark Tower</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Hero</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Mummy</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Brown</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tom Holland</a> <a href="" type="internal">Transformers: the Last Knight</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trinidad and Tobago</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vanessa Redgrave</a> <a href="" type="internal">War for the Planet of the Apes</a> <a href="" type="internal">Wish Upon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Wonder Woman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Woody Harrelson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Zoe Kravitz</a></p> | false | 3 | gal gadot wonder woman amazon warriorprincess finally makes big screen new film opening weekend photo courtesy warner bros pictures summer 2017 movie season leaps action friday june 2 longawaited release wonder woman israeli actress gal gadot plays amazon princess first solo cinematic outing patty jenkins monster directs shes first female director helm liveaction movie budget 100 million first woman direct major superhero movie chris pine plays american steve trevor draws diana trenches world war discovers true powers major studio releases summer include mummy june 9 tom cruise russell crowe transformers last knight june 9 spiderman homecoming july 7 starring tom holland recently wowed audiences spectacular drag performance rhiannas umbrella spikes lip sync battle war planet apes july 14 featuring epic battle humans led woody harrelson apes led andy serkis tom holland spiderman homecoming photo courtesy sony pictures following heels snatched raunchy summer comedies continue rough night wild bachelorette party written directed lucia aniello movie stars scarlett johansson actors kate mckinnon colton haynes along zoë kravitz ilana glazer bickering exlovers smaller scale several great films screened regional film festivals baltimore saturday june 3 creative alliance hosts rainbow fest 2017 fabulous celebration queer cinema festival opens passionate pursuits angela bowen window amazing life woman classical ballerina legendary dance teacher black lesbian feminist activist organizer writer professor festival continues hot shots collection short queer films selected jury lgbt community members concludes special screening camp classic mommie dearest hosted baltimore drag superstar betty ohellno beautifully renovated parkway theatre baltimores station north neighborhood also host series lgbt films baltimore pride june 1622 full schedule found mdfilmfestcomparkway reel affirmations dcs lgbt film festival monthly series opens summer season kiki june 16 movie fascinating exploration kiki scene new york artistic activist subculture founded queer youth color reel affirmations monthly xtra film series continues dramedy series 195 lewis july 14 kings queens inbetweens documentary focused gender aug 18 films screen hrc equality center screening room afi docs acclaimed celebration documentary films led openly gay filmmaker michael lumpkin runs various venues around dc june 1418 queer highlights include whitney intimate portrait late pop star anatomy male ballet dancer examination career marcelo gomes openly gay principal dancer american ballet theatre good things polyamorous relationship lady eva spotlights contestant pageant letits transgender women tonga afi docs also includes screening inconvenient sequel truth power followup al gores academy awardwinning 2006 film also theatrical release later summer june 23 24 dc shorts presents dc shorts laughs brings together favorites popular festival celebrating short films area standup comics meanwhile afi silver theatre cultural center downtown silver spring continues explore richness american world cinema exciting combination firstrun indie features curated collections classic films hollywood world queer highlight summers schedule screening two restored films acclaimed merchant ivory collection groundbreaking gay classic maurice screening june 2324 stars james wilby hugh grant forbidden lovers edwardian england academy awardwinning howards end june 30 july 1 features stellar performances emma thompson anthony hopkins helena bonhamcarter vanessa redgrave james wilby hugh grant gay classic maurice based novel em forster photo courtesy cohen film collection offerings afi silver include dc caribbean filmfest june 912 features puerto rican film memories penitent heart deceased gay family member forced hide sexual orientation hiv status play devil comingofagecomingout story set trinidad tobagos carnival season recent restoration series july 6 directed david lynch may 12july 6 number encore presentations recent favorites number great independent movies also slated theatrical release dc summer press time include cousin rachel june 9 starring rachel weisz sam claflin based novel bisexual author daphne du maurier rebecca birds manifesto june 9 astounding film features cate blanchett recreating number famous historical manifestos variety characters comes night june 9 stylish psychological horror movie two families trying survive aftermath unnamed cataclysm beatriz dinner june 16 clash wills new age healer salma hayek businessman john lithgow hero june 16 stars sam elliott ailing movie star coming terms past mortality beguiled june 30 civil war drama union soldier takes refuge girls boarding school sofia coppola recently best director award cannes film festival work movie stars nicole kidman kirsten dunst colin farrell nicole kidman beguiled photo courtesy focus features wish upon july 14 marks generational shift former teen star ryan phillippe plays father whose gift troubled daughter unwittingly sets horrific chain events detroit aug 4 kathryn bigelows examination 1967 police raid led one largest citizen uprisings us history brigsby bear aug 4 delightfully quirky comedy young man kidnapped child restored birth family kyle mooney stars brigsby bear160 photo courtesy sony pictures classic patti cake aug 18 breakout festival hit white woman new jersey unlikely quest rap stardom finally summer season comes close two different films based steven king novels dark tower aug 4 settles ancient vendetta idris elba gunslinger matthew mcconaughey man black sept 14 cinematic retelling popular story evil clown pennyfeather haunts children derry maine afi silver theatre andy serkis anthony hopkins baltimore baltimore pride beatriz dinner betty ohellno brigsby bear cannes film festival cate blanchett chris pine colin farrell colton haynes dc dc caribbean filmfest dc shorts daphne du maurier david lynch detroit emma thompson gal gadot helena bonham carter hot shots howards end hugh grant ilana glazer comes night james wilby john lithgow kate mckinnon kathryn bigelow kiki kirsten dunst lucia aniello manifesto maurice memories penitent heart mommie dearest cousin rachel nicole kidman parkway theatre patti cake patty jenkins play devil rachel weisz rainbow fest 2017 reel affirmations rough night ryan phillippe salma hayek sam clafin sam elliott scarlett johansson silver spring snatched sofia coppola spider man homecoming steven king beguiled dark tower hero mummy passionate pursuits angela brown tom holland transformers last knight trinidad tobago vanessa redgrave war planet apes wish upon wonder woman woody harrelson zoe kravitz | 943 |
<p>Brenda Mweetwa was a janitor, not a nurse or a midwife. But she had heard her late husband, a doctor, talk about delivering babies. That was enough, in the understaffed health clinic where she worked in Mabombo, Zambia, to make her the most qualified candidate to help out when a pregnant 16-year-old showed up in labor.</p>
<p>Fortunately, she wasn’t on her own.</p>
<p>As part of a mentorship program administered by Boston University, a certified nurse midwife was standing by to talk Mweetwa through the two-hour delivery over the phone, said Donald Thea, the professor who heads up the effort. When, after producing a healthy, squawking set of twins, the mother started hemorrhaging, Mweetwa harkened back to a training session she’d attended just two days earlier. With a condom and a catheter, she cobbled together a <a href="" type="external">device</a> to stop the bleeding and saved the mother’s life.&#160;</p>
<p>The Boston University mentorship program is one of a portfolio of interventions launched in eight districts in Uganda and Zambia in 2012 as part of Saving Mothers, Giving Life, a $200 million initiative propelled by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The project, which aims to halve maternal mortality in participating districts by 2017, leverages the resources and expertise of more than a dozen public and private organizations, including USAID, pharmaceutical giant Merck and the governments of Uganda and Zambia.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Approximately 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth each day, <a href="" type="external">according to the World Health Organization</a>. Ninety-nine percent of those deaths occur in developing countries, like <a href="http://savingmothersgivinglife.org/doc/SMGL_Uganda_Backgrounder.pdf" type="external">Uganda</a> and <a href="http://savingmothersgivinglife.org/doc/SMGL_zambia_Backgrounder.pdf" type="external">Zambia</a>, where women are 77 to 100 times more likely to die from maternal causes than women in the United States.&#160;</p>
<p>Saving Mothers, Giving Life’s first annual <a href="" type="external">report</a>, published last week, shows impressive improvements. In just one year, the maternal mortality rate in participating districts in Uganda has dropped 30 percent. In Zambia, health clinics, which often see the most high-risk pregnancies, reported 35 percent fewer childbirth related deaths. Still, challenges remain. Because of the project’s over-the-top budget, experts worry improvements will only last as long as the foreign aid.</p>
<p>“It’s exciting to see how much progress is possible,” Thea said. “But this was a very big effort with a lot of people and a lot of money. Next, we have to figure out how we can take the lessons we learned and apply them in a cost effective way so change is sustainable over a long period of time.”</p>
<p>A different approach to a difficult problem</p>
<p>Maternal mortality is a particularly difficult problem to address in the developing world because “there is no simple solution,” said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at a conference examining the program held last week at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies. Unlike other global health problems, such as measles or polio, which are being combatted with vaccination campaigns, there’s no way to predict or prevent complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth.</p>
<p>The most common reasons women die — hemorrhage, obstruction and infection — are best addressed through surgery, such as Caesarean section, Frieden said. But in Zambia and Uganda, health clinics with the necessary equipment and skilled personnel to perform life-saving surgery are few and far between. For many women, getting to a health clinic that offers even the most basic care means a two- to five-hour walk.</p>
<p>For many years, Frieden said, there has been consensus in the global health community that operative interventions to reduce maternal mortality are “necessary, but not practical” because success would require too many moving parts — more doctors, better clinics, an improved transportation system. So the modus operandi, he said, has been to “try a series of other things that we think might work because we know this thing that we know works is too hard.”</p>
<p>Saving Mothers, Giving Lives bucks convention by taking on the whole health system. Using more than two dozen interventions, the program attacks the three biggest obstacles that keep pregnant women from getting medical care: lack of education, lack of transportation and lack of adequate medical staff and facilities.</p>
<p>To get women to clinics, partners recruited and trained thousands of community health workers in Zambia and Uganda to go door-to-door, teaching women about the benefits of developing a birth plan and delivering under the care of a skilled attendant, according to the program’s annual <a href="http://www.savingmothersgivinglife.org/doc/SMGL%20Annual%20Report%202013.pdf" type="external">report</a>. Women were given vouchers to cover the cost of transportation.&#160;</p>
<p>With the aim of improving the quality of care, partners outfitted 11 facilities in Uganda with operating theaters to perform C-sections and hired 147 new doctors. In Zambia, partners trained 199 health workers to perform emergency obstetric care and built maternity waiting homes, where women who live far from emergency services can stay ahead of their due date.</p>
<p>“In the past … whether it be training or transport or family planning, each part was tackled independently,” said Naveen Rao, head of Merck’s maternal mortality program, at the conference. “This is the first time that is seemed like instead of going at it with a silver bullet, we were going at it with silver buckshot.”</p>
<p>Progress and sticking points</p>
<p>When Boston University’s Thea first heard about Saving Mothers, Giving Life’s plan, his first thought was, “You’re nuts. This is crazy.”</p>
<p>“I’m a physician and I’ve been doing public health research for 28 years,” he said in a phone interview. “The idea that you could effect that kind of change on that kind of timeline — well, I was a skeptic.”</p>
<p>But now he — along with much of the global health community — is excited.</p>
<p>During Saving Mothers, Giving Life’s first year, the number of women in Uganda who gave birth at a facility jumped from 46 percent to 74 percent, according to the program’s annual report. Zambia saw similar improvements: by year’s end 84 percent of women were giving birth in a health clinic, up from 63 percent.&#160;</p>
<p>Furthermore, the percent of facilities equipped to perform basic emergency obstetric care in Uganda increased from 3 to 9. Thanks to the upgrades, 72 percent of Ugandan women now live within two hours of a facility where doctor’s can manage childbirth complications. In Zambia, the proportion of women who had an obstetric complication and received life-saving care increased 23 percent.</p>
<p>Thea attributes the success, in part, to Saving Mothers, Giving Life’s innovative public-private partnership model.</p>
<p>Getting a health worker training program off the ground in Zambia with so many different players was “sort of a coordination nightmare at first,” Thea said. “But at the same time it was very gratifying to have so many players to access.”</p>
<p>Because Saving Mothers, Giving Life partnered with the Zambian government, for example, Thea and his team were able to side step red tape when they needed supplies from the national blood bank. When restrictions on US government money kept his team from building a much-needed building, he was able to appeal to Merck for funding.</p>
<p>Rajiv Shah, administrator of the US Agency for International Development, called the partnership worth “celebrating.”</p>
<p>“We’re not stopping here — not with these promising results,” he said, in a keynote speech delivered at the Center for Strategic and International Studies conference. “In the next five years, we plan to bring Saving Mothers, Giving Life to at least three more countries because we just what a difference this approach can make on the ground.”</p>
<p>But just how the program will be scaled up remains to be seen.</p>
<p>“It’s one thing to show you can get good results in a year with a huge infusion of cash,” said Margaret Kruk, an assistant professor of health policy and management at Columbia University, who headed up an independent <a href="" type="external">evaluation</a> of the program. “The question is, can you implement lasting change on a budget?”</p>
<p>The project is “definitely not sustainable without ongoing donor support,” Kruk said in a phone interview. The patient vouchers, the salaries of village health workers and doctors — it was all funded with aid dollars.</p>
<p>Lasting improvement to countries’ health systems require great country control and high level political will, Kruk said. But her external evaluation raised questions about the balance of power between partners.</p>
<p>“The governments of Zambia and Uganda were hosts, in a way, not full partners,” she said. “That has got to change.”</p>
<p>Global leaders say they recognize the project’s limitations and are taking steps to address them.</p>
<p>In Washington, Frieden called the first year a “proof of concept.”</p>
<p>“Not every dollar was spent perfectly,” he said. The plan going forward is to “optimize and expand.”</p>
<p>“This program is a neonate,” he said. “It needs good parents and a good family and … just like any child anywhere in the world, it could grow up to change the world.“</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="" type="external">Clinton launches ambitious maternal health project</a> <a href="" type="external">&#160;</a></p> | false | 3 | brenda mweetwa janitor nurse midwife heard late husband doctor talk delivering babies enough understaffed health clinic worked mabombo zambia make qualified candidate help pregnant 16yearold showed labor fortunately wasnt part mentorship program administered boston university certified nurse midwife standing talk mweetwa twohour delivery phone said donald thea professor heads effort producing healthy squawking set twins mother started hemorrhaging mweetwa harkened back training session shed attended two days earlier condom catheter cobbled together device stop bleeding saved mothers life160 boston university mentorship program one portfolio interventions launched eight districts uganda zambia 2012 part saving mothers giving life 200 million initiative propelled former us secretary state hillary clinton project aims halve maternal mortality participating districts 2017 leverages resources expertise dozen public private organizations including usaid pharmaceutical giant merck governments uganda zambia approximately 800 women die preventable causes related pregnancy childbirth day according world health organization ninetynine percent deaths occur developing countries like uganda zambia women 77 100 times likely die maternal causes women united states160 saving mothers giving lifes first annual report published last week shows impressive improvements one year maternal mortality rate participating districts uganda dropped 30 percent zambia health clinics often see highrisk pregnancies reported 35 percent fewer childbirth related deaths still challenges remain projects overthetop budget experts worry improvements last long foreign aid exciting see much progress possible thea said big effort lot people lot money next figure take lessons learned apply cost effective way change sustainable long period time different approach difficult problem maternal mortality particularly difficult problem address developing world simple solution said dr thomas frieden director centers disease control prevention conference examining program held last week washingtons center strategic international studies unlike global health problems measles polio combatted vaccination campaigns theres way predict prevent complications arising pregnancy childbirth common reasons women die hemorrhage obstruction infection best addressed surgery caesarean section frieden said zambia uganda health clinics necessary equipment skilled personnel perform lifesaving surgery far many women getting health clinic offers even basic care means two fivehour walk many years frieden said consensus global health community operative interventions reduce maternal mortality necessary practical success would require many moving parts doctors better clinics improved transportation system modus operandi said try series things think might work know thing know works hard saving mothers giving lives bucks convention taking whole health system using two dozen interventions program attacks three biggest obstacles keep pregnant women getting medical care lack education lack transportation lack adequate medical staff facilities get women clinics partners recruited trained thousands community health workers zambia uganda go doortodoor teaching women benefits developing birth plan delivering care skilled attendant according programs annual report women given vouchers cover cost transportation160 aim improving quality care partners outfitted 11 facilities uganda operating theaters perform csections hired 147 new doctors zambia partners trained 199 health workers perform emergency obstetric care built maternity waiting homes women live far emergency services stay ahead due date past whether training transport family planning part tackled independently said naveen rao head mercks maternal mortality program conference first time seemed like instead going silver bullet going silver buckshot progress sticking points boston universitys thea first heard saving mothers giving lifes plan first thought youre nuts crazy im physician ive public health research 28 years said phone interview idea could effect kind change kind timeline well skeptic along much global health community excited saving mothers giving lifes first year number women uganda gave birth facility jumped 46 percent 74 percent according programs annual report zambia saw similar improvements years end 84 percent women giving birth health clinic 63 percent160 furthermore percent facilities equipped perform basic emergency obstetric care uganda increased 3 9 thanks upgrades 72 percent ugandan women live within two hours facility doctors manage childbirth complications zambia proportion women obstetric complication received lifesaving care increased 23 percent thea attributes success part saving mothers giving lifes innovative publicprivate partnership model getting health worker training program ground zambia many different players sort coordination nightmare first thea said time gratifying many players access saving mothers giving life partnered zambian government example thea team able side step red tape needed supplies national blood bank restrictions us government money kept team building muchneeded building able appeal merck funding rajiv shah administrator us agency international development called partnership worth celebrating stopping promising results said keynote speech delivered center strategic international studies conference next five years plan bring saving mothers giving life least three countries difference approach make ground program scaled remains seen one thing show get good results year huge infusion cash said margaret kruk assistant professor health policy management columbia university headed independent evaluation program question implement lasting change budget project definitely sustainable without ongoing donor support kruk said phone interview patient vouchers salaries village health workers doctors funded aid dollars lasting improvement countries health systems require great country control high level political kruk said external evaluation raised questions balance power partners governments zambia uganda hosts way full partners said got change global leaders say recognize projects limitations taking steps address washington frieden called first year proof concept every dollar spent perfectly said plan going forward optimize expand program neonate said needs good parents good family like child anywhere world could grow change world globalpost clinton launches ambitious maternal health project 160 | 868 |
<p>In the sleepy town of Luang Prabang a Lao boatman dips a paddle into the Mekong River, promises tourists top-notch views of the Mekong's iconic blood-red sunsets, and heads off downstream, propelled as much by the river's flow as its engine. The Mekong is one of the world's great rivers. It has been a key to life in Laos and the rest of Southeast Asia for millennia. And like the boatman, Laos itself now hopes to harness its power. The country wants to build the first hydroelectric dam ever on the lower Mekong, which runs from the Chinese border to the South China Sea. Landlocked Laos is one of the poorest and least-developed countries in Southeast Asia and authorities in the capital Vientiane say using the river to generate electricity is the only way forward. Xaypaseuth Phomsouph, head of the Laos department of energy promotion and development, said Laos has been exploring its options for oil and gas development without much success, and that it has few other options for generating badly needed electricity. "We have no other choice but hydropower," he said. Laos wants energy to become the main driver of the economy. And its plans are ambitious. The country already has 12 smaller hydro dams on Mekong tributaries, but it wants to build almost 70 more dams throughout the country, including nine on the Mekong itself. However damming the Mekong is a risky and controversial move. The Mekong's swelling waters provide irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland in five countries. And its fisheries are a food basket for millions, including fisherman Sleh Matly, who lives downstream in Cambodia. "Fish are so important for me and my whole family," Matly said as he squatted on the ground with his family, scraping the scales from a few Mekong fish.</p>
<p>His livelihood and those of his family and friends depend on these fish, he said. "If I have fish, then I can sell it to buy rice and support my family. Ask anyone here. They'll tell you the same thing." 80 percent of Cambodia's protein comes from fish, making it more dependent on the Mekong's fish than any other Southeast Asian country. Conservationists say building even one dam on the lower Mekong could change the river forever, and put all those livelihoods in jeopardy. Chhith Sam Ath, who runs a coalition of non-governmental organizations called the NGO Forum in Cambodia, believes that if Laos's plans go ahead, "it's going to be a disaster. It's going to destroy the whole of the Mekong's biodiversity system." Sam Ath said food from the Mekong is more than just part of Cambodia's diet. It's woven into the country's culture–especially the pungent fermented fish paste known as prahok. Every household in the Cambodian countryside uses prahok, he saids. "They could not cook without it. So when prahok is lost, it's going to be a big loss. And that is going to destroy a culture." Scientists say mega-projects on the Mekong pose a direct threat to many of the river's more-than one-hundred species of migratory fish. The Lao government has said it will build mitigation measures such as fish ladders into the dam, but fish ladders have fallen short of their mark elsewhere. And fish biologist Eric Baran of Cambodia's WorldFish Centre said there are just too many question marks, and too few studies of how Mekong fish would actually be affected. "When a mitigation measure is proposed on the mainstream, it's actually not based on any testing," he said. Baran, who has studied Mekong fish for a decade, said the Mekong mainstream should not be used as a test-case for any technological development. Meanwhile, other scientists are concerned that the impact wouldn't be limited to fisheries. The dams would also trap vital silt and nutrients from flowing to agricultural land and coastal ecosystems downstream. All of these concerns are making the debate over dams a contentious regional issue. Laos isn't alone in wanting to tap the Mekong's power–altogether there are eleven dams proposed by the five Lower Mekong countries, including two by Cambodia itself. But when Laos announced its plan to actually build the first one, Cambodia joined Vietnam and Thailand in voicing their concern and asking for further study. Conservationists say that study should include an examination of alternatives to traditional mega-dams. They are pushing for networks of smaller, localized projects, including solar and wind power, and smaller hydropower projects on Mekong tributaries. Gordon Congdon, of the conservation group WWF in Cambodia, said the big dams and massive national power grids being proposed in Laos represent the technology of the last century. "We think there's a much better energy future available to Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand" than big hydropower, Congdon said. But renewables are still in their infancy in Southeast Asia, and Lao officials say their potential doesn't compare to hydro. Laos craves energy, and energy chief Xaypasueth Phoumsopha said the country can't afford to wait. "Most of our population is living under poverty," he said. "We have no capacity to operate a nuclear power plant, or to construct a power plant importing gas or oil from the Middle East. Only hydropower." Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam have all agreed to consult with each other before building a dam on the Mekong. But in the end, Laos says, the final decision to build the first dam on the lower Mekong will be its own.</p> | false | 3 | sleepy town luang prabang lao boatman dips paddle mekong river promises tourists topnotch views mekongs iconic bloodred sunsets heads downstream propelled much rivers flow engine mekong one worlds great rivers key life laos rest southeast asia millennia like boatman laos hopes harness power country wants build first hydroelectric dam ever lower mekong runs chinese border south china sea landlocked laos one poorest leastdeveloped countries southeast asia authorities capital vientiane say using river generate electricity way forward xaypaseuth phomsouph head laos department energy promotion development said laos exploring options oil gas development without much success options generating badly needed electricity choice hydropower said laos wants energy become main driver economy plans ambitious country already 12 smaller hydro dams mekong tributaries wants build almost 70 dams throughout country including nine mekong however damming mekong risky controversial move mekongs swelling waters provide irrigation thousands square miles farmland five countries fisheries food basket millions including fisherman sleh matly lives downstream cambodia fish important whole family matly said squatted ground family scraping scales mekong fish livelihood family friends depend fish said fish sell buy rice support family ask anyone theyll tell thing 80 percent cambodias protein comes fish making dependent mekongs fish southeast asian country conservationists say building even one dam lower mekong could change river forever put livelihoods jeopardy chhith sam ath runs coalition nongovernmental organizations called ngo forum cambodia believes laoss plans go ahead going disaster going destroy whole mekongs biodiversity system sam ath said food mekong part cambodias diet woven countrys cultureespecially pungent fermented fish paste known prahok every household cambodian countryside uses prahok saids could cook without prahok lost going big loss going destroy culture scientists say megaprojects mekong pose direct threat many rivers morethan onehundred species migratory fish lao government said build mitigation measures fish ladders dam fish ladders fallen short mark elsewhere fish biologist eric baran cambodias worldfish centre said many question marks studies mekong fish would actually affected mitigation measure proposed mainstream actually based testing said baran studied mekong fish decade said mekong mainstream used testcase technological development meanwhile scientists concerned impact wouldnt limited fisheries dams would also trap vital silt nutrients flowing agricultural land coastal ecosystems downstream concerns making debate dams contentious regional issue laos isnt alone wanting tap mekongs poweraltogether eleven dams proposed five lower mekong countries including two cambodia laos announced plan actually build first one cambodia joined vietnam thailand voicing concern asking study conservationists say study include examination alternatives traditional megadams pushing networks smaller localized projects including solar wind power smaller hydropower projects mekong tributaries gordon congdon conservation group wwf cambodia said big dams massive national power grids proposed laos represent technology last century think theres much better energy future available cambodia laos vietnam thailand big hydropower congdon said renewables still infancy southeast asia lao officials say potential doesnt compare hydro laos craves energy energy chief xaypasueth phoumsopha said country cant afford wait population living poverty said capacity operate nuclear power plant construct power plant importing gas oil middle east hydropower laos cambodia thailand vietnam agreed consult building dam mekong end laos says final decision build first dam lower mekong | 516 |
<p>President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in Friday as the 45th president. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>With the stage set — literally — for the inauguration on Friday of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, LGBT advocates fearing a roll back of progress are bracing for the change and see little hope of advancement under the new administration.</p>
<p>The list&#160;of those&#160;who have pledged to boycott the inauguration — including gay U.S. Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) — continues to grow as the president-elect remains defiant on Twitter and said it “is turning out to be even bigger than expected.”</p>
<p>Similar to the boycott of the inauguration, LGBT advocates are taking a hands-off approach to Trump and anticipating a possible battle on preserving progress after he takes office. After all, Trump during his campaign assumed anti-LGBT positions, such as support for the First Amendment Defense Act &#160;and North Carolina’s House Bill 2 and a pledge to appoint to the U.S. Supreme Court judges in the mold of the late anti-gay U.S. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.</p>
<p>Moreover, many of his Cabinet choices have anti-LGBT histories, such as Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Trump’s choice for U.S. attorney general who voted against LGBT rights measures in Congress, and Ben Carson, who has called LGBT people “abnormal” and even during his confirmation hearing derided LGBT rights as “extra rights.” (At the same time, Trump last week <a href="" type="internal">appointed</a> Anthony Scaramucci, a Republican hedge fund manager who supports LGBT rights, for an outreach position in the White House.)</p>
<p>In an email blast to supporters ahead of the inauguration, the Human Rights Campaign has launched a new “defy” logo — converting its equal sign symbol into an “e” — urging the LGBT community to “defy” Trump if he takes action that would harm LGBT people. Among the items on which they’d seek to defy Trump are Cabinet secretaries who would “treat us like we’re less than other people” or the appointment of judges who would roll back LGBT progress.</p>
<p>JoDee Winterhof, the Human Rights Campaign’s senior vice president for policy and political affairs, said her organization will take the opportunity to advance LGBT rights wherever it can be found, but sees little hope of working with Trump.</p>
<p>“Whether in state legislatures around the country or Congress, we will work with members of either party who believe that LGBTQ people should be able to live free from fear of discrimination and with full legal protections,” Winterhof said. “Unfortunately, Donald Trump and Mike Pence campaigned against LGBTQ equality and have been assembling an anti-equality cabinet from top-to-bottom. We hope that changes.”</p>
<p>Already, LGBT voices are emerging in the greater progressive pushback against Trump. Participants in the Women’s March on Washington planned for the day after the inauguration on Saturday include the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD.</p>
<p>Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said “we don’t have full information yet on the new administration,” but is prepared for a fight and pledged&#160;to stand in solidarity with the progressive movement.</p>
<p>“President-elect Trump is filling his administration with anti-LGBT extremists, so we are not hopeful,” Keisling said. “We do know that we will be vigilant and assertive. We will hold them to following the law and administrative procedures. We know that our greatest tool will be solidarity with other organizations and other movements — unflinching solidarity.”</p>
<p>Keisling said the transgender movement has grown significantly in a short amount of time and won’t turn back&#160;even with Trump in the White House.</p>
<p>“Ours is a movement and an organization than has grown so much in 15 years,” Keisling said. “We will do both offense and offensive-oriented defense. We have not come this far to only come this far.”</p>
<p>Given Trump’s campaign positions, many LGBT groups are skeptical he’ll advance LGBT rights, but nonetheless signaled a willingness to work together to achieve any shared goals.</p>
<p>Matt McTighe, executive director of&#160;Freedom for All Americans, said he intends to reach out to the Trump administration because sharing the stories of LGBT people would be the best way to preserve progress.</p>
<p>“As an organization whose founding principles include the belief that equal treatment for all LGBT people can only be achieved through bipartisan collaboration, we will work with whoever we need to in order to ensure that LGBT Americans are protected from discrimination,” McTighe said. “Since the start of the transition we’ve been working through all of our channels to engage with this administration, advocate for our positions and ensure that the administration takes the time to meet with LGBT people, families and supportive businesses to listen to the personal stories of how their policies could impact LGBT Americans. We plan to continue that strategy going forward.”</p>
<p>McTighe said the goals of his organization are the same as they’ve always been to advance rights, but consist of making clear any rollback would be unacceptable.</p>
<p>“Our primary goal is demonstrating the urgent need to preserve existing LGBT protections and to showcase the real-world impact any rollbacks would have on real LGBT people and their families,” McTighe said. “This includes the positive impact of existing federal executive orders, the harms of the so-called First Amendment Defense Act and the economic and business case for why LGBT people should be treated equally.”</p>
<p>The American Civil Liberties Union has pledged to take the Trump administration to court for any attempt to undermine civil liberties — whether it be undermining protections for Muslims, young undocumented immigrants or LGBT people.</p>
<p>Ian Thompson, legislative director for the ACLU, said his organization is “prepared to meet with the Trump administration to discuss policy proposals” including LGBT rights, but is skeptical of being able to come to an agreement.</p>
<p>“We will not compromise by settling for something less than full equality,” Thompson added. “We will vigorously oppose any effort by the Trump administration to roll back or undermine the gains for LGBT people in recent years. If necessary, we’re fully prepared to bring legal challenges to prevent such moves.”</p>
<p>The&#160;Log Cabin Republicans issued an email blast declaring the Trump transition team has asked the organization to prepare a brief on why the president-elect should preserve President Obama’s executive order prohibiting anti-LGBT discrimination among federal contractors.</p>
<p>Gregory Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans, said the invite came about&#160;during talks with the transition team in which his organization made clear its No. 1 priority is preserving the executive order.</p>
<p>“In conveying this in my ongoing conversations with the Trump transition team, they suggested preparing a document outlining the reasons why maintaining the EO makes for good policy, and we took them up on that offer,” Angelo said.</p>
<p>Log Cabin Republicans was set on Wednesday to present the transition team with the&#160;white paper along with a petition of individuals who support the directive. Angelo said the petition had around 800 names.</p>
<p>Although Log Cabin declined to endorse Trump during the election, citing anti-LGBT positions the president-elect had taken, Angelo said his organization is prepared to work with the president-elect after he takes office.</p>
<p>“I speak with the Trump transition team several times a week — and have been for months now,” Angelo said. “We always said that if Donald Trump won the election we would support him and work with his administration, and we are doing exactly that.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">inauguration</a> <a href="" type="internal">JoDee Winterhof</a></p> | false | 3 | presidentelect donald trump sworn friday 45th president washington blade file photo michael key stage set literally inauguration friday donald trump 45th president united states lgbt advocates fearing roll back progress bracing change see little hope advancement new administration list160of those160who pledged boycott inauguration including gay us reps mark takano dcalif mark pocan dwis continues grow presidentelect remains defiant twitter said turning even bigger expected similar boycott inauguration lgbt advocates taking handsoff approach trump anticipating possible battle preserving progress takes office trump campaign assumed antilgbt positions support first amendment defense act 160and north carolinas house bill 2 pledge appoint us supreme court judges mold late antigay us associate justice antonin scalia moreover many cabinet choices antilgbt histories sen jeff sessions rala trumps choice us attorney general voted lgbt rights measures congress ben carson called lgbt people abnormal even confirmation hearing derided lgbt rights extra rights time trump last week appointed anthony scaramucci republican hedge fund manager supports lgbt rights outreach position white house email blast supporters ahead inauguration human rights campaign launched new defy logo converting equal sign symbol e urging lgbt community defy trump takes action would harm lgbt people among items theyd seek defy trump cabinet secretaries would treat us like less people appointment judges would roll back lgbt progress jodee winterhof human rights campaigns senior vice president policy political affairs said organization take opportunity advance lgbt rights wherever found sees little hope working trump whether state legislatures around country congress work members either party believe lgbtq people able live free fear discrimination full legal protections winterhof said unfortunately donald trump mike pence campaigned lgbtq equality assembling antiequality cabinet toptobottom hope changes already lgbt voices emerging greater progressive pushback trump participants womens march washington planned day inauguration saturday include national center lesbian rights human rights campaign glaad mara keisling executive director national center transgender equality said dont full information yet new administration prepared fight pledged160to stand solidarity progressive movement presidentelect trump filling administration antilgbt extremists hopeful keisling said know vigilant assertive hold following law administrative procedures know greatest tool solidarity organizations movements unflinching solidarity keisling said transgender movement grown significantly short amount time wont turn back160even trump white house movement organization grown much 15 years keisling said offense offensiveoriented defense come far come far given trumps campaign positions many lgbt groups skeptical hell advance lgbt rights nonetheless signaled willingness work together achieve shared goals matt mctighe executive director of160freedom americans said intends reach trump administration sharing stories lgbt people would best way preserve progress organization whose founding principles include belief equal treatment lgbt people achieved bipartisan collaboration work whoever need order ensure lgbt americans protected discrimination mctighe said since start transition weve working channels engage administration advocate positions ensure administration takes time meet lgbt people families supportive businesses listen personal stories policies could impact lgbt americans plan continue strategy going forward mctighe said goals organization theyve always advance rights consist making clear rollback would unacceptable primary goal demonstrating urgent need preserve existing lgbt protections showcase realworld impact rollbacks would real lgbt people families mctighe said includes positive impact existing federal executive orders harms socalled first amendment defense act economic business case lgbt people treated equally american civil liberties union pledged take trump administration court attempt undermine civil liberties whether undermining protections muslims young undocumented immigrants lgbt people ian thompson legislative director aclu said organization prepared meet trump administration discuss policy proposals including lgbt rights skeptical able come agreement compromise settling something less full equality thompson added vigorously oppose effort trump administration roll back undermine gains lgbt people recent years necessary fully prepared bring legal challenges prevent moves the160log cabin republicans issued email blast declaring trump transition team asked organization prepare brief presidentelect preserve president obamas executive order prohibiting antilgbt discrimination among federal contractors gregory angelo president log cabin republicans said invite came about160during talks transition team organization made clear 1 priority preserving executive order conveying ongoing conversations trump transition team suggested preparing document outlining reasons maintaining eo makes good policy took offer angelo said log cabin republicans set wednesday present transition team the160white paper along petition individuals support directive angelo said petition around 800 names although log cabin declined endorse trump election citing antilgbt positions presidentelect taken angelo said organization prepared work presidentelect takes office speak trump transition team several times week months angelo said always said donald trump election would support work administration exactly donald trump inauguration jodee winterhof | 731 |
<p>Famous matador Fran Rivera held up a red rag to social media&#160;recently when he published a photo on his&#160; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/f.r.paquirri/" type="external">Instagram account</a>&#160;of him fighting a heifer while holding his 5-month-old daughter in his arms.</p>
<p>The photo was accompanied by the following comment: "Carmen's Debut: she is the 5th generation that fights bulls in our family. My grandfather fought like this with my father. My father fought like this with me, and I've done it with my daughters Cayetana, and now Carmen." [Translation]</p>
<p>Within&#160;hours, the photo received millions of “likes” (almost 14 million as of this article) and thousands of comments&#160;highlighting&#160;animosity between supporters and opponents of bullfighting in Spain.</p>
<p>The “anti-bullfighters,” who have felt silenced for years by the protection that bulls receive from state institutions, have found an arena for their activism via&#160;social networks.</p>
<p>"Of course pro-bullfighting arguments are ridiculous!! Raising a living being with such great care to later torture them… Recognize that you are a bunch of sadistic assholes… not that you need to listen… thank God the world is becoming aware and hopefully this carnage will cease&#160;to exist." [Translation]</p>
<p>"To those who don't like bullfighting, respect other people's interests. It's a photo of a father with his daughter. Showing her&#160;roots." [Translation]</p>
<p>"Ole, Francisco Rivera Paquirri! Those who don't like it should fight more to end world hunger and stop meddling in something that has been a part of Spanish culture for a lifetime." [Translation]</p>
<p>" <a href="https://www.instagram.com/niceguy_rob87/" type="external">niceguy_rob87</a>&#160;Your a freaking idiot. Why would you risk your child's life with an animal who is not tamed!!! You don't deserve to have children!" [Translation]</p>
<p>The scandal&#160;quickly migrated&#160;to Twitter, where “Fran Rivera” trended&#160;on January 25.&#160;Tweets were typically loaded with sarcasm:</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>No tenéis vergüenza. Respetad la tradición de que un tío torture a un bicho con cuernos con su bebé en brazos. ¡Ya está bien, hombre!</p>
<p>— gerardo tecé (@gerardotc) <a href="https://twitter.com/gerardotc/status/691718728678051840" type="external">January 25, 2016</a></p>
<p>"You have no shame. Respect the tradition of a guy torturing a creature with horns with his baby in his arms. Enough, man!" [Translated]</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Estoy deseando tener un bebé para llevármelo de crucifixión.</p>
<p>— Dios (@diostuitero) <a href="https://twitter.com/diostuitero/status/691612270590296065" type="external">January 25, 2016</a></p>
<p>"I'm hoping to have a baby to bring him to a crucifixion. — God" [Translated]</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>-¿Señor Rivera, puede salir Carmen a jugar? <a href="https://t.co/G3nwiB8861" type="external">pic.twitter.com/G3nwiB8861</a></p>
<p>— Valle Loko (@valle_loko) <a href="https://twitter.com/valle_loko/status/691999018545733632" type="external">January 26, 2016</a></p>
<p>"Mr. Rivera, can Carmen come out to play?" [Translated]</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The issue even crossed&#160;borders, spiking interest from&#160;British actor and animal welfare advocate&#160; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Gervais" type="external">Ricky Gervais</a>:</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Mental, dangerous &amp; cruel. With or without a baby. <a href="https://t.co/KOEH2ZLEyG" type="external">https://t.co/KOEH2ZLEyG</a></p>
<p>— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) <a href="https://twitter.com/rickygervais/status/691996036609499136" type="external">January 26, 2016</a></p>
<p>On the other hand, Rivera's fellow bullfighters have sympathized with the matador, posting photos of themselves bullfighting with children in their arms, as seen in Paula Zorita's tweet below:</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>¡Qué sabrán los antis de arraigo cultural y de valores! A mi me encanta ver estas fotos... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SiALosNinosEnLosToros?src=hash" type="external">#SiALosNinosEnLosToros</a> <a href="https://t.co/wGHJxEcUvH" type="external">pic.twitter.com/wGHJxEcUvH</a></p>
<p>— Paula Zorita (@Paula_Zorita) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paula_Zorita/status/691897668646367232" type="external">January 26, 2016</a></p>
<p>"May&#160;the anti-bullfighters know about cultural roots and values! I love seeing these photos… #YesToKidsInBullrings" [Translated]</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Thanks to these tweets, many netizens have&#160;been astonished to discover a seemingly habitual practice among bullfighters, where they post chilling images&#160;such as&#160;this one published by retired bullfighter Antonio Martin:</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Mi hijo también disfruto en mis brazos toreando,viva la tauromaquia <a href="https://t.co/qIwcK5ztmA" type="external">pic.twitter.com/qIwcK5ztmA</a></p>
<p>— antoniomartinmartin (@AntonioTorero) <a href="https://twitter.com/AntonioTorero/status/691718336011505664" type="external">January 25, 2016</a></p>
<p>"My son also had fun in my arms bullfighting, long live bullfighting." [Translated]</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>User BorisVian left the following comment for Rivera on&#160; <a href="http://www.eldiario.es/sociedad/Francisco-Rivera-polemica-difundir-toreando_0_477702382.html#comment_16" type="external">eldiario.es</a>:</p>
<p>"Your foolishness has put you and your fellow bullfighters in the entire world's spotlight (being news and not the good kind in several leading international publications). I think you still don't know how badly you've screwed up." [Translated]</p>
<p>Indeed,&#160;news has appeared in&#160; <a href="http://www.elplural.com/2016/01/26/la-prensa-internacional-se-escandaliza-con-la-actitud-de-francisco-rivera/" type="external">papers all over the world</a>, where the matador&#160;was repeatedly blasted as&#160;irresponsible.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/comments.php?fb_comment_id=888432071275134_889167101201631&amp;href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cultoro.com%2Fn15112" type="external">Susana Parra Becerril</a>, however, defended&#160;Rivera:</p>
<p>"I love bulls and the Fiesta. What happens is that in Spain, instead of feeling proud of ourselves and our customs, we are self-conscious and everything from the outside seems better. Aren't parents who drink and drive more dangerous? What about guns in the U.S.? Or domestic violence?" [Translated]</p>
<p>Virgilio27 equated Spain with bulls on&#160; <a href="http://www.eldiario.es/sociedad/Francisco-Rivera-polemica-difundir-toreando_0_477702382.html#comment_1" type="external">eldiario.es</a>:</p>
<p>(…) The problem is that bulls smell of Spain, and that bothers those who are anti-Spain. A society more and more hypocritical and false where people get wound up about seeing a bloody animal is a sick society that doesn't know what life is nor its value. Putting animals above humans is at best ignorant. [Translated]</p>
<p>Shortly after the scandal broke the&#160;Ombudsman of Andalucia <a href="http://www.eldiario.es/andalucia/Fiscalia-expediente-Fran-Rivera-toreando_0_477703282.html" type="external">&#160;alerted&#160;the&#160;</a>public prosecutor of Sevilla —&#160;where the matador lives —&#160;to consider&#160;that the photo reflects “a situation of unnecessary risk to a child.”</p>
<p>The public prosecutor opened an&#160;investigation&#160;into the event filed under the category&#160;“for the protection of minors”, while&#160;Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality Alfonso Alonso&#160; <a href="http://www.elplural.com/2016/01/26/el-ministro-de-sanidad-pide-a-fran-rivera-que-reflexione-porque-no-es-adecuado-poner-en-riesgo-a-menores/" type="external">advised the bullfighter to “reflect”</a>&#160;claiming “it is not appropriate, under any circumstances, to endanger minors.”</p>
<p>Alonso did not feel that punitive measures towards Rivera were necessary, however.</p>
<p>The Popular Party in government to&#160;which Alonso belongs has&#160;been staunchly defensive&#160;of bullfighting, an&#160; <a href="http://www.publico.es/espana/wert-dara-mas-dinero-al.html" type="external">activity that was declared a “cultural good” in 2013.</a>&#160;The government has even&#160;bestowed the sport with fresh state grants during a period&#160;characterized by austerity and cuts. Despite this, polls show that fewer than one in five&#160;Spaniards support government funding&#160;for&#160;bullfights.</p>
<p>It is worth noting Fran Rivera is a matador well aware of the risk posed by angry bulls, given that he himself&#160; <a href="http://informalia.eleconomista.es/informalia/actualidad/noticias/6929997/08/15/Dramatica-cogida-de-Fran-Rivera-en-Huesca.html" type="external">has suffered serious gorings</a>&#160;in exercising his profession. As a child, Rivera lost his father, the famous matador&#160; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paquirri" type="external">Paquirri</a>, who&#160;died in September 1984 after being gored by a bull.</p>
<p>This story was cross-posted from our partners at&#160; <a href="https://globalvoices.org/2016/01/26/camels-enjoying-the-snow-in-saudi-arabia/" type="external">GlobalVoices</a>, a network of hundreds of bloggers worldwide.</p> | false | 3 | famous matador fran rivera held red rag social media160recently published photo his160 instagram account160of fighting heifer holding 5monthold daughter arms photo accompanied following comment carmens debut 5th generation fights bulls family grandfather fought like father father fought like ive done daughters cayetana carmen translation within160hours photo received millions likes almost 14 million article thousands comments160highlighting160animosity supporters opponents bullfighting spain antibullfighters felt silenced years protection bulls receive state institutions found arena activism via160social networks course probullfighting arguments ridiculous raising living great care later torture recognize bunch sadistic assholes need listen thank god world becoming aware hopefully carnage cease160to exist translation dont like bullfighting respect peoples interests photo father daughter showing her160roots translation ole francisco rivera paquirri dont like fight end world hunger stop meddling something part spanish culture lifetime translation niceguy_rob87160your freaking idiot would risk childs life animal tamed dont deserve children translation scandal160quickly migrated160to twitter fran rivera trended160on january 25160tweets typically loaded sarcasm 160 160 tenéis vergüenza respetad la tradición de que un tío torture un bicho con cuernos con su bebé en brazos ya está bien hombre gerardo tecé gerardotc january 25 2016 shame respect tradition guy torturing creature horns baby arms enough man translated 160 160 estoy deseando tener un bebé para llevármelo de crucifixión dios diostuitero january 25 2016 im hoping baby bring crucifixion god translated 160 160 señor rivera puede salir carmen jugar pictwittercomg3nwib8861 valle loko valle_loko january 26 2016 mr rivera carmen come play translated 160 issue even crossed160borders spiking interest from160british actor animal welfare advocate160 ricky gervais 160 mental dangerous amp cruel without baby httpstcokoeh2zleyg ricky gervais rickygervais january 26 2016 hand riveras fellow bullfighters sympathized matador posting photos bullfighting children arms seen paula zoritas tweet 160 160 qué sabrán los antis de arraigo cultural de valores mi encanta ver estas fotos sialosninosenlostoros pictwittercomwghjxecuvh paula zorita paula_zorita january 26 2016 may160the antibullfighters know cultural roots values love seeing photos yestokidsinbullrings translated 160 thanks tweets many netizens have160been astonished discover seemingly habitual practice among bullfighters post chilling images160such as160this one published retired bullfighter antonio martin 160 mi hijo también disfruto en mis brazos toreandoviva la tauromaquia pictwittercomqiwck5ztma antoniomartinmartin antoniotorero january 25 2016 son also fun arms bullfighting long live bullfighting translated 160 user borisvian left following comment rivera on160 eldiarioes foolishness put fellow bullfighters entire worlds spotlight news good kind several leading international publications think still dont know badly youve screwed translated indeed160news appeared in160 papers world matador160was repeatedly blasted as160irresponsible susana parra becerril however defended160rivera love bulls fiesta happens spain instead feeling proud customs selfconscious everything outside seems better arent parents drink drive dangerous guns us domestic violence translated virgilio27 equated spain bulls on160 eldiarioes problem bulls smell spain bothers antispain society hypocritical false people get wound seeing bloody animal sick society doesnt know life value putting animals humans best ignorant translated shortly scandal broke the160ombudsman andalucia 160alerted160the160public prosecutor sevilla 160where matador lives 160to consider160that photo reflects situation unnecessary risk child public prosecutor opened an160investigation160into event filed category160for protection minors while160minister health social services equality alfonso alonso160 advised bullfighter reflect160claiming appropriate circumstances endanger minors alonso feel punitive measures towards rivera necessary however popular party government to160which alonso belongs has160been staunchly defensive160of bullfighting an160 activity declared cultural good 2013160the government even160bestowed sport fresh state grants period160characterized austerity cuts despite polls show fewer one five160spaniards support government funding160for160bullfights worth noting fran rivera matador well aware risk posed angry bulls given himself160 suffered serious gorings160in exercising profession child rivera lost father famous matador160 paquirri who160died september 1984 gored bull story crossposted partners at160 globalvoices network hundreds bloggers worldwide | 591 |
<p>Robert Wone was murdered in D.C. 10 years ago this month.</p>
<p>Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part report on the unsolved murder of Robert Wone, who was killed 10 years ago this month in D.C. Next week: Where are the players in the case today?</p>
<p>On the evening of Aug. 2, 2006, Washington attorney Robert Wone arrived at the townhouse of his longtime college friend Joe Price after spending all day and part of the evening working late at his downtown office at Radio Free Asia.</p>
<p>Price, a gay rights attorney associated with the LGBT group Equality Virginia, and his partner Victor Zaborsky and their roommate Dylan Ward – who were also friends of Wone — said later that they invited Wone to spend the night in their guest bedroom so he wouldn’t have to drive home to Oakton, Va., where he and his wife, Katherine Wone, lived.</p>
<p>Wone, whose wife says he was straight, would have a chance to visit with his friends and avoid having to drive home late at night only to have to return to D.C. early in the morning for work, the gay men have said.</p>
<p>In a development that set in motion what observers have compared to a mystery novel, D.C. police responded to Zaborsky’s 911 emergency call to the gay men’s house at 1509 Swann St., N.W., near Dupont Circle, later that night and found Wone stabbed to death and lying on what appeared to be a neatly arranged bed.</p>
<p>Although the three gay men said they were certain an intruder entered the house and stabbed Wone while they were asleep in their respective bedrooms, homicide detectives quickly reported that the crime scene appeared to have been cleaned up and possible evidence tampered with.</p>
<p>Investigators sealed the house, forcing the men to temporarily move out, while crime scene experts took weeks to search the house for evidence related to the murder.</p>
<p>After the investigation dragged on for more than two years, police and prosecutors obtained an indictment against the three men on charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice and evidence tampering in connection with the Wone murder.</p>
<p>But no murder-related charges were brought, prompting legal observers to conclude the authorities didn’t have sufficient evidence to charge the three men with murder. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office said their option of filing a murder charge sometime later if new evidence surfaced remained open.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a detailed arrest affidavit released at the time the charges were brought stunned those who knew the three men and created a sensation in the community, especially the LGBT community. Among other things, the affidavit said the autopsy findings and physical evidence indicated that Wone appeared to have been restrained or immobilized by a paralytic drug and sexually assaulted before being stabbed in the chest.</p>
<p>According to the affidavit, the three stab wounds on Wone’s chest and abdomen were surgical in nature, with no indication that Wone moved or tried to defend himself while being stabbed.</p>
<p>The surgical-like precision of the wounds could only have occurred if Wone were lying completely still.</p>
<p>Although the chemical tests associated with the autopsy did not find traces of a drug, prosecutors said that type of anesthesia-like drug usually dissipates quickly and cannot be detected in tests.</p>
<p>The arrest affidavit also disclosed that investigators found S&amp;M-related restraining devices as well as devices used to administer electrical shocks to a person’s genitals in Ward’s bedroom. In addition, the affidavit said the autopsy found needle marks on Wone’s body that were not made by emergency medical technicians that arrived on the scene and examined Wone.</p>
<p>It was not until early 2010 that pre-trial proceedings began for Price, Zaborsky and Ward. In response to strong objections by a team of defense attorneys representing the men, prosecutors backed away from their earlier claims that Wone was sexually assaulted.</p>
<p>Among other things, at the advice of their attorneys, the three men chose to waive their right to a jury trial and instead requested that Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz preside over the trial and render the verdict.</p>
<p>Following testimony by expert witnesses on both sides – the three defendants also chose not to testify – and dramatic closing arguments by prosecutors and the defense, Leibovitz found the men not guilty of all three charges.</p>
<p>But in a lengthy written verdict that she read from the bench, Leibovitz said that while she felt there was significant evidence implicating the defendants, there continued to exist a reasonable doubt on all charges against them.</p>
<p>Leibovitz said she did find that prosecutors established beyond probable cause that Wone was not murdered by an intruder who entered the house while the three defendants were asleep.</p>
<p>“It is very probable that the government’s theory is correct, that even if the defendants did not participate in the murder, some or all of them knew enough about the circumstances of it to provide helpful information to law enforcement and have chosen to withhold that information for reasons of their own,” she said.</p>
<p>“Nevertheless, after lengthy analysis of the evidence, I conclude that the government has failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the essential elements of obstruction of justice or evidence tampering,” Leibovitz said from the bench.</p>
<p>Although greatly relieved by the not guilty verdict, Price, Zaborsky and Ward had yet another hurdle to face. Wone’s wife filed a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit against them, which could have resulted in a prolonged civil trial. Legal experts pointed out that the standard of probable cause and a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt is less stringent in civil cases compared to a criminal case.</p>
<p>As the two sides prepared for a civil trial the defense team created a stir by announcing that the three gay men would invoke their Fifth Amendment constitutional right to refuse to testify in the civil trial on grounds that their testimony could lead to self-incrimination.</p>
<p>Possibly because of that or other reasons, Katherine Wone announced that she and Price, Zaborsky and Ward had reached an out of court monetary settlement in the lawsuit, the terms of which would not be publicly disclosed.</p>
<p>Katherine Wone (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>At the conclusion of the criminal trial, police and prosecutors said the case would remain open with the hope that one or more witnesses would come forward with the additional evidence they need to charge one or more people with Wone’s murder.</p>
<p>Among those closely following the Wone murder case since shortly after Wone’s death have been four gay men who created the widely read blog <a href="http://WhoMurderedRobertWone.com" type="external">WhoMurderedRobertWone.com</a>. One of the men, gay activist David Greer, told the Washington Blade the blog would continue publishing posts by them and the hundreds of readers who have contributed comments over the past nine years.</p>
<p>“In hundreds of posts and thousands of comment threads here and elsewhere, people have tried to piece together what exactly happened that night, who the guilty party or parties are, and why it all happened,” one of the editors wrote in an Aug. 2 posting.</p>
<p>“Ten years later, it still makes absolutely no sense,” the posting says. “We cannot begin to imagine the grief that Robert’s family, friends and close associates felt then, or now.”</p>
<p>It adds, “Ten years has been too long for his murder to remain unsolved, with too little done to hunt down the killers.”</p>
<p>William Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office, which prosecuted the case, said the case remains an open investigation.</p>
<p>“Beyond that, we have no comment at this time,” he said.</p>
<p>Next week: Where are the players in the case today?</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Dupont Circle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dylan Ward</a> <a href="" type="internal">Equality Virginia</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Joe Price</a> <a href="" type="internal">Katherine Wone</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lynn Leibovitz</a> <a href="" type="internal">Radio Free Asia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Robert Wone</a> <a href="" type="internal">Victor Zaborsky</a> <a href="" type="internal">William Miller</a></p> | false | 3 | robert wone murdered dc 10 years ago month editors note first twopart report unsolved murder robert wone killed 10 years ago month dc next week players case today evening aug 2 2006 washington attorney robert wone arrived townhouse longtime college friend joe price spending day part evening working late downtown office radio free asia price gay rights attorney associated lgbt group equality virginia partner victor zaborsky roommate dylan ward also friends wone said later invited wone spend night guest bedroom wouldnt drive home oakton va wife katherine wone lived wone whose wife says straight would chance visit friends avoid drive home late night return dc early morning work gay men said development set motion observers compared mystery novel dc police responded zaborskys 911 emergency call gay mens house 1509 swann st nw near dupont circle later night found wone stabbed death lying appeared neatly arranged bed although three gay men said certain intruder entered house stabbed wone asleep respective bedrooms homicide detectives quickly reported crime scene appeared cleaned possible evidence tampered investigators sealed house forcing men temporarily move crime scene experts took weeks search house evidence related murder investigation dragged two years police prosecutors obtained indictment three men charges conspiracy obstruct justice obstruction justice evidence tampering connection wone murder murderrelated charges brought prompting legal observers conclude authorities didnt sufficient evidence charge three men murder prosecutors us attorneys office said option filing murder charge sometime later new evidence surfaced remained open meanwhile detailed arrest affidavit released time charges brought stunned knew three men created sensation community especially lgbt community among things affidavit said autopsy findings physical evidence indicated wone appeared restrained immobilized paralytic drug sexually assaulted stabbed chest according affidavit three stab wounds wones chest abdomen surgical nature indication wone moved tried defend stabbed surgicallike precision wounds could occurred wone lying completely still although chemical tests associated autopsy find traces drug prosecutors said type anesthesialike drug usually dissipates quickly detected tests arrest affidavit also disclosed investigators found sampmrelated restraining devices well devices used administer electrical shocks persons genitals wards bedroom addition affidavit said autopsy found needle marks wones body made emergency medical technicians arrived scene examined wone early 2010 pretrial proceedings began price zaborsky ward response strong objections team defense attorneys representing men prosecutors backed away earlier claims wone sexually assaulted among things advice attorneys three men chose waive right jury trial instead requested superior court judge lynn leibovitz preside trial render verdict following testimony expert witnesses sides three defendants also chose testify dramatic closing arguments prosecutors defense leibovitz found men guilty three charges lengthy written verdict read bench leibovitz said felt significant evidence implicating defendants continued exist reasonable doubt charges leibovitz said find prosecutors established beyond probable cause wone murdered intruder entered house three defendants asleep probable governments theory correct even defendants participate murder knew enough circumstances provide helpful information law enforcement chosen withhold information reasons said nevertheless lengthy analysis evidence conclude government failed prove beyond reasonable doubt essential elements obstruction justice evidence tampering leibovitz said bench although greatly relieved guilty verdict price zaborsky ward yet another hurdle face wones wife filed 20 million wrongful death lawsuit could resulted prolonged civil trial legal experts pointed standard probable cause conviction beyond reasonable doubt less stringent civil cases compared criminal case two sides prepared civil trial defense team created stir announcing three gay men would invoke fifth amendment constitutional right refuse testify civil trial grounds testimony could lead selfincrimination possibly reasons katherine wone announced price zaborsky ward reached court monetary settlement lawsuit terms would publicly disclosed katherine wone washington blade photo michael key conclusion criminal trial police prosecutors said case would remain open hope one witnesses would come forward additional evidence need charge one people wones murder among closely following wone murder case since shortly wones death four gay men created widely read blog whomurderedrobertwonecom one men gay activist david greer told washington blade blog would continue publishing posts hundreds readers contributed comments past nine years hundreds posts thousands comment threads elsewhere people tried piece together exactly happened night guilty party parties happened one editors wrote aug 2 posting ten years later still makes absolutely sense posting says begin imagine grief roberts family friends close associates felt adds ten years long murder remain unsolved little done hunt killers william miller spokesperson us attorneys office prosecuted case said case remains open investigation beyond comment time said next week players case today dupont circle dylan ward equality virginia gay joe price katherine wone lgbt lynn leibovitz radio free asia robert wone victor zaborsky william miller | 751 |
<p>In the next few months, you may see a new phrase on the labels of some foods at the grocery story: “produced with genetic engineering.”</p>
<p>These disclaimers have been mandated in dozens of countries for years, but until now they’ve been voluntary in the US.</p>
<p>Now, a state law in tiny Vermont is causing many large food companies to label GMO-containing products nationwide.</p>
<p>Local law pushed through by grassroots support</p>
<p>The Vermont GMO labeling law was pushed through thanks, in large part, to grassroots activism by people like Will Allen.</p>
<p>Allen is the manager of <a href="https://cedarcirclefarm.org/" type="external">Cedar Circle Farm</a> in central Vermont, where he grows nearly 100 different types of organic vegetables and sells them at a farm stand and to local restaurants.</p>
<p>Allen hosts frequent seasonal events at the farm and wants it to be a meeting place for locals.</p>
<p>“Our goal has been to create a local production for local use organic farm that was a destination,” Allen said, “a valuable place to demonstrate how important a local farm was to the local community.”</p>
<p />
<p>Will Allen at his organic farm in East Thetford, VT.&#160;</p>
<p>Carolyn Beeler</p>
<p>Allen doesn’t like genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, because they go against his vision of a local, organic food system.</p>
<p>One reason is that many GMO crops are designed to be either insect or herbicide-resistant. The herbicide-resistant varieties let farmers spray increasingly toxic and persistent chemicals on their fields. Allen worries that increases the amount of chemicals in our soil and food.</p>
<p>So, Allen worked with a <a href="http://www.vtrighttoknowgmos.org/" type="external">coalition</a> of activists and nonprofits to get a law passed in Vermont that would require foods containing GMOs to be labeled.</p>
<p>“We were able to get an average of 2,500 letters, phone calls and emails sent to each legislator in the house and senate,” Allen said. “That kind of message was powerful.”</p>
<p>The&#160;packed hearing at the statehouse in Montpelier and the influx of constituent correspondence ultimately won over even skeptical Vermont legislators, including Senator Bobby Starr.</p>
<p>“I never really did find anything wrong about GMOs,” Starr said, “but then as time went on, people starting asking, well why shouldn’t we have the right to know?”</p>
<p>Vermont prides itself as having a state government that’s of and for the people. To make citizens feel welcome in the state house, it doesn’t have a security checkpoint or metal detector. You can just walk right in.</p>
<p>So it’s a place where this kind of constituent sentiment really matters.</p>
<p>“It’s hard if you’re a state senator to deny the voice of people who continually call you on an issue like this,” said Senator Dick Sears.</p>
<p>The Vermont labeling bill was signed into law in 2014, and will go into effect on July 1 of this year. &#160;</p>
<p>How a state law impacts policy nationwide</p>
<p>Food companies have tried and failed, so far, to block the Vermont law. National legislation that would allow for voluntary GMO labels and would usurp state-based laws like Vermont’s has stalled in Congress.&#160;Democratic senators blocked the Senate version of the bill on a key procedural vote last month. &#160;</p>
<p>So in response to Vermont’s law, food companies like&#160; <a href="http://investor.campbellsoupcompany.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=88650&amp;p=irol-newsArticle&amp;ID=2127542" type="external">Campbell</a>,&#160; <a href="http://newsroom.kelloggcompany.com/news-releases?item=131647" type="external">Kellogg's</a>,&#160; <a href="http://www.blog.generalmills.com/2016/03/we-need-a-national-solution-for-gmo-labeling" type="external">General Mills</a> and <a href="http://www.mars.com/global/press-center/gmo.aspx" type="external">Mars</a>&#160;have all announced that they will label all their GM-containing products, whether they're destined for US shelves In Vermont,&#160;Maine,&#160;California or anywhere in between.</p>
<p>“We can’t label our products for only one state without significantly driving up costs for our consumers and we simply will not do that,” General Mills said in a post on its blog&#160;in March. &#160;</p>
<p>Other companies cite cost and the logistical difficulties of labeling food shipped to just one tiny state. &#160;</p>
<p>These new labels will be slapped on a huge variety of packaged food, because more than 90 percent of the corn and soy grown in the US is genetically engineered.</p>
<p>Proponents of GMO labeling say phrases like “partially produced with genetic engineering” or “may be produced with genetic engineering” printed on packaging simply gives consumers the right to choose what they eat. &#160;</p>
<p>But food companies and others who support the development of genetically modified foods fear the labels will cause consumers to shun the products. And they have good reason to worry.</p>
<p>The European Union began requiring GMO labels more than a decade ago, a move that has essentially shoved GMO products out of the market, or prevented them from entering at all.</p>
<p>“There’s very little on offer in terms of products containing GMOs in Europe,” said Nathalie Moll, secretary general of the European biotech trade association EuropaBio. “The labeling law has meant that a lot of food companies have decided to source non-GMs.”</p>
<p>Moll argues that instead of increasing consumer choice, the labeling policy has actually decreased choice in the EU because it has forced goods off of store shelves. &#160;</p>
<p>A deeper problem, GMO supporters say, is that requiring labels gives genetically engineered food a bad reputation it doesn't deserve.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-technology/faq-genetically-modified-food/en/" type="external">World Health Organization</a>, <a href="http://factsaboutgmos.org/sites/default/files/AMA%20Report.pdf" type="external">American Medical Association</a> and the <a href="http://www.aaas.org/sites/default/files/AAAS_GM_statement.pdf" type="external">American Association for the Advancement of Science</a> all say there is no evidence that genetically engineered foods are unsafe to eat.</p>
<p>A Pew <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/01/29/public-and-scientists-views-on-science-and-society/" type="external">survey</a> last year found 88 percent of scientists said genetically modified foods are generally safe.&#160;Some development experts go even further, arguing&#160;GMOs are vital to fighting global hunger and can even be good for the environment.</p>
<p>Enforcement falls to tiny Vermont</p>
<p>Back in the US, the Grocery Manufacturers Association is suing Vermont to stop the law from taking effect. They’ve asked a judge in a federal appeals court to issue an injunction that would block the law until the case winds its way through the courts. But for now, companies are hustling to comply with the July 1 deadline.</p>
<p>Vermont&#160;Attorney General William Sorrel, whose office will be charged with enforcing the law, said they have been flooded with questions about adherence. &#160;</p>
<p>“We sell bottled water, do we have to label that?” Sorrell said his office has been asked. “Do&#160;you have the necessary message in Spanish for us? We’re getting a lot of interesting questions.”</p>
<p>The law is complicated. It applies to any food that contains more than 0.9 percent genetically engineered ingredients, but doesn’t apply to meat, milk, eggs&#160;or any product overseen by the USDA.</p>
<p>The Cambell company wrote in a press release, for example, that SpaghettiO’s without meat will have to be labeled, but SpaghettiO’s with meatballs will not.</p>
<p>Still, Sorrell seems happy to enforce this law.</p>
<p>“I’m proud of the fact that Vermont, this small state ...&#160;is leading the country,” Sorrell said.</p>
<p>States, he said, are the laboratories of democracy, even if it’s not yet clear where this particular experiment will lead.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | next months may see new phrase labels foods grocery story produced genetic engineering disclaimers mandated dozens countries years theyve voluntary us state law tiny vermont causing many large food companies label gmocontaining products nationwide local law pushed grassroots support vermont gmo labeling law pushed thanks large part grassroots activism people like allen allen manager cedar circle farm central vermont grows nearly 100 different types organic vegetables sells farm stand local restaurants allen hosts frequent seasonal events farm wants meeting place locals goal create local production local use organic farm destination allen said valuable place demonstrate important local farm local community allen organic farm east thetford vt160 carolyn beeler allen doesnt like genetically modified organisms gmos go vision local organic food system one reason many gmo crops designed either insect herbicideresistant herbicideresistant varieties let farmers spray increasingly toxic persistent chemicals fields allen worries increases amount chemicals soil food allen worked coalition activists nonprofits get law passed vermont would require foods containing gmos labeled able get average 2500 letters phone calls emails sent legislator house senate allen said kind message powerful the160packed hearing statehouse montpelier influx constituent correspondence ultimately even skeptical vermont legislators including senator bobby starr never really find anything wrong gmos starr said time went people starting asking well shouldnt right know vermont prides state government thats people make citizens feel welcome state house doesnt security checkpoint metal detector walk right place kind constituent sentiment really matters hard youre state senator deny voice people continually call issue like said senator dick sears vermont labeling bill signed law 2014 go effect july 1 year 160 state law impacts policy nationwide food companies tried failed far block vermont law national legislation would allow voluntary gmo labels would usurp statebased laws like vermonts stalled congress160democratic senators blocked senate version bill key procedural vote last month 160 response vermonts law food companies like160 campbell160 kelloggs160 general mills mars160have announced label gmcontaining products whether theyre destined us shelves vermont160maine160california anywhere cant label products one state without significantly driving costs consumers simply general mills said post blog160in march 160 companies cite cost logistical difficulties labeling food shipped one tiny state 160 new labels slapped huge variety packaged food 90 percent corn soy grown us genetically engineered proponents gmo labeling say phrases like partially produced genetic engineering may produced genetic engineering printed packaging simply gives consumers right choose eat 160 food companies others support development genetically modified foods fear labels cause consumers shun products good reason worry european union began requiring gmo labels decade ago move essentially shoved gmo products market prevented entering theres little offer terms products containing gmos europe said nathalie moll secretary general european biotech trade association europabio labeling law meant lot food companies decided source nongms moll argues instead increasing consumer choice labeling policy actually decreased choice eu forced goods store shelves 160 deeper problem gmo supporters say requiring labels gives genetically engineered food bad reputation doesnt deserve world health organization american medical association american association advancement science say evidence genetically engineered foods unsafe eat pew survey last year found 88 percent scientists said genetically modified foods generally safe160some development experts go even arguing160gmos vital fighting global hunger even good environment enforcement falls tiny vermont back us grocery manufacturers association suing vermont stop law taking effect theyve asked judge federal appeals court issue injunction would block law case winds way courts companies hustling comply july 1 deadline vermont160attorney general william sorrel whose office charged enforcing law said flooded questions adherence 160 sell bottled water label sorrell said office asked do160you necessary message spanish us getting lot interesting questions law complicated applies food contains 09 percent genetically engineered ingredients doesnt apply meat milk eggs160or product overseen usda cambell company wrote press release example spaghettios without meat labeled spaghettios meatballs still sorrell seems happy enforce law im proud fact vermont small state 160is leading country sorrell said states said laboratories democracy even yet clear particular experiment lead160 | 652 |
<p>One sees them occasionally. Abandoned church buildings in rural areas stand in mute witness of changing times. In urban areas, big brick structures, once crowded with eager worshipers, now house restaurants, community centers or even nightclubs.</p>
<p>Sometimes churches die. Like individuals, some may reach the end of a long and fruitful life and pass away with a sense of triumph. Others may die from years of self-destructive choices.</p>
<p>Every denomination in the United States has scores of churches that expect to die within a decade. No one can prevent the cultural shifts that leave behind&#160; churches unable or unwilling to adapt.</p>
<p>Weakened, vulnerable and sometimes paralyzed by uncertainty, membership dwindles until death seems inevitable.</p>
<p>Some leaders failed to prepare churches for the cultural change occurring in their midst. Other churches lacked the know-how or the resources necessary to change. Some churches simply refused to change.</p>
<p>Whatever the reasons for decline, once church members believe they lack the resources and energy necessary to affect a turnaround, recovery becomes almost impossible and they focus solely on survival. Unable to accept impending death as an option, church members sometimes seek someone or something to blame.</p>
<p>Phil Rodgerson, retired from the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, has identified classic options churches often consider when facing their own demise. Unfortunately, 58 percent of the time, the church chooses to remain and do nothing — an approach that almost guarantees an inglorious end.</p>
<p>Experts insist a healthier, theologically appropriate approach is to celebrate the life the church has known, consider its options and prepare for a death that honors Christ and leaves a kingdom legacy. When a church completes it mission and dies, members will mourn, but they also will celebrate the church’s ministry successes.</p>
<p>If 42 percent of declining churches want their ministries to survive, what can they do?</p>
<p>• Let old dreams die and envision something new.</p>
<p>Born in 1907 to reach a thriving, new community in south Richmond, Va., Weatherford Memorial Baptist Church had declined terribly. By 2000, the surrounding area had changed, but the church had not. Finally, the few members who gathered weekly realized they could not continue.</p>
<p>“We saw what was happening, but we didn’t want to acknowledge it. We were in denial,” lamented Ruth Guill, a former member.</p>
<p>In 2005, Pastor Ricky Hurst, assisted by Glenn Akins, assistant executive director of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, led Weatherford to embrace an extraordinary dream. Despite offers from other churches to buy their property, the congregation voted to give its $2 million facility to St. Paul’s Baptist Church, a rapidly growing African-American congregation in another part of the city. Weatherford’s gift&#160; enabled St. Paul’s to minister at a second site. In the three years since Weatherford Memorial became St. Paul’s South, attendance has grown to over 500.</p>
<p>The desire for a lasting legacy also led Weatherford Memorial to establish an endowment for mission purposes by the Richmond Baptist Association and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.</p>
<p>• Remain but develop a community consciousness that creates ministry opportunities.</p>
<p>Like many other urban congregations, First Baptist Church of Clarendon, now called simply The Church at Clarendon, experienced stagnation and decline. In the past 30 years, resident membership dropped steadily from 871 to 236. Worship attendance, however, has begun to climb again as the congregation has embraced a new vision.</p>
<p>Located in a suburb of Washington, D.C., Clarendon’s property values soared making it nearly impossible for mid-level professionals to live where they worked. Firefighters, police officers, teachers and nurses increasingly had to commute long distances to work because they could not afford nearby housing. Church member Ellen Bartlett reports The Church at Clarendon decided to leverage the value of its property, tear down its aged facilities except for the main entrance and steeple, and build a 10-story structure. The church will occupy the two bottom floors while the upper eight stories will provide affordable apartments with rent based on income levels.</p>
<p>• Change as the community changes.</p>
<p>Bon Air Baptist, a growing congregation in Richmond, chose to use its size and strength to change as the community changes. Toward that end, Pastor Travis Collins is leading the congregation to reflect the racial and cultural makeup of the communities around its primary campus on Buford Road and its three other locations.</p>
<p>• Remain at a central location while establishing other sites for worship and ministry.</p>
<p>Pastor Bob Sizemore led Fairview Baptist, located in an older section of Fredericksburg, Va., to establish Fairview at River Club. The River Club site, led by Dee Whitten, has grown to an average attendance of 550.</p>
<p>• Remain, but share the use of facilities.</p>
<p>Akins of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board points out that although shared use often has a community ministry component, the motivation most often is financial. For that reason, this option postpones rather than prevents further decline.</p>
<p>• Refocus.</p>
<p>Exercising invention and adaptability, some churches change the type of ministry they offer — shifting&#160; from a neighborhood church to a specialized ministry, for example.</p>
<p>• Relocate.</p>
<p>Anytime a church moves, it requires church members to abandon a sacred place. Rarely can churches relocate without experiencing disunity, Akins noted.</p>
<p>• Merge with another congregation.</p>
<p>Congregational mergers often create one slightly larger, weak church from two smaller, weak churches, Akins asserted.</p>
<p>•Re-church.</p>
<p>The established church “goes out of business” then reopens after reorganizing and retraining. The obvious difficulty, observes Akins, is that many of the people remain the same, taking the same assumptions that failed before into the new church.</p>
<p>Fair Park Baptist in Alexandria, Va., could see the end approaching and chose to become a different kind of church.</p>
<p>To avoid the attitudes and practices that led them to decline, the church turned over decision-making to a group of trustees who brought expertise from outside the congregation. The trustees constituted the Convergence Church, specializing in ministry to Alexandria’s sizeable arts community. Led by Lisa Hawkins and a leadership team she put together, the new church is gaining numbers and vitality.</p>
<p>Another version of this option occurs when a church gives itself to a stronger, larger church whose members fill key leadership positions. This approach can change the DNA of the new church.</p>
<p>• Simply disband.</p>
<p>Akins challenges churches to engage in ongoing assessment of their success within their cultural settings. He points out that every church faces many internal and external circumstances beyond its control. Church members die or move away. Businesses shut down, neighborhoods change and buildings age.</p>
<p>But churches can control the way they live out their faith, their worship styles and their responses to circumstances that lie beyond their control.</p>
<p><a href="mailto:jwhite@religiousherald.org" type="external">Jim White</a> is editor of the Religious Herald.</p> | false | 3 | one sees occasionally abandoned church buildings rural areas stand mute witness changing times urban areas big brick structures crowded eager worshipers house restaurants community centers even nightclubs sometimes churches die like individuals may reach end long fruitful life pass away sense triumph others may die years selfdestructive choices every denomination united states scores churches expect die within decade one prevent cultural shifts leave behind160 churches unable unwilling adapt weakened vulnerable sometimes paralyzed uncertainty membership dwindles death seems inevitable leaders failed prepare churches cultural change occurring midst churches lacked knowhow resources necessary change churches simply refused change whatever reasons decline church members believe lack resources energy necessary affect turnaround recovery becomes almost impossible focus solely survival unable accept impending death option church members sometimes seek someone something blame phil rodgerson retired virginia baptist mission board identified classic options churches often consider facing demise unfortunately 58 percent time church chooses remain nothing approach almost guarantees inglorious end experts insist healthier theologically appropriate approach celebrate life church known consider options prepare death honors christ leaves kingdom legacy church completes mission dies members mourn also celebrate churchs ministry successes 42 percent declining churches want ministries survive let old dreams die envision something new born 1907 reach thriving new community south richmond va weatherford memorial baptist church declined terribly 2000 surrounding area changed church finally members gathered weekly realized could continue saw happening didnt want acknowledge denial lamented ruth guill former member 2005 pastor ricky hurst assisted glenn akins assistant executive director virginia baptist mission board led weatherford embrace extraordinary dream despite offers churches buy property congregation voted give 2 million facility st pauls baptist church rapidly growing africanamerican congregation another part city weatherfords gift160 enabled st pauls minister second site three years since weatherford memorial became st pauls south attendance grown 500 desire lasting legacy also led weatherford memorial establish endowment mission purposes richmond baptist association virginia baptist mission board remain develop community consciousness creates ministry opportunities like many urban congregations first baptist church clarendon called simply church clarendon experienced stagnation decline past 30 years resident membership dropped steadily 871 236 worship attendance however begun climb congregation embraced new vision located suburb washington dc clarendons property values soared making nearly impossible midlevel professionals live worked firefighters police officers teachers nurses increasingly commute long distances work could afford nearby housing church member ellen bartlett reports church clarendon decided leverage value property tear aged facilities except main entrance steeple build 10story structure church occupy two bottom floors upper eight stories provide affordable apartments rent based income levels change community changes bon air baptist growing congregation richmond chose use size strength change community changes toward end pastor travis collins leading congregation reflect racial cultural makeup communities around primary campus buford road three locations remain central location establishing sites worship ministry pastor bob sizemore led fairview baptist located older section fredericksburg va establish fairview river club river club site led dee whitten grown average attendance 550 remain share use facilities akins virginia baptist mission board points although shared use often community ministry component motivation often financial reason option postpones rather prevents decline refocus exercising invention adaptability churches change type ministry offer shifting160 neighborhood church specialized ministry example relocate anytime church moves requires church members abandon sacred place rarely churches relocate without experiencing disunity akins noted merge another congregation congregational mergers often create one slightly larger weak church two smaller weak churches akins asserted rechurch established church goes business reopens reorganizing retraining obvious difficulty observes akins many people remain taking assumptions failed new church fair park baptist alexandria va could see end approaching chose become different kind church avoid attitudes practices led decline church turned decisionmaking group trustees brought expertise outside congregation trustees constituted convergence church specializing ministry alexandrias sizeable arts community led lisa hawkins leadership team put together new church gaining numbers vitality another version option occurs church gives stronger larger church whose members fill key leadership positions approach change dna new church simply disband akins challenges churches engage ongoing assessment success within cultural settings points every church faces many internal external circumstances beyond control church members die move away businesses shut neighborhoods change buildings age churches control way live faith worship styles responses circumstances lie beyond control jim white editor religious herald | 705 |
<p>MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia is about to restart logging of its valuable tropical hardwood timber, but environmental activists warn that even with strict regulations the new commercial activity may cause terrible ecological damage.</p>
<p>The United Nations placed an embargo on timber from Liberia in 2003 to stop former president Charles Taylor’s use of illegally logged "blood timber" to fund his violent rule. The international sanctions effectively prohibited the commercial logging or exporting of any timber products.</p>
<p>Previously the export of hardwoods was estimated to make up 60 percent of Liberia's GDP.</p>
<p>The&#160;U.N. ban has now been lifted and new, innovative regulations for domestic forestry have been implemented. Seven companies are in the final stages of getting permission to start cutting down one of West Africa’s most valuable natural resources: untouched rainforest.</p>
<p>This does not come without controversy.</p>
<p>Proponents argue that logging will produce as many as 40,000 much needed jobs and jump-start a multi-million dollar industry in Liberia’s fledgling economy. Critics question how accurate the projected employment statistics are, how the new regulations will be enforced and if the financial benefits will balance against the loss of pristine forests, an increasingly rare commodity in Africa.</p>
<p>“This is not an easy balance to strike, given the urgent need to create jobs and generate revenues,” said Patrick Alley, director of the U.K.-based environmental watchdog Global Witness. Global Witness has been a vocal opponent of the current move to re-open Liberia’s forestry industry. The group has raised concerns about the long-term ecological health of the country, the integrity of companies proposing to do the logging, the legitimacy of their contracts, and how accurate the revenue predictions are.</p>
<p>“Industrial logging in the tropics rarely, if ever, delivers the promised outcomes in terms of employment and development, nor the steady stream of income to central government which is its main economic justification,” explained Alley. He points to examples in other developing and post-conflict nations such as Cambodia and the Democratic Republic of Congo where short-term benefits from forestry became dwarfed by long-term environmental damage.</p>
<p>Global Witness has uncovered that at least two of the logging companies are tied to a Malaysian company, Samling, notorious for a record of human rights and environmental violations in the developing world.</p>
<p>“All the ingredients appear to be in place for this [type of] scenario to play out now in Liberia,” he added.</p>
<p>John T. Woods, Managing Director of the country’s Forest Development Authority (FDA), sees the logging industry’s future much more optimistically.</p>
<p>“The forestry sector was reformed to ensure the ‘business as usual’ practices no longer continued,” said Woods, referring to four years of work put into drafting the current regulations to avoid repeating the logging industry’s ills of the past.</p>
<p>Woods agrees that the ecological health of the country’s forests is of paramount concern. However, he is also keenly aware of the country’s need to boost its revenue streams, infrastructure and employment: The U.N.'s 2008 Human Development Index revealed Liberia’s GDP to be $300 per capita, with more than 60 percent of the population living on a dollar a day or less. Responsibly managing and utilizing the forest will bring economic development, said Woods.</p>
<p>Woods points to 3.7 million acres of protected forest, tight regulations on forestry company contracts, low annual levels of logging, and the requirement that companies invest in local infrastructure as strong arguments that Liberia will have the most highly controlled forestry regulations in Africa.</p>
<p>“We have efficient mechanisms for control and regulation of the commercial forestry sector,” said Woods. “We are very sure that it will work, especially its cornerstone, the chain-of-custody system.”</p>
<p>The system he refers to is designed to monitor logged trees ‘from stump to port,’ meaning that every exported log can be legally verified as coming through the legitimate processes in Liberia’s regulations.</p>
<p>“The chain of custody contract will be effective,” said Thomas Pichet, project manager for Liberfor, the company contracted to manage this system. “That’s where the focus is at the moment. Ensuring that operations are within the rule of law and in line with the regulations.”</p>
<p>These regulations, Pichet emphasizes, came through high levels of communication with not only government and foreign stakeholders, but also non-governmental organizations and civil society. He views Liberia’s regulatory mechanisms as a major step forward for African forestry.</p>
<p>“It is he most advanced legal framework in the forest sector in Africa, period. It goes far beyond what has been drafted in Ghana or Congo or Cameroon,” said Pichet.</p>
<p>Logging advocates have faith that these regulations can fend off the endemic corruption and mismanagement that continues to haunt Liberia at all levels of government, business and aid work.</p>
<p>Those less confident urge an alternative suggested by a European consortium and endorsed by Global Witness which offers to pay Liberia to not log. Through the REDD program — an often criticized system that creates carbon credits to be sold on the European markets by protecting areas meant to be logged — preliminary talks offered millions of dollars to ensure tracts of land remain unforested.</p>
<p>Woods and those in the forestry sector are taking the offer seriously but they remain skeptical of the real benefits of this relatively new process.</p>
<p>“We are very uncertain what the country can gain from REDD,” Woods stated, urging those involved to convert the "theory" of carbon sequestration into monetary value for Liberia.</p>
<p>For now, Woods sees the maximal gain in following the stringent guidelines set out, and showing that environmentally responsible and economically beneficial forestry can be accomplished in Africa.</p> | false | 3 | monrovia liberia liberia restart logging valuable tropical hardwood timber environmental activists warn even strict regulations new commercial activity may cause terrible ecological damage united nations placed embargo timber liberia 2003 stop former president charles taylors use illegally logged blood timber fund violent rule international sanctions effectively prohibited commercial logging exporting timber products previously export hardwoods estimated make 60 percent liberias gdp the160un ban lifted new innovative regulations domestic forestry implemented seven companies final stages getting permission start cutting one west africas valuable natural resources untouched rainforest come without controversy proponents argue logging produce many 40000 much needed jobs jumpstart multimillion dollar industry liberias fledgling economy critics question accurate projected employment statistics new regulations enforced financial benefits balance loss pristine forests increasingly rare commodity africa easy balance strike given urgent need create jobs generate revenues said patrick alley director ukbased environmental watchdog global witness global witness vocal opponent current move reopen liberias forestry industry group raised concerns longterm ecological health country integrity companies proposing logging legitimacy contracts accurate revenue predictions industrial logging tropics rarely ever delivers promised outcomes terms employment development steady stream income central government main economic justification explained alley points examples developing postconflict nations cambodia democratic republic congo shortterm benefits forestry became dwarfed longterm environmental damage global witness uncovered least two logging companies tied malaysian company samling notorious record human rights environmental violations developing world ingredients appear place type scenario play liberia added john woods managing director countrys forest development authority fda sees logging industrys future much optimistically forestry sector reformed ensure business usual practices longer continued said woods referring four years work put drafting current regulations avoid repeating logging industrys ills past woods agrees ecological health countrys forests paramount concern however also keenly aware countrys need boost revenue streams infrastructure employment uns 2008 human development index revealed liberias gdp 300 per capita 60 percent population living dollar day less responsibly managing utilizing forest bring economic development said woods woods points 37 million acres protected forest tight regulations forestry company contracts low annual levels logging requirement companies invest local infrastructure strong arguments liberia highly controlled forestry regulations africa efficient mechanisms control regulation commercial forestry sector said woods sure work especially cornerstone chainofcustody system system refers designed monitor logged trees stump port meaning every exported log legally verified coming legitimate processes liberias regulations chain custody contract effective said thomas pichet project manager liberfor company contracted manage system thats focus moment ensuring operations within rule law line regulations regulations pichet emphasizes came high levels communication government foreign stakeholders also nongovernmental organizations civil society views liberias regulatory mechanisms major step forward african forestry advanced legal framework forest sector africa period goes far beyond drafted ghana congo cameroon said pichet logging advocates faith regulations fend endemic corruption mismanagement continues haunt liberia levels government business aid work less confident urge alternative suggested european consortium endorsed global witness offers pay liberia log redd program often criticized system creates carbon credits sold european markets protecting areas meant logged preliminary talks offered millions dollars ensure tracts land remain unforested woods forestry sector taking offer seriously remain skeptical real benefits relatively new process uncertain country gain redd woods stated urging involved convert theory carbon sequestration monetary value liberia woods sees maximal gain following stringent guidelines set showing environmentally responsible economically beneficial forestry accomplished africa | 546 |
<p />
<p>Would Jesus support the death penalty? Mother Theresa posed the question to the Governor of California in 1990. She was pretty sure he knew the answer.</p>
<p>According to a recent Barna poll:</p>
<p>Only 5 percent of Americans believe that Jesus would support government’s ability to execute the worst criminals. Two percent of Catholics, 8 percent of Protestants, and 10 percent of practicing Christians said their faith’s founder would offer his support. The Barna poll revealed that 42% of Christian Baby Boomers believe the government should have the right to execute the worst criminals (whatever Jesus might think).</p>
<p>But pose the same question to Christian millennials (roughly those between 18 and 30) and only 32% give an affirmative answer.</p>
<p>Things get really interesting when the death penalty question is posed to Christians who are particularly serious about their faith. The Barna study</p>
<p>“showed an even sharper difference in support for the death penalty among “practicing Christians,” which Barna defined as those who say faith is very important to their lives and have attended church at least once in the last month. Nearly half of practicing Christian boomers support the government’s right to execute the worst criminals, while only 23 percent of practicing Christian millennials do.”</p>
<p>Did you catch that?</p>
<p>When you ask boomers about the death penalty, religious devotion increases support for the death penalty by ten points (give or take); but devout millennials are ten point less likely to support the death penalty than the nominally religious members of their cohort.</p>
<p>How do we explain the discrepancy?</p>
<p>Some have suggested that Millennials are better informed about the many ways in which race and social class impact the capital equation. The whiter and wealthier the defendant, the less likely it becomes that the death penalty will be imposed.</p>
<p>But conservative Christians like Al Mohler are fully aware that the ultimate penalty, as actually practiced in the United States, is tainted by race and social class bias. Does that realization cool their enthusiasm for capital punishment? Not a bit.</p>
<p>Dr. Mohler has taken a lot of flack in recent weeks for arguing in favor of the death penalty days after of a horribly botched execution in Oklahoma. Mohler supports the death penalty for two reasons: the eye-for-an-eye principle figures explicitly in the Old Testament and implicitly in the teaching of Paul.</p>
<p>In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul states that “the authority does not bear the sword in vain.” Therefore, if those in authority (say, the state of Oklahoma) want to take a human life, Christians must acquiesce. The state is free to use its God-given sword any way it wishes.</p>
<p>Christians like Shane Claiborne and Rachel Held Evans have wondered aloud how a celebrated Christian theologian like Dr. Mohler could speak at length about the death penalty without mentioning Jesus.</p>
<p>I can think of at least two good reasons.</p>
<p>First, the public teaching of Jesus, from Alpha to Omega, explodes the myth of redemptive violence: the idea that the only answer to a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a bigger gun. The most obvious reference comes straight from the Sermon on the Mount:</p>
<p>“You have heard that it was said. ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also . . . You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven . . .”</p>
<p>If your debate assignment is to argue for the death penalty, you don’t start with Jesus. You don’t end with Jesus. You don’t make a passing allusion to Jesus. There is a very good reason why only 5% of Americans (and 10% of Christians) believe Jesus would be down with the death penalty.</p>
<p>Jesus didn’t merely disagree with the death penalty as a matter of public policy; his opposition to violence, whether initiated by individuals or sponsored by the state, flows from his vision of a God whose only weapon is love. Satan, and the entire panoply of “wickedness in high places,” cannot be overcome with superior force. Walter Wink said it well:</p>
<p>“Jesus conquers the powers by remaining true to his way—the living out of God’s rule and God’s love—refusing to compromise with violence or to act from fear of death.”</p>
<p>But there is a deeper reason why Al Mohler didn’t mention Jesus in his discussion of the death penalty. If we are debating public policy, Jesus is irrelevant. According to this line of reasoning, Jesus speaks only to individual Christians and has no message for Caesar because, like Paul says, Caesar is free to do whatever Caesar wants to do.</p>
<p>I have often wondered how Paul reacted when the Roman executioner entered his cell, sword in hand, and asked the Apostle to assume the position. Did Paul figure his execution must be legit because “the authority does not bear the sword in vain”?</p>
<p>I doubt it. Paul believed that law and order was superior to chaos. When anarchy reigns, children suffer. But this doesn’t mean that the authority behind the sword has been freed from moral constraint. Human leaders possess God-given authority if they are servants of the common good. Abuse this authority and you lose it.</p>
<p>Paul needed to assure the Christians in Rome that he wasn’t a wild revolutionary because the bulk of teaching could easily lead to that conclusion. Consider this from Caesar’s perspective:</p>
<p>God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend in heaven and on earth.</p>
<p>Whatever Al Mohler might say, Caesar never trumps Jesus.</p>
<p>Never.</p>
<p>And that’s why the Barna poll fires me with hope. Millennial Christians (77% of them, at any rate) are thinking about the death penalty as if Jesus is Lord and Caesar is not. That is very good news.</p> | false | 3 | would jesus support death penalty mother theresa posed question governor california 1990 pretty sure knew answer according recent barna poll 5 percent americans believe jesus would support governments ability execute worst criminals two percent catholics 8 percent protestants 10 percent practicing christians said faiths founder would offer support barna poll revealed 42 christian baby boomers believe government right execute worst criminals whatever jesus might think pose question christian millennials roughly 18 30 32 give affirmative answer things get really interesting death penalty question posed christians particularly serious faith barna study showed even sharper difference support death penalty among practicing christians barna defined say faith important lives attended church least last month nearly half practicing christian boomers support governments right execute worst criminals 23 percent practicing christian millennials catch ask boomers death penalty religious devotion increases support death penalty ten points give take devout millennials ten point less likely support death penalty nominally religious members cohort explain discrepancy suggested millennials better informed many ways race social class impact capital equation whiter wealthier defendant less likely becomes death penalty imposed conservative christians like al mohler fully aware ultimate penalty actually practiced united states tainted race social class bias realization cool enthusiasm capital punishment bit dr mohler taken lot flack recent weeks arguing favor death penalty days horribly botched execution oklahoma mohler supports death penalty two reasons eyeforaneye principle figures explicitly old testament implicitly teaching paul book romans apostle paul states authority bear sword vain therefore authority say state oklahoma want take human life christians must acquiesce state free use godgiven sword way wishes christians like shane claiborne rachel held evans wondered aloud celebrated christian theologian like dr mohler could speak length death penalty without mentioning jesus think least two good reasons first public teaching jesus alpha omega explodes myth redemptive violence idea answer bad guy gun good guy bigger gun obvious reference comes straight sermon mount heard said eye eye tooth tooth say resist evildoer anyone strikes right cheek turn also heard said shall love neighbor hate enemy say love enemies pray persecute may children father heaven debate assignment argue death penalty dont start jesus dont end jesus dont make passing allusion jesus good reason 5 americans 10 christians believe jesus would death penalty jesus didnt merely disagree death penalty matter public policy opposition violence whether initiated individuals sponsored state flows vision god whose weapon love satan entire panoply wickedness high places overcome superior force walter wink said well jesus conquers powers remaining true waythe living gods rule gods loverefusing compromise violence act fear death deeper reason al mohler didnt mention jesus discussion death penalty debating public policy jesus irrelevant according line reasoning jesus speaks individual christians message caesar like paul says caesar free whatever caesar wants often wondered paul reacted roman executioner entered cell sword hand asked apostle assume position paul figure execution must legit authority bear sword vain doubt paul believed law order superior chaos anarchy reigns children suffer doesnt mean authority behind sword freed moral constraint human leaders possess godgiven authority servants common good abuse authority lose paul needed assure christians rome wasnt wild revolutionary bulk teaching could easily lead conclusion consider caesars perspective god also highly exalted gave name every name name jesus every knee bend heaven earth whatever al mohler might say caesar never trumps jesus never thats barna poll fires hope millennial christians 77 rate thinking death penalty jesus lord caesar good news | 567 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />FEB. 14, 2012</p>
<p>By WAYNE LUSVARDI</p>
<p>William Shakespeare wrote a farcical play, “Much Ado About Nothing.” California is apparently acting out Shakespeare’s play in Tehachapi where the Lehigh Cement Company plant produced nearly nothing of mercury to the alarm of environmentalists, regulators, and the mainstream media.</p>
<p>Annual Mercury Emissions</p>
<p>The 872 pounds &#160;— or about one third of a ton — of mercury emitted at the Lehigh cement plant in 2010 is:</p>
<p>* 0.005 percent of the world’s total per year;</p>
<p>* 0.001 percent of the total emitted in the world by man;</p>
<p>* 0.25 percent of the total emitted in North America by man;</p>
<p>* 0.17 percent of all the mercury emitted by cement plants in the world.</p>
<p>And mercury in the air doesn’t stay where it is emitted, whether from a cement plant, a wildfire, a volcano or an <a href="http://www.californiachaparral.org/blog1/" type="external">environmentally protected chaparral</a> groundcover that blankets much of California.</p>
<p>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one third of all mercury emissions generated within the United States are deposited within the country.&#160; So take the 0.005 percent of mercury emissions emitted at the Lehigh cement plant and reduce it by two thirds to an even more minuscule number. &#160;&#160;Forget the numbers for a moment:&#160; the Lehigh cement plant emits an incredibly tiny amount of mercury into the air compared to global or national emissions. &#160;It is much to do about almost nothing.</p>
<p>As chemist Richard Trzupek writes in his book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Regulators-Gone-Wild-American-Industry/dp/1594035261" type="external">“Regulators Gone Wild: How the EPA is Ruining American Industry</a>,” “When compared to the background mercury from both natural sources of mercury deposition and other global sources of man-made mercury emissions (mainly from China), little is to be gained from a practical standpoint by further reducing mercury emissions from power plants in the United States. Yet the requirements to do so move forward, and the Obama administration has proposed the most draconian cuts in mercury power plants ever considered, reductions that will be enormously expensive to realize, if, indeed, the goals can be met at all.”&#160;&#160; Mercury emitted from the Lehigh Cement Plant is much ado about next to nothing.</p>
<p>Trzupek writes there is no such thing as man-made mercury.&#160; “Man does not produce mercury, we relocate it,” he said. &#160;&#160;The concern is that the Lehigh Cement Plant is relocating too much mercury to waterways, where fish and other wildlife can retain it.&#160; One of the largest sources of mercury exposure by man is from eating fish.</p>
<p>The concern of the U.S. EPA is that the Lehigh Cement Plant “produced” the most mercury of any cement plant in California and the second highest of all cement plants in the United States.</p>
<p>At Lehigh, a coal-fired power plant is used to cook limestone mined from nearby to produce cement; mercury escapes into the air.&#160; In 2010, 872 pounds of mercury were emitted at Lehigh.&#160; Under new rules proposed by the Obama administration, plants will be banned from emitting more than 55 pounds of mercury per million tons of cement produced.&#160; The cement industry says it will cost $3.4 billion and force the closure of some cement plants to comply with the new rules.&#160; The Lehigh cement plant employs about 100 people.</p>
<p>Reflecting what can only be called hysteria or maliciousness, environmental activist <a href="http://californiawatch.org/environment/calif-cement-plant-has-one-nation-s-highest-mercury-emission-levels-14723" type="external">Jane Williams</a> has been fighting for years against eight cement plant kilns operating in Kern and San Bernardino counties.&#160; She says that such cement plants are “out of control.”</p>
<p>Tehachapi Mayor Ed Grimes says the air pollution was once “outrageous,” but now is cleaner than it once was.&#160; Grimes has a potential self-interest in his alarmism. He is head of the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District.&#160; Grimes alleges that pollution from the Lehigh cement plant is the source of his daughter’s multiple sclerosis.&#160; But the National Multiple Sclerosis Society reportedly says there is no evidence that exposure to heavy metals like mercury cause multiple sclerosis. The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown but is associated with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis" type="external">lack of vitamin D</a>, which can be obtained from natural sunlight or diet.</p>
<p>The Lehigh cement plant was originally constructed to provide cement for the Los Angeles Aqueduct, built by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to provide water to Southern California.</p>
<p>Cement industry spokesperson Andy O’Hare said 18 cement plants could be forced to shut down nationally and 3,000 to 4,000 jobs would be lost because of the Obama administration’s new rules.&#160; O’Hare points out that shutting down domestic cement plants will just transfer those jobs to China, where there are no comparable pollution standards.</p>
<p>Mercury has been found to have been deposited in Antarctic ice over the past 650,000 years, or before industrialization.&#160; Mercury is absorbed from the air by water, rocks, soil and trees.&#160; Human bodies evolved with immune systems that include certain proteins and antioxidants to protect from potential contaminants. There is 200 million tons of mercury in the ocean, but it is not dangerous because it has not been converted to a dangerous form, such as methylmercury.</p>
<p><a href="http://shootingmessengers.blogspot.com/2011/06/bogus-mercury-scare-and-loons-who-are.htm" type="external">Selenium</a>, also a heavy metal, is found to have a strong attraction to mercury molecules that protects fish and people against the excess buildup of methylmercury.&#160; Methylmercury is the biologically active and more dangerous form of mercury.</p>
<p>Ironically, in San Gabriel Valley <a href="" type="internal">the U.S. EPA is trying to remove selenium from river water</a> as potentially dangerous to animal life.</p>
<p>For the purpose of such an unrealistic public policy as the Obama administration’s “almost zero” or “nearly close to zero” mercury emission standard, one must look deeper.&#160; As U.C. Berkeley political scientist Aaron Wildavsky once observed in his book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Risk-Culture-Selection-Technological-Environmental/dp/0520050630" type="external">“Risk and Culture: An Essay on the Selection of Technological and Environmental Dangers,”</a> one must look at what form of social organization is being attacked and what form is being defended.</p>
<p>Ever since the New Deal of the 1930s, jobs programs have been created that lacked a demonstrable public purpose other than the jobs created. With the Obama administration’s new mercury rules, what is being defended is the public sector at the expense of the private sector.</p>
<p>If the jobs from cement production end up being sent overseas, that’s no matter as long as public-sector jobs in America are expanded or preserved.</p>
<p>Another name for this is “class warfare.” And that’s much ado about something.</p> | false | 3 | feb 14 2012 wayne lusvardi william shakespeare wrote farcical play much ado nothing california apparently acting shakespeares play tehachapi lehigh cement company plant produced nearly nothing mercury alarm environmentalists regulators mainstream media annual mercury emissions 872 pounds 160 one third ton mercury emitted lehigh cement plant 2010 0005 percent worlds total per year 0001 percent total emitted world man 025 percent total emitted north america man 017 percent mercury emitted cement plants world mercury air doesnt stay emitted whether cement plant wildfire volcano environmentally protected chaparral groundcover blankets much california us environmental protection agency estimates one third mercury emissions generated within united states deposited within country160 take 0005 percent mercury emissions emitted lehigh cement plant reduce two thirds even minuscule number 160160forget numbers moment160 lehigh cement plant emits incredibly tiny amount mercury air compared global national emissions 160it much almost nothing chemist richard trzupek writes book regulators gone wild epa ruining american industry compared background mercury natural sources mercury deposition global sources manmade mercury emissions mainly china little gained practical standpoint reducing mercury emissions power plants united states yet requirements move forward obama administration proposed draconian cuts mercury power plants ever considered reductions enormously expensive realize indeed goals met all160160 mercury emitted lehigh cement plant much ado next nothing trzupek writes thing manmade mercury160 man produce mercury relocate said 160160the concern lehigh cement plant relocating much mercury waterways fish wildlife retain it160 one largest sources mercury exposure man eating fish concern us epa lehigh cement plant produced mercury cement plant california second highest cement plants united states lehigh coalfired power plant used cook limestone mined nearby produce cement mercury escapes air160 2010 872 pounds mercury emitted lehigh160 new rules proposed obama administration plants banned emitting 55 pounds mercury per million tons cement produced160 cement industry says cost 34 billion force closure cement plants comply new rules160 lehigh cement plant employs 100 people reflecting called hysteria maliciousness environmental activist jane williams fighting years eight cement plant kilns operating kern san bernardino counties160 says cement plants control tehachapi mayor ed grimes says air pollution outrageous cleaner was160 grimes potential selfinterest alarmism head eastern kern air pollution control district160 grimes alleges pollution lehigh cement plant source daughters multiple sclerosis160 national multiple sclerosis society reportedly says evidence exposure heavy metals like mercury cause multiple sclerosis cause multiple sclerosis unknown associated lack vitamin obtained natural sunlight diet lehigh cement plant originally constructed provide cement los angeles aqueduct built los angeles department water power provide water southern california cement industry spokesperson andy ohare said 18 cement plants could forced shut nationally 3000 4000 jobs would lost obama administrations new rules160 ohare points shutting domestic cement plants transfer jobs china comparable pollution standards mercury found deposited antarctic ice past 650000 years industrialization160 mercury absorbed air water rocks soil trees160 human bodies evolved immune systems include certain proteins antioxidants protect potential contaminants 200 million tons mercury ocean dangerous converted dangerous form methylmercury selenium also heavy metal found strong attraction mercury molecules protects fish people excess buildup methylmercury160 methylmercury biologically active dangerous form mercury ironically san gabriel valley us epa trying remove selenium river water potentially dangerous animal life purpose unrealistic public policy obama administrations almost zero nearly close zero mercury emission standard one must look deeper160 uc berkeley political scientist aaron wildavsky observed book risk culture essay selection technological environmental dangers one must look form social organization attacked form defended ever since new deal 1930s jobs programs created lacked demonstrable public purpose jobs created obama administrations new mercury rules defended public sector expense private sector jobs cement production end sent overseas thats matter long publicsector jobs america expanded preserved another name class warfare thats much ado something | 609 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>The president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s oldest seminary says he agrees with the denomination’s ethicist that it’s time to take down the Confederate flag, but he has no plans to remove the names of slaveholders from campus buildings.</p>
<p>Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., said in an <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2015/06/23/the-heresy-of-racial-superiority-confronting-the-past-and-confronting-the-truth/" type="external">essay</a> June 23 that founders of the seminary started in Greenville, S.C., were “heretics” in their belief that whites were inherently superior to blacks.</p>
<p>“To put the matter plainly, one cannot simultaneously hold to an ideology of racial superiority and rightly present the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Mohler said. “One cannot hold to racial superiority and simultaneously defend the faith once for all delivered to the saints.”</p>
<p>Mohler said he gladly stands with Southern Seminary founders James P. Boyce, Basil Manly, Jr. and John A. Broadus “in their courageous affirmation of biblical orthodoxy, Baptist beliefs, and missionary zeal.” But he acknowledged placing their names on buildings, professorial chairs and endowed scholarships “do not represent unmixed pride.”</p>
<p>Boyce, the seminary’s first president, described himself as “ <a href="http://formerfundy.blogspot.com/2010/05/evangelicals-attempt-to-defend-slavery_29.html" type="external">ultra pro-slavery</a>.” In 1860 he <a href="http://www.podles.org/dialogue/james-petigru-boyce-3302.htm" type="external">owned</a> 23 slaves. He served six months as a chaplain in the Confederate army before being elected to the South Carolina legislature. He ran unsuccessfully for the Confederate Congress in 1863.</p>
<p>Broadus, the seminary’s first professor of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament" type="external">New Testament</a> interpretation and homiletics, served as an evangelist to General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. In 1886 he delivered an <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=piM3AAAAMAAJ&amp;pg=PA368#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false" type="external">address</a> at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville declaring that fallen Confederate soldiers had not died in vain.</p>
<p>Manly was one of the seminary’s four founding professors and drafted the Abstract of Principles that still serves as the school’s doctrinal statement. His father, Basil Manly Sr., owned 40 slaves and was an ardent supporter of slavery who <a href="http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1182" type="external">used</a> the Bible to justify the institution and on occasion resorted to <a href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/4233946?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents" type="external">whipping</a> disobedient servants.</p>
<p>All three were Calvinists. In 1982 seven men met at a hotel in Euless, Texas, to discuss ways to recover emphasis on the “doctrines of grace” that were embraced by the denomination’s founders. The outcome was an annual Founders Conference that over time gave rise to the New Calvinism nicknamed as “ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Young-Restless-Reformed-Journalists-Calvinists/dp/1581349408" type="external">Young, Restless, Reformed”</a> that is sweeping across evangelicalism, including within the Southern Baptist Convention. Mohler is considered a leader in the movement, and his Southern Seminary its flagship school.</p>
<p>After last week’s deadly shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., Russell Moore, head of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission who before taking the job taught at Southern Seminary and served as one of Mohler’s top administrators, penned a commentary that appeared in the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/06/19/southern-baptists-russell-moore-its-time-to-take-down-the-confederate-flag/" type="external">Washington Post</a> saying that displaying the Confederate flag as a symbol of pride “is out of step with the justice of Jesus Christ.”</p>
<p>“The cross and the Confederate flag cannot co-exist without one setting the other on fire,” Moore <a href="http://www.russellmoore.com/2015/06/19/the-cross-and-the-confederate-flag/" type="external">wrote</a>.</p>
<p>Others have called for even further distancing Southern states from their segregationist past. Two top Democrats and the state Republican Party chairman called Monday for removal of a bust of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, a figure in the early days of the Ku Klux Klan, from the Tennessee statehouse.</p>
<p>“Symbols of hate should not be promoted by government,” U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/22/tn-democrat-time-to-remove-forrest-bust-from-tn-capitol/29120011/" type="external">said</a> in a statement to The Tennessean. “South Carolina should remove the Confederate battle flag from its Capitol, and Tennessee should remove the bust of Forrest inside our Capitol.”</p>
<p>Pulpit and Pen, a group watchdog blog often critical of SBC leadership, <a href="http://pulpitandpen.org/2015/06/22/southern-baptists-tear-down-these-buildings/" type="external">suggested</a> June 22 that it is hypocritical for Southern Baptist leaders to call for removal of racist symbols from the public square while walking past buildings named not only after Confederate chaplains but founders of a denomination that asserted the “right” of white Southerners to own slaves.</p>
<p>Mohler said he is uncertain all that will be required for Southern Baptists to keep their 1995 <a href="http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/899/resolution-on-racial-reconciliation-on-the-150th-anniversary-of-the-southern-baptist-convention" type="external">pledge</a> “to eradicate racism in all its forms from Southern Baptist life and ministry” but for now he intends “to keep those names on our buildings and to stand without apology with the founders and their affirmation of Baptist orthodoxy.”</p>
<p>“I will not remove those names from the buildings, but I bear the burden of telling the whole story and acknowledging the totality of the legacy,” Mohler wrote. “I bear responsibility to set things right in so far as I have the opportunity to set them right. I am so thankful that the racist ideologies of the past would rightly horrify the faculty and students of the present. Are we yet horrified enough?”</p>
<p>“I will not remove those names from the buildings, but I could never fly the flag that represented their cause in battle,” he continued. “I know full well that today’s defenders of that flag —&#160;by far most of them —&#160;do not intend to send a racial message nor to defy civil rights. But some do, and there is no way to escape the symbolism that so wounds our neighbors —&#160;and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, most who defend that flag do so to claim a patrimony and to express love for a region. But that is not the whole story, and we know it.”</p>
<p>Mohler said 150 years after the Civil War, “I do believe that racial superiority is a heresy,” but as far as he knows no one ever confronted the SBC founders about their false teaching while they were living and it is impossible to confront the dead. He said the same is true of Protestant reformer Martin Luther, who for the most part was certainly not a heretic but made <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/Luther_on_Jews.html" type="external">statements</a> that today are understood to be anti-Semitic.</p>
<p>Previous story:</p>
<p><a href="ministry/people/item/30202-sbc-s-russell-moore-take-down-the-confederate-flag" type="external">SBC’s Russell Moore: Take down the Confederate flag</a></p> | false | 3 | bob allen president southern baptist conventions oldest seminary says agrees denominations ethicist time take confederate flag plans remove names slaveholders campus buildings albert mohler president southern baptist theological seminary louisville ky said essay june 23 founders seminary started greenville sc heretics belief whites inherently superior blacks put matter plainly one simultaneously hold ideology racial superiority rightly present gospel jesus christ mohler said one hold racial superiority simultaneously defend faith delivered saints mohler said gladly stands southern seminary founders james p boyce basil manly jr john broadus courageous affirmation biblical orthodoxy baptist beliefs missionary zeal acknowledged placing names buildings professorial chairs endowed scholarships represent unmixed pride boyce seminarys first president described ultra proslavery 1860 owned 23 slaves served six months chaplain confederate army elected south carolina legislature ran unsuccessfully confederate congress 1863 broadus seminarys first professor new testament interpretation homiletics served evangelist general robert e lees confederate army northern virginia 1886 delivered address cave hill cemetery louisville declaring fallen confederate soldiers died vain manly one seminarys four founding professors drafted abstract principles still serves schools doctrinal statement father basil manly sr owned 40 slaves ardent supporter slavery used bible justify institution occasion resorted whipping disobedient servants three calvinists 1982 seven men met hotel euless texas discuss ways recover emphasis doctrines grace embraced denominations founders outcome annual founders conference time gave rise new calvinism nicknamed young restless reformed sweeping across evangelicalism including within southern baptist convention mohler considered leader movement southern seminary flagship school last weeks deadly shooting emanuel ame church charleston sc russell moore head sbc ethics religious liberty commission taking job taught southern seminary served one mohlers top administrators penned commentary appeared washington post saying displaying confederate flag symbol pride step justice jesus christ cross confederate flag coexist without one setting fire moore wrote others called even distancing southern states segregationist past two top democrats state republican party chairman called monday removal bust confederate gen nathan bedford forrest figure early days ku klux klan tennessee statehouse symbols hate promoted government us rep jim cooper dtenn said statement tennessean south carolina remove confederate battle flag capitol tennessee remove bust forrest inside capitol pulpit pen group watchdog blog often critical sbc leadership suggested june 22 hypocritical southern baptist leaders call removal racist symbols public square walking past buildings named confederate chaplains founders denomination asserted right white southerners slaves mohler said uncertain required southern baptists keep 1995 pledge eradicate racism forms southern baptist life ministry intends keep names buildings stand without apology founders affirmation baptist orthodoxy remove names buildings bear burden telling whole story acknowledging totality legacy mohler wrote bear responsibility set things right far opportunity set right thankful racist ideologies past would rightly horrify faculty students present yet horrified enough remove names buildings could never fly flag represented cause battle continued know full well todays defenders flag 160by far 160do intend send racial message defy civil rights way escape symbolism wounds neighbors 160and fellow brothers sisters christ today defend flag claim patrimony express love region whole story know mohler said 150 years civil war believe racial superiority heresy far knows one ever confronted sbc founders false teaching living impossible confront dead said true protestant reformer martin luther part certainly heretic made statements today understood antisemitic previous story sbcs russell moore take confederate flag | 541 |
<p>One day in the late 1960s, Cande Lowe was playing in the dirt yard at Newtowne Court, a public housing project in&#160;Cambridge, Mass., when she noticed three men walking over from the nearby Polaroid warehouses. They were carrying giant boxes.</p>
<p>Even as a child, Lowe knew that the Polaroid Corporation made instant cameras in the old factory buildings next to the project. The men walked up to her and set down their boxes. One man reached in and pulled out a brand new camera — <a href="http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Polaroid_Swinger_Model_20" type="external">a Polaroid Swinger</a>. He gave it to Lowe.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>They took the rest of the cameras down to the&#160;teachers in&#160;the Community Art Center, a quiet, well&#160;loved community institution in a basement of Newtowne Court.&#160;The Art Center, as it’s locally known,&#160;was founded in 1937 and originally housed at a Harvard University art museum before moving to Newtowne Court in 1942. It operated there for 52 years.</p>
<p>Newtowne Court, completed in 1938 under the Works Progress Administration, is one of the oldest housing projects in the nation. During the 1960s, the Kendall Square neighborhood was full of empty lots and low-rise factory buildings gradually falling out of use. The subway station was one of the least used in the entire system. On the Fourth of July, the residents of Newtowne Court could stand on the roofs of their buildings and see the fireworks over the Charles River.</p>
<p />
<p>Kids watch as two boys play a game of four square. Kids played double-dutch, basketball, stickball, and baseball; roller- skated, break danced, and had wheelie-popping competitions on their bikes in the yard at Newtowne Court.</p>
<p>Courtesy of the&#160;Community Art Center</p>
<p>When the children received Polaroid cameras in the 1960s, they learned how to capture their lives and neighborhood in photographs. And they never stopped:&#160;For half a century — through&#160;neighborhood changes and recessions, when arts budgets are often slashed — children growing up in and around Newtowne Court and the neighboring Washington Elms housing project have been taking photos. Their collected work documents life in an American public housing project as seen through the eyes of the children who lived there.</p>
<p>A photography gang</p>
<p>Paul Weinberg started his freshman year at Harvard University in 1965. He was a scholarship kid from Revere, Mass., where his mother raised him alone in a three-room apartment. He looked for a part-time job as soon as he started college.</p>
<p>“The jobs that were open to scholarship students at Harvard were working at the laundry, working at the cafeteria,” recounted Weinberg. “I had never seen a preppy before. I knew that I would not do well serving those kids. They just made it very plain, at that time, who belonged where.”</p>
<p>Weinberg got a job off-campus at the Art Center, along with fellow Harvard freshman Gene Mazel. The two young men started a photography club for middle-school-aged boys living in the projects. Most of the boys were short both fathers and money. Before long, though, they did have cameras.</p>
<p>“Paul was a progressive thinker,” says Sidney Brien, who was then a teacher at the Art Center. “He thought, ‘God, we’re across the street from the Polaroid Corporation. Here they are making all this money, making all this neat stuff. And we’re here, and we have hardly anything.’”&#160;</p>
<p>Brien suggested that Weinberg write a letter to Polaroid requesting cameras and film.</p>
<p>To Weinberg’s amazement, the letter worked. He remembers the terrifying experience of walking into the office of Polaroid’s&#160;executive vice president Stanford Calderwood for a meeting. “I’d never been anywhere near an executive office in my life,” Weinberg says.</p>
<p />
<p>A Polaroid picture of Paul Weinberg in the basement of the Art Center at Newtowne Court, where he had a work-study job in college.</p>
<p>Courtesy of Paul Weinberg</p>
<p>Calderwood was a large man and successful executive, known around Polaroid for making big decisions and giving big hugs.</p>
<p>The company surrounded Newtowne Court on three sides, operating in ten buildings. Polaroid inventor and CEO Edwin Land had a philosophy regarding the company’s relationship to its neighbors. His employees still remember it.</p>
<p>“We were to think of ourselves as guests of the community,” says former Polaroid speechwriter Harry L. Johnson. “We were not giving to the community, but giving back to the community. As in, they already gave something to us. It was a poor community, and we got the land for a cheap price. They were there first, and would probably outlast us.”</p>
<p>Calderwood promised to give the Art Center cameras, film, and even money to build a darkroom. That’s what Weinberg’s proudest of. After all, darkrooms, he says, are “the antithesis, if you think about it, of what Polaroid was all about.”&#160;Weinberg and Mazel built theirs themselves.</p>
<p>“That place saved my life,” says Clarence Bryan, who joined Weinberg’s photography club with other neighborhood boys. “We were a gang... a photography gang.”</p>
<p />
<p>Paul Weinberg on a photography field trip with photography club members Paul Dewing, Dennis Lightfoot, and Clarence Bryan.</p>
<p>Courtesy of Paul Weinberg</p>
<p>With their Polaroid cameras, the boys took pictures all over Boston, selling them to tourists and college kids for a dollar a piece. Weinberg used their earnings to organize field trips to places none of them had ever seen. Bryan still remembers cresting the sand dunes of Cape Cod for the first time, and driving to Times Square in New York City.</p>
<p>They exhibited their work, too. And famous photographers, who were guests of Polaroid, came to teach the boys an occasional class.</p>
<p />
<p>This photo of Forest Hills, Boston, was the first photograph that Art Center student Tyrone Bellitti ever sold. &#160;“We had a show up at City Hall,” says Bellitti. “It was the first time I ever hung any of my work. And someone bought it for $75, and the light bulbs went off. I was like, ‘I can make money off of this?’” He grew up to become a professional photographer.</p>
<p>Courtesy of&#160;Tyrone Bellitti</p>
<p>After four years of college, though, the young teachers moved on. The boys grew up. Weinberg was drafted into military service in Vietnam. Mazel died of leukemia at 27, just as he was developing his career as a photographer. Some of the boys also died young.</p>
<p>Like many other people from the neighborhood, Clarence Bryan went on to work for Polaroid. He started the Monday after he graduated from high school and stayed there until the company filed for bankruptcy in 2001. He continued taking photographs.&#160;</p>
<p>A monument in media</p>
<p>The Art Center moved to a sunny building across the street that the City of Cambridge bought from Polaroid in the 1990s when the company was on the decline. Today, the Center has archived thousands of photos and negatives, and hundreds of hours of video footage. The current children at the Art Center use this archive, a cabinet that stands as tall as a person, to examine the past and create new material. They have collectively built a monument to their neighborhood in media. The materials in the cabinet are not arranged by date, subject, or any other system. The only way to identify the people in the photos is to put them in front of someone who grew up in the neighborhood.</p>
<p>“That an arts program could be that consistent over the years, within the fraught space of public housing, seems remarkable to me,” says Dr. Amy Howard of the University of Richmond. She studies the role of public art in helping forge community ties, but had not heard of this program.</p>
<p>MIT Professor of City Planning Lawrence J. Vale, who has written three books on American public housing, notes that arts programs were common in the original 1940s projects, and that tenant-led arts programs emerged in the 1960s; but it is unusual for such programs to endure. Recently, he noted, arts programs associated with housing projects have been lost as projects are closed.</p>
<p />
<p>Kids play double dutch in the yard at Newtone Court. Tania Valverde, who grew up in the project and went to the Art Center with her siblings, remembers most people from the photo because they lived near her apartment.&#160;“Everybody played with everybody,” says Valverde. For years, her mom worked as the cook at the Art Center.&#160;</p>
<p>Courtesy of&#160;the Community Art Center</p>
<p>Eryn Johnson, the Art Center’s executive director, is keen on welcoming those who grew up in the neighborhood, decades ago, to come back and participate in the program. “Alums have been coming back to the Art Center to reconnect,” says Johnson, “and it’s an opportunity to connect our current students ...&#160;to a network of mentors.” Most recently, the Art Center has been inviting its students and neighbors to come and help put together a tile mosaic. “We’re using our photography as inspiration for the mosaic itself,” says Johnson.&#160;</p>
<p>Every time they host an event, the Art Center staff put old photos out on a table, waiting for a person from the neighborhood to come by and start talking. It works.</p>
<p>This&#160; <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/in-photos-50-years-in-a-housing-project-through-the-eyes-of-kids-who-lived-there-20160209" type="external">story</a>&#160;was originally published by&#160; <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/" type="external">YES! Magazine</a>, a nonprofit publication that supports people’s active engagement in solving today’s social, political, and environmental challenges.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | one day late 1960s cande lowe playing dirt yard newtowne court public housing project in160cambridge mass noticed three men walking nearby polaroid warehouses carrying giant boxes even child lowe knew polaroid corporation made instant cameras old factory buildings next project men walked set boxes one man reached pulled brand new camera polaroid swinger gave lowe took rest cameras the160teachers in160the community art center quiet well160loved community institution basement newtowne court160the art center locally known160was founded 1937 originally housed harvard university art museum moving newtowne court 1942 operated 52 years newtowne court completed 1938 works progress administration one oldest housing projects nation 1960s kendall square neighborhood full empty lots lowrise factory buildings gradually falling use subway station one least used entire system fourth july residents newtowne court could stand roofs buildings see fireworks charles river kids watch two boys play game four square kids played doubledutch basketball stickball baseball roller skated break danced wheeliepopping competitions bikes yard newtowne court courtesy the160community art center children received polaroid cameras 1960s learned capture lives neighborhood photographs never stopped160for half century through160neighborhood changes recessions arts budgets often slashed children growing around newtowne court neighboring washington elms housing project taking photos collected work documents life american public housing project seen eyes children lived photography gang paul weinberg started freshman year harvard university 1965 scholarship kid revere mass mother raised alone threeroom apartment looked parttime job soon started college jobs open scholarship students harvard working laundry working cafeteria recounted weinberg never seen preppy knew would well serving kids made plain time belonged weinberg got job offcampus art center along fellow harvard freshman gene mazel two young men started photography club middleschoolaged boys living projects boys short fathers money long though cameras paul progressive thinker says sidney brien teacher art center thought god across street polaroid corporation making money making neat stuff hardly anything160 brien suggested weinberg write letter polaroid requesting cameras film weinbergs amazement letter worked remembers terrifying experience walking office polaroids160executive vice president stanford calderwood meeting id never anywhere near executive office life weinberg says polaroid picture paul weinberg basement art center newtowne court workstudy job college courtesy paul weinberg calderwood large man successful executive known around polaroid making big decisions giving big hugs company surrounded newtowne court three sides operating ten buildings polaroid inventor ceo edwin land philosophy regarding companys relationship neighbors employees still remember think guests community says former polaroid speechwriter harry l johnson giving community giving back community already gave something us poor community got land cheap price first would probably outlast us calderwood promised give art center cameras film even money build darkroom thats weinbergs proudest darkrooms says antithesis think polaroid about160weinberg mazel built place saved life says clarence bryan joined weinbergs photography club neighborhood boys gang photography gang paul weinberg photography field trip photography club members paul dewing dennis lightfoot clarence bryan courtesy paul weinberg polaroid cameras boys took pictures boston selling tourists college kids dollar piece weinberg used earnings organize field trips places none ever seen bryan still remembers cresting sand dunes cape cod first time driving times square new york city exhibited work famous photographers guests polaroid came teach boys occasional class photo forest hills boston first photograph art center student tyrone bellitti ever sold 160we show city hall says bellitti first time ever hung work someone bought 75 light bulbs went like make money grew become professional photographer courtesy of160tyrone bellitti four years college though young teachers moved boys grew weinberg drafted military service vietnam mazel died leukemia 27 developing career photographer boys also died young like many people neighborhood clarence bryan went work polaroid started monday graduated high school stayed company filed bankruptcy 2001 continued taking photographs160 monument media art center moved sunny building across street city cambridge bought polaroid 1990s company decline today center archived thousands photos negatives hundreds hours video footage current children art center use archive cabinet stands tall person examine past create new material collectively built monument neighborhood media materials cabinet arranged date subject system way identify people photos put front someone grew neighborhood arts program could consistent years within fraught space public housing seems remarkable says dr amy howard university richmond studies role public art helping forge community ties heard program mit professor city planning lawrence j vale written three books american public housing notes arts programs common original 1940s projects tenantled arts programs emerged 1960s unusual programs endure recently noted arts programs associated housing projects lost projects closed kids play double dutch yard newtone court tania valverde grew project went art center siblings remembers people photo lived near apartment160everybody played everybody says valverde years mom worked cook art center160 courtesy of160the community art center eryn johnson art centers executive director keen welcoming grew neighborhood decades ago come back participate program alums coming back art center reconnect says johnson opportunity connect current students 160to network mentors recently art center inviting students neighbors come help put together tile mosaic using photography inspiration mosaic says johnson160 every time host event art center staff put old photos table waiting person neighborhood come start talking works this160 story160was originally published by160 yes magazine nonprofit publication supports peoples active engagement solving todays social political environmental challenges160 | 859 |
<p>NEW YORK (RNS) — Studios and filmmakers are rediscovering a classic text as source material for upcoming mainstream films: the Bible.</p>
<p>Nearly 10 years after the blockbuster success of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, which earned $611.9 million worldwide, studios are looking to the Good Book for good material.</p>
<p>Future films include:</p>
<p>• LD Entertainment is financially backing&#160; Resurrection, a drama set immediately after Jesus’ death and directed by Hatfields &amp; McCoys director Kevin Reynolds.</p>
<p>• Paramount will release Noah, a $125 million adaptation starring Russell Crowe in 2014.</p>
<p>• 20th Century Fox is developing Exodus, a Moses film starring Christian Bale.</p>
<p>• Warner Bros. has another Moses-themed film titled Gods And Kings, which Steven Spielberg flirted with directing.</p>
<p>• Warner Bros. also is working on a film on Pontius Pilate, rumored to possibly include Brad Pitt.</p>
<p>• Sony is producing Will Smith’s The Redemption of Cain, on the sibling rivalry of Cain and Abel.</p>
<p>• Lionsgate has been developing Mary Mother of Christ, described as “a prequel to The Passion of the Christ” and rumored to include Ben Kingsley.</p>
<p />
<p>Alongside the string of upcoming Bible-related films, producers from the History channel’s The Bible miniseries just announced that the series’ film adaptation Son of God will be released in theaters nationwide in February with 20th Century Fox.</p>
<p>The couple behind the show, Mark Burnett and Touched by an Angel star Roma Downey, said mixing Hollywood and the Bible can be tricky.</p>
<p>“It’s not just some story,” said Burnett, who produces The Voice and Survivor. “There’s a price to pay for failing to stay on track and failing to get the right advisers.”</p>
<p>When showing it to a group of children, the couple said they were told one thing: “Please don’t make it lame.”</p>
<p>“It’s not enough to have good intentions,” said Downey, who plays Jesus’ mother Mary in the series. “It has to be told in a way that’s relevant to a contemporary audience.”</p>
<p>The couple have been able to reach across traditional religious divides in getting promotions; Downey is Catholic and Burnett considers himself a nondenominational Christian. Their efforts have received endorsements from religious leaders ranging from megachurch pastor Rick Warren to Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl.</p>
<p>Previous generations of filmmakers largely stayed within their own traditions without much interest in what other Christians were making, said Dallas megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes, who hosted a film festival earlier this year.</p>
<p>“We have learned that there is more to unite us than to divide us,” he said. “That is exhibited primarily by how we see the arts and film.”</p>
<p>Ultimately, though, Jakes hopes to see faith-based films go more mainstream rather than being a separate niche category.</p>
<p>“Faith is not limited or incarcerated by labels that restrict it from being able to be woven into the fabric of the human experience,” he said. “I think that faith is best worn when it is part of the totality of the human experience rather than relegated over to a tribal expression of a particular group of people.”</p>
<p>Taking a cue from Gibson’s success with The Passion, film marketing campaigns now go after pastors’ endorsements through special advance screenings to secure endorsements from big-name religious leaders. As more people are sitting in front of the TV on a Sunday morning rather than in church, “filmmakers are the new high priests of our culture,” said A. Larry Ross, who has handled publicity for several religious leaders and organizations, including Billy Graham and Rick Warren.</p>
<p>“No pastor went to seminary to put people in [theater] seats or build revenue for a film producer,” Ross said. “Many pastors are realizing that in this video-driven culture, stories are the vessels of meaning.”</p>
<p>“For many faith and family films, the impact on the screen is less the answers given than it is the questions asked that you could discuss over coffee with someone who would never go to church with you but go to a movie with you,” he said.</p>
<p>In some ways, Hollywood’s fascination with the Bible isn’t new: Hollywood drew on biblical storytelling after World War II, especially with Charlton Heston, who played Moses in The Ten Commandments, and Ben-Hur, a movie about a Jewish prince sent into slavery and rescued by Jesus.</p>
<p>But some films flopped when they took too much license. The Last Temptation of Christ, Martin Scorsese’s 1988 film about the life of Jesus and the temptations he faced that included sex scenes, took in only $8.4 million domestically amid a widespread boycott led by Roman Catholics.</p>
<p>Independent films have dealt with the Bible in the past, but it’s significant that major Hollywood studios are taking this up, said Tom Allen, a partner in Allied Faith &amp; Family, a Hollywood marketing firm.</p>
<p>“We’re beyond the cheap ministry movies that appeal only to a certain constituency,” he said.</p>
<p>As Hollywood looks to epic tales of floods, burning bushes and parting seas, films with biblical themes will also continue to pop up. Nicolas Cage is slated to star in Left Behind, a movie based on the book series on the Second Coming of Christ. Sony’s adaption of the popular book Heaven is for Real is also scheduled for next year.</p>
<p>But sticking strictly to the Bible starts with a financial upside — no one collects copyright or licensing fees.</p>
<p>Sarah Pulliam Bailey is a national correspondent for Religion News Service.</p> | false | 3 | new york rns studios filmmakers rediscovering classic text source material upcoming mainstream films bible nearly 10 years blockbuster success mel gibsons passion christ earned 6119 million worldwide studios looking good book good material future films include ld entertainment financially backing160 resurrection drama set immediately jesus death directed hatfields amp mccoys director kevin reynolds paramount release noah 125 million adaptation starring russell crowe 2014 20th century fox developing exodus moses film starring christian bale warner bros another mosesthemed film titled gods kings steven spielberg flirted directing warner bros also working film pontius pilate rumored possibly include brad pitt sony producing smiths redemption cain sibling rivalry cain abel lionsgate developing mary mother christ described prequel passion christ rumored include ben kingsley alongside string upcoming biblerelated films producers history channels bible miniseries announced series film adaptation son god released theaters nationwide february 20th century fox couple behind show mark burnett touched angel star roma downey said mixing hollywood bible tricky story said burnett produces voice survivor theres price pay failing stay track failing get right advisers showing group children couple said told one thing please dont make lame enough good intentions said downey plays jesus mother mary series told way thats relevant contemporary audience couple able reach across traditional religious divides getting promotions downey catholic burnett considers nondenominational christian efforts received endorsements religious leaders ranging megachurch pastor rick warren washington cardinal donald wuerl previous generations filmmakers largely stayed within traditions without much interest christians making said dallas megachurch pastor td jakes hosted film festival earlier year learned unite us divide us said exhibited primarily see arts film ultimately though jakes hopes see faithbased films go mainstream rather separate niche category faith limited incarcerated labels restrict able woven fabric human experience said think faith best worn part totality human experience rather relegated tribal expression particular group people taking cue gibsons success passion film marketing campaigns go pastors endorsements special advance screenings secure endorsements bigname religious leaders people sitting front tv sunday morning rather church filmmakers new high priests culture said larry ross handled publicity several religious leaders organizations including billy graham rick warren pastor went seminary put people theater seats build revenue film producer ross said many pastors realizing videodriven culture stories vessels meaning many faith family films impact screen less answers given questions asked could discuss coffee someone would never go church go movie said ways hollywoods fascination bible isnt new hollywood drew biblical storytelling world war ii especially charlton heston played moses ten commandments benhur movie jewish prince sent slavery rescued jesus films flopped took much license last temptation christ martin scorseses 1988 film life jesus temptations faced included sex scenes took 84 million domestically amid widespread boycott led roman catholics independent films dealt bible past significant major hollywood studios taking said tom allen partner allied faith amp family hollywood marketing firm beyond cheap ministry movies appeal certain constituency said hollywood looks epic tales floods burning bushes parting seas films biblical themes also continue pop nicolas cage slated star left behind movie based book series second coming christ sonys adaption popular book heaven real also scheduled next year sticking strictly bible starts financial upside one collects copyright licensing fees sarah pulliam bailey national correspondent religion news service | 535 |
<p />
<p>Full-time Pastor: Bealton Baptist Church is currently seeking a full-time pastor. This church is located in a rapidly growing bedroom community in Fauquier County and has a membership of 150. Send résumés to Lonnie Harris, Bealton Baptist Church, P. O. Box 50, Bealeton, VA 22712</p>
<p>Director of Camp Piankatank, Hartfield, VA. Camp Piankatank, located in Middlesex County, Virginia, seeks to employ an enthusiastic full-time camp director. Camp Piankatank is owned and operated by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. The successful candidate is expected to be a dedicated Christian with a strong desire to share their faith. The director as a Virginia Baptist Mission Board staff person will be responsible to the Support Services Director, work with the Glocal Missions Team at the Mission Board and will oversee all functions of the camp operation including on-site management, maintenance, food service, programming and housekeeping. Oversight includes the summer camp program as well as non-summer month retreats. Skills in the areas of public relations, marketing, financial management, personnel hiring and training, program design and implementation and ministry are desired. A bachelor's degree is required. The position includes a salary with benefits including health, dental, retirement, vacation and holiday pay. For more information please contact Jeremy Jackson at 804-776-9552 or Eddie Stratton at 800-255-2428. To submit résumé, please mail to Eddie Stratton, Virginia Baptist Mission Board, P.O. Box 8568, Richmond, VA 23226-0568 by October 31. To learn more about Camp Piankatank, please visit www.camppiankatank.org.</p>
<p>Church/Minister Matching Specialist and Field Strategist: The Empowering Leaders Team of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board is seeking a person who will re-create, coordinate and facilitate a system for assisting churches in finding the right pastor and staff ministers. This full-time position will also involve serving as a field strategist, resourcing pastors and churches within a specific region of our state. The qualities necessary include strong administrative and management skills, as well as extremely positive inter-personal relationship abilities and significant experience working with churches. Please send résumés to Dee Whitten at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, P.O. Box 8568, Richmond, VA 23226-0568 or Dee.Whitten@VBMB.org. Deadline for résumés is Nov. 9, 2005.</p>
<p>Youth Minister: Small rural 360-member Southern Baptist church is seeking a part-time youth minister to provide leadership, training, education and outreach to youth and their families. Applicant should be a self-starter, positive and creative individual with a passion for Christ. Please send résumé to Alum Spring Baptist Church, 11058 Dutch Hollow Road, Culpeper, VA 22701 or email to bgraves@earthlink.net.</p>
<p>Part-time Student Director: Fairfax Baptist Church in the old town of Fairfax is currently looking for someone to work with school-age students with an emphasis in grades 5-12. We are an equal opportunity employer with a diverse congregation. We are affiliated with the Northstar Church Network, an association of Baptist congregations, Virginia Baptists, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist World Alliance. Some experience and college work preferred. Send résumés to: Fairfax Baptist Church, 10830 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030 or fax to 703-273-1822.</p>
<p>Minister of Music &amp; Education: Seeking a full-time Minister of Music and Education (Associate Pastor) for Fern Creek Baptist Church (SBC/CBF affiliation). Applicant must be an experienced and excellent musician, worship leader and educator and must exemplify strong spiritual maturity. Send résumés to Fern Creek Baptist Church, Attn: Personnel Committee, P.O. Box 91146, Louisville, KY 40291 or email fernceekbaptist@bellsouth.net. Résumés received through Nov. 15. Questions? Call 502-239-0316 (Linda Barnes Popham, Pastor).</p>
<p>ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR STUDENT MINISTRIES: Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., is seeking an Associate Pastor for Student Ministries. This individual must be passionate about Jesus and have a strong calling to youth ministry. This person will plan, lead, coordinate and oversee all facets of student ministries at Bon Air Baptist Church, to promote fun, fellowship, spiritual development, personal growth and ministry involvement with our youth in grades 6 through 12. Qualifications for this position are as follows: • College degree • Master of divinity or equivalent is preferred • At least 5 years experience as a Youth Pastor in a multi-staff church • Strong organizational skills • Excellent relational skills with youth • Able to work well with other members of a large church staff Bon Air Baptist Church is a growing 3,000-plus member church located in beautiful central Virginia. Send résumés to Bon Air Baptist Church, Student Minister Search Committee, 2531 Buford Road, Richmond, VA 23235. www.bonairbaptist.org</p>
<p>Youth Minister: Sterling Park Baptist Church, located in Northern Virginia and affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist General Association of Virginia, is seeking an experienced Youth Minister. Candidates must have a degree from a Baptist seminary. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus. Résumés are being accepted through Nov. 22 at Sterling Park Baptist Church, 501 N. York Road, Sterling, VA 20164</p>
<p>Minister to Students: Tabernacle Baptist Church of Carrollton, Georgia, a congregation of 2,600 members, is seeking an individual for the position of Minister to Students. The person filling this position will be responsible for ministry to students, grade 7 through college. A college degree is required, with an accredited seminary degree desirable. Visit our website at www.tabernacle.org. Résumés may be sent to Minister to Students Search Committee, Tabernacle Baptist Church, 150 Tabernacle Dr., Carrollton, GA 30117 or emailed to bruce.minett@tabernacle.org</p>
<p>Associate Pastor for Youth &amp; Children: Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Moseley, is seeking a full-time Associate Pastor for Youth &amp; Children to help coordinate and provide ministries, education, outreach and missions opportunities to youth and children and their families. Mount Hermon is located in western Chesterfield County. For a job description and more information, call 804-794-2049, or email ellisonmhbc@aol.com. Résumés can be mailed to Personnel Committee, Mount Hermon Baptist Church, 18100 Genito Road, Moseley, VA 23120.</p>
<p>Young Lives Minister: Northside Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Va., is seeking a full-time Young Lives Minister. The primary responsibilities are youth in grades 6-12 but will also help with children's ministries. We are looking for an individual with a servant's heart, a passion for souls and strong people and organizational skills. Experience working with youth and children preferred. Interested parties should forward their résumés to Northside Baptist Church, 7600 Studley Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Fax 804-746-7287. Email NBCYouthSearch@hotmail.com</p>
<p>Children's Minister: First Baptist Church of Marietta, a large suburban CBF/SBC church located in Cobb County, Georgia, is seeking a Children's Minister. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of experience working with children in a ministry and/or educational setting. A seminary degree is preferred but not required. A degree or specific training in early childhood education is also a plus. The candidate must be a self-starter and have positive, innovative and creative leadership skills. If you are called to minister to children and their parents and wish to join a dynamic, collegial, cheerful ministry team, we need you! Send your résumé and a recent photo to Children's Minister Search Committee, Marietta First Baptist Church, 148 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060.</p>
<p>Full-time Discipleship Pastor: Oakland Baptist Church in King George County is seeking a full-time Discipleship Pastor. The church is affiliated with the SBC and BGAV and has an average Sunday attendance of 300. This position has the responsibility of implementing a total discipleship program to include adults, youth and children. A position description can be found on our website: www.oaklandbc.org. Send résumé to Oakland Baptist Church, Search Committee, 5520 James Madison Pkwy., King George, VA 22485</p> | false | 3 | fulltime pastor bealton baptist church currently seeking fulltime pastor church located rapidly growing bedroom community fauquier county membership 150 send résumés lonnie harris bealton baptist church p box 50 bealeton va 22712 director camp piankatank hartfield va camp piankatank located middlesex county virginia seeks employ enthusiastic fulltime camp director camp piankatank owned operated virginia baptist mission board successful candidate expected dedicated christian strong desire share faith director virginia baptist mission board staff person responsible support services director work glocal missions team mission board oversee functions camp operation including onsite management maintenance food service programming housekeeping oversight includes summer camp program well nonsummer month retreats skills areas public relations marketing financial management personnel hiring training program design implementation ministry desired bachelors degree required position includes salary benefits including health dental retirement vacation holiday pay information please contact jeremy jackson 8047769552 eddie stratton 8002552428 submit résumé please mail eddie stratton virginia baptist mission board po box 8568 richmond va 232260568 october 31 learn camp piankatank please visit wwwcamppiankatankorg churchminister matching specialist field strategist empowering leaders team virginia baptist mission board seeking person recreate coordinate facilitate system assisting churches finding right pastor staff ministers fulltime position also involve serving field strategist resourcing pastors churches within specific region state qualities necessary include strong administrative management skills well extremely positive interpersonal relationship abilities significant experience working churches please send résumés dee whitten virginia baptist mission board po box 8568 richmond va 232260568 deewhittenvbmborg deadline résumés nov 9 2005 youth minister small rural 360member southern baptist church seeking parttime youth minister provide leadership training education outreach youth families applicant selfstarter positive creative individual passion christ please send résumé alum spring baptist church 11058 dutch hollow road culpeper va 22701 email bgravesearthlinknet parttime student director fairfax baptist church old town fairfax currently looking someone work schoolage students emphasis grades 512 equal opportunity employer diverse congregation affiliated northstar church network association baptist congregations virginia baptists cooperative baptist fellowship baptist world alliance experience college work preferred send résumés fairfax baptist church 10830 main street fairfax va 22030 fax 7032731822 minister music amp education seeking fulltime minister music education associate pastor fern creek baptist church sbccbf affiliation applicant must experienced excellent musician worship leader educator must exemplify strong spiritual maturity send résumés fern creek baptist church attn personnel committee po box 91146 louisville ky 40291 email fernceekbaptistbellsouthnet résumés received nov 15 questions call 5022390316 linda barnes popham pastor associate pastor student ministries bon air baptist church richmond va seeking associate pastor student ministries individual must passionate jesus strong calling youth ministry person plan lead coordinate oversee facets student ministries bon air baptist church promote fun fellowship spiritual development personal growth ministry involvement youth grades 6 12 qualifications position follows college degree master divinity equivalent preferred least 5 years experience youth pastor multistaff church strong organizational skills excellent relational skills youth able work well members large church staff bon air baptist church growing 3000plus member church located beautiful central virginia send résumés bon air baptist church student minister search committee 2531 buford road richmond va 23235 wwwbonairbaptistorg youth minister sterling park baptist church located northern virginia affiliated southern baptist convention baptist general association virginia seeking experienced youth minister candidates must degree baptist seminary ability speak spanish plus résumés accepted nov 22 sterling park baptist church 501 n york road sterling va 20164 minister students tabernacle baptist church carrollton georgia congregation 2600 members seeking individual position minister students person filling position responsible ministry students grade 7 college college degree required accredited seminary degree desirable visit website wwwtabernacleorg résumés may sent minister students search committee tabernacle baptist church 150 tabernacle dr carrollton ga 30117 emailed bruceminetttabernacleorg associate pastor youth amp children mount hermon baptist church moseley seeking fulltime associate pastor youth amp children help coordinate provide ministries education outreach missions opportunities youth children families mount hermon located western chesterfield county job description information call 8047942049 email ellisonmhbcaolcom résumés mailed personnel committee mount hermon baptist church 18100 genito road moseley va 23120 young lives minister northside baptist church mechanicsville va seeking fulltime young lives minister primary responsibilities youth grades 612 also help childrens ministries looking individual servants heart passion souls strong people organizational skills experience working youth children preferred interested parties forward résumés northside baptist church 7600 studley rd mechanicsville va 23116 fax 8047467287 email nbcyouthsearchhotmailcom childrens minister first baptist church marietta large suburban cbfsbc church located cobb county georgia seeking childrens minister ideal candidate least 3 years experience working children ministry andor educational setting seminary degree preferred required degree specific training early childhood education also plus candidate must selfstarter positive innovative creative leadership skills called minister children parents wish join dynamic collegial cheerful ministry team need send résumé recent photo childrens minister search committee marietta first baptist church 148 church street marietta ga 30060 fulltime discipleship pastor oakland baptist church king george county seeking fulltime discipleship pastor church affiliated sbc bgav average sunday attendance 300 position responsibility implementing total discipleship program include adults youth children position description found website wwwoaklandbcorg send résumé oakland baptist church search committee 5520 james madison pkwy king george va 22485 | 842 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>GOT NEWS? Send information for this page to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at <a href="mailto:bfrancis@religiousherald.org" type="external">bfrancis@religiousherald.org</a>. Even better — add the Herald to your church’s newsletter email list, send us a link to your online newsletter or mail your newsletter to 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294.</p>
<p>ON THE MOVE</p>
<p>Keith Crowgey, to Cambria Baptist Church, Christiansburg, Va., as senior pastor.</p>
<p>Robin and Marty Anderson, to Commonwealth Baptist Church, Alexandria, Va., as co-pastors. They both were previous associate pastors at University Baptist Church, Baltimore.</p>
<p>Chad McGinnis, resigning as pastor of Ivor (Va.) Baptist Church, to relocate to Florida.</p>
<p>ORDINATION</p>
<p>Brian Barnes was ordained to the ministry on March 11 by the Norfolk Area Baptist Association and Azalea Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va. He serves as Azalea’s minister to youth and families.</p>
<p>RETIREMENT</p>
<p>Murphy Terry has retired as executive director of Augusta Baptist Association.</p>
<p>Ed Vick was recently awarded the Watauga Medal posthumously by the board of trustees, administration and faculty of North Carolina State University in recognition of his notable and distinguished contributions to the ad-vancement of the university. Vick, who died in May 2011, had served as a director and past chairman of Associated Baptist Press. He also formerly chaired and was a current member of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Foundation board of directors, was a founding member of the CBF of North Carolina Endowment Management board of di-rectors and was a former member of the CBF Coordinating Council.</p>
<p>Brian Kaylor, contributing editor for EthicsDaily.com and assistant professor in communications studies at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., has won a Wilbur Award from the Religious Communicators Council. The award recognizes “excellence in communicating religious issues, values and themes in the public media.” The RCC announced 15 Wilbur Awards for 2012, of which one was for Kaylor’s non-fiction book, Presidential Campaign Rhetoric in an Age of Confessional Politics.</p>
<p>25 YEARS</p>
<p>Ty Talton, celebrating 25 years as associate pastor of Ardmore Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.</p>
<p>15 YEARS</p>
<p>Tommy McDearis, celebrating 15 years as senior pastor of Blacksburg (Va.) Baptist Church.</p>
<p>FRI., APR. 6</p>
<p>Bethany Baptist Church, Callao, Va., will present “Portraits of Jesus” at 6 p.m., followed by communion.</p>
<p>SAT., APR. 7</p>
<p>The combined choirs of Parkview Baptist and First Christian churches will present the cantata, “My Saviour, My God,” at 6 p.m. at Parkview Baptist Church, Newport News, Va.</p>
<p>WED.-FRI., APR. 11-13</p>
<p>Tory Creek Baptist Church, Laurel Fork, Va.; revival with Michael Sutphin.</p>
<p>SUN.-WED., APR. 15-18</p>
<p>Arbor Baptist Church, Sutherlin, Va.; revival with David Chambers, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Timberlake, N.C.</p>
<p>THURS., APR. 19</p>
<p>Dan River Baptist Association’s fourth annual senior revival;&#160; 10:30 a.m. at Arbor Baptist Church, Sutherlin, Va. Bob Davis, guest speaker; special music by Elton Johnson and Faye Newton. Lunch provided at no cost. Register at <a href="mailto:drab@embarqmail.com" type="external">drab@embarqmail.com</a>.</p>
<p>FRI., APR. 20</p>
<p>Middle District Baptist Association’s women’s ministry presents Comedy Night with Meredith Eades at 7 p.m. at Branch’s Baptist Church, Richmond, Va. To register contact Brenda Greene at 804.276.8481 or <a href="mailto:brenda@mdba.org" type="external">brenda@mdba.org</a>.</p>
<p>SAT., APR. 21</p>
<p>CrossOver Challenge annual 15K, 5K, 1 mile walk and kids fun race begins at 1300 Westwood Ave., Richmond, Va. CrossOver Health Care Ministry is the largest free clinic in Virginia, with three locations in the Richmond area. It provides a full continuum of healthcare to the uninsured. To register go to <a href="http://www.crossoverministry.org/" type="external">www.crossoverministry.org</a>.</p>
<p>NorthStar Network’s Women’s Biennial Conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Woodbridge, Va. The conference will feature Sheila Walsh with musical guest Natalie Grant. More info is available at <a href="http://www.northstarwomensnetwork.org/" type="external">www.NorthStarWomensNetwork.org</a> or call 703.941.6822.</p>
<p>SUN., APR. 22</p>
<p>Bethel Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va., will celebrate its 195th anniversary.</p>
<p>Florence Baptist Church, Forest, N.C., will celebrate its 90th anniversary at 10:30 a.m. A covered-dish luncheon will take place at 12 p.m.</p>
<p>Red Lane Baptist Church, Powhatan, Va., will host Ivan Parker in concert at 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>SUN.-WED., APR. 22-25</p>
<p>Powers Memorial Baptist Church, Hopewell, Va.; revival services with theme “Following Jesus”; Roger Roller, evangelist.</p>
<p>SAT., APR. 28</p>
<p>Walk for Hope 2012 to benefit HopeTree Family Services at Haymarket (Va.) Baptist Church at 9 a.m. and Port Norfolk Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Va., at 8 a.m.</p>
<p>Recording artists NEEDTOBREATHE will be in concert at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C., at 8 p.m. as part of its human trafficking awareness week. Half of ticket proceeds will benefit Project Rescue, an international ministry that rescues women and children from human trafficking and sexual slavery. Call Haley Pond at 704.406.4268.</p>
<p>SUN., APR. 29</p>
<p>Ministering to Ministers is sponsoring a concert by Ken Medema, Christian singer and songwriter, at 7 p.m at First Baptist Church, Richmond, Va. MTM is an advocate for ministers and their families in all faith groups who are experiencing personal or professional crisis due to deteriorating employment or congregation-minister relationships. Advance tickets are $15. Group tickets for 20 or more are $12. Tickets at the door are $18. Call 804.594.2556 for more information.</p>
<p>Kenbridge (Va.) Baptist Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary at 11 a.m. John Upton, executive director of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and president of the Baptist World Alliance, will be guest speaker.</p>
<p>MON.-TUES., MAY 14-15</p>
<p>Youth Ministry Forum, an annual two-day training conference, will be hosted at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center in Richmond, Va. Special guests include Walt Mueller (author and youth culture expert) along with Tim Levert, Lilley Lewin, David Burke and Bryan Dupuis. Conferences are offered for youth ministers, volunteers, summer youth workers and youth interns. For more information, contact Ken Dibble at 800.255.2428 or visit <a href="http://www.vbmb.org/ymf" type="external">www.vbmb.org/ymf</a> for conference information or to register.</p>
<p>Averett University in Danville, Va., dedicated the George J. Falk Operations Center on March 23 at the Danville Airport, thanks to a gift from Falk’s wife, Betty. He died Dec. 31, 2010. Falk served as the director of financial aid and was instrumental in bringing about Averett’s aviation program. The gift allowed the University to purchase several software programs and the necessary hardware and equipment to allow the chief flight instructor to track the students who are flying.</p>
<p>Journey Church in Roanoke, Va., will close its Bonsack campus at the end of April. “This coming together again is meant to enable our church to gain a new momentum in moving forward to fulfill God’s calling for us to connect people to Jesus and a community of caring,” said Pastor Michael Duval. Sunday services at its Valley View Campus are 9 and 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>Maj. Gen. Douglas L. Carver, a former pastor in Virginia, has been appointed executive director of chaplain services for the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. Carver, who retired in 2011 as U.S. Army chief of chaplains after 38 years in the military, was interim senior pastor of South Run Baptist Church in Springfield, Va., from 1997-1998. He and his wife, Sunny, currently live in Waxhaw, N.C.</p> | false | 3 | 160 got news send information page heraldbeat editor barbara francis bfrancisreligiousheraldorg even better add herald churchs newsletter email list send us link online newsletter mail newsletter 2828 emerywood parkway richmond va 23294 move keith crowgey cambria baptist church christiansburg va senior pastor robin marty anderson commonwealth baptist church alexandria va copastors previous associate pastors university baptist church baltimore chad mcginnis resigning pastor ivor va baptist church relocate florida ordination brian barnes ordained ministry march 11 norfolk area baptist association azalea baptist church norfolk va serves azaleas minister youth families retirement murphy terry retired executive director augusta baptist association ed vick recently awarded watauga medal posthumously board trustees administration faculty north carolina state university recognition notable distinguished contributions advancement university vick died may 2011 served director past chairman associated baptist press also formerly chaired current member cooperative baptist fellowship foundation board directors founding member cbf north carolina endowment management board directors former member cbf coordinating council brian kaylor contributing editor ethicsdailycom assistant professor communications studies james madison university harrisonburg va wilbur award religious communicators council award recognizes excellence communicating religious issues values themes public media rcc announced 15 wilbur awards 2012 one kaylors nonfiction book presidential campaign rhetoric age confessional politics 25 years ty talton celebrating 25 years associate pastor ardmore baptist church winstonsalem nc 15 years tommy mcdearis celebrating 15 years senior pastor blacksburg va baptist church fri apr 6 bethany baptist church callao va present portraits jesus 6 pm followed communion sat apr 7 combined choirs parkview baptist first christian churches present cantata saviour god 6 pm parkview baptist church newport news va wedfri apr 1113 tory creek baptist church laurel fork va revival michael sutphin sunwed apr 1518 arbor baptist church sutherlin va revival david chambers pastor antioch baptist church timberlake nc thurs apr 19 dan river baptist associations fourth annual senior revival160 1030 arbor baptist church sutherlin va bob davis guest speaker special music elton johnson faye newton lunch provided cost register drabembarqmailcom fri apr 20 middle district baptist associations womens ministry presents comedy night meredith eades 7 pm branchs baptist church richmond va register contact brenda greene 8042768481 brendamdbaorg sat apr 21 crossover challenge annual 15k 5k 1 mile walk kids fun race begins 1300 westwood ave richmond va crossover health care ministry largest free clinic virginia three locations richmond area provides full continuum healthcare uninsured register go wwwcrossoverministryorg northstar networks womens biennial conference take place 9 3 pm first baptist church woodbridge va conference feature sheila walsh musical guest natalie grant info available wwwnorthstarwomensnetworkorg call 7039416822 sun apr 22 bethel baptist church midlothian va celebrate 195th anniversary florence baptist church forest nc celebrate 90th anniversary 1030 covereddish luncheon take place 12 pm red lane baptist church powhatan va host ivan parker concert 630 pm sunwed apr 2225 powers memorial baptist church hopewell va revival services theme following jesus roger roller evangelist sat apr 28 walk hope 2012 benefit hopetree family services haymarket va baptist church 9 port norfolk baptist church portsmouth va 8 recording artists needtobreathe concert gardnerwebb university boiling springs nc 8 pm part human trafficking awareness week half ticket proceeds benefit project rescue international ministry rescues women children human trafficking sexual slavery call haley pond 7044064268 sun apr 29 ministering ministers sponsoring concert ken medema christian singer songwriter 7 pm first baptist church richmond va mtm advocate ministers families faith groups experiencing personal professional crisis due deteriorating employment congregationminister relationships advance tickets 15 group tickets 20 12 tickets door 18 call 8045942556 information kenbridge va baptist church celebrate 100th anniversary 11 john upton executive director virginia baptist mission board president baptist world alliance guest speaker montues may 1415 youth ministry forum annual twoday training conference hosted virginia baptist resource center richmond va special guests include walt mueller author youth culture expert along tim levert lilley lewin david burke bryan dupuis conferences offered youth ministers volunteers summer youth workers youth interns information contact ken dibble 8002552428 visit wwwvbmborgymf conference information register averett university danville va dedicated george j falk operations center march 23 danville airport thanks gift falks wife betty died dec 31 2010 falk served director financial aid instrumental bringing averetts aviation program gift allowed university purchase several software programs necessary hardware equipment allow chief flight instructor track students flying journey church roanoke va close bonsack campus end april coming together meant enable church gain new momentum moving forward fulfill gods calling us connect people jesus community caring said pastor michael duval sunday services valley view campus 9 1030 maj gen douglas l carver former pastor virginia appointed executive director chaplain services southern baptist conventions north american mission board carver retired 2011 us army chief chaplains 38 years military interim senior pastor south run baptist church springfield va 19971998 wife sunny currently live waxhaw nc | 792 |
<p>Businesses, industries, state utility commissions, utility companies, especially electric power providers, and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are “hell-bent” on pushing the ultimate in surveillance and control technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) that will operate on the new 5G broadband platform and network(s), which use much smaller microwave ‘towers’ placed very close to each other.</p>
<p>Why so close?&#160; Because 5G is harder to get into buildings to operate all those smart appliances consumers covet and controllers want us to use in order to track our in-home activities 24/7/365, all under the false pretense of saving consumers either time or money, while providing the utmost in supposed conveniences.&#160; However, surveillance is the prime agenda destined to become the intended way of life globally; just check out the UN’s Agendas 21 and 2030.</p>
<p>Here is a nicely illustrated pdf file explaining the IoT and how it will help consumers become integrated into the critical “smart city” paradigm.</p>
<p><a href="http://files.www.whatissmartgrid.org/evolution/SECC_Internet_of_Things_Infographic.pdf" type="external">http://files.www.whatissmartgrid.org/evolution/SECC_Internet_of_Things_Infographic.pdf</a></p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://smartenergycc.org/?mc_cid=6bfcf63d78&amp;mc_eid=42a5b07e40" type="external">https://smartenergycc.org/?mc_cid=6bfcf63d78&amp;mc_eid=42a5b07e40</a></p>
<p>However, there’s one glaringly huge missing puzzle piece of specific scientific information regarding human health and safety issues pertaining to 5G, especially since no studies about health and environmental impacts have been done to date that I know of regarding any of the microwave generations (“G”) [1,2,3,4 and 5] technologies.</p>
<p>Shouldn’t safety studies for such invasive—the waves penetrate body tissues—technologies be mandated to be published with all advertising promotions? Check your cell phone manual fine print to read what’s there.&#160; How about that FCC?</p>
<p>Some exciting news from around the World:If You Already Pay for Amazon Prime, Here Is How to Make It Even Better, … &#160; read</p>
<p>5G is being rolled out with a ‘religious, faith-like-basis’ steeped in consensus science that it works without harming humans, animals, plant life and the environment!&#160; But such scientific fact really has not been proven scientifically and, therefore, must be taken to task by consumers and regulatory agencies.</p>
<p>5G has the ability to penetrate the skin causing a sunburn-like-tingling and, if close enough in range to certain Gigahertz frequencies, 5G can cook an egg or cook an eye!&#160; What will it do to the human brain, which is mostly cholesterol [1] and water (about 73%)?</p>
<p>Microwaves interact with and excite water molecules causing cellular and DNA [5] disruptions. Microwaves also send out non-thermal radiation waves, which are documented to cause electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) [2], plus activating voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) [3]. &#160;Microwaves also are known to breach the Blood Brain Barrier [4] thereby causing toxins and chemicals to cross into the brain—something Nature never intended.</p>
<p>According to EMF/RF researcher Arthur Firstenberg,</p>
<p>So far the FCC has approved bands of frequencies around 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 39 GHz, and 48 GHz for use in 5G stations, and is proposing to add 32 GHz, 42 GHz, 50 GHz, 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, and above 95 GHz to the soup. These have tiny wavelengths and require tiny antennas. At 48 GHz, an array of 1,024 antennas will measure only 4 inches square.</p>
<p>Consumers need to keep in mind the following regarding Gigahertz (GHz):</p>
<p>One GHz is equal to one billion Hertz (Hz) cycles per second.</p>
<p>Microwave frequencies range from one billion cycles per second, which is 1 Gigahertz (GHz), upward to 100 GHz.&#160; &#160; <a href="https://www.everythingrf.com/tech-resources/frequency-bands" type="external">Here is a listing of Microwave Frequency Bands.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.activistpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/microwave-freq-bands.gif" type="external">&lt;img class="size-full wp-image-166276 aligncenter" src="https://www.activistpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/microwave-freq-bands.gif" alt="" width="600" height="183" /&gt;</a> <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=chart+showing+microwave+ghz+ranges&amp;tbm=isch&amp;tbo=u&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiQls6vv-_YAhVLPN8KHaN7D6AQ7AkIaQ&amp;biw=1217&amp;bih=647#imgrc=R7EFQ24NUFt9pM:&amp;spf=1516758964306" type="external">Source</a></p>
<p>[ISM: Industrial, Scientific and Medical band]</p>
<p>Another caution Firstenberg offers is:</p>
<p>But when extremely short electromagnetic pulses enter the body, something else happens: the moving charges themselves become little antennas that re-radiate the electromagnetic field and send it deeper into the body. These re-radiated waves are called Brillouin precursors.</p>
<p>[CJF emphasis]</p>
<p>Firstenberg claims,</p>
<p>The higher the frequency, the greater the bandwidth—but the smaller the waves. Base stations have to be very close together—100 meters [300 feet] apart in cities—and they have to blast out their signals in order to get them inside homes and buildings. And the only way to do this economically is with phased arrays and focused beams that are aimed directly at their targets. What happens to birds that fly through the beams, the FCC does not say. And what happens to utility workers who climb utility poles and work next to these structures every day? A 30,000-watt beam will cook an egg, or an eye, at a distance of a few feet.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.cellphonetaskforce.org/?page_id=1603" type="external">“5G – From Blankets To Bullets”</a> Arthur Firstenberg</p>
<p>How familiar are consumers with the unknowns about 5G and other microwave technologies vested interests and stakeholders are not divulging?</p>
<p>A ‘raft’ of bills has been introduced into the current Congress to promote 5G, which consumers ought to know about.&#160; Click on bill numbers for more information about each bill.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4814%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D4&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140358204&amp;sdata=8iASA6J0iX3Tb72g2W9tdTU%2F9qy3Ew3v%2FyV8uRNBG2Q%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4814</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>To amend the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to preserve and protect the ability of local governments to provide&#160;broadband capability and services.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4847%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D2&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140358204&amp;sdata=QFvFIDqY7oHHI1tWlIHo3fEyaNxf4m44Vn%2Fb0Q%2F%2B8vM%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4847</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>Broadband &#160;Deployment Streamlining Act</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4842%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D3&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140358204&amp;sdata=Vh%2BADx4zqNX9t7RUzL5TRWGYsbBH4SZVT1PHO1ji27o%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4842</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that the Federal Communications Commission is not required to perform any review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code, as a condition of permitting the placement and installation of a communications facility, and for other purposes.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4795%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D10&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140514456&amp;sdata=y4nUvVLbSAbV%2F8cZY%2FQxGGRsT4nrPIRxk31Fs7ko2IU%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4795</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>Communications Facilities Deployment on Federal Property Act of 2018</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4839%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D4&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140514456&amp;sdata=c09lxQhDaI8MvwV%2BBt1OPRYXsrYhudzHznjxm0Ce4Ng%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4839</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>To provide for the establishment of an inventory of Federal assets to provide information to entities that construct or operate communications facilities or provide communications service.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4824%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D1&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140514456&amp;sdata=ue%2Fc24wWTOIRRykRms6erW45YBkqbdGg6Mp33Gz7SRQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4824</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>To allow certain State permitting authority to encourage expansion of&#160; broadband &#160;service to rural communities, and for other purposes.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4817%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D3&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140670714&amp;sdata=I6d36oP4wOkyOVQM9%2FOfsO0SrDBS35rHy0uv%2FL0bpVY%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4817</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to make grants for the establishment or expansion of internet exchange facilities, and for other purposes.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4813%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D5&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140670714&amp;sdata=iCrVZLJch2Kd6g28XCeMVIfSSbr64G3oZeehF%2BMEZ64%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4813</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study to evaluate the role of unlicensed spectrum in offloading&#160; broadband &#160;traffic, and for other purposes.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4810%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D6&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140670714&amp;sdata=FX1Y%2BfZ7jK6v0DJi%2BCRsHPY%2BuzLG8Ng8mh%2BC6JReld4%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4810</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to carry out activities relating to the development and maintenance of a&#160; broadband &#160;inventory map through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and not through an agreement with any other agency.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4506%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D7&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140826967&amp;sdata=xcimxxFMpO6BnVMIMImXgDaC5OfImrfkVP3gCNWnzQA%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4506</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>Jobs for Tribes Act</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4800%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D8&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140826967&amp;sdata=U0MTavOJRYvTFY4BMONowQvil%2By0TVtl3MUH%2FNBcja8%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4800</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>Broadband Conduit Deployment Act of 2018</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4798%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D9&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140826967&amp;sdata=KQVbdFVjmADSrqbKtHToMbftYC9CHIPsdhrODJW9MTE%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4798</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>Inventory of Assets for Communications Facilities Act of 2018</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4782%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522broadband%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D11&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471140826967&amp;sdata=pspjFz3GzSw4ce3IijRalb4tpIuRiqrTFyYF3Gnf1iM%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R.4782</a>&#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p>
<p>Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Equitable Rebuild Act of 2018</p>
<p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4760%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%25224760%2522%255D%257D%26r%3D1&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C434c29dc44d247663e2f08d562b97bcc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523471141139477&amp;sdata=1gx2YyYPCCwPM6%2F5qSmL9rfc946qsrRy%2F2R11%2BCi5OM%3D&amp;reserved=0" type="external">H.R. 4760</a> &#160;— 115th Congress (2017-2018)</p> | false | 3 | businesses industries state utility commissions utility companies especially electric power providers us federal communications commission fcc hellbent pushing ultimate surveillance control technology internet things iot operate new 5g broadband platform networks use much smaller microwave towers placed close close160 5g harder get buildings operate smart appliances consumers covet controllers want us use order track inhome activities 247365 false pretense saving consumers either time money providing utmost supposed conveniences160 however surveillance prime agenda destined become intended way life globally check uns agendas 21 2030 nicely illustrated pdf file explaining iot help consumers become integrated critical smart city paradigm httpfileswwwwhatissmartgridorgevolutionsecc_internet_of_things_infographicpdf source httpssmartenergyccorgmc_cid6bfcf63d78ampmc_eid42a5b07e40 however theres one glaringly huge missing puzzle piece specific scientific information regarding human health safety issues pertaining 5g especially since studies health environmental impacts done date know regarding microwave generations g 1234 5 technologies shouldnt safety studies invasivethe waves penetrate body tissuestechnologies mandated published advertising promotions check cell phone manual fine print read whats there160 fcc exciting news around worldif already pay amazon prime make even better 160 read 5g rolled religious faithlikebasis steeped consensus science works without harming humans animals plant life environment160 scientific fact really proven scientifically therefore must taken task consumers regulatory agencies 5g ability penetrate skin causing sunburnliketingling close enough range certain gigahertz frequencies 5g cook egg cook eye160 human brain mostly cholesterol 1 water 73 microwaves interact excite water molecules causing cellular dna 5 disruptions microwaves also send nonthermal radiation waves documented cause electromagnetic hypersensitivity ehs 2 plus activating voltagegated calcium channels vgccs 3 160microwaves also known breach blood brain barrier 4 thereby causing toxins chemicals cross brainsomething nature never intended according emfrf researcher arthur firstenberg far fcc approved bands frequencies around 24 ghz 28 ghz 38 ghz 39 ghz 48 ghz use 5g stations proposing add 32 ghz 42 ghz 50 ghz 7176 ghz 8186 ghz 95 ghz soup tiny wavelengths require tiny antennas 48 ghz array 1024 antennas measure 4 inches square consumers need keep mind following regarding gigahertz ghz one ghz equal one billion hertz hz cycles per second microwave frequencies range one billion cycles per second 1 gigahertz ghz upward 100 ghz160 160 listing microwave frequency bands ltimg classsizefull wpimage166276 aligncenter srchttpswwwactivistpostcomwpcontentuploads201801microwavefreqbandsgif alt width600 height183 gt source ism industrial scientific medical band another caution firstenberg offers extremely short electromagnetic pulses enter body something else happens moving charges become little antennas reradiate electromagnetic field send deeper body reradiated waves called brillouin precursors cjf emphasis firstenberg claims higher frequency greater bandwidthbut smaller waves base stations close together100 meters 300 feet apart citiesand blast signals order get inside homes buildings way economically phased arrays focused beams aimed directly targets happens birds fly beams fcc say happens utility workers climb utility poles work next structures every day 30000watt beam cook egg eye distance feet source 5g blankets bullets arthur firstenberg familiar consumers unknowns 5g microwave technologies vested interests stakeholders divulging raft bills introduced current congress promote 5g consumers ought know about160 click bill numbers information bill hr4814160 115th congress 20172018 amend telecommunications act 1996 preserve protect ability local governments provide160broadband capability services hr4847160 115th congress 20172018 broadband 160deployment streamlining act hr4842160 115th congress 20172018 amend communications act 1934 provide federal communications commission required perform review national environmental policy act 1969 division subtitle iii title 54 united states code condition permitting placement installation communications facility purposes hr4795160 115th congress 20172018 communications facilities deployment federal property act 2018 hr4839160 115th congress 20172018 provide establishment inventory federal assets provide information entities construct operate communications facilities provide communications service hr4824160 115th congress 20172018 allow certain state permitting authority encourage expansion of160 broadband 160service rural communities purposes hr4817160 115th congress 20172018 direct assistant secretary commerce communications information make grants establishment expansion internet exchange facilities purposes hr4813160 115th congress 20172018 direct comptroller general united states conduct study evaluate role unlicensed spectrum offloading160 broadband 160traffic purposes hr4810160 115th congress 20172018 direct assistant secretary commerce communications information carry activities relating development maintenance a160 broadband 160inventory map national telecommunications information administration agreement agency hr4506160 115th congress 20172018 jobs tribes act hr4800160 115th congress 20172018 broadband conduit deployment act 2018 hr4798160 115th congress 20172018 inventory assets communications facilities act 2018 hr4782160 115th congress 20172018 puerto rico virgin islands equitable rebuild act 2018 hr 4760 160 115th congress 20172018 | 703 |
<p>In the battle against child mortality, the global health community gained some ground in 2013. Here are seven political and scientific developments that gave us reason to hope this year.</p>
<p>1. Millions of lives saved. UNICEF’s annual report on child mortality published in September brought encouraging news: child deaths have <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/child-mortality-rates-unicef-mdg-a-promise-renewed" type="external">declined by nearly 50 percent</a> since 1990. Most of the 6.6 million children who die before age 5 die of preventable causes, but the global health community is making headway against the deadliest diseases. Deaths from diarrhea, which is responsible for 9 percent of child fatalities, have declined by 50 percent. Pneumonia and malaria deaths have dropped by a third.</p>
<p>Still, the world <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/millennium-development-goal-child-health-united-nations" type="external">isn’t on pace to meet the Millennium Development Goal</a> set by the United Nations, which aims to decrease child mortality by two thirds by 2015.</p>
<p>2. Gathering momentum. This year, as part of a global initiative called “Committing to Child Survival: A Promise Renewed,” 11 countries developed road maps to reduce the under-5 death rate to 2 in 100 live births or fewer by 2035. Liberia, for example, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/liberia-a-promise-renewed-preventable-child-death" type="external">rolled out a training program</a> for community health workers and created national guidelines for newborn care.</p>
<p>More than 170 countries have signed on to A Promise Renewed, which was led by the United States, India, Ethiopia and UNICEF last year. While it’s <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/130830/end-preventable-child-deaths-promise-renewed" type="external">too early to assess the project’s impact</a>, organizers hope the campaign will keep momentum up as the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals nears.&#160;</p>
<p>3. An affordable vaccine for diarrhea. Indian scientists in May unveiled a <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/low-cost-rotavirus-vaccine-holds-promise-not-panacea" type="external">low-cost vaccine</a> against the most common and lethal form of diarrhea. At just $1 per dose, the vaccine, called Rotavac, is a fraction of the price of existing vaccines designed to prevent rotavirus, which kills an estimated 435,000 children under the age of 5 each year. Similar vaccines produced by pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Merk retail for $7 per dose.</p>
<p>Diarrhea is the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/special-reports/step-by-step-path-ending-child-mortality#slide-5" type="external">second most common cause of death</a> among children under 5. Cost is a huge barrier to vaccination in many of the low-income countries where the disease most often kills. A more affordable vaccine, Case Western University Physician Dr. Johnie Rose told GlobalPost, is “big news that people have been waiting for, for a while.” If licensed, the vaccine is expected to save thousands of lives per year.</p>
<p>4. Striding toward a malaria vaccine. After showing promise in early trials, a malaria vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline produced <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/mar/20/malaria-vaccine-test-results-disappoint" type="external">disappointing results</a> in a series of clinical trials in Africa this year. But there’s no shortage of good news in the quest to protect children against the tropical disease, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/special-reports/step-by-step-path-ending-child-mortality#slide-6" type="external">which accounts for 7 percent of child deaths</a>. In a study that concluded in July, a vaccine developed by Australian researcher <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/malaria-vaccine-research-michael-good" type="external">Michael Good</a> produced long-lived immunity in mice using whole parasites and human blood cells. Another scientist at Vanderbilt University found success with a vaccine made from the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/health/a-malaria-vaccine-works-with-limits.html" type="external">saliva of mosquitos</a> that have fed on malaria-infected blood.&#160;</p>
<p>5. An action plan to prevent newborn death. In Johannesburg in April, more than 450 health experts from 50 countries gathered for the first ever <a href="http://www.who.int/pmnch/media/events/2013/0415_newborn_health_conference/en/index.html" type="external">global summit on newborn health</a>. The conference, attended by UNICEF, USAID and 70 officials from health ministries in low-resource countries, kicked off the development of a <a href="http://www.everynewborn.org/" type="external">global action plan</a> to prevent death during the first month of life.&#160;</p>
<p>Thanks in large part to vaccines, the world has made great strides against many of the diseases that commonly kill children ages 1 to 5. But the maladies that take babies, such as low birth weight or birth asphyxia, are <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/india/130816/india-child-mortality-bangladesh-un-millennium-development-goal" type="external">harder to address</a>. So while, overall, child mortality rates have dropped by 2.5 percent per year since 1990, <a href="" type="external">infant death rates</a> have declined by just 1.8 percent. Nearly half of under 5 deaths take place in the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/special-reports/step-by-step-path-ending-child-mortality#slide-3" type="external">first month of life</a>.</p>
<p>Stakeholders hope to present the global action plan to the World Health Organization in January.</p>
<p>6. Spreading the use of a life-saving antiseptic. About <a href="" type="external">13 percent of babies die from infections</a>, which often enter their body through a <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/the-8-cent-spool-thread-cost-childs-life" type="external">newly cut umbilical cord</a>. Experts estimate that applying the antiseptic chlorhexidine digluconate to the umbilical cord stump <a href="http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/1/1/5.full" type="external">could avert roughly one in six newborn deaths</a>. And it’s cheap: one dose costs approximately 23 cents. In July, the World Health Organization officially endorsed the practice by adding the antiseptic to its Model List of Essential Medicines for Children. A working group led by the nonprofit <a href="http://www.path.org/" type="external">PATH</a> has been set up to scale up the intervention.&#160;</p>
<p>7. Fighting polio. As of 2012, polio was a thing of the past for all but three of the world’s countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. This year, the incurable disease, which causes paralysis and sometimes leads to death, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/131106/syria-somalia-polio-outbreak-who-unicef-q-a" type="external">made a comeback</a>, snaking its way into Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Syria.&#160;</p>
<p>In the meantime, global health leaders recommitted themselves to eradicating the disease for good, launching the <a href="http://www.polioeradication.org/resourcelibrary/strategyandwork.aspx" type="external">Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan</a>. When polio cases started popping up, they united to fight the outbreaks by <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/syria-polio-vaccination" type="external">vaccinating 10 million young children</a> in the Middle East. Then, in November, GAVI Alliance, a nonprofit that partners with governments to bring vaccines to the poorest nations, announced plans to provide support for <a href="http://vaccinenewsdaily.com/vaccine_development/328633-gavi-to-support-polio-vaccination-in-worlds-poorest-countries/" type="external">inactivated poliovirus vaccine</a> as part of routine immunization programs.&#160;</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/special-reports/step-by-step-path-ending-child-mortality#slide-1" type="external">Step by Step: The path to ending child mortality</a></p> | false | 3 | battle child mortality global health community gained ground 2013 seven political scientific developments gave us reason hope year 1 millions lives saved unicefs annual report child mortality published september brought encouraging news child deaths declined nearly 50 percent since 1990 66 million children die age 5 die preventable causes global health community making headway deadliest diseases deaths diarrhea responsible 9 percent child fatalities declined 50 percent pneumonia malaria deaths dropped third still world isnt pace meet millennium development goal set united nations aims decrease child mortality two thirds 2015 2 gathering momentum year part global initiative called committing child survival promise renewed 11 countries developed road maps reduce under5 death rate 2 100 live births fewer 2035 liberia example rolled training program community health workers created national guidelines newborn care 170 countries signed promise renewed led united states india ethiopia unicef last year early assess projects impact organizers hope campaign keep momentum deadline millennium development goals nears160 3 affordable vaccine diarrhea indian scientists may unveiled lowcost vaccine common lethal form diarrhea 1 per dose vaccine called rotavac fraction price existing vaccines designed prevent rotavirus kills estimated 435000 children age 5 year similar vaccines produced pharmaceutical companies glaxosmithkline merk retail 7 per dose diarrhea second common cause death among children 5 cost huge barrier vaccination many lowincome countries disease often kills affordable vaccine case western university physician dr johnie rose told globalpost big news people waiting licensed vaccine expected save thousands lives per year 4 striding toward malaria vaccine showing promise early trials malaria vaccine glaxosmithkline produced disappointing results series clinical trials africa year theres shortage good news quest protect children tropical disease accounts 7 percent child deaths study concluded july vaccine developed australian researcher michael good produced longlived immunity mice using whole parasites human blood cells another scientist vanderbilt university found success vaccine made saliva mosquitos fed malariainfected blood160 5 action plan prevent newborn death johannesburg april 450 health experts 50 countries gathered first ever global summit newborn health conference attended unicef usaid 70 officials health ministries lowresource countries kicked development global action plan prevent death first month life160 thanks large part vaccines world made great strides many diseases commonly kill children ages 1 5 maladies take babies low birth weight birth asphyxia harder address overall child mortality rates dropped 25 percent per year since 1990 infant death rates declined 18 percent nearly half 5 deaths take place first month life stakeholders hope present global action plan world health organization january 6 spreading use lifesaving antiseptic 13 percent babies die infections often enter body newly cut umbilical cord experts estimate applying antiseptic chlorhexidine digluconate umbilical cord stump could avert roughly one six newborn deaths cheap one dose costs approximately 23 cents july world health organization officially endorsed practice adding antiseptic model list essential medicines children working group led nonprofit path set scale intervention160 7 fighting polio 2012 polio thing past three worlds countries pakistan afghanistan nigeria year incurable disease causes paralysis sometimes leads death made comeback snaking way somalia kenya ethiopia syria160 meantime global health leaders recommitted eradicating disease good launching polio eradication endgame strategic plan polio cases started popping united fight outbreaks vaccinating 10 million young children middle east november gavi alliance nonprofit partners governments bring vaccines poorest nations announced plans provide support inactivated poliovirus vaccine part routine immunization programs160 globalpost step step path ending child mortality | 558 |
<p />
<p>JUNE 21, 2010</p>
<p>By JOHN SEILER</p>
<p>Here’s something Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown should be debating.</p>
<p>As the California budget is haggled over by the governor, Legislature and the powerful government unions, one thing everyone assumes is that the California economy will gradually improve. That it will keep lifting its head out from the mire of the 2007-09 recession. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s May Revise of his fiscal 2010-11 <a href="http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/Revised/BudgetSummary/FullBudgetSummary.pdf" type="external">budget proposal observes</a> that “there continue to be signs the economy is slowly improving.” And:</p>
<p>The national and California economies improved between the Governor’s [January] Budget and the May Revision. … In fact, the good signs are coming at an increasing rate, especially in the national economy….</p>
<p>Based on better than expected indicators that have been released since the Governor’s Budget forecast, most notably GDP growth in the final quarter of 2009 that was much stronger than anticipated, the outlook for the national and state economies is more positive, but remains cautious.</p>
<p>But the proposal does caution that, “Despite these positive developments, the recovery remains fragile.”</p>
<p>However, what if even these cautious statements are not cautious enough? When working on a budget, a prudent family or business takes into account the possibility of economic calamity. Such a family or business saves a decent amount of money in a “rainy day” fund. And even in modestly bad times, it sharply cuts expenditures well below income to insure that debt is not accrued that will severely damage, or even bankrupt, the family or business.</p>
<p>In recent decades, California has never taken such precautions. Even when times were good and the tax money was rolling in, as during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s or the real estate-boom of the mid-2000s, instead of saving some money for use during a recession, virtually all the surplus tax money collected was spent on increasing the budgets of state agencies and pension spiking. No “rainy day” fund ever was funded.</p>
<p>Because there will be no cushion should the second half of a “double dip” recession hit within the next year or too, it’s worth contemplating what will happen.</p>
<p>Some of our best economists are warning that 2011 well could bring a renewed recession. Even if they are proved wrong – as everyone hopes will be the case – prudent budget crafting should take into account their warnings.</p>
<p>Because most of President Bush’s 2003 tax cuts expire in 2011, economist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Laffer" type="external">Arthur Laffer</a> is forecasting a major recession. Laffer is the head of Laffer Associates. Formerly located in San Diego, it recently relocated to Nashville, Tenn., to escape California’s high taxes. In particular, the 10.55 top California income tax rate compares badly with Tennessee’s 0 percent. Laffer helped craft Proposition 13, the 1978 property tax cut measure in California, and President Reagan’s tax cuts – both of which formed the foundation of&#160; 30 years of California prosperity.</p>
<p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704113504575264513748386610.html" type="external">In the June 6 Wall Street Journal</a>, Laffer wrote:</p>
<p>On or about Jan. 1, 2011, federal, state and local tax rates are scheduled to rise quite sharply. President George W. Bush’s tax cuts expire on that date, meaning that the highest federal personal income tax rate will go 39.6% from 35%, the highest federal dividend tax rate pops up to 39.6% from 15%, the capital gains tax rate to 20% from 15%, and the estate tax rate to 55% from zero. Lots and lots of other changes will also occur as a result of the sunset provision in the Bush tax cuts.</p>
<p>But hasn’t the economy been growing since the middle of 2009, when the recession ended? Yes. But the reason is that taxpayers, anticipating getting hit with the 2011 tax increases, are squeezing as much economic growth and profit into the months before then.</p>
<p>Here’s the scary part. Laffer explained:</p>
<p>Now, if people know tax rates will be higher next year than they are this year, what will those people do this year? They will shift production and income out of next year into this year to the extent possible. As a result, income this year has already been inflated above where it otherwise should be and next year, 2011, income will be lower than it otherwise should be.</p>
<p>In a discussion with me, Laffer also used an analogy to a sale, which I’ll adopt for our purposes. Suppose a store offers a 25 percent-off sale for the July 4 weekend, which is coming up. Predictably, sales and profits will rise that weekend. But the day after the sale ends, sales and profits will be lower than usual.</p>
<p>For a government, lower income by businesses and citizens means a recession. And it means a lower tax base, leading to fewer taxes collected – and a bigger state budget deficit.</p>
<p />
<p>California tax cuts</p>
<p>It’s true that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s record $13 billion in tax increases of 2009 expires next year – assuming he and the Legislature don’t extend the tax increases another year to close this year’s $19 billion budget deficit.</p>
<p>But even assuming the tax reductions go into effect in California, they won’t be big enough to discourage people and businesses from leaving for tax havens such as Texas. Consider:</p>
<p>In 2011, the top federal income tax rate will zooms from 35 percent to 39.6 percent. For a Californian in the top tax bracket, that means tax rates of:</p>
<p>In 2010: 45.55 percent (35 percent federal plus 10.55 percent state) – current marginal tax rate.</p>
<p>In 2011: 49.9 percent (39.6 percent federal plus 10.3 percent state) – marginal tax rate next year, in 2011, a 4.45 percentage-point increase.</p>
<p>In 2011 – moving out of California: 39.6 percent (39.6 percent federal plus 0 percent state) –&#160; marginal tax rate if you move to Washington, Texas, or some other state with no state income tax.&#160; That’s a 5.95 percentage-point overall tax cut, even after the federal tax increase.</p>
<p>In my call to Dr. Laffer, I asked him about how the federal tax increases directly would affect California. “California is a part of the United States, and will be affected directly as a consequence,” he told me. “The higher tax rates will make California more vulnerable than most other states – although not all of them.”</p>
<p>As I noted <a href="../2010/04/08/new-ca-doing-everything-wrong/" type="external">in a previous CalWatchDog.com piece</a>, a study Laffer conducted with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) included California in the category “States That Do Everything Wrong.” Other states in that category were New York, Michigan and New Jersey. Since then, rookie New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been <a href="http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/apr/24/new-jersey-governor-attacks-tax-burden/" type="external">cutting budget waste and taxes</a>. So perhaps it will drop out of that dismal group.</p>
<p>“People don’t work to pay taxes,” Laffer continued. “They work for what they take home after paying taxes. States with the highest tax rates will be the most disadvantaged. California is right at the top of that pile. States with the most debt will be especially burdened.”</p>
<p>For his ALEC study, Laffer came up with the “Moving Van Effect,” gauging how many people were moving out of one state to another state. California saw 1.4 million leaving the state between 1999 and 2008, second worst after New York’s 1.7 million leaving.</p>
<p>Laffer said he expects California to maintain a high Moving Van Effect. “California economy is not where anyone wants to be if they care about economics.”</p>
<p>I got more perspective from David Zetland, Wantrup Fellow in Natural Resource Economics and Political Economy at the University of California, Berkeley, and editor of the <a href="http://aguanomics.com/" type="external">Aguanomics.com</a> Web site on water policy. “As goes the nation, so goes California,” he told me of what would happen if the economy tanks in 2011. “Besides the obvious (lower tax revenues, higher unemployment), there will also be an Uh-oh effect – people will really dig in and cut back on spending, to make sure that they do not end up on the streets.”</p>
<p>As to whether a renewed recession would encourage more jobs to leave California, he replied, “Yes and no. Maybe the government will realize that reform is necessary. If there’s no change, then existing ‘hanging on’ businesses may call it quits or leave the state.”</p>
<p>As to how big the state budget deficit might get in another recession, he said it was difficult to speculate. But it could get “bigger, and maybe much bigger. Falling income taxes and rising expenses are an ugly pair. If you need a number, try $25 billion.”</p>
<p>He also doesn’t think a new recession would be a spur to more Californians leaving. The question, he said, is: “Will there be more jobs elsewhere, i.e., will other states recover faster? If not, and housing prices drop again, then they will either be trapped in houses (underwater) or able to afford cheaper houses. Moving is financially and emotionally costly, so people will not leave unless things are obviously better elsewhere. And others will fill their places. California is still a great place, government aside.”</p>
<p>John Seiler, an editorial writer with The Orange County Register for 19 years, is a reporter and analyst for <a href="../2010/02/28/2010/02/21/" type="external">CalWatchDog.com</a>. His email: <a href="mailto:writejohnseiler@gmail.com" type="external">writejohnseiler@gmail.com</a>.</p> | false | 3 | june 21 2010 john seiler heres something meg whitman jerry brown debating california budget haggled governor legislature powerful government unions one thing everyone assumes california economy gradually improve keep lifting head mire 200709 recession gov arnold schwarzeneggers may revise fiscal 201011 budget proposal observes continue signs economy slowly improving national california economies improved governors january budget may revision fact good signs coming increasing rate especially national economy based better expected indicators released since governors budget forecast notably gdp growth final quarter 2009 much stronger anticipated outlook national state economies positive remains cautious proposal caution despite positive developments recovery remains fragile however even cautious statements cautious enough working budget prudent family business takes account possibility economic calamity family business saves decent amount money rainy day fund even modestly bad times sharply cuts expenditures well income insure debt accrued severely damage even bankrupt family business recent decades california never taken precautions even times good tax money rolling dotcom boom late 1990s real estateboom mid2000s instead saving money use recession virtually surplus tax money collected spent increasing budgets state agencies pension spiking rainy day fund ever funded cushion second half double dip recession hit within next year worth contemplating happen best economists warning 2011 well could bring renewed recession even proved wrong everyone hopes case prudent budget crafting take account warnings president bushs 2003 tax cuts expire 2011 economist arthur laffer forecasting major recession laffer head laffer associates formerly located san diego recently relocated nashville tenn escape californias high taxes particular 1055 top california income tax rate compares badly tennessees 0 percent laffer helped craft proposition 13 1978 property tax cut measure california president reagans tax cuts formed foundation of160 30 years california prosperity june 6 wall street journal laffer wrote jan 1 2011 federal state local tax rates scheduled rise quite sharply president george w bushs tax cuts expire date meaning highest federal personal income tax rate go 396 35 highest federal dividend tax rate pops 396 15 capital gains tax rate 20 15 estate tax rate 55 zero lots lots changes also occur result sunset provision bush tax cuts hasnt economy growing since middle 2009 recession ended yes reason taxpayers anticipating getting hit 2011 tax increases squeezing much economic growth profit months heres scary part laffer explained people know tax rates higher next year year people year shift production income next year year extent possible result income year already inflated otherwise next year 2011 income lower otherwise discussion laffer also used analogy sale ill adopt purposes suppose store offers 25 percentoff sale july 4 weekend coming predictably sales profits rise weekend day sale ends sales profits lower usual government lower income businesses citizens means recession means lower tax base leading fewer taxes collected bigger state budget deficit california tax cuts true gov schwarzeneggers record 13 billion tax increases 2009 expires next year assuming legislature dont extend tax increases another year close years 19 billion budget deficit even assuming tax reductions go effect california wont big enough discourage people businesses leaving tax havens texas consider 2011 top federal income tax rate zooms 35 percent 396 percent californian top tax bracket means tax rates 2010 4555 percent 35 percent federal plus 1055 percent state current marginal tax rate 2011 499 percent 396 percent federal plus 103 percent state marginal tax rate next year 2011 445 percentagepoint increase 2011 moving california 396 percent 396 percent federal plus 0 percent state 160 marginal tax rate move washington texas state state income tax160 thats 595 percentagepoint overall tax cut even federal tax increase call dr laffer asked federal tax increases directly would affect california california part united states affected directly consequence told higher tax rates make california vulnerable states although noted previous calwatchdogcom piece study laffer conducted american legislative exchange council alec included california category states everything wrong states category new york michigan new jersey since rookie new jersey gov chris christie cutting budget waste taxes perhaps drop dismal group people dont work pay taxes laffer continued work take home paying taxes states highest tax rates disadvantaged california right top pile states debt especially burdened alec study laffer came moving van effect gauging many people moving one state another state california saw 14 million leaving state 1999 2008 second worst new yorks 17 million leaving laffer said expects california maintain high moving van effect california economy anyone wants care economics got perspective david zetland wantrup fellow natural resource economics political economy university california berkeley editor aguanomicscom web site water policy goes nation goes california told would happen economy tanks 2011 besides obvious lower tax revenues higher unemployment also uhoh effect people really dig cut back spending make sure end streets whether renewed recession would encourage jobs leave california replied yes maybe government realize reform necessary theres change existing hanging businesses may call quits leave state big state budget deficit might get another recession said difficult speculate could get bigger maybe much bigger falling income taxes rising expenses ugly pair need number try 25 billion also doesnt think new recession would spur californians leaving question said jobs elsewhere ie states recover faster housing prices drop either trapped houses underwater able afford cheaper houses moving financially emotionally costly people leave unless things obviously better elsewhere others fill places california still great place government aside john seiler editorial writer orange county register 19 years reporter analyst calwatchdogcom email writejohnseilergmailcom | 890 |
<p>By Robert Dilday</p>
<p>One day before the Supreme Court was to hear oral arguments in what may result in its most significant religious liberty ruling this term, the president of one of Baptists’ largest universities joined a noted Harvard law professor at a high-profile Washington forum March 24 to unpack the complex legal issues.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.baylor.edu/president/index.php?id=73711" type="external">Ken Starr</a>, a former U.S. Solicitor General and president of Baylor University since 2010, and <a href="http://www.alandershowitz.com/biography.php" type="external">Alan Dershowitz</a> of Harvard Law School focused on the Hobby Lobby case, one of two in which the high court must decide if employers with religious objections may refuse to provide their workers with insurance coverage for contraceptives as mandated in the Affordable Care Act.</p>
<p>The forum was part of an all-day conference touted as the inaugural event in a new religious liberty partnership between the historically Baptist university in Waco, Texas, and Washington-based Georgetown University, the nation’s oldest Catholic institution of higher education. Co-sponsoring the conference were Baylor’s <a href="http://www.baylorisr.org/" type="external">Institute for Studies of Religion</a> and the Religious Freedom Project of Georgetown’s <a href="http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/" type="external">Berkley Center</a> for Religion, Peace and World Affairs.</p>
<p>The public affairs cable network C-SPAN <a href="http://www.c-span.org/video/?318433-1/health-care-law-contraceptives-mandate" type="external">televised</a> the conference held at the Willard Hotel, two blocks from the White House.</p>
<p>The Hobby Lobby case — brought by the Baptist owners of an arts-and-crafts chain which they say is run on biblical principles — raises a question never confronted by the Supreme Court: whether secular, for-profit corporations are exempted from complying with a law if it conflicts with the owners’ religious beliefs.</p>
<p>The Green family, which owns the 640-store chain, believes some contraceptives and intrauterine devices may result in the destruction of human embryos — at odds with their religiously based pro-life views.</p>
<p>Also at stake is the constitutionality of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, overwhelmingly approved by Congress in 1993, which aims to prevent laws which substantially burden a person’s free exercise of religion.</p>
<p>Starr and Dershowitz — a self-described skeptic who said he disagrees with the Greens’ view of birth control — largely dismissed the government’s argument that constitutional guarantees of free exercise of religion apply only to individuals and not to for-profit corporations.</p>
<p>“The oddity of this entire argument on the part of the government that because [Hobby Lobby] is a for-profit corporation, and that if they had remained as five [family] partners they would have had full protection,” Starr said. “At what moment did that magic occur, that you had religious liberty rights and now you don’t?”</p>
<p>“I think the prospects are bright for Hobby Lobby and are dim for the government …,” he added. “The argument made that Hobby Lobby lost its rights when they marched downtown in Oklahoma City and filed articles of incorporation with the secretary of state borders in my judgment on the frivolous.”</p>
<p>“I find that to be an absurd argument being made by the government,” agreed Dershowitz. “I thought the government’s brief on that issue was trivial and silly. … You are the corporation and the corporation is you. That’s a religious principle and it seems to me that if the court were in any way to try to undercut that religious principle by citing state law about what a corporation is … they would be falling into the trap of themselves violating the free expression of religion clause.”</p>
<p>But they disagreed on what might constitute an “unfair burden” under the provisions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. RFRA asserts that religious exercise can be restricted only if there is a “compelling government interest” and if that interest is pursued in the least restrictive way.</p>
<p>“Every American who loves freedom should be applauding the statute that is at issue tomorrow in the Hobby Lobby case — the Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” said Starr.</p>
<p>The law provides a framework for protecting religious expressions, in part by permitting exemptions on the basis of strongly held religious beliefs, he said.</p>
<p>Dershowtiz, however, said that while he endorsed the RFRA standard, “when it comes to issues like whether or not a … family owned corporation should be allowed to be exempted from providing a service that perhaps many employees would benefit from, that’s a much more complicated and difficult question.”</p>
<p>The key is to find a middle ground, he said, to launch a “search for accommodation at every stage.”</p>
<p>“We have to try to figure out a way of not requiring you to compromise at all with your religious views, but also make sure it doesn’t hurt those whose religious views are different from yours.”</p>
<p>In the Hobby Lobby case, he said it was important to ensure the company’s employees were not disadvantaged by the exercise of the owners’ religious beliefs.</p>
<p>Starr responded that government already provides numerous exemptions to legal requirements.</p>
<p>“There are mechanisms to achieve this balance of accommodation you’re talking about. … The government has a huge Achilles’ heel [in making its case] … in that there are exemptions galore.”</p>
<p>Deciphering the legal aspects of the Hobby Lobby case dominated the conversation, but perceptions of hostility to religion in American life which are driving some public debate about the case inevitably slipped in.</p>
<p>“There is a growing sense that if you are a person of deep religious faith you’re in the crosshairs now,” Starr said. “There are people here from different religious communities who feel genuinely embattled in terms of freedom of conscience. … Has the culture shifted?”</p>
<p>If so, the fault lies with religious believers, said Dershowitz.</p>
<p>“You haven’t done a good enough job in the marketplace of ideas to persuade Americans of your point of view. I agree with you, I think you’re losing the battle among young people.”</p>
<p>Don’t ask for the help of government to bolster religion, he said. “Do a better job. Go out there and make religion more relevant in the life of young people. You have to figure out — and it’s your job — a way of making people love what you believe in and love what you’re doing.”</p>
<p>Among the participants at the March 24 event were members of the Green family, in Washington for their case’s oral arguments. The family is using its considerable resources to build a Museum of the Bible near the capital’s National Mall to display a collection of more than 55,000 biblical artifacts.</p>
<p>The Greens also have been <a href="http://www.baylor.edu/alumni/magazine/1101/news.php?action=story&amp;story=123484" type="external">financial supporters</a> of Baylor, making significant contributions to the university’s Institute for Studies of Religion and funding the <a href="http://www.baylorisr.org/programs-research/green-scholars-initiative/" type="external">Green Scholars Initiative</a>, for which Baylor is a major research partner.</p>
<p>Related stories:</p>
<p><a href="culture/politics/item/28348-brief-says-hobby-lobby-puts-rfra-on-trial#.UzFyGPldV8E" type="external">Brief says Hobby Lobby puts RFRA on trial</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Scholar claims in legal brief that RFRA is unconstitutional</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">ERLC supports Hobby Lobby in Supreme Court brief</a></p> | false | 3 | robert dilday one day supreme court hear oral arguments may result significant religious liberty ruling term president one baptists largest universities joined noted harvard law professor highprofile washington forum march 24 unpack complex legal issues ken starr former us solicitor general president baylor university since 2010 alan dershowitz harvard law school focused hobby lobby case one two high court must decide employers religious objections may refuse provide workers insurance coverage contraceptives mandated affordable care act forum part allday conference touted inaugural event new religious liberty partnership historically baptist university waco texas washingtonbased georgetown university nations oldest catholic institution higher education cosponsoring conference baylors institute studies religion religious freedom project georgetowns berkley center religion peace world affairs public affairs cable network cspan televised conference held willard hotel two blocks white house hobby lobby case brought baptist owners artsandcrafts chain say run biblical principles raises question never confronted supreme court whether secular forprofit corporations exempted complying law conflicts owners religious beliefs green family owns 640store chain believes contraceptives intrauterine devices may result destruction human embryos odds religiously based prolife views also stake constitutionality religious freedom restoration act overwhelmingly approved congress 1993 aims prevent laws substantially burden persons free exercise religion starr dershowitz selfdescribed skeptic said disagrees greens view birth control largely dismissed governments argument constitutional guarantees free exercise religion apply individuals forprofit corporations oddity entire argument part government hobby lobby forprofit corporation remained five family partners would full protection starr said moment magic occur religious liberty rights dont think prospects bright hobby lobby dim government added argument made hobby lobby lost rights marched downtown oklahoma city filed articles incorporation secretary state borders judgment frivolous find absurd argument made government agreed dershowitz thought governments brief issue trivial silly corporation corporation thats religious principle seems court way try undercut religious principle citing state law corporation would falling trap violating free expression religion clause disagreed might constitute unfair burden provisions religious freedom restoration act rfra asserts religious exercise restricted compelling government interest interest pursued least restrictive way every american loves freedom applauding statute issue tomorrow hobby lobby case religious freedom restoration act said starr law provides framework protecting religious expressions part permitting exemptions basis strongly held religious beliefs said dershowtiz however said endorsed rfra standard comes issues like whether family owned corporation allowed exempted providing service perhaps many employees would benefit thats much complicated difficult question key find middle ground said launch search accommodation every stage try figure way requiring compromise religious views also make sure doesnt hurt whose religious views different hobby lobby case said important ensure companys employees disadvantaged exercise owners religious beliefs starr responded government already provides numerous exemptions legal requirements mechanisms achieve balance accommodation youre talking government huge achilles heel making case exemptions galore deciphering legal aspects hobby lobby case dominated conversation perceptions hostility religion american life driving public debate case inevitably slipped growing sense person deep religious faith youre crosshairs starr said people different religious communities feel genuinely embattled terms freedom conscience culture shifted fault lies religious believers said dershowitz havent done good enough job marketplace ideas persuade americans point view agree think youre losing battle among young people dont ask help government bolster religion said better job go make religion relevant life young people figure job way making people love believe love youre among participants march 24 event members green family washington cases oral arguments family using considerable resources build museum bible near capitals national mall display collection 55000 biblical artifacts greens also financial supporters baylor making significant contributions universitys institute studies religion funding green scholars initiative baylor major research partner related stories brief says hobby lobby puts rfra trial scholar claims legal brief rfra unconstitutional erlc supports hobby lobby supreme court brief | 614 |
<p>The cost of building Brasilia's World Cup stadium has nearly tripled to $900 million in public funds, largely due to allegedly fraudulent billing, government auditors say.</p>
<p>The spike in costs has made it the world's second-most expensive soccer arena, even though the city has no major professional team.</p>
<p>Mane Garrincha stadium, which boasts 288 imposing concrete pillars holding aloft a high-tech self-cleaning roof, has become the costliest project related to Brazil's $11.5 billion World Cup.</p>
<p>Critics call it the poster child for out-of-control spending and mismanagement, or worse.</p>
<p>Now, an Associated Press analysis of data from Brazil's top electoral court shows skyrocketing campaign contributions by the very companies involved in most Cup projects.</p>
<p>The lead builder of Brasilia's stadium increased its political donations 500-fold in the most recent election.</p>
<p>The financial links between construction firms and politicians add to deep suspicions among Brazilians that preparations for soccer's premier event beginning next month are tainted by corruption, raising questions about how politicians who benefit from construction firms' largesse can be effective watchdogs over billion-dollar World Cup contracts. Anger over perceived corruption helped fuel huge protests last year, and there are fears more unrest could mar the Cup.</p>
<p>"These donations are making corruption in this country even worse and making it increasingly difficult to fight," said Renato Rainha, an arbiter at Brasilia's Audit Court, which is investigating the spending on Brasilia's stadium. "These politicians are working for those who financed campaigns."</p>
<p>In a 140-page report on the stadium, the auditors found $275 million in alleged price-gouging — and they have only examined three-fourths of the project.</p>
<p>They forecast that fully one-third of the stadium's cost may be attributable to overpricing, the largest single chunk of $500 million in suspect spending auditors have flagged in World Cup construction projects so far.</p>
<p>Federal prosecutors say as yet no individuals or companies face corruption charges related to World Cup work, but it could take years for official audits to be finalized and judged by civil courts, a required step before any criminal charges are filed.</p>
<p>There are at least a dozen separate federal investigations into World Cup spending.</p>
<p>"Is there corruption in the Cup? Of course, without a doubt," said Gil Castelo Branco, founder of the watchdog group Contas Abertas that campaigns for transparency in government spending. "Corruption goes where the money is, and in Brazil today, the big money is tied up in the Cup."</p>
<p>The price of building or refurbishing the 12 arenas alone has nearly quadrupled from initial estimates, helping make Brazil's World Cup the priciest yet.</p>
<p>Funding for Brasilia's stadium relies solely on financing from the federal district's coffers, meaning every cent comes from taxpayers. The auditors' report found instances of what appears to be flagrant overpricing.</p>
<p>For instance, the auditor's report says transportation of prefabricated grandstands was supposed to cost just $4,700 — but the construction consortium billed the government $1.5 million. The consortium is made up of Andrade Gutierrez, a construction conglomerate, and Via Engenharia, an engineering firm.</p>
<p>The steel to build the arena represented one-fifth of total expenses, and auditors say wasteful cutting practices or poor planning added $28 million in costs, the single biggest overrun uncovered so far.</p>
<p>The audit questions why the consortium had to discard 12 percent of its steel in Brasilia when Andrade Gutierrez, using the same cutting methods, lost just 5 percent of steel at another stadium it helped build in the Amazon city of Manaus and virtually none at a Cup arena in Cuiaba.</p>
<p>Another $16 million was lost when Brasilia's government inexplicably failed to enforce a fine against Andrade Gutierrez for a five-month delay in completion of the main portion of the stadium.</p>
<p>Auditors also say they spotted $2.3 million worth of materials that were simply listed multiple times on bills.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Andrade Gutierrez did not respond to an AP request for comment on the accusations of cost overruns.</p>
<p>But Claudio Monteiro, the head of the government's World Cup committee in Brasilia that is responsible for oversight, said the audit court's allegations are simply wrong and that all spending on the Brasilia stadium would be justified.</p>
<p>He questioned why the report came out so close to the opening of the tournament. "That's why I say they're trying to spoil the party," Monteiro said from his office outside the stadium. "We're going to show how this report is off base."</p>
<p>Monteiro is the former chief of staff to Brasilia's Gov. Agnelo Queiroz, a position he was forced to leave in April 2012 amid accusations he was part of a widespread kickback scheme. That scandal also forced him to give up his seat on the World Cup committee, but no charges were filed and he returned to the post a few months later.</p>
<p>Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo, a member of the Communist Party of Brazil, defended the legacy the Cup will leave behind for average Brazilians and said anybody responsible for misspent public funds would be found out.</p>
<p>"No disservice will be done to the people because of this Cup," Rebelo said in a recent interview at his office, adorned with busts of Mao Zedong, Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln. "If any corruption is proven, it will go through our legal system and punishments will be handed out for anyone found responsible."</p>
<p>In a poll last year, three-fourths of respondents said the World Cup construction has been infused with corruption.</p>
<p>Such beliefs fueled widespread and often violent anti-government protests last June that sent more than a million Brazilians into the street during FIFA's Confederations Cup soccer tournament, the warm-up event to the World Cup. Many protesters railed against corruption and the billions spent to host the events.</p>
<p>The distrust isn't surprising in a nation where 40 percent of federal congressmen have criminal cases pending against them before the country's highest court, according to the watchdog group Congresso em Foco, bolstering concerns the rise in campaign contributions found by the AP likely influenced government spending on the Cup.</p>
<p>'Collusion of the Brazilian governmental elite with the business elite'</p>
<p>The overall price of the 12 stadiums has jumped to $4.2 billion in nominal terms, nearly four times the estimate in a 2007 FIFA document published just days before Brazil was awarded the tournament. At the time, leaders also promised the stadiums would be privately funded.</p>
<p>Critics say four of the stadiums will become white elephants after the tournament because they are in cities that cannot support them.</p>
<p>"There's collusion of the Brazilian governmental elite with the business elite, and the game is rigged in their favor," said Christopher Gaffney, a professor at Rio's Federal University whose research focuses on the country's preparations for the World Cup and 2016 Olympics. "This was an opportunity to make a lot of money and that's what's happened."</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Andrade Gutierrez, which was awarded stakes in contracts totalling nearly one-fourth of the Cup's total price tag, contributed $73,180 in 2008 municipal elections. Four years later, after it was known which cities were hosting Cup matches and thus which political parties controlled the local governments that awarded and are overseeing Cup projects, the company's political contributions totalled $37.1 million.</p>
<p>The 500-fold increase in Andrade Gutierrez's political spending far outpaced the overall 84-percent jump in corporate campaign contributions between the same two elections.</p>
<p>It was in 2010, in between those two elections, that Andrade Gutierrez won bids to build or renovate four stadiums.</p>
<p>The political contributions of Brazil's top builder, Odebrecht, also had a 127-fold increase between those two elections — from $90,909 in 2008 to $11.6 million in 2012. It also won four stadium contracts worth billions along with a much-criticized contract to operate Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium for 35 years.</p>
<p>Rio state prosecutors have asked a court to force the renegotiation of the contract. They accuse the government of handing a sweetheart deal to the Odebrecht consortium, which also includes the firms IMX of Brazil tycoon Eike Batista and Los Angeles-based entertainment giant AEG.</p>
<p>The consortium will pay the government about $2 million a year, but prosecutors point out that doesn't even cover the $13.5 million a year the state must pay to service its 15-year loan to build the stadium.</p>
<p>In emailed statements, both Andrade Gutierrez and Odebrecht noted that their donations were legal under Brazilian law. They didn't respond to questions about why their contributions had spiked so markedly in recent elections.</p>
<p>The donations are virtually impossible to link directly to candidates.</p>
<p>That's because nearly all the money was given to national parties and thrown into a single pot for them to distribute, obscuring ties between corporations and specific politicians.</p>
<p>In March, Brazil's top electoral court mandated that money given by national party committees to candidates must indicate who originally gave the money to the committee.</p>
<p>And more changes are coming.</p>
<p>'A monument to national sadness'</p>
<p>A majority of justices on the country's Supreme Court voted last month to ban future corporate political donations, citing corruption fears. A single justice demanded to delay a final vote, meaning the reform won't take effect for months, after the Cup is over.</p>
<p>Corporate money in elections raises red flags in many nations, but it is especially serious in Brazil because the vast majority of campaigns are funded by corporations.</p>
<p>In the last presidential elections, more than 98 percent of campaign funds for both President Dilma Rousseff and her challenger Jose Serra came from big business, according to Transparency International's Brazil branch.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Bent Flyvbjerg, a professor at Oxford's Said Business School and one of the globe's foremost experts on global sports events, said that when countries opt to host them they're "basically writing a blank check."</p>
<p>"Often people are late on these projects and the only thing they can do is throw money at them," Flyvbjerg said. "It's the only way to get them done."</p>
<p>Construction companies know the events must be held on specific dates, which gives them leverage. The closer they get to that date and the more behind schedule preparations are, the more revenue they'll make — and FIFA says it's not seen any nation in the last four decades that's been further behind on Cup preparations than Brazil.</p>
<p>Political pressure makes it worse. Few nations have portrayed the World Cup in a more transformative light than Brazil.</p>
<p>In 2010, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met with officials from the 12 host cities, who promised to deliver ambitious works to fix Brazil's woeful public transportation system. Silva told those gathered that they weren't just making a commitment, but "signing a treaty before the Brazilian people that we'll not only host the World Cup, but the best World Cup."</p>
<p>With charges about misspent money flying, and few public transportation works in sight, many feel the nation blew its chance to make real advances.</p>
<p>Outside the stadium in Brasilia, security guard Paulo Rodrigues sought the shade of a jackfruit tree in the arena's parking lot on a recent afternoon. He smoked a cigarette down to the filter then used it to point up at the massive arena.</p>
<p>"That's a monument to national sadness and waste," he said. "I'm not against the Cup, but I'm frustrated with the spending and the corruption we all know it involves. When politicians build a road, even if there are kickbacks, at least at the end we have a road. With this stadium, we have nothing."</p> | false | 3 | cost building brasilias world cup stadium nearly tripled 900 million public funds largely due allegedly fraudulent billing government auditors say spike costs made worlds secondmost expensive soccer arena even though city major professional team mane garrincha stadium boasts 288 imposing concrete pillars holding aloft hightech selfcleaning roof become costliest project related brazils 115 billion world cup critics call poster child outofcontrol spending mismanagement worse associated press analysis data brazils top electoral court shows skyrocketing campaign contributions companies involved cup projects lead builder brasilias stadium increased political donations 500fold recent election financial links construction firms politicians add deep suspicions among brazilians preparations soccers premier event beginning next month tainted corruption raising questions politicians benefit construction firms largesse effective watchdogs billiondollar world cup contracts anger perceived corruption helped fuel huge protests last year fears unrest could mar cup donations making corruption country even worse making increasingly difficult fight said renato rainha arbiter brasilias audit court investigating spending brasilias stadium politicians working financed campaigns 140page report stadium auditors found 275 million alleged pricegouging examined threefourths project forecast fully onethird stadiums cost may attributable overpricing largest single chunk 500 million suspect spending auditors flagged world cup construction projects far federal prosecutors say yet individuals companies face corruption charges related world cup work could take years official audits finalized judged civil courts required step criminal charges filed least dozen separate federal investigations world cup spending corruption cup course without doubt said gil castelo branco founder watchdog group contas abertas campaigns transparency government spending corruption goes money brazil today big money tied cup price building refurbishing 12 arenas alone nearly quadrupled initial estimates helping make brazils world cup priciest yet funding brasilias stadium relies solely financing federal districts coffers meaning every cent comes taxpayers auditors report found instances appears flagrant overpricing instance auditors report says transportation prefabricated grandstands supposed cost 4700 construction consortium billed government 15 million consortium made andrade gutierrez construction conglomerate via engenharia engineering firm steel build arena represented onefifth total expenses auditors say wasteful cutting practices poor planning added 28 million costs single biggest overrun uncovered far audit questions consortium discard 12 percent steel brasilia andrade gutierrez using cutting methods lost 5 percent steel another stadium helped build amazon city manaus virtually none cup arena cuiaba another 16 million lost brasilias government inexplicably failed enforce fine andrade gutierrez fivemonth delay completion main portion stadium auditors also say spotted 23 million worth materials simply listed multiple times bills 160 andrade gutierrez respond ap request comment accusations cost overruns claudio monteiro head governments world cup committee brasilia responsible oversight said audit courts allegations simply wrong spending brasilia stadium would justified questioned report came close opening tournament thats say theyre trying spoil party monteiro said office outside stadium going show report base monteiro former chief staff brasilias gov agnelo queiroz position forced leave april 2012 amid accusations part widespread kickback scheme scandal also forced give seat world cup committee charges filed returned post months later sports minister aldo rebelo member communist party brazil defended legacy cup leave behind average brazilians said anybody responsible misspent public funds would found disservice done people cup rebelo said recent interview office adorned busts mao zedong karl marx abraham lincoln corruption proven go legal system punishments handed anyone found responsible poll last year threefourths respondents said world cup construction infused corruption beliefs fueled widespread often violent antigovernment protests last june sent million brazilians street fifas confederations cup soccer tournament warmup event world cup many protesters railed corruption billions spent host events distrust isnt surprising nation 40 percent federal congressmen criminal cases pending countrys highest court according watchdog group congresso em foco bolstering concerns rise campaign contributions found ap likely influenced government spending cup collusion brazilian governmental elite business elite overall price 12 stadiums jumped 42 billion nominal terms nearly four times estimate 2007 fifa document published days brazil awarded tournament time leaders also promised stadiums would privately funded critics say four stadiums become white elephants tournament cities support theres collusion brazilian governmental elite business elite game rigged favor said christopher gaffney professor rios federal university whose research focuses countrys preparations world cup 2016 olympics opportunity make lot money thats whats happened 160 andrade gutierrez awarded stakes contracts totalling nearly onefourth cups total price tag contributed 73180 2008 municipal elections four years later known cities hosting cup matches thus political parties controlled local governments awarded overseeing cup projects companys political contributions totalled 371 million 500fold increase andrade gutierrezs political spending far outpaced overall 84percent jump corporate campaign contributions two elections 2010 two elections andrade gutierrez bids build renovate four stadiums political contributions brazils top builder odebrecht also 127fold increase two elections 90909 2008 116 million 2012 also four stadium contracts worth billions along muchcriticized contract operate rio de janeiros maracana stadium 35 years rio state prosecutors asked court force renegotiation contract accuse government handing sweetheart deal odebrecht consortium also includes firms imx brazil tycoon eike batista los angelesbased entertainment giant aeg consortium pay government 2 million year prosecutors point doesnt even cover 135 million year state must pay service 15year loan build stadium emailed statements andrade gutierrez odebrecht noted donations legal brazilian law didnt respond questions contributions spiked markedly recent elections donations virtually impossible link directly candidates thats nearly money given national parties thrown single pot distribute obscuring ties corporations specific politicians march brazils top electoral court mandated money given national party committees candidates must indicate originally gave money committee changes coming monument national sadness majority justices countrys supreme court voted last month ban future corporate political donations citing corruption fears single justice demanded delay final vote meaning reform wont take effect months cup corporate money elections raises red flags many nations especially serious brazil vast majority campaigns funded corporations last presidential elections 98 percent campaign funds president dilma rousseff challenger jose serra came big business according transparency internationals brazil branch 160 bent flyvbjerg professor oxfords said business school one globes foremost experts global sports events said countries opt host theyre basically writing blank check often people late projects thing throw money flyvbjerg said way get done construction companies know events must held specific dates gives leverage closer get date behind schedule preparations revenue theyll make fifa says seen nation last four decades thats behind cup preparations brazil political pressure makes worse nations portrayed world cup transformative light brazil 2010 former president luiz inacio lula da silva met officials 12 host cities promised deliver ambitious works fix brazils woeful public transportation system silva told gathered werent making commitment signing treaty brazilian people well host world cup best world cup charges misspent money flying public transportation works sight many feel nation blew chance make real advances outside stadium brasilia security guard paulo rodrigues sought shade jackfruit tree arenas parking lot recent afternoon smoked cigarette filter used point massive arena thats monument national sadness waste said im cup im frustrated spending corruption know involves politicians build road even kickbacks least end road stadium nothing | 1,150 |
<p>The region is teeming with LGBT-friendly Halloween parties and costume contests this weekend. (Washington Blade photo by Damien Salas)</p>
<p>With Halloween falling mid-week this year, all the big partying is this weekend. Here are some regional highlights, many with a gay twist.</p>
<p>Friday, Oct. 27</p>
<p>Camp Variety Cabaret presents the&#160;“Scary Tales: A Grimm Night of Burlesque”&#160;tonight&#160;at&#160;8 p.m.&#160;Burlesque and variety performers will bring to life Washington’s scary fairy tales. Performers include Ophelia Zayna Hart, Danny Cavalier, Queen Nefertittie, Ginger Jameson, Delilah Dentata (Rocky), Cherie Sweetbottom, Carlita Caliente, Phoenix King. Buster Britches hosts the show. Zamora the Torture King will be the special guest.Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Doors open at&#160;8 p.m.&#160;For more details, search “Camp Variety Cabaret” on Facebook.</p>
<p>Night of the Living Zoo&#160;is at Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.)&#160;tonight&#160;from&#160;6:30-10 p.m.&#160;There will be live entertainment, performance artists, a bar and food trucks. There will also be a costume contest, rides on the Speedwell Conservation Carousel and snowless tubing. Guests will receive after-hours access to the Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center and Great Cats Circle. General admission tickets are $30 for members of FONZ and $40 for non-members. It includes two drink tickets and complimentary soda and water. VIP tickets are $65 for FONZ members and $90 for non-members. It includes three drink tickets, VIP express check-in, a souvenir tumbler, one ticket for snowless tubing, private access to the VIP bar and lounge, complimentary food tastings, animal demonstrations and a private dance party. For more details, visit national&#160; <a href="http://zoo.si.edu/events/night-living-zoo" type="external">zoo.si.edu/events/night-living-zoo</a>.</p>
<p>D.C. Bear Crue&#160;hosts its annual Halloween contest at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.)&#160;tonight&#160;from&#160;6-11 p.m.&#160;Prizes include drink tickets and bottles of alcohol. Line up starts at&#160;9 p.m.&#160;and contest starts at&#160;9:30 p.m.&#160;For more information, visit&#160; <a href="http://facebook.com/bearhappyhour" type="external">facebook.com/bearhappyhour</a>.</p>
<p>Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts&#160;Stranger Queens Halloween Party, for guests 18 and older,&#160;tonight&#160;at&#160;10 p.m.&#160;Drag show starts at&#160;10:30 p.m.&#160;GoGo boys perform after&#160;11 p.m.&#160;DJ West and DJ Back2back will play music. There will be a costume contest at&#160;midnight&#160;with cash prizes of $500, $250 and $150. Cover is $15.</p>
<p>Burlesque-a-pades&#160;presents a two-night Halloween show featuring Angie Pontani, the Main Attraction, Mr. Gorgeous, Ginger Leigh, Cherry Bomb, Peek-a-Boo Revue and Rosalee Sweet and other special guests. Albert Cadabra hosts. The show will take place at the Creative Alliance (3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, Md.)&#160;tonight&#160;at&#160;8 p.m.&#160;Tickets are $25. On&#160;Saturday, Oct. 28&#160; at 7 p.m., the show takes place at Rams Head On-Stage (33 West St., Annapolis, Md.). Tickets are $22.50. For more information, visit&#160; <a href="http://creativealliance.org/" type="external">creativealliance.org</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="http://ramsheadonstage.com/" type="external">ramsheadonstage.com</a>.</p>
<p>Synetic Theater (1800 S Bell St., Arlington, Va.) hosts its&#160;11th annual Vampire’s Ball&#160;tonight&#160;at&#160;8 p.m.&#160;The party will follow the theater’s performance of “Peter Pan.” There will be an open bar and costume content. DJ Konstantine Lortkipandidze will play music. Tickets include the&#160;8 p.m.&#160;performance of “Peter Pan.” Tickets range from $25-75.</p>
<p>Saturday, Oct. 28</p>
<p>Ghosttown, Town’s 21-and-over Halloween party, is&#160;tonight&#160;at&#160;10 p.m.&#160;There will be a costume contest at&#160;midnight&#160;with $1,000, $500 and $250 cash prizes. DJ Ed Bailey and DJ West will play music. Drag show starts at&#160;10:30 p.m.&#160;Cover is $15. For more details, visit&#160; <a href="http://towndc.com/" type="external">towndc.com</a>.</p>
<p>Synetic Theater hosts its new&#160;Pirate’s Ball, a family friendly party, today at&#160;2 p.m.&#160;Tickets include the&#160;2 p.m.&#160;performance of “Peter Pan,” family activities, light appetizers and a meet-and-greet with some of the cast. Guests are encouraged to come in costume and to bring a trick-or-treat bag. Tickets range from $50-70. For more details, visit&#160; <a href="http://synetictheater.org/" type="external">synetictheater.org</a>.</p>
<p>Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts&#160;Eighties Mayhem: ‘80s Halloween Dance Party&#160;tonight&#160;at&#160;9 p.m.&#160;DJ Missguided, DJ Steve EP and DJ Killa K will spin tracks. Costumes are encouraged. Cover is $15. For more details,&#160; <a href="http://blackcatdc.com/" type="external">blackcatdc.com</a>.</p>
<p>Mamajuana Edibles&#160;hosts “Tree or Treat,” a Halloween cannabis event, today from&#160;noon-4 p.m.&#160;Costumes are encouraged but not required. There will be music, vendors, special edition edibles and more. Smoking is permitted. A $5 donation is required. The address will be given with RSVP. For more information, visit&#160; <a href="http://facebook.com/mamuanaedibles" type="external">facebook.com/mamuanaedibles</a>.</p>
<p>Uproar Lounge and Restaurant&#160;(639 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts House of Horror Costume Party&#160;tonight&#160;from&#160;9 p.m.-2 a.m.&#160;The party is open theme and all costume types are allowed. For more details, visit&#160; <a href="http://facebook.com/uproarloungedc" type="external">facebook.com/uproarloungedc</a>.</p>
<p>Skintight USA hosts&#160;Hot Horror Halloween&#160;at Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.)&#160;tonight&#160;from&#160;8 p.m.- 2 a.m.&#160;There will be a costume contest and raffle with $1,000 in prizes including porn, comics, toys and games. Shirley U. Jest will perform. DJ David Merrill will spin tracks. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information, visit&#160; <a href="http://facebook.com/skintightusa" type="external">facebook.com/skintightusa</a>.</p>
<p>Distrkt C&#160;hosts Warlock, a Halloween party, at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.)&#160;tonight&#160;from&#160;10 p.m.-6 a.m.&#160;DJ Josh Whitaker will play an extended set. There will be a&#160;midnight&#160;costume contest with a $250 prize. Tickets are $25. For more details, visit&#160; <a href="http://distrktc.com/" type="external">distrktc.com</a>.</p>
<p>Lindy Promotions hosts its&#160;19th annual Nightmare on M Street&#160;bar crawl today from&#160;2-8 p.m.&#160;There will be costume contests, prizes and drink specials. Participating bars are Barcode, the Big Hunt, Blackfinn, Decades, Dirty Bar, Dirty Martini, The Gryphon, Public Bar and D.C. Taphouse. Tickets range from $10-20. For more information, visit&#160; <a href="http://lindypromo.com/" type="external">lindypromo.com</a>.</p>
<p>Sunday, Oct. 29</p>
<p>Flash hosts a Halloween edition of&#160;Flashy After Hours&#160;this morning from&#160;3:30-9 a.m.&#160;Tickets are $30. Guests with a wristband to the Cherry Fund party at Cobalt will receive $5 off. DJ Sean Morris and DJ Twin will play music. For more information, visit&#160; <a href="http://facebook.com/flashydc" type="external">facebook.com/flashydc</a>.</p>
<p>Tuesday, Oct. 31</p>
<p>D.C. Gaymers&#160;host a Halloween party at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.)&#160;tonight&#160;from&#160;7-10 p.m.&#160;The group will be playing classic games like “Smash Bros.,” “Mario Kart,” “Tekken,” “Pokken Tournament” and more. The game “Resident Evil” will also be screened. There will be a raffle for prizes and a costume contest with a grand prize of $500. For more details, visit&#160; <a href="http://facebook.com/dcgaymers" type="external">facebook.com/dcgaymers</a>.</p>
<p>D.C. Front Runners&#160;hosts a Halloween-themed run kicking off at Union Station (50 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.)&#160;tonight&#160;from&#160;7-9 p.m.&#160;Costumes are encouraged. For more details, search “D.C. Front Runners” on Facebook.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">11th Annual Vampire's Ball</a> <a href="" type="internal">19th Annual Nightmare on M Street</a> <a href="" type="internal">Albert Cadabra</a> <a href="" type="internal">Angie Potani</a> <a href="" type="internal">BacK2bACk</a> <a href="" type="internal">BARCODE</a> <a href="" type="internal">Blackfinn</a> <a href="" type="internal">Burlesqua-a-pades</a> <a href="" type="internal">Buster Britches</a> <a href="" type="internal">Camp Variety Cabaret</a> <a href="" type="internal">Carlita Caliente</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cherie Sweetbottom</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cherry Bomb</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cherry Fund Party</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cobalt</a> <a href="" type="internal">Creative Alliance</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Bear Crue</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Eagle</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Front Runners</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Gaymers</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Taphouse</a> <a href="" type="internal">Danny Cavalier</a> <a href="" type="internal">Decades</a> <a href="" type="internal">Delilah Dentata</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dirty Bar</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dirty Martini</a> <a href="" type="internal">Distrkt C</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ David Merrill</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ Ed Bailey</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ Josh Whitaker</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ Killa K</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ Konstantine Lortkipandidze</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ MissGuided</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ Sean Morris</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ Steve EP</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ Twin</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ West</a> <a href="" type="internal">Eighties Mayhem: 80's Halloween Party</a> <a href="" type="internal">Flash</a> <a href="" type="internal">Flashy After Hours</a> <a href="" type="internal">FONZ</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ghosttown</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ginger Jameson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ginger Leigh</a> <a href="" type="internal">Great Cats Circle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Green Lantern</a> <a href="" type="internal">Halloween</a> <a href="" type="internal">Halloween-themed Run</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hot Horrow Halloween</a> <a href="" type="internal">House of Horror Costume Party</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lindy Promotions</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mamajuana Edibles</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mario Kart</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mr. Gorgeous</a> <a href="" type="internal">Night of the Living Zoo</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ophelia Zayna Hart</a> <a href="" type="internal">Peek-a-Boo Revue</a> <a href="" type="internal">Peter Pan</a> <a href="" type="internal">Phoenix King</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pirate's Ball</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pokken Tournament</a> <a href="" type="internal">Public Bar</a> <a href="" type="internal">Queen Nefertittie</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ram's Head on Stage</a> <a href="" type="internal">Reptile Discovery Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">Resident Evil</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rosalee Sweet</a> <a href="" type="internal">Samll Mammal House</a> <a href="" type="internal">Scary Tales: A Grimm Night of Burlesque</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shirley U. Jest</a> <a href="" type="internal">Skintight USA</a> <a href="" type="internal">Smash Bros</a> <a href="" type="internal">Smithsonian National Zoo</a> <a href="" type="internal">snowless tubing</a> <a href="" type="internal">Speedwell Conservation Carousel</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stranger Queens Halloween Party</a> <a href="" type="internal">Synetic Theater</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tekken</a> <a href="" type="internal">the Big Hunt</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Gryphon</a> <a href="" type="internal">the Main Attraction</a> <a href="" type="internal">Town</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tree or Treat</a> <a href="" type="internal">Union Station</a> <a href="" type="internal">Uproar Lounge and Restaurant</a> <a href="" type="internal">Warlock</a> <a href="" type="internal">Washington</a> <a href="" type="internal">Zamora the Torture King</a></p> | false | 3 | region teeming lgbtfriendly halloween parties costume contests weekend washington blade photo damien salas halloween falling midweek year big partying weekend regional highlights many gay twist friday oct 27 camp variety cabaret presents the160scary tales grimm night burlesque160tonight160at1608 pm160burlesque variety performers bring life washingtons scary fairy tales performers include ophelia zayna hart danny cavalier queen nefertittie ginger jameson delilah dentata rocky cherie sweetbottom carlita caliente phoenix king buster britches hosts show zamora torture king special guesttickets 15 advance 17 door doors open at1608 pm160for details search camp variety cabaret facebook night living zoo160is smithsonians national zoo 3001 connecticut ave nw160tonight160from16063010 pm160there live entertainment performance artists bar food trucks also costume contest rides speedwell conservation carousel snowless tubing guests receive afterhours access small mammal house reptile discovery center great cats circle general admission tickets 30 members fonz 40 nonmembers includes two drink tickets complimentary soda water vip tickets 65 fonz members 90 nonmembers includes three drink tickets vip express checkin souvenir tumbler one ticket snowless tubing private access vip bar lounge complimentary food tastings animal demonstrations private dance party details visit national160 zoosiedueventsnightlivingzoo dc bear crue160hosts annual halloween contest town 2009 8th st nw160tonight160from160611 pm160prizes include drink tickets bottles alcohol line starts at1609 pm160and contest starts at160930 pm160for information visit160 facebookcombearhappyhour town 2009 8th st nw hosts160stranger queens halloween party guests 18 older160tonight160at16010 pm160drag show starts at1601030 pm160gogo boys perform after16011 pm160dj west dj back2back play music costume contest at160midnight160with cash prizes 500 250 150 cover 15 burlesqueapades160presents twonight halloween show featuring angie pontani main attraction mr gorgeous ginger leigh cherry bomb peekaboo revue rosalee sweet special guests albert cadabra hosts show take place creative alliance 3134 eastern ave baltimore md160tonight160at1608 pm160tickets 25 on160saturday oct 28160 7 pm show takes place rams head onstage 33 west st annapolis md tickets 2250 information visit160 creativeallianceorg160and160 ramsheadonstagecom synetic theater 1800 bell st arlington va hosts its16011th annual vampires ball160tonight160at1608 pm160the party follow theaters performance peter pan open bar costume content dj konstantine lortkipandidze play music tickets include the1608 pm160performance peter pan tickets range 2575 saturday oct 28 ghosttown towns 21andover halloween party is160tonight160at16010 pm160there costume contest at160midnight160with 1000 500 250 cash prizes dj ed bailey dj west play music drag show starts at1601030 pm160cover 15 details visit160 towndccom synetic theater hosts new160pirates ball family friendly party today at1602 pm160tickets include the1602 pm160performance peter pan family activities light appetizers meetandgreet cast guests encouraged come costume bring trickortreat bag tickets range 5070 details visit160 synetictheaterorg black cat 1811 14th st nw hosts160eighties mayhem 80s halloween dance party160tonight160at1609 pm160dj missguided dj steve ep dj killa k spin tracks costumes encouraged cover 15 details160 blackcatdccom mamajuana edibles160hosts tree treat halloween cannabis event today from160noon4 pm160costumes encouraged required music vendors special edition edibles smoking permitted 5 donation required address given rsvp information visit160 facebookcommamuanaedibles uproar lounge restaurant160639 florida ave nw hosts house horror costume party160tonight160from1609 pm2 am160the party open theme costume types allowed details visit160 facebookcomuproarloungedc skintight usa hosts160hot horror halloween160at green lantern 1335 green ct nw160tonight160from1608 pm 2 am160there costume contest raffle 1000 prizes including porn comics toys games shirley u jest perform dj david merrill spin tracks tickets 10 door information visit160 facebookcomskintightusa distrkt c160hosts warlock halloween party dc eagle 3701 benning rd ne160tonight160from16010 pm6 am160dj josh whitaker play extended set a160midnight160costume contest 250 prize tickets 25 details visit160 distrktccom lindy promotions hosts its16019th annual nightmare street160bar crawl today from16028 pm160there costume contests prizes drink specials participating bars barcode big hunt blackfinn decades dirty bar dirty martini gryphon public bar dc taphouse tickets range 1020 information visit160 lindypromocom sunday oct 29 flash hosts halloween edition of160flashy hours160this morning from1603309 am160tickets 30 guests wristband cherry fund party cobalt receive 5 dj sean morris dj twin play music information visit160 facebookcomflashydc tuesday oct 31 dc gaymers160host halloween party cobalt 1639 r st nw160tonight160from160710 pm160the group playing classic games like smash bros mario kart tekken pokken tournament game resident evil also screened raffle prizes costume contest grand prize 500 details visit160 facebookcomdcgaymers dc front runners160hosts halloweenthemed run kicking union station 50 massachusetts ave ne160tonight160from16079 pm160costumes encouraged details search dc front runners facebook 11th annual vampires ball 19th annual nightmare street albert cadabra angie potani back2back barcode blackfinn burlesquaapades buster britches camp variety cabaret carlita caliente cherie sweetbottom cherry bomb cherry fund party cobalt creative alliance dc bear crue dc eagle dc front runners dc gaymers dc taphouse danny cavalier decades delilah dentata dirty bar dirty martini distrkt c dj david merrill dj ed bailey dj josh whitaker dj killa k dj konstantine lortkipandidze dj missguided dj sean morris dj steve ep dj twin dj west eighties mayhem 80s halloween party flash flashy hours fonz ghosttown ginger jameson ginger leigh great cats circle green lantern halloween halloweenthemed run hot horrow halloween house horror costume party lindy promotions mamajuana edibles mario kart mr gorgeous night living zoo ophelia zayna hart peekaboo revue peter pan phoenix king pirates ball pokken tournament public bar queen nefertittie rams head stage reptile discovery center resident evil rosalee sweet samll mammal house scary tales grimm night burlesque shirley u jest skintight usa smash bros smithsonian national zoo snowless tubing speedwell conservation carousel stranger queens halloween party synetic theater tekken big hunt gryphon main attraction town tree treat union station uproar lounge restaurant warlock washington zamora torture king | 880 |
<p>DAMASCUS — Syria’s US-backed rebels are steadily losing ground to extremist Islamist groups, dealing a serious blow to Washington’s hopes to overthrow the regime of Bashar al-Assad.&#160;</p>
<p>The splintering of the Free Syrian Army is seen by many regional analysts as a sign of the increased sectarianism of the civil war. What began as an Arab Spring uprising against dictatorship has become a vehicle for extremists who attack all government supporters as infidels and apostates. For its part, the Assad regime rallies minority Shiites and Alawites by condemning Sunni rebels as takfiris, or "impure Muslims."&#160;</p>
<p>Assad’s idea, these analysts contend, was to play up the sectarian divide as a way to fracture and weaken his opposition. It appears Assad’s strategy may be working.&#160;</p>
<p>The civil war has claimed more than 100,000 lives, forced 2 million refugees to flee and 3 million to be internally displaced. Assad supporters see him as a strong leader fighting against chaos and extremism.</p>
<p>Extremist groups have been fighting US-supported rebels for months. The first evidence came in July when the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) expelled the FSA from several northern cities, including Raqqa. The ISIS then imposed a severe interpretation of sharia law that includes imprisonment and torture of anyone who opposes the ISIS.</p>
<p>Adding to the Islamist momentum, a new and increasingly powerful coalition of extremist militias, the Islamic Front, seized a warehouse last week controlled by the FSA. The storage facility inside Syria near the Turkish border was chock full of trucks, supplies and weapons.</p>
<p>According to some reports, General Salim Idris, head of the FSA, fled to Turkey after his men gave up the warehouse without a fight, leading the Obama administration to announce it would <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/12/world/middleeast/us-suspends-nonlethal-aid-to-syrian-rebels-in-north.html" type="external">suspend "non-lethal aid"</a> to opposition groups. This debacle revealed the weakness of the pro-US militias, according to Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma.&#160;</p>
<p>"Idris is a stuffed shirt and has no troops," said Landis in a phone interview. Fighting between pro-US and <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/131218/salafist-syria-civil-war" type="external">ultra-conservative militias</a> "is a viper’s nest. Everyone is scrambling for power."</p>
<p>Landis noted that the Islamic Front, along with two ultra-conservative groups affiliated with al Qaeda, now control swaths of northern and southern Syria. Those groups also control towns on the outskirts of Damascus, and regularly lob mortar shells into the capital.&#160;</p>
<p>In recent weeks the government has taken back control over some of the Damascus suburbs, along with portions of the important cities of Homs and Aleppo. So overall, the civil war remains a stalemate.&#160;</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/131218/salafist-syria-civil-war" type="external">It's Salafist vs. Salafist in Syria's civil war</a></p>
<p>Government officials argue that they are protecting secular rule. Minister of Justice Najm al Ahmad, in an exclusive GlobalPost interview, said the rebel groups promote extremism and religious hatred. He said the Syrian Army's progress so far comes from popular opposition to "these terrorist groups and their takfiri methodology. The people suffer from the terrorist actions."</p>
<p>Assad is an Alawite, a small sect of Muslims with roots in Shia Islam. Less than 15 percent of Syrian Muslims are Shia, while an estimated 74 percent are Sunni. Before the uprising began t <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130611/fight-syria-sectarian-divisions-sunni-shia-divide" type="external">he rift between the sects</a> had been limited to the religious sphere. Now both sides use the differences to rally their supporters.</p>
<p>Yet after nearly three years of fighting, the government has failed to win the war. Analysts in Damascus say that can be traced, in part, to Assad's economic policies.</p>
<p>In the early 2000s, Assad’s government privatized some state-run industries and lowered tariffs on imported goods, following an economic model promoted by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.</p>
<p>Such policies increased poverty in the mainly Sunni, rural areas, according to Dr. Bassam Barakat, a pro-government political consultant.</p>
<p>For Bakarat and other analysts the defining line in this conflict is not religious, but economic.</p>
<p>"Textile and other factories were no longer subsidized by the government," Bakarat said. "They allowed Turkish commodities to enter without taxes. The national industry was completely damaged."</p>
<p>Unemployment grew as factories shut down and farmers couldn't compete with cheap imports.&#160;</p>
<p>"The Syrian regime made a big mistake," Barakat said. "We had an army of unemployed young people and new groups started to emerge."</p>
<p>Initially, Muslim youth flocked to the Muslim Brotherhood, a group that had been fighting the government since the 1970s. The old Brotherhood leadership had been jailed or forced into exile, and a new leadership arose.</p>
<p>The Brotherhood established a headquarters in exile in Istanbul, Turkey. They repudiated some of their earlier ultra-religious views and proclaimed support for a parliamentary system that would include free elections and protection for minorities.</p>
<p>But the Brotherhood and its affiliated militias didn't agree with US policy in the region. Like most Syrians, the Brotherhood leadership opposed the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and wanted Israel to return the Golan Heights, seized from Syria in 1967.</p>
<p>During the first two years of the uprising, the Brotherhood dominated various civilian and military coalitions formed to oppose Assad, much to the chagrin of the Obama administration.</p>
<p>"America didn't want the Muslim Brotherhood to rule," said Professor Landis. "It was too Islamist for the US, but in fact, it is the least Islamist. The US wants a Chalabi," referring to Ahmed Chalabi, an Iraqi opposition leader backed by the US before the invasion, but who had little popular support.</p>
<p>During the past year, extremist groups grew in influence. The Al Nusra Front and the ISIS both proclaim their affiliation with al Qaeda, although they remain operationally independent.</p>
<p>The growth of extremist groups has posed a significant problem for civil society activists, those who advocate a secular parliamentary system for Syria and who played a prominent role in the early days of the uprising.</p>
<p>In 2011 I interviewed several such non-violent protesters in Damascus. Mahmud has since moved to Dera in southern Syria, where he joined the FSA. The former secular journalist and playwright became a devout Muslim.</p>
<p>Leen, his friend and fellow activist, admitted that Mahmud and many others have undergone a political transformation.</p>
<p>"The FSA is conservative," said Leen, "because it wants Islam to play an important role in a revolutionary government, but it's not extremist. The ISIS, which is mostly foreign fighters, wants to impose a religious dictatorship on Syria."</p>
<p>Leen blames the rise in sectarianism on the Assad government, which promoted sectarian divisions from the very beginning of the uprising.</p>
<p>"Assad rallied Alawites against Sunnis by calling them takfiris," or impure Muslims, she said. Even during the opening weeks of the popular uprising, the government accused peaceful demonstrators of being al Qaeda extremists.</p>
<p>Extremist rebels also fan religious conflict, she admitted, by lobbing rockets and mortars into civilian areas of Damascus. Many land in Christian neighborhoods near the Old City, leading many to suspect the rebels deliberately target Christians.</p>
<p>Leen criticized such attacks as immoral and likely to alienate civilians from the rebel cause. But she admitted that many rebel supporters justify such attacks because of the army's horrific shelling of rebel-held areas.</p>
<p>"The government has laid siege to rebel towns, cutting off food, water and medicine," she said. "What do you expect people to do?"</p>
<p>Government supporters make similar justifications for army attacks on civilians in rebel areas. Alaa Ebrahim, a local TV reporter, argued that the Syrian Army tries to be selective in its attacks. But he said some government supporters think bombardments are justified because civilians provide a “nurturing environment” for the rebels.</p>
<p>Ebrahim strongly disagreed with this view, but said some government supporters are convinced “if the civilians don’t leave rebel areas, they must support the rebels.”</p>
<p>Ebrahim brings an interesting perspective to the issue of religious tensions in Syria. He pulled out an iPhone to display idyllic photos of family and friends in his home village near Syria's Mediterranean coast. In happier times, they enjoyed the area's beautiful waterfalls and picturesque mountains.</p>
<p>He also described the good relations among the village's diverse religious groups. Sunni Muslims, Christians and Alawites get along well, he said, despite the increase in religious tensions elsewhere in Syria. Ebrahim said Sunnis in his village support the government of Assad so they don't come under suspicion.</p>
<p>In the cities where rebels are fighting for control, however, entire Sunni neighborhoods are cordoned off with army checkpoints and become no-go zones at night. The army also lays siege to mostly Sunni, rebel-controlled towns, frequently preventing entry of food, medicine and other essentials.</p>
<p>Ebrahim said the conflict in Syria remains political, not religious, pitting western-backed rebels against the Assad government. He noted that Syria has a long history of secularism, with friendships and marriages cutting across religious lines.</p>
<p>However, sectarian conflict has seriously impacted the country because Christians, Shia Muslims and other minorities support the government. Many Sunnis do not. Assad draws particularly strong support from Alawites.</p>
<p>“As an Alawite government employee, if you’re invited to dinner by a Sunni, you would be afraid of an ambush," Ebrahim said. "You would refuse. Trust has broken down.”</p>
<p>He initially felt some sympathy for the peaceful protestors demonstrating in the early months of the uprising. But he believes that religious extremists now dominate, leaving little room for civilian opposition.</p>
<p>And then earlier this year he faced a personal tragedy. His mother, a Syrian Army officer, was assassinated by a rebel sniper, who killed her with a single shot at a distance of 1300 yards. An army investigation revealed the rebels had inside help.</p>
<p>His mother's assassination was just one more indication of a technically proficient enemy with intelligence capability even within the military. He said the conflict will continue as long as outside powers such as the US and Saudi Arabia fund the rebels.</p>
<p>Civilian opponents and rebels make the same argument regarding the government. "Assad would fall quickly if he didn't receive support from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah," said activist Leen.</p>
<p>Both Leen and Ebrahim agreed that, whoever wins, Syria has changed forever.</p>
<p>“We’ve lost this amazing country," said Ebrahim, "and it’s never coming back.”</p>
<p>GlobalPost special correspondent Reese Erlich's reporting from Syria was supported in part by a travel grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Erlich's book on the Syrian uprising will be published by Prometheus Books in the fall of 2014. &#160;</p>
<p>This story is presented by <a href="http://thegroundtruthproject.org/" type="external">The GroundTruth Project.</a>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | damascus syrias usbacked rebels steadily losing ground extremist islamist groups dealing serious blow washingtons hopes overthrow regime bashar alassad160 splintering free syrian army seen many regional analysts sign increased sectarianism civil war began arab spring uprising dictatorship become vehicle extremists attack government supporters infidels apostates part assad regime rallies minority shiites alawites condemning sunni rebels takfiris impure muslims160 assads idea analysts contend play sectarian divide way fracture weaken opposition appears assads strategy may working160 civil war claimed 100000 lives forced 2 million refugees flee 3 million internally displaced assad supporters see strong leader fighting chaos extremism extremist groups fighting ussupported rebels months first evidence came july islamic state iraq syria isis expelled fsa several northern cities including raqqa isis imposed severe interpretation sharia law includes imprisonment torture anyone opposes isis adding islamist momentum new increasingly powerful coalition extremist militias islamic front seized warehouse last week controlled fsa storage facility inside syria near turkish border chock full trucks supplies weapons according reports general salim idris head fsa fled turkey men gave warehouse without fight leading obama administration announce would suspend nonlethal aid opposition groups debacle revealed weakness prous militias according joshua landis director center middle east studies university oklahoma160 idris stuffed shirt troops said landis phone interview fighting prous ultraconservative militias vipers nest everyone scrambling power landis noted islamic front along two ultraconservative groups affiliated al qaeda control swaths northern southern syria groups also control towns outskirts damascus regularly lob mortar shells capital160 recent weeks government taken back control damascus suburbs along portions important cities homs aleppo overall civil war remains stalemate160 globalpost salafist vs salafist syrias civil war government officials argue protecting secular rule minister justice najm al ahmad exclusive globalpost interview said rebel groups promote extremism religious hatred said syrian armys progress far comes popular opposition terrorist groups takfiri methodology people suffer terrorist actions assad alawite small sect muslims roots shia islam less 15 percent syrian muslims shia estimated 74 percent sunni uprising began rift sects limited religious sphere sides use differences rally supporters yet nearly three years fighting government failed win war analysts damascus say traced part assads economic policies early 2000s assads government privatized staterun industries lowered tariffs imported goods following economic model promoted international monetary fund world bank policies increased poverty mainly sunni rural areas according dr bassam barakat progovernment political consultant bakarat analysts defining line conflict religious economic textile factories longer subsidized government bakarat said allowed turkish commodities enter without taxes national industry completely damaged unemployment grew factories shut farmers couldnt compete cheap imports160 syrian regime made big mistake barakat said army unemployed young people new groups started emerge initially muslim youth flocked muslim brotherhood group fighting government since 1970s old brotherhood leadership jailed forced exile new leadership arose brotherhood established headquarters exile istanbul turkey repudiated earlier ultrareligious views proclaimed support parliamentary system would include free elections protection minorities brotherhood affiliated militias didnt agree us policy region like syrians brotherhood leadership opposed us invasions iraq afghanistan wanted israel return golan heights seized syria 1967 first two years uprising brotherhood dominated various civilian military coalitions formed oppose assad much chagrin obama administration america didnt want muslim brotherhood rule said professor landis islamist us fact least islamist us wants chalabi referring ahmed chalabi iraqi opposition leader backed us invasion little popular support past year extremist groups grew influence al nusra front isis proclaim affiliation al qaeda although remain operationally independent growth extremist groups posed significant problem civil society activists advocate secular parliamentary system syria played prominent role early days uprising 2011 interviewed several nonviolent protesters damascus mahmud since moved dera southern syria joined fsa former secular journalist playwright became devout muslim leen friend fellow activist admitted mahmud many others undergone political transformation fsa conservative said leen wants islam play important role revolutionary government extremist isis mostly foreign fighters wants impose religious dictatorship syria leen blames rise sectarianism assad government promoted sectarian divisions beginning uprising assad rallied alawites sunnis calling takfiris impure muslims said even opening weeks popular uprising government accused peaceful demonstrators al qaeda extremists extremist rebels also fan religious conflict admitted lobbing rockets mortars civilian areas damascus many land christian neighborhoods near old city leading many suspect rebels deliberately target christians leen criticized attacks immoral likely alienate civilians rebel cause admitted many rebel supporters justify attacks armys horrific shelling rebelheld areas government laid siege rebel towns cutting food water medicine said expect people government supporters make similar justifications army attacks civilians rebel areas alaa ebrahim local tv reporter argued syrian army tries selective attacks said government supporters think bombardments justified civilians provide nurturing environment rebels ebrahim strongly disagreed view said government supporters convinced civilians dont leave rebel areas must support rebels ebrahim brings interesting perspective issue religious tensions syria pulled iphone display idyllic photos family friends home village near syrias mediterranean coast happier times enjoyed areas beautiful waterfalls picturesque mountains also described good relations among villages diverse religious groups sunni muslims christians alawites get along well said despite increase religious tensions elsewhere syria ebrahim said sunnis village support government assad dont come suspicion cities rebels fighting control however entire sunni neighborhoods cordoned army checkpoints become nogo zones night army also lays siege mostly sunni rebelcontrolled towns frequently preventing entry food medicine essentials ebrahim said conflict syria remains political religious pitting westernbacked rebels assad government noted syria long history secularism friendships marriages cutting across religious lines however sectarian conflict seriously impacted country christians shia muslims minorities support government many sunnis assad draws particularly strong support alawites alawite government employee youre invited dinner sunni would afraid ambush ebrahim said would refuse trust broken initially felt sympathy peaceful protestors demonstrating early months uprising believes religious extremists dominate leaving little room civilian opposition earlier year faced personal tragedy mother syrian army officer assassinated rebel sniper killed single shot distance 1300 yards army investigation revealed rebels inside help mothers assassination one indication technically proficient enemy intelligence capability even within military said conflict continue long outside powers us saudi arabia fund rebels civilian opponents rebels make argument regarding government assad would fall quickly didnt receive support russia iran hezbollah said activist leen leen ebrahim agreed whoever wins syria changed forever weve lost amazing country said ebrahim never coming back globalpost special correspondent reese erlichs reporting syria supported part travel grant pulitzer center crisis reporting erlichs book syrian uprising published prometheus books fall 2014 160 story presented groundtruth project160 160 | 1,057 |
<p>Dear Mr. Mazany:</p>
<p>This is an open letter to welcome you as the new, if temporary, leader of the Chicago Public Schools.&#160; The example that you set by volunteering your services for the token salary of $1 per year speaks to your dedication and the unique perspective you bring to this job.</p>
<p>I know what to do to improve our schools—all of them. I didn’t come up with these good ideas. They were passed on to me from some visionary educators who have carried them on from a millenniums-old tradition that includes John Dewey, the craft guilds of the Middle Ages, farm families and indigenous tribes everywhere. The most important feature of this approach is that it educates the whole child within the context of a caring, learning, working community. When a child is surrounded by a community that is working together, when academic lessons are linked to real-life problems, initiatives and solutions, then education comes alive and students need no external motivation to seek knowledge, experience and skills.</p>
<p>This has been the method employed by all effective communities since we left the caves. Young people are our students, but they are also our extended family, our village. If what they are learning in school is not enmeshed in what is vital to the lives of their family and neighbors, education becomes a battle of wills between schools and child.&#160; If the lives, knowledge, experience and resources of our communities, however humble they might be, are not a welcomed resource in the school, families and their children will find themselves alienated and lost.</p>
<p>This kind of education works, but its currency rises and falls with the tides of political struggles. Chicago in the 1990’s was a time of joyous and energetic school reform, with unprecedented powers given to local school councils. Local school leaders slowly and cautiously took up the reins of leadership and began the joint adventure of learning how to build a successful neighborhood school. At that time innovation was rewarded by the Board of Education.&#160; Long-term partnerships were sealed between local schools and education departments in our universities. Lengthy and sometime lavish professional development opportunities gave teaching staffs the chance to work with colleagues, consider their own practices, and courageously make changes in order to set the intellectual flame in their students ablaze. Parents were invited to the table to hear the debate among the practitioners and the theorists, authors and researchers.&#160; The doors of the schools were thrown open for the world to enter, and for their students to venture forth on real and vital explorations.&#160;</p>
<p>This was our experience at Waters Elementary from 1991 through 2000, where I served as chair of the LSC, parent educator through National-Louis University’s Center for City Schools, and later as full-time ecology coordinator.&#160; Our principal, whom we hired and evaluated, created a space for teachers to renew themselves and their practice and searched out and provided support for vigorous professional development, field outings, and collaboration. Teachers were re-assured and urged to pursue “the good stuff,” teaching and learning experiences that captured their students’ curiosity and innate desire to learn. High-stakes tests were required by the state, but they were never the focus of instruction.</p>
<p>And yet, our small, 95% poverty, 90% Hispanic, shamelessly run-down school showed a steady march upwards in test results. Scores and scores of our parents learned, through participation in workshops, the elements of the school’s teaching philosophy: collaboration, book circles, writing and sharing, acting on social concerns, integration of subjects, and performing in the arts. These are same activities that their children were involved in at school everyday. Parents became part of the teaching and learning team.</p>
<p>Institutional support for our experiment evaporated in the new millennium, when a new national administration demanded test-driven accountability and punished schools with the most challenging circumstances by comparing them unfavorably with selective enrollment schools and schools in affluent suburbs. Our school has struggled valiantly thru the cold winds of this first decade of the millennium, to stay true to our mission and vision of progressive education.</p>
<p>Many schools were not so fortunate as ours and were racked by high teacher and leadership turnover and finger-pointing.</p>
<p>Mr. Mazany, here is what schools need:</p>
<p>If our educational and political leaders gave voice to these demands, their words would resonate powerfully up and down the streets and alleyways of our city.</p>
<p>Harvard researcher Alfie Cohen once noted that test scores correlate directly with the kind of automobiles owned by the community. The testing we do these days is not about accountability, but about ranking: the creation of winners and losers, the sorting of youth into winners who will “compete in the global marketplace for hi-tech jobs” and the losers who will descend into a life on the edge, condemned to work forever at the bottom of&#160; the service industry.</p>
<p>Our vision of education is not to turn out workers to fill the “jobs of the future.” It is to nurture creative, confident, curious thinkers and doers, who love their community and seek to find a better way to live and serve in it.&#160; They will create the jobs of the future and a new world, based on the values that we have taught them: hard work, cooperation, mutual assistance, justice, kindness,&#160; courage, creativity, joy, love of nature and art, and respect for all people, particularly the young and old.</p>
<p>Mr. Mazany, you are uniquely situated to speak out publicly in support of a new vision for public schools—one that calls on our government to provide the safe space and basic necessities for success, and challenges the schools and neighborhoods to take the future in their hands and make it beautiful.&#160; I await your call!</p>
<p>Sincerely,&#160;</p>
<p>Pete LekiFormer LSC chair, Waters Elementary</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | dear mr mazany open letter welcome new temporary leader chicago public schools160 example set volunteering services token salary 1 per year speaks dedication unique perspective bring job know improve schoolsall didnt come good ideas passed visionary educators carried millenniumsold tradition includes john dewey craft guilds middle ages farm families indigenous tribes everywhere important feature approach educates whole child within context caring learning working community child surrounded community working together academic lessons linked reallife problems initiatives solutions education comes alive students need external motivation seek knowledge experience skills method employed effective communities since left caves young people students also extended family village learning school enmeshed vital lives family neighbors education becomes battle wills schools child160 lives knowledge experience resources communities however humble might welcomed resource school families children find alienated lost kind education works currency rises falls tides political struggles chicago 1990s time joyous energetic school reform unprecedented powers given local school councils local school leaders slowly cautiously took reins leadership began joint adventure learning build successful neighborhood school time innovation rewarded board education160 longterm partnerships sealed local schools education departments universities lengthy sometime lavish professional development opportunities gave teaching staffs chance work colleagues consider practices courageously make changes order set intellectual flame students ablaze parents invited table hear debate among practitioners theorists authors researchers160 doors schools thrown open world enter students venture forth real vital explorations160 experience waters elementary 1991 2000 served chair lsc parent educator nationallouis universitys center city schools later fulltime ecology coordinator160 principal hired evaluated created space teachers renew practice searched provided support vigorous professional development field outings collaboration teachers reassured urged pursue good stuff teaching learning experiences captured students curiosity innate desire learn highstakes tests required state never focus instruction yet small 95 poverty 90 hispanic shamelessly rundown school showed steady march upwards test results scores scores parents learned participation workshops elements schools teaching philosophy collaboration book circles writing sharing acting social concerns integration subjects performing arts activities children involved school everyday parents became part teaching learning team institutional support experiment evaporated new millennium new national administration demanded testdriven accountability punished schools challenging circumstances comparing unfavorably selective enrollment schools schools affluent suburbs school struggled valiantly thru cold winds first decade millennium stay true mission vision progressive education many schools fortunate racked high teacher leadership turnover fingerpointing mr mazany schools need educational political leaders gave voice demands words would resonate powerfully streets alleyways city harvard researcher alfie cohen noted test scores correlate directly kind automobiles owned community testing days accountability ranking creation winners losers sorting youth winners compete global marketplace hitech jobs losers descend life edge condemned work forever bottom of160 service industry vision education turn workers fill jobs future nurture creative confident curious thinkers doers love community seek find better way live serve it160 create jobs future new world based values taught hard work cooperation mutual assistance justice kindness160 courage creativity joy love nature art respect people particularly young old mr mazany uniquely situated speak publicly support new vision public schoolsone calls government provide safe space basic necessities success challenges schools neighborhoods take future hands make beautiful160 await call sincerely160 pete lekiformer lsc chair waters elementary | 520 |
<p>INDIANAPOLIS (ABP) — A Fort Worth, Texas, church, which long ago cut back its support of the Southern Baptist Convention, nonetheless could be ousted from that body because it welcomes homosexuals.</p>
<p>The possible ouster of Broadway Baptist Church, along with a move to expel churches with female pastors, may signal that the Southern Baptist Convention wants to further narrow the meaning of “friendly cooperation.”</p>
<p>Bill Sanderson, pastor of Hepzibah Baptist Church in Wendell, N.C., made a motion at the SBC's annual meeting in Indianapolis asking messengers to declare Broadway Baptist Church not “in friendly cooperation” with the convention — which is the constitutional language describing membership.</p>
<p>The church, founded in 1882, has quietly included homosexuals in its congregation for several years. But a public dispute among church members over a pictorial directory — and the pastor's subsequent resignation — brought the issue to the attention of Baptists nationwide, including Southern Baptist leaders who want to ban churches that affirm gays.</p>
<p>Sanderson's motion, like the one targeting female pastors, was referred to the SBC Executive Committee, which handles the business of the convention during the rest of the year.</p>
<p>If eventually approved by the SBC next year, the effect of the motion would be to expel Broadway Baptist from the convention. But motions referred to the Executive Committee often result in no action.</p>
<p>The SBC's constitution already prohibits churches that “affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior” from affiliating with the convention.</p>
<p>Rather than punishing only churches that send messengers to the annual meeting, the motion targeting Broadway could take SBC scrutiny to a new level by seeking out churches that violate the SBC's constitution.</p>
<p>The motion targeting female pastors would again amend the SBC's constitution to disallow affiliation by “churches which have female senior pastors.” It's not known how many SBC churches have female pastors.</p>
<p>The convention's Baptist Faith and Message doctrinal statement asserts “the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.” But Southern Baptists have not paired that declaration with a constitutional prohibition against churches with female pastors.</p>
<p>At the Indianapolis meeting, convention officials avoided a showdown over Broadway Baptist. Since the Texas church did not send messengers to the Indianapolis meeting, the order of business committee determined the convention did not face a credentials issue. But it suggested compliance with the SBC's constitutional policy against affiliating with churches that “affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior” merits study.</p>
<p>Although some churches have been reprimanded at the national level in the past, the convention's handling of the Broadway incident is unusual. Broadway sent no messengers to this year's session, nor has it done so for several years. Generally, the SBC has refrained from interfering with affiliated churches unless the seating of its messengers is challenged at an annual meeting.</p>
<p>Baptist historian Lloyd Allen, a professor at Mercer University's McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, cannot recall a similar occurrence. “They usually refuse to seat a church's messengers, rather than for the church to be censured without messengers there.”</p>
<p>The convention has attempted to reprimand churches over the homosexual issue in the past. In 1999, messengers proposed two motions against Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., former President Bill Clinton's home church.</p>
<p>That year Clinton had issued a proclamation to declare June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” One motion at the annual meeting “formally suggested” the Little Rock congregation exercise church discipline against Clinton. The other requested the church's formal position on the president's policies. Both were ruled out of order.</p>
<p>Broadway members determined a number of years ago to funnel most undesignated receipts through the Baptist General Convention of Texas, with a percentage for state ministries and a percentage passing to the national CBF.</p>
<p>The church has maintained a budget line item for cooperative giving, a piece of which is earmarked for the SBC in order to maintain membership. Church members also can designate gifts to the SBC.</p>
<p>The Executive Committee could reject the motion or investigate the church and return a recommendation to messengers to the 2009 annual session in Louisville, Ky. According to news reports, Broadway's leaders intend to cooperate with any SBC investigation.</p>
<p>The debate over Broadway's pictorial directory began last fall when a few gay couples showed up to have their pictures taken together. Some members felt that allowing the photos of the couples as families pushed the church from its “welcoming” stance to “affirming” homosexual behavior. Others saw refusal to include gay couples as demeaning.</p>
<p>The church ultimately determined to publish a historical booklet with directory information, but it would not include photographs of families.</p>
<p>Some members formed Friends for the Future of Broadway to challenge then-pastor Brett Younger's leadership on a number of other issues. The group called for a vote to oust Younger, but 200 other members signed a counter petition to oppose his firing.</p>
<p>In March, a motion to fire Younger failed. In April, he resigned as pastor to accept a post as an associate professor of preaching at McAfee. He said his decision to leave Broadway was based on his desire to teach, not on the controversy. He preached his final sermon at the Fort Worth church on June 8.</p> | false | 3 | indianapolis abp fort worth texas church long ago cut back support southern baptist convention nonetheless could ousted body welcomes homosexuals possible ouster broadway baptist church along move expel churches female pastors may signal southern baptist convention wants narrow meaning friendly cooperation bill sanderson pastor hepzibah baptist church wendell nc made motion sbcs annual meeting indianapolis asking messengers declare broadway baptist church friendly cooperation convention constitutional language describing membership church founded 1882 quietly included homosexuals congregation several years public dispute among church members pictorial directory pastors subsequent resignation brought issue attention baptists nationwide including southern baptist leaders want ban churches affirm gays sandersons motion like one targeting female pastors referred sbc executive committee handles business convention rest year eventually approved sbc next year effect motion would expel broadway baptist convention motions referred executive committee often result action sbcs constitution already prohibits churches affirm approve endorse homosexual behavior affiliating convention rather punishing churches send messengers annual meeting motion targeting broadway could take sbc scrutiny new level seeking churches violate sbcs constitution motion targeting female pastors would amend sbcs constitution disallow affiliation churches female senior pastors known many sbc churches female pastors conventions baptist faith message doctrinal statement asserts office pastor limited men qualified scripture southern baptists paired declaration constitutional prohibition churches female pastors indianapolis meeting convention officials avoided showdown broadway baptist since texas church send messengers indianapolis meeting order business committee determined convention face credentials issue suggested compliance sbcs constitutional policy affiliating churches affirm approve endorse homosexual behavior merits study although churches reprimanded national level past conventions handling broadway incident unusual broadway sent messengers years session done several years generally sbc refrained interfering affiliated churches unless seating messengers challenged annual meeting baptist historian lloyd allen professor mercer universitys mcafee school theology atlanta recall similar occurrence usually refuse seat churchs messengers rather church censured without messengers convention attempted reprimand churches homosexual issue past 1999 messengers proposed two motions immanuel baptist church little rock ark former president bill clintons home church year clinton issued proclamation declare june gay lesbian pride month one motion annual meeting formally suggested little rock congregation exercise church discipline clinton requested churchs formal position presidents policies ruled order broadway members determined number years ago funnel undesignated receipts baptist general convention texas percentage state ministries percentage passing national cbf church maintained budget line item cooperative giving piece earmarked sbc order maintain membership church members also designate gifts sbc executive committee could reject motion investigate church return recommendation messengers 2009 annual session louisville ky according news reports broadways leaders intend cooperate sbc investigation debate broadways pictorial directory began last fall gay couples showed pictures taken together members felt allowing photos couples families pushed church welcoming stance affirming homosexual behavior others saw refusal include gay couples demeaning church ultimately determined publish historical booklet directory information would include photographs families members formed friends future broadway challenge thenpastor brett youngers leadership number issues group called vote oust younger 200 members signed counter petition oppose firing march motion fire younger failed april resigned pastor accept post associate professor preaching mcafee said decision leave broadway based desire teach controversy preached final sermon fort worth church june 8 | 520 |
<p>All is not quiet on the Western Front, but the drumbeat of war along the long Ukraine-Russian border is nowhere near as loud as it sounds in Moscow.</p>
<p>According to dire warnings from U.S. military and intelligence officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin, fresh from his daring annexation of Ukraine’s strategic Crimean Peninsula, has concentrated tens of thousands of his forces on the border with Ukraine. Camouflaged and concealed to throw off U.S. spy satellites, the warnings say, the heavily armed combat troops and special operations forces are coiled and ready to spring across the border into restive regions of Eastern and Southern Ukraine such as Kharkov and Donetsk, where pro-Russian populations are eager to be annexed by Russia, just like Crimea.</p>
<p>Top Russian officials – including Putin himself – have denied any such troop concentrations near the Western border. One minor Ministry of Defense official, who didn’t want to be named because he wasn’t authorized to comment, told NBC News that there had been training exercises – war games – in the border region but, once ended, those troops and armor returned to their bases. “All of this international hype is completely unfounded,” he told us earlier in the week.</p>
<p>Still, the stream of YouTube video clips and photos seemed to tell a different story: long convoys of Russian armored personnel carriers on a highway headed toward Ukraine; tanks and artillery pieces moving by rail on dozens of train cars; squads of MI-24 combat helicopters perched on a hill near Belgorod, only 20 miles from Ukraine. Are these preparations for a Chechnya-like invasion, or just more maneuvers meant to intimidate Ukrainians and the West?</p>
<p>We went to look for ourselves. Cameraman Dmitry Solovyov, sound engineer Alexei Gordienko and I packed our bags, devices and news-gathering gadgets into the back of our grey, nondescript bureau minivan and began a journey along the 1,200 mile border between Russia and Ukraine – many segments of which give no indication that it’s an actual border between two countries.</p>
<p>Sudzha, a small town in the region of Kursk, site of the biggest tank battle of World War II, was our first destination. A tank column had been spotted there, 5 miles from the border, about a week before. But as we drove around the quaint town – equally proud of its freshly painted Orthodox Church and its bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin – we saw no tanks, or even armored personnel carriers. We did see ATM machines on almost every block. All was quiet. There was no tension in the air. Outside town, farmers were planting winter wheat.</p>
<p>We traveled some 500 miles along the border – sometimes right next to Ukraine, at other times 30 to 40 miles from it – before we came across any sign of military activity. As we passed Belgorod’s army base, near the airport, I recognized the same MI-24 choppers I’d seen on the Internet. We got lucky – a pair took off as we drove past. We turned back to see them banking within the base’s perimeter. Nearby, clusters of military vehicles, mostly heavy trucks, were out in the open, but where were the tanks and artillery?</p>
<p>In Belgorod – the Russian city adjacent to the restive Ukrainian city of Karkov – we were briefly detained by 2 officers of the Russian FSB security service after driving right up to the border gate and asking people about the rumors of impending war. (The taxi drivers said they were angry because the Ukrainian border guards weren’t letting any Russians into the country – fearing provocations – which had dried up their business.)</p>
<p>We had apparently wandered into a prohibited, 3-mile wide security zone. But the agents of the former KGB were polite, even willing to talk on background.</p>
<p>“Look over there, ‘’said the regional chief, pointing toward the border crossing. “The Ukrainians have tanks just inside. Can you imagine if a trained, Right Sector (Ukrainian ultra-nationalist militant) commandeers the vehicle and fires on us?”</p>
<p>Did he think that Kiev would give that order, I asked?</p>
<p>“No, I don’t. But we have no faith that Kiev can prevent such an incident,” he replied. After some two hours of discussion, we were let go, each with a photocopy of the law we’d broken. ‘’You’re not the first ones,’’ said the chief, seeing us off.</p>
<p>After the Belgorod confrontation, we spent the next two days traversing seemingly endless farmland on pot-holed roads, passing chicken coups and old ladies selling buckets of apples -- but no signs of brewing war.</p>
<p>"If Russians and Ukrainians on the other side unite, it would be better for everyone."</p>
<p>We found more army bases -- in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky and Rostov, both near Ukraine’s southeastern border -- but the only activity we saw was some serious latrine duty and a band of conscripts enjoying a friendly wrestling match.</p>
<p>Russian villagers living just 5 miles from the border in Novoshakhtinsky -- one of the most likely invasion routes into Donetsk -- didn’t believe Putin would give the order.</p>
<p>“If Russians and Ukrainians on the other side unite, it would be better for everyone,” offered Vladimir Kasianov, an unemployed 30-something who echoed the sentiments of many Russians we talked to along the border. But Kasianov didn’t want a military solution. “Everything must be done through politics, not war,” he told us.</p>
<p>We ended our journey in Rostov-on-Don, where the Russian-Ukrainian land border melts into the Sea of Azov, after 1,000 miles and 80 hours. But were we any closer to knowing if a war between Moscow and Kiev had been averted, or was just around the corner? The answer seemed to beg still another question: Will Russia’s most popular and powerful politician listen to his own people?</p> | false | 3 | quiet western front drumbeat war along long ukrainerussian border nowhere near loud sounds moscow according dire warnings us military intelligence officials russian president vladimir putin fresh daring annexation ukraines strategic crimean peninsula concentrated tens thousands forces border ukraine camouflaged concealed throw us spy satellites warnings say heavily armed combat troops special operations forces coiled ready spring across border restive regions eastern southern ukraine kharkov donetsk prorussian populations eager annexed russia like crimea top russian officials including putin denied troop concentrations near western border one minor ministry defense official didnt want named wasnt authorized comment told nbc news training exercises war games border region ended troops armor returned bases international hype completely unfounded told us earlier week still stream youtube video clips photos seemed tell different story long convoys russian armored personnel carriers highway headed toward ukraine tanks artillery pieces moving rail dozens train cars squads mi24 combat helicopters perched hill near belgorod 20 miles ukraine preparations chechnyalike invasion maneuvers meant intimidate ukrainians west went look cameraman dmitry solovyov sound engineer alexei gordienko packed bags devices newsgathering gadgets back grey nondescript bureau minivan began journey along 1200 mile border russia ukraine many segments give indication actual border two countries sudzha small town region kursk site biggest tank battle world war ii first destination tank column spotted 5 miles border week drove around quaint town equally proud freshly painted orthodox church bronze statue vladimir lenin saw tanks even armored personnel carriers see atm machines almost every block quiet tension air outside town farmers planting winter wheat traveled 500 miles along border sometimes right next ukraine times 30 40 miles came across sign military activity passed belgorods army base near airport recognized mi24 choppers id seen internet got lucky pair took drove past turned back see banking within bases perimeter nearby clusters military vehicles mostly heavy trucks open tanks artillery belgorod russian city adjacent restive ukrainian city karkov briefly detained 2 officers russian fsb security service driving right border gate asking people rumors impending war taxi drivers said angry ukrainian border guards werent letting russians country fearing provocations dried business apparently wandered prohibited 3mile wide security zone agents former kgb polite even willing talk background look said regional chief pointing toward border crossing ukrainians tanks inside imagine trained right sector ukrainian ultranationalist militant commandeers vehicle fires us think kiev would give order asked dont faith kiev prevent incident replied two hours discussion let go photocopy law wed broken youre first ones said chief seeing us belgorod confrontation spent next two days traversing seemingly endless farmland potholed roads passing chicken coups old ladies selling buckets apples signs brewing war russians ukrainians side unite would better everyone found army bases kamenskshakhtinsky rostov near ukraines southeastern border activity saw serious latrine duty band conscripts enjoying friendly wrestling match russian villagers living 5 miles border novoshakhtinsky one likely invasion routes donetsk didnt believe putin would give order russians ukrainians side unite would better everyone offered vladimir kasianov unemployed 30something echoed sentiments many russians talked along border kasianov didnt want military solution everything must done politics war told us ended journey rostovondon russianukrainian land border melts sea azov 1000 miles 80 hours closer knowing war moscow kiev averted around corner answer seemed beg still another question russias popular powerful politician listen people | 544 |
<p>Ross and Meg Rushing were entertaining a friend at their brand-new home in Lubbock, Texas, on Aug. 24, 2012, when a clap of thunder appeared to set off their burglar alarm.</p>
<p>Unable to turn it off, Ross Rushing and his friend, Brennen Teel, went to the garage to get a ladder so they could disable the system.</p>
<p>“That’s when the explosion happened,” Rushing recalled. “Honestly, I thought I was dead immediately.”</p>
<p>Rushing was able to climb out from under the buckled garage door, but couldn’t locate Teel in the thick black smoke that was now pouring from the home.</p>
<p>Firefighters later found his body at the rear of the garage. Investigators believe he opened the drop-down attic staircase, not realizing the attic was ablaze. Oxygen rushed in, causing a back-draft explosion that killed the 31-year-old Teel, a resident of Heath, Texas, they said.</p>
<p>What eats away at Teel’s family is not just the seeming randomness of his death. It is the fire marshal’s determination that the fire that triggered the explosion started when a bolt of lightning sent electricity coursing into the home, burning tiny holes in the yellow corrugated stainless steel pipes supplying natural gas to appliances and heaters in the rest of the house. And it is the fact that, as they later learned, some fire experts have been warning for years that the piping poses a hazard when lightning strikes nearby.</p>
<p>“I would not wish this on anybody … anybody,” said Teel’s father, Ken, who with his wife, Becky, is suing the manufacturer of the pipe. “It’s been a nightmare.”</p>
<p>Teel’s death highlights an ongoing debate over the safety of the piping – known as corrugated stainless steel tubing, or CSST – which has been installed in as many as 10 million U.S. homes since the 1990s, according to some manufacturers’ estimates. Its use is approved in building codes around the nation, though no longer in Lubbock, where the city issued a moratorium on its use in the wake of Teel’s death.</p>
<p>At least six U.S. companies manufacture CSST and it’s approved by the National Fire Protection Association, which writes the model building codes for gas piping, if it is installed correctly. Since 2006, NFPA codes have said that means the piping needs to be connected or “bonded” to the electrical grounding system in a house – a measure that provides a “reasonable level of safety,” according to the NFPA.</p>
<p>But critics say that the walls of CSST -- popular because its bendability makes it easier to install than the black iron pipe previously used as gas lines – are thinner than those of its predecessor and inherently prone to puncturing.</p>
<p>Among them is Nelson, the Lubbock fire marshal who investigated the fire at the Rushings’ home. He found that lightning struck the metal cap on the chimney, descended into the attic, then “arced” -- or jumped – to the pipe, where it punched a number of tiny holes in the thin wall. That let gas escape and ignite, creating small “flame jets” that quickly spread to the rest of the attic, he said.</p>
<p>“This needs to end with Brennen Teel,” he said. “This needs to be the last fire death that’s created because of a bad product.”</p>
<p>Titeflex, the company that manufactured the pipe used in the Rushings’ home, denied its product was at fault.</p>
<p>"I think the facts over the course of time are going to surface and it's going prove that our product is not necessarily the culprit in this case", said Dave Oehlers, vice president and general manager of Titeflex’s Gastite Division.</p>
<p>Oehlers, who repeatedly praised the product’s safety record over its 22 years history, said the company's own experts believe wiring draped across the CSST contributed to the fire. It should have been separated from the CSST by some distance, he said.</p>
<p>Lawyers for the company had previously told NBC News that its experts believed the fire and explosion were caused by lightning damage to the home’s electrical wiring, which then ignited foam insulation in the attic.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Titeflex-Lead-Counsel-Issues-Statement-on-Lubbock-Fire-242821831.html" type="external">In a statement provided to NBC News earlier</a>, the company’s lawyer, William A. Brewer III, said, “We believe the claims advanced against our client are without merit.”</p>
<p>“It is important for Texas homeowners to remember that safety officials, builders and independent researchers have all found flexible gas piping to be safe and effective when it is properly installed,” it said. “In fact, no national regulatory body or fire safety agency has determined that it is unsafe to utilize CSST. We have complete faith in this product.”</p>
<p>Lightning ignites 22,600 fires a year in the U.S., and kills nine non-firefighters on average, according to <a href="http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/Files/Research/NFPA%20reports/Major%20Causes/oslightning.pdf" type="external">statistics compiled by the NFPA</a>. That figure includes approximately 4,290 home fires, which cause a majority of the associated losses.</p>
<p>Fire officials in some states say the tighter regulations requiring CSST to be grounded and bonded have substantially reduced the number of lightning-caused home fires.</p>
<p>But some experts question whether that alone sufficiently reduces the fire hazard. And they note many older homes built before states began tightening building codes governing CSST have likely not been retrofitted to reflect the new recommendation.</p>
<p>The safety of CSST has been at the center of previous court battles, and both sides in the debate have experts willing to argue their side.</p>
<p>Mark Goodson, an adviser to the Texas fire marshal’s office who has been hired as an expert by the Teels and other plaintiffs, says that bonding and grounding alone don’t erase the danger posed by the pipes.</p>
<p>Recent research by the CSST industry found that while bonding and grounding reduces the threat from a “nearby strike … a direct lightning strike may carry enough charge to cause damage (to the pipe).”</p>
<p>“Lastly, it doesn’t change the unsafe characteristic of the product, which is the thin wall,” said Goodson, who says he has investigated hundreds of CSST fires on behalf of homeowners and insurance companies.</p>
<p>An independent expert interviewed by NBC News said he too has examined several lightning-caused CSST fires in homes that weren’t hit directly -- and one in a home that had an expensive lightning protection system installed.</p>
<p>“I just want to know the solution to finding the problem, because the problem is out there,” said Mitch Guthrie, an engineer and member of the NFPA’s Lightning Protection Committee, who has not testified for or against the manufacturers in various lawsuits filed over CSST.</p>
<p>But Michael Stringfellow, an engineer who has testified for CSST makers, said critics are looking for a scapegoat for lightning fires, asserting that many more fires result from damaged electrical wiring than CSST leaks and that holes subsequently found in the pipes don’t necessarily indicate that the pipe burned first.</p>
<p>“Even if you got rid of every inch of CSST in the country, those lightning fires are not going to go away,” he said. “Everyone’s pointing at CSST as being the only villain in town and to me it’s the minor villain. … There are a lot of bigger problems.”</p>
<p>Also touting the product’s safety is Bob Torbin, an executive with Omegaflex, a major CSST maker that’s not involved in the Lubbock case. He travels the country telling fire officials that CSST is as safe as anything in your home -- as long as it’s bonded and grounded – but that nothing will stand up to a directly lightning strike.</p>
<p>“There’s nothing in your house that’s lightning-proof,” Torbin, who declined an interview request from NBC News, recently told a group of Dallas firefighters.</p>
<p>Other fire experts say that more data is needed to determine if the new standards are sufficient.</p>
<p>Texas Fire Marshal Chris Connealy said he encourages homeowners in his state to ensure that any CSST in their homes is bonded and grounded, but that doesn’t mean he endorses the product.</p>
<p>“This is an issue that’s evolving … and so we don’t take a position on CSST, whether for or against it,” he said.</p>
<p>Asked if he would sleep well at night with the product in his attic, Connealy responded, “Well, I would certainly have it bonded and grounded, that’s for sure.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the National Fire Protection Association’s CSST committee is expected to re-examine the issue this summer. In 2010, the NFPA warned manufacturers that it could prohibit CSST in future construction if manufacturers couldn’t show that bonding and grounding substantially reduces the risk of lightning fires.</p>
<p>Follow NBC News Investigations on <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCInvestigates" type="external">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NBCInvestigates" type="external">Facebook</a></p> | false | 3 | ross meg rushing entertaining friend brandnew home lubbock texas aug 24 2012 clap thunder appeared set burglar alarm unable turn ross rushing friend brennen teel went garage get ladder could disable system thats explosion happened rushing recalled honestly thought dead immediately rushing able climb buckled garage door couldnt locate teel thick black smoke pouring home firefighters later found body rear garage investigators believe opened dropdown attic staircase realizing attic ablaze oxygen rushed causing backdraft explosion killed 31yearold teel resident heath texas said eats away teels family seeming randomness death fire marshals determination fire triggered explosion started bolt lightning sent electricity coursing home burning tiny holes yellow corrugated stainless steel pipes supplying natural gas appliances heaters rest house fact later learned fire experts warning years piping poses hazard lightning strikes nearby would wish anybody anybody said teels father ken wife becky suing manufacturer pipe nightmare teels death highlights ongoing debate safety piping known corrugated stainless steel tubing csst installed many 10 million us homes since 1990s according manufacturers estimates use approved building codes around nation though longer lubbock city issued moratorium use wake teels death least six us companies manufacture csst approved national fire protection association writes model building codes gas piping installed correctly since 2006 nfpa codes said means piping needs connected bonded electrical grounding system house measure provides reasonable level safety according nfpa critics say walls csst popular bendability makes easier install black iron pipe previously used gas lines thinner predecessor inherently prone puncturing among nelson lubbock fire marshal investigated fire rushings home found lightning struck metal cap chimney descended attic arced jumped pipe punched number tiny holes thin wall let gas escape ignite creating small flame jets quickly spread rest attic said needs end brennen teel said needs last fire death thats created bad product titeflex company manufactured pipe used rushings home denied product fault think facts course time going surface going prove product necessarily culprit case said dave oehlers vice president general manager titeflexs gastite division oehlers repeatedly praised products safety record 22 years history said companys experts believe wiring draped across csst contributed fire separated csst distance said lawyers company previously told nbc news experts believed fire explosion caused lightning damage homes electrical wiring ignited foam insulation attic statement provided nbc news earlier companys lawyer william brewer iii said believe claims advanced client without merit important texas homeowners remember safety officials builders independent researchers found flexible gas piping safe effective properly installed said fact national regulatory body fire safety agency determined unsafe utilize csst complete faith product lightning ignites 22600 fires year us kills nine nonfirefighters average according statistics compiled nfpa figure includes approximately 4290 home fires cause majority associated losses fire officials states say tighter regulations requiring csst grounded bonded substantially reduced number lightningcaused home fires experts question whether alone sufficiently reduces fire hazard note many older homes built states began tightening building codes governing csst likely retrofitted reflect new recommendation safety csst center previous court battles sides debate experts willing argue side mark goodson adviser texas fire marshals office hired expert teels plaintiffs says bonding grounding alone dont erase danger posed pipes recent research csst industry found bonding grounding reduces threat nearby strike direct lightning strike may carry enough charge cause damage pipe lastly doesnt change unsafe characteristic product thin wall said goodson says investigated hundreds csst fires behalf homeowners insurance companies independent expert interviewed nbc news said examined several lightningcaused csst fires homes werent hit directly one home expensive lightning protection system installed want know solution finding problem problem said mitch guthrie engineer member nfpas lightning protection committee testified manufacturers various lawsuits filed csst michael stringfellow engineer testified csst makers said critics looking scapegoat lightning fires asserting many fires result damaged electrical wiring csst leaks holes subsequently found pipes dont necessarily indicate pipe burned first even got rid every inch csst country lightning fires going go away said everyones pointing csst villain town minor villain lot bigger problems also touting products safety bob torbin executive omegaflex major csst maker thats involved lubbock case travels country telling fire officials csst safe anything home long bonded grounded nothing stand directly lightning strike theres nothing house thats lightningproof torbin declined interview request nbc news recently told group dallas firefighters fire experts say data needed determine new standards sufficient texas fire marshal chris connealy said encourages homeowners state ensure csst homes bonded grounded doesnt mean endorses product issue thats evolving dont take position csst whether said asked would sleep well night product attic connealy responded well would certainly bonded grounded thats sure meanwhile national fire protection associations csst committee expected reexamine issue summer 2010 nfpa warned manufacturers could prohibit csst future construction manufacturers couldnt show bonding grounding substantially reduces risk lightning fires follow nbc news investigations twitter facebook | 791 |
<p>A migrant woman stands dressed in a navy blue sweatshirt adorned with big white letters that reads “detention center” across her back. Her face is unseen but images of a deportation order, restless children, and a plane destined for the Czech Republic allude to the her fate.</p>
<p>The woman is "Ms. Horton," a migrant originally from the Czech Republic who was detained and taken away from her sons. She was deported because of a loitering charge in New Jersey.</p>
<p>After a decade of living in the US, Horton was forced to leave her family with only the clothes on her back and a green shower bag. Currently, she is back in the US but is being held in a New Jersey detention facility.</p>
<p>Undocumented, queer, trans visual artist of color <a href="http://www.rommytorrico.com/" type="external">Rommy Torrico</a> created the illustration of her story based on a letter and three drawings Horton made of her children. A note from the artist accompanies the illustration:</p>
<p>"As I read her letter explaining her twisted, torturous nightmare, I kept thinking about the baby in the drawing, the heartache and desperation of being torn away from your children and family for a loitering charge, and the trauma of being dehumanized and broken by a system that does not want you here, and trying to survive the days by just holding on the memories of a past that already seems too far away."</p>
<p />
<p>Courtesy of&#160;&#160;Rommy Torrico/CultureStrike</p>
<p>Torrico’s art is part of CulturalStrike’s <a href="http://visionsfromtheinside.tumblr.com/" type="external">Visions From The Inside</a>, a project in which 14 artists created illustrations based on letters and interviews from migrants detained in detention facilities in the US.</p>
<p>More: <a href="" type="internal">These asylum-seekers are being forced to raise their kids in immigration 'jails'</a></p>
<p>The project includes the work of artists with a strong social justice background, including queer and trans people of color.</p>
<p />
<p>Courtesy of&#160;Breena Nuñez/CultureStrike</p>
<p><a href="http://www.culturestrike.org/" type="external">CultureStrike</a>, a national pro-migrant arts organization, worked in collaboration with <a href="http://endfamilydetention.com/" type="external">End Family Detention</a>, <a href="http://familiatqlm.org/" type="external">Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement,</a>and others, to collect letters from migrants detained in centers located in New Jersey, New York, Louisiana, Washington, California and Texas.</p>
<p>The idea for the project came after members of CultureStrike visited an immigration center and saw firsthand how important handwritten letters were for detainees. Letters from families and friends on the outside became conduits of support for migrants living the closed-off, restricted lives in detention centers.</p>
<p>Now in its second year, Visions From The Inside is a unique initiative aimed at exploring the various migrant identities and experiences both inside and outside of the for-profit detention system. The project taps the power of art to illustrate the breadth of traumas and resilience experienced by detained migrants.</p>
<p>Last year’s inaugural Visions From The Inside focused on letters written by mothers at Karnes Detention Center in Texas. This year the focus has expanded to include the stories of people released from detention, to illustrate the ongoing effects of trauma through the immigration enforcement process.</p>
<p><a href="http://juliosalgadoart.com/" type="external">Julio Salgado</a>, artist projects coordinator at CultureStrike, says the move to include experiences outside of detention is about exploring what makes someone free. "There's this idea that once you are detained and released, your problems are over," he says. "But many folks who are released have to deal with various issues, one of them being ankle bracelets. That's not freedom. It's a reminder that they're being watched and that is the price they have to pay to be out of a detention center."</p>
<p>Also: <a href="" type="internal">Many women seeking asylum in the US have been released from detention — but with ankle monitors</a></p>
<p>In addition to Horton’s story, Visions From The Inside shares the stories of transgender women, men suffering from cancer, young mothers and loving sons, illustrated in vibrant images. The illustrations are meant to bring human stories come life and challenge the ways we reduce the human rights crisis of immigration to statistics and numbers.</p>
<p />
<p>The banners read:&#160;“Resistance, hope.”</p>
<p>Courtesy of Cristy C. Road/CultureStrike</p>
<p>While these migrant testimonies describe horror and injustice inflicted by the immigration system, their letters, as transmitted through a vast network of activists and artists, seek to illustrate and empower detained migrants and their communities. Ultimately, the project aims to fight against the voiceless immigrant narrative and what the participating organizers see as a dehumanizing immigration system.</p>
<p>Also: <a href="" type="internal">She fled abuse in Mexico, and now this trans woman says she was abused in immigration detention too</a></p>
<p>Organizers say that the circulation of these migrant testimonies has inspired more migrants to share their stories. Iris Rodriguez from End Family Detention says that the project has had “a positive domino-effect as more families began writing their own letters once the art pieces were publicly shared. A growing number of other detainees began to get released, then openly share their testimonies in public forums."</p>
<p>And for artists like Torrico, and many other participants and viewers, projects like Visions From The Inside, help bring awareness of the realities inside of detention facilities while continuing to teach us about the resiliency of the migrant spirit.</p>
<p>“This is what’s happening. This is [Horton’s] reality and the reality of so many other women and mothers in detention. As an undocumented artist, to have had the privilege of working on this piece and sharing this mother’s story is something I truly will not forget,” says Torrico, who is participating in the initiative for a second year. "I also believe it's our responsibility as artists and cultural workers to center these issues, share these stories and amplify the message. We artists have the great honor and opportunity of shaking up the narrative through our work, and I plan on taking part in that as often as possible."</p>
<p>CultureStrike plans to release more illustrations in Visions From The Inside. You can follow the project <a href="http://visionsfromtheinside.tumblr.com/" type="external">on their Tumblr</a>.</p>
<p>A version of&#160; <a href="https://globalvoices.org/2016/07/09/visions-from-the-inside-illustrates-the-struggles-and-resilience-of-migrants-caught-in-us-detention-centers/" type="external">this story</a>&#160;first appeared on&#160; <a href="https://globalvoices.org/" type="external">Global Voices</a>, a collection of hundreds of bloggers worldwide.</p> | false | 3 | migrant woman stands dressed navy blue sweatshirt adorned big white letters reads detention center across back face unseen images deportation order restless children plane destined czech republic allude fate woman ms horton migrant originally czech republic detained taken away sons deported loitering charge new jersey decade living us horton forced leave family clothes back green shower bag currently back us held new jersey detention facility undocumented queer trans visual artist color rommy torrico created illustration story based letter three drawings horton made children note artist accompanies illustration read letter explaining twisted torturous nightmare kept thinking baby drawing heartache desperation torn away children family loitering charge trauma dehumanized broken system want trying survive days holding memories past already seems far away courtesy of160160rommy torricoculturestrike torricos art part culturalstrikes visions inside project 14 artists created illustrations based letters interviews migrants detained detention facilities us asylumseekers forced raise kids immigration jails project includes work artists strong social justice background including queer trans people color courtesy of160breena nunezculturestrike culturestrike national promigrant arts organization worked collaboration end family detention familia trans queer liberation movementand others collect letters migrants detained centers located new jersey new york louisiana washington california texas idea project came members culturestrike visited immigration center saw firsthand important handwritten letters detainees letters families friends outside became conduits support migrants living closedoff restricted lives detention centers second year visions inside unique initiative aimed exploring various migrant identities experiences inside outside forprofit detention system project taps power art illustrate breadth traumas resilience experienced detained migrants last years inaugural visions inside focused letters written mothers karnes detention center texas year focus expanded include stories people released detention illustrate ongoing effects trauma immigration enforcement process julio salgado artist projects coordinator culturestrike says move include experiences outside detention exploring makes someone free theres idea detained released problems says many folks released deal various issues one ankle bracelets thats freedom reminder theyre watched price pay detention center also many women seeking asylum us released detention ankle monitors addition hortons story visions inside shares stories transgender women men suffering cancer young mothers loving sons illustrated vibrant images illustrations meant bring human stories come life challenge ways reduce human rights crisis immigration statistics numbers banners read160resistance hope courtesy cristy c roadculturestrike migrant testimonies describe horror injustice inflicted immigration system letters transmitted vast network activists artists seek illustrate empower detained migrants communities ultimately project aims fight voiceless immigrant narrative participating organizers see dehumanizing immigration system also fled abuse mexico trans woman says abused immigration detention organizers say circulation migrant testimonies inspired migrants share stories iris rodriguez end family detention says project positive dominoeffect families began writing letters art pieces publicly shared growing number detainees began get released openly share testimonies public forums artists like torrico many participants viewers projects like visions inside help bring awareness realities inside detention facilities continuing teach us resiliency migrant spirit whats happening hortons reality reality many women mothers detention undocumented artist privilege working piece sharing mothers story something truly forget says torrico participating initiative second year also believe responsibility artists cultural workers center issues share stories amplify message artists great honor opportunity shaking narrative work plan taking part often possible culturestrike plans release illustrations visions inside follow project tumblr version of160 story160first appeared on160 global voices collection hundreds bloggers worldwide | 543 |
<p>Editor’s note: This story is part of a Special Report on the global youth unemployment crisis, “ <a href="http://generation-tbd-ground-truth.tumblr.com/" type="external">Generation TBD</a>.” It's the result of a GroundTruth reporting fellowship featuring 21 correspondents reporting in 11 countries, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth/youth-unemployment-generation-tbd" type="external">part of a year-long effort</a> that brings together media, technology, education and humanitarian partners for an authoritative exploration of the problem and possible solutions.</p>
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<p>FERROL, Spain —&#160;By the time Borja Bernardez got home it was nearly three in the afternoon, and he was hungry. But there was no time for lunch. He had applied to join the Spanish navy and exam results were about to be posted online. Borja made a beeline for his computer.</p>
<p>Borja, now 27, dropped out of high school during his last year to pursue welding. After learning the trade, he quickly found work at Navantia, one of the largest shipbuilding companies in world and a major employer in his hometown of Ferrol, a port city on the northwest cost of Spain. It paid well. As an apprentice he was making up to 2,000 euros a month.&#160;</p>
<p>“I was building ships for the navy and was earning more than the people in the navy,” he said. “It was great.”&#160;</p>
<p>By the mid-2000s Spain had abandoned its conscript system but the economy was still growing, and the military was frantic for recruits. “[The ships] were operating with less people than they needed,” said Fernando Alvarez, the captain of the Blas de Lezo destroyer warship and a thirty-year navy veteran. At the time, he says, the navy relied heavily on immigrants from Central and South America to man the boats, as they were among the few who were willing to do the job.&#160;</p>
<p>But over the last decade circumstances have changed for young Spaniards like Borja. The real estate boom is over, the construction bubble has popped, and the economy is on the skids. With the country’s youth unemployment rate above 50 percent, young people are clamoring for work.</p>
<p>As a result, getting into the navy has gone from being a sure bet to a long shot, with acceptance rates in the single digits. In 2013, the Spanish armed forces offered 1,500 spots (300 of them in the navy) to more than 40,000 applicants.</p>
<p>“Any job opportunity is desirable,” said Oscar Marcenaro-Gutierrez, an associate professor of economics at Malaga University. “[But] public sector jobs are particularly appealing as they are associated with higher stability. On top of this, the average salary is 46 percent higher in the public sector than in the private sector.”</p>
<p>The situation in Ferrol, and in Spain as a whole, hasn’t always been this desperate. For centuries the city has been famous as a maritime hub, serving as both a major naval port and, more recently, home to Navantia. By the second half of the twentieth century, the shipbuilding industry was directly or indirectly employing tens of thousands of people and the population of Ferrol had swelled to approximately 100,000.&#160;</p>
<p>In recent years, though, the industry has dropped off precipitously, plagued by European Union efforts to include other ports in the trade and the global financial crisis more generally. Consequently, Ferrol’s population has sunk to about 70,000 and, on a good day, only a few thousand people can find work in the shipyard, often on short-term contracts.</p>
<p>Borja is not an exception to the slowdown. He was at Navantia for just months before he and “many, many, many, many, many” others were laid off.&#160;</p>
<p>“The first day, the first week, you're like, ‘OK — I'm going to send CVs to all the companies,’” he said of his transition into unemployment. Through a temp agency he found a job at a printing shop but it too was short-lived. In the nearly four years since then, Borja has been unable to find even remotely steady work.&#160;</p>
<p>“The weeks pass by and you are like, ‘I'm not going to find anything,’” Borja said. “You don't have any hope, really. No worth. It's very depressing.”</p>
<p>It was the day before the navy results were released, and Borja stood outside a local employment center where he started taking vocational classes last year, contemplating whether he was still optimistic about his future. After letting out an enormous sigh, he decided, “ask me tomorrow.” His Steve McQueen t-shirt resettling under his leather jacket, Borja added that getting into the navy would be “the solution to all of his problems.”</p>
<p>Alvarez, the ship captain, says that it’s not just low- to medium-skilled workers like Borja who are pinning their hopes for the future on the navy.&#160;</p>
<p>“Now the armed forces, and particularly the navy, are getting a level of education [that is] very high in comparison with the people ten years ago,” he explained. Indeed, those with bachelor degrees, master’s degrees, or even more advanced qualifications, are all among those eager to join. Take Silvia Villa, for example.</p>
<p>“Everything here gets dirty SO fast,” complained Silvia, 30, perched on a workbench counter in the bowels of the Blas de Lezo warship. “Everything!”&#160;</p>
<p>Dressed in a greyish green jumpsuit, with a patch on the shoulder marking her as belonging to the lowest rung of sailor, her task is to clean the small machinery room — again. She’s been in the navy for two years, and she has lost count of how many times she’s had to do this.&#160;</p>
<p>“[The navy] is just a job. Nothing else,” she says between passes with her rag. “I try to enjoy what I do, but I'm not doing what I really enjoy.”</p>
<p>Silvia’s path to the navy was circuitous but not atypical. After getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she began clinical work at a hospital and intended to continue studying for her Ph.D. But the plan was derailed when her professor, who was also a close friend and mentor, passed away right as she was set to begin. Deciding it wasn’t the right time to take on a doctorate, she set out to find another way to use her education.&#160;</p>
<p>Living at her parents’ home, she searched for a job, with an eye toward military psychology, an area that had piqued her interest as a student. Instead, the only opening she could find was a temporary position as a telemarketer for an insurance company. That ended and, after months more of looking, she eventually found work as a cook through a family friend, but that too was fleeting.&#160;Then, like Borja, Silvia was left with nothing.</p>
<p>“Being young here is not a gift,” she said. “You see all the days passing and you can't manage to do anything. You try everything and all the doors are closed, and then you begin thinking that there's no way out.”</p>
<p>Silvia also saw the navy as the answer to her stagnation. While she had to start at the lowest rank, she reasoned that working “from the inside” could improve her chances of transitioning into a military psychologist post.</p>
<p>But, going on her third year of painting the boats without a promotion, she’s learned not to get either overly hopeful or depressed about the possibility of advancement.&#160;It’s not ideal, she says, but “at the very end, you feel like the most fortunate person in the world because you have a job.”</p>
<p>And, with a 35-hour work week while in port, relatively safe deployments (most recently a training exercise in the Black Sea) and little chance of being fired, the navy has a reputation of being, as Borja puts it, “the good life.” No wonder then that, back at his apartment, he anxiously waited for the exam results to load.&#160;</p>
<p>The online document was 484 pages long and listed the top 9,000 applicants.&#160;Figuring out whether he got one of the final 1,000 available spots required a nerve-wracking calculation.</p>
<p>Not wanting to waste time scrolling, Borja used the search function to find out how he’d done.&#160;For his top choice, serving in the navy in Ferrol, his test score put him at #32 out of 391 for 23 spots. Pen and paper at the ready, he immediately began cross-referencing the scores, names, and preferences of those ahead of him to see if he could move up.&#160;</p>
<p>The top ranked person, for example, appeared likely to choose another branch of service —&#160; so Borja scratched them off, shifting himself into 31st position. Continuing this process, he slowly moved up the list: 29th, 26th, 24th and, finally, after 30 long minutes, he was nearly positive that he had made the cut.</p>
<p>Borja was ecstatic.&#160;</p>
<p>He texted his mother and a few close friends the good news, but, as he well knew, the journey wasn’t quite over. This was the third time he had applied for the navy. Last year he didn’t make the academic cut. Four years ago, when it was less competitive, he was ranked number one after the exam but, during his physical, the doctor identified a back problem and disqualified him. So, this time, he was “nervous as hell” about his medical evaluation.</p>
<p>For some reason, the same doctor that denied him four years ago passed him this time, meaning he was all but certain to become a sailor.&#160;On June 6, the navy made his placement official.</p>
<p>“It was time for a bit of luck. I needed it,” he said, sipping on a beer that during the depths of his unemployment would have had to be bought by a friend. He’ll be making roughly 1,000 euro a month, half of what he was able to earn at Navantia. Regardless, he says, “getting paid every month. That's great.”&#160;</p>
<p>But with the Spanish government instituting austerity policies, the public sector as a whole will remain limited in its ability to take on more employees. The more fundamental issue, says economist Oscar Marcenaro-Gutierrez, is whether the country’s economy should be so reliant on the public sector in the first place.</p>
<p>“The question is not how capable is the public sector in order to absorb unemployed people, but should we keep attracting people to the public sector?” he said. “My opinion is that the public sector has to be reduced to achieve a much more competitive economy.”</p>
<p>In the meantime, however, public jobs like the navy will continue to provide a lifeline to young Spaniards who are lucky enough to land them.</p>
<p>“I was nearly 30, at my parents, with no life,” Silvia said of her situation before the navy. “More than happiness, [getting in] was a relief.”&#160;</p>
<p>This story is presented by <a href="http://thegroundtruthproject.org/" type="external">The GroundTruth Project.</a>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | editors note story part special report global youth unemployment crisis generation tbd result groundtruth reporting fellowship featuring 21 correspondents reporting 11 countries part yearlong effort brings together media technology education humanitarian partners authoritative exploration problem possible solutions ferrol spain 160by time borja bernardez got home nearly three afternoon hungry time lunch applied join spanish navy exam results posted online borja made beeline computer borja 27 dropped high school last year pursue welding learning trade quickly found work navantia one largest shipbuilding companies world major employer hometown ferrol port city northwest cost spain paid well apprentice making 2000 euros month160 building ships navy earning people navy said great160 mid2000s spain abandoned conscript system economy still growing military frantic recruits ships operating less people needed said fernando alvarez captain blas de lezo destroyer warship thirtyyear navy veteran time says navy relied heavily immigrants central south america man boats among willing job160 last decade circumstances changed young spaniards like borja real estate boom construction bubble popped economy skids countrys youth unemployment rate 50 percent young people clamoring work result getting navy gone sure bet long shot acceptance rates single digits 2013 spanish armed forces offered 1500 spots 300 navy 40000 applicants job opportunity desirable said oscar marcenarogutierrez associate professor economics malaga university public sector jobs particularly appealing associated higher stability top average salary 46 percent higher public sector private sector situation ferrol spain whole hasnt always desperate centuries city famous maritime hub serving major naval port recently home navantia second half twentieth century shipbuilding industry directly indirectly employing tens thousands people population ferrol swelled approximately 100000160 recent years though industry dropped precipitously plagued european union efforts include ports trade global financial crisis generally consequently ferrols population sunk 70000 good day thousand people find work shipyard often shortterm contracts borja exception slowdown navantia months many many many many many others laid off160 first day first week youre like ok im going send cvs companies said transition unemployment temp agency found job printing shop shortlived nearly four years since borja unable find even remotely steady work160 weeks pass like im going find anything borja said dont hope really worth depressing day navy results released borja stood outside local employment center started taking vocational classes last year contemplating whether still optimistic future letting enormous sigh decided ask tomorrow steve mcqueen tshirt resettling leather jacket borja added getting navy would solution problems alvarez ship captain says low mediumskilled workers like borja pinning hopes future navy160 armed forces particularly navy getting level education high comparison people ten years ago explained indeed bachelor degrees masters degrees even advanced qualifications among eager join take silvia villa example everything gets dirty fast complained silvia 30 perched workbench counter bowels blas de lezo warship everything160 dressed greyish green jumpsuit patch shoulder marking belonging lowest rung sailor task clean small machinery room shes navy two years lost count many times shes this160 navy job nothing else says passes rag try enjoy im really enjoy silvias path navy circuitous atypical getting bachelors degree psychology began clinical work hospital intended continue studying phd plan derailed professor also close friend mentor passed away right set begin deciding wasnt right time take doctorate set find another way use education160 living parents home searched job eye toward military psychology area piqued interest student instead opening could find temporary position telemarketer insurance company ended months looking eventually found work cook family friend fleeting160then like borja silvia left nothing young gift said see days passing cant manage anything try everything doors closed begin thinking theres way silvia also saw navy answer stagnation start lowest rank reasoned working inside could improve chances transitioning military psychologist post going third year painting boats without promotion shes learned get either overly hopeful depressed possibility advancement160its ideal says end feel like fortunate person world job 35hour work week port relatively safe deployments recently training exercise black sea little chance fired navy reputation borja puts good life wonder back apartment anxiously waited exam results load160 online document 484 pages long listed top 9000 applicants160figuring whether got one final 1000 available spots required nervewracking calculation wanting waste time scrolling borja used search function find hed done160for top choice serving navy ferrol test score put 32 391 23 spots pen paper ready immediately began crossreferencing scores names preferences ahead see could move up160 top ranked person example appeared likely choose another branch service 160 borja scratched shifting 31st position continuing process slowly moved list 29th 26th 24th finally 30 long minutes nearly positive made cut borja ecstatic160 texted mother close friends good news well knew journey wasnt quite third time applied navy last year didnt make academic cut four years ago less competitive ranked number one exam physical doctor identified back problem disqualified time nervous hell medical evaluation reason doctor denied four years ago passed time meaning certain become sailor160on june 6 navy made placement official time bit luck needed said sipping beer depths unemployment would bought friend hell making roughly 1000 euro month half able earn navantia regardless says getting paid every month thats great160 spanish government instituting austerity policies public sector whole remain limited ability take employees fundamental issue says economist oscar marcenarogutierrez whether countrys economy reliant public sector first place question capable public sector order absorb unemployed people keep attracting people public sector said opinion public sector reduced achieve much competitive economy meantime however public jobs like navy continue provide lifeline young spaniards lucky enough land nearly 30 parents life silvia said situation navy happiness getting relief160 story presented groundtruth project160 | 916 |
<p>Leaning on a cane in her small living room in this rural Cuban village of Rodas, Gladys Cristina del Caridad Gonzalez, 84, reflected on Pope Francis’s historic visit and what she hopes is a profound shift in Cuba after decades of living her faith in the shadows of the communist regime.</p>
<p>But she was even more interested and delighted to hear news of her grandson, Daniel Rodriguez, 29, an engineer in New Orleans who spent his early years in Rodas. Daniel grew up in a time when the Catholic Church was beleaguered across Cuba, a legacy of Fidel Castro’s revolution. Gladys, in the privacy of her home, bristled at the official pronouncements made by Communist Party leaders while giving her grandson rudiments of faith.</p>
<p>"God is everywhere, but you don’t see Him," Gladys said she would tell Daniel during his visits to Rodas, while his mother, Ana, worked. It was Gladys who taught him to make the sign of the cross at night, and with holy water when they went to church.</p>
<p>On Sundays she dressed him well, put on her best and took him to&#160;Mass. "Watch what I do," she whispered, at the points of standing and kneeling in the liturgy. He had to make his&#160;First Communion&#160;unofficially, alone with his grandmother.</p>
<p>At night she taught him to pray: "We ask for good health, good luck, justice and fairness, especially for people not fortunate."</p>
<p>Then he would say the Lord's Prayer and make his own private requests.</p>
<p>In May, Daniel visited his grandmother for the first time in seven years as the relations between the US and Cuba begin to thaw — thanks in no small part to the involvement of Pope Francis and the church.&#160;</p>
<p>“I was living in Cuba when Juan Pablo II visited [in 1998], and there were airs of hope appeasing the anxiety that many felt for the future,” said Daniel from his home in New Orleans. “Pope Francis's visit might have more momentum, and especially given the recent ‘openings’ Francis strikes me as a better activist than John Paul was. He might possibly lay down a foundation for the Cuban people to build a freer future.”</p>
<p>In her living room in Rodas, where the walls were adorned with posters of Pope Francis ahead of his visit, a laminated newspaper photograph of Gladys, dark-haired and easy on the eyes, next to her husband José Manuel Rodriguez, handsome in a cowboy hat at the town store, showed the good life of her late 20s.</p>
<p>Gladys and her husband José were&#160;colonos,&#160;respectable landowners, when they moved from José Manuel’s family farm, or finca, to Rodas in 1957 to bring their two daughers closer to the local school. After Fidel Castro’s forces ousted the tyrant Fulgencio Batista in 1959, change came to Rodas in rolling waves.</p>
<p>Public schools improved and expanded. But&#160;Castro began efforts to crush the church, deporting 60 percent of the priests and nuns, driving religion almost underground.</p>
<p />
<p>Gladys Cristina del Caridad Gonzalez at her home in Rodas, Cuba.</p>
<p>Anays Almenare/GroundTruth Project</p>
<p>Gladys gave birth to Daniel’s mother&#160;in 1962. Two years later, José Manuel died at age 38, leaving Gladys a 32-year-old widow with four girls. She leaned on her faith as she grappled with the loss of her husband and the Revolution’s takeover of her farmland.</p>
<p>When Ana’s son, Daniel,&#160;was born in 1986, Ana had him quietly baptized in Santa Clara. She avoided church, yet wanted Daniel to have some connection to the Catholic faith.</p>
<p>“I regret that Daniel didn’t make his First Communion, but I was afraid that my career would suffer if I was seen going to church,” Ana said.</p>
<p>In 1988, Ana was hired as a translator in building a Soviet-funded nuclear power plant near the port of&#160;Cienfuegos. Gladys took care of Daniel. After Ana met a Cuban engineer and eventually remarried, Daniel still spent weekends with his grandmother.</p>
<p>As she planted seeds of the boy’s faith, Gladys, who had never left&#160;Cuba,&#160;gave her grandson inklings of a wider world.&#160;</p>
<p>“She had maps all over the house,” Daniel said in New Orleans. “After lunch, before siesta, we’d lie in adjacent beds. She’d put her feet on the wall and quiz me, ‘What’s the capital of Zimbabwe?’ If I didn’t know, she’d say, ‘Go find the map.’” (Answer: Harare.)</p>
<p>Ana and her family family moved to Cuba's capital&#160;in 1993.</p>
<p>As Daniel moved through middle school, the only time he attended Mass was on trips back to Rodas to visit his grandmother. Ana still avoided church.</p>
<p>In 2011, Daniel enrolled in the elite Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences, known as the “Lenin school.” He was 15 and thrilled to board at the rural campus outside Havana, with weekends home. The rigorous teaching, range of students and the immersion in math and science opened his viewfinder on life to come. The food was poor, but in sports and study groups, Daniel forged a bond with guys who, like him, would leave for America in their twenties for better opportunities.</p>
<p>As President Raúl Castro has opened the Marxist economy to incremental private enterprise and real estate, Cuba faces the major challenge of brain drain: how to keep its best and brightest.</p>
<p>After freshman year in&#160;University&#160;of&#160;Havana’s top engineering track, Daniel saw no future. So on a government-approved trip to Mexico, he made his way to a Homeland Security station at the border of&#160;McAllen,&#160;Texas.&#160;</p>
<p>“I want to finish college in America,” he recalls telling the intake official. The man wished him luck. The next day he flew to&#160;Miami, where two of his maternal aunts live with their husbands.</p>
<p>Given temporary residential status in&#160;Miami, Daniel found work in a Cuban restaurant, switched to a job selling shoes, then a hotel clerk. He took ESL lessons at&#160;Miami-Dade Community College and won a statewide math prize. He then switched to private tutoring in math and science for the children of doctors, lawyers and other wealthy Cuban Americans.</p>
<p>“Within two years in&#160;Miami&#160;I was making $35,000, tutoring children of people who left&#160;Cuba&#160;very young or were born in America,” he says. “Tutoring helped me learn English.”</p>
<p>Back in&#160;Havana, Ana fretted over Daniel, her son who was ever capable of negotiating his way in the world. How long before she saw him?</p>
<p>Daniel left&#160;Miami&#160;in 2007 as his mother was gravitating back to church. Three years later, he persuaded Ana and his stepbrother to leave&#160;Cuba&#160;for&#160;Miami.</p>
<p>By 2012, Daniel was pursuing an engineering degree on scholarship at&#160;Manhattan&#160;College. In five years, he had mastered English, vaulted to the city of cities and that autumn landed a part-time job at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>He was he also confronting his spiritual identity. A theology professor, Natalia Imperatori-Lee, of Cuban descent, exposed him to the progressive thought of the 1960s Second Vatican Council.</p>
<p>The Church of Rome had opened itself to the modern world when the Revolution was persecuting the Cuban church. He thought again of his grandma, bypassed by Vatican II, yet she had given him fundamentals of a faith he never thought of as a dynamic process until&#160;Manhattan&#160;College.</p>
<p>As Daniel went back to church, one of the Goldman bosses told him that committed people worked weekends and holidays to catch up on work. Sundays of a soulless, workaholic culture had no appeal. At graduation, he took an offer from ExxonMobil, working as an engineer at an oil refinery in the New Orleans&#160;area. He also helped his mother Ana, who had since divorced, and his stepbrother relocate to&#160;Miami.</p>
<p>But New Orleans captivated Daniel: the Spanish colonial architecture, music tides and&#160;Caribbean pace echoed&#160;Cuba. He began attending Mass at a Jesuit parish near&#160;Audubon&#160;Park.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Now, eight years after he arrived from Cuba, he has no college debt, a nice apartment in the city’s warehouse district and is helping his mother purchase a home in Miami.</p>
<p>Daniel made his first trip back to&#160;Cuba&#160;in May, spending four days in Rodas with his grandmother. Gladys has made trips to Miami&#160;to visit her daughters, but felt it too daunting to uproot from the village of her life.&#160;</p>
<p>“Now that I’m past the immigrant survival period, I’ve had time to think about more existential things, like my role as a Cuban and what’s going on now,” Daniel reflects.</p>
<p>“I was talking to my grandma about this, asking her about my grandfather who died before I was born, the kind of life they had, looking at the documents of the farm they used to own. I think my generation could be a bridge between people from the early exodus, and those who remain in Cuba, by engaging with them, trying to bring back things that were lost because they clashed with the Revolution, pushing for certain values,” Daniel says.</p>
<p>A core value in his life, he found, was the faith that his grandmother had insisted that he practice all those years ago as a boy. The belief system comes more naturally to him now, he says, as something “to integrate with a new generation that comes to peace with its history.”</p>
<p>This story was produced with support from <a href="http://thegroundtruthproject.org/" type="external">The GroundTruth Project.</a>Jason Berry, a correspondent for The GroundTruth Project, is author of "Render unto&#160;Rome: The Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church," among other books.</p> | false | 3 | leaning cane small living room rural cuban village rodas gladys cristina del caridad gonzalez 84 reflected pope franciss historic visit hopes profound shift cuba decades living faith shadows communist regime even interested delighted hear news grandson daniel rodriguez 29 engineer new orleans spent early years rodas daniel grew time catholic church beleaguered across cuba legacy fidel castros revolution gladys privacy home bristled official pronouncements made communist party leaders giving grandson rudiments faith god everywhere dont see gladys said would tell daniel visits rodas mother ana worked gladys taught make sign cross night holy water went church sundays dressed well put best took to160mass watch whispered points standing kneeling liturgy make his160first communion160unofficially alone grandmother night taught pray ask good health good luck justice fairness especially people fortunate would say lords prayer make private requests may daniel visited grandmother first time seven years relations us cuba begin thaw thanks small part involvement pope francis church160 living cuba juan pablo ii visited 1998 airs hope appeasing anxiety many felt future said daniel home new orleans pope franciss visit might momentum especially given recent openings francis strikes better activist john paul might possibly lay foundation cuban people build freer future living room rodas walls adorned posters pope francis ahead visit laminated newspaper photograph gladys darkhaired easy eyes next husband josé manuel rodriguez handsome cowboy hat town store showed good life late 20s gladys husband josé were160colonos160respectable landowners moved josé manuels family farm finca rodas 1957 bring two daughers closer local school fidel castros forces ousted tyrant fulgencio batista 1959 change came rodas rolling waves public schools improved expanded but160castro began efforts crush church deporting 60 percent priests nuns driving religion almost underground gladys cristina del caridad gonzalez home rodas cuba anays almenaregroundtruth project gladys gave birth daniels mother160in 1962 two years later josé manuel died age 38 leaving gladys 32yearold widow four girls leaned faith grappled loss husband revolutions takeover farmland anas son daniel160was born 1986 ana quietly baptized santa clara avoided church yet wanted daniel connection catholic faith regret daniel didnt make first communion afraid career would suffer seen going church ana said 1988 ana hired translator building sovietfunded nuclear power plant near port of160cienfuegos gladys took care daniel ana met cuban engineer eventually remarried daniel still spent weekends grandmother planted seeds boys faith gladys never left160cuba160gave grandson inklings wider world160 maps house daniel said new orleans lunch siesta wed lie adjacent beds shed put feet wall quiz whats capital zimbabwe didnt know shed say go find map answer harare ana family family moved cubas capital160in 1993 daniel moved middle school time attended mass trips back rodas visit grandmother ana still avoided church 2011 daniel enrolled elite vocational preuniversity institute exact sciences known lenin school 15 thrilled board rural campus outside havana weekends home rigorous teaching range students immersion math science opened viewfinder life come food poor sports study groups daniel forged bond guys like would leave america twenties better opportunities president raúl castro opened marxist economy incremental private enterprise real estate cuba faces major challenge brain drain keep best brightest freshman year in160university160of160havanas top engineering track daniel saw future governmentapproved trip mexico made way homeland security station border of160mcallen160texas160 want finish college america recalls telling intake official man wished luck next day flew to160miami two maternal aunts live husbands given temporary residential status in160miami daniel found work cuban restaurant switched job selling shoes hotel clerk took esl lessons at160miamidade community college statewide math prize switched private tutoring math science children doctors lawyers wealthy cuban americans within two years in160miami160i making 35000 tutoring children people left160cuba160very young born america says tutoring helped learn english back in160havana ana fretted daniel son ever capable negotiating way world long saw daniel left160miami160in 2007 mother gravitating back church three years later persuaded ana stepbrother leave160cuba160for160miami 2012 daniel pursuing engineering degree scholarship at160manhattan160college five years mastered english vaulted city cities autumn landed parttime job goldman sachs also confronting spiritual identity theology professor natalia imperatorilee cuban descent exposed progressive thought 1960s second vatican council church rome opened modern world revolution persecuting cuban church thought grandma bypassed vatican ii yet given fundamentals faith never thought dynamic process until160manhattan160college daniel went back church one goldman bosses told committed people worked weekends holidays catch work sundays soulless workaholic culture appeal graduation took offer exxonmobil working engineer oil refinery new orleans160area also helped mother ana since divorced stepbrother relocate to160miami new orleans captivated daniel spanish colonial architecture music tides and160caribbean pace echoed160cuba began attending mass jesuit parish near160audubon160park160160160160 eight years arrived cuba college debt nice apartment citys warehouse district helping mother purchase home miami daniel made first trip back to160cuba160in may spending four days rodas grandmother gladys made trips miami160to visit daughters felt daunting uproot village life160 im past immigrant survival period ive time think existential things like role cuban whats going daniel reflects talking grandma asking grandfather died born kind life looking documents farm used think generation could bridge people early exodus remain cuba engaging trying bring back things lost clashed revolution pushing certain values daniel says core value life found faith grandmother insisted practice years ago boy belief system comes naturally says something integrate new generation comes peace history story produced support groundtruth projectjason berry correspondent groundtruth project author render unto160rome secret life money catholic church among books | 878 |
<p>OCT. 18, 2010</p>
<p>By TORI RICHARDS</p>
<p>When California Chief Justice Ronald George retires at the end of the year, the nation will lose one of its staunchest supporters of the public’s right to know — a trailblazer whose rulings have led to open court proceedings that were traditionally closed to the public and transparency in government budgets and salaries.</p>
<p>During his 14 years as chief justice, George has routinely ruled to strengthen public access laws and used the First Amendment as his barometer in giving the press free access unless harm can be proven. He has opened the California Supreme Court to TV cameras, organized a bench-media committee to resolve differences, and taken his court on the road for greater accessibility.</p>
<p>“He’s been superb. For my money, it’s a very sad day that he’s going to be leaving the court from many perspectives,” said Peter Scheer, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition, a nonprofit organization that works to defend free speech. “He has been absolutely steadfast in protecting and defending rights of access and aggressively working to expand the public’s right to know what government officials are doing on the public’s behalf.”</p>
<p>In 2007 George authored an opinion that required government agencies including police departments to disclose the names and salaries of all employees making more than $100,000 a year. In the past, many agencies would release only a salary range or details regarding a position without including the employees’ names.</p>
<p>This decision opened the door for the Los Angeles Times to demand disclosure of the top salaries in the city of Bell last summer. A scandal detailing exorbitant pay and the ensuing criminal charges have led to a national movement demanding openness in government.</p>
<p>“Certainly corruption and malfeasance in government is much more likely to occur when the actions and records of agencies aren’t subject to scrutiny by the press, which has the role of acting like the public’s eyes and ears to our government’s operations,” George said in an interview. “There should be a presumption of openness unless a strong showing that should justify closure.”</p>
<p>That line of thinking created a 1999 written opinion that would be George’s greatest legacy, much to the chagrin of some judges who aren’t fans of the press, and celebrities and wealthy executives who crave privacy.</p>
<p>The case – ironically involving a superstar actor — has been mirrored in states across the nation, by federal judges, and by the press as a wedge to include greater access in areas not specifically mandated by George.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.firstamendmentcoalition.org/handbook/cases/KNBC-TV_v_SuperiorCourt.pdf" type="external">The case involved actor Clint Eastwood</a>, who was sued for deceit by former girlfriend Sondra Locke. On his own motion, the Los Angeles Superior Court judge David Schacter ruled that no press or members of the public would be allowed to attend any court sessions held outside the presence of the jury and he sealed the transcripts. Schater’s reasoning was that he didn’t want to jury to see something in the press that wasn’t presented as part of the trial. This included sessions involving picking the jury, attorney arguments over witnesses, and debates over which exhibits should be allowed.</p>
<p>NBC affiliate KNBC and a host of other media outlets sued. The case wound up before the California Supreme Court, which sided with the media. In his opinion, George noted that federal law allowed access to all criminal trials, but was silent on cases of a civil nature, like Eastwood’s.</p>
<p>So George researched the entire history of the First Amendment and ruled in favor of the press.</p>
<p>“We believe that the public has an interest, in all civil cases, in observing and assessing the performance of its public judicial system, and that interest strongly supports a general right of access in ordinary civil cases,” George wrote.</p>
<p>He went on to document several areas of malfeasance by the trial judge, who purposely set out to thwart coverage by the press. As a result of that case, California’s Judicial Council, the state judge’s policy-making body headed by George, put out a set of rules that limited the sealing of court records.</p>
<p>Although the case wasn’t a family law matter, it has led to openness in the formerly secretive world of divorce court. Case in point: the divorce of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, which has been a media sensation.</p>
<p>“There was no question that McCourt would be open – there wasn’t even a hint that the court would close anything,” said attorney Kelli Sager, who represented the media in the Eastwood case. Sager also sued and won media access to sealed divorce files of Broadcom founder Henry Nicholas and billionaire Ron Burkle. She used the Eastwood case as justification.</p>
<p>“It’s one of the decisions that I’m most proud of,” George said in an interview regarding Eastwood. “Protecting the rights of celebrities did not outweigh the public’s right to know.”</p>
<p>In addition to opening the courts, George also set forth new court rules that opened court budgetary information to the public with rules that mirror that state Public Records Act.</p>
<p>So what’s going to happen once the chief leaves? It’s anyone’s guess, but those who know the court the best hope that it will nothing much.</p>
<p>Chief George’s successor will likely be Tani Cantil Sakauye, an appellate court justice in Sacramento who was nominated by the governor and is on the November ballot. She has been friendly toward the press and will likely adopt much of George’s mindset, one insider predicted.</p>
<p>“I think she’ll be great, she’s been very open,” the insider said, adding that George met with the governor upon the announcement of his retirement and likely pushed for Sakauye as a replacement.</p>
<p>Scheer agreed.</p>
<p>“My initial opinion is that (Sakauye) will follow very much in his footsteps in these areas,” Sheer said. “I would not expect to see any significant pull back. But most people who care about government transparency, good as this new person is, they will be sad to see Ron George go”</p>
<p>Attorney Sager, who has represented media clients for more than two decades, says she believes Sakauye will continue on with George’s tradition because the trend has been going that way for some time.</p>
<p>“I think the path has been set, so I don’t expect it to go backwards,” she said.</p> | false | 3 | oct 18 2010 tori richards california chief justice ronald george retires end year nation lose one staunchest supporters publics right know trailblazer whose rulings led open court proceedings traditionally closed public transparency government budgets salaries 14 years chief justice george routinely ruled strengthen public access laws used first amendment barometer giving press free access unless harm proven opened california supreme court tv cameras organized benchmedia committee resolve differences taken court road greater accessibility hes superb money sad day hes going leaving court many perspectives said peter scheer executive director first amendment coalition nonprofit organization works defend free speech absolutely steadfast protecting defending rights access aggressively working expand publics right know government officials publics behalf 2007 george authored opinion required government agencies including police departments disclose names salaries employees making 100000 year past many agencies would release salary range details regarding position without including employees names decision opened door los angeles times demand disclosure top salaries city bell last summer scandal detailing exorbitant pay ensuing criminal charges led national movement demanding openness government certainly corruption malfeasance government much likely occur actions records agencies arent subject scrutiny press role acting like publics eyes ears governments operations george said interview presumption openness unless strong showing justify closure line thinking created 1999 written opinion would georges greatest legacy much chagrin judges arent fans press celebrities wealthy executives crave privacy case ironically involving superstar actor mirrored states across nation federal judges press wedge include greater access areas specifically mandated george case involved actor clint eastwood sued deceit former girlfriend sondra locke motion los angeles superior court judge david schacter ruled press members public would allowed attend court sessions held outside presence jury sealed transcripts schaters reasoning didnt want jury see something press wasnt presented part trial included sessions involving picking jury attorney arguments witnesses debates exhibits allowed nbc affiliate knbc host media outlets sued case wound california supreme court sided media opinion george noted federal law allowed access criminal trials silent cases civil nature like eastwoods george researched entire history first amendment ruled favor press believe public interest civil cases observing assessing performance public judicial system interest strongly supports general right access ordinary civil cases george wrote went document several areas malfeasance trial judge purposely set thwart coverage press result case californias judicial council state judges policymaking body headed george put set rules limited sealing court records although case wasnt family law matter led openness formerly secretive world divorce court case point divorce los angeles dodgers owner frank mccourt media sensation question mccourt would open wasnt even hint court would close anything said attorney kelli sager represented media eastwood case sager also sued media access sealed divorce files broadcom founder henry nicholas billionaire ron burkle used eastwood case justification one decisions im proud george said interview regarding eastwood protecting rights celebrities outweigh publics right know addition opening courts george also set forth new court rules opened court budgetary information public rules mirror state public records act whats going happen chief leaves anyones guess know court best hope nothing much chief georges successor likely tani cantil sakauye appellate court justice sacramento nominated governor november ballot friendly toward press likely adopt much georges mindset one insider predicted think shell great shes open insider said adding george met governor upon announcement retirement likely pushed sakauye replacement scheer agreed initial opinion sakauye follow much footsteps areas sheer said would expect see significant pull back people care government transparency good new person sad see ron george go attorney sager represented media clients two decades says believes sakauye continue georges tradition trend going way time think path set dont expect go backwards said | 602 |
<p>Noah Calton Baldwin was the grand old man among the Baptists of Southwest Virginia. For nearly 60 years, he was a central figure in the religious life of the frontier from Marion to Abingdon. He was the father of the Lebanon Baptist Association. He founded churches and served as pastor of about a dozen, yet he admitted that his favorite was Friendship, near Lodi (which is near Glade Spring) in Washington County. It was the church closest to his home, a place he whimsically called Whang Doodle Hollow.</p>
<p>Baldwin was a crusty soul. He knew ups and downs. He forsook Methodists over their mode of baptism. He battled with fierce anti-missionary Baptists. He lost a church to the anti crowd. He was maligned by opponents and unfairly called “a money hunter and divider of churches” because he was for missions. He and his beloved Lebanon Association even fell out with one another at times. He was an independent thinker and sometimes ran contrary to the prevailing thought among most of the Virginia Baptists. But they all knew that Noah Baldwin was solid and unmovable.</p>
<p>He was the stuff of legends. At Friendship, he sometimes preached lying down, probably due to gout. He liked to rap his cane on the pulpit platform for emphasis and likely to awaken anyone who was nodding off. He entered politics and became the first mayor of Glade Spring. As an old man, he married a fourth time and thereby acquired three young step-daughters.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Baldwin</p>
<p>When the beginnings of a new year dawned in 1898, he was 80 years of age. His joints were aching. His spirits were waning. He was preoccupied with advancing age.</p>
<p>“Through the forbearance and tender mercy of God, I am again permitted to see and enjoy the beginning of another year of life's journey. More sorrow than joy has been my lot all through my Christian life. And as the years pass by, they only bring accumulated sorrows.</p>
<p>“My mind has been much exercised of late on the shortness of time and the swiftness which it leaves us from the cradle to the grave. When I was a little boy, playing with my brothers around my father's hearth stones, from one year to another appeared to be a long time. But now I am 80 years old, and to look back to the days of my boyhood appears as but yesterday.</p>
<p>“Am well as one of my age could expect to be with the exception of a tumor on my left hand which has and still continues to give me a good deal of pain, particularly of a night. But I am thankful to be able to say [that] my mind is calm and hopeful. Trust that all things may work for my present and eternal good.”</p>
<p>In those final years, the old man endured yet more struggles. His wife's brother was murdered. One of his “fast friends,” a fellow and younger preacher, died and the loss lay heavy upon the old man. A new pastor came to Friendship and the two ministers were “not on good brotherly terms.” The new pastor was the one to offer an olive branch; and in time, Baldwin returned to worship services and occasionally filled the pulpit. The old home place burned and Baldwin and his family had to depend upon the charity of friends. And there was the pain of cancer. For Baldwin, it was always about beginnings, endings and new beginnings.</p>
<p>In the winter of '99, Baldwin was sick. He confided to his diary: “During my illness have been more deeply impressed with a sense of the awful solemnities of death, and my nearness to its realities than ever before. Feel quite sure that I am hastening to the end of my earthly career. But the greatest of all questions with me is, am I prepared to meet it? My answer to this is as follows. For over 60 years I have had a hope that through the merits and intercession of Christ, the God-man, I am saved. But often sin and some doubts and fears have caused me to greatly fear that, after all I may be deceived and find my mistake when it is too late to correct it. Lord help me to decide, safely, the doubtful case for Christ's sake.”</p>
<p>He began to think of endings. “But when I die, be it soon or late, the following is my earnest wish and desire. Bury me in the Anderson cemetery in Smyth Co., Va., at the right side of my beloved Lavinia, standing at the head of the grave. It is further my wish and desire that … the placing of such marble at the head of my grave, as friends may consider my poor sinful remains worthy of.” He named those whom he wanted to officiate at the burial and at the funeral which could be held “at some future time, at such place as my friends may desire.”</p>
<p>Noah Baldwin lived to see the new century begin. On January 6, 1901, he wrote: “This is the first Sunday in the Twentieth century. Oh how time flies! An inch or two of time is all that man can boast. In all his flower and prime, he is but vanity and dust. Like grass, he cometh forth in the morning, in the evening he is cut down. What changes have taken place in the world during the last century! What may occur during the next is impossible to conjecture much less to foretell.</p>
<p>“Wars and rumors of wars have been distinguishing elements during the last, and from present appearances may be of the present. Great warships and the manufacture of the most powerful and deadly instruments of warfare would seem to indicate it. What a vast pile of plow-shears and pruning hooks the present amount of warfare implements would make if they could all be gathered up and manufactured into those useful implements! And this is what the Inspired Book teaches will be done before the end of time.</p>
<p>“Science, during the last century, has brought to light, and placed in our hands and for our use many very valuable discoveries—as steam, electricity, etc. Old methods are thrown aside and new and better methods adopted. But after all, it is questionable whether all these things have added any real benefit to the world. The old gospel is the same, the way of salvation the same …”</p>
<p>The ending came for Baldwin in January 1903. True to his wishes, he was buried at Adwolfe in the Anderson family cemetery. In the summer, a funeral service was held at Friendship, which was “crowded to its utmost capacity.” Lebanon Association erected a marble shaft at the grave and time took its toll on the stone. In 1985 a Baptist layman, Mack Sturgill, led the movement to restore the monument.</p> | false | 3 | noah calton baldwin grand old man among baptists southwest virginia nearly 60 years central figure religious life frontier marion abingdon father lebanon baptist association founded churches served pastor dozen yet admitted favorite friendship near lodi near glade spring washington county church closest home place whimsically called whang doodle hollow baldwin crusty soul knew ups downs forsook methodists mode baptism battled fierce antimissionary baptists lost church anti crowd maligned opponents unfairly called money hunter divider churches missions beloved lebanon association even fell one another times independent thinker sometimes ran contrary prevailing thought among virginia baptists knew noah baldwin solid unmovable stuff legends friendship sometimes preached lying probably due gout liked rap cane pulpit platform emphasis likely awaken anyone nodding entered politics became first mayor glade spring old man married fourth time thereby acquired three young stepdaughters baldwin beginnings new year dawned 1898 80 years age joints aching spirits waning preoccupied advancing age forbearance tender mercy god permitted see enjoy beginning another year lifes journey sorrow joy lot christian life years pass bring accumulated sorrows mind much exercised late shortness time swiftness leaves us cradle grave little boy playing brothers around fathers hearth stones one year another appeared long time 80 years old look back days boyhood appears yesterday well one age could expect exception tumor left hand still continues give good deal pain particularly night thankful able say mind calm hopeful trust things may work present eternal good final years old man endured yet struggles wifes brother murdered one fast friends fellow younger preacher died loss lay heavy upon old man new pastor came friendship two ministers good brotherly terms new pastor one offer olive branch time baldwin returned worship services occasionally filled pulpit old home place burned baldwin family depend upon charity friends pain cancer baldwin always beginnings endings new beginnings winter 99 baldwin sick confided diary illness deeply impressed sense awful solemnities death nearness realities ever feel quite sure hastening end earthly career greatest questions prepared meet answer follows 60 years hope merits intercession christ godman saved often sin doubts fears caused greatly fear may deceived find mistake late correct lord help decide safely doubtful case christs sake began think endings die soon late following earnest wish desire bury anderson cemetery smyth co va right side beloved lavinia standing head grave wish desire placing marble head grave friends may consider poor sinful remains worthy named wanted officiate burial funeral could held future time place friends may desire noah baldwin lived see new century begin january 6 1901 wrote first sunday twentieth century oh time flies inch two time man boast flower prime vanity dust like grass cometh forth morning evening cut changes taken place world last century may occur next impossible conjecture much less foretell wars rumors wars distinguishing elements last present appearances may present great warships manufacture powerful deadly instruments warfare would seem indicate vast pile plowshears pruning hooks present amount warfare implements would make could gathered manufactured useful implements inspired book teaches done end time science last century brought light placed hands use many valuable discoveriesas steam electricity etc old methods thrown aside new better methods adopted questionable whether things added real benefit world old gospel way salvation ending came baldwin january 1903 true wishes buried adwolfe anderson family cemetery summer funeral service held friendship crowded utmost capacity lebanon association erected marble shaft grave time took toll stone 1985 baptist layman mack sturgill led movement restore monument | 570 |
<p>Last school year, Chicago Public Schools hired over 2,700 new teachers. Before the end of the year, nearly 200 had quit, leaving not just their schools but the district.</p>
<p>A similar scenario has played out for each of the last several years. In 2003, Catalyst Chicago reported that new teachers were leaving the district at a faster clip than 10 years ago (See “ <a href="" type="internal">More new teachers leaving CPS</a>,” Nov. 2003). Since then, while attrition in teachers’ second and third years has slowed somewhat, more new teachers are quitting before their first year is complete.</p>
<p>Good mentoring can make a critical difference in keeping new teachers on the job. But CPS’ core mentoring program, called GOLDEN, has not lived up to its name and needs a substantial increase in funding to fulfill its potential, say outside observers. Pending legislation in both Congress and the Illinois Legislature would address the funding issue, although CPS would not automatically benefit.</p>
<p>Launched in 2003, GOLDEN—which stands for Guidance, Orientation and Leadership Development Empowering New Teachers—has had its budget cut from $3.4 million in 2003 to $3 million now. One expert notes that Chicago’s budget is about one-tenth of what New York City spends on mentoring.</p>
<p>More mentors have been trained and are now working through GOLDEN, but the number of schools served has dropped.</p>
<p>The decline is due to school closings and an increase in the number of schools participating in alternative support programs, says Karen Cushing, program coordinator at the CPS Department of Learning and Development.</p>
<p>Those alternatives—including a support network for newcomers and an initiative that matches retirees with first-year teachers—offer intensive training and support. But only about 280 newly hired teachers are currently involved with the alternatives. In contrast, 1,742 first- and second-year teachers are participating in GOLDEN.</p>
<p>Through GOLDEN, mentors receive two days of training in topics such as content knowledge and pedagogy, adult learning theory, communication skills, strategies for providing constructive feedback, classroom observation skills, problem-solving skills, formative assessment and self-assessment, Cushing says.</p>
<p>But some observers say one-on-one time between mentors and new teachers is lacking because of inadequate funding.</p>
<p>“The district seems determined to support its first-year teachers with really scarce resources,” says Timothy Knowles, executive director of the Center for Urban School Improvement at the University of Chicago. “That’s really, really hard work given what we know nationally about what good teacher support requires, and the costs of it.”</p>
<p>Knowles estimates that GOLDEN spends about $800 to $1,000 per teacher. Meanwhile, organizations like the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future and the New Teacher Center at the University of California-Santa Cruz believe mentoring programs need to spend closer to $5,500 to $6,000 per teacher to be effective.</p>
<p>“At $800 per new teacher, you have to stretch those dollars really far,” Knowles says. As a result, GOLDEN “probably doesn’t provide the kind of direct support in the classroom for new teachers that can make the biggest difference in terms of whether they stay.”</p>
<p>Amanda Rivera, CPS director of learning and development, doesn’t foresee the district approaching anywhere near the recommended per-teacher funding without more state money. The district’s current spending “is not enough to do what we need to do,” she acknowledges. One-on-one time between mentor and mentee and more in-depth training are needed, Rivera says.</p>
<p>Tom Carroll, president of the national teaching commission, credits CPS for establishing training, networking opportunities and a “clear structure of interaction between the mentors and the mentees.” He believes GOLDEN has had a modestly positive effect.</p>
<p>“It’s going in the right direction,” Carroll says. “You need more mentors with more time to work with new teachers because the payoff is clearly there.” The program “needs to be much bigger, much more intensive [with] more contact time between the mentors and the mentees.”</p>
<p>Illinois requires districts to establish mentoring programs, which new teachers must complete to gain full professional status, says Audrey Soglin, director of the Center for Educational Innovation at the Illinois Education Association. Programs must include observation of the new teacher by the mentor, an opportunity for the new teacher to observe other veterans and “some way of giving formative feedback,” she explains.</p>
<p>Soglin also serves as executive director of the Consortium for Educational Change, a network of 56 districts (not including CPS) that helped develop criteria for the programs.</p>
<p>But, says Soglin, accountability is lacking. While districts may have “the right stuff on paper,” she points out, many may not follow through because the state does not provide funding and many districts are strapped for cash.</p>
<p>An infusion of funding would help provide relief time for mentors to observe new teachers, for new teachers to observe veterans, and for both to attend training sessions and participate in networking, Soglin says. “One of the things we find challenging is taking on mentoring on top of a full [teaching] load,” she says.</p>
<p>A $4 million proposal pending in the Illinois Legislature would fund between six and 12 pilot programs in selected districts, providing up to the recommended $6,000 per teacher spending level.</p>
<p>A similar program is now in place in California, Soglin says.</p>
<p>“The intent [is] to show the effect a high-quality, well-funded mentoring program can have on both teacher retention and student achievement, to try to urge [lawmakers] to broaden funding beyond the pilots,” she says.</p>
<p>One provision in the program would allow mentors to be released from classroom duties either full time or part time. Mentoring “would be a teacher’s job, instead of trying to do everything he or she is already trying to do,” Soglin says. “They could then mentor between 12 and 16 new teachers.”</p>
<p>Innovation districts</p>
<p>While Carroll estimates that Chicago’s investment in mentoring is similar to that of other large urban districts, he notes that New York City, which is working with the New Teacher Center, has invested $30 million per year.</p>
<p>“It’s probably the biggest mentoring program in the country,” he says. “They have more training, and they have more contact time between mentors and teachers.”</p>
<p>Carroll notes that a few other cities have launched innovative mentoring programs: Boston, which has received significant foundation support; and Chattanooga and Memphis, Tenn., both of which have received state support, along with foundations in Chattanooga. “We think those are interesting models,” Carroll says. “They’re happening only in a few places, but they’re very effective.”</p>
<p>To expand and support such models nationwide, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has introduced legislation to create 20 “Innovation Districts” that would focus on improving teacher recruitment, training and retention. The legislation would provide $1.5 billion, and would provide raises for higher-performing teachers and financial incentives to those willing to work in low-income schools.</p>
<p>Having a strong plan to mentor and retain new teachers would be a major determining factor in selecting the 20 districts, says Steve Robinson, a high school teacher who is serving as a one-year fellow in Obama’s office.</p>
<p>“If you want to have good teachers, you don’t place them in a classroom with a bunch of kids and let them sort it out for the first few years,” Robinson says, adding that doing so leads to greater turnover and, in turn, higher costs. “It’s pretty expensive to bring in new teachers every couple of years. If you can cut down on that, then a proposal like this, after awhile, is not that expensive.”</p>
<p>Ed Finkel is a Chicago-based writer. E-mail him at editor@catalyst-chicago.org.</p> | false | 3 | last school year chicago public schools hired 2700 new teachers end year nearly 200 quit leaving schools district similar scenario played last several years 2003 catalyst chicago reported new teachers leaving district faster clip 10 years ago see new teachers leaving cps nov 2003 since attrition teachers second third years slowed somewhat new teachers quitting first year complete good mentoring make critical difference keeping new teachers job cps core mentoring program called golden lived name needs substantial increase funding fulfill potential say outside observers pending legislation congress illinois legislature would address funding issue although cps would automatically benefit launched 2003 goldenwhich stands guidance orientation leadership development empowering new teachershas budget cut 34 million 2003 3 million one expert notes chicagos budget onetenth new york city spends mentoring mentors trained working golden number schools served dropped decline due school closings increase number schools participating alternative support programs says karen cushing program coordinator cps department learning development alternativesincluding support network newcomers initiative matches retirees firstyear teachersoffer intensive training support 280 newly hired teachers currently involved alternatives contrast 1742 first secondyear teachers participating golden golden mentors receive two days training topics content knowledge pedagogy adult learning theory communication skills strategies providing constructive feedback classroom observation skills problemsolving skills formative assessment selfassessment cushing says observers say oneonone time mentors new teachers lacking inadequate funding district seems determined support firstyear teachers really scarce resources says timothy knowles executive director center urban school improvement university chicago thats really really hard work given know nationally good teacher support requires costs knowles estimates golden spends 800 1000 per teacher meanwhile organizations like national commission teaching americas future new teacher center university californiasanta cruz believe mentoring programs need spend closer 5500 6000 per teacher effective 800 per new teacher stretch dollars really far knowles says result golden probably doesnt provide kind direct support classroom new teachers make biggest difference terms whether stay amanda rivera cps director learning development doesnt foresee district approaching anywhere near recommended perteacher funding without state money districts current spending enough need acknowledges oneonone time mentor mentee indepth training needed rivera says tom carroll president national teaching commission credits cps establishing training networking opportunities clear structure interaction mentors mentees believes golden modestly positive effect going right direction carroll says need mentors time work new teachers payoff clearly program needs much bigger much intensive contact time mentors mentees illinois requires districts establish mentoring programs new teachers must complete gain full professional status says audrey soglin director center educational innovation illinois education association programs must include observation new teacher mentor opportunity new teacher observe veterans way giving formative feedback explains soglin also serves executive director consortium educational change network 56 districts including cps helped develop criteria programs says soglin accountability lacking districts may right stuff paper points many may follow state provide funding many districts strapped cash infusion funding would help provide relief time mentors observe new teachers new teachers observe veterans attend training sessions participate networking soglin says one things find challenging taking mentoring top full teaching load says 4 million proposal pending illinois legislature would fund six 12 pilot programs selected districts providing recommended 6000 per teacher spending level similar program place california soglin says intent show effect highquality wellfunded mentoring program teacher retention student achievement try urge lawmakers broaden funding beyond pilots says one provision program would allow mentors released classroom duties either full time part time mentoring would teachers job instead trying everything already trying soglin says could mentor 12 16 new teachers innovation districts carroll estimates chicagos investment mentoring similar large urban districts notes new york city working new teacher center invested 30 million per year probably biggest mentoring program country says training contact time mentors teachers carroll notes cities launched innovative mentoring programs boston received significant foundation support chattanooga memphis tenn received state support along foundations chattanooga think interesting models carroll says theyre happening places theyre effective expand support models nationwide us sen barack obama introduced legislation create 20 innovation districts would focus improving teacher recruitment training retention legislation would provide 15 billion would provide raises higherperforming teachers financial incentives willing work lowincome schools strong plan mentor retain new teachers would major determining factor selecting 20 districts says steve robinson high school teacher serving oneyear fellow obamas office want good teachers dont place classroom bunch kids let sort first years robinson says adding leads greater turnover turn higher costs pretty expensive bring new teachers every couple years cut proposal like awhile expensive ed finkel chicagobased writer email editorcatalystchicagoorg | 746 |
<p>Lydell Harris is a tall, thin man with a short graying Afro, who students call “Coach” when they see him on his porch across the street from school.</p>
<p>The nickname is a hold-over from the nine years he spent coaching the boys’ basketball team at Goodlow, where Harris was a regular presence, helping in the classrooms and doing whatever jobs the staff needed. &#160;Often, he was at Goodlow from 7 in the morning to late in the afternoon.</p>
<p>“I didn’t just do it for my sons, but for a lot of the boys who don’t have a father figure, and I became that to them,” says Harris, who lives in West Englewood, one of the poorest, most dangerous communities in the city.</p>
<p>But since Goodlow closed in June and its building was taken over by Earle Elementary School’s leadership and staff, Harris says he has been, essentially, barred from being active. His wife, who was on Goodlow’s local school council, and several other mothers and grandmothers also claim that they have had trouble getting involved in the new Earle.</p>
<p>“We are not just parents,” says Michelle Clark, who has a daughter at Earle. “We were on the LSC, the advisory board, the [parent committee] chairs.”</p>
<p>Darlene O’Banner says she understood that one of the schools in West Englewood would have to close. There seemed to be just too many schools in the area, for too few children. But since the closings, the principal of Earle has not been welcoming, says O’Banner, who has lived in West Englewood for 36 years.&#160;</p>
<p>“You cannot be in the community and not talk to us,” she says.</p>
<p>O’Banner, Harris and about six other parents met recently at the Lindblom Park District building to talk about their dissatisfaction with Earle, a school that, at Level 3 on the CPS academic rating scale, is no stronger than Goodlow.&#160;</p>
<p>Harris says that he helped out at Goodlow during the summer, packing boxes and getting the new staff situated. At some point, Harris recalls being told he could coach the basketball team. Later, he says he was told he could not, but was not given a clear explanation.&#160;</p>
<p>Crystal Caston, whose children have been students at Earle for several years, says she thinks the principal needed to do a better job of bringing the Goodlow and Earle communities together.&#160;</p>
<p>“When a merger happens, there needs to be some mediation,” Caston says. “She wasn’t accepting of the blending of the communities together. She didn’t meet them half-way.” &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Yet Earle Principal Ketesha Melendez says she has been trying to bring Goodlow parents into the fold. The entire week before school started, she held what CPS called “cultural integration” events. Since then, she’s had an open house and a roundtable event for parents, though she admits they have not been particularly well-attended.</p>
<p>Melendez is also holding monthly “shadow days,” during which parents can follow their children through a day at school and observe their classes. She hopes that the experience will give parents a richer sense of the curriculum and help them assist their children with homework. Parents of the younger students are allowed to eat breakfast with their children.&#160;</p>
<p>Melendez says she wants parents to volunteer, but that they must fill out volunteer forms, which might be something that the Goodlow administration did not enforce. &#160;</p>
<p>“It is very important to have a strong bridge [with] parents,” Melendez says. She is hoping that as the children warm up to her, the parents will follow.</p>
<p>Yet Harris says his sons are having difficulty, too. They used to love school when they attended Goodlow and woke up early to get there. Now Harris says he is getting calls about his sons acting disrespectfully and not turning in homework, accusations that Harris doesn’t believe. &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>“My 7th-grader cried,” Harris says. “He doesn’t want to go to school. He is just so angry.”</p>
<p>As they prepared for the massive task of transitioning 11,000-plus students from closed schools to new ones, district officials made sweeping promises: The receiving schools would be better than the ones children left, and students would feel welcome in their new classes.&#160;</p>
<p>Tom Tyrrell, the ex-Marine who led the district’s transition efforts, said the first day of school would serve as his “report card,” when students arrived to see fully-stocked and renovated buildings. Tyrrell has used plans from several other cities to direct his mission and has especially relied on a plan issued by the Broad Foundation in 2009.&#160;</p>
<p>The Broad guide book says that it is intended to help districts that are considering closing schools determine how to solve budget challenges. It includes suggestions for many areas, such as how to decide which schools to close, how to communicate with stakeholders and how to reassign students.</p>
<p>But the timeline stops in September, and little is said about how to deal with the aftermath. &#160;</p>
<p>Yet parents like those at Earle still seem to be reeling as they try to adjust—and help their children adjust—to a difficult new reality. They also must confront a myriad of problems, some of which might seem to be small, yet loom larger because of the circumstances.</p>
<p>Peter DeWitt, an elementary school principal in Upstate New York, was in charge of overseeing a painful consolidation. He says it is wrong to think that the transition ends on the first day of the new school year.&#160;</p>
<p>“This is a two-year transition,” says DeWitt, who also writes a column for Education Week. “People want the parents to get over it in October, but this is a painful loss for them and it will take longer.”</p>
<p>DeWitt says often the children are okay, but parents are the ones who remember the old school and have hard feelings. It’s important that the welcoming school’s principal be visible, host new events that are unique to the consolidated school and doesn’t discount the population of the shuttered school.&#160;</p>
<p>Keeping an eye on what is happening in the welcoming schools is imperative. The schools that closed as well as the welcoming ones are mostly in poor neighborhoods, says Eve Rips, a fellow working with The Independent School Monitoring Project, an initiative of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc. and Loyola University-Chicago’s Education Law and Policy Institute. As part of the project, about 60 volunteers surveyed parents on Aug. 26 and 27. As the school year goes on, the monitoring will continue.&#160;</p>
<p>“They are often the schools that experience the most problems, and parents don’t always know their rights,” Rips says.</p>
<p>Whether or not the principals at welcoming schools have the skills to work with disgruntled parents is unclear. Fewer than 30 percent of the receiving schools had strong or very strong parent involvement, according to a 2012 survey of teachers and students.</p>
<p>Three schools—Faraday, Harvard and Jensen—were rated as “very weak.” Earle was rated as “weak.”</p>
<p>The Consortium on Chicago School Research launched the survey, now conducted each year, after Consortium researchers identified “involved families” as one of the five essential components to school improvement.</p>
<p>Penny Sebring, founding co-director at the Consortium, says schools with strong parent involvement are four times more likely to improve in reading and math, and those rated as weak are three times more likely to stagnate. One component of parental involvement that predicts improvement is the trust between parents and teachers, she says. “For the welcoming schools, principals need to provide the total package, and one of the best things to work on is building a sense of trust,” she says.</p>
<p>But principals say they are a bit unsure of how to change the attitudes of those parents who are deeply disappointed at their school’s closure.</p>
<p>Mollison Principal Kim Henderson knows that some parents still have not accepted that Overton is closed. She says she reminds them that the decision was not made by anyone at Mollison—and in fact, Mollison was also on the potential closing list. &#160;Both schools are in Grand Boulevard, another impoverished South Side community. Both are rated Level 3.</p>
<p>Henderson also says she reminds Overton parents that the Mollison parents, too, have had to make an adjustment, as enrollment ballooned from 260 students to more than 510. “So everyone has had to experience some loss and make adjustments,” she points out.&#160;</p>
<p>“If you have complaints about culture and climate or the educational program, then talk to me,” Henderson says. “There is nothing I can do about the other things.”</p>
<p>CPS officials envisioned that this past summer would be a time of healing, filled with picnics and meetings that would get children and their parents accustomed to the idea of the new school. But on the ground, that vision didn’t always materialize.&#160;</p>
<p>All summer, Rosalind Jackson and Torrence Shorter, two parents from Ryerson Elementary in Humboldt Park, say they tried to schedule meetings with the principal of the receiving school, Ward. They planned a meeting and invited her, but they say she didn’t show up. Many of them had basic questions, like what uniform the children should wear and what time school starts.</p>
<p>As involved parents at Ryerson, they wanted to know how to become involved at Ward.&#160;</p>
<p>“We are hoping she will have an open mind because there is so much animosity,” Shorter said during the summer.</p>
<p>As the school year drew closer, Jackson said her daughter fretted about her safety. “My 10-year-old daughter is so scared about going to another school that she told me she has to learn how to put her dukes up,” she said in late August. “Merging two schools that have not gotten along for over a decade is totally wrong. We don’t know what to expect.”</p>
<p>Two weeks after school started, Jackson reported that the situation was worse than she expected.</p>
<p>For one, the school is having problems serving lunch, maybe because there are so many more students, she says. Plus, the principal will only allow the students to exit from two doors, and the crunch to get out at the end of the day looks dangerous.</p>
<p>On the Monday of the second week, the principal held a meet-and greet. Jackson had two big issues that she wanted to discuss: One is that a teacher’s cell phone was stolen, which led to all the students on the second floor—the 4th, 5th and 6th-graders—being patted down by police and having their belongings checked.</p>
<p>“I don’t think that was right and a note didn’t even go home about it,” Jackson says.</p>
<p>Jackson’s daughter told her that one of the teachers calls the students “dumb or stupid” and tells them that he doesn’t even need the job. Jackson says that when she told the principal about the situation, the principal simply commented that sometimes the teacher “goes overboard.”</p>
<p>“She doesn’t feel welcome at all,” says Jackson, referring to her daughter. “It is just wrong.”</p>
<p>Jackson has already decided that she wants to get her daughter out of Ward and has applied to a few charter schools for admission.&#160;</p>
<p>The CPS communications office did not make the Ward principal available for an interview.</p>
<p>Some parents say that the logistical problems—with transportation and safety at the top of the list—make it tough to become comfortable with the new situation.&#160;</p>
<p>While picking up her grandchildren from the bus that drops them off in front of the now-desolate Overton building, Irene Robinson says that Mollison’s principal and staff seem good and have been nice. But the children from the two schools have been getting into beefs and disagreements, and the former Overton students hate having to take the bus to and from school.&#160;</p>
<p>Though it is barely a three-minute bus ride, the children have to get to the pickup spot well before school starts and often don’t get dropped off until 20 minutes after the end of school. One Friday afternoon, Robinson says, the students were so frustrated that they started kicking the tires of the bus.</p>
<p>After-school programs are about to start at Mollison, but Robinson notes that few of the Overton students will be able to go to them because the bus leaves right after school.&#160;</p>
<p>Henderson says she has asked the bus company if they can run a bus at 6 p.m., but she hasn’t received a response.</p>
<p>“The principal wants us to be one family and she is trying,” Robinson says. “But the students aren’t ready.”&#160;</p>
<p>Jalainea Leslie has similar complaints. The bus that takes her daughter from the shuttered Parkman Elementary to the welcoming school, Sherwood, is sometimes late and her daughter can’t go to after-school activities.&#160;</p>
<p>Leslie is also upset that her 4-year-old son was put in an afternoon preschool, and the district does not provide busing in the middle of the day. So Leslie has to take him on a Chicago Transit Authority bus or walk with him, which can take as long as an hour. “He is only 4,” she says. “I can’t make him hurry up.”</p>
<p>Leslie says she was desperate not to send her children to Sherwood, but she had no choice. Though Sherwood is almost a mile away, it is the closest school. Leslie has no car and CPS promised to provide bus service. But busing is only provided for the students who were already attending the closing school. &#160;</p>
<p>Leslie’s 8-year-old takes the bus, which is escorted by a police car in the morning and the afternoon. The presence of police is the only thing that calms Leslie’s fears about her children’s safety. In mid-September, a man was shot in the back yard of a house across the street from Sherwood, she says. It was at about 4 in the afternoon, just after the school bus pulled away.</p>
<p>“If I don’t see the police with the school bus out there every day, I am going to transfer my children or home-school them,” Leslie says.</p>
<p>Parkman, a Level 3 school, and Sherwood, at Level 2, are both right off the Dan Ryan Expressway in what is officially called Fuller Park, a neighborhood between Englewood and Grand Boulevard.</p>
<p>“I am very disappointed,” Leslie says. She graduated from Parkman, as did her parents and siblings. Now Parkman is just another vacant building in a blighted neighborhood. Already, the school’s windows have been broken out.</p>
<p>Parkman is one of only eight closed schools whose students received bus service to their new school. For most families, the closings resulted in a longer walk.&#160;</p>
<p>James Morgan says his sons are trying to get used to that. Their old school, Trumbull, is right across the street from his house in Andersonville on the North Side.&#160;</p>
<p>Morgan decided to enroll his sons in Peirce, though it was not one of the three designated receiving schools: McCutcheon, Chappell and McPherson. Morgan’s two boys were assigned to McCutcheon. Both Peirce and McCutcheon are Level 2 schools, higher than Trumbull at Level 3.</p>
<p>But Morgan says McCutcheon is in an area he considers to be worse than where he lives, and it’s also over a mile away in a different community, Uptown. Simply put, he says, “There was no way in hell my sons were going to McCutcheon.”&#160;</p>
<p>He was able to get his sons into Peirce, a magnet school that is a bit less than a mile away, though still about eight long blocks to walk.</p>
<p>Morgan says the wheels on his son’s rolling backpack have already broken. Also, his son has a learning disability and is forgetful. Before, when he left his homework or something else at home, Morgan was able to bring it to school. &#160;“Now I can’t,” he says. “He just has to do without it.”</p>
<p>His sons’ new school is far different from Trumbull. Peirce has more than 1,000 students, while Trumbull closed with barely 300. When Morgan left Trumbull in June, he says the staff pulled him aside and told him he would have to fight to make sure his learning-disabled son got the services he needs. Peirce has a lower-than-average percentage of students in special education, 8.5 percent compared to 13 percent for the district.</p>
<p>Morgan already sees evidence bearing out the prediction. He has gotten two calls from his son’s teacher and has an appointment to talk with her. But even before the call, Morgan knew there was a problem after he found a stack of undone homework underneath his son’s bed.</p>
<p>“He says he doesn’t understand [the lessons], and he doesn’t want to ask [questions] because there are so many children there,” Morgan says.&#160;</p>
<p>At Trumbull, the staff knew his son and Morgan knew them, so problems could be addressed quickly. Now, Morgan feels as though he and his child are just one of many in a big school. He hasn’t even met the principal.&#160;</p>
<p>Like Morgan, Irene Robinson says she’s already received a call from a teacher about her granddaughter, who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. At Overton, the teachers used to know how to get her granddaughter to focus, sometimes sending her back to her previous teachers for a while to ease the situation.</p>
<p>One of the big fears surrounding the closings has been that special education students would get lost in the shuffle. Margie Wakelin, an attorney for the disability-rights group Equip for Equality, says that through the monitoring project, the group has been put in touch with students whose parents are concerned about their children’s Individualized Education Plans. The plans are supposed to transfer with the child.</p>
<p>In some cases, children were not receiving services designated on their plan, and parents had to hunt down special education staff from their child’s closed school to help get the correct services back in place.</p>
<p>In other instances, children were about to be screened for a possible disability when the school closed. &#160;As a result, Wakelin says, the child and parent must often start over with the lengthy process to set up a screening.&#160;</p>
<p>Wakelin also suspects that securing aides for displaced students might be a problem.&#160;</p>
<p>Parthenia Barnes is an example. Her 5th-grade son was supposed to have an aide on the bus and in the classroom as he transitioned from the shuttered Goodlow to Earle. He has hypertension, a learning disability and bipolar disorder.&#160;</p>
<p>He started school without a bus aide and on day 2, he got into a fight. Then, he got a bus aide, but the aide didn’t escort him on and off the bus, trusting him to find his teacher on his own.&#160;</p>
<p>Barnes was then told that her son had gotten a school aide and was introduced to a young lady. But Barnes didn’t trust the situation. &#160;So one day she purposely did not give her son his medicine in the morning, thinking that she could check on matters by showing up at school and going to his classroom to give it to him.&#160;</p>
<p>Once at the school, Barnes’ suspicions proved correct. The aide was nowhere to be found.</p>
<p>Barnes says she has called Central Office a number of times to try to get an aide in place, but has yet to receive a response.</p>
<p>“I am worried that my son or someone else is going to get hurt,” she says.&#160;</p>
<p>Barnes was on the local school council at Goodlow and says she wants to be involved at Earle. But she accuses the principal of not telling former Goodlow parents when the meetings are held, and only notifying the Earle parents.</p>
<p>“She lets her people know,” Barnes says.</p>
<p>Tell us what you think. Leave a comment below, or email <a href="mailto:karp@catalyst-chicago.org" type="external">karp@catalyst-chicago.org</a>.</p> | false | 3 | lydell harris tall thin man short graying afro students call coach see porch across street school nickname holdover nine years spent coaching boys basketball team goodlow harris regular presence helping classrooms whatever jobs staff needed 160often goodlow 7 morning late afternoon didnt sons lot boys dont father figure became says harris lives west englewood one poorest dangerous communities city since goodlow closed june building taken earle elementary schools leadership staff harris says essentially barred active wife goodlows local school council several mothers grandmothers also claim trouble getting involved new earle parents says michelle clark daughter earle lsc advisory board parent committee chairs darlene obanner says understood one schools west englewood would close seemed many schools area children since closings principal earle welcoming says obanner lived west englewood 36 years160 community talk us says obanner harris six parents met recently lindblom park district building talk dissatisfaction earle school level 3 cps academic rating scale stronger goodlow160 harris says helped goodlow summer packing boxes getting new staff situated point harris recalls told could coach basketball team later says told could given clear explanation160 crystal caston whose children students earle several years says thinks principal needed better job bringing goodlow earle communities together160 merger happens needs mediation caston says wasnt accepting blending communities together didnt meet halfway 160160 yet earle principal ketesha melendez says trying bring goodlow parents fold entire week school started held cps called cultural integration events since shes open house roundtable event parents though admits particularly wellattended melendez also holding monthly shadow days parents follow children day school observe classes hopes experience give parents richer sense curriculum help assist children homework parents younger students allowed eat breakfast children160 melendez says wants parents volunteer must fill volunteer forms might something goodlow administration enforce 160 important strong bridge parents melendez says hoping children warm parents follow yet harris says sons difficulty used love school attended goodlow woke early get harris says getting calls sons acting disrespectfully turning homework accusations harris doesnt believe 160160 7thgrader cried harris says doesnt want go school angry prepared massive task transitioning 11000plus students closed schools new ones district officials made sweeping promises receiving schools would better ones children left students would feel welcome new classes160 tom tyrrell exmarine led districts transition efforts said first day school would serve report card students arrived see fullystocked renovated buildings tyrrell used plans several cities direct mission especially relied plan issued broad foundation 2009160 broad guide book says intended help districts considering closing schools determine solve budget challenges includes suggestions many areas decide schools close communicate stakeholders reassign students timeline stops september little said deal aftermath 160 yet parents like earle still seem reeling try adjustand help children adjustto difficult new reality also must confront myriad problems might seem small yet loom larger circumstances peter dewitt elementary school principal upstate new york charge overseeing painful consolidation says wrong think transition ends first day new school year160 twoyear transition says dewitt also writes column education week people want parents get october painful loss take longer dewitt says often children okay parents ones remember old school hard feelings important welcoming schools principal visible host new events unique consolidated school doesnt discount population shuttered school160 keeping eye happening welcoming schools imperative schools closed well welcoming ones mostly poor neighborhoods says eve rips fellow working independent school monitoring project initiative chicago lawyers committee civil rights law inc loyola universitychicagos education law policy institute part project 60 volunteers surveyed parents aug 26 27 school year goes monitoring continue160 often schools experience problems parents dont always know rights rips says whether principals welcoming schools skills work disgruntled parents unclear fewer 30 percent receiving schools strong strong parent involvement according 2012 survey teachers students three schoolsfaraday harvard jensenwere rated weak earle rated weak consortium chicago school research launched survey conducted year consortium researchers identified involved families one five essential components school improvement penny sebring founding codirector consortium says schools strong parent involvement four times likely improve reading math rated weak three times likely stagnate one component parental involvement predicts improvement trust parents teachers says welcoming schools principals need provide total package one best things work building sense trust says principals say bit unsure change attitudes parents deeply disappointed schools closure mollison principal kim henderson knows parents still accepted overton closed says reminds decision made anyone mollisonand fact mollison also potential closing list 160both schools grand boulevard another impoverished south side community rated level 3 henderson also says reminds overton parents mollison parents make adjustment enrollment ballooned 260 students 510 everyone experience loss make adjustments points out160 complaints culture climate educational program talk henderson says nothing things cps officials envisioned past summer would time healing filled picnics meetings would get children parents accustomed idea new school ground vision didnt always materialize160 summer rosalind jackson torrence shorter two parents ryerson elementary humboldt park say tried schedule meetings principal receiving school ward planned meeting invited say didnt show many basic questions like uniform children wear time school starts involved parents ryerson wanted know become involved ward160 hoping open mind much animosity shorter said summer school year drew closer jackson said daughter fretted safety 10yearold daughter scared going another school told learn put dukes said late august merging two schools gotten along decade totally wrong dont know expect two weeks school started jackson reported situation worse expected one school problems serving lunch maybe many students says plus principal allow students exit two doors crunch get end day looks dangerous monday second week principal held meetand greet jackson two big issues wanted discuss one teachers cell phone stolen led students second floorthe 4th 5th 6thgradersbeing patted police belongings checked dont think right note didnt even go home jackson says jacksons daughter told one teachers calls students dumb stupid tells doesnt even need job jackson says told principal situation principal simply commented sometimes teacher goes overboard doesnt feel welcome says jackson referring daughter wrong jackson already decided wants get daughter ward applied charter schools admission160 cps communications office make ward principal available interview parents say logistical problemswith transportation safety top listmake tough become comfortable new situation160 picking grandchildren bus drops front nowdesolate overton building irene robinson says mollisons principal staff seem good nice children two schools getting beefs disagreements former overton students hate take bus school160 though barely threeminute bus ride children get pickup spot well school starts often dont get dropped 20 minutes end school one friday afternoon robinson says students frustrated started kicking tires bus afterschool programs start mollison robinson notes overton students able go bus leaves right school160 henderson says asked bus company run bus 6 pm hasnt received response principal wants us one family trying robinson says students arent ready160 jalainea leslie similar complaints bus takes daughter shuttered parkman elementary welcoming school sherwood sometimes late daughter cant go afterschool activities160 leslie also upset 4yearold son put afternoon preschool district provide busing middle day leslie take chicago transit authority bus walk take long hour 4 says cant make hurry leslie says desperate send children sherwood choice though sherwood almost mile away closest school leslie car cps promised provide bus service busing provided students already attending closing school 160 leslies 8yearold takes bus escorted police car morning afternoon presence police thing calms leslies fears childrens safety midseptember man shot back yard house across street sherwood says 4 afternoon school bus pulled away dont see police school bus every day going transfer children homeschool leslie says parkman level 3 school sherwood level 2 right dan ryan expressway officially called fuller park neighborhood englewood grand boulevard disappointed leslie says graduated parkman parents siblings parkman another vacant building blighted neighborhood already schools windows broken parkman one eight closed schools whose students received bus service new school families closings resulted longer walk160 james morgan says sons trying get used old school trumbull right across street house andersonville north side160 morgan decided enroll sons peirce though one three designated receiving schools mccutcheon chappell mcpherson morgans two boys assigned mccutcheon peirce mccutcheon level 2 schools higher trumbull level 3 morgan says mccutcheon area considers worse lives also mile away different community uptown simply put says way hell sons going mccutcheon160 able get sons peirce magnet school bit less mile away though still eight long blocks walk morgan says wheels sons rolling backpack already broken also son learning disability forgetful left homework something else home morgan able bring school 160now cant says without sons new school far different trumbull peirce 1000 students trumbull closed barely 300 morgan left trumbull june says staff pulled aside told would fight make sure learningdisabled son got services needs peirce lowerthanaverage percentage students special education 85 percent compared 13 percent district morgan already sees evidence bearing prediction gotten two calls sons teacher appointment talk even call morgan knew problem found stack undone homework underneath sons bed says doesnt understand lessons doesnt want ask questions many children morgan says160 trumbull staff knew son morgan knew problems could addressed quickly morgan feels though child one many big school hasnt even met principal160 like morgan irene robinson says shes already received call teacher granddaughter attention deficit hyperactivity disorder overton teachers used know get granddaughter focus sometimes sending back previous teachers ease situation one big fears surrounding closings special education students would get lost shuffle margie wakelin attorney disabilityrights group equip equality says monitoring project group put touch students whose parents concerned childrens individualized education plans plans supposed transfer child cases children receiving services designated plan parents hunt special education staff childs closed school help get correct services back place instances children screened possible disability school closed 160as result wakelin says child parent must often start lengthy process set screening160 wakelin also suspects securing aides displaced students might problem160 parthenia barnes example 5thgrade son supposed aide bus classroom transitioned shuttered goodlow earle hypertension learning disability bipolar disorder160 started school without bus aide day 2 got fight got bus aide aide didnt escort bus trusting find teacher own160 barnes told son gotten school aide introduced young lady barnes didnt trust situation 160so one day purposely give son medicine morning thinking could check matters showing school going classroom give him160 school barnes suspicions proved correct aide nowhere found barnes says called central office number times try get aide place yet receive response worried son someone else going get hurt says160 barnes local school council goodlow says wants involved earle accuses principal telling former goodlow parents meetings held notifying earle parents lets people know barnes says tell us think leave comment email karpcatalystchicagoorg | 1,742 |
<p>OCT. 28, 2010</p>
<p>By WAYNE LUSVARDI</p>
<p>NO on 23 backer and Democrat Tom Steyer’s&#160;Farallon Capital Management&#160;Company holds stock in “dirty coal,” nuclear, and&#160;oil and gas companies, and in a Chinese solar panel supply company that potentially would rob jobs from Californians, even as the NO on 23 campaign blasts Prop. 23 backers for similar investments.</p>
<p>So-called powerhouse Democratic donor Tom Steyer, who has <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nov05election/detail?entry_id=68625" type="external">donated $5 million to defeat Prop 23</a>, which would suspend green power in California, runs an investment firm that holds stock in “dirty coal” and nuclear plants, oil and gas companies in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. &#160;Additionally, Steyer’s investment firm holds stock in the leading photovoltaic&#160;solar panel supplier&#160;in California, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company of&#160;China.</p>
<p>Steyer’s firm, Farallon Capital Management Company, also is an external fund manager for CalPERS.</p>
<p>The campaign against Prop 23 has contended that “Dirty Coal” and a bunch of Texas oil refineries&#160;are behind Prop 23 to suspend the&#160;Global Warming Solutions&#160;Act in California (AB32 – not to be confused with Prop. 23).&#160;&#160;But until now California’s mainstream media have failed to reveal what the economic interests of the NO on 23 donors and high profile supporters are.&#160;&#160;It ends up that the major backer of NO on Prop 23 manages a portfolio of “dirty energy and nuke” stocks, mainly for colleges and CalPERS.</p>
<p>Moreover, the NO on 23 backers have contended that California would lose thousands of green jobs during a Depression if California’s Green Power law were suspended.&#160;&#160;But Tom Steyer, the major donor to the NO on Prop 23 campaign, runs an investment firm that has invested in a leading Chinese photovoltaic solar panel supply company –&#160;Yingli Green Energy Holding&#160;Company – that will take numerous potential jobs away from California and domestic U.S. solar suppliers.</p>
<p>SEC filing</p>
<p>According to the June 30, 2010, <a href="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909661/000142210710000035/fcm13fq22010.txt" type="external">Form F-13 Filing with the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for Tom Steyer’s&#160;Farallon Capital Management Company</a>, the firm is holding the following energy stocks in its portfolio:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hoovers.com/company/Yingli_Green_Energy_Holding_Company_Limited/rhjsjif-1.html" type="external">Yingli Green Energy Holding Company</a> an all-green photovoltaic&#160;solar panel manufacturer&#160;in China. Yingli Green Energy Americas has been selected to provide solar modules for 16 solar power installations&#160;at several <a href="http://ir.yinglisolar.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=213018&amp;p=irol-newsArticle&amp;ID=1446825&amp;highlight=" type="external">Kaiser Permanente hospitals and office facilities across California</a>.</p>
<p>Following a trend of other solar panel manufacturers, any Yingli Green Energy factory built in the U.S. is likely not to be in California but in Texas or Arizona. Yingli Green Energy announced in July, 2010, that it is postponing its plan to build a solar panel factory in either Texas or Arizona.&#160; The Federal government has approved a $4.5 million tax credit for its proposed facility. &#160;The relative weakness of the Euro against the U.S dollar means that European customers wouldn’t pay for more expensive panels from a U.S.-based Yingli factory.&#160; <a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/new-solar-panel-factory-is-destined-for-oregon/19562247/" type="external">Europe is Yingli’s biggest market</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nrgenergy.com/" type="external">Farallon also holds stock in&#160;NRG Energy</a> that provides energy from “clean” solar, wind, biomass, nuclear, coal (yes “Dirty Coal”) plants in Texas, Louisiana, California, and in the State of Arizona (home of the controversial SB1070 anti-immigration law).</p>
<p>Another holding of Steyer’s Farallon Company is <a href="http://ramenergy.triadcentral.com/index.cfm?id=7" type="external">Ram Energy Resources</a>, an oil and&#160;natural gas company&#160;in Texas, Louisiana, and&#160;Oklahoma.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sandridgeenergy.com/" type="external">Sandridge&#160;Energy</a> is an&#160;Oklahoma City&#160;based company dealing in oil and natural gas as well as the treatment and transportation of C02 (carbon sequestration).</p>
<p>CalPERS external fund manager</p>
<p>In 2009, CalPERS demanded better terms from its external fund managers, such as Farallon Capital Management Company, and also stated that it wanted better disclosure of securities held in their funds.&#160;&#160;&#160;Reportedly, <a href="" type="external">CalPERS had money with Farallon but redeemed (repurchased) that investment in 2009</a>.&#160; The <a href="http://www.calpers.ca.gov/eip-docs/about/board-cal-agenda/agendas/invest/201006/item05b-01.pdf" type="external">CalPERS’ Total Fund Quarterly Report</a> for June 3, 2010, still shows Farallon as an external fund manager.</p>
<p>Farallon shifting from real estate to green energy</p>
<p>According to the Wall Street Journal, Farallon suffered severe losses during the real estate meltdown and is apparently now shifting some of its investments into green energy.</p>
<p>Appearance of Republican opposition to Prop. 23</p>
<p>T <a href="http://www.hoover.org/fellows/10657" type="external">om Steyer recruited Republican “icon” George P. Schultz</a>, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, State, Labor, and Director of the&#160;Office of Management and Budget under Republican administrations, to support the No On 23 effort.&#160;&#160;This has given an appearance of Republican opposition to Prop 23.</p>
<p>However, it has not been revealed that Schultz is on the advisory board of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer." type="external">Precourt&#160;Energy Efficiency&#160;Institute</a>at Stanford that is partly funded by Tom Steyer’s Tom Kat Center for&#160;Sustainable Energy.</p>
<p>The founder of the Precourt Energy Efficiency Institute is <a href="http://peec.stanford.edu/index.php" type="external">Jay Precourt</a>, formerly of <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/HAL/insiders?pid=160" type="external">Halliburton</a> (former CEO Dick Cheney), who runs <a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=2699738" type="external">Scissor Tail Energy</a>, a&#160;natural gas pipeline company&#160;headquarter in&#160;Tulsa, Oklahoma</p>
<p>Energy Sources are fungible, prices are not</p>
<p>Electrical energy is fungible which means that a number of different fuels and technologies (oil, gas, hydro, coal, wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) can function as substitutes.&#160;&#160;They all can <a href="http://www.energybulletin.net/node/47019" type="external">produce electrons that can go into the electrical grid</a>.</p>
<p>However, hydro-power and coal power are typically the cheapest, with natural gas being of intermediate price and wind, solar and geothermal being the highest priced (including infrastructure costs).</p>
<p>Should an energy provider be able to knock out a competitor, such as cheap coal power, using California’s Green Power law, then oil and&#160;natural gas prices&#160;would probably rise substantially.</p>
<p>Without cheap hydro and coal power to keep oil and natural gas prices in line, it is likely that electricity rates would rise. Since the price of energy is loaded into the prices of food, transportation and many other economic goods and services, rampant inflation would likely be the result of eliminating coal power from the energy mix. &#160;Hydropower is explicitly banned as “clean” energy under California’s Green Power law even though it emits no pollution.</p>
<p>Under California’s green power law those holding stocks in oil and gas and clean, renewable power providers would likely thrive while stocks in cheap coal and hydro-power and refineries would apparently suffer.</p>
<p>No less CO2 under cap and trade</p>
<p>Under California’s green power law (AB32), the reduction in carbon pollution would be zero.&#160;&#160;This is because California’s green power law contains a cap-and-trade provision.&#160;&#160;California is also part of the&#160;Western Climate Initiative&#160;that also has a cap-and-trade clause. &#160;Any savings made by reducing “dirty coal” permits other energy providers to raise their emissions under a cap-and-trade scheme.</p>
<p>Prop. 23 and Prop. 32 confusing</p>
<p>The California Secretary of State has made the voting on Prop. 23 unnecessarily confusing by transposing the numbers 23 and 32 in Prop 23 (that suspends California’s green power law) and Assembly Bill 32 (AB32 — the green power law). For clarification, those wanting to vote for suspending the green power law in California should vote yes on Prop. 23 — a yes vote is no on green power and vice versa.</p> | false | 3 | oct 28 2010 wayne lusvardi 23 backer democrat tom steyers160farallon capital management160company holds stock dirty coal nuclear and160oil gas companies chinese solar panel supply company potentially would rob jobs californians even 23 campaign blasts prop 23 backers similar investments socalled powerhouse democratic donor tom steyer donated 5 million defeat prop 23 would suspend green power california runs investment firm holds stock dirty coal nuclear plants oil gas companies texas oklahoma louisiana 160additionally steyers investment firm holds stock leading photovoltaic160solar panel supplier160in california yingli green energy holding company of160china steyers firm farallon capital management company also external fund manager calpers campaign prop 23 contended dirty coal bunch texas oil refineries160are behind prop 23 suspend the160global warming solutions160act california ab32 confused prop 23160160but californias mainstream media failed reveal economic interests 23 donors high profile supporters are160160it ends major backer prop 23 manages portfolio dirty energy nuke stocks mainly colleges calpers moreover 23 backers contended california would lose thousands green jobs depression californias green power law suspended160160but tom steyer major donor prop 23 campaign runs investment firm invested leading chinese photovoltaic solar panel supply company 160yingli green energy holding160company take numerous potential jobs away california domestic us solar suppliers sec filing according june 30 2010 form f13 filing federal securities exchange commission sec tom steyers160farallon capital management company firm holding following energy stocks portfolio yingli green energy holding company allgreen photovoltaic160solar panel manufacturer160in china yingli green energy americas selected provide solar modules 16 solar power installations160at several kaiser permanente hospitals office facilities across california following trend solar panel manufacturers yingli green energy factory built us likely california texas arizona yingli green energy announced july 2010 postponing plan build solar panel factory either texas arizona160 federal government approved 45 million tax credit proposed facility 160the relative weakness euro us dollar means european customers wouldnt pay expensive panels usbased yingli factory160 europe yinglis biggest market farallon also holds stock in160nrg energy provides energy clean solar wind biomass nuclear coal yes dirty coal plants texas louisiana california state arizona home controversial sb1070 antiimmigration law another holding steyers farallon company ram energy resources oil and160natural gas company160in texas louisiana and160oklahoma sandridge160energy an160oklahoma city160based company dealing oil natural gas well treatment transportation c02 carbon sequestration calpers external fund manager 2009 calpers demanded better terms external fund managers farallon capital management company also stated wanted better disclosure securities held funds160160160reportedly calpers money farallon redeemed repurchased investment 2009160 calpers total fund quarterly report june 3 2010 still shows farallon external fund manager farallon shifting real estate green energy according wall street journal farallon suffered severe losses real estate meltdown apparently shifting investments green energy appearance republican opposition prop 23 om steyer recruited republican icon george p schultz former us secretary treasury state labor director the160office management budget republican administrations support 23 effort160160this given appearance republican opposition prop 23 however revealed schultz advisory board precourt160energy efficiency160instituteat stanford partly funded tom steyers tom kat center for160sustainable energy founder precourt energy efficiency institute jay precourt formerly halliburton former ceo dick cheney runs scissor tail energy a160natural gas pipeline company160headquarter in160tulsa oklahoma energy sources fungible prices electrical energy fungible means number different fuels technologies oil gas hydro coal wind solar geothermal etc function substitutes160160they produce electrons go electrical grid however hydropower coal power typically cheapest natural gas intermediate price wind solar geothermal highest priced including infrastructure costs energy provider able knock competitor cheap coal power using californias green power law oil and160natural gas prices160would probably rise substantially without cheap hydro coal power keep oil natural gas prices line likely electricity rates would rise since price energy loaded prices food transportation many economic goods services rampant inflation would likely result eliminating coal power energy mix 160hydropower explicitly banned clean energy californias green power law even though emits pollution californias green power law holding stocks oil gas clean renewable power providers would likely thrive stocks cheap coal hydropower refineries would apparently suffer less co2 cap trade californias green power law ab32 reduction carbon pollution would zero160160this californias green power law contains capandtrade provision160160california also part the160western climate initiative160that also capandtrade clause 160any savings made reducing dirty coal permits energy providers raise emissions capandtrade scheme prop 23 prop 32 confusing california secretary state made voting prop 23 unnecessarily confusing transposing numbers 23 32 prop 23 suspends californias green power law assembly bill 32 ab32 green power law clarification wanting vote suspending green power law california vote yes prop 23 yes vote green power vice versa | 738 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>Baptist clergy are lining up on both sides of a debate about a proposed fairness ordinance dividing city commissioners in Frankfort, Ky.</p>
<p>Hershael York, a <a href="http://www.sbts.edu/theology/faculty/hershael-york/" type="external">professor</a> at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of <a href="http://buckrun.org/" type="external">Buck Run Baptist Church</a> in Frankfort, joined 14 other area Baptist clergy in a July 14 op-ed piece in the Frankfort State Journal opposing a ban on discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation.</p>
<p>The Sunday, July 7, Lexington Herald-Leader, meanwhile, carried a commentary by Chuck Queen, senior pastor of <a href="http://www.ibcfrankfort.com/Home.aspx" type="external">Immanuel Baptist Church</a> in Frankfort, supporting the measure, which received an official first reading July 22 with a final vote expected Aug. 26.</p>
<p>“It is the policy of the City of Frankfort for all individuals within the City of Frankfort to be free from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation because of race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation,” the <a href="http://www.frankfort.ky.gov/press-release/draft-fairness-ordinance-update" type="external">ordinance</a> reads in part.</p>
<p>The proposed ordinance exempts religious organizations and calls for creation of an 11-member city human-rights commission broadly representative of employers, religious and human-rights groups and the general public.</p>
<p>Queen, who aligned himself with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FrankfortFairness" type="external">Frankfort Fairness Coalition</a>, said the ordinance is needed because there are no state or federal laws that prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians.</p>
<p>“I support such an ordinance as a citizen who believes in equality and fairness,” Queen <a href="http://afreshperspective-chuck.blogspot.com/2013/07/there-are-limits-to-religious-freedom.html" type="external">wrote</a>. “I also support this because I am a Christian and a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”</p>
<p>“When I read the stories of Jesus in the Gospels, I see Jesus continually breaking down walls, crossing borders and boundaries to accept, welcome and include the very people marginalized and excluded by the religious and social establishment,” Queen said.</p>
<p>“I cannot understand why any Christian would be opposed to an ordinance that is about fairness and equal protection of rights under the law,” he continued. “Of course, I can’t understand why so many Christians opposed civil rights legislation either, but they did.”</p>
<p>York and the other pastors, meanwhile, contended that tolerance is a two-way street.</p>
<p>“The proposed fairness ordinance is coercive and damaging to people of faith who are being asked to violate their consciences,” the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HershaelWYork?group_id=0" type="external">article</a> said. “If a landlord believes that she would be acting contrary to Scripture by renting to a heterosexual couple who live together without being married, shouldn’t she have the right to refuse them regardless of how many units she owns or where they are? We believe that any people whose conscience is violated by providing a place for activity which they believe to be inconsistent with their faith and contrary to their morals should not be coerced and forced by the government to do so.”</p>
<p>The pastors said they are not reassured by the ordinance’s promise that religious institutions will be exempted because of their experience with the Sunrise Children’s Services, an agency of the Kentucky Baptist Convention involved in litigation for 13 years after firing a lesbian employee.</p>
<p>Family therapist Alicia Pedreira, fired in 1998 by the agency then known as Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, lost a discrimination claim, but taxpayers suing on her behalf <a href="https://www.au.org/church-state/may-2013-church-state/featured/sunrise-settlement" type="external">settled</a> with the state of Kentucky in May over the alleged use of taxpayer funds for religious indoctrination.</p>
<p>York and the other ministers described the ordinance as unnecessarily divisive, claiming no evidence exists that members of the LGBT community in Frankfort are currently being deprived of housing or jobs.</p>
<p>“As ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we love all people,” the ministers said. “We love them enough to feed and clothe them when they are poor and hungry, to shelter them when they are homeless, and to give of our own resources when circumstances or bad decisions render them unable to make rent or utility payments. But we also love people enough to be honest with them about what God says about sin, both theirs and ours. No city ordinance should put any of our members in the position of tacitly approving of or enabling what we sincerely believe to be contrary to God’s will.”</p>
<p>York, a past president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, is no stranger to political controversy. In 2012 he was an <a href="culture/politics/item/7135-pastors-anti-gambling-prayer-criticized-as-political#.Ue66mkgo475" type="external">outspoken</a> opponent to casino gambling.</p>
<p>Other ministers signing the commentary were pastors Brad Hockensmith of <a href="http://www.evergreenbaptistchurch.us/" type="external">Evergreen Baptist Church</a>, Mike Hamrick of <a href="http://www.sandspring.org/" type="external">Sand Spring Baptist Church</a> in Lawrenceburg, David Rayborn of <a href="http://www.pbcfrankfort.org/default.htm" type="external">Providence Baptist Church</a>, Larry Brown of <a href="http://www.eastfrankfortbaptist.com/" type="external">East Frankfort Baptist Church</a>, Everett Hawkins of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faith-Baptist-Church/109365252437101" type="external">Faith Baptist Church,</a> Gary Hagar of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Westview-Baptist-Church-Frankfort-KY/488098551218332" type="external">Westview Baptist Church</a>, Tom Troth of <a href="http://www.hillcrestfrankfort.com/Home.ign" type="external">Hillcrest Baptist Church</a>, Michael Hail of <a href="http://www.crestwoodbaptist.com/" type="external">Crestwood Baptist Church</a>, Sean Post of <a href="http://www.thornhillbaptist.org/" type="external">Thornhill Baptist Church,</a> Scott VanNeste of <a href="file:///C:UsersbobDocumentsbellepointbaptistchurch" type="external">Bellepoint Baptist Church</a>, Steve Weaver of <a href="http://farmdalebaptist.com/" type="external">Farmdale Baptist Church</a>, Jeff Eaton of <a href="http://www.hopecommunitychurch.net/" type="external">Hope Community Church</a>, Jeff Sargent of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bethel-Baptist-Church/111733078862224" type="external">Bethel Baptist Church</a> and Howard Beauman, director of missions for Franklin Baptist Association. All are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.</p>
<p>Immanuel Baptist Church is <a href="http://www.kybf.org/partner-churches/" type="external">aligned</a> with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Queen, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Worth-Living-Dynamics-Inclusive/dp/1610971876" type="external">A Faith Worth Living: The Dynamics of an Inclusive Gospel</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Good-News-According-Jesus/dp/1573125288" type="external">The Good News According to Jesus: A New Kind of Christianity for a New Kind of Christian</a>, described the proposed city ordinance as “the opportunity to do some very good work for the common good.”</p>
<p>“I suspect there will always be religious voices that reflect deeply entrenched biases, but our city commissioners do not have to listen to them,” Queen said. “It is my hope our city commission will do what is right, just, good and fair by passing this ordinance. Let’s make Frankfort a community of inclusion, not exclusion; a community of compassion, not condemnation.”</p> | false | 3 | bob allen baptist clergy lining sides debate proposed fairness ordinance dividing city commissioners frankfort ky hershael york professor southern baptist theological seminary pastor buck run baptist church frankfort joined 14 area baptist clergy july 14 oped piece frankfort state journal opposing ban discrimination housing employment public accommodations based sexual orientation sunday july 7 lexington heraldleader meanwhile carried commentary chuck queen senior pastor immanuel baptist church frankfort supporting measure received official first reading july 22 final vote expected aug 26 policy city frankfort individuals within city frankfort free discrimination housing employment public accommodation race color religion national origin familial status age disability sex gender identity sexual orientation ordinance reads part proposed ordinance exempts religious organizations calls creation 11member city humanrights commission broadly representative employers religious humanrights groups general public queen aligned frankfort fairness coalition said ordinance needed state federal laws prohibit discrimination gays lesbians support ordinance citizen believes equality fairness queen wrote also support christian minister gospel jesus christ read stories jesus gospels see jesus continually breaking walls crossing borders boundaries accept welcome include people marginalized excluded religious social establishment queen said understand christian would opposed ordinance fairness equal protection rights law continued course cant understand many christians opposed civil rights legislation either york pastors meanwhile contended tolerance twoway street proposed fairness ordinance coercive damaging people faith asked violate consciences article said landlord believes would acting contrary scripture renting heterosexual couple live together without married shouldnt right refuse regardless many units owns believe people whose conscience violated providing place activity believe inconsistent faith contrary morals coerced forced government pastors said reassured ordinances promise religious institutions exempted experience sunrise childrens services agency kentucky baptist convention involved litigation 13 years firing lesbian employee family therapist alicia pedreira fired 1998 agency known kentucky baptist homes children lost discrimination claim taxpayers suing behalf settled state kentucky may alleged use taxpayer funds religious indoctrination york ministers described ordinance unnecessarily divisive claiming evidence exists members lgbt community frankfort currently deprived housing jobs ministers gospel jesus christ love people ministers said love enough feed clothe poor hungry shelter homeless give resources circumstances bad decisions render unable make rent utility payments also love people enough honest god says sin city ordinance put members position tacitly approving enabling sincerely believe contrary gods york past president kentucky baptist convention stranger political controversy 2012 outspoken opponent casino gambling ministers signing commentary pastors brad hockensmith evergreen baptist church mike hamrick sand spring baptist church lawrenceburg david rayborn providence baptist church larry brown east frankfort baptist church everett hawkins faith baptist church gary hagar westview baptist church tom troth hillcrest baptist church michael hail crestwood baptist church sean post thornhill baptist church scott vanneste bellepoint baptist church steve weaver farmdale baptist church jeff eaton hope community church jeff sargent bethel baptist church howard beauman director missions franklin baptist association affiliated southern baptist convention immanuel baptist church aligned cooperative baptist fellowship queen author faith worth living dynamics inclusive gospel good news according jesus new kind christianity new kind christian described proposed city ordinance opportunity good work common good suspect always religious voices reflect deeply entrenched biases city commissioners listen queen said hope city commission right good fair passing ordinance lets make frankfort community inclusion exclusion community compassion condemnation | 533 |
<p>Proposition 65, “The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986,” has morphed into “The Unsafe Doing Business in California and Toxic Lawsuit Act of 1986-2013.”</p>
<p>It was intended to keep chemicals that cause cancer and birth defects out of drinking water, and to reduce exposure to those chemicals by requiring businesses to post warnings when those chemicals are present. But the chemicals are so ubiquitous —&#160; <a href="http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/files/P65single072613.pdf" type="external">the current list</a> contains about 800 chemicals from acetaldehyde to zileuton — that it seems like nearly every business in California has a sign warning about toxic substances on the premises.</p>
<p>Failure to post a warning sign can result in a $2,500 per day fine. That requirement has turned into a lucrative industry for drive-by lawyers who threaten to sue businesses that fail to display the proper signage unless the businesses settle out of court.</p>
<p>16,000 lawsuits and counting</p>
<p>Since 1986 more than 16,000 lawsuits have been filed, resulting in more than $500 million in settlement payments, according to <a href="http://www.cala.com/" type="external">California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse</a>. In 2012 there were 437 settlements totaling $22.5 million, according to the <a href="http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/prop65/Alpert_Report2012.pdf?" type="external">state attorney general</a>. Sixty-nine percent of the settlement money ($15.5 million) went to attorneys, the rest to the state.</p>
<p>The most predatory litigant was the <a href="http://www.ceh.org/" type="external">Center for Environmental Health</a>, which pocketed $2.8 million from 80 settlements totaling $4.1 million. While CEH may have legitimate environmental interests, other Prop. 65 plaintiffs may be focused on another kind of green. Three people filed Prop. 65 complaints last year that resulted in 174 settlements costing businesses $7.4 million: John Moore ($2.3 million went to attorneys), Anthony Held ($2 million) and Russell Brimer ($1.7 million).</p>
<p>“When my business was sued under Proposition 65, it was clear that the lawyer was far more interested in collecting attorneys’ fees rather than protecting the environment,” Joe Derian, owner of Party Warehouse in Montebello, said in a <a href="http://www.cala.com/news/releases/532-lawsuit-abuse-victims-legal-reform-advocates-announce-support-for-ab-227-to-stop-shakedown-prop-65-lawsuits" type="external">CALA press release</a>. “When small business owners like me can so easily become the victims of shakedown lawsuits, it hurts California’s business climate and makes it more difficult for our state to attract businesses and create jobs.”</p>
<p>CALA Executive Director Tom Scott agreed, saying, “Each dollar extorted from businesses in shakedown Prop. 65 lawsuits is a dollar that can’t be spent hiring new workers or otherwise growing California’s economy.”</p>
<p>Also concerned is Kim Stone, president of the Civil Justice Association of California, who said, “There once was a worthy goal behind Proposition 65, but it has ended up doing far more to enrich a small number of lawyers than to protect the public from toxic substances. Unfortunately, the Prop. 65 warning signs have become so commonplace that they are generally discounted. We have become so over-warned that the warnings have become meaningless.”</p>
<p>The antidote to frivolous litigation</p>
<p>They support <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_0201-0250/ab_227_bill_20130702_amended_sen_v95.htm" type="external">AB 227</a>, which is designed to curb the frivolous litigation. It allows businesses two weeks to correct any violations, and assesses them just a $500 fine. Authored by Assemblyman <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&amp;action=search&amp;channel=health&amp;search=1&amp;inlineLink=1&amp;query=%22Mike+Gatto%22" type="external">Mike Gatto</a>, D-Los Angeles, it is one of the rare pieces of California legislation with strong bipartisan support. It passed the Assembly 72-0 in May, and has been working its way without opposition through various Senate committees.</p>
<p>“Our industry has seen a significant increase in frivolous lawsuits over the last couple of years,” Kara Bush, representing the <a href="http://calrest.org/" type="external">California Restaurant Association</a>, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 25. “Our members want to comply. And they try to comply. However, we had a member post a Prop. 65 notice in a restaurant that was 8½ by 11 and not 10 by 10. And a plaintiff came in and dropped a suit and said, ‘Pay me $2,500 or I’ll take you to court.’</p>
<p>“These are small businesses. They don’t have the time or the resources to litigate the matter. And instead will end up just paying the $2,500, even though they believed they would have prevailed if they had litigated the issue. We believe this bill will help curb some of this frivolous litigation while still protecting the public with some of these warning requirements.”</p>
<p>Gatto assured the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on June 19 that he’s not trying to water down Prop. 65:</p>
<p>“Proposition 65 is a good and valid law. It’s been on the books for quite some time. Like many laws that are on the books for quite some time, occasionally it needs some updating. I think our job as members of the Legislature is to be flexible enough to know when we need to update a law to meet current situations and things that are happening in the modern world. Recently there’s been a lot of news stories about a number of meritless lawsuits that are filed against small business owners based on Prop 65. The simple goal in a lot of these lawsuits, of course, is to make sure that the business owners pay and pay up quickly, even though the business owners have done nothing wrong.</p>
<p>“AB 227 seeks to correct those unintended consequences of Proposition 65. It deals specifically with the requirement to post a sign to warn people about certain common substances. This measure will provide to businesses up and down the state certainty on the penalties that they could face for failing to warn their customers about a narrow list of chemicals in Prop. 65. These are chemicals for everyday substances like the cooking of a cheeseburger or the beers that we drink. I think it will really help small businesses and serve the purposes of Proposition 65, which is to make sure Californians get their warnings and get them promptly about these chemicals.”</p>
<p>Prop. 65 author admits it ‘created predators’</p>
<p>Also providing assurance to the committee was former assemblyman <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Torres" type="external">Art Torres</a>, one of the authors of Prop. 65.</p>
<p>“I’m here to support 227 on the basis of the fact that this legislation really seeks to deal with the abuses that I never intended to occur,” he said. “And that is basically to create predators of certain people on small businesses that could be handled much more effectively by a misdemeanor or a lesser account. Some of these small businesses have had to declare bankruptcy because of the lawsuits that were filed against them. Rather than having ‘gotcha’ lawsuits, we have to have a more reasonable approach for dealing with the issue.”</p>
<p>Also on board is <a href="http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18026" type="external">Gov. Jerry Brown</a>. He has proposed a variety of reforms that would:</p>
<p>“Proposition 65 is a good law that’s helped many people, but it’s being abused by unscrupulous lawyers,” said Brown. “This is an effort to improve the law so it can do what it was intended to do – protect Californians from harmful chemicals.”</p>
<p>Note of caution from a lawyer-turned-lawmaker</p>
<p>The only note of caution at the committee hearing was voiced by <a href="http://sd19.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson</a>, D-Santa Barbara. A former lawyer, she was concerned that AB 227 might provide a way for businesses to get around the law.</p>
<p>“Is there some way we can know this is working?” she asked Gatto. “Obviously, there are predators out there. They give us all bad names. So this is a good thing. Is there some way we can be sure we are getting compliance and put an end to these sort of unnecessary efforts to generate litigation?”</p>
<p>Gatto responded, “I think the first line of defense is, quite frankly, us. I heard from one of my constituents who had a very popular coffee shop, and that was the genesis of this bill. He said, ‘A guy came into my coffee shop and claimed he had eaten here every day for 14 years. I’m a small business owner, I’m here every day for 14 years, I’ve never seen the guy. And he’s suing me because I didn’t disclose that beer could cause cancer, even though I had my signs up.’</p>
<p>“I suppose if you gargle with beer, it could cause cancer after a long time. These things all filter to us. This is an example where having a healthy media presence really matters. As they report stories on this, it sparks people’s sense of outrage. They get reported to their legislators. If the process works as it should, we provide legislation.”</p>
<p>AB 227 is scheduled for consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Aug. 12.</p> | false | 3 | proposition 65 safe drinking water toxic enforcement act 1986 morphed unsafe business california toxic lawsuit act 19862013 intended keep chemicals cause cancer birth defects drinking water reduce exposure chemicals requiring businesses post warnings chemicals present chemicals ubiquitous 160 current list contains 800 chemicals acetaldehyde zileuton seems like nearly every business california sign warning toxic substances premises failure post warning sign result 2500 per day fine requirement turned lucrative industry driveby lawyers threaten sue businesses fail display proper signage unless businesses settle court 16000 lawsuits counting since 1986 16000 lawsuits filed resulting 500 million settlement payments according california citizens lawsuit abuse 2012 437 settlements totaling 225 million according state attorney general sixtynine percent settlement money 155 million went attorneys rest state predatory litigant center environmental health pocketed 28 million 80 settlements totaling 41 million ceh may legitimate environmental interests prop 65 plaintiffs may focused another kind green three people filed prop 65 complaints last year resulted 174 settlements costing businesses 74 million john moore 23 million went attorneys anthony held 2 million russell brimer 17 million business sued proposition 65 clear lawyer far interested collecting attorneys fees rather protecting environment joe derian owner party warehouse montebello said cala press release small business owners like easily become victims shakedown lawsuits hurts californias business climate makes difficult state attract businesses create jobs cala executive director tom scott agreed saying dollar extorted businesses shakedown prop 65 lawsuits dollar cant spent hiring new workers otherwise growing californias economy also concerned kim stone president civil justice association california said worthy goal behind proposition 65 ended far enrich small number lawyers protect public toxic substances unfortunately prop 65 warning signs become commonplace generally discounted become overwarned warnings become meaningless antidote frivolous litigation support ab 227 designed curb frivolous litigation allows businesses two weeks correct violations assesses 500 fine authored assemblyman mike gatto dlos angeles one rare pieces california legislation strong bipartisan support passed assembly 720 may working way without opposition various senate committees industry seen significant increase frivolous lawsuits last couple years kara bush representing california restaurant association told senate judiciary committee june 25 members want comply try comply however member post prop 65 notice restaurant 8½ 11 10 10 plaintiff came dropped suit said pay 2500 ill take court small businesses dont time resources litigate matter instead end paying 2500 even though believed would prevailed litigated issue believe bill help curb frivolous litigation still protecting public warning requirements gatto assured senate environmental quality committee june 19 hes trying water prop 65 proposition 65 good valid law books quite time like many laws books quite time occasionally needs updating think job members legislature flexible enough know need update law meet current situations things happening modern world recently theres lot news stories number meritless lawsuits filed small business owners based prop 65 simple goal lot lawsuits course make sure business owners pay pay quickly even though business owners done nothing wrong ab 227 seeks correct unintended consequences proposition 65 deals specifically requirement post sign warn people certain common substances measure provide businesses state certainty penalties could face failing warn customers narrow list chemicals prop 65 chemicals everyday substances like cooking cheeseburger beers drink think really help small businesses serve purposes proposition 65 make sure californians get warnings get promptly chemicals prop 65 author admits created predators also providing assurance committee former assemblyman art torres one authors prop 65 im support 227 basis fact legislation really seeks deal abuses never intended occur said basically create predators certain people small businesses could handled much effectively misdemeanor lesser account small businesses declare bankruptcy lawsuits filed rather gotcha lawsuits reasonable approach dealing issue also board gov jerry brown proposed variety reforms would proposition 65 good law thats helped many people abused unscrupulous lawyers said brown effort improve law intended protect californians harmful chemicals note caution lawyerturnedlawmaker note caution committee hearing voiced sen hannahbeth jackson dsanta barbara former lawyer concerned ab 227 might provide way businesses get around law way know working asked gatto obviously predators give us bad names good thing way sure getting compliance put end sort unnecessary efforts generate litigation gatto responded think first line defense quite frankly us heard one constituents popular coffee shop genesis bill said guy came coffee shop claimed eaten every day 14 years im small business owner im every day 14 years ive never seen guy hes suing didnt disclose beer could cause cancer even though signs suppose gargle beer could cause cancer long time things filter us example healthy media presence really matters report stories sparks peoples sense outrage get reported legislators process works provide legislation ab 227 scheduled consideration senate appropriations committee aug 12 | 771 |
<p>Though it brands itself as “the people’s house,” the California State Capitol will soon become less accessible to the public, while continuing to provide lobbyists with “special access.”</p>
<p>Beginning February 1, the California state Legislature intends to&#160;convert its east entrance from public to “employee and lobbyist only,” according to an internal security memo from the <a href="http://assembly.ca.gov/jointrules" type="external">Joint Rules Committee</a> obtained by CalWatchdog.com.</p>
<p>“The East door to the Capitol will be designated an ’employee and lobbyist only (with ID)’entrance,” the January 14 memo from the Joint Rules Committee states. “Entry into the Capitol from the North and South doors will still be available, however, only the East door will provide an expedited entry.”</p>
<p>That means average citizens lobbying the state Legislature will be forced to wait in longer lines, while lobbyists are sped through the queue.</p>
<p>Debra Gravert, chief administrative officer of the Joint Rules Committee, confirmed the memo and policy change, saying it’s part of enhanced security measures.</p>
<p>“That door poses a huge security risk to the building,” she said. “Our only alternative was to close that door altogether.”</p>
<p>If security was the primary concern, why allow lobbyists special access to the entrance?</p>
<p>“They’re given special access to jump the line now,” Gravert told CalWatchdog.com. “The only lobbyists that can go through, have ID.”</p>
<p>Neither Speaker of the Assembly Toni Atkins nor State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon responded to CalWatchdog.com’s email requests for comment. However, both legislative leaders have vowed to make the Capitol building open and accessible to the public.</p>
<p>“Welcome to the California State Assembly — the people’s house,” Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, <a href="http://assembly.ca.gov/sites/assembly.ca.gov/files/Publications/csa_2015.pdf" type="external">writes in a brochure on the state Assembly.</a> “I hope your visit to the State Capitol is a reminder that your voice has an impact on crafting California’s laws.”</p>
<p>De Leon, meanwhile, claims citizens are integral to&#160;the legislative process.</p>
<p>“An engaged citizenry is the bedrock of a thriving democracy,” de Leon promises on the s <a href="http://senate.ca.gov" type="external">tate Senate’s homepage</a>. “We recognize not everyone can get to Sacramento to participate in the legislative process, so we’ll bring those hearings to you.”</p>
<p>Gravert said that, for as long as she can remember, it has been a long-standing policy of the California state Legislature to provide special access to lobbyists.</p>
<p>Although the January 14 memo singled out lobbyists, Gravert says that credentialed members of approved media outlets will also be provided access to the east entrance. She said that special access is provided to lobbyists and credentialed members of approved media sources because they have already gone through a vetting process and are frequently on deadline.</p>
<p>That reason would contradict an unsigned letter from “Your State Senator.”</p>
<p>“While it is important that government be efficient,” promises “ <a href="http://senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/the%20california%20senate.pdf" type="external">Your State Senator</a>” in an unsigned letter in a State Senate promotional pamphlet, “it is paramount that the laws of the state be fair and effective.”</p>
<p>Previous legislative leaders have extolled the virtues of citizen lobbying and decried special treatment for lobbyists.</p>
<p>“In order to truly serve the people they were elected to represent, legislators need to hear from their constituents about&#160;important issues affecting their lives,” then-Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez explained in a 2006 pamphlet, <a href="http://www.commoncause.org/fact-sheets/CA_061507_Guide_Lobbying_the_California_Legislature.pdf" type="external">How to</a> <a href="http://www.commoncause.org/fact-sheets/CA_061507_Guide_Lobbying_the_California_Legislature.pdf" type="external">Lobby the California State Legislature</a>. “This activity, commonly known as ‘lobbying,’ is all too often associated with paid professionals or Capitol ‘insiders.’ The most common form of lobbying, however, is undertaken by average citizens.”</p>
<p>The state Constitution guarantees “the right of the people to hold their legislators accountable.” But, this isn’t the first time that the Joint Rules Committee has restricted access to the Capitol.</p>
<p>Amid last year’s debate over a controversial bill to require mandatory vaccinations, the Joint Rules Committee designated the north and south entrances as lobbyist and staff only.</p>
<p>“Due to the high volume of people expected to be entering the Capitol on Wednesday, April 22nd, the North and South entrances to the Capitol will have a designated staff/lobbyist line,” stated a memo, according the <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article19253199.html" type="external">Sacramento Bee</a>. “You will need a legislative identification card to access these lines.”</p>
<p>In 2014, as first <a href="http://www.calnewsroom.com/2014/04/06/california-state-senate-deletes-website-online-archives-of-3-disgraced-democrats/" type="external">reported by CalNewsroom.com</a>, the California state Senate scrubbed its website and deleted the online archives of three Democratic state Senators, who were facing criminal charges, ranging from weapons trafficking to public corruption.</p>
<p>In 2015, the state Assembly <a href="http://www.calnewsroom.com/2015/04/20/californias-legislative-open-records-act-is-a-joke/" type="external">denied a Legislative Open Records Act</a> request for attendance records for Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles. Gomez called in sick to the Assembly’s floor session to attend the L.A. Dodgers’ opening day, an excuse that would have entitled Gomez to his taxpayer-funded per diem.</p>
<p>Ironically, the Joint Rules Committee concluded its memo by thanking staff for&#160;“making a more secure Capitol for everyone.”</p>
<p>DATE: January 14, 2016</p>
<p>TO: All Assembly and Senate Employees</p>
<p>FROM: Joint Rules Committee</p>
<p>SUBJECT: Enhanced Safety &amp; Security Measures for the Capitol &amp; the Legislative Office Building ——————————————————————————————————————– (5) ———–</p>
<p>Effective February 1, 2016, the following new security procedures will be implemented. These new procedures are being put in place for the safety and security of the Members, Capitol employees, visitors and guests to the Capitol building.</p>
<p>Entering During Regular Business Hours (7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)</p>
<p>Entering After Regular Business Hours</p>
<p>As a reminder, employees should not allow others into the building as they are entering or exiting after regular business hours. If you are not comfortable with confronting individuals who ask you to hold the door open or swipe them in, please call CHP dispatch at 445-2895 to report it. It is strongly recommended that you program this number into your cell phone. Please be prepared to provide a detailed description of the individual(s) and/or any other information you think is relevant.</p>
<p>Legislative Office Building (LOB)</p>
<p>Access to the Capitol Basement Garage</p>
<p>If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Department at 651-4184 or the Assembly Sergeants-at-Arms Department at 319-2808.</p>
<p>Thank you for your cooperation in making a more secure Capitol for everyone.</p> | false | 3 | though brands peoples house california state capitol soon become less accessible public continuing provide lobbyists special access beginning february 1 california state legislature intends to160convert east entrance public employee lobbyist according internal security memo joint rules committee obtained calwatchdogcom east door capitol designated employee lobbyist identrance january 14 memo joint rules committee states entry capitol north south doors still available however east door provide expedited entry means average citizens lobbying state legislature forced wait longer lines lobbyists sped queue debra gravert chief administrative officer joint rules committee confirmed memo policy change saying part enhanced security measures door poses huge security risk building said alternative close door altogether security primary concern allow lobbyists special access entrance theyre given special access jump line gravert told calwatchdogcom lobbyists go id neither speaker assembly toni atkins state senate president pro tem kevin de leon responded calwatchdogcoms email requests comment however legislative leaders vowed make capitol building open accessible public welcome california state assembly peoples house assembly speaker toni atkins dsan diego writes brochure state assembly hope visit state capitol reminder voice impact crafting californias laws de leon meanwhile claims citizens integral to160the legislative process engaged citizenry bedrock thriving democracy de leon promises tate senates homepage recognize everyone get sacramento participate legislative process well bring hearings gravert said long remember longstanding policy california state legislature provide special access lobbyists although january 14 memo singled lobbyists gravert says credentialed members approved media outlets also provided access east entrance said special access provided lobbyists credentialed members approved media sources already gone vetting process frequently deadline reason would contradict unsigned letter state senator important government efficient promises state senator unsigned letter state senate promotional pamphlet paramount laws state fair effective previous legislative leaders extolled virtues citizen lobbying decried special treatment lobbyists order truly serve people elected represent legislators need hear constituents about160important issues affecting lives thenspeaker assembly fabian nunez explained 2006 pamphlet lobby california state legislature activity commonly known lobbying often associated paid professionals capitol insiders common form lobbying however undertaken average citizens state constitution guarantees right people hold legislators accountable isnt first time joint rules committee restricted access capitol amid last years debate controversial bill require mandatory vaccinations joint rules committee designated north south entrances lobbyist staff due high volume people expected entering capitol wednesday april 22nd north south entrances capitol designated stafflobbyist line stated memo according sacramento bee need legislative identification card access lines 2014 first reported calnewsroomcom california state senate scrubbed website deleted online archives three democratic state senators facing criminal charges ranging weapons trafficking public corruption 2015 state assembly denied legislative open records act request attendance records assemblyman jimmy gomez dlos angeles gomez called sick assemblys floor session attend la dodgers opening day excuse would entitled gomez taxpayerfunded per diem ironically joint rules committee concluded memo thanking staff for160making secure capitol everyone date january 14 2016 assembly senate employees joint rules committee subject enhanced safety amp security measures capitol amp legislative office building 5 effective february 1 2016 following new security procedures implemented new procedures put place safety security members capitol employees visitors guests capitol building entering regular business hours 730 600 pm entering regular business hours reminder employees allow others building entering exiting regular business hours comfortable confronting individuals ask hold door open swipe please call chp dispatch 4452895 report strongly recommended program number cell phone please prepared provide detailed description individuals andor information think relevant legislative office building lob access capitol basement garage questions concerns please contact senate sergeantatarms department 6514184 assembly sergeantsatarms department 3192808 thank cooperation making secure capitol everyone | 589 |
<p>JUNE 15, 2011</p>
<p>By KATY GRIMES</p>
<p>For the first time since 1933, Democrats passed the state budget, without Republican support, and using only a majority vote. Lawmakers may have met the constitutional deadline of June 15 as ordered by California voters, but it left&#160;many questioning if the potential loss of a paycheck was the motive, should the budget deadline not be met.</p>
<p>Voters passed Proposition 25 last year which allows the state Legislature&#160;to approve the budget on a majority vote – taxes must still be approved with a two-thirds margin. But the same law now orders the loss of “per diem” pay and salaries to lawmakers for every day the budget is late.</p>
<p>Both houses held session on Wednesday, and the debate over <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/billtrack/text.html?bvid=20110AB9896AMD" type="external">AB 98</a>, the budget bill, was often contentious. In multiple floor speeches, most Democrats tried to distance themselves from the budget, claiming this wasn’t the budget that they wanted, but said it’s what voters were going to get.</p>
<p>“This is not our choice, but what we’re going to do,” said Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. Leno called the state’s deficit problem “the Schwarzenegger deficit – because he put a tax cut on the state’s credit card.”</p>
<p>But Republicans fought back and insisted that the budget was owned by the Democrats. “Democrats control this process – these are the rules we have to live by,” Republican Senate Minority leader Bob Dutton, (Rancho Cucamonga) told colleagues. “We know it’s not the Democrat preference, otherwise it would include tax increases.”</p>
<p>Dutton was critical of the “big burden” placed on the business community and the state’s high unemployment during a recession. “Our problem is that we don’t have enough money for the programs we want to fund. But not everyone can benefit off entitlement programs – somebody has to be working,” said Dutton.</p>
<p>San Leandro Democrat Sen. Ellen Corbett defended the majority party budget and said that Democrats were just doing what constituents want. “We have no other options today without more revenues.” But it was clear that more was at play in the Senate, with the Constitutional deadline being met for the first time in decades. “It is a very important day and we will make history,” said Corbett.</p>
<p>In the end, the Senate voted 23-15 to pass the majority budget.</p>
<p>The Assembly received <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/billtrack/text.html?bvid=20110AB9896AMD" type="external">AB 98</a>after it was passed by the Senate, and immediately the debate grew heated. “Half of our &#160;revenue comes from the people who work – from their wages,” said Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia. Donnelly told colleagues that for the past six months while the Assembly was holding ceremonies and adjourn-in-memories, they should have been working on the budget. “This is a sham budget and you guys own it,” said Donnelly.</p>
<p>Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, called the majority budget plan “a scapegoat budget.” She implored colleagues to work on permanent budget solutions, and vowed “I will work with you.”</p>
<p>Of the Republican plan, “we proposed a spending cap for a reason,” Harkey said.&#160;“The state of California cannot wait for three to five years for pension reform – We are the joke of the nation,” added Harkey.</p>
<p>Republicans in both houses were accused of never presenting a budget bill of their own. “I didn’t see them put their ideas in bill form,” said Democrat Assembly Speaker John Perez.</p>
<p>However, moments later, AB 98 author, Democratic Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield of Van Nuys spoke about the four-page Republican “fancy plan,” and said “Wall Street would have laughed at the plan.” Blumenfield said it was filled with “borrowing gimmicks and fairy dust.”</p>
<p>The Assembly also passed AB 98, 51-23.</p>
<p>After the Senate and Assembly passed the majority vote budget, both houses passed several additional spending bills including a sales tax increase on local governments, an “administrative” &#160;motor vehicle fee of $12, a fee for homeowners in rural areas for fire fighting services, and several health and human services bills.</p>
<p>Republicans said that the “fee increases” were in fact, taxes. SB 23, which now contains Sen. Darrell Steinberg’s <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/SB_653/20112012/" type="external">SB 653</a>, a bill which would allow local governments to put many different tax increases to a vote, was also passed. “This is the most creative bill,” said Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Thousand Oaks. “It’s a quarter-cent sales tax increase — it’s a $1.6 billion tax increase done by majority vote.”</p>
<p>After the budget vote and fee-increase bills were passed, Donnelly released this statement: “The gimmick-filled budget includes nothing to tackle the biggest drains of taxpayer dollars such as massive pension debt, an illegal immigration crisis, and the State’s regulatory attack on businesses, but the Democrats walked away smiling knowing that at least their paychecks will come in next month.”</p>
<p>There may be legal challenges to some of the budget trailer bills including the fee for fire fighter services in rural areas.</p>
<p>With the 2009 tax extensions expiring at the end of June, Gov. Jerry Brown may try again for the “bridge” taxes. And Brown may&#160;still try to take his tax extension proposal to voters sometime after September.</p>
<p>But polls have shown that voter support for tax extensions is probably not going to happen.</p>
<p>Brown has 12 days to sign or veto the budget bill and budget trailer bills.</p> | false | 3 | june 15 2011 katy grimes first time since 1933 democrats passed state budget without republican support using majority vote lawmakers may met constitutional deadline june 15 ordered california voters left160many questioning potential loss paycheck motive budget deadline met voters passed proposition 25 last year allows state legislature160to approve budget majority vote taxes must still approved twothirds margin law orders loss per diem pay salaries lawmakers every day budget late houses held session wednesday debate ab 98 budget bill often contentious multiple floor speeches democrats tried distance budget claiming wasnt budget wanted said voters going get choice going said sen mark leno dsan francisco leno called states deficit problem schwarzenegger deficit put tax cut states credit card republicans fought back insisted budget owned democrats democrats control process rules live republican senate minority leader bob dutton rancho cucamonga told colleagues know democrat preference otherwise would include tax increases dutton critical big burden placed business community states high unemployment recession problem dont enough money programs want fund everyone benefit entitlement programs somebody working said dutton san leandro democrat sen ellen corbett defended majority party budget said democrats constituents want options today without revenues clear play senate constitutional deadline met first time decades important day make history said corbett end senate voted 2315 pass majority budget assembly received ab 98after passed senate immediately debate grew heated half 160revenue comes people work wages said assemblyman tim donnelly rhesperia donnelly told colleagues past six months assembly holding ceremonies adjourninmemories working budget sham budget guys said donnelly assemblywoman diane harkey rdana point called majority budget plan scapegoat budget implored colleagues work permanent budget solutions vowed work republican plan proposed spending cap reason harkey said160the state california wait three five years pension reform joke nation added harkey republicans houses accused never presenting budget bill didnt see put ideas bill form said democrat assembly speaker john perez however moments later ab 98 author democratic assemblyman bob blumenfield van nuys spoke fourpage republican fancy plan said wall street would laughed plan blumenfield said filled borrowing gimmicks fairy dust assembly also passed ab 98 5123 senate assembly passed majority vote budget houses passed several additional spending bills including sales tax increase local governments administrative 160motor vehicle fee 12 fee homeowners rural areas fire fighting services several health human services bills republicans said fee increases fact taxes sb 23 contains sen darrell steinbergs sb 653 bill would allow local governments put many different tax increases vote also passed creative bill said sen tony strickland rthousand oaks quartercent sales tax increase 16 billion tax increase done majority vote budget vote feeincrease bills passed donnelly released statement gimmickfilled budget includes nothing tackle biggest drains taxpayer dollars massive pension debt illegal immigration crisis states regulatory attack businesses democrats walked away smiling knowing least paychecks come next month may legal challenges budget trailer bills including fee fire fighter services rural areas 2009 tax extensions expiring end june gov jerry brown may try bridge taxes brown may160still try take tax extension proposal voters sometime september polls shown voter support tax extensions probably going happen brown 12 days sign veto budget bill budget trailer bills | 517 |
<p>Convicted murderer and escaped inmate David Sweat was shot near the Canadian border Sunday by a New York State Police officer, according to authorities. He was listed in critical condition Sunday night.</p>
<p>"The nightmare is finally over," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a news conference late Sunday. "It took 22 days, but ... let's give a big applause to the men and women of law enforcement who did a great job."</p>
<p>Sweat was wounded but is alive and was taken into custody, state police said. He was spotted by Sgt. Jay Cook about 3:20 p.m. ET in the town of Constable, less than six miles from the Canadian border, police said in a statement.</p>
<p>Cook thought Sweat looked suspicious and told him to "freeze," and when Sweat didn't, Cook shot him twice in the torso before he could run to the tree line, officials said. Sweat was then handcuffed, taken into custody and placed on a gurney, the sources said.</p>
<p>Sweat was transported to Albany Medical Center. In a news conference Sunday night, the center's director, Dennis McKenna, declined to discuss details of Sweat's condition, saying only that he was being treated by trauma surgeons and kept in a secure, locked unit.</p>
<p>Joy Patterson, who lives on Coveytown Road in Constable, told NBC News that she saw a flurry of police activity near her home. She learned that the authorities had cornered Sweat on her neighbor's property.</p>
<p>"We're just happy that he's been caught," she said. "We didn't think they'd get up this far, but he did."</p>
<p>Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, told The Associated Press that no officers were hurt.</p>
<p>Cuomo said that, in addition to grilling Sweat on how the escape plan took shape, officials will be conducting an investigation into the prison.</p>
<p>"It was the first escape in 100 years, but one escape is one escape too many," the governor said. "Anyone who we find who was culpable and guilty of cooperating in this escape will be fully prosecuted."</p>
<p>He added: "Today ends with good news. These were really dangerous, dangerous men, both Matt and Sweat. These were killers. ... We could not tolerate them being on the loose."</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Escaped Inmate Richard Matt Died From Three Shots to Head: Autopsy</a></p>
<p>The news of Sweat's capture comes more than three weeks after he broke free from Clinton Correctional Facility and two days after Richard Matt, 49, the man he escaped with, was killed by law enforcement.</p>
<p>Matt was shot dead in Malone, about 40 miles away from the prison and about six miles south from where Sweat was shot. State police said Friday that investigators believed the inmates were <a href="" type="internal">trying to cross the Canadian border</a>.</p>
<p>At the news conference with Cuomo, New York State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico said the same.</p>
<p>"Where Sweat was, I can only assume he was going for the border — he was that close," D'Amico said. "And we couldn't be more happy that we apprehended him. It's been a long three weeks."</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Richard Matt's Former Accomplice Lee Bates: 'Nightmare' Is Finally Over</a></p>
<p>D'Amico said the inmates may have used pepper to disguise their scent from police dogs.</p>
<p>Investigators were able to obtain DNA off a pepper shaker at one scene and believed that "possibly these two males were using pepper to throw the scents off of the dogs who were tracking them."</p>
<p>"We did have difficulty tracking, so it was fairly effective in that respect," D'Amico said.</p>
<p>The exhaustive search began when Matt and Sweat broke out from the maximum-security section of the Dannemora prison on June 6 in a sophisticated and brazen plan in which they cut holes in the backs of their cells with power tools.</p>
<p>Two prison workers have been arrested in connection with the escape.</p>
<p>Joyce Mitchell, who worked as an instructor in the prison's tailor shop, was arrested June 12 and <a href="" type="internal">charged with a felony count of promoting prison contraband</a> and a misdemeanor count of criminal facilitation. She was planning to be a getaway driver for the inmates after the early-morning breakout but got cold feet, officials have said.</p>
<p>A prison guard, Gene Palmer, was later <a href="" type="internal">arrested and charged</a> with promoting prison contraband, two counts of tampering with physical evidence and one count of official misconduct. Palmer told police that he allowed the prisoners outside their cells and gave them supplies but never thought they would escape.</p>
<p>Sweat was serving a life sentence for killing sheriff's Deputy Kevin J. Tarsia on July 4, 2002. Tarsia's sister-in-law, Lisa Tarsia, posted on Facebook after Sweat's capture that her brother-in-law "can once again Rest in Peace."</p>
<p>"Feeling so thankful for all the members of Law Enforcement that have spent the last 3 weeks away from their families to track down these animals," she wrote.</p>
<p>Matt was serving 25 years to life for brutally killing and dismembering his former boss.</p>
<p>Both were added to the U.S. Marshals Service's 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list during their time on the lam, and $25,000 each was offered as reward money on top the $50,000 offered by New York for information leading to either inmate.</p>
<p>Cuomo said Friday that the weeks-long search had been "expensive," although he couldn't give a number. Whatever the cost, Cuomo said, there was "no doubt, in my opinion, that it's worth it."</p> | false | 3 | convicted murderer escaped inmate david sweat shot near canadian border sunday new york state police officer according authorities listed critical condition sunday night nightmare finally new york gov andrew cuomo said news conference late sunday took 22 days lets give big applause men women law enforcement great job sweat wounded alive taken custody state police said spotted sgt jay cook 320 pm et town constable less six miles canadian border police said statement cook thought sweat looked suspicious told freeze sweat didnt cook shot twice torso could run tree line officials said sweat handcuffed taken custody placed gurney sources said sweat transported albany medical center news conference sunday night centers director dennis mckenna declined discuss details sweats condition saying treated trauma surgeons kept secure locked unit joy patterson lives coveytown road constable told nbc news saw flurry police activity near home learned authorities cornered sweat neighbors property happy hes caught said didnt think theyd get far sen chuck schumer dnew york told associated press officers hurt cuomo said addition grilling sweat escape plan took shape officials conducting investigation prison first escape 100 years one escape one escape many governor said anyone find culpable guilty cooperating escape fully prosecuted added today ends good news really dangerous dangerous men matt sweat killers could tolerate loose related escaped inmate richard matt died three shots head autopsy news sweats capture comes three weeks broke free clinton correctional facility two days richard matt 49 man escaped killed law enforcement matt shot dead malone 40 miles away prison six miles south sweat shot state police said friday investigators believed inmates trying cross canadian border news conference cuomo new york state police superintendent joseph damico said sweat assume going border close damico said couldnt happy apprehended long three weeks related richard matts former accomplice lee bates nightmare finally damico said inmates may used pepper disguise scent police dogs investigators able obtain dna pepper shaker one scene believed possibly two males using pepper throw scents dogs tracking difficulty tracking fairly effective respect damico said exhaustive search began matt sweat broke maximumsecurity section dannemora prison june 6 sophisticated brazen plan cut holes backs cells power tools two prison workers arrested connection escape joyce mitchell worked instructor prisons tailor shop arrested june 12 charged felony count promoting prison contraband misdemeanor count criminal facilitation planning getaway driver inmates earlymorning breakout got cold feet officials said prison guard gene palmer later arrested charged promoting prison contraband two counts tampering physical evidence one count official misconduct palmer told police allowed prisoners outside cells gave supplies never thought would escape sweat serving life sentence killing sheriffs deputy kevin j tarsia july 4 2002 tarsias sisterinlaw lisa tarsia posted facebook sweats capture brotherinlaw rest peace feeling thankful members law enforcement spent last 3 weeks away families track animals wrote matt serving 25 years life brutally killing dismembering former boss added us marshals services 15 wanted fugitives list time lam 25000 offered reward money top 50000 offered new york information leading either inmate cuomo said friday weekslong search expensive although couldnt give number whatever cost cuomo said doubt opinion worth | 514 |
<p>In Chicago, high school choice is not a new phenomenon. For decades, more than half of its public high school students have fled their zoned neighborhood high schools in search of something better. But the rapid expansion of charters and school choice over the last eight years means some neighborhood schools have lost so many students that their survival is in jeopardy.</p>
<p>Bitter battles over charter expansion highlight a fundamental question: Can neighborhood high schools be reshaped to serve students better, or will they be replaced by schools that restrict enrollment in some way?</p>
<p>In an effort to hold on to middle-class families and lure students away from private schools, Mayor Richard M. Daley created six selective-enrollment high schools and a military academy in the late 1990’s.</p>
<p>However, their locations meant that African-American students, who then made up about half of CPS enrollment, still had long commutes to top-performing schools, according to a&#160;2000 study by the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund and the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research. (For a student’s view,&#160;see this <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2005/12/freshmans-marathon-trek-prep-school-pays/" type="external">story about&#160;Ashleigh Johnson</a>, who traveled 13 miles each way from her home in Greater Grand Crossing to join the initial freshman class at Walter Payton College Prep.)</p>
<p>In 2001, more than half of Chicago’s public high school students attended schools outside their neighborhoods, the result&#160;of two decades of creating both selective high schools and specialty programs inside neighborhood high schools that attracted&#160;students from other areas.</p>
<p>Low-performing neighborhood schools also lead families to&#160;seek other options. In three West Side and nine South Side high school attendance areas, between two-thirds and three-quarters of students chose to leave the neighborhood for high school.</p>
<p>See “ <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2005/07/half-high-schoolers-bypass-their-local-schools/" type="external">Half of high schoolers bypass their local schools</a>,” Catalyst December 2001 and “ <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2005/12/freshmans-marathon-trek-prep-school-pays/" type="external">Freshman’s marathon trek to prep school pays off</a>,” Catalyst December 2000.</p>
<p>The rise of charter schools has further expanded choice and provided new school options without test&#160;score&#160;requirements. Hirsch High, the neighborhood school serving Greater Grand Crossing, was never on Ashleigh Johnson’s radar.</p>
<p>By 2013, it was off the table for more than 90 percent of her neighbors, too, as WBEZ&#160; <a href="http://www.wbez.org/news/future-uncertain-chicagos-neighborhood-high-schools-108834" type="external">reported</a>. Of the neighborhood’s 682 CPS freshmen, only 45 had chosen Hirsch. The rest were dispersed among 84 high schools, with a quarter leaving&#160;for charters within five miles of Hirsch.</p>
<p>Increased choice created a complex high school admissions process, with an overwhelming mix of application procedures, deadlines and academic requirements. For all their effort, a quarter of the African-American students who&#160;traveled beyond their neighborhood school&#160;chose&#160;schools where students scored in the lowest 25 percent on the ACT college admissions exam, Catalyst found.</p>
<p>See “ <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2008/11/trekking-better-high-schools/" type="external">Trekking to better high schools</a>,” Catalyst November 2008 and “ <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2008/11/challenges-choice/" type="external">The challenges of choice</a>,” Catalyst November 2008.</p>
<p>As school choice continues to expand, some neighborhood high schools are nearing extinction. WBEZ recently <a href="http://www.wbez.org/news/chicago-has-high-school-13-freshmen-113524" type="external">reported</a> that Hirsch enrolled just 23 entering freshmen this fall, and a dozen Chicago high schools have freshmen enrollments of 50 students or fewer.</p>
<p>According to former CPS demographer James Dispensa, a minimum of 600 students are required to sustain a neighborhood high school, and 1,200 is better for supporting a variety of courses and extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>A recently updated Chicago Public Schools <a href="http://cps.edu/About_CPS/At-a-glance/Pages/Stats_and_facts.aspx" type="external">fact sheet</a> tallies&#160;176&#160;high schools, up from 88 a decade ago. Meanwhile, high school enrollment has hovered around 100,000 students.</p>
<p>But getting rid of under-enrolled neighborhood high schools would likely hurt Chicago’s most vulnerable students. A recently published <a href="http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayFulltext?type=1&amp;fid=9700025&amp;jid=DBR&amp;volumeId=12&amp;issueId=01&amp;aid=9700020&amp;bodyId=&amp;membershipNumber=&amp;societyETOCSession=" type="external">study</a> by Northwestern University’s Mary Pattillo confirms what many have long suspected: families with children in charter high schools have advantages other families lack.</p>
<p>While all 77 families in her study were poor and African American, the families connected with a charter high school&#160;had higher incomes and were more likely to be employed than families who chose neighborhood high schools. They were also more likely to own a car, making it easier to travel to a school beyond the neighborhood.</p>
<p>New York City’s switch to a full-choice system highlights the problems Chicago would likely encounter if the neighborhood high school were to vanish. In 2003, New York <a href="https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/scmsAdmin/media/users/lah431/corcoran_levin_AIR_november_2010.pdf" type="external">eliminated</a> zoned neighborhood high schools and developed a unified admissions process that matches students with schools through a system modeled on matching medical students to residency programs.</p>
<p>A 2009 <a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/53ee4f0be4b015b9c3690d84/t/540f68c9e4b0bc67f00d4f7d/1410296009887/TheNewMarketplace_Report.pdf" type="external">report</a> from the Center for New York City Affairs found key flaws in the system: families that spoke languages other than English struggled to understand the process, special-needs students were assigned to schools that could not provide necessary services, and 14,000 students landed in schools they did not choose.</p>
<p>In 2008, CPS <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2008/11/assigning-students-schools-choice/" type="external">began researching</a> a New York City-style admissions system but has yet to create one.</p>
<p>In a district that has taken a severe PR beating in recent months, closing neighborhood high schools likely amounts to political Kryptonite. Previously, CPS proposed closing Crane and Dyett high schools, but in both cases public outcry forced the district to change course. <a href="http://www.newcranemedicalprep.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=192991&amp;type=d" type="external">Crane</a> reopened in 2013 as a magnet high school focused on medical careers, and Dyett is expected to <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/09/dyett-to-reopen-as-neighborhood-arts-school/" type="external">relaunch</a> next fall as a neighborhood, arts-focused high school.</p>
<p>At the same time, the Board of Education’s vote this week to approve a new Noble Network campus in Brighton Park signals it remains philosophically committed to increasing high school choice. Illinois recently won a $42 million federal grant to <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/10/take-5-charter-expansion-roosevelt-walkout-new-school-ratings/" type="external">expand charter schools</a>; the state’s proposal would put half of them in Chicago. Co-location of new charters in underutilized high schools seems likely to increase; in 2013, charters opened within Bowen, Corliss and Hope high schools.</p>
<p>Local efforts have now sprung up to rebuild neighborhood schools as viable options. In February, three North Side aldermen <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/350541/three-aldermen-pool-power-support-neighborhood-high-schools" type="external">banded together</a> to direct tax-increment financing and other funds to their neighborhood high schools.</p>
<p>This week, Generation All, an initiative spearheaded by The Chicago Community Trust, <a href="http://www.generationallchicago.org/generation-all-announces-more-than-500000-in-grants-to-create-opportunities-for-chicagos-neighborhood-public-high-schools/" type="external">announced grants</a> of more than $500,000 to bolster neighborhood high schools through&#160;community-school partnerships, school leader training and some projects already underway in some&#160;schools.</p>
<p>See “ <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/10/neighborhood-high-schools-struggle-attract-students/" type="external">Neighborhood high schools struggle to attract students</a>,” Catalyst October 2013 and “ <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2014/12/losing-students-neighborhood-high-schools-caught-in-downward-spiral/" type="external">Losing students, neighborhood high schools caught in downward spiral</a>,” Catalyst December 2014</p> | false | 3 | chicago high school choice new phenomenon decades half public high school students fled zoned neighborhood high schools search something better rapid expansion charters school choice last eight years means neighborhood schools lost many students survival jeopardy bitter battles charter expansion highlight fundamental question neighborhood high schools reshaped serve students better replaced schools restrict enrollment way effort hold middleclass families lure students away private schools mayor richard daley created six selectiveenrollment high schools military academy late 1990s however locations meant africanamerican students made half cps enrollment still long commutes topperforming schools according a1602000 study mexican american legal defense fund university chicago consortium chicago school research students view160see story about160ashleigh johnson traveled 13 miles way home greater grand crossing join initial freshman class walter payton college prep 2001 half chicagos public high school students attended schools outside neighborhoods result160of two decades creating selective high schools specialty programs inside neighborhood high schools attracted160students areas lowperforming neighborhood schools also lead families to160seek options three west side nine south side high school attendance areas twothirds threequarters students chose leave neighborhood high school see half high schoolers bypass local schools catalyst december 2001 freshmans marathon trek prep school pays catalyst december 2000 rise charter schools expanded choice provided new school options without test160score160requirements hirsch high neighborhood school serving greater grand crossing never ashleigh johnsons radar 2013 table 90 percent neighbors wbez160 reported neighborhoods 682 cps freshmen 45 chosen hirsch rest dispersed among 84 high schools quarter leaving160for charters within five miles hirsch increased choice created complex high school admissions process overwhelming mix application procedures deadlines academic requirements effort quarter africanamerican students who160traveled beyond neighborhood school160chose160schools students scored lowest 25 percent act college admissions exam catalyst found see trekking better high schools catalyst november 2008 challenges choice catalyst november 2008 school choice continues expand neighborhood high schools nearing extinction wbez recently reported hirsch enrolled 23 entering freshmen fall dozen chicago high schools freshmen enrollments 50 students fewer according former cps demographer james dispensa minimum 600 students required sustain neighborhood high school 1200 better supporting variety courses extracurricular activities recently updated chicago public schools fact sheet tallies160176160high schools 88 decade ago meanwhile high school enrollment hovered around 100000 students getting rid underenrolled neighborhood high schools would likely hurt chicagos vulnerable students recently published study northwestern universitys mary pattillo confirms many long suspected families children charter high schools advantages families lack 77 families study poor african american families connected charter high school160had higher incomes likely employed families chose neighborhood high schools also likely car making easier travel school beyond neighborhood new york citys switch fullchoice system highlights problems chicago would likely encounter neighborhood high school vanish 2003 new york eliminated zoned neighborhood high schools developed unified admissions process matches students schools system modeled matching medical students residency programs 2009 report center new york city affairs found key flaws system families spoke languages english struggled understand process specialneeds students assigned schools could provide necessary services 14000 students landed schools choose 2008 cps began researching new york citystyle admissions system yet create one district taken severe pr beating recent months closing neighborhood high schools likely amounts political kryptonite previously cps proposed closing crane dyett high schools cases public outcry forced district change course crane reopened 2013 magnet high school focused medical careers dyett expected relaunch next fall neighborhood artsfocused high school time board educations vote week approve new noble network campus brighton park signals remains philosophically committed increasing high school choice illinois recently 42 million federal grant expand charter schools states proposal would put half chicago colocation new charters underutilized high schools seems likely increase 2013 charters opened within bowen corliss hope high schools local efforts sprung rebuild neighborhood schools viable options february three north side aldermen banded together direct taxincrement financing funds neighborhood high schools week generation initiative spearheaded chicago community trust announced grants 500000 bolster neighborhood high schools through160communityschool partnerships school leader training projects already underway some160schools see neighborhood high schools struggle attract students catalyst october 2013 losing students neighborhood high schools caught downward spiral catalyst december 2014 | 669 |
<p>Like dozens of other CPS schools, Key Elementary on the West Side has no arts program—no teacher and no partnership with the Joffrey Ballet or the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or any of the other arts institutions that grace Chicago.</p>
<p>Though CPS pays for a half-time arts teacher at smaller schools of up to 750 students, Key Principal Margo Giannoulis-King says she couldn’t find a candidate who wanted a half-time job. Instead, she opted to hire a full-time librarian (which the district would pay for).</p>
<p>Across the city, Higgins Elementary School on the far South Side has two certified fine arts teachers and a strong partnership with the Chicago Children’s Choir.</p>
<p>Higgins Principal Mable Alfred notes that she’s not an “artsy person,” but that she’s continued the tradition of investing in the arts at her school because she sees how it helps students.</p>
<p>“It makes a difference to give children a well-rounded education,” she says. In her tenure at Higgins, state test scores have risen from 67 percent meeting standards in 2009 to 80 percent in 2011.Numerous studies show that arts education can improve overall academic performance.</p>
<p>In part because of the advent of the longer school day, arts education is on the front burner in CPS. Parent groups and the Chicago Teachers Union have said they would like to see more art and music classes. Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke about using the additional time for more music and art classes. And with the backing of local foundations, the non-profit group Ingenuity Inc. was created recently to advocate for more arts in schools.</p>
<p>The district is now embarking on a major arts plan. But with no discussion about additional funding, one question is still unanswered: How will the new initiative create and sustain improvement?</p>
<p>“Forests and deserts”</p>
<p>As the stories of Higgins and Key—both small, low-income, predominantly black schools—demonstrate, arts education in CPS is mostly hit-or-miss. Consider the numbers:</p>
<p>“We have forests and deserts,” says Mario Rossero, CPS’ director of arts education. “How do we learn from the forests and how do we direct more resources toward the deserts?”</p>
<p>Those numbers are in stark contrast to other districts. Nationwide, most schools offer both music and visual arts classes to students at least once a week, according to a report from April 2012 by the National Center on Education Statistics. That’s the case in many suburban schools, such as Oak Park Elementary School District 97, which has one art teacher for every 155 students and offers a class in art and music every week.</p>
<p>CPS elementary schools that offer classes in both disciplines—typically paid for with discretionary money—are the exception. Many of the elementary schools with robust arts education are part of the district’s magnet cluster initiative, which provided an extra arts teacher at about 100 schools. But this year, CPS trimmed the initiative by $2.6 million as part of budget cuts to meet a deficit. At Higgins, Alfred says she lost a half a position but will use discretionary money to keep the teacher full-time—a solution that principals often choose.</p>
<p>Rossero says he would like to see every student have exposure to all four arts disciplines—visual arts, music, dance and theater—but admits that at the moment the district is heavy on the first two. “The thing we need to do is look at successful models,” he says. “There’s a lot of successful programs out there.”</p>
<p>In 2001, a ground-breaking report from the Chicago Arts Education Initiative found that the lack of clear standards for elementary arts education contributes to disparities. High school students are required to have at least have one year of art and music to graduate, so arts teachers are more evenly distributed at high schools. Yet some high schools offer Advanced Placement classes in arts, while other schools offer only basic courses.</p>
<p>In many high schools, students don’t take an arts class until junior or senior year, especially in schools with students who are behind in core subjects and must take double periods of reading or math to catch up. In such cases, students with a latent, undiscovered talent or love for art don’t discover it until it is too late for them to pursue it seriously with advanced coursework</p>
<p>Rossero acknowledges that problem, saying he is working with high school schedulers and the high school Graduation Pathways program to figure out strategies to get teens into arts classes sooner.</p>
<p>Moving forward with a plan</p>
<p>When Emanuel and CEO Jean-Claude Brizard announced this past spring that the new arts department would develop an arts plan, they said it would be “unprecedented.” (The plan will rely in part on private funding.)</p>
<p>Rossero says that he is excited because the plan will bring together various groups who want more arts education—teachers, arts organizations, parents, district leadership and even students.</p>
<p>In the past, Rossero points out, arts education was mostly pushed by private foundations and outside groups.</p>
<p>Recommendations from the groups will be presented to a steering committee that will develop the plan, including Brizard and Board President David Vitale. Rossero hopes the plan will be ready for release at the same time as the Chicago Cultural Plan, slated to be finished in October.</p>
<p>The arts plan will include guidelines for what a robust arts program would look like at a school, but Rossero says it will not suggest a change in policy to require more arts programming. He hopes that principals will use the information to assess how their school compares to a model program.</p>
<p>One concern raised by arts teachers is that formal art and music education will be replaced by private partnerships, and certified teachers replaced by artists with alternative teaching certificates.</p>
<p>Rossero, however, says it’s not a question of one or the other—“It is yes and both”—and notes that certified teachers often take the role of leading a school’s arts program, coordinating partnerships and other experiences for students.</p>
<p>That was one finding of the group Ingenuity Inc., which took a comprehensive look at arts education in CPS. The group’s report found that schools with an arts teacher on staff were 12 times more likely to have outside partnerships—providing fuel for the union’s call for more arts teachers.</p>
<p>Ingenuity Inc. also found that only an estimated 900 of 1,400 certified arts teachers are actually teaching art; that some schools rely on private money to help pay for a full-time teacher; and that the work done by outside arts partners is scatter-shot—some might be at schools long-term on extensive projects, others come in for a day to do a performance.</p>
<p>The union has viewed Ingenuity Inc. with some suspicion—wondering if the group is more interested is primarily interested in private partnerships rather than improving arts learning—but Executive Director Paul Sznewejas says he’s agnostic on the matter.</p>
<p>“If you are getting arts from an arts teacher or a partnership or both, the point is that you are getting arts,” he says. “We want to make sure every child has access to art education.” A data analyst for his group is looking at differences in arts education among the various school networks, and Ingenuity Inc. will work to improve schools that lag behind, he says.</p>
<p>On-the-ground reality</p>
<p>This spring, the CTU formed a committee to push for more arts education and held informational sessions at schools across the city. At a session at Kenwood Academy, about 40 teachers came straggling in.</p>
<p>The teachers were told of the CTU demand that CPS pay for two full-time arts teachers in each elementary school. At $75,000 per teacher (including benefits), the cost would be about $30 million.</p>
<p>“We wanted to let you know that, so that you could support it,” said Raymond Wohl, head of the CTU arts committee and a teacher at Marshall Middle School. “Would everyone be patting themselves on the back and celebrating science or math if they were only funded with half a position for every 750 students?”</p>
<p>Teachers talked about their plight. One teacher said she landed in the displaced teachers’ pool after a new principal opted not to pay for her position, even though the principal had pledged a commitment to the arts during the interviewing process. Other teachers spoke of the difficulty of working part-time at two schools and complained that they received no money for supplies.</p>
<p>Jennifer Hall splits her time between Wacker Elementary and Neil Elementary, two schools about three miles apart. Hall is supposed to give each student at least five grades per marking period. But because of limited time, Hall says it’s difficult to get the students to finish five projects.</p>
<p>“I might see them only four hours a month,” Hall says.</p>
<p>Both schools expect Hall to keep fresh work on class bulletin boards. Neither principal gives her money for supplies–Hall says she thinks they expect her to find grant money, but says it’s a challenge to pursue grants for two different schools.</p>
<p>“I ask parents for supplies or I take whatever I have access to,” Hall says. “The principals want great art programs, but then when you ask for money for supplies, they say, ‘I don’t have money for that.’”</p>
<p>Rossero understands the difficulty. As a visual arts teacher at Harold Washington Elementary, Rossero notes that “We had crayons and little else.” He doesn’t believe district policy should force principals to reserve money for the arts, but hopes that principals will see, via the arts plan guidelines, what a quality program looks like and decide on their own to put the resources in place.</p>
<p>One of Hall’s schools, Wacker, has some outside partnerships for after-school programs—which Hall says would have more impact if she were at the school full-time. “I could collaborate with the program, I could extend what they are teaching from a small group of students to the entire school,” she says.</p>
<p>Hall found out about the partnerships after they were in place, highlighting another concern: Traveling from one school to another can make a teacher feel like an outsider. “We have two full sets of parents, teachers, administrators to work with,” Hall says. “It is a disservice to all involved.”</p>
<p>In 2009, some of the same local foundations that fund Ingenuity paid for the creation of a new arts department in CPS. Though Brizard dismantled it, the arts guide and sequential curriculum written by the previous staffers—all of them experts in arts disciplines—is still considered a valuable resource among teachers, including Hall.</p>
<p>Hall says she having some concept of what is expected at each grade, even if the expectations don’t fit with reality.</p>
<p>For example, 2nd-graders are supposed to be able to use clay to make shapes, which “sounds great,” she says. “But I hardly ever have clay. I can’t remember the last time I had clay.”</p>
<p>Dean Niedenthal, the art coordinator and music teacher at Higgins, says he knows he is lucky and gives Principal Alfred the credit. Higgins has a brass band, keyboards and percussion instruments, as well as a room fully stocked with arts supplies.</p>
<p>“She’s brilliant,” Niedenthal says. “She’s a magician.”</p> | false | 3 | like dozens cps schools key elementary west side arts programno teacher partnership joffrey ballet chicago symphony orchestra arts institutions grace chicago though cps pays halftime arts teacher smaller schools 750 students key principal margo giannoulisking says couldnt find candidate wanted halftime job instead opted hire fulltime librarian district would pay across city higgins elementary school far south side two certified fine arts teachers strong partnership chicago childrens choir higgins principal mable alfred notes shes artsy person shes continued tradition investing arts school sees helps students makes difference give children wellrounded education says tenure higgins state test scores risen 67 percent meeting standards 2009 80 percent 2011numerous studies show arts education improve overall academic performance part advent longer school day arts education front burner cps parent groups chicago teachers union said would like see art music classes mayor rahm emanuel spoke using additional time music art classes backing local foundations nonprofit group ingenuity inc created recently advocate arts schools district embarking major arts plan discussion additional funding one question still unanswered new initiative create sustain improvement forests deserts stories higgins keyboth small lowincome predominantly black schoolsdemonstrate arts education cps mostly hitormiss consider numbers forests deserts says mario rossero cps director arts education learn forests direct resources toward deserts numbers stark contrast districts nationwide schools offer music visual arts classes students least week according report april 2012 national center education statistics thats case many suburban schools oak park elementary school district 97 one art teacher every 155 students offers class art music every week cps elementary schools offer classes disciplinestypically paid discretionary moneyare exception many elementary schools robust arts education part districts magnet cluster initiative provided extra arts teacher 100 schools year cps trimmed initiative 26 million part budget cuts meet deficit higgins alfred says lost half position use discretionary money keep teacher fulltimea solution principals often choose rossero says would like see every student exposure four arts disciplinesvisual arts music dance theaterbut admits moment district heavy first two thing need look successful models says theres lot successful programs 2001 groundbreaking report chicago arts education initiative found lack clear standards elementary arts education contributes disparities high school students required least one year art music graduate arts teachers evenly distributed high schools yet high schools offer advanced placement classes arts schools offer basic courses many high schools students dont take arts class junior senior year especially schools students behind core subjects must take double periods reading math catch cases students latent undiscovered talent love art dont discover late pursue seriously advanced coursework rossero acknowledges problem saying working high school schedulers high school graduation pathways program figure strategies get teens arts classes sooner moving forward plan emanuel ceo jeanclaude brizard announced past spring new arts department would develop arts plan said would unprecedented plan rely part private funding rossero says excited plan bring together various groups want arts educationteachers arts organizations parents district leadership even students past rossero points arts education mostly pushed private foundations outside groups recommendations groups presented steering committee develop plan including brizard board president david vitale rossero hopes plan ready release time chicago cultural plan slated finished october arts plan include guidelines robust arts program would look like school rossero says suggest change policy require arts programming hopes principals use information assess school compares model program one concern raised arts teachers formal art music education replaced private partnerships certified teachers replaced artists alternative teaching certificates rossero however says question one otherit yes bothand notes certified teachers often take role leading schools arts program coordinating partnerships experiences students one finding group ingenuity inc took comprehensive look arts education cps groups report found schools arts teacher staff 12 times likely outside partnershipsproviding fuel unions call arts teachers ingenuity inc also found estimated 900 1400 certified arts teachers actually teaching art schools rely private money help pay fulltime teacher work done outside arts partners scattershotsome might schools longterm extensive projects others come day performance union viewed ingenuity inc suspicionwondering group interested primarily interested private partnerships rather improving arts learningbut executive director paul sznewejas says hes agnostic matter getting arts arts teacher partnership point getting arts says want make sure every child access art education data analyst group looking differences arts education among various school networks ingenuity inc work improve schools lag behind says ontheground reality spring ctu formed committee push arts education held informational sessions schools across city session kenwood academy 40 teachers came straggling teachers told ctu demand cps pay two fulltime arts teachers elementary school 75000 per teacher including benefits cost would 30 million wanted let know could support said raymond wohl head ctu arts committee teacher marshall middle school would everyone patting back celebrating science math funded half position every 750 students teachers talked plight one teacher said landed displaced teachers pool new principal opted pay position even though principal pledged commitment arts interviewing process teachers spoke difficulty working parttime two schools complained received money supplies jennifer hall splits time wacker elementary neil elementary two schools three miles apart hall supposed give student least five grades per marking period limited time hall says difficult get students finish five projects might see four hours month hall says schools expect hall keep fresh work class bulletin boards neither principal gives money supplieshall says thinks expect find grant money says challenge pursue grants two different schools ask parents supplies take whatever access hall says principals want great art programs ask money supplies say dont money rossero understands difficulty visual arts teacher harold washington elementary rossero notes crayons little else doesnt believe district policy force principals reserve money arts hopes principals see via arts plan guidelines quality program looks like decide put resources place one halls schools wacker outside partnerships afterschool programswhich hall says would impact school fulltime could collaborate program could extend teaching small group students entire school says hall found partnerships place highlighting another concern traveling one school another make teacher feel like outsider two full sets parents teachers administrators work hall says disservice involved 2009 local foundations fund ingenuity paid creation new arts department cps though brizard dismantled arts guide sequential curriculum written previous staffersall experts arts disciplinesis still considered valuable resource among teachers including hall hall says concept expected grade even expectations dont fit reality example 2ndgraders supposed able use clay make shapes sounds great says hardly ever clay cant remember last time clay dean niedenthal art coordinator music teacher higgins says knows lucky gives principal alfred credit higgins brass band keyboards percussion instruments well room fully stocked arts supplies shes brilliant niedenthal says shes magician | 1,086 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />June 21, 2013</p>
<p>By Dave Roberts</p>
<p>If you think taxes are already high in California, to paraphrase Ronald Reagan, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.</p>
<p>Winding through the Legislature have been a gaggle of <a href="" type="internal">constitutional amendments</a> that would make it easier to raise local parcel taxes. The bills would&#160; lower the vote-approval threshold to 55 percent from the current two-thirds requirement.</p>
<p>Four tax-hike-enabling bills were debated in the <a href="http://selc.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee</a> on Tuesday, where they passed easily, 3-0. They were:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sca_3_cfa_20130614_131205_sen_comm.html" type="external">* SCA 3</a> is by state Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. It would affect “school districts, community college districts, and county offices of education.” <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sca_3_cfa_20130614_131205_sen_comm.html" type="external" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sca_7&amp;sess=CUR&amp;house=B&amp;author=wolk" type="external">* SCA 7</a> is by state Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Vallejo. It would affect “cities, counties, or special districts.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sca_9&amp;sess=CUR&amp;house=B&amp;author=corbett" type="external">* SCA 9</a> is by state Sen. Ellen M. Corbett, D-San Leandro. It would affect “local government for the purpose of providing funding for community and economic development projects.” So it would bring back redevelopment, which the Legislature itself <a href="http://www.dof.ca.gov/redevelopment/" type="external">killed in 2011</a>to save the state money. Redevelopment commonly used eminent domain to condemn and seize homes and businesses in supposedly “blighted” areas — meaning middle-class and poor communites — to give the property to wealthy developers.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sca_11_cfa_20130614_131305_sen_comm.html" type="external">* SCA 11</a> is by state Sen. Loni Hancock, D-Oakland. It would affect “cities, counties, and special districts…. It would apply to nearly all services, from schools, to transportation, to public safety agencies.”</p>
<p>Tuesday’s debate was a preview of the one that will take place when the amendments (or perhaps one comprehensive amendment) are placed on a statewide ballot, where a simple majority of statewide voters would be needed to pass.</p>
<p>Already back in 2000, voters approved <a href="http://www.smartvoter.org/2000/11/07/ca/state/prop/39/" type="external">Proposition 39</a>, which dropped the threshold for passing local school bonds from two-thirds to 55 percent. Referring to Prop. 39, <a href="http://sd11.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Leno</a> said, “So there’s already precedent for it. This will just make it the same” for local parcel taxes.</p>
<p>Democrats and representatives of government agencies, government labor unions and social service organizations argued that state government is no longer able to adequately fund schools, libraries, roads, parks, economic development projects and the like. This has forced cities, counties and special districts to try to make up the difference. But it’s difficult for them to do so when just over one-third of voters opposed to a tax hike can thwart the will of the nearly two-thirds who want to raise their taxes to pay for those amenities.</p>
<p>Last November several school district parcel tax hike measures gained more than 55 percent of the votes, but fell short of the necessary two-thirds to pass:</p>
<p>* A $39 annual tax per parcel in San Leandro received 65.6 percent;</p>
<p>* A $65 tax hike in Pacific Grove — 65.1 percent;</p>
<p>* A $199 tax in San Bruno — 58.5 percent;</p>
<p>* A $48 tax in Fort Ross — 65.4 percent;</p>
<p>* A $60 tax in Three Rivers — 61.6 percent.</p>
<p>Business groups and taxpayer advocates countered that making it easier to raise taxes would place additional financial burdens on many businesses and homeowners that are still struggling in the wake of the Great Recession. They point out that many tax hikes are approved, despite the two-thirds threshold, showing that voters will support improvement projects when they are convinced of the need for them.</p>
<p>Also, according to&#160; <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_39,_Supermajority_of_55%25_for_School_Bond_Votes_%282000%29" type="external">Ballotpedia</a>, “Prior to the passage of Proposition 39, about 60 percent of local school bond ballot questions succeeded in getting the previously required two-thirds vote. In the wake of its passage, about 75 percent of local school districts are passing with the 55 percent requirement.”</p>
<p>Moreover, tax opponents argue that the two-thirds requirement is needed to provide badly organized taxpayers protection against the well organized unions of state employees, such as the California Teachers Association and the Services Employees International Union. These unions take dues from the salaries of their rank-and-file members to fund pro-tax campaigns. Because the salaries are funded through taxation, ultimately the unions are using the taxpayers’ own money to raise taxes even higher.</p>
<p>There are millions, probably billions, of tax dollars at stake in California in the coming decades, depending on which side wins the debate.</p>
<p>Two of the arguments for the pro-tax side may appeal to moderates and even Tea Party conservatives:</p>
<p>* Taxation at the local level allows for more local control than relying on the state or federal government for funding. “This is a way to give local districts the opportunity to be able to reinvest in public education,” said Leno. “We have taken control away from them. Due to crises and other reasons in Sacramento, we have been unable to invest in public education to the degree that we need to. So [this provides] a tool in the tool box to let the majority rule.”</p>
<p>* The founding fathers restricted the two-thirds voting requirement to major issues like presidential impeachment and ratification of international treaties. Leno quoted James Madison in <a href="http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/fed/blfed58.htm" type="external">Federalist Paper 58</a> that requiring more than a simple majority for most votes means “the fundamental principle of free government would be reversed. It would be no longer that the majority would rule. The power would be transferred to the minority.” Leno himself added, “In the end it would be a recipe for a dysfunctional government.”</p>
<p>That dysfunction has manifested itself in the fact that, despite many schools needing additional funding, “only 10 percent of school districts currently have school parcel taxes in existence,” said Leno. “So this is an underutilized tool.”</p>
<p>Leno is optimistic that voters will support lowering the tax-hike threshold. He said a recent <a href="http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/survey/S_513MBS.pdf" type="external">Public Policy Institute of California poll</a> shows 57 percent of Californians support lowering it to 55 percent for local parcel taxes for public schools.</p>
<p>But that May PPIC poll actually shows that likely voters oppose by a 53-44 margin lowering the tax-hike threshold. It does have slight support among all adults, 46-44 percent.</p>
<p>David Wolfe, representing the <a href="http://www.hjta.org/" type="external">Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association</a>, cited another finding in that poll: 61 percent of likely voters say that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_13_(1978)" type="external">Proposition 13</a>, which in 1978 imposed the two-thirds threshold for both state Legislature tax hikes and local special tax hikes, has been mostly a good thing for California. Even 55 percent of Democrats agree with that, as well as majorities throughout the state and racial, ethnic, age and income categories.</p>
<p>“So it just goes to show that even 35 years later, support for Prop. 13 is very strong, and support for lowering the two-thirds for various special taxes is not popular at all,” said Wolfe.</p>
<p>Leno countered that most Californians are unaware that Prop. 13 includes the two-thirds threshold requirement for tax hikes.</p>
<p>“The way Prop. 13 was sold was that property taxes were rising at the local level to fund school operations, and retirees and those on fixed income were being taxed out of their homes and we had to protect grandma and grandpa,” he said.</p>
<p>Wolfe, however, is concerned that grandma and grandpa are in danger of once again being taxed out of their home if the tax hike threshold is lowered. That could lead to foreclosures, decreased property values and residents moving out, resulting in a loss of property and sales tax revenue for local government and perhaps leading to more bankruptcies.</p>
<p>“Undercut the threshold. Go ahead and do it,” Wolfe dared. “And you know what happens? Stockton happens, Vallejo happens, San Bernardino happens, Mammoth Lakes happens.” Vallejo declared bankruptcy in 2008; the other three cities did so last year. “Because that’s where the majority of the revenue comes from.” So raising property taxes is “incredibly damaging not only to homeowners but to local government.”</p>
<p>It will also be incredibly damaging to small businesses, according to Ken DeVore, legislative director for the <a href="http://www.nfib.com/california" type="external">National Federation of Independent Business</a>, which represents about 23,000 small businesses in the state.</p>
<p>“Over 90 percent of the business owners from all demographics are opposed to anything that makes it easier to raise taxes,” he said. “Because at the end of the day it’s the small business owner that gets hit. It costs almost three times as much to comply with taxes for a small business owner over a big business. It’s 37 percent more expensive to comply with regulations. It’s over 20 percent more expensive for health care.</p>
<p>“The whole reason why we have a two-thirds majority required is to ensure that local government will make the case for why a project is needed. They have done so almost 60 percent of the time over the last two decades in California. It also guarantees that a significant number of people who actually are going to pay the taxes will be included in the vote as well.”</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.calchamber.com/pages/default.aspx" type="external">California Chamber of Commerce</a>, which has added the constitutional amendments to its list of bills dubbed “job killers,” is also concerned about the impact of tax hikes on larger businesses.</p>
<p>“There are few parameters or restrictions under which the tax may be imposed, other than that the revenue be used for the designated purpose,” the Chamber states on its <a href="http://www.calchamber.com/Headlines/Pages/06192013-SenateCommitteeOKsLegislationtoMakePassageofNewTaxesEasier.aspx?sp_rid=MzA4NjQxMTQzMTMS1&amp;sp_mid=41841310&amp;spMailingID=41841310&amp;spUserID=MzA4NjQxMTQzMTMS1&amp;spJobID=191938562&amp;spReportId=MTkxOTM4NTYyS0" type="external">website</a>. “With such broad discretion in the type or scope of the tax to impose on real property, the CalChamber is concerned that the constitutional amendments could lead to targeted taxes at the local level against unpopular taxpayers, industries, products or property.</p>
<p>“For example, a parcel tax could be disproportionately directed at commercial property within the local jurisdiction, thereby potentially undermining Proposition 13 protections and discriminating against commercial property versus residential. Similarly, a special sales tax could be imposed solely on sweetened beverages or high calorie items.”</p>
<p>The constitutional amendments will next be considered by the <a href="http://srul.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Senate Rules Committee</a>.</p> | false | 3 | june 21 2013 dave roberts think taxes already high california paraphrase ronald reagan aint seen nothin yet winding legislature gaggle constitutional amendments would make easier raise local parcel taxes bills would160 lower voteapproval threshold 55 percent current twothirds requirement four taxhikeenabling bills debated senate elections constitutional amendments committee tuesday passed easily 30 sca 3 state sen mark leno dsan francisco would affect school districts community college districts county offices education sca 7 state sen lois wolk dvallejo would affect cities counties special districts sca 9 state sen ellen corbett dsan leandro would affect local government purpose providing funding community economic development projects would bring back redevelopment legislature killed 2011to save state money redevelopment commonly used eminent domain condemn seize homes businesses supposedly blighted areas meaning middleclass poor communites give property wealthy developers sca 11 state sen loni hancock doakland would affect cities counties special districts would apply nearly services schools transportation public safety agencies tuesdays debate preview one take place amendments perhaps one comprehensive amendment placed statewide ballot simple majority statewide voters would needed pass already back 2000 voters approved proposition 39 dropped threshold passing local school bonds twothirds 55 percent referring prop 39 leno said theres already precedent make local parcel taxes democrats representatives government agencies government labor unions social service organizations argued state government longer able adequately fund schools libraries roads parks economic development projects like forced cities counties special districts try make difference difficult onethird voters opposed tax hike thwart nearly twothirds want raise taxes pay amenities last november several school district parcel tax hike measures gained 55 percent votes fell short necessary twothirds pass 39 annual tax per parcel san leandro received 656 percent 65 tax hike pacific grove 651 percent 199 tax san bruno 585 percent 48 tax fort ross 654 percent 60 tax three rivers 616 percent business groups taxpayer advocates countered making easier raise taxes would place additional financial burdens many businesses homeowners still struggling wake great recession point many tax hikes approved despite twothirds threshold showing voters support improvement projects convinced need also according to160 ballotpedia prior passage proposition 39 60 percent local school bond ballot questions succeeded getting previously required twothirds vote wake passage 75 percent local school districts passing 55 percent requirement moreover tax opponents argue twothirds requirement needed provide badly organized taxpayers protection well organized unions state employees california teachers association services employees international union unions take dues salaries rankandfile members fund protax campaigns salaries funded taxation ultimately unions using taxpayers money raise taxes even higher millions probably billions tax dollars stake california coming decades depending side wins debate two arguments protax side may appeal moderates even tea party conservatives taxation local level allows local control relying state federal government funding way give local districts opportunity able reinvest public education said leno taken control away due crises reasons sacramento unable invest public education degree need provides tool tool box let majority rule founding fathers restricted twothirds voting requirement major issues like presidential impeachment ratification international treaties leno quoted james madison federalist paper 58 requiring simple majority votes means fundamental principle free government would reversed would longer majority would rule power would transferred minority leno added end would recipe dysfunctional government dysfunction manifested fact despite many schools needing additional funding 10 percent school districts currently school parcel taxes existence said leno underutilized tool leno optimistic voters support lowering taxhike threshold said recent public policy institute california poll shows 57 percent californians support lowering 55 percent local parcel taxes public schools may ppic poll actually shows likely voters oppose 5344 margin lowering taxhike threshold slight support among adults 4644 percent david wolfe representing howard jarvis taxpayers association cited another finding poll 61 percent likely voters say proposition 13 1978 imposed twothirds threshold state legislature tax hikes local special tax hikes mostly good thing california even 55 percent democrats agree well majorities throughout state racial ethnic age income categories goes show even 35 years later support prop 13 strong support lowering twothirds various special taxes popular said wolfe leno countered californians unaware prop 13 includes twothirds threshold requirement tax hikes way prop 13 sold property taxes rising local level fund school operations retirees fixed income taxed homes protect grandma grandpa said wolfe however concerned grandma grandpa danger taxed home tax hike threshold lowered could lead foreclosures decreased property values residents moving resulting loss property sales tax revenue local government perhaps leading bankruptcies undercut threshold go ahead wolfe dared know happens stockton happens vallejo happens san bernardino happens mammoth lakes happens vallejo declared bankruptcy 2008 three cities last year thats majority revenue comes raising property taxes incredibly damaging homeowners local government also incredibly damaging small businesses according ken devore legislative director national federation independent business represents 23000 small businesses state 90 percent business owners demographics opposed anything makes easier raise taxes said end day small business owner gets hit costs almost three times much comply taxes small business owner big business 37 percent expensive comply regulations 20 percent expensive health care whole reason twothirds majority required ensure local government make case project needed done almost 60 percent time last two decades california also guarantees significant number people actually going pay taxes included vote well california chamber commerce added constitutional amendments list bills dubbed job killers also concerned impact tax hikes larger businesses parameters restrictions tax may imposed revenue used designated purpose chamber states website broad discretion type scope tax impose real property calchamber concerned constitutional amendments could lead targeted taxes local level unpopular taxpayers industries products property example parcel tax could disproportionately directed commercial property within local jurisdiction thereby potentially undermining proposition 13 protections discriminating commercial property versus residential similarly special sales tax could imposed solely sweetened beverages high calorie items constitutional amendments next considered senate rules committee | 955 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>A Southern Baptist Convention leader helped draft a statement against animal cruelty released Sept. 30 that is being hailed as a possible tipping point for raising animal-rights awareness among evangelicals.</p>
<p>On the heels of Pope Francis’ June encyclical terming any act of animal cruelty “contrary to human dignity” and just before the Oct. 4 feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, which liturgical traditions observe with a special ceremony called the Blessing of the Animals, a group of evangelical pastors, scholars and theologians issued a declaration titled <a href="http://www.everylivingthing.com/sign-the-statement/" type="external">Every Living Thing: An Evangelical Statement on Responsible Care for Animals.</a></p>
<p>The statement, drafted with participation by SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Vice President for Public Policy and Research Barrett Duke, calls for “confronting any and all cruelty against animals, seeing it as a violation of our rule and an affront to the ultimate Ruler who created, values and sustains these animals.”</p>
<p>While Scripture teaches that God gave mankind authority to rule over the animals and to use them for food, the statement says, “This does not mean we can treat them as objects or act cruelly towards them.”</p>
<p>Unveiled in a press conference Sept. 30 at the National Press Club in Washington, the statement is a first step in a comprehensive campaign&#160;aimed at uniting evangelical Christians in a Scripture-based call for animal welfare.</p>
<p>The movement began in 2011 with a discussion involving Duke and the other two co-authors, Michael Cromartie of the <a href="http://eppc.org/" type="external">Ethics and Public Policy Center</a> and Mark Rodgers of the <a href="http://claphamgroup.com/" type="external">Clapham Group</a>, at a lunch of evangelical leaders discussing how Christian faith compels believers toward compassionate and thoughtful care of God’s creatures.</p>
<p>Cromartie, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; Rodgers, former chief of staff to Sen. Rick Santorum; and Duke observed that while denominations like the <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/faith/facts/statements/the_episcopal_church.html?credit=web_id335185139" type="external">Episcopal Church</a>, <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/faith/facts/statements/the_united_methodist_church.html?credit=web_id335185139" type="external">United Methodist Church</a> and <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/faith/facts/statements/united_church_of_christ.html?credit=web_id335185139" type="external">United Church of Christ</a> have adopted stances on animal welfare specific to them, there existed no single document focused on responsible animal care for the broad spectrum of Christian believers to affirm.</p>
<p>Discussing the tradition of animal welfare gleaned from past leaders such as Methodist founder&#160;John Wesley, British abolitionist William Wilberforce, author C.S. Lewis and evangelist Billy Graham, the trio determined it an issue that needed to continue in their Christian legacy.</p>
<p>In a survey commissioned by Every Living Thing, LifeWay Research reported Sept. 30 that 89 percent of Protestant pastors said Christians have a responsibility to speak out against animal cruelty. Two-thirds, however, said they seldom or never preach about the treatment of animals and four in five said their churches are not involved in animal welfare issues in the community.</p>
<p>Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research, said the disparity between pastors’ beliefs and churches’ action represents “a noteworthy gap” that merits exploration.</p>
<p>Wayne Pacell, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, <a href="http://blog.humanesociety.org/wayne/2015/09/evangelical-leaders-recognize-every-living-thing.html" type="external">described</a> the campaign as “an exciting and new high-water mark for us” in the 10 years since the animal welfare group established a <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/faith/?credit=blog_post_093015_id7573" type="external">Faith Outreach Program</a> based on the premise that religious values call for kind and merciful treatment of all creatures.</p>
<p>The statement affirms that God created humans as distinct from and superior to animals, but when sin entered the world it corrupted relationships not only between humans but also between humankind and animals.</p>
<p>“We believe that after the flood God caused all animals to fear humankind and gave them into our hand and for food,” the statement says.</p>
<p>It continues that “God included animals in the covenant He made after the flood and commands us to show the same respect and concern for the life and welfare of animals that He does.”</p>
<p>One day, it says, “the Lord Jesus Christ will bring about a new heaven and a new earth that will reflect right relationships in all of creation, including between humans and animals.”</p>
<p>An accompanying background essay rejects and disagrees with arguments that the Bible mandates a vegetarian or vegan diet. It notes, however, that the Hebrew word in Genesis 2:7 translated “the breath of life” describing the creation of man is also applied to animals in Genesis 1:30.</p>
<p>“We resolve to rule and treat all animals as living valued creatures, deserving of compassion, because they ultimately belong to God, because He has created them, declared them good, given them the breath of life, covenanted with them and entrusted them to our responsible rule,” the statement says. “So while animals have been given into our hand and for food this does not mean we can treat them as objects or act cruelly towards them.</p>
<p>“We resolve to examine all our practices relating to how we treat the domesticated animals that live among us and provide us with companionship, food and service as well how we treat animals that live in the wild apart from us; and hold them all up to biblical principles for compassionate care and responsible rule, in light of God’s view of them and His actions toward them.</p>
<p>“We resolve to exercise our responsible rule in part by confronting any and all cruelty against animals, seeing it as a violation of our rule and an affront to the ultimate Ruler who created, values, and sustains these animals.</p>
<p>“We resolve that because all kinds of animals are created by God and are sustained by Him, we need to work for the protection and preservation of all the kinds of animals God has created, while prioritizing human needs.”</p>
<p>A search of Southern Baptist Convention resolutions produced no statements specifically addressing animal welfare, but a 2010 <a href="http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/1207/on-the-gulf-of-mexico-catastrophe" type="external">resolution</a> on the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico pledged to “protect what God loves,” which an earlier “whereas” paragraph defines to include “the eco-systems of birds, shrimp, oysters, fish and other life-forms.”</p>
<p>A 2006 <a href="http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/1159/on-environmentalism-and-evangelicals" type="external">resolution</a> on environmentalism and evangelicals denounced efforts to deify “Mother Earth,” turn environmentalism into a neo-pagan religion and efforts by some to elevate “animal and plant life to the place of equal —&#160;or greater —&#160;value with human life.”</p>
<p>“Environmentalism is threatening to become a wedge issue to divide the evangelical community and further distract its members from the priority of the Great Commission,” the resolution warned.</p>
<p>Previous story:</p>
<p><a href="culture/social-issues/item/30174-southern-baptist-leader-applauds-crackdown-on-animal-fighting" type="external">Southern Baptist leader applauds crackdown on animal fighting</a></p> | false | 3 | bob allen southern baptist convention leader helped draft statement animal cruelty released sept 30 hailed possible tipping point raising animalrights awareness among evangelicals heels pope francis june encyclical terming act animal cruelty contrary human dignity oct 4 feast day st francis assisi liturgical traditions observe special ceremony called blessing animals group evangelical pastors scholars theologians issued declaration titled every living thing evangelical statement responsible care animals statement drafted participation sbc ethics religious liberty commission vice president public policy research barrett duke calls confronting cruelty animals seeing violation rule affront ultimate ruler created values sustains animals scripture teaches god gave mankind authority rule animals use food statement says mean treat objects act cruelly towards unveiled press conference sept 30 national press club washington statement first step comprehensive campaign160aimed uniting evangelical christians scripturebased call animal welfare movement began 2011 discussion involving duke two coauthors michael cromartie ethics public policy center mark rodgers clapham group lunch evangelical leaders discussing christian faith compels believers toward compassionate thoughtful care gods creatures cromartie former chair us commission international religious freedom rodgers former chief staff sen rick santorum duke observed denominations like episcopal church united methodist church united church christ adopted stances animal welfare specific existed single document focused responsible animal care broad spectrum christian believers affirm discussing tradition animal welfare gleaned past leaders methodist founder160john wesley british abolitionist william wilberforce author cs lewis evangelist billy graham trio determined issue needed continue christian legacy survey commissioned every living thing lifeway research reported sept 30 89 percent protestant pastors said christians responsibility speak animal cruelty twothirds however said seldom never preach treatment animals four five said churches involved animal welfare issues community scott mcconnell vice president lifeway research said disparity pastors beliefs churches action represents noteworthy gap merits exploration wayne pacell president ceo humane society united states described campaign exciting new highwater mark us 10 years since animal welfare group established faith outreach program based premise religious values call kind merciful treatment creatures statement affirms god created humans distinct superior animals sin entered world corrupted relationships humans also humankind animals believe flood god caused animals fear humankind gave hand food statement says continues god included animals covenant made flood commands us show respect concern life welfare animals one day says lord jesus christ bring new heaven new earth reflect right relationships creation including humans animals accompanying background essay rejects disagrees arguments bible mandates vegetarian vegan diet notes however hebrew word genesis 27 translated breath life describing creation man also applied animals genesis 130 resolve rule treat animals living valued creatures deserving compassion ultimately belong god created declared good given breath life covenanted entrusted responsible rule statement says animals given hand food mean treat objects act cruelly towards resolve examine practices relating treat domesticated animals live among us provide us companionship food service well treat animals live wild apart us hold biblical principles compassionate care responsible rule light gods view actions toward resolve exercise responsible rule part confronting cruelty animals seeing violation rule affront ultimate ruler created values sustains animals resolve kinds animals created god sustained need work protection preservation kinds animals god created prioritizing human needs search southern baptist convention resolutions produced statements specifically addressing animal welfare 2010 resolution catastrophic deepwater horizon oil spill gulf mexico pledged protect god loves earlier whereas paragraph defines include ecosystems birds shrimp oysters fish lifeforms 2006 resolution environmentalism evangelicals denounced efforts deify mother earth turn environmentalism neopagan religion efforts elevate animal plant life place equal 160or greater 160value human life environmentalism threatening become wedge issue divide evangelical community distract members priority great commission resolution warned previous story southern baptist leader applauds crackdown animal fighting | 602 |
<p />
<p>Lights strung from a sanctuary’s ceiling at Epiphany. Art galleries and exhibits. Bicycle repair seminars. Cafes and coffee houses. Worship gatherings in downtown music venues.</p>
<p>In meeting the challenges of revitalized urban neighborhoods across the country, urban churches are rethinking the ways they connect with their adjacent communities, combining an eclectic mix of edgy art and ancient Christian traditions.</p>
<p>For some 20 years, America’s cities have seen a reverse migration from the suburbs to increasingly vibrant downtowns, where the new urban dwellers are finding an array of lofts and condominiums, restaurants and clubs, lively street festivals and vibrant art and music. The urban neighborhoods are attracting artists, musicians and others of what sociologist Richard Florida calls the “creative class,” as well as professionals, students and retirees—all seeking the energy and spontaneity often missing in the suburbs.</p>
<p>It’s new territory for many Christian congregations who fled deteriorating downtowns in the 1960s for more fruitful fields of harvest in the burgeoning suburbs—and now see a growing and culturally influential class of creative people populating inner cities.</p>
<p>“I wouldn’t say we’re going after a niche market,” says Winn Collier, pastor of the new <a href="http://www.allsoulscville.com/" type="external">All Souls Church</a>, a Virginia Baptist congregation ministering in Charlottesville’s lively downtown not far from the University of Virginia. “We want to be a church for the whole city. But one of the cultures that we have a deep resonance with and in which we want to see the gospel take root is the artistic, progressive urbanite.”</p>
<p>“These people have an incredible cultural, as well as social and economic, influence,” said Pastor Jonathan Dodson of <a href="http://www.austincitylife.org/" type="external">Austin City Life</a>, a Baptist church in the Texas capital’s downtown. “They can help renew the social fabric of the city, and if they are brought to redemption, they can apply those redemptive elements to the city as well.”</p>
<p>To connect with the new urbanites, churches in their midst reflect a potent blend of artistic integrity, authentic community and groundedness—a sense of place that might surprise suburban dwellers—while also navigating the tricky terrain of increased diversity and toleration.</p>
<p>“The creative class moves around a lot, and so they’re attracted by the idea of being rooted,” said Chris Backert, co-pastor of Imago Dei, a new church gathering people from Richmond’s Fan and Museum districts. “That’s why you find them in older, renovated urban neighborhoods, because they find there a sense of rootedness.”</p>
<p>That rootedness often is expressed in worship that closely follows ancient Christian traditions—with a contemporary twist. “We need to be in touch with the broader church,” said Collier, whose Charlottesville church follows Celtic Christian patterns of worship.</p>
<p>“We cross geographic lines, and we need to cross historical lines as well. We’re asking less and less what radical new things must be done (in worship), but asking what have God’s people, when they have been faithful, done to incarnate the gospel in worship time and time again. What are the common themes and strands?”</p>
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<p>“We are drawn to the traditions of the ancient church and the teachings of St. Benedict and the desert fathers,” said Don Vanderslice, pastor of <a href="http://mosaicaustin.org/" type="external">Mosaic</a>, an Austin church with Texas Baptist ties. “There is a strong contemplative and liturgical strain that informs our worship, and we follow the Christian calendar and the lectionary.”</p>
<p>A sense of community, especially across social and economic barriers, also is key, Dodson added. “I think the idea of the new urbanism, apart from making it a more attractive city to live in, is to create more community within the city. The church has a big part to play in that.”</p>
<p>At <a href="http://www.ecclesiahouston.org/" type="external">Ecclesia</a>, a Baptist congregation in Houston’s Montrose district, Pastor Chris Seay has tried to create community by finding the places where “people naturally connect.” Identifying those places is “the postmodern equivalent of knocking on doors,” he said. It also led Ecclesia to operate Taft Street Coffee.</p>
<p>“When you create space for people to talk and drink coffee, allow a place for people to converse, it creates community,” Seay says. “We really believe that to be salt in our society, we need to begin the conversation.”</p>
<p>That led Seay, when Ecclesia was first gathering a congregation, to “office” at a local coffee house and bar with a regular supply of tickets to Houston Astros games in his pocket—and invite people he met to join him at the stadium.</p>
<p>“Baseball’s slow pace is beautiful. It allows for conversation and eating in a relaxed atmosphere,” he explained.</p>
<p>The result was a number of additions to the church’s faith community, including two bartenders who invited friends from their extensive network.</p>
<p>Community often comes out of churches’ artistic endeavors, said Sterling Severns, pastor of <a href="http://tbcrichmond.org/tbc/" type="external">Tabernacle Baptist Church</a>, a 118-year-old congregation in Richmond’s Fan District. Last year before Pentecost, the church printed photographs of its history and of current ministries and church members, cut the photographs into the shapes of doves and asked members to write prayer requests on the back. For Pentecost Sunday, dozens of the doves hung on strings from the sanctuary’s ceiling.</p>
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<p>“That creative exercise took a group of people who didn’t really know each other and helped transform them into the community that people are longing for,” said Severns. “By finding a creative way for people to express themselves, it facilitated people getting to know each other.”</p>
<p>An artistic vision drives worship at Austin City Life as well. “We very much reflect our surroundings of music,” says Dodson, whose church meets in a music venue on Austin’s Sixth Street. “We have three worship leaders, all remarkable musicians, all write their own music. We delight in seeing these musicians growing in their faith and seeing how it influences their art, and that way it influences the community.”</p>
<p>At Mosaic, which maintains an art gallery, “We had to make a conscious decision about how to use limited space, which is valuable,” said Vanderslice. “To dedicate space to an art gallery is a strong statement.”</p>
<p>The diversity and tolerance that allows art to flourish also stretches churches seeking to engage those who practice and value that art. “We believe the church doesn’t exist to be anti-culture,” said Dodson. “Some churches begin with sin; we try to begin with the gospel, which of course addresses sin. But it’s a hopeful beginning, not a condemning one. We’re trying to take the redemptive approach, though we don’t run away from issues.”</p>
<p>“The foundation we stand on is respect,” Severns said. “It’s not that we’re opening the doors to encourage diversity but that who- ever walks through the doors deserves respect. It’s not diversity for diversity’s sake; all God’s people deserve respect—period.”</p>
<p>“Diversity is a tough question and stretches us in ways that are messy,” Collier said. “It comes down to authenticity. If we are a community of faith living out a believer’s lifestyle, then a lot of things happen in the context of relationships, and acceptance comes bottom up, not top down.”</p>
<p>Vanderslice agreed authenticity is critical. “In our worship (at Mosaic) we’re not very smooth. … But we’re OK with mistakes, with the fact that it’s not an air of professionalism but of genuine authenticity. There’s a draw there for artists because they know the creative process is not a smooth process. There are lots of mistakes, lots of do-overs. … I think that the liturgy rings true for our people because the liturgy seems creative. It can be messy, but in the end, something beautiful has been created.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | lights strung sanctuarys ceiling epiphany art galleries exhibits bicycle repair seminars cafes coffee houses worship gatherings downtown music venues meeting challenges revitalized urban neighborhoods across country urban churches rethinking ways connect adjacent communities combining eclectic mix edgy art ancient christian traditions 20 years americas cities seen reverse migration suburbs increasingly vibrant downtowns new urban dwellers finding array lofts condominiums restaurants clubs lively street festivals vibrant art music urban neighborhoods attracting artists musicians others sociologist richard florida calls creative class well professionals students retireesall seeking energy spontaneity often missing suburbs new territory many christian congregations fled deteriorating downtowns 1960s fruitful fields harvest burgeoning suburbsand see growing culturally influential class creative people populating inner cities wouldnt say going niche market says winn collier pastor new souls church virginia baptist congregation ministering charlottesvilles lively downtown far university virginia want church whole city one cultures deep resonance want see gospel take root artistic progressive urbanite people incredible cultural well social economic influence said pastor jonathan dodson austin city life baptist church texas capitals downtown help renew social fabric city brought redemption apply redemptive elements city well connect new urbanites churches midst reflect potent blend artistic integrity authentic community groundednessa sense place might surprise suburban dwellerswhile also navigating tricky terrain increased diversity toleration creative class moves around lot theyre attracted idea rooted said chris backert copastor imago dei new church gathering people richmonds fan museum districts thats find older renovated urban neighborhoods find sense rootedness rootedness often expressed worship closely follows ancient christian traditionswith contemporary twist need touch broader church said collier whose charlottesville church follows celtic christian patterns worship cross geographic lines need cross historical lines well asking less less radical new things must done worship asking gods people faithful done incarnate gospel worship time time common themes strands drawn traditions ancient church teachings st benedict desert fathers said vanderslice pastor mosaic austin church texas baptist ties strong contemplative liturgical strain informs worship follow christian calendar lectionary sense community especially across social economic barriers also key dodson added think idea new urbanism apart making attractive city live create community within city church big part play ecclesia baptist congregation houstons montrose district pastor chris seay tried create community finding places people naturally connect identifying places postmodern equivalent knocking doors said also led ecclesia operate taft street coffee create space people talk drink coffee allow place people converse creates community seay says really believe salt society need begin conversation led seay ecclesia first gathering congregation office local coffee house bar regular supply tickets houston astros games pocketand invite people met join stadium baseballs slow pace beautiful allows conversation eating relaxed atmosphere explained result number additions churchs faith community including two bartenders invited friends extensive network community often comes churches artistic endeavors said sterling severns pastor tabernacle baptist church 118yearold congregation richmonds fan district last year pentecost church printed photographs history current ministries church members cut photographs shapes doves asked members write prayer requests back pentecost sunday dozens doves hung strings sanctuarys ceiling creative exercise took group people didnt really know helped transform community people longing said severns finding creative way people express facilitated people getting know artistic vision drives worship austin city life well much reflect surroundings music says dodson whose church meets music venue austins sixth street three worship leaders remarkable musicians write music delight seeing musicians growing faith seeing influences art way influences community mosaic maintains art gallery make conscious decision use limited space valuable said vanderslice dedicate space art gallery strong statement diversity tolerance allows art flourish also stretches churches seeking engage practice value art believe church doesnt exist anticulture said dodson churches begin sin try begin gospel course addresses sin hopeful beginning condemning one trying take redemptive approach though dont run away issues foundation stand respect severns said opening doors encourage diversity ever walks doors deserves respect diversity diversitys sake gods people deserve respectperiod diversity tough question stretches us ways messy collier said comes authenticity community faith living believers lifestyle lot things happen context relationships acceptance comes bottom top vanderslice agreed authenticity critical worship mosaic smooth ok mistakes fact air professionalism genuine authenticity theres draw artists know creative process smooth process lots mistakes lots doovers think liturgy rings true people liturgy seems creative messy end something beautiful created 160 | 707 |
<p>A Southern Baptist church being sued over sexual abuse committed by a former Vacation Bible School volunteer currently behind bars is asking a court to reveal the identities of two underage victims, accusing the girls’ parents and lawyers of using pretrial publicity to malign the congregation’s reputation.</p>
<p>Westside Family Church of Lenexa, Kan., filed a petition in district court June 15 requesting that the teenaged sisters and their parents who sued the church June 9 not be allowed to proceed with the case with their identifies protected by pseudonyms.</p>
<p>Church officials accused the family of “a Pearl Harbor-styled barrage of negative publicity” against the congregation purposely timed to coincide with this year’s Vacation Bible School.</p>
<p>“Ordinarily, defense counsel would stipulate permission to use of an alias in a case involving a minor claiming sexual abuse,” the church claimed in the petition. “Sadly, the minors’ parents and attorneys have chosen a different path” by leaking their complaint to the media before the congregation received official notice that it was being sued.</p>
<p>“While the Defendant admits the sensitivity of the allegations, Plaintiffs tactically decided to ‘draw first blood’ on the issue publicly,” the church’s petition says. “In time, that may ultimately be seen in hindsight to be a bad decision. However, they should not be able to hide behind pseudonyms after systematically and intentionally initiating a campaign specifically designed to damage Defendant’s reputation.”</p>
<p>David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said it’s the first time in his 28 years of advocacy work he has witnessed a religious organization trying to “out” a minor coming forward to allege sexual abuse.</p>
<p>David Clohessy</p>
<p>“This has happened in a relatively small number of cases involving adults, but I’ve never seen a defendant try to ‘out’ kids who are still kids in a child sex case,” Clohessy said.</p>
<p>Clohessy said Westside Family Church filed the petition asking that the two girls not be allowed to proceed under “Jane Doe” identities in retaliation after SNAP showed up at the church June 8 with protest signs to answer questions from the media, a common practice for the support group. SNAP was formed originally by survivors of the Roman Catholic pedophilia scandal but today includes members from various denominations.</p>
<p>Clohessy, an abuse survivor who testified before the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002, called the attempt to name the girls a “stunningly callous” tactic more befitting “cold-hearted CEOs” than “caring shepherds” watching over a spiritual flock.</p>
<p>“This mean-spirited move will deter others who see, suspect or suffer child sex crimes into staying silent, enabling more predators to hurt more kids,” Clohessy said. “It will also rub more salt into the already deep and still fresh wounds of this suffering family. It is a shameful move by officials who profess to be ‘Christians.’”</p>
<p>Experts <a href="http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV182.pdf" type="external">say</a> identifying and publicizing the names of child victims can exacerbate trauma, complicate recovery, discourage future disclosures and inhibit cooperation with authorities for the children involved.</p>
<p>“Child victims need to be able to trust that their privacy will be protected as much as possible by those whom they have turned to for help,” three University of New Hampshire professors wrote in an <a href="http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV182.pdf" type="external">article</a> in 2010.</p>
<p>“The alternative means not only the risk of heightened distress,” said researchers Lisa M. Jones, David Finkelhor and Jessica Beckwith, “but also the possibility that fewer victims will come forward to get help at all.”</p>
<p>The professors said the U.S. justice system recognizes the need for particular protections for children, typically handling cases involving juvenile offenders in closed hearings and records that are sealed.</p>
<p>That’s what happened when Kessler P. Lichtnegger —&#160; <a href="http://shawneemissionpost.com/2015/10/28/former-sm-east-student-kessler-lichtenegger-sentenced-to-17-years-in-prison-on-attempted-rape-charge-44094" type="external">sentenced</a> last year to 17 years in prison for sexually abusing the two girls who attended Westside Family Church —&#160;was convicted earlier of sexual assault against a 15-year-old girl with developmental disabilities committed in 2011 when he was a freshman in high school.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://shawneemissionpost.com/2016/06/09/family-of-lichteneggers-victims-says-church-knew-history-of-sexual-violence-allowed-him-access-to-kids-anyway-51304" type="external">lawsuit</a> claims that leaders of Westside Family Church knew or should have known that Lichtnegger posed a threat and were negligent in allowing him access to children.</p>
<p>The church’s attorney <a href="http://shawneemissionpost.com/2016/06/09/saying-lichtenegger-court-petition-replete-with-factual-inaccuracies-lenexa-church-defends-volunteer-policies-51326" type="external">said</a> pastors were aware there was “something going on” with Lichtnegger’s past but didn’t know it involved sexual abuse. Because Lichtenegger’s prior conviction was sealed by the juvenile court, the attorney said, it didn’t show up in a criminal background check.</p>
<p>Early on, attorney Brad Russell told the <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article82716232.html" type="external">Kansas City Star</a>, it was agreed that if the boy was at church he should be accompanied by his father. As time passed without incident, he said, things got more lax and on the day of the assault Lichtenegger wasn’t supervised.</p>
<p>“Hindsight is always 20/20,” Russell said. “I’m sure that church leadership, the parents and the two kids involved in this would like to go back in time and make different decisions.”</p>
<p>The Westside Family Church <a href="http://westsidefamilychurch.com/" type="external">website</a> describes the congregation as “a purpose driven church” without mention of denominational affiliation. It shows up in the Southern Baptist Convention’s “church search” <a href="http://www.sbc.net/church/8446-66216/westside-family-church" type="external">database</a> as a member church founded in 1977 with an average attendance of 4,700.</p>
<p>In 2008 Westside Family Church was <a href="http://bpnews.net/26719/wrapup-humility-underscored-at-ksne-convention" type="external">host congregation</a> for the annual meeting of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. Two years ago Baptist Press profiled the church in a <a href="http://www.bpnews.net/42623/ministry-to-children-builds-disciples-at-kansas-church" type="external">story</a> written by a North American Mission Board reporter featuring Westside Family Church’s extensive outreach to children.</p> | false | 3 | southern baptist church sued sexual abuse committed former vacation bible school volunteer currently behind bars asking court reveal identities two underage victims accusing girls parents lawyers using pretrial publicity malign congregations reputation westside family church lenexa kan filed petition district court june 15 requesting teenaged sisters parents sued church june 9 allowed proceed case identifies protected pseudonyms church officials accused family pearl harborstyled barrage negative publicity congregation purposely timed coincide years vacation bible school ordinarily defense counsel would stipulate permission use alias case involving minor claiming sexual abuse church claimed petition sadly minors parents attorneys chosen different path leaking complaint media congregation received official notice sued defendant admits sensitivity allegations plaintiffs tactically decided draw first blood issue publicly churchs petition says time may ultimately seen hindsight bad decision however able hide behind pseudonyms systematically intentionally initiating campaign specifically designed damage defendants reputation david clohessy director survivors network abused priests said first time 28 years advocacy work witnessed religious organization trying minor coming forward allege sexual abuse david clohessy happened relatively small number cases involving adults ive never seen defendant try kids still kids child sex case clohessy said clohessy said westside family church filed petition asking two girls allowed proceed jane doe identities retaliation snap showed church june 8 protest signs answer questions media common practice support group snap formed originally survivors roman catholic pedophilia scandal today includes members various denominations clohessy abuse survivor testified us conference catholic bishops 2002 called attempt name girls stunningly callous tactic befitting coldhearted ceos caring shepherds watching spiritual flock meanspirited move deter others see suspect suffer child sex crimes staying silent enabling predators hurt kids clohessy said also rub salt already deep still fresh wounds suffering family shameful move officials profess christians experts say identifying publicizing names child victims exacerbate trauma complicate recovery discourage future disclosures inhibit cooperation authorities children involved child victims need able trust privacy protected much possible turned help three university new hampshire professors wrote article 2010 alternative means risk heightened distress said researchers lisa jones david finkelhor jessica beckwith also possibility fewer victims come forward get help professors said us justice system recognizes need particular protections children typically handling cases involving juvenile offenders closed hearings records sealed thats happened kessler p lichtnegger 160 sentenced last year 17 years prison sexually abusing two girls attended westside family church 160was convicted earlier sexual assault 15yearold girl developmental disabilities committed 2011 freshman high school lawsuit claims leaders westside family church knew known lichtnegger posed threat negligent allowing access children churchs attorney said pastors aware something going lichtneggers past didnt know involved sexual abuse lichteneggers prior conviction sealed juvenile court attorney said didnt show criminal background check early attorney brad russell told kansas city star agreed boy church accompanied father time passed without incident said things got lax day assault lichtenegger wasnt supervised hindsight always 2020 russell said im sure church leadership parents two kids involved would like go back time make different decisions westside family church website describes congregation purpose driven church without mention denominational affiliation shows southern baptist conventions church search database member church founded 1977 average attendance 4700 2008 westside family church host congregation annual meeting kansasnebraska convention southern baptists two years ago baptist press profiled church story written north american mission board reporter featuring westside family churchs extensive outreach children | 550 |
<p>NORFOLK, Va. — Baptist chaplain Fred Holcombe Jr. pastors a flock numbering 3,500 to 5,800 people — the population of a small town. But this “town” is more than 18 stories high, 1,123 feet long and takes up 4 1/2 acres. When fully loaded it weighs 95,000 tons — yet it floats.</p>
<p>It is the USS Enterprise, the “Big E” — the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and, when launched in 1962, the longest naval vessel in the world. Its home port is Norfolk, Va., where the Big E has left for one of her final six-month deployments before she is scheduled to be decommissioned — after 51 years of service — in 2013.</p>
<p>But until then, Lt. Cmdr. Holcombe, 47, has a full-time job to do. Fortunately, he’s not the only chaplain on the Big E. There are three others — the command chaplain who is Presbyterian, a Catholic priest and another Baptist chaplain.</p>
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<p>“The old saying on a ship is that every day is Monday except Sunday,” Holcombe said. “On Sundays, we obviously have church. In fact, we have many, many different services go on each Sunday.” As a chaplain, Holcombe said he not only prepares weekly sermons but his mission is to share the gospel and take care of his floating flock, most of whom average 18 to 25 years of age.</p>
<p>Holcombe assists Enterprise crew members with any kind of issue they might have — from a sailor who’s run afoul of his chain of command, to helping someone salvage or maintain a marriage, to even talking some sailors out of committing suicide. He also spends time just visiting the aircraft carrier’s living and work areas — every nook and cranny — of the Big E, no small feat when you consider it spans the length of five football fields.</p>
<p>“With all the spaces we have on board the ship, there’s always somebody to go visit,” Holcombe said, “and they all want a visit from the chaplain, even the folks in the [nuclear] reactors and other places you may not think a chaplain would typically go. But we’re always welcomed and well-received because they’re happy somebody’s coming in to see them.”</p>
<p>For six months, it’s a ministry that spans 24 hours a day, seven days a week . There’s no wife, kids or house to go home to each night, just the close quarters of a tiny stateroom Holcombe shares with another officer — a stranger at the beginning of the six-month voyage but not at its end.</p>
<p>“You have to have a very forgiving spirit of the people around you,” Holcombe said. “You tolerate what they do and they tolerate what you do. There’s a camaraderie that is built and tested in a refining fire. It’s amazing to watch the interpersonal relationships that go on and how an individual begins to grow close and the word ‘shipmates’ becomes a term of endearment, not a derogatory one.</p>
<p>“As a chaplain, there are times you feel like you can never be off, you always have to be on. Yet [crew members] see who you are, and I can tell you I want them to see God in me. I want them to see a person who is genuine … even with all my bumps, bruises, warts and scars.”</p>
<p>What earns military chaplains the right to be heard, Holcombe said, is the very fact that they are present and accounted for among their soldiers, airmen or sailors.</p>
<p>“The saying is true that people don’t care what you have to say or what you know until they know how much you care,” Holcombe said. “The ship’s crew knows I’m there enduring the same things they are — the separation from their families, the hardships and the long hours. They work 24 to 36 hours straight sometimes because that’s what it takes to get the job done.</p>
<p>“The American people would be absolutely amazed and astonished and proud of these kids — their sons and daughters — serving on the Enterprise.”</p>
<p>“Orchestrated chaos” is how Holcombe describes activity on the Enterprise’s flight deck, day or night. Imagine flying in to land on the Big E’s deck on a moonless night when the only light for 100 miles is the carrier’s landing lights. To a pilot, the landing deck may look like a floating postage stamp as the aircraft carrier — although mammoth — pitches to and fro at the mercy of a much larger ocean.</p>
<p>“You have so many people moving around doing so many different things, if you go up on the flight deck you’d better keep your head on a swivel,” Holcombe said. “You’re constantly looking around — over your shoulder, behind you, in front of you.”</p>
<p>The chaplain believes the real heroes of the Navy are the military spouses — both men and women — who keep the home fires burning.</p>
<p>“When you think about leaving your home for six months and you’re married, there are things that happen,” Holcombe said. “You leave one person and when you go back home, something mysterious has happened. You’ve changed and so has your spouse. So you begin to have these anxieties of the reunion because you wonder how she has changed, what’s she done and how you have changed in ways you may not even recognize.</p>
<p>“The amazing thing about my wife Wendy is that she is just as sold out to do this for God as I am,” Holcombe said. “I think that is such a quality in her life that God is able to give her the strength and dependence on him to endure the separations and the hardships we have.”</p>
<p>Back home in Norfolk, they have two sons — Brent, 20, and William, 9 — who also endure the long months without their dad’s presence. Fred and Wendy celebrated 16 years of marriage in May when he was deployed somewhere on the other side of the world serving his country but, most importantly, serving God.</p>
<p>Mickey Noah writes for the North American Mission Board.</p> | false | 3 | norfolk va baptist chaplain fred holcombe jr pastors flock numbering 3500 5800 people population small town town 18 stories high 1123 feet long takes 4 12 acres fully loaded weighs 95000 tons yet floats uss enterprise big e worlds first nuclearpowered aircraft carrier launched 1962 longest naval vessel world home port norfolk va big e left one final sixmonth deployments scheduled decommissioned 51 years service 2013 lt cmdr holcombe 47 fulltime job fortunately hes chaplain big e three others command chaplain presbyterian catholic priest another baptist chaplain old saying ship every day monday except sunday holcombe said sundays obviously church fact many many different services go sunday chaplain holcombe said prepares weekly sermons mission share gospel take care floating flock average 18 25 years age holcombe assists enterprise crew members kind issue might sailor whos run afoul chain command helping someone salvage maintain marriage even talking sailors committing suicide also spends time visiting aircraft carriers living work areas every nook cranny big e small feat consider spans length five football fields spaces board ship theres always somebody go visit holcombe said want visit chaplain even folks nuclear reactors places may think chaplain would typically go always welcomed wellreceived theyre happy somebodys coming see six months ministry spans 24 hours day seven days week theres wife kids house go home night close quarters tiny stateroom holcombe shares another officer stranger beginning sixmonth voyage end forgiving spirit people around holcombe said tolerate tolerate theres camaraderie built tested refining fire amazing watch interpersonal relationships go individual begins grow close word shipmates becomes term endearment derogatory one chaplain times feel like never always yet crew members see tell want see god want see person genuine even bumps bruises warts scars earns military chaplains right heard holcombe said fact present accounted among soldiers airmen sailors saying true people dont care say know know much care holcombe said ships crew knows im enduring things separation families hardships long hours work 24 36 hours straight sometimes thats takes get job done american people would absolutely amazed astonished proud kids sons daughters serving enterprise orchestrated chaos holcombe describes activity enterprises flight deck day night imagine flying land big es deck moonless night light 100 miles carriers landing lights pilot landing deck may look like floating postage stamp aircraft carrier although mammoth pitches fro mercy much larger ocean many people moving around many different things go flight deck youd better keep head swivel holcombe said youre constantly looking around shoulder behind front chaplain believes real heroes navy military spouses men women keep home fires burning think leaving home six months youre married things happen holcombe said leave one person go back home something mysterious happened youve changed spouse begin anxieties reunion wonder changed whats done changed ways may even recognize amazing thing wife wendy sold god holcombe said think quality life god able give strength dependence endure separations hardships back home norfolk two sons brent 20 william 9 also endure long months without dads presence fred wendy celebrated 16 years marriage may deployed somewhere side world serving country importantly serving god mickey noah writes north american mission board | 519 |
<p>I’ve always found it interesting and amusing that as gay kids we did pretty much anything we could to get out of gym, but as gay adults we more or less flock to them. I remember in sixth grade being terrified of Coach Whitmore and this terrible, sadistic game he invented called “crab soccer.”</p>
<p>That was then. And I’m sure most of us had Coach Whitmore in our childhoods. But now many us can’t imagine gay city life without the gym. For various reasons best explored in other columns, gay men put a huge premium on their physical state. Naturally, we want to look good, and feel good, but why does it seem that when it comes to our mental health, many of us don’t seem to invest as much?</p>
<p>I was wondering about this issue — gay men and mental health — so I grabbed my friend Bobby, who last year started his own organization, <a href="http://strengthinourvoices.org/home/" type="external">Strength in Our Voices</a>, with a mission to provide support for people impacted by mental health issues. We sat down a few Sundays ago in Larry’s Lounge. Here’s what he had to stay:</p>
<p>SiOV is a mental health non-profit dedicated to eliminating stigmas surrounding mental health. Our mission is to create an environment of trust and support for those impacted by mental health issues through open dialogue, education, empowerment, and positive change. As a group, we are individuals that have either experienced mental health issues firsthand or truly believe in the cause of eliminating stigmas so that we can all live in a more understanding world. We hope to use the power of social media and storytelling to bring insights to our community. Additionally, we host events not only to raise money but also to bring the community together to talk about mental health stigma.</p>
<p>This past spring, SiOV hosted its first “Summer of Strength Benefit for Change”&#160;in D.C. where we raised more than $16,000. With these proceeds we are bringing Sources of Strength, a permanent, comprehensive suicide prevention program, to McLean High School in Fairfax County, a region that has witnessed high rates of teen suicide in recent years. We are facilitating the program build out at McLean this fall</p>
<p>I’ve gone through so much in my own life. From being bullied during middle and high school to the process of coming out in college. More recently, I struggle with anxiety on a daily basis and regularly see a therapist to work on stress reduction.</p>
<p>I know that talking about the issues I’ve experienced has been the most important action I’ve ever taken to improve my own health. If I had found a platform or comfort with which to do so sooner in my life, I wouldn’t have had to suffer alone as long as I did. I hope to be able to touch lives so that someone out there might feel like they are not alone, and even find it in themselves to seek help through a friend, family, or medical professional.</p>
<p>Generally, LGBTQ individuals are three times more likely than others to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, gay men experience identity issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide ideation, substance abuse and body dysmorphia, among others.</p>
<p>In my opinion, I think that the mental health issues gay men face originate from two primary sources: societal expectations and the gay social scene.</p>
<p>There’s a dynamic between gay men and heterosexual/religious communities. That is, there’s a sense of wanting to remain acceptable within the eyes of a majority that had recently rejected us. This may be changing as younger generations enter into adulthood. However, I do feel as if many of us expect to face homophobia or discrimination at some point. Whether this makes us sensitive, defensive or want to seem impressive, I’m not sure. But there’s something there that has an effect on our mental health.</p>
<p>Regarding the gay community, we live in a hypersexualized, active community that is both vain&#160;and&#160;self-loathing. One on hand, we are accepting of differences, but on the other hand, we are body shaming, judgmental critics – mostly of ourselves. Social media self-affirmation is common; we are constantly bombarded by shirtless selfies. Body dysmorphia is a huge issue in the gay community as a result. We are also a close-knit, extremely social, but small community which makes gay men both competitive and cliquey. I think that the concept of being a fabulous, multi-faceted, A-type gay who throws perfect dinner parties is something that plagues much of the gay community. We constantly size ourselves up to other gay men. Additionally, we tend to interact with a number of gay men, but we aren’t particularly close with a majority of them (it’s simply not possible to be close friends with that many people). As a result, we&#160;know&#160;everyone, but we don’t&#160;really&#160;know everyone; judgment and gossip fills the gaps.</p>
<p>I think it’s useful to distinguish between stigma and “self stigma.” Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person (i.e. simply, a negative stereotype). “Self stigma” is the internalization of negative beliefs.</p>
<p>Mental health stigma in the gay community is both more and less pervasive. On one end, gay men tend to be more open and accepting of feelings, issues, differences, and hardship than their heterosexual counterparts. At the end of the day, we recognize that our experiences are quite similar and tend to talk more freely with each other about those experiences.</p>
<p>However, on the other end, we can be dramatic, shallow, judgmental, gossip-folk in an incredibly social community, which leads to more “self stigma.” I believe that many gay men think regularly about judgment, being stereotyped by other gay men, and being accepted by different cliques within the gay community.</p>
<p>I certainly hope to be able to raise more money to bring useful programs to the community. I also hope to be able to dig into the many specific mental health issues we all face, ones that may seem relatively mundane, and share detailed stories on those issues so that new perspectives are illuminated. Maybe you learn something new. Maybe you simply find that the information resonates. Ultimately, if we understood how similar we really are, we will not only treat each other differently, but also, we will treat our own selves differently.</p>
<p>Bobby and I both felt it necessary to state that neither of us are professionals when it comes to mental health. If you find yourself needing assistance, contact either SiOV or the myriad other community resources available such as Whitman-Walker Health.</p>
<p />
<p>Brock Thompson is a D.C.-based freelancer writer. He writes regularly for the Blade.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">anxiety</a> <a href="" type="internal">body dysmorphia</a> <a href="" type="internal">depression</a> <a href="" type="internal">Fairfax County</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">homophobia</a> <a href="" type="internal">McLean High School</a> <a href="" type="internal">mental health</a> <a href="" type="internal">PTSD</a> <a href="" type="internal">SiOV</a> <a href="" type="internal">Strength in Our Voices</a> <a href="" type="internal">suicide ideation</a></p> | false | 3 | ive always found interesting amusing gay kids pretty much anything could get gym gay adults less flock remember sixth grade terrified coach whitmore terrible sadistic game invented called crab soccer im sure us coach whitmore childhoods many us cant imagine gay city life without gym various reasons best explored columns gay men put huge premium physical state naturally want look good feel good seem comes mental health many us dont seem invest much wondering issue gay men mental health grabbed friend bobby last year started organization strength voices mission provide support people impacted mental health issues sat sundays ago larrys lounge heres stay siov mental health nonprofit dedicated eliminating stigmas surrounding mental health mission create environment trust support impacted mental health issues open dialogue education empowerment positive change group individuals either experienced mental health issues firsthand truly believe cause eliminating stigmas live understanding world hope use power social media storytelling bring insights community additionally host events raise money also bring community together talk mental health stigma past spring siov hosted first summer strength benefit change160in dc raised 16000 proceeds bringing sources strength permanent comprehensive suicide prevention program mclean high school fairfax county region witnessed high rates teen suicide recent years facilitating program build mclean fall ive gone much life bullied middle high school process coming college recently struggle anxiety daily basis regularly see therapist work stress reduction know talking issues ive experienced important action ive ever taken improve health found platform comfort sooner life wouldnt suffer alone long hope able touch lives someone might feel like alone even find seek help friend family medical professional generally lgbtq individuals three times likely others experience mental health condition major depression generalized anxiety disorder additionally gay men experience identity issues posttraumatic stress disorder suicide ideation substance abuse body dysmorphia among others opinion think mental health issues gay men face originate two primary sources societal expectations gay social scene theres dynamic gay men heterosexualreligious communities theres sense wanting remain acceptable within eyes majority recently rejected us may changing younger generations enter adulthood however feel many us expect face homophobia discrimination point whether makes us sensitive defensive want seem impressive im sure theres something effect mental health regarding gay community live hypersexualized active community vain160and160selfloathing one hand accepting differences hand body shaming judgmental critics mostly social media selfaffirmation common constantly bombarded shirtless selfies body dysmorphia huge issue gay community result also closeknit extremely social small community makes gay men competitive cliquey think concept fabulous multifaceted atype gay throws perfect dinner parties something plagues much gay community constantly size gay men additionally tend interact number gay men arent particularly close majority simply possible close friends many people result we160know160everyone dont160really160know everyone judgment gossip fills gaps think useful distinguish stigma self stigma stigma mark disgrace associated particular circumstance quality person ie simply negative stereotype self stigma internalization negative beliefs mental health stigma gay community less pervasive one end gay men tend open accepting feelings issues differences hardship heterosexual counterparts end day recognize experiences quite similar tend talk freely experiences however end dramatic shallow judgmental gossipfolk incredibly social community leads self stigma believe many gay men think regularly judgment stereotyped gay men accepted different cliques within gay community certainly hope able raise money bring useful programs community also hope able dig many specific mental health issues face ones may seem relatively mundane share detailed stories issues new perspectives illuminated maybe learn something new maybe simply find information resonates ultimately understood similar really treat differently also treat selves differently bobby felt necessary state neither us professionals comes mental health find needing assistance contact either siov myriad community resources available whitmanwalker health brock thompson dcbased freelancer writer writes regularly blade anxiety body dysmorphia depression fairfax county gay homophobia mclean high school mental health ptsd siov strength voices suicide ideation | 629 |
<p>In this issue of the Herald, we have tried to accurately report what took place at the Baptist World Congress in Honolulu, July 27 to August 1. And, with the exceptional help of other New Voice* partners, our managing editor, Robert Dilday, has done that very well. Robert has also provided a good analysis of the issues and challenges the BWA faces at this point in its history.</p>
<p>What I am attempting to do here is provide some indication of the visceral impact the World Congress had on me, believing that my reactions were commonly felt.</p>
<p />
<p>I must admit that when I heard the meetings were to be held in Hawaii, I had my doubts. Honestly, my head still says that was a mistake. A place where only those who live on Oahu can arrive via ground transportation; a place characterized as a glamour vacation destination; a place known to separate visitors from their money with world class efficiency; a place in a country that has become almost paranoid about letting in visitors even if they want to enter to worship — this was the site of the Baptist World Alliance World Congress in 2010? “Big mistake,” my head said.</p>
<p>But by the end of the meetings, my heart was telling my head to stop talking. Not only does this chain-of-islands state live up to its tropical paradise reputation, but there really is something about the “Aloha spirit” they kept talking about. Hawaiians might not have known much about Baptists, but they sure welcomed us warmly and sincerely.</p>
<p>My head and heart agree: it is good that in five years the congress will be held in Africa (for the first time ever). But looking back, Hawaii was a great setting for everyone fortunate enough to attend. Except in the press room, a kind of tranquility, due in part to the setting, settled over the congress.</p>
<p>But as significant as it might have been, the place was only a small part of the overall experience. Going, I had expected the elections of John Upton as president and Daniel Carro as first vice president to be the high points for me. They were, indeed, peaks. But, in truth, every component part of the congress rose beyond my expectation to form a veritable range of mountaintop experiences.</p>
<p>Certainly, as a Virginia Baptist, I was excited to see John and Daniel honored by their elections. Both men are deserving and highly capable and will be able advocates for Baptists around the world. That John was elected and installed on his 57th birthday was icing on the cake, so to speak.</p>
<p>But if the congress was for me a celebration, it was for others a lifeline. It is easy to forget that in most of the world, Baptists serve the Lord in small clusters of believers often in obscure villages in a hostile social environment. They long for like-minded spiritual contact with other Baptists, and they find it in the BWA. For them, it is not a social event; not a celebration, but a way to become spiritually encouraged, enlightened and energized.</p>
<p>Often against incredible resistance, these Baptists seek to live out the message of hope in Christ among people who wish to harm them. For example, on January 18, police in Uzbekistan arrested Tohar Haydarov (27), a recent Baptist convert, and took him to a local police station. According to Baptists there, police pressured him to renounce his faith. When he refused, they reportedly planted drugs in his pocket. Authorities then searched his home where, not surprisingly, they reportedly “found” more drugs and took him to jail.</p>
<p>The day following his March 4 trial, during which fellow Baptists were not allowed to testify, the man’s father (who lived with him) was found dead in their home. According to the official report, he died of accidental electrocution. On March 9, Haydarov was sentenced to 10 years in prison.</p>
<p>Reports such as this were sobering reminders that the World Congress is not just a gigantic rally. It is a means of focusing the world’s attention (and the prayers of fellow Baptists) on the plights of the persecuted.</p>
<p>From celebration to the sobering injustices of persecution and human trafficking and back again; if participants were listening at all they could not help but hear the Spirit through the studies, focus groups and worship experiences of the congress.</p>
<p>During the worship experiences, I was both led and drawn into communion with the Lord. I don’t know how else to say it. The hard work in discovering and coordinating the musical groups that sang and played was largely the result of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s Jerry Jones who did an amazing job. But it soon became apparent that an even more capable hand than Jerry’s had orchestrated the worship services.</p>
<p>A violin virtuoso from Latvia was not content merely to play on stage during a moving performance, but, sensing the Spirit’s urging, he accompanied the hymns from his seat in the congregation. I felt awed by his desire to use such incredible talent in such a humble way.</p>
<p>And the speakers! I felt quickened by God’s grace washing over me. Perhaps it is a sign of my own dissipation, but the Spirit used every message to convict me and challenge me to greater faithfulness. And, having heard the Spirit, I responded in confession and obedience. My sense is we all did. Every Baptist there.</p>
<p>I have been to scores of large meetings and conventions, but this one exceeded them all. We conducted almost no business of our own, but we got down to the Lord’s business of seeing the world, and ourselves, through his eyes. And we heard the Spirit’s words from the mouths of the preachers.</p>
<p>After Lance Watson masterfully delivered the concluding message, I found myself searching for appropriate words to express what I felt. The words of Mary came to me. “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” As I left the hall, I repeated them to myself. It was the only fitting thing I could think of to say.</p>
<p>For me, the Baptist World Congress was not so much about learning new things — although there was plenty of that. It was about Baptists around the world coming together to bind up the wounds of some and to sand off the pride of others and then dispersing to magnify the Lord. May we Baptists of the BWA continue to hear the Spirit!</p>
<p>* Our New Voice Media Group partners are Associated Baptist Press, the Texas’ Baptist Standard and Missouri’s Word&amp;Way.</p> | false | 3 | issue herald tried accurately report took place baptist world congress honolulu july 27 august 1 exceptional help new voice partners managing editor robert dilday done well robert also provided good analysis issues challenges bwa faces point history attempting provide indication visceral impact world congress believing reactions commonly felt must admit heard meetings held hawaii doubts honestly head still says mistake place live oahu arrive via ground transportation place characterized glamour vacation destination place known separate visitors money world class efficiency place country become almost paranoid letting visitors even want enter worship site baptist world alliance world congress 2010 big mistake head said end meetings heart telling head stop talking chainofislands state live tropical paradise reputation really something aloha spirit kept talking hawaiians might known much baptists sure welcomed us warmly sincerely head heart agree good five years congress held africa first time ever looking back hawaii great setting everyone fortunate enough attend except press room kind tranquility due part setting settled congress significant might place small part overall experience going expected elections john upton president daniel carro first vice president high points indeed peaks truth every component part congress rose beyond expectation form veritable range mountaintop experiences certainly virginia baptist excited see john daniel honored elections men deserving highly capable able advocates baptists around world john elected installed 57th birthday icing cake speak congress celebration others lifeline easy forget world baptists serve lord small clusters believers often obscure villages hostile social environment long likeminded spiritual contact baptists find bwa social event celebration way become spiritually encouraged enlightened energized often incredible resistance baptists seek live message hope christ among people wish harm example january 18 police uzbekistan arrested tohar haydarov 27 recent baptist convert took local police station according baptists police pressured renounce faith refused reportedly planted drugs pocket authorities searched home surprisingly reportedly found drugs took jail day following march 4 trial fellow baptists allowed testify mans father lived found dead home according official report died accidental electrocution march 9 haydarov sentenced 10 years prison reports sobering reminders world congress gigantic rally means focusing worlds attention prayers fellow baptists plights persecuted celebration sobering injustices persecution human trafficking back participants listening could help hear spirit studies focus groups worship experiences congress worship experiences led drawn communion lord dont know else say hard work discovering coordinating musical groups sang played largely result virginia baptist mission boards jerry jones amazing job soon became apparent even capable hand jerrys orchestrated worship services violin virtuoso latvia content merely play stage moving performance sensing spirits urging accompanied hymns seat congregation felt awed desire use incredible talent humble way speakers felt quickened gods grace washing perhaps sign dissipation spirit used every message convict challenge greater faithfulness heard spirit responded confession obedience sense every baptist scores large meetings conventions one exceeded conducted almost business got lords business seeing world eyes heard spirits words mouths preachers lance watson masterfully delivered concluding message found searching appropriate words express felt words mary came soul doth magnify lord left hall repeated fitting thing could think say baptist world congress much learning new things although plenty baptists around world coming together bind wounds sand pride others dispersing magnify lord may baptists bwa continue hear spirit new voice media group partners associated baptist press texas baptist standard missouris wordampway | 545 |
<p>LONDON, U.K. — Speakers' Corner in London's Hyde Park is a storied carnival of free speech: Anyone can hold forth as long as they don't use offensive language, and anyone can heckle. So it was no surprised when Union Jack-draped activists for the British National Party (BNP), disbanded by police in Trafalgar Square one mid-October Sunday, regrouped here.</p>
<p>"Are you going to set up next to him then?" said one BNP member to their local leader, Bob Bailey, while indicating a bearded black man in a long robe, a regular they have nicknamed "The Mad Mullah."</p>
<p>"Me? Next to 'im?" Bailey replied. "I'm sure he's got something interesting to say, though."</p>
<p>"Put women in their place," joked someone else.</p>
<p>"Ain't so sure about the alcohol thing, though," another riffed. "Can't be banning alcohol, can you?"</p>
<p>Bailey scanned the Speakers' Corner crowd: "Full of nutters," he said, using British slang for lunatics, adding, "present company excepted."</p>
<p>Of course, those who Bailey called "nutters"&#160;might have said the same about him. The whites-only BNP, founded in 1982 as a breakaway from the neo-Nazi National Front, has been trying to shed its nutter image as part of a bid for respectability in mainstream politics. It was recently given a platform far more prominent than Speakers' Corner, when its chairman, Nick Griffin, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/united-kingdom/091023/nick-griffin-bbc-question-time" type="external">appeared on the BBC flagship program "Question Time"</a> alongside members of the political establishment. Griffin was elected to the European Parliament in June.</p>
<p>This weekend, at its annual convention at an undisclosed location, 300 core BNP members will debate changing its constitution, which currently restricts membership to "indigenous Caucasians." The move resulted from a lawsuit against the BNP by the country's Equalities and Human Rights Commission, but Griffin is spinning it as further proof of a changed party.</p>
<p>Since becoming leader in 1999, Griffin has pursued a strategy of remaking the party's image from one of anti-Semitic, racist jackboots to one of electable suits — a feat, for a man who once referred to the Holocaust as the Holohoax and who founded the youth wing of the National Front when at Cambridge. He described his tactics of reinvention to sympathizers in Texas in 2000, from a stage shared with David Duke.</p>
<p>"There's a difference between selling out your ideas and selling your ideas," he told the American Friends of the BNP. "And the British National Party isn't about selling out its ideas ... but we are determined now to sell them."</p>
<p>Griffin wasn't in court in October when his party promised to end its ban on non-whites, but another deputy explained the decision:&#160;Fighting the lawsuit would bankrupt the party, which&#160; would satisfy the political elite who had picked on it because they felt threatened at the polls.</p>
<p>"We have to take a common sense approach ... if we want to be in the game," said Chris Robinson, the deputy. "We're in the business of fighting elections. We're doing it rather successfully at the moment."</p>
<p>The party <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/united-kingdom/091113/british-national-party-barking-and-dagenham" type="external">has more elected officials</a>, and at higher levels, than it ever has: two in the European Parliament, including Griffin; one, its first, on the 25-member London assembly; and at least 53 on local councils nationwide. The gains were made as the party took cues from far-right parties in Europe, including Jean Marie Le-Pen's in France and <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/benelux/090506/dutch-identity-crisis" type="external">Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom</a> in the Netherlands, by exploiting a backlash against immigrants and Islam.</p>
<p>One BNP activist who plans to fight the constitution change, London postal worker Bob Gertner, was at a national organizers meeting five years ago when Griffin revealed the party's new focus. "He said we will no longer talk about Jewish control of the media," Gertner recalled. "He said it would go over peoples' heads ... and he said, from now on, all we're going to talk about is Islam, Islam, Islam."</p>
<p>That message resonated with truck driver Peter Fisher of Luton, where the English Defence League, a group with ties to soccer hooliganism and a history of violent street clashes, was born this spring after some Muslims protested a parade of soldiers returning from Afghanistan. After it emerged that a BNP member had designed the league's website, the BNP disavowed the group, criticizing its confrontational style. Still, Fisher praised them for "standing up to extremist Muslims."</p>
<p>"They have their own schools, their own gyms, their own banks," he said. "If we were to start our own schools and gyms, we'd be called racists. The Muslims seem to get away with everything these days."</p>
<p>The BNP has cast itself as bold enough to say publicly what the ordinary bloke can only say privately about the double standards of multiculturalism. It has tried to appear credible not crazy, but its own lieutenants often make that sell hard. Bailey, despite decrying others' sanity at Speakers' Corner, recently told a judge that he refused a breathalizer test after being stopped by police who suspected him of drunk driving because police were conspiring against him. His attorney argued that he suffered from a paranoid personality disorder. Bailey, an ex-Royal Marine, leads a bloc of BNP councillors in East London. Meanwhile, Richard Barnbrook, the party's London Assemblyman, was suspended for a month because he invented two murders in a campaign video histrionic about crime.</p>
<p>Read about one of the BNP's strongholds, the London borough of <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/united-kingdom/091113/british-national-party-barking-and-dagenham" type="external">Barking and Dagenham</a>.</p>
<p>Gaiutra Bahadur is a journalist based in the New York metropolitan area. She has written extensively about the culture and politics of international migration. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Nation and Ms. Magazine, among other publications.</p>
<p>Editor's note:&#160;This story was updated to clarify that Bob Bailey is a local leader of the BNP.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | london uk speakers corner londons hyde park storied carnival free speech anyone hold forth long dont use offensive language anyone heckle surprised union jackdraped activists british national party bnp disbanded police trafalgar square one midoctober sunday regrouped going set next said one bnp member local leader bob bailey indicating bearded black man long robe regular nicknamed mad mullah next im bailey replied im sure hes got something interesting say though put women place joked someone else aint sure alcohol thing though another riffed cant banning alcohol bailey scanned speakers corner crowd full nutters said using british slang lunatics adding present company excepted course bailey called nutters160might said whitesonly bnp founded 1982 breakaway neonazi national front trying shed nutter image part bid respectability mainstream politics recently given platform far prominent speakers corner chairman nick griffin appeared bbc flagship program question time alongside members political establishment griffin elected european parliament june weekend annual convention undisclosed location 300 core bnp members debate changing constitution currently restricts membership indigenous caucasians move resulted lawsuit bnp countrys equalities human rights commission griffin spinning proof changed party since becoming leader 1999 griffin pursued strategy remaking partys image one antisemitic racist jackboots one electable suits feat man referred holocaust holohoax founded youth wing national front cambridge described tactics reinvention sympathizers texas 2000 stage shared david duke theres difference selling ideas selling ideas told american friends bnp british national party isnt selling ideas determined sell griffin wasnt court october party promised end ban nonwhites another deputy explained decision160fighting lawsuit would bankrupt party which160 would satisfy political elite picked felt threatened polls take common sense approach want game said chris robinson deputy business fighting elections rather successfully moment party elected officials higher levels ever two european parliament including griffin one first 25member london assembly least 53 local councils nationwide gains made party took cues farright parties europe including jean marie lepens france geert wilders party freedom netherlands exploiting backlash immigrants islam one bnp activist plans fight constitution change london postal worker bob gertner national organizers meeting five years ago griffin revealed partys new focus said longer talk jewish control media gertner recalled said would go peoples heads said going talk islam islam islam message resonated truck driver peter fisher luton english defence league group ties soccer hooliganism history violent street clashes born spring muslims protested parade soldiers returning afghanistan emerged bnp member designed leagues website bnp disavowed group criticizing confrontational style still fisher praised standing extremist muslims schools gyms banks said start schools gyms wed called racists muslims seem get away everything days bnp cast bold enough say publicly ordinary bloke say privately double standards multiculturalism tried appear credible crazy lieutenants often make sell hard bailey despite decrying others sanity speakers corner recently told judge refused breathalizer test stopped police suspected drunk driving police conspiring attorney argued suffered paranoid personality disorder bailey exroyal marine leads bloc bnp councillors east london meanwhile richard barnbrook partys london assemblyman suspended month invented two murders campaign video histrionic crime read one bnps strongholds london borough barking dagenham gaiutra bahadur journalist based new york metropolitan area written extensively culture politics international migration work appeared new york times nation ms magazine among publications editors note160this story updated clarify bob bailey local leader bnp 160 | 538 |
<p>Phil and Bernice Rodgerson are living in one of “the villas,” the posh new quarters at Lakewood Manor, the Baptist retirement community in Richmond. Her baby grand piano anchors one corner of their spacious living room and his study is larger than the offices he occupied for so long at “the Baptist building.” The villa is bathed in light from many windows; and perched on the second floor, the couple must feel as if they are living in a tree house.</p>
<p />
<p>They moved to Lakewood almost two years ago, leaving behind the house which Phil insists was designed by Bernice. Together they have established a new home surrounded by reminders of a long and full marriage of 64 years. Their anniversary week in May is full of celebrations. Four days before the anniversary, on May 19, the Virginia Baptist Historical Society will salute Phil Rodgerson for his lifetime commitments to Christian practice and social justice.</p>
<p>The salute comes in a program designed to celebrate diversity among Virginia Baptists, including the many ethnic and language churches in the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the broad acceptance of women in places of ministry. Phil Rodgerson pioneered in shaping a Virginia Baptist culture that one day accepted the diversity which was emerging.</p>
<p>Rodgerson retired from the Virginia Baptist Mission Board staff in 1993 after 27 years in varied positions, including leadership over missions, evangelism and ministries. He practically invented the term “demographics” as he studied population growth patterns. He conducted a landmark study on “The Urban Corridor,” the sprawling swath of Virginia from Northern Virginia down I-95 through Richmond and into the Tidewater. It was a study designed to herald a new diversity coming to the Old Dominion.</p>
<p>Rodgerson practiced a radical Christianity. He cared deeply about “the least of these.” Once, in Chicago, he posed as a homeless man and lived on the streets and in the homeless shelter to better understand the plight of the street people. He led in refugee assistance, especially for those from Southeast Asia and Cuba.</p>
<p>In a time when many Virginians were resisting change, he worked for a spirit of inclusion rather than exclusion. He befriended the first African American to come on the state Baptist Board staff; and he sought out and encouraged several African American pastors to lead their churches into membership in the General Association. At one annual meeting of the BGAV, he accompanied several black ministers to the only available seats, which just happened to be up front in the host church’s choir loft. He coached them to indicate interest by collecting an offering in their churches and, thereby, contributing to the work of the General Association.</p>
<p />
<p>He displayed an ecumenical spirit. He broke an age-old religious rivalry by joining into a Baptist-Catholic dialogue which led to an interfaith marriage handbook for clergy.</p>
<p>He understood that Baptist women had felt shut out of the ministry. He encouraged an acceptance of persons who felt led of the Spirit to enter the gospel ministry regardless of gender. He also preached against salary inequities. He especially frowned upon the churches that wanted to call a pastor and expect the pastor’s spouse to serve as an underpaid or even unpaid church worker.</p>
<p>He practiced a rigid work ethic which almost bordered on the obsessive. As a member of the professional ministerial staff at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, he was expected to be out and about among the churches; and he was gone from home for many weekends. In his characteristic humor, he jests that the frequent absences helped the couple make it to 64 years of marriage.&#160;</p>
<p>He majored on details and understood duties. He confessed that a former boss once described him as “a persistent cuss.” As a supervisor, he was a diligent taskmaster; but everyone respected him because they knew that he went the third mile himself.</p>
<p>Phillip Edward Rodgerson was never a stranger to hard work and devotion. Born in Norfolk in June of ’23, he grew up in a home which set high standards. As a child he was sprinkled as a Presbyterian; but at age 13, he was immersed at London Bridge Baptist Church in the former Princess Anne County (now the city of Virginia Beach).</p>
<p>As a youth Rodgerson knew the lessons from work. He sold vegetables from the family’s truck farm. He waited tables at a Virginia Beach hotel. But as a youth he also was the most unlikely person to be called into the ministry. His father was a railroading man and the son thought that he might become an engineer. The family laughs that he used to say that whenever the preacher came calling, he hid in a ditch. Once “the call” began to take hold, the only person in whom he confided his feelings was his mother.</p>
<p>Hazil Barham Rodgerson was one of those intrepid church ladies. She taught classes for children and led in the church’s WMU. She became known for her creative ways of teaching women about the missionaries. She also was the strong personality in the running of her home.</p>
<p>Henry W. Rodgerson was furloughed from the railroad but he still secured a one-way rail pass for his son to get to Georgetown College in Kentucky. After all these years, Rodgerson still remembers that he had $25 — “big money” — in his pocket from summer earnings.</p>
<p>At Georgetown, the young preacherboy met “the May Queen,” Bernice Lee Miller. He inquired about her and someone told him to forget about any intentions because Bernice had just broken off with another preacherboy and was not likely to be interested in a ministerial student. With his characteristic persistence, he tried anyway; and on their first date, he took her to play the piano for a church meeting where he was preaching.&#160;</p>
<p>There were several country pastorates in Kentucky before the return to Virginia in 1953. He had let it be known that he was itching to be involved in a new church plant and soon he was called to Bon Air Baptist Chapel in Richmond. It began with 25 people meeting in an old school. In his pastorate it became a full-fledged church and today it is among the largest and most vibrant of Virginia Baptist churches. It was the kind of a church that needed “a persistent cuss” for a founding pastor.</p>
<p>Fred Anderson is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies. He may be contacted at <a href="mailto:fred.anderson@vbmb.org" type="external">fred.anderson@vbmb.org</a> or at P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.</p> | false | 3 | phil bernice rodgerson living one villas posh new quarters lakewood manor baptist retirement community richmond baby grand piano anchors one corner spacious living room study larger offices occupied long baptist building villa bathed light many windows perched second floor couple must feel living tree house moved lakewood almost two years ago leaving behind house phil insists designed bernice together established new home surrounded reminders long full marriage 64 years anniversary week may full celebrations four days anniversary may 19 virginia baptist historical society salute phil rodgerson lifetime commitments christian practice social justice salute comes program designed celebrate diversity among virginia baptists including many ethnic language churches baptist general association virginia broad acceptance women places ministry phil rodgerson pioneered shaping virginia baptist culture one day accepted diversity emerging rodgerson retired virginia baptist mission board staff 1993 27 years varied positions including leadership missions evangelism ministries practically invented term demographics studied population growth patterns conducted landmark study urban corridor sprawling swath virginia northern virginia i95 richmond tidewater study designed herald new diversity coming old dominion rodgerson practiced radical christianity cared deeply least chicago posed homeless man lived streets homeless shelter better understand plight street people led refugee assistance especially southeast asia cuba time many virginians resisting change worked spirit inclusion rather exclusion befriended first african american come state baptist board staff sought encouraged several african american pastors lead churches membership general association one annual meeting bgav accompanied several black ministers available seats happened front host churchs choir loft coached indicate interest collecting offering churches thereby contributing work general association displayed ecumenical spirit broke ageold religious rivalry joining baptistcatholic dialogue led interfaith marriage handbook clergy understood baptist women felt shut ministry encouraged acceptance persons felt led spirit enter gospel ministry regardless gender also preached salary inequities especially frowned upon churches wanted call pastor expect pastors spouse serve underpaid even unpaid church worker practiced rigid work ethic almost bordered obsessive member professional ministerial staff virginia baptist mission board expected among churches gone home many weekends characteristic humor jests frequent absences helped couple make 64 years marriage160 majored details understood duties confessed former boss described persistent cuss supervisor diligent taskmaster everyone respected knew went third mile phillip edward rodgerson never stranger hard work devotion born norfolk june 23 grew home set high standards child sprinkled presbyterian age 13 immersed london bridge baptist church former princess anne county city virginia beach youth rodgerson knew lessons work sold vegetables familys truck farm waited tables virginia beach hotel youth also unlikely person called ministry father railroading man son thought might become engineer family laughs used say whenever preacher came calling hid ditch call began take hold person confided feelings mother hazil barham rodgerson one intrepid church ladies taught classes children led churchs wmu became known creative ways teaching women missionaries also strong personality running home henry w rodgerson furloughed railroad still secured oneway rail pass son get georgetown college kentucky years rodgerson still remembers 25 big money pocket summer earnings georgetown young preacherboy met may queen bernice lee miller inquired someone told forget intentions bernice broken another preacherboy likely interested ministerial student characteristic persistence tried anyway first date took play piano church meeting preaching160 several country pastorates kentucky return virginia 1953 let known itching involved new church plant soon called bon air baptist chapel richmond began 25 people meeting old school pastorate became fullfledged church today among largest vibrant virginia baptist churches kind church needed persistent cuss founding pastor fred anderson executive director virginia baptist historical society center baptist heritage studies may contacted fredandersonvbmborg po box 34 university richmond va 23173 | 593 |
<p>Jan. 7, 2013</p>
<p>By Katy Grimes</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>SACRAMENTO — In 1974 Mel Brooks produced a classic comedy about the construction of the railroad into the West. With California Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic politicians pushing forward to build a high-speed rail system, the truth, once again, proves stranger than fiction. The sub-headlines in this article are all quotations from the comedy, “Blazing Saddles.”</p>
<p>After rail workers hit quicksand in Blazing Saddles, the route has to be changed right through the frontier town of Rock Ridge. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier" type="external" /></p>
<p>The conniving state attorney general&#160;wants to buy the land along the new railroad route cheaply by driving out the townspeople.&#160;&#160;“Unfortunately there is one thing standing between me and that property: the rightful owners,” says Hedley Lamarr, played by Harvey Korman.</p>
<p>Lamarr orders gangs of thugs,&#160;bad guys, murderers and rustlers to scare the townspeople into abandoning Rock Ridge. “Men! You are about to embark on a great crusade … to stamp out run-away decency in the West,” Lamar says.</p>
<p>“Holy underwear! Sheriff murdered! Innocent women and children blown to bits!” responds Gov. William J. Le Petomane, played by the film’s director, Mel Brooks, when he finds out what’s going on.&#160;“We have to protect our phony baloney jobs here, gentlemen! We must do something about this immediately! Immediately! Immediately! Harrumph! Harrumph! Harrumph!”</p>
<p>The old story line of Blazing Saddles closely parallels what is currently happening in California with High-Speed Rail. But even Mel Brooks couldn’t have written this ridiculous modern-day script.</p>
<p>The California Legislature passed a bill in July which gave the California High-Speed Rail Authority the spending power over $8 billion for the next five years, but with no legislative oversight. Call it “Blazing Trains.”</p>
<p>Gov. Jerry Brown held carefully staged signing ceremonies in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where he inked&#160; <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/SB_1029/20112012/" type="external">SB1029</a>&#160;in the midst of&#160;cheering union members, construction workers and state and local politicians.</p>
<p>But the governor snubbed the Central Valley, where the initial 130 miles of non-electrified track will actually be installed, despite campaigning on claims that the Central Valley will be the beneficiary of numerous economic benefits and hundreds of jobs.</p>
<p>With a minimum price tag of at least $68 billion,&#160;coupled with <a href="" type="internal">a total state deficit of more than $600 billion</a>, and the fact that California does not need a high-speed rail system,&#160;the state can ill-afford to build a new rail system. But the staggering deficit and lack of public interest hasn’t stopped the governor.</p>
<p>The bill authorized $5.8 billion to start construction of only one unelectric rail line in the&#160;Central Valley,&#160;and includes $2.6 billion in state rail bond funds, along with $3.2 billion in federal funds.</p>
<p>But California will have to borrow every dime of the money to build the high-speed boondoggle.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>“What this is all about is investing in the future,” Brown&#160; <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/19/4641314/jery-brown-signs-rail-bill-avoids.html#storylink=cpy" type="external">said</a>&#160;after signing the bill. “I know there are some fearful men — I call them declinists — who want to put their head in a hole and hope reality changes. I don’t see it that way. This is a time to invest, to create thousands of jobs.”</p>
<p>According to&#160; <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_1A,_High-Speed_Rail_Act_(2008)" type="external">Proposition 1A</a>, the ballot measure passed in 2008 creating High-Speed Rail, “The high-speed train system shall be planned and constructed in a manner that minimizes urban sprawl and impacts on the natural environment.” &#160;But the impact of the rail system may actually create suburban communities around train stations far away from urban and high-employment areas.</p>
<p>The train system will dissect both urban and rural communities, and is a violation of the “natural environment.” The trains will travel through densely populated cities, but also through sensitive agricultural and natural areas in the state.</p>
<p>* The&#160; <a href="http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/" type="external">California High-Speed Rail Authority</a>&#160;must have all of the the funding ahead of time, before any construction starts on a new segment.</p>
<p>* The high-speed train system is supposed to operate entirely on its own and in the black. There are supposed to be no government subsidies.&#160;The plan relies heavily on a projection of 100 million users by 2030, an absurd notion that was created with&#160; <a href="http://www.examiner.com/transportation-policy-in-san-francisco/california-high-speed-rail-ridership-analysis-excessively-constrained-numbers" type="external">manipulated data</a>.</p>
<p>* “Stations shall be located in areas with good access to local mass transit or other modes of transportation,” the law reads. &#160;Unless there are extensive connecting rail systems already in place in the high-speed rail destinations, commuters will not have the necessary train and bus systems to transfer to with the existing plan.</p>
<p>After Brown signed the high-speed rail bill, many in the state said that he may have sealed California’s fate as the Greece of the nation. A&#160; <a href="http://dornsife.usc.edu/usc-dornsife-los-angeles-times-poll-high-speed-rail-june-2012/" type="external">June 2012 poll</a>,&#160;conducted by USC Dornsife and the Los Angeles Times, found that voters would&#160;oppose the plan if given another chance to vote on it.</p>
<p>Despite the poll, the editorial board of the Sacramento Bee recently opined quite the opposite sentiment.</p>
<p>“No place in California stands to reap the rewards of high-speed rail more than the&#160;San Joaquin Valley,” the Bee <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/14/5053567/mccarthys-bid-to-kill-high-speed.html#storylink=cpy" type="external">wrote</a>&#160;in December. <a href="http://topics.sacbee.com/San+Joaquin+Valley/" type="external" /></p>
<p>The editorial board outlined all of the support for the rail system, ignoring that the supporters came almost exclusively from the government sector. “From Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin to officials at&#160;California State University,&#160;Bakerfield — which is launching a ‘High-Speed Train Information and Simulation Center’ to build capability for innovation — far-thinking people realize the value of high-speed rail,” the Bee <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/14/5053567/mccarthys-bid-to-kill-high-speed.html" type="external">wrote</a>.</p>
<p>The other “far-thinking people” are the contractors who have been awarded large <a href="" type="internal">&#160;union contracts</a>to build the Central Valley rail line.</p>
<p>“As the site of the state’s only major north-south highways (Interstate 5 and&#160;Highway 99), some of the worst&#160;air quality&#160;in the nation, poverty and rapid loss of farmland to sprawling urban development, high-speed rail can improve quality of life in a number of ways.”</p>
<p>Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, has championed the cause against building High-Speed Rail with facts, data and and the overwhelming body of evidence that California’s economy cannot build or maintain the system.</p>
<p>Harkey noted in July that the governor did not hold his signing ceremony in the Central Valley. “Bakersfield, or Kern County, is next on the radar screen for a variety of routes involving 60- to 80-foot high viaducts, and destruction of historic buildings, business centers and neighborhoods,” Harkey said. “Kern County’s northern neighbor, Kings County, currently suing the state, was scheduled first for demolition. Changing ground zero to Fresno-north brought the Merced and Madera county farm bureaus into litigation, as well as other affected parties. The deep-rooted agricultural and oil-producing way of life in the Central Valley feeds and powers the state and nation.”</p>
<p>Harkey asked:&#160;“If creating the backbone for High-Speed Rail is such a boon to the people that live there, why are they suing?”</p>
<p>Residents in the Central Valley don’t want HSR. They want their farmland, and they want the water spigot turned back on.</p>
<p>California boasts the lowest credit rating in the nation. The state has to borrow billions of dollars every year to meet short-term cash flow needs. And&#160;California’s real debt is not the $16 billion that Brown and state Democrats crow about. In August, <a href="" type="internal">California’s real debt was recorded at $617 billion</a>.</p>
<p>The state’s <a href="" type="internal">crime rate is up</a> because of Brown’s realignment “catch and release” plan for state prisoners.&#160;California ranks down at the bottom of the states with Mississippi in public education achievement and test scores, but ironically supports one-third of the nation’s welfare recipients.&#160;Unemployment in California is way above the national average. Municipal bankruptcies are snowballing.</p>
<p>“But we continue to borrow to fund needless projects and ‘realign’ grabbing funds from local governments,” Harkey said. “The result yields more centralized state control and a growing state bureaucracy.”</p> | false | 3 | jan 7 2013 katy grimes sacramento 1974 mel brooks produced classic comedy construction railroad west california gov jerry brown democratic politicians pushing forward build highspeed rail system truth proves stranger fiction subheadlines article quotations comedy blazing saddles rail workers hit quicksand blazing saddles route changed right frontier town rock ridge conniving state attorney general160wants buy land along new railroad route cheaply driving townspeople160160unfortunately one thing standing property rightful owners says hedley lamarr played harvey korman lamarr orders gangs thugs160bad guys murderers rustlers scare townspeople abandoning rock ridge men embark great crusade stamp runaway decency west lamar says holy underwear sheriff murdered innocent women children blown bits responds gov william j le petomane played films director mel brooks finds whats going on160we protect phony baloney jobs gentlemen must something immediately immediately immediately harrumph harrumph harrumph old story line blazing saddles closely parallels currently happening california highspeed rail even mel brooks couldnt written ridiculous modernday script california legislature passed bill july gave california highspeed rail authority spending power 8 billion next five years legislative oversight call blazing trains gov jerry brown held carefully staged signing ceremonies los angeles san francisco inked160 sb1029160in midst of160cheering union members construction workers state local politicians governor snubbed central valley initial 130 miles nonelectrified track actually installed despite campaigning claims central valley beneficiary numerous economic benefits hundreds jobs minimum price tag least 68 billion160coupled total state deficit 600 billion fact california need highspeed rail system160the state illafford build new rail system staggering deficit lack public interest hasnt stopped governor bill authorized 58 billion start construction one unelectric rail line the160central valley160and includes 26 billion state rail bond funds along 32 billion federal funds california borrow every dime money build highspeed boondoggle investing future brown160 said160after signing bill know fearful men call declinists want put head hole hope reality changes dont see way time invest create thousands jobs according to160 proposition 1a ballot measure passed 2008 creating highspeed rail highspeed train system shall planned constructed manner minimizes urban sprawl impacts natural environment 160but impact rail system may actually create suburban communities around train stations far away urban highemployment areas train system dissect urban rural communities violation natural environment trains travel densely populated cities also sensitive agricultural natural areas state the160 california highspeed rail authority160must funding ahead time construction starts new segment highspeed train system supposed operate entirely black supposed government subsidies160the plan relies heavily projection 100 million users 2030 absurd notion created with160 manipulated data stations shall located areas good access local mass transit modes transportation law reads 160unless extensive connecting rail systems already place highspeed rail destinations commuters necessary train bus systems transfer existing plan brown signed highspeed rail bill many state said may sealed californias fate greece nation a160 june 2012 poll160conducted usc dornsife los angeles times found voters would160oppose plan given another chance vote despite poll editorial board sacramento bee recently opined quite opposite sentiment place california stands reap rewards highspeed rail the160san joaquin valley bee wrote160in december editorial board outlined support rail system ignoring supporters came almost exclusively government sector fresno mayor ashley swearengin officials at160california state university160bakerfield launching highspeed train information simulation center build capability innovation farthinking people realize value highspeed rail bee wrote farthinking people contractors awarded large 160union contractsto build central valley rail line site states major northsouth highways interstate 5 and160highway 99 worst160air quality160in nation poverty rapid loss farmland sprawling urban development highspeed rail improve quality life number ways assemblywoman diane harkey rdana point championed cause building highspeed rail facts data overwhelming body evidence californias economy build maintain system harkey noted july governor hold signing ceremony central valley bakersfield kern county next radar screen variety routes involving 60 80foot high viaducts destruction historic buildings business centers neighborhoods harkey said kern countys northern neighbor kings county currently suing state scheduled first demolition changing ground zero fresnonorth brought merced madera county farm bureaus litigation well affected parties deeprooted agricultural oilproducing way life central valley feeds powers state nation harkey asked160if creating backbone highspeed rail boon people live suing residents central valley dont want hsr want farmland want water spigot turned back california boasts lowest credit rating nation state borrow billions dollars every year meet shortterm cash flow needs and160californias real debt 16 billion brown state democrats crow august californias real debt recorded 617 billion states crime rate browns realignment catch release plan state prisoners160california ranks bottom states mississippi public education achievement test scores ironically supports onethird nations welfare recipients160unemployment california way national average municipal bankruptcies snowballing continue borrow fund needless projects realign grabbing funds local governments harkey said result yields centralized state control growing state bureaucracy | 764 |
<p>BOSTON — Health care reform was the main event in Washington, D.C., again this week.</p>
<p>With good reason: the fate of America's troubled system will no doubt affect the $14 trillion U.S. economy for good or ill, depending on how the drama plays out.</p>
<p>Moreover what happens in the U.S., which produces more than 20 percent of global economic output, matters greatly to the economies of the rest of the world.</p>
<p>So, yes, play close attention to the health care debate and all the politics behind it.</p>
<p>But while members of Congress are spitting on each other about creeping socialism, death panels to kill Grandma and the pros and cons of a public option, GlobalPost correspondents have been quietly searching for ground truth, health care-style.</p>
<p>Their mission:&#160;To find out what's really happening in the hospitals, clinics and waiting rooms around the world. What works?&#160;What doesn't?&#160;And which of these global lessons should America adopt, consider or avoid?</p>
<p>Over the past two months our correspondents have amassed a wide variety of insights and observations — from a sick China, to a healthy Confucian influence in Taiwan, to a booming India, a healthy Australia, a faltering South Africa, as well as the various schemes in Germany, France and the United Kingdom.</p>
<p>Here's a quick tour of Planet Health Care, or more simply: 10 things you need to know about what's happening around the world right now.</p>
<p>1) China is attempting to reform its giant health care system — with mixed results.</p>
<p>China's system was once a model of low-cost and efficient delivery that served millions of patients. But as its socialist economy broke down in the 1980s, so did its health care system. Since 1980, the percentage of personal income Chinese spend on health care has doubled. In 2006, a survey showed that nearly half of Chinese people refused to see a doctor when they fell ill. Meanwhile, some 200 million are uninsured.</p>
<p>So earlier this year Beijing set out to fix it. Health care reform is being rolled out in stages through 2011, beginning with a basic opt-in insurance program for hundreds of millions of rural residents.</p>
<p>To document these sweeping changes, correspondent Kathleen E. McLaughlin and photographer Sharron Lovell traveled from the remote mountains of Guizhou to the top hospitals in Beijing. Here's their three-part report, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090804/china-health-care-reform" type="external">The China Syndrome</a>.</p>
<p>2) Health care in rural China is bad, and in some areas, non-existent.</p>
<p>As Kathleen and Sharron report, many villagers in remote Guizhou province — one of China’s poorest — suffer a predicament that is all-too-common among China’s estimated 800 million rural residents. Faced with a health care system so fragmented and underfunded, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090728/rural-health-care?page=0,0" type="external">the sick often go bankrupt trying to get better</a>.</p>
<p>While things are still grim, there have been early successes. Basic insurance unveiled this year has encouraged more Chinese to visit doctors. “Before the patients would only come in when they were seriously ill,” one doctor said. “Now they come for treatment when they first get sick.”</p>
<p>3) Need an appendectomy in China? That'll be $34, please.</p>
<p>Sound like a bargain? Not so fast.</p>
<p>In an attempt to guarantee health care access to all citizens, 20 years ago China's government set maximum hospital rates. It hasn’t allowed prices to be raised since, despite the country's dramatic economic growth, higher personal income and rising inflation.</p>
<p>So that $34 doesn’t cover much. Instead, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090728/china-urban-health-care" type="external">costs are made up in other ways</a>, such as rampant over-prescribing of often unneeded medication — causing problems in personal and public health — as well as unnecessary testing and other treatments where doctors and hospitals can charge more.</p>
<p>4) Taiwan, meanwhile, has one of the best health care systems in the world.</p>
<p>But it wasn't always that way.</p>
<p>In 1995, 40 percent of Taiwanese had no health insurance. Today, nearly every one of the country's 23 million residents is covered. Taiwan spends 6.5 percent of its gross domestic product on health care (versus almost 16 percent in the U.S.), and more than 80 percent of the population is happy with the system.</p>
<p>In this comprehensive special report, Taipei correspondent Jonathan Adams examines why <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/091005/special-report-health-care-taiwan" type="external">Taiwan's system is so effective</a>, and how its unique political situation allowed reform to happen.</p>
<p>He also discovered an interesting link with Confucianism.&#160;</p>
<p>"Throughout Chinese history, Confucianism says the government has to take care of the people, no matter what," said Michael Chen, of Taiwan's Bureau of National Health Insurance. "So we are obligated to make sure 100 percent of the population is covered."</p>
<p>5) Australia offers coverage for all citizens. But 40 percent still opt to buy private insurance.</p>
<p>According to Sydney correspondent Alan Mascarenhas, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/asia/090819/what-can-americans-learn-aussie-health-care?page=0,0" type="external">the great strength of Australia's system is affordability and access</a>. It offers cradle-to-grave health care for everyone and covers most or all of the costs for physician consultations, as well as specialists’ fees and X-rays and pathology tests. Treatment in public hospitals is free.</p>
<p>Though as Mascarenhas points out, it's far from perfect. About 40 percent of Australians choose to purchase private insurance, making them eligible for treatment in more exclusive, privately-run hospitals.</p>
<p>6) Slumdog doctors in India?&#160;Hardly.</p>
<p>With the health care debate raging in the U.S., many Americans aren't waiting to see how it ends: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/india/090724/medical-outsourcing-india" type="external">&#160;they're flying to India to get treatment</a>.</p>
<p>As correspondent Saritha Rai reports, the number of Americans seeking cardiac bypass surgeries, organ transplants, complex spinal surgeries and other medical procedures is surging. A top hospital in Bangalore says it's treated almost 600 so far this year, triple last year's figure. Another says its volume of U.S. patients has doubled.</p>
<p>India appeals to many Americans thanks to the prevalence of English, while its high-tech hospitals, well-trained doctors and sophisticated treatments are an easy sell.</p>
<p>7) South Africa is making a big health care push, too.</p>
<p>South Africa's health care record isn't so great — child mortality rates are rising, while incompetence and denial on the part of former president Thabo Mbeki's administration allowed the AIDS epidemic to reach gigantic proportions.</p>
<p>The two factors are connected: South Africa has the highest number of HIV-positive women in the world, making transmission of the disease to children a serious problem.</p>
<p>But as correspondent Nicolas Brulliard reports, the new government is acknowledging South Africa’s health challenges and, more importantly, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/south-africa/090913/child-mortality-continues-rise-south-africa?page=0,0" type="external">beginning to tackle them</a>.</p>
<p>8) Germany's&#160; system is rarely cited as a model for the U.S. Maybe it should be.</p>
<p>That's the conclusion of correspondent Paul Hockenos in Berlin, who writes about <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/germany/091008/germanys-health-care-model" type="external">his own experiences with Germany's mix of public and private plans</a>. Here's how Paul puts it: "As an American living in Germany and working as a freelance writer, I have health insurance through a multi-payer, non-profit insurance company. I can walk into any doctor's office in all of Germany, show my provider's plastic card, and receive treatment without ever seeing a bill. I can go to another doctor the next day and do the same — and the day after that. I pay a $15 cash fee on the first visit of every quarter, and a modest percentage of the cost of most prescriptions."</p>
<p>9) The U.N. says France has the world's best health care. The U.S. is 37th (just above Cuba).</p>
<p>The French also live two years longer than Americans, with half the infant mortality rate. According to correspondent Mort Rosemblum (who's had an EKG in Beijing and fought off a Balkans pneumonia in a Paris hospital), health care in most of the world isn't a market. It's a <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/health/090911/the-real-world-health-human-right?page=0,1" type="external">basic human right.</a></p>
<p>10) The British love their National Health Service (and they've got the Twitter feed to prove it).</p>
<p>When Britain's NHS briefly became a punching bag in the U.S. reform debate, we asked London correspondent Michael Goldfarb to find out <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/united-kingdom/090813/opinion-defending-the-nhs" type="external">what the locals really thought of their system</a>. It turns out they like it. A lot. Even Conservative Party leader David Cameron is a fan, while the Twitter feed of the "We love the NHS" campaign crashed last month due to heavy traffic.</p> | false | 3 | boston health care reform main event washington dc week good reason fate americas troubled system doubt affect 14 trillion us economy good ill depending drama plays moreover happens us produces 20 percent global economic output matters greatly economies rest world yes play close attention health care debate politics behind members congress spitting creeping socialism death panels kill grandma pros cons public option globalpost correspondents quietly searching ground truth health carestyle mission160to find whats really happening hospitals clinics waiting rooms around world works160what doesnt160and global lessons america adopt consider avoid past two months correspondents amassed wide variety insights observations sick china healthy confucian influence taiwan booming india healthy australia faltering south africa well various schemes germany france united kingdom heres quick tour planet health care simply 10 things need know whats happening around world right 1 china attempting reform giant health care system mixed results chinas system model lowcost efficient delivery served millions patients socialist economy broke 1980s health care system since 1980 percentage personal income chinese spend health care doubled 2006 survey showed nearly half chinese people refused see doctor fell ill meanwhile 200 million uninsured earlier year beijing set fix health care reform rolled stages 2011 beginning basic optin insurance program hundreds millions rural residents document sweeping changes correspondent kathleen e mclaughlin photographer sharron lovell traveled remote mountains guizhou top hospitals beijing heres threepart report china syndrome 2 health care rural china bad areas nonexistent kathleen sharron report many villagers remote guizhou province one chinas poorest suffer predicament alltoocommon among chinas estimated 800 million rural residents faced health care system fragmented underfunded sick often go bankrupt trying get better things still grim early successes basic insurance unveiled year encouraged chinese visit doctors patients would come seriously ill one doctor said come treatment first get sick 3 need appendectomy china thatll 34 please sound like bargain fast attempt guarantee health care access citizens 20 years ago chinas government set maximum hospital rates hasnt allowed prices raised since despite countrys dramatic economic growth higher personal income rising inflation 34 doesnt cover much instead costs made ways rampant overprescribing often unneeded medication causing problems personal public health well unnecessary testing treatments doctors hospitals charge 4 taiwan meanwhile one best health care systems world wasnt always way 1995 40 percent taiwanese health insurance today nearly every one countrys 23 million residents covered taiwan spends 65 percent gross domestic product health care versus almost 16 percent us 80 percent population happy system comprehensive special report taipei correspondent jonathan adams examines taiwans system effective unique political situation allowed reform happen also discovered interesting link confucianism160 throughout chinese history confucianism says government take care people matter said michael chen taiwans bureau national health insurance obligated make sure 100 percent population covered 5 australia offers coverage citizens 40 percent still opt buy private insurance according sydney correspondent alan mascarenhas great strength australias system affordability access offers cradletograve health care everyone covers costs physician consultations well specialists fees xrays pathology tests treatment public hospitals free though mascarenhas points far perfect 40 percent australians choose purchase private insurance making eligible treatment exclusive privatelyrun hospitals 6 slumdog doctors india160hardly health care debate raging us many americans arent waiting see ends 160theyre flying india get treatment correspondent saritha rai reports number americans seeking cardiac bypass surgeries organ transplants complex spinal surgeries medical procedures surging top hospital bangalore says treated almost 600 far year triple last years figure another says volume us patients doubled india appeals many americans thanks prevalence english hightech hospitals welltrained doctors sophisticated treatments easy sell 7 south africa making big health care push south africas health care record isnt great child mortality rates rising incompetence denial part former president thabo mbekis administration allowed aids epidemic reach gigantic proportions two factors connected south africa highest number hivpositive women world making transmission disease children serious problem correspondent nicolas brulliard reports new government acknowledging south africas health challenges importantly beginning tackle 8 germanys160 system rarely cited model us maybe thats conclusion correspondent paul hockenos berlin writes experiences germanys mix public private plans heres paul puts american living germany working freelance writer health insurance multipayer nonprofit insurance company walk doctors office germany show providers plastic card receive treatment without ever seeing bill go another doctor next day day pay 15 cash fee first visit every quarter modest percentage cost prescriptions 9 un says france worlds best health care us 37th cuba french also live two years longer americans half infant mortality rate according correspondent mort rosemblum whos ekg beijing fought balkans pneumonia paris hospital health care world isnt market basic human right 10 british love national health service theyve got twitter feed prove britains nhs briefly became punching bag us reform debate asked london correspondent michael goldfarb find locals really thought system turns like lot even conservative party leader david cameron fan twitter feed love nhs campaign crashed last month due heavy traffic | 811 |
<p>In the months before President Donald Trump announced his decision to end DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Julio Ramos had been getting ready to move ahead in life.</p>
<p>Ramos, 24, is undocumented and a DACA recipient. And with that status, he began his training to become a physician at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He is among almost 800,000 people&#160;brought to the US illegally as children, who have been granted two-year work permits and reprieves from deportation as part of the Obama-era program.</p>
<p>US Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday that the program would be shut down. In a press release, the Department of Homeland Security, which would oversee the “wind down” of DACA, said it would stop renewing the status for current beneficiaries in about six months.</p>
<p>“With the measures the Department is putting in place today, no current beneficiaries will be impacted before March 5, 2018, nearly six months from now, so Congress can have time to deliver on appropriate legislative solutions,” DHS acting director Elaine Duke said in the statement. “However, I want to be clear that no new initial requests or associated applications filed after today will be acted on.”</p>
<p>DHS said that anyone whose status expires before March 5 can apply for a two-year renewal by Oct. 5. Applications that have already been received will be reviewed as before, on a case-by-case basis.</p>
<p>Sessions said Americans have rejected an “open-door [immigration] policy” and said that enforcing laws does not mean the country is disrespecting immigrants. The DACA program, he said, was an executive overreach by President Barack Obama and shows “disrespect for the legislative process.”</p>
<p>Sessions took no questions after his statement.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/leedsgarcia/status/902174085840601088" type="external">Immigrants and their advocates are concerned</a> that, if the status of DACA recipients is allowed to expire, they will become a priority to be removed from the US. <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/05/statement-president-donald-j-trump" type="external">In a statement</a>, Trump said he will continue the policy of prioritizing pursuing criminals for immigration enforcement.</p>
<p>“Our enforcement priorities remain unchanged, he said. “We are focused on criminals, security threats, recent border-crossers, visa overstays, and repeat violators. I have advised the Department of Homeland Security that DACA recipients are not enforcement priorities unless they are criminals, are involved in criminal activity, or are members of a gang.”</p>
<p>But arrests of immigrants with no criminal records almost doubled in the first weeks of the Trump administration. Several <a href="" type="internal">DACA recipients have already been taken into custody</a> and <a href="" type="internal">at least one has been deported since Trump took office</a>. About 2.3 million people check in regularly with immigration agents; around&#160; <a href="" type="internal">2 million of them have no criminal records</a>. Undocumented immigrants with criminal records were ineligible for DACA to begin with.</p>
<p>DHS issued <a href="https://www.dhs.gov//news/2017/09/05/frequently-asked-questions-rescission-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca" type="external">a fact sheet for DACA recipients</a>, which said the information they provide to the government will not be proactively used for immigration enforcement unless there is a risk to national security, public safety or if the person has been summoned to appear before a judge. But they also caution that this policy could change “without notice.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, many immigration lawyers are advising clients whose permits expire before March 5, the six-month mark, to renew by Oct. 5. Work permits and DACA protections would run for the normal two-year period. Those whose DACA status expires March 6 or later would again fall into unauthorized status.</p>
<p>“In a worst-case scenario, if Congress doesn’t pass anything, March 6 would be a possible start to enforcement actions,” said immigration attorney Lily Axelrod in Memphis. “That would be the beginning of efforts to find and detain people.”</p>
<p>“Now is the time to get politically involved and to lobby members of Congress and the Senate to pass the Dream Act,” said Charles Kuck, an Atlanta-based immigration attorney. “That’s the only way forward.”</p>
<p>Until then, <a href="" type="internal">lawyers are continuing to tell DACA recipients</a> not to open their doors to immigration officers unless they have a warrant signed by a judge that they can slip under the door. They are also advising them to obtain any form of official identification available to them today, such as driver’s licenses or municipal ID cards, as well as Social Security numbers, which can be used for housing, banking and educational purposes, even if DACA work permits expire.</p>
<p>“Talk to an immigration attorney now about what to do if you were detained and put in immigration court for removal,” Axelrod said. Some DACA recipients could also qualify for other forms of legal relief, such as marriage- or work-based petitions to stay in the US.</p>
<p>Several government agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security and US Citizenship and Immigration Services, declined to answer questions last week and did not reply to inquiries this morning after Sessions’ statement, pointing PRI instead to the documents they had put online.</p>
<p>The possibility of DACA ending had been on Ramos’s mind frequently in the days leading up to today’s announcement, but he didn’t have much time to think about it as medical school classes began.</p>
<p>“It’s a lot to process. I was sort of just bracing for impact because it seemed that it was going to be rescinded, so I started preparing before it even happened,” he says. “It just brings a lot of emotions that I thought were already suppressed back in the day when we were up and coming with the whole movement of trying to create advancements in this program.”</p>
<p>“I’m sure as we continue forward, the anxiety and the concern for all of this is going to build,” says Ramos. “I’m basically going to have to address it — whether it’s something negative&#160;or positive — it’s going to come into my life, and it’s going to be a big part of my life.”</p>
<p>Ramos himself might be in a financial bind after Trump’s decision to end the program. The Icahn School has given him institutional loans, scholarships and grants, but if he loses his work permit, it’s unclear if Ramos will be able to pay back the loans. If no legislative solution to keep DACA in place occurs, he will no longer have work authorization by the time medical school ends — and it’s unclear whether he would be allowed to join a residency program to complete his training.</p>
<p>There are congressional efforts underway to curb the effects of Trump’s elimination of the DACA program. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina drafted <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1615/text" type="external">bipartisan legislation</a> that would help keep deportation relief for people like Ramos in place. It would also provide a path to permanent legal status, under certain conditions. Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/127" type="external">proposed legislation</a> that both provides relief for people brought to the US as children and implements tougher penalties&#160;on undocumented people who have committed serious crimes.</p>
<p>House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement after Tuesday’s announcement that he wants Congress to act.</p>
<p>“At the heart of this issue are young people who came to this country through no fault of their own, and for many of them, it’s the only country they know. Their status is one of many immigration issues, such as border security and interior enforcement, which Congress has failed to adequately address over the years,” <a href="https://www.speaker.gov/press-release/statement-daca-program" type="external">he said</a>.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>We're following the stories of individuals as they navigate the policy and ideological shifts happening during the Trump administration. From an undocumented immigrant to a Nobel Prize winner, here's how immigration affects people. <a href="" type="internal">Navigate through their stories here</a>.</p>
<p />
<p>For now, though, Ramos will keep studying.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to wrap my head around being in New York City and being in a medical school. This goal that I’ve had since I was 12 is now coming in to fruition,” says Ramos. “I had wanted this for so long, so the day was finally here that I was one step closer to actually beginning medical school.”</p>
<p>Almost 2 million people were eligible for DACA and the government had received almost 887,000 applications as of March 2017, according to government data ( <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Resources/Reports%20and%20Studies/Immigration%20Forms%20Data/All%20Form%20Types/DACA/daca_performancedata_fy2017_qtr2.pdf" type="external">PDF</a>).</p>
<p>About two-thirds of those who were eligible for DACA applied&#160;and three-quarters of these applicants are now in the labor force. One in 4 juggles both work and school, <a href="http://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/education-and-work-profiles-daca-population" type="external">according to a report earlier this month from the Migration Policy Institute</a>.</p>
<p>“DACA really emphasized education,” says Julia Gelatt, senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. “Because youth with DACA had work authorization and could get better jobs, it was easier to save up, to afford to go to college.”</p>
<p>The program also provided motivation for those eligible to seek higher education in pursuit of better jobs, especially for women. While only 45 percent of the DACA-eligible population are women, 54 percent of those with college degrees are women.</p>
<p>“If you know that when you get out of college, you have that work authorization to get a professional job, that’s an incentive to go to school,” Gelatt says. “It’ll be harder to go to college, and there’ll be less of an incentive to do so if DACA ends.”</p>
<p>Compared to other undocumented workers, DACA recipients are more likely to hold white-collar office jobs with higher pay. One in 5 undocumented workers is in construction, for example. Fifteen percent of the DACA-eligible population work in sales and 12 percent in office and administrative support.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2017/08/28/437956/daca-recipients-economic-educational-gains-continue-grow/" type="external">A study jointly by University of California, San Diego, political scientist Tom Wong</a>,&#160;the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank,&#160;and a couple of immigrant advocacy groups, estimates that ending DACA would lead to a $460.3 billion loss in the gross domestic product over the next decade. Texas, which led the effort to repeal DACA, stands to lose $6.3 billion annually, second only to California, which has a $11.6 billion projected annual loss.</p>
<p>“Without that work authorization, the best guess is that young people will have to move into the underground economy and figure out what jobs they can find that pay under the table,” Gelatt says. “It’s less likely that those with higher education will be able to work in the professional jobs that recognize their education and skills.”</p>
<p>Mark Krikorian, director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which seeks to decrease overall immigration to the US, calls DACA “lawless amnesty.”</p>
<p>“Discontinuing this rogue program would not only be the fulfillment of a campaign promise but is the necessary starting point for any negotiation of lawful amnesty for this sympathetic group of illegal aliens,” <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/450874/daca-deal-must-include-enforcement-and-raise-act-cuts" type="external">he wrote in the National Review</a>. He supports legislation for DACA recipients that includes stricter immigration enforcement, such as the expansion of E-Verify for employers to check the immigration status of prospective employees and a reduction in family-based visas.</p>
<p>Laura López, a 29-year-old mother of two US-born children in Provo, Utah, says receiving DACA status has given her the confidence to register her business cleaning homes and offices in her own name. Previously, it was all in her husband’s name.</p>
<p>She’s not surprised by the Trump administration’s announcement, but she is disappointed. <a href="" type="internal">Being in immigration limbo is difficult</a>, and this just increases the uncertainty. She’s worried that she will have to return to Mexico, where she hasn’t been since she was 13. The administration’s message this morning did not present DACA recipients honestly, she says.</p>
<p>In his statement, Trump connected the DACA program to violent crime. He said it spurred migration from Central America, including some who joined gangs, but did not offer evidence of this connection. He also generally connected undocumented immigrants to low wages and unemployment for American workers, repeating some of his <a href="" type="internal">arguments for a points-based immigration system</a>.</p>
<p>López says it’s unfair to connect DACA recipients to crime.</p>
<p>“We didn't do anything wrong — neither did our parents make a mistake bringing us here. The rhetoric spewed this morning was one of xenophobia and danger brought by undocumented immigrants. That is false in the case of DACA recipients,” she says. “We went through screening, fingerprinting, we were scrutinized and yet Jeff Sessions deemed this ‘insecure’ for the nation.”</p>
<p>López is due to renew her DACA status in January, but she’s not sure whether or not she’s going to go through with the process. She’s not sure about how the Trump administration will use any information she provides. She says she will likely contact her lawyer before she decides.</p>
<p>“I can’t go; I have my kids and my husband,” she says. “I’m afraid of leaving the country. What if I’m not let back in?”</p>
<p>López has tried to change her immigration status before. Her father had applied for US citizenship in 2001, which might have given her a path to legal status without leaving the country to apply. But by then she was married to a US citizen, which complicated matters. To get legal status as the spouse of a citizen, she would have to return to Mexico. And if her application is delayed or denied, she would not be allowed back into the US.</p>
<p>"When we tried to go to other lawyers, here in Provo, I was turned away,” she says. “There was nothing to be done."</p>
<p>Recently, though, she tried again and is working with a lawyer in Salt Lake City who is helping her apply through her father’s status. If that doesn’t work, she will try to get a waiver to gain status through her husband’s citizenship without leaving the country.</p>
<p>The attorney fees are brutal, she says, but she sees it as an investment. They have decided to use their savings to do it. Some legal clinics and pro bono or almost pro bono legal services exist, but otherwise, it’s expensive.</p>
<p>"Not everybody has the means to do it. If it's cheap, they're probably notaries who really don't know,” she cautions. “And that can get people in trouble."</p>
<p>More about Laura López: <a href="" type="internal">‘It's harder than people think, to pack up your bags and leave.’</a></p>
<p>Trump’s decision to end DACA came after pressure from a group of lawmakers, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at the helm. Ten state attorneys general, as well as the governor of Idaho, signed a letter to US Attorney General Jeff Sessions in June saying they would file a legal challenge to DACA if Trump did not end the program by Sept. 5 ( <a href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/files/epress/DACA_letter_6_29_2017.pdf?cachebuster:5" type="external">PDF</a>). The group previously challenged the Obama-era DAPA program, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, in a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. <a href="" type="internal">The court let stand</a> a lower court decision ending the program when justices deadlocked, 4-4. Trump officially ended DAPA when he took office in January.</p>
<p>For Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, who signed the letter to Sessions, the request was not about immigration, but rather about procedure.</p>
<p>“My signature on this letter is not about targeting immigrant families. Rather, it is consistent with my objection to legislative executive orders as well as encouragement to Congress to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and address these pressing issues,” Wasden said in a statement.</p>
<p>“This announcement from the administration paves the way for our federal lawmakers to finally step up and deal with this very important issue once and for all.”</p>
<p>Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery said in a letter to Tennessee's senators on Friday that he will no longer seek to sue the Trump administration; instead, he'll throw&#160;his weight behind the legislation protecting undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children, which was introduced by Graham and Sen. Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat.</p>
<p>“Many of the DACA recipients, some of whose records I reviewed, have outstanding accomplishments and laudable ambitions, which if achieved, will be of great benefit and service to our country,” he wrote. “They have an appreciation for the opportunities afforded them by our country.” ( <a href="http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/373699/27673058/1504293882007/DACA+letter+9-1-2017.pdf?token=stUlwSIo3qeVjBe7%2BUHbTCIuvts%3D" type="external">PDF</a>)</p>
<p>New York and Washington state attorneys general said on Monday that they would sue the Trump administration if he ends DACA, to protect those who have benefited from the program.</p>
<p>But for Ramos, even as the political machine churns, life must continue. His first day of medical school was on Aug. 14. It included five lectures&#160;specifically about anatomy, the spinal column and the embryo.</p>
<p>“You kind of have to find a balance between worrying about it so much and crippling your life&#160;and kind of living your life,” says Ramos. “If you let it overwhelm you, then it starts interfering with your life.”</p>
<p />
<p>Julio Ramos, 24, is pictured in Times Square, New York City, in August 2017. He moved from Texas to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. But his DACA status complicates things.</p>
<p>Reynaldo Leanos Jr./PRI</p>
<p>Follow: <a href="" type="internal">We're keeping up with Julio Ramos as he navigates his life in the Trump administration.</a></p>
<p>When Trump made his announcement, Ramos was in the process of working with immigration organizations in the Rio Grande Valley and the Mexican consulate to figure out a way to get his undocumented parents from South Texas to attend Mount Sinai's White Coat Ceremony in New York City in a few weeks. But after conversations with his parents, they decided against the trip.</p>
<p>“My mom has let me know that risk is not worth it, just to be there a couple of days to see me wear that white coat,” says Ramos.</p>
<p>Despite the Trump administration’s decision to end DACA, Ramos plans to continue his advocacy for the program and hopes Congress will take action. He stays hopeful because his medical school has been supportive and he feels the political climate is different now than it was when DACA first began in 2012.</p>
<p>“The nation and a few congressmen know undocumented students fairly well now, and they know we’re here to make the country better for everyone and not just ourselves,” says Ramos. “They know our stories — one of our greatest platforms was sharing our stories so that people become aware of who we are, how we grew up and what we anticipate to do later in the future.”</p>
<p>With additional reporting by Monica Campbell, Lydia Emmanouilidou, Chris Woolf and Joyce Hackel.</p> | false | 3 | months president donald trump announced decision end daca deferred action childhood arrivals julio ramos getting ready move ahead life ramos 24 undocumented daca recipient status began training become physician icahn school medicine mount sinai new york city among almost 800000 people160brought us illegally children granted twoyear work permits reprieves deportation part obamaera program us attorney general jeff sessions announced tuesday program would shut press release department homeland security would oversee wind daca said would stop renewing status current beneficiaries six months measures department putting place today current beneficiaries impacted march 5 2018 nearly six months congress time deliver appropriate legislative solutions dhs acting director elaine duke said statement however want clear new initial requests associated applications filed today acted dhs said anyone whose status expires march 5 apply twoyear renewal oct 5 applications already received reviewed casebycase basis sessions said americans rejected opendoor immigration policy said enforcing laws mean country disrespecting immigrants daca program said executive overreach president barack obama shows disrespect legislative process sessions took questions statement immigrants advocates concerned status daca recipients allowed expire become priority removed us statement trump said continue policy prioritizing pursuing criminals immigration enforcement enforcement priorities remain unchanged said focused criminals security threats recent bordercrossers visa overstays repeat violators advised department homeland security daca recipients enforcement priorities unless criminals involved criminal activity members gang arrests immigrants criminal records almost doubled first weeks trump administration several daca recipients already taken custody least one deported since trump took office 23 million people check regularly immigration agents around160 2 million criminal records undocumented immigrants criminal records ineligible daca begin dhs issued fact sheet daca recipients said information provide government proactively used immigration enforcement unless risk national security public safety person summoned appear judge also caution policy could change without notice meanwhile many immigration lawyers advising clients whose permits expire march 5 sixmonth mark renew oct 5 work permits daca protections would run normal twoyear period whose daca status expires march 6 later would fall unauthorized status worstcase scenario congress doesnt pass anything march 6 would possible start enforcement actions said immigration attorney lily axelrod memphis would beginning efforts find detain people time get politically involved lobby members congress senate pass dream act said charles kuck atlantabased immigration attorney thats way forward lawyers continuing tell daca recipients open doors immigration officers unless warrant signed judge slip door also advising obtain form official identification available today drivers licenses municipal id cards well social security numbers used housing banking educational purposes even daca work permits expire talk immigration attorney detained put immigration court removal axelrod said daca recipients could also qualify forms legal relief marriage workbased petitions stay us several government agencies including immigration customs enforcement department homeland security us citizenship immigration services declined answer questions last week reply inquiries morning sessions statement pointing pri instead documents put online possibility daca ending ramoss mind frequently days leading todays announcement didnt much time think medical school classes began lot process sort bracing impact seemed going rescinded started preparing even happened says brings lot emotions thought already suppressed back day coming whole movement trying create advancements program im sure continue forward anxiety concern going build says ramos im basically going address whether something negative160or positive going come life going big part life ramos might financial bind trumps decision end program icahn school given institutional loans scholarships grants loses work permit unclear ramos able pay back loans legislative solution keep daca place occurs longer work authorization time medical school ends unclear whether would allowed join residency program complete training congressional efforts underway curb effects trumps elimination daca program republican sen lindsey graham south carolina drafted bipartisan legislation would help keep deportation relief people like ramos place would also provide path permanent legal status certain conditions sen jeff flake republican arizona proposed legislation provides relief people brought us children implements tougher penalties160on undocumented people committed serious crimes house speaker paul ryan said statement tuesdays announcement wants congress act heart issue young people came country fault many country know status one many immigration issues border security interior enforcement congress failed adequately address years said following stories individuals navigate policy ideological shifts happening trump administration undocumented immigrant nobel prize winner heres immigration affects people navigate stories though ramos keep studying hard wrap head around new york city medical school goal ive since 12 coming fruition says ramos wanted long day finally one step closer actually beginning medical school almost 2 million people eligible daca government received almost 887000 applications march 2017 according government data pdf twothirds eligible daca applied160and threequarters applicants labor force one 4 juggles work school according report earlier month migration policy institute daca really emphasized education says julia gelatt senior policy analyst migration policy institute youth daca work authorization could get better jobs easier save afford go college program also provided motivation eligible seek higher education pursuit better jobs especially women 45 percent dacaeligible population women 54 percent college degrees women know get college work authorization get professional job thats incentive go school gelatt says itll harder go college therell less incentive daca ends compared undocumented workers daca recipients likely hold whitecollar office jobs higher pay one 5 undocumented workers construction example fifteen percent dacaeligible population work sales 12 percent office administrative support study jointly university california san diego political scientist tom wong160the center american progress liberal think tank160and couple immigrant advocacy groups estimates ending daca would lead 4603 billion loss gross domestic product next decade texas led effort repeal daca stands lose 63 billion annually second california 116 billion projected annual loss without work authorization best guess young people move underground economy figure jobs find pay table gelatt says less likely higher education able work professional jobs recognize education skills mark krikorian director center immigration studies seeks decrease overall immigration us calls daca lawless amnesty discontinuing rogue program would fulfillment campaign promise necessary starting point negotiation lawful amnesty sympathetic group illegal aliens wrote national review supports legislation daca recipients includes stricter immigration enforcement expansion everify employers check immigration status prospective employees reduction familybased visas laura lópez 29yearold mother two usborn children provo utah says receiving daca status given confidence register business cleaning homes offices name previously husbands name shes surprised trump administrations announcement disappointed immigration limbo difficult increases uncertainty shes worried return mexico hasnt since 13 administrations message morning present daca recipients honestly says statement trump connected daca program violent crime said spurred migration central america including joined gangs offer evidence connection also generally connected undocumented immigrants low wages unemployment american workers repeating arguments pointsbased immigration system lópez says unfair connect daca recipients crime didnt anything wrong neither parents make mistake bringing us rhetoric spewed morning one xenophobia danger brought undocumented immigrants false case daca recipients says went screening fingerprinting scrutinized yet jeff sessions deemed insecure nation lópez due renew daca status january shes sure whether shes going go process shes sure trump administration use information provides says likely contact lawyer decides cant go kids husband says im afraid leaving country im let back lópez tried change immigration status father applied us citizenship 2001 might given path legal status without leaving country apply married us citizen complicated matters get legal status spouse citizen would return mexico application delayed denied would allowed back us tried go lawyers provo turned away says nothing done recently though tried working lawyer salt lake city helping apply fathers status doesnt work try get waiver gain status husbands citizenship without leaving country attorney fees brutal says sees investment decided use savings legal clinics pro bono almost pro bono legal services exist otherwise expensive everybody means cheap theyre probably notaries really dont know cautions get people trouble laura lópez harder people think pack bags leave trumps decision end daca came pressure group lawmakers texas attorney general ken paxton helm ten state attorneys general well governor idaho signed letter us attorney general jeff sessions june saying would file legal challenge daca trump end program sept 5 pdf group previously challenged obamaera dapa program deferred action parents americans case went way supreme court court let stand lower court decision ending program justices deadlocked 44 trump officially ended dapa took office january idaho attorney general lawrence wasden signed letter sessions request immigration rather procedure signature letter targeting immigrant families rather consistent objection legislative executive orders well encouragement congress fulfill constitutional responsibility address pressing issues wasden said statement announcement administration paves way federal lawmakers finally step deal important issue tennessee attorney general herbert slatery said letter tennessees senators friday longer seek sue trump administration instead hell throw160his weight behind legislation protecting undocumented immigrants brought us children introduced graham sen richard durbin illinois democrat many daca recipients whose records reviewed outstanding accomplishments laudable ambitions achieved great benefit service country wrote appreciation opportunities afforded country pdf new york washington state attorneys general said monday would sue trump administration ends daca protect benefited program ramos even political machine churns life must continue first day medical school aug 14 included five lectures160specifically anatomy spinal column embryo kind find balance worrying much crippling life160and kind living life says ramos let overwhelm starts interfering life julio ramos 24 pictured times square new york city august 2017 moved texas pursue dream becoming physician daca status complicates things reynaldo leanos jrpri follow keeping julio ramos navigates life trump administration trump made announcement ramos process working immigration organizations rio grande valley mexican consulate figure way get undocumented parents south texas attend mount sinais white coat ceremony new york city weeks conversations parents decided trip mom let know risk worth couple days see wear white coat says ramos despite trump administrations decision end daca ramos plans continue advocacy program hopes congress take action stays hopeful medical school supportive feels political climate different daca first began 2012 nation congressmen know undocumented students fairly well know make country better everyone says ramos know stories one greatest platforms sharing stories people become aware grew anticipate later future additional reporting monica campbell lydia emmanouilidou chris woolf joyce hackel | 1,651 |
<p>Jalapeno-studded biscuits with poached egg are just one of the tasty options available at Espita Mezcaleria. (Photo by Rey Lopez)</p>
<p>Our mothers work tirelessly for us in little ways every day — sewing buttons onto shirts at the last minute, praising our smallest achievements and bringing home the bacon — not to mention frying it up in a pan. So, the least we can do is give her a nice meal once a year and that time has come. Here are just a handful of options for a happy Mother’s Day.</p>
<p>For Christianne Ricchi, the chef/owner of <a href="http://iricchidc.com" type="external">i Ricchi</a> (1220 19th St., N.W.), celebrating Mamma is a joyful event. “Eating in Italy is basically a family act,” she says, noting that a mother’s cooking provides a link between generations. While we usually take Mom out for Sunday brunch, this Tuscan family-style Mother’s Day dinner will be offered May 12-13 (Friday and Saturday), featuring tortelloni stuffed with ricotta and chard, Tuscan fried “spider web” chicken and stuffed veal shoulder.</p>
<p>Keep to the Italian theme, but in a different region, at <a href="http://viaumbria.com" type="external">Via Umbria</a> (1525 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.), where a special brunch on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14) will include local Ivy City Smoked Salmon with Pequea Valley yogurt dill spread, and pasta with eggplant, capers, olives, tomatoes and ricotta — along with bottomless Aperol spritz, mimosas or Bloody Marys.</p>
<p>Mom won’t go hungry at <a href="http://teddyandthebullybar.com" type="external">Teddy &amp; The Bully Bar</a> (1200 19th St., N.W.), where a hybrid brunch menu includes three plated dishes, family style sides and several buffet stations. Try the cereal-crusted brioche topped with bourbon syrup and vanilla mascarpone or the short ribs with fried eggs, refried white beans and spicy aioli. Check out the Lady Outlaw cocktail on tap, a perfect spring sipper made with vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon sour and lavender bitters.</p>
<p>Treat Mom to a Michelin-starred meal at <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/corporate/restaurants/blue-duck-tavern/en/blue-duck-tavern-home.html" type="external">Blue Duck Tavern</a> (1201 24th St., N.W.), where she can dig into waffles topped with cream cheese mousse and macerated berries (yes, please), lamb hash with potato, English peas and rainbow carrots, and fried chicken and biscuits with honey hot sauce and a sunny-side-up egg.</p>
<p>Classic Peruvian dishes are on the three-course menu at <a href="http://www.nazcamochica.com" type="external">Nazca Mochica</a> (1633 P St., N.W.), including steamed mussels in a lime and cilantro dressing, braised lamb leg in a dark beer reduction served with fried yucca, and potatoes in Huancaina sauce. Be sure to finish the meal with alfajores, traditional cookies filled with dulce de leche.</p>
<p>The rosé mimosa is just one way to make Mom happy at <a href="http://espitadc.com" type="external">Espita Mezcaleria</a> (1250 9th St., N.W.), but the smoky mezcal Bloody Maria might also do the trick. Highlights from their special brunch menu include a savory maitake mushroom omelette, jalapeno-studded biscuits with poached eggs and arbol hollandaise, and French toast topped with smoked agave nectar and mezcal-infused bananas.</p>
<p>Try one of the best brunches in town at <a href="http://www.ambarrestaurant.com" type="external">Ambar</a> (523 8th St., S.E.), where the Bottomless Brunch includes Balkan-style bread pudding made with chili flakes and country-style bacon, poached pear waffles, steak and eggs and roasted mushroom crepes. The flowing cocktails include the restaurant’s signature Ambar mimosa, a heady blend of champagne with peach and lavender purée, as well as cherry and mango mimosas. Should you decide to stop by for dinner on Mother’s Day, Ambar’s also offering a 50 percent discount on rakia (a kind of Balkan fruit brandy) shots, which Mom is sure to appreciate.</p>
<p>Should rum be your mother’s preferred libation, check out <a href="http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.com/en/washington/" type="external">Cuba Libre</a> (801 9th St., N.W.), where she can indulge in the Havana Hottie, a Bloody Mary made with dark rum and habanero peppers — and be sure to encourage her to reminisce about her misspent youth. Try the Panqueques, cornmeal pancakes topped with dark rum and molasses syrup and mango butter, or the Huevo Roto, a pile of double-blanced French fries with crispy chorizo, poached eggs and a tomato-hollandaise sauce.</p>
<p>Go old school with a classic brunch at the Top of the Hay at the <a href="http://www.hayadams.com" type="external">Hay-Adams Hotel</a> (800 16th St., N.W.), where Mom will receive a chilled glass of Taittinger bubbly upon arrival, which she can sip while enjoying one of the best views in D.C. Buffet offerings will include mushroom agnolotti, seared sea bass, and, of course, prime rib, along with a full omelet station. Don’t skip the dessert selection, from chocolate-dipped strawberries to coconut cake to Virginia rhubarb upside down cake.</p>
<p>An intriguing array of brunch-ready bento boxes are on offer at the Latin-Asian restaurant <a href="http://sakerum.com" type="external">Sakerum</a> (2204 14th St., N.W.), from grilled short rib with sushi rice, chimichurri salsa and a fried egg to a double-fried chicken thigh with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and fried egg. Box accompaniments include bacon-jalapeno home fries, mixed green seaweed salad, fried plaintains and tamago futomaki and Gina Chersevani’s creative cocktails round out the meal, from the Greek Frappé, with rum, cinnamon, instant coffee and cream, to the Lychee Mimosa.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thehamiltondc.com/menus/brunch" type="external">The Hamilton’s</a> (600 14th St., N.W.) popular Gospel Brunch is always a winner. Live entertainment by Wilbur Johnson and the Gospel Persuaders makes for a fun backdrop to Southern-style catfish, spring vegetable strata, collard greens, fried chicken and French toast.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Ambar</a> <a href="" type="internal">Blue Duck Tavern</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cuba Libre</a> <a href="" type="internal">Espita Mezcaleria</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hay Adams Hotel</a> <a href="" type="internal">i Ricchi</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nazca Mochica</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sacrum</a> <a href="" type="internal">Teddy &amp; the Bully Bar</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Hamilton</a> <a href="" type="internal">Via Umbria</a></p> | false | 3 | jalapenostudded biscuits poached egg one tasty options available espita mezcaleria photo rey lopez mothers work tirelessly us little ways every day sewing buttons onto shirts last minute praising smallest achievements bringing home bacon mention frying pan least give nice meal year time come handful options happy mothers day christianne ricchi chefowner ricchi 1220 19th st nw celebrating mamma joyful event eating italy basically family act says noting mothers cooking provides link generations usually take mom sunday brunch tuscan familystyle mothers day dinner offered may 1213 friday saturday featuring tortelloni stuffed ricotta chard tuscan fried spider web chicken stuffed veal shoulder keep italian theme different region via umbria 1525 wisconsin ave nw special brunch mothers day sunday may 14 include local ivy city smoked salmon pequea valley yogurt dill spread pasta eggplant capers olives tomatoes ricotta along bottomless aperol spritz mimosas bloody marys mom wont go hungry teddy amp bully bar 1200 19th st nw hybrid brunch menu includes three plated dishes family style sides several buffet stations try cerealcrusted brioche topped bourbon syrup vanilla mascarpone short ribs fried eggs refried white beans spicy aioli check lady outlaw cocktail tap perfect spring sipper made vodka elderflower liqueur lemon sour lavender bitters treat mom michelinstarred meal blue duck tavern 1201 24th st nw dig waffles topped cream cheese mousse macerated berries yes please lamb hash potato english peas rainbow carrots fried chicken biscuits honey hot sauce sunnysideup egg classic peruvian dishes threecourse menu nazca mochica 1633 p st nw including steamed mussels lime cilantro dressing braised lamb leg dark beer reduction served fried yucca potatoes huancaina sauce sure finish meal alfajores traditional cookies filled dulce de leche rosé mimosa one way make mom happy espita mezcaleria 1250 9th st nw smoky mezcal bloody maria might also trick highlights special brunch menu include savory maitake mushroom omelette jalapenostudded biscuits poached eggs arbol hollandaise french toast topped smoked agave nectar mezcalinfused bananas try one best brunches town ambar 523 8th st se bottomless brunch includes balkanstyle bread pudding made chili flakes countrystyle bacon poached pear waffles steak eggs roasted mushroom crepes flowing cocktails include restaurants signature ambar mimosa heady blend champagne peach lavender purée well cherry mango mimosas decide stop dinner mothers day ambars also offering 50 percent discount rakia kind balkan fruit brandy shots mom sure appreciate rum mothers preferred libation check cuba libre 801 9th st nw indulge havana hottie bloody mary made dark rum habanero peppers sure encourage reminisce misspent youth try panqueques cornmeal pancakes topped dark rum molasses syrup mango butter huevo roto pile doubleblanced french fries crispy chorizo poached eggs tomatohollandaise sauce go old school classic brunch top hay hayadams hotel 800 16th st nw mom receive chilled glass taittinger bubbly upon arrival sip enjoying one best views dc buffet offerings include mushroom agnolotti seared sea bass course prime rib along full omelet station dont skip dessert selection chocolatedipped strawberries coconut cake virginia rhubarb upside cake intriguing array brunchready bento boxes offer latinasian restaurant sakerum 2204 14th st nw grilled short rib sushi rice chimichurri salsa fried egg doublefried chicken thigh yukon gold mashed potatoes fried egg box accompaniments include baconjalapeno home fries mixed green seaweed salad fried plaintains tamago futomaki gina chersevanis creative cocktails round meal greek frappé rum cinnamon instant coffee cream lychee mimosa hamiltons 600 14th st nw popular gospel brunch always winner live entertainment wilbur johnson gospel persuaders makes fun backdrop southernstyle catfish spring vegetable strata collard greens fried chicken french toast ambar blue duck tavern cuba libre espita mezcaleria hay adams hotel ricchi nazca mochica sacrum teddy amp bully bar hamilton via umbria | 599 |
<p>ISTANBUL, Turkey - It's tense times ahead in the Eastern Mediterranean, thanks to the continuing fallout from Israel's deadly raid last year on a Turkish aid ship.</p>
<p>The raid, which occurred in May 2010, claimed the lives of nine passengers aboard a ship heading toward Gaza in defiance of Israel's naval blockade.</p>
<p>Israel-Turkey relations deteriorated significantly in the wake of the incident, with Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, recently intensifying the dispute with the announcement that Turkey will begin patrolling the maritime space between the two countries to ensure safe passage for aid ships.</p>
<p>"From now on, we will not let these ships be attacked by Israel, as happened with the Freedom Flotilla," Erdogan said on Thursday.</p>
<p>PHOTOS FROM TURKEY:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/israel-and-palestine/100531/outrage-israeli-commandos-gaza-aid" type="external">Protests spread after deadly Israeli attack</a></p>
<p>His words echoed those of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who earlier last week announced a series of measures - including freedom of navigation in the Eastern Mediterranean - to be taken against Israel on the heels of the release of the much-anticipated Palmer Report.</p>
<p>The report, issued by a United Nations panel created to investigate the raid, concluded that the Gaza blockade is a legitimate security measure for Israel and, while condemning the attack as "excessive," said that the Turkish organizers were partially responsible for the bloodshed that took place on board the Mavi Marmara.</p>
<p>Turkey was confident that the U.N. panel, which it had pushed hard to have convened, would take its side - partially since the U.N. Human Rights Council had condemned the attacks shortly after they occurred in 2010.</p>
<p>But the report, which came out last week and took a more divided view, has sent Ankara scrambling for new diplomatic tools.</p>
<p>FROM TURKEY:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/turkey/110804/has-turkey-taken-authoritarian-turn" type="external">Has Turkey taken an authoritarian turn?</a></p>
<p>"Plan B," as Ankara's measures against Israel have now been dubbed, includes a melange of tactics aside from assuring freedom of navigational movement in the Eastern Mediterranean.</p>
<p>Turkey has further downgraded relations with Israel, suspended all military agreements, pledged to take the Gaza blockade to the International Court of Justice and support cases filed on behalf of Mavi Marmara victims in courts around the world.</p>
<p>Turkish officials have also said that Ankara will throw its weight behind recognition of Palestinian statehood at the U.N. General Assembly scheduled to meet on Sept. 20.</p>
<p>But the implications of Turkey patrolling the Eastern Mediterranean, where Israel has been searching for natural resources, are dangerous. Onlookers fear what has until now been a cold confrontation, could turn into outright conflict.</p>
<p>"Diplomacy has its limits and we are now in the dangerous red area of diplomacy," said Gokhan Bacik, an international relations professor at Zirve University. Moreover, at the end of diplomatic solutions lay "conflict, high level tension, crisis and finally war," he said.</p>
<p>Although Plan B was just announced last week, analysts say it has been in the making since the Mavi Marmara incident. "Plan B is just putting a name on some of what was already in place," said Bulent Kenes, the editor-in-chief of Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman.</p>
<p>After the raid took place in 2010, Ankara withdrew its ambassador to Israel, suspended joint military exercises and barred Israeli military aircraft from Turkish airspace.</p>
<p>Turkey has been asking Israel to apologize for the raid, pay reparations to those killed and lift the embargo on Gaza. Israel has said that it acted in self-defense.</p>
<p>But unless Israel fulfills Turkey's conditions, "it is not possible to expect the Turkish-Israeli relations to be restored or normalized," said Erdogan, who is set to embark on a tour on Monday to Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.</p>
<p>Although much of Turkey's new clout in the region derives from the fact that it was seen as an actor that could speak to all sides, its recent trouble with Israel has been diminishing that position.</p>
<p>However, amid the Arab Spring and heightened anti-Israel sentiment in Egypt, the power dynamics of the region are shifting in Turkey's favor.</p>
<p>"The only option for Israel if it loses Egypt is to apologize. Otherwise they will be all alone in the region," said Bacik.</p>
<p>FROM TURKEY: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/turkey/110502/turkey-and-europe-battle-it-out" type="external">Turkey and Europe battle it out</a></p>
<p>The deterioration of relations between Turkey and Israel is a new low point for allies who once carried out joint military training exercises and were top military trading partners.</p>
<p>But even before the Mavi Marmara raid, relations were souring. In 2008, Israel's Gaza offensive took Ankara by surprise, when it was in the middle of brokering peace negotiations between Israel and Syria. In 2009 Erdogan told Israeli President Shimon Peres, "you know how to kill" at the Davos World Economic Forum.</p>
<p>The fallout from the Mavi Marmara has erased any evidence of the once-strong alliance and made a quick rapprochement seem unlikely, according to analysts, especially given the two countries' respective leaderships.</p>
<p>"I do not believe that the Justice and Development Party in Turkey and the Netanyahu-led coalition government in Israel can find a way to restore the relationship between the two countries," said Kenes.</p>
<p>Mending ties might prove even more difficult if Ankara is serious about throwing its full support behind legal cases charging high-ranking Israeli officials of crimes against humanity and war crimes in relation to the Mavi Marmara raid.</p>
<p>Since the Mavi Marmara raid, such criminal complaints have been filed in England, Spain, Belgium and Indonesia, whose citizens were among those on board. But according to Buhari Cetinkaya, a Turkish lawyer for some of the victims of the raid, Ankara had been reluctant to back any cases until it saw the outcome of the Palmer Report.</p>
<p>"It's good to hear that the administration will be backing these court cases now. It should have been done from the start," Cetinkaya said.</p>
<p>The complaint, which has been filed to the Istanbul Prosecutor's office, names high-ranking Israeli officials like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.</p>
<p>It is unlikely that legal action against the leaders will amount to much, but it will likely make for a difficult normalization process.</p> | false | 3 | istanbul turkey tense times ahead eastern mediterranean thanks continuing fallout israels deadly raid last year turkish aid ship raid occurred may 2010 claimed lives nine passengers aboard ship heading toward gaza defiance israels naval blockade israelturkey relations deteriorated significantly wake incident turkeys prime minister recep tayyip erdogan recently intensifying dispute announcement turkey begin patrolling maritime space two countries ensure safe passage aid ships let ships attacked israel happened freedom flotilla erdogan said thursday photos turkey160 protests spread deadly israeli attack words echoed foreign minister ahmet davutoglu earlier last week announced series measures including freedom navigation eastern mediterranean taken israel heels release muchanticipated palmer report report issued united nations panel created investigate raid concluded gaza blockade legitimate security measure israel condemning attack excessive said turkish organizers partially responsible bloodshed took place board mavi marmara turkey confident un panel pushed hard convened would take side partially since un human rights council condemned attacks shortly occurred 2010 report came last week took divided view sent ankara scrambling new diplomatic tools turkey160 turkey taken authoritarian turn plan b ankaras measures israel dubbed includes melange tactics aside assuring freedom navigational movement eastern mediterranean turkey downgraded relations israel suspended military agreements pledged take gaza blockade international court justice support cases filed behalf mavi marmara victims courts around world turkish officials also said ankara throw weight behind recognition palestinian statehood un general assembly scheduled meet sept 20 implications turkey patrolling eastern mediterranean israel searching natural resources dangerous onlookers fear cold confrontation could turn outright conflict diplomacy limits dangerous red area diplomacy said gokhan bacik international relations professor zirve university moreover end diplomatic solutions lay conflict high level tension crisis finally war said although plan b announced last week analysts say making since mavi marmara incident plan b putting name already place said bulent kenes editorinchief turkish newspaper todays zaman raid took place 2010 ankara withdrew ambassador israel suspended joint military exercises barred israeli military aircraft turkish airspace turkey asking israel apologize raid pay reparations killed lift embargo gaza israel said acted selfdefense unless israel fulfills turkeys conditions possible expect turkishisraeli relations restored normalized said erdogan set embark tour monday tunisia egypt libya although much turkeys new clout region derives fact seen actor could speak sides recent trouble israel diminishing position however amid arab spring heightened antiisrael sentiment egypt power dynamics region shifting turkeys favor option israel loses egypt apologize otherwise alone region said bacik turkey turkey europe battle deterioration relations turkey israel new low point allies carried joint military training exercises top military trading partners even mavi marmara raid relations souring 2008 israels gaza offensive took ankara surprise middle brokering peace negotiations israel syria 2009 erdogan told israeli president shimon peres know kill davos world economic forum fallout mavi marmara erased evidence oncestrong alliance made quick rapprochement seem unlikely according analysts especially given two countries respective leaderships believe justice development party turkey netanyahuled coalition government israel find way restore relationship two countries said kenes mending ties might prove even difficult ankara serious throwing full support behind legal cases charging highranking israeli officials crimes humanity war crimes relation mavi marmara raid since mavi marmara raid criminal complaints filed england spain belgium indonesia whose citizens among board according buhari cetinkaya turkish lawyer victims raid ankara reluctant back cases saw outcome palmer report good hear administration backing court cases done start cetinkaya said complaint filed istanbul prosecutors office names highranking israeli officials like prime minister benjamin netanyahu foreign minister avigdor lieberman unlikely legal action leaders amount much likely make difficult normalization process | 582 |
<p>The words “processed cheese” probably conjure&#160;visions of cellophane-wrapped slices from lunchbox days. But maybe expand your mind, just a bit.</p>
<p>According to Lloyd Metzger, a dairy scientist at South Dakota State University, however, it’s hard to define what exactly processed cheese is.&#160;</p>
<p>“You'll see terms like pasteurized, processed cheese, pasteurized processed cheese food, pasteurized processed cheese spread, and pasteurized processed cheese product,” Metzger says.&#160;“All of those products will be in the same category in the store. They'll look very much alike, but the ingredients and how those cheeses were made will vary dramatically. So it's a really hard question to answer.”</p>
<p>To understand processed cheese, Metzger offers a history lesson. Processed cheese, he says, was originally dreamed up by inventor James L. Kraft as a way to keep blocks of cheese fresh on his Chicago cheese wagon. And it’s not a uniquely American invention — Europeans, too, were experimenting with cheese processing at the same time.</p>
<p>“If you take a cheese and put it in your refrigerator it's alive and it keeps changing over time,” Metzger says “The characteristics of that cheese rapidly change over time and it can be a good change if it's a very nice aged cheddar or it can spoil in your refrigerator. So processed cheese was designed to try to arrest and stop that ripening process.”&#160;</p>
<p>One thing is true of all processed cheeses, however: “When you make a processed cheese you actually start with a natural cheese,” Metzger says. “You have to add some type of ingredient called an emulsifying salt and that can be something as simple as a wine or a lemon juice and some baking soda. ... Basically what you need is a key that will bind the calcium and cause this cheese to actually form a nice smooth, velvety creamy texture.”</p>
<p>To illustrate, Metzger points to a bowl of spaghetti, with all the noodle strands in a big pile, interacting with each other. When an emulsifying salt is added, it makes all those strands unravel&#160;and become individual strands that begin interacting with any fat and water present in the cheese.&#160;</p>
<p>“And then the cheese will no longer leak oil,” Metzger says, “And [it] won’t have water that comes out of it. And with a little mixing and heating you make this very nice, smooth, creamy product and that's basically what you're doing when you're making processed cheese.”</p>
<p>Processed cheese is what we have to thank for ball game nacho cheese&#160;and boxed macaroni and cheese.</p>
<p>“The cheese used in macaroni and cheese really needs to be a processed cheese to not have that grainy texture,” Metzger says, “If you use just a straight cheddar you'll get a very gloppy oily product that&#160;really doesn't have that desirable velvet melty characteristic that you're after in your macaroni and cheese.”&#160;</p>
<p>For those averse to using a highly processed cheese found in boxed pasta blends, Metzler says it’s simple to make a processed cheese at home.&#160;</p>
<p>“Just go buy some mild cheddar cheese,” Metzger says, “And put that on a saucepan on your stove top. Add some water to it and then also add some lemon juice and a little bit of baking soda. And just stir it up with a whisk and you'll get this very smooth, creamy product. If you want it to be thinner, add a little bit more water to it and you can really get your nice nacho cheese sauce at home.”</p>
<p>Want a recipe for cheese sauce? Metzger has you covered:&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The following recipe is republished with permission from&#160; <a href="https://www.chefsteps.com/" type="external">ChefSteps</a>, a Seattle-based food and technology company on a mission to help people cook smarter.</p>
<p>This super-easy recipe takes about 25 minutes from start to finish, and the resulting cheese sauce is every bit as delicious as the cheesy topping you pump from a dispenser at the stadium. We use orange cheddar and kick it up a notch with spicy pickled jalapeños. The key to the velvety-smooth emulsified texture, though, is melting salts. In fact, you can’t get ooey-gooey melty cheese sauce without ’em, and the good news is: They’re affordable, easy to find, and easy to use.</p>
<p>Equipment</p>
<p>Timing</p>
<p>25 minutes</p>
<p>Yield</p>
<p>600 g, or about 12 servings</p>
<p>Step 1 —&#160;Cut cheese into small pieces</p>
<p>Cut into small pieces, or shred with a cheese grater.</p>
<p>Step 2 —&#160;Place ingredients into a ziplock bag</p>
<p>Place milk and salts in a Ziplock bag and agitate slightly to dissolve. Add cheese, and seal bag. Drape the bag over the side of the sous vide bath, taking care not to leak any water in the bag.</p>
<p>If you don’t have a sous vide circulator,&#160; <a href="https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/improvised-sous-vide-pot-on-a-stove-method" type="external">try our improved sous vide method</a>, using just a pot of water on your stove top.</p>
<p>Step 3 – Melt cheese</p>
<p>Place bag in 167 °F / 75 °C bath for 15 minutes to melt the cheese.</p>
<p>Step 4 — Blend</p>
<p>Place melted cheese and pickled jalapeño in blender and blend until smooth. If you want larger chunks of jalapeños, chop them by hand and fold them in after you blend.</p>
<p>Step 5 — Serve warm</p>
<p>Pour nacho cheese into an insulated container (like a cocotte or other pot with a lid), and serve warm.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>This article is based on an&#160; <a href="http://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/the-homogenous-history-of-processed-cheese/" type="external">interview</a>&#160;that aired on PRI's&#160; <a href="http://www.sciencefriday.com/" type="external">Science Friday</a>&#160;as well as an <a href="http://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/make-ultimate-nacho-cheese-sauce/" type="external">article</a> published on their site.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | words processed cheese probably conjure160visions cellophanewrapped slices lunchbox days maybe expand mind bit according lloyd metzger dairy scientist south dakota state university however hard define exactly processed cheese is160 youll see terms like pasteurized processed cheese pasteurized processed cheese food pasteurized processed cheese spread pasteurized processed cheese product metzger says160all products category store theyll look much alike ingredients cheeses made vary dramatically really hard question answer understand processed cheese metzger offers history lesson processed cheese says originally dreamed inventor james l kraft way keep blocks cheese fresh chicago cheese wagon uniquely american invention europeans experimenting cheese processing time take cheese put refrigerator alive keeps changing time metzger says characteristics cheese rapidly change time good change nice aged cheddar spoil refrigerator processed cheese designed try arrest stop ripening process160 one thing true processed cheeses however make processed cheese actually start natural cheese metzger says add type ingredient called emulsifying salt something simple wine lemon juice baking soda basically need key bind calcium cause cheese actually form nice smooth velvety creamy texture illustrate metzger points bowl spaghetti noodle strands big pile interacting emulsifying salt added makes strands unravel160and become individual strands begin interacting fat water present cheese160 cheese longer leak oil metzger says wont water comes little mixing heating make nice smooth creamy product thats basically youre youre making processed cheese processed cheese thank ball game nacho cheese160and boxed macaroni cheese cheese used macaroni cheese really needs processed cheese grainy texture metzger says use straight cheddar youll get gloppy oily product that160really doesnt desirable velvet melty characteristic youre macaroni cheese160 averse using highly processed cheese found boxed pasta blends metzler says simple make processed cheese home160 go buy mild cheddar cheese metzger says put saucepan stove top add water also add lemon juice little bit baking soda stir whisk youll get smooth creamy product want thinner add little bit water really get nice nacho cheese sauce home want recipe cheese sauce metzger covered160 160 following recipe republished permission from160 chefsteps seattlebased food technology company mission help people cook smarter supereasy recipe takes 25 minutes start finish resulting cheese sauce every bit delicious cheesy topping pump dispenser stadium use orange cheddar kick notch spicy pickled jalapeños key velvetysmooth emulsified texture though melting salts fact cant get ooeygooey melty cheese sauce without em good news theyre affordable easy find easy use equipment timing 25 minutes yield 600 g 12 servings step 1 160cut cheese small pieces cut small pieces shred cheese grater step 2 160place ingredients ziplock bag place milk salts ziplock bag agitate slightly dissolve add cheese seal bag drape bag side sous vide bath taking care leak water bag dont sous vide circulator160 try improved sous vide method using pot water stove top step 3 melt cheese place bag 167 f 75 c bath 15 minutes melt cheese step 4 blend place melted cheese pickled jalapeño blender blend smooth want larger chunks jalapeños chop hand fold blend step 5 serve warm pour nacho cheese insulated container like cocotte pot lid serve warm 160 article based an160 interview160that aired pris160 science friday160as well article published site160 | 513 |
<p>After President Trump’s executive orders, the future of U.S. refugee resettlement programs is uncertain. This is the first in a series on what that might mean for Syrians fleeing their war-torn country. Previous stories: <a href="" type="internal">For Syrian refugees, recruiter’s call signaled time to flee</a>; <a href="" type="internal">Volunteers in refugee programs fulfilling biblical mandate to care for strangers</a></p>
<p>President Trump’s refugee executive order has sparked heated debate over the resettlement process, but how does it work? How do these people get here now?</p>
<p>It’s important to know that “refugee” has a distinct definition. Refugees are not persons fleeing poverty and looking for better job prospects. Neither are they internally displaced persons who have fled their homes but remain in their country.</p>
<p>“Refugees” are fleeing persecution and personal danger based on race, people group, political affiliation or war. They seek temporary asylum in a second country —&#160;such as Syrians in Jordan —&#160;and then are resettled to a third country, such as the United States.</p>
<p>Best estimates put the number of refugees at 21.3 million, with another 44 million persons displaced within borders of their own country. Half the population of Syria is homeless, including 5 million who have left the country and 7 million internally.</p>
<p>With 65 million people on the move around the world, the number of displaced humans is the highest at any time in history, including during World War II. The United States is resettling less than one-half of 1 percent.</p>
<p>Refugees who survive the arduous trek from war zone or disaster and make it to a refugee camp apply for resettlement through the United Nations.</p>
<p>Less than 1 percent of refugees are ever resettled to a third country. This saddles an enormous burden on the backs of countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Greece, early stops on the route from northern Africa and the Middle East.</p>
<p>The U.N. representative will identify a nation that is a good match and refer the refugee to representatives of that nation. If the recommendation is to the U.S., the vetting process begins then and may take 18 months.</p>
<p>Of course, the refugee family may have been sheltered for years in a “temporary” camp before they ever are identified for resettlement.</p>
<p>In the United States the government does not resettle persons. Instead, it contracts with nine nonprofit agencies that do the legwork, primarily through volunteers they recruit and train —&#160;heavily through churches.</p>
<p>When a refugee is cleared for resettlement to the U.S., one of the nine agencies is contacted. The agency notifies its volunteers and they prepare for the family’s arrival.</p>
<p>Joe McCann, director of church engagement for the High Point and Winston-Salem, N.C., offices of World Relief, said the refugee crisis provides churches “an amazing opportunity to love a group of people who you would have no opportunity to love otherwise.”</p>
<p>Joe McCann, director of church engagement for the High Point and Winston-Salem, N.C., offices of World Relief.</p>
<p>World Relief’s mission is not to resettle refugees, but “to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable.” Staff engages church volunteers to focus on relationship, he said, giving the church opportunity “to love and serve refugees and to be influenced and impacted by refugees they love and serve.”</p>
<p>Resettlement is dramatically different from volunteering at a soup kitchen or passing out sandwiches in the park. Committing to resettle a family from another nation who likely doesn’t speak your language opens the door to relationship.</p>
<p>“That can be a hard sell sometimes,” McCann said. “But once a church or individual takes a shot at it, it is one of those experiences that will really change them. It’s truly a way to live out the gospel in a very tangible way.”</p>
<p>World Relief asks a church that wants to resettle a refugee family to establish a Good Neighbor committee of five-to-15 people with a commitment of six months. Each person needs to undergo a background check and a four-hour training. Teams are asked to make a $1,000 contribution to the refugee resettlement program of World Relief.</p>
<p>“The end goal is relationship,” McCann said. “The family arrives and feels immediately connected. People care about them, and they have a network and care system.”</p>
<p>The truth is that many have come from professional careers with a good education, a comfortable house and a position of honor in their communities. They come as a refugee, frightened, weary and poor and settle into a small apartment stocked with donated furniture and strange food, provided by strangers who don’t speak their language.</p>
<p>As quickly as possible those persons in the family who can work are expected to secure a job. McCann said 90 percent of employable adults have a job within 90 days. In those areas with a history of refugee resettlement, employers are eager to hire them, as they have a reputation for hard work and dependability.</p>
<p>The myopic American perspective may be that any refugee coming from any country would think they have traveled the yellow brick road to a magnificent Land of Oz just to arrive in this country.</p>
<p>The truth is that many have come from professional careers with a good education, a comfortable house and a position of honor in their communities. They come as a refugee, frightened, weary and poor and settle into a small apartment stocked with donated furniture and strange food, provided by strangers who don’t speak their language.</p>
<p>Their credentials, degrees and certifications count for nothing. While Americans may resent what appears to be a free ride or endless handouts, they walk a rough road.</p>
<p>A refugee family is eligible for the same level of public assistance for which a citizen with the same income level would be eligible. They qualify for federally subsidized housing based on income level.</p>
<p>Matthew Soerens, U.S. director of church mobilization for World Relief, said the “vast majority” of refugees where he lives in Illinois pay full rent market rate. Refugees sponsored by an employer or family member are not eligible for means tested public benefits, he said.</p>
<p>“Our goal is not just to welcome and integrate refugees, it’s also to empower the local church to serve. Hopefully as Christians we’re concerned about the persecuted church in other parts of the world. This is a unique opportunity to stand with them.”</p> | false | 3 | president trumps executive orders future us refugee resettlement programs uncertain first series might mean syrians fleeing wartorn country previous stories syrian refugees recruiters call signaled time flee volunteers refugee programs fulfilling biblical mandate care strangers president trumps refugee executive order sparked heated debate resettlement process work people get important know refugee distinct definition refugees persons fleeing poverty looking better job prospects neither internally displaced persons fled homes remain country refugees fleeing persecution personal danger based race people group political affiliation war seek temporary asylum second country 160such syrians jordan 160and resettled third country united states best estimates put number refugees 213 million another 44 million persons displaced within borders country half population syria homeless including 5 million left country 7 million internally 65 million people move around world number displaced humans highest time history including world war ii united states resettling less onehalf 1 percent refugees survive arduous trek war zone disaster make refugee camp apply resettlement united nations less 1 percent refugees ever resettled third country saddles enormous burden backs countries turkey lebanon greece early stops route northern africa middle east un representative identify nation good match refer refugee representatives nation recommendation us vetting process begins may take 18 months course refugee family may sheltered years temporary camp ever identified resettlement united states government resettle persons instead contracts nine nonprofit agencies legwork primarily volunteers recruit train 160heavily churches refugee cleared resettlement us one nine agencies contacted agency notifies volunteers prepare familys arrival joe mccann director church engagement high point winstonsalem nc offices world relief said refugee crisis provides churches amazing opportunity love group people would opportunity love otherwise joe mccann director church engagement high point winstonsalem nc offices world relief world reliefs mission resettle refugees empower local church serve vulnerable staff engages church volunteers focus relationship said giving church opportunity love serve refugees influenced impacted refugees love serve resettlement dramatically different volunteering soup kitchen passing sandwiches park committing resettle family another nation likely doesnt speak language opens door relationship hard sell sometimes mccann said church individual takes shot one experiences really change truly way live gospel tangible way world relief asks church wants resettle refugee family establish good neighbor committee fiveto15 people commitment six months person needs undergo background check fourhour training teams asked make 1000 contribution refugee resettlement program world relief end goal relationship mccann said family arrives feels immediately connected people care network care system truth many come professional careers good education comfortable house position honor communities come refugee frightened weary poor settle small apartment stocked donated furniture strange food provided strangers dont speak language quickly possible persons family work expected secure job mccann said 90 percent employable adults job within 90 days areas history refugee resettlement employers eager hire reputation hard work dependability myopic american perspective may refugee coming country would think traveled yellow brick road magnificent land oz arrive country truth many come professional careers good education comfortable house position honor communities come refugee frightened weary poor settle small apartment stocked donated furniture strange food provided strangers dont speak language credentials degrees certifications count nothing americans may resent appears free ride endless handouts walk rough road refugee family eligible level public assistance citizen income level would eligible qualify federally subsidized housing based income level matthew soerens us director church mobilization world relief said vast majority refugees lives illinois pay full rent market rate refugees sponsored employer family member eligible means tested public benefits said goal welcome integrate refugees also empower local church serve hopefully christians concerned persecuted church parts world unique opportunity stand | 588 |
<p>Researchers studying sediment cores from lakes along the Mississippi River have found a history of flooding, which could help to explain the decline of an early Native American civilization.</p>
<p>From roughly 600 to 1400 CE, the largest city in what is now the United States was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahokia" type="external">Cahokia</a>. At its height, long before the arrival of Europeans, the city covered six square miles and consisted of 120 human made mounds that served a variety of functions including habitation, religion and commerce.</p>
<p>It is thought that at the city’s peak it’s population numbered about 40,000. That would remain a record for any city north of Mexico until 1780 when Philadelphia reached 40,000.</p>
<p>A number of different causes have been suggested for the city’s decline, which began in about 1200 CE. These include erosion, drought, over-hunting and deforestation.</p>
<p>Now, a new study published in the <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2015/04/29/1501904112.abstract?sid=0e66a259-314a-46e8-b5be-72310474a32f" type="external">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a> has added another possible cause to the list, flooding. Using sediment cores, the researchers found a long history of flooding in the area which diminished considerably about 600 CE, roughly the time the city was founded, are resumed around 1200 CE, which coincides with the start of the city’s decline.</p>
<p>Studying sediments which date back almost 2,000 years, the researchers found eight significant flood events in the valley near modern day St. Louis. The researchers do not indicate flooding as a sole cause of the demise of Cahokia, merely another factor to be considered.</p>
<p>“We are not arguing against the role of drought in Cahokia’s decline but this presents another piece of information,” says Samuel Munoz, a Ph.D. candidate in geography and the study’s lead author in a <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/uow-atr043015.php" type="external">statement</a>.</p>
<p>The authors also believe that the findings could provide useful information for modern residents of the area.</p>
<p>“It also provides new information about the flood history of the Mississippi River, which may be useful to agencies and townships interested in reducing the exposure of current landowners and townships to flood risk,” said Jack Williams, a professor of geography and director of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Center for Climatic Research.</p>
<p>Munoz was originally looking for information on prehistoric land use among ancient people. The researchers took core samples from Horseshoe Lake, which is near the ancient city center of Cahokia to look for pollen and other samples which would provide information on ancient land use.</p>
<p>“We had these really strange layers in the core that didn’t have any pollen and they had a really odd texture,” Munoz says. “In fact, one of the students working with us called it ‘lake butter.'”</p>
<p>They asked around to try to determine what they had found and the the late Jim Knox, who spent 43 years as a geography professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, suggested that they think about flooding. Large floods can significantly disrupt the normal depositing of materials in lake beds.</p>
<p>The team radiocarbon dated charcoal and plant material within the core to create a record of flood events, including a known flood in 1844. Next they validated these findings by comparing them to sediments from Grassy Lake, 120 miles downstream. The sediments and flood “signatures” from the second lake agreed with their earlier findings and matched the timeline.</p>
<p>The findings show regular flooding in the region between 300 and 600 AD. Evidence in the sediments shows that agriculture first began in the region about 400 CE and that by 600 the region had become more arid and significant numbers of farmers had moved into the floodplain.</p>
<p>“Rarely do you get such fortuitous opportunities where you have these nice sedimentary records next to an archaeological site that’s so well studied,” said Munoz.</p>
<p>Sissel Schroeder, UW-Madison professor of anthropology whose doctoral studies focused on Cahokia said that evidence from the city does not suggest flooding, but that it can’t be ruled out. Researchers may have simply missed the signs of a flood.</p>
<p>Archologists know that about 900 the population exploded after farmers began to cultivate maize in the region. The city is generally viewed as a chiefdom with a hierarchy of settlements spreading from the main city. This is similar, says Schroeder, to small county seats surrounding large centers that exist today. Around 1200 however, the population began to decline.</p>
<p>“We see some important changes in the archaeology of the site at this time, including a wooden wall that is built around the central precinct of Cahokia. There are shifts in craft production, house size and shape, and other signals in material production that indicate political, social and economic changes that may be associated with social unrest,” says Schroeder.</p>
<p>By 1400 the city was deserted and its people had scattered to other parts of North America.</p>
<p>According to the researchers, in order to replicate the flooding of the time, the Mississippi River would have to rise about 33 feet above its current levels at St. Louis. Flooding of this severity at the time would have devastated local crops and severely impacted food stores creating widespread shortages.</p>
<p>“We hope archaeologists can start integrating these flood records into their ideas of what happened at Cahokia and check for evidence of flooding,” says Munoz, who plans to continue studying flood records in lakes around the country once he graduates this year.</p>
<p>The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is in Illinois, directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. The 2,200 acres park contains about 80 mounds. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is designated for state protection.</p>
<p>Additional multimedia information about the site and its inhabitants is available at <a href="http://cahokiamounds.org/" type="external">cahokiamounds.org</a>, an airial tour of the site along with additional history can be found at <a href="https://www.chickasaw.tv/history-timeline/video/cahokia-aerial-tour/document/cahokia-mounds-state-historic-site-profile" type="external">Chickasaw.tv</a> and a narrated video about the site can be found on the IHPA’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dp1CViqb5Y&amp;feature=player_embedded" type="external">YouTube channel</a>.</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | researchers studying sediment cores lakes along mississippi river found history flooding could help explain decline early native american civilization roughly 600 1400 ce largest city united states cahokia height long arrival europeans city covered six square miles consisted 120 human made mounds served variety functions including habitation religion commerce thought citys peak population numbered 40000 would remain record city north mexico 1780 philadelphia reached 40000 number different causes suggested citys decline began 1200 ce include erosion drought overhunting deforestation new study published proceedings national academy sciences added another possible cause list flooding using sediment cores researchers found long history flooding area diminished considerably 600 ce roughly time city founded resumed around 1200 ce coincides start citys decline studying sediments date back almost 2000 years researchers found eight significant flood events valley near modern day st louis researchers indicate flooding sole cause demise cahokia merely another factor considered arguing role drought cahokias decline presents another piece information says samuel munoz phd candidate geography studys lead author statement authors also believe findings could provide useful information modern residents area also provides new information flood history mississippi river may useful agencies townships interested reducing exposure current landowners townships flood risk said jack williams professor geography director nelson institute environmental studies center climatic research munoz originally looking information prehistoric land use among ancient people researchers took core samples horseshoe lake near ancient city center cahokia look pollen samples would provide information ancient land use really strange layers core didnt pollen really odd texture munoz says fact one students working us called lake butter asked around try determine found late jim knox spent 43 years geography professor university wisconsinmadison suggested think flooding large floods significantly disrupt normal depositing materials lake beds team radiocarbon dated charcoal plant material within core create record flood events including known flood 1844 next validated findings comparing sediments grassy lake 120 miles downstream sediments flood signatures second lake agreed earlier findings matched timeline findings show regular flooding region 300 600 ad evidence sediments shows agriculture first began region 400 ce 600 region become arid significant numbers farmers moved floodplain rarely get fortuitous opportunities nice sedimentary records next archaeological site thats well studied said munoz sissel schroeder uwmadison professor anthropology whose doctoral studies focused cahokia said evidence city suggest flooding cant ruled researchers may simply missed signs flood archologists know 900 population exploded farmers began cultivate maize region city generally viewed chiefdom hierarchy settlements spreading main city similar says schroeder small county seats surrounding large centers exist today around 1200 however population began decline see important changes archaeology site time including wooden wall built around central precinct cahokia shifts craft production house size shape signals material production indicate political social economic changes may associated social unrest says schroeder 1400 city deserted people scattered parts north america according researchers order replicate flooding time mississippi river would rise 33 feet current levels st louis flooding severity time would devastated local crops severely impacted food stores creating widespread shortages hope archaeologists start integrating flood records ideas happened cahokia check evidence flooding says munoz plans continue studying flood records lakes around country graduates year cahokia mounds state historic site illinois directly across mississippi river st louis missouri 2200 acres park contains 80 mounds listed national historic landmark unesco world heritage site designated state protection additional multimedia information site inhabitants available cahokiamoundsorg airial tour site along additional history found chickasawtv narrated video site found ihpas youtube channel | 570 |
<p>Pope Francis said the clergy abuse crisis was “camouflaged with a complicity that cannot be explained” Monday in Rome.</p>
<p>He also used some of his most emotional language yet in a Vatican-distributed video of his sermon at a private Mass for six adults victimized by priests as children.</p>
<p>The survivors, two each from Ireland, Germany and the UK, spent the weekend at Santa Marta, the Vatican residential hotel where the pope lives. It typically houses visiting churchmen.</p>
<p>The group had breakfast with the pope, and met individually with him in sessions through the morning.</p>
<p>Francis compared clerical abuse of children to “ <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/07/us-pope-abuse-idUSKBN0FC15J20140707" type="external">a sacrilegious cult</a>.”</p>
<p>The pope spoke, too, like a sinner in confession: “I beg your forgiveness, too for the sins of omissions on the part of church leaders who did not respond adequately to reports of abuse made by family members, as well as by abuse victims themselves.”</p>
<p>“Are sins of omissions not also crimes?”&#160;Alberto Athié, a prominent advocate for abuse survivors, said in an interview by phone from his home in Mexico City.</p>
<p>“Is this only about local ecclesiastical authorities, when in fact they were and are acting under the provisions of the Holy See?” ruminated Athié, who left the priesthood and a high-profile position with the Mexican bishops’ conference in 1999, protesting the cover-up of a pedophile.</p>
<p>“Or is the sin of omission a crime of cardinals of the Holy See, and even popes John Paul and Benedict?” said Athié, a respected moral voice in Mexico.</p>
<p>The question casts a long shadow over a crisis that has escalated, under three popes now, as highly-charged civil cases, prosecutions and government investigations have undercut the church’s image and moral standing in Western countries, while a more recent movement of protesters has risen in Latin America.</p>
<p>Athié’s remarks captured a consensus voiced by abuse survivors in many countries who are pressing Francis to transcend rhetoric and use the power of his office to forge legal policies as no pope has done. Athié left the priesthood and an influential position with Caritas, the bishops’ missionary organization, in 1999, after a protracted battle with Vatican and Mexico City archdiocesan officials for their support of <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/belief/pope-benedict-legion-christ-scandal" type="external">Father Marcial Maciel</a>, a powerful priest trailed by pedophilia accusations.</p>
<p>Athié <a href="https://secure.avaaz.org/es/petition/El_Papa_Francisco_Actuar_en_contra_de_la_Pederastia_clerical/?dfvlNab&amp;pv=0" type="external">posted an open letter</a> July 3 to Francis demanding systemic reforms to punish perpetrators and hold bishops accountable; the manifesto signed by 128 abuse survivors, lawyers and supportive groups was announced at a news conference in Mexico City, where the newspaper La Jornada called the church’s deeds “crimes against humanity.”</p>
<p>The July 3 letter makes a formal demand of Pope Francis that he “dismiss Cardinal Norberto Rivera of Mexico City for his clear participation in the cover-up of [Legion of Christ founder] Marcial Maciel, and Father Nicolás Aguilar and other pederasts.”</p>
<p>Aguilar shuttled between Mexico and Los Angeles, trailed by accusations known to Rivera and Cardinal Roger Mahony of L.A., as a trail of documents in lawsuits have shown. The priest is wanted by police and&#160;in hiding in Mexico with extradition warrants&#160;for his return to the US on criminal charges.</p>
<p>Reforms in Athié’s letter echo those advocated by SNAP and similar groups in Canada, Australia and Europe: report suspected priests to law enforcement, accelerate the dismissal of predators from the priesthood and halt Vatican tolerance of complicit bishops.</p>
<p>The first pope from Latin America confronts a movement of abuse survivors that is growing in that hemisphere, strikingly so in Argentina, where his record as cardinal-archbishop of Buenos Aires would fall under the “sins of omission” for which he seeks forgiveness.</p>
<p>BishopAccountability, the online archive of abuse documents, in a statement Monday said that the pope, as Buenos Aires Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio " <a href="http://www.bishop-accountability.org/Argentina/Survivor_Experience.htm" type="external">refused to meet with victims</a>, and he <a href="http://www.bishop-accountability.org/Argentina/" type="external">stayed largely silent</a> on the issue of clergy sex abuse, except to issue a <a href="http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news5/2013_04_Pope_Francis_In_My_Diocese.htm" type="external">surprising denial</a> that he had ever handled an abusive priest. His only known action was to commission a <a href="http://www.bishopaccountability.org/Argentina/news/2011_12_17_Rodriguez_Convicted_Priest.htm" type="external">behind-the-scenes report to judges</a> that sought exoneration of a <a href="http://www.bishop-accountability.org/Argentina/Detailed_Grassi_Summary.htm" type="external">criminally convicted priest</a> by impugning the credibility of the priest's victims."</p>
<p>As Athié’s group in Mexico City posted its letter, a group of Argentinians – Sebastián Cuatrommo, Gabriel Ferrini, Osvaldo Ramirez and Julieta Añazco – posted a letter calling on Francis to “amend hazardous defects of ecclesiastical laws so that permissive bishops will no longer remain in office.”</p>
<p>Julieta Añazco of La Plata, Argentina gave credit to Athié for assisting her group.</p>
<p>Both the Mexican and Argentinian group seem frustrated that Francis chose to meet with clergy victims from northern Europe. Of her personal struggles, Añazco wrote via email:&#160;“I feel cheated, I had faith. I was able to witness the complicity that exists in the church to cases of ecclesiastical abuse. And it hurts, it really hurts.”</p>
<p>Francis’s soul-bearing language, taking on the sins of a hierarchy, has become a lightning rod for the alienated, angry shock troops of a survivors’ movement that has spread across the globe via the internet.</p>
<p>The pope’s charged rhetoric on issues of poverty, immigration and globalization has made him, arguably, the most popular figure on the global stage; yet he has been slow to engage the impact of the church’s criminal sexual underground, a crisis that has collided with&#160;the Western court system and press only since the 1980s.</p>
<p>By casting himself in the role of a Father Confessor seeking absolution of his own, Francis has ventured into an arena with victims pushing for a church to be subject to a secular rule of law.</p>
<p>Francis is on an odyssey, trying to demonstrate his capacity to change, using words to fashion an agenda that will find some resolution with a survivors’ movement that wants the church subject to an independent judiciary, not canon law tribunals that cater to the power of cardinals.</p>
<p>Reaction to the pope’s dramatic statement, which survivor groups in many countries had long anticipated, rolled across the media grid.</p>
<p>“There was no standing on ceremony. No pomp,” survivor Marie Kane, 43, who traveled from Dublin, <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/irish-abuse-victim-tells-pope-she-wants-cardinal-brady-removed-1.1858169" type="external">told the Irish Times</a>, of her 20-minute one-on-one with the pope.</p>
<p>“I felt very comfortable, relaxed. He seemed genuinely frustrated at what he was hearing... There was a lot of empathy. There was no looking at watches. I was the one who ended it as I had said all I wanted to say.”</p>
<p>Kane said that she asked the pope to remove Cardinal Seán Brady for his failures in the case of Fr. Brendan Smyth; Brady swore two boys to secrecy a 1975 church investigation. Smyth abused many victims until his arrest in 1994.</p>
<p>Kane told Pope Francis “cover-up is still happening and you have the power to make these changes,” as she told reporter Patsy McGarry, adding that she mentioned other church officials,, but “I didn’t want to go into a litany.”&#160;</p>
<p>She said that Francis told her it was “difficult to make these changes...but it’s a big thing with me that Seán Brady is gone.”</p>
<p>Francis said: “All bishops must carry out their pastoral ministry with the utmost care in order to help foster the protection of minors, and they will be held accountable.”</p>
<p>Just how accountability is achieved is crucial to Alberto Athié.&#160;</p>
<p>In 1994 Athié began counseling a dying man, Juan Manuel Amenábar, a former president of Anáhuac North, a Legion of Christ university in Mexico City where&#160;Father Maciel, the founder of the order appointed him. Amenábar had quit his prestigious job, quit the Legion and the priesthood to live in America. Several years later, a broken man, he lay in a hospital bed, confessing to Father Athié his hatred of Maciel for having sexually abused him when he was young.</p>
<p>In addition to his work with Caritas, the scholarly Athié was vice-president of the Mexican Bishops’ Commission on Reconciliation and Peace in Chiapas, the poverty-ravaged southern state convulsed at the time by an Indian revolt against the Salinas government.</p>
<p>In January 1995, Amenábar signed a formal statement detailing what Maciel had done, entrusting it to José Barba, who was organizing other ex-Legionaries to speak out on how Maciel had sexually plundered them as teenagers in seminaries in Rome and Spain.</p>
<p>Athié worried that Amenábar would die in a state of toxic anger, not peace. The priest encouraged him to forgive Maciel.</p>
<p>Amenábar was weeping, as Athié recalled years later in an interview. “I pardon Father Maciel,” croaked Amenábar, “but at the same time I ask for justice!” Athié gave him absolution and the Eucharist. He presided at Amenábar’s funeral, and on that day met Barba.</p>
<p>With Athié’s help, Barba and his group filed a canon law petition with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s office in 1998, seeking Maciel’s ouster.</p>
<p>On the advice of the papal nuncio in Mexico City, Athié traveled to Rome in 1999 with a documentary letter on Maciel to Ratzinger, but in several weeks was unable to get a meeting with the cardinal.</p>
<p>Back in Mexico, he entrusted a friend about to leave for Rome, Bishop Carlos Talavera Ramirez of Veracruz state, with the letter for Ratzinger.</p>
<p>Although Talavera never spoke publicly about his meeting with Ratzinger, Athié would speak to several reporters in years to come about his disgust on hearing from the bishop that Ratzinger wondered if it was “prudent” to prosecute Maciel because he had attracted so many young men to the Legion and priestly studies.</p>
<p>Cardinal Rivera of Mexico City, a huge Maciel defender, promptly fired Athié from his positions and ordered him to spend a year in silence for fomenting scandal. Athié ended up quitting the priesthood, and becoming one of the most public allies of sexual abuse victims in Latin America.</p>
<p>“My dream is for Francis to follow the model of Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa,” Athié said, “and establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the victims of the church.”</p>
<p>“But that will not work until we have justice – a church that abides by society’s rule of law.”</p>
<p>-- GlobalPost religion writer Jason Berry was co-producer of the Frontline documentary, “Secrets of the Vatican,” and is the author of Render unto Rome: The Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church. &#160;</p> | false | 3 | pope francis said clergy abuse crisis camouflaged complicity explained monday rome also used emotional language yet vaticandistributed video sermon private mass six adults victimized priests children survivors two ireland germany uk spent weekend santa marta vatican residential hotel pope lives typically houses visiting churchmen group breakfast pope met individually sessions morning francis compared clerical abuse children sacrilegious cult pope spoke like sinner confession beg forgiveness sins omissions part church leaders respond adequately reports abuse made family members well abuse victims sins omissions also crimes160alberto athié prominent advocate abuse survivors said interview phone home mexico city local ecclesiastical authorities fact acting provisions holy see ruminated athié left priesthood highprofile position mexican bishops conference 1999 protesting coverup pedophile sin omission crime cardinals holy see even popes john paul benedict said athié respected moral voice mexico question casts long shadow crisis escalated three popes highlycharged civil cases prosecutions government investigations undercut churchs image moral standing western countries recent movement protesters risen latin america athiés remarks captured consensus voiced abuse survivors many countries pressing francis transcend rhetoric use power office forge legal policies pope done athié left priesthood influential position caritas bishops missionary organization 1999 protracted battle vatican mexico city archdiocesan officials support father marcial maciel powerful priest trailed pedophilia accusations athié posted open letter july 3 francis demanding systemic reforms punish perpetrators hold bishops accountable manifesto signed 128 abuse survivors lawyers supportive groups announced news conference mexico city newspaper la jornada called churchs deeds crimes humanity july 3 letter makes formal demand pope francis dismiss cardinal norberto rivera mexico city clear participation coverup legion christ founder marcial maciel father nicolás aguilar pederasts aguilar shuttled mexico los angeles trailed accusations known rivera cardinal roger mahony la trail documents lawsuits shown priest wanted police and160in hiding mexico extradition warrants160for return us criminal charges reforms athiés letter echo advocated snap similar groups canada australia europe report suspected priests law enforcement accelerate dismissal predators priesthood halt vatican tolerance complicit bishops first pope latin america confronts movement abuse survivors growing hemisphere strikingly argentina record cardinalarchbishop buenos aires would fall sins omission seeks forgiveness bishopaccountability online archive abuse documents statement monday said pope buenos aires cardinal jorge mario bergoglio refused meet victims stayed largely silent issue clergy sex abuse except issue surprising denial ever handled abusive priest known action commission behindthescenes report judges sought exoneration criminally convicted priest impugning credibility priests victims athiés group mexico city posted letter group argentinians sebastián cuatrommo gabriel ferrini osvaldo ramirez julieta añazco posted letter calling francis amend hazardous defects ecclesiastical laws permissive bishops longer remain office julieta añazco la plata argentina gave credit athié assisting group mexican argentinian group seem frustrated francis chose meet clergy victims northern europe personal struggles añazco wrote via email160i feel cheated faith able witness complicity exists church cases ecclesiastical abuse hurts really hurts franciss soulbearing language taking sins hierarchy become lightning rod alienated angry shock troops survivors movement spread across globe via internet popes charged rhetoric issues poverty immigration globalization made arguably popular figure global stage yet slow engage impact churchs criminal sexual underground crisis collided with160the western court system press since 1980s casting role father confessor seeking absolution francis ventured arena victims pushing church subject secular rule law francis odyssey trying demonstrate capacity change using words fashion agenda find resolution survivors movement wants church subject independent judiciary canon law tribunals cater power cardinals reaction popes dramatic statement survivor groups many countries long anticipated rolled across media grid standing ceremony pomp survivor marie kane 43 traveled dublin told irish times 20minute oneonone pope felt comfortable relaxed seemed genuinely frustrated hearing lot empathy looking watches one ended said wanted say kane said asked pope remove cardinal seán brady failures case fr brendan smyth brady swore two boys secrecy 1975 church investigation smyth abused many victims arrest 1994 kane told pope francis coverup still happening power make changes told reporter patsy mcgarry adding mentioned church officials didnt want go litany160 said francis told difficult make changesbut big thing seán brady gone francis said bishops must carry pastoral ministry utmost care order help foster protection minors held accountable accountability achieved crucial alberto athié160 1994 athié began counseling dying man juan manuel amenábar former president anáhuac north legion christ university mexico city where160father maciel founder order appointed amenábar quit prestigious job quit legion priesthood live america several years later broken man lay hospital bed confessing father athié hatred maciel sexually abused young addition work caritas scholarly athié vicepresident mexican bishops commission reconciliation peace chiapas povertyravaged southern state convulsed time indian revolt salinas government january 1995 amenábar signed formal statement detailing maciel done entrusting josé barba organizing exlegionaries speak maciel sexually plundered teenagers seminaries rome spain athié worried amenábar would die state toxic anger peace priest encouraged forgive maciel amenábar weeping athié recalled years later interview pardon father maciel croaked amenábar time ask justice athié gave absolution eucharist presided amenábars funeral day met barba athiés help barba group filed canon law petition cardinal joseph ratzingers office 1998 seeking maciels ouster advice papal nuncio mexico city athié traveled rome 1999 documentary letter maciel ratzinger several weeks unable get meeting cardinal back mexico entrusted friend leave rome bishop carlos talavera ramirez veracruz state letter ratzinger although talavera never spoke publicly meeting ratzinger athié would speak several reporters years come disgust hearing bishop ratzinger wondered prudent prosecute maciel attracted many young men legion priestly studies cardinal rivera mexico city huge maciel defender promptly fired athié positions ordered spend year silence fomenting scandal athié ended quitting priesthood becoming one public allies sexual abuse victims latin america dream francis follow model archbishop desmond tutu south africa athié said establish truth reconciliation commission victims church work justice church abides societys rule law globalpost religion writer jason berry coproducer frontline documentary secrets vatican author render unto rome secret life money catholic church 160 | 963 |
<p>BANGKOK — Seafaring slave ships didn’t vanish in the 19th century. They still persist.</p>
<p>And there’s a good chance they’re catching your dinner.</p>
<p>Just a few years ago, the dark underworld of forced labor in Thailand’s fishing sector was little known. The dirty secrets of this $7.3 billion powerhouse industry have since been explored by the media and international watchdog groups.</p>
<p>But this international outcry has changed little on the lawless seas, where men still slave away on Thai-captained trawlers under savage conditions. Implications for the US are disturbing: Thailand is America’s second-largest seafood supplier behind China.</p>
<p>The men who haul these fish from the sea were typically suckered into working for zero pay. Almost all of the victims are smuggled from destitute villages in Myanmar or Cambodia under false promises of gigs in factories, farms or construction yards.</p>
<p>GlobalPost’s award winning 2012 investigation <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/series/thailand-seafood-slavery" type="external">“Seafood Slavery”</a> tells the grim saga of escaped slaves lorded over and tortured by Thai captains. Those who resist are <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/120425/seafood-slavery-part-2" type="external">often murdered.</a></p>
<p>“I once saw a captain grab a metal spike used to mend nets and stab a fisherman in the chest,” said Moeun Pich, a Cambodian ex-slave, recounting a fairly typical story shared by former victims.&#160; “The crew pulled a sleeping bag over his corpse and rolled it overboard.” These conditions are confirmed by Thai boatmen, one of whom said that captives can toil “for 10 years just getting sold over and over.”</p>
<p>Following reports from <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2010/02/22/thailand-migrant-workers-face-killings-extortion-labor-rights-abuses" type="external">Human Rights Watch</a>, the <a href="http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/comment-analysis/WCMS_214522/lang--en/index.htm" type="external">International Labour Organization</a> and others, the latest exposé into Thailand’s seafood industry comes from the London-based <a href="http://ejfoundation.org/oceans/soldtothesea" type="external">Environmental Justice Foundation.</a> The investigation builds upon a mounting pile of evidence that this global trade is propped up by <a href="http://vimeo.com/66893109" type="external">vicious practices</a>.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p><a href="http://vimeo.com/66893109" type="external">SOLD TO THE SEA: Human Trafficking in Thailand's Fishing Industry</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ejfoundation" type="external">Environmental Justice Foundation</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com" type="external">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<p>But so far, there is little indication that this netherworld of slavery will disappear — despite its well-documented role in delivering fish to Western supermarkets. Here are five reasons Thailand’s seafood slavery problem will likely persist.</p>
<p>1. Dodgy trawlers operate in an abyss</p>
<p>Just as drug money is laundered of its illicit origins, so is slave-caught seafood. The captive workers toil on unregistered “ghost ships.” Their catch is transferred to colossal motherships far out at sea, where it is mixed with fish from other vessels before being offloaded to fishmongers at the docks.</p>
<p>These steps are practically impossible to trace. In fact, ghost ships need not dock for years on end. They’ll remain murky and inscrutable until either Thailand’s government or the seafood industry forces all fishing vessels to prove where and how they caught their fish.</p>
<p>More than 25,000 fishing vessels are legally registered by Thailand. Each one should be outfitted with a GPS-powered monitoring system, argued Steve Trent, the Environmental Justice Foundation’s director. “For just a couple of thousand dollars a year, an authority can monitor the exact locations of boats, which has benefits for both fisheries management and ensuring the safety of crews,” he said. “There is absolutely no excuse for a country as developed as Thailand ... not to employ this very basic technology.”</p>
<p>2. The US keeps giving Thailand a pass</p>
<p>Thailand is America’s oldest Asian ally. The two nations have been buddies since the Vietnam War, when the US launched jets from Thailand to carpet-bomb suspected communist rebels. And with China now ascendant, America appears reluctant to take action that would threaten the friendship.</p>
<p>This helps explain why America takes pains to avoid sanctioning Thailand —&#160;even though the nation is clearly one of Asia’s major human trafficking hubs.</p>
<p>When it comes to human trafficking, the White House talks a good game. The State Department puts out an annual Trafficking In Persons report and vows to sanction nations ranked in its lowest tier. But Thailand has managed to hover just above the worst ranking for four years straight. Why? Because the Secretary of State repeatedly issues waivers to spare the government from a humiliating slide into the bottom ranks.</p>
<p>3. Thai police barely pursue slavery’s perpetrators</p>
<p>Thailand’s forced labor victims are believed to number in the thousands.</p>
<p>Guess how many traffickers were prosecuted in 2012? 27.</p>
<p>Thai police aren’t just apathetic when it comes to chasing down perpetrators of forced labor. They’re sometimes in cahoots. The State Department cites “credible reports that corrupt officials protected brothels ... seafood and sweatshop facilities from raids and inspections” and even used “victim testimony to weaken cases.”</p>
<p>Thai police don’t aggressively pursue forced labor cases on land. They’re even less likely to hunt down Thai-captained ghost ships — which are compelled by overfishing to trawl deeper into international waters each year. One ship captain told GlobalPost his fleet had once ventured as far as Somalia, nearly 4,000 miles away.</p>
<p>4. Forced labor victims who seek justice are confined</p>
<p>Say you’re a sea slave who has defied the odds. You’ve managed to swim to Thailand’s shores, eluding capture. You wash ashore, filthy and fatigued and unable to speak the native language. And you somehow find an official willing to submit your case into the justice system.</p>
<p>Your nightmare is far from over.</p>
<p>Forced labor victims are typically quarantined in shelters as they pursue justice. They’re often forbidden from leaving or even communicating with family members. The rationale is well meaning; intel on their whereabouts is easily leaked to trafficking syndicates who can threaten relatives or otherwise sabotage the case.</p>
<p>But many victims prefer to drop cases so they can return home or get back to work. This is especially true of migrants who have ventured from their far-flung villages to shore up cash for their ailing families. They simply can’t afford to wait in confinement while the justice system drags on for years.</p>
<p>5. Consumers don’t seem to care</p>
<p>Unease over the origins of blood diamonds, non-fair trade coffee and even iPads has seeped into the American consciousness. The fact that seafood shipped to America is tangled in a slavery-tainted supply chain hasn’t.</p>
<p>Traffickers, cops and seafood moguls in Thailand are not on the verge of a collective moral epiphany that will rid the nation of forced labor. Impoverished Myanmar and Cambodia will be full of men desperate enough to fall prey to smugglers’ lies for years to come.</p>
<p>And Western buyers are, for now, too uninformed or unconcerned about the tragic lives of men trapped on distant trawlers to alter their shopping habits. As long as no one along the supply chain objects, trawler captains who help supply American supermarkets will continue to buy men like livestock, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/120425/seafood-slavery-part-1" type="external">at $650 per head</a>, and dispose of them at will.</p> | false | 3 | bangkok seafaring slave ships didnt vanish 19th century still persist theres good chance theyre catching dinner years ago dark underworld forced labor thailands fishing sector little known dirty secrets 73 billion powerhouse industry since explored media international watchdog groups international outcry changed little lawless seas men still slave away thaicaptained trawlers savage conditions implications us disturbing thailand americas secondlargest seafood supplier behind china men haul fish sea typically suckered working zero pay almost victims smuggled destitute villages myanmar cambodia false promises gigs factories farms construction yards globalposts award winning 2012 investigation seafood slavery tells grim saga escaped slaves lorded tortured thai captains resist often murdered saw captain grab metal spike used mend nets stab fisherman chest said moeun pich cambodian exslave recounting fairly typical story shared former victims160 crew pulled sleeping bag corpse rolled overboard conditions confirmed thai boatmen one said captives toil 10 years getting sold following reports human rights watch international labour organization others latest exposé thailands seafood industry comes londonbased environmental justice foundation investigation builds upon mounting pile evidence global trade propped vicious practices sold sea human trafficking thailands fishing industry environmental justice foundation vimeo far little indication netherworld slavery disappear despite welldocumented role delivering fish western supermarkets five reasons thailands seafood slavery problem likely persist 1 dodgy trawlers operate abyss drug money laundered illicit origins slavecaught seafood captive workers toil unregistered ghost ships catch transferred colossal motherships far sea mixed fish vessels offloaded fishmongers docks steps practically impossible trace fact ghost ships need dock years end theyll remain murky inscrutable either thailands government seafood industry forces fishing vessels prove caught fish 25000 fishing vessels legally registered thailand one outfitted gpspowered monitoring system argued steve trent environmental justice foundations director couple thousand dollars year authority monitor exact locations boats benefits fisheries management ensuring safety crews said absolutely excuse country developed thailand employ basic technology 2 us keeps giving thailand pass thailand americas oldest asian ally two nations buddies since vietnam war us launched jets thailand carpetbomb suspected communist rebels china ascendant america appears reluctant take action would threaten friendship helps explain america takes pains avoid sanctioning thailand 160even though nation clearly one asias major human trafficking hubs comes human trafficking white house talks good game state department puts annual trafficking persons report vows sanction nations ranked lowest tier thailand managed hover worst ranking four years straight secretary state repeatedly issues waivers spare government humiliating slide bottom ranks 3 thai police barely pursue slaverys perpetrators thailands forced labor victims believed number thousands guess many traffickers prosecuted 2012 27 thai police arent apathetic comes chasing perpetrators forced labor theyre sometimes cahoots state department cites credible reports corrupt officials protected brothels seafood sweatshop facilities raids inspections even used victim testimony weaken cases thai police dont aggressively pursue forced labor cases land theyre even less likely hunt thaicaptained ghost ships compelled overfishing trawl deeper international waters year one ship captain told globalpost fleet ventured far somalia nearly 4000 miles away 4 forced labor victims seek justice confined say youre sea slave defied odds youve managed swim thailands shores eluding capture wash ashore filthy fatigued unable speak native language somehow find official willing submit case justice system nightmare far forced labor victims typically quarantined shelters pursue justice theyre often forbidden leaving even communicating family members rationale well meaning intel whereabouts easily leaked trafficking syndicates threaten relatives otherwise sabotage case many victims prefer drop cases return home get back work especially true migrants ventured farflung villages shore cash ailing families simply cant afford wait confinement justice system drags years 5 consumers dont seem care unease origins blood diamonds nonfair trade coffee even ipads seeped american consciousness fact seafood shipped america tangled slaverytainted supply chain hasnt traffickers cops seafood moguls thailand verge collective moral epiphany rid nation forced labor impoverished myanmar cambodia full men desperate enough fall prey smugglers lies years come western buyers uninformed unconcerned tragic lives men trapped distant trawlers alter shopping habits long one along supply chain objects trawler captains help supply american supermarkets continue buy men like livestock 650 per head dispose | 672 |
<p>Neighbors didn’t even hear the shots that killed Judge Ma Caiyun. They came from a modified ball-bearing gun, wielded by one of two men who broke into the judge’s house, then fled in panic, firing at both Ma and her husband as they chased the intruders.&#160;</p>
<p>Ma, 38, was hit in both the stomach and face and died at the&#160;hospital. Her husband, a court officer, was saved by his belt buckle, according to a Beijing <a href="http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2016/02/28/395303.html" type="external">news report</a>. The attackers — one of whom knew Ma from court, where she had recently ruled on his divorce settlement — killed themselves after a police chase.</p>
<p>Ma’s murder has sent shockwaves through the Chinese legal community and again cast question on President Xi Jinping’s <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/24/world/asia/china-moves-to-enact-rule-of-law-with-caveats.html?_r=0" type="external">promise</a> to strengthen the rule of law in China.&#160;</p>
<p>It’s not just that the slaying took place late at night in a quiet residential suburb of China’s famously safe capital. Nor that it occurred just days before Lianghui, or “Two Sessions,” the Communist Party’s annual gathering of its rubber-stamp parliament, when security is so tight that simply accessing overseas websites becomes a painful chore.</p>
<p>The tragedy has come at a time of intensely low morale for the legal profession. In the last year, rights lawyers have been <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/world/asia/china-crackdown-human-rights-lawyers.html" type="external">arrested</a> and forced to make televised confessions for crimes they haven’t been charged with. A proposed law that threatens to <a href="http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/30/chinese-lawyers-worry-new-rules-will-limit-clients-defenses/" type="external">criminalize</a> any conduct deemed “disruptive” to courtroom order has further cowed those seeking to defend clients from politically charged prosecution.&#160;</p>
<p>The dramatic killing of a respected district judge seems to drive another nail into the coffin of a legal system already beset with strife.&#160;</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/article/6729352/2016/02/05/china-dissident-disappearances" type="external">China’s reach over fleeing dissidents is expanding worldwide</a></p>
<p>Many judges now live in fear of such personal attacks, which have become frequent and sometimes fatal in recent years.&#160;In <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/10273143" type="external">a single month</a> in 2010, a trio of judges were killed by a gunman in Hunan province and another two were attacked with sulfuric acid in Guangxi province. Last year, four judges were <a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-09/11/content_21842772.htm" type="external">stabbed</a> in a courthouse in Hubei. In 2006, a man detonated a suicide bomb at a Gansu county court, killing himself and four others.&#160;</p>
<p>In each of these incidents, the perpetrator has been someone seeking extrajudicial redress. The gunman in the Hunan case, for example, specifically mentioned his dissatisfaction with the outcome of a legal dispute in a letter he left behind (he, too, committed suicide after his rampage).</p>
<p>In Ma’s case, the principal attacker was <a href="http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2016-02-29/doc-ifxpvzah8375598.shtml" type="external">enraged</a> by the division of property in his divorce and had bludgeoned his ex-wife’s husband to death earlier that evening.</p>
<p>But what sets Ma’s case apart has been the public reaction. Among those who mistrust the law, men who rebel against it are traditionally accorded folk-hero status.</p>
<p>Consider the infamous case of Yang Jia, an unemployed 28-year-old who, after alleging brutality by officers who interrogated him for riding an unlicensed bicycle, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/world/asia/27shanghai.html" type="external">laid siege</a> to a Shanghai police station in 2008 with Molotov cocktails and a knife, killing six cops. While prosecutors called him a stone-cold killer, motivated by “premeditated malice and thorough preparation,” on the Internet Yang was lauded as a man of the people and compared to Wu Song, a hero of classical Chinese literature who wrestled a tiger with his bare hands.</p>
<p>Little such solidarity was expressed for the men who killed Ma. She was by all accounts regarded as an upstanding member of her profession; an official <a href="http://www.chinacourt.org/article/detail/2016/02/id/1811949.shtml" type="external">announcement</a> by the Supreme People’s Court (since removed) praised her work ethic — she heard nearly 400 cases a year — and encouraged peers to “learn from Judge Ma.”&#160;</p>
<p>Legal commentators, however, were quick to pour scorn on the tribute’s tone. “Judge Ma Caiyun is just a cog in the massive machine of law,” scoffed <a href="http://weibo.com/p/1001603949770929477866" type="external">Wu Danhong</a>, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, on microblogging site Weibo. “Asking all judges to ‘learn from her’ is, in other words, showing approval of and promoting this sick system and working style, which will pull more and more judges under its ruthless wheels.”</p>
<p>Chinese judges have been <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/05/04/what-a-stubborn-exodus-of-judges-means-for-legal-reform-in-china/" type="external">leaving the profession in droves</a>, most saying they are fed up with long working hours, poor pay and constant political interference. Although the threat of being assaulted by a disgruntled plaintiff has always been a part of any judge’s lot, many feel that the position commands little respect in modern Chinese society.</p>
<p>“These judges, even if they are not avenged by the defendants or plaintiffs, will be exhausted to death by their jobs,” Wu wrote in his post. “I hope the Supreme Court can truthfully protect our judges. I also want society to see that, without law as the bottom line of the truth, no one’s rights can be protected.”</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/article/6552870/2015/05/18/suicide-protest-china" type="external">Desperate Chinese are turning to mass suicide to get their government's attention</a></p>
<p>Beijing has responded to the outcry by drafting new directives to ensure the safety of court officials —&#160;although one prominent lawyer <a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1919558/fair-judicial-system-critical-stop-attacks-judges-china" type="external">told</a> the South China Morning Post that the underlying problem lies with a widespread perception that justice in China is far from blind.</p>
<p>“When the public lose confidence in the independence of the legal system and think the judge is biased, they are likely to hold a grudge,” the newspaper quoted lawyer Wu Youshui as saying.&#160;</p>
<p>But the Chinese Communist Party’s understanding of “rule of law” appears far removed from what those like Wu would wish. Rather than advancing the tenets of impartial justice that have underpinned Western legal systems since the days of Magna Carta, President Xi has reached back to China’s ancient past and the ghost of Legalism — a philosophy which dictates a strict, often brutal code of discipline to ensure absolute rule. &#160;</p>
<p>“When those who uphold the law are strong, the state is strong,” Xi has approvingly <a href="http://cpc.people.com.cn/n/2014/0906/c64093-25615123.html" type="external">quoted</a> Han Fei, a philosopher whose teachings first shaped Legalism two millennia ago. The problem? In Chinese history, almost all those officials who upheld Legalism have ended up being subject to it, their ruling dynasties collapsing swiftly after.&#160;</p>
<p>For those nearing the bench, the future now looks tremulous. “For the upcoming judge training, I don’t look forward to it,” Li Can, an aspiring judge, <a href="http://weibo.com/1732574003/DkOLQ6z4D?refer_flag=1001030103_&amp;type=comment%23_rnd1457585975901" type="external">wrote</a> on Weibo. “Learning law all these years has been so I could be a stone on the path to building rule of law. Seeing the awkward situation of justice in reality, Judge Ma’s tragedy chills me.”</p> | false | 3 | neighbors didnt even hear shots killed judge caiyun came modified ballbearing gun wielded one two men broke judges house fled panic firing husband chased intruders160 38 hit stomach face died the160hospital husband court officer saved belt buckle according beijing news report attackers one knew court recently ruled divorce settlement killed police chase mas murder sent shockwaves chinese legal community cast question president xi jinpings promise strengthen rule law china160 slaying took place late night quiet residential suburb chinas famously safe capital occurred days lianghui two sessions communist partys annual gathering rubberstamp parliament security tight simply accessing overseas websites becomes painful chore tragedy come time intensely low morale legal profession last year rights lawyers arrested forced make televised confessions crimes havent charged proposed law threatens criminalize conduct deemed disruptive courtroom order cowed seeking defend clients politically charged prosecution160 dramatic killing respected district judge seems drive another nail coffin legal system already beset strife160 globalpost160 chinas reach fleeing dissidents expanding worldwide many judges live fear personal attacks become frequent sometimes fatal recent years160in single month 2010 trio judges killed gunman hunan province another two attacked sulfuric acid guangxi province last year four judges stabbed courthouse hubei 2006 man detonated suicide bomb gansu county court killing four others160 incidents perpetrator someone seeking extrajudicial redress gunman hunan case example specifically mentioned dissatisfaction outcome legal dispute letter left behind committed suicide rampage mas case principal attacker enraged division property divorce bludgeoned exwifes husband death earlier evening sets mas case apart public reaction among mistrust law men rebel traditionally accorded folkhero status consider infamous case yang jia unemployed 28yearold alleging brutality officers interrogated riding unlicensed bicycle laid siege shanghai police station 2008 molotov cocktails knife killing six cops prosecutors called stonecold killer motivated premeditated malice thorough preparation internet yang lauded man people compared wu song hero classical chinese literature wrestled tiger bare hands little solidarity expressed men killed accounts regarded upstanding member profession official announcement supreme peoples court since removed praised work ethic heard nearly 400 cases year encouraged peers learn judge ma160 legal commentators however quick pour scorn tributes tone judge caiyun cog massive machine law scoffed wu danhong professor china university political science law microblogging site weibo asking judges learn words showing approval promoting sick system working style pull judges ruthless wheels chinese judges leaving profession droves saying fed long working hours poor pay constant political interference although threat assaulted disgruntled plaintiff always part judges lot many feel position commands little respect modern chinese society judges even avenged defendants plaintiffs exhausted death jobs wu wrote post hope supreme court truthfully protect judges also want society see without law bottom line truth ones rights protected globalpost160 desperate chinese turning mass suicide get governments attention beijing responded outcry drafting new directives ensure safety court officials 160although one prominent lawyer told south china morning post underlying problem lies widespread perception justice china far blind public lose confidence independence legal system think judge biased likely hold grudge newspaper quoted lawyer wu youshui saying160 chinese communist partys understanding rule law appears far removed like wu would wish rather advancing tenets impartial justice underpinned western legal systems since days magna carta president xi reached back chinas ancient past ghost legalism philosophy dictates strict often brutal code discipline ensure absolute rule 160 uphold law strong state strong xi approvingly quoted han fei philosopher whose teachings first shaped legalism two millennia ago problem chinese history almost officials upheld legalism ended subject ruling dynasties collapsing swiftly after160 nearing bench future looks tremulous upcoming judge training dont look forward li aspiring judge wrote weibo learning law years could stone path building rule law seeing awkward situation justice reality judge mas tragedy chills | 608 |
<p>JERUSALEM — Once again, Israel finds itself on the sidelines of a public controversy in which it is both central and tangential.</p>
<p>What exactly did the new Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, say about the Holocaust in an interview with CNN? &#160;</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>And what is Iran's intention in requesting an accelerated schedule for negotiations on its nuclear program, after what the United States, Israel and Western powers have called years of dissembling?</p>
<p>But first, consider this: there is no Farsi word for "Holocaust."</p>
<p>For all of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's histrionic obsession with the subject, the word he used to describe what he called "a myth" was borrowed from the language of the Great Satan: English.</p>
<p>"You just say the word 'Holocaust,' only with a Farsi intonation," says Alex Vatanka, an Iran expert at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC.</p>
<p>The irony of the linguistic deficit seems lost in the row about what, in fact, was meant when in the now infamous interview Rouhani said the “crime that the Nazis committed towards the Jews” was “reprehensible and condemnable.”&#160;</p>
<p>The semi-official Iranian news agency Fars, with ties to the hard-line Revolutionary Guard, an elite military unit formed to protect the regime, immediately accused CNN of fabricating parts of the interview and pointed out that Rouhani had not in fact uttered the word "Holocaust."&#160;</p>
<p>All Israeli government offices were closed on Wednesday and Thursday in observance of the Sukkot holiday, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an unreceptive response to Rouhani's speech at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, made before the interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour went on the air.</p>
<p>In a late-night statement released by his spokesman, Netanyahu characterized the speech as "cynical" and "full of hypocrisy."</p>
<p>"Rouhani spoke of human rights even as Iranian forces are participating in the large-scale slaughter of innocent civilians in Syria," he said.</p>
<p>Alluding to Iran's increasing investment in conventional weaponry, in addition to concealed nuclear facilities, Netanyahu added that Rouhani "spoke of a nuclear program for civilian purposes even as an [International Atomic Energy Agency] report determines that the program has military dimensions, and when any rational person understands that Iran, one of the most oil-rich nations, is not investing capital in ballistic missiles and underground nuclear facilities in order to produce electricity."</p>
<p>The tetchy debate over the Iranian leader's possible acknowledgement — or not — of the Holocaust may appear semantic, but it is an indication of the delicacy of any subject touching on Jews, or Israel, within Iran's increasingly fragile political arena.</p>
<p>"The argument over his words is important," says Eldad J. Pardo, a Hebrew University expert on Iran and the Middle East. "The principle of Holocaust denial is holy for Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. And another principle is what is called Velayat-e Saqih — the rule of the jurist, meaning, the single-man rule of Khamenei. He has determined that there was no Holocaust and that all the world's problems are caused by Zionists and that Israel must disappear from the face of the earth."</p>
<p>Challenging the accepted credo, Pardo says, is no light matter.</p>
<p>After "eight crazy years of Ahmadinejad," Vatanka says, agreeing, it is imperative to "consider whatever Rouhani said or did not say in the context of Iran's domestic political landscape," not the least of which is the widespread acknowledgment, within Iran, that Ahmadinejad caused significant damage to his nation.</p>
<p>"For now, Rouhani benefits from two things," Vatanka says. The first, simply not being the uniquely polarizing figure of Ahmadinejad. The second, that "clear signals" emanating from Tehran indicate that the aging Supreme Leader, Iran's de facto man in charge, is willing to allow Rouhani significant leeway in initiating a new phase of negotiations with the US and the West.</p>
<p>Vatanka underscores that Iran-US relations are not a matter that will be resolved "in a photo op or in a symbolic handshake."</p>
<p>The extent of Israeli jitteriness in the shifting landscape created by what is being called Rouhani's "charm offensive" in the US was better measured by Israeli reactions to President Barack Obama's UN speech, a few hours before Rouhani's. It was listened to with painstaking attention in Jerusalem.</p>
<p>Israeli coverage, which is usually unremittingly skeptical about any statement emitted by Iranian media outlets, gave top billing to the Iranian media's celebratory interpretation of Obama's address, which, like Rouhani's, was more conciliatory than last year's.&#160;</p>
<p>One nervous radio news show host groused that "it sounds like Obama's just offering the Iranians an open invitation to meet."</p>
<p>Then on Thursday, in a speech at a special UN conference on disarmament, Rouhani said that “no nation should possess nuclear weapons,” and called on Israel to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, as Iran has, in order to rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons.&#160;</p>
<p>In a statement, Israel's minister of intelligence and international affairs, Yuval Steinitz, responded: "Iran's new president is playing an old and familiar game by trying to deflect attention from Iran's nuclear weapons program. The problem of the NPT in the Middle East is not with those countries which have not signed the NPT, but countries like Iran, Iraq, Libya and Syria which have signed the treaty and brazenly violated it."</p>
<p>Rouhani finds himself walking a difficult line, Pardo says. Iran is trying to repair its ties to the West, and especially to the US, while struggling to maintain its own "holy of holies."</p>
<p>A new religion was established in 1979, with the Islamic revolution, Pardo claims. "It's that of Khamenism. It has a strong Shiite foundation, but with great influences from other lines of thought: Americano-French republicanism, fascism, communism, and even Israel and Zionism. A new ideology was developed with a pope at its head, and that pope is Khamenei."</p>
<p>A fundamental tenet of this state-religion is that "Israel must vanish from the map and that international Zionism controls the world," Pardo says.</p>
<p>"The Iranians are in a moment of political acrobatics right now: they want an agreement with US, but they can't come to an agreement without damaging the holiness of Khamenism, who styles himself the leader of all Muslims and of the downtrodden of the world. It’s a real ideological struggle."</p> | false | 3 | jerusalem israel finds sidelines public controversy central tangential exactly new iranian president hassan rouhani say holocaust interview cnn 160 irans intention requesting accelerated schedule negotiations nuclear program united states israel western powers called years dissembling first consider farsi word holocaust former iranian president mahmoud ahmadinejads histrionic obsession subject word used describe called myth borrowed language great satan english say word holocaust farsi intonation says alex vatanka iran expert middle east institute washington dc irony linguistic deficit seems lost row fact meant infamous interview rouhani said crime nazis committed towards jews reprehensible condemnable160 semiofficial iranian news agency fars ties hardline revolutionary guard elite military unit formed protect regime immediately accused cnn fabricating parts interview pointed rouhani fact uttered word holocaust160 israeli government offices closed wednesday thursday observance sukkot holiday israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu issued unreceptive response rouhanis speech united nations general assembly yesterday made interview cnns christiane amanpour went air latenight statement released spokesman netanyahu characterized speech cynical full hypocrisy rouhani spoke human rights even iranian forces participating largescale slaughter innocent civilians syria said alluding irans increasing investment conventional weaponry addition concealed nuclear facilities netanyahu added rouhani spoke nuclear program civilian purposes even international atomic energy agency report determines program military dimensions rational person understands iran one oilrich nations investing capital ballistic missiles underground nuclear facilities order produce electricity tetchy debate iranian leaders possible acknowledgement holocaust may appear semantic indication delicacy subject touching jews israel within irans increasingly fragile political arena argument words important says eldad j pardo hebrew university expert iran middle east principle holocaust denial holy irans supreme leader ali khamenei another principle called velayate saqih rule jurist meaning singleman rule khamenei determined holocaust worlds problems caused zionists israel must disappear face earth challenging accepted credo pardo says light matter eight crazy years ahmadinejad vatanka says agreeing imperative consider whatever rouhani said say context irans domestic political landscape least widespread acknowledgment within iran ahmadinejad caused significant damage nation rouhani benefits two things vatanka says first simply uniquely polarizing figure ahmadinejad second clear signals emanating tehran indicate aging supreme leader irans de facto man charge willing allow rouhani significant leeway initiating new phase negotiations us west vatanka underscores iranus relations matter resolved photo op symbolic handshake extent israeli jitteriness shifting landscape created called rouhanis charm offensive us better measured israeli reactions president barack obamas un speech hours rouhanis listened painstaking attention jerusalem israeli coverage usually unremittingly skeptical statement emitted iranian media outlets gave top billing iranian medias celebratory interpretation obamas address like rouhanis conciliatory last years160 one nervous radio news show host groused sounds like obamas offering iranians open invitation meet thursday speech special un conference disarmament rouhani said nation possess nuclear weapons called israel join nuclear nonproliferation treaty iran order rid middle east nuclear weapons160 statement israels minister intelligence international affairs yuval steinitz responded irans new president playing old familiar game trying deflect attention irans nuclear weapons program problem npt middle east countries signed npt countries like iran iraq libya syria signed treaty brazenly violated rouhani finds walking difficult line pardo says iran trying repair ties west especially us struggling maintain holy holies new religion established 1979 islamic revolution pardo claims khamenism strong shiite foundation great influences lines thought americanofrench republicanism fascism communism even israel zionism new ideology developed pope head pope khamenei fundamental tenet statereligion israel must vanish map international zionism controls world pardo says iranians moment political acrobatics right want agreement us cant come agreement without damaging holiness khamenism styles leader muslims downtrodden world real ideological struggle | 581 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Santa Barbara is ground zero for the environmental movement in California after the infamous&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_Santa_Barbara_oil_spill" type="external">Union Oil Company oil spill in the Santa Barbara Channel in 1969</a>.&#160;&#160;Almost 45 years later, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approved&#160; <a href="http://capoliticalnews.com/2013/10/03/110-new-oil-wells-on-the-way-if-luddites-allow/" type="external">136 new oil wells on 32 acres in the unincorporated area of Orcutt in Santa Maria Valley</a>.</p>
<p>The Orcutt project signals that local governments are now willing to overcome environmental opposition in return for jobs and tax revenues.&#160;&#160;Over&#160; <a href="http://www.yourpublicmoney.com/archive/1206_index_4.shtml" type="external">80 percent of Santa Barbara County’s debt comes from unfunded pensions</a>.</p>
<p>Gone are the days when mainly overwhelming numbers of environmentalists showed up at County Planning meetings to oppose oil projects.&#160;&#160; <a href="http://350sb.org/" type="external">Climate Group 350</a>&#160;in Santa Barbara collected&#160; <a href="http://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_maria_energy_project_given_green_light_20130925" type="external">2,700 signatures in opposition to the Orcutt project</a>.&#160;&#160;On their website, Climate Group 350 branded as&#160; <a href="http://350sb.org/stay-informed/santa-maria-energy-project-codename-deathstar/" type="external">“Project Deathstar”</a> the Santa Maria Energy Company Orcutt Oil Field project. The reference was to Darth Vader's world-destroying Deathstar in the 1977 “Star Wars” movie.</p>
<p>But those who favored the project also presented a petition to the County with 2,500 signatures.&#160;&#160;Groups like the&#160; <a href="http://www.santamariasun.com/cover/8655/boom-or-bust/" type="external">Economic Alliance of Northern Santa Barbara County</a>&#160;have also sprung up.&#160;&#160;A spokesperson for the&#160; <a href="http://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_maria_energy_project_given_green_light_20130925" type="external">Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce</a>&#160;advocated the project for the taxes that could be generated for local public schools.&#160; The local Chamber of Commerce endorsed the oil project for the potential taxes it would generate.</p>
<p>The project was approved by a narrow 3 to 2 vote by the County Planning Commission.&#160;&#160;The major issue was how many tons of greenhouse gases the steam generators that loosen the oil for extraction would emit into the air. The project is estimated to create&#160; <a href="http://santamariatimes.com/news/local/planners-ok-orcutt-oil-project/article_e59fdfbc-266e-11e3-b095-0019bb2963f4.html" type="external">88,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases per year</a>.</p>
<p>Under AB32, the&#160; <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/ab32/ab32.htm" type="external">California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006,</a> Santa Maria Energy would be required to lower emissions to 10,000 tons, which would be 16 percent of usual production; or mitigate the emissions by buying pollution permits on the quarterly <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/capandtrade.htm" type="external">cap-and-trade auction</a> of the California Air Resources Board.</p>
<p>The Orcutt oilfield is named after&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orcutt,_California" type="external">William Orcutt</a>, a former manager of the Geological, Land and Engineering Departments of Union Oil Company.&#160;&#160;Orcutt discovered prehistoric fossils in the La Brea Tar Pits near the core of the City of Los Angeles.&#160;&#160;Today, the town of Orcutt, a former home for oil field workers, has a population of about&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orcutt,_California" type="external">35,000</a>.</p>
<p>The proposed&#160; <a href="http://m.keyt.com/news/new-drilling-planned-in-santa-maria-area/-/19201834/22167420/-/ec07uqz/-/index.html" type="external">136 new oil wells will produce 3,000 barrels of oil per day.&#160;&#160;Today’s spot price for oil is $142 per barrel.&#160;</a>&#160;&#160;Twenty-six pilot wells are already in operation. So, the Orcutt field would generate a $426,000 dollars per day; or over $155 million per year.</p>
<p>California does not have an oil severance tax.&#160;&#160;Instead, it has a&#160; <a href="" type="internal">corporate tax from 15 to 35 percent on oil depending on gross revenues</a>.&#160;&#160;This would equate to $23.3 to $54.4 million per year in tax revenue.&#160;&#160;The&#160; <a href="http://www.boe.ca.gov/cgi-bin/rates.cgi?LETTER=S&amp;LIST=COUNTY" type="external">8 percent sales tax in Santa Barbara County</a>&#160;could generate $1.8 to $4.3 million in additional taxes.&#160;&#160;Combined corporate and sales taxes generate more revenues than a typical oil severance tax would.</p>
<p>Ironically, in&#160; <a href="http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&amp;d=LAH19100916.2.104.7" type="external">1910 Orcutt opposed a 1/8 oil royalty proposed by President William H. Taft</a>&#160;on oil field leases in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.&#160;&#160;Today, it is the prospect of new taxes at a rate of about 1/7 to 1/3 of gross revenues that is opening up new well sites.</p>
<p>The County Planning Commission authorized exceeding the AB32 emissions threshold of 16 percent.&#160;&#160;This left Santa Maria Energy with having to buy emissions allowances from the state’s cap-and-trade program for the 78,000 tons of emissions exceeding 10,000 tons.&#160;&#160;At the going rate of&#160; <a href="" type="internal">$10 per ton</a>&#160;at recent cap-and-trade auctions, that would equate to $780,000 in additional taxes imposed on the project.&#160;&#160;When emissions allowances increase to $25 per ton, the cap-and-trade tax would rise to $1,950,000 per year.</p>
<p>Paradoxically,&#160;Santa Barbara Channel has the largest natural oil and gas seeps in the Western Hemisphere.&#160;About 86,000 barrels of oil seep from the ocean bottom each year, the equivalent to the 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill.&#160;&#160;&#160;Since 1970, there have been the equivalent of 43 “1969” oil spills.&#160;&#160;About&#160;6,075 tons of Reactive Organic Compounds&#160;(natural gas) seeps into the air every day from the Santa Barbara Channel and has done so since way before the Industrial Revolution and the development of carbon-based energy.</p>
<p>Additionally, the Orcutt oil field would provide 50 to 75 high-paying jobs.</p>
<p>(On a larger scale beyond just Orcutt, the U.S. Energy Information Agency says the Monterey Shale Formation could add&#160; <a href="http://www.santamariasun.com/cover/8655/boom-or-bust/" type="external">1.4 million jobs for California</a>. As of August there were <a href="http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/Content.asp?pageid=4" type="external">1.62 million workers unemployed in California.)</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.santamariasun.com/cover/8655/boom-or-bust/" type="external">Santa Barbara County’s oil production has fallen in half</a>&#160;since its peak in the 1980s.&#160;&#160;&#160;The County has about 20 operators with active leases.&#160;&#160;The expansion of the Orcutt field would increase the county’s total production by one-third to 12,000 barrels per day.&#160;&#160;Forty new drilling projects have been proposed in the last three years.&#160;Statewide, however, the number of drilling permits substantially declined in 2012.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.santamariasun.com/cover/8655/boom-or-bust/" type="external">Tupper Hull</a>&#160;of the Western States Petroleum Association stated he doesn’t see a boom coming, however, due to the regulations and obstacles, especially in Santa Barbara.&#160; Santa Barbara is the only county in California with its own energy department with jurisdiction over drilling.</p>
<p>Water for drilling will be supplied to the Orcutt oil field from an 8-mile-long reclaimed water pipeline from the Laguna County Sanitation District.&#160;&#160;So no water would be taken from local agriculture or groundwater basins.&#160;&#160;Oil extraction by steaming would occur below the water table, some&#160; <a href="http://www.santamariasun.com/cover/8655/boom-or-bust/" type="external">1,000 feet below the ground surface</a>.</p>
<p>Hydraulic fracturing — called fracking — of subsurface rock would not be used to extract oil.&#160;&#160;Instead, the Orcutt oil field operator, Santa Maria Energy, would use a steam injection process that heats the oil in a well to produce sufficient oil flow.</p>
<p>What turned the County Planning Commission to passing the proposed project amidst environmental opposition?&#160;&#160;&#160;According to&#160; <a href="http://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_maria_energy_project_given_green_light_20130925" type="external">Noozhawk.com</a>, it was about 25 people who showed up to speak in favor of the project, along with the 2,500 signatures on a petition expressing support for the project.</p>
<p>Santa Barbara County has a population of about 425,000.&#160;&#160;It took about 0.5 percent of the population to overcome environmental opposition to new oil production at the Orcutt Oilfield.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.santamariasun.com/cover/8655/boom-or-bust/" type="external">For decades environmentalists have thwarted oil production in California</a>.&#160;&#160;If there is a prescription for change in California from the Santa Barbara example, a similar small margin of supporters will need to be active at each public hearing for new oil well installations.</p>
<p>Construction of the new oil wells in Orcutt will begin in about a year.&#160;&#160;That is, unless the Santa Barbara-based <a href="http://www.edcnet.org/" type="external">Environmental Defense Center</a>&#160;appeals the County Planning Commission decision to the County Board of Supervisors.</p>
<p>Even if an appeal occurs, the Santa Barbara situation marks a change in the mentality in favor of drilling in California.</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | 160 santa barbara ground zero environmental movement california infamous160 union oil company oil spill santa barbara channel 1969160160almost 45 years later santa barbara county planning commission approved160 136 new oil wells 32 acres unincorporated area orcutt santa maria valley orcutt project signals local governments willing overcome environmental opposition return jobs tax revenues160160over160 80 percent santa barbara countys debt comes unfunded pensions gone days mainly overwhelming numbers environmentalists showed county planning meetings oppose oil projects160160 climate group 350160in santa barbara collected160 2700 signatures opposition orcutt project160160on website climate group 350 branded as160 project deathstar santa maria energy company orcutt oil field project reference darth vaders worlddestroying deathstar 1977 star wars movie favored project also presented petition county 2500 signatures160160groups like the160 economic alliance northern santa barbara county160have also sprung up160160a spokesperson the160 santa maria valley chamber commerce160advocated project taxes could generated local public schools160 local chamber commerce endorsed oil project potential taxes would generate project approved narrow 3 2 vote county planning commission160160the major issue many tons greenhouse gases steam generators loosen oil extraction would emit air project estimated create160 88000 metric tons greenhouse gases per year ab32 the160 california global warming solutions act 2006 santa maria energy would required lower emissions 10000 tons would 16 percent usual production mitigate emissions buying pollution permits quarterly capandtrade auction california air resources board orcutt oilfield named after160 william orcutt former manager geological land engineering departments union oil company160160orcutt discovered prehistoric fossils la brea tar pits near core city los angeles160160today town orcutt former home oil field workers population about160 35000 proposed160 136 new oil wells produce 3000 barrels oil per day160160todays spot price oil 142 per barrel160160160twentysix pilot wells already operation orcutt field would generate 426000 dollars per day 155 million per year california oil severance tax160160instead a160 corporate tax 15 35 percent oil depending gross revenues160160this would equate 233 544 million per year tax revenue160160the160 8 percent sales tax santa barbara county160could generate 18 43 million additional taxes160160combined corporate sales taxes generate revenues typical oil severance tax would ironically in160 1910 orcutt opposed 18 oil royalty proposed president william h taft160on oil field leases ventura santa barbara counties160160today prospect new taxes rate 17 13 gross revenues opening new well sites county planning commission authorized exceeding ab32 emissions threshold 16 percent160160this left santa maria energy buy emissions allowances states capandtrade program 78000 tons emissions exceeding 10000 tons160160at going rate of160 10 per ton160at recent capandtrade auctions would equate 780000 additional taxes imposed project160160when emissions allowances increase 25 per ton capandtrade tax would rise 1950000 per year paradoxically160santa barbara channel largest natural oil gas seeps western hemisphere160about 86000 barrels oil seep ocean bottom year equivalent 1969 santa barbara oil spill160160160since 1970 equivalent 43 1969 oil spills160160about1606075 tons reactive organic compounds160natural gas seeps air every day santa barbara channel done since way industrial revolution development carbonbased energy additionally orcutt oil field would provide 50 75 highpaying jobs larger scale beyond orcutt us energy information agency says monterey shale formation could add160 14 million jobs california august 162 million workers unemployed california santa barbara countys oil production fallen half160since peak 1980s160160160the county 20 operators active leases160160the expansion orcutt field would increase countys total production onethird 12000 barrels per day160160forty new drilling projects proposed last three years160statewide however number drilling permits substantially declined 2012 tupper hull160of western states petroleum association stated doesnt see boom coming however due regulations obstacles especially santa barbara160 santa barbara county california energy department jurisdiction drilling water drilling supplied orcutt oil field 8milelong reclaimed water pipeline laguna county sanitation district160160so water would taken local agriculture groundwater basins160160oil extraction steaming would occur water table some160 1000 feet ground surface hydraulic fracturing called fracking subsurface rock would used extract oil160160instead orcutt oil field operator santa maria energy would use steam injection process heats oil well produce sufficient oil flow turned county planning commission passing proposed project amidst environmental opposition160160160according to160 noozhawkcom 25 people showed speak favor project along 2500 signatures petition expressing support project santa barbara county population 425000160160it took 05 percent population overcome environmental opposition new oil production orcutt oilfield decades environmentalists thwarted oil production california160160if prescription change california santa barbara example similar small margin supporters need active public hearing new oil well installations construction new oil wells orcutt begin year160160that unless santa barbarabased environmental defense center160appeals county planning commission decision county board supervisors even appeal occurs santa barbara situation marks change mentality favor drilling california | 732 |
<p>BANGKOK — At a glance, Bangkok seems a highly improbably candidate for world’s most touristed city.&#160;</p>
<p>It has no coastline but plenty of fetid canals. Its inhabitants don’t speak much English, the planet’s default lingua franca. The streets are choked with gridlock, stray dogs own the back alleys and, for much of the year, the city is deluged with monsoon rains.</p>
<p>And yet Bangkok, with its projected 15.9 million international overnight visitors in 2013, has taken the top spot, according to an annual index by MasterCard. The lead was snatched from mainstay London. Bangkok is forecast to best England’s capital by 200,000 visitors this year. Paris ranks third, and the affluent city-state of Singapore comes in fourth. New York ranks a distant fifth.</p>
<p>On the surface, this statistic offers an obvious lesson: Bangkok’s allure — a swirl of intoxicating cuisine, cheap shopping, glittering temples and raucous nightlife —is potent enough to overpower its drawbacks.&#160;</p>
<p>Even those immune to these charms may still find themselves flying into Bangkok’s bustling airport and making a beeline for crystal-sand beaches. (The Thai capital’s chief airport, Suvarnabhumi, is the world’s most photographed location on Instagram.)</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/130604/thailands-got-milk-campaign-aims-make-citizens-taller" type="external">Thailand's 'Got Milk' campaign aims to make citizens taller</a></p>
<p>But sifting through the numbers reveals trends that are much bigger than Bangkok, the first Asian city to claim the world’s most-visited crown.&#160;</p>
<p>Bangkok owes this superlative to the fast-growing leisure classes in non-Western nations — namely China — that have time and cash to blow on a tropical holiday.</p>
<p>The US, Thailand’s Cold War compadre, has sent a steady flow of Americans to Thailand since the Vietnam War. GIs here for R&amp;R helped give rise to Thailand’s red-light industry.&#160;</p>
<p>But the volume of Americans coming to Thailand has stagnated since the turn of the century at roughly three-quarters of a million visitors.</p>
<p>Chinese visits, by contrast, have grown 250 percent over the past decade, to a whopping 2.7 million last year.</p>
<p>American and Chinese tourists conjure different images of Thailand, as underscored by two blockbuster films.&#160;</p>
<p>One is “The Hangover Part II,” the world’s highest-grossing R-rated comedy during its 2011 release. It follows a pack of Americans through Bangkok on a dark odyssey marked by transgender prostitutes, a drug-slinging primate and a drunken amputation.</p>
<p>Contrast this to “Lost in Thailand,” a 2012 Mandarin-language blockbuster that has sold more tickets in China than any other film in the nation’s history. It depicts rival scientists on a Three Stooges-esque slapstick misadventure through a Thailand that is more wacky and charming than sinister.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/traveltourism/130509/the-10-most-visited-countries-the-world-photos" type="external">The 10 most visited countries in the world (PHOTOS)</a></p>
<p>Thailand’s officials know there’s money to be made in deciphering varied cultures’ sentiments towards their country and using that data to lure in more tourists. A Thai-language document released last year by the Tourism Authority of Thailand analyzes travelers from Russia, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and more than a dozen others.&#160;</p>
<p>The analysis computes survey results from more than 3,500 respondents. The result was a word stew of attributes: spicy, exotic, cheerful, “lady boy,” bribery, chill, “crazy town” and so on.</p>
<p>Americans, it concluded, prefer cultural sites, “nighttime entertainment” and outdoorsy adventure. Chinese tourists showed a proclivity for “sipping fruit drinks by the seashore” and shopping.&#160;</p>
<p>As the president of the Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association explained to the Bangkok-based TTR Weekly trade magazine, “Most of them are avid shoppers, snatching up brand-name products at duty-free shops and stores around Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong intersection.” (Adjacent to that intersection is the luxurious Paragon Mall: the world’s second-most Instagrammed location.)</p>
<p>But on the whole, most nationalities presented a near-uniform view of Thailand’s positives: the food is amazing, the beaches are lovely and, most important of all, it’s cheap.</p>
<p>The Chinese tourism bonanza is so sudden and strong that tourism operators are struggling to adjust.&#160;</p>
<p>Last month, in a speech <a href="http://www.thephuketnews.com/chinese-ambassador-lays-out-long-list-of-phuket-tourism-complaints-39756.php" type="external">described by Phuket News</a> as “scathing,” China’s ambassador to Thailand railed against the lack of Chinese-speaking tour guides and cops, a dearth of Chinese-language signage, and various scams.</p>
<p>One scam is considered so rampant that Thailand’s tourism minister, fearing a slide in Chinese tourists, <a href="http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90883/8270928.html" type="external">flew to Beijing</a> to promise its demise. Called the “zero dollar” tour, it lures in spendthrift Chinese to a “free” tour that ends up dragging them through a conspiring network of shops hawking overpriced gems, food and handbags.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/130102/full-moon-parties-gang-gunfight-thailand-new-year-Koh-Phangan" type="external">British tourist Stephen Ashton, 22, shot dead at New Year's party in Thailand</a></p>
<p>China isn’t the only nation where economic growth is generating new waves of Bangkok-bound holiday makers. India sent roughly 1 million tourists to Thailand last year. That’s a fourfold increase from ten years back.&#160;</p>
<p>More astounding is Russia, which <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/thailand/090603/moscow-the-tropics" type="external">saw 1.3 million tourists arriving</a> in Thailand last year — an 18-fold increase over 2002. In the seamy, seaside resort town of Pattaya, signs in Cyrillic abound and the premier Russian-centric resort, Royal Cliff, hosts a built in Russian consulate.&#160;</p>
<p>Add to that ever-increasing arrivals from South Korea, neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. All are feeding what appears to the Tourist Authority of Thailand’s never-ending appetite for more: the government agency expects 24.5 million arrivals this year. That’s the population of Australia with a several million to spare. By 2015, the government hopes to welcome 30 million.</p>
<p>Such high aspirations for growth will continue to depend in large part on making Chinese holiday makers happy. This is a task some Thais will not relish: Thai-language message boards are littered with complaints about noisy, demanding and abrasive Chinese behavior. As one post to Thailand’s DangD board put it: “We have to endure Chinese tourists. They have money to give.”</p> | false | 3 | bangkok glance bangkok seems highly improbably candidate worlds touristed city160 coastline plenty fetid canals inhabitants dont speak much english planets default lingua franca streets choked gridlock stray dogs back alleys much year city deluged monsoon rains yet bangkok projected 159 million international overnight visitors 2013 taken top spot according annual index mastercard lead snatched mainstay london bangkok forecast best englands capital 200000 visitors year paris ranks third affluent citystate singapore comes fourth new york ranks distant fifth surface statistic offers obvious lesson bangkoks allure swirl intoxicating cuisine cheap shopping glittering temples raucous nightlife potent enough overpower drawbacks160 even immune charms may still find flying bangkoks bustling airport making beeline crystalsand beaches thai capitals chief airport suvarnabhumi worlds photographed location instagram globalpost160 thailands got milk campaign aims make citizens taller sifting numbers reveals trends much bigger bangkok first asian city claim worlds mostvisited crown160 bangkok owes superlative fastgrowing leisure classes nonwestern nations namely china time cash blow tropical holiday us thailands cold war compadre sent steady flow americans thailand since vietnam war gis rampr helped give rise thailands redlight industry160 volume americans coming thailand stagnated since turn century roughly threequarters million visitors chinese visits contrast grown 250 percent past decade whopping 27 million last year american chinese tourists conjure different images thailand underscored two blockbuster films160 one hangover part ii worlds highestgrossing rrated comedy 2011 release follows pack americans bangkok dark odyssey marked transgender prostitutes drugslinging primate drunken amputation contrast lost thailand 2012 mandarinlanguage blockbuster sold tickets china film nations history depicts rival scientists three stoogesesque slapstick misadventure thailand wacky charming sinister globalpost160 10 visited countries world photos thailands officials know theres money made deciphering varied cultures sentiments towards country using data lure tourists thailanguage document released last year tourism authority thailand analyzes travelers russia australia united arab emirates dozen others160 analysis computes survey results 3500 respondents result word stew attributes spicy exotic cheerful lady boy bribery chill crazy town americans concluded prefer cultural sites nighttime entertainment outdoorsy adventure chinese tourists showed proclivity sipping fruit drinks seashore shopping160 president thaichinese tourism alliance association explained bangkokbased ttr weekly trade magazine avid shoppers snatching brandname products dutyfree shops stores around bangkoks ratchaprasong intersection adjacent intersection luxurious paragon mall worlds secondmost instagrammed location whole nationalities presented nearuniform view thailands positives food amazing beaches lovely important cheap chinese tourism bonanza sudden strong tourism operators struggling adjust160 last month speech described phuket news scathing chinas ambassador thailand railed lack chinesespeaking tour guides cops dearth chineselanguage signage various scams one scam considered rampant thailands tourism minister fearing slide chinese tourists flew beijing promise demise called zero dollar tour lures spendthrift chinese free tour ends dragging conspiring network shops hawking overpriced gems food handbags globalpost160 british tourist stephen ashton 22 shot dead new years party thailand china isnt nation economic growth generating new waves bangkokbound holiday makers india sent roughly 1 million tourists thailand last year thats fourfold increase ten years back160 astounding russia saw 13 million tourists arriving thailand last year 18fold increase 2002 seamy seaside resort town pattaya signs cyrillic abound premier russiancentric resort royal cliff hosts built russian consulate160 add everincreasing arrivals south korea neighboring malaysia singapore feeding appears tourist authority thailands neverending appetite government agency expects 245 million arrivals year thats population australia several million spare 2015 government hopes welcome 30 million high aspirations growth continue depend large part making chinese holiday makers happy task thais relish thailanguage message boards littered complaints noisy demanding abrasive chinese behavior one post thailands dangd board put endure chinese tourists money give | 584 |
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