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<p>Five years ago, educator Frank Haggerty decided to shoot for the brass ring. After 28 years as a teacher and an assistant principal for Chicago Public Schools, he set his sights on becoming a principal.</p>
<p>“My goal was to run my own school,” says Haggerty, who was then an assistant principal at Schurz High. When he learned that a new CPS principal training program—Leadership Academy and Urban Network for Chicago (LAUNCH)—was seeking applicants, he leapt at the chance to participate.</p>
<p>After completing the program, Haggerty threw his hat into the ring at different schools, was a finalist twice, but still could not land a top spot.</p>
<p>“I have never gone all the way, never gotten the brass ring,” he laments.</p>
<p>When LAUNCH was created five years ago, its aim was to invigorate public school leadership by cultivating a pool of highly qualified principal candidates. At the time, the program was unique for combining management training with education courses, and for requiring participants to complete full-time internships.</p>
<p>One of 37 CPS educators selected for the inaugural class in 1998, Haggerty believed LAUNCH would provide the extra boost he needed to reach his goal. The program exceeded his expectations. “It was one of the best educational experiences I have ever had,” he says.</p>
<p>Haggerty says he does not blame LAUNCH for his unsuccessful attempts to land a principal job. He cites a variety of reasons, including the school system’s unique principal selection process—elected local school councils have the authority to hire and fire principals—and his own no-nonsense approach to leadership, which he believes may be perceived as abrasive.</p>
<p>Now an assistant principal at Richards High, Haggerty is unusual among his classmates that first year but not among graduates over all. Sixty-two percent of the inaugural participants are now principals, but only 27 percent of the 91 educators who completed the program between 1999 and 2001 are leading schools. Overall, LAUNCH’s principal placement rate is 37 percent, according to August 2002 statistics furnished by LAUNCH.</p>
<p>Since it was created, LAUNCH has established a solid reputation among CPS administrators for preparing aspiring principals to become good instructional leaders. Since LAUNCH graduated its first class, 48 of their so-called “fellows” have landed jobs as principal.</p>
<p>According to district officials, about 40 principal jobs are currently vacant, and 540 district employees have the credentials required to fill those spots.</p>
<p>By the end of this school year, 198 principal slots will need to be filled at 149 schools where contracts are set to expire and at another 49 that are led by interim or acting principals, according to Designs for Change, a school reform group.</p>
<p>A 2001 survey of LAUNCH graduates found 21 percent who cited politics as a major obstacle to landing a principal position.</p>
<p>G. Alfred Hess Jr., a Northwestern research professor who taught LAUNCH workshops for three years, has some reservations about the program. LAUNCH is “a well-conceived program, [but] more in-depth training is needed for the job of being a principal,” he says.</p>
<p>Placements</p>
<p>LAUNCH, of course, cannot guarantee that its graduates will get a principal job. Often, graduates return to their old schools and begin applying for principal and other administrative positions throughout the district.</p>
<p>Still, says LAUNCH’s founding director Ingrid Carney, “[LAUNCH] has accomplished what it set out to do: Provide well-trained people to move into the principal pipeline.” Carney, a former principal, now heads an umbrella organization that oversees LAUNCH and several other leadership programs for administrators.</p>
<p>LAUNCH Director Faye Terrell-Perkins says the program’s mission has shifted from training aspiring principals to preparing school leaders who could land administrative jobs at schools or at regional or central office. Since 1999, 12 LAUNCH graduates have been hired to work in central office administrative jobs. Among them are David Pickens, a 2001 graduate, who is deputy chief of staff to Arne Duncan; Nancy Slavin, class of 1998, director of substitute services; and Angela Buckels, 1998, deputy chief officer of professional development.</p>
<p>“[LAUNCH graduates] finish at different stages of readiness. We don’t advocate that anyone go from teaching to a principalship,” Terrell-Perkins explains, noting that a number of LAUNCH participants are teachers and the recommended career path for teachers is to become an assistant principal or school administrator first. Of the 30 members of the current 2002 class, nine are teachers.</p>
<p>For many years, Susan Kurland, a long-time educator with a doctorate, tried and failed to land a principal job. “I was always the bridesmaid, never the bride,” she quips.</p>
<p>Her fortunes turned when an out-of-town candidate declined the principal position at Nettelhorst, and the LSC asked to interview LAUNCH graduates.</p>
<p>Kurland, who completed the program in 1999, got the job. “They were looking for a good instructional leader, and the added LAUNCH training was beneficial,” she notes.</p>
<p>Three years later, Kurland says Nettelhorst is “a good place with a good fit.”</p>
<p>By contrast, Amelia Mason, a special education team teacher at Las Casas High School and a 1999 LAUNCH graduate, has been unsuccessful in snaring a principal or an assistant principal slot.</p>
<p>She credits LAUNCH for boosting her confidence and giving her a stronger foundation in leadership and hands-on management. Since returning to Las Casas in 2000, Mason has applied for an average of three assistant principal positions a year. “Not a nibble,” says Mason, who remains optimistic. “After finishing [LAUNCH], I would have loved to move on.</p>
<p>At first I was disappointed, but I’ll keep trying.”</p>
<p>Mason believes her inability to negotiate LSC politics has hampered her chances of getting a principal job.</p>
<p>Persistence is what paid off for Phyllis Crombie-Brown, a 1998 graduate who landed a principal job at Ronald Brown Elementary a year ago. “There was not a lot of consistency with what the LSCs want,” she says, noting her experiences with LSCs that distrusted programs supported by CPS.</p>
<p>Some LAUNCH graduates speculate that LSCs may not be familiar with LAUNCH, and as a result, may discount qualified candidates. However, Donald Moore of Designs for Change questions such assertions. “Many LSCs are positive toward LAUNCH candidates,” Moore says. “LAUNCH is a well-designed program that is grounded in research about effective principal models.”</p>
<p>Launching LAUNCH</p>
<p>The belief that principals are the most important component of school improvement led Beverly Tunney, president of the Chicago Principal and Administrators Association, and businessman Martin Koldyke to create an intensive training program that would enhance the pool of qualified principal candidates. The result was LAUNCH, a collaboration among the principal’s association, CPS and Northwestern University, where Koldyke is a trustee.</p>
<p>The application process for LAUNCH is rigorous. In addition to having a master’s degree and state certification to become principal, applicants must undergo a series of interviews, participate in a role-playing exercise and write an essay. Successful candidates are deemed to be the system’s best and brightest, and possess strong potential for leadership, Terrell-Perkins says.</p>
<p>“I look for [applicants who] have a passion for teaching and learning, good communications skills, an interest in leadership and can see issues globally,” she explains.</p>
<p>However, Hess notes that he was also troubled by some participants who believed low-income children cannot learn. “They must find ways to assess this [attitude] up front and weed these people out.”</p>
<p>Training begins with five weeks of instruction—an academic boot camp—at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. The courses cover a gamut of instructional and administrative issues that CPS principals face: team building, change management in schools, political frameworks, conflict management, negotiation and decision making, instructional strategies, school management and parent-community involvement. Instructors include faculty from Northwestern’s business and education and social policy schools, as well as CPS principals and administrators.</p>
<p>After completing the coursework, participants begin putting theory into practice in the fall when they are placed in five-month internships at public elementary and high schools and work side-by-side with the principal. They receive a $40,000 stipend that is paid by CPS.</p>
<p>Mentor principals undergo extensive screening to ensure that they have suitable experience and personalities to allow interns to shadow them daily, says Terrell-Perkins.</p>
<p>After completing the internship, LAUNCH graduates become members of its “urban network” of educators. Carney says this built-in support network allows fellows to keep in touch and support each other once they’re on the job.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Haggerty keeps in touch with many of his LAUNCH classmates through the urban network, and attended a social gathering last fall. But, at 56, he says he has decided not to apply for any more principal jobs. In his most recent attempt, he was among five finalists for principal at Kennedy High.</p>
<p>Haggerty wonders whether LSCs give too much weight to personality and not enough to credentials, a factor that he believes hurt him during his job search.</p>
<p>“I’m not one who dances around an issue,” he says. “I tell people what is educationally sound, and they may not want to hear that.”</p>
<p>Still, he remains upbeat about his experience and training with LAUNCH. “It was an outlet that came at a time that was important,” Haggerty says. “I met people who share the same philosophies and goals.”</p> | false | 3 | five years ago educator frank haggerty decided shoot brass ring 28 years teacher assistant principal chicago public schools set sights becoming principal goal run school says haggerty assistant principal schurz high learned new cps principal training programleadership academy urban network chicago launchwas seeking applicants leapt chance participate completing program haggerty threw hat ring different schools finalist twice still could land top spot never gone way never gotten brass ring laments launch created five years ago aim invigorate public school leadership cultivating pool highly qualified principal candidates time program unique combining management training education courses requiring participants complete fulltime internships one 37 cps educators selected inaugural class 1998 haggerty believed launch would provide extra boost needed reach goal program exceeded expectations one best educational experiences ever says haggerty says blame launch unsuccessful attempts land principal job cites variety reasons including school systems unique principal selection processelected local school councils authority hire fire principalsand nononsense approach leadership believes may perceived abrasive assistant principal richards high haggerty unusual among classmates first year among graduates sixtytwo percent inaugural participants principals 27 percent 91 educators completed program 1999 2001 leading schools overall launchs principal placement rate 37 percent according august 2002 statistics furnished launch since created launch established solid reputation among cps administrators preparing aspiring principals become good instructional leaders since launch graduated first class 48 socalled fellows landed jobs principal according district officials 40 principal jobs currently vacant 540 district employees credentials required fill spots end school year 198 principal slots need filled 149 schools contracts set expire another 49 led interim acting principals according designs change school reform group 2001 survey launch graduates found 21 percent cited politics major obstacle landing principal position g alfred hess jr northwestern research professor taught launch workshops three years reservations program launch wellconceived program indepth training needed job principal says placements launch course guarantee graduates get principal job often graduates return old schools begin applying principal administrative positions throughout district still says launchs founding director ingrid carney launch accomplished set provide welltrained people move principal pipeline carney former principal heads umbrella organization oversees launch several leadership programs administrators launch director faye terrellperkins says programs mission shifted training aspiring principals preparing school leaders could land administrative jobs schools regional central office since 1999 12 launch graduates hired work central office administrative jobs among david pickens 2001 graduate deputy chief staff arne duncan nancy slavin class 1998 director substitute services angela buckels 1998 deputy chief officer professional development launch graduates finish different stages readiness dont advocate anyone go teaching principalship terrellperkins explains noting number launch participants teachers recommended career path teachers become assistant principal school administrator first 30 members current 2002 class nine teachers many years susan kurland longtime educator doctorate tried failed land principal job always bridesmaid never bride quips fortunes turned outoftown candidate declined principal position nettelhorst lsc asked interview launch graduates kurland completed program 1999 got job looking good instructional leader added launch training beneficial notes three years later kurland says nettelhorst good place good fit contrast amelia mason special education team teacher las casas high school 1999 launch graduate unsuccessful snaring principal assistant principal slot credits launch boosting confidence giving stronger foundation leadership handson management since returning las casas 2000 mason applied average three assistant principal positions year nibble says mason remains optimistic finishing launch would loved move first disappointed ill keep trying mason believes inability negotiate lsc politics hampered chances getting principal job persistence paid phyllis crombiebrown 1998 graduate landed principal job ronald brown elementary year ago lot consistency lscs want says noting experiences lscs distrusted programs supported cps launch graduates speculate lscs may familiar launch result may discount qualified candidates however donald moore designs change questions assertions many lscs positive toward launch candidates moore says launch welldesigned program grounded research effective principal models launching launch belief principals important component school improvement led beverly tunney president chicago principal administrators association businessman martin koldyke create intensive training program would enhance pool qualified principal candidates result launch collaboration among principals association cps northwestern university koldyke trustee application process launch rigorous addition masters degree state certification become principal applicants must undergo series interviews participate roleplaying exercise write essay successful candidates deemed systems best brightest possess strong potential leadership terrellperkins says look applicants passion teaching learning good communications skills interest leadership see issues globally explains however hess notes also troubled participants believed lowincome children learn must find ways assess attitude front weed people training begins five weeks instructionan academic boot campat northwestern universitys kellogg school management courses cover gamut instructional administrative issues cps principals face team building change management schools political frameworks conflict management negotiation decision making instructional strategies school management parentcommunity involvement instructors include faculty northwesterns business education social policy schools well cps principals administrators completing coursework participants begin putting theory practice fall placed fivemonth internships public elementary high schools work sidebyside principal receive 40000 stipend paid cps mentor principals undergo extensive screening ensure suitable experience personalities allow interns shadow daily says terrellperkins completing internship launch graduates become members urban network educators carney says builtin support network allows fellows keep touch support theyre job meanwhile haggerty keeps touch many launch classmates urban network attended social gathering last fall 56 says decided apply principal jobs recent attempt among five finalists principal kennedy high haggerty wonders whether lscs give much weight personality enough credentials factor believes hurt job search im one dances around issue says tell people educationally sound may want hear still remains upbeat experience training launch outlet came time important haggerty says met people share philosophies goals | 920 |
<p>Few Americans question that smoking causes cancer. But they express bigger doubts as concepts that scientists consider to be truths get further from our own experiences and the present time, an Associated Press-GfK poll found.</p>
<p>Americans have more skepticism than confidence in global warming, the age of the Earth and evolution and have the most trouble believing a Big Bang created the universe 13.8 billion years ago.</p>
<p>Rather than quizzing scientific knowledge, the survey asked people to rate their confidence in several statements about science and medicine.</p>
<p>On some, there's broad acceptance. Just 4 percent doubt that smoking causes cancer, 6 percent question whether mental illness is a medical condition that affects the brain and 8 percent are skeptical there's a genetic code inside our cells. More — 15 percent — have doubts about the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccines.</p>
<p>About 4 in 10 say they are not too confident or outright disbelieve that the earth is warming, mostly a result of man-made heat-trapping gases, that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old or that life on Earth evolved through a process of natural selection, though most were at least somewhat confident in each of those concepts. But a narrow majority — 51 percent — questions the Big Bang theory.</p>
<p>Those results depress and upset some of America's top scientists, including several Nobel Prize winners, who vouched for the science in the statements tested, calling them settled scientific facts.</p>
<p>"Science ignorance is pervasive in our society, and these attitudes are reinforced when some of our leaders are openly antagonistic to established facts," said 2013 Nobel Prize in medicine winner Randy Schekman of the University of California, Berkeley.</p>
<p>The poll highlights "the iron triangle of science, religion and politics," said Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication.</p>
<p>And scientists know they've got the shakiest leg in the triangle.</p>
<p>To the public "most often values and beliefs trump science" when they conflict, said Alan Leshner, chief executive of the world's largest scientific society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science.</p>
<p>"Science ignorance is pervasive in our society, and these attitudes are reinforced when some of our leaders are openly antagonistic to established facts."</p>
<p>Political values were closely tied to views on science in the poll, with Democrats more apt than Republicans to express confidence in evolution, the Big Bang, the age of the Earth and climate change.</p>
<p>Religious values are similarly important.</p>
<p>Confidence in evolution, the Big Bang, the age of the Earth and climate change decline sharply as faith in a supreme being rises, according to the poll. Likewise, those who regularly attend religious services or are evangelical Christians express much greater doubts about scientific concepts they may see as contradictory to their faith.</p>
<p>"When you are putting up facts against faith, facts can't argue against faith," said 2012 Nobel Prize winning biochemistry professor Robert Lefkowitz of Duke University. "It makes sense now that science would have made no headway because faith is untestable."</p>
<p>But evolution, the age of the Earth and the Big Bang are all compatible with God, except to Bible literalists, said Francisco Ayala, a former priest and professor of biology, philosophy and logic at the University of California, Irvine. And Darrel Falk, a biology professor at Point Loma Nazarene University and an evangelical Christian, agreed, adding: "The story of the cosmos and the Big Bang of creation is not inconsistent with the message of Genesis 1, and there is much profound biblical scholarship to demonstrate this."</p>
<p>Beyond religious belief, views on science may be tied to what we see with our own eyes. The closer an issue is to our bodies and the less complicated, the easier it is for people to believe, said John Staudenmaier, a Jesuit priest and historian of technology at the University of Detroit Mercy.</p>
<p>Marsha Brooks, a 59-year-old nanny who lives in Washington, D.C., said she's certain smoking causes cancer because she saw her mother, aunts and uncles, all smokers, die of cancer. But when it comes to the universe beginning with a Big Bang or the Earth being about 4.5 billion years old, she has doubts. She explained: "It could be a lack of knowledge. It seems so far" away.</p>
<p>Jorge Delarosa, a 39-year-old architect from Bridgewater, N.J., pointed to a warm 2012 without a winter and said, "I feel the change. There must be a reason." But when it came to Earth's beginnings 4.5 billion years ago, he has doubts simply because "I wasn't there."</p>
<p>Experience and faith aren't the only things affecting people's views on science. Duke University's Lefkowitz sees "the force of concerted campaigns to discredit scientific fact" as a more striking factor, citing significant interest groups — political, business and religious — campaigning against scientific truths on vaccines, climate change and evolution.</p>
<p>Yale's Leiserowitz agreed but noted sometimes science wins out even against well-financed and loud opposition, as with smoking.</p>
<p>Widespread belief that smoking causes cancer "has come about because of very public, very focused public health campaigns," AAAS's Leshner said. A former acting director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Leshner said he was encouraged by the public's acceptance that mental illness is a brain disease, something few believed 25 years ago, before just such a campaign.</p>
<p>That gives Leiserowitz hope for a greater public acceptance of climate change. But he fears it may be too late to do anything about it.</p>
<p>The AP-GfK Poll was conducted March 20-24, 2014, using KnowledgePanel, GfK's probability-based online panel designed to be representative of the U.S. population. It involved online interviews with 1,012 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points for all respondents.</p>
<p>Respondents were first selected randomly using phone or mail survey methods and were later interviewed online. People selected for KnowledgePanel who didn't otherwise have access to the Internet were provided with the ability to access the Internet at no cost to them.</p> | false | 3 | americans question smoking causes cancer express bigger doubts concepts scientists consider truths get experiences present time associated pressgfk poll found americans skepticism confidence global warming age earth evolution trouble believing big bang created universe 138 billion years ago rather quizzing scientific knowledge survey asked people rate confidence several statements science medicine theres broad acceptance 4 percent doubt smoking causes cancer 6 percent question whether mental illness medical condition affects brain 8 percent skeptical theres genetic code inside cells 15 percent doubts safety efficacy childhood vaccines 4 10 say confident outright disbelieve earth warming mostly result manmade heattrapping gases earth 45 billion years old life earth evolved process natural selection though least somewhat confident concepts narrow majority 51 percent questions big bang theory results depress upset americas top scientists including several nobel prize winners vouched science statements tested calling settled scientific facts science ignorance pervasive society attitudes reinforced leaders openly antagonistic established facts said 2013 nobel prize medicine winner randy schekman university california berkeley poll highlights iron triangle science religion politics said anthony leiserowitz director yale project climate change communication scientists know theyve got shakiest leg triangle public often values beliefs trump science conflict said alan leshner chief executive worlds largest scientific society american association advancement science science ignorance pervasive society attitudes reinforced leaders openly antagonistic established facts political values closely tied views science poll democrats apt republicans express confidence evolution big bang age earth climate change religious values similarly important confidence evolution big bang age earth climate change decline sharply faith supreme rises according poll likewise regularly attend religious services evangelical christians express much greater doubts scientific concepts may see contradictory faith putting facts faith facts cant argue faith said 2012 nobel prize winning biochemistry professor robert lefkowitz duke university makes sense science would made headway faith untestable evolution age earth big bang compatible god except bible literalists said francisco ayala former priest professor biology philosophy logic university california irvine darrel falk biology professor point loma nazarene university evangelical christian agreed adding story cosmos big bang creation inconsistent message genesis 1 much profound biblical scholarship demonstrate beyond religious belief views science may tied see eyes closer issue bodies less complicated easier people believe said john staudenmaier jesuit priest historian technology university detroit mercy marsha brooks 59yearold nanny lives washington dc said shes certain smoking causes cancer saw mother aunts uncles smokers die cancer comes universe beginning big bang earth 45 billion years old doubts explained could lack knowledge seems far away jorge delarosa 39yearold architect bridgewater nj pointed warm 2012 without winter said feel change must reason came earths beginnings 45 billion years ago doubts simply wasnt experience faith arent things affecting peoples views science duke universitys lefkowitz sees force concerted campaigns discredit scientific fact striking factor citing significant interest groups political business religious campaigning scientific truths vaccines climate change evolution yales leiserowitz agreed noted sometimes science wins even wellfinanced loud opposition smoking widespread belief smoking causes cancer come public focused public health campaigns aaass leshner said former acting director national institute mental health leshner said encouraged publics acceptance mental illness brain disease something believed 25 years ago campaign gives leiserowitz hope greater public acceptance climate change fears may late anything apgfk poll conducted march 2024 2014 using knowledgepanel gfks probabilitybased online panel designed representative us population involved online interviews 1012 adults margin sampling error plus minus 34 percentage points respondents respondents first selected randomly using phone mail survey methods later interviewed online people selected knowledgepanel didnt otherwise access internet provided ability access internet cost | 585 |
<p>A trans man says his inquires about surgery were ignored by Kaiser Permanente.</p>
<p>A D.C. transgender man says he’s in the process of filing a complaint with the city against Kaiser Permanente because it refused to provide him with health insurance coverage for his gender reassignment surgery.</p>
<p>Morgan Givens, 30, told the Washington Blade that although Kaiser never officially denied coverage for his needed female to male periareolar or “top” surgery, it failed to respond to his repeated requests beginning in March for information needed to arrange for the surgery.</p>
<p>“I spent over six months attempting to find out from Kaiser and their employees what I needed to do in order to have top surgery cleared and covered and got virtually nowhere,” he said.</p>
<p>“Employees would ‘lose’ my paperwork, hang up the phone when they realized what I was attempting to gather information about, say they were transferring me when they found out what I was calling about only to have the line go dead a few minutes later,” he said.</p>
<p>“I attempted to find information on their website about transgender health, who I needed to see, or where I should go all while trying to find someone who would be able to assist me, and there was nothing,” Givens said.</p>
<p>The D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issued a bulletin in February 2014 reminding the public and the insurance industry that existing D.C. law requires all health insurance companies doing business in the city to provide full coverage for medically recognized treatments to help transgender people change their gender.</p>
<p>The bulletin says gender reassignment surgery is among the treatments health insurers are required to cover for people with gender dysphoria, a condition recognized by the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association.</p>
<p>Shana Selender, public relations manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Marketing and Corporate Communications division, told the Washington Blade in an email statement on Monday that Kaiser could not comment on Givens’s specific case due to patient confidentiality requirements.</p>
<p>But she added, “Kaiser Permanente is deeply committed to providing equitable, compassionate and high-quality care to our transgender members. We strive to treat all members, including those considering gender transition, with dignity and compassion, and to support their decisions with an experienced team of expert physicians and specialists.”</p>
<p>Selender said Kaiser covers a “wide range of surgical and non-surgical services when clinically appropriate for members diagnosed with gender dysphoria.” Among them, she said, are behavioral health visits, hormone therapy and “gender confirmation” surgeries.</p>
<p>Her description of the transgender-related services provided by Kaiser is at odds with Givens’s account of how the company responded to his attempt to obtain coverage for his surgery.</p>
<p>Among the questions that Kaiser never answered during the first six months of his attempts to arrange for surgery, according to Givens, was whether Kaiser had within its network of physicians a surgeon qualified to perform gender reassignment surgery.</p>
<p>By late August, Givens said, he scheduled his surgery with internationally recognized plastic surgeon Beverly Fischer of Timonium, Md., who specializes in gender reassignment surgery for female-to-male transgender patients.</p>
<p>He said he remained hopeful that Kaiser would approve reimbursement for some if not all of the cost for the procedure. Although Fischer, who teaches at Johns Hopkins University, is not within Kaiser’s network of physicians and surgeons, Givens said a Kaiser representative gave him the name of a Kaiser doctor who had the authority to provide him with a referral to Fischer.</p>
<p>Such a referral would enable Givens to receive partial reimbursement for the surgery, which he said cost him over $8,600. But similar to his past interactions with Kaiser, the referring physician and his administrative support staff took weeks to get back to him, Givens said. Three weeks prior to the surgery, he said, he had to pay the cost of the surgery in full.</p>
<p>“Because I was getting no assistance from any Kaiser employees, I decided I would attempt to recoup some of my money after the surgery,” he said.</p>
<p>However, when he attempted to submit a claim for partial coverage after the surgery took place, a Kaiser representative told him that Kaiser, in fact, had a surgeon that preforms gender reassignment surgery and he could not be reimbursed for an out-of-network surgeon.</p>
<p>“I then asked why it was that after spending seven months trying to gather this information I was just being informed of this,” Givens said.</p>
<p>He said a short time later a Kaiser representative named Laura Weimer, a nurse case manager, called him, saying she had heard he was having a “bad experience” with Kaiser.</p>
<p>“I laid out the entirety of what had happened over the seven-month period,” he said. She apologized, “said it should not have happened, but that Kaiser would not reimburse me any portion of my surgery,” said Givens.</p>
<p>On Oct. 21, Givens said, he spoke with Kaiser officials E.W. Emanuel and Ayanna Wells, who told him they were in charge of Kaiser’s transgender healthcare branch.</p>
<p>“Both of them told me that while the behavior of their staff was unacceptable, they were new to providing transgender care, none of their staff had been trained nor knew where to point me or how to interact with me,” Givens said.</p>
<p>“They also said the staff at Kaiser were predominantly unaware of doctors within the network who could specialize in trans health or that there is a surgeon who performed gender reassignment surgery, but that they could still do nothing to compensate me for their staff’s mismanagement,” said Givens.</p>
<p>“I’m furious about the treatment that I received because I know it was directly linked to the fact that I am transgender,” Givens told the Blade. “I also worry and wonder about the people in the community who wouldn’t be able to foot the bill for their surgery if they ran into the same form of depressing discriminatory resistance I experienced.”</p>
<p>He said he planned to file a complaint against Kaiser this week with the D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking.</p>
<p>“I can tell you the department takes this kind of complaint very seriously and we will look at the details of the particular situation, including whether the insurer effectively discouraged the insured from accessing benefits for which he is eligible,” said Philip Barlow, D.C.’s Associate Commissioner of Insurance.</p>
<p>“When addressing complaints we look at both the letter and the spirit of the law in determining what actions we take,” Barlow said. “In general, we have found that when presented with facts that support the insured, the insurers operating in the District have acted promptly to address the situation and have looked to modify their procedures to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences.”</p>
<p>Added Barlow: “We encourage any resident in the District or any person covered by an insurance policy issued in D.C., to file a complaint with DISB any time they feel they have a problem. The department will thoroughly investigate the complaint and ensure that the HMO complies with the requirements of our bulletin.”</p>
<p>Selender, the Kaiser spokesperson, didn’t address the specific concerns raised by Givens but said the company strives to address the needs of all of its members.</p>
<p>“While we cannot comment on the specifics of any case due to patient confidentiality, we are committed to working with each of our members to better understand the specifics of their case and how we can better provide the best care possible,” she said.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">AMA</a> <a href="" type="internal">American Medical Association</a> <a href="" type="internal">American Psychiatric Association</a> <a href="" type="internal">APA</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ayanna Wells</a> <a href="" type="internal">Beverly Fischer</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Department of Insurance Securities and Banking</a> <a href="" type="internal">DISB</a> <a href="" type="internal">District of Columbia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gender Dysphoria</a> <a href="" type="internal">gender reassignment surgery</a> <a href="" type="internal">health insurance</a> <a href="" type="internal">HMO</a> <a href="" type="internal">Johns Hopkins University</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kaiser Permanente</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maryland</a> <a href="" type="internal">Morgan Givens</a> <a href="" type="internal">Philip Barlow</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shana Selender</a> <a href="" type="internal">Timonium</a> <a href="" type="internal">trans</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a></p> | false | 3 | trans man says inquires surgery ignored kaiser permanente dc transgender man says hes process filing complaint city kaiser permanente refused provide health insurance coverage gender reassignment surgery morgan givens 30 told washington blade although kaiser never officially denied coverage needed female male periareolar top surgery failed respond repeated requests beginning march information needed arrange surgery spent six months attempting find kaiser employees needed order top surgery cleared covered got virtually nowhere said employees would lose paperwork hang phone realized attempting gather information say transferring found calling line go dead minutes later said attempted find information website transgender health needed see go trying find someone would able assist nothing givens said dc department insurance securities banking issued bulletin february 2014 reminding public insurance industry existing dc law requires health insurance companies business city provide full coverage medically recognized treatments help transgender people change gender bulletin says gender reassignment surgery among treatments health insurers required cover people gender dysphoria condition recognized american medical association american psychiatric association shana selender public relations manager kaiser permanentes marketing corporate communications division told washington blade email statement monday kaiser could comment givenss specific case due patient confidentiality requirements added kaiser permanente deeply committed providing equitable compassionate highquality care transgender members strive treat members including considering gender transition dignity compassion support decisions experienced team expert physicians specialists selender said kaiser covers wide range surgical nonsurgical services clinically appropriate members diagnosed gender dysphoria among said behavioral health visits hormone therapy gender confirmation surgeries description transgenderrelated services provided kaiser odds givenss account company responded attempt obtain coverage surgery among questions kaiser never answered first six months attempts arrange surgery according givens whether kaiser within network physicians surgeon qualified perform gender reassignment surgery late august givens said scheduled surgery internationally recognized plastic surgeon beverly fischer timonium md specializes gender reassignment surgery femaletomale transgender patients said remained hopeful kaiser would approve reimbursement cost procedure although fischer teaches johns hopkins university within kaisers network physicians surgeons givens said kaiser representative gave name kaiser doctor authority provide referral fischer referral would enable givens receive partial reimbursement surgery said cost 8600 similar past interactions kaiser referring physician administrative support staff took weeks get back givens said three weeks prior surgery said pay cost surgery full getting assistance kaiser employees decided would attempt recoup money surgery said however attempted submit claim partial coverage surgery took place kaiser representative told kaiser fact surgeon preforms gender reassignment surgery could reimbursed outofnetwork surgeon asked spending seven months trying gather information informed givens said said short time later kaiser representative named laura weimer nurse case manager called saying heard bad experience kaiser laid entirety happened sevenmonth period said apologized said happened kaiser would reimburse portion surgery said givens oct 21 givens said spoke kaiser officials ew emanuel ayanna wells told charge kaisers transgender healthcare branch told behavior staff unacceptable new providing transgender care none staff trained knew point interact givens said also said staff kaiser predominantly unaware doctors within network could specialize trans health surgeon performed gender reassignment surgery could still nothing compensate staffs mismanagement said givens im furious treatment received know directly linked fact transgender givens told blade also worry wonder people community wouldnt able foot bill surgery ran form depressing discriminatory resistance experienced said planned file complaint kaiser week dc department insurance securities banking tell department takes kind complaint seriously look details particular situation including whether insurer effectively discouraged insured accessing benefits eligible said philip barlow dcs associate commissioner insurance addressing complaints look letter spirit law determining actions take barlow said general found presented facts support insured insurers operating district acted promptly address situation looked modify procedures reduce likelihood future occurrences added barlow encourage resident district person covered insurance policy issued dc file complaint disb time feel problem department thoroughly investigate complaint ensure hmo complies requirements bulletin selender kaiser spokesperson didnt address specific concerns raised givens said company strives address needs members comment specifics case due patient confidentiality committed working members better understand specifics case better provide best care possible said ama american medical association american psychiatric association apa ayanna wells beverly fischer dc dc department insurance securities banking disb district columbia gender dysphoria gender reassignment surgery health insurance hmo johns hopkins university kaiser permanente maryland morgan givens philip barlow shana selender timonium trans transgender | 708 |
<p>WASHINGTON — Last June, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/11/us-blacklist-thailand-prawn-trade-slavery-revelations" type="external">media reports</a> sparked an outcry over human slavery on fishing vessels — a dark side of the cheap shrimp and other seafood now sold year-round by stores like Costco and Walmart.</p>
<p>The horrors uncovered by the Guardian newspaper’s investigation included Cambodian and Burmese men being sold to fishing boats, forced to work at sea against their will for months or years at a time, victimized by violence, and left with little or no earnings at the end of their ordeal on the ever-emptier, overfished oceans. These men were packed below decks like sardines and half-starved.</p>
<p>The exposé has led to calls for consumer boycotts of seafood from Thailand, the epicenter of the scandal. This response — although understandable — neither helps those already trapped in this industry nor addresses the root of the problem.</p>
<p>In fact, the only way to stop this human rights nightmare is for Western companies to take responsibility for their supply chains.</p>
<p>What does this mean?</p>
<p>First, companies must require suppliers to ensure that their catch is both free of slave labor and obtained in ways that do not devastate already fragile environments.</p>
<p>In addition, consumers and companies should push governments to enact treaties that protect both workers and ocean life. This would help bring an end to forced labor on fishing vessels operated by <a href="http://www.undercurrentnews.com/2014/06/20/global-fishing-industrys-human-trafficking-problem-worsening-says-tip-report/" type="external">52 countries</a>, according to the US State Department.</p>
<p>One step companies can take is prohibiting suppliers from using transshipment, the transfer of the catch onto refrigerated cargo ships at sea. This process keeps fishing vessels at sea and enables them to avoid the risk of inspection while in port offloading fish.</p>
<p>This practice is a key driver of forced labor at sea. It has been on the rise because overfishing has required ships to travel greater distances for longer periods of time for their catch, thus raising the cost and increasing the incentive to cheat employees or purchase slaves. The added time at sea keeps the horrific working conditions out of sight, while workers have almost no possibility of escape.</p>
<p>Greenpeace encountered such a situation while helping local officials search a ship for “long-lines” that are typical of the Western Pacific Ocean, where much of the tuna consumed in the United States is caught. Ships using long lines that can stretch many miles in international waters are not illegal, unless the lines take an endangered or threatened species. Taking of an endangered species is a violation of the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).</p>
<p>While terrified of being overheard, fishermen on the ship managed to relay to Greenpeace inspectors that they had not been to port in 18 months, were badly treated by the senior crew and forced to live in deplorable conditions. They had inadequate access to toilets and showers and slept in shifts on thin, dirty mattresses in dark, poorly ventilated parts of the ship. This situation is all too common, and local government officials are often ill equipped or unprepared to respond, even when it is reported to them.</p>
<p>It is common for both workers and employers to pay labor brokers for placing workers in jobs throughout the seafood industry. This is considered a recruitment fee and is attached to the worker as debt, often with high interest rates, and deducted from their pay, leaving them with no income or means to leave abusive situations.</p>
<p>In 2013, for example, the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) researchers <a href="http://www.laborrights.org/publications/walmart-effect-child-and-worker-rights-violations-narong-seafood" type="external">worked with partners on the ground</a> in Thailand to uncover debt bondage and document confiscation among workers in Thai shrimp processing facilities that supplied to Walmart and other Western retailers. Even though they weren’t stranded at sea, these migrant workers had no way to return home.</p>
<p>Various labels now certify seafood suppliers as socially and environmentally responsible. Supermarkets use the labels to screen their supply chain, but they not fool-proof.</p>
<p>ILRF found problems in Thailand at a fishery certified by the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices program, an industry-led certification used by Walmart in vetting its suppliers. More rigorous programs exist, but certification auditors are not equipped to inspect illegal fish-food trawlers, especially when the captain carries a gun.</p>
<p>Such limitations on certifiers and the existence of hundreds of thousands of industrial fishing vessels trawling the oceans, it is impossible to board and inspect each one in an effort to eliminate pirate fishing and labor abuse.</p>
<p>A more rigorous inspection system at port and better protections for workers are needed. Global brands must rid their supply chains of illegal fishing vessels and the practice of transshipment at sea.</p>
<p>These initiatives will require greater collaboration among exporting and importing governments, global brands and two global unions — the International Transport Workers’ Federation and the International Union for Food and Agriculture Worker. Together, they could enact <a href="http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/10557/region/1/section/0/order/1" type="external">measures</a> that would protect fishers and recognize their right to unionize as a critical piece of the solution.</p>
<p>Some will argue that such measures will make shrimp more expensive. Consumers changing their shopping practices can help. The responsibility ultimately falls to retailers who assure transparency and best practices in their supply chain so that consumers can be confident in the seafood that they want to buy.</p>
<p>Judy Gearhart is executive director of the International Labor Rights Forum, a human rights advocacy NGO that works globally to ensure workers’ rights, and a Ford Foundation Public Voices Fellow with the&#160; <a href="http://www.theopedproject.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=868&amp;Itemid=154" type="external">OpEd Project</a>. John Hocevar, a marine biologist, is the Oceans Campaign Director for Greenpeace USA, an environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world’s oceans.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | washington last june media reports sparked outcry human slavery fishing vessels dark side cheap shrimp seafood sold yearround stores like costco walmart horrors uncovered guardian newspapers investigation included cambodian burmese men sold fishing boats forced work sea months years time victimized violence left little earnings end ordeal everemptier overfished oceans men packed decks like sardines halfstarved exposé led calls consumer boycotts seafood thailand epicenter scandal response although understandable neither helps already trapped industry addresses root problem fact way stop human rights nightmare western companies take responsibility supply chains mean first companies must require suppliers ensure catch free slave labor obtained ways devastate already fragile environments addition consumers companies push governments enact treaties protect workers ocean life would help bring end forced labor fishing vessels operated 52 countries according us state department one step companies take prohibiting suppliers using transshipment transfer catch onto refrigerated cargo ships sea process keeps fishing vessels sea enables avoid risk inspection port offloading fish practice key driver forced labor sea rise overfishing required ships travel greater distances longer periods time catch thus raising cost increasing incentive cheat employees purchase slaves added time sea keeps horrific working conditions sight workers almost possibility escape greenpeace encountered situation helping local officials search ship longlines typical western pacific ocean much tuna consumed united states caught ships using long lines stretch many miles international waters illegal unless lines take endangered threatened species taking endangered species violation convention trade endangered species flora fauna cites terrified overheard fishermen ship managed relay greenpeace inspectors port 18 months badly treated senior crew forced live deplorable conditions inadequate access toilets showers slept shifts thin dirty mattresses dark poorly ventilated parts ship situation common local government officials often ill equipped unprepared respond even reported common workers employers pay labor brokers placing workers jobs throughout seafood industry considered recruitment fee attached worker debt often high interest rates deducted pay leaving income means leave abusive situations 2013 example international labor rights forum ilrf researchers worked partners ground thailand uncover debt bondage document confiscation among workers thai shrimp processing facilities supplied walmart western retailers even though werent stranded sea migrant workers way return home various labels certify seafood suppliers socially environmentally responsible supermarkets use labels screen supply chain foolproof ilrf found problems thailand fishery certified global aquaculture alliances best aquaculture practices program industryled certification used walmart vetting suppliers rigorous programs exist certification auditors equipped inspect illegal fishfood trawlers especially captain carries gun limitations certifiers existence hundreds thousands industrial fishing vessels trawling oceans impossible board inspect one effort eliminate pirate fishing labor abuse rigorous inspection system port better protections workers needed global brands must rid supply chains illegal fishing vessels practice transshipment sea initiatives require greater collaboration among exporting importing governments global brands two global unions international transport workers federation international union food agriculture worker together could enact measures would protect fishers recognize right unionize critical piece solution argue measures make shrimp expensive consumers changing shopping practices help responsibility ultimately falls retailers assure transparency best practices supply chain consumers confident seafood want buy judy gearhart executive director international labor rights forum human rights advocacy ngo works globally ensure workers rights ford foundation public voices fellow the160 oped project john hocevar marine biologist oceans campaign director greenpeace usa environmental organization works protect preserve worlds oceans 160 | 544 |
<p>MUMBAI, India — As I devour a (delicious) frozen yogurt, store manager Ankush Chopra tells me that Indian celebrities frequently visit his Mumbai shop. He rattles off names of Bollywood stars and then pulls out his mobile phone to show me proof. He turns his phone to me so I can see the photograph he took of one such actor, Jackie Shroff, wearing sunglasses and sitting in his car in front of the store.</p>
<p>“He has taken the 'berry blast' flavor, one medium, one small,” Chopra tells me. “With all the berries [as toppings] – strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and blackberry.”</p>
<p>Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon prefers the original flavor, Chopra adds.</p>
<p>As we chat in the store’s outdoor seating in Mumbai’s relatively posh Pali Hill neighborhood, a deliveryman from the nearby market walks up to the shop, carrying a two-foot wide basket of fresh strawberries on his head.</p>
<p>Cocoberry, India’s first non-fat premium frozen yogurt, opened a year ago in an effort to capitalize on a rising demand for health food among India’s growing class of wealthy consumers. The health food market, measured at $92 million in the end of 2008, is expected to nearly triple in size by the end of 2013, according to Shushmul Maheshwari, the chief executive of market-research company RNCOS.</p>
<p>The beginning of an organized, formal market for health food began a few years ago when big retailers began offering health products in their stores, Maheshwari wrote in an email. This developed as a result of a rise in education level and the emergence of strong advertising channels by which retailers could reach consumers.</p>
<p>In a related trend, more Indians in New Delhi are choosing organic foods.</p>
<p />
<p>The frozen yogurt company, which enhances its 98 percent fat-free yogurt with vitamin E, plans to invest 120 crore ($26 million) over the next two years as it expands its operation in cities across the country. It plans to have 100 outlets by the end of 2011, says business development manager Deepa Negi.</p>
<p>Walk into a Cocoberry store and the experience feels remarkably similar to walking into a Pinkberry in Los Angeles. Store workers offer you the choice of frozen yogurt in a rotating variety of fruit flavors or original. If you can’t decide, try a sample. They then fill your small, medium or large plastic dish with yogurt out of a machine as if it were soft ice cream, giving it a perfect swirl at the top. And finally, you can choose from a toppings bar offering 16 fruit or candy options.</p>
<p>But despite the striking similarity in layout and options, managing director G.S. Bhalla says Pinkberry did not inspire him. In fact, he argues, the company tried to create something completely different.</p>
<p>One way Cocoberry is special, he says, is that it is about more than just food. It is a lifestyle. To buy the frozen yogurt is to associate oneself with healthy living, modern ideas, socially and environmentally conscious living, the latest fashion and – at least in Mumbai – Bollywood stars.</p>
<p>“We’ve created a brand that young people want to be associated with,” he says.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The company’s <a href="http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=cocoberry&amp;init=quick#!/cocoberryfrozenyogurt" type="external">Facebook fan page</a>has almost 30,000 members who write comments on its wall like “I love it soooo much” and “pls open cocoberry in noida..!! the commuting to def col is a toughie..!!!”</p>
<p>The Cocoberry staff interacts with the fans, giving them updates on new branches and flavors and providing health tips about the benefits of eating various fruit toppings. The page also has a photograph of a store worker making the peace sign as he poses with actor Jackie Shroff, holding his freshly made yogurt, at the Pali Hill branch.</p>
<p>Cocoberry also tweaks its yogurt flavor to make it appeal to an Indian market.</p>
<p>Other food companies have also sprung up that try to capitalize on this new demand for health food, often in uniquely Indian ways.</p>
<p>Companies, like Vital Foods based in the Santa Cruz East suburb, now offer a healthy option to Mumbai’s famous lunch-box delivery system run by a union of dabbawallas. The dabbawallas collect lunch-boxes from residences or food stores, deliver the food during lunchtime at offices throughout the city and then return the empty boxes.</p>
<p>Vital Foods prepares lunch options for upper class business men and women who have dietary requirements or want healthier options prepared with little oil and no artificial ingredients or preservatives, says spokesperson Pratim Parekh. The lunches are then delivered via the dabbawalla service.</p>
<p>Vital Foods, which began six years ago serving 10 customers, now prepares 400 lunches a day, he says.</p>
<p>Another company, called JKart, offered customers healthy juices made according to an individual’s medical history and blood type, says former owner Anupam Adarsh. The company focused on home deliveries of the custom-made bottled juices, he said.</p>
<p>Like men who deliver milk, called doodh, to Indian homes, JKart was called “the modern age doodhwallas,” Adarsh says.</p>
<p>Adarsh sold the juice chain, which has since closed, and he now plans on starting a similar brand in March called Bounce Health Bar. It will offer health options like wraps and low-calorie meals and focus on selling at corporate workplaces and to young people.</p>
<p>“The market is already there,” Adarsh says. “This is the time to enter it.”</p>
<p>Yet despite the optimism surrounding the health food market in India, there are still limitations, says Maheshwari of RNCOS. He says retailers have not yet begun selling a complete range of health food products or certified brands, the products tend to be over-priced and they are largely produced for an export-oriented market.</p>
<p>Godrej Nature’s Basket, a gourmet retail chain that caters to up-market Indian consumers, has seen a recent spike in demand for its health food options at its stores in Mumbai, according to managing director Mohit Khattar. While the market is now focused on western products, the chain plans to expand the types of products available.</p>
<p>“It is only when this trend gets localized,” he wrote in an email, “[that] the big ticket growth will come in.”</p> | false | 3 | mumbai india devour delicious frozen yogurt store manager ankush chopra tells indian celebrities frequently visit mumbai shop rattles names bollywood stars pulls mobile phone show proof turns phone see photograph took one actor jackie shroff wearing sunglasses sitting car front store taken berry blast flavor one medium one small chopra tells berries toppings strawberry blueberry raspberry blackberry bollywood actress raveena tandon prefers original flavor chopra adds chat stores outdoor seating mumbais relatively posh pali hill neighborhood deliveryman nearby market walks shop carrying twofoot wide basket fresh strawberries head cocoberry indias first nonfat premium frozen yogurt opened year ago effort capitalize rising demand health food among indias growing class wealthy consumers health food market measured 92 million end 2008 expected nearly triple size end 2013 according shushmul maheshwari chief executive marketresearch company rncos beginning organized formal market health food began years ago big retailers began offering health products stores maheshwari wrote email developed result rise education level emergence strong advertising channels retailers could reach consumers related trend indians new delhi choosing organic foods frozen yogurt company enhances 98 percent fatfree yogurt vitamin e plans invest 120 crore 26 million next two years expands operation cities across country plans 100 outlets end 2011 says business development manager deepa negi walk cocoberry store experience feels remarkably similar walking pinkberry los angeles store workers offer choice frozen yogurt rotating variety fruit flavors original cant decide try sample fill small medium large plastic dish yogurt machine soft ice cream giving perfect swirl top finally choose toppings bar offering 16 fruit candy options despite striking similarity layout options managing director gs bhalla says pinkberry inspire fact argues company tried create something completely different one way cocoberry special says food lifestyle buy frozen yogurt associate oneself healthy living modern ideas socially environmentally conscious living latest fashion least mumbai bollywood stars weve created brand young people want associated says 160 companys facebook fan pagehas almost 30000 members write comments wall like love soooo much pls open cocoberry noida commuting def col toughie cocoberry staff interacts fans giving updates new branches flavors providing health tips benefits eating various fruit toppings page also photograph store worker making peace sign poses actor jackie shroff holding freshly made yogurt pali hill branch cocoberry also tweaks yogurt flavor make appeal indian market food companies also sprung try capitalize new demand health food often uniquely indian ways companies like vital foods based santa cruz east suburb offer healthy option mumbais famous lunchbox delivery system run union dabbawallas dabbawallas collect lunchboxes residences food stores deliver food lunchtime offices throughout city return empty boxes vital foods prepares lunch options upper class business men women dietary requirements want healthier options prepared little oil artificial ingredients preservatives says spokesperson pratim parekh lunches delivered via dabbawalla service vital foods began six years ago serving 10 customers prepares 400 lunches day says another company called jkart offered customers healthy juices made according individuals medical history blood type says former owner anupam adarsh company focused home deliveries custommade bottled juices said like men deliver milk called doodh indian homes jkart called modern age doodhwallas adarsh says adarsh sold juice chain since closed plans starting similar brand march called bounce health bar offer health options like wraps lowcalorie meals focus selling corporate workplaces young people market already adarsh says time enter yet despite optimism surrounding health food market india still limitations says maheshwari rncos says retailers yet begun selling complete range health food products certified brands products tend overpriced largely produced exportoriented market godrej natures basket gourmet retail chain caters upmarket indian consumers seen recent spike demand health food options stores mumbai according managing director mohit khattar market focused western products chain plans expand types products available trend gets localized wrote email big ticket growth come | 624 |
<p>RICHMOND — Baptist General Association of Virginia governing structures are “too large, cumbersome and disjointed to be efficient and effective” and must be “modified or replaced,” says a committee authorized last fall to propose changes in the way the 190-year-old organization oversees its operations and fiduciary responsibilities.</p>
<p>In a <a href="http://www.vbmb.org/About/media/docs/A-Consideration.pdf" type="external">white paper</a> released April 12, the 14-member committee identified five of “the most glaring problems” in the BGAV’s existing system — an essential step, it said, before developing and proposing an alternative.</p>
<p>“Although we have some initial ideas about what our 21st-century governance model might look like, we are reticent to share them at this early stage of our discernment process,” the committee wrote in the white paper. “We have forced ourselves to resist the temptation to invent a structure before we understand fully what must be avoided and what must be incorporated to accurately represent the historical values, biblical ideals and honored traditions of the Virginia Baptist family.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Among those values and traditions are broad-based participation, inclusion and egalitarianism — all features of the current system which the committee said it is determined to “incarnate” in a new or modified structure.</p>
<p>The governance study committee was recommended by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and approved by the <a href="http://www.vbmb.org/default.cfm" type="external">BGAV</a> at its annual meeting last November. BGAV president Carl Johnson appointed the panel, which is chaired by Jim Baucom, pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Va.</p>
<p>“Members of the committee are meeting with several groups of influencers and receiving any feedback concerned Virginia Baptists want to offer us,” Baucom told the Herald. “We hope to have a blueprint for a new model in late August, which will also be released publicly, presented to the Mission Board, then proposed to the General Association in November.”</p>
<p>In identifying deficiencies in the BGAV’s governing apparatus, the white paper focused on five areas:</p>
<p>The 100-member Virginia Baptist Mission Board, which conducts business between annual sessions of the BGAV, is too large to “effectively sustain accountability and perform its fiduciary responsibility.”</p>
<p>“Virginia Baptist leaders with any history in the General Association have seen numerous instances in which budgetary decisions have not been thoroughly vetted by the Mission Board, the board has been unable to set clear strategic directions, or full deliberations of particularly difficult or divisive issues have been impossible for such a large body,” the committee wrote. “In many cases, the General Association officers or the smaller executive committee of the Mission Board have been forced to operate as a microcosm of the broader board, sometimes to the dissatisfaction of Virginia Baptists.”</p>
<p>The method of selecting members of the Mission Board doesn’t ensure diversity or competencies.</p>
<p>About 75 percent of board members are nominated by 42 district associations — “a strangely connectional apparatus for an avowedly non-connectional denomination,” the committee noted. Although the BGAV approves the nominations, associational recommendations are rarely challenged.</p>
<p>“While this system ensures some geographic diversity, it actually serves to discourage other diversities of gender, race, background and the like. … Those elected to the board in the present system have likely demonstrated competence within their local churches or associations, but there is no guarantee that they are prepared to govern an organization of the General Association’s size and complexity. Thus, the Mission Board frequently lacks the expertise and experience necessitated by its core governance task.”</p>
<p>Key governance functions are assigned to several bodies and strategic connections among these groups are weak.</p>
<p>“To some, this may seem an advantage, since power is not concentrated in one group,” wrote the committee. “In reality, our structure produces disjointed governance that easily becomes politicized.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>As an example of “poor organizational alignment,” the white paper cited the BGAV budget committee. The 15-member committee, which recommends allocations for all BGAV ministries and partners, is appointed by the BGAV and, while the Mission Board may suggest changes in the final proposal, it does not approve it before presentation at BGAV annual meetings.</p>
<p>“This process is controversial nearly every year, with each new budget committee setting its agenda apart from the strategic guidance of the Mission Board, supposedly the ultimate governing board in Virginia Baptist life,” noted the white paper. “Neither our Mission Board staff nor our mission partners are ever really able to plan effectively, because they have no way of predicting what each subsequent budget committee may decide to do, and a tremendous amount of power becomes vested in a group other than the elected governing body.”</p>
<p>Mission Board governing structure is organized to mirror the structure of the board’s staff; each staff team has a corresponding Mission Board committee with which it works.</p>
<p>“On paper, this appears a neat arrangement, and Mission Board members enjoy working in areas about which they are passionate,” noted the white paper. “In practice, this structure presents some significant problems, among them that few on the Mission Board ever get an accurate picture of the entire working organization. Mission Board members frequently become more advocates for and/or micromanagers of their areas (and staff) than strategists relative to the direction of the whole organization.”</p>
<p>The BGAV’s “stake-holding” churches are underrepresented in the present structure.</p>
<p />
<p>“Because Mission Board members are usually nominated based on their work in their local associational structures, churches who give considerable percentages of all General Association funds, but may be less active at the associational level, are unlikely to emerge in the present model,” the committee wrote. “While we celebrate the fine work of many local associations, we do not think it wise that the governance of the General Association be so dependent on their viability.”</p>
<p>Since large churches are increasingly likely to partner outside local associations, the committee wrote, congregations which together represent more than 60 percent of the BGAV’s income often represent less than 10 percent of the Mission Board.</p>
<p>“Without these significant players in the room when pivotal issues arise, it is far less likely that real buy-in can be achieved when it matters most,” noted the white paper. “Many of the leaders of these key stakeholder churches are reporting to our executive staff that they are so frustrated with an ineffective governance model that they are less willing to put their faith in the General Association. We are convinced that this problem, in itself, is a fiscal crisis in the making for the General Association.”</p>
<p>Challenging task but not new</p>
<p>Developing solutions to governance inadequacies will be a challenging task but not a new one, the committee wrote.</p>
<p>“We know that the General Association has utilized a number of governance structures throughout its history, and that good governance has always been a moving target requiring constant maintenance,” it said. “Ours is the task of solving this riddle for our generation without abandoning the strongest values consistently actualized by the General Association throughout the years.”</p>
<p>In addition to Baucom and Johnson, a retired denominational executive and member of First Baptist Church in Richmond, other members of the committee are Steve Allsbrook, executive director of missions of the Dover Baptist Association; Dick Bidwell, BGAV parliamentarian; Pat Bloxom, a former president of Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia; Ann Brown, immediate past president of Virginia WMU; Dan Carlton, pastor of Downtown Baptist Church in Alexandria, Mark Croston, pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk and immediate past president of the BGAV; Don Davidson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Alexandria and a former BGAV president, who serves as the committee’s vice chair; Darrell Foster, a retired attorney and former BGAV president; and Tommy McDearis, pastor of Blacksburg Baptist Church and current BGAV first vice president.</p>
<p>Ex officio members are John Upton and Eddie Stratton, executive director and treasurer, respectively, of both the BGAV and the Mission Board, and Glenn Akins, assistant executive director of the Mission Board.</p>
<p>Robert Dilday ( <a href="mailto:rdilday@religousherald.org" type="external">rdilday@religousherald.org</a>) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.</p> | false | 3 | richmond baptist general association virginia governing structures large cumbersome disjointed efficient effective must modified replaced says committee authorized last fall propose changes way 190yearold organization oversees operations fiduciary responsibilities white paper released april 12 14member committee identified five glaring problems bgavs existing system essential step said developing proposing alternative although initial ideas 21stcentury governance model might look like reticent share early stage discernment process committee wrote white paper forced resist temptation invent structure understand fully must avoided must incorporated accurately represent historical values biblical ideals honored traditions virginia baptist family 160 among values traditions broadbased participation inclusion egalitarianism features current system committee said determined incarnate new modified structure governance study committee recommended virginia baptist mission board approved bgav annual meeting last november bgav president carl johnson appointed panel chaired jim baucom pastor columbia baptist church falls church va members committee meeting several groups influencers receiving feedback concerned virginia baptists want offer us baucom told herald hope blueprint new model late august also released publicly presented mission board proposed general association november identifying deficiencies bgavs governing apparatus white paper focused five areas 100member virginia baptist mission board conducts business annual sessions bgav large effectively sustain accountability perform fiduciary responsibility virginia baptist leaders history general association seen numerous instances budgetary decisions thoroughly vetted mission board board unable set clear strategic directions full deliberations particularly difficult divisive issues impossible large body committee wrote many cases general association officers smaller executive committee mission board forced operate microcosm broader board sometimes dissatisfaction virginia baptists method selecting members mission board doesnt ensure diversity competencies 75 percent board members nominated 42 district associations strangely connectional apparatus avowedly nonconnectional denomination committee noted although bgav approves nominations associational recommendations rarely challenged system ensures geographic diversity actually serves discourage diversities gender race background like elected board present system likely demonstrated competence within local churches associations guarantee prepared govern organization general associations size complexity thus mission board frequently lacks expertise experience necessitated core governance task key governance functions assigned several bodies strategic connections among groups weak may seem advantage since power concentrated one group wrote committee reality structure produces disjointed governance easily becomes politicized 160 example poor organizational alignment white paper cited bgav budget committee 15member committee recommends allocations bgav ministries partners appointed bgav mission board may suggest changes final proposal approve presentation bgav annual meetings process controversial nearly every year new budget committee setting agenda apart strategic guidance mission board supposedly ultimate governing board virginia baptist life noted white paper neither mission board staff mission partners ever really able plan effectively way predicting subsequent budget committee may decide tremendous amount power becomes vested group elected governing body mission board governing structure organized mirror structure boards staff staff team corresponding mission board committee works paper appears neat arrangement mission board members enjoy working areas passionate noted white paper practice structure presents significant problems among mission board ever get accurate picture entire working organization mission board members frequently become advocates andor micromanagers areas staff strategists relative direction whole organization bgavs stakeholding churches underrepresented present structure mission board members usually nominated based work local associational structures churches give considerable percentages general association funds may less active associational level unlikely emerge present model committee wrote celebrate fine work many local associations think wise governance general association dependent viability since large churches increasingly likely partner outside local associations committee wrote congregations together represent 60 percent bgavs income often represent less 10 percent mission board without significant players room pivotal issues arise far less likely real buyin achieved matters noted white paper many leaders key stakeholder churches reporting executive staff frustrated ineffective governance model less willing put faith general association convinced problem fiscal crisis making general association challenging task new developing solutions governance inadequacies challenging task new one committee wrote know general association utilized number governance structures throughout history good governance always moving target requiring constant maintenance said task solving riddle generation without abandoning strongest values consistently actualized general association throughout years addition baucom johnson retired denominational executive member first baptist church richmond members committee steve allsbrook executive director missions dover baptist association dick bidwell bgav parliamentarian pat bloxom former president womans missionary union virginia ann brown immediate past president virginia wmu dan carlton pastor downtown baptist church alexandria mark croston pastor east end baptist church suffolk immediate past president bgav davidson pastor first baptist church alexandria former bgav president serves committees vice chair darrell foster retired attorney former bgav president tommy mcdearis pastor blacksburg baptist church current bgav first vice president ex officio members john upton eddie stratton executive director treasurer respectively bgav mission board glenn akins assistant executive director mission board robert dilday rdildayreligousheraldorg managing editor religious herald | 774 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The <a href="http://sedn.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Senate Education Committee</a> last week approved a $2 billion tax hike on California’s oil industry that critics say would drive up energy costs and push&#160;businesses out of state. Proponents of <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_1001-1050/sb_1017_bill_20140214_introduced.htm" type="external">Senate Bill 1017</a> tout the additional revenue it will provide for higher education, parks and social services.</p>
<p>“I’m authoring this bill because California is the only major oil producer in the world which does not collect taxes on oil production,” <a href="http://sd02.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Noreen Evans</a>, D-Santa Rosa, told the committee on April 24. “As a result, California is losing out on billions of dollars in revenue, amounting to massive subsidies for big oil companies. And as result, our children are suffering.</p>
<p>“I’m authoring the bill because California can no longer afford to leave revenues on the table when the exploitation of California resources by oil companies is reaping huge profits for them. And this is a time when we are forcing our children into debt to pay for their own education. And it is indefensible for California to continue subsidizing the oil companies.”</p>
<p>The bill imposes a 9.5 percent tax on oil and gas extracted in California.</p>
<p>Evans said that the total taxation on the oil industry in California was $4.20 per barrel, versus $14.33 in Texas, according to 2011 data from the <a href="https://www.ftb.ca.gov/index.shtml?WT.mc_id=Global_Home_Tab" type="external">Franchise Tax Board</a> and the <a href="http://www.boe.ca.gov/" type="external">Board of Equalization</a>.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=clm14.nym" type="external">current global market price of crude oil</a> is just under $100 a barrel.</p>
<p>She argued that the tax will not be passed on to consumers because “oil prices fluctuate according to the global market. The fact is that this bill will not affect prices at the pump.”</p>
<p>Evans acknowledged that Californians recently agreed to tax themselves extra through <a href="http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/general/pdf/30-title-summ-analysis.pdf" type="external">Proposition 30</a>, but pointed out the&#160;tax ends in 2017.</p>
<p>“It is not a permanent solution to California’s revenue problem,” she said of Prop. 30. “One of the solutions is in this bill. Enact an oil severance tax on large oil companies to help strengthen our economy. Oil companies had a record profit of $137 billion in 2011. And it is time for them to pay their fair share.”</p>
<p>However, opponents of the tax point out that oil drillers already are paying sales, property, business income and ad valorem taxes. And such taxes are among the highest in the country.&#160;So when all those taxes are added up, today the&#160;state is in the middle of the pack for&#160;oil taxation among the country’s 10 largest oil-producing states, according to a <a href="http://www.cotce.ca.gov/documents/reports/documents/LECG%20state%20tax%20comparison%20report%2012-08-%20final.pdf" type="external">2008 study</a>. A 9.9 percent oil severance tax would shoot California to the top of the oil taxation list.</p>
<p>The bill lays out the need for increased funding for higher education in California:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pl5XItgrIg" type="external">Jefferson McGee</a>, representing the Sacramento chapter of the <a href="http://www.calorganize.org/" type="external">Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment</a>, spoke against Big Oil.</p>
<p>“Taxing&#160; Big Oil is the right thing to do,” he said. “California is the fourth largest oil-producing state, and the only major oil producer to not tax Big Oil for extraction. For some reason Big Oil has been given a pass here. Especially frustrating is the fact that California is a major profit center for Big Oil. They made nearly $20 billion in profit in California last year alone.</p>
<p>“The oil industry with their immense profits should be required to pay for our natural resources and also reinvest in the state that allows them to make so much profit. We know the oil lobby in California is strong. And they aren’t afraid to spend money to keep their profits high and their taxes as low as possible. I would like to urge all of the senators to stand with their constituents who desperately need the $2 billion in revenue this tax would provide.”</p>
<p>Several students asked the committee to support the bill.</p>
<p>“For many middle-class students such as myself, the CSU is really the only financially viable way for us to obtain the degree that many of the jobs in our state’s workforce will require us to have,” said <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sean-kiernan/65/735/26" type="external">Shawn Kiernan</a>, a senior at CSU Fresno.</p>
<p>Opponents of the bill agreed with the need for more education funding. But they said it shouldn’t come at the expense of the oil industry.</p>
<p>Opponents also pointed out the tax would&#160;come at the expense of one area, Kern County, which produces more than 70 percent of California’s oil and more than 60 percent of its natural gas, according to <a href="http://www.co.kern.ca.us/bos/dist4/#.U2GgyZVOXb1" type="external">Kern County Supervisor David Couch</a>. He said 12,000 people are employed in the oil industry in his county.</p>
<p>“Not only is Kern County’s oil and natural gas important to California, it is the lifeblood of Kern County and our economy,” said Couch. “The nearly 10 percent severance tax would cost thousands of jobs in California.</p>
<p>“Besides the loss of good paying jobs, the tax proposed in SB1017 would depress the value of the petroleum properties by approximately $2.7 billion. Meaning county government and local schools would suffer reduced property taxes each year of about $27 million. We do not think it’s fair to ask the people in Kern County to shoulder the burden of financing these statewide institutions that benefit all Californians.</p>
<p>“We are not opposed to more funding for education. We are opposed to the mechanism. It’s very similar to the so-called ‘sin taxes’ on alcohol and tobacco. Except that in Kern County our sin is apparently producing the oil and gas on which 96 percent of California vehicles depend.”</p>
<p>The tax would definitely impact California’s oil industry, said Eloy Garcia, representing the <a href="https://www.wspa.org/" type="external">Western States Petroleum Association</a>.</p>
<p>“The idea that we can add a 10 percent tax and all things will remain the same – the level of production, the level of investment in California – is fundamentally wrong,” he said. “There are right now in the United States, domestically, a number of opportunities that are available to oil producers.”</p>
<p>Garcia suggested that state legislators may be conflicted over oil.</p>
<p>“We have a bit of schizophrenia over oil production in California,” he said. “We don’t want it, but we want the revenue. You can’t have both. That is our basic concern with this approach is we want more money, but we are not looking at the regulatory structure, the cost of producing oil in California. Those all have to be considered together.</p>
<p>“The oil industry pays the state … to the tune of about $500 million a year coming to the General Fund in the way of tide and oil revenues. Where the oil producers don’t own the mineral rights, they pay royalties for those mineral rights. Those are substantial payments, substantial investment from the oil industry in California.”</p>
<p>John Kabateck, executive director of the&#160; <a href="http://www.nfib.com/california/contact-nfib/" type="external">National Federation of Independent Business/California</a>, told the committee that the oil tax would add “to the uncertainty on Main Street.&#160;Small business owners … right now are facing not only the highest gas taxes but the highest sales and income taxes and most egregious regulations in the state and lawsuit abuse. So uncertainty is understandable. A new tax right now, this is not just hitting the Big Oil community. This is absolutely passed along to small businesses.</p>
<p>“Right now, what small businesses need is job creation. There are 2&#160;million people already out of jobs. Many of our small business owners are big supporters of employment. But they can’t do that if they are inhibited with a tax burden time after time after time, when we are the leader in tax burden in California.”</p>
<p>Dorothy Rothrock, representing the <a href="http://www.cmta.net/" type="external">California Manufacturers and Technology Association</a>, said the oil tax sends the wrong message to business.</p>
<p>“We’ve seen manufacturing investment and employment decline severely over the past several decades,” she said. “Part of the reason is high energy cost, high tax rates. This new tax is unnecessary. We need to send the signal to investors out there that California is the place you want to come and put your money in the ground. We want to rebuild the industrial base of the state. This bill goes in the wrong direction.”</p>
<p>The committee discussion was dominated by Sen. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar.</p>
<p>“It’s a noble issue to find a dedicated source for education,” he said. “But this is also deemed by the Legislative Analyst as a volatile source of revenue. We already have a volatile source of revenue, which is the basis of our whole budget – we tax the top 1 percent [of income earners] very high. We tax other things that are volatile, capital gains. So it gives us that boom-bust that makes it very difficult to feed a government program one year and then have to cut it back the next. This would exacerbate that problem.”</p>
<p>He was referring to a <a href="http://www.lao.ca.gov/ballot/2011/110648.aspx" type="external">2011 LAO analysis</a>, which found, “A wide range of revenues, however, is possible due to the wide fluctuation in oil and gas prices.”</p>
<p>Huff continued, “I believe higher education is something that we need to figure, ‘Is this a priority? Are we going to fund it at a higher level than we are now?’ And if the answer is yes, then … we work on growing jobs, we work on creating revenues in ways that creates a growing job base, growing revenue base, rather than punishing a single industry and driving oil production out of state.”</p>
<p>Democrats on the education committee supported the bill’s cash infusion for higher education, voting 5-3 to approve SB1017. <a href="http://sd05.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Cathleen Galgiana</a>, D-Stockton, was the only Democrat to join Huff and <a href="http://district38.cssrc.us/" type="external">Sen. Mark Wyland</a>, R-Escondido, in opposition.</p>
<p>The oil severance tax bill has become a legislative perennial over the past six years. Previous incarnations have either not made it out of committees, failed passage in the Assembly or been vetoed.</p>
<p>SB1017, if it makes it through the Legislature this year, could also wind up on the chopping block if Gov. Jerry Brown follows through on his response to a question about the oil severance tax at a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_kEE3JlNaI" type="external">Jan. 9 press conference</a>.</p>
<p>“I don’t think this is the year for new taxes,” he said. “I went up and down the state campaigning for Proposition 30. I said it was temporary. It is going to be temporary. And I just think we ought to do everything we can to learn to live within our means before going back again and trying to get more taxes.”</p>
<p>Brown is running for re-election and the June primary is a month away.</p>
<p>SB1017 next goes to the <a href="http://sgf.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Senate Governance and Finance Committee</a>.</p> | false | 3 | 160 senate education committee last week approved 2 billion tax hike californias oil industry critics say would drive energy costs push160businesses state proponents senate bill 1017 tout additional revenue provide higher education parks social services im authoring bill california major oil producer world collect taxes oil production sen noreen evans dsanta rosa told committee april 24 result california losing billions dollars revenue amounting massive subsidies big oil companies result children suffering im authoring bill california longer afford leave revenues table exploitation california resources oil companies reaping huge profits time forcing children debt pay education indefensible california continue subsidizing oil companies bill imposes 95 percent tax oil gas extracted california evans said total taxation oil industry california 420 per barrel versus 1433 texas according 2011 data franchise tax board board equalization current global market price crude oil 100 barrel argued tax passed consumers oil prices fluctuate according global market fact bill affect prices pump evans acknowledged californians recently agreed tax extra proposition 30 pointed the160tax ends 2017 permanent solution californias revenue problem said prop 30 one solutions bill enact oil severance tax large oil companies help strengthen economy oil companies record profit 137 billion 2011 time pay fair share however opponents tax point oil drillers already paying sales property business income ad valorem taxes taxes among highest country160so taxes added today the160state middle pack for160oil taxation among countrys 10 largest oilproducing states according 2008 study 99 percent oil severance tax would shoot california top oil taxation list bill lays need increased funding higher education california jefferson mcgee representing sacramento chapter alliance californians community empowerment spoke big oil taxing160 big oil right thing said california fourth largest oilproducing state major oil producer tax big oil extraction reason big oil given pass especially frustrating fact california major profit center big oil made nearly 20 billion profit california last year alone oil industry immense profits required pay natural resources also reinvest state allows make much profit know oil lobby california strong arent afraid spend money keep profits high taxes low possible would like urge senators stand constituents desperately need 2 billion revenue tax would provide several students asked committee support bill many middleclass students csu really financially viable way us obtain degree many jobs states workforce require us said shawn kiernan senior csu fresno opponents bill agreed need education funding said shouldnt come expense oil industry opponents also pointed tax would160come expense one area kern county produces 70 percent californias oil 60 percent natural gas according kern county supervisor david couch said 12000 people employed oil industry county kern countys oil natural gas important california lifeblood kern county economy said couch nearly 10 percent severance tax would cost thousands jobs california besides loss good paying jobs tax proposed sb1017 would depress value petroleum properties approximately 27 billion meaning county government local schools would suffer reduced property taxes year 27 million think fair ask people kern county shoulder burden financing statewide institutions benefit californians opposed funding education opposed mechanism similar socalled sin taxes alcohol tobacco except kern county sin apparently producing oil gas 96 percent california vehicles depend tax would definitely impact californias oil industry said eloy garcia representing western states petroleum association idea add 10 percent tax things remain level production level investment california fundamentally wrong said right united states domestically number opportunities available oil producers garcia suggested state legislators may conflicted oil bit schizophrenia oil production california said dont want want revenue cant basic concern approach want money looking regulatory structure cost producing oil california considered together oil industry pays state tune 500 million year coming general fund way tide oil revenues oil producers dont mineral rights pay royalties mineral rights substantial payments substantial investment oil industry california john kabateck executive director the160 national federation independent businesscalifornia told committee oil tax would add uncertainty main street160small business owners right facing highest gas taxes highest sales income taxes egregious regulations state lawsuit abuse uncertainty understandable new tax right hitting big oil community absolutely passed along small businesses right small businesses need job creation 2160million people already jobs many small business owners big supporters employment cant inhibited tax burden time time time leader tax burden california dorothy rothrock representing california manufacturers technology association said oil tax sends wrong message business weve seen manufacturing investment employment decline severely past several decades said part reason high energy cost high tax rates new tax unnecessary need send signal investors california place want come put money ground want rebuild industrial base state bill goes wrong direction committee discussion dominated sen bob huff rdiamond bar noble issue find dedicated source education said also deemed legislative analyst volatile source revenue already volatile source revenue basis whole budget tax top 1 percent income earners high tax things volatile capital gains gives us boombust makes difficult feed government program one year cut back next would exacerbate problem referring 2011 lao analysis found wide range revenues however possible due wide fluctuation oil gas prices huff continued believe higher education something need figure priority going fund higher level answer yes work growing jobs work creating revenues ways creates growing job base growing revenue base rather punishing single industry driving oil production state democrats education committee supported bills cash infusion higher education voting 53 approve sb1017 sen cathleen galgiana dstockton democrat join huff sen mark wyland rescondido opposition oil severance tax bill become legislative perennial past six years previous incarnations either made committees failed passage assembly vetoed sb1017 makes legislature year could also wind chopping block gov jerry brown follows response question oil severance tax jan 9 press conference dont think year new taxes said went state campaigning proposition 30 said temporary going temporary think ought everything learn live within means going back trying get taxes brown running reelection june primary month away sb1017 next goes senate governance finance committee | 964 |
<p>Principals at the district’s elite elective enrollment high schools convinced former CEO Ron Huberman last year that students who didn’t score high enough on entrance exams would struggle academically. Huberman allowed two principals to set cut scores that kept out students if they didn’t score above it, regardless of other admission factors. This year, Interim CEO Terry Mazany wasn’t buying it. Principals at the district’s elite elective enrollment high schools convinced former CEO Ron Huberman last year that students who didn’t score high enough on entrance exams would struggle academically. Huberman allowed two principals to set cut scores that kept out students if they didn’t score above it, regardless of other admission factors.</p>
<p>This year, Interim CEO Terry Mazany wasn’t buying it.</p>
<p>Mazany decided to let the admissions process play out. The process awards 30 percent of seats based on test scores alone, with the remaining 70 percent of seats divided among four tiers, which are determined by the demographics of the student’s census tract. The goal is to maintain diversity without using race as an explicit admissions factor.</p>
<p>This year, the absence of a cut-off score was one reason that students from low-income areas got first-round acceptance letters with significantly lower scores than last year, says Katie Ellis, the project manager for CPS’ transition to the new admissions process.&#160;</p>
<p>To get into Lane, Whitney Young, Northside, Payton or Jones, the minimum score needed by a student from the lowest-income tier was 88 points below the minimum score needed by a student in the highest income tier. (The total score for the entrance test is 900, with a maximum of 300 points each for grades, standardized test scores and entrance test scores.)</p>
<p>Two other factors accounted for the differential, Ellis says. For one, CPS this year sent out 1,000 more first-round acceptance letters than they have seats available, knowing that many students would turn down seats in schools that were not their top choice. With an overabundance of offers, seats may well not be available in the second round—an important consideration for families that might turn down seats thinking that they stand a better shot at a top choice in the second round. Also, the number of seats awarded based on socio-economic tier increased from 60 percent last year to 70 percent this year.</p>
<p>Ellis says that CPS officials do not think the differential in test scores will affect the rigor or quality of the selective enrollment high schools. “The administration has extreme confidence in their ability to make these students thrive,” she says.</p>
<p>But some principals do have concerns, which they relayed to Mazany in a meeting last week. Mazany encouraged the principals to come up with “reasonable proposals” for changing the policy, according to spokeswoman Monique Bond.</p>
<p>Whitney Young Principal Joyce Kenner says the differential proves to her that the new admission process doesn’t work. There’s a definite correlation between admission scores and a student’s ability to succeed at her school, she contends. The minimum score this year for students in the lowest-income tier at Whitney Young was 784, compared to 818 last year. Meanwhile, for the highest-income tier, the minimum score was nearly identical, at about 865.</p>
<p>“Students who have scored off the chart are not getting in, while students who have not done as well are getting spots,” Kenner says.</p>
<p>Since first-round acceptance letters went out last week, Kenner says she has been inundated with calls and e-mails. While she always received a fair number of inquiries from parents, it has increased under this process.</p>
<p>Kenner adds that diversity at her school has decreased under the new policy, with the white student population growing. The new admissions process was put in place as a proxy for race after a federal judge lifted CPS’ federal desegregation consent decree dictated that CPS use race as a factor in admissions. CPS lawyers were worried that continuing to use race would result in a legal battle.</p>
<p>Much hand-wringing is often done about the district’s most competitive high schools, which are located on the near west and north sides of the city. But the four other selective schools—Lindblom, King, Brooks and Westinghouse—also had gaps between the scores of students from the lowest and highest income tiers.</p>
<p>Jeff Wright, principal at King College Prep, says he is not that concerned about the 40-point differential at his school. His students hail from a diverse group of elementary schools, he says, and the level of rigor in these schools is probably the biggest factor in whether or not students have difficulty transitioning.</p>
<p>In the first round of letters, King, a school that has traditionally been predominantly black, offered 60 percent of its seats to black students, 30 percent to Latino students, five percent to Asian students and five percent to white students.</p>
<p>“The question now is, ‘Who is going to accept?’ ” Wright says. Wright says last year’s incoming class was its most diverse—something that he attributes to marketing, not the new admissions policy.&#160;</p>
<p>For better or worse, the message to students living in wealthy areas is that they have to be super -prepared if they expect to be admitted to one of the elite schools, says Jonina Lerner, a partner at SelectivePrep, a company that offers $395 test preparation courses to ,, 6th ,7th , and 8th- grade students preparing for selective schools.</p>
<p>“The level of competition is so intense that you have to know everything,” she says.</p>
<p>Matthew J. Robinson’s 8th-grade son felt that pressure this year. Robinson lives in the wealthiest tier in his census tract and says that’s an appropriate designation for his family. His son did not get his first choice of Lane Tech, but is hoping to get in on the second round. He also was admitted to the International Baccalaureate program at Lincoln Park High School and the Scholars Program at Von Stueben.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Robinson says he understands the intent behind using socio-economic status in admissions, since whether a student lives in a two-parent home and the income level of the family affects their education. But he says some other parents are frustrated.</p>
<p>“They don’t see what is best for society, they only see what is best for Buffy,” he says.</p>
<p>Greg Sarchet says the stress on students, especially those in wealthy areas, has increased over time and that it is too much. Sarchet’s older son went to Payton High School and is now at the University of Chicago. His younger son, who is in 8th grade, scored higher on the admission criteria but didn’t get into Payton. Still, he’s happy with a seat in his second choice, Jones.</p>
<p>While things have worked out well for his sons, Sarchet says he is not sold on using socio-economic status in admissions. It means that neighbors are competing very directly with each other and communities are pitted against one another. “It does not help unify the city,” he says.</p>
<p>The real solution, Sarchet says, is for there to be more selective enrollment schools so that every competitive student who is seeking a good education has a chance at getting into one.</p>
<p>“It pains me to see capable kids not getting an opportunity,” he says.&#160;</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | principals districts elite elective enrollment high schools convinced former ceo ron huberman last year students didnt score high enough entrance exams would struggle academically huberman allowed two principals set cut scores kept students didnt score regardless admission factors year interim ceo terry mazany wasnt buying principals districts elite elective enrollment high schools convinced former ceo ron huberman last year students didnt score high enough entrance exams would struggle academically huberman allowed two principals set cut scores kept students didnt score regardless admission factors year interim ceo terry mazany wasnt buying mazany decided let admissions process play process awards 30 percent seats based test scores alone remaining 70 percent seats divided among four tiers determined demographics students census tract goal maintain diversity without using race explicit admissions factor year absence cutoff score one reason students lowincome areas got firstround acceptance letters significantly lower scores last year says katie ellis project manager cps transition new admissions process160 get lane whitney young northside payton jones minimum score needed student lowestincome tier 88 points minimum score needed student highest income tier total score entrance test 900 maximum 300 points grades standardized test scores entrance test scores two factors accounted differential ellis says one cps year sent 1000 firstround acceptance letters seats available knowing many students would turn seats schools top choice overabundance offers seats may well available second roundan important consideration families might turn seats thinking stand better shot top choice second round also number seats awarded based socioeconomic tier increased 60 percent last year 70 percent year ellis says cps officials think differential test scores affect rigor quality selective enrollment high schools administration extreme confidence ability make students thrive says principals concerns relayed mazany meeting last week mazany encouraged principals come reasonable proposals changing policy according spokeswoman monique bond whitney young principal joyce kenner says differential proves new admission process doesnt work theres definite correlation admission scores students ability succeed school contends minimum score year students lowestincome tier whitney young 784 compared 818 last year meanwhile highestincome tier minimum score nearly identical 865 students scored chart getting students done well getting spots kenner says since firstround acceptance letters went last week kenner says inundated calls emails always received fair number inquiries parents increased process kenner adds diversity school decreased new policy white student population growing new admissions process put place proxy race federal judge lifted cps federal desegregation consent decree dictated cps use race factor admissions cps lawyers worried continuing use race would result legal battle much handwringing often done districts competitive high schools located near west north sides city four selective schoolslindblom king brooks westinghousealso gaps scores students lowest highest income tiers jeff wright principal king college prep says concerned 40point differential school students hail diverse group elementary schools says level rigor schools probably biggest factor whether students difficulty transitioning first round letters king school traditionally predominantly black offered 60 percent seats black students 30 percent latino students five percent asian students five percent white students question going accept wright says wright says last years incoming class diversesomething attributes marketing new admissions policy160 better worse message students living wealthy areas super prepared expect admitted one elite schools says jonina lerner partner selectiveprep company offers 395 test preparation courses 6th 7th 8th grade students preparing selective schools level competition intense know everything says matthew j robinsons 8thgrade son felt pressure year robinson lives wealthiest tier census tract says thats appropriate designation family son get first choice lane tech hoping get second round also admitted international baccalaureate program lincoln park high school scholars program von stueben160160 robinson says understands intent behind using socioeconomic status admissions since whether student lives twoparent home income level family affects education says parents frustrated dont see best society see best buffy says greg sarchet says stress students especially wealthy areas increased time much sarchets older son went payton high school university chicago younger son 8th grade scored higher admission criteria didnt get payton still hes happy seat second choice jones things worked well sons sarchet says sold using socioeconomic status admissions means neighbors competing directly communities pitted one another help unify city says real solution sarchet says selective enrollment schools every competitive student seeking good education chance getting one pains see capable kids getting opportunity says160 | 707 |
<p>Chicago Public Schools put on its best face in <a href="http://www.cps.edu/News/Press_releases/2008/Pages/12_31_2008_PR1.aspx" type="external">2008: Another Year of Strong Progress for Chicago’s Students</a> – the district’s self-assessment of last year’s accomplishments and test score gains. But the rosy numbers mask a troubling reality, including decidedly mixed results on test scores at the showcase turnaround schools. On one measure – first-day attendance – the district is being disingenuous.</p>
<p />
<p>Chicago Public Schools put on its best face in <a href="http://www.cps.edu/News/Press_releases/2008/Pages/12_31_2008_PR1.aspx" type="external">2008: Another Year of Strong Progress for Chicago’s Students</a> – the district’s self-assessment of last year’s accomplishments and test score gains. But the rosy numbers mask a troubling reality, including decidedly mixed results on test scores at the showcase turnaround schools. On one measure – first-day attendance – the district is being disingenuous.</p>
<p>Here’s our take on:</p>
<p>Attendance rates</p>
<p>This year’s record-high first day attendance rate of 93.7 percent is a <a href="/news/index.php?item=2469&amp;cat=5" type="external">fishy number</a>, based on a seven-month-old estimate of the number of students who were slated to enroll in September. In fact, Catalyst found several schools that, under the district’s formula, posted first-day attendance rates that exceeded 100 percent.</p>
<p>At Robeson, for instance, early estimates predicted 1,197 students. When more than 1,400 showed up on the first day, the district’s official attendance rate was 117 percent.</p>
<p>For charter schools that didn’t report first-day attendance figures, CPS simply estimated that 100 percent of students showed up.&#160;</p>
<p>CPS has yet to release more detailed information on attendance rates on its <a href="http://research.cps.k12.il.us/" type="external">REA website</a>. Meanwhile, the latest state report card shows attendance declining from 91.3 percent in 2007 to 89.9 percent in 2008.</p>
<p>On the bright side, the district self-reported a four-fold increase in the number of students with perfect attendance in 2008. All 85,000 students deserve a round of applause. Attendance is a critical element of student success, especially in Chicago, where the school year is one of the shortest in the country.</p>
<p>ISAT, PSAE &amp; NAEP</p>
<p>The district likes to tout increases in test scores. After significant changes to the ISAT in 2006, the percentage of Chicago students who meet state standards has climbed from 61.6 percent to 65.2 percent (composite, counting English language learners). Statewide, scores rose from 77 percent to 79 percent.</p>
<p>In fact, Catalyst and other researchers have found evidence that the city’s minority students are outpacing their <a href="/issue/index.php?issueNo=145" type="external">suburban counterparts</a> on successive elementary tests.</p>
<p>But Chicago still ranks low on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, otherwise known as the nation’s report card. On the NAEP, Chicago’s 8th-graders posted 10 point gains on the writing portion of the test, since 2002, putting Chicago up by a point over the average score for other large cities. Chicago’s 8th-graders have also caught up to the urban average in reading.</p>
<p>But the good news ends there. Chicago 4th-graders trail other large urban cities in math by 10 points, reading by 7 points and science by 9 points. The city’s 8th graders trail in math by 9 points and science by 8 points.</p>
<p>In high schools, the lone bright spot is Chicago’s continued gains on the ACT, which have outpaced the state’s gains in recent years. But the district’s Class of 2008 still posted average scores (17.7) that are well shy of the statewide composite mark of 20.5. Meanwhile, the percentage of Chicago students who met state standards on the PSAE, which includes the ACT and a separate basic skills test, dropped from 30.1 percent in 2007 to 27.7 percent in 2008.</p>
<p>Experts say that students really need to exceed standards on the state’s elementary tests in order to dramatically boost their chances of scoring a 20 on the ACT and gaining entrée into a quality college. But just 4.8 percent of 8th graders exceeded standards in reading last year, down from 7.2 percent.</p>
<p>Turnarounds</p>
<p>CPS notes that test scores are up at Sherman and Harvard elementary schools, where an ambitious “turnaround” program (replace teachers, keep the students) has paved the way for similar efforts at four additional schools this year.</p>
<p>It’s true, test scores are up at Sherman and Harvard—and at a faster clip compared to district-wide gains. Sherman’s composite scores jumped from 34.9 percent to 40.2 percent; Harvard’s scores climbed from 31.8 percent to 40.1 percent.</p>
<p>But data from the district’s newest “value-added” measure raises serious questions. That measure compares how well individual students at each school perform on tests relative to students with similar backgrounds across the district.</p>
<p>A quick explanation: Schools where students make more progress compared to their peers elsewhere in the city get green lights. Red lights are stamped on schools where children are making less progress than average. A yellow light means it’s unclear whether students’ gains outpace or fall short of their peers.</p>
<p>Sherman got yellow lights in both reading and math. Harvard posted split results: a red in reading and a green in math.</p>
<p>Experts say it could take five years to determine the effectiveness of the turnaround approach, yet CPS plans to dramatically increase the number of turnarounds in 2009.</p>
<p>Advanced Placement</p>
<p>The district deserves credit for pushing AP coursework. Challenging students academically is a good way to keep them engaged.</p>
<p>But the percentage of students who score three or higher on the five-point scale, indicating that they passed the course, has steadily dropped as enrollment has risen. In 2004, just 2,500 students took AP courses and about 39 percent scored a three or better. Last year, 5,700 took a course and just 28 percent scored high marks.</p>
<p>Another troubling trend: AP courses in science are not experiencing as much growth compared to AP English, social studies and math. About 1,500 students took science courses in 2004, with enrollment climbing 88 percent to about 2,900 students in 2008. Meanwhile, enrollment more than doubled in other AP courses.</p> | false | 3 | chicago public schools put best face 2008 another year strong progress chicagos students districts selfassessment last years accomplishments test score gains rosy numbers mask troubling reality including decidedly mixed results test scores showcase turnaround schools one measure firstday attendance district disingenuous chicago public schools put best face 2008 another year strong progress chicagos students districts selfassessment last years accomplishments test score gains rosy numbers mask troubling reality including decidedly mixed results test scores showcase turnaround schools one measure firstday attendance district disingenuous heres take attendance rates years recordhigh first day attendance rate 937 percent fishy number based sevenmonthold estimate number students slated enroll september fact catalyst found several schools districts formula posted firstday attendance rates exceeded 100 percent robeson instance early estimates predicted 1197 students 1400 showed first day districts official attendance rate 117 percent charter schools didnt report firstday attendance figures cps simply estimated 100 percent students showed up160 cps yet release detailed information attendance rates rea website meanwhile latest state report card shows attendance declining 913 percent 2007 899 percent 2008 bright side district selfreported fourfold increase number students perfect attendance 2008 85000 students deserve round applause attendance critical element student success especially chicago school year one shortest country isat psae amp naep district likes tout increases test scores significant changes isat 2006 percentage chicago students meet state standards climbed 616 percent 652 percent composite counting english language learners statewide scores rose 77 percent 79 percent fact catalyst researchers found evidence citys minority students outpacing suburban counterparts successive elementary tests chicago still ranks low national assessment educational progress otherwise known nations report card naep chicagos 8thgraders posted 10 point gains writing portion test since 2002 putting chicago point average score large cities chicagos 8thgraders also caught urban average reading good news ends chicago 4thgraders trail large urban cities math 10 points reading 7 points science 9 points citys 8th graders trail math 9 points science 8 points high schools lone bright spot chicagos continued gains act outpaced states gains recent years districts class 2008 still posted average scores 177 well shy statewide composite mark 205 meanwhile percentage chicago students met state standards psae includes act separate basic skills test dropped 301 percent 2007 277 percent 2008 experts say students really need exceed standards states elementary tests order dramatically boost chances scoring 20 act gaining entrée quality college 48 percent 8th graders exceeded standards reading last year 72 percent turnarounds cps notes test scores sherman harvard elementary schools ambitious turnaround program replace teachers keep students paved way similar efforts four additional schools year true test scores sherman harvardand faster clip compared districtwide gains shermans composite scores jumped 349 percent 402 percent harvards scores climbed 318 percent 401 percent data districts newest valueadded measure raises serious questions measure compares well individual students school perform tests relative students similar backgrounds across district quick explanation schools students make progress compared peers elsewhere city get green lights red lights stamped schools children making less progress average yellow light means unclear whether students gains outpace fall short peers sherman got yellow lights reading math harvard posted split results red reading green math experts say could take five years determine effectiveness turnaround approach yet cps plans dramatically increase number turnarounds 2009 advanced placement district deserves credit pushing ap coursework challenging students academically good way keep engaged percentage students score three higher fivepoint scale indicating passed course steadily dropped enrollment risen 2004 2500 students took ap courses 39 percent scored three better last year 5700 took course 28 percent scored high marks another troubling trend ap courses science experiencing much growth compared ap english social studies math 1500 students took science courses 2004 enrollment climbing 88 percent 2900 students 2008 meanwhile enrollment doubled ap courses | 619 |
<p>MAY 25, 2010</p>
<p>By KATY GRIMES</p>
<p>Cities all over California are attempting to “increase revenue” to make up massive budget deficits. “Revenue increase” is government code language for tax increases.&#160; But residents in some cities are doing something to prevent this.</p>
<p>Last June when the Sacramento City Council imposed another utility hike on its citizens – this time a 19 percent hike – the local taxpayer group and some concerned citizens decided to put an end to this line of thinking. At a time when residents are struggling to hold onto their homes and local businesses are closing their doors at record rates, Sacramento residents decided to fight back.</p>
<p>On May 21, the “Campaign for Common Sense Utilities Rates,” a non-partisan, grassroots organization formed to win passage of a utility rate rollback initiative. This past week the group announced the filing of&#160;initiative petitions&#160;bearing more than 12,000&#160;signatures&#160;– twice the&#160;5,420 signatures legally required to qualify the Utilities Rate Rollback Initiative&#160;for the November ballot.</p>
<p>In the past nine years, rate hikes approved by the Sacramento City Council have exceeded the rate of inflation by more than 321 percent.&#160;Since 2006, the utility department rate hikes have exceeded inflation by a scandalous 1,321 percent.</p>
<p>Craig Powell, chairman of the Campaign for Common Sense Utilities Rates, explained how this has been allowed to happen: “The Sacramento City Council, like so many local governmental units in California, are dominated by municipal employees unions who benefit handsomely and unfairly from jumbo hikes in municipal utilities rates which they engineer. In Sacramento, for instance, the municipal union that represents the largest cohort of utilities employees, Local 39 of the Stationary Engineers, was able to get the City Council to raise their members’ salaries in the past five years by more than quadruple the inflation rate for the same period, while doubling their maximum fringe benefits, leading directly to the jumbo rate hikes. Freeing local governments from domination by municipal unions is no walk in the park. We see the same dynamic at play in the Legislature.”</p>
<p>Powell explained that the initiative will have three results: First, it will cancel a 9.2 percent rate hike that will go into effect on July 1, 2010.&#160; The 9.2 percent rate hike will be canceled effective July 1, 2011.&#160; No refunds will be available, however.&#160; Second, it should effectively freeze city utilities rates for a one-year period (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012).&#160; Finally, it will permit the Sacramento City Council to increase rates in future years to cover increases in the U.S. Labor Department’s consumer price index.&#160; The City Council would have to obtain voter approval to either amend or repeal the measure in order to increase rates by more than the increase in the CPI in the prior year.</p>
<p>Based on projected rates of inflation and anticipated future rate hikes if the initiative is not passed, the group projects that the typical Sacramento homeowner will save $101.40 in the first year following passage of the initiative, $159.96 in the 2nd year, $217.32 in the 3rd year, $265.20 in the 4th year and $316.80 in the 5th year, for a five-year total savings of $1,061.&#160; By the 10th year, they project that the annual savings will amount to $725 per year and the cumulative 10-year savings will amount to $4,300 for the typical homeowner.</p>
<p>The initiative applies only to municipal utilities (water, sewer, garbage, storm drainage) provided by the city of Sacramento and does not apply to “for profit” utilities.</p>
<p>Answering claims that the utility department will have less money coming in, Powell said that the initiative allows the city to raise rates to cover inflation, protecting the purchasing power of the city’s utilities budget while providing some protection for ratepayers who have been consistently abused by the domination of city labor policies and utilities rate policies by municipal unions. The initiative allows the city to raise rates above the CPI if the city makes the case to the voters that such a jumbo rate hike is justified.</p>
<p>The situation in Sacramento is so bad that the grand jury issued a special report in January, which found that the city’s utilities department illegally diverted more than $21 million in utilities funds to spend on general government in direct violation of Prop 218. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the Sacramento County Taxpayers League filed suit against the city a week later to halt the illegal diversions and restore the funds they took.</p>
<p>Interestingly, according to Powell, in Sacramento in just the past 30 days, the Solid Waste Authority (made up of Sacramento City Council members and county supervisors) has rejected a general rate increase as well as a large increase in franchise fees&#160;charged to&#160;commercial trash haulers,&#160;both by lopsided votes, with every Sacramento council member voting against the hikes.&#160; It is clear that&#160;the initiative is already having a&#160;notable&#160;effect on the behavior of our local elected officials.</p>
<p>Many cannot recall any measure ever qualifying for the ballot as rapidly as this one has — just 64 days from campaign kick-off to filing.&#160; And the campaign did this with an all-volunteer force.</p>
<p>The registrar of voters has 30 business days to validate the signatures.&#160; Once the registrar issues&#160;the certificate of sufficiency to the city, the council can elect to order a 30-day (calendar days) fiscal study of the expected impact of the initiative and the council has a further five calendar days to consider the report before they are legally obligated to order the initiative on to the November ballot.</p>
<p>Expecting some future drama with the effort, Powell said, “You can count on the Department of Utilities to issue a report saying that if our initiative passes,&#160;we will soon see a flotilla of&#160;turds floating down Capitol Mall.” In expectation of such a move, campaign volunteers created a betting pool&#160;that the Sacramento Department of Utilities will have a major sewage spill two to three weeks before the election.</p>
<p>Let’s hope not.</p>
<p>Repeated calls and emails to the utility department were not returned.</p>
<p>CORRECTION: The Campaign for Common Sense Utilities Rates did in fact, use paid signature gatherers in order to meet the ballot qualification deadline. The campaign however, is run by an all-volunteer group.</p> | false | 3 | may 25 2010 katy grimes cities california attempting increase revenue make massive budget deficits revenue increase government code language tax increases160 residents cities something prevent last june sacramento city council imposed another utility hike citizens time 19 percent hike local taxpayer group concerned citizens decided put end line thinking time residents struggling hold onto homes local businesses closing doors record rates sacramento residents decided fight back may 21 campaign common sense utilities rates nonpartisan grassroots organization formed win passage utility rate rollback initiative past week group announced filing of160initiative petitions160bearing 12000160signatures160 twice the1605420 signatures legally required qualify utilities rate rollback initiative160for november ballot past nine years rate hikes approved sacramento city council exceeded rate inflation 321 percent160since 2006 utility department rate hikes exceeded inflation scandalous 1321 percent craig powell chairman campaign common sense utilities rates explained allowed happen sacramento city council like many local governmental units california dominated municipal employees unions benefit handsomely unfairly jumbo hikes municipal utilities rates engineer sacramento instance municipal union represents largest cohort utilities employees local 39 stationary engineers able get city council raise members salaries past five years quadruple inflation rate period doubling maximum fringe benefits leading directly jumbo rate hikes freeing local governments domination municipal unions walk park see dynamic play legislature powell explained initiative three results first cancel 92 percent rate hike go effect july 1 2010160 92 percent rate hike canceled effective july 1 2011160 refunds available however160 second effectively freeze city utilities rates oneyear period july 1 2011 june 30 2012160 finally permit sacramento city council increase rates future years cover increases us labor departments consumer price index160 city council would obtain voter approval either amend repeal measure order increase rates increase cpi prior year based projected rates inflation anticipated future rate hikes initiative passed group projects typical sacramento homeowner save 10140 first year following passage initiative 15996 2nd year 21732 3rd year 26520 4th year 31680 5th year fiveyear total savings 1061160 10th year project annual savings amount 725 per year cumulative 10year savings amount 4300 typical homeowner initiative applies municipal utilities water sewer garbage storm drainage provided city sacramento apply profit utilities answering claims utility department less money coming powell said initiative allows city raise rates cover inflation protecting purchasing power citys utilities budget providing protection ratepayers consistently abused domination city labor policies utilities rate policies municipal unions initiative allows city raise rates cpi city makes case voters jumbo rate hike justified situation sacramento bad grand jury issued special report january found citys utilities department illegally diverted 21 million utilities funds spend general government direct violation prop 218 howard jarvis taxpayers association sacramento county taxpayers league filed suit city week later halt illegal diversions restore funds took interestingly according powell sacramento past 30 days solid waste authority made sacramento city council members county supervisors rejected general rate increase well large increase franchise fees160charged to160commercial trash haulers160both lopsided votes every sacramento council member voting hikes160 clear that160the initiative already a160notable160effect behavior local elected officials many recall measure ever qualifying ballot rapidly one 64 days campaign kickoff filing160 campaign allvolunteer force registrar voters 30 business days validate signatures160 registrar issues160the certificate sufficiency city council elect order 30day calendar days fiscal study expected impact initiative council five calendar days consider report legally obligated order initiative november ballot expecting future drama effort powell said count department utilities issue report saying initiative passes160we soon see flotilla of160turds floating capitol mall expectation move campaign volunteers created betting pool160that sacramento department utilities major sewage spill two three weeks election lets hope repeated calls emails utility department returned correction campaign common sense utilities rates fact use paid signature gatherers order meet ballot qualification deadline campaign however run allvolunteer group | 612 |
<p>WASHINGTON — On a recent Sunday afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit with Aaron Graham, lead pastor of The District Church in Washington, to catch up on the church since its launch in September 2010. Among its partners is <a href="index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=5426&amp;Itemid=53" type="external">V3, a church multiplication movement</a> sponsored by Virginia Baptists.</p>
<p>As we talked, a few things became clear — Aaron is gracious, at ease with himself and his neighborhood, and passionate about the mission that God has called him to.</p>
<p>“I’m a white guy in a primarily African American neighborhood,” he says. “Right where we live is 50 percent African American, 30 percent Latino, maybe 10 percent white and 100 nationalities. So for us, Indonesia is six inches that way and El Salvador is a foot and a half right there.</p>
<p>“It’s incredibly diverse and that’s one of the benefits of being in a city — incredibly complex to figure out how to do ministry, but you don’t have to go across the oceans to reach the nations.”</p>
<p>Aaron and his wife, Amy, are familiar with serving in the city. Before moving to Washington, Aaron started Quincy Street Missional Church in a low-income neighborhood of Boston where he served for five years. Amy served as the youth minister and worship leader. And before that, Aaron’s passion for serving in the city began as a youth at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>The Grahams have lived in the Columbia Heights section of northwest Washington for four years. Aaron and Amy know everyone on their block and four families on the street are part of the church. In June, Aaron baptized a neighbor who has lived on the streets most of her life; now she’s fully a part of the church.</p>
<p />
<p>“This morning we had somebody that works at the White House worshipping next to somebody that works for John McCain and so you’ve got Republicans, Democrats,” said Aaron. “It’s cool to see that.&#160; And you’ve got a GED worshipping next to a Ph.D. and so that’s kind of the Kingdom being expressed. That’s fun because those are the kind of connections that end up happening outside of formalized church settings where people meet and help to serve one another.”</p>
<p>The District Church ( <a href="http://www.districtchurch.org/" type="external">www.districtchurch.org</a>) meets in the Capital City Public Charter School at 3047 15th Street, N.W.&#160; Its central values are worship, community and justice.</p>
<p>“[Those values] reflect the upward journey of connecting with God, the inward journey of connecting with each other and the outward journey of connecting with the lost and the poor,” said Aaron.</p>
<p>A highlight of the conversation was Aaron’s thoughts on how churches can engage and reach younger generations.&#160; His comments are offered below:</p>
<p>A couple things, one as it relates to Millennials. This group is amped up to make a difference in the world and yet their antenna is heightened in their skepticism of the church and institutions. So the challenge with this is that it makes it hard to call this generation to be a part of an institutionalized community. The benefit and, I think, the great hope that this generation offers is that they can help recover for us God’s missionary heart which is at the very center of the church.</p>
<p>One of the great ways Virginia Baptist churches could reach the millennial generation is to not allow missions to be a program of the church but to be at the very heart of the church. We are all called to be missionaries and we are all called to influence where we are.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>We want to be equipped on Sunday mornings to be able to live this gospel out at our workplace, in our homes, with our neighbors and with our friends and for too many they’ve seen a disconnect between those two worlds. They’ve grown up as a generation to which parents have given a lot of things, but they’ve seen that it’s created a very segmented life and so “I’m busy doing all these activities and I’ve got my church life here, and I’ve got my social life here, and I’ve got my home here and then I drive an hour to this thing over here and to my job” and suddenly it’s like “what’s the larger story that’s being written about my life and I’ve accumulated all of these things but what is it ultimately for.”</p>
<p>I think the younger generation wants to lead a more integrated life, which is why for Millennials, family is their number one priority, ironically. More Millennials than anybody else say, “I want to stay committed to my wife for life, I want to be committed to my kids.” You see more dad’s involved in their kids’ lives as well.</p>
<p>I would say rather than expect Millennials to join you at church, go to them and get behind what they’re doing. But don’t be easy on them because the ironic thing is that this younger generation wants to be challenged, they are longing for true authority, they are longing for people to call them not only to a mission that’s meaningful, but to a relationship with Christ.</p>
<p>What’s surprised me is that I thought, “Well, maybe with this generation you’d need to kind of make it more and more seeker sensitive and maybe keep the sermon to 15 or 20 minutes and maybe kind of sugarcoat it a little more — maybe that’s what will reach them,” and that is the exact opposite of what I’ve seen.</p>
<p>The issue is not church, it’s not whether they want to live for something, it’s not a lack of hunger for spirituality. It’s just that people want to be involved in something that they know is going to touch the core of them.</p>
<p>And, yes, they might have a little too much skepticism toward the institution of the church, but the thing that I’ve said over and over to our young adults — and I think that everyone should say to anybody who’s kind of given up on the church — is that we can spend our whole life critiquing the church or we could instead spend our life building the church.</p>
<p>I had to make that decision a year and a half ago and call on other people to do that. I think that’s the most rewarding thing that’s happened in our life — to say, “You know what, we might even be right in our critiques, but let’s be the answer to the prayers that we’re praying.”</p>
<p>Millennials aren’t going to have a perfect church, just like Boomers didn’t have a perfect church. The question is, are we moving towards Christ, are we moving in this direction, or are we just standing on the sidelines and identifying everything that’s wrong.&#160;</p>
<p>So I would say join Millennials where they’re at and how they’re serving in their community and how they’re serving in their schools and workplaces and their neighbors and help get behind that and believe in it, rather than waiting for them to show up because you have a slicker marketing campaign, or a better website, or more contemporary worship. Those things don’t hurt, but that’s not at the center of what will reach them. You’ve got to go to them.</p>
<p>The second thing is to challenge Millennials to stop complaining about the church and in fact be the church that they’ve dreamed of and give them the room and the freedom to be able to do that.</p>
<p>Millennials are not waiting for permission to serve. Mark Zuckerberg and all the young billionaires who have been in the social media age — the reason that they’ve been so successful is because they’ve empowered people to run with things. If we can be strong with the vision, mission and values and the biblical foundation, then I think we can attract people and release young adults to begin to express that in ways that we can’t envision for them. When we try to determine how that’s going to look in advance it may feel less empowering for them.</p>
<p>Jody Faig ( <a href="mailto:jody.faig@vbmb.org" type="external">jody.faig@vbmb.org</a>) is co-coordinator of V3, a&#160;church multiplication movement sponsored by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.</p> | false | 3 | washington recent sunday afternoon opportunity visit aaron graham lead pastor district church washington catch church since launch september 2010 among partners v3 church multiplication movement sponsored virginia baptists talked things became clear aaron gracious ease neighborhood passionate mission god called im white guy primarily african american neighborhood says right live 50 percent african american 30 percent latino maybe 10 percent white 100 nationalities us indonesia six inches way el salvador foot half right incredibly diverse thats one benefits city incredibly complex figure ministry dont go across oceans reach nations aaron wife amy familiar serving city moving washington aaron started quincy street missional church lowincome neighborhood boston served five years amy served youth minister worship leader aarons passion serving city began youth bon air baptist church richmond va grahams lived columbia heights section northwest washington four years aaron amy know everyone block four families street part church june aaron baptized neighbor lived streets life shes fully part church morning somebody works white house worshipping next somebody works john mccain youve got republicans democrats said aaron cool see that160 youve got ged worshipping next phd thats kind kingdom expressed thats fun kind connections end happening outside formalized church settings people meet help serve one another district church wwwdistrictchurchorg meets capital city public charter school 3047 15th street nw160 central values worship community justice values reflect upward journey connecting god inward journey connecting outward journey connecting lost poor said aaron highlight conversation aarons thoughts churches engage reach younger generations160 comments offered couple things one relates millennials group amped make difference world yet antenna heightened skepticism church institutions challenge makes hard call generation part institutionalized community benefit think great hope generation offers help recover us gods missionary heart center church one great ways virginia baptist churches could reach millennial generation allow missions program church heart church called missionaries called influence are160 want equipped sunday mornings able live gospel workplace homes neighbors friends many theyve seen disconnect two worlds theyve grown generation parents given lot things theyve seen created segmented life im busy activities ive got church life ive got social life ive got home drive hour thing job suddenly like whats larger story thats written life ive accumulated things ultimately think younger generation wants lead integrated life millennials family number one priority ironically millennials anybody else say want stay committed wife life want committed kids see dads involved kids lives well would say rather expect millennials join church go get behind theyre dont easy ironic thing younger generation wants challenged longing true authority longing people call mission thats meaningful relationship christ whats surprised thought well maybe generation youd need kind make seeker sensitive maybe keep sermon 15 20 minutes maybe kind sugarcoat little maybe thats reach exact opposite ive seen issue church whether want live something lack hunger spirituality people want involved something know going touch core yes might little much skepticism toward institution church thing ive said young adults think everyone say anybody whos kind given church spend whole life critiquing church could instead spend life building church make decision year half ago call people think thats rewarding thing thats happened life say know might even right critiques lets answer prayers praying millennials arent going perfect church like boomers didnt perfect church question moving towards christ moving direction standing sidelines identifying everything thats wrong160 would say join millennials theyre theyre serving community theyre serving schools workplaces neighbors help get behind believe rather waiting show slicker marketing campaign better website contemporary worship things dont hurt thats center reach youve got go second thing challenge millennials stop complaining church fact church theyve dreamed give room freedom able millennials waiting permission serve mark zuckerberg young billionaires social media age reason theyve successful theyve empowered people run things strong vision mission values biblical foundation think attract people release young adults begin express ways cant envision try determine thats going look advance may feel less empowering jody faig jodyfaigvbmborg cocoordinator v3 a160church multiplication movement sponsored virginia baptist mission board | 661 |
<p>Oliver Stabbe (Photo by Lori Eanes; courtesy Point Foundation)</p>
<p>Getting a haircut is no big deal for most of us, but for Oliver Stabbe, one he got as a sophomore in high school proved to be a life-altering moment.</p>
<p>Stabbe, who’s transgender, says after “years of hating my feminine hairstyle,” he made a “snap decision” one day to go to a barber.</p>
<p>“I didn’t think through what I wanted before I sat down in the chair,” the 21-year-old Washington native, says. “I saw a picture of the barber’s 8-year-old son with a faux-hawk taped to the mirror and told the barber I wanted that style. It was a ridiculous haircut, but I loved it.”</p>
<p>The reaction at home, unfortunately, didn’t go so well.</p>
<p>“There was a lot of screaming and it became clear that I had to rely on my friends’ support from that point on,” Stabbe says. “My mom’s response was the toughest to deal with. She wanted me to look like a normal girl. It just wasn’t me. In retrospect, I’m still glad I was brave enough get that cut and begin to live my truth.”</p>
<p>Last week, Stabbe was named one of this year’s Point Scholars — one of 52 to receive scholarships from the Point Foundation, the country’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBT students. This year, 27 were named scholars and another 25 were recognized in the Community College Scholarship Program. About 2,000 applied. A full list of recipients is online at <a href="http://pointfoundation.org" type="external">pointfoundation.org</a>.</p>
<p>This fall, Stabbe will enter his senior year at the University of Rochester, N.Y. where he studies sign language and psychology. He has encountered “really ignorant attitudes and transphobic comments” at times on campus but says the school itself is affirming and has great policies in place for trans students like gender-neutral bathrooms, name change procedures and more. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology.</p>
<p>“I feel completely empowered knowing that people see me as a future leader and believe in my ability to create change,” Stabbe says. “I’m thrilled, thankful and overwhelmed.”</p>
<p>Stabbe enjoys crocheting, hiking, board games, movies and reading in his free time.</p>
<p />
<p>How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?</p>
<p>I came out as queer at 13, but I don’t think I ever had a moment where I vocalized that I was coming out as transgender.</p>
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<p>Who’s your LGBT hero?</p>
<p>I have countless LGBT heroes! There are so many people who have made waves, I could never name just one. In the D.C. area, I consider Ms. Ruby Corado to be my hero. Her story is testament to what change just one person can create. In my own life, I really look up to Katherine Ott at the Smithsonian, who’s been an endless source of love and support, no matter what. I also would hate to leave out Drago Renteria, everyone involved at Trans Lifeline, Jacob Tobia (also a Point alumnus!), Janet Mock and Mara Keisling.</p>
<p />
<p>What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?&#160;</p>
<p>I’m not much of a night person, but I’m a sucker for a cup of coffee at the Coupe and a live performance. They’ve got some real talented performers there.</p>
<p />
<p>Describe your dream wedding.</p>
<p>Everything you’d expect, but instead of bouquets of flowers, we’d have puppies.</p>
<p />
<p>What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?</p>
<p>I’m passionate about deaf and disability rights. Systematic inaccessibility is a life-changing barrier for anyone deaf and disabled. Twenty percent of the U.S. population has a disability of some kind, yet few people are aware of how to adequately accommodate people with unique access needs nor are people aware of discrimination that this population experiences.</p>
<p />
<p>What historical outcome would you change?</p>
<p>Is it too soon to say Trump winning the election?</p>
<p />
<p>What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?</p>
<p>I’m incredibly lucky that I got to go to Obama’s first inauguration. I was stuck so far back that I couldn’t see anything. When he was sworn in I had no way of seeing what was going on, but there was a wave of cheers and chants that reverberated back that let me know. Being there with so many likeminded and hopeful people made that day impossible to forget.</p>
<p />
<p>On what do you insist?</p>
<p>I insist on my tea steeped for two minutes and I insist on equal rights, thank you very much.</p>
<p />
<p>What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?</p>
<p>&#160;My last tweet was: “How do I unlink my FB and my twitter? I only follow Cher and have 9 followers. The world doesn’t need to know that.”</p>
<p />
<p>If your life were a book, what would the title be?</p>
<p>“I’m Taller on the Inside”</p>
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<p>If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?</p>
<p>Not a damn thing.</p>
<p />
<p>What do you believe in beyond the physical world?&#160;</p>
<p>I believe in the power of Brittany Spears. She transcends space and time.</p>
<p />
<p>What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?</p>
<p>Social justice advocacy, no matter the intention nor experience of the person leading, will never be perfect. Make mistakes, listen and learn.</p>
<p />
<p>What would you walk across hot coals for?</p>
<p>I’d do it just for fun.</p>
<p />
<p>What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?</p>
<p>That all queer people know each other. It’s got some truth to it, but doesn’t mean that I can’t be annoyed by the stereotype.</p>
<p />
<p>What’s your favorite LGBT movie?</p>
<p>&#160;“But I’m A Cheerleader” will always make me crack up.</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;What’s the most overrated social custom?</p>
<p>&#160;I hate small talk. I want to know about your dog, your childhood and your baggage.</p>
<p />
<p>What trophy or prize do you most covet?</p>
<p>I’d like to set a Guinness world record one day. I’m not sure which category, but it could happen!</p>
<p />
<p>What do you wish you’d known at 18?</p>
<p>I wish I knew that though things were tough, my life was going to improve drastically very soon. I wish also I knew how to pronounce “colonel.”</p>
<p />
<p>Why Washington?</p>
<p>I was born there and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not sure what my immediate plans are after getting my degree but I miss D.C. and I’d like to be home for a while.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">But I'm a Cheerleader</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">Drago Renteria</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jacob Tobia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Janet Mock</a> <a href="" type="internal">Katherine Ott</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mara Keisling</a> <a href="" type="internal">Oliver Stabbe</a> <a href="" type="internal">Point Foundation</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ruby Corado</a> <a href="" type="internal">Smithsonian</a> <a href="" type="internal">trans</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trans Lifeline</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a> <a href="" type="internal">University of Rochester</a></p> | false | 3 | oliver stabbe photo lori eanes courtesy point foundation getting haircut big deal us oliver stabbe one got sophomore high school proved lifealtering moment stabbe whos transgender says years hating feminine hairstyle made snap decision one day go barber didnt think wanted sat chair 21yearold washington native says saw picture barbers 8yearold son fauxhawk taped mirror told barber wanted style ridiculous haircut loved reaction home unfortunately didnt go well lot screaming became clear rely friends support point stabbe says moms response toughest deal wanted look like normal girl wasnt retrospect im still glad brave enough get cut begin live truth last week stabbe named one years point scholars one 52 receive scholarships point foundation countrys largest scholarshipgranting organization lgbt students year 27 named scholars another 25 recognized community college scholarship program 2000 applied full list recipients online pointfoundationorg fall stabbe enter senior year university rochester ny studies sign language psychology encountered really ignorant attitudes transphobic comments times campus says school affirming great policies place trans students like genderneutral bathrooms name change procedures plans pursue phd psychology feel completely empowered knowing people see future leader believe ability create change stabbe says im thrilled thankful overwhelmed stabbe enjoys crocheting hiking board games movies reading free time long hardest person tell came queer 13 dont think ever moment vocalized coming transgender whos lgbt hero countless lgbt heroes many people made waves could never name one dc area consider ms ruby corado hero story testament change one person create life really look katherine ott smithsonian whos endless source love support matter also would hate leave drago renteria everyone involved trans lifeline jacob tobia also point alumnus janet mock mara keisling whats washingtons best nightspot past present160 im much night person im sucker cup coffee coupe live performance theyve got real talented performers describe dream wedding everything youd expect instead bouquets flowers wed puppies nonlgbt issue passionate im passionate deaf disability rights systematic inaccessibility lifechanging barrier anyone deaf disabled twenty percent us population disability kind yet people aware adequately accommodate people unique access needs people aware discrimination population experiences historical outcome would change soon say trump winning election whats memorable pop culture moment lifetime im incredibly lucky got go obamas first inauguration stuck far back couldnt see anything sworn way seeing going wave cheers chants reverberated back let know many likeminded hopeful people made day impossible forget insist insist tea steeped two minutes insist equal rights thank much last facebook post tweet 160my last tweet unlink fb twitter follow cher 9 followers world doesnt need know life book would title im taller inside science discovered way change sexual orientation would damn thing believe beyond physical world160 believe power brittany spears transcends space time whats advice lgbt movement leaders social justice advocacy matter intention experience person leading never perfect make mistakes listen learn would walk across hot coals id fun lgbt stereotype annoys queer people know got truth doesnt mean cant annoyed stereotype whats favorite lgbt movie 160but im cheerleader always make crack 160whats overrated social custom 160i hate small talk want know dog childhood baggage trophy prize covet id like set guinness world record one day im sure category could happen wish youd known 18 wish knew though things tough life going improve drastically soon wish also knew pronounce colonel washington born wouldnt way im sure immediate plans getting degree miss dc id like home im cheerleader donald trump drago renteria jacob tobia janet mock katherine ott lgbt mara keisling oliver stabbe point foundation ruby corado smithsonian trans trans lifeline transgender university rochester | 587 |
<p>BERLIN, Germany — When Mazen Dahhan decided to flee Syria’s civil war last year, he entrusted his life and those of his wife and three children to a smuggler in Libya who promised to take them across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.</p>
<p>The 37-year-old neurosurgeon hoped he and his family would find refuge in Italy. But less than 24 hours after they embarked on the journey, their fate took a harrowing turn.</p>
<p>Their ship came under fire off the coast of Malta from traffickers in another boat. When their vessel sank, Dahhan says, his entire family drowned.</p>
<p>“You can’t imagine what it was like,” he says. “I lost ten years of my life in ten seconds.”</p>
<p>At least 30 of Dahhan’s fellow passengers perished. More than 200 were rescued in the following days, the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/oct/13/mediterranean-cemetery-malta-prime-minister" type="external">Guardian</a> reported last October.</p>
<p>The number of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean has soared since then: More than 3,000 people have drowned attempting to cross the sea this year, according to the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration. At least 5,000 people have lost their lives while crossing seas and remote deserts or mountains across the globe, making 2014 the deadliest year on record for migrant deaths, the group says. It emphasizes that the real number could be much higher.</p>
<p>As the world marks International Migrants Day today, human rights groups are making urgent calls for countries to find a political solution to the global immigration crisis. The issue is particularly severe in Europe because of the number of deadly conflicts raging in nearby regions in the Middle East and Africa.</p>
<p>“We must address the drivers of desperation migration and act in concerted and coherent partnership,” IOM’s director William Lacy Swing said in a statement. “This is a battle we must fight together. We need more political leadership and the courage to counter the worrying rise of xenophobia.”</p>
<p>The tragedy that befell Dahhan’s boat, along with another shipwreck a week earlier in which more than 350 migrants from North Africa died near the Italian island of Lampedusa, prompted Italy’s then-Prime Minister Enrico Letta to announce a robust rescue mission in the Meditarranean.</p>
<p>The Mediterranean had “turned into a grave,” Deutsche Welle quoted him as saying.</p>
<p>Italy’s naval search and rescue operation, called Mare Nostrum, has saved up to 150,000 lives over the years, Amnesty International says. But last month, reeling from the task’s magnitude, the authorities announced they would hand over patrolling the Mediterranean to the European Union.</p>
<p>In October, Britain said it would no longer support future Mediterranean rescue missions, claiming that saving migrants only <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/01/britain-s-let-em-all-die-law.html" type="external">encourages more asylum seekers to risk</a>&#160;their lives.</p>
<p>Even as the question of how to deal with the growing number of refugees seeking asylum in the EU has become increasingly acute, the issue has devolved into a political shouting match among member states.</p>
<p>Some countries are calling to attention to what they say is the disproportionate number of refugees they’re accepting.</p>
<p>A look at the figures indicate that some of the loudest complainers — France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom — aren't actually taking in a significantly larger number of asylum seekers relative to the size of their economies and populations, according to the <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends/2013-GlobalTrends-annex-tables.zip" type="external">United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees</a>.</p>
<p>Experts point out that countries such as Malta and Sweden are taking on a far greater share of the burden than Germany and other countries raising the loudest outcries.&#160;</p>
<p>“Contrary to popular perceptions, Germany’s intake of refugees is relatively low in comparison to other EU countries,” <a href="http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2014/12/01/contrary-to-the-claims-of-german-politicians-germany-is-not-taking-on-more-than-its-fair-share-of-refugees/" type="external">London School of Economics</a>professors Luc Bovens and Jane Von Rabenau wrote in a blog post. “Politicians are playing with the numbers so as to overstate how much responsibility Germany is assuming for EU asylum seekers.”</p>
<p>UNHCR data supports those claims:</p>
<p>France has taken in fewer than four asylum seekers per 1,000 people of its population of 66 million.</p>
<p>The UK has taken in two asylum seekers per 1,000 people of its population of 64 million.</p>
<p>Germany has taken in around two asylum seekers per 1,000 people of its population of 83 million.</p>
<p>Sweden has taken in 12 asylum seekers per 1,000 people of its population of 10 million.</p>
<p>Malta has taken in 23 asylum seekers per 1,000 people of its population of 423,000.</p>
<p>Concerns about the financial and social costs of absorbing refugees has pressed some European lawmakers to direct more spending to border policing and other programs designed to keep asylum seekers out of the continent, Amnesty International says.</p>
<p>“The measures they have been taking to keep people out are getting more severe, and financially they spend more and more money on building the fortress Europe,” says Franziska Vilmar, an Amnesty expert on refugee and migrants' rights. “This is the tendency, and there is no shift in sight.”</p>
<p>EU member states spent almost half of a $5.6 billion EU fund for refugees and asylum seekers between 2007 and 2013 on infrastructure and other border control measures for the Schengen area. Less than a fifth of that amount was allocated for the processing, resettlement and integration of refugees.</p>
<p>What the countries do seem to agree is how much money should be spent on rescue missions in the Mediterranean.</p>
<p>Triton, the operation run by Frontex — the EU’s border-policing organization — to fill the gap left by Mare Nostrum’s closure, has a budget of $3.8 million a month. With only a handful of permanent staff, it relies on the largesse of member states for equipment and personnel. It will limit its operations to 30 nautical miles off the coast of Lampedusa, and its primary focus will be border control.</p>
<p>The former Italian operation, in contrast, cost $11 million a month. The Italian navy patrolled as far as 160 nautical miles from Lampedusa to the border of Libyan waters. Although it performed other duties, its focus was search and rescue.</p>
<p>The disbanding of Italy’s Mare Nostrum for a weaker replacement suggests that trend is continuing despite the deaths of as many as 23,000 people trying to reach Europe since the year 2000, Amnesty International says.</p>
<p>Italy discontinued its operation because its neighbors refused to help foot the bill, complaining that Rome was sending asylum seekers on to other countries rather than documenting them according to a set of EU rules known as the Dublin Regulation.</p>
<p>Under those rules, the country that documents an asylum seeker's first entry into the <a href="http://www.ecre.org/topics/areas-of-work/protection-in-europe/10-dublin-regulation.html" type="external">EU bears responsibility</a> for housing while the claim is evaluated — unless the person has family ties in another EU country.</p>
<p>Critics say that gives Italy a strong incentive not to document the people it rescues, while politicians in France, Germany and Sweden have increasingly called for a reform of the Dublin system to push asylum seekers into relatively unpopular destination countries, such as Poland and Slovakia.</p>
<p>As the debate continues, neither the migration policy debates nor the sea journeys' dangers appear to be deterring those fleeing ongoing sectarian violence and civil wars across various parts of the Middle East and Africa.</p>
<p>The toll weighs heavily on survivors like Dahhan.</p>
<p>“I blame myself,” he say of his family's loss. “I cry every night and every day. I don’t know how I’m supposed to live again. Life has no meaning.”</p> | false | 3 | berlin germany mazen dahhan decided flee syrias civil war last year entrusted life wife three children smuggler libya promised take across mediterranean sea europe 37yearold neurosurgeon hoped family would find refuge italy less 24 hours embarked journey fate took harrowing turn ship came fire coast malta traffickers another boat vessel sank dahhan says entire family drowned cant imagine like says lost ten years life ten seconds least 30 dahhans fellow passengers perished 200 rescued following days guardian reported last october number migrant deaths mediterranean soared since 3000 people drowned attempting cross sea year according genevabased international organization migration least 5000 people lost lives crossing seas remote deserts mountains across globe making 2014 deadliest year record migrant deaths group says emphasizes real number could much higher world marks international migrants day today human rights groups making urgent calls countries find political solution global immigration crisis issue particularly severe europe number deadly conflicts raging nearby regions middle east africa must address drivers desperation migration act concerted coherent partnership ioms director william lacy swing said statement battle must fight together need political leadership courage counter worrying rise xenophobia tragedy befell dahhans boat along another shipwreck week earlier 350 migrants north africa died near italian island lampedusa prompted italys thenprime minister enrico letta announce robust rescue mission meditarranean mediterranean turned grave deutsche welle quoted saying italys naval search rescue operation called mare nostrum saved 150000 lives years amnesty international says last month reeling tasks magnitude authorities announced would hand patrolling mediterranean european union october britain said would longer support future mediterranean rescue missions claiming saving migrants encourages asylum seekers risk160their lives even question deal growing number refugees seeking asylum eu become increasingly acute issue devolved political shouting match among member states countries calling attention say disproportionate number refugees theyre accepting look figures indicate loudest complainers france germany italy united kingdom arent actually taking significantly larger number asylum seekers relative size economies populations according united nations high commissioner refugees experts point countries malta sweden taking far greater share burden germany countries raising loudest outcries160 contrary popular perceptions germanys intake refugees relatively low comparison eu countries london school economicsprofessors luc bovens jane von rabenau wrote blog post politicians playing numbers overstate much responsibility germany assuming eu asylum seekers unhcr data supports claims france taken fewer four asylum seekers per 1000 people population 66 million uk taken two asylum seekers per 1000 people population 64 million germany taken around two asylum seekers per 1000 people population 83 million sweden taken 12 asylum seekers per 1000 people population 10 million malta taken 23 asylum seekers per 1000 people population 423000 concerns financial social costs absorbing refugees pressed european lawmakers direct spending border policing programs designed keep asylum seekers continent amnesty international says measures taking keep people getting severe financially spend money building fortress europe says franziska vilmar amnesty expert refugee migrants rights tendency shift sight eu member states spent almost half 56 billion eu fund refugees asylum seekers 2007 2013 infrastructure border control measures schengen area less fifth amount allocated processing resettlement integration refugees countries seem agree much money spent rescue missions mediterranean triton operation run frontex eus borderpolicing organization fill gap left mare nostrums closure budget 38 million month handful permanent staff relies largesse member states equipment personnel limit operations 30 nautical miles coast lampedusa primary focus border control former italian operation contrast cost 11 million month italian navy patrolled far 160 nautical miles lampedusa border libyan waters although performed duties focus search rescue disbanding italys mare nostrum weaker replacement suggests trend continuing despite deaths many 23000 people trying reach europe since year 2000 amnesty international says italy discontinued operation neighbors refused help foot bill complaining rome sending asylum seekers countries rather documenting according set eu rules known dublin regulation rules country documents asylum seekers first entry eu bears responsibility housing claim evaluated unless person family ties another eu country critics say gives italy strong incentive document people rescues politicians france germany sweden increasingly called reform dublin system push asylum seekers relatively unpopular destination countries poland slovakia debate continues neither migration policy debates sea journeys dangers appear deterring fleeing ongoing sectarian violence civil wars across various parts middle east africa toll weighs heavily survivors like dahhan blame say familys loss cry every night every day dont know im supposed live life meaning | 715 |
<p>“It is not fair to have policies put in place that affect me, and I have no say. I want to advocate for students and let them know that their voices do matter!”&#160; –Shondel, Coro Brooklyn Youth Advisory Council.</p>
<p>“I now know I want to pursue a career in education and public policy. My experience can be a great contribution to creating change and protecting the future of our schools and children.”&#160; –Kadesha, Coro Brooklyn Youth Advisory Council</p>
<p>Along with the dozens of Chicago public schools that are being closed this fall, 11 district-run schools are in line to co-locate with a second school sharing their building. New York City has been coping with these issues for several years now. Our experience should serve as an example to the Chicago Public Schools system.</p>
<p>Too often, closing and co-locating schools pits parents, teachers, and principals against one another. Parents get anxious when they hear news of a school shutting down or having another school placed within an existing one. They get hostile when no one is able to tell them how it is actually going to work.</p>
<p>The Office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is all too familiar with the issue. Handling it is of the utmost importance, because when adults get upset, their concerns spill over into the classroom and land right on our children.</p>
<p>Creating open dialog</p>
<p>In Brooklyn, the borough president’s office started by working with the adults and creating a focus on the issue through a series of breakfasts entitled “Understanding Co-Locations: Finding Workable Solutions.” Parents, teachers and principals from several school buildings, all of whom were in the midst of trying to cope with co-location, were invited to participate in an open and honest dialog around how to make the process better. To give everyone the feeling they were on neutral ground, the breakfasts were hosted away from schools, held instead at the President’s Borough Hall building.</p>
<p>Participants were divided into four working groups: Sharing Space, Sharing Staff, Creating a Building Council and How to Create a Campus Template. One problem became clear immediately: If each school group remained sitting tightly together, how would we get each group to interact with the others?</p>
<p>So, like in kindergarten, each school was asked to count off, creating groups with a diverse range of members. Now they could share ideas across schools. Each working group concentrated on its own topic and that discussion was followed by a collective session in which a member from each group presented that group’s findings to everyone.</p>
<p>Watching the process was an education in itself. At first, each table was so quiet it seemed nothing would happen. But then the voices started to rise, lively conversations ensued, and the note-takers began to write down great ideas. At the end of the breakfast, one participant asked, “Can we do this every month?”</p>
<p>Ask the students&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>It was essential that everyone there felt listened to and respected. But something was still missing. What about the students? Where were their voices? Students were going to be the ones most affected by these changes. Surely they should have something to say.</p>
<p>To address this missing element, the borough president’s office first partnered with Coro New York, a highly respected youth leadership training program, to create the Brooklyn Youth Advisory Council. The council was made up of alumni of Coro’s High School Program, called Exploring Leadership. Coro had instituted this program to further students’ personal, professional and leadership skills through meaningful civic engagement experiences.</p>
<p>Together, Coro and the office got lucky and found a willing partner in the Department of Education. The department promised that the recommendations of these students would be considered and acted upon, and the previously absent voice of students would be heard, loud and clear.</p>
<p>The Brooklyn Youth Advisory Council began their work by conducting research around how city policy, particularly education policy, is made and how it then gets implemented. Most importantly, the council conducted surveys (of over 400 of their peers) and hosted focus groups at three school buildings, each of which had at least three schools sharing the same building. The students gathered information and came up with a detailed list of recommendations about what school co-locations could do to better support the community at their campuses.</p>
<p>And did they ever create some truly terrific solutions! Here are just a few:</p>
<p>Initiate an exchange program between schools so students could take advantage of different course offerings among schools on the campus.</p>
<p>Ensure there is student representation on the campus governance bodies.</p>
<p>Create a Campus Youth Council to engage students in activities across schools and publish a newsletter about all the activities happening on the campus.</p>
<p>Launch a Youth Court/Justice Board made up of students to handle incidents when students do not follow current campus rules and policies.</p>
<p>Solving real-world problems</p>
<p>The most important ideas in the conversation about co-locations—from the students themselves—thus became part of the solution. These strong, wise voices found not only the best ways to improve the environment at each school, but also how students could stay actively involved. The bottom line was clear: Students want to be able to collaborate and interact with the students at all of the schools in their building.</p>
<p>One magical afternoon, the Brooklyn Youth Council presented their findings to the Brooklyn Borough President, his staff, and the deputy chancellor of education of the New York City Department of Education and his staff.</p>
<p>Before long, The New York City Department of Education was piloting the council’s recommendations across Brooklyn and, we hope, will soon pilot them across all five boroughs of New York City.</p>
<p>Perhaps the Board of Education in Chicago should invite students to their meetings, rather than ejecting them!</p>
<p>Every day we ask our students to think and solve problems in the classroom. But the solution is clear: Give them the opportunity to use their skills in the real world, especially when the problems involve them personally. Students want great schools!</p>
<p>Margaret Kelley is the Education Policy Analyst in the Office of the Borough President in Brooklyn, New York.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | fair policies put place affect say want advocate students let know voices matter160 shondel coro brooklyn youth advisory council know want pursue career education public policy experience great contribution creating change protecting future schools children160 kadesha coro brooklyn youth advisory council along dozens chicago public schools closed fall 11 districtrun schools line colocate second school sharing building new york city coping issues several years experience serve example chicago public schools system often closing colocating schools pits parents teachers principals one another parents get anxious hear news school shutting another school placed within existing one get hostile one able tell actually going work office brooklyn borough president marty markowitz familiar issue handling utmost importance adults get upset concerns spill classroom land right children creating open dialog brooklyn borough presidents office started working adults creating focus issue series breakfasts entitled understanding colocations finding workable solutions parents teachers principals several school buildings midst trying cope colocation invited participate open honest dialog around make process better give everyone feeling neutral ground breakfasts hosted away schools held instead presidents borough hall building participants divided four working groups sharing space sharing staff creating building council create campus template one problem became clear immediately school group remained sitting tightly together would get group interact others like kindergarten school asked count creating groups diverse range members could share ideas across schools working group concentrated topic discussion followed collective session member group presented groups findings everyone watching process education first table quiet seemed nothing would happen voices started rise lively conversations ensued notetakers began write great ideas end breakfast one participant asked every month ask students160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160 essential everyone felt listened respected something still missing students voices students going ones affected changes surely something say address missing element borough presidents office first partnered coro new york highly respected youth leadership training program create brooklyn youth advisory council council made alumni coros high school program called exploring leadership coro instituted program students personal professional leadership skills meaningful civic engagement experiences together coro office got lucky found willing partner department education department promised recommendations students would considered acted upon previously absent voice students would heard loud clear brooklyn youth advisory council began work conducting research around city policy particularly education policy made gets implemented importantly council conducted surveys 400 peers hosted focus groups three school buildings least three schools sharing building students gathered information came detailed list recommendations school colocations could better support community campuses ever create truly terrific solutions initiate exchange program schools students could take advantage different course offerings among schools campus ensure student representation campus governance bodies create campus youth council engage students activities across schools publish newsletter activities happening campus launch youth courtjustice board made students handle incidents students follow current campus rules policies solving realworld problems important ideas conversation colocationsfrom students themselvesthus became part solution strong wise voices found best ways improve environment school also students could stay actively involved bottom line clear students want able collaborate interact students schools building one magical afternoon brooklyn youth council presented findings brooklyn borough president staff deputy chancellor education new york city department education staff long new york city department education piloting councils recommendations across brooklyn hope soon pilot across five boroughs new york city perhaps board education chicago invite students meetings rather ejecting every day ask students think solve problems classroom solution clear give opportunity use skills real world especially problems involve personally students want great schools margaret kelley education policy analyst office borough president brooklyn new york 160 | 580 |
<p>CURWOOD: From the Jennifer and Ted Stanley Studios in Boston and PRI, this is Living on Earth. Im Steve Curwood. Climate activists are celebrating an unlikely hero, Samuel Sutter, the District Attorney of Bristol County, Massachusetts. On September 8th, DA Sutter dropped all criminal charges against two men who, back in May, used a small lobster boat - aptly named the Henry David T - to block a shipment of coal headed to the Brayton Point power plant in Somerset. Instead, the prosecutor accepted the argument of the two activists, Jay OHara and Ken Ward, that the risks of global warming compelled their act of civil disobedience something Jay OHara only learned the morning he and his colleague were scheduled to go on trial. OHARA: We had been hearing kind of rumors from the prosecutor since Friday, but they hadnt come to any conclusion until Monday morning. We were waiting diligently in court at the appointed hour, and the prosecutor came in, and shortly thereafter the District Attorney came in. And it was clear from that moment that it wasnt going to be a normal trial proceeding that morning. The Energy Enterprise was carrying 40,000 tons of coal bound for the Brayton Point power plant in Massachusetts. (Photo: Lobster Boat Blockade) CURWOOD: No, indeed. And on the courthouse steps DA Samuel Sutter explained the legal thinking to the crowds. SUTTER: The decision that Robert Kidd and I, thats the Assistant District Attorney who handled this case, reached today was a decision that certainly took into consideration the cost to the taxpayers in Somerset, but was made with our concern for their children, the children of Bristol County and beyond in mind. Climate change is one of the gravest crises our planet has ever faced. CURWOOD: Activist Jay OHara told us his story when he came by our studio. O'HARA: You know, Im a Quaker, and so I try to open myself to whatever comes, and I've been really detached from whatever the outcome is. I wasn't clear what was the right or the best outcome, and every step along the way of this, right from the beginning, planning the action through doing the action, we kept finding that new, unexpected things ended up turning out in interesting and better ways than we ever could have planned. And so this seemed like just another one of them. The roll continues. CURWOOD: What did you have to pay in terms of fines here? O'HARA: Well, we actually didn't technically have to pay fines. The finding was, we were found responsible and asked to pay $2,000 restitution to the Somerset police and the state police for their overtime charges essentially. CURWOOD: So this was not a penalty, this was not criminal then; this was civil? O'HARA: Correct. Right. The Henry David T surrounded by Coast Guard boats with the coal ship in the background (Photo: Lobster Boat Blockade) CURWOOD: You were inconvenient for those police. O'HARA: Fortunately I think we were more inconvenient for the Energy Enterprise, the ship that was trying to dock, which was our intention. We really had no interest in being inconvenient for the police, but they showed up, and I think we owed them some of the money to deal with that. CURWOOD: So take us back to the action itself. How did this all come about? How did you and your partner, not in crime, but in civil disobedience, Ken Ward, decide to this? O'HARA: I had been working for a while here in the climate movement in Massachusetts, and the response we were getting, from either legislation that was introduced or policies that were proposed, it was clear that those policies were never going to reach the demands of the science. And we were never going to get the sort of dramatic emissions reduction that the science demands. After a period of searching for what the right thing to do was, I felt really kind of clear that it was time to do something that showed viscerally how the problem is connected to the burning of coal and to put myself in the middle of that process: the shipment to the burning. And Ken, for his own reasons, had been thinking along similar lines, and we kind of came to this independently. And there was one night in the fall of 2012 when Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren were running for the Senate here in Massachusetts, and they had had two debates, and hadn't mentioned climate at all. And we were vigiling 24 hours a day at the Government Center here in Boston to get them to talk about climate. Ken showed up at three in the morning with some hot cider on a rainy day on the eve of Hurricane Sandy bearing down on New England and New York, and said, "Jay, I have an idea. Why don't we get a boat and block the ship at Brayton Point?" And my heart just kind of just leapt for joy. It was clear that this was the work for me to do. CURWOOD: You have this lobster boat called the Henry David T...I mean, was that the name of the boat before you embarked on this? O'HARA: We did rename the boat. We'll confess to that. Yes. During his press conference, District Attorney Samuel Sutter holds up a copy of an article by writer Bill McKibben. (Photo: Peter Bowden) CURWOOD: OK. So tell me, what happened on that day? O'HARA: We had spent the night in Newport, Rhode Island. We woke up really early, and at 6 a.m. just before sunrise, we were on the dock for a short prayer meeting. We got on the Henry David T and motored north through Narragansett Bay under a cloudless sky on a windless day. It was absolutely beautiful. And we had been tracking and were able to track, actually, online, the position of the ship, the Energy Enterprise, which was delivering these 40,000 tons of Appalachian mountaintop removal coal, and we could tell that it was going to be heading up the bay behind us. We motored up the bay and navigated our way into the Brayton Point ship channel. We dropped two anchors, one a pretty small standard anchor and one very large heavy one that was chained to the keel of our boat, making us essentially an immovable block between the incoming ship and the pier where it intended to unload its coal. But before the ship ended up bearing down on us, the coast guard arrived. They boarded our boat, and while they were on board the boat, the tugboats and the others who were assisting the ship to come actually came in and half-moored the boat; they kind of put it on the pier, but in a place where they couldn't unload their coal. They weren't in any danger. They were kind of safely tied up, but the bow of this enormous ship was towering over us only maybe 200 feet away. And it was a pretty impressive hulk looking up over it. CURWOOD: Now, what did the Coast Guard or anybody know about this civil obedience before you did it? Did you give them a heads-up: we're going to be out there. O'HARA: We did. Through this whole process, our intention is to be absolutely transparent. Once we dropped anchor the first thing we did was call the town of Somerset police department and let them know that we were conducting a nonviolent peaceful protest and that our intentions were to remain in the ship channel. We had a couple of conversations with them. I spoke with the captain of the coal ship on the VHF radio, on the marine radio, so everyone was very clear about our intentions. CURWOOD: What did you tell the captain? You said, "Ahoy here, this is the Henry David T and then...?" Jay OHara (L) with activist Tim DeChristopher, who was jailed for 21 months for protesting oil and gas leasing on 22,000 acres of federal land. (Photo: Peter Bowden) O'HARA: Well, the most amazing part of that conversation was that the captain couldn't quite understand what we were talking about, that we were, with some incredulity he asked, "but this is American coal", as if the protest was about the nationality of the coal or our energy sources, when in fact I was able to reply, "it's actually about the coal itself and the climate crisis that it's bringing on us." And I wouldn't even call this civil disobedience; what we really did was direct action. We put ourselves in a place where our bodies were physically preventing the harm that is happening, and the harm is the burning of fossil fuels. CURWOOD: So what happened in the end? To what extent do you feel you able to stop this shipment? O'HARA: We were ordered to leave by the Coast Guard and threatened with enormous penalties had we not left. And we ended up, after hours of trying to literally raise the anchor by ourselves, which proved impossible, hiring a salvage company under Coast Guard order to remove the 200-pound anchor, and we left on our own power, knowing that there would be charges to follow. CURWOOD: So nobody arrested you. O'HARA: We were never arrested, never detained. CURWOOD: But you were charged, and they were pretty serious charges I gather. What exactly were they? Jay OHara in the Living on Earth studio (Photo: Steve Curwood) O'HARA: We had a charge of felony conspiracy to commit a crime. We had a charge of disturbing the peace. We had a charge of negligent operation of a motor vessel and failure to act to avoid a collision, much of which we were prepared to fight in court, but more importantly, in court, what we were looking to do was to give what is classically known in the common law as a necessity defense, saying that our actionswhile they may have broken some laws, given the threat to public safety and public well-beingare necessary to prevent that greater harm. CURWOOD: It's like saying, well, I went the wrong way on the one-way street to help put out the fire. O'HARA: Yeah, or I jaywalked to make sure the person wasn't hit by the car. CURWOOD: How prepared were you to go to jail? O'HARA: I felt very clear that if I was sentenced by a...or if I was convicted by a jury of my peers that I was ready and prepared to face the consequences of my action, knowing that that sort of commitment is the sort of commitment that changes hearts when people see other people put their lives on the line for something that really mattersput their lives on the line for the truth, people's hearts changed. And I think that's exactly what happened with the district attorney. He saw two guys who put, maybe not their money but at least their bodies, where their mouth was and that inspired him to come out and say, hey, this is a huge problem, and more of us need to get on board with it. CURWOOD: So all in all, what's the significance of this ruling and your action in terms of the broader climate movement, do you think? O'HARA: I think that remains to be seen. While we were only able to stop the shipment for 12 hours, I think that was a pretty big victory. The thing about direct action, which helps stop these problems, is that it inspires people because they see the moral clarity of the act and the moral depravity of the way business as usual is conducted. And just a couple of months later in July, there were over 300 people rallying at the gates of the plant with dozens risking arrest to show their commitment to shutting down the burning of coal in Massachusetts, as well as there was a subsequent march in August and then eventually later that fall, the plant's owners announced its intended closure by 2017. CURWOOD: September 21st in New York City, a lot of climate activists are coming together to have what they hope/pray will be the biggest climate demonstration ever in this country. What's next for you: plans to join that rally? I gather the District Attorney Samuel Sutter is going to be there as well. O'HARA: That's exactly what he said yesterday, that he plans to be there in New York. I plan to be there, and I know hundreds and hundreds of other people from all over are planning to be there. Thousands and maybe even a million people will be there. My partner and I are going to be sailing our sailboat from Fall River where the trial was, down Long Island Sound and meeting with and talking with interfaith groups concerned with climate change on the way to New York, getting ready for that big rally. But for me, showing up to the rally is important, but it's not in any way the endgame. The endgame is when we start to turn our whole lives over to living in according with this truth. And I know, I trust that there are hundreds, maybe thousands of people across the country, who are ready to put that commitment into action and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes. CURWOOD: Jay O'Hara and his colleague Ken Ward successfully used a necessity defense to argue that climate change compelled their act of civil disobedience, blocking a coal ship from landing at Brayton Point, Massachusetts. Thanks so much for coming by the studio today, Jay. O'HARA: Thanks so much Steve. It was a pleasure.</p> | false | 3 | curwood jennifer ted stanley studios boston pri living earth im steve curwood climate activists celebrating unlikely hero samuel sutter district attorney bristol county massachusetts september 8th da sutter dropped criminal charges two men back may used small lobster boat aptly named henry david block shipment coal headed brayton point power plant somerset instead prosecutor accepted argument two activists jay ohara ken ward risks global warming compelled act civil disobedience something jay ohara learned morning colleague scheduled go trial ohara hearing kind rumors prosecutor since friday hadnt come conclusion monday morning waiting diligently court appointed hour prosecutor came shortly thereafter district attorney came clear moment wasnt going normal trial proceeding morning energy enterprise carrying 40000 tons coal bound brayton point power plant massachusetts photo lobster boat blockade curwood indeed courthouse steps da samuel sutter explained legal thinking crowds sutter decision robert kidd thats assistant district attorney handled case reached today decision certainly took consideration cost taxpayers somerset made concern children children bristol county beyond mind climate change one gravest crises planet ever faced curwood activist jay ohara told us story came studio ohara know im quaker try open whatever comes ive really detached whatever outcome wasnt clear right best outcome every step along way right beginning planning action action kept finding new unexpected things ended turning interesting better ways ever could planned seemed like another one roll continues curwood pay terms fines ohara well actually didnt technically pay fines finding found responsible asked pay 2000 restitution somerset police state police overtime charges essentially curwood penalty criminal civil ohara correct right henry david surrounded coast guard boats coal ship background photo lobster boat blockade curwood inconvenient police ohara fortunately think inconvenient energy enterprise ship trying dock intention really interest inconvenient police showed think owed money deal curwood take us back action come partner crime civil disobedience ken ward decide ohara working climate movement massachusetts response getting either legislation introduced policies proposed clear policies never going reach demands science never going get sort dramatic emissions reduction science demands period searching right thing felt really kind clear time something showed viscerally problem connected burning coal put middle process shipment burning ken reasons thinking along similar lines kind came independently one night fall 2012 scott brown elizabeth warren running senate massachusetts two debates hadnt mentioned climate vigiling 24 hours day government center boston get talk climate ken showed three morning hot cider rainy day eve hurricane sandy bearing new england new york said jay idea dont get boat block ship brayton point heart kind leapt joy clear work curwood lobster boat called henry david ti mean name boat embarked ohara rename boat well confess yes press conference district attorney samuel sutter holds copy article writer bill mckibben photo peter bowden curwood ok tell happened day ohara spent night newport rhode island woke really early 6 sunrise dock short prayer meeting got henry david motored north narragansett bay cloudless sky windless day absolutely beautiful tracking able track actually online position ship energy enterprise delivering 40000 tons appalachian mountaintop removal coal could tell going heading bay behind us motored bay navigated way brayton point ship channel dropped two anchors one pretty small standard anchor one large heavy one chained keel boat making us essentially immovable block incoming ship pier intended unload coal ship ended bearing us coast guard arrived boarded boat board boat tugboats others assisting ship come actually came halfmoored boat kind put pier place couldnt unload coal werent danger kind safely tied bow enormous ship towering us maybe 200 feet away pretty impressive hulk looking curwood coast guard anybody know civil obedience give headsup going ohara whole process intention absolutely transparent dropped anchor first thing call town somerset police department let know conducting nonviolent peaceful protest intentions remain ship channel couple conversations spoke captain coal ship vhf radio marine radio everyone clear intentions curwood tell captain said ahoy henry david jay ohara l activist tim dechristopher jailed 21 months protesting oil gas leasing 22000 acres federal land photo peter bowden ohara well amazing part conversation captain couldnt quite understand talking incredulity asked american coal protest nationality coal energy sources fact able reply actually coal climate crisis bringing us wouldnt even call civil disobedience really direct action put place bodies physically preventing harm happening harm burning fossil fuels curwood happened end extent feel able stop shipment ohara ordered leave coast guard threatened enormous penalties left ended hours trying literally raise anchor proved impossible hiring salvage company coast guard order remove 200pound anchor left power knowing would charges follow curwood nobody arrested ohara never arrested never detained curwood charged pretty serious charges gather exactly jay ohara living earth studio photo steve curwood ohara charge felony conspiracy commit crime charge disturbing peace charge negligent operation motor vessel failure act avoid collision much prepared fight court importantly court looking give classically known common law necessity defense saying actionswhile may broken laws given threat public safety public wellbeingare necessary prevent greater harm curwood like saying well went wrong way oneway street help put fire ohara yeah jaywalked make sure person wasnt hit car curwood prepared go jail ohara felt clear sentenced aor convicted jury peers ready prepared face consequences action knowing sort commitment sort commitment changes hearts people see people put lives line something really mattersput lives line truth peoples hearts changed think thats exactly happened district attorney saw two guys put maybe money least bodies mouth inspired come say hey huge problem us need get board curwood whats significance ruling action terms broader climate movement think ohara think remains seen able stop shipment 12 hours think pretty big victory thing direct action helps stop problems inspires people see moral clarity act moral depravity way business usual conducted couple months later july 300 people rallying gates plant dozens risking arrest show commitment shutting burning coal massachusetts well subsequent march august eventually later fall plants owners announced intended closure 2017 curwood september 21st new york city lot climate activists coming together hopepray biggest climate demonstration ever country whats next plans join rally gather district attorney samuel sutter going well ohara thats exactly said yesterday plans new york plan know hundreds hundreds people planning thousands maybe even million people partner going sailing sailboat fall river trial long island sound meeting talking interfaith groups concerned climate change way new york getting ready big rally showing rally important way endgame endgame start turn whole lives living according truth know trust hundreds maybe thousands people across country ready put commitment action im looking forward seeing comes curwood jay ohara colleague ken ward successfully used necessity defense argue climate change compelled act civil disobedience blocking coal ship landing brayton point massachusetts thanks much coming studio today jay ohara thanks much steve pleasure | 1,116 |
<p>Some of the nation's newly minted mayors may be eager to tackle their political agendas, but a more immediate challenge calls: a big winter storm slugging their cities.</p>
<p>As <a href="" type="internal">a snowstorm and frigid temperatures bore down on the Midwest and Northeast on Thursday</a>, new mayors in New York and Detroit were given their first test of keeping city operations up and running. Boston's next mayor, who takes office Monday, will face the task of dealing with the aftermath of the storm, forecast to dump up to 18 inches of snow in his city.</p>
<p>Hours before he was sworn in as New York City's mayor at the stroke of midnight in the new year, Bill de Blasio vowed the city would be prepared for the weather headed its way.</p>
<p>"Something like a snowstorm I take very personally," he said. "We obviously have heard the reports, we’re going to be monitoring closely and if we see a situation that’s worsening, we’re going to take very aggressive action."</p>
<p>At an afternoon briefing, de Blasio said he had met with all his commissioners earlier in the day.</p>
<p>“We obviously did not expect to have situation as our first staff meeting," he said. "I want to assure everyone tremendous levels of coordination are happening already.”</p>
<p>De Blasio, who as public advocate in 2010 criticized his predecessor Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his handling of a post-Christmas blizzard, said hundreds of plows and salt spreaders would be on the streets as soon as the snow started falling Thursday night.</p>
<p>"We have to get it right, no question about it," de Blasio said. "We are focused like a laser on protecting this city and getting everyone ready. We have all hands on deck."</p>
<p>The Metropolitan Transit Authority, which runs the New York City's public transportation, activated its incident command center Thursday morning. Subway platforms were salted, and ice-breaking machines were fueled with plans to deploy them to all 468 subway stations and along all 220 miles of outdoor track.</p>
<p>The Sanitation Department will send 4,600 workers out Thursday to salt and plow streets.</p>
<p>Thursday's snowstorm is not expected to be as nearly as heavy for New York as the 2010 blizzard, which left the city's streets clogged and unplowed for days afterward, but de Blasio isn't taking any chances after&#160; <a href="" type="internal">that storm prompted furor and frustration directed at Mayor Michael Bloomberg</a>&#160;for the slow clean-up effort.</p>
<p>It wasn't the first time New Yorkers criticized their mayor after a blizzard: In 1969, a deadly storm dropped 15 inches of snow on the city, paralyzing it for three days. The debacle nearly cost then-Mayor John V. Lindsay re-election.</p>
<p>De Blasio will have help from some storm-beaten veterans: the commissioners of the FDNY, the Office of Emergency Management, and the Department of Sanitation from Bloomberg's administration will be staying on to help with the transition for the next few months.</p>
<p>And his seasoned deputy mayor, Tony Shorris, is overseeing the storm response.&#160;</p>
<p>In smaller cities, such as New Haven, Conn., Toni Harp — New Haven's first new mayor in nearly two decades — was sworn in Wednesday afternoon, and immediately had to turn her attention to the weather. New Haven's schools will be dismissed early on Thursday, and parking bans were put in place to make room for plows.</p>
<p>In Minneapolis, new mayor Betsy Hodges was being sworn in Thursday, as multiple area schools were closed for the day due to the weather.&#160;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in Detroit, which got several inches of snow Wednesday and was expected to receive up to 8 inches more, new mayor Mike Duggan decided his first act in office would be to hop on a plow with a city worker.</p>
<p>Duggan, who took his oath of office in the bankrupt city on Wednesday, said he would ride the snow-covered streets on Thursday.</p>
<p>"When you get elected to office you don't automatically have all the answers, so it's a learning process," he said. "I'm going to to go out and visit one of the yards and ask for one of the drivers to take me out in a truck. I really want to start by understanding the challenges that our workers face in clearing the snow."</p>
<p>Several snow emergencies were declared across Metro Detroit on Wednesday night, forcing residents to move their cars off city streets until the roads had been plowed.</p>
<p>It's the first task for a mayor with an ambitious agenda for his first 100 days, in which he plans to tackle blight, busing and lighting problems in his financially crippled city.</p>
<p>Duggan, too, has learned from predecessors elsewhere in the Midwest that quick snow removal is crucial to a good political reputation: In 1979, Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic's slow response to a blizzard greatly contributed to his defeat.</p>
<p>In Boston, where the mayoral handoff from Thomas Menino to Martin J. Walsh doesn't take place until Monday, the mayor-elect has been preparing for how to deal with snow for nearly a month.</p>
<p>On Dec. 10, Walsh and Menino conducted a&#160; <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/12/10/city-hall-crash-course-snow-removal/TDd12pS9rF9QrRNCHWpe7L/story.html" type="external">mock snow-response strategy session</a>, gathering more than a dozen heads of city departments at City Hall. The officials discussed everything from what time was best to announce school closures to imposing parking bans.</p>
<p>The mock session will come in handy for Walsh when he is sworn in next week, after up to a foot and a half of snow hammers Boston. In the meantime, Menino made it his last official act in office to declare a snow emergency for Thursday and close Boston schools on Friday.</p>
<p>"What a New Year's gift, to receive one last snowstorm as mayor," Menino said Wednesday.</p> | false | 3 | nations newly minted mayors may eager tackle political agendas immediate challenge calls big winter storm slugging cities snowstorm frigid temperatures bore midwest northeast thursday new mayors new york detroit given first test keeping city operations running bostons next mayor takes office monday face task dealing aftermath storm forecast dump 18 inches snow city hours sworn new york citys mayor stroke midnight new year bill de blasio vowed city would prepared weather headed way something like snowstorm take personally said obviously heard reports going monitoring closely see situation thats worsening going take aggressive action afternoon briefing de blasio said met commissioners earlier day obviously expect situation first staff meeting said want assure everyone tremendous levels coordination happening already de blasio public advocate 2010 criticized predecessor mayor michael bloomberg handling postchristmas blizzard said hundreds plows salt spreaders would streets soon snow started falling thursday night get right question de blasio said focused like laser protecting city getting everyone ready hands deck metropolitan transit authority runs new york citys public transportation activated incident command center thursday morning subway platforms salted icebreaking machines fueled plans deploy 468 subway stations along 220 miles outdoor track sanitation department send 4600 workers thursday salt plow streets thursdays snowstorm expected nearly heavy new york 2010 blizzard left citys streets clogged unplowed days afterward de blasio isnt taking chances after160 storm prompted furor frustration directed mayor michael bloomberg160for slow cleanup effort wasnt first time new yorkers criticized mayor blizzard 1969 deadly storm dropped 15 inches snow city paralyzing three days debacle nearly cost thenmayor john v lindsay reelection de blasio help stormbeaten veterans commissioners fdny office emergency management department sanitation bloombergs administration staying help transition next months seasoned deputy mayor tony shorris overseeing storm response160 smaller cities new conn toni harp new havens first new mayor nearly two decades sworn wednesday afternoon immediately turn attention weather new havens schools dismissed early thursday parking bans put place make room plows minneapolis new mayor betsy hodges sworn thursday multiple area schools closed day due weather160 meanwhile detroit got several inches snow wednesday expected receive 8 inches new mayor mike duggan decided first act office would hop plow city worker duggan took oath office bankrupt city wednesday said would ride snowcovered streets thursday get elected office dont automatically answers learning process said im going go visit one yards ask one drivers take truck really want start understanding challenges workers face clearing snow several snow emergencies declared across metro detroit wednesday night forcing residents move cars city streets roads plowed first task mayor ambitious agenda first 100 days plans tackle blight busing lighting problems financially crippled city duggan learned predecessors elsewhere midwest quick snow removal crucial good political reputation 1979 chicago mayor michael bilandics slow response blizzard greatly contributed defeat boston mayoral handoff thomas menino martin j walsh doesnt take place monday mayorelect preparing deal snow nearly month dec 10 walsh menino conducted a160 mock snowresponse strategy session gathering dozen heads city departments city hall officials discussed everything time best announce school closures imposing parking bans mock session come handy walsh sworn next week foot half snow hammers boston meantime menino made last official act office declare snow emergency thursday close boston schools friday new years gift receive one last snowstorm mayor menino said wednesday | 542 |
<p>President Donald Trump&#160;has rescinded trans student protections. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Much to the dismay of the LGBT advocates who sought to keep guidance barring discrimination against transgender kids in schools, the Trump administration on Wednesday revoked the guidance.</p>
<p>White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Wednesday during the daily press briefing a letter rescinding the guidance&#160;would come out that day, reiterating his words from earlier in the week the decision to withdraw the guidance is based on President Trump’s support for states’ rights.</p>
<p>“As far as the conclusion goes, I’ve made this clear and the president’s made it clear throughout the campaign that he’s a firm believer in states’ rights, and that certain issues like this are not best dealt with at the federal level,” Spicer said.</p>
<p>A&#160;two-page “Dear Colleague” letter from&#160;the administration to schools indicates the Justice and Education Departments “are withdrawing the statements of policy and guidance” assuring protections for transgender students. Issued in May by those same departments during the Obama administration, the guidance invokes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to bar schools from discriminating against&#160;transgender kids or&#160;denying them access to the restroom consistent with their gender identity.</p>
<p>Citing “significant litigation” against the guidance, the letter cites a U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling based on the guidance in favor of transgender student Gavin Grimm as well as a decision from U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor enjoining enforcement of the guidance.</p>
<p>In these circumstances, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice have decided to withdraw and rescind the above-referenced guidance documents in order to further and more completely consider the legal issues involved,” the letter says.&#160;“The Departments thus will not rely on the views expressed within them.”</p>
<p>Notably, the letter is slightly different from a draft copy MSNBC published earlier in the day. The draft copy says even with the guidance withdrawn, schools “must ensure that transgender students, like all students, are able to learn in a safe environment,” but the final letter replaces the explicit mention of transgender students with “LGBT students.”</p>
<p>The final letter also adds the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights will continue to “hear all claims of discrimination and will explore every appropriate opportunity to protect all students” and says the administration is “committed&#160;to the application of Title IX and other federal laws to ensure such protection.”</p>
<p>The letter is issued&#160;just&#160;weeks after the White House declared in a statement Trump is “determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community.”</p>
<p>J. Bob Alotta, executive director of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, condemned the decision to revoke the guidance as an attack on transgender students.</p>
<p>“These protections were put into place to ensure the safety of transgender students,” Alotta said. “Today’s decision actively harms the people who are most vulnerable to violence and the administration should immediately reverse course. Discrimination doesn’t belong in our schools or in our society. Everyone should have the freedom to express their gender identity without fear, retribution or risk of violence.”</p>
<p>Major media outlets reported the process leading to the revocation of the guidance was a source of contention. The Washington Post reported the transgender guidance was rescinded over the objections of newly confirmed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The Washington Blade has placed a call to&#160;the Education Department to verify those objections and determine who overruled her in the decision to overturn the guidance.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/us/politics/devos-sessions-transgender-students-rights.html?smid=tw-share&amp;mtrref=t.co&amp;gwh=420366FA6B4D9223456294D1CA942A01&amp;gwt=pay" type="external">The New York Times</a>, a fight erupted in the Trump administration over the letter between DeVos and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who reportedly pressed the education secretary sign off on the change because he couldn’t go forward without her consent. The order had to come from both the Justice and Education Departments.</p>
<p>Trump sided with Sessions over DeVos, the New York Times reported, and faced with the choice of either resigning or defying the president, DeVos agreed to go along. The order was expected Wednesday, but held up, the Times reported, because the two Cabinet members disputed the final language.</p>
<p>“This is an issue best solved at the state and local level,” DeVos said. “Schools, communities, and families can find – and in many cases have found – solutions that protect all students.”</p>
<p>White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, however, denied there was significant contention among members of the Trump administration, insisting there was “no daylight” between DeVos and Sessions on rescinding the guidance.</p>
<p>“I think where you might be hearing something is more on the timing of stuff,” Spicer said. “The conclusions every person in the administration has agreed upon. There’s no daylight between anybody, between the president, between any of the secretaries.”</p>
<p>Asked to clarify further the education secretary’s position, Spicer said DeVos is “100 percent” in favor rescinding the guidance.</p>
<p>In a statement announcing the guidance, DeVos said she considers “protecting all students, including LGBTQ students” a “key priority” for the Department of Education, but ultimately believes the issue should be left to the states.</p>
<p>The reported view of Sessions in favor of rescinding the guidance is consistent with recent actions from the Justice Department in litigation filed against the guidance by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on behalf of 12 states. As a result of the litigation, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor issued a preliminary injunction barring the administration from enforcing the guidance nationwide.</p>
<p>Although the Justice Department under the Obama administration filed an appeal with the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals seeking along with a request to limit the scope of the injunction to the 12 plaintiff states, a legal brief under Sessions withdraws that second request and declares the Trump administration is “currently considering how best to proceed in this appeal.”</p>
<p>During the White House briefing, Spicer denied the timing for&#160;revoking the guidance meant&#160;it was a priority for the president and said the decision is based on the Gloucester County Schools v. G.G. case pending before the Supreme Court. Arguments are set for March 28.</p>
<p>“It’s dictated by that,” Spicer said. “The Obama administration had issued joint guidance from the Department of Education and the Department of Justice. We now have to decide whether or not this administration wants to continue that track that they were on. It’s plain and simple if we don’t.”</p>
<p>Explaining the decision to reverse course, Spicer said a review from the Education and Justice Departments under Trump identified “areas of concern,” such as the interpretation of Title IX to apply to transgender students.</p>
<p>“And so, it’s incumbent upon us to actually follow the law and recognize that Title IX never talked about this; it was an act of 1972,” Spicer said. “There was no discussion of this back then, and to assume certain elements of the law were thought of back then…would be completely preposterous.”</p>
<p>Despite Spicer’s words, a long body of case law — including a determination from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2012 and rulings from federal appeals courts as far back as 2000 — have determined the prohibition on sex discrimination in federal civil rights laws like Title IX apply to transgender people. The 1989 U.S. Supreme Court case Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, which found the law covers not just discrimination on the basis of sex, but also sex stereotyping, formed the basis&#160;for those decisions.</p>
<p>Gary McCaleb, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, was among those cheering Trump for following up on his campaign promise to rescind the guidance.</p>
<p>“The privacy, safety, and dignity of young students should be the first concern of every local school official across America,” McCaleb said. “The Obama administration radically distorted a federal law that was meant to equalize educational opportunities for women and then forced local officials to intermingle boys and girls within students’ private facilities like locker rooms, hotel rooms on school trips, and restrooms. The Trump administration would be right to return to the rule of law by rescinding the Obama administration’s misleading guidance.”</p>
<p>The action comes despite calls from transgender advocates to keep the policy in place. On Tuesday, the Human Rights Campaign <a href="http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/documents/TitleIXParentsLetter.pdf" type="external">promoted a letter to Trump</a> signed by more than 1,000 parents of transgender children calling on him to preserve the guidance.</p>
<p>“Like all parents, all we want is for our children to be healthy, safe, and loved,” the letter says. “No young person should wake up in the morning fearful of the school day ahead. When this guidance was issued last year, it provided our families — and other families like our own across the country — with the knowledge and security that our government was determined to protect our children from bullying and discrimination. Please do not take that away from us.”</p>
<p>In the <a href="http://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS%20Full%20Report%20-%20FINAL%201.6.17.pdf" type="external">2015 U.S. Transgender Survey</a> conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality, more than three-quarters of those who were out or perceived as transgender at some point in kindergarten through high school experienced at that time some from of mistreatment, such as being verbally harassed, prohibited from dressing according to their gender identity, disciplined more harshly, or physically or sexually assaulted.</p>
<p>The survey doesn’t look specifically at the degree to which transgender students were barred from the restroom or locker room consistent with their gender identity. However, the survey found 59 percent of respondents reported in the past year they had avoided using a restroom, such as in public, at work, or at school, because they were afraid of confrontations.</p>
<p>Nearly one-third of the sample avoided drinking or eating so they wouldn’t have to use the restroom, and eight percent reported having a urinary tract infection or kidney-related medical problem as a result of avoiding restrooms.</p>
<p>Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, lambasted Trump for the decision to revoke the guidance in a statement and said it would only serve to harm transgender youth.</p>
<p>“What could possibly motivate a blind and cruel attack on young children like this?” Griffin said. “These transgender students simply want to go to school in the morning without fear of discrimination or harassment. The consequences of this decision will no doubt be heartbreaking. This isn’t a ‘states rights’ issue, it’s a civil rights issue. Children deserve protection from bullying no matter what state they live in. Period.”</p>
<p>Even though the guidance is rescinded, transgender advocates insist transgender students can still sue on their own if they feel they’ve experienced discrimination in schools under the provision of Title IX barring discrimination of the basis of sex. Because of the order from O’Connor, the guidance wasn’t an option for relief anyway.</p>
<p>But the plans could have an impact on pending litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court in which Gavin Grimm, a transgender student in Virginia, is suing his Gloucester County high school to use the restroom consistent with his gender identity. The court accepted the case to evaluate whether courts should defer to the guidance, a point that now seems moot, as well as whether Title IX prohibits schools from barring students from using the restroom consistent with their gender identity.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Alliance Defending Freedom</a> <a href="" type="internal">Betsy Devos</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gary McCaleb</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sean Spicer</a> <a href="" type="internal">White House</a></p> | false | 3 | president donald trump160has rescinded trans student protections blade file photo michael key much dismay lgbt advocates sought keep guidance barring discrimination transgender kids schools trump administration wednesday revoked guidance white house press secretary sean spicer said wednesday daily press briefing letter rescinding guidance160would come day reiterating words earlier week decision withdraw guidance based president trumps support states rights far conclusion goes ive made clear presidents made clear throughout campaign hes firm believer states rights certain issues like best dealt federal level spicer said a160twopage dear colleague letter from160the administration schools indicates justice education departments withdrawing statements policy guidance assuring protections transgender students issued may departments obama administration guidance invokes title ix education amendments 1972 bar schools discriminating against160transgender kids or160denying access restroom consistent gender identity citing significant litigation guidance letter cites us fourth circuit court appeals ruling based guidance favor transgender student gavin grimm well decision us district judge reed oconnor enjoining enforcement guidance circumstances department education department justice decided withdraw rescind abovereferenced guidance documents order completely consider legal issues involved letter says160the departments thus rely views expressed within notably letter slightly different draft copy msnbc published earlier day draft copy says even guidance withdrawn schools must ensure transgender students like students able learn safe environment final letter replaces explicit mention transgender students lgbt students final letter also adds department education office civil rights continue hear claims discrimination explore every appropriate opportunity protect students says administration committed160to application title ix federal laws ensure protection letter issued160just160weeks white house declared statement trump determined protect rights americans including lgbtq community j bob alotta executive director astraea lesbian foundation justice condemned decision revoke guidance attack transgender students protections put place ensure safety transgender students alotta said todays decision actively harms people vulnerable violence administration immediately reverse course discrimination doesnt belong schools society everyone freedom express gender identity without fear retribution risk violence major media outlets reported process leading revocation guidance source contention washington post reported transgender guidance rescinded objections newly confirmed education secretary betsy devos washington blade placed call to160the education department verify objections determine overruled decision overturn guidance according new york times fight erupted trump administration letter devos us attorney general jeff sessions reportedly pressed education secretary sign change couldnt go forward without consent order come justice education departments trump sided sessions devos new york times reported faced choice either resigning defying president devos agreed go along order expected wednesday held times reported two cabinet members disputed final language issue best solved state local level devos said schools communities families find many cases found solutions protect students white house press secretary sean spicer however denied significant contention among members trump administration insisting daylight devos sessions rescinding guidance think might hearing something timing stuff spicer said conclusions every person administration agreed upon theres daylight anybody president secretaries asked clarify education secretarys position spicer said devos 100 percent favor rescinding guidance statement announcing guidance devos said considers protecting students including lgbtq students key priority department education ultimately believes issue left states reported view sessions favor rescinding guidance consistent recent actions justice department litigation filed guidance texas attorney general ken paxton behalf 12 states result litigation us district judge reed oconnor issued preliminary injunction barring administration enforcing guidance nationwide although justice department obama administration filed appeal us fifth circuit court appeals seeking along request limit scope injunction 12 plaintiff states legal brief sessions withdraws second request declares trump administration currently considering best proceed appeal white house briefing spicer denied timing for160revoking guidance meant160it priority president said decision based gloucester county schools v gg case pending supreme court arguments set march 28 dictated spicer said obama administration issued joint guidance department education department justice decide whether administration wants continue track plain simple dont explaining decision reverse course spicer said review education justice departments trump identified areas concern interpretation title ix apply transgender students incumbent upon us actually follow law recognize title ix never talked act 1972 spicer said discussion back assume certain elements law thought back thenwould completely preposterous despite spicers words long body case law including determination us equal employment opportunity commission 2012 rulings federal appeals courts far back 2000 determined prohibition sex discrimination federal civil rights laws like title ix apply transgender people 1989 us supreme court case price waterhouse v hopkins found law covers discrimination basis sex also sex stereotyping formed basis160for decisions gary mccaleb senior counsel alliance defending freedom among cheering trump following campaign promise rescind guidance privacy safety dignity young students first concern every local school official across america mccaleb said obama administration radically distorted federal law meant equalize educational opportunities women forced local officials intermingle boys girls within students private facilities like locker rooms hotel rooms school trips restrooms trump administration would right return rule law rescinding obama administrations misleading guidance action comes despite calls transgender advocates keep policy place tuesday human rights campaign promoted letter trump signed 1000 parents transgender children calling preserve guidance like parents want children healthy safe loved letter says young person wake morning fearful school day ahead guidance issued last year provided families families like across country knowledge security government determined protect children bullying discrimination please take away us 2015 us transgender survey conducted national center transgender equality threequarters perceived transgender point kindergarten high school experienced time mistreatment verbally harassed prohibited dressing according gender identity disciplined harshly physically sexually assaulted survey doesnt look specifically degree transgender students barred restroom locker room consistent gender identity however survey found 59 percent respondents reported past year avoided using restroom public work school afraid confrontations nearly onethird sample avoided drinking eating wouldnt use restroom eight percent reported urinary tract infection kidneyrelated medical problem result avoiding restrooms chad griffin president human rights campaign lambasted trump decision revoke guidance statement said would serve harm transgender youth could possibly motivate blind cruel attack young children like griffin said transgender students simply want go school morning without fear discrimination harassment consequences decision doubt heartbreaking isnt states rights issue civil rights issue children deserve protection bullying matter state live period even though guidance rescinded transgender advocates insist transgender students still sue feel theyve experienced discrimination schools provision title ix barring discrimination basis sex order oconnor guidance wasnt option relief anyway plans could impact pending litigation us supreme court gavin grimm transgender student virginia suing gloucester county high school use restroom consistent gender identity court accepted case evaluate whether courts defer guidance point seems moot well whether title ix prohibits schools barring students using restroom consistent gender identity alliance defending freedom betsy devos gary mccaleb sean spicer white house | 1,084 |
<p>I was an angry teenager — angry at home; angry at school; angry with theocracy; angry about injustice; angry about hypocrisy. I was especially angry with anyone I thought was trying to mold me into a model of their choosing, and there were many people hell-bent on doing exactly that.</p>
<p>When living in a conservative place, you are often doomed to becoming&#160;a social pariah by simply being yourself.&#160;I became a social pariah in my late teens. I had no religious affiliation; I was a staunch liberal, and a determined nonconformist. Being an outcast had filled me with wrath, but I decided to sublimate my rage into a lifelong passion —&#160;writing. This is the story of how that came to be. &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>While I would constantly cut class at school as a 17-year-old, I decided to start learning English after being exposed to Shel Silverstein’s (and later, Raymond Carver’s) work in translation, thanks to my aunt. Some months later, Ali, a school classmate, told me about the music of Linkin Park. In those days, unbeknownst to our school principal, Ali and I would exchange American audio CDs every other week. Occasionally, we’d get caught and be put on probation. The first Linkin Park song I heard was Numb, and just like that, they became an indispensable part of my musical mantra. I remember grappling with my agonizingly slow dial-up Internet connection at home for an hour, just so I could obtain the lyrics to their 2003 album, "Meteora."</p>
<p>Siavash Saadlou now lives in Boston,&#160;Massachusetts.</p>
<p>Morteza Delgir</p>
<p>Not everyone in Tehran had satellite TV in their homes back then, so I would buy the latest American music videos from a shopkeeper named Sepehr, who had a computer store near where I lived. Fearing the shutdown of his store by the government, Sepehr sold bootlegged music albums and videos only to those customers he knew personally. Once, he gave me some Linkin Park music videos that I noticed had been lyric-subtitled in their original English.</p>
<p>The words appeared in flawless synchronicity with the music, and the person responsible for the subtitles had left his Yahoo Messenger ID at the end of every video. I sent him a message with my cell number. I checked my phone at every opportunity for the next two days, but no word came. I figured he either hadn’t checked my message yet or was leery of getting in touch with a total stranger. He could have gotten fined or arrested for selling music videos to Sepehr. Two days later, a text from an unknown number appeared on the screen of my clunky LG phone: “Salaam! This is Parham. I have very little credit on my SIM card. Give me a call.”</p>
<p>We met at a park where old men usually sat and played backgammon. Parham was wearing torn jeans and a white T-shirt with a black motif that read, I AM FREE. He had put on a pair of All Star sneakers, and his spiky hairstyle was shining with a trace of gel. Parham told me about himself. He played the guitar in his free time. He told me that he has once seen Chester Bennington, Linkin Park's lead singer,&#160;in his dream, offering to hang out together and smoke hookah, which was Parham’s favorite hobby. He also told me about clandestine Linkin Park fan meetings in Tehran and invited me to one.</p>
<p>Parham and I met again two weeks later. We walked down Valiasr, the longest avenue in Tehran, which connects its south to its north and has tall overarching trees.</p>
<p>“I should tell you about three rules in our meetings,” Parham said.</p>
<p>“What rules?” I said.</p>
<p>“Rule number one: We only talk about Linkin Park during our meetings. I know you listen to Michael Jackson and other pop artists as well, but don’t mention those in our meeting. Their music is too sappy for us.”</p>
<p>I nodded.</p>
<p>“Rule number two: We’re all just friends and we want to stay that way.”</p>
<p>“All right.”</p>
<p>“Rule number three: We always go Dutch when it comes to paying the check.”</p>
<p>“Gereftam — got it,” I said.</p>
<p>We paced until arriving at a café. I was feeling nervous as Parham went in with aplomb, exchanging pleasantries with a young barista. I followed behind him. Through a cloud of smoke, I saw about five or six tables, all occupied by young people. The biggest table had been taken by 12 people, seven boys and five girls. They all rose from their seats to greet Parham. &#160;</p>
<p>“Hey! What’s up, Parham?” said a bulky, green-eyed boy, giving Parham a bro hug. His name was Naader.</p>
<p>We talked about Linkin Park’s music. We discussed the meaning of their lyrics. Some of us talked about our personal lives and how the music had been of enormous help. I felt thrilled. Finally, I had found friends who could fathom my angst and accept me without reservations. That day, Naader gave each of us a copy of Linkin Park’s 2004 Rock am Ring concert, which I watched for the umpteenth time just the other day. At the end of the meeting, Naader invited us to the next gathering, at his home. He said there was going to be a small party.</p>
<p>Arriving at Naader’s home, I felt worried about the possibility of getting detained for simply partying with a group of young boys and girls. The light music inside the elevator eased my stress a tiny bit. What the hell am I doing here? I asked myself. But it was too late to cop out; I had already arrived on the 10th floor. When the doors slid open, I could hear the song "One Step Closer" piercing into my eardrum. The apartment’s door had been left ajar; soon Naader showed up and invited me in.</p>
<p>Seconds later, I found myself in a large living room and noticed a table full of snacks and alcoholic drinks. The room was dark with a few small lamps hanging from the ceiling, casting shimmering light on the Persian rugs. The air was filled with the reek of smoke. About 20 people, boys and girls, were jumping up and down, singing along. The guitar riffs were conclusive and infectious. Chester’s voice echoed across the room. It was the closest thing we could get to a Linkin Park concert.</p>
<p>Twelve years on, I have a ticket to go see the band live in Mansfield, Massachusetts, later this month. It'll be&#160;the first live Linkin Park show in my life. I wish all my fellow Iranian Linkin Park fans, especially Parham, were here with me. After all, I’m only the continuation of their dreams. It sure will be an overwhelming experience. There will be tears of joy, longing, pain, and frustration at some point. And I have no plans to stop them.</p>
<p>I shall remain true to myself. Being true to myself has always proven to be immensely rewarding.</p>
<p>The passage above&#160;is a revised excerpt from the author’s book-in-progress, "Sea of Ash: A Memoir." In order to protect the privacy of individuals, all the names have been changed.</p> | false | 3 | angry teenager angry home angry school angry theocracy angry injustice angry hypocrisy especially angry anyone thought trying mold model choosing many people hellbent exactly living conservative place often doomed becoming160a social pariah simply yourself160i became social pariah late teens religious affiliation staunch liberal determined nonconformist outcast filled wrath decided sublimate rage lifelong passion 160writing story came 160160160160160160 would constantly cut class school 17yearold decided start learning english exposed shel silversteins later raymond carvers work translation thanks aunt months later ali school classmate told music linkin park days unbeknownst school principal ali would exchange american audio cds every week occasionally wed get caught put probation first linkin park song heard numb like became indispensable part musical mantra remember grappling agonizingly slow dialup internet connection home hour could obtain lyrics 2003 album meteora siavash saadlou lives boston160massachusetts morteza delgir everyone tehran satellite tv homes back would buy latest american music videos shopkeeper named sepehr computer store near lived fearing shutdown store government sepehr sold bootlegged music albums videos customers knew personally gave linkin park music videos noticed lyricsubtitled original english words appeared flawless synchronicity music person responsible subtitles left yahoo messenger id end every video sent message cell number checked phone every opportunity next two days word came figured either hadnt checked message yet leery getting touch total stranger could gotten fined arrested selling music videos sepehr two days later text unknown number appeared screen clunky lg phone salaam parham little credit sim card give call met park old men usually sat played backgammon parham wearing torn jeans white tshirt black motif read free put pair star sneakers spiky hairstyle shining trace gel parham told played guitar free time told seen chester bennington linkin parks lead singer160in dream offering hang together smoke hookah parhams favorite hobby also told clandestine linkin park fan meetings tehran invited one parham met two weeks later walked valiasr longest avenue tehran connects south north tall overarching trees tell three rules meetings parham said rules said rule number one talk linkin park meetings know listen michael jackson pop artists well dont mention meeting music sappy us nodded rule number two friends want stay way right rule number three always go dutch comes paying check gereftam got said paced arriving café feeling nervous parham went aplomb exchanging pleasantries young barista followed behind cloud smoke saw five six tables occupied young people biggest table taken 12 people seven boys five girls rose seats greet parham 160 hey whats parham said bulky greeneyed boy giving parham bro hug name naader talked linkin parks music discussed meaning lyrics us talked personal lives music enormous help felt thrilled finally found friends could fathom angst accept without reservations day naader gave us copy linkin parks 2004 rock ring concert watched umpteenth time day end meeting naader invited us next gathering home said going small party arriving naaders home felt worried possibility getting detained simply partying group young boys girls light music inside elevator eased stress tiny bit hell asked late cop already arrived 10th floor doors slid open could hear song one step closer piercing eardrum apartments door left ajar soon naader showed invited seconds later found large living room noticed table full snacks alcoholic drinks room dark small lamps hanging ceiling casting shimmering light persian rugs air filled reek smoke 20 people boys girls jumping singing along guitar riffs conclusive infectious chesters voice echoed across room closest thing could get linkin park concert twelve years ticket go see band live mansfield massachusetts later month itll be160the first live linkin park show life wish fellow iranian linkin park fans especially parham im continuation dreams sure overwhelming experience tears joy longing pain frustration point plans stop shall remain true true always proven immensely rewarding passage above160is revised excerpt authors bookinprogress sea ash memoir order protect privacy individuals names changed | 634 |
<p><a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/11/04/20429/donald-trump-threat-animals" type="external">This story</a> was originally published by <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">The Center for Public Integrity</a>, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>Critics of Republican <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/news/Donald-Trump" type="external">Donald Trump</a> have cast his potential presidency as a threat to American citizens. The <a href="http://www.hslf.org/" type="external">Humane Society Legislative Fund</a> argues it’s a threat to animals, as well.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uktZk7iIgyU" type="external">Recent ad</a>s from the animal welfare group — which are <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/01/21/19164/tracking-tv-ads-2016-presidential-race" type="external">airing</a> in the battleground state of Virginia — begin with a picture of Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., holding up a dead leopard they shot during a hunting trip.</p>
<p>“A picture is worth a thousand words,” the narrator says. “So, what does this one say about a Donald Trump presidency?”</p>
<p>The hunting habits of Trump’s sons are only part of the problem, according to the group. What’s more alarming, the ad says, is that the younger Trumps are gunning for seats in the presidential cabinet.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/11/04/20429/donald-trump-threat-animals" type="external">Click Here to Read the Center for Public Integrity's Version of This Article</a></p>
<p>Photos of a confined hog, a shabby dog and a distressed horse appear in the same shots in the TV ad as Summit Agricultural Group CEO Bruce Rastetter, Lucas Oil CEO Forrest Lucas and Oklahoma state Sen. Eddie Fields — men Trump <a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/trump-campaign-announces-agricultural-advisory-committee" type="external">appointed</a> in August to his agricultural advisory committee.</p>
<p>And as the ad closes, the admonishment that “a Trump presidency would be a threat to animals everywhere” is displayed next to a grid image of Trump’s face, which is composed of animal photos.</p>
<p>The ads’ sponsor</p>
<p>The Humane Society Legislative Fund formed in 2004 as the lobbying arm of the <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/" type="external">Humane Society of the United States</a>, a public charity to which donations are tax-deductible.</p>
<p>Donations to the Humane Society Legislative Fund, however, are not tax-deductible, as it’s organized as a “social welfare” nonprofit under section 501(c)(4) of the U.S. tax code.</p>
<p>Electoral politics cannot be the primary focus of charities or social welfare nonprofits, but thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court’s <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2012/10/18/11527/citizens-united-decision-and-why-it-matters" type="external">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision</a> in 2010, social welfare groups are allowed to run political ads that call for the election or defeat of federal candidates.</p>
<p>For its part, the Humane Society Legislative Fund casts itself as nonpartisan, endorsing candidates based on their stands on animal protection issues.</p>
<p>This year, they’re rooting for the donkey to win the White House.</p>
<p>“Trump represents the greatest threat ever to federal policy-making and implementation of animal protection laws, and we are taking the unusual step of wading actively into a presidential campaign,” Michael Markarian, the Humane Society Legislative Fund’s chief operating officer, wrote in <a href="http://blog.hslf.org/political_animal/2016/10/the-humane-society-legislative-fund-today-announces-its-endorsement-of-hillary-clinton-for-president-and-the-launch-of-a-new.html" type="external">an October blog post</a>.</p>
<p>The group previously endorsed Democrat Barack Obama’s presidential bid in 2008 but did not spend money on ads in prior presidential elections.</p>
<p>Trump himself has said little about animal welfare issues during the campaign, and he has not released a formal policy positions on such matters. But Trump this month <a href="http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00580100/1120753/f65" type="external">accepted a $5,000 contribution</a> from a political committee sponsored by the Safari Club International — the group supports big game hunting — and has periodically panned animal rights activists.</p>
<p>“Ringling Brothers is phasing out their elephants. I, for one, will never go again. They probably used the animal rights stuff to reduce costs,” <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/573632902149378048?lang=en" type="external">Trump wrote</a> last year in a tweet after the circus decided to retire its performing pachyderms.</p>
<p>Money in</p>
<p>Sara Amundson, the executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, said a big difference between the 2008 election and the 2016 election is money.</p>
<p>“We did not have the expansion of resources to engage [in 2008],” she told the <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a>. “In this election cycle, we were very excited to be in the race.”</p>
<p>Who’s bankrolling this foray into Election 2016? It’s not exactly clear.</p>
<p>Amundson insisted her group was “transparent,” but she declined to identify any of its funders.</p>
<p>She simply said the majority of the Humane Society Legislative Fund’s resources come from individual donors.</p>
<p>Democratic presidential nominee <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/news/Hillary-Clinton" type="external">Hillary Clinton</a> herself has criticized “ <a href="https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/campaign-finance-reform/" type="external">secret, unaccountable money in politics</a>,” but Amundson said that didn’t describe her group.</p>
<p>What is known: The Humane Society Legislative Fund received about $4.3 million in grants and contributions in 2014, according to a copy of its <a href="http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2015_10_EO/59-3786428_990O_201412.pdf" type="external">most recent tax filing</a> accessed on <a href="https://www.citizenaudit.org/" type="external">CitizenAudit.org</a>.</p>
<p>The Doris Day Animal League, another social welfare nonprofit that lobbies for animal protection, <a href="http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2015_10_EO/95-4117651_990O_201412.pdf" type="external">gave it $1.3 million</a> that year — representing more than 30 percent of the money the Humane Society Legislative Fund received in contributions in 2014.</p>
<p><a href="http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2014_06_EO/26-4568349_990O_201306.pdf" type="external">Tax documents</a> also show <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/news/America-Votes" type="external">America Votes</a> — a group that works to help elect Democrats and bills itself as the “ <a href="http://americavotes.org/" type="external">coordination hub of the progressive community</a>” — donated <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2014/05/21/14791/who-s-bankrolling-secretive-liberal-group-america-votes" type="external">$100,000</a> to the Humane Society Legislative Fund during its own 2012-2013 fiscal year.</p>
<p>Money out</p>
<p>Campaign finance records show the Humane Society Legislative Fund has spent more than $1 million on ads targeting federal races this election, including $170,000 on TV ads opposing Trump.</p>
<p>The animal welfare group launched its attack on Trump in early October, purchasing $10,000 worth of cable ads in Washington, D.C., that appeared on Fox, Fox News and MSNBC, said to Tim Kay, the director of political strategy at advertising firm <a href="http://nccmedia.com/political/who-we-are/" type="external">NCC Media</a>.</p>
<p>Its ads are currently airing in the Richmond, Virginia, media market, according to <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/01/21/19164/tracking-tv-ads-2016-presidential-race" type="external">data provided</a> to the <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a> by ad tracking firm <a href="http://www.kantarmedia.com/us/our-solutions/advertising-monitoring-and-evaluation/political" type="external">Kantar Media/CMAG</a>. That’s a state Clinton hopes to carry on Election Day, and recent polls show her with about a <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/va/virginia_trump_vs_clinton-5542.html" type="external">3 percentage point lead</a> over Trump.</p>
<p>John Cleveland, a spokesman for the Humane Society Legislative Fund, said Virginia was chosen because they thought it’d be a competitive state.</p>
<p>“In recent elections, polling has not been reflective of final margins, and we hoped that launching there would have the effect of shoring up support among pro-animal voters, who span both parties,” he told the <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a>. He added that the group had also purchased online advertising targeting voters in the battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>The Humane Society Legislative Fund has also spent about $400,000 on ads to help elect Wisconsin Democrat Russ Feingold to the U.S. Senate again after losing his seat to Republican Ron Johnson in 2010.</p>
<p>Amundson told the <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a> that any additional TV ads in 2016 would depend on an influx of money from donors.</p>
<p>In the meantime, it has also opted to partner with the political action committee of liberal group MoveOn.org to further promote Clinton in an online advertisement entitled <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsjvcUTC1rs" type="external">“I’m With Purr.”</a></p>
<p>Why it matters</p>
<p>Outrage over the treatment of animals has been at the forefront of the public’s attention after high-profile cases involving animal deaths like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Harambe" type="external">Harambe the gorilla</a> this year and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Cecil_the_lion" type="external">Cecil the lion</a> last year.</p>
<p>As president, Trump’s positions on animal welfare — and his sons’ trophy hunting — might not go over well with the nearly <a href="http://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp" type="external">80 million U.S. households that own pets.</a></p>
<p>On the campaign trail, Clinton herself <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/videos/2016-08-04/clinton-trump-and-his-kids-have-killed-a-lot-of-animals" type="external">once noted</a> that “Trump and his kids have killed a lot of animals.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">The Center for Public Integrity</a> is a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.</p> | false | 3 | story originally published center public integrity nonprofit nonpartisan investigative news organization washington dc critics republican donald trump cast potential presidency threat american citizens humane society legislative fund argues threat animals well recent ads animal welfare group airing battleground state virginia begin picture trumps sons eric trump donald trump jr holding dead leopard shot hunting trip picture worth thousand words narrator says one say donald trump presidency hunting habits trumps sons part problem according group whats alarming ad says younger trumps gunning seats presidential cabinet click read center public integritys version article photos confined hog shabby dog distressed horse appear shots tv ad summit agricultural group ceo bruce rastetter lucas oil ceo forrest lucas oklahoma state sen eddie fields men trump appointed august agricultural advisory committee ad closes admonishment trump presidency would threat animals everywhere displayed next grid image trumps face composed animal photos ads sponsor humane society legislative fund formed 2004 lobbying arm humane society united states public charity donations taxdeductible donations humane society legislative fund however taxdeductible organized social welfare nonprofit section 501c4 us tax code electoral politics primary focus charities social welfare nonprofits thanks us supreme courts citizens united v federal election commission decision 2010 social welfare groups allowed run political ads call election defeat federal candidates part humane society legislative fund casts nonpartisan endorsing candidates based stands animal protection issues year theyre rooting donkey win white house trump represents greatest threat ever federal policymaking implementation animal protection laws taking unusual step wading actively presidential campaign michael markarian humane society legislative funds chief operating officer wrote october blog post group previously endorsed democrat barack obamas presidential bid 2008 spend money ads prior presidential elections trump said little animal welfare issues campaign released formal policy positions matters trump month accepted 5000 contribution political committee sponsored safari club international group supports big game hunting periodically panned animal rights activists ringling brothers phasing elephants one never go probably used animal rights stuff reduce costs trump wrote last year tweet circus decided retire performing pachyderms money sara amundson executive director humane society legislative fund said big difference 2008 election 2016 election money expansion resources engage 2008 told center public integrity election cycle excited race whos bankrolling foray election 2016 exactly clear amundson insisted group transparent declined identify funders simply said majority humane society legislative funds resources come individual donors democratic presidential nominee hillary clinton criticized secret unaccountable money politics amundson said didnt describe group known humane society legislative fund received 43 million grants contributions 2014 according copy recent tax filing accessed citizenauditorg doris day animal league another social welfare nonprofit lobbies animal protection gave 13 million year representing 30 percent money humane society legislative fund received contributions 2014 tax documents also show america votes group works help elect democrats bills coordination hub progressive community donated 100000 humane society legislative fund 20122013 fiscal year money campaign finance records show humane society legislative fund spent 1 million ads targeting federal races election including 170000 tv ads opposing trump animal welfare group launched attack trump early october purchasing 10000 worth cable ads washington dc appeared fox fox news msnbc said tim kay director political strategy advertising firm ncc media ads currently airing richmond virginia media market according data provided center public integrity ad tracking firm kantar mediacmag thats state clinton hopes carry election day recent polls show 3 percentage point lead trump john cleveland spokesman humane society legislative fund said virginia chosen thought itd competitive state recent elections polling reflective final margins hoped launching would effect shoring support among proanimal voters span parties told center public integrity added group also purchased online advertising targeting voters battleground states florida nevada north carolina ohio pennsylvania humane society legislative fund also spent 400000 ads help elect wisconsin democrat russ feingold us senate losing seat republican ron johnson 2010 amundson told center public integrity additional tv ads 2016 would depend influx money donors meantime also opted partner political action committee liberal group moveonorg promote clinton online advertisement entitled im purr matters outrage treatment animals forefront publics attention highprofile cases involving animal deaths like harambe gorilla year cecil lion last year president trumps positions animal welfare sons trophy hunting might go well nearly 80 million us households pets campaign trail clinton noted trump kids killed lot animals center public integrity nonprofit nonpartisan investigative news organization washington dc | 717 |
<p>North Carolina Baptist minister J. Dana Trent got more than she bargained for when she tried to broaden the field on a dating website application by checking boxes for other religions along with Christian and “spiritual but not religious” — a Hindu husband she says has brought her closer to Jesus.</p>
<p>“As Christians, we may think we’ve cornered the market on God,” Trent writes in her new book Saffron Cross: The Unlikely Story of How a Christian Minister Married a Hindu Monk. “We cling to our religious traditions as the only true way to spiritual enlightenment or eternal life.”</p>
<p />
<p>Trent said the first seed for the book was planted in 2008, when she got engaged to Fred Eaker, an American-born Hindu convert who spent five years as a monk at a Gaudiya Vaishnava monastery in California.</p>
<p>As “self-described theology nerds,” she said, the couple sought out a manual for interfaith marriage. Finding volumes on Jewish-Christian and Muslim-Christian marriages but nothing close to the Baptist-Hindu variety, they joked: “Well, we’ll just write the book. How hard can it be?”</p>
<p>The idea became cemented when they honeymooned for two weeks in December 2010 in Vrindavan, India, described in vivid detail in the book’s opening chapter. That’s where sharing their story, and in turn fostering interfaith conversations, took on a new priority.</p>
<p>Returning home, Trent made plans to leave her full-time job in development at Duke University to pursue a career in freelance writing and teaching. She proposed Saffron Cross to Upper Room Books in November 2011. Upper Room accepted it for its Fresh Air Books imprint in April 2012, and she wrote and revised the manuscript in one year.</p>
<p>Trent says in the book that the human tendency is to “place God in a little box with sharp edges and straight lines.”</p>
<p>“Our biggest fear is that when we open ourselves to others’ understanding of God, we will jeopardize our own path,” she writes. “And yet, the opposite is true. The Holy Spirit breaks free from our human-made constraints and moves fluidly among us, crossing our unnecessary lines drawn in the sand.”</p>
<p>Fifty years ago, a mixed-faith marriage might have referred in the Bible belt to a Baptist wedding a Methodist, Presbyterian or even a Catholic. That’s a far cry from today, when young adults are surrounded by friends from many cultures and backgrounds, including those who practice other faiths.</p>
<p>Trent said she and her husband are hearing from a lot of Baptists and other evangelicals who identify with their story.</p>
<p>“On their college campuses, Millennials are surrounded by fellow students of different religions, faith traditions, and cultures — and many of them are choosing to date one another,” she said. “We've found that self-identifying Baptist/evangelical women particularly struggle with this.”</p>
<p>Several have come forward during book-signing events to discuss their non-Christian boyfriends. They often ask what to do with verses like 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says Christians should not be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers, as well as John 14:6, where Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”</p>
<p>“They have difficulty reconciling such verses with the deep faith traditions they see exhibited in their boyfriends,” Trent said. “I always encourage them to read and exegete thoughtfully, considering the cultural and history contexts of the scripture — as well as the early formation of the church's theology.”</p>
<p>Trent said Christians “begin to stumble in interfaith conversation when we proof text.” She finds it more helpful to approach the situation from the viewpoint that “Christianity is absolutely the path for some, but not for everyone.”</p>
<p>“It's difficult for me to deny the validity of the global traditions — given their rich history, scripture and most importantly their results,” she said. “The essential discernment is: does the faith path deepen the individual's experience and relationship with God and their fellow humans? For me, that is the ultimate truth of religion.”</p>
<p>Trent admits she didn’t come to that conclusion overnight. Her own initial reaction to why her husband’s childhood profession of faith in Christ didn’t last was because his pastor didn’t follow up by insisting upon his baptism.</p>
<p>One thing Trent said struck her early on about her husband’s devotional life was Hinduism’s focus on “what can I do for God?” rather than the individualistic evangelical concern of “what can God do for me?”</p>
<p>Trent grew up in Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, N.C., a progressive congregation known as a safe haven for folks who didn’t belong anywhere else. Her spiritual nurture also included a Southern Baptist church that ordained her to the gospel ministry despite the Southern Baptist Convention’s official stance that the role of senior pastor “is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”</p>
<p>She enrolled at Duke Divinity School, finding her place as a Baptist among United Methodists at the Baptist House of Studies led by Baptist theology professor Curtis Freeman.</p>
<p>Trent acknowledged that a lot of Christians are uncomfortable talking about things like sexual orientation and interfaith dialogue.</p>
<p>“At some point, it is my fear that Christianity will lose an entire generation of practitioners,” she said. While young people “are waiting for the church to sort out its views on gender, sexuality and interfaith unions, their reality is that their friends are from many cultures and backgrounds, some are LGBT, and some practice other faiths.”</p>
<p>“They know and love their friends — so it's impossible for them to understand and reconcile why the church doesn't accept them, too.”</p>
<p>Bob Allen ( <a href="" type="internal">bob@baptistnews.com</a>) is managing editor of Associated Baptist Press.</p> | false | 3 | north carolina baptist minister j dana trent got bargained tried broaden field dating website application checking boxes religions along christian spiritual religious hindu husband says brought closer jesus christians may think weve cornered market god trent writes new book saffron cross unlikely story christian minister married hindu monk cling religious traditions true way spiritual enlightenment eternal life trent said first seed book planted 2008 got engaged fred eaker americanborn hindu convert spent five years monk gaudiya vaishnava monastery california selfdescribed theology nerds said couple sought manual interfaith marriage finding volumes jewishchristian muslimchristian marriages nothing close baptisthindu variety joked well well write book hard idea became cemented honeymooned two weeks december 2010 vrindavan india described vivid detail books opening chapter thats sharing story turn fostering interfaith conversations took new priority returning home trent made plans leave fulltime job development duke university pursue career freelance writing teaching proposed saffron cross upper room books november 2011 upper room accepted fresh air books imprint april 2012 wrote revised manuscript one year trent says book human tendency place god little box sharp edges straight lines biggest fear open others understanding god jeopardize path writes yet opposite true holy spirit breaks free humanmade constraints moves fluidly among us crossing unnecessary lines drawn sand fifty years ago mixedfaith marriage might referred bible belt baptist wedding methodist presbyterian even catholic thats far cry today young adults surrounded friends many cultures backgrounds including practice faiths trent said husband hearing lot baptists evangelicals identify story college campuses millennials surrounded fellow students different religions faith traditions cultures many choosing date one another said weve found selfidentifying baptistevangelical women particularly struggle several come forward booksigning events discuss nonchristian boyfriends often ask verses like 2 corinthians 614 says christians unequally yoked unbelievers well john 146 jesus says way truth life one comes father except difficulty reconciling verses deep faith traditions see exhibited boyfriends trent said always encourage read exegete thoughtfully considering cultural history contexts scripture well early formation churchs theology trent said christians begin stumble interfaith conversation proof text finds helpful approach situation viewpoint christianity absolutely path everyone difficult deny validity global traditions given rich history scripture importantly results said essential discernment faith path deepen individuals experience relationship god fellow humans ultimate truth religion trent admits didnt come conclusion overnight initial reaction husbands childhood profession faith christ didnt last pastor didnt follow insisting upon baptism one thing trent said struck early husbands devotional life hinduisms focus god rather individualistic evangelical concern god trent grew binkley baptist church chapel hill nc progressive congregation known safe folks didnt belong anywhere else spiritual nurture also included southern baptist church ordained gospel ministry despite southern baptist conventions official stance role senior pastor limited men qualified scripture enrolled duke divinity school finding place baptist among united methodists baptist house studies led baptist theology professor curtis freeman trent acknowledged lot christians uncomfortable talking things like sexual orientation interfaith dialogue point fear christianity lose entire generation practitioners said young people waiting church sort views gender sexuality interfaith unions reality friends many cultures backgrounds lgbt practice faiths know love friends impossible understand reconcile church doesnt accept bob allen bobbaptistnewscom managing editor associated baptist press | 523 |
<p />
<p>San Pedro Sula (Honduras) City Hall (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)</p>
<p />
<p>Martínez was a “well-known” member of President Juan Orlando Hernández’s ruling National Party when he disappeared on June 1, 2016. Martínez’s relatives identified his body in San Pedro Sula’s morgue two days later.</p>
<p>“We worked a lot together,” Allysson Hernández, a transgender rights activist who lives outside of San Pedro Sula, told the Washington Blade on Friday during a telephone interview. “He gave me the space to work on my projects.”</p>
<p>Martínez’s murder underscores the very real risks that San Pedro Sula’s LGBT activists face in one of the world’s most dangerous cities.</p>
<p>San Pedro Sula in 2015 had 171.2 murders per 100,000 people, which made it the most dangerous city in the world that it is not in a war zone. This figure dropped to 111.03 murders per 100,000 people in 2016.</p>
<p>San Pedro Sula is Honduras’ second-largest city with 719,064 people, according to the <a href="http://www.ine.gob.hn/images/Productos%20ine/censo/Tomo%20municipales%20pdf/05Cortes/63San%20Pedro%20Sula.pdf" type="external">country’s 2013 Census.</a> The city generates more than 60 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.</p>
<p>Honduras — which borders Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua — is among the most violent countries in the world.</p>
<p>The State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security <a href="https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=19281" type="external">notes</a> the Central American nation in 2011 had 86.5 murders per 100,000 people in 2011. The Honduran government indicates this figure dropped to 66.4 murders per 100,000 people in 2014, but advocates have questioned these statistics.</p>
<p>Maras and pandillas (street gangs) and drug traffickers are largely responsible for the violence that is concentrated in Chamelecón and other poor neighborhoods in San Pedro Sula. Cattrachas, an advocacy group based in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, and activists with whom the Blade spoke said members of the country’s military and Policia Militar (Military Police) routinely commit human rights abuses.</p>
<p>LGBT people are the frequent targets.</p>
<p>“Sometimes the worst violations that we have are with the government,” a San Pedro Sula-based activist told the Blade during a Feb. 10 interview.</p>
<p>The activist, who has been the target of two assassination attempts over the last year, asked the Blade not to publish their name.</p>
<p>“Police officers, soldiers are the ones who violate our rights,” said the activist.</p>
<p>The activist said police officers frequently target trans sex workers for extortion and violence. The activist told the Blade that gangs also force them to pay “daily or weekly rent to do their work on the street” and force them to sell drugs.</p>
<p>The activist said those who publicly criticize the gangs and the police and file formal complaints against them receive threats and often go into hiding. Freddy Funez, an LGBT activist who worked closely with Martínez, largely echoed these accounts.</p>
<p>Funez told the Blade on Feb. 10 during an interview at his office in San Pedro Sula that police officers often extort money from LGBT sex workers in order to allow them to work. He said they also extort money from their clients in exchange for not detaining them and telling their families.</p>
<p>“We are much more afraid of the police,” said Funez.</p>
<p>Funez told the Blade that police officers are responsible for “a great number of” murders of LGBT people in San Pedro Sula. He cited a case in which officers cut off a gay man’s penis before they dismembered him.</p>
<p>“The police can carry out more atrocities and violence than the gang members,” said Funez.</p>
<p>The Blade has reached out to the Honduran government for comment.</p>
<p>Funez, Hernández and the activist with whom the Blade spoke all said the lack of employment, education and health care and poverty have made San Pedro Sula’s LGBT community particularly vulnerable to violence and discrimination from the police and gangs. Many feel as though they have no choice but to flee the country.</p>
<p>“They kill them; they assault them,” said the activist. “This, therefore, forces them to migrate. We have a forced migration. They don’t do it because they want to. They are doing it because the situation in which we are living in our country is very difficult.”</p>
<p>Many trans women who migrate to Mexico with the hope of entering the U.S. do so with the assistance of coyotes (smugglers) who frequently force them into prostitution or target them for human trafficking. Gangs that operate along the Mexico-U.S. border also force them into sex work and drug smuggling.</p>
<p>“They are a great danger for them,” said the activist.</p>
<p>Funez told the Blade that eight out of 10 LGBT people in San Pedro Sula still want to migrate to the U.S., in spite of the risks.</p>
<p>“I am in this country; I am LGTB; I don’t have employment opportunities; I don’t have a quality education that I am going to migrate,” he said, speaking hypothetically. “For us and for the community in Honduras in general and for the LGTB community, it has always seen the United States as the best, as the safest country, as the country that respects human rights a lot.”</p>
<p>“For someone in the community to say I am going to go to the United States and not return to this country is common,” added Funez.</p>
<p />
<p>Freddy Funez, a Honduran LGBT rights activist, at his office in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on Feb. 10, 2017. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)</p>
<p />
<p>Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have detained hundreds of undocumented immigrants in raids across the country. The White House on Friday <a href="" type="internal">denied an Associated Press report</a> that said it planned to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to roundup undocumented immigrants in 11 states.</p>
<p>Mara Salvatrucha other street gangs that are responsible for the majority of the violence in San Pedro Sula and across Honduras and in neighboring El Salvador can trace their roots to Los Angeles.</p>
<p>The U.S. in the 1990s began to deport large numbers of foreign-born criminals. Many of them were gang members who ended up in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.</p>
<p>Funez told the Blade that many people “don’t understand” why Trump wants to build the wall. He also noted remittances from the U.S. account for a fifth of Honduras’ gross national product.</p>
<p>“For the majority of LGTB Hondurans who have gone, they are people who have dignified work in the United States,” said Funez. “They are feeling productive in the United States.”</p>
<p>The activist who asked the Blade to remain anonymous said LGBT migrants “are going to face more risk” because of the wall.</p>
<p>In spite of pervasive violence and discrimination, San Pedro Sula’s LGBT activists insist they have seen progress.</p>
<p>Claudia Spellman, a trans woman who directed an HIV/AIDS service organization in San Pedro Sula, and Josué Hernández, an openly gay man from the Cortés Department in which the city is located, ran for the Honduran Congress in 2012.</p>
<p>Spellman resettled in the D.C. area with her now wife after she received death threats. Erick Martínez, a prominent gay activist in Tegucigalpa, <a href="" type="internal">is running for Congress</a> as a candidate from the left-leaning Liberty and Refoundation and Anti-Corruption Parties.</p>
<p>Trans advocacy groups and their supporters organized a march to the Congress on May 17, 2016 — the International Day Against Homophobia an Transphobia — in support of a bill that would allow trans Hondurans to legally change their names on legal documents. The Honduran government a few weeks later condemned the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., that left 49 people dead and more than 50 others injured.</p>
<p>The massacre took place less than two weeks after René Martínez’s murder.</p>
<p>“There has been a very big opening in this country in the political arena,” Funez told the Blade, noting San Pedro Sula is Honduras’ most LGBT tolerant city.</p>
<p>Hernández was equally as optimistic, if not defiant.</p>
<p>“I am going to continue this fight,” Hernández told the Blade.</p>
<p>The activist with whom the Blade spoke on Feb. 10 said emphatically they have no plans to leave San Pedro Sula.</p>
<p>“My work is here,” said the activist. “When I go to another country, my fight ends.”</p>
<p>“I want to keep fighting until it is possible that there is a gender law, until trans women don’t face human rights violations,” they added.</p>
<p>The cathedral in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Allysson Hernández</a> <a href="" type="internal">bisexual</a> <a href="" type="internal">Central America</a> <a href="" type="internal">Comunidad Gay Sampedrana</a> <a href="" type="internal">El Salvador</a> <a href="" type="internal">Freddy Funez</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Guatemala</a> <a href="" type="internal">Honduras</a> <a href="" type="internal">Juan Orlando Hernández</a> <a href="" type="internal">lesbian</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rene Martínez</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a> <a href="" type="internal">Youth Alliance Honduras</a></p> | false | 3 | san pedro sula honduras city hall washington blade photo michael k lavers martínez wellknown member president juan orlando hernándezs ruling national party disappeared june 1 2016 martínezs relatives identified body san pedro sulas morgue two days later worked lot together allysson hernández transgender rights activist lives outside san pedro sula told washington blade friday telephone interview gave space work projects martínezs murder underscores real risks san pedro sulas lgbt activists face one worlds dangerous cities san pedro sula 2015 1712 murders per 100000 people made dangerous city world war zone figure dropped 11103 murders per 100000 people 2016 san pedro sula honduras secondlargest city 719064 people according countrys 2013 census city generates 60 percent countrys gross domestic product honduras borders guatemala el salvador nicaragua among violent countries world state departments bureau diplomatic security notes central american nation 2011 865 murders per 100000 people 2011 honduran government indicates figure dropped 664 murders per 100000 people 2014 advocates questioned statistics maras pandillas street gangs drug traffickers largely responsible violence concentrated chamelecón poor neighborhoods san pedro sula cattrachas advocacy group based honduran capital tegucigalpa activists blade spoke said members countrys military policia militar military police routinely commit human rights abuses lgbt people frequent targets sometimes worst violations government san pedro sulabased activist told blade feb 10 interview activist target two assassination attempts last year asked blade publish name police officers soldiers ones violate rights said activist activist said police officers frequently target trans sex workers extortion violence activist told blade gangs also force pay daily weekly rent work street force sell drugs activist said publicly criticize gangs police file formal complaints receive threats often go hiding freddy funez lgbt activist worked closely martínez largely echoed accounts funez told blade feb 10 interview office san pedro sula police officers often extort money lgbt sex workers order allow work said also extort money clients exchange detaining telling families much afraid police said funez funez told blade police officers responsible great number murders lgbt people san pedro sula cited case officers cut gay mans penis dismembered police carry atrocities violence gang members said funez blade reached honduran government comment funez hernández activist blade spoke said lack employment education health care poverty made san pedro sulas lgbt community particularly vulnerable violence discrimination police gangs many feel though choice flee country kill assault said activist therefore forces migrate forced migration dont want situation living country difficult many trans women migrate mexico hope entering us assistance coyotes smugglers frequently force prostitution target human trafficking gangs operate along mexicous border also force sex work drug smuggling great danger said activist funez told blade eight 10 lgbt people san pedro sula still want migrate us spite risks country lgtb dont employment opportunities dont quality education going migrate said speaking hypothetically us community honduras general lgtb community always seen united states best safest country country respects human rights lot someone community say going go united states return country common added funez freddy funez honduran lgbt rights activist office san pedro sula honduras feb 10 2017 washington blade photo michael k lavers agents us immigration customs enforcement detained hundreds undocumented immigrants raids across country white house friday denied associated press report said planned mobilize many 100000 national guard troops roundup undocumented immigrants 11 states mara salvatrucha street gangs responsible majority violence san pedro sula across honduras neighboring el salvador trace roots los angeles us 1990s began deport large numbers foreignborn criminals many gang members ended honduras el salvador guatemala funez told blade many people dont understand trump wants build wall also noted remittances us account fifth honduras gross national product majority lgtb hondurans gone people dignified work united states said funez feeling productive united states activist asked blade remain anonymous said lgbt migrants going face risk wall spite pervasive violence discrimination san pedro sulas lgbt activists insist seen progress claudia spellman trans woman directed hivaids service organization san pedro sula josué hernández openly gay man cortés department city located ran honduran congress 2012 spellman resettled dc area wife received death threats erick martínez prominent gay activist tegucigalpa running congress candidate leftleaning liberty refoundation anticorruption parties trans advocacy groups supporters organized march congress may 17 2016 international day homophobia transphobia support bill would allow trans hondurans legally change names legal documents honduran government weeks later condemned massacre pulse nightclub orlando fla left 49 people dead 50 others injured massacre took place less two weeks rené martínezs murder big opening country political arena funez told blade noting san pedro sula honduras lgbt tolerant city hernández equally optimistic defiant going continue fight hernández told blade activist blade spoke feb 10 said emphatically plans leave san pedro sula work said activist go another country fight ends want keep fighting possible gender law trans women dont face human rights violations added cathedral san pedro sula honduras washington blade photo michael k lavers allysson hernández bisexual central america comunidad gay sampedrana el salvador freddy funez gay guatemala honduras juan orlando hernández lesbian rene martínez transgender youth alliance honduras | 829 |
<p>As the value of the cryptocurrency bitcoin has shot up in the past several months, so too has its environmental footprint.</p>
<p>One bitcoin, which was worth about $800 a year ago, is <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/price/" type="external">worth</a> more than 20 times that today. Estimates of how much energy is used to maintain the bitcoin network follows a similar trajectory.</p>
<p>In the past few weeks, the energy used by servers running bitcoin software has been compared to Ireland and Denmark’s energy consumption, and has been called a threat to the future of clean energy.</p>
<p>Eric Holthaus <a href="http://(http://grist.org/article/bitcoin-could-cost-us-our-clean-energy-future/" type="external">wrote</a>&#160;for Grist that “by July 2019, the bitcoin network will require more electricity than the entire United States currently uses. By February 2020, it will use as much electricity as the entire world does today.”</p>
<p>Servers running bitcoin software compete against each other to solve complex puzzles that unlock new bitcoins. When a computer solves the puzzle correctly, it is awarded a new batch of bitcoins in a process called “mining.”</p>
<p>“As the price of bitcoin goes up, more computers are set up to mine bitcoin,” said Garrick Hileman, a cryptocurrency expert at the University of Cambridge.</p>
<p>And as the value of the currency goes up, it gets harder and harder —&#160;requiring more computing power — to solve those cryptographic puzzles.</p>
<p>Which means the energy consumption of the network is likely to continue rising. &#160;</p>
<p>The short answer is that no one knows for sure. The currency is de-centralized, and there’s no list of computers that make up the network or how much energy they use. All estimates about how much energy it takes to power servers maintaining the bitcoin network are just that: estimates.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Bitcoin's energy usage over the past month has slimbed steadily upward, according to estimates by Alex de Vries at Digiconomist.net.&#160;</p>
<p>Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index at Digiconomist.net</p>
<p>The most frequently cited figures come from Alex de Vries, who runs the <a href="https://digiconomist.net/bitcoin-energy-consumption)" type="external">Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index</a> on his blog, Digiconomist. De Vries does something of a reverse calculation to guess how much energy the network uses each day: he assumes that bitcoin miners spend 60 percent of their revenues on electricity, then guesses how much they pay per kilowatt-hour to calculate their energy consumption.</p>
<p>Based on Wednesday’s figures, de Vries puts the network’s energy use at 35 terrawatt-hours per year, close to the annual energy consumption of Bulgaria and enough to power more than three million US homes. His figures are the ones that generate headlines comparing bitcoin’s energy consumption to those of medium-sized countries.</p>
<p>But other people have found different figures, and those estimates can change dramatically over just a few months, as bitcoin’s value skyrockets and investors rush to add new computing power to the network.</p>
<p />
<p>In an April report, the Centre for Alternative Finance at the University of Cambridge mapped an estimate of the locations of mid-to-large sized bitcoin mining operations, adding up to 232 MW of power. "However," the authors note, "as a substantal fracton of the cryptocurrency mining capacity is not reported and the location of many mining facilites across the globe are kept secret....&#160;it can be estmated that at least 462MW are consistently being consumed to secure Bitcoin’s blockchain alone."</p>
<p>Clobal Cryptocurrency Benchmarking Study, by Garrick Hileman and Michel Rauchs, April 2017.&#160;</p>
<p>For example, Dutch professor Harald Vranken used figures from January to estimate that the global network drew 100 to 500 megawatts, or between .88 and 4.4 terrawatt-hours per year. But he updated his numbers in early December and increased that by an order of magnitude, to somewhere between 9 and 35 terrawatt-hours per year.</p>
<p>Back in April, bitcoin entrepreneur Marc Bevand used actual efficiency rates of current bitcoin mining software and estimated a range of 470-540 megawatts, or 4.12-4.73 terrawatt-hours per year, in an opinion piece&#160; <a href="https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/op-ed-bitcoin-miners-consume-reasonable-amount-energy-and-its-all-worth-it/" type="external">he wrote</a> for Bitcoin Magazine.</p>
<p>That same month, a group from the University of Cambridge <a href="https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/research/centres/alternative-finance/downloads/2017-global-cryptocurrency-benchmarking-study.pdf" type="external">published</a>a similar estimate. Author Garrick Hileman notes, however, that bitcoin values have shot up roughly 13-fold since that study was published, meaning energy use has risen significantly as well.</p>
<p>The most current and widely cited estimates put bitcoin’s yearly energy use at somewhere between 4 and 35 terrawatt-hours. To put that in perspective, all of Google <a href="https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//green/pdf/achieving-100-renewable-energy-purchasing-goal.pdf" type="external">used</a> about 5.7 terrawatt-hours in 2015.</p>
<p>In his analysis of bitcoin’s sustainability, Harald Vranken estimates the entire banking system, including ATMs and bank branches, use 650 terrawatt-hours of energy per year.</p>
<p>“Compared to these numbers, the energy used for bitcoin mining ... is relatively small,” Vranken wrote.&#160;“Still, the proportion of bitcoin in the current financial system is relatively small, and when bitcoin scales up, so will the effort for bitcoin mining.”</p>
<p>When it comes to cash, no official cradle-to-grave figures exist for energy use in the production of US dollars or coins. But the European Central Bank does have energy consumption figures for the production of Euro banknotes. According to the ECB, it takes .025 kilowatt-hours to produce a banknote.</p>
<p>That means it takes about the same amount of energy to produce a 50 Euro bill as it does to power a 60-watt&#160;lightbulb for roughly half an hour. Producing the same value of bitcoin would require enough energy to power your house for four days.&#160;</p>
<p>That calculation uses de Vries' estimates, near the upper bounds for bitcoin's energy usage, and the most common Euro bill in circulation, the 50 Euro banknote.</p>
<p>Bitcoin’s essential nature as an energy hog has not escaped the currency’s investors.</p>
<p>Bitcoin’s infrastructure depends on users who download the currency’s entire history of transactions. Users then compete against each other to solve complex cryptographic puzzles. This work maintains the online bitcoin ledger and protects it against hacking, and is rewarded with bitcoins. Every 10 minutes or so, a new batch of bitcoins is released to the winning computer. (For a more detailed explanation of how bitcoin mining works, read <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/information/how-bitcoin-mining-works/)" type="external">this</a>.)&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>A transaction made with Bitcoin is seen on the display of a tablet at the Stadthaus town hall in Zug, Switzerland, August 30, 2016.&#160;</p>
<p>Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters</p>
<p>And as the value of the currency goes up, it gets harder and harder to solve those cryptographic puzzles.</p>
<p>When bitcoin first launched, users could competitively mine the currency on a home computer. Now, vast server farms are dedicated to the task. They’re heavily concentrated in China, where energy is cheap but also largely coal-driven.</p>
<p>Digiconomist’s de Vries estimates the carbon footprint of a single bitcoin transaction is 118 kilograms of CO2, about the same as <a href="https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle" type="external">driving a car</a>&#160;300 miles.</p>
<p>Bitcoin investors have looked&#160;for&#160;ways to make the cryptocurrency network more environmentally sustainable for years.</p>
<p>The most eagerly anticipated is the Lightening Network, which is currently under development and would add a layer to the bitcoin system to more easily and quickly process transactions, making it both <a href="https://qz.com/1150475/the-lightning-network-promises-to-make-bitcoin-useful-to-pay-for-things-and-not-to-hoard/" type="external">more practical</a> for paying for everyday purchases and less energy intensive.</p>
<p>Another potential solution would be to change Bitcoin's algorithm&#160;to allow networked computers to secure the currency using much less energy. Running more servers on renewable energy would also clean up bitcoin’s footprint.</p>
<p>But on a de-centralized system built on trust and verification, any major changes to how bitcoin works will take time to implement.</p>
<p>“A lot of smart people are working hard on a new security algorithm that would consume much lower amounts of energy than bitcoin’s current proof-of-work algorithm,” University of Cambridge’s Garrick Hileman said. “We expect to see in the next year or so one of these introduced on a major blockchain. If that doesn’t happen, then bitcoin’s going to continue to consume a lot of energy, especially if the price continues to go up.”</p> | false | 3 | value cryptocurrency bitcoin shot past several months environmental footprint one bitcoin worth 800 year ago worth 20 times today estimates much energy used maintain bitcoin network follows similar trajectory past weeks energy used servers running bitcoin software compared ireland denmarks energy consumption called threat future clean energy eric holthaus wrote160for grist july 2019 bitcoin network require electricity entire united states currently uses february 2020 use much electricity entire world today servers running bitcoin software compete solve complex puzzles unlock new bitcoins computer solves puzzle correctly awarded new batch bitcoins process called mining price bitcoin goes computers set mine bitcoin said garrick hileman cryptocurrency expert university cambridge value currency goes gets harder harder 160requiring computing power solve cryptographic puzzles means energy consumption network likely continue rising 160 short answer one knows sure currency decentralized theres list computers make network much energy use estimates much energy takes power servers maintaining bitcoin network estimates 160 bitcoins energy usage past month slimbed steadily upward according estimates alex de vries digiconomistnet160 bitcoin energy consumption index digiconomistnet frequently cited figures come alex de vries runs bitcoin energy consumption index blog digiconomist de vries something reverse calculation guess much energy network uses day assumes bitcoin miners spend 60 percent revenues electricity guesses much pay per kilowatthour calculate energy consumption based wednesdays figures de vries puts networks energy use 35 terrawatthours per year close annual energy consumption bulgaria enough power three million us homes figures ones generate headlines comparing bitcoins energy consumption mediumsized countries people found different figures estimates change dramatically months bitcoins value skyrockets investors rush add new computing power network april report centre alternative finance university cambridge mapped estimate locations midtolarge sized bitcoin mining operations adding 232 mw power however authors note substantal fracton cryptocurrency mining capacity reported location many mining facilites across globe kept secret160it estmated least 462mw consistently consumed secure bitcoins blockchain alone clobal cryptocurrency benchmarking study garrick hileman michel rauchs april 2017160 example dutch professor harald vranken used figures january estimate global network drew 100 500 megawatts 88 44 terrawatthours per year updated numbers early december increased order magnitude somewhere 9 35 terrawatthours per year back april bitcoin entrepreneur marc bevand used actual efficiency rates current bitcoin mining software estimated range 470540 megawatts 412473 terrawatthours per year opinion piece160 wrote bitcoin magazine month group university cambridge publisheda similar estimate author garrick hileman notes however bitcoin values shot roughly 13fold since study published meaning energy use risen significantly well current widely cited estimates put bitcoins yearly energy use somewhere 4 35 terrawatthours put perspective google used 57 terrawatthours 2015 analysis bitcoins sustainability harald vranken estimates entire banking system including atms bank branches use 650 terrawatthours energy per year compared numbers energy used bitcoin mining relatively small vranken wrote160still proportion bitcoin current financial system relatively small bitcoin scales effort bitcoin mining comes cash official cradletograve figures exist energy use production us dollars coins european central bank energy consumption figures production euro banknotes according ecb takes 025 kilowatthours produce banknote means takes amount energy produce 50 euro bill power 60watt160lightbulb roughly half hour producing value bitcoin would require enough energy power house four days160 calculation uses de vries estimates near upper bounds bitcoins energy usage common euro bill circulation 50 euro banknote bitcoins essential nature energy hog escaped currencys investors bitcoins infrastructure depends users download currencys entire history transactions users compete solve complex cryptographic puzzles work maintains online bitcoin ledger protects hacking rewarded bitcoins every 10 minutes new batch bitcoins released winning computer detailed explanation bitcoin mining works read this160 transaction made bitcoin seen display tablet stadthaus town hall zug switzerland august 30 2016160 arnd wiegmannreuters value currency goes gets harder harder solve cryptographic puzzles bitcoin first launched users could competitively mine currency home computer vast server farms dedicated task theyre heavily concentrated china energy cheap also largely coaldriven digiconomists de vries estimates carbon footprint single bitcoin transaction 118 kilograms co2 driving car160300 miles bitcoin investors looked160for160ways make cryptocurrency network environmentally sustainable years eagerly anticipated lightening network currently development would add layer bitcoin system easily quickly process transactions making practical paying everyday purchases less energy intensive another potential solution would change bitcoins algorithm160to allow networked computers secure currency using much less energy running servers renewable energy would also clean bitcoins footprint decentralized system built trust verification major changes bitcoin works take time implement lot smart people working hard new security algorithm would consume much lower amounts energy bitcoins current proofofwork algorithm university cambridges garrick hileman said expect see next year one introduced major blockchain doesnt happen bitcoins going continue consume lot energy especially price continues go | 760 |
<p>ON THE MOVE Fred Hardin Jr., to Fuller Memorial Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va., as pastor. Paul Batson, to Nobles Chapel Baptist Church, Sims, N.C., as pastor. Brian Harfst, resigning as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Unionville, Va. David Anthony, to Westville Baptist Church, Mathews, Va., as pastor. David Grinnell, to Macedonia Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C., as pastor. Alan Thompson, to First Baptist Church, Wallace, N.C., as pastor. Bill Thigpen, resigning as pastor of Middleburg (Va.) Baptist Church, after having served there for the past 19 years. John Chandler, to Spring Hill Baptist Church, Ruckersville, Va., as interim pastor. Mike Queen, to First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C., as interim pastor. Keith Walsworth, to Thomas Village Baptist Church, Duffield, Va., as interim pastor. Bobby Cumbey, to Courtland (Va.) Baptist Church, as assistant pastor. Charles Weedman, to Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., as minister of music. Paula McCosh, to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Fayetteville, N.C., as children and youth&#160; pastor. Tim Pierce, to Patterson Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., as organist. Rebecca Hall, to Ridge Road Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C., as minister to children and&#160; missions. Diane Ford, resigning as organist at First Baptist Church, Radford, Va., after 33 years of service in its music ministry. Dave Scott, resigning as interim minister of education and youth at First Baptist Church, Statesville, N.C., to accept a position in Texas. Trent Argo, joining the staff of Bluefield (Va.) College as vice president for enrollment management. He had held a similar position at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla., and is former director of admissions of Campbellsville (Ky.) University. Janell Joseph, to First Baptist Church, Martinsburg, W. Va., as director of children’s and family ministries.</p>
<p>DEATH Retired Baptist minister John Francis Robinson died Dec. 27 at the age of 92. During his 61 years in the ministry, he served as pastor of churches in Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. Since retiring from Pittsboro (N.C.) Baptist Church in 1985, he had served as interim pastor of 19 churches. He was an active member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville, N.C.&#160; He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Timmons Robinson. He is survived by his wife, Annie M. Chason Spears Robinson; a son, John Timmons Robinson; two stepsons, Philip and Gregory Spears; and four grandchildren. A memorial service was held at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church on Dec. 30.</p>
<p>James Woods Jr. of Hampton, Va., will receive the Abner V. McCall Religious Liberty Award from the Baylor Alumni Association Jan. 27. Woods, a member of Hampton Baptist Church, was founding director of the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and former executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington. Tracy Hartman, professor of homiletics and practical theology at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, has released her new book, Letting the Other Speak: Proclaiming the Stories of Biblical Women. It is available for pre-order at <a href="http://www.lexingtonbooks.com/" type="external">www.lexingtonbooks.com</a>. A 30 percent discount is available until Feb. 22 by entering promo code 8EAAR11.</p>
<p>RETIREMENTS George L. Hearn has retired as choir director at Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, Bassett, Va. David C. “Mike” Kelly has retired as pastor of Westville Baptist Church, Mathews, Va.</p>
<p>ORDINATIONS Allen Jackson was ordained to the ministry by Blackberry Baptist Church, Bassett, Va., on Nov. 13. Ruth R. Muhlbauer was ordained to the ministry by Calvary Hill Baptist Church, Fairfax, Va., on Oct. 16.</p>
<p>5 YEARS Nathan Taylor, celebrating 5 years as associate pastor of music and mission at Central Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>15 YEARS Brady Willis, celebrating 15 years as pastor of New Prospect Baptist Church, Hurt, Va. Tim Young, celebrating 15 years as at Hollins Road Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va. He served as minister of youth for 11 years and is currently minister of education and family life.</p>
<p>20 YEARS Phillip Brown, celebrating 20 years as associate pastor for music and worship at Huguenot Road Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>50 YEARS Carol Baltimore was recently recognized by Fine Creek Baptist Church, Powhatan, Va., for 50 years of playing the organ and piano at the church. Ed Stansfield celebrated 50 years of ministry on Dec. 27. He retired as pastor of Chester (Va.) Baptist Church four years ago and currently serves as interim pastor of Derbyshire Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>THURS., JAN 26 The Baptist Women in Ministry of North Carolina will host a gathering at Wake Forest (N.C.) University Divinity School at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>SAT., JAN 28 Azalea Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va., will host the New Journey Trio from Suffolk, Va., in concert at 7 p.m. A love offering will be received.</p>
<p>SUN., JAN 29 Bethel Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va., will host The Down East Boys from North Carolina in concert at 5 p.m. Catawba Valley Baptist Church, Catawba, Va., will host gospel music singers Jeff and Sheri Easter in concert at 6 p.m. New Bethesda Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Va., will host Amy Ladd &amp; Friends in concert at 6 p.m. Special guests will be The Coachmen.</p>
<p>THURS.-SAT., FEB. 2-4 &amp; THURS.-SAT., FEB. 9-11 Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Va., Seminary Shoestring Players’ will present a production of the rollicking, foot-stomping, hand-clapping classic musical, Cotton Patch Gospel at 7:30 p.m. at the BTSR Chapel (Virginia Hall). Tickets are $12 and available at the campus bookstore or by calling 804.353.6815. Stephen Brachlow will direct the production with Tom Baynham directing the music.</p>
<p>Conferences &amp; Retreats</p>
<p>SUN.-WED., FEB. 5-8 Ministers from Virginia, Maryland and the D. C. area are invited to a Narrative Leadership Retreat to be held at the Henley Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Hosted by Amy Butler, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., and Rob Fox, coordinator of CBF of Virginia, the retreat will be led by Steve Graham, director of Ministerial Excellence with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Atlanta, Ga., and Keith Herron, pastor of Holmeswood Baptist Church, Kansas City, Mo. Tuition is $100 and includes a copy of the book, Know Your Story and Lead With It: the Power of Narrative in Clergy Leadership. Register at www. thefellowship.info/narrative.</p>
<p>FRI-SAT., FEB. 17-18 The Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry will hold a conference for college women considering a call to ministry. The Ready to Listen 2012 Conference will begin at Richmond Hill, 2209 E. Grace Street, Richmond, Friday at 6:30 p.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Visit www. baptistwomeninministry. org for registration information.</p>
<p>MON.-TUES., FEB. 27-28 A tradition since 1946, Virginia Baptist ministers come together to discuss relative topics regarding the church today. The topic of this year’s Virginia Baptist Ministers’ Discussion Group is “Old Faith vs. New Learning,” based on the book W. H. Whitsitt: The Man and the Controversy. Facilitator will be Jim Slatton, author of the book. It will be held at the Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond. For more information check the group’s website:&#160; <a href="http://www.vabaptistdiss.org/" type="external">www.vabaptistdiss.org</a>. Scholarships are available.</p>
<p>WED.-FRI., MARCH 28-30 The Baptist Ministry Assistants of Virginia will hold its 25th anniversary conference and banquet at the Quality Inn &amp; Suites in Virginia Beach, Va. Theme will be “Then &amp; Now” For registration information contact Zilphia Harris at <a href="mailto:zilphiaharris@verizon.net" type="external">zilphiaharris@verizon.net</a> or Joan Newsome at <a href="mailto:jnblackcreek@aol.com" type="external">jnblackcreek@aol.com</a>.</p>
<p>February is the Martha Stearns Marshall Month of Preaching. Baptist Women in Ministry invite all Baptist churches to make plans for a woman to preach on any Sunday in February. The number of participating churches has steadily increased since 2007, when 54 churches participated, to last year when 185 churches celebrated God’s gifting women. Participating Mid-Atlantic churches will be listed in the Herald for those who send us the name of the guest preacher and the date. Send this information to Barbara Francis at <a href="mailto:bfrancis@religiousherald.org" type="external">bfrancis@religiousherald.org</a>.</p>
<p>The Kingdom Builders Team of Lynchburg (Va.) Baptist Association recently was involved in an Extreme Makeover at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Lynchburg. The team installed insulation and new vinyl siding. Along with new windows and a paved parking lot, Claude Gunn, new pastor at Zion Hill, says the facility has indeed been transformed.</p>
<p>For the past two years Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy has been a collection point for the Cell Phones for Soldiers project. De-activated cell phones are recycled and each garners funds to purchase a one-hour prepaid phone card for a United States service member stationed overseas. So far Fork Union Military Academy families and friends have donated over 300 phones allowing 300 soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen to keep in closer contact with their families.</p>
<p>The youth of Courtland (Va.) Baptist Church sponsored its first soup kitchen on Nov. 16. Preparation began on Tuesday night with the cutting of vegetables and cooking the stock for two different soups. The youth did most of the food preparation, feeding and clean-up. Soup was served in its fellowship hall and also available for take-out. The remaining soup was delivered to shut-ins. About 400 persons in the community were touched through the efforts of the Courtland Baptist youth group.</p>
<p />
<p>The 350 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia mission boxes packed by 28 churches and organizations for the Lott Carey Mission School in Monrovia, Liberia, arrived just before Christmas. Students enthusiastically received the boxes filled with school supplies that will enable them to have the tools necessary for a good education. “The story of the mission box is a story of prayer and partnership between individuals, churches and the students of Lott Carey Mission School,” says Rob Fox, field coordinator for CBFVA. “We simply found a source of God-given passion and opened a doorway.”</p>
<p>GOT NEWS? Send information for this page to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at <a href="mailto:bfrancis@religiousherald.org" type="external">bfrancis@religiousherald.org</a>. Even better — add the Herald to your church’s newsletter email list, send us a link to your online newsletter or mail your newsletter to 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294.</p> | false | 3 | move fred hardin jr fuller memorial baptist church martinsville va pastor paul batson nobles chapel baptist church sims nc pastor brian harfst resigning pastor antioch baptist church unionville va david anthony westville baptist church mathews va pastor david grinnell macedonia baptist church raleigh nc pastor alan thompson first baptist church wallace nc pastor bill thigpen resigning pastor middleburg va baptist church served past 19 years john chandler spring hill baptist church ruckersville va interim pastor mike queen first baptist church greensboro nc interim pastor keith walsworth thomas village baptist church duffield va interim pastor bobby cumbey courtland va baptist church assistant pastor charles weedman woodland heights baptist church richmond va minister music paula mccosh mt pisgah baptist church fayetteville nc children youth160 pastor tim pierce patterson avenue baptist church richmond va organist rebecca hall ridge road baptist church raleigh nc minister children and160 missions diane ford resigning organist first baptist church radford va 33 years service music ministry dave scott resigning interim minister education youth first baptist church statesville nc accept position texas trent argo joining staff bluefield va college vice president enrollment management held similar position oklahoma baptist university shawnee okla former director admissions campbellsville ky university janell joseph first baptist church martinsburg w va director childrens family ministries death retired baptist minister john francis robinson died dec 27 age 92 61 years ministry served pastor churches georgia kentucky virginia north carolina since retiring pittsboro nc baptist church 1985 served interim pastor 19 churches active member snyder memorial baptist church fayetteville nc160 preceded death first wife dorothy timmons robinson survived wife annie chason spears robinson son john timmons robinson two stepsons philip gregory spears four grandchildren memorial service held snyder memorial baptist church dec 30 james woods jr hampton va receive abner v mccall religious liberty award baylor alumni association jan 27 woods member hampton baptist church founding director j dawson institute churchstate studies baylor university waco texas former executive director baptist joint committee religious liberty washington tracy hartman professor homiletics practical theology baptist theological seminary richmond released new book letting speak proclaiming stories biblical women available preorder wwwlexingtonbookscom 30 percent discount available feb 22 entering promo code 8eaar11 retirements george l hearn retired choir director pocahontas bassett baptist church bassett va david c mike kelly retired pastor westville baptist church mathews va ordinations allen jackson ordained ministry blackberry baptist church bassett va nov 13 ruth r muhlbauer ordained ministry calvary hill baptist church fairfax va oct 16 5 years nathan taylor celebrating 5 years associate pastor music mission central baptist church richmond va 15 years brady willis celebrating 15 years pastor new prospect baptist church hurt va tim young celebrating 15 years hollins road baptist church roanoke va served minister youth 11 years currently minister education family life 20 years phillip brown celebrating 20 years associate pastor music worship huguenot road baptist church richmond va 50 years carol baltimore recently recognized fine creek baptist church powhatan va 50 years playing organ piano church ed stansfield celebrated 50 years ministry dec 27 retired pastor chester va baptist church four years ago currently serves interim pastor derbyshire baptist church richmond va thurs jan 26 baptist women ministry north carolina host gathering wake forest nc university divinity school 11 sat jan 28 azalea baptist church norfolk va host new journey trio suffolk va concert 7 pm love offering received sun jan 29 bethel baptist church midlothian va host east boys north carolina concert 5 pm catawba valley baptist church catawba va host gospel music singers jeff sheri easter concert 6 pm new bethesda baptist church mechanicsville va host amy ladd amp friends concert 6 pm special guests coachmen thurssat feb 24 amp thurssat feb 911 baptist theological seminary richmond va seminary shoestring players present production rollicking footstomping handclapping classic musical cotton patch gospel 730 pm btsr chapel virginia hall tickets 12 available campus bookstore calling 8043536815 stephen brachlow direct production tom baynham directing music conferences amp retreats sunwed feb 58 ministers virginia maryland c area invited narrative leadership retreat held henley park hotel washington dc hosted amy butler pastor calvary baptist church washington dc rob fox coordinator cbf virginia retreat led steve graham director ministerial excellence cooperative baptist fellowship atlanta ga keith herron pastor holmeswood baptist church kansas city mo tuition 100 includes copy book know story lead power narrative clergy leadership register www thefellowshipinfonarrative frisat feb 1718 virginia baptist women ministry hold conference college women considering call ministry ready listen 2012 conference begin richmond hill 2209 e grace street richmond friday 630 pm end 1230 pm saturday visit www baptistwomeninministry org registration information montues feb 2728 tradition since 1946 virginia baptist ministers come together discuss relative topics regarding church today topic years virginia baptist ministers discussion group old faith vs new learning based book w h whitsitt man controversy facilitator jim slatton author book held roslyn retreat center richmond information check groups website160 wwwvabaptistdissorg scholarships available wedfri march 2830 baptist ministry assistants virginia hold 25th anniversary conference banquet quality inn amp suites virginia beach va theme amp registration information contact zilphia harris zilphiaharrisverizonnet joan newsome jnblackcreekaolcom february martha stearns marshall month preaching baptist women ministry invite baptist churches make plans woman preach sunday february number participating churches steadily increased since 2007 54 churches participated last year 185 churches celebrated gods gifting women participating midatlantic churches listed herald send us name guest preacher date send information barbara francis bfrancisreligiousheraldorg kingdom builders team lynchburg va baptist association recently involved extreme makeover zion hill baptist church lynchburg team installed insulation new vinyl siding along new windows paved parking lot claude gunn new pastor zion hill says facility indeed transformed past two years fork union va military academy collection point cell phones soldiers project deactivated cell phones recycled garners funds purchase onehour prepaid phone card united states service member stationed overseas far fork union military academy families friends donated 300 phones allowing 300 soldiers sailors marines airmen keep closer contact families youth courtland va baptist church sponsored first soup kitchen nov 16 preparation began tuesday night cutting vegetables cooking stock two different soups youth food preparation feeding cleanup soup served fellowship hall also available takeout remaining soup delivered shutins 400 persons community touched efforts courtland baptist youth group 350 cooperative baptist fellowship virginia mission boxes packed 28 churches organizations lott carey mission school monrovia liberia arrived christmas students enthusiastically received boxes filled school supplies enable tools necessary good education story mission box story prayer partnership individuals churches students lott carey mission school says rob fox field coordinator cbfva simply found source godgiven passion opened doorway got news send information page heraldbeat editor barbara francis bfrancisreligiousheraldorg even better add herald churchs newsletter email list send us link online newsletter mail newsletter 2828 emerywood parkway richmond va 23294 | 1,122 |
<p>Will Iran regain its military might after the removal of&#160;international&#160;sanctions?&#160;</p>
<p>This question has become a point of international debate since the Iran nuclear deal was initiated several years ago.</p>
<p>To answer the question, perhaps one of the basic&#160;steps is to look at the history of Iran's arms imports and factors surrounding them.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="" type="internal">arms transfers database</a> of the independent international think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which compiled all transfers of major conventional weapons in the world since 1950, the US was the largest arms exporter to Iran from the 1950s to 1970s.</p>
<p>The supply of arms from the US started to climb in 1953 after Iran's democratically elected prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23762970" type="external">overthrown in a coup</a> engineered by the British and American intelligence services. The Iranian shah, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi,&#160;returned from exile to rule and become a close ally of the US.</p>
<p>According to a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations staff report in 1976, Iran was the largest single purchaser of US military equipment then. Military sales had increased more than sevenfold from $524 million in 1972 to $3.91 billion in 1974.&#160;</p>
<p>SIPRI data shows that the amount rose and peaked in 1977.</p>
<p>(Note: The import values shown&#160;in the chart are not actual transaction price. They are measured using a common unit formulated by the SIPRI called <a href="" type="internal">trend-indicator value</a> expressed in US dollars at constant 1990 prices to allow comparison and identification of general trends.)</p>
<p>The staff report stated that in 1972 President Richard Nixon and his&#160;then-national security adviser, Henry Kissinger, agreed for the first time to “sell Iran virtually any conventional weapons it wanted.” With&#160;its oil revenue, Iran&#160;acquired some of the most sophisticated US military equipment and received training and technical assistance from American personnel.</p>
<p>The report explained the rationale behind the sales.</p>
<p>“Iran is and will remain an extremely important country to the US and its allies because of its geographical location and oil. Iran, on the other hand, places great importance on its relationship with the US, in large part because of the Iranian belief that the US may come to Iran's defense if it is threatened.”</p>
<p>With that level of support from the US, Iran emerged as a dominant military power in the Middle East, paving the way for nuclear weapon development.</p>
<p>The US-Iran alliance collapsed in 1979 when the shah's authoritarian rule led to riots, protests and eventually the Iranian Revolution. The shah was again forced into exile. An Islamic fundamentalist force, led by anti-American cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, took power and turned Iran into an Islamic republic.</p>
<p>US arms export to Iran was ceased abruptly&#160;and earlier orders canceled after Islamic militants took 52 Americans hostage inside the US embassy in Tehran in November 1979.</p>
<p>China and the Soviet Union soon replaced the US becoming major supplier of arms to Iran from 1980s until now.</p>
<p>If you click the zoom-in button on the chart above to focus on the period from&#160;1980 to 2015, you'll notice the US still sold a small amount of weapons to Iran between 1984 to 1986. According to SIPRI database, those are arms were sold covertly and illegally by the US with the help of Israel despite an arms embargo against the Iran.</p>
<p>The US attempted to secure the release of hostages in Lebanon through the clandestine arms deals. The proceeds from the sales were used to fund guerrillas fighting against the left-wing government in Nicaragua in an effort to stop the spread of socialism in Latin America. The scandal would later known as the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/269619.stm" type="external">Iran-Contra affair</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>Following US sanctions&#160;in 1979 which were&#160;further tightened in the 1990s, Iran moved closer to Russia and China. Arms sales from Russia increased significantly in the 1990s.&#160;</p>
<p>The sanctions pushed Iran to build its own military industry. The republic produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, fighter jets and <a href="http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/iran-submarine-capabilities/" type="external">submarines</a>. It also exported military equipment to countries like Syrian and Sudan, according to SIPRI data.</p>
<p>The first chart shows the&#160;arms sales by Russia were&#160;greatly reduced when the United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions against Iran in 2007 over its failure to halt uranium enrichment, a crucial step in developing nuclear weapon.</p>
<p>China's arms sales to Iran however were&#160;not effected.</p>
<p>Due to their close financial ties with Iran, both China and Russia only supported the sanctions after parts of them were <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6205295.stm" type="external">watered down</a>. Russia was then building a nuclear power station in Bushehr, Iran, which would be completed in 2011.</p>
<p>The sanctions banned the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials and called on members states to “exercise vigilance and restraint” in the transfer of arms to Iran. A ban on major conventional weapons transfers was only imposed in 2010 when the UN <a href="http://www.un.org/press/en/2010/sc9948.doc.htm" type="external">tightened the sanctions</a>.</p>
<p>From 2008 to 2015, China and Russia still&#160;maintained a smaller volume or arms trade with Iran, as indicated in the first chart.</p>
<p>The Iran nuclear deal has&#160;opened up a window for China and Russia to revive their arms relationship with Iran.</p>
<p>In April 2015, Russia <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-lifts-its-ban-on-sales-of-s-300-missiles-to-iran-1428935224" type="external">lifted its self-imposed ban</a> on the delivery of a powerful missile air-defense system to Iran when the Iran nuclear deal negotiation — of which Russia was a part — was yet to be completed.</p>
<p>The $800 million deal, signed in 2007, was suspended by Russia in 2010 due to the UN sanctions. Russia <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36013847" type="external">started the delivery</a> of the missiles in April 2016, only three months after the implementation of the nuclear deal.</p> | false | 3 | iran regain military might removal of160international160sanctions160 question become point international debate since iran nuclear deal initiated several years ago answer question perhaps one basic160steps look history irans arms imports factors surrounding according arms transfers database independent international think tank stockholm international peace research institute sipri compiled transfers major conventional weapons world since 1950 us largest arms exporter iran 1950s 1970s supply arms us started climb 1953 irans democratically elected prime minister mohammad mosaddegh overthrown coup engineered british american intelligence services iranian shah mohammad reza shah pahlavi160returned exile rule become close ally us according senate committee foreign relations staff report 1976 iran largest single purchaser us military equipment military sales increased sevenfold 524 million 1972 391 billion 1974160 sipri data shows amount rose peaked 1977 note import values shown160in chart actual transaction price measured using common unit formulated sipri called trendindicator value expressed us dollars constant 1990 prices allow comparison identification general trends staff report stated 1972 president richard nixon his160thennational security adviser henry kissinger agreed first time sell iran virtually conventional weapons wanted with160its oil revenue iran160acquired sophisticated us military equipment received training technical assistance american personnel report explained rationale behind sales iran remain extremely important country us allies geographical location oil iran hand places great importance relationship us large part iranian belief us may come irans defense threatened level support us iran emerged dominant military power middle east paving way nuclear weapon development usiran alliance collapsed 1979 shahs authoritarian rule led riots protests eventually iranian revolution shah forced exile islamic fundamentalist force led antiamerican cleric ayatollah ruhollah khomeini took power turned iran islamic republic us arms export iran ceased abruptly160and earlier orders canceled islamic militants took 52 americans hostage inside us embassy tehran november 1979 china soviet union soon replaced us becoming major supplier arms iran 1980s click zoomin button chart focus period from1601980 2015 youll notice us still sold small amount weapons iran 1984 1986 according sipri database arms sold covertly illegally us help israel despite arms embargo iran us attempted secure release hostages lebanon clandestine arms deals proceeds sales used fund guerrillas fighting leftwing government nicaragua effort stop spread socialism latin america scandal would later known irancontra affair160 following us sanctions160in 1979 were160further tightened 1990s iran moved closer russia china arms sales russia increased significantly 1990s160 sanctions pushed iran build military industry republic produced tanks armored personnel carriers missiles fighter jets submarines also exported military equipment countries like syrian sudan according sipri data first chart shows the160arms sales russia were160greatly reduced united nations security council imposed sanctions iran 2007 failure halt uranium enrichment crucial step developing nuclear weapon chinas arms sales iran however were160not effected due close financial ties iran china russia supported sanctions parts watered russia building nuclear power station bushehr iran would completed 2011 sanctions banned supply nuclearrelated technology materials called members states exercise vigilance restraint transfer arms iran ban major conventional weapons transfers imposed 2010 un tightened sanctions 2008 2015 china russia still160maintained smaller volume arms trade iran indicated first chart iran nuclear deal has160opened window china russia revive arms relationship iran april 2015 russia lifted selfimposed ban delivery powerful missile airdefense system iran iran nuclear deal negotiation russia part yet completed 800 million deal signed 2007 suspended russia 2010 due un sanctions russia started delivery missiles april 2016 three months implementation nuclear deal | 550 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />April 1, 2013</p>
<p>By Steven Greenhut</p>
<p>SACRAMENTO — Few nonlocal people typically pay much attention to the goings-on in Stockton, a hard-pressed Gold Rush-era industrial city of about 300,000 that sits in the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley, at the eastern edge of the California Delta. But bondholders, taxpayers and government officials throughout the country will be listening to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Klein’s ruling, expected Monday, as he decides whether the city may remain in bankruptcy and pursue a plan that stiffs the buyers and insurers of its bonds.</p>
<p>If Klein sides with the city, municipalities then will face a disturbingly low bar for pursuing bankruptcy. They will be emboldened to choose Stockton’s course — i.e., using bankruptcy as a strategic policy tool to offload debts without having to confront the main reasons they went bankrupt in the first place, such as unaffordable pensions for their employees. Bankruptcy no longer will be an option of last resort. This should have an impact on bond markets.</p>
<p>If the city wins the case, contested this past week at the Sacramento federal courthouse, then the position of the public-sector unions and the California Public Employees Retirement System will prevail: No matter what problems befall a city, public services and taxpayers will suffer first while union members and public retirement systems are protected.</p>
<p>Granted, no one should feel too sorry for the lenders (and their insurers) who put money in Stockton’s pension-obligation bonds. They knew the risks that come with lending money to a city — especially one controlled by its employee unions. But their argument is strongest: A city shouldn’t use bankruptcy as a means to get rid of uncomfortable debts.</p>
<p>It should use this tool only when it has slashed its costs but still can’t get out from under the debt load.</p>
<p>A Stockton management consultant called at the trial stated that the city would have a $100 million budget deficit in a decade if it does not receive Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. He was supporting the notion that the city had no choice but to file bankruptcy. But how hard has the city tried to deal with its debts?</p>
<p>As the attorney for a bond insurer noted in his closing comments, the city intended, from the outset of this process, to shortchange the bondholders. It has refused to address its biggest debt — the payments that it owes CalPERS for its pension obligations. Stockton has only modestly pulled back employee compensation from rates far above the median for public-sector workers in California to somewhere near the average.</p>
<p>Essentially, the city plan has placed pension debt off the negotiating table, arguing that pension payments and benefits legally cannot be touched. A bankruptcy would be the forum to challenge that assumption, but Stockton officials have expressed no interest in doing so, figuring it’s easier to stiff Wall Street than the unions. If Stockton gets its way, then cities can spend anything on pensions, and there would be no way to ever get out from under that obligation.</p>
<p>Some of the most telling testimony came when bond insurer Assured Guaranty’s attorney, Guy Neal, questioned Councilwoman Kathy Miller about a July 2012 video produced to explain the fiscal dilemma to Stockton residents. Here are some of her statements from the video:</p>
<p>“In the 1990s, Stockton granted its employees some of the most generous and unsustainable labor contracts in the state of California. …</p>
<p>“Safety employees could now retire at the age of 50 …. . Many safety retirees today earn 90 percent to 100 percent of what they made when they were still on the job.”</p>
<p>Such retirement payouts are common among California governments. But Miller noted:</p>
<p>“Stockton went even further than most other cities and granted things like unlimited vacation and sick time that could be cashed out when an employee retired, and added pay categories for almost everything imaginable. … Our public safety employees were costing us on average more than $150,000 a year each.</p>
<p>“That’s three times more than most of us in Stockton make in a year.”</p>
<p>On the video, Miller also described the “Lamborghini” health plan the city’s employees received:</p>
<p>“This was free medical care for a retiree and a dependent for the rest of their lives. No co-pays, no generic requirements, no HMOs, and no premiums. See any doctor, stay in any hospital, purchase any drug, and just send the bill to the city of Stockton.”</p>
<p>Extravagant pay and benefits are common, and not just in Stockton. The San Francisco Chronicle revealed recently that Alameda County’s top executive receives a $423,000 yearly pay package, and will for life. Total compensation for California firefighters is in the $175,000 range. Some Newport Beach lifeguards receive $200,000 pay packages.</p>
<p>As a friend of mine caustically observed, revolutions have been fought over lesser instances of public pilfering.</p>
<p>During its fiscal tribulation, Stockton pulled back on some abuses, but has left the main problem in place. Why is it OK that Stockton residents have to put up with closed parks, reduced policing and other cutbacks to protect these kinds of pensions, benefits and salaries?</p>
<p>Stockton leaders are floating a tax increase plan to fund police officers. But money is fungible so this should be viewed as a tax designed to pay for past boondoggles. Whatever the judge decides in Stockton’s case, it’s time for the public to stand up to these distorted priorities.</p>
<p>Steven Greenhut is vice president of journalism at the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. Write to him at steven.greenhut@franklincenterhq.org.</p> | false | 3 | april 1 2013 steven greenhut sacramento nonlocal people typically pay much attention goingson stockton hardpressed gold rushera industrial city 300000 sits agriculturally rich san joaquin valley eastern edge california delta bondholders taxpayers government officials throughout country listening us bankruptcy judge christopher kleins ruling expected monday decides whether city may remain bankruptcy pursue plan stiffs buyers insurers bonds klein sides city municipalities face disturbingly low bar pursuing bankruptcy emboldened choose stocktons course ie using bankruptcy strategic policy tool offload debts without confront main reasons went bankrupt first place unaffordable pensions employees bankruptcy longer option last resort impact bond markets city wins case contested past week sacramento federal courthouse position publicsector unions california public employees retirement system prevail matter problems befall city public services taxpayers suffer first union members public retirement systems protected granted one feel sorry lenders insurers put money stocktons pensionobligation bonds knew risks come lending money city especially one controlled employee unions argument strongest city shouldnt use bankruptcy means get rid uncomfortable debts use tool slashed costs still cant get debt load stockton management consultant called trial stated city would 100 million budget deficit decade receive chapter 9 bankruptcy protection supporting notion city choice file bankruptcy hard city tried deal debts attorney bond insurer noted closing comments city intended outset process shortchange bondholders refused address biggest debt payments owes calpers pension obligations stockton modestly pulled back employee compensation rates far median publicsector workers california somewhere near average essentially city plan placed pension debt negotiating table arguing pension payments benefits legally touched bankruptcy would forum challenge assumption stockton officials expressed interest figuring easier stiff wall street unions stockton gets way cities spend anything pensions would way ever get obligation telling testimony came bond insurer assured guarantys attorney guy neal questioned councilwoman kathy miller july 2012 video produced explain fiscal dilemma stockton residents statements video 1990s stockton granted employees generous unsustainable labor contracts state california safety employees could retire age 50 many safety retirees today earn 90 percent 100 percent made still job retirement payouts common among california governments miller noted stockton went even cities granted things like unlimited vacation sick time could cashed employee retired added pay categories almost everything imaginable public safety employees costing us average 150000 year thats three times us stockton make year video miller also described lamborghini health plan citys employees received free medical care retiree dependent rest lives copays generic requirements hmos premiums see doctor stay hospital purchase drug send bill city stockton extravagant pay benefits common stockton san francisco chronicle revealed recently alameda countys top executive receives 423000 yearly pay package life total compensation california firefighters 175000 range newport beach lifeguards receive 200000 pay packages friend mine caustically observed revolutions fought lesser instances public pilfering fiscal tribulation stockton pulled back abuses left main problem place ok stockton residents put closed parks reduced policing cutbacks protect kinds pensions benefits salaries stockton leaders floating tax increase plan fund police officers money fungible viewed tax designed pay past boondoggles whatever judge decides stocktons case time public stand distorted priorities steven greenhut vice president journalism franklin center government public integrity write stevengreenhutfranklincenterhqorg | 514 |
<p>Luna Acharya Mulder had a very unusual childhood. She came to the US from Bhutan in 1987, when she was 5. Her father, Tilchand Acharya, had taken a job at the United Nations, in New York. When they returned to Bhutan for a visit a couple of years later, their country was in turmoil.</p>
<p>"I didn't fully understand it from a child's point of view," she tells me in an interview at her home outside Boston. "Stories about how they had destroyed homes and put schools on fire and a lot of people were being imprisoned."</p>
<p>Bhutan had&#160;begun a violent campaign against its ethnic Nepali population. Over&#160;the next few years, the government drove more than 100,000 of its own citizens out of the country, including Mulder's entire extended family. She remembers being far away in New York and her parents explaining that her grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins were no longer in Bhutan, but in refugee camps in Nepal. Which meant she and her immediate family were effectively living in exile.&#160;</p>
<p>"We had a framed picture of the former King of Bhutan in our living room," she says. "I distinctly remember my Mom and Dad taking it down and burning it in the kitchen."</p>
<p>The next time they went "home," they didn't go to Bhutan; they went to the&#160;refugee camps in eastern Nepal. They found their family members living in terrible conditions.</p>
<p>"It was very dirty, very hot, no electricity, no running water, very crowded," Mulder says. "It was just chaos, because nobody knew what was going to happen, where they were going to end up, if they were going to go back to Bhutan. And Nepal, which is an impoverished nation itself, was not at all welcoming to the Bhutanese refugees, so they continued to feel discriminated against."</p>
<p>It was the first of many visits to the Timai and Beldanghi camps. Mulder and her sisters spent their childhoods&#160;growing up American in New York, but visiting their Bhutanese cousins every summer in Nepal. The cousins were fascinated by America.</p>
<p>"They would ask questions about America," she says. "What was America like? They just couldn't imagine what our lives were like in New York. They had never even seen television for example, or eaten a slice of pizza, or eaten a piece of candy. They&#160;only had one article of clothing per year."</p>
<p>Mulder says she and her sisters took little backpacks for the summer with a few skirts and T-shirts each. Her cousins couldn't fathom how they could wear all those clothes. "Why do you need so much for one person?" they would ask.</p>
<p />
<p>Luna Acharya Mulder, center, with family members in Nepal.</p>
<p>Courtesy of Luna Acharya Mulder</p>
<p>At the end of each summer,&#160;when Mulder and her&#160;family returned to New York, their two-bedroom apartment felt like a mansion. She laughs at the memory.&#160;</p>
<p>"To be able to turn a switch and the light would come on, so we didn't have to sit in the dark,&#160;or to be able to go to the bathroom and flush a toilet and that was it! We didn't have to go outside and go to the bathroom in very unsanitary conditions. Everything felt very simple and easy. As&#160;a child growing up like that, you grew up feeling very lucky, and just appreciating everything you have."</p>
<p>Mulder remembers how the camps evolved as the years went by. Schools and shops sprang up. Her aunt ran one that sold pastries. But even as people strived for normalcy, there was always a sense of uncertainty about the future.</p>
<p>"I remember my aunt saying, 'I don't know what's going to happen to us. Is this it? This is how we're going to live for the rest of our lives? Our kids have been born and raised here now and you know are we going back to Bhutan or are we going somewhere else or are we just going to be like this forever?'"</p>
<p>Looking back, Mulder knows&#160;she was given&#160;a unique window on something she might not otherwise understand. Moving between the two worlds cultivated a deep empathy, and led to a fascination with culture, people, and behavior. She ended up studying psychology and pursuing a Ph.D.</p>
<p>Español: <a href="https://es.globalvoices.org/2015/12/30/nadie-conoce-sus-historias-una-psicologa-butanesa-estadounidense-les-da-una-voz-a-los-refugiados-de-su-pais/" type="external">“Nadie conoce sus historias”: Una psicóloga butanesa-estadounidense les da voz a los refugiados de su país</a></p>
<p />
<p>"I just found the field of psychology fascinating," she says. "Imagine somebody being able to actually help a child that is struggling within a family, or a family that was struggling to communicate with each other, or if there were mental health issues going on because of conflict, or things that have happened in the past. For somebody to actually be able to come in and do something about it, so the family didn't have to suffer in silence; it was just something I always felt drawn to and gravitated towards."</p>
<p>For her dissertation, she interviewed women torture survivors in the camps in Nepal, trying to understand how the trauma they had suffered had affected them.</p>
<p>Then, in 2006, her life began to come full circle, as the United States agreed to resettle 60,000 of the Bhutanese refugees living in&#160;Nepal. They began arriving in 2008, some of them in&#160;Massachusetts. Mulder, who now works as a psychologist in Boston, began consulting on cases involving their mental health.&#160;</p>
<p>"Generally speaking in Bhutanese culture, there is no mental health," she explains. "There are no words even, in the language, that describe words like depression, or PTSD,&#160;or anxiety. It's very unsual to even talk about problems or struggles with someone outside the family. It's unheard of."</p>
<p>Mulder was uniquely positioned to help, with her intimate knowledge of the language, the culture and the population.&#160;</p>
<p>"I feel like I have a lot of different ways of seeing things, and understanding things. I can put myself in many different shoes, and put lots of different hats on, depending on the situation, and kind of see what the issues might be."</p>
<p>She has been able to&#160;help American clinicians size up what is&#160;happening within a Bhutanese family. She can explain that Bhutanese tend to be polite and may assent&#160;to things they don't actually understand. She can help translate how their collective culture works in contrast to America's intensely individualistic one.&#160;</p>
<p>She knows elders are&#160;incredibly respected back home, and can feel&#160;lost arriving in a new place, dependent on their children for translation. She can&#160;see how teenagers are&#160;caught between their new American identities and their heritage. And she can&#160;help try to avert misunderstandings over practices like corporal punishment, common back home, but a red flag here in the US.</p>
<p>"You know a parent might hit a kid at home for not listening or doing what they're told," she says. "They're setting limits, so they spank or they hit,&#160;and the child will go to school, and maybe the teacher will see something, and the kid will say, 'Oh, my mom hit me,' not even thinking anything of it, and then social services comes to the house and takes the children away and the parents have no idea what's going on. They&#160;barely speak any English. This is very common, and so sad and heartbreaking."</p>
<p>Situations like these can be avoided, Mulder says, with better education and orientation for newcomers arriving in America.&#160;In recent years, she's seen her own Bhutanese relatives leave the camps in Nepal and resettle all over the US. She's been amazed at how successful they've become, in a very short time.</p>
<p>"The majority of them have jobs; they're finishing up school; some have homes and cars; they've learned to drive; they work 80 or 90 hours a week. They're just very happy, hardworking, optimistic people. Having said that, there are people who struggle. It's such a culture shock. They've been refugees they're whole lives. They've been discriminated against their whole lives."</p>
<p>In her view, one of the best and simplest things Americans can do to welcome new arrivals is simply get to know their stories.&#160;</p>
<p>"Bhutanese refugees in particular," she says. "They've never had a voice. Nobody&#160;knows their story."</p>
<p>Luna Acharya Mulder knows their story though. She's been listening her whole life.</p> | false | 3 | luna acharya mulder unusual childhood came us bhutan 1987 5 father tilchand acharya taken job united nations new york returned bhutan visit couple years later country turmoil didnt fully understand childs point view tells interview home outside boston stories destroyed homes put schools fire lot people imprisoned bhutan had160begun violent campaign ethnic nepali population over160the next years government drove 100000 citizens country including mulders entire extended family remembers far away new york parents explaining grandparents aunts uncles cousins longer bhutan refugee camps nepal meant immediate family effectively living exile160 framed picture former king bhutan living room says distinctly remember mom dad taking burning kitchen next time went home didnt go bhutan went the160refugee camps eastern nepal found family members living terrible conditions dirty hot electricity running water crowded mulder says chaos nobody knew going happen going end going go back bhutan nepal impoverished nation welcoming bhutanese refugees continued feel discriminated first many visits timai beldanghi camps mulder sisters spent childhoods160growing american new york visiting bhutanese cousins every summer nepal cousins fascinated america would ask questions america says america like couldnt imagine lives like new york never even seen television example eaten slice pizza eaten piece candy they160only one article clothing per year mulder says sisters took little backpacks summer skirts tshirts cousins couldnt fathom could wear clothes need much one person would ask luna acharya mulder center family members nepal courtesy luna acharya mulder end summer160when mulder her160family returned new york twobedroom apartment felt like mansion laughs memory160 able turn switch light would come didnt sit dark160or able go bathroom flush toilet didnt go outside go bathroom unsanitary conditions everything felt simple easy as160a child growing like grew feeling lucky appreciating everything mulder remembers camps evolved years went schools shops sprang aunt ran one sold pastries even people strived normalcy always sense uncertainty future remember aunt saying dont know whats going happen us going live rest lives kids born raised know going back bhutan going somewhere else going like forever looking back mulder knows160she given160a unique window something might otherwise understand moving two worlds cultivated deep empathy led fascination culture people behavior ended studying psychology pursuing phd español nadie conoce sus historias una psicóloga butanesaestadounidense les da voz los refugiados de su país found field psychology fascinating says imagine somebody able actually help child struggling within family family struggling communicate mental health issues going conflict things happened past somebody actually able come something family didnt suffer silence something always felt drawn gravitated towards dissertation interviewed women torture survivors camps nepal trying understand trauma suffered affected 2006 life began come full circle united states agreed resettle 60000 bhutanese refugees living in160nepal began arriving 2008 in160massachusetts mulder works psychologist boston began consulting cases involving mental health160 generally speaking bhutanese culture mental health explains words even language describe words like depression ptsd160or anxiety unsual even talk problems struggles someone outside family unheard mulder uniquely positioned help intimate knowledge language culture population160 feel like lot different ways seeing things understanding things put many different shoes put lots different hats depending situation kind see issues might able to160help american clinicians size is160happening within bhutanese family explain bhutanese tend polite may assent160to things dont actually understand help translate collective culture works contrast americas intensely individualistic one160 knows elders are160incredibly respected back home feel160lost arriving new place dependent children translation can160see teenagers are160caught new american identities heritage can160help try avert misunderstandings practices like corporal punishment common back home red flag us know parent might hit kid home listening theyre told says theyre setting limits spank hit160and child go school maybe teacher see something kid say oh mom hit even thinking anything social services comes house takes children away parents idea whats going they160barely speak english common sad heartbreaking situations like avoided mulder says better education orientation newcomers arriving america160in recent years shes seen bhutanese relatives leave camps nepal resettle us shes amazed successful theyve become short time majority jobs theyre finishing school homes cars theyve learned drive work 80 90 hours week theyre happy hardworking optimistic people said people struggle culture shock theyve refugees theyre whole lives theyve discriminated whole lives view one best simplest things americans welcome new arrivals simply get know stories160 bhutanese refugees particular says theyve never voice nobody160knows story luna acharya mulder knows story though shes listening whole life | 716 |
<p>If computer devices are aspects of our material world that people pray over and for and through, what does that say about the boundaries between the sacred and the profane?</p>
<p>A soft glow has long filled reading rooms during devotional time. Instead of a lamp or candle illuminating manuscripts of yore, however, today often finds the manuscripts illuminating themselves.</p>
<p>The numbers of people reading on screens —&#160;on computers, tablets, e-readers, phones —&#160;is rising. A 2015 survey conducted for the American Bible Society shows that the number of print readers is still high at 93 percent, but “half of all Bible readers say they used the Internet on a computer to read Bible content …, 40 percent searched their smartphone or cell phone to find Bible content or Bible verses, and 35 percent downloaded or used a Bible app on their smartphone.“</p>
<p>Back in 2013, on the 5th anniversary of the App Store coming into existence, the Bible App by YouVersion reached more than 100 million downloads, according to a release.</p>
<p>While new tools may bring new conveniences and resources to a text, the overall beneficial impact of reading on screens is uncertain. Scholars have noted that regardless of the change, fears that paper will disappear from religious reflection are unfounded, and that in many cases paper is still the most effective or preferred source for discernment while reading.</p>
<p>Even so, for many laity and clergy, having the word of God conveniently present, searchable and bolstered with resources is a boon.</p>
<p>Paper or pixels?</p>
<p>The verdict is still out on whether screens will eventually supplant physical pages. Both sides have their adherents, and not just in the past decade.</p>
<p>A 1992 examination of empirical findings on screen versus paper reading, which found the studies to be inconclusive for any broad judgment, noted how each camp had its proponents.</p>
<p>“A book is a book is a book —&#160;a reassuring, feel-the-weight, take-your-own-time kind of thing,” one author is cited as saying.</p>
<p>Another scholar, Ted Nelson, states: “The question is not can we do everything on screens, but when will we, how will we and how can we make it great? This is an article of faith —&#160;its simple obviousness defies argument.”</p>
<p>Yet even among a new generation, the most digital yet, paper has its pros.</p>
<p>An article titled, “E-Textbooks Usage by Students at Andrews University: a Study of Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors” states “Only 4 percent of the population studied opted to use an e-textbook. The print version is still greatly preferred by college students.”</p>
<p>Another abstract found: “Previous research has demonstrated that the experience of reading e-books is not equivalent to reading textbooks. This study examines factors influencing preference for e-books as well as reported use of e-book content. Although the present student cohort is the most technologically savvy to ever enter universities, students do not prefer e-books over textbooks regardless of their gender, computer use or comfort with computers.”</p>
<p>A 2005 article published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior states that participants in a study did better on paper than “video display terminals.”</p>
<p>“The results show that performance in the VDT presentation condition [were] inferior to that of the paper presentation condition for both consumption and production of information.”</p>
<p>Such studies led to the headline in Wired’s “Why the Smart Reading Device of the Future May Be … Paper.”</p>
<p>Digital reading still has its conveniences, what with hyperlinks, low physical footprint and quickly finding words and phrases. However, even Wired cites scholarly articles that find no real difference in how a text is read on paper, computer or e-readers, and that they may in fact help people with dyslexia.</p>
<p>Some say “it’s horrible … but then other people say, [the difference] is not very meaningful at all,” said Kim Garza, assistant professor of graphic design at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.</p>
<p>She also noted that students at her university preferred paper on some occasions and that the printers were in constant use with students retrieving online resources.</p>
<p>She suggested that might be because the digital formats of certain PDFs aren’t conducive to taking notes or resizing text. They are “not presented in a way that is truly interactive.”</p>
<p>There are distractions to be found in on-screen notifications, like email alerts, and even the ballyhooed resources linked within texts can distract students as they are lured down trails of research and move away from the original literature.</p>
<p>Spiritual flow in new mediums</p>
<p>Assuming that more and more people, especially up-and-coming generations, migrate to mobile or virtual pages, we may be able to see patterns in past paradigm shifts in reading.</p>
<p>Emily Stewart, a doctoral candidate at the University of Pittsburgh, laid out a possible course in her master’s thesis.</p>
<p>“The pattern operates with a three-part assumption: readers will initially use a new technology to perform the same functions as the old technology, only more quickly, with more efficiency, or in greater quantity. … The second part is that the old technology becomes sacralized or ritualized in the face of the new technology’s standardization. As this standardization occurs, the new technology develops its own unique and innovative functions, exclusive to that form and shedding some or most of the imitative appearance and functions of the old technology — representing the third part of the pattern.”</p>
<p>She notes how moving from the scroll to the pages of books had a similar transition, and points out the religious significance of scrolls in Jewish faith. (A source in the paper also notes how digital scrolling is almost a throwback to the scrolling of old).</p>
<p>Catherine Bell is cited in the paper as writing “the significance of a religious book lies not only in the message of its content, but also in the form and self-presentation with which it makes itself available to worship and transmission.”</p>
<p>There are problems that Orthodox Jews may face in allowing electricity on the Sabbath in conjunction with digital reading, but there is also a dilemma for holding a special place for the sacredness of Scripture.</p>
<p>“If computing machines are deemed sacred — as aspects of our material world that people pray over and for and through — what does this imply for the boundaries between the sacred and the profane?” Brenda Brasher, an online religious researcher is quoted as saying. “This is an especially perplexing dilemma, if we take into account that the computing machine (on which a child prays for God to bestow a blessing) is technically immediate kin to computing systems that monitor nuclear warheads, manage stock exchanges, and run water processing plants.”</p>
<p>Stewart wonders whether a new religion might rise because of the new means of production and dissemination.</p>
<p>“One of the potential uses of these new media is to provide a greater opportunity for the spread of minority or new religions,” she writes. “Looking at Martin Luther’s reformation as an example, it is feasible that technology is often employed by a new religion during a transition. Luther published a myriad of pamphlets in the vernacular language, thereby engendering his anti-hierarchical movement.”</p>
<p>Many Christian denominations embrace most new technologies while keeping to their message, nonetheless.</p>
<p>Even Pope Francis has not only a Twitter account; he has “The Pope App —&#160;The Official Pope Francis App,” as it is titled, which is run by the Vatican.</p>
<p>Such apps and resources not only help the faithful, but also advance the Christian message to new arenas and populations. The YouVersion Bible app, for example, is set on a mission to bring the Scriptures to the broadest audience possible.</p>
<p>“This is not a story about an app as much as one about a global mission to share the Bible — from publishers and Bible societies offering 500+ versions of the Bible for free in 300+ languages to the assistance of hundreds of committed volunteers that enable our 20+ staff members to provide world-class customer service for an app at no charge,” Pastor Bobby Gruenewald of LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma and originator of the app, said in a release.</p>
<p>According to the release, a survey of users showed that “Over 77 percent of respondents read the Bible more frequently because they have it on their mobile device that accompanies them virtually everywhere,” and “While the app was most used at home (81 percent) and church (60 percent), it was also used ‘on the go’ (55 percent). Nearly a third used the Bible App at work.”</p>
<p>About 31 million users shared passages using Twitter, Facebook, email and text messaging.</p>
<p>The most shared verses? Isaiah 53:5, Hebrews 4:15 and Matthew 7:7.</p>
<p>Garza noted that the digitization of sacred texts extends to rare manuscripts that would otherwise only be available at certain institutions with a variety of limits.</p>
<p>“It brings access in ways we didn’t have access before,” she said.</p>
<p>Screen reading in practice</p>
<p>“We have a huge digital congregation, faces lit up,” said Russ Tyman, director of ministry for Church Without Walls in Houston. The massive church has six services, and only at one of the three campuses does about half of the congregation use printed Bibles, he said.</p>
<p>Tyman praised the way that certain apps allow for extensive note taking, highlighting Scripture, adding a note and then making the note appear or disappear.</p>
<p>The apps do have the potential for distraction, both for the minister as well as the congregation.</p>
<p>“They look very disengaged because they’re looking at their phones,” Tyman said.</p>
<p>Ministers may not know if members of their flock are following along with the Scripture or refreshing their Instagram feed, and that can dishearten the clergy.</p>
<p>“You hope they’re not just texting,” said Norman Burnes, senior associate pastor of Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>Tyman also said that the congregation can get distracted even when they’re trying to be on-point with the message, as in double checking a fact or the attribution of a quote. He said he’ll sometimes remind the congregants to look up the reference later, although it does force him to make sure he is accurate.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the technology in the pews also encourages discussion and engagement on social media.</p>
<p>“It really stimulates discussion,” Tyman said.</p>
<p>Outside the church building, Tyman said he prefers to study with his laptop, with all his commentaries and resources at hand, even though his seminary professor prefers paper.</p>
<p>“For me it’s just a lot easier,” Tyman said. “It’s just a personal preference.”</p>
<p>Burnes said on his own he likes to underline and leave notes in the margin, but out in public it’s easier to carry a phone. And flipping around is harder for sermon prep, he said.</p>
<p>“When reading a book, as you’re reading, you got a feel for where you left off,” said Allen Cumbia, interim director of communications at First Baptist Church of Richmond.</p>
<p>“Sometimes it’s easier to find something thumbing.”</p>
<p>Varied conveniences</p>
<p>Even so, the conveniences are varied.</p>
<p>“More and more people are using their devices. They’re just handier, easier to carry, easier to find stuff. … It’s convenient, you have multiple translations you can go to quickly. It’s less bulky,” Cumbia said.</p>
<p>Jill Crainshaw, professor of worship and liturgical theology at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, said having myriad resources readily available digitally has been a boon for her as well, and the elderly may even prefer an e-reader to a large Bible just because of the ease of handling the book. The prevalence of projecting liturgy on screens is also helpful in this regard, Crainshaw said.</p>
<p>However, we may be a ways off from having an e-reader sitting on the communion table.</p>
<p>“The Bible itself is a powerful symbol,” she said.</p>
<p>Many people have connections to the physical Bible that they might’ve received during a special occasion like a graduation or a baptism, Crainshaw noted.</p>
<p>“We’re in a hybrid time.”</p>
<p>Connie Lambert, administrative assistant of a small, country church in Sandston, Va., said services average about 65 people on Sunday mornings. She said she uses her phone for Scripture reading, but not everyone does.</p>
<p>“There are people here who aren’t even on the Internet, no email addresses,” Lambert said. “Probably don’t have cellphones. It’s not a widespread thing that is used throughout the congregation. I’m no spring chicken, but I just figured that since I had the dadgum phone, it was easier to carry around than have a book with me.”</p> | false | 3 | computer devices aspects material world people pray say boundaries sacred profane soft glow long filled reading rooms devotional time instead lamp candle illuminating manuscripts yore however today often finds manuscripts illuminating numbers people reading screens 160on computers tablets ereaders phones 160is rising 2015 survey conducted american bible society shows number print readers still high 93 percent half bible readers say used internet computer read bible content 40 percent searched smartphone cell phone find bible content bible verses 35 percent downloaded used bible app smartphone back 2013 5th anniversary app store coming existence bible app youversion reached 100 million downloads according release new tools may bring new conveniences resources text overall beneficial impact reading screens uncertain scholars noted regardless change fears paper disappear religious reflection unfounded many cases paper still effective preferred source discernment reading even many laity clergy word god conveniently present searchable bolstered resources boon paper pixels verdict still whether screens eventually supplant physical pages sides adherents past decade 1992 examination empirical findings screen versus paper reading found studies inconclusive broad judgment noted camp proponents book book book 160a reassuring feeltheweight takeyourowntime kind thing one author cited saying another scholar ted nelson states question everything screens make great article faith 160its simple obviousness defies argument yet even among new generation digital yet paper pros article titled etextbooks usage students andrews university study attitudes perceptions behaviors states 4 percent population studied opted use etextbook print version still greatly preferred college students another abstract found previous research demonstrated experience reading ebooks equivalent reading textbooks study examines factors influencing preference ebooks well reported use ebook content although present student cohort technologically savvy ever enter universities students prefer ebooks textbooks regardless gender computer use comfort computers 2005 article published journal computers human behavior states participants study better paper video display terminals results show performance vdt presentation condition inferior paper presentation condition consumption production information studies led headline wireds smart reading device future may paper digital reading still conveniences hyperlinks low physical footprint quickly finding words phrases however even wired cites scholarly articles find real difference text read paper computer ereaders may fact help people dyslexia say horrible people say difference meaningful said kim garza assistant professor graphic design st edwards university austin texas also noted students university preferred paper occasions printers constant use students retrieving online resources suggested might digital formats certain pdfs arent conducive taking notes resizing text presented way truly interactive distractions found onscreen notifications like email alerts even ballyhooed resources linked within texts distract students lured trails research move away original literature spiritual flow new mediums assuming people especially upandcoming generations migrate mobile virtual pages may able see patterns past paradigm shifts reading emily stewart doctoral candidate university pittsburgh laid possible course masters thesis pattern operates threepart assumption readers initially use new technology perform functions old technology quickly efficiency greater quantity second part old technology becomes sacralized ritualized face new technologys standardization standardization occurs new technology develops unique innovative functions exclusive form shedding imitative appearance functions old technology representing third part pattern notes moving scroll pages books similar transition points religious significance scrolls jewish faith source paper also notes digital scrolling almost throwback scrolling old catherine bell cited paper writing significance religious book lies message content also form selfpresentation makes available worship transmission problems orthodox jews may face allowing electricity sabbath conjunction digital reading also dilemma holding special place sacredness scripture computing machines deemed sacred aspects material world people pray imply boundaries sacred profane brenda brasher online religious researcher quoted saying especially perplexing dilemma take account computing machine child prays god bestow blessing technically immediate kin computing systems monitor nuclear warheads manage stock exchanges run water processing plants stewart wonders whether new religion might rise new means production dissemination one potential uses new media provide greater opportunity spread minority new religions writes looking martin luthers reformation example feasible technology often employed new religion transition luther published myriad pamphlets vernacular language thereby engendering antihierarchical movement many christian denominations embrace new technologies keeping message nonetheless even pope francis twitter account pope app 160the official pope francis app titled run vatican apps resources help faithful also advance christian message new arenas populations youversion bible app example set mission bring scriptures broadest audience possible story app much one global mission share bible publishers bible societies offering 500 versions bible free 300 languages assistance hundreds committed volunteers enable 20 staff members provide worldclass customer service app charge pastor bobby gruenewald lifechurchtv oklahoma originator app said release according release survey users showed 77 percent respondents read bible frequently mobile device accompanies virtually everywhere app used home 81 percent church 60 percent also used go 55 percent nearly third used bible app work 31 million users shared passages using twitter facebook email text messaging shared verses isaiah 535 hebrews 415 matthew 77 garza noted digitization sacred texts extends rare manuscripts would otherwise available certain institutions variety limits brings access ways didnt access said screen reading practice huge digital congregation faces lit said russ tyman director ministry church without walls houston massive church six services one three campuses half congregation use printed bibles said tyman praised way certain apps allow extensive note taking highlighting scripture adding note making note appear disappear apps potential distraction minister well congregation look disengaged theyre looking phones tyman said ministers may know members flock following along scripture refreshing instagram feed dishearten clergy hope theyre texting said norman burnes senior associate pastor bon air baptist church richmond va tyman also said congregation get distracted even theyre trying onpoint message double checking fact attribution quote said hell sometimes remind congregants look reference later although force make sure accurate hand technology pews also encourages discussion engagement social media really stimulates discussion tyman said outside church building tyman said prefers study laptop commentaries resources hand even though seminary professor prefers paper lot easier tyman said personal preference burnes said likes underline leave notes margin public easier carry phone flipping around harder sermon prep said reading book youre reading got feel left said allen cumbia interim director communications first baptist church richmond sometimes easier find something thumbing varied conveniences even conveniences varied people using devices theyre handier easier carry easier find stuff convenient multiple translations go quickly less bulky cumbia said jill crainshaw professor worship liturgical theology wake forest university school divinity said myriad resources readily available digitally boon well elderly may even prefer ereader large bible ease handling book prevalence projecting liturgy screens also helpful regard crainshaw said however may ways ereader sitting communion table bible powerful symbol said many people connections physical bible mightve received special occasion like graduation baptism crainshaw noted hybrid time connie lambert administrative assistant small country church sandston va said services average 65 people sunday mornings said uses phone scripture reading everyone people arent even internet email addresses lambert said probably dont cellphones widespread thing used throughout congregation im spring chicken figured since dadgum phone easier carry around book | 1,147 |
<p>BOSTON — Hi, America. We need to talk.</p>
<p>While you’ve been obsessing over <a href="http://gawker.com/everyone-looks-miserable-at-the-kardashian-west-wedding-1589834461" type="external">who was</a> <a href="http://gawker.com/everyone-looks-miserable-at-the-kardashian-west-wedding-1589834461" type="external">&#160;unhappy</a> at Kim Kardashian’s Florentine wedding or where <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/pitbulls-mom-capris-stole-the-show-at-the-world-cup" type="external">Pitbull got his mom-capris in Brazil</a> (I know, right?), some serious things have gone down in the real world.</p>
<p>We’re talking wreck-the-global-economy, rewrite-history kinds of things.</p>
<p>Since many of you aren’t, perhaps, paying close attention to these troubling events here’s a handy guide to five major political crises happening across our happy planet.</p>
<p>You might want to bone up on a few of these.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The Middle East as you've known it no longer exists.</p>
<p>An <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/140612/iraq-isil-mosul-united-states-syria-al-baghdadi" type="external">Islamic militant group</a> called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) this week raced across large parts of Iraq, taking Mosul and other Iraqi cities as its fighters marched, menacingly, toward Baghdad.</p>
<p>The group, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/140612/list-ISIL-atrocities-beheadings-abductions-mass-executions-iraq-syria" type="external">which is so brutal</a> that even Al Qaeda has disowned it, aims to establish a new Islamic caliphate in the region, much like what existed in the seventh and eighth centuries. Forward-looking, it is not.</p>
<p>This week’s lightning assault shocked analysts as well as the Iraqi government of Nouri al-Malaki, which has appealed to the United States for military assistance. “I don’t rule anything out,” President Barack Obama said, adding that Iraq has to solve its own problems.</p>
<p>But this crisis is a lot bigger than <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/140611/how-us-helped-turn-iraq-into-al-qaeda-haven-53-steps-isis-isil-syria-bush-obama" type="external">the tortured history of US-Iraq relations</a>.</p>
<p>That’s because the wars in Iraq and Syria have merged into a single, bloody conflagration that has roots in Islam’s biggest split (Sunni v. Shia), while embroiling three of the Middle East’s most ancient ethnic and religious empires (Shiite Iran, Arab-Sunni Saudi Arabia, and Turkic-Sunni Muslim Turkey).</p>
<p>These combustible conflicts have existed in the region for centuries, of course.</p>
<p>But for decades they were checked by a variety of political factors — national boundaries imposed after World War I, the realpolitik of Cold War alliances, oil politics, the iron grip of brutal dictators.</p>
<p>No more.</p>
<p>The US war in Iraq ended the regime of Saddam Hussein, largely splitting this key Arab country into three large, and often competing, populations — Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds.</p>
<p>The Arab Spring then unleashed a wave of regional protest and political change, most notably in Egypt, the Middle East’s largest country and economy.</p>
<p>Syria’s civil war further destabilized the neighborhood, creating a bloody and chaotic backdrop for these historic conflicts to play out, and eventually, spill across national borders.</p>
<p>“This entire system is disintegrating like a house of cards that starts to collapse,” Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said at <a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/islamist-militants-aim-to-redraw-map-of-the-middle-east-1402620168?mod=WSJ_hp_RightTopStories" type="external">a security conference in Israel this week</a>.</p>
<p>No one can truly say how this violence will play out in the coming days and weeks, or whether the whole “house of cards” will indeed collapse.</p>
<p>But it’s reasonable to assume that this week's shocking developments are likely to be bad news for peace and prosperity not only in the Middle East, but around the world.</p>
<p>Oil prices&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-unraveler/what-the-iraq-mess-means-oil" type="external">surged to 2014 highs</a>&#160;on Friday, as ISIL made gains in Iraq's oil-rich north. That may be just the start.</p>
<p>Political instability is one of the things that investors, business executives and others involved in the global economy fear most. And that’s doubly true for instability that’s rooted in violent religious conflict involving a global population of 1.6 billion people, and one that stretches back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad in the year 632.</p>
<p>That pretty much describes the Middle East today.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Of course, the Middle East doesn’t have a monopoly on conflict. It looks increasingly like the two most important economies in Asia could be headed in that very ugly direction.</p>
<p>This week <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/11/us-japan-defense-protest-idUSKBN0EM0RJ20140611" type="external">Japan formally protested</a> after Chinese SU-27 fighter jets flew “abnormally close” to Japanese military aircraft in the East China Sea.</p>
<p>The root of this Asian political crisis is economic in nature. Both China and Japan claim a chain of strategically placed islands in the East China Sea — the Diaouyu to the Chinese, the Senkaku to Japan.</p>
<p>The dispute is made worse by historic events and political slights, particularly Chinese complaints that Japan hasn’t properly atoned for its actions during World War II.</p>
<p>But it’s not just talk, or even mere national pride, at stake here. Japan has scrambled fighter jets against Chinese aircraft 415 times over the past year, while both country’s navies commonly patrol the same disputed area.</p>
<p>How long before one of these incidents turns into a deadly accident, and eventually, a real shooting war?</p>
<p>It’s been known to happen.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>As any student of 20th-century Europe can tell you, the place doesn’t always shine during periods of economic peril.</p>
<p>Dark impulses have often followed desperate economic times on the continent, with horrific results: Nationalism. Demonization of immigrants. Persecution of Jews and other ethnic and religious groups.</p>
<p>To be fair, no one is predicting the return of Hitler or Mussolini. But some of those troubling impulses have returned and Europe’s political scene is changing. Fast.</p>
<p>The euro crisis has sparked a new wave of political radicalism, seen most recently in last month's European Parliament elections where more than a quarter of seats went to non-mainstream parties.</p>
<p>As GlobalPost senior correspondent <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140526/europe-takes-walk-the-wild-side" type="external">Paul Ames</a>writes, this new group includes “Nazi-inspired bullyboys, far-left firebrands, anti-immigration and anti-EU nationalists, old-style Communist diehards, and a Polish monarchist who wants to deny women the vote.”</p>
<p>This is not a happy development for immigrants, gays, women and many other people across the world’s largest economic bloc.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Ukraine’s Euromaidan revolt and the subsequent Russian annexation of Crimea topped global headlines this spring. Today, the country has a new president (chocolate baron Petro Poroshenko), and the global news cycle has since returned to “normal.”</p>
<p>But don’t let that relative mainstream media quiet fool you: the Ukraine story rages on, particularly in the country’s east and particularly in other European countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Moldova, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, to name a few) that worry about Vladimir Putin’s real political objectives.</p>
<p>Low-level, but still deadly, conflict continues in parts of eastern Ukraine, and Friday the country’s army claims to have destroyed two tanks and other vehicles it said had <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/14/world/europe/ukraine-claims-full-control-of-port-city-of-mariupol.html?_r=0" type="external">crossed the border from Russia</a>.</p>
<p>Does Putin want to reconstitute the Soviet Union? Can he even do that? What could the West do about that anyway? What will the crisis do to Ukraine’s — and Europe’s — key natural gas supply routes and the economies that Russia now helps fuel?</p>
<p>These questions, and plenty more, remain unanswered.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Sure, it’s an American tradition to bash the bums in Washington, DC.</p>
<p>But when a polarized political system leads to historic mistrust of government, your country has a big problem. Especially when your country has big problems to solve.</p>
<p>In the late 1960s, more than 70 percent of Americans trusted the federal government to "do what is right always or most of the time,"&#160; <a href="http://www.people-press.org/2013/10/18/trust-in-government-nears-record-low-but-most-federal-agencies-are-viewed-favorably/10-18-13_1b/" type="external">according to Pew Research</a>. Today that number stands below 20 percent.</p>
<p>This matters because government, for better or worse, is our society’s way to address many of the challenges that face this country, including all of the political crises on this list.</p>
<p>So while political infighting and partisan pique may be good for cable TV ratings, it’s not a positive development for the promotion of our national interests.</p>
<p>This goes beyond the obvious politicization of important (and complicated) issues, and the corresponding vitriol you hear every day on Fox News or MSNBC: “Benghazi!” “Bowe Bergdahl is a traitor! His father has a jihadi beard!” “Ben Bernanke is destroying America!” “The GOP is the KKK!”</p>
<p>The whole system of government in the US is built on trust — trust that leaders will lead, followers will follow, laws will be enacted and fairly enforced, government regulations will work to make a safer, happier and healthier country without harming economic opportunity.</p>
<p>And that also goes for the governments and investors around the world who lend the US money — trusting that, yes, we have a political system and economy that can pay them back with interest.</p>
<p>So it matters. As do the rest of the crises in this story.&#160;</p>
<p>To be sure, this depressing list of is hardly exhaustive. We could have easily added the ongoing fight over Iran’s nuclear program, North Korea's economic and political upheavals, Venezuela’s inequality-fueled protests, Egypt's ongoing revolution, religous violence and extremism across the Sahel, the spread of Boko Haram’s atrocities across Nigeria, Africa's largest economy. And, oh yeah, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/calamity-calling" type="external">climate change that threatens all life on earth</a>.</p>
<p>But we’ll spare you those unpleasant things for now.</p>
<p>Have a nice day.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/bio/thomas-mucha" type="external">Thomas Mucha</a> is GlobalPost's Editor.</p> | false | 3 | boston hi america need talk youve obsessing 160unhappy kim kardashians florentine wedding pitbull got momcapris brazil know right serious things gone real world talking wrecktheglobaleconomy rewritehistory kinds things since many arent perhaps paying close attention troubling events heres handy guide five major political crises happening across happy planet might want bone 160 middle east youve known longer exists islamic militant group called islamic state iraq levant isil week raced across large parts iraq taking mosul iraqi cities fighters marched menacingly toward baghdad group brutal even al qaeda disowned aims establish new islamic caliphate region much like existed seventh eighth centuries forwardlooking weeks lightning assault shocked analysts well iraqi government nouri almalaki appealed united states military assistance dont rule anything president barack obama said adding iraq solve problems crisis lot bigger tortured history usiraq relations thats wars iraq syria merged single bloody conflagration roots islams biggest split sunni v shia embroiling three middle easts ancient ethnic religious empires shiite iran arabsunni saudi arabia turkicsunni muslim turkey combustible conflicts existed region centuries course decades checked variety political factors national boundaries imposed world war realpolitik cold war alliances oil politics iron grip brutal dictators us war iraq ended regime saddam hussein largely splitting key arab country three large often competing populations shiites sunnis kurds arab spring unleashed wave regional protest political change notably egypt middle easts largest country economy syrias civil war destabilized neighborhood creating bloody chaotic backdrop historic conflicts play eventually spill across national borders entire system disintegrating like house cards starts collapse lt gen benny gantz said security conference israel week one truly say violence play coming days weeks whether whole house cards indeed collapse reasonable assume weeks shocking developments likely bad news peace prosperity middle east around world oil prices160 surged 2014 highs160on friday isil made gains iraqs oilrich north may start political instability one things investors business executives others involved global economy fear thats doubly true instability thats rooted violent religious conflict involving global population 16 billion people one stretches back death prophet muhammad year 632 pretty much describes middle east today 160 course middle east doesnt monopoly conflict looks increasingly like two important economies asia could headed ugly direction week japan formally protested chinese su27 fighter jets flew abnormally close japanese military aircraft east china sea root asian political crisis economic nature china japan claim chain strategically placed islands east china sea diaouyu chinese senkaku japan dispute made worse historic events political slights particularly chinese complaints japan hasnt properly atoned actions world war ii talk even mere national pride stake japan scrambled fighter jets chinese aircraft 415 times past year countrys navies commonly patrol disputed area long one incidents turns deadly accident eventually real shooting war known happen 160 student 20thcentury europe tell place doesnt always shine periods economic peril dark impulses often followed desperate economic times continent horrific results nationalism demonization immigrants persecution jews ethnic religious groups fair one predicting return hitler mussolini troubling impulses returned europes political scene changing fast euro crisis sparked new wave political radicalism seen recently last months european parliament elections quarter seats went nonmainstream parties globalpost senior correspondent paul ameswrites new group includes naziinspired bullyboys farleft firebrands antiimmigration antieu nationalists oldstyle communist diehards polish monarchist wants deny women vote happy development immigrants gays women many people across worlds largest economic bloc 160 ukraines euromaidan revolt subsequent russian annexation crimea topped global headlines spring today country new president chocolate baron petro poroshenko global news cycle since returned normal dont let relative mainstream media quiet fool ukraine story rages particularly countrys east particularly european countries poland czech republic belarus moldova estonia latvia lithuania name worry vladimir putins real political objectives lowlevel still deadly conflict continues parts eastern ukraine friday countrys army claims destroyed two tanks vehicles said crossed border russia putin want reconstitute soviet union even could west anyway crisis ukraines europes key natural gas supply routes economies russia helps fuel questions plenty remain unanswered 160 sure american tradition bash bums washington dc polarized political system leads historic mistrust government country big problem especially country big problems solve late 1960s 70 percent americans trusted federal government right always time160 according pew research today number stands 20 percent matters government better worse societys way address many challenges face country including political crises list political infighting partisan pique may good cable tv ratings positive development promotion national interests goes beyond obvious politicization important complicated issues corresponding vitriol hear every day fox news msnbc benghazi bowe bergdahl traitor father jihadi beard ben bernanke destroying america gop kkk whole system government us built trust trust leaders lead followers follow laws enacted fairly enforced government regulations work make safer happier healthier country without harming economic opportunity also goes governments investors around world lend us money trusting yes political system economy pay back interest matters rest crises story160 sure depressing list hardly exhaustive could easily added ongoing fight irans nuclear program north koreas economic political upheavals venezuelas inequalityfueled protests egypts ongoing revolution religous violence extremism across sahel spread boko harams atrocities across nigeria africas largest economy oh yeah climate change threatens life earth well spare unpleasant things nice day thomas mucha globalposts editor | 853 |
<p>Is it possible to have democracy without a free media?</p>
<p>Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe clearly thinks so. He has been blocking media reform since a power-sharing government took office in February.</p>
<p>A conference scheduled to chart the way forward for the media, particularly regarding new legislation, was postponed at the last minute after Mugabe’s officials intervened.</p>
<p>The conference had been organized by deputy information minister Jameson Timba, a member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, who claimed it had been cleared by information minister Webster Shamu, a Mugabe loyalist. But officials in Mugabe’s office made it clear to Shamu that discussion of legislative changes would be unwelcome at this time.</p>
<p>Zimbabwe has some of the most repressive media laws in the world. Most egregious is the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Aippa) which, until recently, provided for a regulatory commission, appointed by government, to license media houses and journalists. Despite the abolition of the commission in an Aippa amendment early last year, it continues to pocket large sums from media workers and acts as a supervisory body denying licenses to newspapers.</p>
<p>The Daily News in 2003 was a notable victim of its malevolence. In a few short years, the privately owned paper became the most popular daily in Zimbabwe for its exposes of corruption and state torture. Its circulation exceeded that of the government-owned Herald, which was probably its main offense. Its printing presses were destroyed by massive bombs, its offices hit by a grenade, its editors and journalists beaten by Mugabe's thugs. The Daily News still continued to publish. But the government used its laws to close down the paper for not having proper accreditation. Dozens of journalists were laid off when the paper was denied a license because it had applied to the courts against the need to have one.</p>
<p>The government media commission also plays a disciplinary role. When the editor of an independent publication published a letter from a reader comparing Zimbabweans to a herd of wildebeest that watched while predators picked off their numbers one by one, he received a letter from the chairman accusing him of portraying Zimbabweans as docile animals.</p>
<p>In last year’s election, the commission sent the electoral authorities a list of journalists who, it directed, should not be permitted to cover voting. Several foreign correspondents were arrested and locked up during the poll for working without accreditation.</p>
<p>Legislation passed early last year provides for a new media commission which will only assume its duties when parliament, with its MDC majority, enacts enabling measures. Journalists are mostly opposed to any form of statutory regulation, preferring a voluntary body. But Mugabe is reluctant to let go, at this delicate stage, of the levers of presidential control. This almost certainly explains why the media conference was called off.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the government-owned papers have been denouncing U.S. President Barack Obama for renewing U.S. sanctions. Calls from MDC ministers to lift the sanctions, which mostly cover loans and balance of payments support, have complicated the picture.</p>
<p>The MDC knows it will fail if it can’t get Zimbabwe's economy working again. That will require reengagement with major lenders such as the United States, European Union and International Monetary Fund. They have all made it clear there has to be more evidence of reform before they can release their purse strings.</p>
<p>But Tsvangirai is becoming impatient.</p>
<p>“Zimbabweans should not have to pay a further price for their determination to stand by their democratic ideals because the new government does not meet or match the ‘clean slate’ or ‘total victory’ standards expected by the West,” he wrote this week in a newspaper article. “This new government is not perfect, but it does represent all Zimbabweans — it is positive, it is peaceful, it is committed to a new constitution and free and fair elections and, with international support, it will succeed.”</p>
<p>The problem here is that Mugabe's old-guard elements are doing their best to make sure the new government doesn’t succeed. Political prisoners are still being held in appalling conditions, farms invaded by Mugabe supporters and their owners threatened while the police stand by and watch. Meanwhile the government media continues to denounce the West in vitriolic terms. The country’s one TV station acts as a cheerleader for Mugabe while permitting the new ministers an occasional mention.</p>
<p>Mugabe is refusing to swear-in one of them, Roy Bennett, because, the president says, he is facing “serious charges.” In fact, they have been concocted by the state.</p>
<p>Mugabe agreed with the MDC to promote “fair and balanced” media coverage when he signed the unity agreement in September last year. There has been little evidence of that in recent weeks. And without media reform the public will continue to receive one version of events that suits Mugabe’s regime. That in turn means that when a new constitution is submitted for approval in a referendum next year the public will be unable to make an informed choice. That will suit Mugabe as well.</p>
<p>The lack of real media reform as well as the lack of the rule of law remain major obstacles to the success of the power-sharing government. The Zimbabwean public is eager for a free press. The U.S. and other Western powers also regard an unfettered media as a key test for whether or not Zimbabwe should get new aid. Morgan Tsvangirai and his partners in the new government have many battles to fight against Mugabe and his cronies, but the struggle for a free press is one of the most crucial.</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches on Zimbabwe:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/zimbabwe/090316/at-last-some-good-news-zimbabwe" type="external">At last, some good news from Zimbabwe</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/zimbabwe/090211/tsvangirai-sworn-zimbabwes-new-prime-minister" type="external">Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe's new prime minister</a></p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=zimbabwe&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=57.510723,82.705078&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;ll=-18.979026,29.179688&amp;spn=28.81686,50.976563&amp;z=4" type="external">View Larger Map</a></p>
<p>Editor's Note: This story was updated to correct a typographical error.</p> | false | 3 | possible democracy without free media zimbabwes president robert mugabe clearly thinks blocking media reform since powersharing government took office february conference scheduled chart way forward media particularly regarding new legislation postponed last minute mugabes officials intervened conference organized deputy information minister jameson timba member prime minister morgan tsvangirais movement democratic change claimed cleared information minister webster shamu mugabe loyalist officials mugabes office made clear shamu discussion legislative changes would unwelcome time zimbabwe repressive media laws world egregious access information protection privacy act aippa recently provided regulatory commission appointed government license media houses journalists despite abolition commission aippa amendment early last year continues pocket large sums media workers acts supervisory body denying licenses newspapers daily news 2003 notable victim malevolence short years privately owned paper became popular daily zimbabwe exposes corruption state torture circulation exceeded governmentowned herald probably main offense printing presses destroyed massive bombs offices hit grenade editors journalists beaten mugabes thugs daily news still continued publish government used laws close paper proper accreditation dozens journalists laid paper denied license applied courts need one government media commission also plays disciplinary role editor independent publication published letter reader comparing zimbabweans herd wildebeest watched predators picked numbers one one received letter chairman accusing portraying zimbabweans docile animals last years election commission sent electoral authorities list journalists directed permitted cover voting several foreign correspondents arrested locked poll working without accreditation legislation passed early last year provides new media commission assume duties parliament mdc majority enacts enabling measures journalists mostly opposed form statutory regulation preferring voluntary body mugabe reluctant let go delicate stage levers presidential control almost certainly explains media conference called 160 meanwhile governmentowned papers denouncing us president barack obama renewing us sanctions calls mdc ministers lift sanctions mostly cover loans balance payments support complicated picture mdc knows fail cant get zimbabwes economy working require reengagement major lenders united states european union international monetary fund made clear evidence reform release purse strings tsvangirai becoming impatient zimbabweans pay price determination stand democratic ideals new government meet match clean slate total victory standards expected west wrote week newspaper article new government perfect represent zimbabweans positive peaceful committed new constitution free fair elections international support succeed problem mugabes oldguard elements best make sure new government doesnt succeed political prisoners still held appalling conditions farms invaded mugabe supporters owners threatened police stand watch meanwhile government media continues denounce west vitriolic terms countrys one tv station acts cheerleader mugabe permitting new ministers occasional mention mugabe refusing swearin one roy bennett president says facing serious charges fact concocted state mugabe agreed mdc promote fair balanced media coverage signed unity agreement september last year little evidence recent weeks without media reform public continue receive one version events suits mugabes regime turn means new constitution submitted approval referendum next year public unable make informed choice suit mugabe well lack real media reform well lack rule law remain major obstacles success powersharing government zimbabwean public eager free press us western powers also regard unfettered media key test whether zimbabwe get new aid morgan tsvangirai partners new government many battles fight mugabe cronies struggle free press one crucial globalpost dispatches zimbabwe last good news zimbabwe tsvangirai sworn zimbabwes new prime minister view larger map editors note story updated correct typographical error | 538 |
<p>As Mayor Richard M. Daley leaves office, the latest statistics on student retention serve as a legacy of one of his most sweeping and controversial education reforms: the ban on social promotion.</p>
<p>Only 4 percent of students in the benchmark grades were held back this year—a sharp drop from the first years of Daley’s policy, when nearly 15 percent of students had to repeat a grade. Daley’s get-tough policy dealt only with 3rd, 6th and 8th grades, but retention has fallen even in the non-benchmark years, to less than 1 percent from about 4 percent.</p>
<p>Daley made national news, most of it positive despite the research showing retention is harmful, when he announced in 1996 that students would have to hit a certain score on standardized tests to move on to the next grade. Former President Bill Clinton even noted Daley’s move in two State of the Union speeches. Other states and school districts followed Chicago’s lead with social promotion bans of their own.</p>
<p>Some principals say the policy changed their schools for the better, with students working harder as they and their parents realized that there would be no “getting by” to the next grade. But 15 years later, education advocates and experts doubt that the decline in retention stems from a real improvement in student learning.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the district is facing a federal investigation because of the disproportionate impact of the policy on black and Latino students. (Catalyst Chicago sought the latest data on student retention by race, but the request was denied by CPS.)</p>
<p>And since 1996, CPS officials have quietly been weakening the policy, making it easier for students to clear the bar even if they are doing poorly academically.</p>
<p>The major problem with the promotion policy is that it is based on a metric that is flawed, says Charles Payne, the lauded University of Chicago professor and interim chief education officer for CPS. (At Catalyst press time, a new chief education officer was among the education leaders named by Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel.) The metric Payne refers to: the ISAT.</p>
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<p>“It doesn’t measure what we care about,” he says. “We care about getting students ready to graduate high school, do well on the SAT and perform in college.”</p>
<p>When Daley’s policy was approved, CPS believed that tough standards, summer school and transition centers for struggling students would equip freshmen with an essential skill: the ability to read a high school textbook, says Blondean Davis, the superintendent for south suburban Matteson who was Chicago’s chief of schools and regions at the time.</p>
<p>Officials knew they couldn’t raise the bar too high and insist that 8th-graders perform at grade level. Too many students were lagging and the district would wind up with overflow classes in summer school and too many children held back, Davis says.</p>
<p>Over time, Davis has become more skeptical about retention. If it is to be done, she agrees with Payne: The ISAT should not be the gatekeeper test.</p>
<p>In Matteson School District 162, Davis says very few students are held back and the process is subjective, done in consultation with teachers, parents and principals.</p>
<p>“I’ve had a lot of time to think about it,” Davis says. “Retention has to be the last resort.” Designs For Change Executive Director Donald Moore suspects CPS officials came to the same conclusion.</p>
<p>“I think Daley was too wedded to the policy for them to come out and say they dropped it,” Moore says. “But over time, that is what they de facto did.” As a result, the retention rate is back to the same level as prior to Daley’s policy.</p>
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<p>KEY POINTS</p>
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<p>Chicago was once lauded for its tough policy against social promotion, the practice of passing students even when they cannot do grade-level work. Today, CPS passes more students than it did before the policy. But most observers agree, and national exams taken by 8th-graders bear out, that the drop in failures is not the result of better preparation for high school—the goal of the policy. Other factors are at play.</p>
<p>Over the past decade, Moore has written several papers criticizing the policy and pointing out the reams of research showing that retention is harmful to children.</p>
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<p>In 2000 and 2004, the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago came out with two studies showing that retained students were not academically better off than classmates at around the same skill level who were moved on, and that retained students were far more likely to drop out. (In all, the Consortium has published seven reports in its series Ending Social Promotion, on the detrimental effects of retention.)</p>
<p>Payne says he doesn’t think that retention has ever been done correctly in Chicago, and therefore, it is hard to judge whether or not the practice is good. “Are you retaining and then assigning the best teachers to small classrooms?” he says. “We have had mediocre interventions.”</p>
<p>At the time, the district saw the new policy as part of a comprehensive academic plan. But over time, the supports and extras offered to retained students have dried up and are now “hit and miss,” say those who work in schools.</p>
<p>Every year, the summer school program is subject to budget constraints. In 2010, money for it was severely cut, sessions were offered only four days per week for five weeks and class sizes were large. Yet the percentage of students promoted after summer school reached its highest point ever, 76 percent.</p>
<p>Interim CEO Terry Mazany made summer school a priority and scraped together a proposed budget that would allow the program to return to five days a week for six weeks this summer. Flavia Hernandez, who oversees summer school, is hopeful that the budget will stick through the transition to another administration.</p>
<p>Other supports have disappeared altogether. Schools with large numbers of failed students no longer get an extra teacher. And the Lighthouse tutoring program, which offered every retained student extra help and a warm meal, is no more. Retained students are directed to tutoring that the district is required to offer under No Child Left Behind. That program has also been cut drastically in recent years.</p>
<p>Payne hopes that dependence on the ISAT will change in the near future. The state has signed on to the Common Core Standards, along with more than 40 other states, and will have to adopt a new assessment tied to them. At that point, Payne expects the district will change the promotion policy so that it is based on the new test.</p>
<p>Barbara Radner, director of DePaul University’s Urban Education Center, notes that retention based on test scores (as well as the district’s school probation policy, also based on test scores) has led to a harmful phenomenon: a narrowing of the curriculum so that it aligns more closely with the standardized test. Therefore, students are more likely to score well on the test.</p>
<p>“So much of the curriculum is tied to shallow targets,” Radner says. The problem is that the ISAT is mostly multiple-choice questions, and the state provides a list of skills that are tested. To prepare for the test, many students are taught isolated skills, not critical thinking. In high school and beyond, being able to comprehend and analyze is of utmost importance.</p>
<p>Spencer Elementary School Principal Shawn L. Jackson knows the challenges of the policy first-hand. His school, with 786 students in the heart of the impoverished Austin neighborhood on the West Side, is third on the list of schools that retain the most children.</p>
<p>Most failures occur in 3rd grade. In 2010, nearly a third of Spencer 3rd-graders were retained.</p>
<p>As a result, the 3rd grade is by far the largest, as true 3rd-graders are combined with repeaters. This year, the 3rd grade has 116 children and four teachers, making for class sizes of about 28.</p>
<p>Jackson makes every effort to give the children extra support. Parent volunteers pull out retained students and low-achievers from class every day to work on sight words and phonics. During the school’s reading period, an enrichment teacher works with children who are reading above grade level to allow classroom teachers to focus on students who are reading just at grade level or below. A retired teacher comes in twice per week to provide extra assistance to 3rd-grade teachers. Student teachers from the University of Illinois at Chicago and DePaul University serve as tutors. After-school programs offer academics for retained students and other children.</p>
<p>But Cynthia Peterson, who works on community outreach and parent empowerment, says that from her perspective, the after-school programs are ineffective. After the first day or two, attendance drops off.</p>
<p>“It should be at capacity, but you have a teacher standing in front of [only] 10 children. What good is that?” she says. “The parents don’t take it seriously, or they let their child stop coming because [the child] said it was boring.”&#160;</p>
<p>Peterson, whose adult daughters—and their children—all attended Spencer, says parents who wanted help didn’t always get it in the past. The situation has improved under Jackson.</p>
<p>Jackson says that parents, too, have to take some responsibility. This year, Peterson and 3rd-grade teachers held a meeting for parents to let them know what they needed to do to help their children pass. Peterson sent a letter to parents, warning them that if they didn’t get this information, their child would be in danger of failing.</p>
<p>Forty parents came—a great turnout for the school, but not so great considering the number of 3rd-grade students.</p>
<p>Jackson says the heavy lifting must be done in the primary years to prepare students to succeed in 3rd grade. He emphasizes this point to teachers and to parents, who sometimes “tune out” about the importance of making sure their children work hard in non-benchmark grades.</p>
<p>At Spencer, there’s another consideration. The campus includes two buildings—a big, aging brick building with wide hallways, and a small, ranch-style building. When Jackson arrived, students spent only kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade in the small building. Two years ago, Jackson decided children should stay there, given its more nurturing atmosphere, for another year. Third grade is already a whammy for children, he notes—there’s more independent work, the curriculum requires more comprehension and there’s the real threat of being held back. “All of a sudden, you are in ‘3rd grade,’” Jackson says.</p>
<p>But having 3rd-graders in a building separate from those in 4th grade and up has created another dynamic: “Going over to the big building” is now code for passing.</p>
<p>The fear and pressure are palpable in the school. A week before the ISAT, 3rd-grade teachers are navigating tricky waters, trying to prepare their students without freaking them out.</p>
<p>Linda Jean Horton, a 15-year-veteran, blows a whistle to get the attention of her class. Horton and another teacher have stayed after school voluntarily for the last few months to do ISAT prep with 3rd-graders. Horton wishes more of them had come. Now she’s spending these last few days doing more test prep.</p>
<p>After lunch, Horton dims the lights and puts up a sample ISAT reading test on a projector. She directs the students to go through the questions and answer them on their own. They then vote on the answer and she tells them the correct one. Most of the children dutifully answer the question and vote. No one asks why the correct answer is right, and Horton does not explain.</p>
<p>In another classroom, Claude Archie, a teddy-bear of a teacher, takes a different approach. He wants to get the creative wheels oiled up, saying he’s already spent ample time showing students how to sit and correctly fill in the bubbles on the exam.</p>
<p>Archie has his students write letters to President Barack Obama with their ideas about how to fix schools. He plays classical music as the students work. Every now and then, Archie speaks to one of them—“Less talking, more thinking.”</p>
<p>Archie later says the weight of the upcoming test is intense. Seven of his 27 students were retained and are taking the 3rd-grade ISAT again. Other assessments given so far show steady progress, and Archie hopes this will translate into better results on the ISAT.</p>
<p>But there’s a wide disparity in skill levels among his students. A data chart shows that on an exam taken in September, a handful of students scored above 80 percent while, 17 of 25 scored at 50 percent or below.</p>
<p>Archie asks two boys to hand him their letters. One of them has written, “I think the schools in the area need to be changed because some don’t have productive textbooks for the kids so they will learn less. Another reason is all the violence happening all over the place.”Archie says this student is working at grade level. The other boy was held back. He writes, “Mr. President Obama, I think that you may want to change some stuff in Illinois about edugchin, about schools and the neaberhood. We are not doing good… We need to change somehow… I don’t like how it is in neaberhood and school.”Retention has long been concentrated in a small number of schools. In 1998, half of retained students attended 129 schools, 26 percent of all elementary schools. Today, half attend just 85 schools, or 16 percent. The vast majority, 87 percent, of these schools are predominantly black, up from 80 percent in 1998.</p>
<p>Most of these schools are struggling in other ways, too, with high poverty rates, high mobility and higher-than-average enrollment of students with special needs.</p>
<p>Last fall, Julie Woestehoff, executive director of the advocacy group Parents United for Responsible Education, convinced the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights to embark on an investigation of the promotion policy because of its impact on black and Latino students.</p>
<p>Woestehoff and other advocates thought they had won a victory in 2000 when they convinced CPS to change the policy to include other factors in promotion decisions. (The current policy requires that students have no more than nine unexcused absences and a “C” or higher in core subjects.) She envisioned that each factor would be weighed as part of the decision. But instead, she says she’s been disappointed to see that each one acts as a barrier. For example, a student who fails a reading class can be sent to summer school automatically, the same as if he or she had scored below the required threshold on the ISAT.</p>
<p>Woestehoff says her discussions with CPS officials led her to believe that they realize the policy is problematic.</p>
<p>But giving it up might be seen, in some eyes, as retreating. Common sense says that just passing students on from one grade to the next, even if they are not prepared, is not good. At a January forum on urban education at Kennedy-King College, a panel of educators and activists rallied against social promotion.</p>
<p>“The fundamental question is, ‘How much do we love our young brothers?’” said Cornel West, author and professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. West went on to say that middle-class families would not accept having their children simply passed along without learning anything.</p>
<p>Sitting next to him, Wentworth Elementary School Principal Dina Linne Everage noted that she still has students who cannot read even though they’re in 8th grade. Passing students along to make them feel good doesn’t help, she said.</p>
<p>“The very problem with social promotion is that it stops once you get to the real world,” Everage noted.</p>
<p>Spencer Principal Jackson, who attended the forum, says as soon as the panelists started talking about it, he realized they were looking at it from the perspective of the end product.</p>
<p>But Jackson says he sees how children lose their spirit when they are held back. “I see both sides of the coin. We have children’s lives in our hands. Retaining children is a harsh reality.”</p>
<p>Woestehoff voices a similar sentiment, saying failed students become sacrificial lambs. “[For them] it is 100 percent bad,” she says.</p>
<p>Linda Hudson and her 6th-grade son, Josh, have had to confront this harsh reality. Last June, Josh received a letter stating that he would have to attend summer school because of low test scores in math. He had received a C in math on his report card.</p>
<p>Hudson told him to suck it up and get through summer school. Josh attends Black Magnet in Calumet Heights, but he was sent to Caldwell—a school that held back more children than any other in the city last year—for summer school. He passed math, but failed reading, a subject that he tests well in, Hudson notes.</p>
<p>Hudson, outraged, went to the teacher, who told her that Josh got zeros on some tests because he was talking. Hudson appealed to the principal at Black, who was supportive, but said there was nothing he could do about it—Josh would have to repeat the 6th grade.</p>
<p>A commonly heard complaint about the promotion policy is that decisions are made automatically, at central office, with no input from teachers or principals, and no meaningful appeals process. Hudson also says she was never given the opportunity to show evidence that her son was ready to move up, and that it took the district seven months to give her Josh’s summer school grades—which showed that his reading skills were good.</p>
<p>Hudson says the principal at Black, which has a 99 percent promotion rate, provides Josh with tutoring; his teachers give him extra attention. Yet he still comes home some days in tears.&#160; “The 7th-grade boys see him in the hall and call him a ‘dumb ass,’” she says. He also got into an altercation with a girl who repeated that insult.</p>
<p>Hudson keeps him involved in activities on the weekends, so that he has areas where he feels successful and confident. But she wonders why Josh couldn’t have just gone on to 7th grade and gotten extra help there.</p>
<p>At Spencer, Peterson also sees how retention is demoralizing. She works with one little boy who constantly makes jokes and won’t focus on school work. Her conclusion:&#160; “He feels inadequate, almost like he is humiliated.”</p>
<p>As she watches the boy grapple with repeating a grade, Peterson thinks of her grandson, whose twin brother moved up to 4th grade while he stayed in 3rd.&#160; “They say ‘no child left behind.’ But he actually was left behind.”</p>
<p>Tell us what you think. Leave a comment or email <a href="mailto:karp@catalyst-chicago.org" type="external">karp@catalyst-chicago.org</a>.</p> | false | 3 | mayor richard daley leaves office latest statistics student retention serve legacy one sweeping controversial education reforms ban social promotion 4 percent students benchmark grades held back yeara sharp drop first years daleys policy nearly 15 percent students repeat grade daleys gettough policy dealt 3rd 6th 8th grades retention fallen even nonbenchmark years less 1 percent 4 percent daley made national news positive despite research showing retention harmful announced 1996 students would hit certain score standardized tests move next grade former president bill clinton even noted daleys move two state union speeches states school districts followed chicagos lead social promotion bans principals say policy changed schools better students working harder parents realized would getting next grade 15 years later education advocates experts doubt decline retention stems real improvement student learning meanwhile district facing federal investigation disproportionate impact policy black latino students catalyst chicago sought latest data student retention race request denied cps since 1996 cps officials quietly weakening policy making easier students clear bar even poorly academically major problem promotion policy based metric flawed says charles payne lauded university chicago professor interim chief education officer cps catalyst press time new chief education officer among education leaders named mayorelect rahm emanuel metric payne refers isat 160 doesnt measure care says care getting students ready graduate high school well sat perform college daleys policy approved cps believed tough standards summer school transition centers struggling students would equip freshmen essential skill ability read high school textbook says blondean davis superintendent south suburban matteson chicagos chief schools regions time officials knew couldnt raise bar high insist 8thgraders perform grade level many students lagging district would wind overflow classes summer school many children held back davis says time davis become skeptical retention done agrees payne isat gatekeeper test matteson school district 162 davis says students held back process subjective done consultation teachers parents principals ive lot time think davis says retention last resort designs change executive director donald moore suspects cps officials came conclusion think daley wedded policy come say dropped moore says time de facto result retention rate back level prior daleys policy 160 key points 160 chicago lauded tough policy social promotion practice passing students even gradelevel work today cps passes students policy observers agree national exams taken 8thgraders bear drop failures result better preparation high schoolthe goal policy factors play past decade moore written several papers criticizing policy pointing reams research showing retention harmful children 160 2000 2004 consortium chicago school research university chicago came two studies showing retained students academically better classmates around skill level moved retained students far likely drop consortium published seven reports series ending social promotion detrimental effects retention payne says doesnt think retention ever done correctly chicago therefore hard judge whether practice good retaining assigning best teachers small classrooms says mediocre interventions time district saw new policy part comprehensive academic plan time supports extras offered retained students dried hit miss say work schools every year summer school program subject budget constraints 2010 money severely cut sessions offered four days per week five weeks class sizes large yet percentage students promoted summer school reached highest point ever 76 percent interim ceo terry mazany made summer school priority scraped together proposed budget would allow program return five days week six weeks summer flavia hernandez oversees summer school hopeful budget stick transition another administration supports disappeared altogether schools large numbers failed students longer get extra teacher lighthouse tutoring program offered every retained student extra help warm meal retained students directed tutoring district required offer child left behind program also cut drastically recent years payne hopes dependence isat change near future state signed common core standards along 40 states adopt new assessment tied point payne expects district change promotion policy based new test barbara radner director depaul universitys urban education center notes retention based test scores well districts school probation policy also based test scores led harmful phenomenon narrowing curriculum aligns closely standardized test therefore students likely score well test much curriculum tied shallow targets radner says problem isat mostly multiplechoice questions state provides list skills tested prepare test many students taught isolated skills critical thinking high school beyond able comprehend analyze utmost importance spencer elementary school principal shawn l jackson knows challenges policy firsthand school 786 students heart impoverished austin neighborhood west side third list schools retain children failures occur 3rd grade 2010 nearly third spencer 3rdgraders retained result 3rd grade far largest true 3rdgraders combined repeaters year 3rd grade 116 children four teachers making class sizes 28 jackson makes every effort give children extra support parent volunteers pull retained students lowachievers class every day work sight words phonics schools reading period enrichment teacher works children reading grade level allow classroom teachers focus students reading grade level retired teacher comes twice per week provide extra assistance 3rdgrade teachers student teachers university illinois chicago depaul university serve tutors afterschool programs offer academics retained students children cynthia peterson works community outreach parent empowerment says perspective afterschool programs ineffective first day two attendance drops capacity teacher standing front 10 children good says parents dont take seriously let child stop coming child said boring160 peterson whose adult daughtersand childrenall attended spencer says parents wanted help didnt always get past situation improved jackson jackson says parents take responsibility year peterson 3rdgrade teachers held meeting parents let know needed help children pass peterson sent letter parents warning didnt get information child would danger failing forty parents camea great turnout school great considering number 3rdgrade students jackson says heavy lifting must done primary years prepare students succeed 3rd grade emphasizes point teachers parents sometimes tune importance making sure children work hard nonbenchmark grades spencer theres another consideration campus includes two buildingsa big aging brick building wide hallways small ranchstyle building jackson arrived students spent kindergarten 1st 2nd grade small building two years ago jackson decided children stay given nurturing atmosphere another year third grade already whammy children notestheres independent work curriculum requires comprehension theres real threat held back sudden 3rd grade jackson says 3rdgraders building separate 4th grade created another dynamic going big building code passing fear pressure palpable school week isat 3rdgrade teachers navigating tricky waters trying prepare students without freaking linda jean horton 15yearveteran blows whistle get attention class horton another teacher stayed school voluntarily last months isat prep 3rdgraders horton wishes come shes spending last days test prep lunch horton dims lights puts sample isat reading test projector directs students go questions answer vote answer tells correct one children dutifully answer question vote one asks correct answer right horton explain another classroom claude archie teddybear teacher takes different approach wants get creative wheels oiled saying hes already spent ample time showing students sit correctly fill bubbles exam archie students write letters president barack obama ideas fix schools plays classical music students work every archie speaks one themless talking thinking archie later says weight upcoming test intense seven 27 students retained taking 3rdgrade isat assessments given far show steady progress archie hopes translate better results isat theres wide disparity skill levels among students data chart shows exam taken september handful students scored 80 percent 17 25 scored 50 percent archie asks two boys hand letters one written think schools area need changed dont productive textbooks kids learn less another reason violence happening placearchie says student working grade level boy held back writes mr president obama think may want change stuff illinois edugchin schools neaberhood good need change somehow dont like neaberhood schoolretention long concentrated small number schools 1998 half retained students attended 129 schools 26 percent elementary schools today half attend 85 schools 16 percent vast majority 87 percent schools predominantly black 80 percent 1998 schools struggling ways high poverty rates high mobility higherthanaverage enrollment students special needs last fall julie woestehoff executive director advocacy group parents united responsible education convinced us department educations office civil rights embark investigation promotion policy impact black latino students woestehoff advocates thought victory 2000 convinced cps change policy include factors promotion decisions current policy requires students nine unexcused absences c higher core subjects envisioned factor would weighed part decision instead says shes disappointed see one acts barrier example student fails reading class sent summer school automatically scored required threshold isat woestehoff says discussions cps officials led believe realize policy problematic giving might seen eyes retreating common sense says passing students one grade next even prepared good january forum urban education kennedyking college panel educators activists rallied social promotion fundamental question much love young brothers said cornel west author professor african american studies princeton university west went say middleclass families would accept children simply passed along without learning anything sitting next wentworth elementary school principal dina linne everage noted still students read even though theyre 8th grade passing students along make feel good doesnt help said problem social promotion stops get real world everage noted spencer principal jackson attended forum says soon panelists started talking realized looking perspective end product jackson says sees children lose spirit held back see sides coin childrens lives hands retaining children harsh reality woestehoff voices similar sentiment saying failed students become sacrificial lambs 100 percent bad says linda hudson 6thgrade son josh confront harsh reality last june josh received letter stating would attend summer school low test scores math received c math report card hudson told suck get summer school josh attends black magnet calumet heights sent caldwella school held back children city last yearfor summer school passed math failed reading subject tests well hudson notes hudson outraged went teacher told josh got zeros tests talking hudson appealed principal black supportive said nothing could itjosh would repeat 6th grade commonly heard complaint promotion policy decisions made automatically central office input teachers principals meaningful appeals process hudson also says never given opportunity show evidence son ready move took district seven months give joshs summer school gradeswhich showed reading skills good hudson says principal black 99 percent promotion rate provides josh tutoring teachers give extra attention yet still comes home days tears160 7thgrade boys see hall call dumb ass says also got altercation girl repeated insult hudson keeps involved activities weekends areas feels successful confident wonders josh couldnt gone 7th grade gotten extra help spencer peterson also sees retention demoralizing works one little boy constantly makes jokes wont focus school work conclusion160 feels inadequate almost like humiliated watches boy grapple repeating grade peterson thinks grandson whose twin brother moved 4th grade stayed 3rd160 say child left behind actually left behind tell us think leave comment email karpcatalystchicagoorg | 1,739 |
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<p>The seventh chapter of John offers some important insights into the nature of fundamentalism. Consider the following:</p>
<p>Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah? [This should be read as a dig at the religious authorities] Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I am from’ [the implied meaning is, “So you think you know me and where I am from”] I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me” (7:25-29).</p>
<p>Here some of the people are convinced that Jesus is not of God based on a tradition. A tradition which they have come to accept as fact: The Messiah will have an unknown, mysterious origin.</p>
<p>Jesus, on the other hand, claims to know God and be sent from God. If one could ask Jesus how he knows this I suspect he would say, “I just know.” In other contexts Jesus points to his works of compassion as evidence of his authenticity. But how did he know that he knew God? Jesus obviously trusted his “inner authority” and experience. He just knew.</p>
<p>As the narrative unfolds others base their belief that Jesus could not be the Messiah on scripture: “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” (7:41b-42) [Apparently this interpretation of scripture was so prevalent that Matthew incorporated it in his birth narrative in Matt. 2:5-6.]</p>
<p>So Jesus is rejected on the basis of tradition and scripture.</p>
<p>In the fundamentalist stage of my Christian pilgrimage I was taught what to believe. I was told this is what scripture teaches and this became part of my Christian tradition. So, on the basis of tradition and scripture I believed what I believed. This is how fundamentalism works. Scripture and tradition are used to support deeply entrenched beliefs one inherits from one’s group. The group, of course, can be family, church, denomination, peer group, club, political party, nation, etc.</p>
<p>As John’s narrative unfolds some common sense objectors to the close-mindedness of the authorities raise their voices. The temple police refuse to arrest Jesus because, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” (7:46). Does this spark any inquiry or interest on the part of the authorities? The authorities reprimand them by appealing to . . . well, their authority: “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him?” (7:47-48).</p>
<p>Next, Nicodemus raises a common sense objection based on scripture: “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” (7:51).</p>
<p>This, too, is countered with sarcasm, a veiled threat, and authority: “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee” (7:52).</p>
<p>How can we account for such entrenched thinking and closed mindedness? Maybe a contemporary example can help.</p>
<p>According to&#160; <a href="http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2015/PPP_Release_National_51315.pdf:/" type="external">a recent poll</a>&#160;a full third of the Republican base believe that a military exercise called Jade Helm is really just a pretense for President Obama to take over Texas. Now, how is it possible that one-third of the GOP would believe such craziness?</p>
<p>Political blogger&#160; <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/05/lunatic-conspiracy-theories-arent-what-they-used-be" type="external">Kevin Drum&#160;</a>asks that question and contends that most of those who said they believe it don’t actually believe it. He thinks that GOP pollsters simply used the opportunity to show their hate and distrust for President Obama, but deep down they don’t really believe the theory.</p>
<p>In other words, hate and prejudice are the driving factors that account for the poll numbers, not actual belief. I suspect this is true of many entrenched belief systems. We could also add fear and insecurity to the list. These components – disdain, prejudice, fear, and insecurity – keep people from honest inquiry and the genuine pursuit of truth.</p>
<p>Blogger&#160; <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2015/05/15/we-must-be-careful-about-what-we-pretend-to-be-how-tribal-cheerleading-creates-new-tribal-dogma-and-changes-the-tribe-to-conform-to-it/" type="external">Fred Clark&#160;</a>at Patheos.com basically agrees with this, but he takes it a step further:</p>
<p>Over time, these kinds of tribal-cheerleading responses to pollsters and other catechists eventually become required responses. And thus, over time, the things that people&#160;pretend&#160;to believe as a “way of showing that they’re members in good standing” of their political faction become the things that members of that faction&#160;actually&#160;believe. The fluff becomes substance — becomes dogma. And the tribe is transformed to conform to this new dogma.</p>
<p>It starts as almost a joke . . . But then the pretense becomes habit and the habit becomes doctrine. What begins as a flippant response to express tribal membership becomes what you&#160;must&#160;say to show that you are a member in good standing of the tribe. And then, after it becomes what every member in good standing is saying&#160;and must say, it becomes what every member in good standing actually&#160;believes.</p>
<p>Thus, according to Clark, members of the group actually end up believing what the group teaches, no matter how far-fetched it may seem.</p>
<p>I don’t claim to be able to psychoanalyze why a group becomes entrenched in their traditions and beliefs, but this close-mindedness is the fundamental characteristic of fundamentalism. And herein is the basic difference between progressive and conservative Christians.</p>
<p>It’s not that progressives do not believe what they believe passionately. Many do. I do. But progressives are much more willing to say, “I could be wrong.” Conservatives are much more likely to appeal to their authorities – tradition, scripture, creeds, belief statements, etc. – to affirm what they already believe. Progressives may also appeal to such things (I do), but we are more likely to trust our “inner authority” guided by reason, common sense, human experience and struggle, and certain central values.</p>
<p>Progressives contend for values like compassion, forgiveness, love of neighbor as one’s self, commitment to restorative and distributive justice, the necessity of honest inquiry, and the humble pursuit of truth wherever truth can be found. These values transcend particular beliefs about God, the Bible, salvation, etc. As a progressive Christian I generally find myself more at home with compassionate humanists than conservative Christians, simply because we share core values rooted in acceptance of diversity and commitment to the common good.</p>
<p>The only things I am sure of are these values. For example, I am confident that love trumps all doctrine and dogma and that loving others is far more important than believing ideas about God. How do I know? I am convinced that this is what my “true self” (the Christ self) tells me. I, of course, can support this with a progressive interpretation of scripture, especially by appealing to the life and teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. But ultimately, I just know.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | 160 seventh chapter john offers important insights nature fundamentalism consider following people jerusalem saying man trying kill speaking openly say nothing authorities really know messiah read dig religious authorities yet know man messiah comes one know jesus cried teaching temple know know implied meaning think know come one sent true know know sent 72529 people convinced jesus god based tradition tradition come accept fact messiah unknown mysterious origin jesus hand claims know god sent god one could ask jesus knows suspect would say know contexts jesus points works compassion evidence authenticity know knew god jesus obviously trusted inner authority experience knew narrative unfolds others base belief jesus could messiah scripture surely messiah come galilee scripture said messiah descended david comes bethlehem village david lived 741b42 apparently interpretation scripture prevalent matthew incorporated birth narrative matt 256 jesus rejected basis tradition scripture fundamentalist stage christian pilgrimage taught believe told scripture teaches became part christian tradition basis tradition scripture believed believed fundamentalism works scripture tradition used support deeply entrenched beliefs one inherits ones group group course family church denomination peer group club political party nation etc johns narrative unfolds common sense objectors closemindedness authorities raise voices temple police refuse arrest jesus never anyone spoken like 746 spark inquiry interest part authorities authorities reprimand appealing well authority surely deceived one authorities pharisees believed 74748 next nicodemus raises common sense objection based scripture law judge people without first giving hearing find 751 countered sarcasm veiled threat authority surely also galilee search see prophet arise galilee 752 account entrenched thinking closed mindedness maybe contemporary example help according to160 recent poll160a full third republican base believe military exercise called jade helm really pretense president obama take texas possible onethird gop would believe craziness political blogger160 kevin drum160asks question contends said believe dont actually believe thinks gop pollsters simply used opportunity show hate distrust president obama deep dont really believe theory words hate prejudice driving factors account poll numbers actual belief suspect true many entrenched belief systems could also add fear insecurity list components disdain prejudice fear insecurity keep people honest inquiry genuine pursuit truth blogger160 fred clark160at patheoscom basically agrees takes step time kinds tribalcheerleading responses pollsters catechists eventually become required responses thus time things people160pretend160to believe way showing theyre members good standing political faction become things members faction160actually160believe fluff becomes substance becomes dogma tribe transformed conform new dogma starts almost joke pretense becomes habit habit becomes doctrine begins flippant response express tribal membership becomes you160must160say show member good standing tribe becomes every member good standing saying160and must say becomes every member good standing actually160believes thus according clark members group actually end believing group teaches matter farfetched may seem dont claim able psychoanalyze group becomes entrenched traditions beliefs closemindedness fundamental characteristic fundamentalism herein basic difference progressive conservative christians progressives believe believe passionately many progressives much willing say could wrong conservatives much likely appeal authorities tradition scripture creeds belief statements etc affirm already believe progressives may also appeal things likely trust inner authority guided reason common sense human experience struggle certain central values progressives contend values like compassion forgiveness love neighbor ones self commitment restorative distributive justice necessity honest inquiry humble pursuit truth wherever truth found values transcend particular beliefs god bible salvation etc progressive christian generally find home compassionate humanists conservative christians simply share core values rooted acceptance diversity commitment common good things sure values example confident love trumps doctrine dogma loving others far important believing ideas god know convinced true self christ self tells course support progressive interpretation scripture especially appealing life teachings jesus gospels ultimately know 160 160 | 593 |
<p>Illinois’ application for the Race to the Top early learning grant lays out an ambitious road map for improving early education, including stiffer requirements for home child care, new learning standards and a target to have three-quarters or more of high-needs children enrolled in preschool by 2015.</p>
<p>Specifics of the Early Learning Challenge grant application were detailed at an Illinois Early Learning Council meeting this week, prior to the grant’s Oct. 19 deadline. The state could receive a 4-year grant of up to $70 million.</p>
<p>Although one of Illinois’ goals is to ensure that the most at-risk children are first in line for high-quality early learning programs, the grant doesn’t require that states increase the number of slots available. And reaching the target will require solving a conundrum: Families that face the most challenges are the hardest to reach.</p>
<p>&#160;“The kids we are most concerned about need a lot more,” said Theresa Hawley, an early childhood program consultant who worked on the application and spoke at the Early Learning Council meeting. “Even in those communities where you’ve got plenty of spots, you’re not necessarily getting the most at-risk kids into the program.”</p>
<p>By 2015, the state aims to have at least half of high-needs children enrolled in at least two years of preschool, and at least three-quarters of high-needs children enrolled for at least one year.&#160; Up to half the state’s children are high-needs under the grant’s criteria, which includes children from families earning up to twice the federal poverty limit, children with disabilities, homeless and foster children, and English language learners.</p>
<p>But it’s unclear how many of these children are currently in such programs. Existing Preschool for All and Head Start programs are believed to have enough slots to meet the target, however.</p>
<p>To count toward the enrollment goal, a preschool or child care center must have a four- or five-star rating on a new quality rating system that is also part of the grant application. Preschool for All and Head Start programs will automatically receive a four-star rating, barring problems.</p>
<p>The new system will replace the current Quality Counts program with a “tiered quality rating and improvement system” for preschools. Programs with four-star rating will get access to coaches to work with teachers on instruction and help them beef up classrooms using the quality standards of the <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/03/classroom-ratings-shed-light-preschool-quality/" type="external">Classroom Assessment Scoring System</a> (CLASS) tool.</p>
<p>Focus on child care</p>
<p>Child care programs across the state will be automatically enrolled in the rating system after July 1, 2012 when they apply for new licenses and license renewals. In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced that he will require city-funded programs to enroll <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/09/chicago-launch-mandatory-rating-system-early-childhood-providers/" type="external">as soon as the new system is up and running.</a></p>
<p>Programs will start out with one-star ratings, unless they meet additional requirements. The state plans a validation study to determine whether children in highly-rated programs achieve more than those in lower-rated ones.</p>
<p>In addition to the quality rating system, tougher licensing requirements for small home child care businesses are also planned and would take effect in 2014.</p>
<p>Currently, licensing is only required for programs serving four or more children. The new requirement would be imposed on programs serving two or three children who are not related and are not being cared for by a relative or in their own home.</p>
<p>That provision proved a lightning rod for controversy at the meeting, although officials note that it is a requirement for the grant. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services estimates that the change would impact less than 1 percent of the children currently in the state’s child care assistance program.</p>
<p>But some council members noted that programs serving children who are not part of the state program would also be affected, and that the new rules could drive providers “underground.”</p>
<p>“I would be very concerned about what this rule change would mean for access to child care for the lowest-income families,” said council member Brynn Seibert of the Service Employees International Union. Seibert noted that low-income parents, who often have irregular working hours and multiple jobs, often rely on license-exempt home care.</p>
<p>But Phyllis Glink, director of the Irving Harris Foundation, said that was not necessarily a reason to weaken requirements. The state should “take a stand on where we think children should be placed, to get the care they deserve,” she said.</p>
<p>Sessy Nyman, vice president for policy and strategic partnerships at Illinois Action for Children, also had qualms but said the move is in the right direction.</p>
<p>“We have to stop our current behavior in terms of funneling all our resources to center-based care,” she said. “Illinois has a disproportionate number of kids in license-exempt settings.”</p>
<p>Early learning, kindergarten readiness</p>
<p>To qualify for the grant, the state has rewritten its preschool learning standards, to align them with recent research on child development, make them more useful to teachers and feed into the Common Core State Standards for kindergarten. The new standards include more detailed descriptions of what children’s learning looks like in practice.</p>
<p>Officials also added new early learning guidelines for children birth to age 3. These, along with a new set of educational guidelines for birth-to-5 programs, will form the basis for program evaluations under the new quality rating system.</p>
<p>In addition, Illinois plans to implement a new school readiness assessment, the Kindergarten Individual Development Survey, or KIDS, in which teachers will observe kindergarten students to assess whether they are ready for kindergarten. The observation tool, which will be designed starting this spring, is slated to roll out in pilot districts in fall 2012, go statewide in fall 2013, and become a requirement by fall 2014.</p>
<p>By the end of 2015, the state’s goal is to have at least 55 percent of students demonstrate “full readiness” for kindergarten on the assessment.</p>
<p>But it’s not clear how far the state has to go to reach that goal, since Illinois, like many other states, does not have baseline data on kindergarten readiness.</p>
<p>Other strategies</p>
<p>Other strategies outlined in the state’s grant application would:</p>
<p>*Increase state reimbursement rates for child care, “to better reflect the true costs of providing high quality.”</p>
<p>*Create a credential for home visitors, family outreach workers, and coaches who work with early childhood teachers.</p>
<p>*Require that all child care programs train their staff on Illinois’ early earning standards.</p>
<p>*Expand programs like <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2009/04/going-beyond-home-care/" type="external">Community Connections</a>, which allows home child care businesses to send children to preschool for a portion of the day.</p>
<p>*Require all early childhood educators and child care providers to register in the Gateways to Opportunity Registry, which publicizes training opportunities and tracks professional achievements. Additional career counselors will be hired for the registry to work with child care centers that serve the highest-need children.</p>
<p>*Require a director’s credential – the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education – for all directors of child care centers that also offer Preschool for All. The credential requirement kicks in by July 2017.</p>
<p>*Train college professors who instruct teacher candidates on priority topics like teaching math (which was <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/05/study-state-preschool-improves-social-and-language-skills-not-math/" type="external">identified as a problem area</a> in the last assessment of Preschool for All), <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/05/study-state-preschool-improves-social-and-language-skills-not-math/" type="external" /> using assessments, and serving special-needs students and English learners.</p>
<p>Some of the grant funds might be set aside for scholarships for early childhood teachers who are pursuing bilingual or English as a Second Language endorsements, which will be in greater demand as <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/04/bilingual-pre-k-not-yet-reality-in-all-classrooms/" type="external">new rules take effect</a> requiring bilingual classes for preschool English language learners.</p> | false | 3 | illinois application race top early learning grant lays ambitious road map improving early education including stiffer requirements home child care new learning standards target threequarters highneeds children enrolled preschool 2015 specifics early learning challenge grant application detailed illinois early learning council meeting week prior grants oct 19 deadline state could receive 4year grant 70 million although one illinois goals ensure atrisk children first line highquality early learning programs grant doesnt require states increase number slots available reaching target require solving conundrum families face challenges hardest reach 160the kids concerned need lot said theresa hawley early childhood program consultant worked application spoke early learning council meeting even communities youve got plenty spots youre necessarily getting atrisk kids program 2015 state aims least half highneeds children enrolled least two years preschool least threequarters highneeds children enrolled least one year160 half states children highneeds grants criteria includes children families earning twice federal poverty limit children disabilities homeless foster children english language learners unclear many children currently programs existing preschool head start programs believed enough slots meet target however count toward enrollment goal preschool child care center must four fivestar rating new quality rating system also part grant application preschool head start programs automatically receive fourstar rating barring problems new system replace current quality counts program tiered quality rating improvement system preschools programs fourstar rating get access coaches work teachers instruction help beef classrooms using quality standards classroom assessment scoring system class tool focus child care child care programs across state automatically enrolled rating system july 1 2012 apply new licenses license renewals chicago mayor rahm emanuel announced require cityfunded programs enroll soon new system running programs start onestar ratings unless meet additional requirements state plans validation study determine whether children highlyrated programs achieve lowerrated ones addition quality rating system tougher licensing requirements small home child care businesses also planned would take effect 2014 currently licensing required programs serving four children new requirement would imposed programs serving two three children related cared relative home provision proved lightning rod controversy meeting although officials note requirement grant illinois department children family services estimates change would impact less 1 percent children currently states child care assistance program council members noted programs serving children part state program would also affected new rules could drive providers underground would concerned rule change would mean access child care lowestincome families said council member brynn seibert service employees international union seibert noted lowincome parents often irregular working hours multiple jobs often rely licenseexempt home care phyllis glink director irving harris foundation said necessarily reason weaken requirements state take stand think children placed get care deserve said sessy nyman vice president policy strategic partnerships illinois action children also qualms said move right direction stop current behavior terms funneling resources centerbased care said illinois disproportionate number kids licenseexempt settings early learning kindergarten readiness qualify grant state rewritten preschool learning standards align recent research child development make useful teachers feed common core state standards kindergarten new standards include detailed descriptions childrens learning looks like practice officials also added new early learning guidelines children birth age 3 along new set educational guidelines birthto5 programs form basis program evaluations new quality rating system addition illinois plans implement new school readiness assessment kindergarten individual development survey kids teachers observe kindergarten students assess whether ready kindergarten observation tool designed starting spring slated roll pilot districts fall 2012 go statewide fall 2013 become requirement fall 2014 end 2015 states goal least 55 percent students demonstrate full readiness kindergarten assessment clear far state go reach goal since illinois like many states baseline data kindergarten readiness strategies strategies outlined states grant application would increase state reimbursement rates child care better reflect true costs providing high quality create credential home visitors family outreach workers coaches work early childhood teachers require child care programs train staff illinois early earning standards expand programs like community connections allows home child care businesses send children preschool portion day require early childhood educators child care providers register gateways opportunity registry publicizes training opportunities tracks professional achievements additional career counselors hired registry work child care centers serve highestneed children require directors credential equivalent bachelors degree early childhood education directors child care centers also offer preschool credential requirement kicks july 2017 train college professors instruct teacher candidates priority topics like teaching math identified problem area last assessment preschool using assessments serving specialneeds students english learners grant funds might set aside scholarships early childhood teachers pursuing bilingual english second language endorsements greater demand new rules take effect requiring bilingual classes preschool english language learners | 753 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>Nearly 200 years after religious zeal prompted a young convert named Joseph Smith to found a movement called the Latter-day Saints, the once-despised minority “cult” increasingly is going mainstream.</p>
<p>With a Mormon running for president, a hit Broadway musical titled Book of Mormon and the now-rejected polygamy from the religious group’s past forming the plotline of the long-running HBO series Big Love, evidence abounds of what has been termed the “Mormon moment.”&#160;</p>
<p>For Baptists and other evangelicals trying to decide how to vote in the upcoming presidential election, it also has renewed discussion of whether the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christian.</p>
<p>The answer is complicated. If by “Christian” one means an individual who has placed his faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ, Mormons would seem to qualify. “I believe in a Heavenly Father; I believe in his Son Jesus Christ; I believe in the Holy Ghost,” GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/mitt-romney-i-believe-in-heavenly-father-jesus-christ-and-the-holy-ghost/2012/06/01/gJQApeQD7U_blog.html" type="external">described</a> his Mormon faith.</p>
<p>For 99 percent of the world’s Christians, however, that Trinitarian formula refers to one God who exists as three distinct persons all described in the Bible. Mormonism holds a different view of the nature of God, has its own scriptures and is built on a presumption that revelation did not cease with the New Testament.</p>
<p>Conservatives object to calling Mormons Christians because of their theology and competition for converts, but even mainstream Presbyterians, Methodists and Lutherans do not recognize Mormon baptisms as valid.</p>
<p>Steven Harmon, an adjunct professor at Gardner-Webb divinity school and author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ecumenism-Means-You-Steven-Harmon/dp/1606088653" type="external">Ecumenism Means You, Too</a>, noted that both the World Council of Churches and National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA do not consider the LDS eligible for membership.&#160;</p>
<p>“I am aware that the National Council of Churches, which is nothing if not an inclusive Christian organization, does officially classify relations with the LDS as interfaith rather than ecumenical,” Harmon said.</p>
<p>Curtis Freeman, director of the Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School, said the WCC requires members to subscribe to a basic Trinitarian confession of faith for membership.&#160;</p>
<p>“Originally it was simply the confession of ‘Jesus is Lord,’” Freeman said. “That changed when the Orthodox joined. That alone excludes Mormons, who though culturally Christian are not Christian in any basic sense in doctrine.”</p>
<p>Tal Davis, a former interfaith consultant with the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board who is now with <a href="http://www.marketfaith.org/" type="external">Market Faith Ministries</a>, said looking at “behavioral patterns,” Mormons and evangelical Christians have a lot in common.</p>
<p>“But to really answer the question about whether Mormonism is a Christian system, you really have to go a little deeper,” Davis said in a June interview on Ed Stetzer’s <a href="http://www.edstetzer.com/2012/06/the-mormon-moment.html" type="external">The Exchange</a> online program. “You have to look at the doctrine. You have to look at the theology of Mormonism.”</p>
<p><a href="http://divinity.vanderbilt.edu/people/bio/kathleen-flake" type="external">Kathleen Flake</a>, a graduate of Brigham Young University who now teaches at Vanderbilt Divinity School, says most Christians encountering Mormonism find it a “mix of the familiar and the strange.”</p>
<p>In a recent Christian Century <a href="http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-08/bible-plus" type="external">article</a>, Flake says even Mormonism’s most unfamiliar tenets rest in some way on the Bible, viewed as the word of God “insofar as it is translated correctly.” Three other Latter-day Saint scriptures are also believed to be God’s direct revelation to Joseph Smith, the church’s “founding prophet.”</p>
<p>The Book of Mormon is a historical narrative covering a thousand-year period that begins with the sixth century B.C. and ends in the fourth century after Christ. It includes an appearance by Jesus Christ to a remnant in the Americas shortly after his resurrection.</p>
<p>The Book of Doctrine and Covenants establishes church order related to church offices and temple worship and includes distinctive teachings such as proxy baptism for the dead.</p>
<p>The Pearl of Great Price includes a retelling of the creation story, which includes an event before creation when God meets with his children and an argument develops about how creation should be ordered.&#160;</p>
<p>One character, Lucifer, advocates the use of force to ensure that humans will believe. Another, advocates salvation through sacrifice and agrees to be the sacrifice as God’s only Son. It is the back story for Mike Huckabee’s question during a New York Times Magazine article in 2007, “Don’t Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?”</p>
<p>Another factor making Mormonism harder for outsiders to understand is that doctrine changes. The LDS president claims to receive “continuing revelation” from God.&#160;</p>
<p>The church officially <a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/04/jury-finds-warren-jeffs-guilty-of-sexual-assault/" type="external">abandoned</a> polygamy, perhaps its most notorious legacy, in 1890, though it still shows up on fringes like sect leader Warren Jeffs, who was convicted of sexual assault on a child in a high-profile Texas case in 2011.</p>
<p>In 1998 LDS prophet Gordon B. Hinckley implied a shift in traditional Mormon teaching that human beings can become gods. Asked on Larry King Live whether Mormons believe that God was once a man, Hinckley replied, “I wouldn’t say that.”</p>
<p>Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington sponsored an unsuccessful resolution at this summer’s annual meeting calling on the Southern Baptist Convention to repudiate racist teachings recorded in The Book of Mormon and The Pearl of Great Price that describe “skin of blackness” as “cursed,” “loathsome,” and justifiably derived as a result of a divine curse.</p>
<p>McKissic, who is African-American, said the resolution would “stop Mormon evangelism in its tracks” among people of color.</p>
<p>Kevin Smith, an African-American pastor who served as a member of this year’s SBC resolutions committee, said the group declined to bring a recommendation because they needed more research about whether or not the LDS officially repudiated the “curse of Ham” when it dropped its ban on ordaining black men to the priesthood in 1978.</p>
<p>“We are certainly alarmed at the inroads of Mormonism in all communities, and particularly in Africa,” Smith said. However, “We do want to call them to repent of something they have rejected.”</p>
<p>Davis, co-author of the 1998 book Mormonism Unmasked, said the mainstreaming of Mormonism is a relatively recent phenomenon. The LDS church used to emphasize the belief they are the one true church and all others are apostate but have played it down as they have grown and spread outside of the West and worked alongside evangelicals on shared social issues like opposition to gay marriage.</p>
<p>“I think the LDS church now wants to present themselves as sort of a regular people,” Davis said. The church’s latest advertising campaign profiles individuals from various walks of life giving testimonies titled “I’m a Mormon.”</p>
<p>At the same time, Southern Baptist leaders have moved away from describing Mormonism as a “cult,” preferring terms like “new religion.”&#160;</p>
<p>“It’s a term that I don’t think is helpful,” Ed Stetzer, head of LifeWay Research, said in the interview with Davis. “A cult is often thought of as a religious group with strange beliefs outside of the cultural mainstream.”</p>
<p>“What you call Mormons today is what the world is going to call evangelical Christianity tomorrow, because increasingly we are a religious group with what the world sees as strange beliefs,” Stetzer said.</p> | false | 3 | bob allen nearly 200 years religious zeal prompted young convert named joseph smith found movement called latterday saints oncedespised minority cult increasingly going mainstream mormon running president hit broadway musical titled book mormon nowrejected polygamy religious groups past forming plotline longrunning hbo series big love evidence abounds termed mormon moment160 baptists evangelicals trying decide vote upcoming presidential election also renewed discussion whether church jesus christ latterday saints christian answer complicated christian one means individual placed faith saving work jesus christ mormons would seem qualify believe heavenly father believe son jesus christ believe holy ghost gop presidential nominee mitt romney described mormon faith 99 percent worlds christians however trinitarian formula refers one god exists three distinct persons described bible mormonism holds different view nature god scriptures built presumption revelation cease new testament conservatives object calling mormons christians theology competition converts even mainstream presbyterians methodists lutherans recognize mormon baptisms valid steven harmon adjunct professor gardnerwebb divinity school author ecumenism means noted world council churches national council churches christ usa consider lds eligible membership160 aware national council churches nothing inclusive christian organization officially classify relations lds interfaith rather ecumenical harmon said curtis freeman director baptist house studies duke divinity school said wcc requires members subscribe basic trinitarian confession faith membership160 originally simply confession jesus lord freeman said changed orthodox joined alone excludes mormons though culturally christian christian basic sense doctrine tal davis former interfaith consultant southern baptist conventions north american mission board market faith ministries said looking behavioral patterns mormons evangelical christians lot common really answer question whether mormonism christian system really go little deeper davis said june interview ed stetzers exchange online program look doctrine look theology mormonism kathleen flake graduate brigham young university teaches vanderbilt divinity school says christians encountering mormonism find mix familiar strange recent christian century article flake says even mormonisms unfamiliar tenets rest way bible viewed word god insofar translated correctly three latterday saint scriptures also believed gods direct revelation joseph smith churchs founding prophet book mormon historical narrative covering thousandyear period begins sixth century bc ends fourth century christ includes appearance jesus christ remnant americas shortly resurrection book doctrine covenants establishes church order related church offices temple worship includes distinctive teachings proxy baptism dead pearl great price includes retelling creation story includes event creation god meets children argument develops creation ordered160 one character lucifer advocates use force ensure humans believe another advocates salvation sacrifice agrees sacrifice gods son back story mike huckabees question new york times magazine article 2007 dont mormons believe jesus devil brothers another factor making mormonism harder outsiders understand doctrine changes lds president claims receive continuing revelation god160 church officially abandoned polygamy perhaps notorious legacy 1890 though still shows fringes like sect leader warren jeffs convicted sexual assault child highprofile texas case 2011 1998 lds prophet gordon b hinckley implied shift traditional mormon teaching human beings become gods asked larry king live whether mormons believe god man hinckley replied wouldnt say dwight mckissic pastor cornerstone baptist church arlington sponsored unsuccessful resolution summers annual meeting calling southern baptist convention repudiate racist teachings recorded book mormon pearl great price describe skin blackness cursed loathsome justifiably derived result divine curse mckissic africanamerican said resolution would stop mormon evangelism tracks among people color kevin smith africanamerican pastor served member years sbc resolutions committee said group declined bring recommendation needed research whether lds officially repudiated curse ham dropped ban ordaining black men priesthood 1978 certainly alarmed inroads mormonism communities particularly africa smith said however want call repent something rejected davis coauthor 1998 book mormonism unmasked said mainstreaming mormonism relatively recent phenomenon lds church used emphasize belief one true church others apostate played grown spread outside west worked alongside evangelicals shared social issues like opposition gay marriage think lds church wants present sort regular people davis said churchs latest advertising campaign profiles individuals various walks life giving testimonies titled im mormon time southern baptist leaders moved away describing mormonism cult preferring terms like new religion160 term dont think helpful ed stetzer head lifeway research said interview davis cult often thought religious group strange beliefs outside cultural mainstream call mormons today world going call evangelical christianity tomorrow increasingly religious group world sees strange beliefs stetzer said | 695 |
<p>As Chicago high schools prepared for the second round of CASE tests, Catalyst checked developments at Curie High School, whose scores on the Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP) generally are a few points above citywide averages. The school system is developing the Chicago Academic Standard Exams to help ensure that teachers are teaching and students are learning the academic standards adopted by the Reform Board in 1997. The first tests, for second-semester freshman courses, were piloted last spring. Exams for first-semester courses for both freshmen and sophomores were piloted in January. Written by a dozen Chicago teachers, the exams eventually may count toward course grades and admission to special programs.</p>
<p>Four days into the post-holiday blizzard, Juan Troncoso’s English teacher at Curie High School has not returned to school, and Juan, a freshman, is getting worried. He wants to prepare for the upcoming CASE exams, but isn’t sure what to study.</p>
<p>“I’m just waiting for the teacher to come,” says Juan. “Hopefully she comes Monday.”</p>
<p>Teachers are uneasy, too.</p>
<p>All week, another English teacher Sarah Levine has been reviewing the board-assigned literature with her students, going over terms and working on analysis. But she isn’t sure what they will find on the CASE. She’s concerned that her students may not remember details of a text they read last quarter, but she is hopeful that the CASE will test higher-level thinking skills, the skills she feels she is supposed to be teaching. “I’m depending on them to focus on argument skills and writing skills—not just recall,” she says.</p>
<p>Recalling the multiple-choice questions from the freshman tests piloted last spring, English Department Chair Vera Wallace sees the CASE pushing teachers away from higher-order thinking skills. If a large proportion of the questions ask students to recall facts or draw simple inference, she says, the test result won’t show whether a student is capable of higher-level thinking. She worries that such an exam might encourage teachers to teach more facts and fewer skills.</p>
<p>For Curie, says Wallace, the challenge is incorporating the board-assigned texts into a thematic curriculum that stresses concepts like discrimination, and love and hate. That has been especially difficult at the freshman level, where texts range from Romeo and Juliet to The Pearl.</p>
<p>Philip Hansen, the board’s chief accountability officer, notes that exams in every subject have “constructed-response” sections, which require students to write a short essay or explanation. He also says that once the underlying programs of study are in place, teachers will see they have time for other activities. “As teachers move along this process, they will find it doesn’t take 40 weeks to teach the standards. There is that flexibility where teachers can do other work.”</p>
<p>Up in Curie’s Math Department, teachers have been going over practice tests in algebra and geometry all week, but not many are optimistic their students will do well. David Drymiller sits at his desk and shakes his head; he says the sample algebra test the board supplied is too hard. “Each problem is layered; each question tests five or six concepts,” he explains. “If students miss one of those ideas, they don’t know where to begin.”</p>
<p>Telkia Rutherford, the board’s manager of mathematics support, says that to improve student performance on the algebra exam, teachers need to develop an integrated curriculum that includes geometric concepts, probability and statistics.</p>
<p>Too difficult?</p>
<p>Margaret Small promotes just such a program, the Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP), but she, too, believes the sample algebra exam is too difficult. There are too many questions, and the equations are more complex than necessary to test each skill, she says. Developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, IMP is a four-year curriculum aimed at mixed-ability classes. “We’ve spent three months getting students talking, thinking, believing they can solve problems,” she says. “Then they’ll take this and think, ‘I can’t do math.'” Small believes that the exam should be designed like a driver’s test, measuring basic skills without being tricky or complex.</p>
<p>Last spring, only 25 percent of CPS freshmen passed the test.</p>
<p>Accountability Officer Hansen attributes that to a numberof factors: The programs of study were still in draft form; the exams carried no value for students; the exams were given the last week of school. “This year teachers have a better understanding of the expectations,” he says, adding that he expects better results.</p>
<p>In Curie’s Social Studies Department, Robert Zell is up in arms. Zell, a World Studies teacher, contends the board has “shirked its duty on the CASE.” He says it provided only a broad outline of the material to cover, a few sample questions and no inservice training. Plus, he says, he has only a history book while the board wrote a curriculum that goes beyond history. “I’m putting up an overhead and showing students the areas that will be on the test, and I’m telling them, we didn’t cover this because sources weren’t available.”</p>
<p>Pushing their lunches aside, other social studies teachers say the outline the board provided has far too much material to cover in depth. Department Chair Raymond Garson agrees that the board should establish standards and help schools reach them. “But they need to focus more,” he says. “What areas specifically are we going to cover?”</p>
<p>“There’s always been a large amount of material,” says Barbara McCarry, the board’s coordinator of social science support. “We need to figure out what teachers used to cover that they are now skipping, and what they are now adding. Next year, we’ll enter the new millennium. We’ll have the whole 20th century to decipher.”</p>
<p>Last spring, McCarry met with social studies teachers from across the city to get their reaction to the proposed course of studies. She said she’ll have another meeting to review how the first semester went.</p>
<p>Last year, social studies teachers said that sophomores did not arrive with a good understanding of history before the Civil War; as a result, the sophomore curriculum now includes brief reviews of earlier material. Another result of McCarry’s meeting with teachers is that World Studies takes a regional approach, and its exam gives students the option of writing on Africa or on Europe for each constructed-response question.</p>
<p>While Zell says he did not receive enough preparatory materials, the Office of Student Assessment says it sent a variety to every school. They included programs of study, a chart showing how many questions would be asked in each category and sample test questions. According to Hansen, a total of $850,000 was allotted to high schools for new textbooks this year.</p>
<p>Down in Curie’s Science Department, the concern is that the exam will require too much intuitive and critical thinking. Chemistry teacher Steve Samuels says that many students do not arrive with the ability to think step by step through a problem. Yet he believes CASE may lead classes in the right direction. “It’s difficult for our students to think intuitively,” he says. “But hopefully, I’ll see a question, and I’ll think, ‘I should have thought about teaching that way.'”</p>
<p>Once testing is under way, Samuels says he is pleased with the chemistry test. “It was well-written,” he explains. “I was impressed.” Although he is not yet sure how his students did, he says his class covered all the material that was on the exam.</p>
<p>Grading</p>
<p>Algebra teacher Drymiller says the exam was, as he expected, very difficult. He says terminology was a problem, too. He cites a question in which students were given an equation and asked to make it a “real life” problem, a direction many of his students didn’t understand.</p>
<p>Zell is trying to determine how some of the questions on the World Studies exam connect to the program of study. “That’s what we’ll spend some of our common planning time doing,” he says. “We’ll figure it out so we’re better prepared next time.” He hopes the board will provide a study guide next semester.</p>
<p>Levine says that on the English test, the constructed-response question did require students to do some analysis. But she takes issue with how the question was asked, contending it wasn’t clear to students what they were supposed to do. She says it also included words that students did not understand, such as “grapples.”</p>
<p>With the testing winding down, teachers are beginning to think about the next step—grading. The board has assigned each school a time to bring the multiple-choice sections in for immediate scoring. Teachers should have the scores in time for first-semester grades, which must be recorded by Jan. 29, a five-day extension from the original date. This year, schools may decide how to use the results. At Curie, the Math Department has decided not to figure them into grades. The English Department is allowing each teacher to decide individually.</p>
<p>Schools are grading the constructed-response questions on their own, using rubrics, or guides, provided by the board. Teachers may grade their own students, an issue that the board has struggled with. While that raises questions of validity, says Hansen, it also allows teachers to see the strengths and weaknesses of their students. The grading rules may change once CASE counts for something, he adds.</p>
<p>At Curie, each department is deciding on its own how to organize the process. In the Math Department, Chair Maryann Blaszak plans to have each teacher select a question and grade it across all classes. “That way, no teacher will say, ‘Well, I like Johnny Jones, and his answer is wrong, but I’m still going to give him a four,'” she explains. Blaszak set aside time on the testing days for grading, but she suspects teachers will not finish and may have to do it during free periods or take the work home.</p>
<p>Juan takes no chances</p>
<p>During the first pilot, the board did not require that teachers grade the constructed-response questions. As a result, according to Susan Ryan in the Office of Student Assessment, many of the tests were never graded.</p>
<p>As Catalyst goes to press, Curie teachers are still grading tests, and Juan Troncoso is waiting for his scores. Not all students are so concerned, he says. But a low score on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills landed Juan in summer school last year, and he isn’t taking any chances that a low score on CASE could send him back. This year, he wants a vacation.</p> | false | 3 | chicago high schools prepared second round case tests catalyst checked developments curie high school whose scores tests achievement proficiency tap generally points citywide averages school system developing chicago academic standard exams help ensure teachers teaching students learning academic standards adopted reform board 1997 first tests secondsemester freshman courses piloted last spring exams firstsemester courses freshmen sophomores piloted january written dozen chicago teachers exams eventually may count toward course grades admission special programs four days postholiday blizzard juan troncosos english teacher curie high school returned school juan freshman getting worried wants prepare upcoming case exams isnt sure study im waiting teacher come says juan hopefully comes monday teachers uneasy week another english teacher sarah levine reviewing boardassigned literature students going terms working analysis isnt sure find case shes concerned students may remember details text read last quarter hopeful case test higherlevel thinking skills skills feels supposed teaching im depending focus argument skills writing skillsnot recall says recalling multiplechoice questions freshman tests piloted last spring english department chair vera wallace sees case pushing teachers away higherorder thinking skills large proportion questions ask students recall facts draw simple inference says test result wont show whether student capable higherlevel thinking worries exam might encourage teachers teach facts fewer skills curie says wallace challenge incorporating boardassigned texts thematic curriculum stresses concepts like discrimination love hate especially difficult freshman level texts range romeo juliet pearl philip hansen boards chief accountability officer notes exams every subject constructedresponse sections require students write short essay explanation also says underlying programs study place teachers see time activities teachers move along process find doesnt take 40 weeks teach standards flexibility teachers work curies math department teachers going practice tests algebra geometry week many optimistic students well david drymiller sits desk shakes head says sample algebra test board supplied hard problem layered question tests five six concepts explains students miss one ideas dont know begin telkia rutherford boards manager mathematics support says improve student performance algebra exam teachers need develop integrated curriculum includes geometric concepts probability statistics difficult margaret small promotes program interactive mathematics program imp believes sample algebra exam difficult many questions equations complex necessary test skill says developed funding national science foundation imp fouryear curriculum aimed mixedability classes weve spent three months getting students talking thinking believing solve problems says theyll take think cant math small believes exam designed like drivers test measuring basic skills without tricky complex last spring 25 percent cps freshmen passed test accountability officer hansen attributes numberof factors programs study still draft form exams carried value students exams given last week school year teachers better understanding expectations says adding expects better results curies social studies department robert zell arms zell world studies teacher contends board shirked duty case says provided broad outline material cover sample questions inservice training plus says history book board wrote curriculum goes beyond history im putting overhead showing students areas test im telling didnt cover sources werent available pushing lunches aside social studies teachers say outline board provided far much material cover depth department chair raymond garson agrees board establish standards help schools reach need focus says areas specifically going cover theres always large amount material says barbara mccarry boards coordinator social science support need figure teachers used cover skipping adding next year well enter new millennium well whole 20th century decipher last spring mccarry met social studies teachers across city get reaction proposed course studies said shell another meeting review first semester went last year social studies teachers said sophomores arrive good understanding history civil war result sophomore curriculum includes brief reviews earlier material another result mccarrys meeting teachers world studies takes regional approach exam gives students option writing africa europe constructedresponse question zell says receive enough preparatory materials office student assessment says sent variety every school included programs study chart showing many questions would asked category sample test questions according hansen total 850000 allotted high schools new textbooks year curies science department concern exam require much intuitive critical thinking chemistry teacher steve samuels says many students arrive ability think step step problem yet believes case may lead classes right direction difficult students think intuitively says hopefully ill see question ill think thought teaching way testing way samuels says pleased chemistry test wellwritten explains impressed although yet sure students says class covered material exam grading algebra teacher drymiller says exam expected difficult says terminology problem cites question students given equation asked make real life problem direction many students didnt understand zell trying determine questions world studies exam connect program study thats well spend common planning time says well figure better prepared next time hopes board provide study guide next semester levine says english test constructedresponse question require students analysis takes issue question asked contending wasnt clear students supposed says also included words students understand grapples testing winding teachers beginning think next stepgrading board assigned school time bring multiplechoice sections immediate scoring teachers scores time firstsemester grades must recorded jan 29 fiveday extension original date year schools may decide use results curie math department decided figure grades english department allowing teacher decide individually schools grading constructedresponse questions using rubrics guides provided board teachers may grade students issue board struggled raises questions validity says hansen also allows teachers see strengths weaknesses students grading rules may change case counts something adds curie department deciding organize process math department chair maryann blaszak plans teacher select question grade across classes way teacher say well like johnny jones answer wrong im still going give four explains blaszak set aside time testing days grading suspects teachers finish may free periods take work home juan takes chances first pilot board require teachers grade constructedresponse questions result according susan ryan office student assessment many tests never graded catalyst goes press curie teachers still grading tests juan troncoso waiting scores students concerned says low score iowa tests basic skills landed juan summer school last year isnt taking chances low score case could send back year wants vacation | 986 |
<p>The following is a report on a survey Catalyst commissioned to see how recent education graduates decide where to teach. Institutions chosen for the survey were the University of Illinois at Chicago, National-Louis University, based in Evanston, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The survey was conducted by the Metro Chicago Information Center, a non-profit organization providing focus group, survey research, mapping and analysis services. Woody Carter, the author, is MCIC’s director of research.</p>
<p>First the good news. About 60 percent of new teacher graduates from three area schools of education feel positive about teaching in Chicago Public Schools. Furthermore, about half of them (31 percent) actually made an effort to get teaching jobs in Chicago Public Schools this September. Now the bad news. Only about half of them—18 percent—ultimately accept CPS jobs.</p>
<p>Why? Concerns about school safety, the school system’s residency requirement and anemic recruiting efforts create barriers between the best new teachers and teaching jobs in the Chicago Public Schools. This paper reports on these and other findings of a mail survey of 340 recent education graduates of the University of Illinois at Chicago, which has become CPS’s biggest supplier; National-Louis University, a major private supplier; and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the elite schools CPS is targeting.</p>
<p>Gung ho for Chicago</p>
<p>For the most part, new teachers have a favorable bias toward teaching in the Chicago Public Schools. Overall, 26 percent report they are “very positive” and another 32 percent are “somewhat positive” about teaching in the system. UIC graduates, more than half of whom will teach in the CPS, were the most positive (80 percent favorable); Madison graduates, sending less than 1 percent of their graduates here, the least at 45 percent favorable.</p>
<p>To understand this better, the survey asked about the factors influencing opinion and knowledge about CPS. The findings, ranked by the proportion selecting “very much influenced,” are shown in</p>
<p>Table 1.</p>
<p>Friends, parents, and CPS recruiting efforts are the clear losers in this competition for the hearts and minds of new teachers. This was supported in focus groups with current Chicago teachers—many of whom reported they were strongly advised against teaching in CPS by family and friends but applied anyway.</p>
<p>Experiences living in Chicago, as well as student teaching in the city, are highly influential, as is media coverage of Chicago schools. However, the nature of that influence is very different. The more respondents relied on their own experiences teaching and living in Chicago, the more likely they were to want to teach in the CPS; relying on the media made them less likely. U.W. Madison graduates, with less exposure to and familiarity with Chicago, rely more on the media and have a more negative view toward teaching in the city.</p>
<p>In comments written on the questionnaire, respondents underlined the importance of increased contact with the realities of CPS teaching. A typical example:</p>
<p>“Bring student teachers in and have a lot of people talk about the system—tell us what it will be like. There’s a lot of rumors and talk but not a lot of facts. Actually going there and seeing what happens in a day—hook teachers up with potential teachers— in a buddy system. With literature, people are skeptical – everything seems great on paper, but what is it really like?”</p>
<p>Professors in education schools carry more weight than friends but less than the media in Table 1; the more influential the mentors were, the more likely the respondent was to want to work in the Chicago Public Schools. Education school professors are influencing their students positively about urban teaching.</p>
<p>Making a difference</p>
<p>The lure of bright lights is not the primary motivation to want to teach in Chicago; rather, it is the opportunity for a dedicated teacher to make a difference. The survey asked graduates who would consider teaching in the CPS (77 percent) what attracted them about the jobs (See findings in Table 2.)</p>
<p>The opportunity to teach inner-city children was the No. 1 motivator across all three schools of education. This suggests it resonates with the core reasons many have decided to become teachers. One respondent wrote about “the difference in emotional rewards when teaching in the inner city vs. a suburban school with kids who have everything they have ever needed and more. Everyone deserves the chance to have a good teacher. The kids in the city are still just kids!”</p>
<p>For other dimensions, priorities differed, with UIC graduates selecting “giving back to the community” and “student teaching experiences” as key factors, National-Louis graduates identifying “giving back to the community,” and U.W. Madison students “the chance to live in a big city.” Here again, CPS recruiting efforts do not appear to play a significant role in attracting talent to jobs in the system.</p>
<p>Safety first</p>
<p>About 35 percent of the National-Louis and Madison1 students said they would never consider a CPS job, but only 10 percent of the UIC graduates felt this way. The survey asked respondents who said they would not consider teaching in the Chicago Public Schools to give their reasons. Table 3 reports the results.</p>
<p>Safety concerns, a preference not to live in a big city, and the desire to stay near family and friends stand out as major factors among the teacher graduates who would not consider working for the Chicago Public Schools. Comments in the popular “other” category focused on strong opposition to the CPS residency requirement. As one respondent noted, “Do not limit yourselves because of where a teacher lives. There are excellent teachers in the suburbs that want to teach in Chicago but cannot. Therefore you cannot claim to want the best.” CPS efforts to encourage mid-career professionals to become teachers may be derailed by the unwillingness of seasoned, situated professionals to uproot home and family as a job requirement.</p>
<p>Safety concerns are not limited to those who would never consider teaching in Chicago Public Schools. The survey asked for the three changes that would make respondents more likely to want to teach in CPS. The findings, based on answers by all respondents, including those positive toward the CPS, are shown in Table 4.</p>
<p>There is an enormous variability in new graduate views of teaching conditions—safety, classroom resources, and working environment—in the Chicago public schools. As one respondent wrote, “There is a widely known myth that the Chicago Public Schools are unsafe, lacking resources and good teaching/learning environments.” To others, the “myth” appears true:</p>
<p>“I graduated top 10% of my class. Safety was an enormous issue for both my husband and me. The only offer to teach in CPS was from a school in which the police told me to get out of the area for my safety.”</p>
<p>“Create a better working environment. I student taught in CPS and was turned off by the system when I had to pay to do my copies at Kinkos, very unprofessional in my opinion.”</p>
<p>“The biggest disappointment that I experienced during student teaching was the constant conflict between the teachers and the administrative staff. If you want to recruit the best graduates, it is imperative that there is camaraderie within the school system and amongst those who are involved.”</p>
<p>Current teachers in focus groups presented a similar range of contradictory “realities,” with schools varying dramatically in terms of perceived safety, teacher resources, and friendliness to new teachers—or lack thereof. Most of the current teachers had considered, at one time or another, moving to other jobs in more supportive school systems; some had decided to do so. Student teaching and substitute teaching were identified as two of the best ways to learn the real conditions in a particular school, but these are not available to many teacher trainees. Survey results suggest that more student teaching in CPS would make graduates more knowledgeable and more eager to work there—of the 62 reporting student teaching experience in city schools, 84 percent indicated the experience contributed to their willingness to teach in Chicago.</p>
<p>CPS a slowpoke</p>
<p>The key roadblock appears not to be the image or appeal of the Chicago school system, but rather hiring practices that put CPS at a disadvantage compared to competing systems. Although “earlier hire decision date” and “streamlined application process” are not among the top changes selected in Table 4, they were addressed in a number of respondent comments:</p>
<p>“Don’t allow teachers to wait until the last minute to retire, quit, etc., just to get medical coverage over the summer. Many people I know got jobs in the suburbs because positions are opened and available so much earlier there. Only the really dedicated and the ‘leftovers’ are available at the last minute.”</p>
<p>“Most suburban schools post job positions and begin the interviewing process in the spring – my one piece of advice for the CPS would be to recruit and post positions much earlier in the year when ‘the best graduates’ are looking for jobs.”</p>
<p>“I was called by a couple of principals this week (August 12). I have been hired by a private school since June!!! I have been planning and setting up my room for a month or two. The CPS practice of hiring teachers one week before school illustrates a total lack of respect for teachers.”</p>
<p>Under school reform, only principals can hire new teachers, and they only know for certain just before the school year starts exactly how many of the prior year’s teachers are leaving. Those teachers have an incentive to inform principals at the last minute so they can retain subsidized health benefits over the summer. Furthermore, principals have school racial distributions they must try to improve in their hiring, which further limits their flexibility and makes it difficult for some new teachers to work near where they live.</p>
<p>“I am an exceptional teacher. However, since I am white, many principals said they could not hire me,” said one graduate.</p>
<p>From the perspective of new education graduates, more flexible and less constrained school systems snap up the best teachers well before August.</p>
<p>Hope for the future</p>
<p>In spite of the influence of negative media and the survey’s finding that past CPS recruiting efforts have been ineffective, there is much to be hopeful about regarding prospects for hiring teacher graduates from the schools surveyed. As noted earlier, new graduates are surprisingly positive about teaching in the Chicago Public Schools. To better connect the system with the students, respondents clearly prefer responsiveness to inquiries and outreach activities like campus visits and job fairs, as shown in Table 5.</p>
<p>However, only “responsiveness to applicants” was selected as “very effective” by more than 20 percent of respondents, indicated a generally unenthusiastic view of CPS recruiting efforts. More than a quarter of trainees at these education schools had not been exposed to any CPS recruiting activity, and more than half the respondents had no familiarity at all with three (potentially) highly effective methods: inducements, professional recruiters, and field trips to Chicago schools.</p>
<p>Limited exposure limits the possible scores for these approaches but suggests that more aggressive, strategic recruiting will pay off. It was high on the list of respondent written comments:</p>
<p>“Provide a lot of information (in writing) to the applicants. This should include ‘pros &amp; cons’ of the district, and what is being done to improve the ‘cons.’ Also, a clear outline of financial benefits like salary and insurance. Finally, provide one-to-one discussions with a person employed with the district – maybe a teacher or a principal.”</p>
<p>“During the winter quarter have campus visits by school administrators and principals—then assign a mentor to work along with the future graduate to ensure placement.”</p>
<p>“Offer lectures given by teachers who have been successful teaching in the Chicago Public Schools—this would offer encouragement.”</p>
<p>“Physically go into the classrooms and speak with teachers that are graduating—advertise yourself!”</p>
<p>“I believe CPS should visit student teaching seminars, assuming that most of the attendees are graduating. No one from CPS ever presented in any of my classes and I certainly would have benefited from that.”</p>
<p>In focus groups, current CPS teachers remembered how na‹vely they approached the somewhat Byzantine CPS hiring process. Even the best schools, in the view of these recently minted teachers, do not prepare new graduates for the real world of urban education bureaucracy. And CPS responsiveness appears to vary considerably. A number of questionnaires included exasperated comments about how their application was still in limbo and “no one ever called back.” Madison graduates face another hurdle:</p>
<p>“Wisconsin has no reciprocity with Illinois, therefore, the process to receive my Illinois license was time consuming, slow, and way too complex. CPS requires Illinois licensing, therefore, I was not allowed to take a position in CPS no matter how much I would have loved to …. after many phone calls and run around I was able to apply; yet after two months I still have not received my license.”</p>
<p>Respondents had suggestions for how to change what they see as anemic CPS recruiting efforts:</p>
<p>“When they are at job fairs, they need to do everything they can to make sure new teachers know what they need to do to get into the Chicago Public School system.”</p>
<p>“Send email/mail to students who are in their last year of teacher training—honestly describing the needs and situation in Chicago. Make them feel needed/wanted. Take out LARGE ads in campus newspapers especially the Onion. Let them know they can make a difference.”</p>
<p>“Recruiters need to be more readily available for questions of new graduates—if I hadn’t had extra help from others (friends) I would’ve been lost.”</p>
<p>Tailor approaches to targets</p>
<p>National-Louis, UIC, and UW-Madison present three different profiles of students and thus may require different recruitment strategies. UIC considers itself a leader in urban education, and indeed, more than half its new graduates are teaching in Chicago this fall. More than 60 percent of National-Louis students, in contrast, report taking jobs in Chicago’s suburbs. UW Madison sends few graduates to Chicago, but 31 percent report they are teaching in an urban school elsewhere, while 45 percent teach in suburbs of other cities.</p>
<p>The three schools provide different profiles of factors in their graduates’ decision where to teach. Ranked in terms of overall preference, the school-by-school breakdowns are shown in Table 6. Areas where the schools show sizable differences are highlighted.</p>
<p>Madison graduates are more concerned with type of community, affordable housing, and proximity to family or friends, than are respondents from the other schools. They are less concerned with safety, support for new teachers, and pay. National-Louis students rank reputation of school district and type of community higher than UIC respondents, but on most other dimensions they are similar. An exception is that UIC graduates rank support for new teachers higher than those in the other two schools. A finely-tuned marketing strategy would have to target Madison students with one message and the other two schools with a different emphasis.</p>
<p>42 who got away</p>
<p>The survey asked respondents whether the following best describes their situation: “I wanted to work in Chicago public schools but it didn’t happen.” Of the 13 percent (42 individuals) answering “yes,” most got jobs in the suburbs instead. The reasons why are suggested by Table 7, reporting these respondents’ selections of ways they would be more likely to teach in Chicago Public Schools. Table 7 also provides, for comparison, the plus or minus movement in rank from the overall ranking in Table 4. For example, “no residency requirement” was ranked second by this group and fifth by the sample as a whole – an increase in rank of three steps.</p>
<p>The items moving up the rankings the most were residency requirement, earlier hire decision date, and streamlined application process—suggesting these as key reasons why these graduates from the area schools of education were denied the jobs they really wanted with the Chicago Public Schools.</p>
<p>The need to bridge the gap between Chicago Public Schools and teacher training institutions is perhaps the one most important finding of this research. Currently, the gap is filled primarily by media and rumor, neither of which strengthens CPS’s appeal. More sophisticated advertising and recruitment will have payoffs, but they still imply a “we-they” dynamic of distance. Some respondents suggest a different paradigm, involving a greater spirit of partnership. This would involve teaming with the faculty who are already promoting the opportunities in urban education and expanding opportunities for student teaching and honest communication between trainee and experienced teachers. As one respondent wrote, “Work closely with the universities. The [Chicago Public] schools should participate in the educational process of teachers. The more the teachers get in their buildings, the better selection of teachers they will have.”</p>
<p>Survey</p>
<p>The questionnaire for this study was developed in two focus groups conducted with Chicago Public Schools teachers who were recent graduates. New graduates of the University of Illinois at Chicago, National-Louis University and the University of Wisconsin at Madison who had expressed an interest in urban teaching received questionaires. IRSS, Inc. conducted telephone interviews with some respondents from those schools. Returns were extraordinarily high.</p>
<p>Survey respondents ranged in age from 21 to 54; though most—68.4 percent—were 22 to 30 years old. Not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority were female; only 20 percent were male. More than 4 out of every 5 respondents was white. Only 12 percent were minorities, most of them Hispanic or Asian. Blacks comprised 2 percent. Many of the students resided in Chicago area suburbs (43 percent); only 19 percent called lived inside the Chicago city limits. The rest (37 percent) hailed from other urban, suburban or rural areas. Please note that not all percentages total 100, as some respondents opted not to answer all demographic questions.</p> | false | 3 | following report survey catalyst commissioned see recent education graduates decide teach institutions chosen survey university illinois chicago nationallouis university based evanston university wisconsinmadison survey conducted metro chicago information center nonprofit organization providing focus group survey research mapping analysis services woody carter author mcics director research first good news 60 percent new teacher graduates three area schools education feel positive teaching chicago public schools furthermore half 31 percent actually made effort get teaching jobs chicago public schools september bad news half them18 percentultimately accept cps jobs concerns school safety school systems residency requirement anemic recruiting efforts create barriers best new teachers teaching jobs chicago public schools paper reports findings mail survey 340 recent education graduates university illinois chicago become cpss biggest supplier nationallouis university major private supplier university wisconsinmadison one elite schools cps targeting gung ho chicago part new teachers favorable bias toward teaching chicago public schools overall 26 percent report positive another 32 percent somewhat positive teaching system uic graduates half teach cps positive 80 percent favorable madison graduates sending less 1 percent graduates least 45 percent favorable understand better survey asked factors influencing opinion knowledge cps findings ranked proportion selecting much influenced shown table 1 friends parents cps recruiting efforts clear losers competition hearts minds new teachers supported focus groups current chicago teachersmany reported strongly advised teaching cps family friends applied anyway experiences living chicago well student teaching city highly influential media coverage chicago schools however nature influence different respondents relied experiences teaching living chicago likely want teach cps relying media made less likely uw madison graduates less exposure familiarity chicago rely media negative view toward teaching city comments written questionnaire respondents underlined importance increased contact realities cps teaching typical example bring student teachers lot people talk systemtell us like theres lot rumors talk lot facts actually going seeing happens dayhook teachers potential teachers buddy system literature people skeptical everything seems great paper really like professors education schools carry weight friends less media table 1 influential mentors likely respondent want work chicago public schools education school professors influencing students positively urban teaching making difference lure bright lights primary motivation want teach chicago rather opportunity dedicated teacher make difference survey asked graduates would consider teaching cps 77 percent attracted jobs see findings table 2 opportunity teach innercity children 1 motivator across three schools education suggests resonates core reasons many decided become teachers one respondent wrote difference emotional rewards teaching inner city vs suburban school kids everything ever needed everyone deserves chance good teacher kids city still kids dimensions priorities differed uic graduates selecting giving back community student teaching experiences key factors nationallouis graduates identifying giving back community uw madison students chance live big city cps recruiting efforts appear play significant role attracting talent jobs system safety first 35 percent nationallouis madison1 students said would never consider cps job 10 percent uic graduates felt way survey asked respondents said would consider teaching chicago public schools give reasons table 3 reports results safety concerns preference live big city desire stay near family friends stand major factors among teacher graduates would consider working chicago public schools comments popular category focused strong opposition cps residency requirement one respondent noted limit teacher lives excellent teachers suburbs want teach chicago therefore claim want best cps efforts encourage midcareer professionals become teachers may derailed unwillingness seasoned situated professionals uproot home family job requirement safety concerns limited would never consider teaching chicago public schools survey asked three changes would make respondents likely want teach cps findings based answers respondents including positive toward cps shown table 4 enormous variability new graduate views teaching conditionssafety classroom resources working environmentin chicago public schools one respondent wrote widely known myth chicago public schools unsafe lacking resources good teachinglearning environments others myth appears true graduated top 10 class safety enormous issue husband offer teach cps school police told get area safety create better working environment student taught cps turned system pay copies kinkos unprofessional opinion biggest disappointment experienced student teaching constant conflict teachers administrative staff want recruit best graduates imperative camaraderie within school system amongst involved current teachers focus groups presented similar range contradictory realities schools varying dramatically terms perceived safety teacher resources friendliness new teachersor lack thereof current teachers considered one time another moving jobs supportive school systems decided student teaching substitute teaching identified two best ways learn real conditions particular school available many teacher trainees survey results suggest student teaching cps would make graduates knowledgeable eager work thereof 62 reporting student teaching experience city schools 84 percent indicated experience contributed willingness teach chicago cps slowpoke key roadblock appears image appeal chicago school system rather hiring practices put cps disadvantage compared competing systems although earlier hire decision date streamlined application process among top changes selected table 4 addressed number respondent comments dont allow teachers wait last minute retire quit etc get medical coverage summer many people know got jobs suburbs positions opened available much earlier really dedicated leftovers available last minute suburban schools post job positions begin interviewing process spring one piece advice cps would recruit post positions much earlier year best graduates looking jobs called couple principals week august 12 hired private school since june planning setting room month two cps practice hiring teachers one week school illustrates total lack respect teachers school reform principals hire new teachers know certain school year starts exactly many prior years teachers leaving teachers incentive inform principals last minute retain subsidized health benefits summer furthermore principals school racial distributions must try improve hiring limits flexibility makes difficult new teachers work near live exceptional teacher however since white many principals said could hire said one graduate perspective new education graduates flexible less constrained school systems snap best teachers well august hope future spite influence negative media surveys finding past cps recruiting efforts ineffective much hopeful regarding prospects hiring teacher graduates schools surveyed noted earlier new graduates surprisingly positive teaching chicago public schools better connect system students respondents clearly prefer responsiveness inquiries outreach activities like campus visits job fairs shown table 5 however responsiveness applicants selected effective 20 percent respondents indicated generally unenthusiastic view cps recruiting efforts quarter trainees education schools exposed cps recruiting activity half respondents familiarity three potentially highly effective methods inducements professional recruiters field trips chicago schools limited exposure limits possible scores approaches suggests aggressive strategic recruiting pay high list respondent written comments provide lot information writing applicants include pros amp cons district done improve cons also clear outline financial benefits like salary insurance finally provide onetoone discussions person employed district maybe teacher principal winter quarter campus visits school administrators principalsthen assign mentor work along future graduate ensure placement offer lectures given teachers successful teaching chicago public schoolsthis would offer encouragement physically go classrooms speak teachers graduatingadvertise believe cps visit student teaching seminars assuming attendees graduating one cps ever presented classes certainly would benefited focus groups current cps teachers remembered navely approached somewhat byzantine cps hiring process even best schools view recently minted teachers prepare new graduates real world urban education bureaucracy cps responsiveness appears vary considerably number questionnaires included exasperated comments application still limbo one ever called back madison graduates face another hurdle wisconsin reciprocity illinois therefore process receive illinois license time consuming slow way complex cps requires illinois licensing therefore allowed take position cps matter much would loved many phone calls run around able apply yet two months still received license respondents suggestions change see anemic cps recruiting efforts job fairs need everything make sure new teachers know need get chicago public school system send emailmail students last year teacher traininghonestly describing needs situation chicago make feel neededwanted take large ads campus newspapers especially onion let know make difference recruiters need readily available questions new graduatesif hadnt extra help others friends wouldve lost tailor approaches targets nationallouis uic uwmadison present three different profiles students thus may require different recruitment strategies uic considers leader urban education indeed half new graduates teaching chicago fall 60 percent nationallouis students contrast report taking jobs chicagos suburbs uw madison sends graduates chicago 31 percent report teaching urban school elsewhere 45 percent teach suburbs cities three schools provide different profiles factors graduates decision teach ranked terms overall preference schoolbyschool breakdowns shown table 6 areas schools show sizable differences highlighted madison graduates concerned type community affordable housing proximity family friends respondents schools less concerned safety support new teachers pay nationallouis students rank reputation school district type community higher uic respondents dimensions similar exception uic graduates rank support new teachers higher two schools finelytuned marketing strategy would target madison students one message two schools different emphasis 42 got away survey asked respondents whether following best describes situation wanted work chicago public schools didnt happen 13 percent 42 individuals answering yes got jobs suburbs instead reasons suggested table 7 reporting respondents selections ways would likely teach chicago public schools table 7 also provides comparison plus minus movement rank overall ranking table 4 example residency requirement ranked second group fifth sample whole increase rank three steps items moving rankings residency requirement earlier hire decision date streamlined application processsuggesting key reasons graduates area schools education denied jobs really wanted chicago public schools need bridge gap chicago public schools teacher training institutions perhaps one important finding research currently gap filled primarily media rumor neither strengthens cpss appeal sophisticated advertising recruitment payoffs still imply wethey dynamic distance respondents suggest different paradigm involving greater spirit partnership would involve teaming faculty already promoting opportunities urban education expanding opportunities student teaching honest communication trainee experienced teachers one respondent wrote work closely universities chicago public schools participate educational process teachers teachers get buildings better selection teachers survey questionnaire study developed two focus groups conducted chicago public schools teachers recent graduates new graduates university illinois chicago nationallouis university university wisconsin madison expressed interest urban teaching received questionaires irss inc conducted telephone interviews respondents schools returns extraordinarily high survey respondents ranged age 21 54 though most684 percentwere 22 30 years old surprisingly overwhelming majority female 20 percent male 4 every 5 respondents white 12 percent minorities hispanic asian blacks comprised 2 percent many students resided chicago area suburbs 43 percent 19 percent called lived inside chicago city limits rest 37 percent hailed urban suburban rural areas please note percentages total 100 respondents opted answer demographic questions | 1,695 |
<p>Follow these common sense tips when house hunting.</p>
<p>It’s April, which means the spring real estate market is kicking into high gear. Lots of buyers and sellers wait until the spring to list their home or start their house hunting. With the market — and showings — at their peak in the next two months, we thought we’d share our top tips for house hunting etiquette.</p>
<p>We’ve learned over the years that following these basic rules of house hunting etiquette goes a long way in making sellers and their agents happy (and more inclined to accept YOUR offer). So here are our top DO’s and DON’Ts for house hunting etiquette this spring.</p>
<p>Know Your Budget. This one is essential. Take the time to get pre-approved for a mortgage before heading out. It does not help you to see homes you cannot afford. Stick to your budget.</p>
<p>Be On Time. This almost goes without saying but remember to be respectful of everyone’s time – your Realtor’s, the homeowners, the seller’s agent, as well as your own. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to set up showings and coordinate multiple schedules.</p>
<p>Leave the Kids at Home. When you get close to settling on “the” home, we will absolutely go back for a visit with the kids. However, when you are just starting out and touring homes and neighborhoods for the first time, line up a sitter. Doing so will allow you and your Realtor focus better and cover more ground.</p>
<p>Be Open to Going Shoeless. Most sellers won’t require you to take off your shoes, but be prepared. Leave the lace up shoes at home and wear slips ons.</p>
<p>Be Respectful of The Sellers’ Privacy. While opening closets and cabinets to check out the space is generally fine, avoid opening dresser drawers or examining family photos on the walls.</p>
<p>Mum’s The Word. As mom always said, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” This rule holds true when house hunting as well. The sellers may be within earshot (hello, nanny cams!) and you don’t want to offend them, especially if it’s a house you’re seriously considering. This goes the other way as well. If you love the house, play it cool. You wouldn’t want to tip your hand before the negotiations. Wait until you’re in the car with your Realtor to share your thoughts.</p>
<p>Take Lots of Notes. Be sure you take plenty of notes on the homes you are touring so you can debrief with your Realtor and any other decision-makers at the end of the day. Always ask permission (from one of the agents or the homeowner if they are present) if you want to take any photos of the home.</p>
<p>Look at Listings Above Your Budget. Doing so wastes everyone’s time and energy, from your agent to the sellers’ agent to the homeowners, who likely spend a fair amount a time preparing for each showing. Plus, seeing homes you cannot afford to purchase generally sets up unrealistic expectations in what you can purchase (and makes those you can seem like a let down).</p>
<p>Ask To Go Out Last Minute. 24 hours’ notice is typically best, especially when touring homes that are still occupied. We will always try to see what we can set up, but if you know you want to see a property, please give as much notice as possible to increase chances we can get in to see it.</p>
<p>Cancel at the Last Minute. On the flip side, don’t cancel on a whim. Your Realtor (and the seller) has done a great deal of legwork to set up your tour – coordinating the showings, mapping out a route. It takes more time to undo it all. So unless a true emergency, please don’t cancel on your agent at the 11th hour.</p>
<p>Block Access. This one is pretty common sense, don’t block the driveway or box in another car when parking at a house you are touring.</p>
<p>Bring Food or Drink into a Home You Are Touring. Again, it is common sense, but let’s avoid any risk of spilling a latte on the white carpet.</p>
<p>Bring an Entourage. Try to keep your group to no more than two or three. If your parents are coming to town and you want to go back to a property you are considering, we are always happy to accommodate. But try not to have visitors or casual friends tag along on your initial tours.</p>
<p>Go Solo. Once you have signed with a Realtor, do not tour any properties without your agent. It’s fine to attend Open Houses on your own, but always let the listing agent know you are working with a Realtor. Also, when in the home, stay with your Realtor while touring. Avoid wandering off on your own or letting your kids run around in the house.</p>
<p>Make Yourself at Home. This is not your home (yet). Please don’t stretch out on any sofas or beds or test out any recliners in homes you are touring. Likewise, please don’t let your kids grab items in the home or attempt to play the piano (we’ve seen it before!) or with toys around the house. This should also be an obvious one, but please don’t take anything from the home other than listing materials. You should also avoid using the home’s bathroom unless it’s a true emergency.</p>
<p>Don’t Stay TOO Long. Generally, unless a home is very large (or small), 30 minutes is plenty of time for a showing. Spending two hours there on an initial visit is not necessary and generally frowned upon by all. Also, avoid multiple visits without taking any action.</p>
<p>Show the Love. Do NOT tell the seller’s Realtor or the agent holding the open how much you love the home. You don’t want to tip your hand to the listing agent in any way.</p>
<p>The Bottom Line: Follow this basic house hunting etiquette to keep all parties happy. Follow the Golden Rule – treat others in the process as you would wish to be treated. Respect everyone’s time, privacy and requests. Trust us, agents prefer to work with other agents and homebuyers who are respectful and considerate.</p>
<p>If we can help you find our dream home this spring, please reach out. We are always happy to help.</p>
<p />
<p>The Goodhart Group is McEnearney Associates’ top-producing team. In 2016, they helped 120 clients achieve their real estate goals. Led by Sue &amp; Allison Goodhart, they have been named a Top Agent by both&#160;Washingtonian&#160;and&#160;Northern Virginia&#160;magazines.&#160;The Goodhart Group can be reached at 703-362-3221&#160;or&#160; <a href="mailto:allison@thegoodhartgroup.com" type="external">sue@thegoodhartgroup.com</a>.&#160;</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">house hunting etiquette</a> <a href="" type="internal">Real estate</a> <a href="" type="internal">spring real estate market</a></p> | false | 3 | follow common sense tips house hunting april means spring real estate market kicking high gear lots buyers sellers wait spring list home start house hunting market showings peak next two months thought wed share top tips house hunting etiquette weve learned years following basic rules house hunting etiquette goes long way making sellers agents happy inclined accept offer top dos donts house hunting etiquette spring know budget one essential take time get preapproved mortgage heading help see homes afford stick budget time almost goes without saying remember respectful everyones time realtors homeowners sellers agent well lot goes behind scenes set showings coordinate multiple schedules leave kids home get close settling home absolutely go back visit kids however starting touring homes neighborhoods first time line sitter allow realtor focus better cover ground open going shoeless sellers wont require take shoes prepared leave lace shoes home wear slips ons respectful sellers privacy opening closets cabinets check space generally fine avoid opening dresser drawers examining family photos walls mums word mom always said cant say something nice dont say anything rule holds true house hunting well sellers may within earshot hello nanny cams dont want offend especially house youre seriously considering goes way well love house play cool wouldnt want tip hand negotiations wait youre car realtor share thoughts take lots notes sure take plenty notes homes touring debrief realtor decisionmakers end day always ask permission one agents homeowner present want take photos home look listings budget wastes everyones time energy agent sellers agent homeowners likely spend fair amount time preparing showing plus seeing homes afford purchase generally sets unrealistic expectations purchase makes seem like let ask go last minute 24 hours notice typically best especially touring homes still occupied always try see set know want see property please give much notice possible increase chances get see cancel last minute flip side dont cancel whim realtor seller done great deal legwork set tour coordinating showings mapping route takes time undo unless true emergency please dont cancel agent 11th hour block access one pretty common sense dont block driveway box another car parking house touring bring food drink home touring common sense lets avoid risk spilling latte white carpet bring entourage try keep group two three parents coming town want go back property considering always happy accommodate try visitors casual friends tag along initial tours go solo signed realtor tour properties without agent fine attend open houses always let listing agent know working realtor also home stay realtor touring avoid wandering letting kids run around house make home home yet please dont stretch sofas beds test recliners homes touring likewise please dont let kids grab items home attempt play piano weve seen toys around house also obvious one please dont take anything home listing materials also avoid using homes bathroom unless true emergency dont stay long generally unless home large small 30 minutes plenty time showing spending two hours initial visit necessary generally frowned upon also avoid multiple visits without taking action show love tell sellers realtor agent holding open much love home dont want tip hand listing agent way bottom line follow basic house hunting etiquette keep parties happy follow golden rule treat others process would wish treated respect everyones time privacy requests trust us agents prefer work agents homebuyers respectful considerate help find dream home spring please reach always happy help goodhart group mcenearney associates topproducing team 2016 helped 120 clients achieve real estate goals led sue amp allison goodhart named top agent both160washingtonian160and160northern virginia160magazines160the goodhart group reached 7033623221160or160 suethegoodhartgroupcom160 house hunting etiquette real estate spring real estate market | 597 |
<p>Who best represents Jesus? Those who profess Jesus as Savior, but side with the elite, the powerful, the rich, the oppressors? Or those who stand up for and stand with the little ones?</p>
<p>Who is actually for Jesus and who is actually against Jesus? It may not be the persons we think.</p>
<p>An episode in the Synoptic Gospels of Luke and Mark bear this out. Luke’s version reads:</p>
<p>John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:49-50).</p>
<p>The key word here is “us.” The disciples are offended that the one engaging in works of healing and liberation in the name of Christ was not sanctioned or credentialed by their group. Their interest seems to be one of control, gatekeeping, and promoting group exceptionalism. Jesus challenges them (and us) to think in terms of a larger story and in broader patterns.</p>
<p>There are hints in Mark’s version of the story that Mark was concerned with conflicting Christian groups within his church context (Mark 9:38-41). Luke’s context is less specific and more inclusive. If we follow Luke’s lead then by extension we can apply this to any group, Christian or some other religious faith or no religious faith at all.</p>
<p>In both Mark’s and Luke’s narrative, just prior to this interchange the disciples had been arguing about who is the greatest in God’s realm. In response Jesus embraces a little child and according to Luke’s version says, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest” (Luke 9:48).</p>
<p>In that culture a child represented not only someone of low status, but one of society’s most vulnerable members. There were no laws protecting children’s rights.</p>
<p>Clearly, mercy and justice extended to the little ones, work done to bring healing and liberation to the most vulnerable in society is work done in the “name” of Jesus – that is, it is work that reflects Jesus’ character and values, his love, compassion, and justice.</p>
<p>Let’s suppose I have a friend who does not claim to be a Christian. Nevertheless, he stands up for a coworker who is being treated badly and discriminated against. Such courageous action will probably cost him advancement within the company or maybe even his job. My friend is acting in the “name” of Jesus whether he recognizes it or not. He is reflecting the compassion and justice of Christ, even though he may not claim to know Christ at all. This is similar to what the writer of 1 John says about love, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them” (1 John 4:16b). Whenever a person acts in love, God is present in that person, whether he or she professes to know God or not.</p>
<p>Our response to the little ones – our actions and inactions, what we do or fail to do reveals at any given moment whether we stand “for” Jesus or “against” him.</p>
<p>Recently Vermont senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders gave a speech at Liberty University, the school founded by the late Baptist minister Jerry Falwell. Bernie Sanders is not a Christian. He is Jewish, though he does not claim to be a deeply religious person. He expounded a vision taught by Jesus in the golden rule: “In everything do to others as you would have them to do to you; for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12). He quoted that text and he quoted Amos: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (5:24).</p>
<p>He said that it would be a hard case to make that we are a just society, a society that lives by the golden rule. He pointed out the massive injustice in terms of income and wealth inequality. He said there is no justice “when so few have so much and so many have so little.” He noted that our country has the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country on earth.</p>
<p>He said, “there is no justice when low income and working class mothers are forced to separate from their babies one or two weeks after birth and go back to work because they need the money that their jobs provide.” Again, he pointed out that we are the “only major country on earth that does not provide paid family and medical leave.”</p>
<p>One evangelical Christian, a twice graduate of Liberty University posted on the internet a sermon he preached based on Sanders speech. The sermon went viral. In the sermon he compared Bernie Sanders to John the Baptist confronting the hypocrisy and inauthenticity of the religious establishment of his day. This evangelical Christian graduate of Liberty University said:</p>
<p>“As I heard Bernie Sanders crying out to the religious leaders at Liberty University, in his hoarse voice, with his wild hair, this Jew, and he proclaimed justice over us. He called us to account for being complicit with those who are wealthy and those who are powerful and for abandoning the poor, ‘the least of these’ who Jesus said he had come to bring good news to. . . .</p>
<p>And lightning hit my heart in that moment. And I realized that we are evangelical Christians, that we believe the Bible. . . . And yet somehow, we commit to the mental gymnastics necessary [in interpreting scripture] that allows us to abandon ‘the least of these,’ to abandon the poor, to abandon the immigrants, to abandon those who are in prison.”</p>
<p>He said that when he heard Sanders he heard Jesus saying in the Gospel of Matthew that when you care for the most vulnerable, when you care for the little ones, you care for Jesus, for Jesus said, “When you have done it for the ‘least of these’, you have done it for me” (Matt. 25:40).</p>
<p>In contrast consider presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, professing Christian and former Southern Baptist minister. By all appearances Huckabee doesn’t seem to care for the little ones much at all, or for that matter any non-Christian minority, whereas the non-religious Jew Bernie Sanders seems to care a great deal.</p>
<p>So who best represents Jesus? Who best reflects the “name” (character, values, and work) of Jesus? Who is “for” what Jesus is for and who is “against” what Jesus is against? And what can we learn from this?</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | best represents jesus profess jesus savior side elite powerful rich oppressors stand stand little ones actually jesus actually jesus may persons think episode synoptic gospels luke mark bear lukes version reads john answered master saw someone casting demons name tried stop follow us jesus said stop whoever luke 94950 key word us disciples offended one engaging works healing liberation name christ sanctioned credentialed group interest seems one control gatekeeping promoting group exceptionalism jesus challenges us think terms larger story broader patterns hints marks version story mark concerned conflicting christian groups within church context mark 93841 lukes context less specific inclusive follow lukes lead extension apply group christian religious faith religious faith marks lukes narrative prior interchange disciples arguing greatest gods realm response jesus embraces little child according lukes version says whoever welcomes child name welcomes whoever welcomes welcomes one sent least among greatest luke 948 culture child represented someone low status one societys vulnerable members laws protecting childrens rights clearly mercy justice extended little ones work done bring healing liberation vulnerable society work done name jesus work reflects jesus character values love compassion justice lets suppose friend claim christian nevertheless stands coworker treated badly discriminated courageous action probably cost advancement within company maybe even job friend acting name jesus whether recognizes reflecting compassion justice christ even though may claim know christ similar writer 1 john says love god love abide love abide god god abides 1 john 416b whenever person acts love god present person whether professes know god response little ones actions inactions fail reveals given moment whether stand jesus recently vermont senator presidential candidate bernie sanders gave speech liberty university school founded late baptist minister jerry falwell bernie sanders christian jewish though claim deeply religious person expounded vision taught jesus golden rule everything others would law prophets matt 712 quoted text quoted amos let justice roll like river righteousness like neverfailing stream 524 said would hard case make society society lives golden rule pointed massive injustice terms income wealth inequality said justice much many little noted country highest rate childhood poverty major country earth said justice low income working class mothers forced separate babies one two weeks birth go back work need money jobs provide pointed major country earth provide paid family medical leave one evangelical christian twice graduate liberty university posted internet sermon preached based sanders speech sermon went viral sermon compared bernie sanders john baptist confronting hypocrisy inauthenticity religious establishment day evangelical christian graduate liberty university said heard bernie sanders crying religious leaders liberty university hoarse voice wild hair jew proclaimed justice us called us account complicit wealthy powerful abandoning poor least jesus said come bring good news lightning hit heart moment realized evangelical christians believe bible yet somehow commit mental gymnastics necessary interpreting scripture allows us abandon least abandon poor abandon immigrants abandon prison said heard sanders heard jesus saying gospel matthew care vulnerable care little ones care jesus jesus said done least done matt 2540 contrast consider presidential candidate mike huckabee professing christian former southern baptist minister appearances huckabee doesnt seem care little ones much matter nonchristian minority whereas nonreligious jew bernie sanders seems care great deal best represents jesus best reflects name character values work jesus jesus jesus learn 160 | 537 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />MARCH 21, 2012</p>
<p>By JOHN HRABE</p>
<p>A California State University foundation has filed fraudulent tax returns for three consecutive years, potentially jeopardizing the organization’s tax-exempt status, with the potential of criminal penalties for several university personnel, a CalWatchDog.com investigation has found.</p>
<p>The Tower Foundation of San Jose State University on federal tax returns for 2007, 2008 and 2009 reported zero compensation paid by the organization or any related organizations to more than a half dozen high-ranking university personnel, including the college’s president, provost, athletic director and several vice-presidents.</p>
<p>Associate Vice President for Public Affairs Larry Carr failed to respond to CalWatchDog.com’s request for the compensation data of university employees during the periods in question. Several documents, including a meeting agenda from the Cal State Board of Trustees, confirm that at least two employees received compensation from the university during that period in direct refutation of the tax returns.</p>
<p>Effective August 1, 2008, the Cal State Board of Trustees approved a salary and benefits package for then-SJSU President Jon Whitmore that <a href="http://www.calstate.edu/bot/agendas/jul08/FacPer.pdf" type="external">included</a>: a base pay of $328,209, an annual supplement of $25,000 from foundation sources, free housing at the university’s presidential residence, $18,775 for moving costs, $66,577 in escrow fees for the sale of his Texas residence, the choice of a university-owned vehicle or an annual vehicle allowance of $1,000 per month, CalPERS retirement benefits,&#160; an annual medical physical examination, top-of-the-line health plan, insurance programs, vacation and sick leave accruals and eligibility for the system’s transitional program for university presidents.</p>
<p>Despite all of these benefits provided by the university, the Tower Foundation reported that Whitmore received no compensation from the foundation or related organizations. The omission appears to be a direct effort to mislead the public as one of the benefits, the $25,000 supplemental bonus, was paid directly from foundation funds. A <a href="http://www.academicjobstoday.com/news-139-San_Jose_State_University_president_Jon_S._Whitmore_named_CEO_of_testing_firm_ACT.html" type="external">May 2010 San Jose Mercury News report</a> also confirms that, “Whitmore was paid $328,209 with a $25,000 annual supplement from foundation sources.”</p>
<p>In addition to Whitmore, CalWatchDog.com has confirmed that Dr. Carmen Sigler <a href="http://www.calstate.edu/bot/agendas/jul08/FacPer.pdf" type="external">received</a> an annual salary of $240,000, effective July 1, 2008. As with Whitmore, foundation tax documents did not list any compensation for Sigler.</p>
<p>According to the 2009 IRS Instructions for Form 990, nonprofit executives are required to disclose compensation from the organization and related organizations. “Related organization can include nonprofit organizations… governmental units and other government entities,” the instructions read.</p>
<p>It would appear self-evident that the Tower Foundation of San Jose State University is related to the university. Should there be any dispute of the foundation’s awareness of the relatedness, on Page 2 of Form 990 the group stated: “The Tower Foundation of San Jose State University is organized exclusively for educational purposes of promoting and advancing the objectives of San Jose State University.”</p>
<p>On Schedule A Part I: Reason for Public Charity Status, the group checked Box 5, “An organization operated for the benefit of a college or university owned or operated by a governmental unit described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv).”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sjsu.edu/towerfoundation/docs/2007_Tower_990_for_website.pdf" type="external">In 2007</a>, at least seven college employees are listed as board members, trustees, directors or key employees of the foundation: Fred Najjar, SJSU vice president of advancement; Rose Lee, SJSU vice-president; Thomas Bowen, athletic director; Don Kassing, SJSU president; Jay Pinson, SJSU emeritus dean of engineering; Sigler, SJSU provost and vice president of academic affairs; and Nancy Bussani, Tower Foundation CEO. All are listed with zero compensation from the organization or related organizations.</p>
<p>Under Part V-A: Current Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees, the organization checked no in response to Box 75c, which requires organizations to disclose compensation from the organization and all related organizations. The question reads:</p>
<p>“Do any officers, directors, trustees, or key employees listed in Form 990, Part V-A, or highest compensated employees listed in Schedule A, Part I, or highest compensated professional and other independent contractors listed in Schedule A, Part II-A or II-B, receive compensation from any other organizations, whether tax exempt or taxable, that are related to the organization? See the instructions for the definition of ‘related organization’.”</p>
<p>In 2008, the <a href="http://www.sjsu.edu/towerfoundation/docs/2008_Tower_990_for_website.pdf" type="external">Tower Foundation</a> again listed zero compensation for all members of the board. Under Part VII Compensation of Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, Highest Compensated Employees, and Independent Contractors, the organization was warned with three separate instructions of the requirement to disclose compensation from the organization and all related organizations:</p>
<p>* List the organization’s five current highest compensated employees (other than an officer, director, trustee, or key employee) who received reportable compensation (Box 5 of Form W-2 and/or Box 7 of Form 1099-MISC) of more than $100,000 from the organization and any related organizations.</p>
<p>* List all of the organization’s former officers, key employees, and highest compensated employees who received more than $100,000 of reportable compensation from the organization and any related organizations.</p>
<p>* List all of the organization’s former directors or trustees that received, in the capacity as a former director or trustee of the organization, more than $10,000 of reportable compensation from the organization and any related organizations.</p>
<p>In addition to the above instructions, two separate columns call for the disclosure of compensation from related organizations: Column E: Reportable compensation from related organizations (W-2/1099-MISC) and Column F: Estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations.</p>
<p>Najjar, Lee, Bowen, Pinson, Sigler and Bussani are again listed as members of the board or key employees. Additionally, two new university personnel are listed as having received zero compensation from the organization or related organization. Then-university President Whitmore is listed for the first time, after he replaced Kassing as college president. Leslie Rohn, the organization’s controller, is also indentified as a key employee who worked an average of 45 hours per week for the foundation.</p>
<p>In 2009, Najjar, Lee, Bowen, Sigler, Bussani, Whitmore and Rohn all weare listed again as having received zero compensation from the organization or related organizations. Whitmore resigned as president in 2010 to take over as CEO <a href="http://act.org/" type="external">of ACT, Inc</a>.</p>
<p>Schedule O of Form 990 describes in painstaking detail the foundation’s thorough review process before the 2009 tax return was submitted to the IRS:</p>
<p>“Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11: The Tower Foundation’s audit committee reviews the 990 form in detail with tower management. The 990 is distributed to the full board prior to submission to the Internal Revenue Service. Minutes are kept for the audit committee to document the process.”</p>
<p>In 2008, the board described a similar review under Schedule O:</p>
<p>“On Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 10: The Tower Foundation’s audit committee reviews the 990 in detail with Tower management.&#160; The audit committee then makes a recommendation to the full tower board of directors for approval of the 990.&#160; The full board must vote its approval or disapproval. Minutes are kept of the committee and the board meeting to document the process.&#160; These reviews and approvals all occur prior to submission of the 990 to the Internal Revenue Service.”</p>
<p>In 2009-10, the Tower Foundation’s board included luminaries in business, accounting, government and finance. Among the board’s directors: Les Francis, a senior executive with Washington Media Group and former chief of staff to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta; Wanda Ginner, a semi-retired CPA; Wanda Hendrix, treasury manager with the East Bay Municipal Utilities District; Peter Ueberroth, former Major League Baseball commissioner and U.S. Olympic Committee chairman; Sigler, former San Jose State University provost; Gary Sbona, owner of the business recovery firm Regent Pacific Management Corporation; Cindy Lazares, the co-founder of the Shilling &amp; Kenyon accounting firm; Edward Oates, a co-founder of Oracle Corporation; and Gary Kalbach, a founding partner of El Dorado Ventures.</p>
<p>Moreover, an outside accounting firm, Sensiba San Filippo, LLP, provided assistance with preparing the 2008 and 2009 tax returns. The firms describes itself as “one of the largest regional tax and accounting firms in the country.” In the company’s corporate brochure, it <a href="http://www.ssfllp.com/pdf/press/SSF_Corporate_Brochure.PDF" type="external">boasts</a> of providing clients with “a clear understanding of the accounting and tax regulations and trends specific to their segment.”</p>
<p>Federal law imposes harsh penalties for “presenting” information that is “false as to any material matter” on a federal tax return. Title 26 USC § 7206 specifies penalties of up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for fraud and false statements. University personnel would have been aware that the information was false because they received hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in salary and benefits.</p>
<p>Foundation board members may also be liable as federal regulations stipulate that individuals may be charged “whether or not such falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized.”</p>
<p>According to the IRS, nonprofit organizations that fail to properly file tax returns for three consecutive years are subject to an automatic revocation of their tax-exempt status. “Section 6033(j) of the Internal Revenue Code automatically revokes the exemption of any organization that fails to satisfy its filing requirement for three consecutive years,” the IRS website <a href="http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=239696,00.html" type="external">explains</a>.</p>
<p>San Jose State’s misleading executive compensation comes one day after the CSU Board of Trustees approved pay increases for the two new college presidents at Fullerton and East Bay. “I’m just sorry we can’t pay them more because of the policy we adopted,” CSU Trustee Roberta Achtenberg said at yesterday’s meeting, <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/cal-state-panel-approves-pay-for-two-university-presidents.html" type="external">the Los Angeles Times reported</a>. This week, the Cal State Chancellor’s Office also announced plans to close spring admissions at most campuses and reduce enrollment by 25,000 students because of budget cuts.</p>
<p>Last July, the board approved a new $400,000 annual base salary for the new president of San Diego State University, Elliot Hirshman, while simultaneously approving a new round of tuition hikes. However, CalWatchDog.com <a href="" type="internal">has reported extensively</a> on how base salary is only a fraction of total executive compensation.</p>
<p>The San Jose State University Foundation is the third campus foundation to report one set of numbers to the IRS and another figure to the public. Earlier this month, CalWatchDog.com <a href="" type="internal">revealed</a> that Cal State Los Angeles President James Rosser reported $515,612 in annual compensation to the IRS for the 2009-10 tax year. In at least five instances, Cal State officials have falsely claimed or implied Rosser’s compensation was nearly $200,000 less, or an annual base salary of $325,000.</p>
<p>This week, CalWatchDog.com first reported that the California State University Office of the Chancellor <a href="http://johnhrabe.com/san-francisco-state-president-received-50k-in-secret-perks/" type="external">understated the annual compensation</a> of San Francisco State University President Robert Corrigan by as much as $52,787.</p>
<p>On March 12, the California State University system <a href="http://johnhrabe.com/government-agency-lies-about-winning-good-government-award/" type="external">falsely claimed</a> to have received a 2012 Sunshine Award, which recognizes “the most transparent government websites in the nation.”</p>
<p>In 2004, Cal State tuition was $2,334 per year. This fall, incoming freshmen will fork over just under $6,000.</p>
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<p>San Jose State Foundation Tax Documents:</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | march 21 2012 john hrabe california state university foundation filed fraudulent tax returns three consecutive years potentially jeopardizing organizations taxexempt status potential criminal penalties several university personnel calwatchdogcom investigation found tower foundation san jose state university federal tax returns 2007 2008 2009 reported zero compensation paid organization related organizations half dozen highranking university personnel including colleges president provost athletic director several vicepresidents associate vice president public affairs larry carr failed respond calwatchdogcoms request compensation data university employees periods question several documents including meeting agenda cal state board trustees confirm least two employees received compensation university period direct refutation tax returns effective august 1 2008 cal state board trustees approved salary benefits package thensjsu president jon whitmore included base pay 328209 annual supplement 25000 foundation sources free housing universitys presidential residence 18775 moving costs 66577 escrow fees sale texas residence choice universityowned vehicle annual vehicle allowance 1000 per month calpers retirement benefits160 annual medical physical examination topoftheline health plan insurance programs vacation sick leave accruals eligibility systems transitional program university presidents despite benefits provided university tower foundation reported whitmore received compensation foundation related organizations omission appears direct effort mislead public one benefits 25000 supplemental bonus paid directly foundation funds may 2010 san jose mercury news report also confirms whitmore paid 328209 25000 annual supplement foundation sources addition whitmore calwatchdogcom confirmed dr carmen sigler received annual salary 240000 effective july 1 2008 whitmore foundation tax documents list compensation sigler according 2009 irs instructions form 990 nonprofit executives required disclose compensation organization related organizations related organization include nonprofit organizations governmental units government entities instructions read would appear selfevident tower foundation san jose state university related university dispute foundations awareness relatedness page 2 form 990 group stated tower foundation san jose state university organized exclusively educational purposes promoting advancing objectives san jose state university schedule part reason public charity status group checked box 5 organization operated benefit college university owned operated governmental unit described section 170b1aiv 2007 least seven college employees listed board members trustees directors key employees foundation fred najjar sjsu vice president advancement rose lee sjsu vicepresident thomas bowen athletic director kassing sjsu president jay pinson sjsu emeritus dean engineering sigler sjsu provost vice president academic affairs nancy bussani tower foundation ceo listed zero compensation organization related organizations part va current officers directors trustees key employees organization checked response box 75c requires organizations disclose compensation organization related organizations question reads officers directors trustees key employees listed form 990 part va highest compensated employees listed schedule part highest compensated professional independent contractors listed schedule part iia iib receive compensation organizations whether tax exempt taxable related organization see instructions definition related organization 2008 tower foundation listed zero compensation members board part vii compensation officers directors trustees key employees highest compensated employees independent contractors organization warned three separate instructions requirement disclose compensation organization related organizations list organizations five current highest compensated employees officer director trustee key employee received reportable compensation box 5 form w2 andor box 7 form 1099misc 100000 organization related organizations list organizations former officers key employees highest compensated employees received 100000 reportable compensation organization related organizations list organizations former directors trustees received capacity former director trustee organization 10000 reportable compensation organization related organizations addition instructions two separate columns call disclosure compensation related organizations column e reportable compensation related organizations w21099misc column f estimated amount compensation organization related organizations najjar lee bowen pinson sigler bussani listed members board key employees additionally two new university personnel listed received zero compensation organization related organization thenuniversity president whitmore listed first time replaced kassing college president leslie rohn organizations controller also indentified key employee worked average 45 hours per week foundation 2009 najjar lee bowen sigler bussani whitmore rohn weare listed received zero compensation organization related organizations whitmore resigned president 2010 take ceo act inc schedule form 990 describes painstaking detail foundations thorough review process 2009 tax return submitted irs form 990 part vi section b line 11 tower foundations audit committee reviews 990 form detail tower management 990 distributed full board prior submission internal revenue service minutes kept audit committee document process 2008 board described similar review schedule form 990 part vi section line 10 tower foundations audit committee reviews 990 detail tower management160 audit committee makes recommendation full tower board directors approval 990160 full board must vote approval disapproval minutes kept committee board meeting document process160 reviews approvals occur prior submission 990 internal revenue service 200910 tower foundations board included luminaries business accounting government finance among boards directors les francis senior executive washington media group former chief staff us transportation secretary norman mineta wanda ginner semiretired cpa wanda hendrix treasury manager east bay municipal utilities district peter ueberroth former major league baseball commissioner us olympic committee chairman sigler former san jose state university provost gary sbona owner business recovery firm regent pacific management corporation cindy lazares cofounder shilling amp kenyon accounting firm edward oates cofounder oracle corporation gary kalbach founding partner el dorado ventures moreover outside accounting firm sensiba san filippo llp provided assistance preparing 2008 2009 tax returns firms describes one largest regional tax accounting firms country companys corporate brochure boasts providing clients clear understanding accounting tax regulations trends specific segment federal law imposes harsh penalties presenting information false material matter federal tax return title 26 usc 7206 specifies penalties three years prison 250000 fine fraud false statements university personnel would aware information false received hundreds thousands dollars every year salary benefits foundation board members may also liable federal regulations stipulate individuals may charged whether falsity fraud knowledge consent person authorized according irs nonprofit organizations fail properly file tax returns three consecutive years subject automatic revocation taxexempt status section 6033j internal revenue code automatically revokes exemption organization fails satisfy filing requirement three consecutive years irs website explains san jose states misleading executive compensation comes one day csu board trustees approved pay increases two new college presidents fullerton east bay im sorry cant pay policy adopted csu trustee roberta achtenberg said yesterdays meeting los angeles times reported week cal state chancellors office also announced plans close spring admissions campuses reduce enrollment 25000 students budget cuts last july board approved new 400000 annual base salary new president san diego state university elliot hirshman simultaneously approving new round tuition hikes however calwatchdogcom reported extensively base salary fraction total executive compensation san jose state university foundation third campus foundation report one set numbers irs another figure public earlier month calwatchdogcom revealed cal state los angeles president james rosser reported 515612 annual compensation irs 200910 tax year least five instances cal state officials falsely claimed implied rossers compensation nearly 200000 less annual base salary 325000 week calwatchdogcom first reported california state university office chancellor understated annual compensation san francisco state university president robert corrigan much 52787 march 12 california state university system falsely claimed received 2012 sunshine award recognizes transparent government websites nation 2004 cal state tuition 2334 per year fall incoming freshmen fork 6000 san jose state foundation tax documents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 160 14 160 | 1,168 |
<p>Barbara Abel takes offense when people use the word “baby-sitting” to describe the new infant-toddler program at Chicago Public Schools’ gleaming new National Teachers Academy.</p>
<p>Someone did just that during a recent tour of the new school facility led by Abel, who oversees the infant-toddler program. The comment stopped Abel dead in her tracks.</p>
<p>“That drives me crazy when people say that,” she says. “I told them, ‘Let me make this perfectly clear: We do not do babysitting. What we do is a lot of hard work. What we do takes a lot of knowledge.'”</p>
<p>What Abel and other early childhood educators do is help children begin learning how to learn. The goal is to lay a foundation for children to feel comfortable in their surroundings and begin building social relationships.</p>
<p>Programs for children aged zero to 3 are a response to recent brain research that shows learning begins at birth and that brain development makes quantum leaps during their first three years of life. “The brain is like a sponge during this time,” says Harriet Meyer, president of the nonprofit Ounce of Prevention Fund.</p>
<p>The academy’s program is one of 70 in Illinois that are funded with $21.7 million in state funds. In 1997, early childhood advocates succeeded in getting state legislators to earmark 11 percent of the Early Childhood Block Grant for birth-to-3 programs.</p>
<p>The federal Early Head Start Program funds programs run by 23 community-based organizations that serve more than 2,100 families in Illinois.</p>
<p>Now, some advocates are pushing for a universal-access program for children in this age group, too. “We would be remiss to overlook these important years,” says Samuel Meisels, president of the Erikson Institute.</p>
<p>The National Teacher Academy program is the first one in the country set up by a public school system. The program began operating in February with 24 children (who range in age from 6 weeks to 2 years) and plans to double enrollment by fall. Most children are the offspring of teen parents.</p>
<p>Strategies for teaching babies differ markedly from those used for preschool and school-aged children. You won’t see flash cards or alphabet drills in an infant-and-toddler classroom. Rather, teachers will lead activities that establish routines, build relationships and encourage discovery.</p>
<p>The goal is to cultivate trust, create a comfortable environment and build supportive relationships with the children, which is necessary for them to feel at ease to explore the world around them.</p>
<p>“There is no such thing as a curriculum,” Abel notes. “You will not see me write a lesson plan, ever. A zero to 3 program focuses on routine, transition and trust. I am a child developmentalist, not an educator.”</p>
<p>A few miles south, the staff at the Ounce’s Educare Center in Grand Boulevard focuses primarily on babies of teen parents.</p>
<p>On most mornings, 10 o’clock marks the beginning of “circle time” for children in Mildred Ebietomiye’s class of 1-year-olds. That’s when teachers sing songs, read books and play music. Often, as soon as the teachers begin singing, the children automatically start crawling or toddling over to the circle in the center of the room.</p>
<p>“When children are free to trust and feel comfortable and have confidence in relationships, the door for learning is then opened,” Ebietomiye explains. “They gain confidence and start to show mastery of skills.”</p>
<p>Family focus</p>
<p>In the south suburbs, Governor State University created a family development center to go with its zero to 3 program, Smart Start.</p>
<p>The parent education component teaches parents how to “play smart” with their children.</p>
<p>For example, if a child is lining up blocks like a train, the parent can encourage him or her to build a tower, which teaches the concept of “on top.”</p>
<p>Parents also learn that age-appropriate behavior for 2-year-olds is to move from one activity to another and leave a mess behind.</p>
<p>“First time parents might not understand this and wonder why they are unsuccessful when they try to get them to clean up,” says Director Susan Kinsey. “We tell them it’s okay.”</p>
<p>Two days a week, the center offers free activities—art and reading, for instance—for families with infants and toddlers. Smart Start is staffed by college of education graduates and works in partnership with Crete-Monee School District 201-U. State funding covers $350,000 a year in operating expenses.</p>
<p>Getting families involved in zero to 3 programs encourages parents to cultivate an environment at home where their youngster feels comfortable and safe enough to focus on exploring and learning, says Kinsey.</p>
<p>Parents are also a crucial element of early literacy. Two University of Kansas researchers found children from poor and middle class families had vastly different vocabulary growth, an indicator of intellectual development.</p>
<p>The study found that by age 4, a child from an advantaged college-educated family may have been exposed to 45 million words. By contrast, the same aged child whose family is working class may have heard 26 million words and one whose parents are on welfare only 13 million.</p>
<p>Educare hosts support groups for parents, and the National Teaching Academy holds parenting classes for teens to learn about child development. “Involving the entire family is crucial,” says NTA’s Abel.</p>
<p>Educare master teacher Rima Malhorta shares that philosophy. “Parents need to be supported, so they can support their babies.”</p>
<p>The ultimate goal among early childhood advocates is that Illinois families have universal access to preschool and zero to 3 programs.</p>
<p>“We envision universal access from zero to 5 that is high quality and fits parents’ needs and schedules,” says Sean Noble, senior policy associate for Voices for Illinois Children.</p>
<p>However, the cost of infant-toddler programs is steep and it’s unlikely they’ll be included in universal preschool programs anytime soon. Program costs run about $200 a week per child, says Marsha Engquist, president of the National Child Care Association. A facility to serve 140 infants and toddlers would cost roughly $4.6 million, or $33,000 per child.</p>
<p>Nationally, the number of zero to 3 programs has increased in the last seven years, according to Tammy Mann of Zero To Three, an early learning advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>States have been slow to take charge with zero to 3 initiatives, says Mann. “There have been pockets of good things happening [but] we’re not there yet.”</p> | false | 3 | barbara abel takes offense people use word babysitting describe new infanttoddler program chicago public schools gleaming new national teachers academy someone recent tour new school facility led abel oversees infanttoddler program comment stopped abel dead tracks drives crazy people say says told let make perfectly clear babysitting lot hard work takes lot knowledge abel early childhood educators help children begin learning learn goal lay foundation children feel comfortable surroundings begin building social relationships programs children aged zero 3 response recent brain research shows learning begins birth brain development makes quantum leaps first three years life brain like sponge time says harriet meyer president nonprofit ounce prevention fund academys program one 70 illinois funded 217 million state funds 1997 early childhood advocates succeeded getting state legislators earmark 11 percent early childhood block grant birthto3 programs federal early head start program funds programs run 23 communitybased organizations serve 2100 families illinois advocates pushing universalaccess program children age group would remiss overlook important years says samuel meisels president erikson institute national teacher academy program first one country set public school system program began operating february 24 children range age 6 weeks 2 years plans double enrollment fall children offspring teen parents strategies teaching babies differ markedly used preschool schoolaged children wont see flash cards alphabet drills infantandtoddler classroom rather teachers lead activities establish routines build relationships encourage discovery goal cultivate trust create comfortable environment build supportive relationships children necessary feel ease explore world around thing curriculum abel notes see write lesson plan ever zero 3 program focuses routine transition trust child developmentalist educator miles south staff ounces educare center grand boulevard focuses primarily babies teen parents mornings 10 oclock marks beginning circle time children mildred ebietomiyes class 1yearolds thats teachers sing songs read books play music often soon teachers begin singing children automatically start crawling toddling circle center room children free trust feel comfortable confidence relationships door learning opened ebietomiye explains gain confidence start show mastery skills family focus south suburbs governor state university created family development center go zero 3 program smart start parent education component teaches parents play smart children example child lining blocks like train parent encourage build tower teaches concept top parents also learn ageappropriate behavior 2yearolds move one activity another leave mess behind first time parents might understand wonder unsuccessful try get clean says director susan kinsey tell okay two days week center offers free activitiesart reading instancefor families infants toddlers smart start staffed college education graduates works partnership cretemonee school district 201u state funding covers 350000 year operating expenses getting families involved zero 3 programs encourages parents cultivate environment home youngster feels comfortable safe enough focus exploring learning says kinsey parents also crucial element early literacy two university kansas researchers found children poor middle class families vastly different vocabulary growth indicator intellectual development study found age 4 child advantaged collegeeducated family may exposed 45 million words contrast aged child whose family working class may heard 26 million words one whose parents welfare 13 million educare hosts support groups parents national teaching academy holds parenting classes teens learn child development involving entire family crucial says ntas abel educare master teacher rima malhorta shares philosophy parents need supported support babies ultimate goal among early childhood advocates illinois families universal access preschool zero 3 programs envision universal access zero 5 high quality fits parents needs schedules says sean noble senior policy associate voices illinois children however cost infanttoddler programs steep unlikely theyll included universal preschool programs anytime soon program costs run 200 week per child says marsha engquist president national child care association facility serve 140 infants toddlers would cost roughly 46 million 33000 per child nationally number zero 3 programs increased last seven years according tammy mann zero three early learning advocacy group based washington dc states slow take charge zero 3 initiatives says mann pockets good things happening yet | 641 |
<p>Anti-LGBT attacks&#160;have included&#160;this vandalism&#160;at Garden State Equality headquarters. (Photo courtesy Facebook)</p>
<p>At least three LGBT community centers have been vandalized in recent attacks that could be part of&#160;a national trend of rising hate seen since President Trump’s election.</p>
<p>In&#160;the last few weeks, vandals smashed a window at the office of&#160;Equality Florida in Orlando, the city where last year a shooter took the lives of 49 people and wounded 53 others at a gay nightclub, and windows were smashed at the headquarters in Asbury Park of the New Jersey LGBT Garden State Equality.</p>
<p>In Tulsa, Okla., 13 shots were fired from&#160;a pellet gun at the&#160;Equality Center on Monday just hours before&#160;a man came into the lobby yelling profanities and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric at front-desk staff. According to <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crimewatch/shots-fired-at-equality-center-first-act-of-serious-vandalism/article_cb2b4ec5-2180-5e99-8f6e-204249723ce6.html?_dc=69428636242.5247" type="external">Tulsa World</a>,&#160;the Equality Center&#160;had never been the target of vandalism in the 12 years since&#160;Oklahomans for Equality moved into the building.</p>
<p>“We’re getting reports like this from all over the country,” Toby Jenkins, the Equality Center’s executive director, was quoted as saying. “Gay community centers being vandalized; welcoming churches being vandalized; gay businesses being vandalized. Now it’s happened in Tulsa.”</p>
<p>The trend of attacks on LGBT centers echoes&#160;anti-Semitic attacks since the inauguration of President Trump, who ran a campaign rooted&#160;in animosity toward minority groups, such&#160;as Muslims and immigrants. Trump also won with the support of white nationalists like David Duke, who as&#160;former Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan has advocated anti-Semitic and racist ideology.</p>
<p>The anti-Semitic attacks have been especially prominent in recent weeks. Last month, bomb threats forced evacuations at Jewish schools and community centers on a single day in 11 states. Within the course of one week, nearly 100 tombstones were found overturned at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia and more than 150 tombstones were vandalized at&#160;a St. Louis Jewish cemetery.</p>
<p>Other minority groups are also facing attacks. Just this week in Washington State, a man still not apprehended by law enforcement shot a Sikh man in his driveway after telling him to “go back to your country.” The incident is being investigated as a hate crime.</p>
<p>Accompanying the vandalism at the LGBT community centers is ongoing violence against transgender people, which has existed long before Trump took office.&#160;At least seven transgender women, six black, have been murdered so far in 2017.</p>
<p>Daniel Pinello, a political scientist at the City University of New York, said the attacks on LGBT centers as well as mosques and synagogues are “no surprise” because the nation&#160;is so deeply divided after Trump’s election.</p>
<p>Pinello said the Women’s March on Washington “marked a high point of overt opposition to&#160;the new president” and demonstrations&#160;continue&#160;on the left, such as the newly formed anti-Trump Indivisible movement. But these progressive demonstrations, Pinello said,&#160;could “provoke their own backlash on the right.”</p>
<p>“As a result, mosques and synagogues and LGBT centers provide ready targets for whatever rage flares up&#160;among ultra-conservatives,” Pinello said. “Their retaliation is particularly rife&#160;when the&#160;opportunity for&#160;significant&#160;policy changes by&#160;the&#160;new administration seems on the verge of being&#160;squandered because of too many daily hiccups by Donald Trump and&#160;the White House. In truth, I wouldn’t be surprised if these homophobic and anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks continue at a&#160;brisk pace as the Indivisible and related&#160;movements openly progress in response to the current regime.”</p>
<p>Facing calls to denounce the anti-Semitic attacks, Trump has repudiated&#160;them on repeated occasions, most notably last late month&#160;at the beginning of his speech before a joint session of Congress.</p>
<p>“Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week’s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms,” Trump said.</p>
<p>Kelly Love, a White House spokesperson, said in response to the Washington Blade’s request for comment on the attacks on LGBT centers Trump’s condemnation of bigotry&#160;extends to this vandalism.</p>
<p>“President Trump condemns hate and evil in all of its very ugly forms, including attacks against the LGBT community,” Love said.</p>
<p>Amid the attacks on LGBT centers, Jewish cemeteries and mosques, a Quinnipiac poll published Thursday found Americans believe hate is on the rise in the United States since the election of President Trump. The poll found&#160;63 percent of American voters believe&#160;the level of hatred and prejudice&#160;has increased and&#160;77 percent of voters think&#160;prejudice against minority groups in the U.S. is a “very serious” or “somewhat serious” problem.</p>
<p>The poll found concern about anti-Semitism in particular has jumped in the last month. The poll found&#160;70 percent of American voters believe the specific issue of prejudice against Jewish people is a “very serious” or “somewhat serious” problem. That’s up from 49 percent in a Feb. 8 Quinnipiac University Poll.</p>
<p>American voters, the poll found, are divided on President Donald Trump’s response to bomb threats against Jewish community centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries. The poll found 37 percent of Americans approve and 38 percent disapprove.</p>
<p>“Americans are concerned that the dark forces of prejudice and anti-Semitism are rearing their ugly heads,”Assistant Director of the Quinnipiac University Poll Tim&#160;Malloy said in a statement. “Voters are less than confident with the new administration’s response.”</p>
<p>It remains to be seen whether the anti-LGBT attacks&#160;will continue. Such violence would be a blow to&#160;the LGBT community, which is still recovering from the tragedy of the Orlando shooting at the Pulse nightclub.</p>
<p>JoDee Winterhof, the Human Rights Campaign senior vice president for policy and political affairs, said Trump must not only condemn the violence, but give assurances he won’t discriminate against LGBT people.</p>
<p>“Whether it’s against Jewish Americans, women, Muslims, immigrants or LGBTQ people, there’s no room for hate in our country,” Winterhof said. “Many LGBTQ Americans are scared right now — they’re scared of their rights being taken away, scared for their families, and scared that they may no longer be protected in the country they live in. The president has done little to calm those nerves. He owes it to the LGBTQ community to not only disavow these acts of hate, but also to restore protections for transgender kids and totally rule out his license to discriminate executive order.”</p>
<p>Winterhof was referring to the draft “religious freedom” executive order circulating among federal advocacy groups that would&#160;enable discrimination on the basis of religious objections to same-sex marriage, premarital sex, abortion and transgender identity. Media reports indicated Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner convinced Trump not to sign the order, but White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has said the administration will soon “ <a href="" type="internal">have something</a>” on the issue.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">City University of New York</a> <a href="" type="internal">Daniel Pinello</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">Human Rights Campaign</a> <a href="" type="internal">JoDee Winterhof</a> <a href="" type="internal">Quinnipiac University</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tim Malloy</a></p> | false | 3 | antilgbt attacks160have included160this vandalism160at garden state equality headquarters photo courtesy facebook least three lgbt community centers vandalized recent attacks could part of160a national trend rising hate seen since president trumps election in160the last weeks vandals smashed window office of160equality florida orlando city last year shooter took lives 49 people wounded 53 others gay nightclub windows smashed headquarters asbury park new jersey lgbt garden state equality tulsa okla 13 shots fired from160a pellet gun the160equality center monday hours before160a man came lobby yelling profanities antilgbtq rhetoric frontdesk staff according tulsa world160the equality center160had never target vandalism 12 years since160oklahomans equality moved building getting reports like country toby jenkins equality centers executive director quoted saying gay community centers vandalized welcoming churches vandalized gay businesses vandalized happened tulsa trend attacks lgbt centers echoes160antisemitic attacks since inauguration president trump ran campaign rooted160in animosity toward minority groups such160as muslims immigrants trump also support white nationalists like david duke as160former imperial wizard ku klux klan advocated antisemitic racist ideology antisemitic attacks especially prominent recent weeks last month bomb threats forced evacuations jewish schools community centers single day 11 states within course one week nearly 100 tombstones found overturned jewish cemetery philadelphia 150 tombstones vandalized at160a st louis jewish cemetery minority groups also facing attacks week washington state man still apprehended law enforcement shot sikh man driveway telling go back country incident investigated hate crime accompanying vandalism lgbt community centers ongoing violence transgender people existed long trump took office160at least seven transgender women six black murdered far 2017 daniel pinello political scientist city university new york said attacks lgbt centers well mosques synagogues surprise nation160is deeply divided trumps election pinello said womens march washington marked high point overt opposition to160the new president demonstrations160continue160on left newly formed antitrump indivisible movement progressive demonstrations pinello said160could provoke backlash right result mosques synagogues lgbt centers provide ready targets whatever rage flares up160among ultraconservatives pinello said retaliation particularly rife160when the160opportunity for160significant160policy changes by160the160new administration seems verge being160squandered many daily hiccups donald trump and160the white house truth wouldnt surprised homophobic antisemitic islamophobic attacks continue a160brisk pace indivisible related160movements openly progress response current regime facing calls denounce antisemitic attacks trump repudiated160them repeated occasions notably last late month160at beginning speech joint session congress recent threats targeting jewish community centers vandalism jewish cemeteries well last weeks shooting kansas city remind us may nation divided policies country stands united condemning hate evil forms trump said kelly love white house spokesperson said response washington blades request comment attacks lgbt centers trumps condemnation bigotry160extends vandalism president trump condemns hate evil ugly forms including attacks lgbt community love said amid attacks lgbt centers jewish cemeteries mosques quinnipiac poll published thursday found americans believe hate rise united states since election president trump poll found16063 percent american voters believe160the level hatred prejudice160has increased and16077 percent voters think160prejudice minority groups us serious somewhat serious problem poll found concern antisemitism particular jumped last month poll found16070 percent american voters believe specific issue prejudice jewish people serious somewhat serious problem thats 49 percent feb 8 quinnipiac university poll american voters poll found divided president donald trumps response bomb threats jewish community centers vandalism jewish cemeteries poll found 37 percent americans approve 38 percent disapprove americans concerned dark forces prejudice antisemitism rearing ugly headsassistant director quinnipiac university poll tim160malloy said statement voters less confident new administrations response remains seen whether antilgbt attacks160will continue violence would blow to160the lgbt community still recovering tragedy orlando shooting pulse nightclub jodee winterhof human rights campaign senior vice president policy political affairs said trump must condemn violence give assurances wont discriminate lgbt people whether jewish americans women muslims immigrants lgbtq people theres room hate country winterhof said many lgbtq americans scared right theyre scared rights taken away scared families scared may longer protected country live president done little calm nerves owes lgbtq community disavow acts hate also restore protections transgender kids totally rule license discriminate executive order winterhof referring draft religious freedom executive order circulating among federal advocacy groups would160enable discrimination basis religious objections samesex marriage premarital sex abortion transgender identity media reports indicated ivanka trump jared kushner convinced trump sign order white house press secretary sean spicer said administration soon something issue city university new york daniel pinello donald trump human rights campaign jodee winterhof quinnipiac university tim malloy | 709 |
<p>Genetic tests allow doctors to diagnose disease and patients to glimpse their medical future, but the knowledge of what's in your DNA doesn't always help in the way one might hope.</p>
<p>Reporter Ari Daniel Shapiro of our partner program NOVA has the story of one man and his unusual gene.</p>
<p>In a corner of his home in Carlisle, England, Grahame Lancaster keeps a box of framed photographs.</p>
<p>He pulls one out. It shows fifty police officers arranged into rows.</p>
<p>"That's me in the back row," he says. "The big lump. Bigger than everyone else there, I think."</p>
<p>He was only 22, but he was formidable — six-foot-four, 250 pounds, and confident. He served with the Greater Manchester Police.</p>
<p>"My favorite times were nights," he says. "Catching criminals. I always used to pride myself on being able to catch most people."</p>
<p>Aside from the paperwork, he loved the job. But a few years after that photograph was taken, he started getting odd remarks from his fellow officers. They said he smelled like rotting fish. Following His Nose</p>
<p>"I just thought it was maybe something I'd eaten, even though I was never a great fish-eating fan," he says. "So I couldn't really understand where it was coming from."</p>
<p>One officer suggested the odor came from Lancaster's hair gel, but that didn't explain it.</p>
<p>The comments grew more frequent. Suspects told Lancaster that the interrogation room reeked of fish. Defense attorneys made comments too. So Lancaster went to see his doctor.</p>
<p>"He basically said it was all in my head," Lancaster recalls. The doctor suggested he bathe with strong soap.</p>
<p>Lancaster began showering up to four times a day. He caked on the deodorant. But within fifteen minutes of showering, the comments would start again.</p>
<p>The remarks became harder and harder to stomach.</p>
<p>"Because people make the comments, you then think that people who aren't making comments can still smell it, but they're not saying anything," he says. "So you then start to become paranoid." A Genetic Discovery</p>
<p>Around that same time — in the late 1990s — British scientists discovered a gene that causes a rare condition called trimethylaminurea, or TMAU.</p>
<p>"TMAU is a disorder in which people are unable to complete the metabolism of a small molecule called trimethylamine," says one of the scientists, Elizabeth Shephard of University College London. "That small molecule is derived from the ordinary foodstuffs that we eat such as eggs, soya, meat."</p>
<p>In most people, an enzyme breaks down trimethylamine in the liver, but people with TMAU excrete the molecule in their urine, breath, and sweat.</p>
<p>And that molecule — trimethylamine — is what gives rotting fish its distinctive odor. In fact, TMAU is sometimes called fish odor syndrome.</p>
<p>TMAU can be triggered by liver or kidney disease, but it can also be hereditary — caused by the gene Shephard co-discovered — although the symptoms may not appear until adulthood. The genetic form of the condition is rare, affecting perhaps one in 40,000 people.</p>
<p>In the case of Grahame Lancaster, a medical researcher recommended that he take a urine test to see if he had TMAU. It came back positive.</p>
<p>Lancaster was relieved. "It's a definitive medical diagnosis that you've got something wrong with you," he says. "It's not your fault. It's not the fact that you're unhygienic." Hope and Disappointment</p>
<p>Once Lancaster knew what was wrong with him, he set about trying to fix it.</p>
<p>Doctors recommended he keep a diary to track what foods made the odor better or worse.</p>
<p>It didn't help. Changes in what he ate didn't reduce the smell. He grew even more embarrassed and self-conscious.</p>
<p>"[It] ruined the enjoyment of the job," he says. "It kind of destroyed it all for me."</p>
<p>The test that had given him the diagnosis had given him hope that things would change. When they didn't change, he spiraled into a severe depression.</p>
<p>Lisa Claire Uren was Lancaster's girlfriend at the time. "He was quite hard to get along with, he just wasn't himself," she says. "And I just didn't know what to do — couldn't do anything, couldn't say the right thing. I couldn't see us ever coming through it, really."</p>
<p>Things fell apart for Lancaster at work, too. He lost focus. He went on medical leave for a year and then was discharged from the force.</p>
<p>His career as a police officer was over — not because he smelled like fish, but because of the resulting depression.</p>
<p>Lancaster says part of what made things so difficult emotionally was that he assumed the discovery of the TMAU gene meant that a cure was right around the corner.</p>
<p>Yet with many inherited conditions, including TMAU, the discovery of the faulty gene has not led to a treatment or cure. The science has proved more complicated than many expected at the beginning of the genomics revolution.</p>
<p>And there are additional obstacles for rare and non-life-threatening conditions like TMAU.</p>
<p>Ian Phillips of Queen Mary, University of London — co-discoverer of the TMAU gene — says he can't convince funding agencies to invest in the research needed to develop a cure.</p>
<p>"It's frustrating because, having identified the genetic basis of the disease, we are no longer able to follow that up in any meaningful way that would be of use for the patients," he says. New Test, New Questions</p>
<p>Even without a cure, things improved for Grahame Lancaster.</p>
<p>He gradually came to terms with his condition. He took up a more suitable career in information technology. (His new job has less stress and no physical demands, so he is less likely to sweat and produce the fish odor.) His relationship with Lisa improved, and they got married.</p>
<p>By this time, there was another test for TMAU — a genetic test that could identify the specific mutations that caused the disorder. The test could tell family members if they're likely to develop the condition, even if they don't currently show symptoms.</p>
<p>Lancaster now had a daughter, Emma, and was faced with a new decision about testing.</p>
<p>"My main concern was whether I'd passed on the defect to Emma," he says. "If she's going to get it, I'd rather be pre-warned and pre-armed."</p>
<p>Grahame and Lisa Lancaster decided to test Emma when she was a year old. It came back positive. Sort of.</p>
<p>Emma had inherited a faulty copy of the gene from her father, and a somewhat faulty version from her mother. That means Emma may develop a mild form of TMAU later in life.</p>
<p>The test result caused Grahame and Lisa to confront a new set of questions. Should they tell Emma, even though she may never exhibit the condition? What good would the information do her?</p>
<p>It's similar to the dilemma many people face who've been tested for genes linked to diseases — like Alzheimer's — for which there's no good treatment or cure. If you find out you're at high risk, what do you do?</p>
<p>Grahame Lancaster realizes there's a big difference between dementia and the condition afflicting him, but he says TMAU is nothing to laugh at.</p>
<p>"One of the most evocative things is your [sense of] smell," he says. "Sometimes you smell things [and] it brings back pleasant memories. I read in some article that the smell of rotten fish is one of the worst things you could ever smell. So it's just unfortunate that TMAU doesn't smell of roses."</p> | false | 3 | genetic tests allow doctors diagnose disease patients glimpse medical future knowledge whats dna doesnt always help way one might hope reporter ari daniel shapiro partner program nova story one man unusual gene corner home carlisle england grahame lancaster keeps box framed photographs pulls one shows fifty police officers arranged rows thats back row says big lump bigger everyone else think 22 formidable sixfootfour 250 pounds confident served greater manchester police favorite times nights says catching criminals always used pride able catch people aside paperwork loved job years photograph taken started getting odd remarks fellow officers said smelled like rotting fish following nose thought maybe something id eaten even though never great fisheating fan says couldnt really understand coming one officer suggested odor came lancasters hair gel didnt explain comments grew frequent suspects told lancaster interrogation room reeked fish defense attorneys made comments lancaster went see doctor basically said head lancaster recalls doctor suggested bathe strong soap lancaster began showering four times day caked deodorant within fifteen minutes showering comments would start remarks became harder harder stomach people make comments think people arent making comments still smell theyre saying anything says start become paranoid genetic discovery around time late 1990s british scientists discovered gene causes rare condition called trimethylaminurea tmau tmau disorder people unable complete metabolism small molecule called trimethylamine says one scientists elizabeth shephard university college london small molecule derived ordinary foodstuffs eat eggs soya meat people enzyme breaks trimethylamine liver people tmau excrete molecule urine breath sweat molecule trimethylamine gives rotting fish distinctive odor fact tmau sometimes called fish odor syndrome tmau triggered liver kidney disease also hereditary caused gene shephard codiscovered although symptoms may appear adulthood genetic form condition rare affecting perhaps one 40000 people case grahame lancaster medical researcher recommended take urine test see tmau came back positive lancaster relieved definitive medical diagnosis youve got something wrong says fault fact youre unhygienic hope disappointment lancaster knew wrong set trying fix doctors recommended keep diary track foods made odor better worse didnt help changes ate didnt reduce smell grew even embarrassed selfconscious ruined enjoyment job says kind destroyed test given diagnosis given hope things would change didnt change spiraled severe depression lisa claire uren lancasters girlfriend time quite hard get along wasnt says didnt know couldnt anything couldnt say right thing couldnt see us ever coming really things fell apart lancaster work lost focus went medical leave year discharged force career police officer smelled like fish resulting depression lancaster says part made things difficult emotionally assumed discovery tmau gene meant cure right around corner yet many inherited conditions including tmau discovery faulty gene led treatment cure science proved complicated many expected beginning genomics revolution additional obstacles rare nonlifethreatening conditions like tmau ian phillips queen mary university london codiscoverer tmau gene says cant convince funding agencies invest research needed develop cure frustrating identified genetic basis disease longer able follow meaningful way would use patients says new test new questions even without cure things improved grahame lancaster gradually came terms condition took suitable career information technology new job less stress physical demands less likely sweat produce fish odor relationship lisa improved got married time another test tmau genetic test could identify specific mutations caused disorder test could tell family members theyre likely develop condition even dont currently show symptoms lancaster daughter emma faced new decision testing main concern whether id passed defect emma says shes going get id rather prewarned prearmed grahame lisa lancaster decided test emma year old came back positive sort emma inherited faulty copy gene father somewhat faulty version mother means emma may develop mild form tmau later life test result caused grahame lisa confront new set questions tell emma even though may never exhibit condition good would information similar dilemma many people face whove tested genes linked diseases like alzheimers theres good treatment cure find youre high risk grahame lancaster realizes theres big difference dementia condition afflicting says tmau nothing laugh one evocative things sense smell says sometimes smell things brings back pleasant memories read article smell rotten fish one worst things could ever smell unfortunate tmau doesnt smell roses | 684 |
<p>Gun reform is on the agenda of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, underway this week&#160;at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.&#160;Hillary Clinton consistently called attention to&#160;the issue to differentiate herself in her protracted primary battle with Bernie Sanders, and both she and running mate Tim Kaine may&#160;use their acceptance speeches to press their fight with the National Rifle Association. Other&#160;scheduled speakers this week include the mothers of Trayvon Martin, who was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer in 2012, and Hadiya Pendleton, who was killed by a stray bullet a week after performing at events for President Obama’s second inauguration.</p>
<p>Philadelphia should provide an eager hometown audience for a gun reform pitch: One&#160; <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/364274961.html" type="external">analysis</a>&#160;of Philadelphia police department data found that someone is shot every six hours in the city, on average. When Clinton <a href="http://www.phillytrib.com/news/hillary-clinton-in-philadelphia-calls-for-criminal-justice-reform/article_c0a8723f-66a7-5c2e-9ad0-f30470bfd0e4.html" type="external">visited</a> last April, she used the occasion to decry America’s “epidemic of gun violence.” Situated across the Delaware River from Camden, New Jersey — a city <a href="http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/crime/2016/05/31/random-violence-tears-fears-camden/85184570/" type="external">grappling</a> with a persistent gun violence problem — Philadelphia saw <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/364274961.html" type="external">a 14 percent increase</a> in gun homicides in 2015 over the year before.</p>
<p>The total gun murder rate in this city of 1.5 million is 15 per 100,000 people, which is <a href="http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&amp;series=VC.IHR.PSRC.P5&amp;country=" type="external">slightly higher</a> than total homicide rates in Nicaragua. Shootings overall spiked 18 percent in the city between 2014 and 2015 and have remained high so far this year, with&#160;at least 348 people struck by bullets, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan&#160; <a href="http://www.gunviolencearchive.org/" type="external">Gun Violence Archive</a>&#160;(GVA).</p>
<p>Earlier this month, building on a partnership with The Trace begun late last year, Slate mapped every shooting collected by GVA between June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2016. Zooming in on Philadelphia, the map shows six incidents within a two mile radius of the Wells Fargo arena, which sits in a sparsely populated corner in the city’s southeast.</p>
<p>Two of the victims of those shootings were killed. All but one was under 30.&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/11/15/police-teen-shot-and-killed-in-south-philadelphia/" type="external">November 15, 2015</a>: An 18-year-old man was shot and killed.</p>
<p><a href="http://articles.philly.com/2016-01-29/news/70154142_1_stable-condition-south-phila-teenage-boy" type="external">January 28, 2016</a>: A 16-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man were wounded in a drive-by shooting.</p>
<p><a href="http://6abc.com/news/man-hurt-in-south-philadelphia-shooting-/1260010/" type="external">March 23, 2016</a>: A 22-year-old man was shot several times and wounded.</p>
<p><a href="http://6abc.com/news/man-27-shot-in-leg-in-south-philadelphia/1334492/" type="external">May 11, 2016</a>: A 27-year-old man was shot twice in the leg.</p>
<p><a href="http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/07/16/man-fatally-shot-in-west-oak-lane-2/" type="external">July 16, 2015</a>: A 23-year-old man was fatally shot in the chest.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Stray-Bullet-Wounds-Woman-Driving-Through-North-Philadelphia-316110881.html" type="external">July 16, 2015</a>: A 32-year-old woman was wounded by a stray bullet while driving.</p>
<p>Scrolling beyond the ring where those victims were struck, the map displays pins marking dozens more shootings in neighborhoods such as Strawberry Mansion, Kensington, and West and North Philadelphia.&#160;Over the 12 months covered by the map,&#160;at least 196 people were killed and 426 wounded by guns in the city.</p>
<p>According to firearm trace data analyzed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), most guns seized at Pennsylvania crime scenes that originate from out of state originate in Ohio and Virginia, which have relatively looser gun laws.</p>
<p>An undercover ATF agent <a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Map-Gun-Violence-Philadelphia-Michael-Hagan-NBC10-Investigators-367720141.html" type="external">told a local news outlet</a> in February that he encountered a barber selling assault rifles out of his shop, which had a shooting range in the basement. “I’ve gone into homes where it’s like an open flea market, where you had 15, 20 guns spread out on the table,” the agent said.</p>
<p>In 2014, in an effort to <a href="" type="internal">roll back</a> local gun ordinances enacted by Pennsylvania’s cities and towns, the Republican-controlled state legislature passed <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/pennsylvania-preemption-local-gun-laws" type="external">a law</a> that allowed out-of-state groups to initiate expensive lawsuits to invalidate local gun laws. Rather than risk crushing legal costs, nearly 100 municipalities scrambled <a href="http://crossroads.newsworks.org/index.php/local/keystone-crossroads/83518-pennsylvania-gun-law-has-prompted-nearly-100-municipalities-to-repeal-ordinances" type="external">to scrap rules</a> banning guns in public parks and requiring owners of lost or stolen firearms to report them to police.</p>
<p>Philadelphia was among the deeper-pocketed cities to fight back. The administration of then-Mayor Michael Nutter sued <a href="http://www.politicspa.com/commonwealth-court-strikes-down-act-192/67263/" type="external">top state officials</a> so that the city could keep its <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/09/philadelphia_act_192_gun_lawsu.html" type="external">seven gun ordinances</a>&#160;—&#160;which included a gun ban in city-owned facilities and by people subject to protection-from-abuse orders — on the books. The NRA countersued two months later, and after spending a year and a half in the courts, the state supreme court <a href="http://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/06/21/pa-supreme-court-rules-nra-backed-law-unconstitutional/" type="external">tossed the law</a> on technical grounds in late June. A bill <a href="http://articles.philly.com/2016-06-03/news/73519975_1_philadelphia-city-council-own-gun-laws-ammunition" type="external">advancing</a> in the Philadelphia City Council, filed two months before the law was struck down, would require gun owners in homes with children under the age of 18 to keep their firearms unloaded and stored in a locked container.</p>
<p>At one elementary school in West Philadelphia, so many of the students have been affected by gunfire — <a href="" type="internal">24 of the 30 students</a> in a single homeroom know someone who has been shot, according to their teacher — that fourth graders undertook a class project to grapple with the violence have confronted. One of the assignments was to produce <a href="" type="internal">poems</a> about the topic, using the prompt, “Because there was a gun.”&#160;</p>
<p>“Because there was a gun,” wrote one girl, “everybody lives in fear /&#160;Because there was a gun /&#160;my father isn’t here /&#160;Because there was a gun /&#160;some people cry out tears /&#160;Because there are guns /&#160;life is a nightmare.”</p>
<p>[Photo: AP Photo/Chris Szagola]</p> | false | 3 | gun reform agenda 2016 democratic national convention underway week160at wells fargo center philadelphia160hillary clinton consistently called attention to160the issue differentiate protracted primary battle bernie sanders running mate tim kaine may160use acceptance speeches press fight national rifle association other160scheduled speakers week include mothers trayvon martin fatally shot neighborhood watch volunteer 2012 hadiya pendleton killed stray bullet week performing events president obamas second inauguration philadelphia provide eager hometown audience gun reform pitch one160 analysis160of philadelphia police department data found someone shot every six hours city average clinton visited last april used occasion decry americas epidemic gun violence situated across delaware river camden new jersey city grappling persistent gun violence problem philadelphia saw 14 percent increase gun homicides 2015 year total gun murder rate city 15 million 15 per 100000 people slightly higher total homicide rates nicaragua shootings overall spiked 18 percent city 2014 2015 remained high far year with160at least 348 people struck bullets according nonprofit nonpartisan160 gun violence archive160gva earlier month building partnership trace begun late last year slate mapped every shooting collected gva june 30 2015 june 30 2016 zooming philadelphia map shows six incidents within two mile radius wells fargo arena sits sparsely populated corner citys southeast two victims shootings killed one 30160 november 15 2015 18yearold man shot killed january 28 2016 16yearold boy 22yearold man wounded driveby shooting march 23 2016 22yearold man shot several times wounded may 11 2016 27yearold man shot twice leg july 16 2015 23yearold man fatally shot chest july 16 2015 32yearold woman wounded stray bullet driving scrolling beyond ring victims struck map displays pins marking dozens shootings neighborhoods strawberry mansion kensington west north philadelphia160over 12 months covered map160at least 196 people killed 426 wounded guns city according firearm trace data analyzed bureau alcohol tobacco firearms explosives atf guns seized pennsylvania crime scenes originate state originate ohio virginia relatively looser gun laws undercover atf agent told local news outlet february encountered barber selling assault rifles shop shooting range basement ive gone homes like open flea market 15 20 guns spread table agent said 2014 effort roll back local gun ordinances enacted pennsylvanias cities towns republicancontrolled state legislature passed law allowed outofstate groups initiate expensive lawsuits invalidate local gun laws rather risk crushing legal costs nearly 100 municipalities scrambled scrap rules banning guns public parks requiring owners lost stolen firearms report police philadelphia among deeperpocketed cities fight back administration thenmayor michael nutter sued top state officials city could keep seven gun ordinances160160which included gun ban cityowned facilities people subject protectionfromabuse orders books nra countersued two months later spending year half courts state supreme court tossed law technical grounds late june bill advancing philadelphia city council filed two months law struck would require gun owners homes children age 18 keep firearms unloaded stored locked container one elementary school west philadelphia many students affected gunfire 24 30 students single homeroom know someone shot according teacher fourth graders undertook class project grapple violence confronted one assignments produce poems topic using prompt gun160 gun wrote one girl everybody lives fear 160because gun 160my father isnt 160because gun 160some people cry tears 160because guns 160life nightmare photo ap photochris szagola | 522 |
<p>Editor's note: While the health care reform battle rages in Washington, D.C., China has been <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090804/china-health-care-reform" type="external">quietly revamping</a> its own massive health care system — with decidely mixed results. In this three-part special report, Kathleen E. McLaughlin and photographer Sharron Lovell tracked the results on both urban and <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090728/rural-health-care" type="external">rural</a> residents.</p>
<p>BEIJING — The price list at a top Beijing hospital explains a lot about what is wrong with China’s health care system: An appendectomy by a leading surgeon, available to any Chinese citizen, costs only $34.</p>
<p>This is not because the doctors or the equipment come cheap — Peking University People’s Hospital attracts the top medical talent in the country. It has the seventh highest-paid doctors in China and imports cutting edge technology from around the world. The low cost of surgery is not because the communist government makes up the funding gap between patient prices and the actual cost of care.</p>
<p>Instead, it is simply because the central government set a maximum hospital rate 20 years ago in an attempt to guarantee health care access to all citizens. It hasn’t allowed them to be raised since, despite China’s massive economic growth, increased personal income and rising inflation. In short, that $34 doesn’t cover much and the costs are made up in other ways.</p>
<p />
<p>“Over the past 20 years, this has created a deficit for us,” said Wang Shan, president of the hospital and a professor of surgery. As a result, China’s hospitals and other medical centers have turned to other means to make money and improve their quality. While prices are capped on most services, they are allowed to make profits on prescription drugs — a measure critics say has led to rampant over-prescribing of often unneeded medication, causing problems in personal and public health. Testing and diagnostics, where there is room to profit because much has been invented and perfected since price caps were imposed, also leave room for money-making and potential overuse.</p>
<p>With so many pressures on making money to fund the business of health care, Wang is constantly looking for new ideas. He is trying to use new western management techniques to make things more efficient at the People’s Hospital, even while attracting new doctors and improving the quality of care. But the core problems remain, and even though this is the mega-urban capital, many of the critical issues facing this hospital trace back to the total breakdown of China’s rural health care systems.</p>
<p>Whereas rural residents often are reluctant to use local clinics and county hospitals, they will travel hundreds of miles to visit the leading hospitals in major cities like Beijing. And because of the way the system is set up — guaranteeing care without the needed base of government funding — hospitals like the one attached to Peking University are overloaded with patients.</p>
<p>On an average day, the Peking University People’s Hospital sees about 7,000 patients, 30-40 percent of whom have traveled from outside Beijing to get medical care here. While in recent years private clinics and medical care have emerged as new options, large, well-heeled hospitals like this one — where government officials and the elite go for their health care — remain at the top of the Chinese medical system.</p>
<p>“The Chinese health care system is definitely different than the American health care system,” said Wang. “Any person enrolled in the social medical welfare system can come to this hospital.”</p>
<p>But with travel costs, drugs and diagnostics, and other additions to the total bill, not everyone can afford it. Still, tens of thousands of people travel every year to Beijing to see the best doctors, often spending their life savings in the hope the treatment they can get in the capital is better than anything they can find back home. Huang Yanzhong, a visiting researcher at the National University of Singapore who is writing a book about health care in China, said there used to be a referral system, under which rural residents would first visit local and regional medical centers and gradually move up the chain as warranted. With the disintegration of rural health care throughout the 1980s and 90s, however, places like this hospital have become the expensive first-line treatment option for many.</p>
<p>Huang said for most big hospitals, prescription drugs account for 50 percent of their income, while diagnostics, government support and fees make up the rest. It’s clear, he said, that deep and meaningful reform is needed to bring better doctors and facilities to rural areas to stem the outflow of patients. But there’s a built-in conflict in the system, creating a battle over where essential cash needs to be spent: Those who now have the best care, in Beijing, at places like the Peking University People’s Hospital, don’t want to lose it.</p>
<p>“The majority of people have only a weak voice in the policy-making apparatus, but they’re exactly the people who need the most help,” said Huang.</p>
<p>The first part of China’s massive health care reform focuses on providing a safety net to 200 million rural residents without insurance. More will follow, with further reforms targeted through 2020. How officials weigh the balance between shoring up the flailing rural system and keeping the urban ideals intact remains to be seen.</p> | false | 3 | editors note health care reform battle rages washington dc china quietly revamping massive health care system decidely mixed results threepart special report kathleen e mclaughlin photographer sharron lovell tracked results urban rural residents beijing price list top beijing hospital explains lot wrong chinas health care system appendectomy leading surgeon available chinese citizen costs 34 doctors equipment come cheap peking university peoples hospital attracts top medical talent country seventh highestpaid doctors china imports cutting edge technology around world low cost surgery communist government makes funding gap patient prices actual cost care instead simply central government set maximum hospital rate 20 years ago attempt guarantee health care access citizens hasnt allowed raised since despite chinas massive economic growth increased personal income rising inflation short 34 doesnt cover much costs made ways past 20 years created deficit us said wang president hospital professor surgery result chinas hospitals medical centers turned means make money improve quality prices capped services allowed make profits prescription drugs measure critics say led rampant overprescribing often unneeded medication causing problems personal public health testing diagnostics room profit much invented perfected since price caps imposed also leave room moneymaking potential overuse many pressures making money fund business health care wang constantly looking new ideas trying use new western management techniques make things efficient peoples hospital even attracting new doctors improving quality care core problems remain even though megaurban capital many critical issues facing hospital trace back total breakdown chinas rural health care systems whereas rural residents often reluctant use local clinics county hospitals travel hundreds miles visit leading hospitals major cities like beijing way system set guaranteeing care without needed base government funding hospitals like one attached peking university overloaded patients average day peking university peoples hospital sees 7000 patients 3040 percent traveled outside beijing get medical care recent years private clinics medical care emerged new options large wellheeled hospitals like one government officials elite go health care remain top chinese medical system chinese health care system definitely different american health care system said wang person enrolled social medical welfare system come hospital travel costs drugs diagnostics additions total bill everyone afford still tens thousands people travel every year beijing see best doctors often spending life savings hope treatment get capital better anything find back home huang yanzhong visiting researcher national university singapore writing book health care china said used referral system rural residents would first visit local regional medical centers gradually move chain warranted disintegration rural health care throughout 1980s 90s however places like hospital become expensive firstline treatment option many huang said big hospitals prescription drugs account 50 percent income diagnostics government support fees make rest clear said deep meaningful reform needed bring better doctors facilities rural areas stem outflow patients theres builtin conflict system creating battle essential cash needs spent best care beijing places like peking university peoples hospital dont want lose majority people weak voice policymaking apparatus theyre exactly people need help said huang first part chinas massive health care reform focuses providing safety net 200 million rural residents without insurance follow reforms targeted 2020 officials weigh balance shoring flailing rural system keeping urban ideals intact remains seen | 522 |
<p>[Editor's note:&#160;June 4th is the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. For more GlobalPost coverage, read <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090603/tiananmen-anniversary" type="external">what dissidents think</a> about the event, <a href="www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090602/the-chinese-communist-party-song" type="external">how one museum fits</a>into China's patriotic landscape,&#160;the thoughts of a <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090604/former-student-protest-leader-reflects" type="external">former student protest leader</a> now in Taiwan, and what a leading artist makes of it all, below.]</p>
<p>BEIJING — Leaning against a wall of the F2 Gallery in the east end of Beijing's Dashanzi art district is a painting of an attractive Chinese public security official. She has an austere pale beauty, accentuated by the image's black and grey coloring, but the real kicker is the bright-red 100-yuan bill she coyly holds in front of her crotch.</p>
<p>Sheng Qi's "Most Wanted" is part of five series of works created between 2006 and 2009 the artist is showing in an exhibition that, deliberately or not, coincides with the 20th anniversary of the event with which he is most often associated.</p>
<p>It's implicit criticism of official corruption suggests Sheng has lost none of his desire to remind his audience of the Tiananmen Square tragedy since he severed the pinkie finger of his left hand in a symbol of protest following the event. The gesture has informed his most famous work, from sculptures of waving Chinese astronauts to photos and paintings that frame images of modern China in the palm of his dismembered hand.</p>
<p>So as China's Internet censors clamp down on everything from Hotmail to Twitter in the run-up to the June 4th anniversary, the tensions in Beijing's 798 art district are high.</p>
<p>GlobalPost: Are you worried about the consequences of showing your work at such a sensitive time?</p>
<p>Sheng Qi: I'm a little bit worried. I'm going to show some dead bodies — a young girl dead, killed, her face and her body beaten (the picture is conspicuous by its absence from the portfolio passed to the press here). Before I couldn't show that. It's too violent. I used to have a small space here (in 798) that was showing my work for a couple of months until the management asked me to take it out. If it was 10 years ago, I would be in big trouble and I still get nervous, but now they just ask me to take the work down. To be honest I didn't know what was going to happen next, but so far it's been OK. The people who make these judgments don't really know about art. Even the Central Academy of Fine Arts don't know, so how people can come and look at a showing and make a judgement is beyond me.</p>
<p>What are you you trying to show with this collection?</p>
<p>Most of it has never been shown before. I paint images, I select images that have meaning for me and a wider audience. They are public images that have been shown in many places&#160;—&#160; on websites or in newspapers. I'm just reconsidering them using my dripping technique. It expresses a kind of sadness or suppressed anger. It's about violence, bleeding, crying or sadness. It's about the past. The past is often very sad, even the good memories. When you think back, about your first love, you're sad. You had a good time but are still sad.</p>
<p>Do you expect anything substantial will happen on the June 4 anniversary?</p>
<p>I don't think anything will happen this June. The past has been washed out. That's why my painting uses the dripping, it's like a washing&#160;—&#160; it can be brain washing, or washing dirty clothes white. The washing can make things clean or it can make them even dirtier. It depends what you use to do the washing — water or polluted water (laughs). For example, no Chinese are interested in my work, it's mostly Europeans. I think they're more concerned with history, it surrounds you everywhere in Europe. You know who lived somewhere before, you feel part of a continuum. In China, I don't really know where we are, there's no connection. Beijing is like a fake city. Ping An Avenue (the section of roads that runs through the center of Beijing) is like a stage, it feels fake.</p>
<p>Is China's emphasis on looking forward rather than back sustainable?</p>
<p>All the media in China is about advertising. If you want to be a real man, you have to drive this car. If you're a pretty woman, you have to use have to buy this or that product. These messages will make you think of yourself as foolish or powerless if you can't access this lifestyle. Most people still want to chase a better life&#160;— buy the car, buy the gold car, buy a house, buy a bigger house. It's never-ending. The education Chinese people receive through the media pushes them in that direction. It does not offer or suggest that there is another way to live.</p>
<p>Last year a number of academics and intellectuals put their names to Charter 08 (a document calling for greater freedom of expression and a move towards a more democratic political process). Did you ever think about signing?</p>
<p>I looked into it but I couldn't access the website. So many websites are blocked, I didn't even know what it said. I know Liu Xiaobo (a leading Chinese literary critic and human rights advocate who was arrested after the charter was released) organized it. You see, all of China is closed. I met an American Chinese specialist who asked me why I publish my catalogue in English not Chinese. She is an ancient China expert, but she doesn't know the reality of China now. If I publish a catalogue in Chinese I would get in trouble. But there is a limited English readership in China, so the government, even if they knew what I was talking about, don't really care. As long as you are not setting up a community or a group or issuing a statement of beliefs you will be fine because they don't believe one individual can do anything. But if you are a group you will have problems.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts on the current state of Chinese art?</p>
<p>Most young artists care too much about their own opinions, their own personal feelings. Of course I do, too. But when you transfer personal feelings to the canvas, camera or video, any art form, your work will be shown in a public space so it's not only about showing your own view. It's too narrow. The bubble in Chinese art prices bursting was a very good thing. Last year, I met couple of people who had never done art before. Then they wanted to be artists&#160;— they thought they could suddenly become rich! Many Chinese artists who call themselves artists aren't serious. They keep away from politics and never talk about, but it I don't think you can ever really separate art and politics, except for maybe abstract art, like Damien Hirst's paintings with colorful dots (laughs).</p>
<p>What do you make of this particular neighborhood of Beijing, and what does it say about art in modern China?</p>
<p>798 has become an "official art area." It's really expensive and they spent a lot of money to protect it. There's now a police station here when before there was none. It's typically Chinese. In the art world there are so many things we still can't talk about. But it's like a box, when you put something inside it will squeeze its way out. The Chinese art world is searching for something new, fresh, modern. They're not interested in history because it has a lot of troubles attached to it. I am one of the only ones looking back. Most Chinese artists are about looking forward.</p>
<p>Looking forward, how optimistic are you about China's future?</p>
<p>I don't really know about China's future. Beijing and Shanghai are not real China, that's what I understand. In Europe people have a similar lifestyle, a similar quality of life. But if you go south 50 kilometers from Tiananmen Square you find a totally different world. The conditions people live in are shocking. It makes me sad because I don't think they have a bright future. Rich people can be very rich here, but it's only for the few. If someone's father or grandfather worked for the government in a high position they will have money. It's red capitalism, red nepotism. They're just performing a role. I don't think ordinary people really have an opportunity to enjoy this "bright future" we are supposed to look forward to. I was excited to come back to China (after time spent in Italy and England). I thought I'd see things I was never able to see before and be able to compare with Western culture, to look at Chinese daily life with a bit of a Western eye. It was a good feeling. But I don't really feel I belong here any more. I don't really feel I belong to anywhere. It's like I'm homeless.</p>
<p>Sheng Qi's solo exhibition Power of the People is on show at the F2 Gallery in Beijing's 798 art district until August 17.</p>
<p>More on the Tiananmen Square anniversary:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090603/tiananmen-anniversary" type="external">Tiananmen 20 years on: Dissident voices</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china-and-its-neighbors/090602/the-chinese-communist-party-song" type="external">Tiananmen 20 years on: A real "Party" song</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | editors note160june 4th 20th anniversary tiananmen square crackdown globalpost coverage read dissidents think event one museum fitsinto chinas patriotic landscape160the thoughts former student protest leader taiwan leading artist makes beijing leaning wall f2 gallery east end beijings dashanzi art district painting attractive chinese public security official austere pale beauty accentuated images black grey coloring real kicker brightred 100yuan bill coyly holds front crotch sheng qis wanted part five series works created 2006 2009 artist showing exhibition deliberately coincides 20th anniversary event often associated implicit criticism official corruption suggests sheng lost none desire remind audience tiananmen square tragedy since severed pinkie finger left hand symbol protest following event gesture informed famous work sculptures waving chinese astronauts photos paintings frame images modern china palm dismembered hand chinas internet censors clamp everything hotmail twitter runup june 4th anniversary tensions beijings 798 art district high globalpost worried consequences showing work sensitive time sheng qi im little bit worried im going show dead bodies young girl dead killed face body beaten picture conspicuous absence portfolio passed press couldnt show violent used small space 798 showing work couple months management asked take 10 years ago would big trouble still get nervous ask take work honest didnt know going happen next far ok people make judgments dont really know art even central academy fine arts dont know people come look showing make judgement beyond trying show collection never shown paint images select images meaning wider audience public images shown many places160160 websites newspapers im reconsidering using dripping technique expresses kind sadness suppressed anger violence bleeding crying sadness past past often sad even good memories think back first love youre sad good time still sad expect anything substantial happen june 4 anniversary dont think anything happen june past washed thats painting uses dripping like washing160160 brain washing washing dirty clothes white washing make things clean make even dirtier depends use washing water polluted water laughs example chinese interested work mostly europeans think theyre concerned history surrounds everywhere europe know lived somewhere feel part continuum china dont really know theres connection beijing like fake city ping avenue section roads runs center beijing like stage feels fake chinas emphasis looking forward rather back sustainable media china advertising want real man drive car youre pretty woman use buy product messages make think foolish powerless cant access lifestyle people still want chase better life160 buy car buy gold car buy house buy bigger house neverending education chinese people receive media pushes direction offer suggest another way live last year number academics intellectuals put names charter 08 document calling greater freedom expression move towards democratic political process ever think signing looked couldnt access website many websites blocked didnt even know said know liu xiaobo leading chinese literary critic human rights advocate arrested charter released organized see china closed met american chinese specialist asked publish catalogue english chinese ancient china expert doesnt know reality china publish catalogue chinese would get trouble limited english readership china government even knew talking dont really care long setting community group issuing statement beliefs fine dont believe one individual anything group problems thoughts current state chinese art young artists care much opinions personal feelings course transfer personal feelings canvas camera video art form work shown public space showing view narrow bubble chinese art prices bursting good thing last year met couple people never done art wanted artists160 thought could suddenly become rich many chinese artists call artists arent serious keep away politics never talk dont think ever really separate art politics except maybe abstract art like damien hirsts paintings colorful dots laughs make particular neighborhood beijing say art modern china 798 become official art area really expensive spent lot money protect theres police station none typically chinese art world many things still cant talk like box put something inside squeeze way chinese art world searching something new fresh modern theyre interested history lot troubles attached one ones looking back chinese artists looking forward looking forward optimistic chinas future dont really know chinas future beijing shanghai real china thats understand europe people similar lifestyle similar quality life go south 50 kilometers tiananmen square find totally different world conditions people live shocking makes sad dont think bright future rich people rich someones father grandfather worked government high position money red capitalism red nepotism theyre performing role dont think ordinary people really opportunity enjoy bright future supposed look forward excited come back china time spent italy england thought id see things never able see able compare western culture look chinese daily life bit western eye good feeling dont really feel belong dont really feel belong anywhere like im homeless sheng qis solo exhibition power people show f2 gallery beijings 798 art district august 17 tiananmen square anniversary tiananmen 20 years dissident voices tiananmen 20 years real party song 160 | 797 |
<p>Did you grow up with a parent who spanked you, or with one who gave you a time-out? With one who encouraged you to be considerate, curious, self-reliant and independent, or one who demanded that you be obedient, well-behaved, well-mannered and respectful toward your elders.</p>
<p>How do you feel&#160;toward kids?</p>
<p>If your answers were in the ‘spanking/obedient/well-behaved’ column, your parent, or you, might have&#160;an authoritarian world-view, at least in part, according to a surprisingly reliable&#160;polling technique used since 1992. And that characteristic, as measured by social scientists in the American National Election Study, correlates more strongly than any other variable&#160;with whether that person supports Donald Trump, according to new research by career political consultant and PhD candidate Matthew MacWilliams.</p>
<p />
<p>Donald Trump, left, and Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>Meredith Nierman/WGBH</p>
<p>“If you’re a non-authoritarian, there’s about a 20 percent chance you’d support Trump,” says&#160;MacWilliams, who's focusing his research at&#160;the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, on the impact of authoritarianism and threat in US politics. “And if you skew authoritarian, in your answers to the child-rearing questions, there’s a 50 percent chance you support Trump. Statistically, that difference is huge.”</p>
<p>The child-rearing questions are deceptively simple — just those four pairs of words in the first paragraph of this story. Is it more important for a child to have independence, or respect for elders? Obedience or self reliance? Curiosity, or good manners? Being considerate, or well behaved? &#160;</p>
<p>These questions have been asked by pollsters for decades. And over the years, social scientists, including Jean Piaget and John Dewey, have found that people who skew authoritarian on this test, pretty reliably also skew authoritarian in other ways.&#160;MacWilliams has been finding correlations as he’s crunched the numbers from different polls over time.</p>
<p />
<p>Political consultant Matthew MacWilliams, with his favorite American.</p>
<p>Matthew MacWilliams</p>
<p>“They don't support a lot of things that are basic to Madisonian democracy, like protecting minority rights,” he says.&#160;Religious freedom? I would say allowing Muslims in this country to go to church —&#160;to their mosque — is a basic freedom protected under the US Consitution. No. They’re not for it. There’s even a poll that says Trump supporters thought Japanese internment (during World War II) was a good idea. And then they talk about deporting 11 million people, and only letting ‘the good ones’ back in. Who decides who’s good? It’s that definition of, ‘if you’re part of us, you’re good, if you’re not, you’re bad. It’s very, very scary language.”</p>
<p>The German magazine Der Spiegel agrees. <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/donald-trump-is-the-most-dangerous-man-in-the-world-a-1075060.html" type="external">It did an article on Trump</a>and authoritarianism, tracking his language and actions, and arguing that he is&#160;acting very authoritarian.&#160;But, is this an act? Does it matter if it is?&#160;Would a President Trump actually be less extreme than he is now, when it comes to policy-making? His Republican rivals have tried to skewer him for not being ideologically conservative enough. And on family planning, universal health care, taxing the wealthy — he sounds pretty moderate. But — then there’s the xenophobic, race-baiting Trump.&#160; Which would he be in power?</p>
<p>It’s hard to know. What’s easier to know is that “Trump’s electoral strength, and his staying power, has been buoyed, above all, by Americans with authoritarian inclinations,” MacWilliams said <a href="http://http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/donald-trump-2016-authoritarian-213533" type="external">in an essay for Politico.com</a>. “And because of the prevalence of authoritarians in the American electorate, among Democrats as well as Republicans, it’s very possible that Trump’s fan base will continue to grow.</p>
<p>MacWilliams conducted a poll in the last five days of December, under the auspices of his university, sampling 1,800 registered voters across the country and political spectrum. Then he ran a standard statistical analysis.</p>
<p>“I found that education, income, gender, age, ideology and religiosity had no significant bearing on a Republican voter’s preferred candidate,” he wrote.&#160;Only two variables stood out as statistically significant: authoritarianism, with ‘fear of terrorism’ trailing as a distant second.</p>
<p>So what is meant here by authoritarians? “Authoritarians obey. They rally to and follow strong leaders. And they respond aggressively to outsiders, especially when they feel threatened,” MacWilliams said.</p>
<p>Polling data suggests roughly 18 to 30 percent of Americans fall into this camp, and that more can be swayed to support political “strong men” when they feel under threat. There are authoritarians across the political spectrum, and political scientist Marc Hetherington found that in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, authoritarians favored Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama.</p>
<p>Hetherington, who with fellow political scientist Jonathan Weiler wrote the book <a href="http://http://www.amazon.com/Authoritarianism-Polarization-American-Politics-Hetherington/dp/052171124X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1456251083&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=Marc+Hetherington" type="external">Authoritarianism and Polarization in American Politics</a>, has also found that over the past couple of decades, authoritarians have moved steadily from the Democratic to the Republican party, as Democrats stood up for gay rights, immigrant rights, civil rights and other forms of freedom and equality.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Explores the role of authoritarian tendencies in contributing to the polarization of American politics.</p>
<p>Marc Hetherington and Jonathan Weiler</p>
<p>MacWilliams says that <a href="http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2016/01/27/donald-trump-is-attracting-authoritarian-primary-voters-and-it-may-help-him-to-gain-the-nomination/" type="external">49 percent of the likely Republican voters he surveyed scored in the top quarter of the authoritarian scale, more than twice as many as Democratic voters.</a></p>
<p>But here’s something interesting. As fiercely fought as the Republican presidential race has been, as much as Ted Cruz has promised to “carpet-bomb” ISIS, and Marco Rubio has pledged to toughen up border control, only Donald Trump is getting a meaningful bump from voters with authoritarian inclinations. It appears he speaks their language.</p>
<p>An analysis of a week of Trump’s rhetoric appeared in the New York Times in December, headlined, “ <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/06/us/politics/95000-words-many-of-them-ominous-from-donald-trumps-tongue.html" type="external">95,000 words, many of them ominous, from Donald Trump’s tongue</a>."&#160;It showed that Trump often talked about “us” and “them” — “they”, or “them” were people he felt were problems. ... Mexicans, Syrians, the news media, who he also called scum. He used the word “stupid” in public at least 30 times in a week. He talked a lot about problems. He talked about making America great again. He talked, using simple language, at a fourth grade level.</p>
<p>“We’re going to get more and more angry, is that OK,” Trump said at a January rally in Vermont, while people deemed to be not sufficiently pro-Trump were dragged out. “And by the end, I’ll say ‘get them the hell out of here.’ And then, by the way, the security will be so tough and so nasty, and you know what’s going to happen by the time that happens? We’re not going to have any more problems. We’re not going to have any more problems.”</p>
<p>The crowd roared, and continued to cheer when Trump said to kick one guy out into the cold Vermont winter, without his coat.</p>
<p>“Don’t give him his coat. Don’t give him his coat. Keep his coat. Confiscate his coat. You know, it’s about 10 degrees below zero outside,” Trump said.</p>
<p>The incident was filmed by a camera crew for online news program The Young Turks, before they too were kicked out, for not following orders to film only Trump.&#160;</p>
<p>“If this is joking around, I’m no longer amused," Cenk Uygur, creator and host of The Young Turks, said on the program. "This is exactly how fascism starts.”</p> | false | 3 | grow parent spanked one gave timeout one encouraged considerate curious selfreliant independent one demanded obedient wellbehaved wellmannered respectful toward elders feel160toward kids answers spankingobedientwellbehaved column parent might have160an authoritarian worldview least part according surprisingly reliable160polling technique used since 1992 characteristic measured social scientists american national election study correlates strongly variable160with whether person supports donald trump according new research career political consultant phd candidate matthew macwilliams donald trump left hillary clinton meredith niermanwgbh youre nonauthoritarian theres 20 percent chance youd support trump says160macwilliams whos focusing research at160the university massachusetts amherst impact authoritarianism threat us politics skew authoritarian answers childrearing questions theres 50 percent chance support trump statistically difference huge childrearing questions deceptively simple four pairs words first paragraph story important child independence respect elders obedience self reliance curiosity good manners considerate well behaved 160 questions asked pollsters decades years social scientists including jean piaget john dewey found people skew authoritarian test pretty reliably also skew authoritarian ways160macwilliams finding correlations hes crunched numbers different polls time political consultant matthew macwilliams favorite american matthew macwilliams dont support lot things basic madisonian democracy like protecting minority rights says160religious freedom would say allowing muslims country go church 160to mosque basic freedom protected us consitution theyre theres even poll says trump supporters thought japanese internment world war ii good idea talk deporting 11 million people letting good ones back decides whos good definition youre part us youre good youre youre bad scary language german magazine der spiegel agrees article trumpand authoritarianism tracking language actions arguing is160acting authoritarian160but act matter is160would president trump actually less extreme comes policymaking republican rivals tried skewer ideologically conservative enough family planning universal health care taxing wealthy sounds pretty moderate theres xenophobic racebaiting trump160 would power hard know whats easier know trumps electoral strength staying power buoyed americans authoritarian inclinations macwilliams said essay politicocom prevalence authoritarians american electorate among democrats well republicans possible trumps fan base continue grow macwilliams conducted poll last five days december auspices university sampling 1800 registered voters across country political spectrum ran standard statistical analysis found education income gender age ideology religiosity significant bearing republican voters preferred candidate wrote160only two variables stood statistically significant authoritarianism fear terrorism trailing distant second meant authoritarians authoritarians obey rally follow strong leaders respond aggressively outsiders especially feel threatened macwilliams said polling data suggests roughly 18 30 percent americans fall camp swayed support political strong men feel threat authoritarians across political spectrum political scientist marc hetherington found 2008 democratic presidential primary authoritarians favored hillary clinton barack obama hetherington fellow political scientist jonathan weiler wrote book authoritarianism polarization american politics also found past couple decades authoritarians moved steadily democratic republican party democrats stood gay rights immigrant rights civil rights forms freedom equality160 explores role authoritarian tendencies contributing polarization american politics marc hetherington jonathan weiler macwilliams says 49 percent likely republican voters surveyed scored top quarter authoritarian scale twice many democratic voters heres something interesting fiercely fought republican presidential race much ted cruz promised carpetbomb isis marco rubio pledged toughen border control donald trump getting meaningful bump voters authoritarian inclinations appears speaks language analysis week trumps rhetoric appeared new york times december headlined 95000 words many ominous donald trumps tongue160it showed trump often talked us people felt problems mexicans syrians news media also called scum used word stupid public least 30 times week talked lot problems talked making america great talked using simple language fourth grade level going get angry ok trump said january rally vermont people deemed sufficiently protrump dragged end ill say get hell way security tough nasty know whats going happen time happens going problems going problems crowd roared continued cheer trump said kick one guy cold vermont winter without coat dont give coat dont give coat keep coat confiscate coat know 10 degrees zero outside trump said incident filmed camera crew online news program young turks kicked following orders film trump160 joking around im longer amused cenk uygur creator host young turks said program exactly fascism starts | 656 |
<p>MEXICO CITY — State legislators across the country this week sealed a deal that will end the government’s 75-year-old energy monopoly, enabling Mexican and foreign enterprises to vie for a slice of the country’s oil, gas and electricity production.</p>
<p>This is big, the stuff of history.</p>
<p>To find out just how huge a deal it is, and why many Mexicans are actually unhappy about it, we spoke to GlobalPost’s senior correspondent in Mexico, Dudley Althaus, who has been reporting on the energy sector for many years.</p>
<p>Both houses of the Mexican congress approved the energy bill last week — over the angry objections of leftist lawmakers, including a fellow who <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2522868/Mexican-congressman-takes-clothes-angry-protest-historic-energy-privatization-scuffles-break-doors-barricaded.html" type="external">shed his clothes in fury</a> (video below). The reforms’ required constitutional changes were assured Monday when the 17th of Mexico’s 32 states approved them.</p>
<p>President Enrique Pena Nieto, who was in Turkey talking trade when the states gave him the Christmas gift, said he’s going to sign the reforms into law as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Why is Mexico reforming its energy sector now?</p>
<p>Although the government’s near monopoly on electricity is also being dismantled, the future of Mexico’s oil has created the most buzz.</p>
<p>Capitalists at home and abroad have been yearning for a piece of the petroleum pie here since it was taken away from them by the 1938 nationalization.</p>
<p>Now changing economics and politics — and officials’ need for a new bonanza — are about to give it back to them.　 　</p>
<p>Mexico is the world’s 10th largest oil producer. Oil revenues pay for more than a third of government spending.</p>
<p>The easy oil is drying up. Pemex, the country’s petroleum company, has neither the funds nor the technology to get at the difficult stuff.</p>
<p>The country now produces around 2.5 million barrels of petroleum a day. That’s down from 3.4 million barrels daily in 2004 and about the same output as Texas.</p>
<p>Promoters say the reforms will entice private companies — especially experienced and deep-pocketed multinationals. They want them to explore and produce in the extremely deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico and in the shale fields near the Rio Grande. They also want private companies, perhaps partnering with Pemex, to squeeze more black gold from long played-out onshore fields.</p>
<p>The energy overhaul caps a strong first year for Pena Nieto, coming atop reforms in education, labor law and tax policy.</p>
<p>Pena Nieto’s Institutional Revolutionary Party, the PRI, which ran Mexico like a family business for most of the past century and nationalized oil in the first place, has now anchored itself in the business-friendly center.</p>
<p>The president tweeted last week that the reforms will provide Mexico its “energy sovereignty and self-sufficiency,” spuring “productivity, economic growth and job creation.”</p>
<p>So, the oil will be gushing again soon, right?</p>
<p>Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.</p>
<p>These reforms were painted with big brushes. Federal legislators and bureaucrats now need to take pencils to the stack of laws and regulations that will put the changes in place.</p>
<p>Seemingly razor sharp initiatives in Mexico often get ground to impotence in that process.</p>
<p>Big energy companies out of Houston, Beijing and Madrid are plenty interested in Mexico. But they’ll likely wait to see the fine print before jumping in. That’ll take months, if not years.</p>
<p>Mexican planners say they need the multinationals to explore and produce in the very deep waters of the Gulf, which may hold as much as 30 billion barrels of oil.</p>
<p>They want smaller companies skilled in "fracking," firms that have lately made the South Texas borderlands into a mini-Saudi Arabia, to produce shale gas south of the Rio Grande.</p>
<p>But most deep-water drilling platforms and crews are otherwise employed for now. And the fracking technique requires millions of gallons of water per well, a serious challenge in the parched lands that hold Mexico’s shale gas.</p>
<p>New technology can unlock a lot of oil there. And companies like Halliburton, Schlumberger and Weatherford have been working in those fields for decades as Pemex contractors. Until now, they’ve been paid in cash for their services but forbidden by the constitution from claiming a share of the oil produced.</p>
<p>Government officials, including Pena Nieto, phave predicted Mexico’s petroleum production will recover to 3 million barrels a day within five years and to 3.5 million barrels daily by 2025. Private analysts say that’s ambitious but not impossible.</p>
<p>Mexico’s recovery, joined with the ongoing energy booms in the United States and Canada, could make North America self-sufficient or even an exporter of petroleum in the near future.</p>
<p>Why do opponents, including that nearly naked congressman, get so worked up about this?</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Video of congressman Antonio Garcia posted to YouTube by UK's Daily Mail.</p>
<p>Well, for the same reason many conservative Americans get bug-eyed at the mention of gun control. The oil nationalization engraved Mexico’s right to bear oil, an emotional touchstone for Mexican nationalists.</p>
<p>For them, throwing the foreign oil companies out of Mexico’s oil patch 75 years ago was a watershed victory in the country’s centuries-long struggle against foreign invaders and Mexico’s own rapacious elite.</p>
<p>“The oil is ours,” goes the frequent refrain.</p>
<p>Few opponents of energy reform argue that everything is fine with Pemex or the oil patch. But they say that the ills can be fixed with a scalpel rather than a broadsword.</p>
<p>Pemex’s legendary corruption needs to be cleaned up. Its suffocating contributions to the federal treasury need to be replaced by broadening the tax base, especially forcing the wealthy and other industries to pay more.</p>
<p>Instead, the opponents argue, the reforms are handing one of Mexico’s greatest treasures back to the very foreigners and the wealthy few who have always plagued the country.</p>
<p>Pena Nieto and his aides talk of the potential jobs and prosperity from the reforms. The opponents point to the “crony capitalism” that made a chosen few mega-wealthy when Mexico sold off other government-owned industries in the 1990s.　</p>
<p>Among the fortunate elites stands Carlos Slim, the world’s richest person, who as a merely prosperous businessman was handed control of Telmex, the government’s telephone monopoly.</p>
<p>Badly beaten in congress and the state legislatures, the leftist-nationalists vow to overturn the reforms with a popular referendum in 2015. Opinion polls show most Mexicans oppose the energy reforms.</p>
<p>Still, scant crowds showed up at street protests as congress voted on the reforms last week.</p>
<p>Mexico perhaps has moved on.</p> | false | 3 | mexico city state legislators across country week sealed deal end governments 75yearold energy monopoly enabling mexican foreign enterprises vie slice countrys oil gas electricity production big stuff history find huge deal many mexicans actually unhappy spoke globalposts senior correspondent mexico dudley althaus reporting energy sector many years houses mexican congress approved energy bill last week angry objections leftist lawmakers including fellow shed clothes fury video reforms required constitutional changes assured monday 17th mexicos 32 states approved president enrique pena nieto turkey talking trade states gave christmas gift said hes going sign reforms law soon possible mexico reforming energy sector although governments near monopoly electricity also dismantled future mexicos oil created buzz capitalists home abroad yearning piece petroleum pie since taken away 1938 nationalization changing economics politics officials need new bonanza give back mexico worlds 10th largest oil producer oil revenues pay third government spending easy oil drying pemex countrys petroleum company neither funds technology get difficult stuff country produces around 25 million barrels petroleum day thats 34 million barrels daily 2004 output texas promoters say reforms entice private companies especially experienced deeppocketed multinationals want explore produce extremely deep waters gulf mexico shale fields near rio grande also want private companies perhaps partnering pemex squeeze black gold long playedout onshore fields energy overhaul caps strong first year pena nieto coming atop reforms education labor law tax policy pena nietos institutional revolutionary party pri ran mexico like family business past century nationalized oil first place anchored businessfriendly center president tweeted last week reforms provide mexico energy sovereignty selfsufficiency spuring productivity economic growth job creation oil gushing soon right lets get ahead reforms painted big brushes federal legislators bureaucrats need take pencils stack laws regulations put changes place seemingly razor sharp initiatives mexico often get ground impotence process big energy companies houston beijing madrid plenty interested mexico theyll likely wait see fine print jumping thatll take months years mexican planners say need multinationals explore produce deep waters gulf may hold much 30 billion barrels oil want smaller companies skilled fracking firms lately made south texas borderlands minisaudi arabia produce shale gas south rio grande deepwater drilling platforms crews otherwise employed fracking technique requires millions gallons water per well serious challenge parched lands hold mexicos shale gas new technology unlock lot oil companies like halliburton schlumberger weatherford working fields decades pemex contractors theyve paid cash services forbidden constitution claiming share oil produced government officials including pena nieto phave predicted mexicos petroleum production recover 3 million barrels day within five years 35 million barrels daily 2025 private analysts say thats ambitious impossible mexicos recovery joined ongoing energy booms united states canada could make north america selfsufficient even exporter petroleum near future opponents including nearly naked congressman get worked video congressman antonio garcia posted youtube uks daily mail well reason many conservative americans get bugeyed mention gun control oil nationalization engraved mexicos right bear oil emotional touchstone mexican nationalists throwing foreign oil companies mexicos oil patch 75 years ago watershed victory countrys centurieslong struggle foreign invaders mexicos rapacious elite oil goes frequent refrain opponents energy reform argue everything fine pemex oil patch say ills fixed scalpel rather broadsword pemexs legendary corruption needs cleaned suffocating contributions federal treasury need replaced broadening tax base especially forcing wealthy industries pay instead opponents argue reforms handing one mexicos greatest treasures back foreigners wealthy always plagued country pena nieto aides talk potential jobs prosperity reforms opponents point crony capitalism made chosen megawealthy mexico sold governmentowned industries 1990s among fortunate elites stands carlos slim worlds richest person merely prosperous businessman handed control telmex governments telephone monopoly badly beaten congress state legislatures leftistnationalists vow overturn reforms popular referendum 2015 opinion polls show mexicans oppose energy reforms still scant crowds showed street protests congress voted reforms last week mexico perhaps moved | 627 |
<p>There is a superstition in western Kenya, in the lush area that borders Lake Victoria. If you are a woman and become pregnant, you do not talk about it because if you do, you will lose your child.</p>
<p>The downside of keeping it secret is that the mother very likely will not make any prenatal visits —&#160;maybe won’t even give birth in a hospital.</p>
<p>In an area of the country with a high incidence of malaria, not to mention HIV rates of 27 percent, that puts fetuses in jeopardy.</p>
<p />
<p>Beatrice Otieno holds some of the orange flesh sweet potatoes she's been growing with the aid of the SUSTAIN (Scaling up Sweetpotato through Agriculture and Nutrition) project.</p>
<p>Anne Bailey</p>
<p>But even if no one was superstitious, clinics are often far from home for many women.&#160;And they’ve got chores that precede a prenatal visit.</p>
<p>A loan of $800 helps this green tea and dairy farmer who is supporting her siblings and parents pay for one cow.</p>
<p />
<p>If it hadn’t been for an unfamiliar variety of sweet potato, 27-year-old Beatrice Otieno would likely be giving birth to her third child at home.&#160;That home is a mud brick shack.&#160;It’s hot inside, and the coolest spot is the dirt floor.&#160;It’s not where a child is going to have the best chances of success on his first day in the world.</p>
<p>But the orange flesh sweet potato will very likely change that baby’s fortunes.&#160;It’s already turned around Beatrice’s life.</p>
<p>Not long ago, she heard that if she went to the hospital for pre-natal visits, she would receive coupons for orange flesh sweet potato vines to plant in her yard. She bit.</p>
<p>The coupon would entitle her to the plants at a subsidized cost. They would supplement her and her family’s diet, and anything they had left over she could sell.</p>
<p />
<p>Unlike her previous two pregnancies, Beatrice Otieno will deliver her third child at a local hospital.</p>
<p>Anne Bailey</p>
<p>Beatrice Otieno lives in Homa Bay, Kenya, not far from Lake Victoria. And two years ago, Homa Bay became one of the places where a project was launched to introduce the orange flesh sweet potato.</p>
<p>That is happening through the American health organization PATH, the Kenyan government, and a project called SUSTAIN: Scaling up Sweetpotato through Agriculture and Nutrition.</p>
<p>There are always doubts when an unfamiliar crop is introduced for the first time. Kenya has local sweet potatoes, but these varieties are white and yellow.&#160;People like them.</p>
<p>But Beatrice told me she likes the orange flesh variety more.&#160;A lot of the people in Homa Bay said the same.</p>
<p>That’s a good thing.&#160;Because the whole idea of SUSTAIN was to make the sweet potato both a nutritional savior and an incentive.</p>
<p>On the nutrition front, it addresses health needs for pregnant women. It’s loaded with Vitamin A, an immunity booster, great for vision&#160;and crucial for organ development in the fetus. The orange flesh variety also provides a defense against disease for people who are HIV positive.</p>
<p />
<p>Mothers line&#160;up for post-natal visits&#160;at the Othoro Community Hospital in Homa Bay.</p>
<p>Anne Bailey</p>
<p>When I arrived at the health clinic in Homa Bay, I saw the dividends. The veranda was packed with patients. Some were there for typical outpatient needs: small injuries and illnesses. But a lot of them were expectant and post-natal mothers, and were there for a checkup and the coupons.</p>
<p>Batrise Akinyiopyio lives in the community and works as a liaison between the clinic and the mothers.&#160;She pulled out a white board and showed me an array of numbers. The crucial point, she said, is that the hospital used to give out Vitamin A supplements. Then the stock ran out.</p>
<p>“But when the orange flesh sweet potato came into the existence and we taught the pregnant mothers on the importance of orange flesh and vitamin A,” explained Akinyiopyio, “we realized that very many children are consuming orange flesh at the household levels.”</p>
<p />
<p>(GIF by Faye Orlove)</p>
<p>We know the orange flesh sweet potato in the US.&#160;(Heck, at Bartley’s Burger Cottage in Harvard Square, there are as many sweet potato fries orders as standard ones.)&#160;Agronomists will tell you that even though it’s a tuber, it is not technically in the potato family. Columbus found it, most likely in the West Indies, and from there it made its way to the US. It was&#160;made famous by George Washington and later by George Washington Carver. It’s native to the Western Hemisphere, and even though it’s not in the potato family, it’s introduction in Africa is being done in collaboration with CIP — the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru.</p>
<p />
<p>David Elijah is a skilled local farmer who was tapped to be the local super-source of the orange flesh sweet potato vines. He proudly showed me his starter field and the nursery where the first seeds are grown.</p>
<p>Hellen Nyongesa-Malava works for PATH in Homa Bay. She says that “part of the reason why (Homa Bay) was identified as a site is because of the willingness of households and men to show their women where they can cultivate the vines that they are given.”</p>
<p />
<p>Beatrice Otieno follows others to the field where she grows orange flesh sweet potatoes.</p>
<p>Anne Bailey</p>
<p>In a country where women own just one percent of the land, that’s a tally in the plus column.</p>
<p>As for turning their surplus sweet potato crop into a profitable business, that's a little harder to judge. It's still early days of course, but in Beatrice Otieno's case, sweet potato sales have not noticeably lifted her out of poverty. According to Rikka Trangsrud, PATH Kenya's community program coordinator, there is some clear success. She notes the more nutritious sweet potatoes are now accepted because you can find them in the produce section of supermarkets like Nakumatt</p>
<p>At the hospital in Homa Bay, the proof of concept is in the number&#160;of women who are showing up for prenatal visits.&#160;And every day there are more women taking the same interest in sweet potatoes — and the health of their babies.</p> | false | 3 | superstition western kenya lush area borders lake victoria woman become pregnant talk lose child downside keeping secret mother likely make prenatal visits 160maybe wont even give birth hospital area country high incidence malaria mention hiv rates 27 percent puts fetuses jeopardy beatrice otieno holds orange flesh sweet potatoes shes growing aid sustain scaling sweetpotato agriculture nutrition project anne bailey even one superstitious clinics often far home many women160and theyve got chores precede prenatal visit loan 800 helps green tea dairy farmer supporting siblings parents pay one cow hadnt unfamiliar variety sweet potato 27yearold beatrice otieno would likely giving birth third child home160that home mud brick shack160its hot inside coolest spot dirt floor160its child going best chances success first day world orange flesh sweet potato likely change babys fortunes160its already turned around beatrices life long ago heard went hospital prenatal visits would receive coupons orange flesh sweet potato vines plant yard bit coupon would entitle plants subsidized cost would supplement familys diet anything left could sell unlike previous two pregnancies beatrice otieno deliver third child local hospital anne bailey beatrice otieno lives homa bay kenya far lake victoria two years ago homa bay became one places project launched introduce orange flesh sweet potato happening american health organization path kenyan government project called sustain scaling sweetpotato agriculture nutrition always doubts unfamiliar crop introduced first time kenya local sweet potatoes varieties white yellow160people like beatrice told likes orange flesh variety more160a lot people homa bay said thats good thing160because whole idea sustain make sweet potato nutritional savior incentive nutrition front addresses health needs pregnant women loaded vitamin immunity booster great vision160and crucial organ development fetus orange flesh variety also provides defense disease people hiv positive mothers line160up postnatal visits160at othoro community hospital homa bay anne bailey arrived health clinic homa bay saw dividends veranda packed patients typical outpatient needs small injuries illnesses lot expectant postnatal mothers checkup coupons batrise akinyiopyio lives community works liaison clinic mothers160she pulled white board showed array numbers crucial point said hospital used give vitamin supplements stock ran orange flesh sweet potato came existence taught pregnant mothers importance orange flesh vitamin explained akinyiopyio realized many children consuming orange flesh household levels gif faye orlove know orange flesh sweet potato us160heck bartleys burger cottage harvard square many sweet potato fries orders standard ones160agronomists tell even though tuber technically potato family columbus found likely west indies made way us was160made famous george washington later george washington carver native western hemisphere even though potato family introduction africa done collaboration cip international potato center lima peru david elijah skilled local farmer tapped local supersource orange flesh sweet potato vines proudly showed starter field nursery first seeds grown hellen nyongesamalava works path homa bay says part reason homa bay identified site willingness households men show women cultivate vines given beatrice otieno follows others field grows orange flesh sweet potatoes anne bailey country women one percent land thats tally plus column turning surplus sweet potato crop profitable business thats little harder judge still early days course beatrice otienos case sweet potato sales noticeably lifted poverty according rikka trangsrud path kenyas community program coordinator clear success notes nutritious sweet potatoes accepted find produce section supermarkets like nakumatt hospital homa bay proof concept number160of women showing prenatal visits160and every day women taking interest sweet potatoes health babies | 550 |
<p>Climate change was at the heart of the talks between President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this weekend, and the outcome may be <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/25/3615232/us-india-climate-agreement/" type="external">more encouraging than widely believed</a> for the make-or-break global climate summit in Paris at the end of the year.</p>
<p>Obama arrived in New Delhi after having secured an historic climate agreement with China last November. For the US and China, the world’s two indisputable climate change superpowers, <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/11/us-china-joint-announcement-climate-change" type="external">to publicly commit to limiting their greenhouse gas emissions</a> carried gigantic implications both politically and economically.</p>
<p>Politically, it breathed new life into international negotiations that had seemed doomed to perpetual deadlock. One effect was visible almost immediately, at the climate talks in Lima last December: for the first time, every nation on earth officially agreed to limit its own greenhouse gas emissions.&#160;</p>
<p>But economics are what really make the US-China agreement a game-changer, for the agreement should have the effect of putting a de facto, rising price on carbon.</p>
<p>It’s Economics 101: limit the supply of a commodity — in this case, the authority to emit carbon pollution — and its price rises (assuming demand stays constant or rises). China and the US together account for 45 percent of the world’s annual emissions. They also rank as the two largest economies on earth. This gives them decisive influence over global carbon pricing.</p>
<p>Adding to the momentum, a third climate and economic superpower, the European Union, is pursuing even more ambitious emissions reductions, to <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/2030/index_en.htm" type="external">40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030</a>.</p>
<p>And ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and scores of other big companies are already conducting business on the assumption that a global price on carbon is inevitable. ExxonMobil, for example, tests the profitability of its potential long-term investments against the company’s “shadow” prices of $60 per ton by 2030 and $80 per ton by 2040.&#160;</p>
<p>If actions by the world’s biggest climate polluters end up setting a de facto price on carbon, that really could change everything. Putting a rising price on carbon will bring the power of the marketplace to bear against climate change — driving consumers, producers, investors and governments throughout the world away from carbon-based fuels and toward solar, wind, energy efficiency and other sources of low-carbon fuels. &#160;</p>
<p>It's here that the US-India climate agreement could matter more than most observers have suggested.&#160; India ranks as the world’s third largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases. Like China 20 years ago, India still has hundreds of millions of people living in severe poverty, and its government has declared that raising living standards is a top priority, even if it means burning coal (which currently provides nearly 80 percent of India’s electricity).</p>
<p>Thus Prime Minister Modi refused to commit to the kind of numerical limit on India’s future emissions that China did. But he and Obama did agree to a vast, rapid expansion of solar power in India — 100 gigawatts of new generating capacity by 2022, roughly the equivalent of 100 nuclear power plants — while also opening the door to additional exports of US nuclear plants to China.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the US-China deal likewise obliged both countries to dramatically expand their deployment of solar, wind, energy efficiency and other non-carbon energy sources. Combined with India’s pledge to accelerate non-carbon energy development, the upshot could well be a revolution in climate change economics.</p>
<p>Obama appears to be hoping to create an economic fait accompli that will end run the political opposition he faces from climate science denying Republicans in Washington. The prices of solar and wind energy have been plummeting in recent years, boosting their market shares at the expense of fossil fuels, especially coal. Now, vast additional solar and wind development in the US, China and India could well accelerate these trends past the tipping point. &#160;</p>
<p>More production and deployment of solar and wind will enable economies of scale that drive their prices still lower. This would call forth yet more demand, which in turn will further increase economies of scale and lower prices, boosting market shares even higher. As consumers and local politicians and business leaders see that a modern economy can in fact run on renewable energy — and bring healthier air and reduced climate risk in the bargain — grassroots support for phasing out coal, oil and natural gas should increase.</p>
<p>If these economic trends — along with continued pressure from the growing climate movement that put thousands of people in the streets of New York and other world capitals last September — lead to a strong accord in Paris in December, history may liken the US-China climate agreement to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate-Range_Nuclear_Forces_Treaty" type="external">nuclear breakthrough</a> US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev achieved in the 1980s.&#160;</p>
<p>Then, too, the two superpowers’ initial agreement fell well short of what was necessary to avoid disaster.&#160; But that breakthrough kick-started a diplomatic process whereby the two Cold War leaders eventually pulled their respective countries and the world as a whole back from the abyss by agreeing to slash their arsenals of civilization-ending weapons and missiles.</p>
<p>These positive developments come not a moment too soon, for the past months have also brought the usual barrage of bad climate news. &#160;</p>
<p>As of late November, the 20 million people living in <a href="http://reliefweb.int/report/brazil/sao-paulo-drought-issue-global-concern" type="external">Sao Paulo had only 60 days of fresh water remaining</a>, thanks largely to the worst drought to hit their region in 80 years. Brazilians hoped the winter rainy season would save them, but that hasn’t happened. Rainfall this winter has been less than half of average levels. &#160;</p>
<p>In October, the largest reservoir serving Sao Paulo, the nation’s commercial capital, held 3.3 percent of its usual capacity of water. By mid-January, with only half of the rainy season remaining, the level had climbed to a mere 6 percent. &#160;</p>
<p>“The water supply situation is critical,” Mario Thadeu Leme de Barros, the head of the University of Sao Paulo’s hydraulic engineering and environment department, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/17/sao-paulos-water-supply-in-critical-condition-as-drought-bites" type="external">told the Associated Press</a>. Because two-thirds of Brazil’s electricity comes from hydropower, the lower water levels have triggered widespread blackouts in Sao Paulo and other big cities.</p>
<p>Some Brazilian scientists have linked the record drought to global warming.&#160; Antonio Norbert, a climate scientist at Brazil’s National Space Research Institute, argues that the drought originates in the Amazon, where rising temperatures combined with a resurgence of deforestation are interfering with the rainforest’s usual function of acting as a giant water pump.&#160; In normal times, the Amazonian rainforest lifts vast amounts of precipitation into the sky, where winds send it southward before it falls back to earth as rain. &#160;</p>
<p>These “flying rivers,” in Norbert’s apt phrase, were greatly diminished in 2013, a year when deforestation spiked in Brazil after five years of decline. The rich agricultural land in central and southern Brazil suffered accordingly; some 70 percent of the country’s GDP comes from areas stricken by the current drought. &#160; The physical momentum of global warming — the fact that carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere, trapping heat, for centuries after being emitted — means that even if all carbon emissions were halted overnight, global temperatures would not stop rising for at least 30 more years. &#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/" type="external">2014 was the hottest year on record</a>, the US space agency NASA reported earlier this month. But 2014 will be surpassed in years to come, thanks to the additional warming “in the pipeline.”</p>
<p>Civilization’s survival depends on limiting this future warming to the absolute minimum. The international goal is 2 degrees Celsius above that of the pre-industrial era. By no means is 2 degrees “safe,” as demonstrated when scientists announced in May that the massive West Antarctic ice sheet had begun an “irreversible” retreat after 1 degree of warming. &#160;</p>
<p>Nevertheless, limiting temperature rise to 2 degrees should give humanity a better chance of avoiding the absolutely catastrophic changes the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had in mind when it warned that “serious, pervasive and irreversible” impacts await humanity unless carbon-based fuels are phased out almost entirely by 2100.</p>
<p>Can governments agree in Paris to reverse current trends quickly enough to avoid such impacts?&#160;</p>
<p>Detractors point out that the US-China agreement’s numerical targets fall well short of what is needed to honor the 2C limit. (China committed to cap its emissions by 2030; the US promised to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 percent by 2025, compared to the 2005 level. &#160;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the accord reached in Lima, like the&#160;new agreement between the US and India,&#160;didn’t even attach numbers to its call for countries to outline, by this spring, their planned reductions. Which is why the US-China deal, the Lima accord and&#160;the US-India agreement must be only the first in a series of agreements that become more ambitious over&#160;time.</p>
<p>Again, recall the last time humanity faced an existential threat. The first nuclear weapons agreement between the US and the Soviet Union in the 1980s did not come close to delivering full disarmament. But it broke a long-standing stalemate between the two superpowers and help to build the trust, momentum, and public support that made possible the second, third, and fourth agreements that eventually did halt and reverse the arms&#160;race.</p>
<p>Likewise, the US-China climate agreement broke the stalemate between the two climate superpowers that had blocked international progress for decades. Now, the way is open to press Washington and Beijing to go further, and bring other nations with them, culminating in a far-reaching global agreement at the Paris summit next December. &#160;</p>
<p>Which leads to a final parallel between the climate crisis and the nuclear arms race. In both cases, governments had to be pushed hard by public pressure. In the 1980s, millions marched in New York City and European capitals, calling on both the US and the Soviet Union to end the drill for death known as the arms race.</p>
<p>In 2014, it was no coincidence that Chinese and US leaders reached their historic climate agreement only after facing mass protests — not just the hundreds of thousands who thronged New York in September but also the countless Chinese who took to social media to demand an end to the ghastly air pollution darkening skies and lungs across their country. &#160;</p>
<p>History teaches that popular mobilization is essential to achieving real progress on environmental (and most other) issues. How strong “people power” becomes in 2015 may therefore decide whether this is the year when humanity finally takes the actions necessary to secure a livable climate, not only for today’s children but also for generations to come.</p>
<p>Mark Hertsgaard has reported on climate change and politics from dozens of countries for outlets includingThe New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Time, Harper’s, Bloomberg Businessweek and The Nation, where he is the environment correspondent.&#160; He is the author of six books that have been translated into sixteen languages, including most recently, HOT:&#160; Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth. &#160;</p> | false | 3 | climate change heart talks president obama indian prime minister narendra modi weekend outcome may encouraging widely believed makeorbreak global climate summit paris end year obama arrived new delhi secured historic climate agreement china last november us china worlds two indisputable climate change superpowers publicly commit limiting greenhouse gas emissions carried gigantic implications politically economically politically breathed new life international negotiations seemed doomed perpetual deadlock one effect visible almost immediately climate talks lima last december first time every nation earth officially agreed limit greenhouse gas emissions160 economics really make uschina agreement gamechanger agreement effect putting de facto rising price carbon economics 101 limit supply commodity case authority emit carbon pollution price rises assuming demand stays constant rises china us together account 45 percent worlds annual emissions also rank two largest economies earth gives decisive influence global carbon pricing adding momentum third climate economic superpower european union pursuing even ambitious emissions reductions 40 percent 2005 levels 2030 exxonmobil royal dutch shell scores big companies already conducting business assumption global price carbon inevitable exxonmobil example tests profitability potential longterm investments companys shadow prices 60 per ton 2030 80 per ton 2040160 actions worlds biggest climate polluters end setting de facto price carbon really could change everything putting rising price carbon bring power marketplace bear climate change driving consumers producers investors governments throughout world away carbonbased fuels toward solar wind energy efficiency sources lowcarbon fuels 160 usindia climate agreement could matter observers suggested160 india ranks worlds third largest annual emitter greenhouse gases like china 20 years ago india still hundreds millions people living severe poverty government declared raising living standards top priority even means burning coal currently provides nearly 80 percent indias electricity thus prime minister modi refused commit kind numerical limit indias future emissions china obama agree vast rapid expansion solar power india 100 gigawatts new generating capacity 2022 roughly equivalent 100 nuclear power plants also opening door additional exports us nuclear plants china meanwhile uschina deal likewise obliged countries dramatically expand deployment solar wind energy efficiency noncarbon energy sources combined indias pledge accelerate noncarbon energy development upshot could well revolution climate change economics obama appears hoping create economic fait accompli end run political opposition faces climate science denying republicans washington prices solar wind energy plummeting recent years boosting market shares expense fossil fuels especially coal vast additional solar wind development us china india could well accelerate trends past tipping point 160 production deployment solar wind enable economies scale drive prices still lower would call forth yet demand turn increase economies scale lower prices boosting market shares even higher consumers local politicians business leaders see modern economy fact run renewable energy bring healthier air reduced climate risk bargain grassroots support phasing coal oil natural gas increase economic trends along continued pressure growing climate movement put thousands people streets new york world capitals last september lead strong accord paris december history may liken uschina climate agreement nuclear breakthrough us president ronald reagan soviet union general secretary mikhail gorbachev achieved 1980s160 two superpowers initial agreement fell well short necessary avoid disaster160 breakthrough kickstarted diplomatic process whereby two cold war leaders eventually pulled respective countries world whole back abyss agreeing slash arsenals civilizationending weapons missiles positive developments come moment soon past months also brought usual barrage bad climate news 160 late november 20 million people living sao paulo 60 days fresh water remaining thanks largely worst drought hit region 80 years brazilians hoped winter rainy season would save hasnt happened rainfall winter less half average levels 160 october largest reservoir serving sao paulo nations commercial capital held 33 percent usual capacity water midjanuary half rainy season remaining level climbed mere 6 percent 160 water supply situation critical mario thadeu leme de barros head university sao paulos hydraulic engineering environment department told associated press twothirds brazils electricity comes hydropower lower water levels triggered widespread blackouts sao paulo big cities brazilian scientists linked record drought global warming160 antonio norbert climate scientist brazils national space research institute argues drought originates amazon rising temperatures combined resurgence deforestation interfering rainforests usual function acting giant water pump160 normal times amazonian rainforest lifts vast amounts precipitation sky winds send southward falls back earth rain 160 flying rivers norberts apt phrase greatly diminished 2013 year deforestation spiked brazil five years decline rich agricultural land central southern brazil suffered accordingly 70 percent countrys gdp comes areas stricken current drought 160 physical momentum global warming fact carbon dioxide remains atmosphere trapping heat centuries emitted means even carbon emissions halted overnight global temperatures would stop rising least 30 years 160 2014 hottest year record us space agency nasa reported earlier month 2014 surpassed years come thanks additional warming pipeline civilizations survival depends limiting future warming absolute minimum international goal 2 degrees celsius preindustrial era means 2 degrees safe demonstrated scientists announced may massive west antarctic ice sheet begun irreversible retreat 1 degree warming 160 nevertheless limiting temperature rise 2 degrees give humanity better chance avoiding absolutely catastrophic changes un intergovernmental panel climate change mind warned serious pervasive irreversible impacts await humanity unless carbonbased fuels phased almost entirely 2100 governments agree paris reverse current trends quickly enough avoid impacts160 detractors point uschina agreements numerical targets fall well short needed honor 2c limit china committed cap emissions 2030 us promised reduce emissions 26 28 percent 2025 compared 2005 level 160 meanwhile accord reached lima like the160new agreement us india160didnt even attach numbers call countries outline spring planned reductions uschina deal lima accord and160the usindia agreement must first series agreements become ambitious over160time recall last time humanity faced existential threat first nuclear weapons agreement us soviet union 1980s come close delivering full disarmament broke longstanding stalemate two superpowers help build trust momentum public support made possible second third fourth agreements eventually halt reverse arms160race likewise uschina climate agreement broke stalemate two climate superpowers blocked international progress decades way open press washington beijing go bring nations culminating farreaching global agreement paris summit next december 160 leads final parallel climate crisis nuclear arms race cases governments pushed hard public pressure 1980s millions marched new york city european capitals calling us soviet union end drill death known arms race 2014 coincidence chinese us leaders reached historic climate agreement facing mass protests hundreds thousands thronged new york september also countless chinese took social media demand end ghastly air pollution darkening skies lungs across country 160 history teaches popular mobilization essential achieving real progress environmental issues strong people power becomes 2015 may therefore decide whether year humanity finally takes actions necessary secure livable climate todays children also generations come mark hertsgaard reported climate change politics dozens countries outlets includingthe new yorker vanity fair time harpers bloomberg businessweek nation environment correspondent160 author six books translated sixteen languages including recently hot160 living next fifty years earth 160 | 1,120 |
<p>On July 27, 1707, representatives of five churches formed the Philadelphia Baptist Association. It was the first Baptist association in the United States. Earlier, there were “yearly meetings” and occasional gatherings among the scattered churches; but in 1707 the urge was strong to form “a body of delegates representing churches.”</p>
<p>The movement to establish local district associations among Baptists was a stroke of genius. Otherwise, these independent, autonomous congregations had no cohesive form, no means of communication, no interchange of ideas. It was at the root of denominationalism. It brought the several into one while preserving the uniqueness of each church. For Baptists, there never would be “the Church” but many churches. And it was more than mere semantics.</p>
<p />
<p>Fred Anderson</p>
<p>It was in the annual meetings of the associations that wider community was built. The Baptist people from one hollow met their cousins from the next hollow. The Baptist people from over the mountain glimpsed another perspective by crossing over, sharing in a great meeting and breaking bread together. They heard some of the choice preachers of their day. When the missions movement took hold, they personally encountered missionaries at the ‘ssociation meetings. When churches had doctrinal questions, they sent queries to sound out their fellow baptized believers. In time, the associations became great training grounds for the churches and allowed local leadership to develop.</p>
<p>Mill Creek, Ketocton and Smith’s Creek—three of the pioneering churches among Virginia Baptists—had close contacts with the distant Philadephia Association. They sent delegates from frontier Virginia on what must have seemed trips around the world to get to one of young America’s true cities. They petitioned for advice on occasion. In 1766, when it became impractical to look to Philadelphia for assistance and connection, the Virginians formed the Ketocton Association in Northern Virginia, the first Baptist association formed in Virginia.</p>
<p>The Philadelphia Association had an influence upon early Virginia Baptists; but it also had a far wider influence which has remained over the centuries. Directly or indirectly, the Philadelphia touched all of Baptist life in Virginia and America primarily because its Confession of Faith became the basis of much of the doctrinal thought of Baptists.</p>
<p>Cathcart’s Encyclopedia (1881) said it best: “The influence of the Philadelphia Association has been greater in shaping Baptist modes of thinking and working, than any other body in existence. It has been the warm friend of missions at home and abroad, its ministers making missionary tours all over our country. It has always been the friend of Sunday schools. It was a tower of strength to our persecuted brethren in other colonies in times when they suffered great legal oppression. It gave them financial aid and good counsel, and lent the weight of its great influence in seeking a redress of grievances from men in power, and it has ever demanded liberty for all men to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences.”</p>
<p>In referring to “our persecuted brethren,” William Cathcart was referring to our forebears, the Virginia Baptists of the 18th century. No group suffered more for their faith. No group faced more social ridicule. No group insisted more upon full freedom from all governmental restriction in the affairs of the soul. No group kept a louder and longer plea for no state aid towards support of religious societies. The Virginia Baptists found kindred minds to the north in Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>The Philadelphia led the way in support of Baptist seminaries and schools of higher learning. They supported what became Brown University in Providence, R.I. They set a noble example; and the Virginia Baptists as early as the 1780s were hoping to emulate in the areas of education. In 1830 they formed an Education Society which supported private academies of learning for ministers. In short order, the Virginia Baptist Seminary was formed, which evolved into Richmond College and eventually today’s University of Richmond. Others followed.</p>
<p>The Philadelphia recognized the importance of an emerging civil liberty. Again from Cathcart: “On the 19th of October, 1781, our army made its victorious entry into Yorktown; on the 23rd the Association was in session; on the night of that day the old watchman of Philadelphia cried, ‘Twelve o’clock and all is well, and Cornwallis has surrendered.’ The next morning the Association met at sunrise to bless God for the glorious news, and to record their gratitude in appropriate resolutions.”</p>
<p>The Virginia Baptists sent congratulations to Gen. George Washington upon his election as president; and he replied: “The religious society of which you are members, have been throughout America, uniformly, and almost unanimously, the firm friends to civil liberty, and the persevering promoters of our glorious revolution.” The Virginia Baptists made certain that Washington understood their views on the oppressive side of religion. In their resolution, they stated: “It was feared that we might be accessory to some religious oppression, should any one society in the Union preponderate all the rest.” They added that “liberty of conscience” was “dearer to us than property and life.”</p>
<p>In the essentials, Baptists have not wavered much from the same concept of associationalism of 300 years ago. We have not surrendered one whit of our independence while embracing other Baptists and enlarging our tent. We have not ceased in our understanding that we can do more together than separately. We have not abandoned an appreciation for the educated mind, although some of our educational institutions have abandoned us while we were fussing with each other. We have not lessened our enthusiasm for the practical value of Sunday schools and church training.</p>
<p>What we may have lost is the spirit of adventure. Our annual and semi-annual gatherings of local and state associations have waned in enthusiastic attendance. Our professional staffs have struggled with decreasing dollars. Our sense of associational purpose—ah, that single inspiring word of our times—has not been quickened as it has on the individual and the church levels. It takes a lot of air to blow out 300 candles. Let’s choose to keep them shining brightly and ignite a new sense of associational purpose for our day.</p>
<p>Fred Anderson may be contacted at fred.anderson@vbmb.org.</p> | false | 3 | july 27 1707 representatives five churches formed philadelphia baptist association first baptist association united states earlier yearly meetings occasional gatherings among scattered churches 1707 urge strong form body delegates representing churches movement establish local district associations among baptists stroke genius otherwise independent autonomous congregations cohesive form means communication interchange ideas root denominationalism brought several one preserving uniqueness church baptists never would church many churches mere semantics fred anderson annual meetings associations wider community built baptist people one hollow met cousins next hollow baptist people mountain glimpsed another perspective crossing sharing great meeting breaking bread together heard choice preachers day missions movement took hold personally encountered missionaries ssociation meetings churches doctrinal questions sent queries sound fellow baptized believers time associations became great training grounds churches allowed local leadership develop mill creek ketocton smiths creekthree pioneering churches among virginia baptistshad close contacts distant philadephia association sent delegates frontier virginia must seemed trips around world get one young americas true cities petitioned advice occasion 1766 became impractical look philadelphia assistance connection virginians formed ketocton association northern virginia first baptist association formed virginia philadelphia association influence upon early virginia baptists also far wider influence remained centuries directly indirectly philadelphia touched baptist life virginia america primarily confession faith became basis much doctrinal thought baptists cathcarts encyclopedia 1881 said best influence philadelphia association greater shaping baptist modes thinking working body existence warm friend missions home abroad ministers making missionary tours country always friend sunday schools tower strength persecuted brethren colonies times suffered great legal oppression gave financial aid good counsel lent weight great influence seeking redress grievances men power ever demanded liberty men worship god according dictates consciences referring persecuted brethren william cathcart referring forebears virginia baptists 18th century group suffered faith group faced social ridicule group insisted upon full freedom governmental restriction affairs soul group kept louder longer plea state aid towards support religious societies virginia baptists found kindred minds north pennsylvania philadelphia led way support baptist seminaries schools higher learning supported became brown university providence ri set noble example virginia baptists early 1780s hoping emulate areas education 1830 formed education society supported private academies learning ministers short order virginia baptist seminary formed evolved richmond college eventually todays university richmond others followed philadelphia recognized importance emerging civil liberty cathcart 19th october 1781 army made victorious entry yorktown 23rd association session night day old watchman philadelphia cried twelve oclock well cornwallis surrendered next morning association met sunrise bless god glorious news record gratitude appropriate resolutions virginia baptists sent congratulations gen george washington upon election president replied religious society members throughout america uniformly almost unanimously firm friends civil liberty persevering promoters glorious revolution virginia baptists made certain washington understood views oppressive side religion resolution stated feared might accessory religious oppression one society union preponderate rest added liberty conscience dearer us property life essentials baptists wavered much concept associationalism 300 years ago surrendered one whit independence embracing baptists enlarging tent ceased understanding together separately abandoned appreciation educated mind although educational institutions abandoned us fussing lessened enthusiasm practical value sunday schools church training may lost spirit adventure annual semiannual gatherings local state associations waned enthusiastic attendance professional staffs struggled decreasing dollars sense associational purposeah single inspiring word timeshas quickened individual church levels takes lot air blow 300 candles lets choose keep shining brightly ignite new sense associational purpose day fred anderson may contacted fredandersonvbmborg | 555 |
<p>When Baltimore was ablaze last year following the funeral of Freddie Gray, many establishments, schools and even churches shut down for days fearing the violence outside.</p>
<p>A local library, sitting at the epicenter of the riots over the death of a black man in police custody, stayed open so residents would have safe haven from the chaos. The library’s director, Carla Hayden, made the call to throw open the library doors when so many others closed.</p>
<p>"We knew the people would count on the library being open," Hayden said in an exclusive interview with NBC News. "There were people waiting to get in, to use the computers, to apply for jobs. There were children that couldn’t go to school. There were people that needed to find resources that just needed a place to be and there was this oasis right in the middle of all of that unrest."</p>
<p>On Wednesday, Hayden was sworn-in to take the reins of the illustrious Library of Congress — the 216-year-old repository harboring the country’s most sacred and revered historical works.</p>
<p>Hayden becomes the first woman to hold the position, which dates back to the origin of the nation, and the first African-American in the role.</p>
<p>She is one of only 14 people to ever hold the position. The U.S Senate <a href="" type="internal">confirmed</a> Hayden as librarian of Congress earlier this year.</p>
<p>Hayden said she profoundly felt the historic significance of the moment and spoke of how African Americans were once "punished with lashes and worse for learning to read."</p>
<p>"As a descendant of people who were denied the right to read, to now have the opportunity to serve and lead the institution that is the national symbol of knowledge, is a historic moment," Hayden told those gathered at the Library of Congress for the swearing-in ceremony.</p>
<p>She placed her hand on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln, which President Barack Obama also used during his inauguration, and was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Her mother looked proudly on.</p>
<p>Although the move from Baltimore to Washington will not be far, the Library of Congress will be a huge undertaking.</p>
<p>The Library of Congress houses over <a href="https://www.loc.gov/about/fascinating-facts/" type="external">162 million items</a> on about 838 miles of bookshelves, not to mention the numerous functions that fall under its umbrella.</p>
<p>Over the last few years, the Library of Congress has also faced a barrage of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/opinion/sunday/digital-neglect-at-the-library-of-congress.html" type="external">criticism</a> for mismanagement and falling far behind in basic technological advances.</p>
<p>Enter Hayden, who, throughout her career, has aggressively pushed to incorporate technology in libraries.</p>
<p>“Leading the Library of Congress requires multitasking on a scale rarely seen in other government organizations,” said Rules and Administration Committee chairman Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, in a <a href="http://www.rules.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=RepublicanNews&amp;ContentRecord_id=65BDA00A-EB46-47C7-B1E5-0A3EBB7F70D9" type="external">statement</a>. “I am confident Dr. Hayden will bring a great background and skill set to the job.”</p>
<p>Hayden grew up in Queens, New York and her love of books began when her mother helped her check out the book, "Bright April" by Marguerite de Angeli—the story of a young African American girl during the grips of the civil rights movement.</p>
<p>Hayden closely identified with the story’s protagonist, down to the pigtails they both wore. She immersed herself in the book which set the stage for a long relationship with reading.</p>
<p>"It was like a door opening for me," Hayden said. "I could read what I wanted to and I've been hooked ever since."</p>
<p>After receiving her masters and doctorate from the University of Chicago, Hayden stayed in the city to serve as the deputy commissioner and chief librarian of the Chicago Public Library in 1991. This is where she met the Obamas and began a relationship of mutual admiration that would circle back over two decades later when the president officially nominated her for the national position he called “ <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/24/president-obama-announces-his-intent-nominate-carla-d-hayden-librarian" type="external">long overdue.</a>”</p>
<p>In 1993, Hayden headed east to become the director of the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore.</p>
<p>At a time when parts of the country hadn’t even heard of the internet, Hayden was already attuned to the potential of technology and immediately began integrating it into her libraries.</p>
<p>One year into the position, Enoch-Pratt became the first public library in Maryland to provide internet access.</p>
<p>Hayden sensed an undoubted need for technological equity in city like Baltimore.</p>
<p>"This was a tool that could help unlock things for so many people," Hayden said. Especially for those who were "intimidated by a book because they had difficulty reading," she said.</p>
<p>There was a definite digital divide. Many citizens had no access to the internet — either they didn’t have the equipment or could not connect.</p>
<p>She bought e-readers and offered classes so students from all neighborhoods across Baltimore could learn how to use the devices. Hayden didn’t want iPad and Kindles to be foreign to kids in "tougher areas" in Baltimore and began a push to integrate technology in their lives through the library, said Roswell Encina, a spokesman from the Pratt library.</p>
<p>“She is uniquely qualified to modernize one of the greatest cultural institutions in the world,” said Julie Todaro, current president of the American Library Association. “Carla is a perfect example of making content available for her constituents and bringing it to the 21st century,” she said.</p>
<p>During her tenure, she continued to preserve the library digitally. Not only did she digitize books, such as a first edition copy of "The Great Gatsby" signed by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but also the library’s unique artifacts such as a lock of Edgar Allen Poe’s hair.</p>
<p>Hayden says she will be taking that digital drive to the Library of Congress.</p>
<p>“She’s innovative and forward thinking, she breaks the mold of what a librarian is,” Encina said. “She recognized early on that computers are vital to the community but a lot of people don’t have access to one, so the library has to provide that access,” he said.</p>
<p>Access was the cornerstone of Hayden’s approach. It was also the basis of a public spat with former Attorney General John Ashcroft in 2003.</p>
<p>In the emotional aftermath of 9/11, lawmakers quickly passed the the <a href="" type="internal">Patriot Act</a>, which allowed the government unprecedented access to collect private information. The controversial law also included a"library provision,” granting government access to library records and internet searches used by library computers.</p>
<p>Hayden was a staunch opponent.</p>
<p>"We needed a balance between security and person freedom to find out," Hayden told NBC News. "We have to be sure that you don’t confuse an interest in a subject...and an intent to do something.</p>
<p>At the time people wanted to find out about "jihad and other terms they were hearing" and used the library to access that information, she said. That freedom and access should be protected without fear of repercussion, she said.</p>
<p>“What someone reads doesn’t necessarily say anything about what they might do — there’s no link between interest and intent. Librarians are charged with a public trust. We are there to help [people] access information; we are not in the business of judgment,” she told <a href="http://www.msmagazine.com/dec03/woty2003_hayden.asp" type="external">Ms. Magazine</a> in 2003. “When libraries fight against the Patriot Act, or against (mandatory Internet filters), we’re fighting for the public. Most of the people who use public libraries don’t have the opportunity to buy books at a bookstore or on Amazon.com. What the library does is protect the rights of all people to fully and freely access information and to pursue knowledge, without fear of repercussion.”</p>
<p>Ashcroft accused Hayden of fueling “ <a href="" type="external">baseless hysteria</a>”, statements that were criticized by many library supporters. He eventually withdrew his remarks, personally calling Hayden to apologize.</p>
<p>That fierceness served her well during her 23 years as Baltimore Library’s head, her supporters said. It's a toughness that served her well during the Baltimore riots when she committed to being available to residents.</p>
<p>Across the street from a CVS set on fire by rioters was the Pennsylvania branch of the Baltimore Library — the only refuge from the chaos for many neighborhood residents.</p>
<p>“It was a big decision to keep those doors open. She wanted a place that kids could go because schools were closed. She wanted a place for people to be away from what was going on outside,” Encina said.</p>
<p>Hayden continued to work out of that branch for the rest of the week.</p>
<p>“An individual came in the day of the riots to use the computer to apply or jobs. He was on a deadline and the city shut down. Two weeks later he came in and told us he got the job and if hadn’t been for the library he would never have gotten his application” out during that tumultuous time, Encina said.</p>
<p>The community was deeply appreciative. Local residents sent food and flowers to thank the library for staying open.</p>
<p>“She doesn’t fight for the library, rather she fights for the people that use the library,” Encina said.</p>
<p>“This is the top person in this field. That will show young people that you can have an extraordinary impact on your community in this profession,” said American Library Association’s Julie Todaro.</p>
<p>Hayden is the first professionally trained librarian to hold the congressionally-conferred position in nearly five decades. Her predecessors were largely historians.</p>
<p>It will be a critical skill set many say was severely lacking at the Library of Congress.</p>
<p>The United States Government and Accountability Office conducted a scathing <a href="http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/669367.pdf" type="external">review</a> of the Library's operations and found issues with its management.</p>
<p>"The Library does not have an IT strategic plan that is aligned with the overall agency strategic plan and establishes goals, measures, and strategies. This leaves the Library without a clear direction for its use of IT," the report stated. "Although the Library obligated at least $119 million on IT for fiscal year 2014, it is not effectively managing its investments," and "the Library does not have the leadership needed to address these IT management weaknesses."</p>
<p>A new set of eyes will be welcomed, Library spokesperson Jennifer Gavin said.</p>
<p>“A new chief sets the tone and sets the priorities,” said Gavin. “I have no doubt that she will do the job ably and quickly with nothing but enthusiasm and skill."</p>
<p>Hayden taking charge of the Library of Congress sends a significant message to a younger generation, said Deborah Taylor, the director of school and student services at the Pratt library.</p>
<p>“There was a time when it was illegal for African Americans and women to read and write and today Dr. Hayden becomes the face of a repository of knowledge,” Taylor said. “That is powerful.”</p> | false | 3 | baltimore ablaze last year following funeral freddie gray many establishments schools even churches shut days fearing violence outside local library sitting epicenter riots death black man police custody stayed open residents would safe chaos librarys director carla hayden made call throw open library doors many others closed knew people would count library open hayden said exclusive interview nbc news people waiting get use computers apply jobs children couldnt go school people needed find resources needed place oasis right middle unrest wednesday hayden swornin take reins illustrious library congress 216yearold repository harboring countrys sacred revered historical works hayden becomes first woman hold position dates back origin nation first africanamerican role one 14 people ever hold position us senate confirmed hayden librarian congress earlier year hayden said profoundly felt historic significance moment spoke african americans punished lashes worse learning read descendant people denied right read opportunity serve lead institution national symbol knowledge historic moment hayden told gathered library congress swearingin ceremony placed hand bible used abraham lincoln president barack obama also used inauguration sworn supreme court chief justice john roberts mother looked proudly although move baltimore washington far library congress huge undertaking library congress houses 162 million items 838 miles bookshelves mention numerous functions fall umbrella last years library congress also faced barrage criticism mismanagement falling far behind basic technological advances enter hayden throughout career aggressively pushed incorporate technology libraries leading library congress requires multitasking scale rarely seen government organizations said rules administration committee chairman sen roy blunt rmissouri statement confident dr hayden bring great background skill set job hayden grew queens new york love books began mother helped check book bright april marguerite de angelithe story young african american girl grips civil rights movement hayden closely identified storys protagonist pigtails wore immersed book set stage long relationship reading like door opening hayden said could read wanted ive hooked ever since receiving masters doctorate university chicago hayden stayed city serve deputy commissioner chief librarian chicago public library 1991 met obamas began relationship mutual admiration would circle back two decades later president officially nominated national position called long overdue 1993 hayden headed east become director enoch pratt library baltimore time parts country hadnt even heard internet hayden already attuned potential technology immediately began integrating libraries one year position enochpratt became first public library maryland provide internet access hayden sensed undoubted need technological equity city like baltimore tool could help unlock things many people hayden said especially intimidated book difficulty reading said definite digital divide many citizens access internet either didnt equipment could connect bought ereaders offered classes students neighborhoods across baltimore could learn use devices hayden didnt want ipad kindles foreign kids tougher areas baltimore began push integrate technology lives library said roswell encina spokesman pratt library uniquely qualified modernize one greatest cultural institutions world said julie todaro current president american library association carla perfect example making content available constituents bringing 21st century said tenure continued preserve library digitally digitize books first edition copy great gatsby signed f scott fitzgerald also librarys unique artifacts lock edgar allen poes hair hayden says taking digital drive library congress shes innovative forward thinking breaks mold librarian encina said recognized early computers vital community lot people dont access one library provide access said access cornerstone haydens approach also basis public spat former attorney general john ashcroft 2003 emotional aftermath 911 lawmakers quickly passed patriot act allowed government unprecedented access collect private information controversial law also included alibrary provision granting government access library records internet searches used library computers hayden staunch opponent needed balance security person freedom find hayden told nbc news sure dont confuse interest subjectand intent something time people wanted find jihad terms hearing used library access information said freedom access protected without fear repercussion said someone reads doesnt necessarily say anything might theres link interest intent librarians charged public trust help people access information business judgment told ms magazine 2003 libraries fight patriot act mandatory internet filters fighting public people use public libraries dont opportunity buy books bookstore amazoncom library protect rights people fully freely access information pursue knowledge without fear repercussion ashcroft accused hayden fueling baseless hysteria statements criticized many library supporters eventually withdrew remarks personally calling hayden apologize fierceness served well 23 years baltimore librarys head supporters said toughness served well baltimore riots committed available residents across street cvs set fire rioters pennsylvania branch baltimore library refuge chaos many neighborhood residents big decision keep doors open wanted place kids could go schools closed wanted place people away going outside encina said hayden continued work branch rest week individual came day riots use computer apply jobs deadline city shut two weeks later came told us got job hadnt library would never gotten application tumultuous time encina said community deeply appreciative local residents sent food flowers thank library staying open doesnt fight library rather fights people use library encina said top person field show young people extraordinary impact community profession said american library associations julie todaro hayden first professionally trained librarian hold congressionallyconferred position nearly five decades predecessors largely historians critical skill set many say severely lacking library congress united states government accountability office conducted scathing review librarys operations found issues management library strategic plan aligned overall agency strategic plan establishes goals measures strategies leaves library without clear direction use report stated although library obligated least 119 million fiscal year 2014 effectively managing investments library leadership needed address management weaknesses new set eyes welcomed library spokesperson jennifer gavin said new chief sets tone sets priorities said gavin doubt job ably quickly nothing enthusiasm skill hayden taking charge library congress sends significant message younger generation said deborah taylor director school student services pratt library time illegal african americans women read write today dr hayden becomes face repository knowledge taylor said powerful | 955 |
<p>Yayo Grassi, a friend of the Pope, says Francis wrote to him, saying, ‘In my pastoral work there is no place for homophobia.’ (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Yayo Grassi, a native of Argentina, has known and admired Pope Francis since the future pontiff was his high school teacher at a Catholic school in a city about 200 miles north of Buenos Aires.</p>
<p>Grassi, 67, told the Washington Blade in an interview at his home in D.C.’s Petworth neighborhood on Tuesday that he never imagined his friendship with the Pope would become the subject of international headlines.</p>
<p>He has been besieged with requests for media interviews since news surfaced that he and his boyfriend of 19 years met with Francis at the Vatican Embassy in Washington on Sept. 23 during the Pope’s visit to the United States.</p>
<p>According to Grassi, who owns a D.C.-based catering business, he initially struggled over whether to talk to the media about what he considered a private matter. But he said he decided to go public about his Washington visit with the Pope after news surfaced the previous week that Francis met with Kim Davis, the county clerk in Kentucky who a judge sent to jail for refusing on religious grounds to approve marriage licenses for same-sex couples.</p>
<p>“One of the things that upset me extremely and profoundly was that people who were so much in love with this Pope immediately turned against him” after learning about his reported meeting with Davis, said Grassi.</p>
<p>“And I was telling my friends how can you forget everything this guy did? How can we forget these things for something that this woman said that we don’t even know is true or not?”</p>
<p>Grassi was referring to a statement released by the Vatican saying the Pope didn’t personally invite Davis to meet with him in Washington, that she was part of a larger group of people the Pope greeted briefly at a reception at the Vatican Embassy, and that Davis’s participation in the meeting was not intended to be an endorsement of various actions she has taken related to same-sex marriage.</p>
<p>In a development that surprised some Vatican observers, the same Vatican statement disclosed that “the only real audience granted by the Pope” at the Vatican Embassy during his Washington trip “was with one of his former students and his family,” the Washington Post reported.</p>
<p>Grassi told the Blade on Tuesday that a New York Times reporter identified him as the former student and quickly called him for comment.</p>
<p>“I said you can understand that this comes completely out of the sky,” Grassi recounted. “I said, ‘Can you give me 10 to 15 minutes to think about it?’ And he said absolutely. We’ll call you after 15 minutes.”</p>
<p>During that brief time Grassi said he quickly came to the conclusion that the Pope was being unfairly blamed for helping to support Kim Davis and the marriage equality opponents that had rallied around her.</p>
<p>“So I thought it is my friend who is being attacked,” he said. “The least I can do is defend him with the facts that I know. I don’t have to lie. All I have to do is tell exactly what happened.”</p>
<p>Among the things he told the Times and other media outlets, including the Blade, is that this was the second time he and his boyfriend had met with Francis since Francis was elected Pope in 2013.</p>
<p>Grassi told the Blade that when he informed the newly installed Pope that he and his boyfriend would be in Italy to attend a wedding for a friend that year Francis immediately invited them to greet him at a group ceremony in Saint Peter’s Square.</p>
<p>In front of hundreds of people “I remember Francis walking toward me with his arms open and he said, ‘You made it. You make me so happy,’” Grasso recalls. “And so we hugged and I introduced him to my boyfriend and we exchanged some words.”</p>
<p>Grassi told the Blade he first renewed his friendship with then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope, in 2008 when he visited Buenos Aires and met with Bergoglio, who held the title of Archbishop of Buenos Aires.</p>
<p>Francis responded to an email message Grassi sent to the Pope this past June asking if the two could meet to catch up on things during the Pope’s visit to Washington – only if the pontiff had the time to do so.</p>
<p>“And he replied back almost immediately – I think the same day or the following day saying ‘oh, absolutely, I want to see you,’” Grassi said.</p>
<p>He said Francis told him in his email reply that Grassi should write back in early September when the Pope’s Washington schedule would be known and final arrangements could be made for their meeting. But Grassi said that when he saw media reports this summer of how busy the Pope would be in Washington he wrote back saying he would fully understand it if Francis would be too busy to meet with him.</p>
<p>Then, to his astonishment, about three weeks before he was scheduled to arrive in Washington Francis called Grassi by phone.</p>
<p>“It was my cell phone and I thought it was a joke,” Grassi said. “I was absolutely surprised that this person called me Obdulio,” the nickname that his high school teacher Bergoglio gave him nearly 50 years earlier.</p>
<p>“So I said who’s calling? And he said well who else calls you Obdulio?” said Grassi, who added, “Then I knew this is the real thing…And we had a 10- or 15-minute conversation. We talked about politics. We talked about President Obama. We talked about Cuba.”</p>
<p>Before the call ended Francis insisted he would have the time to meet with Grassi in Washington, according to Grassi. When Grassi mentioned that he would rather the Pope meet with four of his friends, some of whom were having health problems, so the Pope could bless them, Francis said, “Bring them with you.”</p>
<p>One of the friends captured the visit on video with her phone, which dozens of news media outlets have shown, including a scene where the Pope hugs Grassi and kisses Grassi’s boyfriend on both cheeks while displaying a broad smile.</p>
<p>“To me it was a meeting with a friend of mine,” Grassi said. “It was a meeting between two friends…who love each other and I admire him deeply. That would have been the end of the story and I wouldn’t have you here sitting in my kitchen if it wasn’t that this lady Kim Davis came out with this information saying she got a private audience with him,” he told the Blade.</p>
<p>Like others who have defended Francis, Grassi said he believes Francis was “fooled” into agreeing to include Davis among the group that he greeted during the Vatican Embassy visit.</p>
<p>Concerning reports that the Pope has been a longtime opponent of same-sex marriage and opposed a same-sex marriage law passed by Argentina’s Congress in 2010, Grassi said he and then Cardinal Bergoglio discussed the gay marriage issue in an email exchange at that time.</p>
<p>“In 2010 when the Congress in Argentina was debating the marriage equality law I read in the news that he had said quite strong and negative things about gay marriage,” Grassi said. “I was extremely surprised when I saw that,” he said. “So I fired an email to him explaining to him how much I owed him, what an important person he was in my life, how much he developed my most progressive thoughts in my life and that I was disappointed to hear that he was saying these negative things about gay people and about gay marriage.”</p>
<p>Added Grassi, “It was a pretty long letter. And I mentioned my boyfriend by name and told him at that time we were 14 years together.”</p>
<p>Bergoglio, less than three years before becoming Pope, responded with a “beautiful reply – a very loving reply,” Grassi said.</p>
<p>“He started by apologizing because he had hurt me, because I was hurt,” said Grassi. “And immediately after that he said I have never said any of those things that the press is publishing about me,” Grassi recalls.</p>
<p>“He said as a matter of fact he never expressed himself about this question. And he ended up by saying something that to me is so important,” said Grassi. “He said believe me, in my pastoral work there is no place for homophobia.”</p>
<p>Some gay activists in Argentina would likely take exception to Francis’s comments to Grassi in that 2010 email. At the time Francis was elected Pope, a prominent Argentinean gay leader told the Blade that media outlets had obtained a copy of a letter that then Cardinal Bergoglio wrote to four Argentine monasteries at the time the national Congress was debating the gay marriage law.</p>
<p>According to media reports, Bergoglio stated in his letter that the proposed law was “the work of the devil,” it would “spark God’s war,” and was a “machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.”</p>
<p>Grassi moved to the United States in 1978 at a time when a military-run dictatorship was ruling Argentina and persecuting LGBT people. He said he admires gay activists in Argentina and the U.S.</p>
<p>He said one of the reasons he chose to stay in the U.S. rather than live in Europe, where he initially thought he would end up, was the 1978 encounter he had with then-D.C. mayoral candidate Marion Barry at the Dupont Circle gay bar Mr. P’s.</p>
<p>“I was there with some friends and suddenly this tall black guy comes in with a lady and does a speech to the people there on P Street,” Grassi recalls. “So I asked one of my friends, who’s that? And he said he is running for mayor and his name is Marion Barry and that’s his wife.”</p>
<p>“And I remember it was to me the most revealing to think that that there was this country where somebody who was running for mayor would try to get the support of gay people and would actually walk into a gay bar with his wife and ask people for their support and say if you support me I will protect you and I will fight to do positive things for you,” Grassi said.</p>
<p>With that as a backdrop, Grassi said he understands where gay activists are coming from concerning the Pope. But he cautions them about the resistance he says Francis is facing as he deals with a 2,000-year-old institution. He said he believes Francis is making a genuine effort to change the church for the better for LGBT people and other oppressed peoples.</p>
<p>“What I can say is we have to recognize the small steps that Pope Francis has taken and that considering the place where he comes from are actually giant steps,” Grassi said. “It’s not that the man does not want to do it. He has a timing for things. He has a way of saying things that are so extraordinary and making them with small steps.”</p>
<p>Pope Francis created a stir after meeting Kim Davis but it turned out he spent more time with an old gay friend who lives in D.C. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Argentina</a> <a href="" type="internal">Catholic Church</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kim Davis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pope Francis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vatican</a> <a href="" type="internal">Yayo Grassi</a></p> | false | 3 | yayo grassi friend pope says francis wrote saying pastoral work place homophobia washington blade photo michael key yayo grassi native argentina known admired pope francis since future pontiff high school teacher catholic school city 200 miles north buenos aires grassi 67 told washington blade interview home dcs petworth neighborhood tuesday never imagined friendship pope would become subject international headlines besieged requests media interviews since news surfaced boyfriend 19 years met francis vatican embassy washington sept 23 popes visit united states according grassi owns dcbased catering business initially struggled whether talk media considered private matter said decided go public washington visit pope news surfaced previous week francis met kim davis county clerk kentucky judge sent jail refusing religious grounds approve marriage licenses samesex couples one things upset extremely profoundly people much love pope immediately turned learning reported meeting davis said grassi telling friends forget everything guy forget things something woman said dont even know true grassi referring statement released vatican saying pope didnt personally invite davis meet washington part larger group people pope greeted briefly reception vatican embassy daviss participation meeting intended endorsement various actions taken related samesex marriage development surprised vatican observers vatican statement disclosed real audience granted pope vatican embassy washington trip one former students family washington post reported grassi told blade tuesday new york times reporter identified former student quickly called comment said understand comes completely sky grassi recounted said give 10 15 minutes think said absolutely well call 15 minutes brief time grassi said quickly came conclusion pope unfairly blamed helping support kim davis marriage equality opponents rallied around thought friend attacked said least defend facts know dont lie tell exactly happened among things told times media outlets including blade second time boyfriend met francis since francis elected pope 2013 grassi told blade informed newly installed pope boyfriend would italy attend wedding friend year francis immediately invited greet group ceremony saint peters square front hundreds people remember francis walking toward arms open said made make happy grasso recalls hugged introduced boyfriend exchanged words grassi told blade first renewed friendship thencardinal jorge mario bergoglio future pope 2008 visited buenos aires met bergoglio held title archbishop buenos aires francis responded email message grassi sent pope past june asking two could meet catch things popes visit washington pontiff time replied back almost immediately think day following day saying oh absolutely want see grassi said said francis told email reply grassi write back early september popes washington schedule would known final arrangements could made meeting grassi said saw media reports summer busy pope would washington wrote back saying would fully understand francis would busy meet astonishment three weeks scheduled arrive washington francis called grassi phone cell phone thought joke grassi said absolutely surprised person called obdulio nickname high school teacher bergoglio gave nearly 50 years earlier said whos calling said well else calls obdulio said grassi added knew real thingand 10 15minute conversation talked politics talked president obama talked cuba call ended francis insisted would time meet grassi washington according grassi grassi mentioned would rather pope meet four friends health problems pope could bless francis said bring one friends captured visit video phone dozens news media outlets shown including scene pope hugs grassi kisses grassis boyfriend cheeks displaying broad smile meeting friend mine grassi said meeting two friendswho love admire deeply would end story wouldnt sitting kitchen wasnt lady kim davis came information saying got private audience told blade like others defended francis grassi said believes francis fooled agreeing include davis among group greeted vatican embassy visit concerning reports pope longtime opponent samesex marriage opposed samesex marriage law passed argentinas congress 2010 grassi said cardinal bergoglio discussed gay marriage issue email exchange time 2010 congress argentina debating marriage equality law read news said quite strong negative things gay marriage grassi said extremely surprised saw said fired email explaining much owed important person life much developed progressive thoughts life disappointed hear saying negative things gay people gay marriage added grassi pretty long letter mentioned boyfriend name told time 14 years together bergoglio less three years becoming pope responded beautiful reply loving reply grassi said started apologizing hurt hurt said grassi immediately said never said things press publishing grassi recalls said matter fact never expressed question ended saying something important said grassi said believe pastoral work place homophobia gay activists argentina would likely take exception franciss comments grassi 2010 email time francis elected pope prominent argentinean gay leader told blade media outlets obtained copy letter cardinal bergoglio wrote four argentine monasteries time national congress debating gay marriage law according media reports bergoglio stated letter proposed law work devil would spark gods war machination father lies seeks confuse deceive children god grassi moved united states 1978 time militaryrun dictatorship ruling argentina persecuting lgbt people said admires gay activists argentina us said one reasons chose stay us rather live europe initially thought would end 1978 encounter thendc mayoral candidate marion barry dupont circle gay bar mr ps friends suddenly tall black guy comes lady speech people p street grassi recalls asked one friends whos said running mayor name marion barry thats wife remember revealing think country somebody running mayor would try get support gay people would actually walk gay bar wife ask people support say support protect fight positive things grassi said backdrop grassi said understands gay activists coming concerning pope cautions resistance says francis facing deals 2000yearold institution said believes francis making genuine effort change church better lgbt people oppressed peoples say recognize small steps pope francis taken considering place comes actually giant steps grassi said man want timing things way saying things extraordinary making small steps pope francis created stir meeting kim davis turned spent time old gay friend lives dc washington blade photo michael key argentina catholic church kim davis pope francis vatican yayo grassi | 963 |
<p>WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptists’ signal contribution to American and world history and political thought, historians almost unanimously agree, is their uncompromising emphasis on religious freedom.</p>
<p>But, they hasten to add, the doctrine of soul freedom that grounds Baptists’ belief in religious liberty is the very reason Baptists of varying stripes have been found on both sides of subsequent political and social controversies.</p>
<p />
<p>“Baptists were among the first — if not the first — to say in English certainly by 1612 that God alone is judge of conscience, and therefore neither the government nor a religious establishment can judge the conscience of the heretic — the people who believe the wrong things — or the atheists — the people who don’t believe at all,” said Baptist historian <a href="http://divinity.wfu.edu/faculty-leonard.html" type="external">Bill Leonard</a>, dean of the Wake Forest University Divinity School.</p>
<p>Baptists, Leonard said, “are really among the inventors of modern religious pluralism. They step way beyond mere toleration of second-class religious ideas to call for a full-blown religious pluralism.”</p>
<p>But it wasn’t out of a belief that all religions are equal. From their earliest roots, Baptists “continued to assert the uniqueness of their vision of the truth of not only Christianity, but their particular vision of the gospel,” Leonard said. He noted, for example, in theological debates early Baptists “fought the Quakers as readily as they did atheists.”</p>
<p>Nonetheless, in civil matters, Baptists “said everybody has the voice, and they said [neither] the state nor an official church can privilege a particular voice.”</p>
<p>Primacy of the individual conscience</p>
<p>Historian <a href="http://www.centerforbaptiststudies.org/staff/shurden.htm" type="external">Walter Shurden</a>, retired director of the Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University, said this belief in the primacy of the individual conscience is what animated early Baptists’ advocacy for religious freedom.</p>
<p>“The Baptist people did not accidentally stumble upon the idea of religious liberty after years of opposing the idea; they were born crying for freedom of expression,” he said, in a recent speech about 17th-century Baptist leader John Clarke.</p>
<p>Clarke co-founded both the colony of Rhode Island and the Newport, R.I.,&#160;church that historians generally agree is the second-oldest Baptist congregation in the New World. He also helped secure, from the British crown, a charter for the colony that was the first governing document in the Western world to enshrine thoroughgoing religious freedom.</p>
<p>The idea of religious freedom and civil respect for multiple faiths and those of no faith at all was far more radical in the 17th century than it might seem to modern ears.</p>
<p>“There’s one sense in which [early Baptists] participate in the breakup of the medieval conception of a Christian society, where to be born into a Christian state is to be automatically baptized into a Christian church — and deviation from that is both heresy and treason,” Leonard said.</p>
<p>Baptists’ emphasis on the church being made up only of adult believers who have made an unforced decision to follow Christ on their own — and on no civil authority interposing itself between the individual and God — led to their commitment to safeguarding religious freedom for all.</p>
<p>Additionally, that emphasis lent itself to separating the realm of civil authority from the realm of religious authority — the concept of church-state separation.</p>
<p>Encouraged the growth of democratic ideals</p>
<p>And, the historians said, the accompanying Baptist emphasis on individual and communal interpretation of Scripture required separation of civil and religious authority, and encouraged the growth of democratic ideals in the New World.</p>
<p>“If conscience is essential, then dissent is not far behind, because there are always those politically or religiously who want to dominate the landscape, be privileged and control voices,” Leonard said. “And so at least early Baptists saw [the concepts of] a believers’ church, conscience and dissent as very closely related — inseparable, because one must always be vigilant.”</p>
<p>Early Baptists not only secured religious freedom in the Rhode Island charter, but later fought — alongside a coalition of Quakers, atheists, agnostics and other freethinkers — to enshrine it in the new United States' Bill of Rights.</p>
<p>Beyond that, “We participated in and contributed to the ‘democratization’ — the rights of the common folk to read the Bible, choose their own leaders, etc. — of American religion and American society in general,” said Baylor University professor <a href="http://www.baylor.edu/religion/index.php?id=8850" type="external">Doug Weaver</a>.</p>
<p>“Baptists were actually practicing some democratic principles in Baptist polity and worship — individual conscience, democratic congregationalism and local-church independence, prophesying by lay members of the congregation — before the tidal wave of the [democratization] of American life after the American Revolution.”</p>
<p>But, Weaver and Leonard added, Baptists’ emphasis on individual freedom and autonomy often led their descendants to be found on both sides of major political and social issues, depending on how they read Scripture.</p>
<p>For instance, Baptists were prominent on both sides of the slavery debate in the United States in the 19th century, as well as the 20th-century debate over segregation.</p>
<p>“We have contributed to American society in ways that we clearly wish we hadn’t,” Weaver said. “We have demonstrated, as much as any other religious group, the ability to be captive to our culture. Southern values, for example, in the areas of slavery and Jim Crow segregation defined and shaped the biblicist readings of the Bible in ways we find painfully obvious today but in earlier decades were considered biblically and patriotically faithful.”</p>
<p>-30-</p>
<p>Robert Marus is manging editor and Washington bureau chief for Associated Baptist Press. Ken Camp, managing editor of the Texas Baptist Standard, contributed to this story.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | washington abp baptists signal contribution american world history political thought historians almost unanimously agree uncompromising emphasis religious freedom hasten add doctrine soul freedom grounds baptists belief religious liberty reason baptists varying stripes found sides subsequent political social controversies baptists among first first say english certainly 1612 god alone judge conscience therefore neither government religious establishment judge conscience heretic people believe wrong things atheists people dont believe said baptist historian bill leonard dean wake forest university divinity school baptists leonard said really among inventors modern religious pluralism step way beyond mere toleration secondclass religious ideas call fullblown religious pluralism wasnt belief religions equal earliest roots baptists continued assert uniqueness vision truth christianity particular vision gospel leonard said noted example theological debates early baptists fought quakers readily atheists nonetheless civil matters baptists said everybody voice said neither state official church privilege particular voice primacy individual conscience historian walter shurden retired director center baptist studies mercer university said belief primacy individual conscience animated early baptists advocacy religious freedom baptist people accidentally stumble upon idea religious liberty years opposing idea born crying freedom expression said recent speech 17thcentury baptist leader john clarke clarke cofounded colony rhode island newport ri160church historians generally agree secondoldest baptist congregation new world also helped secure british crown charter colony first governing document western world enshrine thoroughgoing religious freedom idea religious freedom civil respect multiple faiths faith far radical 17th century might seem modern ears theres one sense early baptists participate breakup medieval conception christian society born christian state automatically baptized christian church deviation heresy treason leonard said baptists emphasis church made adult believers made unforced decision follow christ civil authority interposing individual god led commitment safeguarding religious freedom additionally emphasis lent separating realm civil authority realm religious authority concept churchstate separation encouraged growth democratic ideals historians said accompanying baptist emphasis individual communal interpretation scripture required separation civil religious authority encouraged growth democratic ideals new world conscience essential dissent far behind always politically religiously want dominate landscape privileged control voices leonard said least early baptists saw concepts believers church conscience dissent closely related inseparable one must always vigilant early baptists secured religious freedom rhode island charter later fought alongside coalition quakers atheists agnostics freethinkers enshrine new united states bill rights beyond participated contributed democratization rights common folk read bible choose leaders etc american religion american society general said baylor university professor doug weaver baptists actually practicing democratic principles baptist polity worship individual conscience democratic congregationalism localchurch independence prophesying lay members congregation tidal wave democratization american life american revolution weaver leonard added baptists emphasis individual freedom autonomy often led descendants found sides major political social issues depending read scripture instance baptists prominent sides slavery debate united states 19th century well 20thcentury debate segregation contributed american society ways clearly wish hadnt weaver said demonstrated much religious group ability captive culture southern values example areas slavery jim crow segregation defined shaped biblicist readings bible ways find painfully obvious today earlier decades considered biblically patriotically faithful 30 robert marus manging editor washington bureau chief associated baptist press ken camp managing editor texas baptist standard contributed story 160 | 513 |
<p>Baptist disaster relief volunteers from Virginia and North Carolina were deployed to stricken New York and New Jersey Oct. 31, while the District of Columbia Baptist Convention’s emergency response team continued damage assessments in Washington and Maryland.</p>
<p>The teams were initiating what may be several weeks of assistance in the region devastated by Superstorm Sandy. At least 56 people were killed in the massive hurricane that lashed the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Oct. 28-30 with winds and flooding. Almost 5 million people remained without electricity Nov. 1.</p>
<p />
<p>A Virginia Baptist feeding unit from Newport News, Va., with 15 volunteers arrived in Middletown, N.Y., Oct. 31, said <a href="http://www.vbmb.org/Ministries/Disaster-Relief/Response-Archives/121028_Hurricane-Sandy/default.cfm" type="external">Virginia Baptist disaster relief</a> coordinator Dean Miller. An additional 10 volunteers were to arrive within a day prepared to assist the unit, which has a 15,000 meal capacity. A chaplain also was dispatched to the region, Miller said.</p>
<p>A shower unit operated by Virginia’s Natural Bridge Baptist Association was to arrive Thursday morning in Middletown, about 70 miles northwest of New York City.</p>
<p>A Mechanicsville, Va., feeding unit left Nov. 1 for the Morgantown, W.Va., area, where up to three feet of snow downed power lines. About 23 volunteers will join that unit, which also has a 15,000 meal capacity, Miller said. A shower unit from the Blackwater Baptist Association in southeastern Virginia also deployed to West Virginia.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, about 75 volunteers with <a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Sandy" type="external">North Carolina Baptist Men and Women</a> arrived with a mobile kitchen and shower unit on the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., Oct. 31, prepared to serve meals to 30,000 people the next day.</p>
<p>“Pray for safety for the teams and pray that God will open doors for us to minister to hurting people,” the disaster relief organization posted on its Facebook page. “Pray for the people of New Jersey as they deal with their current situation.”</p>
<p>Minimal response necessary in Virginia, North Carolina</p>
<p>While the storm pummeled both the Virginia and North Carolina coasts, Baptist disaster relief officials in the two states assessed damage and determined only limited responses were necessary, freeing them to move units to harder hit places.</p>
<p>Ricky Creech, the <a href="http://www.dcbaptist.org/" type="external">D.C. convention’s</a> executive director, reported “minimal damage as well” in the Washington area, but added, “assessments are still being conducted” by the convention’s <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/DC-Baptist-Emergency-Response-Team/329908220363531" type="external">emergency response team</a>.</p>
<p>“Presently volunteers are on alert status,” he said in a Facebook post. “If units are not mobilized in D.C. there will be an opportunity for units and volunteers to respond to other areas as needed.”</p>
<p>Churches affiliated with both the <a href="http://www.vbmb.org/" type="external">Baptist General Association of Virginia</a> and the <a href="http://www.cbfva.org/" type="external">Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia</a> partner with Virginia Baptist disaster relief ministries. The <a href="http://www.cbfnc.org/" type="external">CBF of North Carolina</a> works closely with North Carolina Baptist Men and Women, as does the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. The <a href="http://www.macbf.org/" type="external">Mid-Atlantic CBF</a>, which includes churches in both D.C. and Maryland, also was assessing needs in its area. On Oct. 30, a feeding unit of the Baptist Convention of Maryland-Delaware began operations in Salisbury, Md.</p>
<p />
<p>Baptist disaster relief operations in the Northeast and West Virginia were largely being conducted as part of long-standing collaborations among state Baptist conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. In addition to the Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland-Delaware state organizations, that included the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, as well as conventions in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New England, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania-South Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.</p>
<p>Associated Baptist Press <a href="" type="internal">reported</a> that officials of the <a href="http://www.abcnj.net/" type="external">American Baptist Churches of New Jersey</a> were trying to contact pastors and churches across its state Oct. 30 to assess damage and identify emergency needs.</p>
<p>“We are a fellowship of 284 churches and 320 pastors, and so this will take some time,” Lee Spitzer, the group’s executive minister and senior regional pastor, said an email. “We are using every means at our disposal, including phone calls, Facebook, Constant Contact and e-mails. Difficulties we currently face are loss of power in many communities throughout the state, road closings, Internet service provider outages and inability to reach pastors and other leaders who may not be near their means of communication because they are out and about in their neighborhoods.”</p>
<p>Spitzer told ABP his goal is to have a comprehensive report in time for a conference call Nov. 1 for regional and national leaders of the American Baptist Churches USA to coordinate their response through One Great Hour of Sharing, an ecumenical relief program with nine participating communions, including American Baptists.</p>
<p>“I anticipate that dozens of ABCNJ churches will need assistance as they recover from Hurricane Sandy,” Spitzer said. “Damage from both wind and water has been extensive across the state, and communities near the Jersey shore, where we have many churches, have no doubt been impacted.”</p>
<p>Spitzer said many of those churches are smaller than 150 members and worship in older building structures more susceptible to damage.</p>
<p>NABF, Lott Carey activate networks</p>
<p>Meanwhile, both the <a href="http://www.nabf.info/" type="external">North American Baptist Fellowship</a>, a regional fellowship of the Baptist World Alliance, and the <a href="http://www.lottcarey.org/" type="external">Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention</a>, a historically African-American body, were initiating responses in the region.</p>
<p>George Bullard, NABF general secretary, activated the group’s disaster response network and said on its website that he had made contact with “many leaders of various Baptist denominational organizations from Virginia to Maine, in Canada, and as far west as Ohio to express our prayerful support to them. I have also asked them to feel free to contact us if the resources available to them are insufficient and they need the assistance of our network.”</p>
<p>The Lott Carey convention had 40 people in the Mid-Atlantic region, 30 persons in training by the American Red Cross and volunteers in New York on standby, according to a BWA press release.</p>
<p>“We identified churches in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C. and Baltimore to be on standby should they be needed for service,” David Goatley, executive secretary-treasurer of Lott Carey, told the BWA. &#160; “A number of churches and congregants in our network are without power, but their damage seems moderate,” said Goatley. “We have about a dozen churches in New York and New Jersey that are being activated for collaboration with the American Red Cross to provide relief support to survivors.”</p>
<p>Devastation in the Caribbean</p>
<p>In the Caribbean, where Cuba and Haiti were especially hard hit as Sandy passed through, both the <a href="http://www.bwanet.org/" type="external">BWA</a> and the <a href="http://www.thefellowship.info/" type="external">Cooperative Baptist Fellowship</a> were initiating relief operations.</p>
<p>At least 52 people died and 200,000 displaced in Haiti, still struggling from a devastating earthquake in 2010. Many Cubans were without shelter or electricity and in Santiago, on the eastern end of the island, there was “chaos,” Joel Dupont, president of the Baptist Convention of Eastern Cuba, told the BWA.</p>
<p>Everton Jackson, executive/secretary of the <a href="http://www.carbapfel.org/" type="external">Caribbean Baptist Fellowship</a>, said tens of thousands in his region are in “dire need for food, water and temporary shelter.”</p>
<p>The BWA has allocated $20,000 to the Caribbean through Baptist World Aid, the global organization’s relief and development arm.</p>
<p>The CBF and its Florida affiliate have allocated $6,000 to purchase food for distribution in Santiago and sent a representative to oversee the operation.</p>
<p>“Pray for her as she leaves on Tuesday morning [Oct. 30] for a week-long trip into very, very difficult circumstances,” Ray Johnson, <a href="http://www.floridacbf.org/" type="external">CBF of Florida</a> coordinator, wrote on the CBF’s website.</p>
<p>Robert Dilday ( <a href="mailto:rdilday@religiousherald.org" type="external">rdilday@religiousherald.org</a>) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.</p> | false | 3 | baptist disaster relief volunteers virginia north carolina deployed stricken new york new jersey oct 31 district columbia baptist conventions emergency response team continued damage assessments washington maryland teams initiating may several weeks assistance region devastated superstorm sandy least 56 people killed massive hurricane lashed midatlantic northeast oct 2830 winds flooding almost 5 million people remained without electricity nov 1 virginia baptist feeding unit newport news va 15 volunteers arrived middletown ny oct 31 said virginia baptist disaster relief coordinator dean miller additional 10 volunteers arrive within day prepared assist unit 15000 meal capacity chaplain also dispatched region miller said shower unit operated virginias natural bridge baptist association arrive thursday morning middletown 70 miles northwest new york city mechanicsville va feeding unit left nov 1 morgantown wva area three feet snow downed power lines 23 volunteers join unit also 15000 meal capacity miller said shower unit blackwater baptist association southeastern virginia also deployed west virginia meanwhile 75 volunteers north carolina baptist men women arrived mobile kitchen shower unit campus rutgers university new brunswick nj oct 31 prepared serve meals 30000 people next day pray safety teams pray god open doors us minister hurting people disaster relief organization posted facebook page pray people new jersey deal current situation minimal response necessary virginia north carolina storm pummeled virginia north carolina coasts baptist disaster relief officials two states assessed damage determined limited responses necessary freeing move units harder hit places ricky creech dc conventions executive director reported minimal damage well washington area added assessments still conducted conventions emergency response team presently volunteers alert status said facebook post units mobilized dc opportunity units volunteers respond areas needed churches affiliated baptist general association virginia cooperative baptist fellowship virginia partner virginia baptist disaster relief ministries cbf north carolina works closely north carolina baptist men women baptist state convention north carolina midatlantic cbf includes churches dc maryland also assessing needs area oct 30 feeding unit baptist convention marylanddelaware began operations salisbury md baptist disaster relief operations northeast west virginia largely conducted part longstanding collaborations among state baptist conventions southern baptist conventions north american mission board addition virginia north carolina marylanddelaware state organizations included southern baptist conservatives virginia well conventions georgia kentucky mississippi new england new york ohio pennsylvaniasouth jersey south carolina tennessee west virginia associated baptist press reported officials american baptist churches new jersey trying contact pastors churches across state oct 30 assess damage identify emergency needs fellowship 284 churches 320 pastors take time lee spitzer groups executive minister senior regional pastor said email using every means disposal including phone calls facebook constant contact emails difficulties currently face loss power many communities throughout state road closings internet service provider outages inability reach pastors leaders may near means communication neighborhoods spitzer told abp goal comprehensive report time conference call nov 1 regional national leaders american baptist churches usa coordinate response one great hour sharing ecumenical relief program nine participating communions including american baptists anticipate dozens abcnj churches need assistance recover hurricane sandy spitzer said damage wind water extensive across state communities near jersey shore many churches doubt impacted spitzer said many churches smaller 150 members worship older building structures susceptible damage nabf lott carey activate networks meanwhile north american baptist fellowship regional fellowship baptist world alliance lott carey baptist foreign mission convention historically africanamerican body initiating responses region george bullard nabf general secretary activated groups disaster response network said website made contact many leaders various baptist denominational organizations virginia maine canada far west ohio express prayerful support also asked feel free contact us resources available insufficient need assistance network lott carey convention 40 people midatlantic region 30 persons training american red cross volunteers new york standby according bwa press release identified churches northern virginia washington dc baltimore standby needed service david goatley executive secretarytreasurer lott carey told bwa 160 number churches congregants network without power damage seems moderate said goatley dozen churches new york new jersey activated collaboration american red cross provide relief support survivors devastation caribbean caribbean cuba haiti especially hard hit sandy passed bwa cooperative baptist fellowship initiating relief operations least 52 people died 200000 displaced haiti still struggling devastating earthquake 2010 many cubans without shelter electricity santiago eastern end island chaos joel dupont president baptist convention eastern cuba told bwa everton jackson executivesecretary caribbean baptist fellowship said tens thousands region dire need food water temporary shelter bwa allocated 20000 caribbean baptist world aid global organizations relief development arm cbf florida affiliate allocated 6000 purchase food distribution santiago sent representative oversee operation pray leaves tuesday morning oct 30 weeklong trip difficult circumstances ray johnson cbf florida coordinator wrote cbfs website robert dilday rdildayreligiousheraldorg managing editor religious herald | 770 |
<p>BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia beat Greece 3-0 in its first World Cup Soccer Match, but the biggest contest for the Colombian people ended as Juan Manuel Santos survived a run-off election against Oscar Iván Zuluaga to remain president for four more years.</p>
<p>Santos won approximately 51 percent of the vote while Zuluaga came in second place with about 45 percent. The “third candidate,” an option to vote for “no one,” drew slightly more than 4 percent.</p>
<p>These elections were framed by economic development, social inclusion, international relations, the military’s role in society and the choice between war and peace.</p>
<p>Santos’s reelection bodes well for the peace process. Peace negotiations have been underway with the FARC in Havana, Cuba since 2012 and active negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) were announced just five days before the election. While nearly every political party and politician uses the internal armed conflict as political fodder, this is the first time a negotiated peace seems possible, finally placing the emphasis on victims’ rights.</p>
<p>However, two additional issues are sticking points: amnesty for crimes such as massacres, kidnapping, drug trafficking and acts of terrorism and the legitimate participation of former guerrillas in the Colombian political system.</p>
<p>Zuluaga, a protégé of former president Álvaro Uribe, wanted to return to Uribe’s search-and destroy, anti-guerrilla strategies, which most Colombians will say were successful.</p>
<p>Uribe significantly weakened the guerrilla groups and he succeeded in demobilizing the most powerful paramilitary organizations. Homicide and kidnapping rates fell significantly, and Colombia is now in a different time and place. To pass on the chance for real peace would be irresponsible because Colombia has so much to gain.</p>
<p>Colombia has made remarkable progress. The country is more stable and more secure, especially in the major cities. It is now possible to travel with relative security from city to city by car or bus, and Colombians and foreign tourists are doing so with increasing frequency. Tourism is starting to take off, especially tourists from Europe.</p>
<p>According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the national per capita homicide rate in 2000 was 66.5 per 100,000. In 2012, the rate had dropped to 30.8 per 100,000. The 2005 Failed States Index (now the Fragile States Index) ranked Colombia the 14th most failed state. Last year, Columbia ranked 57th, showing a significant improvement.</p>
<p>The cities of Bogotá, Medellin, Cali, and Cartagena are relatively safe, as long as common sense precautions are followed. Bogotá, the capital city of 8 million habitants, has a homicide rate of 17 per 100,000 persons. It is not even in the top 50 most murderous cities in the world while four US cities have much higher per capital murder rates: Detroit (47 per), New Orleans (45 per), Baltimore (38 per), and St. Louis (34 per).</p>
<p>Nonetheless, violence prevails in several regions, one of the reasons Colombia remains on the US State Department’s Travel Warning List. Heightened security precautions are recommended in the Pacific Region (Chocó, Valle Del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño), Central Region (Cesar, Antioquia, Santander, Cordoba, the southern area of Bolivar and Norte De Santander) as well as in Putumayo, Caquetá, Meta and Guaviare and rural areas adjacent to the borders with Panama, Venezuela and Ecuador.</p>
<p>Guerrillas, paramilitaries and criminal organizations have displaced nearly five million rural Colombians since 1985. In June 2011, Santos signed the Victims and Land Restitution Law, but progress has been very slow as families face violent reprisals upon returning home to claim their land. Dozens have been killed.</p>
<p>A.T. Kearney’s Global Cities Index 2014, ranks Bogotá as 7th in its Emerging Cities Outlook, which measures the potential of cities in low- and middle-income countries to become more global in the future.</p>
<p>There is a burgeoning middle class in Colombia, and the internal conflict barely registers among urban Colombians under 30. The economy has grown steadily, despite a persistent corruption problem. The IMF estimated Colombia’s GDP per capita to be $2,479 in 2000. For 2013, the IMF estimated $8,098. According to the World Bank’s forecast, only Colombia, among all Latin American countries, will accelerate its growth rate in 2014: from 4.3 percent last year to 4.6 percent.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the 2013 Happy Planet Index, a measure of experienced well being, life expectancy and ecological footprint, ranks Colombia 3rd behind Costa Rica and Vietnam. Colombia drops to 7th when inequality is considered.</p>
<p>Colombia is transforming and the process will accelerate during Santos’ second term and the prospect of a negotiated peace. Serious safety and security concerns remain, but more socioeconomic benefits and more tourists are to be expected under Santos’ leadership.</p>
<p>Vincent T. Gawronski is associate professor of political science at Birmingham-Southern College, Alabama. He is a summer visiting professor at La Universidad de La Salle in Bogotá, Colombia. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:vgawrons@bsc.edu" type="external">vgawrons@bsc.edu</a> &#160;</p> | false | 3 | bogota colombia colombia beat greece 30 first world cup soccer match biggest contest colombian people ended juan manuel santos survived runoff election oscar iván zuluaga remain president four years santos approximately 51 percent vote zuluaga came second place 45 percent third candidate option vote one drew slightly 4 percent elections framed economic development social inclusion international relations militarys role society choice war peace santoss reelection bodes well peace process peace negotiations underway farc havana cuba since 2012 active negotiations national liberation army eln announced five days election nearly every political party politician uses internal armed conflict political fodder first time negotiated peace seems possible finally placing emphasis victims rights however two additional issues sticking points amnesty crimes massacres kidnapping drug trafficking acts terrorism legitimate participation former guerrillas colombian political system zuluaga protégé former president Álvaro uribe wanted return uribes searchand destroy antiguerrilla strategies colombians say successful uribe significantly weakened guerrilla groups succeeded demobilizing powerful paramilitary organizations homicide kidnapping rates fell significantly colombia different time place pass chance real peace would irresponsible colombia much gain colombia made remarkable progress country stable secure especially major cities possible travel relative security city city car bus colombians foreign tourists increasing frequency tourism starting take especially tourists europe according united nations office drugs crime national per capita homicide rate 2000 665 per 100000 2012 rate dropped 308 per 100000 2005 failed states index fragile states index ranked colombia 14th failed state last year columbia ranked 57th showing significant improvement cities bogotá medellin cali cartagena relatively safe long common sense precautions followed bogotá capital city 8 million habitants homicide rate 17 per 100000 persons even top 50 murderous cities world four us cities much higher per capital murder rates detroit 47 per new orleans 45 per baltimore 38 per st louis 34 per nonetheless violence prevails several regions one reasons colombia remains us state departments travel warning list heightened security precautions recommended pacific region chocó valle del cauca cauca nariño central region cesar antioquia santander cordoba southern area bolivar norte de santander well putumayo caquetá meta guaviare rural areas adjacent borders panama venezuela ecuador guerrillas paramilitaries criminal organizations displaced nearly five million rural colombians since 1985 june 2011 santos signed victims land restitution law progress slow families face violent reprisals upon returning home claim land dozens killed kearneys global cities index 2014 ranks bogotá 7th emerging cities outlook measures potential cities low middleincome countries become global future burgeoning middle class colombia internal conflict barely registers among urban colombians 30 economy grown steadily despite persistent corruption problem imf estimated colombias gdp per capita 2479 2000 2013 imf estimated 8098 according world banks forecast colombia among latin american countries accelerate growth rate 2014 43 percent last year 46 percent interestingly 2013 happy planet index measure experienced well life expectancy ecological footprint ranks colombia 3rd behind costa rica vietnam colombia drops 7th inequality considered colombia transforming process accelerate santos second term prospect negotiated peace serious safety security concerns remain socioeconomic benefits tourists expected santos leadership vincent gawronski associate professor political science birminghamsouthern college alabama summer visiting professor la universidad de la salle bogotá colombia reached vgawronsbscedu 160 | 518 |
<p>By Christa Brown</p>
<p>Last Saturday in Florida, a unanimous jury awarded $12.5 million to a man who, as a child, was sexually abused by a Southern Baptist minister. Significantly, this verdict was assessed, not only against the local church, but against the Florida Baptist Convention.</p>
<p>To my best knowledge, this is <a href="culture/social-issues/item/28255-florida-baptists-to-appeal-abuse-award#.UuFeKxAo670" type="external">the first time in history</a> that a verdict has been handed down against a Baptist statewide denominational entity in a clergy sex abuse case. Attorney Ron Weil of Miami is the person who brought this “game-changer” of a lawsuit to fruition.</p>
<p>I’d like to imagine that Baptists will view this as a wake-up call to begin implementing the sorts of systematic safeguards that other major faith groups have done. But Southern Baptists have shown themselves to be recalcitrant in this arena, and so I expect it will likely take still more lawsuits — and still more needlessly wounded kids — before that happens. For now, the Florida Baptist Convention is simply saying that it plans to appeal.</p>
<p>For 25 years, I practiced law as an appellate attorney in Texas. So I know a thing or two about what can happen in the appellate process and what the possibilities are. But whatever may happen next, this case has already brought a seismic shift in the terrain of Baptist clergy abuse litigation.</p>
<p>For far too long, Baptist denominational leaders have acted as though they believed that by doing nothing, they could protect denominational coffers against the risk of liability. In essence, they prioritized the safety of denominational dollars over the safety of kids. Now, however, denominational leaders will have to consider that doing nothing also puts those dollars at risk.</p>
<p>This $12.5 million verdict will also garner the attention of other trial lawyers, who will now see that the Southern Baptist wall has been breached, and who will bring still more lawsuits in an effort to widen that breach.</p>
<p>No more will Baptist officials be able to brag that they always prevail on summary judgment. They likely had to incur much larger attorney fees in defending this case in a full trial, and it is likely that many more cases will go to full trial in the future. With trials, you also get the public disclosure of many more facts — facts that denominational officials might prefer to keep hidden.</p>
<p>Because Southern Baptist officials have historically prioritized the protection of denominational dollars, cases such as this are what are needed if kids are to gain better protection against Baptist preacher-predators. When Baptist officials are forced to spend down enough of their denominational dollars, they may eventually see the sense in re-ordering their priorities for the protection of kids. It’s a shame this is what it takes — but it does.</p>
<p>For far too long, preacher-predators have been able to easily church-hop through this porous denomination because Baptist leaders have pretended that their version of “local church autonomy” precludes any systematic denominational sharing of information about reported clergy child molesters. This religious rationalization has amounted to little more than a candy-coating on Baptist leaders’ irresponsible inertia, and it has left a trail of destruction in the lives of countless kids. But Baptist leaders have been successful with this religious-sounding ruse — until now.</p>
<p>On the facts of this case, the Southern Baptist Convention’s “local church autonomy” defense failed, and a jury found that a statewide denominational office bears responsibility. Some may argue that this case was unique or that other cases will be different. But while other cases may indeed bring other facts to the table, most Baptist ministers bear commonalities by virtue of their affiliation with the denomination. For example, it is common for Baptist ministers to be aided in job searches through denominational services and to be listed in denominational directories. In any event, there are always variables in particular cases, and this is the very essence of how tort law develops — i.e., case by case.</p>
<p>In the not-too-distant past, when a drunk driver caused harm, only the drunk driver bore responsibility. But as the carnage caused by drunk drivers became better documented, the law slowly changed, case by case and through legislation, so that those who sold alcohol to already-intoxicated people would also bear responsibility. Those who gave the drunk driver the weapon of harm could no longer throw up their hands and say “not my problem.”</p>
<p>Similarly, I believe the law will eventually become more uniform in recognizing the relational responsibility that Baptist denominational entities should bear based on how they promote and facilitate the employment of Baptist ministers. This is, after all, a cooperatively functioning denomination that takes in over $500 million a year into centralized coffers. Abusive Baptist ministers are not lone-wolf rogues; rather, they are affiliated with a denomination of enormous influence, and that affiliation aids in the public perception of ministers’ authority.</p>
<p>To a very large degree, it is the denomination itself that places the mantle of trust onto the shoulders of Baptist ministers, and so the denomination should be held accountable when it irresponsibly allows that mantle of trust to become a weapon for child sex abuse.</p>
<p>For far too long, Southern Baptist officials have been distorting their “local church autonomy” doctrine to serve as what is, in reality, a legal strategy for trying to shield the denominational structures from the risk of liability. The doctrine has been functioning as a tactical construct and not a religious construct. Ultimately, however, the law must look to how Baptist denominational entities operate in the real world and not merely to the abstraction of what denominational officials say.</p>
<p>Thankfully, that is exactly what the jurors in this case did. They looked at reality.</p>
<p>Slow or fast, change is coming to Baptistland. It is inevitable. I rest my faith in the justice-making work of American trial lawyers and in the ordinary good sense of the American people who serve on juries.</p> | false | 3 | christa brown last saturday florida unanimous jury awarded 125 million man child sexually abused southern baptist minister significantly verdict assessed local church florida baptist convention best knowledge first time history verdict handed baptist statewide denominational entity clergy sex abuse case attorney ron weil miami person brought gamechanger lawsuit fruition id like imagine baptists view wakeup call begin implementing sorts systematic safeguards major faith groups done southern baptists shown recalcitrant arena expect likely take still lawsuits still needlessly wounded kids happens florida baptist convention simply saying plans appeal 25 years practiced law appellate attorney texas know thing two happen appellate process possibilities whatever may happen next case already brought seismic shift terrain baptist clergy abuse litigation far long baptist denominational leaders acted though believed nothing could protect denominational coffers risk liability essence prioritized safety denominational dollars safety kids however denominational leaders consider nothing also puts dollars risk 125 million verdict also garner attention trial lawyers see southern baptist wall breached bring still lawsuits effort widen breach baptist officials able brag always prevail summary judgment likely incur much larger attorney fees defending case full trial likely many cases go full trial future trials also get public disclosure many facts facts denominational officials might prefer keep hidden southern baptist officials historically prioritized protection denominational dollars cases needed kids gain better protection baptist preacherpredators baptist officials forced spend enough denominational dollars may eventually see sense reordering priorities protection kids shame takes far long preacherpredators able easily churchhop porous denomination baptist leaders pretended version local church autonomy precludes systematic denominational sharing information reported clergy child molesters religious rationalization amounted little candycoating baptist leaders irresponsible inertia left trail destruction lives countless kids baptist leaders successful religioussounding ruse facts case southern baptist conventions local church autonomy defense failed jury found statewide denominational office bears responsibility may argue case unique cases different cases may indeed bring facts table baptist ministers bear commonalities virtue affiliation denomination example common baptist ministers aided job searches denominational services listed denominational directories event always variables particular cases essence tort law develops ie case case nottoodistant past drunk driver caused harm drunk driver bore responsibility carnage caused drunk drivers became better documented law slowly changed case case legislation sold alcohol alreadyintoxicated people would also bear responsibility gave drunk driver weapon harm could longer throw hands say problem similarly believe law eventually become uniform recognizing relational responsibility baptist denominational entities bear based promote facilitate employment baptist ministers cooperatively functioning denomination takes 500 million year centralized coffers abusive baptist ministers lonewolf rogues rather affiliated denomination enormous influence affiliation aids public perception ministers authority large degree denomination places mantle trust onto shoulders baptist ministers denomination held accountable irresponsibly allows mantle trust become weapon child sex abuse far long southern baptist officials distorting local church autonomy doctrine serve reality legal strategy trying shield denominational structures risk liability doctrine functioning tactical construct religious construct ultimately however law must look baptist denominational entities operate real world merely abstraction denominational officials say thankfully exactly jurors case looked reality slow fast change coming baptistland inevitable rest faith justicemaking work american trial lawyers ordinary good sense american people serve juries | 517 |
<p>The Chicago Teachers Union has long wanted to scrap the residency requirement for teachers, arguing that the rule is a hiring deterrent. But under former CEO Ron Huberman, the district stepped up its policing of teachers for violating that rule, along with other board policies. The Chicago Teachers Union has long wanted to scrap the residency requirement for teachers, arguing that the rule is a hiring deterrent. But under former CEO Ron Huberman, the district stepped up its policing of teachers for violating that rule, along with other board policies.</p>
<p>During the 23 months that Huberman was CEO, from January 2009 to November 2010, twice as many warning resolutions were handed out to teachers, and three times as many firings occurred as in the prior two years, a Catalyst Chicago analysis of board reports shows. In all, 155 teachers were issued warning resolutions and 39 were dismissed.</p>
<p>The CTU says that the uptick in warnings was part of Huberman’s “attack” on teachers, a trend they hope will reverse under the new leadership.&#160; So far, since Terry Mazany became interim CEO, the number of warning resolutions has ebbed and is averaging three per month—about the same number as under Huberman’s predecessor, Arne Duncan.</p>
<p>Warning resolutions are formal notices that include specific directives about what a teacher or principal is doing wrong and what they need to do to improve.&#160; Resolutions must be passed by the Board of Education and are published as board reports. Teachers can get warning resolutions for poor performance, but CPS officials say the warnings were mostly issued because of policy violations or failures to comply with rules, including the residency requirement.</p>
<p>But district officials point out that even with the increase under Huberman, the number of warning resolutions issued was small, given that the district employs some 23,000 teachers.</p>
<p>Several principals contacted by Catalyst Chicago refused to comment on the matter. One, Kelly High School Principal Al Pretkelis, said the warning given to one of his teachers had to do with residency and was pursued by central office, not him.</p>
<p>Sara Echevarria, grievance department coordinator for the CTU, says the uptick was unprecedented.&#160; Yet Warnings are a big deal to teachers, she says, partly because they are public and readily available online after the monthly board meeting.</p>
<p>“There is a stigma attached to it,” she says. “That ticks off a lot of members.” Plus, warnings put teachers in a vulnerable position with <a href="/notebook/index.php/entry/658/" type="external">principals, who were also subject to more scrutiny,</a> and more likely to be removed, under Huberman.</p>
<p>The district has always investigated residency questions and the union has no problem with the board insisting that teachers comply, she notes. But in some cases, teachers who received warnings had worked in the district for 12 to 15 years, never lived in the city, admitted that to their principal and had their paycheck mailed to their suburban address.&#160; To discipline these teachers after so long seems suspicious, Echevarria says.&#160;</p>
<p>In the past, principals and district officials took the issuance of warning resolutions very seriously, Echevarria contends, and wouldn’t hand one down until every other disciplinary measure, such as suspension, was exhausted.</p>
<p>One teacher who was given a warning resolution last year echoes that contention. The teacher (who asked not to be identified), contends that a series of relatively minor and unfounded accusations led to write-ups by his principal, followed by the warning. In one case, the teacher says, he was written up for being in the boys’ bathroom (teachers are supposed to use faculty restrooms), where he says he was looking for graffiti. The teacher has since transferred schools and says he thinks Huberman and his staff targeted veteran teachers, like him, who have higher salaries.</p>
<p>But CPS officials contend many of the warnings stemmed from a need to protect the district from legal liability and students from being harmed.&#160; Chief Human Capital Officer Alicia Winckler says that she has worked to make sure that teachers and principals are in compliance with rules and has instituted more stringent background checks and drug testing upon hiring.</p>
<p>“It is important that we not inadvertently harm students by not knowing something we should know about,” she says.</p>
<p>As for residency violations, a huge spike in warnings last May—80 warnings were issued that month—mostly involved residency issues, Winckler says.</p>
<p>“When there is an act that doesn’t meet a policy or our expectations, it’s important that we are clear,” Winckler says. “Warning resolutions are a tool to ensure clarity regarding when an act or series of behaviors have not met our expectations. We expect it to be used – but used only when necessary.”</p>
<p>One expert agrees with Winckler’s aggressive stance.</p>
<p>Brenda Ellington-Booth, Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations at the Kellogg School of Management, says that effective organizations, whether corporate or non-profit, should have a grid that identifies high and low performers. In the best case scenario, 80 percent are high performers, whom leaders can spend most of their time nurturing. The bottom 20 percent should be getting support, a plan of action or an escort out the door.</p>
<p>Ellington-Booth, however, says that many non-profits and government agencies don’t see their workforce in this way. She teaches classes to future and current CPS and charter school principals and says many of them have the attitude that the teaching staff is not something they can change. “They think these are the teachers and this is what I have to work with,” she says.</p>
<p>Taking a strong stand against ineffective workers is seen as draconian, she says. This shouldn’t be the case.</p>
<p>However, Ellington- Booth says the fact that warning resolutions are public does change the situation a bit. “That is terrible and quite shocking,” she says.&#160;</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | chicago teachers union long wanted scrap residency requirement teachers arguing rule hiring deterrent former ceo ron huberman district stepped policing teachers violating rule along board policies chicago teachers union long wanted scrap residency requirement teachers arguing rule hiring deterrent former ceo ron huberman district stepped policing teachers violating rule along board policies 23 months huberman ceo january 2009 november 2010 twice many warning resolutions handed teachers three times many firings occurred prior two years catalyst chicago analysis board reports shows 155 teachers issued warning resolutions 39 dismissed ctu says uptick warnings part hubermans attack teachers trend hope reverse new leadership160 far since terry mazany became interim ceo number warning resolutions ebbed averaging three per monthabout number hubermans predecessor arne duncan warning resolutions formal notices include specific directives teacher principal wrong need improve160 resolutions must passed board education published board reports teachers get warning resolutions poor performance cps officials say warnings mostly issued policy violations failures comply rules including residency requirement district officials point even increase huberman number warning resolutions issued small given district employs 23000 teachers several principals contacted catalyst chicago refused comment matter one kelly high school principal al pretkelis said warning given one teachers residency pursued central office sara echevarria grievance department coordinator ctu says uptick unprecedented160 yet warnings big deal teachers says partly public readily available online monthly board meeting stigma attached says ticks lot members plus warnings put teachers vulnerable position principals also subject scrutiny likely removed huberman district always investigated residency questions union problem board insisting teachers comply notes cases teachers received warnings worked district 12 15 years never lived city admitted principal paycheck mailed suburban address160 discipline teachers long seems suspicious echevarria says160 past principals district officials took issuance warning resolutions seriously echevarria contends wouldnt hand one every disciplinary measure suspension exhausted one teacher given warning resolution last year echoes contention teacher asked identified contends series relatively minor unfounded accusations led writeups principal followed warning one case teacher says written boys bathroom teachers supposed use faculty restrooms says looking graffiti teacher since transferred schools says thinks huberman staff targeted veteran teachers like higher salaries cps officials contend many warnings stemmed need protect district legal liability students harmed160 chief human capital officer alicia winckler says worked make sure teachers principals compliance rules instituted stringent background checks drug testing upon hiring important inadvertently harm students knowing something know says residency violations huge spike warnings last may80 warnings issued monthmostly involved residency issues winckler says act doesnt meet policy expectations important clear winckler says warning resolutions tool ensure clarity regarding act series behaviors met expectations expect used used necessary one expert agrees wincklers aggressive stance brenda ellingtonbooth clinical professor management organizations kellogg school management says effective organizations whether corporate nonprofit grid identifies high low performers best case scenario 80 percent high performers leaders spend time nurturing bottom 20 percent getting support plan action escort door ellingtonbooth however says many nonprofits government agencies dont see workforce way teaches classes future current cps charter school principals says many attitude teaching staff something change think teachers work says taking strong stand ineffective workers seen draconian says shouldnt case however ellington booth says fact warning resolutions public change situation bit terrible quite shocking says160 | 533 |
<p>Popping up in social media timelines, watercooler conversations and news stories like an unwanted brush of the knee or an uninvited whisper of sexual suggestion, the #MeToo phenomenon has certainly gotten on some people’s nerves. That is exactly what it should be doing.</p>
<p>The hashtag that started trending in the wake of sexual harassment and assault allegations levied against Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has touched a nerve for women <a href="https://www.dailysabah.com/life/2017/10/16/metoo-reveals-scope-of-sexual-harassment-assault-worldwide-amid-weinstein-controversy" type="external">worldwide</a>, from the United Kingdom, India and Brazil, from Australia to Pakistan. Now that we know the answer to the implicit question— harassment happens, a lot — what are we going to do about it?</p>
<p>The simple statement didn’t demand a backstory, as it bore witness enough: Women knew exactly what it meant. In truth, though, men also know, and it’s time to stop letting them off the hook, at work and everywhere else. Even men who don’t engage in behaviors that harm women physically, or thwart their mobility in school and the workplace, are familiar with this seamy aspect of culture and gender.</p>
<p>“I already know the prevalence of these experiences,” said Dawn Bounds, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor at Rush University. “My own experience, my patients’ experiences … We’re talking about early-age adverse childhood experiences.”</p>
<p>This is a moment for women, regardless of race, religion or creed, to come together and stick together on a range of issues—like birth control access and the right to decide whether an abortion is appropriate for them—that lead to one important outcome: Respect. This is about a necessary paradigm shift in what it means to be a woman, and talking about sexual harassment and assault is just the beginning.</p>
<p>This moment is really about women’s agency and the belief that women — not men, not society — own their bodies and must decide what to do with them.</p>
<p>Filmmaker Luchina Fisher, a former Chicagoan, makes this clear in a new documentary she co-produced, <a href="https://www.birthrightfilm.com/" type="external">“Birthright: A War Story,”</a> recently screened here. The film expands our perspective by telling the stories of several women of varying ages, races and religions, connecting the dots between campaigns across the country that are designed to take control of women’s reproductive healthcare choices.</p>
<p>“Birthright” shows how everybody and every institution–including states, courts and religious organizations–has taken control over if and how a woman bears children, turning women into criminals in the process. No wonder men think they have a voice and a choice about women’s bodies: Everything we do and say reinforces this.</p>
<p>Reproductive options and sexual harassment may not seem to go together, but make no mistake, they do. As we’re clear rape is about power, so, too, is sexual harassment and assault. All of these issues are tied to an ethos that views women as property, too infantile to know what’s best for themselves.</p>
<p>If that sounds crazy, just look to the White House for confirmation that these attitudes are found in the highest quarters.</p>
<p>Because Weinstein is actually facing consequences — being fired by The Weinstein Company Board and kicked out of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — #MeToo has given women the courage to come out of the shadows and validate the pervasiveness of unwanted sexual advances. But has a lack of accountability in other cases led us into a place of silence, where it’s easier to let it go than fight against the oppressor, and where women who speak up face their own consequences?</p>
<p>It’s on us, men and women, to take this celebration of consequence and accountability for one man and make it really mean something for all men.</p>
<p>For Chicagoan Caroline Muslin Berkowitz, #MeToo connects to everyday bread-and-butter women’s issues, such as why women who seek a “reasonable salary” are doubted. “Because you know, her husband is a good earner —&#160;why does she need to make THAT much?” Berkowitz posted on Facebook.</p>
<p>And for Sara Shapiro-Plevan, a New York-based education consultant, #MeToo evokes the ways we allow women to be made to feel small. “I’m thinking about the ways in which we denigrate women’s work and contributions to our world, that we would never consider doing to men,” she said. “We use the same (or similar) language that we use when talking about a woman who is the victim of a rape.”</p>
<p>“When a woman is asked to work for free,” and she accepts, we say, “It would be good for her career, or it gives her needed exposure, ” Shapiro-Plevan said. “No. Let’s be careful with the way we use our language to debase women in every way.”</p>
<p>Let’s also be careful how we usher boys into manhood, Bounds says. “I feel like that’s where the conversation needs to go. It’s about men who are not doing this, raising a generation of boys who don’t do it.”</p>
<p>Now, some women are blanching at the potentially exploitive nature of a campaign that seemingly nudges women to bare all to share their stories. #MeToo broke the lock on shuttered memories: Sexual harassment has a way of seeping in, becoming a part of a girl or woman. Those events linger as part of a woman’s moral framework of what she will and won’t accept, whom to avoid, how she presents herself in subconscious ways she doesn’t even realize she’s doing over time.</p>
<p>Every mental adjustment is aimed at surviving the moment: Maintaining composure, appearing confident and competent, unflustered, as if the action never happened, letting the perpetrator off the hook. Whisper networks exist to share intelligence, like knowing which man is a foot fetishist at work. A practiced, casual laugh is mastered to make it through uncomfortable work meetings, until it just becomes … a way to be.</p>
<p>Lately I’ve noticed this in my own life, when in crowded spaces like a queue or the train. When a person inadvertently touches my knee or brushes my backside, epic memories awaken as those places feel more exposed. I shift to acknowledge the brief breach of social protocol. It often happens again. Do I chalk it up to a mistake? But my heart is literally racing with recollections of being touched, catcalled, cursed and objectified. It will pass, but in this moment I want these people to know how this makes me feel so they can momentarily empathize — or feel badly, too.</p>
<p>Now when this happens, I matter-of-factly say: “Constantly touching me like that makes me feel vulnerable. I would appreciate it if you stopped.”</p>
<p>It usually works because you know what? Me, too.</p> | false | 3 | popping social media timelines watercooler conversations news stories like unwanted brush knee uninvited whisper sexual suggestion metoo phenomenon certainly gotten peoples nerves exactly hashtag started trending wake sexual harassment assault allegations levied hollywood movie mogul harvey weinstein touched nerve women worldwide united kingdom india brazil australia pakistan know answer implicit question harassment happens lot going simple statement didnt demand backstory bore witness enough women knew exactly meant truth though men also know time stop letting hook work everywhere else even men dont engage behaviors harm women physically thwart mobility school workplace familiar seamy aspect culture gender already know prevalence experiences said dawn bounds psychiatric nurse practitioner assistant professor rush university experience patients experiences talking earlyage adverse childhood experiences moment women regardless race religion creed come together stick together range issueslike birth control access right decide whether abortion appropriate themthat lead one important outcome respect necessary paradigm shift means woman talking sexual harassment assault beginning moment really womens agency belief women men society bodies must decide filmmaker luchina fisher former chicagoan makes clear new documentary coproduced birthright war story recently screened film expands perspective telling stories several women varying ages races religions connecting dots campaigns across country designed take control womens reproductive healthcare choices birthright shows everybody every institutionincluding states courts religious organizationshas taken control woman bears children turning women criminals process wonder men think voice choice womens bodies everything say reinforces reproductive options sexual harassment may seem go together make mistake clear rape power sexual harassment assault issues tied ethos views women property infantile know whats best sounds crazy look white house confirmation attitudes found highest quarters weinstein actually facing consequences fired weinstein company board kicked academy motion picture arts sciences metoo given women courage come shadows validate pervasiveness unwanted sexual advances lack accountability cases led us place silence easier let go fight oppressor women speak face consequences us men women take celebration consequence accountability one man make really mean something men chicagoan caroline muslin berkowitz metoo connects everyday breadandbutter womens issues women seek reasonable salary doubted know husband good earner 160why need make much berkowitz posted facebook sara shapiroplevan new yorkbased education consultant metoo evokes ways allow women made feel small im thinking ways denigrate womens work contributions world would never consider men said use similar language use talking woman victim rape woman asked work free accepts say would good career gives needed exposure shapiroplevan said lets careful way use language debase women every way lets also careful usher boys manhood bounds says feel like thats conversation needs go men raising generation boys dont women blanching potentially exploitive nature campaign seemingly nudges women bare share stories metoo broke lock shuttered memories sexual harassment way seeping becoming part girl woman events linger part womans moral framework wont accept avoid presents subconscious ways doesnt even realize shes time every mental adjustment aimed surviving moment maintaining composure appearing confident competent unflustered action never happened letting perpetrator hook whisper networks exist share intelligence like knowing man foot fetishist work practiced casual laugh mastered make uncomfortable work meetings becomes way lately ive noticed life crowded spaces like queue train person inadvertently touches knee brushes backside epic memories awaken places feel exposed shift acknowledge brief breach social protocol often happens chalk mistake heart literally racing recollections touched catcalled cursed objectified pass moment want people know makes feel momentarily empathize feel badly happens matteroffactly say constantly touching like makes feel vulnerable would appreciate stopped usually works know | 571 |
<p>David Gushee</p>
<p>Follow David on twitter: @dpgushee</p>
<p>Once again a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/15/justice/florida-loud-music-trial/" type="external">white civilian has used a gun to kill a black civilian</a> in Florida. Once again a jury has <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/justice/zimmerman-trial/" type="external">failed to convict</a> the white man of any crime against the now-dead black man. Once again the media, social and otherwise, has erupted. Once again black Americans cry out that the verdict is an appalling confirmation of the relative worthlessness of black life in racist America. Once again white Americans, including many Christians and church leaders, either dissent or remain largely silent. Meanwhile, many conservative white Christians, recently including the leaders of the Georgia Baptist Convention, press for more rather than less freedom for civilians to arm themselves in public places such as churches and universities.</p>
<p>It is now clear, to me at least, that the combination of racist beliefs and racial tensions, together with all-too-free gun laws pressed by gun rights absolutists, together with the disastrous shifting of law and culture signified by “stand your ground” laws, has worsened an already dangerous and bloody situation when it comes to gun violence. All of this is diametrically opposed to Christian values.</p>
<p>Racist beliefs mean that in some cases fearful white people enter public space already having learned contempt or fear of black males, especially those they size up as dangerous due to certain cultural markers. Racial tensions mean that what might have been routinely irritating or uncomfortable social interactions that just happen in life immediately take on racial overtones that would not have been there otherwise. Libertine gun laws mean that in some cases people holding racist beliefs, facing conflict situations that involve racial tensions, arrive at such situations locked and loaded. “Stand your ground” laws, which both reflect culture and shape culture, have lowered the bar when it comes to the meaning of self-defense and have confused juries in the limited test cases we have seen, including the Michael Dunn case just decided.</p>
<p>The result is an extraordinarily dangerous environment, especially for young black males. But to some extent we all need to be afraid of the possibility of finding ourselves in a public space having conflict with someone — because they might be holding a gun, they might (say they) think we are dangerous, and they might shoot us — as in the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/bail-hearing-continues-movie-theater-shooting-22404543" type="external">Tampa movie theater shooting</a> in January.</p>
<p>That some white Christians would respond to this situation not by challenging white racism, not by pleading for racial reconciliation and measures to ease interracial tensions, not by calling for stricter gun laws, not by challenging Stand Your Ground both as law and cultural reality, but instead by calling for even more guns in public spaces strikes me as the height of idiocy, not to mention obvious infidelity to Jesus Christ. It marks a staggering capitulation to seductive ideologies of race, violence and security.</p>
<p>It also flies entirely in the face of Jesus’ teaching: Jesus blesses the humble, the merciful, the meek, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who bear up when persecuted. He teaches non-retaliation and active conflict resolution. He rejects eye for eye and tooth for tooth and instead calls on us to love and forgive our enemies. He speaks of God’s love for all. He honors Samaritans and Roman centurions, tax collectors and other rejected ones.</p>
<p>Perhaps Jesus and all that love and forgiveness business is rejected as not relevant in the “real world.” (Good luck with that approach when you meet him on the other side.) Maybe my white Christian brethren would prefer the harder-nosed Paul. What about this popular Pauline passage, then?</p>
<p>“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience” (Rom. 13:1-5).</p>
<p>In Romans 13 Paul offers a brief for government authority as God-given source of public order. It is “the authority” (state/government) that terrorizes the evildoer. It is the authority that seeks to maintain public order. It is the authority that bears the sword. All kinds of problematic interpretations of this passage have bedeviled Christian history, but in light of the chaos of self-armed citizen vigilantes the passage offers fresh insights desperately needed right now.</p>
<p>Paul’s vision is certainly not of every citizen in the Roman Empire locked and loaded for the next street fight. It is instead of a strong, well-trained state authority that keeps public order through its monopoly on both authority and arms. Every evildoer quails before that authority. Every innocent is told to relax in the face of that authority, which offers protection and not harm toward them. Christians are told to obey and even honor that authority.</p>
<p>Obviously, we all know of how wrong government can go. But the impulsive and sometimes vigilante bloodshed in our cul-de-sacs, gas stations and movie theatres reminds us that the anarchy of armed, untrained, gun-wielding citizens, in a context of racist beliefs and racial tensions, is also a problem. Police departments and militaries have authority, training and accountability. What authority, training and accountability do our street-corner problem-solvers like Michael Dunn have?</p>
<p>My analysis is that lobby-driven and fear-driven gun-rights absolutism has weakened the God-given role of the state in keeping public order. It has instead helped create a reversion to a Wild West type environment where fearful citizens leave their homes armed and ready for battle — just in case. That’s socially disastrous. It certainly violates Jesus’ teaching. And it is the antithesis of Romans 13. We must turn away from this path, now!</p> | false | 3 | david gushee follow david twitter dpgushee white civilian used gun kill black civilian florida jury failed convict white man crime nowdead black man media social otherwise erupted black americans cry verdict appalling confirmation relative worthlessness black life racist america white americans including many christians church leaders either dissent remain largely silent meanwhile many conservative white christians recently including leaders georgia baptist convention press rather less freedom civilians arm public places churches universities clear least combination racist beliefs racial tensions together alltoofree gun laws pressed gun rights absolutists together disastrous shifting law culture signified stand ground laws worsened already dangerous bloody situation comes gun violence diametrically opposed christian values racist beliefs mean cases fearful white people enter public space already learned contempt fear black males especially size dangerous due certain cultural markers racial tensions mean might routinely irritating uncomfortable social interactions happen life immediately take racial overtones would otherwise libertine gun laws mean cases people holding racist beliefs facing conflict situations involve racial tensions arrive situations locked loaded stand ground laws reflect culture shape culture lowered bar comes meaning selfdefense confused juries limited test cases seen including michael dunn case decided result extraordinarily dangerous environment especially young black males extent need afraid possibility finding public space conflict someone might holding gun might say think dangerous might shoot us tampa movie theater shooting january white christians would respond situation challenging white racism pleading racial reconciliation measures ease interracial tensions calling stricter gun laws challenging stand ground law cultural reality instead calling even guns public spaces strikes height idiocy mention obvious infidelity jesus christ marks staggering capitulation seductive ideologies race violence security also flies entirely face jesus teaching jesus blesses humble merciful meek pure heart peacemakers bear persecuted teaches nonretaliation active conflict resolution rejects eye eye tooth tooth instead calls us love forgive enemies speaks gods love honors samaritans roman centurions tax collectors rejected ones perhaps jesus love forgiveness business rejected relevant real world good luck approach meet side maybe white christian brethren would prefer hardernosed paul popular pauline passage let every person subject governing authorities authority except god authorities exist instituted god therefore whoever resists authority resists god appointed resist incur judgment rulers terror good conduct bad wish fear authority good receive approval gods servant good wrong afraid authority bear sword vain servant god execute wrath wrongdoer therefore one must subject wrath also conscience rom 1315 romans 13 paul offers brief government authority godgiven source public order authority stategovernment terrorizes evildoer authority seeks maintain public order authority bears sword kinds problematic interpretations passage bedeviled christian history light chaos selfarmed citizen vigilantes passage offers fresh insights desperately needed right pauls vision certainly every citizen roman empire locked loaded next street fight instead strong welltrained state authority keeps public order monopoly authority arms every evildoer quails authority every innocent told relax face authority offers protection harm toward christians told obey even honor authority obviously know wrong government go impulsive sometimes vigilante bloodshed culdesacs gas stations movie theatres reminds us anarchy armed untrained gunwielding citizens context racist beliefs racial tensions also problem police departments militaries authority training accountability authority training accountability streetcorner problemsolvers like michael dunn analysis lobbydriven feardriven gunrights absolutism weakened godgiven role state keeping public order instead helped create reversion wild west type environment fearful citizens leave homes armed ready battle case thats socially disastrous certainly violates jesus teaching antithesis romans 13 must turn away path | 563 |
<p>A year after Chicago Public Schools stepped up its efforts to reverse high special education referrals at some elementary schools, referral rates at most of them are down.</p>
<p>In October 2001, central office rounded up 31 schools where special education referral rates were double the citywide average—about 2 percent of enrollment.</p>
<p>It invited principals, special education teachers and support staff to discuss strategies to reduce the numbers and map out a plan. Afterward, representatives from each school met monthly to report on their progress.</p>
<p>“Call it targeted monitoring,” says CPS Specialized Services Chief Officer Sue Gamm. “This was the first time we’d brought schools together as a group to work on this.”</p>
<p>A year under the microscope has made a difference. By fall 2002, referral rates at 27 of the schools had dropped, but most remain above the citywide average. Rates at two others went up. Two schools have been closed.</p>
<p>Gamm, who began tracking referral rates six years ago, notes that some children are mistakenly routed into special education when what they really need is help learning to read or support to overcome problems at home.</p>
<p>According to national research, 80 percent of students who are classified as learning disabled—the fastest-growing category of special education enrollment in CPS—have trouble reading.</p>
<p>“It happens,” says Linda Taylor, co-director of UCLA’s Center for Mental Health in Schools. “We send teachers to do a hard job with so few tools. They’re taught if you can’t make it with a kid, send him out as opposed to ‘I can’t make it with this kid, give me resources.'”</p>
<p>School-based problems</p>
<p>Six years ago, Gamm’s office began to introduce schools to a process that would help tackle high referral rates. Known as school-based problem solving, the process encourages educators to consider a variety of academic and behavioral interventions before recommending that a troubled student be placed in special education.</p>
<p>“School-based problem solving supports kids who are not in special education but not making it,” says Richard Swastek, a CPS program manager who trains school faculty to use the process.</p>
<p>Since then, hundreds of schools have been trained to use school-based problem solving, and Swastek expects all 600 schools in the district will be using it by 2004. Yet at some schools, the referral rates remained above average. That’s why Gamm and her team decided to track more closely a manageable number of schools whose principals, teachers and support staff would be convened monthly to discuss student issues, share solutions and plot referral reduction plans.</p>
<p>To support them, each school had access to a regional specialist in special education and a facilitator for school-based problem solving.</p>
<p>Canty Elementary in the Belmont-Cragin neighborhood received training in school-based problem solving in 2000. But by 2001, staff who had been trained had left the school and special education referral rates were up to 4.5 percent, says case manager Lorraine Ballesh. After participating in the CPS monitored program last year, Canty’s referrals fell to 1 percent. “This time, we really banded together,” Ballesh says. “Everyone got trained and we really committed to the process.”</p>
<p>After a year in the program, referral rates dropped from 5.5 percent to 2.2 at McCorkle Elementary in Grand Boulevard. “We started school-based problem solving four years ago,” admits Principal Janet House. “But we didn’t use it to the degree that we did last year. When we found out our referral rate was high, we took the program to heart and began really implementing it.”</p>
<p>At Libby Elementary in the Back of the Yards, case manager Betty Washington says 3rd-grade students who were retained for low reading scores have been the primary source of special education referrals.</p>
<p>Since being trained in school-based problem solving, Libby’s psychologist regularly visits classrooms to look for students with cognitive deficits that could be easily addressed by teachers. The school also began grouping students by reading level instead of by grade. Every eight weeks, teachers would test them to find out whether they were ready to move up to the next reading group.</p>
<p>Monthly referrals have dropped from five to two, but Libby’s overall rate remains above average at 3.1 percent.</p>
<p>Keeping rates down</p>
<p>Gamm says school-based problem solving can be a long-term solution if schools with above average referral rates continue to use it. “It works more often than it doesn’t,” she says. “If two schools receive the same training, and it works in one school and not in another, then you ask yourself, ‘Is it the program or the implementation?'”</p>
<p>Some principals, though, wonder if they’ll be able to keep referral rates down in the long run.</p>
<p>“We’ve gotten our numbers down, but this year we’ll have to refer some of the same kids we looked at last year,” says Principal Frances Oden of Beethoven Elementary, where referrals fell below one percent from 5.7 percent. “We don’t see them maintaining and increasing progress.”</p>
<p>At McCorkle, Principal House agrees. “We use a volume of social services because emotional problems keep our kids from learning,” she explains. “It’s a constant process—we evaluate, address needs, reorganize and assess again. After awhile, though, it becomes obvious that some kids are still not going to make it.”</p>
<p>“In some cases, this happens,” says Richard Swastek, a CPS program manager who oversees school-based problem solving. “If a kid crashes, then he may really need special education services.”</p>
<p>Referral rates rose at two schools that were monitored last year. One of them, Donoghue Elementary in Oakland, nearly doubled its referral rate to over 10 percent—the highest in the city. The other, Alcott Elementary in Lincoln Park, edged up slightly by a fraction of a percentage point.</p>
<p>“They are small schools so a few referrals will look like a lot,” Gamm explains. “And because of their size, they don’t have the support staff. [Donoghue is] saying, ‘Hey, we have some kids with serious behavior and emotional problems.’ We’ll take a look, keep working with them and see what can be done.”</p> | false | 3 | year chicago public schools stepped efforts reverse high special education referrals elementary schools referral rates october 2001 central office rounded 31 schools special education referral rates double citywide averageabout 2 percent enrollment invited principals special education teachers support staff discuss strategies reduce numbers map plan afterward representatives school met monthly report progress call targeted monitoring says cps specialized services chief officer sue gamm first time wed brought schools together group work year microscope made difference fall 2002 referral rates 27 schools dropped remain citywide average rates two others went two schools closed gamm began tracking referral rates six years ago notes children mistakenly routed special education really need help learning read support overcome problems home according national research 80 percent students classified learning disabledthe fastestgrowing category special education enrollment cpshave trouble reading happens says linda taylor codirector uclas center mental health schools send teachers hard job tools theyre taught cant make kid send opposed cant make kid give resources schoolbased problems six years ago gamms office began introduce schools process would help tackle high referral rates known schoolbased problem solving process encourages educators consider variety academic behavioral interventions recommending troubled student placed special education schoolbased problem solving supports kids special education making says richard swastek cps program manager trains school faculty use process since hundreds schools trained use schoolbased problem solving swastek expects 600 schools district using 2004 yet schools referral rates remained average thats gamm team decided track closely manageable number schools whose principals teachers support staff would convened monthly discuss student issues share solutions plot referral reduction plans support school access regional specialist special education facilitator schoolbased problem solving canty elementary belmontcragin neighborhood received training schoolbased problem solving 2000 2001 staff trained left school special education referral rates 45 percent says case manager lorraine ballesh participating cps monitored program last year cantys referrals fell 1 percent time really banded together ballesh says everyone got trained really committed process year program referral rates dropped 55 percent 22 mccorkle elementary grand boulevard started schoolbased problem solving four years ago admits principal janet house didnt use degree last year found referral rate high took program heart began really implementing libby elementary back yards case manager betty washington says 3rdgrade students retained low reading scores primary source special education referrals since trained schoolbased problem solving libbys psychologist regularly visits classrooms look students cognitive deficits could easily addressed teachers school also began grouping students reading level instead grade every eight weeks teachers would test find whether ready move next reading group monthly referrals dropped five two libbys overall rate remains average 31 percent keeping rates gamm says schoolbased problem solving longterm solution schools average referral rates continue use works often doesnt says two schools receive training works one school another ask program implementation principals though wonder theyll able keep referral rates long run weve gotten numbers year well refer kids looked last year says principal frances oden beethoven elementary referrals fell one percent 57 percent dont see maintaining increasing progress mccorkle principal house agrees use volume social services emotional problems keep kids learning explains constant processwe evaluate address needs reorganize assess awhile though becomes obvious kids still going make cases happens says richard swastek cps program manager oversees schoolbased problem solving kid crashes may really need special education services referral rates rose two schools monitored last year one donoghue elementary oakland nearly doubled referral rate 10 percentthe highest city alcott elementary lincoln park edged slightly fraction percentage point small schools referrals look like lot gamm explains size dont support staff donoghue saying hey kids serious behavior emotional problems well take look keep working see done | 602 |
<p>ALEPPO, Syria — Soma lives in the shadows. He moves through back alleys rather than main streets. He keeps his head down and confronts no one. If he speaks in public, it is in a low voice and only to trusted friends.</p>
<p>Soma, 28, is wanted by the Syrian regime because he evaded military service to support the revolution. He can no longer enter government-held territory, and as a member of the Alawite sect that dominates Bashar al-Assad’s government, he is now no longer welcome in the rebel zones, acutely aware that many members of the Sunni-dominated opposition would kill him simply for being Alawite.</p>
<p>It wasn’t always this way. At the beginning of the uprising against the Assad regime, Soma was an active supporter of the revolution in his home province of Homs. He organized protests. He joined the Youth for Freedom movement, exposing the brutal government crackdown on protesters via YouTube videos and Facebook posts. He worked together with Sunni, Shia, fellow Alawites and Christians united by a common goal – freedom.</p>
<p>“In those days, there were no racist chants, but there was an uncertainty,” said Soma. “Everyone feared the hatred between the Alawite and Sunni. Nothing was clear.”</p>
<p>And now the early fears appear to have been founded, he says. The fight has shifted and the array of groups that make up the opposition are increasingly dominated by Sunni ideologues and fundamentalists. The war itself is increasingly defined along the lines of a Shia regime backed by fellow Shia in Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah versus a Sunni opposition backed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and a reluctant array of Western powers, including the United States.</p>
<p>For Soma, the changes are more and more perceptible every day.</p>
<p>Last month, as he walked on the street with several friends, they were approached by two angry, non-Syrian Islamic extremists. As they chastised Basel Absi, one of Soma’s closest Sunni friends, for smoking in the street and Absi’s Kurdish wife for not wearing a full abiya, Soma could do nothing but watch in horror. Absi managed to talk their way out of the confrontation without anyone realizing Soma was Alawite. In his home shortly after the conflict, Soma related his feelings.</p>
<p>“I had a lump in my throat. I thought to myself, death has arrived,” said Soma, whose family name has been withheld for his own safety and that of his family.</p>
<p>“I had an image in my head of the people I should have said goodbye to. But the worse thing was the feeling of helplessness. I couldn’t protect my friends – I couldn’t even save myself. I was paralyzed. I kept thinking, this is not the way I want to die. If they hear my voice or check my ID – what can I do? I am in my house right now and I am still so afraid.”</p>
<p>The Syrian uprising began in March 2011, when anti-government protests erupted across the country. The movement began like the majority of the Arab Spring movements that swept across the Middle East that year. Protesters called for freedom, change and human rights.</p>
<p>But over time, that cry for freedom began to take on religious tones. The fight against a corrupt dictatorial government morphed into a fight between a Sunni majority and the leadership of a regime dominated by an Alawite minority – an offshoot of the Shia faith.</p>
<p>The population of Syria is as diverse as that of its neighbors Iraq and Lebanon, where sectarian violence has torn communities apart. Last month more than 1,000 were killed in car and suicide bombings across Iraq, and fighting between Shia and Sunni raged in Lebanon’s Tripoli. But for decades it had appeared that the Syrian people had managed to avoid the sectarian and religious turmoil that plagued the region.</p>
<p>An estimated 80 percent of Syria’s population is Sunni Muslim. This includes a Kurdish Sunni minority in the north who account for around 11 percent. The rest are predominantly Alawite, Shia and Christian with several smaller racial and religious groups dotting the country.</p>
<p>In those early days, protesters did not distinguish between religion, race and sect. Neither did the government. Alawite and Shia demonstrators were arrested and beaten alongside Sunnis. Hundreds, like Soma, had their cars burned, their homes targeted and their names placed on wanted lists for anti-government activities.</p>
<p>For Majid Rafizadeh and his family living in Damascus, being Shia Muslims did not excuse them from being targeted by government forces. Majid now lives in the US working as a Middle East scholar, lecturer and editor for the Harvard review, but his extended family remains in Damascus. To date, four of his cousins have been shot in the street by either government security or rebel forces and his uncle was arrested, tortured and killed. Several others have been kidnapped and escaped or fled the country under threat. Another cousin remains missing.</p>
<p>“At the end of the day, what matters is if you accept the ideology of the regime or not,” Rafizadeh said, adding that while his family does not support the opposition, they do not support the government of Bashar al-Assad either. “When it really comes down to it, the regime is not so much sect-based as it is based on corruption. It’s connections that matter more than religion.”</p>
<p>The growing perception that the Syrian conflict is a Sunni versus Alawite struggle troubles Soma deeply.</p>
<p>“A lot of Alawites have been arrested in the past for political activities,” he said. “The regime only favors those who support them.”</p>
<p>Soma often secretly stays in the Aleppo home of one his most trusted friends Basel Absi, a Sunni archeology student whose family actively supports the Syrian government. While the two are on opposite sides of Syria’s sectarian divide, their stories are not so different. While both gave full support to a peaceful uprising, they have both found themselves at odds with an increasingly Islamic movement, separated from their families who remain on the other side of the Syrian frontline.</p>
<p>Absi was among the first anti-government protesters in his hometown of Ariha in Idlib. At that time, only a tiny group of students supported the uprising.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to imagine now, but about 90 percent of Ariha was pro-government then,” said Absi.</p>
<p>Ariha is now under rebel control and almost all who remain claim allegiance to the FSA.</p>
<p>But back then, Absi described mass pro-government demonstrations and attacks by local citizens, almost all of whom have now joined the FSA, wielding knives and sticks at their small group as they called for freedom and democracy.</p>
<p>In the following months, placards read, “Syria is ours and not Assad’s.” Protesters chanted, “The people want the fall of the regime.”</p>
<p>But slowly racism and religion crept into the chants of the demonstrators. Speeches became more like religious lessons than calls for democracy.</p>
<p>On a visit to Ariha in mid-2012, this reporter observed protests led by Sunni sheikhs who lectured the crowds from pulpits and the back of pickup trucks on religious virtue, appropriate dress for women and calls to God to grant victory over the enemy. Absi said arguments began to erupt between the Islamic clerics and the more secular, pro-democracy speakers.</p>
<p>“Every day we could see this Islamic element increasing. Some began to think that if we wanted freedom it would have to be by Islamic rules,” he said.</p>
<p>“When people are arrested, tortured, see their family killed, they need something to believe in. It’s like you become so weak and disempowered you need something more powerful to count on – more powerful than everyone. This is why so many turned to God,” Absi added.</p>
<p>More and more people began to join the protests, and increasingly the crowds poured onto the streets straight from Friday prayers at the mosque.</p>
<p>“At the beginning we would chant, ‘Allah, Syria and freedom only’, but later we found ourselves saying ‘Allah, we don’t have anybody but you,’” Absi said. “Step by step, racism and religion began to creep in. It was gradual so we didn’t see it coming. We dismissed it as an expression of belief. But before we knew it they were screaming in the mosques to kill Alawites and Shias.”</p>
<p>“Christians go to Beirut, Alawites go to your coffins,” became a common protest chant.</p>
<p>In an effort to stem the tide of Islamist ideology from destroying their democracy movement, Absi and a group of university students launched a magazine called The Pen of the Nation.</p>
<p>But their call for a united uprising and denunciation of sectarianism led to death threats for Absi and his friends. At first they were shunned from protest rallies. Then the threats became more aggressive.</p>
<p>All around them an Islamic system began to take shape. Women began covering their faces. The town's three alcohol shops were burned down.</p>
<p>Absi said the FSA arrested several young people for having “modern hairstyles.” Their heads were shaved as a punishment.</p>
<p>“At that time we realized we had lost,” Absi said with sadness. “First they told me, it’s not your revolution anymore. It is an Islamic revolution – Leave! When I didn’t leave town, they threatened to kill me. At the beginning the Islamic guys had supported the government. They worked against us as shabiha (pro-government militia). But in the end, those of us who began the protests became labeled shabiha – it was like if you don’t want an Islamic government you are the enemy, just the same as the government.”</p>
<p>The turning point was when the name of one of the magazines’ editors was given to the government along with details of his movements. Absi says this information could only have been passed via members of the FSA Islamic leadership.</p>
<p>Abid Maher, Absi’s co-editor and close friend since childhood, was captured, tortured and executed by chainsaw. Locals in Ariha say his severed body was found by the roadside several days later.</p>
<p>The message was clear – this was no longer a revolution for democracy and freedom. Although there is still a secular element among the opposition groups, Absi said they felt it was increasingly clear that it was becoming a movement to establish an Islamic government. To many armed revolutionaries, Alawites and Shia had become the enemy along with anyone who refused to condemn them.</p>
<p>For activists like Absi and Soma, there was simply no place in an Islamic movement.&#160;Across the Syrian frontline, choices for Syria’s minority groups were also narrowing.</p>
<p>Majid’s brother Masoud Rafizadeh said that in Damascus, while few support the government at heart, most Shia and Alawite families have changed their opinion of the revolution over time.</p>
<p>“At first, they were with the protests, but then when they saw the killings and violence and kidnappings, they became silent,” he said this week in an interview via Internet. “Many members of the minorities in Damascus have been kidnapped. People say FSA and other rebel groups kidnapped them. Also, we hear that they even pay money for anyone who kidnaps from our communities. There are many videos showing how they kill the Alawites, Shia or Christians. They think all minorities are with Assad. This is wrong. I think Sunnis, ordinary people are attacked from the side of government, but the minorities are attacked from both sides. People don’t know who to trust."</p>
<p>As for Soma’s friends and relatives living in government territory, he said they side with the government out of fear of what the opposition will do to them. “They feel the government is protecting them,” he said.</p>
<p>In Damascus, Rafizadeh agreed that fear is the deciding factor. Every minority group has videos on their cell phones, both real and misrepresented and stories passed between families of atrocities committed against their community by the rebels, he said. This fuels both fear and hatred in an endless cycle.</p>
<p>The sectarian nature of the Syrian conflict has now reached alarming levels, observers say. Foreign jihadists continue to flow in to support the rebel forces, bringing with them increasingly extremist views. While on the government side, weapons and fighters from both the Shia state of Iran and Hezbollah – Lebanon’s leading Shia political party and military force – are entering the country to fight on the side of the Syrian regime. Recent victories by joint Hezbollah and Assad troops show the presence of this regional heavyweight may be turning the tide against the Syrian opposition.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, famed Egyptian Islamist cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi delivered a sermon from Qatar, calling on Muslims to launch "a jihad in Syria against Bashar al-Assad and Hezbollah, which are killing Sunnis and Christians and Kurds."</p>
<p>So how did an uprising that began as a call for freedom become a call for sectarian war?</p>
<p>“In the Middle East, whenever the state fails to deliver the necessary security and social welfare, as well as when a widespread insecurity at individual and family level emerge, people naturally will turn to their faith, sect, and ethnic groups as a key instrument to survive,” explained Masoud Rafizadeh.</p>
<p>Adding to this natural reliance on religion is a regional influence where sectarian divides have plagued Syria’s neighbors. The Syrian conflict has in many ways became a proxy war played out by Shia states with heavy backing from Russia, and the region’s Sunni regimes.</p>
<p>Inside Syria, Rafizadeh says the government actively fueled the divide for its own purposes.</p>
<p>“Assad's regime has been so far successful in playing on the ethnic and sectarian lines of the society. This is classic political strategy of ‘Divide and Rule,’” Rafizadeh said.</p>
<p>Through propaganda and state television he has managed to convince the minorities that their only hope against “al Qaeda terrorists” lies with the government.</p>
<p>“One of the strategies that the Syrian regime has been employing is the application of the Syrian state-owned media to frighten and scaremonger the minorities by sending a firm message that Syria without Assad would lead to the persecution of all minorities by rebels who are primarily from the majority Sunnis. The regime repeatedly shows videos of killing and violence, and it affiliates the videos to the terrorist groups and rebels,” Rafizadeh said.</p>
<p>Absi said when the protests began in Ariha, the first smart move by the government was to send all police home with full pay. This created a sort of anarchy in the streets.</p>
<p>“My family would tell me – is this the freedom that you want? No security, no power, no bread – go out and enjoy it! I tried to explain this is what the government did but they couldn’t blame anyone but me and my friends,” he said. Absi echoed Rafizadeh's words, saying that the second tactic of the government was to fuel the sectarian divides. They began to arrest young activists and those who wanted democracy, but hundreds of Islamic activists imprisoned long before the revolution began were released, Absi said.</p>
<p>In Ariha, the most famous Islamic leader to be released at the outset of the protests was Abu Artik (Eyad al-Adel), now a prince of Jabhat al Nusra, an opposition group with links to al Qaeda.</p>
<p>“When he returned he would hold meetings with the young activists and speak of Islam and the need to fight and kill the atheist government,” Absi said.</p>
<p>Amid threats and disappointment, Absi and Soma discussed plans to flee Syria.</p>
<p>Last week, seven FSA men burst into Soma’s home, announcing that since this was an Alawite house, it was being confiscated by the FSA. Escaping with his life, Soma began his forced evacuation to Turkey.</p>
<p>“I always felt my place is with the rebels. It’s not my fault I am Alawite,” Soma said. “But here I am always concerned, always afraid. I can’t walk in the street, I can’t go to the shop. I can’t move. What can I do? I have no choice but to leave.”</p>
<p>This story is presented by <a href="http://thegroundtruthproject.org/" type="external">The GroundTruth Project.</a>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | aleppo syria soma lives shadows moves back alleys rather main streets keeps head confronts one speaks public low voice trusted friends soma 28 wanted syrian regime evaded military service support revolution longer enter governmentheld territory member alawite sect dominates bashar alassads government longer welcome rebel zones acutely aware many members sunnidominated opposition would kill simply alawite wasnt always way beginning uprising assad regime soma active supporter revolution home province homs organized protests joined youth freedom movement exposing brutal government crackdown protesters via youtube videos facebook posts worked together sunni shia fellow alawites christians united common goal freedom days racist chants uncertainty said soma everyone feared hatred alawite sunni nothing clear early fears appear founded says fight shifted array groups make opposition increasingly dominated sunni ideologues fundamentalists war increasingly defined along lines shia regime backed fellow shia iran lebanons hezbollah versus sunni opposition backed saudi arabia turkey reluctant array western powers including united states soma changes perceptible every day last month walked street several friends approached two angry nonsyrian islamic extremists chastised basel absi one somas closest sunni friends smoking street absis kurdish wife wearing full abiya soma could nothing watch horror absi managed talk way confrontation without anyone realizing soma alawite home shortly conflict soma related feelings lump throat thought death arrived said soma whose family name withheld safety family image head people said goodbye worse thing feeling helplessness couldnt protect friends couldnt even save paralyzed kept thinking way want die hear voice check id house right still afraid syrian uprising began march 2011 antigovernment protests erupted across country movement began like majority arab spring movements swept across middle east year protesters called freedom change human rights time cry freedom began take religious tones fight corrupt dictatorial government morphed fight sunni majority leadership regime dominated alawite minority offshoot shia faith population syria diverse neighbors iraq lebanon sectarian violence torn communities apart last month 1000 killed car suicide bombings across iraq fighting shia sunni raged lebanons tripoli decades appeared syrian people managed avoid sectarian religious turmoil plagued region estimated 80 percent syrias population sunni muslim includes kurdish sunni minority north account around 11 percent rest predominantly alawite shia christian several smaller racial religious groups dotting country early days protesters distinguish religion race sect neither government alawite shia demonstrators arrested beaten alongside sunnis hundreds like soma cars burned homes targeted names placed wanted lists antigovernment activities majid rafizadeh family living damascus shia muslims excuse targeted government forces majid lives us working middle east scholar lecturer editor harvard review extended family remains damascus date four cousins shot street either government security rebel forces uncle arrested tortured killed several others kidnapped escaped fled country threat another cousin remains missing end day matters accept ideology regime rafizadeh said adding family support opposition support government bashar alassad either really comes regime much sectbased based corruption connections matter religion growing perception syrian conflict sunni versus alawite struggle troubles soma deeply lot alawites arrested past political activities said regime favors support soma often secretly stays aleppo home one trusted friends basel absi sunni archeology student whose family actively supports syrian government two opposite sides syrias sectarian divide stories different gave full support peaceful uprising found odds increasingly islamic movement separated families remain side syrian frontline absi among first antigovernment protesters hometown ariha idlib time tiny group students supported uprising hard imagine 90 percent ariha progovernment said absi ariha rebel control almost remain claim allegiance fsa back absi described mass progovernment demonstrations attacks local citizens almost joined fsa wielding knives sticks small group called freedom democracy following months placards read syria assads protesters chanted people want fall regime slowly racism religion crept chants demonstrators speeches became like religious lessons calls democracy visit ariha mid2012 reporter observed protests led sunni sheikhs lectured crowds pulpits back pickup trucks religious virtue appropriate dress women calls god grant victory enemy absi said arguments began erupt islamic clerics secular prodemocracy speakers every day could see islamic element increasing began think wanted freedom would islamic rules said people arrested tortured see family killed need something believe like become weak disempowered need something powerful count powerful everyone many turned god absi added people began join protests increasingly crowds poured onto streets straight friday prayers mosque beginning would chant allah syria freedom later found saying allah dont anybody absi said step step racism religion began creep gradual didnt see coming dismissed expression belief knew screaming mosques kill alawites shias christians go beirut alawites go coffins became common protest chant effort stem tide islamist ideology destroying democracy movement absi group university students launched magazine called pen nation call united uprising denunciation sectarianism led death threats absi friends first shunned protest rallies threats became aggressive around islamic system began take shape women began covering faces towns three alcohol shops burned absi said fsa arrested several young people modern hairstyles heads shaved punishment time realized lost absi said sadness first told revolution anymore islamic revolution leave didnt leave town threatened kill beginning islamic guys supported government worked us shabiha progovernment militia end us began protests became labeled shabiha like dont want islamic government enemy government turning point name one magazines editors given government along details movements absi says information could passed via members fsa islamic leadership abid maher absis coeditor close friend since childhood captured tortured executed chainsaw locals ariha say severed body found roadside several days later message clear longer revolution democracy freedom although still secular element among opposition groups absi said felt increasingly clear becoming movement establish islamic government many armed revolutionaries alawites shia become enemy along anyone refused condemn activists like absi soma simply place islamic movement160across syrian frontline choices syrias minority groups also narrowing majids brother masoud rafizadeh said damascus support government heart shia alawite families changed opinion revolution time first protests saw killings violence kidnappings became silent said week interview via internet many members minorities damascus kidnapped people say fsa rebel groups kidnapped also hear even pay money anyone kidnaps communities many videos showing kill alawites shia christians think minorities assad wrong think sunnis ordinary people attacked side government minorities attacked sides people dont know trust somas friends relatives living government territory said side government fear opposition feel government protecting said damascus rafizadeh agreed fear deciding factor every minority group videos cell phones real misrepresented stories passed families atrocities committed community rebels said fuels fear hatred endless cycle sectarian nature syrian conflict reached alarming levels observers say foreign jihadists continue flow support rebel forces bringing increasingly extremist views government side weapons fighters shia state iran hezbollah lebanons leading shia political party military force entering country fight side syrian regime recent victories joint hezbollah assad troops show presence regional heavyweight may turning tide syrian opposition meanwhile famed egyptian islamist cleric yusuf alqaradawi delivered sermon qatar calling muslims launch jihad syria bashar alassad hezbollah killing sunnis christians kurds uprising began call freedom become call sectarian war middle east whenever state fails deliver necessary security social welfare well widespread insecurity individual family level emerge people naturally turn faith sect ethnic groups key instrument survive explained masoud rafizadeh adding natural reliance religion regional influence sectarian divides plagued syrias neighbors syrian conflict many ways became proxy war played shia states heavy backing russia regions sunni regimes inside syria rafizadeh says government actively fueled divide purposes assads regime far successful playing ethnic sectarian lines society classic political strategy divide rule rafizadeh said propaganda state television managed convince minorities hope al qaeda terrorists lies government one strategies syrian regime employing application syrian stateowned media frighten scaremonger minorities sending firm message syria without assad would lead persecution minorities rebels primarily majority sunnis regime repeatedly shows videos killing violence affiliates videos terrorist groups rebels rafizadeh said absi said protests began ariha first smart move government send police home full pay created sort anarchy streets family would tell freedom want security power bread go enjoy tried explain government couldnt blame anyone friends said absi echoed rafizadehs words saying second tactic government fuel sectarian divides began arrest young activists wanted democracy hundreds islamic activists imprisoned long revolution began released absi said ariha famous islamic leader released outset protests abu artik eyad aladel prince jabhat al nusra opposition group links al qaeda returned would hold meetings young activists speak islam need fight kill atheist government absi said amid threats disappointment absi soma discussed plans flee syria last week seven fsa men burst somas home announcing since alawite house confiscated fsa escaping life soma began forced evacuation turkey always felt place rebels fault alawite soma said always concerned always afraid cant walk street cant go shop cant move choice leave story presented groundtruth project160 | 1,426 |
<p>Zoe Corneli introduces us to Rupa, a San Francisco doctor who is also a musician. Rupa not only reflects musical styles from all over the world in her work, she also infuses it with her comments on global politics.</p>
<p>"Rupa and the April Fishes" is a group that crosses borders -- between countries, languages, musical styles, and even professions. When she's not making music, lead singer Rupa spends her time making diagnoses. The San Francisco doctor, whose parents are from India, grew up in several countries. As Zoe Corneli of station KALW in San Francisco reports -- art, medicine and global politics merge in Rupa's music.</p>
<p>The group's new CD is called "eXtraOrdinary rendition"... which is also the name of the alleged U.S. government practice of sending terror suspects to countries that allow harsh interrogation tactics. It might seem like an oddly political title for a disc full of sweet melodies. But band leader Rupa says that's sort of the point.</p>
<p>"I actually wanted people to Google the expression, and then read, oh the first thing that comes up is a Wikipedia article, you know, not an album."</p>
<p>"I wanted it to be a way to wake people up, and that's why the album starts with a siren, it's just like, we are living in a dangerous time."</p>
<p>This siren blares every week in San Francisco, to test the warning system. The album's roots are firmly planted in this city, but its branches span the globe. Accordion you might hear on the streets of Paris meets trumpet from a Mexican mariachi band� along with timely messages.</p>
<p>This song is called Poder. In Spanish, that means both "Power" and "to be able to." The lyrics list things that can enter the U.S. from Mexico, followed by one thing that can't.</p>
<p>"It starts with the fish, the wind, even money can, a song, love, even a kiss can, but I can't."</p>
<p>Rupa says this song was inspired by photographs of different things crossing the border: a seagull, some seaweed, and an ice cream cone being handed to a U.S. border patrol agent by a salesman on the Tijuana side.</p>
<p>"So the idea that we can just draw a line in the sand, and then control what can go across and what can't, and the one thing that can't go freely are people, seems so counterintuitive and unnatural."</p>
<p>Rupa goes by Doctor Marya at the teaching hospital where she works as an internist. She says her experience treating patients - many of whom are undocumented Latino immigrants - reinforces her sense that we're all the same.</p>
<p>"When I go from bedside to bedside, and everyone's got their mothers, and everyone's got their desire to have a home, everyone's got, you know, a liver, everyone bleeds. Like all these things, it just contradicts my experience when someone just puts a wall and says, you're that over there, and I'm here over here."</p>
<p>Rupa's own life has been a story of breaking down borders. The petite 30-something was born in San Francisco and raised in India and France. She refuses to fit into a single identity. She says music and medicine come naturally to her, and long ago she decided to do both.</p>
<p>"I've had a hard time, as a child, people would always say, what are you doing, are you this or are you that? And I was like, how can I decide, how can you call one thing a hobby when it feels like what my mind just does."</p>
<p>The song "Wishful Thinking" was inspired by one of her patients and his wife. They'd been married 40 years and the man was about to die.</p>
<p>Now I don't know when the tides will call me away from this sweet life with you, and I wish that I could stay forever, even though since I was young I knew there was never such a thing, but this wishful thinking keeps our stories rising while our lives are sinking, and in time I will kiss you goodbye�</p>
<p>This is one of the album's few songs in English. Most of them are in French, and many are about relationships...which Rupa says is a political commentary in its own way: it's a response to her anger over the U.S. invasion of Iraq.</p>
<p>"Like there's so much fear right now, I need to start writing songs about love, and not romantic love, necessarily, but almost love as a way of knowing oneself, and love in a time of deep uncertainty and deep fear, reminding myself, and reminding other people to just stay hopeful, and stay compassionate."</p>
<p>So she decided to write ten songs about love - in French. It's the language she's most comfortable with, besides English.</p>
<p>One of them was "Une Americaine � Paris," an American in Paris. It's about the artificial barriers that divide people.</p>
<p>"I was in Paris for about a week, playing music and writing music, by myself, and I had spent two days, writing, writing, writing, I didn't talk to anybody, I was just sitting by myself."</p>
<p>Y avait quelques jours en silence, j'ai pas dit un mot�</p>
<p>The song begins, 'There were a few silent days, I didn't say a word.'</p>
<p>"And I was in a cafe, and this man came and sat next to me, and he's like, are you writing a novel, and I said, no I'm writing songs, and we had this wonderful conversation, oh what kind of music do you like, oh what kind of film do you like, and we kept going back and forth, it was such a wonderful warm conversation, until I asked him where he was from. And he said he was from Algeria. And he says where are you from, and I said, I'm from San Francisco."</p>
<p>Tu n'as pas peur d''tre ici � Paris, avec tous ces Arabes f�ches?...</p>
<p>"It was just this wall came down between us, and he said, well aren't you afraid to be an American in Paris with all these angry Arabs. If you were in my neighborhood, cwwkk, and he made the beheading motion. And a part of me was like, who is this man, I am afraid. But then I just looked at him, and I was like, no I'm not afraid, I think there's too much of that right now."</p>
<p>Je ne suis pas americaine, tu n'es pas arabe et nous ne sommes pas � Paris, nous sommes dans la vie...</p>
<p>Rupa translates:</p>
<p>"I'm not an American, you're not an Arab, we're not in Paris, we're in life."</p>
<p>Lai lai lai, lai lai lai, un monde fou entre nous�</p>
<p>For the World, I'm Zoe Corneli in San Francisco.</p> | false | 3 | zoe corneli introduces us rupa san francisco doctor also musician rupa reflects musical styles world work also infuses comments global politics rupa april fishes group crosses borders countries languages musical styles even professions shes making music lead singer rupa spends time making diagnoses san francisco doctor whose parents india grew several countries zoe corneli station kalw san francisco reports art medicine global politics merge rupas music groups new cd called extraordinary rendition also name alleged us government practice sending terror suspects countries allow harsh interrogation tactics might seem like oddly political title disc full sweet melodies band leader rupa says thats sort point actually wanted people google expression read oh first thing comes wikipedia article know album wanted way wake people thats album starts siren like living dangerous time siren blares every week san francisco test warning system albums roots firmly planted city branches span globe accordion might hear streets paris meets trumpet mexican mariachi bandï½ along timely messages song called poder spanish means power able lyrics list things enter us mexico followed one thing cant starts fish wind even money song love even kiss cant rupa says song inspired photographs different things crossing border seagull seaweed ice cream cone handed us border patrol agent salesman tijuana side idea draw line sand control go across cant one thing cant go freely people seems counterintuitive unnatural rupa goes doctor marya teaching hospital works internist says experience treating patients many undocumented latino immigrants reinforces sense go bedside bedside everyones got mothers everyones got desire home everyones got know liver everyone bleeds like things contradicts experience someone puts wall says youre im rupas life story breaking borders petite 30something born san francisco raised india france refuses fit single identity says music medicine come naturally long ago decided ive hard time child people would always say like decide call one thing hobby feels like mind song wishful thinking inspired one patients wife theyd married 40 years man die dont know tides call away sweet life wish could stay forever even though since young knew never thing wishful thinking keeps stories rising lives sinking time kiss goodbyeï½ one albums songs english french many relationshipswhich rupa says political commentary way response anger us invasion iraq like theres much fear right need start writing songs love romantic love necessarily almost love way knowing oneself love time deep uncertainty deep fear reminding reminding people stay hopeful stay compassionate decided write ten songs love french language shes comfortable besides english one une americaine ï½ paris american paris artificial barriers divide people paris week playing music writing music spent two days writing writing writing didnt talk anybody sitting avait quelques jours en silence jai pas dit un motï½ song begins silent days didnt say word cafe man came sat next hes like writing novel said im writing songs wonderful conversation oh kind music like oh kind film like kept going back forth wonderful warm conversation asked said algeria says said im san francisco tu nas pas peur dtre ici ï½ paris avec tous ces arabes fï½ches wall came us said well arent afraid american paris angry arabs neighborhood cwwkk made beheading motion part like man afraid looked like im afraid think theres much right je ne suis pas americaine tu nes pas arabe et nous ne sommes pas ï½ paris nous sommes dans la vie rupa translates im american youre arab paris life lai lai lai lai lai lai un monde fou entre nousï½ world im zoe corneli san francisco | 580 |
<p>About 60,000 TV ads — roughly&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/26/19593/how-many-tv-ads-have-attacked-donald-trump" type="external">one-fifth of all ads</a>&#160;aired in the Republican presidential primary — have been critical of&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/16/17488/9-things-know-about-donald-trump" type="external">Donald Trump</a>&#160;in some fashion, according to a&#160; <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a>&#160;review of data from&#160; <a href="http://www.kantarmedia.com/us/our-solutions/advertising-monitoring-and-evaluation/political" type="external">Kantar Media/CMAG</a>.</p>
<p>Despite the outpouring of hostility from his opponents, the bombastic billionaire businessman continues to roll toward the GOP presidential nomination, having swept&#160; <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/live-blog-battle-delegates-intensifies-east-coast-primaries-n562336" type="external">five more states</a>&#160;on Tuesday.</p>
<p>"I've had negative ads all throughout, and I've won races in a landslide," Trump said in his&#160; <a href="http://www.c-span.org/video/?408719-1/donald-trump-primary-night-speech&amp;start=1938" type="external">victory speech Tuesday night</a>. “Most of these people who have been fighting me are gone."</p>
<p>This massive figure includes about 800 TV ads so far aired in Indiana, a state that holds its primary Tuesday and has emerged as the&#160; <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/25/cruzs-last-stand-his-indiana-strategy-work/83491336/" type="external">next major battleground</a>&#160;between Trump and Sen.&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/03/23/16947/ted-cruzs-presidential-cash-hunt-commences" type="external">Ted Cruz</a>&#160;of Texas, Trump’s chief adversary.</p>
<p>The bulk of these ads aired after Trump already solidified his front-runner status. Now, Trump continues to surge. To date, he’s earned more than&#160; <a href="https://interactives.ap.org/2016/delegate-tracker/" type="external">950 delegates</a>, according to the Associated Press. That’s less than 300 short of the 1,237 he needs to clinch the GOP nomination — and avoid a&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/09/us/politics/how-trump-could-be-blocked-at-a-contested-republican-convention.html?_r=0" type="external">contested Republican National Convention</a>&#160;in July.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, many anti-Trump forces won’t relent.</p>
<p>“We are convinced that Trump can be stopped short of 1,237,” Club for Growth spokesman Doug Sachtleben told the&#160; <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a>.</p>
<p>Sachtleben said the conservative organization, which was the first group to start airing&#160; <a href="http://www.clubforgrowth.org/election-news/club-for-growth-action-launches-tv-ads-exposing-trump-in-iowa/" type="external">attack ads against Trump</a>last fall, will be targeting Indiana, where&#160; <a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2016-indiana-presidential-republican-primary" type="external">polls show a close race</a>. The group is also eyeing&#160; <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/434542/california-republican-primary-preview" type="external">delegate-rich California</a>, which holds its primary on June 7.</p>
<p>California, Sachtleben added, “is ultimately where we believe this race will come down to.”</p>
<p>To date, the Club for Growth has spent more than $9.7 million attacking Trump, according to federal campaign finance filings. Both its super PAC and 501(c)(4) “social welfare” nonprofit arm have participated in the barrage.</p>
<p>In addition to the Club for Growth, a&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/27/19599/top-10-sponsors-anti-trump-tv-ads" type="external">host of other conservative groups</a>&#160;have joined the anti-Trump chorus. Some of these organizations have spent millions of dollars opposing Trump while others have made relatively token expenditures.</p>
<p>Among them are super PACs devoted to other GOP candidates, as well as a solely anti-Trump super PAC. Known as&#160; <a href="http://www.factcheck.org/2016/03/our-principles-pac/" type="external">Our Principles PAC</a>, this anti-Trump group was&#160; <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/top-former-romney-aide-launches-anti-trump-super-pac-218071" type="external">founded by</a>&#160;veteran Republican strategist Katie Packer, who helped run Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign.</p>
<p>Our Principles PAC alone has spent more than $16 million opposing Trump — more than any other group. Its largest donors are&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/02/29/19382/chicago-cubs-co-owner-takes-brickbat-trumps-immigration-record" type="external">Marlene and Joe Ricketts</a>, co-owners of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, who have combined to give $5.5 million. Republican megadonor and hedge fund magnate&#160; <a href="http://www.forbes.com/profile/paul-singer/" type="external">Paul Singer</a>&#160;has also so far given $1.5 million to Our Principles PAC.</p>
<p>For their parts, the three pro-Cruz super PACs —&#160; <a href="http://www.factcheck.org/tag/keep-the-promise-i/" type="external">Keep the Promise I</a>,&#160; <a href="http://www.factcheck.org/2016/02/stand-for-truth/" type="external">Stand for Truth</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/03/04/ted-cruz-new-super-pac-trusted-leadership/81306006/" type="external">Trusted Leadership PAC</a>&#160;— have combined to spend about $2.6 million against Trump, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Meanwhile, two super PACs supporting Ohio Gov.&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/04/22/17209/9-things-know-about-john-kasich" type="external">John Kasich</a>—&#160; <a href="http://www.factcheck.org/2016/01/new-day-for-america/" type="external">New Day for America</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/07/a_new_fundraising_group_forms.html" type="external">New Day Independent Media</a>&#160;— have combined to spend about $287,000 so far attacking Trump.</p>
<p>Some of these ads, which featured a hippopotamus,&#160; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2-Qh6mD95o" type="external">alleged</a>&#160;that Trump is a “hippo-crit” who “repeatedly says one thing [and] does another.” Others <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvUvao4TvmE" type="external">criticized</a>&#160;Trump’s online education company as a “scam” and argued that Trump will “scam America too.” Still others&#160; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yyf-NHfEkg" type="external">called</a>&#160;Trump “too reckless and dangerous” to be president.</p>
<p>“If Republicans want to win, we have to nominate someone who can actually defeat [Democratic Party presidential front-runner] Hillary [Clinton],” New Day for America spokeswoman Connie Wehrkamp told the&#160; <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a>. “If Trump is the GOP nominee, we will lose the White House, the Supreme Court, the U.S. Senate and countless down-ticket races, not to mention Trump is entirely unprepared to hold the highest office in the world.”</p>
<p>Sustained anti-Trump advertising didn’t begin&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/26/19593/how-many-tv-ads-have-attacked-donald-trump" type="external">until February</a>, a month during which roughly one-quarter of the ads in the GOP presidential race were critical of Trump, according to a&#160; <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a>&#160;review of Kantar Media/CMAG data, a firm that monitors advertising on broadcast television and national — but not local — cable.</p>
<p>Anti-Trump TV ads represented&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/26/19593/how-many-tv-ads-have-attacked-donald-trump" type="external">nearly half</a>&#160;the ads in the GOP race during March. The figure currently hovers&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/26/19593/how-many-tv-ads-have-attacked-donald-trump" type="external">near 30 percent</a>&#160;so far in April.</p>
<p>Prior to February, blasting Trump wasn’t many conservatives’ top priority.</p>
<p>As of Jan. 31, the day before the Iowa caucuses, which&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/us/ted-cruz-wins-republican-caucus.html?_r=0" type="external">Trump narrowly lost to Cruz</a>, just&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/26/19593/how-many-tv-ads-have-attacked-donald-trump" type="external">6.5 percent</a>&#160;of TV ads in the GOP presidential race had criticized Trump. At that juncture,&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/10/16/18631/see-how-much-2016-presidential-candidates-have-raised-so-far" type="external">more than a dozen candidates</a>&#160;were still competing in the Republican field, including well-funded former Florida Gov.&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/15/17142/12-things-know-about-jeb-bush" type="external">Jeb Bush</a>and&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/05/04/17280/9-things-know-about-ben-carson" type="external">Ben Carson</a>, a retired neurosurgeon who briefly led Trump in national polls late last year.</p>
<p>“Early on, most campaigns were more focused on building up their own candidate in a crowded field than taking down Trump, whose popularity they likely did not fully understand,” said&#160; <a href="https://fhssfaculty.byu.edu/FacultyPage.aspx?id=jmg49" type="external">Jay Goodliffe</a>, a professor of political science at Brigham Young University in Utah. “Before February, there were no elections, so the Republican campaigns and allied groups could hope that Trump’s support would be less strong once his supporters had to go to the polls.”</p>
<p>Elizabeth Wilner, the Kantar Media executive who oversees the firm’s political ad tracking project, added that the delay in anti-Trump advertising seemed to come from “a combination of denial and fear — denial that he could become the nominee and fear of messing with the bull.”</p>
<p>Trump often delights in prodding his political opponents, both in word and tweet. That includes big-money bankrollers who dare oppose him.</p>
<p>For example, he tweeted out an&#160; <a href="http://www.omaha.com/news/politics/donald-trump-tweet-targets-ricketts-family-after-super-pac-disclosure/article_de5ce568-d983-11e5-9118-d75f7694e4a1.html" type="external">admonition to the Ricketts family</a>&#160;that they “better be careful” once media outlets reported the Ricketts were funding an anti-Trump super PAC.</p>
<p>Amid the contentious primary, one presidential contender —&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/27/19599/top-10-sponsors-anti-trump-tv-ads" type="external">more than any other candidate</a>, including Republicans — has attacked Trump in campaign ads: Democrat&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/04/12/17107/12-things-know-about-hillary-clinton" type="external">Hillary Clinton</a>.</p>
<p>To date, Clinton has sponsored nearly 8,000 ads that criticize Trump, including dozens of Spanish-language ads that aired as recently as this week in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, which both conducted primaries on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Such activity closely aligns with Clinton’s rhetorical pivot Tuesday away from Democratic primary opponent&#160; <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/04/30/17261/12-things-know-about-bernie-sanders" type="external">Bernie Sanders</a>&#160;— he&#160; <a href="http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/election-2016/delegate-targets/democrats/" type="external">almost certainly</a>&#160;can’t catch Clinton, but&#160; <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-mid-atlantic-democratic-primaries-20160426-story.html" type="external">isn’t quitting</a>— and toward the general election.</p>
<p>“Let’s go forward. Let’s win the nomination, and in July, let’s return as a unified party,”&#160; <a href="http://www.phillyvoice.com/transcript-hillary-clintons-post-primary-speech-philadelphia/" type="external">Clinton said</a>&#160;during her victory speech Tuesday night in Philadelphia, which will also host the Democratic National Convention this summer.</p>
<p>Clinton campaign spokesman Jesse Ferguson told the&#160; <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity</a>&#160;it was important to criticize Trump for his “divisive rhetoric and dangerous agenda.”</p>
<p>Ferguson added: “We will continue to make the case about the damage his agenda would do and how Hillary Clinton is the toughest candidate to take him on and stop him.”</p>
<p>Dave Levinthal contributed to this report. This <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/27/19597/donald-trump-steamrolling-toward-nomination-despite-negative-ad-blitz" type="external">story</a> was first published by the <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/" type="external">Center for Public Integrity.</a></p> | false | 3 | 60000 tv ads roughly160 onefifth ads160aired republican presidential primary critical of160 donald trump160in fashion according a160 center public integrity160review data from160 kantar mediacmag despite outpouring hostility opponents bombastic billionaire businessman continues roll toward gop presidential nomination swept160 five states160on tuesday ive negative ads throughout ive races landslide trump said his160 victory speech tuesday night people fighting gone massive figure includes 800 tv ads far aired indiana state holds primary tuesday emerged the160 next major battleground160between trump sen160 ted cruz160of texas trumps chief adversary bulk ads aired trump already solidified frontrunner status trump continues surge date hes earned than160 950 delegates according associated press thats less 300 short 1237 needs clinch gop nomination avoid a160 contested republican national convention160in july nevertheless many antitrump forces wont relent convinced trump stopped short 1237 club growth spokesman doug sachtleben told the160 center public integrity sachtleben said conservative organization first group start airing160 attack ads trumplast fall targeting indiana where160 polls show close race group also eyeing160 delegaterich california holds primary june 7 california sachtleben added ultimately believe race come date club growth spent 97 million attacking trump according federal campaign finance filings super pac 501c4 social welfare nonprofit arm participated barrage addition club growth a160 host conservative groups160have joined antitrump chorus organizations spent millions dollars opposing trump others made relatively token expenditures among super pacs devoted gop candidates well solely antitrump super pac known as160 principles pac antitrump group was160 founded by160veteran republican strategist katie packer helped run mitt romneys 2012 presidential campaign principles pac alone spent 16 million opposing trump group largest donors are160 marlene joe ricketts coowners chicago cubs baseball team combined give 55 million republican megadonor hedge fund magnate160 paul singer160has also far given 15 million principles pac parts three procruz super pacs 160 keep promise i160 stand truth160and160 trusted leadership pac160 combined spend 26 million trump according filings federal election commission meanwhile two super pacs supporting ohio gov160 john kasich160 new day america160and160 new day independent media160 combined spend 287000 far attacking trump ads featured hippopotamus160 alleged160that trump hippocrit repeatedly says one thing another others criticized160trumps online education company scam argued trump scam america still others160 called160trump reckless dangerous president republicans want win nominate someone actually defeat democratic party presidential frontrunner hillary clinton new day america spokeswoman connie wehrkamp told the160 center public integrity trump gop nominee lose white house supreme court us senate countless downticket races mention trump entirely unprepared hold highest office world sustained antitrump advertising didnt begin160 february month roughly onequarter ads gop presidential race critical trump according a160 center public integrity160review kantar mediacmag data firm monitors advertising broadcast television national local cable antitrump tv ads represented160 nearly half160the ads gop race march figure currently hovers160 near 30 percent160so far april prior february blasting trump wasnt many conservatives top priority jan 31 day iowa caucuses which160 trump narrowly lost cruz just160 65 percent160of tv ads gop presidential race criticized trump juncture160 dozen candidates160were still competing republican field including wellfunded former florida gov160 jeb bushand160 ben carson retired neurosurgeon briefly led trump national polls late last year early campaigns focused building candidate crowded field taking trump whose popularity likely fully understand said160 jay goodliffe professor political science brigham young university utah february elections republican campaigns allied groups could hope trumps support would less strong supporters go polls elizabeth wilner kantar media executive oversees firms political ad tracking project added delay antitrump advertising seemed come combination denial fear denial could become nominee fear messing bull trump often delights prodding political opponents word tweet includes bigmoney bankrollers dare oppose example tweeted an160 admonition ricketts family160that better careful media outlets reported ricketts funding antitrump super pac amid contentious primary one presidential contender 160 candidate including republicans attacked trump campaign ads democrat160 hillary clinton date clinton sponsored nearly 8000 ads criticize trump including dozens spanishlanguage ads aired recently week connecticut pennsylvania conducted primaries tuesday activity closely aligns clintons rhetorical pivot tuesday away democratic primary opponent160 bernie sanders160 he160 almost certainly160cant catch clinton but160 isnt quitting toward general election lets go forward lets win nomination july lets return unified party160 clinton said160during victory speech tuesday night philadelphia also host democratic national convention summer clinton campaign spokesman jesse ferguson told the160 center public integrity160it important criticize trump divisive rhetoric dangerous agenda ferguson added continue make case damage agenda would hillary clinton toughest candidate take stop dave levinthal contributed report story first published center public integrity | 731 |
<p>BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. — There will be limited opportunity for finger-wagging as President Barack Obama goes into a second day of meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in California on Saturday.</p>
<p>The two men are expected to be working to forge a personal bond that could lead to improved relations between the two countries, but Obama has also been urged to press Xi on human rights and on the increasingly troublesome issue of cyber-spying.</p>
<p>At the same time, the US president is facing a storm of criticism on those fronts at home.</p>
<p>The country has been rocked by recent revelations that the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/nsa-phone-records-verizon-court-order" type="external">National Security Agency has been collecting phone records</a> on millions of ordinary Americans, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/prism-collection-documents/" type="external">seizing massive amounts of data</a>&#160;from internet providers and even <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/06/07/nsa_prism_phone_records_spying_scope_expands_to_sprint_nextel_at_t_credit.html" type="external">using credit card information</a> to monitor Americans’ spending habits.&#160;</p>
<p>On the human rights front, Obama is having to defend his failure to close the prison at Guantanamo, his continuing drone strike program, and an IRS scandal that seems to indicate the government is targeting political opponents.</p>
<p>It is a difficult time for the United States to be giving citizenship lessons to the rest of the world.</p>
<p>In fact, the intrusion of Big Government into the lives of law-abiding citizens has been so significant that some are wondering whether the terrorists who attacked the United States on 9/11 have, in fact, succeeded in destroying some part of the American way of life.</p>
<p>“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare,” said Obama just two weeks ago, in his speech at the National Defense University. “That’s why, in the years to come, we will have to keep working hard to strike the appropriate balance between our need for security and preserving those freedoms that make us who we are.”</p>
<p>In the wake of 9/11, the government under President George W. Bush gave the government sweeping and unprecedented powers under the Patriot Act. Obama himself acknowledged on Friday that he had been initially skeptical of the need for such broad powers before his election, but says he is now convinced that what he called “a modest encroachment” on privacy was <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/obama-defends-surveillance-effort-trade-off-security-000718403.html" type="external">necessary to keep the country safe</a>.</p>
<p>"You can't have 100 percent security and also then have 100 percent privacy and zero inconvenience," Obama said. "We're going to have to make some choices as a society. ... There are trade-offs involved."</p>
<p>But he is facing mounting criticism from the media and from members of his own party, who see the government’s programs as dangerous.</p>
<p>Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.), both members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued a statement Friday registering their objections to the president’s position.</p>
<p>“We ... disagree with the statement that the broad Patriot Act collection strikes the ‘right balance’ between protecting American security and protecting Americans' privacy,” they wrote. “We believe the large-scale collection of this information by the government has a very significant impact on Americans' privacy, whether senior government officials recognize that fact or not.”</p>
<p>They also <a href="http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&amp;id=3479" type="external">dismissed claims by the government</a> that the surveillance programs had been critical in thwarting terrorist attacks on US soil.</p>
<p>“We remain unconvinced that the secret Patriot Act collection has actually provided any uniquely valuable intelligence. As far as we can see, all of the useful information that it has provided appears to have also been available through other collection methods that do not violate the privacy of law-abiding Americans in the way that the Patriot Act collection does.”</p>
<p>Under the Patriot Act, authorization for the collection of data is granted by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, an ostensibly independent body that is tasked with reviewing requests for information and ascertaining that they meet acceptable legal standards.&#160;</p>
<p>But in reality, FISC seems to provide little or no check on the government’s growing appetite for information.</p>
<p>According to information provided to Congress by the Justice Department, the Court has almost never denied a request. Since 2001, just <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/06/07/despite_obamas_claim_fisa_court_rarely_much_of_a_check/" type="external">10 requests have been denied</a>, while more than 15,000 have been granted.</p>
<p>“It is a kangaroo court with a rubber stamp,” Russell Tice, a former National Security Agency analyst told the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/fisa-court-judge-verizon-records-surveillance" type="external">UK’s Guardian newspaper</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>Obama said on Friday that he welcomed the debate that the revelations had unleashed, saying that it was “healthy for our democracy” to have an open discussion about the balance between privacy and security. At the same time, he deplored the leaks that launched the debate.</p>
<p>“If every step that we’re taking to try to prevent a terrorist act is on the front page of the newspapers or on television, then presumably the people who are trying to do us harm are going to be able to get around our preventive measures,” he <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-defends-sweeping-surveillance-efforts/2013/06/07/2002290a-cf88-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html" type="external">said</a>.</p>
<p>Officials within his administration have indicated that the administration will continue its policy of aggressively investigating the sources of the leaks.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-defends-sweeping-surveillance-efforts/2013/06/07/2002290a-cf88-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html" type="external">The Washington Post</a>, one of the newspapers to break the internet data-mining story, the person at the center of the information disclosure is expecting to be targeted:</p>
<p>“The career intelligence officer who disclosed details of the online data-mining program to The Post said he acted out of a sense that the NSA has exceeded the privacy expectations of Americans. The source thinks he is likely to be exposed and is prepared for that possibility.”</p>
<p>But the furor seems to have left most Americans cold. The government’s argument that the measures have been adopted to keep them safe is working, according to major opinion polls.</p>
<p>“Since 9/11, Americans generally have valued protection from terrorism over civil liberties,” writes Carroll Doherty, of the <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/06/07/balancing-act-national-security-and-civil-liberties-in-post-911-era/" type="external">Pew Research Center</a>. “Most recently, in 2010, 47 percent said they were more concerned that government policies ‘have not gone far enough to adequately protect the country,’ while 32 percent said they were more concerned that ‘they have gone too far in restricting the average person’s civil liberties.’</p>
<p>Many Americans just do not see why there is such a fuss over the recent revelations.</p>
<p>NPR’s Diane Rehm addressed the issue on her Friday news roundup, and took calls from people like Samuel, in Hyattsville, Md.</p>
<p>“I feel like if you don't have anything to hide and … you're not involved in any illegal activity, my opinion is, what is the problem if the government is looking at your phone records or who you talk to? I don't know why people are paranoid about stuff like that,” said Samuel.</p>
<p>But civil libertarians continue to sound the alarm.</p>
<p>One rabid radical named Benjamin Franklin issued this trite but true proclamation more than 250 years ago:</p>
<p>“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”</p> | false | 3 | buzzards bay mass limited opportunity fingerwagging president barack obama goes second day meetings chinese counterpart xi jinping california saturday two men expected working forge personal bond could lead improved relations two countries obama also urged press xi human rights increasingly troublesome issue cyberspying time us president facing storm criticism fronts home country rocked recent revelations national security agency collecting phone records millions ordinary americans seizing massive amounts data160from internet providers even using credit card information monitor americans spending habits160 human rights front obama defend failure close prison guantanamo continuing drone strike program irs scandal seems indicate government targeting political opponents difficult time united states giving citizenship lessons rest world fact intrusion big government lives lawabiding citizens significant wondering whether terrorists attacked united states 911 fact succeeded destroying part american way life nation could preserve freedom midst continual warfare said obama two weeks ago speech national defense university thats years come keep working hard strike appropriate balance need security preserving freedoms make us wake 911 government president george w bush gave government sweeping unprecedented powers patriot act obama acknowledged friday initially skeptical need broad powers election says convinced called modest encroachment privacy necessary keep country safe cant 100 percent security also 100 percent privacy zero inconvenience obama said going make choices society tradeoffs involved facing mounting criticism media members party see governments programs dangerous senators ron wyden dore mark udall dcolo members senate select committee intelligence issued statement friday registering objections presidents position disagree statement broad patriot act collection strikes right balance protecting american security protecting americans privacy wrote believe largescale collection information government significant impact americans privacy whether senior government officials recognize fact also dismissed claims government surveillance programs critical thwarting terrorist attacks us soil remain unconvinced secret patriot act collection actually provided uniquely valuable intelligence far see useful information provided appears also available collection methods violate privacy lawabiding americans way patriot act collection patriot act authorization collection data granted foreign intelligence surveillance court ostensibly independent body tasked reviewing requests information ascertaining meet acceptable legal standards160 reality fisc seems provide little check governments growing appetite information according information provided congress justice department court almost never denied request since 2001 10 requests denied 15000 granted kangaroo court rubber stamp russell tice former national security agency analyst told uks guardian newspaper160 obama said friday welcomed debate revelations unleashed saying healthy democracy open discussion balance privacy security time deplored leaks launched debate every step taking try prevent terrorist act front page newspapers television presumably people trying us harm going able get around preventive measures said officials within administration indicated administration continue policy aggressively investigating sources leaks according washington post one newspapers break internet datamining story person center information disclosure expecting targeted career intelligence officer disclosed details online datamining program post said acted sense nsa exceeded privacy expectations americans source thinks likely exposed prepared possibility furor seems left americans cold governments argument measures adopted keep safe working according major opinion polls since 911 americans generally valued protection terrorism civil liberties writes carroll doherty pew research center recently 2010 47 percent said concerned government policies gone far enough adequately protect country 32 percent said concerned gone far restricting average persons civil liberties many americans see fuss recent revelations nprs diane rehm addressed issue friday news roundup took calls people like samuel hyattsville md feel like dont anything hide youre involved illegal activity opinion problem government looking phone records talk dont know people paranoid stuff like said samuel civil libertarians continue sound alarm one rabid radical named benjamin franklin issued trite true proclamation 250 years ago would give essential liberty purchase little temporary safety deserve neither liberty safety | 602 |
<p>With more than 100,000 people killed, including scores slaughtered with chemical weapons, and related violence and humanitarian crises beyond its borders, it may be hard to imagine Syria's 2 1/2-year-old civil war getting worse.</p>
<p>Yet the theory of unintended consequences suggests that sticking Uncle Sam’s nose deeper into the Syrian conflict — even in the arm’s-length form of cruise missiles — could prove to be the catalyst for a chain of events that sets the Middle East on fire.</p>
<p>From an economic standpoint, the greatest concern is that Iran, whose military has warned it would take unspecified action if Syria were hit, and would target Saudi, United Arab Emirates' or Qatari oil and gas terminals. With Saudi Arabia's <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130901/saudis-back-international-intervention-against-assad" type="external">recent public backing</a> of military action against Syria, this possibility has probably risen.</p>
<p>With just such a threat in mind, in recent years the US has quietly approved the sale of billions of dollars worth of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon anti-missile defense systems to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Oman to deter this threat, though their state of readiness and effectiveness is subject to serious doubt.</p>
<p>What’s not in doubt is the fact that global markets would react sharply to any strike on oil facilities, particularly Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil terminal — the world’s largest — and Abqaiq, the control center for the vast oil fields of the Eastern Provinces.</p>
<p>Iran has also repeatedly threatened to mine the Strait of Hormuz, off Iran's and UAE's coasts, through which much of the world’s oil passes.</p>
<p>Most economists see the global effects of a potential US airstrike on Syria, or even a deepening of its internal conflict, as limited, due to Syria's relatively isolated economy.</p>
<p>Oil industry analysts tend to agree with the Obama administration's assessment that contagion — via retaliatory attacks on oil facilities — is a very unlikely scenario.</p>
<p>But markets are jittery whenever global supply chains are threatened. A disruption of Gulf energy resources lasting weeks, oil traders' estimates show, could add 50 percent or more to the cost of a barrel of oil and shave as much as a full point off global GDP growth.</p>
<p>Whether Iran would take this step, given the response it would invariably provoke from the US and other nations, is uncertain.</p>
<p>Higher oil prices certainly serve Iranian interests, as well as those of Iran's friends in the Kremlin. In the wider world, though, such a change would infuriate oil importers and historically important Iranian customers like China, Japan, India and South Korea.</p>
<p>Syria or Iran could lash out in other ways, though.</p>
<p>In Tehran, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammed Ali Jafari, predicted that any attack on Syria would lead to Israel's " <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130829/iran-commander-us-strike-syria-would-bring-israels-destruction" type="external">imminent destruction</a>."</p>
<p>With Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now out of office, this kind of bluster has not been reinforced by the country’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, or by other Iranian leaders.</p>
<p>But past inflammatory remarks by Iran, its possession of medium-ranged ballistic missiles, and its suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons technology mean any such statements must be examined closely.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/rights/syria-strike-refugees-humanitarian" type="external">How would Syria strikes affect humanitarian work?</a></p>
<p>Other realistic scenarios known to be worrying Western military officials include an Iranian missile attack on US or French bases in the Gulf or on Britain’s base in Cyprus, though the UK’s decision not to take part in military action probably makes the latter less likely.</p>
<p>Even outside Armageddon or major oil supply disruptions, Iran and its Revolutionary Guard, which is known to act independent of political control, could still stir up the kind of trouble that widens Syria’s civil war.</p>
<p>Iran is the primary supporter of the Shia militia Hezbollah, whose fighters have joined the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on the Syrian front lines alongside Assad’s forces. Iran has rearmed Hezbollah with missiles and other ordnance since the Shia militia’s clash with Israel in 2006, leaving a looming threat.</p>
<p>The International Committee of the Red Cross estimates some <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130903/syria-refugees-two-million-united-nations-civil-war-assad" type="external">2 million Syrian refugees</a> are encamped in Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon — as well as farther afield in Egypt and the Gulf. While many are opponents of the Assad regime, a minority are reportedly supporters driven from areas now held by Syrian rebels.</p>
<p>In Lebanon, particularly, pro-Assad Syrians have swelled the ranks of those with an interest in retaliating after a potential US-led action. Clashes in the border city of Sidon earlier this summer were blamed by Lebanon’s defense ministry on the spillover from Syria.</p>
<p>Inside Syria risks also exist. Assad has arrayed some of his most valuable military ordnance in such a way as to make civilian casualties almost inevitable in the event of an outside strike.</p>
<p>Syrian missiles batteries, air bases and other military infrastructure also are known to be crowded with Iranian Revolutionary Guard “advisers,” as well as a smattering of Russian technical advisers training Syrian forces in the use of recently delivered equipment.</p>
<p>There is also the risk of actually hitting a store of chemical or biological weapons, thus inadvertently creating precisely the kind of tragedy the airstrikes are meant to prevent.</p>
<p>Forgotten in much of the political and geostrategic calculus, however, are the Syrians themselves.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130830/heres-what-syrians-have-say" type="external">Ask a Syrian</a> whether he or she would like to see Tomahawk missiles streaking above their skies, and the answers may vary widely.</p>
<p>Supporters of the nerve gas-wielding ruler — Assad’s Allawite clan, along with Syrian Christians who have sheltered under the Assad dynasty’s molting wings — would answer no.</p>
<p>Many Syrians in the country’s Sunni Muslim majority, however, as well as the Kurdish minority, may favor a US airstrike.</p>
<p>A US strike to degrade the dictator’s military capabilities, however incremental, would largely be welcomed by the rebel forces' pro-Western factions, as would the lifeline of support from Washington that such a decision would represent after years of Western prevarication.</p>
<p>Hovering above it all is the question of America’s own credibility.</p>
<p>For President Barack Obama and supporters of his Wilsonian activism, America must act because a failure to act invites chaos. A stable global order where certain red lines are respected is in America’s interest.</p>
<p>But a growing number of Americans simply do not buy this anymore.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost's Unraveler: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-unraveler/syria-debate-iraq-war-kosovo-halabja" type="external">In Syria debate, history’s in the eye of the beholder</a> &#160;</p> | false | 3 | 100000 people killed including scores slaughtered chemical weapons related violence humanitarian crises beyond borders may hard imagine syrias 2 12yearold civil war getting worse yet theory unintended consequences suggests sticking uncle sams nose deeper syrian conflict even armslength form cruise missiles could prove catalyst chain events sets middle east fire economic standpoint greatest concern iran whose military warned would take unspecified action syria hit would target saudi united arab emirates qatari oil gas terminals saudi arabias recent public backing military action syria possibility probably risen threat mind recent years us quietly approved sale billions dollars worth lockheed martin raytheon antimissile defense systems saudi arabia uae qatar oman deter threat though state readiness effectiveness subject serious doubt whats doubt fact global markets would react sharply strike oil facilities particularly saudi arabias ras tanura oil terminal worlds largest abqaiq control center vast oil fields eastern provinces iran also repeatedly threatened mine strait hormuz irans uaes coasts much worlds oil passes economists see global effects potential us airstrike syria even deepening internal conflict limited due syrias relatively isolated economy oil industry analysts tend agree obama administrations assessment contagion via retaliatory attacks oil facilities unlikely scenario markets jittery whenever global supply chains threatened disruption gulf energy resources lasting weeks oil traders estimates show could add 50 percent cost barrel oil shave much full point global gdp growth whether iran would take step given response would invariably provoke us nations uncertain higher oil prices certainly serve iranian interests well irans friends kremlin wider world though change would infuriate oil importers historically important iranian customers like china japan india south korea syria iran could lash ways though tehran commander irans revolutionary guard corps mohammed ali jafari predicted attack syria would lead israels imminent destruction mahmoud ahmadinejad office kind bluster reinforced countrys new president hassan rouhani iranian leaders past inflammatory remarks iran possession mediumranged ballistic missiles suspected pursuit nuclear weapons technology mean statements must examined closely globalpost would syria strikes affect humanitarian work realistic scenarios known worrying western military officials include iranian missile attack us french bases gulf britains base cyprus though uks decision take part military action probably makes latter less likely even outside armageddon major oil supply disruptions iran revolutionary guard known act independent political control could still stir kind trouble widens syrias civil war iran primary supporter shia militia hezbollah whose fighters joined iranian revolutionary guard syrian front lines alongside assads forces iran rearmed hezbollah missiles ordnance since shia militias clash israel 2006 leaving looming threat international committee red cross estimates 2 million syrian refugees encamped jordan turkey iraq lebanon well farther afield egypt gulf many opponents assad regime minority reportedly supporters driven areas held syrian rebels lebanon particularly proassad syrians swelled ranks interest retaliating potential usled action clashes border city sidon earlier summer blamed lebanons defense ministry spillover syria inside syria risks also exist assad arrayed valuable military ordnance way make civilian casualties almost inevitable event outside strike syrian missiles batteries air bases military infrastructure also known crowded iranian revolutionary guard advisers well smattering russian technical advisers training syrian forces use recently delivered equipment also risk actually hitting store chemical biological weapons thus inadvertently creating precisely kind tragedy airstrikes meant prevent forgotten much political geostrategic calculus however syrians ask syrian whether would like see tomahawk missiles streaking skies answers may vary widely supporters nerve gaswielding ruler assads allawite clan along syrian christians sheltered assad dynastys molting wings would answer many syrians countrys sunni muslim majority however well kurdish minority may favor us airstrike us strike degrade dictators military capabilities however incremental would largely welcomed rebel forces prowestern factions would lifeline support washington decision would represent years western prevarication hovering question americas credibility president barack obama supporters wilsonian activism america must act failure act invites chaos stable global order certain red lines respected americas interest growing number americans simply buy anymore globalposts unraveler syria debate historys eye beholder 160 | 645 |
<p>Earlier this summer, the first Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week featured the creations of 25 designers from First Nations communities across Canada. Joleen Mitton, a former model who has Plains Cree and Blackfoot ancestry, launched the four-day event, held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, Canada.</p>
<p>As a teenager, Mitton traveled the globe modeling for major brands&#160;and had many photo shoots in Asia. She later returned to her roots in Canada, where she mentored teenage indigenous girls who grew up in foster care. She helped the girls reconnect with their First Nations heritage&#160;and recruited a few of them to walk down the runway at the inaugural fashion show.</p>
<p>On one evening of the event, models and attendees wore red in remembrance&#160;of the indigenous women and girls who have been kidnapped or murdered in Canada.&#160;According to a&#160; <a href="http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/missing-and-murdered-aboriginal-women-national-operational-overview" type="external">2014 report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police</a>, there were more than 1,000 victims over the past three decades, and Canada's minister for the status of women has said that&#160; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/17/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-in-canada-could-number-4000" type="external">figure exceeds 4,000 women</a>.</p>
<p>Here are photographs from the fashion show, and scroll down to see a video of the event.</p>
<p />
<p>Helen Tommy, 24, walks down the runway in an outfit designed by Okalani LeBlanc. Tommy, of&#160;Cree and Carrier (also known as Dakelh) First Nations, did not have many indigenous experiences in her early childhood while growing up in foster care. She reconnected with her culture through support programs for aborginal youth&#160;and later became a mentor herself.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>“To be away from my culture, I was very lost, disconnected, and I didn’t have a sense of self,” Tommy says. “When I came off of the runway today, I felt all the power in the show today. I welled up in tears because of the fact that our people weren’t allowed to come together in such amazing things like this,” she says, referring to past laws in Canada banning tribal gatherings. We’ve come a long way,” she continues, as she wipes away tears. “It gives me goose bumps.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Tommy says this event is “inspiring for not only our elders, but for our young ones to understand that it's OK to be First Nations in this society.”</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Seven-year-old Samantha Weatherbee wears a dress created by her mother, versatile designer Jill Setah. Setah first began designing indigenous-inspired clothing when her children needed traditional outfits to dance in their community’s powwow. Setah hails from the Yunesit'in Government&#160;and was accepted to showcase her work at Paris Fashion Week and Oxford Fashion Week this year.</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Designer Mia Hunt’s line mixes traditional and contemporary fashions. Her signature item: colorful button blankets featuring motifs of the eagle (her family crest)&#160;and the raven (her adopted family crest). Hunt was raised in the Heiltsuk Nation of the Central Coast of British Columbia and made her first button blanket for her father when he became a chief in 1981. Hunt continued designing blankets as traditional regalia for dancing, since all four of her daughters are dancers. In this photograph, her daughter Wagella models the blanket.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>"I grew up with artists all around me," Hunt says of her family of carvers and painters. "I was always interested in fashion as a little girl. I was tall and skinny, so I had to reinvent clothes for myself."</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Montana Gottfriendson, 23, is a traditional powwow dancer and the son of a former chief of the Secwepemc People (known by nonnatives as the Shuswap). He walked the runway for the first time during Vancouver's Indigenous Fashion Week.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>"There are not many aboriginal male models, so I feel privileged to be one of the chosen ones to be out there," he says. Gottfriendson modeled the fashions of many different designers during the four-day event, including a signature vest by the late Haida First Nation artist Bill Reid, considered one of Canada’s greatest artists. "It was a great honor to be asked to model Bill Reid's work. It is just nice to be out there representing my own background mixed with someone else’s art," he says.</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>First Nations designer Evan Ducharme created this gown for the <a href="http://www.redressproject.org/" type="external">REDress Project</a>&#160;in honor of the murdered and missing indigenous women and girls in Canada. While indigenous women and girls represent just&#160; <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/08/04/the-mystery-of-1000-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-in-canada" type="external">4.3 percent of Canada’s population, they account for 16 percent of murdered women</a> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/08/04/the-mystery-of-1000-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-in-canada" type="external">.</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Ducharme spent his childhood immersed in his indigenous Métis&#160;culture&#160;and learned to sew from his aunt and grandmother when he was 13. In his designs, he weaves in cultural aspects from his Métis community, such as the tradition of living off the land and the strength of matriarchs. The belts in Ducharme’s collection are “an interpretation of a Métis belt that my grandmother actually made using knots that were traditionally used in the making of fishing nets,” he says. “The birth of the Métis Nation was when European settlers had children with First Nations peoples, so it’s this meeting of two different cultures,” Ducharme says.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>His work helps reappropriate Native clothing by showcasing the beauty and meaning of the original designs created by indigenous people. “For so long, our cultures have been appropriated and taken and used without our permission,” Ducharme says. “Now, we get to have our own stories&#160;and our own ideas and our own interpretations of our indigenous culture out into the world.”</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Marissa Nahanee, from the Squamish and Nisga'a Nations of British Columbia, models a dress by Dorothy Grant of the Haida Nation. Grant's designs made an impression on Nahanee early on in her life. "I remember growing up as a little girl loving all of her clothes," she says. "When I started in my career in business, I knew I made it when I was able to buy my first Dorothy Grant, and this is what I got. So, this dress personally means a lot."</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>"I always try to include at least one indigenous clothing item in what I wear,” Nahanee says. “And, if it can be authentic and right from the artist, it helps show that we're still here, we're alive. We don't live in museums. We're everyday people; we have houses, we have cars, we take buses, we work at 9-to-5 jobs&#160;and we pay taxes. It's almost like living regalia; it's letting people know that, yes, you can be proud of being Native, being First Nations."</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>"We came from a past where we were not able to gather more than a few people,” Nahanee says, “and now here we are in the hundreds, in the masses, celebrating our art and culture, so it's an amazing, beautiful feeling."</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>First Nations designer Autumn Jules, 20, showcases a line she recently created in fashion school. Her work represents her indigenous community, the Teslin Tlingit Council of the Yukon Territory, near Alaska.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>“It was my mom and my grandmother who taught me how to beadwork at a young age, and I just interpreted it into my own thing,” Jules says. As a member of the Eagle Clan, Jules says she can use the eagle and whale emblem on her clothing, and her designs feature a killer whale.</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Timothy Shuter walks the runway in fashion by First Nations designer Shannon Kilroy. Kilroy comes from a family of seamstresses and artists working with embroidery, beading&#160;and fringe. Her work is inspired by the traditions and legends of her tribe, the Nlaka'pamux Nation. The beige-colored linens of Kilroy’s Earthline label reflect the landscape of the Plateau where her First Nations tribe comes from. Kilroy also incorporates beads, feathers and buckskin decorations into her designs.</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Designer Curtis Oland draws inspiration from his Lil’wat First Nation heritage, and he wants his fashion to break stereotypes in how indigenous cultures are represented. Oland’s work reflects memories of his childhood growing up in western Canada, such as fly fishing trips with his father and exploring nature in British Columbia’s interior.</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Cora Yeltatzie&#160;is wearing a raven’s feather tail headpiece to represent the raven clan of her family in the Haida Gwaii First Nation. The knitted blanket dress and patches of red tape on her arm symbolize the smallpox that decimated her tribe and many other indigenous people centuries ago, after contact with European colonizers.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>“I’m very honored and blessed to be part of the show today, and hopefully I can make a statement through this,” says Yeltatzie, who is pregnant with her fourth boy.</p>
<p>Sonia Narang/PRI&#160;</p>
<p>And here's a video from the event, as well.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Sonia Narang reported and photographed this story from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | earlier summer first vancouver indigenous fashion week featured creations 25 designers first nations communities across canada joleen mitton former model plains cree blackfoot ancestry launched fourday event held queen elizabeth theatre vancouver canada teenager mitton traveled globe modeling major brands160and many photo shoots asia later returned roots canada mentored teenage indigenous girls grew foster care helped girls reconnect first nations heritage160and recruited walk runway inaugural fashion show one evening event models attendees wore red remembrance160of indigenous women girls kidnapped murdered canada160according a160 2014 report royal canadian mounted police 1000 victims past three decades canadas minister status women said that160 figure exceeds 4000 women photographs fashion show scroll see video event helen tommy 24 walks runway outfit designed okalani leblanc tommy of160cree carrier also known dakelh first nations many indigenous experiences early childhood growing foster care reconnected culture support programs aborginal youth160and later became mentor 160 away culture lost disconnected didnt sense self tommy says came runway today felt power show today welled tears fact people werent allowed come together amazing things like says referring past laws canada banning tribal gatherings weve come long way continues wipes away tears gives goose bumps 160 tommy says event inspiring elders young ones understand ok first nations society sonia narangpri160 sevenyearold samantha weatherbee wears dress created mother versatile designer jill setah setah first began designing indigenousinspired clothing children needed traditional outfits dance communitys powwow setah hails yunesitin government160and accepted showcase work paris fashion week oxford fashion week year sonia narangpri160 designer mia hunts line mixes traditional contemporary fashions signature item colorful button blankets featuring motifs eagle family crest160and raven adopted family crest hunt raised heiltsuk nation central coast british columbia made first button blanket father became chief 1981 hunt continued designing blankets traditional regalia dancing since four daughters dancers photograph daughter wagella models blanket 160 grew artists around hunt says family carvers painters always interested fashion little girl tall skinny reinvent clothes sonia narangpri160 montana gottfriendson 23 traditional powwow dancer son former chief secwepemc people known nonnatives shuswap walked runway first time vancouvers indigenous fashion week 160 many aboriginal male models feel privileged one chosen ones says gottfriendson modeled fashions many different designers fourday event including signature vest late haida first nation artist bill reid considered one canadas greatest artists great honor asked model bill reids work nice representing background mixed someone elses art says sonia narangpri160 first nations designer evan ducharme created gown redress project160in honor murdered missing indigenous women girls canada indigenous women girls represent just160 43 percent canadas population account 16 percent murdered women 160 ducharme spent childhood immersed indigenous métis160culture160and learned sew aunt grandmother 13 designs weaves cultural aspects métis community tradition living land strength matriarchs belts ducharmes collection interpretation métis belt grandmother actually made using knots traditionally used making fishing nets says birth métis nation european settlers children first nations peoples meeting two different cultures ducharme says 160 work helps reappropriate native clothing showcasing beauty meaning original designs created indigenous people long cultures appropriated taken used without permission ducharme says get stories160and ideas interpretations indigenous culture world sonia narangpri160 marissa nahanee squamish nisgaa nations british columbia models dress dorothy grant haida nation grants designs made impression nahanee early life remember growing little girl loving clothes says started career business knew made able buy first dorothy grant got dress personally means lot 160 always try include least one indigenous clothing item wear nahanee says authentic right artist helps show still alive dont live museums everyday people houses cars take buses work 9to5 jobs160and pay taxes almost like living regalia letting people know yes proud native first nations 160 came past able gather people nahanee says hundreds masses celebrating art culture amazing beautiful feeling sonia narangpri160 first nations designer autumn jules 20 showcases line recently created fashion school work represents indigenous community teslin tlingit council yukon territory near alaska 160 mom grandmother taught beadwork young age interpreted thing jules says member eagle clan jules says use eagle whale emblem clothing designs feature killer whale sonia narangpri160 timothy shuter walks runway fashion first nations designer shannon kilroy kilroy comes family seamstresses artists working embroidery beading160and fringe work inspired traditions legends tribe nlakapamux nation beigecolored linens kilroys earthline label reflect landscape plateau first nations tribe comes kilroy also incorporates beads feathers buckskin decorations designs sonia narangpri160 designer curtis oland draws inspiration lilwat first nation heritage wants fashion break stereotypes indigenous cultures represented olands work reflects memories childhood growing western canada fly fishing trips father exploring nature british columbias interior sonia narangpri160 cora yeltatzie160is wearing ravens feather tail headpiece represent raven clan family haida gwaii first nation knitted blanket dress patches red tape arm symbolize smallpox decimated tribe many indigenous people centuries ago contact european colonizers 160 im honored blessed part show today hopefully make statement says yeltatzie pregnant fourth boy sonia narangpri160 heres video event well160 sonia narang reported photographed story vancouver british columbia canada160 | 812 |
<p>I received the following email from a colleague, sent to Senator Darrell Steinberg by a constituent, expressing her dismay with his call to boycott Arizona businesses because of the recent legislation attempting to deal with the state’s illegal immigration problem.</p>
<p>What’s even more interesting is that California Penal Code Section 834b states “Every law enforcement agency in California shall fully cooperate with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding any person who is arrested if he or she is suspected of being present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws, and attempt to verify the legal residency status of the person arrested.” (full text below)</p>
<p>A friend who is in law enforcement confirmed that this is indeed state law, making California and Arizona’s laws practically identical.</p>
<p>Dear Sen. Steinberg:</p>
<p />
<p>Have you read SB 1070? &#160;Federal law dating back to the Roosevelt administration requires all immigrants to carry papers.&#160; States require people driving a car to show a driver’s license.&#160; The law states that police MUST have another police reason for stopping the person other than they look like an immigrant.&#160; So SB 1070 does not create new illegalities, and is not racist or unconstitutional.&#160; To say AZ will use this in a racist fashion is a gross insult to law enforcement.&#160; I noticed that Doris Matsui does not read bills either. What is it with you Democrats?</p>
<p />
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p />
<p>XXXX, MD</p>
<p />
<p>Senator Darrell Steinberg’s response – notice that he did not use her professional title in his salutation:</p>
<p>Dear Ms. XXXX:</p>
<p />
<p>Thank you for your recent communication in support of Arizona’s recently enacted immigration law, SB 1070. This bill aims to identify, prosecute, and deport undocumented immigrants. This bill makes failing to carry immigration papers a crime and gives the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.</p>
<p>As you are probably aware, I recently wrote a letter to the Governor requesting that he inventory all contracts between the states of California and Arizona or any Arizona businesses to determine whether or not any of those contracts have escape clauses.&#160; I have also asked that California not enter into any new contracts with Arizona entities as a way to encourage Arizona to repeal SB 1070.&#160; I find the Arizona law as unconscionable as it is unconstitutional.&#160; It is my firm belief that the state of California should not be using taxpayer dollars to support such a policy.</p>
<p>The regulation of immigration is exclusively the province of the federal government, and the Arizona law threatens to undermine basic civil liberties guaranteed to all Americans – regardless of immigration status. As such, it should be challenged and struck down by the courts or repealed.&#160; I believe that all people have the obligation to stand up and speak out when we witness acts of overt discrimination, especially acts by government to sanction discrimination.&#160; This law, by definition, allows law enforcement to stop people because of the color of their skin.&#160; It is against everything this country stands for.</p>
<p>Although I believe that a vast majority of law enforcement officers would not stop people because of their race, some would, and SB 1070 is their license to do so.</p>
<p>Despite our differences on this issue, I trust that we agree on far more issues than we disagree.&#160; I appreciate hearing from my constituents on issues of concern to them.&#160; Please continue to express your views to me so I may best represent you in the state Senate.</p>
<p>If you need my assistance or have concerns about any other matter, please do not hesitate to call my office at (916) 651-1529, or email me at <a href="mailto:senator.steinberg@sen.ca.gov" type="external">senator.steinberg@sen.ca.gov</a>.</p>
<p />
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>DARRELL STEINBERG</p>
<p>President pro Tempore</p>
<p>6th Senate District</p>
<p>DS:ep</p>
<p>What struck me was not only the Senator’s apparent ignorance of the actual Arizona and California laws, but his narcissistic and condescending response. Darrell Steinberg is a lawyer, and I am not, nor is the doctor who penned the letter. Is it ignorance, arrogance, or is he in that deeply with the Democrat and public employee union agenda?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=3955319199+2+0+0&amp;WAISaction=retrieve" type="external">PENAL CODE SECTION 833-851.90</a></p>
<p>834b a) Every law enforcement agency in California shall fully cooperate with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding any person who is arrested if he or she is suspected of being present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws.</p>
<p>(b) With respect to any such person who is arrested, and suspected of being present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws, every law enforcement agency shall do the following:</p>
<p>(1) Attempt to verify the legal status of such person as a citizen of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted as a permanent resident, an alien lawfully admitted for a temporary period of time or as an alien who is present in the United States in violation of</p>
<p>immigration laws. The verification process may include, but shall not be limited to, questioning the person regarding his or her date and place of birth, and entry into the United States, and demanding documentation to indicate his or her legal status.</p>
<p>(2) Notify the person of his or her apparent status as an alien who is present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws and inform him or her that, apart from any criminaljustice proceedings, he or she must either obtain legal status or leave the United States.</p>
<p>(3) Notify the Attorney General of California and the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service of the apparent illegal status and provide any additional information that may be requested by any other public entity.</p>
<p>(c) Any legislative, administrative, or other action by a city, county, or other legally authorized local governmental entity with jurisdictional boundaries, or by a law enforcement agency, to prevent or limit the cooperation required by subdivision (a) is expressly prohibited.</p>
<p>– Katy Grimes</p> | false | 3 | received following email colleague sent senator darrell steinberg constituent expressing dismay call boycott arizona businesses recent legislation attempting deal states illegal immigration problem whats even interesting california penal code section 834b states every law enforcement agency california shall fully cooperate united states immigration naturalization service regarding person arrested suspected present united states violation federal immigration laws attempt verify legal residency status person arrested full text friend law enforcement confirmed indeed state law making california arizonas laws practically identical dear sen steinberg read sb 1070 160federal law dating back roosevelt administration requires immigrants carry papers160 states require people driving car show drivers license160 law states police must another police reason stopping person look like immigrant160 sb 1070 create new illegalities racist unconstitutional160 say az use racist fashion gross insult law enforcement160 noticed doris matsui read bills either democrats sincerely xxxx md senator darrell steinbergs response notice use professional title salutation dear ms xxxx thank recent communication support arizonas recently enacted immigration law sb 1070 bill aims identify prosecute deport undocumented immigrants bill makes failing carry immigration papers crime gives police broad power detain anyone suspected country illegally appreciate hearing important issue probably aware recently wrote letter governor requesting inventory contracts states california arizona arizona businesses determine whether contracts escape clauses160 also asked california enter new contracts arizona entities way encourage arizona repeal sb 1070160 find arizona law unconscionable unconstitutional160 firm belief state california using taxpayer dollars support policy regulation immigration exclusively province federal government arizona law threatens undermine basic civil liberties guaranteed americans regardless immigration status challenged struck courts repealed160 believe people obligation stand speak witness acts overt discrimination especially acts government sanction discrimination160 law definition allows law enforcement stop people color skin160 everything country stands although believe vast majority law enforcement officers would stop people race would sb 1070 license despite differences issue trust agree far issues disagree160 appreciate hearing constituents issues concern them160 please continue express views may best represent state senate need assistance concerns matter please hesitate call office 916 6511529 email senatorsteinbergsencagov sincerely darrell steinberg president pro tempore 6th senate district dsep struck senators apparent ignorance actual arizona california laws narcissistic condescending response darrell steinberg lawyer doctor penned letter ignorance arrogance deeply democrat public employee union agenda penal code section 83385190 834b every law enforcement agency california shall fully cooperate united states immigration naturalization service regarding person arrested suspected present united states violation federal immigration laws b respect person arrested suspected present united states violation federal immigration laws every law enforcement agency shall following 1 attempt verify legal status person citizen united states alien lawfully admitted permanent resident alien lawfully admitted temporary period time alien present united states violation immigration laws verification process may include shall limited questioning person regarding date place birth entry united states demanding documentation indicate legal status 2 notify person apparent status alien present united states violation federal immigration laws inform apart criminaljustice proceedings must either obtain legal status leave united states 3 notify attorney general california united states immigration naturalization service apparent illegal status provide additional information may requested public entity c legislative administrative action city county legally authorized local governmental entity jurisdictional boundaries law enforcement agency prevent limit cooperation required subdivision expressly prohibited katy grimes | 534 |
<p>UPDATE: Colombia’s national soccer team was knocked out of the World Cup on July 4 when it lost 2-1 to Brazil.</p>
<p>BOGOTA, Colombia — It’s been so long since Colombia last played in the World Cup that today’s national soccer team players barely remember those dispiriting matches.</p>
<p>The team’s marquee member, midfielder James Rodriguez, was only 8 when his country’s side, known as “Los Cafeteros” (the Coffee Men), was quickly eliminated from the tournament in France in 1998.</p>
<p>That’s why the entire nation is reveling in its winning streak at the World Cup in Brazil. The team handily won its first four games and has, for the first time ever, advanced to the quarterfinals with a showdown with Brazil in Fortaleza on Friday.</p>
<p>In addition, Rodriguez, now 22, has emerged as the breakout talent of the tournament. He has notched five goals — more than Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Brazil’s Neymar and Germany’s Thomas Muller — and is credited with one of the World Cup’s most spectacular strikes in Saturday’s game against Uruguay.</p>
<p />
<p>His back to the net, Rodriguez caught a pass with his chest at the top of the penalty area, then shocked the goalkeeper by twisting around and blasting a left-footed shot that banged off the crossbar and in. Uruguay was already reeling from the suspension of star striker Luis Suarez for biting an opposing player and Rodriguez’s no-look stunner seemed to break the team’s spirit.</p>
<p>“We are making history,” Rodriguez told reporters after the game.</p>
<p>Back in Colombia, his goal set off celebrations. When the ball went in “a chill went through my entire body,” said law student Alvaro Barrero, one of thousands of fans who watched Los Cafeteros’ 2-0 victory over Uruguay on a giant outdoor screen set up in a Bogota park.</p>
<p>Rodriguez and his teammates have also found glory on the sidelines in Brazil. After each goal, the team performs choreographed dances to celebrate. Their best moves have been compiled and set to music on YouTube.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>This outpouring of joy contrasts with Colombian soccer’s painful past.</p>
<p>In the 1980s and '90s, drug kingpins financed several of the country’s professional teams as a way to launder money — and scratch their soccer itch. They provided a huge monetary boost for some teams, like America de Cali, allowing them to sign top talent from around Latin America. America de Cali, it turns out, was underwritten by Miguel and Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, the leaders of the now-defunct Cali cartel.</p>
<p>“When I was coaching America de Cali, the team had a president. But everyone in the country, everyone in Cali, everyone on the team knew that the guy who ran things was Miguel Rodriguez,” said Francisco Maturana, who went on to coach Colombia’s national team in the 1990s, in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAd2brXDD7Q" type="external">documentary film</a> about cocaine traffickers and Colombian soccer.</p>
<p>This criminal influence perverted the game. Cartels and gambling syndicates often leaned on players and referees to throw matches. Colombia’s 1989 professional soccer season was canceled following the murder of a referee, while a soccer association president was imprisoned for drug-related crimes.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/140620/ecuador-world-cup-soccer-esmeraldas" type="external">Ecuador's World Cup squad brings hope to this poor, Afro-Ecuadorean province</a></p>
<p>Then there was the Coffee Men’s infamous performance at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. The star-studded team, which included Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama, Freddy Rincon and Faustino “El Tino” Asprilla, was coming off a 5-0 victory over Argentina in a qualifying play and seemed like a powerhouse. Brazilian legend Pele picked the Colombians to take home the trophy.</p>
<p>Instead, Colombia faltered. Several players received death threats from back home, which seemed to affect the team’s performance. In a stunning 2-1 loss to the US, defender Andres Escobar accidentally <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUW8wFOytiY" type="external">knocked the ball</a> into Colombia’s net for an own goal. Colombia was eliminated — and a week later, so was Escobar.</p>
<p>On July 2, 1994, Escobar got into a shouting match with patrons at a bar in his hometown of Medellin. The drunks taunted the player with shouts of “Own goal! Own goal!” When Escobar protested, he was shot six times.</p>
<p>The case remains shrouded in mystery. But the shooter, who confessed and served 11 years in prison, was a bodyguard for a cartel member. Many Colombians believe the killing was ordered by drug lords who had bet heavily on Colombia to advance at the World Cup.</p>
<p>Whatever the motive, the Escobar murder was a national disgrace for the sport and for Colombia, which seemed to be unraveling amid drug-fueled violence.</p>
<p>But over the past two decades, the country has undergone a dramatic metamorphosis. The big cartels were dismantled, Pablo Escobar was gunned down and the Rodriguez Orejeula brothers were imprisoned. Although drug trafficking continues, it is now carried out by smaller organizations that maintain low profiles and are less threatening. In addition, the Colombian government is negotiating a peace treaty with drug-trafficking rebels that could bring an end to 50 years of guerrilla war. All this has led to a steep drop in kidnappings, murders and other violent crime.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, soccer is on the mend. Investigators say that pro teams have largely cut their ties to the criminal underworld. Last year, for example, America de Cali was <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/asianet/130404/us-lifts-sanctions-colombian-soccer-team" type="external">removed</a> from the US Treasury Department’s list of Colombian narco-linked businesses.</p>
<p>David S. Cohen, the department’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, called the decision on America de Cali “a testament to the enormous efforts made by both the team and the Colombian government to completely break with the criminal influences that have overshadowed the team in the past.”</p>
<p>A new generation of talent has also emerged. Colombian coaches guided Costa Rica, Ecuador and Honduras to this year’s World Cup, with Costa Rica advancing to Saturday’s quarterfinals matchup against The Netherlands.</p>
<p>Colombia’s team is back in the World Cup for the first time in 16 years thanks to standouts like Rodriguez, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, and Radamel Falcao, the team’s dynamic striker who’s sitting out the tournament due to an injury. Most of these young guns are in their early 20s, prompting the Bogota newsweekly Semana to declare: “These legs are going to be around for a while.”</p>
<p>Colombian fans go nuts during the June 28 World Cup watch fest in Bogota. (Guillermo Legaria/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Of course, fans here can still get a little too passionate about the game. After Colombia defeated Greece in its World Cup opener, drunken revelers were involved in 3,000 fights that left nine people dead. That’s prompted authorities to ban alcohol sales in some cities when Colombia plays, and the dry law appears to be working: Recent celebrations have been mostly peaceful.</p>
<p>So, how long will the party last? Host-nation Brazil has won the World Cup a record five times and Colombia enters Friday’s game as the underdog. But the team is playing so well that some odds-makers are now <a href="http://www.betshoot.com/93030-Brazil-vs-Colombia-betting-tips" type="external">predicting</a> an upset.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/140702/which-world-cup-team-root-for" type="external">The US is out. So which World Cup team are we supposed to root for now?</a></p> | false | 3 | update colombias national soccer team knocked world cup july 4 lost 21 brazil bogota colombia long since colombia last played world cup todays national soccer team players barely remember dispiriting matches teams marquee member midfielder james rodriguez 8 countrys side known los cafeteros coffee men quickly eliminated tournament france 1998 thats entire nation reveling winning streak world cup brazil team handily first four games first time ever advanced quarterfinals showdown brazil fortaleza friday addition rodriguez 22 emerged breakout talent tournament notched five goals argentinas lionel messi brazils neymar germanys thomas muller credited one world cups spectacular strikes saturdays game uruguay back net rodriguez caught pass chest top penalty area shocked goalkeeper twisting around blasting leftfooted shot banged crossbar uruguay already reeling suspension star striker luis suarez biting opposing player rodriguezs nolook stunner seemed break teams spirit making history rodriguez told reporters game back colombia goal set celebrations ball went chill went entire body said law student alvaro barrero one thousands fans watched los cafeteros 20 victory uruguay giant outdoor screen set bogota park rodriguez teammates also found glory sidelines brazil goal team performs choreographed dances celebrate best moves compiled set music youtube outpouring joy contrasts colombian soccers painful past 1980s 90s drug kingpins financed several countrys professional teams way launder money scratch soccer itch provided huge monetary boost teams like america de cali allowing sign top talent around latin america america de cali turns underwritten miguel gilberto rodriguez orejuela leaders nowdefunct cali cartel coaching america de cali team president everyone country everyone cali everyone team knew guy ran things miguel rodriguez said francisco maturana went coach colombias national team 1990s documentary film cocaine traffickers colombian soccer criminal influence perverted game cartels gambling syndicates often leaned players referees throw matches colombias 1989 professional soccer season canceled following murder referee soccer association president imprisoned drugrelated crimes globalpost ecuadors world cup squad brings hope poor afroecuadorean province coffee mens infamous performance 1994 world cup united states starstudded team included carlos el pibe valderrama freddy rincon faustino el tino asprilla coming 50 victory argentina qualifying play seemed like powerhouse brazilian legend pele picked colombians take home trophy instead colombia faltered several players received death threats back home seemed affect teams performance stunning 21 loss us defender andres escobar accidentally knocked ball colombias net goal colombia eliminated week later escobar july 2 1994 escobar got shouting match patrons bar hometown medellin drunks taunted player shouts goal goal escobar protested shot six times case remains shrouded mystery shooter confessed served 11 years prison bodyguard cartel member many colombians believe killing ordered drug lords bet heavily colombia advance world cup whatever motive escobar murder national disgrace sport colombia seemed unraveling amid drugfueled violence past two decades country undergone dramatic metamorphosis big cartels dismantled pablo escobar gunned rodriguez orejeula brothers imprisoned although drug trafficking continues carried smaller organizations maintain low profiles less threatening addition colombian government negotiating peace treaty drugtrafficking rebels could bring end 50 years guerrilla war led steep drop kidnappings murders violent crime meanwhile soccer mend investigators say pro teams largely cut ties criminal underworld last year example america de cali removed us treasury departments list colombian narcolinked businesses david cohen departments secretary terrorism financial intelligence called decision america de cali testament enormous efforts made team colombian government completely break criminal influences overshadowed team past new generation talent also emerged colombian coaches guided costa rica ecuador honduras years world cup costa rica advancing saturdays quarterfinals matchup netherlands colombias team back world cup first time 16 years thanks standouts like rodriguez juan guillermo cuadrado radamel falcao teams dynamic striker whos sitting tournament due injury young guns early 20s prompting bogota newsweekly semana declare legs going around colombian fans go nuts june 28 world cup watch fest bogota guillermo legariaafpgetty images course fans still get little passionate game colombia defeated greece world cup opener drunken revelers involved 3000 fights left nine people dead thats prompted authorities ban alcohol sales cities colombia plays dry law appears working recent celebrations mostly peaceful long party last hostnation brazil world cup record five times colombia enters fridays game underdog team playing well oddsmakers predicting upset globalpost us world cup team supposed root | 690 |
<p>Red Light Jihad has been nominated for a Webby Award! We need your help to win for Best Online Documentary. <a href="http://pv.webbyawards.com/2015/online-film-video/general-film-categories/documentary-individual-episode" type="external">Vote here!</a></p>
<p>Also in this series: "Die Siamese pigs: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/141204/southern-thailand-patani-islamic-insurgency-facebook" type="external">Thailand's new breed of Facebook jihadis</a>," and <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/141204/red-light-jihad-about-the-video" type="external">"Red Light Jihad (VIDEO)</a>."</p>
<p>SUNGAI GOLOK, Thailand — Pin is stumbling drunk. When she bends down to refill a customer’s Heineken, her hair dips into the beer. Her breath smells like menthols and fish sauce. She is shrieking advances in tortured English at any male who passes by.</p>
<p>None of this is particularly odd in Sungai Golok, a gritty border town in Thailand. Pin is a 35-year-old sex worker in one of the city’s countless open-air bars. Cooing at strangers and plying them with overpriced beer is part of her job.</p>
<p>But nerves are extra raw tonight. The city <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/141204/southern-thailand-patani-islamic-insurgency-facebook" type="external">is under attack</a>.</p>
<p>Again.</p>
<p>One hour earlier, five bombs erupted in quick succession in various parts of the city. An innocent woman, killed by flying shrapnel, is sprawled in the street just a few blocks away. Soldiers have hastily draped a white sheet over her body. It covers all but her feet and a single manicured hand.</p>
<p>Shopkeepers are yanking iron gates shut. Locals are hunkering indoors.</p>
<p>Yet, in the city’s red-light zone, the beer keeps flowing and the electro-pop keeps blaring.</p>
<p>“I’m really scared,” Pin says. “I’m also really drunk.”</p>
<p>You won’t find Golok on the cover of any guidebook. It’s a surreal sex destination that Thailand’s tourism authorities don’t like to talk about. It’s a little bit Tijuana, a little bit Kabul.</p>
<p>The city is located in Thailand’s touristed south, sought out for its deluxe resorts and crystal-sand beaches. But few Westerners (or Thais for that matter) like to venture this far into the Thai-Malaysia borderlands — a region plagued by Southeast Asia’s bloodiest insurgency.</p>
<p>Everything that makes Thailand infamous is available in Golok: cheap booze, late nights, rented female company.</p>
<p>But these parties just happen to be raging inside territory claimed by jihadis who pull off hundreds of bomb attacks each year.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/141204/southern-thailand-patani-islamic-insurgency-facebook" type="external">jihadis are hell-bent</a> on turning this region into an Islamic breakaway state. Since 2004, their war against the Buddhist nation of Thailand has tallied more than 6,200 dead. That’s more conflict deaths in the last 10 years than in the Gaza Strip.</p>
<p>And yet the tourists keep coming. Not from Europe or the United States but from Muslim-majority Malaysia just across the border. They are men escaping provinces where Islamic codes forbid booze and miniskirts.</p>
<p>“When the Muslim guys get here, they drink hard,” says Tip, a brawny 33-year-old woman who manages Pin and several other women at the same bar. She has the look of an enforcer: camouflage pants, wallet chain, forearms raked by scar tissue.</p>
<p>Like many women on this strip, Tip has suffered from the attacks. She earned her scars right here, on the same strip, in a bombing several years back. For veterans of this city’s sex trade, witnessing an attack is practically a rite of passage. “I just cleaned off the blood and brought out more beer,” she says. “You have to get used to it.”</p>
<p>Pin — <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/141204/red-light-jihad-about-the-video" type="external">a slight woman in jean shorts</a> — is still drowning her worries in beer. She executes a sloppy pirouette, trips and plops into the laps of two male customers. The men look nearly comatose-drunk, oblivious to the bombings. Pin cracks open another Heineken and charges it to their tab.</p>
<p>“Sorry, Pin usually doesn’t misbehave. She’s just scared,” Tip says. “But we can’t shut the bar every time there’s an incident.”</p>
<p>“Very un-Islamic”</p>
<p>Nightclub bombings are just another casualty in southern Thailand’s guerrilla war, a conflict over land, power and religion.</p>
<p>This is where Southeast Asia’s Buddhist mainland, anchored by Thailand, merges uneasily into a long expanse of Muslim island nations.</p>
<p>The conflict dates back to the early 20th century when Siam (now Thailand) conquered Patani, an Islamic sultanate.</p>
<p>Its Muslim inhabitants were not thrilled to become subjects of a Buddhist kingdom. Their descendants have never quite assimilated into modern Thailand.</p>
<p>Many feel their homeland is still run like a colony. Four out of five people in the contested region are Muslim. Yet Thai Buddhists hold almost all of the power.</p>
<p>Obedience to the Thai state is enforced through never-ending martial law. The area is flooded with 60,000 armed security officers — about one for every 30 residents. Most don’t speak the local language (Malay), don’t follow the local faith (Islam) and don’t hesitate to raid villages under dubious pretexts.</p>
<p>Indignation has given rise to a shadowy network of jihadi cells with no unifying name or leader. In the war to reclaim their lost sultanate, the jihadis have rejected peaceful resistance in favor of extreme violence, often against civilians. They shoot monks, torch schools and deploy roadside bombs.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Their most sought-after prey: cops and soldiers, whom they call “Siamese pigs.” But they will attack anyone linked to the Thai state, including teachers, bureaucrats and Muslim collaborators.</p>
<p>Also targeted are brothels, karaoke joints and any place deemed an affront to Islamic values.</p>
<p>The region’s Muslim fighters are outraged at the spread of Thai sleaze, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/141204/red-light-jihad-about-the-video" type="external">says Wan Kadir Che Man,</a> an elder statesman of the insurgency. Now 73, he’s retired from managing separatist groups. But he still maintains contact with active jihadis.</p>
<p>“The [jihadis] say ‘This is against Islam!’ It’s their duty to eliminate this,” Wan Kadir says. “When you’re Muslim, and you see other people in your area doing things against Islam, you should stop them.”</p>
<p>For Wan Kadir, a man tempered by a youth spent in the US, bombing brothels is a step too far. But he insists that Thailand must defer to Muslim culture by moving sordid venues into walled-off zones away from public view.</p>
<p>Until that happens, he says, the nightclubs will continue to attract the wrath of hard-line jihadis. “For someone in the [Muslim villages] who just came back from Mecca ... this is very unusual,” Wan Kadir says. “This is very un-Islamic.”</p>
<p>Abu Imad is a 55-year-old insurgency leader who claims he is actively ordering attacks. In his eyes, brothels are more than just a nuisance. They’re a deliberate plot to pollute Muslim society.</p>
<p>“The Thais want to destroy our young generation,” says Abu Imad, who sits on the supreme council of the Patani United Liberation Organization, a separatist group founded in the late 1960s. “They use drugs and go to the prostitution house ... then they get HIV, go home and spread it to their wives.”</p>
<p>“Prostitution? No, no,” he says. “This is not our culture. This is their culture.”</p>
<p>“We’re not angels”</p>
<p>The Marina Hotel dominates Golok’s red-light scene.</p>
<p>At $31 per night, it is the city’s priciest attraction. That buys admission to a 15-story fortress of vice, with an in-house massage joint and two raucous nightclubs. There’s even a ballroom where diners are treated to a middle-aged crooner in Tammy Faye makeup butchering love songs.</p>
<p>The Marina Hotel is also a footnote in Asian terrorism history. In 2005, the insurgency’s first-ever car bomb exploded here, destroying the ballroom and claiming five lives. The hotel has been bombed at least four times, most recently in 2011 when four Malaysian tourists were killed.</p>
<p>And yet it’s often packed.</p>
<p>“You have to understand. We just want to be happy,” says Eddy, a goateed Muslim dad who slips out of Malaysia to party at the Marina. “Our government bans nightlife. So we have to seek out happiness in Thailand.”</p>
<p>In the Malay tongue, Sungai Golok means “Sword River.” A ribbon of neck-high water is all that separates the noise and squalor of Golok from Malaysia’s most devout state, Kelantan, a sleepy backwater with 1.5 million people. The state is controlled by an all-Muslim political party advocating for strict Islamic laws.</p>
<p>Forget about go-go bars; in Kelantan, cops can lock up unmarried women simply for making out. This is the sort of orthodoxy insurgents hope to enforce in Thailand’s deep south if they ever emerge victorious.</p>
<p>But many men living in Malaysia — namely Muslims and ethnic Chinese — seek an escape from this rigid society, at least for a weekend. Those with suspicious wives can even enter Thailand through back routes that don’t require a passport stamp.</p>
<p>“Yes, Islam says all this stuff is bad,” Eddy says. “But we’re not angels. Isn’t it normal to like girls?”</p>
<p>Like most male visitors to Golok, Eddy seems nonchalant about bombs potentially ruining his holiday.</p>
<p>It’s not like explosions are rare. The region, roughly the size of Connecticut, is hit by an average of 280 bombs per year, according to the independent organization Deep South Watch.</p>
<p>In 2007, the jihadis <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/110721/buddhists-arms-part-1" type="external">inflicted 91 bomb deaths here</a>— topping the number of US and US-led coalition bomb deaths <a href="http://icasualties.org/OEF/Index.aspx" type="external">that year in Afghanistan.</a></p>
<p>Bombs have ripped through Golok’s dance floors. They’ve exploded in karaoke joints and outside rent-by-the-hour hotels.</p>
<p>But after multiple Malaysian tourist killings, the city’s main red-light district is heavily defended. Closed-circuit cameras now scan every corner. Humvees rumble through every hour. Thai soldiers with M-16s stand guard outside neon-lit bars.</p>
<p>It has become a Green Zone for drunken men on the prowl.</p>
<p>The night ladies</p>
<p>The Night Lady is a karaoke joint stranded on one of the city’s rougher, second-tier party streets. The walls are painted Barbie pink. The squat toilet in back is accented by a disco ball twirling overhead.</p>
<p>“We’re open to everyone,” says Bam, the bar’s senior female employee. She is a twig-skinny woman with a ponytail and vigilant eyes. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a terrorist, a cop or a soldier. We accept them all!”</p>
<p>Ten years ago, Bam was a 20-year-old young woman seeking an escape from the rice fields. She came in search of a job indoors, away from the aching drudgery of field work and the skin-searing heat.</p>
<p>She found it in a Golok dive bar more than 1,000 miles south of her village.</p>
<p>Bam is now a 30-year-old sex worker with a head full of dark memories. She has taken shrapnel to the face. She has seen ambulances haul off the dead. “Once you have your second and third bombing,” Bam says, “you start to get used to it.”</p>
<p>Most of the city’s working women share Bam’s backstory. The overwhelming majority migrate here from the rice-farming heartland in Thailand’s north and northeast.</p>
<p>“You don’t have to force girls to come work here. Everyone likes money,” Bam says. “People can say my dignity is more important. ... Well, can I buy food with dignity? Or do they take cash?”</p>
<p>Bam’s job requires daily binge drinking and sleeping with strangers. She witnesses the occasional patron-on-patron stabbing. Add to that the nagging fear of jihadi bombs.</p>
<p>Yet Bam insists that, for Golok’s working women, selling sex in an insurgency zone is often their least bad option in life. “The money’s decent,” she says. “It’s more profitable than working in Bangkok.”</p>
<p>Men flocking to Thailand’s high-profile red-light zones — in Bangkok and in coastal Pattaya, a notorious sleazefest — are fickle. They’re from faraway places like Australia, Russia or Japan. Their numbers ebb when the global economy slumps or Thailand suffers through a military coup.</p>
<p>But the Malaysian guys are consistent, Bam says. They’re always just a river crossing away, and so nightlife-starved that they’ll wade into an insurgency for beer and sex.</p>
<p>“Even if I found out a customer was a terrorist, I wouldn’t say anything,” Bam says. “I’m here to make friends. Not enemies.”</p>
<p>Coyote dancers</p>
<p>Roughly 24 hours have passed since Golok and its surrounding districts came under attack. Authorities have tallied the carnage: more than 20 bombs, most of them small, targeting schools, markets and shops.</p>
<p>Pin, looking hungover, is back out on the strip. A blast-resistant military vehicle is idling on a nearby curb. The same model, a South African-made REVA, is also popular with the Iraqi army. Baby-faced troops with assault rifles are posted in the shadows.</p>
<p>If the jihadis intended to scare away partygoers, they failed. City workers have yet to scrub the bomb char off the pavement. But the men who love Golok are undeterred.</p>
<p>Most are drifting toward the Marina’s upstairs disco. A doorman kindly encourages all guests to deposit handguns in lockers by the entrance.</p>
<p>Inside, there’s a stage of “coyote” dancers, Thai women in bikinis gyrating to electro-dance music cranked to gut-quivering volume. (The term “coyote” dancers draws from the US film “Coyote Ugly” about women dancing sexily on New York City bar tops.)</p>
<p>Everyone entering the disco is accosted by a Thai aunty in a lilac pantsuit. She cups her hand to customers’ ears and screams instructions: Pick your favorite coyote girl, buy her lots of alcohol and give aunty a tip.</p>
<p>She recommends a 20-year-old, nicknamed Benz, who has a Samsung Galaxy 3 wedged into her bikini bottoms. Aunty boasts that she’s imported all the girls from Khon Kaen, a farming province in the far north. “Khon Kaen girls are light skinned and sexy!” she shrieks. “Everyone knows that!”</p>
<p>Many of the customers are middle-aged men behaving like boys on spring break. They’re pawing at dancers’ tights. One guy keeps drunkenly ashing a cigarette in his friend’s beer.</p>
<p>Jihadis once managed to plant a small bomb behind the loudspeakers on this very floor. If they repeat their strike right now, it’s possible these guys wouldn’t notice.</p>
<p>Downstairs, in the hotel’s ballroom, the atmosphere is less abrasive. A plump female crooner belts out Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” She appears to have applied an entire makeup aisle to her face.</p>
<p>There are men here too. They’re smoking, blowing nicotine storm clouds at the ceiling in between bites of mediocre Thai food.</p>
<p>The only other entertainment is a wall-mounted TV running a local news program. The displayed image is startling: a dead woman, half covered in a sheet, under hazy fluorescent lamps. It’s the woman who was killed last night just three blocks away.</p>
<p>Like her attackers, she was Muslim. It wasn’t a targeted hit, just the haphazard murder of a woman who passed by at the wrong time. Somehow, the bomb blast barely loosened her hijab. It was the shrapnel (possibly tiny nails, a jihadi favorite) that took her life. Her name was Sarika Mama.</p>
<p>The news plays closed-circuit security footage of the bombing on a loop. Everyone in the ballroom can watch Sarika’s killing — a blinding flash that flings her body out of the camera’s right-hand frame.</p>
<p>The Thai staff is staring at the screen.</p>
<p>The male tourists look disinterested.</p>
<p>The crooner on stage begins warbling through Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven.”</p>
<p>This article was edited by David Case, @DCaseGP.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | red light jihad nominated webby award need help win best online documentary vote also series die siamese pigs thailands new breed facebook jihadis red light jihad video sungai golok thailand pin stumbling drunk bends refill customers heineken hair dips beer breath smells like menthols fish sauce shrieking advances tortured english male passes none particularly odd sungai golok gritty border town thailand pin 35yearold sex worker one citys countless openair bars cooing strangers plying overpriced beer part job nerves extra raw tonight city attack one hour earlier five bombs erupted quick succession various parts city innocent woman killed flying shrapnel sprawled street blocks away soldiers hastily draped white sheet body covers feet single manicured hand shopkeepers yanking iron gates shut locals hunkering indoors yet citys redlight zone beer keeps flowing electropop keeps blaring im really scared pin says im also really drunk wont find golok cover guidebook surreal sex destination thailands tourism authorities dont like talk little bit tijuana little bit kabul city located thailands touristed south sought deluxe resorts crystalsand beaches westerners thais matter like venture far thaimalaysia borderlands region plagued southeast asias bloodiest insurgency everything makes thailand infamous available golok cheap booze late nights rented female company parties happen raging inside territory claimed jihadis pull hundreds bomb attacks year jihadis hellbent turning region islamic breakaway state since 2004 war buddhist nation thailand tallied 6200 dead thats conflict deaths last 10 years gaza strip yet tourists keep coming europe united states muslimmajority malaysia across border men escaping provinces islamic codes forbid booze miniskirts muslim guys get drink hard says tip brawny 33yearold woman manages pin several women bar look enforcer camouflage pants wallet chain forearms raked scar tissue like many women strip tip suffered attacks earned scars right strip bombing several years back veterans citys sex trade witnessing attack practically rite passage cleaned blood brought beer says get used pin slight woman jean shorts still drowning worries beer executes sloppy pirouette trips plops laps two male customers men look nearly comatosedrunk oblivious bombings pin cracks open another heineken charges tab sorry pin usually doesnt misbehave shes scared tip says cant shut bar every time theres incident unislamic nightclub bombings another casualty southern thailands guerrilla war conflict land power religion southeast asias buddhist mainland anchored thailand merges uneasily long expanse muslim island nations conflict dates back early 20th century siam thailand conquered patani islamic sultanate muslim inhabitants thrilled become subjects buddhist kingdom descendants never quite assimilated modern thailand many feel homeland still run like colony four five people contested region muslim yet thai buddhists hold almost power obedience thai state enforced neverending martial law area flooded 60000 armed security officers one every 30 residents dont speak local language malay dont follow local faith islam dont hesitate raid villages dubious pretexts indignation given rise shadowy network jihadi cells unifying name leader war reclaim lost sultanate jihadis rejected peaceful resistance favor extreme violence often civilians shoot monks torch schools deploy roadside bombs 160 soughtafter prey cops soldiers call siamese pigs attack anyone linked thai state including teachers bureaucrats muslim collaborators also targeted brothels karaoke joints place deemed affront islamic values regions muslim fighters outraged spread thai sleaze says wan kadir che man elder statesman insurgency 73 hes retired managing separatist groups still maintains contact active jihadis jihadis say islam duty eliminate wan kadir says youre muslim see people area things islam stop wan kadir man tempered youth spent us bombing brothels step far insists thailand must defer muslim culture moving sordid venues walledoff zones away public view happens says nightclubs continue attract wrath hardline jihadis someone muslim villages came back mecca unusual wan kadir says unislamic abu imad 55yearold insurgency leader claims actively ordering attacks eyes brothels nuisance theyre deliberate plot pollute muslim society thais want destroy young generation says abu imad sits supreme council patani united liberation organization separatist group founded late 1960s use drugs go prostitution house get hiv go home spread wives prostitution says culture culture angels marina hotel dominates goloks redlight scene 31 per night citys priciest attraction buys admission 15story fortress vice inhouse massage joint two raucous nightclubs theres even ballroom diners treated middleaged crooner tammy faye makeup butchering love songs marina hotel also footnote asian terrorism history 2005 insurgencys firstever car bomb exploded destroying ballroom claiming five lives hotel bombed least four times recently 2011 four malaysian tourists killed yet often packed understand want happy says eddy goateed muslim dad slips malaysia party marina government bans nightlife seek happiness thailand malay tongue sungai golok means sword river ribbon neckhigh water separates noise squalor golok malaysias devout state kelantan sleepy backwater 15 million people state controlled allmuslim political party advocating strict islamic laws forget gogo bars kelantan cops lock unmarried women simply making sort orthodoxy insurgents hope enforce thailands deep south ever emerge victorious many men living malaysia namely muslims ethnic chinese seek escape rigid society least weekend suspicious wives even enter thailand back routes dont require passport stamp yes islam says stuff bad eddy says angels isnt normal like girls like male visitors golok eddy seems nonchalant bombs potentially ruining holiday like explosions rare region roughly size connecticut hit average 280 bombs per year according independent organization deep south watch 2007 jihadis inflicted 91 bomb deaths topping number us usled coalition bomb deaths year afghanistan bombs ripped goloks dance floors theyve exploded karaoke joints outside rentbythehour hotels multiple malaysian tourist killings citys main redlight district heavily defended closedcircuit cameras scan every corner humvees rumble every hour thai soldiers m16s stand guard outside neonlit bars become green zone drunken men prowl night ladies night lady karaoke joint stranded one citys rougher secondtier party streets walls painted barbie pink squat toilet back accented disco ball twirling overhead open everyone says bam bars senior female employee twigskinny woman ponytail vigilant eyes doesnt matter youre terrorist cop soldier accept ten years ago bam 20yearold young woman seeking escape rice fields came search job indoors away aching drudgery field work skinsearing heat found golok dive bar 1000 miles south village bam 30yearold sex worker head full dark memories taken shrapnel face seen ambulances haul dead second third bombing bam says start get used citys working women share bams backstory overwhelming majority migrate ricefarming heartland thailands north northeast dont force girls come work everyone likes money bam says people say dignity important well buy food dignity take cash bams job requires daily binge drinking sleeping strangers witnesses occasional patrononpatron stabbing add nagging fear jihadi bombs yet bam insists goloks working women selling sex insurgency zone often least bad option life moneys decent says profitable working bangkok men flocking thailands highprofile redlight zones bangkok coastal pattaya notorious sleazefest fickle theyre faraway places like australia russia japan numbers ebb global economy slumps thailand suffers military coup malaysian guys consistent bam says theyre always river crossing away nightlifestarved theyll wade insurgency beer sex even found customer terrorist wouldnt say anything bam says im make friends enemies coyote dancers roughly 24 hours passed since golok surrounding districts came attack authorities tallied carnage 20 bombs small targeting schools markets shops pin looking hungover back strip blastresistant military vehicle idling nearby curb model south africanmade reva also popular iraqi army babyfaced troops assault rifles posted shadows jihadis intended scare away partygoers failed city workers yet scrub bomb char pavement men love golok undeterred drifting toward marinas upstairs disco doorman kindly encourages guests deposit handguns lockers entrance inside theres stage coyote dancers thai women bikinis gyrating electrodance music cranked gutquivering volume term coyote dancers draws us film coyote ugly women dancing sexily new york city bar tops everyone entering disco accosted thai aunty lilac pantsuit cups hand customers ears screams instructions pick favorite coyote girl buy lots alcohol give aunty tip recommends 20yearold nicknamed benz samsung galaxy 3 wedged bikini bottoms aunty boasts shes imported girls khon kaen farming province far north khon kaen girls light skinned sexy shrieks everyone knows many customers middleaged men behaving like boys spring break theyre pawing dancers tights one guy keeps drunkenly ashing cigarette friends beer jihadis managed plant small bomb behind loudspeakers floor repeat strike right possible guys wouldnt notice downstairs hotels ballroom atmosphere less abrasive plump female crooner belts celine dions heart go appears applied entire makeup aisle face men theyre smoking blowing nicotine storm clouds ceiling bites mediocre thai food entertainment wallmounted tv running local news program displayed image startling dead woman half covered sheet hazy fluorescent lamps woman killed last night three blocks away like attackers muslim wasnt targeted hit haphazard murder woman passed wrong time somehow bomb blast barely loosened hijab shrapnel possibly tiny nails jihadi favorite took life name sarika mama news plays closedcircuit security footage bombing loop everyone ballroom watch sarikas killing blinding flash flings body cameras righthand frame thai staff staring screen male tourists look disinterested crooner stage begins warbling eric claptons tears heaven article edited david case dcasegp 160 | 1,474 |
<p>By Jinny Henson</p>
<p>If not already, pretty soon the sun screen-shined SUV seats will be covered in permission slips, after-school snacks and random articles of clothing shucked en route to after school activities. The Road-Pro 12-Volt Slow Cooker you plug into your cigarette lighter will start looking good as nano seconds count in the carpool relay.</p>
<p>So as we prepare for the year, before we get lost in a Sharpie high, let’s get real for two minutes. I give you a few sanity-savers in shorthand:</p>
<p>1. Expect that your child will fail gloriously at least once this year. And guess what? So will you.</p>
<p>After selling a kidney to pay for her private tumbling lessons, your daughter may try out and not make the cheerleading squad when eight of her BFF’s do.</p>
<p>Your son could run for student body president and despite a $75 Sam’s Club vat of beef jerky adorned with the slogan, “Don’t be a JERK, Vote Ben for Prez!” he may lose. Using a speech you convinced him to let you tweak no less. Yes, that will leave a mark.</p>
<p>Your little guy will perhaps by God’s grace squeak out a C in Chemistry, which you know full well means that he will most likely not get into the college of his choosing.</p>
<p>You may have a toddler who is invited to leave preschool because of biting, or a 19-year-old son invited to leave the university for the same reason.</p>
<p>The great news? You probably will lay an egg of your own this school year.</p>
<p>You will go MIA: Missing the awards ceremony where your child is named student of the year. You will only remember this when your friends text you pictures after the fact. These pictures may or may not include your child with furrowed brow feverishly searching the crowd for your face.</p>
<p>The passion with which you volunteer to be snack mom in August outstrips your memory in November. If you do somehow miraculously remember, your snack will contain trace amounts of tree nuts sending at least one child searching for an <a href="https://www.epipen.com/about-epipen/how-to-use-epipen" type="external">EpiPen</a>. (Don’t ask me how scary this is or how I know. Snack moms everywhere: please use caution.)</p>
<p>Or, the mother of all sins: You forget to submit pictures for the yearend slide show. Of course the mom who assembles the whole shebang is certain that the 14th and 39th picture contain a forearm, pony tail or t-shirt most likely belonging to your child. Which makes everything way better.</p>
<p>Parents, even bringing your A game most of the time: You. Will. Seriously. Blow. It. Embrace this reality now and prepare in advance to grace yourself and your child.&#160;</p>
<p>2. Expect that your child will not be included in every single social event which occurs and do not have a panic attack about it. Your child smells your social anxiety, don’t stink-bomb your issues on the innocent.</p>
<p>Barring the mean-girl phenomenon, most of the time it is an oversight rather than a personal attack when your child is excluded. Mercifully, as kids age their birthday parties shrink in number present (or else none of us would survive to grandparenthood.) With fewer children being invited, often it is a numbers game rather than an intentional affront.</p>
<p>Nothing ruins a weekend like seeing four of your child’s buddies piling into a car with overnight bags after school on Friday. Or even more hurtful, them seeing the fun they are missing on Instagram. Just remember how fluid relationship dynamics are when you are 12, choose a fun activity of your own to do and take away the phone for the night if need be. As a parent you cannot make up for the hurt of peers but you can model how to shoulder disappointment gracefully. And get a dog.</p>
<p>Unfortunately we parents can suffer from “PKSD,” or Post Kickball Stress Disorder from childhood: being excluded, chosen last, being called fat, skinny, stupid or brainy. One in every 10 parents actually ate the paste in kindergarten. We all have our stuff, right? Too often we see our kids as people kits we try to perfectly construct as better versions of ourselves. If we are honest, at times the drive to ensure our kids are included stems from our own need for acceptance.</p>
<p>For every child there will come a time when they are the odd person out; such is the rhythm of life on Earth. Perhaps without that vital lesson they would not know empathy for others as they desperately need to. When this hurtful yet normal part of childhood occurs, train yourself to look for things in your life which are going right to thank God for. Disappointment is inevitable but what we do with it is up to us.</p>
<p>3. Remember that if you do this parenting gig right you work yourself out of a job.</p>
<p>I was floored recently as I saw a dad coaching his daughter through the process of making a waffle at the breakfast bar. She looked to be a bright 11-year-old, engaged in conversation about the bike race they would participate in the next day.</p>
<p>So the Father read the laminated waffle directions like he is Annie Sullivan pressing the letters W-A-T-E-R into the hand of Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker. She waited impishly on his every directive, insecurely followed orders and appeared afraid to fail. Chances are this young lady was more than capable of cranking out a waffle but she was simply not trusted with the task. We cannot expect a switch to flip at 18 and our children suddenly have great judgment when they have had limited experience using theirs. Let them burn a waffle at 11.</p>
<p>Envision your life in 20 years. Now envision your couch. Now envision your grown child eating your Ben &amp; Jerry’s, watching your TV on that couch. None of us truly see this as a beautiful outcome, do we? The thought perhaps is radical, but when we prepare the way for the child rather than the child for the way, we provide a false sense of the reality they will face.</p>
<p>Trust your children to handle their business as much as you possibly can. Sure, some children require more supervision than others to reach their full potential but start small this year and curtail the hovering. It will liberate you and train your child to be more self-sufficient. To be fair, in a calm conversation let the kids know that you expect them to be responsible for their “job” — schoolwork and extracurriculars. Then the hard part: let them struggle. The S-word, I know, but it is really, really important part of their growth as a person.</p>
<p>4. Pray.</p>
<p>As Oswald Chambers said, “It is not so much that prayer changes things but prayer changes me and I change things.” When we pray, we release the death grip we have on something when really we have no control upon it whatsoever. Prayer transforms our vision.</p>
<p>Prayer is a tool for me to reach out and focus on God who lasts forever rather than my problems which thankfully will not. Just silently contemplating the hugeness of God brings a breath of perspective I desperately need. When the desire to helicopter is strong, as is my desire for action, prayer is the action I need to take. It slows me down, tempers my emotion and gives me fresh eyes for the challenge at hand.</p>
<p>So as the summer fades from view and school hits like a monsoon, pace yourself, grace yourself, ditch the helicoptering and pray.</p> | false | 3 | jinny henson already pretty soon sun screenshined suv seats covered permission slips afterschool snacks random articles clothing shucked en route school activities roadpro 12volt slow cooker plug cigarette lighter start looking good nano seconds count carpool relay prepare year get lost sharpie high lets get real two minutes give sanitysavers shorthand 1 expect child fail gloriously least year guess selling kidney pay private tumbling lessons daughter may try make cheerleading squad eight bffs son could run student body president despite 75 sams club vat beef jerky adorned slogan dont jerk vote ben prez may lose using speech convinced let tweak less yes leave mark little guy perhaps gods grace squeak c chemistry know full well means likely get college choosing may toddler invited leave preschool biting 19yearold son invited leave university reason great news probably lay egg school year go mia missing awards ceremony child named student year remember friends text pictures fact pictures may may include child furrowed brow feverishly searching crowd face passion volunteer snack mom august outstrips memory november somehow miraculously remember snack contain trace amounts tree nuts sending least one child searching epipen dont ask scary know snack moms everywhere please use caution mother sins forget submit pictures yearend slide show course mom assembles whole shebang certain 14th 39th picture contain forearm pony tail tshirt likely belonging child makes everything way better parents even bringing game time seriously blow embrace reality prepare advance grace child160 2 expect child included every single social event occurs panic attack child smells social anxiety dont stinkbomb issues innocent barring meangirl phenomenon time oversight rather personal attack child excluded mercifully kids age birthday parties shrink number present else none us would survive grandparenthood fewer children invited often numbers game rather intentional affront nothing ruins weekend like seeing four childs buddies piling car overnight bags school friday even hurtful seeing fun missing instagram remember fluid relationship dynamics 12 choose fun activity take away phone night need parent make hurt peers model shoulder disappointment gracefully get dog unfortunately parents suffer pksd post kickball stress disorder childhood excluded chosen last called fat skinny stupid brainy one every 10 parents actually ate paste kindergarten stuff right often see kids people kits try perfectly construct better versions honest times drive ensure kids included stems need acceptance every child come time odd person rhythm life earth perhaps without vital lesson would know empathy others desperately need hurtful yet normal part childhood occurs train look things life going right thank god disappointment inevitable us 3 remember parenting gig right work job floored recently saw dad coaching daughter process making waffle breakfast bar looked bright 11yearold engaged conversation bike race would participate next day father read laminated waffle directions like annie sullivan pressing letters water hand helen keller miracle worker waited impishly every directive insecurely followed orders appeared afraid fail chances young lady capable cranking waffle simply trusted task expect switch flip 18 children suddenly great judgment limited experience using let burn waffle 11 envision life 20 years envision couch envision grown child eating ben amp jerrys watching tv couch none us truly see beautiful outcome thought perhaps radical prepare way child rather child way provide false sense reality face trust children handle business much possibly sure children require supervision others reach full potential start small year curtail hovering liberate train child selfsufficient fair calm conversation let kids know expect responsible job schoolwork extracurriculars hard part let struggle sword know really really important part growth person 4 pray oswald chambers said much prayer changes things prayer changes change things pray release death grip something really control upon whatsoever prayer transforms vision prayer tool reach focus god lasts forever rather problems thankfully silently contemplating hugeness god brings breath perspective desperately need desire helicopter strong desire action prayer action need take slows tempers emotion gives fresh eyes challenge hand summer fades view school hits like monsoon pace grace ditch helicoptering pray | 650 |
<p>Asad Jafri says he often hears, “I used to hate Muslims, just because I didn’t know them.”</p>
<p>That’s what some people tell Jafri after coming face to face with works created by artists of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network, a nonprofit based in Marquette Park on Chicago’s Southwest Side.</p>
<p>As the director of arts and culture, Jafri coordinates the organization’s cultural activities that encourage its artists to speak out about everything from gang violence and food deserts to stereotypes related to race, religion and gender–”all through visual art, theater, music and dance.</p>
<p>Jafri believes that, in pursuing social justice, art can be just as effective as the organization’s other activities, such as organizing and direct service–”most notably a free health clinic serving the Chicago Lawn and West Englewood neighborhoods. This is especially true, he says, when it comes to transforming culture to create an atmosphere where social change can happen. “We found that music and art is the No. 1 way to change the hearts and minds of people,” Jafri says.</p>
<p>Jafri has worked with the organization since 2003, when he started deejaying for the Community Café bimonthly spoken word night to promote a spirit of social change in Chicago. The organization’s other arts and culture programs include artistic workshops, various art productions, and the biannual Takin’ It to the Streets festival, which attracted about 20,000 people in June. The largest Muslim-led festival in the U.S., Takin’ It to the Streets blends performances by popular Muslim hip-hop artists such as Mos Def with social justice-focused seminars.</p>
<p>When 29-year-old Jafri talks about art, his passion bleeds through. A Pakistani-American citizen born in Kuwait, he found his identity through hip-hop, turntables and Islam as a Chicago teenager, and he understands why young Muslims struggle to define themselves in a world that’s often biased against Muslims.</p>
<p>The Chicago Reporter sat down with Jafri to talk about the changing artistic and cultural landscape for young Muslims in Chicago.</p>
<p>What challenges do you see for young Muslims today?</p>
<p>Young Muslims basically have all these stereotypes against them, and they don’t know how to express themselves. If you’re from an immigrant family, you feel like your parents just don’t understand. If you’re from a family that’s been brought up here, you’ll see an older generation of Muslims–”and the young people are just totally detached from it. We’ve had young people come here with Muslim names, and I’ve heard the other kids who aren’t Muslim, ask them, –˜Are you Muslim?’ And he’s like, –˜Naw, heck naw, I’m not Muslim’–”you know, really against it and not wanting to be that. It’s the disdain that if you’re labeled Muslim, that’s the worst thing you can be. There’s this misunderstanding, and young people having to be like, –˜Man, what am I? How do I describe myself?’ The biggest thing is just identity. How do you cope with having an identity that’s not even defined, and then it’s heavily stereotyped?</p>
<p>After Sept. 11, a lot of us found it easier to be Muslim. I feel like a lot of young Muslims found their voices because of that. I think that was a huge opportunity for people to be like, –˜Something terrible has happened. I’m being blamed collectively. I need to say something now, because there’s no more time for me to be a silent Muslim that just looks different and doesn’t say why I don’t eat certain things and why I pray at certain times and why I cover my hair. I could use this to create a positive out of a very negative situation.’ I think a lot of people did use that opportunity.</p>
<p>How are those challenges different from previous generations’?</p>
<p>It’s different than before when it was insular. Now young people are like, –˜We don’t want just our own Muslim community. We want to be very proud that we’re Muslim, but we also want to be part of everyone else and open up that conversation and be civically engaged.’</p>
<p>I think that’s what’s happening now–”a new era for Muslims to define who they are and take back their identity. In taking back their identity, it’s interesting to find that there is no one identity for a Muslim. That’s the beauty of it.</p>
<p>Why does your organization use art as a vehicle for social change?</p>
<p>We don’t see it as negative, No. 1. No. 2, it’s used as a tool for social change, because that happens across the world. If you watch the movie, –˜Amandla’ about the South African revolution against apartheid, it’s showing how music and dance really empowered and mobilized folks to get together and overcome the apartheid that was happening there.</p>
<p>Art, in general, also has a negative aspect. Propaganda was used heavily in Nazi Germany. If we turn on popular radio stations right now, it will be a lot of negative messages, misogynistic or homophobic. I think, innately, it can be used as a tool–”it’s great aesthetically and pleasing to the ear. But it’s really up to us how we use it, just like anything else. So I think the debate that music is bad, or as Muslims say, music is haram, to me is kind of like a lot of wasted time. It’s humans–”it’s us who take music for whatever we will.</p>
<p>Music is in nature all over, right? So from the birds singing to water to heartbeats. It’s all rhythm and melody and harmony. And in Islam, if you read the Koran, it’s poetry and it’s rhythmic. If you hear the call to prayer, it’s melodic and harmonious. It’s just the essence of humans, as spiritual beings, to express themselves artistically, because it’s all around us.</p>
<p>When you have a segregated city like Chicago, how far can art go in increasing cross-cultural understanding?</p>
<p>People have talked about using Detroit as an example for artists to come into a town that’s bombed out and nothing’s going on, and changing it so that it’s a place where people want to come. That has to happen through artists. It can’t happen through an urban planner who doesn’t care about the people but cares how the city looks, or an architect who totally is into the architecture aspect of it but not into the people.</p>
<p>Artists don’t come and say, –˜I just want to bulldoze this building and put up a Starbucks and Bank of America.’ They think about their environment and they reflect. It’s important to do that because you can’t live in a vacuum outside the things that influence all of us. So when you’re a community organizer by day, you don’t go home and sit in your community organizing zone not influenced by art and culture. You bring that to your community organizing world. I think it’s important for us to synergize all of that.</p>
<p>What are the stories that have stuck with you over the years?</p>
<p>The No. 1 thing is: People who did not know Muslims and either were apprehensive against them or wary in general have embraced Islam themselves, or just love the community and are just as integrated as anyone else. A lot of college and high school students will come and first be very confused. But then they start saying things like as-salamu alaykum to people, because it just means, –˜Peace be upon you,’ and they’re like, –˜Oh, OK.’ Young kids that aren’t Muslim will start using those things–”they’ll call their brothers ahki, which means brother. It’s cool for us to see because it’s like, –˜Well, you can go into another neighborhood and use language that’s used there, like slang–”why not do it with other Muslims?’ You’re appreciating the fact that you’re among people who use certain things that are good things, like saying peace to them.</p>
<p>It’s just amazing the power that it has when you’re around people, as their perspectives change. The Chicago police were out at Takin’ It to the Streets, chilling on their bikes, like, –˜We don’t have to do anything here.’ They were just having a good time. At the end of an event, usually you’ll have people being ushered out. There were a bunch of kids rapping. Usually when I’m in this situation, the police are looking at them, telling them to get out here, every time. I looked at them and said, –˜Do we need to tell them to leave?’ They were like, –˜They’ll be fine.’ I felt like I was the one who had to tell them to leave. It was so peaceful that people didn’t want to kick them out of the park.</p>
<p>Those kinds of experiences are important, because it totally blows away the stereotype that Muslims are extreme, terrorist-type of people. But also, it takes away the stereotype that people of color are unruly, and on the South Side of Chicago, you’re going to have chaos and riots if you have thousands of people somewhere. It’s like, –˜No, that’s not true,’ and we can show that’s not true.</p> | false | 3 | asad jafri says often hears used hate muslims didnt know thats people tell jafri coming face face works created artists innercity muslim action network nonprofit based marquette park chicagos southwest side director arts culture jafri coordinates organizations cultural activities encourage artists speak everything gang violence food deserts stereotypes related race religion genderall visual art theater music dance jafri believes pursuing social justice art effective organizations activities organizing direct servicemost notably free health clinic serving chicago lawn west englewood neighborhoods especially true says comes transforming culture create atmosphere social change happen found music art 1 way change hearts minds people jafri says jafri worked organization since 2003 started deejaying community café bimonthly spoken word night promote spirit social change chicago organizations arts culture programs include artistic workshops various art productions biannual takin streets festival attracted 20000 people june largest muslimled festival us takin streets blends performances popular muslim hiphop artists mos def social justicefocused seminars 29yearold jafri talks art passion bleeds pakistaniamerican citizen born kuwait found identity hiphop turntables islam chicago teenager understands young muslims struggle define world thats often biased muslims chicago reporter sat jafri talk changing artistic cultural landscape young muslims chicago challenges see young muslims today young muslims basically stereotypes dont know express youre immigrant family feel like parents dont understand youre family thats brought youll see older generation muslimsand young people totally detached weve young people come muslim names ive heard kids arent muslim ask muslim hes like naw heck naw im muslimyou know really wanting disdain youre labeled muslim thats worst thing theres misunderstanding young people like man describe biggest thing identity cope identity thats even defined heavily stereotyped sept 11 lot us found easier muslim feel like lot young muslims found voices think huge opportunity people like something terrible happened im blamed collectively need say something theres time silent muslim looks different doesnt say dont eat certain things pray certain times cover hair could use create positive negative situation think lot people use opportunity challenges different previous generations different insular young people like dont want muslim community want proud muslim also want part everyone else open conversation civically engaged think thats whats happening nowa new era muslims define take back identity taking back identity interesting find one identity muslim thats beauty organization use art vehicle social change dont see negative 1 2 used tool social change happens across world watch movie amandla south african revolution apartheid showing music dance really empowered mobilized folks get together overcome apartheid happening art general also negative aspect propaganda used heavily nazi germany turn popular radio stations right lot negative messages misogynistic homophobic think innately used toolits great aesthetically pleasing ear really us use like anything else think debate music bad muslims say music haram kind like lot wasted time humansits us take music whatever music nature right birds singing water heartbeats rhythm melody harmony islam read koran poetry rhythmic hear call prayer melodic harmonious essence humans spiritual beings express artistically around us segregated city like chicago far art go increasing crosscultural understanding people talked using detroit example artists come town thats bombed nothings going changing place people want come happen artists cant happen urban planner doesnt care people cares city looks architect totally architecture aspect people artists dont come say want bulldoze building put starbucks bank america think environment reflect important cant live vacuum outside things influence us youre community organizer day dont go home sit community organizing zone influenced art culture bring community organizing world think important us synergize stories stuck years 1 thing people know muslims either apprehensive wary general embraced islam love community integrated anyone else lot college high school students come first confused start saying things like assalamu alaykum people means peace upon theyre like oh ok young kids arent muslim start using thingstheyll call brothers ahki means brother cool us see like well go another neighborhood use language thats used like slangwhy muslims youre appreciating fact youre among people use certain things good things like saying peace amazing power youre around people perspectives change chicago police takin streets chilling bikes like dont anything good time end event usually youll people ushered bunch kids rapping usually im situation police looking telling get every time looked said need tell leave like theyll fine felt like one tell leave peaceful people didnt want kick park kinds experiences important totally blows away stereotype muslims extreme terroristtype people also takes away stereotype people color unruly south side chicago youre going chaos riots thousands people somewhere like thats true show thats true | 752 |
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<p>Money is worth its weight in gold in its ability to pull political strings in Washington. &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; On Monday, I wrote on how President Obama was billed to interrupt his vacation to help Democrat nominee, Hillary Clinton raise some funds for her campaign. That Obama did not interrupt his vacation to attend to the Louisiana flood but he could interrupt the vacation <a href="" type="internal">to raise funds for Hillary</a> is a discussion for another day. In the last couple of days, I have been paying special attention to events on the campaign trail and it appears that both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are ready to court wealthy donors to raise funds for their campaign.</p>
<p>The fundraising event that Obama attended with Hillary in Martha’s Vineyard is just the tip of the iceberg. In the next two months, Hillary will be out on the <a href="https://hillaryspeeches.com/scheduled-events/" type="external">fundraising circuit</a> that will take her through 16 states, Washington, D.C, and an international event in the Netherlands. The Wall Street Journal observes that Clinton will attend as many as 60 fundraising events where she will hobnob with wealthy celebs such as Jennifer Garner, Barbra Streisand, and Jimmy Buffet among others.</p>
<p>Hillary’s quest to get <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00000019" type="external">the fat checks</a> that will fund her campaign will also see her spending some time in some of American’s wealthiest neighborhoods. For instance, Hillary has already attended a $10,000 per plate dinner in Martha’s Vineyard. She’ll also be heading out to Nantucket, Beverly Hills, Silicon Valley, Sag Harbor, and Laguna Beach among others.</p>
<p>Mrs. Clinton’s fundraising itinerary bears sharp contrast to Obama’s fundraising efforts, which had the biggest support from the grassroots. To start with, Obama’s 2008 campaign was <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-fundraising-powered-by-small-donors-new-study-shows/2012/02/08/gIQANfKIzQ_story.html" type="external">powered by small donors</a> with about 22% of his donors giving out less than $200. In his 2012 outing, about 48% of his donors were small donors contributing less than $200.</p>
<p>A CFI Study noted that Obama was “able to capitalize on the 13-million person mailing list he assembled in 2008 to launch into small-donor fundraising at a much faster pace than four years ago.”&#160; Despite his reliance on grassroots support from small donors, Obama was able to set new fundraising records. In fact, , Obama is the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down public financing in the general election since 1976 when it became legal to accept public financing for campaigns.</p>
<p>It is already obvious that even though Obama has vocally endorsed Hillary, Hillary and Obama have significantly different fundamental beliefs about how election campaigns should be funded.</p>
<p>Donald Trump despite all his outsider stance and nonchalant attitude is also worshiping at the altar of the big money bags. Trump is reportedly scheduled to attend about 30 fundraising events in the next 6 weeks. More so, Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence is scheduled to attend about 20 fundraising events in the same period. Of course, one could argue that Trump is not attending as many fundraising events as Hillary Clinton; hence, Trump might logically be the lesser of two evils inasmuch taking money out of politics is concerned.</p>
<p>However, Steve Mnuchin, Trump’s finance chairman has said that Trump is not likely to attend a fundraising event that won’t raise upwards of $1M: hence, I posit that Trump is as guilty as Hillary Clinton is in courting the special interest groups who write <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864" type="external">the fattest checks</a>.</p>
<p>Hillary is a career politician but she has also made bold moves to show that money won’t influence her if she gets to the White House. Earlier today, news broke that the Clinton family will stop collecting money for the Clinton Foundation and that the fundraising for the foundations would be left to independent third parties. The Clinton Foundation will also stop collecting corporate and foreign donations if Clinton becomes president. More so, the Clintons’ have said they’ll kill the Clinton Global Initiative which receives funds from corporations, philanthropies, and foreign governments.</p>
<p>Donald Trump has set up himself up as antiestablishment who is out to drive the career politicians out of Washington. The main selling point of his campaign is that he is an outsider who doesn’t have much support from special interest groups and lobbyists; hence, he is not likely to defer to those wealthy douche bags in governance. Of course, you might have issue with Trump’s bankruptcy history, but there’s no denying the fact that he is a billionaire who might not need much financial help running his campaign – I am doubtful that Trump will stake his fortune on the presidential ambition though.</p>
<p>It is no longer news that money is worth its weight in gold in its ability to pull political strings in Washington. However, the two leading presidential candidates are saying that they won’t allow money to influence them even though the checks from the donors are rolling in. November is almost here, I would be watching to see how our next president acts when it is time to piper.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | 160 money worth weight gold ability pull political strings washington 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 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hillary clinton donald trump ready court wealthy donors raise funds campaign fundraising event obama attended hillary marthas vineyard tip iceberg next two months hillary fundraising circuit take 16 states washington dc international event netherlands wall street journal observes clinton attend many 60 fundraising events hobnob wealthy celebs jennifer garner barbra streisand jimmy buffet among others hillarys quest get fat checks fund campaign also see spending time americans wealthiest neighborhoods instance hillary already attended 10000 per plate dinner marthas vineyard shell also heading nantucket beverly hills silicon valley sag harbor laguna beach among others mrs clintons fundraising itinerary bears sharp contrast obamas fundraising efforts biggest support grassroots start obamas 2008 campaign powered small donors 22 donors giving less 200 2012 outing 48 donors small donors contributing less 200 cfi study noted obama able capitalize 13million person mailing list assembled 2008 launch smalldonor fundraising much faster pace four years ago160 despite reliance grassroots support small donors obama able set new fundraising records fact obama first majorparty presidential candidate turn public financing general election since 1976 became legal accept public financing campaigns already obvious even though obama vocally endorsed hillary hillary obama significantly different fundamental beliefs election campaigns funded donald trump despite outsider stance nonchalant attitude also worshiping altar big money bags trump reportedly scheduled attend 30 fundraising events next 6 weeks trumps running mate mike pence scheduled attend 20 fundraising events period course one could argue trump attending many fundraising events hillary clinton hence trump might logically lesser two evils inasmuch taking money politics concerned however steve mnuchin trumps finance chairman said trump likely attend fundraising event wont raise upwards 1m hence posit trump guilty hillary clinton courting special interest groups write fattest checks hillary career politician also made bold moves show money wont influence gets white house earlier today news broke clinton family stop collecting money clinton foundation fundraising foundations would left independent third parties clinton foundation also stop collecting corporate foreign donations clinton becomes president clintons said theyll kill clinton global initiative receives funds corporations philanthropies foreign governments donald trump set antiestablishment drive career politicians washington main selling point campaign outsider doesnt much support special interest groups lobbyists hence likely defer wealthy douche bags governance course might issue trumps bankruptcy history theres denying fact billionaire might need much financial help running campaign doubtful trump stake fortune presidential ambition though longer news money worth weight gold ability pull political strings washington however two leading presidential candidates saying wont allow money influence even though checks donors rolling november almost would watching see next president acts time piper 160 | 877 |
<p>By Ken Camp</p>
<p>A federal judge overturned Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage Feb. 26, saying it denies gay couples equal protection under the law.</p>
<p>The judge’s preliminary injunction prohibits the state from enforcing a 2003 law against same-sex unions and a 2005 amendment to the Texas Constitution that defines marriage exclusively as involving one man and one woman. However, he stayed that order pending appeal.</p>
<p>“Without a rational relation to a legitimate governmental purpose, state-imposed inequality can find no refuge in our United States Constitution,” <a href="http://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/General/Judges/biographyview.asp?bID=22" type="external">U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia</a> ruled.</p>
<p>Since the marriage amendment to the Texas Constitution denies homosexual couples the right to marry, it “demean[s] their dignity for no legitimate reason,” Garcia wrote.</p>
<p>“Equal treatment of all individuals under the law is not merely an aspiration — it is a constitutional mandate,” he wrote. “Consequently, equal protection is at the heart of our legal system and is essential for the existence of a free society.”</p>
<p>Gov. Rick Perry denounced the ruling, saying the state will appeal the court’s decision.</p>
<p>“Texans spoke loud and clear by overwhelmingly voting to define marriage as a union between a man and woman in our constitution, and it is not the role of the federal government to overturn the will of our citizens,” he said.</p>
<p>Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a Republican candidate for governor, announced the state would appeal the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.</p>
<p>“The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled over and over again that states have the authority to define and regulate marriage,” Abbott said. “The Texas constitution defines marriage as between one man and one woman. If the 5th Circuit honors those precedents, then today’s decision should be overturned and the Texas constitution will be upheld.”</p>
<p>Strong reaction</p>
<p>The ruling drew strong reaction from the faith community and political activists on both sides of the same-sex marriage issue.</p>
<p>The court ruling “is a cause for great concern,” said Gus Reyes, director of the <a href="http://texasbaptists.org/clc/" type="external">Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission</a>.</p>
<p>“It reflects a trend in our society, but it is one which troubles many Texas Baptists because it goes against biblical teachings regarding marriage and sexual behavior. In past <a href="http://texasbaptists.org/about/what-we-believe/homosexuality/" type="external">annual meetings</a>, Texas Baptists have consistently expressed a conviction that marriage is to be between a man and a woman,” Reyes said.</p>
<p>“Texas Baptists surely respect the rights of all individuals, but society also has the right to sanction some behaviors and to limit others because of the impact our individual lives have on the broader community. Our society has supported marriage between a woman and a man because it provides the natural means of parenting each new generation. We continue to pray that God will give wisdom to leaders as decisions are made regarding this issue.”</p>
<p>In contrast, Larry Bethune, pastor of University Baptist Church in Austin and a founding member of the board of directors for the <a href="http://www.tfn.org/" type="external">Texas Freedom Network</a>, praised the ruling as “historic both for religious freedom and civil liberties.”</p>
<p>“It respects the religious freedom of many congregations, like my own, that have been blessing same-sex unions for several years,” he said. “Moreover, marriage equality acknowledges the worth and dignity of all families under the law, as well as in our faith tradition.”</p>
<p>In 1998, the Baptist General Convention of Texas executive board voted to decline any financial contributions from University Baptist Church — essentially cutting its ties with the church — after the congregation ordained an acknowledged homosexual as a deacon.</p>
<p>‘Neither surprised nor defeated’</p>
<p>“While our culture is clearly moving away from biblical marriage, God is neither surprised nor defeated,” said Jim Denison, founding president of the <a href="http://www.denisonforum.org/" type="external">Denison Forum on Truth and Culture</a>.</p>
<p>“As Christians, we should be reminded that homosexual activity is not the unpardonable sin. God loves gay people just as much as he loves straight people. His truth still sets us free. And reality does not change when we redefine it.”</p>
<p>Denison took issue with the judge’s assertion that a ban on same-sex marriage “has no relation to legitimate government purpose.”</p>
<p>“Enforcing the will of the people is a ‘legitimate government purpose,’” said Denison, former pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas and BGCT theologian-in-residence.</p>
<p>He questioned whether the same logic that allows gay marriage could be used to justify government sanction for other types of unions.</p>
<p>“If ‘marriage’ without restrictions is a right, why should it be limited to adults? Why should it be forbidden to polygamous relationships or marriage within families? Nowhere does the constitution grant the ‘right to marriage.’ However, the First Amendment clearly protects freedom of speech and free exercise of religion. If same-sex marriages are made legal, will churches be forced to perform them? Will religious organizations be forced to provide benefits for them?” he asked.</p>
<p>Denison disputed assertions that all opponents of same-sex marriage are bigoted.</p>
<p>“All sex outside of marriage, whether homosexual or heterosexual, is unbiblical. God wants each of us to experience his abundant life. The One who made us knows that living by his word with regard to sexual activity is best for us,” he said.</p>
<p>Evan Wolfson, founding president of <a href="http://www.freedomtomarry.org/" type="external">Freedom to Marry</a>, called the court’s decision “solid and serious,” and Chad Griffin, president of the <a href="http://www.hrc.org/" type="external">Human Rights Campaign</a>, insisted the ruling “sends a powerful message that gay and lesbian Texans are being harmed by inequality.”</p>
<p>Jonathan Saenz, president of <a href="http://txvalues.org/" type="external">Texas Values</a>, decried the ruling as “the most egregious form of judicial activism of our generation.”</p>
<p>“This hollow victory and clear attack on morality and the rule of law will not stand in Texas,” he said. “This is just the beginning of an epic battle that the Texas people will ultimately win in the name of the one true and lawful definition of marriage — one man and one woman.”</p> | false | 3 | ken camp federal judge overturned texas ban samesex marriage feb 26 saying denies gay couples equal protection law judges preliminary injunction prohibits state enforcing 2003 law samesex unions 2005 amendment texas constitution defines marriage exclusively involving one man one woman however stayed order pending appeal without rational relation legitimate governmental purpose stateimposed inequality find refuge united states constitution us district judge orlando garcia ruled since marriage amendment texas constitution denies homosexual couples right marry demeans dignity legitimate reason garcia wrote equal treatment individuals law merely aspiration constitutional mandate wrote consequently equal protection heart legal system essential existence free society gov rick perry denounced ruling saying state appeal courts decision texans spoke loud clear overwhelmingly voting define marriage union man woman constitution role federal government overturn citizens said texas attorney general greg abbott republican candidate governor announced state would appeal ruling 5th us circuit court appeals us supreme court ruled states authority define regulate marriage abbott said texas constitution defines marriage one man one woman 5th circuit honors precedents todays decision overturned texas constitution upheld strong reaction ruling drew strong reaction faith community political activists sides samesex marriage issue court ruling cause great concern said gus reyes director texas baptist christian life commission reflects trend society one troubles many texas baptists goes biblical teachings regarding marriage sexual behavior past annual meetings texas baptists consistently expressed conviction marriage man woman reyes said texas baptists surely respect rights individuals society also right sanction behaviors limit others impact individual lives broader community society supported marriage woman man provides natural means parenting new generation continue pray god give wisdom leaders decisions made regarding issue contrast larry bethune pastor university baptist church austin founding member board directors texas freedom network praised ruling historic religious freedom civil liberties respects religious freedom many congregations like blessing samesex unions several years said moreover marriage equality acknowledges worth dignity families law well faith tradition 1998 baptist general convention texas executive board voted decline financial contributions university baptist church essentially cutting ties church congregation ordained acknowledged homosexual deacon neither surprised defeated culture clearly moving away biblical marriage god neither surprised defeated said jim denison founding president denison forum truth culture christians reminded homosexual activity unpardonable sin god loves gay people much loves straight people truth still sets us free reality change redefine denison took issue judges assertion ban samesex marriage relation legitimate government purpose enforcing people legitimate government purpose said denison former pastor park cities baptist church dallas bgct theologianinresidence questioned whether logic allows gay marriage could used justify government sanction types unions marriage without restrictions right limited adults forbidden polygamous relationships marriage within families nowhere constitution grant right marriage however first amendment clearly protects freedom speech free exercise religion samesex marriages made legal churches forced perform religious organizations forced provide benefits asked denison disputed assertions opponents samesex marriage bigoted sex outside marriage whether homosexual heterosexual unbiblical god wants us experience abundant life one made us knows living word regard sexual activity best us said evan wolfson founding president freedom marry called courts decision solid serious chad griffin president human rights campaign insisted ruling sends powerful message gay lesbian texans harmed inequality jonathan saenz president texas values decried ruling egregious form judicial activism generation hollow victory clear attack morality rule law stand texas said beginning epic battle texas people ultimately win name one true lawful definition marriage one man one woman | 560 |
<p>Cubans who have come to this country are treated in vastly different ways compared to many other Latino migrants. The biggest difference is because of the wet foot, dry foot policy which says Cuban immigrants caught at sea must go back to Cuba, but if they set foot in the US, they automatically get to stay here.</p>
<p>For many Latinos, that seems like an unfair privilege and it hurts even more knowing that deportation of immigrants is still at record highs — close to half a million people in 2015.</p>
<p>In the past, a portion of those deportations — in some years as much as half — were convicted criminals. But now the number of non-criminal deportations is growing and we’re seeing more moms and kids cross the border into the US.</p>
<p>That’s prompted a growth in the sanctuary church movement. Sanctuary churches are exactly that: Houses of worship where undocumented people can go who fear deportation.</p>
<p>I visited one of them, the United Methodist Church in North Hills, which is smack dab in the center of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.</p>
<p>It was the Palm Sunday service&#160;that began around 6:30 a.m. with about 60 people in a procession around the church and into the street.</p>
<p>North Hills is a pretty tough part of Los Angeles. Gang violence — especially Latino gangs — was rampant through the 1990s. The LAPD managed to bring some of it under control but bad stuff still happens. A year ago, gang violence — most likely — <a href="http://ktla.com/2015/01/22/1-dead-1-wounded-in-shooting-in-church-parking-lot-in-north-hills/" type="external">led to a fatal shooting</a> in the parking lot of the church itself.</p>
<p>On Palm Sunday though, the mood was light. There was a strong turnout of talented musicians, congregants waved their palm fronds and people seemed relaxed and happy, but Pastor Fred Morris began his sermon with an ominous note.</p>
<p>"No abra la puerta (don’t open the door)," he said several times, in Spanish and English. The largely Latino congregation knew exactly what he was talking about.</p>
<p>"If someone comes and pounds on your door at 6&#160;in the morning saying it’s the police, you don’t have to open your door," Pastor Morris said during the service. "If they have a search warrant then ask them to pass it under the door, do not open the door. Read it. If you’re not mentioned pass it back."</p>
<p>Paster Morris has been at the United Methodist Church in North Hills for a year and a half. This church, the sanctuary, the community, all of this, is his mission. He came out of retirement for it, urged on by an old friend, a Latina bishop.</p>
<p>"I was living in a hammock in Nicaragua enjoying my retired status," he told me later. "She asked me and my wife to come here and start a new faith community in this place."</p>
<p>And in addition to preaching the gospel of Jesus, he’s been reminding his flock of their constitutional rights when agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might one day coming knocking on their door.</p>
<p>"If you do open the door they go in, at gunpoint," he said. "If you don’t open the door they cannot come in."</p>
<p>Pastor Morris’ advice has been useful to many in his congregation — including one family from Mexico who last Wednesday did not open their door when ICE agents paid a visit.</p>
<p>But moments after ICE departed, the father had to leave the house and the authorites pulled him over while he took his daughter to school. Pastor Morris told the congregation about it during his sermon.&#160;"Immigration Customs Enforcement agency, which is the largest police force in the United States, arrested one of our neighbors across the street over here leaving his wife and two children.&#160;He is in a detention center in Victorville and is going to have to be dealing with deportation order," he said.</p>
<p>That man, David González, was detained.</p>
<p>I met his wife, Beatriz Orduña Abarca. We spoke about her husband’s situation.</p>
<p />
<p>Beatriz Orduña Abarca with her 9-year-old daughter, Lindsay González, a US citizen. Abarca's husband was detained by US immigration officials last week. Now, Abarca and her daughter are unsure how they will get by without him, and whether they should seek sanctuary at the church, which is offering lodging for immigrant families in situations like theirs.</p>
<p>Marco Werman</p>
<p>Abarca said he was taken in because he was using a fake driver’s license. But she hasn’t heard much else and she’s afraid to go to the detention center herself because she’s also undocumented. She doesn’t know whether he’ll be allowed to stay here or deported back to Mexico — after living in the United States 16 years.</p>
<p>One detail she’s confused by is whether her husband is also being held on a years-old domestic abuse charge that she says had been cleared up.</p>
<p>Pastor Morris has been trying to get them a lawyer. But as Morris told me, pro-bono immigration lawyers are maxed-out with cases, so that’s hard.</p>
<p>As I spoke about all this with Abarca, her 9-year-old daughter Lindsay sat close to her — she was in her dad’s car when ICE arrested him last week.</p>
<p>I asked Abarca about what’s been hardest without her husband not around. "Everything, she said. "Everything."</p>
<p>Rent, bills and food were all more challenging to manage without her husband she said.</p>
<p>It was then, she got to a point where it was just too much to talk about anymore.</p>
<p>There’s been a history in California of churches offering sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. Back in the 1980s, several hundred churches became sanctuary churches, primarily for Salvadorean refugees.</p>
<p>"(The churches) saved the lives of a lot of these people and then after that war was declared over and people stopped coming in large number the sanctuary movement sort of unwound," Pastor Morris said.</p>
<p>But now it’s winding up again.</p>
<p>Many Mexicans come to the US from rural places where there are no jobs to go back to if they’re deported. So they’re desperate to stay.</p>
<p>And Central Americans even more so. Gangs — especially in El Salvador — are ravaging their towns. Gangs that, as Pastor Morris pointed out, ironically got their start in Los Angeles and then exported their brutality back to Central America when the LAPD began getting them deported them in the 1990s.</p>
<p>"And so they deported hundreds if not thousands of Salvadorans, Hondurans and Guatemalans gang members back to their country," Pastor Moris said. "Well these kids got off the airplane, they had no skills, they hadn’t finished school, the only thing they knew how to do was to run a gang, and they were very good at that. So they got guns and they began a protection racket. Most people in El Salvador now even the lady on the corner selling bananas off of a cart has to pay a gang $20 a week to keep her store going."</p>
<p>That’s why so many unaccompanied minors have been fleeing Central America and making their way to the US.</p>
<p>ICE has targeted a lot of them since the beginning of this year. The organization has said it wants to send a message that they cannot come here — and just stay.</p>
<p>But for a lot of Central America, going back is an option that’s too dangerous. It’s also why Pastor Morris gave his church in North Hills sanctuary status.</p>
<p>"I don’t feel we’re at risk here at all because I don’t think ICE is going to want to break down the doors of the church on camera for Telemundo and Univision," he said. "I think that’s too heavy for them.&#160; They’re not going to do it. They didn’t do it in the 80s to any of these churches that were holding people, I don’t think ... so I’m not losing any sleep over that possibility, but … we are waiting now.”</p>
<p>Pastor Morris and his congregation declared their church to be a sanctuary church in January.</p>
<p>"We are waiting now for a family to come in here and be our guests until we can appeal their deportation order and get it reversed," he said. "But then the problem is to get a family that is willing to go into voluntary incarcaration in our church because once they come in here because they can’t leave until we get the court case solved and that might take 30 days it might take 60 days it might take three months — we don’t know.”</p>
<p>That’s how worried members of his congregation are about deportation — even going to the protection of a sanctuary church feels perilous since it means openly declaring your undocumented status. Many are just not going to do that.</p>
<p>No one has asked for sanctuary yet — including Abarca and her kids from Mexico who are now without a dad and husband. But Pastor Morris is keeping busy all the same, finding lawyers for this community in dire straits, raising money to help families left behind when there is a detention or deportation and keeping on message about knowing your constitutional rights.</p>
<p>And somehow, they have managed to keep another thing:&#160;a sense of humor.</p> | false | 3 | cubans come country treated vastly different ways compared many latino migrants biggest difference wet foot dry foot policy says cuban immigrants caught sea must go back cuba set foot us automatically get stay many latinos seems like unfair privilege hurts even knowing deportation immigrants still record highs close half million people 2015 past portion deportations years much half convicted criminals number noncriminal deportations growing seeing moms kids cross border us thats prompted growth sanctuary church movement sanctuary churches exactly houses worship undocumented people go fear deportation visited one united methodist church north hills smack dab center san fernando valley los angeles palm sunday service160that began around 630 60 people procession around church street north hills pretty tough part los angeles gang violence especially latino gangs rampant 1990s lapd managed bring control bad stuff still happens year ago gang violence likely led fatal shooting parking lot church palm sunday though mood light strong turnout talented musicians congregants waved palm fronds people seemed relaxed happy pastor fred morris began sermon ominous note abra la puerta dont open door said several times spanish english largely latino congregation knew exactly talking someone comes pounds door 6160in morning saying police dont open door pastor morris said service search warrant ask pass door open door read youre mentioned pass back paster morris united methodist church north hills year half church sanctuary community mission came retirement urged old friend latina bishop living hammock nicaragua enjoying retired status told later asked wife come start new faith community place addition preaching gospel jesus hes reminding flock constitutional rights agents immigration customs enforcement ice might one day coming knocking door open door go gunpoint said dont open door come pastor morris advice useful many congregation including one family mexico last wednesday open door ice agents paid visit moments ice departed father leave house authorites pulled took daughter school pastor morris told congregation sermon160immigration customs enforcement agency largest police force united states arrested one neighbors across street leaving wife two children160he detention center victorville going dealing deportation order said man david gonzález detained met wife beatriz orduña abarca spoke husbands situation beatriz orduña abarca 9yearold daughter lindsay gonzález us citizen abarcas husband detained us immigration officials last week abarca daughter unsure get without whether seek sanctuary church offering lodging immigrant families situations like marco werman abarca said taken using fake drivers license hasnt heard much else shes afraid go detention center shes also undocumented doesnt know whether hell allowed stay deported back mexico living united states 16 years one detail shes confused whether husband also held yearsold domestic abuse charge says cleared pastor morris trying get lawyer morris told probono immigration lawyers maxedout cases thats hard spoke abarca 9yearold daughter lindsay sat close dads car ice arrested last week asked abarca whats hardest without husband around everything said everything rent bills food challenging manage without husband said got point much talk anymore theres history california churches offering sanctuary undocumented immigrants back 1980s several hundred churches became sanctuary churches primarily salvadorean refugees churches saved lives lot people war declared people stopped coming large number sanctuary movement sort unwound pastor morris said winding many mexicans come us rural places jobs go back theyre deported theyre desperate stay central americans even gangs especially el salvador ravaging towns gangs pastor morris pointed ironically got start los angeles exported brutality back central america lapd began getting deported 1990s deported hundreds thousands salvadorans hondurans guatemalans gang members back country pastor moris said well kids got airplane skills hadnt finished school thing knew run gang good got guns began protection racket people el salvador even lady corner selling bananas cart pay gang 20 week keep store going thats many unaccompanied minors fleeing central america making way us ice targeted lot since beginning year organization said wants send message come stay lot central america going back option thats dangerous also pastor morris gave church north hills sanctuary status dont feel risk dont think ice going want break doors church camera telemundo univision said think thats heavy them160 theyre going didnt 80s churches holding people dont think im losing sleep possibility waiting pastor morris congregation declared church sanctuary church january waiting family come guests appeal deportation order get reversed said problem get family willing go voluntary incarcaration church come cant leave get court case solved might take 30 days might take 60 days might take three months dont know thats worried members congregation deportation even going protection sanctuary church feels perilous since means openly declaring undocumented status many going one asked sanctuary yet including abarca kids mexico without dad husband pastor morris keeping busy finding lawyers community dire straits raising money help families left behind detention deportation keeping message knowing constitutional rights somehow managed keep another thing160a sense humor | 789 |
<p>What did Chris Christie know, and when did he know it?</p>
<p>That's what the <a href="" type="internal">latest accusation in the scandal</a> over the controversial closing of lanes on the George Washington Bridge last year boils down to.</p>
<p>The key question in the Watergate investigation echoes 40 years later with the New Jersey governor considered a top-tier contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.</p>
<p>"There's so much coming out," Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said Friday on MSNBC's "PoliticsNation." "All of these things are making it more and more difficult for Governor Christie to run."</p>
<p>Even before Friday's twist, Christie's political fortunes were sliding. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed just 22 percent of Americans viewing Christie favorably — down from 33 percent in October. Twenty-nine percent viewed Christie unfavorably, versus 17 percent a few months ago.</p>
<p>The new allegation arises in a <a href="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/news/Wildstein_Letter.pdf" type="external">letter to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (.pdf)</a>, from a lawyer for David Wildstein — the Port Authority official who last September actually ordered the closing of two of three local access lanes from Fort Lee, N.J., to the George Washington Bridge, one of the busiest bridges in the world.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">The closing froze traffic for four days</a>, allegedly in retaliation over the mayor's refusal to endorse him in last year's governor's race.</p>
<p>In the letter, Wildstein's lawyer says "evidence exists tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period when the lanes were closed, contrary to what the Governor stated publicly in a two-hour press conference."</p>
<p>In a statement, Christie's office insisted that rather than call Christie's behavior into question, the letter "confirms what the Governor has said all along — he had absolutely no prior knowledge of the lane closures before they happened."</p>
<p>But the letter from Wildstein's lawyer never claims he knew about them beforehand. It accuses Christie instead of having known about them during the four days from Sept. 9 to Sept. 12, when traffic between New Jersey and New York was frozen.</p>
<p>That contradicts what Christie told reporters Jan. 9 in his marathon news conference.</p>
<p>"I had no knowledge of this — of the planning, the execution or anything about it — and I first found out about it after it was over," Christie said at the time.</p>
<p>To drive the point home, Christie's spokesman, Colin Reed, said late Friday night that "Governor Christie has said each time he has been asked that he first learned about the closing of the lanes on the George Washington Bridge from press accounts after the instance was over."</p>
<p>Discrepancies like that "certainly add to the speculation people have about the governor," said Assemblyman John Wisniewski, the Democratic co-chairman of the New Jersey legislative committee investigating the bridge scandal.</p>
<p>The letter goes on to say "Mr. Wildstein contests the accuracy of various statements that the Governor made about him" and ominously warns that "he can prove the inaccuracy of some."</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Investigations so far</a> have led to subpoenas for 17 Christie allies, his office and his re-election campaign, as well as abrupt unemployment for four associates who resigned or were fired, including Wildstein.</p>
<p>Wisniewski said on MSNBC's "Hardball" that Wildstein was among those who'd been served subpoenas, but he urged caution, saying the narrow wording of the subpoena could have allowed Wildstein to withhold crucial materials — meaning those materials could, indeed, exist.</p>
<p>"I don't know what these documents are that Mr. Wildstein or his attorney say that contradict the governor," Wisniewski said.</p>
<p>Republicans willing to speak about the new development were scarce Friday. But U.S. House candidate Steve Lonegan, who unsuccessfully challenged Christie for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2008, <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/3133976757001/new-report-claims-gov-christie-knew-about-lane-closures/" type="external">strongly defended the governor</a> in an interview on Fox News.</p>
<p>Lonegan said it was immaterial whether Christie knew about the lane closings as they were happening: "Surprise, so did about 10 million other people."</p>
<p>What's missing in the Wildstein letter, he said, is a direct accusation that Christie knew why the lanes were closed.</p>
<p>"We never want to see abuse of power by any governor or any president, for that matter, but the governor has yet to be proven wrong," Lonegan said.</p>
<p>Democrats try to gain an edgeDemocrats were less reserved.</p>
<p>"It certainly seems Wildstein's attorney is suggesting the governor was not telling the truth," Pallone said.</p>
<p>Mo Elleithee, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said Christie has "repeatedly said that he had no knowledge of the lane closures. Today's revelations raise serious questions about whether that is true."</p>
<p>There are other echoes of Watergate: Christie's scandal has come to be known as "Bridgegate" and the investigation is uncovering other strands.</p>
<p>After the bridge scandal broke, <a href="" type="internal">Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer told MSNBC</a> that she had met with investigators and had turned over personal documents alleging that two Christie Cabinet members threatened to withhold relief aid for reconstruction after Hurricane Sandy unless she approved a redevelopment project favored by the governor.</p>
<p>A spokesman for Zimmer told NBC News on Friday that the U.S. attorney for New Jersey had served a subpoena on the city for documents relating to those allegations.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, The Bergen Record reported on <a href="" type="internal">extensive ties between Christie's handpicked chairman of the Port Authority</a>, David Samson, and multimillion-dollar development projects.</p>
<p>In March 2012 — just three months after a builder represented by Samson's law firm proposed a swanky new apartment complex along the Passaic River — Samson backed a $256 million plan to overhaul a nearby train station, the Record said, citing extensive records and interviews.</p>
<p>Samson's law firm is the same one that represented the development that Zimmer says she was pressured to support. Taken together, the incidents provoked public questions of conflicts between private interests and Christie's control over billions of dollars in public money.</p>
<p>But among those calling on people not to rush to judgment was Mark Sokolich — the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, where the whole story started.</p>
<p>"I'm not rooting for the highest elected officer in the state of New Jersey to be part of this," Sokolich told MSNBC. "But there are still plenty of chapters to be written."</p>
<p>NBC News' Michael Isikoff contributed to this report.</p> | false | 3 | chris christie know know thats latest accusation scandal controversial closing lanes george washington bridge last year boils key question watergate investigation echoes 40 years later new jersey governor considered toptier contender 2016 republican presidential nomination theres much coming rep frank pallone dnj said friday msnbcs politicsnation things making difficult governor christie run even fridays twist christies political fortunes sliding latest nbc newswall street journal poll showed 22 percent americans viewing christie favorably 33 percent october twentynine percent viewed christie unfavorably versus 17 percent months ago new allegation arises letter port authority new york new jersey pdf lawyer david wildstein port authority official last september actually ordered closing two three local access lanes fort lee nj george washington bridge one busiest bridges world closing froze traffic four days allegedly retaliation mayors refusal endorse last years governors race letter wildsteins lawyer says evidence exists tying mr christie knowledge lane closures period lanes closed contrary governor stated publicly twohour press conference statement christies office insisted rather call christies behavior question letter confirms governor said along absolutely prior knowledge lane closures happened letter wildsteins lawyer never claims knew beforehand accuses christie instead known four days sept 9 sept 12 traffic new jersey new york frozen contradicts christie told reporters jan 9 marathon news conference knowledge planning execution anything first found christie said time drive point home christies spokesman colin reed said late friday night governor christie said time asked first learned closing lanes george washington bridge press accounts instance discrepancies like certainly add speculation people governor said assemblyman john wisniewski democratic cochairman new jersey legislative committee investigating bridge scandal letter goes say mr wildstein contests accuracy various statements governor made ominously warns prove inaccuracy investigations far led subpoenas 17 christie allies office reelection campaign well abrupt unemployment four associates resigned fired including wildstein wisniewski said msnbcs hardball wildstein among whod served subpoenas urged caution saying narrow wording subpoena could allowed wildstein withhold crucial materials meaning materials could indeed exist dont know documents mr wildstein attorney say contradict governor wisniewski said republicans willing speak new development scarce friday us house candidate steve lonegan unsuccessfully challenged christie republican gubernatorial nomination 2008 strongly defended governor interview fox news lonegan said immaterial whether christie knew lane closings happening surprise 10 million people whats missing wildstein letter said direct accusation christie knew lanes closed never want see abuse power governor president matter governor yet proven wrong lonegan said democrats try gain edgedemocrats less reserved certainly seems wildsteins attorney suggesting governor telling truth pallone said mo elleithee spokesman democratic national committee said christie repeatedly said knowledge lane closures todays revelations raise serious questions whether true echoes watergate christies scandal come known bridgegate investigation uncovering strands bridge scandal broke hoboken mayor dawn zimmer told msnbc met investigators turned personal documents alleging two christie cabinet members threatened withhold relief aid reconstruction hurricane sandy unless approved redevelopment project favored governor spokesman zimmer told nbc news friday us attorney new jersey served subpoena city documents relating allegations earlier week bergen record reported extensive ties christies handpicked chairman port authority david samson multimilliondollar development projects march 2012 three months builder represented samsons law firm proposed swanky new apartment complex along passaic river samson backed 256 million plan overhaul nearby train station record said citing extensive records interviews samsons law firm one represented development zimmer says pressured support taken together incidents provoked public questions conflicts private interests christies control billions dollars public money among calling people rush judgment mark sokolich democratic mayor fort lee whole story started im rooting highest elected officer state new jersey part sokolich told msnbc still plenty chapters written nbc news michael isikoff contributed report | 603 |
<p>VATICAN CITY — “The drama continues!” laughed Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle of the Philippines, opening the second week of press conferences on the 2014 Extraordinary Synod of Bishops taking place amid the buzz of wandering tourists around the Vatican.</p>
<p>Tagle began the usual media briefing Monday afternoon by summarizing some of the most noteworthy aspects of the previous meeting, part of a landmark gathering on Catholic families and social issues. He had on hand the freshly released <a href="http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/synod14-full-text-of-relatio-post-disceptationem" type="external">Relatio Post Disceptationem</a>, a synthesis of discussions from the first week of the synod. And that document has already created a firestorm.</p>
<p>Language in the Relatio under the heading “Welcoming Homosexuals” states: “Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community: are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities? Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?”</p>
<p>Members of the clergy were visibly upset on Tuesday afternoon after what they said were “untrue” media reports claiming the Vatican was now in support of gay marriage. Church officials continuously reminded the press is not a final document but a provisionary measure intended to highlight what has already been discussed and what needs further elaboration.</p>
<p>"The message has gone out: This is what the synod is saying, this is what the Catholic Church is saying," said South African Cardinal Wilfrid Napier. "And it's not what we're saying at all … [But] whatever we say hereafter is going to be as if we're doing some damage control."</p>
<p>The clergy has in the last week frequently referred to LGBT communities as those living in “irregular” or “imperfect” relationships. But it appears as though the initial discussions, which won’t be concluded until the next Ordinary Synod in October 2015, have established that gay sex within an institutionally recognized union may come to be considered a “permitted imperfection.”</p>
<p>The church can then focus more on those who participate in extramarital sex, and emphasize the positive rather than the negative, said Father Thomas Rosica, CEO of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation in Canada and consultor for the Pontifical Council Social for Communications.</p>
<p>The Relatio adds that “without denying the moral problems,” value in homosexual unions “in which mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support in the life of the partners,” must be noted.&#160;</p>
<p>The document clearly states the moral and ethical consideration to be made: “The question of homosexuality leads to a serious reflection on how to elaborate realistic paths of affective growth and human and evangelical maturity integrating the sexual dimension: it appears therefore as an important educative challenge.”</p>
<p>Rosica said the church must include discussions around the possibility of assistance counseling for children of gay couples — concerning in particular the faith development, wellbeing and access to sacraments of “children who are victims or bearing very heavy burdens because of these very irregular relationships.”</p>
<p>The problem with the synod, said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of the Maryland-based Catholic LGBT rights group New Ways Ministry, is that LGBT couples do not have enough voice.</p>
<p>“I’m very happy with the synod,” DeBernardo began, praising the global survey the Vatican initiated last year <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/09/world/europe/with-survey-vatican-seeks-laity-comment-on-family-issues.html?_r=0" type="external">to get input from the laity on social issues</a>&#160;ahead of the synod. "I think all of that is wonderful, but I think that the problem with the synod is that no openly gay and lesbian people were invited to speak. And I think bishops have to hear that testimony,” DeBernardo said.</p>
<p>Many of the bishops who oppose same-sex marriage, he said, do not realize that gay and lesbian Catholics are people of great faith.</p>
<p>“The fact that they have had to come to terms with their sexuality and face ostracism, to learn self-acceptance and self-love, has really deepened their faith,” DeBernardo continued. “I think that they think there are more people who cast off their faith, and I think it would be so important for bishops to hear not just the love relationship but the fact that it comes from the perspective of faith.”</p>
<p>DeBernardo has been working with New Ways Ministry for 20 years, starting as a volunteer in 1994. One of eight children and a trained journalist, he said his identity was really formed by the Catholic social justice tradition.</p>
<p>In the early 1990s, surrounded by many gay and lesbian friends and acutely aware of the challenges they faced, he realized that the church’s social justice tradition needed to be applied to the human rights of LGBT people as well. And so, he said, he found New Ways Ministry.</p>
<p>Last week, DeBernardo sat in a café on the outskirts of the Vatican City. He had come to Rome to ensure there was a pro-gay Catholic voice present for they synod, hoping to serve as an educational link between two communities that tend to be in conflict more often than they are in harmony. He also served as the Catholic voice on the panel of a conference to end the criminalization of homosexuality in approximately 80 countries around the world.</p>
<p>Asked if he is always received well as the Catholic voice for LGBT rights at conferences, he laughed and said: “We [New Ways Ministry] think of ourselves as a bridge-building ministry and there’s a saying someone said in the US, and it said ‘if you want to be a bridge, you have to prepare to be walked across from both directions.’”</p>
<p>But DeBernardo said they don’t allow the challenges to become daunting.</p>
<p>Instead, he said, they simply serve as a reminder that there are blind spots on both sides, and there needs to be more discussion.</p>
<p>“I stay because I see so much good happening in the Catholic Church on the local level,” DeBernardo continued. “The hierarchy in the United States has been very negative, but the people in the pews and the people that we call ‘middle managers’— pastors, college presidents, people like that — are very supportive, and I just see so much good happening on those levels. [P]eople are really eager to do something positive for lesbian and gay people in the Catholic Church… because they are Catholic and not in spite of it.”</p>
<p>On a broader scale, DeBernardo explained, the church cannot allow gay marriage without acknowledging that procreation is not the only element of sexuality. And while Pope Francis has already started to change the language of the church around LGBT rights, larger changes will take a long time.</p>
<p>“They want to be accommodating, but they have to defend the teaching on sexuality,” he said. “I think they’ve painted themselves into a corner by defending that procreative element so strongly for so long. So now they have to try and get out of that. So there’s got to be a lot of fancy footwork.”</p>
<p>As the synod spends the next two days in smaller discussion groups and prepares to present amendments to the Relatio Post Disceptationem on Thursday, DeBernardo prepares to leave Rome, saying, “Even a small step is still a step.” <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/09/world/europe/with-survey-vatican-seeks-laity-comment-on-family-issues.html?_r=0" type="external">&#160;</a></p> | false | 3 | vatican city drama continues laughed cardinal luis antonio g tagle philippines opening second week press conferences 2014 extraordinary synod bishops taking place amid buzz wandering tourists around vatican tagle began usual media briefing monday afternoon summarizing noteworthy aspects previous meeting part landmark gathering catholic families social issues hand freshly released relatio post disceptationem synthesis discussions first week synod document already created firestorm language relatio heading welcoming homosexuals states homosexuals gifts qualities offer christian community capable welcoming people guaranteeing fraternal space communities communities capable providing accepting valuing sexual orientation without compromising catholic doctrine family matrimony members clergy visibly upset tuesday afternoon said untrue media reports claiming vatican support gay marriage church officials continuously reminded press final document provisionary measure intended highlight already discussed needs elaboration message gone synod saying catholic church saying said south african cardinal wilfrid napier saying whatever say hereafter going damage control clergy last week frequently referred lgbt communities living irregular imperfect relationships appears though initial discussions wont concluded next ordinary synod october 2015 established gay sex within institutionally recognized union may come considered permitted imperfection church focus participate extramarital sex emphasize positive rather negative said father thomas rosica ceo salt light catholic media foundation canada consultor pontifical council social communications relatio adds without denying moral problems value homosexual unions mutual aid point sacrifice constitutes precious support life partners must noted160 document clearly states moral ethical consideration made question homosexuality leads serious reflection elaborate realistic paths affective growth human evangelical maturity integrating sexual dimension appears therefore important educative challenge rosica said church must include discussions around possibility assistance counseling children gay couples concerning particular faith development wellbeing access sacraments children victims bearing heavy burdens irregular relationships problem synod said francis debernardo executive director marylandbased catholic lgbt rights group new ways ministry lgbt couples enough voice im happy synod debernardo began praising global survey vatican initiated last year get input laity social issues160ahead synod think wonderful think problem synod openly gay lesbian people invited speak think bishops hear testimony debernardo said many bishops oppose samesex marriage said realize gay lesbian catholics people great faith fact come terms sexuality face ostracism learn selfacceptance selflove really deepened faith debernardo continued think think people cast faith think would important bishops hear love relationship fact comes perspective faith debernardo working new ways ministry 20 years starting volunteer 1994 one eight children trained journalist said identity really formed catholic social justice tradition early 1990s surrounded many gay lesbian friends acutely aware challenges faced realized churchs social justice tradition needed applied human rights lgbt people well said found new ways ministry last week debernardo sat café outskirts vatican city come rome ensure progay catholic voice present synod hoping serve educational link two communities tend conflict often harmony also served catholic voice panel conference end criminalization homosexuality approximately 80 countries around world asked always received well catholic voice lgbt rights conferences laughed said new ways ministry think bridgebuilding ministry theres saying someone said us said want bridge prepare walked across directions debernardo said dont allow challenges become daunting instead said simply serve reminder blind spots sides needs discussion stay see much good happening catholic church local level debernardo continued hierarchy united states negative people pews people call middle managers pastors college presidents people like supportive see much good happening levels people really eager something positive lesbian gay people catholic church catholic spite broader scale debernardo explained church allow gay marriage without acknowledging procreation element sexuality pope francis already started change language church around lgbt rights larger changes take long time want accommodating defend teaching sexuality said think theyve painted corner defending procreative element strongly long try get theres got lot fancy footwork synod spends next two days smaller discussion groups prepares present amendments relatio post disceptationem thursday debernardo prepares leave rome saying even small step still step 160 | 632 |
<p>TOKYO, Japan - When <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeuGgTfT-QE&amp;feature=results_main&amp;playnext=1&amp;list=PL12278C96375AD7AC" type="external">Rain</a>, South Korea's most successful pop star, reported for national service duty at an army base near Seoul earlier this month, the hundreds of fans who bid him farewell included a big contingent of Chinese and Japanese women.</p>
<p>Rain is not alone in enjoying the adulation of admirers from beyond his own country's borders.</p>
<p>In the space of a decade, South Korean pop has risen from relative obscurity to sweep the entire Asian continent, and is now casting its eye on the potentially lucrative U.S. and European markets.</p>
<p>From Beijing to Bangkok, "K-pop" artists are riding a wave of interest in Korean music, TV dramas, films and games that are expected to be worth $3.8 billion this year, up 14 percent from last year, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency.</p>
<p>The catalyst was the removal of strict domestic censorship laws that saw Korean TV programs appear in China, Japan and Southeast Asia in the late 1990s.</p>
<p>Lingering historical animosities between Seoul and Tokyo coexist with an insatiable appetite among young people in both countries for the other's pop culture.</p>
<p>Korean bands such as Girls' Generation and TVXQ have succeeded in Japan, a notoriously tough market for foreign performers.</p>
<p>The K-pop phenomenon has also spread to Taiwan and China, as well as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.</p>
<p>The genre's incredible growth has not happened by accident. Talent agencies and management executives invest huge sums to train promising new acts. Every last detail must be perfect, from their sculptured physiques to their ability to converse in the language of the target countries.</p>
<p>"K-pop bands have made an incredible effort to learn the rules of the game, they do all the right commercial endorsements and appear on the popular music shows," says Steve McClure, the Tokyo-based editor of <a href="http://mccluremusic.com" type="external">McClure's Asia Music News</a>.</p>
<p>"They have come up with a very marketable product that fits the Japanese template for idol pop. If any Asian artist is going to make it internationally, it will be a Korean."</p>
<p>Many believe that true international success will only come if K-pop cracks the U.S. market. While tickets for two recent concerts in Paris organized by the South Korean production company, SM entertainment, sold out in minutes, the United States is still relatively uncharted territory.</p>
<p>A gauge of how receptive American audiences are will come this weekend when SM Entertainment's headline acts, including Girls Generation, Super Junior and Shinee, will perform in a six-hour concert in Madison Square Garden on Sunday.</p>
<p>"As Madison Square Garden is the mecca of American pop culture, the global brand power of the popularity of SM's musicians hitting the heart of New York City will be reconfirmed in the concert," the company said in a statement.</p>
<p>But some K-pop aficionados aren't convinced the gamble will pay off.</p>
<p>"K-pop has a tough time making it in America because it strives to differentiate itself from its American counterpart, but at the same time, looks and sounds too much like it," Amy He, the managing editor of <a href="http://seoulbeats.com/" type="external">Seoulbeats</a>, wrote in a recent opinion piece for the Korea Herald.</p>
<p>"American audiences aren't interested in consuming a distilled version of their own pop."</p>
<p>The investment in Japan makes sound economic sense, however. The country has a 22 percent share of the global music market - second only to the United States - according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. CD sales in South Korea, where high-speed broadband penetration encourages file sharing, are one-thirtieth of those in Japan.</p>
<p>In Japan, the arrival of a slew of K-pop artists, notably Girls' Generation, TVXQ, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymhHlIf4L6M" type="external">Kara</a>, has drawn unfavorable comparisons with domestic pop offerings.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>The nine members of Girls' Generation are more overtly sexual and exude a maturity that contrasts with the cutesy image of their J-pop counterparts.</p>
<p>Compare, for example, the former's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhseD2tRLUY" type="external">Mr Taxi</a> with the saccharine sound of the Japanese girl band of the moment, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQIiV9zk754" type="external">AKB48</a>.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>The young women who make up the bulk of K-pop's Japanese fans say Korean performers embody qualities that seem to be missing in their Japanese counterparts.</p>
<p>"The Korean girl bands look more professional," says Kaori Kitakata, a 28-year-old office worker in Tokyo who indulges her passion by making occasional trips to Seoul.</p>
<p>"Japanese singers are more like the girl next door in the way they sing and dance, but Korean singers are better trained and more sophisticated."</p>
<p>Korean artists, she adds, appear less diffident than J-pop groups about their Asian identity. "J-pop female bands are cute, but in a very Japanese 'kawaii' way. K-pop singers have a more Asian feel to them. That appeals to me. And their fans here really appreciate their attempts to learn Japanese."</p>
<p>No one epitomizes those efforts better than <a href="http://youtu.be/hhBwPj7NpBk" type="external">BoA</a>, who in 2002 became the first Korean act to break into Japan after Seoul lifted restrictions on barriers to cultural exports between the two former enemies.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>She is the only foreign artist in Japan to have 2 million-selling albums, and only of only two female singers to have had six consecutive No. 1 albums in the definitive Oricon charts. "She's now considered a domestic artist in Japan," says McClure. "That's the ultimate in localization."</p>
<p>The Korean wave gathered momentum with the arrival of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvJV9IZVzNg&amp;feature=fvst" type="external">TVXQ</a>, who have released five albums in Japanese. Their most recent, "Tone," sold more than 200,000 copies within the first week of its release.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>As Rain begins his 21 months of national service, he can be reasonably assured that the K-pop wave will still be in motion by the time he returns to the stage.</p> | false | 3 | tokyo japan rain south koreas successful pop star reported national service duty army base near seoul earlier month hundreds fans bid farewell included big contingent chinese japanese women rain alone enjoying adulation admirers beyond countrys borders space decade south korean pop risen relative obscurity sweep entire asian continent casting eye potentially lucrative us european markets beijing bangkok kpop artists riding wave interest korean music tv dramas films games expected worth 38 billion year 14 percent last year according korea creative content agency catalyst removal strict domestic censorship laws saw korean tv programs appear china japan southeast asia late 1990s lingering historical animosities seoul tokyo coexist insatiable appetite among young people countries others pop culture korean bands girls generation tvxq succeeded japan notoriously tough market foreign performers kpop phenomenon also spread taiwan china well thailand vietnam philippines malaysia genres incredible growth happened accident talent agencies management executives invest huge sums train promising new acts every last detail must perfect sculptured physiques ability converse language target countries kpop bands made incredible effort learn rules game right commercial endorsements appear popular music shows says steve mcclure tokyobased editor mcclures asia music news come marketable product fits japanese template idol pop asian artist going make internationally korean many believe true international success come kpop cracks us market tickets two recent concerts paris organized south korean production company sm entertainment sold minutes united states still relatively uncharted territory gauge receptive american audiences come weekend sm entertainments headline acts including girls generation super junior shinee perform sixhour concert madison square garden sunday madison square garden mecca american pop culture global brand power popularity sms musicians hitting heart new york city reconfirmed concert company said statement kpop aficionados arent convinced gamble pay kpop tough time making america strives differentiate american counterpart time looks sounds much like amy managing editor seoulbeats wrote recent opinion piece korea herald american audiences arent interested consuming distilled version pop investment japan makes sound economic sense however country 22 percent share global music market second united states according international federation phonographic industry cd sales south korea highspeed broadband penetration encourages file sharing onethirtieth japan japan arrival slew kpop artists notably girls generation tvxq kara drawn unfavorable comparisons domestic pop offerings nine members girls generation overtly sexual exude maturity contrasts cutesy image jpop counterparts compare example formers mr taxi saccharine sound japanese girl band moment akb48 young women make bulk kpops japanese fans say korean performers embody qualities seem missing japanese counterparts korean girl bands look professional says kaori kitakata 28yearold office worker tokyo indulges passion making occasional trips seoul japanese singers like girl next door way sing dance korean singers better trained sophisticated korean artists adds appear less diffident jpop groups asian identity jpop female bands cute japanese kawaii way kpop singers asian feel appeals fans really appreciate attempts learn japanese one epitomizes efforts better boa 2002 became first korean act break japan seoul lifted restrictions barriers cultural exports two former enemies foreign artist japan 2 millionselling albums two female singers six consecutive 1 albums definitive oricon charts shes considered domestic artist japan says mcclure thats ultimate localization korean wave gathered momentum arrival tvxq released five albums japanese recent tone sold 200000 copies within first week release rain begins 21 months national service reasonably assured kpop wave still motion time returns stage | 549 |
<p>CARACAS, Venezuela — The US government is kicking out three Venezuelan diplomats, the latest tit-for-tat move against South America’s loudest critic of Washington.</p>
<p>The State Department said late Tuesday it had told Venezuela’s charge d'affaires in Washington, Calixto Ortega, and two other diplomatic corps members they had 48 hours to leave the United States — an echo of a similar order by Venezuela to the US Embassy in Caracas earlier this week.</p>
<p>"It is regrettable that the Venezuelan government has again decided to expel US diplomatic officials based on groundless allegations, which require reciprocal action. It is counterproductive to the interests of both our countries," the State Department said.</p>
<p>On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he’d ordered the expulsion of three US Embassy staff members, including Washington’s top envoy to Caracas, accusing them of meeting with the Venezuelan “far right” and funding economic moves to sabotage the economy.</p>
<p>"Yankees go home! Get out of Venezuela! Enough of this abuse!" Maduro said Monday on state television, giving them 48 hours to leave.</p>
<p>Below is a YouTube video from Venezuelan television of his address in Spanish.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Venezuela has expelled several US officials and <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/130605/timothy-tracy-venezuela-frees-expels-us-filmmaker" type="external">citizens</a> since Maduro took over after his mentor Hugo Chavez’s death in March. The allegations have ranged from spying to working to destabilize the oil-rich South American country.</p>
<p>This latest accusation is not new. "Far right" is a label the leftist government uses to criticize the opposition, which is made up of politicians of various political stripes. The Venezuelan government has long accused Washington of colluding with them.</p>
<p>As far as heightening tensions with Western foes, it has been a busy few weeks for Maduro.</p>
<p>He’s leveled accusations that France-based aircraft maker <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130925/venezuelas-maduro-considers-legal-action-against-airbus-over-fa" type="external">Airbus sabotaged</a> his presidential plane and that <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/130926/venezuelas-maduro-skips-unga-citing-us-led-death-thr" type="external">the United States plotted to kill him</a>.</p>
<p>Last week, he had a phone call with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and voiced his support for the embattled regime amid wide international condemnation.</p>
<p>What Maduro may lack in his predecessor's charisma and cult-like popularity, many observers say, he has sought to make up for with attempts to imitate Chavez’s characteristic anti-Western imperialist bravado.</p>
<p>Beyond revolutionary heroics, critics say Maduro’s mostly unsubstantiated allegations point to troubles at home.</p>
<p>Prices here have risen more than 45 percent in the last year. Shortages of basic items such as toilet paper and newsprint persist, as the US dollar becomes more difficult to obtain thanks to currency controls enacted a decade ago.</p>
<p>Maduro's allegations against the US diplomats recalled another important problem. Venezuela has suffered blackouts for years. In September, when a big power outage hit, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130903/venezuela-hit-blackout-government-blames-sabotage" type="external">Maduro blamed his "far right" opponents</a> once more. Now he's alleged the embassy staff worked to "encourage actions to sabotage the power system and the economy."</p>
<p>US officials deny the accusations.</p>
<p>“We completely reject the Venezuelan government’s allegations of US government involvement in any type of conspiracy to destabilize the Venezuelan government,” the US Embassy said in a statement. The statement did acknowledge holding meetings with politicians across Venezuela's political spectrum.</p>
<p>Opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski, a centrist who lost elections against both Chavez and Maduro in the last year, reacted to the latest US diplomat expulsions <a href="https://twitter.com/hcapriles/status/384773163155873792" type="external">over Twitter</a>: “It’s just a smokescreen to cover up their inability to manage the country.”</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/130903/venezuelan-economics-newspaper-shortage" type="external">Venezuela's press is dying from a paper shortage</a></p>
<p>Venezuelans judge Maduro harshly against his predecessor. As divisive as he was, Chavez was wildly popular during his 14-year presidency and won his final election in October by 11 percentage points.</p>
<p>Maduro, on the other hand, mustered an election victory in April of fewer than 2 points. His approval ratings have now dropped, according to some local pollsters, lower than his opponent.</p>
<p>To counter that, observers say, government rhetoric is following the same line it did under Chavez — sometimes with even more bite. The moves are designed to play well at home, analysts say, regardless of the damage they do in international circles.</p>
<p>Maduro boasted of his 20-minute phone conversation with Assad, who had given a rare interview to Venezuela’s pro-government Telesur TV channel.</p>
<p>“I told him that the Venezuelan people support and accompany the people of Syria in their fight against the terrorist armies that the United States and the West armed to overthrow him [Assad],” Maduro <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euH4c7_h8jo" type="external">said</a> on state television late on Thursday night. “Syria is not alone.”</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/130829/venezuelan-syria-war-assad-Abdel-el-Zabayar-Maduro" type="external">Venezuelan lawmaker vows to fight for Syrian army</a></p>
<p>Indeed, Syrian authorities say they’re keen on Latin America as a model for their own region.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Assad&amp;src=hash" type="external">#Assad</a>: Arab states should follow the path of Latin America if we want to make a mark in the world, to be independent and advanced.</p>
<p>— Syrian Presidency (@Presidency_Sy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Presidency_Sy/statuses/383046281091747842" type="external">September 26, 2013</a></p>
<p>Maduro said Assad told him Syria's government — which has waged a bloody two-and-a-half-year war against partly Western-backed rebel groups — this week would announce plans to send a “high-level delegation” to Latin America to “bring the truth” to the region.</p>
<p>Maduro was foreign minister under Chavez for six years and is responsible for implementing his firebrand predecessor’s policies abroad. They've been highly controversial: Venezuela warmed up not just to Assad but to international pariahs from&#160;former Iranian leader <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/120622/chavez-and-ahmadinejad-affair-remember" type="external">Mahmoud Ahmadinejad</a> to late Libyan dictator <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/news/regions/americas/venezuela/chavez-speaks-out-gaddafi-death" type="external">Muammar Gaddafi</a>.</p>
<p>With those friends, Caracas shared a love of hating the Great Satan of American superpower.</p>
<p>The fraught relationship between Chavez and the US came to a nadir in 2006 at the United Nations General Assembly when the self-styled socialist stood at the lectern and theatrically sniffed the air. “The devil came here yesterday,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOsABwCrn3E" type="external">he said</a>, referring to then US President George W. Bush. “It smells of sulfur still.”</p>
<p>Maduro missed the latest UN General Assembly last week. Yet his trip that ultimately avoided the New York event did feature drama of its own.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago, before the 50-year-old president even took off to China to sign oil and lending agreements, he <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130919/venezuela-says-us-bans-maduro-flying-over-puerto-rico" type="external">accused US authorities</a> of refusing to allow his plane to fly over the US airspace of Puerto Rico.</p>
<p>“Denying a head of state permission to fly through airspace that they [the US] colonized, as in Puerto Rico, is a grave error,” Maduro said on state TV.</p>
<p>But the US flatly denied Maduro’s accusation, saying Venezuelan authorities failed to make a proper request yet permission was granted regardless.</p>
<p>It’s not clear why the row erupted. Puerto Rico is far from any direct flight path between Caracas and Paris (Maduro’s stopover on the way to Beijing).</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/130501/signs-venezuela-us-washington-rocky-relations" type="external">5 signs Venezuela-US relations are still rocky after Chavez</a></p>
<p>On his way back from China, Maduro stopped off in Vancouver before the UN General Assembly in New York. However, intelligence of “ <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/130926/venezuelas-maduro-skips-unga-citing-us-led-death-thr" type="external">provocations</a> that could threaten [his] life” led him to skip the UN meeting entirely and fly straight back to Caracas.</p>
<p>When he arrived here, Maduro <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=Xjdn4S7hczU#t=31" type="external">added Airbus</a> to the list of those out to get him.</p>
<p>After five months of maintenance in France, Maduro said technicians here found a “serious fault” in one of the wings of his presidential plane. The company, he said, would have to answer for the fault, as legal action is prepared.</p>
<p>Airbus in response said that it would help Venezuela investigate.</p>
<p>After the “provocations” that persuaded Maduro and his entourage to sidestep New York and the UN, the president suggested that the headquarters of the international organization be moved to a “safer” location such as “Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro or some other place in Latin America.”</p>
<p>On Saturday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua spoke at the UN in lieu of his boss to little of the fanfare received by Chavez seven years ago.</p>
<p>“Sadly,” he <a href="http://t.co/s9KpYf0sVk" type="external">said</a>, “it still smells of sulfur.” &#160;</p> | false | 3 | caracas venezuela us government kicking three venezuelan diplomats latest titfortat move south americas loudest critic washington state department said late tuesday told venezuelas charge daffaires washington calixto ortega two diplomatic corps members 48 hours leave united states echo similar order venezuela us embassy caracas earlier week regrettable venezuelan government decided expel us diplomatic officials based groundless allegations require reciprocal action counterproductive interests countries state department said monday venezuelan president nicolas maduro said hed ordered expulsion three us embassy staff members including washingtons top envoy caracas accusing meeting venezuelan far right funding economic moves sabotage economy yankees go home get venezuela enough abuse maduro said monday state television giving 48 hours leave youtube video venezuelan television address spanish venezuela expelled several us officials citizens since maduro took mentor hugo chavezs death march allegations ranged spying working destabilize oilrich south american country latest accusation new far right label leftist government uses criticize opposition made politicians various political stripes venezuelan government long accused washington colluding far heightening tensions western foes busy weeks maduro hes leveled accusations francebased aircraft maker airbus sabotaged presidential plane united states plotted kill last week phone call syrian president bashar alassad voiced support embattled regime amid wide international condemnation maduro may lack predecessors charisma cultlike popularity many observers say sought make attempts imitate chavezs characteristic antiwestern imperialist bravado beyond revolutionary heroics critics say maduros mostly unsubstantiated allegations point troubles home prices risen 45 percent last year shortages basic items toilet paper newsprint persist us dollar becomes difficult obtain thanks currency controls enacted decade ago maduros allegations us diplomats recalled another important problem venezuela suffered blackouts years september big power outage hit maduro blamed far right opponents hes alleged embassy staff worked encourage actions sabotage power system economy us officials deny accusations completely reject venezuelan governments allegations us government involvement type conspiracy destabilize venezuelan government us embassy said statement statement acknowledge holding meetings politicians across venezuelas political spectrum opposition leader henrique capriles radonski centrist lost elections chavez maduro last year reacted latest us diplomat expulsions twitter smokescreen cover inability manage country globalpost venezuelas press dying paper shortage venezuelans judge maduro harshly predecessor divisive chavez wildly popular 14year presidency final election october 11 percentage points maduro hand mustered election victory april fewer 2 points approval ratings dropped according local pollsters lower opponent counter observers say government rhetoric following line chavez sometimes even bite moves designed play well home analysts say regardless damage international circles maduro boasted 20minute phone conversation assad given rare interview venezuelas progovernment telesur tv channel told venezuelan people support accompany people syria fight terrorist armies united states west armed overthrow assad maduro said state television late thursday night syria alone globalpost venezuelan lawmaker vows fight syrian army indeed syrian authorities say theyre keen latin america model region assad arab states follow path latin america want make mark world independent advanced syrian presidency presidency_sy september 26 2013 maduro said assad told syrias government waged bloody twoandahalfyear war partly westernbacked rebel groups week would announce plans send highlevel delegation latin america bring truth region maduro foreign minister chavez six years responsible implementing firebrand predecessors policies abroad theyve highly controversial venezuela warmed assad international pariahs from160former iranian leader mahmoud ahmadinejad late libyan dictator muammar gaddafi friends caracas shared love hating great satan american superpower fraught relationship chavez us came nadir 2006 united nations general assembly selfstyled socialist stood lectern theatrically sniffed air devil came yesterday said referring us president george w bush smells sulfur still maduro missed latest un general assembly last week yet trip ultimately avoided new york event feature drama two weeks ago 50yearold president even took china sign oil lending agreements accused us authorities refusing allow plane fly us airspace puerto rico denying head state permission fly airspace us colonized puerto rico grave error maduro said state tv us flatly denied maduros accusation saying venezuelan authorities failed make proper request yet permission granted regardless clear row erupted puerto rico far direct flight path caracas paris maduros stopover way beijing globalpost 5 signs venezuelaus relations still rocky chavez way back china maduro stopped vancouver un general assembly new york however intelligence provocations could threaten life led skip un meeting entirely fly straight back caracas arrived maduro added airbus list get five months maintenance france maduro said technicians found serious fault one wings presidential plane company said would answer fault legal action prepared airbus response said would help venezuela investigate provocations persuaded maduro entourage sidestep new york un president suggested headquarters international organization moved safer location brasilia rio de janeiro place latin america saturday venezuelan foreign minister elias jaua spoke un lieu boss little fanfare received chavez seven years ago sadly said still smells sulfur 160 | 776 |
<p>For Angeline White, a 2011 graduate of Prologue Early College High School in Chicago, the opportunity to direct a film about being homeless changed her life.</p>
<p>The film, titled “Home Sweet Home,” punched her ticket to the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, held in Seattle in April. Angeline worked on the film through the Community TV Network (CTVN), a non-profit that works with former out-of-school youth to teach them to imagine themselves as smart, capable and successful individuals with the ability to tell powerful stories.</p>
<p>“It got me out of that afraid [mindset of] ‘I never tried it before.’ I’m better at it than I thought I would be,” she says. “It helped me find out a lot of stuff about myself as well. It got me back into my writing. It relieved a lot of stress in me.”</p>
<p>Angeline worked on the film with Academy for Scholastic Achievement students Brea and Mariah Lobley, who are sisters. Brea, who edited the film, earned a $32,000 scholarship to attend Minneapolis College of Art and Design this fall. Mariah, who produced the film, is now working and saving up to attend college and pursue a career in radio.</p>
<p>“If I never would have participated with CTVN or had video or my school, I never would have chosen film as a career option,” Brea says. “I wanted to be a psychologist. I found out that I’m really interested in film. I love the way you put it together. There’s so much creativity involved.”</p>
<p>Lights, camera, action …. the power of film … a good story, a strong narrative, finding your voice. That is what film can accomplish.&#160; Working with CTVN, teens who have been dropouts become storytellers of their own lives and transform themselves into someone who can succeed in life.</p>
<p>Film reengages returning high school dropouts with their education, teaches job skills and boosts self-confidence in their abilities in numerous and incalculable ways. Those facts are known first-hand to the 1,600 former dropouts from Chicago Public Schools who, in the five past years, have benefited from the partnership between CTVN and the Alternative Schools Network.</p>
<p>Of the youth who participate, approximately 65 percent are African American and 25 percent Hispanic, with 45 percent attending college. A 2010 CTVN survey showed that 83 percent of those who completed the program said it made them feel “inspired to finish high school,” while 92 percent felt “inspired to go to college.” In addition, an evaluation in spring 2009 showed that nearly half — 42 percent — of students saw at least a 15 percent gain in literacy skills, while another 17 percent of participants saw at least a 4 percent gain during their semester working at CTVN and learning video production.</p>
<p>These Alternative Schools Network students have collectively produced 138 films, nine of which have won local or national awards. This spring, 475 teens from 11 Chicago alternative high schools entered 36 compelling films that debunk urban youth stereotypes into The 5th Chicago Youth Community Film Festival, titled A Reel Look at Their Neighborhoods, co-sponsored by the Alternative Schools Network and the Chicago Film Office.</p>
<p>The film classes have helped students graduate from high school, earn GEDs, win scholarships and personal filmmaking grants, and enter and complete college, including the University of Chicago, California Institute of the Arts, the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, the University of Minnesota, Howard University, and several Chicago City Colleges.</p>
<p>Outside the classroom, on the strength of their CTVN experience, students have landed jobs and internships at ABC-TV, Video Replay, Frey Design Productions and other video outlets.</p>
<p>Students also gain experience by producing the award-winning, public-access cable TV show,&#160;Hard Cover: Voices and Visions of Chicago’s Youth,&#160;now in its 25th season. The show produces a new episode every two weeks and is seen on CAN-TV Channel 19 in Chicago, Youth Channel in New York City, and&#160;on the St. Paul Neighborhood Network in St. Paul, Minn. Youth videos on&#160;CTVN’s YouTube channel,&#160; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/hardcoverchicago" type="external">hardcoverchicago</a>, have received 117,000 views to date.</p>
<p>This year’s Reel Look festival honored 12 films and their teen directors from 11 different schools, and some of the filmmakers are already drawing notice. Stephanie Lewis and Miles Johnson were members of the team that won the Global Filmmaking Challenge sponsored by Facets Multimedia and The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. They also received an award at the 2012 Chicago Youth Community Film Festival honoring their achievement.</p>
<p>Such stories are nothing new. In 2011, “Dearborn Homes: A Dialogue,” by the Ada S. McKinley – Lakeside Academy youth film crew, was an official jury selection at the CineYouth Festival of the Chicago International Film Festival.&#160; And two documentaries, “Dear Mom, Dear Dad” and “Our Hidden Culture” by the Academy of Scholastic Achievement film crew, were selected at the Do It Your Damn Self! National Youth Video and Film Festival in Boston.&#160; (To see a sample reel of last year’s films, visit <a href="http://reellook.blip.tv/" type="external">http://reellook.blip.tv/</a>)</p>
<p>Through working with CTVN, the teens get the opportunity to think about the different aspects of a project and see it through to completion. The projects are about issues that are personal to them, and producing the films gives students a chance to talk about the issues as they write a screenplay, shoot the film, edit it and present it to the public. The power of film becomes more than story-telling. It also teaches students skills and self-confidence for life.</p>
<p>Denise Zaccardi is the executive director of Community TV Network. Jack Wuest is executive director of the Alternative Schools Network.</p> | false | 3 | angeline white 2011 graduate prologue early college high school chicago opportunity direct film homeless changed life film titled home sweet home punched ticket national film festival talented youth held seattle april angeline worked film community tv network ctvn nonprofit works former outofschool youth teach imagine smart capable successful individuals ability tell powerful stories got afraid mindset never tried im better thought would says helped find lot stuff well got back writing relieved lot stress angeline worked film academy scholastic achievement students brea mariah lobley sisters brea edited film earned 32000 scholarship attend minneapolis college art design fall mariah produced film working saving attend college pursue career radio never would participated ctvn video school never would chosen film career option brea says wanted psychologist found im really interested film love way put together theres much creativity involved lights camera action power film good story strong narrative finding voice film accomplish160 working ctvn teens dropouts become storytellers lives transform someone succeed life film reengages returning high school dropouts education teaches job skills boosts selfconfidence abilities numerous incalculable ways facts known firsthand 1600 former dropouts chicago public schools five past years benefited partnership ctvn alternative schools network youth participate approximately 65 percent african american 25 percent hispanic 45 percent attending college 2010 ctvn survey showed 83 percent completed program said made feel inspired finish high school 92 percent felt inspired go college addition evaluation spring 2009 showed nearly half 42 percent students saw least 15 percent gain literacy skills another 17 percent participants saw least 4 percent gain semester working ctvn learning video production alternative schools network students collectively produced 138 films nine local national awards spring 475 teens 11 chicago alternative high schools entered 36 compelling films debunk urban youth stereotypes 5th chicago youth community film festival titled reel look neighborhoods cosponsored alternative schools network chicago film office film classes helped students graduate high school earn geds win scholarships personal filmmaking grants enter complete college including university chicago california institute arts art institute chicago columbia college chicago university minnesota howard university several chicago city colleges outside classroom strength ctvn experience students landed jobs internships abctv video replay frey design productions video outlets students also gain experience producing awardwinning publicaccess cable tv show160hard cover voices visions chicagos youth160now 25th season show produces new episode every two weeks seen cantv channel 19 chicago youth channel new york city and160on st paul neighborhood network st paul minn youth videos on160ctvns youtube channel160 hardcoverchicago received 117000 views date years reel look festival honored 12 films teen directors 11 different schools filmmakers already drawing notice stephanie lewis miles johnson members team global filmmaking challenge sponsored facets multimedia chicago council global affairs also received award 2012 chicago youth community film festival honoring achievement stories nothing new 2011 dearborn homes dialogue ada mckinley lakeside academy youth film crew official jury selection cineyouth festival chicago international film festival160 two documentaries dear mom dear dad hidden culture academy scholastic achievement film crew selected damn self national youth video film festival boston160 see sample reel last years films visit httpreellookbliptv working ctvn teens get opportunity think different aspects project see completion projects issues personal producing films gives students chance talk issues write screenplay shoot film edit present public power film becomes storytelling also teaches students skills selfconfidence life denise zaccardi executive director community tv network jack wuest executive director alternative schools network | 560 |
<p>BOMBARRAL, Portugal — The Rocha pear makes an unlikely weapon, but these juicy yellow bundles of sweetness are now a useful addition to Vladimir Putin's arsenal as he battles to undermine Western resolve over Ukraine.</p>
<p>Exports of apples and pears are key to the local economy in territory around this western Portuguese town. Russia was a key market — until Putin banned European agricultural products in retaliation for Western sanctions.</p>
<p>Now prices have plummeted and farmers' livelihoods are at risk.</p>
<p>"Most of them can't meet their loan payments to the banks, they can't buy fertilizer or fuel. The situation is desperate, people are without hope," says Antonio Maria Martins, manager of Bombarral's agricultural cooperative.</p>
<p>"They're asking themselves, how can this be happening because of something that's going on so far away in Russia?"</p>
<p>Farmers across Europe are posing the same question.</p>
<p>European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium estimates that the ban on EU food imports that Putin imposed in early August could cost European farmers $6.5 billion.</p>
<p>The boycott also hit farm goods from the United States, Canada, Norway and Australia, but the tit-for-tat sanctions are hurting the EU farmers most — almost three-quarters of the banned products come from the 28 EU nations.</p>
<p>"This affects millions of farmers across the European Union," EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos said during an emergency debate in the European Parliament last week. "We are faced with a European crisis."</p>
<p>The ban is stoking rancor within the EU, with countries arguing over the share-out of compensation money. Some politicians complain farmers are paying the price for their government unwisely provoking Putin through the EU sanctions slapped on Russia's financial, energy and defense sectors in response to Moscow's military intervention in eastern Ukraine.</p>
<p>"The EU's foreign policy can't gamble with the interests of European farmers, who deserve a peaceful and responsible relationship with Russia," Pablo Iglesias, leader of Spain's fast-growing far-left We Can party, told the European Parliament.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/140827/summer-violence-exposing-europe-s-foreign-policy-weaknesses" type="external">A summer of violence is exposing Europe's foreign policy weaknesses</a></p>
<p>In the fruit-growing region around Bombarral about half of the pear crop is exported. Portugal's crisp, Rocha variety is highly priced in Brazil, Britain and France — the main foreign markets. Last year about 10 percent also headed to Russia, says Martins, from the farmers' cooperative there.</p>
<p>"The problem is not just that we're banned from Russia," he explains during a lunch break in the co-op's vast fruit-packing warehouse. "Everybody else is banned, so we've got pears from Belgium and the Netherlands that normally go to Russia flooding our markets in Europe. It's driving down everybody's prices. The same thing is happening with apples from Poland."</p>
<p>He says Portuguese farmers are currently getting less than 9 cents per pound for their pears, down from 15 cents last year. Adding to the pain, the Russian lockout follows tough years due to poor crops and Portugal's long economic recession.</p>
<p>"People are angry, they've been caught in the middle of this," says Davide Cordeiro of Frutalvor, a growers co-op in nearby Caldas da Rainha, which was exporting to Russia before the ban.</p>
<p>"It's not easy, to be growing something and suddenly you find you can't do anything with your produce," he says. "This is a very complicated situation and it’s affecting the whole sector."</p>
<p>It’s not just the exporters who are suffering. Erizete Gameiro is a smallholder farmer who sells her homegrown pears, strawberries and sweet Muscat grapes in the market in Torres Vedras, a few miles to the south.</p>
<p>Erizete Gameiro sits behind her fruit stand in Torres Vedras, Portugal. (Paul Ames/GlobalPost)</p>
<p>"Look, I'm selling for 50 cents," she says. "Last year I was getting double that. Look how good they are, but even at this price I can't sell them."</p>
<p>In response to Putin's embargo, EU headquarters responded quickly by setting up a $161 million fund to help the worst affected fruit and vegetable farmers. Ciolos was forced to suspend payments, however, after a surge of claims from Polish farmers, which officials in Brussels said went beyond the level of damages.</p>
<p>Portuguese fruit farmers around here say they've received nothing in compensation so far.</p>
<p>The country's exports of the banned food products to Russia last year are estimated at $16 million. While that's having a major impact locally, it's dwarfed by the $1.3 billion that Lithuania is losing or the $1.1 billion that Putin's ban is costing Polish farmers.</p>
<p>Ciolos has also set aside $30 million from EU funds to help European exporters divert fruit from Russia to other international markets, but with so much excess fruit out there, exporters aren't optimistic.</p>
<p>"We have to find new markets, but it's not easy," says Cordeiro. "Everybody is trying to do the same thing and there's too much fruit out there. We're looking at the United States, but it's really not easy."</p>
<p>In fact, other countries are rushing to take advantage of Europe's exclusion to slip their produce into Russian markets. Nations as diverse as Brazil, Morocco and Pakistan are pitching their goods as alternatives for Russian consumers.</p>
<p>Turkey, a candidate for EU membership and NATO ally, has irked many in Brussels after officials said the country could double last year's $1.68 billion in food sales by substituting European exports.</p>
<p>That opportunism is adding to fears among European farmers that the Kremlin's boycott could have a long-term impact, making it difficult for them to regain lost market share.</p>
<p>Ciolos has said he will seek support from EU governments to boost emergency funding for the hardest-hit farmers. “We’ll spend 2 billion or 3 billion euros ($2.3 billion or $3.4 billion) if the member states give the money," he told the EU parliament in Strasbourg, France.</p>
<p>Cast-strapped treasuries are reluctant to pay up. But unless they stem the growing rural discontent, Europe's governments may find public support for sanctions on Russia going pear-shaped.</p> | false | 3 | bombarral portugal rocha pear makes unlikely weapon juicy yellow bundles sweetness useful addition vladimir putins arsenal battles undermine western resolve ukraine exports apples pears key local economy territory around western portuguese town russia key market putin banned european agricultural products retaliation western sanctions prices plummeted farmers livelihoods risk cant meet loan payments banks cant buy fertilizer fuel situation desperate people without hope says antonio maria martins manager bombarrals agricultural cooperative theyre asking happening something thats going far away russia farmers across europe posing question european union headquarters brussels belgium estimates ban eu food imports putin imposed early august could cost european farmers 65 billion boycott also hit farm goods united states canada norway australia titfortat sanctions hurting eu farmers almost threequarters banned products come 28 eu nations affects millions farmers across european union eu agriculture commissioner dacian ciolos said emergency debate european parliament last week faced european crisis ban stoking rancor within eu countries arguing shareout compensation money politicians complain farmers paying price government unwisely provoking putin eu sanctions slapped russias financial energy defense sectors response moscows military intervention eastern ukraine eus foreign policy cant gamble interests european farmers deserve peaceful responsible relationship russia pablo iglesias leader spains fastgrowing farleft party told european parliament globalpost summer violence exposing europes foreign policy weaknesses fruitgrowing region around bombarral half pear crop exported portugals crisp rocha variety highly priced brazil britain france main foreign markets last year 10 percent also headed russia says martins farmers cooperative problem banned russia explains lunch break coops vast fruitpacking warehouse everybody else banned weve got pears belgium netherlands normally go russia flooding markets europe driving everybodys prices thing happening apples poland says portuguese farmers currently getting less 9 cents per pound pears 15 cents last year adding pain russian lockout follows tough years due poor crops portugals long economic recession people angry theyve caught middle says davide cordeiro frutalvor growers coop nearby caldas da rainha exporting russia ban easy growing something suddenly find cant anything produce says complicated situation affecting whole sector exporters suffering erizete gameiro smallholder farmer sells homegrown pears strawberries sweet muscat grapes market torres vedras miles south erizete gameiro sits behind fruit stand torres vedras portugal paul amesglobalpost look im selling 50 cents says last year getting double look good even price cant sell response putins embargo eu headquarters responded quickly setting 161 million fund help worst affected fruit vegetable farmers ciolos forced suspend payments however surge claims polish farmers officials brussels said went beyond level damages portuguese fruit farmers around say theyve received nothing compensation far countrys exports banned food products russia last year estimated 16 million thats major impact locally dwarfed 13 billion lithuania losing 11 billion putins ban costing polish farmers ciolos also set aside 30 million eu funds help european exporters divert fruit russia international markets much excess fruit exporters arent optimistic find new markets easy says cordeiro everybody trying thing theres much fruit looking united states really easy fact countries rushing take advantage europes exclusion slip produce russian markets nations diverse brazil morocco pakistan pitching goods alternatives russian consumers turkey candidate eu membership nato ally irked many brussels officials said country could double last years 168 billion food sales substituting european exports opportunism adding fears among european farmers kremlins boycott could longterm impact making difficult regain lost market share ciolos said seek support eu governments boost emergency funding hardesthit farmers well spend 2 billion 3 billion euros 23 billion 34 billion member states give money told eu parliament strasbourg france caststrapped treasuries reluctant pay unless stem growing rural discontent europes governments may find public support sanctions russia going pearshaped | 600 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>A recent Wall Street Journal story profiling twin brothers who followed separate spiritual paths — one&#160;to become an Anglican bishop, the other a Catholic priest —&#160;represents failure by the Southern Baptist church in which they were raised, according to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler.</p>
<p>Mohler, who posts a daily podcast commenting on current events on his personal website, <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2015/03/06/the-briefing-03-06-15/" type="external">said</a> March 6 he has no firsthand knowledge of <a href="http://elkinfbc.com/" type="external">First Baptist Church</a> in Elkin, N.C., home church of the men now in their 40s featured in a March 3 article headlined “When We Leave One Religion for Another: How two brothers, raised Baptist, found their way to two different faiths.” But the story of young seeking answers outside their evangelical upbringing is all too common.</p>
<p>“We are losing far too many evangelical young people as they reach older ages because they are simply not adequately grounded theologically in the Christian faith,” Mohler said. “They may go to vacation Bible school, and they may go to Sunday school, but the question is, are they really grounded in the Christian faith? Are they well-grounded in the beauty of Scripture? Are they well-grounded in a knowledge of the deep theological convictions that define us as Christians?”</p>
<p>According to the Wall Street Journal piece, 43-year-old Brad Jones, a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., and Bishop Chad Jones, rector at <a href="http://stbarnabasatl.org/" type="external">St. Barnabas Anglican Church</a> in Dunwoody, Ga., grew up in the Baptist congregation where their parents remain faithful members. Both felt something was missing in the Baptist church, and they embarked on different paths to find it.</p>
<p>Like many kids, the story says, in their early teen years the boys began questioning things, including the teachings of the Baptist church. Their interest piqued when an older cousin converted to Catholicism and took them to <a href="http://olgchurch.org/" type="external">Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church</a> in Greensboro, N.C., when they were about 12 or 13.</p>
<p>The article describes the scene:</p>
<p>“The beauty of the building itself —&#160;the vaulted ceilings, marble steps, intricate woodwork, statues and stained glass —&#160;the smells of burning incense and the sounds of bells had a mystical quality that is hard to explain,&#160;says Father Brad. What struck Bishop Chad was watching the priest standing in front of the altar and elevating the Communion host.</p>
<p>“For them, the Catholic liturgy made the invisible God palpable and tangible to the senses. Their own Baptist church, where the walls are white and flat, the altar austere, and the worship focused largely on Scripture alone, didn’t. ‘We weren’t theologians. We were children. But as children we had open hearts and minds to it and were very receptive,’ says Bishop Chad. He remembers painting a picture of Jesus during vacation Bible school, hanging it on his bedroom wall and wishing his church had pictures.”</p>
<p>Mohler said failure to ground children in Christian doctrine leaves them vulnerable “to be led by their senses” rather than “a theological understanding grounded in the explicit teachings of Scripture.”</p>
<p>“When these two boys, identical twins, were asking deep theological questions, who was there to help them?” Mohler asked. “Who was there to guide them? Who was there as an evangelical thinker, apologist, theologian, friend, pastor and guide to help them to understand these questions?”</p>
<p>Mohler said the article comes as “judgment upon all those who missed the opportunity and failed in the responsibility to ground these young boys as they were then in the Christian faith, in the truth and the beauty of evangelical Christian doctrine, in the theological principles that based upon long biblical consideration and the long argument of the church have meant the differences between the Roman Catholic Church and evangelical Christianity —&#160;the differences between the understanding of a Scripture-centered Christianity and one that is centered in the sacraments, as is the Roman Catholic system, and at least much of Anglicanism.”</p>
<p>Mohler said he knows of “no specific failing” by First Baptist Elkin, a congregation <a href="http://www.cbfnc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=duPMeULk5Aw%3d&amp;tabid=292" type="external">affiliated</a> with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina with characteristics described on the church <a href="http://elkinfbc.com/" type="external">website</a> as “worship that is intentional and inclusive,” a “vision of becoming a loving and accepting community of faith” and “a heart for missions.”</p>
<p>“What I do know is this,” Mohler said. “This story appears as judgment and as challenge to every single one of us: as pastors, as parents, as youth leaders, as those who care about the perpetuation of the faith once delivered to the saints. If we do not ground our children in the faith, then they are going to find the answers to their questions elsewhere.”</p>
<p>Mohler contrasted the boys’ two spiritual paths.</p>
<p>“When you look at this news article, we come to understand that the shift of one of these twins to becoming an Anglican is quite a different shift than the one who became a Roman Catholic,” he said. “Becoming an Anglican doesn’t necessarily mean in any sense the denial of the very essentials of the gospel that would be at stake in terms of the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church —&#160;in terms of those Reformation principles that we believe to be at the very heart of the gospel: of justification by faith alone, by grace alone, by the work of Christ alone, knowable by the authority of Scripture alone, and ultimately to the glory of God alone.”</p>
<p>Mohler said occasionally a “well-taught” young person will at some point later in life depart from the faith, “but for those who are not well-taught, it’s not just a possibility, it’s a probability.”</p>
<p>“This is a huge question,” Mohler said. “It’s a haunting question. I raise this article simply because every single evangelical parent needs to take it as a serious challenge, because every single evangelical church has to understand this story is telling us in one sense what we’re up against.</p>
<p>“The story of these two identical twins can be replicated thousands and thousands of times over, and surely will be, if we fail now in the responsibility to raise up the next generation in the faith, to defend the faith once for all delivered to the saints.”&#160;</p> | false | 3 | bob allen recent wall street journal story profiling twin brothers followed separate spiritual paths one160to become anglican bishop catholic priest 160represents failure southern baptist church raised according southern baptist theological seminary president albert mohler mohler posts daily podcast commenting current events personal website said march 6 firsthand knowledge first baptist church elkin nc home church men 40s featured march 3 article headlined leave one religion another two brothers raised baptist found way two different faiths story young seeking answers outside evangelical upbringing common losing far many evangelical young people reach older ages simply adequately grounded theologically christian faith mohler said may go vacation bible school may go sunday school question really grounded christian faith wellgrounded beauty scripture wellgrounded knowledge deep theological convictions define us christians according wall street journal piece 43yearold brad jones roman catholic priest diocese charlotte nc bishop chad jones rector st barnabas anglican church dunwoody ga grew baptist congregation parents remain faithful members felt something missing baptist church embarked different paths find like many kids story says early teen years boys began questioning things including teachings baptist church interest piqued older cousin converted catholicism took lady grace catholic church greensboro nc 12 13 article describes scene beauty building 160the vaulted ceilings marble steps intricate woodwork statues stained glass 160the smells burning incense sounds bells mystical quality hard explain160says father brad struck bishop chad watching priest standing front altar elevating communion host catholic liturgy made invisible god palpable tangible senses baptist church walls white flat altar austere worship focused largely scripture alone didnt werent theologians children children open hearts minds receptive says bishop chad remembers painting picture jesus vacation bible school hanging bedroom wall wishing church pictures mohler said failure ground children christian doctrine leaves vulnerable led senses rather theological understanding grounded explicit teachings scripture two boys identical twins asking deep theological questions help mohler asked guide evangelical thinker apologist theologian friend pastor guide help understand questions mohler said article comes judgment upon missed opportunity failed responsibility ground young boys christian faith truth beauty evangelical christian doctrine theological principles based upon long biblical consideration long argument church meant differences roman catholic church evangelical christianity 160the differences understanding scripturecentered christianity one centered sacraments roman catholic system least much anglicanism mohler said knows specific failing first baptist elkin congregation affiliated cooperative baptist fellowship north carolina characteristics described church website worship intentional inclusive vision becoming loving accepting community faith heart missions know mohler said story appears judgment challenge every single one us pastors parents youth leaders care perpetuation faith delivered saints ground children faith going find answers questions elsewhere mohler contrasted boys two spiritual paths look news article come understand shift one twins becoming anglican quite different shift one became roman catholic said becoming anglican doesnt necessarily mean sense denial essentials gospel would stake terms official teachings roman catholic church 160in terms reformation principles believe heart gospel justification faith alone grace alone work christ alone knowable authority scripture alone ultimately glory god alone mohler said occasionally welltaught young person point later life depart faith welltaught possibility probability huge question mohler said haunting question raise article simply every single evangelical parent needs take serious challenge every single evangelical church understand story telling us one sense story two identical twins replicated thousands thousands times surely fail responsibility raise next generation faith defend faith delivered saints160 | 552 |
<p>When Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates spoke this spring to a packed ballroom of school leaders, education technology entrepreneurs and investors, he issued a startling assessment, given the audience: Ed tech has not moved the needle on student academic outcomes.</p>
<p>“Although there are examples of classrooms and software packages doing a good job today, we really haven’t changed the outcomes,” he said at an ed tech summit in San Diego in April.</p>
<p>Gates’ statement was an admission that the billions spent on educational technology in recent years have done little to close the achievement gap between wealthier, mostly white students and lower-income students of color.</p>
<p>But, school district leaders nationwide continue to roll out more technology, in the hope, shared by Gates, that the tech revolution will bear fruit. Hundreds of start-up companies have cropped up in major cities, including many in Chicago, to create, test and sell software and other products in a market that by some estimates is worth $8 billion. In Chicago, district officials say that schools spend some $27 million a year on ed tech products. That figure is an underestimate because it doesn’t take into account the outside, private dollars that supplement school-level purchases.</p>
<p>Adaptive technology that’s popular in personalized learning programs can make it easier to teach students who are in the same grade but at radically different academic levels. Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool calls personalized learning “the future of education” and plans to offer incentives to schools to adopt the approach next year, though it’s unclear what those incentives will be given the district’s fiscal woes.</p>
<p>But there are questions about how much stock schools should put into expensive software and products that are largely unproven in terms of academic benefit. Skeptics also worry about the influence of local and national nonprofits and wealthy individuals who support the trend, many of whom made their fortunes in technology ventures and are involved in the increasingly controversial charter movement.</p>
<p>Carol Caref, a researcher with the Chicago Teachers Union, worries that the encroachment of more technology into classrooms will come at the expense of teachers and aides. “We’re not [against] technology,” Caref says. “But I am concerned about the direction education is going and the impact this has on the development of students as people.”</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>Chicago’s experience so far bears out at least some of this skepticism.</p>
<p>A Catalyst Chicago analysis of a CPS spending database shows that nearly every district-run school bought some type of ed tech product in the 2014-2015 school year, spending an average of $30 per student — up from $19 four years earlier. Some 284 companies sold products to CPS, mostly to individual schools. Elementary schools tended to spend more than high schools.</p>
<p>Yet there is no clear connection between spending and achievement. And many schools sink money into costly products one year, only to discard them the next.</p>
<p>Bogan Computer Technical High School, for example, spent $53,000 in the 2014-15 school year, but then slashed ed tech purchases after staff realized they went overboard. “I could see where it’s tempting to say ‘Oh, this program will solve my [achievement] problem’ but it won’t,” Principal Alahrie Aziz-Sims says. “I can say most of the [instruction] that I see that’s high-quality from teachers in classrooms has nothing to do with a program.”</p>
<p>Researchers and those who promote education technology echo her sentiment, saying that the products are tools that are only as good as the teachers who use them.</p>
<p>“Technology alone doesn’t solve this,” Gates said at the April summit. “It’s a combination of great teachers using the technology in the right way.”</p>
<p>Dilara Sayeed, chief education officer for the Golden Apple Foundation, wrote her 2015 doctoral dissertation at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education on ed tech in CPS. She says principals are inundated with sales pitches and struggle to figure out whether any one product would be useful for students.</p>
<p>Sayeed found that companies with the most aggressive sales teams got the most business.</p>
<p>“Their products could have been great. But in terms of how many schools a company was in, it came down to how much money you had for salespeople and business, or how excited one teacher was about a product demo and their level of influence with the principal,” she says.</p>
<p>Since few companies publish list prices for their products, price-gouging is a risk. To avoid this, principals often spend extra time calling up colleagues to compare prices.</p>
<p>“I worry about the person doing the purchasing who does feel bad about questioning a line item to do a roster sync for $500,” says Marcos Alcozer, director of technology at Intrinsic Schools’ campus on the Northwest Side. Alcozer says he’s written similar coding language to merge student rosters in 30 minutes.</p>
<p>“So $500, or essentially $1,000 an hour for an engineer, is ridiculous,” he says. “But it’s very unlikely that people know that stuff.”</p>
<p>In fact, price-gouging has become a national concern. The Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation is now funding a group to help districts share information about technology prices. Its first target, ironically, is a product made by Microsoft’s chief competitor: the Apple iPad.</p>
<p>Ashley Haywood, a ninth-grade English teacher at Intrinsic Schools’ Belmont campus, leads a “Socratic Seminar” with a small group while her two co-teachers work with other students in a large, open pod. Behind her is a projector mounted to a wall covered in whiteboard paint — which Intrinsic officials say is a cheap alternative to interactive whiteboards.</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>Unlike some other districts, principals in Chicago have autonomy over what technology they purchase. But to help them make better selections, CPS is researching whether there are any correlations between popular ed tech products and higher achievement for students. But there’s no timeline for when this research will be finished.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, schools have only a “preferred vendors list” covering products that meet certain technical standards (for security, student privacy and internet bandwidth requirements), but without any standard for academic quality. Other efforts, including an interactive catalog where principals and teachers could write and share reviews of products, have stalled in the wake of administrative turnover.</p>
<p>Shawn Jackson, CPS chief officer of leadership and learning, says that “there’s a sense of urgency, but we need to do this right. When you start putting it out there as best practice you have to make sure you’ve done your due diligence.”</p>
<p>In the vacuum of CPS guidance, the nonprofit LEAP Innovations has emerged as a go-to source for information and training on personalized learning — and money to pay for it.</p>
<p>“They were able to offer something that the district couldn’t offer — a space to do this research and development,” says CPS Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson.</p>
<p>Phyllis Lockett, a well-known figure in Chicago’s education reform community, started LEAP in 2013 and recruited high-profile financial and corporate executives for its founding board, including then-BMO Harris Bank President and CEO Mark Furlong, who would go on to become a School Board member.</p>
<p>Lockett previously headed the pro-charter group New Schools for Chicago, once known as the Renaissance Schools Fund. In a statement, Lockett explained why she launched LEAP: “While there has been important work done by the education reform community, change is not getting to our classrooms and our students quickly enough. What we’re proposing isn’t simply a new program — it’s to transform the education model, from one-size-fits-all to personalized paths for each and every student.”</p>
<p>LEAP is based in 1871, a tech incubator at Merchandise Mart that’s also home to several ed tech startups and some of their investors.</p>
<p>The organization’s most exclusive program gives schools more than $300,000 in “Breakthrough” grants to launch personalized learning schoolwide. The program is the regional version of the Next Generation Learning Challenges, a national initiative with backers that include the Gates, Hewlett, Broad and Michael &amp; Susan Dell foundations, among others. The Chicago Public Education Fund also supports LEAP.</p>
<p>“Breakthrough has opened our eyes to innovative approaches to teaching and learning,” said Lovett Elementary Principal LeViis Haney during a May ceremony in which the Austin school was named a grant winner. At Lovett, students in second through fifth grade use a personalized learning model that’s familiar throughout LEAP schools.</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>LEAP’s “Pilot Network” is a sort of stepping stone for schools that want use personalized learning and eventually go on to compete for the Breakthrough grant. The program provides teacher training that schools can’t get anywhere else and ed tech proponents says is critical.</p>
<p>To participate in the 18-month Pilot Network, schools must apply and pay $25,000. Lockett says that’s only a third of what it costs to provide the training and other supports, but some principals say that pricetag is still unrealistic given cuts to school budgets.</p>
<p>The companies whose products are part of the pilot program gain a competitive edge with schools, something LEAP touts in its promotional materials: “Last year, 86 percent of Pilot Network school teams adopted their edtech product after pilots ended.” Though Lockett says personalized learning doesn’t require technology, so far, every one of the two dozen or so pilot schools have used it.</p>
<p>In a report released this winter on the first-year results of the Pilot Network, LEAP credited ThinkCERCA and Lexia Reading Core5 — two literacy-focused technology products chosen by schools — with “closing the achievement growth gap” on the NWEA for low-income students by 45 percent. The two products were already growing in popularity, with contracts at 122 schools totaling more than $900,000 last year. And the companies are backed by big investors with deep ties to Chicago’s political elite, who sit on the board of the high-powered Public Education Fund.</p>
<p>Lockett says there’s no potential conflict of interest because the Fund’s donations to LEAP are for its Breakthrough program, not the Pilot Network.</p>
<p>LEAP declined to provide information about products that failed its vetting process, saying “there are many reasons” they don’t make it into the pool offered to pilot schools. “It would be unfair to make those names public and have the public make inferences about why they were not selected,” Lockett says.</p>
<p>The district is now planning to launch its own version of LEAP.</p>
<p>“Our goal is to take what they’re doing and put it on a broader scale,” Jackson says. “Obviously anything we would do, the public would have access to that data.”</p>
<p>Kalyn Belsha contributed to this story.</p> | false | 3 | microsoft cofounder billionaire philanthropist bill gates spoke spring packed ballroom school leaders education technology entrepreneurs investors issued startling assessment given audience ed tech moved needle student academic outcomes although examples classrooms software packages good job today really havent changed outcomes said ed tech summit san diego april gates statement admission billions spent educational technology recent years done little close achievement gap wealthier mostly white students lowerincome students color school district leaders nationwide continue roll technology hope shared gates tech revolution bear fruit hundreds startup companies cropped major cities including many chicago create test sell software products market estimates worth 8 billion chicago district officials say schools spend 27 million year ed tech products figure underestimate doesnt take account outside private dollars supplement schoollevel purchases adaptive technology thats popular personalized learning programs make easier teach students grade radically different academic levels chicago public schools ceo forrest claypool calls personalized learning future education plans offer incentives schools adopt approach next year though unclear incentives given districts fiscal woes questions much stock schools put expensive software products largely unproven terms academic benefit skeptics also worry influence local national nonprofits wealthy individuals support trend many made fortunes technology ventures involved increasingly controversial charter movement carol caref researcher chicago teachers union worries encroachment technology classrooms come expense teachers aides technology caref says concerned direction education going impact development students people chicagos experience far bears least skepticism catalyst chicago analysis cps spending database shows nearly every districtrun school bought type ed tech product 20142015 school year spending average 30 per student 19 four years earlier 284 companies sold products cps mostly individual schools elementary schools tended spend high schools yet clear connection spending achievement many schools sink money costly products one year discard next bogan computer technical high school example spent 53000 201415 school year slashed ed tech purchases staff realized went overboard could see tempting say oh program solve achievement problem wont principal alahrie azizsims says say instruction see thats highquality teachers classrooms nothing program researchers promote education technology echo sentiment saying products tools good teachers use technology alone doesnt solve gates said april summit combination great teachers using technology right way dilara sayeed chief education officer golden apple foundation wrote 2015 doctoral dissertation harvard universitys graduate school education ed tech cps says principals inundated sales pitches struggle figure whether one product would useful students sayeed found companies aggressive sales teams got business products could great terms many schools company came much money salespeople business excited one teacher product demo level influence principal says since companies publish list prices products pricegouging risk avoid principals often spend extra time calling colleagues compare prices worry person purchasing feel bad questioning line item roster sync 500 says marcos alcozer director technology intrinsic schools campus northwest side alcozer says hes written similar coding language merge student rosters 30 minutes 500 essentially 1000 hour engineer ridiculous says unlikely people know stuff fact pricegouging become national concern bill amp melinda gates foundation funding group help districts share information technology prices first target ironically product made microsofts chief competitor apple ipad ashley haywood ninthgrade english teacher intrinsic schools belmont campus leads socratic seminar small group two coteachers work students large open pod behind projector mounted wall covered whiteboard paint intrinsic officials say cheap alternative interactive whiteboards unlike districts principals chicago autonomy technology purchase help make better selections cps researching whether correlations popular ed tech products higher achievement students theres timeline research finished meanwhile schools preferred vendors list covering products meet certain technical standards security student privacy internet bandwidth requirements without standard academic quality efforts including interactive catalog principals teachers could write share reviews products stalled wake administrative turnover shawn jackson cps chief officer leadership learning says theres sense urgency need right start putting best practice make sure youve done due diligence vacuum cps guidance nonprofit leap innovations emerged goto source information training personalized learning money pay able offer something district couldnt offer space research development says cps chief education officer janice jackson phyllis lockett wellknown figure chicagos education reform community started leap 2013 recruited highprofile financial corporate executives founding board including thenbmo harris bank president ceo mark furlong would go become school board member lockett previously headed procharter group new schools chicago known renaissance schools fund statement lockett explained launched leap important work done education reform community change getting classrooms students quickly enough proposing isnt simply new program transform education model onesizefitsall personalized paths every student leap based 1871 tech incubator merchandise mart thats also home several ed tech startups investors organizations exclusive program gives schools 300000 breakthrough grants launch personalized learning schoolwide program regional version next generation learning challenges national initiative backers include gates hewlett broad michael amp susan dell foundations among others chicago public education fund also supports leap breakthrough opened eyes innovative approaches teaching learning said lovett elementary principal leviis haney may ceremony austin school named grant winner lovett students second fifth grade use personalized learning model thats familiar throughout leap schools leaps pilot network sort stepping stone schools want use personalized learning eventually go compete breakthrough grant program provides teacher training schools cant get anywhere else ed tech proponents says critical participate 18month pilot network schools must apply pay 25000 lockett says thats third costs provide training supports principals say pricetag still unrealistic given cuts school budgets companies whose products part pilot program gain competitive edge schools something leap touts promotional materials last year 86 percent pilot network school teams adopted edtech product pilots ended though lockett says personalized learning doesnt require technology far every one two dozen pilot schools used report released winter firstyear results pilot network leap credited thinkcerca lexia reading core5 two literacyfocused technology products chosen schools closing achievement growth gap nwea lowincome students 45 percent two products already growing popularity contracts 122 schools totaling 900000 last year companies backed big investors deep ties chicagos political elite sit board highpowered public education fund lockett says theres potential conflict interest funds donations leap breakthrough program pilot network leap declined provide information products failed vetting process saying many reasons dont make pool offered pilot schools would unfair make names public public make inferences selected lockett says district planning launch version leap goal take theyre put broader scale jackson says obviously anything would public would access data kalyn belsha contributed story | 1,043 |
<p>Perhaps you heard the story on national news or read it on the internet. The pastor and board of First Baptist Church of Watertown, N.Y., fired a Sunday school teacher for being a woman. The teacher, 81-year-old Mary Lambert, received a letter from pastor Timothy LaBouf saying that the board had voted unanimously that women could not teach or have authority over men.</p>
<p>They cited Paul's statement in 1 Tim. 2:11-15 as their rationale: “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”</p>
<p>So, after 54 years of teaching Sunday school, Mrs. Lambert is out; but, as is typical in such cases, there is more to it that meets the eye.</p>
<p>First Baptist, an American Baptist congregation, is an old downtown church whose membership had dwindled in recent years. When their pastor resigned a few years ago the search committee, of which Mrs. Lambert was a member, recommended LaBouf, now 32, who had grown up in Watertown.</p>
<p>Educated in a Catholic school, LaBouf became a Christian, felt called to preach and attended an independent Baptist Bible school in Springfield, Mo. After serving on the staff of an independent Baptist church in California where his father-in-law was pastor, LaBouf and his wife moved back to his home town in 2001.</p>
<p>In the few years since LaBouf became pastor, he has made many changes and the church has grown. Mary Lambert approves of the growth, but has vigorously opposed some of the changes—like removing a cross with the letters IHS from the sanctuary. Despite the traditional understanding that the Greek letters are the first three letters of Jesus‚ name or stand for “In His Service,” according to LaBouf, the letters stand for three Greek gods and are pagan symbols.</p>
<p>Other actions Lambert opposed were removing pictures of Christ from the sanctuary, removing some stained-glass windows, and eliminating the church library. I assume LaBouf was attempting to remove symbols that are sometimes barriers to the unchurched. The pastor alleges that at some point Lambert went to the newspaper with her concerns—whether before or after seeking redress in the congregation is a matter of dispute. His statement on the church's website says that attorneys have gotten involved and insinuates that they used the Scriptures to fire her because to remove her on other grounds might have left them in a legally precarious position.</p>
<p>The deacons also released a statement: “In the specific case of Ms. Lambert the Board's decision to remove her from a teaching position was multifaceted and the scriptural rules concerning women teaching men in a church setting was only a small aspect of that decision. Christian courtesy motivates us to refrain from making any public accusations against her.”</p>
<p>So many salient points beg to be recognized that it is impossible to cover them all in the brief space of an editorial. But, some of the major issues are following. Pastor search committees, take heed. Some churches become so desperate for leadership that they ignore the backgrounds of pastoral candidates and opt for an expedient and often convenient choice. Then they complain because the pastor continues to do what he's always done. Be smart as well as spiritual.</p>
<p>I also observe the issue of scriptural integrity rising to be recognized at several levels. It is curious that pastor LaBouf was perfectly willing to assume the pastorate of a church where Lambert taught; and until she began to question his leadership, he seemed perfectly willing for her to continue in that role. At that point, however, suddenly observing the literal teaching of a somewhat nebulous passage of scripture became a critical spiritual point. I say the passage is nebulous because Paul's rationale is that Eve should be barred from current leadership because she was the early leader in the sin department. Adam was innocent? Not only that, Paul also says women will be saved by bearing children! Childless women and adoptive mothers have no hope? How does this square with Eph. 2:8-9?</p>
<p>Aside from his dogmatic interpretation of a troubling passage, a major integrity problem is that he and the board apply the Bible selectively to suit their own purposes. Unscrupulous people (and church members trying to prove a point) have done this from the early days of the church—and it is always wrong. The Scriptures are the Sword of the Spirit, not the stick of the preacher.</p>
<p>Yet another red flag is flying. Was it really necessary for LaBouf and LaBoard to “fire” an 81-year-old volunteer who had held the same position for more than half a century? Sometimes smart people do really dumb things. Elderly Mrs. Lambert may be such a troublemaker that she should be removed as a Sunday school teacher—I don't know. But instead of ignoring a situation that would probably have blown over very soon, the church leadership chose to write her a heavy-handed letter of dismissal and put her away quietly and permanently. We all know how well that worked. In fact, I read the story on the Islamic website IslamOnline.net where a Google search sent me! It is hard to imagine that Mrs. Lambert represented such a level of threat to the church.</p>
<p>Perhaps the greatest lesson of all in this mess, however, is simple and biblical. When we have a disagreement with someone, go to that person and work it out. We Christians need to learn to deal with our conflicts in the spirit of Christ and according to his instructions in Matthew 18:15-17. If only we could understand that the kingdom is more important than what any of us wants, we could keep from embarrassing ourselves and bringing dishonor to the precious name of Jesus.</p> | false | 3 | perhaps heard story national news read internet pastor board first baptist church watertown ny fired sunday school teacher woman teacher 81yearold mary lambert received letter pastor timothy labouf saying board voted unanimously women could teach authority men cited pauls statement 1 tim 21115 rationale woman learn quietness full submission permit woman teach authority man must silent adam formed first eve adam one deceived woman deceived became sinner women saved childbearingif continue faith love holiness propriety 54 years teaching sunday school mrs lambert typical cases meets eye first baptist american baptist congregation old downtown church whose membership dwindled recent years pastor resigned years ago search committee mrs lambert member recommended labouf 32 grown watertown educated catholic school labouf became christian felt called preach attended independent baptist bible school springfield mo serving staff independent baptist church california fatherinlaw pastor labouf wife moved back home town 2001 years since labouf became pastor made many changes church grown mary lambert approves growth vigorously opposed changeslike removing cross letters ihs sanctuary despite traditional understanding greek letters first three letters jesus name stand service according labouf letters stand three greek gods pagan symbols actions lambert opposed removing pictures christ sanctuary removing stainedglass windows eliminating church library assume labouf attempting remove symbols sometimes barriers unchurched pastor alleges point lambert went newspaper concernswhether seeking redress congregation matter dispute statement churchs website says attorneys gotten involved insinuates used scriptures fire remove grounds might left legally precarious position deacons also released statement specific case ms lambert boards decision remove teaching position multifaceted scriptural rules concerning women teaching men church setting small aspect decision christian courtesy motivates us refrain making public accusations many salient points beg recognized impossible cover brief space editorial major issues following pastor search committees take heed churches become desperate leadership ignore backgrounds pastoral candidates opt expedient often convenient choice complain pastor continues hes always done smart well spiritual also observe issue scriptural integrity rising recognized several levels curious pastor labouf perfectly willing assume pastorate church lambert taught began question leadership seemed perfectly willing continue role point however suddenly observing literal teaching somewhat nebulous passage scripture became critical spiritual point say passage nebulous pauls rationale eve barred current leadership early leader sin department adam innocent paul also says women saved bearing children childless women adoptive mothers hope square eph 289 aside dogmatic interpretation troubling passage major integrity problem board apply bible selectively suit purposes unscrupulous people church members trying prove point done early days churchand always wrong scriptures sword spirit stick preacher yet another red flag flying really necessary labouf laboard fire 81yearold volunteer held position half century sometimes smart people really dumb things elderly mrs lambert may troublemaker removed sunday school teacheri dont know instead ignoring situation would probably blown soon church leadership chose write heavyhanded letter dismissal put away quietly permanently know well worked fact read story islamic website islamonlinenet google search sent hard imagine mrs lambert represented level threat church perhaps greatest lesson mess however simple biblical disagreement someone go person work christians need learn deal conflicts spirit christ according instructions matthew 181517 could understand kingdom important us wants could keep embarrassing bringing dishonor precious name jesus | 522 |
<p>GENEVA — The world’s elites gathered in Davos, Switzerland last week for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF), paying $20,000 a person for the privilege of offering grand solutions to other people’s problems.</p>
<p>I was down the road in Geneva attending a decidedly low-brow, two-day expert workshop on agricultural trade and development. But downwind we could almost smell their champagne fondue, which no doubt helped the powers-that-be focus on the global food crisis.</p>
<p>WEF’s “ <a href="http://www.weforum.org/reports/realizing-new-vision-agriculture-roadmap-stakeholders" type="external">New Vision for Agriculture</a>” is their answer, which, along with the G8 nations’ “ <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/18/new-alliance-food-security-and-nutrition" type="external">New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition</a>,” represent the bold new initiatives from the rich world to solve poor people’s hunger.</p>
<p>For all the newness, the world’s small-scale farmers can be forgiven for seeing little more than new bottles for some old wine, which they still can’t afford. The old wine includes an overwhelming focus on technological solutions, industrial-scale farms, and high-input methods often poorly suited to small-scale farmers.</p>
<p>The new bottles, though, look sharp. The labels show happy African farmers in lush fields, and they feature all the right catch-phrases: “sustainable agriculture,” “climate-smart production,” and of course “meeting the world’s food needs.” They look like they came out of a corporate branding campaign.</p>
<p>Basically, they did. The one new thing in this new wave of attention to agricultural development is the explicit leadership of “the private sector,” which at the international level generally looks like a who’s who of the top agribusiness multinationals.</p>
<p>The G8 led an impressive effort in 2009 following the spikes in food prices to marshal rich country funds to support developing country food production. That has since given to a drop in public funding, a narrowing of geographic ambition, and a heavy reliance on corporate leadership and investment.</p>
<p>This year, Vietnamese leaders led the cheers for the WEF’s New Vision, supporting the role of “public-private partnerships” (PPPs) in “integrating value chains” and promoting development. Vietnam, with its strong developmental state and highly productive smallholder rice farms, can afford to bring in international corporate partners. After all, the government has already transformed its war-ravaged land into a highly productive, smallholder-based rice exporter. The government is in a relatively strong position to negotiate with transnational firms.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, most African governments come to the PPP negotiating table hat-in-hand. Only about 20 percent of their agricultural investment plans are covered by government funds. That’s where the G8’s New Alliance comes in, dangling foreign investment in front of cash-strapped African governments.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that they need the investment. In many countries there is little private capital, nor the expertise manage to complex projects. Infrastructure is poorly developed, particularly in the areas of transportation — key to both domestic and international trade —&#160;and irrigation, central to raising agricultural productivity.</p>
<p>Such investments, though, have rarely come from the private sector. They are seen as public goods, in part because they are long-term investments with potentially a wide range of beneficiaries. And if the “public” part of the partnerships is to provide such investments, they will need international donor support to succeed.</p>
<p>The other challenge for the New Alliance is aligning its private funding with countries’ national development priorities. Multinational agribusiness firms are generally looking either to expand their markets —&#160;think Monsanto with its seeds and agro-chemicals — or to find new, inexpensive sources for their export operations — think mining companies or garment factories.</p>
<p>If an African government’s main priority is increasing the productivity of its domestic staple food producers, to improve the lives of the farmers and ensure the country’s food security in a world of volatile prices, it is less clear why private capital would be interested. Mostly, they’re not.</p>
<p>In Davos, Dupont CEO Ellen Kullman spoke on a <a href="" type="external">New Alliance panel chaired by USAID head Rajiv Shah</a> on Jan. 23. Citing Dupont’s expertise “up and down the value chain,” the chemical executive hit all the right chords about feeding Africa’s growing population by helping “accelerate progress locally.”</p>
<p>According to Kullman, "This will enable such things as affordability to import food, improve trade policy, better enable the free flow of food, build agricultural food systems and value chains, develop new ways to improve shelf life as well as the freshness and variety of foods available, and provide nutrition education to encourage healthy eating as incomes rise." &#160;</p>
<p>Look closely. All of these concrete steps bypass small-scale farmers. Instead, they increase imports, make those imports cheaper, put those foods into value chains dominated by multinational firms, and provide fresher foods to middle class urban consumers, whom they can encourage to eat the firms’ “healthier” processed foods.</p>
<p>For small-scale farmers trying to improve their production of staples, there’s no new wine in that pretty bottle. In fact, the bottle may contain nothing more than a concentrated dose of Dupont’s agricultural chemicals. Or a high-protein drink handout to make up for another poor harvest.</p>
<p>If the corporate partners in the New Alliance want to contribute to enhancing food security in Africa, they will need to show they are willing to be true partners with national governments, respecting their development priorities and making long-term commitments that do more than open markets for the firms’ goods.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Timothy A. Wise is the Policy Research Director at Tufts University’s Global Development and Environment Institute (GDAE). He is currently on an Open Society Institute Fellowship on agriculture, climate change and the right to food.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | geneva worlds elites gathered davos switzerland last week annual world economic forum wef paying 20000 person privilege offering grand solutions peoples problems road geneva attending decidedly lowbrow twoday expert workshop agricultural trade development downwind could almost smell champagne fondue doubt helped powersthatbe focus global food crisis wefs new vision agriculture answer along g8 nations new alliance food security nutrition represent bold new initiatives rich world solve poor peoples hunger newness worlds smallscale farmers forgiven seeing little new bottles old wine still cant afford old wine includes overwhelming focus technological solutions industrialscale farms highinput methods often poorly suited smallscale farmers new bottles though look sharp labels show happy african farmers lush fields feature right catchphrases sustainable agriculture climatesmart production course meeting worlds food needs look like came corporate branding campaign basically one new thing new wave attention agricultural development explicit leadership private sector international level generally looks like whos top agribusiness multinationals g8 led impressive effort 2009 following spikes food prices marshal rich country funds support developing country food production since given drop public funding narrowing geographic ambition heavy reliance corporate leadership investment year vietnamese leaders led cheers wefs new vision supporting role publicprivate partnerships ppps integrating value chains promoting development vietnam strong developmental state highly productive smallholder rice farms afford bring international corporate partners government already transformed warravaged land highly productive smallholderbased rice exporter government relatively strong position negotiate transnational firms unfortunately african governments come ppp negotiating table hatinhand 20 percent agricultural investment plans covered government funds thats g8s new alliance comes dangling foreign investment front cashstrapped african governments doubt need investment many countries little private capital expertise manage complex projects infrastructure poorly developed particularly areas transportation key domestic international trade 160and irrigation central raising agricultural productivity investments though rarely come private sector seen public goods part longterm investments potentially wide range beneficiaries public part partnerships provide investments need international donor support succeed challenge new alliance aligning private funding countries national development priorities multinational agribusiness firms generally looking either expand markets 160think monsanto seeds agrochemicals find new inexpensive sources export operations think mining companies garment factories african governments main priority increasing productivity domestic staple food producers improve lives farmers ensure countrys food security world volatile prices less clear private capital would interested mostly theyre davos dupont ceo ellen kullman spoke new alliance panel chaired usaid head rajiv shah jan 23 citing duponts expertise value chain chemical executive hit right chords feeding africas growing population helping accelerate progress locally according kullman enable things affordability import food improve trade policy better enable free flow food build agricultural food systems value chains develop new ways improve shelf life well freshness variety foods available provide nutrition education encourage healthy eating incomes rise 160 look closely concrete steps bypass smallscale farmers instead increase imports make imports cheaper put foods value chains dominated multinational firms provide fresher foods middle class urban consumers encourage eat firms healthier processed foods smallscale farmers trying improve production staples theres new wine pretty bottle fact bottle may contain nothing concentrated dose duponts agricultural chemicals highprotein drink handout make another poor harvest corporate partners new alliance want contribute enhancing food security africa need show willing true partners national governments respecting development priorities making longterm commitments open markets firms goods 160 timothy wise policy research director tufts universitys global development environment institute gdae currently open society institute fellowship agriculture climate change right food160 160 | 561 |
<p>Marlene Forte</p>
<p>Marlene Forte has probably been on everyone’s living room television at one point or another. Forte has built a 20-year career on guest starring and recurring television roles. From the role of Carmen Ramon on the TNT reboot of “Dallas” to a recurring role as the grandmother of Marianna and Jesus on “The Fosters,” Forte is no amateur to television work. Yet her role as villainous Celia Flores on “Fear the Walking Dead” has been her most chilling to date.</p>
<p>Celia is the former housekeeper and mother figure to Thomas Abigail (Dougray Scott), the partner of mysterious business man Victor Strand (Colman Domingo), and actual mother of Abigail’s right-hand man Luis. The second season of “Fear the Walking Dead” revealed Strand had led the group to Mexico so he could reunite with his lost love Thomas. Joining Thomas means the group must deal with Celia who has her own ideas about the dead who walk the earth.</p>
<p>Celia’s influence is quickly felt throughout the group as she preaches her dead-positive ideology, immediately taking drug addict Nick (Frank Dillane) under her wing. Not everyone is as enamored as Madison (Kim Dickens) grows suspicious of Celia’s connection to her son Nick and Strand battles Celia over Thomas’s death. The growing tension leads to Celia’s death by the hands of Madison at season’s end.</p>
<p>Washington Blade spoke with Forte about the mindset of a villain, working on a zombie show with a zombie fear and her thoughts on the first in-depth gay storyline in “The Walking Dead” universe.</p>
<p>Washington Blade: “The Walking Dead” is such a huge franchise. What was the audition process like for “Fear the Walking Dead” and were you intimidated at all?</p>
<p>Marlene Forte: Well, at this point in my life I don’t get too intimidated in auditions. I was excited as hell just because I knew the thing of it. And it’s really funny because I watched “Night of the Living Dead” when I was like 10&#160;years old by myself. And I woke up one day at like ten o’clock in the morning and it was playing. It scared the shit out of me so much that I have stayed away from zombie things for a long time. I was like, “I don’t want to be cremated, don’t put me in the ground, I don’t want to come back.” My dad who is almost 80 is a humongous fan of “The Walking Dead,” “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Talking Dead.” He has been trying to get me to see it for years.</p>
<p>So I get this audition and now I have to. I had watched “Fear the Walking Dead” because I’m very good friends with Elizabeth Rodriguez who played Liza in the first season. I had seen that season and that was it. But before then, just to do a little more research, I watched the first season of “The Walking Dead.” I was hooked so quickly. Once I booked the job I went down to Mexico. I got down there and I binge watched all the seasons in three weeks. So imagine this, during the day I am shooting “Fear the Walking Dead” and at night I’m going home to gorge on “The Walking Dead.” It was like a drug. I loved these people and I wanted to know what was going on with these people. Now I’m having conversations with my 80-year-old dad who is like “I told you how great this show is! It’s not about the dead people!”</p>
<p>It’s ironic that I ended up getting this character because it took me so long to get over it. The hardest scene that I had to do was when my son comes back like a zombie. And I have to be close to him and the makeup is insanely great. And he’s drooling and there is blood spitting out and I’m like, “I’m going to throw up.” But it was like going to Disneyland on this show. It was so much fun.</p>
<p>Blade: A lot of Celia’s storyline was closely tied to Nick. What was it like working with Frank Dillane?</p>
<p>Forte: He’s mercurial. He’s amazing. I said to my husband, “If Johnny Depp and River Phoenix had a baby it would be Frank.” He’s got all that and more. He’s sweet, generous and polite. He’s going to be a superstar, watch out for him. It was lovely. The whole cast are powerful actors and it was a blessing. I’ve been doing this for 20 years and I don’t get excited about a lot of things anymore. I’m one of those actors who haven’t worked with too many uptight people and too many divas. But this was fun. It was like a paid vacation for me because I was delving into this whole new zombie world. Frank is phenomenal. I want to adopt him. What a nice man. And he’s got this great accent. I only knew him from watching the show. And at the table read I heard this London accent and I was like, “What? You don’t talk like that.” He’s very cute with that accent.</p>
<p>Another scene from ‘Fear the Walking Dead.’ (Photo courtesy AMC)</p>
<p>Blade: Celia has this cult leader vibe. You want to trust her, but she’s very creepy. In the finale Nick seemed sucked into her spiel about not being afraid of the dead. Do you think that affected his decision to leave his family?</p>
<p>Forte: Absolutely. I think she’s got him. Now of course, Nick’s character is a drug addict. These are people who are vulnerable human beings. Which she sees the minute he walks through the kitchen. She identifies him and goes after him. Like any good cult leader will do, right? She’s like, “Another one of my children, another one of my lambs.” But like he said at the end, “We caused this.” So he can now rightly or wrongfully move away from his family. It’s a pretty powerful moment when you see him walking with the dead like that.</p>
<p>Blade: Did Celia feel like the relationship between Thomas and Strand was genuine?</p>
<p>Forte: Marlene thinks their relationship was genuine. I’m not too sure Celia does. I think Celia thinks that Thomas was genuinely in love with Strand, but I don’t think she’s ever trusted Strand. I try not to judge my villain characters. Because the most warped human being doesn’t think they’re warped. They think they’re coming from a place that’s very logical in their head. In my background story, I don’t know if this is what the writers did, but Thomas was gay and his parents disowned him. So I have been taking care of him from a very young age. I’ve been his mom in my head since he was like 12, when he first realized that he was gay. In my head that’s why he’s my son. I took in him, I take in Nick and I take in anyone who is lost. And that’s how her culture formed; it’s the outsides of society. Her children.</p>
<p>Blade: You’ve also appeared on “The Fosters.”</p>
<p>Forte: Yeah, it’s a very different character. I played Cierra Ramirez’s grandmother. She is also a mom and also very loving, but completely on the other spectrum of Celia. The truth is that in my 20-year career those are really the roles that I’ve played. A lot of weepy moms, a lot of procedurals where I’m crying over some dead thing or another. The role of Celia is such a breath of fresh air because it’s something as an actress I can sink my teeth into. I love playing those other roles, but they’re very one or two-dimensional characters where you fit into a half-hour show. A character like this is almost like a play where there are so many layers. It was a different experience then you would have on a TV set.</p>
<p>Blade: What did you think about having such a large plot device revolve around a gay relationship on a show as big as “Fear the Walking Dead?”</p>
<p>Forte: I loved it. When I saw where it was going I thought “This is great.” Also, nobody made a thing of it which is kind of the way young people today are. Now my 80-year old dad, he doesn’t like it. He’s a good old Catholic Cuban. But my niece who is 21 doesn’t blink an eye. I like that it wasn’t beaten over the head or anything. It’s just part of the fabric. You love who you love. I’d rather them love each other than beating up each other or shooting up each other.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Colman Domingo</a> <a href="" type="internal">Doughy Scott</a> <a href="" type="internal">Fear the Walking Dead</a> <a href="" type="internal">Frank Dilate</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kim Dickens</a> <a href="" type="internal">Marlene Forte</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Fosters</a></p> | false | 3 | marlene forte marlene forte probably everyones living room television one point another forte built 20year career guest starring recurring television roles role carmen ramon tnt reboot dallas recurring role grandmother marianna jesus fosters forte amateur television work yet role villainous celia flores fear walking dead chilling date celia former housekeeper mother figure thomas abigail dougray scott partner mysterious business man victor strand colman domingo actual mother abigails righthand man luis second season fear walking dead revealed strand led group mexico could reunite lost love thomas joining thomas means group must deal celia ideas dead walk earth celias influence quickly felt throughout group preaches deadpositive ideology immediately taking drug addict nick frank dillane wing everyone enamored madison kim dickens grows suspicious celias connection son nick strand battles celia thomass death growing tension leads celias death hands madison seasons end washington blade spoke forte mindset villain working zombie show zombie fear thoughts first indepth gay storyline walking dead universe washington blade walking dead huge franchise audition process like fear walking dead intimidated marlene forte well point life dont get intimidated auditions excited hell knew thing really funny watched night living dead like 10160years old woke one day like ten oclock morning playing scared shit much stayed away zombie things long time like dont want cremated dont put ground dont want come back dad almost 80 humongous fan walking dead fear walking dead talking dead trying get see years get audition watched fear walking dead im good friends elizabeth rodriguez played liza first season seen season little research watched first season walking dead hooked quickly booked job went mexico got binge watched seasons three weeks imagine day shooting fear walking dead night im going home gorge walking dead like drug loved people wanted know going people im conversations 80yearold dad like told great show dead people ironic ended getting character took long get hardest scene son comes back like zombie close makeup insanely great hes drooling blood spitting im like im going throw like going disneyland show much fun blade lot celias storyline closely tied nick like working frank dillane forte hes mercurial hes amazing said husband johnny depp river phoenix baby would frank hes got hes sweet generous polite hes going superstar watch lovely whole cast powerful actors blessing ive 20 years dont get excited lot things anymore im one actors havent worked many uptight people many divas fun like paid vacation delving whole new zombie world frank phenomenal want adopt nice man hes got great accent knew watching show table read heard london accent like dont talk like hes cute accent another scene fear walking dead photo courtesy amc blade celia cult leader vibe want trust shes creepy finale nick seemed sucked spiel afraid dead think affected decision leave family forte absolutely think shes got course nicks character drug addict people vulnerable human beings sees minute walks kitchen identifies goes like good cult leader right shes like another one children another one lambs like said end caused rightly wrongfully move away family pretty powerful moment see walking dead like blade celia feel like relationship thomas strand genuine forte marlene thinks relationship genuine im sure celia think celia thinks thomas genuinely love strand dont think shes ever trusted strand try judge villain characters warped human doesnt think theyre warped think theyre coming place thats logical head background story dont know writers thomas gay parents disowned taking care young age ive mom head since like 12 first realized gay head thats hes son took take nick take anyone lost thats culture formed outsides society children blade youve also appeared fosters forte yeah different character played cierra ramirezs grandmother also mom also loving completely spectrum celia truth 20year career really roles ive played lot weepy moms lot procedurals im crying dead thing another role celia breath fresh air something actress sink teeth love playing roles theyre one twodimensional characters fit halfhour show character like almost like play many layers different experience would tv set blade think large plot device revolve around gay relationship show big fear walking dead forte loved saw going thought great also nobody made thing kind way young people today 80year old dad doesnt like hes good old catholic cuban niece 21 doesnt blink eye like wasnt beaten head anything part fabric love love id rather love beating shooting colman domingo doughy scott fear walking dead frank dilate kim dickens marlene forte fosters | 732 |
<p>By Jeff Brumley</p>
<p>Before ISIS and before Ebola, there was “the surge” – the seemingly unending wave of undocumented immigrants, most of them minors, rushing the southwestern U.S. border during the spring and summer of 2014.</p>
<p>Images of overwhelmed government facilities poured into homes along with the angry rhetoric of conservatives lambasting ministries and others rendering aid to the foreigners.</p>
<p>A brief lull in the media hysteria was quickly followed by news that tens of thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children were being placed in the homes of friends and relatives across the nation as their cases awaited adjudication. Again, Christians and others on the right rose in protest against the 63,000-plus children strangers among them.</p>
<p>But for one of those minors, Mely, and for the older sister traveling with her, the most stressful part of “the surge” enroute from El Salvador to – they hoped – their mother in Virginia.</p>
<p>Along the way they endured long hikes, abandonment, hunger, heat and bandits.</p>
<p>It wasn’t until they were arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol –somewhere in Texas in May – that they learned their illegal border crossing had a huge political significance.</p>
<p>“We had no clue until we got to the warehouse and saw a television and realized we were part of something really big,” Mely, now 18, said through translator Sue Smith, co-founder of LUCHA Ministries in Fredericksburg, Va.</p>
<p>Mely was six months pregnant when she and sister Carole began the nearly two-week journey from San Salvador. She now knows just how upset many Americans are that they and tens of thousands of other Central American youth are living in the United States.</p>
<p>Mely and Carole were reunited with her mother, Ahida, in Fredericksburg. Their full names are being withheld to protect their identity as they seek asylum in the U.S.</p>
<p>Amerians, she said, shouldn’t feel threatened.</p>
<p>“I wish they knew these are children who are escaping from violence, or they are children who are alone,” Mely said.</p>
<p>‘A humanitarian crisis’</p>
<p>That’s also been Smith’s wish – and not just starting with Mely and Carole’s arrival in Virginia. But she has seen the young women and their mother as yet another human face on what is often a political game of statistics in America.</p>
<p>And to be sure, the statistics are bracing.</p>
<p>According to U.S. Border Patrol figures, the surge in unaccompanied alien children jumped from just under 38,800 in fiscal year 2013 to more than 68,540 in fiscal 2014, which ended Sept. 30.</p>
<p>That’s a 77 percent increase in the number of youths overrunning the U.S. border, and most of them from Central American nations where poverty and violence are rampant.</p>
<p>Federal officials have said the surge represents more than a political or even national security issue.</p>
<p>“I see this influx of families and children as a humanitarian crisis,” Gil Kerlikowske, commissioner of the U.S. Border Patrol, said in September news release.</p>
<p>Treated with kindness</p>
<p>Religious groups saw it that way, too, and by mid-summer had decided to ignore critics in their own ranks to bring food, clothing and other supplies to immigrants wherever and however they could. Texas Baptists and Buckner International were just a few of the groups who acted with the compassion that President Obama sought from Congress.</p>
<p>Chris Liebrum of the Baptist General Convention of Texas was among a number of leaders who met with Obama Lackland Air Force Base.</p>
<p>According to a July Baptist Standard story, he urged those in attendance to think of what all of this was like to a 4-year-old in detention on the U.S. border.</p>
<p>“Years from now, when he is grown, I hope he will look back on this experience and think, ‘the Americans treated me with kindness and with respect,’” said Liebrum, head of the BGCT’s disaster recovery program. “From a Christian standpoint, I hope he will say: ‘They treated me in a godly way — they treated me the way Christ would have treated me.’”</p>
<p>‘We learn their stories’</p>
<p>Roughly a decade before “the surge” of 2014, Sue Smith and her husband Greg were saying that about the plight of undocumented immigrants in the Fredericksburg area.</p>
<p>“There’s a real problem in our community,” she told BNG.</p>
<p>The couple began to notice that after arriving in the area after more than 10 years as Baptist missionaries in Costa Rica. There had been a construction boom in the Washington D.C. area that had drawn tens of thousands of workers from Latin America.</p>
<p>When the boom ended, those immigrants found themselves out of work – also by the tens of thousands. As their prospects dwindled, it became obvious to many that existing social services couldn’t keep up with the burgeoning need.</p>
<p>In response, the Smiths in 2004 launched a ministry called LUCHA, a Spanish acronym that translates to “Latinos United through Christ in Solidarity and Support.”</p>
<p>The organization, which partners with Virginia Baptists and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, serves about 750 people, of which about 95 percent are undocumented, Smith said.</p>
<p>Their focus is crisis ministry, particularly helping with job loss, illness and deportation. They network with other non-profits and ministries, such as Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and local food banks.</p>
<p>“We focus on people who fall through the cracks,” Smith said.</p>
<p>And they don’t just cycle through clients, she added.</p>
<p>“We learn their stories. We stay with people for the long haul.”</p>
<p>A mother’s longing</p>
<p>It’s certainly been a long haul for Mely, Carole and their mother Ahida. And that’s in miles and years.</p>
<p>The single mom first arrived in the United States – also by crossing the border illegally – in 2001, hoping her daughters would soon be able to follow, she told BNG through Smith acting as an interpreter.</p>
<p>But that didn’t happen. Circumstances and expense kept the three apart for 13 years. In that time, Ahida, who works as in hotel housecleaning and as a restaurant cook, welcomed the arrival of her father and a new son, now 7.</p>
<p>In May, Ahida decided to hire smugglers, known as Cajote, to get the girls the roughly 2,700 miles from San Salvador to the Mexico-Texas border. She said the decision had nothing to do with the buzz about “the surge.”</p>
<p>&#160;“I made the decision because my daughter was pregnant and because I don’t leave my other daughter behind,” she said of Mely and Carole, respectively.</p>
<p>Fleeing violence</p>
<p>From the girls’ perspective in El Salvador, getting out was about much more than Mely’s&#160; pregnancy.</p>
<p>“Our country and San Salvador used to be safe and calm, but gangs came and killed people,” Carole said through Smith.</p>
<p>Carole, who was attending a local university by then, used to be threatened as she walked home from school.</p>
<p>“Coming home from university I saw three youths being killed in the streets,” Carole said. “That was three days before leaving.”</p>
<p>Those conditions — and being 17 and six months pregnant — gave Mely a sense of urgency to go despite the risks at the American border.</p>
<p>“I wanted to see my mom and I wanted my mom to see my baby,” Mely said.</p>
<p>‘Caught by the Border Patrol’</p>
<p>On May 19 they embarked on a 12-day trip consisting of bus rides interspersed with two- and three-hour walks.</p>
<p>The journey was uneventful until they reached Mexico when, while on foot, they were robbed of cash and other items.</p>
<p>“The assailants ran out with pistols and machetes and chased us,” Mely recalled. “They took our cell phones and all of Carole’s documents.”</p>
<p>Finally reaching the border at the end of May, they were suddenly abandoned by the guides who had been paid to get them across.</p>
<p>“I was caught by the Border Patrol” shortly after crossing, Carole said.</p>
<p>Mely turned herself in two days later, exhausted, hungry, thirsty and scared on the U.S. side.</p>
<p>“I told them I was in pain and pregnant, but it was several hours before I was taken to a hospital,” Mely said.</p>
<p>‘It happened to me’</p>
<p>In Virginia, Ahida had been in on-again, off-again contact with her daughters as they journeyed northward. But she stopped hearing from the girls when they reached the border.</p>
<p>She knew from her own experience what had likely happened.</p>
<p>“It happened to me” when crossing the border in 2001, she said. “I came and was detained within 24 hours.”</p>
<p>Carole and Mely were in custody, but in separate facilities. Authorities were processing the older daughter as an adult, meaning she faced deportation.</p>
<p>Mely, still a minor at the time, was allowed to call her mother. The government called her about Carole.</p>
<p>“I didn’t know where they were, but I knew the youngest one was in a shelter and the older one in a detention facility,” Ahida said.</p>
<p>She hired a lawyer to fight Carole’s immediate deportation and by July 8 both daughters were with their mother in Fredericksburg.</p>
<p>‘God has blessed me’</p>
<p>Mely gave birth to a baby girl she named Ashley on Sept. 24. The sisters are attending public schools and working hard to learn English.</p>
<p>Walls inside the small brick home they share with their mother, grandfather, brother and the baby are dotted with pink sticky notes with words like “picture” and “wall.”</p>
<p>They are also adorned with Christ, Mary and other religious images in keeping with their Catholic faith.</p>
<p>“I have been through a lot of trial, but God has blessed me,” Ahida said through Smith as they sat around the family’s kitchen table.</p>
<p>Much of that blessing has come from Smith’s ministry, which she said has been invaluable before and since Carole and Mely arrived.</p>
<p>And it doesn’t bother her that Smith is Baptist. In fact, it’s the opposite.</p>
<p>“It’s the same God we worship,” Ahida said. “God has blessed me with these people.”</p>
<p>‘We want something better’</p>
<p>Carole and Mely agreed, adding they saw God’s hand in their journey from the moment they arrived in Virginia, and beyond.</p>
<p>They like their school and say American’s they have personally encountered have treated them well.</p>
<p>But they have also watched and read news about the hostility many state and local politicians have toward undocumented immigrants – including children.</p>
<p>“People think we only came to take,” Carole said. “They don’t understand the violence and the killing and that there are no opportunities. We just came here because we want something better.”</p> | false | 3 | jeff brumley isis ebola surge seemingly unending wave undocumented immigrants minors rushing southwestern us border spring summer 2014 images overwhelmed government facilities poured homes along angry rhetoric conservatives lambasting ministries others rendering aid foreigners brief lull media hysteria quickly followed news tens thousands unaccompanied immigrant children placed homes friends relatives across nation cases awaited adjudication christians others right rose protest 63000plus children strangers among one minors mely older sister traveling stressful part surge enroute el salvador hoped mother virginia along way endured long hikes abandonment hunger heat bandits wasnt arrested us customs border patrol somewhere texas may learned illegal border crossing huge political significance clue got warehouse saw television realized part something really big mely 18 said translator sue smith cofounder lucha ministries fredericksburg va mely six months pregnant sister carole began nearly twoweek journey san salvador knows upset many americans tens thousands central american youth living united states mely carole reunited mother ahida fredericksburg full names withheld protect identity seek asylum us amerians said shouldnt feel threatened wish knew children escaping violence children alone mely said humanitarian crisis thats also smiths wish starting mely caroles arrival virginia seen young women mother yet another human face often political game statistics america sure statistics bracing according us border patrol figures surge unaccompanied alien children jumped 38800 fiscal year 2013 68540 fiscal 2014 ended sept 30 thats 77 percent increase number youths overrunning us border central american nations poverty violence rampant federal officials said surge represents political even national security issue see influx families children humanitarian crisis gil kerlikowske commissioner us border patrol said september news release treated kindness religious groups saw way midsummer decided ignore critics ranks bring food clothing supplies immigrants wherever however could texas baptists buckner international groups acted compassion president obama sought congress chris liebrum baptist general convention texas among number leaders met obama lackland air force base according july baptist standard story urged attendance think like 4yearold detention us border years grown hope look back experience think americans treated kindness respect said liebrum head bgcts disaster recovery program christian standpoint hope say treated godly way treated way christ would treated learn stories roughly decade surge 2014 sue smith husband greg saying plight undocumented immigrants fredericksburg area theres real problem community told bng couple began notice arriving area 10 years baptist missionaries costa rica construction boom washington dc area drawn tens thousands workers latin america boom ended immigrants found work also tens thousands prospects dwindled became obvious many existing social services couldnt keep burgeoning need response smiths 2004 launched ministry called lucha spanish acronym translates latinos united christ solidarity support organization partners virginia baptists cooperative baptist fellowship serves 750 people 95 percent undocumented smith said focus crisis ministry particularly helping job loss illness deportation network nonprofits ministries salvation army catholic charities local food banks focus people fall cracks smith said dont cycle clients added learn stories stay people long haul mothers longing certainly long haul mely carole mother ahida thats miles years single mom first arrived united states also crossing border illegally 2001 hoping daughters would soon able follow told bng smith acting interpreter didnt happen circumstances expense kept three apart 13 years time ahida works hotel housecleaning restaurant cook welcomed arrival father new son 7 may ahida decided hire smugglers known cajote get girls roughly 2700 miles san salvador mexicotexas border said decision nothing buzz surge 160i made decision daughter pregnant dont leave daughter behind said mely carole respectively fleeing violence girls perspective el salvador getting much melys160 pregnancy country san salvador used safe calm gangs came killed people carole said smith carole attending local university used threatened walked home school coming home university saw three youths killed streets carole said three days leaving conditions 17 six months pregnant gave mely sense urgency go despite risks american border wanted see mom wanted mom see baby mely said caught border patrol may 19 embarked 12day trip consisting bus rides interspersed two threehour walks journey uneventful reached mexico foot robbed cash items assailants ran pistols machetes chased us mely recalled took cell phones caroles documents finally reaching border end may suddenly abandoned guides paid get across caught border patrol shortly crossing carole said mely turned two days later exhausted hungry thirsty scared us side told pain pregnant several hours taken hospital mely said happened virginia ahida onagain offagain contact daughters journeyed northward stopped hearing girls reached border knew experience likely happened happened crossing border 2001 said came detained within 24 hours carole mely custody separate facilities authorities processing older daughter adult meaning faced deportation mely still minor time allowed call mother government called carole didnt know knew youngest one shelter older one detention facility ahida said hired lawyer fight caroles immediate deportation july 8 daughters mother fredericksburg god blessed mely gave birth baby girl named ashley sept 24 sisters attending public schools working hard learn english walls inside small brick home share mother grandfather brother baby dotted pink sticky notes words like picture wall also adorned christ mary religious images keeping catholic faith lot trial god blessed ahida said smith sat around familys kitchen table much blessing come smiths ministry said invaluable since carole mely arrived doesnt bother smith baptist fact opposite god worship ahida said god blessed people want something better carole mely agreed adding saw gods hand journey moment arrived virginia beyond like school say americans personally encountered treated well also watched read news hostility many state local politicians toward undocumented immigrants including children people think came take carole said dont understand violence killing opportunities came want something better | 922 |
<p>What if she hadn’t lost her shoe that day? Arati Baladas wonders about this sometimes.</p>
<p>Baladas is 20, and she sometimes replays in her mind that moment on April 24, 2013, &#160;when she scrambled to find her missing sandal, as the walls and the ceiling around her crumbled.</p>
<p>She was working at her sewing machine when she heard a loud bang. She says the building “shivered.” Her supervisor told everyone to run.</p>
<p>Baladas who often slipped her shoes off at work, searched for her sandal. “Just run!” her supervisor said. She sprinted, and tripped. She doesn’t remember anything else.</p>
<p />
<p>Former garment worker Arati Baladas at her home outside of Dhaka.</p>
<p>Ismail Ferdous/PRI</p>
<p>On that morning, the Rana Plaza garment factory complex became a pile of rubble.</p>
<p>“I was under a dead body,” Baladas says.</p>
<p>The images of the collapsed Rana Plaza show a pile of cement and iron rods tangled with human limbs and fabric. Fabric that was destined to be made into clothing for big-brand stores. Baladas was trapped under all that, her leg stuck under another worker’s body.</p>
<p>By the time she woke up to the sound of rescuers, Baladas had been buried for three days. Her mother, who worked at the same factory, died in the collapse. Baladas was taken to the hospital, where they had to amputate her leg.</p>
<p>The Rana Plaza collapse was the deadliest accident in garment industry history. The final death toll was over 1,000 and approximately 2,500 people were injured.</p>
<p>The building had not been built for thousands of workers operating heavy machinery. Additional floors had been added illegally. The day before the collapse, managers found deep fissures in the structure.</p>
<p>Now where Rana Plaza used to be, it’s just an empty lot with overgrown bushes and mounds of garbage.</p>
<p />
<p>The empty lot where the Rana Plaza factory complex was located before it collapsed in 2013.</p>
<p>Ismail Ferdous/PRI</p>
<p>Every morning, thousands of workers, mostly women, walk past it on the way to garment factories.</p>
<p>Adrian Rodriguez is the merchandising manager at the Waymart Factory in Dhaka. At Waymart, workers make clothing for Debenhams and Next, two British retailers.</p>
<p />
<p>Manager Adrian Rodriguez oversees a factory of 800 garment workers.</p>
<p>Ismail Ferdous/PRI</p>
<p>“Buyers have become more alert than before,” says Rodriguez. He says that after Rana Plaza, retailers changed the way they did business with factories in Bangladesh.</p>
<p>“They will send the compliance team to check the building team,” he explains. “And to check the building safety, the electrical safety, the structural safety … How compliant we are, whether we are giving proper facilities to the workers, whether the workers are happy. So, overall, buyers are more pushy now, for safety.”</p>
<p>And he says, Rana Plaza taught the industry two things: First, as much as consumers love a bargain, they don’t want blood on their hands. And second, Bangladeshi factory owners are learning the value of a happy worker.</p>
<p>“They have seen that if they’re behaving better with the employees, if they are giving better facilities, they are getting the products out better.”</p>
<p>Out on the production floor, rows of workers, almost all women, hunch over their tables, their needles ricocheting through denim. This is not a cushy job. The hours are long. The work is repetitive and physically draining.</p>
<p />
<p>Garment factory worker making denim jeans for a British retailer.</p>
<p>Ismail Ferdous/PRI</p>
<p>It’s warm and the fans seem to just push hot air around. And the building has been checked by structural engineers.</p>
<p>These are all great improvements. And yet, activists say, there’s a long way to go.</p>
<p>“These jobs are not [jobs] with respect,” says Kalpona Akter. “These jobs have no dignity.”</p>
<p>Akter worked in garment factories as a child. She’s now a union leader, And she understands what a delicate battle this is. Twenty percent of this country’s gross domestic product comes from garment production.</p>
<p>She says that European companies like Adidas and H&amp;M have tried to improve work conditions by signing something called <a href="http://bangladeshaccord.org/" type="external">the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh</a>. In it, they promise they won’t do business with factories that aren’t up to safety standards.</p>
<p>Rob Wayss is the executive director and acting chief safety inspector for the accord.</p>
<p>“Since 2013, we've been inspecting about 1,800 factories that produce garments in Bangladesh, identifying safety hazards — fire, electric and structural safety hazards. And we've been working with the signatory companies and unions and the factory owners and the technical people that the factories have on staff are [hired] to fix all the safety hazards and to monitor that they're being fixed and reporting whether they're being fixed or not.”</p>
<p>Wayss says inspectors identify hazards and also train workers on how to respond in the event of an emergency.</p>
<p>“We do these programs at factories where production stops for an hour or so and the workers assemble at different points in the factory, and we [train] safety trainers that deliver about a 40-minute session on essentials and safety essentials and safety in garment factories [on] how to evacuate a building in the event of an emergency or in the event of a fire.”</p>
<p>The Bangladesh Accord is a legally binding agreement.</p>
<p>Labor organizer Kalpona Akter says it’s made a difference.</p>
<p>“To give you an example, up to 2013, every year, [on] average, 200 workers would die. [In] 2016 ... it was zero.”</p>
<p>Getting the big North American brands to be better about safety has been a challenge.</p>
<p>They didn’t sign the accord. Instead, they created something called, <a href="http://www.bangladeshworkersafety.org/" type="external">the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety</a>. Unlike the accord, it’s not legally binding, and it’s been criticized for having less teeth.</p>
<p>Nearly 2,000 factories are covered by the alliance and the accord. But there are thousands of factories manufacturing garments that are not part of either agreement.</p>
<p>Ultimately, Akter says, it isn’t just the responsibility of clothing brands. Or even of factory owners. The buck stops with the consumer.</p>
<p>“Start with the store managers. Ask him, ‘I want to know more about this worker. Are they paid a living wage? Are they safe?’”</p>
<p>Arati Baladas doesn’t think factories in Bangladesh are any safer now than when the Rana Plaza building collapsed on her. She says she’ll never go back to the factory. And no child of hers will go, either. But in Bangladesh, almost all roads lead to garment work. What else is there?</p>
<p>Sometimes at night, Baladas says a strange itch wakes her up. Phantom limb feelings are common in amputees. She swears she can feel her toes. She reaches down, only to find there is nothing.</p>
<p />
<p>Arati Baladas has a prosthetic leg after her right leg was crushed in the Rana Plaza factory disaster.</p>
<p>Ismail Ferdous/PRI</p> | false | 3 | hadnt lost shoe day arati baladas wonders sometimes baladas 20 sometimes replays mind moment april 24 2013 160when scrambled find missing sandal walls ceiling around crumbled working sewing machine heard loud bang says building shivered supervisor told everyone run baladas often slipped shoes work searched sandal run supervisor said sprinted tripped doesnt remember anything else former garment worker arati baladas home outside dhaka ismail ferdouspri morning rana plaza garment factory complex became pile rubble dead body baladas says images collapsed rana plaza show pile cement iron rods tangled human limbs fabric fabric destined made clothing bigbrand stores baladas trapped leg stuck another workers body time woke sound rescuers baladas buried three days mother worked factory died collapse baladas taken hospital amputate leg rana plaza collapse deadliest accident garment industry history final death toll 1000 approximately 2500 people injured building built thousands workers operating heavy machinery additional floors added illegally day collapse managers found deep fissures structure rana plaza used empty lot overgrown bushes mounds garbage empty lot rana plaza factory complex located collapsed 2013 ismail ferdouspri every morning thousands workers mostly women walk past way garment factories adrian rodriguez merchandising manager waymart factory dhaka waymart workers make clothing debenhams next two british retailers manager adrian rodriguez oversees factory 800 garment workers ismail ferdouspri buyers become alert says rodriguez says rana plaza retailers changed way business factories bangladesh send compliance team check building team explains check building safety electrical safety structural safety compliant whether giving proper facilities workers whether workers happy overall buyers pushy safety says rana plaza taught industry two things first much consumers love bargain dont want blood hands second bangladeshi factory owners learning value happy worker seen theyre behaving better employees giving better facilities getting products better production floor rows workers almost women hunch tables needles ricocheting denim cushy job hours long work repetitive physically draining garment factory worker making denim jeans british retailer ismail ferdouspri warm fans seem push hot air around building checked structural engineers great improvements yet activists say theres long way go jobs jobs respect says kalpona akter jobs dignity akter worked garment factories child shes union leader understands delicate battle twenty percent countrys gross domestic product comes garment production says european companies like adidas hampm tried improve work conditions signing something called accord fire building safety bangladesh promise wont business factories arent safety standards rob wayss executive director acting chief safety inspector accord since 2013 weve inspecting 1800 factories produce garments bangladesh identifying safety hazards fire electric structural safety hazards weve working signatory companies unions factory owners technical people factories staff hired fix safety hazards monitor theyre fixed reporting whether theyre fixed wayss says inspectors identify hazards also train workers respond event emergency programs factories production stops hour workers assemble different points factory train safety trainers deliver 40minute session essentials safety essentials safety garment factories evacuate building event emergency event fire bangladesh accord legally binding agreement labor organizer kalpona akter says made difference give example 2013 every year average 200 workers would die 2016 zero getting big north american brands better safety challenge didnt sign accord instead created something called alliance bangladesh worker safety unlike accord legally binding criticized less teeth nearly 2000 factories covered alliance accord thousands factories manufacturing garments part either agreement ultimately akter says isnt responsibility clothing brands even factory owners buck stops consumer start store managers ask want know worker paid living wage safe arati baladas doesnt think factories bangladesh safer rana plaza building collapsed says shell never go back factory child go either bangladesh almost roads lead garment work else sometimes night baladas says strange itch wakes phantom limb feelings common amputees swears feel toes reaches find nothing arati baladas prosthetic leg right leg crushed rana plaza factory disaster ismail ferdouspri | 623 |
<p>SACRAMENTO –The Legislature still is working on teacher-discipline legislation. <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml" type="external">AB375 is by Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo.</a> It passed the <a href="http://sedn.senate.ca.gov" type="external">Senate Education Committee</a> Tuesday and is being heard Wednesday in the Senate Appropriations Committee. <a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, all of the stakeholders had been led to believe the bill, which was thought dead in July, was on hold until next year.</p>
<p>But <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml" type="external">AB375</a> received major amendments late on the late night Sept. 6. The amendments appeared to come out of nowhere — until it became evident during Tuesday’s hearing the amendments were driven in on a teachers union bus.</p>
<p>In its new form, it now looks as though <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml" type="external">AB375</a> could make it harder, not easier, to dismiss bad teachers. It would preserve the current three-person Commission on Professional Competence that judges teacher-misconduct cases. It would have imposed a seven-month time limit for the completion of a teacher dismissal hearing, but the 7-month “cliff”was taken out of the bill in the last set of amendments negotiated with Liu. So now the bill allows proceedings to go on indefinitely…which isn't any better than current law either.</p>
<p>AB 375 could force districts to settle with bad teachers, or re-file charges — meaning child-victims could be asked to relive their abuse in further testimony.</p>
<p>And to shorten the process, the bill would limit the discovery process for evidence.</p>
<p>Other provisions would limit a district’s ability to amend charges when new evidence is discovered, and provide ample opportunities for defense counsel to delay.</p>
<p>Critics contend that AB375 also overlooks major problems with the dismissal process that lead to costly delays.</p>
<p><a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml" type="external">AB375</a> was shaped as a teacher dismissal bill as a response to the legal technicalities and delays surrounding the 2011 <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/mark-berndt/" type="external">Miramonte Elementary School teacher abuse</a> case in Los Angeles. Teacher Mark Berndt, 61, was charged with 23 felony counts of molestation and lewd conduct with students. The Los Angeles Unified School District agreed to a $30-million settlement.&#160;Parents accused the district of not doing enough to protect students from Berndt even after filing many complaints about inappropriate conduct in his classroom.</p>
<p>But this bill would not have helped LAUSD dismiss Berndt, and could have made the procedure even more complicated and difficult for the children.</p>
<p>School administrators oppose <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml" type="external">AB375</a> because is does not include sufficient protections to ensure that children are safe from predators in their classrooms. The odd incentives created by this bill could leave egregious offenders in classrooms for months, even after misconduct is reported, because the bill does not require school districts to notify the police if they have evidence of crimes perpetrated by a teacher against a child.</p>
<p><a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml" type="external">AB375</a> does not require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to continue investigating allegations of misconduct if the school district settles with the teacher. This could allow teachers who are actually guilty of sex offenses to retain their licenses and continue to be in classrooms.</p>
<p>Principals and other school administrators joined school reformers in showing up in force at the hearing to oppose <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml" type="external">AB375</a>. Among their key suggestions, administrators want school districts to have more discretion dismissing bad teachers, rather than waiting for the Commission on Professional Competence&#160;or an Administrative Law Judge to rule.</p>
<p>AB375 was introduced earlier this year after similar legislation by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima, was defeated in 2012 under pressure by the California Teachers Association and California Federation of Teachers. Padilla's bill&#160;would have given school administrators more authority to fire teachers accused of sexual, drug-related or violent acts with students.</p>
<p>In the education reform movement, some lawmakers have been trying for years to pass a bill to expedite the lengthy teacher dismissal process and reduce the excessive cost.</p>
<p>But many education reformers don’t believe the bill goes far enough to allow schools to get rid of the increasing numbers of sexually abusive school employees.</p>
<p>“School leaders have an obligation to pull bad teachers out,” <a href="http://www.edvoice.org/staff" type="external">Bill Lucia of Edvoice</a> told me after the hearing. Edvoice is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public schools in California.</p>
<p>Lucia explained “beyond a reasonable doubt” does not belong as the standard in schools. “Think about the young children — the classrooms full of young children, and their parents who are horrified,” Lucia said, speaking about schools which are unable to immediately oust abusive teachers. Such teachers often remain in the classroom.</p>
<p>The other flaw Lucia said he found in AB375 is that teachers who commit egregious moral violations are lumped into the same dismissal process as lousy teachers who fail to teach students to read. “This is, at best, an experiment,” Lucia said.</p>
<p>“[Mandatory reporting] is crucial to the process in terms of protecting children,” Buchanan said during the hearing. “This bill is strictly about what happens when you have an employment dispute and the employee disagrees with the dismissal charges.”</p>
<p>“It's disappointing that, by Assemblywoman Buchanan's own admission, AB375 isn't designed to protect California's kids,” said <a href="http://www.studentsfirst.org" type="external">Jessica Ng with Students First</a>, a grassroots education reform organization. “Not only does it fail to include sufficient protections to keep kids safe from predators in their classrooms, but it also makes it harder for districts to dismiss teachers who are accused of abuse against their students.&#160;California's kids don't need a teacher dismissal bill; they need a child safety and protection bill.”</p>
<p>Critics charge the first clue the bill is not real reform was the alliance of support between the <a href="http://www.cta.org/Issues-and-Action/Key-Points/KP-AB-375-AB-1338.aspx" type="external">California Teachers Association</a> and the <a href="http://www.cft.org" type="external">California Federation of Teachers</a>at the hearing.</p>
<p>At the hearing Tuesday, the CTA said it supported Buchanan’s bill because it leaves the final dismissal decision in the hands of the <a href="http://law.onecle.com/california/education/44944.html" type="external">Commission on Professional Competence</a>, made up of two fellow teachers and an administrative law judge.</p>
<p>“Administrators have allowed bad behavior,” said Sen. Norma Torres, D-Chino, repeating the position of the CTA and CFT. “Let’s not punish teachers for bad management.” She is a member of the Senate Education Committee.</p>
<p>Members of the committee, including the Committee Chairwoman, Sen. Carol Liu, voted to pass the bill, even after saying it was incomplete, and “not perfect.” Liu was the threshold vote, and could have made sure the bill stayed in the committee for further work.</p> | false | 3 | sacramento legislature still working teacherdiscipline legislation ab375 assemblywoman joan buchanan dalamo passed senate education committee tuesday heard wednesday senate appropriations committee prior tuesdays hearing stakeholders led believe bill thought dead july hold next year ab375 received major amendments late late night sept 6 amendments appeared come nowhere became evident tuesdays hearing amendments driven teachers union bus new form looks though ab375 could make harder easier dismiss bad teachers would preserve current threeperson commission professional competence judges teachermisconduct cases would imposed sevenmonth time limit completion teacher dismissal hearing 7month cliffwas taken bill last set amendments negotiated liu bill allows proceedings go indefinitelywhich isnt better current law either ab 375 could force districts settle bad teachers refile charges meaning childvictims could asked relive abuse testimony shorten process bill would limit discovery process evidence provisions would limit districts ability amend charges new evidence discovered provide ample opportunities defense counsel delay critics contend ab375 also overlooks major problems dismissal process lead costly delays ab375 shaped teacher dismissal bill response legal technicalities delays surrounding 2011 miramonte elementary school teacher abuse case los angeles teacher mark berndt 61 charged 23 felony counts molestation lewd conduct students los angeles unified school district agreed 30million settlement160parents accused district enough protect students berndt even filing many complaints inappropriate conduct classroom bill would helped lausd dismiss berndt could made procedure even complicated difficult children school administrators oppose ab375 include sufficient protections ensure children safe predators classrooms odd incentives created bill could leave egregious offenders classrooms months even misconduct reported bill require school districts notify police evidence crimes perpetrated teacher child ab375 require commission teacher credentialing continue investigating allegations misconduct school district settles teacher could allow teachers actually guilty sex offenses retain licenses continue classrooms principals school administrators joined school reformers showing force hearing oppose ab375 among key suggestions administrators want school districts discretion dismissing bad teachers rather waiting commission professional competence160or administrative law judge rule ab375 introduced earlier year similar legislation sen alex padilla dpacoima defeated 2012 pressure california teachers association california federation teachers padillas bill160would given school administrators authority fire teachers accused sexual drugrelated violent acts students education reform movement lawmakers trying years pass bill expedite lengthy teacher dismissal process reduce excessive cost many education reformers dont believe bill goes far enough allow schools get rid increasing numbers sexually abusive school employees school leaders obligation pull bad teachers bill lucia edvoice told hearing edvoice educational nonprofit organization dedicated improving public schools california lucia explained beyond reasonable doubt belong standard schools think young children classrooms full young children parents horrified lucia said speaking schools unable immediately oust abusive teachers teachers often remain classroom flaw lucia said found ab375 teachers commit egregious moral violations lumped dismissal process lousy teachers fail teach students read best experiment lucia said mandatory reporting crucial process terms protecting children buchanan said hearing bill strictly happens employment dispute employee disagrees dismissal charges disappointing assemblywoman buchanans admission ab375 isnt designed protect californias kids said jessica ng students first grassroots education reform organization fail include sufficient protections keep kids safe predators classrooms also makes harder districts dismiss teachers accused abuse students160californias kids dont need teacher dismissal bill need child safety protection bill critics charge first clue bill real reform alliance support california teachers association california federation teachersat hearing hearing tuesday cta said supported buchanans bill leaves final dismissal decision hands commission professional competence made two fellow teachers administrative law judge administrators allowed bad behavior said sen norma torres dchino repeating position cta cft lets punish teachers bad management member senate education committee members committee including committee chairwoman sen carol liu voted pass bill even saying incomplete perfect liu threshold vote could made sure bill stayed committee work | 608 |
<p>In a departure from the collegial spirit of years past when, “We’re all in this together” was the prevailing attitude during this current economic hard times, Virginia Baptist Mission Board leaders have decided they can no longer live with the stress of less. No one can blame them. We all know what that stress is like. We can all identify with the frustration of not being able to to what we need to do. The proposed 2013 Baptist General Association of Virginia budget, presented in the October 9-10 board meeting at Eagle Eyrie, increases funds to the VBMB. But it does this by channeling money away from virtually every Baptist General Association of Virginia partner. Apparently, it is only the “partners” of the VBMB who should continue to live with the stress of less. In some cases the diminished resources for the partners are extreme. Southern Baptist Convention partners, however, were left untouched.</p>
<p />
<p>While every dollar is meaningful, in the cases of some partners the contributions of the BGAV represent only a small percentage of the total budgets so the impact may be relatively minor. But for other partners the cuts are so massive their very survival is at stake. For the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies, for example, which receives 97 percent of its total budget from the BGAV, the proposed 47 percent cut will be devastating; as will the 40 percent cut to the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. Other partner ministries will also feel the effects. BGAV contributions represent 6 percent of the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond’s total revenues from all sources including tuition. For the John Leland Center for Theological Studies the figure is 10 percent. Anyone even remotely acquainted with financial management knows these proposed reductions will be very difficult to manage.</p>
<p>The Religious Herald, too, is impacted. In the past, BGAV contributions have equaled about 43 percent of our yearly receipts. The proposed $107,675 reduction from last year is a 50 percent cut and leaves a big hole. In the case of the Herald, we saw the trends in recent years and have anticipated less income. Even so, we were shocked by the amount. As with the other organizations, we have less than 3 months to try to figure out how to cope with a major income hemorrhage. We have been preparing ourselves to seek donations from people who care enough about a free and unfettered press to give in its support.&#160;</p>
<p>The fact that times are tough is apparent to all. BGAV/VBMB treasurer Eddie Stratton emphasized that since 2007 BGAV receipts have declined nearly 16 percent. But in that same time period, Religious Herald receipts have declined nearly 30 percent! I don’t have data from other partners, but I suspect their stories would be similar.</p>
<p>Last week, when I received a letter from budget committee chairman David Washburn, and learned of the budget committee’s proposal, I sought the council of my pastor, Jim Johnson. He encouraged me by saying, “All you need is 100 people to give $1,000 and that will make up the difference!”&#160; Well, that’s true. How do you feel about being one of the few, the proud, the 100!</p>
<p>But as devastating as the reductions are, what is more dispiriting still is the message this budget sends to partners.&#160; I am reminded of a cartoon from an old issue of Leadership magazine. A taskmaster sits atop a massive block of granite being dragged through the desert by dozens of straining slaves. As he cracks the whip, he shouts, “Pharaoh wants you to remember that you are all equally valued members of the team!”</p>
<p>This budget discounts the ministries of BGAV partners. Can it be that the budget committee evaluated carefully and concluded the only ministries worthy of more support are those of the VBMB while in virtually every case those of the BGAV partners deserved less? This stretches the limits of credulity. Moreover, it sends a clear signal that partners are extraneous entities that no longer make a contribution to advancing the kingdom. Partners used to feel like equally valued members of the team. More than that, they were part of the BGAV family. Suddenly they feel more like unwanted step children. This represents a seismic shift in attitudes about what it means to be a part of the BGAV.</p>
<p>But, in truth, the budget committee members are not unreasonable and unfeeling. To the contrary, they are competent, caring church leaders. They must have had some reason to recommend the budget they did. In presenting the figures, David Washburn provided rationale saying, evangelism, discipleship and starting new churches “are at the forefront of what we are trying to accomplish.” He stressed that in trying to provide funding for these important areas some difficult choices had to be made.</p>
<p>I don’t know of any Virginia Baptist who would be against evangelism, discipleship and new churches.&#160; But when these new churches get started and take root, of what will they be a part? Can we envision a BGAV that has no intentional means of communicating its heritage, gets all its information from its own promotional arm, has no organizational means of championing religious liberty and has surrendered educating future ministers to others? I hope not!</p>
<p>Starting churches is important. I fully support the efforts. But even during this time of financial shortages, surely a way forward can be found that does not so devastatingly deplete the funds and diminish the spirits of our partners.</p>
<p>To demonstrate that I’m willing to put money where my mouth is, I told the Mission Board members that although I hoped they would encourage the budget committee to reconsider its action and provide additional funding for those partners who stand to be hurt the most by their proposal, the Religious Herald would not ask for anything additional. This may be difficult to explain to Herald trustees, but I did not want what I say or write on this topic to be construed as an attempt to restore our funding. This is about much more than funding.</p>
<p>On the one hand, we need to start new churches. But on the other, if we do not preserve the ministries of the partners, we will burden these new churches with the task of starting them all over again because they are necessary. It isn’t either/or. It’s both/and. &#160; Jim White ( <a href="mailto:jwhite@religiousherald.org" type="external">jwhite@religiousherald.org</a>) is executive editor of the Religious Herald.</p> | false | 3 | departure collegial spirit years past together prevailing attitude current economic hard times virginia baptist mission board leaders decided longer live stress less one blame know stress like identify frustration able need proposed 2013 baptist general association virginia budget presented october 910 board meeting eagle eyrie increases funds vbmb channeling money away virtually every baptist general association virginia partner apparently partners vbmb continue live stress less cases diminished resources partners extreme southern baptist convention partners however left untouched every dollar meaningful cases partners contributions bgav represent small percentage total budgets impact may relatively minor partners cuts massive survival stake center baptist heritage studies example receives 97 percent total budget bgav proposed 47 percent cut devastating 40 percent cut virginia baptist historical society partner ministries also feel effects bgav contributions represent 6 percent baptist theological seminary richmonds total revenues sources including tuition john leland center theological studies figure 10 percent anyone even remotely acquainted financial management knows proposed reductions difficult manage religious herald impacted past bgav contributions equaled 43 percent yearly receipts proposed 107675 reduction last year 50 percent cut leaves big hole case herald saw trends recent years anticipated less income even shocked amount organizations less 3 months try figure cope major income hemorrhage preparing seek donations people care enough free unfettered press give support160 fact times tough apparent bgavvbmb treasurer eddie stratton emphasized since 2007 bgav receipts declined nearly 16 percent time period religious herald receipts declined nearly 30 percent dont data partners suspect stories would similar last week received letter budget committee chairman david washburn learned budget committees proposal sought council pastor jim johnson encouraged saying need 100 people give 1000 make difference160 well thats true feel one proud 100 devastating reductions dispiriting still message budget sends partners160 reminded cartoon old issue leadership magazine taskmaster sits atop massive block granite dragged desert dozens straining slaves cracks whip shouts pharaoh wants remember equally valued members team budget discounts ministries bgav partners budget committee evaluated carefully concluded ministries worthy support vbmb virtually every case bgav partners deserved less stretches limits credulity moreover sends clear signal partners extraneous entities longer make contribution advancing kingdom partners used feel like equally valued members team part bgav family suddenly feel like unwanted step children represents seismic shift attitudes means part bgav truth budget committee members unreasonable unfeeling contrary competent caring church leaders must reason recommend budget presenting figures david washburn provided rationale saying evangelism discipleship starting new churches forefront trying accomplish stressed trying provide funding important areas difficult choices made dont know virginia baptist would evangelism discipleship new churches160 new churches get started take root part envision bgav intentional means communicating heritage gets information promotional arm organizational means championing religious liberty surrendered educating future ministers others hope starting churches important fully support efforts even time financial shortages surely way forward found devastatingly deplete funds diminish spirits partners demonstrate im willing put money mouth told mission board members although hoped would encourage budget committee reconsider action provide additional funding partners stand hurt proposal religious herald would ask anything additional may difficult explain herald trustees want say write topic construed attempt restore funding much funding one hand need start new churches preserve ministries partners burden new churches task starting necessary isnt eitheror bothand 160 jim white jwhitereligiousheraldorg executive editor religious herald | 544 |
<p>Baptist News Global provides a free listing of ministry-related jobs for Baptist churches, theological institutions and organizations across the United States. Each posting is for 30 days and is limited to 150 words. Businesses may purchase a post in the “And More” section for $1.20 per word (minimum of $50 for 30 days). To submit a ministry-related job or inquire about other advertising options on this page, contact Barbara Francis at 336-717-1135, ext. 8 or <a href="" type="internal">barbara@baptistnews.com</a>.</p>
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<p>PASTOR.&#160; Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana de Deltona, FL is seeking a full time Pastor for its multi-generational church.&#160; PIBD is an exciting church located in one of the fastest growing cities in Florida.&#160; We average 160-200 church attendees.&#160; We also have a Baptist Academy where we provide services from nursery to VPK.&#160; The church is looking for a committed follower of Jesus Christ with a gift for preaching, teaching and a heart to bring people to the gospel.&#160;&#160; The individual should have a Theological or Seminary education.&#160; PIBD is associated with ABC &amp; CBF.&#160; Please submit all inquiries, cover letter, resume, photo and recommendations to <a href="mailto:pibdbusqueda@gmail.com" type="external">pibdbusqueda@gmail.com</a>. (Posted 07.11.17)</p>
<p>PASTOR. Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana de Deltona, FL está buscando un pastor a tiempo completo para su iglesia multi-generacional. PIBD es una motivada iglesia ubicada en una de las ciudades de más rápido crecimiento en la Florida. Promedio de 160-200 asistentes a la iglesia. También tenemos una Academia Bautista donde ofrecemos servicios de guardería a VPK. La iglesia está buscando un seguidor comprometido de Jesucristo con un don para la predicación, la enseñanza y un corazón para alcanzar almas para Cristo. La persona debe tener una educación Teológica o Seminario. PIBD es asociada con ABC y CBF. Por favor, envíe todas las preguntas, carta de presentación, currículum, foto y recomendaciones a <a href="mailto:pibdbusqueda@gmail.com" type="external">pibdbusqueda@gmail.com</a>.&#160;(Posted 07.11.17)</p>
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<p>DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY.&#160; First Baptist Church, Commerce, GA, seeks a part-time director of children’s ministry.&#160; We are a congregation with an average attendance of 100 – 135 on Sunday mornings, with around 20 children (pre-K through grade 5) who are active in the church.&#160; Some seminary training or experience working with children is preferred.&#160; Current seminary students are encouraged to apply.&#160; The job would require around 20 hours per week with the bulk of that falling on Sundays and Wednesdays.&#160; Commerce is located approximately 70 miles from Atlanta along I-85 and about 15 miles north of Athens. To apply contact Carlton Allen, 1345 S. Elm St., Commerce, GA 30529; e-mail: <a href="mailto:carlton@fbc-commerce.org" type="external">carlton@fbc-commerce.org</a>; phone: (706) 983 9770 (Posted 09.15.17)</p>
<p>MINISTER TO SENIOR ADULTS.&#160; Second Avenue Baptist Church in Rome, GA, is seeking a part-time (15 hrs. per week) Minister to Senior Adults.&#160; A graduate degree from a recognized seminary is highly desirable or formal ministerial training from an accredited college, seminary or equivalent experience.&#160; Send resume to <a href="mailto:monty@sabcrome.com" type="external">monty@sabcrome.com</a> &#160;or mail to Second Avenue Baptist Church, 823 E 2nd Avenue, Rome, GA 30161.&#160; Application deadline is December 1, 2017. (Posted 09.12.17)</p>
<p>MINISTER/DIRECTOR OF YOUTH/CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES.&#160; Madison Baptist Church in Madison, GA, has an immediate opening to call a Minister/Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries. Our church is seeking a committed Christian who is enthusiastic, personable, motivated, and compassionate. Madison is located 60 miles east of Atlanta and 25 miles south of Athens. MBC is a multi-staffed church that values ministry to youth and children. We are a dually-aligned CBF/SBC church with average weekly worship attendance of 200. Minimum requirements for the position include a Bachelor’s degree; church youth/children leadership experience is preferred. Resume and cover letter should be submitted to <a href="mailto:mbcyouthpastorsearchcom@gmail.com" type="external">mbcyouthpastorsearchcom@gmail.com</a> or MBC Search Committee, 328 South Main Street, Madison, GA 30650. If you need further information, please contact us at the above email address. (Posted 07.20.17)</p>
<p>CBFGA EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR.&#160; The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia seeks an executive coordinator who demonstrates spiritual maturity and giftedness in developing vision for the organization’s missional focus; cultivating interpersonal relationships; exhibiting administrative, leadership and communication skills; and understanding organizational relationships in our context. Preferred qualifications include theological education (M.Div. degree or equivalent), ministerial experience (5 years minimum), and a commitment to historic Baptist principles. Please send résumés to <a href="mailto:cbfgasearch@gmail.com" type="external">cbfgasearch@gmail.com</a> &#160;by Sept. 1. (07.17.17)</p>
<p>ASSOCIATE PASTOR/YOUTH MINISTER. First Baptist Church of Eatonton, GA, is a moderate congregation affiliated with CBF.&#160; We are searching for an Associate Pastor/Youth Minister with strong people skills and management of ministry areas. This individual must work well as a team player and focus on the entire congregation.&#160; This position is of great importance and it is our hope that the individual will help carry us forward into our next decade of service. Eatonton is a small town in central Georgia in the middle of lake country.&#160; Our community is the anchor for two recreational lakes, Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee.&#160; Our church has a deep historical heritage and will be celebrating our 200th anniversary in 2018. Direct questions to FBC at 706-485-3331. Submit resumes to <a href="mailto:etrice@firstbaptisteatonton.org" type="external">etrice@firstbaptisteatonton.org</a>. &#160; (Posted 07.12.17)</p>
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<p>PASTOR. Trinity Baptist Church of Brazil, Indiana, is seeking a bi-vocational pastor with the hope of building the church to support a full-time pastor.&#160; We have faithful members and several younger families with an average attendance of 50.&#160; The pastor shall be a prayerful, Bible believing, Godly man with a love for God’s people and striving to fulfill 1 Timothy 3:1-7.&#160; If interested, please send your resume to Mrs. Kari Spelbring at <a href="mailto:redrider@ccrtc.com" type="external">redrider@ccrtc.com</a> &#160;or mail to Kari Spelbring, 2674 North County Road 700 E, Poland, IN 47868.&#160; Please contact Kurt Spelbring with questions at 812-986-2720. (Posted 08.17.17)</p>
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<p>PASTOR.&#160; Cumberland Missionary Baptist Church, located in Harlan County, KY, in the Appalachian Mountains, is seeking a pastor.&#160; We seek an individual who is a dedicated Christian, holds fast to the teachings of the Bible, proclaims the Word from the pulpit and walks in concert with the Lord.&#160; We prefer that you have a college/seminary degree, at least five years of experience, and possess outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.&#160; Experience in building and sustaining a youth program is also desirable. We provide a competitive salary, fringe benefits and a parsonage.&#160; Send resumes to Bruce Ayers, P.O. Box 273, Cumberland, KY 40823.&#160;(Posted 09.12.17)</p>
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<p>FULL-TIME MINISTER OF YOUTH AND OUTREACH. Bethany Baptist Church, Ellicott City, MD, is seeking a full-time Minister of Youth and Outreach&#160; who is responsible for creating a long-term vision and its implementation for the overall youth ministry of the church, including grades six through twelve; promoting evangelism, discipleship training, and social ministries in the context of a multicultural church and community in the Baltimore-Washington DC corridor. He/she is responsible for developing and implementing an outreach ministry of the church to the community while working alongside other full-time staff in the successful growth of the church; and responsible for all aspects of connecting the church to the community and helping new people to assimilate into the congregation from the first-time visit through baptism and initial and continuing involvement. Send resumes to <a href="mailto:office@bethanylanebaptist.org" type="external">office@bethanylanebaptist.org</a>. (Posted 07.10.17)</p>
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<p>ASSOCIATE PASTOR for COMMUNITY MINISTRY.&#160; Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson, MS, seeks a Community Minister.&#160; This person will serve on Northminster’s pastoral staff with primary responsibility for ministering to residents in an inner-city neighborhood, with which Northminster has a strong 15+ year relationship.&#160; The ideal candidate will have experience with and a passion for developing friendships with families in impoverished neighborhoods and meeting their needs, while also being comfortable as a member and pastor of a well-educated mostly professional congregation.&#160; Please send resumes to <a href="mailto:donna@northminsterbaptist.org" type="external">donna@northminsterbaptist.org</a>. (Posted 08.29.17)</p>
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<p>SENIOR PASTOR.&#160; Healthy American Baptist Church in Western Nebraska is in search of a full-time Senior Pastor who will preach, teach, and lead the congregation in mission and ministry. Searching for a “hands on” Pastor with strong leadership skills and be willing to participate and lead in all areas of church life. This Baptist Church is in search of a pastor who will help them better connect with the community, grow faithful disciples, and provide a vision for the future. The Baptist Church is unique in that it is the only church located in the county! It is located in a small-town rural county seat, with a county population of less than 1,000. Rural ranch-style farming is the dominant lifestyle. The town of Arthur hosts a school, restaurant, gas station, neighborhood of homes, and a city park along with the Baptist Church. Candidates must be willing to partner with American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, a Region of American Baptist Churches USA, and be ordained ABC or be willing to become ordained ABC. Compensation is $50-60,000 plus a parsonage depending on ability and experience. Contact ABC/NE Associate Executive Minister Greg Mamula ( <a href="mailto:gmamula@abcnebraska.com" type="external">gmamula@abcnebraska.com</a>) for more information. (Posted 08.03.17)</p>
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<p>DIRECTOR OF YOUTH PROGRAMMING.&#160; Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries (RMM) and Metro Baptist Church (MBC) are seeking a Director of Youth Programming. The Director of Youth Programming will provide leadership and vision for all youth related programs of RMM and MBC. Specifically, this individual will oversee management of RMM’s 3-day a week after-school program (Page Turners), weekly Teen Center program, and summer day camp program (CLUE Camp). Additionally, the Director of Youth Programming will provide leadership for MBC’s Christian Education program for children/youth (Sundays). Qualifications: College degree (preferably early childhood or secondary education or related field). Theological training and/or Christian education experience preferred. Compensation: The Director of Youth Programming for RMM &amp; MBC is a 30-hour a week position (40 during summer). Compensation is $16,000-$19,000 (depending on experience) along with rent-free housing (which includes private furnished room; common kitchen, den/dining space, shower &amp; bathroom; use of common rooftop space; cable television &amp; wireless internet; and all general utilities) at Metro Baptist Church in midtown Manhattan NYC. To apply: Please send a cover letter and resume via email to Tiffany Triplett Henkel and Scott Stearman at <a href="mailto:mbc@mbcnyc.org" type="external">mbc@mbcnyc.org</a>. Target start date is late summer/early fall 2017. For specific responsibilities related to this position and more information about Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries and Metro Baptist Church, please visit our websites at <a href="http://www.rmmnyc.org/" type="external">www.rmmnyc.org</a> &#160;and <a href="http://www.mbcnyc.org/" type="external">www.mbcnyc.org</a>. &#160;(Posted 09.12.17)</p>
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<p>PASTOR.&#160; Earlys Baptist Church in rural Ahoskie, NC, is prayerfully seeking a person of God to become the 14th pastor in the 100-year history of the Church. The next pastor will replace our former pastor who served 27 years. Applications will be received until the position is filled. A copy of the job description and application may be requested from Doug Brinkley, Chairman of the Search Committee at&#160; <a href="mailto:dwb0514@embarqmail.com" type="external">dwb0514@embarqmail.com</a>. (Posted 09.01.17)</p>
<p>MUSIC MINISTER.&#160; Jersey Baptist Church, Lexington, NC, &#160;seeks part-time Music Minister to lead music for contemporary and traditional worship services. Duties include initiating, planning and coordinating music ministry; collaborating with the Pastor and Music/Worship Committee. Ability to exhibit and promote mature Christian values, and discipleship is required. Submit resume to <a href="mailto:jerseybaptiststaff@gmail.com" type="external">jerseybaptiststaff@gmail.com</a>. (Posted 07.20.17)</p>
<p>PART-TIME MUSIC MINISTRY DIRECTOR.&#160;&#160;This congregation of 300-400 is seeking a minister to join in its mission to be a harbor of God’s love and a beacon of Christ’s hope. The church’s music ministry is an integral part of the vision and mission. The Music Ministry Director will be responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the music ministries and should have bachelors/masters accomplishments in music performance and/or directing; be proficient in keyboard, voice, and directing; and possess the ability to effectively teach music to all types of choirs and students on a broad spectrum of ages, gifts, abilities, and experience. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to: First Baptist Church Attn: Music Ministry Director Search Committee P.O. Box 180 West Jefferson, NC 28694 (Telephone: 336-846-5141) OR&#160; <a href="mailto:chair@skybest.com" type="external">chair@skybest.com</a>&#160;&#160;(Telephone: 336-877-6996). (Posted 07.11.17)</p>
<p>MINISTER TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.&#160;Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, is seeking a full time Minister to Children and Their Families. This person will also have oversight of the Child Development Center. Please send resumes to Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, 1117 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC&#160; 28203 (ATTN: Search Committee) or email to <a href="mailto:bobbymorrow@pritchardmemorial.com" type="external">bobbymorrow@pritchardmemorial.com</a>. (Posted 07.10.17)</p>
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<p>EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND PUBLISHER.&#160; The Baptist Standard is receiving nominations and submissions for the position of Executive Director and Publisher. In addition to the ongoing task of writing and editing, the Executive Director and Publisher of the Baptist Standard also functions as CEO of a non-profit organization including a broad range of responsibilities such vision casting, overseeing and managing the staff and finances, cultivating development opportunities, and interpreting the mission of a denominationally-related publication in a timely and relevant manner. See <a href="http://www.baptiststandard.com/editor-search" type="external">http://www.baptiststandard.com/editor-search</a> &#160;for more information. Email nominations and submissions to <a href="mailto:editorsearch@baptiststandardard.com" type="external">editorsearch@baptiststandardard.com</a> by October 15, 2017.&#160;&#160;(Posted 09.14.17)</p>
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<p>MINISTER OF ADMINISTRATION.&#160; River Road Church, Baptist, Richmond, VA, is seeking a full-time Minister of Administrator / Church Administrator. Minimum requirements include a Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree and technical background in ministry, personnel, facilities, finance, or technology preferred. Successful experience in administration management, preferably in a church or ministry organization setting. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume (including references) to Daniel Glaze at&#160; <a href="mailto:search@rrcb.org" type="external">search@rrcb.org</a>. More information at&#160; <a href="http://rrcb.org/administrator" type="external">http://rrcb.org/administrator</a>. Application deadline is&#160;October 10, 2017. (Posted 09.19.17)</p>
<p>CHILD CARE CENTER DIRECTOR. The Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, is actively seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to become the next Director of their vibrant child care and development program. If you are a thoughtful, passionate, and experienced Educator and / or Administrator who understands the value of community, faith, and diversity being present in childhood and family development -AND-&#160; you understand the incredible importance of providing a deeply loving, caring, and nurturing environment to the children, families, employees and congregation members with whom you lead, partner and serve, please consider applying. <a href="http://tbcrichmond.org/tbc/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/TCCC-Director_Position-Description_91017.pdf" type="external">http://tbcrichmond.org/tbc/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/TCCC-Director_Position-Description_91017.pdf</a>. This is an amazing opportunity for the right person. Are you ready to join the TCCC family? If so, please send a copy of your resume to <a href="mailto:DirectorSearchTeam@tbcrichmond.org" type="external">DirectorSearchTeam@tbcrichmond.org</a> Include your full name in the subject line of the email please. No phone calls. Please email any questions regarding the role or posting. (Posted 09.12.17)</p>
<p>CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP LEADER.&#160; Winfree Memorial Baptist Church, Midlothian, VA,&#160; is prayerfully seeking a part-time Contemporary Worship Leader. Winfree is a healthy, growing congregation with a Contemporary Service of about 300. Together with staff and lay members, this person will lead in designing a cohesive worship experience for seekers and believers. Music degree is a plus, but experience and leadership are most important. Desired, but not required, is expertise in AV/tech, creative worship, drama, dance, lighting and staging. Send resumes to <a href="mailto:winfreecw@gmail.com" type="external">winfreecw@gmail.com</a>.&#160;(Posted 08.30.17)</p>
<p>SENIOR PASTOR.&#160; First Baptist Church, Martinsville, VA, is seeking a full-time seminary trained Senior Pastor. FBC is a moderate, mission-oriented, loving congregation affiliated with the BGAV and the CBF, and is open to pastoral leadership by men and women equally. Salary and Housing is $55,000+ based on education, and experience.&#160;&#160; If interested, please send resume to: First Baptist Church, Search Committee, 23 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112, or e-mail to <a href="mailto:dhowel@gmail.com" type="external">dhowel@gmail.com</a>. (Posted 08.30.17)</p>
<p>CAMP DIRECTOR.&#160; CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center – Lowesville, VA&#160; 22967. The Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia is seeking a director for their camp in Lowesville, Virginia. This position will report to the WMUV Executive Director/Treasurer to ensure that CrossRoads missional and operational goals are being met. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to camp and conference center oversight and organizational partnership and relationship building. This position requires a commitment to the development of CrossRoads with a desire and expectation of onsite leadership during camp and retreat seasons.&#160; This position requires high energy, spiritual maturity, flexible availability, servant’s heart and a positive and enthusiastic attitude. This will be a residential, full-time position with health, dental and paid time off benefits. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 8, 2017.&#160; Please remit to: Dr. Valerie Carter, Executive Director /Treasurer, Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA&#160; 23294.&#160; <a href="http://www.wmuv@wmuv.org/" type="external">www.wmuv@wmuv.org</a>&#160;(Posted 08.10.17)</p>
<p>PASTOR.&#160; Hebron Baptist Church in Afton, VA, is seeking a full time Pastor.&#160; KJV faith-based congregation which desires a Pastor who believes in working with the congregation and deacons (male &amp; female) to grow Hebron. Average Sunday attendance is 80. Submit resume via email to:&#160; <a href="mailto:hebronafton1852@gmail.com" type="external">hebronafton1852@gmail.com</a> or mail to Connie Miller, Hebron Baptist Church, 66 Tanbark Drive, Afton, VA 22920. (Posted 08.03.17)</p>
<p>PART-TIME MINISTER/DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES. Westwood Baptist Church in Springfield, VA, is looking for a part-time Minister/Director of Youth Ministries. She/he would be responsible to provide pastoral care to youth in grades 7-12, their parents, and those who work in any facet of ministry with this age group. This position provides leadership and oversight in all aspects of planning, promoting, and implementing a ministry that guides youth in their growth and development as followers of Jesus Christ, and promotes fellowship among youth and their families within the larger congregation of Westwood Baptist Church. Click <a href="http://www.westwood-baptist.org/welcome/job-opening/" type="external">here</a> for a full position description and application instructions. (Posted 07.05.17)</p>
<p>FULL-TIME PASTOR. Central Baptist Church, Dinwiddie County, VA,&#160; is seeking a full-time pastor. Our church is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia.&#160; The primary job of the pastor will be to preach the word of God. The pastor will also minister to the congregation and continue to guide the church in missions and community outreach programs. We are a growing church filled with Christians who possess a variety of gifts and interests. The pastor should be able to bridge all age groups. A more complete job description can be found at&#160; <a href="http://www.centralbaptist1873.org/" type="external">www.centralbaptist1873.org</a>. Resume can be sent to <a href="mailto:centralbaptist1873search@gmail.com" type="external">centralbaptist1873search@gmail.com</a>. (Posted 07.05.17)</p>
<p>INTERIM STUDENT PASTOR.&#160; Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, seeks to fill a full-time interim position to lead Student Ministry at its Buford Road Campus. Starts August 1, 2017. Click&#160;here&#160;for more information. Church Website:&#160; <a href="http://www.bonairbaptist.org/" type="external">www.bonairbaptist.org</a>. (Posted 06.21.17)</p>
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<p><a href="#top" type="external">Back to top of page</a></p> | false | 3 | baptist news global provides free listing ministryrelated jobs baptist churches theological institutions organizations across united states posting 30 days limited 150 words businesses may purchase post section 120 per word minimum 50 30 days submit ministryrelated job inquire advertising options page contact barbara francis 3367171135 ext 8 barbarabaptistnewscom 160 160 pastor160 primera iglesia bautista hispana de deltona fl seeking full time pastor multigenerational church160 pibd exciting church located one fastest growing cities florida160 average 160200 church attendees160 also baptist academy provide services nursery vpk160 church looking committed follower jesus christ gift preaching teaching heart bring people gospel160160 individual theological seminary education160 pibd associated abc amp cbf160 please submit inquiries cover letter resume photo recommendations pibdbusquedagmailcom posted 071117 pastor primera iglesia bautista hispana de deltona fl está buscando un pastor tiempo completo para su iglesia multigeneracional pibd es una motivada iglesia ubicada en una de las ciudades de más rápido crecimiento en la florida promedio de 160200 asistentes la iglesia también tenemos una academia bautista donde ofrecemos servicios de guardería vpk la iglesia está buscando un seguidor comprometido de jesucristo con un para la predicación la enseñanza un corazón para alcanzar almas para cristo la persona debe tener una educación teológica seminario pibd es asociada con abc cbf por favor envíe todas las preguntas carta de presentación currículum foto recomendaciones pibdbusquedagmailcom160posted 071117 back top page 160 director childrens ministry160 first baptist church commerce ga seeks parttime director childrens ministry160 congregation average attendance 100 135 sunday mornings around 20 children prek grade 5 active church160 seminary training experience working children preferred160 current seminary students encouraged apply160 job would require around 20 hours per week bulk falling sundays wednesdays160 commerce located approximately 70 miles atlanta along i85 15 miles north athens apply contact carlton allen 1345 elm st commerce ga 30529 email carltonfbccommerceorg phone 706 983 9770 posted 091517 minister senior adults160 second avenue baptist church rome ga seeking parttime 15 hrs per week minister senior adults160 graduate degree recognized seminary highly desirable formal ministerial training accredited college seminary equivalent experience160 send resume montysabcromecom 160or mail second avenue baptist church 823 e 2nd avenue rome ga 30161160 application deadline december 1 2017 posted 091217 ministerdirector youthchildrens ministries160 madison baptist church madison ga immediate opening call ministerdirector youth childrens ministries church seeking committed christian enthusiastic personable motivated compassionate madison located 60 miles east atlanta 25 miles south athens mbc multistaffed church values ministry youth children duallyaligned cbfsbc church average weekly worship attendance 200 minimum requirements position include bachelors degree church youthchildren leadership experience preferred resume cover letter submitted mbcyouthpastorsearchcomgmailcom mbc search committee 328 south main street madison ga 30650 need information please contact us email address posted 072017 cbfga executive coordinator160 cooperative baptist fellowship georgia seeks executive coordinator demonstrates spiritual maturity giftedness developing vision organizations missional focus cultivating interpersonal relationships exhibiting administrative leadership communication skills understanding organizational relationships context preferred qualifications include theological education mdiv degree equivalent ministerial experience 5 years minimum commitment historic baptist principles please send résumés cbfgasearchgmailcom 160by sept 1 071717 associate 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programming provide leadership vision youth related programs rmm mbc specifically individual oversee management rmms 3day week afterschool program page turners weekly teen center program summer day camp program clue camp additionally director youth programming provide leadership mbcs christian education program childrenyouth sundays qualifications college degree preferably early childhood secondary education related field theological training andor christian education experience preferred compensation director youth programming rmm amp mbc 30hour week position 40 summer compensation 1600019000 depending experience along rentfree housing includes private furnished room common kitchen dendining space shower amp bathroom use common rooftop space cable television amp wireless internet general utilities metro baptist church midtown manhattan nyc apply please send cover letter resume via email tiffany triplett henkel scott stearman mbcmbcnycorg target start date late summerearly fall 2017 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hebronafton1852gmailcom mail connie miller hebron baptist church 66 tanbark drive afton va 22920 posted 080317 parttime ministerdirector youth ministries westwood baptist church springfield va looking parttime ministerdirector youth ministries shehe would responsible provide pastoral care youth grades 712 parents work facet ministry age group position provides leadership oversight aspects planning promoting implementing ministry guides youth growth development followers jesus christ promotes fellowship among youth families within larger congregation westwood baptist church click full position description application instructions posted 070517 fulltime pastor central baptist church dinwiddie county va160 seeking fulltime pastor church affiliated baptist general association virginia160 primary job pastor preach word god pastor also minister congregation continue guide church missions community outreach programs growing church filled christians possess variety gifts interests pastor able bridge age groups complete job description found at160 wwwcentralbaptist1873org resume sent centralbaptist1873searchgmailcom posted 070517 interim student pastor160 bon air baptist church richmond va seeks fill fulltime interim position lead student ministry buford road campus starts august 1 2017 click160here160for information church website160 wwwbonairbaptistorg posted 062117 back top page 160 back top page | 1,981 |
<p>By Jeff Brumley</p>
<p>Wednesday’s shooting massacre in California was more than tragic news for Julie Pennington-Russell. It was personal.</p>
<p>The former pastor of First Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., Pennington-Russell shared with Facebook friends on Thursday that a relative was in the building where a husband-and-wife team of shooters <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/14-dead-17-wounded-california-081816288.html" type="external">killed 14 people</a> at a holiday party.</p>
<p>“Our niece … works on the second floor of the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino and was successfully evacuated yesterday during the horrific mass shootings,” said Pennington-Russell, who is set to <a href="ministry/congregations/item/30713-ms-pennington-russell-goes-to-washington" type="external">preach in view of a call</a>&#160;this Sunday at First Baptist in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p />
<p>She concluded her status update in a way that echoed much of the response from American faith communities: that the nation has reached an unacceptable “new normal” with daily mass shootings. She also issued a call for action.</p>
<p>A number of religious leaders followed suit on Thursday by urging people of faith and anyone else frustrated and frightened by the year’s onslaught of mass killings to connect with ongoing campaigns against gun violence.</p>
<p>Death won’t win</p>
<p>It won’t be a waste of time to do so, said the Right Rev. Ian Douglas, bishop of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and co-convener of <a href="http://www.claimitgc.org/" type="external">Bishops United Against Gun Violence</a>.</p>
<p>Christians especially ought to put their hope in the resurrection as an indication that death will not win out —&#160;whatever the apparent trends appear to be, he said.</p>
<p>“As the amount of gun violence in the U.S. continues to occur, I believe it needs to be addressed by Americans of many perspectives and persuasions,” he said.</p>
<p>A 2013&#160; <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=1847" type="external">Qunnipiac University poll</a>&#160;supports Douglas’ optimism that a groundswell of support is possible for sensible firearm legislation.</p>
<p />
<p>It found 92 percent of Americans, for example, support background checks for all gun buyers. That support was 91 percent among those in households with guns.</p>
<p>On other issues, researchers found that most Americans support stricter nationwide gun control laws and a ban on the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.</p>
<p>The frustrating part is that those who express such views publically are marginalized by pro-gun legislators and lobbyists, including the NRA, Douglas said.</p>
<p>“But maybe the good news is that Americans of a variety of backgrounds and commitments will find their voice and represent the broad middle and seek safe gun legislation,” he said.</p>
<p>‘We have to push harder’</p>
<p>An interfaith effort along those lines is the <a href="http://decembersabbath.org/" type="external">December Gun Violence Sabbath</a> spearheaded by <a href="http://faithsagainstgunviolence.org/" type="external">Faiths United Against Gun Violence</a> and the Washington National Cathedral.</p>
<p>It offers Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and other traditions prayers, sermons and other resources for use Dec. 10-14.</p>
<p>“People need to speak up, they need to get involved,” said Carol Blythe, past president of the Alliance of Baptists and its representative to Faiths United Against Gun Violence.</p>
<p>“And we need a new Congress that cares about these issues and not just money and the top 1 percent,” she added.</p>
<p>Attention also must be paid to research that shows stricter controls on firearms are effective, she said.</p>
<p />
<p>A study by Johns Hopkins and the University of California at Berkeley, published this summer in the <a href="http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302703" type="external">American Journal of Public Health</a>, found that Connecticut’s law requiring permits to purchase guns reduced firearm homicide rates by 40 percent in the decade since its passage.</p>
<p>Blythe said the findings may offer opponents of gun violence an approach where there has been none in Washington.</p>
<p>“Just because Congress is so stuck on doing nothing,” she said, “it’s possible to accomplish something on the state level.”</p>
<p>But that means convincing more Christians and other Americans to get involved.</p>
<p>“The support is there in the populace and somehow we have to push harder,” Blythe said.</p>
<p>‘A much deeper problem’</p>
<p>So what will it take to get people involved?</p>
<p>Michael Bledsoe says more tragedy won’t do it.</p>
<p>“Another mass killing will not move Christians to finally support meaningful gun control,” said Bledsoe, pastor at Riverside Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p />
<p>“Were that the case then we would have risen up after the atrocity of Sandy Hook Elementary when children were gunned down with their teachers.”</p>
<p>The answer is spiritual, he said.</p>
<p>“What should lead us to action is the truth that Christ was himself a victim of murderous men,” Bledsoe said in an email to Baptist News Global. “We need to be converted so we will stand with families and children who fall prey to gun homicides.”</p>
<p>And there is evidence such shifts in attitude can be achieved.&#160;</p>
<p>“Christians eventually embraced as Christ-like the abolition of slavery though many had in fact supported it and practiced it,” he said. “We need a conversion that leads to the control of guns.”</p>
<p>Another minister said guns aren’t really the problem.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>“There is a much deeper problem,” said Russ Dean, a blogger on social issues and co-pastor of Park Road Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C.</p>
<p>“There is a problem in the soul of this country and there is too much anger and angst —&#160;and it’s working its way out” in part through daily mass shootings, he said.</p>
<p>Limits on firearms will not fix that problem, but they could provide some relief to the nation’s love of guns and violence.</p>
<p>“We ought to do something,” he said. “We ought to limit who can buy and who can’t buy. It would save some lives.”</p>
<p>Related commentary:</p>
<p><a href="perspectives/are-social-media-thoughts-and-prayers-helpful-anymore/" type="external">Are social media ‘thoughts and prayers’ helpful anymore?</a> By Alan Rudnick</p> | false | 3 | jeff brumley wednesdays shooting massacre california tragic news julie penningtonrussell personal former pastor first baptist church decatur ga penningtonrussell shared facebook friends thursday relative building husbandandwife team shooters killed 14 people holiday party niece works second floor inland regional center san bernardino successfully evacuated yesterday horrific mass shootings said penningtonrussell set preach view call160this sunday first baptist washington dc concluded status update way echoed much response american faith communities nation reached unacceptable new normal daily mass shootings also issued call action number religious leaders followed suit thursday urging people faith anyone else frustrated frightened years onslaught mass killings connect ongoing campaigns gun violence death wont win wont waste time said right rev ian douglas bishop episcopal church connecticut coconvener bishops united gun violence christians especially ought put hope resurrection indication death win 160whatever apparent trends appear said amount gun violence us continues occur believe needs addressed americans many perspectives persuasions said 2013160 qunnipiac university poll160supports douglas optimism groundswell support possible sensible firearm legislation found 92 percent americans example support background checks gun buyers support 91 percent among households guns issues researchers found americans support stricter nationwide gun control laws ban sale assault weapons highcapacity magazines frustrating part express views publically marginalized progun legislators lobbyists including nra douglas said maybe good news americans variety backgrounds commitments find voice represent broad middle seek safe gun legislation said push harder interfaith effort along lines december gun violence sabbath spearheaded faiths united gun violence washington national cathedral offers christian jewish muslim buddhist hindu traditions prayers sermons resources use dec 1014 people need speak need get involved said carol blythe past president alliance baptists representative faiths united gun violence need new congress cares issues money top 1 percent added attention also must paid research shows stricter controls firearms effective said study johns hopkins university california berkeley published summer american journal public health found connecticuts law requiring permits purchase guns reduced firearm homicide rates 40 percent decade since passage blythe said findings may offer opponents gun violence approach none washington congress stuck nothing said possible accomplish something state level means convincing christians americans get involved support populace somehow push harder blythe said much deeper problem take get people involved michael bledsoe says tragedy wont another mass killing move christians finally support meaningful gun control said bledsoe pastor riverside baptist church washington dc case would risen atrocity sandy hook elementary children gunned teachers answer spiritual said lead us action truth christ victim murderous men bledsoe said email baptist news global need converted stand families children fall prey gun homicides evidence shifts attitude achieved160 christians eventually embraced christlike abolition slavery though many fact supported practiced said need conversion leads control guns another minister said guns arent really problem 160 much deeper problem said russ dean blogger social issues copastor park road baptist church charlotte nc problem soul country much anger angst 160and working way part daily mass shootings said limits firearms fix problem could provide relief nations love guns violence ought something said ought limit buy cant buy would save lives related commentary social media thoughts prayers helpful anymore alan rudnick | 513 |
<p>TABA, Egypt - An Israeli man detained for more than four months in Egypt on espionage charges returned home on Thursday, as part of a coordinated prisoner exchange. Twenty-five Egyptians were released from detention centers in Israel as part of the deal.</p>
<p>The alleged spy, 27-year-old Ilan Chaim Grapel, was flown from Egypt to Israel Thursday afternoon. The Egyptian detainees, three of whom were minors, were bussed across this sleepy Sinai border post from the Eilat region of Israel shortly after their release on Thursday.</p>
<p>Grapel, who also holds American citizenship, was freed following weeks of high-level diplomatic negotiations between officials from Egypt and Israel, in a deal brokered by the United States.</p>
<p>The talks that led to the prisoner swap could be a major step towards repairing a recently strained relationship between Cairo and Tel Aviv that intensified three months ago because of events not far from this border crossing.</p>
<p>On Aug. 18, Israeli soldiers crossed into the desolate Sinai desert just north of Taba and killed five Egyptian border guards during a botched manhunt for militants that attacked vehicles in Israel earlier that day.</p>
<p>Egypt: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/110926/was-egypts-revolution-just-military-coup" type="external">Was the revolution a military coup?</a></p>
<p>In Egypt's capital, public outrage over the killing of the guards - along with the tepid response by the nation's ruling military council - culminated last month when a mob of Egyptian protesters stormed the gates of Israel's embassy in Giza.</p>
<p>Blue and white Israeli flags went up in flames as the embassy's diplomatic staff evacuated the country. Some Cairenes vociferously demanded the annulment of the 1979 peace treaty between the two nations.</p>
<p>But a world away from Tahrir Square, the frenetic home of Egypt's almost ever-present protests, along the deserted stretch of sandy Sinai coastline that extends south of this border post, some Egyptian Bedouins seem to have a more nuanced view of relations with their Israeli neighbors.</p>
<p>"What happened at the Israeli embassy last month was not right. I felt so bad when I heard the news," said Hany Gelbanah, 36, owner of a small beachfront hotel just north of Nuweiba.</p>
<p>In one of the world's most contentious regions, where Egypt, Israel, and Jordan all intersect within eyeshot of the coastal mountains of Saudi Arabia, many Bedouins see continued dialogue through tourism as an important key to any lasting peace.</p>
<p>The coastline between the border and Nuweiba, a quiet port village one hour to the south, is dotted with dozens of Bedouin-run campsite hotels made up of rustic bamboo bungalows on soft sand beaches.</p>
<p>Not long ago, hordes of Israeli backpackers spent their holidays in the cheap, thatched-roof cabanas of Nuweiba's camps, just a short day-trip drive from Tel Aviv but miles away from the flashy five-star hotels in Eilat.</p>
<p>Israel: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/israel-and-palestine/111018/gilad-shalit-israeli-prisoner-hamas-gaza-egypt" type="external">Gilad Shalit, an Israeli prisoner of Hamas, is set free</a></p>
<p>Tourism here plummeted in the last decade after the second Palestinian intifada and a string of terror attacks in Sinai - including coordinated bomb blasts outside hotels in Taba and Nuweiba in 2004.</p>
<p>The security situation appeared to worsen after the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak in February. Tel Aviv warned its citizens of credible terror threats after a slew of attacks on a northern Sinai gas pipeline that serves Israel.</p>
<p>Many residents, both Western and Egyptian, argue that Nuweiba is still safe. Despite these assurances, the coastline now resembles a ghost town, with empty beachfront lots and abandoned construction sites the entire stretch north to the border.</p>
<p>Hany Gelbanah had to sell half a parcel of his already tiny strip of beachfront property after losing "150 percent" of his business since the January uprising, he said.</p>
<p>Still, the young Bedouin sees tourism as more than just dollars and shekels.</p>
<p>"It's not just business, it's about friendship. Israelis and Egyptians used to meet here in Sinai and share the same food, table, beaches, showers - after a weekend vacation, they left as friends," Gelbanah said. "Those kinds of relationships are important for peace."</p>
<p>Those friendships have often developed into lasting relationships.</p>
<p>Mohtawa Abu Aniz, 50, runs a small hotel on a craggy section of coast commonly referred to as "Devil's Head" - and not far from one of the campsites that was bombed in 2004.</p>
<p>Abu Aniz is one of only a few thousand Egyptians married to Jewish Israeli women.</p>
<p>His wife and child live in Tel Aviv, but are able to make the six-hour drive down to the hotel once a month. Abu Aniz hopes that she, and other Israelis, will continue to feel safe enough to visit.</p>
<p>"We need peace between Egypt and Israel, and the Sinai should be open to everyone," he said.</p>
<p>Not everyone here, however, is so comfortable with open dialogue.</p>
<p>Just north of Gelbanah's camp lies the popular Basata, one of the first eco-lodges developed in Egypt. The beachfront hotel incorporates local Bedouin culture into everything from the meals to the domed Islamic architecture of the huts.</p>
<p>Basata is often so packed with tourists that some are forced to sleep in tents along the azure waters of the gulf.</p>
<p>Successful tourism, said Basata owner Sherif el-Ghamrawy, has always involved the "exchanging of cultures."</p>
<p>Unless, that is, if Israelis are part of the exchange.</p>
<p>El-Ghamrawy claimed that he had many friends in Israel, but said that the politics of the Jewish state precluded them from being welcome at his hotel.</p>
<p>"We don't advise Israelis to come to Basata. We have a lot of Egyptians and Arabs come here," el-Ghamrawy said. "When you have Israelis here, you can never avoid political discussions. It would make a very, very stressed atmosphere."</p>
<p>Comments like that, according to many Bedouins here, only serve to scare Israelis off from coming to the Sinai.</p>
<p>Just a few hundred feet down the beach from Basata, Hany Gelbanah has proudly placed a black Star of David wrought into an iron menorah in a center spot on the lone reception desk greeting visitors to his hotel.</p>
<p>The menorah was a gift, said Gelbanah, a faithful Muslim, from an Israeli tourist who used to spend Hanukkah holidays at his camp. It sits near a faded, hand-painted sign on the kitchen wall that simply reads, "Welcome."</p>
<p>Of course, very few people pass through to see Gelbanah's menorah these days. But he's hoping that will change soon.</p>
<p>"Israelis should feel welcome to come to the Sinai. Unless we start talking, both sides will hate each other forever," he said. "Our countries need to be talking."</p> | false | 3 | taba egypt israeli man detained four months egypt espionage charges returned home thursday part coordinated prisoner exchange twentyfive egyptians released detention centers israel part deal alleged spy 27yearold ilan chaim grapel flown egypt israel thursday afternoon egyptian detainees three minors bussed across sleepy sinai border post eilat region israel shortly release thursday grapel also holds american citizenship freed following weeks highlevel diplomatic negotiations officials egypt israel deal brokered united states talks led prisoner swap could major step towards repairing recently strained relationship cairo tel aviv intensified three months ago events far border crossing aug 18 israeli soldiers crossed desolate sinai desert north taba killed five egyptian border guards botched manhunt militants attacked vehicles israel earlier day egypt revolution military coup egypts capital public outrage killing guards along tepid response nations ruling military council culminated last month mob egyptian protesters stormed gates israels embassy giza blue white israeli flags went flames embassys diplomatic staff evacuated country cairenes vociferously demanded annulment 1979 peace treaty two nations world away tahrir square frenetic home egypts almost everpresent protests along deserted stretch sandy sinai coastline extends south border post egyptian bedouins seem nuanced view relations israeli neighbors happened israeli embassy last month right felt bad heard news said hany gelbanah 36 owner small beachfront hotel north nuweiba one worlds contentious regions egypt israel jordan intersect within eyeshot coastal mountains saudi arabia many bedouins see continued dialogue tourism important key lasting peace coastline border nuweiba quiet port village one hour south dotted dozens bedouinrun campsite hotels made rustic bamboo bungalows soft sand beaches long ago hordes israeli backpackers spent holidays cheap thatchedroof cabanas nuweibas camps short daytrip drive tel aviv miles away flashy fivestar hotels eilat israel gilad shalit israeli prisoner hamas set free tourism plummeted last decade second palestinian intifada string terror attacks sinai including coordinated bomb blasts outside hotels taba nuweiba 2004 security situation appeared worsen ouster former president hosni mubarak february tel aviv warned citizens credible terror threats slew attacks northern sinai gas pipeline serves israel many residents western egyptian argue nuweiba still safe despite assurances coastline resembles ghost town empty beachfront lots abandoned construction sites entire stretch north border hany gelbanah sell half parcel already tiny strip beachfront property losing 150 percent business since january uprising said still young bedouin sees tourism dollars shekels business friendship israelis egyptians used meet sinai share food table beaches showers weekend vacation left friends gelbanah said kinds relationships important peace friendships often developed lasting relationships mohtawa abu aniz 50 runs small hotel craggy section coast commonly referred devils head far one campsites bombed 2004 abu aniz one thousand egyptians married jewish israeli women wife child live tel aviv able make sixhour drive hotel month abu aniz hopes israelis continue feel safe enough visit need peace egypt israel sinai open everyone said everyone however comfortable open dialogue north gelbanahs camp lies popular basata one first ecolodges developed egypt beachfront hotel incorporates local bedouin culture everything meals domed islamic architecture huts basata often packed tourists forced sleep tents along azure waters gulf successful tourism said basata owner sherif elghamrawy always involved exchanging cultures unless israelis part exchange elghamrawy claimed many friends israel said politics jewish state precluded welcome hotel dont advise israelis come basata lot egyptians arabs come elghamrawy said israelis never avoid political discussions would make stressed atmosphere comments like according many bedouins serve scare israelis coming sinai hundred feet beach basata hany gelbanah proudly placed black star david wrought iron menorah center spot lone reception desk greeting visitors hotel menorah gift said gelbanah faithful muslim israeli tourist used spend hanukkah holidays camp sits near faded handpainted sign kitchen wall simply reads welcome course people pass see gelbanahs menorah days hes hoping change soon israelis feel welcome come sinai unless start talking sides hate forever said countries need talking | 632 |
<p>This timeline tracks the key progress — and setbacks — in contract negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and the Board of Education, as well as provides historical context. Educators have been working without a contract since July.</p>
<p>On Saturday, April 16, <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/04/in-teacher-contract-talks-fact-finders-report-due-this-weekend/" type="external">the CTU rejected recommendations</a>from a third-party fact-finder, attorney Steven M. Bierig, who encouraged the union to accept an offer it had already <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/02/citing-lack-of-trust-ctu-rejects-latest-contract-offer/" type="external">rejected in February.</a>&#160;While&#160;both sides will continue to meet in negotiation sessions,&#160;teachers can now legally go on strike in 30 days — that is, as soon as May 16.</p>
<p>It’s unclear, however, whether&#160;the union would&#160;strike at the end of the current school year or wait until the beginning of next school year.</p>
<p>Click below&#160;to see an interactive timeline of&#160;what’s happened so far. Or scroll&#160;down to see&#160;the timeline, starting with the most recent events first.&#160;&#160;We’ll continue to update both as contract talks progress.</p>
<p />
<p>May 17:&#160;CPS tells principals to plan for an average budget cut of <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/05/with-no-budget-relief-from-springfield-schools-face-massive-cuts-layoffs/" type="external">26 percent</a> next year. The potential cuts could result in thousands of teacher layoffs. The CTU has not yet commented publicly.</p>
<p>May 16:&#160;Earliest possible date the union can legally strike.</p>
<p>May 4: The CTU announces it is <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-teachers-union-delegates-meet-0505-20160504-story.html" type="external">unlikely a strike</a> will happen before the end of school, although a fall strike is still possible. &#160;Instead, the union said it would focus its efforts on getting more funding from Springfield.</p>
<p>April 27:&#160;CPS CEO Forrest Claypool announces at a Board of Education meeting that elementary and high school graduations <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/04/take-5-contingency-plans-for-strike-affording-college-big-loans-lead-tests/" type="external">will happen</a> but finals may be cancelled should the CTU strike at the end of the school year.</p>
<p>April 21:&#160;The Illinois&#160;Education Labor Relations Board rules 4 to 1 in favor of CPS’ complaint about the CTU’s&#160;April 1 walkout,&#160;preventing the CTU from future strikes before the fact-finder report is released. The ruling has no impact on the legality of a potential strike in late May.</p>
<p>April 16: Fact-finder Steven Bierig <a href="http://catalystchicago.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Chicago-Public-Schools-and-Chicago-Teachers-Union-Local-1-Final-Fact-Finding-Recommendation-April-16-2016.pdf" type="external">issues his recommendations</a> for a contract settlement, which mirrored an offer made by the&#160;district in January. <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/04/in-teacher-contract-talks-fact-finders-report-due-this-weekend/" type="external">CTU rejects the&#160;recommendations</a>&#160;that same day,&#160;starting the clock for a potential strike as early as May 16. CPS officials say <a href="http://catalystchicago.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ConcurrenceByCBOEPanelMember.pdf" type="external">&#160;they&#160;agree with&#160;Bierig’s recommendations</a> and Claypool urges&#160;the union to return to the bargaining table.</p>
<p>April 6:&#160;The CTU&#160; <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/04/with-no-opposition-ctu-cancels-election-and-gives-lewis-an-automatic-third-term/" type="external">cancels its internal elections</a>for the first time in at least two decades,&#160;with no opposition running against&#160;CTU President Karen&#160;Lewis or any other candidates from the ruling Caucus Of Rank-and-file Educators (CORE). Lewis is granted&#160;an automatic third three-year term.</p>
<p>April 1: The CTU&#160;and labor allies <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/04/liveblog-april-1-ctu-strike/" type="external">hold a one-day strike.</a>Demonstrations take place&#160;across the city throughout the day, coming together in a massive downtown rally to call attention to the negative impacts of the state’s budget impasse on schools, higher education and public services.</p>
<p>March 25: School is cancelled in the first of three unpaid furlough days CPS&#160;has called to cut costs.</p>
<p>March 23: The CTU House of Delegates votes <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/03/take-5-april-1-strike-bilingual-ed-reach/" type="external">486 to 124</a>in favor of holding a one-day strike on April 1, which district officials contend would be illegal. Some teachers are <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/03/teachers-split-over-ctu-vote-on-one-day-strike/" type="external">torn</a> about participating and say they’ll cross the picket line — an action district leaders have encouraged.</p>
<p>March 4: Claypool <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/03/pension-pickup-remains-but-union-still-plans-action/" type="external">backtracks</a> on a threat to end in April&#160;the so-called “pension pickup” — a longstanding agreement in which the district takes on 7 of the 9 percentage points in salary that educators must pay toward their pension costs. Claypool now says the district will wait until fact-finding is over, but the CTU plans to go ahead with a “day of action” on April 1.</p>
<p>March 3: CPS announces <a href="http://cps.edu/News/Press_releases/Pages/PR1_03_03_2016.aspx" type="external">three furlough days</a> for all employees to save $30 million. CTU leaders threaten to hold a massive action or possibly strike on April 1 should the district follow through on its earlier threat to eliminate the pension pickup.</p>
<p>Feb. 18: The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/02/labor-board-rules-against-ctu-over-steps-and-lanes/" type="external">declines to weigh in</a> on the CTU’s unfair labor practices charge involving step-and-lane salary freezes. While the allegation now goes to a separate administrative trial, the district isn’t required to pay salary increases that the union believes its members are owed.</p>
<p>Feb. 17: The CTU organizes school <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/02/take-5-state-ed-budget-ctu-walk-ins-switch-to-sat/" type="external">“walk-ins”</a> with students and parents at about 200 schools to protest budget cuts and garner support for their contract demands.</p>
<p>Feb. 2: CPS announces <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/02/layoffs-on-horizon-pension-pickup-on-the-way-out/" type="external">$75 million</a> in new mid-year cuts to school budgets. School leaders are told to avoid laying off teachers and any special education staff. The district announces it will eliminate the pension pickup for employees represented by the CTU in 30 days.</p>
<p>Feb. 1: The CTU’s “big bargaining team” soundly rejects CPS’ contract offer, citing a <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/02/citing-lack-of-trust-ctu-rejects-latest-contract-offer/" type="external">lack of trust</a>. Attorney Steven M. Bierig <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ctu-cps-step-up-bargaining-agree-to-fact-finding-on-feb-1-if-no-deal/" type="external">begins the fact-finding&#160;process</a>, which could last until mid-April.</p>
<p>Jan. 28: CTU leaders <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/01/ctu-district-close-to-a-contract/" type="external">seem optimistic</a> about the latest CPS offer and plan to submit it to their big bargaining team. The proposal would eliminate the pension pickup and increase health care costs for employees, though the district says it offsets the losses by increasing pay, capping charter school growth and halting economic layoffs over the life of the contract.</p>
<p>Jan. 27: CPS <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/01/take-5-borrowing-delay-little-village-victory-youth-unemployment/" type="external">postpones the sale</a>of $875 million in bonds that could help cover the budget deficit. As one analyst told the <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/1282873/cps-puts-875-million-bond-sale" type="external">Sun-Times</a>: “Either there were no buyers or there were no buyers at a price that the city was going to take. Either way, it’s a bad sign for CPS.”</p>
<p>Jan. 22: In another attempt to narrow the district’s $480-million, mid-year budget gap, CPS announces <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/01/pink-slips-for-central-office-reorganization-on-way/" type="external">227 Central Office layoffs</a>. The budget crisis hits the district in the middle of the school year because, last fall, CPS leaders approved a budget that relied on pension relief from Springfield that never materialized.</p>
<p>Jan. 20: Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republican lawmakers float the idea of a state <a href="http://blog.cps.edu/2016/01/20/proposed-state-takeover-of-cps/" type="external">takeover of CPS</a> and the creation of a path to <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/01/finance-expert-says-cps-history-offers-a-solution/" type="external">bankruptcy</a>, both of which would require changes in state law. Claypool calls for an overhaul of the state’s school funding formula, calling it “separate but unequal.”</p>
<p>Jan. 14: CTU and CPS begin <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ctu-cps-step-up-bargaining-agree-to-fact-finding-on-feb-1-if-no-deal/" type="external">daily bargaining</a> sessions and agree to begin fact-finding on Feb. 1 if no agreement is reached by then.</p>
<p>Dec. 15, 2015: CPS leaders release details of their latest contract offer, which replaces the pension pickup with phased-in <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/12/claypool-proposes-replacing-pension-pickup-with-pay-increases/" type="external">pay increases</a>. Claypool promises no mid-year layoffs and agrees to some non-economic asks, like a reduction in standardized testing.</p>
<p>Dec. 9 – Dec. 11, 2015: The CTU holds a <a href="http://www.ctunet.com/blog/faq-on-this-weeks-strike-authorization-vote" type="external">strike-authorization vote</a>, and <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/12/chicago-teachers-overwhelmingly-authorize-a-strike/" type="external">88 percent</a> of members vote in favor.</p>
<p>Nov. 24, 2015: The union formally requests to begin fact-finding. Thousands of CTU members <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/11/photos-at-ctu-rally-talk-of-strike-looms-large/" type="external">rally</a> in Grant Park.</p>
<p>Nov. 9, 2015: The CTU runs a “mock strike vote’” — <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/11/take-5-brokering-ctu-contract-stolen-bus-passes-rating-educators/" type="external">97 percent of members</a> who voted said they would vote to authorize a strike “if needed.” By state law, strike authorization requires approval from 75 percent of CTU members.</p>
<p>Oct. 6, 2015: After hundreds of summer layoffs and the potential for more in the fall, talk of a strike <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/10/take-5-charter-expansion-roosevelt-walkout-new-school-ratings/" type="external">grows louder</a>.</p>
<p>Sept. 2015: The district stops paying <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2016/02/labor-board-rules-against-ctu-over-steps-and-lanes/" type="external">“step and lane”</a> salary increases for additional years on the job and additional graduate credits. The CTU will later file an unfair labor charge against CPS with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.</p>
<p>August 13, 2015: CPS and CTU move into <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/cps-ctu-bringing-in-mediator-for-contract-negotiations/" type="external">mediation</a>. If an agreement is not reached <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=011500050K12" type="external">“after a reasonable period of mediation,”</a> either party can request that negotiations move to the next phase, fact-finding.</p>
<p>August 12, 2015: CPS announces that it will phase out the <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/08/take-5-pension-pick-up-vanishing-vendor-lists-noble-proposal/" type="external">7-percent pension</a> pickup for 2,100 Central Office employees and other non-union employees over the next three years. Around this time, <a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150812/NEWS02/150819944/can-cps-force-pension-concessions-on-teachers" type="external">Crain’s Chicago Business</a>reports that CPS may attempt to unilaterally eliminate the pension pickup, claiming the benefit sunsetted when the contract expired.</p>
<p>August 10, 2015: CPS releases its 2015-2016 budget, calling for <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/08/budget-outlines-layoffs-cuts-to-special-ed/" type="external">1,500 layoffs</a> and deep cuts to special education programs. The district’s budget relies on a half-billion dollars in aid from Springfield, which many observers doubt will ever materialize given state lawmakers’ inability to pass their own budget.</p>
<p>August 6, 2015: CPS abruptly <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/08/back-to-drawing-board-for-contract-negotiations/" type="external">pulls back its offer</a> of a one-year contract, which would have retained the pension pickup and capped the growth of charter schools. Instead, CPS proposes a multi-year agreement that would eliminate the pension pickup, which CTU President Karen Lewis said would “force us into a strike.”</p>
<p>July 22, 2015: Claypool, Rahm Emanuel’s chief of staff, is appointed CEO of CPS.</p>
<p>June 30, 2015: The CTU’s contract with CPS <a href="http://www.ctunet.com/blog/text/Bargaining-Timeline-HOD-Dec-2015.pdf" type="external">expires</a>.</p>
<p>June 25, 2015: The CTU <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/06/ctu-says-contract-talks-broken-down/" type="external">rejects</a> a proposed one-year contract that includes no raises but keeps the 7-percent pension pickup. Union leaders take the district to task for refusing to bargain on “non-economic” issues, such as testing. They&#160;say CPS officials threatened to cut 3,000 teachers and aides and asked for $200 million in other budget cuts.</p>
<p>June 24, 2015: The union’s big bargaining team considers an offer of a <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/06/ctu-district-closer-to-contract-deal-that-keeps-pension-pickup/" type="external">one-year contract</a> proposal. Insiders say district officials are pushing for it as part of a statewide deal that would give CPS extra time to make a required pension payment.</p>
<p>May 31, 2015: CPS CEO Barbara <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/embattled-cps-ceo-barbara-byrd-bennett-resigns-in-wake-of-federal-probe/" type="external">Byrd-Bennett steps down</a> amid a federal corruption investigation over a $20 million contract with the SUPES Academy. Jesse Ruiz, the School Board’s vice president, becomes interim CEO. The turnover further slows negotiations.</p>
<p>May 7, 2015: CTU files an <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/05/ctu-files-unfair-labor-practice-complaint-seeks-mediation/" type="external">unfair labor practice charge</a> against CPS with the state’s educational labor relations board, claiming the district refused at least three formal requests for mediation “despite the lengthy period of bargaining and lack of agreement on any substantive matters.”</p>
<p>May 5, 2015: Details about the district’s first contract proposal begin to emerge. They include <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/05/cps-wants-7-percent-pay-cuts-union-insulted/" type="external">ending the so-called “pension pickup.”</a> CPS officials stress that the district is in a financial crisis. Rejecting the proposal, Lewis says, “CPS is broke on purpose,” a phrase that will become a rallying cry at protests.</p>
<p>April 15, 2015: The <a href="http://www.ctunet.com/blog/text/Bargaining-Timeline-HOD-Dec-2015.pdf" type="external">CTU demands</a> that contract mediation begin, one of the <a href="https://www.illinoispolicy.org/under-illinois-law-ctu-must-wait-4-months-to-strike-after-mediation-fails/" type="external">first legally required steps</a> in negotiations before a CTU strike can occur. However, mediation won’t get underway until August.</p>
<p>April 7, 2015: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel beats CTU-backed Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in a runoff election with about 56 percent of the vote. Union and district officials had been distracted by the mayoral elections, slowing the contract talks.</p>
<p>March 26, 2015: The CTU releases its first set of <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/03/ctu-unveils-first-set-of-contract-proposals/" type="external">contract proposals</a>. Demands <a href="http://www.ctunet.com/blog/ctu-releases-transformational-contract-demands-for-the-city-chicagos-students-deserve" type="external">include</a>salary and benefit increases, lower class sizes and training new teachers through the grassroots Grow Your Own program instead of Teach for America.</p>
<p>Feb. 5, 2015: Municipal elections take place on this day but there is no outright winner among five candidates for mayor. Emanuel and Garcia get the most votes and will go one-on-one in a runoff.</p>
<p>November 2014: Contract negotiations begin, but talks move slowly as both sides focus on the February mayoral election.</p>
<p>October 2014: Lewis is diagnosed with a brain tumor, ending all talk about her possible run for mayor against Emanuel. The union eventually <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-karen-lewis-endorses-garcia-for-mayor-in-new-video-20141031-story.html" type="external">endorses</a> Garcia, a Cook County commissioner.</p>
<p>August 2014: Lewis says she is <a href="http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/chicago-teachers-union-karen-lewis-270365221.html" type="external">“seriously considering”</a> running for mayor against Emanuel, who is seeking re-election.</p>
<p>February 2014: Lewis <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2014/02/lewis-ctu-wont-renew-contract-fourth-year/" type="external">says that it’s unlikely</a> the union will agree to extend the existing contract for a fourth year. Key issues include challenges with the new teacher evaluation system, a lack of resources for the longer school day and a lack of substitute teachers to cover classes.</p>
<p>Sept. 18, 2012: The&#160;Chicago Teachers Union votes to <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2012/09/delegates-strike-over/" type="external">suspend its seven-day strike</a>, its first strike in 25 years. The union and district agree to a three-year contract, with an optional fourth year. The new contract ends on June 30, 2015.</p>
<p>June 13, 2011: Then-Gov. Pat Quinn <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/13/pat-quinn-signs-ed-reform-bill_n_876048.html" type="external">signs Senate Bill 7 into law</a>, which significantly changes how teachers can be hired and fired. A major provision requires <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2011/05/sb-7-goes-governor-become-law/" type="external">75 percent of CTU members</a> to authorize a strike, even though many members are inactive and have no vote on contract issues. The <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=7&amp;GAID=11&amp;DocTypeID=SB&amp;LegId=53964&amp;SessionID=84" type="external">law</a> also sets up a long series of steps, including fact-finding, that must be taken before a strike can occur.</p>
<p>July 1995: The Chicago School Reform Amendatory Act goes <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/cps-history/" type="external">into effect</a>, giving then-Mayor Richard M. Daley more control of the school system. The law also took class size, charter schools, staffing, privatized services and other <a href="http://ecommons.luc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1061&amp;context=luc_diss" type="external">major issues off</a> the bargaining table.</p> | false | 3 | timeline tracks key progress setbacks contract negotiations chicago teachers union board education well provides historical context educators working without contract since july saturday april 16 ctu rejected recommendationsfrom thirdparty factfinder attorney steven bierig encouraged union accept offer already rejected february160while160both sides continue meet negotiation sessions160teachers legally go strike 30 days soon may 16 unclear however whether160the union would160strike end current school year wait beginning next school year click below160to see interactive timeline of160whats happened far scroll160down see160the timeline starting recent events first160160well continue update contract talks progress may 17160cps tells principals plan average budget cut 26 percent next year potential cuts could result thousands teacher layoffs ctu yet commented publicly may 16160earliest possible date union legally strike may 4 ctu announces unlikely strike happen end school although fall strike still possible 160instead union said would focus efforts getting funding springfield april 27160cps ceo forrest claypool announces board education meeting elementary high school graduations happen finals may cancelled ctu strike end school year april 21160the illinois160education labor relations board rules 4 1 favor cps complaint ctus160april 1 walkout160preventing ctu future strikes factfinder report released ruling impact legality potential strike late may april 16 factfinder steven bierig issues recommendations contract settlement mirrored offer made the160district january ctu rejects the160recommendations160that day160starting clock potential strike early may 16 cps officials say 160they160agree with160bierigs recommendations claypool urges160the union return bargaining table april 6160the ctu160 cancels internal electionsfor first time least two decades160with opposition running against160ctu president karen160lewis candidates ruling caucus rankandfile educators core lewis granted160an automatic third threeyear term april 1 ctu160and labor allies hold oneday strikedemonstrations take place160across city throughout day coming together massive downtown rally call attention negative impacts states budget impasse schools higher education public services march 25 school cancelled first three unpaid furlough days cps160has called cut costs march 23 ctu house delegates votes 486 124in favor holding oneday strike april 1 district officials contend would illegal teachers torn participating say theyll cross picket line action district leaders encouraged march 4 claypool backtracks threat end april160the socalled pension pickup longstanding agreement district takes 7 9 percentage points salary educators must pay toward pension costs claypool says district wait factfinding ctu plans go ahead day action april 1 march 3 cps announces three furlough days employees save 30 million ctu leaders threaten hold massive action possibly strike april 1 district follow earlier threat eliminate pension pickup feb 18 illinois educational labor relations board declines weigh ctus unfair labor practices charge involving stepandlane salary freezes allegation goes separate administrative trial district isnt required pay salary increases union believes members owed feb 17 ctu organizes school walkins students parents 200 schools protest budget cuts garner support contract demands feb 2 cps announces 75 million new midyear cuts school budgets school leaders told avoid laying teachers special education staff district announces eliminate pension pickup employees represented ctu 30 days feb 1 ctus big bargaining team soundly rejects cps contract offer citing lack trust attorney steven bierig begins factfinding160process could last midapril jan 28 ctu leaders seem optimistic latest cps offer plan submit big bargaining team proposal would eliminate pension pickup increase health care costs employees though district says offsets losses increasing pay capping charter school growth halting economic layoffs life contract jan 27 cps postpones saleof 875 million bonds could help cover budget deficit one analyst told suntimes either buyers buyers price city going take either way bad sign cps jan 22 another attempt narrow districts 480million midyear budget gap cps announces 227 central office layoffs budget crisis hits district middle school year last fall cps leaders approved budget relied pension relief springfield never materialized jan 20 gov bruce rauner republican lawmakers float idea state takeover cps creation path bankruptcy would require changes state law claypool calls overhaul states school funding formula calling separate unequal jan 14 ctu cps begin daily bargaining sessions agree begin factfinding feb 1 agreement reached dec 15 2015 cps leaders release details latest contract offer replaces pension pickup phasedin pay increases claypool promises midyear layoffs agrees noneconomic asks like reduction standardized testing dec 9 dec 11 2015 ctu holds strikeauthorization vote 88 percent members vote favor nov 24 2015 union formally requests begin factfinding thousands ctu members rally grant park nov 9 2015 ctu runs mock strike vote 97 percent members voted said would vote authorize strike needed state law strike authorization requires approval 75 percent ctu members oct 6 2015 hundreds summer layoffs potential fall talk strike grows louder sept 2015 district stops paying step lane salary increases additional years job additional graduate credits ctu later file unfair labor charge cps illinois educational labor relations board august 13 2015 cps ctu move mediation agreement reached reasonable period mediation either party request negotiations move next phase factfinding august 12 2015 cps announces phase 7percent pension pickup 2100 central office employees nonunion employees next three years around time crains chicago businessreports cps may attempt unilaterally eliminate pension pickup claiming benefit sunsetted contract expired august 10 2015 cps releases 20152016 budget calling 1500 layoffs deep cuts special education programs districts budget relies halfbillion dollars aid springfield many observers doubt ever materialize given state lawmakers inability pass budget august 6 2015 cps abruptly pulls back offer oneyear contract would retained pension pickup capped growth charter schools instead cps proposes multiyear agreement would eliminate pension pickup ctu president karen lewis said would force us strike july 22 2015 claypool rahm emanuels chief staff appointed ceo cps june 30 2015 ctus contract cps expires june 25 2015 ctu rejects proposed oneyear contract includes raises keeps 7percent pension pickup union leaders take district task refusing bargain noneconomic issues testing they160say cps officials threatened cut 3000 teachers aides asked 200 million budget cuts june 24 2015 unions big bargaining team considers offer oneyear contract proposal insiders say district officials pushing part statewide deal would give cps extra time make required pension payment may 31 2015 cps ceo barbara byrdbennett steps amid federal corruption investigation 20 million contract supes academy jesse ruiz school boards vice president becomes interim ceo turnover slows negotiations may 7 2015 ctu files unfair labor practice charge cps states educational labor relations board claiming district refused least three formal requests mediation despite lengthy period bargaining lack agreement substantive matters may 5 2015 details districts first contract proposal begin emerge include ending socalled pension pickup cps officials stress district financial crisis rejecting proposal lewis says cps broke purpose phrase become rallying cry protests april 15 2015 ctu demands contract mediation begin one first legally required steps negotiations ctu strike occur however mediation wont get underway august april 7 2015 chicago mayor rahm emanuel beats ctubacked jesus chuy garcia runoff election 56 percent vote union district officials distracted mayoral elections slowing contract talks march 26 2015 ctu releases first set contract proposals demands includesalary benefit increases lower class sizes training new teachers grassroots grow program instead teach america feb 5 2015 municipal elections take place day outright winner among five candidates mayor emanuel garcia get votes go oneonone runoff november 2014 contract negotiations begin talks move slowly sides focus february mayoral election october 2014 lewis diagnosed brain tumor ending talk possible run mayor emanuel union eventually endorses garcia cook county commissioner august 2014 lewis says seriously considering running mayor emanuel seeking reelection february 2014 lewis says unlikely union agree extend existing contract fourth year key issues include challenges new teacher evaluation system lack resources longer school day lack substitute teachers cover classes sept 18 2012 the160chicago teachers union votes suspend sevenday strike first strike 25 years union district agree threeyear contract optional fourth year new contract ends june 30 2015 june 13 2011 thengov pat quinn signs senate bill 7 law significantly changes teachers hired fired major provision requires 75 percent ctu members authorize strike even though many members inactive vote contract issues law also sets long series steps including factfinding must taken strike occur july 1995 chicago school reform amendatory act goes effect giving thenmayor richard daley control school system law also took class size charter schools staffing privatized services major issues bargaining table | 1,339 |
<p>JULY 17, 2010</p>
<p>I’d been starting to wonder about whether there are any true progressives left in California, until I heard about Jeff Adachi, San Francisco’s public defender. Many people describe themselves as progressive, mind you, but few seem to embody the core principles of a movement that is supposed to champion the poor, the oppressed and those who lack political power.</p>
<p>Adachi and I, no doubt, would be at odds on most political issues, but I’m left cheering an initiative he is qualifying for his city’s November ballot, and admiring a man who embodies the gutsy determination that is supposed to be the hallmark of those who stand up for the downtrodden against powerful interests.</p>
<p>“I’ve seen my budget slashed year after year,” he told me Monday, noting that the Public Defender’s Office has a total budget of about half what the Police Department spends on overtime alone. “We’re not able to do what’s constitutionally required,” he said, explaining that his office provides constitutionally mandated legal representation for the poor.</p>
<p>Adachi began looking at where the money is going and saw the growing budgetary effect of benefits for retired city workers. He pointed to a recent San Francisco grand jury report, which finds that pension and health care costs are expected to climb from $413 million a year to nearly $1 billion a year in five years, and that such costs amount to one-third of the city’s general fund. The grand jury wrote that “[p]ension and health benefits enjoyed by San Francisco retirees are unsustainable.”</p>
<p>According to the grand jury, “Reform must be undertaken in order to find a balance between keeping the city’s promise to retired workers and maintaining the critical services that make our city great.”</p>
<p>Adachi proposed what he accurately describes as a modest initiative that would require city workers – half of whom contribute nothing to their own retirement – to contribute 9 percent to 10 percent, as allowed under the city charter. The city currently pays 100 percent of the health care costs for workers and 75 percent for dependents. His initiative would require workers to pay for 50 percent of their dependents’ health benefits.</p>
<p>This is hardly unreasonable, yet the unions have gone ballistic and have accused Adachi of betrayal. They know that if serious pension reform succeeds in San Francisco that it can succeed anywhere. In San Francisco, the debate will be a tad different than the debate over similar reforms in Orange and San Diego counties, where fiscal conservatives make up a good portion of voters.</p>
<p>In San Francisco, this battle will center on saving vital city services. Adachi told me that the city has eliminated summer school programs. It is issuing $80 parking tickets. Park and recreation funding has been cut by 50 percent. Children’s services have been cut. “Here, these vital services that everyone relies on are being drained by pension costs,” he said.</p>
<p>Adachi is putting into action what another progressive, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pension adviser David Crane, pointed out (and I wrote about a few weeks ago) during a pension-reform hearing at the state Senate. “One cannot both be a progressive and be opposed to pension reform,” Crane said. The math is “irrefutable” that the programs progressives embrace “are being driven out of existence by rising pension costs.” Crane was ignored by the so-called progressive Democrats who run the Legislature, and the bill went nowhere.</p>
<p>Hilariously, the unions are blasting Adachi for not coming to them first, but Adachi watched pension reform get watered down so thoroughly in the city’s legislative process that the bill’s original author took his name off it. The city’s supervisors acted in a manner similar to the legislators Crane dealt with in Sacramento. So Adachi wisely took the initiative route, which increasingly is the only way to create change anywhere in this dysfunctional, union-controlled state.</p>
<p>This one initiative won’t stop the coming pension tsunami, but Adachi sees it as a way to reduce increasing pension costs and to “inform the public about the impact of escalating pensions on basic, core services of government.” The police union in neighboring Oakland, he noted, has refused to contribute anything to its pensions and that led to the layoff last week of 80 police officers in the city. He said that one San Francisco police officer – not the chief, either – has a compensation package of $516,000. Something’s wrong that must be fixed – although he fully expects attack ads depicting him as being anti-public-safety.</p>
<p>Sure enough, the unions have hired Tim Lehane, a former Clinton and Goldman Sachs mouthpiece, who told the San Francisco Chronicle last week that Adachi’s initiative is the equivalent of taking on Mother Teresa. Adachi’s prepared for such nasty attacks, but thinks he can get a serious dialogue going in a city known for its lefty politics. “Pensions are not a sexy subject, not like saving the redwoods,” he said. He wants the voters and even city workers to understand that his measure isn’t against public employees, but is a way to shore up a pension system that will be broke in 15 years.</p>
<p>In the big budget battles in the Capitol, the state’s dominant progressive Democrats have made it clear that they are more concerned about theunionized middle-class and wealthy workers who administer government programs than about the programs’ recipients. The group that set out to use government to help the downtrodden and uplift the public’s interest has become the representatives of those who see the government as a golden meal ticket and who always put their own interests above those of the public.</p>
<p>We’re looking at a good old-fashioned ideological fight – one that could have statewide and even national implications. Are there any true progressives left in San Francisco who will side with Adachi and the poor over the demands of the comfortable and powerful? We shall see. Maybe we shall even overcome!</p>
<p>–Steven Greenhut</p> | false | 3 | july 17 2010 id starting wonder whether true progressives left california heard jeff adachi san franciscos public defender many people describe progressive mind seem embody core principles movement supposed champion poor oppressed lack political power adachi doubt would odds political issues im left cheering initiative qualifying citys november ballot admiring man embodies gutsy determination supposed hallmark stand downtrodden powerful interests ive seen budget slashed year year told monday noting public defenders office total budget half police department spends overtime alone able whats constitutionally required said explaining office provides constitutionally mandated legal representation poor adachi began looking money going saw growing budgetary effect benefits retired city workers pointed recent san francisco grand jury report finds pension health care costs expected climb 413 million year nearly 1 billion year five years costs amount onethird citys general fund grand jury wrote pension health benefits enjoyed san francisco retirees unsustainable according grand jury reform must undertaken order find balance keeping citys promise retired workers maintaining critical services make city great adachi proposed accurately describes modest initiative would require city workers half contribute nothing retirement contribute 9 percent 10 percent allowed city charter city currently pays 100 percent health care costs workers 75 percent dependents initiative would require workers pay 50 percent dependents health benefits hardly unreasonable yet unions gone ballistic accused adachi betrayal know serious pension reform succeeds san francisco succeed anywhere san francisco debate tad different debate similar reforms orange san diego counties fiscal conservatives make good portion voters san francisco battle center saving vital city services adachi told city eliminated summer school programs issuing 80 parking tickets park recreation funding cut 50 percent childrens services cut vital services everyone relies drained pension costs said adachi putting action another progressive gov arnold schwarzeneggers pension adviser david crane pointed wrote weeks ago pensionreform hearing state senate one progressive opposed pension reform crane said math irrefutable programs progressives embrace driven existence rising pension costs crane ignored socalled progressive democrats run legislature bill went nowhere hilariously unions blasting adachi coming first adachi watched pension reform get watered thoroughly citys legislative process bills original author took name citys supervisors acted manner similar legislators crane dealt sacramento adachi wisely took initiative route increasingly way create change anywhere dysfunctional unioncontrolled state one initiative wont stop coming pension tsunami adachi sees way reduce increasing pension costs inform public impact escalating pensions basic core services government police union neighboring oakland noted refused contribute anything pensions led layoff last week 80 police officers city said one san francisco police officer chief either compensation package 516000 somethings wrong must fixed although fully expects attack ads depicting antipublicsafety sure enough unions hired tim lehane former clinton goldman sachs mouthpiece told san francisco chronicle last week adachis initiative equivalent taking mother teresa adachis prepared nasty attacks thinks get serious dialogue going city known lefty politics pensions sexy subject like saving redwoods said wants voters even city workers understand measure isnt public employees way shore pension system broke 15 years big budget battles capitol states dominant progressive democrats made clear concerned theunionized middleclass wealthy workers administer government programs programs recipients group set use government help downtrodden uplift publics interest become representatives see government golden meal ticket always put interests public looking good oldfashioned ideological fight one could statewide even national implications true progressives left san francisco side adachi poor demands comfortable powerful shall see maybe shall even overcome steven greenhut | 564 |
<p>At a glance, the little pills look as harmless as Skittles.</p>
<p>Each tablet is tinted candy pink and stamped with the number 88. They’re shaped like baby aspirin. Black-market merchants sell them in 10-pill bundles double-wrapped in black baggies.&#160;Once the plastic wrapping is torn away, the pills reveal their distinct scent: a chemical sweetness that brings to mind cheap cake frosting.</p>
<p>This is Asia’s newest brand of methamphetamine.&#160;</p>
<p>It’s produced in <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/article/6684201/2015/11/09/asias-meth-wars" type="external">Myanmar, the region’s top producer of illegal narcotics</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>By all accounts, the number 88 stamped on each pill is a perverse tribute to one of the most riveting events in Myanmar’s history — a bloody 1988 uprising against military tyranny led by pro-democracy idol Aung San Suu Kyi.</p>
<p>The 88-branded tablets are a potent variety of Asia’s go-to drug: smokable meth pills called “ya ba.” Filled with about 10 to 20 percent methamphetamine and padded out with caffeine, ya ba offers a dazzling burst of confidence followed by a spell of clammy depression.</p>
<p>“Right now, the 88 pills are the best stuff on the streets,” says Zau Ring, a 35-year-old repairman and daily meth smoker living in the northern borderlands of Myanmar, also known as Burma.&#160;</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/asias-meth-wars" type="external">Asia's Meth Wars (SERIES)</a></p>
<p>This hinterland, abutting China and Thailand, is an anarchic frontier where rebels and pro-government militias clash over turf.&#160;In the chaos, the meth trade thrives.</p>
<p>Myanmar’s hidden jungle labs produce an astonishing amount of methamphetamine: possibly 1 to 2 billion pills per year, according to UN officials.</p>
<p>Meth users like Zau Ring — perpetually shirtless, twitchy, raven-colored bangs drooping over his eyes — are often the first to sample the militias’ latest recipes.</p>
<p>Revolutionary meth</p>
<p>Zau Ring is squeezed into a hot room with two friends and two dozen meth pills. Dust particles in the air glint in the morning light. It is not yet 10 a.m. and the trio is already melting the pills on foil and hoovering up the fumes through a straw.</p>
<p>The 88 pills, Zau Ring says, are a welcome addition to the menu of narcotics sold freely in Myanmar’s north.</p>
<p>“They’re much more potent than the typical pills, which quickly go up in flames,” he says, crouching on the floor of a flophouse in his hometown of Myitkyina. (His name has been altered to prevent his arrest.)</p>
<p>The 88 imprinted on each pill may seem meaningless. It isn’t.</p>
<p>In Myanmar, the digits conjure up a venerated, bygone era. “It’s cool,” Zau Ring says. “Everyone in Myanmar knows ’88 is all about fighting for democracy.”</p>
<p />
<p>Students mark the 25th anniversary of the democratic uprising known as '8888'&#160;in Yangon on August 8, 2013.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Ye Aung Thu/AFP/Getty Images</p>
<p>The year 1988 is burned into the nation’s psyche.&#160;That’s when Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of a revolutionary hero who freed Myanmar from British rule, stood up to a homegrown oppressor: the ruling military junta.</p>
<p>It was the dawn of her ascent to popularity, which is now at fever pitch after <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/article/6689732/2015/11/18/key-takeaways-myanmar-election" type="external">a&#160;historic November election</a>. In the first legit nationwide polls in more than five decades, Aung San Suu Kyi and her acolytes crushed their competition, the army-backed ruling party. They are expected to take the reins in early 2016.</p>
<p>Then and now, army generals are despised for hoarding the nation’s wealth for themselves.</p>
<p>In August 1988, evoking her father’s past glory, Aung San Suu Kyi addressed hundreds of thousands of demonstrators occupying the streets. The crowds demanded that the junta step down. But in the following weeks, thousands were massacred for their defiance.&#160;</p>
<p>Aung San Suu Kyi was not among the dead. She was instead forced to live under house arrest for much of the next two decades.</p>
<p>The protests launched her political career and turned her into a living symbol of resistance to tyranny.&#160;And the ’88 uprising offered a flash of hope that still resonates — so brightly, it seems, that drug lords can tap its symbolism to sell meth.</p>
<p>Revered globally as a Mandela-style figure, Aung San Suu Kyi is the most famous person from Myanmar to have ever lived. But inside the country, she belongs to a longer roster of pro-democracy heroes.&#160;</p>
<p>Among them: Min Ko Naing, now 52, who helped spearhead the uprising as a gutsy young university student.</p>
<p>Min Ko Naing was compelled to action after the military ruler Ne Win, on the advice of his fortune-teller, voided all currency not divisible by his lucky number nine.&#160;</p>
<p>Cash savings were turned to garbage overnight. Citizens were enraged — and Min Ko Naing and his peers channeled that fury into raucous street protests.</p>
<p>Inside Myanmar, he may be second only to Aung San Suu Kyi in the pantheon of revered anti-military dissidents. It appears that meth users are among his fans.</p>
<p>“People are now calling the ’88 pills ‘Min Ko Naings,’” Zau Ring says. Other users confirm that the pro-democracy hero’s name has become common street slang for 88-branded meth pills.</p>
<p>Narco militias in the hills</p>
<p>Exploiting Myanmar’s iconic uprising to sell meth isn’t just sacrilege. It’s tragically ironic.</p>
<p>Meth-trafficking militias keep the nation mired in exactly the sort of warlordism and corruption that the 1988 uprising sought to eliminate. Some are even linked to the object of the protesters’ rage: Myanmar’s military.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/article/6685625/2015/11/11/how-myanmars-state-backed-militias-flood-asia-meth" type="external">a nine-month GlobalPost investigation</a>, many of the meth trade’s key players are militias created by army itself.&#160;</p>
<p>Starting in 2009, the military gave rise to dozens of new armed units backed by more than 10,000 troops. These groups — called “people’s militia forces” or “border guard forces” —&#160;are primarily stationed in remote borderland areas contested by rebels.&#160;Their main job: defending territory for the government. But in return, the army offers the militias impunity to traffic heroin and meth.</p>
<p>“It’s tacit approval,” says John Whalen, who recently retired as the head of the US Drug Enforcement Agency’s office in Myanmar. “They just look the other way.”</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/article/6684221/2015/11/09/how-asias-meth-made-help-myanmars-army" type="external">How Asia's&#160;meth is made</a></p>
<p>As Myanmar’s government is fond of pointing out, rebel guerrillas are major profiteers in the nation’s drug trade. But so are pro-government militias, who now control key links in <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/article/6684221/2015/11/09/how-asias-meth-made-help-myanmars-army" type="external">Asia’s meth supply chain</a>. As long as they obey the army, they’re practically immune from prosecution.</p>
<p>“The army likes to keep [the militias] happy,” Whalen says. “They need them as force multipliers, guides, maybe cannon fodder. So they turn a blind eye to their activities.”</p>
<p>The state-backed militias’ role in the drug trade is confirmed by Col. Myint Thein, one of Myanmar’s top anti-narcotics police officers.&#160;</p>
<p>“We do believe some of them are involved in the drug business,” he tells GlobalPost. But he insists most pro-government militias are only supplying a base of operations for foreign drug syndicates — namely from China — and charging them a security fee.</p>
<p>Drug lords versus democracy</p>
<p>Myanmar is now attempting a transformation no less momentous than the failed 1988 revolution.&#160;</p>
<p>It appears that, at long last, the military is ready to cede some of its power to elected leaders. The recent polls have allowed the public to choose its representatives — a key mission of the blood-soaked uprising.</p>
<p>Yet once again, this grand effort to reform the nation is subverted by the military and its allied narco-militias.</p>
<p>Human Rights Watch <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/09/29/dispatches-militias-and-electoral-intimidation-burma" type="external">warns</a> that the army used “militia proxies to shut down voting in some areas.” Millions in Myanmar were denied their right to vote simply because they live in places deemed “conflict zones” by the government.</p>
<p>Even after the new government takes shape, some of these conflict zones will continue to be run like little fiefdoms by state-backed militia commanders.&#160;</p>
<p>One warlord and <a href="http://www.burmapartnership.org/2014/10/silent-offensive-how-burma-army-strategies-are-fuelling-the-kachin-drug-crisis/" type="external">accused drug trafficker</a> named Zakhung Ting Ying, based near the Chinese border, forbade&#160;Aung Sun Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party from campaigning on his turf — where he just happened to be running for the same seat.</p>
<p>When they defied the warning, a campaign team was <a href="http://www.irrawaddy.org/election/news/nld-abandons-rally-plans-after-attack-on-members-in-kachin-state" type="external">attacked by a mob</a> dispatched by the militia, according to the NLD. This naked aggression helped Ting Ying secure a rare victory against Aung San Suu Kyi’s otherwise dominant party.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/article/6685655/2015/11/11/asias-meth-wars-little-pink-pills-are-sowing-chaos-across-region" type="external">Myanmar's army is backing militias that make a fortune off of meth</a></p>
<p>Meth has deeply entrenched the wealth and influence of borderland kingpins who feed Asia’s demand for speed. They’ve racked up millions producing pink speed pills as well as crystal meth or “ice,” a high-quality drug that’s 90 percent pure.</p>
<p>They will not be uprooted easily — especially as their lucrative market expands.</p>
<p>Consider the extra-strength 88 pill, which sells for $3. That’s roughly equal to a day’s pay for hard laborers in Myanmar and it’s approximately double the price of the common "ya ba" pill.</p>
<p>This hints at growing market sophistication. The 88 pills are a mid-tier product for smokers who are fed up with shoddy, cheap pills but still can’t afford ice, the Courvoisier of meth. (At $100 a gram, ice is as pricey as cocaine.)</p>
<p>Various forms of ya ba remain the choice stimulant for Asia’s working classes, from Kunming to Bangkok to Jakarta. It has a built-in client base among fishmongers, factory drones, sex workers and anyone seeking a pill to make their drudgery tolerable.</p>
<p>“The thing about these pills is that you can never have enough,” Zau Ring says. “You can give a guy 10 of them and tell him to space them out over 10 days. But it won’t work. He’ll smoke them all the first afternoon.”</p>
<p>By 11 a.m., all of Zau Ring’s pills are melted into liquid char on little strips of foil. The room is thick with vanilla-scented smoke. Zau Ring and his friends, clad in sarongs, are seated on the floor. One rocks nervously on his haunches. The other chews the inside of his cheek.</p>
<p>“I wonder if Min Ko Naing knows this stuff is named after him?” Zau Ring asks.&#160;</p>
<p>His smoker buddies don’t answer. They’re too fixated on scraping gunky meth residue out of his straw. There is just enough meth resin to smush against the foil for one final hit.</p> | false | 3 | glance little pills look harmless skittles tablet tinted candy pink stamped number 88 theyre shaped like baby aspirin blackmarket merchants sell 10pill bundles doublewrapped black baggies160once plastic wrapping torn away pills reveal distinct scent chemical sweetness brings mind cheap cake frosting asias newest brand methamphetamine160 produced myanmar regions top producer illegal narcotics160 accounts number 88 stamped pill perverse tribute one riveting events myanmars history bloody 1988 uprising military tyranny led prodemocracy idol aung san suu kyi 88branded tablets potent variety asias goto drug smokable meth pills called ya ba filled 10 20 percent methamphetamine padded caffeine ya ba offers dazzling burst confidence followed spell clammy depression right 88 pills best stuff streets says zau ring 35yearold repairman daily meth smoker living northern borderlands myanmar also known burma160 globalpost asias meth wars series hinterland abutting china thailand anarchic frontier rebels progovernment militias clash turf160in chaos meth trade thrives myanmars hidden jungle labs produce astonishing amount methamphetamine possibly 1 2 billion pills per year according un officials meth users like zau ring perpetually shirtless twitchy ravencolored bangs drooping eyes often first sample militias latest recipes revolutionary meth zau ring squeezed hot room two friends two dozen meth pills dust particles air glint morning light yet 10 trio already melting pills foil hoovering fumes straw 88 pills zau ring says welcome addition menu narcotics sold freely myanmars north theyre much potent typical pills quickly go flames says crouching floor flophouse hometown myitkyina name altered prevent arrest 88 imprinted pill may seem meaningless isnt myanmar digits conjure venerated bygone era cool zau ring says everyone myanmar knows 88 fighting democracy students mark 25th anniversary democratic uprising known 8888160in yangon august 8 2013 160 ye aung thuafpgetty images year 1988 burned nations psyche160thats aung san suu kyi daughter revolutionary hero freed myanmar british rule stood homegrown oppressor ruling military junta dawn ascent popularity fever pitch a160historic november election first legit nationwide polls five decades aung san suu kyi acolytes crushed competition armybacked ruling party expected take reins early 2016 army generals despised hoarding nations wealth august 1988 evoking fathers past glory aung san suu kyi addressed hundreds thousands demonstrators occupying streets crowds demanded junta step following weeks thousands massacred defiance160 aung san suu kyi among dead instead forced live house arrest much next two decades protests launched political career turned living symbol resistance tyranny160and 88 uprising offered flash hope still resonates brightly seems drug lords tap symbolism sell meth revered globally mandelastyle figure aung san suu kyi famous person myanmar ever lived inside country belongs longer roster prodemocracy heroes160 among min ko naing 52 helped spearhead uprising gutsy young university student min ko naing compelled action military ruler ne win advice fortuneteller voided currency divisible lucky number nine160 cash savings turned garbage overnight citizens enraged min ko naing peers channeled fury raucous street protests inside myanmar may second aung san suu kyi pantheon revered antimilitary dissidents appears meth users among fans people calling 88 pills min ko naings zau ring says users confirm prodemocracy heros name become common street slang 88branded meth pills narco militias hills exploiting myanmars iconic uprising sell meth isnt sacrilege tragically ironic methtrafficking militias keep nation mired exactly sort warlordism corruption 1988 uprising sought eliminate even linked object protesters rage myanmars military according ninemonth globalpost investigation many meth trades key players militias created army itself160 starting 2009 military gave rise dozens new armed units backed 10000 troops groups called peoples militia forces border guard forces 160are primarily stationed remote borderland areas contested rebels160their main job defending territory government return army offers militias impunity traffic heroin meth tacit approval says john whalen recently retired head us drug enforcement agencys office myanmar look way globalpost asias160meth made myanmars government fond pointing rebel guerrillas major profiteers nations drug trade progovernment militias control key links asias meth supply chain long obey army theyre practically immune prosecution army likes keep militias happy whalen says need force multipliers guides maybe cannon fodder turn blind eye activities statebacked militias role drug trade confirmed col myint thein one myanmars top antinarcotics police officers160 believe involved drug business tells globalpost insists progovernment militias supplying base operations foreign drug syndicates namely china charging security fee drug lords versus democracy myanmar attempting transformation less momentous failed 1988 revolution160 appears long last military ready cede power elected leaders recent polls allowed public choose representatives key mission bloodsoaked uprising yet grand effort reform nation subverted military allied narcomilitias human rights watch warns army used militia proxies shut voting areas millions myanmar denied right vote simply live places deemed conflict zones government even new government takes shape conflict zones continue run like little fiefdoms statebacked militia commanders160 one warlord accused drug trafficker named zakhung ting ying based near chinese border forbade160aung sun suu kyis national league democracy party campaigning turf happened running seat defied warning campaign team attacked mob dispatched militia according nld naked aggression helped ting ying secure rare victory aung san suu kyis otherwise dominant party globalpost myanmars army backing militias make fortune meth meth deeply entrenched wealth influence borderland kingpins feed asias demand speed theyve racked millions producing pink speed pills well crystal meth ice highquality drug thats 90 percent pure uprooted easily especially lucrative market expands consider extrastrength 88 pill sells 3 thats roughly equal days pay hard laborers myanmar approximately double price common ya ba pill hints growing market sophistication 88 pills midtier product smokers fed shoddy cheap pills still cant afford ice courvoisier meth 100 gram ice pricey cocaine various forms ya ba remain choice stimulant asias working classes kunming bangkok jakarta builtin client base among fishmongers factory drones sex workers anyone seeking pill make drudgery tolerable thing pills never enough zau ring says give guy 10 tell space 10 days wont work hell smoke first afternoon 11 zau rings pills melted liquid char little strips foil room thick vanillascented smoke zau ring friends clad sarongs seated floor one rocks nervously haunches chews inside cheek wonder min ko naing knows stuff named zau ring asks160 smoker buddies dont answer theyre fixated scraping gunky meth residue straw enough meth resin smush foil one final hit | 1,015 |
<p>LONDON, UK — Try to forget it.</p>
<p>That’s what Jon Bird’s mother told him in 1963 when he ran home at age 4 weeping and in pain, after a stranger pulled him into the woods and raped him.</p>
<p>He heard the same thing six years later, he said, when a boarding school head teacher was fired — but not criminally charged — for sexually assaulting Bird and other students.</p>
<p>Denial, forgetting and covering up were for years the British response to allegations that children were being sexually abused in institutions that were supposed to care for them. Now those walls are coming down.</p>
<p>The UK is poised to launch a major national investigation into allegations that government officials knowingly covered up evidence of sexual abuse of children over decades, even when those crimes were perpetrated by people in the highest echelons of public life and in institutions specifically tasked with children’s care.</p>
<p>“This could be — it probably will be — the biggest inquiry this country’s ever seen,” inquiry spokesman David Jervis told GlobalPost.</p>
<p>Police are looking into reports of a long-rumored pedophile ring in Westminster, the London seat of power and government, that operated in the 1970s and 1980s and allegedly involved high-ranking figures from politics, the police and the military.</p>
<p>In the beginning of August, one such suspect has been named:&#160;Edward Heath, the former British prime minister. Heath, who died in 2005, was accused of sexually abusing children in the 1990s,&#160;a <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33770021" type="external">former detective says</a>, but the investigations were squashed. Police are now investigating those alleged crimes, as well as reports that officers at the time deliberately shut down a formal inquiry.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/united-kingdom/150306/pedophile-interview-britain" type="external">This man is a pedophile, and proud of it</a></p>
<p>Investigations are also going on around the country into children’s homes, schools, hospitals and other institutions where victims — now adults — say that people assigned to their care were exploiting them for sexual purposes.</p>
<p>In some cases, police are investigating whether children were murdered to cover up the crimes.</p>
<p>In March, the UK's independent police watchdog announced that it was investigating the Metropolitan Police — London's police department — for " <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/150316/uk-police-investigated-abuse-cover-claims" type="external">high-level corruption of the most serious nature</a>" over a 40-year period in relation to the sex abuse claims.</p>
<p>This includes allegations that police deliberately shut down abuse investigations when powerful names came up, altered victims' reports to remove a senior politician's name, and covered up the crimes of powerful politicians.</p>
<p>It’s the ugly legacy of a period in which a lack of child safeguards in public institutions and a cultural preference for protecting the system instead of individuals allowed abuse to proliferate.</p>
<p>For social workers and abuse survivors who have been trying for years to get complaints heard, these investigations are a validation many thought they’d never receive.</p>
<p>“I thought they’d keep a lid on it forever,” said Bird, now operations manager at the <a href="http://napac.org.uk" type="external">National Association for People Abused in Childhood</a>. “I’m still amazed it’s being taken seriously.”</p>
<p>Open secrets, official silence</p>
<p>There have been whispers and rumors for decades in Britain that certain public institutions — and certain high-ranking people — were dangers to children.</p>
<p>Recently released <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/02/thatcher-peter-hayman-named-paedophile-archives" type="external">National Archives documents show</a>that in the 1980s even Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was briefed on the pedophilic predilections of people in and close to her government.</p>
<p>There was Sir Peter Hayman, a career diplomat and <a href="https://spotlightonabuse.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/g070481.jpg" type="external">member (under an assumed name)</a>of the Pedophile Information Exchange, a lobby group that existed in Britain in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1978 Hayman <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/02/thatcher-peter-hayman-named-paedophile-archives#img-1" type="external">left a package of pedophilic materials on a London bus</a>but was let off by police with only a warning.</p>
<p>There was Sir Peter Morrison, a close Thatcher aide and deputy Conservative Party leader, whose <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/27/margaret-thatcher-sex-parties-paedophile-sir-peter-morrison-bodyguard_n_5624475.html" type="external">rumored abuse</a>&#160;of young boys in the 1980s is now the subject of an <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20221959" type="external">investigation into abuse in children’s homes in Wales</a>.</p>
<p>There was Cyril Smith, a Liberal member of Parliament (MP) from 1972 to 1992 who was investigated at least three times for sexually assaulting boys but never charged.</p>
<p>In March, after <a href="http://news.sky.com/story/1440761/thatcher-turned-blind-eye-to-paedophile-mps" type="external">a year of stalling</a> on a newspaper’s information request, the government released documents showing that a top adviser <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31789827" type="external">warned Thatcher</a> about Smith’s previous abuse investigations, and that knighting him could harm “the integrity of the honors system.”</p>
<p>Thatcher ignored him. Smith got his knighthood. Last year, Greater Manchester Police&#160; <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cyril-smith-was-paedophile-police-admit-1459987" type="external">acknowledged</a>that there was “overwhelming evidence ... that young boys were sexually and physically abused” by Smith, and that he would likely face trial were the same evidence presented today.</p>
<p>At the time, the attitude to Smith’s rumored predilections was very different.</p>
<p>“All he seems to have done is spanked a few bare bottoms,” a Liberal Party spokesman said in response to a 1979 newspaper investigation.</p>
<p>Hayman, Morrison and Smith are now dead.</p>
<p>In 1984, a Conservative MP named Geoffrey Dickens sent then-Home Secretary Leon Brittan multiple letters charging that <a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/lord-leon-brittan-home-office-paedophile-dossier" type="external">people in and linked to the government were sexually abusing children</a>. Brittan claimed to have passed them to Home Office officials for investigation. Nothing more came of it. Brittan died last month.</p>
<p>In 2013, the Home Office, which oversees Britain’s police and other security agencies, said that those letters, along with more than 100 other documents related to child abuse allegations, are missing from their files.</p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/372915/Wanless-Whittam_Review_Report.pdf" type="external">Home Office-commissioned review</a>of the missing documents could neither confirm nor rule out that they were deliberately removed from the record.</p>
<p>Allegations of abuse by powerful people at that time were treated more as embarrassing secrets than reportable crimes. As far back as 1995, former Conservative Party whip Tim Fortescue <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwkOWPauu_A" type="external">explained in a BBC documentary</a> how even open admissions of child molestation could be brushed aside.</p>
<p>“Anyone with any sense, who was in trouble, would come to the whips and tell them the truth, and say, ‘Now, I'm in a jam. Can you help?’ It might be debt, it might be a scandal involving small boys,” said Fortescue, who died in 2008.</p>
<p>Keeping the secret had more political value than reporting it, Fortescue said: “If we could get a chap out of trouble, he’d do as we asked forevermore.”</p>
<p>Those who did try to bring alleged crimes to attention were met with silence or stonewalling from police and prosecutors, for reasons that have never been satisfactorily explained.</p>
<p>As a social worker in the London borough of Islington in the 1990s, Liz Davies began to work with police on a major investigation of sexual abuse in children’s group homes there.</p>
<p>She maintains that she found evidence that children in the system were being subjected to sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect and even murder.</p>
<p>One day, she said, it all stopped. She was informed that the investigation was over and not given a reason. Her counterpart in London’s Metropolitan Police was told the same, she said.</p>
<p>“We’d been working together every single day. It was very intense,” Davies said.</p>
<p>But now, some 20 years later, she said, “the truth is coming out and it can’t be stopped.”</p>
<p>Savile blows it open</p>
<p>Jimmy Savile was a fixture on British television for almost 50 years, a Yorkshire-accented equivalent to someone like America’s Dick Clark.</p>
<p>He was famous for his charity work and children’s shows on the BBC. But less than a year after his death in October 2011, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwaT-mfqJpo" type="external">allegations came to light</a>that he used <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19946626" type="external">both those outlets</a>to find, groom and rape children. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2311502/Paedophile-DJ-Jimmy-Savile-abused-1-350-victims-treble-number-come-forward-far.html" type="external">Hundreds of people</a>have since come forward to claim that Savile sexually assaulted them when they were underage.</p>
<p>“That was the watershed moment in the UK,” Bird said.</p>
<p>A subsequent <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11393099/Operation-Yewtree-The-successes-and-failures.html" type="external">London police investigation</a>&#160;has led to the arrests of 17 other men so far on sexual offenses against adults and children, most committed between the late 1970s and early 1990s.</p>
<p>The conviction and imprisonment of British TV personalities like Gary Glitter and Rolf Harris made headlines. But it was also clear from victims’ reports that institutions and the people who ran them were complicit in the abuse.</p>
<p>There are now at least <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28194271" type="external">13 separate investigations</a>underway across Britain into past sexual offenses against children.</p>
<p>Some are internal reviews to understand how institutions like the National Health Service or the Department for Education exposed children to predators and failed to act on reports of abuse.</p>
<p>At the top is an <a href="https://childsexualabuseinquiry.independent.gov.uk" type="external">independent national inquiry</a>announced in July that will seek to determine whether and to what extent institutions in England and Wales were negligent in their duty to protect children from sexual abuse.</p>
<p>“A full public inquiry is required because under those terms people have to take oaths and therefore swear to tell the truth. My fear is the whole story won't come out without that,” <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2014/07/statement-from-bishop-of-durham-on-government-announcement-on-child-abuse-inquiries.aspx" type="external">said Bishop Paul Butler of the Church of England</a>, which has uncovered evidence of sexual abuse by clergy. “We have to be investigated just like anybody else.”</p>
<p>Investigations in Northern Ireland and Scotland will be left to those regions’ devolved governments, May said, despite calls to include them in the national one.</p>
<p>It has gotten off to a rocky start. The first two inquiry chiefs stepped down over concerns that they were too close to establishment figures likely to surface in the course of the investigation.</p>
<p>In February the inquiry virtually started from scratch, announcing New Zealand High Court judge Lowell Goddard as the new chief. It <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-31855153" type="external">relaunched</a>last week with a new panel of investigators.</p>
<p>Evidence hearings will not begin for months, spokesman Jervis said. The full investigation, he added, will likely take years. &#160;</p>
<p>When it was announced, Prime Minister David Cameron said the inquiry should leave “ <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28193938" type="external">no stone unturned.</a>” When news emerged of a separate sexual abuse scandal in Britain — one involving the exploitation of young women by primarily South Asian gangs — he called the problem a “national threat.”</p>
<p>But Simon Danczuk, an MP leading the push for a full investigation, said in December that he believed Cameron was “dismissive” of the allegations toward establishment figures and ready to “move on.”</p>
<p>Cameron sat on a parliamentary committee examining police investigations of abuse at children’s group homes in 2002, when he was still an MP.</p>
<p>Phil Frampton, 61, who was sexually abused as a child in care, gave evidence to the committee. In a phone interview, he recalled Cameron’s demeanor as “pretty arrogant and dismissive.”</p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmhaff/836/2061802.htm" type="external">transcripts</a>, <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmhaff/836/2062505.htm" type="external">Cameron’s questions</a> have a skeptical tone: Could people be making fraudulent accusations to claim compensation? Were police questions triggering false memories? How many accusers had criminal backgrounds? (Cameron's office did not immediately respond to several requests for comment last week.)</p>
<p>Before Savile, that was the common attitude toward accusers raised in state institutions, who were often cast as troubled youth seeking money or attention, Frampton said.</p>
<p>“For us, who’ve been fighting for so long, [the national inquiry] is very, very important, and a chance to set the record straight,” Frampton said.</p>
<p>A criminal trail</p>
<p>There are also police investigations that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of offenders who are still alive.</p>
<p>These operations are complicated beasts. Take, for example, the investigation into Elm Guest House, a former hostel in Barnes, a suburb southwest of London.</p>
<p>The Edwardian house <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/special-report-police-revisit-the-grim-mystery-of-elm-guest-house-8420435.html" type="external">served simultaneously</a> as a legitimate bed and breakfast, a brothel for gay men and, allegedly, a place where trafficked children were brought to be sexually abused by adults. <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-reveal-scale-of-elm-guest-house-investigation-into-alleged-paedophile-ring-8651295.html" type="external">Police are investigating claims</a>that prominent government officials were among the men who raped boys at the house. &#160;</p>
<p>Police opened an investigation in 2012 called Operation Fairbank. Fairbank subsequently launched three new lines of inquiry (not included in the 13 investigations mentioned above).</p>
<p>One of those, Operation Fernbridge, is looking at reports of a pedophile ring operating out of Elm. This includes&#160;claims that boys were trafficked to Elm from Grafton Close Children’s Home, a group home in southwest London.</p>
<p>In 2013, police arrested two men on charges of sexually assaulting children at Grafton Close in the late 1970s and early 1980s — John Stingemore, its former manager, and Anthony McSweeney, a Catholic priest.</p>
<p>Stingemore died in January at the age of 72, weeks before the trial against him was due to start. McSweeney, now 68, was convicted Feb. 27 of sexually assaulting a boy and making child pornography. He will be sentenced later this month.</p>
<p>Another line of inquiry, Operation Midland, is investigating claims that three boys were murdered by an organized ring of pedophiles operating in London and its surrounding counties.</p>
<p>The families of two boys who went missing near Elm Guest House in the late 1970s and early 1980s have asked police to investigate the possibility that their sons were taken and killed by people linked to the house.</p>
<p>A system gone wrong</p>
<p>Britain must now reckon with a history of crime and institutional neglect on an overwhelming scale.</p>
<p>Jordans Solicitors, a law practice in Yorkshire that specializes in representing sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits, received between 600 and 1,000 calls last year from people claiming to have been abused, attorney David Gibbs said.</p>
<p>Sexual abuse of children happens all over the world. Institutions everywhere sometimes fail the people they’re charged with protecting.</p>
<p>But some believe that British culture in the latter half of the 20th century allowed these two truths to merge in a particularly toxic way; that these abuse allegations are the dark, ugly consequence of a social system that valued the preservation of order and the establishment above all else.</p>
<p>“Remember the atmosphere of the times,” said Lord Norman Tebbit, a member of Thatcher’s cabinet, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQSHcpPk38" type="external">on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show in July</a>.</p>
<p>“At that time, I think most people would have thought that the establishment, that the system, was to be protected. And if a few things had gone wrong here and there, that it was more important to protect the system than to delve too far into them.”</p>
<p>Asked if there was a government cover-up of child sex abuse, he said, “I think there may well have been. But it was almost unconscious. It was the thing that people did at that time. You didn’t talk about those sort of things.”</p>
<p>Jon Bird of NAPAC compared the cultural shift on child abuse in Britain to the animal rights movement.</p>
<p>“There was a time when they thought you could do whatever you liked to an animal and it doesn’t feel any pain,” he said. “I think there was a time when they thought children were the same way.”</p> | false | 3 | london uk try forget thats jon birds mother told 1963 ran home age 4 weeping pain stranger pulled woods raped heard thing six years later said boarding school head teacher fired criminally charged sexually assaulting bird students denial forgetting covering years british response allegations children sexually abused institutions supposed care walls coming uk poised launch major national investigation allegations government officials knowingly covered evidence sexual abuse children decades even crimes perpetrated people highest echelons public life institutions specifically tasked childrens care could probably biggest inquiry countrys ever seen inquiry spokesman david jervis told globalpost police looking reports longrumored pedophile ring westminster london seat power government operated 1970s 1980s allegedly involved highranking figures politics police military beginning august one suspect named160edward heath former british prime minister heath died 2005 accused sexually abusing children 1990s160a former detective says investigations squashed police investigating alleged crimes well reports officers time deliberately shut formal inquiry globalpost man pedophile proud investigations also going around country childrens homes schools hospitals institutions victims adults say people assigned care exploiting sexual purposes cases police investigating whether children murdered cover crimes march uks independent police watchdog announced investigating metropolitan police londons police department highlevel corruption serious nature 40year period relation sex abuse claims includes allegations police deliberately shut abuse investigations powerful names came altered victims reports remove senior politicians name covered crimes powerful politicians ugly legacy period lack child safeguards public institutions cultural preference protecting system instead individuals allowed abuse proliferate social workers abuse survivors trying years get complaints heard investigations validation many thought theyd never receive thought theyd keep lid forever said bird operations manager national association people abused childhood im still amazed taken seriously open secrets official silence whispers rumors decades britain certain public institutions certain highranking people dangers children recently released national archives documents showthat 1980s even prime minister margaret thatcher briefed pedophilic predilections people close government sir peter hayman career diplomat member assumed nameof pedophile information exchange lobby group existed britain 1970s 1980s 1978 hayman left package pedophilic materials london busbut let police warning sir peter morrison close thatcher aide deputy conservative party leader whose rumored abuse160of young boys 1980s subject investigation abuse childrens homes wales cyril smith liberal member parliament mp 1972 1992 investigated least three times sexually assaulting boys never charged march year stalling newspapers information request government released documents showing top adviser warned thatcher smiths previous abuse investigations knighting could harm integrity honors system thatcher ignored smith got knighthood last year greater manchester police160 acknowledgedthat overwhelming evidence young boys sexually physically abused smith would likely face trial evidence presented today time attitude smiths rumored predilections different seems done spanked bare bottoms liberal party spokesman said response 1979 newspaper investigation hayman morrison smith dead 1984 conservative mp named geoffrey dickens sent thenhome secretary leon brittan multiple letters charging people linked government sexually abusing children brittan claimed passed home office officials investigation nothing came brittan died last month 2013 home office oversees britains police security agencies said letters along 100 documents related child abuse allegations missing files home officecommissioned reviewof missing documents could neither confirm rule deliberately removed record allegations abuse powerful people time treated embarrassing secrets reportable crimes far back 1995 former conservative party whip tim fortescue explained bbc documentary even open admissions child molestation could brushed aside anyone sense trouble would come whips tell truth say im jam help might debt might scandal involving small boys said fortescue died 2008 keeping secret political value reporting fortescue said could get chap trouble hed asked forevermore try bring alleged crimes attention met silence stonewalling police prosecutors reasons never satisfactorily explained social worker london borough islington 1990s liz davies began work police major investigation sexual abuse childrens group homes maintains found evidence children system subjected sexual abuse physical abuse neglect even murder one day said stopped informed investigation given reason counterpart londons metropolitan police told said wed working together every single day intense davies said 20 years later said truth coming cant stopped savile blows open jimmy savile fixture british television almost 50 years yorkshireaccented equivalent someone like americas dick clark famous charity work childrens shows bbc less year death october 2011 allegations came lightthat used outletsto find groom rape children hundreds peoplehave since come forward claim savile sexually assaulted underage watershed moment uk bird said subsequent london police investigation160has led arrests 17 men far sexual offenses adults children committed late 1970s early 1990s conviction imprisonment british tv personalities like gary glitter rolf harris made headlines also clear victims reports institutions people ran complicit abuse least 13 separate investigationsunderway across britain past sexual offenses children internal reviews understand institutions like national health service department education exposed children predators failed act reports abuse top independent national inquiryannounced july seek determine whether extent institutions england wales negligent duty protect children sexual abuse full public inquiry required terms people take oaths therefore swear tell truth fear whole story wont come without said bishop paul butler church england uncovered evidence sexual abuse clergy investigated like anybody else investigations northern ireland scotland left regions devolved governments may said despite calls include national one gotten rocky start first two inquiry chiefs stepped concerns close establishment figures likely surface course investigation february inquiry virtually started scratch announcing new zealand high court judge lowell goddard new chief relaunchedlast week new panel investigators evidence hearings begin months spokesman jervis said full investigation added likely take years 160 announced prime minister david cameron said inquiry leave stone unturned news emerged separate sexual abuse scandal britain one involving exploitation young women primarily south asian gangs called problem national threat simon danczuk mp leading push full investigation said december believed cameron dismissive allegations toward establishment figures ready move cameron sat parliamentary committee examining police investigations abuse childrens group homes 2002 still mp phil frampton 61 sexually abused child care gave evidence committee phone interview recalled camerons demeanor pretty arrogant dismissive transcripts camerons questions skeptical tone could people making fraudulent accusations claim compensation police questions triggering false memories many accusers criminal backgrounds camerons office immediately respond several requests comment last week savile common attitude toward accusers raised state institutions often cast troubled youth seeking money attention frampton said us whove fighting long national inquiry important chance set record straight frampton said criminal trail also police investigations could lead arrest prosecution offenders still alive operations complicated beasts take example investigation elm guest house former hostel barnes suburb southwest london edwardian house served simultaneously legitimate bed breakfast brothel gay men allegedly place trafficked children brought sexually abused adults police investigating claimsthat prominent government officials among men raped boys house 160 police opened investigation 2012 called operation fairbank fairbank subsequently launched three new lines inquiry included 13 investigations mentioned one operation fernbridge looking reports pedophile ring operating elm includes160claims boys trafficked elm grafton close childrens home group home southwest london 2013 police arrested two men charges sexually assaulting children grafton close late 1970s early 1980s john stingemore former manager anthony mcsweeney catholic priest stingemore died january age 72 weeks trial due start mcsweeney 68 convicted feb 27 sexually assaulting boy making child pornography sentenced later month another line inquiry operation midland investigating claims three boys murdered organized ring pedophiles operating london surrounding counties families two boys went missing near elm guest house late 1970s early 1980s asked police investigate possibility sons taken killed people linked house system gone wrong britain must reckon history crime institutional neglect overwhelming scale jordans solicitors law practice yorkshire specializes representing sexual abuse victims civil lawsuits received 600 1000 calls last year people claiming abused attorney david gibbs said sexual abuse children happens world institutions everywhere sometimes fail people theyre charged protecting believe british culture latter half 20th century allowed two truths merge particularly toxic way abuse allegations dark ugly consequence social system valued preservation order establishment else remember atmosphere times said lord norman tebbit member thatchers cabinet bbcs andrew marr show july time think people would thought establishment system protected things gone wrong important protect system delve far asked government coverup child sex abuse said think may well almost unconscious thing people time didnt talk sort things jon bird napac compared cultural shift child abuse britain animal rights movement time thought could whatever liked animal doesnt feel pain said think time thought children way | 1,367 |
<p>A rash of recent mass shootings and violent clashes between police and people of color may have helped to create a climate of squeamishness around gun culture in an unlikely place -- Hollywood.</p>
<p>For years, <a href="http://thefederalist.com/2016/02/25/hollywoods-hypocritical-love-hate-relationship-with-guns/" type="external">critics mostly on the right</a> have laid at least part of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=6&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwijl9fBxrTOAhVE1B4KHWvYDPYQFgg_MAU&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeadline.com%2F2012%2F12%2Fnra-violent-movies-video-games-393212%2F&amp;usg=AFQjCNFCGr-9ZjS5JeIi8wvuINjMHpgbjQ&amp;sig2=W8QB1Scd9RH-saKoBdEpkw&amp;bvm=bv.129389765,d.dmo" type="external">blame for acts of gun violence</a> on the images and plot lines emanating from the film, music and television industries. While their defenders have always cited the difference between art and reality, as well as <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/20/blaming-hollywood-for-gun-violence-doesnt-work/" type="external">persuasive arguments</a> that fictional content <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/tv/why-hollywood-doesnt-need-to-be-held-accountable-for-media-violence/" type="external">doesn't drive people to kill</a>.</p>
<p>And yet, Fox has decided to at least downplay the presence of firearms in the promotional material for two of their upcoming action-oriented shows: a TV version of the hit "Lethal Weapon" film series, starring Damon Wayans, and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&amp;v=sOWpUB_Xdqs" type="external">reboot</a> of their infamously violent thriller series "24."</p>
<p>“What we focus mostly on is that our shows not be gratuitously violent, that violence fits within the world of the storytelling and that overwhelmingly what we’re doing feels like entertainment and not gratuitous or something that feels like a documentary," Fox chairman Dana Walden <a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/08/fox-guns-lethal-weapon" type="external">told Entertainment Weekly</a> in a recent interview.</p>
<p>"You have to hit a balance. They’re trying to create stories that are relevant in this day and age and feel heightened and have life and death stakes and take place in a cop world or in the world of terrorism, it’s hard to imagine that without any violence, so it’s just trying to find the right balance," she added.</p>
<p>A Fox spokesperson told NBC New that while guns will not appear in the key art for “Lethal Weapon,” they may appear in other materials.</p>
<p>"While we salute Fox’s decision to not glamorize gun violence in the 'Lethal Weapon' campaign, it’s important to note that guns on movie posters aren’t why the U.S. has a gun murder rate 25 times higher than other developed nations -- all of which watch the same movies we do," Jason Rzepka, director of cultural engagement for <a href="http://everytown.org/" type="external">Everytown for Gun Safety</a>, told NBC News in a statement. "The core problem is easy access to firearms and millions of Americans are coming together to fix that problem."</p>
<p>"As a parent, yeah I am always concerned about violence on TV and video games," added <a href="http://csgv.org/about-us/about-josh-horwitz-executive-director/" type="external">Josh Horwitz</a>, the executive director of the <a href="http://csgv.org/" type="external">Coalition to End Gun Violence</a>, in an interview with NBC News. "But as someone who believes in evidence, there's none that supports the idea that violence on TV causes violence in real life. That's why we don't focus on this."</p>
<p>Fox's decision comes on the heels of a backlash against advertisements for the new blockbuster Jason Bourne movie. Actress <a href="http://www.justjared.com/2016/07/20/matt-damon-responds-to-lena-dunhams-concerns-over-jason-bourne-gun-posters/" type="external">Lena Dunham</a> was one of many voices that decried ads featuring star Matt Damon <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/matt-damon-ripped-jason-bourne-ad-showing-holding-gun-article-1.2721008" type="external">aiming a gun with a steely expression</a>, and her public shaming put the progressive actor in an awkward position.</p>
<p>"I totally get it. I mean especially given what's going on recently, and I get not wanting to see a picture of a gun right now, and I don't blame [Lena] at all," Damon told <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/781155/matt-damon-and-julia-stiles-react-to-lena-dunham-s-jason-bourne-gun-poster-protest" type="external">E! News</a> in July." I mean for the marketing purposes of 'Jason Bourne' -- I mean he is a guy who runs around with a gun, so it's not gratuitous marketing, but certainly in light of recent events I understand that impulse to want to tear the gun out of the picture."</p>
<p>Hollywood has long <a href="http://variety.com/2016/film/opinion/orlando-shooting-violence-hollywood-michael-showalter-1201796417/" type="external">walked an uncomfortable line</a> on the issue of gun control. While it is presumed that most members of the industry lean left politically, so much of their product features heavy gun play -- and always has. One of cinema's first truly iconic images was of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justus_D._Barnes" type="external">Justus D. Barnes</a> looking direct to camera and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-msJB4ZEcP4" type="external">shooting at the screen</a> in the landmark 1903 film "The Great Train Robbery."</p>
<p>The classic western and gangster dramas that were rife with rifles and "Tommy" guns have given way to the modern comic book genre that is often headlined by gun-toting anti-heroes like <a href="http://www.range365.com/guns-deadpool" type="external">Deadpool</a>. So when progressive Hollywood stars and activists try to wade into the gun control debate, it often falls on deaf ears -- or even worse, they're <a href="http://townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2016/06/23/captain-america-is-proud-of-democrats-gun-control-sitin-n2182585" type="external">called hypocrites</a>.</p>
<p>Just ask A-list actor Liam Neeson. The 64-year-old has enjoyed a career resurrection over the last decade in mostly <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/all-the-movie-posters-on-which-liam-neeson-holds-a-handgun-10505182.html" type="external">violent action films</a> where bullets fly with abandon, so when he declared there are <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/liam-neeson-america-has-too-many-f-ing-guns#55690" type="external">"too many f****** guns"</a> in the U.S. during an interview in Dubai last January, he opened himself up to <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/liam-neeson-mocked-gun-control-780974" type="external">attacks from pro-gun critics</a>.</p>
<p>Director Quentin Tarantino faced calls for a <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/lapd-backs-nypd-boycott-quentin-tarantino-films" type="external">boycott</a> when he dared to <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/tarantino-surprised-backlash-anti-brutality-statement" type="external">speak out publicly</a> against police brutality and shootings at a RiseUpOctober rally in New York City last fall. It's unclear whether his outspoken stance hurt his most recent film "The Hateful Eight" <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/online/tarantinos-anti-cop-murderers-rhetoric-comes-back-to-haunt-hateful-eight-at-box-office/" type="external">financially</a>, but his own penchant for making gory films <a href="http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/dan-gainor/2016/01/13/anti-gun-tarantino-buries-new-movie-gun-violence-gore" type="external">drew more scrutiny</a> following his statements.</p>
<p>As did <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3698735/I-totally-Matt-Damon-understands-gun-toting-Jason-Bourne-posters-offensive-mass-shootings.html" type="external">Damon</a>, when he <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/jason-bournes-matt-damon-on-gun-control-i-wish-that-could-happen-in-my-country-20160704-gpy4cb" type="external">unfavorably compared U.S. gun policy to Australia's</a> last month. "You guys did it here in one fell swoop, and I wish that could happen in my country, but it's such a personal issue for people that we cannot talk about it sensibly. We just can't," he said while promoting the new Bourne film in Sydney.</p>
<p><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2016/07/05/matt-damon-who-made-his-fortune-toting-guns-in-films-wants-australian-style-gun-control/" type="external">"Matt Damon — Who Made His Fortune Toting Guns In Films — Wants Australian-Style Gun Control,"</a> read a terse headline from the conservative Daily Caller, following his statement.</p>
<p>"Not only do we have a policy debate going on in this country, we have a cultural debate," said Horwitz. "If celebrities stand up on the right side of the debate, that's a good thing."</p>
<p>Still, it's hard to imagine Hollywood abandoning guns wholesale, especially since they are such a huge part of escapist storytelling. But there is some precedent for the industry policing itself. The widely derided MPAA ratings system has been in place for nearly 50 years for better or worse, although it has been notorious for censoring sexually explicit material over violence.</p>
<p>In the late 1990s, there was a big push from state lawmakers and anti-tobacco activists to end the romanticization of smoking in Hollywood productions (this coincided with a presidential call to <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/11/news/mn-36050" type="external">mitigate violence</a> in movies, too). But despite years of effort from groups like <a href="http://smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu/" type="external">Smoke Free Films</a> and <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/hollywoodland/2007/04/puff_piece.html" type="external">researchers from Harvard University</a> to get films that feature tobacco use to be <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/07/this-film-is-rated-r-for-smoking/259690/" type="external">R-rated</a>, the <a href="https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2013/05/fewer-cigarettes-more-alcohol-youth-rated-movies" type="external">presence</a> of cigars and cigarettes in movies has <a href="http://smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu/whos-accountable" type="external">decreased</a>, but not dramatically, <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/mpaa-studios-slapped-with-class-action-lawsuit-over-smoking-in-films/" type="external">even in children's films</a>. And in recent years it has far <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Rising-up-from-the-ashtrays-Cigarettes-return-2834069.php" type="external">outpaced actual real-life</a> tobacco use.</p>
<p>On guns, Hollywood is in a similar holding pattern, with a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/business/media/gun-violence-in-american-movies-is-rising-study-finds.html" type="external">widely reported 2013 study</a> from the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania determining that gun play was actually on the rise in the movies, particular in youth-skewing <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/11/11/244521897/movies-rated-pg-13-feature-the-most-gun-violence" type="external">PG-13 fare</a>. The study also determined that violence overall in Hollywood films had doubled since 1950.</p>
<p>The findings later inspired New York Post columnist Sara Stewart to pen a column calling for Hollywood to ban guns for a year. "Imagine it: a year without any firearms in film. How much would they really be missed? Think back to your favorite recent movies," she <a href="http://nypost.com/2015/06/22/hey-hollywood-try-banning-guns-from-movies-for-a-year/" type="external">wrote last June</a>. "How many of their most memorable scenes were gunfights? Guns are where a movie goes when it can’t think of anything better to do. They are lazy and dull. They reliably make a movie less fun and more earsplitting."</p>
<p>Still, Stewart shouldn't hold her breath. The number one movie in America, "Suicide Squad" -- which broke the <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/suicide-squad-destroys-august-record-with-135-million-opening/" type="external">all-time August box office opening record</a> last weekend despite <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/2016/08/08/suicide-squad-box-office-dc-warner-bros/" type="external">tepid reviews</a> -- is chock-full of shoot-'em-ups. And, it too is rated PG-13.</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | rash recent mass shootings violent clashes police people color may helped create climate squeamishness around gun culture unlikely place hollywood years critics mostly right laid least part blame acts gun violence images plot lines emanating film music television industries defenders always cited difference art reality well persuasive arguments fictional content doesnt drive people kill yet fox decided least downplay presence firearms promotional material two upcoming actionoriented shows tv version hit lethal weapon film series starring damon wayans reboot infamously violent thriller series 24 focus mostly shows gratuitously violent violence fits within world storytelling overwhelmingly feels like entertainment gratuitous something feels like documentary fox chairman dana walden told entertainment weekly recent interview hit balance theyre trying create stories relevant day age feel heightened life death stakes take place cop world world terrorism hard imagine without violence trying find right balance added fox spokesperson told nbc new guns appear key art lethal weapon may appear materials salute foxs decision glamorize gun violence lethal weapon campaign important note guns movie posters arent us gun murder rate 25 times higher developed nations watch movies jason rzepka director cultural engagement everytown gun safety told nbc news statement core problem easy access firearms millions americans coming together fix problem parent yeah always concerned violence tv video games added josh horwitz executive director coalition end gun violence interview nbc news someone believes evidence theres none supports idea violence tv causes violence real life thats dont focus foxs decision comes heels backlash advertisements new blockbuster jason bourne movie actress lena dunham one many voices decried ads featuring star matt damon aiming gun steely expression public shaming put progressive actor awkward position totally get mean especially given whats going recently get wanting see picture gun right dont blame lena damon told e news july mean marketing purposes jason bourne mean guy runs around gun gratuitous marketing certainly light recent events understand impulse want tear gun picture hollywood long walked uncomfortable line issue gun control presumed members industry lean left politically much product features heavy gun play always one cinemas first truly iconic images justus barnes looking direct camera shooting screen landmark 1903 film great train robbery classic western gangster dramas rife rifles tommy guns given way modern comic book genre often headlined guntoting antiheroes like deadpool progressive hollywood stars activists try wade gun control debate often falls deaf ears even worse theyre called hypocrites ask alist actor liam neeson 64yearold enjoyed career resurrection last decade mostly violent action films bullets fly abandon declared many f guns us interview dubai last january opened attacks progun critics director quentin tarantino faced calls boycott dared speak publicly police brutality shootings riseupoctober rally new york city last fall unclear whether outspoken stance hurt recent film hateful eight financially penchant making gory films drew scrutiny following statements damon unfavorably compared us gun policy australias last month guys one fell swoop wish could happen country personal issue people talk sensibly cant said promoting new bourne film sydney matt damon made fortune toting guns films wants australianstyle gun control read terse headline conservative daily caller following statement policy debate going country cultural debate said horwitz celebrities stand right side debate thats good thing still hard imagine hollywood abandoning guns wholesale especially since huge part escapist storytelling precedent industry policing widely derided mpaa ratings system place nearly 50 years better worse although notorious censoring sexually explicit material violence late 1990s big push state lawmakers antitobacco activists end romanticization smoking hollywood productions coincided presidential call mitigate violence movies despite years effort groups like smoke free films researchers harvard university get films feature tobacco use rrated presence cigars cigarettes movies decreased dramatically even childrens films recent years far outpaced actual reallife tobacco use guns hollywood similar holding pattern widely reported 2013 study annenberg public policy center university pennsylvania determining gun play actually rise movies particular youthskewing pg13 fare study also determined violence overall hollywood films doubled since 1950 findings later inspired new york post columnist sara stewart pen column calling hollywood ban guns year imagine year without firearms film much would really missed think back favorite recent movies wrote last june many memorable scenes gunfights guns movie goes cant think anything better lazy dull reliably make movie less fun earsplitting still stewart shouldnt hold breath number one movie america suicide squad broke alltime august box office opening record last weekend despite tepid reviews chockfull shootemups rated pg13 | 728 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />May 20, 2013</p>
<p>By Wayne Lusvardi</p>
<p>The last thing billionaire Michael Dell would have done if he wanted to avoid paying property taxes on his purchase of the Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica in 2005 was to buy a share of the operating company instead of the real estate.</p>
<p>But that is not how the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dell-property-20130505,0,1945558,full.story" type="external">Los Angeles Times</a> is reporting Dell’s 2005 purchase of a share of the operating company of the Miramar Hotel for $200 million.&#160; The Times reports Dell got away with an estimated $1.14 million property tax dodge due to a purported loophole in Proposition 13 for those who buy a part interest in a company.</p>
<p>The typical legal arrangement between a separate landowner and hotel operating company is a Triple Net Lease that shifts the payment of property taxes onto the tenant or operator and not on the landowner. According to Investopedia, <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/netnetnet.asp" type="external">a Triple Net Lease is</a>:</p>
<p>“A lease agreement that designates the lessee (the tenant) as being solely responsible for all of the costs relating to the asset&#160;being leased in addition to the rent fee applied under the lease. &#160;Structure of this type of lease requires the lessee to pay for net real estate taxes on the leased asset, net building insurance and net common area maintenance. The lessee has to pay the net amount of three types of costs, which how this term got its name.”</p>
<p>But Dell bought a 91.5 percent share of the hotel operating company anyway. And by doing so he probably incurred the obligation to pay $1.48 million in property taxes. Moreover, he did not avoid any additional property taxes due to a purported tax loophole in Proposition 13.</p>
<p>If a Triple Net Lease were in place in 2005 between the underlying landowner, Maritz and Wolff, and the hotel operator, Fairmont Hotel and Resorts, then buying a 91.5 percent share of the operating company would have resulted in Dell being obligated to pay property taxes instead of avoiding them.</p>
<p>Under a Triple Net Lease, Dell would have been obligated to pay 91.5 percent of the then existing $1,616,686 in property taxes on the property in 2005, which would have been $1,481,098. A Triple Net Lease makes the tenant or operating company, not the landowner, responsible to pay the property taxes.</p>
<p>According to former County Tax Assessor Charles B. Warren in Pleasant Hill, California, there are two major competing legal structures for hotel ownership. One is full ownership and control of the marketing and reservations, the operations, and the real estate.</p>
<p>But more typical of a situation like the Miramar Hotel, where there is a separate landowner and a single hotel operator, is that there is a Triple Net Lease in place.</p>
<p>Warren said, “Many major hotels are, in effect, like a McDonald’s franchise. Sofitel, Hyatt and Westin provide the customers via their reservation platforms (like airline ticketing agreements) and may penetrate to some depth within the particular hotel operation to assure brand control.”&#160; Warren elaborated that it was “definitely a cheap shot by the Times” to report Dell dodged taxes without confirming if there was a net lease in place.</p>
<p>We don’t know for sure what arrangements were in place for the Miramar Hotel in 2005 and neither does the LA Times. But it would have been unusual to not have a Triple Net Lease arrangement between a separate landowner and the hotel operator.</p>
<p>In a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NNN_Lease" type="external">Triple Net lease</a> the tenant or building operator pays all the property taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses and the landowner pays nothing.</p>
<p>This type of leases is also called a “NNN Lease,” which stands for “Net, Net, Net” or “Triple Net” signifying the following real estate expenses assumed by the tenant:</p>
<p>N — Property tax</p>
<p>N — Insurance</p>
<p>N — Maintenance</p>
<p>The rent the landlord receives from the tenant is pure net rent: the leftover rent after expenses are paid.</p>
<p>A Triple Net Lease arrangement between the landowner and the hotel operating company of the Miramar Hotel in 2005 would have looked liked this:</p>
<p />
<p>Michael Dell MSD Portfolio Investments — 49.0%</p>
<p>Susan Lieberman Dell Separate Property Trust — 8.5%</p>
<p>Miramar Hotel LLC – Holding company</p>
<p>The Times additionally calculated the wrong property taxes on the Miramar Hotel property in 2005.</p>
<p>Anyone can look up the current property taxes on the Miramar Hotel online and adjust the tax backward 2 percent per year to estimate the property taxes in 2005 under the formula provided by Proposition 13. The <a href="http://www01.smgov.net/planning/dev/Miramar%20Application%20Submittal%204-28-11.pdf" type="external">City of Santa Monica</a> also has all the financial data and property taxes for the Miramar Hotel available online.</p>
<p>The Times erroneously estimated the hotel property taxes as $860,000 in 2005. This was calculated by multiplying the $200 million purchase price for the business times Michael Dell’s 43 percent interest ($200,0000,000 x 0.43 = $86,000,000).</p>
<p>But by not also calculating his wife’s 49 percent interest, the amount of property tax assessment is underestimated and misleading. If Dell’s wife’s interest in the business is also calculated, then there would only have been only $70,000 of a supposed tax underpayment.</p>
<p>The Times says the property taxes should have been $2,000,000 based on a 1 percent tax rate applied to Dell’s hypothetical $200 million purchase of the hotel real estate in 2005.</p>
<p>If the Times’ mistake is corrected, the total 2005 property taxes on the Miramar Hotel were $1,618,686, not $860,000.&#160; And Dell’s total 91.5 percent share of those taxes would have been $1,481,098.</p>
<p>If we assume that Dell should have bought the hotel property for $200 million (instead of the operating company for the same price), then Dell’s tax obligation would have been $2,230,770, not $2,000,000 as misreported by the Times.</p>
<p>But if there was a Triple Net Lease in place, then Dell would not have avoided taxes at all but assumed the obligation to pay the taxes when he bought the lion’s share of the hotel operating company.</p>
<p>The table below summarizes:</p>
<p>A) The Time’s erroneous calculation of property taxes Dell avoided: $1,140,000;</p>
<p>B) A corrected calculation of the taxes Dell would have dodged if he bought the business and there was no Net Lease: $0;</p>
<p>C) Dell’s share of the taxes if he bought the hotel business with a Net Lease: $2,230,770.</p>
<p>Estimated Taxes Avoided for Miramar Hotel Under Different Purchase Scenarios</p>
<p>(A)</p>
<p>LA TIMES ERRONEOUS ESTIMATED PROPERTY TAXES</p>
<p>(ASSUMING PURCHASE OF BUSINESS NOT REAL ESTATE – NO NET LEASE)</p>
<p>(B)</p>
<p>LA TIMES ESTIMATED PROPERTY TAXES – CORRECTED (ASSUMING PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE ONLY – NO NET LEASE)</p>
<p>(C)</p>
<p>ESTIMATED PROPERTY TAXES UNDER A TRIPLE NET LEASE (ASSUMING PURCHASE OF BUSINESS ONLY)</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | may 20 2013 wayne lusvardi last thing billionaire michael dell would done wanted avoid paying property taxes purchase miramar hotel santa monica 2005 buy share operating company instead real estate los angeles times reporting dells 2005 purchase share operating company miramar hotel 200 million160 times reports dell got away estimated 114 million property tax dodge due purported loophole proposition 13 buy part interest company typical legal arrangement separate landowner hotel operating company triple net lease shifts payment property taxes onto tenant operator landowner according investopedia triple net lease lease agreement designates lessee tenant solely responsible costs relating asset160being leased addition rent fee applied lease 160structure type lease requires lessee pay net real estate taxes leased asset net building insurance net common area maintenance lessee pay net amount three types costs term got name dell bought 915 percent share hotel operating company anyway probably incurred obligation pay 148 million property taxes moreover avoid additional property taxes due purported tax loophole proposition 13 triple net lease place 2005 underlying landowner maritz wolff hotel operator fairmont hotel resorts buying 915 percent share operating company would resulted dell obligated pay property taxes instead avoiding triple net lease dell would obligated pay 915 percent existing 1616686 property taxes property 2005 would 1481098 triple net lease makes tenant operating company landowner responsible pay property taxes according former county tax assessor charles b warren pleasant hill california two major competing legal structures hotel ownership one full ownership control marketing reservations operations real estate typical situation like miramar hotel separate landowner single hotel operator triple net lease place warren said many major hotels effect like mcdonalds franchise sofitel hyatt westin provide customers via reservation platforms like airline ticketing agreements may penetrate depth within particular hotel operation assure brand control160 warren elaborated definitely cheap shot times report dell dodged taxes without confirming net lease place dont know sure arrangements place miramar hotel 2005 neither la times would unusual triple net lease arrangement separate landowner hotel operator triple net lease tenant building operator pays property taxes insurance maintenance expenses landowner pays nothing type leases also called nnn lease stands net net net triple net signifying following real estate expenses assumed tenant n property tax n insurance n maintenance rent landlord receives tenant pure net rent leftover rent expenses paid triple net lease arrangement landowner hotel operating company miramar hotel 2005 would looked liked michael dell msd portfolio investments 490 susan lieberman dell separate property trust 85 miramar hotel llc holding company times additionally calculated wrong property taxes miramar hotel property 2005 anyone look current property taxes miramar hotel online adjust tax backward 2 percent per year estimate property taxes 2005 formula provided proposition 13 city santa monica also financial data property taxes miramar hotel available online times erroneously estimated hotel property taxes 860000 2005 calculated multiplying 200 million purchase price business times michael dells 43 percent interest 2000000000 x 043 86000000 also calculating wifes 49 percent interest amount property tax assessment underestimated misleading dells wifes interest business also calculated would 70000 supposed tax underpayment times says property taxes 2000000 based 1 percent tax rate applied dells hypothetical 200 million purchase hotel real estate 2005 times mistake corrected total 2005 property taxes miramar hotel 1618686 860000160 dells total 915 percent share taxes would 1481098 assume dell bought hotel property 200 million instead operating company price dells tax obligation would 2230770 2000000 misreported times triple net lease place dell would avoided taxes assumed obligation pay taxes bought lions share hotel operating company table summarizes times erroneous calculation property taxes dell avoided 1140000 b corrected calculation taxes dell would dodged bought business net lease 0 c dells share taxes bought hotel business net lease 2230770 estimated taxes avoided miramar hotel different purchase scenarios la times erroneous estimated property taxes assuming purchase business real estate net lease b la times estimated property taxes corrected assuming purchase real estate net lease c estimated property taxes triple net lease assuming purchase business 160 | 657 |
<p>So who among us doesn’t want to feel younger, stronger, richer, smarter, and more heroic between the sheets?</p>
<p>The problem is, achieving these goals is hard. They take work. Discipline. Luck. Talent.</p>
<p>We’d need to eat kale. Study hard. Forgo alcohol. Sign up for a PX90.</p>
<p>And that makes us feel, like, ugh. Where’s the remote?</p>
<p>So how about a shortcut to stardom?</p>
<p>Got it.</p>
<p>As anyone who’s visited a pharmacy knows, there’s no dearth of potions promising vigor, happiness and superior wit — or at least a healthier prostate. Just hand-over some cash, and swallow with 8 ounces of water.</p>
<p>Not buying it?</p>
<p>Westerners are by no means alone in seeking such shortcuts.</p>
<p>In Asia, concoctions purporting to carry super-hero powers are not just ubiquitous. They’ve been around for centuries. In some may lie Big Pharma’s next billion dollar blockbuster&#160; — Artemisinin, a key malaria drug, is derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Some are placebos. Others are toxic.</p>
<p>Either way, they tend to be somewhat more exotic than what you get at CVS.</p>
<p>This list, compiled by our Asia correspondents, includes some of the more noteworthy.</p>
<p>But be forewarned: We have no evidence that they work better than the concoctions in the vitamin aisle.</p>
<p>And some (i.e. human sacrifice) are downright hazardous.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>1) Deer antler snuff</p>
<p>Imagine inhaling a horn through one’s nostrils. Few things sound less appealing. But such is the putative potency of deer antler velvet that American athletes have taken to snorting the stuff to partake of its growth-inducing properties.</p>
<p>In the corpus of traditional Chinese medicine, deer antler is believed to impart strength, energy, and vitality because of growth hormones in the horns. In Asia, it is generally consumed as a tea made from boiling horn slices. (Dried horn is sold in buckets on my street, whose name in Chinese means “Ginseng and Deer Antler Road.”)</p>
<p>This remedy has caught on in the West in the form of nose spray. Athletes think it helps repair their tendons and muscles. Last year, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis drew controversy when he admitted he had snorted antler spray to fix a torn tricep.</p>
<p>The science is still out on what exactly it does, but for a macho image, at least, saying you “snort horn” can’t hurt.</p>
<p>By Ben Carlson in Hong Kong</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>2) Bird's Nest Soup</p>
<p>It’s the next best thing to the elixir of life — as long as you can get over the fact that it’s effectively a bowl of bird drool.</p>
<p>“Bird’s nest soup,” as it’s known in China in Hong Kong, is an expensive delicacy made from the nests of Southeast Asian birds that build their homes out of salivary excretions. Restaurants charge anywhere from $30 to $100 for a bowl of “soup,” which resembles a clear, gloopy jelly.</p>
<p>While I have little appetite for other, more exotic Cantonese specialties — rat, cat, civet, dog, snake — this is one that I can stomach. It’s sweet, delicate, a little refreshing — and more importantly, it’s reputed to keep you safe from Father Time.&#160;</p>
<p>By Ben Carlson in Hong Kong</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>3) Raw baby octupus</p>
<p>Chopped up and served raw,&#160;Sannakji&#160;is a baby octopus whose tentacles squirm and twist on the plate. Diners dip the delicacy in sesame oil and chew thoroughly, resisting the grip of suction cups that cling to their cheeks and tongue.</p>
<p>Tempted?</p>
<p>If so, eat with caution. Each year a handful of Koreans swallow hastily and suffocate from a tentacle stuck to the throat. Yet for some, the risk is worth the reward: Koreans say that men who survive the wet and slimy treat can count on elevated sexual power.</p>
<p>In North America, animal rights groups complain the octopi are cruelly dismembered and eaten alive. And <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUTNZ9JLj1E" type="external">so it is in Oldboy</a>, the 2003 South Korean thriller (clip below).</p>
<p>But in nearly all restaurants, the invertebrates are already dead before being cut up. Nerve activity keeps the tentacles wriggling. Consider this seasonal summer dish, a pride of the southern coastal city of Busan, an opportunity to savor the world’s most stomach-wrenching, alleged virility-endowing seafood.</p>
<p>By Geoff Cain in Seoul</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>4) Vietnamese serpent wine</p>
<p>Fear gripped me the first time I put the stuff to my lips. I would have passed on the offer, but it was one of those cross-cultural situations that simply demand acquiescence.</p>
<p>The offer: A highball of wretched smelling, potent rice wine, home-brewed in the Mekong Delta, and marinated in a glass urn filled with dead serpents — snakes, lizards and all manner of bizarre reptiles.</p>
<p>The promise: In addition to the usual bonhomie that from sharing a drink, my visa status depended on this bonding ritual. Plus, the serpent tonic, I was told, would keep me healthy for 6 months. It would impart gusto, make me more manly.</p>
<p>The offerer: My editor at the Communist Party’s English language daily in Saigon (a man whose success depended on speaking so softly that no one could ever hear him, let alone object to what he’d say). We had an unwritten, unspoken deal: I’d fix his writers’ English; He would let me continue filing magazine stories for foreign publications, despite a nebulous work visa status.</p>
<p>There were venomous snakes in that liquor, and while I’d seen him drink the stuff and survive, I’d also watched Southeast Asians eat food so spicy that it would just blow a hole in my stomach.</p>
<p>In the end I survived, and grew to enjoy this ritual. Did the elixir work? Well, let’s just say I didn’t get sick much for a while.</p>
<p>By David Case, formerly in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>5) Human sacrifice in India</p>
<p>Unfortunately, attaining super-natural powers is not all about eating.</p>
<p>Every year or two, police in India arrest someone for performing a human sacrifice in the hope of attaining wealth or magical powers.</p>
<p>Usually offered to the Hindu goddess Kali, the sacrifice purportedly grants the person who performs it power over his enemies, according to ancient texts. But in most modern cases, some poor, illiterate perpetrator hoping to change his fortune performs the sacrifice on the advice of a tantric — a kind of witch doctor who himself claims magical powers, such as the ability to put curses on people or even kill with the touch of his hand.</p>
<p>This is India, so more than occasionally, the tragedy plays as farce. Last summer, for instance, a gang of robbers confessed to attempting to strangle a man because a tantrik offered them a hefty sum for the rope used in the murder – only to refuse to pay when it turned out to be a dud.</p>
<p>In years past, atheist crusader Sanal Edamaruku challenged such a tantrik to kill him with his touch on live TV. Nothing happened, apart from stellar ratings.</p>
<p>By Jason Overdorf in India</p> | false | 3 | among us doesnt want feel younger stronger richer smarter heroic sheets problem achieving goals hard take work discipline luck talent wed need eat kale study hard forgo alcohol sign px90 makes us feel like ugh wheres remote shortcut stardom got anyone whos visited pharmacy knows theres dearth potions promising vigor happiness superior wit least healthier prostate handover cash swallow 8 ounces water buying westerners means alone seeking shortcuts asia concoctions purporting carry superhero powers ubiquitous theyve around centuries may lie big pharmas next billion dollar blockbuster160 artemisinin key malaria drug derived traditional chinese medicine placebos others toxic either way tend somewhat exotic get cvs list compiled asia correspondents includes noteworthy forewarned evidence work better concoctions vitamin aisle ie human sacrifice downright hazardous 160 1 deer antler snuff imagine inhaling horn ones nostrils things sound less appealing putative potency deer antler velvet american athletes taken snorting stuff partake growthinducing properties corpus traditional chinese medicine deer antler believed impart strength energy vitality growth hormones horns asia generally consumed tea made boiling horn slices dried horn sold buckets street whose name chinese means ginseng deer antler road remedy caught west form nose spray athletes think helps repair tendons muscles last year baltimore ravens linebacker ray lewis drew controversy admitted snorted antler spray fix torn tricep science still exactly macho image least saying snort horn cant hurt ben carlson hong kong 160 2 birds nest soup next best thing elixir life long get fact effectively bowl bird drool birds nest soup known china hong kong expensive delicacy made nests southeast asian birds build homes salivary excretions restaurants charge anywhere 30 100 bowl soup resembles clear gloopy jelly little appetite exotic cantonese specialties rat cat civet dog snake one stomach sweet delicate little refreshing importantly reputed keep safe father time160 ben carlson hong kong 160 3 raw baby octupus chopped served raw160sannakji160is baby octopus whose tentacles squirm twist plate diners dip delicacy sesame oil chew thoroughly resisting grip suction cups cling cheeks tongue tempted eat caution year handful koreans swallow hastily suffocate tentacle stuck throat yet risk worth reward koreans say men survive wet slimy treat count elevated sexual power north america animal rights groups complain octopi cruelly dismembered eaten alive oldboy 2003 south korean thriller clip nearly restaurants invertebrates already dead cut nerve activity keeps tentacles wriggling consider seasonal summer dish pride southern coastal city busan opportunity savor worlds stomachwrenching alleged virilityendowing seafood geoff cain seoul 160 4 vietnamese serpent wine fear gripped first time put stuff lips would passed offer one crosscultural situations simply demand acquiescence offer highball wretched smelling potent rice wine homebrewed mekong delta marinated glass urn filled dead serpents snakes lizards manner bizarre reptiles promise addition usual bonhomie sharing drink visa status depended bonding ritual plus serpent tonic told would keep healthy 6 months would impart gusto make manly offerer editor communist partys english language daily saigon man whose success depended speaking softly one could ever hear let alone object hed say unwritten unspoken deal id fix writers english would let continue filing magazine stories foreign publications despite nebulous work visa status venomous snakes liquor id seen drink stuff survive id also watched southeast asians eat food spicy would blow hole stomach end survived grew enjoy ritual elixir work well lets say didnt get sick much david case formerly ho chi minh city vietnam 160 5 human sacrifice india unfortunately attaining supernatural powers eating every year two police india arrest someone performing human sacrifice hope attaining wealth magical powers usually offered hindu goddess kali sacrifice purportedly grants person performs power enemies according ancient texts modern cases poor illiterate perpetrator hoping change fortune performs sacrifice advice tantric kind witch doctor claims magical powers ability put curses people even kill touch hand india occasionally tragedy plays farce last summer instance gang robbers confessed attempting strangle man tantrik offered hefty sum rope used murder refuse pay turned dud years past atheist crusader sanal edamaruku challenged tantrik kill touch live tv nothing happened apart stellar ratings jason overdorf india | 665 |
<p />
<p>There’s been another funding twist for the California bullet-train project. The Federal Railroad Administration has agreed to delay the due date for $180 million in state matching funds for the project from April 1 to July 1,&#160; according to a <a href="http://denham.house.gov/press-release/denham-responds-fra's-latest-high-risk-adventure" type="external">press release</a> from Rep. Jeff Denham’s office.</p>
<p>This gives Gov. Jerry Brown and the California High-Speed Rail Authority breathing room to work with the Legislature and try to convince lawmakers to allocate $250 million in state cap-and-trade auction revenues for the rail project.</p>
<p>Denham, a Turlock Republican, considers the move risky.&#160; This is from his Feb. 21 press release:</p>
<p>“The Federal Railroad Administration [FRA] is protecting the Authority yet again and putting California taxpayers at greater risk. It has long been clear that the Authority would be unable to provide the funds required in their grant agreement. In December 2012, the FRA changed their agreement to allow for a tapered match rather than the standard concurrent match. Now they’ve changed the agreement again. With billions in federal taxpayer dollars on the line, what changes are next from the FRA? The American people – and Californian taxpayers – deserve to see their money used responsibly.”</p>
<p>But there are also additional important changes in the federal funding agreement outlined in the <a href="http://www.hsr.ca.gov/docs/about/funding_finance/funding_agreements/FR-HSR-0009-10-01-005_FCP.pdf" type="external">letter</a> that rail authority CEO Jeff Morales released Feb. 20. The new funding contribution plan shifts a large amount of funding responsibility in coming years to the federal government, with a significant decrease in California’s contribution&#160;compared with the original plan, according to bullet-train financial expert William Warren. (Along with William Grindley, Warren has co-authored <a href="https://www.sites.google.com/site/hsrcaliffr/home/briefing-papers/01-2014-fleecing-local-high-speed-train-riders" type="external">numerous briefing papers</a> regarding rail-authority data.)</p>
<p>These changes leave the U.S. taxpayers in all 50 states with more exposure while pushing a troubled, legally questionable California state project forward.</p>
<p>The state has been receiving federal funds upfront for planning and environmental work for the past year, with the state’s required match delayed until later.&#160; The original funding plan required a simultaneous match, according to a May 25, 2011, letter to the state from Roy Kienitz, who was then undersecretary of policy for the U.S. Department of Transportation. “On the matter of using federal funds up front to postpone use of the State’s matching funds, we hope you will understand why this is not feasible,” Kienitz wrote. ” Both the fiscal year 2010 appropriations law and the FRA grant commitments require matching funds as a prerequisite for this project to go forward.&#160; California was awarded funding based in part on the impressive state match promised in the grant applications.&#160; Withholding these matching funds would put the California’s high-speed rail project in serious jeopardy.”</p>
<p>Kienitz left the agency and, within a year, joined Parson Brinckerhoff, the primary consultant on the high-speed rail&#160; project.&#160; Shortly thereafter, in 2012, a revised federal funding plan — the fifth version — was published. It said the federal funds could be spent first and matching state bond funds could be spent starting in April 2014.</p>
<p>It had been expected that the rail authority would have access to state bond funds by April 2014, but two November&#160; <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/court-instructs-hsr-to-redo-funding-plan-refuses-to-validate-state-bonds" type="external">court decisions</a> by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny dashed those hopes. The judge found the state had failed to meet its legal obligation under Proposition 1A to identify firm funding and complete environmental reviews for the entire initial operating segment of 300 miles before beginning construction. He also ruled the state could not begin selling state bonds funded by the proposition because they had not followed procedural safeguards related to bond sales.</p>
<p>Morales has also asked for a shift of $145 million in federal funds from construction to the planning and environmental category.&#160; The feds had construction dollars in their funding agreement with the state, but the rail authority had to get specific permission to use those funds.&#160; Judge Kenny’s rulings effectively halted the spending of state bond funds for construction, but they did not forbid the spending of federal funds — even for construction.</p>
<p>This request for the shift of funds might be because the Federal Railroad Administration usually releases grant funds as a project progresses, a little at time.&#160; The authority is not ready for construction yet and needs more funds to move the project forward. It also has a lot of old bills to clear up — $63 million, it was revealed at the rail authority board’s Feb. 11 meeting.</p>
<p>In his letter to the FRA, Morales wrote that the authority does not anticipate using state Proposition 1A funds until July 1, 2015. &#160;It is not explained whether that is because the authority doesn’t think it will need the state funds until then or because that’s when officials expect the funds to become available after legal challenges are resolved. But the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) requires all federal funding to be used by September 2017 or the state will forfeit unspent funds.</p>
<p>While the governor wants to use cap-and-trade dollars as a state source of funding, only the Legislature can approve an appropriation. Many lawmakers appear to question the legality of using cap-and-trade fees for the bullet train.&#160; <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?id=9388902" type="external">Environmental groups</a> also object.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Dan Richard, chairman of the rail authority board, said at a Jan. 15 House transportation committee hearing that he had promising talks with environmental groups on using the cap-and-trade funds for the rail project.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, above and beyond the maneuvering on federal and state funding, the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/high-speed-rail-rule-of-law-vs-sheer-political-will?cid=db_articles" type="external">3rd District Court of Appeal</a> is now reviewing the Nov. 16 decision by Judge Kenny requiring the authority to rescind its funding plan. The appeals court is reviewing the ruling at the direction of the California Supreme Court, which was asked by the Brown administration to expedite a review of the ruling because of the administration’s contention that Kenny’s decision imperiled the project.</p> | false | 3 | theres another funding twist california bullettrain project federal railroad administration agreed delay due date 180 million state matching funds project april 1 july 1160 according press release rep jeff denhams office gives gov jerry brown california highspeed rail authority breathing room work legislature try convince lawmakers allocate 250 million state capandtrade auction revenues rail project denham turlock republican considers move risky160 feb 21 press release federal railroad administration fra protecting authority yet putting california taxpayers greater risk long clear authority would unable provide funds required grant agreement december 2012 fra changed agreement allow tapered match rather standard concurrent match theyve changed agreement billions federal taxpayer dollars line changes next fra american people californian taxpayers deserve see money used responsibly also additional important changes federal funding agreement outlined letter rail authority ceo jeff morales released feb 20 new funding contribution plan shifts large amount funding responsibility coming years federal government significant decrease californias contribution160compared original plan according bullettrain financial expert william warren along william grindley warren coauthored numerous briefing papers regarding railauthority data changes leave us taxpayers 50 states exposure pushing troubled legally questionable california state project forward state receiving federal funds upfront planning environmental work past year states required match delayed later160 original funding plan required simultaneous match according may 25 2011 letter state roy kienitz undersecretary policy us department transportation matter using federal funds front postpone use states matching funds hope understand feasible kienitz wrote fiscal year 2010 appropriations law fra grant commitments require matching funds prerequisite project go forward160 california awarded funding based part impressive state match promised grant applications160 withholding matching funds would put californias highspeed rail project serious jeopardy kienitz left agency within year joined parson brinckerhoff primary consultant highspeed rail160 project160 shortly thereafter 2012 revised federal funding plan fifth version published said federal funds could spent first matching state bond funds could spent starting april 2014 expected rail authority would access state bond funds april 2014 two november160 court decisions sacramento superior court judge michael kenny dashed hopes judge found state failed meet legal obligation proposition 1a identify firm funding complete environmental reviews entire initial operating segment 300 miles beginning construction also ruled state could begin selling state bonds funded proposition followed procedural safeguards related bond sales morales also asked shift 145 million federal funds construction planning environmental category160 feds construction dollars funding agreement state rail authority get specific permission use funds160 judge kennys rulings effectively halted spending state bond funds construction forbid spending federal funds even construction request shift funds might federal railroad administration usually releases grant funds project progresses little time160 authority ready construction yet needs funds move project forward also lot old bills clear 63 million revealed rail authority boards feb 11 meeting letter fra morales wrote authority anticipate using state proposition 1a funds july 1 2015 160it explained whether authority doesnt think need state funds thats officials expect funds become available legal challenges resolved american recovery reinvestment act 2009 arra requires federal funding used september 2017 state forfeit unspent funds governor wants use capandtrade dollars state source funding legislature approve appropriation many lawmakers appear question legality using capandtrade fees bullet train160 environmental groups also object nevertheless dan richard chairman rail authority board said jan 15 house transportation committee hearing promising talks environmental groups using capandtrade funds rail project meanwhile beyond maneuvering federal state funding 3rd district court appeal reviewing nov 16 decision judge kenny requiring authority rescind funding plan appeals court reviewing ruling direction california supreme court asked brown administration expedite review ruling administrations contention kennys decision imperiled project | 588 |
<p>I received the following email late last night. &#160;&#160;&#160; Dear Brothers, &#160;&#160;&#160; I have cancelled my program because of Orissa Crises! Please pray for Orissa Believers because they are now under bad situations and many are killed by VHP (Viswa Hindu Parisad), RSS and support of BJP Political Party, This are all fanatical Hindu political Parties. This is going on in Kadaman District of Orissa. &#160;&#160;&#160; We are in prayer. &#160;&#160;&#160; In Christ, Dr. Subimal Dutta &#160;&#160;&#160; Subimal Dutta, a pastor in&#160; India’s state of Orissa, had planned a visit to Virginia when suddenly his plans were changed by circumstance. Every pastor I know has experienced some milder version of Dutta’s interruption, but no U.S. pastor I know has come close to the pastoral challenges facing our Indian brother. &#160;&#160;&#160; To recap the circumstances briefly, the Christian population has been steadily growing and now numbers nearly 900,000 in Orissa alone. This sounds impressive until one considers the staggering total population there of 36.7 million. Christians make up only 2.4 percent of Orissa’s population. &#160;&#160;&#160; Still, the rate at which the mountain people in the interior are converting to Christianity has received the attention and engendered the deep resentment of Hindu traditionalists. &#160;&#160;&#160; On Christmas Eve of last year, the resentment led to violence as Christians were attacked, driven from their homes into the forests, and in some cases, killed. (See a related story at <a href="" type="external">www.religiousherald.org/</a> 2064.article). Survivors watched helplessly from a distance as their homes and churches burned. &#160;&#160;&#160; The most recent attacks were in reaction to the murders by suspected Maoists of a Hindu Leader Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples on Aug. 21. Despite the Maoists Communists claiming credit for the deaths, Christians were blamed by the Hindu clerics, who fanned resentment into a rampage. As of Thursday, Aug. 28, hundreds of Christian homes and churches had been burned in at least 114 separate attacks. &#160;&#160;&#160; According to Compass Direct News which monitors world-wide persecution ( <a href="http://www.compassdirect.org/" type="external">www.compassdirect.org</a>), at least 21 Christians have been butchered or burned alive. &#160;&#160;&#160; It isn’t the first time in history Christians have been blamed for disasters caused by others, of course. The Roman emperor, Nero, found Christians of his day a convenient scapegoat on which to fix the blame of Rome’s great blaze. We can hope, pray and trust that the eventual outcome will be the same: that Christians transform their culture. We pray that the truth of Tertullian’s famous observation that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” will prevail. &#160;&#160;&#160; In fact, what has so deeply touched me in Dutta’s request is its simplicity. All he asks for is our prayers. It is devoid of self-pity and vengeance. He doesn’t ask for political or military intervention. No, the need is too great for that. &#160;&#160;&#160; He asks for prayer. Prayer to be faithful despite fear and pain. Prayer to provide the pastoral care his people need in spite of his own inner anguish. Prayer that the church will rise to that greatest of all challenges: to love the very ones who hate them. Prayer that the hatred of their persecutors will melt in the intensity of the Holy Spirit’s convicting fire. Prayer that among the persecutors will be those Sauls of Tarsus whose eyes will be opened as they are confronted by the living Christ. &#160;&#160;&#160; We Christians in America have our own challenges, of course. And like our Indian comrades, our greatest need is for prayer. I wonder, which is the greater threat to the church? Is it the fiery persecution of Orissa’s Hindus or the tepid indifference of Virginia’s Christians? &#160;&#160;&#160; In both cases, our greatest need is for the Holy Spirit’s presence; to soothe and sustain in their case and to challenge and create courage in ours. &#160;&#160;&#160; Obviously, not all Virginia Christians are tepid or indifferent. Gladly, there are many noble exceptions. But many have succumbed to settling. We have settled into our comfortable and predictable patterns of church work. We have settled for half-hearted service offered at our convenience. And, worst of all, we have settled for transformation in moderation. &#160;&#160;&#160; I pray for the Christians of Orissa. And I am praying for Virginia Christians as well. I pray that the fires will be less consuming there and that the Spirit’s fire will be more consuming here. &#160;&#160;&#160; I don’t want to be the kind of Christian that burns others with blistering blasts of pompous piety. But I long for the Spirit’s fire to ignite a passion within his people. I pray that with mind and soul and bodies and strength the light and heat of Christ will create purposeful excitement within us and burn away the chaff of apathy. &#160;&#160;&#160; Identifying with the suffering saints of Orissa will help that happen. Consider a portion of a report from there: “Hindu extremists today killed pastor Samuel Naik of the Bakingia Seventh-Day Adventist Church at Kandhamal, and Jacob Digal and Gopan Naik of Damba village were slain this morning. Also killed today was Golok Naik of Pidinanju village, and yesterday pastor Mukunda Bardhan from Mukundapur, Gajapati was burned to death. &#160;&#160;&#160; “Three other people whose names have not yet been verified, said the source, were killed in Katingia village of G. Udaygiri, along with a pastor belonging to Operation Mobilization from the same area. In Badimunda, nearly 25 Christian homes were burned down. There were many reports of Christians being pulled from their homes and killed or beaten, with many homes of Christians torched in Baliguda. Orissa Police Chief Gopal Chandra Nanda downplayed the violence, telling Reuters that incidents were only ‘sporadic’ and that ‘some prayer houses have been attacked and vehicles have been burnt.’” &#160;&#160;&#160; It’s time to pray.</p> | false | 3 | received following email late last night 160160160 dear brothers 160160160 cancelled program orissa crises please pray orissa believers bad situations many killed vhp viswa hindu parisad rss support bjp political party fanatical hindu political parties going kadaman district orissa 160160160 prayer 160160160 christ dr subimal dutta 160160160 subimal dutta pastor in160 indias state orissa planned visit virginia suddenly plans changed circumstance every pastor know experienced milder version duttas interruption us pastor know come close pastoral challenges facing indian brother 160160160 recap circumstances briefly christian population steadily growing numbers nearly 900000 orissa alone sounds impressive one considers staggering total population 367 million christians make 24 percent orissas population 160160160 still rate mountain people interior converting christianity received attention engendered deep resentment hindu traditionalists 160160160 christmas eve last year resentment led violence christians attacked driven homes forests cases killed see related story wwwreligiousheraldorg 2064article survivors watched helplessly distance homes churches burned 160160160 recent attacks reaction murders suspected maoists hindu leader laxmananda saraswati four disciples aug 21 despite maoists communists claiming credit deaths christians blamed hindu clerics fanned resentment rampage thursday aug 28 hundreds christian homes churches burned least 114 separate attacks 160160160 according compass direct news monitors worldwide persecution wwwcompassdirectorg least 21 christians butchered burned alive 160160160 isnt first time history christians blamed disasters caused others course roman emperor nero found christians day convenient scapegoat fix blame romes great blaze hope pray trust eventual outcome christians transform culture pray truth tertullians famous observation blood martyrs seed church prevail 160160160 fact deeply touched duttas request simplicity asks prayers devoid selfpity vengeance doesnt ask political military intervention need great 160160160 asks prayer prayer faithful despite fear pain prayer provide pastoral care people need spite inner anguish prayer church rise greatest challenges love ones hate prayer hatred persecutors melt intensity holy spirits convicting fire prayer among persecutors sauls tarsus whose eyes opened confronted living christ 160160160 christians america challenges course like indian comrades greatest need prayer wonder greater threat church fiery persecution orissas hindus tepid indifference virginias christians 160160160 cases greatest need holy spirits presence soothe sustain case challenge create courage 160160160 obviously virginia christians tepid indifferent gladly many noble exceptions many succumbed settling settled comfortable predictable patterns church work settled halfhearted service offered convenience worst settled transformation moderation 160160160 pray christians orissa praying virginia christians well pray fires less consuming spirits fire consuming 160160160 dont want kind christian burns others blistering blasts pompous piety long spirits fire ignite passion within people pray mind soul bodies strength light heat christ create purposeful excitement within us burn away chaff apathy 160160160 identifying suffering saints orissa help happen consider portion report hindu extremists today killed pastor samuel naik bakingia seventhday adventist church kandhamal jacob digal gopan naik damba village slain morning also killed today golok naik pidinanju village yesterday pastor mukunda bardhan mukundapur gajapati burned death 160160160 three people whose names yet verified said source killed katingia village g udaygiri along pastor belonging operation mobilization area badimunda nearly 25 christian homes burned many reports christians pulled homes killed beaten many homes christians torched baliguda orissa police chief gopal chandra nanda downplayed violence telling reuters incidents sporadic prayer houses attacked vehicles burnt 160160160 time pray | 527 |
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