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<p>We point north for the Geo Quiz: North is relative, of course. The northern-most active volcano is in Norway. The northern-most coral atoll is in Hawaii and the northern most golf course is said to be in Canada's Northwest Territories.</p>
<p>So in that northerly spirit, we want you to name the northern-most country in Central America. It has a mix of Afro-Caribbean and Central American cultures. You can hear Creole and Spanish here, though English is the official language.</p>
<p>Which country is that?</p>
<p>The answer is Belize where after 30 years of independence the national anthem has finally been translated into the lingua franca of the people: English Creole. Reporter Amy Bracken caught up with the translator, Leela Vernon, in the diva's hometown of Punta Gorda:</p>
<p>If you go down a path behind a tool and parts shop in Punta Gorda, you'll likely find Leela Vernon sitting in her garden. Leela Vernon is a household name in Belize.</p>
<p>She's known as the Queen of Brukdown — a popular rural Belizean dance music. She's won awards from the government of Belize and the Queen of England, promoting her culture at home and abroad. She's also known for her protest songs.</p>
<p>Vernon is 60 now and likes to talk about her hobbies: organic gardening and canning, but she hasn't given up writing songs. In fact, she's been tinkering with the national anthem.</p>
<p>Belize's national anthem is called Land of the Free. Its lyrics were written by a Belizean soldier, Samuel Alfred Haynes, in 1963. Haynes fought for the British in World War I, but soon after led a riot protesting racism at home. When Belize gained its independence in 1981, his song became the new country's anthem.</p>
<p>But the song is in a formal English, so a few years back, Vernon decided to translate Haynes' words into Creole. "I'm doing this for my ethnic people here in Belize, mainly," she says. "So they can understand what is going on, what went on, why we celebrating."</p>
<p>Belizean Creole is a mix of English and African languages. And the Creole here transcends ethnicity. It's spoken by the Garifuna, three Mayan tribes, Mestizos, Mennonites, East Indians, Chinese, as well as ethnic Creoles.</p>
<p>"When you come to Belize, the first thing you need to understand that the Creole language binds all the ethnic people together here," says Vernon. "And they have to talk Creole to communicate, so that makes the whole think unique, very unique."</p>
<p>Vernon says after independence, school children sang 'Land of the Free' just as they had sung 'God Save the Queen' under British rule — with little thought or understanding. "I personally used to sing the anthem, but I didn't pay much attention to the words, you know, until after translating it to Creole. I said, 'This is a very serious protest song.'"</p>
<p>The final verse of the song says, 'freedom will come tomorrow afternoon.' "Meaning we are not free yet. That got to my brain, and I say, oooh, when will we be free then?… until tomorrow afternoon, that mean we are still under the whip!"</p>
<p>I ask her if the Belizean people are free now. She says Yes, but they also live in poverty, and she blames the legacy of British colonial rule for that. "I think the rippling effect of slavery is still taking a serious toll on the black community in Belize," she says.</p>
<p>She's referring to a recent rise in violence in Belize City. She says her country needs economic opportunities, but she also believes in the power of embracing ones culture.</p>
<p>Her Creole national anthem is slated to air on Belizean radio today for the first time. Belize Anthem in Creole</p>
<p>O, Lan a di free bai di Kyaribeeyan See Wi korij wi plej fi kip yu free Unu tairant kyaahn stay ya; unu despots hafu goh Fahn disya plays a demokrasi. Wi ansesta blod don bles disya grong Dats wai wi wahn free; nohmoh slayv wi wahn bee.</p>
<p>Koaros: Git op — aal weh kohn fahn di Baymen klan Put aan unu aama; difen disya lan Jraiv bak di enimi; unu enimi hafu goh fahn ya! Fahn wi lan a di free bai di Kyaribeeyan See.</p>
<p>Naycha don bles — mek yu rich rich rich Oava mongtin ahn vali weh graas ron gud Wi ansestaz, di Baymen, schrang ahn brayv Jraiv bak di enimi; kip dehn weh fahn ya. Fahn prowd Rio Hondo tu oal Saastoon Chroo koaral reef, oava bloo lagoon Kip wach wid di dehn aynjel, di staarz ahn moon Kaa freedom wahn kohn sotay tumaaro noon.</p>
<p>(Ripeet Koaros)</p>
<p>Belize Anthem in English</p>
<p>O, Land of the free by the Carib Sea, Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty No tyrants here linger, despot must flee This tranquil haven of democracy The blood of our sires which hollows the sod, Brought freedom from slavery oppression's rod By the might of truth and the grace of God. No longer shall we be hewers of wood.</p>
<p>Chorus: Arise! Ye sons of the Baymen's clan, Put on your armours, clear the land! Drive back the tyrants let despots flee- Land of the free by the Carib Sea!</p>
<p>Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold, O'er mountains and valleys where prairies roll; Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold Drove back the invaders; this heritage hold From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon, Through coral isle,over blue lagoon; Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon; For freedom comes to-morrow's noon.</p>
<p>Chorus</p> | false | 3 | point north geo quiz north relative course northernmost active volcano norway northernmost coral atoll hawaii northern golf course said canadas northwest territories northerly spirit want name northernmost country central america mix afrocaribbean central american cultures hear creole spanish though english official language country answer belize 30 years independence national anthem finally translated lingua franca people english creole reporter amy bracken caught translator leela vernon divas hometown punta gorda go path behind tool parts shop punta gorda youll likely find leela vernon sitting garden leela vernon household name belize shes known queen brukdown popular rural belizean dance music shes awards government belize queen england promoting culture home abroad shes also known protest songs vernon 60 likes talk hobbies organic gardening canning hasnt given writing songs fact shes tinkering national anthem belizes national anthem called land free lyrics written belizean soldier samuel alfred haynes 1963 haynes fought british world war soon led riot protesting racism home belize gained independence 1981 song became new countrys anthem song formal english years back vernon decided translate haynes words creole im ethnic people belize mainly says understand going went celebrating belizean creole mix english african languages creole transcends ethnicity spoken garifuna three mayan tribes mestizos mennonites east indians chinese well ethnic creoles come belize first thing need understand creole language binds ethnic people together says vernon talk creole communicate makes whole think unique unique vernon says independence school children sang land free sung god save queen british rule little thought understanding personally used sing anthem didnt pay much attention words know translating creole said serious protest song final verse song says freedom come tomorrow afternoon meaning free yet got brain say oooh free tomorrow afternoon mean still whip ask belizean people free says yes also live poverty blames legacy british colonial rule think rippling effect slavery still taking serious toll black community belize says shes referring recent rise violence belize city says country needs economic opportunities also believes power embracing ones culture creole national anthem slated air belizean radio today first time belize anthem creole lan di free bai di kyaribeeyan see wi korij wi plej fi kip yu free unu tairant kyaahn stay ya unu despots hafu goh fahn disya plays demokrasi wi ansesta blod bles disya grong dats wai wi wahn free nohmoh slayv wi wahn bee koaros git op aal weh kohn fahn di baymen klan put aan unu aama difen disya lan jraiv bak di enimi unu enimi hafu goh fahn ya fahn wi lan di free bai di kyaribeeyan see naycha bles mek yu rich rich rich oava mongtin ahn vali weh graas ron gud wi ansestaz di baymen schrang ahn brayv jraiv bak di enimi kip dehn weh fahn ya fahn prowd rio hondo tu oal saastoon chroo koaral reef oava bloo lagoon kip wach wid di dehn aynjel di staarz ahn moon kaa freedom wahn kohn sotay tumaaro noon ripeet koaros belize anthem english land free carib sea manhood pledge thy liberty tyrants linger despot must flee tranquil democracy blood sires hollows sod brought freedom slavery oppressions rod might truth grace god longer shall hewers wood chorus arise ye sons baymens clan put armours clear land drive back tyrants let despots flee land free carib sea nature blessed thee wealth untold oer mountains valleys prairies roll fathers baymen valiant bold drove back invaders heritage hold proud rio hondo old sarstoon coral isleover blue lagoon keep watch angels stars moon freedom comes tomorrows noon chorus | 575 |
<p>CURWOOD: It's Living on Earth. I'm Steve Curwood. Orion Magazine gives an award to the best environmental book of the year, and in 2014 they added a fiction prize, and it went to novelist and environmental activist, Margaret Atwood. Ms. Atwood has won many honors, including the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Booker Prize. She joins us now from Toronto. Welcome to Living on Earth, Ms. Atwood.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Thank you very much.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: The book that won the prize is called MaddAddam. It's part of a trilogy, thoughits the final book in the Oryx and Crake trilogy.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Orion Magazine gives an award to the best environmental book of the year, and in 2014 they added a fiction prize, and it went to novelist and environmental activist, Margaret Atwood. Ms. Atwood has won many honors, including the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Booker Prize. She joins us now from Toronto. Welcome to Living on Earth, Ms. Atwood.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Thank you very much.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: The book that won the prize is called MaddAddam. It's part of a trilogy, thoughits the final book in the Oryx and Crake trilogy. I think it's fair to describe it as a chronicle of the survivors of a global pandemic as they try to survive and rebuild a new society.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: I think that would be fair.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: So tell us about the world you've created here, and what inspired it.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Well I think real life inspired it, as it usually does if you trace back far enough in anybody's created world. So I first started writing the trilogy in 2001. And when I first started it, I was in Australia with a bunch of birdwatchers talking about extinction, so I think it came initially out of that, but also, as Whistler said about his painting, also a lifetime of experience, because I grew up with biologists, and I've been hearing these kinds of speculations for really a very long time now. How long have we got? Are we as a species dooming ourselves to extinction? How do we have to think and feel to change course?</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Wow. So you grew up with biologists. You must have done a lot of biological research for this book, huh?</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Well it's a hobby of mine. I've always kept up with it as best I could through what I think of as pop-science, which is the kind with the colorful pictures where you don't have to do the math. So I like to hear what other people are doing and what they've discovered without actually having to do it myself. And I have an older brother who is a biologist, and he's always ready to send me things like new research on the size of mouse brains, etc.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Well, if you ever stop writing and need a gig, thats what we do here on Living on Earth.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: [LAUGHS] Is that what you do? Mouse brains?</p>
<p>CURWOOD: [LAUGHS] Well, we try to boil it down. So let's talk a bit about your characters. Some of the most fascinating characters in this book are the Crakers.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Well, theyre not fascinating to the human beings who are living side-by-side with them because they don't share some of our interests. So their conversation can be somewhat boring for humans, such as ourselves.</p>
<p>MaddAddam is the Orion prize-winning final book in the Oryx and Crake trilogy</p>
<p>CURWOOD: You created these as, well, I guess theyre peoplethey are genetically-engineered beings...</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Theyre genetically-engineered people, but they've been modified by their creator to avoid as a species the kinds of configurations that have gotten us as a species historically into so much trouble. So for instance, they don't need agriculture of any kind because they don't need clothing, and not only are they vegetarian, they can eat leaves and grass like rabbits, but unlike us. So they don't have to have farms or gardens, they can just munch away on trees.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Yeah, one of the jokes in this book is that they eat kudzu.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Well, somebody's got to do it. [LAUGHS] Its taking over and you can eat itit's edible. I haven't noticed it for sale in any gourmet shops lately, but maybe that is to come. Anyway, so that's one of their advantages. They've got built-in sunblock and built-in insect repellent. Theyre nonviolent. They wouldn't be able to understand the concept of a war. They just wouldn't understand why people would be doing that, but maybe best of all they will never suffer from romantic rejection because, unlike ourselves, but like a lot of other mammals, they mate seasonally. And just to be more than helpful, when they're in season parts of them turn blue so there's never any confusion.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: You know, after reading this, I have to say I'll never use the term blue or see blue [LAUGHS] without at least laughing to myself if not out loud.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Well, yes, it gives a whole different dimension to blue movies. But for them it's, it's very very convenient and they just find it a natural way of behaving.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: So these people represent what, a chance for a do-over? Or what for humanity?</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Well, they have been created by a genetic engineer called Crake, and he is probably looking at the large mega-problem which we as a species are facing, which is that we are extremely numerous and were using up more than were replacing. So he feels that by rebooting the human race as it were, for which he of course has to eliminate the existing one as much as he is able, because we, not being non-aggressive would make pretty short work of these people. He would feel that we have been given a whole new lease on life.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Margaret Atwood, in your version of the fall of humanity, where do you think people went wrong?</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Oh well, depends what you mean by wrong because we are a pretty complex species, and what is wrong for one person may be right for another. And a lot of our virtues are also disabilities. For instance, were very, very loyal to our own groups, but that means we wish to defend those groups. And what does that lead to? Yes, you know the answer to that. So we are very creative. Crake tried to eliminate music, but he couldn't do that. It seems to be pretty built in. And he also tried to eliminate symbolic thinking which he felt led to monarchies, religions, wars and all kinds of undesirable things, but as it turns out, he was unable to eliminate symbolic thinking as well. So the Crakers, even as we watch them, are learning about things like pictures. What is the picture? Well, it's not the real thing, but it represents the real thing. And stories. They've discovered stories, and as it turns out they can't get enough of them, especially stories about themselves. Does that remind you of anybody you might know?</p>
<p>CURWOOD: [LAUGHS] A lot of this book, yes, does have to do with storytelling. Why tell stories, Margaret Atwood?</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Oh - it seems to be one of the things that we come with. If you look at children before the age of four or five, there are a number of things that they just pick up very, very readily. One of them is language; one of them is music, but another one, which kicks in very early is the ability to understand and then tell narrative sequences of eventsin other words, stories. And some of the thinking about that is that would've given a species who developed it, a very big edge in survival, because if you can tell the younger generation a story about why they shouldn't go swimming in the river in the place where Uncle Charlie got eaten by the crocodiles, they don't have to find that out for themselves. We learn through stories way, way faster and deeper than we learn, for instance, through graphs and strings of numbers.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Now we have a lot of scientists, activists, politicians on this broadcast, but not a lot of novelists; some. What do you think fiction can bring to the environmental conversation that those other voices can't?</p>
<p>ATWOOD: A novel is the next best thing to being there, say the neurologists who study brain activity. It's even more immersive than, for instance, a television show or film because the brain has to do a lot of inventing while you are readingyou are supplying the sets, the costumes, the soundtrack and a lot of the interpretation, you the reader. So youre a participant in any novel that you're reading. So let us say that it's an in-depth experience and for that reason, it can be very, very effective if you want to put a person into a situation that you wish to have them imagine.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: You specialize now in this act of making things up, to tell a story. Where do you find the power?</p>
<p>Orion Book Award 2014</p>
<p>ATWOOD: OK. I'm tempted to tell you a really elaborate lie about that, which could be pretty good. I could have put in some human sacrifice and, you know, goat blood, full moons and things like that, but I wont do that. I will say that I really have no idea, but I read a lot as a child. I was a reader, and one of the reasons I was a reader was that I grew up in the north of Canada where there was not only no movie theater or television, but there was also no school or grocery store or running water or electricity or many other people. But there were a lot of books and nobody ever told me that I couldn't read a book. They never said, put that down, or, that's too old for you. And I indeed did read a lot of books that I probably shouldn't have read at the age that I read themThe Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe, including the melting corpse storymaybe not so much at the age of eight.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: I guess not. You dont seem none the worse for wear though?</p>
<p>ATWOOD: You mean, it didn't ruin my life. On the contrary. Quite frequently young people will say, What should I do? I want to be a writer. What should I do? And one of the things people do, including me, always say to them is, Well you should read.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Were just about out of time, but how do think somebody like youIm thinking of the eight-year-old Margaret Atwood living up closer to the Arctic Circle without a whole bunch of folks aroundhow do think she would react to this trilogy?</p>
<p>ATWOOD: I read a huge amount of science fiction as a young person. And, I think it is an age in which people frequently do that, for instance, Ray Bradbury was publishing in the 50s when I was an adolescent, and so was John Wyndham, and I read all of H.G. Wells and a number of the other sci-fi classics so I would probably have gobbled it up; although, I might've been a bit disappointed at that age that it wasn't on another planet.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Margaret Atwood is the award-winning author from Toronto. Her latest book, MaddAddam, just won the Orion Book Award for fiction. Thanks for taking the time with us today, Ms. Atwood.</p>
<p>ATWOOD: A pleasure.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Anything you like to add to this discussion?</p>
<p>ATWOOD: Keep hopeful. Its a chore.</p> | false | 3 | curwood living earth im steve curwood orion magazine gives award best environmental book year 2014 added fiction prize went novelist environmental activist margaret atwood ms atwood many honors including arthur c clarke award booker prize joins us toronto welcome living earth ms atwood atwood thank much curwood book prize called maddaddam part trilogy thoughits final book oryx crake trilogy curwood orion magazine gives award best environmental book year 2014 added fiction prize went novelist environmental activist margaret atwood ms atwood many honors including arthur c clarke award booker prize joins us toronto welcome living earth ms atwood atwood thank much curwood book prize called maddaddam part trilogy thoughits final book oryx crake trilogy think fair describe chronicle survivors global pandemic try survive rebuild new society atwood think would fair curwood tell us world youve created inspired atwood well think real life inspired usually trace back far enough anybodys created world first started writing trilogy 2001 first started australia bunch birdwatchers talking extinction think came initially also whistler said painting also lifetime experience grew biologists ive hearing kinds speculations really long time long got species dooming extinction think feel change course curwood wow grew biologists must done lot biological research book huh atwood well hobby mine ive always kept best could think popscience kind colorful pictures dont math like hear people theyve discovered without actually older brother biologist hes always ready send things like new research size mouse brains etc curwood well ever stop writing need gig thats living earth atwood laughs mouse brains curwood laughs well try boil lets talk bit characters fascinating characters book crakers atwood well theyre fascinating human beings living sidebyside dont share interests conversation somewhat boring humans maddaddam orion prizewinning final book oryx crake trilogy curwood created well guess theyre peoplethey geneticallyengineered beings atwood theyre geneticallyengineered people theyve modified creator avoid species kinds configurations gotten us species historically much trouble instance dont need agriculture kind dont need clothing vegetarian eat leaves grass like rabbits unlike us dont farms gardens munch away trees curwood yeah one jokes book eat kudzu atwood well somebodys got laughs taking eat itits edible havent noticed sale gourmet shops lately maybe come anyway thats one advantages theyve got builtin sunblock builtin insect repellent theyre nonviolent wouldnt able understand concept war wouldnt understand people would maybe best never suffer romantic rejection unlike like lot mammals mate seasonally helpful theyre season parts turn blue theres never confusion curwood know reading say ill never use term blue see blue laughs without least laughing loud atwood well yes gives whole different dimension blue movies convenient find natural way behaving curwood people represent chance doover humanity atwood well created genetic engineer called crake probably looking large megaproblem species facing extremely numerous using replacing feels rebooting human race course eliminate existing one much able nonaggressive would make pretty short work people would feel given whole new lease life curwood margaret atwood version fall humanity think people went wrong atwood oh well depends mean wrong pretty complex species wrong one person may right another lot virtues also disabilities instance loyal groups means wish defend groups lead yes know answer creative crake tried eliminate music couldnt seems pretty built also tried eliminate symbolic thinking felt led monarchies religions wars kinds undesirable things turns unable eliminate symbolic thinking well crakers even watch learning things like pictures picture well real thing represents real thing stories theyve discovered stories turns cant get enough especially stories remind anybody might know curwood laughs lot book yes storytelling tell stories margaret atwood atwood oh seems one things come look children age four five number things pick readily one language one music another one kicks early ability understand tell narrative sequences eventsin words stories thinking wouldve given species developed big edge survival tell younger generation story shouldnt go swimming river place uncle charlie got eaten crocodiles dont find learn stories way way faster deeper learn instance graphs strings numbers curwood lot scientists activists politicians broadcast lot novelists think fiction bring environmental conversation voices cant atwood novel next best thing say neurologists study brain activity even immersive instance television show film brain lot inventing readingyou supplying sets costumes soundtrack lot interpretation reader youre participant novel youre reading let us say indepth experience reason effective want put person situation wish imagine curwood specialize act making things tell story find power orion book award 2014 atwood ok im tempted tell really elaborate lie could pretty good could put human sacrifice know goat blood full moons things like wont say really idea read lot child reader one reasons reader grew north canada movie theater television also school grocery store running water electricity many people lot books nobody ever told couldnt read book never said put thats old indeed read lot books probably shouldnt read age read themthe collected works edgar allan poe including melting corpse storymaybe much age eight curwood guess dont seem none worse wear though atwood mean didnt ruin life contrary quite frequently young people say want writer one things people including always say well read curwood time think somebody like youim thinking eightyearold margaret atwood living closer arctic circle without whole bunch folks aroundhow think would react trilogy atwood read huge amount science fiction young person think age people frequently instance ray bradbury publishing 50s adolescent john wyndham read hg wells number scifi classics would probably gobbled although mightve bit disappointed age wasnt another planet curwood margaret atwood awardwinning author toronto latest book maddaddam orion book award fiction thanks taking time us today ms atwood atwood pleasure curwood anything like add discussion atwood keep hopeful chore | 928 |
<p>Attorney General Jeff Sessions stridently defended himself Tuesday against <a href="" type="internal">accusations of that he may have colluded with Russian officials during last year's election.</a></p>
<p>Sessions testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee that the allegations were an "appalling and detestable lie."</p>
<p>"Let me state this clearly: I have never met with or had any conversations with Russians or any foreign officials concerning any ... interference with any campaign or election," Sessions said.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Attorney General came under fire from senators for "stonewalling" and dodging as he claimed he could not answer certain questions because the president may want to invoke executive privilege.</p>
<p>Look back over the action as it unfolded below.</p>
<p>After two hours of testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Democrats <a href="" type="internal">were left fuming over what the attorney general didn't answer</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>Sessions would not say whether the president told him he wanted to fire former FBI Director James Comey because of his handling of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Nor would he say why the memo Sessions wrote justifying the firing of Comey was so different than the reasoning the president offered in an interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt days later.</p>
<p>There were few definitive answers.&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Asked for yes and no answers</a>, he said he didn't recall certain things. Asked if he'd had more meetings with Russians, he said at one point no, and at another point he really couldn't remember any more.&#160;</p>
<p>Still, we did learn <a href="" type="internal">more about how Sessions defines the scope of his recusal</a>&#160;from the Russia investigation, and he&#160; <a href="" type="internal">confirmed many of the circumstances and facts</a> of Comey’s private conversations with the president.</p>
<p>Democrats appeared largely unsatisfied with much of the briefing: his answers didn’t “pass the smell test,” said Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden. <a href="" type="internal">“You are obstructing,”</a> said New Mexico’s Sen. Martin Heinrich.&#160;Republicans, however, seemed more satisfied with his answers. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton even asked if Sessions was a fan of spy movies.</p>
<p>— Jane C. Timm</p>
<p>The GOP chairman of the Senate Rules Committee quickly backed down from an apparent attempt to impose new restrictions on reporters Tuesday prior to Sessions' testimony.&#160;</p>
<p>Reporters have for decades freely approached senators in the hallways and outside the meeting rooms of the Capitol for impromptu interviews, so they were stunned and outraged when told Tuesday morning they would now need prior approval from the senator before asking questions on camera in the Senate.</p>
<p>By the end of the day, however, Rules Committee Chairman&#160;Richard Shelby (R-AL), said there would be no changes to the rules — for now at least.&#160;“No additional restrictions have been put in place by the Rules Committee," Shelby said.&#160;</p>
<p>The Capitol has been <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/inside-the-heaving-jostling-capitol-media-mob-we-are-one-tripped-senator-away-from-disaster/2017/06/06/8197da7c-4ae8-11e7-a186-60c031eab644_story.html?utm_term=.74e7709d0290" type="external">unusually crowded</a> with reporters lately, raising legitimate concerns about the safety of lawmakers and reporters alike, especially around heavy TV cameras.</p>
<p>But many senators — including Republican and Democratic senators — viewed the new restrictions as overly draconian. The Radio and Television Correspondents Association condemned the new rules “in the strongest possible terms" while the <a href="http://www.press.org/news-multimedia/news/national-press-club-npc-journalism-institute-say-no-senate-press-gatekeeper" type="external">National Press Club's Journalism Institute said</a>,&#160;"We remain concerned that such constitutionally questionable practices were even discussed at all."</p>
<p>— Alex Seitz-Wald&#160;</p>
<p>Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island dug in by asking Sessions about his past praise for Comey.</p>
<p>He then questioned him specifically about the decision-making process for Comey’s public announcements regarding the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email use.&#160;Comey’s October announcement that the FBI would reopen its probe has been cited by Clinton herself as derailing her campaign at a crucial moment.</p>
<p>Sessions said the reason Comey needed to announce reopening the investigation was because he’d already come out with other developments.</p>
<p>Sessions' larger takeaway? The investigation should never have been discussed publicly at all.</p>
<p>“It would have been better… never to have talked about that investigation to begin with,” Sessions said.</p>
<p>“It went against classical prosecutorial policies that I learned when I was a U.S. Attorney and an Assistant U.S. Attorney.”</p>
<p>— Joy Y. Wang&#160;</p>
<p>California Democrat Sen. Kamala Harris was again reprimanded for questioning and interrupting a witness while questioning Sessions on Tuesday.&#160;</p>
<p>She was first interrupted&#160;by Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, who said Sessions should be allowed to answer; Committee Chair Sen. Richard Burr, of North Carolina, said the chairman would control the hearing, before adding that the witness should be allowed to answer questions.</p>
<p>She is the only senator to be interrupted&#160;and reprimanded, despite the fact that many senators — most noticeably Sen. Mark Warner, the Virginia Democrat who sits next to Burr and is the vice chairman on the committee — interrupted Sessions before and after Harris spoke.</p>
<p>Sessions insisted that he didn’t want to be rushed during his questioning, because he didn’t want to be later accused of lying should he not properly qualify his answers. He also said he wasn't able to be "rushed" on his answers, saying, "it makes me nervous."</p>
<p>Harris was reprimanded similarly for her questioning <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/07/politics/kamala-harris-senate-intelligence-hearing/index.html" type="external">six days ago</a>&#160;by Burr, while she was questioning the deputy attorney general.</p>
<p>— Jane C. Timm</p>
<p>A glimpse inside West Wing thinking: A senior administration official says they're "pretty impressed" with Sessions' testimony so far; they like that he came out swinging. Note this is probably something President Trump will approve of, too, despite the recent tension between him and his Attorney General. Sessions made a point to play the loyalty card to the president during today's hearing</p>
<p>One more note: Sessions said he wouldn't answer certain questions regarding private conversations with the president in part because the president hadn't reviewed the questions yet. We've asked the White House for further clarity on whether they will follow up with Sessions to allow him to answer those questions if he's called back before Congress, but no response yet.</p>
<p>— Hallie Jackson</p>
<p>Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton asked a slew of questions that sounded an awful lot like the president’s own Tweets&#160;— was there collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign or is this a ridiculous witch hunt? And what about the leaks to the media? How are they being prosecuted?</p>
<p>His questioning of the Attorney General comes several hours after he and 14 other Republican senators had lunch with the president.</p>
<p>Sen. Joe Manchin pressed Sessions on whether he knew of any direct contact between Russian officials and Trump’s advisers.</p>
<p>“I racked my brain and I do not believe so,” Sessions said. “I can assure you that none of those meetings discussed manipulating those campaigns in any shape or form.”</p>
<p>Manchin asked Sessions whether specific advisers had contact with Russian officials. The senator ran down a list of names, asking the attorney general to simply answer “yes” or “no.” Here’s how that exchange played out.</p>
<p>Paul Manafort: “I don’t have any information that he had done so…”</p>
<p>Steve Bannon: “I have no information that he did.”</p>
<p>Michael Flynn: “I don’t recall it.”</p>
<p>Reince Preibus: “I don’t recall.”</p>
<p>Stephen Miller: “I don’t recall him ever having such a conversation.”</p>
<p>Corey Lewandowski: “I don’t recall any of those individuals having any meeting with Russian officials.”</p>
<p>Cater Page: “I don’t know.”</p>
<p>Sessions elaborated a bit on Page. “There may have been some published account of Mr. Page talking with Russians but I’m not sure," he said.</p>
<p>So much for “yes” or “no.”</p>
<p>— Joy Y. Wang</p>
<p>Like Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and NSA Director Michael Rogers did last week, Sessions is refusing to answer some questions but he is not claiming national security and the president did not assert executive privilege.</p>
<p>Coats' and Rogers' unwillingness to respond to the committee resulted in a testy exchange with Senator Angus King, I-Maine, who continued his mission to get witnesses to answer questions Tuesday.&#160;</p>
<p>— Greta Van Susteren</p>
<p>Independent Maine Sen. Angus King pressed Sessions again on his determination not to answer questions about his conversations with the president, adding his name to the list of senators arguing Sessions lacked all legal right to do so.</p>
<p>“The president hasn’t asserted [executive privilege], you said you don’t have the power to exert,” King said, arguing that the attorney general was trying to have it "both ways." Executive privilege <a href="" type="internal">allows a president,</a>or executive branch members, to withhold information from subpoenas and other requests because of its ties to the administration and its work.</p>
<p>Sessions pushed back: “I am protecting the right of the president to assert it if he chooses, or there may be other privilege ... It would be premature for me to deny the president a full and intelligent choice—”</p>
<p>King interjected to press Sessions about the testimony he'd given earlier in the session —&#160;that the president had asked for his opinion on James Comey’s role at the head of the FBI —&#160;and asked why that wasn’t confidential.</p>
<p>Sessions insisted that he spoke about that interaction because the president had already spoke about it publicly.&#160;</p>
<p>—Jane Timm</p>
<p>Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich repeatedly pushed back against the Attorney General’s claim that he could not speak about conversations with the president because Trump might want to invoke executive privilege.</p>
<p>“My understanding to this, you took an oath…to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and now you’re not telling the truth,” the&#160;senator from New Mexico&#160;said, arguing that Sessions had no legal standard for claiming “appropriateness” as his reason for refusing to answer questions.</p>
<p>“You are obstructing," he said defiantly, as Sessions insisted that he could refuse to answer questions without executive privilege being invoked.&#160;</p>
<p>“It’s my judgment that it would be inappropriate for me to answer and reveal private conversations with the president when he has not had the opportunity to approve such an answer," Sessions said.&#160;</p>
<p>—Jane C. Timm</p>
<p>Sessions had a tense exchange with Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon.</p>
<p>The attorney general insisted he was not "stonewalling" in front of the committee — something the Oregon Democrat had suggested in sharp terms — and decried the "innuendo" swirling around him after last week's testimony from former FBI chief James Comey.</p>
<p>Referencing part of Comey's testimony, Wyden asked Sessions what facts would make his involvement in the Russia investigation "problematic."</p>
<p>"Why don't you tell me! There are none," Sessions replied.</p>
<p>Wyden then asked Sessions why he signed a letter recommending the firing of Comey and whether that violated his recusal from the Russia investigation.</p>
<p>"It did not violate my recusal, it did not violate my recusal — that would be the answer to that," Sessions said.</p>
<p>Wyden responded: "That answer does not, in my view, does not pass the smell test."</p>
<p>— Daniel Arkin</p>
<p>Sessions repeatedly dodged questions from Republican Sen. Marco Rubio on a private meeting the president had with the then-FBI Director James Comey, saying only that he was one of the last individuals to leave the room and that Comey was still in the room. Comey previously testified under oath that the president asked Sessions and other officials to leave.</p>
<p>“I left, it didn’t seem to me to be a major problem, I knew that Director Comey…could handle himself,” Sessions said, mere minutes after describing his conviction that Comey would have to be removed from his position in favor of a "fresh start" because he was performing well at his job.&#160;</p>
<p>Asked if he knew if the president records conversations in the Oval Office and if there would be an obligation to preserve those recordings if so, Sessions said he did not know — &#160;but they “probably” would have to be preserved.&#160;</p>
<p>—Jane C. Timm</p>
<p>In response to a question from Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., Sessions said it's "conceivable" he had a third meeting with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington last April.</p>
<p>"It's conceivable that occurred," Sessions said. "I just don't remember it."</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Former FBI Director James Comey told senators</a> in a closed hearing last Thursday that Sessions may have had a third interaction with Kislyak, a source familiar with the closed session told NBC News.</p>
<p>— Daniel Arkin</p>
<p>Sessions did not dispute that the president had met privately with former FBI Director James Comey in February, and that Comey had expressed concerns about meeting privately with the president the very next day.&#160;</p>
<p>Sessions said he was not told the contents of the meeting, but suggested he felt Comey was simply hoping to stick to historic protocols about FBI relations with the White House.</p>
<p>— Jane C. Timm</p>
<p>I was curious what the tone would be of the opening statements, since Attorney General Sessions was a colleague before taking the role in Trump's administration.</p>
<p>Ranking Member Senator Mark Warner was cordial but stern. Sessions' opening statement was broad and anticipatory — meaning he was anticipating all the questions the senators would have for him and tactically wanted to get out ahead of those questions with his opening statements.</p>
<p>— Greta Van Susteren&#160;</p>
<p>In his opening remarks, Sessions came out swinging against the allegations that there was anything improper about his work with the Trump campaign or his conversations with Russian officials.</p>
<p>"Let me state this clearly: I have never met with or had any conversations&#160;with Russians or any foreign officials concerning any ... interference with any campaign or election. Further, I have no knowledge of any such conversations by anyone connected to the Trump campaign. I was your colleague in this body for 20 years, and the suggestion that I participated in any collusion or that I was aware of any collusion with the Russian government to hurt this country, which I have served with honor over 35 years, or to undermine the integrity of our democratic process is an appalling and detestable lie," he said. "I recused myself from any investigation into the campaigns for President, but I did not recuse myself from defending my honor against scurrilous and false allegations."</p>
<p>In his opening statement, Sessions said it was "false" that he had not answered a question from Sen. Al Franken about contacts with Russia truthfully during his confirmation hearing to become Trump's attorney general.&#160;</p>
<p>Politifact tweeted with the context.</p>
<p>Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Burr laid out what he hoped to address during Sessions' testimony on Tuesday in his opening remarks.&#160;</p>
<p>Here's what he said:</p>
<p>Attorney General Sessions, this venue is your opportunity to separate fact from fiction and to set the record straight on a number of allegations reported in the press. For example, there are several issues that I am hopeful we will address today:</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | attorney general jeff sessions stridently defended tuesday accusations may colluded russian officials last years election sessions testified senate intelligence committee allegations appalling detestable lie let state clearly never met conversations russians foreign officials concerning interference campaign election sessions said meanwhile attorney general came fire senators stonewalling dodging claimed could answer certain questions president may want invoke executive privilege look back action unfolded two hours testimony senate intelligence committee democrats left fuming attorney general didnt answer160 sessions would say whether president told wanted fire former fbi director james comey handling investigation russian interference 2016 election would say memo sessions wrote justifying firing comey different reasoning president offered interview nbc news lester holt days later definitive answers160 asked yes answers said didnt recall certain things asked hed meetings russians said one point another point really couldnt remember more160 still learn sessions defines scope recusal160from russia investigation he160 confirmed many circumstances facts comeys private conversations president democrats appeared largely unsatisfied much briefing answers didnt pass smell test said oregon sen ron wyden obstructing said new mexicos sen martin heinrich160republicans however seemed satisfied answers arkansas sen tom cotton even asked sessions fan spy movies jane c timm gop chairman senate rules committee quickly backed apparent attempt impose new restrictions reporters tuesday prior sessions testimony160 reporters decades freely approached senators hallways outside meeting rooms capitol impromptu interviews stunned outraged told tuesday morning would need prior approval senator asking questions camera senate end day however rules committee chairman160richard shelby ral said would changes rules least160no additional restrictions put place rules committee shelby said160 capitol unusually crowded reporters lately raising legitimate concerns safety lawmakers reporters alike especially around heavy tv cameras many senators including republican democratic senators viewed new restrictions overly draconian radio television correspondents association condemned new rules strongest possible terms national press clubs journalism institute said160we remain concerned constitutionally questionable practices even discussed alex seitzwald160 sen jack reed rhode island dug asking sessions past praise comey questioned specifically decisionmaking process comeys public announcements regarding investigation hillary clintons email use160comeys october announcement fbi would reopen probe cited clinton derailing campaign crucial moment sessions said reason comey needed announce reopening investigation hed already come developments sessions larger takeaway investigation never discussed publicly would better never talked investigation begin sessions said went classical prosecutorial policies learned us attorney assistant us attorney joy wang160 california democrat sen kamala harris reprimanded questioning interrupting witness questioning sessions tuesday160 first interrupted160by arizona republican sen john mccain said sessions allowed answer committee chair sen richard burr north carolina said chairman would control hearing adding witness allowed answer questions senator interrupted160and reprimanded despite fact many senators noticeably sen mark warner virginia democrat sits next burr vice chairman committee interrupted sessions harris spoke sessions insisted didnt want rushed questioning didnt want later accused lying properly qualify answers also said wasnt able rushed answers saying makes nervous harris reprimanded similarly questioning six days ago160by burr questioning deputy attorney general jane c timm glimpse inside west wing thinking senior administration official says theyre pretty impressed sessions testimony far like came swinging note probably something president trump approve despite recent tension attorney general sessions made point play loyalty card president todays hearing one note sessions said wouldnt answer certain questions regarding private conversations president part president hadnt reviewed questions yet weve asked white house clarity whether follow sessions allow answer questions hes called back congress response yet hallie jackson arkansas republican sen tom cotton asked slew questions sounded awful lot like presidents tweets160 collusion russians trump campaign ridiculous witch hunt leaks media prosecuted questioning attorney general comes several hours 14 republican senators lunch president sen joe manchin pressed sessions whether knew direct contact russian officials trumps advisers racked brain believe sessions said assure none meetings discussed manipulating campaigns shape form manchin asked sessions whether specific advisers contact russian officials senator ran list names asking attorney general simply answer yes heres exchange played paul manafort dont information done steve bannon information michael flynn dont recall reince preibus dont recall stephen miller dont recall ever conversation corey lewandowski dont recall individuals meeting russian officials cater page dont know sessions elaborated bit page may published account mr page talking russians im sure said much yes joy wang like director national intelligence dan coats nsa director michael rogers last week sessions refusing answer questions claiming national security president assert executive privilege coats rogers unwillingness respond committee resulted testy exchange senator angus king imaine continued mission get witnesses answer questions tuesday160 greta van susteren independent maine sen angus king pressed sessions determination answer questions conversations president adding name list senators arguing sessions lacked legal right president hasnt asserted executive privilege said dont power exert king said arguing attorney general trying ways executive privilege allows presidentor executive branch members withhold information subpoenas requests ties administration work sessions pushed back protecting right president assert chooses may privilege would premature deny president full intelligent choice king interjected press sessions testimony hed given earlier session 160that president asked opinion james comeys role head fbi 160and asked wasnt confidential sessions insisted spoke interaction president already spoke publicly160 jane timm democrat sen martin heinrich repeatedly pushed back attorney generals claim could speak conversations president trump might want invoke executive privilege understanding took oathto tell truth whole truth nothing truth youre telling truth the160senator new mexico160said arguing sessions legal standard claiming appropriateness reason refusing answer questions obstructing said defiantly sessions insisted could refuse answer questions without executive privilege invoked160 judgment would inappropriate answer reveal private conversations president opportunity approve answer sessions said160 jane c timm sessions tense exchange sen ron wyden doregon attorney general insisted stonewalling front committee something oregon democrat suggested sharp terms decried innuendo swirling around last weeks testimony former fbi chief james comey referencing part comeys testimony wyden asked sessions facts would make involvement russia investigation problematic dont tell none sessions replied wyden asked sessions signed letter recommending firing comey whether violated recusal russia investigation violate recusal violate recusal would answer sessions said wyden responded answer view pass smell test daniel arkin sessions repeatedly dodged questions republican sen marco rubio private meeting president thenfbi director james comey saying one last individuals leave room comey still room comey previously testified oath president asked sessions officials leave left didnt seem major problem knew director comeycould handle sessions said mere minutes describing conviction comey would removed position favor fresh start performing well job160 asked knew president records conversations oval office would obligation preserve recordings sessions said know 160but probably would preserved160 jane c timm response question sen mark warner dva sessions said conceivable third meeting russian ambassador united states sergey kislyak mayflower hotel washington last april conceivable occurred sessions said dont remember former fbi director james comey told senators closed hearing last thursday sessions may third interaction kislyak source familiar closed session told nbc news daniel arkin sessions dispute president met privately former fbi director james comey february comey expressed concerns meeting privately president next day160 sessions said told contents meeting suggested felt comey simply hoping stick historic protocols fbi relations white house jane c timm curious tone would opening statements since attorney general sessions colleague taking role trumps administration ranking member senator mark warner cordial stern sessions opening statement broad anticipatory meaning anticipating questions senators would tactically wanted get ahead questions opening statements greta van susteren160 opening remarks sessions came swinging allegations anything improper work trump campaign conversations russian officials let state clearly never met conversations160with russians foreign officials concerning interference campaign election knowledge conversations anyone connected trump campaign colleague body 20 years suggestion participated collusion aware collusion russian government hurt country served honor 35 years undermine integrity democratic process appalling detestable lie said recused investigation campaigns president recuse defending honor scurrilous false allegations opening statement sessions said false answered question sen al franken contacts russia truthfully confirmation hearing become trumps attorney general160 politifact tweeted context senate intelligence committee chairman sen richard burr laid hoped address sessions testimony tuesday opening remarks160 heres said attorney general sessions venue opportunity separate fact fiction set record straight number allegations reported press example several issues hopeful address today | 1,335 |
<p>Charles King (Photo courtesy of King)</p>
<p>It’s been a long haul for the Baltimore Eagle but under new ownership, the historic gay bar is on the cusp of announcing its reopening.</p>
<p>“We still have inspections,” says Charles “Chuck” King, general manager. “If we’re not open for New Year’s Eve, we hope to be open within a couple of weeks after. I won’t know anything definitive until next week.”</p>
<p>The bar at 2022 N. Charles St. closed in 2012 following the death of its owner, Richard Richardson. The Eagle was purchased by Charles and Ian Parrish in 2013 and a major renovation and construction effort (about $1 million) began.</p>
<p>It’s slated to be a major hub with multiple bars, a restaurant, a leather and adult shop, a lounge, historic Baltimore gay leather items, event space and more. Look for updates at <a href="http://thebaltimoreeagle.com" type="external">thebaltimoreeagle.com</a>.</p>
<p>King arrived in Baltimore three-and-a-half years ago and thought it would be temporary but fell in love with the city.</p>
<p>The 44-year-old Milwaukee native lives in Owings Mills, Md., with husband, Greg. He enjoys Netflix, movies, Disney, traveling and hanging with friends in the leather community as well as charity work for LGBT causes in his free time.</p>
<p />
<p>How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?</p>
<p>I’ve been out to friends since college and my dad was the hardest to tell. Made my mom do that. My mom was so easy. She woke me up the next morning and told me to look at the hot guy moving in next door.</p>
<p />
<p>Who’s your LGBT hero?</p>
<p>All of the men, women, bisexual and transgender persons who were brave enough to be out and proud&#160;when it was not safe.</p>
<p />
<p>What’s Baltimore’s best nightspot, past or present?</p>
<p>Well, I think when the Vault was open for a while, it was pretty cool. Of course the Hippo was ultimately iconic and it will always be missed.</p>
<p />
<p>Describe your dream wedding.</p>
<p>I’ve had it. Christmas wedding with family and friends, a beautiful dinner, cocktail reception, and then a massive party headlined by CeCe Peniston. It was the best wedding I’ve ever been to. We did the honeymoon a month before in Rome, Venice and Amsterdam.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?</p>
<p>There are just so many. Climate change and fixing the disparities of this country in politics are on the top of my list.</p>
<p />
<p>What historical outcome would you change?</p>
<p>The past election. It was very hard to swallow, but I’m just hoping that I am blind to the possible positive outcomes that I am not seeing. Doubtful, but I am still hopeful.</p>
<p />
<p>What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?</p>
<p>Probably the Los Angeles Riots in 1992. I stood on top of my apartment off Sunset Boulevard, watched the riot gear-clad police march down the street, while the city burned in every direction in the distance. This was just after I watched a Silo Electronic store, (similar to Best Buy) get looted in broad daylight for over an hour without a police officer in sight. Big screen TV’s rolling down the street, boxed up VCRs, and tons of high-end electronic devices&#160;disappeared&#160;by the hands of greedy individuals. It was just a sight that I can never forget.</p>
<p />
<p>On what do you insist?</p>
<p>Being humane, simple manners and compassion.</p>
<p />
<p>What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?</p>
<p>‘This is what a TON of stress and alcohol will do!’ (followed by a video posted of one of my friends Charles and my husband Greg doing a Meatloaf karaoke&#160;song. It was quite a train wreck.)</p>
<p />
<p>If your life were a book, what would the title be?</p>
<p>“Was it a Red Rubber Shirt?”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?</p>
<p>Nothing. Everything happens for a reason, including me being a proud homosexual!</p>
<p />
<p>What do you believe in beyond the physical world?</p>
<p>I don’t believe in a “God.” I believe we have been given energy by nature’s force and when we leave this world, we will experience things we cannot even conceive of. We learn, hopefully grow, and move on to become wiser each time we experience a new reality, whatever that may be.</p>
<p />
<p>What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?</p>
<p>This sounds cliche, but please don’t ever give up. We are in a time where we cannot look away or turn our backs. There is just so much ignorance in the world and we need to be teachers, leaders, police and the ones who spread love. Love is so important.</p>
<p />
<p>What would you walk across hot coals for?</p>
<p>My husband, stepdaughter and husband Matt, grandchildren, my mother, brother, father and a few friends. Please just don’t ever ask, cause that would not be good for my feet.</p>
<p />
<p>What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?</p>
<p>Well, stereotypes are all based in some sort of truth, including the ones that people classify me in. Am I annoyed? No, but I was when I was in my early 20s. I have realized that although there may be some truth to labels, people do so because they have too much time on their hands and only experience&#160;can make you realize all of us fall into one type or another, and that’s OK. It’s up to us to be the face of change, or accept that which we are. I have more important things to be annoyed about.</p>
<p />
<p>What’s your favorite LGBT movie?</p>
<p>Well, I have many, but “Cloudburst” is on the top of my list. One of my all time absolute favorite gay movies is “Iron Ladies.” Such an amazing&#160;story that was based in reality.</p>
<p />
<p>What’s the most overrated social custom?</p>
<p>Gathering at Thanksgiving. Go to Mexico or Canada or anywhere. It’s such a great time to travel to foreign&#160;places since they don’t celebrate this holiday like we do. Love family, but love to travel as well.</p>
<p />
<p>What trophy or prize do you most covet?</p>
<p>I don’t have any specific prize or trophy in mind, but I would always take an award for good sex.</p>
<p />
<p>What do you wish you’d known at 18?&#160;</p>
<p>When you’re 18, you’re invincible. No matter what you may have known or have been told, it did not matter. You just have to experience life to be able to apply what you have actually learned through experience. That is the only thing that ultimately changes us for the better or worse.</p>
<p />
<p>Why Baltimore?</p>
<p>Baltimore was just supposed to be a stopover for a couple of years. The plan was to stay here, and transition to moving back out west with my husband. The reality is that Baltimore has grown on us in ways we never expected. It’s gritty, blue collar, has old-school type neighborhoods, incredible food and so much potential that is now being realized by large corporations and real estate developers. Baltimore is now the place I call home. I am happy and proud to do so. I just wish it were easier to open a business here. If it were easier, I think there could be a lot more success stories in the city, and I hope the new mayor will truly help change that.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Baltimore</a> <a href="" type="internal">Baltimore Eagle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Charles King</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chuck King</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT nightlife</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maryland</a> <a href="" type="internal">New Year's Eve</a> <a href="" type="internal">Richard Richardson</a></p> | false | 3 | charles king photo courtesy king long haul baltimore eagle new ownership historic gay bar cusp announcing reopening still inspections says charles chuck king general manager open new years eve hope open within couple weeks wont know anything definitive next week bar 2022 n charles st closed 2012 following death owner richard richardson eagle purchased charles ian parrish 2013 major renovation construction effort 1 million began slated major hub multiple bars restaurant leather adult shop lounge historic baltimore gay leather items event space look updates thebaltimoreeaglecom king arrived baltimore threeandahalf years ago thought would temporary fell love city 44yearold milwaukee native lives owings mills md husband greg enjoys netflix movies disney traveling hanging friends leather community well charity work lgbt causes free time long hardest person tell ive friends since college dad hardest tell made mom mom easy woke next morning told look hot guy moving next door whos lgbt hero men women bisexual transgender persons brave enough proud160when safe whats baltimores best nightspot past present well think vault open pretty cool course hippo ultimately iconic always missed describe dream wedding ive christmas wedding family friends beautiful dinner cocktail reception massive party headlined cece peniston best wedding ive ever honeymoon month rome venice amsterdam 160 nonlgbt issue passionate many climate change fixing disparities country politics top list historical outcome would change past election hard swallow im hoping blind possible positive outcomes seeing doubtful still hopeful whats memorable pop culture moment lifetime probably los angeles riots 1992 stood top apartment sunset boulevard watched riot gearclad police march street city burned every direction distance watched silo electronic store similar best buy get looted broad daylight hour without police officer sight big screen tvs rolling street boxed vcrs tons highend electronic devices160disappeared160by hands greedy individuals sight never forget insist humane simple manners compassion last facebook post tweet ton stress alcohol followed video posted one friends charles husband greg meatloaf karaoke160song quite train wreck life book would title red rubber shirt 160 science discovered way change sexual orientation would nothing everything happens reason including proud homosexual believe beyond physical world dont believe god believe given energy natures force leave world experience things even conceive learn hopefully grow move become wiser time experience new reality whatever may whats advice lgbt movement leaders sounds cliche please dont ever give time look away turn backs much ignorance world need teachers leaders police ones spread love love important would walk across hot coals husband stepdaughter husband matt grandchildren mother brother father friends please dont ever ask cause would good feet lgbt stereotype annoys well stereotypes based sort truth including ones people classify annoyed early 20s realized although may truth labels people much time hands experience160can make realize us fall one type another thats ok us face change accept important things annoyed whats favorite lgbt movie well many cloudburst top list one time absolute favorite gay movies iron ladies amazing160story based reality whats overrated social custom gathering thanksgiving go mexico canada anywhere great time travel foreign160places since dont celebrate holiday like love family love travel well trophy prize covet dont specific prize trophy mind would always take award good sex wish youd known 18160 youre 18 youre invincible matter may known told matter experience life able apply actually learned experience thing ultimately changes us better worse baltimore baltimore supposed stopover couple years plan stay transition moving back west husband reality baltimore grown us ways never expected gritty blue collar oldschool type neighborhoods incredible food much potential realized large corporations real estate developers baltimore place call home happy proud wish easier open business easier think could lot success stories city hope new mayor truly help change baltimore baltimore eagle charles king chuck king lgbt nightlife maryland new years eve richard richardson | 620 |
<p>The lazy days of summer may be an all-too-accurate description for some children this year. But while fiscally challenging times have spelled hardship for summer school, enrichment, and youth-jobs programs in many places, in others the situation is different.</p>
<p>Some cities and school districts have made summer learning a priority, influenced by studies that have found the summer months can be academically caustic for underprivileged students who lack opportunities for enriching and educational experiences. And research released last month by the RAND Corp. suggests that well-designed programs can help combat that “summer slide.”</p>
<p>Through the blending of funding sources and the building of community partnerships, a number of places have managed not only to expand their summer programs, but also have looked past traditional models to develop ones that offer much more.</p>
<p>Targeting Issues</p>
<p>In Baltimore, middle school students had a math problem: In excess of 6,000—more than a third of the 84,000-student district’s entire middle school population—were performing at only the “basic” level in math on standardized state tests.</p>
<p>Linda Eberhart, a former Maryland teacher of the year who is now the executive director of the district’s office of teaching and learning, knew from her classroom years that summer was a time when many students fell behind, but she also thought summer could be a time for bringing students up to proficiency.</p>
<p>Until 2010, the Baltimore district had a summer school program that had proved to have little or no impact on math performance in particular. That changed last summer.</p>
<p>Ms. Eberhart applied for a Title I federal economic-stimulus grant to implement a summer math program to help Baltimore’s low-performing middle schoolers. But just standard summer school wouldn’t be effective, staff members concluded; the program had to be engaging and enriching, as well as academically sound. Project-based learning showing students the practical applications of math by connecting the subject to something relevant seemed to be the solution.</p>
<p>In 2010, some 1,200 6th to 8th graders (of 16,500 others) attended a six-week summer math academy for six hours a day, receiving academic lessons, then working on project-based enrichment activities. The students used math to build robots, later entering them in competitions.</p>
<p>Local artists were brought in, and students were taught how math is used to craft jewelry or in other art forms. Olympic champion Michael Phelps even taught a swim lesson on how decimals are important in race times.</p>
<p>Students were tested in the spring, before the program, and on their fall return to school. More than 60 percent were found to have lost no mastery of the material by the start of fall, and 10 percent had actually improved their math skills.</p>
<p>This summer, the size and scope of the program has expanded. Some 2,000 children are enrolled in the middle school math program, of 18,000 total students in Baltimore summer programs. A federal School Improvement Grant has provided science, technology, engineering, and math training for teachers in the lowest-performing elementary schools.</p>
<p>But after this year, the stimulus funding will run out, and the program will have to find money elsewhere.</p>
<p>A New Vision</p>
<p>In Chicago this summer, 6,700 struggling readers in K-2 will start their mornings with read-alouds with their parents, using public library books. Later in the day, they will move on to intensive literacy instruction at 150 of the district’s public schools. At the end of each week, pupils with good attendance will be given a book to keep.</p>
<p>The K-2 Summer of Reading program is just one of many that the country’s third-largest school district is implementing in its enhanced summer initiatives known collectively as UpGrade. Approximately 95,000 students overall will be served in all of Chicago’s summer programs.</p>
<p>After tracking test scores from spring to fall last year, the district realized that summer learning loss was a significant issue, said Paige Ponder, an officer with Chicago’s office of student support and engagement, and decided to remodel and expand its summer program by providing more engaging and stimulating learning experiences for far more students.</p>
<p>Using Title I dollars, grants, local funding, and stimulus aid, the district has increased its offerings to include programs that help students prepare for kindergarten, transition to middle and high school, enrich and build on skills learned during the school year, and meet district milestones.</p>
<p>Depending on the success of those programs—based on testing before and after the summer program—the district will decide whether to invest more in out-of-school-time programs.</p>
<p>“If we can capture summer as a really rich learning space, rather than a time for stigmatized menial programs, and make headway on summer learning loss, in my mind we will have a very strong case [to continue these programs],” Ms. Ponder said.</p>
<p>City Commitment</p>
<p>Because of long-standing inequities in New Orleans’ offerings for the community and a decline in the number of public sites after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, many children lacked a safe place to go, let alone access to enriching experiences, both after school and in the summer.</p>
<p>Last summer, New Orleans teenagers had no city-supported programming, only seven operating city pools, and about a dozen camps for children younger than 12.</p>
<p>“Our city’s recreation department was broken, and it had been broken many years before Katrina,” said Bobby Garon, the chairman of a new nonprofit foundation raising money for new programs. “There was no quality programming going on in this city.”</p>
<p>With voters’ backing this past fall, New Orleans officials turned the city’s parks and recreation department into an independent body to implement needed changes in program options. Mayor Mitch Landrieu got on board, pledging $10 million this year from the city’s general funds to the newly minted New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, $4 million of which will support youth programs this summer.</p>
<p>The commission also partnered with community-based organizations and schools to provide resources for more staffing, more children, and enhanced offerings.</p>
<p>Given the influx of funding and community partnerships, only a year later, 29 camps are serving more than 4,000 New Orleans children younger than 12, more than 3,000 teenagers are participating in both enrichment and youth-jobs programs, and five more pools have opened. Community organizations will serve an additional 2,000.</p>
<p>Maintaining Offerings</p>
<p>At an Oakland, Calif., school cabinet meeting more than four years ago, Jane Nicholson, the executive director of the district’s complementary-learning department, asked cabinet members to close their eyes and remember what they did in the summer as children, then imagine what the district’s 39,000 children likely experience.</p>
<p>“I might have shamed them,” Ms. Nicholson said.</p>
<p>A majority of the district’s students she was referring to come from minority, low-income families. In the past, they spent their days in unsafe neighborhoods, she said, without anything to do.</p>
<p>The mental imagery was powerful enough to persuade cabinet members to use Title I dollars, district general funds, and later, federal stimulus funding to expand summer “school” to comprehensive programming, beginning in 2008. The number of participating children jumped from 800 mostly high school students to 6,000 K-12 students involved in early-childhood, intervention, bridge, enrichment, specialized, and transition initiatives. District programs have served 6,000 to 8,000 students ever since.</p>
<p>The city also got behind the district’s efforts, leveraging dollars from the city’s Fund for Children and Youth to support school and community summer programs. Grants from the private sector and community partnerships have also enabled Oakland’s summer programming to increase its reach, providing support that will even help pay for regular vision screenings and glasses this fall for elementary children who were found to need them during the summer program.</p>
<p>As in Chicago and Baltimore, stimulus funding helped Oakland’s summer program grow, but Oakland will use the last of that money this summer. Still, the district has found ways to maintain the programs, offered at nearly 56 school sites this summer, given their positive results: Of the 1,250 elementary students sampled last fall, 52 percent were found to be performing at or above benchmark English/language arts scores, compared with 36 percent in the spring.</p>
<p>Uncertain Future</p>
<p>With the federal stimulus funding drying up and most schools still facing trying times with their budgets, the fate of many summer programs is up in the air, according to Jeff Smink, the vice president of policy at the National Summer Learning Association, a Baltimore-based nonprofit that works with schools and organizations to develop high-quality summer programs.</p>
<p>The association has encouraged districts to look to other federal funding streams as well as state and local sources, to sustain their programs.</p>
<p>“We are very optimistic that the results of these programs will make a compelling case to sustain support, and NSLA is eager to work together [with districts] to highlight the impact of innovative summer programs on student achievement,” Mr. Smink said. “But the field may face an even more challenging situation next summer.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p /> | false | 3 | lazy days summer may alltooaccurate description children year fiscally challenging times spelled hardship summer school enrichment youthjobs programs many places others situation different cities school districts made summer learning priority influenced studies found summer months academically caustic underprivileged students lack opportunities enriching educational experiences research released last month rand corp suggests welldesigned programs help combat summer slide blending funding sources building community partnerships number places managed expand summer programs also looked past traditional models develop ones offer much targeting issues baltimore middle school students math problem excess 6000more third 84000student districts entire middle school populationwere performing basic level math standardized state tests linda eberhart former maryland teacher year executive director districts office teaching learning knew classroom years summer time many students fell behind also thought summer could time bringing students proficiency 2010 baltimore district summer school program proved little impact math performance particular changed last summer ms eberhart applied title federal economicstimulus grant implement summer math program help baltimores lowperforming middle schoolers standard summer school wouldnt effective staff members concluded program engaging enriching well academically sound projectbased learning showing students practical applications math connecting subject something relevant seemed solution 2010 1200 6th 8th graders 16500 others attended sixweek summer math academy six hours day receiving academic lessons working projectbased enrichment activities students used math build robots later entering competitions local artists brought students taught math used craft jewelry art forms olympic champion michael phelps even taught swim lesson decimals important race times students tested spring program fall return school 60 percent found lost mastery material start fall 10 percent actually improved math skills summer size scope program expanded 2000 children enrolled middle school math program 18000 total students baltimore summer programs federal school improvement grant provided science technology engineering math training teachers lowestperforming elementary schools year stimulus funding run program find money elsewhere new vision chicago summer 6700 struggling readers k2 start mornings readalouds parents using public library books later day move intensive literacy instruction 150 districts public schools end week pupils good attendance given book keep k2 summer reading program one many countrys thirdlargest school district implementing enhanced summer initiatives known collectively upgrade approximately 95000 students overall served chicagos summer programs tracking test scores spring fall last year district realized summer learning loss significant issue said paige ponder officer chicagos office student support engagement decided remodel expand summer program providing engaging stimulating learning experiences far students using title dollars grants local funding stimulus aid district increased offerings include programs help students prepare kindergarten transition middle high school enrich build skills learned school year meet district milestones depending success programsbased testing summer programthe district decide whether invest outofschooltime programs capture summer really rich learning space rather time stigmatized menial programs make headway summer learning loss mind strong case continue programs ms ponder said city commitment longstanding inequities new orleans offerings community decline number public sites hurricane katrina struck 2005 many children lacked safe place go let alone access enriching experiences school summer last summer new orleans teenagers citysupported programming seven operating city pools dozen camps children younger 12 citys recreation department broken broken many years katrina said bobby garon chairman new nonprofit foundation raising money new programs quality programming going city voters backing past fall new orleans officials turned citys parks recreation department independent body implement needed changes program options mayor mitch landrieu got board pledging 10 million year citys general funds newly minted new orleans recreation development commission 4 million support youth programs summer commission also partnered communitybased organizations schools provide resources staffing children enhanced offerings given influx funding community partnerships year later 29 camps serving 4000 new orleans children younger 12 3000 teenagers participating enrichment youthjobs programs five pools opened community organizations serve additional 2000 maintaining offerings oakland calif school cabinet meeting four years ago jane nicholson executive director districts complementarylearning department asked cabinet members close eyes remember summer children imagine districts 39000 children likely experience might shamed ms nicholson said majority districts students referring come minority lowincome families past spent days unsafe neighborhoods said without anything mental imagery powerful enough persuade cabinet members use title dollars district general funds later federal stimulus funding expand summer school comprehensive programming beginning 2008 number participating children jumped 800 mostly high school students 6000 k12 students involved earlychildhood intervention bridge enrichment specialized transition initiatives district programs served 6000 8000 students ever since city also got behind districts efforts leveraging dollars citys fund children youth support school community summer programs grants private sector community partnerships also enabled oaklands summer programming increase reach providing support even help pay regular vision screenings glasses fall elementary children found need summer program chicago baltimore stimulus funding helped oaklands summer program grow oakland use last money summer still district found ways maintain programs offered nearly 56 school sites summer given positive results 1250 elementary students sampled last fall 52 percent found performing benchmark englishlanguage arts scores compared 36 percent spring uncertain future federal stimulus funding drying schools still facing trying times budgets fate many summer programs air according jeff smink vice president policy national summer learning association baltimorebased nonprofit works schools organizations develop highquality summer programs association encouraged districts look federal funding streams well state local sources sustain programs optimistic results programs make compelling case sustain support nsla eager work together districts highlight impact innovative summer programs student achievement mr smink said field may face even challenging situation next summer | 893 |
<p>Outside Marshall High, the day is cool but sunny. The school has been power-washed from a dingy red to a bright maroon. In place of the old broken concrete, weeds and rusted poles—remnants of a basketball court—is a newly sodded football field and a newly planted arboretum full of skinny young trees.</p>
<p>Inside Marshall, the smell of fresh paint hovers in the air. It is the first day of school, September 7, 2010.</p>
<p>These renovations have been dreamed about for decades at Marshall, located in the impoverished East Garfield Park community. As far back as four years ago, blueprints for them were on display in the principal’s office. But only last year did the dream become reality, when Marshall joined the district’s turnaround program and got a substantial investment in the physical condition of its campus, a signal that the school is making a fresh start.</p>
<p>Kenyatta Stansberry, Marshall’s no-nonsense new principal, is dressed in a fitted black suit with a short skirt. But she’s ready for a hard, long day—her hair is in a ponytail and she’s wearing comfortable black clogs.</p>
<p>Stansberry is in Room 129, the community room, where portraits of her predecessors line the wall. Today, the room is a holding place for students who show up but aren’t enrolled. Some were dropped from the rolls because of poor attendance. Others want to transfer in, or out. Most of the teens are with their parents, who sit clutching papers, waiting.</p>
<p>At a front table, counselors write students’ names on yellow Post-It notes and hand them to Stansberry. Going over to the families, she asks the parents why their children want to come to Marshall—or&#160; leave it, as the case may be.</p>
<p>One mother explains that her son wants to leave Manley High, also in East Garfield Park.</p>
<p>“Why?” Stansberry asks. The mother shrugs.</p>
<p>Stansberry turns to the young man. “Why?”</p>
<p>“I got enemies there,” he mumbles.</p>
<p>Stansberry picks up his transcript and looks it over. His grades are not horrible, so she quickly decides to accept him. As a mother of two sons, Stansberry is not one to send a young man to a school where he might not be safe, especially if he is doing OK academically.In this case and others, Stansberry has the student sign a contract with her. “We will try this out,” she says.</p>
<p>Other students get turned away. One of them, a tall, thin young man with cornrows, comes in with his mother. Stansberry glances at his transcript. He’s also from Manley.</p>
<p>“We can’t take him,” she tells his mother. “Look at all his Fs.”</p>
<p>A hint of desperation in her voice, his mother says that the young man can’t go back to Manley, but doesn’t give specifics. “Sorry,” Stansberry says, unflinching.</p>
<p>Later, realizing that her radio is missing, she rushes to her office and finds it on the desk, crackling with static. Before she can sit down, her secretary asks her to meet with some parents who are waiting.</p>
<p>Stansberry has told her counselors not to give schedules or uniforms to current students with attendance or discipline problems. Instead, students must bring in a parent for a meeting.</p>
<p>In this case, a young woman has shown up with her mother. Stansberry asks the girl why she cut so many classes last year.Then she makes her expectations clear. “I am not going to hold you responsible for last year. I am just letting you know I am not dealing with that nonsense. You will be on a contract, and you will have to check in with me.”</p>
<p>Marshall is Stansberry’s second turnaround high school—she came to the school from Harper High in Englewood—and her third time as an administrator of a low-achieving high school. That experience gave her the idea to put problematic students on a contract, warning them that they must abide by stipulations such as attending class and keeping their grades above a certain level.</p>
<p>Within the first weeks of school, nearly 80 students at Marshall are required to sign a contract.</p>
<p>Stansberry tells the girl to go get a school uniform, put it on and go to class. But the girl says she is going home today and will come back tomorrow, ready to start.</p>
<p>“You are starting out real stupid,” her mom tells her, though she does nothing to make the girl comply.</p>
<p>The challenges evident on the first day of school hint at the deep problems facing Marshall. After decades of academic decline, and on the heels of a failed attempt to transform the school by bringing in better curricula, the turnaround could well be viewed as a last-ditch effort at reinvention.</p>
<p>The success or failure of the turnaround has national as well as local implications, since U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has made the strategy a centerpiece of federal reform efforts.</p>
<p>But the odds are clearly steep. For one, the high price tag is unsustainable over the long term. And turnaround schools, both in Chicago and in other urban districts like Philadelphia, are experiencing significant enrollment loss—driven largely by the rapid expansion of charter high schools—that in some ways hinders improvement.</p>
<p>The enrollment decline also raises a difficult question for policymakers: Is it worth a substantial taxpayer investment to try to fix a failing school that is losing students?</p>
<p>Chicago Public Schools and the federal government have invested millions in Marshall and four other turnaround high schools: Fenger, Orr, Phillips, and Harper. Nationally, the federal government budgeted $3.5 billion for the school improvement grant program, which awards money to schools that adopt one of four turnaround models.</p>
<p>But in the past three years, Marshall’s enrollment has dropped by a third, as fewer freshmen enroll for the first time and fewer sophomores, juniors and seniors return. Last year, only 16 percent of students in the attendance area enrolled at Marshall—a decline of 10 percentage points in five years.</p>
<p>Overall, turnaround high schools enrolled 20 percent of students in their attendance areas last year, down from 31 percent five years ago.</p>
<p>Fenger experienced the sharpest population loss last year, enrolling 418 fewer students than projected. Observers note that a new charter high school, the Larry Hawkins campus of Chicago International Charter Schools, opened in the Altgeld Gardens area and drew in students who otherwise would have enrolled at Fenger. The school also experienced negative publicity the year before, because of the beating death of student Derrion Albert.</p>
<p>Around Marshall on the West Side, at least 12 new schools have opened in recent years, including nine charters, two military schools and the new Westinghouse High.</p>
<p>Citywide, all but six of the 27 charter high schools that have opened in Chicago since 2005 are on the South or West sides and serve primarily black students—the same students who not too long ago would have ended up at one of the schools that have become turnarounds.</p>
<p>Nationally, 27 percent of the schools that have received federal school improvement grants have lost 20 percent or more of their students in recent years, according to a Catalyst Chicago analysis of federal data.</p>
<p>Like Chicago, these urban districts—such as Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami, St. Louis and Cleveland—are struggling to figure out the role of failing neighborhood high schools that have been on life support for decades.</p>
<p>In Philadelphia, schools are facing a double whammy similar to Chicago’s: losing students while opening charters and other new, small schools, says Eva Gold, senior research fellow at Research for Action, which examines Philadelphia’s education initiatives.</p>
<p>Under former Superintendent Paul Vallas—who came to Philadelphia from CPS—the goal was to open new schools so that big neighborhood high schools could shrink, Gold says.</p>
<p>But Superintendent Arlene Ackerman’s plan was to focus squarely on improving neighborhood high schools, and the federal school improvement grants are a centerpiece of that. Ackerman says the key to improvement will be fixing the high school selection process. (At Catalyst press time, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission had fired Ackerman, giving her a $900,000 buyout of her contract.)</p>
<p>Some of the turnarounds in Philadelphia are managed by charter operators and students must apply to attend. Meanwhile, others are run by the Philadelphia school district and must take any student who walks in the door.</p>
<p>“These schools don’t know who they are going to get until the first day and sometimes they have to reconfigure and re-roster in October,” Gold says. “That is very disruptive.”&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Phillip Lovell, vice president of federal advocacy at the nonprofit Alliance for Excellent Education, which focuses on high school reform, says that there are simply not enough good charter school providers to take the place of all the low-performing, large urban high schools.</p>
<p>Even if these schools serve a smaller population, he adds, the investment is worthwhile.</p>
<p>“If the school has half the population, that should aid them in creating a personal learning environment,” Lovell says.</p>
<p>But as large high schools shrink, they lose the benefits that a comprehensive high school provides. Schools like Marshall and Phillips lacked stellar academics, but they were able to offer perks to attract students and keep them engaged. They had enough students to support strong sports programs and band classes, vocational programs and numerous after-school clubs. Students also had a host of electives to choose from.</p>
<p>“We are working in a different world than just two years ago,” says Debbra Lang, the managing director of high school turnarounds at the Academy for Urban School Leadership. CPS contracts with AUSL to run Orr and Phillips, as well as 10 elementary school turnarounds.</p>
<p>Like Marshall, Orr has scrapped career and technical tracks, such as those for information technology and health occupations. Lang says Orr will focus on academic enhancement and art and music education.</p>
<p>“When you have such a small population, it really limits the options,” she says. “At New Trier, with 4,000 students, you can offer 20 different English classes.”</p>
<p>Lang doesn’t believe the district should abandon the idea of a neighborhood high school. “It is an honorable idea to have a school that says, ‘You all come and we will design a program for you,’” she says. “Schools should be anchors of their community.”</p>
<p>As Marshall’s turnaround got underway, Stansberry faced a dilemma: She needed students to keep her budget from bottoming out and to justify the investment, but she was under pressure to show improvement at the school and didn’t want just any student.</p>
<p>Over the summer of 2010, Stansberry told her staff to send out letters to students who were woefully behind in credits, suggesting that they enroll in an alternative school. But sending out the letters was risky. Teachers are allocated based on enrollment, so if too many students were no-shows, the school would lose staff and have to reshuffle schedules late in the game.</p>
<p>In all, some 161 students who were supposed to be sophomores, juniors and seniors did not come back in the fall.</p>
<p>During the summer, Stansberry got word from central office that only 720 students were likely to enroll, instead of the originally projected 841. She staffed the school accordingly.</p>
<p>Then, in September, 772 students showed up, as sophomore enrollment exceeded projections.</p>
<p>Marshall’s sole sophomore English teacher, Christina Tilghman, suddenly had classes of more than 40 students. Tilghman grew up in Boston, and earned her master’s degree from the Harvard School of Education. When she took the job at Marshall, it was the first time she had a classroom of her own.</p>
<p>Two months after school began, on November 11, two new sophomore teachers arrived to relieve some of the pressure on Tilghman and her colleagues. The day she got the news, she stood by the stairwell on the first floor, looking shell-shocked as she watched students pass by.</p>
<p>In a completely flat tone, she says&#160; she was ecstatic. Her excitement was tempered by an incident earlier that day. A student, one with whom she thought she had developed a bond, exploded in anger and cursed at her. She threw him out of her room.“I have had better days,” Tilghman says. “These are not the conditions I imagined them to be. I am trying to merge reality with my goals.”</p>
<p>The disruption caused by enrollment fluctuation continued throughout the year.</p>
<p>After January—a time when enrollment usually slowed down—about 100 students asked to transfer into Marshall, says Matt Olson, the school’s programmer. Some were from charter schools, others from traditional schools.</p>
<p>Those who lived outside Marshall’s attendance area were generally sent to their neighborhood school. But Marshall had little choice except to take those students within its attendance area, and ended up enrolling more than 65 new students mid-year, Olson says.</p>
<p>AUSL’s Lang says that Phillips and Orr were in the same situation, taking in students from military schools, charters and elsewhere during the year. She makes another important note: These students show up mid-year, well after the district’s deadline for nailing down enrollment and allocating money for staff, but do not bring any extra dollars with them.</p>
<p>The schools that these students left keep the money and teachers, but no longer have to deal with the students or be held accountable for their test scores.</p>
<p>“There are benefits of competition, and there’s the price of competition,” Lang says.</p>
<p>Even with the considerable investment in Marshall, nearly a quarter of the students who enrolled in September 2010 left before the school year ended. Most of these students went to alternative schools, or simply disappeared. CPS data show that Marshall sent more students to alternative schools than any other district high school in 2010-11.</p>
<p>The investment at Marshall included staff that other schools typically do not have: a social worker, a counselor and a psychologist to work with troubled students; data analysts; additional security guards; and an in-school suspension room attendant.</p>
<p>Extra supports, such as anger management group sessions, did help some students who appeared to be on the wrong path. At the end of the first year, Marshall’s attendance rate had improved&#160; and the environment was calmer, with fewer students getting in trouble.</p>
<p>Recent test scores show marked improvement as well. (See graphic on page 14.)</p>
<p>But some students were too much in the hole academically, or too distraught emotionally, for the interventions to succeed.</p>
<p>The challenge is evident one day in November, a few days after the first report cards come out. Stansberry starts the day in a good mood. Shawn, one of her “starting five,” a group of young men she took under her wing and meets with weekly if not daily, has received a report card with no F’s for the first time in his two years in high school.</p>
<p>But as soon as Stansberry sits down at her desk, she gets bad news. Another young man, Kevin, has just stormed out of the disciplinarian’s office. She tells a security guard to bring him to the office. While she waits, Stansberry puts a tea bag in a mug, fills it with water and puts it in the microwave.</p>
<p>“Why did you just walk out of 136?” she says to Kevin when he arrives.</p>
<p>He tells her he just wanted a uniform.</p>
<p>“What makes you think you can walk into my building without a uniform on [already]?” she says. “You either are going to follow the rules in my house or you are going to get out.”</p>
<p>Stansberry gets on her walkie-talkie and tells Assistant Principal Angel Johnson to stop by her office with a shirt for Kevin.“You don’t get another shirt,” she said to him.</p>
<p>After Kevin leaves, Stansberry tells Johnson, “This is why we are transferring him.” Johnson says that his guardian doesn’t have bus fare for him to get to school.</p>
<p>Stansberry nods as she dumps a large heap of sugar into her tea. She and Johnson agree that the situation is ridiculous. Kevin is a ward of the state, and his guardian should be making sure he gets to school and has clean clothes to wear.</p>
<p>“It is so sad,” Stansberry says.</p>
<p>Next, she calls Shawn to her office. She acknowledges his improved report card, but she’s not entirely happy with him. Stansberry has taken a deep interest in these boys, and gets emails every time they mess up. Shawn struggles with his temper. “He will walk out of class without even thinking,” she says. Stansberry says it is her job to keep him grounded.</p>
<p>When Shawn walks into her office, she asks him what happened at Saturday school, where he reportedly had some kind of incident. “I didn’t want to be there,” Shawn says.</p>
<p>Stansberry tells him, “I do not want to have emails about you walking out of class. You have grown. You don’t need to do that anymore.”By spring, one of the starting five has transferred to an online credit recovery program inside Marshall. Three of the young men, including Shawn, are still in school, getting mediocre grades but not failing.</p>
<p>The fifth young man, Deion, is having problems. Since school began, Stansberry has tried to convince his mother to transfer him to an alternative school that might be better able to help him. But so far she has refused.&#160; “He is in special education, has an explosive behavior problem and is 19 with only one credit,” Stansberry says. “He can stay here until he is 21.”&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>In May, Stansberry and her two assistant principals run into Deion in the hallway. He is a tall, thin young man with an unkempt afro, his khaki pants sagging and an oversized black hoodie enveloping him. He tells the three that he was kicked out of a class because he didn’t have his uniform on.</p>
<p>Johnson notes that she tried to give him a uniform shirt, but he wouldn’t put it on.</p>
<p>“I am not walking around here with a 5X shirt,” Deion says.</p>
<p>Johnson says that is the only size available. Stansberry sighs. “I have a shirt in my closet. Go get it,” she says.</p>
<p>“What are we working on?” Assistant Principal Matt Curtis says to Deion, getting in his face. “Progress, not perfection.”&#160; Deion unzips his hoodie and walks away.</p>
<p>Curtis says that Deion would like to go to another school, but they are reluctant to take him because of his difficult behavior. “He can’t sit still for too long,” Curtis says.</p>
<p>The in-school suspension attendant, Lonnie Felters, is also getting sick of Deion. “He refuses to do any work,” Felters says.</p>
<p>Deion winds up in in-school suspension often, for a range of problems—no uniform, walking into class with no books, being disrespectful. “It seems like the moment he gets to class, they shoo him out,” Felters says.</p>
<p>A week later, in mid-May, Deion stops coming to school. He misses one week, then two. He never comes back.“You can’t save them all,” Stansberry says.</p>
<p>(Editor’s note: Kevin and Deion’s real names are not being used to protect privacy.)</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 | outside marshall high day cool sunny school powerwashed dingy red bright maroon place old broken concrete weeds rusted polesremnants basketball courtis newly sodded football field newly planted arboretum full skinny young trees inside marshall smell fresh paint hovers air first day school september 7 2010 renovations dreamed decades marshall located impoverished east garfield park community far back four years ago blueprints display principals office last year dream become reality marshall joined districts turnaround program got substantial investment physical condition campus signal school making fresh start kenyatta stansberry marshalls nononsense new principal dressed fitted black suit short skirt shes ready hard long dayher hair ponytail shes wearing comfortable black clogs stansberry room 129 community room portraits predecessors line wall today room holding place students show arent enrolled dropped rolls poor attendance others want transfer teens parents sit clutching papers waiting front table counselors write students names yellow postit notes hand stansberry going families asks parents children want come marshallor160 leave case may one mother explains son wants leave manley high also east garfield park stansberry asks mother shrugs stansberry turns young man got enemies mumbles stansberry picks transcript looks grades horrible quickly decides accept mother two sons stansberry one send young man school might safe especially ok academicallyin case others stansberry student sign contract try says students get turned away one tall thin young man cornrows comes mother stansberry glances transcript hes also manley cant take tells mother look fs hint desperation voice mother says young man cant go back manley doesnt give specifics sorry stansberry says unflinching later realizing radio missing rushes office finds desk crackling static sit secretary asks meet parents waiting stansberry told counselors give schedules uniforms current students attendance discipline problems instead students must bring parent meeting case young woman shown mother stansberry asks girl cut many classes last yearthen makes expectations clear going hold responsible last year letting know dealing nonsense contract check marshall stansberrys second turnaround high schoolshe came school harper high englewoodand third time administrator lowachieving high school experience gave idea put problematic students contract warning must abide stipulations attending class keeping grades certain level within first weeks school nearly 80 students marshall required sign contract stansberry tells girl go get school uniform put go class girl says going home today come back tomorrow ready start starting real stupid mom tells though nothing make girl comply challenges evident first day school hint deep problems facing marshall decades academic decline heels failed attempt transform school bringing better curricula turnaround could well viewed lastditch effort reinvention success failure turnaround national well local implications since us education secretary arne duncan made strategy centerpiece federal reform efforts odds clearly steep one high price tag unsustainable long term turnaround schools chicago urban districts like philadelphia experiencing significant enrollment lossdriven largely rapid expansion charter high schoolsthat ways hinders improvement enrollment decline also raises difficult question policymakers worth substantial taxpayer investment try fix failing school losing students chicago public schools federal government invested millions marshall four turnaround high schools fenger orr phillips harper nationally federal government budgeted 35 billion school improvement grant program awards money schools adopt one four turnaround models past three years marshalls enrollment dropped third fewer freshmen enroll first time fewer sophomores juniors seniors return last year 16 percent students attendance area enrolled marshalla decline 10 percentage points five years overall turnaround high schools enrolled 20 percent students attendance areas last year 31 percent five years ago fenger experienced sharpest population loss last year enrolling 418 fewer students projected observers note new charter high school larry hawkins campus chicago international charter schools opened altgeld gardens area drew students otherwise would enrolled fenger school also experienced negative publicity year beating death student derrion albert around marshall west side least 12 new schools opened recent years including nine charters two military schools new westinghouse high citywide six 27 charter high schools opened chicago since 2005 south west sides serve primarily black studentsthe students long ago would ended one schools become turnarounds nationally 27 percent schools received federal school improvement grants lost 20 percent students recent years according catalyst chicago analysis federal data like chicago urban districtssuch los angeles philadelphia miami st louis clevelandare struggling figure role failing neighborhood high schools life support decades philadelphia schools facing double whammy similar chicagos losing students opening charters new small schools says eva gold senior research fellow research action examines philadelphias education initiatives former superintendent paul vallaswho came philadelphia cpsthe goal open new schools big neighborhood high schools could shrink gold says superintendent arlene ackermans plan focus squarely improving neighborhood high schools federal school improvement grants centerpiece ackerman says key improvement fixing high school selection process catalyst press time philadelphia school reform commission fired ackerman giving 900000 buyout contract turnarounds philadelphia managed charter operators students must apply attend meanwhile others run philadelphia school district must take student walks door schools dont know going get first day sometimes reconfigure reroster october gold says disruptive160160160 phillip lovell vice president federal advocacy nonprofit alliance excellent education focuses high school reform says simply enough good charter school providers take place lowperforming large urban high schools even schools serve smaller population adds investment worthwhile school half population aid creating personal learning environment lovell says large high schools shrink lose benefits comprehensive high school provides schools like marshall phillips lacked stellar academics able offer perks attract students keep engaged enough students support strong sports programs band classes vocational programs numerous afterschool clubs students also host electives choose working different world two years ago says debbra lang managing director high school turnarounds academy urban school leadership cps contracts ausl run orr phillips well 10 elementary school turnarounds like marshall orr scrapped career technical tracks information technology health occupations lang says orr focus academic enhancement art music education small population really limits options says new trier 4000 students offer 20 different english classes lang doesnt believe district abandon idea neighborhood high school honorable idea school says come design program says schools anchors community marshalls turnaround got underway stansberry faced dilemma needed students keep budget bottoming justify investment pressure show improvement school didnt want student summer 2010 stansberry told staff send letters students woefully behind credits suggesting enroll alternative school sending letters risky teachers allocated based enrollment many students noshows school would lose staff reshuffle schedules late game 161 students supposed sophomores juniors seniors come back fall summer stansberry got word central office 720 students likely enroll instead originally projected 841 staffed school accordingly september 772 students showed sophomore enrollment exceeded projections marshalls sole sophomore english teacher christina tilghman suddenly classes 40 students tilghman grew boston earned masters degree harvard school education took job marshall first time classroom two months school began november 11 two new sophomore teachers arrived relieve pressure tilghman colleagues day got news stood stairwell first floor looking shellshocked watched students pass completely flat tone says160 ecstatic excitement tempered incident earlier day student one thought developed bond exploded anger cursed threw roomi better days tilghman says conditions imagined trying merge reality goals disruption caused enrollment fluctuation continued throughout year januarya time enrollment usually slowed downabout 100 students asked transfer marshall says matt olson schools programmer charter schools others traditional schools lived outside marshalls attendance area generally sent neighborhood school marshall little choice except take students within attendance area ended enrolling 65 new students midyear olson says ausls lang says phillips orr situation taking students military schools charters elsewhere year makes another important note students show midyear well districts deadline nailing enrollment allocating money staff bring extra dollars schools students left keep money teachers longer deal students held accountable test scores benefits competition theres price competition lang says even considerable investment marshall nearly quarter students enrolled september 2010 left school year ended students went alternative schools simply disappeared cps data show marshall sent students alternative schools district high school 201011 investment marshall included staff schools typically social worker counselor psychologist work troubled students data analysts additional security guards inschool suspension room attendant extra supports anger management group sessions help students appeared wrong path end first year marshalls attendance rate improved160 environment calmer fewer students getting trouble recent test scores show marked improvement well see graphic page 14 students much hole academically distraught emotionally interventions succeed challenge evident one day november days first report cards come stansberry starts day good mood shawn one starting five group young men took wing meets weekly daily received report card fs first time two years high school soon stansberry sits desk gets bad news another young man kevin stormed disciplinarians office tells security guard bring office waits stansberry puts tea bag mug fills water puts microwave walk 136 says kevin arrives tells wanted uniform makes think walk building without uniform already says either going follow rules house going get stansberry gets walkietalkie tells assistant principal angel johnson stop office shirt kevinyou dont get another shirt said kevin leaves stansberry tells johnson transferring johnson says guardian doesnt bus fare get school stansberry nods dumps large heap sugar tea johnson agree situation ridiculous kevin ward state guardian making sure gets school clean clothes wear sad stansberry says next calls shawn office acknowledges improved report card shes entirely happy stansberry taken deep interest boys gets emails every time mess shawn struggles temper walk class without even thinking says stansberry says job keep grounded shawn walks office asks happened saturday school reportedly kind incident didnt want shawn says stansberry tells want emails walking class grown dont need anymoreby spring one starting five transferred online credit recovery program inside marshall three young men including shawn still school getting mediocre grades failing fifth young man deion problems since school began stansberry tried convince mother transfer alternative school might better able help far refused160 special education explosive behavior problem 19 one credit stansberry says stay 21160160160160 may stansberry two assistant principals run deion hallway tall thin young man unkempt afro khaki pants sagging oversized black hoodie enveloping tells three kicked class didnt uniform johnson notes tried give uniform shirt wouldnt put walking around 5x shirt deion says johnson says size available stansberry sighs shirt closet go get says working assistant principal matt curtis says deion getting face progress perfection160 deion unzips hoodie walks away curtis says deion would like go another school reluctant take difficult behavior cant sit still long curtis says inschool suspension attendant lonnie felters also getting sick deion refuses work felters says deion winds inschool suspension often range problemsno uniform walking class books disrespectful seems like moment gets class shoo felters says week later midmay deion stops coming school misses one week two never comes backyou cant save stansberry says editors note kevin deions real names used protect privacy tell us think leave comment email karpcatalystchicagoorg | 1,776 |
<p>All the key players were at the table in Switzerland as the Syria peace conference began in Montreux on Wednesday.</p>
<p>All except one.</p>
<p>The peace talks, dubbed Geneva II, nearly fell apart before they began, when United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140119/iran-attend-syria-peace-conference" type="external">extended an invitation</a> to Iran on Sunday.</p>
<p>Iran is a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/22/world/middleeast/syria.html" type="external">key financial and military backer</a> of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.</p>
<p>Ban issued the last-minute invite after he was assured by Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that the country would "play a very positive and constructive role."</p>
<p>By Monday evening, with the Syrian opposition threatening to withdraw from Geneva II, and&#160; the United States and other Western powers urging the UN to rescind its invitation, Iran had lost its spot at the Syria peace talks.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iran/140120/iran-invite-syria-peace-talks-imperils-geneva-conferen" type="external">Iran invite to Syria peace talks imperils Geneva conference</a></p>
<p>The United States and other western powers opposed Iran's attendance based on its refusal to accept a communique — adopted at the first Geneva talks on June 30, 2012 — calling for a transitional government in Syria.</p>
<p>But perhaps no one was more enraged at the idea of sharing a table with Iran than regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia, which is a major supporter of the Syrian opposition and a historic foe of Iran.</p>
<p>Then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Tehran on October 02, 2010. (Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Iran did not "announce officially and openly its agreement (to)... the creation of a transitional government," <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140120/saudi-rejects-irans-participation-syria-talks" type="external">the Saudi government said on Monday in an official statement.</a></p>
<p>This rendered Iran "unqualified to attend."</p>
<p>Riyadh’s response should come as no surprise. Oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Iran are not only divided by the Persian Gulf, but also along religious lines.</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia has a predominantly Sunni Muslim population, while Iran is mostly Shiite (Shia).</p>
<p>Both countries have been locked in a cold war for decades as they battle for religious, political and economic dominance in the region.</p>
<p>To better understand this rivalry, GlobalPost selected four articles explaining the complex relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the context of the United States, Syria, the Arab Spring and the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140112/iran-nuclear-deal-take-effect-january-20" type="external">recent nuclear deal with Tehran.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/12/explaining-the-iran-saudi-rivalry/" type="external">"Explaining the Iran-Saudi rivalry" by University of South Florida Prof. Mohsen M. Milani on CNN</a></p>
<p>Milani wrote: "Iran and Saudi Arabia are neither natural allies nor natural enemies but natural rivals who have long competed as major oil producers and self-proclaimed defenders of Shia (Shiite) and Sunni Islam, respectively. Until the Iranian revolution in 1979, their rivalry was managed and controlled by the United States, with whom they were both strategic allies.</p>
<p>"But after the Shah was overthrown, Saudi Arabia’s leadership became frightened by the Ayatollah Khomenei’s denunciation of the Saudi monarchy as antithetical to Islam and his ambition to export to the revolution to the Arab world. Saudi Arabia remained an ally of the United States; Iran became an implacable foe. Thereafter, the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia became defined by the new US strategy – ally with Saudi Arabia to offset Iran."</p>
<p>Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) meets then Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah ibn Abdel Aziz in 1997. (AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p><a href="http://carnegieendowment.org/2011/09/20/rivals-iran-vs.-saudi-arabia/68jg" type="external">"Rivals — Iran vs. Saudi Arabia" Q &amp; A with Middle East scholars Christopher Boucek and Karim Sadjadpour in the Carnegie Endowment</a></p>
<p>Boucek (who died of a heart attack two months after the article was published) made this point: "The challenge is that both countries view power and influence in the region as a zero-sum game. If Iran gains, Saudi Arabia loses — and vice versa. In Saudi Arabia there is not just a fear that Iran wants a greater role in the region, there is alarm that Iran wants to control the region. Saudi Arabia often seems to view the region through sectarian lenses and wants to unite people under the sectarian umbrella of Sunnis. Riyadh therefore views the ascendency of Shias and the war in the region in zero-sum terms."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/11/why-the-iran-deal-scares-saudi-arabia.html" type="external">"Why the Iran Deal Scares Saudi Arabia" by Brookings Doha Center non-resident senior fellow F. Gregory Gause in The New Yorker</a></p>
<p>Gause wrote that Iran's nuclear ambitions were not the Saudis' only concern: "They have a more profound fear: that geopolitical trends in the Middle East are aligning against them, threatening both their regional stature and their domestic security. The Saudis see an Iran that is dominant in Iraq and Lebanon, holding onto its ally in Syria, and now forging a new relationship with Washington — a rival, in short, without any obstacles to regional dominance, and one further emboldened to encourage Shiite populations in the Gulf monarchies, including Saudi Arabia, to oppose their Sunni rulers."</p>
<p>Iranian clerics holding up anti-Saudi King Abdullah posters during a protest in Tehran in 2011. (Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/11/iran-saudi-arabia-troubled-affair-2013111961213978211.html" type="external">"Iran-Saudi Arabia: A troubled affair" op-ed by Khosrow Soltani, senior journalist based in Tehran for Al Jazeera</a></p>
<p>Soltani talked about the importance of a détente between the rivals: "During the 1960s and 1970s the two countries were in a strategic alliance with considerable&#160;political, military and security interactions. The West, and the US in particular, used these two states to deter the influence of Soviet communism in the Middle East.</p>
<p>"The change following the Islamic Revolution in 1979 dealt a heavy blow to the interests and ambitions of the West and the US in the Middle East, and also took some allies, including Saudi Arabia, by surprise. Tehran-Riyadh relations then entered a new stage fraught with mistrust and hostility." &#160;</p> | false | 3 | key players table switzerland syria peace conference began montreux wednesday except one peace talks dubbed geneva ii nearly fell apart began united nations secretarygeneral ban kimoon extended invitation iran sunday iran key financial military backer syrian president bashar alassads regime ban issued lastminute invite assured irans foreign minister mohammad javad zarif country would play positive constructive role monday evening syrian opposition threatening withdraw geneva ii and160 united states western powers urging un rescind invitation iran lost spot syria peace talks globalpost160 iran invite syria peace talks imperils geneva conference united states western powers opposed irans attendance based refusal accept communique adopted first geneva talks june 30 2012 calling transitional government syria perhaps one enraged idea sharing table iran regional powerhouse saudi arabia major supporter syrian opposition historic foe iran iranian president mahmoud ahmadinejad greeting syrian president bashar alassad tehran october 02 2010 atta kenareafpgetty images iran announce officially openly agreement creation transitional government saudi government said monday official statement rendered iran unqualified attend riyadhs response come surprise oilrich saudi arabia iran divided persian gulf also along religious lines saudi arabia predominantly sunni muslim population iran mostly shiite shia countries locked cold war decades battle religious political economic dominance region better understand rivalry globalpost selected four articles explaining complex relationship saudi arabia iran context united states syria arab spring recent nuclear deal tehran explaining iransaudi rivalry university south florida prof mohsen milani cnn milani wrote iran saudi arabia neither natural allies natural enemies natural rivals long competed major oil producers selfproclaimed defenders shia shiite sunni islam respectively iranian revolution 1979 rivalry managed controlled united states strategic allies shah overthrown saudi arabias leadership became frightened ayatollah khomeneis denunciation saudi monarchy antithetical islam ambition export revolution arab world saudi arabia remained ally united states iran became implacable foe thereafter rivalry iran saudi arabia became defined new us strategy ally saudi arabia offset iran irans supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei r meets saudi crown prince abdullah ibn abdel aziz 1997 afpgetty images rivals iran vs saudi arabia q amp middle east scholars christopher boucek karim sadjadpour carnegie endowment boucek died heart attack two months article published made point challenge countries view power influence region zerosum game iran gains saudi arabia loses vice versa saudi arabia fear iran wants greater role region alarm iran wants control region saudi arabia often seems view region sectarian lenses wants unite people sectarian umbrella sunnis riyadh therefore views ascendency shias war region zerosum terms iran deal scares saudi arabia brookings doha center nonresident senior fellow f gregory gause new yorker gause wrote irans nuclear ambitions saudis concern profound fear geopolitical trends middle east aligning threatening regional stature domestic security saudis see iran dominant iraq lebanon holding onto ally syria forging new relationship washington rival short without obstacles regional dominance one emboldened encourage shiite populations gulf monarchies including saudi arabia oppose sunni rulers iranian clerics holding antisaudi king abdullah posters protest tehran 2011 atta kenareafpgetty images iransaudi arabia troubled affair oped khosrow soltani senior journalist based tehran al jazeera soltani talked importance détente rivals 1960s 1970s two countries strategic alliance considerable160political military security interactions west us particular used two states deter influence soviet communism middle east change following islamic revolution 1979 dealt heavy blow interests ambitions west us middle east also took allies including saudi arabia surprise tehranriyadh relations entered new stage fraught mistrust hostility 160 | 556 |
<p>Jeremy Irvine as Danny in ‘Stonewall,’ throws the first brick. The filmmakers have drawn considerable ire for centering the action around Danny, a fictional character. (Photo courtesy Roadside Attractions)</p>
<p>When the world got its first look at the “Stonewall” trailer in August, reaction was swift and withering with some even calling for LGBT people to boycott the film, a dramatization of the 1969 New York riots that were a turning point for gay rights.</p>
<p>The film was assailed, from snarky social media posts (“Ah yes! That wonderful point in gay history where super models got really angry”) to outright vitriol. Pat Cordova-Goff, who identifies as a “transwomyn of color” is calling for a boycott with the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. “Do not throw money at the capitalistic industry that fails to recognize true s/heros. Do not support a film that erases our history. Do not watch ‘Stonewall,’” she writes.</p>
<p>The beefs are essentially that historical events have been “whitewashed,” that trans characters are pushed to the sidelines and played by non-trans actors and that, as Tim Teeman wrote for the Daily Beast, “everyone appears to have been bused in from laughably predictable central casting.” The events are centered around a fictional character named Danny, a white Midwestern teen kicked out of his home for being gay. Ironically, few have pointed out that Jeremy Irvine, the 25-year-old “War Horse” actor who plays him, is straight.</p>
<p>Irvine, director Roland Emmerich and writer Jon Robin Baitz (all white, the latter two gay) have defended the film, which opens on Friday, Sept. 25 (it’s screening at area theaters such as Landmark E Street Cinema, ArcLight Bethesda, Angelika Film Center and more). They counter that most of the criticism is based on the trailer, not the film itself, that the true events of the riots are shrouded in myth and that any dramatization uses artistic license to varying degrees. Legendary gay writer Larry Kramer defended the filmmakers.</p>
<p>Emmerich, widely known for helming major films like “Independence Day” (1996), “Godzilla” (1998) and the Mel Gibson vehicle “The Patriot” (2000), is already at work on his next project. The German-born auteur spoke to the Blade by phone from his Los Angeles home. His comments have been slightly edited for length.</p>
<p>Jonny Beauchamp, left, as Ray, and Vlad Alexis as Cong in ‘Stonewall.’ Although the filmmakers have been accused of ‘whitewashing’ history, it does include several Latino and African-American gender-nonconforming characters. (Photo courtesy Roadside Attractions)</p>
<p>WASHINGTON BLADE: What was the genesis of “Stonewall”?</p>
<p>ROLAND EMMERICH: Actually a producer friend of mine, Michael Fossat, proposed it to me. I was kind of like, “I don’t know, with so many great gay directors, why should I do a gay movie?” But then I started checking it out and read a lot and at the same time I took a tour of the Los Angeles Gay &amp; Lesbian Center and saw the homeless youth program and I realized that 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBT. Compared to the overall population, that’s actually quite a big number and so slowly I kind of started thinking that maybe this is something for me. We started looking for a writer and I read this terrific play by Robbie Baitz and it kind of came together. First we wrote a script and then we took it from there.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: The trailer got a lot of criticism. Did it give the wrong impression of the film or were people too quick to judge the film based on it?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: I like the trailer. We premiered it at the GLAAD awards and it got a standing ovation. Nobody had any criticism of it there. It’s very unfortunate that some people kind of felt it was kind of some sort of whitewashing, but it isn’t. The film itself uses a white character as a catalyst but the film itself is actually quite ethnically diverse. It has, you know, like all facets of the LGBT community both historic and invented. I didn’t comment on it much because I really felt I didn’t want to comment on criticism of the trailer.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: I’m not a filmmaker. What dramatic purpose does it serve to have a character such as Danny to center the action around? Why was that a device you wanted to utilize?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: Well, a friend of mine told me his story and that interested me a lot because it’s still a story that happens today with kids getting thrown out of their homes for being gay. These are often quaint kind of middle-class homes and then they end up on the street and I just felt that would be a unique approach because these stories show that you can be in that situation and hold on to your dignity and your dream and not lose them in the process. So it was a coming-of-age story with kids, which I could imagine very well. Also, the overall theme was one of unrequited love. When you look at the movie, it’s a lot about people who love somebody and it’s not that the other person doesn’t love them, but they cannot be together and yet at the end they all come together and create something great. That was overall, dramatically, I’d say, when I started with Robbie, you first talk about the approach you want to take. We are also big (J.D.) Salinger fans and he was a big writer in the ‘60s, you know. So that was a type of an influence, and it all came together from there. When you do your research on this, you realize there’s not really one standout character in these riots. I loved the idea that it was this group of homeless kids that we know about who were part of it. Just an overall riot of many people who had just had it. You know how riots happen. It was actually really sparked by a lesbian who resisted arrest. That’s what really threw everything into high gear.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: Theoretically could the film have worked with somebody like Marsha P. Johnson as the protagonist? Could you have gotten a green light with that approach?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: Well we never did get a green light. I gave my own green light. I love the Marsha P. Johnson character. I have friends who are trans women, but it felt to me like I’m a white male, I’m openly gay and we can have all forms of sexuality in this film, but I think it’s good to use somebody very close to yourself, you know, and find truth in that. We also didn’t want to make the Jonny Beauchamp character (Ray, a composite) as just Sylvia Rivera because she was the one who said she was at the Stonewall that night. I didn’t want to invent stuff around Sylvia. She was not a club kid and didn’t really have any relationship like that. So all this kind of came together through discussions and we used a lot of historical characters but also with these invented characters. I thought it was a better approach, at least for me, to show the feel this time had. We talked to some Stonewall veterans and we only found white guys, you know? I think actually there was one who wanted to call me but then this person died shortly after.</p>
<p>Director Roland Emmerich says ‘Stonewall,’ despite its relatively small budget, was a tough film to get made. (Photo courtesy Roadside Attractions)</p>
<p>BLADE: How was the shoot?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: Well it was odd because we wanted to make it first on location in New York but it was too expensive and we found they’d never let us do what we wanted to do there. … New York is a very expensive town. So we ended up doing it in Montreal where we were able to use some Canadian actors and get a huge tax rebate. Once we decided to film it there, everything came together nicely. We had a very nice shoot, like 42 days, and it was one, big, happy family.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: Was it hard to get it financed?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: It was about $17 million and we got like $4 million back in tax rebates and the rest we did as a pre-sale to Germany and other countries. A friend of mine and I put in the rest. We went to all my usual contacts and they all said, “Oh, this is too niche, there’s no real big name in it,” and blah, blah, blah.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: Are the Hollywood bean counters squeamish about gay themes or is there a legit point in the math?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: No, they’re not. When somebody like, you know, Sean Penn takes on Harvey Milk, they’re all there because they know that’s an actor who can win an Oscar. So there’s more incentive to do films like that where the actor can be the incentive. They also say things like, “Why is he making a movie like that, why is he not making one of his big movies where we can make a lot of money?” And I’m saying, “I will make those movies, but I want to make other movies too.” I like these smaller projects sometimes, like “Anonymous.” Nobody wanted me to do that one either, but it’s fine.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: What’s it like making a small film like “Stonewall” versus a big-budget action spectacle like “Independence Day?” Do the headaches increase with the scope as one might expect or not necessarily?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: I think it is more complex making a film like “Independence Day” because you’re dealing with a little bit more complex techniques, like shooting half the movie on bluescreen, where it’s very, very tough to keep the actors involved. “Stonewall” was a very different method, a very old-fashioned method actually, where we actually built the street and everything, then in the back we had some photographic backgrounds and maybe only one or two scenes were bluescreen, the march and one other scene. It was a very gritty atmosphere on the set and I think the actors get something out of that. … I got a lot of knowledge working on those big movies that I could use in “Stonewall,” you know? I just kind of know how to make things realistic looking when they’re not.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: Sometimes controversy works in your favor. Will it help you here?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: Maybe it brought more attention to the film. I don’t know if people would have known about it otherwise. Now at least the gay people know. Sometimes a controversy works against you and sometimes it works for you. We won’t know till it comes out. It’s an interesting dynamic. Nobody knows what will happen but you never know this with any movie what will happen. I’m quite content. I’m already making my next movie. I’m very proud of the movie we did and everybody who was involved.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: How much straight support will the movie need to be successful?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: That will be a very interesting thing. … When we tested the movie, it actually tested better with straight people than gay because straight people don’t have all this sense of they think they know what it was about. Gay people think, “Oh, it was because Judy Garland died,” and they think they know the story, where as straight audiences don’t think like that. They think, “What was the story like and how did I get into the story and what did I learn?” They were actually amazed at how emotional they got in the story. I hope for a wider audience but it’s also not a big release. It’s like a 100-print release, so it’s perfect for me. We’ll see what happens.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BLADE: Have you been out your entire career?</p>
<p>EMMERICH: At the beginning in Germany I wasn’t out because I never wanted to become the gay director and it was kind of a typical thing in Germany, if you were out it was like you were a gay director and you only did gay movies, so I didn’t think it was good to come out. It was also a different time. Then I came to America and, of course, my friends knew, but at a certain point I realized I’m making big movies, I can be out, so I came out. This was like maybe 20 years ago, which was a bit late. I’m 59 turning 60, so it was a little different time. For me, “Stonewall” represents this mythical moment. I went to Christopher Street the first time I was in New York and stood in front of the Stonewall and it was always kind of like Germany to me. A little bit of this coming out, this proud moment because of what happened there.</p>
<p>Otoja Abit as Marsha P. Johnson in ‘Stonewall.’ (Photo by Philippe Bossé; courtesy of Roadside Attractions)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Angelika Film Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">ArcLight Bethesda</a> <a href="" type="internal">GLAAD</a> <a href="" type="internal">J.D. Salinger</a> <a href="" type="internal">jeremy irvine</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jon Robin Baitz</a> <a href="" type="internal">Landmark E Street Cinema</a> <a href="" type="internal">Larry Kramer</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">Los Angeles Gay &amp; Lesbian Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">Marsha P. Johnson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michael Fossat</a> <a href="" type="internal">roland emmerich</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stonewall</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tim Teeman</a></p> | false | 3 | jeremy irvine danny stonewall throws first brick filmmakers drawn considerable ire centering action around danny fictional character photo courtesy roadside attractions world got first look stonewall trailer august reaction swift withering even calling lgbt people boycott film dramatization 1969 new york riots turning point gay rights film assailed snarky social media posts ah yes wonderful point gay history super models got really angry outright vitriol pat cordovagoff identifies transwomyn color calling boycott gaystraight alliance network throw money capitalistic industry fails recognize true sheros support film erases history watch stonewall writes beefs essentially historical events whitewashed trans characters pushed sidelines played nontrans actors tim teeman wrote daily beast everyone appears bused laughably predictable central casting events centered around fictional character named danny white midwestern teen kicked home gay ironically pointed jeremy irvine 25yearold war horse actor plays straight irvine director roland emmerich writer jon robin baitz white latter two gay defended film opens friday sept 25 screening area theaters landmark e street cinema arclight bethesda angelika film center counter criticism based trailer film true events riots shrouded myth dramatization uses artistic license varying degrees legendary gay writer larry kramer defended filmmakers emmerich widely known helming major films like independence day 1996 godzilla 1998 mel gibson vehicle patriot 2000 already work next project germanborn auteur spoke blade phone los angeles home comments slightly edited length jonny beauchamp left ray vlad alexis cong stonewall although filmmakers accused whitewashing history include several latino africanamerican gendernonconforming characters photo courtesy roadside attractions washington blade genesis stonewall roland emmerich actually producer friend mine michael fossat proposed kind like dont know many great gay directors gay movie started checking read lot time took tour los angeles gay amp lesbian center saw homeless youth program realized 40 percent homeless youth lgbt compared overall population thats actually quite big number slowly kind started thinking maybe something started looking writer read terrific play robbie baitz kind came together first wrote script took 160 blade trailer got lot criticism give wrong impression film people quick judge film based emmerich like trailer premiered glaad awards got standing ovation nobody criticism unfortunate people kind felt kind sort whitewashing isnt film uses white character catalyst film actually quite ethnically diverse know like facets lgbt community historic invented didnt comment much really felt didnt want comment criticism trailer 160 blade im filmmaker dramatic purpose serve character danny center action around device wanted utilize emmerich well friend mine told story interested lot still story happens today kids getting thrown homes gay often quaint kind middleclass homes end street felt would unique approach stories show situation hold dignity dream lose process comingofage story kids could imagine well also overall theme one unrequited love look movie lot people love somebody person doesnt love together yet end come together create something great overall dramatically id say started robbie first talk approach want take also big jd salinger fans big writer 60s know type influence came together research realize theres really one standout character riots loved idea group homeless kids know part overall riot many people know riots happen actually really sparked lesbian resisted arrest thats really threw everything high gear 160 blade theoretically could film worked somebody like marsha p johnson protagonist could gotten green light approach emmerich well never get green light gave green light love marsha p johnson character friends trans women felt like im white male im openly gay forms sexuality film think good use somebody close know find truth also didnt want make jonny beauchamp character ray composite sylvia rivera one said stonewall night didnt want invent stuff around sylvia club kid didnt really relationship like kind came together discussions used lot historical characters also invented characters thought better approach least show feel time talked stonewall veterans found white guys know think actually one wanted call person died shortly director roland emmerich says stonewall despite relatively small budget tough film get made photo courtesy roadside attractions blade shoot emmerich well odd wanted make first location new york expensive found theyd never let us wanted new york expensive town ended montreal able use canadian actors get huge tax rebate decided film everything came together nicely nice shoot like 42 days one big happy family 160 blade hard get financed emmerich 17 million got like 4 million back tax rebates rest presale germany countries friend mine put rest went usual contacts said oh niche theres real big name blah blah blah 160 blade hollywood bean counters squeamish gay themes legit point math emmerich theyre somebody like know sean penn takes harvey milk theyre know thats actor win oscar theres incentive films like actor incentive also say things like making movie like making one big movies make lot money im saying make movies want make movies like smaller projects sometimes like anonymous nobody wanted one either fine 160 blade whats like making small film like stonewall versus bigbudget action spectacle like independence day headaches increase scope one might expect necessarily emmerich think complex making film like independence day youre dealing little bit complex techniques like shooting half movie bluescreen tough keep actors involved stonewall different method oldfashioned method actually actually built street everything back photographic backgrounds maybe one two scenes bluescreen march one scene gritty atmosphere set think actors get something got lot knowledge working big movies could use stonewall know kind know make things realistic looking theyre 160 blade sometimes controversy works favor help emmerich maybe brought attention film dont know people would known otherwise least gay people know sometimes controversy works sometimes works wont know till comes interesting dynamic nobody knows happen never know movie happen im quite content im already making next movie im proud movie everybody involved 160 blade much straight support movie need successful emmerich interesting thing tested movie actually tested better straight people gay straight people dont sense think know gay people think oh judy garland died think know story straight audiences dont think like think story like get story learn actually amazed emotional got story hope wider audience also big release like 100print release perfect well see happens 160 blade entire career emmerich beginning germany wasnt never wanted become gay director kind typical thing germany like gay director gay movies didnt think good come also different time came america course friends knew certain point realized im making big movies came like maybe 20 years ago bit late im 59 turning 60 little different time stonewall represents mythical moment went christopher street first time new york stood front stonewall always kind like germany little bit coming proud moment happened otoja abit marsha p johnson stonewall photo philippe bossé courtesy roadside attractions angelika film center arclight bethesda glaad jd salinger jeremy irvine jon robin baitz landmark e street cinema larry kramer lgbt los angeles gay amp lesbian center marsha p johnson michael fossat roland emmerich stonewall tim teeman | 1,134 |
<p>August 6, 2012</p>
<p>By Katy Grimes</p>
<p>Trial lawyers are not content to win medical damages cases and get paid a chunk of the damages awarded to the plaintiff. They are going after a bigger piece of the insurance pie.</p>
<p>Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, and California trial lawyers are pushing a bill at breakneck speed through the Legislature to up the anty on medical damages award cases, thereby dramatically increasing what trial lawyers are paid.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>But this will come at a significant cost to the state, which already has financially strapped local governments filing for bankruptcy.</p>
<p><a href="" type="external">SB 1528</a>,&#160;by Steinberg, aims at repealing a recent Calfornia Supreme Court decision, <a href="http://www.newdorflegal.com/California-Supreme-Court-Medical-Damages-Decision-Howell-v-Hamilton-Meats.pdf" type="external">&#160;Howell vs. Hamilton Meats</a>, to allow plaintiffs to recover past medical damages listed in a health care provider’s bill, instead of the actual amount paid to providers by insurers. These are not damages owed to the injured person.</p>
<p>In deciding&#160;Howell vs. Hamilton, the court stated, “We hold no such recovery is allowed, for the simple reason that the injured plaintiff did not suffer any economic loss in that amount.”</p>
<p>Even the one dissenting justice&#160;agreed that the plaintiff was not entitled to recover the potentially inflated amount of the medical bills, but disagreed that the amount should be capped at the discounted amount the provider agreed to accept as payment in full from the insurer.</p>
<p>The issue at hand was the state’s collateral source rule which states that the&#160; <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tortfeasor" type="external">tortfeasor</a>&#160;— the person who commits the wrongful act —&#160;shouldn’t benefit from the fact that the victim purchased insurance. That’s why the insurer still has to pay for the medical expenses, even if the victim did not have out-of-pocket medical expenses.</p>
<p>But the court held that discounts are different; that it would be a windfall for the victim to recover extra money just because his insurance company got a discount. &#160;The discounts are merely the negotiated amount to be paid by the insurance company to the medical provider. The higher rate before negotiation is never paid.</p>
<p>Where this case becomes of even more interest is when&#160; <a href="http://www.medi-cal.ca.gov/" type="external">Medi-Cal</a>&#160;is involved. Medi-Cal is&#160;&#160;is California’s government funded&#160; <a href="http://www.medicaid.gov/" type="external">Medicaid</a>&#160;health care program. This program pays for all medical services for children and adults who have either low or no income, or if they are on welfare.</p>
<p>Trial laywers contend that the law is unclear. But the 6-1 Supreme Court ruling was very clear that injured plaintiffs were only entitled to the amount paid by the third-party insurer. However, in Medi-Cal cases, this could be motivation for an increase in lawsuits and higher litigation costs.</p>
<p>While federal law requires state Medicaid plans to establish schemes for reimbursing health care providers similar to the negotiated rates by private insurers and medical providers, the law also prohibits providers from recovering lien amounts in excess of the Medicaid payment.</p>
<p>Bill analysis states, “The same holds true outside the Medi-Cal setting. Because of&#160;the Howell case, it is unclear how an injured person proves&#160;their damages. Hospitals (Civ. Code Sec. 3045.1) and HMOs health maintenance organizations] (Civ. Code Sec. 3040) have&#160;subrogation and lien rights to be reimbursed out of an injured&#160;person’s recovery. Again, if the injured person cannot&#160;introduce the reasonable cost of medical care, and therefore&#160;cannot recover those costs, they are unable to reimburse&#160;hospitals or HMOs.”</p>
<p>County governments could be on the hook for substantial financial damages if this bill is passed and signed into law.&#160;Cities, counties, municipalities school districts and state agencies face thousands of lawsuits every year. &#160;While some of the cases are small, many are large and expensive, and every dollar paid&#160;out for lawsuits comes out of the pockets of taxpayers.</p>
<p>Taxpayers are paying for these lawsuits, because local governments which self-insure, pay for all medical expenses, and the injured&#160;parties face no future cost or liability. The bigger question than even that of the third party private insurer is: Why should the taxpayers continue to support local governments diverting money away from important&#160;public services to increase damages awards to trial lawyers?</p>
<p>“Government spends a huge amount of time as defendant, and this bill cost will cost nearly three-times as much,” said Craig Brown, with the&#160;Cooperative of American Physicians. Brown explained that there are hundreds and hundreds of lawyers who work for state agencies, city and county governments, who are paid by taxpayer funds to fend off myriads of lawsuits every year. While the cost of damage awards would increase if SB 1528 is passed, there are many other costs associated with lawsuits which would increase as well, dramatically increasing teh total cost of litigation.</p>
<p>The costs of experts on both sides would increase because if attorneys for the plaintiffs can claim more in damages than usual and customary medical costs, and not just what was paid to providers, the sky is the limit — and all funded by taxpayers.</p>
<p>“The 6 to 1 decision by California’s highest court reaffirmed a bright line&#160;rule in calculating medical damages — actual or contracted amount,” said <a href="http://www.acicnet.org/weba/home.nsf/main" type="external">Association of California Insurance Companies</a> Vice President&#160;Armand Feliciano.&#160; “The Court clearly said in their decision ‘We hold no such recovery is allowed, for the simple&#160;reason that the injured plaintiff did not suffer any economic loss in that amount.”&#160;To suggest that the&#160;calculation of medical damages in California is uncertain or needs clarification is patently misleading.&#160; The&#160;Howell&#160;decision and supporting case law has been the law in California since 1988.”</p>
<p>A coalition of more than 24 diverse business associations is very concerned about such significant changes being made to a recently mandated law, particularly through the non-transparent spot bill process. There have been no real debates on the merit of the bill so far in committee hearings, and it appears that the bill will be ramrodded through an Assembly floor vote as well.</p>
<p>The coalition fears that damages could end up tripling what they currently are. And a bigger worry according to the insurance association is that Steinberg is playing “hide the ball” with amendments. Promises of amendments have been made, but so far, these phantom amendments have not materialized, and the bill is on the Assembly floor already awaiting a vote.</p>
<p>The purpose of hiding the phantom amendments is to keep the public from knowing about them, and keep interested parties from being able to argue for or against them in a public hearing. Feliciano said that they had been working with Steinberg and proponents to find common ground. But it became clear that the author and sponsor merely want to overturn the law and open the floodgates to larger financial awards.</p>
<p>“Members of the Assembly should take a very close look at this bill when it comes before them,” said&#160;Feliciano.&#160; “Assemblymembers should ask two questions: 1. Is it right to compensate someone for damages&#160;that were never paid or incurred?&#160; 2. Is now the time to increase the cost of insurance to homeowners and&#160;drivers and every business and public entity that buys liability coverage in California?”</p>
<p>The insurance association said that if this bill is passed, the higher damages lawsuits and awards will be expanded to homeowners insurance, auto insurance and workers compensation insurance.</p>
<p>SB 1528 was passed by the State Senate on a party line vote, 22 to 13 May 30.</p> | false | 3 | august 6 2012 katy grimes trial lawyers content win medical damages cases get paid chunk damages awarded plaintiff going bigger piece insurance pie senate president pro tem darrell steinberg dsacramento california trial lawyers pushing bill breakneck speed legislature anty medical damages award cases thereby dramatically increasing trial lawyers paid come significant cost state already financially strapped local governments filing bankruptcy sb 1528160by steinberg aims repealing recent calfornia supreme court decision 160howell vs hamilton meats allow plaintiffs recover past medical damages listed health care providers bill instead actual amount paid providers insurers damages owed injured person deciding160howell vs hamilton court stated hold recovery allowed simple reason injured plaintiff suffer economic loss amount even one dissenting justice160agreed plaintiff entitled recover potentially inflated amount medical bills disagreed amount capped discounted amount provider agreed accept payment full insurer issue hand states collateral source rule states the160 tortfeasor160 person commits wrongful act 160shouldnt benefit fact victim purchased insurance thats insurer still pay medical expenses even victim outofpocket medical expenses court held discounts different would windfall victim recover extra money insurance company got discount 160the discounts merely negotiated amount paid insurance company medical provider higher rate negotiation never paid case becomes even interest when160 medical160is involved medical is160160is californias government funded160 medicaid160health care program program pays medical services children adults either low income welfare trial laywers contend law unclear 61 supreme court ruling clear injured plaintiffs entitled amount paid thirdparty insurer however medical cases could motivation increase lawsuits higher litigation costs federal law requires state medicaid plans establish schemes reimbursing health care providers similar negotiated rates private insurers medical providers law also prohibits providers recovering lien amounts excess medicaid payment bill analysis states holds true outside medical setting of160the howell case unclear injured person proves160their damages hospitals civ code sec 30451 hmos health maintenance organizations civ code sec 3040 have160subrogation lien rights reimbursed injured160persons recovery injured person cannot160introduce reasonable cost medical care therefore160cannot recover costs unable reimburse160hospitals hmos county governments could hook substantial financial damages bill passed signed law160cities counties municipalities school districts state agencies face thousands lawsuits every year 160while cases small many large expensive every dollar paid160out lawsuits comes pockets taxpayers taxpayers paying lawsuits local governments selfinsure pay medical expenses injured160parties face future cost liability bigger question even third party private insurer taxpayers continue support local governments diverting money away important160public services increase damages awards trial lawyers government spends huge amount time defendant bill cost cost nearly threetimes much said craig brown the160cooperative american physicians brown explained hundreds hundreds lawyers work state agencies city county governments paid taxpayer funds fend myriads lawsuits every year cost damage awards would increase sb 1528 passed many costs associated lawsuits would increase well dramatically increasing teh total cost litigation costs experts sides would increase attorneys plaintiffs claim damages usual customary medical costs paid providers sky limit funded taxpayers 6 1 decision californias highest court reaffirmed bright line160rule calculating medical damages actual contracted amount said association california insurance companies vice president160armand feliciano160 court clearly said decision hold recovery allowed simple160reason injured plaintiff suffer economic loss amount160to suggest the160calculation medical damages california uncertain needs clarification patently misleading160 the160howell160decision supporting case law law california since 1988 coalition 24 diverse business associations concerned significant changes made recently mandated law particularly nontransparent spot bill process real debates merit bill far committee hearings appears bill ramrodded assembly floor vote well coalition fears damages could end tripling currently bigger worry according insurance association steinberg playing hide ball amendments promises amendments made far phantom amendments materialized bill assembly floor already awaiting vote purpose hiding phantom amendments keep public knowing keep interested parties able argue public hearing feliciano said working steinberg proponents find common ground became clear author sponsor merely want overturn law open floodgates larger financial awards members assembly take close look bill comes said160feliciano160 assemblymembers ask two questions 1 right compensate someone damages160that never paid incurred160 2 time increase cost insurance homeowners and160drivers every business public entity buys liability coverage california insurance association said bill passed higher damages lawsuits awards expanded homeowners insurance auto insurance workers compensation insurance sb 1528 passed state senate party line vote 22 13 may 30 | 685 |
<p>KABUL, Afghanistan - When Al Qaeda's planes hit the twin towers on&#160;Sept. 11, 2001, the world altered for everyone.</p>
<p>But no two countries have been more affected by the shift than the&#160;United States and Afghanistan, who are tied together in a war whose&#160;outcome, a decade after the initial invasion, is still very much in&#160;doubt.</p>
<p>The United States has changed as a result of 9/11; the sense of&#160;superpower invulnerability is gone, perhaps forever.</p>
<p>Afghanistan, too, has undergone a change, but a more physical one. The&#160;dusty, hardscrabble capital I first saw in 2004 has been spruced up&#160;considerably: high-rise buildings of green and blue glass dominate the&#160;center of the city. Apartments and houses are sprouting like mushrooms&#160;on the outskirts. Shiny new cars clog the streets, and thousands of&#160;well-heeled foreigners are pumping millions of dollars into what was&#160;once a cash-starved economy.</p>
<p>But that's not all. There are the thousands of dead in districts&#160;around the country, killed by Taliban explosives, caught in crossfire&#160;between the insurgents and foreign troops, shot by U.S. Special Forces&#160;in night raids or bombed in misdirected airstrikes.</p>
<p>The Taliban control large swaths of territory, and formerly safe&#160;provinces like Parwan and Baghlan are now largely no-go areas. The&#160;gains that NATO has made in clearing aside the Taliban are too&#160;frequently pushed back as soon as the troops move on.</p>
<p>Most Afghans consider security to be their number-one problem. If&#160;travel, school, and work are impossible, not much else matters.</p>
<p>In those first heady days after the fall of the Taliban, anything&#160;seemed possible.</p>
<p>Many people initially welcomed the foreign troops. The brutal, joyless&#160;Taliban regime was gone. Children could fly kites, teenagers could&#160;play music. Chess was once again a beloved pastime, and women began to venture out of their homes on their own.&#160;</p>
<p>The sewers were blocked with hair as men lined up at barbershops to&#160;shave the long beards required by the Taliban.</p>
<p>"Everyone had two-toned faces," said Nasim, a young doctor who was&#160;just 19 when the Taliban fell. He laughed. "They were all tanned from&#160;their noses up, but their chins were pale from being covered with hair&#160;for so long."</p>
<p>I arrived at the height of the optimism, in late 2004, right after the&#160;first direct presidential elections the country had ever held. Despite&#160;their threats, the Taliban had failed to disrupt the process. Voting&#160;was more or less transparent, despite scattered reports of&#160;quick-wash "indelible" ink and disappearing ballot boxes.</p>
<p>Hamid Karzai won by a landslide, and the country was proud of its achievement.&#160;</p>
<p>Looking back, those days seem idyllic, filled with hope and expectation.&#160;</p>
<p>It is a different world now.</p>
<p>Much has changed for the better. Hundreds of young people have been&#160;educated abroad. Millions of children, including girls, are now in&#160;school. Almost everyone has a cell phone, and internet-access is spreading.</p>
<p>It would be difficult to think of Afghanistan ever again being quite&#160;as isolated as it was during the 1990s, when a mere trickle of&#160;information made its way to the outside world.&#160;</p>
<p>But the past five years have seen an erosion of hope that has left&#160;many Afghans cynical and bitter.</p>
<p>The fledgling banking system, once a source of pride, has been marred&#160;by scandal: the $900-million Kabul Bank grabathon eroded what little&#160;faith and respect people still had in their government.</p>
<p>The 2009 presidential poll saw blatant vote-rigging and a failure of the international community to adequately monitor the process. The Parliamentary ballot a year later was no better, and set in motion a Constitutional crisis that is still causing waves.</p>
<p>The country is mired in a seemingly endless war, run by a&#160;hopelessly corrupt government and deeply conflicted about the presence&#160;of international troops.</p>
<p>The Taliban cannot chase the foreigners out, but the combined weight&#160;of 48 countries hasn't been able to crush the insurgency.</p>
<p>Most agree that a political solution is necessary, but many still&#160;oppose negotiations with the Taliban.</p>
<p>Night raids and aggressive military operations continue, with the&#160;justification that the insurgents must be forced to the negotiating&#160;table by the sure prospect of defeat. Anyone who thinks this is&#160;possible has never spent much time with Afghans.</p>
<p>A new conference planned for December in Bonn, Germany, seems destined to repeat the mistakes of the first one. Those who were there at the time, such as the U.N.?s Lakhdar Brahimi, have said that not inviting the Taliban sowed the seeds of future problems. But Washington's newly installed ambassador to Kabul, Ryan Crocker, has already said there is no place for the Taliban in Bonn.</p>
<p>Once the international forces pull out, it's hard to see how the&#160;changes in Afghanistan will last. When the first U.S. troops got on&#160;the airplane home, property prices in Kabul began to plummet. &#160;</p>
<p>The sleek restaurants, supermarkets, taxi services, and other businesses&#160;that have sprung up to cater to foreigners and the newly prosperous&#160;will likely be forced to close, leaving thousands of Afghans&#160;unemployed.</p>
<p>The hundreds of young people who have been educated in the West will doubtless do what the previous generation did: they will use their education to land lucrative jobs in Geneva or New York.</p>
<p>Many of Afghanistan's top officials have foreign passports and family tucked away in various Western countries. It will not be a difficult&#160;transition for them.</p>
<p>Ethnic tensions and regional disputes that have never been resolved are once again coming to the fore. It is all too likely that the militias now being equipped and trained by U.S. Special Forces will turn their weapons on each other, as they did in the 1990s.</p>
<p>According to many observers, both Afghan and international,&#160;Afghanistan is headed for another civil war - a proxy battle with the&#160;United States and its allies funneling weapons and cash to one side,&#160;and regional powers like Pakistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia each backing&#160;their favorite horses.</p>
<p>Ten years after 9/11, with hundreds of billions of dollars spent, thousands of lives lost and immense goodwill squandered, Afghanistan&#160;seems to be going backwards.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | kabul afghanistan al qaedas planes hit twin towers on160sept 11 2001 world altered everyone two countries affected shift the160united states afghanistan tied together war whose160outcome decade initial invasion still much in160doubt united states changed result 911 sense of160superpower invulnerability gone perhaps forever afghanistan undergone change physical one the160dusty hardscrabble capital first saw 2004 spruced up160considerably highrise buildings green blue glass dominate the160center city apartments houses sprouting like mushrooms160on outskirts shiny new cars clog streets thousands of160wellheeled foreigners pumping millions dollars was160once cashstarved economy thats thousands dead districts160around country killed taliban explosives caught crossfire160between insurgents foreign troops shot us special forces160in night raids bombed misdirected airstrikes taliban control large swaths territory formerly safe160provinces like parwan baghlan largely nogo areas the160gains nato made clearing aside taliban too160frequently pushed back soon troops move afghans consider security numberone problem if160travel school work impossible much else matters first heady days fall taliban anything160seemed possible many people initially welcomed foreign troops brutal joyless160taliban regime gone children could fly kites teenagers could160play music chess beloved pastime women began venture homes own160 sewers blocked hair men lined barbershops to160shave long beards required taliban everyone twotoned faces said nasim young doctor was160just 19 taliban fell laughed tanned from160their noses chins pale covered hair160for long arrived height optimism late 2004 right the160first direct presidential elections country ever held despite160their threats taliban failed disrupt process voting160was less transparent despite scattered reports of160quickwash indelible ink disappearing ballot boxes hamid karzai landslide country proud achievement160 looking back days seem idyllic filled hope expectation160 different world much changed better hundreds young people been160educated abroad millions children including girls in160school almost everyone cell phone internetaccess spreading would difficult think afghanistan ever quite160as isolated 1990s mere trickle of160information made way outside world160 past five years seen erosion hope left160many afghans cynical bitter fledgling banking system source pride marred160by scandal 900million kabul bank grabathon eroded little160faith respect people still government 2009 presidential poll saw blatant voterigging failure international community adequately monitor process parliamentary ballot year later better set motion constitutional crisis still causing waves country mired seemingly endless war run a160hopelessly corrupt government deeply conflicted presence160of international troops taliban chase foreigners combined weight160of 48 countries hasnt able crush insurgency agree political solution necessary many still160oppose negotiations taliban night raids aggressive military operations continue the160justification insurgents must forced negotiating160table sure prospect defeat anyone thinks is160possible never spent much time afghans new conference planned december bonn germany seems destined repeat mistakes first one time uns lakhdar brahimi said inviting taliban sowed seeds future problems washingtons newly installed ambassador kabul ryan crocker already said place taliban bonn international forces pull hard see the160changes afghanistan last first us troops got on160the airplane home property prices kabul began plummet 160 sleek restaurants supermarkets taxi services businesses160that sprung cater foreigners newly prosperous160will likely forced close leaving thousands afghans160unemployed hundreds young people educated west doubtless previous generation use education land lucrative jobs geneva new york many afghanistans top officials foreign passports family tucked away various western countries difficult160transition ethnic tensions regional disputes never resolved coming fore likely militias equipped trained us special forces turn weapons 1990s according many observers afghan international160afghanistan headed another civil war proxy battle the160united states allies funneling weapons cash one side160and regional powers like pakistan iran saudi arabia backing160their favorite horses ten years 911 hundreds billions dollars spent thousands lives lost immense goodwill squandered afghanistan160seems going backwards160 | 557 |
<p>Bob Love, a retired Chicago Bulls star, stands chuckling on stage at Brentano Math and Science Academy in Logan Square, a chain of plastic links stretched across his exceptional armspan. A 3rd-grade boy calmly holds up one end; a 2nd-grade girl strains on tiptoes to hold up the other.</p>
<p>“We’re going to measure Mr. Love’s armspan and height,” lab teacher Raquel Gonzalez announces to an auditorium packed with primary students. “I need everybody to count with me.” Gonzalez points to each link while the kids count aloud. A gasp goes up at the total. “Sixty! Whoa!” Love’s height turns out to be nearly as impressive—a whopping 59 links.</p>
<p>Love’s visit to Brentano is the grand finale to a schoolwide science project aimed at learning a scientific concept: the human body is mathematically proportioned. During the project, students also learned about the scientific process as they predicted outcomes of their experiment, accurately measured a partner’s arm-span and height and communicated findings with a graph.</p>
<p>Just a few years ago, math and science at Brentano was “no fun” at all, according to Principal Reynes Reyes. Teachers lectured, students answered textbook questions. But after Brentano brought in the Teachers Academy for Mathematics and Science (TAMS), a local non-profit agency, teachers began replacing lectures with hands-on activities. With TAMS, teachers got in-depth courses, coaching in the classroom and time to collaborate—the kind of professional development that experts advocate to improve teaching nationwide.</p>
<p>TAMS cost Brentano substantial time and money, $25,000 in training and another $25,000 in materials. The payoff, says Reyes, has been no less impressive: better-skilled teachers, more enthusiastic students and substantial gains in scores on standardized math and science tests.</p>
<p>Nationally, there is growing recognition that professional development is an essential element of school improvement. Since the early 1980s, the country has sunk millions of dollars into creating higher standards for all students, tests to measure student learning and new classroom technology, “but no money on assuring our teachers have the skills to use them,” according to Terry Dozier, the Secretary’s Special Advisor on Teaching at the U.S. Department of Education.</p>
<p>“People are beginning to realize that if we don’t focus on teachers’ knowledge and skills, all those other improvements are going to buy us very little,” she says.</p>
<p>Locally, the story is much the same. To break the inertia that gripped Chicago’s public schools, the 1988 Reform Act shifted power from central office to local school councils. Some schools leapt to improve teacher training, but most grappled instead with more obvious needs such as organizing council meetings or improving school safety. Now, observers note a sharpened focus on staff development, spurred either by national attention to the issue, new foundation dollars or the threat of probation—depending on whom you ask.</p>
<p>The need for better staff development appears acute. A 1992 survey conducted by the independent Consortium on Chicago School Research found that a third of elementary school principals believe that half or fewer of the teachers at their own schools have a good grasp of language arts instruction, which includes reading and writing. Even more principals cited teacher deficiencies in math, social studies and science.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a 1997 Consortium survey of teachers suggests that while they spend a great deal of time on professional development, it doesn’t amount to much. For one, many schools seem to be sampling from a smorgasbord of programs, with no coherent plan and too little time devoted to any one topic.</p>
<p>“I think all of us have been in schools where it’s clear that the staff are working very hard, but their efforts aren’t adding up to real change or improvement,” says Consortium Study Director BetsAnn Smith.</p>
<p>Among experts, a clear consensus has emerged on what it takes to build a skilled faculty. First, professional development should be part of a long-term, schoolwide plan focused on specific goals for improving student achievement. Second, teachers need sustained learning in both content knowledge and teaching strategies. Third, as teachers hone their skills, they need both coaching in the classroom and time to discuss instruction with their peers.</p>
<p>Teachers and experts alike denounce what traditionally has passed for staff development—districtwide inservice days where teachers sit for hours listening to experts lecture on topics chosen by district bureaucrats.</p>
<p>“If you wanted to evaluate the quality of staff development nationwide, you would find it was one of the most poorly done activities,” says Margaret Harrigan, a former Chicago principal, district superintendent and human resources director who is now on the faculty at the DePaul University School of Education. “Somebody decides [that teachers] need to be fixed, and so they arrange for a fix. And it isn’t meaningful.”</p>
<p>Staff development tends to be most meaningful when organized with teacher input by schools themselves, with districts playing a guiding and supporting role, experts say.</p>
<p>In Chicago, reform helped shift professional development efforts to the school level. Prior to 1988, subdistricts controlled staff development money. While some distributed those funds directly to schools, most subjected teachers to workshops of the traditional sort.</p>
<p>The 1997 Consortium survey found that teachers now receive most staff development through their schools rather than from courses organized by central office, universities or the Chicago Teachers Union. Most teachers surveyed gave high marks to their staff development experiences; however, a third said they did not address the needs of their students. Harrigan believes many principals still fail to seek teacher input.</p>
<p>The professional development that teachers pursue on their own also may fail to address their students’ needs. As a rule, school districts give pay increases for coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree but set few restrictions on the kinds of courses that qualify. In Chicago, only courses in medicine, law and religion are off-limits; virtually anything else may count toward so-called lane credit. An 8th-grade science teacher, for instance, could move up a pay lane with graduate courses in fine arts or business—provided they were offered through an accredited institution.</p>
<p>Classroom teachers earn degrees in counseling and administration far more often than they do in English, history, math or science, according to Harrigan. “Very few teachers take courses in the subject areas in which they are teaching,” she says.</p>
<p>About half of Chicago’s some 27,000 teachers have earned raises based on additional study. This school year, those lane credits will cost at least $47 million in salaries alone, according to a CATALYST analysis of School Board data.</p>
<p>Even when teachers do take courses related to classroom teaching, they may not receive the necessary support at their schools to adopt new practices. For example, one 1st-grade teacher at a South Side school earned a master’s degree that focused on “cooperative learning,” a teaching strategy that can boost student achievement. Back in the classroom, she couldn’t figure out how to keep kids from copying each other’s work, and there was no one around to help her. Now, her students again sit in rows and work alone.</p>
<p>No one is suggesting that teachers should stop doing graduate work, says Barry Bull, a researcher at the Indiana Education Policy Center at Indiana University at Bloomington. “But that kind of individual improvement doesn’t add up to school improvement,” he says. “It’s simply too fragmented.”</p>
<p>Instead, professional development choices should be tailored to priorities for raising student achievement at a particular school. A school team should then draw up a long-term plan for what teachers need to learn in order to move students ahead.</p>
<p>Pursuing professional development as a team also can boost teachers’ camaraderie and commitment to reaching common goals, Bull believes. The team approach makes it easier for teachers to help each other, too. With long-term planning, teachers can be assured sufficient time for mastering new strategies. And a focused plan keeps a school from taking on too many improvements at once.</p>
<p>Typically, school reforms are driven by fads rather than long-term plans, and schools hop from program to program in search of a quick fix for low achievement. As a result, teachers may grow cynical and reluctant to try new ideas.</p>
<p>“Teachers have been trained very well to hold their noses, close their eyes, shut their doors and wait until ‘this too has passed,'” says Judith Rényi, executive director of the National Foundation for the Improvement of Education at the National Education Association. “If teachers are going to go to the trouble of learning something new, they have to know it’s going to stay around.”</p>
<p>TAMS Executive Director Lourdes Monteagudo has found that schools making the best gains with the program are the ones that concentrated all their efforts on it. “The worst schools are the ones that have 20 things going on, and they can’t focus on any of them,” she notes.</p>
<p>At Brentano, focusing on TAMS meant dropping lots of smaller math programs that a number of universities were piloting at the school. “With so many programs running simultaneously, it was hard to measure which programs were helping students’ achievement and which weren’t,” notes Principal Reyes.</p>
<p>Selecting a single professional development program for math and science put everyone on the same page, he says. “It made it easier for teachers to collaborate, it made it easier for me to supervise the programs, and it made it easier for the students–[giving them] more continuity from grade to grade.”</p>
<p>A 1995 Consortium survey found half of Chicago’s elementary teachers felt that programs at their schools were at least somewhat uncoordinated; 43 percent reported so many programs they couldn’t keep track of them. Almost half said programs tend to come and go.</p>
<p>Typically, professional development programs are judged by “the happiness quotient,” or how well teachers enjoyed them. Experts say a school instead should use hard data such as standardized test scores, attendance rates and samples of student work. If professional development is not leading to increased student learning, a school needs to determine why and revise its long-term plan accordingly.</p>
<p>Some professional development programs do produce better results than others. Many educators have found that general teaching strategies, such as how to reach children with different “learning styles,” tend to be less effective than those that address a specific content area at a specific grade level. In addition, most teachers need more study in content areas, experts say.</p>
<p>To win certification in Illinois, elementary teachers are required to take only six semester hours of math and 12 of science; they often choose the watered-down courses aimed at education majors. In the primary area of reading, only two semester hours are required.</p>
<p>Through TAMS, Brentano teachers took 60 hours of courses that covered scientific concepts such as ecosystems, adaptation, mass and weight. Sixth-grade teacher Marianne Shimkus says she’s now able to teach some of these concepts in greater depth. “It makes us more confident,” she says of the TAMS training. “One thing about students—they know if you don’t know. And nobody can put you on the spot like an 11-year-old.”</p>
<p>TAMS instructors also covered the nitty-gritty details of instruction, such as how to ensure that each student masters a particular skill. For example, the first time 2nd-graders measure objects in the science lab, they generally come up with the wrong numbers. Before TAMS, says lab teacher Raquel Gonzalez, “I would have said, ‘That’s not how you do it.’ I would have done it myself and left it at that.” Now she has her students repeat the experiment and coaches each pair.</p>
<p>Gonzalez says her undergraduate education classes tended to overlook the practical details. For instance, she learned to design science units that would “wow” her students but not how to teach them to a class of 30. “I have units from school that are just sitting there because I don’t know how to get them together,” she says.</p>
<p>Undergraduate education courses have long been criticized as more theoretical than practical. In response, many Chicago colleges of education have upgraded their programs to include more classroom skills and more hours of student teaching. But even a solid undergraduate program doesn’t eliminate the need for ongoing teacher learning, experts say.</p>
<p>As with most undergraduate programs, there isn’t enough time in initial teacher education to cover all that a professional needs to know, let alone ensure that they can expertly apply what they learn in any given environment. Further, research continues to produce new knowledge about teaching and learning. “What’s competence today won’t be competence five years from now,” says Dennis Sparks, executive director of the National Staff Development Council.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for schools, researchers are not of one mind in many areas; their disagreements are especially intense in the area of early reading instruction. Some experts argue in favor of packaged programs that produce replicable results in many schools and classrooms; others encourage teachers to innovate in response to individual children’s needs.</p>
<p>Harvey “Smokey” Daniels of National-Louis University favors innovation. The goal of professional development, he says, is to produce “a powerful, unique, idiosyncratic professional.” Through the university’s Center for City Schools, teachers try out strategies they can incorporate into their own classroom programs. For example, teachers participate in literature circles, or small-group discussions of a book selected for independent reading.</p>
<p>Daniels finds that the vast majority of teachers are capable of designing learning activities tailored to the needs and interests of their students. Packaged programs should be the refuge only of “the least competent and least committed,” he says.</p>
<p>Advocates of packaged programs argue that teachers cannot possibly craft instructional materials and teaching strategies with the same attention to detail as can a team of researchers. “When would they have time to teach?” asks Marsha Berger, deputy director of the Educational Issues Department at the American Federation of Teachers. She notes that Direct Instruction and Success for All, two elementary school reading programs AFT supports, have been tested and refined for more than a decade.</p>
<p>Professional development centered on learning “the tried and true” leaves teachers more time to collaborate on materials for enriching the core program and to discuss individual students, she says.</p>
<p>Schools that opt for packaged programs can move more quickly, according to an ongoing study by RAND Corp., a research organization based in Santa Monica, Calif. RAND is studying implementation of seven school reform designs sponsored by New American Schools, a non-profit group based in Arlington, Va.</p>
<p>Schools can successfully implement packaged programs within a year, RAND found; other programs “unfold at a slower rate,” says RAND’s Susan Bodilly. “Teachers need more time, not only to learn new ideas but to come up with practices.” The study hasn’t yet determined which reform models lead to the greatest gains in student achievement.</p>
<p>Regardless of what approach a school chooses, teachers need support. Research has shown that teachers are much more likely to pursue new teaching strategies when they have shared planning time and classroom coaching. Without these two supports, one study found, fewer than 10 percent of teachers put strategies learned in professional development into classroom use.</p>
<p>By and large, Chicago teachers lack the support they need to improve instruction. The 1995 Consortium survey found only 55 percent of Chicago teachers work with colleagues to design instruction. The 1997 survey found 68 percent of teachers get meaningful feedback from a colleague less than once a month; 25 percent reported they had never visited a colleague’s classroom.</p>
<p>Brentano teachers rarely spent time collaborating until TAMS helped the school rearrange its schedule. Now teachers at each grade level have a common prep period once a week while their students go to gym or other “specials.” Planning together helps ensure that everyone covers all the skills and concepts for their grade level; it also has improved relations among teachers. “Everyone gets along a little better,” says 6th-grade teacher Marianne Shimkus. “There’s more sharing of ideas.”</p>
<p>A TAMS consultant also has spent time in each teacher’s classroom, first modeling lessons, then co-teaching, and now observing and providing feedback. Coaching is an expensive support—roughly 25 percent of the program’s cost—but a crucial one.</p>
<p>“You can take teachers and give them all the workshops you want,” says Gonzalez. “But if you don’t come back to the school and help them out with it, and show them how to do it, it’s not going to work,” she insists. At her previous elementary school, professional development programs often went by the wayside. “Some won’t try [new techniques] because they’re afraid. Some want to go with the old way because that’s what they feel comfortable with.”</p>
<p>Coaching “makes a world of difference,” says Gonzalez. “She shows them, ‘Hey, this is simple,’ and models it, so then they’re not afraid anymore.”</p>
<p>To be successful, even the best-designed staff development program needs fertile soil. In the Consortium’s view, the key element is trust among the adults who work in a school.</p>
<p>The 1995 Consortium study found that trust correlated with a school’s test score gains more strongly than did any other factor, including a school’s poverty level, parents’ education or how low test scores were at the beginning of reform.</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, the study found that distrust undermined professional development efforts. Teachers who reported low levels of trust were far less likely to learn new teaching methods or to seek constructive criticism from colleagues, the study found.</p>
<p>Schools with a history of low student achievement, ineffective leadership and failed reforms tend to have the lowest levels of trust, says Consortium Director Anthony Bryk. But he adds that some low-achieving schools that have developed high levels of trust.</p>
<p>What usually makes the difference, he says, is a new principal with a new vision who makes the effort to “counsel out” low-performing teachers and attract motivated ones.</p>
<p>Building a professional community, like any significant change, takes time and perseverance; there are no short-term solutions, says Bryk. “To really build social trust, people have to [join] together around work they feel is important and eventually achieve some success at.”</p>
<p>* Excludes counselors, coordinators and other non-classroom teachers.</p>
<p>Source: Various Chicago school officials</p>
<p>Chicago teacher salaries</p>
<p>Average, 96-97: $45,508</p>
<p>Base salary ranges, 42-week year:</p>
<p>Bachelor’s degree $30,600-$48,000 12,268 teachers</p>
<p>Master’s degree $32,700-$50,200 5,898 teachers</p>
<p>Master’s plus 15 semester hours $33,700-$51,200 2,107 teachers</p>
<p>Master’s plus 30 semester hours $34,800-$52,300 1,650 teachers</p>
<p>Master’s plus 45 semester hours $35,900-$53,300 3,612 teachers</p>
<p>Doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) $36,900-$54,400 285 teachers</p>
<p>Note: Within each so-called lane, salaries depend on the number of years a teacher has worked. Teachers with at least 12 years of experience get the maximum in each lane.</p>
<p>Source: Chicago Public Schools</p> | false | 3 | bob love retired chicago bulls star stands chuckling stage brentano math science academy logan square chain plastic links stretched across exceptional armspan 3rdgrade boy calmly holds one end 2ndgrade girl strains tiptoes hold going measure mr loves armspan height lab teacher raquel gonzalez announces auditorium packed primary students need everybody count gonzalez points link kids count aloud gasp goes total sixty whoa loves height turns nearly impressivea whopping 59 links loves visit brentano grand finale schoolwide science project aimed learning scientific concept human body mathematically proportioned project students also learned scientific process predicted outcomes experiment accurately measured partners armspan height communicated findings graph years ago math science brentano fun according principal reynes reyes teachers lectured students answered textbook questions brentano brought teachers academy mathematics science tams local nonprofit agency teachers began replacing lectures handson activities tams teachers got indepth courses coaching classroom time collaboratethe kind professional development experts advocate improve teaching nationwide tams cost brentano substantial time money 25000 training another 25000 materials payoff says reyes less impressive betterskilled teachers enthusiastic students substantial gains scores standardized math science tests nationally growing recognition professional development essential element school improvement since early 1980s country sunk millions dollars creating higher standards students tests measure student learning new classroom technology money assuring teachers skills use according terry dozier secretarys special advisor teaching us department education people beginning realize dont focus teachers knowledge skills improvements going buy us little says locally story much break inertia gripped chicagos public schools 1988 reform act shifted power central office local school councils schools leapt improve teacher training grappled instead obvious needs organizing council meetings improving school safety observers note sharpened focus staff development spurred either national attention issue new foundation dollars threat probationdepending ask need better staff development appears acute 1992 survey conducted independent consortium chicago school research found third elementary school principals believe half fewer teachers schools good grasp language arts instruction includes reading writing even principals cited teacher deficiencies math social studies science meanwhile 1997 consortium survey teachers suggests spend great deal time professional development doesnt amount much one many schools seem sampling smorgasbord programs coherent plan little time devoted one topic think us schools clear staff working hard efforts arent adding real change improvement says consortium study director betsann smith among experts clear consensus emerged takes build skilled faculty first professional development part longterm schoolwide plan focused specific goals improving student achievement second teachers need sustained learning content knowledge teaching strategies third teachers hone skills need coaching classroom time discuss instruction peers teachers experts alike denounce traditionally passed staff developmentdistrictwide inservice days teachers sit hours listening experts lecture topics chosen district bureaucrats wanted evaluate quality staff development nationwide would find one poorly done activities says margaret harrigan former chicago principal district superintendent human resources director faculty depaul university school education somebody decides teachers need fixed arrange fix isnt meaningful staff development tends meaningful organized teacher input schools districts playing guiding supporting role experts say chicago reform helped shift professional development efforts school level prior 1988 subdistricts controlled staff development money distributed funds directly schools subjected teachers workshops traditional sort 1997 consortium survey found teachers receive staff development schools rather courses organized central office universities chicago teachers union teachers surveyed gave high marks staff development experiences however third said address needs students harrigan believes many principals still fail seek teacher input professional development teachers pursue also may fail address students needs rule school districts give pay increases coursework beyond bachelors degree set restrictions kinds courses qualify chicago courses medicine law religion offlimits virtually anything else may count toward socalled lane credit 8thgrade science teacher instance could move pay lane graduate courses fine arts businessprovided offered accredited institution classroom teachers earn degrees counseling administration far often english history math science according harrigan teachers take courses subject areas teaching says half chicagos 27000 teachers earned raises based additional study school year lane credits cost least 47 million salaries alone according catalyst analysis school board data even teachers take courses related classroom teaching may receive necessary support schools adopt new practices example one 1stgrade teacher south side school earned masters degree focused cooperative learning teaching strategy boost student achievement back classroom couldnt figure keep kids copying others work one around help students sit rows work alone one suggesting teachers stop graduate work says barry bull researcher indiana education policy center indiana university bloomington kind individual improvement doesnt add school improvement says simply fragmented instead professional development choices tailored priorities raising student achievement particular school school team draw longterm plan teachers need learn order move students ahead pursuing professional development team also boost teachers camaraderie commitment reaching common goals bull believes team approach makes easier teachers help longterm planning teachers assured sufficient time mastering new strategies focused plan keeps school taking many improvements typically school reforms driven fads rather longterm plans schools hop program program search quick fix low achievement result teachers may grow cynical reluctant try new ideas teachers trained well hold noses close eyes shut doors wait passed says judith rényi executive director national foundation improvement education national education association teachers going go trouble learning something new know going stay around tams executive director lourdes monteagudo found schools making best gains program ones concentrated efforts worst schools ones 20 things going cant focus notes brentano focusing tams meant dropping lots smaller math programs number universities piloting school many programs running simultaneously hard measure programs helping students achievement werent notes principal reyes selecting single professional development program math science put everyone page says made easier teachers collaborate made easier supervise programs made easier studentsgiving continuity grade grade 1995 consortium survey found half chicagos elementary teachers felt programs schools least somewhat uncoordinated 43 percent reported many programs couldnt keep track almost half said programs tend come go typically professional development programs judged happiness quotient well teachers enjoyed experts say school instead use hard data standardized test scores attendance rates samples student work professional development leading increased student learning school needs determine revise longterm plan accordingly professional development programs produce better results others many educators found general teaching strategies reach children different learning styles tend less effective address specific content area specific grade level addition teachers need study content areas experts say win certification illinois elementary teachers required take six semester hours math 12 science often choose watereddown courses aimed education majors primary area reading two semester hours required tams brentano teachers took 60 hours courses covered scientific concepts ecosystems adaptation mass weight sixthgrade teacher marianne shimkus says shes able teach concepts greater depth makes us confident says tams training one thing studentsthey know dont know nobody put spot like 11yearold tams instructors also covered nittygritty details instruction ensure student masters particular skill example first time 2ndgraders measure objects science lab generally come wrong numbers tams says lab teacher raquel gonzalez would said thats would done left students repeat experiment coaches pair gonzalez says undergraduate education classes tended overlook practical details instance learned design science units would wow students teach class 30 units school sitting dont know get together says undergraduate education courses long criticized theoretical practical response many chicago colleges education upgraded programs include classroom skills hours student teaching even solid undergraduate program doesnt eliminate need ongoing teacher learning experts say undergraduate programs isnt enough time initial teacher education cover professional needs know let alone ensure expertly apply learn given environment research continues produce new knowledge teaching learning whats competence today wont competence five years says dennis sparks executive director national staff development council unfortunately schools researchers one mind many areas disagreements especially intense area early reading instruction experts argue favor packaged programs produce replicable results many schools classrooms others encourage teachers innovate response individual childrens needs harvey smokey daniels nationallouis university favors innovation goal professional development says produce powerful unique idiosyncratic professional universitys center city schools teachers try strategies incorporate classroom programs example teachers participate literature circles smallgroup discussions book selected independent reading daniels finds vast majority teachers capable designing learning activities tailored needs interests students packaged programs refuge least competent least committed says advocates packaged programs argue teachers possibly craft instructional materials teaching strategies attention detail team researchers would time teach asks marsha berger deputy director educational issues department american federation teachers notes direct instruction success two elementary school reading programs aft supports tested refined decade professional development centered learning tried true leaves teachers time collaborate materials enriching core program discuss individual students says schools opt packaged programs move quickly according ongoing study rand corp research organization based santa monica calif rand studying implementation seven school reform designs sponsored new american schools nonprofit group based arlington va schools successfully implement packaged programs within year rand found programs unfold slower rate says rands susan bodilly teachers need time learn new ideas come practices study hasnt yet determined reform models lead greatest gains student achievement regardless approach school chooses teachers need support research shown teachers much likely pursue new teaching strategies shared planning time classroom coaching without two supports one study found fewer 10 percent teachers put strategies learned professional development classroom use large chicago teachers lack support need improve instruction 1995 consortium survey found 55 percent chicago teachers work colleagues design instruction 1997 survey found 68 percent teachers get meaningful feedback colleague less month 25 percent reported never visited colleagues classroom brentano teachers rarely spent time collaborating tams helped school rearrange schedule teachers grade level common prep period week students go gym specials planning together helps ensure everyone covers skills concepts grade level also improved relations among teachers everyone gets along little better says 6thgrade teacher marianne shimkus theres sharing ideas tams consultant also spent time teachers classroom first modeling lessons coteaching observing providing feedback coaching expensive supportroughly 25 percent programs costbut crucial one take teachers give workshops want says gonzalez dont come back school help show going work insists previous elementary school professional development programs often went wayside wont try new techniques theyre afraid want go old way thats feel comfortable coaching makes world difference says gonzalez shows hey simple models theyre afraid anymore successful even bestdesigned staff development program needs fertile soil consortiums view key element trust among adults work school 1995 consortium study found trust correlated schools test score gains strongly factor including schools poverty level parents education low test scores beginning reform surprisingly study found distrust undermined professional development efforts teachers reported low levels trust far less likely learn new teaching methods seek constructive criticism colleagues study found schools history low student achievement ineffective leadership failed reforms tend lowest levels trust says consortium director anthony bryk adds lowachieving schools developed high levels trust usually makes difference says new principal new vision makes effort counsel lowperforming teachers attract motivated ones building professional community like significant change takes time perseverance shortterm solutions says bryk really build social trust people join together around work feel important eventually achieve success excludes counselors coordinators nonclassroom teachers source various chicago school officials chicago teacher salaries average 9697 45508 base salary ranges 42week year bachelors degree 3060048000 12268 teachers masters degree 3270050200 5898 teachers masters plus 15 semester hours 3370051200 2107 teachers masters plus 30 semester hours 3480052300 1650 teachers masters plus 45 semester hours 3590053300 3612 teachers doctorate phd edd 3690054400 285 teachers note within socalled lane salaries depend number years teacher worked teachers least 12 years experience get maximum lane source chicago public schools | 1,884 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Feb. 8, 2013</p>
<p>By Chriss Street</p>
<p>President Obama’s expected naming of Ernest J. Moniz as the next secretary of energy is good news for energy producers and consumers, especially those in California. It represents the recognition that oil and gas development is the only potential revenue source available for the administration to avoid the type of austerity spending cuts sweeping Europe.</p>
<p>Moniz’s expected nomination, if confirmed, also could boost energy production in California, generating new tax revenue that could ease the state’s budget problems.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2013/02/07/10-questions-and-answers-during-the-sequestration-waiting-period/?wpisrc=nl_politics" type="external">Moniz is a respected expert on electrical energy and currently serves as the director of MIT’s Energy Initiative</a>, a research group that is heavily funded by the oil and gas industry.&#160;The outgoing energy secretary, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raymond-j-learsy/energy-secretary-chu-resi_b_2614548.html" type="external">Steven Chu</a>, pushed hard for job-killing cap-and-trade legislation, and the prohibition of exploration on federal lands. And he wasted billions of dollars on sustainable energy boondoggles, such as the bankrupt <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solyndra" type="external">Solyndra</a>of Fremont, Calif. — a $535 million hit to taxpayers.&#160;Chu, a physicist at the University of California, Berkeley, failed to mention the Solyndra boondoggle in his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solyndra" type="external">farewell letter</a>.</p>
<p>With public employees panicking over <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/06/politics/cnn-explains-sequestration/index.html" type="external">sequestration spending cuts scheduled to begin in early March</a>, the Obama administration seems poised to triangulate away from its radical environmentalist friends to embrace oil and gas fracking in places like California’s massive Monterey Shale formation to protect union jobs.</p>
<p>The European PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain) have been forced by the International Monetary Fund, dominated by the United States, into austerity programs that raise taxes, slash crony spending and eliminate union featherbedding.&#160; But after four years of draconian austerity, the Greek Finance Ministry reported the tiny nation saw tax collections fall <a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-02-07/greek-tax-hikes-backfire-tax-revenues-plunge-16" type="external">15 percent over last year</a>.</p>
<p>It seems that, if you <a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-01-02/chart-day-europes-resolution-unpaid-bills-ignore-them" type="external">raise taxes, businesses deplete their cash reserves, curtail reinvestment and postpone payments to their own vendors</a>.&#160; Economists refer to this phenomenon as austerity’s self-reinforcing “cycle of pain.” &#160;As tax collection falls, governments raise tax rates further, perpetuating another cycle of pain.</p>
<p>The most recent <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/43907_Outlook_2012-2-5_Corrected.pdf" type="external">Congressional Budget Office’s projections</a> estimate the U.S. federal deficit will climb by $7 to $9 trillion over the next 10 years.&#160; If these deficits actually happened, the United States eventually would suffer a monumental debt crisis.&#160; But unlike tiny Greece, which can ask for aid from the IMF, there is no entity large enough that could or would bail out the United States.</p>
<p>To address America’s debt and spending crisis, Congress raised some taxes last month and set automatic <a href="http://defense.aol.com/2013/01/29/adm-bill-mcraven-socom-struggles-with-cr-sequester/" type="external">spending cuts, known as the sequestration</a>, that become effective next month.&#160; The pain is structured to be shared equally between the military and the welfare state with <a href="http://iq.govwin.com/corp/forms/form.cfm?promoid=3898&amp;sourceid=21&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=SequestrationReport&amp;cmp=cpc_google_SequestrationReport&amp;gclid=CLjB0afppLUCFY6PPAod7G4AYA" type="external">9.7 percent cut in defense, 7.3 percent in non-defense and 2 percent for Medicare spending</a>.</p>
<p>Anticipating coming crunch, government spending fell at an annual 6.6 percent rate in the last quarter of 2012, driven by a 22.2 percent decline in defense spending.&#160; This subtracted 1.33 percentage points from the economy.&#160; Vendors to government cut their rate of inventory accumulation, slashing another 1.27 percentage points of GDP. &#160;The <a href="http://www.cepr.net/index.php/data-bytes/gdp-bytes/government-spending-and-inventories-push-graowth-negative" type="external">combination of these factors slowed the economy by at a 2.5 percent annual rate</a>, a small economic contraction.</p>
<p>President Obama is getting lots of grief from public sector unions <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama-to-propose-spending-cuts-tax-changes-to-delay-sequester/2013/02/05/b8fa7aec-6faa-11e2-8b8d-e0b59a1b8e2a_story.html" type="external">regarding the potential size of the sequester layoffs.</a> &#160;Under the Executive Branch of the federal government, he controls <a href="http://www.fedscope.opm.gov/index.asp" type="external">1,942,528 “permanent employees” and 167,675 “temporary employees</a>.” The U.S. Postal Service is off-budget as self-funding, but it now is dumping&#160; <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-07/u-s-post-office-plans-to-stop-saturday-mail-deliveries.html" type="external">Saturday services</a>.</p>
<p>Unions could decide to share the sequestration pain to save jobs. But the <a href="http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/supplemental-guidance-administrative-furloughs.pdf" type="external">Office of Personnel Management guidance</a> calculates all federal employees then would be forced to take a 22 days of unpaid furlough a year to meet sequestration cuts.</p>
<p>The&#160; <a href="http://defense.aol.com/2013/02/05/army-sequester-cr-mean-78-of-brigades-must-skip-training/" type="external">U.S. Army estimates that 78 percent of its combat brigades will be forced to skip training due to sequester</a>.&#160; <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/deficits-will-fall-to-less-than-1-trillion-in-2013-cbo-reports/2013/02/05/ec964f76-6fbd-11e2-8b8d-e0b59a1b8e2a_story.html" type="external">Director Douglas Elmendorf of the bi-partisan Congressional Budget Office</a>&#160;recently warned that too high spending cuts <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/katrina-vanden-heuvel-grand-bargain-is-the-wrong-solution/2012/11/13/6e408e74-2d15-11e2-a99d-5c4203af7b7a_story.html" type="external">will undermine the already weak economic recovery</a>.</p>
<p>Steven Chu was the tip of Obama’s spear to push “public investment” schemes in wind and solar energy, while fighting against fracking and other new petroleum drilling innovations.&#160; When Chu was appointed four years ago, crude oil’s price hovered around <a href="http://www.fedprimerate.com/crude-oil-price-history.htm" type="external">$37 to $40 per barrel</a>. Today it sits at around $95.&#160; With the shale boom driving huge tax collections for certain states, federal unions looking to get in on the gravy train helped push Chu out.</p>
<p>Moniz looks to be the ideal choice as Secretary of Energy.&#160; He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as undersecretary of energy during the Clinton Administration and his academic credentials at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are stellar. &#160;He strongly advocates that <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/07/us-usa-cabinet-energy-idUSBRE91602H20130207" type="external">developing low-cost natural gas for electricity is a “bridge fuel” to lower carbon pollution</a>.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://physicstoday.org/journals/doc/PHTOAD-ft/vol_55/iss_4/40_1.shtml?bypassSSO=1" type="external">Meeting Energy Challenges: Technology and Policy</a>, Moniz wrote:</p>
<p>“Adequate electricity supplies are central to economic growth and quality of life….&#160;In the industrialized world, capacity needs to be increased in a manner consistent with the strict reliability requirements of the digital economy. In addition, outdated infrastructures need to be modernized, and suitable mechanisms for market deregulation need to be developed.</p>
<p>America is on the cusp of an energy independence that will drive prices down and spur a new manufacturing boom.&#160; Obama may be appointing a pro-energy secretary of energy to drive tax revenue up to save public sector union jobs, including those in California.</p>
<p>CHRISS STREET &amp; PAUL PRESTON</p>
<p>Present&#160;“The American Exceptionalism Radio Talk Show” Streaming Live Monday through Friday at 7-10 PM Click here to listen:&#160; <a href="http://www.mysytv.net/kmyclive.html" type="external">http://www.mysytv.net/kmyclive.html</a> Go to their Websites:&#160; <a href="http://www.aexnn.com/" type="external">www.aexnn.com</a>&#160;and <a href="http://www.agenda21radio.com/" type="external">www.agenda21radio.com</a></p> | false | 3 | feb 8 2013 chriss street president obamas expected naming ernest j moniz next secretary energy good news energy producers consumers especially california represents recognition oil gas development potential revenue source available administration avoid type austerity spending cuts sweeping europe monizs expected nomination confirmed also could boost energy production california generating new tax revenue could ease states budget problems moniz respected expert electrical energy currently serves director mits energy initiative research group heavily funded oil gas industry160the outgoing energy secretary steven chu pushed hard jobkilling capandtrade legislation prohibition exploration federal lands wasted billions dollars sustainable energy boondoggles bankrupt solyndraof fremont calif 535 million hit taxpayers160chu physicist university california berkeley failed mention solyndra boondoggle farewell letter public employees panicking sequestration spending cuts scheduled begin early march obama administration seems poised triangulate away radical environmentalist friends embrace oil gas fracking places like californias massive monterey shale formation protect union jobs european piigs portugal ireland italy greece spain forced international monetary fund dominated united states austerity programs raise taxes slash crony spending eliminate union featherbedding160 four years draconian austerity greek finance ministry reported tiny nation saw tax collections fall 15 percent last year seems raise taxes businesses deplete cash reserves curtail reinvestment postpone payments vendors160 economists refer phenomenon austeritys selfreinforcing cycle pain 160as tax collection falls governments raise tax rates perpetuating another cycle pain recent congressional budget offices projections estimate us federal deficit climb 7 9 trillion next 10 years160 deficits actually happened united states eventually would suffer monumental debt crisis160 unlike tiny greece ask aid imf entity large enough could would bail united states address americas debt spending crisis congress raised taxes last month set automatic spending cuts known sequestration become effective next month160 pain structured shared equally military welfare state 97 percent cut defense 73 percent nondefense 2 percent medicare spending anticipating coming crunch government spending fell annual 66 percent rate last quarter 2012 driven 222 percent decline defense spending160 subtracted 133 percentage points economy160 vendors government cut rate inventory accumulation slashing another 127 percentage points gdp 160the combination factors slowed economy 25 percent annual rate small economic contraction president obama getting lots grief public sector unions regarding potential size sequester layoffs 160under executive branch federal government controls 1942528 permanent employees 167675 temporary employees us postal service offbudget selffunding dumping160 saturday services unions could decide share sequestration pain save jobs office personnel management guidance calculates federal employees would forced take 22 days unpaid furlough year meet sequestration cuts the160 us army estimates 78 percent combat brigades forced skip training due sequester160 director douglas elmendorf bipartisan congressional budget office160recently warned high spending cuts undermine already weak economic recovery steven chu tip obamas spear push public investment schemes wind solar energy fighting fracking new petroleum drilling innovations160 chu appointed four years ago crude oils price hovered around 37 40 per barrel today sits around 95160 shale boom driving huge tax collections certain states federal unions looking get gravy train helped push chu moniz looks ideal choice secretary energy160 confirmed us senate undersecretary energy clinton administration academic credentials massachusetts institute technology stellar 160he strongly advocates developing lowcost natural gas electricity bridge fuel lower carbon pollution meeting energy challenges technology policy moniz wrote adequate electricity supplies central economic growth quality life160in industrialized world capacity needs increased manner consistent strict reliability requirements digital economy addition outdated infrastructures need modernized suitable mechanisms market deregulation need developed america cusp energy independence drive prices spur new manufacturing boom160 obama may appointing proenergy secretary energy drive tax revenue save public sector union jobs including california chriss street amp paul preston present160the american exceptionalism radio talk show streaming live monday friday 710 pm click listen160 httpwwwmysytvnetkmyclivehtml go websites160 wwwaexnncom160and wwwagenda21radiocom | 608 |
<p>ERBIL, Iraq — The Iraqi government declared a “magnificent victory” in Tikrit on Wednesday as it forced Islamic State militants from the city. Ten months after it was overrun, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was pictured walking through the streets in celebration,&#160;an Iraqi flag in hand.</p>
<p>But there was a familiar and troubling footnote to the victory, one which bodes ill for the government’s attempt to wrest control of central and western Iraq from the militant group.</p>
<p>Since it began its campaign to recapture areas taken by the Islamic State, a question that has been continually asked of the central government is whether it can win back Sunni cities without further deepening the sectarian resentment that allowed the militant group to capture those areas in the first place.</p>
<p>When the Islamic State swept through much of Anbar province in June, the Iraqi army melted away without much of a fight. For many Sunnis living in those areas, the extremist Islamic State represented less of a threat to their security and well-being than the authoritarian and sectarian government of Nouri al-Maliki, who many saw as representing Shia interests above all else. A brutal crackdown on a Sunni protest camp in Anbar in December 2013 is <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/07/opinion/iraq-anbar-crisis-lister/" type="external">pointed to by many</a> as a key turning point in the Islamic State’s rise in Iraq.</p>
<p>Now, under Prime Minister Abadi, the Iraqi army is engaged in a campaign to retake those areas. Despite efforts by Abadi to reign in the militias and present the government as less sectarian, the army’s weakness has forced it to rely heavily on Shia militias to do so.</p>
<p>The fight to take Tikrit was no different. Fighters from the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Committees played a key role in recapturing the city, taking a back seat only briefly from the month-long battle when the US launched airstrikes to help the Iraqi army’s advance.</p>
<p>What came after the battle, forewarned though it may have been, suggests Abadi’s task will be an uphill struggle.</p>
<p>Bloody revenge</p>
<p>In a similar scene to that which played out in a number of smaller towns already recaptured, a detailed <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/03/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-tikrit-special-re-idUSKBN0MU1DP20150403" type="external">report from Reuters</a> describes&#160;chaos in Tikrit, as the Shia militias who helped to retake the city quickly sought revenge.</p>
<p>Witnesses in the city told the news agency that militiamen burned dozens of homes and looted shops and local businesses. Reuters reporters describe witnessing the beheading of a suspected Islamic State fighter who had been captured.</p>
<p>“Near the charred, bullet-scarred government headquarters, two federal policemen flanked a suspected Islamic State fighter. Urged on by a furious mob, the two officers took out knives and repeatedly stabbed the man in the neck and slit his throat.”</p>
<p>A report in the <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/chaos-charges-of-abuses-follow-retaking-of-tikrit-1428102549?cb=logged0.914936730870977" type="external">Wall Street Journal</a> painted a similar picture. Ahmed Al Krayam, head of Salahaddin provincial council, told the newspaper: “Tikrit is under chaos and things are out of control. The police force and officials there are helpless to stop the militias.”</p>
<p>Many saw it coming. Militias had said the battle for Tikrit would <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/02/fears-of-renewed-atrocities-in-iraqs-sunni-triangle" type="external">serve as revenge</a> for the massacre of 700 mostly Shia soldiers at Camp Speicher in June last year.</p>
<p>The aftermath of the battle in Tikrit mirrors similar events in other cities retaken by the Iraqi army and Shia militias.</p>
<p>A Human Rights Watch report dated March 4, just as the fighting in Tikrit began, said it had “documented repeated abuses against civilians in areas that Iraqi security forces and militias have retaken from ISIS [Islamic State]&#160;since it took control of the northern city of Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, last June.”</p>
<p>The report, calling on the government to work to prevent similar atrocities in Tikrit, said crimes carried out by the militias “include <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/11/iraq-campaign-mass-murders-sunni-prisoners" type="external">mass killings</a> of prisoners and what appears to have been sectarian <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/31/iraq-pro-government-militias-trail-death" type="external">retaliation</a> against Sunni civilians. Human Rights Watch also documented militias’ alleged <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/02/15/iraq-militias-escalate-abuses-possibly-war-crimes" type="external">war crimes</a> against civilians in Diyala province after battles against ISIS in the area.”</p>
<p>GlobalPost’s <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/141016/think-the-islamic-state-bad-check-out-the-good-guys" type="external">own reporting</a> has documented atrocities carried out by Shia militias.</p>
<p>The bigger battle ahead</p>
<p>So what does this mean for the battle against the Islamic State? While Tikrit surely counts as a significant military victory for the government, a much larger battle looms on the horizon.</p>
<p>With a population of more than one million people, Mosul is the largest city under Islamic State control. According to Hassan Hassan, analyst and author of ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror, the events in Tikrit will have a direct impact on the government’s ability to retake it.</p>
<p>“This kind of thing helps ISIS a lot,” he told GlobalPost. “People in Mosul will see the events in Tikrit and say: ‘this is what will happen to us — a lot of looting, lynching.’”</p>
<p>For many Iraqi Sunnis living under Islamic State control, the group represents the lesser of two evils.</p>
<p>“This is something the Americans don’t understand. Before ISIS controlled Mosul and these [other Sunni areas], people saw Iraqi security forces as corrupt, weak and smothering. Checkpoints were everywhere. They felt they couldn’t walk freely in their city.”</p>
<p>“When ISIS took over, it dismantled checkpoints and allowed local forces to have some control. Even its own fighters were not heavily visible.”</p>
<p>Continued atrocities by Shia forces against Sunnis not only reinforces people’s belief that the government has not shed its sectarian nature, but stop people rising up against the Islamic State, Hassan said. &#160;</p>
<p>“People see ISIS as a menace. They don’t like it’s brutality and so on. But they see the alternative as worse.”</p> | false | 3 | erbil iraq iraqi government declared magnificent victory tikrit wednesday forced islamic state militants city ten months overrun prime minister haider alabadi pictured walking streets celebration160an iraqi flag hand familiar troubling footnote victory one bodes ill governments attempt wrest control central western iraq militant group since began campaign recapture areas taken islamic state question continually asked central government whether win back sunni cities without deepening sectarian resentment allowed militant group capture areas first place islamic state swept much anbar province june iraqi army melted away without much fight many sunnis living areas extremist islamic state represented less threat security wellbeing authoritarian sectarian government nouri almaliki many saw representing shia interests else brutal crackdown sunni protest camp anbar december 2013 pointed many key turning point islamic states rise iraq prime minister abadi iraqi army engaged campaign retake areas despite efforts abadi reign militias present government less sectarian armys weakness forced rely heavily shia militias fight take tikrit different fighters iranbacked popular mobilization committees played key role recapturing city taking back seat briefly monthlong battle us launched airstrikes help iraqi armys advance came battle forewarned though may suggests abadis task uphill struggle bloody revenge similar scene played number smaller towns already recaptured detailed report reuters describes160chaos tikrit shia militias helped retake city quickly sought revenge witnesses city told news agency militiamen burned dozens homes looted shops local businesses reuters reporters describe witnessing beheading suspected islamic state fighter captured near charred bulletscarred government headquarters two federal policemen flanked suspected islamic state fighter urged furious mob two officers took knives repeatedly stabbed man neck slit throat report wall street journal painted similar picture ahmed al krayam head salahaddin provincial council told newspaper tikrit chaos things control police force officials helpless stop militias many saw coming militias said battle tikrit would serve revenge massacre 700 mostly shia soldiers camp speicher june last year aftermath battle tikrit mirrors similar events cities retaken iraqi army shia militias human rights watch report dated march 4 fighting tikrit began said documented repeated abuses civilians areas iraqi security forces militias retaken isis islamic state160since took control northern city mosul iraqs second largest city last june report calling government work prevent similar atrocities tikrit said crimes carried militias include mass killings prisoners appears sectarian retaliation sunni civilians human rights watch also documented militias alleged war crimes civilians diyala province battles isis area globalposts reporting documented atrocities carried shia militias bigger battle ahead mean battle islamic state tikrit surely counts significant military victory government much larger battle looms horizon population one million people mosul largest city islamic state control according hassan hassan analyst author isis inside army terror events tikrit direct impact governments ability retake kind thing helps isis lot told globalpost people mosul see events tikrit say happen us lot looting lynching many iraqi sunnis living islamic state control group represents lesser two evils something americans dont understand isis controlled mosul sunni areas people saw iraqi security forces corrupt weak smothering checkpoints everywhere felt couldnt walk freely city isis took dismantled checkpoints allowed local forces control even fighters heavily visible continued atrocities shia forces sunnis reinforces peoples belief government shed sectarian nature stop people rising islamic state hassan said 160 people see isis menace dont like brutality see alternative worse | 538 |
<p>LAGOS, Nigeria — Remember that Nigerian prince who contacted you a few months back, saying he’d pay you to help transfer his inheritance to the United States?</p>
<p>All he needed was your bank account details, and you’d be well on the way to riches — or at least on the way to seeing your riches siphoned off to an enterprising Nigerian.</p>
<p>Chances are that email was sent from a console somewhere in Festac Town, a quiet, ramshackle suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. Here, a cluster of net cafes are rumored in Lagos’ press to be some of the last holdouts against a Nigerian federal crackdown on the country’s email scammers.</p>
<p>In the last two years, the Electronic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria has been putting scammers in jail. The commission has invited journalists on a successful <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OovpwuL388" type="external">high-profile operation</a> to apprehend a scamming ring and has helped foil <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7353003.stm" type="external">Nigerian-led groups</a> that ran multimillion-dollar <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6982375.stm" type="external">fraud schemes</a>. In a 2007 report, the EFCC said it handled more than 18,000 advanced-fee fraud cases, a six-fold increase in just four years.</p>
<p>Now, even the net cafes in Festac are feeling the heat.</p>
<p />
<p>Festac Town was once a posh, park-lined suburb of low apartment buildings that the Nigerian government built in 1977, during the country’s first oil boom, to house participants in the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture. The festival drew tens of thousands from around the world, and Festac remained an upscale, desirable neighborhood until the 1980s.</p>
<p>But in the 1980s and 1990s, Festac deteriorated, and its wealthier residents left for newer neighborhoods. Soon it was flooded with educated, jobless youths hanging on to the bottom edge of Lagos’s middle class. These young people now populate the internet cafes. Like Festac Town’s apartment buildings, they were made for a future of far more promise.</p>
<p>One cafe, Steadylink Communication, is a dimly lit, third-floor place with unfinished plywood cubicles. Signs on the walls warn that the EFCC is watching. Some customers look rankled by the presence of a foreigner with a notepad.</p>
<p>But while the EFCC efforts may be making people jumpy, they haven’t stopped the scammers. The Internet Crime and Complaint Center (IC3), a U.S. federal body that tracks crime on the web, actually reported an increase last year in the percentage of internet crimes in the United States perpetrated by Nigerians. For years, the IC3 has <a href="http://www.ic3.gov/media/annualreports.aspx" type="external">ranked Nigeria</a> as the No. 3 source of internet crimes in the world, behind the United States and the United Kingdom. But internet penetration in Nigeria <a href="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/at_glance/af_ictindicators_2007.html" type="external">is less than 7 percent</a>. That means Nigerian scammers are particularly prolific.</p>
<p>Cons prey not only on victims’ naivete but also their greed — common scams include a request to facilitate a bank transfer of ill-gotten money. With a global pool to fish from, scammers only need a tiny percentage of people to take the bait.</p>
<p>The EFCC may not have stopped these scams, but the campaign has made a strong impression on cafe owners. Prince Kenneth Okonedo, the managing director of Steadylink, sounds like he’s answered questions about scams before.</p>
<p>Okonendo says that the telltale sign of a scammer at work is that a vast amount of similar, template text will pass through the cafe’s ISP — an indication of bulk spamming.</p>
<p>“If we catch someone doing illegal things on their computers, we kick them out,” he said. “If they come back, then we don’t serve them, because we know their face.”</p>
<p>“There is always someone stubborn,” he added with a smile. “If that happens, we can call troops to come and take them.” He said he has taken those measures a couple of times, though he can’t describe a specific instance.</p>
<p>Next door to Steadylink is the more upscale King’s Net Cafe. Natural light floods the room from three sides, there’s a pool table in one corner and an employee wearing a blue polo emblazoned with the cafe’s name serves soft drinks. The clientele — almost entirely young men — chat, surf and shoot eight ball.</p>
<p>Manager Ope Loye laughs sheepishly when asked if he knows the hit Nigerian rap tune <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jh8tCns-Bg" type="external">“Yahooze,”</a> in which singer Olu Maintain celebrates the high-rolling life of an email scammer. Loye says hardly anyone tries to scam at his cafe.</p>
<p>“Once they come in, we start monitoring, and if they are doing anything with cut and paste or anything like that, we ask them to leave.”</p>
<p>Still, it’s easy to imagine that some of the young men at the cafe might have a hard time resisting temptation. No matter how much the EFCC clamps down, the underlying causes of the scam epidemic remain. Nigeria boasts a huge pool of relatively well educated, jobless youth.</p>
<p>Ayo Olagunju, a software designer and financial analyst who grew up in Festac, would like to see government programs that help young scammers become legitimate entrepreneurs. He says internet crime is just as damaging to Nigeria as it is to naive foreign victims.</p>
<p>“I’m in the financial industry, and a deal I should just talk through over dinner, you have to word it and get lawyers to convince them you’re not fake,” he said. “It’s affecting people who are genuine.”</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches from Nigeria:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/nigeria/090417/surviving-lagos" type="external">Surviving Lagos Mega-city</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/nigeria/090414/nigeria-tries-settle-oil-protests" type="external">Nigeria tries to settle oil protests</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa-at-large/090402/nigeria-boasts-colorful-fashions" type="external">Nigeria boast colorful fashions</a></p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=nigeria&amp;sll=4.426961,-158.951295&amp;sspn=120.334417,205.3125&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;ll=9.102097,8.657227&amp;spn=15.144041,25.488281&amp;z=5" type="external">View Larger Map</a></p> | false | 3 | lagos nigeria remember nigerian prince contacted months back saying hed pay help transfer inheritance united states needed bank account details youd well way riches least way seeing riches siphoned enterprising nigerian chances email sent console somewhere festac town quiet ramshackle suburb lagos nigeria cluster net cafes rumored lagos press last holdouts nigerian federal crackdown countrys email scammers last two years electronic financial crimes commission efcc nigeria putting scammers jail commission invited journalists successful highprofile operation apprehend scamming ring helped foil nigerianled groups ran multimilliondollar fraud schemes 2007 report efcc said handled 18000 advancedfee fraud cases sixfold increase four years even net cafes festac feeling heat festac town posh parklined suburb low apartment buildings nigerian government built 1977 countrys first oil boom house participants second world black african festival arts culture festival drew tens thousands around world festac remained upscale desirable neighborhood 1980s 1980s 1990s festac deteriorated wealthier residents left newer neighborhoods soon flooded educated jobless youths hanging bottom edge lagoss middle class young people populate internet cafes like festac towns apartment buildings made future far promise one cafe steadylink communication dimly lit thirdfloor place unfinished plywood cubicles signs walls warn efcc watching customers look rankled presence foreigner notepad efcc efforts may making people jumpy havent stopped scammers internet crime complaint center ic3 us federal body tracks crime web actually reported increase last year percentage internet crimes united states perpetrated nigerians years ic3 ranked nigeria 3 source internet crimes world behind united states united kingdom internet penetration nigeria less 7 percent means nigerian scammers particularly prolific cons prey victims naivete also greed common scams include request facilitate bank transfer illgotten money global pool fish scammers need tiny percentage people take bait efcc may stopped scams campaign made strong impression cafe owners prince kenneth okonedo managing director steadylink sounds like hes answered questions scams okonendo says telltale sign scammer work vast amount similar template text pass cafes isp indication bulk spamming catch someone illegal things computers kick said come back dont serve know face always someone stubborn added smile happens call troops come take said taken measures couple times though cant describe specific instance next door steadylink upscale kings net cafe natural light floods room three sides theres pool table one corner employee wearing blue polo emblazoned cafes name serves soft drinks clientele almost entirely young men chat surf shoot eight ball manager ope loye laughs sheepishly asked knows hit nigerian rap tune yahooze singer olu maintain celebrates highrolling life email scammer loye says hardly anyone tries scam cafe come start monitoring anything cut paste anything like ask leave still easy imagine young men cafe might hard time resisting temptation matter much efcc clamps underlying causes scam epidemic remain nigeria boasts huge pool relatively well educated jobless youth ayo olagunju software designer financial analyst grew festac would like see government programs help young scammers become legitimate entrepreneurs says internet crime damaging nigeria naive foreign victims im financial industry deal talk dinner word get lawyers convince youre fake said affecting people genuine globalpost dispatches nigeria surviving lagos megacity nigeria tries settle oil protests nigeria boast colorful fashions view larger map | 517 |
<p>Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump officially introduced Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to the nation as his running mate on Saturday in Manhattan. Before Pence joined him on stage to accept the vice presidential nod, however, Trump delivered a nearly <a href="" type="internal">30-minute speech</a> touching on everything from the recent coup attempt in Turkey to likely general election rival Hillary Clinton to his success at vanquishing his Republican primary foes. Here's a look at how the speech handled a wide range of issues:</p>
<p>TRUMP SAID: Trump cited Indiana's manufacturing recovery as one reason for picking Pence. "I saw how NAFTA has drained our manufacturing jobs... NAFTA is the worst economic deal in the history of the country."</p>
<p>FACTS: According to the Washington Post, "economists have not reached any firm conclusion on the impact of NAFTA, but many think that claims of massive job losses are overstated." The <a href="https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42965.pdf" type="external">Congressional Research Service</a> backs that up, finding in 2015 that "the net overall effect of NAFTA on the U.S. economy appears to have been relatively modes." Meanwhile, Pence, while serving in Congress, <a href="https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedAndrew/status/754355117290295296/photo/1" type="external">was a strong supporter of NAFTA</a> and has also supported every other free trade deal in the last decade, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In a speech on the House floor in 2001, <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4610712/mike-pence-nafta" type="external">Pence specifically touted NAFTA</a>, saying, "Trade already benefits Indiana" by increasing agricultural exports from the state.</p>
<p>Verdict: Trump vastly overstates the number of jobs lost as a result of NAFTA, but this was a strange point to bring up before introducing his new running mate, considering how big a proponent of free trade agreements Pence has been in the past.</p>
<p>TRUMP SAID: "Indiana, their unemployment rate has fallen, when he was there, when he started, 8.4 percent when he was governor, when he took over, to less than 5 percent in May of 2016."</p>
<p>FACTS: In <a href="http://www.deptofnumbers.com/unemployment/indiana/" type="external">May of 2016</a>, the national unemployment rate was 4.7 percent (in June, it was 4.9 percent). In May of 2016 in Indiana, the unemployment rate was 5 percent. According to CNBC, "compared to the rest of the 50 states, Indiana's economy puts it just about where it sits on the U.S. map — roughly in the middle."</p>
<p>VERDICT: While the unemployment rate in Indiana has declined since 2013, this mirrors national trends rather than being an outlier. National and Indiana unemployment rates are equal.</p>
<p>TRUMP SAID: Pence balanced the state of Indiana's budget and produced a surplus. The state has a AAA credit rating.</p>
<p>FACTS: Since taking office, Pence has balanced the state's budget. At the end of the 2015 fiscal year, he touted a state surplus of <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/07/16/pence-indiana-surplus/30238027/" type="external">$210 million</a>, achieved in part by an <a href="which%20was%20achieved%20in%20part%20because%20of%20his%20request%20that%20most%20agencies%20hold%20back%204.5%20percent%20of%20their%20budgets." type="external">austere approach to government agency spending</a> that was criticized by the state's Democratic lawmakers. Indiana does have a <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Indiana_state_budget_and_finances" type="external">AAA credit rating</a>, one it has maintained since 2010.</p>
<p>VERDICT: True. However, balancing the budget is not an achievement unique to Pence. States are <a href="National%20Conference%20of%20State%20Legislatures%20" type="external">required</a>to produce a balanced budget.</p>
<p>TRUMP SAID: “Since January 2013, Indiana's labor force has increased by more than 186,000 jobs. You have to understand, I've gone around to all these states. I've gone to all of them. And every time, I have statisticians. I say give me the stats on a state. And it's always bad, down, down, down. Down 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent in some cases. Here's somebody where it's gone up. Private sector job growth is up by more than 147,000 jobs since 2013. That's very unusual."</p>
<p>FACTS: As of May there has been an increase of 186,527 jobs in the labor force since Jan. 2013, according to the <a href="http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?fromdate=6/17/2016&amp;todate=6/17/2016&amp;display=Day&amp;type=public&amp;eventidn=248255&amp;view=EventDetails&amp;information_id=245610" type="external">Indiana Department of Workforce Development</a>. The same department also reported that there has been 147,800 private sector jobs since Jan. 2013, as well.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/16/mike-pences-jobs-record-in-indiana-was-a-lot-more-average-than-donald-trump-suggested/" type="external">Washington Post</a> points out that there is no state where the unemployment rate is down anywhere close to the "40, 50, 60 percent" Trump cited Saturday.</p>
<p>VERDICT: Partially true. Trump’s numbers on job growth since Pence began governing the state is accurate. However, he is wrong about other state’s unemployment rates being so high.</p>
<p>TRUMP SAID: “And I said that Brexit is going to happen. I said that they are going to break away, and everyone laughed at me and the odds were 20 percent.”</p>
<p>FACTS: Trump <a href="http://www.itv.com/goodmorningbritain/news/i-think-that-britain-will-separate-from-the-eu-donald-trump" type="external">told Piers Morgan</a> in an interview in March on the United Kingdom’s ITV news that he did believe Britain would leave the EU. However, according to the <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/06/britain-s-eu-referendum" type="external">Economist’s Brexit poll tracker</a> which began in January, the percentage of people who wanted to leave EU was always 36 percent or higher six months prior to the vote.</p>
<p>VERDICT: Partially true. Trump did predict the Brexit vote correctly, but the odds of it occurring were much higher than 20 percent.</p>
<p>TRUMP SAID: Contrasting his foreign policy views with Clinton, “If you look at my calls, I said don’t go into Iraq. Nobody cared, because I was a business person, I was a civilian.”</p>
<p>FACTS: The only report that found Trump speaking about the Iraq war before it happened was by <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/in-2002-donald-trump-said-he-supported-invading-iraq-on-the?utm_term=.rl7nnZ3KaP#.af7226xdbW" type="external">Buzzfeed News</a>, which reported that in a 2002 interview with Howard Stern, Trump was directly asked if he would support the invasion of Iraq, which didn’t begin until Jan. 28, 2003. “Yeah, I guess so,” Trump responded. “I wish the first time it was done correctly.”</p>
<p>Shortly after the Iraq war began in 2003, Trump began slowly condemning the decision and told the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2003/03/25/hollywood-partyers-soldiering-on/06327347-83d3-44c4-ab7b-dcd6fbda5437/" type="external">Washington Post</a> in March of 2003 that he thought the Iraq war was “a mess.”</p>
<p>VERDICT: False. Trump admitted to supporting the Iraq war in 2002 before the war began though he did progressively change his decision publicly within the next year.</p>
<p>It bears mentioning that Pence <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/mike-pence-donald-trump-war-argument-225565" type="external">strongly supported the Iraq War</a> — he <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/107/hjres114" type="external">co-sponsored</a> and voted in favor of the bill authorizing the Iraq War when he was a House representative from Indiana, and opposed measures to set a timeline to withdraw troops.</p>
<p>TRUMP SAID: “These are crimes, these are crimes,” referring to Clinton's email scandal. “She got away with murder — in fact I think it might be her greatest accomplishment."</p>
<p>FACTS: Weeks ago, FBI director James Comey announced a recommendation that Clinton not be charged for her use of a private email server while secretary of state. The Department of Justice accepted that recommendation.</p>
<p>VERDICT: In the view of the FBI and the DOJ, Clinton's use of a personal email server did not <a href="" type="internal">meet the standard of criminal intent</a>.</p>
<p>PENCE SAID: “Where Donald Trump supports an all of the above strategy and will end the war on coal, Hillary Clinton actually promised an energy plan that would close American coal mines and put coal miners out of work.”</p>
<p>FACTS: In a CNN town hall in March Clinton did say, “we're going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.” However, she added that wasn’t planning on leaving them unemployed saying, “And we're going to make it clear that we don't want to forget those people. Those people labored in those mines for generations, losing their health, often losing their lives to turn on our lights and power our factories. Now we've got to move away from coal and all the other fossil fuels, but I don't want to move away from the people who did the best they could to produce the energy that we relied on.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/05/03/476485650/fact-check-hillary-clinton-and-coal-jobs" type="external">NPR</a> also reported coal jobs have been declining since the Obama administration began combatting climate change moving away from carbon-intensive coal to fuel power-production. Since 2014, coal mining jobs dropped below 75,000. But Clinton has noted in her $30 billion plan to increase job training, small-business development and investment, particularly in coal mining towns like in Appalachia.</p>
<p>VERDICT: Partially true. Clinton did admit her policies will lead to job losses for coal miners, but she has also provided a plan to assist formerly employed coal miners.</p> | false | 3 | presumptive gop nominee donald trump officially introduced indiana gov mike pence nation running mate saturday manhattan pence joined stage accept vice presidential nod however trump delivered nearly 30minute speech touching everything recent coup attempt turkey likely general election rival hillary clinton success vanquishing republican primary foes heres look speech handled wide range issues trump said trump cited indianas manufacturing recovery one reason picking pence saw nafta drained manufacturing jobs nafta worst economic deal history country facts according washington post economists reached firm conclusion impact nafta many think claims massive job losses overstated congressional research service backs finding 2015 net overall effect nafta us economy appears relatively modes meanwhile pence serving congress strong supporter nafta also supported every free trade deal last decade including transpacific partnership speech house floor 2001 pence specifically touted nafta saying trade already benefits indiana increasing agricultural exports state verdict trump vastly overstates number jobs lost result nafta strange point bring introducing new running mate considering big proponent free trade agreements pence past trump said indiana unemployment rate fallen started 84 percent governor took less 5 percent may 2016 facts may 2016 national unemployment rate 47 percent june 49 percent may 2016 indiana unemployment rate 5 percent according cnbc compared rest 50 states indianas economy puts sits us map roughly middle verdict unemployment rate indiana declined since 2013 mirrors national trends rather outlier national indiana unemployment rates equal trump said pence balanced state indianas budget produced surplus state aaa credit rating facts since taking office pence balanced states budget end 2015 fiscal year touted state surplus 210 million achieved part austere approach government agency spending criticized states democratic lawmakers indiana aaa credit rating one maintained since 2010 verdict true however balancing budget achievement unique pence states requiredto produce balanced budget trump said since january 2013 indianas labor force increased 186000 jobs understand ive gone around states ive gone every time statisticians say give stats state always bad 40 percent 50 percent 60 percent cases heres somebody gone private sector job growth 147000 jobs since 2013 thats unusual facts may increase 186527 jobs labor force since jan 2013 according indiana department workforce development department also reported 147800 private sector jobs since jan 2013 well washington post points state unemployment rate anywhere close 40 50 60 percent trump cited saturday verdict partially true trumps numbers job growth since pence began governing state accurate however wrong states unemployment rates high trump said said brexit going happen said going break away everyone laughed odds 20 percent facts trump told piers morgan interview march united kingdoms itv news believe britain would leave eu however according economists brexit poll tracker began january percentage people wanted leave eu always 36 percent higher six months prior vote verdict partially true trump predict brexit vote correctly odds occurring much higher 20 percent trump said contrasting foreign policy views clinton look calls said dont go iraq nobody cared business person civilian facts report found trump speaking iraq war happened buzzfeed news reported 2002 interview howard stern trump directly asked would support invasion iraq didnt begin jan 28 2003 yeah guess trump responded wish first time done correctly shortly iraq war began 2003 trump began slowly condemning decision told washington post march 2003 thought iraq war mess verdict false trump admitted supporting iraq war 2002 war began though progressively change decision publicly within next year bears mentioning pence strongly supported iraq war cosponsored voted favor bill authorizing iraq war house representative indiana opposed measures set timeline withdraw troops trump said crimes crimes referring clintons email scandal got away murder fact think might greatest accomplishment facts weeks ago fbi director james comey announced recommendation clinton charged use private email server secretary state department justice accepted recommendation verdict view fbi doj clintons use personal email server meet standard criminal intent pence said donald trump supports strategy end war coal hillary clinton actually promised energy plan would close american coal mines put coal miners work facts cnn town hall march clinton say going put lot coal miners coal companies business however added wasnt planning leaving unemployed saying going make clear dont want forget people people labored mines generations losing health often losing lives turn lights power factories weve got move away coal fossil fuels dont want move away people best could produce energy relied npr also reported coal jobs declining since obama administration began combatting climate change moving away carbonintensive coal fuel powerproduction since 2014 coal mining jobs dropped 75000 clinton noted 30 billion plan increase job training smallbusiness development investment particularly coal mining towns like appalachia verdict partially true clinton admit policies lead job losses coal miners also provided plan assist formerly employed coal miners | 775 |
<p>WASHINGTON — They say any publicity is good publicity, but if you asked the central bankers of almost any emerging market country right now, surely they would happily dispense with the gloomy press their economies are receiving.</p>
<p>Since the new year, the currencies of many of the former stars — including Turkey, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Russia and others — have taken a serious dive.</p>
<p>This has led to interest rate hikes in many countries, all due to worries the slowing of China’s growth and of the US Federal Reserve's stimulus&#160; will sour the world on the emerging markets story.</p>
<p>But wait! If the <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/brics.asp" type="external">BRICS</a> are stumbling, what about “frontier markets” — the super-fast growing nations of Africa and Asia that post garish double-digit annual GDP growth. Surely, there must be opportunity there.</p>
<p>Well, maybe. But in most cases, growth is not as wonderful as it seems thanks to a phenomenon known to economists as " <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/base-effect.asp" type="external">base effects</a>,” the one-time events like civil war or tsunamis that devastate an economy, making the next year look fantastic.</p>
<p>The Economist magazine, a venerable purveyor of international financial news, puts out one such listing: “ <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/21589184-top-growers" type="external">Top Growers</a>.” Leading all comers for 2014 in terms of year-over-year GDP growth is ... wait for it ... South Sudan, projected to grow at 35 percent this year.</p>
<p>Of course, South Sudan, the world's newest state and one of its poorest and most volatile, is hardly an investor paradise. Oil revenues have sparked growth, yes, but from what economists would term “a very low base.”</p>
<p>South Sudan is the "base effect" defined. The county's 35 percent growth projection for 2014 has little to do with economic boom times and everything to do with the statistical abyss of the previous years. Put simply: It's a lot easier to grow at a faster rate if last year was terrible. It’s motto might be, “South Sudan: Growing like hell since Jan. 1, 2012.”</p>
<p>The Economist and most sophisticated investors know this. GDP growth does not equal good investment, nor does it equal economic progress. But some of this growth does represent a genuine shift in the fortunes of these nations. So, in these frontier markets, how can the economic wheat be separated from the chaff?</p>
<p>One issue is scale. For all their high percentage growth, the combined GDP of the nations on the Economist’s top 12, for instance, equal about 1/200th of the US economy. Measured by sheer size of the economic expansion, then, a US economy growing at 3 percent, or a Chinese economy growing by 7-8 percent, is a far more important development in global terms. Growth in big places lifts the fortunes of hundreds of millions, while growth in a place like Laos or Eritrea benefits mostly a few private equity groups and the elites who run those dictatorships.</p>
<p>There are also obvious statistical anomalies. Among the top 12 growth stars for 2014 are the faux-sovereign gambling den of Macao (13.5 percent), civil war-torn Sierra Leone (11.2 percent), the oil-soaked tyranny of Turkmenistan (9.2 percent) and chaotic Iraq, Laos and Eritrea, all forecast at above 8 percent.</p>
<p>Macao — or Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai, for that matter — are city-states, and comparing them to nations brings an apples and oranges problem.</p>
<p>Another differentiator is staying power: Liberia, Ghana, Brazil and others have had their moment on this list in recent years, but some countries — Mongolia, Libya, Zambia and Sierra Leone — keep popping up year after year.</p>
<p>But this is no guarantee of long-term growth either.</p>
<p>Take Libya, whose economy grows at a decent clip thanks to oil and several times was a top 12 global performer, even under dictator Muammar Gaddafi.</p>
<p>Libya’s economic growth took a plunge in 2011, when oil exports nearly halted and civil war raged, but a surprisingly fast recovery vaulted the country back to the top of the tables in 2012. That good news story seemed to last through a good part of 2013. Indeed, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund both project Libya will continue to grow at a pace greater than 8 percent this year.</p>
<p>But in the second half of 2013, the militias that helped topple Gaddafi grew restless. Many seized oil fields and export terminals as leverage to get their way in budget and power-sharing talks. In the west, the region of Cyrenica declared autonomy, even founding its own “national” oil company. The government has been depleting its hard currency revenues at a breakneck pace ever since.</p>
<p>Economists projecting a good year for Libya, then, are banking on a political deal that frees the country to sell more oil and take in the waves of foreign investment waiting for the new Libya — presumably stable, preferably democratic — to come into focus.</p>
<p>But Mongolia presents a very different picture. It, too, has showed staying power in high growth rankings, often topping the list over the past five years. It’s secret weapon? Mineral riches and a business-friendly government that has a good record of rewarding foreign investors.</p>
<p>Landlocked between China and Russia, which covet its vast resources of gold, coal and uranium as well as its wide open spaces, Mongolia suffered a small recession in 2009, but otherwise has expanded at well over 10 percent annually for the past decade.</p>
<p>At the start of that run, when communism collapsed in the early 1990s, base effects certainly could be gleaned: Mongolia had spent most of the Soviet period in a kind of frozen limbo, undeveloped, isolated and bullied into appending "SSR" to its name. Its initial growth was from a very low base.</p>
<p>That was now nearly 20 years ago, however, and since then its growth has barely faltered. For Mongolia, like Libya, making this list means something.</p>
<p>Zambia and Sierra Leone, too, are fundamentally mineral exporters, though each has civil violence in its recent past. Their listing seems more than a quirk of percentages as each has graced the list for five years.</p>
<p>But watch out for hyperventilating investment gurus talking about soaring growth in the frontier markets. There’s real opportunity there, but it is filled with risk — and very difficult to get at for the average small investor.</p>
<p>So don’t be fooled when someday, as the sun sets on the Castros in Cuba and the Kims of North Korea, those countries, too, would vault into the top 12 GDP growth list. There will be Cuba Libre funds and kimchi bonds to “help you” take advantage.</p>
<p>Buyer beware.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/140127/why-nigeria-about-become-africas-biggest-economy" type="external">Why Nigeria is about to become Africa's biggest economy</a></p> | false | 3 | washington say publicity good publicity asked central bankers almost emerging market country right surely would happily dispense gloomy press economies receiving since new year currencies many former stars including turkey brazil india indonesia russia others taken serious dive led interest rate hikes many countries due worries slowing chinas growth us federal reserves stimulus160 sour world emerging markets story wait brics stumbling frontier markets superfast growing nations africa asia post garish doubledigit annual gdp growth surely must opportunity well maybe cases growth wonderful seems thanks phenomenon known economists base effects onetime events like civil war tsunamis devastate economy making next year look fantastic economist magazine venerable purveyor international financial news puts one listing top growers leading comers 2014 terms yearoveryear gdp growth wait south sudan projected grow 35 percent year course south sudan worlds newest state one poorest volatile hardly investor paradise oil revenues sparked growth yes economists would term low base south sudan base effect defined countys 35 percent growth projection 2014 little economic boom times everything statistical abyss previous years put simply lot easier grow faster rate last year terrible motto might south sudan growing like hell since jan 1 2012 economist sophisticated investors know gdp growth equal good investment equal economic progress growth represent genuine shift fortunes nations frontier markets economic wheat separated chaff one issue scale high percentage growth combined gdp nations economists top 12 instance equal 1200th us economy measured sheer size economic expansion us economy growing 3 percent chinese economy growing 78 percent far important development global terms growth big places lifts fortunes hundreds millions growth place like laos eritrea benefits mostly private equity groups elites run dictatorships also obvious statistical anomalies among top 12 growth stars 2014 fauxsovereign gambling den macao 135 percent civil wartorn sierra leone 112 percent oilsoaked tyranny turkmenistan 92 percent chaotic iraq laos eritrea forecast 8 percent macao singapore hong kong dubai matter citystates comparing nations brings apples oranges problem another differentiator staying power liberia ghana brazil others moment list recent years countries mongolia libya zambia sierra leone keep popping year year guarantee longterm growth either take libya whose economy grows decent clip thanks oil several times top 12 global performer even dictator muammar gaddafi libyas economic growth took plunge 2011 oil exports nearly halted civil war raged surprisingly fast recovery vaulted country back top tables 2012 good news story seemed last good part 2013 indeed world bank international monetary fund project libya continue grow pace greater 8 percent year second half 2013 militias helped topple gaddafi grew restless many seized oil fields export terminals leverage get way budget powersharing talks west region cyrenica declared autonomy even founding national oil company government depleting hard currency revenues breakneck pace ever since economists projecting good year libya banking political deal frees country sell oil take waves foreign investment waiting new libya presumably stable preferably democratic come focus mongolia presents different picture showed staying power high growth rankings often topping list past five years secret weapon mineral riches businessfriendly government good record rewarding foreign investors landlocked china russia covet vast resources gold coal uranium well wide open spaces mongolia suffered small recession 2009 otherwise expanded well 10 percent annually past decade start run communism collapsed early 1990s base effects certainly could gleaned mongolia spent soviet period kind frozen limbo undeveloped isolated bullied appending ssr name initial growth low base nearly 20 years ago however since growth barely faltered mongolia like libya making list means something zambia sierra leone fundamentally mineral exporters though civil violence recent past listing seems quirk percentages graced list five years watch hyperventilating investment gurus talking soaring growth frontier markets theres real opportunity filled risk difficult get average small investor dont fooled someday sun sets castros cuba kims north korea countries would vault top 12 gdp growth list cuba libre funds kimchi bonds help take advantage buyer beware globalpost nigeria become africas biggest economy | 644 |
<p>It is February and there is still one house in my neighborhood with a Christmas tree in a front window. But most of us long ago stored our Christmas decorations to await another season.&#160;</p>
<p>The glow of certain Christmas memories remains; and on the night it happened — two days after Christmas Day — I resolved to share it with Virginia Baptists and to issue a challenge. The experience was a Christmas walk through downtown Frederick, Md.</p>
<p />
<p>Katie and Isam Ballenger — former members of the First Baptist Church of Richmond and long active in Baptist life — invited us to visit their new community. “You must be here by late Monday afternoon,” they insisted, telling us about the annual Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship.&#160;</p>
<p>The Ballengers left Virginia in September 2009 to live near Frederick, where they would be near their daughter and just down the pike from their son in Baltimore. Their new home has a New Market address. “Watch out for the traffic when you go through New Market,” joked Isam. Although it is a charming village with antique shops, New Market does not suffer from traffic congestion.&#160;</p>
<p>It is a hop, skip and jump down the highway to Frederick, which is a bustling town with a pleasing mixture of architectural styles, including a treasure trove of historic churches which are all within walking distance of each other.</p>
<p>For 24 years the churches have hosted an open house tour just after Christmas. The year before some 8,000 persons entered the doors of those houses of worship on one single evening. The Ballengers, then new to the community, were among those on the tour and they were eager to introduce us to the experience.</p>
<p>I don’t know how many braved the extreme cold wind on the night of the 2010 tour; but I know at least four who shivered for several hours, finding temporary relief from cups of soup and hot chocolate given freely at several of the churches. Calvary United Methodist Church offered a satisfying soup and several of the members gave warm greetings and handshakes. The Methodists trace their history back to the 1770s and a visit from the noted Francis Asbury. The church house dates to 1930 and is an imposing stone structure of Gothic design. Some of their windows were made by the Tiffany studio.</p>
<p />
<p>There was little time to tarry since there were 13 houses of worship ready to receive visitors. Each of the Christian churches was resplendent with seasonal decorations and each had something special to offer, including musical selections or an historical commentary on their building.&#160;</p>
<p>At Beth Sholom Synagogue all eats were taken as visitors learned about Jewish customs and traditions, including an interesting talk about Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday which rubs shoulders each year with Christmas.&#160;</p>
<p>Trinity Chapel traces itself back to the German Reformed Church and is justly proud of its steeple, which dates to 1807. Fifty years ago Frederick’s various “clustered spires” (so described by the poet Whittier) began to be illuminated at night which gave the town a distinctive appearance.</p>
<p>The wind was whipping down Church Street as we church hopped from the Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ — a magnificent Greek Revival structure with Ionic portico and twin towers — to All Saints’ Episcopal, whose neo-gothic building was used as a hospital following Antietam.</p>
<p>We enjoyed a brief respite from the cold by going to the lower level of the Church of Christ where on exhibit was “the Christmas putz” or nativity scene. In a darkened room, visitors sat while a narrator told the nativity story and tiny spotlights beamed on each successive part of the journey to Bethlehem. There were 130 tiny people and animals in the church’s putz which had a landscape of moss and tiny trees and stones. It contained a mixture of pieces from plaster ones once sold in dime stores to hand-carved items from Bavaria.&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>A printed commentary on the nativity included a quote from St. Francis of Assisi: “Behold your God, a poor and helpless child, the ox and ass beside Him. Your God is of your flesh. He lives in your nearest neighbors, in everyone, for all are your brothers and sisters.” It was an appropriate message for the mixture of humanity coming and going on the tour of the historic churches of Frederick.</p>
<p>Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church housed Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. It has a magnificent building with the floor plan of a Latin cross. The ceiling has a painting of Christ’s ascension. High in a rear balcony a soloist sang Christmas carols.</p>
<p>We did not visit all the churches. It would be a challenge even in the five hours of the tour. But we saw enough to realize the brilliance of the event. It was a joining together of diverse congregations to welcome neighbors, near and far, “all brothers and sisters,” by using the best that they had to offer: their heritage, their architecture, their music and their hospitality. It probably brought more people into most of those churches on that one evening than might come throughout a year’s worth of Sundays.&#160;</p>
<p>How could they feed thousands of Christmas visitors? There were evidences of homemade cookies and sweets, but there also were acknowledgements of local businesses which contributed hot beverages. The tour was seen as a tourism draw and some media sources helped provide the printed brochures. The 2011 tour is set for December 26.</p>
<p>I promised a challenge. Virginia has villages, towns and cities which could do likewise. (And maybe they do and we don’t know about them.) There is time to get started. A Christmas Tour in your town could happen in 11 months. Think of the possibilities!</p>
<p>Fred Anderson is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies, located on the campus of the University of Richmond. 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 | february still one house neighborhood christmas tree front window us long ago stored christmas decorations await another season160 glow certain christmas memories remains night happened two days christmas day resolved share virginia baptists issue challenge experience christmas walk downtown frederick md katie isam ballenger former members first baptist church richmond long active baptist life invited us visit new community must late monday afternoon insisted telling us annual candlelight tour historic houses worship160 ballengers left virginia september 2009 live near frederick would near daughter pike son baltimore new home new market address watch traffic go new market joked isam although charming village antique shops new market suffer traffic congestion160 hop skip jump highway frederick bustling town pleasing mixture architectural styles including treasure trove historic churches within walking distance 24 years churches hosted open house tour christmas year 8000 persons entered doors houses worship one single evening ballengers new community among tour eager introduce us experience dont know many braved extreme cold wind night 2010 tour know least four shivered several hours finding temporary relief cups soup hot chocolate given freely several churches calvary united methodist church offered satisfying soup several members gave warm greetings handshakes methodists trace history back 1770s visit noted francis asbury church house dates 1930 imposing stone structure gothic design windows made tiffany studio little time tarry since 13 houses worship ready receive visitors christian churches resplendent seasonal decorations something special offer including musical selections historical commentary building160 beth sholom synagogue eats taken visitors learned jewish customs traditions including interesting talk hanukkah jewish holiday rubs shoulders year christmas160 trinity chapel traces back german reformed church justly proud steeple dates 1807 fifty years ago fredericks various clustered spires described poet whittier began illuminated night gave town distinctive appearance wind whipping church street church hopped evangelical reformed united church christ magnificent greek revival structure ionic portico twin towers saints episcopal whose neogothic building used hospital following antietam enjoyed brief respite cold going lower level church christ exhibit christmas putz nativity scene darkened room visitors sat narrator told nativity story tiny spotlights beamed successive part journey bethlehem 130 tiny people animals churchs putz landscape moss tiny trees stones contained mixture pieces plaster ones sold dime stores handcarved items bavaria160160160 printed commentary nativity included quote st francis assisi behold god poor helpless child ox ass beside god flesh lives nearest neighbors everyone brothers sisters appropriate message mixture humanity coming going tour historic churches frederick saint john evangelist catholic church housed confederate prisoners civil war magnificent building floor plan latin cross ceiling painting christs ascension high rear balcony soloist sang christmas carols visit churches would challenge even five hours tour saw enough realize brilliance event joining together diverse congregations welcome neighbors near far brothers sisters using best offer heritage architecture music hospitality probably brought people churches one evening might come throughout years worth sundays160 could feed thousands christmas visitors evidences homemade cookies sweets also acknowledgements local businesses contributed hot beverages tour seen tourism draw media sources helped provide printed brochures 2011 tour set december 26 promised challenge virginia villages towns cities could likewise maybe dont know time get started christmas tour town could happen 11 months think possibilities fred anderson executive director virginia baptist historical society center baptist heritage studies located campus university richmond may contacted fredandersonvbmborg po box 34 university richmond va 23173 | 551 |
<p />
<p>Listen to the full interview.&#160;(Produced by Lauren Harris)</p>
<p>Historian Barbara Ransby and organizer Charlene Carruthers are co-teaching a course on Black Lives Matter this summer at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The course, which looks at the history of black organizing and protest, with a focus on police-community relations, comes as youth-led campaigns against police shootings of African-Americans are sweeping the nation.</p>
<p>Ransby, director of the UIC Social Justice Initiative and a professor of history, African-American studies and gender and women’s studies at the university, is the author of <a href="http://uncpress.unc.edu/books/T-391.html" type="external">Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement</a>. Carruthers is the national director of the <a href="http://byp100.org/" type="external">Black Youth Project 100</a>, a membership-based activist organization.</p>
<p>The Chicago Reporter interviewed Ransby and Carruthers about their course, what they hope it will achieve and how today’s activists are building on the work of past movements for freedom, justice and equality.</p>
<p>Can you tell me about the curriculum of your course, who your students are, and what you hope that by the end of the semester they’ve gotten out of this course?</p>
<p>Photo by Stacey Rupolo</p>
<p>Longtime activist Barbara Ransby is a professor of African American Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, and History at the University of Illinois at Chicago.</p>
<p>BR: It’s a small course and our students reflect the city of Chicago. We have overwhelmingly African-American students, we have a Latino student, some of them are activists already, most of them are not. They’re curious, they’re eager to learn and talk about this movement that they see emerging around them.</p>
<p>We have two texts that we’re using, one is called <a href="https://www.versobooks.com/books/2107-policing-the-planet" type="external">Policing the Planet</a>, which looks at global policing patterns and opposition to police violence. The other one is by Keeanga Taylor, who used to live in Chicago and who is now a professor, a historian, at Princeton, called <a href="http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/From-BlackLivesMatter-to-Black-Liberation" type="external">From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation</a>. Those are our anchoring texts, but we also look at primary documents, we have a lot of interactive discussions. What I hope that they get from the course, one, is to find their own voices. What do you think about this moment that you’re experiencing? To bring critical thinking skills to analyzing and assessing what’s going on. And also to connect it to history. No movement drops out of the sky, nothing just explodes on the scene without its own history and roots. Sometimes people participating in it don’t even fully appreciate all of those historical connections.</p>
<p>CC: Students are asking critical questions of themselves and other people and just thinking about things in a different way. That, to me, is what any college course should do. It should promote critical thinking and if we do really well, for the folks who aren’t involved in activism currently, they will be involved in activism, and specifically in activism that holds values and lines around anti-police work, prison abolition work, feminist work.</p>
<p>I’m going to change gears a little bit and talk about what we’ve seen in recent days here in Chicago, in Baton Rouge and in Minnesota where mass demonstrations have taken over highways and stopped traffic. I’m curious how this strategy connects with the large-scale civil rights protests of the 1960s. And why highways?</p>
<p>BR: In terms of parallels to historical movements, it’s a little bit different. Certainly massive civil rights demonstrations in the past have taken over streets, taken over thoroughfares. But I think there’s a strategic kind of pointedness about some of the highway takeovers today. One is that they have been demarcations between white and black communities, they have been lines of segregation in cities when those cities were reconfigured. And they also are arteries of commerce. The message is that protesters are disrupting business as usual, and I think that’s a very powerful statement. It disrupts the material flow of commerce, but it also says to people that those protesters are very determined and prepared to take certain kind of risks in the tactics that they use.</p>
<p>CC: It’s indicative of the dire circumstances our folks are facing, not just in this moment but historically. We are students of movements before us and while everyone doesn’t necessarily have the opportunity to study Black Freedom movements throughout their education, folks are aware that movement work has happened before us. As the state becomes bigger, more entrenched in our everyday lives and repressive, for better or for worse, our tactics have to be reflective of that, and even our strategies have to be more firmly rooted in the end goal of Black Liberation, Black Freedom, a world where black folks can live within their full dignity. And that also means that everyone else can live within their full dignity. I absolutely believe that the highway shut-downs demonstrate our creativity and our desire and our commitment to not just put out rhetoric, but also to put our bodies on the line.</p>
<p>How does today’s Black Lives Matter movement build on the civil rights movement of the 1960s?</p>
<p>BR: I’ve been very heartened by the influence of Ella Baker in all of this. I think her example resonates for this generation. I think people are very skeptical of hierarchical, male-centered, top-down leadership and this was something that Ella Baker fought for and advocated for: group-centered leadership. She was very much about transformative justice and linking various kinds of issues. &#160;…</p>
<p>I think also that part of what this generation has done is exposed the lie that the civil rights movement resolved the issue of racism in America, or that the election of a black president resolved the issue of racism in America. To have this kind of upsurge under the nation’s first black president is a very sophisticated critique of the ways in which racism continues to work, and to also critique black mayors and black police officers who carry out these policies. That, to me, raises the level of analysis, in some ways, to a higher level than we’ve seen in past movements.</p>
<p>CC: The movement work that is happening in this moment carries on some of the work of the civil rights movement that people rarely hear about. The work that is not elevated, the stories that were untold of everyday people, of local people, making demands. Not everyone showed up to their actions in their Sunday best. For some folks, it was their overalls. I think about people like <a href="http://www.howard.edu/library/reference/guides/hamer/" type="external">Fannie Lou Hamer</a>, who I wouldn’t necessarily say was on the margins of the civil rights movement, but she didn’t come out of the historically black colleges and universities or any of the sororities or fraternities like many other people did.</p>
<p>Photo by Max Herman</p>
<p>“We’re here for the families,” Charlene Carruthers, national director of Black Youth Project 100, said at a rally for police shooting victim Ronald Johnson outside a Chicago police station at 51st Street and Wentworth Avenue on December 7, 2015.</p>
<p>Just as a lunch counter sit-in was deemed “not respectable” in that moment, we’re continuing to push beyond the boundaries of respectability in our work. It just looks different in this moment, and I think that’s OK.</p>
<p>The last piece I would lift up is how media is used as a device in the work that we do. I don’t think we always win the dominant story or the narrative. I do think that the usage of social media is a device in this movement. Newspapers were used during the civil rights movement—we also have our own forms in this moment.</p>
<p>BR: The black press in the ‘60s and ‘70s was a critical vehicle for communicating between local struggles and creating the basis for conceiving of a national movement. When the mainstream press didn’t cover something there were about 200 African-American newspapers, mostly weeklies, around the country. &#160;And when Ella Baker convened the gathering that led to the formation of SNCC, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, she went and did newspaper clippings by hand with her little scissors to patch together all these different local struggles and to interconnect people to one another.</p>
<p>When Martin Luther King died he was demanding not just inclusion, not just desegregation. He was also demanding economic justice. He died fighting with Memphis sanitation workers, he was in the process of planning the Poor People’s Campaign, which would bring the issue of poverty to the doorstep of the White House. And so I see in <a href="http://agendatobuildblackfutures.org/" type="external">Building Black Futures</a>, in the work that BYP 100 has done around the Fight for $15, and many of the other organizations, a recognition of this nexus that it is the marginalized, economically vulnerable members of our community that suffer the most police abuse and suffer economic violence, as well.</p>
<p>Barbara, you’ve done so much work looking at the 1960s, what are some of the big lessons that were learned by organizers then that you think could be applied to today’s protest movements?&#160;</p>
<p>BR: Unfortunately history doesn’t work quite like that. There are no blueprints, every historical moment is unique, and so I don’t think there are lessons that could be “lifted.” I think what I see in a good sector of this movement—not every sector of this movement because it’s an eclectic movement and they disagree with each other, as they should—but a dominant voice and strain in this movement is one that embraces an intersectional approach to understanding oppression.</p>
<p>They have spoken out not only about the immediacy of police violence, but also about transphobia and homophobia and sexism and economic injustice; these issues that intersect in the lives of people and can’t be disentangled, and that’s in some ways where 1970s black feminism was and women of color feminism. That is where many of the movements were evolving to understand the interconnectedness between different systems of oppression. I see that present in the collective understanding of many of the organizers today.</p>
<p>The internationalism of the work is very important, as well. There was an anti-colonial movement in the 1960s that was a great inspiration to young people in the Black Power movement and the civil rights movement. They traveled different parts of the world to learn from different people engaged in struggle against colonialism, and similarly there’ve been a number of delegations and people really trying in the Black Lives Matter movement to learn from the world.</p>
<p>What are the strategies that you see being used today by activists of color that you think will leave a lasting mark on history?</p>
<p>CC: I believe that some of the declarations around black joy as a form of resistance will leave a lasting mark. I also believe that the emphasis on healing work from the traumas that folks have experienced will leave a lasting mark. The pieces around black joy, healing and black love—they’re not completely new. But I think that those things will hopefully leave a lasting impression.</p>
<p>BR: The level of analysis that I see and hear from many of the activists today goes really beyond racial representation. When I was growing up in Detroit we had an all-white police force.&#160; We thought, well, if we have black cops they will treat people better. That has not turned out to be exactly the case. … This generation of activists is looking at the mechanisms by which unjust systems are held together.&#160; And those systems can be held together whether we have a woman president or a black president or black police officers.</p>
<p>(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)</p> | false | 3 | listen full interview160produced lauren harris historian barbara ransby organizer charlene carruthers coteaching course black lives matter summer university illinois chicago course looks history black organizing protest focus policecommunity relations comes youthled campaigns police shootings africanamericans sweeping nation ransby director uic social justice initiative professor history africanamerican studies gender womens studies university author ella baker black freedom movement carruthers national director black youth project 100 membershipbased activist organization chicago reporter interviewed ransby carruthers course hope achieve todays activists building work past movements freedom justice equality tell curriculum course students hope end semester theyve gotten course photo stacey rupolo longtime activist barbara ransby professor african american studies gender womens studies history university illinois chicago br small course students reflect city chicago overwhelmingly africanamerican students latino student activists already theyre curious theyre eager learn talk movement see emerging around two texts using one called policing planet looks global policing patterns opposition police violence one keeanga taylor used live chicago professor historian princeton called blacklivesmatter black liberation anchoring texts also look primary documents lot interactive discussions hope get course one find voices think moment youre experiencing bring critical thinking skills analyzing assessing whats going also connect history movement drops sky nothing explodes scene without history roots sometimes people participating dont even fully appreciate historical connections cc students asking critical questions people thinking things different way college course promote critical thinking really well folks arent involved activism currently involved activism specifically activism holds values lines around antipolice work prison abolition work feminist work im going change gears little bit talk weve seen recent days chicago baton rouge minnesota mass demonstrations taken highways stopped traffic im curious strategy connects largescale civil rights protests 1960s highways br terms parallels historical movements little bit different certainly massive civil rights demonstrations past taken streets taken thoroughfares think theres strategic kind pointedness highway takeovers today one demarcations white black communities lines segregation cities cities reconfigured also arteries commerce message protesters disrupting business usual think thats powerful statement disrupts material flow commerce also says people protesters determined prepared take certain kind risks tactics use cc indicative dire circumstances folks facing moment historically students movements us everyone doesnt necessarily opportunity study black freedom movements throughout education folks aware movement work happened us state becomes bigger entrenched everyday lives repressive better worse tactics reflective even strategies firmly rooted end goal black liberation black freedom world black folks live within full dignity also means everyone else live within full dignity absolutely believe highway shutdowns demonstrate creativity desire commitment put rhetoric also put bodies line todays black lives matter movement build civil rights movement 1960s br ive heartened influence ella baker think example resonates generation think people skeptical hierarchical malecentered topdown leadership something ella baker fought advocated groupcentered leadership much transformative justice linking various kinds issues 160 think also part generation done exposed lie civil rights movement resolved issue racism america election black president resolved issue racism america kind upsurge nations first black president sophisticated critique ways racism continues work also critique black mayors black police officers carry policies raises level analysis ways higher level weve seen past movements cc movement work happening moment carries work civil rights movement people rarely hear work elevated stories untold everyday people local people making demands everyone showed actions sunday best folks overalls think people like fannie lou hamer wouldnt necessarily say margins civil rights movement didnt come historically black colleges universities sororities fraternities like many people photo max herman families charlene carruthers national director black youth project 100 said rally police shooting victim ronald johnson outside chicago police station 51st street wentworth avenue december 7 2015 lunch counter sitin deemed respectable moment continuing push beyond boundaries respectability work looks different moment think thats ok last piece would lift media used device work dont think always win dominant story narrative think usage social media device movement newspapers used civil rights movementwe also forms moment br black press 60s 70s critical vehicle communicating local struggles creating basis conceiving national movement mainstream press didnt cover something 200 africanamerican newspapers mostly weeklies around country 160and ella baker convened gathering led formation sncc student nonviolent coordinating committee went newspaper clippings hand little scissors patch together different local struggles interconnect people one another martin luther king died demanding inclusion desegregation also demanding economic justice died fighting memphis sanitation workers process planning poor peoples campaign would bring issue poverty doorstep white house see building black futures work byp 100 done around fight 15 many organizations recognition nexus marginalized economically vulnerable members community suffer police abuse suffer economic violence well barbara youve done much work looking 1960s big lessons learned organizers think could applied todays protest movements160 br unfortunately history doesnt work quite like blueprints every historical moment unique dont think lessons could lifted think see good sector movementnot every sector movement eclectic movement disagree shouldbut dominant voice strain movement one embraces intersectional approach understanding oppression spoken immediacy police violence also transphobia homophobia sexism economic injustice issues intersect lives people cant disentangled thats ways 1970s black feminism women color feminism many movements evolving understand interconnectedness different systems oppression see present collective understanding many organizers today internationalism work important well anticolonial movement 1960s great inspiration young people black power movement civil rights movement traveled different parts world learn different people engaged struggle colonialism similarly thereve number delegations people really trying black lives matter movement learn world strategies see used today activists color think leave lasting mark history cc believe declarations around black joy form resistance leave lasting mark also believe emphasis healing work traumas folks experienced leave lasting mark pieces around black joy healing black lovetheyre completely new think things hopefully leave lasting impression br level analysis see hear many activists today goes really beyond racial representation growing detroit allwhite police force160 thought well black cops treat people better turned exactly case generation activists looking mechanisms unjust systems held together160 systems held together whether woman president black president black police officers interview edited condensed clarity | 988 |
<p>Lina Shahab turns slowly and painfully in her hospital bed. Her lips are dry and cracked. Her right eye is swollen shut. There is hardly a patch on her skin that is not marked by shrapnel wounds.</p>
<p>“Suddenly, we heard a boom,” she says softly, describing the explosion that put her here.</p>
<p>“I couldn’t see anything. Glass went into my eye. A hole opened up in the floor and I fell through it. I saw everything burning. I saw my aunt and her kids dead on the other side of the room.”</p>
<p>The 30-year-old mother’s injuries are the result of a suspected US-led coalition airstrike on a building full of civilians in&#160;al-Jadida, a neighborhood in western Mosul, where Iraqi forces are battling to dislodge ISIS.</p>
<p>Lt. Gen. Steve Townsend, the top US commander in Iraq, acknowledged Tuesday that the coalition “probably had a role” in the al-Jadida strike. He&#160;added that ISIS may have used the civilians as human shields.</p>
<p>With emergency workers still identifying the victims, the actual number of dead from the March 17 incident is not yet known, but initial figures suggest that, if confirmed, it would be <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/03/28/the-airstrike-in-mosul-was-potentially-one-of-the-worst-u-s-led-civilian-bombings-in-25-years/?tid=sm_tw&amp;utm_term=.e763292d7a76" type="external">one of the worst civilian tolls</a> caused by the coalition since the anti-ISIS campaign began in 2014.</p>
<p />
<p>Smoke rises from clashes on March 17 near Mosul's al-Habda minaret at the Grand Mosque, where ISIS&#160;leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his caliphate back in 2014.</p>
<p>Youssef Boudlal/Reuters</p>
<p>In recent weeks, civilian casualties in Mosul have skyrocketed compared with those reported in previous months&#160;as US-backed Iraqi forces push into the densely populated neighborhoods of western Mosul. The Old City has become a cauldron of death, with ISIS sniper fire, Iraqi army mortars and coalition airstrikes raining down on residents.</p>
<p>High numbers of alleged US coalition killings of civilians&#160;have&#160;also been reported this year&#160;in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/24/politics/us-airstrikes-iraq-syria-civilian-deaths/" type="external">Syria</a> and&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Yemen</a>.</p>
<p>Some are speculating&#160;that casualties&#160;may be increasing because of a loosening of the rules of engagement by Donald Trump’s administration — something the president&#160; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/12/us/politics/trump-loosen-counterterrorism-rules.html" type="external">advocated during his campaign</a>. That explanation gained traction with Iraqi commanders claiming&#160;that calling in airstrikes from the US-led coalition&#160; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/world/middleeast/us-iraq-mosul-investigation-airstrike-civilian-deaths.html" type="external">has become easier</a>, and quicker.</p>
<p>But the Pentagon has denied the rules of engagement have changed&#160;under Trump.</p>
<p>Quicker airstrike responses could actually be due to a <a href="http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/02/24/us-changes-rules-engagement-mosul-fight-iraq.html" type="external">US military directive</a>&#160;in December — toward the end of&#160;Barack Obama's presidency —&#160;aimed at improving coordination between ground forces and air support.</p>
<p>That adjustment followed rule changes in April 2016, when it was <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/19/new-rules-allow-more-civilian-casualties-air-war-against-isil/83190812/" type="external">reported</a> that the US military would allow&#160;airstrikes to target areas&#160;even when it risked killing as many as 10 civilians.</p>
<p>Related:&#160; <a href="" type="internal">New Pentagon rules allow anti-ISIS airstrikes that could cause more civilian deaths</a></p>
<p>How more than 100 people ended up in the same building in Mosul on March 17 is another part of the tragic story. Shahab says she and dozens of other residents were rounded up by ISIS fighters and forced into the two-story home to be used as human shields.</p>
<p>“There were lots of people already inside the house. The room we were in was full of people," she says,&#160;as her mother sits at the end of her hospital bed.&#160;"They told us to go to the second floor. We stayed there two days. One day we heard a huge boom in the building beside us. We asked them what it was, they told us it was nothing. We thanked God nothing happened to us.”</p>
<p>As fighting raged all around them, and as ISIS snipers moved among the buildings, the strike came. The blast threw Shahab’s body and burst through the floor she was standing on.&#160;It was a scene of utter devastation.</p>
<p>“I tried to go outside. Everything was burning. Fire was everywhere. I saw a man, he was shouting ‘Allahu Akbar.’&#160;He helped me to the other side of the street. [ISIS fighters] told us to go to another house. I went there. My husband’s family were all killed. I was wiping my face and I was covered in blood. Everyone was covered in blood,” Shahab says.</p>
<p>It would be four days until the Iraqi army pushed ISIS back and took Shahab and others out of the city and about 50 miles east to the Kurdish city of Erbil&#160;for treatment.</p>
<p>Shahab lost her aunt and her sister-in-law. She says she thinks her husband and two of her three sons made it. The third, she is not sure.</p>
<p>“I have three kids.&#160;Two of them are full of shrapnel. But the other one I don’t know where he is. His name is Abdul Rahman. He is a big boy. If you look at him, you would think he is 18. But he is 12. We don’t know anything about him.”</p>
<p>“He is the most handsome of the three,” she adds, before she starts to cry.</p>
<p />
<p>A man wounded&#160;in Mosul who is receiving treatment at a hospital in Erbil, Iraq on March 16. Many more victims were taken to Erbil after recent bombings.</p>
<p>Azad Lashkari/Reuters</p>
<p>Other victims from Shahab’s neighborhood fill the rooms at the Emergency Hospital in Erbil.&#160;Their family members wait anxiously in the busy hallways.</p>
<p>Ziad Sleiman, a 35-year-old swimming instructor from western Mosul, is here for his aunt, who was also injured in the strike. He was asked to help dig out survivors and says he was one of the first to reach the scene.</p>
<p>“We discovered a huge numbers of bodies beneath the rubble,” he says. “It was horrible. I didn’t see any ISIS fighters there. They were all civilians.”</p>
<p>He says there was anger and disbelief at the site of the carnage.</p>
<p>“We know that a pilot can tell the difference between an egg and a tennis ball. So we don’t know why it happened. Americans and Iraqis say they came to save people. But we are seeing something different.”</p>
<p>Sleiman describes&#160;a grim picture for&#160;the civilians trapped in western Mosul.</p>
<p>“We are like the wheat between the millstones. They are killing us.”</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">President Trump, is it important to you to limit civilian deaths in US military operations?&#160;</a> <a href="" type="internal">#100Days100Qs</a></p> | false | 3 | lina shahab turns slowly painfully hospital bed lips dry cracked right eye swollen shut hardly patch skin marked shrapnel wounds suddenly heard boom says softly describing explosion put couldnt see anything glass went eye hole opened floor fell saw everything burning saw aunt kids dead side room 30yearold mothers injuries result suspected usled coalition airstrike building full civilians in160aljadida neighborhood western mosul iraqi forces battling dislodge isis lt gen steve townsend top us commander iraq acknowledged tuesday coalition probably role aljadida strike he160added isis may used civilians human shields emergency workers still identifying victims actual number dead march 17 incident yet known initial figures suggest confirmed would one worst civilian tolls caused coalition since antiisis campaign began 2014 smoke rises clashes march 17 near mosuls alhabda minaret grand mosque isis160leader abu bakr albaghdadi declared caliphate back 2014 youssef boudlalreuters recent weeks civilian casualties mosul skyrocketed compared reported previous months160as usbacked iraqi forces push densely populated neighborhoods western mosul old city become cauldron death isis sniper fire iraqi army mortars coalition airstrikes raining residents high numbers alleged us coalition killings civilians160have160also reported year160in syria and160 yemen speculating160that casualties160may increasing loosening rules engagement donald trumps administration something president160 advocated campaign explanation gained traction iraqi commanders claiming160that calling airstrikes usled coalition160 become easier quicker pentagon denied rules engagement changed160under trump quicker airstrike responses could actually due us military directive160in december toward end of160barack obamas presidency 160aimed improving coordination ground forces air support adjustment followed rule changes april 2016 reported us military would allow160airstrikes target areas160even risked killing many 10 civilians related160 new pentagon rules allow antiisis airstrikes could cause civilian deaths 100 people ended building mosul march 17 another part tragic story shahab says dozens residents rounded isis fighters forced twostory home used human shields lots people already inside house room full people says160as mother sits end hospital bed160they told us go second floor stayed two days one day heard huge boom building beside us asked told us nothing thanked god nothing happened us fighting raged around isis snipers moved among buildings strike came blast threw shahabs body burst floor standing on160it scene utter devastation tried go outside everything burning fire everywhere saw man shouting allahu akbar160he helped side street isis fighters told us go another house went husbands family killed wiping face covered blood everyone covered blood shahab says would four days iraqi army pushed isis back took shahab others city 50 miles east kurdish city erbil160for treatment shahab lost aunt sisterinlaw says thinks husband two three sons made third sure three kids160two full shrapnel one dont know name abdul rahman big boy look would think 18 12 dont know anything handsome three adds starts cry man wounded160in mosul receiving treatment hospital erbil iraq march 16 many victims taken erbil recent bombings azad lashkarireuters victims shahabs neighborhood fill rooms emergency hospital erbil160their family members wait anxiously busy hallways ziad sleiman 35yearold swimming instructor western mosul aunt also injured strike asked help dig survivors says one first reach scene discovered huge numbers bodies beneath rubble says horrible didnt see isis fighters civilians says anger disbelief site carnage know pilot tell difference egg tennis ball dont know happened americans iraqis say came save people seeing something different sleiman describes160a grim picture for160the civilians trapped western mosul like wheat millstones killing us related president trump important limit civilian deaths us military operations160 100days100qs | 558 |
<p>GREENVILLE, S.C. (RNS) — When Bob Jones III recently questioned whether President Obama is a Christian, it was a reminder not only that the fundamentalist leader is controversial but also how little the political world has heard from the man and the rock-ribbed Christian school that bears his name.</p>
<p>The relative silence emanating from Bob Jones University is all the more remarkable given the intensity of the Republican primary in South Carolina, and the power that the religious right here holds.</p>
<p>In many ways, the school is still recovering from the 2000 campaign, when George W. Bush spoke without mentioning the school’s ban on interracial dating. Bush got hammered for the lapse (as well as staying mum on the school’s view of Catholicism as a “cult”) and apologized.</p>
<p />
<p>The university has since dropped the interracial dating ban, but no candidates visited the campus during the 2008 primary — a sea change for a university that has been a must-stop venue for every Republican since Ronald Reagan.</p>
<p>So far this year, the closest any candidate has come is Texas Gov. Rick Perry, whose wife Anita made a low-key lunchtime visit to nursing students in mid-October.</p>
<p>Since the 2000 controversy “a lot of candidates have shied away from us,” university spokesman Brian Scoles said during a recent tour of the 210-acre campus. “It’s just the perception that remains.”</p>
<p>Bob Jones III acknowledged in a Nov. 12 interview with the National Journal that he hasn’t endorsed any candidate, in part because it “might actually hurt” whomever Jones backed.</p>
<p>But there’s another, perhaps more consequential reason for the school’s muted political voice: a subtle but steady shift in its approach to the world.</p>
<p>It started in 2005, when the mantle of university president passed to Stephen Jones, Bob Jones III’s son and the first person not named Bob Jones to lead school since its founding in 1927.</p>
<p>The youngest Jones quickly distanced himself from the political legacy of his predecessors. “There were things said back then that I wouldn’t say today,” Stephen Jones said in 2005.</p>
<p>In 2008, he told a local newspaper, “I don’t think I have a political bone in my body.” That same year, Stephen Jones had the university apologize for banning interracial dating.</p>
<p>“We conformed to the culture rather than providing a clear Christian counterpoint to it,” the statement says of the “segregationist ethic” that had prevailed. “In so doing, we failed to accurately represent the Lord and to fulfill the commandment to love others as ourselves. For these failures we are profoundly sorry.”</p>
<p>The transformation is evident in other ways, too.</p>
<p>Long gone are the towering hedges and chain link fences that once kept the world out and the students in. Now a modern-looking sign welcomes visitors to the tidy, well-groomed campus.</p>
<p>Most faculty now live off campus and the students look much like they do everywhere. More than a few male students sported hipster porkpie hats on a recent visit, and while knee-length dresses are still required of young women in class, they can now wear pants at other times.</p>
<p>“We’re not this strange society in the northwest corner of Greenville County,” says Andy Rouse, 21, a senior. “There will always be stereotypes. That’s the way the world works. But you will be judged by your actions.”</p>
<p>There is a campus-wide Wi-Fi access, though a filter keeps out pornography. Drinking is still banned, as is rock-and-roll (and contemporary Christian music). Male-female boundaries are enforced through a careful system of chaperoned dating, but men and women mingle easily in the student center and across campus.</p>
<p>“Human nature is what it is. We know stuff goes on,” Scoles said. “But we have an agreement with parents that we’re going to keep that stuff to a minimum. How would it be for a Christian college to send a girl home pregnant? Or a boy home who is hooked on drugs or alcohol?”</p>
<p>The university is also dipping a toe in the waters of intercollegiate athletics, something that founder Bob Jones Sr. considered a dangerous dalliance with modernity. The university is starting slowly, fielding teams at the high school it operates while its college students have an annual cross-town soccer match with Furman University.</p>
<p>BJU leaders are also weighing alternatives to the “fundamentalist” label that has proudly defined the school (and a wide swath of the Bible Belt) since the 1920s.</p>
<p>“Basically, we’ve decided that we can’t use that term,” said Carl Abrams, a BJU history professor and a longtime member of the faculty. “The term has been hijacked and it takes you 30 minutes to explain it. So you need something else.”</p>
<p>There has been no resolution to the discussions, but just the prospect of a shift has been enough to make other fundamentalists spew all manner of criticism, with conservative bloggers blasting the “landslide of liberalism” at the school, among the more printable epithets.</p>
<p>BJU has always been something of an outlier in fundamentalist Christianity — a liberal arts university dedicated to sending well-rounded, Bible-believing graduates out into the world.</p>
<p>Today, 3,700 students from all 50 states and overseas study everything from economics to philosophy, business to nursing, and even science, though BJU’s commitment to “young earth creationism” raises eyebrows outside the school.</p>
<p>The fine arts program remains a distinctive feature. Music and drama are the lifeblood of the curriculum as students perform Shakespeare and other theatrical productions, and the university puts on a major opera every year. An art museum on campus features Renaissance and Baroque religious paintings in a collection that is one of the best in the country. Political dynamics have also changed. In South Carolina, where every past BJU president enjoyed playing a kingmaker role, the GOP establishment now overshadows outspoken individuals like Bob Jones III.</p>
<p>“The relative importance of the BJU crowd in the GOP is declining,” said James L. Guth, a political scientist at Furman. “And many of the early BJU Republican figures have died, left politics or moderated.”</p>
<p>Guth said a number of BJU graduates still wind up in Republican politics, but like the rest of the religious right, that faction has not been able to coalesce around a single candidate in recent elections.</p>
<p>Many have just been turned off.</p>
<p>“Politics is a dirty game. Sometimes I don’t know if I’m up to it,” said Rouse, who is considering post-graduate studies in political theory Yale University or the University of North Carolina.</p>
<p>Gary M. Weier, executive vice president for academic affairs and the university official who is considered closest to Stephen Jones, also noted that George W. Bush’s presidency was something of a disappointment to many of his conservative Christian backers.</p>
<p>“There had been a tendency among conservative Christians to think that the way to shape the culture was through political power,” Weier said. “I think conservative Christians bought into some of that on the political level, blurring distinctions between Christians and the Republican Party. It was easy to do.”</p>
<p>BJU recently announced that Weier and another school official would share responsibility for running the university as Stephen Jones suffers from complications from a severe ear infection that has left him nearly incapacitated.</p>
<p>The landscape of conservative Christianity has also shifted. There are more Christian colleges than ever, and schools like Patrick Henry College, the late Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, and Pat Robertson’s Regent University are more focused on training future political operatives and placing them in positions of power than Bob Jones ever was.</p>
<p>School officials insist that BJU’s beliefs and mission have not changed; it’s just the focus is more than ever on a “biblically-based liberal arts education” for students, as Weier puts it, be they aspiring housewives or pastors.</p>
<p>Whether these changes will be broad enough to attract the GOP candidates in 2012 is an open question. But the larger question is whether BJU — and the wider Christian fundamentalist movement — can continue to transform while maintaining their identity.</p>
<p>“That is one of the main challenges,” Weier said. “There can be a perception that if you can change one thing, you can change anything. That’s not our approach.”</p> | false | 3 | greenville sc rns bob jones iii recently questioned whether president obama christian reminder fundamentalist leader controversial also little political world heard man rockribbed christian school bears name relative silence emanating bob jones university remarkable given intensity republican primary south carolina power religious right holds many ways school still recovering 2000 campaign george w bush spoke without mentioning schools ban interracial dating bush got hammered lapse well staying mum schools view catholicism cult apologized university since dropped interracial dating ban candidates visited campus 2008 primary sea change university muststop venue every republican since ronald reagan far year closest candidate come texas gov rick perry whose wife anita made lowkey lunchtime visit nursing students midoctober since 2000 controversy lot candidates shied away us university spokesman brian scoles said recent tour 210acre campus perception remains bob jones iii acknowledged nov 12 interview national journal hasnt endorsed candidate part might actually hurt whomever jones backed theres another perhaps consequential reason schools muted political voice subtle steady shift approach world started 2005 mantle university president passed stephen jones bob jones iiis son first person named bob jones lead school since founding 1927 youngest jones quickly distanced political legacy predecessors things said back wouldnt say today stephen jones said 2005 2008 told local newspaper dont think political bone body year stephen jones university apologize banning interracial dating conformed culture rather providing clear christian counterpoint statement says segregationist ethic prevailed failed accurately represent lord fulfill commandment love others failures profoundly sorry transformation evident ways long gone towering hedges chain link fences kept world students modernlooking sign welcomes visitors tidy wellgroomed campus faculty live campus students look much like everywhere male students sported hipster porkpie hats recent visit kneelength dresses still required young women class wear pants times strange society northwest corner greenville county says andy rouse 21 senior always stereotypes thats way world works judged actions campuswide wifi access though filter keeps pornography drinking still banned rockandroll contemporary christian music malefemale boundaries enforced careful system chaperoned dating men women mingle easily student center across campus human nature know stuff goes scoles said agreement parents going keep stuff minimum would christian college send girl home pregnant boy home hooked drugs alcohol university also dipping toe waters intercollegiate athletics something founder bob jones sr considered dangerous dalliance modernity university starting slowly fielding teams high school operates college students annual crosstown soccer match furman university bju leaders also weighing alternatives fundamentalist label proudly defined school wide swath bible belt since 1920s basically weve decided cant use term said carl abrams bju history professor longtime member faculty term hijacked takes 30 minutes explain need something else resolution discussions prospect shift enough make fundamentalists spew manner criticism conservative bloggers blasting landslide liberalism school among printable epithets bju always something outlier fundamentalist christianity liberal arts university dedicated sending wellrounded biblebelieving graduates world today 3700 students 50 states overseas study everything economics philosophy business nursing even science though bjus commitment young earth creationism raises eyebrows outside school fine arts program remains distinctive feature music drama lifeblood curriculum students perform shakespeare theatrical productions university puts major opera every year art museum campus features renaissance baroque religious paintings collection one best country political dynamics also changed south carolina every past bju president enjoyed playing kingmaker role gop establishment overshadows outspoken individuals like bob jones iii relative importance bju crowd gop declining said james l guth political scientist furman many early bju republican figures died left politics moderated guth said number bju graduates still wind republican politics like rest religious right faction able coalesce around single candidate recent elections many turned politics dirty game sometimes dont know im said rouse considering postgraduate studies political theory yale university university north carolina gary weier executive vice president academic affairs university official considered closest stephen jones also noted george w bushs presidency something disappointment many conservative christian backers tendency among conservative christians think way shape culture political power weier said think conservative christians bought political level blurring distinctions christians republican party easy bju recently announced weier another school official would share responsibility running university stephen jones suffers complications severe ear infection left nearly incapacitated landscape conservative christianity also shifted christian colleges ever schools like patrick henry college late jerry falwells liberty university pat robertsons regent university focused training future political operatives placing positions power bob jones ever school officials insist bjus beliefs mission changed focus ever biblicallybased liberal arts education students weier puts aspiring housewives pastors whether changes broad enough attract gop candidates 2012 open question larger question whether bju wider christian fundamentalist movement continue transform maintaining identity one main challenges weier said perception change one thing change anything thats approach | 771 |
<p>By Roger Olson</p>
<p>Yesterday, Monday, Feb. 25, former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/us/c-everett-koop-forceful-surgeon-general-dies-at-96.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_r=0" type="external">died</a> at his home in New Hampshire. He was 96.</p>
<p>Anyone who paid attention to public controversies knew of him in the 1980s as a rock-ribbed conservative evangelical appointed by President Ronald Reagan — perhaps as a bone thrown to his evangelical supporters. At least that’s how some regarded his appointment.</p>
<p>He turned out to be a strong advocate for AIDS research in spite of his well-known moral opposition to homosexual behavior. He also led a public campaign against smoking. He did not turn out to be quite what conservatives hoped for — a strong public voice against homosexuality and abortion.</p>
<p>I knew of Koop before his appointment to public office. He was vaguely associated with Francis Schaeffer on some pro-life projects. Also, his 1976 book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Right-Live-Die/dp/0919225020" type="external">The Right to Live, The Right to Die</a> was hailed as a major pro-life book by conservatives before his appointment.</p>
<p>Koop was a hero to those of us who considered ourselves part of the conservative Christian pro-life movement during the 1970s and early 1980s — before it was largely taken over by anti-abortion fanatics who would criminalize abortions for young rape and incest victims as well as banning some methods of birth control that prevented implantation of fertilized eggs.</p>
<p>When Koop came to speak at the college where I taught theology in the 1990s, I was excited to hear him in person. I had a vague hope of perhaps meeting him, but that dimmed when I saw the crowds that showed up to hear him. The auditorium was packed to the rafters.</p>
<p>He lived up to his reputation as a spell-binding public speaker. However, he didn’t talk about any of the expected subjects — respect for life, AIDS, homosexuality, smoking, etc. His subject was “God Killed My Son.”</p>
<p>Koop spoke that day for almost an hour about God’s sovereignty and his son’s death. According to Koop, God arranged his son’s tragic death in a mountain climbing accident so that it was immediate and painless. Most of his talk was about God’s sovereignty over all things: meticulous providence. His son was his case study.</p>
<p>According to Koop, whose pastor James Montgomery Boice was one of the most vocal advocates of high Calvinism among American evangelicals and one of my seminary professors, every event is foreordained and governed by God. That, he said, is the only thing that gave him comfort when his son died — that it was no accident. It was foreordained and rendered certain by God for a divine and good purpose.</p>
<p>As I listened, I wanted to stand and ask him (and would have asked him had there been a Q&amp;A session afterwards) whether he would get the same comfort out of thinking God killed his son if his son’s death had not been immediate and painless. He made such a huge issue of that. After all, many sons’ (and daughters’) deaths are not immediate and painless.</p>
<p>A few years later, I stood in a hallway in a children’s wing of a hospital and heard a small child, probably no more than 2 or 3, screaming in agony in a room down the hall. There was no question about the source of the screaming — it could only be extreme pain. It went on and on the whole time I was visiting my daughter’s friend with her. I wanted to stop my ears from hearing it.</p>
<p>If Koop was right, that, too, was from God. If asked, would he tell the parents of that screaming child that her pain was foreordained and rendered certain by God for a good purpose?</p>
<p>I can’t say for sure that Koop’s son’s death wasn’t foreordained by God. Perhaps it was. Without a special revelation, I doubt we can know for sure. But I am confident that God did not foreordain and render certain that tiny girl’s pains. With Baptist theologian E. Frank Tupper ( <a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/A_Scandalous_Providence.html?id=WOmrPUeySusC" type="external">A Scandalous Providence: The Jesus Story of the Compassion of God</a>) I believe God is not a “do anything, anytime, anywhere kind of God.”</p>
<p>In my opinion, the proper response to that little girl’s pain (other than medical intervention which I’m sure was being tried) was prayer, not explanation.</p>
<p>A few years after hearing Koop (whom I respected and admired even as I disagreed with him), I had the unique privilege of spending a fairly long time one-on-one with retired Fuller Seminary ethics professor <a href="http://life.biblechurch.org/slifejom/paradigm-audio-video/2366-qkeeping-hope-aliveq-a-sermon-by-lewis-smedes.html" type="external">Lewis Smedes</a>. Smedes was not as famous as Koop, but he was known and still is remembered as one of the leading Christian ethicists. He was also a member of a Reformed church.</p>
<p>Smedes and I talked about Koop’s theology. He told me that when his son died, he stood beside the open grave and swore that he would never tell another person that God took their child. He wrote an article about God’s sovereignty that broke decisively with meticulous providence.</p>
<p>I explained open theism to Smedes, and he expressed strong sympathy with that view and said he would probably have to write an explanation to his synod about his theology as it deviated from what he believed when he was ordained. Smedes and I exchanged e-mails about open theism and his last one to me stated that he embraced that view (without embracing the label). He died soon after that.</p>
<p>One thing I find interesting is how some Christians find comfort in believing God kills people, including children, while others are repulsed by the idea. Equally devout, equally God-fearing, Jesus-loving, Bible-believing people like Koop and Smedes not only hold different beliefs but react so radically differently “from the gut,” so to speak, to children’s deaths. And, of course, they interpret Scripture differently. Which comes first, I wonder: The experience or the hermeneutic? Or are they ever really separate?</p>
<p>One thing I look forward to finding out is how many of the “young, restless, Reformed” generation will hold onto their strong belief in God’s absolute, meticulous sovereignty as they mature and experience life — including tragedies in their personal lives. I predict many of them will, like Smedes, change their beliefs.</p> | false | 3 | roger olson yesterday monday feb 25 former us surgeon general c everett koop died home new hampshire 96 anyone paid attention public controversies knew 1980s rockribbed conservative evangelical appointed president ronald reagan perhaps bone thrown evangelical supporters least thats regarded appointment turned strong advocate aids research spite wellknown moral opposition homosexual behavior also led public campaign smoking turn quite conservatives hoped strong public voice homosexuality abortion knew koop appointment public office vaguely associated francis schaeffer prolife projects also 1976 book right live right die hailed major prolife book conservatives appointment koop hero us considered part conservative christian prolife movement 1970s early 1980s largely taken antiabortion fanatics would criminalize abortions young rape incest victims well banning methods birth control prevented implantation fertilized eggs koop came speak college taught theology 1990s excited hear person vague hope perhaps meeting dimmed saw crowds showed hear auditorium packed rafters lived reputation spellbinding public speaker however didnt talk expected subjects respect life aids homosexuality smoking etc subject god killed son koop spoke day almost hour gods sovereignty sons death according koop god arranged sons tragic death mountain climbing accident immediate painless talk gods sovereignty things meticulous providence son case study according koop whose pastor james montgomery boice one vocal advocates high calvinism among american evangelicals one seminary professors every event foreordained governed god said thing gave comfort son died accident foreordained rendered certain god divine good purpose listened wanted stand ask would asked qampa session afterwards whether would get comfort thinking god killed son sons death immediate painless made huge issue many sons daughters deaths immediate painless years later stood hallway childrens wing hospital heard small child probably 2 3 screaming agony room hall question source screaming could extreme pain went whole time visiting daughters friend wanted stop ears hearing koop right god asked would tell parents screaming child pain foreordained rendered certain god good purpose cant say sure koops sons death wasnt foreordained god perhaps without special revelation doubt know sure confident god foreordain render certain tiny girls pains baptist theologian e frank tupper scandalous providence jesus story compassion god believe god anything anytime anywhere kind god opinion proper response little girls pain medical intervention im sure tried prayer explanation years hearing koop respected admired even disagreed unique privilege spending fairly long time oneonone retired fuller seminary ethics professor lewis smedes smedes famous koop known still remembered one leading christian ethicists also member reformed church smedes talked koops theology told son died stood beside open grave swore would never tell another person god took child wrote article gods sovereignty broke decisively meticulous providence explained open theism smedes expressed strong sympathy view said would probably write explanation synod theology deviated believed ordained smedes exchanged emails open theism last one stated embraced view without embracing label died soon one thing find interesting christians find comfort believing god kills people including children others repulsed idea equally devout equally godfearing jesusloving biblebelieving people like koop smedes hold different beliefs react radically differently gut speak childrens deaths course interpret scripture differently comes first wonder experience hermeneutic ever really separate one thing look forward finding many young restless reformed generation hold onto strong belief gods absolute meticulous sovereignty mature experience life including tragedies personal lives predict many like smedes change beliefs | 540 |
<p>BANGKOK, Thailand - The 600-plus dead have been cremated and most neighborhoods, deluged by filth-laden floodwaters for weeks, are now scrubbed clean.</p>
<p>But the global electronics sector is still reeling from Thailand's floods, the worst to hit the nation in 50 years. As the last floodwaters recede, the crisis is exposing just how heavily the world's tech sector leans on a drab industrial zone in a floodplain north of Bangkok.</p>
<p>If certain PCs, hard drives or other electronics are suddenly more expensive or backordered in your city, chances are their production relies on Thai factories recovering from neck-high floods. The pungent waters, which shut down more than 800 factories employing roughly 450,000 workers, are now struggling to repair or replace equipment left soaking for weeks.</p>
<p>More: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-rice-bowl/thailand-thai-bangkok-floods" type="external">Will Thailand move its capital?</a></p>
<p>Fixing all that highly specialized equipment will take months. The supply shortage and resultant price hikes, according to analysts, could last well into next year.</p>
<p>"Frankly speaking, we've realized with hindsight that we're in the wrong place," said Richard Han, CEO of Hana Electronics. "We're in a flood zone."</p>
<p>For investors, this is a frightful realization: floods can wipe out an industrial sector that stands as a pillar of Thailand's export-driven economy and a crucial link in the global supply chain.</p>
<p>Hana is Thailand's largest maker of semiconductors, used in mobile phones and tablet computers, and it's located in one of the many industrial parks recently submerged by heavy flooding. As dykes around his complex burst, Han and his counterparts evacuated their pricey machinery on Thai navy boats deployed to save drowning factories.</p>
<p>California-based Western Digital, the world's largest maker of hard disk drives, took an even harsher beating. While not quite a household name, the firm supplies many firms that are: Dell, Intel, Apple and others. Roughly 30 percent of all the world's disk drives are made in Thailand, where cheap-but-skilled labor and tax breaks have attracted foreign-owned factories to the industrialized provinces north of Bangkok.</p>
<p>About 60 percent of Western Digital's hard drives are made in Thailand, according to the firm, and all of its six factories were affected by flooding. When their production suddenly stopped, a global shortage ensued. Some Western Digital hard drives shot up as much as 80 percent and prices remain inflated.</p>
<p>More: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-rice-bowl/thailands-flood-rehab-price-tag-24-billion" type="external">Thailand's flood rehab price tag: $24 billion</a>.</p>
<p>Only this month did the company manage to haul undamaged equipment into a single factory, churn out hard drives and announce production had resumed.</p>
<p>The company may suffer up to $275 million in costs, according to public statements, which forecast supply constraints continuing into "the March quarter and beyond." Another tech giant, Intel, has cautioned that its fourth quarter revenue will miss its own target by roughly $1 billion, a shortfall it connects to a supply chain shake-up caused by the Thai floods.</p>
<p>As a result, industrial park operators are scrambling to gird themselves against future floods. Two major factory estates are now building permanent dykes: one $63.7 million barrier stretching 41 miles at an estate called Rojana Industrial Park, another $19 million barrier stretching 12 miles protecting the Nava Nakorn complex.</p>
<p>But walling off industrial zones, Han said, will only turn these complexes into little islands if floods return. The outside waters will prevent supplies and workers from entering and stop factories' finished products from exiting.</p>
<p>"Companies are not going to put all their eggs back in the same basket," Han said. "No matter what kind of wall you have."</p>
<p>According to an economist and visiting professor at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Sethaput Suthiwart-Narueput, there is good news: "Economies hit by natural disasters tend to recover relatively quickly," he said. "Much more than if they get hit with something like a banking crisis."</p>
<p>But epic flooding is just the latest disaster to afflict Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy. Thailand's mounting year-after-year crises, Sethaput said, are adding up.</p>
<p>Last year, investors were rattled by anti-establishment street protests ending in a violent army crackdown, 91 deaths (mostly of protesters) and an arson spree in a Bangkok commercial district. In 2009, projects at an industrial estate called Map Tha Put were halted under suspicions of severe pollution. And in 2008, a nationalist mob sieged and shut down Bangkok's chief airport, shuddering the economy.</p>
<p>More: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-rice-bowl/dry-spell-beer-flooded-thailand" type="external">A dry spell for beer in flooded Thailand</a></p>
<p>The economy, Sethaput said, has suffered from "our masochistic ability to inflict harm upon ourselves ... all of which, compounded by the flood, has contributed to, shall we say, a less than conducive atmosphere for investment."</p>
<p>So far, only two foreign companies have moved out of Thailand since the flooding began, said Atchaka Brimble, secretary-general of Thailand's Board of Investment. But she concedes that the crisis has put Thailand on the defensive, especially as regional rivals such as Malaysia and Vietnam are more aggressively courting foreign investment.</p>
<p>"We're trying to convince investors," she said, "that Thailand is still the prime investment location in Southeast Asia."&#160;</p> | false | 3 | bangkok thailand 600plus dead cremated neighborhoods deluged filthladen floodwaters weeks scrubbed clean global electronics sector still reeling thailands floods worst hit nation 50 years last floodwaters recede crisis exposing heavily worlds tech sector leans drab industrial zone floodplain north bangkok certain pcs hard drives electronics suddenly expensive backordered city chances production relies thai factories recovering neckhigh floods pungent waters shut 800 factories employing roughly 450000 workers struggling repair replace equipment left soaking weeks thailand move capital fixing highly specialized equipment take months supply shortage resultant price hikes according analysts could last well next year frankly speaking weve realized hindsight wrong place said richard han ceo hana electronics flood zone investors frightful realization floods wipe industrial sector stands pillar thailands exportdriven economy crucial link global supply chain hana thailands largest maker semiconductors used mobile phones tablet computers located one many industrial parks recently submerged heavy flooding dykes around complex burst han counterparts evacuated pricey machinery thai navy boats deployed save drowning factories californiabased western digital worlds largest maker hard disk drives took even harsher beating quite household name firm supplies many firms dell intel apple others roughly 30 percent worlds disk drives made thailand cheapbutskilled labor tax breaks attracted foreignowned factories industrialized provinces north bangkok 60 percent western digitals hard drives made thailand according firm six factories affected flooding production suddenly stopped global shortage ensued western digital hard drives shot much 80 percent prices remain inflated thailands flood rehab price tag 24 billion month company manage haul undamaged equipment single factory churn hard drives announce production resumed company may suffer 275 million costs according public statements forecast supply constraints continuing march quarter beyond another tech giant intel cautioned fourth quarter revenue miss target roughly 1 billion shortfall connects supply chain shakeup caused thai floods result industrial park operators scrambling gird future floods two major factory estates building permanent dykes one 637 million barrier stretching 41 miles estate called rojana industrial park another 19 million barrier stretching 12 miles protecting nava nakorn complex walling industrial zones han said turn complexes little islands floods return outside waters prevent supplies workers entering stop factories finished products exiting companies going put eggs back basket han said matter kind wall according economist visiting professor bangkoks chulalongkorn university sethaput suthiwartnarueput good news economies hit natural disasters tend recover relatively quickly said much get hit something like banking crisis epic flooding latest disaster afflict thailand southeast asias secondlargest economy thailands mounting yearafteryear crises sethaput said adding last year investors rattled antiestablishment street protests ending violent army crackdown 91 deaths mostly protesters arson spree bangkok commercial district 2009 projects industrial estate called map tha put halted suspicions severe pollution 2008 nationalist mob sieged shut bangkoks chief airport shuddering economy dry spell beer flooded thailand economy sethaput said suffered masochistic ability inflict harm upon compounded flood contributed shall say less conducive atmosphere investment far two foreign companies moved thailand since flooding began said atchaka brimble secretarygeneral thailands board investment concedes crisis put thailand defensive especially regional rivals malaysia vietnam aggressively courting foreign investment trying convince investors said thailand still prime investment location southeast asia160 | 514 |
<p>By Ken Camp</p>
<p>A&#160; <a href="https://texasbaptistmen.org/" type="external">Texas Baptist Men</a>&#160;crisis response team journeyed recently to Hawaii’s Big Island to provide what they call “compassion care” — what some others term “psychological first aid” — to children and families in the expected path of a lava flow from the Kilauea volcano.</p>
<p>Tracy Barber from&#160; <a href="http://www.fbcfarmersville.com/" type="external">First Baptist Church in Farmersville</a>, Barbara Henderson from&#160; <a href="http://sachseschurch.org/" type="external">First Baptist Church in Sachse</a>, Karen McMath from&#160; <a href="http://www.centralcarthage.com/" type="external">Central Baptist Church in Carthage</a>&#160;and Henrietta Gentry, TBM volunteer chaplain coordinator from&#160; <a href="http://www.fbcvidor.org/" type="external">First Baptist Church in Vidor</a>, served eight days at the invitation of the&#160; <a href="http://hpbaptist.net/" type="external">Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention</a>.</p>
<p>All four women hold specialized certification from the&#160; <a href="https://www.trynova.org/" type="external">National Organization for Victim Assistance</a>&#160;for critical incident stress management. Barber and Henderson served with a similar crisis response team in American Samoa after it was hit by a tsunami.</p>
<p>“The children in Samoa and the children in Hawaii were on opposite sides of loss,” Barber said. “In Samoa, they were dealing with what they already had lost — homes and family members. In Hawaii, they were worried about what they were going to lose.”</p>
<p>The Kilauea volcano has erupted continuously for three decades. In late June, lava began flowing northeast toward Pahoa, threatening to cut the town in half and burning everything in its path. Less than a week before the TBM team arrived Nov. 16, the lava destroyed a home on the outskirts of Pahoa.</p>
<p>“Many families already had packed boxes, getting ready for evacuation. Kids left for school each morning wondering, ‘Will I be able to come home after school?’” Barber said.</p>
<p />
<p>Children and their families continue to struggle with the prolonged crisis, she said, recognizing the lava inevitably will flow somewhere in their direction, but living with uncertainty about exactly where or when it will happen.</p>
<p>“They are living with uncertainty, wondering what is going to happen and when it’s going to happen,” McMath said. “Waiting is one of the hardest things to do.”</p>
<p>The TBM team originally planned to make presentations in school classrooms or conduct workshops for teachers to help them recognize warning signs of emotional distress among students. However, when the lava flow stalled outside Pahoa — potentially changing course — school officials cancelled the presentations.</p>
<p>Information and teddy bears</p>
<p>Instead, the team focused on Puna Baptist Church and its surrounding area. Volunteers distributed informational packets and teddy bears imprinted with “Jesus Loves You” to participants at a weekly community assembly in which public safety and Civil Defense Agency officials provide updates on the lava flow’s progress. They also walked through the neighborhood around the church, offering direct ministry to families.</p>
<p>“We ministered to anybody the Lord laid in our laps,” Henderson said.</p>
<p>Because the projected lava flow would have separated many students from the schools they normally attend, those schools were closed and their pupils transferred to other schools closer to their homes.</p>
<p>While moving to another school can be disruptive for children at any age, it particularly can be traumatic for teenagers whose social lives revolve around athletics and cheerleader squads, Barber observed.</p>
<p>“For some high school students, that meant moving to a rival school,” she noted.</p>
<p>For one youth group, it also involved moving to a different church. Pahoa Christian Mission Church, a Filipino mission of Hilo Baptist Church, had to pack all its furniture and supplies, relocating to its sponsor church. The TBM team spent an evening ministering to the teenagers from the mission.</p>
<p>‘Hard on the youth’</p>
<p>“It’s hard on the youth,” Barber said. “First they left their school. Then they left their church.”</p>
<p>Henderson recalled one family who relocated because their home was in the originally projected path of the lava flow.</p>
<p>“They moved into a different area, and now that’s where there’s a new outbreak” of lava, she said. “They don’t know what’s going to happen. And if mom and dad don’t know what to expect, how can the children know?”</p>
<p>The TBM team also rendered unexpected assistance to&#160; <a href="http://www.punabaptist.org/" type="external">Puna Baptist Church</a>&#160;when its pastor, Alan Tamashiro, had to leave the Big Island to attend a family funeral. The team offered prayer and comfort to Tamashiro and his family, and they provided them peace of mind about being away from their church for a few days.</p>
<p />
<p>“We were able to fill in at the church while their family went to another island,” Henderson said.</p>
<p>In Tamashiro’s absence, the team led the church’s meal ministry for homeless people and represented the church at an interdenominational pastors’ meeting, where they provided information about how churches could minister more effectively to children and their families in times of crisis.</p>
<p>“The Lord had laid on my heart that we needed to minister to the ministers,” Gentry said. “They are under tremendous stress as they minister to members who are in danger of losing their own homes — if their own homes are not affected.”</p>
<p>In addition to making the presentation to the ministers they originally had planned for public schools, the team also offered direct crisis intervention for the caregiving pastors.</p>
<p>Telling their stories</p>
<p>“We started the conversation so they could tell their own stories,” she said. “Once one starts sharing, the process really starts. They realize they are not alone in what they are feeling and experiencing.”</p>
<p>In spite of initial disappointment about not being able to serve in the schools, team members noted satisfaction in the way God used them.</p>
<p>“It was all about being in the right place at the right time for the right reason,” Henderson said. “God’s plans weren’t what we had in mind, but we were there to minister to the people he put in our path — not necessarily the ones we planned.”</p> | false | 3 | ken camp a160 texas baptist men160crisis response team journeyed recently hawaiis big island provide call compassion care others term psychological first aid children families expected path lava flow kilauea volcano tracy barber from160 first baptist church farmersville barbara henderson from160 first baptist church sachse karen mcmath from160 central baptist church carthage160and henrietta gentry tbm volunteer chaplain coordinator from160 first baptist church vidor served eight days invitation the160 hawaii pacific baptist convention four women hold specialized certification the160 national organization victim assistance160for critical incident stress management barber henderson served similar crisis response team american samoa hit tsunami children samoa children hawaii opposite sides loss barber said samoa dealing already lost homes family members hawaii worried going lose kilauea volcano erupted continuously three decades late june lava began flowing northeast toward pahoa threatening cut town half burning everything path less week tbm team arrived nov 16 lava destroyed home outskirts pahoa many families already packed boxes getting ready evacuation kids left school morning wondering able come home school barber said children families continue struggle prolonged crisis said recognizing lava inevitably flow somewhere direction living uncertainty exactly happen living uncertainty wondering going happen going happen mcmath said waiting one hardest things tbm team originally planned make presentations school classrooms conduct workshops teachers help recognize warning signs emotional distress among students however lava flow stalled outside pahoa potentially changing course school officials cancelled presentations information teddy bears instead team focused puna baptist church surrounding area volunteers distributed informational packets teddy bears imprinted jesus loves participants weekly community assembly public safety civil defense agency officials provide updates lava flows progress also walked neighborhood around church offering direct ministry families ministered anybody lord laid laps henderson said projected lava flow would separated many students schools normally attend schools closed pupils transferred schools closer homes moving another school disruptive children age particularly traumatic teenagers whose social lives revolve around athletics cheerleader squads barber observed high school students meant moving rival school noted one youth group also involved moving different church pahoa christian mission church filipino mission hilo baptist church pack furniture supplies relocating sponsor church tbm team spent evening ministering teenagers mission hard youth hard youth barber said first left school left church henderson recalled one family relocated home originally projected path lava flow moved different area thats theres new outbreak lava said dont know whats going happen mom dad dont know expect children know tbm team also rendered unexpected assistance to160 puna baptist church160when pastor alan tamashiro leave big island attend family funeral team offered prayer comfort tamashiro family provided peace mind away church days able fill church family went another island henderson said tamashiros absence team led churchs meal ministry homeless people represented church interdenominational pastors meeting provided information churches could minister effectively children families times crisis lord laid heart needed minister ministers gentry said tremendous stress minister members danger losing homes homes affected addition making presentation ministers originally planned public schools team also offered direct crisis intervention caregiving pastors telling stories started conversation could tell stories said one starts sharing process really starts realize alone feeling experiencing spite initial disappointment able serve schools team members noted satisfaction way god used right place right time right reason henderson said gods plans werent mind minister people put path necessarily ones planned | 545 |
<p>Interviewed by Robert Dilday</p>
<p>What led to your focus on religious liberty issues?</p>
<p>POSITION: Education and Outreach Specialist, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty</p>
<p>AGE: 33</p>
<p>EDUCATION: B.S, The Citadel; M.Div., Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology</p>
<p>CURRENT CITY: Washington</p>
<p>PREVIOUSLY: Children’s Director, Buckhead Baptist Church, Atlanta; Hospice Chaplain, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta</p>
<p>SERVICE: Decorated veteran, U.S. Air Force; Cooperative Baptist Fellowship- endorsed chaplain</p>
<p>My interest developed in the past four years from a simple concept to a guiding passion. While I have always had a&#160;basic belief and understanding that people should be free to practice their faith as they pleased without influence from the government, my journey to comprehend the depth of the need for religious liberty and the Baptist history of protecting it began during my studies at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University.</p>
<p>That basic concept grew further into a life principle when I became a chaplain intern at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and during my residency as a hospice chaplain. Both of those experiences placed me with families during some of the darkest hours of their lives, and that allowed me to see how crucial their faith was to them. As a chaplain, it wasn’t my job to give them my faith; I was there to support them in practicing their faith tradition. Those experiences made me recognize the gift we have in the United States of religious freedom. At the Baptist Joint Committee, I’m able to help defend and extend that gift of religious liberty for all, and that “all” includes those of different faiths and those of no faith, too.&#160;</p>
<p>What’s the biggest challenge in getting younger people engaged in advocating for religious liberty — or even understanding it? Is there a particular characteristic of the Millennial generation that offers a launching pad for their greater engagement in religious liberty advocacy?</p>
<p>Honestly, the biggest challenge can be the perception of religion in general. Instead of seeing it as a loving community that accepts, many in the younger generation associate religion with discrimination more than community. It does bring a smile to my face when I encounter someone from a college or university that we visit — or a student visiting our Center for Religious Liberty on Capitol Hill — who is pleasantly surprised to find out that a Baptist organization advocates for the rights of Muslims, Hindus, atheists and others.&#160;</p>
<p>I have found that engagement truly depends on how you address the issue. If your idea of “religious liberty” only encompasses those who share your faith, many in the Millennial generation seem to be less interested in your advocacy efforts, even if they also share your faith. But at the BJC, we have a history — not just an organizational history, but also a Baptist heritage — of protecting all religious rights. When we talk about our history and engage students with the opportunity to be a part of a movement to protect the rights of others, the level of interest increases.&#160;</p>
<p>Religious liberty is a social justice issue, and every day I see younger generations taking an interest in defending those who cannot defend themselves. As they champion the rights of all people and fight for social justice, we can work together behind the belief that every individual is important in God’s eyes. I have been encouraged to hear from and interact with a generation of advocates who truly understand that oppressing the freedom of others eventually oppresses your own freedom. That becomes a tremendous launching pad for developing younger advocates of religious liberty and the BJC.&#160;</p>
<p>Are there factors unique to the African-American experience in this country which both bring specific insights which strengthen religious liberty and also might pose challenges in increasing engagement within that community?&#160;</p>
<p>I could never speak for an entire group of people; I can only speak as an individual in that community. When religion is used to justify discrimination — or take away the rights of a group of people — the issue touches close to home. Religion and the government have been double-edged swords for African Americans in this country. Both have been the source of great victories for the community; however, they have both been used to oppress and demoralize the same community. That history motivates me to stand up for the spiritual beliefs of others so their prophetic voices can be heard. It is never far from my mind that Mahatma Gandhi, a devout Hindu, influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s spiritual concept of nonviolence to combat oppression in America. To me, that alone should be great motivation for the African-American community to see the value of protecting religious liberty for all.&#160;</p>
<p>Plenty of people today seem to believe religious liberty is under assault. Are those concerns justified or exaggerated? Are you seeing hopeful signs of increasing religious liberty advocacy across the country?&#160;</p>
<p>I believe religious liberty is always one generation away from extinction. Protecting it demands our utmost vigilance, including a targeted approach to the education of young people. This means we can never get so comfortable with this liberty that we take either one of the two religion clauses in the First Amendment — preventing an establishment of religion and protecting free exercise of religion — for granted.&#160; Fighting against government-sponsored religion and defending each citizen’s right to the free exercise of religion have to be the priorities of everyone who wants continued religious liberty for all in this country. Those two clauses were intended to keep government neutral — neither helping nor hurting religion, but taking a step back and allowing people of faith to practice their religion as they see fit.</p>
<p>If you are of the mindset that one particular religion should be given favorable treatment over others, then you probably are a little concerned to see religions other than your own being treated equally. It has been true for every civil rights or social justice issue in this country: when one group has been privileged or preferred, change can feel like assault or punishment to the previously entitled group. Actually, it is the pendulum swinging back to neutral, and that is where it should be in this country when it comes to religion.&#160;</p>
<p>I am inspired when people of different faiths can work together with each other in a collective advocacy effort. The BJC often collaborates with a wide range of religious and nonreligious organizations; of course, since colonial times, Baptists have worked in alliance with others when we find common cause. When people — regardless of faith — start with what they have in common, the BJC’s efforts to increase the number of religious liberty advocates are more successful.&#160;</p>
<p>It is disheartening when people advocate for the government to favor one religion over others. Many nations around the world have shown us that violence is the result of governments who fail to protect religious minorities. That is why our educational efforts at the BJC are focused on providing advocates with reliable resources on religious liberty issues. They can trust that our work is based in Baptist principles and centered on religious freedom for all — not just those who share our faith. We remain steadfast in our coalition work with groups of many faith perspectives, and we will make sure our efforts continue to reach younger generations of future advocates.&#160;</p>
<p>What’s the best thing about your job?</p>
<p>I don’t know if I can just give you one thing, but that question immediately makes me think of my co-workers. It is a fantastic feeling to come to a job every day where you know that everyone on your team cares about the issue just as much as you. I also am grateful for a job that allows me to connect with many of my passions: to communicate with different people every day as well as to study theology, law and history. I enjoy the challenge!&#160;</p>
<p>Finally, who’s your favorite musician?&#160;</p>
<p>I value diversity in my life as well as my music. While I am a child of hip-hop and R&amp;B, I enjoy classical music, jazz and country. If I had to choose a favorite musician, it would be someone who could sing, play an instrument, write and compose. Stevie Wonder would be that choice. However, because hip-hop is my first musical love, I have to say that no one delivers lyrical metaphors — or captures the essence of growing up in Georgia — like Andre 3000 of the group Outkast. Music is beautiful because it speaks to whoever takes the time to listen.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | interviewed robert dilday led focus religious liberty issues position education outreach specialist baptist joint committee religious liberty age 33 education bs citadel mdiv mercer universitys mcafee school theology current city washington previously childrens director buckhead baptist church atlanta hospice chaplain childrens healthcare atlanta service decorated veteran us air force cooperative baptist fellowship endorsed chaplain interest developed past four years simple concept guiding passion always a160basic belief understanding people free practice faith pleased without influence government journey comprehend depth need religious liberty baptist history protecting began studies mcafee school theology mercer university basic concept grew life principle became chaplain intern childrens healthcare atlanta residency hospice chaplain experiences placed families darkest hours lives allowed see crucial faith chaplain wasnt job give faith support practicing faith tradition experiences made recognize gift united states religious freedom baptist joint committee im able help defend extend gift religious liberty includes different faiths faith too160 whats biggest challenge getting younger people engaged advocating religious liberty even understanding particular characteristic millennial generation offers launching pad greater engagement religious liberty advocacy honestly biggest challenge perception religion general instead seeing loving community accepts many younger generation associate religion discrimination community bring smile face encounter someone college university visit student visiting center religious liberty capitol hill pleasantly surprised find baptist organization advocates rights muslims hindus atheists others160 found engagement truly depends address issue idea religious liberty encompasses share faith many millennial generation seem less interested advocacy efforts even also share faith bjc history organizational history also baptist heritage protecting religious rights talk history engage students opportunity part movement protect rights others level interest increases160 religious liberty social justice issue every day see younger generations taking interest defending defend champion rights people fight social justice work together behind belief every individual important gods eyes encouraged hear interact generation advocates truly understand oppressing freedom others eventually oppresses freedom becomes tremendous launching pad developing younger advocates religious liberty bjc160 factors unique africanamerican experience country bring specific insights strengthen religious liberty also might pose challenges increasing engagement within community160 could never speak entire group people speak individual community religion used justify discrimination take away rights group people issue touches close home religion government doubleedged swords african americans country source great victories community however used oppress demoralize community history motivates stand spiritual beliefs others prophetic voices heard never far mind mahatma gandhi devout hindu influenced dr martin luther king jrs spiritual concept nonviolence combat oppression america alone great motivation africanamerican community see value protecting religious liberty all160 plenty people today seem believe religious liberty assault concerns justified exaggerated seeing hopeful signs increasing religious liberty advocacy across country160 believe religious liberty always one generation away extinction protecting demands utmost vigilance including targeted approach education young people means never get comfortable liberty take either one two religion clauses first amendment preventing establishment religion protecting free exercise religion granted160 fighting governmentsponsored religion defending citizens right free exercise religion priorities everyone wants continued religious liberty country two clauses intended keep government neutral neither helping hurting religion taking step back allowing people faith practice religion see fit mindset one particular religion given favorable treatment others probably little concerned see religions treated equally true every civil rights social justice issue country one group privileged preferred change feel like assault punishment previously entitled group actually pendulum swinging back neutral country comes religion160 inspired people different faiths work together collective advocacy effort bjc often collaborates wide range religious nonreligious organizations course since colonial times baptists worked alliance others find common cause people regardless faith start common bjcs efforts increase number religious liberty advocates successful160 disheartening people advocate government favor one religion others many nations around world shown us violence result governments fail protect religious minorities educational efforts bjc focused providing advocates reliable resources religious liberty issues trust work based baptist principles centered religious freedom share faith remain steadfast coalition work groups many faith perspectives make sure efforts continue reach younger generations future advocates160 whats best thing job dont know give one thing question immediately makes think coworkers fantastic feeling come job every day know everyone team cares issue much also grateful job allows connect many passions communicate different people every day well study theology law history enjoy challenge160 finally whos favorite musician160 value diversity life well music child hiphop rampb enjoy classical music jazz country choose favorite musician would someone could sing play instrument write compose stevie wonder would choice however hiphop first musical love say one delivers lyrical metaphors captures essence growing georgia like andre 3000 group outkast music beautiful speaks whoever takes time listen160 | 752 |
<p>Turkey's president vowed Sunday to purge the "virus" within state bodies after a failed attempt to end his 13-year rule. Some 6,000 people already have been detained.</p>
<p>"We will continue to clean the virus from all state bodies because this virus has spread. Unfortunately like a cancer, this virus has enveloped the state," Recep Tayyip Erdogan&#160;warned thousands of mourners at a funeral for victims killed during the coup attempt.</p>
<p>World leaders, including President Barack Obama, have strongly condemned the attempted coup&#160;but also urged Turkey to respect the rule of law in its aftermath, especially after pictures emerged showing the rough treatment of some coup plotters when arrested.</p>
<p>Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Sunday that around 6,000 people had been detained and the number would rise.&#160;"The clean-up operations are continuing," he was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu news agency.</p>
<p>According to the government, 161 civilians and regular troops lost their lives when a group within the army sought to overthrow the authorities by seizing key strategic points in Istanbul and Ankara late Friday.</p>
<p>Over 100 coup plotters were also killed, the military has said.</p>
<p>The botched coup bid was the biggest challenge to Erdogan's rule&#160;as prime minister and now president. But he successfully mobilized supporters into the streets to face down the plotters.</p>
<p>Thousands responded late Saturday to a new call by the president to pour into the squares to celebrate the "victory of democracy" with mass rallies of flag-waving Turks reported in cities, including Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir.</p>
<p>Europe Minister Omer Celik urged people to stay on the streets, writing on Twitter that the "vigil for democracy" continues.</p>
<p>'Respect rule of law'</p>
<p>The Turkish authorities have made clear they will show no mercy in the wake of the coup, accusing the plotters of acting on behalf of Erdogan's arch enemy, the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen.</p>
<p>Turkish television has shown images of captured suspects forced to lie face down on the tarmac after their arrest while AFP photographers have seen suspects roughly led away pursued by angry mobs.</p>
<p>NTV television said 34 generals of various grades had been detained so far. They include senior figures like Erdal Ozturk, commander of the third army and the commander of the Malatya-based second army, Adem Huduti.</p>
<p>In an operation early Sunday, authorities detained the commander of the garrison in the western town of Denizli, Ozhan Ozbakir, along with 51 other soldiers.</p>
<p>Turkey also detained a senior air force general and other officers accused of backing the failed coup at a key air base used by US forces for raids in Syria.</p>
<p>Brigadier air force general Bekir Ercan Van was detained along with over a dozen lower ranking officers on Saturday at the Incirlik air force base in southern Turkey.</p>
<p>Former chief of staff Ilker Basbug told Dogan news agency that Turkey should make a distinction between the coup planners and young soldiers "of 20 years old who may have been mistaken".</p>
<p>The crackdown is however not restricted to the military and Anadolu said prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for a total of 2,745 judges and prosecutors across Turkey.</p>
<p>The entire investigation is being led by Ankara prosecutors and those arrested are suspected of belonging to Gulen's group, which Turkey calls a terror organization.&#160;Gulen's supporters say their group is entirely peaceful.</p>
<p>Obama has warned Turkey there is a "vital need" for all parties to "act within the rule of law" in the aftermath of the coup.</p>
<p>French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault warned Erdogan against using the failed putsch to silence his opponents.</p>
<p>However there was no such concern from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called Erdogan to wish for a "speedy restoration of strong constitutional order."</p>
<p>Erdogan and Putin, who were feuding over the shootdown of a Russian jet, will meet in the first week of August, Anadolu said.</p>
<p>'Extradite Gulen'</p>
<p>Friday's putsch bid began with rebel F-16 jets screaming low over rooftops in Ankara, soldiers and tanks taking to the streets. Rebel troops also moved to block the two bridges across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul.</p>
<p>Turks have not seen such scenes since 1980, when the military led by general Kenan Evren ousted the government, and many had no desire to revive these memories.</p>
<p>Erdogan has pinned the blame on Gulen, an erstwhile ally he accuses of running a "parallel state,"&#160;and called on Obama to extradite the reclusive preacher to face justice.</p>
<p>"Mr President, I told you myself, either deport or hand over to us this person who lives in 400 acres of land in Pennsylvania," he told a triumphant rally in Istanbul late Saturday, carefully not referring to Gulen by name.</p>
<p>In an interview with Haberturk television, Labor Minister Suleyman Soylu went even further, saying: "The United States is behind the coup" and adding it had now to handover Gulen.</p>
<p>But Gulen has categorically denied any involvement in the plot and suggested it could have been staged by Erdogan himself. Secretary of State John Kerry called such claims about US support for a coup "utterly false."</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Turkey has demanded the extradition of eight people thought to have been involved in the coup&#160;who landed in a Black Hawk military helicopter in Greece.</p>
<p>The suspects are still in Greece, but the chopper itself is now been flown back to Turkey, a Turkish official said.</p>
<p>Istanbul authorities have sought to get life back to normal, but Washington on Saturday warned citizens against travel to the country due to uncertainty after the coup bid.</p> | false | 3 | turkeys president vowed sunday purge virus within state bodies failed attempt end 13year rule 6000 people already detained continue clean virus state bodies virus spread unfortunately like cancer virus enveloped state recep tayyip erdogan160warned thousands mourners funeral victims killed coup attempt world leaders including president barack obama strongly condemned attempted coup160but also urged turkey respect rule law aftermath especially pictures emerged showing rough treatment coup plotters arrested justice minister bekir bozdag said sunday around 6000 people detained number would rise160the cleanup operations continuing quoted saying staterun anadolu news agency according government 161 civilians regular troops lost lives group within army sought overthrow authorities seizing key strategic points istanbul ankara late friday 100 coup plotters also killed military said botched coup bid biggest challenge erdogans rule160as prime minister president successfully mobilized supporters streets face plotters thousands responded late saturday new call president pour squares celebrate victory democracy mass rallies flagwaving turks reported cities including ankara istanbul izmir europe minister omer celik urged people stay streets writing twitter vigil democracy continues respect rule law turkish authorities made clear show mercy wake coup accusing plotters acting behalf erdogans arch enemy usbased preacher fethullah gulen turkish television shown images captured suspects forced lie face tarmac arrest afp photographers seen suspects roughly led away pursued angry mobs ntv television said 34 generals various grades detained far include senior figures like erdal ozturk commander third army commander malatyabased second army adem huduti operation early sunday authorities detained commander garrison western town denizli ozhan ozbakir along 51 soldiers turkey also detained senior air force general officers accused backing failed coup key air base used us forces raids syria brigadier air force general bekir ercan van detained along dozen lower ranking officers saturday incirlik air force base southern turkey former chief staff ilker basbug told dogan news agency turkey make distinction coup planners young soldiers 20 years old may mistaken crackdown however restricted military anadolu said prosecutors issued arrest warrants total 2745 judges prosecutors across turkey entire investigation led ankara prosecutors arrested suspected belonging gulens group turkey calls terror organization160gulens supporters say group entirely peaceful obama warned turkey vital need parties act within rule law aftermath coup french foreign minister jeanmarc ayrault warned erdogan using failed putsch silence opponents however concern russian president vladimir putin called erdogan wish speedy restoration strong constitutional order erdogan putin feuding shootdown russian jet meet first week august anadolu said extradite gulen fridays putsch bid began rebel f16 jets screaming low rooftops ankara soldiers tanks taking streets rebel troops also moved block two bridges across bosphorus strait istanbul turks seen scenes since 1980 military led general kenan evren ousted government many desire revive memories erdogan pinned blame gulen erstwhile ally accuses running parallel state160and called obama extradite reclusive preacher face justice mr president told either deport hand us person lives 400 acres land pennsylvania told triumphant rally istanbul late saturday carefully referring gulen name interview haberturk television labor minister suleyman soylu went even saying united states behind coup adding handover gulen gulen categorically denied involvement plot suggested could staged erdogan secretary state john kerry called claims us support coup utterly false meanwhile turkey demanded extradition eight people thought involved coup160who landed black hawk military helicopter greece suspects still greece chopper flown back turkey turkish official said istanbul authorities sought get life back normal washington saturday warned citizens travel country due uncertainty coup bid | 560 |
<p>For now, Dominique Dubois counts herself among the lucky ones. She still has a few groceries in the refrigerator, enough gas in her car to last about five days and, most importantly, a job. But her employer has already threatened to reduce her hours to part-time and the possibility of being laid-off is looming.</p>
<p>In the 23 years that she’s lived on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, Dubois said, she has never seen an economic crisis like this one, and the hardest part is not knowing how or when the impasse will end. So far, the French government's response has done little to ease the tensions.</p>
<p>Guadeloupe has been paralyzed by a general strike for nearly a month, with banks, post offices, and schools closed and port activity disrupted. Grocery store shelves are nearly empty, tourists are staying away and the lines are hours long at the few gas stations still open for business. On Feb. 13, the local government announced on its web site that 42 stations had been commandeered to allow people to fill up and the police were instructed to enforce the decision.</p>
<p>The far-reaching strike highlights the fact that Guadeloupe is a "department" of France which means that it is an overseas territory largely run by the French government. The island's residents are French citizens and their currency is the euro. The strikers charge that the French government has ignored their plight in the global financial crisis. They say families are struggling to survive on an island where expenses are high and poverty and unemployment levels are double those on the French mainland.&#160;</p>
<p>“We’re living day to day; we’re getting by, but economically this is a disaster,” said Dubois, a 45-year-old mother of two, who works in a real estate office in Pointe-à-Pitre, the island’s largest city. Since October, her company has reduced its staff to about 4 people from 10. High unemployment coupled with the global economic crisis was already a concern for many of the islands’ 450,000 residents but now the situation has deteriorated beyond the pale, she said.</p>
<p>“There’s a lot of pain,” Dubois said by telephone. “We’re all suffering.”</p>
<p>What started out as a protest at the pumps against high gas prices has evolved into a near-revolt that has already spread to neighboring Martinique. The grievances include the high cost of living, unemployment, low wages and high rent, and protesters have put forth more than 130 demands, including, the stickiest point, a salary increase of 200 euros ($260) for the lowest-paid employees.</p>
<p>The French government is negotiating with the leadership of a collective representing some 47 trade unions, political organizations and associations but many islanders are frustrated with the French response, which some say is exacerbating the confrontation.</p>
<p>For many, President Nicolas Sarkozy’s failure to mention Guadeloupe in his Feb. 5 televised interview addressing the economic crisis was the first slight, since the protest was already well underway by that time. Sarkozy addressed the situation for the first time on Feb. 13 when he ordered the government to review its policy toward overseas territories, according to a statement on the president’s web site.</p>
<p>“Let us beware of false 'good ideas' for the short term that would end this conflict but compromise the future of those territories,” Sarkozy said about the possibility of raising salaries at a cabinet meeting. French riot police arrived in Martinique Feb. 12 to keep order, the Associated Press reported.</p>
<p>The secretary of state for overseas territories, Yves Jego, traveled to the island at the beginning of February promising he would stay until a solution was reached but returned to Paris precipitously, ahead of a scheduled meeting with local officials.</p>
<p>“People went to a meeting and he had already left; it was disrespectful,” said Marie-Christine Berthol de Mercico, a French West Indian in Paris. “We don’t behave with people the way we’d behave with dogs.”</p>
<p>Jego returned to the island 48 hours later with two negotiators and assurances that “the entire government was working toward a response” to their concerns, but the damage had been done already. In addition, the government has maintained that the salary dispute over the 200 euros is an employer/employee matter in which it must not interfere, a position that many said was akin to leaders absolving themselves of responsibility.</p>
<p>In his statement Sarkozy said the government had taken the matter seriously from the start of the conflict and remains committed to addressing the social crisis.</p>
<p>Berthol, who was born in France to a father from Guadeloupe but raised in Martinique, where her 67-year-old retired mother still lives, said the strike was a culmination of years of resentment and of being treated like “second-class French” finally taking their toll. She, like other West Indian French with aging parents on the islands, feels personally touched.</p>
<p>“If I was over there, I would be on strike too,” she said. “They’ve arrived at a point where they have nothing to lose.”</p>
<p>Berthol echoed the views of several people who said the islands are only mentioned when officials are seeking votes or when there’s a hurricane.</p>
<p>“We’re angry at this government that does nothing for us,” said Suzanne Charron, 62, born in Guadeloupe to parents from Martinique and who now works in law enforcement in Paris. “I agree completely with what’s happening over there and I hope they don’t give up.”</p>
<p>Like most people, Dubois said, she agreed on principle with the main reason for the strike — the cost of living — but she has started questioning the methods of demonstrators, especially those who say they won’t give in. She cited a myriad of ways the strike was turning negative: rampant price gouging, the practice of piercing another’s gas tank to steal fuel, those forced by intimidation and threats to close their businesses.</p>
<p>There were examples closer to home too: her 12-year-old daughter has been out of school for four weeks, watching the adults around her worry about their future; her partner, who does small home renovations, has lost 80 percent of his business, has no way of getting supplies since the shops are closed and has no gas to travel to job sites.</p>
<p>And among her friends: a woman whose only income was selling fried foods at an outdoor market has no cooking fuel or charcoal, nor any way of getting them or of feeding her young daughter; another friend’s computer services business will shut permanently at the end of the month, leaving many more unemployed than when the strike started.</p>
<p>Dubois said she wanted a peaceful end to the standoff with the opposing sides exchanging real dialogue that addresses the underlying economic problems and goes beyond the temptation to fixate on the racial tensions smarting just below the surface of the conflict.</p>
<p>“We’re in the process of killing the economy,” she said. “It’s the cat biting its tail.”</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches from France correspondent Mildrade Cherfils:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/france/090202/sri-lanka-conflict-spurs-demonstrations-france" type="external">Sri Lanka conflict spurs demonstrations in France</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/france/090127/economic-downturn-time-strike" type="external">An economic downturn? Time for a strike</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/france/090109/barack’s-ambassador-emeritus-paris" type="external">Barack’s ambassador emeritus in Paris</a></p> | false | 3 | dominique dubois counts among lucky ones still groceries refrigerator enough gas car last five days importantly job employer already threatened reduce hours parttime possibility laidoff looming 23 years shes lived caribbean island guadeloupe dubois said never seen economic crisis like one hardest part knowing impasse end far french governments response done little ease tensions guadeloupe paralyzed general strike nearly month banks post offices schools closed port activity disrupted grocery store shelves nearly empty tourists staying away lines hours long gas stations still open business feb 13 local government announced web site 42 stations commandeered allow people fill police instructed enforce decision farreaching strike highlights fact guadeloupe department france means overseas territory largely run french government islands residents french citizens currency euro strikers charge french government ignored plight global financial crisis say families struggling survive island expenses high poverty unemployment levels double french mainland160 living day day getting economically disaster said dubois 45yearold mother two works real estate office pointeàpitre islands largest city since october company reduced staff 4 people 10 high unemployment coupled global economic crisis already concern many islands 450000 residents situation deteriorated beyond pale said theres lot pain dubois said telephone suffering started protest pumps high gas prices evolved nearrevolt already spread neighboring martinique grievances include high cost living unemployment low wages high rent protesters put forth 130 demands including stickiest point salary increase 200 euros 260 lowestpaid employees french government negotiating leadership collective representing 47 trade unions political organizations associations many islanders frustrated french response say exacerbating confrontation many president nicolas sarkozys failure mention guadeloupe feb 5 televised interview addressing economic crisis first slight since protest already well underway time sarkozy addressed situation first time feb 13 ordered government review policy toward overseas territories according statement presidents web site let us beware false good ideas short term would end conflict compromise future territories sarkozy said possibility raising salaries cabinet meeting french riot police arrived martinique feb 12 keep order associated press reported secretary state overseas territories yves jego traveled island beginning february promising would stay solution reached returned paris precipitously ahead scheduled meeting local officials people went meeting already left disrespectful said mariechristine berthol de mercico french west indian paris dont behave people way wed behave dogs jego returned island 48 hours later two negotiators assurances entire government working toward response concerns damage done already addition government maintained salary dispute 200 euros employeremployee matter must interfere position many said akin leaders absolving responsibility statement sarkozy said government taken matter seriously start conflict remains committed addressing social crisis berthol born france father guadeloupe raised martinique 67yearold retired mother still lives said strike culmination years resentment treated like secondclass french finally taking toll like west indian french aging parents islands feels personally touched would strike said theyve arrived point nothing lose berthol echoed views several people said islands mentioned officials seeking votes theres hurricane angry government nothing us said suzanne charron 62 born guadeloupe parents martinique works law enforcement paris agree completely whats happening hope dont give like people dubois said agreed principle main reason strike cost living started questioning methods demonstrators especially say wont give cited myriad ways strike turning negative rampant price gouging practice piercing anothers gas tank steal fuel forced intimidation threats close businesses examples closer home 12yearold daughter school four weeks watching adults around worry future partner small home renovations lost 80 percent business way getting supplies since shops closed gas travel job sites among friends woman whose income selling fried foods outdoor market cooking fuel charcoal way getting feeding young daughter another friends computer services business shut permanently end month leaving many unemployed strike started dubois said wanted peaceful end standoff opposing sides exchanging real dialogue addresses underlying economic problems goes beyond temptation fixate racial tensions smarting surface conflict process killing economy said cat biting tail globalpost dispatches france correspondent mildrade cherfils sri lanka conflict spurs demonstrations france economic downturn time strike baracks ambassador emeritus paris | 652 |
<p>UPDATED: Teachers at UNO charter schools have voted 87 percent in favor of joining a union, an Illinois Federation of Teachers spokeswoman said.</p>
<p>The announcement comes just days after scandal prompted the state to cut off capital funding to UNO charter schools, and it means the city’s charter teachers union will roughly double in size. According to the Illinois Federation of Teachers, more than 20 percent of charter teachers in Chicago will now be union members.</p>
<p>Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (ACTS) began an organizing drive in earnest at UNO charter schools <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/03/uno-charter-says-teachers-can-form-union/" type="external">after the charter operator signed a “neutrality agreement” last March</a>. On Wednesday, under the terms of the agreement, an arbitrator began tallied cards signed by union supporters to verify that a majority of teachers wanted the union.</p>
<p>Jessica Hanzlik, an 8th-grade teacher at UNO Soccer Academy, says that the drive to organize UNO teachers began six weeks ago when the school announced the neutrality agreement with Chicago ACTS.</p>
<p>For years before that, she said, ACTS had done outreach but not a specific organizing campaign.</p>
<p>“They always would periodically call charter school teachers to see if we were happy with our jobs, how things were going,” Hanzlik says.</p>
<p>The organizing drive has given teachers an opportunity to talk about “big-picture education issues,” Hanzlik adds, like strengthening the teaching profession and advocating for students.</p>
<p>Hanzlik hopes a union will help UNO put in place some kind of “peer accountability” system, such as peer evaluations. “Teachers feel a lot of pressure and accountability from above, and we want to start thinking about how to hold each other accountable,” Hanzlik says.</p>
<p>She says a union could also strengthen teachers’ voice in how the school is run, particularly when it concerns school climate.</p>
<p>“We have been working really hard to figure out how to help teachers feel a sense of ownership over their work,” Hanzlik notes. “I think that when this idea was brought to (UNO’s administration), they saw it as an opportunity.”</p>
<p>Historical roots</p>
<p>Emily Rosenberg, director of DePaul University’s Labor Education Center, says that teachers in charter schools are organizing for the same reasons as the public school teachers who first formed unions.</p>
<p>“It’s back to the 1900s,” Rosenberg says. “They don’t have any control over their working conditions, over their class size, whether they get positions they are supposed to get, whether they get raises, whether they get vacation days. This is just history revisiting itself.”</p>
<p>The biggest issue, Rosenberg says, is unfair treatment on the job. “It’s the very tentative nature of your work,” she says.</p>
<p>Before Wednesday’s card tally began, Rosenberg heard that “the cards are flying out of the hands of the reps” for teachers to sign and show their support for a union.</p>
<p>“This neutrality agreement has made all the difference in the world in terms of teachers feeling safe to go ahead and organize,” Rosenberg says.</p>
<p>Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, says that the agreement has been key to getting a foot in the door at UNO.</p>
<p>Without the agreement, recent rulings that charter schools aren’t covered by the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act mean that the union would have had to conduct a secret-ballot election after a campaign period during which both employers and the union can set out their perspectives.</p>
<p>“[Employers] will hire anti-union law firms, they will hold captive-audience meetings. Often they will intimidate or fire [teachers],” Montgomery says.</p>
<p>Union expansion uncertain</p>
<p>Chicago ACTS’ ability to unionize other charter schools may be limited for that reason. Years of legal battles have kept it from gaining a foothold at Chicago Math and Science Academy, and at Latino Youth High School.</p>
<p>An April 18 secret-ballot vote at Latino Youth, which was 10 to 1 in favor of a union, may put an end to the strife, says Chris Baehrend, a teacher at the school who is also vice president of Chicago ACTS.</p>
<p>“We’ve gone almost three years without a proper say in how the school is run, how the budget is run, having a salary scale. It’s dispiriting,” Baehrend says.</p>
<p>In Sept. 2010, Baehrend says, a majority of teachers signed union cards. But the school asked the National Labor Relations Board to intervene, claiming that the state educational labor relations law didn’t apply because Latino Youth is a charter school.</p>
<p>But now that the vote is wrapped up, Baehrend says, “we have our letter ready to demand to bargain” as soon as the results are certified by the National Labor Relations Board.</p>
<p>Baehrend says working conditions, turnover and firings prompted teachers to unionize. He says that a month after he was hired at the school in fall 2009, his pension match was cut, requiring him to fork over the entire 9 percent of his salary to the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund. His health insurance premium went up 50 percent.&#160;</p>
<p>“We didn’t get any new textbooks,” Baehrend says. “We were taken to a place called SCARCE in Glen Ellyn–schools dump off old textbooks and educators can go there to pick them up. There were no computers for classroom use. The photocopier often didn’t work. It was like, how do you teach like this?”</p>
<p>He wants to see teachers represented on a committee that makes hiring and firing decisions at the school. He’d also like to see teacher-led professional development and more advance notice for teachers regarding whether their jobs will continue from year to year. In one case, he says, he was notified a week before school started. “We have lost so many great teachers because we don’t even know if we have a job,” Baehrend says.</p>
<p>Montgomery says charter unions may continue to grow.</p>
<p>“If people think that somehow the path ahead to better schools is to deprive teachers of the ability to organize, they are deeply misguided,” he says. “Unions will change the way they look, but you are never going to get rid of people seeking a collective voice in where they work, whether it’s Starbucks, Boeing, or schools. That’s the way human beings work–they want their issues addressed.”</p> | false | 3 | updated teachers uno charter schools voted 87 percent favor joining union illinois federation teachers spokeswoman said announcement comes days scandal prompted state cut capital funding uno charter schools means citys charter teachers union roughly double size according illinois federation teachers 20 percent charter teachers chicago union members chicago alliance charter teachers staff acts began organizing drive earnest uno charter schools charter operator signed neutrality agreement last march wednesday terms agreement arbitrator began tallied cards signed union supporters verify majority teachers wanted union jessica hanzlik 8thgrade teacher uno soccer academy says drive organize uno teachers began six weeks ago school announced neutrality agreement chicago acts years said acts done outreach specific organizing campaign always would periodically call charter school teachers see happy jobs things going hanzlik says organizing drive given teachers opportunity talk bigpicture education issues hanzlik adds like strengthening teaching profession advocating students hanzlik hopes union help uno put place kind peer accountability system peer evaluations teachers feel lot pressure accountability want start thinking hold accountable hanzlik says says union could also strengthen teachers voice school run particularly concerns school climate working really hard figure help teachers feel sense ownership work hanzlik notes think idea brought unos administration saw opportunity historical roots emily rosenberg director depaul universitys labor education center says teachers charter schools organizing reasons public school teachers first formed unions back 1900s rosenberg says dont control working conditions class size whether get positions supposed get whether get raises whether get vacation days history revisiting biggest issue rosenberg says unfair treatment job tentative nature work says wednesdays card tally began rosenberg heard cards flying hands reps teachers sign show support union neutrality agreement made difference world terms teachers feeling safe go ahead organize rosenberg says dan montgomery president illinois federation teachers says agreement key getting foot door uno without agreement recent rulings charter schools arent covered illinois educational labor relations act mean union would conduct secretballot election campaign period employers union set perspectives employers hire antiunion law firms hold captiveaudience meetings often intimidate fire teachers montgomery says union expansion uncertain chicago acts ability unionize charter schools may limited reason years legal battles kept gaining foothold chicago math science academy latino youth high school april 18 secretballot vote latino youth 10 1 favor union may put end strife says chris baehrend teacher school also vice president chicago acts weve gone almost three years without proper say school run budget run salary scale dispiriting baehrend says sept 2010 baehrend says majority teachers signed union cards school asked national labor relations board intervene claiming state educational labor relations law didnt apply latino youth charter school vote wrapped baehrend says letter ready demand bargain soon results certified national labor relations board baehrend says working conditions turnover firings prompted teachers unionize says month hired school fall 2009 pension match cut requiring fork entire 9 percent salary chicago teachers pension fund health insurance premium went 50 percent160 didnt get new textbooks baehrend says taken place called scarce glen ellynschools dump old textbooks educators go pick computers classroom use photocopier often didnt work like teach like wants see teachers represented committee makes hiring firing decisions school hed also like see teacherled professional development advance notice teachers regarding whether jobs continue year year one case says notified week school started lost many great teachers dont even know job baehrend says montgomery says charter unions may continue grow people think somehow path ahead better schools deprive teachers ability organize deeply misguided says unions change way look never going get rid people seeking collective voice work whether starbucks boeing schools thats way human beings workthey want issues addressed | 599 |
<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>.org&#160;</p>
<p>THURS., DEC. 6</p>
<p>Northstar Community Church; “Behold The Lamb of God” Christmas tour featuring Andrew Peterson and Matthew Perry­man Jones; 7 p.m. at The Com­mons at Bon Air Baptist Church, Rich­mond, Va.; tickets available by calling 800-519-9030 or online at <a href="http://www.northstarcommunity.com/btlog2012" type="external">www.northstarcommunity.com/btlog2012</a>.</p>
<p>FRI.-SUN., DEC. 7-9</p>
<p>Derbyshire Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Season’s Greetings,” Fri. and Sat. at 7 p.m. and Sun. at 4 and 7 p.m.</p>
<p>SAT.-SUN., DEC. 8-9</p>
<p>Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, Va.; “A Time for Christmas,” on Sat. at 2 and 6 p.m. and on Sun. at 6 p.m.; tickets required.</p>
<p>Dublin (Va.) Baptist Church; “And On Earth Peace,” on Sat. at 7 p.m. and on Sun. at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Great Bridge Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Va.; “Brand New Christmas,” Sat. at 7 p.m. and Sun. at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Mineral (Va.) Baptist Church; “Cele­brate the Wonder,” Sat. at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>SUN., DEC. 9</p>
<p>Abingdon (Va.) Baptist Church, “Let the Whole World Sing,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; “Silent Night, Holy Night,” at 3 and 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Calvary Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; “Glory to the Newborn King,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church, Rich­mond, Va.; “First Christmas,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Cobham Park Baptist Church, War­saw. Va.; “Mary, Did You Know?” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Cool Spring Baptist Church, Mech­anics­ville, Va.; “Secret of Snowflake Country,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Crozet (Va.) Baptist Church; “Night of the Father’s Love,” at 3 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C.; “The Sounds of Christmas,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Va.; “Come, Ye Faithful,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Fort Trial Baptist Church, Stanleytown, Va.; “Silent Night, Holy Night,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>King’s Grant Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Va.; “Christmas in HD,” at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Moffett Memorial Baptist Church, Danville, Va.; “Canticle of Joy,” at 11 a.m. Parkview Baptist Church, Newport News, Va.; “A Magnificent Season,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>River Road Church, Baptist, Richmond, Va.; Advent &amp; Christmas Choral Concert, “Messiah,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Rosalind Hills Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; “Celebrate the Wonder,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Second Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; Christmas Concert at 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>United Baptist Church, Annandale, Va.; “The Glory of the Lord,” at 4 p.m.</p>
<p>University of Richmond; 39th annual candlelight services of Lessons and Carols at 5 and 8 p.m. in Cannon Memorial Chapel.</p>
<p>Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Va.; “The Greatest Story … The Son of God,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>SUN.-MON., DEC. 9-10</p>
<p>Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Danville, Va.; “Hope is Born Emmanuel,” on Sun. at 6 p.m. and Mon. at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>FRI., DEC. 14</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Ashland, Va.; Christmas concert by OK Chorale with the Brethren quartet at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>FRI.-SAT., DEC. 14-15</p>
<p>Wake Forest (N.C.) Baptist Church; “Carols on the Keys,” featuring four concert pianists on four grand pianos; Fri. and Sat. at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>SAT., DEC. 15</p>
<p>Manassas (Va.) Baptist Church; “Sing Me Now of Christmas,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>SAT.-SUN., DEC. 15-16</p>
<p>Charles Town (W.Va.) Baptist Church; “Peace, Hope, Joy,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Bristol, Va.; “The Hope of Christmas,” Sat. at 6 p.m. and Sun. at 11 a.m.; tickets required.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, N.C.; “Messiah,” Sat. at 7 p.m. and Sun. at 4 p.m.; free ticket required.</p>
<p>Green Ridge Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; “Everything Glorious,” Sat. at 6:30 p.m. and Sun. at 10:55 a.m. Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church, Sanford, N.C.; “And On Earth Peace,” Sat. at 7:30 p.m. and Sun. at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Keystone Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va.; “Christmas! Sing of the Wonder,” Sat. at 6 p.m. and Sun. at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Mill Creek Baptist Church, Fincastle, Va.; “Changed By a Baby Boy,” Sat. at 3 p.m. and Sun. at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>SUN., DEC. 16</p>
<p>Athens Drive Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C.; “This Will Be a Sign,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Bethlehem Baptist Church, Penick Rd., Richmond, Va.; “Night of Wonder, Night of Joy,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Broadus Memorial Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Majesty of Heaven,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Emmaus Baptist Church, Poquoson, Va.; “Silent Night, Holy Night,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Fairmount Memorial Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “One Night Divine,” at 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>Ferry Farm Baptist Church, Fred­ericks­burg, Va.; “A Midnight Clear,” at 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Ahoskie, N.C.; “Emmanuel — God With Us,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C.; “Magnificat,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Chase City, Va.; “All Is Well,” at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Frederick, Md.; “This is Christmas,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Hickory, N.C.; “Carols &amp; Keys at Christmas,” at 3 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “How Great Our Joy,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Silver Spring, Md.: Multicultural Christmas Concert at 4 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Wallace, N.C.; “Heaven’s Child,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Garden City Baptist Church, Roa­noke, Va.; “The Gift of Christmas,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Hampton (Va.) Baptist Church; “The Messiah,” at 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>Huguenot Road Baptist Church, Rich­mond, Va.; “Angels Among Us,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Kentuck Baptist Church, Ringgold, Va.; “And on Earth Peace,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Louisa (Va.) Baptist Church; “Behold the Star,” at 11 a.m. Mechanicsville Baptist Church, Gor­donsville, Va.; “Light of the World” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Monument Heights Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Night of the Father’s Love,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, N.C.; “Tidings of Christmas” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Moseley, Va.; “Noel &amp; Alleluia, Jesus is Born,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>New Covenant Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Emmanuel,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>North Run Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Home for Christmas,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Northside Baptist Church, Mechanics­ville, Va.; “Night of Wonder,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Ox Hill Baptist Church, Chantilly, Va.; “Sing We All Noel,” at 4 and 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Palestine Baptist Church, Huddles­ton, Va.; “No Other Name,” at 10:45 a.m.</p>
<p>Powers Memorial Baptist Church, Hopewell, Va.; “Worthy of Worship” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Randolph Memorial Baptist Church, Madison Heights, Va.; “Bethlehem Night,” at 10:50 a.m.</p>
<p>Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va.: “All Is Well,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Second Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va.; “Repeat the Sounding Joy,” at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Skipwith Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “And On Earth Peace,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Upper Essex Baptist Church, Caret, Va.; “All Is Well,” at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Victoria (Va.) Baptist Church; “Come and Adore Him,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Villa Heights Baptist Church, Roa­noke, Va.; “Wondrous Gift: The Treasure of Jesus: at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Mech­anicsville, Va.; “Christmas on Cold Harbor,” at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Whiteville (N.C.) Baptist Church; “Kneeling in Bethlehem,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.” “Lead Me Back to Bethlehem,” at 4 p.m.</p>
<p>Zoan Baptist Church, Fredericks­burg, Va.; “Gather at the Manger,” at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>SUN.-MON., DEC. 16-17</p>
<p>Hillcrest Baptist Church, Mech­anicsville, Va.; “Emmanuel,” at 7 p.m.</p> | false | 3 | accepted new call ordained church celebrating anniversary mission trip project would like highlighted heraldbeat page send info heraldbeat editor barbara francis bfrancisreligiousheraldorgorg160 thurs dec 6 northstar community church behold lamb god christmas tour featuring andrew peterson matthew perryman jones 7 pm commons bon air baptist church richmond va tickets available calling 8005199030 online wwwnorthstarcommunitycombtlog2012 frisun dec 79 derbyshire baptist church richmond va seasons greetings fri sat 7 pm sun 4 7 pm satsun dec 89 columbia baptist church falls church va time christmas sat 2 6 pm sun 6 pm tickets required dublin va baptist church earth peace sat 7 pm sun 11 great bridge baptist church virginia beach va brand new christmas sat 7 pm sun 5 pm mineral va baptist church celebrate wonder sat 7 pm sunday 11 sun dec 9 abingdon va baptist church let whole world sing 11 bonsack baptist church roanoke va silent night holy night 3 630 pm calvary baptist church roanoke va glory newborn king 11 carlisle avenue baptist church richmond va first christmas 7 pm cobham park baptist church warsaw va mary know 6 pm cool spring baptist church mechanicsville va secret snowflake country 6 pm crozet va baptist church night fathers love 3 pm first baptist church asheville nc sounds christmas 7 pm first baptist church waynesboro va come ye faithful 6 pm fort trial baptist church stanleytown va silent night holy night 11 kings grant baptist church virginia beach va christmas hd 830 11 moffett memorial baptist church danville va canticle joy 11 parkview baptist church newport news va magnificent season 7 pm river road church baptist richmond va advent amp christmas choral concert messiah 7 pm rosalind hills baptist church roanoke va celebrate wonder 11 second baptist church richmond va christmas concert 630 pm united baptist church annandale va glory lord 4 pm university richmond 39th annual candlelight services lessons carols 5 8 pm cannon memorial chapel woodland heights baptist church chesapeake va greatest story son god 6 pm sunmon dec 910 mount hermon baptist church danville va hope born emmanuel sun 6 pm mon 7 pm fri dec 14 first baptist church ashland va christmas concert ok chorale brethren quartet 7 pm frisat dec 1415 wake forest nc baptist church carols keys featuring four concert pianists four grand pianos fri sat 7 pm sat dec 15 manassas va baptist church sing christmas 7 pm satsun dec 1516 charles town wva baptist church peace hope joy 7 pm first baptist church bristol va hope christmas sat 6 pm sun 11 tickets required first baptist church southern pines nc messiah sat 7 pm sun 4 pm free ticket required green ridge baptist church roanoke va everything glorious sat 630 pm sun 1055 jonesboro heights baptist church sanford nc earth peace sat 730 pm sun 330 730 pm keystone baptist church lynchburg va christmas sing wonder sat 6 pm sun 11 mill creek baptist church fincastle va changed baby boy sat 3 pm sun 5 pm sun dec 16 athens drive baptist church raleigh nc sign 11 bethlehem baptist church penick rd richmond va night wonder night joy 11 broadus memorial baptist church richmond va majesty heaven 6 pm emmaus baptist church poquoson va silent night holy night 6 pm fairmount memorial baptist church richmond va one night divine 1030 ferry farm baptist church fredericksburg va midnight clear 1030 first baptist church ahoskie nc emmanuel god us 7 pm first baptist church asheville nc magnificat 7 pm first baptist church chase city va well 5 pm first baptist church frederick md christmas 7 pm first baptist church hickory nc carols amp keys christmas 3 pm first baptist church richmond va great joy 7 pm first baptist church silver spring md multicultural christmas concert 4 pm first baptist church wallace nc heavens child 11 garden city baptist church roanoke va gift christmas 11 hampton va baptist church messiah 1030 huguenot road baptist church richmond va angels among us 6 pm kentuck baptist church ringgold va earth peace 6 pm louisa va baptist church behold star 11 mechanicsville baptist church gordonsville va light world 11 monument heights baptist church richmond va night fathers love 11 mount carmel baptist church chapel hill nc tidings christmas 7 pm mount hermon baptist church moseley va noel amp alleluia jesus born 11 new covenant baptist church richmond va emmanuel 11 north run baptist church richmond va home christmas 11 northside baptist church mechanicsville va night wonder 6 pm ox hill baptist church chantilly va sing noel 4 7 pm palestine baptist church huddleston va name 1045 powers memorial baptist church hopewell va worthy worship 11 randolph memorial baptist church madison heights va bethlehem night 1050 rivermont avenue baptist church lynchburg va well 6 pm second baptist church petersburg va repeat sounding joy 5 pm skipwith baptist church richmond va earth peace 11 upper essex baptist church caret va well 7 pm victoria va baptist church come adore 11 villa heights baptist church roanoke va wondrous gift treasure jesus 6 pm walnut grove baptist church mechanicsville va christmas cold harbor 6 pm whiteville nc baptist church kneeling bethlehem 11 woodland heights baptist church richmond va lead back bethlehem 4 pm zoan baptist church fredericksburg va gather manger 11 sunmon dec 1617 hillcrest baptist church mechanicsville va emmanuel 7 pm | 881 |
<p>On a recent Sunday evening the lights were dark at the First Baptist Church of Richmond. The members were down Boulevard at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts where they were honoring their pastor, Peter James Flamming. On the last day of this month, he concludes his 23-year pastorate at the Richmond church.</p>
<p>First Church folks crowded into the cavernous Marble Hall and lined across the floor and down a corridor to shake hands and hug their pastor. It was not unlike the long lines in which children and parents wait for a moment with a department store Santa. No doubt many of the members had personal thoughts and good wishes which they wanted to share with the pastor who had counseled and comforted them.</p>
<p>The pastor stood beside the entrance to the exhibit of fabulous Faberge jeweled objects. Further ahead were a marble statute of Cleopatra, a collection of magnificent silver pieces and a large granite statute of an Egyptian king dating 600 years before Christ. Nearby was a marble statue from 40 years after Christ. It was Caligula, the unpopular Roman emperor, whose images suffered damage by his enemies. The museum's statue was minus arms, a foot and the tip of the nose. Nevertheless, it was a treasure.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Peter James Flamming</p>
<p>A near neighbor to the Virginia Museum is another treasure house popularly known as Battle Abbey and officially as the Virginia Historical Society. On permanent exhibit are numerous artifacts telling the Commonwealth's story including a dugout canoe, a Conestoga wagon, an old-fashion streetcar. Valuable documents are scattered in cases. The huge mural on the seasons of the Confederacy graces a gallery. Treasures.</p>
<p>There is another treasure house on Boulevard. It is the handsome Greek temple which has stood for nearly 80 years at the intersection of Boulevard and Monument Avenue. It is the First Baptist Church. Its chief treasures are its people. George White McDaniel, who was pastor a century ago, once observed, “God has brought our church into a large place and it must never be content with small things.”</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>First Baptist Church of Richmond</p>
<p>Each succeeding pastor has enabled the congregation to reach for the stars. Peter James Flamming arrived on the Richmond scene in 1983 and quickly earned a place in the hearts of his congregation. He led the church into a television ministry which regularly reaches some 30,000 people. It made Flamming a household name and a familiar face and voice across Central Virginia. Although he officiated at some 1,000 funerals, he also labored to keep the membership at 3,800-plus.</p>
<p>In 1994 the church embarked on an ambitious enlargement which created improved facilities for children, a magnificent dining area, and a new gymnasium. In many ways, the enlargement of the old treasure house reflected a major decision to remain in the central part of the city. First Baptist Church believed that the best days for Richmond were yet to come and the church wanted to be a part of the city's future.</p>
<p>As pastor, Peter James Flamming visited countless hospital rooms and funeral parlors. In 1990-91, the church members ministered to the Flammings when the couple's son, Dave, was stricken with leukemia. They helped every way they possibly could, including organizing a “Marrowthon” fundraising walk. They surrounded the family with support when Dave died at age 33. They showered love upon the parents, the young widow and the little girls. The pastor told his people: “In the end, faith, family and friends matter most. You have been all three for us.”</p>
<p>As denominational statesman, Peter James Flamming answered the call to serve on the SBC Peace Committee, a rather ill-fated attempt at quelling a firestorm. He also encouraged his own church to provide giving options so that anyone could be a member and honor their own sense of integrity.</p>
<p>As preacher, Peter James Flamming excelled. Like his renowned predecessor, Theodore Adams, he always preached a simple gospel in such a manner that the smallest child and the wisest adult could understand and apply. He remained an engaging pulpiteer and an astute observer of human nature.</p>
<p>Never content, even as the birthdays mounted past 70, Peter James Flamming kept leading his people “to dream again,” helping them to envision their fullest potential and to shy away from small things. He encouraged a social ministry to the homeless who walked nearby Broad Street. The basement of the church offered a place for a shower ministry. He envisioned a bold missions partnership effort which has enabled members to perform “hands-on” missions projects around the globe.</p>
<p>It is doubtful that Peter James Flamming could have accomplished so much without the encouraging support of his wife, Shirley Northcutt Flamming. She was the daughter of a Baptist minister and well-known seminary professor. She never dreamed of marrying a preacher; and Flamming, also the child of a Baptist preacher, did not aspire, at first, to the life of a minister. But the Lord has a sense of humor and both young people soon found themselves headed for a life devoted to church work. The good people of First Baptist Church never insisted that the pastor's wife walk a prescribed path and they allowed Shirley to be her own person. She found numerous ways to shine.</p>
<p>Richmond's Boulevard is indeed an avenue of treasure houses. The priceless art, the valuable historical documents, and the treasure which moth and rust cannot harm. First Baptist Church lovingly blesses their 15th pastor on his retirement and resolves to maintain their treasure house—a place where people find community, practice Christianity and discover the richest treasures of them all.</p>
<p>The story of First Baptist Church of Richmond is told in a forthcoming book, entitled The Open Door. Written by this columnist, it will be available from the church beginning in January.</p> | false | 3 | recent sunday evening lights dark first baptist church richmond members boulevard virginia museum fine arts honoring pastor peter james flamming last day month concludes 23year pastorate richmond church first church folks crowded cavernous marble hall lined across floor corridor shake hands hug pastor unlike long lines children parents wait moment department store santa doubt many members personal thoughts good wishes wanted share pastor counseled comforted pastor stood beside entrance exhibit fabulous faberge jeweled objects ahead marble statute cleopatra collection magnificent silver pieces large granite statute egyptian king dating 600 years christ nearby marble statue 40 years christ caligula unpopular roman emperor whose images suffered damage enemies museums statue minus arms foot tip nose nevertheless treasure peter james flamming near neighbor virginia museum another treasure house popularly known battle abbey officially virginia historical society permanent exhibit numerous artifacts telling commonwealths story including dugout canoe conestoga wagon oldfashion streetcar valuable documents scattered cases huge mural seasons confederacy graces gallery treasures another treasure house boulevard handsome greek temple stood nearly 80 years intersection boulevard monument avenue first baptist church chief treasures people george white mcdaniel pastor century ago observed god brought church large place must never content small things first baptist church richmond succeeding pastor enabled congregation reach stars peter james flamming arrived richmond scene 1983 quickly earned place hearts congregation led church television ministry regularly reaches 30000 people made flamming household name familiar face voice across central virginia although officiated 1000 funerals also labored keep membership 3800plus 1994 church embarked ambitious enlargement created improved facilities children magnificent dining area new gymnasium many ways enlargement old treasure house reflected major decision remain central part city first baptist church believed best days richmond yet come church wanted part citys future pastor peter james flamming visited countless hospital rooms funeral parlors 199091 church members ministered flammings couples son dave stricken leukemia helped every way possibly could including organizing marrowthon fundraising walk surrounded family support dave died age 33 showered love upon parents young widow little girls pastor told people end faith family friends matter three us denominational statesman peter james flamming answered call serve sbc peace committee rather illfated attempt quelling firestorm also encouraged church provide giving options anyone could member honor sense integrity preacher peter james flamming excelled like renowned predecessor theodore adams always preached simple gospel manner smallest child wisest adult could understand apply remained engaging pulpiteer astute observer human nature never content even birthdays mounted past 70 peter james flamming kept leading people dream helping envision fullest potential shy away small things encouraged social ministry homeless walked nearby broad street basement church offered place shower ministry envisioned bold missions partnership effort enabled members perform handson missions projects around globe doubtful peter james flamming could accomplished much without encouraging support wife shirley northcutt flamming daughter baptist minister wellknown seminary professor never dreamed marrying preacher flamming also child baptist preacher aspire first life minister lord sense humor young people soon found headed life devoted church work good people first baptist church never insisted pastors wife walk prescribed path allowed shirley person found numerous ways shine richmonds boulevard indeed avenue treasure houses priceless art valuable historical documents treasure moth rust harm first baptist church lovingly blesses 15th pastor retirement resolves maintain treasure housea place people find community practice christianity discover richest treasures story first baptist church richmond told forthcoming book entitled open door written columnist available church beginning january | 564 |
<p>Facing a revolt within his own party, and with a record of budget gridlock and little else, Gov. Bruce Rauner just announced he is running for re-election.&#160; What record will he run on? In three years, he’s achieved precisely none of the items on his Turnaround Agenda.</p>
<p>By my count, he has one major accomplishment, maybe two by the November 2018 election. In both, he’s a bit player in a bigger national drama.&#160; I’m talking about the <a href="" type="internal">scholarship tax credit program</a> – appropriately dubbed “neovouchers” – that recently passed in Springfield, and the lawsuit now before the U.S. Supreme Court that would weaken public employees’ unions.</p>
<p>Historian Nancy MacLean, formerly of Northwestern University and now at Duke, sheds light on the background and context of these two issues. Both are priorities for the right-wing libertarian movement, whose tremendous and frightening growth she delineates in her book, “Democracy in Chains.”&#160; [MacLean is a finalist for the prestigious National Book Award in non-fiction.] MacLean gave a talk last week for Chicago Teachers Union members, and I later I spoke with her at CTU’s office.</p>
<p>“I’m really concerned because this movement is trying to undermine public education in this country, including higher education, and they’re not honest about what they’re doing and why,” MacLean said.</p>
<p>MacLean’s book focuses on the vast network financed by right-wing billionaire Charles Koch and the strategy it developed under the guidance of a previously obscure southern libertarian economist, James Buchanan.&#160; Buchanan argued that politicians and their constituents would never be voluntarily weaned from relying on government programs. So cutting government would require a stealth program to undermine faith in public programs (as they’ve done quite effectively with Social Security) and install legal and ultimately constitutional limits on popular initiatives.&#160; Koch adopted this strategy enthusiastically.</p>
<p>Using Buchanan’s ideas, MacLean said, Koch has “launched this audacious bid to transform our government and institutions that has many elements,” including voter suppression, “radical gerrymandering” and “privatization as a strategy to alter power relations.”</p>
<p>In this state, the Koch network is represented by the <a href="http://www.progressillinois.com/posts/content/2013/11/18/new-report-sheds-some-light-illinois-policy-institutes-big-money-funders" type="external">Illinois Policy Institute</a>, part of the Koch’s State Policy Network. Before he became governor, Rauner donated a half million dollars to the Institute, and he recently replaced top staff in his administration with Institute personnel. Another Koch-funded network, the American Legislative Exchange Council, <a href="https://www.alec.org/model-policy/the-great-schools-tax-credit-program-act-scholarship-tax-credits/" type="external">provided the language for the scholarship tax credit</a>.</p>
<p>Vouchers for private religious schools are unconstitutional in Illinois, and vouchers are not particularly popular ­here. But the tax credit scheme accomplishes the same goal, and the term “scholarship tax credit” has a virtuous ring to it.&#160; The program provides a hefty tax credit to anyone donating up to $1 million for scholarships to public or private schools.&#160; It’s a back-door scheme to divert public funds to private education, just like vouchers.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Like anti-union right-to-work laws</a>, vouchers were <a href="https://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/02/12730/segregation-school-vouchers" type="external">first introduced in the South as a way of blocking racial integration</a>.&#160; As MacLean details, after the Supreme Court ruled school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, southern states instituted tuition subsidies for students of newly-spawned private “segregation academies.”&#160; Libertarians enthusiastically backed the idea.&#160; They shared with the segregationists an analysis that exalted state’s rights and property rights, an analysis that had served southern elites since the days of slavery.&#160; For the libertarians, it was a step toward their goal of eliminating the public school system.</p>
<p>“What we see is a group of people that is so determined to reach a goal that they know most of the population won’t support, that they’re willing to use white supremacy, whether they personally believe it or not,” MacLean said.</p>
<p>For his part, Rauner seems to be motivated above all by hostility to unions, and to the Chicago Teachers Union in particular.&#160; But his recent opposition to school funding reform as a “Chicago bailout” clearly played to downstate racial animus, not to mention his opposition to equal funding for the school system with the largest number of students of color in the state.</p>
<p>“Tax credits, vouchers, charter schools, they’re all part of a right-wing program to chip away at public education,” said Donald Cohen, longtime privatization watchdog at <a href="https://www.inthepublicinterest.org/" type="external">In the Public Interest</a>. Meanwhile, Cohen’s organization has argued, privatization schemes like charter schools actually <a href="https://www.inthepublicinterest.org/wp-content/uploads/InthePublicInterest_Inequality_Sec5_Sept2016.pdf" type="external">result in increased racial segregation</a>.</p>
<p>The Koch network is also driving a lawsuit initiated by Rauner to challenge the right of public employee unions to collect fees from non-members to cover the costs of administering contracts that non-members benefit from (but not the costs of political activity).</p>
<p>Rauner first issued an executive order barring the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees from collecting the fees, then filed a lawsuit seeking to enforce it, but a court ruled he had no standing.&#160; The Illinois Policy Institute’s legal arm, the Liberty Justice Center, then found a state worker to act as a plaintiff, and the Koch-funded Right to Work Foundation is supplying additional legal muscle.</p>
<p>As <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/30/rightwing-alliance-unions-defund-defang" type="external">internal documents published by the Guardian</a> in August showed, the State Policy Network is pushing a national campaign to “defund and defang” public sector unions.&#160; When Rauner talks about the lawsuit as an effort to protect “First Amendment rights” of union members, he’s following the network’s talking points: “Be pro-worker, not anti-union….Don’t rant against unions.”&#160; Rauner has been considerably more forthcoming in less public venues, such as the Hoover Institute. There, he acknowledged the lawsuit has “ <a href="https://www.hoover.org/research/budget-crisis-land-lincoln" type="external">nothing to do with the budget</a>, nothing to do with reform,” but is intended to “change the power structure.”</p>
<p>MacLean points out that Koch involvement in anti-union activity goes back a generation. When Charles Koch’s father founded the Wichita chapter of the John Birch Society in 1958, its first project was promoting right-to-work legislation.</p>
<p>And, she argues, the lawsuit reflects the Buchanan strategy: Work to undermine the institutions that allow people to demand that government do more to address society’s problems, but don’t be upfront about it.</p>
<p>What’s scary is how successful they’ve been, especially at the state level, which flies under many people’s radar.&#160; Their ultimate goal, MacLean said, is a constitutional convention that would pass <a href="https://www.redstate.com/dhorowitz3/2013/08/13/mark-levins-liberty-amendments/" type="external">a set of amendments</a> reflecting their agenda: requiring voter ID and restricting early voting; limiting the power of the judiciary; allowing states to nullify federal laws; and strictly capping the federal budget, so it would have no way to respond to economic recessions.</p>
<p>Clearly, our governor is not entirely on board with this plan. He’s signed automatic voter registration and pushed redistricting reform, ideas that are definitely not on the Koch agenda.&#160; He supports protections for immigrants and abortion rights. That’s caused him some problems.</p>
<p>But Rauner’s core mission, which is his economic agenda, is right in line with the larger movement.&#160; And his attempt to use his millions to dominate the political system, and foist on the state a program that leaves behind working people and people of color, is completely in the spirit of Koch and Buchanan.</p>
<p>Rauner will have many millions of dollars to shape an alternative reality during the governor’s race. The Democratic establishment may help that along by promoting its own wealthy candidate with ethics or public perception problems and no notable program except opposing his opponent. That formula didn’t work out so well in the last presidential election.</p> | false | 3 | facing revolt within party record budget gridlock little else gov bruce rauner announced running reelection160 record run three years hes achieved precisely none items turnaround agenda count one major accomplishment maybe two november 2018 election hes bit player bigger national drama160 im talking scholarship tax credit program appropriately dubbed neovouchers recently passed springfield lawsuit us supreme court would weaken public employees unions historian nancy maclean formerly northwestern university duke sheds light background context two issues priorities rightwing libertarian movement whose tremendous frightening growth delineates book democracy chains160 maclean finalist prestigious national book award nonfiction maclean gave talk last week chicago teachers union members later spoke ctus office im really concerned movement trying undermine public education country including higher education theyre honest theyre maclean said macleans book focuses vast network financed rightwing billionaire charles koch strategy developed guidance previously obscure southern libertarian economist james buchanan160 buchanan argued politicians constituents would never voluntarily weaned relying government programs cutting government would require stealth program undermine faith public programs theyve done quite effectively social security install legal ultimately constitutional limits popular initiatives160 koch adopted strategy enthusiastically using buchanans ideas maclean said koch launched audacious bid transform government institutions many elements including voter suppression radical gerrymandering privatization strategy alter power relations state koch network represented illinois policy institute part kochs state policy network became governor rauner donated half million dollars institute recently replaced top staff administration institute personnel another kochfunded network american legislative exchange council provided language scholarship tax credit vouchers private religious schools unconstitutional illinois vouchers particularly popular tax credit scheme accomplishes goal term scholarship tax credit virtuous ring it160 program provides hefty tax credit anyone donating 1 million scholarships public private schools160 backdoor scheme divert public funds private education like vouchers like antiunion righttowork laws vouchers first introduced south way blocking racial integration160 maclean details supreme court ruled school segregation unconstitutional brown v board education 1954 southern states instituted tuition subsidies students newlyspawned private segregation academies160 libertarians enthusiastically backed idea160 shared segregationists analysis exalted states rights property rights analysis served southern elites since days slavery160 libertarians step toward goal eliminating public school system see group people determined reach goal know population wont support theyre willing use white supremacy whether personally believe maclean said part rauner seems motivated hostility unions chicago teachers union particular160 recent opposition school funding reform chicago bailout clearly played downstate racial animus mention opposition equal funding school system largest number students color state tax credits vouchers charter schools theyre part rightwing program chip away public education said donald cohen longtime privatization watchdog public interest meanwhile cohens organization argued privatization schemes like charter schools actually result increased racial segregation koch network also driving lawsuit initiated rauner challenge right public employee unions collect fees nonmembers cover costs administering contracts nonmembers benefit costs political activity rauner first issued executive order barring american federation state county municipal employees collecting fees filed lawsuit seeking enforce court ruled standing160 illinois policy institutes legal arm liberty justice center found state worker act plaintiff kochfunded right work foundation supplying additional legal muscle internal documents published guardian august showed state policy network pushing national campaign defund defang public sector unions160 rauner talks lawsuit effort protect first amendment rights union members hes following networks talking points proworker antiuniondont rant unions160 rauner considerably forthcoming less public venues hoover institute acknowledged lawsuit nothing budget nothing reform intended change power structure maclean points koch involvement antiunion activity goes back generation charles kochs father founded wichita chapter john birch society 1958 first project promoting righttowork legislation argues lawsuit reflects buchanan strategy work undermine institutions allow people demand government address societys problems dont upfront whats scary successful theyve especially state level flies many peoples radar160 ultimate goal maclean said constitutional convention would pass set amendments reflecting agenda requiring voter id restricting early voting limiting power judiciary allowing states nullify federal laws strictly capping federal budget would way respond economic recessions clearly governor entirely board plan hes signed automatic voter registration pushed redistricting reform ideas definitely koch agenda160 supports protections immigrants abortion rights thats caused problems rauners core mission economic agenda right line larger movement160 attempt use millions dominate political system foist state program leaves behind working people people color completely spirit koch buchanan rauner many millions dollars shape alternative reality governors race democratic establishment may help along promoting wealthy candidate ethics public perception problems notable program except opposing opponent formula didnt work well last presidential election | 731 |
<p>The deadly, record-shattering blast of arctic air known as the polar vortex plunged almost the entire country below freezing on Tuesday and punished parts of it with much worse, including thousands more canceled flights and power grids straining as people cranked up the heat.</p>
<p>All 50 states dipped below 32 degrees at some point — even Hawaii, where it was 25 at the top of the Mauna Kea volcano, which is normally right at the freezing line this time of year.</p>
<p>Schools and businesses closed for a second day. Single-digit temperatures were recorded at sunrise as far south as Georgia and Alabama, and parts of Minnesota were as cold as 25 degrees below zero.</p>
<p>Records — not all-time, but at least for the date of Jan. 7 — fell in dozens of cities across the country: 11 degrees below zero in Cleveland, 6 above in Atlanta and 12 above in Austin, Texas.</p>
<p>A 118-year-old record was shattered in Central Park in New York, where it was 4 degrees, <a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Polar-Vortex-Blasts-Tri-State-with-Arctic-Winds-Dangerous-Cold-239007751.html" type="external">the coldest reading on the books for Jan. 7</a>&#160;and the coldest at any time since January 2004. Factor in the wind, and it felt like 31 below in Chicago, 16 below in New York and 45 below near the U.S.-Canadian border in Minnesota.</p>
<p>“Cold enough to take your breath away,” said Kevin Roth, a meteorologist at The Weather Channel.</p>
<p>At least 17 deaths were blamed on the severe weather since snow and bitter cold started punishing the Midwest late last week. They included a 90-year-old woman found dead near her stranded car in Ohio and a 1-year-old boy who was killed in Missouri when the car he was in collided with a snowplow on Monday.</p>
<p>Deaths were also reported in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. They included people who succumbed to exposure and had heart attacks shoveling snow.</p>
<p>Airports offered warmth but plenty of frustration. Almost 3,000 flights for Tuesday were canceled, bringing the two-day total to about 7,000. JetBlue, which grounded flights at four airports in the Northeast while it waited for the cold to pass, started flying again but warned that there would still be delays.</p>
<p>Homeless shelters across the country were overwhelmed by people seeking shelter from the cold, which the National Weather Service warned was severe enough in North Dakota and Minnesota to freeze human flesh in five minutes.</p>
<p>Forecasters said that the effects of the system, a swirling mass of North Pole air that has pushed unusually far south, would be felt by as many as 187 million people — more than half the country’s population.</p>
<p>Schools were closed as far south as Atlanta, where the morning wind child was 9 below. Class was canceled for a second day in Minneapolis and in Indianapolis, where Mayor Greg Ballard warned: “In 10 minutes, you could be dead without the proper clothes.”</p>
<p>Amtrak had to charter buses to get some customers to their destinations. Three trains, all headed for Chicago and carrying more than 500 passengers in all, <a href="http://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/transit/chicago-amtrak--239034061.html" type="external">were delayed overnight because of the severe weather</a>, a spokesman said.</p>
<p>Working in bitter cold, Amtrak crews were able to make progress repairing damaged wires between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but the railway warned that passengers should brace for delays for most of the day.</p>
<p>Hard freeze warnings for Tuesday extended all the way south to the Gulf Coast. In Texas, one utility asked people to turn down the thermostat because power capacity was running low.</p>
<p>The Electric Reliability Council of Texas declared its second-highest emergency level and had the option of going further, and ordering rolling blackouts for 10 to 45 minutes at a time, if the electrical grid was strained further. A South Carolina power company briefly implemented 15-minute blackouts for the same reason.</p>
<p>Tens of thousands of people were still without power in Illinois and Indiana because of weekend snowstorms, and the cold made it dangerous for the workers trying to get the lights and heat back on.</p>
<p>“It’s tough on all of us,” George Sipus of Indianapolis Power and Light, which was working to restore power to 22,000 customers,&#160;told WTHR, the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis.&#160;“You can’t stay out here real long.”</p>
<p>Adding to the misery, parts of western New York were under a blizzard warning because of lake-effect snow blown around by wind gusts as strong as 40 mph, creating drifts 3 feet deep or more.</p>
<p>Snow off the Great Lakes was falling as fast as 4 inches per hour — “actually so intense that we’re getting little areas of thunder and lightning,” said Carl Parker, a meteorologist for The Weather Channel.</p>
<p>Traveling in some places outside Buffalo, he said, would be “like traveling into Siberia.”</p>
<p>If traveling was even possible. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered parts of the New York Thruway, a major artery for the western part of that state, closed on Monday night. The Indianapolis mayor also encouraged people to stay off the road. Interstate 65 in Indiana reopened Tuesday morning, but drivers were still urged to take it slow.</p>
<p>The temperatures are the coldest for some parts of the country in two decades. The chill was expected to ease Wednesday, as the polar system retreats back to the north and temperatures return to something more like normal for January.</p>
<p>Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.</p> | false | 3 | deadly recordshattering blast arctic air known polar vortex plunged almost entire country freezing tuesday punished parts much worse including thousands canceled flights power grids straining people cranked heat 50 states dipped 32 degrees point even hawaii 25 top mauna kea volcano normally right freezing line time year schools businesses closed second day singledigit temperatures recorded sunrise far south georgia alabama parts minnesota cold 25 degrees zero records alltime least date jan 7 fell dozens cities across country 11 degrees zero cleveland 6 atlanta 12 austin texas 118yearold record shattered central park new york 4 degrees coldest reading books jan 7160and coldest time since january 2004 factor wind felt like 31 chicago 16 new york 45 near uscanadian border minnesota cold enough take breath away said kevin roth meteorologist weather channel least 17 deaths blamed severe weather since snow bitter cold started punishing midwest late last week included 90yearold woman found dead near stranded car ohio 1yearold boy killed missouri car collided snowplow monday deaths also reported illinois indiana wisconsin michigan included people succumbed exposure heart attacks shoveling snow airports offered warmth plenty frustration almost 3000 flights tuesday canceled bringing twoday total 7000 jetblue grounded flights four airports northeast waited cold pass started flying warned would still delays homeless shelters across country overwhelmed people seeking shelter cold national weather service warned severe enough north dakota minnesota freeze human flesh five minutes forecasters said effects system swirling mass north pole air pushed unusually far south would felt many 187 million people half countrys population schools closed far south atlanta morning wind child 9 class canceled second day minneapolis indianapolis mayor greg ballard warned 10 minutes could dead without proper clothes amtrak charter buses get customers destinations three trains headed chicago carrying 500 passengers delayed overnight severe weather spokesman said working bitter cold amtrak crews able make progress repairing damaged wires new jersey pennsylvania railway warned passengers brace delays day hard freeze warnings tuesday extended way south gulf coast texas one utility asked people turn thermostat power capacity running low electric reliability council texas declared secondhighest emergency level option going ordering rolling blackouts 10 45 minutes time electrical grid strained south carolina power company briefly implemented 15minute blackouts reason tens thousands people still without power illinois indiana weekend snowstorms cold made dangerous workers trying get lights heat back tough us george sipus indianapolis power light working restore power 22000 customers160told wthr nbc affiliate indianapolis160you cant stay real long adding misery parts western new york blizzard warning lakeeffect snow blown around wind gusts strong 40 mph creating drifts 3 feet deep snow great lakes falling fast 4 inches per hour actually intense getting little areas thunder lightning said carl parker meteorologist weather channel traveling places outside buffalo said would like traveling siberia traveling even possible new york gov andrew cuomo ordered parts new york thruway major artery western part state closed monday night indianapolis mayor also encouraged people stay road interstate 65 indiana reopened tuesday morning drivers still urged take slow temperatures coldest parts country two decades chill expected ease wednesday polar system retreats back north temperatures return something like normal january reuters associated press contributed report | 523 |
<p>BERLIN, Germany - An ugly spat has broken out that could scupper a tax agreement between Switzerland and Germany.</p>
<p>Germany's center-left opposition is in uproar over the news that the Swiss authorities have issued arrest warrants for three German tax officials, on suspicion of economic espionage.</p>
<p>The revelation couldn't have been more poorly timed, coming just as Germany and Switzerland are trying to push through an agreement on tackling tax evasion.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/111114/germany-fourth-reich-euro-zone-dominance" type="external">Is a German 4th Reich emerging?</a></p>
<p>The German opposition - the Social Democrats and Greens - had already been critical of a deal it saw as too soft on tax dodgers and Swiss banking secrecy. Now the parties are threatening to block ratification of the agreement.</p>
<p>Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right coalition needs the backing of the opposition to push through the agreement in the Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament, for it to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.</p>
<p>Her government argues that the tax deal would solve any remaining legal discrepancies between the countries. However, with just over a month to go until two important regional elections, the opposition sees an opportunity to defend the ordinary taxpayer against wealthy tax cheats.</p>
<p>Under the agreement, hammered out last August, Switzerland would impose the German tax rate on money held in accounts by German clients. In addition, previously undeclared assets will be subject to a one-off retroactive levy, allowing those who had stashed their money in Switzerland to avoid punishment.</p>
<p>Following criticism that it was too lenient, a revised version of the deal was signed by both countries on Thursday, which increased that payment to between 21 and 41 percent of the value of the Swiss-held assets, rather than the 19 to 34 percent range that had initially been agreed upon. The identity of the account holders will remain confidential, thus preserving Swiss banking secrecy.</p>
<p>Yet, even the harsher penalties are unlikely to win over the opposition. The SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel had already complained that not only is the deal an amnesty for tax cheats, but it also will achieve little, as people can simply move their money out of Switzerland before the agreement comes into force.</p>
<p>Gabriel suggested that Germany should instead be investigating Swiss banks for aiding German citizens with tax evasion. "The assistance of foreign banks in tax evasion has to finally be systematically examined," he told Bild newspaper, in comments published on Thursday.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/germany/120217/germany-battles-over-the-future-solar-energy" type="external">Germany battles over future of solar</a></p>
<p>The deal's adoption was further jeopardized by the arrest warrants issued by the Swiss public prosecutors for three tax officials from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Over the weekend it emerged that on March 20, the Swiss made a formal request to the German Justice Ministry for legal assistance on the matter.</p>
<p>The warrants relate to the purchase of a compact disc of files that an anonymous whistleblower offered tax authorities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2010. The authorities there paid 2.5 million euros ($3.3 million) for the disc, which contained information about around 100,000 accounts with Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>The state prosecutor's office in North Rhine-Westphalia raided the bank's branches in 13 cities as part of the probe in 2010. They also carried out an investigation into employees at Credit Suisse on suspicion of aiding tax evasion, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement worth 150 million euros.</p>
<p>The German investigation provoked animosity between the neighboring countries.</p>
<p>Whereas in Germany there has long been criticism that Swiss banks were making money from German tax dodgers, the Swiss have been outraged by the theft of sensitive bank data.</p>
<p>Any violation of banking secrecy is a criminal offense in Switzerland. The Swiss prosecutors now accuse the three tax officials not only of paying for the information but actually commissioning the theft.</p>
<p>"There's concrete reason to suspect Germany of having given clear orders to spy on Credit Suisse information," Attorney General Michael Lauber told Swiss Radio station DRS on Saturday.</p>
<p>The use of stolen data has proved controversial in both Switzerland and Germany. In November, 2010 the German Constitutional Court finally ruled that investigations into tax evasion could use illegally procured information.</p>
<p>The court ruling was in relation to another instance of tax officials availing of information obtained by dubious means.</p>
<p>In 2007 the German foreign intelligence agency paid a thief around 5 million euros for stolen data about tax evasion by German citizens with bank accounts in the tiny principality of Liechtenstein.</p>
<p>Tax officials then carried out a number of raids based on that information. The most high-profile tax dodger to be exposed was Klaus Zumwinkel, then CEO of Deutsche Post. He had to pay 3.9 million euros in back taxes and was given a two year suspended sentence.</p>
<p>All in all the 5 million euro investment paid off handsomely, with the tax authorities raking in close to 180 million euros in back taxes by the end of 2009. Furthermore, the zealous pursuit of tax evaders prompted thousands of Germans to declare their financial situation in order to avoid prosecution.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, billions remain out of reach of the tax inspectors. There is estimated to be between 130 to 180 billion euros worth of untaxed German money squirreled away in Swiss bank accounts.</p>
<p>German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said the new deal with Switzerland would help tackle this type of tax evasion.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/germany/120214/academics-vote-shitstorm-germans-best-english-loanword" type="external">Academics vote "shitstorm" German's best English loanword</a></p>
<p>"With this agreement we've come up with a good way to take care of a decades-long grievance" he said in a German TV interview earlier this week. "There won't be any problems in the future once this agreement takes effect. Switzerland won't be a cover for tax evasion anymore."</p>
<p>After the opposition lashed out at Schaeuble for not condemning the Swiss arrest warrants, he expressed sympathy for the three officials at the center of the row. "It's an extraordinarily unpleasant situation for the civil servants, because they are victims of different penal codes in Switzerland and Germany."</p>
<p>Hannelore Kraft, the SPD premier of the North Rhine-Westphalia, went further, describing the issuing of arrest warrants as a "monstrous step." She said she objected to state employees being treated like criminals.</p>
<p>"The real criminals are not our tax inspectors, but those in Germany who exploit the condition in Germany to accumulate massive profits, then disappear into the dust and leave the payments to the honest tax payers," the state's Finance Minister Norbert Walter-Borjans said this week.</p>
<p>A leading member of the SPD, Thomas Opperman, called on the government to take action against the arrest warrants and nominate the even called for the three officials for the German Order of Merit.</p>
<p>The Swiss have come under increased pressure in recent years to tackle the problem of tax evasion, particularly from the United States.</p>
<p>The US is investigating 11 banks including Credit Suisse and Julius Baer for helping American citizens evade taxes.</p>
<p>Rudolf Strahm, a former member of the Swiss parliament and a finance expert, is critical of his country's banking secrecy. He argues that around 60 percent of foreign assets held in Swiss banks come from institutional investors, like pension funds and insurance companies. "They come to Switzerland because of the risk management, the strong franc and stability. They don't need banking secrecy."</p>
<p>He says that the majority of about 330 banks operating in Switzerland don't even cater to foreign customers. "Only 20 or 30 banks have profited from this, but they have damaged the reputation of Switzerland as a whole."</p> | false | 3 | berlin germany ugly spat broken could scupper tax agreement switzerland germany germanys centerleft opposition uproar news swiss authorities issued arrest warrants three german tax officials suspicion economic espionage revelation couldnt poorly timed coming germany switzerland trying push agreement tackling tax evasion globalpost german 4th reich emerging german opposition social democrats greens already critical deal saw soft tax dodgers swiss banking secrecy parties threatening block ratification agreement chancellor angela merkels centerright coalition needs backing opposition push agreement bundesrat upper house parliament come effect jan 1 2013 government argues tax deal would solve remaining legal discrepancies countries however month go two important regional elections opposition sees opportunity defend ordinary taxpayer wealthy tax cheats agreement hammered last august switzerland would impose german tax rate money held accounts german clients addition previously undeclared assets subject oneoff retroactive levy allowing stashed money switzerland avoid punishment following criticism lenient revised version deal signed countries thursday increased payment 21 41 percent value swissheld assets rather 19 34 percent range initially agreed upon identity account holders remain confidential thus preserving swiss banking secrecy yet even harsher penalties unlikely win opposition spd leader sigmar gabriel already complained deal amnesty tax cheats also achieve little people simply move money switzerland agreement comes force gabriel suggested germany instead investigating swiss banks aiding german citizens tax evasion assistance foreign banks tax evasion finally systematically examined told bild newspaper comments published thursday globalpost germany battles future solar deals adoption jeopardized arrest warrants issued swiss public prosecutors three tax officials state north rhinewestphalia weekend emerged march 20 swiss made formal request german justice ministry legal assistance matter warrants relate purchase compact disc files anonymous whistleblower offered tax authorities state north rhinewestphalia 2010 authorities paid 25 million euros 33 million disc contained information around 100000 accounts credit suisse state prosecutors office north rhinewestphalia raided banks branches 13 cities part probe 2010 also carried investigation employees credit suisse suspicion aiding tax evasion resulted outofcourt settlement worth 150 million euros german investigation provoked animosity neighboring countries whereas germany long criticism swiss banks making money german tax dodgers swiss outraged theft sensitive bank data violation banking secrecy criminal offense switzerland swiss prosecutors accuse three tax officials paying information actually commissioning theft theres concrete reason suspect germany given clear orders spy credit suisse information attorney general michael lauber told swiss radio station drs saturday use stolen data proved controversial switzerland germany november 2010 german constitutional court finally ruled investigations tax evasion could use illegally procured information court ruling relation another instance tax officials availing information obtained dubious means 2007 german foreign intelligence agency paid thief around 5 million euros stolen data tax evasion german citizens bank accounts tiny principality liechtenstein tax officials carried number raids based information highprofile tax dodger exposed klaus zumwinkel ceo deutsche post pay 39 million euros back taxes given two year suspended sentence 5 million euro investment paid handsomely tax authorities raking close 180 million euros back taxes end 2009 furthermore zealous pursuit tax evaders prompted thousands germans declare financial situation order avoid prosecution nevertheless billions remain reach tax inspectors estimated 130 180 billion euros worth untaxed german money squirreled away swiss bank accounts german finance minister wolfgang schaeuble said new deal switzerland would help tackle type tax evasion globalpost academics vote shitstorm germans best english loanword agreement weve come good way take care decadeslong grievance said german tv interview earlier week wont problems future agreement takes effect switzerland wont cover tax evasion anymore opposition lashed schaeuble condemning swiss arrest warrants expressed sympathy three officials center row extraordinarily unpleasant situation civil servants victims different penal codes switzerland germany hannelore kraft spd premier north rhinewestphalia went describing issuing arrest warrants monstrous step said objected state employees treated like criminals real criminals tax inspectors germany exploit condition germany accumulate massive profits disappear dust leave payments honest tax payers states finance minister norbert walterborjans said week leading member spd thomas opperman called government take action arrest warrants nominate even called three officials german order merit swiss come increased pressure recent years tackle problem tax evasion particularly united states us investigating 11 banks including credit suisse julius baer helping american citizens evade taxes rudolf strahm former member swiss parliament finance expert critical countrys banking secrecy argues around 60 percent foreign assets held swiss banks come institutional investors like pension funds insurance companies come switzerland risk management strong franc stability dont need banking secrecy says majority 330 banks operating switzerland dont even cater foreign customers 20 30 banks profited damaged reputation switzerland whole | 743 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Superior Court Judge Leslie Nichols this month ruled that the <a href="http://www.fire.ca.gov/" type="external">California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection</a>&#160;repeatedly deceived and withheld evidence in a lawsuit seeking $8.1 million from a company and several landowners for a wildfire that the company did not cause. The judge further found that $400,000 of that money was slated for an illegal Cal Fire slush fund. Cal Fire was&#160;represented by&#160; <a href="http://oag.ca.gov/" type="external">Attorney General Kamala Harris’ office</a>.</p>
<p>Specifically,&#160; <a href="http://www.spi-ind.com/html/pdf_spi/2014-02-04_Order_RE_Costs_Fees_27_pgs.pdf" type="external">Nichols ruled:&#160;</a></p>
<p>“This Court finds that Cal Fire has engaged in misconduct during the course of the litigation that is deliberate, that is egregious, and that renders any remedy short of dismissal inadequate to preserve the fairness of the trial.”</p>
<p>He cited “many acts of evasion, misdirection, and other wrongful acts and omissions,” including withholding thousands of pages of evidence. Because of that, Nichols’ ruling requires Cal Fire to reimburse the defendants’ court costs, plus a punitive 20 percent additional compensation. The award totals $32 million, with $24 million going to Sierra Pacific Industries and the remainder to the landowners and a logging company.</p>
<p>“This is a significant victory for SPI and the other defendants in the case” said SPI spokesman Mark Pawlicki in <a href="http://www.spi-ind.com/html/pdf_spi/Moonlight-Court-Fee-PR.pdf" type="external">a statement</a>. “Although the vast majority of Cal Fire employees conduct themselves with professional integrity, the investigators on this fire did not live up to that high standard.”</p>
<p>SPI’s lead attorney William Warne said, “After four years of litigation, we are relieved and thankful that justice has finally been done.”</p>
<p>But Cal Fire remains defiant. Spokeswoman Janet Upton told <a href="http://www.law360.com/articles/507596/judge-sanctions-cal-fire-32m-for-conduct-in-wildfire-suit" type="external">Law360</a>, “We vigorously dispute many of the factual and legal findings included in this order,” adding that there may be an appeal. The attorney general’s office did not respond to requests by Law360 or the <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2014/02/05/6132239/judge-orders-calfire-to-pay-30.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;dlvrit=247955#mi_rss=Latest%20News" type="external">Sacramento Bee</a> for comment.</p>
<p>The litigation stemmed from the <a href="http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=216" type="external">Moonlight Fire</a>, which ignited on Labor Day 2007 in Lassen County, burning 65,000 acres over the next two weeks. Federal and state officials blamed the fire on a bulldozer for an SPI-contracted logging company hitting a rock and causing sparks on a red-flag, high-fire-danger day.</p>
<p>SPI settled the federal case for $47 million and 22,500 acres of land, <a href="http://208.101.11.171/fordaq/news/Sierra_Pacific_fire_settle_29828.html" type="external">according to Fordaq</a>, a timber network news site. But the company, which owns nearly 1.9 million acres of timberland in California and Washington state, making it the second largest lumber producer in the country, fought the Cal Fire suit.</p>
<p>Much of the case focused on the investigation of the origin of the fire. Investigators Joshua White and Dave Reynolds located the origin of the fire at two points on or near a trail, placing white flags to mark the spots and taking photos. But that location apparently didn’t fit the bulldozer scenario, so Cal Fire sought to cover up the initial investigation.</p>
<p>Under oath, White denied placing white flags at those points and denied taking photos of them, according to the judge’s <a href="http://www.spi-ind.com/html/pdf_spi/2014-02-04_Order_Granting_MonetaryandTerminating_Sanctions_58_pgs.pdf" type="external">sanctions order</a>. But five photos — not included in the official investigation report — were discovered showing the flags. White then admitted taking the photos, but initially denied that they showed a white flag, instead saying it “looked like a chipped rock.”</p>
<p>Reynolds also denied having anything to do with the white flags before eventually acknowledging them. In contrast with that sworn testimony, however, in an earlier meeting with Cal Fire’s lead attorney at the U.S. attorney’s office, Reynolds said he could see the white flags in the photos. Despite that contradiction, the attorneys allowed Reynolds to falsely testify about it in court, according to the ruling.</p>
<p>Wrote Nichols:</p>
<p>“This Court is deeply troubled by two things on this front: that one of the primary Moonlight investigators would admit one thing to a table of ‘friends’ and then refuse to admit the same thing once put under oath. The Court is perhaps even more troubled that Cal Fire’s lead counsel would be present at the meeting with Reynolds and still sit idly by as Reynolds, a person Cal Fire hired as a consultant, denied in his deposition what he had conceded in Cal Fire’s counsel’s presence several weeks earlier.”</p>
<p>That kind of judicial misconduct and obfuscation turned what would have been a simple matter of throwing Cal Fire’s unfounded case out of court into a four-year litigation nightmare for the defendants.</p>
<p>Nichols wrote:</p>
<p>“The fact that Defendants’ counsel were forced to depose these investigators under conditions where the investigators continually attempted to steamroll the truth by simply denying or expressing ignorance of the obvious greatly increased the expense of this litigation. Had they testified truthfully from the start, as required, Defendants would have likely spent nothing, or very little, as the case most likely could not have advanced.</p>
<p>“Unfortunately, Cal Fire’s lead counsel, officers of this Court, who should be ‘operating under a heightened standard of neutrality,’ greatly exacerbated the problem by failing to intercede and put a stop to what their witnesses were doing under oath. Doing nothing, permitting such testimony to take place, creates a tremendous burden on this Court by allowing a meritless matter to go forward when the lead attorneys in charge of its prosecution should be exercising their responsibility throughout to only advance just actions.”</p>
<p>The unethical conduct by Kamala Harris’ staff attorneys, Tracy Winsor and Daniel Fuchs, was unprecedented, according to Nichols. He wrote:</p>
<p>“The sense of disappointment and distress conveyed by the Court is so palpable, because it recalls no instance in experience over 47 years as an advocate and as a judge in which the conduct of the Attorney General so thoroughly departed from the high standard it represents and, in every other instance, has exemplified.”</p>
<p>Consequently, the defendants asked Nichols to sanction Winsor and Fuchs.</p>
<p>But Nichols declined to do so, saying:</p>
<p>“[T]he record does not clearly establish that said attorneys directed or advised the egregious and reprehensible conduct of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Although there is plenty of evidence to support a strong suspicion, the evidence does not preponderate. This determination in no way speaks to issues of legal ethics or compliance with the requirements of the State Bar Act….”</p>
<p>The judge also criticized Cal Fire’s withholding of 7,000 pages of evidence (with potentially 40,000 more pages still being withheld) that concerned Cal Fire’s Wildland Fire and Investigation Training and Equipment Fund. “Cal Fire persistently attempted to cover up” the “illegal” fund, he ruled. That slush fund was also the focus of <a href="http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2013-107.pdf" type="external">a critical state audit last year</a>.</p>
<p>Cal Fire’s documentation on the fund was relevant because the agency was demanding that the defendants pay $400,000 into it. The court ordered Cal Fire to produce all of its documents on the fund by April 30, 2013. But after the audit was released in October, Sierra Pacific saw that a critical email referenced in the audit about the fund’s formation had been withheld by Cal Fire.</p>
<p>Cal Fire then admitted that it had “inadvertently” failed to produce that document along with more than 5,000 additional pages on the fund. After providing those documents on Oct. 31, 2013, Cal Fire’s lawyers assured the judge that that was “everything.” But on Nov. 22, Cal Fire produced more than 2,000 additional pages.</p>
<p>A number of those documents “reveal information that is inconsistent with the testimony of Cal Fire’s witnesses and with Cal Fire’s representations to this Court regarding Cal Fire’s own understandings regarding WiFITER and whether it was legal,” Nichols wrote. He called Cal Fire’s failure to produce the documents in time for them to be used in cross-examination during depositions “inexcusable.”</p>
<p>Some of the belatedly released documents support the defendants’ contention that Cal Fire officials had a bias toward affixing the blame for the fire on a company with deep pockets like SPI. They “were fixated on the cash flowing in and out of the illegal WiFITER account,” the ruling states. One email revealed that a Cal Fire official, Alan Carlson, “was seeking out ‘high % recoveries’ to keep WiFITER from ‘being in the red.’”</p>
<p>Other officials were worried about calling too much attention to the slush fund, because by law all of the money should have been deposited into the state’s General Fund.</p>
<p>Carlson “was rebuffed by his supervisor because Cal Fire’s general counsel had informed him that ‘the point is to keep a low profile,’ and if they take too large ‘a cut off the top of a recovery’ it might ‘look fishy,’” the ruling states, citing Cal Fire emails. The judge concluded, “This is the essence of scienter [knowledge of wrongdoing], and it certainly reveals that Cal Fire knew that its actions were improper, a fact which Cal Fire and its counsel failed to reveal ….”</p>
<p>Nichols summed up his assessment of Cal Fire and its lawyers’ conduct in the litigation, writing:</p>
<p>“The Court finds that Cal Fire’s actions initiating, maintaining, and prosecuting this action, to the present time, is corrupt and tainted. Cal Fire failed to comply with discovery obligations, and its repeated failure was willful. … Cal Fire’s conduct reeked of bad faith.”</p> | false | 3 | 160 superior court judge leslie nichols month ruled california department forestry fire protection160repeatedly deceived withheld evidence lawsuit seeking 81 million company several landowners wildfire company cause judge found 400000 money slated illegal cal fire slush fund cal fire was160represented by160 attorney general kamala harris office specifically160 nichols ruled160 court finds cal fire engaged misconduct course litigation deliberate egregious renders remedy short dismissal inadequate preserve fairness trial cited many acts evasion misdirection wrongful acts omissions including withholding thousands pages evidence nichols ruling requires cal fire reimburse defendants court costs plus punitive 20 percent additional compensation award totals 32 million 24 million going sierra pacific industries remainder landowners logging company significant victory spi defendants case said spi spokesman mark pawlicki statement although vast majority cal fire employees conduct professional integrity investigators fire live high standard spis lead attorney william warne said four years litigation relieved thankful justice finally done cal fire remains defiant spokeswoman janet upton told law360 vigorously dispute many factual legal findings included order adding may appeal attorney generals office respond requests law360 sacramento bee comment litigation stemmed moonlight fire ignited labor day 2007 lassen county burning 65000 acres next two weeks federal state officials blamed fire bulldozer spicontracted logging company hitting rock causing sparks redflag highfiredanger day spi settled federal case 47 million 22500 acres land according fordaq timber network news site company owns nearly 19 million acres timberland california washington state making second largest lumber producer country fought cal fire suit much case focused investigation origin fire investigators joshua white dave reynolds located origin fire two points near trail placing white flags mark spots taking photos location apparently didnt fit bulldozer scenario cal fire sought cover initial investigation oath white denied placing white flags points denied taking photos according judges sanctions order five photos included official investigation report discovered showing flags white admitted taking photos initially denied showed white flag instead saying looked like chipped rock reynolds also denied anything white flags eventually acknowledging contrast sworn testimony however earlier meeting cal fires lead attorney us attorneys office reynolds said could see white flags photos despite contradiction attorneys allowed reynolds falsely testify court according ruling wrote nichols court deeply troubled two things front one primary moonlight investigators would admit one thing table friends refuse admit thing put oath court perhaps even troubled cal fires lead counsel would present meeting reynolds still sit idly reynolds person cal fire hired consultant denied deposition conceded cal fires counsels presence several weeks earlier kind judicial misconduct obfuscation turned would simple matter throwing cal fires unfounded case court fouryear litigation nightmare defendants nichols wrote fact defendants counsel forced depose investigators conditions investigators continually attempted steamroll truth simply denying expressing ignorance obvious greatly increased expense litigation testified truthfully start required defendants would likely spent nothing little case likely could advanced unfortunately cal fires lead counsel officers court operating heightened standard neutrality greatly exacerbated problem failing intercede put stop witnesses oath nothing permitting testimony take place creates tremendous burden court allowing meritless matter go forward lead attorneys charge prosecution exercising responsibility throughout advance actions unethical conduct kamala harris staff attorneys tracy winsor daniel fuchs unprecedented according nichols wrote sense disappointment distress conveyed court palpable recalls instance experience 47 years advocate judge conduct attorney general thoroughly departed high standard represents every instance exemplified consequently defendants asked nichols sanction winsor fuchs nichols declined saying record clearly establish said attorneys directed advised egregious reprehensible conduct california department forestry fire protection although plenty evidence support strong suspicion evidence preponderate determination way speaks issues legal ethics compliance requirements state bar act judge also criticized cal fires withholding 7000 pages evidence potentially 40000 pages still withheld concerned cal fires wildland fire investigation training equipment fund cal fire persistently attempted cover illegal fund ruled slush fund also focus critical state audit last year cal fires documentation fund relevant agency demanding defendants pay 400000 court ordered cal fire produce documents fund april 30 2013 audit released october sierra pacific saw critical email referenced audit funds formation withheld cal fire cal fire admitted inadvertently failed produce document along 5000 additional pages fund providing documents oct 31 2013 cal fires lawyers assured judge everything nov 22 cal fire produced 2000 additional pages number documents reveal information inconsistent testimony cal fires witnesses cal fires representations court regarding cal fires understandings regarding wifiter whether legal nichols wrote called cal fires failure produce documents time used crossexamination depositions inexcusable belatedly released documents support defendants contention cal fire officials bias toward affixing blame fire company deep pockets like spi fixated cash flowing illegal wifiter account ruling states one email revealed cal fire official alan carlson seeking high recoveries keep wifiter red officials worried calling much attention slush fund law money deposited states general fund carlson rebuffed supervisor cal fires general counsel informed point keep low profile take large cut top recovery might look fishy ruling states citing cal fire emails judge concluded essence scienter knowledge wrongdoing certainly reveals cal fire knew actions improper fact cal fire counsel failed reveal nichols summed assessment cal fire lawyers conduct litigation writing court finds cal fires actions initiating maintaining prosecuting action present time corrupt tainted cal fire failed comply discovery obligations repeated failure willful cal fires conduct reeked bad faith | 866 |
<p>Things haven’t been going so well for Ukraine’s military lately.</p>
<p>Over the past two weeks, pro-Russian separatists have occupied government buildings and set up roadblocks in <a href="" type="external">a dozen cities across eastern Ukraine</a>.</p>
<p>In Donetsk, protesters have barricaded themselves inside the regional administrative building with tires and razorwire, declaring it the independent “Donetsk People’s Republic.” They won’t budge, they say, until the “illegal” government in Kyiv steps down.&#160;</p>
<p>The flag of the so-called "Donetsk Federative Republic" waves above a barricade and a crowd gathered in front of the Donetsk regional administration building, held by pro-Russian militants, on April 8, 2014. (Alexander Khudoteply/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Ukrainian officials blame all of this on Russian operatives and have launched an anti-terrorism operation to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/14/world/europe/ukraine-forces-and-pro-russian-militants-battle-over-local-police-station.html" type="external">contain the growing rebellion</a>. But Ukrainian forces haven’t had much luck in recapturing the occupied buildings. As Mashable <a href="http://mashable.com/2014/04/18/chaos-kiev-ukraine-military/" type="external">notes</a>:</p>
<p>In several areas across the region Ukrainian troops defected to the Pro-Russian separatists, became trapped in strategic areas, or worse, forced to surrender and were taken prisoner.&#160;</p>
<p>These setbacks have motivated one Ukrainian billionaire to throw his money behind the country’s defense. Igor Kolomoisky, the staunchly pro-Kyiv governor of Dnipropetrovsk, is offering <a href="" type="external">cash rewards</a> to anyone who captures the following and hands them over to regional authorities.</p>
<p>- $1,000 for each machine gun - $1,500 for each heavy machine gun - $2,000 for each grenade launcher - $10,000 for each “green man” (member of the Russian special services) - $200,000 for each building liberated from the “ <a href="http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/donbass-roots-of-violent-division-geography-history-culture/498447.html" type="external">Donbass</a>” region militia.&#160;</p>
<p>Details were announced April 16 on the <a href="" type="external">Facebook page</a> of deputy governor (and fellow billionaire) Boris Filatov. According to Filatov, the mounting unrest is “a revolution of poverty” by “tired, desperate and unheard people”:</p>
<p>"The Yanukovich clique, who plunged our fellow citizens into the abyss of despair, today provokes their separatism, distributing stolen money and promising a future as part of a hostile neighboring state."</p>
<p>The bounties are meant as a counter-incentive, particularly in light of the Ukrainian army’s disastrous showing.&#160;Part of the problem is disorganization, coupled with low morale. A retired senior officer <a href="" type="external">told</a> the Daily Beast:</p>
<p>“The army has been poorly managed and neglected for years and the quality of overall leadership is questionable. We are sending them into a highly charged and complex situation which is being cleverly manipulated by Moscow.”</p>
<p>On April 16, 2014, local residents surrounded and captured a column of six armored vehicles outside of Kramatorsk. ( <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151992480362217&amp;set=pb.228735667216.-2207520000.1398153225.&amp;type=3&amp;permPage=1" type="external">BBC News/Facebook</a>)</p>
<p>Specifically, Ukrainian soldiers deployed to the region must <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/17/world/europe/ukraine-crisis.html" type="external">confront armed militants intermingled with civilians</a> — without reinforcements, <a href="" type="external">clear rules of engagement</a> or in some cases, the stomach to shoot civilians.&#160;</p>
<p>A lack of resources only compounds the problem. Ukraine has around <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/17/ukrainian-oligarch-offers-financial-rewards-russians-igor-kolomoisky" type="external">6,000 active troops</a> while Russia has over 1 million, including 50,000 amassed at the border alone. Equipment is run down and soldiers are poorly paid. Those who defected to Russia after Crimea’s annexation reportedly saw a fivefold increase in their salary, <a href="" type="external">reports</a> the Daily Beast.&#160;</p>
<p>But Kolomoisky’s offer is already seeing results. <a href="" type="external">Mykhaylo Lysenko</a>, the deputy chief of staff of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast National Defense, <a href="" type="external">told</a> Radio Svoboda that bounties had already been paid for the detention of eight separatists — $10,000 each, or $80,000 total.&#160;</p>
<p>This is major progress. Just look at some of these setbacks suffered by the Ukraine military since this whole debacle began:</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>On April 12, a group of pro-Russian militants captured the police station in Slovyansk, one of several seized in coordinated raids in the eastern region of Ukraine. According to <a href="" type="external">Ukraine’s Interior Ministry</a>, “The goal of the takeover was the guns” and 400 Makarov handguns and 20 automatic weapons were seized. The following day, a unit from Ukraine’s security services entered Slovyansk to regain the police station, but protesters had set up checkpoints on streets leading into town. After meeting stiff resistance and <a href="" type="external">suffering casualties</a> — including one officer killed and five others wounded — the soldiers withdrew to “ <a href="" type="external">regroup</a>.” &#160;&#160;</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>The BBC <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27042646" type="external">reports</a>: “Footage posted online purports to show pro-Russian activists in a Lada confronting a Ukrainian tank. The car's occupants pursue the tank across a field — apparently in the Donetsk town of Sloviansk — and instruct its driver to "turn the engine off".... The video, which cannot be independently verified, was uploaded on 14 April.” &#160;</p>
<p>Ukrainian forces recaptured an airfield outside Kramatorsk on April 15. The next day a column of six armored vehicles appeared in the town and headed toward nearby Sloviansk. A few kilometers outside of town, they were surrounded by a crowd of pro-Russian separatists that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/14/world/europe/ukraine-forces-and-pro-russian-militants-battle-over-local-police-station.html" type="external">included Russian operatives</a>. “The Ukrainian soldiers in the vehicles near Slovyansk mounted no resistance, allowing the partisans to mount Russian flags on the vehicles and drive them into the city, where they were greeted by cheering supported,” <a href="" type="external">reported</a> Voice of America. The troops were disarmed, fed, then sent home to Dnipropetrovsk by bus.</p>
<p>The BBC <a href="" type="external">reports</a>, “In another incident, several hundred residents of Pchyolkino, south of Sloviansk, surrounded another column of 14 Ukrainian military vehicles. After the crowd was reinforced by pro-Russian gunmen, negotiations ensued and the troops were allowed to drive their vehicles away, but only after agreeing to surrender the magazines from their assault rifles.”&#160;</p>
<p>So, you know, any help they can get.</p> | false | 3 | things havent going well ukraines military lately past two weeks prorussian separatists occupied government buildings set roadblocks dozen cities across eastern ukraine donetsk protesters barricaded inside regional administrative building tires razorwire declaring independent donetsk peoples republic wont budge say illegal government kyiv steps down160 flag socalled donetsk federative republic waves barricade crowd gathered front donetsk regional administration building held prorussian militants april 8 2014 alexander khudoteplyafpgetty images ukrainian officials blame russian operatives launched antiterrorism operation contain growing rebellion ukrainian forces havent much luck recapturing occupied buildings mashable notes several areas across region ukrainian troops defected prorussian separatists became trapped strategic areas worse forced surrender taken prisoner160 setbacks motivated one ukrainian billionaire throw money behind countrys defense igor kolomoisky staunchly prokyiv governor dnipropetrovsk offering cash rewards anyone captures following hands regional authorities 1000 machine gun 1500 heavy machine gun 2000 grenade launcher 10000 green man member russian special services 200000 building liberated donbass region militia160 details announced april 16 facebook page deputy governor fellow billionaire boris filatov according filatov mounting unrest revolution poverty tired desperate unheard people yanukovich clique plunged fellow citizens abyss despair today provokes separatism distributing stolen money promising future part hostile neighboring state bounties meant counterincentive particularly light ukrainian armys disastrous showing160part problem disorganization coupled low morale retired senior officer told daily beast army poorly managed neglected years quality overall leadership questionable sending highly charged complex situation cleverly manipulated moscow april 16 2014 local residents surrounded captured column six armored vehicles outside kramatorsk bbc newsfacebook specifically ukrainian soldiers deployed region must confront armed militants intermingled civilians without reinforcements clear rules engagement cases stomach shoot civilians160 lack resources compounds problem ukraine around 6000 active troops russia 1 million including 50000 amassed border alone equipment run soldiers poorly paid defected russia crimeas annexation reportedly saw fivefold increase salary reports daily beast160 kolomoiskys offer already seeing results mykhaylo lysenko deputy chief staff dnipropetrovsk oblast national defense told radio svoboda bounties already paid detention eight separatists 10000 80000 total160 major progress look setbacks suffered ukraine military since whole debacle began 160 april 12 group prorussian militants captured police station slovyansk one several seized coordinated raids eastern region ukraine according ukraines interior ministry goal takeover guns 400 makarov handguns 20 automatic weapons seized following day unit ukraines security services entered slovyansk regain police station protesters set checkpoints streets leading town meeting stiff resistance suffering casualties including one officer killed five others wounded soldiers withdrew regroup 160160 bbc reports footage posted online purports show prorussian activists lada confronting ukrainian tank cars occupants pursue tank across field apparently donetsk town sloviansk instruct driver turn engine video independently verified uploaded 14 april 160 ukrainian forces recaptured airfield outside kramatorsk april 15 next day column six armored vehicles appeared town headed toward nearby sloviansk kilometers outside town surrounded crowd prorussian separatists included russian operatives ukrainian soldiers vehicles near slovyansk mounted resistance allowing partisans mount russian flags vehicles drive city greeted cheering supported reported voice america troops disarmed fed sent home dnipropetrovsk bus bbc reports another incident several hundred residents pchyolkino south sloviansk surrounded another column 14 ukrainian military vehicles crowd reinforced prorussian gunmen negotiations ensued troops allowed drive vehicles away agreeing surrender magazines assault rifles160 know help get | 531 |
<p>President Barack Obama’s fifth State of the Union address last night was optimistic in tone, was modest in ambition, expressed a desire to work with Congress, yet acknowledged that the president would take whatever executive action he could if Congress doesn’t act. It also was a political speech without being too partisan -- it served as an organizing principle for his party ahead of the midterms, but was largely devoid of controversy (more on that below). The White House’s challenge now is to make sure last night’s State of the Union isn’t a one-day event. Today, President Obama gives a 10:25 am ET speech at a Costco in Lanham, MD, where he’ll talk about the importance of raising the minimum wage. Then he heads to West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, where he’ll give a 1:45 pm ET address on boosting retirement security. Tomorrow, Obama heads to Wisconsin and Tennessee. Follow-through has been a shortcoming of this administration -- it sometimes appears that it will set out to emphasize a message, but only drop it a week or two later. Much of that is due to all of the external (and unexpected) events a White House must confront. But last night’s speech will only be successful if it lives past today and tomorrow.</p>
<p>An agreeable speech -- which was still criticized by red-state Democrats</p>
<p>When it came to the issues, Obama’s State of the Union was agreeable in tone -- he laid out what he was for (on the economy, immigration, health care) but did so hoping that some Republicans could agree with him. It wasn’t confrontational. And not surprisingly, it tested well: According to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/29/state-of-the-union-poll_n_4684252.html" type="external">CNN’s instant poll</a>, 76% of viewers had a positive reaction to the speech (though the sample was made up of a disproportionate number of Democrats because those folks were more likely to watch the address). It also seemed designed to unite the Democratic Party ahead of this year’s upcoming midterm elections. Almost every issue he discussed was something that both Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Mark Pryor (D-AR) could agree on. That said, as Politico notes, red-state Democrats like Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Pryor all issued critical statements of the speech. “While the President delivered a lot of sound bites that may sound good in a speech, we need to hear a clear plan and commitment to economic growth," Begich said. “Overall, I'm disappointed with the President's State of the Union address because he was heavy on rhetoric, but light on specifics about how we can move our country forward,” Pryor added. These statements, in fact, seemed written beforehand. Then again, that’s what happens when your approval rating is 43% and obviously lower than that in states like Alaska, Arkansas, and Louisiana.</p>
<p>“America has never come easy”</p>
<p>Last night’s speech also ended on an emotional -- and upbeat -- note when Obama recognized Army Ranger Cory Remsburg, who was almost killed in Afghanistan and continues to recuperate from a brain injury. “My fellow Americans, men and women like Cory remind us that America has never come easy,” the president said. “Our freedom, our democracy, has never been easy. Sometimes we stumble, we make mistakes; we get frustrated or discouraged. But for more than 200 years, we have put those things aside and placed our collective shoulder to the wheel of progress.” That story could also apply to Obama himself: Nothing in his seven years on the national political stage (2007-2014) has come easy. The 2008 race for the Democratic nomination. Even that general election. The health-care law. The re-election campaign. And now the president’s current situation in which he finds himself bloodied and bruised after the botched health-care rollout. Perseverance is an important quality for any president. Bill Clinton was usually able to talk his way out of sticky situations. But Obama’s M.O. is to grind it out. That, more than anything else, was the message he wanted to send last night -- both he and the country are grinding it out.</p>
<p>The other Great Disconnect in American politics</p>
<p>One challenge for the White House to crack is what has become one of the more interesting disconnects in American politics -- an increasingly improving economy at a time when Americans are growing more pessimistic about the country’s direction. Think about it: The Dow is up more than 2,000 points since last year; the unemployment rate has dropped 1.2 percentage points; and consumer confidence is on the rise. See here:</p>
<p>Unemployment rateJan. 2013: 7.9%Now: 6.7%</p>
<p>Dow Jones AverageJan. 29, 2013: 13,910Now: 15,929</p>
<p>Consumer Confidence (per the Conference Board)Jan. 58.6 Now: 80.7</p>
<p>But then look at the numbers from our new NBC/WSJ poll compared with where they were last January:</p>
<p>Right directionJan. 2013: 35%Now: 28%</p>
<p>Obama approvalJan. 2013: 52%Now: 43%</p>
<p>Optimistic/satisfied about Obama’s remaining time in officeJan. 2013: 51%Now: 40%</p>
<p>In his speech last night, the president -- no longer fearful about overhyping the economic progress – made the case the economy is getting better. “The lowest unemployment rate in over five years,” he said. “A rebounding housing market. A manufacturing sector that’s adding jobs for the first time since the 1990s. More oil produced at home than we buy from the rest of the world -- the first time that’s happened in nearly 20 years.” The question for the White House is if the public truly begins to FEEL this progress in the coming months -- and also if the economy continues to IMPROVE.</p>
<p>On the GOP’s response</p>
<p>Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the best official GOP response we’ve seen in the Obama Era. Of course, that’s a relatively low bar (just think of the Jindal and Rubio past responses). But hers was a simple speech, wasn’t that confrontational, and tried to get across the message that Republicans have empathy, too. Unfortunately for the GOP, Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-york-rep-michael-grimm-threatens-reporter-asked-fundraising-allegations-article-1.1594857" type="external">threatening a reporter</a> for asking him a question doesn’t help on the empathy front. And the danger is that more people will be talking about that today instead of McMorris Rodgers’ response.</p>
<p>How will Democrats respond to a House immigration bill that omits a path to citizenship?</p>
<p>And finally, House Republicans hit their retreat on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The big topic will be immigration. It appears Republicans are set on NOT providing a path to citizenship. The question is how Democrats -- and the Gang of Eight -- respond to this. Be sure to watch Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) talk about this issue and others on “Daily Rundown” this morning.</p> | false | 3 | president barack obamas fifth state union address last night optimistic tone modest ambition expressed desire work congress yet acknowledged president would take whatever executive action could congress doesnt act also political speech without partisan served organizing principle party ahead midterms largely devoid controversy white houses challenge make sure last nights state union isnt oneday event today president obama gives 1025 et speech costco lanham md hell talk importance raising minimum wage heads west mifflin pennsylvania hell give 145 pm et address boosting retirement security tomorrow obama heads wisconsin tennessee followthrough shortcoming administration sometimes appears set emphasize message drop week two later much due external unexpected events white house must confront last nights speech successful lives past today tomorrow agreeable speech still criticized redstate democrats came issues obamas state union agreeable tone laid economy immigration health care hoping republicans could agree wasnt confrontational surprisingly tested well according cnns instant poll 76 viewers positive reaction speech though sample made disproportionate number democrats folks likely watch address also seemed designed unite democratic party ahead years upcoming midterm elections almost every issue discussed something bernie sanders ivt mark pryor dar could agree said politico notes redstate democrats like sens mark begich dak mary landrieu dla pryor issued critical statements speech president delivered lot sound bites may sound good speech need hear clear plan commitment economic growth begich said overall im disappointed presidents state union address heavy rhetoric light specifics move country forward pryor added statements fact seemed written beforehand thats happens approval rating 43 obviously lower states like alaska arkansas louisiana america never come easy last nights speech also ended emotional upbeat note obama recognized army ranger cory remsburg almost killed afghanistan continues recuperate brain injury fellow americans men women like cory remind us america never come easy president said freedom democracy never easy sometimes stumble make mistakes get frustrated discouraged 200 years put things aside placed collective shoulder wheel progress story could also apply obama nothing seven years national political stage 20072014 come easy 2008 race democratic nomination even general election healthcare law reelection campaign presidents current situation finds bloodied bruised botched healthcare rollout perseverance important quality president bill clinton usually able talk way sticky situations obamas mo grind anything else message wanted send last night country grinding great disconnect american politics one challenge white house crack become one interesting disconnects american politics increasingly improving economy time americans growing pessimistic countrys direction think dow 2000 points since last year unemployment rate dropped 12 percentage points consumer confidence rise see unemployment ratejan 2013 79now 67 dow jones averagejan 29 2013 13910now 15929 consumer confidence per conference boardjan 586 807 look numbers new nbcwsj poll compared last january right directionjan 2013 35now 28 obama approvaljan 2013 52now 43 optimisticsatisfied obamas remaining time officejan 2013 51now 40 speech last night president longer fearful overhyping economic progress made case economy getting better lowest unemployment rate five years said rebounding housing market manufacturing sector thats adding jobs first time since 1990s oil produced home buy rest world first time thats happened nearly 20 years question white house public truly begins feel progress coming months also economy continues improve gops response rep cathy mcmorris rodgers rwa delivered best official gop response weve seen obama era course thats relatively low bar think jindal rubio past responses simple speech wasnt confrontational tried get across message republicans empathy unfortunately gop rep michael grimm rny threatening reporter asking question doesnt help empathy front danger people talking today instead mcmorris rodgers response democrats respond house immigration bill omits path citizenship finally house republicans hit retreat marylands eastern shore big topic immigration appears republicans set providing path citizenship question democrats gang eight respond sure watch rep paul ryan rwi talk issue others daily rundown morning | 620 |
<p>Claiming some major wins and gearing up for a renewed battle against school closings, Chicago Teachers Union delegates voted on Tuesday to suspend the strike. Classes will resume Wednesday morning, a relief for parents who had supported teachers but were ready for the strike to end.</p>
<p>Leaving the meeting, delegates looked happy and said they felt victorious. “We are happy to be able to go back with dignity,” said Adam Heenan, the delegate from Curie High School.&#160;</p>
<p>CTU President Karen Lewis, who called the deal “the best they could get,” said the overwhelming majority of delegates wanted to return to the classroom. “We feel very positive about moving forward,” she said. “We are grateful that we are a united union.”</p>
<p>Lewis pledged to continue to lead the fight on outstanding issues that the union couldn’t get the district to agree on, such as a demand for air-conditioning in schools, a promise of maintaining class size limits and more social workers in schools.</p>
<p>But as negotiations dragged on late last week, Lewis had to come to terms with two realities: CPS was limited by current and projected budget deficits and the tide couldn’t be turned in this contract on larger reform initiative.&#160;</p>
<p>“We couldn’t solve all the problems of the world with one contract,” she said.</p>
<p>According to the school district, the package will cost $295 million over three years or about $75 million a year. The Board of Education approved in August a budget that drained its reserves and, according to district officials, had no cushions.&#160;</p>
<p>Battle looming on closings</p>
<p>Lewis said the strike and the issues it raised set the stage for the next big battle, against school closings.</p>
<p>CPS officials are now openly acknowledging that they plan to restructure the district by closing as many as 120 schools, though it has said it will open dozens of new charter schools at the same time. They have told community activists that some of these closing will take place in the coming school year. Lewis called this “the elephant in the room” and said the union is gearing up for a larger, comprehensive stand against closings.</p>
<p>“Now everyone is more mobilized on this issue,” she said.</p>
<p>Community activists and students, many of whom stood with the union during the strike, are poised to join CTU to improve conditions in the schools and keep open neighborhood schools. &#160;</p>
<p>“We need 2,000 people here when the closings are announced,” said Erica Clark of Parents 4 Teachers in the lobby of CPS headquarters downtown. She and more than 100 students and parents crammed into the lobby of district headquarters on Tuesday, demanding they be allowed to deliver nearly 1,000 postcards supporting CTU’s demands to CEO Jean-Claude Brizard.</p>
<p>CTU and the community groups also want an elected Board of Education, rather than appointed as it is now.</p>
<p>Jane Averill, a preschool teacher at Ray Elementary, said she thought the vote to suspend the strike was partly due to delegates and teachers facing reality. &#160;If they would have stayed on strike Wednesday, teachers feared losing public support, she said.</p>
<p>“To go out on strike and to not get things like class size limits, and restrictions on school closings and the creation of charter schools, is kind of heartbreaking,” Averill said. “(But) those are things that have to be taken up legislatively.”</p>
<p>Both sides claiming wins</p>
<p>When it came to the nitty-gritty of the contract, the union was able to claim several victories–chiefly, that Mayor Rahm Emanuel will have a stake in keeping the union happy. CPS originally wanted a five-year contract that would take CTU out of the picture until well after the next mayoral election.</p>
<p>But the union got CPS to agree to a three-year contract, with an option for a fourth year, if both parties agree. This could put the next contract negotiations right in the middle of the next campaign.</p>
<p>The three-year contract also allowed CTU to claim victory on teacher evaluation. CPS had proposed that test scores be factored into teacher evaluations at the minimum allowed by law in years one through three, but to go beyond the state minimum in years four and five. CPS still plans to increase the amount that test scores factor into evaluation in the future, but will have to again wrangle with CTU before they do it.</p>
<p>The union also prevailed against merit pay.And it won a promise of jobs for some teachers displaced by school closings.</p>
<p>CTU also released a fact-sheet claiming additional wins: an agreement by CPS to a monthly meeting on the budget and to outlawing teacher suspensions without pay. CPS also will allow teachers to vote by secret ballot for department heads.</p>
<p>Heenan said a “Christmas present” in the contract was the right for teachers to format their lesson plans in the way they want.&#160;</p>
<p>“When that was announced, cheers erupted,” he said, explaining that it takes a lot of extra time to format lesson plans according to the district’s model, and can be antithetical to the way a teacher naturally puts them together.</p>
<p>But CPS also claimed some victories in the battle. At a brief press conference, Emanuel said that for the first time students “were at the table” in the negotiating room.</p>
<p>He touted that the contract includes provisions for the school day and year to be lengthened (though state law gives the district the power to do so on its own). “This gives a kindergartener today two extra years of learning by the time she graduates high school,” he said.</p>
<p>Also, he said the deal was good for taxpayers. As part of the agreement the union will drop its litigation against the Board of Education for rescinding a promised 4 percent raise in 2011.&#160;</p>
<p>The final teacher salary increase was only 1 percent more than the original offer and will cost the district less than in previous agreements.&#160;</p>
<p>The union had wanted CPS to agree to forcing principals to hire a displaced teacher when three qualified ones applied for a job. Doing this would amount to taking away a principal’s autonomy, Emanuel argued.</p>
<p>Instead—and this might have been the concession that broke the logjam—CPS agreed that it would try to make sure that half of its new hires would be displaced teachers. If not, then the most senior of the displaced teachers would be kept on for a year as long-term substitutes.&#160;</p>
<p>Emanuel called the deal an “honest compromise.” But he refused to take questions about how he planned to pay for the raises and other concessions.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | claiming major wins gearing renewed battle school closings chicago teachers union delegates voted tuesday suspend strike classes resume wednesday morning relief parents supported teachers ready strike end leaving meeting delegates looked happy said felt victorious happy able go back dignity said adam heenan delegate curie high school160 ctu president karen lewis called deal best could get said overwhelming majority delegates wanted return classroom feel positive moving forward said grateful united union lewis pledged continue lead fight outstanding issues union couldnt get district agree demand airconditioning schools promise maintaining class size limits social workers schools negotiations dragged late last week lewis come terms two realities cps limited current projected budget deficits tide couldnt turned contract larger reform initiative160 couldnt solve problems world one contract said according school district package cost 295 million three years 75 million year board education approved august budget drained reserves according district officials cushions160 battle looming closings lewis said strike issues raised set stage next big battle school closings cps officials openly acknowledging plan restructure district closing many 120 schools though said open dozens new charter schools time told community activists closing take place coming school year lewis called elephant room said union gearing larger comprehensive stand closings everyone mobilized issue said community activists students many stood union strike poised join ctu improve conditions schools keep open neighborhood schools 160 need 2000 people closings announced said erica clark parents 4 teachers lobby cps headquarters downtown 100 students parents crammed lobby district headquarters tuesday demanding allowed deliver nearly 1000 postcards supporting ctus demands ceo jeanclaude brizard ctu community groups also want elected board education rather appointed jane averill preschool teacher ray elementary said thought vote suspend strike partly due delegates teachers facing reality 160if would stayed strike wednesday teachers feared losing public support said go strike get things like class size limits restrictions school closings creation charter schools kind heartbreaking averill said things taken legislatively sides claiming wins came nittygritty contract union able claim several victorieschiefly mayor rahm emanuel stake keeping union happy cps originally wanted fiveyear contract would take ctu picture well next mayoral election union got cps agree threeyear contract option fourth year parties agree could put next contract negotiations right middle next campaign threeyear contract also allowed ctu claim victory teacher evaluation cps proposed test scores factored teacher evaluations minimum allowed law years one three go beyond state minimum years four five cps still plans increase amount test scores factor evaluation future wrangle ctu union also prevailed merit payand promise jobs teachers displaced school closings ctu also released factsheet claiming additional wins agreement cps monthly meeting budget outlawing teacher suspensions without pay cps also allow teachers vote secret ballot department heads heenan said christmas present contract right teachers format lesson plans way want160 announced cheers erupted said explaining takes lot extra time format lesson plans according districts model antithetical way teacher naturally puts together cps also claimed victories battle brief press conference emanuel said first time students table negotiating room touted contract includes provisions school day year lengthened though state law gives district power gives kindergartener today two extra years learning time graduates high school said also said deal good taxpayers part agreement union drop litigation board education rescinding promised 4 percent raise 2011160 final teacher salary increase 1 percent original offer cost district less previous agreements160 union wanted cps agree forcing principals hire displaced teacher three qualified ones applied job would amount taking away principals autonomy emanuel argued insteadand might concession broke logjamcps agreed would try make sure half new hires would displaced teachers senior displaced teachers would kept year longterm substitutes160 emanuel called deal honest compromise refused take questions planned pay raises concessions160 160 | 611 |
<p>A lot of taxes have been proposed lately – sales taxes, property taxes, income taxes – as the state’s budget stalemate grinds on and the city’s financial crisis metastasizes.</p>
<p>But the powers that be have taken one tax off the table, a financial transaction tax. It would target the very wealthy – the only ones in recent decades benefiting from economic growth.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cpegonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Chicago-Doesnt-Need-Another-Casino_Final_2.pdf" type="external">A small tax on trades on Chicago’s futures exchanges</a> could raise billions of dollars, and traditional traders wouldn’t even notice it, proponents say in a new report.</p>
<p>“Is a farmer or a pension fund manager going to walk away from a $50,000 contract because of a fee that’s the price of a cup of coffee?” asks Ron Baiman of the Chicago Political Economy Group, which has advocated for a financial transaction tax for several years.</p>
<p>The group that would feel the pain would be high-frequency traders, who use computer algorithms to do hundreds of trades in a fraction of a second, inserting themselves between buyer and seller in order to extract a tiny profit, sometimes using fake orders to drive prices up or down to their advantage. They often make less than $1 on a deal, but they make up for it with massive volume.</p>
<p>Some use the term “high-frequency trading” as a synonym for computerized trading, but CPEG is talking about a significant subset of traders, which they characterize as “rogue gamblers who are engaged in rigged and illegal trading strategies to enrich themselves at the expense of non-HFT traders.”</p>
<p>“On balance HFT firms take rather than provide liquidity” (which is the ability of an investor to buy or sell in a market at a desired price) and their activity “is fundamentally detrimental to the broader economy,” according to the CPEG report.</p>
<p>As a paper from business professors at the University of Chicago puts it, <a href="http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/eric.budish/research/HFT-FrequentBatchAuctions.pdf" type="external">high-frequency trading produces “arbitrage rents” that “harm liquidity provision.”</a></p>
<p>And, Baiman says, if a financial transaction tax ended up suppressing high-frequency trading, regular traders could well come out ahead. The small fee would be more than offset by eliminating the losses they now experience to high-frequency traders, which amount to many billions of dollars.</p>
<p>But the exchanges seem to be committed to protecting the high-speed guys – and the exchanges’ own profits from the transaction and high-speed data access fees the traders pay­ – at the expense of their traditional customers.</p>
<p>CPEG has proposed a fee of $1 on agricultural futures contracts (which average about $73,000 in value) and $2 on other contracts (which average $335,000) at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade and Chicago Board of Options Exchange. CME Group owns the Merc and CBOT.</p>
<p>That’s about a 0.00038 percent levy on the $937 trillion traded every year on the exchanges, and it would be paid by traders, not the exchanges. Compare that to the 6.25 percent sales tax the state charges for other kinds of purchases.</p>
<p>Levying this minimal fee on the millions of contracts executed in Chicago exchanges every year would raise $10 billion to $12 billion for the state, the group says. (They’ve also proposed that a portion be set aside for the city’s budget.)</p>
<p>That’s nearly twice as much as the state’s sales&#160;tax brings in. “This is an emergency situation for the state and city,” Baiman said. “And this is the answer.”</p>
<p>Mayor Emanuel, a former CME board member, has rejected the idea, and the Chicago Sun-Times has called it a <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/367925/lasalle-street-tax-fairy-tales" type="external">“fairy tale,”</a> saying it could drive trading out of Chicago exchanges, and perhaps even drive Chicago exchanges themselves to leave town.</p>
<p>For those who are worried that a $2 fee is going to drive trading elsewhere, the Electronic Liquidity Exchange provides a test case that suggests otherwise.</p>
<p>Would the exchanges move? Not likely. It would cost CME too much financially and politically&#160;since the only purpose for the move would be to protect high-speed traders and the exchanges’ profits from high-speed transactions that hurt traditional investors.</p>
<p>High-speed trading has come under increasing scrutiny in the past year, from the <a href="http://www.thewire.com/business/2014/03/fbi-to-investigate-wall-streets-latest-blemish-high-frequency-trading/359938/" type="external">FBI</a>and&#160;the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/chicago/press-releases/2014/high-frequency-trader-indicted-for-manipulating-commodities-futures-markets-in-first-federal-prosecution-for-spoofing" type="external">U.S. Attorney’s office</a> in Chicago.</p>
<p>Some traditional investors are concerned too, judging by a <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/14/us-cme-highfrequencytrading-lawsuit-idUSBREA3D16Z20140414" type="external">lawsuit filed last year charging CME with fraud</a>.</p>
<p>CME’s federal regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has said <a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20141124/NEWS01/141129891/cftc-knocks-cme-for-lack-of-enforcement-staff" type="external">CME lacks sufficient enforcement staff</a>.&#160;Earlier this year a major trading firm went to court, complaining that <a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150311/NEWS01/150319941/trading-firm-sues-rival-attacks-cme" type="external">CME had failed to take action in 7,000 instances of price manipulation by high-speed traders</a> that had cost the firm a half-million dollars.</p>
<p>A financial transaction tax could accomplish what regulators can’t, Baiman said. “These exchanges are really rotten, they’re not cleaning up their act, they have no incentive to do so as long as they’re making all this money,” he said. “The FTT is a way for the public to come in and say, you’ve got to have an honest exchange.”</p>
<p>But if that’s too large a goal for our political leaders (many of whom have gotten large contributions from the state’s <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-11/citadel-fund-said-to-quadruple-with-high-frequency-trades" type="external">leading high-frequency trader</a>), he offers a compromise. The tax could be tiered based on holding time. For example, traders holding a contract for less than one minute could be charged 10 cents, with the rate rising as the holding period increases. That would still raise well over $6 billion at a minimum, he estimates. And the exchanges would still have their megaprofits.</p>
<p>Our public budgets are imploding because our revenue system doesn’t keep up with inflation. That’s because we <a href="http://www.newstips.org/2011/06/getting-serious-about-the-deficit-for-real/" type="external">disproportionately tax folks at the lower end</a>, whose earnings have fallen behind.</p>
<p>The financial services industry is the most profitable sector of the state’s economy.&#160; It’s not pulling its weight. It’s got to share the sacrifice.</p>
<p>And it ought to stop hiding behind high-sounding rhetoric while it’s raking in profits from unscrupulous activity.</p>
<p>Photo illustration:&#160; <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-293088845/stock-photo-taxes-word-on-white-blocks-concept.html?src=26IQeJbIH-jJG9xhErE6nA-1-16" type="external">Taxes lettering</a>/Shutterstock image</p> | false | 3 | lot taxes proposed lately sales taxes property taxes income taxes states budget stalemate grinds citys financial crisis metastasizes powers taken one tax table financial transaction tax would target wealthy ones recent decades benefiting economic growth small tax trades chicagos futures exchanges could raise billions dollars traditional traders wouldnt even notice proponents say new report farmer pension fund manager going walk away 50000 contract fee thats price cup coffee asks ron baiman chicago political economy group advocated financial transaction tax several years group would feel pain would highfrequency traders use computer algorithms hundreds trades fraction second inserting buyer seller order extract tiny profit sometimes using fake orders drive prices advantage often make less 1 deal make massive volume use term highfrequency trading synonym computerized trading cpeg talking significant subset traders characterize rogue gamblers engaged rigged illegal trading strategies enrich expense nonhft traders balance hft firms take rather provide liquidity ability investor buy sell market desired price activity fundamentally detrimental broader economy according cpeg report paper business professors university chicago puts highfrequency trading produces arbitrage rents harm liquidity provision baiman says financial transaction tax ended suppressing highfrequency trading regular traders could well come ahead small fee would offset eliminating losses experience highfrequency traders amount many billions dollars exchanges seem committed protecting highspeed guys exchanges profits transaction highspeed data access fees traders pay expense traditional customers cpeg proposed fee 1 agricultural futures contracts average 73000 value 2 contracts average 335000 chicago mercantile exchange chicago board trade chicago board options exchange cme group owns merc cbot thats 000038 percent levy 937 trillion traded every year exchanges would paid traders exchanges compare 625 percent sales tax state charges kinds purchases levying minimal fee millions contracts executed chicago exchanges every year would raise 10 billion 12 billion state group says theyve also proposed portion set aside citys budget thats nearly twice much states sales160tax brings emergency situation state city baiman said answer mayor emanuel former cme board member rejected idea chicago suntimes called fairy tale saying could drive trading chicago exchanges perhaps even drive chicago exchanges leave town worried 2 fee going drive trading elsewhere electronic liquidity exchange provides test case suggests otherwise would exchanges move likely would cost cme much financially politically160since purpose move would protect highspeed traders exchanges profits highspeed transactions hurt traditional investors highspeed trading come increasing scrutiny past year fbiand160the us attorneys office chicago traditional investors concerned judging lawsuit filed last year charging cme fraud cmes federal regulator commodity futures trading commission said cme lacks sufficient enforcement staff160earlier year major trading firm went court complaining cme failed take action 7000 instances price manipulation highspeed traders cost firm halfmillion dollars financial transaction tax could accomplish regulators cant baiman said exchanges really rotten theyre cleaning act incentive long theyre making money said ftt way public come say youve got honest exchange thats large goal political leaders many gotten large contributions states leading highfrequency trader offers compromise tax could tiered based holding time example traders holding contract less one minute could charged 10 cents rate rising holding period increases would still raise well 6 billion minimum estimates exchanges would still megaprofits public budgets imploding revenue system doesnt keep inflation thats disproportionately tax folks lower end whose earnings fallen behind financial services industry profitable sector states economy160 pulling weight got share sacrifice ought stop hiding behind highsounding rhetoric raking profits unscrupulous activity photo illustration160 taxes letteringshutterstock image | 561 |
<p>SEOUL, South Korea — Even by the standards of pop stars, Hatsune Miku is eccentric and protean, her mystique elusive.</p>
<p>Her eyes are too round and blue to be real. She can be buxom or boyish, and almost painfully sultry — all in a droid-ish, understated way.</p>
<p>She dons a school uniform, with thigh-high power boots and a flared ultra-micro miniskirt. Her pig-tailed turquoise hair is so long that she risks tripping over it as she dances lithely in front of her adoring, sell-out crowds. In a saccharine soprano — reminiscent of a castrated Mouseketeer — her lyrics soar over the roars and ovations of glowstick-wielding teenage audiences.</p>
<p>Her fans wouldn’t have it any other way.</p>
<p>Hatsune Miku is big. Really big. Right now, she's Japan’s favorite pop star, <a href="http://www.japantoday.com/category/arts-culture/view/japans-biggest-pop-star-is-not-human" type="external">according to Japan Today</a>. She has more than 100,000 original (crowdsourced) songs, 1.8 million Facebook followers, and has even been the face for Google, Toyota, and Louis Vuitton, the paper reports.</p>
<p>The singer— a 16-year-old Virgo, measuring 5 foot 2 inches and weighing a paltry 93 pounds — looks as though she came straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon.</p>
<p>And yet she never fails to elude the paparazzi.</p>
<p>There’s a good reason for that.</p>
<p>She’s not human.</p>
<p>Rather, “she” consists of a digitally synthesized voice connected to a hologram, an ever-evolving, crowd-sourced humanoid that performs all over Japan and, more recently, at sold-out concerts around the world.</p>
<p>Created in 2007 as the marketing mascot for a musical software company, Miku quickly leapt to fame as one of Japan’s most popular idols. Backing her up is a band of human musicians — real, sweaty, flesh-and-blood men playing guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. Although as with any diva worth her salt, the boys remain at least 20 feet from stardom, fading into the darkness as Miku steals the show. She is, of course, what the fans come to see.</p>
<p>And see they do. Oddly enough, the fact that she’s a hologram hasn’t stopped the masses from adoring her, sexualizing her, fetishizing her — and there’s plenty of evidence of this, ranging from erotic Miku pillow cases, available on Amazon.jp, to the usual stuff you might find in the nether regions of the web.</p>
<p>All this raises the question, why worship a she-bot?</p>
<p>Of course, there’s more than a little that’s fake about pretty much any pop star. But is this the Next Big Thing, throngs obsessing over a hologram? Why are kids these days focusing their passion on an inanimate illusion? What does she do for them that a real person can’t?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/" type="external">GlobalPost</a> investigated. Or we tried, at least.</p>
<p>In fact, our usual pool of trusty experts weren’t all that enthusiastic about using Miku as a lens on the Japanese Zeitgeist.</p>
<p>But we did find some interesting stuff.</p>
<p>Oddly enough, the rise of Miku could be the extension of a long-standing thing in Japan: an affinity for humanizing objects and technologies as if they were partners in life. That, according to Morinosuke Kawaguchi, a leading futurist and designer.</p>
<p>After all, Japan is a place where cartoon books — aka "manga" — are widely read by students, salarymen and grandmas on the metro. Then there’s "hentai" — a word that in the Western definition refers to porn preformed by animated characters, but in Japan refers to perverted and sexually demented desires in general, rather than a single genre.</p>
<p>Some Japanese men, known as "otaku" or obsessive anime lovers, have even married their non-human girlfriends, which are really just body-pillowcases that depict fictional cartoon characters.</p>
<p>(Um, Miku seems a much more pedestrian infatuation.)</p>
<p>"The Japanese feel sympathy for even a computer"</p>
<p>In fact, argues Kawaguchi, his compatriots’ predilection for endowing non-humans with souls isn’t even new. Its roots go back centuries, he says. “The Japanese have always believed in animism and Shintoism,” he said, referring to the island nation’s indigenous religion. “They see a spirit in objects like wood and stone.”</p>
<p>Automated wooden puppets called Karakuri Ningyo, built more than 400 years ago, mesmerized the nation with their life-like movements, he said. The figurines were inspired by mechanical clockwork technology from Europe. Still a nostalgia gadget today, they emit subtle emotions and can even write a handful of Chinese characters.</p>
<p>Today, Japanese girls continue to decorate their mobile phones and computers like dolls, treating electronic devices as companions in life. “The Japanese feel sympathy for even a computer,” Kawaguchi said. “It becomes a partner.”</p>
<p>Not everyone agrees, however, that the affection for non-humans reveals something about Japanese culture on the whole. “Is there something going on in American culture because they made the Terminator films? Or I, Robot? What about C-3PO and R2-D2 in Star Wars? Data in Star Trek?” asked Griseldis Kirsch, a Japanese pop culture specialist at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.</p>
<p>There is “a seemingly impenetrable language, our knowledge about Japanese robotics, a vibrant popular culture, a lot of stereotypes on Japanese 'uniqueness,’” she said, “and out comes a mix in which we tend to think that there must be 'something' when all there is that someone had a good idea and turned it into money.”</p>
<p>And, of course, Miku’s handlers can probably sleep well at night without worrying that she’ll go on a vandalism rampage or drive after smoking pot, with an expired license.</p>
<p>This story originally appeared at <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/japan/140409/tokyo-and-the-real-girl-japan-s-biggest-pop-star-rig" type="external">GlobalPost.</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/brazil/140408/location-video-the-drones-rio" type="external">World Cup 2014 Will Basically Be a Giant Robotics Show</a></p> | false | 3 | seoul south korea even standards pop stars hatsune miku eccentric protean mystique elusive eyes round blue real buxom boyish almost painfully sultry droidish understated way dons school uniform thighhigh power boots flared ultramicro miniskirt pigtailed turquoise hair long risks tripping dances lithely front adoring sellout crowds saccharine soprano reminiscent castrated mouseketeer lyrics soar roars ovations glowstickwielding teenage audiences fans wouldnt way hatsune miku big really big right shes japans favorite pop star according japan today 100000 original crowdsourced songs 18 million facebook followers even face google toyota louis vuitton paper reports singer 16yearold virgo measuring 5 foot 2 inches weighing paltry 93 pounds looks though came straight saturday morning cartoon yet never fails elude paparazzi theres good reason shes human rather consists digitally synthesized voice connected hologram everevolving crowdsourced humanoid performs japan recently soldout concerts around world created 2007 marketing mascot musical software company miku quickly leapt fame one japans popular idols backing band human musicians real sweaty fleshandblood men playing guitar bass keyboards drums although diva worth salt boys remain least 20 feet stardom fading darkness miku steals show course fans come see see oddly enough fact shes hologram hasnt stopped masses adoring sexualizing fetishizing theres plenty evidence ranging erotic miku pillow cases available amazonjp usual stuff might find nether regions web raises question worship shebot course theres little thats fake pretty much pop star next big thing throngs obsessing hologram kids days focusing passion inanimate illusion real person cant globalpost investigated tried least fact usual pool trusty experts werent enthusiastic using miku lens japanese zeitgeist find interesting stuff oddly enough rise miku could extension longstanding thing japan affinity humanizing objects technologies partners life according morinosuke kawaguchi leading futurist designer japan place cartoon books aka manga widely read students salarymen grandmas metro theres hentai word western definition refers porn preformed animated characters japan refers perverted sexually demented desires general rather single genre japanese men known otaku obsessive anime lovers even married nonhuman girlfriends really bodypillowcases depict fictional cartoon characters um miku seems much pedestrian infatuation japanese feel sympathy even computer fact argues kawaguchi compatriots predilection endowing nonhumans souls isnt even new roots go back centuries says japanese always believed animism shintoism said referring island nations indigenous religion see spirit objects like wood stone automated wooden puppets called karakuri ningyo built 400 years ago mesmerized nation lifelike movements said figurines inspired mechanical clockwork technology europe still nostalgia gadget today emit subtle emotions even write handful chinese characters today japanese girls continue decorate mobile phones computers like dolls treating electronic devices companions life japanese feel sympathy even computer kawaguchi said becomes partner everyone agrees however affection nonhumans reveals something japanese culture whole something going american culture made terminator films robot c3po r2d2 star wars data star trek asked griseldis kirsch japanese pop culture specialist londons school oriental african studies seemingly impenetrable language knowledge japanese robotics vibrant popular culture lot stereotypes japanese uniqueness said comes mix tend think must something someone good idea turned money course mikus handlers probably sleep well night without worrying shell go vandalism rampage drive smoking pot expired license story originally appeared globalpost coverage globalpost europes far right rootin putin price real estate slumpacked dhaka rivals nyc world cup 2014 basically giant robotics show | 536 |
<p>The LGBT movement is still aiming high amid low expectations under Donald Trump.&#160;(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>In anticipation of the upcoming Trump administration, at least one LGBT advocate insists the movement will continue to pursue its&#160;full agenda, although the election results have dampened expectations and sent advocacy groups back into a defensive posture.</p>
<p>The surprise win by&#160;Donald Trump dashed plans for continued LGBT progress&#160;under Hillary Clinton. With unified Republican government at the federal level and unprecedented Republican control of state legislatures, LGBT rights may take a few steps back.</p>
<p>Stacey Long Simmons, director of public policy and government affairs for the National LGBTQ Task Force, nonetheless struck an optimistic tone, citing recent wins for the LGBT movement.</p>
<p>“I believe that combined momentum-slash-angst that our community may be feeling because of how vehemently anti-LGBTQ the Trump administration is shaping up to be could actually put us in a position to come together in alignment with other movements that are similarly dealing with high rates of profiling, hate crime attacks, assaults on our personhood and violations of privacy,” Long Simmons said.</p>
<p>Prior to the election, the Human Rights Campaign had reportedly prepared a memo calling for the next administration to enhance LGBT rights further after progress under the Obama administration. Among the requests was the appointment of the first-ever openly LGBT Cabinet member and eliminating the ban on HIV-positive people serving in the U.S. armed forces. It’s hard to see how that could happen under the Trump administration.</p>
<p>Jay Brown, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, said his organization is bracing for the fight ahead in the new administration.</p>
<p>“In the days since the election, President-elect Trump has created a team that includes Jeff Sessions, Ben Carsons and Tom Price, among others,” Brown said. “Personnel is policy and these appointees will play a huge role in leading agencies that are charged with protecting LGBTQ people. We are going to be aggressive in blocking any attempt to roll back or undermine our rights. The reality is the vast majority of Americans still support LGBTQ rights and we are going to fight to ensure our voices are heard loud and clear these next four years.”</p>
<p>After Trump’s election, a number of groups have experienced a surge in donations likely out of fear civil rights will be undone. The American Civil Liberties Union is among the groups that support LGBT rights experiencing a spike in donations since Trump’s election.</p>
<p>As of Monday, the ACLU has reported nearly 295,000 donations totaling almost $20.5 million. The group has pledged to use that money to protect civil rights for transgender Americans in addition to ensuring safety for Muslims in the United States and “Dreamers” who received presidential deferred action protection.</p>
<p>Long Simmons said she was unable to speak to any increased donations to the Task Force in the aftermath of the election, but the uptick generally is unsurprising.</p>
<p>“I’ve heard before that in times of difficulty, there are people who more inclined to give to non-profits just generally speaking because they’re angered by what they&#160;see and&#160;want to make a change, and so people donate with their time or they donate with their money,” Long Simmons said.</p>
<p>Over the course of his presidential campaign, Trump has taken anti-LGBT positions despite saying he’d protect LGBT people from a “hateful, foreign ideology” during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention and waving an upside down Pride flag with the words “LGBTs for Trump” at a rally in Colorado.</p>
<p>Trump has signaled support for the First Amendment Defense Act, a federal “religious freedom” bill that would&#160;enable anti-gay discrimination, said he’s “with the state” on North Carolina’s House Bill 2 and said he’d rescind guidance instructing schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity. Although Trump said after the election he’s “fine” with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage, he urged social conservatives during the&#160;campaign to “trust” him to oppose it.</p>
<p>The president-elect continues to stock his Cabinet with officials whose common feature seems to be hostility toward LGBT people. Just this week, Trump tapped as energy secretary former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, famed for an ad during his 2012 presidential campaign in which he said, “There’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.” Trump’s choice for interior secretary, Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), implied in a debate this year his opponent, Denise Juneau, was <a href="" type="internal">a lesbian by choice</a>.</p>
<p>After North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory lost his bid for re-election — a defeat observers attribute to his signing the notoriously anti-LGBT HB2 — Trump met with the Republican last week at Trump Tower. According to a report in the <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article120638148.html" type="external">Charlotte Observer</a>, a source close to Trump’s transition team said the ousted governor “definitely” has a place in the upcoming administration.</p>
<p>Emboldened by Trump’s commitment to pass the First Amendment Defense Act, Republicans who support the bill, as <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/dominicholden/republicans-will-re-file-religious-freedom-bill-protecting-a?utm_term=.pglQvNJav#.la2Vl5ZOl" type="external">Buzzfeed</a> reported, are eager to move forward in the next Congress.</p>
<p>Conn Carroll, a spokesperson for Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), said her boss, the chief sponsor of the First Amendment Defense Act, is among the lawmakers eager to move forward with the legislation.</p>
<p>“Sen. Lee does plan to reintroduce the First Amendment Defense Act in the next Congress and we are hopeful the next White House occupant will be more supportive of the legislation than the previous one,” Carroll said.</p>
<p>The state level also may be a place of anti-LGBT attacks. In Texas, lawmakers have pre-filed bills in anticipation of the upcoming legislative&#160;session&#160;that would roll back LGBT rights. Among them is Senate Bill 92, which would prohibit localities in Texas from enacting pro-LGBT non-discrimination ordinances.</p>
<p>Despite these ambitions, undaunted in efforts to advance LGBT rights under a Republican-controlled Congress and a Trump administration is Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).</p>
<p>Martina McLennan, a Merkley spokesperson, said her boss intends to reintroduce LGBT non-discrimination legislation known as the Equality Act in the upcoming Congress.</p>
<p>“With an incoming administration that is indifferent at best and hostile at worst when it comes to LGBT rights, Sen. Merkley believes it is more important than ever to keep fighting for LGBT equality,” McLennan said. “The American people are firmly on our side, with a large majority saying that they not only believe that full non-discrimination protection is the right thing to do, they believe it is already law. As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense, which is exactly why Sen. Merkley will keep pushing for a vision of full equality by reintroducing the Equality Act and by pressing the Trump administration and congressional Republicans to make clear if they stand for or against equality.”</p>
<p>Long Simmons said the major defeats on Election Day shouldn’t diminish the expectations for achievement because “there are still pockets of the nation where people are standing with us.” She called for building a&#160;grassroots apparatus in preparation for the 2018 midterm elections.</p>
<p>“I feel like it’s going to be the way that we protect what we’ve already won as we put forward our voices and whatever manner of resistance makes sense, and also just making sure that there’s absolute full engagement in our democracy on the part of as many people as possible,” Long Simmons said.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Equality Act</a> <a href="" type="internal">First Amendment Defense Act</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jeff Merkley</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mike Lee</a> <a href="" type="internal">National LGBTQ Task Force</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stacey Long Simmons</a></p> | false | 3 | lgbt movement still aiming high amid low expectations donald trump160washington blade file photo michael key anticipation upcoming trump administration least one lgbt advocate insists movement continue pursue its160full agenda although election results dampened expectations sent advocacy groups back defensive posture surprise win by160donald trump dashed plans continued lgbt progress160under hillary clinton unified republican government federal level unprecedented republican control state legislatures lgbt rights may take steps back stacey long simmons director public policy government affairs national lgbtq task force nonetheless struck optimistic tone citing recent wins lgbt movement believe combined momentumslashangst community may feeling vehemently antilgbtq trump administration shaping could actually put us position come together alignment movements similarly dealing high rates profiling hate crime attacks assaults personhood violations privacy long simmons said prior election human rights campaign reportedly prepared memo calling next administration enhance lgbt rights progress obama administration among requests appointment firstever openly lgbt cabinet member eliminating ban hivpositive people serving us armed forces hard see could happen trump administration jay brown spokesperson human rights campaign said organization bracing fight ahead new administration days since election presidentelect trump created team includes jeff sessions ben carsons tom price among others brown said personnel policy appointees play huge role leading agencies charged protecting lgbtq people going aggressive blocking attempt roll back undermine rights reality vast majority americans still support lgbtq rights going fight ensure voices heard loud clear next four years trumps election number groups experienced surge donations likely fear civil rights undone american civil liberties union among groups support lgbt rights experiencing spike donations since trumps election monday aclu reported nearly 295000 donations totaling almost 205 million group pledged use money protect civil rights transgender americans addition ensuring safety muslims united states dreamers received presidential deferred action protection long simmons said unable speak increased donations task force aftermath election uptick generally unsurprising ive heard times difficulty people inclined give nonprofits generally speaking theyre angered they160see and160want make change people donate time donate money long simmons said course presidential campaign trump taken antilgbt positions despite saying hed protect lgbt people hateful foreign ideology acceptance speech republican national convention waving upside pride flag words lgbts trump rally colorado trump signaled support first amendment defense act federal religious freedom bill would160enable antigay discrimination said hes state north carolinas house bill 2 said hed rescind guidance instructing schools allow transgender students use bathroom consistent gender identity although trump said election hes fine us supreme court decision favor samesex marriage urged social conservatives the160campaign trust oppose presidentelect continues stock cabinet officials whose common feature seems hostility toward lgbt people week trump tapped energy secretary former texas gov rick perry famed ad 2012 presidential campaign said theres something wrong country gays serve openly military kids cant openly celebrate christmas pray school trumps choice interior secretary rep ryan zinke rmont implied debate year opponent denise juneau lesbian choice north carolina gov pat mccrory lost bid reelection defeat observers attribute signing notoriously antilgbt hb2 trump met republican last week trump tower according report charlotte observer source close trumps transition team said ousted governor definitely place upcoming administration emboldened trumps commitment pass first amendment defense act republicans support bill buzzfeed reported eager move forward next congress conn carroll spokesperson sen mike lee rutah said boss chief sponsor first amendment defense act among lawmakers eager move forward legislation sen lee plan reintroduce first amendment defense act next congress hopeful next white house occupant supportive legislation previous one carroll said state level also may place antilgbt attacks texas lawmakers prefiled bills anticipation upcoming legislative160session160that would roll back lgbt rights among senate bill 92 would prohibit localities texas enacting prolgbt nondiscrimination ordinances despite ambitions undaunted efforts advance lgbt rights republicancontrolled congress trump administration sen jeff merkley dore martina mclennan merkley spokesperson said boss intends reintroduce lgbt nondiscrimination legislation known equality act upcoming congress incoming administration indifferent best hostile worst comes lgbt rights sen merkley believes important ever keep fighting lgbt equality mclennan said american people firmly side large majority saying believe full nondiscrimination protection right thing believe already law saying goes best defense good offense exactly sen merkley keep pushing vision full equality reintroducing equality act pressing trump administration congressional republicans make clear stand equality long simmons said major defeats election day shouldnt diminish expectations achievement still pockets nation people standing us called building a160grassroots apparatus preparation 2018 midterm elections feel like going way protect weve already put forward voices whatever manner resistance makes sense also making sure theres absolute full engagement democracy part many people possible long simmons said equality act first amendment defense act jeff merkley mike lee national lgbtq task force stacey long simmons | 766 |
<p>ESQUEL, Argentina — As the huffing, creaking, smoke-blowing mass of iron lumbers out of its corrugated metal shed, the clicking of cameras begins.</p>
<p>The Old Patagonian Express, immortalized in Paul Theroux’s 1979 book, rumbles to life as it has since its first trip in 1922.</p>
<p>Its passengers line the narrow-gauge tracks, cameras at the ready, wearing furry hats to ward off the chill in this mountain town hard up against the Andes in Patagonian Argentina.</p>
<p>"When darkness fell it did so in that sudden Patagonian way, as swiftly as a dropped curtain, filling the night with chill. In the desert silence was the sound of the wind, and the fretting train,” Theroux wrote in “The Old Patagonian Express” of his journey on the train.</p>
<p>La Trochita, the old Patagonian Express. (Andy Stiny/GlobalPost)</p>
<p>The same starkness of place that struck Theroux in the high Patagonian desert remains. Like a photograph from an earlier era, the train and the landscape remain unchanged. There is little obvious development outside the towns.</p>
<p>The Brits built the trains here, including "La Trochita," or the little narrow-gauge one. They decided to put in a narrow-gauge railroad to promote commerce and connect ranching communities, deeming the building of a full-scale railroad too challenging. The small train had its heyday after World War II when large amounts of wool were shipped north on the train and then over to the coast on a standard-sized railroad.</p>
<p>Later a road was put in and wool prices declined. By the early 1990s, the Argentine government was trying to sell its railroads including La Trochita, but there were no takers. But with democracy returning to the country and the greater awareness of Patagonia and then Theroux's book, tourism started growing.</p>
<p>Today at the Esquel station you are just as likely to run into Argentine tourists taking pride in their moveable national heritage as you are Europeans and a smattering of North Americans.</p>
<p>Carla Paillaqueo grew up in Esquel, living just feet from the train yard for 22 years. Now a resident of the New Mexico ski resort town of Taos, she still affectionately remembers the little train.</p>
<p>“My grandpa he worked for 40 years in La Trochita — all his life,” she said. “When I was young, maybe 10 or 11, my grandpa he would bring me sometimes when he was working. His job was to turn on the machine (the locomotive).”</p>
<p>Tickets for the train can be hard to come by in January and February at the height of the Argentinean summer when schools are out and many take their vacations. Passengers on one December trip included a Buenos Aires lawyer, an out-of-work Londoner on an extended South American holiday and a wildlife biologist from Florida.</p>
<p>With several blasts of his whistle, the engineer eased La Trochita forward beyond the rail yard, past an unofficial garbage dump and out into the high desert countryside.</p>
<p>Several times the train crosses the famous Ruta 40 (Highway 40), which runs almost the length of the country along the spine of the Andes. People wave from their vehicles at the crossings as the passengers wave back. Riding or seeing La Trochita is an event. The train was declared a National Monument in 1999.</p>
<p>“Down the narrowness of the track beside the desert the laboring engine chugged, always seeming on the verge of spewing its guts out, exploding in a shower of metal and vapor, or else seizing up in a succession of glugs and stopping on a slope, rolling backwards into a dip, and going no more,” wrote Theroux.</p>
<p>The train still chugs and glugs on its three-hour, 25-mile excursion to the indigenous Mapuche village of Nahuel Pan and back. Herds of fluffy sheep — with miles of open country as an invitation — launched into movement in unison cued by the collective noises of hundreds of mechanical parts in motion as the train chugged along at about 28 miles per hour.</p>
<p>“I like the smallness of the train and I like the friendliness of the people on the train,” said passenger Vicki McGrath of Florida. The highlight for her: “The scenery.”</p>
<p>For her partner, Bob Godshalk the journey just whetted his traveling appetite. “I thought it was pretty good ... a little short.” The clanking crate was part of the aural attraction for Godshalk. He liked “the old-timey feeling, the wooden cars and the noisy travel.”</p>
<p>Earlier in its history La Trochita had a more utilitarian and sometimes even a more sinister function: it was used to transport troops during Argentina's "dirty war," waged by the military junta against perceived enemies of the state.</p>
<p>When Carla Paillaqueo was very young, her family moved by train from the town Ingeniero Jacobacci. “I remember many military in the trip,” she said. “My grandma told me one time that the military go inside the house and check if someone has a gun and they remove everything in the house and sometimes they take the babies too,” she said. “I was very lucky.”</p>
<p>After a decade in which the train made only the three-hour trip to Nahuel Pan, in 2003, the 16-hour, 250-mile trip to Ingeniero Jacobacci was resumed. The train winds its way through 600 curves on that journey.</p>
<p>In Nahuel Pan passengers piled off to wander among the scattering of small log cabins where the Mapuche residents had stalls selling jewelry, weavings, stones and wood carvings. Bundled in multiple clothing layers, the passengers took plenty of photographs in front of La Trochita during the 50-minute stop.</p>
<p>Paillaqueo says the people of Patagonia hold La Trochita dear to their hearts, a spirit epitomized by her late grandfather Florencio. “He really loved his job," she said. "Sometimes he moved the machine with the people inside and one time people sent him pictures.”</p> | false | 3 | esquel argentina huffing creaking smokeblowing mass iron lumbers corrugated metal shed clicking cameras begins old patagonian express immortalized paul therouxs 1979 book rumbles life since first trip 1922 passengers line narrowgauge tracks cameras ready wearing furry hats ward chill mountain town hard andes patagonian argentina darkness fell sudden patagonian way swiftly dropped curtain filling night chill desert silence sound wind fretting train theroux wrote old patagonian express journey train la trochita old patagonian express andy stinyglobalpost starkness place struck theroux high patagonian desert remains like photograph earlier era train landscape remain unchanged little obvious development outside towns brits built trains including la trochita little narrowgauge one decided put narrowgauge railroad promote commerce connect ranching communities deeming building fullscale railroad challenging small train heyday world war ii large amounts wool shipped north train coast standardsized railroad later road put wool prices declined early 1990s argentine government trying sell railroads including la trochita takers democracy returning country greater awareness patagonia therouxs book tourism started growing today esquel station likely run argentine tourists taking pride moveable national heritage europeans smattering north americans carla paillaqueo grew esquel living feet train yard 22 years resident new mexico ski resort town taos still affectionately remembers little train grandpa worked 40 years la trochita life said young maybe 10 11 grandpa would bring sometimes working job turn machine locomotive tickets train hard come january february height argentinean summer schools many take vacations passengers one december trip included buenos aires lawyer outofwork londoner extended south american holiday wildlife biologist florida several blasts whistle engineer eased la trochita forward beyond rail yard past unofficial garbage dump high desert countryside several times train crosses famous ruta 40 highway 40 runs almost length country along spine andes people wave vehicles crossings passengers wave back riding seeing la trochita event train declared national monument 1999 narrowness track beside desert laboring engine chugged always seeming verge spewing guts exploding shower metal vapor else seizing succession glugs stopping slope rolling backwards dip going wrote theroux train still chugs glugs threehour 25mile excursion indigenous mapuche village nahuel pan back herds fluffy sheep miles open country invitation launched movement unison cued collective noises hundreds mechanical parts motion train chugged along 28 miles per hour like smallness train like friendliness people train said passenger vicki mcgrath florida highlight scenery partner bob godshalk journey whetted traveling appetite thought pretty good little short clanking crate part aural attraction godshalk liked oldtimey feeling wooden cars noisy travel earlier history la trochita utilitarian sometimes even sinister function used transport troops argentinas dirty war waged military junta perceived enemies state carla paillaqueo young family moved train town ingeniero jacobacci remember many military trip said grandma told one time military go inside house check someone gun remove everything house sometimes take babies said lucky decade train made threehour trip nahuel pan 2003 16hour 250mile trip ingeniero jacobacci resumed train winds way 600 curves journey nahuel pan passengers piled wander among scattering small log cabins mapuche residents stalls selling jewelry weavings stones wood carvings bundled multiple clothing layers passengers took plenty photographs front la trochita 50minute stop paillaqueo says people patagonia hold la trochita dear hearts spirit epitomized late grandfather florencio really loved job said sometimes moved machine people inside one time people sent pictures | 541 |
<p>Jerusalem (AP) - The medics who brave Israel's assault on Gaza have come under fire from tanks and faced days-long delays in getting to the scene of attacks, sometimes finding animals gnawing at corpses when they finally reach the dead and wounded.</p>
<p>Few are more exposed to the carnage of Israel's two-week military offensive than Gaza's medics, who number around 400 including volunteers. They work long hours, get little sleep and risk their lives daily. Many have lost friends and family, but the overwhelming workload leaves no time to process what they've seen.</p>
<p>Awaiting coordination with Israel often delays access to the injured, medics said. Some reported finding people stranded in their homes for days, or bodies lying in the streets uncollected.</p>
<p>"Disgusting is not the word," said Shawki Saleh, 24, a volunteer medic at Kamal Adwan hospital. "If it's not a dog, it's rats around the bodies. ... I've been doing this volunteer work for two years but I never imagined I'd see this. Who knows how many people are still under the rubble. We were carrying them out screaming."</p>
<p>In one long workday, medic Haitham Adgheir carried five corpses, saw six more at a Gaza hospital, and his medical convoy took Israeli tank fire that showered a driver with glass.</p>
<p>"My mind is like a video of body parts and injured people," said Adgheir, 33.</p>
<p>Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Dec. 27 and sent in ground troops a week later in an attempt to halt years of Hamas rocket fire on southern Israel. More than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed, about half of them civilians, according to Palestinians medical officials. A number of Israelis have also been killed.</p>
<p>Israel says it targets only Hamas sites, but has hit mosques and apartment buildings throughout the crowded seaside territory. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields and launching attacks from schools, mosques and homes.</p>
<p>Since the fighting began, 21 Palestinian medical staff have been killed, 30 have been injured and 11 ambulances have been damaged, according to the World Health Organization.</p>
<p>The International Committee of the Red Cross made a rare public criticism of Israel this week, saying there were "unacceptable" delays in letting rescue workers reach the injured. And Gaza staff say soldiers sometimes fire on ambulance crews.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, after waiting four days for coordination, ambulance crews entered the Zeitoun neighborhood and found at least 12 bodies and four small surviving children next to their dead mothers, the Red Cross has said.</p>
<p>Ahmed Abu Sal, 26, a volunteer medic who responded to the scene, recalled finding a young girl still clutching her dead mother. The girl, who was perhaps 9, was unable to speak from dehydration, her lips shrunken and dry, he said Saturday. He carried her from the building.</p>
<p>Elsewhere in the rubble he found a woman quietly weeping and still holding the bodies of two young men who appeared to be her sons, he said.</p>
<p>Red Cross officials working with ambulance crews coordinate with the Israeli military by cell phone before moving, said Red Cross spokesman Simon Schorno in Geneva. At other times, fighting breaks out near authorized crews, putting them at risk.</p>
<p>The Red Cross has similar lines of communication with Palestinian militants, Schorno said, though they are less organized. He knew of no recent run-ins with Palestinian militants.</p>
<p>An army spokesman said Israel works hard to coordinate with aid crews and that soldiers don't fire at clearly marked medics.</p>
<p>"The area is a combat zone, and obviously the risk of any medic working in a combat zone is that there is fire from all sides," said Capt. Benjamin Rutland.</p>
<p>But many medics say they are deliberately targeted, though ambulances in Gaza are clearly marked.</p>
<p>Adgheir, a medic with the Palestine Red Crescent at al-Quds hospital, said Israeli soldiers fired toward him four times in the past week, despite Red Cross coordination.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, he waited more than 12 hours for coordination with Israeli forces before he could reach a car full of people who had been shot at by an Israeli tank along the beach road near the town of Khan Yunis.</p>
<p>The tank fire sent shards of glass into the driver's eyes. Only able to reach the car after dark, Adgheir said Israeli soldiers shot at his ambulance as he approached.</p>
<p>He also said an Israeli tank fired Thursday at an ambulance convoy that he was part of at the Netzarim crossing in central Gaza. One of the ambulance drivers, who was showered with glass, was lightly injured and the convoy aborted its mission.</p>
<p>The medics say they have no time to deal with the psychological toll of their job. They report nightmares, short tempers and feelings from numbness to rage.</p>
<p>The fighting allows little time to pause — even to pray. On Friday, doctors and medics at Gaza City's Shifa hospital joined relatives of the injured in a communal prayer outside the emergency room. In blood-spattered smocks, the medics prayed for the dead.</p>
<p>Moments later, an ambulance rushed in with the body of a man killed by shelling and the medics rushed back to work.</p>
<p>Mohammed Azayzeh, a central Gaza medic, said the hardest thing to handle is not seeing the dead but rescuing the wounded, some of whom have horrific injuries such as missing limbs that leave them screaming for help.</p>
<p>"What can you do?" he said. "I want to smash my head against a wall."</p>
<p>Hubbard reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press Writer Diaa Hadid in Jerusalem contributed to this report.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the death toll as at Jan.16.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | jerusalem ap medics brave israels assault gaza come fire tanks faced dayslong delays getting scene attacks sometimes finding animals gnawing corpses finally reach dead wounded exposed carnage israels twoweek military offensive gazas medics number around 400 including volunteers work long hours get little sleep risk lives daily many lost friends family overwhelming workload leaves time process theyve seen awaiting coordination israel often delays access injured medics said reported finding people stranded homes days bodies lying streets uncollected disgusting word said shawki saleh 24 volunteer medic kamal adwan hospital dog rats around bodies ive volunteer work two years never imagined id see knows many people still rubble carrying screaming one long workday medic haitham adgheir carried five corpses saw six gaza hospital medical convoy took israeli tank fire showered driver glass mind like video body parts injured people said adgheir 33 israel launched airstrikes across gaza strip dec 27 sent ground troops week later attempt halt years hamas rocket fire southern israel 1100 palestinians killed half civilians according palestinians medical officials number israelis also killed israel says targets hamas sites hit mosques apartment buildings throughout crowded seaside territory israel repeatedly accused hamas using civilians human shields launching attacks schools mosques homes since fighting began 21 palestinian medical staff killed 30 injured 11 ambulances damaged according world health organization international committee red cross made rare public criticism israel week saying unacceptable delays letting rescue workers reach injured gaza staff say soldiers sometimes fire ambulance crews earlier week waiting four days coordination ambulance crews entered zeitoun neighborhood found least 12 bodies four small surviving children next dead mothers red cross said ahmed abu sal 26 volunteer medic responded scene recalled finding young girl still clutching dead mother girl perhaps 9 unable speak dehydration lips shrunken dry said saturday carried building elsewhere rubble found woman quietly weeping still holding bodies two young men appeared sons said red cross officials working ambulance crews coordinate israeli military cell phone moving said red cross spokesman simon schorno geneva times fighting breaks near authorized crews putting risk red cross similar lines communication palestinian militants schorno said though less organized knew recent runins palestinian militants army spokesman said israel works hard coordinate aid crews soldiers dont fire clearly marked medics area combat zone obviously risk medic working combat zone fire sides said capt benjamin rutland many medics say deliberately targeted though ambulances gaza clearly marked adgheir medic palestine red crescent alquds hospital said israeli soldiers fired toward four times past week despite red cross coordination tuesday waited 12 hours coordination israeli forces could reach car full people shot israeli tank along beach road near town khan yunis tank fire sent shards glass drivers eyes able reach car dark adgheir said israeli soldiers shot ambulance approached also said israeli tank fired thursday ambulance convoy part netzarim crossing central gaza one ambulance drivers showered glass lightly injured convoy aborted mission medics say time deal psychological toll job report nightmares short tempers feelings numbness rage fighting allows little time pause even pray friday doctors medics gaza citys shifa hospital joined relatives injured communal prayer outside emergency room bloodspattered smocks medics prayed dead moments later ambulance rushed body man killed shelling medics rushed back work mohammed azayzeh central gaza medic said hardest thing handle seeing dead rescuing wounded horrific injuries missing limbs leave screaming help said want smash head wall hubbard reported jerusalem associated press writer diaa hadid jerusalem contributed report 160 editors note story updated reflect death toll jan16 take globalpost poll whether us stepped stop bombing gaza 160 | 587 |
<p>HANOI — Denouncing a multimillion-dollar foreign-backed project is the kind of thing that can hurt your career in Vietnam, and young Vietnamese typically wouldn’t do it.</p>
<p>But Tran Thi Thanh Van is no longer young, and she is hardly typical.</p>
<p>The 68-year-old landscape architect, who studied architecture in Maoist China and environmental science in the former East Germany, lives with her husband and their seven dogs in a curious house of her own design, reminiscent of a hollow tree trunk with a goldfish pond in the bottom.</p>
<p>For the past two decades, since retiring from her job at the Construction Ministry, she has spent her time on, as she puts it, “various projects that are important to me.” Most recently, this has included a quixotic effort to convince authorities to improve Hanoi’s “feng shui” by flooding the area west of the city with water. She is the type of person one finds often in English villages, but too rarely in Vietnam: a civic activist.</p>
<p />
<p>Last summer, as Van was about to depart for an architecture conference in Turin, she was aghast to see bulldozers flattening a corner of Hanoi’s Reunification Park. The park is the largest green oasis in a city desperately short of them. It is used exhaustively by local residents, who gather in the mornings and evenings to play badminton, soccer, and chess, practice tai chi, or join in group aerobics. It turned out that a 2-hectare site in one corner of the park had been allocated to foreign investors to build a luxury hotel referred to in the press as the “SAS Hanoi.”</p>
<p>Van says the project bothered her all through her trip to Europe, which included her first visit to Paris. “I had heard about Paris just from books and magazines,” Van said. The city’s integration of urban and park space made a deep impression on her. “The French people like to live in open areas, the same with Hanoi people.”</p>
<p>By the time she got back, stopping the SAS hotel project was foremost in her mind. Assuming that SAS stood for the Scandinavian airline and associated hotel chain, Van asked for help from her husband Le Tien Thien, 70. He had connections with the Swedish Embassy dating from his days as an economic adviser in the prime minister's office.</p>
<p>But Thien’s contacts at the Swedish Embassy denied that SAS had any involvement in the project. There had been a proposal for an SAS hotel in 1991, when Sweden was one of the few countries with normal trade relations with Vietnam, but it had been scrapped in the mid-1990s. Digging further, Thien found documents showing that former prime minister Vo Van Kiet had definitively nixed the project.</p>
<p>Van, meanwhile, found that Construction Ministry guidelines ruled out using the park for commercial tourism. And with more digging, she found that the investors behind the project, officially listed as a Singapore holding company called SIH, actually included the major Vietnamese real estate firm VinaCapital Land. Despite the misleading SAS project title, the hotel was in fact slated to become the 376-room Novotel Hanoi on the Park, managed by Novotel’s parent company, Accor.</p>
<p>The location was sensitive because Reunification Park was a signature project of “socialist labor” in Vietnam. Unpaid students built it by hand between 1958 and 1960 in a swamp that had served as a garbage dump in colonial times. Tens of thousands of elder Hanoians who today use the park to exercise once helped build it.</p>
<p>Van was concerned that once the hotel was built, security guards would inevitably push locals away from the hotel part of the park. “In one of the documents, they said that the hotel will become a resort in the city. What is a ‘resort’? Vietnamese people don’t know English, but they understand that a ‘resort’ is a place for the other people, not for them.”</p>
<p>In early February, Van wrote an open letter to the Hanoi People’s Committee demanding the project be halted. The letter was published by the news website VietnamNews. And Vietnamese civic groups joined the protest. The Vietnam Association of Landscape Architects held a seminar that roundly criticized the hotel project. A former minister of construction agreed. Hundreds of letters poured into newspapers and websites. Foreign non-governmental organizations like HealthBridge Canada and the Ford Foundation joined in. A Construction Ministry review of the project found that the hotel violated land use guidelines, and should be moved to a different location.</p>
<p>The project’s backers felt blindsided. An Accor spokesman, Evan Lewis, said in March that the company was “confident that all investment permits and land use rights are in place.” Investors said they had already spent $15 million on land clearance and initial construction. Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao was unable to make a decision, and passed the issue on to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.</p>
<p>On April 13, Dung issued a circular ordering the city to halt the project and find a new site for the hotel. The city will have to compensate investors for their expenses.</p>
<p>Vietnam has had a difficult time reconciling its recent commitment to capitalism with its longstanding beliefs in national and communal solidarity. For Van’s husband Thien, stopping the hotel was a matter of setting the proper boundaries between public and private interests — boundaries that investors with hundreds of millions to spend too often blur.</p>
<p>“We are very angry,” Thien said. “If they came here friendly, bringing something, knowledge, even money, to build up a fruitful Vietnamese country&#160;— okay. They’re welcome. And we will wholeheartedly support them. But if, by any way, they wriggle through the policy, the planning, in order to take out something for their own interests only, and against the interests of the country — we are against them.”</p>
<p>Read more about construction:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/philippines/090304/construction-and-alleged-corruption-the-philippines" type="external">Construction, and alleged corruption, in the Philippines</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/costa-rica/090306/laid-construction-workers-return-farm-jobs" type="external">Laid-off construction workers return to farm jobs</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/jordan/090313/can-jordan-dodge-the-downturn-bullet" type="external">Can Jordan dodge the downturn bullet?</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | hanoi denouncing multimilliondollar foreignbacked project kind thing hurt career vietnam young vietnamese typically wouldnt tran thi thanh van longer young hardly typical 68yearold landscape architect studied architecture maoist china environmental science former east germany lives husband seven dogs curious house design reminiscent hollow tree trunk goldfish pond bottom past two decades since retiring job construction ministry spent time puts various projects important recently included quixotic effort convince authorities improve hanois feng shui flooding area west city water type person one finds often english villages rarely vietnam civic activist last summer van depart architecture conference turin aghast see bulldozers flattening corner hanois reunification park park largest green oasis city desperately short used exhaustively local residents gather mornings evenings play badminton soccer chess practice tai chi join group aerobics turned 2hectare site one corner park allocated foreign investors build luxury hotel referred press sas hanoi van says project bothered trip europe included first visit paris heard paris books magazines van said citys integration urban park space made deep impression french people like live open areas hanoi people time got back stopping sas hotel project foremost mind assuming sas stood scandinavian airline associated hotel chain van asked help husband le tien thien 70 connections swedish embassy dating days economic adviser prime ministers office thiens contacts swedish embassy denied sas involvement project proposal sas hotel 1991 sweden one countries normal trade relations vietnam scrapped mid1990s digging thien found documents showing former prime minister vo van kiet definitively nixed project van meanwhile found construction ministry guidelines ruled using park commercial tourism digging found investors behind project officially listed singapore holding company called sih actually included major vietnamese real estate firm vinacapital land despite misleading sas project title hotel fact slated become 376room novotel hanoi park managed novotels parent company accor location sensitive reunification park signature project socialist labor vietnam unpaid students built hand 1958 1960 swamp served garbage dump colonial times tens thousands elder hanoians today use park exercise helped build van concerned hotel built security guards would inevitably push locals away hotel part park one documents said hotel become resort city resort vietnamese people dont know english understand resort place people early february van wrote open letter hanoi peoples committee demanding project halted letter published news website vietnamnews vietnamese civic groups joined protest vietnam association landscape architects held seminar roundly criticized hotel project former minister construction agreed hundreds letters poured newspapers websites foreign nongovernmental organizations like healthbridge canada ford foundation joined construction ministry review project found hotel violated land use guidelines moved different location projects backers felt blindsided accor spokesman evan lewis said march company confident investment permits land use rights place investors said already spent 15 million land clearance initial construction hanoi peoples committee chairman nguyen thao unable make decision passed issue prime minister nguyen tan dung april 13 dung issued circular ordering city halt project find new site hotel city compensate investors expenses vietnam difficult time reconciling recent commitment capitalism longstanding beliefs national communal solidarity vans husband thien stopping hotel matter setting proper boundaries public private interests boundaries investors hundreds millions spend often blur angry thien said came friendly bringing something knowledge even money build fruitful vietnamese country160 okay theyre welcome wholeheartedly support way wriggle policy planning order take something interests interests country read construction construction alleged corruption philippines laidoff construction workers return farm jobs jordan dodge downturn bullet 160 | 558 |
<p>As the city shifts preschool seats to better programs in needier areas, at least nine community agencies that are losing their funding say they will likely be forced to replace their state-certified preschool teachers with child care staff who hold lesser credentials–associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees without teaching licenses, or no degrees at all.</p>
<p>Several center directors contacted by Catalyst Chicago say they have not yet received information about helping students transition to new programs. It’s unclear what, if anything, the district will do. One center director whose agency serves dozens of special-needs students said she got a clear message from a meeting with CPS this week: “I have to do my own plans.”</p>
<p>The deadline for applying to early childhood programs in CPS schools <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/04/overhaul-preschool-applications/" type="external">is less than a month away,</a> and a number of agencies contacted by Catalyst Chicago on Tuesday said they had not been notified of the competition’s results.</p>
<p>The agencies are losing funding <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/04/ready-learn-shifts-preschool-funds/" type="external">as part of CPS and the city’s “Ready to Learn” preschool funding competition.</a></p>
<p>In all, 41 agencies that were previously in part of CPS’ Community Partnership Program will no longer be funded by the district. Of those, 17 will still receive some preschool funding through the city, but many will see a net loss of seats. Another 13 agencies did not apply for funding, and 11 agencies applied but did not receive any funds.&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://bit.ly/17r71xm" type="external">Here’s a map</a>&#160;of agencies and schools that lost or gained funding.</p>
<p>The city says it is using $10 million of new funding to offer 2,300 additional preschool seats, but no specifics have been released yet about where those seats will be.</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Excluding children, paring services</p>
<p>Some of the families in the affected agencies pay “co-payments” for the program, with the rest of the cost subsidized through state Child Care Assistance Program dollars as well as CPS funds. But where families are not eligible for the assistance – for instance, if a parent is not working or in school during the time the program is operating – the agency relies on CPS for its funding.</p>
<p>With their CPS funding gone, agencies may have to exclude children who are not eligible for child care assistance, and pare down services to keep the classes running with funding that has been cut by more than half.&#160;</p>
<p>Sharon Berkley, site administrator at Children’s Garden Child Development Center, says that most of the 20 preschool children in her program this year wouldn’t have been able to attend without CPS dollars. “We have lost a lot of jobs in this community, and many of our parents we serve don’t work,” she says. Without jobs, parents are only eligible for child care assistance on an intermittent basis, when they are attending class for GEDs or participating in job training.</p>
<p>Berkley says she will have to replace her current teachers with staff who have associate’s degrees or less. “That compromises the quality of the program,” she says.</p>
<p>Cachet Cook, director of First Start Child Care Academy, says her agency – which serves 38 children ages birth to 5 with CPS money – is in a similar position. Paperwork delays can leave families waiting for months to be approved for child care assistance, which pays for just half the children in her program.</p>
<p>The children whose seats are paid for by CPS will probably lose their spots. But for those whose seats are paid for by the state, a change in teachers could be coming.</p>
<p>“With the CPS program, we are required to have a Type 04 [certified] teacher. There is no way we can afford him without the funding from the city,” she says. She expects the infant-toddler teacher will also be laid off or have to take a pay cut.</p>
<p>Special needs students in limbo?</p>
<p>Other preschool programs are concerned about placement for special education students, as well as for those who are on the waiting list for special services <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/01/backlog-in-special-education-leaves-some-children-without-services/" type="external">because of the backlog of children in preschool who need to be evaluated.&#160;</a></p>
<p>Brenda Owens, director of Kenyatta’s Day Care Center, says she has not heard anything about transition plans for three special education students who receive services from CPS, three students who are waiting to be evaluated, and an additional 14 students whose slots are paid for by CPS.</p>
<p>Michelle Redd, owner of Building Blocks Learning Academy in Englewood, says she hasn’t heard about transition plans for her students either. Thirteen of the 60 preschoolers enrolled at her agency are entitled to receive special services.</p>
<p>Though Building Blocks lost its funding, the city announced plans to open a 370-seat birth-to-5 center in Englewood, saying there are no providers who met quality standards.</p>
<p>Redd is puzzled by this, noting that children in her program have earned high scores on the district’s kindergarten readiness assessment. Magnet schools and other local elementary schools, Redd says, recruit students and parents from the preschool in hopes of finding high achievers.</p>
<p>A Community Partnership Program staff member told Redd that they were “baffled” as to why she failed to make the cut. Redd plans to take her case to local aldermen and the mayor’s staff.</p>
<p>If Building Blocks’ funding isn’t restored, she says, she will likely have to lay off certified teachers and replace them with teachers who have taken just a few college credits of early childhood development courses.</p>
<p>Looking to donations to fill gaps</p>
<p>At Ezzard Charles School Day Care Center, which has two locations in Auburn Gresham that serves 44 children from infants to age 3 and 40 preschool students, director Eldora Davis says she was “devastated” at losing funding. The school currently has about 25 students on the waiting list.</p>
<p>State child care funds help support seats for 80 percent of her students, but Davis says that the CPS dollars she is losing “make up for almost half of my budget. I’d like to know, if we didn’t receive it — who did?”</p>
<p>The school has the second-highest possible rating in the state’s four-tiered Quality Rating System, and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. “We have always maintained compliance with what they asked us to do,” Davis says.</p>
<p>Staff members have gone back to school to meet CPS requirements, she adds. All of the school’s preschool teachers are state certified, and last spring, six staff received associate’s degrees and two received bachelor’s degrees.</p>
<p>Davis is hoping that donors can help her fill in the missing money until she can reapply for city funding down the road.</p>
<p>Pastor Bruce Ray, executive director of Lutheran Day Nursery on the Northwest Side, says his agency will seek donations to support scholarships for the five 3-year-olds who are in CPS-funded slots.</p>
<p>The agency did not reapply to be part of Ready to Learn, Ray says.</p>
<p>“Over the years we have become more concerned with how academic [the CPS program] has become,” he says. “The expectations in terms of reading readiness [and] kindergarten readiness were not really following developmental guidelines. We feel that especially in the areas of reading readiness, [CPS assessments] were expecting boys in particular to do much more than what they were developmentally ready to do.”</p>
<p>This story has been updated with additional information about the number of programs that did not apply for preschool funds, as well as the number of programs that lost CPS funding but are still receiving city dollars.</p> | false | 3 | city shifts preschool seats better programs needier areas least nine community agencies losing funding say likely forced replace statecertified preschool teachers child care staff hold lesser credentialsassociates degrees bachelors degrees without teaching licenses degrees several center directors contacted catalyst chicago say yet received information helping students transition new programs unclear anything district one center director whose agency serves dozens specialneeds students said got clear message meeting cps week plans deadline applying early childhood programs cps schools less month away number agencies contacted catalyst chicago tuesday said notified competitions results agencies losing funding part cps citys ready learn preschool funding competition 41 agencies previously part cps community partnership program longer funded district 17 still receive preschool funding city many see net loss seats another 13 agencies apply funding 11 agencies applied receive funds160 heres map160of agencies schools lost gained funding city says using 10 million new funding offer 2300 additional preschool seats specifics released yet seats 160 160 excluding children paring services families affected agencies pay copayments program rest cost subsidized state child care assistance program dollars well cps funds families eligible assistance instance parent working school time program operating agency relies cps funding cps funding gone agencies may exclude children eligible child care assistance pare services keep classes running funding cut half160 sharon berkley site administrator childrens garden child development center says 20 preschool children program year wouldnt able attend without cps dollars lost lot jobs community many parents serve dont work says without jobs parents eligible child care assistance intermittent basis attending class geds participating job training berkley says replace current teachers staff associates degrees less compromises quality program says cachet cook director first start child care academy says agency serves 38 children ages birth 5 cps money similar position paperwork delays leave families waiting months approved child care assistance pays half children program children whose seats paid cps probably lose spots whose seats paid state change teachers could coming cps program required type 04 certified teacher way afford without funding city says expects infanttoddler teacher also laid take pay cut special needs students limbo preschool programs concerned placement special education students well waiting list special services backlog children preschool need evaluated160 brenda owens director kenyattas day care center says heard anything transition plans three special education students receive services cps three students waiting evaluated additional 14 students whose slots paid cps michelle redd owner building blocks learning academy englewood says hasnt heard transition plans students either thirteen 60 preschoolers enrolled agency entitled receive special services though building blocks lost funding city announced plans open 370seat birthto5 center englewood saying providers met quality standards redd puzzled noting children program earned high scores districts kindergarten readiness assessment magnet schools local elementary schools redd says recruit students parents preschool hopes finding high achievers community partnership program staff member told redd baffled failed make cut redd plans take case local aldermen mayors staff building blocks funding isnt restored says likely lay certified teachers replace teachers taken college credits early childhood development courses looking donations fill gaps ezzard charles school day care center two locations auburn gresham serves 44 children infants age 3 40 preschool students director eldora davis says devastated losing funding school currently 25 students waiting list state child care funds help support seats 80 percent students davis says cps dollars losing make almost half budget id like know didnt receive school secondhighest possible rating states fourtiered quality rating system accredited national association education young children always maintained compliance asked us davis says staff members gone back school meet cps requirements adds schools preschool teachers state certified last spring six staff received associates degrees two received bachelors degrees davis hoping donors help fill missing money reapply city funding road pastor bruce ray executive director lutheran day nursery northwest side says agency seek donations support scholarships five 3yearolds cpsfunded slots agency reapply part ready learn ray says years become concerned academic cps program become says expectations terms reading readiness kindergarten readiness really following developmental guidelines feel especially areas reading readiness cps assessments expecting boys particular much developmentally ready story updated additional information number programs apply preschool funds well number programs lost cps funding still receiving city dollars | 695 |
<p>(Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting)&#160;ZEITOUN, Gaza Strip — A month ago, when Abdel Al-Arkan looked out of his living room window, he saw groves of olive and orange trees stretching toward the Israeli border, their branches sagging with fruit.</p>
<p>Al-Arkan’s window is gone now, shattered by an Israeli air strike. The trees are gone, too, torn up by tank treads, replaced by fields of reddish dirt. When he peers through the shards, Al-Arkan, 31, sees the post-apocalyptic wreckage of his neighbors’ homes, reduced to tangled heaps of concrete and re-bar.</p>
<p>And he realizes that his neighbors lost even more than he did. They lost everything.</p>
<p>Twenty-nine members of the Samouni family were killed during the three-week Israeli offensive. Most of them died in the&#160;wreckage of their home which, Al-Arkan, several neighbors and two surviving Samouni family members said, was hit with repeated Israeli air strikes in the first part of the &#160;offensive which ended with a tenuous truce between Israel and Hamas.</p>
<p>“I never imagined they would do this here,” he said, working a set of worry beads through his fingers.</p>
<p>According to a statement from the Office of the Israeli Defense Forces, Israel acted aggressively in Gaza to “strike a hard blow against Hamas, by controlling areas from which rockets were launched.”</p>
<p>“This was also the purpose of the fighting in Zeitoun,” the statement continued.</p>
<p>IDF officials declined to respond when asked whether the Al-Arkan or the Samouni family homes were a military target, but are reportedly looking into the incident. International Red Cross officials and members of the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem have also been looking into the reports and gathering first-person accounts of the killing at Zeitoun.</p>
<p>Subhi Samouni, 55, described the events that led to the air strikes in which he lost 29 members of his extended family during the three-week conflict. He said after decades of enduring the endless cycles of fighting ,that he was stunned by the brutality of the recent Israel assault.</p>
<p>“In past invasions, the tanks came to the Zeitoun area and stopped. There were no soldiers or bombs, just the threat," he said. "This time they killed and destroyed the land. I don’t know why.”</p>
<p>Al-Arkan and the other neighbors say they are supporters of Fatah, the political rival to Hamas, and thus disputes the presumed Israeli justification for the destruction to not only his property, but hundreds of civilian homes, farms and businesses, especially in areas like Zeitoun, where Hamas had little support before the conflict.</p>
<p>IDF officials refused to give details about the operation in Zeitoun, or the widespread destruction of livestock, farmland, and civilian structures attributed to Israeli soldiers and aircraft. The IDF website confirms that a cache of weapons was found in a mosque in Zeitoun, but few details of the Isareli military operation are provided.</p>
<p>During the three-week Israeli offensive, 1,300 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians, were killed, according to UN&#160;officials and medical personnel on the ground. Reportedly, 13 Israelis, including 10 soldiers, were killed.</p>
<p>For Rania Samouni, 29, who lost her husband, Eyad, 30, during the offensive, the evidence of the destruction by Israelis remains written on the wall — literally.</p>
<p>After their ground offensive, she said, retreating IDF troops carved into the concrete walls of the family home the words "Death to Arabs," in Hebrew. Puzzlingly one of the soldiers also scrawled, "I am Russian," in English.</p>
<p>They also left the house littered with Israeli candy wrappers and empty bottles of Kosher wine. On the house next door (which also belonged to the&#160;Samouni&#160;family), they left a&#160;cartoon dragon shooting a missile out of its mouth.</p>
<p>A hole was knocked out of the center of each wall, at the joint between the floor and the wall, to serve as a fighting position for a rifleman. On the roof there were sandbags and empty cans of sardines. Pots for cooking had been used as latrines.</p>
<p>As for her husband, Rania left it to her mother, Etidal, 50, to tell of the events of Jan. 5, when a helicopter landed on the roof and Israeli soldiers rushed in, yelling "‘Sheket!” which means “silence” in Hebrew.</p>
<p>Etidal claims IDF soldiers forced 45 cowering Samounis into a cramped room, blindfolded eight of the men, zip-tied their wrists and ordered them to their knees while an Arabic-speaking soldier yelled, “What is your name? Are you with Hamas?”</p>
<p>Rania cuts in, saying the soldiers then ordered the family out into the cold darkness, separating Eyad and two of his cousins from the group and telling them, “Walk to Gaza City, and don’t come back.”</p>
<p>As the wives of the retreating men pleaded frantically with the Israelis, a soldier opened fire, wounding Eyad in the leg, Rania said, while her 3-year-old, Azat, buried his head in her shawl. “Azat saw everything happen," she continued. "He saw his father’s blood in the street. How can I raise my children now? Who will provide for them?”</p>
<p>As the uneasy truce settles over Gaza, attention has turned to the reported recriminations by Hamas loyalists against Fatah supporters in Gaza. Fatah is accused of conspiring with Israel to bring down Hamas.</p>
<p>“I have heard from friends who are with Fatah that Hamas told them to stay at home,” said Salah Sakka, 62, director of a U.S.-based aid organization in Gaza.</p>
<p>Hatim Al-Ghoul, 26, said he fears a strong Hamas backlash against Fatah in Gaza because “Hamas thinks Abu Mazen,” the nickname of Palestinian president and Fatah party leader Mahmoud Abbas, “agreed with Israel to make the war in Gaza.”</p>
<p>Yousri Al-Ghoul, 28, scoffed at his younger brother as he described the recent arrest and suspected execution of a neighbor by Hamas. “Hamas doesn’t care about Fatah now,” he said. “Many people from Al-Aqsa Brigade (Fatah’s paramilitary wing) fought alongside Hamas in this war, and they died as martyrs.”</p>
<p>Yousri Al-Ghoul serves the Hamas government in the Ministry of Culture, one of the few to escape Israeli bombing. “Most of the people who have been arrested were already in jail before the war,” he said. “They escaped when Israel blew up Sariyah prison, and now they are being arrested again.”</p>
<p>Despite the cease-fire, and the human misery enveloping Gaza, neither side in the conflict appears ready to cede fully.</p>
<p>On Sunday, at the mass funeral held for the 29 members of the Samounis clan, a rocket whooshed overhead toward Israel from behind the cemetery as the family began unloading its dead, shrouded in white bodybags.</p>
<p>Subhi Samouni rested on a tomb, exhaustion and sorrow written across his weathered face.</p>
<p>“It would be better to be dead like them than to see this,” he said.</p>
<p>( <a href="http://pulitzercenter.org/openbio.cfm?id=110&amp;projectid=91" type="external">Elliott D. Woods</a> is reporting from Gaza on a grant from the <a href="http://pulitzercenter.org/" type="external">Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting</a>.)</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | pulitzer center crisis reporting160zeitoun gaza strip month ago abdel alarkan looked living room window saw groves olive orange trees stretching toward israeli border branches sagging fruit alarkans window gone shattered israeli air strike trees gone torn tank treads replaced fields reddish dirt peers shards alarkan 31 sees postapocalyptic wreckage neighbors homes reduced tangled heaps concrete rebar realizes neighbors lost even lost everything twentynine members samouni family killed threeweek israeli offensive died the160wreckage home alarkan several neighbors two surviving samouni family members said hit repeated israeli air strikes first part 160offensive ended tenuous truce israel hamas never imagined would said working set worry beads fingers according statement office israeli defense forces israel acted aggressively gaza strike hard blow hamas controlling areas rockets launched also purpose fighting zeitoun statement continued idf officials declined respond asked whether alarkan samouni family homes military target reportedly looking incident international red cross officials members israeli human rights organization btselem also looking reports gathering firstperson accounts killing zeitoun subhi samouni 55 described events led air strikes lost 29 members extended family threeweek conflict said decades enduring endless cycles fighting stunned brutality recent israel assault past invasions tanks came zeitoun area stopped soldiers bombs threat said time killed destroyed land dont know alarkan neighbors say supporters fatah political rival hamas thus disputes presumed israeli justification destruction property hundreds civilian homes farms businesses especially areas like zeitoun hamas little support conflict idf officials refused give details operation zeitoun widespread destruction livestock farmland civilian structures attributed israeli soldiers aircraft idf website confirms cache weapons found mosque zeitoun details isareli military operation provided threeweek israeli offensive 1300 palestinians including hundreds civilians killed according un160officials medical personnel ground reportedly 13 israelis including 10 soldiers killed rania samouni 29 lost husband eyad 30 offensive evidence destruction israelis remains written wall literally ground offensive said retreating idf troops carved concrete walls family home words death arabs hebrew puzzlingly one soldiers also scrawled russian english also left house littered israeli candy wrappers empty bottles kosher wine house next door also belonged the160samouni160family left a160cartoon dragon shooting missile mouth hole knocked center wall joint floor wall serve fighting position rifleman roof sandbags empty cans sardines pots cooking used latrines husband rania left mother etidal 50 tell events jan 5 helicopter landed roof israeli soldiers rushed yelling sheket means silence hebrew etidal claims idf soldiers forced 45 cowering samounis cramped room blindfolded eight men ziptied wrists ordered knees arabicspeaking soldier yelled name hamas rania cuts saying soldiers ordered family cold darkness separating eyad two cousins group telling walk gaza city dont come back wives retreating men pleaded frantically israelis soldier opened fire wounding eyad leg rania said 3yearold azat buried head shawl azat saw everything happen continued saw fathers blood street raise children provide uneasy truce settles gaza attention turned reported recriminations hamas loyalists fatah supporters gaza fatah accused conspiring israel bring hamas heard friends fatah hamas told stay home said salah sakka 62 director usbased aid organization gaza hatim alghoul 26 said fears strong hamas backlash fatah gaza hamas thinks abu mazen nickname palestinian president fatah party leader mahmoud abbas agreed israel make war gaza yousri alghoul 28 scoffed younger brother described recent arrest suspected execution neighbor hamas hamas doesnt care fatah said many people alaqsa brigade fatahs paramilitary wing fought alongside hamas war died martyrs yousri alghoul serves hamas government ministry culture one escape israeli bombing people arrested already jail war said escaped israel blew sariyah prison arrested despite ceasefire human misery enveloping gaza neither side conflict appears ready cede fully sunday mass funeral held 29 members samounis clan rocket whooshed overhead toward israel behind cemetery family began unloading dead shrouded white bodybags subhi samouni rested tomb exhaustion sorrow written across weathered face would better dead like see said elliott woods reporting gaza grant pulitzer center crisis reporting 160 | 634 |
<p>Thousands of Chicago Teachers Union members took to the streets today for&#160;a one-day strike that sought to connect the&#160;financial troubles at Chicago Public Schools with&#160;the broader impacts of the state-wide budget impasse on low-income&#160;families, particularly in regards to higher education.</p>
<p>The strike — which CPS&#160;officials have&#160;asked a&#160;state labor board&#160;to declare&#160;illegal —&#160;effectively shut down the school system, forcing parents to find alternative care for their children for the second Friday in a row. A week ago the cash-strapped district cancelled school in order to furlough workers and save money.</p>
<p>CTU&#160;leaders framed the day’s action as a citywide&#160;movement representing a range of groups impacted by the lack of a state budget&#160;— from teachers&#160;and college professors to juveniles&#160;in detention centers and child care workers. The union is calling for sustainable&#160;revenue sources for public services.</p>
<p>District and state leaders&#160;criticized the union for&#160;causing the cancellation of classes for some 340,000 students. (Students at charters schools, whose workers are not CTU members, were not impacted.) Later in the afternoon,&#160;CPS officials filed a&#160;charge with the state’s educational labor relations board seeking an injunction against&#160;any future strikes&#160;of this nature.</p>
<p>Some delegates said they see today’s strike as good preparation for a potential contract strike, which&#160;could take place as early as late May. Contract negotiations are ongoing. Both sides made presentations of evidence&#160;to a neutral third-party, fact-finder&#160;last week and district officials say the next&#160;bargaining session takes place on Monday.</p>
<p>Catalyst reporters Kalyn Belsha and Melissa Sanchez, as well as reporting interns Stephanie Choporis and Caroline Spiezio, visited a&#160;number of schools this morning and&#160;rallies across the city throughout the day to document the day’s events.&#160;Below are some of the highlights and photos.</p>
<p>5 p.m. — CTU President Karen Lewis takes the stage at a rally outside the Thompson Center. She blames&#160;Gov. Bruce Rauner for holding state funding&#160;“hostage,”&#160;calls for higher wages for workers&#160;and presses for unity as she speaks&#160;to a crowd of thousands.</p>
<p>Many demonstrators wore ponchos or carried umbrellas to stave off the rain.</p>
<p>“This is what happens when we come together and stop fighting each other and know who our enemies are,” she said, adding later, “Instead of somebody telling us why we shouldn’t be in the streets, we should take the streets.”</p>
<p>Soon after the speeches, demonstrators marched down&#160;Clark Street toward the Chicago River — many wearing red&#160;ponchos or carrying umbrellas to stave off the rain.</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>4:15 p.m. — Hundreds of&#160;CTU members and&#160;their supporters, as well as&#160;other labor allies,&#160;start coming into downtown&#160;for a rally at the Thompson Center.</p>
<p>Steven Gillespie walking toward&#160;the&#160;Thompson Center.</p>
<p>Steven Gillespie, a home health care worker and member of SEIU Healthcare Illinois,&#160;says&#160;he hopes to bring attention to the need for a higher minimum wage for working-class people. “Do you know that in New York City the minimum wage is $15 per hour?” he asks. “Why can’t Chicago be like that?”</p>
<p>While CTU members appeared to make up the bulk of rally-goers, members from several other&#160;organizations also turned out, including SEIU, the Amalgamated Transit Union, faculty unions&#160;from&#160;several state universities, the Black Youth Project 100 and&#160;the Fight For 15 campaign.</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>3:30 p.m. — The CTU issued a brief statement to respond to news that the&#160;district had filed a charge with the&#160;state’s educational labor&#160;board alleging that the union’s one-day strike is illegal.</p>
<p>“We disagree,” writes&#160;CTU spokeswoman Stephanie Gadlin. “The Supreme Court 60 years ago authorized unfair labor practice strikes under the National Labor Relations Action and we believe teachers have those rights. …&#160;Their charges were filed after the fact and they seek to enjoin us from doing something [we] have no intention of doing again.”</p>
<p>In the <a href="" type="internal">district’s charging documents,</a>CPS labor attorney James Franczek writes that the&#160;federal labor law only applies to private-sector workers.&#160;Teachers in Illinois, he argues, can strike only after a lengthy process outlined in&#160;the state’s education labor law is completed.</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>3:10 p.m. — As expected, CPS officials filed a charge&#160;with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board against the CTU, arguing that the&#160;strike is illegal. The union “is defiantly shutting down over 500&#160;district-run schools in the City of Chicago and depriving nearly 340,000 children of a day of education simply because it can,” attorneys write <a href="http://catalystchicago.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CPS-Illinois-educational-labor-relations-April-1.pdf" type="external">in&#160;the charging documents</a>. “The CTU has no legal justification for such blatantly illegal conduct.”</p>
<p>Fiske Principal Cynthia Miller speaking at the press conference with CEO Forrest Claypool and Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson.</p>
<p>During a press conference at Fiske Elementary, CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said the district wants to prevent the union from holding any future “illegal” strikes&#160;(the union maintains it’s within its right).</p>
<p>“We think it’s important that it be clearly established that whether children are in school and being educated is not subject to the whims of the Chicago Teachers Union leadership,” Claypool said.</p>
<p>He said today’s charge filed&#160;with the labor board also demands that the CTU reimburse the district for all expenses related to&#160;maintaining the 250 contingency sites that were open during regular school hours.&#160;District officials are&#160;still tallying how much they think the&#160;union owes.</p>
<p>In the charging documents, the district attorneys also call out the union out for flip-flopping on the purported reasoning for the strike: “Some days the CTU states that it is not about CPS at all, but about the State and its lack of funding for social services and higher education. Other days it claims the strike is about CPS funding, but not about the ‘contract.’ Then there are other days where the CTU characterizes this one-day strike as an unfair labor practice strike.”’</p>
<p>Despite his criticism of the union’s strike, Claypool reiterated his&#160;desire to reach a labor agreement and said both sides will be back at the bargaining table on Monday.</p>
<p>In total, between 7,000 and 8,000 students spent the day at a contingency&#160;site, Claypool said. Ten students were at Fiske, according to Principal Cynthia Miller, who called it a “drama-free” day.</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez and Kalyn Belsha</p>
<p>2:30 p.m. —&#160;Dozens of protesters rallied against the&#160;“school-to-prison pipeline,” with Mariame Kaba, the founder of the advocacy group&#160;Project NIA, leading a march from Illinois Youth Center on the Near West Side&#160;to Suder Elementary School. Protesters carried signs and sang chants including: “We are gonna give you hell, our city is not yours to sell.”</p>
<p>According to Kaba,&#160;Chicago spends more than $112,000 a year per youth in prison but only $15,000 per youth&#160;in school. Several youth activists took the stage at Suder Elementary, asking state lawmakers&#160;to “fund our schools, not our jails.”</p>
<p>— Caroline Spiezio</p>
<p>1:30 p.m. — Hundreds of educators, students and others rallied Friday afternoon at Chicago State University, the embattled public university in Roseland that’s preparing for massive layoffs in the wake of a financial emergency brought on by the state’s budget impasse.</p>
<p>CSU students drew attention to the school’s history of providing opportunities to students of color. CSU senior Darren Martin said it would be hard to find another university that has a resource center for African-American males, a president who talks with students one-on-one and a diverse faculty “who looks like you.”</p>
<p>Hundreds of teachers, professors and students rallied at Chicago State University.</p>
<p>Another CSU senior, Charles Preston, who lives in Roseland, said he felt “righteous anger” when he read the headlines that said staff and students were being asked to turn in their keys. “We must hold our political officials accountable,” he said, encouraging the various groups present to politically organize together.</p>
<p>CTU President Karen Lewis, who received her teaching credentials at CSU, also called on groups affected by lack of funding to band together. When Gov. Bruce Rauner was elected, she said, people underestimated his “anti-union animus.”</p>
<p>“It’s not just us,” she said. “This is not a moment. Brothers and sisters, this is a movement.”</p>
<p>— Kalyn Belsha</p>
<p>Tim Lacey and his 8-year-old daughter, Lily, just after the student rally.</p>
<p>12 p.m. —&#160;About&#160;30 CPS students and parents convened&#160;at the Thompson Center for another rally to&#160;urge city and state officials to provide adequate funding to schools. The small rally had a&#160;similar&#160;vibe to <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/11/student-protests-over-budget-cuts-have-deep-roots/" type="external">student protests last fall</a>— and many of the same&#160;faces. But the number of participants was noticeably smaller.</p>
<p>The group marched over to&#160;CPS headquarters before heading to the&#160;5th floor of City Hall, where&#160;Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s offices are located.</p>
<p>“I hope that Rahm and Rauner open their eyes, which I really doubt they will, but they need to understand our struggle,” says Kelly High School senior Evelyn Solis, who mentioned how Kelly’s after-school programs have faced many cuts. Recent Kelly alum Ivan Monter added that the school’s fine arts program has also suffered.</p>
<p>“We don’t know where this money is going,” he says. “It could have gone to giving instruments, it could have gone to fixing our stage.”</p>
<p>Similarly, CPS parent Tim Lacey says he’s “sick” of how difficult it is to get basic supplies, like&#160;copier paper and pencils, at Waters Elementary, a&#160;North Side school attended by his second-grade daughter Lily. “It’s a struggle there, and I can’t imagine what it’s like in other parts of the city,” he says.</p>
<p>— Stephanie Choporis</p>
<p>12 p.m. — Meanwhile, the Illinois attorney general says that the state can’t interfere in the Chicago Board of Education’s attempts to incur more debt, nor can it require CPS to&#160;submit or adopt specific financial plans.&#160;In an <a href="http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/2016/16-001.pdf" type="external">opinion issued on&#160;Thursday</a>, Attorney General Lisa Madigan writes that state law does not require that the Board “seek approval of a financial plan from the State Board before it can issue bonds or any other evidence of indebtedness, such as establishing a line of credit.”</p>
<p>The legal opinion is a blow to Gov. Bruce Rauner, who is lobbying for a state takeover of CPS and the option to declare bankruptcy.</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>11:45 a.m. — Following a New Orleans-style funeral march through Albany Park to “mourn the death” of public education, hundreds gathered&#160;at&#160;Northeastern Illinois University, including a contingent of CTU members and supporters from&#160;Von Steuben and Roosevelt high schools.</p>
<p>American Federation of &#160;Teachers President Randi Weingarten spoke against Illinois&#160;Gov. Bruce Rauner, saying he is “holding this state hostage.”</p>
<p>— Caroline Spiezio</p>
<p>11 a.m. — There’s about 23 children listening to Frank Sinatra sing “My Kind of Town” while&#160;watching images of Chicago and New York City flash by on a giant screen inside the gym of Skinner West Elementary School, a contingency site for children who have no place else to go&#160;as a result of school cancellations today.</p>
<p>The students in the gym represent a fraction of the 1,153 enrolled at the school, and Principal Deborah Clark says those children’s parents luckily “were able to have other options.”&#160;Clark stayed up late Thursday night to develop a schedule&#160;that started off this morning with patriotic music, dancing and other physical activities,&#160;before moving onto academic work on computers. The students also will get to play board games and go to recess later in the afternoon, in addition to watching a movie of their choice.</p>
<p>There seems to be more staff in the gym than students. Clark says non-CTU members, such as&#160;special education classroom aides and security guards, are among those&#160;staffing the school today, in addition to some help from Central Office and&#160;another&#160;nearby school.&#160;Some of the&#160;aides in the gym are members of SEIU Local 73 and are sporting CTU shirts or wearing red in solidarity with the striking teachers.</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>11 a.m. — Black Youth Project 100 holds a teach-in at Chicago State University, which has threatened massive layoffs and faces a possible closure&#160;due to the state budget impasse.</p>
<p>— Stacey Rupolo</p>
<p>10:45 a.m. — Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office&#160;releases a statement on the CTU strike. Here it is in its entirety:</p>
<p>“It’s shameful that Chicago’s children are the victims in this raw display of political power.&#160; Walking out on kids in the classroom, leaving parents in the lurch and thumbing their nose at taxpayers — it’s the height of arrogance from those we’ve entrusted with our children’s futures.&#160; By breaking the law in Chicago and forcing passage of a bad law in Springfield, powerful bosses are proving they have an unfair advantage over Illinois families.&#160; When we lose the balance between taxpayers and special interests, property taxes go up and the quality of education goes down.</p>
<p>“I stand ready to work with members of the General Assembly to pass a budget that increases state support for all Illinois schools alongside much-needed reforms that put taxpayers back in control of their local governments and school districts. If local control reforms had already been enacted, CPS negotiations likely would have been concluded by now, a strike would have been averted and taxpayers and children would have been protected. Let’s pass real reforms to give the families of Illinois a better future.”</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>10 a.m.&#160;—&#160;At Beasley Elementary, second-grade teacher and school delegate Joyce Jefferson says she’s striking for sustainable revenue for schools and to decrease the amount of standardized testing. The magnet school in Washington Park, which was one of CTU President Karen Lewis’ stops, saw turnout from about 95 percent of educators, delegates said.</p>
<p>Eighth-grader Alyssa Sanders (left) and physical education teacher Gloria Fallon at Beasley Elementary.</p>
<p>Physical education teacher Gloria Fallon, also a delegate, says she hopes today’s&#160;strike will give the union strength as it prepares to go back to negotiating. &#160;“It shows that we’re united and we’re ready to fight,” she says.</p>
<p>— Kalyn Belsha</p>
<p>9:30 am —&#160;The&#160;Roosevelt High School contingent has gone on to pick up&#160;more teachers and supporters from Von Steuben and other nearby&#160;schools. The groups met at&#160;a McDonald’s parking lot, where the educators&#160;showed support&#160;for a walkout by fast-food workers who are campaigning for a $15 minimum wage.</p>
<p>Roosevelt CTU delegate Tim Meegan, who has taught at the school for 12 years, said today’s strike is less about the union’s own&#160;contract negotiations, but about calling attention to the decreased funding from the state, citing&#160;holes in his classroom floor and more than a dozen layoffs in his building as evidence.</p>
<p>The march moves on to nearby Northeastern Illinois University, which&#160;many Roosevelt graduates attend. The&#160;university has been hit hard by the state budget impasse, and in particular the state’s nonpayment of need-based MAP grants.</p>
<p>“How can they judge my high school on how many students we send to college if they are defunding the colleges they go to?” Meegan asks.</p>
<p>— Caroline Spiezio.</p>
<p>9:15 a.m.&#160;—&#160;CTU President Karen Lewis visited King College Prep in Kenwood, where she used to be teacher. “This is my home, it’s great to see all my colleagues,” she said after embracing several of the educators.</p>
<p>While she didn’t deliver prepared remarks, Lewis took two questions from the media, saying she thought the strike was going well. When asked about schools with low turnout for the strike, Lewis replied: “That shows me they’re tired. It’s been a long year… And that’s all right.”</p>
<p>CTU President Karen Lewis speaks with former colleagues at King College Prep.</p>
<p>King delegate Jim Staros, who’s taught at the school for 13 years and used to work with Lewis, said for him the strike is about getting funding for art, music and “wraparound” supports for students. Since last year his school has lost three counselors and a librarian due to budget cuts, he said, and they don’t have money for subs, which makes field trips nearly impossible. &#160;He hopes lawmakers in Springfield hear teachers’ message — and rethink the&#160;income tax rollback that kicked in last year.</p>
<p>— Kalyn Belsha</p>
<p>8:45 a.m. — One fact we haven’t noted today is that Chicago’s charter schools are open, as teachers there aren’t part of the CTU and therefore aren’t on strike. (Members of the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff will likely join some of the CTU rallies in the afternoon, but&#160;aren’t&#160;planning their own strikes.)</p>
<p>School was in session as usual at Noble’s ITW Speer Academy, a charter high school.</p>
<p>The Illinois Network of Charter Schools&#160;issued a press release early this morning criticizing the CTU for being “first and foremost a political organization that willingly sacrifices the needs of Chicago’s children and families for their political agenda.”</p>
<p>In a statement, INCS President&#160;Andrew Broy goes on to say that&#160;“at a time when all interested parties should be united in fixing a student funding formula that penalizes low-wealth school districts, the CTU prefers to wage war against city leadership in a display of faux progressivism.”</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>8:15 a.m. —&#160;Erika Mendez, a mother of two students at Prieto Math and Science Academy in Belmont Cragin, walks alongside her children’s teachers as they picket. The school is one of 250 contingency sites designated by CPS officials, where parents can drop off their children for the day, but Mendez chose to spend her morning on the picket line because “it’s right what they’re doing.”</p>
<p>Prieto parent Erika Mendez and her two children.</p>
<p>Mendez is a student at Wright College and wants to become a teacher one day herself, so she says it makes sense to support the work and needs of&#160;teachers at Prieto. “If anything they deserve to get paid more because they’re educating our children, and that’s the most important thing.”</p>
<p>Andrew Friesema, a math and science coordinator at the school, says “kids in neighborhoods like Belmont Cragin have been underserved for a long time.” He says the school has lost several positions, including some in special education, as a result of this year’s&#160;budget cuts.&#160;&#160;And even though the school was built in recent years to relieve overcrowding in nearby schools, it’s already full to the brim, with some classes taught in modular units.</p>
<p>Still, Friesema considers Prieto a good, well-organized school, and says “all students deserve a neighborhood school like Prieto.”</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>8 a.m. — Groups of teachers, students and parents of Taft High School on the city’s Northwest Side huddled along expressway bridges this morning, holding mass-produced “On Strike” signs and cheering as honking cars drove past.</p>
<p>Taft has 217 union members and eight staffers in the CTU’s House of Delegates, says Danny VanOver, a teacher at&#160;the school for 23 years who&#160;serves as a&#160;delegate. VanOver says Taft didn’t hold a vote on today’s strike, since roughly 98 percent of faculty voted in favor of a strike back in December. While he acknowledges a “good turnout,” he says there were some teachers who were not in favor of the walkout.</p>
<p>Due to Taft’s growing enrollment, he says the school has fared better than others regarding budget cuts. But he says “it’s not going to last forever.”</p>
<p>Also a member of the CTU’s so-called “big bargaining team,” VanOver says contract negotiations have gone “nowhere” since the union rejected CPS’ contract offer on Feb. 1. If today’s strike has any impact, he hopes it will “jump start” these conversations.</p>
<p>— Stephanie Choporis</p>
<p>8 a.m. —&#160;Outside Mollison Elementary School in Bronzeville, cars and buses honked their horns in support of the picketing educators, who were joined by parents and community activists.&#160;Delegate Erin Lynch says teachers were on board with the union’s one-day strike from the beginning — educators voted unanimously in support of the walkout. Lynch said the former welcoming school is struggling with overcrowding after it merged with a nearby closed school. Teachers want resources for library services, social-emotional supports and additional aides.</p>
<p>Shelagh Jackson pickets outside Mollison Elementary School in Bronzeville.</p>
<p>Shelagh Jackson, the school’s International Baccalaureate coordinator, says space is so tight that it’s difficult to find room for interventions, fine arts and Spanish instruction. For her, the strike is about equity. “It’s about maintaining public education,” she says. “I think the game-playing and the politics are hurting the children.”</p>
<p>Parent Jeanette Taylor, who has a 5th- and 8th-grader at Mollison and was one of the hunger strikers who protested for the reopening of Dyett High School, came out in support of the strike. “This is just the beginning of people standing up and staying ‘enough is enough,'” she says.</p>
<p>— Kalyn Belsha</p>
<p />
<p>7 a.m. – There’s nearly two-dozen teachers at Edgebrook Elementary gathered in front of the school to take a photo to send to the union.</p>
<p>“No comment,” says delegate Caroline Delia when asked what she thinks about being here. But she adds, “We support our union&#160;… We want fair funding for our schools.”</p>
<p>— Melissa Sanchez</p>
<p>6:45 a.m. —&#160;About 40 teachers, parents, and local residents drink coffee to stay warm as they&#160;stand&#160;outside Avondale-Logandale Middle School to support the one-day strike.</p>
<p>The group went on to picket around the school until 9:30 a.m. before heading to Northeastern Illinois University. “I’d rather be at work today,” one of the teachers says later. “But we all have to show solidarity with the union.”</p>
<p>—Michelle Kanaar</p>
<p>Fast food workers join teachers and their supporters at Roosevelt High School for one-day CTU strike.</p>
<p>6:30 a.m. —&#160;Social Studies teacher Jim McIntosh was one of dozens of CTU members who gathered outside of Roosevelt High School before sunrise to protest budget cuts.</p>
<p>Joined by local fast food, transit, and nursing home workers calling for a higher minimum wage and supporters from as far as Brazil and South Korea, McIntosh said “this isn’t about teachers and paychecks,” but equality in state funding. “We keep hearing that there’s no money, but somehow they always manage to find funding for things that don’t actually help students, like PARCC,” he said.</p>
<p>CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey spoke to the crowd, as did Roosevelt students who called&#160;for action against growing class sizes and shrinking resources. “We deserve better,” said junior Danely Quiroz.</p>
<p>— Caroline Spiezio</p>
<p>5 a.m. – The Chicago Teachers Union’s one-day strike kicks off at 6:30 a.m. today, April 1, with educators picketing schools across the district. Union officials are scheduled to speak at select schools, including Roosevelt High School where McDonald’s employees are also planning a walkout.</p>
<p>The union — which has sought to tie its walkout to a bigger push for more state revenue for public education and social service agencies following a state budget impasse — says it’s striking over what it sees as an unfair labor practice: the end to steps-and-lanes salary increases for additional experience and educational attainment that went into effect last fall.</p>
<p>The CTU says this is allowable under a 1956 U.S. Supreme Court decision, but the district contends it’s an illegal strike. &#160;(Eventually the district may bring its case to the state educational labor relations board or a state court.) CPS officials say they won’t penalize educators who participate — although union leaders say members who cross the picket line might have to pay fines.</p>
<p>Later in the day, there will be rallies and marches at Northeastern Illinois University — where American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten is supposed to speak at a teach-in — as well as at Chicago State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition, CTU members will hold protests alongside workers from the closing Nabisco plant on the Southwest Side and activists at a juvenile detention center.</p>
<p>By 4 p.m., CTU members will be rallying downtown outside the Thompson Center, where a protest march is set to last until 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>For an overview of why the CTU is striking and the steps that led to stalled contract negotiations, <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/03/ctu-contract-talks-timeline/" type="external">view our interactive timeline</a>.</p> | false | 3 | thousands chicago teachers union members took streets today for160a oneday strike sought connect the160financial troubles chicago public schools with160the broader impacts statewide budget impasse lowincome160families particularly regards higher education strike cps160officials have160asked a160state labor board160to declare160illegal 160effectively shut school system forcing parents find alternative care children second friday row week ago cashstrapped district cancelled school order furlough workers save money ctu160leaders framed days action citywide160movement representing range groups impacted lack state budget160 teachers160and college professors juveniles160in detention centers child care workers union calling sustainable160revenue sources public services district state leaders160criticized union for160causing cancellation classes 340000 students students charters schools whose workers ctu members impacted later afternoon160cps officials filed a160charge states educational labor relations board seeking injunction against160any future strikes160of nature delegates said see todays strike good preparation potential contract strike which160could take place early late may contract negotiations ongoing sides made presentations evidence160to neutral thirdparty factfinder160last week district officials say next160bargaining session takes place monday catalyst reporters kalyn belsha melissa sanchez well reporting interns stephanie choporis caroline spiezio visited a160number schools morning and160rallies across city throughout day document days events160below highlights photos 5 pm ctu president karen lewis takes stage rally outside thompson center blames160gov bruce rauner holding state funding160hostage160calls higher wages workers160and presses unity speaks160to crowd thousands many demonstrators wore ponchos carried umbrellas stave rain happens come together stop fighting know enemies said adding later instead somebody telling us shouldnt streets take streets soon speeches demonstrators marched down160clark street toward chicago river many wearing red160ponchos carrying umbrellas stave rain melissa sanchez 415 pm hundreds of160ctu members and160their supporters well as160other labor allies160start coming downtown160for rally thompson center steven gillespie walking toward160the160thompson center steven gillespie home health care worker member seiu healthcare illinois160says160he hopes bring attention need higher minimum wage workingclass people know new york city minimum wage 15 per hour asks cant chicago like ctu members appeared make bulk rallygoers members several other160organizations also turned including seiu amalgamated transit union faculty unions160from160several state universities black youth project 100 and160the fight 15 campaign melissa sanchez 330 pm ctu issued brief statement respond news the160district filed charge the160states educational labor160board alleging unions oneday strike illegal disagree writes160ctu spokeswoman stephanie gadlin supreme court 60 years ago authorized unfair labor practice strikes national labor relations action believe teachers rights 160their charges filed fact seek enjoin us something intention districts charging documentscps labor attorney james franczek writes the160federal labor law applies privatesector workers160teachers illinois argues strike lengthy process outlined in160the states education labor law completed melissa sanchez 310 pm expected cps officials filed charge160with illinois educational labor relations board ctu arguing the160strike illegal union defiantly shutting 500160districtrun schools city chicago depriving nearly 340000 children day education simply attorneys write in160the charging documents ctu legal justification blatantly illegal conduct fiske principal cynthia miller speaking press conference ceo forrest claypool chief education officer janice jackson press conference fiske elementary cps ceo forrest claypool said district wants prevent union holding future illegal strikes160the union maintains within right think important clearly established whether children school educated subject whims chicago teachers union leadership claypool said said todays charge filed160with labor board also demands ctu reimburse district expenses related to160maintaining 250 contingency sites open regular school hours160district officials are160still tallying much think the160union owes charging documents district attorneys also call union flipflopping purported reasoning strike days ctu states cps state lack funding social services higher education days claims strike cps funding contract days ctu characterizes oneday strike unfair labor practice strike despite criticism unions strike claypool reiterated his160desire reach labor agreement said sides back bargaining table monday total 7000 8000 students spent day contingency160site claypool said ten students fiske according principal cynthia miller called dramafree day melissa sanchez kalyn belsha 230 pm 160dozens protesters rallied the160schooltoprison pipeline mariame kaba founder advocacy group160project nia leading march illinois youth center near west side160to suder elementary school protesters carried signs sang chants including gon na give hell city sell according kaba160chicago spends 112000 year per youth prison 15000 per youth160in school several youth activists took stage suder elementary asking state lawmakers160to fund schools jails caroline spiezio 130 pm hundreds educators students others rallied friday afternoon chicago state university embattled public university roseland thats preparing massive layoffs wake financial emergency brought states budget impasse csu students drew attention schools history providing opportunities students color csu senior darren martin said would hard find another university resource center africanamerican males president talks students oneonone diverse faculty looks like hundreds teachers professors students rallied chicago state university another csu senior charles preston lives roseland said felt righteous anger read headlines said staff students asked turn keys must hold political officials accountable said encouraging various groups present politically organize together ctu president karen lewis received teaching credentials csu also called groups affected lack funding band together gov bruce rauner elected said people underestimated antiunion animus us said moment brothers sisters movement kalyn belsha tim lacey 8yearold daughter lily student rally 12 pm 160about16030 cps students parents convened160at thompson center another rally to160urge city state officials provide adequate funding schools small rally a160similar160vibe student protests last fall many same160faces number participants noticeably smaller group marched to160cps headquarters heading the1605th floor city hall where160mayor rahm emanuels offices located hope rahm rauner open eyes really doubt need understand struggle says kelly high school senior evelyn solis mentioned kellys afterschool programs faced many cuts recent kelly alum ivan monter added schools fine arts program also suffered dont know money going says could gone giving instruments could gone fixing stage similarly cps parent tim lacey says hes sick difficult get basic supplies like160copier paper pencils waters elementary a160north side school attended secondgrade daughter lily struggle cant imagine like parts city says stephanie choporis 12 pm meanwhile illinois attorney general says state cant interfere chicago board educations attempts incur debt require cps to160submit adopt specific financial plans160in opinion issued on160thursday attorney general lisa madigan writes state law require board seek approval financial plan state board issue bonds evidence indebtedness establishing line credit legal opinion blow gov bruce rauner lobbying state takeover cps option declare bankruptcy melissa sanchez 160 1145 following new orleansstyle funeral march albany park mourn death public education hundreds gathered160at160northeastern illinois university including contingent ctu members supporters from160von steuben roosevelt high schools american federation 160teachers president randi weingarten spoke illinois160gov bruce rauner saying holding state hostage caroline spiezio 11 theres 23 children listening frank sinatra sing kind town while160watching images chicago new york city flash giant screen inside gym skinner west elementary school contingency site children place else go160as result school cancellations today students gym represent fraction 1153 enrolled school principal deborah clark says childrens parents luckily able options160clark stayed late thursday night develop schedule160that started morning patriotic music dancing physical activities160before moving onto academic work computers students also get play board games go recess later afternoon addition watching movie choice seems staff gym students clark says nonctu members as160special education classroom aides security guards among those160staffing school today addition help central office and160another160nearby school160some the160aides gym members seiu local 73 sporting ctu shirts wearing red solidarity striking teachers melissa sanchez 11 black youth project 100 holds teachin chicago state university threatened massive layoffs faces possible closure160due state budget impasse stacey rupolo 1045 gov bruce rauners office160releases statement ctu strike entirety shameful chicagos children victims raw display political power160 walking kids classroom leaving parents lurch thumbing nose taxpayers height arrogance weve entrusted childrens futures160 breaking law chicago forcing passage bad law springfield powerful bosses proving unfair advantage illinois families160 lose balance taxpayers special interests property taxes go quality education goes stand ready work members general assembly pass budget increases state support illinois schools alongside muchneeded reforms put taxpayers back control local governments school districts local control reforms already enacted cps negotiations likely would concluded strike would averted taxpayers children would protected lets pass real reforms give families illinois better future melissa sanchez 10 am160160at beasley elementary secondgrade teacher school delegate joyce jefferson says shes striking sustainable revenue schools decrease amount standardized testing magnet school washington park one ctu president karen lewis stops saw turnout 95 percent educators delegates said eighthgrader alyssa sanders left physical education teacher gloria fallon beasley elementary physical education teacher gloria fallon also delegate says hopes todays160strike give union strength prepares go back negotiating 160it shows united ready fight says kalyn belsha 930 160the160roosevelt high school contingent gone pick up160more teachers supporters von steuben nearby160schools groups met at160a mcdonalds parking lot educators160showed support160for walkout fastfood workers campaigning 15 minimum wage roosevelt ctu delegate tim meegan taught school 12 years said todays strike less unions own160contract negotiations calling attention decreased funding state citing160holes classroom floor dozen layoffs building evidence march moves nearby northeastern illinois university which160many roosevelt graduates attend the160university hit hard state budget impasse particular states nonpayment needbased map grants judge high school many students send college defunding colleges go meegan asks caroline spiezio 915 am160160ctu president karen lewis visited king college prep kenwood used teacher home great see colleagues said embracing several educators didnt deliver prepared remarks lewis took two questions media saying thought strike going well asked schools low turnout strike lewis replied shows theyre tired long year thats right ctu president karen lewis speaks former colleagues king college prep king delegate jim staros whos taught school 13 years used work lewis said strike getting funding art music wraparound supports students since last year school lost three counselors librarian due budget cuts said dont money subs makes field trips nearly impossible 160he hopes lawmakers springfield hear teachers message rethink the160income tax rollback kicked last year kalyn belsha 845 one fact havent noted today chicagos charter schools open teachers arent part ctu therefore arent strike members chicago alliance charter teachers staff likely join ctu rallies afternoon but160arent160planning strikes school session usual nobles itw speer academy charter high school illinois network charter schools160issued press release early morning criticizing ctu first foremost political organization willingly sacrifices needs chicagos children families political agenda statement incs president160andrew broy goes say that160at time interested parties united fixing student funding formula penalizes lowwealth school districts ctu prefers wage war city leadership display faux progressivism melissa sanchez 815 160erika mendez mother two students prieto math science academy belmont cragin walks alongside childrens teachers picket school one 250 contingency sites designated cps officials parents drop children day mendez chose spend morning picket line right theyre prieto parent erika mendez two children mendez student wright college wants become teacher one day says makes sense support work needs of160teachers prieto anything deserve get paid theyre educating children thats important thing andrew friesema math science coordinator school says kids neighborhoods like belmont cragin underserved long time says school lost several positions including special education result years160budget cuts160160and even though school built recent years relieve overcrowding nearby schools already full brim classes taught modular units still friesema considers prieto good wellorganized school says students deserve neighborhood school like prieto melissa sanchez 8 groups teachers students parents taft high school citys northwest side huddled along expressway bridges morning holding massproduced strike signs cheering honking cars drove past taft 217 union members eight staffers ctus house delegates says danny vanover teacher at160the school 23 years who160serves a160delegate vanover says taft didnt hold vote todays strike since roughly 98 percent faculty voted favor strike back december acknowledges good turnout says teachers favor walkout due tafts growing enrollment says school fared better others regarding budget cuts says going last forever also member ctus socalled big bargaining team vanover says contract negotiations gone nowhere since union rejected cps contract offer feb 1 todays strike impact hopes jump start conversations stephanie choporis 8 160outside mollison elementary school bronzeville cars buses honked horns support picketing educators joined parents community activists160delegate erin lynch says teachers board unions oneday strike beginning educators voted unanimously support walkout lynch said former welcoming school struggling overcrowding merged nearby closed school teachers want resources library services socialemotional supports additional aides shelagh jackson pickets outside mollison elementary school bronzeville shelagh jackson schools international baccalaureate coordinator says space tight difficult find room interventions fine arts spanish instruction strike equity maintaining public education says think gameplaying politics hurting children parent jeanette taylor 5th 8thgrader mollison one hunger strikers protested reopening dyett high school came support strike beginning people standing staying enough enough says kalyn belsha 7 theres nearly twodozen teachers edgebrook elementary gathered front school take photo send union comment says delegate caroline delia asked thinks adds support union160 want fair funding schools melissa sanchez 645 160about 40 teachers parents local residents drink coffee stay warm they160stand160outside avondalelogandale middle school support oneday strike group went picket around school 930 heading northeastern illinois university id rather work today one teachers says later show solidarity union michelle kanaar fast food workers join teachers supporters roosevelt high school oneday ctu strike 630 160social studies teacher jim mcintosh one dozens ctu members gathered outside roosevelt high school sunrise protest budget cuts joined local fast food transit nursing home workers calling higher minimum wage supporters far brazil south korea mcintosh said isnt teachers paychecks equality state funding keep hearing theres money somehow always manage find funding things dont actually help students like parcc said ctu vice president jesse sharkey spoke crowd roosevelt students called160for action growing class sizes shrinking resources deserve better said junior danely quiroz caroline spiezio 5 chicago teachers unions oneday strike kicks 630 today april 1 educators picketing schools across district union officials scheduled speak select schools including roosevelt high school mcdonalds employees also planning walkout union sought tie walkout bigger push state revenue public education social service agencies following state budget impasse says striking sees unfair labor practice end stepsandlanes salary increases additional experience educational attainment went effect last fall ctu says allowable 1956 us supreme court decision district contends illegal strike 160eventually district may bring case state educational labor relations board state court cps officials say wont penalize educators participate although union leaders say members cross picket line might pay fines later day rallies marches northeastern illinois university american federation teachers president randi weingarten supposed speak teachin well chicago state university university illinois chicago addition ctu members hold protests alongside workers closing nabisco plant southwest side activists juvenile detention center 4 pm ctu members rallying downtown outside thompson center protest march set last 630 pm overview ctu striking steps led stalled contract negotiations view interactive timeline | 2,370 |
<p>U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell just last month announced the release of an LGBT theme study. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Less than a month before Donald Trump won election as president, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced the release of a first-of-its-kind National Park Service “theme study” identifying places and events associated with the history of LGBT Americans.</p>
<p>&#160;At an Oct. 11 ceremony at the Interior Department headquarters, Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis said Park Service officials expected to review in the near future more than 100 new LGBT-related historic sites proposed by the study, which was headed by nationally recognized lesbian anthropologist Megan Springate.</p>
<p>Jarvis said the sites would be considered for designation in the National Register of Historic Places, as a National Historic Landmark and possibly for the government’s most prestigious recognition as a National Monument.</p>
<p>But following Trump’s election and calls by many of his supporters to “drain the swamp” in Washington, some government insiders have expressed concern that Jewell’s and Jarvis’s replacements might scale back or kill the LGBT historic sites project.</p>
<p>Others have speculated that an Interior Secretary hostile to LGBT rights might rescind the dozen or more LGBT sites already designated as historic landmarks, including the site of the Stonewall Inn and surrounding streets in New York’s Greenwich Village. That site, the location of the 1969 Stonewall riots, was designated by President Obama earlier this year as the first LGBT U.S. National Monument.</p>
<p>“I’m not going to speculate on what another administration might do,” said Jeremy Barnum, public affairs officer for the National Park Service. “We only have one president at a time and we’re going to act accordingly,” he said.</p>
<p>Barnum said he believes Springate’s job at the National Park Service, which includes facilitating the LGBT theme study’s recommendations, would continue under the Trump administration.</p>
<p>The National Park Service hired Springate in early October as an Interpretation Coordinator in the NPS’s Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education, Barnum said.</p>
<p>“In this permanent civil service position, Ms. Springate helps coordinate the NPS’s efforts to tell all Americans’ stories, including the LGBTQ community, through the publication of theme studies, teaching with historic places lesson plans, heritage travel itineraries, and other initiatives,” he said.</p>
<p>Initiatives related to African Americans, Native Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and other diverse population groups fall under Springate’s job duties, according to Barnum.</p>
<p>Barnum noted that between the time that Springate worked on the study and the time it was completed and published on Oct. 11, funding for the study came from the Gill Foundation through the National Park Foundation, the official charity of U.S. parks.</p>
<p>A spokesperson for the incoming Trump administration’s Presidential Transition Team couldn’t immediately be reached to determine whether the president-elect or his incoming officials at the National Park Service would have objections to the LGBT theme study and Springate’s work.</p>
<p>Joseph Murry II, one of Trump’s gay Republican supporters who serves as administrator of the pro-Trump Facebook page LGBTrump, said he believes Trump and his administration would support the LGBT historic sites project.</p>
<p>“I do not think Donald Trump, based upon his track record, would say to the National Park Service fellow or to the Secretary of the Interior do not move forward with this program,” Murry told the Washington Blade.</p>
<p>“I actually think he would support it,” he said. “And I think his outreach to the LGBT community, as evidenced not just through his presidential run but his entire career as a businessman, and of course in New York City with the help of a big LGBT population, I think he would probably respect it.”</p>
<p>Murry, who is based in Mississippi and has worked for conservative political figures in the past, said there is always a chance that a Trump Secretary of the Interior would try to quietly “quash” the LGBT historic sites project.</p>
<p>“But I think if it were brought to Trump’s attention he would probably override the Secretary of the Interior,” said Murray.</p>
<p>Gay Republican activist James Driscoll, who has supported Trump since the president-elect first announced his candidacy, said he believes Trump’s LGBT supporters would urge Trump to back the LGBT historic sites project.</p>
<p>Those who know Springate say she is highly qualified for the position at the Park Service. She holds an undergraduate and master’s degree in anthropology and is close to completing her Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Maryland, where she has served as an adjunct professor since 2012.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Barack Obama</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gill Foundation</a> <a href="" type="internal">James Driscoll</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jeremy Barnum</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jonathan Jarvis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Joseph Murry II</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBTrump</a> <a href="" type="internal">Megan Springate</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mississippi</a> <a href="" type="internal">National Park Service</a> <a href="" type="internal">National Register of Historic Places</a> <a href="" type="internal">New York City</a> <a href="" type="internal">Presidential Transition Team</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sally Jewell</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stonewall Inn</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stonewall Riots</a> <a href="" type="internal">U.S. National Monument</a> <a href="" type="internal">United States Department of the Interior</a> <a href="" type="internal">University of Maryland</a></p> | false | 3 | us secretary interior sally jewell last month announced release lgbt theme study washington blade photo michael key less month donald trump election president us secretary interior sally jewell announced release firstofitskind national park service theme study identifying places events associated history lgbt americans 160at oct 11 ceremony interior department headquarters jewell national park service director jonathan jarvis said park service officials expected review near future 100 new lgbtrelated historic sites proposed study headed nationally recognized lesbian anthropologist megan springate jarvis said sites would considered designation national register historic places national historic landmark possibly governments prestigious recognition national monument following trumps election calls many supporters drain swamp washington government insiders expressed concern jewells jarviss replacements might scale back kill lgbt historic sites project others speculated interior secretary hostile lgbt rights might rescind dozen lgbt sites already designated historic landmarks including site stonewall inn surrounding streets new yorks greenwich village site location 1969 stonewall riots designated president obama earlier year first lgbt us national monument im going speculate another administration might said jeremy barnum public affairs officer national park service one president time going act accordingly said barnum said believes springates job national park service includes facilitating lgbt theme studys recommendations would continue trump administration national park service hired springate early october interpretation coordinator npss cultural resources office interpretation education barnum said permanent civil service position ms springate helps coordinate npss efforts tell americans stories including lgbtq community publication theme studies teaching historic places lesson plans heritage travel itineraries initiatives said initiatives related african americans native americans asian pacific islander americans diverse population groups fall springates job duties according barnum barnum noted time springate worked study time completed published oct 11 funding study came gill foundation national park foundation official charity us parks spokesperson incoming trump administrations presidential transition team couldnt immediately reached determine whether presidentelect incoming officials national park service would objections lgbt theme study springates work joseph murry ii one trumps gay republican supporters serves administrator protrump facebook page lgbtrump said believes trump administration would support lgbt historic sites project think donald trump based upon track record would say national park service fellow secretary interior move forward program murry told washington blade actually think would support said think outreach lgbt community evidenced presidential run entire career businessman course new york city help big lgbt population think would probably respect murry based mississippi worked conservative political figures past said always chance trump secretary interior would try quietly quash lgbt historic sites project think brought trumps attention would probably override secretary interior said murray gay republican activist james driscoll supported trump since presidentelect first announced candidacy said believes trumps lgbt supporters would urge trump back lgbt historic sites project know springate say highly qualified position park service holds undergraduate masters degree anthropology close completing phd anthropology university maryland served adjunct professor since 2012 barack obama cultural resources office interpretation education donald trump gill foundation james driscoll jeremy barnum jonathan jarvis joseph murry ii lgbt lgbtrump megan springate mississippi national park service national register historic places new york city presidential transition team sally jewell stonewall inn stonewall riots us national monument united states department interior university maryland | 524 |
<p>California ranked&#160;at the bottom for the second consecutive year&#160;on the&#160; <a href="http://uspirg.org/sites/pirg/files/reports/Following%20the%20Money%202015%20vUS.pdf" type="external">annual report</a>&#160;on state government transparency&#160;compiled by the Public Interest Research Group, an investigative and advocacy organization based in Boston.&#160;And the state’s beleaguered <a href="http://www.cio.ca.gov/" type="external">Department of Technology</a>, or CalTech, can be assigned part of the blame for the last-place showing.</p>
<p>The rankings on PIRG’s sixth annual report are based on an assessment of each&#160;state’s open data and the ease with which users – the public, media and policymakers – can navigate the information and draw conclusions about how&#160;the money is being spent.</p>
<p>“There used to be a designated transparency portal for California,” said Phineas&#160;Baxandall, a PIRG senior policy analyst.&#160;“At some point during the Schwarzenegger administration, they pulled the plug on it and ended the program. There was going to be a major IT overhaul integrating the whole state government that would bring in data from the controller’s office, the governor’s office, every state office.” Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor from Nov. 2003 to Jan. 2011.</p>
<p>The report presents costs associated with making and maintaining a transparency-friendly website, which California has not responded to since 2012.</p>
<p>In the <a href="http://www.uspirg.org/sites/pirg/files/reports/Following%20the%20Money%20vUS%20WEB.pdf" type="external">2012 PIRG report</a>, the state estimated a set-up price tag of $200,000, with a $169,400 annual operating cost for the now defunct <a href="http://www.transparency.ca.gov/default.aspx" type="external">www.transparency.ca.gov</a>. In 2011, his first year back in office, Gov. Jerry Brown shut down the website because the information was available elsewhere. “But open government advocates have objected to the move, saying it will make it more difficult for citizens to track spending,” the Sacramento Bee <a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/11/jerry-brown-shuts-down-california-government-transparency-website.html" type="external">reported</a>at the time.</p>
<p>A state’s coffers don’t have a lot to do with the ability or willingness of that state to provide the taxpayers the information they deserve. “California has the largest revenue and expenditure of any state, yet received 34 points, the lowest score” of a possible 100, the report said. That translated to an “F” grade.</p>
<p>The top ranking states were Ohio at 100, Indiana at 97, Wisconsin and Oregon at 96.5 and Louisiana at 96; all were “A” grades. The following map shows the transparency of all 50 states, with the darker shades&#160;most open to scrutiny.</p>
<p />
<p>2015 rankings for public data transparency</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>PIRG also noted California…</p>
<p>“is weighed down primarily by bureaucratic fragmentation of its information. While the state has made some interesting and useful data sets available to the public — including, for example, one documenting spending at the county level — California does not succeed in creating a ‘one-stop’ transparency portal. For example, the state produces tax expenditure reports and publishes data on the Film and Television Production Incentive, but these are not available via a central transparency website, making this valuable information difficult to find for citizens and others who may not already know where to look. It would be relatively easy for California to substantially improve its score by&#160;providing clear links to sources of data from a central website.”</p>
<p>Public data is being increasingly placed online by states and there has been a push in California to put more of the state’s spending as well as tax revenues and compilations of information from state agencies in a form that can be easily understood.</p>
<p>But even the state’s attempt to create a decent portal for open data delivery was criticized by PIRG. The primary place for the public to sift through information is listed in the study as the <a href="http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dgs/Home.aspx" type="external">Department of General Services site</a>. PIRG found “the state does maintain a central data hub at <a href="http://data.ca.gov/" type="external">http://data.ca.gov/</a> that can be more readily considered a ‘transparency portal,’ but it was not evaluated for purposes of this report because it fails to score better than the website we evaluated.”</p>
<p>CalTech, which had <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/site-services/databases/state-pay/#req=employee%2Fsearch%2Fyear%3D2014%2Fdepartment%3DDept%2520Of%2520Technology%2Fpage%3D6%2Fsort%3Dpay%2Fdirection%3D-1" type="external">121 employees with salaries over $100,000 last year,</a> has been lampooned for its failures over the years. In 2013, a $371 million plan to upgrade the state’s payroll system <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/2494827/it-management/california-ends-contract-with-sap-over-troubled-it-project.html" type="external">was suspended</a> after $254 million was spent.</p>
<p>A week later, a $208 million project to modernize the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2013/feb/14/local/la-me-dmv-project-20130215" type="external">was canned</a> after seven years and an outlay of $135 million.</p>
<p>The state Task Force on Reengineering IT Procurement for Success came out with <a href="http://www.sco.ca.gov/Files-EO/0813_IT_Task_Force_Recommendations.pdf" type="external">a study</a> of the department’s follies in procurement that included posting status updates of projects that are in progress, “helping to increase vendor accountability.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2014-602.pdf" type="external">An audit</a>&#160;of CalTech&#160;released last week by state Auditor Elaine M. Howle included&#160;criticism of the agency’s ability to calculate the status of current projects. It made no mention of publicly posting that information.</p>
<p>The audit is a 50-page lambasting of the department and opens by noting “the state has a history of failed IT projects — between 1994 and 2013, for example, the state terminated or&#160;suspended seven IT projects after spending almost $1 billion.”</p>
<p>Regarding the department’s work on posting information that can be dissected by taxpayers, the study&#160;noted, “CalTech needs to revisit its guidance to sponsoring agencies for creating their status reports and its procedures for reviewing and approving status reports to ensure that projects present meaningful information to the public.”</p>
<p>In the agency’s response to the audit, CalTech Director Carlos Ramos agreed with all nine recommendations for improvements.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/sen/sb_0551-0600/sb_573_bill_20150226_introduced.pdf" type="external">Legislation introduced in February</a> by state Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, would create a chief data officer to be appointed by the governor. The officer would work with CalTech&#160;in creating a way to provide public information online and at the ready.</p>
<p>“Maybe one of these days, the state will unveil this great it system and it will be so impressive and their rating will improve,” said Baxandall, the policy analyst at PIRG. “But until then, we’re in the dark.”</p>
<p>Steve Miller can be reached at 517-775-9952 and <a href="mailto:avalanche50@hotmail.com" type="external">avalanche50@hotmail.com</a>. His website is <a href="http://avalanche50.com/" type="external">www.Avalanche50.com</a></p> | false | 3 | california ranked160at bottom second consecutive year160on the160 annual report160on state government transparency160compiled public interest research group investigative advocacy organization based boston160and states beleaguered department technology caltech assigned part blame lastplace showing rankings pirgs sixth annual report based assessment each160states open data ease users public media policymakers navigate information draw conclusions how160the money spent used designated transparency portal california said phineas160baxandall pirg senior policy analyst160at point schwarzenegger administration pulled plug ended program going major overhaul integrating whole state government would bring data controllers office governors office every state office arnold schwarzenegger governor nov 2003 jan 2011 report presents costs associated making maintaining transparencyfriendly website california responded since 2012 2012 pirg report state estimated setup price tag 200000 169400 annual operating cost defunct wwwtransparencycagov 2011 first year back office gov jerry brown shut website information available elsewhere open government advocates objected move saying make difficult citizens track spending sacramento bee reportedat time states coffers dont lot ability willingness state provide taxpayers information deserve california largest revenue expenditure state yet received 34 points lowest score possible 100 report said translated f grade top ranking states ohio 100 indiana 97 wisconsin oregon 965 louisiana 96 grades following map shows transparency 50 states darker shades160most open scrutiny 2015 rankings public data transparency 160 pirg also noted california weighed primarily bureaucratic fragmentation information state made interesting useful data sets available public including example one documenting spending county level california succeed creating onestop transparency portal example state produces tax expenditure reports publishes data film television production incentive available via central transparency website making valuable information difficult find citizens others may already know look would relatively easy california substantially improve score by160providing clear links sources data central website public data increasingly placed online states push california put states spending well tax revenues compilations information state agencies form easily understood even states attempt create decent portal open data delivery criticized pirg primary place public sift information listed study department general services site pirg found state maintain central data hub httpdatacagov readily considered transparency portal evaluated purposes report fails score better website evaluated caltech 121 employees salaries 100000 last year lampooned failures years 2013 371 million plan upgrade states payroll system suspended 254 million spent week later 208 million project modernize states department motor vehicles canned seven years outlay 135 million state task force reengineering procurement success came study departments follies procurement included posting status updates projects progress helping increase vendor accountability audit160of caltech160released last week state auditor elaine howle included160criticism agencys ability calculate status current projects made mention publicly posting information audit 50page lambasting department opens noting state history failed projects 1994 2013 example state terminated or160suspended seven projects spending almost 1 billion regarding departments work posting information dissected taxpayers study160noted caltech needs revisit guidance sponsoring agencies creating status reports procedures reviewing approving status reports ensure projects present meaningful information public agencys response audit caltech director carlos ramos agreed nine recommendations improvements legislation introduced february state sen richard pan dsacramento would create chief data officer appointed governor officer would work caltech160in creating way provide public information online ready maybe one days state unveil great system impressive rating improve said baxandall policy analyst pirg dark steve miller reached 5177759952 avalanche50hotmailcom website wwwavalanche50com | 532 |
<p>LIMA, Peru — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro may need to make up his mind about the United States.</p>
<p>The embattled leader has once again accused President Barack Obama’s administration of wanting to bump him off — and in the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-26599312" type="external">same breath</a> demanded talks with Washington about “peace and sovereignty.”</p>
<p>Speaking before a pro-government crowd in Caracas over the weekend, Maduro alleged the United States is orchestrating the anti-government <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/140312/venezuelan-caracas-protests-one-month" type="external">demonstrations rocking Venezuela</a> that have claimed a reported <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/140317/the-death-soldier-the-latest-fatality-venezuelas-unr" type="external">29 lives</a> since early February.</p>
<p>“President Obama, give peace and respect a chance and let's set the foundation for a new type of relations between the US, Venezuela and, if possible, Latin America and the Caribbean,” the left-wing populist leader and disciple of the late Hugo Chavez said.</p>
<p>Just in case there was any doubt that he was serious, Maduro, a 51-year-old former bus driver and union leader, also warned Obama against offing him.</p>
<p>"It would be the worst mistake of your life to authorize the assassination of President Nicolas Maduro and fill [Venezuela] with violence," Maduro said, before adding in a friendlier tone that, like Obama, he also had “African grandparents.”</p>
<p>The remarks are just the latest zigzag by Maduro as he seeks to keep a lid on the protests aimed at toppling his government. Although most experts agree the demonstrators are unlikely to force him out, the economic chaos and violent crime fueling the unrest appear real long-term threats to the legacy of Chavez’s Bolivarian socialist revolution.</p>
<p>In recent weeks the president booted CNN en Espanol out of Venezuela for supposed bias, then allowed them to return. Just days later he gave an interview to Christiane Amanpour, a star anchor for CNN’s English-language news programs.</p>
<p>He also proposed a new Venezuelan ambassador to the US — the countries have not had ambassadors in each other’s capitals since 2010 — just hours after tit-for-tat expulsions of Venezuelan diplomats from Washington.</p>
<p>The US government has repeatedly denied any involvement in Venezuela’s unrest, accusing Maduro of putting up a smokescreen to hide his own government’s failings.</p>
<p>State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki has described previous claims that US officials were instigating the protests as “ <a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/02/221720.htm" type="external">baseless and false</a>,” adding: “Venezuela’s political future is for the Venezuelan people to decide.”</p>
<p>Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, a DC-based nonprofit that aims to promote democracy in the Western Hemisphere, dismissed Maduro’s calls as “red meat” for his supporters within Venezuela rather than a genuine request for dialogue with Washington.</p>
<p>“It is very hard for the US to take his calls for talks seriously,” Shifter told GlobalPost. “He has accused the US of everything. That’s not exactly conducive to a serious discussion now.”</p>
<p>The Venezuelan government's erratic mixture of accusations and conciliation is actually vintage Maduro — and straight out of the Chavez playbook.</p>
<p>Although often outlandish, both leaders' complaints about US “imperialism” have been grounded in genuine grievances ranging from Washington’s apparent backing for a failed 2002 coup against Chavez to the invasion of Iraq, which was deeply unpopular in Latin America.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/140317/quotes-venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro" type="external">10 outrageous quotes from Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro</a></p>
<p>Obama’s more restrained approach to foreign policy — including on Venezuela — than his hawkish predecessor, George W. Bush, appears not to have registered with Maduro, who has yet to provide proof for any of his melodramatic accusations against Washington.</p>
<p>Maduro’s angry tone is echoed by many other officials in his administration. Last week, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua, once considered among the more moderate and sophisticated senior Chavistas, called John Kerry a “ <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/140314/venezuelas-foreign-minister-calls-kerry-murderer" type="external">murderer</a>.”</p>
<p>That was in response to the US secretary of state accusing the Maduro administration of waging a “terror campaign” against its own citizens and repressing peaceful demonstrations.</p>
<p>That the protesters might really be unhappy with widespread food shortages, an eye-watering 56 percent inflation rate, and one of the world’s worst violent crime waves — which has many Venezuelans fearing to leave their homes even in broad daylight — also seems lost on Maduro.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/140312/venezuelan-caracas-protests-one-month" type="external">Venezuela protests are careening into a second month</a></p>
<p>From Russia’s Vladimir Putin to Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, blaming foreign powers is an easy tactic for leaders accused of incompetence or authoritarianism, as Moises Naim, a former Venezuelan government minister, has <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/03/the-fake-conspiracy-to-overthrow-the-worlds-autocrats/284432/" type="external">pointed out</a>.</p>
<p>Ironically, Maduro is upping the ante just as his government finally appears to be quelling the unrest that’s featured largely peaceful marches in cities across the country by day, and barricade-building and Molotov cocktail-throwing by a harder core of militants by night.</p>
<p>On Monday morning, security forces used water cannons and tear gas to clear Caracas’ Altamira Square of protesters. The plaza has been at the heart of the demonstrations and a powerful symbol of how life in Venezuela right now is anything but normal.</p>
<p>The protests have also split the opposition.</p>
<p>More moderate critics of the government, such as Henrique Capriles, who narrowly lost last April’s presidential race to Maduro, warn that the protests — mainly in middle- and upper-class districts — are undermining efforts to recruit the poor. Poor people revere Chavez’s legacy but their loyalty to his successor is being sorely tested by the economic chaos.</p>
<p>Others, such as Venezuelan economist and blogger Francisco Toro, go further than that and believe the protests have played straight into Maduro’s hands.</p>
<p>“The ruling clique grasps that it can’t fix the underlying sources of social discontent,” Toro <a href="http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116957/venezuela-protests-strengthen-nicolas-maduro-government" type="external">argues</a>. “Its hopes are centered instead on manipulating how people apportion responsibility for the mess.”</p>
<p>With the military loyal, and the courts and congress under his thumb, most experts predict Maduro will ride out the current wave of unrest. At some point, the protesters may also give in as they see that the president’s grip on power is as tight as ever.</p>
<p>Yet trouble remains on the horizon for Venezuela.</p>
<p>The demonstrators may be on the back foot for now, but the economic and public safety crises that drove them into the streets remain as bad as ever, and may yet <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/01/3966897/andres-oppenheimer-venezuelas.html" type="external">worsen</a>. Some commentators are even warning of the risk of <a href="http://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/how-to-aid-venezuela" type="external">civil war</a>.</p>
<p>“Maduro and the people around him are aware that the economic situation is critical and may be deteriorating,” Shifter said.</p>
<p>“They have taken some measures but they are not going to be sufficient. If people are going hungry then that is going to continue to drive the protests.”</p>
<p>And despite Maduro’s histrionic accusations, Washington this time is largely a bystander as Venezuela hovers on the brink.</p> | false | 3 | lima peru venezuelan president nicolas maduro may need make mind united states embattled leader accused president barack obamas administration wanting bump breath demanded talks washington peace sovereignty speaking progovernment crowd caracas weekend maduro alleged united states orchestrating antigovernment demonstrations rocking venezuela claimed reported 29 lives since early february president obama give peace respect chance lets set foundation new type relations us venezuela possible latin america caribbean leftwing populist leader disciple late hugo chavez said case doubt serious maduro 51yearold former bus driver union leader also warned obama offing would worst mistake life authorize assassination president nicolas maduro fill venezuela violence maduro said adding friendlier tone like obama also african grandparents remarks latest zigzag maduro seeks keep lid protests aimed toppling government although experts agree demonstrators unlikely force economic chaos violent crime fueling unrest appear real longterm threats legacy chavezs bolivarian socialist revolution recent weeks president booted cnn en espanol venezuela supposed bias allowed return days later gave interview christiane amanpour star anchor cnns englishlanguage news programs also proposed new venezuelan ambassador us countries ambassadors others capitals since 2010 hours titfortat expulsions venezuelan diplomats washington us government repeatedly denied involvement venezuelas unrest accusing maduro putting smokescreen hide governments failings state department spokeswoman jen psaki described previous claims us officials instigating protests baseless false adding venezuelas political future venezuelan people decide michael shifter president interamerican dialogue dcbased nonprofit aims promote democracy western hemisphere dismissed maduros calls red meat supporters within venezuela rather genuine request dialogue washington hard us take calls talks seriously shifter told globalpost accused us everything thats exactly conducive serious discussion venezuelan governments erratic mixture accusations conciliation actually vintage maduro straight chavez playbook although often outlandish leaders complaints us imperialism grounded genuine grievances ranging washingtons apparent backing failed 2002 coup chavez invasion iraq deeply unpopular latin america globalpost 10 outrageous quotes venezuelas nicolas maduro obamas restrained approach foreign policy including venezuela hawkish predecessor george w bush appears registered maduro yet provide proof melodramatic accusations washington maduros angry tone echoed many officials administration last week venezuelan foreign minister elias jaua considered among moderate sophisticated senior chavistas called john kerry murderer response us secretary state accusing maduro administration waging terror campaign citizens repressing peaceful demonstrations protesters might really unhappy widespread food shortages eyewatering 56 percent inflation rate one worlds worst violent crime waves many venezuelans fearing leave homes even broad daylight also seems lost maduro globalpost venezuela protests careening second month russias vladimir putin zimbabwes robert mugabe blaming foreign powers easy tactic leaders accused incompetence authoritarianism moises naim former venezuelan government minister pointed ironically maduro upping ante government finally appears quelling unrest thats featured largely peaceful marches cities across country day barricadebuilding molotov cocktailthrowing harder core militants night monday morning security forces used water cannons tear gas clear caracas altamira square protesters plaza heart demonstrations powerful symbol life venezuela right anything normal protests also split opposition moderate critics government henrique capriles narrowly lost last aprils presidential race maduro warn protests mainly middle upperclass districts undermining efforts recruit poor poor people revere chavezs legacy loyalty successor sorely tested economic chaos others venezuelan economist blogger francisco toro go believe protests played straight maduros hands ruling clique grasps cant fix underlying sources social discontent toro argues hopes centered instead manipulating people apportion responsibility mess military loyal courts congress thumb experts predict maduro ride current wave unrest point protesters may also give see presidents grip power tight ever yet trouble remains horizon venezuela demonstrators may back foot economic public safety crises drove streets remain bad ever may yet worsen commentators even warning risk civil war maduro people around aware economic situation critical may deteriorating shifter said taken measures going sufficient people going hungry going continue drive protests despite maduros histrionic accusations washington time largely bystander venezuela hovers brink | 622 |
<p>In 2008, a federal judge freed CPS from the dictates of a long-standing desegregation decree that had kept at least some racial balance in the district’s elite selective schools.</p>
<p>To try and maintain that balance in four selective high schools—Walter Payton, Jones, Northside College Prep and Whitney Young, bar-none the best high schools in the city—CPS officials started a program that offers seats to promising black students from the district’s worst elementary schools, who otherwise would not have qualified for admission.</p>
<p>The district has quietly kept the initiative going and expanded it to Lane and Lindblom. At the same time, the diversity at the top selective high schools has shifted. Since 2005, the number of Latino students in CPS has increased by 7 percent, but the number at these selective schools has only risen by 2 percent.</p>
<p>And in 2005, black students made up about 24 percent of students in the North Side selective high schools. Now, black students comprise about 17 percent, a figure that would fall to 15 percent without the diversity initiative.</p>
<p>The first cohort of students in this special program are now juniors and though some of them floundered academically, many have adjusted to the demands of a top high school.</p>
<p>Anthony Wiggins, a tall young man now given to wearing argyle sweaters and other preppy clothing, says he feels he is better off for attending Whitney Young instead of his neighborhood school on the far Southeast Side. But nearly every semester at Whitney Young has been difficult for him, and Anthony longed to be better-prepared.</p>
<p>“I was totally freaked out,” he recalls, talking about the geometry class he took during a summer freshman orientation. “I had never seen this before in my life.”</p>
<p>When classes began, everyone else seemed to be at least a year ahead of him.</p>
<p>For students like Anthony, the disparity in preparation starts even before elementary school, when parents take their 4-year-olds to be tested for gifted and classical elementary schools. These schools, as well as some North Side magnet schools, serve as major feeders into the North Side selective high schools, a report by WBEZ revealed last year. More than half of CPS elementary schools do not send any graduating 8th-graders to these selective schools.</p>
<p>In fact, a Catalyst Chicago analysis found that children living in high-income census tracts were four times more likely to take the test for gifted and classical schools than children in low-income areas—even though research has found that intellectually gifted children are no more likely to be rich than poor. By the time students go to high school, more lower-income students apply for selective schools—and there are more seats available—but the disparity continues: 31 of 77 community areas with low application and acceptance rates for selective enrollment elementary schools continued to have low rates for high schools. (See charts.)</p>
<p>While diversity is a goal, some of the selective enrollments were opened with the intent of trying to keep the middle class in Chicago, says Timothy Devine, principal of Walter Payton College Prep.</p>
<p>Former Mayor Richard M. Daley and his then-schools CEO Paul Vallas “were trying to combat the brain drain that occurred at 7th or 8th grade,” Devine says. “We are meeting the needs of highly discerning students and parents.”</p>
<p>Devine points out that these schools also attract teachers from better schools of education, teachers who otherwise might not consider teaching in CPS.</p>
<p>But Donna Ford, education professor at Vanderbilt-Peabody College, says that under-representation is a pervasive problem, not just for poor black and Latino children but also for children from middle-class families. Tests used for admissions can be biased, and some black and Latino parents and students shy away from gifted schools that are not diverse.</p>
<p>“The question is: ‘Who are the gatekeepers for parents to know about these programs?’” she says. “Black and Hispanic parents are rarely told about them. There is a lack of access to information.”</p>
<p>Katie Ellis, CPS’ executive director of access and enrollment, says that her staff has in recent years stepped up efforts to reach out to parents. Before, the staff would wait to be invited to schools and other venues; now they invite themselves, making sure to hit a variety of places.</p>
<p>This year, for the first time, Ellis’ office has “trained the trainers,” reaching out to social workers, day care workers and others in the community who interact with parents, giving these workers information to pass along to parents.</p>
<p>The consequences can be devastating for advanced students who, for whatever reason, fail to get into a gifted program, Ford says. She equates it to children with learning disabilities who do not get the right support.</p>
<p>A 2010 report called “The Achievement Trap” found that high-achieving, low-income 1st-graders were significantly more likely to lose that status by 5th grade than their wealthier peers who had more educational opportunities.</p>
<p>Later, they were twice as likely to drop out.</p>
<p>“They become bored, disengaged, unmotivated,” Ford says. “They also might act out because they don’t have work to fill the time.”</p>
<p>Jakori Lesure was on the verge of becoming one of those children.</p>
<p>Jakori says he never took a test to get into elementary school. He does not think his mother even knew about gifted or classical programs. She sent him to Catalyst-Howland Charter School, not because it was necessarily better than his neighborhood school, but because it was closer. Jakori was part of the first class to graduate from Catalyst-Howland in Austin, a Level 3 school, the lowest rating CPS gives.</p>
<p>Jakori says Catalyst-Howland emphasized discipline. He got detentions nearly every day, mostly for not wearing his uniform or not tucking in his shirt or not having a belt on. “I feel like uniforms are a way to exercise control,” he says.</p>
<p>Catalyst-Howland tried to have an accelerated track, Jakori says. But by the time he was in 6th grade, it was discontinued. “Only six students were in it, and they decided it wasn’t worth wasting a teacher,” says Jakori, who is now 16.</p>
<p>In 8th grade, he took the test to get into a selective high school. He remembers thinking that the math was beyond hard. “It was stuff I had never seen before,” he says.</p>
<p>The news of his results was not good. Jakori wasn’t accepted at any of the selective schools. He and his mom started looking for alternatives. Later that spring, he got the surprise letter offering him a spot at Whitney Young under the special diversity program.</p>
<p>Austin, where Jakori lives, has no gifted or classical elementary schools with the type of curriculum needed to prepare students for top high schools. Seven of the 16 schools are on the South or Southwest side and the rest are on the North Side.</p>
<p>But even when schools are relatively close, some parents are reluctant to have their children tested.</p>
<p>Mercedes Hunter, a social worker at Bunnyland Day Care Development Center in Roseland, says she and other staff will sometimes suggest to parents that they apply for magnet schools or take their children for testing. But often, parents don’t pursue it.</p>
<p>Parents are usually looking forward to having their children go to the school nearby, where brothers and sisters might already be, Hunter says. They also don’t like the idea of their young children traveling outside the neighborhood, even though busing is provided.</p>
<p>“Transportation is the big issue,” Hunter says. “It is up to the parent to follow up and many don’t.”</p>
<p>Uriel Montoya, education organizer for Enlace Chicago, a community group in Little Village, says many parents on the Southwest Side have no idea that such accelerated programs exist. “CPS needs to do a better job [of promotion],” he says.</p>
<p>By the time students are ready for high school, many have already lost any chance to go to a top selective school. To qualify for the test, students must have 7th-grade scores that are above the 50th percentile on the ISAT in both reading and math.</p>
<p>Though some 14,000 students apply for about 2,000 seats in the North Side selective high schools, admissions officers spend much of October and November going to a range of elementary schools to sell their programs.</p>
<p>Location is also a barrier even for older students. At Northside College Prep in North Park, the top-scoring high school in CPS, only about 9 percent of the students are black and just 20 percent are Latino.</p>
<p>Northside Principal Barry Rodgers says his admissions director actively recruits from underrepresented neighborhoods. “It is primarily a function of the demographic distribution of groups throughout the city,” he says. (Von Steuben, a nearby magnet high school, is 16 percent black and half Latino.)</p>
<p>At Shoop Academy in Morgan Park, Principal Lisa Moreno has several perspectives: She was an assistant principal at Northside, one of her daughters attends Walter Payton and now she is trying to get her bright students to open up to the idea of going to a selective high school that may be across town.</p>
<p>Moreno says most of her parents won’t even go to open house events at the schools or to high school fairs, because they aren’t accustomed to traveling so far. “They don’t realize how much they are limiting their children,” she says.</p>
<p>But some of their concerns are practical. Parents don’t want students traveling in the dark—early morning or early evening—and they wonder how their child will participate in afterschool activities.</p>
<p>Moreno knows those concerns well: Every school night, she picks her daughter up from the Metra station.</p>
<p>The initiative that landed Jakori and Anthony at Whitney Young was created, in part, to help CPS officials save face and keep selective and magnet schools from becoming too white once the desegregation decree was lifted.</p>
<p>Then-CEO Ron Huberman hired Richard Kahlenberg from The Century Foundation to devise a new admissions process that was based partly on grades and test scores and partly on socio-economic conditions.</p>
<p>The bet was that socio-economic factors could be used as a proxy for race—but that bet didn’t quite work out. After the first group of students was admitted under the new system, it was apparent to Huberman that the racial balance was going to be thrown off in the elite North Side selective schools.</p>
<p>So Huberman and his team came up with the idea of using provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act to allow students from schools that didn’t make Adequate Yearly Progress—the federal performance benchmark—to transfer to schools that did. At the time, only four high schools met this benchmark, and they happened to be Whitney Young, Jones, Northside and Payton. One hundred seats would be offered.</p>
<p>Of the 100 students offered seats the first year, 25 turned them down. In that first year, students struggled. In the next cycle, Ellis says, the cut-off score was raised and fewer students made the cut-off. But for the current school year, more than 100 seats were offered and about 85 students accepted.</p>
<p>Since then, the program has flown quietly under the radar. The Office of Academic Enhancement makes no mention of it on its website. After the first year, students didn’t know that they got into the schools through the program. Some of the high schools did not want the students’ identities revealed, fearing that their classmates would then view them differently.</p>
<p>Donna Ford considers programs like these good strategies to provide opportunity for low-income minority students to get a top-flight education. Middle-class children who end up in neighborhood schools still get more opportunities, she says, since their parents are more likely than low-income parents to be able to provide extras to keep them engaged in school and learning.</p>
<p>“I would rather err on the side of inclusion,” Ford says. “We are neglecting a huge portion of our children.”</p>
<p>But getting a black child to go to a mostly white school, even if the school is high-performing, can be a tough sell.</p>
<p>“They are like, ‘Hell no, I am not going there,’” Ford says. “They worry that they will be isolated. We can play games with criteria, but if the reputation of the school is that there are no black kids, then we aren’t going to get them in there.”</p>
<p>As admissions director at Whitney Young, Nicole Neal was painstakingly aware of the privilege associated with the school. She often had parents and students begging and crying for spots. “It is tough, because there are so many limited options for people who want public education at that level,” she says. “My heart went out to the students and parents.”</p>
<p>But Neal, who is now an assistant principal at Shoesmith Elementary School in Kenwood, says she is not so sure removing bright students from neighborhood high schools is the best thing. “Why take the talent out of the community?”</p>
<p>“If they had gone to neighborhood schools, what would their experience have been?” she asks, referring to students who took advantage of the diversity transfers. “Socially they might have fared better. They may have had more opportunity to be involved. Because it took them so long to get home, many of them went straight home.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, principals at the selective schools were initially concerned about the impact of the initiative.</p>
<p>The first set of students sent to Whitney Young had scored 200 points lower on admissions criteria than the lowest-scoring students admitted through the standard process. Because Whitney Young is centrally located and well-known in the black community, most students who were offered a seat jumped at it.</p>
<p>Principal Joyce Kenner says this put her school at a disadvantage compared to Payton and Northside, which got fewer of these students. “Whitney Young should not be punished for doing a good job,” she says.</p>
<p>Kenner, too, suspects black students shy away from Northside and Payton because they don’t see other students like them in the school and there are not extracurricular activities that interest them.</p>
<p>A lot of the students also accepted spots at Jones. Even before the initiative, Jones administrators were concerned that the school was losing diversity and had developed a program to target 8th-grade students from under-represented schools.</p>
<p>Jones Principal Paul Powers says the school’s location, on the south end of downtown near several train and bus lines, makes it ideal to draw a mix of students.</p>
<p>Among students interviewed by Catalyst who were admitted through this initiative, many say they were intimidated at first. Most had been in all-black elementary schools. But the initial trepidation didn’t last, and they quickly made friends and found their niche at their new schools.</p>
<p>The academic adjustment proved far more difficult. The principals at Jones, Young and Payton say they initially had money—$10,000 per student the first year, but none after that—to buy equipment like computers and graphing calculators. Some still provide bus cards for the students, out of their discretionary budgets.</p>
<p>They also continue mentoring and tutoring programs, which in some cases include students who weren’t admitted through the transfer program.</p>
<p>Devine says there are noticeable differences among the transfer students—and some have adjusted surprisingly well.</p>
<p>“One student might struggle because he doesn’t have strong reading skills, another because of math and another because they might not have a nurturing home environment,” Devine says. “Some kids do very, very well and you would never know they came through the program. There is a spectrum.”</p>
<p>At Jones, administrators expanded the Response to Intervention program. The basic idea behind RtI is that schools should intervene when students are having problems and should document how or whether the interventions are working.</p>
<p>Through this process, Jones Assistant Principal Carolyn Rownd says she realized that a lot of students were missing specific skills. Now, one freshman class each in English and math incorporates lessons in missing skills—for instance, vocabulary in American Literature. Many students also needed to improve their grammar.</p>
<p>“All kids need it,” Rownd says, noting that students admitted through the regular process also have academic deficits. “The best thing that came out of this cohort of kids was that it opened the door to the need for everyone to polish their skills. They made us do that. They gave us the kick.”</p>
<p>Some students say they were acutely aware that they were coming in at a lower academic level. Among the first group, 20 percent later transferred to other schools.</p>
<p>Lyric, a student at Jones, remembers crying a lot the first semester, frustrated that she was behind her classmates.“Mrs. Rownd would tell me to push that frustration away and try it again,” says Lyric (her real name is not being used for privacy reasons). “She would ask me if I needed to go talk to the teacher. This motivated me to try harder and not to quit. It mattered to them if I did well.”</p>
<p>Lyric points to a desk in the main office with a computer on it, saying “I lived there.” At Jones, she quickly realized that it was better to stay at school and do her homework—her focus was better at school and she had access to the Internet.</p>
<p>When Lyric’s classmate, Ethan, was handed the letter offering him a spot a Jones, he was so excited he could barely read it. Then, Ethan says, reality set in. “I was intimated,” says Ethan (who also asked that his real name not be used). “I wondered if I was good enough. I felt like I was behind and I worried that I would feel really stupid.”</p>
<p>Ethan was salutatorian of his elementary school class and a straight-A student, but didn’t get offered a spot at any of the city’s elite schools. Until he got the letter, he planned to go to Julian, where his brother was a student.</p>
<p>In his first weeks at Jones, Ethan says he psyched himself out because he was so worried about keeping up. The amount of homework was much more intense than in elementary school. “I wasn’t used to bringing all my books home and studying,” he says.</p>
<p>His first progress report was no pretty sight. His grades fell from straight As to one D and a lot of Cs and Bs.“I freaked out more than my mom,” he says.</p>
<p>Eventually Ethan calmed down and convinced himself that this was his chance to learn a lot. For many of the other students, the first few weeks were review. But Ethan says he studied everything he was given because much of it was new to him.</p>
<p>“I just thought to myself, if I try hard I can do it,” he says. “I just tried to reassure myself.”</p>
<p>He also took advantage of the outstretched hand from his teachers. Almost every day, he went to his math teacher and asked him to walk him through a task. Ethan also realized he had to give up some things, such as basketball.</p>
<p>He made it on the basketball team both freshman and sophomore year, but each time couldn’t play through the season because he had too much homework.</p>
<p>Ethan is a loner, and Rownd says when he first came to Jones he was very quiet. But he has changed since being there. “He is who he wants to be,” she says.</p>
<p>A recurring theme among the transfer students is one of educational opportunity and, perhaps more importantly, the freedom to be someone different than they feel they could have been at their neighborhood school. Lyric says she always imagined herself as worldly and sophisticated and that going to Jones has made her into the young woman she dreamed of being.</p>
<p>Anthony complains about the travel to Whitney Young, which includes depending on erratic buses. But he admits that his horizons have been expanded and he is now thinking about going to college in a different state, somewhere far away for sure. “When you come from Whitney Young, you can go anywhere,” he says. If he had gone to his neighborhood school, he believes, that wouldn’t have been the case.</p>
<p>Jakori, however, says that sometimes he thinks it would have been better to go to his neighborhood school. Many semesters, he nearly fails his classes before finishing up all the work and pulling his grade up to a barely C. “My mother is always on me about grades,” he says.</p>
<p>But at a neighborhood school, or a charter school where discipline is paramount, he acknowledges he might have had problems.</p>
<p>At Whitney Young and other selective schools, discipline is expected but the school climate is more relaxed and has space for creativity. Jakori describes himself as an artist.</p>
<p>When asked what he does that might get him into trouble in a stricter environment, Jakori smiles sheepishly.“I am not a bad kid,” he says. “I just don’t appreciate restrictions.”</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 | 2008 federal judge freed cps dictates longstanding desegregation decree kept least racial balance districts elite selective schools try maintain balance four selective high schoolswalter payton jones northside college prep whitney young barnone best high schools citycps officials started program offers seats promising black students districts worst elementary schools otherwise would qualified admission district quietly kept initiative going expanded lane lindblom time diversity top selective high schools shifted since 2005 number latino students cps increased 7 percent number selective schools risen 2 percent 2005 black students made 24 percent students north side selective high schools black students comprise 17 percent figure would fall 15 percent without diversity initiative first cohort students special program juniors though floundered academically many adjusted demands top high school anthony wiggins tall young man given wearing argyle sweaters preppy clothing says feels better attending whitney young instead neighborhood school far southeast side nearly every semester whitney young difficult anthony longed betterprepared totally freaked recalls talking geometry class took summer freshman orientation never seen life classes began everyone else seemed least year ahead students like anthony disparity preparation starts even elementary school parents take 4yearolds tested gifted classical elementary schools schools well north side magnet schools serve major feeders north side selective high schools report wbez revealed last year half cps elementary schools send graduating 8thgraders selective schools fact catalyst chicago analysis found children living highincome census tracts four times likely take test gifted classical schools children lowincome areaseven though research found intellectually gifted children likely rich poor time students go high school lowerincome students apply selective schoolsand seats availablebut disparity continues 31 77 community areas low application acceptance rates selective enrollment elementary schools continued low rates high schools see charts diversity goal selective enrollments opened intent trying keep middle class chicago says timothy devine principal walter payton college prep former mayor richard daley thenschools ceo paul vallas trying combat brain drain occurred 7th 8th grade devine says meeting needs highly discerning students parents devine points schools also attract teachers better schools education teachers otherwise might consider teaching cps donna ford education professor vanderbiltpeabody college says underrepresentation pervasive problem poor black latino children also children middleclass families tests used admissions biased black latino parents students shy away gifted schools diverse question gatekeepers parents know programs says black hispanic parents rarely told lack access information katie ellis cps executive director access enrollment says staff recent years stepped efforts reach parents staff would wait invited schools venues invite making sure hit variety places year first time ellis office trained trainers reaching social workers day care workers others community interact parents giving workers information pass along parents consequences devastating advanced students whatever reason fail get gifted program ford says equates children learning disabilities get right support 2010 report called achievement trap found highachieving lowincome 1stgraders significantly likely lose status 5th grade wealthier peers educational opportunities later twice likely drop become bored disengaged unmotivated ford says also might act dont work fill time jakori lesure verge becoming one children jakori says never took test get elementary school think mother even knew gifted classical programs sent catalysthowland charter school necessarily better neighborhood school closer jakori part first class graduate catalysthowland austin level 3 school lowest rating cps gives jakori says catalysthowland emphasized discipline got detentions nearly every day mostly wearing uniform tucking shirt belt feel like uniforms way exercise control says catalysthowland tried accelerated track jakori says time 6th grade discontinued six students decided wasnt worth wasting teacher says jakori 16 8th grade took test get selective high school remembers thinking math beyond hard stuff never seen says news results good jakori wasnt accepted selective schools mom started looking alternatives later spring got surprise letter offering spot whitney young special diversity program austin jakori lives gifted classical elementary schools type curriculum needed prepare students top high schools seven 16 schools south southwest side rest north side even schools relatively close parents reluctant children tested mercedes hunter social worker bunnyland day care development center roseland says staff sometimes suggest parents apply magnet schools take children testing often parents dont pursue parents usually looking forward children go school nearby brothers sisters might already hunter says also dont like idea young children traveling outside neighborhood even though busing provided transportation big issue hunter says parent follow many dont uriel montoya education organizer enlace chicago community group little village says many parents southwest side idea accelerated programs exist cps needs better job promotion says time students ready high school many already lost chance go top selective school qualify test students must 7thgrade scores 50th percentile isat reading math though 14000 students apply 2000 seats north side selective high schools admissions officers spend much october november going range elementary schools sell programs location also barrier even older students northside college prep north park topscoring high school cps 9 percent students black 20 percent latino northside principal barry rodgers says admissions director actively recruits underrepresented neighborhoods primarily function demographic distribution groups throughout city says von steuben nearby magnet high school 16 percent black half latino shoop academy morgan park principal lisa moreno several perspectives assistant principal northside one daughters attends walter payton trying get bright students open idea going selective high school may across town moreno says parents wont even go open house events schools high school fairs arent accustomed traveling far dont realize much limiting children says concerns practical parents dont want students traveling darkearly morning early eveningand wonder child participate afterschool activities moreno knows concerns well every school night picks daughter metra station initiative landed jakori anthony whitney young created part help cps officials save face keep selective magnet schools becoming white desegregation decree lifted thenceo ron huberman hired richard kahlenberg century foundation devise new admissions process based partly grades test scores partly socioeconomic conditions bet socioeconomic factors could used proxy racebut bet didnt quite work first group students admitted new system apparent huberman racial balance going thrown elite north side selective schools huberman team came idea using provisions federal child left behind act allow students schools didnt make adequate yearly progressthe federal performance benchmarkto transfer schools time four high schools met benchmark happened whitney young jones northside payton one hundred seats would offered 100 students offered seats first year 25 turned first year students struggled next cycle ellis says cutoff score raised fewer students made cutoff current school year 100 seats offered 85 students accepted since program flown quietly radar office academic enhancement makes mention website first year students didnt know got schools program high schools want students identities revealed fearing classmates would view differently donna ford considers programs like good strategies provide opportunity lowincome minority students get topflight education middleclass children end neighborhood schools still get opportunities says since parents likely lowincome parents able provide extras keep engaged school learning would rather err side inclusion ford says neglecting huge portion children getting black child go mostly white school even school highperforming tough sell like hell going ford says worry isolated play games criteria reputation school black kids arent going get admissions director whitney young nicole neal painstakingly aware privilege associated school often parents students begging crying spots tough many limited options people want public education level says heart went students parents neal assistant principal shoesmith elementary school kenwood says sure removing bright students neighborhood high schools best thing take talent community gone neighborhood schools would experience asks referring students took advantage diversity transfers socially might fared better may opportunity involved took long get home many went straight home meanwhile principals selective schools initially concerned impact initiative first set students sent whitney young scored 200 points lower admissions criteria lowestscoring students admitted standard process whitney young centrally located wellknown black community students offered seat jumped principal joyce kenner says put school disadvantage compared payton northside got fewer students whitney young punished good job says kenner suspects black students shy away northside payton dont see students like school extracurricular activities interest lot students also accepted spots jones even initiative jones administrators concerned school losing diversity developed program target 8thgrade students underrepresented schools jones principal paul powers says schools location south end downtown near several train bus lines makes ideal draw mix students among students interviewed catalyst admitted initiative many say intimidated first allblack elementary schools initial trepidation didnt last quickly made friends found niche new schools academic adjustment proved far difficult principals jones young payton say initially money10000 per student first year none thatto buy equipment like computers graphing calculators still provide bus cards students discretionary budgets also continue mentoring tutoring programs cases include students werent admitted transfer program devine says noticeable differences among transfer studentsand adjusted surprisingly well one student might struggle doesnt strong reading skills another math another might nurturing home environment devine says kids well would never know came program spectrum jones administrators expanded response intervention program basic idea behind rti schools intervene students problems document whether interventions working process jones assistant principal carolyn rownd says realized lot students missing specific skills one freshman class english math incorporates lessons missing skillsfor instance vocabulary american literature many students also needed improve grammar kids need rownd says noting students admitted regular process also academic deficits best thing came cohort kids opened door need everyone polish skills made us gave us kick students say acutely aware coming lower academic level among first group 20 percent later transferred schools lyric student jones remembers crying lot first semester frustrated behind classmatesmrs rownd would tell push frustration away try says lyric real name used privacy reasons would ask needed go talk teacher motivated try harder quit mattered well lyric points desk main office computer saying lived jones quickly realized better stay school homeworkher focus better school access internet lyrics classmate ethan handed letter offering spot jones excited could barely read ethan says reality set intimated says ethan also asked real name used wondered good enough felt like behind worried would feel really stupid ethan salutatorian elementary school class straighta student didnt get offered spot citys elite schools got letter planned go julian brother student first weeks jones ethan says psyched worried keeping amount homework much intense elementary school wasnt used bringing books home studying says first progress report pretty sight grades fell straight one lot cs bsi freaked mom says eventually ethan calmed convinced chance learn lot many students first weeks review ethan says studied everything given much new thought try hard says tried reassure also took advantage outstretched hand teachers almost every day went math teacher asked walk task ethan also realized give things basketball made basketball team freshman sophomore year time couldnt play season much homework ethan loner rownd says first came jones quiet changed since wants says recurring theme among transfer students one educational opportunity perhaps importantly freedom someone different feel could neighborhood school lyric says always imagined worldly sophisticated going jones made young woman dreamed anthony complains travel whitney young includes depending erratic buses admits horizons expanded thinking going college different state somewhere far away sure come whitney young go anywhere says gone neighborhood school believes wouldnt case jakori however says sometimes thinks would better go neighborhood school many semesters nearly fails classes finishing work pulling grade barely c mother always grades says neighborhood school charter school discipline paramount acknowledges might problems whitney young selective schools discipline expected school climate relaxed space creativity jakori describes artist asked might get trouble stricter environment jakori smiles sheepishlyi bad kid says dont appreciate restrictions tell us think leave comment email karpcatalystchicagoorg | 1,902 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>A group of Louisiana College alumni and former students, faculty and staff found high levels of concern about the Baptist school founded in 1906 in an online survey of Louisiana Baptist clergy and college trustees <a href="http://friendsofthecollege.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/fotc-survey-results.pdf" type="external">released</a> Oct. 9.</p>
<p><a href="http://friendsofthecollege.org/about/" type="external">Friends of the College</a> said two-thirds of those responding to a survey of 240 pastors and directors of missions, as well as members of the Louisiana College board of trustees, expressed “concern to extreme concern” about the <a href="http://www.lbc.org/" type="external">Louisiana Baptist Convention</a> agency located in Pineville, La.</p>
<p>While respondents voiced differing opinions about the most serious problems facing the school, 70 percent cited leadership of the current administration. Two-thirds said possible loss of accreditation and condition of the physical plant. Six in 10 worried about stewardship of funds and more than half about financial status.</p>
<p>Kelly Boggs, editor of the Louisiana <a href="http://www.baptistmessage.com/" type="external">Baptist Message</a>, questioned the accuracy of the survey results, citing its methodology and small sample size — 62 respondents that represent a return rate of 25 percent.</p>
<p>On Tuesday a delegation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools <a href="http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20131008/NEWS01/310080012/Accreditation-team-determine-Louisiana-College-status" type="external">arrived</a> on campus for a three-day visit to examine the school that has operated under “warning” status the last two years.</p>
<p>The SACS Commission on Colleges, which reviews accreditation of member schools every 10 years, refused to renew Louisiana College’s accreditation in 2011, finding the school out of compliance in 11 standards. Last year the SACS extended the warning another 12 months, while reducing the number of deficiencies to six.</p>
<p>A SACS warning lasts a maximum of two years, meaning that absent satisfactory progress for compliance Louisiana College could be placed on <a href="http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/sanction%20policy.pdf" type="external">probation</a>, a more serious sanction that represents the final step before accreditation is revoked.</p>
<p>Schools seek accreditation voluntarily to ensure prospective students can expect to receive an education meeting quality standards agreed upon by institutions of higher learning across the country. It allows students to transfer course credits to another accredited school and qualifies them for federal financial aid.</p>
<p>Louisiana College has faced controversy on-and-off since 2004, when the Southern Baptist Convention inerrancy controversy trickled down to the state convention level and conservatives achieved a majority over moderates on the board of trustees.</p>
<p>The following months saw a new restrictive textbook <a href="" type="internal">policy</a>, <a href="" type="internal">resignations</a> of the president and academic vice president and SACS <a href="" type="internal">probation</a>. Current President Joe Aguillard was <a href="" type="internal">elected</a> in 2005 in a disputed vote that wound up in <a href="" type="internal">court.</a></p>
<p>This April trustees <a href="" type="internal">voted</a> to retain Aguillard after two vice presidents filed a 13-page whistleblower complaint accusing the president of misappropriating funds and intentionally deceiving administrators and trustees.</p>
<p>The Friends of the College website <a href="http://friendsofthecollege.org/about/" type="external">says</a>&#160;for a long time members of the group passed off reports of problems at Louisiana College “as the grumblings of a few malcontents.”</p>
<p>“In recent days, it has become glaringly obvious that is not the case,” the website says. “There are serious problems at LC that are not being addressed.”</p>
<p>“This is not a witch hunt,” the group says. “There are no personal vendettas here. We have simply gathered verifiable facts and are in the process of asking questions to determine how the situation devolved to what we have today — a school that was once one of the premier Christian liberal arts colleges in the state and in the South is now in the midst of its second year of warning status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is facing possible probation.</p>
<p>“We have questions about how the physical plant was allowed to deteriorate to the point where a $50 million campaign was needed to cover just a portion of the repairs.</p>
<p>“We are concerned why endowment decreased by 2.58 percent from 2005 through 2011 while the endowment at seven comparable Christian colleges in the South all saw gains of 20 percent or more with an average growth of 28.3 percent.</p>
<p>“We wonder about the process that, in the midst of these problems, allowed the launch of a medical school, a film school and a law school — all of which have failed before the first student was enrolled.</p>
<p>“We are concerned that LC’s admission standards have fallen behind almost all of the four-year state schools and rank near or at the bottom when compared to other Baptist schools of comparable size across the South.”</p>
<p>School officials, meanwhile, issued a press <a href="http://www.lacollege.edu/content/louisiana-college-ranked-among-top-regional-colleges" type="external">release</a> noting that Louisiana College continues to rank among the best regional colleges in the South according to U.S. News and World Report, <a href="http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-colleges" type="external">ranking</a> 60th&#160;and in the top 75 best colleges for the third consecutive year.</p>
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<p>agency located in Pineville, La.</p>
<p>While respondents voiced differing opinions about the most serious problems facing the school, 70 percent cited leadership of the current administration. Two-thirds said possible loss of accreditation and condition of the physical plant. Six in 10 worried about stewardship of funds and more than half about financial status.</p>
<p>Kelly Boggs, editor of the Louisiana ge</p>
<p>, questioned the accuracy of the survey results, citing its methodology and small sample size – 62 respondents – a return rate of 25 percent.</p>
<p>On Tuesday a delegation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools <a href="http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20131008/NEWS01/310080012/Accreditation-team-determine-Louisiana-College-status" type="external">arrived</a> on campus for a three-day visit to examine the school that has operated under “warning” status the last two years.</p>
<p>The SACS Commission on Colleges, which reviews accreditation of member schools each 10 years, refused to renew Louisiana College’s accreditation in 2011, finding the school out of compliance in 11 standards. Last year the SACS extended the warning another 12 months, while reducing the number of deficiencies to six.</p>
<p>A SACS warning lasts a maximum of two years, meaning that absent satisfactory progress for compliance Louisiana College could be placed on <a href="http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/sanction%20policy.pdf" type="external">probation</a>, a more serious sanction that represents the final step before accreditation is revoked.</p>
<p>Schools seek accreditation voluntarily to ensure prospective students they can expect to receive an education meeting quality standards agreed upon by institutions of higher learning across the country. It allows students to transfer course credits to another accredited school and qualifies them for federal financial aid.</p>
<p>Louisiana College has faced controversy on-and-off since 2004, when the Southern Baptist Convention inerrancy controversy trickled down to the state convention level and conservatives achieved a majority over moderates on the board of trustees.</p>
<p>The following months saw a new restrictive textbook <a href="" type="internal">policy</a>, <a href="" type="internal">resignations</a> of the president and academic vice president and SACS <a href="" type="internal">probation</a>. Current President Joe Aguillard was <a href="" type="internal">elected</a> in 2005 in a disputed vote that wound up in <a href="" type="internal">court.</a></p>
<p>This April trustees <a href="" type="internal">voted</a> to retain Aguillard after two vice presidents filed a 13-page whistleblower complaint accusing the president of misappropriating funds and intentionally deceiving administrators and trustees.</p>
<p>The Friends of the College website <a href="http://friendsofthecollege.org/about/" type="external">says</a> members of the group for a long time passed off reports of problems at Louisiana College “as the grumblings of a few malcontents.”</p>
<p>“In recent days, it has become glaringly obvious that is not the case,” the website says. “There are serious problems at LC that are not being addressed.”</p>
<p>“This is not a witch hunt,” the group says. “There are no personal vendettas here. We have simply gathered verifiable facts and are in the process of asking questions to determine how the situation devolved to what we have today — a school that was once one of the premier Christian liberal arts colleges in the state and in the South is now in the midst of its second year of warning status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is facing possible probation.</p>
<p>“We have questions about how the physical plant was allowed to deteriorate to the point where a $50 million campaign was needed to cover just a portion of the repairs.</p>
<p>“We are concerned why endowment decreased by 2.58 percent from 2005 through 2011 while the endowment at seven comparable Christian colleges in the South all saw gains of 20 percent or more with an average growth of 28.3 percent.</p>
<p>“We wonder about the process that, in the midst of these problems, allowed the launch of a medical school, a film school and a law school — all of which have failed before the first student was enrolled.</p>
<p>“We are concerned that LC’s admission standards have fallen behind almost all of the four-year state schools and rank near or at the bottom when compared to other Baptist schools of comparable size across the South.”</p>
<p>School officials, meanwhile, issued a press <a href="http://www.lacollege.edu/content/louisiana-college-ranked-among-top-regional-colleges" type="external">release</a> noting that Louisiana College continues to rank among the best regional colleges in the South according to U.S. News and World Report, <a href="http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-colleges" type="external">ranking</a> 60th and in the top 75 best colleges for the third consecutive year.</p> | false | 3 | bob allen group louisiana college alumni former students faculty staff found high levels concern baptist school founded 1906 online survey louisiana baptist clergy college trustees released oct 9 friends college said twothirds responding survey 240 pastors directors missions well members louisiana college board trustees expressed concern extreme concern louisiana baptist convention agency located pineville la respondents voiced differing opinions serious problems facing school 70 percent cited leadership current administration twothirds said possible loss accreditation condition physical plant six 10 worried stewardship funds half financial status kelly boggs editor louisiana baptist message questioned accuracy survey results citing methodology small sample size 62 respondents represent return rate 25 percent tuesday delegation southern association colleges schools arrived campus threeday visit examine school operated warning status last two years sacs commission colleges reviews accreditation member schools every 10 years refused renew louisiana colleges accreditation 2011 finding school compliance 11 standards last year sacs extended warning another 12 months reducing number deficiencies six sacs warning lasts maximum two years meaning absent satisfactory progress compliance louisiana college could placed probation serious sanction represents final step accreditation revoked schools seek accreditation voluntarily ensure prospective students expect receive education meeting quality standards agreed upon institutions higher learning across country allows students transfer course credits another accredited school qualifies federal financial aid louisiana college faced controversy onandoff since 2004 southern baptist convention inerrancy controversy trickled state convention level conservatives achieved majority moderates board trustees following months saw new restrictive textbook policy resignations president academic vice president sacs probation current president joe aguillard elected 2005 disputed vote wound court april trustees voted retain aguillard two vice presidents filed 13page whistleblower complaint accusing president misappropriating funds intentionally deceiving administrators trustees friends college website says160for long time members group passed reports problems louisiana college grumblings malcontents recent days become glaringly obvious case website says serious problems lc addressed witch hunt group says personal vendettas simply gathered verifiable facts process asking questions determine situation devolved today school one premier christian liberal arts colleges state south midst second year warning status southern association colleges schools facing possible probation questions physical plant allowed deteriorate point 50 million campaign needed cover portion repairs concerned endowment decreased 258 percent 2005 2011 endowment seven comparable christian colleges south saw gains 20 percent average growth 283 percent wonder process midst problems allowed launch medical school film school law school failed first student enrolled concerned lcs admission standards fallen behind almost fouryear state schools rank near bottom compared baptist schools comparable size across south school officials meanwhile issued press release noting louisiana college continues rank among best regional colleges south according us news world report ranking 60th160and top 75 best colleges third consecutive year 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 agency located pineville la respondents voiced differing opinions serious problems facing school 70 percent cited leadership current administration twothirds said possible loss accreditation condition physical plant six 10 worried stewardship funds half financial status kelly boggs editor louisiana ge questioned accuracy survey results citing methodology small sample size 62 respondents return rate 25 percent tuesday delegation southern association colleges schools arrived campus threeday visit examine school operated warning status last two years sacs commission colleges reviews accreditation member schools 10 years refused renew louisiana colleges accreditation 2011 finding school compliance 11 standards last year sacs extended warning another 12 months reducing number deficiencies six sacs warning lasts maximum two years meaning absent satisfactory progress compliance louisiana college could placed probation serious sanction represents final step accreditation revoked schools seek accreditation voluntarily ensure prospective students expect receive education meeting quality standards agreed upon institutions higher learning across country allows students transfer course credits another accredited school qualifies federal financial aid louisiana college faced controversy onandoff since 2004 southern baptist convention inerrancy controversy trickled state convention level conservatives achieved majority moderates board trustees following months saw new restrictive textbook policy resignations president academic vice president sacs probation current president joe aguillard elected 2005 disputed vote wound court april trustees voted retain aguillard two vice presidents filed 13page whistleblower complaint accusing president misappropriating funds intentionally deceiving administrators trustees friends college website says members group long time passed reports problems louisiana college grumblings malcontents recent days become glaringly obvious case website says serious problems lc addressed witch hunt group says personal vendettas simply gathered verifiable facts process asking questions determine situation devolved today school one premier christian liberal arts colleges state south midst second year warning status southern association colleges schools facing possible probation questions physical plant allowed deteriorate point 50 million campaign needed cover portion repairs concerned endowment decreased 258 percent 2005 2011 endowment seven comparable christian colleges south saw gains 20 percent average growth 283 percent wonder process midst problems allowed launch medical school film school law school failed first student enrolled concerned lcs admission standards fallen behind almost fouryear state schools rank near bottom compared baptist schools comparable size across south school officials meanwhile issued press release noting louisiana college continues rank among best regional colleges south according us news world report ranking 60th top 75 best colleges third consecutive year | 850 |
<p>At 6 o’clock on a blustery Wednesday evening in March, four members of the local school council at Piccolo Specialty School wait patiently for a few stragglers. At 6:15, they get started despite the lack of a quorum. The chair calls the meeting to order and proceeds immediately to new business. The first item is a plan to start Helping Hands, a school-within-a-school that would serve up to 50 special education students.Copies of the proposal—each one brightly decorated with a student’s crayon drawing—are distributed to council members and visitors. Michael Roth, a special ed teacher, and two colleagues stand up to make their pitch.</p>
<p>Helping Hands will be grounded in fine arts, multiple-intelligence theory and volunteer work, Roth explains. Teachers will integrate the arts into math and reading instruction, use a variety of teaching techniques to reach students with varying strengths and employ volunteer activities to develop children’s practical skills and self-esteem. An outside organization, North Pulaski Development Center, already has expressed an interest in providing work activities for the children and grants for Helping Hands, Roth reports.</p>
<p>When the presentation is complete, the team fields a few questions from the council, which by then has enough members present to take an official vote. What grade levels will the school serve? First through 5th. How about mainstreaming? Helping Hands will honor a recent lawsuit settlement requiring the Chicago Public Schools to increase the amount of time special ed students spend in regular classes, Roth assures.</p>
<p>The council approves Helping Hands unanimously. “All right!” cheers Principal Linda Sienkiewicz. “Our sixth small school.”</p>
<p>Sienkiewicz has reason to celebrate. In three short years, her mission to reshape a large school—49 faculty members and 855 students in pre-K through 5th grade—into a cluster of school communities is nearly complete. A month earlier, the council approved Great Expectations, a small primary school that will keep students with the same teacher for two or more years. When Great Expectations and Helping Hands open next fall, all but three Piccolo classrooms will be part of a small school.</p>
<p>“This has really clicked at our school,” says Sienkiewicz, who was inspired to use small schools as a restructuring strategy after attending a workshop four years ago. “Small schools weren’t on my list of things to do when I walked in [as principal] in 1990.”</p>
<p>When Sienkiewicz arrived, she had two priorities: boost and then sustain student test scores, and motivate Piccolo staff, parents and students. At the time, the school was reeling from a School Board decision to split what was then a K-8 school with 1,600 students into an elementary school and a middle school and to put the former K-8 principal in charge of only 6-8. (See CATALYST, February 1990.)</p>
<p>Sienkiewicz tested a number of strategies to encourage teachers to collaborate and form teams. First she tried grade-level meetings. Teachers at each level would meet to plan lessons, and a representative of each level would meet regularly with Sienkiewicz and report back to the group. “It was OK, but it wasn’t hitting the mark,” she says. Next, she tried dividing the staff into management teams, each in charge of an activity, such as staff development or curriculum. That did not go very far either. “I was experimenting with ways to empower people. [But] I wasn’t seeing buy-in. I needed to feel that commitment, that ownership, that passion.”</p>
<p>In 1994, Sienkiewicz signed up for a day-long conference on small schools. It struck a powerful chord. “After that workshop, I came back and asked faculty if they’d ever wanted to start their own schools. This was not something I could do from the top down. I just planted the seed.”</p>
<p>Then she waited. “There was a lot of hope in my heart. I prayed.” Teachers Dee Smith and Ken Voorhees were the first to come forward with an idea. They proposed Connections, a K-5 school that would feature small classes, some cross-age activities and an extra hour of instruction every day.</p>
<p>Sienkiewicz recalls being impressed. “We were all new to this. We had a lot to work out, but I remember thinking, ‘Wow, they really put a lot of thought behind what they wanted to do.’ They had a plan.” She agreed to pay for an extra teacher to lower class size, and she suggested the teachers select classrooms that would create physical proximity, too. While initially uneasy about Connections proposal for a longer school day, the entire faculty voted to approve the required waiver from the Chicago Teachers Union contract.</p>
<p>Connections founders were then free to interview and select teachers to fill a total of six positions. They recruited 150 students from Piccolo and persuaded parents to assume responsibility for dropping children off at 8:30 a.m.—20 minutes earlier than other Piccolo children arrive—and picking them up at 3 p.m., 30 minutes later.</p>
<p>From the beginning, Connections students have outperformed other Piccolo students. Last school year, for example, they advanced, on average, a year and six months in reading. And the percentage of students scoring at or above national norms was about double the percent-age in the rest of Piccolo. This year, Connections has more 4th-graders than does any of its sister small schools because more of its 3rd-graders scored well enough on reading and math tests to clear the Reform Board’s promotion hurdle. “I’m the only 4th-grade teacher [at Piccolo] with a full class,” notes Voorhees.</p>
<p>After Connections immediate success and a Reform Board announcement that Piccolo was one of 109 schools put on probation—the rest came naturally. Two more small schools debuted in the fall of 1996: Bright Beginnings, a primary-grade school with a focus on reading, especially phonics;</p>
<p>and Unity-Umoja-Unidos, a dual-language program for kindergarten through 4th-graders. Generations Global, featuring a technology and a multicultural curriculum, opened last September for children in 3rd through 5th grade.</p>
<p>Each of Piccolo’s small schools has its own mission statement, report cards and grading system.</p>
<p>Christina Aguilera, who teaches in Unity-Umoja-Unidos, says Sienkiewicz “didn’t force anyone to form a small school, but the ones who didn’t felt left out.” She acknowledges that she was on the fence about joining the Unity-Umoja-Unidos team. This year, she’s the lead teacher.</p>
<p>While Piccolo cannot yet claim across-the-board success with its small schools, there are signs that its culture is moving in a positive direction. For one, teachers are more involved in running the school. Lead teachers from each small school assume some responsibility for policy, procedures and negotiating budget matters. “That’s where people are feeling a touch of autonomy,” says Sienkiewicz.</p>
<p>At a February workshop on team building hosted by Connections, the discussion is part how-to, part self-help. “When I came to Connections, I had a lot of reservations, but it was my own personal stuff,” confesses one teacher, who was new to teaching. But a veteran took her under her wing during the first year and helped ease the transition, she reports. To grow closer together, Connections teachers have held staff development retreats and sometimes get together for social activities.</p>
<p>Piccolo’s restructuring has not been trouble-free. At first, teachers outside Connections complained that the school had special privileges [small class size] and had taken the smartest students. “They do not have the cream of the crop,” says Sienkiewicz. “They are not the highest-achieving students. The only criteria [to get into Connections] is parents allowing the extra hour of instruction.”</p>
<p>The complaints subsided as other teachers started their own small schools, Sienkiewicz says. Connections’ latest challenge is obtaining permission to keep its students through 6th grade. The adjacent Piccolo Middle School agreed; in March, the Reform Board tossed the decision to the regional administrator.</p>
<p>Piccolo’s small-schools effort suffered another growing pain when some teachers who had teamed up, fell out. That’s what was behind the creation of Great Expectations. Initially, its teachers were part of Bright Beginnings. All had agreed on a curricular focus, but they split over classroom organization. One group wanted to keep children with the same teacher for two or more years, a practice called looping, and the other preferred the standard one-year arrangement. Great Expectation plans to loop students when it opens in the fall. “It was not a negative break,” says lead teacher Juli Wright. “It was different ideas. The ideas we had could not be pursued with Bright Beginnings.”</p>
<p>Wright advises teachers who are considering a school-within-a-school to make sure they have similar professional and teaching goals. “If your group is not compatible, it’s not going to work,” she says.</p>
<p>Piccolo also had some near misses with teacher seniority, too. In Chicago, when a school’s enrollment falls short of projections, it’s the school’s least senior teacher who loses his or her position there and must search for another job in the system. If that teacher is part of a small school, the school could wind up with a replacement who does not support that particular program. By luck, “I’ve been able to avoid that a couple of times,” Sienkiewicz says.</p>
<p>Sienkiewicz says she promotes cooperative rather than competitive relationships among the small schools. She encourages them to share ideas on teaching, attendance and the like. And she shares all information with everybody. For example, each small school knows how much of the Piccolo budget each of them gets. “There’s nothing that’s done in a closed room with one small school,” she says.</p>
<p>By sharing power, Sienkiewicz adds, she’s become a strong leader. “It’s ironic. The more you let go, the more you get back. Someone might feel you’re giving teachers power to take over. That’s not what happens. It’s a true collaboration.”</p> | false | 3 | 6 oclock blustery wednesday evening march four members local school council piccolo specialty school wait patiently stragglers 615 get started despite lack quorum chair calls meeting order proceeds immediately new business first item plan start helping hands schoolwithinaschool would serve 50 special education studentscopies proposaleach one brightly decorated students crayon drawingare distributed council members visitors michael roth special ed teacher two colleagues stand make pitch helping hands grounded fine arts multipleintelligence theory volunteer work roth explains teachers integrate arts math reading instruction use variety teaching techniques reach students varying strengths employ volunteer activities develop childrens practical skills selfesteem outside organization north pulaski development center already expressed interest providing work activities children grants helping hands roth reports presentation complete team fields questions council enough members present take official vote grade levels school serve first 5th mainstreaming helping hands honor recent lawsuit settlement requiring chicago public schools increase amount time special ed students spend regular classes roth assures council approves helping hands unanimously right cheers principal linda sienkiewicz sixth small school sienkiewicz reason celebrate three short years mission reshape large school49 faculty members 855 students prek 5th gradeinto cluster school communities nearly complete month earlier council approved great expectations small primary school keep students teacher two years great expectations helping hands open next fall three piccolo classrooms part small school really clicked school says sienkiewicz inspired use small schools restructuring strategy attending workshop four years ago small schools werent list things walked principal 1990 sienkiewicz arrived two priorities boost sustain student test scores motivate piccolo staff parents students time school reeling school board decision split k8 school 1600 students elementary school middle school put former k8 principal charge 68 see catalyst february 1990 sienkiewicz tested number strategies encourage teachers collaborate form teams first tried gradelevel meetings teachers level would meet plan lessons representative level would meet regularly sienkiewicz report back group ok wasnt hitting mark says next tried dividing staff management teams charge activity staff development curriculum go far either experimenting ways empower people wasnt seeing buyin needed feel commitment ownership passion 1994 sienkiewicz signed daylong conference small schools struck powerful chord workshop came back asked faculty theyd ever wanted start schools something could top planted seed waited lot hope heart prayed teachers dee smith ken voorhees first come forward idea proposed connections k5 school would feature small classes crossage activities extra hour instruction every day sienkiewicz recalls impressed new lot work remember thinking wow really put lot thought behind wanted plan agreed pay extra teacher lower class size suggested teachers select classrooms would create physical proximity initially uneasy connections proposal longer school day entire faculty voted approve required waiver chicago teachers union contract connections founders free interview select teachers fill total six positions recruited 150 students piccolo persuaded parents assume responsibility dropping children 830 am20 minutes earlier piccolo children arriveand picking 3 pm 30 minutes later beginning connections students outperformed piccolo students last school year example advanced average year six months reading percentage students scoring national norms double percentage rest piccolo year connections 4thgraders sister small schools 3rdgraders scored well enough reading math tests clear reform boards promotion hurdle im 4thgrade teacher piccolo full class notes voorhees connections immediate success reform board announcement piccolo one 109 schools put probationthe rest came naturally two small schools debuted fall 1996 bright beginnings primarygrade school focus reading especially phonics unityumojaunidos duallanguage program kindergarten 4thgraders generations global featuring technology multicultural curriculum opened last september children 3rd 5th grade piccolos small schools mission statement report cards grading system christina aguilera teaches unityumojaunidos says sienkiewicz didnt force anyone form small school ones didnt felt left acknowledges fence joining unityumojaunidos team year shes lead teacher piccolo yet claim acrosstheboard success small schools signs culture moving positive direction one teachers involved running school lead teachers small school assume responsibility policy procedures negotiating budget matters thats people feeling touch autonomy says sienkiewicz february workshop team building hosted connections discussion part howto part selfhelp came connections lot reservations personal stuff confesses one teacher new teaching veteran took wing first year helped ease transition reports grow closer together connections teachers held staff development retreats sometimes get together social activities piccolos restructuring troublefree first teachers outside connections complained school special privileges small class size taken smartest students cream crop says sienkiewicz highestachieving students criteria get connections parents allowing extra hour instruction complaints subsided teachers started small schools sienkiewicz says connections latest challenge obtaining permission keep students 6th grade adjacent piccolo middle school agreed march reform board tossed decision regional administrator piccolos smallschools effort suffered another growing pain teachers teamed fell thats behind creation great expectations initially teachers part bright beginnings agreed curricular focus split classroom organization one group wanted keep children teacher two years practice called looping preferred standard oneyear arrangement great expectation plans loop students opens fall negative break says lead teacher juli wright different ideas ideas could pursued bright beginnings wright advises teachers considering schoolwithinaschool make sure similar professional teaching goals group compatible going work says piccolo also near misses teacher seniority chicago schools enrollment falls short projections schools least senior teacher loses position must search another job system teacher part small school school could wind replacement support particular program luck ive able avoid couple times sienkiewicz says sienkiewicz says promotes cooperative rather competitive relationships among small schools encourages share ideas teaching attendance like shares information everybody example small school knows much piccolo budget gets theres nothing thats done closed room one small school says sharing power sienkiewicz adds shes become strong leader ironic let go get back someone might feel youre giving teachers power take thats happens true collaboration | 929 |
<p>On the eve of the Board of Education vote on school closings and turnarounds, CPS leaders said they will reopen a neighborhood option in the Crane High School building, city council members questioned CPS leaders and activists and parents made final arguments that their schools have made gains and don’t need dramatic change.</p>
<p>Also, an advocacy organization once again raised questions about whether&#160;turnaround schools&#160;produce results.</p>
<p>Tuesday’s last-ditch efforts capped&#160;two months of wrangling about the proposal by <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/11/four-schools-close-cps-wanted-more/" type="external">CPS to close</a> two elementary schools, phase out two high schools and <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/11/cps-proposes-record-number-school-turnarounds/" type="external">turnaround 10 schools</a>. Six of the turnarounds—a process that entails replacing an entire staff—are slated to be managed by the Academy for Urban School Leadership.</p>
<p>This year, CPS leaders didn’t take any actions off the table. In the past, the district has in some cases backed off following community and parent opposition.&#160;</p>
<p>The only concession made by CEO Jean-Claude Brizard was the announcement on Tuesday that Crane will house a health sciences high school. The current Crane High School will still be phased out and next year’s freshmen will be assigned to other neighborhood high schools.</p>
<p>But starting in the fall of 2013, area students will have the option of attending the health sciences high school. Whether Crane staff will automatically get jobs in the new high school is undecided and is an issue that will be grappled with by a committee that Brizard intends to create.</p>
<p>State Senator Annazette Collins said she thinks it is a “great thing” that CPS is ready to turn a proposal from the community into reality. She noted that Crane is close to the medical district and Malcolm X City College, which is going to become a medical specialty school.</p>
<p>“What a good place to train students for sustainable careers,” she said.</p>
<p>Parents and activists from other schools, however, say they have no reason to suspect Wednesday’s vote will bring a reprieve. &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Willie Williams, an activist whose wife is a security guard at Casals, said he believes that the “powers that be” don’t like to be told they are wrong. He spoke at a press conference held Tuesday in which parents and staff once again invited CPS leaders to visit their school and said that students are making gains based on standardized test results.&#160;</p>
<p>“They want to tell is what they are going to do, not the other way around,” Williams said.</p>
<p>Parents in Humboldt Park forced attention to the situation at Casals and Piccolo elementary schools, which are slated to be handed over to the Academy for Urban School Leadership. On Friday, they, along with members of Occupy Chicago, staged a sit-in. On Saturday, they were promised meetings with board members.</p>
<p>After meeting with board Vice President Jesse Ruiz at the school, parents had phone conversations with three other board members and told them that the district should support their current principals, who are new and making changes. The parents want the schools to be spared a turnaround and instead allowed to remain open under a probation plan for two years.&#160;</p>
<p>According to parents, board member Andrea Zopp asked them why they would oppose a turnaround.</p>
<p>“We are already being turned around,” Piccolo’s local school council chair&#160;Latrice Watkins responded. “Give us a chance, we don’t need AUSL. Give us some of those dollars you are giving AUSL. Why do we need more changes? We’ve already had 3 principals in five years.”</p>
<p>But not one board member committed to voting against the turnarounds on Wednesday, a disappointment to parents.</p>
<p>“It was not just about us talking, it was about them really seeing this plan and a possible reality,”&#160;says&#160;Latoya Walls, parent at Piccolo who was also on the calls.&#160;</p>
<p>Piccolo and Casals parents and activists also pointed to a study released Tuesday by Designs for Change as another reason why the turnaround shouldn’t go forward.</p>
<p>Designs for Change analyzed ISAT scores and found that many high-poverty neighborhood elementary schools are out-performing turnaround schools. And some of those high-performing neighborhood schools are getting results in facilities sorely in need of repair, while CPS is pouring millions into turnarounds, said Don Moore, executive director of Designs for Change.</p>
<p>“Most people have never heard about these schools,” said Moore. “The turnarounds get a lot of publicity.”</p>
<p>Moore also looked at teacher turnover at turnaround elementary schools and found that only 42 percent of teachers at the schools in 2008-2009 were still there in 2011-2012. He said that anecdotally, teachers have told him that turnaround schools focus too much on test prep and sap creativity.&#160;</p>
<p>This first round of school actions by Brizard’s administration has been challenged on many fronts. December’s board meeting was effectively shut down by activists. The Illinois Educational Facilities Task Force, which includes several state lawmakers, said that CPS wasn’t complying with a new law aimed at making the process more transparent. Task force members demanded a meeting with Brizard and board president David Vitale, but that meeting never took place.</p>
<p>Though held on two Friday nights, one in the middle of a snowstorm, community hearings brought out dozens of parents and community members. Some of them supported the school actions, but admitted to being paid. Later, it was learned that a local pastor coordinated payment and that a consulting group linked to Mayor Rahm Emanuel was involved in the “rent-a-protester” controversy.</p>
<p>In recent weeks, a coalition of LSC members filed a lawsuit to try to stop the school actions, claiming that CPS didn’t give them specific probationary plans to improve—something that the law demands. The LSC members, whose lawsuit was paid for by the Chicago Teachers Union, are awaiting a hearing.</p> | false | 3 | eve board education vote school closings turnarounds cps leaders said reopen neighborhood option crane high school building city council members questioned cps leaders activists parents made final arguments schools made gains dont need dramatic change also advocacy organization raised questions whether160turnaround schools160produce results tuesdays lastditch efforts capped160two months wrangling proposal cps close two elementary schools phase two high schools turnaround 10 schools six turnaroundsa process entails replacing entire staffare slated managed academy urban school leadership year cps leaders didnt take actions table past district cases backed following community parent opposition160 concession made ceo jeanclaude brizard announcement tuesday crane house health sciences high school current crane high school still phased next years freshmen assigned neighborhood high schools starting fall 2013 area students option attending health sciences high school whether crane staff automatically get jobs new high school undecided issue grappled committee brizard intends create state senator annazette collins said thinks great thing cps ready turn proposal community reality noted crane close medical district malcolm x city college going become medical specialty school good place train students sustainable careers said parents activists schools however say reason suspect wednesdays vote bring reprieve 160160 willie williams activist whose wife security guard casals said believes powers dont like told wrong spoke press conference held tuesday parents staff invited cps leaders visit school said students making gains based standardized test results160 want tell going way around williams said parents humboldt park forced attention situation casals piccolo elementary schools slated handed academy urban school leadership friday along members occupy chicago staged sitin saturday promised meetings board members meeting board vice president jesse ruiz school parents phone conversations three board members told district support current principals new making changes parents want schools spared turnaround instead allowed remain open probation plan two years160 according parents board member andrea zopp asked would oppose turnaround already turned around piccolos local school council chair160latrice watkins responded give us chance dont need ausl give us dollars giving ausl need changes weve already 3 principals five years one board member committed voting turnarounds wednesday disappointment parents us talking really seeing plan possible reality160says160latoya walls parent piccolo also calls160 piccolo casals parents activists also pointed study released tuesday designs change another reason turnaround shouldnt go forward designs change analyzed isat scores found many highpoverty neighborhood elementary schools outperforming turnaround schools highperforming neighborhood schools getting results facilities sorely need repair cps pouring millions turnarounds said moore executive director designs change people never heard schools said moore turnarounds get lot publicity moore also looked teacher turnover turnaround elementary schools found 42 percent teachers schools 20082009 still 20112012 said anecdotally teachers told turnaround schools focus much test prep sap creativity160 first round school actions brizards administration challenged many fronts decembers board meeting effectively shut activists illinois educational facilities task force includes several state lawmakers said cps wasnt complying new law aimed making process transparent task force members demanded meeting brizard board president david vitale meeting never took place though held two friday nights one middle snowstorm community hearings brought dozens parents community members supported school actions admitted paid later learned local pastor coordinated payment consulting group linked mayor rahm emanuel involved rentaprotester controversy recent weeks coalition lsc members filed lawsuit try stop school actions claiming cps didnt give specific probationary plans improvesomething law demands lsc members whose lawsuit paid chicago teachers union awaiting hearing | 556 |
<p>Never let a refinery disaster go to waste. That’s what <a href="http://sd09.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Loni Hancock</a>, D-Berkeley, is doing with <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0051-0100/sb_54_cfa_20130911_104104_sen_floor.html" type="external">Senate Bill 54</a>, according to critics of her bill.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Hancock and fellow Democrats say SB54, which passed the Legislature last week, will improve refinery safety by increasing the number of trained contract workers at refineries. But critics say the bill actually will make refineries less safe, while providing a sweetheart deal for labor unions that will also benefit Democrats’ political campaigns.</p>
<p>“Refinery safety is an increasing problem in California due to recent incidents which truly risked workers’ health and public health, including the 2012 <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Fire-at-Chevron-refinery-in-Richmond-3767221.php" type="external">Chevron refinery explosion</a> in Richmond,” Hancock told the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee on Aug. 14.</p>
<p>But it’s unlikely that Hancock’s bill, had it been in place years ago, would have done anything to prevent the Chevron refinery pipe rupture and fire on Aug. 6, 2012. SB54 focuses on the training, skills and experience level of contracted workers, which was not a factor in the accident, according to an interim investigation report by the <a href="http://www.csb.gov/" type="external">U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board</a>.</p>
<p>“[T]he pipe failed due to thinning caused by sulfidation corrosion, a common damage mechanism in refineries,” the report states.</p>
<p>But rather than deal with the problem of corroded refinery pipes, Hancock’s bill focuses on getting more union-trained workers into refineries. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014 at least 30 percent of a refinery contractor’s on site workforce must have completed at least 20 hours in a state-approved apprenticeship program. That increases to 45 percent in 2015 and 60 percent in 2016. And SB54 requires that they be paid prevailing (i.e., union) wages.</p>
<p>Naturally, the industrial unions, with one notable exception, are strong backers of the bill.</p>
<p>“Our apprenticeship programs have been around for over a hundred years,” Cesar Diaz, representing the <a href="http://www.sbctc.org/" type="external">State Building and Construction Trades Council</a>, told the committee. “We spend over $100 million into apprenticeship at state-of-the-art facilities and have the most rigorous training to perform this industrial safety type work. Our members are proud of that training. They enter as apprentices, and gradually through their skill level being increased they reach the journey person status.</p>
<p>“These are some of the most dangerous facilities. Our members live in and around those communities. They breathe in the air, but often times get skipped out on the job opportunities that happen there. It’s a two-fer for us to basically be able to access and improve the quality of our communities by the economic impact, but also to make them safer. So that these leakages that happen basically on a weekly basis at these facilities do not occur. This is one way to mitigate against those factors.”</p>
<p>One union that is not on board is the <a href="http://usw.org/" type="external">United Steelworkers</a>, which currently provides 95 percent of the refinery workforce, and estimates that SB54 will result in as many as 5,000 of its members losing their jobs.</p>
<p>“These are folks who have been doing the job anywhere from five years up to 35 and 40 years, a large percentage of them at the same refineries,” said USW representative Catherine Houston. “We have an issue with the bill in the inability to be able to access the training through the apprenticeship programs. We are precluded under current California labor code law to create our own apprenticeship program. And so we have always had very strong, very intensive training programs.</p>
<p>“In fact, our programs are the best in the industry as evidenced by the fact that we have the best safety record in the industry. So we are very proud of our safety record and stand solidly behind it. We have highly skilled, highly trained workers. And so what we don’t want to see is a situation where we have our workers, who are currently in these jobs now, displaced and replaced by another group of workers.”</p>
<p>Eloy Garcia, with the <a href="https://www.wspa.org/" type="external">Western States Petroleum Association</a>, which represents California’s refineries, argued against the bill’s requirement that refineries pay prevailing wages to contractors. The prevailing wage requirement has historically been reserved for public works projects — a distinction that the courts have upheld.</p>
<p>“It is not a small step, but a tremendous leap in the extension of the public works law,” said Garcia. ‘We think it’s completely inappropriate to use a very unfortunate incident last August as a guide to essentially move forward a workforce mandate that is not needed. In the end this is not about safety. In fact, it degrades safety. Excluding workers that are long trained, specialty trained, that have the experience and expertise, that have worked in refining sites for years, is a degradation of safety. It is by no means an improvement of safety.”</p>
<p>Hancock was unswayed.</p>
<p>“They have no reason to want an explosion in that Chevron plant,” she acknowledged. “Engineers told them for 10 years that those pipes needed to be replaced. Sometimes they do short-term cost cutting. We do not want it to impact the public safety of the workers in the refinery or safety of entire communities. We have people dying in the refineries. We need a skilled work force, they need to be trained in a state-accredited program.”</p>
<p>Safety was also the mantra of Democrats when the bill reached the Assembly floor on Sept. 9.</p>
<p>“SB54 keeps our communities safer from potential accidents by making sure we have the best trained people working in our high-hazard facilities,” said <a href="http://www.asmdc.org/members/a14/" type="external">Susan Bonilla</a>, D-Concord, who has four refineries in her district.</p>
<p>She was echoed by <a href="http://www.asmdc.org/members/a09/" type="external">Richard Pan</a>, D-Sacramento, who said, “This is about safety. We want to be sure that people working in our refineries, which are very complex, highly technical facilities, are highly trained, that they meet the standards that we need to have here in California. That they are not pulling in workers from out of state that don’t have the appropriate qualifications to run these facilities.”</p>
<p>Republicans countered that safety has little to do with the legislation.</p>
<p>“The bottom line is we are making these refineries less safe,” said <a href="http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/AD68/" type="external">Don Wagner</a>, R-Irvine. “We are bringing in journeymen, who by definition do not have the skills, the training and the experience to provide the level of safety that our refineries need. So what are we doing? We are not making our refineries safer. We are setting up a court challenge [on the prevailing wage requirement]. It’s likely to fail. All because this body wants to tell businesses once again how to operate. Let’s not do that. Let’s focus on putting more Californians back to work. Let them guarantee the safety. Let them hire the workers that are capable of doing the job. And let’s not enact our own social preferences into law by violating federal law.”</p>
<p><a href="http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/AD34/" type="external">Shannon Grove</a>, R-Bakersfield, argued that SB54 is actually the Democrat Protection Act of 2013.</p>
<p>“Being a person who pays your [union] dues out of your paycheck does not make you highly skilled or highly trained,” she said. “In these bills mandated by this legislative body, you are requiring only union workers. I don’t know how it is not completely criminal to mandate that only union workers have these jobs when those union wages are … at three to five percent, and they do nothing but give the Democrats political capital in their campaigns. That is something that should be stopped, and it should be looked at.</p>
<p>“Five thousand employees, three percent of their wages [for union dues], $7 million for your political campaigns for 2014. All refineries are required to be unionized under the guise of safety and highly trained. Those wages at $40, $50, $60 and sometimes up to $80 a hour will be taxed or … union benefits to benefit your political capital in the election. That should be criminal that this body passes legislation like that.”</p>
<p><a href="http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/AD33/" type="external">Tim Donnelly</a>, R-Twin Peaks, noted the negative impacts the bill could have for the state’s motorists.</p>
<p>“This bill is going to make it harder to build another refinery in California,” he said. “We need at least two more. If we want to lower gas prices for the average hard-working Californian, we need to get off the backs of those who are refining the fuels that operate the vast majority of vehicles in this state. This is the government coming in and interfering in the name of safety in a private contract. We need to make it easier for those who are willing to go through the inordinate amount of regulation we already have on them to put a refinery in to refine the special fuels we use in California. We need more refineries. This is not going to add refineries.”</p>
<p>Despite those warnings, the bill passed easily in the Assembly along party lines, 27-11; passed in the Senate; and awaits Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature.</p> | false | 3 | never let refinery disaster go waste thats sen loni hancock dberkeley senate bill 54 according critics bill hancock fellow democrats say sb54 passed legislature last week improve refinery safety increasing number trained contract workers refineries critics say bill actually make refineries less safe providing sweetheart deal labor unions also benefit democrats political campaigns refinery safety increasing problem california due recent incidents truly risked workers health public health including 2012 chevron refinery explosion richmond hancock told assembly labor employment committee aug 14 unlikely hancocks bill place years ago would done anything prevent chevron refinery pipe rupture fire aug 6 2012 sb54 focuses training skills experience level contracted workers factor accident according interim investigation report us chemical safety hazard investigation board pipe failed due thinning caused sulfidation corrosion common damage mechanism refineries report states rather deal problem corroded refinery pipes hancocks bill focuses getting uniontrained workers refineries beginning jan 1 2014 least 30 percent refinery contractors site workforce must completed least 20 hours stateapproved apprenticeship program increases 45 percent 2015 60 percent 2016 sb54 requires paid prevailing ie union wages naturally industrial unions one notable exception strong backers bill apprenticeship programs around hundred years cesar diaz representing state building construction trades council told committee spend 100 million apprenticeship stateoftheart facilities rigorous training perform industrial safety type work members proud training enter apprentices gradually skill level increased reach journey person status dangerous facilities members live around communities breathe air often times get skipped job opportunities happen twofer us basically able access improve quality communities economic impact also make safer leakages happen basically weekly basis facilities occur one way mitigate factors one union board united steelworkers currently provides 95 percent refinery workforce estimates sb54 result many 5000 members losing jobs folks job anywhere five years 35 40 years large percentage refineries said usw representative catherine houston issue bill inability able access training apprenticeship programs precluded current california labor code law create apprenticeship program always strong intensive training programs fact programs best industry evidenced fact best safety record industry proud safety record stand solidly behind highly skilled highly trained workers dont want see situation workers currently jobs displaced replaced another group workers eloy garcia western states petroleum association represents californias refineries argued bills requirement refineries pay prevailing wages contractors prevailing wage requirement historically reserved public works projects distinction courts upheld small step tremendous leap extension public works law said garcia think completely inappropriate use unfortunate incident last august guide essentially move forward workforce mandate needed end safety fact degrades safety excluding workers long trained specialty trained experience expertise worked refining sites years degradation safety means improvement safety hancock unswayed reason want explosion chevron plant acknowledged engineers told 10 years pipes needed replaced sometimes shortterm cost cutting want impact public safety workers refinery safety entire communities people dying refineries need skilled work force need trained stateaccredited program safety also mantra democrats bill reached assembly floor sept 9 sb54 keeps communities safer potential accidents making sure best trained people working highhazard facilities said susan bonilla dconcord four refineries district echoed richard pan dsacramento said safety want sure people working refineries complex highly technical facilities highly trained meet standards need california pulling workers state dont appropriate qualifications run facilities republicans countered safety little legislation bottom line making refineries less safe said wagner rirvine bringing journeymen definition skills training experience provide level safety refineries need making refineries safer setting court challenge prevailing wage requirement likely fail body wants tell businesses operate lets lets focus putting californians back work let guarantee safety let hire workers capable job lets enact social preferences law violating federal law shannon grove rbakersfield argued sb54 actually democrat protection act 2013 person pays union dues paycheck make highly skilled highly trained said bills mandated legislative body requiring union workers dont know completely criminal mandate union workers jobs union wages three five percent nothing give democrats political capital campaigns something stopped looked five thousand employees three percent wages union dues 7 million political campaigns 2014 refineries required unionized guise safety highly trained wages 40 50 60 sometimes 80 hour taxed union benefits benefit political capital election criminal body passes legislation like tim donnelly rtwin peaks noted negative impacts bill could states motorists bill going make harder build another refinery california said need least two want lower gas prices average hardworking californian need get backs refining fuels operate vast majority vehicles state government coming interfering name safety private contract need make easier willing go inordinate amount regulation already put refinery refine special fuels use california need refineries going add refineries despite warnings bill passed easily assembly along party lines 2711 passed senate awaits gov jerry browns signature | 769 |
<p>NOTE: This analysis of Harold Washington’s 1983 general-election win over Republican Bernard E. Epton was published in The Chicago Reporter in May that year.</p>
<p>Harold Washington needed only 12 percent of Chicago’s white vote to win the April 12 mayoral election.</p>
<p>He actually got 17 percent of that vote, icing his victory over Republican Bernard E. Epton. But it was the surge in black and Latino votes that pushed him over the top of an election scarred by racial divisiveness.</p>
<p>Black voters alone garnered him some 84,000 votes more than his total of 424,146 in the primary. And he won five times more votes from Latinos in April than he did in the primary.</p>
<p>The Chicago Reporter analyzed voting results by precinct totals and the 1980 U.S. Census, giving the best estimates available with this data.</p>
<p>Washington won about 508,000 black votes in the general election, or more than 98 percent of a record high black turnout. Blacks gave Washington about 76 percent of his winning total, the analysis found.</p>
<p>Twelve percent of the total black vote came from communities outside the 19 predominantly black wards on the South and West sides. Black support provided Washington with a rock-solid hold on at least 38 percent of the city’s voters.</p>
<p>An examination of the precincts that are 50 percent or more Latino indicates that Washington also was bolstered by the support of at least half of the 95,000 Latino registered voters.</p>
<p>His strongest Latino boost came from precincts in the predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhoods of the 31st, 32nd and 33rd wards on the near Northwest Side. In the primary, Mayor Jane M. Byrne won in these areas and Washington generated only 1,656 votes, or 10 percent of the total. In the general election, his vote in those precincts shot up to 8,241, or 56.7 percent of the total.</p>
<p>The six wards with the largest proportion of registered Latino voters gave Washington 43,082 votes in April, up 31,815 from the primary. Latino votes throughout the city comprised about 7 percent of Washington’s total vote.</p>
<p>Except for the Latino wards, where voter participation actually dropped slightly, voter turnout was higher than usual throughout the city – 82 percent, a modern-day record.</p>
<p>More whites voted for Washington in the general election than in the primary. But the increase in voter turnout offset his gains among white voters in the Northwest and Southwest Side wards. There the net effect was that Epton garnered more votes than Byrne and Cook County State’s Attorney Richard M. Daley did together in the primary.</p>
<p>For example, in the 41st Ward, Byrne and Daley captured a total of 30,287 votes, while Epton polled 32,733. As a result, Epton’s increase offset Washington’s gain of 1,837 votes over the primary. This was true for five other wards, giving Epton a total of 7,235 votes more than Byrne and Daley in those wards.</p>
<p>White voters bolted from the Democratic Party in record numbers, giving Epton 82 percent of their vote. In some predominantly white wards, Epton’s vote soared to 95 percent.</p>
<p>Even on the North Side lakefront, an area known for its liberal politics, Epton overwhelmingly downed Washington among white voters, winning 72 percent of the white vote.</p>
<p>The only communities where white voters as a group gave Washington a majority were racially integrated Hyde Park and Kenwood, which straddle the 4th and 5th wards on the South Side. About 70 percent of white voters in those community areas cast ballots for Washington.</p>
<p>Every precinct that gave Washington a plurality had a sizable number of black or Hispanic voters.</p>
<p>Contrasts in voting patterns were most striking in those wards which encompass sharply segregated black and white neighborhoods.</p>
<p>In the predominantly black 29th Ward on the West Side, the three white precincts in the white area known as the “island” voted almost 11-to-1 for Epton. Overall, the ward vote was 90 percent for Washington.</p>
<p>Conversely, black voters in the predominantly white 12th Ward voted 12-to-1 for Washington, even though the ward as a whole went 12-to-1 for Epton.</p>
<p>Some observers were startled to learn that the 11th Ward, a white bastion, gave 25 percent of its vote to Washington. But a closer examination reveals that 18 percent of the ward’s residents are black, most of whom live in tightly segregated precincts separated from Bridgeport and Canaryville by railroad tracks. Those precincts delivered 78 percent of Washington’s 11th Ward vote.</p>
<p>Most illustrative of the black-white voting split was the 15th Ward. Washington won that Southwest Side ward with 57 percent of the vote. But 95 percent of his total came from black precincts east of the Western Avenue boundary that separates white from black communities. And about 98 percent of Epton’s 10,168 votes came from whites on the west side of Western Avenue.</p>
<p>Washington won white votes primarily from the North Side lakefront wards, where he got 45,364, or 44 percent, of his white vote. All totaled, Washington won 63,520 votes from those wards, but the North Side is one of Chicago’s few integrated areas, and more than a quarter of Washington’s votes there were cast by blacks, the Reporter found.</p>
<p>About 20 percent of Washington’s white vote came from whites who live in predominantly black wards on the South Side, most notably the 4th and 5th wards. The remainder of Washington’s 38,000 white votes were scattered throughout the city.</p>
<p>The massive jump in black turnout provided Washington with a solid base. Had Epton been able to win but 5 percent of the black vote, he might have tipped the scales to his victory. Instead, he only managed to win slightly less than 2 percent of the black vote.</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | note analysis harold washingtons 1983 generalelection win republican bernard e epton published chicago reporter may year harold washington needed 12 percent chicagos white vote win april 12 mayoral election actually got 17 percent vote icing victory republican bernard e epton surge black latino votes pushed top election scarred racial divisiveness black voters alone garnered 84000 votes total 424146 primary five times votes latinos april primary chicago reporter analyzed voting results precinct totals 1980 us census giving best estimates available data washington 508000 black votes general election 98 percent record high black turnout blacks gave washington 76 percent winning total analysis found twelve percent total black vote came communities outside 19 predominantly black wards south west sides black support provided washington rocksolid hold least 38 percent citys voters examination precincts 50 percent latino indicates washington also bolstered support least half 95000 latino registered voters strongest latino boost came precincts predominantly puerto rican neighborhoods 31st 32nd 33rd wards near northwest side primary mayor jane byrne areas washington generated 1656 votes 10 percent total general election vote precincts shot 8241 567 percent total six wards largest proportion registered latino voters gave washington 43082 votes april 31815 primary latino votes throughout city comprised 7 percent washingtons total vote except latino wards voter participation actually dropped slightly voter turnout higher usual throughout city 82 percent modernday record whites voted washington general election primary increase voter turnout offset gains among white voters northwest southwest side wards net effect epton garnered votes byrne cook county states attorney richard daley together primary example 41st ward byrne daley captured total 30287 votes epton polled 32733 result eptons increase offset washingtons gain 1837 votes primary true five wards giving epton total 7235 votes byrne daley wards white voters bolted democratic party record numbers giving epton 82 percent vote predominantly white wards eptons vote soared 95 percent even north side lakefront area known liberal politics epton overwhelmingly downed washington among white voters winning 72 percent white vote communities white voters group gave washington majority racially integrated hyde park kenwood straddle 4th 5th wards south side 70 percent white voters community areas cast ballots washington every precinct gave washington plurality sizable number black hispanic voters contrasts voting patterns striking wards encompass sharply segregated black white neighborhoods predominantly black 29th ward west side three white precincts white area known island voted almost 11to1 epton overall ward vote 90 percent washington conversely black voters predominantly white 12th ward voted 12to1 washington even though ward whole went 12to1 epton observers startled learn 11th ward white bastion gave 25 percent vote washington closer examination reveals 18 percent wards residents black live tightly segregated precincts separated bridgeport canaryville railroad tracks precincts delivered 78 percent washingtons 11th ward vote illustrative blackwhite voting split 15th ward washington southwest side ward 57 percent vote 95 percent total came black precincts east western avenue boundary separates white black communities 98 percent eptons 10168 votes came whites west side western avenue washington white votes primarily north side lakefront wards got 45364 44 percent white vote totaled washington 63520 votes wards north side one chicagos integrated areas quarter washingtons votes cast blacks reporter found 20 percent washingtons white vote came whites live predominantly black wards south side notably 4th 5th wards remainder washingtons 38000 white votes scattered throughout city massive jump black turnout provided washington solid base epton able win 5 percent black vote might tipped scales victory instead managed win slightly less 2 percent black vote | 574 |
<p />
<p>LGBTI rights advocates from across Latin America are in Guatemala City for the ILGA Latin America and Caribbean conference. (Photo courtesy of Visibles)</p>
<p />
<p>GUATEMALA CITY — Fundamentalist and conservative groups have become more prominent in the public sphere and have promoted anti-LGBTI initiatives throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, said activists from across the region who are meeting at the seventh ILGA Latin America and Caribbean (ILGALAC) Regional Conference that is taking place in Guatemala City. They are also celebrating advances and highlighting the participation of young people in the movement.</p>
<p>In Guatemala, National Network of Sexual Diversity and HIV Secretary Carlos Romero noted there was recently an attempt to put forth a bill that would have banned marriage between people of the same sex and further restricted women’s reproductive rights.</p>
<p>This trend is similar in other countries.</p>
<p>Bolivia’s Constitutional Court on Nov. 10 recognized the change of one’s gender identity as constitutional — a demand that is of the utmost importance to the trans community — but it opted not to allow people who have changed their identity to be able to “exercise all fundamental, political, labor, civil, economic and social rights.”</p>
<p>Even in Brazil, considered by many to be a distinctively liberal country in the region, a judge recently ruled on a resolution that once again approves so-called conversion therapy for gays and lesbians in the country, after it had been banned for nearly 20 years. And an exhibition that celebrated the LGBTI community was forced to close early because of strong social opposition.</p>
<p>Against this backdrop, regional delegates to the ILGALAC conference are looking “to reflect” and “to talk about the specific violations that exist in the different sub-regions of Latin America and the Caribbean, which are Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Andean region, Brazil and the Southern Cone,” said Josefina Valencia of the ILGALAC Regional Council, who is also the executive director of El Closet de Sor Juana in Mexico.</p>
<p>Despite the obstacles, Valencia said Latin America and the Caribbean is also a part of the world with a lot of political work, “a tough region” and where one can discuss its best practices and contribution to these issues. She added the region’s gender identity laws have been used to discuss other similar proposals in Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean had an important role in the process in lobbying for an independent U.N. expert on the protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,</p>
<p>Beto de Jesús, a Brazilian member of the ILGALAC Regional Council and founder of the São Paulo LGBT Pride March, highlighted in his opening remarks his hope that “the new generation is going to continue this fight.”</p>
<p>The U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva created the position of the independent expert, which seeks to promote awareness and dialogue and at the same time collaboration from member states to effectively address violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The creation of this mandate was not without controversy and the vote was disputed (23 in favor, 18 against and six abstentions.)</p>
<p>In a context where various countries have succeeded in implementing institutional measures that guarantee the expansion of rights to the LGBTI community, activists recognize that their work to guarantee a true social turn towards acceptance and respect of diversity continues.</p>
<p>“We live in the most unequal region in the world . . . in an adverse context in institutional terms and violence,” highlighted Valencia.</p>
<p>Nota del editor: Visibles, un sitio web y grupo LGBTI guatemalteco, está reportando sobre la conferencia de ILGALAC que se celebró en la Ciudad de Guatemala. La nota original de Visibles sobre la conferencia está <a href="http://www.visibles.gt/activistas-lgbti-ilgalac/" type="external">aquí.</a></p>
<p>CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA — Grupos fundamentalistas y conservadores han adquirido una voz más prominente en el espacio público e impulsado iniciativas de rechazo a lo largo de América Latina y el Caribe, manifiestan activistas de toda la región reunidos en la VII Conferencia Regional de la Asociación Internacional de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales, Trans e Intersexuales para América Latina y el Caribe (ILGALAC) que en esta ocasión acoge Guatemala. Celebran avances y destacan participación de jóvenes en el movimiento.</p>
<p>En Guatemala, el secretario de la Red Nacional de la Diversidad Sexual y VIH (Rednads), Carlos Romero, destacó que se recientemente se intentó impulsar una iniciativa de ley para prohibir el matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo y restringir aún más los derechos reproductivos de las mujeres.</p>
<p>En otros países, la tendencia sigue una ruta similar. El 10 de noviembre, el Tribunal Constitucional boliviano, reconoció como constitucional el cambio de identidad de género — una demanda de suma importancia para la población trans — pero&#160;optó por no permitir&#160;que las personas con cambio de identidad puedan “ejercer todos los derechos fundamentales, políticos, laborales, civiles, económicos y sociales.”</p>
<p>Incluso en Brasil, considerado por muchos como un país distintivamente liberal en la región, un juez&#160;emitió recientemente una resolución que aprueba nuevamente la terapia de conversión a homosexuales en el país, tras encontrarse prohibida por casi 20 años. Y por una fuerte oposición social, una exhibición que celebraba a la población LGBTI se vio obligada a&#160;cerrar antes de tiempo.</p>
<p>En este contexto, los delegados regionales buscan “reflexionar” y “hablar de las violencias específicas que se viven en las distintas sub-regiones de ALC, que son México, Centroamérica, Caribe, Zona Andina, Brasil y Cono Sur”, explicó Josefina Valencia, del&#160;Consejo Regional&#160;para América Latina y el Caribe de ILGA y Directora Ejecutiva de&#160;El Closet de Sor Juana&#160;en México.</p>
<p>A pesar de los obstáculos, ALC (América Latina y el Caribe) también es una región del mundo con mucho trabajo político, “una región aguerrida” y que puede discutir sus buenas prácticas y aportes al mundo en estos temas, comentó Valencia. Las leyes de identidad de género de la región se han retomado en la discusión de otras en Europa, y ALC tuvo un rol importante en el proceso de cabildeo para el experto independiente sobre la protección contra la violencia y la discriminación por motivos de orientación sexual e identidad de género, destacó.</p>
<p>El brasileño Beto de Jesús, integrante del Consejo Regional y fundador de la Marcha de Orgullo LGBT de São Paulo, celebró en sus palabras de bienvenida la esperanza que arroja que “la nueva generación va a seguir en esta lucha.”</p>
<p>El experto independiente es una figura creada por el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de Naciones Unidas en Ginebra, que busca la sensibilización y el diálogo, así la colaboración con los Estados para abordar eficazmente la violencia y la discriminación con motivo de la orientación sexual y la identidad de género. La creación de su&#160;mandato&#160;no estuvo exenta de controversia y el voto fue reñido (23 a favor, 18 en contra y 6 abstenciones.)</p>
<p>En un contexto donde varios países han tenido éxito en implementar medidas desde lo institucional que garantizan la ampliación de derechos para la población LGBTI, los activistas reconocen que el trabajo continúa para garantizar un verdadero giro social de aceptación y respeto a la diversidad. Valencia resalta: “Vivimos en la región más desigual del mundo . . . en un contexto adverso en términos institucionales y de violencia.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">bisexual</a> <a href="" type="internal">Caribbean</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Guatemala</a> <a href="" type="internal">ILGA Latin America and the Caribbean</a> <a href="" type="internal">ILGALAC</a> <a href="" type="internal">intersex</a> <a href="" type="internal">Latin America</a> <a href="" type="internal">lesbian</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a></p> | false | 3 | lgbti rights advocates across latin america guatemala city ilga latin america caribbean conference photo courtesy visibles guatemala city fundamentalist conservative groups become prominent public sphere promoted antilgbti initiatives throughout latin america caribbean said activists across region meeting seventh ilga latin america caribbean ilgalac regional conference taking place guatemala city also celebrating advances highlighting participation young people movement guatemala national network sexual diversity hiv secretary carlos romero noted recently attempt put forth bill would banned marriage people sex restricted womens reproductive rights trend similar countries bolivias constitutional court nov 10 recognized change ones gender identity constitutional demand utmost importance trans community opted allow people changed identity able exercise fundamental political labor civil economic social rights even brazil considered many distinctively liberal country region judge recently ruled resolution approves socalled conversion therapy gays lesbians country banned nearly 20 years exhibition celebrated lgbti community forced close early strong social opposition backdrop regional delegates ilgalac conference looking reflect talk specific violations exist different subregions latin america caribbean mexico central america caribbean andean region brazil southern cone said josefina valencia ilgalac regional council also executive director el closet de sor juana mexico despite obstacles valencia said latin america caribbean also part world lot political work tough region one discuss best practices contribution issues added regions gender identity laws used discuss similar proposals europe latin america caribbean important role process lobbying independent un expert protection violence discrimination based sexual orientation gender identity beto de jesús brazilian member ilgalac regional council founder são paulo lgbt pride march highlighted opening remarks hope new generation going continue fight un human rights council geneva created position independent expert seeks promote awareness dialogue time collaboration member states effectively address violence discrimination based sexual orientation gender identity creation mandate without controversy vote disputed 23 favor 18 six abstentions context various countries succeeded implementing institutional measures guarantee expansion rights lgbti community activists recognize work guarantee true social turn towards acceptance respect diversity continues live unequal region world adverse context institutional terms violence highlighted valencia nota del editor visibles un sitio web grupo lgbti guatemalteco está reportando sobre la conferencia de ilgalac que se celebró en la ciudad de guatemala la nota original de visibles sobre la conferencia está aquí ciudad de guatemala grupos fundamentalistas conservadores han adquirido una voz más prominente en el espacio público e impulsado iniciativas de rechazo lo largo de américa latina el caribe manifiestan activistas de toda la región reunidos en la vii conferencia regional de la asociación internacional de lesbianas gays bisexuales trans e intersexuales para américa latina el caribe ilgalac que en esta ocasión acoge guatemala celebran avances destacan participación de jóvenes en el movimiento en guatemala el secretario de la red nacional de la diversidad sexual vih rednads carlos romero destacó que se recientemente se intentó impulsar una iniciativa de ley para prohibir el matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo restringir aún más los derechos reproductivos de las mujeres en otros países la tendencia sigue una ruta similar el 10 de noviembre el tribunal constitucional boliviano reconoció como constitucional el cambio de identidad de género una demanda de suma importancia para la población trans pero160optó por permitir160que las personas con cambio de identidad puedan ejercer todos los derechos fundamentales políticos laborales civiles económicos sociales incluso en brasil considerado por muchos como un país distintivamente liberal en la región un juez160emitió recientemente una resolución que aprueba nuevamente la terapia de conversión homosexuales en el país tras encontrarse prohibida por casi 20 años por una fuerte oposición social una exhibición que celebraba la población lgbti se vio obligada a160cerrar antes de tiempo en este contexto los delegados regionales buscan reflexionar hablar de las violencias específicas que se viven en las distintas subregiones de alc que son méxico centroamérica caribe zona andina brasil cono sur explicó josefina valencia del160consejo regional160para américa latina el caribe de ilga directora ejecutiva de160el closet de sor juana160en méxico pesar de los obstáculos alc américa latina el caribe también es una región del mundo con mucho trabajo político una región aguerrida que puede discutir sus buenas prácticas aportes al mundo en estos temas comentó valencia las leyes de identidad de género de la región se han retomado en la discusión de otras en europa alc tuvo un rol importante en el proceso de cabildeo para el experto independiente sobre la protección contra la violencia la discriminación por motivos de orientación sexual e identidad de género destacó el brasileño beto de jesús integrante del consejo regional fundador de la marcha de orgullo lgbt de são paulo celebró en sus palabras de bienvenida la esperanza que arroja que la nueva generación va seguir en esta lucha el experto independiente es una figura creada por el consejo de derechos humanos de naciones unidas en ginebra que busca la sensibilización el diálogo así la colaboración con los estados para abordar eficazmente la violencia la discriminación con motivo de la orientación sexual la identidad de género la creación de su160mandato160no estuvo exenta de controversia el voto fue reñido 23 favor 18 en contra 6 abstenciones en un contexto donde varios países han tenido éxito en implementar medidas desde lo institucional que garantizan la ampliación de derechos para la población lgbti los activistas reconocen que el trabajo continúa para garantizar un verdadero giro social de aceptación respeto la diversidad valencia resalta vivimos en la región más desigual del mundo en un contexto adverso en términos institucionales de violencia bisexual caribbean gay guatemala ilga latin america caribbean ilgalac intersex latin america lesbian transgender | 912 |
<p>The election of Donald Trump has put in jeopardy certain advances in LGBT rights seen under President Obama’s administration. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>By&#160;SUSAN SILBER &amp; MIRIAM SIEVERS</p>
<p>Since President Obama took office in 2008, LGBT rights have expanded. Now that there will be a new administration, many attorneys around the country are receiving questions from their clients as to what changes may come, and what, if anything, they should be doing as a result.</p>
<p>Much is related to how the legal protections were enacted. Court findings based on constitutional doctrine provide the highest reliability. Statutes passed by Congress can be repealed or amended by Congress. Administrative practice or interpretation can be modified relatively easily by a new administration if little weight is placed on continuity.&#160; Executive Orders are also in this category and officials in the Trump administration have their sight on repealing certain Obama Executive Orders in the first days in office.</p>
<p>Perhaps the foremost question that is asked is whether couples that are married will have their marriages “undone,” or if couples planning on marrying should do so before Jan. 20. It is important to point out that it is extremely unlikely that the Supreme Court will undo marriage equality, and even less likely that those couples who are already married will have their marriages terminated. This is in large part due to the doctrine of stare decisis, which, simply put, means that courts do not re-litigate issues that have been decided. Although cases do occasionally get overturned, it is a rare occurrence, and one that has not historically happened within a few short years. This doctrine is the basis of courts upholding their own precedent, and why Americans can rely on judicial decisions.&#160; It is the consensus of LGBT lawyers that marriage after Obergefell is almost certainly safe, and couples that are not yet married should not presently be concerned about these rights being eliminated.</p>
<p>Couples that have already obtained second-parent or stepparent adoptions for their children should be confident their rights to their children are safe. It is still advisable that anyone who can obtain such adoptions or parentage orders in their current states should do so, because it continues to be the best way to secure equal parentage rights that are backed by court order, no matter where in the country or the world someone travels or moves.</p>
<p>There are, however, areas of expanded rights that may well be in jeopardy under a new administration because they are not established by court precedent but by executive order, legislative action or administrative guidance. Although much remains unknown, there are some actions that people can take to secure some of the protections that currently exist.</p>
<p>First, transgender members of the community are currently able to obtain passports with the correct gender marker, and without proving what, if any, surgeries they have had. They can also change their gender marker with the Social Security Administration, again without the burden of proving the particularities of their medical treatment. These policies could change under a new administration, making it harder for trans individuals to obtain identity documents that are consistent and accurately reflect who they are. It is wise to secure a passport and change gender markers in SSA before the new administration takes office; fundraising efforts through social media are underway to assist those who may not be able to afford the costs of obtaining or updating a passport. &#160; Whitman Walker and FreeState Justice provide local legal assistance for name and gender change matters to those who meet their financial eligibility criteria.</p>
<p>Many in our community are also immigrants, people of color, practitioners of many faiths including Islam and Judaism, and children, and it is important to remember that they will be impacted by changes in immigration policy, changes in employment protections, changes in education policy and changes in all aspects of our current health care laws.&#160; &#160;</p>
<p>Other civil rights protections, including non-discrimination in employment, education and public accommodations, have been expanded by the current administration’s interpretation of federal law to include gender identity and sexual orientation protections under the doctrine that prohibits sex discrimination. This trend could be undercut or reversed if the leadership of the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) decide to pull back these interpretations.&#160; &#160;</p>
<p>There has also been a national movement to expand “religious freedom” legislation that would defend discriminatory actions on the basis of religious liberty. These laws, at the state and federal level, could not only protect bakeries refusing to provide a wedding cake, but also doctors who do not wish to treat LGBT people, and may reach any public accommodation or place of employment. This will be where much legislative effort by LGBT and allied organizations will likely be conducted, and individuals should be conscious of the scope of many potential changes.</p>
<p>A repeal or replacement of the Affordable Care Act could jeopardize access to healthcare for millions of Americans, and could undo the current ban on LGBT discrimination protected under Section 1557, including the provision of transition-related care to transgender people. So, too, could we see changes in the military, where the rights of transgender people to serve in the military are still being implemented. It is less likely that the rights of gay and lesbian service members to serve equally and openly will be disrupted, due to their now-established service. Nonetheless, LGBT organizations are watching for developments.</p>
<p>Finally, the Obama administration established non-discrimination policies by Executive Order for both federal employees and for federal contractors, both of which could be undone by subsequent Executive Order or legislation.</p>
<p>Although this is not a comprehensive list, it is clear that while marriage equality and state court-based adjudications for establishing parentage will not change based on a new presidency, other protections could change dramatically. Moreover, changes in the law generally follow changes on the ground. We all should be vigilant to all forms of change in the civil rights climate and not be bystanders to bigotry, bullying and marginalization.</p>
<p>Susan Silber and Miriam Sievers are attorneys at Silber, Perlman, Sigman &amp; Tilev, P.A. in Takoma Park, Md.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Barack Obama</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">EEOC</a> <a href="" type="internal">Equal Employment Opportunity Commission</a> <a href="" type="internal">FreeState Justice</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT rights</a> <a href="" type="internal">Obergefell v. Hodges</a> <a href="" type="internal">Social Security Administration</a> <a href="" type="internal">SSA</a> <a href="" type="internal">trans</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a> <a href="" type="internal">United States Supreme Court</a> <a href="" type="internal">Whitman-Walker Health</a></p> | false | 3 | election donald trump put jeopardy certain advances lgbt rights seen president obamas administration washington blade file photo michael key by160susan silber amp miriam sievers since president obama took office 2008 lgbt rights expanded new administration many attorneys around country receiving questions clients changes may come anything result much related legal protections enacted court findings based constitutional doctrine provide highest reliability statutes passed congress repealed amended congress administrative practice interpretation modified relatively easily new administration little weight placed continuity160 executive orders also category officials trump administration sight repealing certain obama executive orders first days office perhaps foremost question asked whether couples married marriages undone couples planning marrying jan 20 important point extremely unlikely supreme court undo marriage equality even less likely couples already married marriages terminated large part due doctrine stare decisis simply put means courts relitigate issues decided although cases occasionally get overturned rare occurrence one historically happened within short years doctrine basis courts upholding precedent americans rely judicial decisions160 consensus lgbt lawyers marriage obergefell almost certainly safe couples yet married presently concerned rights eliminated couples already obtained secondparent stepparent adoptions children confident rights children safe still advisable anyone obtain adoptions parentage orders current states continues best way secure equal parentage rights backed court order matter country world someone travels moves however areas expanded rights may well jeopardy new administration established court precedent executive order legislative action administrative guidance although much remains unknown actions people take secure protections currently exist first transgender members community currently able obtain passports correct gender marker without proving surgeries also change gender marker social security administration without burden proving particularities medical treatment policies could change new administration making harder trans individuals obtain identity documents consistent accurately reflect wise secure passport change gender markers ssa new administration takes office fundraising efforts social media underway assist may able afford costs obtaining updating passport 160 whitman walker freestate justice provide local legal assistance name gender change matters meet financial eligibility criteria many community also immigrants people color practitioners many faiths including islam judaism children important remember impacted changes immigration policy changes employment protections changes education policy changes aspects current health care laws160 160 civil rights protections including nondiscrimination employment education public accommodations expanded current administrations interpretation federal law include gender identity sexual orientation protections doctrine prohibits sex discrimination trend could undercut reversed leadership department justice department education equal employment opportunity commission eeoc decide pull back interpretations160 160 also national movement expand religious freedom legislation would defend discriminatory actions basis religious liberty laws state federal level could protect bakeries refusing provide wedding cake also doctors wish treat lgbt people may reach public accommodation place employment much legislative effort lgbt allied organizations likely conducted individuals conscious scope many potential changes repeal replacement affordable care act could jeopardize access healthcare millions americans could undo current ban lgbt discrimination protected section 1557 including provision transitionrelated care transgender people could see changes military rights transgender people serve military still implemented less likely rights gay lesbian service members serve equally openly disrupted due nowestablished service nonetheless lgbt organizations watching developments finally obama administration established nondiscrimination policies executive order federal employees federal contractors could undone subsequent executive order legislation although comprehensive list clear marriage equality state courtbased adjudications establishing parentage change based new presidency protections could change dramatically moreover changes law generally follow changes ground vigilant forms change civil rights climate bystanders bigotry bullying marginalization susan silber miriam sievers attorneys silber perlman sigman amp tilev pa takoma park md barack obama donald trump eeoc equal employment opportunity commission freestate justice lgbt rights obergefell v hodges social security administration ssa trans transgender united states supreme court whitmanwalker health | 602 |
<p>[Editor's note: This story was updated late Tuesday after a New York judge ruled out using Ras al-Khaimah as the site for the 2010 America's Cup.]</p>
<p>RAS AL-KHAIMAH, U.A.E. — The America’s Cup, yachting’s Holy Grail, has traveled a long way from the days when Wall Street millionaires summering in Newport, R.I. regarded the 158-year-old Victorian ewer as part of the family silver.</p>
<p>But the announced plan to hold the next defense of the cup in the Persian Gulf — less than 100 miles from the coast of Iran and the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — struck some yachtsmen as venturing too far into troubled waters.</p>
<p>The event, set for February, was to be hosted by Ras al-Khaimah, a scruffy backwater that is part of the United Arab Emirates. The site was picked by the defending champions, the Alinghi team from Switzerland.</p>
<p>The surprise choice did not please the American challengers, BMW Oracle, headed by software tycoon Larry Ellison. The Americans responded with a lawsuit, claiming that holding the race so close to Iran “presents grave safety concerns for the team members of an American challenger named 'USA' that flies an American flag on a 200-foot mast.”</p>
<p>Arguments were heard Tuesday in a Manhattan courtroom.&#160;The America's Cup is still governed by a 19th-century document known as the Deed of Gift and any disputes over the rules must be adjudicated by Supreme Court of the State of New York. &#160;</p>
<p>But Justice Shirley Kornreich ruled out using Ras al-Khaimah as a competition site, maintaining that the Deed of Gift stipulated that the Cup could not be contested in the Northern Hemisphere from Nov. 1 to May 1. The decision may be appealed.</p>
<p>Each side had mustered an impressive roster of experts — retired naval officers, ex-CIA types, Ivy League Middle East scholars, oceanographers and security consultants — to press its case.</p>
<p>The American side portrayed the U.A.E. as a place crawling with Iranians, terrorists, suicide bombers and Al Qaeda fanatics. It worried that war might break out at any moment between Iran and Israel, or Iran and the rest of the world.</p>
<p>One expert hired by the American team, former Royal Navy officer Graeme Gibbon Brooks, claimed that holding the race so close to Iran “exposes the America’s Cup match to the risk of becoming a proxy for the conflict between Washington and Tehran.”&#160;</p>
<p>The Swiss side pointed out that Tiger Woods plays golf in the U.A.E., Roger Federer plays tennis here and next week a major Formula 1 race will be staged in Abu Dhabi, the U.A.E,’s capital. It notes that U.A.E. is a close ally of the U.S., that thousands of U.S. businesses are located in the country and tens of thousands of Europeans and Americans live and work here. It also notes that Ellison’s company, Oracle, has a large office complex in Dubai, the U.A.E’s other major city.&#160;</p>
<p>But even boosters of the U.A.E. were puzzled by the choice of Ras al-Khaimah.</p>
<p>An hour’s drive from Dubai, RAK, as it is known locally, lacks the dazzle and fizz of its neighbor. Instead of the world’s tallest building or the world’s fanciest hotel, this tiny emirate has goats that graze placidly on the dusty median of its main commercial boulevard.</p>
<p>As a venue for yacht racing, the calm waters and light winter breezes off Ras al-Khaimah would appear to favor the Alinghi team’s nimble catamaran over BMW Oracle’s larger trimaran.&#160;</p>
<p>This is not the first time the Swiss and American teams have tangled in court. They’ve been at it almost continuously since 2007 when the Americans declared their intention of challenging for the Cup shortly after Alinghi’s successful defense in the last competition.</p>
<p>The America’s Cup, which hasn’t been in American hands since 1995, is the oldest trophy in international sport, and its rules are heavily stacked in favor of the defending team.</p>
<p>Alinghi’s lawyers recently won a change in rule that will allow competitors to use on-board motors to trim their sails — an innovation that has left some purists aghast.</p>
<p>“It’s like giving soccer players scooters. It runs counter to our values,” said Russell Coutts, skipper for BMW Oracle and a three-time America’s Cup winner.</p>
<p>Although most of the legal wrangling has been over the fine points of the arcane rules governing the competition, both sides agree that the real issue is about control.</p>
<p>“That’s what’s at the heart of the matter — control of the America’s Cup. The Americans are trying to get control of the Cup without winning it,” said Grant Simmer, Alinghi’s design coordinator.</p>
<p>The American team and its supporters counter that Alinghi’s boss, Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, is trying to use the America’s Cup to gain control of yacht racing much the way motor racing impresario Bernie Ecclestone has used his position as president and CEO of Formula One Management to become the “owner” of Formula 1 racing.</p>
<p>“The America’s Cup is not a sports property. It’s governed by a charitable trust. When you hold the Cup you have responsibilities,” said a BMW Oracle official who asked that his name not be used because he is not authorized to speak for the syndicate.&#160;</p>
<p>But Paco Latorre, a spokesman for Alinghi, puts a different spin on Bertarelli’s ambitions.</p>
<p>“Bertarelli is not here to make money. He doesn’t need it” Latorre said.</p>
<p>“He wants to make the sport more open to the general public, more open to spectators, sponsors, the media, more of a global sport. He wants to make it financially viable ... something viable beyond the Bertarellis and Ellisons and Turners [Ted, of CNN fame] and Vanderbilts [Cornelius, Harold and William].”&#160;</p>
<p>If Ellison can recapture the Cup, said Latorre, then he can "bring it back to Newport and make it a restricted thing for a limited number of people."</p> | false | 3 | editors note story updated late tuesday new york judge ruled using ras alkhaimah site 2010 americas cup ras alkhaimah uae americas cup yachtings holy grail traveled long way days wall street millionaires summering newport ri regarded 158yearold victorian ewer part family silver announced plan hold next defense cup persian gulf less 100 miles coast iran strategically vital strait hormuz struck yachtsmen venturing far troubled waters event set february hosted ras alkhaimah scruffy backwater part united arab emirates site picked defending champions alinghi team switzerland surprise choice please american challengers bmw oracle headed software tycoon larry ellison americans responded lawsuit claiming holding race close iran presents grave safety concerns team members american challenger named usa flies american flag 200foot mast arguments heard tuesday manhattan courtroom160the americas cup still governed 19thcentury document known deed gift disputes rules must adjudicated supreme court state new york 160 justice shirley kornreich ruled using ras alkhaimah competition site maintaining deed gift stipulated cup could contested northern hemisphere nov 1 may 1 decision may appealed side mustered impressive roster experts retired naval officers excia types ivy league middle east scholars oceanographers security consultants press case american side portrayed uae place crawling iranians terrorists suicide bombers al qaeda fanatics worried war might break moment iran israel iran rest world one expert hired american team former royal navy officer graeme gibbon brooks claimed holding race close iran exposes americas cup match risk becoming proxy conflict washington tehran160 swiss side pointed tiger woods plays golf uae roger federer plays tennis next week major formula 1 race staged abu dhabi uaes capital notes uae close ally us thousands us businesses located country tens thousands europeans americans live work also notes ellisons company oracle large office complex dubai uaes major city160 even boosters uae puzzled choice ras alkhaimah hours drive dubai rak known locally lacks dazzle fizz neighbor instead worlds tallest building worlds fanciest hotel tiny emirate goats graze placidly dusty median main commercial boulevard venue yacht racing calm waters light winter breezes ras alkhaimah would appear favor alinghi teams nimble catamaran bmw oracles larger trimaran160 first time swiss american teams tangled court theyve almost continuously since 2007 americans declared intention challenging cup shortly alinghis successful defense last competition americas cup hasnt american hands since 1995 oldest trophy international sport rules heavily stacked favor defending team alinghis lawyers recently change rule allow competitors use onboard motors trim sails innovation left purists aghast like giving soccer players scooters runs counter values said russell coutts skipper bmw oracle threetime americas cup winner although legal wrangling fine points arcane rules governing competition sides agree real issue control thats whats heart matter control americas cup americans trying get control cup without winning said grant simmer alinghis design coordinator american team supporters counter alinghis boss swiss billionaire ernesto bertarelli trying use americas cup gain control yacht racing much way motor racing impresario bernie ecclestone used position president ceo formula one management become owner formula 1 racing americas cup sports property governed charitable trust hold cup responsibilities said bmw oracle official asked name used authorized speak syndicate160 paco latorre spokesman alinghi puts different spin bertarellis ambitions bertarelli make money doesnt need latorre said wants make sport open general public open spectators sponsors media global sport wants make financially viable something viable beyond bertarellis ellisons turners ted cnn fame vanderbilts cornelius harold william160 ellison recapture cup said latorre bring back newport make restricted thing limited number people | 568 |
<p>Earlier this month, when Mitt Romney <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/03/politics/mitt-romney-presidential-race-speech/" type="external">called</a> Donald Trump a “phony” and a “fraud,” he was expressing the point of view of the Republican elite, who had for the last six months been working haphazardly to torpedo the real estate mogul’s White House campaign. A Trump nomination, they agreed, would be the GOP’s Chernobyl, decimating the party in this November’s election and rendering it radioactive to broad swaths of the electorate for many cycles to come.</p>
<p>The frontal attack by the 2012 Republican presidential nominee marked the most prominent sortie yet in an anti-insurgency effort building in desperate intensity. This fall,&#160;two GOP campaign veterans, Alex Castellanos and Gail Gitcho, tried to create a super PAC that would focus exclusively on defeating Trump, as&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/us/politics/donald-trump-republican-party.html?_r=0" type="external">reported</a>&#160;by the New York Times.&#160;In January, the National Review, a leading intellectual outlet for the conservative movement, <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/430137/donald-trump-conservative-movement-menace" type="external">devoted</a> an entire issue to attacking the candidate, calling him “a philosophically unmoored political opportunist.” Last month, at a D.C. luncheon for Republican governors and benefactors, top GOP strategist Karl Rove tried to rally the audience to mount a last-ditch push to halt the Trump juggernaut.&#160;</p>
<p>Amid the anti-Trump backlash from the right, gun advocates have their own, specific grievances.&#160;“He has no principles when it comes to the gun issue,” Tim Miller, the former communications director of Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign, tells The Trace. “He’s criticized Republicans for being too beholden to the NRA [National Rifle Association]. And there’s no reason to believe, if it benefited own interests, that he wouldn’t completely flip on those who value Second Amendment rights.”</p>
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<p>Bob Owens, who runs the influential pro-firearm website Bearing Arms, has <a href="http://bearingarms.com/donald-trump-will-death-second-amendment/" type="external">claimed</a> the candidate “will be the death of the Second Amendment.” A similar site, The Truth About Guns, has <a href="http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/03/robert-farago/donald-trump-anti-gun-rights-dictator/" type="external">asked</a> if Trump is an “anti-gun rights dictator.”</p>
<p>And here’s&#160;Larry Pratt, the executive director of <a href="" type="internal">Gun Owners of America</a> (GOA), a no-compromise organization that has given its 2016 endorsement to Senator Ted Cruz:&#160;“Trump is not at all satisfactory.&#160;He’s not consistent. Sometimes he’s conservative, and sometimes he’s not.”</p>
<p>The Stop&#160;Trump movement is an unprecedented inversion of the political process. Normally, Republican elites and conservative kingmakers coalesce around a runaway leader in a presidential primary. Now they are doing the opposite, marshaling some of the best resources at their disposal to upend the reality TV star’s candidacy.&#160;</p>
<p>Given the NRA’s participation in past conservative coalitions ( <a href="" type="internal">such as those arrayed against President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominees</a>), and given the doubts about Trump’s fealty to gun rights, there would seem to have been an important role for the gun group to play in the anti-Trump effort, had it been interested in having&#160;one.&#160;The organization, after all, is known for its ability to turn out passionate single-issue voters. In the past, it has given candidates an edge in states that in 2016 lined up with crucial dates on the Republican primary calendar. But its voice remained conspicuously absent from the conservative chorus calling for Trump’s defeat.&#160;</p>
<p>The explanation for the NRA’s decision not to jump into the fray begins (but does not end) with its&#160;strict policy of not involving itself in presidential primary elections. “The NRA has to stay out of it,” says David Keene, a former&#160;president of the NRA who has voiced personal concerns about Trump’s candidacy. “Unlike other groups, we don’t play those games.”</p>
<p>When the NRA has veered from that practice, it’s been in down-ballot&#160;primary elections involving unique circumstances. In 2012, for instance, it came out against Richard Lugar, a powerful moderate Republican whose voting record on guns during his run as Indiana’s longest serving Senator earned him an F from the NRA. Lugar wound up <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/richard-lugar-loses-primary-nomination-to-conservative-challenger-richard-mourdock/2012/05/08/gIQANcJjBU_story.html" type="external">losing</a> the primary to the state’s arch-conservative state treasurer, Richard Mourdock —&#160;and as influential Republicans <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/losing-obamas-favorite-republican" type="external">feared</a>, the party wound up <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/266317-donnelly-beats-mourdock-in-indiana-senate-race" type="external">losing</a> the seat to Democrats.</p>
<p>Two years later, the NRA showed that it’s equally willing&#160;to protect an establishment favorite, at least when its own place in the conservative firmament is being challenged.&#160;In a 2014 House primary, the group endorsed Eric Cantor, the Republican House Majority Leader from Virginia who was facing a Tea Party challenge from a largely unknown candidate named David Brat. The latter had the support of an NRA rival that, like GOA, stood far to its right — the National Association for Gun Rights. Brat <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/eric-cantor-loses-gop-primary-dave-brat" type="external">won</a> the election in a major upset.</p>
<p>“We endorsed Cantor because he had supported a number of NRA proposals and positions,” says Keene. “And we went against Lugar because he was perhaps one of the most anti-gun lawmakers in the Senate.”</p>
<p>Keene adds, “The NRA has never required perfection, but it does expect candidates to be with them on major issues. If you had someone up there saying, ‘I oppose the Second Amendment,’ then that would be a reason to oppose that candidate in a primary.”</p>
<p>As Cruz has noted, a candidate in this year’s Republican primary would have to be <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/10/politics/ted-cruz-guns/index.html" type="external">“clinically insane”</a> to take such a stance, which would seem to settle matter. But a deeper look at the record shows that the NRA can find other reasons to give or withhold its support from an otherwise simpatico candidate.&#160;In 2003, Haley Barbour, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, ran for governor in Mississippi. According to Keene, he was “a personal friend of almost the entire NRA leadership.” But in the general election, the organization <a href="http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/1496697/nra-endorses-musgrove" type="external">endorsed</a>&#160;Ronnie Musgrove, Democratic incumbent. Ronnie Musgrove had an A-rating from the NRA. Barbour, meanwhile, had said all the right things, without ever having had those positions tested by actual legislation crossing his desk.&#160;</p>
<p>“He had a record, as governor, of supporting gun rights,” Keene explains. “Haley didn’t have a record yet.”</p>
<p>Like Barbour, Trump lacks a legislative history. And therein could have been an opening for the NRA, had it wanted to wade into the fight. After Trump’s rout in New Hampshire erased any doubts about the potency of his message, there remained&#160;plenty of Republican contenders — Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, John Kasich — who had both the favor of the establishment and top marks for their pro-gun voting records. Even when Bush tanked in South Carolina, the NRA had an opening.&#160;On March 1, Super Tuesday (Part I), voters went to the polls&#160;in states where the NRA had allegedly helped topple candidates in the past. In Tennessee, the group supposedly <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=sPNAkiAnm7cC&amp;pg=PA246&amp;lpg=PA246&amp;dq=nra+helped+defeat+al+gore+in+tennessee&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=WMJBw9R75T&amp;sig=Bi6B839hkkBoxh0O1Di2YxNaCWI&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi4-5ue3sPLAhXDWT4KHTSBAYEQ6AEIIzAB#v=onepage&amp;q=nra%20helped%20defeat%20al%20gore%20in%20tennessee&amp;f=false" type="external">steered</a> voters away from Al Gore in 2000, causing him to lose his home state in the general election, and thus the presidency. It <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/09/17/3568582/democrat-votes-to-kill-gun-reform-nra-rewards-him-by-spending-13-million-to-elect-his-opponent/" type="external">did the same</a> in Arkansas in 2014 to veteran Democratic Senator Mark Pryor and loyal pro-gun vote, who lost his seat to a virtually unknown Congressman named Tom Cotton. Virginia, where Rubio had his best runner-up finish, is literally the NRA’s backyard. Georgia is a state where the gun lobby has been known to get its way. If those states hadn’t gone for Trump, the whole nominating contest might now look very different.&#160;</p>
<p>The NRA has to stay out of it,” says David Keene, a former&#160;president of the NRA who has voiced personal concerns about Trump’s candidacy. “Unlike other groups, we don’t play those games.”</p>
<p>And here we arrive at the next, decisive node in our thought experiment.&#160;If the NRA had opted to make an endorsement in this historic Republican primary, who would have had the strongest case for its blessing? The answer, as we know, is that no clear choice would have existed.&#160;With the politics of guns now aligned cleanly on partisan lines, this year’s potential nominees — like every national Republican these days — have so completely absorbed the organization’s platform that its&#160;opportunities to influence a close GOP primary have been diminished.&#160;“If one gets endorsed, the others who have the same record will want to know why they weren’t,” explains Keene.</p>
<p>Once the Republican nominee for president is selected, the organization has always fallen behind him. In 2008, after John McCain attained the nomination, the NRA <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/09/nra-endorses-mccain/" type="external">endorsed</a>&#160;the Arizona senator, even though he only had a B rating. In 2012, it <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/260411-nra-endorses-romney-calls-him-only-hope-for-firearms-freedom" type="external">backed</a> Mitt Romney, despite an earlier <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/has-romney-been-hunting-since-2008-small-varmints-gaffe/" type="external">gaffe</a> in which he awkwardly recalled his happy memories&#160;of hunting “small varmints.”&#160;</p>
<p>Trump, for his part, has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for gun rights, stating that he’ll&#160; <a href="" type="internal">abolish</a> gun-free zones on his first day in office. He was a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7IDo_1a39w" type="external">featured speaker</a> at the NRA’s Leadership Forum in 2015, and is slated to <a href="http://www.nraam.org/special-events/nra-ila-leadership-forum.aspx" type="external">speak</a> at the event again in May.</p>
<p>“The unfortunate thing,” Keene says, “is you can’t tell how someone will act as president until they’re sworn in. Recently, this guy from Alaska called and said, ‘Trump’s gonna sell us out. We need to do something.’ “I asked, ‘What’s your evidence?’ We can’t read people’s hearts and minds.”</p>
<p>[Photo:&#160;Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images]</p> | false | 3 | earlier month mitt romney called donald trump phony fraud expressing point view republican elite last six months working haphazardly torpedo real estate moguls white house campaign trump nomination agreed would gops chernobyl decimating party novembers election rendering radioactive broad swaths electorate many cycles come frontal attack 2012 republican presidential nominee marked prominent sortie yet antiinsurgency effort building desperate intensity fall160two gop campaign veterans alex castellanos gail gitcho tried create super pac would focus exclusively defeating trump as160 reported160by new york times160in january national review leading intellectual outlet conservative movement devoted entire issue attacking candidate calling philosophically unmoored political opportunist last month dc luncheon republican governors benefactors top gop strategist karl rove tried rally audience mount lastditch push halt trump juggernaut160 amid antitrump backlash right gun advocates specific grievances160he principles comes gun issue tim miller former communications director jeb bushs presidential campaign tells trace hes criticized republicans beholden nra national rifle association theres reason believe benefited interests wouldnt completely flip value second amendment rights subscribe receive traces newsletters important gun news analysis bob owens runs influential profirearm website bearing arms claimed candidate death second amendment similar site truth guns asked trump antigun rights dictator heres160larry pratt executive director gun owners america goa nocompromise organization given 2016 endorsement senator ted cruz160trump satisfactory160hes consistent sometimes hes conservative sometimes hes stop160trump movement unprecedented inversion political process normally republican elites conservative kingmakers coalesce around runaway leader presidential primary opposite marshaling best resources disposal upend reality tv stars candidacy160 given nras participation past conservative coalitions arrayed president barack obamas supreme court nominees given doubts trumps fealty gun rights would seem important role gun group play antitrump effort interested having160one160the organization known ability turn passionate singleissue voters past given candidates edge states 2016 lined crucial dates republican primary calendar voice remained conspicuously absent conservative chorus calling trumps defeat160 explanation nras decision jump fray begins end its160strict policy involving presidential primary elections nra stay says david keene former160president nra voiced personal concerns trumps candidacy unlike groups dont play games nra veered practice downballot160primary elections involving unique circumstances 2012 instance came richard lugar powerful moderate republican whose voting record guns run indianas longest serving senator earned f nra lugar wound losing primary states archconservative state treasurer richard mourdock 160and influential republicans feared party wound losing seat democrats two years later nra showed equally willing160to protect establishment favorite least place conservative firmament challenged160in 2014 house primary group endorsed eric cantor republican house majority leader virginia facing tea party challenge largely unknown candidate named david brat latter support nra rival like goa stood far right national association gun rights brat election major upset endorsed cantor supported number nra proposals positions says keene went lugar perhaps one antigun lawmakers senate keene adds nra never required perfection expect candidates major issues someone saying oppose second amendment would reason oppose candidate primary cruz noted candidate years republican primary would clinically insane take stance would seem settle matter deeper look record shows nra find reasons give withhold support otherwise simpatico candidate160in 2003 haley barbour former chairman republican national committee ran governor mississippi according keene personal friend almost entire nra leadership general election organization endorsed160ronnie musgrove democratic incumbent ronnie musgrove arating nra barbour meanwhile said right things without ever positions tested actual legislation crossing desk160 record governor supporting gun rights keene explains haley didnt record yet like barbour trump lacks legislative history therein could opening nra wanted wade fight trumps rout new hampshire erased doubts potency message remained160plenty republican contenders jeb bush marco rubio ted cruz john kasich favor establishment top marks progun voting records even bush tanked south carolina nra opening160on march 1 super tuesday part voters went polls160in states nra allegedly helped topple candidates past tennessee group supposedly steered voters away al gore 2000 causing lose home state general election thus presidency arkansas 2014 veteran democratic senator mark pryor loyal progun vote lost seat virtually unknown congressman named tom cotton virginia rubio best runnerup finish literally nras backyard georgia state gun lobby known get way states hadnt gone trump whole nominating contest might look different160 nra stay says david keene former160president nra voiced personal concerns trumps candidacy unlike groups dont play games arrive next decisive node thought experiment160if nra opted make endorsement historic republican primary would strongest case blessing answer know clear choice would existed160with politics guns aligned cleanly partisan lines years potential nominees like every national republican days completely absorbed organizations platform its160opportunities influence close gop primary diminished160if one gets endorsed others record want know werent explains keene republican nominee president selected organization always fallen behind 2008 john mccain attained nomination nra endorsed160the arizona senator even though b rating 2012 backed mitt romney despite earlier gaffe awkwardly recalled happy memories160of hunting small varmints160 trump part positioned vocal advocate gun rights stating hell160 abolish gunfree zones first day office featured speaker nras leadership forum 2015 slated speak event may unfortunate thing keene says cant tell someone act president theyre sworn recently guy alaska called said trumps gon na sell us need something asked whats evidence cant read peoples hearts minds photo160daniel ackerbloomberg via getty images | 841 |
<p>As 6th and 8th-graders face even steeper requirements for promotion next spring, the Reform Board will give more leeway for “waiving” students who miss the cutoff scores on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills but show strength in other areas, such as grades and attendance.</p>
<p>At the end of summer school, students who narrowly miss the minimum math and reading scores required for promotion at 3rd, 6th and 8th grade are eligible for waiver consideration. Principals apply for waivers from the regional offices, usually at the request of classroom teachers. Parents also may apply directly through the regional office. The six regional education officers (REOs) make the final decisions under the supervision of Blondean Davis, chief officer of Schools and Regions.</p>
<p>Of elementary students who fell short on tests this August, 1,545, or 15 percent, were granted waivers. The board declined to disclose the number of waivers granted to students in academic preparatory centers—formerly known as transition centers—for 8th-graders too old to be retained in elementary school.</p>
<p>Test scores also figure in the grant-ing of waivers. To be considered, students must achieve minimum scores that are only slightly below those required for automatic promotion. (See accompanying chart.) Third- and 6th-graders who already have been retained twice are an exception; in August, 165 failed a third time but were “waived” ahead and scheduled for special education screening.</p>
<p>In granting waivers, the board always has considered grades in math and reading, previous test scores and teacher recommendations. This year, REOs also looked for growth in test scores, good attendance and grades of A or B in five subject areas.</p>
<p>By considering growth in achievement, schools can advance students who fell behind early in their school careers yet now are making steady or accelerated progress, notes Davis.</p>
<p>Waivers hold steady</p>
<p>Even with new criteria, the number of waivers remained roughly the same this year as last year, according to schools chief Paul Vallas.</p>
<p>The number of students retained this year also declined slightly, even with a higher promotion requirement for 8th grade, he observes. As promotion requirements rise again this year, he expects the number of retainees and waivers to remain constant. “Test scores are increasing faster than the bar is [rising].”</p>
<p>However, the percentage of students exempt from the testing requirements because they are in bilingual or special education rose from 21 percent last year to 25 percent this year, according to a Catalyst analysis of School Board data. The number of 3rd- to 8th-graders identified as needing special education services rose from 25,029 to 28,624.</p>
<p>The cutoff scores for 6th-grade promotion will rise in June for the first time. Required 8th-grade scores have risen steadily every year, and will rise again in June. Vallas says he expects the 8th-grade cutoff to rise one last time within the next two years to 8.0.</p>
<p>If 8.0 had been in force this year, the percentage of 8th-graders in summer school who earned promotion without a waiver would have dropped significantly, according to an analysis by the Consortium on Chicago School Research. Among those who needed a higher reading score, the pass rate would have dropped from 49 percent to 30 percent, and for those needing a higher math score, the pass rate would have dropped from 56 percent to 26 percent.</p>
<p>Three principals contacted by Catalyst say they welcome the higher promotion standards. “Most definitely, it’s going to be difficult for some students [but] I think we have to raise standards,” says Sandra Satinover, principal of Jenner Elementary in the Cabrini-Green area. “When students graduate from elementary school, high schools should know these kids are prepared.”</p>
<p>Eighth-graders and their parents have become accustomed to the rising standards, the principals say. “This is the fourth year of this, and it’s hitting home. The kids know what they have to do to walk across the stage in June,” says Christ Kalamatas, principal of Von Humbolt Elementary in West Town.</p>
<p>Although they were not aware of the minimum scores required for waivers, these principals find the policy reasonable. “At some point, you have to draw the line and indicate where you would even consider a waiver,” insists Faye Terrell-Perkins, principal of Tilton Elementary in West Garfield Park. “[Otherwise] I think you would sacrifice the issue of a promotion policy and it [would] become a joke.”</p>
<p>‘Right direction’</p>
<p>Timothy Shanahan, director of the Center for Literacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, calls the broadened range of criteria for a waiver “a step in the right direction” but still objects to the minimum test scores.</p>
<p>The problem, he says, is that every standardized test contains what statisticians call a “standard error of measurement,” which explains the degree to which scores may vary simply due to chance. When you use that score by itself to determine eligibility for a waiver, “you’re trying to make precise decisions on information that really isn’t solid,” says Shanahan.</p>
<p>Even when all the evidence suggests a student is below level, “there are lots of research studies [showing] that they make stronger progress moving forward than being held back,” he adds.</p>
<p>And even with the extra help the board has given retained students, such as a longer school day and tutoring, some still fail to reach the promotion standards, he notes. “Lots of kids who get retained don’t really progress.”</p> | false | 3 | 6th 8thgraders face even steeper requirements promotion next spring reform board give leeway waiving students miss cutoff scores iowa tests basic skills show strength areas grades attendance end summer school students narrowly miss minimum math reading scores required promotion 3rd 6th 8th grade eligible waiver consideration principals apply waivers regional offices usually request classroom teachers parents also may apply directly regional office six regional education officers reos make final decisions supervision blondean davis chief officer schools regions elementary students fell short tests august 1545 15 percent granted waivers board declined disclose number waivers granted students academic preparatory centersformerly known transition centersfor 8thgraders old retained elementary school test scores also figure granting waivers considered students must achieve minimum scores slightly required automatic promotion see accompanying chart third 6thgraders already retained twice exception august 165 failed third time waived ahead scheduled special education screening granting waivers board always considered grades math reading previous test scores teacher recommendations year reos also looked growth test scores good attendance grades b five subject areas considering growth achievement schools advance students fell behind early school careers yet making steady accelerated progress notes davis waivers hold steady even new criteria number waivers remained roughly year last year according schools chief paul vallas number students retained year also declined slightly even higher promotion requirement 8th grade observes promotion requirements rise year expects number retainees waivers remain constant test scores increasing faster bar rising however percentage students exempt testing requirements bilingual special education rose 21 percent last year 25 percent year according catalyst analysis school board data number 3rd 8thgraders identified needing special education services rose 25029 28624 cutoff scores 6thgrade promotion rise june first time required 8thgrade scores risen steadily every year rise june vallas says expects 8thgrade cutoff rise one last time within next two years 80 80 force year percentage 8thgraders summer school earned promotion without waiver would dropped significantly according analysis consortium chicago school research among needed higher reading score pass rate would dropped 49 percent 30 percent needing higher math score pass rate would dropped 56 percent 26 percent three principals contacted catalyst say welcome higher promotion standards definitely going difficult students think raise standards says sandra satinover principal jenner elementary cabrinigreen area students graduate elementary school high schools know kids prepared eighthgraders parents become accustomed rising standards principals say fourth year hitting home kids know walk across stage june says christ kalamatas principal von humbolt elementary west town although aware minimum scores required waivers principals find policy reasonable point draw line indicate would even consider waiver insists faye terrellperkins principal tilton elementary west garfield park otherwise think would sacrifice issue promotion policy would become joke right direction timothy shanahan director center literacy university illinois chicago calls broadened range criteria waiver step right direction still objects minimum test scores problem says every standardized test contains statisticians call standard error measurement explains degree scores may vary simply due chance use score determine eligibility waiver youre trying make precise decisions information really isnt solid says shanahan even evidence suggests student level lots research studies showing make stronger progress moving forward held back adds even extra help board given retained students longer school day tutoring still fail reach promotion standards notes lots kids get retained dont really progress | 541 |
<p>As the state legislative committee investigating state Chapter 1 spending at Clemente High School prepares its final report, the committee’s chair says additional “guidelines” are needed on how schools may spend this discretionary money. The School Reform Board and Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas seem to agree.</p>
<p>“We heard from local school councils [LSCs] that we shouldn’t punish them for what one school did,” says Rep. Edgar Lopez (D-Chicago). “But if one school did it, it means there’s loopholes for other schools to do it. We’re trying to prevent this from ever happening again.”</p>
<p>In the early 1990s, the Clemente LSC used Chapter 1 money for a number of activities that, critics charge, served to support the Puerto Rican independence movement and efforts to win the release of jailed Puerto Rican terrorists. For example, a famed Puerto Rican writer and a ballet troupe that were brought to the school allegedly participated in political fundraising while they were in town.</p>
<p>“I don’t think we should take the power away from [LSCs] on how to spend their money,” Lopez adds. “But I think there needs to be some guidelines.”</p>
<p>“I consider Clemente to be an aberration,” says Vallas. “I’m not saying that you need blanket changes. But I think you need some tightening of how Chapter 1 money can be spent.”</p>
<p>Jean Franczyk, chief of staff for the Reform Board, expects any additional oversight will be limited to low-performing schools. “For the most part, schools have been extremely responsible in how they’ve used Chapter 1 funds,” she says. “However, the board has always wanted there to be accountability attached to those funds. I don’t see accountability as a restriction.”</p>
<p>Such talk makes some LSC advocates nervous. For others, it’s a battle cry.</p>
<p>“They’re sort of saying two things: We don’t want to restrict how LSCs spend this money. But we want to make sure the money is spent properly,'” observes Donald Moore, executive director of Designs for Change. “The devil is in the details of what they might mean by that.”</p>
<p>Moore maintains that the state already has sufficient monitoring in place and that LSCs’ overall track record has been excellent. During the Clemente hearings, Moore cited results from a state-funded study of Chapter 1 spending in the 1996-97 school year. The study, conducted by the PRC Inc. research firm, found that 75 percent of state Chapter 1 dollars went toward improved student instruction, including class size reductions, core subjects, remedial programs and enrichment programs such as computer education and foreign language. “Almost all of the rest of the state Chapter 1 funds were spent on security, community services and administrative support,” Moore testified.</p>
<p>Even if Clemente’s spending violated the law, says Fred Hess, a research professor at Northwestern University, “It doesn’t mean the law was wrong because somebody broke it.” As the executive director of the Chicago Panel on School Policy, Hess helped write the section of the Chicago School Reform Act that put Chapter 1 funds under the control of LSCs. Hess adds that while the Clemente hearings had legitimate beginnings as a part of the Vallas administration’s overall efforts to clean up corruption, “That doesn’t mean people didn’t have desires to get that discretionary money back into the general system’s control.”</p>
<p>Diana Lauber, assistant director of the Cross City Campaign on Urban School Reform, sees the Clemente hearings as a stalking horse for putting control of the money back into the hands of central office. “It’s hard not to draw that conclusion. … Almost every year in the Legislature, somebody from the central office has been working with someone in the Legislature to get the money back.”</p>
<p>“There are fewer people who have been misusing this money than governors who have been indicted and aldermen who have gone to jail,” Lauber adds. “This has been probably the cleanest use of a big pot of money.”</p>
<p>Bernie Noven, a founding member of Parents United for Responsible Education (PURE) and a former CPS social worker, notes the board already approves LSC expenditures. “If the [Clemente] money was really misspent, they should prosecute the Board of Education people who approved it. Who the hell are they? Why haven’t these people been indicted?”</p>
<p>Lopez says the board’s approval process is “very superficial. They pretty much approve anything. As long as it fits in the six categories, it’s OK.” One of the six acceptable categories for state Chapter 1 spending is “other educationally beneficial expenditures.” Lopez adds, “People could claim anything can be educational.”</p>
<p>“The board, when it comes to Chapter 1 spending, is a potted plant,” agrees Vallas.</p>
<p>Noven believes Vallas wants all Chapter 1 money to revert to central control. “And the way to get all of it is to discredit the local school councils,” he contends.</p>
<p>“Nobody’s trying to discredit local school councils,” Vallas counters. “The people who are being discredited are PURE and these self-professed reform groups. Most local school councils find that these self-professed reform groups are nothing but special interest groups.”</p>
<p>Central office has spent lots of money at the local level, Vallas notes, citing early childhood programs, summer school and school construction and repair. “These groups want to focus on the discretionary spending,” he says. “It’s almost like a one-note song. … It’s local control for local control’s sake. It’s like an annoying humming in your ear.”</p>
<p>Lopez speaks approvingly of a proposal floated by an Illinois State Board of Education official that would require schools on probation to use 25 percent of their state Chapter 1 money for core subjects. “I’m not going to say that they have to hire DePaul University to help them with their math problems,” he comments. “We’re not going to tell them how to do it.”</p>
<p>Hess also sees merit in closer scrutiny at low-performing schools. “I’m not real enamored of the central board trying to figure out how the money should be spent at each of these schools,” he says. “But it is reasonable for the board to not allow low-performing schools to spend the money any way they want.”</p>
<p>Senate Minority Leader Emil Jones (D-Chicago), a longtime Chapter 1 defender, says there likely are only “a few bad apples” on the spending front. But he, too, believes that schools with lower graduation rates and test scores could use a closer look. “I have grave concerns when we continue to pour the dollars in there, whether or not dollars are being used wisely,” he says.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, he adds, “I don’t want to take away the power of the local school councils, because this is a way to keep parents involved.” He even allows that increasing the state Chapter 1 allocation at the school level—for years, it has held at $261 million—”is something we can look at. Their purchasing power is declining. I understand that.”</p>
<p>Vallas is not ready for that. “We can raise it when we have guarantees that the money that is being allocated is being spent right.”</p> | false | 3 | state legislative committee investigating state chapter 1 spending clemente high school prepares final report committees chair says additional guidelines needed schools may spend discretionary money school reform board chief executive officer paul vallas seem agree heard local school councils lscs shouldnt punish one school says rep edgar lopez dchicago one school means theres loopholes schools trying prevent ever happening early 1990s clemente lsc used chapter 1 money number activities critics charge served support puerto rican independence movement efforts win release jailed puerto rican terrorists example famed puerto rican writer ballet troupe brought school allegedly participated political fundraising town dont think take power away lscs spend money lopez adds think needs guidelines consider clemente aberration says vallas im saying need blanket changes think need tightening chapter 1 money spent jean franczyk chief staff reform board expects additional oversight limited lowperforming schools part schools extremely responsible theyve used chapter 1 funds says however board always wanted accountability attached funds dont see accountability restriction talk makes lsc advocates nervous others battle cry theyre sort saying two things dont want restrict lscs spend money want make sure money spent properly observes donald moore executive director designs change devil details might mean moore maintains state already sufficient monitoring place lscs overall track record excellent clemente hearings moore cited results statefunded study chapter 1 spending 199697 school year study conducted prc inc research firm found 75 percent state chapter 1 dollars went toward improved student instruction including class size reductions core subjects remedial programs enrichment programs computer education foreign language almost rest state chapter 1 funds spent security community services administrative support moore testified even clementes spending violated law says fred hess research professor northwestern university doesnt mean law wrong somebody broke executive director chicago panel school policy hess helped write section chicago school reform act put chapter 1 funds control lscs hess adds clemente hearings legitimate beginnings part vallas administrations overall efforts clean corruption doesnt mean people didnt desires get discretionary money back general systems control diana lauber assistant director cross city campaign urban school reform sees clemente hearings stalking horse putting control money back hands central office hard draw conclusion almost every year legislature somebody central office working someone legislature get money back fewer people misusing money governors indicted aldermen gone jail lauber adds probably cleanest use big pot money bernie noven founding member parents united responsible education pure former cps social worker notes board already approves lsc expenditures clemente money really misspent prosecute board education people approved hell havent people indicted lopez says boards approval process superficial pretty much approve anything long fits six categories ok one six acceptable categories state chapter 1 spending educationally beneficial expenditures lopez adds people could claim anything educational board comes chapter 1 spending potted plant agrees vallas noven believes vallas wants chapter 1 money revert central control way get discredit local school councils contends nobodys trying discredit local school councils vallas counters people discredited pure selfprofessed reform groups local school councils find selfprofessed reform groups nothing special interest groups central office spent lots money local level vallas notes citing early childhood programs summer school school construction repair groups want focus discretionary spending says almost like onenote song local control local controls sake like annoying humming ear lopez speaks approvingly proposal floated illinois state board education official would require schools probation use 25 percent state chapter 1 money core subjects im going say hire depaul university help math problems comments going tell hess also sees merit closer scrutiny lowperforming schools im real enamored central board trying figure money spent schools says reasonable board allow lowperforming schools spend money way want senate minority leader emil jones dchicago longtime chapter 1 defender says likely bad apples spending front believes schools lower graduation rates test scores could use closer look grave concerns continue pour dollars whether dollars used wisely says nonetheless adds dont want take away power local school councils way keep parents involved even allows increasing state chapter 1 allocation school levelfor years held 261 millionis something look purchasing power declining understand vallas ready raise guarantees money allocated spent right | 680 |
<p>By Eileen Campbell-Reed</p>
<p>In recent weeks two prominent progressive Baptist churches moved to call well-known Baptist pastors. Notably in both calls the pastors are women. Riverside Church in New York City is set to call <a href="ministry/congregations/item/28632-washington-s-amy-butler-is-candidate-for-riverside-church-in-new-york" type="external">Amy Butler</a> and Watts Street Baptist, Durham, N.C., called <a href="ministry/congregations/item/28575-pioneering-n-c-church-calls-woman-pastor" type="external">Dorisanne Cooper</a>.</p>
<p>Calling women to larger, more prominent congregations signals another shift in the 50-year history of women’s growth in pastoral leadership in the United States. Baptists have lagged behind the trend, yet Baptists are also slowly closing the gender gap.</p>
<p>Among the most significant changes to religion in America in the past 50 years is growing leadership of women as pastors, priests, rabbis, CEOs of religious nonprofits, theological educators and denominational heads. Fifty years ago virtually no women were pastors of congregations in America.</p>
<p>In 1964, Addie Davis became the first Southern Baptist woman to be ordained to ministry. Her ordination came from Watts Street church, where Cooper is set to begin as pastor this summer. Davis served most of her career among American Baptists, who ordained women earlier, but did not begin calling women as pastors in any substantial numbers until the 1960s. That trend is similar across other mainline churches. Today the number of female pastors in mainline denominations stands between 20 percent and 30 percent.</p>
<p>The impact of women’s religious leadership in America has not yet been sufficiently analyzed. Several studies are currently underway, including an ecumenical and longitudinal study of ministry that is tracking 25 women (and 25 men) from seminary through first-call and beyond. To understand the impact of women’s leadership in American churches, however, a good first step is to understand more about the gender gaps and why they are so persistent.</p>
<p>Gender gap</p>
<p>A survey of women’s leadership, pay and advancement in business and the professions today reveals an ongoing “gender gap.” The gap remains significantly larger in religious leadership than other professions. Reasons for the gap are numerous and interlinked with other subtle and overt forms of discrimination based on race, class and sexuality. Digging into two persistent factors will help illuminate why closing the gap is so challenging.</p>
<p>Likeability</p>
<p>The gender gap is fueled by what Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg calls the “ambition gap” and results in lower pay and slower (or no) advancement for women. This ambition gap is not merely the lack of desire by women to accomplish, succeed or lead, however. The gap is also connected to the often-studied (and contested) social difference in likeability between successful men and successful women.</p>
<p>Several studies find that the more powerful and successful men are, the more they are liked. Conversely, the more powerful and successful women are, the more they are disliked. Successful women work against this bias in a variety of ways, building likability by building trust and showing genuine concern. Successful women also navigate the inevitable resistance to their leadership. Men face similar challenges, yet they are penalized less for their success. Often the likeability gap leads to fewer promotions or career advancements for women. In churches, this means moving to a second church assignment or moving from associate to senior pastor are steeper challenges for women than men.</p>
<p>Promise vs. accomplishment</p>
<p>Women are hired and promoted based on their accomplishments. Men are hired and promoted more often based on their promise or potential for accomplishment. An often-heard argument in pastor search processes: women are not “ready” (experienced enough) to be hired by big churches. Yet those same churches will hire a man in his early 30s with less experience because he shows promise of good leadership.</p>
<p>Women overcome large social and psychological barriers — jumping the likeability gap and the accomplishment gap — when they move successfully into leadership. In ministry settings the move is even more daunting because the gender gaps are more deeply entrenched. Gender bias is bolstered by scriptural interpretations, the long history of women’s roles as supporters (rather than leaders) and the inertia of institutions. Churches and religious institutions are designed to resist innovation, and women’s pastoral leadership remains an innovation in many churches, even progressive ones like Riverside and Watts Street.</p>
<p>Closing the gap</p>
<p>Many of the social and psychological barriers that create the gender gap remain hidden, unconscious or implicit. In other words, such barriers are not easy to see or correct. This point was driven home to me recently when I took a short quiz at Project Implicit, an ongoing Harvard study of hidden biases. Despite years of working on issues of women’s leadership in religion and my conscious belief in equality, I still came up “moderately associating” women with family and men with work. I demonstrated gender bias. The online test highlights how implicit bias rests outside our observable awareness by measuring in milliseconds how we react and make associations.</p>
<p>The only known pathway to change implicit gender bias is to see and experience more women in leadership, allowing visualization and normalization of women’s leadership as pastors. The power of visualizing and normalizing successful or effective women leaders challenges bias across all professions. Failing to see women’s work of ministry keeps the gender gaps in ambition, pay and advancement in place for churches. In other words, news coverage of stories like Cooper’s and Butler’s are essential for changing implicit gender bias in ministry.</p>
<p>Among moderate and progressive Baptists, Cooper and Butler, and others, are already leaders, widely-known and well-networked, preaching at Baptist meetings, blogging and serving in denominational roles. A growing ecology of networked connections is also key to advancing beyond a first pastoral call for women in Baptist life.</p>
<p>For nearly a decade Pam Durso and I have continued to track trends in women’s leadership in moderate and progressive Baptist circles. Durso’s list of pastors stands at 160, expanding more than 10-fold since 1986, when there were 14. Women currently pastor just over 5 percent of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship congregations, nearly 30 percent of Alliance of Baptist congregations, and almost 10 percent of American Baptist churches.</p>
<p>To be sure, Butler likes to tell a story of an early defining moment in her ministry when she was advised that she could either make her work about women’s advancement in the pastorate, or she could just do her work as pastor. She says, “I try not to be defined by my gender.” Although she prefers to defocus on concerns over women’s progress, she, Cooper and scores of others are the inheritors of women’s advocacy in the last five decades. They are also the leaders, who by their very presence, are closing the gender gap and changing the way we see the pastorate.</p> | false | 3 | eileen campbellreed recent weeks two prominent progressive baptist churches moved call wellknown baptist pastors notably calls pastors women riverside church new york city set call amy butler watts street baptist durham nc called dorisanne cooper calling women larger prominent congregations signals another shift 50year history womens growth pastoral leadership united states baptists lagged behind trend yet baptists also slowly closing gender gap among significant changes religion america past 50 years growing leadership women pastors priests rabbis ceos religious nonprofits theological educators denominational heads fifty years ago virtually women pastors congregations america 1964 addie davis became first southern baptist woman ordained ministry ordination came watts street church cooper set begin pastor summer davis served career among american baptists ordained women earlier begin calling women pastors substantial numbers 1960s trend similar across mainline churches today number female pastors mainline denominations stands 20 percent 30 percent impact womens religious leadership america yet sufficiently analyzed several studies currently underway including ecumenical longitudinal study ministry tracking 25 women 25 men seminary firstcall beyond understand impact womens leadership american churches however good first step understand gender gaps persistent gender gap survey womens leadership pay advancement business professions today reveals ongoing gender gap gap remains significantly larger religious leadership professions reasons gap numerous interlinked subtle overt forms discrimination based race class sexuality digging two persistent factors help illuminate closing gap challenging likeability gender gap fueled facebook coo sheryl sandberg calls ambition gap results lower pay slower advancement women ambition gap merely lack desire women accomplish succeed lead however gap also connected oftenstudied contested social difference likeability successful men successful women several studies find powerful successful men liked conversely powerful successful women disliked successful women work bias variety ways building likability building trust showing genuine concern successful women also navigate inevitable resistance leadership men face similar challenges yet penalized less success often likeability gap leads fewer promotions career advancements women churches means moving second church assignment moving associate senior pastor steeper challenges women men promise vs accomplishment women hired promoted based accomplishments men hired promoted often based promise potential accomplishment oftenheard argument pastor search processes women ready experienced enough hired big churches yet churches hire man early 30s less experience shows promise good leadership women overcome large social psychological barriers jumping likeability gap accomplishment gap move successfully leadership ministry settings move even daunting gender gaps deeply entrenched gender bias bolstered scriptural interpretations long history womens roles supporters rather leaders inertia institutions churches religious institutions designed resist innovation womens pastoral leadership remains innovation many churches even progressive ones like riverside watts street closing gap many social psychological barriers create gender gap remain hidden unconscious implicit words barriers easy see correct point driven home recently took short quiz project implicit ongoing harvard study hidden biases despite years working issues womens leadership religion conscious belief equality still came moderately associating women family men work demonstrated gender bias online test highlights implicit bias rests outside observable awareness measuring milliseconds react make associations known pathway change implicit gender bias see experience women leadership allowing visualization normalization womens leadership pastors power visualizing normalizing successful effective women leaders challenges bias across professions failing see womens work ministry keeps gender gaps ambition pay advancement place churches words news coverage stories like coopers butlers essential changing implicit gender bias ministry among moderate progressive baptists cooper butler others already leaders widelyknown wellnetworked preaching baptist meetings blogging serving denominational roles growing ecology networked connections also key advancing beyond first pastoral call women baptist life nearly decade pam durso continued track trends womens leadership moderate progressive baptist circles dursos list pastors stands 160 expanding 10fold since 1986 14 women currently pastor 5 percent cooperative baptist fellowship congregations nearly 30 percent alliance baptist congregations almost 10 percent american baptist churches sure butler likes tell story early defining moment ministry advised could either make work womens advancement pastorate could work pastor says try defined gender although prefers defocus concerns womens progress cooper scores others inheritors womens advocacy last five decades also leaders presence closing gender gap changing way see pastorate | 668 |
<p>Mansplaining. By now you've probably had it 'splained to you. But just in case, here's Swedish gender expert Christina Knight on the subject:</p>
<p>"I think often it's experienced as a sort of condescending exercise whereby the woman feels that the man feels a need to explain in perhaps a patronizing or condescending way, where the woman hasn't actually asked to be informed, and perhaps the woman might already be more knowledgeable or more well informed on the subject."</p>
<p />
<p>Man: If you're going to open the browser, it's easier if you…</p>
<p>Woman: Excuse me, I'm coding here.</p>
<p>Man: Oh, how fun! I have some thoughts about that too.</p>
<p>Reprinted with permission from the artist, <a href="https://twitter.com/ninahemmingsson?lang=en" type="external">Nina Hemmingsson</a>, Sweden</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>In other words, it's when a man a) assumes a woman knows nothing b) over-explains something obvious or not even worthy of explanation, and/or c) likes the sound of his own voice.</p>
<p />
<p>Man: It's so amazing the way you nailed that contract! I've read through the whole thing and I didn't find a single typo! Nice and neat in every way, you should be proud.</p>
<p>Reprinted with permission from the artist,&#160; <a href="https://twitter.com/ninahemmingsson?lang=en" type="external">Nina Hemmingsson</a>, Sweden</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>If you're a Swedish woman, and believe you've been mansplained, for this week only you can call a mansplaining hotline to vent. This is no joke. One of Sweden's largest trade unions, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/world/europe/mansplaining-hotline-swedish-union.html" type="external">Unionen, set up the hotline</a> after hearing one too many mansplaining complaints from its members.</p>
<p />
<p>Sweden's largest trade union, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1620248291609521/" type="external">Unionen</a>, is sponsoring the mansplaining hotline, which will be open for one week.&#160;</p>
<p>Unionen/Facebook</p>
<p>Knight, who consults with Swedish companies to make them more diverse and gender-equal, is one of the operators taking calls. "The calls have come in from all over Sweden and I've had pretty much 50-50 men and women calling in, which is interesting and good."</p>
<p>She says the people range from those who want simply to applaud the initiative to those looking for actual&#160;strategies for responding to a mansplainer.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Man: I appreciate that you're keeping it neat in here, but could you come back and finish cleaning in an hour? The seminar's about to start any minute now.</p>
<p>Woman: I know, I'm the moderator.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Reprinted with permission from the artist, <a href="https://twitter.com/ninahemmingsson?lang=en" type="external">Nina Hemmingsson</a>, Sweden</p>
<p>Knight says, "I had one wonderful call from a man in his thirties." He told Knight that his sister had asked him to talk to her sons, ages 13 and 10, about mansplaining. "I thought that was such a great thing to do, and not least for the man to take on this responsibility." He wanted tips and advice from the hotline on what to say to his nephews so they wouldn't grow up to be mansplainers.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Woman: We have to decide between these machines. Hello, am I invisible or something?</p>
<p>Man. No, you're visible all right. It's just that you often move outside my line of vision.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Reprinted with permission from the artist, Nina Hemmingsson, Sweden</p>
<p>Remarkably, Knight says she personally hasn't received any calls from disgruntled Swedish men — but she knows there has been some backlash. "There's been quite an intense debate in social media and I know that was expected from Unionen. It is&#160;always the case when you discuss gender equality." She says men sometimes interpret the subject of gender equality as an attack on them, "which is such a shame because I know the aim of this campaign and the aim of most sensible discussions on this topic actually aim to improve situations for both men and women."</p>
<p>Knight says the goal of the campaign benefits all by trying to improve the climate in the workplace and make sure everyone is being listened to and respected.</p>
<p />
<p>Woman: I've called you all to this meeting to talk about…</p>
<p>Man: Before you continue I have to say that you've grown so much!</p>
<p>Woman: Thank you. Anyway, I've made an evaluation…</p>
<p>Man: You're intelligible and not afraid to claim your space.</p>
<p>Woman: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW SWITCH SYSTEM!</p>
<p>Man: And I'm listening to you, so no need to raise your voice.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Reprinted with permission from the artist, Nina Hemmingsson, Sweden</p>
<p>To an outsider, what's curious about a mansplaining hotline in Sweden is that the country is already on the feminist forefront. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven declared Sweden the world's "first feminist government" when the Social Democrats returned to power in 2014. The country has a minister for children, the elderly,&#160;and gender equality. It's instituted gender-responsive budgeting, gender equality in health matters, and an action plan for a feminist foreign policy. Stockholm even has a <a href="http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/01/stockholm-proposal-make-snow-plowing-priorities-better-women/7977/" type="external">gender-equal snow-plowing policy</a>.</p>
<p>Knight acknowledges Sweden's way ahead on the gender equality front, but says the concern with mansplaining came from Swedes themselves. &#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Woman: This whole delivery needs to be moved 100 meters in that direction.</p>
<p>Man 1: That thing she's doing with that little body part that looks like a hand but much smaller is POINTING IN THAT DIRECTION.</p>
<p>Man 2: Thank you. Now I understand.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Reprinted with permission from the artist, <a href="https://twitter.com/ninahemmingsson?lang=en" type="external">Nina Hemmingsson</a>, Sweden</p>
<p>"This specific campaign really is inspired by a need, expressed both by members within Unionen and women generally," Knight says. "They say that they have experienced this and it is troublesome and it is something they'd like to learn how to handle and make people who are&#160;mansplaining aware of what they are doing."</p>
<p />
<p>Woman: Hmm, I never heard that about allergies.&#160;How do you support your thesis?</p>
<p>Man: Well, first I throw in some casual statements that I think sound&#160;legit. Then I add this very important, serious facial expression that I have on right now. Pretty tricky, huh?</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Reprinted with permission from the artist, <a href="" type="external">Nina Hemmingsson</a>, Sweden</p>
<p>So how do you deal with a mansplainer? "I think it's important to talk to the person who's exposing you to this and say 'You know something, I'm experiencing now that you're talking down to me or telling me something that I actually really know quite a lot about and I'd appreciate next time if you perhaps would start our conversation by asking me whether I'd like to know more, if I need to know more, or if I already know what I need to know.'"</p>
<p>Man: We forgot to invite you yesterday after work. Anyway, Steffe accidentally brought the file with the strategic documents and well, we drank a couple of beers, one thing lead to another, and all of a sudden we had made a decision.</p>
<p>Reprinted with permission from the artist, <a href="https://twitter.com/ninahemmingsson?lang=en" type="external">Nina Hemmingsson</a>, Sweden</p> | false | 3 | mansplaining youve probably splained case heres swedish gender expert christina knight subject think often experienced sort condescending exercise whereby woman feels man feels need explain perhaps patronizing condescending way woman hasnt actually asked informed perhaps woman might already knowledgeable well informed subject man youre going open browser easier woman excuse im coding man oh fun thoughts reprinted permission artist nina hemmingsson sweden 160 words man assumes woman knows nothing b overexplains something obvious even worthy explanation andor c likes sound voice man amazing way nailed contract ive read whole thing didnt find single typo nice neat every way proud reprinted permission artist160 nina hemmingsson sweden 160 youre swedish woman believe youve mansplained week call mansplaining hotline vent joke one swedens largest trade unions unionen set hotline hearing one many mansplaining complaints members swedens largest trade union unionen sponsoring mansplaining hotline open one week160 unionenfacebook knight consults swedish companies make diverse genderequal one operators taking calls calls come sweden ive pretty much 5050 men women calling interesting good says people range want simply applaud initiative looking actual160strategies responding mansplainer160 man appreciate youre keeping neat could come back finish cleaning hour seminars start minute woman know im moderator160 160 160 reprinted permission artist nina hemmingsson sweden knight says one wonderful call man thirties told knight sister asked talk sons ages 13 10 mansplaining thought great thing least man take responsibility wanted tips advice hotline say nephews wouldnt grow mansplainers160 woman decide machines hello invisible something man youre visible right often move outside line vision 160 reprinted permission artist nina hemmingsson sweden remarkably knight says personally hasnt received calls disgruntled swedish men knows backlash theres quite intense debate social media know expected unionen is160always case discuss gender equality says men sometimes interpret subject gender equality attack shame know aim campaign aim sensible discussions topic actually aim improve situations men women knight says goal campaign benefits trying improve climate workplace make sure everyone listened respected woman ive called meeting talk man continue say youve grown much woman thank anyway ive made evaluation man youre intelligible afraid claim space woman want talk new switch system man im listening need raise voice 160 reprinted permission artist nina hemmingsson sweden outsider whats curious mansplaining hotline sweden country already feminist forefront prime minister stefan lofven declared sweden worlds first feminist government social democrats returned power 2014 country minister children elderly160and gender equality instituted genderresponsive budgeting gender equality health matters action plan feminist foreign policy stockholm even genderequal snowplowing policy knight acknowledges swedens way ahead gender equality front says concern mansplaining came swedes 160 woman whole delivery needs moved 100 meters direction man 1 thing shes little body part looks like hand much smaller pointing direction man 2 thank understand 160 reprinted permission artist nina hemmingsson sweden specific campaign really inspired need expressed members within unionen women generally knight says say experienced troublesome something theyd like learn handle make people are160mansplaining aware woman hmm never heard allergies160how support thesis man well first throw casual statements think sound160legit add important serious facial expression right pretty tricky huh 160 reprinted permission artist nina hemmingsson sweden deal mansplainer think important talk person whos exposing say know something im experiencing youre talking telling something actually really know quite lot id appreciate next time perhaps would start conversation asking whether id like know need know already know need know man forgot invite yesterday work anyway steffe accidentally brought file strategic documents well drank couple beers one thing lead another sudden made decision reprinted permission artist nina hemmingsson sweden | 584 |
<p>Who says the world is just a bunch of nasty, dead-end stories? Here are a few that feature positive endings, chosen by the Solutions Journalism Network. What do we mean? Scroll down to see how&#160;Nepal cut its maternal mortality rate by 75 percent, New Orleans ended veteran homelessness and why the use of body cameras in Oakland has helped drop the “use-of-force” incidents by 72 percent.</p>
<p>Take Part | Jacob Kushner</p>
<p>The UN counted 1,700 rapes in Mogadishu from January to November 2013. The total number of rape convictions that year in all of south-central Somalia? Two. But the future isn’t so bleak. Jacob Kushner highlights a model for success, just 450 miles away–a one-stop center that’s getting women the support they need. [1,959 words]</p>
<p />
<p>Tou Moua, left, a water conservation representative of the City of Fresno, Calif., confronted Jim Kjer after spotting him watering his lawn during the day.</p>
<p>Max Whittaker/New York Times</p>
<p>New York Times | Nelson Schwartz</p>
<p>Santa Fe, New Mexico, has the most drastic tiered pricing system for water use in the country, charging heavy users a premium. The result? The city has cut its usage by 20 percent, even while its population grew by 10 percent. It’s saving tons of water, but is Santa Fe’s pricing system replicable? Nelson Schwartz investigates in this data-rich solutions piece. [2,043 words]</p>
<p />
<p>Six-day-old Michaela Hart naps during the first breastfeeding peer support meeting that she and her mother Ethel attended at St. John Hospital in Detroit.</p>
<p>Molly M. Ginty</p>
<p>Women’s e-news | Molly Ginty</p>
<p>African Americans have the lowest breastfeeding rate of any ethnic group in the country, which contributes to high incidences of obesity, diabetes, and other series health problems. Molly Ginty explores how Mother Nurture’s peer-counseling program–which has boosted the rates among its obstetrics patients by 40 percent in just four years–could become a model for the nation. [1,761 words]</p>
<p />
<p>New Orleans met its goal of housing all of its homeless veterans by the end of 2014.</p>
<p>John Moore/Getty Images</p>
<p>NationSwell | Chris Peak</p>
<p>It was anything but (the Big) Easy. But New Orleans managed to end veteran homelessness this past January, a full year ahead of the curve (many US cities are trying to end vet homelessness by the end of 2015). Chris Peak dissects how continual innovation and creating a “continuum of care” attributed to their success. [1,206 words]</p>
<p />
<p>Officer Terry Thomas displays the video camera Richmond Police officers have been wearing since the first of this year, seen while on patrols in Richmond, Calif.</p>
<p>Michael Macor, The San Francisco Chronicle</p>
<p>San Francisco Chronicle | Kevin Fagan</p>
<p>As protests continue over the police shootings of several unarmed citizens, communities and law enforcement alike are seeking ways to prevent further incidents. One key bright spot? Body cameras. Since Oakland deployed cameras among its police force in 2010, “use-of-force” incidents have dropped by 72 percent. Kevin Fagan on how this technology is becoming a “no-brainer” for PDs everywhere. [1,005]</p>
<p />
<p>A woman and her child in Nepal.</p>
<p>Patrick Adams</p>
<p>Foreign Policy | Patrick Adams</p>
<p>The poorest country in Asia after Afghanistan, Nepal faces its share of uphill battles, including seemingly insurmountable deficiencies in its health care system. But the country has already met the 5th UN Millenium Development Goal: cutting its maternal mortality rate by 75 percent by 2015. How’d Nepal do it with so few resources in so short a time frame? Patrick Adams reports. [2,452 words]</p>
<p />
<p>Dr. Gary Bloch has spent years trying to treat poverty as an underlying cause of illness.</p>
<p>Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star</p>
<p>Toronto Star | Catherine Porter</p>
<p>The link between poverty &amp; higher rates of illness are undeniable. People in low-income brackets are more likely to suffer from heart disease, lung cancer, depression and more. Now, one Toronto hospital is incorporating everything from legal aid to social work into physician’s visits. Catherine Porter on innovative “poverty treatment.”&#160; [1,248 words]</p>
<p />
<p>Millions of Americans get tests, drugs and operations that won’t make them better, may cause harm, and cost billions.</p>
<p>Illustration by Anna Parini</p>
<p>New Yorker | Atul Gawande</p>
<p>Six years ago, Atul Gawande wrote about McAllen, Texas, a town with one of the highest per-capita Medicare costs in the nation–almost twice the national average. Five years after the passage of Obamacare, Medicare costs in McAllen have dropped almost $3,000 (or 20 percent) per patient. How has the ACA successfully decreased widespread and unnecessary medical tests, operations and drugs that drive up costs for everyone? [8,369 words]</p>
<p />
<p>Murlene Osburn, above, on her ranch near Wood Lake, Neb. As a nurse practitioner, Ms. Osburn wants to provide psychiatric services in her thinly populated part of the state.</p>
<p>Brian Lehmann/The New York Times</p>
<p>New York Times | Sabrina Tavernise</p>
<p>In March, Nebraska became the 20th state to pass a law that allows nurses with advanced degrees to practice without doctor oversight. Nurses are able to order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and administer treatments–a huge benefit to rural states like Nebraska that have difficult attracting doctors to remote areas. Sabrina Tavernise reports on this important trend in health policy. [1,353 words]</p> | false | 3 | says world bunch nasty deadend stories feature positive endings chosen solutions journalism network mean scroll see how160nepal cut maternal mortality rate 75 percent new orleans ended veteran homelessness use body cameras oakland helped drop useofforce incidents 72 percent take part jacob kushner un counted 1700 rapes mogadishu january november 2013 total number rape convictions year southcentral somalia two future isnt bleak jacob kushner highlights model success 450 miles awaya onestop center thats getting women support need 1959 words tou moua left water conservation representative city fresno calif confronted jim kjer spotting watering lawn day max whittakernew york times new york times nelson schwartz santa fe new mexico drastic tiered pricing system water use country charging heavy users premium result city cut usage 20 percent even population grew 10 percent saving tons water santa fes pricing system replicable nelson schwartz investigates datarich solutions piece 2043 words sixdayold michaela hart naps first breastfeeding peer support meeting mother ethel attended st john hospital detroit molly ginty womens enews molly ginty african americans lowest breastfeeding rate ethnic group country contributes high incidences obesity diabetes series health problems molly ginty explores mother nurtures peercounseling programwhich boosted rates among obstetrics patients 40 percent four yearscould become model nation 1761 words new orleans met goal housing homeless veterans end 2014 john mooregetty images nationswell chris peak anything big easy new orleans managed end veteran homelessness past january full year ahead curve many us cities trying end vet homelessness end 2015 chris peak dissects continual innovation creating continuum care attributed success 1206 words officer terry thomas displays video camera richmond police officers wearing since first year seen patrols richmond calif michael macor san francisco chronicle san francisco chronicle kevin fagan protests continue police shootings several unarmed citizens communities law enforcement alike seeking ways prevent incidents one key bright spot body cameras since oakland deployed cameras among police force 2010 useofforce incidents dropped 72 percent kevin fagan technology becoming nobrainer pds everywhere 1005 woman child nepal patrick adams foreign policy patrick adams poorest country asia afghanistan nepal faces share uphill battles including seemingly insurmountable deficiencies health care system country already met 5th un millenium development goal cutting maternal mortality rate 75 percent 2015 howd nepal resources short time frame patrick adams reports 2452 words dr gary bloch spent years trying treat poverty underlying cause illness andrew francis wallacetoronto star toronto star catherine porter link poverty amp higher rates illness undeniable people lowincome brackets likely suffer heart disease lung cancer depression one toronto hospital incorporating everything legal aid social work physicians visits catherine porter innovative poverty treatment160 1248 words millions americans get tests drugs operations wont make better may cause harm cost billions illustration anna parini new yorker atul gawande six years ago atul gawande wrote mcallen texas town one highest percapita medicare costs nationalmost twice national average five years passage obamacare medicare costs mcallen dropped almost 3000 20 percent per patient aca successfully decreased widespread unnecessary medical tests operations drugs drive costs everyone 8369 words murlene osburn ranch near wood lake neb nurse practitioner ms osburn wants provide psychiatric services thinly populated part state brian lehmannthe new york times new york times sabrina tavernise march nebraska became 20th state pass law allows nurses advanced degrees practice without doctor oversight nurses able order diagnostic tests prescribe medications administer treatmentsa huge benefit rural states like nebraska difficult attracting doctors remote areas sabrina tavernise reports important trend health policy 1353 words | 569 |
<p>Inez Feltscher's parents fled the totalitarianism of communist Poland.</p>
<p>Her parent's worldview, and her own, was shaped by the Cold War and Ronald Reagan. They came from a generation who grew up behind the Iron Curtain and saw the US as a “shining light on the hill,” a force for good that was the alternative to the the corrupt, paranoid and despotic regime they knew. In college, and later as a law student at the University of Virginia, Feltscher embraced this vision of American exceptionalism, and came to see it as a direct result of how the country was founded — the way the Constitution enshrined the rule of law, checks and balances and limitations on government.</p>
<p>“I think we desperately need a president who puts the Constitution first,” she says. She is supporting the Republican senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, for president. And she is as much anti-Donald Trump as she is pro-Cruz.</p>
<p>Feltscher, 28, was raised in northern California where she grew accustomed to debating liberal peers who dismissed Ronald Reagan as senile. She says her peers saw America as more of a force for imperialism than liberty. But now she fears that what she values most about her country is in peril, and not just from her traditional foils on the left.</p>
<p>Cruz, with his references to Reagan-esque rhetoric and rallying cry to “restore the Constitution” represents the Republican Party she knows. Donald Trump represents something else entirely, she says. He espouses a kind of angry populism more concerned with “winning” than the Constitution. Trump reminds her more of what her parents fled in Poland than what drew them to the US.</p>
<p />
<p>Inez Feltscher with her fiancé, Jarrett Stepman.</p>
<p>Courtsey of Inez Feltscher</p>
<p>Feltscher spoke with us in the first week of March, in between attending sessions at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the summit Trump skipped. A conservative activist, she’s built up her Washington, DC, resume with an internship at the&#160;Heritage Foundation, a flagship conservative think thank, which led to her current job at the American Legislative Exchange Council, the influential conservative organization&#160;that drafts model bills for state legislatures.</p>
<p>She joined the Tea Party in 2009 and has done interviews with <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/12/21/inez-feltscher-school-choice-for-congress-but-not-other-dc-residents/" type="external">Breitbart</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe2bpwMk-KE" type="external">NewsMax TV</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalnation/" type="external" /></p>
<p />
<p>Her fear of “government tyranny” is not exactly a novelty in conservative circles, but the stories her parents told about communist Poland during the 70s made the concept much less abstract for her.</p>
<p>“I am aware, in a way that many Americans whose families have been here longer are not, of how fragile a thing American exceptionalism is,” Feltscher says. "Of how remarkable a moment in world history it was when this country was founded on principles of government and Constitution rather than a tribe. Like Ronald Reagan said,&#160;'Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.'”</p>
<p>Feltscher is not a fan of identity politics, whatever the flavor. She views it as a “province of the left.” And identity politics is exactly what Trump’s campaign is tapping into, she says — focusing on working class whites.</p>
<p>“I despise hearing Donald Trump and his supporters for trying to convince conservatives to get on the identity politics gravy train. There is a reason I fight it on the left and I am not about to accept it because it wears Republican clothes,” she says.</p>
<p>For instance, she doesn’t think Trump supports the KKK, but sees his initial reluctance to disavow them as signal to a particular kind of voter, one less concerned with the tenets of conservative ideology.</p>
<p>Also: <a href="" type="internal">To this shotgun-carrying mosque protester, Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric has gone too far</a></p>
<p>“Those people that Trump is dog whistling to, they’re not part of the Tea Party movement," says Feltscher. "They are coming out of the woodwork now because he says a few things that they understand as a dog whistle. I don’t like that. I don’t like those people crawling out from under the rocks. I think they should go back under those rocks.”</p>
<p>In the last week, as violent incidents have marred Trump rallies, she has taken to Twitter to lay blame on the candidate.</p>
<p>It’s not just what she sees as the subtle appeal to racists that bothers her about Trump. As a conservative she is, by definition, worried about limited government and a strict adherence to the rule of law. The latter is why she endorses Cruz’s hard line on illegal immigration, which she compares to “breaking in the back door while someone is throwing a dinner party.”</p>
<p>Trump, she says, doesn't hold those same values.</p>
<p>“If there is anything that is real about the Trump carnival, it’s that he never talks about the Constitution with any degree of reverence,” she says. “He never talks about limitations on government.”</p>
<p>If Trump were to become president, she fears the Republican Party would be reluctant to oppose him and that he would would take full advantage, issuing the kinds of executive orders that conservatives like her have decried as unconstitutional under President Obama.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>“I do believe he would use he would use the political machinery of the executive branch to go after every single person who has said anything nasty about him. I think he would be Nixon on steroids,” she says.</p>
<p>At times, she thinks Trump doesn’t necessarily believe what he’s saying and is just playing politics. Other times, what he says “terrifies” her, like his comments that he would order the US military to execute the families of terrorists.</p>
<p>“The US military are not hired guns. They are citizens sworn to uphold the Constitution, and to upload a higher standard than thugs and murders. That was a scary statement in my view,” she says.</p>
<p>Feltscher supports Cruz on many policy points, but his main appeal to her is how he frames his campaign around the Constitution and traditional conservative values. Marco Rubio is her second-choice candidate, but like many Tea Party conservatives, she felt betrayed when he campaigned as a Tea Party candidate and then supported the Gang of Eight's 2013 immigration bill. But she does think he is more conservative that previous establishment picks. As for Ohio governor John Kasich, she sees him as more of a technocratic manager than a conservative, and notes that he has supported Medicaid expansion and Common Core.</p>
<p>She’s no fan of Hillary Clinton either, and would see her election as the continuation of the “same failed policies that have governed this country for the last seven years with Barack Obama.” But Feltscher is a consistent user of the #NeverTrump hashtag on Twitter, meaning she doesn’t plan on voting for him, whether he wins the nomination or not.</p>
<p>Another view: <a href="" type="internal">For these Republicans, 'anything I can do' to stop Trump — even if that means backing Clinton</a></p>
<p>So what will she do if Trump wins the Republican nomination? She’ll vote for a third party candidate, or just vote “down ticket” for other Republican candidates and ignore the presidential race all together.</p>
<p>She hope it doesn’t come to that.</p>
<p>“We can go with somebody who calls us back to the principals of the founding, and the principals that have made America great,” she says. “I do fear that we are running out of time to take that third option.”&#160;</p>
<p>This article is part of a Global Nation series that captures the point of view of immigrants and first generation Americans who support each candidate for president. We’ve also profiled an El Salvador-born <a href="" type="internal">Marco Rubio</a> supporter, and a Nicaraguan woman who supports <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a>.</p> | false | 3 | inez feltschers parents fled totalitarianism communist poland parents worldview shaped cold war ronald reagan came generation grew behind iron curtain saw us shining light hill force good alternative corrupt paranoid despotic regime knew college later law student university virginia feltscher embraced vision american exceptionalism came see direct result country founded way constitution enshrined rule law checks balances limitations government think desperately need president puts constitution first says supporting republican senator texas ted cruz president much antidonald trump procruz feltscher 28 raised northern california grew accustomed debating liberal peers dismissed ronald reagan senile says peers saw america force imperialism liberty fears values country peril traditional foils left cruz references reaganesque rhetoric rallying cry restore constitution represents republican party knows donald trump represents something else entirely says espouses kind angry populism concerned winning constitution trump reminds parents fled poland drew us inez feltscher fiancé jarrett stepman courtsey inez feltscher feltscher spoke us first week march attending sessions conservative political action conference cpac summit trump skipped conservative activist shes built washington dc resume internship the160heritage foundation flagship conservative think thank led current job american legislative exchange council influential conservative organization160that drafts model bills state legislatures joined tea party 2009 done interviews breitbart newsmax tv fear government tyranny exactly novelty conservative circles stories parents told communist poland 70s made concept much less abstract aware way many americans whose families longer fragile thing american exceptionalism feltscher says remarkable moment world history country founded principles government constitution rather tribe like ronald reagan said160freedom never one generation away extinction feltscher fan identity politics whatever flavor views province left identity politics exactly trumps campaign tapping says focusing working class whites despise hearing donald trump supporters trying convince conservatives get identity politics gravy train reason fight left accept wears republican clothes says instance doesnt think trump supports kkk sees initial reluctance disavow signal particular kind voter one less concerned tenets conservative ideology also shotguncarrying mosque protester trumps antimuslim rhetoric gone far people trump dog whistling theyre part tea party movement says feltscher coming woodwork says things understand dog whistle dont like dont like people crawling rocks think go back rocks last week violent incidents marred trump rallies taken twitter lay blame candidate sees subtle appeal racists bothers trump conservative definition worried limited government strict adherence rule law latter endorses cruzs hard line illegal immigration compares breaking back door someone throwing dinner party trump says doesnt hold values anything real trump carnival never talks constitution degree reverence says never talks limitations government trump become president fears republican party would reluctant oppose would would take full advantage issuing kinds executive orders conservatives like decried unconstitutional president obama 160 believe would use would use political machinery executive branch go every single person said anything nasty think would nixon steroids says times thinks trump doesnt necessarily believe hes saying playing politics times says terrifies like comments would order us military execute families terrorists us military hired guns citizens sworn uphold constitution upload higher standard thugs murders scary statement view says feltscher supports cruz many policy points main appeal frames campaign around constitution traditional conservative values marco rubio secondchoice candidate like many tea party conservatives felt betrayed campaigned tea party candidate supported gang eights 2013 immigration bill think conservative previous establishment picks ohio governor john kasich sees technocratic manager conservative notes supported medicaid expansion common core shes fan hillary clinton either would see election continuation failed policies governed country last seven years barack obama feltscher consistent user nevertrump hashtag twitter meaning doesnt plan voting whether wins nomination another view republicans anything stop trump even means backing clinton trump wins republican nomination shell vote third party candidate vote ticket republican candidates ignore presidential race together hope doesnt come go somebody calls us back principals founding principals made america great says fear running time take third option160 article part global nation series captures point view immigrants first generation americans support candidate president weve also profiled el salvadorborn marco rubio supporter nicaraguan woman supports donald trump | 659 |
<p>This story was edited after posting to correctvan error.</p>
<p>By Vicki Brown</p>
<p>Registration for the 2013 Southern Baptist Convention in Houston closed June 12 with a total of 5,103 messengers, down from 7,874 last year in New Orleans and the second-smallest convention crowd since 1944. The last time the SBC met in Houston, in 1993, registration totaled 17,768.</p>
<p>Declining attendance, rising expenses and rapid advances in communications technology cause some to contend the Baptist annual meeting is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Not so fast, say others who believe the fellowship and sense of community such gatherings afford will hold the practice together at least for a while.</p>
<p>“There is a sense in which annual meetings nurture community in a way that other activities cannot,” noted Baptist historian Bill Leonard, the James and Marilyn Dunn Professor of Baptist Studies and professor of church history at <a href="http://www.divinity.wfu.edu/‎" type="external">Wake Forest School of Divinity</a>.</p>
<p>In the past, the annual meeting has been the primary opportunity for cross-generational contact and discussions about missions, evangelism and theological dialogue. Ending the practice would be a “huge loss,” Leonard said, because no similar opportunity exists.</p>
<p>“When those sources of connection disappear, where do you nurture that sense of community?” he asked.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thefellowship.info/" type="external">Cooperative Baptist Fellowship</a> Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter said nurturing community is practical in a changing world. “In a pluralistic, post-denominational culture, we can feel alone at church,” Paynter said. “Being together reminds us we are not alone…. We can do more together than one church alone.”</p>
<p>Some suggest that annual meetings no longer matter, because denominations themselves are dying. Others say denominationalism isn’t dying but changing, and that those groups flexible enough to change still need the community and networking conventions afford.</p>
<p>“We are living through the death rattle of the Protestant privilege,” said Leonard.&#160;“Most denominations will survive in some form but with much less prominence in American religious life than they have had before, and that’s across the denominational spectrum.”</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.nabf.info/" type="external">North American Baptist Fellowship</a>, a Baptist World Alliance regional body, is looking for new ways to connect with members.</p>
<p>“Some will disappear, but I don’t think we will lose all denominations and affiliations,” noted NABF President Jim Hill. “I don’t think we are in a post-denominational era, … but I think those that fail to connect in vital ways with their congregations will not last.”</p>
<p>Larger denominations may have the most difficulty adapting to cultural change. Leonard sees the Southern Baptist Convention as a “classic” case study of a large denomination’s struggle to remain viable.</p>
<p>“For a long time, they told themselves they were not declining and that because they are conservative, people would run to them,” he said.&#160;Instead, a growing number of SBC churches are dropping “Baptist” from their name.</p>
<p>“The SBC system is so cumbersome that it may not be able to change fast enough,” Leonard said.</p>
<p>Paynter agreed that “the era of the cruise-boat denominational structures is gone.”</p>
<p>“We live in the small-boat era,” said Paynter, who looks forward to her first CBF General Assembly since her election as chief executive in February June 26-28 in Greensboro, N.C.</p>
<p>CBF Moderator Keith Herron of Kansas City, Mo., who will preside, views the annual gathering as a picture of hope for the body’s future.</p>
<p>“[The General Assembly] keeps us together, keeps us informed and keeps us inspired,” Herron said. “Churches don’t do well as totally autonomous bodies, but rather need other congregations that are struggling or prospering in similar ways.”</p>
<p>“There is a unifying force of mission that stirs the imagination and the spirit of congregations when the pot of ideas and inspiration is stirred.”</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.lottcarey.org/" type="external">Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention</a> holds a weeklong annual gathering in August that emphasizes strong personal and community connections — a cultural necessity among African-American churches.</p>
<p>“Given the high value of relationship cultivation, personal and ministry networking, and the ‘family reunion’ aspects of Baptist communities of African-American heritage, the annual meeting remains essential to the life and work of these bodies,” noted David Goatley, Lott Carey’s secretary-treasurer.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.abc-usa.org/" type="external">American Baptist Churches USA</a>, a 1.3-million-member group that meets every other year, also stresses community-building.</p>
<p>“In an age of high tech, we believe in high touch,” explained Leo Thorne, ABC-USA associate general secretary for mission resource development.</p>
<p>American Baptists gather June 21-23 in Overland Park, Kan. The group is taking a different approach this year. For the first time, its session will be conducted as a <a href="http://www.americanbaptists2013.com/" type="external">Mission Summit</a>. In the past, the organization held separate conferences.</p>
<p>Rather than inviting an “expert” to share how to deal with certain issues or topics, the meeting will foster small-group discussions. Participants will “attend the group that meets their interests,” Thorne said. “Then they will be challenged to go back to their church, discuss what they learned and find ways to implement it.”</p>
<p>While some Baptist bodies stream parts of their annual sessions online, apparently none is conducting completely “virtual” meetings.</p>
<p>Goatley said the only organizations that would benefit from providing annual sessions solely in “virtual” format would be those that use the national meeting only for business. He added that those denominations would have to make certain they provide “good information that is clear and fair, rather than slanted in the direction of the authors of the distributed materials,” he said.</p>
<p>Groups that use national sessions to “cultivate relational capital” probably should remain with the current annual meeting concept,” Goatley said. “Virtual meetings cannot adequately nurture networks for people whose primary orientation is around helping people strengthen their relationships with Jesus,” he said.</p> | false | 3 | story edited posting correctvan error vicki brown registration 2013 southern baptist convention houston closed june 12 total 5103 messengers 7874 last year new orleans secondsmallest convention crowd since 1944 last time sbc met houston 1993 registration totaled 17768 declining attendance rising expenses rapid advances communications technology cause contend baptist annual meeting rapidly becoming thing past fast say others believe fellowship sense community gatherings afford hold practice together least sense annual meetings nurture community way activities noted baptist historian bill leonard james marilyn dunn professor baptist studies professor church history wake forest school divinity past annual meeting primary opportunity crossgenerational contact discussions missions evangelism theological dialogue ending practice would huge loss leonard said similar opportunity exists sources connection disappear nurture sense community asked cooperative baptist fellowship executive coordinator suzii paynter said nurturing community practical changing world pluralistic postdenominational culture feel alone church paynter said together reminds us alone together one church alone suggest annual meetings longer matter denominations dying others say denominationalism isnt dying changing groups flexible enough change still need community networking conventions afford living death rattle protestant privilege said leonard160most denominations survive form much less prominence american religious life thats across denominational spectrum north american baptist fellowship baptist world alliance regional body looking new ways connect members disappear dont think lose denominations affiliations noted nabf president jim hill dont think postdenominational era think fail connect vital ways congregations last larger denominations may difficulty adapting cultural change leonard sees southern baptist convention classic case study large denominations struggle remain viable long time told declining conservative people would run said160instead growing number sbc churches dropping baptist name sbc system cumbersome may able change fast enough leonard said paynter agreed era cruiseboat denominational structures gone live smallboat era said paynter looks forward first cbf general assembly since election chief executive february june 2628 greensboro nc cbf moderator keith herron kansas city mo preside views annual gathering picture hope bodys future general assembly keeps us together keeps us informed keeps us inspired herron said churches dont well totally autonomous bodies rather need congregations struggling prospering similar ways unifying force mission stirs imagination spirit congregations pot ideas inspiration stirred lott carey foreign mission convention holds weeklong annual gathering august emphasizes strong personal community connections cultural necessity among africanamerican churches given high value relationship cultivation personal ministry networking family reunion aspects baptist communities africanamerican heritage annual meeting remains essential life work bodies noted david goatley lott careys secretarytreasurer american baptist churches usa 13millionmember group meets every year also stresses communitybuilding age high tech believe high touch explained leo thorne abcusa associate general secretary mission resource development american baptists gather june 2123 overland park kan group taking different approach year first time session conducted mission summit past organization held separate conferences rather inviting expert share deal certain issues topics meeting foster smallgroup discussions participants attend group meets interests thorne said challenged go back church discuss learned find ways implement baptist bodies stream parts annual sessions online apparently none conducting completely virtual meetings goatley said organizations would benefit providing annual sessions solely virtual format would use national meeting business added denominations would make certain provide good information clear fair rather slanted direction authors distributed materials said groups use national sessions cultivate relational capital probably remain current annual meeting concept goatley said virtual meetings adequately nurture networks people whose primary orientation around helping people strengthen relationships jesus said | 560 |
<p>By Cecile S. Holmes</p>
<p>Tim LaHaye believes it is yet to come. Hank Hanegraaff thinks some of it may have already happened during Christianity's first century. Their ongoing debate over the proper understanding of the fearsome prophecies in the biblical Book of Revelation is fueling interest in the end times at a moment when wars and disasters already have many people terrified.</p>
<p>And while Armageddon may be bad for life itself, it's proven good for the publishing industry.</p>
<p>Hanegraaff's and LaHaye's takes on Revelation couldn't be more different, but that's not hurting sales for either book. LaHaye's blockbuster Left Behind 12-book fiction series has sold 42 million copies. Hanegraaff's newer novel The Last Disciple is the first of a proposed four-part series and is doing well.</p>
<p>It's about much more than selling books, however, scholars say. The high-stakes publishing battle between the two men comes on the heels of the millennial fervor surrounding the year 2000, and feeds a stream of fear rippling just below the surface of public consciousness. The war in Iraq, the South Asia tsunami and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 are understood by some people to foreshadow the beginning of the end.</p>
<p>“The new millennium and 9/11 have undoubtedly helped to stoke today's wildly popular speculation about the end times,” said Michael Guillen, a scientist, former ABC-TV science editor and author of Can a Smart Person Believe in God? “But-irony of ironies-science, too, has played a crucial role,” providing a threatening array of possibilities from global warming to nuclear warfare.</p>
<p>Like impatient children who can't wait to open gifts, Guillen said adults similarly can't wait to know the future. “In this respect, Christians are only human. They're just as eager as the average pagan to know what's going to become of us and our oh-so-troubled world,” he said.</p>
<p>A 2003 Pew poll showed that 44 percent of Americans believe Israel is literally the promised land given by God to the Jews, and 36 percent believe the modern state of Israel is a “fulfillment of the biblical prophecy about the second coming of Jesus,” he notes.</p>
<p>When it comes to the Bible, whether people interpret it literally or figuratively often depends on the specific prophecy, he said. Either way, prophecy sells in the world of Christian publishing.</p>
<p>Both books were released by respected religious publisher Tyndale House. Ron Beers, the company's senior vice president and publisher, stressed that Tyndale encourages “spirited debate” over the opposing viewpoints.</p>
<p>Each book “presents a very different interpretation,” Beers said. “Both of these viewpoints are strongly supported by a large number of evangelical scholars.”</p>
<p>In the Left Behind series, co-authored by LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, the end of the world is yet to come. The books follow a generally apocalyptic interpretation of Revelation beginning with the Rapture, in which millions of believers are snatched up to heaven, and continuing through the seven-year Tribulation marked by the rule of the Antichrist. Jesus Christ returns at the end of that period and triumphs in the battle of Armageddon.</p>
<p>Hanegraaff's book-co-authored with writer Sigmund Brouwer-unfolds in first-century Jerusalem. The city begins to confront chaos prophesied by Christ as the beginning of the last days. Uncertainty grows as an evil adversary tries to find the disciple John's letter (the book of Revelation) in order to destroy it and those with a copy.</p>
<p>The book contends that Revelation may actually describe how early Christians were persecuted under the brutal Nero in the first century.</p>
<p>To Hanegraaff, Revelation was written before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple to encourage persecuted Christians. He says the “end-time model presented in Left Behind is hermeneutically false in that it attributes powers to the beast that belong only to God, but it is historically false because it places the beast in the 21st century.”</p>
<p>To LaHaye, The Last Disciple promotes a “flawed theory,” one which he has criticized in media interviews. A pastor and author, he perhaps was best known for his conservative politics before fiction brought him fame. He believes deeply in his view of the Bible.</p>
<p>“Everyone wants to know about the future and there's a lot of discussion, but only the Bible gives concrete answers,” LaHaye said last year in an interview. “What people don't realize is that 28 percent of the Bible was prophetic at the time it was written. There are over 1,000 prophecies in the Bible, half of which have already been fulfilled.”</p>
<p>Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of CRI's popular daily radio show the Bible Answer Man, minces no words describing how his views differ.</p>
<p>“Fiction is a great truth-convening medium,” he says. “As Left Behind has become the vehicle for indoctrinating millions of believers into an end-time theology invented in the 19th century, so we intend The Last Disciple series to bring a biblical balance to the debate over which end-times perspective corresponds to reality.”</p>
<p>Christian prophecy writing historically emphasized natural disasters and wars as “signs of the times,” or indicators of God's attitude on the road to the millennium, says Michael Barkum, a Syracuse University political science professor who has written extensively about apocalyptic, millennial and end-times fears.</p>
<p>By the late 19th century, the “signs of the times” view weakened as science rendered natural phenomena understandable and sometimes predictable, he says. But the more traditional outlook never totally disappeared.</p>
<p>Millennialists are adaptable and capable of incorporating contemporary events into their religious understanding, Barkum said. Though LaHaye and Hanegraaff pen fiction, readers understand these particular books to be scripturally based, he says. As a result, such books are seen, in part, as expositions of an inerrant Bible.</p>
<p>Religion News Service</p>
<p>Cecile Holmes is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of South Carolina.</p> | false | 3 | cecile holmes tim lahaye believes yet come hank hanegraaff thinks may already happened christianitys first century ongoing debate proper understanding fearsome prophecies biblical book revelation fueling interest end times moment wars disasters already many people terrified armageddon may bad life proven good publishing industry hanegraaffs lahayes takes revelation couldnt different thats hurting sales either book lahayes blockbuster left behind 12book fiction series sold 42 million copies hanegraaffs newer novel last disciple first proposed fourpart series well much selling books however scholars say highstakes publishing battle two men comes heels millennial fervor surrounding year 2000 feeds stream fear rippling surface public consciousness war iraq south asia tsunami terrorist attacks sept 11 2001 understood people foreshadow beginning end new millennium 911 undoubtedly helped stoke todays wildly popular speculation end times said michael guillen scientist former abctv science editor author smart person believe god butirony ironiesscience played crucial role providing threatening array possibilities global warming nuclear warfare like impatient children cant wait open gifts guillen said adults similarly cant wait know future respect christians human theyre eager average pagan know whats going become us ohsotroubled world said 2003 pew poll showed 44 percent americans believe israel literally promised land given god jews 36 percent believe modern state israel fulfillment biblical prophecy second coming jesus notes comes bible whether people interpret literally figuratively often depends specific prophecy said either way prophecy sells world christian publishing books released respected religious publisher tyndale house ron beers companys senior vice president publisher stressed tyndale encourages spirited debate opposing viewpoints book presents different interpretation beers said viewpoints strongly supported large number evangelical scholars left behind series coauthored lahaye jerry jenkins end world yet come books follow generally apocalyptic interpretation revelation beginning rapture millions believers snatched heaven continuing sevenyear tribulation marked rule antichrist jesus christ returns end period triumphs battle armageddon hanegraaffs bookcoauthored writer sigmund brouwerunfolds firstcentury jerusalem city begins confront chaos prophesied christ beginning last days uncertainty grows evil adversary tries find disciple johns letter book revelation order destroy copy book contends revelation may actually describe early christians persecuted brutal nero first century hanegraaff revelation written destruction jerusalem temple encourage persecuted christians says endtime model presented left behind hermeneutically false attributes powers beast belong god historically false places beast 21st century lahaye last disciple promotes flawed theory one criticized media interviews pastor author perhaps best known conservative politics fiction brought fame believes deeply view bible everyone wants know future theres lot discussion bible gives concrete answers lahaye said last year interview people dont realize 28 percent bible prophetic time written 1000 prophecies bible half already fulfilled hanegraaff president christian research institute host cris popular daily radio show bible answer man minces words describing views differ fiction great truthconvening medium says left behind become vehicle indoctrinating millions believers endtime theology invented 19th century intend last disciple series bring biblical balance debate endtimes perspective corresponds reality christian prophecy writing historically emphasized natural disasters wars signs times indicators gods attitude road millennium says michael barkum syracuse university political science professor written extensively apocalyptic millennial endtimes fears late 19th century signs times view weakened science rendered natural phenomena understandable sometimes predictable says traditional outlook never totally disappeared millennialists adaptable capable incorporating contemporary events religious understanding barkum said though lahaye hanegraaff pen fiction readers understand particular books scripturally based says result books seen part expositions inerrant bible religion news service cecile holmes assistant professor journalism university south carolina | 565 |
<p>A year ago, reconstitution was the hot remedy for turning around low-performing schools. Chicago was at the head of the pack, reconstituting seven high schools last summer.</p>
<p>But this year, Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas and other urban school officials are putting a hold on the practice of abruptly restaffing schools. Instead, they are seeking less extreme measures to inspire success at what they consider their worst schools.</p>
<p>Many districts embraced reconstitution as a change strategy “without thinking seriously about it,” says Jennifer O’Day, an education professor at University of Wisconsin at Madison. “They found it much more difficult than they first anticipated.”</p>
<p>For instance, many reconstituted schools have had a tough time recruiting a qualified staff, she notes. In Chicago, principals at reconstituted schools say they have lost veteran teachers to less stressful positions inside the system.</p>
<p>It’s too early to tell whether reconstitution ultimately will yield positive results, says O’Day. But she says that the threat of reconstitution likely has motivated staff at other schools</p>
<p>In the meantime, O’Day agrees that alternatives are in order. “It is not just the teachers who need to take responsibility, but the district must ask ‘What can we provide, what resources are needed to help this school?'”</p>
<p>The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the dominant teacher union in urban districts, took umbrage with the blame-the-teacher aspect of reconstitution, but it concedes that drastic reform is sometimes necessary. “If a school is so bad that you wouldn’t send your own kids there, it needs to be shut down and redesigned,” says Janet Bass, in public relations for AFT. “San Francisco and Chicago started badly because they blamed teachers and didn’t use them for input.”</p>
<p>In a memo published last December, the AFT called reconstitution “politically popular but educationally bankrupt.” Instead, the union suggested school officials collaborate with teachers to identify low-performing schools, pinpoint the causes of failure and set high standards for student academic achievement and behavior. It also encouraged districts to stick with programs that have a track record of success and to offer professional development and financial resources to troubled schools.</p>
<p>San Francisco, the city that pioneered reconstitution in 1984 under court order, is moving toward the AFT stance. “The expectations for improvement are the same, but now it will happen through collaboration,” says district spokesman John Flores, who was recruited from outside the district to head up a reconstituted school.</p>
<p>A districtwide committee of teachers and administrators will classify each school as exemplary, satisfactory or non-performing. Non-performing schools will be required to file a plan that spells out their goals and vision. The city will provide those schools with additional staff development programs.</p>
<p>At non-performing schools, teachers must reach consensus to approve the site plan. District officials say creating consensus and motivating staff are the most important elements in turning a school around. “We can come in with all this data,” says Associate Superintendent Robert Harrington. “but [teachers] need to believe it and want to make the changes themselves. People in the school need to take responsibility for improving the school.”</p>
<p>The new plan gives teachers one year to agree on a plan and improve curriculum. Teachers who do not stick to the plan will be “involuntarily transferred.” Some details remain to be worked out, such as how to identify teachers who don’t work with the plan and how voluntary and involuntary transfers will be carried out. But the teachers union won a major concession from the district: “No teachers will be forced to leave [their schools] this year,” says Flores.</p>
<p>When San Francisco reconstituted its first four schools in 1984, the district spent six months planning their curriculum and locating talented, veteran teachers. “The concentration of energy and effort and intelligence did bring about some measurable improvement,” says teacher union president Kent Mitchell. But in most of the schools reconstituted since 1993, he says, “An incredibly inexperienced staff [was] thrown together with an inexperienced principal.”</p>
<p>School officials in Cleveland were forced to find a new approach to reconstitution after an arbitrator ruled that the district’s first foray—it reconstituted two schools last summer—had violated the teacher contract. School officials then agreed to work in partnership with teachers and used the AFT model, says Chief Academic Officer Livesteen Carter. An academic intervention team comprising district and teachers union representatives will visit distressed schools, collect a broad range of data on them, and then decide how much money each needs to be turned around. After a year, the team will review the schools and determine if they have improved, still need help or should be reconstituted.</p>
<p>All schools in Cleveland must develop an academic plan that has the support of 70 percent of the faculty. At low-performing schools, the academic intervention team may recommend changes, but the school has right to reject them, says Richard DeColibus, president of the Cleveland Teachers Union.</p>
<p>Teachers who don’t agree with their school’s plan can “opt out” and look for a job elsewhere in the system, says Carter. “Everyone who stays will be assessed and expected to align their activities [with] the site plan,” she adds. “It’s a silent commitment.”</p>
<p>Cincinnati, Memphis and Minneapolis also have adopted some of the AFT recommendations.</p>
<p>Among the districts that tried reconstitution, Chicago took the hardest line on teachers. San Francisco, Cleveland and other districts guaranteed jobs for teachers who were dismissed from schools undergoing reconstitution.</p>
<p>Chicago plans to fire them if they have not found another job by the end of October. “You don’t take a teacher that one school doesn’t want or deserve and transfer him to another school,” Mayor Richard M. Daley said in a June 25, 1997 article in the San Francisco Examiner.</p>
<p>The Chicago Teachers Union has vowed to file suit if any of the reconstitution teachers loses a job. In mid-August, 50 to 60 were still looking, according to school officials.</p>
<p>Phillip Hansen, the board’s chief accountability officer, says Chicago’s revised approach to failing schools, along with a new teacher contract, likely will be in place by the end of 1998.</p> | false | 3 | year ago reconstitution hot remedy turning around lowperforming schools chicago head pack reconstituting seven high schools last summer year chief executive officer paul vallas urban school officials putting hold practice abruptly restaffing schools instead seeking less extreme measures inspire success consider worst schools many districts embraced reconstitution change strategy without thinking seriously says jennifer oday education professor university wisconsin madison found much difficult first anticipated instance many reconstituted schools tough time recruiting qualified staff notes chicago principals reconstituted schools say lost veteran teachers less stressful positions inside system early tell whether reconstitution ultimately yield positive results says oday says threat reconstitution likely motivated staff schools meantime oday agrees alternatives order teachers need take responsibility district must ask provide resources needed help school american federation teachers aft dominant teacher union urban districts took umbrage blametheteacher aspect reconstitution concedes drastic reform sometimes necessary school bad wouldnt send kids needs shut redesigned says janet bass public relations aft san francisco chicago started badly blamed teachers didnt use input memo published last december aft called reconstitution politically popular educationally bankrupt instead union suggested school officials collaborate teachers identify lowperforming schools pinpoint causes failure set high standards student academic achievement behavior also encouraged districts stick programs track record success offer professional development financial resources troubled schools san francisco city pioneered reconstitution 1984 court order moving toward aft stance expectations improvement happen collaboration says district spokesman john flores recruited outside district head reconstituted school districtwide committee teachers administrators classify school exemplary satisfactory nonperforming nonperforming schools required file plan spells goals vision city provide schools additional staff development programs nonperforming schools teachers must reach consensus approve site plan district officials say creating consensus motivating staff important elements turning school around come data says associate superintendent robert harrington teachers need believe want make changes people school need take responsibility improving school new plan gives teachers one year agree plan improve curriculum teachers stick plan involuntarily transferred details remain worked identify teachers dont work plan voluntary involuntary transfers carried teachers union major concession district teachers forced leave schools year says flores san francisco reconstituted first four schools 1984 district spent six months planning curriculum locating talented veteran teachers concentration energy effort intelligence bring measurable improvement says teacher union president kent mitchell schools reconstituted since 1993 says incredibly inexperienced staff thrown together inexperienced principal school officials cleveland forced find new approach reconstitution arbitrator ruled districts first forayit reconstituted two schools last summerhad violated teacher contract school officials agreed work partnership teachers used aft model says chief academic officer livesteen carter academic intervention team comprising district teachers union representatives visit distressed schools collect broad range data decide much money needs turned around year team review schools determine improved still need help reconstituted schools cleveland must develop academic plan support 70 percent faculty lowperforming schools academic intervention team may recommend changes school right reject says richard decolibus president cleveland teachers union teachers dont agree schools plan opt look job elsewhere system says carter everyone stays assessed expected align activities site plan adds silent commitment cincinnati memphis minneapolis also adopted aft recommendations among districts tried reconstitution chicago took hardest line teachers san francisco cleveland districts guaranteed jobs teachers dismissed schools undergoing reconstitution chicago plans fire found another job end october dont take teacher one school doesnt want deserve transfer another school mayor richard daley said june 25 1997 article san francisco examiner chicago teachers union vowed file suit reconstitution teachers loses job midaugust 50 60 still looking according school officials phillip hansen boards chief accountability officer says chicagos revised approach failing schools along new teacher contract likely place end 1998 | 597 |
<p>“America’s students will have their best chance at success when they are no longer serving time, but when time is serving them.”</p>
<p>National Education Commission on Time and Learning</p>
<p>Chicago’s public schools have been national leaders in school restructuring. Members of the education community here have taken risks and must continue to do so. They must hold tightly to the belief that every child in Chicago is worth it.</p>
<p>To that end, we must make sure that time indeed serves the needs of our children. What our children need are schools that are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, 52 weeks a year. While increasing the amount of time children are in class would be beneficial, the main goal of keeping schools open longer each day and throughout the year is to improve the delivery for academic instruction and to provide desperately needed flexibility to support families and communities.</p>
<p>Keeping schools open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. makes it possible to begin classes at different hours. With that flexibility, schools can match the differing work schedules of parents and, in the process, strengthen the home-school partnership. Some teachers and other educational employees themselves may welcome different hours.</p>
<p>Keeping schools open year-round makes it possible to rearrange class time to make it much more productive. Chicago currently has 13 elementary schools that are open year-round on an alternative calendar. Finkl Academy will join them in July, bringing the total to 14. In these schools, students alternate between 60 days of class and 20 days of break/intersession. Children and teachers are on the same “track,” that is, they all attend classes the same weeks and are on break/intersession the same weeks.</p>
<p>This alternative school calendar helps maintain student interest in learning. When periods of classroom learning are followed by regular vacations, interest remains high to the end of the period. Refreshed by the breaks, teachers and students return ready to work. All participants learn to work hard for a period of time and then to rest and regenerate for the next block of academic instruction.</p>
<p>Further, if children fall behind, catch-up work can be done much more quickly. It can be done during intersession rather than having to wait for summer school. Educators and parents from Chicago’s Muñoz-Marin Primary Center and Chavez Multicultural Academy have made presentations at the annual conferences of the Illinois Association for Year-Round Education on the benefits of providing remediation much closer to the time students need it.</p>
<p>The issue of timely remediation is even more important now that the Chicago public schools are moving toward a system of learning standards that students must meet. Currently, when a high school student falls behind in a particular course, he or she has little chance of recovering during the year. Summer school is summer school regardless of its name. With a 12-month alternative calendar that has regular intersessions, students’ regular teachers can prepare for the time when they can participate in remedial intersession programs. There is no evidence that sitting in a class for months, waiting to “catch up” during the summer, benefits anyone.</p>
<p>Intersessions also provide opportunities for enrichment activities. Chavez, in cooperation with the Chicago Park District, keeps its children safe and off the streets by offering swimming lessons and other recreational experiences all year. By extending its hours and going year-round, Funston Elementary School helped create a nationally recognized parent program, featured a year ago in the NBC-TV documentary “Reason to Dream.”</p>
<p>Staff at Schubert and Buckingham elementary schools point out that the 12-month calendar especially benefits children with disabilities as it accommodates the IEP (individual education plan) and also eliminates the cost of an extended-school-year program (the 10 weeks that children with disabilities must attend during the summer months).</p>
<p>High school benefits</p>
<p>In high schools, shifting to any one of several 12-month options (trimesters, quarters, or other alternative year-round calendars) also would give students the opportunity to take additional courses to strengthen their preparation for college or to repeat a class they did not pass in the previous term.</p>
<p>Further, students in vocational courses could rotate through one internship position at a given work site, working a full eight-hour shift when their tracks are on break/intersession. The vocational teacher, thus, can keep a job experience program filled for 12 months by coordinated job sharing among three or more students.</p>
<p>Many high schools also are requiring community service projects as part of students’ graduation requirements. With alternative scheduling, they, too, could rotate students through a particular position or project. In many cases, students would benefit, too, by doing their service during a regular work day, just like the adults who are involved.</p>
<p>Also, with alternating tracks it should be easier for students to find temporary jobs during their break/ intersessions. Now, all the competition is during the summer.</p>
<p>Beyond these scheduling advantages, high school students also need to view their schools as places that are always available to them for guidance. Kids that are at risk often say that a primary reason for their despair is that no one seems to care about their circumstances and that they see no hope for success.</p>
<p>As noted in “Charting Reform in Chicago: The Students Speak,” a recent report of the Consortium on Chicago School Research, “High schools are larger and more complex environments where students typically have less opportunity to sustain meaningful interaction with their teachers.” It therefore seems imperative that high school college/vocational counselors and vocational teacher-coordinators be 12-month employees. With alternative calendars, students could seek them out during their break/intersessions, when the press of classes is not so great.</p>
<p>Now take a look at the traditional school calendar, which is based on semesters. After almost three months of summer vacation, teachers and students begin the school year with the arduous task of reviewing where everybody left off in June. That typically takes most of September. Then, they’re into a long block of instruction. But just weeks before that block comes to an end, they break for two weeks of winter vacation. Then everyone returns for a three-week wrap-up session.</p>
<p>At the end of the first semester, teachers typically have only one or two days to grade final exams and plan for the beginning of the second semester. The second semester is just as illogical as the first: Teachers and students begin hurriedly and almost finish a block of academic instruction when spring break arrives. After that, everyone returns for a few weeks before the long summer vacation begins.</p>
<p>This makes absolutely no sense academically or fiscally and actually wastes time.</p>
<p>Since 1988, everyone in Chicago’s educational community has been encouraged to be a participant in “reform” and “restructuring,” but little attention has been paid to the element of time. In its 1994 report, “Prisoners of Time,” the National Education Commission on Time and Learning notes, “Adding school reform to the list of things schools must accomplish, without recognizing that time in the current calendar is a limited resource, trivializes the effort. It sends a powerful message to teachers: Don’t take this reform business too seriously. Squeeze it in on your own time.”</p>
<p>Teachers need extra time</p>
<p>If Chicago’s educational community is to reinvent schools around learning, then teachers need additional time for planning, for learning, for sharing, for making mid-course corrections. This message comes through loud and clear from a number of recent national studies.</p>
<p>In “Breaking Ranks: Changing an American Institution,” the National Association of Secondary School Principals advises: “Teaching and learning need room for flexibility. Furthermore, schools should operate 12 months a year to provide more time for professional staff development, collegial planning and the added instruction needed to promote better student learning. The manner in which a high school organizes itself and the ways in which it uses time create a framework that affects almost everything about teaching and learning in the school.”</p>
<p>In “What Matters Most: Teaching for America’s Future,” the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future advises: “Restructure time and staffing so that teachers have regular time to work with one another. Rethink schedules so that students and teachers have more extended time together over the course of the day, week and year.”</p>
<p>The commission goes on to say that restructured schools “are finding time by devoting more of their staff energy directly to classroom teaching, rather than to administration or management of special services.</p>
<p>By rethinking time and staffing assignments, they can reduce student loads while giving teachers regular periods each week to work with and learn from each other.”</p>
<p>What this boils down to is a 52-week contract that allows licensed teachers to both teach and learn.</p>
<p>Molly A. Carroll is on the board of directors of the National Association for Year-Round Education and is vice president/president-elect of the Illinois Association for Year-Round Education. She also is assistant director of the Chicago Teachers Union Quest Center. For further information on year-round schooling, call (312) 329-9100.</p> | false | 3 | americas students best chance success longer serving time time serving national education commission time learning chicagos public schools national leaders school restructuring members education community taken risks must continue must hold tightly belief every child chicago worth end must make sure time indeed serves needs children children need schools open 7 6 pm daily 52 weeks year increasing amount time children class would beneficial main goal keeping schools open longer day throughout year improve delivery academic instruction provide desperately needed flexibility support families communities keeping schools open 7 6 pm makes possible begin classes different hours flexibility schools match differing work schedules parents process strengthen homeschool partnership teachers educational employees may welcome different hours keeping schools open yearround makes possible rearrange class time make much productive chicago currently 13 elementary schools open yearround alternative calendar finkl academy join july bringing total 14 schools students alternate 60 days class 20 days breakintersession children teachers track attend classes weeks breakintersession weeks alternative school calendar helps maintain student interest learning periods classroom learning followed regular vacations interest remains high end period refreshed breaks teachers students return ready work participants learn work hard period time rest regenerate next block academic instruction children fall behind catchup work done much quickly done intersession rather wait summer school educators parents chicagos muñozmarin primary center chavez multicultural academy made presentations annual conferences illinois association yearround education benefits providing remediation much closer time students need issue timely remediation even important chicago public schools moving toward system learning standards students must meet currently high school student falls behind particular course little chance recovering year summer school summer school regardless name 12month alternative calendar regular intersessions students regular teachers prepare time participate remedial intersession programs evidence sitting class months waiting catch summer benefits anyone intersessions also provide opportunities enrichment activities chavez cooperation chicago park district keeps children safe streets offering swimming lessons recreational experiences year extending hours going yearround funston elementary school helped create nationally recognized parent program featured year ago nbctv documentary reason dream staff schubert buckingham elementary schools point 12month calendar especially benefits children disabilities accommodates iep individual education plan also eliminates cost extendedschoolyear program 10 weeks children disabilities must attend summer months high school benefits high schools shifting one several 12month options trimesters quarters alternative yearround calendars also would give students opportunity take additional courses strengthen preparation college repeat class pass previous term students vocational courses could rotate one internship position given work site working full eighthour shift tracks breakintersession vocational teacher thus keep job experience program filled 12 months coordinated job sharing among three students many high schools also requiring community service projects part students graduation requirements alternative scheduling could rotate students particular position project many cases students would benefit service regular work day like adults involved also alternating tracks easier students find temporary jobs break intersessions competition summer beyond scheduling advantages high school students also need view schools places always available guidance kids risk often say primary reason despair one seems care circumstances see hope success noted charting reform chicago students speak recent report consortium chicago school research high schools larger complex environments students typically less opportunity sustain meaningful interaction teachers therefore seems imperative high school collegevocational counselors vocational teachercoordinators 12month employees alternative calendars students could seek breakintersessions press classes great take look traditional school calendar based semesters almost three months summer vacation teachers students begin school year arduous task reviewing everybody left june typically takes september theyre long block instruction weeks block comes end break two weeks winter vacation everyone returns threeweek wrapup session end first semester teachers typically one two days grade final exams plan beginning second semester second semester illogical first teachers students begin hurriedly almost finish block academic instruction spring break arrives everyone returns weeks long summer vacation begins makes absolutely sense academically fiscally actually wastes time since 1988 everyone chicagos educational community encouraged participant reform restructuring little attention paid element time 1994 report prisoners time national education commission time learning notes adding school reform list things schools must accomplish without recognizing time current calendar limited resource trivializes effort sends powerful message teachers dont take reform business seriously squeeze time teachers need extra time chicagos educational community reinvent schools around learning teachers need additional time planning learning sharing making midcourse corrections message comes loud clear number recent national studies breaking ranks changing american institution national association secondary school principals advises teaching learning need room flexibility furthermore schools operate 12 months year provide time professional staff development collegial planning added instruction needed promote better student learning manner high school organizes ways uses time create framework affects almost everything teaching learning school matters teaching americas future national commission teaching americas future advises restructure time staffing teachers regular time work one another rethink schedules students teachers extended time together course day week year commission goes say restructured schools finding time devoting staff energy directly classroom teaching rather administration management special services rethinking time staffing assignments reduce student loads giving teachers regular periods week work learn boils 52week contract allows licensed teachers teach learn molly carroll board directors national association yearround education vice presidentpresidentelect illinois association yearround education also assistant director chicago teachers union quest center information yearround schooling call 312 3299100 | 866 |
<p>Kiran Gandhi had been training a year for April 26, 2015. But that morning, her body plunged her into a physical and ethical quandary.</p>
<p>It’s something every woman faces, whether on a mundane day or one as important as her graduation or wedding.</p>
<p>For Gandhi, it was the London Marathon. Her period came as she was lining up at the starting line.</p>
<p>The Los Angeles artist, activist&#160;and drummer for musician M.I.A. knew that if she were to wear a tampon or pad, it would cause uncomfortable chafing through the 26.2-mile run. And she wouldn’t have a private place to change it along the course.</p>
<p>She decided not to wear a tampon or pad that day. As she crossed the finish line in blood-soaked leggings, she became an icon in the growing movement to normalize a biological function to which society attaches a stigma and burden.</p>
<p>“I realized that had I chosen to wear a pad or a tampon, it really would have been for somebody else,” Gandhi says. “It wasn’t what I wanted to do. I was much happier just running the way I was comfortable, with no foreign object in my body.”</p>
<p>“I knew that if I ended up showing a stain, it would embarrass other people, and that I was supposed to feel shame,” she added. “… If I run bleeding freely and letting my blood show … it was actually a very radical, feminist statement.”</p>
<p>Predictably, internet commenters derided Gandhi for being “gross” and “disgusting.”</p>
<p>But, she says, “it really started a global menstrual conversation that was so enjoyable and so amazing to watch.”</p>
<p>The societal obstacles American women face surrounding periods range from a <a href="http://fusion.net/story/142965/states-that-tax-tampons-period-tax/" type="external">“tampon tax”</a> to uproars over whether menstrual products should be <a href="http://www.refinery29.com/2015/10/96159/thinx-subway-ads-controversy" type="external">advertised on New York City subways</a>.</p>
<p>But movements in several American cities and states are looking to upend the status quo and achieve “menstrual equity.” Though National Public Radio called 2015 <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/12/31/460726461/why-2015-was-the-year-of-the-period-and-we-dont-mean-punctuation" type="external">“The Year of the Period”</a> and Cosmopolitan dubbed it <a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/news/a47609/2015-the-year-the-period-went-public/" type="external">“The Year the Period Went Public,”</a> 2016 may become even a bigger year for period progress.</p>
<p>Period Tax</p>
<p>Of the 45 states that charge sales tax, <a href="http://fusion.net/story/142965/states-that-tax-tampons-period-tax/" type="external">only five do not tax</a> menstrual products such as tampons and sanitary pads. Most states have exemptions for “necessities” such as food from the grocery store, medical purchases such as prescription drugs and prosthetics, and sometimes even clothes. But products to keep women clean and sanitary during their periods do not rise to the level of a necessity in the tax codes of 40 states and the District of Columbia.</p>
<p>The office of California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, who co-sponsors legislation introduced in January to eliminate her state’s tampon tax, estimates women who menstruate spend $7 per month for 40 years of&#160;tampons and sanitary napkins, adding up to more than <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/08/the-tampon-tax-explained/" type="external">$3,000 during a lifetime.</a></p>
<p>In New York, five women who filed a class-action lawsuit in March claim the “tampon tax” violates the equal protection clause and that it discriminates against women. The suit points out that New York provides sales-tax exemptions for items such as Rogaine, foot powder, face wash, Viagra&#160;and incontinence pads — <a href="http://www.ecbalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Tampon-Tax.-Revised-Class-Action-Summons-and-Complaint-3-3-16-00243311x9CCC2.pdf" type="external">but not menstrual products</a>. Ten states that tax tampons <a href="http://www.islandpacket.com/news/state/south-carolina/article66633072.html" type="external">do not tax candy or soda.</a></p>
<p>“It is the vestige of another era and now it is time to end it,” the lawsuit says of the tax. “The Tampon Tax is irrational. It is discrimination. It is wrong.”</p>
<p>This month, two more lawsuits were filed in California and Ohio.</p>
<p>Even President Barack Obama was <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/15/the-sudden-controversy-around-the-cost-of-the-tampons" type="external">unaware of the tax</a> when it was put to him by YouTube vlogger Ingrid Nilsen.</p>
<p>“I have no idea why states would tax these as luxury items,” Obama said&#160;during the recent YouTube interview. “I suspect it’s because men were making the laws when those taxes were passed.”</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>When the issue came to the attention of Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, vice president for development at the Brennan Center for Justice and a champion of the class-action lawsuit, it sparked a new avenue of activism for her.</p>
<p>“I think I had the same reaction most people do: Wow, how did I never think of that?” Weiss-Wolf says.</p>
<p>Since then, she has written extensively about the issue for publications from The New York Times to Ms. Magazine and co-sponsored a national petition to state legislators calling for an end to the tampon tax. The petition has amassed more than <a href="https://www.change.org/p/u-s-state-legislators-stop-taxing-our-periods-period#petition-letter" type="external">58,000 signatures</a>.</p>
<p>It also sparked action — to date, 14 states have introduced legislation to eliminate their tampon taxes. The first was California, introduced by Garcia, a Democrat, and Republican Ling Ling Chang. <a href="http://qz.com/615473/utah-state-legislators-have-voted-to-keep-taxing-tampons-as-a-luxury/" type="external">Measures in Utah</a> and <a href="http://wate.com/2016/03/10/so-called-tampon-tax-bill-shot-down-in-tennessee/%29;" type="external">Tennessee</a> have since died. Tennessee lawmakers say&#160;they feared losing millions in state revenue should they stop taxing hygiene products.</p>
<p>Cities are taking their own initiatives, too — Chicago passed an ordinance eliminating the city's portion of sales tax on menstrual products, and the District of Columbia is considering a similar measure.</p>
<p>Weiss-Wolf calls&#160;it “the makings of a movement.”</p>
<p>It’s not just the fact that some states exempt Viagra and not tampons — it’s a health issue that affects women’s ability to be productive in their school, work&#160;and home lives, Weiss-Wolf says.</p>
<p>When women are deprived of access to menstrual products, “it actually debilitates them and their ability to be the most productive members of the citizenry as they can,” Weiss-Wolf says. “They are an absolute necessity for half the world. [But states]&#160;consider it a hand-out to get a tampon.”</p>
<p>A proposal to eliminate the tampon tax, introduced just last month,&#160;passed in both houses of the New York state legislature, with support from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.</p>
<p>The class-action lawsuit, led by Weiss-Wolf, would enable people who purchased menstrual products in the last two years to receive a rebate — $14 million in sales tax divided among these buyers, admittedly amounting to a “couple of bucks” for each recipient.</p>
<p>Weiss-Wolf is helping establish a fund where, should the complainants win the lawsuit, people can donate their rebates to benefit homeless shelters.</p>
<p>For the Needy</p>
<p>Even if states repeal their tampon taxes, some people still won’t be able to afford menstrual supplies.</p>
<p>Through volunteering at homeless meal programs and reading about the challenges transient people face, Margo Seibert and Caroline Angell learned last year that tampons and pads ranked among the highest needs of women in poverty.</p>
<p>Homeless shelters aren’t always adequately stocked with menstrual products, and women on the street often don’t have easy access to bathrooms. So they use T-shirts or ripped cloths to soak up their blood or they’ll stain what few clothes they have, <a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a47596/what-its-like-to-get-your-period-when-youre-homeless/" type="external">women told Cosmopolitan</a>.</p>
<p>Learning of those hardships prompted Seibert and Angell to start Racket, a New York City-based organization that collects tampons, pads&#160;and sanitary wipes for <a href="http://www.weracket.com/" type="external">people in need</a>.</p>
<p>“We feel it’s our duty to make a racket about the issue,” says Seibert, an actress and a plaintiff on the New York tampon-tax lawsuit. “We believe every woman is entitled to have a shame-free period.”</p>
<p>The women collaborated with members of the Broadway community for their first drive in October 2015 and collected 10,000 products in 10 days, Seibert says.</p>
<p>They have since launched a #periodswithoutshame hashtag on social media and organized several more drives. Through their efforts, Seibert says, women and men alike have grown aware of how crucial menstrual products are to low-income people.</p>
<p>“Some people might say it’s not a big deal,” Seibert says. “I feel like it’s the tip of the iceberg in terms of women’s rights.”</p>
<p>This&#160; <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/you-know-whats-really-gross-not-periods-taxes-on-periods-20160413" 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&#160;and environmental challenges.</p> | false | 3 | kiran gandhi training year april 26 2015 morning body plunged physical ethical quandary something every woman faces whether mundane day one important graduation wedding gandhi london marathon period came lining starting line los angeles artist activist160and drummer musician mia knew wear tampon pad would cause uncomfortable chafing 262mile run wouldnt private place change along course decided wear tampon pad day crossed finish line bloodsoaked leggings became icon growing movement normalize biological function society attaches stigma burden realized chosen wear pad tampon really would somebody else gandhi says wasnt wanted much happier running way comfortable foreign object body knew ended showing stain would embarrass people supposed feel shame added run bleeding freely letting blood show actually radical feminist statement predictably internet commenters derided gandhi gross disgusting says really started global menstrual conversation enjoyable amazing watch societal obstacles american women face surrounding periods range tampon tax uproars whether menstrual products advertised new york city subways movements several american cities states looking upend status quo achieve menstrual equity though national public radio called 2015 year period cosmopolitan dubbed year period went public 2016 may become even bigger year period progress period tax 45 states charge sales tax five tax menstrual products tampons sanitary pads states exemptions necessities food grocery store medical purchases prescription drugs prosthetics sometimes even clothes products keep women clean sanitary periods rise level necessity tax codes 40 states district columbia office california assemblywoman cristina garcia cosponsors legislation introduced january eliminate states tampon tax estimates women menstruate spend 7 per month 40 years of160tampons sanitary napkins adding 3000 lifetime new york five women filed classaction lawsuit march claim tampon tax violates equal protection clause discriminates women suit points new york provides salestax exemptions items rogaine foot powder face wash viagra160and incontinence pads menstrual products ten states tax tampons tax candy soda vestige another era time end lawsuit says tax tampon tax irrational discrimination wrong month two lawsuits filed california ohio even president barack obama unaware tax put youtube vlogger ingrid nilsen idea states would tax luxury items obama said160during recent youtube interview suspect men making laws taxes passed issue came attention jennifer weisswolf vice president development brennan center justice champion classaction lawsuit sparked new avenue activism think reaction people wow never think weisswolf says since written extensively issue publications new york times ms magazine cosponsored national petition state legislators calling end tampon tax petition amassed 58000 signatures also sparked action date 14 states introduced legislation eliminate tampon taxes first california introduced garcia democrat republican ling ling chang measures utah tennessee since died tennessee lawmakers say160they feared losing millions state revenue stop taxing hygiene products cities taking initiatives chicago passed ordinance eliminating citys portion sales tax menstrual products district columbia considering similar measure weisswolf calls160it makings movement fact states exempt viagra tampons health issue affects womens ability productive school work160and home lives weisswolf says women deprived access menstrual products actually debilitates ability productive members citizenry weisswolf says absolute necessity half world states160consider handout get tampon proposal eliminate tampon tax introduced last month160passed houses new york state legislature support gov andrew cuomo classaction lawsuit led weisswolf would enable people purchased menstrual products last two years receive rebate 14 million sales tax divided among buyers admittedly amounting couple bucks recipient weisswolf helping establish fund complainants win lawsuit people donate rebates benefit homeless shelters needy even states repeal tampon taxes people still wont able afford menstrual supplies volunteering homeless meal programs reading challenges transient people face margo seibert caroline angell learned last year tampons pads ranked among highest needs women poverty homeless shelters arent always adequately stocked menstrual products women street often dont easy access bathrooms use tshirts ripped cloths soak blood theyll stain clothes women told cosmopolitan learning hardships prompted seibert angell start racket new york citybased organization collects tampons pads160and sanitary wipes people need feel duty make racket issue says seibert actress plaintiff new york tampontax lawsuit believe every woman entitled shamefree period women collaborated members broadway community first drive october 2015 collected 10000 products 10 days seibert says since launched periodswithoutshame hashtag social media organized several drives efforts seibert says women men alike grown aware crucial menstrual products lowincome people people might say big deal seibert says feel like tip iceberg terms womens rights this160 story160was originally published by160 yes magazine nonprofit publication supports peoples active engagement solving todays social political160and environmental challenges | 721 |
<p>The <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/obamacare-is-still-a-disaster/" type="external">ongoing cluster-you-know-what of Obamacare</a> is a source of unhappy satisfaction.</p>
<p>Part of me is glad the law is <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/the-continuing-and-continuing-obamacare-disaster/" type="external">such a failure</a>, but it’s tragic that millions of people are&#160; <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/the-hidden-economic-damage-of-obamacare/" type="external">suffering adverse consequences</a>. These are folks who did nothing wrong, but now are <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/is-it-time-to-feel-sorry-for-the-president-and-other-obamacare-supporters/" type="external">paying more</a>, <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/obamacare-could-cause-two-million-additional-adults-to-leave-labor-force-and-become-trapped-in-government-dependency/" type="external">losing employment</a>, <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2016/01/12/more-perverse-but-predictable-economic-consequences-of-obamacare/" type="external">suffering income losses</a>, and/or being <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/amazing-chutzpah-and-cluelessness-from-the-obama-administration/" type="external">forced to find new plans and new doctors</a>.</p>
<p>And it seems we get more bad news every day, as noted in <a href="http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/obamacare-suffers-three-major-blows-in-one-week/" type="external">a new editorial</a> from&#160;Investor’s Business Daily.</p>
<p>ObamaCare rates will skyrocket next year, according to its former chief. Enrollment is tumbling this year. And a big insurer is quitting most exchanges. That’s what we learned in just the past few days.</p>
<p>Why do we know these three bad things are happening? Because that’s what we’re being told by Mary Tavenner, the former head of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the Obama administration, who has now cashed out and is pimping for the health insurance companies that <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/obamacare-cronyism-and-bailouts-for-corrupt-health-insurance-companies/" type="external">got in bed with the White House</a>&#160;to foist Obamacare on the American people.</p>
<p>IBD gives us the sordid details.</p>
<p>Why will 2017 rates spike even higher? In addition to the cost of complying with ObamaCare’s insurance regulations and mandates, there’s the fact that the ObamaCare exchanges have failed to attract enough young and healthy people needed to keep premiums down. Plus, two industry bailout programs expire this year, Tavenner notes.</p>
<p>Oh, and she admits that people are gaming ObamaCare just like critics said they would: buying coverage after they get sick — since insurance companies can no longer turn them down or charge them more — then dropping it when they’re done with treatments. “That churn increases premiums. So you have to kind of price over that.”</p>
<p>And that’s just one slice of bad news.</p>
<p>Here’s more.</p>
<p>ObamaCare enrollment has already dropped an average of more than 14% in five states since February — a faster rate of decline than last year — as people get kicked off for not paying premiums. Finally, we learned on Tuesday that UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is planning to drop out of almost every ObamaCare market it currently serves after losing $1 billion on those policies. …</p>
<p>Skyrocketing premiums, fewer choices in the marketplace, and people fleeing ObamaCare in droves after signing up. This isn’t exactly what Obama promised when he signed ObamaCare into law.</p>
<p>For those who were paying attention, none of this is a surprise. It was always a fantasy to think that more government intervention was going to improve a health care system that already was cumbersome and expensive because of previous government interventions.</p>
<p>By the way, IBD isn’t the only outlet to notice the ongoing disaster of Obamacare.</p>
<p>Let’s look at some other recent revelations.</p>
<p>Chris Jacobs <a href="https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2015/11/obamacare-death-spiral-march" type="external">writes</a>,&#160;“For millions of Americans, the Left’s insurance utopia has rapidly deteriorated into a bleak dystopia,” while&#160;“the ‘cheaper prices’ that the president promised evaporated as quickly as the morning dew.”</p>
<p>John Graham <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2016/03/30/obamacares-uninsured-up-5-million-medicaid-dependents-up-16-million-since-2010-estimate/" type="external">explains</a>&#160;that&#160;“CBO estimates Obamacare will leave 27 million uninsured through 2019&#160;– an increase of almost one quarter” and that “CBO estimates 68 million will be dependent on the [Medicaid] program this year through 2019 – an increase of almost one third in the welfare caseload.”</p>
<p>Betsy McCaughey <a href="http://www.nysun.com/national/clinton-campaign-owning-up-to-the-crushing-costs/89516/" type="external">opines</a>, “Obamacare is already hugely in the red. … Over the next ten years Obamacare&#160;will add $1.4 trillion to the nation’s debt,” and “Insurers struggling with Obamacare are already drastically reducing your choice of doctors and hospitals to cut costs.”</p>
<p>Devon Herrick <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/devonherrick/2016/02/22/obamacare-coverage-is-worse-than-nothing-for-most-people-n2123075/page/full" type="external">reveals</a> that “Obamacare has caused more people to reach for their wallets after a medical encounter — not less” and that “all but the most heavily subsidized Obamacare enrollees would be better off financially if they skipped coverage and pay for their own medical care out of pocket.”</p>
<p>Jeffrey Anderson <a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/article/2001732" type="external">observes</a> that “it seems possible that Obamacare has actually&#160;reduced the number of people with private health insurance” and that “Obamacare is basically an expensive Medicaid expansion coupled with 2,400 pages of liberty-sapping mandates.”</p>
<p>John Goodman <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngoodman/2016/02/09/obamacare-in-the-workplace-fewer-hours-lower-incomes-and-less-health-insurance/#9b7700f66f49" type="external">notes</a> that “Prior to Obamacare, many employers of&#160;low-wage workers offered their employees a “mini med” plan, covering, say, the first $25,000 of expenses” and that “Those plans are now gone… employees…are…completely uninsured”</p>
<p>The CEO of CKE Restaurants <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-slow-motion-implosion-of-obamacare-1446417104" type="external">warns</a> that “fewer people buying insurance through the exchanges, the economics aren’t holding up” and that “Ten of the 23 innovative health-insurance plans known as co-ops — established with $2.4 billion in ObamaCare loans — will be out of business by the end of 2015 because of weak balance sheets.”</p>
<p>Critics of Obamacare now get to say “we told you so.”</p>
<p>As the Washington Examiner <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/conservatives-vindicated-by-obamacares-mounting-failures/article/2588968" type="external">editorialized</a>:</p>
<p>Conservatives screamed a simple fact from the rooftops: Obamacare will not work. No one wanted to listen then, but their warnings are now coming into fruition.</p>
<p>Obamacare, as constructed, attempted to fix a dysfunctional health care payment system by creating an even more complicated system on top of it, filled with subsidies, coverage mandates, and other artificial government incentives.&#160;But its result has been a system that plucked Americans out of coverage they like and forced them to pay more for less. …</p>
<p>Taxpayers and insurance customers alike should demand replacing Obamacare with a system that reduces costs and improves quality by injecting actual choice and competition into the insurance market.</p>
<p>I especially like the last part of that excerpt — which is why we need to go <a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/our-healthcare-policy-problem-is-much-bigger-than-obamacare/" type="external">well beyond simply repealing Obamacare</a> if we want to restore market forces to the health care sector.</p>
<p><a href="https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2016/04/24/one-strike-two-strikes-three-strikes-and-many-more-strikes-for-obamacare/" type="external">This post first appeared at Dan Mitchell’s site.</a></p>
<p>This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the <a href="https://fee.org/articles/obamacare-strikes-out-on-affordability-savings-coverage/" type="external">original article</a>.</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | ongoing clusteryouknowwhat obamacare source unhappy satisfaction part glad law failure tragic millions people are160 suffering adverse consequences folks nothing wrong paying losing employment suffering income losses andor forced find new plans new doctors seems get bad news every day noted new editorial from160investors business daily obamacare rates skyrocket next year according former chief enrollment tumbling year big insurer quitting exchanges thats learned past days know three bad things happening thats told mary tavenner former head center medicare medicaid services obama administration cashed pimping health insurance companies got bed white house160to foist obamacare american people ibd gives us sordid details 2017 rates spike even higher addition cost complying obamacares insurance regulations mandates theres fact obamacare exchanges failed attract enough young healthy people needed keep premiums plus two industry bailout programs expire year tavenner notes oh admits people gaming obamacare like critics said would buying coverage get sick since insurance companies longer turn charge dropping theyre done treatments churn increases premiums kind price thats one slice bad news heres obamacare enrollment already dropped average 14 five states since february faster rate decline last year people get kicked paying premiums finally learned tuesday unitedhealth group unh planning drop almost every obamacare market currently serves losing 1 billion policies skyrocketing premiums fewer choices marketplace people fleeing obamacare droves signing isnt exactly obama promised signed obamacare law paying attention none surprise always fantasy think government intervention going improve health care system already cumbersome expensive previous government interventions way ibd isnt outlet notice ongoing disaster obamacare lets look recent revelations chris jacobs writes160for millions americans lefts insurance utopia rapidly deteriorated bleak dystopia while160the cheaper prices president promised evaporated quickly morning dew john graham explains160that160cbo estimates obamacare leave 27 million uninsured 2019160 increase almost one quarter cbo estimates 68 million dependent medicaid program year 2019 increase almost one third welfare caseload betsy mccaughey opines obamacare already hugely red next ten years obamacare160will add 14 trillion nations debt insurers struggling obamacare already drastically reducing choice doctors hospitals cut costs devon herrick reveals obamacare caused people reach wallets medical encounter less heavily subsidized obamacare enrollees would better financially skipped coverage pay medical care pocket jeffrey anderson observes seems possible obamacare actually160reduced number people private health insurance obamacare basically expensive medicaid expansion coupled 2400 pages libertysapping mandates john goodman notes prior obamacare many employers of160lowwage workers offered employees mini med plan covering say first 25000 expenses plans gone employeesarecompletely uninsured ceo cke restaurants warns fewer people buying insurance exchanges economics arent holding ten 23 innovative healthinsurance plans known coops established 24 billion obamacare loans business end 2015 weak balance sheets critics obamacare get say told washington examiner editorialized conservatives screamed simple fact rooftops obamacare work one wanted listen warnings coming fruition obamacare constructed attempted fix dysfunctional health care payment system creating even complicated system top filled subsidies coverage mandates artificial government incentives160but result system plucked americans coverage like forced pay less taxpayers insurance customers alike demand replacing obamacare system reduces costs improves quality injecting actual choice competition insurance market especially like last part excerpt need go well beyond simply repealing obamacare want restore market forces health care sector post first appeared dan mitchells site article originally published feeorg read original article | 531 |
<p>PUNJAB, India — Three days after her mother died, Rajinder Kaur sat quietly on the edge of a rope cot, staring at her sandaled feet as the buzz of her friends and family filled the courtyard of her village home in Sher Singh Wala in rural Punjab.</p>
<p>The 20-year-old nursing student, with a girlish frame and long black braid, listlessly recounted the details of her mother’s last 40 days — from a sudden diagnosis of blood cancer to the unaffordable treatment that left Kaur with few options but to watch the pillar of the family suffer in the hospital until she passed away.</p>
<p>Kaur’s mother, who died in May, is among the latest casualties in India’s northern state of Punjab, home to the highest rate of cancer in India. Here, in the country’s breadbasket, 18 people succumb to the disease every day, according to a recent report published by the state government. There are ninety cancer patients per 100,000 people compared to the national average of eighty. And the Malwa region, where Kaur’s family lives, has been dubbed "the cancer belt" of the state because of its particularly high incidence of the disease.</p>
<p>In villages like Sher Singh Wala, working class, agricultural communities are bearing the heaviest burden of this complex crisis — one that involves limited resources, lack of political will and a toxic environmental problem that could foreshadow what many other Indian communities will experience as they follow the state’s economic model.</p>
<p>“We need to strike at the root,” said J.S. Thakur, professor and researcher at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, who has conducted extensive studies on cancer in Punjab.</p>
<p>While the causes of cancer are complicated and still unknown, Thakur and his team found that contaminated water from rapid industrialization and excessive use of chemical fertilizers for high-yielding crops are contributing to the steep rates in the state. Just miles away from the Kaur family’s home are colossal industrial plants that have polluted the irrigation system in the area.</p>
<p>Malkit Singh, a member of the panchayat, or village council, in Sher Singh Wala, said cancer deaths affect almost every other home in his 2,000-person village. Including his: Singh lost his brother and two cousins to cancer in the past decade.</p>
<p>But Singh, a broad man who wears a traditional turban, said that the government’s inability to regulate toxic chemicals is not their only downfall. There is also public outcry that the state has done little to expand the limited healthcare resources available for families who can’t pay to travel to a private, specialized clinic.</p>
<p>“The overall responsibility goes to the government, and the people are also responsible because they have not made an issue of it,” he said.</p>
<p>The region’s only government cancer ward was established just six years ago in the town of Faridkot, an hour’s drive from Sher Singh Wala. On a morning in May, frail women and men slept along the hallways and on the floor of the waiting room as they anticipated the next available doctor, or further tests.</p>
<p>Every day the hospital — staffed with just four oncologists and nine residents in training — receives about 20 new cases and 150 regular cancer patients, said Dr. H.P. Yadav, head of department at the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital. Since the service started in 2008, there has been an influx of patients from the region, who previously traveled to nearby states like Rajasthan or New Delhi for treatment.</p>
<p>“There is a scheme for people from Punjab: They’ll get a financial assistance of 1.5 lakh rupees [about $2,500],” Yadav said. “We are trying to give more assistance from our side but the treatment cost is high.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a senior official at the hospital who asked that his name not be used said the state has done little to support the center. Most of the initial funding, instead, came from the national government, universities and donors.</p>
<p>Costly treatment is an undeniable burden for most people in this agriculturally rich but poverty stricken region. For them, the government assistance under the Chief Minister’s Cancer Relief Fund scheme is only a temporary solution. When medicines cost almost 20,000 rupees ($400) per month, families are often left to make difficult decisions.</p>
<p>Part of that price tag comes from lack of regulation and oversight. Some pharmacies in the region were charging more than ten times the original price for certain cancer-related drugs, according to a private investigation by the Bhai Ghaniya Cancer Roko Sewa Society, a local nongovernmental organization.</p>
<p>“We focus on poor patients,” said Kultar Singh, vice president of the group. “We started this NGO because people were being overcharged and we were fed up with the politics.”</p>
<p>Their efforts have proven fruitful. Last year the team wrote a letter to the chief justice of Punjab’s high court, prompting them to hold the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority accountable for 46 anti-cancer drugs that are supposed to be affordable. In May, the Punjab government rolled out a plan to provide subsidized medicines to cancer patients at public hospitals.</p>
<p>Without that support, money can prove a harsh limitation.</p>
<p>Heeding a relative’s suggestion, Kaur said her family first visited a private hospital in Ludhiana, where they were quoted approximately $20,000 for her mother’s blood cancer treatment — a large amount for the middle class farming family.</p>
<p>“My mom said she didn’t want such an expensive treatment,” Kaur said of her mother’s decision. “They told us there was a 35 percent chance she would stay alive.”</p>
<p>The family then consulted a homeopathic doctor, who prescribed a range of natural medicines. But Kaur said her mother’s health quickly deteriorated and they were forced to admit her to a government-subsidized local hospital without regular cancer specialists. Within a matter of days she caught an infection and passed away before she could receive further treatment — leaving Kaur and her younger brother, 15-year-old Manjinder, without one parent.</p>
<p>Kultar Singh said many families who are fighting cancer also lack the education and awareness they need to protect themselves. His NGO is trying to educate communities at the grassroots level.</p>
<p>“People fear the word cancer and it’s like a taboo,” he said. “There’s a myth in the village that with this disease you’re bound to die. At first, instead of going to doctors, they go to shamans and traditional healers.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Thakur, the lead researcher, said any real solution to the problem with require accessible clean water and a change in industrial practices, rather than simply treating the symptoms of what has become a toxic environment.</p>
<p>Until then, families like Kaur’s will be left to wonder if there was any way to prevent what happened to a loving wife and mother.</p>
<p>“She was really good. She sewed her own clothes, she was always thinking about her children,” Kaur said, remembering her mother as tears escaped from her eyes. “She never got tired.”</p> | false | 3 | punjab india three days mother died rajinder kaur sat quietly edge rope cot staring sandaled feet buzz friends family filled courtyard village home sher singh wala rural punjab 20yearold nursing student girlish frame long black braid listlessly recounted details mothers last 40 days sudden diagnosis blood cancer unaffordable treatment left kaur options watch pillar family suffer hospital passed away kaurs mother died may among latest casualties indias northern state punjab home highest rate cancer india countrys breadbasket 18 people succumb disease every day according recent report published state government ninety cancer patients per 100000 people compared national average eighty malwa region kaurs family lives dubbed cancer belt state particularly high incidence disease villages like sher singh wala working class agricultural communities bearing heaviest burden complex crisis one involves limited resources lack political toxic environmental problem could foreshadow many indian communities experience follow states economic model need strike root said js thakur professor researcher postgraduate institute medical education research conducted extensive studies cancer punjab causes cancer complicated still unknown thakur team found contaminated water rapid industrialization excessive use chemical fertilizers highyielding crops contributing steep rates state miles away kaur familys home colossal industrial plants polluted irrigation system area malkit singh member panchayat village council sher singh wala said cancer deaths affect almost every home 2000person village including singh lost brother two cousins cancer past decade singh broad man wears traditional turban said governments inability regulate toxic chemicals downfall also public outcry state done little expand limited healthcare resources available families cant pay travel private specialized clinic overall responsibility goes government people also responsible made issue said regions government cancer ward established six years ago town faridkot hours drive sher singh wala morning may frail women men slept along hallways floor waiting room anticipated next available doctor tests every day hospital staffed four oncologists nine residents training receives 20 new cases 150 regular cancer patients said dr hp yadav head department guru gobind singh medical college hospital since service started 2008 influx patients region previously traveled nearby states like rajasthan new delhi treatment scheme people punjab theyll get financial assistance 15 lakh rupees 2500 yadav said trying give assistance side treatment cost high meanwhile senior official hospital asked name used said state done little support center initial funding instead came national government universities donors costly treatment undeniable burden people agriculturally rich poverty stricken region government assistance chief ministers cancer relief fund scheme temporary solution medicines cost almost 20000 rupees 400 per month families often left make difficult decisions part price tag comes lack regulation oversight pharmacies region charging ten times original price certain cancerrelated drugs according private investigation bhai ghaniya cancer roko sewa society local nongovernmental organization focus poor patients said kultar singh vice president group started ngo people overcharged fed politics efforts proven fruitful last year team wrote letter chief justice punjabs high court prompting hold national pharmaceutical pricing authority accountable 46 anticancer drugs supposed affordable may punjab government rolled plan provide subsidized medicines cancer patients public hospitals without support money prove harsh limitation heeding relatives suggestion kaur said family first visited private hospital ludhiana quoted approximately 20000 mothers blood cancer treatment large amount middle class farming family mom said didnt want expensive treatment kaur said mothers decision told us 35 percent chance would stay alive family consulted homeopathic doctor prescribed range natural medicines kaur said mothers health quickly deteriorated forced admit governmentsubsidized local hospital without regular cancer specialists within matter days caught infection passed away could receive treatment leaving kaur younger brother 15yearold manjinder without one parent kultar singh said many families fighting cancer also lack education awareness need protect ngo trying educate communities grassroots level people fear word cancer like taboo said theres myth village disease youre bound die first instead going doctors go shamans traditional healers meanwhile thakur lead researcher said real solution problem require accessible clean water change industrial practices rather simply treating symptoms become toxic environment families like kaurs left wonder way prevent happened loving wife mother really good sewed clothes always thinking children kaur said remembering mother tears escaped eyes never got tired | 678 |
<p>California continues its emergence as the base for those who wish to enforce <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoughtcrime" type="external">thoughtcrime</a> penalties and launch <a href="http://journals.gonzaga.edu/index.php/johs/article/view/177" type="external">group-hate</a> campaigns against people with unacceptable political and social views. There have been glimpses of this mindset for years among the academic left and the progressives who routinely depict any criticism of Barack Obama as racist. But in reacting to those who still hold the view of gay marriage that Obama did until summer 2012, some of these folks are bringing a secular version of the fatwa to America.</p>
<p>This was put on clear view this week when executives with the OK Cupid dating site warned users of the Mozilla Firefox browser who came to their site that they were using the product of a company run by an alleged homophobe. The Mountain View-based Mozilla Foundation responded by pushing out CEO&#160;Brendan Eich, who donated $1,000 in 2008 to the campaign for Proposition 8. That’s the California ballot measure banning same-sex marriage that was narrowly approved but has since been nullified by federal courts.</p>
<p>James Taranto of The Wall Street Journal has more details and some very pertinent <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303987004579481502667817472" type="external">Golden State context</a>:</p>
<p>“There has been no claim that Eich, an executive of Mozilla Corp. since its founding in 2005, discriminated against gay employees. …</p>
<p>“Eich’s support for Proposition 8 became public knowledge because of a California law requiring disclosure of personal information — name, address, occupation and employer’s name — of anybody who gives $100 or more to a campaign for or against a ballot initiative. The secretary of state’s office is required to post this information online [and does so on]&#160;an easily searchable database.</p>
<p>“Which brings us back to Citizens United. It is known as a 5-4 decision, and most of it was, but one part of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s opinion–upholding a provision requiring disclosure of political contributions–was for an 8-1 majority, with <a href="http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&amp;vol=000&amp;invol=08-205#other2" type="external">Justice Clarence Thomas</a> dissenting alone.”</p>
<p>“Thomas’s argument rested heavily on the facts of the Proposition 8 campaign, and it’s worth quoting at length …:</p>
<p>‘Some opponents of Proposition 8 compiled this information and created Web sites with maps showing the locations of homes or businesses of Proposition 8 supporters. Many supporters (or their customers) suffered property damage, or threats of physical violence or death, as a result. They cited these incidents in a complaint they filed after the 2008 election, seeking to invalidate California’s mandatory disclosure laws. Supporters recounted being told: “Consider yourself lucky. If I had a gun I would have gunned you down along with each and every other supporter,” or, “we have plans for you and your friends.” Proposition 8 opponents also allegedly harassed the measure’s supporters by defacing or damaging their property. Two religious organizations supporting Proposition 8 reportedly received through the mail envelopes containing a white powdery substance.</p>
<p>‘Those accounts are consistent with media reports describing Proposition 8-related retaliation. The director of the nonprofit California Musical Theater gave $1,000 to support the initiative; he was forced to resign after artists complained to his employer. The director of the Los Angeles Film Festival was forced to resign after giving $1,500 because opponents threatened to boycott and picket the next festival. And a woman who had managed her popular, family-owned restaurant for 26 years was forced to resign after she gave $100, because “throngs of [angry] protesters” repeatedly arrived at the restaurant and “shout[ed] ‘shame on you’ at customers.”&#160;The police even had to “arriv[e] in riot gear one night to quell the angry mob” at the restaurant. Ibid. Some supporters of Proposition 8 engaged in similar tactics; one real estate businessman in San Diego who had donated to a group opposing Proposition 8 “received a letter from the Prop. 8 Executive Committee threatening to publish his company’s name if he didn’t also donate to the ‘Yes on 8’ campaign.”</p>
<p>‘The success of such intimidation tactics has apparently spawned a cottage industry that uses forcibly disclosed donor information to pre-empt citizens’ exercise of their First Amendment rights. Before the 2008 Presidential election, a “newly formed nonprofit group .&#160;.&#160;. plann[ed] to confront donors to conservative groups, hoping to create a chilling effect that will dry up contributions.” Its leader, “who described his effort as ‘going for the jugular,’&#160;” detailed the group’s plan to send a “warning letter .&#160;.&#160;. alerting donors who might be considering giving to right-wing groups to a variety of potential dangers, including legal trouble, public exposure and watchdog groups digging through their lives.”</p>
<p>‘These instances of retaliation sufficiently demonstrate why this Court should invalidate mandatory disclosure and reporting requirements.’</p>
<p>My references to thoughtcrime and group-hate (or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Minutes_Hate" type="external">two-minute hate</a>) come, of course, from “1984.” But unlike in the Orwell novel, the government isn’t behind these campaigns. Instead, it’s privatized.</p>
<p>Here’s hoping that California doesn’t again start a trend copied around the world. I voted against Prop. 8 in 2008, and Prop. 22 in 2000, for that matter. I am not a social conservative and find the Jon Fleischmann argument that social conservatives are less likely to be RINOs on economic conservatism hard to buy. During the latter days of House Speaker Newt Gingrich and the early years of Bush 43, social conservative GOP House members acted like LBJ circa 1965. Yeah, surrrrre, they were pure. If libertarians and libertarian lites could wield power without having to occasionally go along with social conservative policies, I think that would be a day to celebrate.</p>
<p>But I don’t want to live in a society where behavioral vigilantes hurt people and think they hold the moral high ground as they take wrecking balls to the lives of those with different views.</p>
<p>Good for Andrew Sullivan, the most high-profile pundit who happens to be gay in the English-language media, for <a href="http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2014/04/03/the-hounding-of-a-heretic-ctd/" type="external">making this argument</a> as well.</p>
<p>“[Eich] did not understand that in order to be a CEO of a company, you have to renounce your heresy! There is only one permissible opinion at Mozilla, and all dissidents must be purged! Yep, that’s left-liberal tolerance in a nut-shell. No, he wasn’t a victim of government censorship or intimidation. He was a victim of the free market in which people can choose to express their opinions by boycotts, free speech and the like. He still has his full First Amendment rights. But what we’re talking about is the obvious and ugly intolerance of parts of the gay movement, who have reacted to years of being subjected to social obloquy by returning the favor. …</p>
<p>“It is also unbelievably stupid for the gay rights movement. You want to squander the real gains we have made by argument and engagement by becoming just as intolerant of others’ views as the Christianists? You’ve just found a great way to do this. It’s a bad, self-inflicted blow. And all of us will come to regret it.”</p> | false | 3 | california continues emergence base wish enforce thoughtcrime penalties launch grouphate campaigns people unacceptable political social views glimpses mindset years among academic left progressives routinely depict criticism barack obama racist reacting still hold view gay marriage obama summer 2012 folks bringing secular version fatwa america put clear view week executives ok cupid dating site warned users mozilla firefox browser came site using product company run alleged homophobe mountain viewbased mozilla foundation responded pushing ceo160brendan eich donated 1000 2008 campaign proposition 8 thats california ballot measure banning samesex marriage narrowly approved since nullified federal courts james taranto wall street journal details pertinent golden state context claim eich executive mozilla corp since founding 2005 discriminated gay employees eichs support proposition 8 became public knowledge california law requiring disclosure personal information name address occupation employers name anybody gives 100 campaign ballot initiative secretary states office required post information online on160an easily searchable database brings us back citizens united known 54 decision one part justice anthony kennedys opinionupholding provision requiring disclosure political contributionswas 81 majority justice clarence thomas dissenting alone thomass argument rested heavily facts proposition 8 campaign worth quoting length opponents proposition 8 compiled information created web sites maps showing locations homes businesses proposition 8 supporters many supporters customers suffered property damage threats physical violence death result cited incidents complaint filed 2008 election seeking invalidate californias mandatory disclosure laws supporters recounted told consider lucky gun would gunned along every supporter plans friends proposition 8 opponents also allegedly harassed measures supporters defacing damaging property two religious organizations supporting proposition 8 reportedly received mail envelopes containing white powdery substance accounts consistent media reports describing proposition 8related retaliation director nonprofit california musical theater gave 1000 support initiative forced resign artists complained employer director los angeles film festival forced resign giving 1500 opponents threatened boycott picket next festival woman managed popular familyowned restaurant 26 years forced resign gave 100 throngs angry protesters repeatedly arrived restaurant shouted shame customers160the police even arrive riot gear one night quell angry mob restaurant ibid supporters proposition 8 engaged similar tactics one real estate businessman san diego donated group opposing proposition 8 received letter prop 8 executive committee threatening publish companys name didnt also donate yes 8 campaign success intimidation tactics apparently spawned cottage industry uses forcibly disclosed donor information preempt citizens exercise first amendment rights 2008 presidential election newly formed nonprofit group 160160 planned confront donors conservative groups hoping create chilling effect dry contributions leader described effort going jugular160 detailed groups plan send warning letter 160160 alerting donors might considering giving rightwing groups variety potential dangers including legal trouble public exposure watchdog groups digging lives instances retaliation sufficiently demonstrate court invalidate mandatory disclosure reporting requirements references thoughtcrime grouphate twominute hate come course 1984 unlike orwell novel government isnt behind campaigns instead privatized heres hoping california doesnt start trend copied around world voted prop 8 2008 prop 22 2000 matter social conservative find jon fleischmann argument social conservatives less likely rinos economic conservatism hard buy latter days house speaker newt gingrich early years bush 43 social conservative gop house members acted like lbj circa 1965 yeah surrrrre pure libertarians libertarian lites could wield power without occasionally go along social conservative policies think would day celebrate dont want live society behavioral vigilantes hurt people think hold moral high ground take wrecking balls lives different views good andrew sullivan highprofile pundit happens gay englishlanguage media making argument well eich understand order ceo company renounce heresy one permissible opinion mozilla dissidents must purged yep thats leftliberal tolerance nutshell wasnt victim government censorship intimidation victim free market people choose express opinions boycotts free speech like still full first amendment rights talking obvious ugly intolerance parts gay movement reacted years subjected social obloquy returning favor also unbelievably stupid gay rights movement want squander real gains made argument engagement becoming intolerant others views christianists youve found great way bad selfinflicted blow us come regret | 645 |
<p>As 12,000 students from closed schools made their way to new buildings Monday morning, much of the focus was on whether they would be safe. In addition to Safe Passage workers, police officers walked streets, Streets and Sanitation trucks circled around and fire trucks reportedly were stationed strategically. Not surprisingly, few incidents were reported Monday morning.</p>
<p>“My first report card will be Monday,” said Tom Tyrrell, the retired Marine charged with managing the logistics of the biggest school closure in U.S. history. “But there will be other report cards to come.”</p>
<p>Indeed, the larger questions about whether students remain safe and whether their new schools are better, as promised, won’t be answered for many months. Adding to the disruptions, the district has laid off 3,000 staff members to help close a budget deficit.</p>
<p>Among other things, parents across the district are worried about increased class sizes.</p>
<p>Schools designated as welcoming schools received extra money to smooth the transition for students from closed schools. Most welcoming schools—36 of the 56—had students from more than one closing school enrolled.</p>
<p>However, data released by CPS on Friday shows that, while the majority of students from closed schools enrolled in welcoming schools, at least 1200 chose other schools—which did not get extra resources this year, according to the CPS data. (The exact number is unclear because CPS redacted the specific count when it was less than 10 students.)</p>
<p>About 10 “non-welcoming” schools received more than 30 students, and another 200 schools got at least one student from a closed school.</p>
<p>As of late August, about 35 closed schools had at least some students whose destination was undetermined, &#160;and an additional 35 saw some transfer out of the district, but only one—Owens Elementary School in West Pullman—had 10 or more leave the district.</p>
<p>These numbers are likely to change over the next few weeks, as some parents will change their mind or show up at a school having not enrolled their child anywhere. First-day attendance figures also may be off, as school started before Labor Day—which is unusual in Chicago. .</p>
<p>Tyrrell said one of the first tests he faces is whether “every child feels welcome.” Going into school buildings Monday morning, many&#160; students told Catalyst they were excited, and some parents said they felt the move was good.</p>
<p>But at some schools, parents expressed continued dismay.</p>
<p>Morning confusion</p>
<p>At the new Melody School, which is located in the old Delano building, a mother walked out and said she was not happy. “I am scratching my head,” said Ericka Baker. “My baby has to go to a school that is on probation while Delano was not on probation. This is a bunch of bs.”</p>
<p>Community members and parents were confounded by CPS’ decision to keep the Melody staff, even though Delano’s students were technically higher performing. One suspicion is that CPS officials wanted the Melody principal to stay on. But three weeks ago, she left.</p>
<p>Chip Johnson, deputy chief of the Garfield-Humboldt Park Network, said she took a new position, but that he did not know where. He said everything was going smoothly, countering parents who lingered after the school bell, complaining.</p>
<p>At Brennemann in Uptown, a grandmother with three children walked into the school and then walked straight out because she didn’t like the principal’s attitude. Stewart Elementary was consolidated with Brennemann.</p>
<p>“I’m going to get them somewhere, and it’s going to be done today,” she said, though she noted that homeschooling the youngsters was a fall-back.&#160;</p>
<p>Parents gathered as well to talk about the changes at the welcoming school. Ieshia Thomason, whose daughter was in 2nd&#160;grade, said the new students seemed to be settling in well.</p>
<p>But some felt the increased number of students had led to disorganization; they complained about having to drop off children outside, rather than being able to see their classrooms.</p>
<p>At the new Ward Elementary, students milled around for several minutes after the day was supposed to start. Some parents said it was 8:21 before the staff began ushering children inside. For the next hour, cars pulled up, and students made their way in.</p>
<p>A couple Ward staffers stood in the main vestibule with lists of students and home rooms. They had a steady line of children and mothers asking them where they were supposed to go.</p>
<p>“It was a hot mess,” said one mother. “How can teachers send children to places when they don’t know their way around? I am going to give them a year to get it together.”</p>
<p>Because Ward moved into Ryerson, she said the old Ryerson parents had to help students find their way to their classrooms.</p>
<p>Some former Ryerson parents said they didn’t know exactly when school started, though another mother noted that she got several robocalls from the principal.</p>
<p>Rosalind Jackson said she felt the new Ward was disorganized. Jackson met her daughter’s homeroom teacher, but was disturbed to find out that only three Ryerson students were in her daughter’s classroom.</p>
<p>Jackson wondered out loud how long it would be before the principal held a meeting for parents. Some of the more active Ryerson parents said they did not feel particularly welcome at Ward and that they had not had much interaction with the principal over the summer.</p>
<p>Ward Principal Relanda Hobbs said she did not have time for an interview Monday.</p>
<p>Continued safety concerns</p>
<p>Ward’s head security guard said he thinks that the year will go smoothly and will wind up better than average. “We just have to keep parents and outsiders out and focus on the children,” said the security guard, who did not want to be identified by name.</p>
<p>The Ward security guard said he felt as though the extra police and city workers were a bit excessive. “It sends the wrong message,” he said. “The school should be an institution of learning. We should not feel as though we are under siege.”</p>
<p>However, there is a garbage-strewn vacant lot across the street from the new Ward and an unsecured abandoned building next to the lot. These were the conditions despite repeated promises from city officials that they were cleaning up the areas around the welcoming schools.</p>
<p>On the way home from dropping a child off at Disney Magnet School, Telisa Johnson said her biggest concern is “kids being affected by the gangs and walking through these other neighborhoods because their schools closed.”</p>
<p>&#160;Johnson added that a recent shooting in Uptown along a “quote-unquote Safe Passage” route added to her worries. Her children used to walk past there regularly, she said, “but not any longer.”</p>
<p>&#160;At the new Melody, the issue of safety was top on everyone’s mind. Early Sunday morning, a former Delano student was shot and killed about a block from the school. Baker said the 14-year-old boy, named Lavander Hearnes, was her daughter’s friend. The boy was to start high school on Monday.</p>
<p>Safety between Melody and Delano in East Garfield Park has been a big concern since it became clear that CPS was planning to close Delano. The Chicago Teachers Union took elected officials on a walk between the two schools. Meanwhlie, congressmen Bobby Rush and Danny Davis ducked into an abandoned building and remarked on the bad conditions.</p>
<p>Board member Mahalia Hines said she also walked between the buildings and came away thinking, “I would not send my child.”</p>
<p>After these concerns were raised, CPS officials decided to provide bus service between the schools, though the distance was too short to be technically eligible.</p>
<p>On Monday morning, two buses, one at 7:15 and one at 7:45 took about 20 students from the old Melody to the new one, which is in the Delano building. However, safe passage workers said “quite a few” students walked. Aniyah Bray and her twin brothers, dressed in pressed light blue polos, walked up to the desolate school at about 8:50 in the morning.</p>
<p>“You here for the bus?” called out LaShuna Johnson, a safe passage worker and the lone person in front of the old Melody school. “It left already.”</p>
<p>Hearing that, the boys turned around, telling their sister that the fastest way to the new Melody school building was to head down Van Buren. Johnson added that safe passage workers are along Van Buren, but not the other streets. “Go that way,” she told the three.</p>
<p>Though safe passage workers were at the corners, Aniyah noted that the distance between them on the long city blocks seemed far.</p>
<p>“I am a little bit nervous,” she said, “because we don’t know what can happen.”</p>
<p>&#160;This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the names of Brennemann and Stewart elementary schools.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | 12000 students closed schools made way new buildings monday morning much focus whether would safe addition safe passage workers police officers walked streets streets sanitation trucks circled around fire trucks reportedly stationed strategically surprisingly incidents reported monday morning first report card monday said tom tyrrell retired marine charged managing logistics biggest school closure us history report cards come indeed larger questions whether students remain safe whether new schools better promised wont answered many months adding disruptions district laid 3000 staff members help close budget deficit among things parents across district worried increased class sizes schools designated welcoming schools received extra money smooth transition students closed schools welcoming schools36 56had students one closing school enrolled however data released cps friday shows majority students closed schools enrolled welcoming schools least 1200 chose schoolswhich get extra resources year according cps data exact number unclear cps redacted specific count less 10 students 10 nonwelcoming schools received 30 students another 200 schools got least one student closed school late august 35 closed schools least students whose destination undetermined 160and additional 35 saw transfer district oneowens elementary school west pullmanhad 10 leave district numbers likely change next weeks parents change mind show school enrolled child anywhere firstday attendance figures also may school started labor daywhich unusual chicago tyrrell said one first tests faces whether every child feels welcome going school buildings monday morning many160 students told catalyst excited parents said felt move good schools parents expressed continued dismay morning confusion new melody school located old delano building mother walked said happy scratching head said ericka baker baby go school probation delano probation bunch bs community members parents confounded cps decision keep melody staff even though delanos students technically higher performing one suspicion cps officials wanted melody principal stay three weeks ago left chip johnson deputy chief garfieldhumboldt park network said took new position know said everything going smoothly countering parents lingered school bell complaining brennemann uptown grandmother three children walked school walked straight didnt like principals attitude stewart elementary consolidated brennemann im going get somewhere going done today said though noted homeschooling youngsters fallback160 parents gathered well talk changes welcoming school ieshia thomason whose daughter 2nd160grade said new students seemed settling well felt increased number students led disorganization complained drop children outside rather able see classrooms new ward elementary students milled around several minutes day supposed start parents said 821 staff began ushering children inside next hour cars pulled students made way couple ward staffers stood main vestibule lists students home rooms steady line children mothers asking supposed go hot mess said one mother teachers send children places dont know way around going give year get together ward moved ryerson said old ryerson parents help students find way classrooms former ryerson parents said didnt know exactly school started though another mother noted got several robocalls principal rosalind jackson said felt new ward disorganized jackson met daughters homeroom teacher disturbed find three ryerson students daughters classroom jackson wondered loud long would principal held meeting parents active ryerson parents said feel particularly welcome ward much interaction principal summer ward principal relanda hobbs said time interview monday continued safety concerns wards head security guard said thinks year go smoothly wind better average keep parents outsiders focus children said security guard want identified name ward security guard said felt though extra police city workers bit excessive sends wrong message said school institution learning feel though siege however garbagestrewn vacant lot across street new ward unsecured abandoned building next lot conditions despite repeated promises city officials cleaning areas around welcoming schools way home dropping child disney magnet school telisa johnson said biggest concern kids affected gangs walking neighborhoods schools closed 160johnson added recent shooting uptown along quoteunquote safe passage route added worries children used walk past regularly said longer 160at new melody issue safety top everyones mind early sunday morning former delano student shot killed block school baker said 14yearold boy named lavander hearnes daughters friend boy start high school monday safety melody delano east garfield park big concern since became clear cps planning close delano chicago teachers union took elected officials walk two schools meanwhlie congressmen bobby rush danny davis ducked abandoned building remarked bad conditions board member mahalia hines said also walked buildings came away thinking would send child concerns raised cps officials decided provide bus service schools though distance short technically eligible monday morning two buses one 715 one 745 took 20 students old melody new one delano building however safe passage workers said quite students walked aniyah bray twin brothers dressed pressed light blue polos walked desolate school 850 morning bus called lashuna johnson safe passage worker lone person front old melody school left already hearing boys turned around telling sister fastest way new melody school building head van buren johnson added safe passage workers along van buren streets go way told three though safe passage workers corners aniyah noted distance long city blocks seemed far little bit nervous said dont know happen 160this story updated correct spelling names brennemann stewart elementary schools160 160 160 | 838 |
<p>“For every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh,” according to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes.</p>
<p>What is the role of laughter and humor for Christians? When should believers take time to laugh?</p>
<p>Humor takes several forms—from stand-up comics to cartoons to clowns to storytelling. Many Christians who practice some form of humor believe God granted them the opportunity to use it to enhance believers’ lives and to draw other people to Christ.</p>
<p>“God makes his people happy, and happy people love to laugh,” cartoonist Joe McKeever said, pointing to Psalm 4:7. “Laughter is a tension-reliever, an anger neutralizer, the best icebreaker and one of the sweetest sounds on the planet.”</p>
<p>“Humor is a godsend that we as human beings need to give one another,” said Joel Goodman, founder and director of the <a href="http://www.humorproject.com/" type="external">Humor Project</a>, a Sarasota Springs, N.Y., organization that offers humor resources, training and life coaching.</p>
<p>Laughter and humor cause physical changes that enhance people’s lives, which can help defuse tension.</p>
<p>“Laughter relaxes the whole body, carries more oxygen to cells and tissues and increases cardiac output,” explained Day Lane, a registered nurse in Kansas City, Mo., who is completing a doctor of philosophy degree in religious studies and sociology and has taught at <a href="http://www.cbts.edu/" type="external">Central Baptist Theological Seminary</a>.</p>
<p>“So, you can imagine with an atmosphere relaxed by a little humor and more blood flowing in everyone’s brain, the possibility for creative solutions to tough problems opens up.”</p>
<p>Motivational speaker Steve Kissell of Norfolk, Va., uses humor as a natural part of all types of speaking engagements, including to government entities, education and industry. Humor can be a “gentle reminder” to make sure his listeners do not forget God as they work, he said.</p>
<p>Sharing the gospel</p>
<p>A comedian for almost 15 years, Chonda Pierce currently serves as president of the <a href="http://www.christiancomedyassociation.com/" type="external">Christian Comedy Association</a>. She sees comedy as an effective means of reaching out to people.</p>
<p>“The greatest tool comedy has been for me is the way that it opens an audience up to receive—no matter if the motivation for a particular event is soul-winning, information or just clean entertainment,” she said. “I have seen comedy allow an audience to bond and to sit up and take note of a truth that was on my heart to share.”</p>
<p />
<p>Junior the Clown—a.k.a. Tony Jones of Mansfield, Ga.—loves to make people laugh while presenting the gospel. He sees clowning as a way to reach people who might not attend traditional worship services.</p>
<p>“There has been more than one instance that an individual has heard something we have presented that they had not gotten before,” he said. “I believe that there are a lot of ways to preach the gospel and that different people hear different things, depending on how it is presented.”</p>
<p>Meeting life needs</p>
<p>Whether used as a sermon illustration or a remark that just pops out in response to stress, humor and laughter can help individuals deal with problems.</p>
<p>As director of missions in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit, McKeever saw firsthand the balm humor could be. McKeever and up to 100 pastors met weekly as the city and its people dealt with the disaster and began to recover.</p>
<p>“Each person in the room was invited to address the others,” he explained. “When one had a funny story to tell, we welcomed it like the baked summer ground thirsts for water. Nothing was more welcome than a good laugh.”</p>
<p>Lane sees humor surface frequently in hospitals. “Sometimes the humor comes through people, especially children, to lighten some of the difficulties we bear,” she related.</p>
<p>“For example, while working in the intensive care unit at a local hospital, my friend, Joan, took care of a middle-aged woman who died despite all the high-tech attempts to save her live. The death was unexpected and the family was in a state of shock.”</p>
<p>As the family tried to deal with details, a 4-year-old granddaughter, who had never been to a hospital, repeatedly asked: “Where’s Grandma? Where’s Grandma?”</p>
<p>Although family members reassured her several times that her grandmother had gone to heaven, the child continued to ask.</p>
<p>“Much to Joan’s dismay, the family … came into the room before Joan had a chance to remove the tangle of tubes, IV bags and machinery. … The little girl was dumbfounded. She looked, wide-eyed, at the room, the oxygen, the ventilator, the EKG machine and countless other items she had never seen before. She peered up at her mom and exclaimed incredulously, ‘This is heaven?’</p>
<p>“It was a profoundly therapeutic moment for both the family and the nurses.”</p>
<p>Humorous stories become teachable moments, as well. McKeever uses them whenever possible.</p>
<p>“Years ago, when brides and grooms sometimes wrote their own vows, a couple said to me, ‘We don’t want to say, ’Til death do we part,’” the former director of missions said.</p>
<p>“When I asked why, they said: ‘So many people say it and don’t mean it and end up getting divorced. We want to be honest.’</p>
<p>“I said, ‘What do you want to say?’ They said, ‘We want to say, So long as love shall last.’ I said, ‘Well, that’ll be about Tuesday.’”</p>
<p>Injecting humor allowed him to minister to that couple and to several couples since then.</p>
<p>“Some of the most creative leaders in church communities are brilliant humorists,” Lane added.</p>
<p>“Humor is effectively used to lessen tensions between parties in church disputes, troubled marriages and, heaven forbid, committee members.”</p>
<p>Use laughter and listen for the humor in others, Lane suggested. Then, watch God use those stories to minister.</p> | false | 3 | every thing season time every purpose heaven time weep time laugh according old testament book ecclesiastes role laughter humor christians believers take time laugh humor takes several formsfrom standup comics cartoons clowns storytelling many christians practice form humor believe god granted opportunity use enhance believers lives draw people christ god makes people happy happy people love laugh cartoonist joe mckeever said pointing psalm 47 laughter tensionreliever anger neutralizer best icebreaker one sweetest sounds planet humor godsend human beings need give one another said joel goodman founder director humor project sarasota springs ny organization offers humor resources training life coaching laughter humor cause physical changes enhance peoples lives help defuse tension laughter relaxes whole body carries oxygen cells tissues increases cardiac output explained day lane registered nurse kansas city mo completing doctor philosophy degree religious studies sociology taught central baptist theological seminary imagine atmosphere relaxed little humor blood flowing everyones brain possibility creative solutions tough problems opens motivational speaker steve kissell norfolk va uses humor natural part types speaking engagements including government entities education industry humor gentle reminder make sure listeners forget god work said sharing gospel comedian almost 15 years chonda pierce currently serves president christian comedy association sees comedy effective means reaching people greatest tool comedy way opens audience receiveno matter motivation particular event soulwinning information clean entertainment said seen comedy allow audience bond sit take note truth heart share junior clownaka tony jones mansfield galoves make people laugh presenting gospel sees clowning way reach people might attend traditional worship services one instance individual heard something presented gotten said believe lot ways preach gospel different people hear different things depending presented meeting life needs whether used sermon illustration remark pops response stress humor laughter help individuals deal problems director missions new orleans hurricane katrina hit mckeever saw firsthand balm humor could mckeever 100 pastors met weekly city people dealt disaster began recover person room invited address others explained one funny story tell welcomed like baked summer ground thirsts water nothing welcome good laugh lane sees humor surface frequently hospitals sometimes humor comes people especially children lighten difficulties bear related example working intensive care unit local hospital friend joan took care middleaged woman died despite hightech attempts save live death unexpected family state shock family tried deal details 4yearold granddaughter never hospital repeatedly asked wheres grandma wheres grandma although family members reassured several times grandmother gone heaven child continued ask much joans dismay family came room joan chance remove tangle tubes iv bags machinery little girl dumbfounded looked wideeyed room oxygen ventilator ekg machine countless items never seen peered mom exclaimed incredulously heaven profoundly therapeutic moment family nurses humorous stories become teachable moments well mckeever uses whenever possible years ago brides grooms sometimes wrote vows couple said dont want say til death part former director missions said asked said many people say dont mean end getting divorced want honest said want say said want say long love shall last said well thatll tuesday injecting humor allowed minister couple several couples since creative leaders church communities brilliant humorists lane added humor effectively used lessen tensions parties church disputes troubled marriages heaven forbid committee members use laughter listen humor others lane suggested watch god use stories minister | 535 |
<p>OFF TO THE RACES: Previewing Joni Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” event in Iowa</p>
<p><a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/06/04/things-watch-saturday-roast-ride/28506159/" type="external">The Des Moines Register</a> previews Saturday's Roast and Ride event in rural Boone.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/iowa-over-and-overrated-primary-state-power-coming-to-end-118657.html?hp=t3_r#.VXGUBs9VhBc" type="external">Iowa's Dave Price</a> has a big takeout in POLITICO magazine on questions about the relevance of the Iowa caucuses.</p>
<p>In her column, the Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter says that Jeb Bush has gone from fragile frontrunner to underdog, and she calls Scott Walker your current GOP frontrunner -- for now.</p>
<p>BUSH: He's <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/04/jeb-bush-to-hit-string-of-early-voting-states-in-post-announcement-tour/" type="external">planning</a> a big campaign swing through early primary states after his June announcement.</p>
<p>CLINTON: <a href="" type="internal">NBC's Leigh Ann Caldwell</a> reports on Clinton's push for automatic voter registration, including her specific criticisms of her Republican opponents for what she called restrictions on voting access.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/hillary-clinton-2016-polling-concern-democrats-insiders-caucus-118667.html?hp=t1_r" type="external">POLITICO writes</a> that some Democrats are getting a little anxious about her polling, although other backers point to strong numbers in early states.</p>
<p>KASICH: John Kasich, not holding back. <a href="http://www.nh1.com/news/steinhauser-kasich-needles-bush-touts-sununus/" type="external">Via NH1.com</a>, he explained by he's exploring a possible presidential bid, saying "Frankly, I thought that Jeb was going to just suck all the air out of the room. And it just hasn’t happened. No hit on Jeb."</p>
<p>PERRY: Here's <a href="" type="internal">our report</a> on his announcement yesterday.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Perry Bacon Jr. writes</a> that it doesn't look like Republicans are ready to give him a second chance.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/04/rick-perry-scores-a-big-conservative-backer-in-iowa/" type="external">The Washington Post writes</a> that he's snagged Sam Clovis, a big conservative backer in Iowa.</p>
<p>His super PAC has bought TV ad time in two Iowa markets, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/06/04/rick-perry-super-pac-ads-going-up-in-iowa/" type="external">the New York Times notes</a>.</p>
<p>PAUL: He's <a href="" type="internal">going after</a> Marco Rubio on foreign policy after the Florida senator said of Iraq: "It's not nation-building. We are assisting them in building their nation."</p>
<p>SANDERS: A really smart point <a href="" type="internal">from Perry Bacon Jr. and Dante Chinni</a>: Bernie Sanders is surging among white Democrats, but the rest of the party is still behind Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>WALKER: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/us/politics/unions-subdued-scott-walker-turns-to-tenure-at-wisconsin-colleges.html?hp&amp;action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;module=second-column-region&amp;region=top-news&amp;WT.nav=top-news&amp;_r=0" type="external">From the New York Times</a>: "Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, who began building a national profile four years ago by sharply cutting collective bargaining rights for most government workers, has turned his sights to a different element of the public sector: state universities. As Mr. Walker takes steps toward announcing his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, he and leaders in Wisconsin’s Republican-held Legislature have called for changes that would give a board largely picked by the governor far more control over tenure and curriculum in the University of Wisconsin System."</p>
<p>And around the country...</p>
<p>IOWA: "Any Iowa woman wanting an abortion would have to be offered the chance to look at an ultrasound of the fetus before undergoing the procedure, under a bill that passed both houses of the Legislature Wednesday evening," <a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/04/abortion-sonogram-language-passes-iowa-legislature/28476725/" type="external">writes the Des Moines Register.</a></p>
<p>OBAMA AGENDA: China denies being behind cyberattack</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Leading NBCNews.com</a>: "China accused the United States of making "groundless accusations" and being "irresponsible" Friday in blaming Chinese hackers for a vast data breach that could be the biggest cyberattack in U.S. history. Four million federal workers may have had their personal information compromised in the attack, which officials said could affect every agency of the U.S. government."</p>
<p><a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/3c0004bf2bac478099a02f62f01d5070/massive-data-breach-could-affect-every-federal-agency" type="external">More from the AP:</a> "A U.S. official, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to publicly discuss the data breach, said the breach could potentially affect every federal agency. One key question is whether intelligence agency employee information was stolen. Former government employees are affected as well."</p>
<p>National Journal's Ron Brownstein says that criticizing the pending free-trade agreement -- because of NAFTA -- is ignoring some potential benefits. "Because the congressional trade debate has largely looked through the rearview mirror at NAFTA’s impact on manufacturing, it has slighted the TPP’s potential role in promoting exports in services and intellectual property, from entertainment to software. Yet the agreement could have its greatest impact on that front not only by eliminating discriminatory local regulations but also by strengthening protections for copyright, patents, and digital commerce."</p>
<p>CONGRESS: Pelosi says it’s up to Boehner to find votes to pass fast track</p>
<p><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/nancy-pelosi-trade-deal-gop-118645.html" type="external">Politico</a>: “Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said it is not her responsibility to help House Republicans pass a controversial piece of trade legislation at the top of President Barack Obama’s priorities The California Democrat told reporters on Thursday that it is up to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to provide the bulk of the 217 ‘yes’ votes needed to pass fast-track authority, a measure that would allow Obama to more easily pass a Pacific trade deal.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/world/americas/gop-led-house-votes-to-keep-curbs-on-american-travel-to-cuba.html?hpw&amp;rref=politics&amp;action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;module=well-region&amp;region=bottom-well&amp;WT.nav=bottom-well" type="external">Republicans in the House</a> have voted to keep restrictions on Americans who hope to travel to Cuba.</p>
<p><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-alleged-dennis-hastert-sex-abuse-victim-named/story?id=31530828" type="external">ABC News</a> interviewed a woman who says that her brother, now deceased, was a victim of sexual abuse by Dennis Hastert.</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.rollcall.com/wgdb/senate-minority-blocks-same-sex-marriage-veterans-benefits/?dcz=" type="external">Via Roll Call</a>: 'A Senate minority successfully blocked an amendment aimed at ending discrimination against same-sex marriage benefits for veterans Thursday."</p>
<p>PROGRAMMING NOTES.</p>
<p>*** Friday’s “News Nation with Tamron Hall” line-up: Alex Witt fills in for Tamron Hall, and she speaks with Chairman and Founder Identity Theft 911 and Credit.com Adam Levin about a report that China hack data of 4 million US government workers, NY Daily News Racing Reporter Jerry Bossert about the Belmont Stakes and possibility of American Pharoah winning the Triple Crown, and Columnist and the Author of Leading Indicators Zachary Karabell about the latest job numbers report.</p>
<p>*** Friday’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” line-up: NBC’s Andrea Mitchell will interview journalist Glenn Greenwald, NAACP Legal Defense Fund Director Sherrilyn Ifill, the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza, AP’s Julie Pace, NBC’s Anne Thompson and NBC Sports’ Josh Elliott.</p>
<p>*** Friday’s “MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts” line-up: MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts interviews former Obama admin. Cybersecurity director Chris Finan, Global Threat communications manager Christopher Budd, Forbes columnist Gordon Chang, Transgender Professional Soccer player Jaiyah Saelua, and American Pharoah jockey Victor Espinoza.</p> | false | 3 | races previewing joni ernsts roast ride event iowa des moines register previews saturdays roast ride event rural boone iowas dave price big takeout politico magazine questions relevance iowa caucuses column cook political reports amy walter says jeb bush gone fragile frontrunner underdog calls scott walker current gop frontrunner bush hes planning big campaign swing early primary states june announcement clinton nbcs leigh ann caldwell reports clintons push automatic voter registration including specific criticisms republican opponents called restrictions voting access politico writes democrats getting little anxious polling although backers point strong numbers early states kasich john kasich holding back via nh1com explained hes exploring possible presidential bid saying frankly thought jeb going suck air room hasnt happened hit jeb perry heres report announcement yesterday perry bacon jr writes doesnt look like republicans ready give second chance washington post writes hes snagged sam clovis big conservative backer iowa super pac bought tv ad time two iowa markets new york times notes paul hes going marco rubio foreign policy florida senator said iraq nationbuilding assisting building nation sanders really smart point perry bacon jr dante chinni bernie sanders surging among white democrats rest party still behind hillary clinton walker new york times gov scott walker wisconsin began building national profile four years ago sharply cutting collective bargaining rights government workers turned sights different element public sector state universities mr walker takes steps toward announcing candidacy republican presidential nomination leaders wisconsins republicanheld legislature called changes would give board largely picked governor far control tenure curriculum university wisconsin system around country iowa iowa woman wanting abortion would offered chance look ultrasound fetus undergoing procedure bill passed houses legislature wednesday evening writes des moines register obama agenda china denies behind cyberattack leading nbcnewscom china accused united states making groundless accusations irresponsible friday blaming chinese hackers vast data breach could biggest cyberattack us history four million federal workers may personal information compromised attack officials said could affect every agency us government ap us official declined named authorized publicly discuss data breach said breach could potentially affect every federal agency one key question whether intelligence agency employee information stolen former government employees affected well national journals ron brownstein says criticizing pending freetrade agreement nafta ignoring potential benefits congressional trade debate largely looked rearview mirror naftas impact manufacturing slighted tpps potential role promoting exports services intellectual property entertainment software yet agreement could greatest impact front eliminating discriminatory local regulations also strengthening protections copyright patents digital commerce congress pelosi says boehner find votes pass fast track politico minority leader nancy pelosi said responsibility help house republicans pass controversial piece trade legislation top president barack obamas priorities california democrat told reporters thursday speaker john boehner rohio provide bulk 217 yes votes needed pass fasttrack authority measure would allow obama easily pass pacific trade deal republicans house voted keep restrictions americans hope travel cuba abc news interviewed woman says brother deceased victim sexual abuse dennis hastert via roll call senate minority successfully blocked amendment aimed ending discrimination samesex marriage benefits veterans thursday programming notes fridays news nation tamron hall lineup alex witt fills tamron hall speaks chairman founder identity theft 911 creditcom adam levin report china hack data 4 million us government workers ny daily news racing reporter jerry bossert belmont stakes possibility american pharoah winning triple crown columnist author leading indicators zachary karabell latest job numbers report fridays andrea mitchell reports lineup nbcs andrea mitchell interview journalist glenn greenwald naacp legal defense fund director sherrilyn ifill washington posts chris cillizza aps julie pace nbcs anne thompson nbc sports josh elliott fridays msnbc live thomas roberts lineup msnbcs thomas roberts interviews former obama admin cybersecurity director chris finan global threat communications manager christopher budd forbes columnist gordon chang transgender professional soccer player jaiyah saelua american pharoah jockey victor espinoza | 627 |
<p>It's been 31 days since violence erupted between Israel and Hamas. Since then,&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140805/gaza-falls-silent-three-day-ceasefire-takes-hold" type="external">more than 1,867 Palestinians</a>&#160;have been killed by Israeli air and ground strikes. About 75 percent of Palestinian deaths have been civilians. More than 9,000 Palestinians have been wounded and more than 400,000 displaced. On the Israeli side, 64 soldiers have died, as well as two civilians and a foreign worker.&#160;</p>
<p>Today is the second day of a 72-hour ceasefire.</p>
<p>Those numbers don't convey the horror of what's happening right now in Gaza. Neither do most of the photographs you'll find in news media. Streets and buildings have been blasted to rubble, yes. People are broken and mourning. Those things must be documented. But too often, we hide from the most graphic scenes of violence and death.</p>
<p>This page will do that documenting, and it will be updated as new images continue to appear. This is the cost of war.</p>
<p>Mohammed Badran, a Palestinian boy seriously wounded in the latest Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip, lies on his hospital bed as he receives treatment for burns and injuries at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on August 7, 2014. The current truce is the longest period of calm since Israel began its military campaign against Hamas on July 8 in a conflict which Gaza medics say killed at least 1,875 people, among them 430 children. Another 9,567 people were wounded in the violence. AFP PHOTO/ MOHAMMED ABED (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Dalia Khalfa, a Palestinian girl who was wounded during the recent Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, waits to receive medical treatment at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on August 7, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Mohammed Khatab, a Palestinian boy whose leg was amputated due to serious injuries sustained during the recent Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, lies on his hospital bed as he receives treatment at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on August 7, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Mahmud Hassan, a 20-year-old Palestinian man injured during an Israeli military strike on the Gaza Strip, lies in a bed on August 7, 2014, after he was transferred by the Red Cross from the Palestinian enclave to the Makassed hospital in East Jerusalem. Doctors and aid agencies are trying to capitalise on a truce in Gaza to evacuate more wounded Palestinians for life-saving medical treatment in east Jerusalem, Israel and Jordan. (AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Omar Ali Wahdan, a three-year-and-a-half-old Palestinian boy wounded in the latest Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip, lies on his hospital bed as he receives treatment for burns and injuries at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on August 7, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Mohammed Ali Wahdan, a two-year-old Palestinian boy wounded in the latest Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip, lies on his hospital bed as he receives treatment for burns and injuries at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on August 7, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Rescue workers remove the body a Palestinian man from under the rubble following an earlier Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on August 5, 2014, after a 72-hour truce agreed by Israel and the ruling Hamas movement went into effect following intense global pressure to end the 29 days bloody conflict. Israel announced that all of its troops had withdrawn from the Gaza Strip after completing a mission to destroy a sophisticated network of cross-border attack tunnels, ending a ground operation which began on July 17. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Blood-stained gurneys are seen outside the morgue at the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia, as members of the Abu Nejim family gather to collect their family members killed in an airstrike on their house in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on August 4, 2014. Israel was observing a temporary unilateral truce in most of the Gaza Strip amid world outrage over a deadly strike on a UN school in the besieged Palestinian territory. (MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian medical workers remove the body of child found east of the Rafah refugee camp, in southern Gaza Strip, on August 4, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinians remove the body of an eight-year-old from the rubble from a house hit by an Israeli airstrike in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on August 4, 2014. The eight-year-old girl was killed and 30 people wounded in a strike on the beachfront Shati refugee camp in Gaza City just minutes into an Israeli-declared truce, medics said. (MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man, wounded in an Israeli air strike on the al-Shati refugee camp, lies on a stretcher as he is treated at the al-Shefa hospital in Gaza City, on August 4, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian children, wounded in an Israeli air strike on the al-Shati refugee camp, lie on stretchers as they are treated at the al-Shefa hospital in Gaza City, on August 4, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinians gather around the body of Raghad Masoud, on August 4, 2014, which is being stored in a freezer previously used to store ice-cream because the hospital morgue is full at the Rafah refugee camp, in southern Gaza Strip, after she was killed in an Israeli strike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A picture taken on August 3, 2014 at the morgue of a hospital in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip shows the bodies of a baby and two children lying in an ice-cream freezer, killed along with other members of al-Ghul and Abu Jazar families when their houses were hit by an Israeli military strike. At least 10 people died as well in a fresh strike on a UN school in Gaza shortly after Israel confirmed it had begun withdrawing some troops from the war-torn enclave. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A picture taken on August 3, 2014, at the morgue of a hospital in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip shows the bodies of a baby and three children lying in an ice-cream freezer, killed along with other members of al-Ghul and Abu Jazar families when their houses were hit by an Israeli military strike. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man mourns at the morgue of a hospital in Rafah over the bodies of some of the nine members of the same al-Ghul family who were killed along with other Palestinians after their house was hit by an Israeli air strike on August 3, 2014 in the southern Gaza Strip. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man checks the pulse of a wounded man following an Israeli military strike on a UN school in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on August 3, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man carries an injured child following an Israeli military strike on a UN school in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on August 3, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A relative shows the body of Razaq Abu Taha, a one-year-old Palestinian baby who was killed in an Israeli military strike on August 2, 2014 at the hospital in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. At least 296 Palestinian children and adolescents have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas on July 8, the UN children's agency UNICEF said. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A relative shows the body of Razaq Abu Taha, a one-year-old Palestinian baby who was killed in an Israeli military strike on August 2, 2014 at the hospital in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinians look at the bodies of three children from the Al-Nirab family who were killed alongside their parents, at a morgue in Gaza City after an Israeli attack on the Palestinian enclave on August 2, 2014. A fresh wave of violence killed dozens in Gaza after the collapse of a UN and US backed ceasefire, officials said, as Hamas denied it kidnapped an Israeli soldier. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian relatives carry the body of two month old Noor al-Saidy, killed during attacks on the Gaza Strip, during her funeral in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on August 2, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)/span&gt;</p>
<p>The body of a Palestinian man is seen wedged in the rubble of his home following an Israeli military strike on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on August 1, 2014. A 72-hour ceasefire took effect today in Gaza but was immediately threatened by deadly shelling, as diplomats pressed for a more durable end to 25 days of devastating violence. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian rescue workers dig out the body of a man from the rubble of his home following an Israeli military strike on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on August 1, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian rescue workers remove the body of a man from the rubble of his home following an Israeli military strike on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on August 1, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A journalist films as rescue workers remove the body of a Palestinian man from the rubble of his home following an Israeli military strike on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on August 1, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of a Palestinian man arrives at al-Najar hospital in the southern of Gaza strip, on August 1, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>The mother of a Palestinian girl, Layan al-Silk, mourns during her funeral in Gaza City on July 31, 2014. At least 10 people were killed in Israeli strikes on central and southern Gaza bringing the Palestinian death toll to 1,374 on day 24 of the conflict. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The mother of Palestinian girl, Layan al-Silk, touches her child's face while mourning during her funeral in Gaza City on July 31, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded Palestinian child taking shelter at a UN school receives treatment at the Kamal Edwan hospital in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip early on July 31, 2014. Early Thursday, an Israeli strike attacked a mosque near the same UN school in Jabalia, that was attacked the day before, wounding 15 Palestinians, emergency services said. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A displaced Palestinian taking shelter at a UN school receives treatment at the Kamal Edwan hospital in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip early on July 31, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>A Palestinian man gestures near the victim of an Israeli air strike on a market place in the Shejaiya neighborhood near Gaza City on July 30, 2014. At least 15 people were killed and 150 people wounded in an Israeli air strike on the market, medics said. The strike came shortly after the Israeli army said it was observing a humanitarian lull that would be in force for four hours from 1200 GMT. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian paramedic holds the victim of an Israeli air strike at a market place in the Shejaiya neighborhood near Gaza City, on July 30, 2014. (Photo credit should read MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian men move the body of journalist, Rami Rayan, the victim of an Israeli air strike on a market place to an ambulance in the Shejaiya neighborhood near Gaza City on July 30, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian men carry the victim of an Israeli air strike on a market place to a stretcher near an ambulance in the Shejaiya neighborhood near Gaza City on July 30, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian emergency personnel and civilians move the victim of an Israeli air strike on a market place to an ambulance in the Shejaiya neighborhood near Gaza City on July 30, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>This video shows the aftermath of the Israeli air strike on the market in Shejaiya. Among the sixteen people killed was Rami Rayan, a photojournalist. The video shows Rayan's body, wearing a helmet marked "TV" and a vest marked "PRESS" at the 00:33 mark. Warning: the video is extremely graphic.</p>
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<p>Palestinian mourners pray in front of the bodies of ten members of the al-Astal family, that were killed in an Israeli air strike on their homes, during their funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 30, 2014. Israeli bombardments early on July 30 killed "dozens" Palestinians in Gaza, including at least 16 at a UN school, medics said, on day 23 of the Israel-Hamas conflict. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>On June 30, 2014, Palestinian rescue workers remove the body of a dead child from under the rubble of the Duheir family home which was destroyed in an Israeli air strike the previous day in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian who lost relatives in an Israeli strike on a compound housing a UN school in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, mourns next to bodies wrapped in shrouds at the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia where victims from the attack were brought early on July 30, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian child, wounded in an Israeli strike on a compound housing a UN school in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, is pictured at Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia early on July 30, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The blood-stained hand of a Palestinian is seen as he collects human remains from a classroom inside a UN school in the Jabalia refugee camp after the area was hit by shelling on July 30, 2014. (MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian medic carries the body of five year old, Rana Duheir (L), as another girl from the Abu Zeid family lies on a table, after they were killed in an Israeli air strike, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip July 29, 2014. Israel's bombardment of Gaza left dozens more Palestinians dead after a black day for the Israeli army, with the spiral of violence showing no sign of abating. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian medics carries the body of Rana Duheir, a Palestinian girl killed in an Israeli air strike, that destroyed her family's house, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip July 29, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A frightened Palestinian boy looks towards a doctor mending one of the wounds he received when an Israeli military strike hit his home in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on July 29, 2014. (MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A relative of six-year old Palestinian boy from the Gaza Strip, Zehir Al-Najar, mourns over his body at the morgue of Saint Joseph hospital in East Jerusalem, on July 29, 2014 after he died from injuries sustained following an Israeli military strike in the Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis. (AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man reacts as he looks at the bodies of two children, killed in an explosion in a public playground on the beachfront of Shati refugee camp, as they lie in the morgue of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 28, 2014. Palestinian medical sources blamed death of at least seven Palestinian children on air strikes launched by the Israeli military, which in turn said Hamas had misfired its own rockets at the camp and at the Shifa hospital. (MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian men mourn over the bodies of six children who were killed in a explosion in a public playground in the beachfront Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on July 28, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded Palestinian child is wheeled into Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital after an explosion killed eight children in a public playground in the beachfront Shati refugee camp on July 28, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of a Palestinian child, killed in an explosion in a public playground on the beachfront of Shati refugee camp, is seen in the morgue of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 28, 2014. (MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian medic holds the body of a child brought to the hopsital morgue, one of several children killed from the al-Najjar (Najar) family in an Israeli air strike on their house in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 26, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinian relatives bury one of several children from the al-Najjar family, killed in an Israeli air strike on their house in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 26, 2014. (Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian woman grieves as she kneels at the bodies of Palestinian children from the al-Najjar family, who were killed in an Israeli air strike on their house, at a hospital morgue in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 26, 2014. (Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners pray over the bodies of ten victims, including one-year-old baby Noha Mesleh, killed after a UN school in Beit Hanun was hit by an Israeli tank shell, during their funeral in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza strip, on July 25, 2014. Fifteen Palestinians were killed on July 24, when an Israeli shell slammed into a UN shelter where hundreds of civilians had taken refuge. Fresh Israeli fire pushed the overall Palestinian death toll in Gaza to at least 800 despite world efforts to broker a ceasefire. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man carries the body of a one-year-old baby Noha Mesleh, who died of wounds sustained after a UN school in Beit Hanun was hit by an Israeli tank shell, during her funeral in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, on July 25, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Rescue workers help a wounded child, a member of Hasnen family, after removing him from under the rubble of their home following an Israeli air strike on Rafah in the southern of Gaza strip, on July 25, 2014, killing two people and wounding three others. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>A woman mourns over the body of Abd al-Karim al-Shibari, a Palestinian man who was killed after a UN school in the northern Beit Hanun district of the Gaza Strip was hit by an Israeli shell, on July 24, 2014 at the morgue of the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>The brother of Palestinian child Abdulrahman Abed al-Nabi, 1, grieves over his body as he is laid next to their cousin Hadi Abed al-Nabi, 3, after they were killed in an Israeli military strike in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, during their funeral on July 24, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>A relative of two-year old Palestinian Lamar Radiya killed by shrapnel from an Israeli tank shell in the north of the Gaza Strip holds her body at the morgue of the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia on July 23, 2014. (MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Two-year-old Palestinian girl Naama Abu al-Foul sleeps after undergoing treatment at Gaza City's Al-Shifa hospital following Israeli bombing next to her family's home in the battered city on July 23, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian medic carries a wounded girl at a hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 23, 2014 following an Israeli military strike near her family home. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian doctors react over the body of nine-year-old Palestinian girl Shahed Qishtah after she died as they were trying to save her life at the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia in the norhtern Gaza Strip on July 22, 2014 following an Israeli military strike. (MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinians who were visiting patients at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, lie dead on the ground after the hospital building was hit by an Israeli army shelling, on July 21, 2014. Israel shelled the hospital in the central Gaza Strip, killing five people and wounding at least 70, medics said. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man carries the body of Dalal Siam, a five-month-old child who was killed along with eight members of the Siam family after an Israeli air strike hit their house, during their funeral on July 21, 2014 at a mosque in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian medic evacuates the body of a girl from Gaza's eastern Shejaiya district on July 20, 2014. At least 40 people were killed and nearly 400 wounded in Israeli shelling of Gaza's northeastern Shejaiya district overnight, medics said. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Medics evacuate the body of a boy from Gaza's eastern Shejaiya district on July 20, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian family lies dead as it sheltered near a stair well during the Israeli military offensive on the Shejaiya neighborhood between Gaza City and the Israeli border, leaving more than 50 people dead in a blistering bombardment which began overnight, medics said on July 20, 2014. The death toll in Gaza passed 400 as Israel pressed its biggest offensive in the enclave in five years, Palestinian health officials said. "410 people have been killed since the war started and more than 3,020 people have been injured, most of them civilians," deputy health minister Yussef Abu Rish told reporters at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man reacts as he carries the body of his daughter, who was killed during Israeli shelling, outside at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 20, 2014. Israel's army said it was expanding its ground offensive against the Gaza Strip, as the bloodiest conflict since 2009 entered its 13th day with a death toll of over 360. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian relative mourns as he holds the body of a baby, who is one of the eight members of the same family who were killed overnight in an Israeli strike, during their funeral on July 19, 2014 in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza strip. The new deaths raised the toll on the 12th day of violence in Gaza to 316 Palestinians, according to emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The bodies of two boys from the Elwan family, lay at the morgue of al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, on July 18, 2014. Intensifying tank shelling and air strikes killed more than a dozen people in the evening of July 18, 2014, aong them were eight members of a single family killed by tank fire on their home in northern Gaza's Beit Hanun, emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said. Four children from the family were among the dead, joining another four children killed in several separate incidents of tank fire east of Gaza City, the youngest of them just two years old. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of eight-year-old Jihad Shuheiber lies in a room it al-Shifa hospital, after he and two other children from the same family were killed after an Israeli air strike on a house in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, on July 17, 2014. Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed five children, medics said, hours after a temporary humanitarian ceasefire ended. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of eight-year-old Jihad Shuheiber inal-Shifa hospital, after he and two other children from the same family were killed after an Israeli air strike on a house in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, on July 17, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian medics display the bodies of three children from the Shuheiber family who were killed in an airstrike in Gaza City's Sabra district, and four-year-old Yassin al-Humidi, who died from injuries sustained in an earlier air stike, in the morgue at al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, on July 17, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The bodies of Jihad and Wassim Shuheiber, aged 8 and 7 respectively, and their 10-year-old cousin Fulla lie in the morgue at al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, on July 17, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian hospital workers prepare the body of six-year-old Osama Al-Astal, who was killed in his home along with his four-year-old sister and two relatives following an Israeli air strike, ahead of his funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 17, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian hospital workers prepare the body of six-year-old Osama Al-Astal, who was killed in his home along with his four-year-old sister and two relatives following an Israeli air strike, ahead of his funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 17, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian hospital workers prepare the body of six-year-old Osama Al-Astal, who was killed in his home along with his four-year-old sister and two relatives following an Israeli air strike, ahead of his funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 17, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners and family members cry over the bodies of four members of the Astal family, who were killed following an Israeli air strike, ahead of his funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 17, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners and family members cry over the bodies of two of the four members of the Astal family, who were killed following an Israeli air strike, ahead of his funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 17, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of 20-year-old Hamas fighter, Bashir Abdel Aal lies in the morgue of the al-Najar hospital in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah on July 17, 2014, after he was killed by tank shells minutes before a five-hour truce went into effect. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian emergency responders push a stretcher carrying the body of Abdullah Akhras, a Palestinian man who was killed by Israeli tank shells minutes before a five-hour truce went into effect, as they arrive at the al-Najar hospital in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah on July 17, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian mourner carries the body of five-month-old girl Lama al-Satri after she was killed in an Israeli air strike the previous day, during her funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on July 16, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded boy from the Bakr family, receives treatment at al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. Four children were killed and several injured at a beach in Gaza. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of one of the four Palestinian boys, all from the Bakr family, is seen at the morgue of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. Four children were killed and several injured at a beach in Gaza City medics said, in Israeli shelling witnessed by AFP journalists. The strikes appeared to be the result of shelling by the Israeli navy against an area with small shacks used by fishermen. The deaths raised the overall toll in nine days of violence in Gaza to 213. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The bodies of three out of the four Palestinian boys, all from the Bakr family, are seen at the morgue of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of two of the four Palestinian boys, all from the Bakr family, is seen at the morgue of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A relative of four Palestinian boys, all from the Bakr family, mourns over the body of one of the boys at the morgue of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinian relatives of four boys killed in Israeli bombardment, all from the Bakr family, carry the dead body to the family house during the funerals in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners carry the bodies of four boys, all from the Bakr family, during their funeral in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners carry the bodies of four boys, all from the Bakr family, during their funeral in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>A Palestinian boy is treated by journalists at the al-Deira hotel after he was injured during an Israeli air strikes in Gaza City, on July 16, 2014. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinian employees of Gaza City's al-Deira hotel carry a wounded boy following an Israeli military strike nearby on the beach, on July 16, 2014. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>The following videos show the immediate aftermath of the bombing that killed the four boys. Warning: the videos are extremely graphic.</p>
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<p>Relatives of Ismail Fattuh, a 25-year-old Palestinian man who was killed in an Israeli air strike, mourn over his body during his funeral on July 16, 2014 in Gaza City. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded Palestinian child cries while receiving medical care at a hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 16, 2014 following an Israeli military strike. Israel urged 100,000 Gazans to flee their homes on Wednesday, but the warning was largely ignored despite an intensification of the military's nine-day campaign after Hamas snubbed a ceasefire effort. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded Palestinian child cries while receiving medical care at a hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 16, 2014 following an Israeli military strike. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded Palestinian child cries while receiving medical care at a hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 16, 2014 following an Israeli military strike. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded man is brought to the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City late on July 15, 2014, following an Israeli air strike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded man is brought to the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City late on July 15, 2014, following an Israeli air strike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>A Palestinian mother kisses the body of four-year-old girl Sarah Sheik al-Eid after she was killed along with her father and uncle in a Israeli military strike the previous day, during their funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on July 15, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian mourner carries the body of four-year-old girl Sarah Sheik al-Eid after she was killed along with her father and uncle in a Israeli military strike the previous day, during their funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on July 15, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners surround the bodies of four-year-old Palestinian girl Sarah Sheik al-Eid and of her father and uncle, during their funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on July 15, 2014 after they were killed in an Israeli military strike the previous day. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>(Note: there are conflicted reports about whether Noor Abu Issa has died.)</p>
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<p>Relatives and friends mourn over the body of Musa Moamer, a 60-year-old Palestinian man killed in an Israeli air strike along with three members of his family, during their funeral in southern Gaza city of Rafah on July 14, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinians carry the body of Adham Abed el-Al, who died the day before in an Israeli airstrike, before his funeral on July 14, 2014 in Gaza City. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Relatives and friends carry the body of Saddam Moamer, a 26-year-old Hamas fighter killed in an Israeli air strike along with his father and two other members of his family, during their funeral in southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on July 14, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man, who was wounded during Israeli strikes in Gaza City, lays on his bed at King Hussein Medical Center where he was transferred to receive medical care on July 13, 2014 in the Jordanian capital, Amman. (KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>The father of 3-year-old Palestinian child, Mouid al-Araj, carries his sons body during his funeral in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip on July 13, 2014. (Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The grandfather of 3-year-old Palestinian child, Mouid al-Araj, carries his grandsons' body during his funeral in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip on July 13, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Sally Sakr, 20-years-old, from the Palestinian center for people with special needs lies in a hospital bed in Gaza City on July 12, 2014, after the center housing her was targeted by an Israeli air strike in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike <a href="http://america.aljazeera.com/multimedia/photo-gallery/2014/7/photos-gaza-al-batsh.html" type="external">hit the home</a> of Gaza police chief&#160;Tayseer al-Batsh. It was the bloodiest single attack yet, killing 18, most of whom were members of al-Batsh's family. This video contains horrific footage of the attack's aftermath. Photos and an additional video below show the funeral.</p>
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<p>Palestinians carry a body during the funeral of 18 members of the al-Batsh family who were killed the previous night in Israeli strikes that hit their house as they were targeting Hamas police chief Tayseer al-Batsh on July 13, 2014 in Gaza City. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinians mourn over the body of a member of the al-Batsh family, after their house was targeted by an Israeli air strike that killed 18 family members, during their funeral on July 13, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners pray over the bodies of 18 people of the al-Batsh family, after their house was targeted by an Israeli air strike, during their funeral on July 13, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinians bury human remains during the funeral of 18 members of al-Batsh family on July 13, 2014 in Gaza City. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>A Palestinian man, who was wounded in an Israeli air strike, lays on a stretcher in an ambulance before being given the permission to cross into Egypt at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip on July 12, 2014. (Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian women check on Salwa Abu Al-Qumsan, a 52-year-old nanny working with the Palestinian center for people with special needs as she lies in a hospital bed in Gaza City on July 12, 2014, after the center housing her was targeted by an Israeli air strike in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip. (Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of Suha Abu Saada, 28-years-old, lies in a morgue in Gaza city, after the Palestinian center for people with special needs housing her in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, was targeted by an Israeli air strike on July 12, 2014. (Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Relatives and friends of a Palestinian, who was killed in an Israeli air raid, carry his body during his funeral in Gaza City, on July 12, 2014. (Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners carry the body of four-year-old boy Sahir Abu Namus, during his funeral in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on July 11, 2014, after he was killed following an Israeli air strike. Israel's aerial bombardment of Gaza claimed its 103rd Palestinian life as Hamas pounded central Israel with rockets and Washington offered to help broker a truce. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners pray over the body of four-year-old boy Sahir Abu Namus, during his funeral in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on July 11, 2014, after he was killed following an Israeli air strike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Relatives and friends carry the body of Noor al-Najdi, 10-years-old, during her funeral in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 11, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Relatives and friends carry the body of Noor al-Najdi, 10-years-old, during her funeral on July 11, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinians prepare the body of Palestinian doctor Anas Abu al-Kas, 33, in the morgue of the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 11, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The wife of Palestinian doctor Anas Abu al-Kas, 33, mourns over his body during his funeral in family home in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on July 11, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The wife of Palestinian doctor Anas Abu al-Kas, 33, mourns over his body during his funeral in family home in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on July 11, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinians carry a body, a member of the Ghanam family, after being removed from under the rubble of their home following an Israeli air raid on Rafah, in the southern of Gaza strip , on July 11, 2014. Five Palestinians, including a woman and seven-year-old child, died when the house in Rafah in southern Gaza was hit, and 15 other people were wounded, Gaza emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian carries a body, a member of the Ghanam family, after being removed from under the rubble of their home following an Israeli air raid on Rafah, in the southern of Gaza strip , on July 11, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinian doctors look after a man before he dies from his wounds following an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis, on July 10, 2014. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian doctor writes a name on the shroud wrapping the body of a man who died from his wounds following an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis, on July 10, 2014. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of five-year-old Palestinian boy Abdallah Abu Ghazal lies at a morgue in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya on July 10, 2014 after he was killed in an Israeli air strike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners carry the body of five-year-old boy Abdallah Abu Ghazal during his funeral in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya on July 10, 2014 after he was killed in an Israeli air strike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of five-year-old Abdallah Abu Ghazal lies at a mosque during a funeral ceremony in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya on July 10, 2014 after he was killed in an Israeli air strike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The body of Abdallah Abu Ghazal lies at a mosque during a funeral ceremony in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya on July 10, 2014 after he was killed in an Israeli air strike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinians inspect the wreckage of a car hit by an Israeli air strike, killing three people and wounding four others, early on July 10, 2014 in Gaza City. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian rescuers collect pieces of flesh in a car hit by an Israeli air strike killing the driver in Gaza City on July 9, 2014. (HOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>This strike <a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/gaza-israel-strike-kills-driver-media.html#" type="external">killed Hamid Shebab</a>, who was working as a driver for Media24, a news agency based in Gaza. On the day of the strike, Shebab had been driving photographers and journalists from the agency to hospitals and sites hit by Israeli air strikes. The car was marked "T-V" to indicate that it was a press car. That sign did not work.</p>
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<p>This video shows the gruesome aftermath of this particular strike.</p>
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<p>An injured child at the al-Najar hospital in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 9, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The father of Palestinian baby Ranim al-Gafur carries her body during a funeral ceremony for Ranim and her mother, Amal, on July 9, 2014 after they were both killed today in an Israeli air strike in the town of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Emergency responders carry the body of a man, found under the rubble of his house following an Israeli airstrike on Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip on July 9, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man looks at the bodies of two young Palestinians at a morgue in the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, following an Israeli air strike on July 9, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A dead Palestinian child, Mohammed Malaka, 2, is brought to the morgue at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, follwoing an Israeli air strike on July 9, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>A Palestinian man holds the drawer of a morgue fridge, where 2-year-old Mohammed Malaka is being kept before burial, at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Relatives and friends of the al-Kaware family carry seven bodies to the mosque during a funeral in Khan Yunis, in the Gaza Strip, on July 9, 2014. The father, a member of the Fatah movement, and his six young sons were all killed the day before in an Israeli air strike that targeted their home. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian looks at the body of a boy killed in an Israeli air strike at a morgue in the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on July 9, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded man is brought into the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 9, 2014 following an Israeli air strike. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man carries his wounded daughter into the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 9, 2014 following an Israeli air strike. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded Palestinian girl is treated by medics at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 9, 2014 following an Israeli air strike. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A wounded Palestinian boy is treated by medics at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 9, 2014 following an Israeli air strike. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Wounded children are brought into the the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 9, 2014 following an Israeli air strike. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian man removes bloody cushions from an outdoor sitting area following an Israeli air strike in Beit Hanun, in the northern of Gaza Strip on July 9 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinian relatives of Ahmed Mehdi, 14, stand next to his body at a hospital in Gaza City on July 8, 2014 after his was killed in an Israeli air strike. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A Palestinian paramedic shows the remains of four people from the same family after their home was targeted during an Israeli air strike on July 8, 2014 in the Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. In the worst strike, a missile slammed into a house in the southern part of the city killing seven people, among them two teenagers, and wounding 25, emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP. Witnesses said an Israeli drone fired a warning flare, prompting relatives and neighbors to gather at the house as a human shield. But shortly afterwards, an F-16 warplane fired a missile that leveled the building. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian men look at the body of killed Hamas fighter Rashad Yassin, 28, in the morgue of the al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip on July 8, 2014. Five Palestinians were killed as Israeli warplanes pounded Gaza at the start of a new campaign to stamp out rocket fire by Hamas militants on southern Israel. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinians remove the body of a man from a vehicle targeted in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on July 8, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Fire fighters extinguish a vehicle targeted in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on July 8, 2014. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Palestinians look at the bodies of two fighters in the mourgue of al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al Balah center Gaza Strip on July 06, 2014. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Palestinian mourners gather in a mosque as they pray over the bodies of five Hamas fighters during their funeral in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 7, 2014. (SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)</p> | false | 3 | 31 days since violence erupted israel hamas since then160 1867 palestinians160have killed israeli air ground strikes 75 percent palestinian deaths civilians 9000 palestinians wounded 400000 displaced israeli side 64 soldiers died well two civilians foreign worker160 today second day 72hour ceasefire numbers dont convey horror whats happening right gaza neither photographs youll find news media streets buildings blasted rubble yes people broken mourning things must documented often hide graphic scenes violence death page documenting updated new images continue appear cost war mohammed badran palestinian boy seriously wounded latest israeli assault gaza strip lies hospital bed receives treatment burns injuries alshifa hospital gaza city august 7 2014 current truce longest period calm since israel began military campaign hamas july 8 conflict gaza medics say killed least 1875 people among 430 children another 9567 people wounded violence afp photo mohammed abed mohammed abedafpgetty images dalia khalfa palestinian girl wounded recent israeli bombardment gaza strip waits receive medical treatment alshifa hospital gaza city august 7 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images mohammed khatab palestinian boy whose leg amputated due serious injuries sustained recent israeli bombardment gaza strip lies hospital bed receives treatment alshifa hospital gaza city august 7 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images mahmud hassan 20yearold palestinian man injured israeli military strike gaza strip lies bed august 7 2014 transferred red cross palestinian enclave makassed hospital east jerusalem doctors aid agencies trying capitalise truce gaza evacuate wounded palestinians lifesaving medical treatment east jerusalem israel jordan ahmad gharabliafpgetty images omar ali wahdan threeyearandahalfold palestinian boy wounded latest israeli assault gaza strip lies hospital bed receives treatment burns injuries alshifa hospital gaza city august 7 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images mohammed ali wahdan twoyearold palestinian boy wounded latest israeli assault gaza strip lies hospital bed receives treatment burns injuries alshifa hospital gaza city august 7 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images rescue workers remove body palestinian man rubble following earlier israeli air strike rafah southern gaza strip august 5 2014 72hour truce agreed israel ruling hamas movement went effect following intense global pressure end 29 days bloody conflict israel announced troops withdrawn gaza strip completing mission destroy sophisticated network crossborder attack tunnels ending ground operation began july 17 said khatibafpgetty images bloodstained gurneys seen outside morgue kamal adwan hospital beit lahia members abu nejim family gather collect family members killed airstrike house jabalia northern gaza strip august 4 2014 israel observing temporary unilateral truce gaza strip amid world outrage deadly strike un school besieged palestinian territory marco longariafpgetty images palestinian medical workers remove body child found east rafah refugee camp southern gaza strip august 4 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinians remove body eightyearold rubble house hit israeli airstrike alshati refugee camp gaza city august 4 2014 eightyearold girl killed 30 people wounded strike beachfront shati refugee camp gaza city minutes israelideclared truce medics said marco longariafpgetty images palestinian man wounded israeli air strike alshati refugee camp lies stretcher treated alshefa hospital gaza city august 4 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian children wounded israeli air strike alshati refugee camp lie stretchers treated alshefa hospital gaza city august 4 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinians gather around body raghad masoud august 4 2014 stored freezer previously used store icecream hospital morgue full rafah refugee camp southern gaza strip killed israeli strike mahmud hamsafpgetty images picture taken august 3 2014 morgue hospital rafah southern gaza strip shows bodies baby two children lying icecream freezer killed along members alghul abu jazar families houses hit israeli military strike least 10 people died well fresh strike un school gaza shortly israel confirmed begun withdrawing troops wartorn enclave said khatibafpgetty images picture taken august 3 2014 morgue hospital rafah southern gaza strip shows bodies baby three children lying icecream freezer killed along members alghul abu jazar families houses hit israeli military strike said khatibafpgetty images palestinian man mourns morgue hospital rafah bodies nine members alghul family killed along palestinians house hit israeli air strike august 3 2014 southern gaza strip said khatibafpgetty images palestinian man checks pulse wounded man following israeli military strike un school rafah southern gaza strip august 3 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian man carries injured child following israeli military strike un school rafah southern gaza strip august 3 2014 said khatibafpgetty images relative shows body razaq abu taha oneyearold palestinian baby killed israeli military strike august 2 2014 hospital rafah southern gaza strip least 296 palestinian children adolescents killed since israel launched offensive gaza strip hamas july 8 un childrens agency unicef said said khatibafpgetty images relative shows body razaq abu taha oneyearold palestinian baby killed israeli military strike august 2 2014 hospital rafah southern gaza strip said khatibafpgetty images palestinians look bodies three children alnirab family killed alongside parents morgue gaza city israeli attack palestinian enclave august 2 2014 fresh wave violence killed dozens gaza collapse un us backed ceasefire officials said hamas denied kidnapped israeli soldier mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian relatives carry body two month old noor alsaidy killed attacks gaza strip funeral rafah southern gaza strip august 2 2014 said khatibafpgetty imagesspangt body palestinian man seen wedged rubble home following israeli military strike rafah southern gaza strip august 1 2014 72hour ceasefire took effect today gaza immediately threatened deadly shelling diplomats pressed durable end 25 days devastating violence said khatibafpgetty images palestinian rescue workers dig body man rubble home following israeli military strike rafah southern gaza strip august 1 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian rescue workers remove body man rubble home following israeli military strike rafah southern gaza strip august 1 2014 said khatibafpgetty images journalist films rescue workers remove body palestinian man rubble home following israeli military strike rafah southern gaza strip august 1 2014 said khatibafpgetty images body palestinian man arrives alnajar hospital southern gaza strip august 1 2014 said khatibafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 mother palestinian girl layan alsilk mourns funeral gaza city july 31 2014 least 10 people killed israeli strikes central southern gaza bringing palestinian death toll 1374 day 24 conflict mahmud hamsafpgetty images mother palestinian girl layan alsilk touches childs face mourning funeral gaza city july 31 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images wounded palestinian child taking shelter un school receives treatment kamal edwan hospital beit lahia northern gaza strip early july 31 2014 early thursday israeli strike attacked mosque near un school jabalia attacked day wounding 15 palestinians emergency services said mohammed abedafpgetty images displaced palestinian taking shelter un school receives treatment kamal edwan hospital beit lahia northern gaza strip early july 31 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images 160 160 palestinian man gestures near victim israeli air strike market place shejaiya neighborhood near gaza city july 30 2014 least 15 people killed 150 people wounded israeli air strike market medics said strike came shortly israeli army said observing humanitarian lull would force four hours 1200 gmt mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian paramedic holds victim israeli air strike market place shejaiya neighborhood near gaza city july 30 2014 photo credit read marco longariafpgetty images palestinian men move body journalist rami rayan victim israeli air strike market place ambulance shejaiya neighborhood near gaza city july 30 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian men carry victim israeli air strike market place stretcher near ambulance shejaiya neighborhood near gaza city july 30 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian emergency personnel civilians move victim israeli air strike market place ambulance shejaiya neighborhood near gaza city july 30 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images video shows aftermath israeli air strike market shejaiya among sixteen people killed rami rayan photojournalist video shows rayans body wearing helmet marked tv vest marked press 0033 mark warning video extremely graphic palestinian mourners pray front bodies ten members alastal family killed israeli air strike homes funeral khan yunis southern gaza strip july 30 2014 israeli bombardments early july 30 killed dozens palestinians gaza including least 16 un school medics said day 23 israelhamas conflict said khatibafpgetty images june 30 2014 palestinian rescue workers remove body dead child rubble duheir family home destroyed israeli air strike previous day rafah southern gaza strip said khatibafpgetty images palestinian lost relatives israeli strike compound housing un school jabalia refugee camp northern gaza strip mourns next bodies wrapped shrouds kamal adwan hospital beit lahia victims attack brought early july 30 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian child wounded israeli strike compound housing un school jabalia refugee camp northern gaza strip pictured kamal adwan hospital beit lahia early july 30 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images bloodstained hand palestinian seen collects human remains classroom inside un school jabalia refugee camp area hit shelling july 30 2014 marco longariafpgetty images palestinian medic carries body five year old rana duheir l another girl abu zeid family lies table killed israeli air strike rafah southern gaza strip july 29 2014 israels bombardment gaza left dozens palestinians dead black day israeli army spiral violence showing sign abating said khatibafpgetty images palestinian medics carries body rana duheir palestinian girl killed israeli air strike destroyed familys house rafah southern gaza strip july 29 2014 said khatibafpgetty images frightened palestinian boy looks towards doctor mending one wounds received israeli military strike hit home beit lahia northern gaza strip july 29 2014 marco longariafpgetty images relative sixyear old palestinian boy gaza strip zehir alnajar mourns body morgue saint joseph hospital east jerusalem july 29 2014 died injuries sustained following israeli military strike gaza strip city khan yunis ahmad gharabliafpgetty images palestinian man reacts looks bodies two children killed explosion public playground beachfront shati refugee camp lie morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 28 2014 palestinian medical sources blamed death least seven palestinian children air strikes launched israeli military turn said hamas misfired rockets camp shifa hospital marco longariafpgetty images palestinian men mourn bodies six children killed explosion public playground beachfront shati refugee camp gaza city july 28 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images wounded palestinian child wheeled gaza citys alshifa hospital explosion killed eight children public playground beachfront shati refugee camp july 28 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images body palestinian child killed explosion public playground beachfront shati refugee camp seen morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 28 2014 marco longariafpgetty images palestinian medic holds body child brought hopsital morgue one several children killed alnajjar najar family israeli air strike house khan yunis southern gaza strip july 26 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian relatives bury one several children alnajjar family killed israeli air strike house khan yunis southern gaza strip july 26 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian woman grieves kneels bodies palestinian children alnajjar family killed israeli air strike house hospital morgue khan yunis southern gaza strip july 26 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian mourners pray bodies ten victims including oneyearold baby noha mesleh killed un school beit hanun hit israeli tank shell funeral beit lahia northern gaza strip july 25 2014 fifteen palestinians killed july 24 israeli shell slammed un shelter hundreds civilians taken refuge fresh israeli fire pushed overall palestinian death toll gaza least 800 despite world efforts broker ceasefire mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian man carries body oneyearold baby noha mesleh died wounds sustained un school beit hanun hit israeli tank shell funeral beit lahia northern gaza strip july 25 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 rescue workers help wounded child member hasnen family removing rubble home following israeli air strike rafah southern gaza strip july 25 2014 killing two people wounding three others said khatibafpgetty images 160 woman mourns body abd alkarim alshibari palestinian man killed un school northern beit hanun district gaza strip hit israeli shell july 24 2014 morgue kamal adwan hospital beit lahiya mahmud hamsafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 brother palestinian child abdulrahman abed alnabi 1 grieves body laid next cousin hadi abed alnabi 3 killed israeli military strike beit lahia northern gaza strip funeral july 24 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 relative twoyear old palestinian lamar radiya killed shrapnel israeli tank shell north gaza strip holds body morgue kamal adwan hospital beit lahia july 23 2014 marco longariafpgetty images twoyearold palestinian girl naama abu alfoul sleeps undergoing treatment gaza citys alshifa hospital following israeli bombing next familys home battered city july 23 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian medic carries wounded girl hospital khan yunis southern gaza strip july 23 2014 following israeli military strike near family home said khatibafpgetty images palestinian doctors react body nineyearold palestinian girl shahed qishtah died trying save life kamal adwan hospital beit lahia norhtern gaza strip july 22 2014 following israeli military strike marco longariafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 palestinians visiting patients alaqsa martyrs hospital deir albalah central gaza strip lie dead ground hospital building hit israeli army shelling july 21 2014 israel shelled hospital central gaza strip killing five people wounding least 70 medics said mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian man carries body dalal siam fivemonthold child killed along eight members siam family israeli air strike hit house funeral july 21 2014 mosque rafah southern gaza strip said khatibafpgetty images palestinian medic evacuates body girl gazas eastern shejaiya district july 20 2014 least 40 people killed nearly 400 wounded israeli shelling gazas northeastern shejaiya district overnight medics said thomas coexafpgetty images medics evacuate body boy gazas eastern shejaiya district july 20 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian family lies dead sheltered near stair well israeli military offensive shejaiya neighborhood gaza city israeli border leaving 50 people dead blistering bombardment began overnight medics said july 20 2014 death toll gaza passed 400 israel pressed biggest offensive enclave five years palestinian health officials said 410 people killed since war started 3020 people injured civilians deputy health minister yussef abu rish told reporters alshifa hospital gaza city mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian man reacts carries body daughter killed israeli shelling outside alshifa hospital gaza city july 20 2014 israels army said expanding ground offensive gaza strip bloodiest conflict since 2009 entered 13th day death toll 360 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian relative mourns holds body baby one eight members family killed overnight israeli strike funeral july 19 2014 beit lahia north gaza strip new deaths raised toll 12th day violence gaza 316 palestinians according emergency services spokesman ashraf alqudra thomas coexafpgetty images bodies two boys elwan family lay morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 18 2014 intensifying tank shelling air strikes killed dozen people evening july 18 2014 aong eight members single family killed tank fire home northern gazas beit hanun emergency services spokesman ashraf alqudra said four children family among dead joining another four children killed several separate incidents tank fire east gaza city youngest two years old mohammed abedafpgetty images body eightyearold jihad shuheiber lies room alshifa hospital two children family killed israeli air strike house sabra neighbourhood gaza city july 17 2014 israeli air strikes gaza killed five children medics said hours temporary humanitarian ceasefire ended mohammed abedafpgetty images body eightyearold jihad shuheiber inalshifa hospital two children family killed israeli air strike house sabra neighbourhood gaza city july 17 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian medics display bodies three children shuheiber family killed airstrike gaza citys sabra district fouryearold yassin alhumidi died injuries sustained earlier air stike morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 17 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images bodies jihad wassim shuheiber aged 8 7 respectively 10yearold cousin fulla lie morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 17 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian hospital workers prepare body sixyearold osama alastal killed home along fouryearold sister two relatives following israeli air strike ahead funeral khan yunis southern gaza strip july 17 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian hospital workers prepare body sixyearold osama alastal killed home along fouryearold sister two relatives following israeli air strike ahead funeral khan yunis southern gaza strip july 17 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian hospital workers prepare body sixyearold osama alastal killed home along fouryearold sister two relatives following israeli air strike ahead funeral khan yunis southern gaza strip july 17 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian mourners family members cry bodies four members astal family killed following israeli air strike ahead funeral khan yunis southern gaza strip july 17 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian mourners family members cry bodies two four members astal family killed following israeli air strike ahead funeral khan yunis southern gaza strip july 17 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images body 20yearold hamas fighter bashir abdel aal lies morgue alnajar hospital southern gaza strip town rafah july 17 2014 killed tank shells minutes fivehour truce went effect said khatibafpgetty images palestinian emergency responders push stretcher carrying body abdullah akhras palestinian man killed israeli tank shells minutes fivehour truce went effect arrive alnajar hospital southern gaza strip town rafah july 17 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian mourner carries body fivemonthold girl lama alsatri killed israeli air strike previous day funeral rafah southern gaza strip july 16 2014 said khatibafpgetty images wounded boy bakr family receives treatment alshifa hospital gaza city july 16 2014 four children killed several injured beach gaza mohammed abedafpgetty images body one four palestinian boys bakr family seen morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 16 2014 four children killed several injured beach gaza city medics said israeli shelling witnessed afp journalists strikes appeared result shelling israeli navy area small shacks used fishermen deaths raised overall toll nine days violence gaza 213 mahmud hamsafpgetty images bodies three four palestinian boys bakr family seen morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 16 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images body two four palestinian boys bakr family seen morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 16 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images relative four palestinian boys bakr family mourns body one boys morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 16 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images 160 160 palestinian relatives four boys killed israeli bombardment bakr family carry dead body family house funerals gaza city july 16 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian mourners carry bodies four boys bakr family funeral gaza city july 16 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian mourners carry bodies four boys bakr family funeral gaza city july 16 2014 photo credit read mohammed abedafpgetty images 160 160 palestinian boy treated journalists aldeira hotel injured israeli air strikes gaza city july 16 2014 thomas coexafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 palestinian employees gaza citys aldeira hotel carry wounded boy following israeli military strike nearby beach july 16 2014 thomas coexafpgetty images 160 160 160 following videos show immediate aftermath bombing killed four boys warning videos extremely graphic relatives ismail fattuh 25yearold palestinian man killed israeli air strike mourn body funeral july 16 2014 gaza city mahmud hamsafpgetty images wounded palestinian child cries receiving medical care hospital khan yunis southern gaza strip july 16 2014 following israeli military strike israel urged 100000 gazans flee homes wednesday warning largely ignored despite intensification militarys nineday campaign hamas snubbed ceasefire effort mohammed abedafpgetty images wounded palestinian child cries receiving medical care hospital khan yunis southern gaza strip july 16 2014 following israeli military strike mohammed abedafpgetty images wounded palestinian child cries receiving medical care hospital khan yunis southern gaza strip july 16 2014 following israeli military strike mohammed abedafpgetty images wounded man brought alshifa hospital gaza city late july 15 2014 following israeli air strike mahmud hamsafpgetty images wounded man brought alshifa hospital gaza city late july 15 2014 following israeli air strike mahmud hamsafpgetty images 160 160 palestinian mother kisses body fouryearold girl sarah sheik aleid killed along father uncle israeli military strike previous day funeral rafah southern gaza strip july 15 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian mourner carries body fouryearold girl sarah sheik aleid killed along father uncle israeli military strike previous day funeral rafah southern gaza strip july 15 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian mourners surround bodies fouryearold palestinian girl sarah sheik aleid father uncle funeral rafah southern gaza strip july 15 2014 killed israeli military strike previous day said khatibafpgetty images 160 160 160 note conflicted reports whether noor abu issa died 160 160 relatives friends mourn body musa moamer 60yearold palestinian man killed israeli air strike along three members family funeral southern gaza city rafah july 14 2014 said khatibafpgetty images 160 160 palestinians carry body adham abed elal died day israeli airstrike funeral july 14 2014 gaza city mahmud hamsafpgetty images relatives friends carry body saddam moamer 26yearold hamas fighter killed israeli air strike along father two members family funeral southern gaza strip city rafah july 14 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian man wounded israeli strikes gaza city lays bed king hussein medical center transferred receive medical care july 13 2014 jordanian capital amman khalil mazraawiafpgetty images 160 160 father 3yearold palestinian child mouid alaraj carries sons body funeral khan yunis southern gaza strip july 13 2014 said khatibafpgetty images grandfather 3yearold palestinian child mouid alaraj carries grandsons body funeral khan yunis southern gaza strip july 13 2014 said khatibafpgetty images sally sakr 20yearsold palestinian center people special needs lies hospital bed gaza city july 12 2014 center housing targeted israeli air strike beit lahia northern gaza strip mohammed abedafpgetty images saturday israeli airstrike hit home gaza police chief160tayseer albatsh bloodiest single attack yet killing 18 members albatshs family video contains horrific footage attacks aftermath photos additional video show funeral palestinians carry body funeral 18 members albatsh family killed previous night israeli strikes hit house targeting hamas police chief tayseer albatsh july 13 2014 gaza city thomas coexafpgetty images palestinians mourn body member albatsh family house targeted israeli air strike killed 18 family members funeral july 13 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian mourners pray bodies 18 people albatsh family house targeted israeli air strike funeral july 13 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinians bury human remains funeral 18 members albatsh family july 13 2014 gaza city thomas coexafpgetty images palestinian man wounded israeli air strike lays stretcher ambulance given permission cross egypt rafah crossing egypt southern gaza strip july 12 2014 said khatibafpgetty images palestinian women check salwa abu alqumsan 52yearold nanny working palestinian center people special needs lies hospital bed gaza city july 12 2014 center housing targeted israeli air strike beit lahia northern gaza strip mohammed abedafpgetty images body suha abu saada 28yearsold lies morgue gaza city palestinian center people special needs housing beit lahia northern gaza strip targeted israeli air strike july 12 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images relatives friends palestinian killed israeli air raid carry body funeral gaza city july 12 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian mourners carry body fouryearold boy sahir abu namus funeral jabalia refugee camp northern gaza strip july 11 2014 killed following israeli air strike israels aerial bombardment gaza claimed 103rd palestinian life hamas pounded central israel rockets washington offered help broker truce mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian mourners pray body fouryearold boy sahir abu namus funeral jabalia refugee camp northern gaza strip july 11 2014 killed following israeli air strike mahmud hamsafpgetty images 160 160 relatives friends carry body noor alnajdi 10yearsold funeral rafah southern gaza strip july 11 2014 said khatibafpgetty images relatives friends carry body noor alnajdi 10yearsold funeral july 11 2014 said khatibafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 palestinians prepare body palestinian doctor anas abu alkas 33 morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 11 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images wife palestinian doctor anas abu alkas 33 mourns body funeral family home jabalia refugee camp northern gaza strip july 11 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images wife palestinian doctor anas abu alkas 33 mourns body funeral family home jabalia refugee camp northern gaza strip july 11 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinians carry body member ghanam family removed rubble home following israeli air raid rafah southern gaza strip july 11 2014 five palestinians including woman sevenyearold child died house rafah southern gaza hit 15 people wounded gaza emergency services spokesman ashraf alqudra said said khatibafpgetty images palestinian carries body member ghanam family removed rubble home following israeli air raid rafah southern gaza strip july 11 2014 said khatibafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 palestinian doctors look man dies wounds following israeli air strike southern gaza strip city khan yunis july 10 2014 thomas coexafpgetty images palestinian doctor writes name shroud wrapping body man died wounds following israeli air strike southern gaza strip city khan yunis july 10 2014 thomas coexafpgetty images body fiveyearold palestinian boy abdallah abu ghazal lies morgue northern gaza town beit lahiya july 10 2014 killed israeli air strike mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian mourners carry body fiveyearold boy abdallah abu ghazal funeral northern gaza town beit lahiya july 10 2014 killed israeli air strike mahmud hamsafpgetty images body fiveyearold abdallah abu ghazal lies mosque funeral ceremony northern gaza town beit lahiya july 10 2014 killed israeli air strike mahmud hamsafpgetty images body abdallah abu ghazal lies mosque funeral ceremony northern gaza town beit lahiya july 10 2014 killed israeli air strike mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinians inspect wreckage car hit israeli air strike killing three people wounding four others early july 10 2014 gaza city mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian rescuers collect pieces flesh car hit israeli air strike killing driver gaza city july 9 2014 homas coexafpgetty images strike killed hamid shebab working driver media24 news agency based gaza day strike shebab driving photographers journalists agency hospitals sites hit israeli air strikes car marked tv indicate press car sign work 160 160 video shows gruesome aftermath particular strike injured child alnajar hospital rafah southern gaza strip july 9 2014 said khatibafpgetty images father palestinian baby ranim algafur carries body funeral ceremony ranim mother amal july 9 2014 killed today israeli air strike town khan yunis southern gaza strip said khatibafpgetty images emergency responders carry body man found rubble house following israeli airstrike maghazi refugee camp central gaza strip july 9 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian man looks bodies two young palestinians morgue alshifa hospital gaza city following israeli air strike july 9 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images dead palestinian child mohammed malaka 2 brought morgue alshifa hospital gaza city follwoing israeli air strike july 9 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images 160 160 160 160 palestinian man holds drawer morgue fridge 2yearold mohammed malaka kept burial alshifa hospital gaza city mahmud hamsafpgetty images relatives friends alkaware family carry seven bodies mosque funeral khan yunis gaza strip july 9 2014 father member fatah movement six young sons killed day israeli air strike targeted home thomas coexafpgetty images palestinian looks body boy killed israeli air strike morgue alshifa hospital gaza city july 9 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images wounded man brought alshifa hospital gaza city july 9 2014 following israeli air strike mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian man carries wounded daughter alshifa hospital gaza city july 9 2014 following israeli air strike mohammed abedafpgetty images wounded palestinian girl treated medics alshifa hospital gaza city july 9 2014 following israeli air strike mohammed abedafpgetty images wounded palestinian boy treated medics alshifa hospital gaza city july 9 2014 following israeli air strike mohammed abedafpgetty images wounded children brought alshifa hospital gaza city july 9 2014 following israeli air strike mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian man removes bloody cushions outdoor sitting area following israeli air strike beit hanun northern gaza strip july 9 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images 160 160 palestinian relatives ahmed mehdi 14 stand next body hospital gaza city july 8 2014 killed israeli air strike mohammed abedafpgetty images palestinian paramedic shows remains four people family home targeted israeli air strike july 8 2014 gaza strip town khan yunis worst strike missile slammed house southern part city killing seven people among two teenagers wounding 25 emergency services spokesman ashraf alqudra told afp witnesses said israeli drone fired warning flare prompting relatives neighbors gather house human shield shortly afterwards f16 warplane fired missile leveled building thomas coexafpgetty images palestinian men look body killed hamas fighter rashad yassin 28 morgue alaqsa hospital deir albalah central gaza strip july 8 2014 five palestinians killed israeli warplanes pounded gaza start new campaign stamp rocket fire hamas militants southern israel mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinians remove body man vehicle targeted israeli airstrike gaza city july 8 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images fire fighters extinguish vehicle targeted israeli airstrike gaza city july 8 2014 mohammed abedafpgetty images 160 160 palestinians look bodies two fighters mourgue alaqsa hospital deir al balah center gaza strip july 06 2014 mahmud hamsafpgetty images palestinian mourners gather mosque pray bodies five hamas fighters funeral rafah southern gaza strip july 7 2014 said khatibafpgetty images | 4,645 |
<p>Speakers denounced religious bigotry at a Dupont Circle vigil on Wednesday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>An estimated 2,000 people filled Dupont Circle Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil commemorating the 49 people who lost their lives and the 53 wounded in the June 12 shooting massacre at the Orlando, Fla., gay nightclub Pulse.</p>
<p>The event, which was organized by the LGBT Catholic group Dignity Washington, included more than a dozen speakers from local churches and faith-based organizations who said they wanted to join the LGBT community to mourn the loss of the mostly LGBT Latino and Latina patrons at Pulse.</p>
<p>With hundreds holding lit candles, Dignity Washington President Vin Testa opened the vigil by calling for 102 seconds of silence to commemorate the 49 people killed and the 53 wounded during the Orlando incident.</p>
<p>Speakers then read the names of the victims as the audience called out the Spanish world “presente,” or present, after each name was read.</p>
<p>Several of the speakers, including Dignity USA official Allen Rose, called for an end to the condemnation of LGBT people by religious leaders of many denominations that they said most likely prompted lone gunman Omar Mateen to target a gay nightclub for his shooting rampage.</p>
<p>The FBI and Orlando police have said Mateen called 911 during his attack on the nightclub and told a dispatcher that he supported the radical Islamic group ISIS.</p>
<p>“It is becoming clear that the perpetrator of this evil was responding, at least in part, to religious based homophobia that he internalized,” said Dignity USA official Allen Rose.</p>
<p>“Many of us here are actively involved in religious denominations that still preach negative and dehumanizing things about LGBTQ people,” he said. “I pray that all of us who are involved in these churches commit to redoubling our efforts to seek justice by getting our denominations to affirm the gift and lives of LGBTQ people.”</p>
<p>Similar to a Dupont Circle vigil commemorating the Orlando gay nightclub tragedy held on Monday night, speakers at Wednesday’s vigil called for solidarity between the LGBT community and the Muslim community, saying they would do all they could to denounce efforts to scapegoat Muslims for the Orlando incident.</p>
<p>Darren Phelps, pastor of Bethel Christian Church of D.C., drew loud applause and cheers when he cited his own relationship with his church as an example of how LGBT people can and should be a part of their communities of faith.</p>
<p>“The truth is I was in that club at one point in my life,” he said. “I’m out. I’m gay. I’m black. I’m same-gender-loving and I’m a Christian pastor,” he shouted.</p>
<p>“You cannot silence me with the Bible that you read from because my Bible points to a God of love and grace that is for everyone. Enough is enough,” he said. “It’s time for these bully pastors to stop using the pulpit to bash people.”</p>
<p>Wednesday’s vigil, which began at 8 p.m., followed an LGBTQ Community Dialogue held several blocks away at the Foundry United Methodist Church, which drew more than 200 people.</p>
<p>Officials with the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community and Whitman-Walker Health, who were among the LGBT supportive groups that organized the event, said it was aimed at providing a safe place for LGBT people to express their feelings about the Orlando tragedy.</p>
<p>A LGBTQ Community Dialogue was held at Foundry United Methodist Church before the vigil. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Lesbian activist and psychologist Patricia Hawkins told the gathering that the grieving process over an incident like a mass killing sometimes brings about depression and other mental health issues and those who experience them should seek out support from friends and family and possibly counseling or therapy from a licensed mental health professional if needed.</p>
<p>Other speakers at the event announced that trained counselors were present and would be pleased to talk to anyone attending the community dialogue forum who wished to approach them.</p>
<p>“All of you have had experiences with grief in your life,” Hawkins said. “But this is different. It is an act of violence against a community.”</p>
<p>Hawkins said that although everyone has their own way of dealing with grief, she cautioned that in some cases the grieving process could lead to post traumatic stress disorder, which should be treated by a mental health professional.</p>
<p>During an audience participation period, several people said they were grappling with the Orlando shooting incident as a deep personal loss that made them feel unsafe.</p>
<p>“It could have been me,” said one young woman. “I could have been in that nightclub or in a place right here where this could happen,” she said.</p>
<p>Other speakers who identified themselves as Latino or Latina members of the LGBT community pointed out that the large majority of victims at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando were Puerto Rican in a part of Florida with a large and growing Puerto Rican population.</p>
<p>Among the facilitator-speakers at the community dialogue event were Maria Alejandra Salas-Baltuano, a Latina community activist; Joanna Cifredo, Racial and Economic Justice Policy Analyst for the National Center for Transgender Equality; Sahar Shafqat, associate professor of political science at St. Mary’s College of Maryland&#160;and Steering Committee member of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diverstity; and Urooj Arshad, an official with the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity.</p>
<p />
<p><a href="" type="internal">Alan Rose</a> <a href="" type="internal">Allen Rose</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bethel Christian Church of D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">candlelight vigil</a> <a href="" type="internal">Darren Phelps</a> <a href="" type="internal">District of Columbia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dupont Circle</a> <a href="" type="internal">FBI</a> <a href="" type="internal">Florida</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">ISIS</a> <a href="" type="internal">Joanna Cifredo</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBTQ</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maria Alejandra Salas-Baltuano</a> <a href="" type="internal">mass shooting</a> <a href="" type="internal">Muslim</a> <a href="" type="internal">Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity</a> <a href="" type="internal">National Center for Transgender Equality</a> <a href="" type="internal">NCTE</a> <a href="" type="internal">Omar Mateen</a> <a href="" type="internal">Orlando</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sahar Shafqat</a> <a href="" type="internal">St. Mary’s College of Maryland</a> <a href="" type="internal">the Pulse nightclub</a> <a href="" type="internal">Urooj Arshad</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vin Testa</a></p> | false | 3 | speakers denounced religious bigotry dupont circle vigil wednesday washington blade photo michael key estimated 2000 people filled dupont circle wednesday night candlelight vigil commemorating 49 people lost lives 53 wounded june 12 shooting massacre orlando fla gay nightclub pulse event organized lgbt catholic group dignity washington included dozen speakers local churches faithbased organizations said wanted join lgbt community mourn loss mostly lgbt latino latina patrons pulse hundreds holding lit candles dignity washington president vin testa opened vigil calling 102 seconds silence commemorate 49 people killed 53 wounded orlando incident speakers read names victims audience called spanish world presente present name read several speakers including dignity usa official allen rose called end condemnation lgbt people religious leaders many denominations said likely prompted lone gunman omar mateen target gay nightclub shooting rampage fbi orlando police said mateen called 911 attack nightclub told dispatcher supported radical islamic group isis becoming clear perpetrator evil responding least part religious based homophobia internalized said dignity usa official allen rose many us actively involved religious denominations still preach negative dehumanizing things lgbtq people said pray us involved churches commit redoubling efforts seek justice getting denominations affirm gift lives lgbtq people similar dupont circle vigil commemorating orlando gay nightclub tragedy held monday night speakers wednesdays vigil called solidarity lgbt community muslim community saying would could denounce efforts scapegoat muslims orlando incident darren phelps pastor bethel christian church dc drew loud applause cheers cited relationship church example lgbt people part communities faith truth club one point life said im im gay im black im samegenderloving im christian pastor shouted silence bible read bible points god love grace everyone enough enough said time bully pastors stop using pulpit bash people wednesdays vigil began 8 pm followed lgbtq community dialogue held several blocks away foundry united methodist church drew 200 people officials dc center lgbt community whitmanwalker health among lgbt supportive groups organized event said aimed providing safe place lgbt people express feelings orlando tragedy lgbtq community dialogue held foundry united methodist church vigil washington blade photo michael key lesbian activist psychologist patricia hawkins told gathering grieving process incident like mass killing sometimes brings depression mental health issues experience seek support friends family possibly counseling therapy licensed mental health professional needed speakers event announced trained counselors present would pleased talk anyone attending community dialogue forum wished approach experiences grief life hawkins said different act violence community hawkins said although everyone way dealing grief cautioned cases grieving process could lead post traumatic stress disorder treated mental health professional audience participation period several people said grappling orlando shooting incident deep personal loss made feel unsafe could said one young woman could nightclub place right could happen said speakers identified latino latina members lgbt community pointed large majority victims pulse nightclub orlando puerto rican part florida large growing puerto rican population among facilitatorspeakers community dialogue event maria alejandra salasbaltuano latina community activist joanna cifredo racial economic justice policy analyst national center transgender equality sahar shafqat associate professor political science st marys college maryland160and steering committee member muslim alliance sexual gender diverstity urooj arshad official muslim alliance sexual gender diversity alan rose allen rose bethel christian church dc candlelight vigil darren phelps district columbia dupont circle fbi florida gay isis joanna cifredo lgbtq maria alejandra salasbaltuano mass shooting muslim muslim alliance sexual gender diversity national center transgender equality ncte omar mateen orlando sahar shafqat st marys college maryland pulse nightclub urooj arshad vin testa | 569 |
<p>To My Church,</p>
<p>Do you remember when my son said, “Whoever puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for service in the Kingdom?” I hope you don't think he meant to never think about the past. You have been serving me for many years and have a very rich history. I don't want you to forget that — after all, I gave you the Bible so you would know what happened in the past.</p>
<p>What's really important is that you don't focus on the past. Far too many of my followers start looking back too much and forget to think about the future. Once a disciple — or a church — starts thinking that the best times are in the past, my ability to work through them is diminished. The best is always ahead of you, and that's where I want your attention.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>So, as we look toward the beginning of a new year, I thought I would offer you some ideas for resolutions, things you need to work on so that you'll be ready when I call. Even though you are serving me in the present, I am always preparing you for a new work.</p>
<p>Put me back at the center of your church.</p>
<p>I know that sounds strange, but I feel kind of peripheral. Sure, you call the building “my house” and you do things in my name and you pray to me at every event, but I need to be at the heart of everything. My church has become too much of a human enterprise. You are making decisions based on your opinions instead of seeking my will. You are voting based on what you want instead of what I am leading you to do. It's time to stop that.</p>
<p>When you have a meeting, whether it be a committee or ministry team or even a business session, I want to be at the center. I want you to seek my heart ahead of time in prayer and Bible study. I want you to really ask what I want and really listen for my answer. I want you to speak or vote based on what I am leading you to do, not what you want. If you are going to speak, be sure it is a spiritual discussion. Business that takes place in my church and in my name should be guided by me and not you. You should be sharing biblical principles and your sense of my will when you speak for or against an idea.</p>
<p>Please do not say things such as, “I want this” or “I don't like that.” When you say those things, you are putting yourself in my place and pushing me out. I don't like that.</p>
<p>When I called you to follow me, you covenanted with me to empty yourself so that I could fill you. You covenanted with me to accept my will in place of your own, to let me be the Lord of your life. I want to be Lord of your church, too.</p>
<p>So in 2008, how about resolving to put me back at the center of your church? Instead of seeking to preserve what has been, or to keep things the way you like them, or to avoid discomfort, how about seeking me? Put your hearts into finding out what I want you to do, and then do it. As long as church is about you, it cannot possibly succeed. As long as it is about me, it cannot fail.</p>
<p>Make prayer a priority</p>
<p>I'm not sure you quite understood what I meant when I said my house should be a house of prayer. You do a lot of praying, but it seems like you have forgotten what prayer is supposed to be. You ask my blessing on a lot of things, and you ask me to heal a lot of people, but there is so much more.</p>
<p>A firm commitment to prayer is a must for any church that wants to make a difference for my Kingdom. I want you praying for each other, for the lost people all around you, for your Sunday school teachers, for your pastors, for your church leaders. Sure, I want you to pray for the sick, but not to the exclusion of other things. Where is the time of confession? I don't hear much of that anymore. Where is the worship? You'll sing to me, but I'd really like to hear it in your own words. How often do you spend time in prayer seeking my will for you and for your church? And how often do you spend some of that time quietly listening for my response? You often pray to me for guidance, but it seems like you've made up your mind and just want me to rubber stamp your decision.</p>
<p>When was the last time you prayed for my kingdom? For other churches that serve me? Are you supporting my missionaries in prayer? Yes, I know you send money, and I appreciate that, but I want your prayers too. All of my servants are on the same team, yet you go long stretches during which it seems that you've forgotten that anyone else exists.</p>
<p>I want you to get serious about prayer. Work on making it a reflex instead of an afterthought. Often your prayers amount to asking me to solve something. I want you to seek me. Give me an honest chance to put my words in your heart. Let me guide you. Let me inspire you.</p>
<p>And please don't worry about making your words sound nice. When you think about how you sound to other people, you are no longer really talking to me. And that's what I want, for us to talk. You don't have to say anything out loud, but let's have a conversation.</p>
<p>If my Spirit is the engine of your church, then prayer is the fuel. Too many of my churches are just coasting along, or coming to a dead stop. I need for you to be running at full speed, because I have big plans for you.</p>
<p>Let faith drive out your fear.</p>
<p>Even I can't count the number of times my followers have quoted that verse about “perfect love drives out fear” and then proceeded to let fear be their guide. There are strong dividing lines in my Kingdom — the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares, and so on — and just as surely there are the churches that live by faith and the churches that live by fear.</p>
<p>I know I did not create all of you to be mathematicians, but I need for you to realize that there is an inverse correlation between fear and faith. When there is more of one, there is less of the other. It is a law of nature just like gravity. The more faith you have, the less fear will affect you. The more fear in your heart, the less faith.</p>
<p>Hopefully it's obvious that a church must not be driven by fear if it's going to be useful to me. Don't you realize that fear directs your energy and focus? If you are afraid of failing, you will not be able to accomplish anything because you will be trying only to avoid failure. If you are afraid of dying, then you cannot really live because death dominates your thoughts. If you are afraid of running out of money, then all of your attention is on finances and none on me. If you are afraid of change, then all of your energy will go into preserving what is. If you are afraid of people getting upset, then your need to keep everyone happy will paralyze you. When you fear earthly things, you waste all your energy avoiding them and in the end they own you. If you're going to be afraid of something, why not fear disappointing me? The only thing that should really scare a disciple or a church is failure to follow me.</p>
<p>I want you to resolve to make this a year in which you live by faith. I want your confidence in me to overwhelm your fears, not the other way around. No more letting fear direct your energy and attention. No more saying we can't, no more worrying about money, no more worrying about people getting upset, no more thinking it's too hard or too different. Fix your eyes on the future I have placed before you, and march forward in faith.</p>
<p>Love</p>
<p>You may have noticed that when my Son summed up all of the law and the prophets, it boiled down to love. I know that you love me, but I want you to resolve to love more deeply this year, and to let that love be your driving force. I need all of your heart and mind and soul and strength to be devoted to me. I need your faith to be matched by your love, so that your deepest desire is to seek me. This kind of love will make it easy to put me at the center of everything you do. It will make it natural to bring prayer and Bible study to the forefront. It will make fear a distant memory.</p>
<p>I need for you to love me so much that you will do anything for me, and I don't mean saying you'll do anything. I need you to love me so much that your own desires pale in comparison, your fears melt away, and your selfishness crumbles.</p>
<p>I designed each one of you to be different, but not so that you would bicker and argue amongst yourselves. You are different so that you can work together as my body, unified and directed by your love for me. Do you love me enough to stick together? When you fight with each other, when you attack each other, when you spread gossip and sow division, you are tearing me apart. My Son already allowed his body to be broken and torn for you, please let that be enough. If you are passionate about loving me, then that should create enough unity to get you through anything. If you are passionate about serving me, then nothing will stop you from doing my work.</p>
<p>Do you love me enough to go for it?</p>
<p>Do you love each other enough to serve me as one united body?</p>
<p>Do you love my children enough to do anything it takes to save them?</p>
<p>I hope all of those answers are “yes,” because that's the kind of love it will take for you to be the church I created you to be.</p>
<p>Your best days are ahead of you, if you truly believe that they are. However, if you believe that your best days are in the past, you will prove yourselves to be right. I cannot use you if you are looking back. I know the plans I have for you, and I want you to embrace them. I want you to have a future and a hope, and I want you to be the ones who carry that future and that hope to my lost sheep all around you. Remember that I have plans to prosper you — it is your plans that cause harm. Resolve now to face the future united and driven by your love for me and for your fellow human beings. No more pushing me out of your business. No more skimping on prayer. No more fear. Only love.</p>
<p>Oh, if only your human eyes could see, if only your human minds could conceive of what I have in store for you. You will see it, if you seek me with all your heart. My peace and my grace will always be with you.</p>
<p>Remember, don't go to my church, be my church.</p>
<p>I AM</p>
<p>Bruce Powers is pastor of Westhaven Baptist Church in Portsmouth.</p> | false | 3 | church remember son said whoever puts hand plow looks back fit service kingdom hope dont think meant never think past serving many years rich history dont want forget gave bible would know happened past whats really important dont focus past far many followers start looking back much forget think future disciple church starts thinking best times past ability work diminished best always ahead thats want attention look toward beginning new year thought would offer ideas resolutions things need work youll ready call even though serving present always preparing new work put back center church know sounds strange feel kind peripheral sure call building house things name pray every event need heart everything church become much human enterprise making decisions based opinions instead seeking voting based want instead leading time stop meeting whether committee ministry team even business session want center want seek heart ahead time prayer bible study want really ask want really listen answer want speak vote based leading want going speak sure spiritual discussion business takes place church name guided sharing biblical principles sense speak idea please say things want dont like say things putting place pushing dont like called follow covenanted empty could fill covenanted accept place let lord life want lord church 2008 resolving put back center church instead seeking preserve keep things way like avoid discomfort seeking put hearts finding want long church possibly succeed long fail make prayer priority im sure quite understood meant said house house prayer lot praying seems like forgotten prayer supposed ask blessing lot things ask heal lot people much firm commitment prayer must church wants make difference kingdom want praying lost people around sunday school teachers pastors church leaders sure want pray sick exclusion things time confession dont hear much anymore worship youll sing id really like hear words often spend time prayer seeking church often spend time quietly listening response often pray guidance seems like youve made mind want rubber stamp decision last time prayed kingdom churches serve supporting missionaries prayer yes know send money appreciate want prayers servants team yet go long stretches seems youve forgotten anyone else exists want get serious prayer work making reflex instead afterthought often prayers amount asking solve something want seek give honest chance put words heart let guide let inspire please dont worry making words sound nice think sound people longer really talking thats want us talk dont say anything loud lets conversation spirit engine church prayer fuel many churches coasting along coming dead stop need running full speed big plans let faith drive fear even cant count number times followers quoted verse perfect love drives fear proceeded let fear guide strong dividing lines kingdom sheep goats wheat tares surely churches live faith churches live fear know create mathematicians need realize inverse correlation fear faith one less law nature like gravity faith less fear affect fear heart less faith hopefully obvious church must driven fear going useful dont realize fear directs energy focus afraid failing able accomplish anything trying avoid failure afraid dying really live death dominates thoughts afraid running money attention finances none afraid change energy go preserving afraid people getting upset need keep everyone happy paralyze fear earthly things waste energy avoiding end youre going afraid something fear disappointing thing really scare disciple church failure follow want resolve make year live faith want confidence overwhelm fears way around letting fear direct energy attention saying cant worrying money worrying people getting upset thinking hard different fix eyes future placed march forward faith love may noticed son summed law prophets boiled love know love want resolve love deeply year let love driving force need heart mind soul strength devoted need faith matched love deepest desire seek kind love make easy put center everything make natural bring prayer bible study forefront make fear distant memory need love much anything dont mean saying youll anything need love much desires pale comparison fears melt away selfishness crumbles designed one different would bicker argue amongst different work together body unified directed love love enough stick together fight attack spread gossip sow division tearing apart son already allowed body broken torn please let enough passionate loving create enough unity get anything passionate serving nothing stop work love enough go love enough serve one united body love children enough anything takes save hope answers yes thats kind love take church created best days ahead truly believe however believe best days past prove right use looking back know plans want embrace want future hope want ones carry future hope lost sheep around remember plans prosper plans cause harm resolve face future united driven love fellow human beings pushing business skimping prayer fear love oh human eyes could see human minds could conceive store see seek heart peace grace always remember dont go church church bruce powers pastor westhaven baptist church portsmouth | 803 |
<p>NEW DELHI, India — Almost as soon as the bombs ripped through a crowded Hyderabad street on Thursday, fingers started pointing at Pakistan.&#160;</p>
<p>Given the recent execution by Indian authorities of Kashmiri militant Mohammed Afzal Guru, many assumed a Pakistan-based terror outfit like <a href="http://www.cfr.org/pakistan/lashkar-e-taiba-army-pure-aka-lashkar-e-tayyiba-lashkar-e-toiba-lashkar--taiba/p17882" type="external">Lashkar e Toiba</a> was seeking revenge. Many braced for heightened cross-border tensions.</p>
<p>But, some say, the real fallout may be new conflict between Hindus and Muslims within India, rather than a further deterioration of New Delhi's relations with Islamabad, especially with 2014 national elections looming.</p>
<p>“Investigations have just begun,” said Hashmi, “but the media is already saying it is the [Lashkar e Toiba-backed] Indian Mujahideen, and taking all these names."</p>
<p>"There's almost an atmosphere of terror where Muslims live together. Nobody knows whose son will be picked up for this.”</p>
<p>Crackdowns on young Muslims in the wake of 2007 bombings that struck the Mecca Masjid mosque in Hyderabad have left the minority population angry and suspicious of the government.</p>
<p>Neither the November 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai nor subsequent incidents like the August 2012 bombings in a shopping center in Pune, Maharashtra, or the September 2011 bombing of the Delhi High Court have triggered Hindu-Muslim riots.</p>
<p>But some observers fear that such a backlash grows more likely as 2014 national elections get closer, since Indian politicians have long used interreligious violence to win votes. Most famously, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) first rose to national power in the wake of Hindu-Muslim violence over the destruction of the Babri mosque in 1992.</p>
<p>“None of those guilty of communal violence have ever been punished," said Manisha Sethi, president of the Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association (JTSA).</p>
<p>"There is a general systemic tolerance of crimes of communal violence and this impunity creates possibilities of further violence.”</p>
<p>In the leadup to Thursday's blasts, Hyderabad had been aboil over hate speech by Muslim politician <a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-15/india/37118521_1_town-of-adilabad-district-akbaruddin-owaisi-court-in-nirmal-town" type="external">Akbaruddin Owaisi</a> of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM). Released on bail on Friday, Owaisi allegedly sparked outrage by suggesting at a rally that Muslims should attack Hindus, though he has denied those charges.</p>
<p>Subsequently, Pravin Togadia of the far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) retaliated with some inflammatory comments of his own, bringing the issue to national prominence and further alienating the Muslim population.</p>
<p>And there are countless disputes over religious sites in the offing in other locations like the Kamal Maula Masjid in Madhya Pradesh, where Hindu extremists claim that a <a href="http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/to-seize-a-mosque-invent-a-university" type="external">Hindu center of learning</a> once stood, and the Bhagyalakshmi temple, which is located in the Muslim area of Hyderabad and which some claim threatens the city's most famous historical site, the <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/2-corporators-accused-of-rioting-surrender/articleshow/18490763.cms" type="external">(Muslim) Charminar</a>.</p>
<p>Activists who work on behalf of India's Muslims worry these developments could spell danger for the minority group in the leadup to polls — especially following the bombings in Hyderabad on Thursday.</p>
<p>“There have been several low intensity riots at least since last year across the country,” said Sethi.</p>
<p>“This will certainly only rise in the run up to 2014, as both BJP and Congress compete for the right wing space.”</p>
<p>Already, <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/2012-saw-most-cases-of-communal-riots/Article1-1015438.aspx" type="external">more lives were lost to interreligious riots in 2012</a> than in any year since 2004, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came to power, according to India's Hindustan Times newspaper. Nearly 185 people were killed in so-called communal violence over the first 10 months of last year for which statistics are available.</p>
<p>Sethi, Hashmi and others suggest that most of these incidents are not spontaneous eruptions of anger, but orchestrated by right wing political groups like the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).</p>
<p>Those charges have not been proven, and RSS national spokesman Ram Madhav categorically denied that the organization encourages violence of any kind.</p>
<p>“Allegations of Sangh groups trying to stir up communal tensions are false and [politically] motivated,” Madhav told GlobalPost via email. “We appeal for calm and we want [the government] to act tough with terrorists and their sponsors.”</p>
<p>But whether orchestrated or spontaneous, a series of terrorist incidents, violent altercations and police reprisals hints at a disturbing disintegration of religious harmony in India.</p>
<p>Over the past several months small-scale riots have flared up across India in Faizabad and Kosi in Uttar Pradesh, Gopalgarh in Rajasthan and Dhule in Maharashtra — with the last incident generating disturbing video evidence suggesting that <a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-16/mumbai/37132794_1_dhule-riots-minority-community-yusuf-abrahni" type="external">police may have purposefully targeted Muslims</a> when bullets were fired to disperse the rioters.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, from Delhi to Hyderabad, local Muslims and activist groups say police have arbitrarily rounded up, detained and even tortured young Muslims in the wake of bombings or terrorist threats, resulting in the further alienation and demonization of the community.</p>
<p>A report by Sethi's JTSA, for instance, documented 16 cases in which the so-called Special Cell of the Delhi <a href="http://twocircles.net/2012sep17/terror_stories_delhi_police_special_cell.html" type="external">police arrested young Muslims</a> on charges related to terrorism, only to see the cases against them collapse for want of evidence — after the accused had spent as much as 14 years behind bars.</p>
<p>Similarly, doubts still linger about the <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Batla-House-encounter-still-a-sore-point/Article1-932749.aspx" type="external">killing of two young Muslims</a> in a supposed shootout with police in the “Batla House encounter” following five serial bomb blasts in New Delhi in in 2008.</p>
<p>And in Hyderabad itself, <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1073223.ece" type="external">blame for the 2007 Mecca mosque bombing</a>, which killed 14 people, shifted from local Muslim boys allegedly affiliated with a foreign terrorist cell to members of a homegrown, Hindu nationalist group called Abhinav Bharat when a former RSS activist named Swami Asseemanand allegedly confessed to the crime. (He later recanted).</p>
<p>“We consider the allegations as baseless,” said RSS spokesman Madhav. “All the cases are still at the investigation level. Initially more than 100 Muslim youths were arrested for the terror acts. They had confessed to their involvement too. But later the investigators started claiming that Hindu youths were responsible.... The RSS neither supports, nor sponsors violence and terrorism.”</p>
<p>But the idea that both Hindu and Muslim groups might gain from terrorist attacks — and from the associated intercommunity tensions and violence they engender — could bode ill for next year's campaign.</p>
<p>“The point is that any such strike only allows the cementing of a jingoistic hardline ‘nationalism’,” said Sethi. “It’s anybody’s guess who this helps.”</p> | false | 3 | new delhi india almost soon bombs ripped crowded hyderabad street thursday fingers started pointing pakistan160 given recent execution indian authorities kashmiri militant mohammed afzal guru many assumed pakistanbased terror outfit like lashkar e toiba seeking revenge many braced heightened crossborder tensions say real fallout may new conflict hindus muslims within india rather deterioration new delhis relations islamabad especially 2014 national elections looming investigations begun said hashmi media already saying lashkar e toibabacked indian mujahideen taking names theres almost atmosphere terror muslims live together nobody knows whose son picked crackdowns young muslims wake 2007 bombings struck mecca masjid mosque hyderabad left minority population angry suspicious government neither november 2008 terrorist attacks mumbai subsequent incidents like august 2012 bombings shopping center pune maharashtra september 2011 bombing delhi high court triggered hindumuslim riots observers fear backlash grows likely 2014 national elections get closer since indian politicians long used interreligious violence win votes famously bharatiya janata party bjp first rose national power wake hindumuslim violence destruction babri mosque 1992 none guilty communal violence ever punished said manisha sethi president jamia teachers solidarity association jtsa general systemic tolerance crimes communal violence impunity creates possibilities violence leadup thursdays blasts hyderabad aboil hate speech muslim politician akbaruddin owaisi majliseittehadul muslimeen mim released bail friday owaisi allegedly sparked outrage suggesting rally muslims attack hindus though denied charges subsequently pravin togadia farright vishwa hindu parishad vhp retaliated inflammatory comments bringing issue national prominence alienating muslim population countless disputes religious sites offing locations like kamal maula masjid madhya pradesh hindu extremists claim hindu center learning stood bhagyalakshmi temple located muslim area hyderabad claim threatens citys famous historical site muslim charminar activists work behalf indias muslims worry developments could spell danger minority group leadup polls especially following bombings hyderabad thursday several low intensity riots least since last year across country said sethi certainly rise run 2014 bjp congress compete right wing space already lives lost interreligious riots 2012 year since 2004 prime minister manmohan singh came power according indias hindustan times newspaper nearly 185 people killed socalled communal violence first 10 months last year statistics available sethi hashmi others suggest incidents spontaneous eruptions anger orchestrated right wing political groups like hindu nationalist rashtriya swayamsevak sangh rss charges proven rss national spokesman ram madhav categorically denied organization encourages violence kind allegations sangh groups trying stir communal tensions false politically motivated madhav told globalpost via email appeal calm want government act tough terrorists sponsors whether orchestrated spontaneous series terrorist incidents violent altercations police reprisals hints disturbing disintegration religious harmony india past several months smallscale riots flared across india faizabad kosi uttar pradesh gopalgarh rajasthan dhule maharashtra last incident generating disturbing video evidence suggesting police may purposefully targeted muslims bullets fired disperse rioters meanwhile delhi hyderabad local muslims activist groups say police arbitrarily rounded detained even tortured young muslims wake bombings terrorist threats resulting alienation demonization community report sethis jtsa instance documented 16 cases socalled special cell delhi police arrested young muslims charges related terrorism see cases collapse want evidence accused spent much 14 years behind bars similarly doubts still linger killing two young muslims supposed shootout police batla house encounter following five serial bomb blasts new delhi 2008 hyderabad blame 2007 mecca mosque bombing killed 14 people shifted local muslim boys allegedly affiliated foreign terrorist cell members homegrown hindu nationalist group called abhinav bharat former rss activist named swami asseemanand allegedly confessed crime later recanted consider allegations baseless said rss spokesman madhav cases still investigation level initially 100 muslim youths arrested terror acts confessed involvement later investigators started claiming hindu youths responsible rss neither supports sponsors violence terrorism idea hindu muslim groups might gain terrorist attacks associated intercommunity tensions violence engender could bode ill next years campaign point strike allows cementing jingoistic hardline nationalism said sethi anybodys guess helps | 626 |
<p>By Jeff Brumley</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thefellowship.info/General-Assembly" type="external">General Assembly 2013</a> is expected to be one of the busier – and more historic – gatherings in CBF’s history, as participants welcome a new leader and vote to significantly streamline the organization to meet current and future challenges to institutional life.</p>
<p>Organizers are expecting up to 3,000 participants at the <a href="http://www.sheratongreensboro.com/" type="external">Sheraton Greensboro Hotel</a> at Four Seasons and Joseph S. Koury Convention Center, which will house the business sessions, breakouts and vendors for the three-day event that begins Wednesday.</p>
<p>Introduction of new leadership, votes on sweeping changes to the CBF constitution and bylaws, plus changes to missions and new missional church programs, will make this General Assembly one of the most important in years, said Suzii Paynter, CBF’s <a href="http://www.thefellowship.info/paynter" type="external">new executive coordinator</a>. Its theme is “With Great Boldness.”</p>
<p>“We will be highlighting the future, what we are going to look like,” she said.</p>
<p>‘More fleet of foot’</p>
<p>And what that’s going to look like, CBF Moderator Keith Herron said, is more streamlined and nimble.</p>
<p>CBF’s <a href="ministry/organizations/item/7553-cbf-enters-year-of-transition#.UcSMpfksnnh" type="external">2012 Task Force</a>found CBF to be structurally overweight, and a resulting recommendation includes changing the constitution and bylaws to eliminate the coordinating and advisory councils in favor of four smaller groups with specialized tasks of governance, Herron said.</p>
<p />
<p>Membership of the new governing board and nominating committee will be voted on by assembly participants this week. They also will be able to elect some members of the missions and ministries councils. All four bodies are a result of the 2012 Task Force, Herron said.</p>
<p>CBF will be a different organization after General Assembly as the old structures pass into history, Herron said.</p>
<p>“The final Coordinating Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, and we do not expect to reconvene that group ever again,” he said.</p>
<p>The smaller, separate governing bodies will be able to meet on their own to deal with issues by expertise, while the governing board acts much like the board of a nonprofit agency.</p>
<p>“It will make us a little more fleet of foot,” Herron said.</p>
<p>Recognizing chaplains</p>
<p>Another development will be the elevation of chaplaincy’s status within the fellowship, Paynter said.</p>
<p>In a first for CBF, 40 chaplains – military, law enforcement, corrections, hospital and others – will be commissioned along with missionaries and church starters, she said.</p>
<p>“They are being sent just as field personnel are being sent and they are serving populations that are often not being served by the local church in prisons, in hospitals and military bases.”</p>
<p>The development marks a significant change for chaplains, who as recently as the 2011 General Assembly were demanding a more prominent role in denominational life.</p>
<p>“I feel it (chaplaincy) has been underserved,” Paynter said. “The time has come for us to develop this natural asset we have.”</p>
<p>Unveiling ‘Dawnings’</p>
<p>CBF will unveil its new <a href="http://dawnings.thefellowship.info/" type="external">“Dawnings” initiative</a>, a process designed to lead churches to discover their missional identities.</p>
<p>“We are thinking of it as a total church initiative,” said Bo Prosser, coordinator of missional congregations for CBF.&#160; “It’s not a program and it’s not just another visioning program.”</p>
<p>What it is, he said, is a process that involves visioning, formation and engagement to help congregations tease out and clarify their missions within their own communities, Prosser said.</p>
<p />
<p>Six CBF churches have tested the system, Prosser said, and each is developing its own conclusions. The idea is that each congregation will form a unique approach based on local needs.</p>
<p>“Dawnings” comes with congregational coaches and online support to shepherd churches through the process, Prosser added.</p>
<p>“The local church forms its own self around the needs of its community,” he said.</p>
<p>Strong turnout predicted</p>
<p>The Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons also be a bustling place, as assembly organizers are preparing for up to 3,000 to attend due to Paynter’s introduction, the weighty structural issues and the venue.</p>
<p>If so, that’s quite a jump from last year’s 1,895 in Fort Worth and 1,664 the previous year in Tampa. The 2010 gathering in Charlotte came closest to this year’s estimate with 2,400, according to statistics provided by CBF.</p>
<p>“I think that’s realistic,” Connie McNeill, CBF coordinator of administration, said of the estimated attendance. She cited the topics under consideration at General Assembly and the North Carolina setting.</p>
<p>“It’s just one of our strongest turnout states,” McNeill said.</p>
<p>Another predictor: CBF has met 100 percent of its room requirements, McNeill said. “We’ve not done that the last few years.”</p>
<p>The Fellowship also has had to turn away prospective vendors this year, limiting the number to 54, she said.</p>
<p>“We had to be a little choosier and focus more on what’s consistent with our theme,” she said.</p>
<p>McNeill added she’s not aware of any traffic or construction issues impacting assembly goers, but did urge them to park near entrances F and G at the hotel – those are nearest the registration and other areas new arrivals will be seeking.</p>
<p>‘There’s an app for that’</p>
<p>For the first time in its history, CBF is providing a free smartphone application to help assembly participants negotiate the maze of meeting rooms, vendors and other activities.</p>
<p />
<p>Made for Apple and Android, the app features the assembly schedule, a listing of general sessions, workshops and exhibitors. It also has a live stream link for those who cannot attend but want to follow assembly business.</p>
<p>CBF spokesman Jeff Huett said the app “is a cutting edge way of providing access to information for users on-the-go.” He added that it will continue to function after General Assembly for updated information about CBF.</p>
<p>‘Addressing the whole fellowship’</p>
<p>Paynter said she’s looking forward to the message she will give at Friday night’s assembly worship service. She sees the sermon, plus a reception welcoming her and husband, Roger Paynter, as a culmination of her first roughly 100 days as executive coordinator.</p>
<p>She began her new job March 1, but even before that <a href="ministry/organizations/item/8243-woman-elected-to-lead-cbf#.UciUC_ksnng" type="external">was crisscrossing CBF life</a>, visiting state assemblies and other events to promote her vision of a more missional, responsive fellowship.</p>
<p>“This is pretty much an opportunity to speak before the whole Fellowship,” Paynter said. “It’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to do that.”</p> | false | 3 | jeff brumley general assembly 2013 expected one busier historic gatherings cbfs history participants welcome new leader vote significantly streamline organization meet current future challenges institutional life organizers expecting 3000 participants sheraton greensboro hotel four seasons joseph koury convention center house business sessions breakouts vendors threeday event begins wednesday introduction new leadership votes sweeping changes cbf constitution bylaws plus changes missions new missional church programs make general assembly one important years said suzii paynter cbfs new executive coordinator theme great boldness highlighting future going look like said fleet foot thats going look like cbf moderator keith herron said streamlined nimble cbfs 2012 task forcefound cbf structurally overweight resulting recommendation includes changing constitution bylaws eliminate coordinating advisory councils favor four smaller groups specialized tasks governance herron said membership new governing board nominating committee voted assembly participants week also able elect members missions ministries councils four bodies result 2012 task force herron said cbf different organization general assembly old structures pass history herron said final coordinating council meeting held wednesday expect reconvene group ever said smaller separate governing bodies able meet deal issues expertise governing board acts much like board nonprofit agency make us little fleet foot herron said recognizing chaplains another development elevation chaplaincys status within fellowship paynter said first cbf 40 chaplains military law enforcement corrections hospital others commissioned along missionaries church starters said sent field personnel sent serving populations often served local church prisons hospitals military bases development marks significant change chaplains recently 2011 general assembly demanding prominent role denominational life feel chaplaincy underserved paynter said time come us develop natural asset unveiling dawnings cbf unveil new dawnings initiative process designed lead churches discover missional identities thinking total church initiative said bo prosser coordinator missional congregations cbf160 program another visioning program said process involves visioning formation engagement help congregations tease clarify missions within communities prosser said six cbf churches tested system prosser said developing conclusions idea congregation form unique approach based local needs dawnings comes congregational coaches online support shepherd churches process prosser added local church forms self around needs community said strong turnout predicted sheraton greensboro hotel four seasons also bustling place assembly organizers preparing 3000 attend due paynters introduction weighty structural issues venue thats quite jump last years 1895 fort worth 1664 previous year tampa 2010 gathering charlotte came closest years estimate 2400 according statistics provided cbf think thats realistic connie mcneill cbf coordinator administration said estimated attendance cited topics consideration general assembly north carolina setting one strongest turnout states mcneill said another predictor cbf met 100 percent room requirements mcneill said weve done last years fellowship also turn away prospective vendors year limiting number 54 said little choosier focus whats consistent theme said mcneill added shes aware traffic construction issues impacting assembly goers urge park near entrances f g hotel nearest registration areas new arrivals seeking theres app first time history cbf providing free smartphone application help assembly participants negotiate maze meeting rooms vendors activities made apple android app features assembly schedule listing general sessions workshops exhibitors also live stream link attend want follow assembly business cbf spokesman jeff huett said app cutting edge way providing access information users onthego added continue function general assembly updated information cbf addressing whole fellowship paynter said shes looking forward message give friday nights assembly worship service sees sermon plus reception welcoming husband roger paynter culmination first roughly 100 days executive coordinator began new job march 1 even crisscrossing cbf life visiting state assemblies events promote vision missional responsive fellowship pretty much opportunity speak whole fellowship paynter said first time ive opportunity | 591 |
<p>WESTERVILLE, Ohio —This week marks the twentieth anniversary of a rare achievement in the uncertain world of political struggle: the election of Nelson Mandela to the presidency of South Africa and the birth of a new democratic nation.</p>
<p>In the outpouring of tributes to Mandela’s life and leadership upon his death several months ago, many people remembered this triumphant election and Mandela’s transcendent wisdom in negotiating the stormy transition from apartheid to democracy. What most people did not recall, however, was the remarkable set of events that followed.</p>
<p>In 1995, guided by President Mandela and mandated by an act of parliament, South Africa created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a massive, temporary institution whose mission was to reveal the specifics of widespread human rights abuses and to begin repairing the damage from nearly half a century of brutal repression known as apartheid.</p>
<p>To appreciate the magnitude and merit of Mandela’s accomplishments as a national conciliator requires traveling back in time – to South Africa in the middle of 1990, shortly after Mandela’s release from prison in the forty-second year of official apartheid.</p>
<p>When Mandela emerged as the chief negotiator for the African National Congress, he faced not only an entrenched apartheid government but also the beginning of unprecedented volatility in the provinces of South Africa.</p>
<p>From July 1990 to April 1994, nearly 14,000 people died in politically motivated violence, a rate of more than 300 deaths per month. Transposed to the population of the present United States, that would be 110,000 deaths due to political violence in a four-year period – or 2,300 deaths every month. Neither the difficulty nor the urgency of Mandela’s task should be underestimated.</p>
<p>After his election to the presidency, Mandela then worked with a diverse group of leaders to manage the aftermath of apartheid. The result was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.</p>
<p>To accomplish its goals of gathering truth and promoting reconciliation, the TRC obtained testimony from the victims and the perpetrators of apartheid.</p>
<p>Victims gave testimony to the Human Rights Violations Committee to document the crimes committed against them and their families and to apply for reparations. Perpetrators gave testimony to the Amnesty Committee to inform the nation of the specific crimes they carried out during apartheid and to obtain amnesty for these crimes – acts that were illegal even under apartheid law.</p>
<p>If the crimes were judged to be politically motivated, and if the perpetrators made full disclosure, they were given amnesty. Freedom was granted in exchange for truth.</p>
<p>Listening to the victims’ stories made sense for healing the wounds of apartheid, but the idea of granting amnesty to violent perpetrators faced understandably passionate opposition.</p>
<p>Heinous crimes had been committed. Tens of thousands of people had suffered lasting harm from these specific crimes, and millions had endured profound hardship due to the laws of apartheid.</p>
<p>One reasonable approach, then, would be to punish those who had committed the wrongdoing.</p>
<p>Set in motion by the forceful persuasion of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, the amnesty hearings proceeded from 1996 to 2001.</p>
<p>Acting as an itinerant axis mundi, the Amnesty Committee moved from Durban to Pretoria to Johannesburg to East London to Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town, hearing hundreds of amnesty cases and sending several resonant messages throughout South Africa: Truths about widespread human rights violations will be uncovered, secrets of illegality will be disclosed, government crimes will be illuminated and perpetrators will be held publicly accountable for their crimes.</p>
<p>The TRC that transformed an emerging set of principles for finding truth and resolving long-term national conflicts into an established tradition, a tradition that continues today in those countries working to adapt its principles to their own traditions.</p>
<p>Two truth commissions completed their work in 2012 – the Gacaca system in Rwanda and the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission in Kenya.</p>
<p>In Canada, a truth commission is currently in operation, endeavoring to investigate and repair the damage inflicted by more than 120 years of the Canadian government’s program of Indian Residential Schools. Each of these commissions drew on the work of the South African TRC.</p>
<p>For those countries traumatized by widespread injustice or sustained violence, the findings of the TRC represent news in the making, but for the rest of the world, the TRC remains the day before yesterday.</p>
<p>Over the next generation, however, as policy makers and community leaders continue to study the TRC, awareness of its principles will grow and propagate.</p>
<p>Within a generation, the TRC is likely to become both news and history. Even with its flaws and limitations, the TRC stands as an enduring example of the potential for restorative justice on a national scale and a prototype for other national truth commissions.</p>
<p>More generally, after the basic concepts of restorative justice enter the cultural lexicon, it is only a matter of time before they enter political discussions and national public policy.</p>
<p>For many nations, Nelson Mandela’s South African legacy will then become a bold possibility – a realistic solution for investigating and reconciling large-scale violations of human rights and constitutional guarantees. Indeed, we may someday see such a truth commission in the United States.</p>
<p>Robert Kraft is a professor of psychology at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. He is also the author of “Violent Accounts: Understanding the Psychology of Perpetrators through South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission” (NYU Press, 2014).</p> | false | 3 | westerville ohio week marks twentieth anniversary rare achievement uncertain world political struggle election nelson mandela presidency south africa birth new democratic nation outpouring tributes mandelas life leadership upon death several months ago many people remembered triumphant election mandelas transcendent wisdom negotiating stormy transition apartheid democracy people recall however remarkable set events followed 1995 guided president mandela mandated act parliament south africa created truth reconciliation commission trc massive temporary institution whose mission reveal specifics widespread human rights abuses begin repairing damage nearly half century brutal repression known apartheid appreciate magnitude merit mandelas accomplishments national conciliator requires traveling back time south africa middle 1990 shortly mandelas release prison fortysecond year official apartheid mandela emerged chief negotiator african national congress faced entrenched apartheid government also beginning unprecedented volatility provinces south africa july 1990 april 1994 nearly 14000 people died politically motivated violence rate 300 deaths per month transposed population present united states would 110000 deaths due political violence fouryear period 2300 deaths every month neither difficulty urgency mandelas task underestimated election presidency mandela worked diverse group leaders manage aftermath apartheid result truth reconciliation commission accomplish goals gathering truth promoting reconciliation trc obtained testimony victims perpetrators apartheid victims gave testimony human rights violations committee document crimes committed families apply reparations perpetrators gave testimony amnesty committee inform nation specific crimes carried apartheid obtain amnesty crimes acts illegal even apartheid law crimes judged politically motivated perpetrators made full disclosure given amnesty freedom granted exchange truth listening victims stories made sense healing wounds apartheid idea granting amnesty violent perpetrators faced understandably passionate opposition heinous crimes committed tens thousands people suffered lasting harm specific crimes millions endured profound hardship due laws apartheid one reasonable approach would punish committed wrongdoing set motion forceful persuasion nelson mandela desmond tutu amnesty hearings proceeded 1996 2001 acting itinerant axis mundi amnesty committee moved durban pretoria johannesburg east london pietermaritzburg cape town hearing hundreds amnesty cases sending several resonant messages throughout south africa truths widespread human rights violations uncovered secrets illegality disclosed government crimes illuminated perpetrators held publicly accountable crimes trc transformed emerging set principles finding truth resolving longterm national conflicts established tradition tradition continues today countries working adapt principles traditions two truth commissions completed work 2012 gacaca system rwanda truth justice reconciliation commission kenya canada truth commission currently operation endeavoring investigate repair damage inflicted 120 years canadian governments program indian residential schools commissions drew work south african trc countries traumatized widespread injustice sustained violence findings trc represent news making rest world trc remains day yesterday next generation however policy makers community leaders continue study trc awareness principles grow propagate within generation trc likely become news history even flaws limitations trc stands enduring example potential restorative justice national scale prototype national truth commissions generally basic concepts restorative justice enter cultural lexicon matter time enter political discussions national public policy many nations nelson mandelas south african legacy become bold possibility realistic solution investigating reconciling largescale violations human rights constitutional guarantees indeed may someday see truth commission united states robert kraft professor psychology otterbein university westerville ohio also author violent accounts understanding psychology perpetrators south africas truth reconciliation commission nyu press 2014 | 517 |
<p>The visitor to the Heritage Gallery of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society was ready to leave. He rather intently had examined each of the panels in the religious liberty mural. We knew that he was a professor of law and we surmised that he was not a Baptist. As he opened the door to depart, he turned and said, “You Baptists have a charming history.” The dictionary defines charming as “exercising magical power, fascinating, highly pleasing or delightful.”</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Fred Anderson</p>
<p>One of the charming, even endearing, stories out of Virginia Baptist history is the tale of a table. But before we can tell about the furniture, we need to know about the man and the times.</p>
<p>At age 21 in 1769, James Ireland was new to the Baptist persuasion. He had been reared a Presbyterian in Edinburgh, Scotland; but while teaching school in Northern Virginia, he became drawn to the Baptists through the powerful preaching of John Picket. At last, he yielded except on one point. He later explained: “I was still tenacious of the old mode of sprinkling, according to the Presbyterian plan. I was led to search the Scriptures impartially, and in a short time it pleased God to remove the scales from my eyes …. I determined at once to obey Christ by following him into the water.”</p>
<p>Ireland pondered the division among the Virginia Baptists of the times. There were two great parties — the Separates and the Regulars. “We wished to know which of the two bodies had the warmest preachers and the most fire among them. We determined in favor of [the Separates], although the ministers of both were zealous men.”</p>
<p>Ireland made the long trip to a stronghold of the Separate Baptists — Sandy Creek Church in North Carolina (near the present-day city of Burlington). There he attended a meeting of the Separate Baptist Association. Samuel Harris, one of the most powerful of the “sons of thunder” of his generation, was ordained at the meeting. It also was proposed at the meeting that Harris should be the minister to perform the baptism of the young Presbyterian.</p>
<p>Ireland traveled into Virginia and stopped at Samuel Harris' home in Pittsylvania County. A religious meeting was held in Pittsylvania for three days and great crowds gathered, with many coming from a considerable distance. On the third day the congregation heard the conversion experiences of the candidates for baptism. “I endeavored to make them acquainted with what the Lord had done for my soul,” remembered Ireland.</p>
<p>“After short interrogations, only for the satisfaction and edification of the church, they gave me the right hand of fellowship, and declared me to be a proper subject for baptism.” The next day was a Sunday; and following an early morning time of preaching, Ireland was baptized by Samuel Harris “in the presence of a large and solemn audience.” He also was expected to preach spontaneously. Four of “their ablest ministers” went to the pulpit before Ireland. “Being but a young soldier, [they] concluded I had not as many rounds as they to fire.”</p>
<p>As the fourth notable preacher began his message, Ireland noticed that the seasoned preacher “got confused and entangled.” “I beheld it in an instant,” he recalled, “[and] this passage of scripture dropped into my mind, ‘If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,' 2nd Corinthians, 5th chap. and 17th verse.” Ireland reached for the preacher's coattail, gave it a pull and convinced the preacher to let him finish the sermon. “I was greatly enlarged on the subject and gave universal satisfaction to the ministers and society.”</p>
<p>Before the Pittsylvania meeting concluded, Ireland obtained his ordination to the gospel ministry. “My credentials were signed by eleven ministers, that I might go forward, as an itinerant preacher, without any hesitation.”</p>
<p>In one fell swoop, James Ireland had left the religious society of his rearing, had confessed his desire for a new life in Christ, had rubbed elbows with some of the choicest Baptist saints of the times, had been baptized, had preached without much notice or preparation, and had been set aside for a lifetime of ministry. He immediately set his face towards Culpeper, Va., with notice that he would preach.</p>
<p>Already the civil authorities in Culpeper were annoyed by the Baptist preachers. For days Ireland had felt a premonition that he would be jailed for preaching. And he was warned that he would be arrested. Baptists were beginning to experience open hostilities. Some of the persecution came from over zealous authorities who felt that the established order was threatened by the Baptists. Some came from the lower element of society which enjoyed harassing the preachers. Ireland recognized the risks. “I sat down and counted the cost, freedom or confinement, liberty or prison; it admitted of no dispute. Having ventured all upon Christ, I determined to suffer all for him.”</p>
<p>Baptists of the times were accustomed to meeting outdoors in brush arbors, in open fields, beneath spreading oaks and in barns and private homes. James Ireland was to preach at the home of a man named Manifa. When he arrived, the owner informed him that the word had come that anyone who listened to the preaching would be fined, and that a larger fine would be imposed upon him “for granting my house to preach in.”</p>
<p>Ireland later wrote: “Mr. Manifa, being a man under awakening impressions, told me not to flinch from my duty. I requested him to show me the line of his land, ordered a table to be taken out and placed with its feet on each side of the line. When I stood on the table I would not preach on his land no more than on another.” Ireland was concerned with others more than self.</p>
<p>The talk that day atop the table — talk about “the gospel of Christ” — resulted in Ireland's arrest. His imprisonment story was replete with danger and laced with acts of sacrifice and compassion on his part. The table went back inside its owner's house and was used for many a family meal. But it never had as charming a purpose as it did that day when it was a preaching platform.</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 fred.anderson@vbmb.org or at P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.</p> | false | 3 | visitor heritage gallery virginia baptist historical society ready leave rather intently examined panels religious liberty mural knew professor law surmised baptist opened door depart turned said baptists charming history dictionary defines charming exercising magical power fascinating highly pleasing delightful fred anderson one charming even endearing stories virginia baptist history tale table tell furniture need know man times age 21 1769 james ireland new baptist persuasion reared presbyterian edinburgh scotland teaching school northern virginia became drawn baptists powerful preaching john picket last yielded except one point later explained still tenacious old mode sprinkling according presbyterian plan led search scriptures impartially short time pleased god remove scales eyes determined obey christ following water ireland pondered division among virginia baptists times two great parties separates regulars wished know two bodies warmest preachers fire among determined favor separates although ministers zealous men ireland made long trip stronghold separate baptists sandy creek church north carolina near presentday city burlington attended meeting separate baptist association samuel harris one powerful sons thunder generation ordained meeting also proposed meeting harris minister perform baptism young presbyterian ireland traveled virginia stopped samuel harris home pittsylvania county religious meeting held pittsylvania three days great crowds gathered many coming considerable distance third day congregation heard conversion experiences candidates baptism endeavored make acquainted lord done soul remembered ireland short interrogations satisfaction edification church gave right hand fellowship declared proper subject baptism next day sunday following early morning time preaching ireland baptized samuel harris presence large solemn audience also expected preach spontaneously four ablest ministers went pulpit ireland young soldier concluded many rounds fire fourth notable preacher began message ireland noticed seasoned preacher got confused entangled beheld instant recalled passage scripture dropped mind man christ new creature old things passed away behold things become new 2nd corinthians 5th chap 17th verse ireland reached preachers coattail gave pull convinced preacher let finish sermon greatly enlarged subject gave universal satisfaction ministers society pittsylvania meeting concluded ireland obtained ordination gospel ministry credentials signed eleven ministers might go forward itinerant preacher without hesitation one fell swoop james ireland left religious society rearing confessed desire new life christ rubbed elbows choicest baptist saints times baptized preached without much notice preparation set aside lifetime ministry immediately set face towards culpeper va notice would preach already civil authorities culpeper annoyed baptist preachers days ireland felt premonition would jailed preaching warned would arrested baptists beginning experience open hostilities persecution came zealous authorities felt established order threatened baptists came lower element society enjoyed harassing preachers ireland recognized risks sat counted cost freedom confinement liberty prison admitted dispute ventured upon christ determined suffer baptists times accustomed meeting outdoors brush arbors open fields beneath spreading oaks barns private homes james ireland preach home man named manifa arrived owner informed word come anyone listened preaching would fined larger fine would imposed upon granting house preach ireland later wrote mr manifa man awakening impressions told flinch duty requested show line land ordered table taken placed feet side line stood table would preach land another ireland concerned others self talk day atop table talk gospel christ resulted irelands arrest imprisonment story replete danger laced acts sacrifice compassion part table went back inside owners house used many family meal never charming purpose day preaching platform fred anderson executive director virginia baptist historical society center baptist heritage studies may contacted fredandersonvbmborg po box 34 university richmond va 23173 | 558 |
<p>When researchers looked at the profiles of CPS high school students who were most likely to be disciplined in their schools, a startling statistic emerged: 30 percent of students with a documented history of being abused or neglected received out-of-school suspensions in the 2013-2014 school year.</p>
<p>That rate was higher than the rate for students with other risk factors, such as extreme poverty or having entered high school with lower test scores than their peers.</p>
<p>Students with many of these attributes are concentrated in a small subset of district-run high schools – the so-called “schools of last resort” that serve primarily black students. It’s these schools where the rates of out-of-school suspensions are the highest — and they’re driving the district’s overall racial disparities in discipline, according to a new report by the University of Chicago’s Consortium on Chicago School Research.</p>
<p>“Obviously, it’s very depressing,” said Consortium Director Elaine Allensworth, that the students who have been abused and neglected and are the furthest behind academically are so much more likely to be suspended than other students. “If we really want to have a strong educational experience for all students, we need to rethink how we’re doing that for the most vulnerable students in the schools that are serving them.”</p>
<p>The <a href="https://ccsr.uchicago.edu/publications/suspending-chicagos-students-differences-discipline-practices-across-schools" type="external">Consortium’s new report,</a> issued on Tuesday, is a wide-ranging look at the causes for racial disparities in CPS suspension rates, as black males continue to be the most at risk for suspension. (Catalyst has been writing about <a href="" type="external">racial disparities in discipline since 2009</a>.)</p>
<p>The report is based on data from district-run high schools; data on substantiated allegations of abuse or neglect from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; survey information from teachers and students; and qualitative interviews with teachers and administrators.</p>
<p>Among the findings:</p>
<p>“It’s really hard to have a strong, academically focused, safe and orderly climate,” Allensworth says. “As staff are struggling to make that happen, kids are getting into trouble and suspended. So you have a cycle, a lack of trust that develops.”</p>
<p>The report, which focuses primarily on out-of-school suspensions, does not take into account suspensions at charter, contract or alternative schools, primarily due to differences in how discipline is tracked. One of every four CPS high school students attends one of these schools.</p>
<p>Overall, suspensions have declined in recent years at district-run schools. About 25 percent of all high school students were suspended from school at least once in the 2009-2010 school year, compared to about 16 percent in 2013-2014. An earlier report from the Consortium noted <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/03/suspensions-down-school-climate-better-but-charter-data-still-absent/" type="external">the overall downward trend</a>of high school discipline, although in-school suspensions were replacing out-of-school suspensions at some schools.</p>
<p>CPS data for the full 2014-2015 school year have not been released, although the district had previously released partial data that suggests a further decline. District officials did not provide any comment for this story.</p>
<p>This graphic shows subgroups of CPS students and what types of district-run high schools they attend — whether the school has low, moderate or high suspension rates. Barely any non-black students — male or female — attend schools with high suspension rates. Data from 2013-2014 school year.*</p>
<p>“Urgent call for action”</p>
<p>Ilana Zafran Walden, chief operating officer of the Umoja Student Development Corporation, said the Consortium report should be an “urgent call for action” to address continuing disparities in disciplinary practices.</p>
<p>“So many of our schools and young people that have the highest need are also the same students and young people who are being underinvested in and not getting resources,” Walden says. “Despite some good-faith efforts, and potentially some good beginning progress, there are still huge equality challenges that we need to tackle if we’re going to get a good education for our&#160;young people.”</p>
<p>Budget cuts have left schools with fewer counselors, social workers and psychologists, at a time when the social and emotional needs of some students “is really at the scale of a public health issue,” Walden says.</p>
<p>“When schools still suspend students at a high rate, it really speaks to the magnitude of issues that schools are supposed to tackle,” she said. “It’s not that individual kids are being bad. It’s that the supports our students need are so much bigger than what one person or program or intervention happening for six months can take on. Schools feel potentially like they have no other choice but to suspend students.”</p>
<p>The Consortium report also looks at the types of “additional supportive practices” schools offer students when a suspension occurs, including restorative justice or conferences with parents. While schools varied widely in their use — or reported use — about half of all suspensions were given without any extra support.</p>
<p>The use of restorative practices has risen in recent years, but limited resources make it tough for administrators to offer sufficient&#160;staff or professional development opportunities on using those practices.&#160;In the 2013-2014 school year, there&#160;was one counselor for every 255 students in grades 6 through 12,&#160;one social worker for every 550 students, and one psychologist for every 830 students, the report notes.</p>
<p>“It takes someone to sit down, talk to these young people, find out what these issues are and address them,” says Michael Brunson, recording secretary of the Chicago Teachers Union. “It takes a full-time position to do that. The district has given a lot of lip service to these things for the past couple of years and hasn’t put the funds behind it.”</p>
<p>Restorative justice in practice</p>
<p>In addition, Brunson notes that many schools with the most troubling discipline rates are also those which have had high teacher turnover — including some that have been “turned around” by the district, meaning the staff was fired and had to reapply for their jobs. Veteran teachers, he says, have more experience with classroom management and can find ways to deal with unruly students without resorting to suspensions.</p>
<p>“When you have this big churning of teachers and you end up with a lot of first-year teachers that don’t even come from the community and aren’t used to dealing with students or classroom management, it adds to this,” he says. “Teachers that have been in place for a while have solid relationships with those students and have built respect, so they can influence or help them control their behavior.”</p>
<p>Brunson says changes to the CPS Code of Conduct — prompted by pressure from student and activist campaigns — may have led to fewer expulsions and shorter suspensions. But he worries that school staff are being discouraged from using suspensions and expulsions but not given any resources or training to address the behavior issues.</p>
<p>“Restorative justice is being interpreted as an anything-goes program,” he says. “Johnny acts up in the classroom. The teacher is already in an overcrowded classroom and sends him down to office. They send him right back. And nobody has talked to Johnny to figure out what’s wrong.”</p>
<p>Jose Sanchez,&#160;the safe schools consortium coordinator&#160;for&#160;the organization Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE), says that at many schools, the staff member charged with running a restorative justice program “has a much bigger load and can’t dedicate 100 percent to it, maybe only 50 percent.”</p>
<p>Sanchez, whose organization helped push through a state law this year to curb disparate disciplinary practices, says the research validates student leaders’ calls to bring a “racial equity lens” to the issue.</p>
<p>“We need to be explicit about who is impacted the most, who is not impacted as much, and make sure that we’re thoughtful and explicit about this when coming up with solutions,” he said. “When you have the folks who are most impacted be part of a solution-making process and you’re able to have these explicit conversations about race and economics, you can be real and have pretty powerful conversations.”</p>
<p>*This story was updated on Sept. 22, 2015, to include&#160;this graphic and data on&#160;what types of high schools different student subgroups&#160;attend.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | researchers looked profiles cps high school students likely disciplined schools startling statistic emerged 30 percent students documented history abused neglected received outofschool suspensions 20132014 school year rate higher rate students risk factors extreme poverty entered high school lower test scores peers students many attributes concentrated small subset districtrun high schools socalled schools last resort serve primarily black students schools rates outofschool suspensions highest theyre driving districts overall racial disparities discipline according new report university chicagos consortium chicago school research obviously depressing said consortium director elaine allensworth students abused neglected furthest behind academically much likely suspended students really want strong educational experience students need rethink vulnerable students schools serving consortiums new report issued tuesday wideranging look causes racial disparities cps suspension rates black males continue risk suspension catalyst writing racial disparities discipline since 2009 report based data districtrun high schools data substantiated allegations abuse neglect illinois department children family services survey information teachers students qualitative interviews teachers administrators among findings really hard strong academically focused safe orderly climate allensworth says staff struggling make happen kids getting trouble suspended cycle lack trust develops report focuses primarily outofschool suspensions take account suspensions charter contract alternative schools primarily due differences discipline tracked one every four cps high school students attends one schools overall suspensions declined recent years districtrun schools 25 percent high school students suspended school least 20092010 school year compared 16 percent 20132014 earlier report consortium noted overall downward trendof high school discipline although inschool suspensions replacing outofschool suspensions schools cps data full 20142015 school year released although district previously released partial data suggests decline district officials provide comment story graphic shows subgroups cps students types districtrun high schools attend whether school low moderate high suspension rates barely nonblack students male female attend schools high suspension rates data 20132014 school year urgent call action ilana zafran walden chief operating officer umoja student development corporation said consortium report urgent call action address continuing disparities disciplinary practices many schools young people highest need also students young people underinvested getting resources walden says despite goodfaith efforts potentially good beginning progress still huge equality challenges need tackle going get good education our160young people budget cuts left schools fewer counselors social workers psychologists time social emotional needs students really scale public health issue walden says schools still suspend students high rate really speaks magnitude issues schools supposed tackle said individual kids bad supports students need much bigger one person program intervention happening six months take schools feel potentially like choice suspend students consortium report also looks types additional supportive practices schools offer students suspension occurs including restorative justice conferences parents schools varied widely use reported use half suspensions given without extra support use restorative practices risen recent years limited resources make tough administrators offer sufficient160staff professional development opportunities using practices160in 20132014 school year there160was one counselor every 255 students grades 6 12160one social worker every 550 students one psychologist every 830 students report notes takes someone sit talk young people find issues address says michael brunson recording secretary chicago teachers union takes fulltime position district given lot lip service things past couple years hasnt put funds behind restorative justice practice addition brunson notes many schools troubling discipline rates also high teacher turnover including turned around district meaning staff fired reapply jobs veteran teachers says experience classroom management find ways deal unruly students without resorting suspensions big churning teachers end lot firstyear teachers dont even come community arent used dealing students classroom management adds says teachers place solid relationships students built respect influence help control behavior brunson says changes cps code conduct prompted pressure student activist campaigns may led fewer expulsions shorter suspensions worries school staff discouraged using suspensions expulsions given resources training address behavior issues restorative justice interpreted anythinggoes program says johnny acts classroom teacher already overcrowded classroom sends office send right back nobody talked johnny figure whats wrong jose sanchez160the safe schools consortium coordinator160for160the organization voices youth chicago education voyce says many schools staff member charged running restorative justice program much bigger load cant dedicate 100 percent maybe 50 percent sanchez whose organization helped push state law year curb disparate disciplinary practices says research validates student leaders calls bring racial equity lens issue need explicit impacted impacted much make sure thoughtful explicit coming solutions said folks impacted part solutionmaking process youre able explicit conversations race economics real pretty powerful conversations story updated sept 22 2015 include160this graphic data on160what types high schools different student subgroups160attend 160 | 739 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />First on a series on public pensions.</p>
<p>Sept. 20, 2012</p>
<p>By Mark Cabaniss</p>
<p>The politicians in charge of “doing something” about the ongoing California pension debacle like to play a little game. It goes like this: &#160;They decry the high costs of pensions that have already been granted, pretend to want to do something to rein in future pension obligations, and then turn their hands up and shrug that there is really nothing they can do about current pensions (including, cough cough, their own) — since, after all, pensions are contracts, and therefore they are protected by the Constitution.</p>
<p>But there is a problem with this self-serving assertion: &#160;Even if politicians’ pensions are contracts protected by the Constitution, they are still breakable.&#160; In pretending otherwise, the politicians are lying.&#160; In other words, merely noting that pensions are contracts protected by the Constitution is not the end of analysis, but only the beginning, for all contracts are breakable, and all constitutional rights are subject to limits.</p>
<p>When, not if, state and local governments begin dishonoring the highest public pensions, there will be, obviously, a huge blizzard of litigation.&#160; And when those cases are heard, some of the following basic concepts of contract law may be applicable.&#160; (Note: My purpose here is not to write a treatise on contract law, nor to predict the course and outcome of future litigation.&#160; My purpose is simply to show the lay person that there are several possible theories under contract law under which governments might be able to reduce the highest existing pensions rather than go bankrupt.).</p>
<p>All contracts are breakable, if you have a legally valid reason for breaking them.&#160; For example, if a used-car salesman sells a car to a 10-year-old, the contract can be broken on the basis that the 10-year-old didn’t have the legal capacity (age) to sign a binding contract in the first place.&#160; And all constitutionally protected rights, including contract rights, are nonetheless limited by finite resources. For example, your right to a fair trial does not mean that the government has to hire the entire Harvard Law School faculty to defend you in your shoplifting case. Society can’t afford it.</p>
<p>Regarding public pensions, the best and most obvious legal ground under contract law to get out of onerous pension obligation may be mistake of fact.&#160; The legal rule goes like this: If you make a contract while holding a belief that isn’t true, you can get out of the contract.&#160; For example, you make a deal to buy a Picasso for a million dollars, but it turns out that the painting is not a Picasso.&#160; You can get out of the deal.&#160; (Under the mistake doctrine, both sides have to be making the same mistake.&#160; If only one side is mistaken and the other side knows the truth, you may still be able to get out of the contract under a different theory, such as fraud; more below.)</p>
<p>Regarding high public pensions, the mistake that was made was simple, fundamental, and huge:&#160; the supersize pensions that began to appear in the 1990s were justified on the grounds that pension funds “would” generate average annual returns of 7.5 to 8 percent or more into the future, forever.&#160; This has turned out to be, ahem, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/28/nyregion/fragile-calculous-in-plans-to-fix-pension-systems.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_moc.semityn.www" type="external">not true</a>.</p>
<p>The infamous SB 400, that then-Gov. Gray Davis signed into law in 1999, and which gave retroactive pension raises to state employees, including already-retired state employees, was sold by the California Public Employee Retirement System to the Legislature with lie after lie after lie — or “mistake” after “mistake” after “mistake,” if you prefer.&#160; The CalPERS “analysis” that was “presented to” (perpetrated on?) the Legislature implicitly assumed that the Dow Jones Industrial Average would be at 25,000 by 2009, and 28,000,000 by 2099.&#160; On the morning of Sept. 20, <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/" type="external">it is at 13,556</a>.</p>
<p>Proving the existence of and reliance on the mistake(s) ought to be a lark. After all, a great deal of time, money, and work went into creating the rosy projections that were used to bamboozle government into granting the unsustainable pensions.&#160; Were the mistakes made regarding future stock market returns mutual?&#160; Well, the government certainly made a mistake on behalf of the taxpayers.&#160; How about the public employees?&#160; Who knows?&#160; However, as a practical matter it is very hard to see how they would go in to court and say,&#160;“We were not mistaken as to future stock market returns.&#160; We knew full well that the projections were a joke and that CalPERS was lying.”</p>
<p>The second big legal ground to get out of pensions is impossibility of performance.&#160; If events make it impossible for you to perform the contract, then you can get out of it.&#160; For example, you contract to sell your car, but before you deliver, it is destroyed by lightning.&#160; Regarding pensions, the argument would be simply that the state and local governments have gone bankrupt since the pensions were granted.&#160; In that event, the pensions could be modified to match the ability of government to pay them.</p>
<p>The third possibly applicable doctrine is known in contract law as consideration:&#160; for a contract to be legally binding, there has to be something of value promised, on both sides.&#160; For example, if I promise to give you a million dollars, and you promise to take three breaths between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. next Tuesday, there is no mutuality of consideration, since I am giving something up and you are not.&#160; The contract is voidable.</p>
<p>In the public pension realm, one obvious place where the consideration doctrine would come into play would be SB 400, the 1999 retroactive pension increase.&#160; Since some of the workers who received retroactive pension increases were already retired, they obviously could not promise or give anything at all in exchange for the money, and indeed they did not.&#160; Therefore, at least in regard to these already retired workers, there was a complete absence of consideration.&#160; (A similar argument can be made not on contract law, but on <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_16" type="external">Article 16 Section 6</a> of the California Constitution, prohibiting the giving away of public funds.)</p>
<p>A fourth possible ground for breaking managements’ pensions is fraud: If CalPERS or any of the other groups pushing big pensions knew that the pensions would not be self-funding and would require massive infusions of taxpayer cash, and they did not divulge that information, then any such pensions obtained on the basis of such fraudulent disinformation would be voidable.&#160; Moreover, widespread and undisclosed self-dealing might qualify as fraud. For example, CalPERS officials, as public employees, themselves benefitted from the huge pension increases granted in 1999, and they did not disclose to the legislature that they would benefit.</p>
<p>Another contract doctrine which might be used to break onerous pensions is “unconscionability,” which means simply that a contract is so one-sided that it is just unfair to enforce it against the disadvantaged party.&#160; While normally this doctrine is applied to consumer contracts, some of the factors courts look to in weighing claims of unconscionability — such as whether the parties had equal bargaining power, whether the contract makes a one-sided allocation of risk (for example, where the taxpayers have to pick up the tab, all the tab, in the event that the Dow does not hit 25,000 by 2009, ha-ha) — are applicable to public employee pensions, as well.</p>
<p>Finally, one more area of contract law might be used to break the pensions: lack of capacity to contract.&#160; If you are drunk or insane, for example, you cannot sign a contract to buy a house.&#160; In the public pension context, the lack of capacity would be a little more subtle (maybe; hopefully). &#160;For example, if you are under duress, being threatened to get you to sign a contract, that could qualify as a lack of capacity, since you lack free will.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Steven Greenhut</a> and others have written recently about bullying tactics, including the attempt to frame a city councilman for DUI, being used in Costa Mesa to get local officials to see things the public employees’ way.&#160; Testimony about such incidents could nullify the contracts obtained thereby.</p>
<p>Similarly, if you were being bribed to sign a contract, that too would qualify as a lack of capacity, since you would not be acting in your capacity as a fiduciary to the public, but rather in your private capacity as a criminal.&#160; Another way to look at it is that if you are a manager sitting at a table “negotiating” a pension increase that will benefit not just the parties across the table but yourself as well, you may not be acting within the scope of your employment as a public official, but instead acting on your own behalf.&#160; Therefore, you do not have the legal capacity to act to bind the public to pay for your self-dealing little scheme, since you are not at that moment acting as a public official.&#160;&#160; Needless to say, were the courts to start taking bribery and self-dealing seriously, they could nullify a lot of contracts.</p>
<p>To sum up: There are a great many helpful doctrines under contract law that could be used to break onerous public pensions.&#160; These legal arguments are strongest against the very top pensions, because they are the most unconscionable, they are the least possible to continue to pay, and they are the most likely to have been the result of self-dealing or bribery.</p>
<p>Therefore, the legal grounds for attacking the biggest pensions, managements’ pensions, coincide nicely with the public policy grounds of wanting to go after only the largest, most abusive pensions, and not the pensions of the retired school teacher or janitor.</p>
<p>Next article in this series: <a href="" type="internal">Breaking public employee pensions: The political path</a>.</p>
<p>Mark Cabaniss is an attorney from Kelseyville. He has worked as a prosecutor and public defender.</p> | false | 3 | first series public pensions sept 20 2012 mark cabaniss politicians charge something ongoing california pension debacle like play little game goes like 160they decry high costs pensions already granted pretend want something rein future pension obligations turn hands shrug really nothing current pensions including cough cough since pensions contracts therefore protected constitution problem selfserving assertion 160even politicians pensions contracts protected constitution still breakable160 pretending otherwise politicians lying160 words merely noting pensions contracts protected constitution end analysis beginning contracts breakable constitutional rights subject limits state local governments begin dishonoring highest public pensions obviously huge blizzard litigation160 cases heard following basic concepts contract law may applicable160 note purpose write treatise contract law predict course outcome future litigation160 purpose simply show lay person several possible theories contract law governments might able reduce highest existing pensions rather go bankrupt contracts breakable legally valid reason breaking them160 example usedcar salesman sells car 10yearold contract broken basis 10yearold didnt legal capacity age sign binding contract first place160 constitutionally protected rights including contract rights nonetheless limited finite resources example right fair trial mean government hire entire harvard law school faculty defend shoplifting case society cant afford regarding public pensions best obvious legal ground contract law get onerous pension obligation may mistake fact160 legal rule goes like make contract holding belief isnt true get contract160 example make deal buy picasso million dollars turns painting picasso160 get deal160 mistake doctrine sides making mistake160 one side mistaken side knows truth may still able get contract different theory fraud regarding high public pensions mistake made simple fundamental huge160 supersize pensions began appear 1990s justified grounds pension funds would generate average annual returns 75 8 percent future forever160 turned ahem true infamous sb 400 thengov gray davis signed law 1999 gave retroactive pension raises state employees including alreadyretired state employees sold california public employee retirement system legislature lie lie lie mistake mistake mistake prefer160 calpers analysis presented perpetrated legislature implicitly assumed dow jones industrial average would 25000 2009 28000000 2099160 morning sept 20 13556 proving existence reliance mistakes ought lark great deal time money work went creating rosy projections used bamboozle government granting unsustainable pensions160 mistakes made regarding future stock market returns mutual160 well government certainly made mistake behalf taxpayers160 public employees160 knows160 however practical matter hard see would go court say160we mistaken future stock market returns160 knew full well projections joke calpers lying second big legal ground get pensions impossibility performance160 events make impossible perform contract get it160 example contract sell car deliver destroyed lightning160 regarding pensions argument would simply state local governments gone bankrupt since pensions granted160 event pensions could modified match ability government pay third possibly applicable doctrine known contract law consideration160 contract legally binding something value promised sides160 example promise give million dollars promise take three breaths hours 100 pm 200 pm next tuesday mutuality consideration since giving something not160 contract voidable public pension realm one obvious place consideration doctrine would come play would sb 400 1999 retroactive pension increase160 since workers received retroactive pension increases already retired obviously could promise give anything exchange money indeed not160 therefore least regard already retired workers complete absence consideration160 similar argument made contract law article 16 section 6 california constitution prohibiting giving away public funds fourth possible ground breaking managements pensions fraud calpers groups pushing big pensions knew pensions would selffunding would require massive infusions taxpayer cash divulge information pensions obtained basis fraudulent disinformation would voidable160 moreover widespread undisclosed selfdealing might qualify fraud example calpers officials public employees benefitted huge pension increases granted 1999 disclose legislature would benefit another contract doctrine might used break onerous pensions unconscionability means simply contract onesided unfair enforce disadvantaged party160 normally doctrine applied consumer contracts factors courts look weighing claims unconscionability whether parties equal bargaining power whether contract makes onesided allocation risk example taxpayers pick tab tab event dow hit 25000 2009 haha applicable public employee pensions well finally one area contract law might used break pensions lack capacity contract160 drunk insane example sign contract buy house160 public pension context lack capacity would little subtle maybe hopefully 160for example duress threatened get sign contract could qualify lack capacity since lack free steven greenhut others written recently bullying tactics including attempt frame city councilman dui used costa mesa get local officials see things public employees way160 testimony incidents could nullify contracts obtained thereby similarly bribed sign contract would qualify lack capacity since would acting capacity fiduciary public rather private capacity criminal160 another way look manager sitting table negotiating pension increase benefit parties across table well may acting within scope employment public official instead acting behalf160 therefore legal capacity act bind public pay selfdealing little scheme since moment acting public official160160 needless say courts start taking bribery selfdealing seriously could nullify lot contracts sum great many helpful doctrines contract law could used break onerous public pensions160 legal arguments strongest top pensions unconscionable least possible continue pay likely result selfdealing bribery therefore legal grounds attacking biggest pensions managements pensions coincide nicely public policy grounds wanting go largest abusive pensions pensions retired school teacher janitor next article series breaking public employee pensions political path mark cabaniss attorney kelseyville worked prosecutor public defender | 852 |
<p>As Pope Francis’s confessional apology to clergy abuse survivors in Rome made global headlines in early July, Minnesota Public Radio was reporting on a scandal surrounding St. Paul Archbishop John Nienstedt.</p>
<p>The pope’s remark, “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,” soon receded from the 24/7 news cycle.</p>
<p>But Nienstedt’s reported behavior, and that of his predecessor, Harry Flynn, beg the lingering question of how Francis will hold bishops accountable.</p>
<p>Many dioceses have instituted safe-touch training for teachers and students. Bishops have removed scores of perpetrators who were never prosecuted. But the “zero tolerance” plank in the US bishops’ 2002 youth protection charter rests on voluntary compliance.</p>
<p>That flaw fueled the MPR investigation under lead reporter Madeleine Baran and producer Sasha Aslanian. The radio series explores how past mistakes become time bombs. Various reports were edited into in a <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/catholic-church/betrayed-by-silence/documentary/" type="external">one-hour documentary</a>.</p>
<p>A lengthy web narrative, “ <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/catholic-church/betrayed-by-silence/ch1/" type="external">Betrayed by Silence: A Story in Four Chapters</a>,” based on the radio series, details the scope of coverage:</p>
<p>For decades, the archbishops who led the Catholic archdiocese in the Twin Cities maintained that they were doing everything they could to protect children from priests who wanted to rape them.</p>
<p>Reporters picked up those assurances and repeated them without question. Police and prosecutors took the assurances at face value. Parents believed the assurances and trusted priests with their children.</p>
<p>But the assurances were a lie, and the archbishops knew it. Three of them — John Roach, Harry Flynn and John Nienstedt — participated in a cover-up that pitted the finances and power of the church against the victims who dared to come forward and tell their stories.</p>
<p>Roach is deceased. Flynn is retired and in a May deposition said he “could not remember how he handled clergy sexual abuse cases during his 13-year tenure,” according to MPR. Nienstedt is battling calls for his resignation.</p>
<p>Nienstedt’s negligence is detailed in a searing July 7 affidavit by the former chancellor of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Jennifer Haselberger, in a civil case on behalf of an alleged clergy victim.</p>
<p>The 109-page document is the <a href="" type="external">first insider’s account</a> of the handling of reports of clergy abuse by diocesan officials” since the 2002 passage of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.&#160;</p>
<p>In 2004, Haselberger began serving on the tribunal for marriage annulments. Church staffers told her about a priest who had been sued at a previous parish for sexual harassment of an employee. As she learned more “about the Archdiocese's handling of sexual abuse of minors by clergy,” she states in the affidavit, “I felt a strong sense of duty to remain and try to fix the very serious problems that I had identified.”</p>
<p>In 2008, Nienstedt named Haselberger chancellor for canonical affairs. She found a chaotic filing system with documents on clergy sex offenders going back decades, including cases covered up and not reported to the Vatican.</p>
<p>"There have been in the past a good number of transactions in which proper canonical processes were not followed or, if followed, they were not properly recorded," Nienstedt told her in a 2008 memo since disclosed in a civil lawsuit. "I do not believe that it is prudent for us to try and correct all the mistakes of the past thirty years in my first six months."</p>
<p>If he was looking for a timid handling of the records, Nienstedt put the wrong woman in charge. With a Ph.D in philosophy from University of London in addition to her canon law license, Haselberger had turned down an FBI job offer to work for the church she believed in. She kept hammering on procedures to remove aberrant priests and do right by victims. Her efforts were largely met with silence or evasions.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Nienstedt made a pastor of a priest who had been accused of making a pass at a young man at a bookstore. In 2012 the priest, Curtis Wehmeyer, was arrested for abusing a boy.</p>
<p>Haselberger was uncovering murky financial practices, and a soft-glove approach to “problem” priests.</p>
<p>And then the system turned on her.</p>
<p>“My suspension had everything to do with my criticism of the Archdiocese's handling of sexual abuse and my refusal to go along with policies and practices that were putting people at risk,” she states in the affidavit.</p>
<p>Haselberger also spoke to the MPR journalists. She was incensed that St. Paul archbishops had a policy of paying perpetrators to quietly leave the priesthood.&#160;</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Archbishop Flynn, who retired in 2008, has enjoyed the reputation of a reformer since his first assignment as bishop in the Lafayette, La. diocese.</p>
<p>I had an indirect role in Flynn’s career path.</p>
<p>Flynn was a monsignor in Albany when the Vatican made him a bishop and sent him to the scandal-mired diocese in Cajun country in July 1986. Flynn arrived as coadjutor, or heir-apparent to Bishop Gerard Frey, a velvet-touch Roman way of easing out the incumbent.</p>
<p>Frey’s blunders were central to a long report I had done on a joint assignment for National Catholic Reporter and the weekly Times of Acadiana in spring 1985 on the priest <a href="http://www.bishopaccountability.org/assign/Gauthe_Gilbert_J.htm" type="external">Gilbert Gauthe</a>, who abused dozens of kids over several years, as the church moved him from one unknowing parish to another.</p>
<p>After my initial reports, a wellspring of sources opened. I continued coverage for the weekly Times, and in early 1986 reported that Frey had recycled seven pedophiles across many parishes leaving <a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1882674/posts" type="external">a trail of human trauma</a>.</p>
<p>Times of Acadiana editor Richard Baudouin (who was several years behind me at Jesuit High School, New Orleans) wrote an editorial calling on Frey and his chancellor, Msgr. Henri Alexandre Larroque, to resign, and failing that, for the Vatican to remove them.</p>
<p>The Lafayette Daily Advertiser had attacked my coverage in the weekly, referring to “vultures of yellow journalism.” When the editorial ran, a wealthy retired judge from the town of Crowley, Edmund Reggie, called the Times publisher Steve May at home, telling him to retract it.</p>
<p>May said no. They had words.</p>
<p>Incensed, Reggie said: “Boy, you just shit in your mess kit.”</p>
<p>Reggie and a prominent monsignor fomented an advertisers’ boycott that cost the weekly paper $20,000 before cooler heads prevailed.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in Washington, DC, <a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/examining-crisis/pope-francis-abuse-disappointment" type="external">Father Thomas Doyle,</a> a canon lawyer at the Vatican Embassy, was following the coverage.</p>
<p>Gauthe’s criminal defense lawyer, Ray Mouton had met Doyle and unburdened his frustration at how Frey and Larroque withheld information on other priests as he tried to negotiate a plea for his client.</p>
<p>Mouton was sending Doyle tear-sheets of my articles, which weren’t the best publicity for a client facing a life sentence. Still, Mouton managed to negotiate a 20-year plea that relieved young victims of having to testify.</p>
<p>Gauthe served 10 years and got an early release for good behavior.</p>
<p>As my articles drew a national spotlight on the clergy abuse issue, Mouton opened the door for me to meet Doyle. I wrote about their collaboration on a secret memo to the hierarchy about the impending crisis in a 1992 book, “ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lead-Us-Not-Into-Temptation/dp/148256890X" type="external">Lead Us Not Into Temptation: Catholic Priests and the Sexual Abuse of Children</a>.” A third of the book focuses on Lafayette.</p>
<p>Mouton published a 2013 novel “In God’s House,” about the travails of a lawyer much like himself defending a priest in a diocese much like Lafayette.</p>
<p>Six months after the editorial, Flynn arrived. My last piece on those events was a July 2, 1986 Times of Acadiana report on his investiture.</p>
<p>Standing in the pulpit before jam-packed pews that included US Senator John Breaux, Flynn’s voice shook: “Today I promise you my love, I promise you my very life!” He got a standing ovation.</p>
<p>I was already following leads in other states, branching into a national investigation. In the book I gave Flynn one fleeting sentence, and am relieved now to have omitted that standing ovation.</p>
<p><a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/catholic-church/story_list/" type="external">The MPR investigation</a> revisits Lafayette, following Flynn as the first stage in the evolution of the St. Paul archdiocesan culture of child abuse cover up. Perhaps Flynn’s most striking lapse in Lafayette was maintaining Larroque, who was Frey’s right hand in reassigning the pedophiles.</p>
<p>In Lafayette, where KLFY-TV reporter Dee Stanley had also given aggressive coverage, the local media interest eventually flagged.</p>
<p>Gannett later bought the Daily Advertiser, and in time, made Steve May an offer he couldn’t refuse and bought the Times of Acadiana. It is now a shell of its old self. May has a competing weekly, the Independent.</p>
<p>One of the parents I profiled in the book, a man who had three sons abused by Gauthe, met with Flynn several years later. MPR reports:</p>
<p>He told the new bishop that Gauthe had acknowledged abusing hundreds of children, but that only a few dozen had come forward. He worried about the other kids, particularly because many of the parents were in denial about what had happened.</p>
<p>Flynn's response startled him. Flynn admitted that the church had been wrong to keep Gauthe in ministry and that it had mishandled the entire situation. But, he explained, there was nothing he could do.</p>
<p>The station got access to previously-sealed documents in a Fort Worth, Texas federal courthouse. The diocese had successfully sued its insurance broker to reimburse settlements paid to victims. The documents were under a protective order that had been lifted. In following a trail of information from those files, MPR found a 1995 affidavit by Anthony Fontana, a victims’ lawyer who also met with Flynn. MPR’s narrative continues:</p>
<p>"There's another problem you need to know about," he told Flynn. A Lafayette priest named Gilbert Dutel had been accused of coercing young adult men into having sex.</p>
<p>Flynn offered a calm reply. He explained that Dutel was cured and that, regardless, he needed to keep him in ministry because of the priest shortage....Flynn was just like the previous bishop, he thought.</p>
<p>I knew Tony Fontana well in my Lafayette reporting. Fontana was a cradle Catholic who sued the church for many victims; he was frustrated about what he was hearing of Dutel’s alleged behavior.</p>
<p>I had no legal document on Dutel from which to report in 1985 or ‘86.</p>
<p>The MPR website has a link to a 1992 deposition in which a young man gives graphic testimony on how he had sex with Dutel as a minor.</p>
<p>The document is evidence in the Lafayette Diocese’s lawsuit against its insurance broker, Gallagher. "This Diocese does not deserve to be rewarded for its deceit, and the harm caused by that deceit and the criminal acts of its priests," the broker argued. "Unbeknownst to Gallagher, the Diocese was a ticking time bomb."</p>
<p>But the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the church.</p>
<p>“Gallagher had to pay the diocese $4 million,” MPR reporter Madeleine Baran told GlobalPost. “It’s hard to tell from the document how it’s being used in the suit, whether it was retrieved by the Gallagher lawyer or taken by them, in arguing that the diocese was negligent.”</p>
<p>MPR redacted names of the victim and other people <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1223363-interview-on-accused-lafayette-priest-1992.html" type="external">in the transcript</a>.</p>
<p>On July 21, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests sent a media alert to news outlets in Lafayette and New Orleans on Dutel, now a pastor at St. Edmund parish in Lafayette.</p>
<p>“Church records show no information was ever given to the police or made public about the allegations,” the SNAP statement said. “Everyone knows that child molesters are rarely ‘cured.’ They often continue abusing until they are publicly exposed and kept away from children.”</p>
<p>Dutel refused to do a broadcast interview but in a brief exchange with MPR denied the accusations, saying, "I have a sense that I am not sure that I should be talking to you, because I don't know where this information is coming from."</p>
<p>Flynn’s remark to Fontana that Dutel was “cured” leaves a stigma on his old diocese in Lafayette, and indeed on Dutel, fairly or not.</p>
<p>Did the diocese abide by the zero tolerance policy of the bishops’ 2002 youth protection charter?</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the pathological secrecy that pervades church officialdom followed Flynn from Louisiana to his post in St. Paul-Minneapolis, where as archbishop he planted land mines that are now exploding around Archbishop Nienstedt.</p>
<p>-------------------</p>
<p>GlobalPost religion writer Jason Berry is co-producer of the PBS Frontline film, “Secrets of the Vatican.” His books include Render unto Rome: The Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | pope franciss confessional apology clergy abuse survivors rome made global headlines early july minnesota public radio reporting scandal surrounding st paul archbishop john nienstedt popes remark bishops must carry pastoral ministry utmost care order help foster protection minors held accountable soon receded 247 news cycle nienstedts reported behavior predecessor harry flynn beg lingering question francis hold bishops accountable many dioceses instituted safetouch training teachers students bishops removed scores perpetrators never prosecuted zero tolerance plank us bishops 2002 youth protection charter rests voluntary compliance flaw fueled mpr investigation lead reporter madeleine baran producer sasha aslanian radio series explores past mistakes become time bombs various reports edited onehour documentary lengthy web narrative betrayed silence story four chapters based radio series details scope coverage decades archbishops led catholic archdiocese twin cities maintained everything could protect children priests wanted rape reporters picked assurances repeated without question police prosecutors took assurances face value parents believed assurances trusted priests children assurances lie archbishops knew three john roach harry flynn john nienstedt participated coverup pitted finances power church victims dared come forward tell stories roach deceased flynn retired may deposition said could remember handled clergy sexual abuse cases 13year tenure according mpr nienstedt battling calls resignation nienstedts negligence detailed searing july 7 affidavit former chancellor archdiocese st paul minneapolis jennifer haselberger civil case behalf alleged clergy victim 109page document first insiders account handling reports clergy abuse diocesan officials since 2002 passage charter protection children young people160 2004 haselberger began serving tribunal marriage annulments church staffers told priest sued previous parish sexual harassment employee learned archdioceses handling sexual abuse minors clergy states affidavit felt strong sense duty remain try fix serious problems identified 2008 nienstedt named haselberger chancellor canonical affairs found chaotic filing system documents clergy sex offenders going back decades including cases covered reported vatican past good number transactions proper canonical processes followed followed properly recorded nienstedt told 2008 memo since disclosed civil lawsuit believe prudent us try correct mistakes past thirty years first six months looking timid handling records nienstedt put wrong woman charge phd philosophy university london addition canon law license haselberger turned fbi job offer work church believed kept hammering procedures remove aberrant priests right victims efforts largely met silence evasions meanwhile nienstedt made pastor priest accused making pass young man bookstore 2012 priest curtis wehmeyer arrested abusing boy haselberger uncovering murky financial practices softglove approach problem priests system turned suspension everything criticism archdioceses handling sexual abuse refusal go along policies practices putting people risk states affidavit haselberger also spoke mpr journalists incensed st paul archbishops policy paying perpetrators quietly leave priesthood160 archbishop flynn retired 2008 enjoyed reputation reformer since first assignment bishop lafayette la diocese indirect role flynns career path flynn monsignor albany vatican made bishop sent scandalmired diocese cajun country july 1986 flynn arrived coadjutor heirapparent bishop gerard frey velvettouch roman way easing incumbent freys blunders central long report done joint assignment national catholic reporter weekly times acadiana spring 1985 priest gilbert gauthe abused dozens kids several years church moved one unknowing parish another initial reports wellspring sources opened continued coverage weekly times early 1986 reported frey recycled seven pedophiles across many parishes leaving trail human trauma times acadiana editor richard baudouin several years behind jesuit high school new orleans wrote editorial calling frey chancellor msgr henri alexandre larroque resign failing vatican remove lafayette daily advertiser attacked coverage weekly referring vultures yellow journalism editorial ran wealthy retired judge town crowley edmund reggie called times publisher steve may home telling retract may said words incensed reggie said boy shit mess kit reggie prominent monsignor fomented advertisers boycott cost weekly paper 20000 cooler heads prevailed meanwhile washington dc father thomas doyle canon lawyer vatican embassy following coverage gauthes criminal defense lawyer ray mouton met doyle unburdened frustration frey larroque withheld information priests tried negotiate plea client mouton sending doyle tearsheets articles werent best publicity client facing life sentence still mouton managed negotiate 20year plea relieved young victims testify gauthe served 10 years got early release good behavior articles drew national spotlight clergy abuse issue mouton opened door meet doyle wrote collaboration secret memo hierarchy impending crisis 1992 book lead us temptation catholic priests sexual abuse children third book focuses lafayette mouton published 2013 novel gods house travails lawyer much like defending priest diocese much like lafayette six months editorial flynn arrived last piece events july 2 1986 times acadiana report investiture standing pulpit jampacked pews included us senator john breaux flynns voice shook today promise love promise life got standing ovation already following leads states branching national investigation book gave flynn one fleeting sentence relieved omitted standing ovation mpr investigation revisits lafayette following flynn first stage evolution st paul archdiocesan culture child abuse cover perhaps flynns striking lapse lafayette maintaining larroque freys right hand reassigning pedophiles lafayette klfytv reporter dee stanley also given aggressive coverage local media interest eventually flagged gannett later bought daily advertiser time made steve may offer couldnt refuse bought times acadiana shell old self may competing weekly independent one parents profiled book man three sons abused gauthe met flynn several years later mpr reports told new bishop gauthe acknowledged abusing hundreds children dozen come forward worried kids particularly many parents denial happened flynns response startled flynn admitted church wrong keep gauthe ministry mishandled entire situation explained nothing could station got access previouslysealed documents fort worth texas federal courthouse diocese successfully sued insurance broker reimburse settlements paid victims documents protective order lifted following trail information files mpr found 1995 affidavit anthony fontana victims lawyer also met flynn mprs narrative continues theres another problem need know told flynn lafayette priest named gilbert dutel accused coercing young adult men sex flynn offered calm reply explained dutel cured regardless needed keep ministry priest shortageflynn like previous bishop thought knew tony fontana well lafayette reporting fontana cradle catholic sued church many victims frustrated hearing dutels alleged behavior legal document dutel report 1985 86 mpr website link 1992 deposition young man gives graphic testimony sex dutel minor document evidence lafayette dioceses lawsuit insurance broker gallagher diocese deserve rewarded deceit harm caused deceit criminal acts priests broker argued unbeknownst gallagher diocese ticking time bomb fifth circuit court appeals ruled church gallagher pay diocese 4 million mpr reporter madeleine baran told globalpost hard tell document used suit whether retrieved gallagher lawyer taken arguing diocese negligent mpr redacted names victim people transcript july 21 survivors network abused priests sent media alert news outlets lafayette new orleans dutel pastor st edmund parish lafayette church records show information ever given police made public allegations snap statement said everyone knows child molesters rarely cured often continue abusing publicly exposed kept away children dutel refused broadcast interview brief exchange mpr denied accusations saying sense sure talking dont know information coming flynns remark fontana dutel cured leaves stigma old diocese lafayette indeed dutel fairly diocese abide zero tolerance policy bishops 2002 youth protection charter meanwhile pathological secrecy pervades church officialdom followed flynn louisiana post st paulminneapolis archbishop planted land mines exploding around archbishop nienstedt globalpost religion writer jason berry coproducer pbs frontline film secrets vatican books include render unto rome secret life money catholic church160 | 1,181 |
<p>BOSTON — At a time of <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/130313/war-drugs-what-it-good" type="external">growing frustration with the US government's hawkish and expensive drug strategy</a>, <a href="http://kevinsabet.com/" type="external">Dr. Kevin A. Sabet</a> remains an outspoken proponent of prohibition.</p>
<p>From 2009-2011, Sabet served as the senior advisor to Gil Kerlikowske, President Obama's director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). He was one of three main authors of President Obama’s first drug control strategy. He also served as an ONDCP political appointee in both President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush's administrations.</p>
<p>Salon Magazine <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/02/13/meet_the_quarterback_of_the_new_anti_drug_movement/" type="external">labeled him</a> "the quarterback of the new anti-drug movement," and Rolling Stone <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/legalizations-biggest-enemies-20130117" type="external">called him</a> one of legalization's biggest enemies.</p>
<p>The interview has been edited for clarity and length.</p>
<p>GlobalPost: At a time when many people — including heads of state — are calling for an end to the drug war, why is it important that we continue the fight.</p>
<p>Kevin Sabet: Well, I think it's important that we get specific about our policies and about our objectives. One phrase that I think has lost its relevance is 'the war on drugs.' Whenever I hear somebody talking about a war on drugs, I really ask first ' well what do we mean by the war on drugs?' I haven't heard anybody use it in the positive.</p>
<p>If you mean the status quo, I think it is time to analyze what has worked, what hasn’t worked, and what we need to do to get better results.&#160;Drug policy is not unique in that the trends attached to this issue are constantly evolving. That means you do need an evolving policy.&#160;The question is, what does that evolving policy look like, and is it better compared to what we have going on now?&#160;</p>
<p>A lot of folks use the term "alternative" to really hide behind things that are much more radical than they would even immediately let on. "Alternative" could mean increased treatment, which might be radical in one country, but it could also mean legalization, which I think would be radical in any country. I do think it’s time to look at drug policy. You can be against legalization but in favor of change, but unfortunately in today’s world that nuance has been completely lost.</p>
<p>Many people say that prohibition is failing: We’re spending upward of $40 billion a year and imprisoning hundreds of thousands of people — yet <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/130313/war-drugs-what-it-good" type="external">drugs are cheaper and more available than ever</a>. Why is this?</p>
<p>The question is, failing compared to what? Actually drugs are not cheaper and more available than ever now. Drugs are also used by far fewer percentage of the population than they were just 30 or 40 years ago in the United States. [Editor's note: prior month usage among teens has fallen from greater than 30 percent from 1975 to 1980 to less than 25 percent today]. &#160;</p>
<p>One of the biggest myths is we are simply incarcerating otherwise innocent people who are using drugs. There are about a million and a half people arrested for drugs every year. People need to understand that when somebody is arrested for a drug offense there are usually a lot of other things going on beyond the scope of drug addiction.</p>
<p>These kinds of things have to be tackled if we’re actually going to get any progress. You really have to look at this in the totality of the circumstances, for a lot of people drugs are a symptom of other things going on in their lives.</p>
<p>Studies find that there is very little difference in cannabis use between states where marijuana is criminalized vs. decriminalized. Is this evidence that a strict law enforcement approach is not working?</p>
<p>No, it’s evidence that the word decriminalization means nothing today.</p>
<p>The most robust studies done on states with formal decriminalization laws have basically shown that there is no distinction in terms of police activity, arrests, and jail. So the question is flawed.&#160;I really blame the discourse, which devolves into sound bites, talking points and bumper sticker slogans.</p>
<p>The word decriminalization has actually lost its meaning entirely because most journalists and advocates mistakenly substitute decriminalization with legalization. As I said, the decrim states don’t even have differences in their actual enforcement.&#160;The evidence is actually very mixed, and it doesn’t really tell us much.&#160;</p>
<p>Medical marijuana in California and Colorado is completely rampant with widespread use. That’s very different from medical marijuana that’s confined to 1,000 people in Maine or New Mexico.</p>
<p>We know that use in those states is far greater than it was at the times when they didn’t have medical marijuana dispensaries. We also know that peer review studies show that states with medical marijuana laws have higher rates of marijuana use and addiction among kids than states without medical marijuana laws. If we’re going to try to peak into what legalization would look like, that would be a little bit of a better example, but it’s still not a perfect example.</p>
<p>According to studies the rate of marijuana use in the Netherlands, where possession of marijuana in small quantities is tolerated, is almost the same as in the US. What does this tell us about how liberal cannabis laws affect how many people use the drug?</p>
<p>It's completely and totally irrelevant.&#160;It’s much more interesting to look at countries that have rapidly changed their laws and see what the rate of use was in the past.</p>
<p>The reason I say that is because the US has always had higher rates of everything than Europe and these other countries. We drink more, we gamble more, we snort cocaine more, and yes we smoke marijuana more — always have maybe always will.</p>
<p>There were always far fewer users in the Netherlands than in the US in terms of kids. Now they’ve caught up to us. What else have they done? They’re completely reversing their policies, and they’re closing shops down.</p>
<p>The number one country in Europe for marijuana treatment need is the Netherlands. People want to use Portugal, and we could do a whole seminar on why Portugal is actually not a good example. Portugal in many ways is a treatment model similar to the US in many states: if a person is caught with drug possession only, they send you to treatment, and a panel looks into what is actually needed for you. We already do that in the states. Frankly in Portugal they’ve had mixed results with this, but it’s not legalization. It’s not even close to the things that are being promoted in the US in terms of drug law reform.</p>
<p>It seems that people who advocate prohibition mainly argue that it is working, and the bottom line is that fewer people are smoking marijuana. Is that the situation we're facing?</p>
<p>No doubt about it. It’s working compared to alcohol and tobacco users, definitely.</p>
<p>Fifty-two percent of Americans drink regularly. Even with every single anti-smoking campaign you could ever conjure up, 27 percent of Americans still smoke cigarettes. Seven percent of Americans have used marijuana in the past month.</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean there aren’t areas that need to be refined and changed.</p>
<p>We do a horrible job at identifying who has a drug problem and what kind of intervention they need. We do a horrible job of getting people prepared to re-enter the community after they’ve served time for drugs or other crimes. We also can be mean-spirited in our laws among people that are trying to get their lives back on the right track.</p>
<p>Let’s be very specific here, I’m not being Pollyanna and saying that what we’re doing is perfect. What I’m saying is we need to a much better job of what we do, but compared to the model of legalization that’s being put forward what we’re doing is better. It is not the most desirable policy however.</p>
<p>So why should alcohol be legal even though it’s more toxic and kills some 40,000 people per year and marijuana illegal?</p>
<p>I’m not going to have an argument with anybody about what’s worse alcohol or marijuana, but in fact they’re usually used together.&#160;People who smoke marijuana usually also drink alcohol.</p>
<p>Alcohol has a long history of widespread, accepted use in our culture and widespread marijuana use does not have that. It makes absolutely no sense that we have an industry that preys upon the underserved and disadvantaged. [Alcohol marketers] ruthlessly target these populations to increase their bottom lines and their profits on the backs of people with addiction. It is totally unjust and it makes absolutely no sense that we would want to open that up again.</p>
<p>With legal marijuana we would open that up again. Alcohol and tobacco are precisely the reason we don’t want another legal substance, whether it’s marijuana, LSD, cocaine, or any and all of the above.</p>
<p>Has the US program to eradicate drugs overseas been effective in reducing US drug use?</p>
<p>It’s going to take far more than supply reduction, demand reduction or legalization to begin to address the problems of infrastructure and confidence in institutions.</p>
<p>In Colombia, the reason you can walk around in Cartagena today and not worry about getting your head blown off is that they had a robust plan which had as much to do with alternative development as it had to do with funding Apache helicopters and getting rid of coca production.&#160;You have to actually have a balanced strategy.</p>
<p>Of course Colombia is not Mexico, but it’s frankly so simplistic to paint a very wide brush and to think that anything resembling legalization would address those issues there.</p>
<p>Drug policy is hard, and it really does require at the end of the day an honest assessment of the pros and cons of any policy. I really don’t think we have that right now in our discussion of legalization in this country or in the world.</p>
<p>Do you foresee a time when there will not be a drug problem in the US?</p>
<p>We have more of a drug problem in many respects than we did 40 years ago in terms of prevalence and use.</p>
<p>In some respects we’ve had improvements and in others we’ve had setbacks. I see that continuing for the foreseeable future, but in terms of actually being able to reduce the levels and consequences of use that should be the goal of drug policy as much as possible.</p>
<p>Do I ever imagine a poverty-free or a cancer-free America? That’s pretty hard to imagine, but I sure want to strive toward that. I think it’s a good goal to have. Let’s reduce those things and the consequences they bring.</p>
<p>Please share with journalist David Case on Twitter:&#160; <a href="http://twitter.com/DCaseGP" type="external">Follow @DCaseGP</a></p> | false | 3 | boston time growing frustration us governments hawkish expensive drug strategy dr kevin sabet remains outspoken proponent prohibition 20092011 sabet served senior advisor gil kerlikowske president obamas director office national drug control policy ondcp one three main authors president obamas first drug control strategy also served ondcp political appointee president bill clinton george w bushs administrations salon magazine labeled quarterback new antidrug movement rolling stone called one legalizations biggest enemies interview edited clarity length globalpost time many people including heads state calling end drug war important continue fight kevin sabet well think important get specific policies objectives one phrase think lost relevance war drugs whenever hear somebody talking war drugs really ask first well mean war drugs havent heard anybody use positive mean status quo think time analyze worked hasnt worked need get better results160drug policy unique trends attached issue constantly evolving means need evolving policy160the question evolving policy look like better compared going now160 lot folks use term alternative really hide behind things much radical would even immediately let alternative could mean increased treatment might radical one country could also mean legalization think would radical country think time look drug policy legalization favor change unfortunately todays world nuance completely lost many people say prohibition failing spending upward 40 billion year imprisoning hundreds thousands people yet drugs cheaper available ever question failing compared actually drugs cheaper available ever drugs also used far fewer percentage population 30 40 years ago united states editors note prior month usage among teens fallen greater 30 percent 1975 1980 less 25 percent today 160 one biggest myths simply incarcerating otherwise innocent people using drugs million half people arrested drugs every year people need understand somebody arrested drug offense usually lot things going beyond scope drug addiction kinds things tackled actually going get progress really look totality circumstances lot people drugs symptom things going lives studies find little difference cannabis use states marijuana criminalized vs decriminalized evidence strict law enforcement approach working evidence word decriminalization means nothing today robust studies done states formal decriminalization laws basically shown distinction terms police activity arrests jail question flawed160i really blame discourse devolves sound bites talking points bumper sticker slogans word decriminalization actually lost meaning entirely journalists advocates mistakenly substitute decriminalization legalization said decrim states dont even differences actual enforcement160the evidence actually mixed doesnt really tell us much160 medical marijuana california colorado completely rampant widespread use thats different medical marijuana thats confined 1000 people maine new mexico know use states far greater times didnt medical marijuana dispensaries also know peer review studies show states medical marijuana laws higher rates marijuana use addiction among kids states without medical marijuana laws going try peak legalization would look like would little bit better example still perfect example according studies rate marijuana use netherlands possession marijuana small quantities tolerated almost us tell us liberal cannabis laws affect many people use drug completely totally irrelevant160its much interesting look countries rapidly changed laws see rate use past reason say us always higher rates everything europe countries drink gamble snort cocaine yes smoke marijuana always maybe always always far fewer users netherlands us terms kids theyve caught us else done theyre completely reversing policies theyre closing shops number one country europe marijuana treatment need netherlands people want use portugal could whole seminar portugal actually good example portugal many ways treatment model similar us many states person caught drug possession send treatment panel looks actually needed already states frankly portugal theyve mixed results legalization even close things promoted us terms drug law reform seems people advocate prohibition mainly argue working bottom line fewer people smoking marijuana situation facing doubt working compared alcohol tobacco users definitely fiftytwo percent americans drink regularly even every single antismoking campaign could ever conjure 27 percent americans still smoke cigarettes seven percent americans used marijuana past month doesnt mean arent areas need refined changed horrible job identifying drug problem kind intervention need horrible job getting people prepared reenter community theyve served time drugs crimes also meanspirited laws among people trying get lives back right track lets specific im pollyanna saying perfect im saying need much better job compared model legalization thats put forward better desirable policy however alcohol legal even though toxic kills 40000 people per year marijuana illegal im going argument anybody whats worse alcohol marijuana fact theyre usually used together160people smoke marijuana usually also drink alcohol alcohol long history widespread accepted use culture widespread marijuana use makes absolutely sense industry preys upon underserved disadvantaged alcohol marketers ruthlessly target populations increase bottom lines profits backs people addiction totally unjust makes absolutely sense would want open legal marijuana would open alcohol tobacco precisely reason dont want another legal substance whether marijuana lsd cocaine us program eradicate drugs overseas effective reducing us drug use going take far supply reduction demand reduction legalization begin address problems infrastructure confidence institutions colombia reason walk around cartagena today worry getting head blown robust plan much alternative development funding apache helicopters getting rid coca production160you actually balanced strategy course colombia mexico frankly simplistic paint wide brush think anything resembling legalization would address issues drug policy hard really require end day honest assessment pros cons policy really dont think right discussion legalization country world foresee time drug problem us drug problem many respects 40 years ago terms prevalence use respects weve improvements others weve setbacks see continuing foreseeable future terms actually able reduce levels consequences use goal drug policy much possible ever imagine povertyfree cancerfree america thats pretty hard imagine sure want strive toward think good goal lets reduce things consequences bring please share journalist david case twitter160 follow dcasegp | 928 |
<p>Editor’s note: In GlobalPost’s 2013 series “ <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/special-reports/new-inquisition-vatican-claim-heresy-against-american-nuns-LCWR" type="external">A New Inquisition</a>,” religion writer Jason Berry went deep behind the daily headlines on the Vatican investigation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the 1500-member council representing the majority of America’s 57,000 nuns.</p>
<p>Berry found that key cardinals and bishops who called for the investigation were complicit in the reassignment of clergy child molesters. Berry also found that Vatican officials sought information on the property and assets of communities of sisters, requests the nuns resisted and refused. Meanwhile “radical feminism,” a central charge against nuns, was an imprecise and punitive standard.</p>
<p>After Benedict became the first pope in 600 years to retire, Pope Francis has set the church on a different course, reviving ideas of pluralism and “radical mercy” inspired by the reform-minded Second Vatican Council. Nevertheless, religious sisters who have carried a social justice message to the ragged edges of globalization are under pressure to bend to a Vatican agenda of obedience. Jason Berry’s two-part series explores the forces behind the issues.</p>
<p>Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French Jesuit and paleontologist who died a church outcast in New York City in 1955 at age 74. Vatican officials had suppressed his writings on sequential evolution in the universe.</p>
<p>Teilhard was not officially a heretic, but rather a victim of church officials who were ignorant and fearful of science.</p>
<p>A decade later after his death, Teilhard’s books were being taught in Jesuit schools. Today he has a global reputation on evolution and spirituality.</p>
<p>Long before the internet, Teilhard wrote of an emergent planetary consciousness as a scientific development. He also wrote of this “noosphere” in mystical terms, as mankind’s quest for closeness with the divine. And he sounded prescient notes of warning.</p>
<p>“There is a danger that the elements of the world should refuse to serve the world,” he wrote in The Phenomenon of Man, published in 1957. “What is forming and growing is nothing less than an organic crisis in evolution.”</p>
<p>Pope Francis sounded a lot like his fellow Jesuit at a May 21 general audience. “Creation is a gift,” he told 50,000 people at St. Peter’s Square, “that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all.”</p>
<p>“We are custodians of creation, not masters of creation,” the pope continued. His sermon would well fit an anthology on conscious evolution, a school of thought that bridges science and faith in arguing that humanity has an urgent moral duty for care of the planet.</p>
<p>“I am the master of creation but to carry it forward I will never destroy your gift,” the pope asserted. “And this should be our attitude towards creation. Safeguard creation. Because if we destroy creation, creation will destroy us! Never forget this!”</p>
<p>Francis’s remarks came two weeks after Cardinal Gerhard Müller, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a rebuke of Leadership Conference of Women Religious, representing most of America’s 57,000 nuns, for their promotion of conscious evolution.</p>
<p>The LCWR is operating under a Vatican mandate to submit its speakers and writings for vetting, and to show greater obedience to the bishops.</p>
<p>“I apologize if this seems blunt, but what I must say is too important to dress up in flowery language,” <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/05/american-nuns-get-their-hands-slapped-by-the-vatican/361804/" type="external">Müller declared</a>. “The fundamental theses of conscious evolution are opposed to Christian revelation and, when taken unreflectively, lead almost necessarily to fundamental errors regarding the omnipotence of God, the incarnation of Christ, the reality of original sin” and other matters of church dogma.</p>
<p>Müller stopped short of using the ‘h-word,’ but heresy was on his mind:</p>
<p>“Conscious evolution does not offer anything which will nourish religious life as a privileged and prophetic witness rooted in Christ revealing divine love to a wounded world.”</p>
<p>How did a movement of theology and nature go so terribly wrong?</p>
<p>“Either Muller doesn’t understand what conscious evolution means,” Margaret Susan Thompson, a Syracuse University scholar on religious life told GlobalPost, “or he’s using it like in Cold War, when they accused Sen. Claude Pepper of having a sister who was a thespian, because it sounded like lesbian.”</p>
<p><a href="http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/marx-hubbard-response-cardinal-m-ller" type="external">Responding to Müller in a post on National Catholic Reporter website</a>, Barbara Marx Hubbard, a non-Catholic who spoke at an LCWR conference, and is president of the Foundation for Conscious Evolution, cited Teilhard and the late Passionist Father Thomas Berry [no relation to this writer], a prolific writer on ecology and spirituality, as major influences on the burgeoning movement.</p>
<p>“For me, the most vital source of meaning of conscious evolution is the Catholic understanding of God and Christ as the source of evolution, as its driving force as well as its direction,” said Hubbard.</p>
<p>“Through science, research, technology communications and virtually every other area of human activity, we are weaving a delicate membrane of consciousness, what Teilhard called the ‘noosphere’ or the thinking layer of Earth that is embracing and drawing into itself the entire planet.”</p>
<p>Teilhard, who died before climate change became an issue, saw the noosphere in a mystical light, a reach closer to God.</p>
<p>Father Berry wrote with a lyrical sensibility, setting what he called deep ecology in a thematic line with Dante and early mystic saints, notably Francis of Assisi and Hildegard of Bingen.</p>
<p>In The Dream of the Earth (1988) Berry called for “a spiritual context to the ecological age” and bemoaned society’s “neglect of faith in favor of reason, its exaltation of technology as the instrument for the conquest of nature.”</p>
<p>“In this disintegrating phase of our industrial society,” the priest wrote, “we now see ourselves not as the splendor of creation, but as the most pernicious mode of earthly being...We are the violation of the earth’s most sacred aspects.”</p>
<p>Cardinal Müller did not respond to an interview request. His denunciation of conscious evolution suggests that the first duty of theology is to uphold past teaching, rather than draw from an interdisciplinary well, as the nuns’ leadership conference has done in choosing their speakers.</p>
<p>“Theology cannot continue to develop apart from 21st-century cosmology and ecology, nor can science substitute for religion, “ Franciscan Sister Ilia Delio, a research theologian at Georgetown University wrote in a 2011 essay for America Magazine.</p>
<p>“Both the light of faith and the insights of science can help humanity evolve toward a more sustainable future.”</p>
<p>As the standoff between the Vatican doctrinal office and LCWR deepens, the sisters’ leadership has chosen a path of silence — self-muzzling —apparently to avoid the risk of more punishment.</p>
<p>Pope Francis, though speaking passionately about care of the earth, has through his silence given de facto support to Cardinal Müller.</p>
<p>“Müller did not give a considered response to conscious evolution,” Sister Christine Schenk of Cleveland, who is writing a book on women in the early church, told GlobalPost.</p>
<p>“To me, he clearly has not engaged the deep strand of theological reflection from Thomas Berry and Teilhard. It’s not lightweight stuff; there’s a lot of science involved. Why is this an issue?”</p>
<p>The LCWR conferences are not presented as official teachings of the Catholic Church — another source of conflict with the bishops.</p>
<p>“The nuns are trying to engage the world as it is,” says Schenk. “How do we live the gospel in the midst of an evolving universe? These are&#160;important questions that need to be engaged by anyone curious about the gospel.”</p>
<p>GlobalPost religion writer Jason Berry is author of Render unto Rome: The Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church.&#160;</p>
<p>In Part One,&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/belief/pope-francis-seemingly-detached-issues-swirl-around-american-nuns" type="external">Pope Francis detached as Vatican continues to attack American nuns</a>.</p> | false | 3 | editors note globalposts 2013 series new inquisition religion writer jason berry went deep behind daily headlines vatican investigation leadership conference women religious 1500member council representing majority americas 57000 nuns berry found key cardinals bishops called investigation complicit reassignment clergy child molesters berry also found vatican officials sought information property assets communities sisters requests nuns resisted refused meanwhile radical feminism central charge nuns imprecise punitive standard benedict became first pope 600 years retire pope francis set church different course reviving ideas pluralism radical mercy inspired reformminded second vatican council nevertheless religious sisters carried social justice message ragged edges globalization pressure bend vatican agenda obedience jason berrys twopart series explores forces behind issues pierre teilhard de chardin french jesuit paleontologist died church outcast new york city 1955 age 74 vatican officials suppressed writings sequential evolution universe teilhard officially heretic rather victim church officials ignorant fearful science decade later death teilhards books taught jesuit schools today global reputation evolution spirituality long internet teilhard wrote emergent planetary consciousness scientific development also wrote noosphere mystical terms mankinds quest closeness divine sounded prescient notes warning danger elements world refuse serve world wrote phenomenon man published 1957 forming growing nothing less organic crisis evolution pope francis sounded lot like fellow jesuit may 21 general audience creation gift told 50000 people st peters square god given us care use benefit custodians creation masters creation pope continued sermon would well fit anthology conscious evolution school thought bridges science faith arguing humanity urgent moral duty care planet master creation carry forward never destroy gift pope asserted attitude towards creation safeguard creation destroy creation creation destroy us never forget franciss remarks came two weeks cardinal gerhard müller head congregation doctrine faith issued rebuke leadership conference women religious representing americas 57000 nuns promotion conscious evolution lcwr operating vatican mandate submit speakers writings vetting show greater obedience bishops apologize seems blunt must say important dress flowery language müller declared fundamental theses conscious evolution opposed christian revelation taken unreflectively lead almost necessarily fundamental errors regarding omnipotence god incarnation christ reality original sin matters church dogma müller stopped short using hword heresy mind conscious evolution offer anything nourish religious life privileged prophetic witness rooted christ revealing divine love wounded world movement theology nature go terribly wrong either muller doesnt understand conscious evolution means margaret susan thompson syracuse university scholar religious life told globalpost hes using like cold war accused sen claude pepper sister thespian sounded like lesbian responding müller post national catholic reporter website barbara marx hubbard noncatholic spoke lcwr conference president foundation conscious evolution cited teilhard late passionist father thomas berry relation writer prolific writer ecology spirituality major influences burgeoning movement vital source meaning conscious evolution catholic understanding god christ source evolution driving force well direction said hubbard science research technology communications virtually every area human activity weaving delicate membrane consciousness teilhard called noosphere thinking layer earth embracing drawing entire planet teilhard died climate change became issue saw noosphere mystical light reach closer god father berry wrote lyrical sensibility setting called deep ecology thematic line dante early mystic saints notably francis assisi hildegard bingen dream earth 1988 berry called spiritual context ecological age bemoaned societys neglect faith favor reason exaltation technology instrument conquest nature disintegrating phase industrial society priest wrote see splendor creation pernicious mode earthly beingwe violation earths sacred aspects cardinal müller respond interview request denunciation conscious evolution suggests first duty theology uphold past teaching rather draw interdisciplinary well nuns leadership conference done choosing speakers theology continue develop apart 21stcentury cosmology ecology science substitute religion franciscan sister ilia delio research theologian georgetown university wrote 2011 essay america magazine light faith insights science help humanity evolve toward sustainable future standoff vatican doctrinal office lcwr deepens sisters leadership chosen path silence selfmuzzling apparently avoid risk punishment pope francis though speaking passionately care earth silence given de facto support cardinal müller müller give considered response conscious evolution sister christine schenk cleveland writing book women early church told globalpost clearly engaged deep strand theological reflection thomas berry teilhard lightweight stuff theres lot science involved issue lcwr conferences presented official teachings catholic church another source conflict bishops nuns trying engage world says schenk live gospel midst evolving universe are160important questions need engaged anyone curious gospel globalpost religion writer jason berry author render unto rome secret life money catholic church160 part one160 pope francis detached vatican continues attack american nuns | 721 |
<p>Saudi Arabia has signed on to a ceasefire and negotiations to end the war in Yemen. But some Yemeni civilians are not holding their breath.</p>
<p>“Nobody believes in ceasefires anymore,” says a Yemeni woman who chose the pseudonym Fatima. “The announcement of ceasefires are not aimed at us,” she texted me from her home in the capital, Sanaa. “They are aimed at the international community and media.”&#160;</p>
<p>The UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed,&#160; <a href="http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2016/03/envoy-announces-ceasefire-start-date-for-yemen-talks/#.VvUJKxIrKb8" type="external">announced Wednesday</a> that Saudi Arabia and other warring parties in Yemen have agreed to observe a “cessation of hostilities" beginning at midnight on Sunday, April 10. The announcement&#160;came as many Yemenis prepared to mark a somber anniversary: a full year since the Saudi-led coalition launched its first airstrike against rebel forces in Yemen.</p>
<p>The UN reports that <a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53480#.VvUZixIrKb8" type="external">more that 3,000 civilians have died</a>&#160;in a year of fighting, more than half of them killed as a result of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes. The Royal Saudi air force and the United Emirates air force, the two major air powers in the war, fly fighter jets made by the United States and Britain. They get in-flight refueling from US air force tankers. The coalition selects its&#160;targets <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudi-yemen-exclusive-idUSKBN0N129W20150410" type="external">with help from&#160;US</a> and UK personnel who work alongside Saudi military planners.&#160;</p>
<p>Fatima is suspicious of the timing of the latest announcements. “Ceasefires are to divert attention from what's going on,” she told me, “and also to save Saudi's allies, the US and UK —&#160;and the UN —&#160;the embarrassment.”</p>
<p>Yemenis are still talking about two <a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/msf-treats-over-40-wounded-following-deadly-airstrike-marketplace-yemen" type="external">airstrikes on a busy marketplace</a> last week in northwest Yemen. UN investigators who went to the scene said “the attack had apparently taken place during the afternoon rush hour when the market was particularly crowded.”&#160;In all, 119 civilians were killed, <a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-03-17/saudi-led-coalition-major-combat-in-yemen-coming-to-an-end" type="external">including 22 children</a>.</p>
<p>The incident inspired the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein to rip into the Saudis for <a href="http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=17251&amp;LangID=E" type="external">a year of abuses</a>. “They have hit markets, hospitals, clinics, schools, factories, wedding parties —&#160;and hundreds of private residences in villages, towns and cities including the capital Sana’a,” the High Commissioner&#160;said in a press release. “Despite plenty of international demarches,” Zeid said, “these awful incidents continue to occur with unacceptable regularity.”</p>
<p>The Saudis did not acknowledge responsibility for the attacks, but did announce —&#160;perhaps to deflect criticism —&#160;that the coalition was now “ <a href="http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-plans-draw-down-operations-yemen-after-deadly-air-strike-1437795930" type="external">in the end of the major combat phase</a>.”&#160;</p>
<p>The Saudi’s upbeat&#160;response to the incident was no surprise to Fatima. “You can see a pattern,” she told me. She, like many Yemenis, keeps track of air strikes. “I remember the ones that have the most emotional toll on myself."</p>
<p>“On April 20, 2015 the Saudis dropped a massive bomb on Sanaa,” she says. “It caused enormous destruction to a huge area in the capital… and caused [a] major outcry on social media and&#160;rights groups.”&#160;</p>
<p>The next day <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32402688" type="external">Saudi Arabia announced</a> that its military operation “Decisive Storm” had ended,&#160;and the coalition would begin its&#160;“Operation Restore Hope.” The Saudis were lauded for launching this new humanitarian phase.&#160;</p>
<p>“A few days later the strikes escalated,” Fatima says. “It was just a diversion of media attention.”</p>
<p>Fatima&#160;ticks off other examples. “ <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/05/08/saudi-arabia-says-5-day-ceasefire-in-yemen-will-start-may-12-calls-on-rebels-to.html" type="external">A ceasefire on May 12</a>,” which followed news of an airstrike in Sa’wan, east of the capital,&#160;that had killed 17 civilians, <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/05/yemen-mounting-evidence-of-high-civilian-toll-of-saudi-led-airstrikes/" type="external">reported by Amnesty International</a>.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>”And a massacre on a market and a restaurant in Zabid …&#160;The Saudis&#160;said it's a five-day ceasefire to allow aid in... Lies. Didn’t happen.”</p>
<p>In July, coalition planes targeted two apartment complexes near the power plant at al-Mokha. Human RIghts Watch <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/07/27/yemen-coalition-strikes-residence-apparent-war-crime" type="external">documented the incident</a>, in which nine bombs were dropped, <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/67b9f44148e045d6a86d4e67e9b32c41/saudi-led-coalition-announces-5-day-pause-yemen-attacks" type="external">killing 120 residents</a>.</p>
<p>The next day, outrage over civilian deaths was papered over with <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-ceasefire-called-by-saudi-coalition-just-days-after-an-airstrike-killed-120-in-mokha-10417135.html" type="external">a Saudi ceasefire announcement.</a></p>
<p>Only the Saudis know whether they announce ceasefires&#160;to deflect criticism of possible war crimes.&#160;Fatima believes the timing is deliberate. “Obviously they know how to spin news,” she says. “But they can't keep using the same strategy, because people are&#160;noticing.”</p>
<p>Dhamar University student&#160;Ahmed Algohbary has kept his own list of air strikes and subsequent ceasefires. Ahmed&#160;hopes that the April 10 ceasefire will bring a full stop to the fighting. But like Fatima, he is not optimistic. “Because [in] all the previous ceasefires,” he writes, “Saudi used it as a cover up for new operation in Yemen...&#160;&#160;For me as a Yemeni,” Ahmed says,”I don’t think that this ceasefire will be any different.”&#160;</p>
<p>Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa Director for <a href="https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/n-africa/yemen" type="external">Huma</a> <a href="https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/n-africa/yemen" type="external">n Rights Watch</a>, did not want to speculate on whether Saudi Arabia&#160;invokes ceasefire announcements, deliberately,&#160;to deter public criticism following attacks.</p>
<p>But she&#160;says, "There's certainly a correlation,&#160;such as immediately following the most recent strike on [the] market...&#160;&#160;which&#160;the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights very strongly condemned. Immediately following that, there was a ceasefire announcement and the notion that there would be peace talks.</p>
<p>"Mind you,"&#160;Whitson adds "the airstrikes have continued each time a ceasefire has been promised or announced, so it's not clear at all that there's any commitment to an actual ceasefire."</p>
<p>HRW's Whitson does see good reason for the Saudis to choose&#160;this week to announce peacemaking moves. "I think they certainly see it in their interest to avoid the ongoing bad press about their disastrous campaign in Yemen," she says, "and groups like ours that continue to expose the indiscriminate bombs which they've rained down in Yemen."</p>
<p>I reached out to the Saudi Embassy in Washington, DC&#160;for comment, but they did not respond in time for this article.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | saudi arabia signed ceasefire negotiations end war yemen yemeni civilians holding breath nobody believes ceasefires anymore says yemeni woman chose pseudonym fatima announcement ceasefires aimed us texted home capital sanaa aimed international community media160 un special envoy yemen ismail ould cheikh ahmed160 announced wednesday saudi arabia warring parties yemen agreed observe cessation hostilities beginning midnight sunday april 10 announcement160came many yemenis prepared mark somber anniversary full year since saudiled coalition launched first airstrike rebel forces yemen un reports 3000 civilians died160in year fighting half killed result saudiled coalition airstrikes royal saudi air force united emirates air force two major air powers war fly fighter jets made united states britain get inflight refueling us air force tankers coalition selects its160targets help from160us uk personnel work alongside saudi military planners160 fatima suspicious timing latest announcements ceasefires divert attention whats going told also save saudis allies us uk 160and un 160the embarrassment yemenis still talking two airstrikes busy marketplace last week northwest yemen un investigators went scene said attack apparently taken place afternoon rush hour market particularly crowded160in 119 civilians killed including 22 children incident inspired un high commissioner human rights zeid raad al hussein rip saudis year abuses hit markets hospitals clinics schools factories wedding parties 160and hundreds private residences villages towns cities including capital sanaa high commissioner160said press release despite plenty international demarches zeid said awful incidents continue occur unacceptable regularity saudis acknowledge responsibility attacks announce 160perhaps deflect criticism 160that coalition end major combat phase160 saudis upbeat160response incident surprise fatima see pattern told like many yemenis keeps track air strikes remember ones emotional toll april 20 2015 saudis dropped massive bomb sanaa says caused enormous destruction huge area capital caused major outcry social media and160rights groups160 next day saudi arabia announced military operation decisive storm ended160and coalition would begin its160operation restore hope saudis lauded launching new humanitarian phase160 days later strikes escalated fatima says diversion media attention fatima160ticks examples ceasefire may 12 followed news airstrike sawan east capital160that killed 17 civilians reported amnesty international160 massacre market restaurant zabid 160the saudis160said fiveday ceasefire allow aid lies didnt happen july coalition planes targeted two apartment complexes near power plant almokha human rights watch documented incident nine bombs dropped killing 120 residents next day outrage civilian deaths papered saudi ceasefire announcement saudis know whether announce ceasefires160to deflect criticism possible war crimes160fatima believes timing deliberate obviously know spin news says cant keep using strategy people are160noticing dhamar university student160ahmed algohbary kept list air strikes subsequent ceasefires ahmed160hopes april 10 ceasefire bring full stop fighting like fatima optimistic previous ceasefires writes saudi used cover new operation yemen160160for yemeni ahmed saysi dont think ceasefire different160 sarah leah whitson middle east north africa director huma n rights watch want speculate whether saudi arabia160invokes ceasefire announcements deliberately160to deter public criticism following attacks she160says theres certainly correlation160such immediately following recent strike market160160which160the un high commissioner human rights strongly condemned immediately following ceasefire announcement notion would peace talks mind you160whitson adds airstrikes continued time ceasefire promised announced clear theres commitment actual ceasefire hrws whitson see good reason saudis choose160this week announce peacemaking moves think certainly see interest avoid ongoing bad press disastrous campaign yemen says groups like continue expose indiscriminate bombs theyve rained yemen reached saudi embassy washington dc160for comment respond time article 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 | 553 |
<p>After Florida police shot Jermaine McBean to death as he walked home with an unloaded air rifle, they said there was no reason to believe he did not hear their orders to drop the weapon and that he pointed it at them.</p>
<p>But a newly emerged photo that shows headphones in McBean’s ears immediately after the 2013 shooting raises questions about the police version of events, including why the white earbuds were later found stuffed in the dead computer expert's pocket.</p>
<p>And another aspect of the police account is also being contradicted — by a man who called 911 in alarm when he saw McBean walking around with the air rifle but who also says McBean never pointed it at police or anyone else.</p>
<p>Michael Russell McCarthy, 58, told NBC News that McBean had the Winchester Model 1000 Air Rifle balanced on his shoulders behind his neck, with his hand over both ends, and was turning around to face police when one officer began shooting.</p>
<p>"He [McBean] couldn’t have fired that gun from the position he was in. There was no possible way of firing it and at the same time hitting something," McCarthy said. "I kind of blame myself, because if I hadn’t called it might not have happened."</p>
<p>Nearly two years later, the shooting is still the subject of an "active investigation" by prosecutors. McBean's family filed a wrongful death and misconduct lawsuit against the sheriff's office several weeks ago.</p>
<p>Their attorney, civil rights lawyer David Schoen, says the photo of McBean with the headphones — which he provided to NBC News — is evidence of a "coverup."</p>
<p>The witness who took it, a nurse who asked to remain anonymous, says she pointed out the earbuds to police at the scene, after they rebuffed her offer to provide first aid to the dying man.</p>
<p>A transcript shows that Deputy Peter Peraza, who fired the fatal shots, repeatedly told sheriff's investigators that he did not see anything in McBean's ears.</p>
<p>And the homicide detective who led an internal review told McBean's relatives in an email that officers on the scene "confirmed” he was not wearing a earpiece — after the family explained that he always had them on when he was out walking. The detective said the buds were found in his pocket, with his phone, at the hospital.</p>
<p>"I was highly upset," McBean's mother, Jennifer Young, said of the moment she learned about the photo. "I said, 'They lied to me. What else have they lied about?'"</p>
<p>"He couldn't have fired that gun from the position he was in."</p>
<p>The Broward Sheriff's office declined to comment on the lawsuit, the investigation and its decision to give Peraza a commendation three months after the shooting.</p>
<p>A spokesman for the Broward State's Attorney's Office, Ron Ishoy, said there is an "active investigaton" that will be presented to a grand jury and declined to answer questions about the photo or McCarthy's account.</p>
<p>The union lawyer who represented Peraza when he gave a statement to homicide Detective Efrain Torres did not respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>In his videotaped statement to homicide investigators, Peraza said that he fired his service weapon after McBean "pulled the weapon up over his head and grabbed it and started to turn and point it at us."</p>
<p>"I felt like my life was threatened. I had that feeling like if I would not go home that day," said Peraza, who has been on the force for 14 years but spent a decade of that working in the detention center.</p>
<p>"I felt like I could've been killed. My sergeant could've been killed. He could've shot somebody in the pool area. So as soon as he did turn and point his weapon at us, that's when I fired my duty weapon."</p>
<p>Another officer at the scene, Sgt. Richard LaCerra, told investigators that McBean "spun around" and brought the rifle over his shoulders. "I thought at that point and time he was gonna swing and point the rifle at us," he said. "And the next thing I know there was gunshots."</p>
<p>LaCerra said that after McBean fell, the wounded man said to him, "It was just a BB gun."</p>
<p>McBean, who had two degrees from Pace University in New York, worked in information technology at a Fort Lauderdale ad agency, servicing the company's computers. He wore his earbuds to listen to music, and to handle service calls, family said. He did not have a criminal record, according to Schoen and to a search of public records.</p>
<p>An autopsy report showed he had the marijuana compound THC in his blood and urine. An expert at UCLA told NBC News the level was on the high side but the test does not reveal whether someone is intoxicated from recent usage or used in the past.</p>
<p>McBean was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2010, shortly before he moved to Florida after a divorce, his family said. Following an episode at work six days before his death — a co-worker told police he was acting "manic" and "irrational" — he was taken to the hospital and had his medication adjusted.</p>
<p>When he was released, the co-worker told police, he was back to normal but decided to take the following week off.</p>
<p>On the afternoon of July 31, 2013, he walked to a local pawn shop where he purchased the Winchester. A police report says the shopkeeper recalled he wanted to buy a shotgun but decided on the air rifle. His family said he never showed an interest in guns and suspect he bought it on a whim.</p>
<p>McCarthy said he was in his car at a red light when McBean crossed the street in front of him, at a distance of six to eight feet, with the rifle.</p>
<p>“He had a white plastic bag around the center of it, but the barrel was sticking out one end and the stock was sticking out the other end," he said. "It was obvious it was a rifle. To be honest with you, the gun was painted camo but I wasn’t sure if it was a fake gun or a BB gun.</p>
<p>"He changed his position two, three times, mainly just walking down the street with it. First thing I thought was this guy is going to kill someone.”</p>
<p>"I kind of blame myself, because if I hadn't called it might not have happened."</p>
<p>McCarthy called 911 and the tapes show he told the dispatcher, with urgency and alarm in his voice, that it looked like a .22 caliber rifle or a pellet gun. "I will say this: He's not like acting crazy or aggressive with it, he's not shaking it or nothing," he told them. "I'm not going to say he's waving it, he's just walking along with it."</p>
<p>Two other people also called 911. One of them, a woman, said: "He's carrying what looks like some sort of BB gun, shotgun, I don't know what it is [but] it's camouflaged, and he's screaming really loud to himself. It could be a fake gun, but it looks like it could be real, too."</p>
<p>While McCarthy was on the phone, he saw McBean turn into an apartment complex. He said "cops came flying by" and he followed the last car onto the grounds.</p>
<p>Looking out his passenger window, he said, he could see officers corralling residents away from a pool off to the right and three officers moving in on McBean. Then he heard three shots.</p>
<p>"Bam. Bam. Bam," he said.</p>
<p>“He [McBean] dropped to the ground, the rifle bounced off the ground and I was sitting in my truck going, 'What the hell is this!'" he added.</p>
<p>"They all converged over the top of him and it looked like he was having a convulsion. You could tell he was in serious pain.”</p>
<p>Police interviewed a number of other witnesses, including several people who were in or near the pool and variously described McBean as acting "crazy," "weird" or "high," according to a sheriff's report. They recalled police shouting at him, but the report does not say they saw him point the gun at officers.</p>
<p>McCarthy told police the "rifle was still on the subject's shoulders" when the gunshots rang out, a different sheriff's report confirms.</p>
<p>The disabled fisherman told NBC News he was traumatized by the incident and had trouble sleeping for a month afterward.</p>
<p>"His birthday would have been the end of next month and I have his picture and the death [funeral] card above the computer at my house. I think about this guy constantly," he said.</p>
<p>He said he has since met McBean's family.</p>
<p>“They don’t blame me," he said. "I kind of blame myself, because if I hadn't called it might not have happened. I would still make the call but I regretted it because I had no idea they were going to zip into this place and shoot him dead."</p>
<p>"They could have just tackled him, or just tased him. Why shoot him three times?" Alfred Mc Bean said. "Criminal charges need to be filed.”</p>
<p>His mother agreed.</p>
<p>"He’s very missed, he was very loved and he was a loving and caring person himself," she said. "I can’t wait to get justice for him.”</p> | false | 3 | florida police shot jermaine mcbean death walked home unloaded air rifle said reason believe hear orders drop weapon pointed newly emerged photo shows headphones mcbeans ears immediately 2013 shooting raises questions police version events including white earbuds later found stuffed dead computer experts pocket another aspect police account also contradicted man called 911 alarm saw mcbean walking around air rifle also says mcbean never pointed police anyone else michael russell mccarthy 58 told nbc news mcbean winchester model 1000 air rifle balanced shoulders behind neck hand ends turning around face police one officer began shooting mcbean couldnt fired gun position possible way firing time hitting something mccarthy said kind blame hadnt called might happened nearly two years later shooting still subject active investigation prosecutors mcbeans family filed wrongful death misconduct lawsuit sheriffs office several weeks ago attorney civil rights lawyer david schoen says photo mcbean headphones provided nbc news evidence coverup witness took nurse asked remain anonymous says pointed earbuds police scene rebuffed offer provide first aid dying man transcript shows deputy peter peraza fired fatal shots repeatedly told sheriffs investigators see anything mcbeans ears homicide detective led internal review told mcbeans relatives email officers scene confirmed wearing earpiece family explained always walking detective said buds found pocket phone hospital highly upset mcbeans mother jennifer young said moment learned photo said lied else lied couldnt fired gun position broward sheriffs office declined comment lawsuit investigation decision give peraza commendation three months shooting spokesman broward states attorneys office ron ishoy said active investigaton presented grand jury declined answer questions photo mccarthys account union lawyer represented peraza gave statement homicide detective efrain torres respond requests comment videotaped statement homicide investigators peraza said fired service weapon mcbean pulled weapon head grabbed started turn point us felt like life threatened feeling like would go home day said peraza force 14 years spent decade working detention center felt like couldve killed sergeant couldve killed couldve shot somebody pool area soon turn point weapon us thats fired duty weapon another officer scene sgt richard lacerra told investigators mcbean spun around brought rifle shoulders thought point time gon na swing point rifle us said next thing know gunshots lacerra said mcbean fell wounded man said bb gun mcbean two degrees pace university new york worked information technology fort lauderdale ad agency servicing companys computers wore earbuds listen music handle service calls family said criminal record according schoen search public records autopsy report showed marijuana compound thc blood urine expert ucla told nbc news level high side test reveal whether someone intoxicated recent usage used past mcbean diagnosed bipolar disorder 2010 shortly moved florida divorce family said following episode work six days death coworker told police acting manic irrational taken hospital medication adjusted released coworker told police back normal decided take following week afternoon july 31 2013 walked local pawn shop purchased winchester police report says shopkeeper recalled wanted buy shotgun decided air rifle family said never showed interest guns suspect bought whim mccarthy said car red light mcbean crossed street front distance six eight feet rifle white plastic bag around center barrel sticking one end stock sticking end said obvious rifle honest gun painted camo wasnt sure fake gun bb gun changed position two three times mainly walking street first thing thought guy going kill someone kind blame hadnt called might happened mccarthy called 911 tapes show told dispatcher urgency alarm voice looked like 22 caliber rifle pellet gun say hes like acting crazy aggressive hes shaking nothing told im going say hes waving hes walking along two people also called 911 one woman said hes carrying looks like sort bb gun shotgun dont know camouflaged hes screaming really loud could fake gun looks like could real mccarthy phone saw mcbean turn apartment complex said cops came flying followed last car onto grounds looking passenger window said could see officers corralling residents away pool right three officers moving mcbean heard three shots bam bam bam said mcbean dropped ground rifle bounced ground sitting truck going hell added converged top looked like convulsion could tell serious pain police interviewed number witnesses including several people near pool variously described mcbean acting crazy weird high according sheriffs report recalled police shouting report say saw point gun officers mccarthy told police rifle still subjects shoulders gunshots rang different sheriffs report confirms disabled fisherman told nbc news traumatized incident trouble sleeping month afterward birthday would end next month picture death funeral card computer house think guy constantly said said since met mcbeans family dont blame said kind blame hadnt called might happened would still make call regretted idea going zip place shoot dead could tackled tased shoot three times alfred mc bean said criminal charges need filed mother agreed hes missed loved loving caring person said cant wait get justice | 798 |
<p>Meet the Press - Sept. 11, 2016</p>
<p>ANNOUNCER:</p>
<p>From NBC News in Washington, this is Meet The Press with Chuck Todd.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Good Sunday morning on what is a solemn day of remembrance, on this, the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This morning a huge American flag was unfurled at the Pentagon to note the attack there. In Lower Manhattan, we observed a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Time, marking the moment when the first plane, Flight 11, flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Immediately afterwards, as they do every year, relatives began reading the names of the victims of the attacks at the World Trade Center.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>MALE 9/11 MEMORIAL SPEAKERS:</p>
<p>Edward L. Alegreto, Eric Allen, Joseph Ryan Allen.</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All told, there are six moments of silence this morning, including one for the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. President Obama is making remarks at the Pentagon and he is already observed another moment of silence at the White House.</p>
<p>We do have a lot to get to this morning, including the latest on the Presidential campaign. A slew of new polls out from four battleground states. We have interviews with Homeland Security Chief Jeh Johnson and one of the Bush Administration's supporters of the war in Iraq that was promoted by the 9/11 attacks, Paul Wolfowitz. But first joining me right now is Tom Brokaw, who was on the air that terrible morning and afternoon and night and the next day and the next day when realized America was under attack. And here we are, 15 years later, Presidential campaign as the backdrop. Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton are both there this morning. What a difference 15 years makes.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>Well, it was 15 years ago that it became one of the worst days in American history, quite honestly. It unleashed the wrong war in the wrong place for the wrong reasons. There were no weapons of mass destruction. It's been terribly costly, 4500 Americans have died in that war.</p>
<p>The cost now is in the trillions of dollars. The early projections were, from the Bush Administration, we'll recapture all the expenses from the oil fields. Well, we know that what we have now is a very destabilized Middle East. ISIS grew out of all of that. And the consequences play out every day. Not only that, Chuck, it was the beginning I think of a lot of disarray in America, including the economic situation.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Before 9/11, there was Pearl Harbor Day, December 7th, and I was just thinking where was America 15 years after Pearl Harbor? There was a sense of, "We won." Here we are, 15 years later after 9/11, it's ongoing.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>I think that all the confusion in that distant place for the reasons that are hard for the Americans to understand that culture and the political tensions that exist there have made this Presidential election what it is. There's a great unsettled feeling, a lot of vitriol out there, a lot of anger because they say, "Wait a minute, this has not turned out the way we were told that it would."</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right, we are going to be also pausing for a moment of silence in New York City for 9:03 Eastern and it marks the moment when Flight 175 hit the South Tower.</p>
<p>(MOMENT OF SILENCE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know, Tom, this will be the last Presidential election where everybody who votes was alive during 9/11. so we're now going to have to teach people what 9/11 was all about. How does that conversation go?</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>Well, I think part of the problem, look, we're going through right now is there's a great deal of confusion out there about how this one has turned out. And we are not only dealing with the Middle East, but obviously, Putin has become a much bigger player since that time.</p>
<p>And as we saw in the last four or five days, he's entered this race. And what's going on in the Ukraine and Crimea, all that fuels, I think, this sense of things are not what they're supposed to be, not what we were told they were going to be. So I don't remember in my 50 years of covering Presidential politics such an unsettled time as this late in the campaign.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right, well, we're going to deal more with that. More on all of the fallout from 9/11, as well as the current Presidential campaign throughout this hour. Earlier today, I spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who was standing a few blocks north of the New World Trade Center.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Let me start with a grim poll number that came out this week. A majority of Americans say we're less safe today than we were before 9/11. Why do you think Americans feel this way?</p>
<p>SEC. JEH JOHNSON:</p>
<p>That's a good question, Chuck. Americans have seen the attack in Orlando, they have seen the attack in San Bernardino. They see what's happening overseas, they see what's happening in Western Europe, in France, in Belgium, elsewhere and they're rightly concerned about our current security environment. We're safer now when it comes to another 9/11-style attack, but we're challenged when it comes to the prospects of the lone wolf actor, the homegrown violent extremist. And that requires a new whole of government response and public participation and vigilance, as well, by the way.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know, you said in a recent interview, you said that we have to be concerned about all ranges of attacks. "I never categorize anything as a low priority, but we have to look at what's high risk and what's less high risk and spend our time accordingly." So what does that mean? Is there just some holes that are always going to be there in our security system?</p>
<p>SEC. JEH JOHNSON:</p>
<p>No, I wouldn't put it that way at all. We've got people devoted to all manner of threats out there. Invariably, the high probability, higher probability type of threat, another San Bernardino, another Orlando, is uppermost on our minds. It is the thing that keeps me up at night the most. But we've got threats from, you know, cyber security. We've got a mission devoted to the potential for bio threats, a dirty bomb. We've got to keep our eye on all of it. But obviously, there are things that are higher probability, there are things that are lower probability, but higher impact. And we've got to keep our eye on all of it.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know, are you concerned that Syria today is as unstable and as much of a safer haven for terrorists as Afghanistan was in the late '90s? And should that concern us, considering what Afghanistan brought or what happened inside of Afghanistan that led to 9/11? Should we be concerned that what's happening in Syria could lead to a new 9/11?</p>
<p>SEC. JEH JOHNSON:</p>
<p>Chuck, I said in February 2014 that Syria had become a matter of homeland security. Our U.S. military, along with our international partners have done a good job of taking back territory, taking out the leaders of ISIL, taking out those focused on external attacks. But yes, we have to be concerned that Syria could become another Afghanistan.</p>
<p>Anytime a terrorist organization can establish territory, take territory, have a place to headquarter, to train, to recruit that's obviously a big concern and it's a big homeland security concern. Yes, sir.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know, one of the other things you've been having to talk about and deal with lately is this threat or perceived threat to our election system. Russia apparently is trying to infiltrate in some ways. But are they trying to create actual havoc or are they trying to create the illusion of havoc?</p>
<p>SEC. JEH JOHNSON:</p>
<p>Well, the investigation into the various intrusions that we've seen, including the DNC hack, is still under investigation. I will say this, it'd be very hard to alter a ballot count in a national election, to change the vote tallies, just because our election system is so decentralized.</p>
<p>There are some 9,000 jurisdictions that are involved. I've been sending the message to state and local officials that we ought to do our utmost to protect their online presence, their Internet presence and the Department of Homeland Security is in a position to help if they ask, but they have to ask first.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Today is your birthday. And I've got a cousin who's got 9/11 as a birthday and I know it's awkward for her. How do you handle your birthday?</p>
<p>SEC. JEH JOHNSON:</p>
<p>Well, I always take occasion to remember what happened 15 years ago. I'm here in New York this year, I was in Shanksville last year. I've spent 9/11 at the Pentagon. I don't celebrate my birthday on my birthday anymore, either the day before or the day after. And I'm not sure I'll ever be in a position to celebrate my birthday again on 9/11 given the huge impression this day made on me.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Absolutely. Jeh Johnson, I know it's very personal for you. I know you were in New York City on the day of the attacks and it's a very emotional day, as well. Thanks for spending a few minutes with me.</p>
<p>SEC. JEH JOHNSON:</p>
<p>Thanks for having me on, Chuck.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You got it.</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Turning now to the 2016 campaign, we have a new Washington Post/ ABC Poll that is out this morning, it has Hillary Clinton with a five point lead over Donald Trump among likely voters, 46-41. We have some new NBC News Wall Street Journal Marist battleground state polls that we'll get to a little bit later. But we begin with what perhaps is turning into a rough weekend for Hillary Clinton. It's not unusual for the Trump campaign to find itself trying to explain a controversial statement made by their candidate. Sometimes it's a weekly issue for him. But this weekend, it's the Clinton campaign that's scrambling for words to explain just what she meant when she took a shot at Trump voters, a criticism that immediately drew a sharp reaction.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>SEC. HILLARY CLINTON:</p>
<p>You could put half of Trump's supporters into what I call "the basket of deplorables." Racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, islamophobic, you name it.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>At a fundraiser headlined by Barbra Streisand on Friday night, Clinton made the remark that Republican hope voters will never forget.</p>
<p>GOV. MIKE PENCE:</p>
<p>Hillary, they are not a basket of anything. They are Americans and they deserve your respect.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>The Trump campaign quickly demanded an apology and tried to capitalize. Trump tweeted, "Wow, Hillary Clinton was so insulting to my supporters, millions of amazing, hardworking people. I think it will cost her at the polls." There's a history of Presidential candidates becoming too comfortable in friendly crowds. In 2012, Mitt Romney was caught on tape at a closed door fundraiser dismissing voters with this line that some Republicans believe lost him the election.</p>
<p>MITT ROMNEY:</p>
<p>There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the President no matter what. There are 47 percent who are with him, who are to believe that they are victims.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>In 2008, it was Barack Obama, also at a fundraiser, talking about how job losses had made working-class Americans feel.</p>
<p>SEN. BARACK OBAMA:</p>
<p>It’s not surprising then that they get bitter, and they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren’t like them...</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>So how will Clinton's opponents attack her? Just ask Hillary Clinton. This is what she said about Obama's remarks in 2008.</p>
<p>HILLARY CLINTON:</p>
<p>I was taken aback by the demeaning remarks Senator Obama made about people in small town America. Senator Obama's remarks are elitist and they're out of touch.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Running mate Tim Kaine told The Washington Post on Saturday that Clinton shouldn't have to apologize. Still, Clinton rushed to explain, releasing this statement. "Last night I was ‘grossly generalistic’ and that's never a good idea. I regret saying 'half,' that was wrong. But let's be clear, it's deplorable that Trump has built his campaign largely on prejudice and paranoia and given a national platform to hateful views and voices." Clinton said something similar this week to Israeli TV, but she didn't use the word "half."</p>
<p>SEC. HILLARY CLINTON:</p>
<p>I'd say you can take Trump supporters and put them in two big baskets: There are what I call the deplorables, you know, the racists and the, you know, the haters.</p>
<p>SEC. HILLARY CLINTON:</p>
<p>It takes Democrats and Republicans working together--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>The comments come just as Clinton is trying to shower voters her warmer side. After a veteran's forum after she appeared on the defensive and lawyerly at times.</p>
<p>SEC. HILLARY CLINTON:</p>
<p>I communicated about classified material on a wholly separate system.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>And it changes the subject from Trump, who floundered at the event on substance. Trump's effusive praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin--</p>
<p>DONALD TRUMP:</p>
<p>In that system, he's been a leader far more than our President has been a leader.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Even sitting down for an interview with Larry King on state-sponsored Russian television, where he trashed American institutions. It left Republicans scrambling.</p>
<p>SEN. MARCO RUBIO:</p>
<p>Well, Vladimir Putin is not a President, he's a dictator.</p>
<p>SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:</p>
<p>I think this is the biggest miscalculation since people thought Hitler was a good guy.</p>
<p>MALE SPEAKER:</p>
<p>Are you still convinced that he is the best choice for national security issues? Thank you.</p>
<p>SEN. JOHN McCAIN:</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>(LAUGHTER)</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I'm going to bring in the panel this morning. Tom Brokaw, of course, is back with us. Joining us for the first time, Audie Cornish, host of "All Things Considered" on NPR, welcome. Stephanie Cutter, former deputy campaign manager for President Obama, now a Clinton supporter. And New York Times columnist, David Brooks, whose book The Road to Character is now out in paperback. Here's Dan Balz's headline this morning. "Clinton's ‘Deplorables’ Remark Sums Up a Deplorable Election Season." David Brooks, what was your initial reaction when you heard?</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>You know, first, it was a terrible week for politics. We've had a race to the bottom before, but this was, like, at speed, like, who's Usain Bolt speed to the bottom, these two. I was struck by another sentence in that quote about the deplorables, that they are "irredeemable."</p>
<p>There's a reason no religion believes that. Because if you believe people are irredeemable, you're saying they somehow lack redeemable souls, they are somehow in a lesser category of human beings and that's just a dark, dark world view. And that's always been the risk with Clinton. As President, she can be very hardworking, very effective, very efficient, but there's a dark world view that is semi Nixonian lurking in there.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Stephanie, it’s tough to defend the remark, is it? Or no? Do you think it's tough to defend the remark "deplorables" to stereotype a group of people, or no?</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>Absolutely not. I think that her only mistake is that she said half of his supporters were deplorable. But does anybody around this table, have they not seen Trump's rallies? Have they not seen Trump's own remarks? He is attracting a certain type of voter. She gave a whole speech on describing them, they're called the alt-right.</p>
<p>And they Tweet racist things, he retweets them, he says it from the stump. From research in this election we know that his own words, calling Mexicans rapists, criticizing a Gold Star family, these are the most potent things against him with Independent voters. So what she said was not wrong, her only mistake was that she described half of his supporters that way.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well, I want to put up a tweet here, The Atlantic's Ta-Nehisi Coates just put up a Tweet, "Hillary Clinton was right,” Tom Brokaw, in describing. And he admits, he wrote a piece saying, "Politically incorrect? Perhaps."</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>Well, here's what's so striking to me is that what half of his voters are in that category of being irredeemably racist and homophobic and all that, if I am a hardware dealer in a small town in Ohio and I am trying to make up my mind, you're going to wake up the next morning and say, "Is she talking about me? I am kind of inclined toward Trump. But is what that her thought about me is?"</p>
<p>She also did this at a very glitzy, Manhattan high stakes fundraiser, so that separates her I think from the rest of the country, in a way. And you could watch her demeanor there, it was all quite jolly. Everybody was laughing and applauding at it. I don't think that that's what she needs at this point in her life because out there, there are still a lot of people saying, "I don't quite trust Hillary. Give me a reason to--"</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Audie, why is it, though, Donald Trump gets credit for being politically incorrect, telling it like it is? And Hillary Clinton, I think some of her supporters are saying, "Hey, she's just doing what Trump does, she's just telling it like it is."</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>Right. I mean, I think we can put aside for a second that there is a segment of Trump supporters which surveys have shown do have beliefs that people can talk about as being Islamophobic or xenophobic. And he has retweeted white nationalists and we have had this discussion about the alt-right. But putting that aside for a second, what it does is it confirms what his supporters already believe, right? Which is that essentially he is this bulwark against so-called "PC-culture," right? He is the one leading the charge against that and they are upset that their concerns are routinely dismissed out of hand as being racist or retrograde and he's the person who's been out there saying, "No, no, no, you're perfectly normal, something is quote/unquote wrong here." And she basically confirmed something they believe which is that Democrats don't just think that they're wrong, but like, look down on them.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>Yeah, candidates should not be sociologists, they should not be pundits. They should not sit there at Cipriani in New York where the fundraiser was held looking down and making gross generalizations, not only about 50 percent, but about people.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>People, even the people that say repugnant things at Trump rallies, are complicated and they're driven by complicated fears and anxieties to sometimes do some things, sometimes do beautiful things. And so, the truism that you hate the sin, but don't hate the sinner applies to politics just as well and she was hating the sinner.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right, let me do a pause here. We're going to take a break. We're literally going to come right back and have this conversation. I also have some new battleground state polls in four states. Two from the traditional battleground and two from perhaps an expanded battleground. And later, the 9/11 attacks let to the War in Iraq. I'll talk to a prominent member of President W. Bush's Administration, Paul Wolfowitz.</p>
<p>FEMALE MEMORIAL SPEAKERS:</p>
<p>Mandu Chang, Rosa Maria Chapa, Mark Laurence Sheretz, David M. Sharlabal, Gregorio Manual Chavez. Pedro...</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Welcome back. More now on the Presidential campaign. We've got some new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls from four states and the results pretty much confirm what we've been seeing over the last ten days. This race is getting closer.</p>
<p>We're going to start with the traditional battleground state of New Hampshire in a four-way race there among registered voters, Clinton leads Donald Trump by just a point, 37-36 among likely voters in New Hampshire. Not much difference. Clinton is up by two, 39-37. By the way, look at the Gary Johnson number, that's the highest we've measured him in any battleground state so far, 15 in New Hampshire. They do have a Libertarian bent to them a little bit. Next is Nevada. Among registered voters, it's Clinton by just two points, 41-39. But look what happens when you have a likely voter sample, it turns into a Trump lead, though narrow, 42-41.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, Democrats have won New Hampshire in five of the last six elections and they've taken Nevada in four of the last six. So these should be states that favor Clinton. Now let's take a look at two red states. In Arizona, Clinton and Trump, they're tied at 37 among registered voters.</p>
<p>Among likely voters, Trump gets the slight advantage here. He's up 40 to 38, look at the double digits there for Gary Johnson. Remember, he governed a neighboring state of Arizona, in New Mexico. And in Georgia, Clinton has a one point lead among registered voters, 42-41, but among likely voters, it's Trump who gains. He's at 44 to 42. It's worth remembering that Democrats haven't won either Arizona or Georgia, since Bill Clinton won each of them once in the '90s, so it is significant that Hillary Clinton has managed to put them in play. David Brooks, I want to start with a column you wrote about this idea of a realignment is coming based on a social divide.</p>
<p>You write, "Politics is catching up to social reality. The crucial social divide today is between those who feel the core trends of the global information age economy as tailwinds at their backs and those who feel them at headwinds in their face." And I can just point you to this breakdown in our New Hampshire poll. Among college-educated voters, she's up 20; among non-college educated voters, he's up 20. There's your realignment.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>Yeah, for the last 20 years, if you look at how people behave, you can do huge predictions based on whether they completed college, how often do they vote, how often do they give blood, how many friends do they have, what's their marriage like. And there are just big chasms that have just opened socially. And this is the first election that we've begun to see those chasms reflected in political polling.</p>
<p>And so, my question and this is really a serious worry, suppose one party becomes the party of less college, who feels the headwinds, and that would be the Republican Party, I think, and suppose another party becomes the party of the tailwinds because they've got college, and that would be the Democratic Party. Suppose our partisan realignment overlaps with a class alignment and that, to me, is extremely problematic for what it says about what's going to happen.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Isn't that what we're seeing right now?</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>And also, this is a profound shift, because the Republicans are representing those who don't have a college education. We've all grown up with Republicans who are at the high end of the income scale and are the elitists in American life. So this is being turned upside down. I think the big, big issue in this country, in this election cutting away everything else is just what David talked about, how do we pull the country back together again?</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>It's separating and going in different directions and there's not been either one of these candidates who's been able to give a “city shining on a hill” speech like Ronald Reagan or "I Have a Dream" like Doctor King because they're so determined to separate the country and that is, I think, a terrible prescription for the future.</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>It's going to be like that as long as there's identity-based partisanship. I mean, I think that we've always talked about the different groups that aligned with these parties. But if you think about even your social media networks, like, the idea that you're seeing only the news about the stuff you care about delivered to your phone every day, I think the silos of where we live and the silos of the information we're taking in is actually exacerbating the problem.</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>There are so many different reasons that we've ended up at this place, some that we can control, some that we can't control. But I think that in addition to the political realignment that's happening, I think that the most pressing issue is whoever wins the White House in November, there's going to be a huge chunk of Americans who are going to feel unrepresented and not heard. And how do you govern?</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>By the way, angry about it.</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>And angry about it and whoever wins--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Look at the reaction just--</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>--Very high unfavorables. So the mandate to govern will be very, very difficult and that's something that hopefully, Democrats and Republicans will look at each other and say, "Okay, this is it. We've got to do something."</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>We could have a winner at 42 percent. Look at those poll numbers. Everyone is at 42, 43, 38. And so, that's almost like a minority government. I think we've just got to do something about it. Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago has an idea that every kid who graduates from high school spends the next three months in some sort of national service.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>So a kid from Martha's Vineyard or Marin County is with a kid from Mobile, Alabama and just three months, it would make a difference.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Back on national service, Tom, I thought national service was going to be a given. I mean, my God, we've been talking about national service my whole adult life and I can't believe we're not there.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>Well, you know, I'm involved with an academy of public service now at Arizona State. We had 100 enrollees last year, 250 this year. And by the way, when Hillary Clinton borrows the line from Bernie Sanders, "We're going to give free college education to families with $125,000 a year," she ought to say, "And if you get that, you've gotta give a year of public service when you graduate or two years of public service."</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>It ought to come with a price tag of some kind for them, otherwise, it just looks like another government giveaway program of some kind. Chuck, the other thing is I think we cannot overstate the importance and the effect of social media in this campaign. You know, it's going on even as we speak here. And the kind of vitriol on both sides that is out there and people have a hard time deciding what's real and what's not.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>And I want to bring that back to “deplorables,” it's one of those where I'm wondering against any other candidate, in any other year, this is a really fatal mistake for her. But have we been conditioned, the electorate has been conditioned to this harsh rhetoric?</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>Yeah, I don't think that people have been conditioned to rhetoric. If they were, then you wouldn't have a whole segment of the Republican Party that aren't for Trump. I mean, what she was really speaking to were those people, Republican voters, who haven't made up their mind because they are very uncomfortable with Trump because of the racist, xenophobic, misogynist words coming out of his mouth and some of his supporters.</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>But this has been the risk all along. If you're going to make it a referendum on Trump, then you have to walk this line between saying, "A vote for Trump is a bad decision and a vote for Trump means you're a bad person." And I think this has crossed that line and it's hard to unring that bell.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>I think we've also seen that a tie goes to Trump, that if they both have bad weeks, he benefits. He's risen, he's gotten closer in the last couple of weeks, it's not because he's suddenly great.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I have to say, there was a part of this when she did it and I thought, "Mmmm, Marco Rubio tried this, Jeb Bush tried this, Ted Cruz tried this," when you try to hit him, when you go name calling for name calling and you go down to his level, he wins.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>Because his supporters already know what they're going to get. And I think a lot of people have made up their minds on this. I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said, "I don't know, not Trump 2016." I mean, people kind of know what's going on here and I think what people need to do, what Clinton needs to do is make it so that sticker says "Clinton/Kaine, right, 2016" and not someone who's basically just shrugging at the world.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right, we're going to take a pause here. We're going to do a little bit more on 9/11. When we come back on this September 11th commemoration. The Deputy Defense Secretary under Bush 43, Paul Wolfowitz, one of the prominent advocates for the Iraq War, which grew out of the 9/11 attacks.</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Welcome back. 18 months after the September 11th attacks, the United States invaded Iraq. The U.S. invasion easily toppled Saddam Hussein, but it also unleashed a torrent of violence and chaos that still confronts us today. Paul Wolfowitz was the Deputy Defense Secretary at the time and an advocate for toppling Saddam Hussein. He's a Democrat who turned Republican who says he may feel forced to vote for Hillary Clinton in November. Paul Wolfowitz joins me now. Welcome, sir.</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>Nice to be here, thank you.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I read the other day in an interview you took issue with the moniker architect of the Iraq War. Why do you not accept that title?</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>Because I was not in charge, I was not the Commander-in-Chief or even the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense or National Security Advisor. And more importantly, because I think and I thought at the time there were a lot of things that should have been done differently. If you think about it, if we had had a counterinsurgency strategy like we did during the surge, if we had had that from the beginning, I think Iraq would look like a very different place today and history would look very different. Instead of waiting until 2007, 2008 to defeat Al-Qaeda in Iraq, they could have been defeated two or three years earlier.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You were an advisor to Jeb Bush, he struggled with the, "Knowing what we know now question, would you have invaded Iraq?" What's your answer?</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>Look, we don’t-- that assumes that we know everything now that we needed to know. We know some things now that we didn't know then. We know about Saddam ordering his Iraqi Intelligence Service to cooperate with an organization called Egyptian Islamic Jihad. It was not a part of Al-Qaeda at the time, but it merged with Al-Qaeda. And in fact, its leader is now the leader of Al-Qaeda, a man named al-Zawahiri. We know that now. Most importantly, we don't know, we will never know what the world would be like if Saddam Hussein was still in power in Iraq. Imagine if you had an uprising in Iraq like took place in Syria, you would have Syria on steroids. Saddam would be even more brutal than Assad has been. And you know--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>That's a big assumption. How do we know that? And in fact--It turned out that Saddam was a bluster. For instance, there were no weapons of mass destruction. And--</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>He was a liar, he was deceiving the world on that point. Correct.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Yeah, that's a big point to deceive the world on. It got us--</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>But he was not killing terrorists, let's be clear about that. He was killing his own people on a large scale. He did it in 1991, we saw what he did. I don't think it takes a lot of imagination to imagine how he would respond to an uprising. We've already seen what he did. You know, there's a tendency, Chuck, to say it's all around the world, "If Americans can put a man on the moon, then why can't they do X?" And X is some complicated, social problem that's been here for centuries. And Americans often play into that by assuming that we can solve everything, we're responsible for everything. You know, Hillary Clinton was actually right when she said a few months ago, "The United States didn't create ISIS, Bashar Assad with the support of Iran and Russia created ISIS. If you go--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well, but there's another theory that that whatever you want to think of the strongmen, the fact of the matter, as soon as Saddam Hussein was serving as a rock, I guess, that was covering up a lot of bad guys, we lifted that rock and all of a sudden, chaos ensued.</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>He wasn't covering up a lot of bad guys, he was sheltering a lot of the bad guys. He had the guy who was the one perpetrator who the first World Trade Center bombing, who is still at large. He had Zarkawi in Iraq. Maybe we should have insisted more on his handing over those bad guys that he supposedly was opposed to.</p>
<p>The-- you know, when I said Assad helped to create ISIS, he did it by driving the Sunnis into desperation where ISIS is the only choice for them. These dictators brutalize their societies, they divide their societies after they collapse and eventually, they collapse. There's nothing left to stabilize the thing or take its place.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Go ahead.</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>Not every dictator is like that. I was Ambassador to Indonesia when President Suharto was the so-called "autocrat," you could say dictator, but he allowed a good deal of civil society to develop. So when Suharto disappeared, Indonesians were able to run their country in a reasonable way.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>There was nothing reasonable left in Iraq, nothing reasonable left in Syria, nothing reasonable in Libya.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well, let me go back to this issue, here we are on 9/11, it was mostly Saudis, Saudi nationals that flew those planes into those towers. Nobody from Iraq. And there's a lot of people that look today and go, "Why was that our first action? Why was that-- yes, we went into Afghanistan, but why was that our first action? And why didn't we ever hold Saudi Arabia accountable?" You could make a case that a lot more Saudis were funding and fueling these terrorist attacks, you know, with Saudi money and things like that than anybody in Iraq.</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>Look, there is a big problem with what the Saudis have been doing in propagating extremist versions of Islam and I hope that people are right when they say the new Crown Prince or Deputy Crown Prince--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>So they're harboring terrorists?</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>No, they are cultivating terrorists, ideologically. But the point is that you don't deal with that by going to war. What concerned us about Iraq and people want to forget this, but everybody believed and Saddam was doing his best to convince us that he had weapons of mass destruction. In fact, we knew he had previously had Anthrax, he had previously had Serin, he was previously working on nuclear weapons and he made it clear after he was captured that he intended to start all of those problems again once the sanctions were lifted.</p>
<p>He was a real danger and that's why there was a focus on weapons of mass destruction. And people say after the fact that Bush lied and got us into a war, he wasn't lying. He was saying what everyone believed. And you know, I heard some discussion on your previous panel, but I heard a remarkable comment this morning by one of the orphans from 9/11, whose father, I think it's Vincent D’amadeo, and the son said, "9/11 brought us together. We need to come together as a country."</p>
<p>But accusing the President of lying when he was telling the truth is not bringing us together.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right, but some could say Iraq split us apart. I mean, the fallout from Iraq War, look at the Republican Party today. It is more isolationist today and it's because of the failure of the Iraq war.</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>I'm not disagreeing with that, but I'm saying if you accuse Bush of lying when he was telling what everyone believed, then you are dividing the country, you are demoralizing the country.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Let me ask you this, then, who lied? Is it bad intelligence? You know, somebody got us into this and somebody convinced the United States Congress that weapons of mass destruction were imminent in Iraq, which is why so many Democrats and Republicans voted for this war. So who lied?</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>I think the original liar is Saddam Hussein, who lied about what he had and we discovered he had more. Later, it seems he was lying that he had more than he really did have because he wanted to supposedly deceive the Iranians. The fact is, every Intelligence service in the world, not just the Americans, the British, the Germans, the French, countries that opposed us in the war all believe that he had weapons of mass destruction.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Do you-- Are you now concerned that this, essentially, we were wrong and if you think about the public's lack of trust for government right now, that's one of the reasons, that's one of the things over the last 15 years, when you talk about Wall Street's inability to be truthful to us and that now has undermined trust in government. Do you believe that?</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>Look, I think it's done a lot of harm, but I think in fact stating falsehoods, like saying that Bush lied about it, does a lot of harm, as well. I believe that if we had had a better strategy in Iraq from the beginning, if the surge strategy had been implemented from the beginning, Iraq would look very different today. People would see the whole issue in a very different light.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>How many troops would still be there? Because you have said in the past you've thought this is more like a Germany and a Korea situation, that we probably would have needed troops for 40 or 50 years?</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>The issue isn't how many troops you have, the issue is how many Americans are getting killed. By the end of the surge, excuse me, by the end of the surge, very few Americans were getting killed, just as no Americans are killed today in Korea, although they are at great risk if North Korea were to start a war.</p>
<p>The U.S. can be a stabilizing factor by keeping presence in those countries. I think it's important to understand. I do agree that the turn in public opinion in the United States on this issue is very unfortunate. I think it will bring us more trouble. We are in danger of learning all the wrong lessons from the past. The lesson that intervention is the only thing that's bad. I think we're seeing in Syria the consequence of non-intervention. I think we're seeing in Libya the consequences of a partial intervention without following up.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Is this the reason why you're leaning Clinton over Trump, because of Trump's isolationist views?</p>
<p>PAUL WOLFOWITZ:</p>
<p>Look, I'm leaning against both of them. I find it incredibly disappointing when the country needs to come together that we have two major party candidates who enjoy so little confidence from the American people.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Alright, Paul Wolfowitz from the Bush Administration. Thank you, sir, appreciate you sharing your views. When we come back, a reminder of how 9/11 changed us, at least for a while and how it will still drive much of our politics today.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>Megan McGrath</p>
<p>First you saw that large flag that was unfurled from the top of the Pentagon there and that was just awe-inspiring.</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Welcome back. It's almost become a cliché to say that 9/11 changed us. It sparked two wars, heightened security at airports, ballparks and other public places and made us all more aware of the threats around the world that many of us face. But for a while, at least, 9/11 brought us together, made us appreciate our shared interest and common bonds. And in fact, made it so that Democrats and Republicans just simply debated, didn't just try to destroy each other. For this morning's broadcast, we brought together firefighters, teachers, journalists and others to tell us how they saw America change and in some cases, change right back.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>ANDY CARD:</p>
<p>September 11th, 2001 resulted in us waking up on September 12th, 2001 with a phenomenal sense of what it means to be the United States of America.</p>
<p>JIM VANCE:</p>
<p>And I had this sense that most of us were reaching into an easily accessible well of resolve, will, strength, character, courage.</p>
<p>MEGAN MCGRATH:</p>
<p>First, you saw that large flag that was unfurled from the top of the Pentagon there and that was just awe-inspiring.</p>
<p>AL ULMER:</p>
<p>Literally, when I got there at 8:00 in the morning, we already had people in line waiting to buy flags.</p>
<p>LEE GREENWOOD:</p>
<p>We crawled before we walked and then we walked before we ran.</p>
<p>FIRE COMMISSIONER DANIEL NIGRO:</p>
<p>There were no divisions among people, there were no colors, no religions, no politics.</p>
<p>ANDY CARD:</p>
<p>The leaders in Congress stood together, the governors of our state stood together. Partisanship just seemed to disappear.</p>
<p>ANN COMPTON:</p>
<p>15 years later, the moments of the country coming together have all been evaporated.</p>
<p>FIRE COMMISSIONER DANIEL NIGRO:</p>
<p>I think very strong emotions and very strong activities like it occurred after 9/11 are very hard to maintain.</p>
<p>:</p>
<p>DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF DANIEL MURRAY:</p>
<p>The country seemed so significantly divided. I still think there's a lot of optimism and a lot of hopefulness that we can continue on the great American traditions that we have had for so many years.</p>
<p>ANN COMPTON:</p>
<p>America went from this great sense of being part of the same important fabric of clinging together in times of disaster to political fights and a political system that has encouraged division.</p>
<p>ANDY CARD:</p>
<p>And we did stand together, even though some of us had differences. You put those differences aside and said, "We stand together."</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Back now with our panel. Tom, I'm going to let you respond first because I have a feeling what you said at the start of the show inspired something Paul Wolfowitz pushed back on during that interview when we talked about the Iraq War and about who's responsible for lying to get us into this war.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>Well, "lying" is a very strong phrase, obviously. I think that they over interpreted what they wanted to see there. They came into office determined to get rid of Saddam Hussein in some fashion. There's no question about that. But then, when 9/11 came along, it gave them the big opportunity to do that. It was unclear about weapons of mass destruction. The UN was not certain about whether they existed or not. I was in Iraq twice before the war began. Here's what really troubled me. I could be talking to Shia young people, he was a Sunni, remember, Saddam was.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Mmhm.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>And we'd get to a point and they'd say, "You know, I want to join Jihad and fight the United States." I said, "I'm the United States." “Oh no,” "You don't come and tell our country what to do. We're going to do this on our own. I go into a souk run by the Shia." I mean, these are the toughest guys in Baghdad. Same thing. We don't want you coming in here and bringing Chalabi, who has not been here the last 40 years to tell us how to run our country. So there was not a great uprising that was going to occur when we came in, because they had been living with him all this time and they wanted to take control of their own country on their terms.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know, David Brooks, it took the Democratic Party arguably 24 years, 25 years to recover from Vietnam, to be trusted again with national security, and the election of Bill Clinton in '92, you could argue that. That really, even though Carter got in there, he barely got in there and it only reinforced the perception that Democrats can't handle national security. How long- The Republican Party is still hasn't recovered from the Iraq war.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>Yeah. Well, I'm not sure I agree with you. I mean, the Democrats did pretty well in '74 in those Congressional elections--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>They did--</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>--those Watergate elections.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--but they were Watergate elections.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>I think people remember very-- the people-- I think parties recover pretty quickly. What doesn't recover maybe is the position, the position that America should be intervening abroad. There's a sweet spot between too much intervention and too little. We have now swung from here all the way over to here to non-intervention. And that, what's striking about the Republican Party, it's become the party of intervention to the Donald Trump party of non-intervention. So there now is no interventionist party and I think the gap in the world that the Putins exploit, that the Assads exploit, we've got like a bipartisan consensus on foreign policy not to get involved. And that is a problem which I think Wolfowitz is right about.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well, and that's something, I think Hillary Clinton is uncomfortable with the non-interventionist wing of even her party.</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>She is, because I think that she understands the realities of what it means to be President and the threats that you're facing. But I think, you're right, the, how Iraq was handled still has hangover on our policies and our politics today. There was a huge coming together after 9/11. There was support and gathering and bipartisan support for the Afghanistan War. And then, they started to beat the war drum to go into Iraq. There was bipartisan support for Iraq, but that quickly turned. I remember being with Senator Kennedy, who was one of the only votes against the Iraq War and he said, "Mark my words, this is going to change." And within a couple of years, it did. Look at how much the Iraq War influenced the 2004 election. We're going to be dealing with this for a very long time. One of the major questions this week at the Commander-in-Chief Forum was, "Where was Donald Trump on the Iraq War?" So it is a, it’s become a symbol of where you stand in this country and how you are going to defend it.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>It is interesting that that is like basically the public-- Democrats and Republicans doesn’t, don’t, they don't want to accept anybody who says they were for it and still stick to it. But let me ask you this--</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>Well, very quickly.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Yeah?</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>Can we challenge the premise here? Because I was, I grew up in the '90s and I don't remember it being a Kumbaya time politically-- I mean it was, I feel like 9/12 was a pause in civic hostilities. You know, just before we had had a ruthless election, where you had half of the electorate despondent. So I'm having a hard time looking back and--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But they didn’t challenge the premi-- but they didn’t challen-- The difference is I think we're all concerned that if we have another 2000 election, that you won't see whoever the Supreme Court would say was the losing side say, "Okay, we've got to respect the Constitution."</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>But is that, in fact, because of that election, right. I mean there’s repercussions and consequences to these things.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Is it because of that or is it because of everything that has happened since then? One other whiplash moment on foreign policy this week, though, goes-- it’s not just on the Iraq War and the Republican Party, it's Putin and Russia, by the way, we haven't brought that up, which was until “deplorables,” basically, what was driving the election.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>It was an astonishing statement on the part of Donald Trump, especially the Republican candidate for President of the United States, that he embraces effectively a dictator in Russia. And when he says he has 82 percent approval rating, he's not saying the other 18 percent are on their way to a gulag somewhere. I mean, because the fact is he can have any kind of approval rating that he wants, he just orders it up. This is not a true reflection of what is going on there. There's some real issues in Russia. One of my longest friend-- long-term friends is a Russian scholar. He's spent a lot of time there in the last year. He said, "Things have never been worse between the two countries." That's a very ominous signal.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov was on my show Friday, he lives in New York City because his life's in danger if he lives still in Russia.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>Yeah, yeah.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>That's why, his life’s been threatened. David, do you think the voters care as much about this Putin issue as we in Washington do?</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>Unconsciously. Politics is in bad odor and that's around the world. Politics stinks. But I love politics because you've got to compromise, you've got to listen to people you dislike kind of. But you hedge and you fudge and it's kind of ugly, but it's sorta-- it’s the only way to govern a diverse society. But around the world and in this country and certainly in Donald Trump's mind, that form of politics is suspect and authoritarianism is on the rise.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right, back in a moment, we'll have our "Endgame" segment. On this first full day of the NFL season, in the intersection of sports and politics in a big way, we'll be right back.</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Back now with our "Endgame" segment. There was one other thing I wanted to bring up before we get to the NFL and that was a remarkable comment that Donald Trump made about "this is the last election," which sounded similar to a comment that we highlighted here last week from Michele Bachmann. Take a listen to it.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>DONALD TRUMP:</p>
<p>I think this will be the last election that the Republicans have a chance of winning because you're going to have people flowing across the borders, you're going to have illegal immigrants coming in and they're going to be legalized and they're going to be able to vote and once that all happens, you can forget it.</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I've been calling him an election Armageddon-ist, Audie. I mean, Michele Bachmann said this, Rush Limbaugh has been talking about this and I guess it's one way of trying to rally Republicans to his side, but it's a negative rally.</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>It's sort of the upside down version of something people talk about when they talk about the Obama coalition, about minority groups becoming the majority. And I think the attempt to say, "This is the last gasp for white voters," it's not subtle. You know, it's not subtle--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>He didn't make it subtle at all. That was not a subtle comment.</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>Donald Trump and subtlety.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>Yeah, it's racial panic. How about, like, we’re going to be over flooded by brown people? How about, like, trying to appeal to them? How about listening, having a conversation, trying to win over some votes?</p>
<p>AUDIE CORNISH:</p>
<p>And also, to undermine it and disenfranchise that voting group, to say that your votes, they're not the real votes, because we're the real Americans.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Not to out the age of some people on this table, but I think some people on this table are old enough to remember when the Republican Party was the party of African-Americans. Tom? Jackie Robinson--Jackie Robinson endorsed Nixon over Kennedy.</p>
<p>TOM BROKAW:</p>
<p>Doctor King had no better friend than Nelson Rockefeller, for example. And when the Kennedys started to approach the King family, they said, "Oh, we don't know." As Andy Young once said, "Even their maids are white and Irish." So we don't know whether we have a connection there. Then that, of course, all changed once the Goldwater movement takes over. I think the big issue after this election, whoever wins or whoever loses, is how these two parties, if they're able to reconstitute themselves as the Democrats did with Bill Clinton. And I don't know whether that's possible anymore in the era of social media and all the divisions that are in both parties at this point. I just don't know whether that's possible.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>So today's the first Sunday of the NFL season, falling on 9/11. Sports was a tremendous unifier in this country after 9/11, particularly baseball, but also, football, as well. But this is going to be an unusual day I think for the opening of football season. Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback on the San Francisco 49ers, his protest. The Seattle Seahawks are planning. It's very interesting that more and more sports figures have decided, I don't know what it is. I'm wondering if it's the Ali effect, that Ali's death educated a whole generation of new athletes to say, "Maybe I should use my platform differently."</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>Well, I hope that's the case. And we saw this happen in the NBA last year.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Yep.</p>
<p>STEPHANIE CUTTER:</p>
<p>And look, I think some good is coming out of this. He's forcing a discussion. His teammates across the league are supporting him. And his-- real benefits are going to people who are trying to forge change and ensure equal justice.</p>
<p>DAVID BROOKS:</p>
<p>Can I salute the athletes who will stand for the National Anthem? Because what they're doing is expressing gratitude for the men and women who made this country that we're fortunate to be born into, and they're expressing faith in the ideals of the country. We always have problems, but we stand and honor those things for the faith.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>And we'll make that the last word. That's all we have for today. We'll be back next week because if it's Sunday, it's Meet The Press.</p>
<p>***END OF TRANSCRIPT***</p> | false | 3 | meet press sept 11 2016 announcer nbc news washington meet press chuck todd chuck todd good sunday morning solemn day remembrance 15th anniversary 911 attacks morning huge american flag unfurled pentagon note attack lower manhattan observed moment silence 846 eastern time marking moment first plane flight 11 flew north tower world trade center immediately afterwards every year relatives began reading names victims attacks world trade center begin tape male 911 memorial speakers edward l alegreto eric allen joseph ryan allen end tape chuck todd told six moments silence morning including one crash flight 93 shanksville pennsylvania president obama making remarks pentagon already observed another moment silence white house lot get morning including latest presidential campaign slew new polls four battleground states interviews homeland security chief jeh johnson one bush administrations supporters war iraq promoted 911 attacks paul wolfowitz first joining right tom brokaw air terrible morning afternoon night next day next day realized america attack 15 years later presidential campaign backdrop donald trump hillary clinton morning difference 15 years makes tom brokaw well 15 years ago became one worst days american history quite honestly unleashed wrong war wrong place wrong reasons weapons mass destruction terribly costly 4500 americans died war cost trillions dollars early projections bush administration well recapture expenses oil fields well know destabilized middle east isis grew consequences play every day chuck beginning think lot disarray america including economic situation chuck todd 911 pearl harbor day december 7th thinking america 15 years pearl harbor sense 15 years later 911 ongoing tom brokaw think confusion distant place reasons hard americans understand culture political tensions exist made presidential election theres great unsettled feeling lot vitriol lot anger say wait minute turned way told would chuck todd right going also pausing moment silence new york city 903 eastern marks moment flight 175 hit south tower moment silence chuck todd know tom last presidential election everybody votes alive 911 going teach people 911 conversation go tom brokaw well think part problem look going right theres great deal confusion one turned dealing middle east obviously putin become much bigger player since time saw last four five days hes entered race whats going ukraine crimea fuels think sense things theyre supposed told going dont remember 50 years covering presidential politics unsettled time late campaign chuck todd right well going deal fallout 911 well current presidential campaign throughout hour earlier today spoke homeland security secretary jeh johnson standing blocks north new world trade center begin tape chuck todd let start grim poll number came week majority americans say less safe today 911 think americans feel way sec jeh johnson thats good question chuck americans seen attack orlando seen attack san bernardino see whats happening overseas see whats happening western europe france belgium elsewhere theyre rightly concerned current security environment safer comes another 911style attack challenged comes prospects lone wolf actor homegrown violent extremist requires new whole government response public participation vigilance well way chuck todd know said recent interview said concerned ranges attacks never categorize anything low priority look whats high risk whats less high risk spend time accordingly mean holes always going security system sec jeh johnson wouldnt put way weve got people devoted manner threats invariably high probability higher probability type threat another san bernardino another orlando uppermost minds thing keeps night weve got threats know cyber security weve got mission devoted potential bio threats dirty bomb weve got keep eye obviously things higher probability things lower probability higher impact weve got keep eye chuck todd know concerned syria today unstable much safer terrorists afghanistan late 90s concern us considering afghanistan brought happened inside afghanistan led 911 concerned whats happening syria could lead new 911 sec jeh johnson chuck said february 2014 syria become matter homeland security us military along international partners done good job taking back territory taking leaders isil taking focused external attacks yes concerned syria could become another afghanistan anytime terrorist organization establish territory take territory place headquarter train recruit thats obviously big concern big homeland security concern yes sir chuck todd know one things youve talk deal lately threat perceived threat election system russia apparently trying infiltrate ways trying create actual havoc trying create illusion havoc sec jeh johnson well investigation various intrusions weve seen including dnc hack still investigation say itd hard alter ballot count national election change vote tallies election system decentralized 9000 jurisdictions involved ive sending message state local officials ought utmost protect online presence internet presence department homeland security position help ask ask first chuck todd today birthday ive got cousin whos got 911 birthday know awkward handle birthday sec jeh johnson well always take occasion remember happened 15 years ago im new york year shanksville last year ive spent 911 pentagon dont celebrate birthday birthday anymore either day day im sure ill ever position celebrate birthday 911 given huge impression day made chuck todd absolutely jeh johnson know personal know new york city day attacks emotional day well thanks spending minutes sec jeh johnson thanks chuck chuck todd got end tape chuck todd turning 2016 campaign new washington post abc poll morning hillary clinton five point lead donald trump among likely voters 4641 new nbc news wall street journal marist battleground state polls well get little bit later begin perhaps turning rough weekend hillary clinton unusual trump campaign find trying explain controversial statement made candidate sometimes weekly issue weekend clinton campaign thats scrambling words explain meant took shot trump voters criticism immediately drew sharp reaction begin tape sec hillary clinton could put half trumps supporters call basket deplorables racist sexist homophobic xenophobic islamophobic name chuck todd fundraiser headlined barbra streisand friday night clinton made remark republican hope voters never forget gov mike pence hillary basket anything americans deserve respect chuck todd trump campaign quickly demanded apology tried capitalize trump tweeted wow hillary clinton insulting supporters millions amazing hardworking people think cost polls theres history presidential candidates becoming comfortable friendly crowds 2012 mitt romney caught tape closed door fundraiser dismissing voters line republicans believe lost election mitt romney 47 percent people vote president matter 47 percent believe victims chuck todd 2008 barack obama also fundraiser talking job losses made workingclass americans feel sen barack obama surprising get bitter cling guns religion antipathy toward people arent like chuck todd clintons opponents attack ask hillary clinton said obamas remarks 2008 hillary clinton taken aback demeaning remarks senator obama made people small town america senator obamas remarks elitist theyre touch chuck todd running mate tim kaine told washington post saturday clinton shouldnt apologize still clinton rushed explain releasing statement last night grossly generalistic thats never good idea regret saying half wrong lets clear deplorable trump built campaign largely prejudice paranoia given national platform hateful views voices clinton said something similar week israeli tv didnt use word half sec hillary clinton id say take trump supporters put two big baskets call deplorables know racists know haters sec hillary clinton takes democrats republicans working together chuck todd comments come clinton trying shower voters warmer side veterans forum appeared defensive lawyerly times sec hillary clinton communicated classified material wholly separate system chuck todd changes subject trump floundered event substance trumps effusive praise russian president vladimir putin donald trump system hes leader far president leader chuck todd even sitting interview larry king statesponsored russian television trashed american institutions left republicans scrambling sen marco rubio well vladimir putin president hes dictator sen lindsey graham think biggest miscalculation since people thought hitler good guy male speaker still convinced best choice national security issues thank sen john mccain thanks laughter end tape chuck todd im going bring panel morning tom brokaw course back us joining us first time audie cornish host things considered npr welcome stephanie cutter former deputy campaign manager president obama clinton supporter new york times columnist david brooks whose book road character paperback heres dan balzs headline morning clintons deplorables remark sums deplorable election season david brooks initial reaction heard david brooks know first terrible week politics weve race bottom like speed like whos usain bolt speed bottom two struck another sentence quote deplorables irredeemable theres reason religion believes believe people irredeemable youre saying somehow lack redeemable souls somehow lesser category human beings thats dark dark world view thats always risk clinton president hardworking effective efficient theres dark world view semi nixonian lurking chuck todd stephanie tough defend remark think tough defend remark deplorables stereotype group people stephanie cutter absolutely think mistake said half supporters deplorable anybody around table seen trumps rallies seen trumps remarks attracting certain type voter gave whole speech describing theyre called altright tweet racist things retweets says stump research election know words calling mexicans rapists criticizing gold star family potent things independent voters said wrong mistake described half supporters way chuck todd well want put tweet atlantics tanehisi coates put tweet hillary clinton right tom brokaw describing admits wrote piece saying politically incorrect perhaps tom brokaw well heres whats striking half voters category irredeemably racist homophobic hardware dealer small town ohio trying make mind youre going wake next morning say talking kind inclined toward trump thought also glitzy manhattan high stakes fundraiser separates think rest country way could watch demeanor quite jolly everybody laughing applauding dont think thats needs point life still lot people saying dont quite trust hillary give reason chuck todd audie though donald trump gets credit politically incorrect telling like hillary clinton think supporters saying hey shes trump shes telling like audie cornish right mean think put aside second segment trump supporters surveys shown beliefs people talk islamophobic xenophobic retweeted white nationalists discussion altright putting aside second confirms supporters already believe right essentially bulwark socalled pcculture right one leading charge upset concerns routinely dismissed hand racist retrograde hes person whos saying youre perfectly normal something quoteunquote wrong basically confirmed something believe democrats dont think theyre wrong like look david brooks yeah candidates sociologists pundits sit cipriani new york fundraiser held looking making gross generalizations 50 percent people chuck todd right david brooks people even people say repugnant things trump rallies complicated theyre driven complicated fears anxieties sometimes things sometimes beautiful things truism hate sin dont hate sinner applies politics well hating sinner chuck todd right let pause going take break literally going come right back conversation also new battleground state polls four states two traditional battleground two perhaps expanded battleground later 911 attacks let war iraq ill talk prominent member president w bushs administration paul wolfowitz female memorial speakers mandu chang rosa maria chapa mark laurence sheretz david sharlabal gregorio manual chavez pedro commercial break chuck todd welcome back presidential campaign weve got new nbc newswall street journalmarist polls four states results pretty much confirm weve seeing last ten days race getting closer going start traditional battleground state new hampshire fourway race among registered voters clinton leads donald trump point 3736 among likely voters new hampshire much difference clinton two 3937 way look gary johnson number thats highest weve measured battleground state far 15 new hampshire libertarian bent little bit next nevada among registered voters clinton two points 4139 look happens likely voter sample turns trump lead though narrow 4241 keep mind democrats new hampshire five last six elections theyve taken nevada four last six states favor clinton lets take look two red states arizona clinton trump theyre tied 37 among registered voters among likely voters trump gets slight advantage hes 40 38 look double digits gary johnson remember governed neighboring state arizona new mexico georgia clinton one point lead among registered voters 4241 among likely voters trump gains hes 44 42 worth remembering democrats havent either arizona georgia since bill clinton 90s significant hillary clinton managed put play david brooks want start column wrote idea realignment coming based social divide write politics catching social reality crucial social divide today feel core trends global information age economy tailwinds backs feel headwinds face point breakdown new hampshire poll among collegeeducated voters shes 20 among noncollege educated voters hes 20 theres realignment david brooks yeah last 20 years look people behave huge predictions based whether completed college often vote often give blood many friends whats marriage like big chasms opened socially first election weve begun see chasms reflected political polling question really serious worry suppose one party becomes party less college feels headwinds would republican party think suppose another party becomes party tailwinds theyve got college would democratic party suppose partisan realignment overlaps class alignment extremely problematic says whats going happen chuck todd isnt seeing right tom brokaw also profound shift republicans representing dont college education weve grown republicans high end income scale elitists american life turned upside think big big issue country election cutting away everything else david talked pull country back together tom brokaw separating going different directions theres either one candidates whos able give city shining hill speech like ronald reagan dream like doctor king theyre determined separate country think terrible prescription future audie cornish going like long theres identitybased partisanship mean think weve always talked different groups aligned parties think even social media networks like idea youre seeing news stuff care delivered phone every day think silos live silos information taking actually exacerbating problem stephanie cutter many different reasons weve ended place control cant control think addition political realignment thats happening think pressing issue whoever wins white house november theres going huge chunk americans going feel unrepresented heard govern chuck todd way angry stephanie cutter angry whoever wins chuck todd look reaction stephanie cutter high unfavorables mandate govern difficult thats something hopefully democrats republicans look say okay weve got something david brooks could winner 42 percent look poll numbers everyone 42 43 38 thats almost like minority government think weve got something mayor rahm emanuel chicago idea every kid graduates high school spends next three months sort national service chuck todd right david brooks kid marthas vineyard marin county kid mobile alabama three months would make difference chuck todd back national service tom thought national service going given mean god weve talking national service whole adult life cant believe tom brokaw well know im involved academy public service arizona state 100 enrollees last year 250 year way hillary clinton borrows line bernie sanders going give free college education families 125000 year ought say get youve got ta give year public service graduate two years public service chuck todd right tom brokaw ought come price tag kind otherwise looks like another government giveaway program kind chuck thing think overstate importance effect social media campaign know going even speak kind vitriol sides people hard time deciding whats real whats chuck todd want bring back deplorables one im wondering candidate year really fatal mistake conditioned electorate conditioned harsh rhetoric stephanie cutter yeah dont think people conditioned rhetoric wouldnt whole segment republican party arent trump mean really speaking people republican voters havent made mind uncomfortable trump racist xenophobic misogynist words coming mouth supporters audie cornish risk along youre going make referendum trump walk line saying vote trump bad decision vote trump means youre bad person think crossed line hard unring bell david brooks think weve also seen tie goes trump bad weeks benefits hes risen hes gotten closer last couple weeks hes suddenly great chuck todd say part thought mmmm marco rubio tried jeb bush tried ted cruz tried try hit go name calling name calling go level wins david brooks yeah tom brokaw yeah audie cornish supporters already know theyre going get think lot people made minds saw bumper sticker yesterday said dont know trump 2016 mean people kind know whats going think people need clinton needs make sticker says clintonkaine right 2016 someone whos basically shrugging world chuck todd right going take pause going little bit 911 come back september 11th commemoration deputy defense secretary bush 43 paul wolfowitz one prominent advocates iraq war grew 911 attacks commercial break chuck todd welcome back 18 months september 11th attacks united states invaded iraq us invasion easily toppled saddam hussein also unleashed torrent violence chaos still confronts us today paul wolfowitz deputy defense secretary time advocate toppling saddam hussein hes democrat turned republican says may feel forced vote hillary clinton november paul wolfowitz joins welcome sir paul wolfowitz nice thank chuck todd read day interview took issue moniker architect iraq war accept title paul wolfowitz charge commanderinchief even secretary state secretary defense national security advisor importantly think thought time lot things done differently think counterinsurgency strategy like surge beginning think iraq would look like different place today history would look different instead waiting 2007 2008 defeat alqaeda iraq could defeated two three years earlier chuck todd advisor jeb bush struggled knowing know question would invaded iraq whats answer paul wolfowitz look dont assumes know everything needed know know things didnt know know saddam ordering iraqi intelligence service cooperate organization called egyptian islamic jihad part alqaeda time merged alqaeda fact leader leader alqaeda man named alzawahiri know importantly dont know never know world would like saddam hussein still power iraq imagine uprising iraq like took place syria would syria steroids saddam would even brutal assad know chuck todd thats big assumption know factit turned saddam bluster instance weapons mass destruction paul wolfowitz liar deceiving world point correct chuck todd yeah thats big point deceive world got us paul wolfowitz killing terrorists lets clear killing people large scale 1991 saw dont think takes lot imagination imagine would respond uprising weve already seen know theres tendency chuck say around world americans put man moon cant x x complicated social problem thats centuries americans often play assuming solve everything responsible everything know hillary clinton actually right said months ago united states didnt create isis bashar assad support iran russia created isis go chuck todd well theres another theory whatever want think strongmen fact matter soon saddam hussein serving rock guess covering lot bad guys lifted rock sudden chaos ensued paul wolfowitz wasnt covering lot bad guys sheltering lot bad guys guy one perpetrator first world trade center bombing still large zarkawi iraq maybe insisted handing bad guys supposedly opposed know said assad helped create isis driving sunnis desperation isis choice dictators brutalize societies divide societies collapse eventually collapse theres nothing left stabilize thing take place chuck todd go ahead paul wolfowitz every dictator like ambassador indonesia president suharto socalled autocrat could say dictator allowed good deal civil society develop suharto disappeared indonesians able run country reasonable way chuck todd yeah paul wolfowitz nothing reasonable left iraq nothing reasonable left syria nothing reasonable libya chuck todd well let go back issue 911 mostly saudis saudi nationals flew planes towers nobody iraq theres lot people look today go first action yes went afghanistan first action didnt ever hold saudi arabia accountable could make case lot saudis funding fueling terrorist attacks know saudi money things like anybody iraq paul wolfowitz look big problem saudis propagating extremist versions islam hope people right say new crown prince deputy crown prince chuck todd theyre harboring terrorists paul wolfowitz cultivating terrorists ideologically point dont deal going war concerned us iraq people want forget everybody believed saddam best convince us weapons mass destruction fact knew previously anthrax previously serin previously working nuclear weapons made clear captured intended start problems sanctions lifted real danger thats focus weapons mass destruction people say fact bush lied got us war wasnt lying saying everyone believed know heard discussion previous panel heard remarkable comment morning one orphans 911 whose father think vincent damadeo son said 911 brought us together need come together country accusing president lying telling truth bringing us together chuck todd right could say iraq split us apart mean fallout iraq war look republican party today isolationist today failure iraq war paul wolfowitz im disagreeing im saying accuse bush lying telling everyone believed dividing country demoralizing country chuck todd let ask lied bad intelligence know somebody got us somebody convinced united states congress weapons mass destruction imminent iraq many democrats republicans voted war lied paul wolfowitz think original liar saddam hussein lied discovered later seems lying really wanted supposedly deceive iranians fact every intelligence service world americans british germans french countries opposed us war believe weapons mass destruction chuck todd concerned essentially wrong think publics lack trust government right thats one reasons thats one things last 15 years talk wall streets inability truthful us undermined trust government believe paul wolfowitz look think done lot harm think fact stating falsehoods like saying bush lied lot harm well believe better strategy iraq beginning surge strategy implemented beginning iraq would look different today people would see whole issue different light chuck todd many troops would still said past youve thought like germany korea situation probably would needed troops 40 50 years paul wolfowitz issue isnt many troops issue many americans getting killed end surge excuse end surge americans getting killed americans killed today korea although great risk north korea start war us stabilizing factor keeping presence countries think important understand agree turn public opinion united states issue unfortunate think bring us trouble danger learning wrong lessons past lesson intervention thing thats bad think seeing syria consequence nonintervention think seeing libya consequences partial intervention without following chuck todd reason youre leaning clinton trump trumps isolationist views paul wolfowitz look im leaning find incredibly disappointing country needs come together two major party candidates enjoy little confidence american people chuck todd alright paul wolfowitz bush administration thank sir appreciate sharing views come back reminder 911 changed us least still drive much politics today begin tape megan mcgrath first saw large flag unfurled top pentagon aweinspiring end tape commercial break chuck todd welcome back almost become cliché say 911 changed us sparked two wars heightened security airports ballparks public places made us aware threats around world many us face least 911 brought us together made us appreciate shared interest common bonds fact made democrats republicans simply debated didnt try destroy mornings broadcast brought together firefighters teachers journalists others tell us saw america change cases change right back begin tape andy card september 11th 2001 resulted us waking september 12th 2001 phenomenal sense means united states america jim vance sense us reaching easily accessible well resolve strength character courage megan mcgrath first saw large flag unfurled top pentagon aweinspiring al ulmer literally got 800 morning already people line waiting buy flags lee greenwood crawled walked walked ran fire commissioner daniel nigro divisions among people colors religions politics andy card leaders congress stood together governors state stood together partisanship seemed disappear ann compton 15 years later moments country coming together evaporated fire commissioner daniel nigro think strong emotions strong activities like occurred 911 hard maintain deputy police chief daniel murray country seemed significantly divided still think theres lot optimism lot hopefulness continue great american traditions many years ann compton america went great sense part important fabric clinging together times disaster political fights political system encouraged division andy card stand together even though us differences put differences aside said stand together end tape commercial break chuck todd back panel tom im going let respond first feeling said start show inspired something paul wolfowitz pushed back interview talked iraq war whos responsible lying get us war tom brokaw well lying strong phrase obviously think interpreted wanted see came office determined get rid saddam hussein fashion theres question 911 came along gave big opportunity unclear weapons mass destruction un certain whether existed iraq twice war began heres really troubled could talking shia young people sunni remember saddam chuck todd mmhm tom brokaw wed get point theyd say know want join jihad fight united states said im united states oh dont come tell country going go souk run shia mean toughest guys baghdad thing dont want coming bringing chalabi last 40 years tell us run country great uprising going occur came living time wanted take control country terms chuck todd know david brooks took democratic party arguably 24 years 25 years recover vietnam trusted national security election bill clinton 92 could argue really even though carter got barely got reinforced perception democrats cant handle national security long republican party still hasnt recovered iraq war david brooks yeah well im sure agree mean democrats pretty well 74 congressional elections chuck todd david brooks watergate elections chuck todd watergate elections david brooks think people remember people think parties recover pretty quickly doesnt recover maybe position position america intervening abroad theres sweet spot much intervention little swung way nonintervention whats striking republican party become party intervention donald trump party nonintervention interventionist party think gap world putins exploit assads exploit weve got like bipartisan consensus foreign policy get involved problem think wolfowitz right chuck todd well thats something think hillary clinton uncomfortable noninterventionist wing even party stephanie cutter think understands realities means president threats youre facing think youre right iraq handled still hangover policies politics today huge coming together 911 support gathering bipartisan support afghanistan war started beat war drum go iraq bipartisan support iraq quickly turned remember senator kennedy one votes iraq war said mark words going change within couple years look much iraq war influenced 2004 election going dealing long time one major questions week commanderinchief forum donald trump iraq war become symbol stand country going defend chuck todd interesting like basically public democrats republicans doesnt dont dont want accept anybody says still stick let ask audie cornish well quickly chuck todd yeah audie cornish challenge premise grew 90s dont remember kumbaya time politically mean feel like 912 pause civic hostilities know ruthless election half electorate despondent im hard time looking back chuck todd didnt challenge premi didnt challen difference think concerned another 2000 election wont see whoever supreme court would say losing side say okay weve got respect constitution audie cornish fact election right mean theres repercussions consequences things chuck todd everything happened since one whiplash moment foreign policy week though goes iraq war republican party putin russia way havent brought deplorables basically driving election tom brokaw astonishing statement part donald trump especially republican candidate president united states embraces effectively dictator russia says 82 percent approval rating hes saying 18 percent way gulag somewhere mean fact kind approval rating wants orders true reflection going theres real issues russia one longest friend longterm friends russian scholar hes spent lot time last year said things never worse two countries thats ominous signal chuck todd former world chess champion garry kasparov show friday lives new york city lifes danger lives still russia tom brokaw yeah yeah chuck todd thats lifes threatened david think voters care much putin issue washington david brooks unconsciously politics bad odor thats around world politics stinks love politics youve got compromise youve got listen people dislike kind hedge fudge kind ugly sorta way govern diverse society around world country certainly donald trumps mind form politics suspect authoritarianism rise chuck todd right back moment well endgame segment first full day nfl season intersection sports politics big way well right back commercial break chuck todd back endgame segment one thing wanted bring get nfl remarkable comment donald trump made last election sounded similar comment highlighted last week michele bachmann take listen begin tape donald trump think last election republicans chance winning youre going people flowing across borders youre going illegal immigrants coming theyre going legalized theyre going able vote happens forget end tape chuck todd ive calling election armageddonist audie mean michele bachmann said rush limbaugh talking guess one way trying rally republicans side negative rally audie cornish sort upside version something people talk talk obama coalition minority groups becoming majority think attempt say last gasp white voters subtle know subtle chuck todd didnt make subtle subtle comment stephanie cutter donald trump subtlety david brooks yeah racial panic like going flooded brown people like trying appeal listening conversation trying win votes audie cornish also undermine disenfranchise voting group say votes theyre real votes real americans chuck todd age people table think people table old enough remember republican party party africanamericans tom jackie robinsonjackie robinson endorsed nixon kennedy tom brokaw doctor king better friend nelson rockefeller example kennedys started approach king family said oh dont know andy young said even maids white irish dont know whether connection course changed goldwater movement takes think big issue election whoever wins whoever loses two parties theyre able reconstitute democrats bill clinton dont know whether thats possible anymore era social media divisions parties point dont know whether thats possible chuck todd todays first sunday nfl season falling 911 sports tremendous unifier country 911 particularly baseball also football well going unusual day think opening football season colin kaepernick quarterback san francisco 49ers protest seattle seahawks planning interesting sports figures decided dont know im wondering ali effect alis death educated whole generation new athletes say maybe use platform differently stephanie cutter well hope thats case saw happen nba last year chuck todd yep stephanie cutter look think good coming hes forcing discussion teammates across league supporting real benefits going people trying forge change ensure equal justice david brooks salute athletes stand national anthem theyre expressing gratitude men women made country fortunate born theyre expressing faith ideals country always problems stand honor things faith chuck todd well make last word thats today well back next week sunday meet press end transcript | 4,836 |
<p>BANGKOK, Thailand - It was once assumed that, in the violence-marred world of provincial Philippine politics, campaigns could at least scare off hired killers by traveling with females and journalists.</p>
<p>That assumption evaporated on Nov. 23, 2009, in the coastal province of Maguindinao. On that day, gunmen blitzed the convoy of a campaign that dared to challenge the Ampatuan family, a powerful political clan.</p>
<p>A full 58 members of the entourage, including 32 journalists and a local mayor's wife, were killed. Many of their corpses and some of their vehicles were dumped into a pre-dug pit nearby.</p>
<p>Three years later, the killings keep coming. Six witnesses have been slain since. After disappearing in May, an alleged driver for the 100-person hit squad was dismembered with a chainsaw. Members of the Ampatuan clan remain in office, and though some stand accused of plotting the crime, none have been sentenced in a trial ground to a crawl by their defense team.</p>
<p>Even by Philippine standards, dragged down by hits on reporters and politicians, this massacre stands out as appallingly flagrant.&#160;</p>
<p>The bloodbath begs the question: Is there no crime money and power can't absolve in the Philippines?</p>
<p>"Our enemy is very powerful," said Grace Morales, a 36-year-old widow and mother of three. Her husband and sister, both journalists, were murdered in the massacre. "Many members of the clan continue to hold government positions. The families of the victims are nobody against the powerful Ampatuans."</p>
<p>These days, those with the money and motivation to order a hit on Filipino journalists can take solace in the dismal statistics.&#160;</p>
<p>Only Iraq and Somalia rate worse than the Philippines in the Committee to Protect Journalists' rankings of nations with extremely high impunity towards murdering media workers. According to the Manila-based <a href="http://www.cmfr-phil.org/" type="external">Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility</a>, at least 128 journalists have been slain because of their work since the mid-1980s. These crimes have produced a mere 10 convictions, according to Melinda Quintos de Jesus, a director at the center.</p>
<p>"These attacks and threats from diverse quarters including political warlords ... local government officials, who feel the criticism is a bit unruly, and businessmen who use guns for hire," she said.</p>
<p>This phenomenon appears driven by a cocktail of factors. The Philippines' rampant gun culture and weak courts, paired with a forceful and bombastic reporting style, drive the killings up, Quintos de Jesus said. It doesn't help, she said, that many reporters consider death threats a rite of passage on par with a Purple Heart.</p>
<p>"The media style is bold and powerful. The use of language is daring and provocative," said Quintos de Jesus, who spent much of her career as a print journalist. "Many journalists say that if they were the ones criticized in this manner, they might reach for some instrument of attack and threat as well."</p>
<p>In the Philippines, anyone seeking a hired killer need not reach far, Quintos de Jesus said. Her research suggests that hit men can now be secured for as little as $275.</p>
<p>"The method is very familiar: two men on a motorcycle. One to drive, one man to take the gun and shoot," she said.</p>
<p>Filipinos are sadly accustomed to these strikes on reporters, activists and local politicians.</p>
<p>But the body count of the Maguindinao massacre - in which an entourage traveling with the campaign of local mayor Esmael Mangudadatu was snuffed out in moments - suggests that justice for even the most heinous killings can be stalled indefinitely. (Mangudadatu, detecting peril, did not join the convoy that day. He was later elected governor of Maguindinao.)</p>
<p>Police have named 197 suspects in the attack, but 94 have never been arrested, according to Amnesty International, which has decried the case's "very slow wheels of justice." The organization's deputy Asia-Pacific director, Polly Truscott, said that the "reluctance to effectively bring the Maguindinao killers to justice may well embolden the perpetrators of ruthless political violence."</p>
<p>"Every day that you work on these cases," Quintos de Jesus said, "you feel that you've taken a big hammer and knocked yourself in the head."&#160;</p>
<p>Donations have helped victims' families hire a prosecution team capable of taking on a defense headed by Sigfrid Fortun, known in the Philippines as an attorney to the wealthy and famous. In interviews with the Manila press, Fortun has repeatedly insisted that even infamous political clans deserve fair representation no matter their reputations.</p>
<p>Though three full years have passed, the trial is still entangled in bail proceedings. The cases are further complicated by settlement offers. Victims' families have been repeatedly approached by emissaries sent by the Ampatuan clan with offers of more than $610,000 in settlement money, Morales said.</p>
<p>"Many of those who died were breadwinners," she said. "Those they left behind were ordinary housewives with no work experience."</p>
<p>Though marked by sorrow and exasperation, there is at least one encouraging aspect to this tragedy, Quintos de Jesus said.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/photo-galleries/planet-pic/5728053/typhoon-bopha-kills-at-least-270-the-philippines-photos" type="external">Destruction in the wake of Typhoon Bopha</a></p>
<p>To date, none of the victims' families have relented to cash settlement offers that could help release the eight accused clan members from prison. "I'm really astounded that they've been able to resist given the great need they have," said Quintos de Jesus, who has helped document families reduced to eating scraps of food in the wake of their loved ones' killings.</p>
<p>Morales, out of work and left to support three kids, insists that no financial offer will derail her pursuit of a conviction against those who killed her husband and sister. "We want those responsible to pay for their crimes," she said. "I cannot understand why, until now, the masterminds have not been convicted."</p> | false | 3 | bangkok thailand assumed violencemarred world provincial philippine politics campaigns could least scare hired killers traveling females journalists assumption evaporated nov 23 2009 coastal province maguindinao day gunmen blitzed convoy campaign dared challenge ampatuan family powerful political clan full 58 members entourage including 32 journalists local mayors wife killed many corpses vehicles dumped predug pit nearby three years later killings keep coming six witnesses slain since disappearing may alleged driver 100person hit squad dismembered chainsaw members ampatuan clan remain office though stand accused plotting crime none sentenced trial ground crawl defense team even philippine standards dragged hits reporters politicians massacre stands appallingly flagrant160 bloodbath begs question crime money power cant absolve philippines enemy powerful said grace morales 36yearold widow mother three husband sister journalists murdered massacre many members clan continue hold government positions families victims nobody powerful ampatuans days money motivation order hit filipino journalists take solace dismal statistics160 iraq somalia rate worse philippines committee protect journalists rankings nations extremely high impunity towards murdering media workers according manilabased center media freedom responsibility least 128 journalists slain work since mid1980s crimes produced mere 10 convictions according melinda quintos de jesus director center attacks threats diverse quarters including political warlords local government officials feel criticism bit unruly businessmen use guns hire said phenomenon appears driven cocktail factors philippines rampant gun culture weak courts paired forceful bombastic reporting style drive killings quintos de jesus said doesnt help said many reporters consider death threats rite passage par purple heart media style bold powerful use language daring provocative said quintos de jesus spent much career print journalist many journalists say ones criticized manner might reach instrument attack threat well philippines anyone seeking hired killer need reach far quintos de jesus said research suggests hit men secured little 275 method familiar two men motorcycle one drive one man take gun shoot said filipinos sadly accustomed strikes reporters activists local politicians body count maguindinao massacre entourage traveling campaign local mayor esmael mangudadatu snuffed moments suggests justice even heinous killings stalled indefinitely mangudadatu detecting peril join convoy day later elected governor maguindinao police named 197 suspects attack 94 never arrested according amnesty international decried cases slow wheels justice organizations deputy asiapacific director polly truscott said reluctance effectively bring maguindinao killers justice may well embolden perpetrators ruthless political violence every day work cases quintos de jesus said feel youve taken big hammer knocked head160 donations helped victims families hire prosecution team capable taking defense headed sigfrid fortun known philippines attorney wealthy famous interviews manila press fortun repeatedly insisted even infamous political clans deserve fair representation matter reputations though three full years passed trial still entangled bail proceedings cases complicated settlement offers victims families repeatedly approached emissaries sent ampatuan clan offers 610000 settlement money morales said many died breadwinners said left behind ordinary housewives work experience though marked sorrow exasperation least one encouraging aspect tragedy quintos de jesus said globalpost destruction wake typhoon bopha date none victims families relented cash settlement offers could help release eight accused clan members prison im really astounded theyve able resist given great need said quintos de jesus helped document families reduced eating scraps food wake loved ones killings morales work left support three kids insists financial offer derail pursuit conviction killed husband sister want responsible pay crimes said understand masterminds convicted | 546 |
<p>New Zealand, the southern Pacific island chain known for being the stunning backdrop for <a href="http://www.newzealand.com/us/home-of-middle-earth/" type="external">The Lord of the Rings films</a>, has an unpleasant truth to contend with: its rates of sexual violence and assault appear to be shockingly high. According to a comparative study of 56 countries in British medical journal <a href="http://www.west-info.eu/non-partner-sexual-violence-rises-worldwide-assault-the-lancet-assault/piis0140673613622436-1/" type="external">The Lancet</a>, New Zealand ranks <a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/236193/sexual-assault-high-in-nz-lancet" type="external">third</a> (alongside Australia) in terms of reports of sexual assault among women 15 or older.</p>
<p>Female politicians in New Zealand say the issue still isn’t getting enough attention, and earlier this month they staged a dramatic walk-out of parliament. Much of their ire is directed at New Zealand’s three-term Prime Minister John Key. To understand why, though, you'll need some backstory.</p>
<p>In 2013, <a href="http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/facebook-teen-sex-shaming-exposed-2013110317" type="external">a big story broke</a> in the New Zealand media: several young girls had gone to the police saying a group of teenage boys had gotten them drunk, raped them, and then bragged about it on Facebook.</p>
<p>In an <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9358977/Pair-speak-to-police-about-Roast-Busters" type="external">interview</a> about the group shortly after the story broke, Key said, “These young guys should just grow up.” He was eviscerated online for making light of the issue, and anger only intensified when police <a href="http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/321626/no-prosecutions-roast-busters" type="external">announced</a> last year they had insufficient evidence to bring charges.</p>
<p>This month, another media and political storm erupted over Key’s use of the word “rape” in parliament.</p>
<p>It came during a <a href="http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&amp;objectid=11543038" type="external">heated discussion</a> over New Zealand citizens detained in Australia for immigration violations and whether they should be allowed back. Some of the detainees have criminal records, and Key argued that getting them home from Australia was not the government’s first priority. The opposition argued Key wasn’t protecting New Zealand citizens. Key retorted: “You back the rapists.”</p>
<p>After the confrontation, opposition leaders asked the speaker of the house to make Key apologize for accusing them of supporting rapists. Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei says that’s a common parliamentary move.</p>
<p>“We withdraw and apologize all the time, for misspeaking, and getting heated, for saying things that shouldn’t be said,” she says.</p>
<p>Still, the speaker wouldn’t ask Key to apologize.&#160;And, at first,&#160;Key said he shouldn’t have to.&#160; <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&amp;objectid=11558490&amp;ref=NZH_FBpage" type="external">Finally, weeks later, he did go on to apologize</a>.&#160;On&#160;December 9, the last sitting day of parliament, Key said, "I&#160;have reflected on my comments and … so close to Christmas,&#160;I’d like to withdraw and apologize for that response.”</p>
<p>But at the time, Key vehemently defended what he’d said.&#160;Abuse had been “hurled” at him for his comments in&#160;parliament,&#160; <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&amp;objectid=11544254" type="external">he told the press at one point</a>. "I am actually the&#160;person standing up for victims of crime,” he said.</p>
<p>Opposition MPs didn’t agree. They were disgusted with Key — and the speaker. A whole group of them walked out in protest.</p>
<p>“Our leader has made jokes and flimsy comments in relation to serious accusations of things that have happened in our society, and he himself has been an example of the sexism that exists in our culture,” says Marama Davidson, a member of parliament under New Zealand’s Green Party. “We’ve had enough. As women, we’ve had enough."</p>
<p>Green Party MP Marama Davidson (center) at a protest in Auckland, New Zealand</p>
<p>Robin Dianoux</p>
<p>The next day, Nov. 11, Davidson, Turei and about a dozen other female MPs decided to take it a step further. They wanted to make the point that rape can’t be used to score political points. So they decided to tell their own stories on the parliamentary floor.</p>
<p>In total, about a dozen women tried to speak. One by one, they stood up to deliver the same line: “As a victim of sexual assault, I take deep personal offense to John Key’s comments, and ask that he apologize and withdraw.”</p>
<p>But the speaker of the house ruled the women out of order, cut them off, and told them to sit down. As the declarations kept coming, the speaker started to kick out the female MPs who tried to speak, one by one. In the end, the rest walked out in solidarity.</p>
<p>This second walk-out sparked another, larger public uproar. <a href="http://www.actionstation.org.nz/itsnotok" type="external">A petition with 13,000 signatures asking Key to apologize</a> was presented to parliament by the opposition. Still, Key wouldn’t budge.</p>
<p>Like many of the female MPs, Davidson and Turei were speaking publicly for the first time about being sexually violated. Davidson says she was referring to sexual abuse she experienced as a child, and Turei, about being sexually assaulted in a taxi as a teen.</p>
<p>Turei says talking about the experience publicly was terrifying. But she had to, she says.&#160;“At some point, we have to stop —&#160;particularly men —&#160;from having such a blasé attitude towards the effects of rape and sexual assault. We just have to.”</p>
<p>Turei and Davidson are both Māori. <a href="http://www.ncwnz.org.nz/resources-2/violence-against-women/" type="external">And data</a> from New Zealand’s Ministry of Justice show Māori women and girls are almost twice as likely as white women to experience sexual assault at some point in their lives.</p>
<p>Davidson says it has only gotten worse under Key’s leadership. He’s even cut funding to organizations that “work with sexual violence, trying to improve the situation,”&#160;she points out. One center in <a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/248961/christchurch-loses-rape-crisis-centre" type="external">Christchurch</a> was forced to close last year for lack of funding, and another in <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9899505/Rape-crisis-centres-overwhelmed" type="external">Wellington</a>says it’s been dangerously underfunded for years.</p>
<p>Clarissa Neudorf works for one of those organizations — a survivor support service on New Zealand's south island. And she says she’s worried about the lesson many New Zealand women will take away from the women’s walk-out in parliament.</p>
<p>“It might make it more visible how common rape and sexual abuse are, and how many people it does affect,” Neudorf says. “But the issue is that they were silenced. So I think that’s sending a very strong message as well, [and] that could make women worried about disclosing.”</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Green Party MP Metiria Turei says staying quiet wasn’t an option.</p>
<p>“We can’t tackle [the problem] if it stays in the dark, and that’s just the awful truth of it. And that means some of us, in privileged positions like myself, are going to have to take some of those first steps.”</p>
<p>By first steps, Turei means forcing New Zealand to have an uncomfortable conversation it’s been reluctant to have, but may not be able to avoid any longer.</p>
<p />
<p>Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei (right) at a protest in Dunedin, New Zealand.</p>
<p>Robin Dianoux</p>
<p>Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Prime Minister Key ultimately apologized.</p> | false | 3 | new zealand southern pacific island chain known stunning backdrop lord rings films unpleasant truth contend rates sexual violence assault appear shockingly high according comparative study 56 countries british medical journal lancet new zealand ranks third alongside australia terms reports sexual assault among women 15 older female politicians new zealand say issue still isnt getting enough attention earlier month staged dramatic walkout parliament much ire directed new zealands threeterm prime minister john key understand though youll need backstory 2013 big story broke new zealand media several young girls gone police saying group teenage boys gotten drunk raped bragged facebook interview group shortly story broke key said young guys grow eviscerated online making light issue anger intensified police announced last year insufficient evidence bring charges month another media political storm erupted keys use word rape parliament came heated discussion new zealand citizens detained australia immigration violations whether allowed back detainees criminal records key argued getting home australia governments first priority opposition argued key wasnt protecting new zealand citizens key retorted back rapists confrontation opposition leaders asked speaker house make key apologize accusing supporting rapists green party coleader metiria turei says thats common parliamentary move withdraw apologize time misspeaking getting heated saying things shouldnt said says still speaker wouldnt ask key apologize160and first160key said shouldnt to160 finally weeks later go apologize160on160december 9 last sitting day parliament key said i160have reflected comments close christmas160id like withdraw apologize response time key vehemently defended hed said160abuse hurled comments in160parliament160 told press one point actually the160person standing victims crime said opposition mps didnt agree disgusted key speaker whole group walked protest leader made jokes flimsy comments relation serious accusations things happened society example sexism exists culture says marama davidson member parliament new zealands green party weve enough women weve enough green party mp marama davidson center protest auckland new zealand robin dianoux next day nov 11 davidson turei dozen female mps decided take step wanted make point rape cant used score political points decided tell stories parliamentary floor total dozen women tried speak one one stood deliver line victim sexual assault take deep personal offense john keys comments ask apologize withdraw speaker house ruled women order cut told sit declarations kept coming speaker started kick female mps tried speak one one end rest walked solidarity second walkout sparked another larger public uproar petition 13000 signatures asking key apologize presented parliament opposition still key wouldnt budge like many female mps davidson turei speaking publicly first time sexually violated davidson says referring sexual abuse experienced child turei sexually assaulted taxi teen turei says talking experience publicly terrifying says160at point stop 160particularly men 160from blasé attitude towards effects rape sexual assault turei davidson māori data new zealands ministry justice show māori women girls almost twice likely white women experience sexual assault point lives davidson says gotten worse keys leadership hes even cut funding organizations work sexual violence trying improve situation160she points one center christchurch forced close last year lack funding another wellingtonsays dangerously underfunded years clarissa neudorf works one organizations survivor support service new zealands south island says shes worried lesson many new zealand women take away womens walkout parliament might make visible common rape sexual abuse many people affect neudorf says issue silenced think thats sending strong message well could make women worried disclosing nonetheless green party mp metiria turei says staying quiet wasnt option cant tackle problem stays dark thats awful truth means us privileged positions like going take first steps first steps turei means forcing new zealand uncomfortable conversation reluctant may able avoid longer green party coleader metiria turei right protest dunedin new zealand robin dianoux editors note story updated reflect prime minister key ultimately apologized | 609 |
<p />
<p>The Russian LGBT Network in a report it published on July 31, 2017, says it has evacuated 64 people from Chechnya. (Photo by Alexxx1979; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)</p>
<p />
<p>A 31-page <a href="" type="internal">report</a> the Russian LGBT Network released on Monday notes those it has helped leave the semi-autonomous Russian republic in the North Caucuses “were relocated” to shelters in central Russia. The Russian LGBT Network, which is based in St. Petersburg, also said more than 130 people from Chechnya and neighboring republics have “requested assistance of a different nature because of the persecution from the local authorities and hostile relatives.”</p>
<p>Novaya Gazeta, an independent Russian newspaper, in April reported Chechen authorities have arrested more than 100 men because of their sexual orientation since the beginning of the year. At least three of these men reportedly died after their arrest, while others have been beaten and tortured and sent to secret prisons.</p>
<p>“They threw me to the floor and beat me,” said a person identified as I.J. in the Russian LGBT Network report. “They beat my chest and my face with their feet, and they hit my head against the floor.”</p>
<p>I.J. also told the Russian LGBT Network he thought authorities were going to rape them as they took off their clothes. A person identified as A.B. said authorities forced them to watch a video of them torturing a man by inserting a hollow tube and a piece of barbed wire into his anus.</p>
<p>“They enjoyed the torture,” said A.B. “We were forced to beat others up and to electrocute them. They instructed other inmates to do whatever they wanted with us.”</p>
<p>Novaya Gazeta reporter Elena Milashina contributed to the report, which indicates Chechen authorities have begun to target lesbian women. The Russian LGBT Network also notes dozens of gay Chechens may have been killed by their relatives in so-called honor killings.</p>
<p>The ongoing crackdown against gay and lesbian Chechens has sparked widespread outrage around the world.</p>
<p>U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley in April said the U.S. is “disturbed” by the crackdown. The State Department has <a href="" type="internal">also urged</a> the Russian government to conduct an investigation.</p>
<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and <a href="" type="internal">French President Emmanuel Macron</a> are among the world leaders who have condemned Chechen authorities. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told the Washington Blade last month the State Department has raised the crackdown in “conversations at the highest levels,” even though Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) in June during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing <a href="" type="internal">he has not discussed it with Russian officials.</a></p>
<p>Neither Tillerson nor President Trump has yet to publicly condemn the crackdown.</p>
<p>Tillerson on Tuesday made no mention of Chechnya when he spoke to reporters about relations between the U.S. and Russia during a State Department press briefing.</p>
<p />
<p>“The United States continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in the republic of Chechnya, where credible reports indicate at least 100 men have been detained and tortured with some killed on the basis of their sexual orientation,” a State Department official told the Blade on Tuesday in a statement.</p>
<p>Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, who is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said last month during an interview with HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” that <a href="" type="internal">gay people don’t exist in the republic.</a> The Russian LGBT Network has also expressed skepticism over the Kremlin’s claims it has launched an investigation into the crackdown.</p>
<p>Nauert on July 18 described Kadyrov’s comments as “very concerning and upsetting to us.” The State Department official with whom the Blade spoke on Tuesday stressed the U.S. “categorically condemns the persecution of individuals based on their sexual orientation or any other basis.”</p>
<p>“We urge Russian federal authorities to follow through on its promise to conduct an independent and credible investigation into these reports, and hold any perpetrators responsible as soon as possible,” added the official. “We also urge Russian federal authorities to speak out against such practices and take steps to ensure the release of anyone wrongfully detained.”</p>
<p>The Russian LGBT Network released its report a day before Media Matters for America published a study that notes there have only been three “significant mentions” of the Chechnya crackdown in the six major networks’ evening newscasts between April 1-July 31.</p>
<p>A segment of NBC’s “Nightly News” broadcast on April 23 focused on Chechnya. CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” and “Anderson Cooper 360” highlighted the anti-gay crackdown on April 24 and May 4 respectively.</p>
<p>“Chechnya’s brutal attacks against and murders of queer men in the region have become an international human rights issue, but the American public would not know that by watching the evening news,” said Media Matters. “Though NBC’s and CNN’s pieces provided&#160;solid reporting, one package on each network’s evening programming over a four-month span is not enough, and the utter silence of ABC, CBS, MSNBC, and Fox News does a disservice to their viewers.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Chechnya</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">Elena Milashina</a> <a href="" type="internal">Heather Nauert</a> <a href="" type="internal">Media Matters for America</a> <a href="" type="internal">Novaya Gazeta</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ramzan Kadyrov</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rex Tillerson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Russian LGBT Network</a> <a href="" type="internal">State Department</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vladimir Putin</a></p> | false | 3 | russian lgbt network report published july 31 2017 says evacuated 64 people chechnya photo alexxx1979 courtesy wikimedia commons 31page report russian lgbt network released monday notes helped leave semiautonomous russian republic north caucuses relocated shelters central russia russian lgbt network based st petersburg also said 130 people chechnya neighboring republics requested assistance different nature persecution local authorities hostile relatives novaya gazeta independent russian newspaper april reported chechen authorities arrested 100 men sexual orientation since beginning year least three men reportedly died arrest others beaten tortured sent secret prisons threw floor beat said person identified ij russian lgbt network report beat chest face feet hit head floor ij also told russian lgbt network thought authorities going rape took clothes person identified ab said authorities forced watch video torturing man inserting hollow tube piece barbed wire anus enjoyed torture said ab forced beat others electrocute instructed inmates whatever wanted us novaya gazeta reporter elena milashina contributed report indicates chechen authorities begun target lesbian women russian lgbt network also notes dozens gay chechens may killed relatives socalled honor killings ongoing crackdown gay lesbian chechens sparked widespread outrage around world us ambassador un nikki haley april said us disturbed crackdown state department also urged russian government conduct investigation canadian prime minister justin trudeau german chancellor angela merkel french president emmanuel macron among world leaders condemned chechen authorities state department spokesperson heather nauert told washington blade last month state department raised crackdown conversations highest levels even though secretary state rex tillerson told us rep david cicilline dri june house foreign affairs committee hearing discussed russian officials neither tillerson president trump yet publicly condemn crackdown tillerson tuesday made mention chechnya spoke reporters relations us russia state department press briefing united states continues deeply concerned situation republic chechnya credible reports indicate least 100 men detained tortured killed basis sexual orientation state department official told blade tuesday statement chechen president ramzan kadyrov close ally russian president vladimir putin said last month interview hbos real sports bryant gumbel gay people dont exist republic russian lgbt network also expressed skepticism kremlins claims launched investigation crackdown nauert july 18 described kadyrovs comments concerning upsetting us state department official blade spoke tuesday stressed us categorically condemns persecution individuals based sexual orientation basis urge russian federal authorities follow promise conduct independent credible investigation reports hold perpetrators responsible soon possible added official also urge russian federal authorities speak practices take steps ensure release anyone wrongfully detained russian lgbt network released report day media matters america published study notes three significant mentions chechnya crackdown six major networks evening newscasts april 1july 31 segment nbcs nightly news broadcast april 23 focused chechnya cnns lead jake tapper anderson cooper 360 highlighted antigay crackdown april 24 may 4 respectively chechnyas brutal attacks murders queer men region become international human rights issue american public would know watching evening news said media matters though nbcs cnns pieces provided160solid reporting one package networks evening programming fourmonth span enough utter silence abc cbs msnbc fox news disservice viewers chechnya donald trump elena milashina heather nauert media matters america novaya gazeta ramzan kadyrov rex tillerson russian lgbt network state department vladimir putin | 519 |
<p>In his two and a half years at Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago, Brandon Bailys has supported his students through the range of experiences that accompany growing up in one of America’s most violent cities. He’s counseled teenagers who have lost family members to gun violence, and rejoiced to see them walk down the aisle at graduation.</p>
<p>Bailys, 28, works a guidance counselor for “Becoming a Man,” or BAM, a <a href="https://www.youth-guidance.org/bam/" type="external">program</a> designed to give at-risk young men of color a safe space to express themselves and develop social and emotional skills. For an hour each week, he leads a group of roughly 15 students in exercises and discussions that, he says, provide something kids can’t often get on the streets: a support system. Many sessions center on gun violence: Almost <a href="http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/shootings/" type="external">2,000</a> people have been shot in the Chicago this year, including 97 teenagers in just the last month.</p>
<p />
<p>Subscribe to receive The Trace’s newsletters on important gun news and analysis.</p>
<p />
<p>The program serves 2,500 young men in 48 schools across the city, and has shown promise in reducing violence. A new study from the University of Chicago Crime Lab <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/innovative-program-cuts-violent-crime-arrests-among-chicago-youth/" type="external">found</a> that the program reduced violent crime arrests among its students by 50 percent. (One troubling indicator: Researchers noted that the decrease in arrests didn’t continue after the students stopped participating in the program.) The students’ on-time graduation rates also shot up by 19 percent. &#160;</p>
<p>In an interview with The Trace, Bailys discussed his experience with BAM and the most gratifying moments he’s had as a counselor.</p>
<p>The name is important. The program’s not called “Being a Man” or “You Are a Man” because we’re always in the process: Even as a counselor, I am still becoming a man. There are still things that I don’t show integrity with, and there are still times when I don’t hold myself accountable. The point isn’t, “Oh, you go through BAM and then, boom, you’re a man.” The moment that we settle and say, “I know I’m becoming a man because of X, Y and Z and I’m not struggling to become a man because I am a man,” that’s the moment we stop reflecting on ourselves and that’s the moment we start acting like there are no repercussions for our actions.</p>
<p>The first thing we do is sit in a circle, create a safe space, and the students will check in. The check-in is really kind of identifying where they’re at, holistically. So, physically, where are you at? How is your body feeling? Are you tired? Are you hungry? There may be kids who come into school and they haven’t eaten the night before, and so they’re coming to school to get fed.</p>
<p>After that, we’ll ask, “What’s on your mind?” Recently, toward the end of the year when we did our weekly check-in, a lot of violence was happening. You’d hear, “I’ve been thinking about my friend who got shot,” or “I was thinking about the girl on Lake Shore Drive who got killed.” Another student came to see me in December, and I could tell he was upset, and he told me, “This morning I got held up at gunpoint just coming to school.” When he was walking to school! I grew up in a suburb outside of Cleveland, and I would have been holed up in my house for months after that. And he came to school and sought support. They’re able to talk about those moments and put those feelings out there — they’re not going to suppress or repress them anymore.</p>
<p>After the check-in, we’ll most likely do an experiential activity. We have 32 different lessons, but at the end of the year we do what’s called visionary goal setting. Within that is something that we call “affirmations and clearances.” An affirmation is “I know I’m becoming a man because …” fill in the blank. And then after that is clearances. “I know I’m still struggling to become a man because …” fill in the blank. And in that moment, they’re recognizing all the work that they’ve done throughout the year and all the work that they still have to do. It’s a really thoughtful, deep reflection on where they’re at.</p>
<p>I think back to a month ago when one of my kids said, “I’m just scared all the time.” There’s just a baseline of anxiety every day because there are so many shootings. And so we talk about what’s that like. Part of that is just listening to their experiences. I’ve had kids who have been arrested for possession of a firearm, or they have seen their friends get shot or murdered, or they just hear shootings outside their home every day. I also think they reflect on what it would be like if they had a gun. Or, if they have a gun, on the damage they could do.</p>
<p>I don’t share my own beliefs on guns, because it would immediately take away from their experience. And that’s not what BAM’s about. It’s hearing their opinions. What does a gun do for you? How do you feel if you have a gun? Does it change your identity as an individual? Are you actually safer? All those questions come in. Overall, I think they believe that guns are doing a significant amount of damage to their communities.</p>
<p>The most important thing you can do is just accept the kids for who they are and what they’re going through. A lot of people don’t realize that there’s a picture painted of these kids before they’re even born. Often when people think of a young man of color in Chicago, they think of violence. And so there are so many things that are already against them, whether it’s this stigma or worrying about being able to support their families or being in an environment where every single day they have to watch their back. Every single day, a simple, “Hey, how are you?” is going to add some value to their lives because there are more people who are invested in seeing their success through.</p>
<p>I think society creates this expectation of men that we don’t talk about anything. We don’t have feelings, and the only feelings that we do have are anger. And so for some groups it does take months to really break those barriers and open up. But in my experience, the group is powerful within itself, and just participating is what encourages the kids to open up. A lot of it is the comfort of hearing that you’re not the only one going through something.</p>
<p>I’m thinking about one of my groups last year, kids who will have just graduated. One of the students checked in and said, “I’m feeling really sad because my brother just got locked up for armed robbery.” And in that moment, another student interrupted him and said, “My brother just got locked up for armed robbery.” Well, unbeknownst to the students, both their brothers committed the crime together. And so in that moment, they were able to find safety in the group, and in that moment, they became brothers. All their barriers were gone —&#160;because they were going through the exact same thing.</p>
<p>At the same time, I do a lot of individual counseling. There are certain things that can’t be dealt with on the group level. I think about five to seven of my students lost either a parent or a grandparent within this past year.</p>
<p>I’m thinking about a specific student who I’ve been working with for the past two years, and I see on a very regular basis. We’re actually in the process of getting some of his gang tattoos removed, which is a really, really cool experience. And the reason why he wants them off is because he believes his external self does not reflect who he is on the inside. Within the past year, his brother was locked up and his father was murdered, and in spite of all the trauma he’s dealt with, he came to school every day, he walked across the stage, graduated, and now is hopefully going to get an internship through our organization.</p>
<p>At the end of every year, we do a celebration to recognize the students for all their hard work. And I took my students — I think it was about 60 guys — to Sky Zone, a trampoline park. In this environment where there was absolutely zero threat to their well-being, they were able to take down all those walls that they’ve had to create to be safe. They were 14- to 18-year-old boys jumping around and being goofy and having an amazing time. And unfortunately, whether it’s their neighborhood or their families, they don’t get to be like that, where there’s no threat, very often. So, it’s really, really good to see them be able to take down those walls and just be kids. Because they are kids.</p>
<p>[Photo: <a href="http://www.youth-guidance.org/our-programs/b-a-m-becoming-a-man/" type="external">Youth Guidance</a>]</p> | false | 3 | two half years roberto clemente high school chicago brandon bailys supported students range experiences accompany growing one americas violent cities hes counseled teenagers lost family members gun violence rejoiced see walk aisle graduation bailys 28 works guidance counselor becoming man bam program designed give atrisk young men color safe space express develop social emotional skills hour week leads group roughly 15 students exercises discussions says provide something kids cant often get streets support system many sessions center gun violence almost 2000 people shot chicago year including 97 teenagers last month subscribe receive traces newsletters important gun news analysis program serves 2500 young men 48 schools across city shown promise reducing violence new study university chicago crime lab found program reduced violent crime arrests among students 50 percent one troubling indicator researchers noted decrease arrests didnt continue students stopped participating program students ontime graduation rates also shot 19 percent 160 interview trace bailys discussed experience bam gratifying moments hes counselor name important programs called man man always process even counselor still becoming man still things dont show integrity still times dont hold accountable point isnt oh go bam boom youre man moment settle say know im becoming man x z im struggling become man man thats moment stop reflecting thats moment start acting like repercussions actions first thing sit circle create safe space students check checkin really kind identifying theyre holistically physically body feeling tired hungry may kids come school havent eaten night theyre coming school get fed well ask whats mind recently toward end year weekly checkin lot violence happening youd hear ive thinking friend got shot thinking girl lake shore drive got killed another student came see december could tell upset told morning got held gunpoint coming school walking school grew suburb outside cleveland would holed house months came school sought support theyre able talk moments put feelings theyre going suppress repress anymore checkin well likely experiential activity 32 different lessons end year whats called visionary goal setting within something call affirmations clearances affirmation know im becoming man fill blank clearances know im still struggling become man fill blank moment theyre recognizing work theyve done throughout year work still really thoughtful deep reflection theyre think back month ago one kids said im scared time theres baseline anxiety every day many shootings talk whats like part listening experiences ive kids arrested possession firearm seen friends get shot murdered hear shootings outside home every day also think reflect would like gun gun damage could dont share beliefs guns would immediately take away experience thats bams hearing opinions gun feel gun change identity individual actually safer questions come overall think believe guns significant amount damage communities important thing accept kids theyre going lot people dont realize theres picture painted kids theyre even born often people think young man color chicago think violence many things already whether stigma worrying able support families environment every single day watch back every single day simple hey going add value lives people invested seeing success think society creates expectation men dont talk anything dont feelings feelings anger groups take months really break barriers open experience group powerful within participating encourages kids open lot comfort hearing youre one going something im thinking one groups last year kids graduated one students checked said im feeling really sad brother got locked armed robbery moment another student interrupted said brother got locked armed robbery well unbeknownst students brothers committed crime together moment able find safety group moment became brothers barriers gone 160because going exact thing time lot individual counseling certain things cant dealt group level think five seven students lost either parent grandparent within past year im thinking specific student ive working past two years see regular basis actually process getting gang tattoos removed really really cool experience reason wants believes external self reflect inside within past year brother locked father murdered spite trauma hes dealt came school every day walked across stage graduated hopefully going get internship organization end every year celebration recognize students hard work took students think 60 guys sky zone trampoline park environment absolutely zero threat wellbeing able take walls theyve create safe 14 18yearold boys jumping around goofy amazing time unfortunately whether neighborhood families dont get like theres threat often really really good see able take walls kids kids photo youth guidance | 716 |
<p>GLOBALPOST LIVE BLOG: FIGHTING IN UKRAINE INTENSIFIES</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 5:00 PM ET</p>
<p>Signing off</p>
<p>This live blog is now closed.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 3:05 PM ET</p>
<p>A ghost town in eastern Ukraine</p>
<p>Kyiv Post's Christopher Miller tweets:</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 1:45 PM ET</p>
<p>Fighting in Slovyansk, and trying to untangle what happened in Donetsk</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/05/27/the-bloody-battle-for-donetsks-airport-the-view-from-the-front-lines/" type="external">The Washington Post's correspondent</a> has a play-by-play of how events unfolded in the Ukrainian military's assault on the armed pro-Russian insurgents at Donetsk's airport:</p>
<p>The fighting grew in intensity. A Ukrainian military jet soared overhead, releasing little puffs of silvery orange chaff to counter possible antiaircraft missiles. There were more explosions, and black smoke rose in the distance behind a Lexus car dealership.</p>
<p>It was extremely chaotic now. Volleys of machine gun fire rattled off to one side of us, near the runway radar, and off to the other, around the corner from the Lexus dealership. Police, journalists and pedestrians ran through the tall grass along the boulevard. It wasn’t always clear whether people in flak jackets were journalists or militants until you were close enough to see their body armor marked “PRESS.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/05/27/the-bloody-battle-for-donetsks-airport-the-view-from-the-front-lines/" type="external">Read the full account here</a>.</p>
<p>This AP report includes an update on fighting in Slovyansk, another city in eastern Ukraine that saw separatists take over key locations:</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 12:35 PM ET</p>
<p>Obama congratulates Poroshenko</p>
<p>Reuters — President Barack Obama congratulated Ukraine's president-elect, Petro Poroshenko, on his election victory on Tuesday and offered US support as he seeks to unify the country, the White House said.</p>
<p>Poroshenko, a billionaire confectionary magnate, won Sunday's election and has vowed to crush a revolt by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine after Russia's seizure of Crimea.</p>
<p>A White House statement said Obama congratulated Poroshenko and offered "the full support of the United States as he seeks to unify and move his country forward."</p>
<p>The two leaders agreed to continue their conversation during Obama's trip to Europe next week, the White House said.</p>
<p>As Senior Correspondent Dan Peleschuk <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140526/electing-ukraines-new-president-was-the-easy-part" type="external">wrote</a> on Monday, electing a new president was the easy part for Ukraine.</p>
<p>“He needs to create a new state practically from scratch,” said Vadim Karasyov, director of Kyiv-based think tank Institute of Global Strategies.</p>
<p>Read more about <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140526/electing-ukraines-new-president-was-the-easy-part" type="external">the herculean task</a> before Ukraine's 'Chocolate King.'</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 12:15 PM ET</p>
<p>The grim aftermath of the assault in Donetsk</p>
<p>These photos capture the aftermath of the deadly violence in Donetsk:</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 12:05 PM ET</p>
<p>Putin calls for halt to Ukraine's operations</p>
<p>Reuters — Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Tuesday for an immediate halt to Ukraine's military operation against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.</p>
<p>In his first reported comments on Ukraine since its presidential election on Sunday, Putin also stepped up pressure on Kyiv to start a dialogue with the rebel leaders as fighting raged in east Ukraine.</p>
<p>The Kremlin said Putin had spoken to Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi by telephone and "underscored the need for an immediate halt to the punitive military operation in the southeastern regions and the establishment of peaceful dialogue between Kyiv and representatives of the regions."</p>
<p>Moscow has amassed troops on the frontier with Ukraine during the crisis, in which Ukraine's Moscow-basked president was ousted and Russia annexed the Crimea region from Ukraine, but said last week they had started to withdraw.</p>
<p>NATO has noted, however, that many still remain.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 11:55 AM ET</p>
<p>OSCE monitors possibly detained by separatists</p>
<p>Reuters — A Danish government minister said on Tuesday that four missing monitors from European security watchdog the OSCE, including a Dane, were believed detained by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.</p>
<p>The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) earlier said it had lost contact with one of its teams of civilian monitors near the city of Donetsk, where rebels are clashing with Ukrainian government forces.</p>
<p>"I can confirm that a Danish person deployed as a part of OSCE's (monitoring mission) according to our knowledge was detained by the armed separatists in Ukraine along with three other observers yesterday," Danish Minister of Trade and Development Mogens Jensen said.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 11:45 AM ET</p>
<p>The assault as it happened</p>
<p>This footage from Associated Press captures the Ukrainian military's aerial assault on the separatists who took over Donetsk's airport:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 10:50 AM ET</p>
<p>Russia, Ukraine trade blame as violence continues</p>
<p>Reuters — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Moscow's call for an immediate end to violence in Ukraine on Tuesday, Russian news agencies reported.</p>
<p>Lavrov said halting bloodshed in Ukraine's southeast was the most important task for the authorities in Kyiv after the nation elected a president on Sunday, Itar-Tass reported.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government accused Russia of sending "terrorists" across its border on Tuesday after border guards clashed with armed men in the east of the country overnight.</p>
<p>The foreign ministry in Kyiv said it was protesting over Moscow's failure to take action against a concentration of up to 40 truckloads of armed men. The border guard service said it believed some of these had succeeding in crossing the frontier near Astakhovo, in Luhansk region, about 150 km from Donetsk.</p>
<p>"There are grounds to believe that Russian terrorists are being sent onto Ukrainian territory, organized and financed under the direct control of the Kremlin and Russian special forces," Ukraine's foreign ministry said.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 10:35 AM ET</p>
<p>OSCE loses contact with a team in Donetsk</p>
<p>Reuters — European security watchdog OSCE has lost contact with one of its teams of monitors near the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian militants are fighting Kyiv government forces.</p>
<p>The team of four monitors — comprising an Estonian, a Swiss, a Turk and a Dane — came into contact with a road checkpoint on Monday at around 6 p.m. and had not re-established contact, a Kyiv-based spokesman for the OSCE mission said on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said the monitors had been on a routine patrol east of Donetsk.</p>
<p>The OSCE said it had not yet been able to re-establish communication with the team of monitors. "We are continuing with our efforts and utilizing our contacts on the ground. The Ukrainian government as well as regional authorities have been informed of the situation."</p>
<p>A Western envoy accredited to the OSCE said: "It is a very scary situation."</p>
<p>In early May, pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine freed seven European military observers from a separate OSCE-linked mission after holding them hostage for eight days.</p>
<p>The 57-nation OSCE — which seeks to prevent conflict and promote democracy on the continent — decided unanimously in March to deploy civilian monitors across Ukraine to try to help to defuse the crisis there, so far without much success. The mission consists of about 282 people, including 198 civilian international monitors from 41 OSCE countries, according to the Vienna-based organization's website.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/27/14 9:45 AM ET</p>
<p>More than 50 pro-Russian rebels killed in Donetsk fighting</p>
<p>Reuters — Ukrainian forces fought with separatists in the city of Donetsk for a second day on Tuesday after inflicting heavy losses on the rebels and the government vowed to press on with a military offensive "until not a single terrorist" was left.</p>
<p>Pro-Russian rebels said more than 50 of their fighters had been killed. The mayor of Donetsk, an industrial hub in eastern Ukraine, said the death toll in the clashes which erupted on Monday stood at 40, including two civilians.</p>
<p>A Reuters correspondent counted 20 bodies in combat fatigues in one room of a hospital morgue, some of them missing limbs.</p>
<p>Ukraine used air strikes and a paratroop assault on Monday to clear rebels from Donetsk's international airport and had pushed the separatists out of the complex by the end of the day.</p>
<p>But shooting continued through the night and on Tuesday the road to the airport bore signs of fighting overnight and heavy machine gun fire could be heard in the distance in mid-morning.</p>
<p>"The airport is completely under control," Interior Minister Arsen Avakov told journalists in the capital Kyiv. "The adversary suffered heavy losses. We have no losses," he added.</p>
<p>"We'll continue the anti-terrorist operation until not a single terrorist remains on the territory of Ukraine," First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Yarema said on the margins of a government meeting.</p>
<p>"We have 29 or 30 dead on our side but that is not the final count yet," said Dima Gau, a rebel representative.</p>
<p>Donetsk mayor Alexander Lukyanchenko said 40 people had been killed in the past day, 38 of the bodies being of those involved in fighting around the airport.</p>
<p>The prime minister of the rebels' self-styled Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), Alexander Borodai, was quoted by Russia's RIA news agency as telling a news conference in the city: "We have lost more than 50 volunteers."</p>
<p>Ukraine launched the fresh offensive against the rebels, who have occupied strategic points in Donetsk and other towns in the east, after Ukraine's newly elected president rejected any talks with "terrorists."</p>
<p>Petro Poroshenko, a 48-year-old billionaire oligarch, won overwhelming support in Sunday's election that many hope will draw a line under six months of upheaval. He said a robust military campaign in the east should be able to put down a separatist revolt in "a matter of hours."</p>
<p>On the road to the airport, Reuters journalists saw blood-spattered and bullet-riddled hulks of trucks of the kind the separatist fighters have been using.</p>
<p>Though the rebels backing the self-proclaimed republic had suffered serious losses, the heavy machine gunfire indicated that government forces were still facing resistance.</p>
<p>It was too early to say if the apparent military successes of government forces could break the rebellion in Donetsk, the first of a rash of such revolts across eastern Ukraine after months of turmoil in the capital that led to the ousting of the Moscow-backed president, Viktor Yanukovych.</p>
<p>In Donetsk on Tuesday a hockey stadium was set ablaze, though firefighters managed to bring it under control.</p>
<p>A Kamaz truck of the type rebels use to ferry their fighters was wrecked on the airport road, covered in blood and completely riddled with bullet holes. Blood had spattered across the entire roadway and even reached a billboard seven meters above.</p>
<p>Outside the city centre, another Kamaz was flipped over, its deck covered in blood.</p>
<p>The mayor reinforced warnings for people to avoid the airport area and said nine schools and two hospitals had been closed, with patients evacuated elsewhere. He reassured people that food and other supplies were still reaching the city.</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 live blog fighting ukraine intensifies update 52714 500 pm et signing live blog closed update 52714 305 pm et ghost town eastern ukraine kyiv posts christopher miller tweets update 52714 145 pm et fighting slovyansk trying untangle happened donetsk washington posts correspondent playbyplay events unfolded ukrainian militarys assault armed prorussian insurgents donetsks airport fighting grew intensity ukrainian military jet soared overhead releasing little puffs silvery orange chaff counter possible antiaircraft missiles explosions black smoke rose distance behind lexus car dealership extremely chaotic volleys machine gun fire rattled one side us near runway radar around corner lexus dealership police journalists pedestrians ran tall grass along boulevard wasnt always clear whether people flak jackets journalists militants close enough see body armor marked press read full account ap report includes update fighting slovyansk another city eastern ukraine saw separatists take key locations 160 update 52714 1235 pm et obama congratulates poroshenko reuters president barack obama congratulated ukraines presidentelect petro poroshenko election victory tuesday offered us support seeks unify country white house said poroshenko billionaire confectionary magnate sundays election vowed crush revolt prorussian rebels eastern ukraine russias seizure crimea white house statement said obama congratulated poroshenko offered full support united states seeks unify move country forward two leaders agreed continue conversation obamas trip europe next week white house said senior correspondent dan peleschuk wrote monday electing new president easy part ukraine needs create new state practically scratch said vadim karasyov director kyivbased think tank institute global strategies read herculean task ukraines chocolate king update 52714 1215 pm et grim aftermath assault donetsk photos capture aftermath deadly violence donetsk update 52714 1205 pm et putin calls halt ukraines operations reuters russian president vladimir putin called tuesday immediate halt ukraines military operation prorussian separatists east country first reported comments ukraine since presidential election sunday putin also stepped pressure kyiv start dialogue rebel leaders fighting raged east ukraine kremlin said putin spoken italian prime minister matteo renzi telephone underscored need immediate halt punitive military operation southeastern regions establishment peaceful dialogue kyiv representatives regions moscow amassed troops frontier ukraine crisis ukraines moscowbasked president ousted russia annexed crimea region ukraine said last week started withdraw nato noted however many still remain update 52714 1155 et osce monitors possibly detained separatists reuters danish government minister said tuesday four missing monitors european security watchdog osce including dane believed detained prorussian separatists ukraine organisation security cooperation europe osce earlier said lost contact one teams civilian monitors near city donetsk rebels clashing ukrainian government forces confirm danish person deployed part osces monitoring mission according knowledge detained armed separatists ukraine along three observers yesterday danish minister trade development mogens jensen said update 52714 1145 et assault happened footage associated press captures ukrainian militarys aerial assault separatists took donetsks airport update 52714 1050 et russia ukraine trade blame violence continues reuters russian foreign minister sergei lavrov reiterated moscows call immediate end violence ukraine tuesday russian news agencies reported lavrov said halting bloodshed ukraines southeast important task authorities kyiv nation elected president sunday itartass reported meanwhile ukrainian government accused russia sending terrorists across border tuesday border guards clashed armed men east country overnight foreign ministry kyiv said protesting moscows failure take action concentration 40 truckloads armed men border guard service said believed succeeding crossing frontier near astakhovo luhansk region 150 km donetsk grounds believe russian terrorists sent onto ukrainian territory organized financed direct control kremlin russian special forces ukraines foreign ministry said update 52714 1035 et osce loses contact team donetsk reuters european security watchdog osce lost contact one teams monitors near city donetsk eastern ukraine prorussian militants fighting kyiv government forces team four monitors comprising estonian swiss turk dane came contact road checkpoint monday around 6 pm reestablished contact kyivbased spokesman osce mission said tuesday viennabased organisation security cooperation europe osce said monitors routine patrol east donetsk osce said yet able reestablish communication team monitors continuing efforts utilizing contacts ground ukrainian government well regional authorities informed situation western envoy accredited osce said scary situation early may prorussian rebels eastern ukraine freed seven european military observers separate oscelinked mission holding hostage eight days 57nation osce seeks prevent conflict promote democracy continent decided unanimously march deploy civilian monitors across ukraine try help defuse crisis far without much success mission consists 282 people including 198 civilian international monitors 41 osce countries according viennabased organizations website update 52714 945 et 50 prorussian rebels killed donetsk fighting reuters ukrainian forces fought separatists city donetsk second day tuesday inflicting heavy losses rebels government vowed press military offensive single terrorist left prorussian rebels said 50 fighters killed mayor donetsk industrial hub eastern ukraine said death toll clashes erupted monday stood 40 including two civilians reuters correspondent counted 20 bodies combat fatigues one room hospital morgue missing limbs ukraine used air strikes paratroop assault monday clear rebels donetsks international airport pushed separatists complex end day shooting continued night tuesday road airport bore signs fighting overnight heavy machine gun fire could heard distance midmorning airport completely control interior minister arsen avakov told journalists capital kyiv adversary suffered heavy losses losses added well continue antiterrorist operation single terrorist remains territory ukraine first deputy prime minister vitaly yarema said margins government meeting 29 30 dead side final count yet said dima gau rebel representative donetsk mayor alexander lukyanchenko said 40 people killed past day 38 bodies involved fighting around airport prime minister rebels selfstyled donetsk peoples republic dnr alexander borodai quoted russias ria news agency telling news conference city lost 50 volunteers ukraine launched fresh offensive rebels occupied strategic points donetsk towns east ukraines newly elected president rejected talks terrorists petro poroshenko 48yearold billionaire oligarch overwhelming support sundays election many hope draw line six months upheaval said robust military campaign east able put separatist revolt matter hours road airport reuters journalists saw bloodspattered bulletriddled hulks trucks kind separatist fighters using though rebels backing selfproclaimed republic suffered serious losses heavy machine gunfire indicated government forces still facing resistance early say apparent military successes government forces could break rebellion donetsk first rash revolts across eastern ukraine months turmoil capital led ousting moscowbacked president viktor yanukovych donetsk tuesday hockey stadium set ablaze though firefighters managed bring control kamaz truck type rebels use ferry fighters wrecked airport road covered blood completely riddled bullet holes blood spattered across entire roadway even reached billboard seven meters outside city centre another kamaz flipped deck covered blood mayor reinforced warnings people avoid airport area said nine schools two hospitals closed patients evacuated elsewhere reassured people food supplies still reaching city color bordercolorbbbbbb borderstylesolid borderwidth1px backgroundcolorf8f8f8 floatcenter marginleft 5px marginright 15px marginbottom 30px lineheight14px displayblock padding 15px | 1,093 |
<p>A white person with a criminal record is more likely to get a job than a black person who doesn’t have one. It’s just one of the contributors to the high unemployment rate for black people nationally and in Illinois.</p>
<p>According to the latest unemployment estimates, released in March, the national unemployment rate jumped to 8.5 percent, the highest in more than two decades, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and The Associated Press. The rate, however, for black people was 13.3 percent, according to the bureau.</p>
<p>The same group that has always been hit hardest in Illinois remains African Americans. The Chicago Reporter analyzed nearly three decades of unemployment statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and found:</p>
<p>* In Illinois, black people have had the highest unemployment rates since 1981, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began separately reporting black, Hispanic and other racial minority groups.</p>
<p>* The unemployment rate was 6.5 percent overall last year in Illinois, but 12.1 percent for black people; black men had the highest, 14 percent.</p>
<p>* It’s been worse. In 1982, more than one in four black men in the labor force in Illinois were unemployed, as their unemployment rate hit 29.2 percent.</p>
<p>* Since 2006, the rate between black and white men has narrowed, but increased between black and Latino men. In 2008, the unemployment rate for white men was 6 percent, compared with 14 percent for black men and 5.9 percent for Latino men–”the first time Latino men had the lowest unemployment rate.</p>
<p>* The lowest unemployment rate recorded for black people in Illinois was 9.4 percent, slightly lower than the highest rate recorded for white people, which was 9.6 percent.</p>
<p>Princeton University sociology professor Devah Pager studied unemployment between black and white people to determine whether inequities existed. Her study–” conducted in Milwaukee in 2001 and published in 2003–” included four equally qualified job candidates, two black and two white. The testers were similar in physical appearance and style of self-presentation. The testers applied for jobs at 350 companies. The individuals of matching race would alternate claims of having been previously convicted of a felony–”cocaine possession with intent to distribute.</p>
<p>Pager’s results showed a disparity in callbacks by employers when variables were limited to only race. The effect of a criminal record proved to be 40 percent more detrimental to black candidates than their white counterparts. A white applicant with a felony record was called back by employers 17 percent of the time versus a rate of just 14 percent for a black candidate with no record at all.</p>
<p>“Anecdotally, that’s always been our perception. This study just kind of verified it,” said Robert Wordlaw, executive director of the Chicago Jobs Council. “It’s amazing what we still continue to accept.”</p>
<p>Pager said the results indicate that race is a widely deployed “screening device,” because possible secondary factors often associated with race, such as educational background and interpersonal skills, were controlled in her study.</p>
<p>Race is often used in low-wage labor markets that see a large number of applicants. These employers have more incentive to find easy ways to differentiate between candidates before they spend time interviewing and hiring them.</p>
<p>With an increased number of unemployed individuals overall, the figures from the study may become even more severe. “During times of economic recession, especially of the magnitude that we’re seeing today, we would expect that these are the groups that are going to be virtually completely shut out of formal labor opportunities,” Pager said.</p>
<p>Groups like the Chicago Urban League are creating programs to try and reverse this trend. A new initiative aims to eliminate at least one barrier that has traditionally placed black people at a disadvantage in gaining employment: transportation.</p>
<p>Cheryl Freeman Smith, director of workforce development and diversity at the Chicago Urban League, said that jobs are still out there, just not necessarily in the location or of the skill set of her community members, many which are from the South Side.</p>
<p>The group is focusing on training and eliminating transportation as a barrier. It is assessing the requests of employers and creating customized training sessions based on those requests. A collaboration with PACE will make it possible for clients to work jobs in suburbs such as Bolingbrook, Aurora, Naperville, Schaumburg and Frankfort, an area that is particularly difficult for South Side locals to travel to that has a great need for fork-lift operators.</p>
<p>If Chicago Urban League clients buy a monthly bus pass with PACE, a PACE van will pick the client up wherever public transit ends and take them directly to their place of employment, regardless of location.</p>
<p>The program hasn’t started yet but is in the process of being developed and deployed. In addition, with green initiatives and federal stimulus money on the way, Freeman Smith said her organization is preparing low-wage and lowskill workers to take advantage of an expected influx of weatherization and construction jobs within the green movement.</p>
<p>Freeman Smith said it is taking significantly more time today to match the past successes of her job training and placement program. The heightened difficulty to find low-skilled jobs plus a steep increase in the program’s demand–” Freeman Smith had to cut off March enrollment when 855 people registered, compared with an average of about 405 per month–”account for the challenges facing the Chicago Urban League and similar organizations. “We’ve been able to get creative,” Freeman Smith said. “If there’s a job and the person has the skill set, we shouldn’t let transportation be the limiter.”</p> | false | 3 | white person criminal record likely get job black person doesnt one one contributors high unemployment rate black people nationally illinois according latest unemployment estimates released march national unemployment rate jumped 85 percent highest two decades according us bureau labor statistics associated press rate however black people 133 percent according bureau group always hit hardest illinois remains african americans chicago reporter analyzed nearly three decades unemployment statistics us bureau labor statistics found illinois black people highest unemployment rates since 1981 us bureau labor statistics began separately reporting black hispanic racial minority groups unemployment rate 65 percent overall last year illinois 121 percent black people black men highest 14 percent worse 1982 one four black men labor force illinois unemployed unemployment rate hit 292 percent since 2006 rate black white men narrowed increased black latino men 2008 unemployment rate white men 6 percent compared 14 percent black men 59 percent latino menthe first time latino men lowest unemployment rate lowest unemployment rate recorded black people illinois 94 percent slightly lower highest rate recorded white people 96 percent princeton university sociology professor devah pager studied unemployment black white people determine whether inequities existed study conducted milwaukee 2001 published 2003 included four equally qualified job candidates two black two white testers similar physical appearance style selfpresentation testers applied jobs 350 companies individuals matching race would alternate claims previously convicted felonycocaine possession intent distribute pagers results showed disparity callbacks employers variables limited race effect criminal record proved 40 percent detrimental black candidates white counterparts white applicant felony record called back employers 17 percent time versus rate 14 percent black candidate record anecdotally thats always perception study kind verified said robert wordlaw executive director chicago jobs council amazing still continue accept pager said results indicate race widely deployed screening device possible secondary factors often associated race educational background interpersonal skills controlled study race often used lowwage labor markets see large number applicants employers incentive find easy ways differentiate candidates spend time interviewing hiring increased number unemployed individuals overall figures study may become even severe times economic recession especially magnitude seeing today would expect groups going virtually completely shut formal labor opportunities pager said groups like chicago urban league creating programs try reverse trend new initiative aims eliminate least one barrier traditionally placed black people disadvantage gaining employment transportation cheryl freeman smith director workforce development diversity chicago urban league said jobs still necessarily location skill set community members many south side group focusing training eliminating transportation barrier assessing requests employers creating customized training sessions based requests collaboration pace make possible clients work jobs suburbs bolingbrook aurora naperville schaumburg frankfort area particularly difficult south side locals travel great need forklift operators chicago urban league clients buy monthly bus pass pace pace van pick client wherever public transit ends take directly place employment regardless location program hasnt started yet process developed deployed addition green initiatives federal stimulus money way freeman smith said organization preparing lowwage lowskill workers take advantage expected influx weatherization construction jobs within green movement freeman smith said taking significantly time today match past successes job training placement program heightened difficulty find lowskilled jobs plus steep increase programs demand freeman smith cut march enrollment 855 people registered compared average 405 per monthaccount challenges facing chicago urban league similar organizations weve able get creative freeman smith said theres job person skill set shouldnt let transportation limiter | 558 |
<p>This September, Little Village will open the doors to four new high schools that the community, for the first time, can call its own. A grandmothers’ hunger strike in 2001 forced Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to reconsider the educational needs of this largely Mexican community on the city’s West Side.</p>
<p>Since then, a $63 million facility is being built to suit, and educators and organizers from the community have had their say over every detail related to the school, from curriculum to interior design (they call it earth, wind, water, fire) to a handpicked staff.</p>
<p>However, a citywide new-schools initiative backed by City Hall has thrown a last-minute wrench into their plans. Schools slated to open under the initiative—dubbed Renaissance 2010—will use a new funding formula that also gives them more control over their money, setting the stage for more transparency and equity in how funds are allocated to schools throughout the district.</p>
<p>It sounds like a community’s dream, but Little Village principals are balking. “We’ve looked at this from every angle and no one wants it,” says Jose Rico, whose Multicultural Arts High School is one of the small schools scheduled to open there this fall. “It’s more money the other way.”</p>
<p>Their response suggests difficult times ahead for a funding approach that CPS is looking to take districtwide by 2007. Renaissance schools will pilot the approach, which allots a basic amount of money per child and then supplements those funds with additional money for each child with special circumstances, such as coming from a low-income family or needing special education or bilingual services.</p>
<p>Called weighted per-pupil funding or student-based budgeting, the approach is getting increased attention nationally now that schools are being held accountable for student performance under the federal No Child Left Behind law. If schools are expected to teach all children, the reasoning goes, then they need resources to match their students’ needs.</p>
<p>That is not what happens under the budgeting system now in place in Chicago and the vast majority of school districts across the country. “I’ve looked at the data, and if someone asked me today how much it costs to educate a child, I have no clue,” admits CPS Budget Director Pedro Martinez, who’s leading the push for greater equity within the district.</p>
<p>Indeed, a Catalyst Chicago analysis of $1.7 billion in school-level funding in CPS found per-pupil spending ranges widely from school to school, from a low in elementary schools of $2,150 at Doolittle East to a high of $8,582 at Farren. Among high schools, it ranges from $5,404 at Westinghouse Career Academy to $16,757 at Lindblom College Prep.</p>
<p>The extreme differences between these schools, to be sure, reflect unusual situations. For instance, nearby school closings swelled enrollment at Doolittle East beyond expectations. Lindblom was relocated temporarily while its building was repaired and, for now, is not accepting new students. And Farren, located at 50th and State streets, has seen the number of students in its attendance area shrink as public housing is demolished.</p>
<p>But between these individual school extremes, patterns of inequity exist.</p>
<p>The Catalyst analysis also shows that small high schools, like those slated to open in Little Village, receive more funding from the district, on a per-pupil basis, than large schools. Magnets and selective enrollment schools are also funded at higher-than-average rates.</p>
<p>Common practices impact bottom lines</p>
<p>Dozens of factors can impact the per-pupil funding in an individual school’s budget, from enrollment size to the types of classes offered. But a few common budgeting practices—used here and elsewhere—can also dramatically impact a school’s bottom line.</p>
<p>First, schools get teaching positions based on the number of students enrolled, and the district picks up the tab for hiring those teachers no matter where they fall on the pay scale. The reality, however, is that similar schools may spend vastly different amounts of money on teacher salaries, producing unequal budgets.</p>
<p>For example, the average teacher salary at Paderewski Learning Academy is $44,000 compared with $58,000 at Kershaw. Both are regular elementary schools, but Kershaw is getting about 33 percent more in per-pupil funding this year than Paderewski.</p>
<p>Rigid staffing formulas play a role, too. Consider the art and music programs at Joplin and Haley elementaries. The district pays half the salary for Joplin’s art teacher, but it picks up the full tab for Haley’s music teacher because its total student enrollment squeaked by the minimum requirement of 750. Joplin fell short by 3 students.</p>
<p>In a strictly student-based system, the budgeting process would start with each school getting a certain amount of money based on the number and characteristics of the students it served. It would then have to live within those means, hiring teachers from varying levels of experiences as it can afford.</p>
<p>Another cause of inequity in school-level budgets is central office control over large sums of money that eventually get spent at schools. In Chicago, for example, CEO Arne Duncan and Chief Education Officer Barbara Eason-Watkins control the dispersal of some $200 million earmarked for district educational priorities.</p>
<p>About $50 million of that money pays for 600 literacy coaches who work in about half of the district’s schools under the Chicago Reading Initiative. Schools that are on academic probation get additional supports, but there are no clear rules to guide spending.</p>
<p>Chicago is not alone. “That’s the non-transparent part of many district’s budgets,” says school finance researcher Marguerite Roza of the Center on Reinventing Public Education at the University of Washington.</p>
<p>Roza has identified large-scale inequities within dozens of urban districts, including Houston, Cincinnati and Denver. Most of the districts she studied have adopted a semblance of per-pupil budgeting, and all those experienced political backlash similar to that now brewing in Little Village.</p>
<p>“In many districts, a few schools clearly receive more than their share of the district pie,” says Roza. “In order for district leaders to be strategic in allocating their dollars across schools and types of students, they need a clear picture of where their dollars are going.”</p>
<p>Achieving equity is painful</p>
<p>Leveling the playing field can be painful for schools that get more money under traditional budgeting schemes, especially in cash-strapped districts like Chicago and Cincinnati, which has been slowly implementing per-pupil funding under tough conditions for six years.</p>
<p>“It’s a mixed bag. The reality is we’re just spreading crumbs,” says Sue Taylor, president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers.</p>
<p>Cincinnati desperately needed to equalize its funding, she notes, but the district did not foresee a myriad of problems that accompany student-based budgeting. Some schools overstated their enrollment to get more money, Taylor says.</p>
<p>Principals and parents at some schools tried to scrap caps on class size—a major issue for the union-so they could cut staff and shift money to after-school programs, she adds. Arts programs got the ax as well.</p>
<p>Chicago Teachers Union officials, who were not aware that the district was considering the new budgeting approach, questioned the district’s motives. “Is the total amount of funding that’s going into the schools going to be enough to meet those schools’ needs?” asks Vice President Ted Dallas. “Are we trying to improve education or are we just trying to save money?”</p>
<p>It’s a lot easier for districts to convert to weighted per-pupil funding if the move is accompanied by an infusion of extra cash, Roza says. That way, the district can minimize losses at higher-funded schools as it balances the scales.</p>
<p>Charters push more per-pupil funding</p>
<p>Chicago’s move toward weighted funding owes much to charter schools rallying for increased funding.</p>
<p>Illinois law requires districts to fund charter schools at a minimum of 75 percent of the district’s average base educational costs. Existing charter school leaders complained that they were being shortchanged because they didn’t have access to millions of dollars in federal and state funds that are earmarked for special programs, such as special education and summer school.</p>
<p>In November, the district raised the basic per-pupil allocation for charters and other schools slated to open under Renaissance 2010. Elementary schools will get roughly $5,000 per student; high schools will get $6,000. On top of those funds, schools will get additional per-pupil funding to compensate them for small enrollment ($200 per pupil), extended-day programs ($260) and bilingual education ($520).</p>
<p>Still being worked out are per-pupil figures for special education services, where expenses can vary widely depending on the severity of a student’s disability.</p>
<p>CPS based the figures on rough estimates of the amount of money it spends out of central budgets and school-level budgets in regular schools, figures obscured by the district’s antiquated budgeting practices.</p>
<p>One result may be that Renaissance schools will have at their disposal more money per pupil than most regular schools. Diana Nelson, executive director for the Cross City Campaign for Urban School Reform, favors the move to per-pupil funding but wonders whether inequities will be exacerbated during the pilot.</p>
<p>‘All we want is parity’</p>
<p>Charter schools are clear winners in the district’s transition to student-based funding. Most significant will be the additional funds those schools will receive to pay for special education services, where charters are most pinched financially, says Chris Kelly, dean of operations for North Lawndale College Prep.</p>
<p>“All we want is parity in funding,” says Ron Manderschied, board president of Noble Street Charter School. “We get no funding for night school, after-school programs, summer school or sports. You start to add all that up and you’re starting to talk about some real, serious money.”</p>
<p>Parity is an easy sell to schools that stand to get more money, but not for those facing the prospect of losing it.</p>
<p>The Little Village high school principals compared the per-pupil rates the district was offering to Renaissance schools to the amount it spent at existing small high schools, and say they found the small schools were better off. The principals also wanted to avoid responsibility for paying teacher salaries, as charter schools do; regular public schools use staffing formulas that shift the financial burden for teacher salaries to the district. Finally, they noted that sheer numbers would initially work against them—as start-ups, each Little Village school would enroll only 100 or so freshmen this fall.</p>
<p>Martinez explains that new schools with artificially small enrollments could get additional funds to supplement their per-pupil allotment as they grow to full enrollment.</p>
<p>South Shore’s School of Entreprenuership, a small high school that is one class shy of full enrollment, for instance, is getting a basic allotment of $5,858 per pupil. If it were a Renaissance school, it would get $150 per pupil more.</p>
<p>To further make the district case for per-pupil funding, Martinez notes that principals using the new system would have increased purchasing power, much like charter schools have now. And he is eyeing a strategy that would mitigate the financial impact of more expensive, experienced teachers.</p>
<p>That’s an attractive proposition to Principal Bill Gerstein of the School of Entrepreneurship. “I’d love more control over the budget, but you’d have to be careful which schools you roll it out in,” he says. Experienced principals who work well with their local school councils and who know their students’ needs are the ones who will make effective hiring and purchasing decisions, he notes.</p>
<p>Gerstein warns the district to slow down the rollout of its budget reforms. School leaders need enough time to adjust to the district’s new computerized financial system, which is slated to come online this fall, let alone any newfound spending authority. Already, 10 principals are test driving the new computer program which streamlines finances and budget planning. CPS will train 60 more this spring and move every school online over the summer.</p>
<p>Since November, Martinez has also convened focus groups of principals to find out how much control and flexibility local leaders would like over their schools’ finances.</p>
<p>Finkl Elementary Principal Susan Jensen, who is participating in the pilot, says the new system organizes the school’s spending history and saves her a lot of time. A recent computer purchase, for instance, would have taken weeks to process under the old system, but the new system allowed her to shift $5,000 in the budget to make way for the acquisition.</p>
<p>Timothy Knowles, director of the University of Chicago’s Center for Urban School Improvement, suggests CPS go all the way with its budget decentralizing effort, citing a successful pilot schools program in Boston. There, he says, the district converted central office services offered to schools, such as art programs, into a per-pupil rate. Participating schools could then choose whether they wanted to buy those services from central office or elsewhere. “Not surprisingly, they didn’t buy much back,” says Knowles, formerly a Boston deputy superintendent.</p>
<p>Knowles offers that the district’s reading, math and science initiatives are good candidates for buy-back.</p>
<p>CPS is unlikely to take its project that far, says Martinez. Funds for the reading and math initiatives are controlled by Eason-Watkins, he says. “It’s not like we can say, ‘Here’s $250 a student, now go run your own reading program.'”</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Martinez says he’s ready for the challenge. “We feel confident that going forward with a per-pupil funding system is right for us. We’re going to do the whole thing and figure it out as we go.”</p>
<p>Can CPS stay the course?</p>
<p>Some longtime reformers, noting an erosion of local school councils’ authority, doubt that all of the district’s leaders fully embrace the idea of shifting most or all control over budgets to school leaders.</p>
<p>John Ayers of Leadership for Quality Education cites two recent examples. A small schools initiative in recent years created several autonomous small high schools to replace larger schools, but the district did not turn over the reins to the budget to the new schools’ leaders, he says.</p>
<p>Also, he says, the district recently reasserted its control over budgets in schools on probation. These schools must spend “discretionary” funds—state and federal supplemental poverty funds that go directly to schools—on a mandated reading program.</p>
<p>“We can’t afford to waste a single penny in our schools,” responds schools chief Arne Duncan. He envisions a system where area instructional officers make decisions about spending and instruction for schools that have poor academic and fiscal track records. However, district bureaucrats would step aside and allow better performing schools to make their own decisions.</p>
<p>“It’s really about trusting your stars,” he says.</p>
<p>For now, Little Village’s new school principals remain opposed to the new funding approach. Full autonomy from the start is overwhelming, says Martha Irizarry, principal of Infinity, one of those schools. “Having CPS hold our hands is not such a bad thing.”</p>
<p>New principals don’t fully understand what costs go into running a school, says Angela Miller-Perez, a consultant who helped Little Village. “If you’re a seasoned principal, then you would have a sense [of whether] this business of per-pupil funding will be sufficient,” says Miller-Perez.</p>
<p>Little Village will eventually have to reverse its position on per-pupil funding, says Martinez, who optimistically anticipates that every school will be converted by September 2007.</p>
<p>But political tensions between the community and the district show no signs of abating.</p>
<p>Jaime De Leon of Little Village Community Development Corp.-the group that organized the hunger strike-says the district’s per-pupil budget formula and other policies for Renaissance schools don’t fit the community’s needs. Neither does the Renaissance label, which he says implies that the district willingly created the new high schools, he adds.</p>
<p>Says DeLeon: “People know very little about Renaissance 2010. But the history of these schools is understood. These schools are a result of common struggle.”</p> | false | 3 | september little village open doors four new high schools community first time call grandmothers hunger strike 2001 forced chicago public schools cps reconsider educational needs largely mexican community citys west side since 63 million facility built suit educators organizers community say every detail related school curriculum interior design call earth wind water fire handpicked staff however citywide newschools initiative backed city hall thrown lastminute wrench plans schools slated open initiativedubbed renaissance 2010will use new funding formula also gives control money setting stage transparency equity funds allocated schools throughout district sounds like communitys dream little village principals balking weve looked every angle one wants says jose rico whose multicultural arts high school one small schools scheduled open fall money way response suggests difficult times ahead funding approach cps looking take districtwide 2007 renaissance schools pilot approach allots basic amount money per child supplements funds additional money child special circumstances coming lowincome family needing special education bilingual services called weighted perpupil funding studentbased budgeting approach getting increased attention nationally schools held accountable student performance federal child left behind law schools expected teach children reasoning goes need resources match students needs happens budgeting system place chicago vast majority school districts across country ive looked data someone asked today much costs educate child clue admits cps budget director pedro martinez whos leading push greater equity within district indeed catalyst chicago analysis 17 billion schoollevel funding cps found perpupil spending ranges widely school school low elementary schools 2150 doolittle east high 8582 farren among high schools ranges 5404 westinghouse career academy 16757 lindblom college prep extreme differences schools sure reflect unusual situations instance nearby school closings swelled enrollment doolittle east beyond expectations lindblom relocated temporarily building repaired accepting new students farren located 50th state streets seen number students attendance area shrink public housing demolished individual school extremes patterns inequity exist catalyst analysis also shows small high schools like slated open little village receive funding district perpupil basis large schools magnets selective enrollment schools also funded higherthanaverage rates common practices impact bottom lines dozens factors impact perpupil funding individual schools budget enrollment size types classes offered common budgeting practicesused elsewherecan also dramatically impact schools bottom line first schools get teaching positions based number students enrolled district picks tab hiring teachers matter fall pay scale reality however similar schools may spend vastly different amounts money teacher salaries producing unequal budgets example average teacher salary paderewski learning academy 44000 compared 58000 kershaw regular elementary schools kershaw getting 33 percent perpupil funding year paderewski rigid staffing formulas play role consider art music programs joplin haley elementaries district pays half salary joplins art teacher picks full tab haleys music teacher total student enrollment squeaked minimum requirement 750 joplin fell short 3 students strictly studentbased system budgeting process would start school getting certain amount money based number characteristics students served would live within means hiring teachers varying levels experiences afford another cause inequity schoollevel budgets central office control large sums money eventually get spent schools chicago example ceo arne duncan chief education officer barbara easonwatkins control dispersal 200 million earmarked district educational priorities 50 million money pays 600 literacy coaches work half districts schools chicago reading initiative schools academic probation get additional supports clear rules guide spending chicago alone thats nontransparent part many districts budgets says school finance researcher marguerite roza center reinventing public education university washington roza identified largescale inequities within dozens urban districts including houston cincinnati denver districts studied adopted semblance perpupil budgeting experienced political backlash similar brewing little village many districts schools clearly receive share district pie says roza order district leaders strategic allocating dollars across schools types students need clear picture dollars going achieving equity painful leveling playing field painful schools get money traditional budgeting schemes especially cashstrapped districts like chicago cincinnati slowly implementing perpupil funding tough conditions six years mixed bag reality spreading crumbs says sue taylor president cincinnati federation teachers cincinnati desperately needed equalize funding notes district foresee myriad problems accompany studentbased budgeting schools overstated enrollment get money taylor says principals parents schools tried scrap caps class sizea major issue unionso could cut staff shift money afterschool programs adds arts programs got ax well chicago teachers union officials aware district considering new budgeting approach questioned districts motives total amount funding thats going schools going enough meet schools needs asks vice president ted dallas trying improve education trying save money lot easier districts convert weighted perpupil funding move accompanied infusion extra cash roza says way district minimize losses higherfunded schools balances scales charters push perpupil funding chicagos move toward weighted funding owes much charter schools rallying increased funding illinois law requires districts fund charter schools minimum 75 percent districts average base educational costs existing charter school leaders complained shortchanged didnt access millions dollars federal state funds earmarked special programs special education summer school november district raised basic perpupil allocation charters schools slated open renaissance 2010 elementary schools get roughly 5000 per student high schools get 6000 top funds schools get additional perpupil funding compensate small enrollment 200 per pupil extendedday programs 260 bilingual education 520 still worked perpupil figures special education services expenses vary widely depending severity students disability cps based figures rough estimates amount money spends central budgets schoollevel budgets regular schools figures obscured districts antiquated budgeting practices one result may renaissance schools disposal money per pupil regular schools diana nelson executive director cross city campaign urban school reform favors move perpupil funding wonders whether inequities exacerbated pilot want parity charter schools clear winners districts transition studentbased funding significant additional funds schools receive pay special education services charters pinched financially says chris kelly dean operations north lawndale college prep want parity funding says ron manderschied board president noble street charter school get funding night school afterschool programs summer school sports start add youre starting talk real serious money parity easy sell schools stand get money facing prospect losing little village high school principals compared perpupil rates district offering renaissance schools amount spent existing small high schools say found small schools better principals also wanted avoid responsibility paying teacher salaries charter schools regular public schools use staffing formulas shift financial burden teacher salaries district finally noted sheer numbers would initially work themas startups little village school would enroll 100 freshmen fall martinez explains new schools artificially small enrollments could get additional funds supplement perpupil allotment grow full enrollment south shores school entreprenuership small high school one class shy full enrollment instance getting basic allotment 5858 per pupil renaissance school would get 150 per pupil make district case perpupil funding martinez notes principals using new system would increased purchasing power much like charter schools eyeing strategy would mitigate financial impact expensive experienced teachers thats attractive proposition principal bill gerstein school entrepreneurship id love control budget youd careful schools roll says experienced principals work well local school councils know students needs ones make effective hiring purchasing decisions notes gerstein warns district slow rollout budget reforms school leaders need enough time adjust districts new computerized financial system slated come online fall let alone newfound spending authority already 10 principals test driving new computer program streamlines finances budget planning cps train 60 spring move every school online summer since november martinez also convened focus groups principals find much control flexibility local leaders would like schools finances finkl elementary principal susan jensen participating pilot says new system organizes schools spending history saves lot time recent computer purchase instance would taken weeks process old system new system allowed shift 5000 budget make way acquisition timothy knowles director university chicagos center urban school improvement suggests cps go way budget decentralizing effort citing successful pilot schools program boston says district converted central office services offered schools art programs perpupil rate participating schools could choose whether wanted buy services central office elsewhere surprisingly didnt buy much back says knowles formerly boston deputy superintendent knowles offers districts reading math science initiatives good candidates buyback cps unlikely take project far says martinez funds reading math initiatives controlled easonwatkins says like say heres 250 student go run reading program nonetheless martinez says hes ready challenge feel confident going forward perpupil funding system right us going whole thing figure go cps stay course longtime reformers noting erosion local school councils authority doubt districts leaders fully embrace idea shifting control budgets school leaders john ayers leadership quality education cites two recent examples small schools initiative recent years created several autonomous small high schools replace larger schools district turn reins budget new schools leaders says also says district recently reasserted control budgets schools probation schools must spend discretionary fundsstate federal supplemental poverty funds go directly schoolson mandated reading program cant afford waste single penny schools responds schools chief arne duncan envisions system area instructional officers make decisions spending instruction schools poor academic fiscal track records however district bureaucrats would step aside allow better performing schools make decisions really trusting stars says little villages new school principals remain opposed new funding approach full autonomy start overwhelming says martha irizarry principal infinity one schools cps hold hands bad thing new principals dont fully understand costs go running school says angela millerperez consultant helped little village youre seasoned principal would sense whether business perpupil funding sufficient says millerperez little village eventually reverse position perpupil funding says martinez optimistically anticipates every school converted september 2007 political tensions community district show signs abating jaime de leon little village community development corpthe group organized hunger strikesays districts perpupil budget formula policies renaissance schools dont fit communitys needs neither renaissance label says implies district willingly created new high schools adds says deleon people know little renaissance 2010 history schools understood schools result common struggle | 1,596 |
<p>KYIV, Ukraine — As Ukraine stands off against Russian-backed fighters in its east in a conflict billed as the greatest threat to European security, many here understand their only hope of resisting Moscow is to stave off economic crisis.</p>
<p>The situation couldn’t be much more dire. With GDP down more than 7 percent this year, economist Anders Aslund says the economy is in a “pre-default” situation that will continue to deteriorate over the next six months thanks to the war.</p>
<p>“This is not tenable, this is not sustainable,” the veteran Ukraine observer said at a conference here this month. “It’s vital something be done fast and hard.”</p>
<p>For that to happen, the overwhelming consensus is that Ukraine must finally confront the endemic corruption that’s dragged down the economy and tapped the political system since the end of communism — the overwhelming reason protesters chased out the old administration earlier this year.</p>
<p>“The predominant feeling in society is that we need European thinking,” said former Economy Minister Pavlo Sheremeta during the same conference. “And that means zero tolerance for corruption.”</p>
<p>Many had hoped Sherementa would lead the effort until he resigned last month over the pace of change.</p>
<p>That doesn’t bode well because laying the groundwork — reorganizing the police and legal system, overhauling the state bureaucracy and replacing officials — will require massive political will.</p>
<p>There was certainly no sign of it the last time sweeping promises to westernize Ukraine were made after the Orange Revolution in 2004, which collapsed amid infighting between its leaders.</p>
<p>Enter Volodymyr Hroisman, the government’s new leading young reformer. A popular former mayor who is close to President Petro Poroshenko, he’s overseeing plans to decentralize political power, a central element of the reform program.</p>
<p>With a solid build and close-cropped dark hair, Hroisman has an easy sense of humor that, together with his confident demeanor of a self-made businessman, lends him an air of authority that exceeds his 36 years.</p>
<p>Working from a sprawling wood-paneled office in the imposing Cabinet of Ministers building recently occupied by allies of the disgraced former president, Viktor Yanukovych, Hroisman says the country’s new leaders understand there’s no room for mistakes this time around.</p>
<p>Ukraine’s hugely corrupt rule is splitting society between the wealthy ruling elite and the vast bulk of those who believe the system exists to keep them down, he says, echoing the common view.</p>
<p>“If you’re not included in the system, you can’t be an active member of society,” he adds. “We need to enable people to act for themselves by building a normal European system.”</p>
<p>Currently a collection of draft laws and other various initiatives, the planned reforms call for radical measures to transfer power to the local level — below that even of governors, many of whom are seen as corrupt regional barons.</p>
<p>Districts and municipalities would be given the ability to make many decisions for themselves without having to obtain approval in Kiev. More tax money would remain there, too, according to a sliding scale of need. Bribe-taking officials would be sacked.</p>
<p>Asked whether the political will exists for the administrative system to effectively overhaul itself, Hroisman says, “That’s why I came into government.”</p>
<p>“We know what we have to do at the highest levels,” he adds, “and it will be supported by the people, who understand the need for change.”</p>
<p>Perhaps. With the president and prime minister largely consumed with the economic crisis, the conflict in the east and other daily problems in order to keep the government functioning, political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko believes the real impetus for change must come from a group of committed reformers.</p>
<p>“Not just consultants,” he says, “but people who come up with the concepts and carry them out, people whose entire purpose is to reform.”</p>
<p>Hroisman, widely seen as a possible future prime minister, may be one of those figures.</p>
<p>For now, all eyes are on next month’s upcoming elections in parliament, where passing the reforms will require removing legislators who supported the old administration and retain their seats. The results will also dictate who gets to form the next government.</p>
<p>But as parties put up tents in central Kyiv and otherwise gear up for the campaign, not everyone believes the country is on the verge of collapse.</p>
<p>“Ukraine has always been saved by one thing: its people,” says political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. “They’re very hardy and hugely adaptable. They know how to survive.”</p>
<p>During the global financial crisis in 2009, he points out, GDP fell 15 percent.</p>
<p>Fesenko believes the conventional argument for reforms isn’t being framed correctly, especially about the corruption seen as the country’s number-one problem.</p>
<p>In the short-term, he says, corruption is helping society function despite its broken system.</p>
<p>“The shadow economy is the secret savior of the Ukrainian economy in a crisis,” he says.</p>
<p>For long-term development, however, of course corruption remains a deep structural problem that must be tackled eventually, he adds.</p>
<p>“People are sick of being treated like dirt,” he says. “That’s why the Maidan protest was called a revolution of dignity. Now people must feel the country is changing.”</p>
<p>Besides decentralization, one of Ukraine’s most pressing needs is reducing state subsidies for energy, which cost around 10 percent of GDP — compared to the less than 2 percent currently being spent on the war effort.</p>
<p>Decades of cheap supplies from Moscow — most recently as an incentive for the old pro-Kremlin administration to remain loyal — have encouraged dreadful inefficiency. Now with winter fast approaching, deliveries from Russia are completely cut off.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140922/ukraine-west-russia-propaganda-image" type="external">Why is Ukraine having such a hard time getting its message across?</a></p>
<p>To save supplies in the capital, which already lacks hot water in many neighborhoods, buildings won’t be heated until November. The government has said it also may resort to temporary electricity cutbacks later this fall.</p>
<p>Opposition parties are already complicating prospects for reform by accusing the authorities of seeking to raise utility prices in order to line their pockets.</p>
<p>Although people in Kyiv are putting up with their hardships so far, one of the worries here is that the government’s failure to deliver on its promises will help radicalize the population by encouraging the view that its sacrifices were in vain.</p>
<p>“In the past, people were always told they weren’t ready for reforms, that they don’t understand democracy,” Hroisman says. “Now it’s up to us to show them that we do.”</p>
<p>GlobalPost Europe editor Gregory Feifer’s new book is “Russians.” He was on leave in Kyiv earlier this month working as a consultant to the government.</p> | false | 3 | kyiv ukraine ukraine stands russianbacked fighters east conflict billed greatest threat european security many understand hope resisting moscow stave economic crisis situation couldnt much dire gdp 7 percent year economist anders aslund says economy predefault situation continue deteriorate next six months thanks war tenable sustainable veteran ukraine observer said conference month vital something done fast hard happen overwhelming consensus ukraine must finally confront endemic corruption thats dragged economy tapped political system since end communism overwhelming reason protesters chased old administration earlier year predominant feeling society need european thinking said former economy minister pavlo sheremeta conference means zero tolerance corruption many hoped sherementa would lead effort resigned last month pace change doesnt bode well laying groundwork reorganizing police legal system overhauling state bureaucracy replacing officials require massive political certainly sign last time sweeping promises westernize ukraine made orange revolution 2004 collapsed amid infighting leaders enter volodymyr hroisman governments new leading young reformer popular former mayor close president petro poroshenko hes overseeing plans decentralize political power central element reform program solid build closecropped dark hair hroisman easy sense humor together confident demeanor selfmade businessman lends air authority exceeds 36 years working sprawling woodpaneled office imposing cabinet ministers building recently occupied allies disgraced former president viktor yanukovych hroisman says countrys new leaders understand theres room mistakes time around ukraines hugely corrupt rule splitting society wealthy ruling elite vast bulk believe system exists keep says echoing common view youre included system cant active member society adds need enable people act building normal european system currently collection draft laws various initiatives planned reforms call radical measures transfer power local level even governors many seen corrupt regional barons districts municipalities would given ability make many decisions without obtain approval kiev tax money would remain according sliding scale need bribetaking officials would sacked asked whether political exists administrative system effectively overhaul hroisman says thats came government know highest levels adds supported people understand need change perhaps president prime minister largely consumed economic crisis conflict east daily problems order keep government functioning political analyst volodymyr fesenko believes real impetus change must come group committed reformers consultants says people come concepts carry people whose entire purpose reform hroisman widely seen possible future prime minister may one figures eyes next months upcoming elections parliament passing reforms require removing legislators supported old administration retain seats results also dictate gets form next government parties put tents central kyiv otherwise gear campaign everyone believes country verge collapse ukraine always saved one thing people says political analyst volodymyr fesenko theyre hardy hugely adaptable know survive global financial crisis 2009 points gdp fell 15 percent fesenko believes conventional argument reforms isnt framed correctly especially corruption seen countrys numberone problem shortterm says corruption helping society function despite broken system shadow economy secret savior ukrainian economy crisis says longterm development however course corruption remains deep structural problem must tackled eventually adds people sick treated like dirt says thats maidan protest called revolution dignity people must feel country changing besides decentralization one ukraines pressing needs reducing state subsidies energy cost around 10 percent gdp compared less 2 percent currently spent war effort decades cheap supplies moscow recently incentive old prokremlin administration remain loyal encouraged dreadful inefficiency winter fast approaching deliveries russia completely cut globalpost160 ukraine hard time getting message across save supplies capital already lacks hot water many neighborhoods buildings wont heated november government said also may resort temporary electricity cutbacks later fall opposition parties already complicating prospects reform accusing authorities seeking raise utility prices order line pockets although people kyiv putting hardships far one worries governments failure deliver promises help radicalize population encouraging view sacrifices vain past people always told werent ready reforms dont understand democracy hroisman says us show globalpost europe editor gregory feifers new book russians leave kyiv earlier month working consultant government | 628 |
<p>ISTANBUL — He's seen as a poor kid made good, and his recent blow-up onstage at the Davos economic forum displayed the kind of macho toughness many Turks respect in a leader. But experts say Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's charismatic prime minister, and his ruling AK party can count entirely on another factor to win this weekend's local elections: a lack of competition.</p>
<p>And political personalities aside, as Turks across the country head to the polls on Saturday for local elections, one issue will likely be foremost in their minds: the economy. (In a twist, however, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/turkey/090327/local-elections-stall-after-turkish-politician-missing-helicopter-crash" type="external">Turkish political leaders have suspended all last-minute campaigning</a> out of respect for Muhsin Yazicioglu, leader of the Great Unity Party. Yazicioglu was one of six people on a helicopter that crashed this week — the search for the passengers continues.)</p>
<p>With unemployment at a record high — 13.6 percent for the general population and almost 26 percent for young adults — traditional party ideologies and local politics will take a back seat to worries over whose policies will best help families ride out the current financial crisis.</p>
<p>The leaders of Justice and Development Party (AKP in Turkish) are hoping to strengthen its lock on power with a strong showing in towns and cities. But the economy has emerged as a threat to the party's political fortunes.</p>
<p>“The economic crisis will play a very important role in the elections,” said Barcin Yinanc, news editor at Turkish newspaper Hurriyet. “I think the AKP will lose votes because of the implications of the economic crisis on Turkey.”</p>
<p>The AKP came to power in 2002, just a year after a severe economic downturn, and helped to foster an economic transformation of grand proportions, bringing Turkey through a period of instability and runaway inflation and steering its emergence as one of the world’s hottest economies.</p>
<p>But worrying indicators have appeared in recent months. Inflation is again inching up, now standing at 9 percent, and many fear that Turkey could roll back towards the political and economic instability that plagued the country in the period leading up to the 2001 economic crisis.</p>
<p>Thus far, however, the Turkish economy has proved more resilient than expected.</p>
<p>At present, government debt is half of what it was in 2001, and the economy as a whole is more diversified. Still, the crisis is far from over and no one knows what institutions will still be standing when the skies finally clear.</p>
<p>Others believe that the AKP’s reputation for good governance and its wide popularity mean it has little reason to worry.</p>
<p>“If I were an AKP strategist, I would be very pleased with the prospects,” said Howard Eissenstat, a postdoctoral fellow at the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University. “Frankly, a loss would be a surprise.”</p>
<p>Recent events have helped bolster the AKP’s popularity and act as a counterweight to the faltering economy. Crucially, Erdogan’s bold reaction to the Israeli incursion into Gaza gained the AKP broad support from across the country, which is 99 percent Muslim.</p>
<p>Erdogan’s infamous outburst at the Davos Economic Forum, in which he stormed off the stage during a heated debate over Gaza with Israeli President Shimon Peres, was also widely praised as a much-needed show of Turkish leadership at an international forum.</p>
<p>The popularity of Erdogan’s actions stem not only from Turkish concern for the plight of the Palestinians, Eissenstat explained, but also because they show Erdogan as tough.</p>
<p>“A kid from a poor neighborhood who worked his way up and ran big cities successfully. There is a machismo to him that many Turks respect in a leader,” Eissenstat said.</p>
<p>But perhaps the AKP’s greatest strength lies in the weakness of its opposition, who have thus far shown themselves to be largely bereft of creativity or charisma, and ultimately incapable of garnering a significant enough chunk of popular support to be a real challenge to the AKP.</p>
<p>“During an economic downturn, the ruling party would normally be punished. But without a serious challenge from the opposition parties, the AKP looks set to do very well,” Eissenstat said.</p>
<p>Kasif Gundogdu, a shop owner based in Istanbul, said: “Although I don’t support their Islamic tendencies I want to have hope for the AKP because there is no other alternative.”</p>
<p>With no other strong contenders for the throne, the real question is not whether the AKP will do well in the upcoming elections — they will — but exactly how well they will do. During the previous round of local elections they won a hefty 47 percent of the vote.</p>
<p>“A gain in votes will enable the AKP to claim that they 'renewed the popular mandate,' and refreshed their legitimacy,” said Saban Kardas, an associate instructor at the University of Utah's political science department.</p>
<p>The AKP has tempered its expectations in this realm over the past few months. Erdogan initially put the target for Saturday’s election at above 47 percent, but then shifted his expectations down to 42 percent, which he said would the criteria of success for his party.</p>
<p>Eissenstat said that while there were advantages to one party holding such a position of dominance in Turkey at present, dangers also existed.</p>
<p>“A win might well strengthen the AKP's ability to move forward with European accession reforms and a broader program of liberalization. But it will also expand some of the very evident problems with the overwhelming dominance of the AKP,” Eissenstat said.</p>
<p>“Its war on critical media outlets would continue unabated. Its ability to distribute patronage would continue unchecked," he said. "There is a lot to respect about the AKP. But no democracy can survive without a vibrant and functioning opposition.”</p>
<p>Related GlobalPost dispatches on Turkey:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/turkey/090203/trial-or-witch-hunt-ergenekon-plot-thickens" type="external">Trial or witch hunt? Ergenekon plot thickens</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/europe-at-large/090126/pipeline-talks-put-turkey-at-center-stage" type="external">Pipeline talks put Turkey at center stage</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/turkey/090309/turkey-seeks-economic-salvation-africa" type="external">Turkey seeks economic salvation in Africa</a></p> | false | 3 | istanbul hes seen poor kid made good recent blowup onstage davos economic forum displayed kind macho toughness many turks respect leader experts say recep tayyip erdogan turkeys charismatic prime minister ruling ak party count entirely another factor win weekends local elections lack competition political personalities aside turks across country head polls saturday local elections one issue likely foremost minds economy twist however turkish political leaders suspended lastminute campaigning respect muhsin yazicioglu leader great unity party yazicioglu one six people helicopter crashed week search passengers continues unemployment record high 136 percent general population almost 26 percent young adults traditional party ideologies local politics take back seat worries whose policies best help families ride current financial crisis leaders justice development party akp turkish hoping strengthen lock power strong showing towns cities economy emerged threat partys political fortunes economic crisis play important role elections said barcin yinanc news editor turkish newspaper hurriyet think akp lose votes implications economic crisis turkey akp came power 2002 year severe economic downturn helped foster economic transformation grand proportions bringing turkey period instability runaway inflation steering emergence one worlds hottest economies worrying indicators appeared recent months inflation inching standing 9 percent many fear turkey could roll back towards political economic instability plagued country period leading 2001 economic crisis thus far however turkish economy proved resilient expected present government debt half 2001 economy whole diversified still crisis far one knows institutions still standing skies finally clear others believe akps reputation good governance wide popularity mean little reason worry akp strategist would pleased prospects said howard eissenstat postdoctoral fellow crown center middle east studies brandeis university frankly loss would surprise recent events helped bolster akps popularity act counterweight faltering economy crucially erdogans bold reaction israeli incursion gaza gained akp broad support across country 99 percent muslim erdogans infamous outburst davos economic forum stormed stage heated debate gaza israeli president shimon peres also widely praised muchneeded show turkish leadership international forum popularity erdogans actions stem turkish concern plight palestinians eissenstat explained also show erdogan tough kid poor neighborhood worked way ran big cities successfully machismo many turks respect leader eissenstat said perhaps akps greatest strength lies weakness opposition thus far shown largely bereft creativity charisma ultimately incapable garnering significant enough chunk popular support real challenge akp economic downturn ruling party would normally punished without serious challenge opposition parties akp looks set well eissenstat said kasif gundogdu shop owner based istanbul said although dont support islamic tendencies want hope akp alternative strong contenders throne real question whether akp well upcoming elections exactly well previous round local elections hefty 47 percent vote gain votes enable akp claim renewed popular mandate refreshed legitimacy said saban kardas associate instructor university utahs political science department akp tempered expectations realm past months erdogan initially put target saturdays election 47 percent shifted expectations 42 percent said would criteria success party eissenstat said advantages one party holding position dominance turkey present dangers also existed win might well strengthen akps ability move forward european accession reforms broader program liberalization also expand evident problems overwhelming dominance akp eissenstat said war critical media outlets would continue unabated ability distribute patronage would continue unchecked said lot respect akp democracy survive without vibrant functioning opposition related globalpost dispatches turkey trial witch hunt ergenekon plot thickens pipeline talks put turkey center stage turkey seeks economic salvation africa | 552 |
<p>In June, CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett heralded changes to the Student Code of Conduct that she said will reduce disparities in how school discipline is carried out and ultimately cut the number of suspensions and expulsions.&#160;</p>
<p>But Catalyst Chicago has discovered that officials slipped a loophole into the new code that will allow principals to request a transfer for a student who has been referred for expulsion—even without a hearing. Students would be transferred to a school for expelled or suspended students; effectively, the only difference between this maneuver, called a “disciplinary reassignment,” and an actual expulsion is that students won’t be identified as expelled.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Board of Education approved in May a second alternative school for expelled students, which, at the time seemed to contradict the publicly stated goal of lowering expulsions. CPS plans to spend $3.5 million on the two schools, up from the $1.37 million it spent last year. The board has already approved a contract with Camelot Alternative Education, a private entity based in Austin, Texas, to run the schools.&#160;</p>
<p>A CPS official calls the option for disciplinary reassignment one of the new “alternatives to expulsion” outlined in the revised policy, and stresses that disciplinary reassignments can only be used for Group 5 and 6 violations, the most serious offenses. They also note that suburban schools often have this option.</p>
<p>Officials say that the Law Department “advises” network officers to hold a meeting with parents and principals to talk about reassignments beforehand. “The goal of this meeting is to provide due process and notice that the student is being considered for removal to another school,” according to the district. But the code does not require such a meeting or offer any recourse for students or parents who don’t want the transfer.</p>
<p>Disciplinary reassignments are the opposite of what advocates for youth want to see happen with young people, says Mariame Kaba, founding director of the group Project NIA, which has tracked school arrests and discipline in CPS.&#160;</p>
<p>Kaba was taken aback when she heard about the loophole. She was part of a group that worked with CPS this year to change the Student Code of Conduct to emphasize restorative justice strategies, rather than punishment for misbehavior.</p>
<p>“This is really surprising to me,” Kaba says. “It is really bad. There is always some fine print.”</p>
<p>CPS policy states that expulsions are only to be issued “after a hearing officer determines that a student engaged in behavior(s) that are the most seriously disruptive or illegal in nature and no other alternatives are appropriate.”&#160;</p>
<p>The official numbers show that fewer young people are being expelled—only 166 teens in 2012-2013, about half the number of students who were expelled from district-run schools three years ago. Yet despite the decline, thousands of students are still threatened with expulsion and sent to hearings each year, even for seemingly minor offenses.&#160;</p>
<p>Expulsions from district-run schools are only part of the story. Charter schools expelled 307 students in the 2012-2013 school year—63 percent of all those expelled—even though charters only enroll 12 percent of all students. (The 2012-2013 data is the latest available.) No data are available to show how many charter students are referred for expulsion or go through the hearing process.</p>
<p>&#160;Before an expulsion can take place, the long process from referral to hearing can leave young people with the feeling that they are being forced out of school. More than 2,800 students were referred for expulsion in the 2012-2013 school year, but only half of them went through a hearing, according to CPS data. Ultimately, fewer than 12 percent of students who go through hearings are expelled.&#160;</p>
<p>CPS officials say that some of the expulsion referrals were rejected, either because of laws that strictly regulate the expulsion of a special education student or because there were too few witnesses to testify against a student. Also, principals can withdraw an expulsion referral at any time. At least one principal said he has withdrawn referrals because the student left the school on his or her own.&#160;</p>
<p>In fact, only about 500 of the 1,400 expulsion hearings in 2013 involved offenses for which principals must refer a student for expulsion—Level 6 offenses, such as arson, a bomb threat or selling drugs. The rest involved less serious offenses.&#160;</p>
<p>About 600 of the hearings resulted in students being sent to the district’s intervention program, called SMART, for Saturday Morning Alternative Reach Out and Teach. But fewer than half complete the program, which is held downtown on Saturdays and has a parent and community service component.</p>
<p>Joel Rodriguez, an organizer for the Southwest Organizing Project, says that going through an expulsion hearing can have a devastating effect on a young person. Students must be sworn in, so the atmosphere can feel intimidating, like a courtroom. Rodriguez, who has attended hearings with students, says that school officials often bring up trivial matters that paint the young person in a bad light.&#160;</p>
<p>“It is scarring,” he says. “The reality is that most behaviors could be addressed in a lot of different ways, instead of warranting an expulsion hearing.”&#160;</p>
<p>Most students show up at hearings with only their parents, says Jessica Schneider, who provides pro bono representation for students in expulsion hearings as a staff attorney for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Schneider says many parents and students don’t understand the expulsion process and don’t think to get an attorney, though she believes having one helps.</p>
<p>Schneider says her impression is that school administrators often want the student expelled, while attorneys or advocates press for the SMART program or a “do not expel” ruling. “School administrators who see the student every day are trying to push the kids out,” she says.&#160;</p>
<p>Jesus Velazquez is not convinced that much will ever change in CPS to reform the expulsion process. His own experience with a long suspension and an expulsion hearing completely changed his views of school—so much so that he has become an activist against harsh discipline with the grassroots groups Voices of Youth in Chicago Education and Logan Square Neighborhood Association.</p>
<p>Jesus readily admits his offense: He had a marijuana pipe in his backpack, something that he shouldn’t have been carrying. But he still cannot believe how that one mistake tripped him up so badly.</p>
<p>Jesus was immediately issued a 10-day suspension by the principal of Kelyvn Park High. After being absent for two weeks, he struggled to pass his classes. He ended up failing most of his classes during sophomore year, putting him behind and now facing a fifth year in high school in order to graduate.&#160;</p>
<p>CPS officials say that expulsion hearings are usually held from four to six weeks after the incident. But Jesus says it wasn’t until nine months later that he received a letter telling him to show up for a hearing.</p>
<p>“I didn’t even know I was referred for expulsion,” Jesus says. “I was surprised.” At the time, he didn’t know anything about the expulsion process and thought that if he lost out at the hearing, he would just be completely shut out of going to school forever. “I didn’t know about alternative schools,” he says.</p>
<p>Besides some occasional pot-smoking, Jesus says he was a good student with ambition, and was frightened at the prospect of losing his chance at an education.&#160;</p>
<p>His dad, who was furious about the situation, had to take time off work for the hearing. The two of them went downtown to central office headquarters. Jesus was sworn in and a recorder was turned on. He had to explain what happened and then he was given two options: Go to the SMART intervention program or be expelled and forced to finish high school at an alternative school.</p>
<p>Jesus chose to go to SMART. But it took three months for him to get a spot in the program—nearly a year since the pipe was found in his backpack. SMART runs in eight-week intervals, so if a student misses the enrollment window, he or she must wait until another session begins.</p>
<p>SMART was good, Jesus says, and the staff talked about how to make better decisions. Jesus says he even stopped smoking weed and took up running. &#160;</p>
<p>Yet Jesus is still upset and says there’s no reason for the long protracted process. “It was just dumb.”</p> | false | 3 | june ceo barbara byrdbennett heralded changes student code conduct said reduce disparities school discipline carried ultimately cut number suspensions expulsions160 catalyst chicago discovered officials slipped loophole new code allow principals request transfer student referred expulsioneven without hearing students would transferred school expelled suspended students effectively difference maneuver called disciplinary reassignment actual expulsion students wont identified expelled meanwhile board education approved may second alternative school expelled students time seemed contradict publicly stated goal lowering expulsions cps plans spend 35 million two schools 137 million spent last year board already approved contract camelot alternative education private entity based austin texas run schools160 cps official calls option disciplinary reassignment one new alternatives expulsion outlined revised policy stresses disciplinary reassignments used group 5 6 violations serious offenses also note suburban schools often option officials say law department advises network officers hold meeting parents principals talk reassignments beforehand goal meeting provide due process notice student considered removal another school according district code require meeting offer recourse students parents dont want transfer disciplinary reassignments opposite advocates youth want see happen young people says mariame kaba founding director group project nia tracked school arrests discipline cps160 kaba taken aback heard loophole part group worked cps year change student code conduct emphasize restorative justice strategies rather punishment misbehavior really surprising kaba says really bad always fine print cps policy states expulsions issued hearing officer determines student engaged behaviors seriously disruptive illegal nature alternatives appropriate160 official numbers show fewer young people expelledonly 166 teens 20122013 half number students expelled districtrun schools three years ago yet despite decline thousands students still threatened expulsion sent hearings year even seemingly minor offenses160 expulsions districtrun schools part story charter schools expelled 307 students 20122013 school year63 percent expelledeven though charters enroll 12 percent students 20122013 data latest available data available show many charter students referred expulsion go hearing process 160before expulsion take place long process referral hearing leave young people feeling forced school 2800 students referred expulsion 20122013 school year half went hearing according cps data ultimately fewer 12 percent students go hearings expelled160 cps officials say expulsion referrals rejected either laws strictly regulate expulsion special education student witnesses testify student also principals withdraw expulsion referral time least one principal said withdrawn referrals student left school own160 fact 500 1400 expulsion hearings 2013 involved offenses principals must refer student expulsionlevel 6 offenses arson bomb threat selling drugs rest involved less serious offenses160 600 hearings resulted students sent districts intervention program called smart saturday morning alternative reach teach fewer half complete program held downtown saturdays parent community service component joel rodriguez organizer southwest organizing project says going expulsion hearing devastating effect young person students must sworn atmosphere feel intimidating like courtroom rodriguez attended hearings students says school officials often bring trivial matters paint young person bad light160 scarring says reality behaviors could addressed lot different ways instead warranting expulsion hearing160 students show hearings parents says jessica schneider provides pro bono representation students expulsion hearings staff attorney chicago lawyers committee civil rights law schneider says many parents students dont understand expulsion process dont think get attorney though believes one helps schneider says impression school administrators often want student expelled attorneys advocates press smart program expel ruling school administrators see student every day trying push kids says160 jesus velazquez convinced much ever change cps reform expulsion process experience long suspension expulsion hearing completely changed views schoolso much become activist harsh discipline grassroots groups voices youth chicago education logan square neighborhood association jesus readily admits offense marijuana pipe backpack something shouldnt carrying still believe one mistake tripped badly jesus immediately issued 10day suspension principal kelyvn park high absent two weeks struggled pass classes ended failing classes sophomore year putting behind facing fifth year high school order graduate160 cps officials say expulsion hearings usually held four six weeks incident jesus says wasnt nine months later received letter telling show hearing didnt even know referred expulsion jesus says surprised time didnt know anything expulsion process thought lost hearing would completely shut going school forever didnt know alternative schools says besides occasional potsmoking jesus says good student ambition frightened prospect losing chance education160 dad furious situation take time work hearing two went downtown central office headquarters jesus sworn recorder turned explain happened given two options go smart intervention program expelled forced finish high school alternative school jesus chose go smart took three months get spot programnearly year since pipe found backpack smart runs eightweek intervals student misses enrollment window must wait another session begins smart good jesus says staff talked make better decisions jesus says even stopped smoking weed took running 160 yet jesus still upset says theres reason long protracted process dumb | 773 |
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