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<p>By Gergely Szakacs</p>
<p>OCSENY, Hungary (Reuters) – Zoltan Fenyvesi’s offer to host migrants for a free holiday in his guest house set off a backlash in this southern Hungarian village. His van’s tires were slashed and angry locals railed against him. He says there was even a death threat.</p>
<p>The controversy also triggered the resignation of the long-time mayor of Ocseny, a quiet village nestled among swathes of farmland 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Budapest, as well as national debate about Hungarians’ tolerance levels.</p>
<p>As right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban gears up for an election in April that he is widely expected to win, this four-bedroom guesthouse, just across the street from an elementary school and a Catholic church, has become an unlikely flash point for anti-migrant sentiment.</p>
<p>Orban has taken a hard line on immigration which has included a barbed-wire fence on Hungary’s southern border and tough laws criticized by human rights groups. He has also referred to the importance of maintaining “ethnic homogeneity”.</p>
<p>The measures have kept out migrants and shored up support for his Fidesz party since 2015 when at the peak of the crisis hundreds of thousands of migrants from the Middle East crossed Hungary on their way to western Europe.</p>
<p>Billboard campaigns, television ads and questionnaires sent to Hungarians to bolster Orban’s platform have contributed to a surge in anti-migrant sentiment to record levels according to a survey by Tarki, a think-tank.</p>
<p>Last week’s town hall meeting in Ocseny to discuss Fenyvesi’s offer, raised jointly with Migration Aid, a group set up to help migrants, descended into angry shouting and locals voicing fears of violence and robbery if migrants showed up.</p>
<p>“Who can guarantee that the little boys and girls will not be harmed, like we heard of in other countries?” shouted a middle-aged woman in footage taken at the scene by local media.</p>
<p>“Who will protect you if they sneak into your property at night and beat you to death?” she said.</p>
<p>BOOS AND WHISTLES</p>
<p>At one point, as Fenyvesi tried to make his case for hosting the migrants amid a cacophony of boos and whistles, a man walked up to him and took the microphone, prompting applause from the scores of agitated locals gathered at the town hall.</p>
<p>“I thought I would be able to explain this (his offer of a free holiday),” said Fenyvesi, who has already hosted poor children, including Roma, at his guesthouse, which led to no such furor.</p>
<p>Fenyvesi told Reuters that he had wanted to set a positive example after learning that a previous attempt to host some migrants for a holiday near Lake Balaton fell through due to local opposition.</p>
<p>“It turned out otherwise. Very soon people started shouting and told me squarely they will have none of this,” Fenyvesi said in an interview.</p>
<p>Once the meeting was over, Fenyvesi said he had received a death threat in the street from a local he did not want to identify. Later that night, someone slashed the tires of his van parked outside the guesthouse. Tires on his son’s vehicle were also cut. Police have launched an investigation.</p>
<p>Fenyvesi abandoned the project because of the outcry.</p>
<p>When 54-year-old Orban, whose Fidesz party is well ahead of its main rivals in opinion polls, was asked whether his government bore any responsibility for the anti-migrant feelings expressed by villagers in Ocseny, he said:</p>
<p>“People have been lied to on the migrant issue so much, that they do not believe it is only children coming.”</p>
<p>Orban told reporters ahead of a European Council meeting:</p>
<p>“I fully understand them and it is very right that they have expressed their opinion so resolutely, so loudly and clearly.”</p>
<p>MAYOR STANDS DOWN</p>
<p>With the main opposition Socialists in disarray after the resignation of their candidate for prime minister, nationalist Jobbik is emerging as Orban’s main challenger in the 2018 vote.</p>
<p>Dressed in a dark blue suit, Balazs Szabo, a Jobbik council member in nearby Szekszard called on Fenyvesi at the debate in the town hall to devote his goodwill to poor Hungarians and children in need instead.</p>
<p>His remarks earned a big round of applause. Szabo, Jobbik’s candidate for parliament, said locals invited him to the event.</p>
<p>Janos Fulop, the independent mayor of Ocseny who quit because of the row, said there was no legal recourse to stop legally residing refugees coming to Ocseny, if they wanted to.</p>
<p>Some of his local critics deemed that stance too soft even though Fulop himself is opposed to the idea of mass immigration.</p>
<p>“But if there are such people here already, the country must meet its obligations under international law,” he said. Official data showed 881 migrants received some sort of state protection in Hungary, a country of about 10 million people, in 2017, including 75 granted refugee status.</p>
<p>“I hope that people will find calm and talk to one another, but this will take time,” Fulop said. He resigned after seeing the divisions both in the village and within the local council.</p>
<p>Reuters tried to interview more than 20 locals on a week-day morning near the guesthouse, to no avail. The few who spoke off-camera expressed relief that no migrants would come.</p>
<p>FIDESZ DOMINATING</p>
<p>With Fidesz dominating the public discourse on migration, Orban’s government announced a campaign aimed at Hungarian-born U.S. financier George Soros for what it said was a plan to bring a stream of refugees to Europe. His spokesman has described the government’s portrayal of him as “fantasy”.</p>
<p>Orban has vowed to fight a ruling by the European Union’s top court that dismissed a challenge by Hungary and Slovakia against migrant quotas that reignited an east-west row that has shaken EU cohesion.</p>
<p>Data from Tarki shows the proportion of people deemed as xenophobic shot up to 60 percent this year, rising 19 points from two years ago when the migrant issue came to the fore and more than double the levels seen in 2010, when Orban took power.</p>
<p>“I do not think this is all due to the government’s behavior, but it plays a very large role nonetheless,” Tarki researcher Endre Sik said.</p>
<p>“Ocseny is not some sort of hell-hole from this regard,” he said. “These are average people, who have displayed non-average behavior, the groundwork of which was laid very firmly by the government.”</p>
<p>The government declined to comment on the Tarki findings. Orban’s chief of staff, Janos Lazar has said such feelings of distrust were inherent in Hungarians anyway.</p>
<p>In a rare display of solidarity, the Roma mayor of Cserdi, a poor village also in southern Hungary, told local media that he would host any refugees rejected from Ocseny.</p> | false | 1 | gergely szakacs ocseny hungary reuters zoltan fenyvesis offer host migrants free holiday guest house set backlash southern hungarian village vans tires slashed angry locals railed says even death threat controversy also triggered resignation longtime mayor ocseny quiet village nestled among swathes farmland 160 kilometers 100 miles south budapest well national debate hungarians tolerance levels rightwing prime minister viktor orban gears election april widely expected win fourbedroom guesthouse across street elementary school catholic church become unlikely flash point antimigrant sentiment orban taken hard line immigration included barbedwire fence hungarys southern border tough laws criticized human rights groups also referred importance maintaining ethnic homogeneity measures kept migrants shored support fidesz party since 2015 peak crisis hundreds thousands migrants middle east crossed hungary way western europe billboard campaigns television ads questionnaires sent hungarians bolster orbans platform contributed surge antimigrant sentiment record levels according survey tarki thinktank last weeks town hall meeting ocseny discuss fenyvesis offer raised jointly migration aid group set help migrants descended angry shouting locals voicing fears violence robbery migrants showed guarantee little boys girls harmed like heard countries shouted middleaged woman footage taken scene local media protect sneak property night beat death said boos whistles one point fenyvesi tried make case hosting migrants amid cacophony boos whistles man walked took microphone prompting applause scores agitated locals gathered town hall thought would able explain offer free holiday said fenyvesi already hosted poor children including roma guesthouse led furor fenyvesi told reuters wanted set positive example learning previous attempt host migrants holiday near lake balaton fell due local opposition turned otherwise soon people started shouting told squarely none fenyvesi said interview meeting fenyvesi said received death threat street local want identify later night someone slashed tires van parked outside guesthouse tires sons vehicle also cut police launched investigation fenyvesi abandoned project outcry 54yearold orban whose fidesz party well ahead main rivals opinion polls asked whether government bore responsibility antimigrant feelings expressed villagers ocseny said people lied migrant issue much believe children coming orban told reporters ahead european council meeting fully understand right expressed opinion resolutely loudly clearly mayor stands main opposition socialists disarray resignation candidate prime minister nationalist jobbik emerging orbans main challenger 2018 vote dressed dark blue suit balazs szabo jobbik council member nearby szekszard called fenyvesi debate town hall devote goodwill poor hungarians children need instead remarks earned big round applause szabo jobbiks candidate parliament said locals invited event janos fulop independent mayor ocseny quit row said legal recourse stop legally residing refugees coming ocseny wanted local critics deemed stance soft even though fulop opposed idea mass immigration people already country must meet obligations international law said official data showed 881 migrants received sort state protection hungary country 10 million people 2017 including 75 granted refugee status hope people find calm talk one another take time fulop said resigned seeing divisions village within local council reuters tried interview 20 locals weekday morning near guesthouse avail spoke offcamera expressed relief migrants would come fidesz dominating fidesz dominating public discourse migration orbans government announced campaign aimed hungarianborn us financier george soros said plan bring stream refugees europe spokesman described governments portrayal fantasy orban vowed fight ruling european unions top court dismissed challenge hungary slovakia migrant quotas reignited eastwest row shaken eu cohesion data tarki shows proportion people deemed xenophobic shot 60 percent year rising 19 points two years ago migrant issue came fore double levels seen 2010 orban took power think due governments behavior plays large role nonetheless tarki researcher endre sik said ocseny sort hellhole regard said average people displayed nonaverage behavior groundwork laid firmly government government declined comment tarki findings orbans chief staff janos lazar said feelings distrust inherent hungarians anyway rare display solidarity roma mayor cserdi poor village also southern hungary told local media would host refugees rejected ocseny | 630 |
<p>MADRID — The 38th <a href="http://variety.com/t/mar-del-plata-film-festival/" type="external">Mar del Plata Film Festival</a> opens on Nov. 17 with Serge Bozon’s farce “Mrs. Hyde,” starring Isabelle Huppert, and inevitable speculation about how Peter Scarlet’s appointment as artistic director will re-set Argentina’s most august film event. Kogonada’s “Columbus” is one of the films in the main international feature competition.</p>
<p>In broad terms, his influence can be seen in several ways. First, festival titles have been pared back from 420 to 320. That may still be too many, Scarlet said, but is a step in the right direction. “I believe festivals are about quality of films rather than quantity. I’m trying to go in that direction.”</p>
<p>Second, Mar del Plata’s masterclasses, a fixture at the Atlantic Coast event, have multiplied in heavyweight name attendance, while morphing into conversations, reflecting Scarlet’s pulling power after nearly 30 years directing the San Francisco (1983-2001), Tribeca (2003-09) and Abu Dhabi (2009-13) film festivals. “Manchester By the Sea’s” <a href="http://variety.com/t/kenneth-lonergan/" type="external">Kenneth Lonergan</a>, Vanessa Redgrave, French legend Claude Lelouch (“A Man and a Woman”) and Argentina’s Lucrecia Martel, presenting “Zama,” will take part in onstage conversations.</p>
<p>Adding further big name glamour, Cannes and Lumière festivals’ chief Thierry Frémaux will provide a live commentary to “Lumière!,” a feature omnibus of Lumière shorts, highlighting their formal beauty, social insights and multiple innovations. Distinguished French producer Sophie Pialat (“Timbuktu”) will present Xavier Beauvois’ historical drama “The Guardians,” which plays in main international competition, as the festival dedicates a retrospective to Maurice Pialat.</p>
<p>Screening in international competition are 14 movies, whose variety and boldness — few are obvious choices — look like another sign of Scarlet’s impact on the festival. Though only one, Puerto Rican Alvaro Aponte-Centeno’s human trafficking-themed “The Silence of the Wind,” is a world premiere, titles range from the high-profile, such as Joachim Trier’s supernatural thriller “Thelma” to Ukranian Alisa Pavlovskaya’s “5 Therapy,” a portrait of ex-con, now poet Stas Dombrovskiy, battling drug addiction.</p>
<p>Scarlet noted of this year’s competition: “These are among the strongest films of the year. Many are premieres on this continent and it’s representative of a varied range of countries.”</p>
<p>INDUSTRY ACTIVITIESMeanwhile, kicking off Nov. 23 and grouped under a Film.Ar umbrella, Mar del Plata’s industry activities are growing, taking in not only fiction-feature project forum LoboLab, but Latin Arab, exploring the Latin American-Arab world movie interface, and Mardoc.Lab, a docu-feature platform fed by a project incubator at Argentina’s Incaa film agency. The festival also sports a works-in-progress section.</p>
<p>BETTER-KNOWN TITLESBetter-known titles in main competition take in Pedro Pinho’s Fipresci-prized Directors’ Fortnight title “The Nothing Factory,” a song-laced three-hour drama about labor relations; Sundance-selected “Columbus,” an ensemble drama set against the modernist architecture of the titular city described by Variety as an “assured and hypnotic” debut; Annemarie Jacir’s well-reviewed Locarno competition player “Wahib,” a Palestine father-son drama; and culture clash portrait “Western,” from Germany’s Valeska Grisebach. Also, after it’s Golden Leopard nomination at Locarno, Ben Russell’s latest documentary “Good Luck,” is a a slice of life documentary where the daily grind becomes almost surreal.</p>
<p>BUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCOVERYThis year’s festival is, under Scarlet’s leadership, aiming to be more inclusive in its international competition. Kogonada, a long-time film critic and visual essayist, participates with his John Cho starring first feature “Columbus” from the U.S.; Kim Dae-hwan’s Korean relationship drama “The First Lap,” which just premiered at Locarno takes part; and Portugal’s Manuel Mozos competes with a Lisbon-based tale of writer’s block in “Ramiro.”</p>
<p>ARGENTINE MOVIES IN MAIN COMPETITIONAs is Mar del Plata’s custom, the international competition highlights a clutch of Argentine movies: Pablo Giorgelli’s teen abortion drama “Invisible,” which picks up on the theme of solitude from his notable debut, “Las Acacias”; Ulises Rosell’s critically-praised road movie “To the Desert”; and Laura Barí’s coming-of-age drama “Primas.”</p>
<p>THE JURYThe international competition packs an impressive jury of Lonergan, Italian producer-distributor Amedeo Pagani, Argentine actress Erica Rivas (“Wild Tales”), critic Boyd van Hoeij, and Directors’ Fortnight head Edouard Waintrop.</p>
<p>ARGENTINE COMPETITIONTypical of Mar del Plata, this year’s Argentine competition is replete with world premieres, representing nine of its 12 films. Among better-known auteurs, and Mar del Plata regulars, José Celestino Campusano, who has also competed at Valdivia and Locarno, will present “The Scourge” while Argentina’s high priestess of genre Tamae Garateguy brings the erotic thriller “Until You Untie Me.”</p>
<p>Bows also take in “Pool Sweeper,” from Jorge Leandro Colás, based on the novel “Barrefondo,” “I Am Here,” an immigration story set in Buenos Aires, investigation-centered “The Corroborators,” and “The Bums,” a coming-of-age tale picturing a last-ditch effort to enjoy adolescence.</p>
<p>The festival runs Nov. 17-26.</p>
<p>INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION“To the Desert” (Ulises Rosell, Argentina, Chile)“Invisible” (Pablo Giorgelli, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Germany,France)“Western” (Valeska Grisebach, Germany, Bulgaria, Austria)“Primas” (Laura Bari, Canada, Argentina)“The First Lap” (Kim Dae-hwan, South Korea)“Columbus” (Kogonada, U.S.)“Good Luck” (Ben Russell, France, Germany)“The Guardians” (Xavier Beauvois, France, Switzerland)“Thelma” (Joachim Trier, Norway, Sweden, France, Denmark)“Wajib” (Annemarie Jacir, Palestine, France, Germany, Colombia, Norway, Qatar, UAE)“The Nothing Factory” (Pedro Pinho, Portugal)“Ramiro” (Manuel Mozos, Portugal)“Silence of the Wind” (Álvaro Aponte-Centeno, Puerto Rico)“5 Therapy” (Alisa Pavlovskaya, Ukraine)</p>
<p>LATIN AMERICAN COMPETITION“Chaco” (Danièle Incalcaterra, Fausta Quattrini, Argentina, Italy, Switzerland)“The Theater of Disappearance” (Adrián Villar Rojas, Argentina, South Korea)“Eugenia” (Martín Boulocq, Bolivia, Brazil)“Baronesa” (Juliana Antunes, Brazil)“Once There Was Brasília” (Adirley Queirós, Brazil)“A Fantastic Woman” (Sebastián Lelio, Chile, U.S., Germany, Spain)“King” (Niles Atallah, Chile, France, Holland, Germany, Qatar)“The Wandering Soap Opera” (Raúl Ruiz, Valeria Sarmiento, Chile)“Mariana” (Chris Gude, Colombia)“Stormmaker” (Rubén Imaz, Mexico, Colombia, Dominican Republic)“Cocote” (Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Germany, Qatar)“The Waves” (Adrián Biniez, Uruguay, Argentina)“The Family” (Gustavo Rondón Córdova, Venezuela, Chile, Norway)“Tie Your Plow to a Star” (Carmen Guarini, Argentina)</p>
<p>ARGENTINE COMPETITION“Terrified” (Demián Rugna)“Pool Sweeper” (Jorge Leandro Colás)“The Scourge” (José Celestino Campusano)“I Am Here” (Juan Manuel Bramuglia, Esteban Tabacznik)“Until You Untie Me” (Tamae Garateguy)“The Centaur’s Nostalgia” (Nicolás Torchinsky)“The Corroborators” (Luis Bernárdez)“The Bums” (Gustavo Biazzi)“Réquiem para un film olvidado” (Ernesto Baca)“Soldado” (Manuel Abramovich)“Everything I See Is Mine” (Mariano Galperín, Román Podolsky)“A Trip to the Moon” (Joaquín Cambre)</p> | false | 1 | madrid 38th mar del plata film festival opens nov 17 serge bozons farce mrs hyde starring isabelle huppert inevitable speculation peter scarlets appointment artistic director reset argentinas august film event kogonadas columbus one films main international feature competition broad terms influence seen several ways first festival titles pared back 420 320 may still many scarlet said step right direction believe festivals quality films rather quantity im trying go direction second mar del platas masterclasses fixture atlantic coast event multiplied heavyweight name attendance morphing conversations reflecting scarlets pulling power nearly 30 years directing san francisco 19832001 tribeca 200309 abu dhabi 200913 film festivals manchester seas kenneth lonergan vanessa redgrave french legend claude lelouch man woman argentinas lucrecia martel presenting zama take part onstage conversations adding big name glamour cannes lumière festivals chief thierry frémaux provide live commentary lumière feature omnibus lumière shorts highlighting formal beauty social insights multiple innovations distinguished french producer sophie pialat timbuktu present xavier beauvois historical drama guardians plays main international competition festival dedicates retrospective maurice pialat screening international competition 14 movies whose variety boldness obvious choices look like another sign scarlets impact festival though one puerto rican alvaro apontecentenos human traffickingthemed silence wind world premiere titles range highprofile joachim triers supernatural thriller thelma ukranian alisa pavlovskayas 5 therapy portrait excon poet stas dombrovskiy battling drug addiction scarlet noted years competition among strongest films year many premieres continent representative varied range countries industry activitiesmeanwhile kicking nov 23 grouped filmar umbrella mar del platas industry activities growing taking fictionfeature project forum lobolab latin arab exploring latin americanarab world movie interface mardoclab docufeature platform fed project incubator argentinas incaa film agency festival also sports worksinprogress section betterknown titlesbetterknown titles main competition take pedro pinhos fipresciprized directors fortnight title nothing factory songlaced threehour drama labor relations sundanceselected columbus ensemble drama set modernist architecture titular city described variety assured hypnotic debut annemarie jacirs wellreviewed locarno competition player wahib palestine fatherson drama culture clash portrait western germanys valeska grisebach also golden leopard nomination locarno ben russells latest documentary good luck slice life documentary daily grind becomes almost surreal opportunity discoverythis years festival scarlets leadership aiming inclusive international competition kogonada longtime film critic visual essayist participates john cho starring first feature columbus us kim daehwans korean relationship drama first lap premiered locarno takes part portugals manuel mozos competes lisbonbased tale writers block ramiro argentine movies main competitionas mar del platas custom international competition highlights clutch argentine movies pablo giorgellis teen abortion drama invisible picks theme solitude notable debut las acacias ulises rosells criticallypraised road movie desert laura barís comingofage drama primas jurythe international competition packs impressive jury lonergan italian producerdistributor amedeo pagani argentine actress erica rivas wild tales critic boyd van hoeij directors fortnight head edouard waintrop argentine competitiontypical mar del plata years argentine competition replete world premieres representing nine 12 films among betterknown auteurs mar del plata regulars josé celestino campusano also competed valdivia locarno present scourge argentinas high priestess genre tamae garateguy brings erotic thriller untie bows also take pool sweeper jorge leandro colás based novel barrefondo immigration story set buenos aires investigationcentered corroborators bums comingofage tale picturing lastditch effort enjoy adolescence festival runs nov 1726 international competitionto desert ulises rosell argentina chileinvisible pablo giorgelli argentina brazil uruguay germanyfrancewestern valeska grisebach germany bulgaria austriaprimas laura bari canada argentinathe first lap kim daehwan south koreacolumbus kogonada usgood luck ben russell france germanythe guardians xavier beauvois france switzerlandthelma joachim trier norway sweden france denmarkwajib annemarie jacir palestine france germany colombia norway qatar uaethe nothing factory pedro pinho portugalramiro manuel mozos portugalsilence wind Álvaro apontecenteno puerto rico5 therapy alisa pavlovskaya ukraine latin american competitionchaco danièle incalcaterra fausta quattrini argentina italy switzerlandthe theater disappearance adrián villar rojas argentina south koreaeugenia martín boulocq bolivia brazilbaronesa juliana antunes brazilonce brasília adirley queirós brazila fantastic woman sebastián lelio chile us germany spainking niles atallah chile france holland germany qatarthe wandering soap opera raúl ruiz valeria sarmiento chilemariana chris gude colombiastormmaker rubén imaz mexico colombia dominican republiccocote nelson carlo de los santos arias dominican republic argentina germany qatarthe waves adrián biniez uruguay argentinathe family gustavo rondón córdova venezuela chile norwaytie plow star carmen guarini argentina argentine competitionterrified demián rugnapool sweeper jorge leandro colásthe scourge josé celestino campusanoi juan manuel bramuglia esteban tabacznikuntil untie tamae garateguythe centaurs nostalgia nicolás torchinskythe corroborators luis bernárdezthe bums gustavo biazziréquiem para un film olvidado ernesto bacasoldado manuel abramovicheverything see mine mariano galperín román podolskya trip moon joaquín cambre | 733 |
<p>In issuing its findings of fact and conclusions of law ACMA found that Al Manar did not violate Australian law, and was free to broadcast in the country</p>
<p>Australia’s Parliament and main stream media may not differ all that much from other western countries when it comes to chronic groveling to its Zionist lobby. But like citizens in many countries, Australians sometimes courageously exhibit admirable independence and respect for their society’s own values.</p>
<p>On December 10, 2010, whether by design or coincidence, International Human Rights Day, Australia’s Communication and Media Authority (ACMA ) released its much anticipated decision on whether to ban Lebanon’s Al Manar TV channel from being broadcast down under via the Indonesian PT Indosat satellite ( Palapa D) that was launched on 12/27/09. As in the US, which does ban Al Manar, the popular stations programming would, even if banned, still be available via internet live streaming.</p>
<p>“The Beacon”</p>
<p>Al Manar (“ the Beacon”), affiliated with the Lebanese political party, social service organization and resistance movement Hezbollah, has been the target of an intensive Israel ordered international media assault for several years. Silvan Shalom, former Israeli Foreign Minister, at a 2004 Herzliya Convention, outlined his governments policy succinctly: “The Israeli Foreign Ministry intends to work actively to have Al Manar banned in other countries around the globe. It is Israel’s intention to bring the seriousness of Al-Manar’s broadcasts to the attention of the international community and to convince them to prevent Al-Manar from operating in as many countries as possible.”</p>
<p>The Arabic-language station, started in 1991, has twice been banned in Australia, but was cleared by ACMA (Australia’s Communication and Media Authority) in 2009 and now again in 2010.</p>
<p>How ACMA arrived at its decision</p>
<p>To its credit, Australia’s media watchdog agency took its work seriously and more than once resisted being railroaded by ‘Israel first’ groups. ACMA’s mandate was to address community concerns by aiming to prevent the broadcast of programs that directly attempt to recruit people, or solicit funds, for listed terrorist organizations.</p>
<p>Specifically ACMA wanted to know if Al Manar, via its programming, “directly recruited persons to join, or participate in, the activities of a listed terrorist organization; or solicited for or assisted in the collection or provision of funds for a listed terrorist organization.”</p>
<p>To determine this, ACMA translated, watched and carefully analyzed popular Al Manar program including the following:</p>
<p>In issuing its findings of fact and conclusions of law ACMA found that Al Manar did not violate Australian law, and was free to broadcast in the country, ACMA did however, issue a caveat regarding two of the above listed programs, With the Event and With the Viewer.</p>
<p>A majority of the ACMA board felt With the Viewers, on 15 November 2009, was in breach of clause 1.2 of the ACMA codes, and felt the program was not presented fairly. The ACMA also found the broadcast of the current affairs program, With the Event, on 28 February 2009, was in breach of clause 1.3 of the codes, as the program might gratuitously vilify a group on the basis of ethnicity and religion. However, ACMA still issued a clean bill of health to Al Manar.</p>
<p>A minority on the ACMA board felt that Al Manar should not be held responsible for any code breaches with these two particular episodes because the ACMA survey of Al Manar programming makes clear that Al Manar presenters and program moderators routinely introduce programs objectively and try to moderate objectionable demeanor from their guests or viewers. Moreover, they pointed out that the With the Viewers and With the Event programs feature live audience participation. With the Viewers, one of the most popular shows in the Middle East, features people calling in to express their opinions on certain issues and current events. During With the Viewers, the presenter will cut calls that cross the ethical, religious, lines. Defamation is not allowed no matter who or what views are being discussed. For example, Palestinian refugees might call in to talk about their sufferings from the occupation and sometimes passions rise. All in all, With the Viewers and With the Event are thought by some ACMA analysts to be rather tame compared to certain American and Israeli programs where racist slurs and ethnic incitements are more common.</p>
<p>In fact, Al Manar has sometimes been criticized for being ‘too tame’ in its wish to be a family oriented station while avoiding controversy. This observer was disappointed with Al Manar when on August 13, 2010 it pulled the widely praised and award winning series, “The Christ” (Al-sayid al-masih) by famed Iranian Director Nader Talebzadeh because of some murmurs of criticism from certain Christian politicians. The story line shows the Muslim point of view of Jesus and brilliantly presents his life as a prophet. Al Manar said it took the action “in respect of some sensitivities and to avoid any attempt for negative exploitation.” However, they said, the series “reflects, with full honor and glorification, of Jesus’ life, picture, role, pain and sacrifices.”</p>
<p>What the ACMA decision means beyond Al Manar’s clean bill of health</p>
<p>Sometimes the symbolism of an event exceeds the significance of the specific act itself. Few freedom of speech and objective media and journalism advocates are not praising Australia’s stance in rejecting politically motivated assaults on broadcasting which is essentially all that the ACMA-Al Manar case represented.</p>
<p />
<p /> | false | 1 | issuing findings fact conclusions law acma found al manar violate australian law free broadcast country australias parliament main stream media may differ much western countries comes chronic groveling zionist lobby like citizens many countries australians sometimes courageously exhibit admirable independence respect societys values december 10 2010 whether design coincidence international human rights day australias communication media authority acma released much anticipated decision whether ban lebanons al manar tv channel broadcast via indonesian pt indosat satellite palapa launched 122709 us ban al manar popular stations programming would even banned still available via internet live streaming beacon al manar beacon affiliated lebanese political party social service organization resistance movement hezbollah target intensive israel ordered international media assault several years silvan shalom former israeli foreign minister 2004 herzliya convention outlined governments policy succinctly israeli foreign ministry intends work actively al manar banned countries around globe israels intention bring seriousness almanars broadcasts attention international community convince prevent almanar operating many countries possible arabiclanguage station started 1991 twice banned australia cleared acma australias communication media authority 2009 2010 acma arrived decision credit australias media watchdog agency took work seriously resisted railroaded israel first groups acmas mandate address community concerns aiming prevent broadcast programs directly attempt recruit people solicit funds listed terrorist organizations specifically acma wanted know al manar via programming directly recruited persons join participate activities listed terrorist organization solicited assisted collection provision funds listed terrorist organization determine acma translated watched carefully analyzed popular al manar program including following issuing findings fact conclusions law acma found al manar violate australian law free broadcast country acma however issue caveat regarding two listed programs event viewer majority acma board felt viewers 15 november 2009 breach clause 12 acma codes felt program presented fairly acma also found broadcast current affairs program event 28 february 2009 breach clause 13 codes program might gratuitously vilify group basis ethnicity religion however acma still issued clean bill health al manar minority acma board felt al manar held responsible code breaches two particular episodes acma survey al manar programming makes clear al manar presenters program moderators routinely introduce programs objectively try moderate objectionable demeanor guests viewers moreover pointed viewers event programs feature live audience participation viewers one popular shows middle east features people calling express opinions certain issues current events viewers presenter cut calls cross ethical religious lines defamation allowed matter views discussed example palestinian refugees might call talk sufferings occupation sometimes passions rise viewers event thought acma analysts rather tame compared certain american israeli programs racist slurs ethnic incitements common fact al manar sometimes criticized tame wish family oriented station avoiding controversy observer disappointed al manar august 13 2010 pulled widely praised award winning series christ alsayid almasih famed iranian director nader talebzadeh murmurs criticism certain christian politicians story line shows muslim point view jesus brilliantly presents life prophet al manar said took action respect sensitivities avoid attempt negative exploitation however said series reflects full honor glorification jesus life picture role pain sacrifices acma decision means beyond al manars clean bill health sometimes symbolism event exceeds significance specific act freedom speech objective media journalism advocates praising australias stance rejecting politically motivated assaults broadcasting essentially acmaal manar case represented | 526 |
<p>The following essay was written for&#160;LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD&#160;by&#160;Theresa Farnan, Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at the Franciscan University of Steubenville,&#160;and Mary Rice Hasson, director of the Catholic Women’s Forum at Washington’s Ethics and Public Policy Center. It should be of special interest to the commission drafting Synod-2015’s proposed final report.</p>
<p>The ambiguities of the Synod’s working document, the&#160;Instrumentum Laboris, have been criticized for undermining Church teachings on marriage, sexuality, and conscience. But the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;also suffers troubling conceptual problems that go to the heart of the Synod’s mission.</p>
<p>Notably, the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;fails to anchor its observations in a clear statement of what the family is, its purpose and its relationship to society, state, and the Church. And despite all the “listening” done in the lead-up to Synod-2015, the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;offers a woefully inadequate diagnosis of the most serious issues families face.</p>
<p>These are not trivial deficiencies.</p>
<p>A document that glosses over the fundamental points about the family’s purpose and mission seems unlikely to help families rediscover the meaning of their vocation and the gift of family life. And if the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;can’t identify the origin of the problems threatening the family, how can it generate coherent solutions for those problems?</p>
<p>The reflections offered here address some of these conceptual issues. (CCC&#160;refers to the&#160;Catechism of the Catholic Church;&#160;Instrumentum&#160;sections are numbered.)</p>
<p>What is a family?</p>
<p>Western society increasingly claims the right to redefine the family, and demands that developing nations follow suit. In response, Pope Francis insists that “family” is an “anthropological fact,” not an ideological concept subject to change. But the definition of a family (“A man and a woman united in marriage, together with their children, form a family,”&#160;CCC&#160;2202) is inexplicably missing from the&#160;Instrumentum Laboris.</p>
<p>Without that firm foundation, the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;drifts at times into language that describes the family as a set of relationships&#160;intentionally established, a notion fundamental to arguments supporting same-sex relationships and families “built” through surrogacy and assisted reproduction. The&#160;Instrumentum&#160;refers to families as “different persons” who “share life together.” It states that, “In the relations in a family—marital, filial, and fraternal—all family members willingly establish strong ties….” (11), thereby playing into the notion that “family” is a willed arrangement arising from an intentional choice about whom you wish to love, with no necessary connection to the fundamental mother-father-child relationship.</p>
<p>The&#160;Instrumentum&#160;also refers variously to “the procreative act” (45) and “the act of generation” (137), as if distinguishing when intercourse is open to life. Given that the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;also refers to the unitive and procreative&#160;character&#160;of marriage (45), and hints that the objective moral norm regarding openness to life might be an insupportable burden (137), it lends support to those who argue that openness to life need only characterize the overall tenor of the marriage, not every act of sexual intercourse. By implying that sexual intercourse is only intentionally, not intrinsically, related to procreation, and using language that minimizes biological ties, the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;further confuses the idea of “family.”</p>
<p>What is the family’s purpose?</p>
<p>Marriage and the family are ordered to the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of children (CCC&#160;2201). But the&#160;Instrumentum Laboris&#160;only superficially addresses the family’s right and duty to educate its children, and thus misses an area of current vulnerability and future strength.</p>
<p>The&#160;Instrumentum&#160;acknowledges that Christian families have a duty to pass on the faith to their children (146), and observes the “progressive weakening in the role of parents in upbringing” because of the media’s influence and parents’ “tendency to delegate this task to other entities.” (144). It admits too that many institutions promote conceptions of the family radically at odds with Christian anthropology (91) and asserts that the Church must “support families in their vigilant and responsible supervision in a school’s academic and formative programs.”</p>
<p>But these references underplay the sweep of the problem confronting families every day: because of de-Christianization in the West and “ideological colonization” in the developing world, state-backed schools all over the globe have become ideological delivery-systems, demeaning or marginalizing faith while promoting practical atheism, gender theory, youth “sexual rights,” and same-sex “marriage” in opposition to parents’ values.</p>
<p>The&#160;Instrumentum&#160;is oddly silent about an obvious solution: Catholic education. It fails to emphasize the vital importance of Catholic education—as an evangelistic opportunity and a cultural antidote—and the urgency of finding ways to make Catholic education widely available and affordable. Instead, the&#160;Instrumentum’s weak response to the challenges of raising children in a hostile culture relies on “welcoming communities,” nebulous “support,” and indeterminate “personalized pastoral programs” (145). It notes the right of educators (distinct from parents) to “conscientious objection” to erroneous formation programs (86) but offers nothing helpful to parents who send their children to school to gain an education, only to see them return having lost their faith.</p>
<p>Similarly dismaying is the&#160;Instrumentum’s&#160;surrender to the cult of experts. Despite the Church’s long-standing insistence that families have the responsibility to oversee their children’s education in chastity and sexuality, the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;states that “the family, while maintaining its privileged spot in education, cannot be the only place for teaching sexuality.” It calls for “devising . . . true and proper programs” for individuals and couples, with “special attention” to adolescents “so they can discover the beauty of sexuality in love” (86). Unlike the Pontifical Council for the Family’s document, “ <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html" type="external">Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality</a>,” which urged parents to reclaim their responsibility for teaching their children about human sexuality and overseeing programs that assist in chastity formation (Truth and Meaning&#160;24, 25), the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;seems unconvinced that parents can take the lead in teaching the “beauty of sexuality in love.” Certainly the Church can assist parents with the theology or even the biology of human sexuality. But mothers and fathers teach children to integrate sacrifice, responsibility, and love in ways that cannot be matched by programs or experts. And they need the Church’s encouragement to do so.</p>
<p>The relationship between family and society</p>
<p>Divinely instituted, the family has logical, historical, and ontological priority to the state and other institutions, including those set up by the Church. Thus, state, social, or educational institutions exist in supportive relationship to the family—to assist when the family cannot care for its members and to support the mission of the family (CCC&#160;2201-2203, 2209).</p>
<p>Astonishingly, the&#160;Instrumentum Laboris&#160;proposes the opposite, characterizing the family as existing in a compensatory relationship to society: “the family’s great strength, in itself, [is] in being able to compensate for the inadequacy and inaction of institutions with respect to the formation of the person, the quality of social ties and the care of the most vulnerable” (10). This is exactly backwards. The&#160;Instrumentum&#160;underestimates the strength of ordinary families, suggesting that institutions are better suited to providing formation and care, with families as a fallback. This approach subordinates the family to state or societal institutions. And it breeds pessimism and saps the confidence of families, sending the message that families will thrive only if propped up by programs, experts, and the state.</p>
<p>Similarly, the&#160;Instrumentum’s&#160;lack of clarity about the nature, purpose and priority of the family creates a dismal picture of families bent and burdened by life. It fails to distinguish between the challenges intrinsic to family life and the freight added by culture, sin, and circumstance. Thus, theInstrumentum&#160;treats age-old human trials—widowhood, disability, migration, poverty, loneliness, and unemployment—as if they were something new. And yet it fails to deeply consider the global cultural tsunami—roiling waters of individualism, secularism, and moral relativism—threatening families everywhere. Family life is foundering in those waters, as de-Christianized societies promote a false anthropology and preach a hedonistic gospel. The resulting culture of practical atheism views the demands of family life as limitations on freedom, rather than as means to realize it.</p>
<p>In addition to the cultural challenges, families experience other burdens—constraints on religious liberty, unjust economic policies, and “ideological colonization’”—external to the nature of the family. But family members themselves often burden family life by making sinful choices, such as adultery, abandonment, divorce, polygamy, pornography, domestic violence, and substance abuse. These burdens result from personal sin; they are not part and parcel of the vocation of the family, nor are they evidence of “the family’s weakening and fragile character”(10).</p>
<p>Other challenges&#160;do&#160;arise from the mission and vocation of the family. By facing these challenges, however, the family grows stronger, not weaker. Unfortunately, the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;frames the normal challenges of life lived in relationship with others as burdens. When families lovingly accept of the gift of children, resolutely care for disabled or elderly family members, and persevere in faith through the pain of loss, suffering, and hardship, they emerge stronger—and encourage others by their witness. On their own, humans fall short of the sacrificial love required to respond to the challenges inherent in family life. But the Christian family, sanctified by grace, can indeed see each family member as a gift to be cherished and nurtured, even in difficult situations.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;at times loses sight of this truth. For example, large families—those with an “unusually high number of children” (93)—are mentioned only once and in a negative context, as a risk factor for poverty (ibid.). Is “responsible parenthood” reducible to a number count? What&#160;is&#160;the baseline “normal?” The replacement level of 2.1? What counts as an “unusually high number?” Three? Seven? Ten? Absent from the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;is the language of&#160;Humanae Vitae, which praises the generosity of large families, of parents who give their children the priceless gift of siblings.</p>
<p>Nowhere is the&#160;Instrumentum’s&#160;confusion about the nature of the family more apparent than in the section on disability (21-23), where the&#160;Instrumentum&#160;asserts that “the conception of the family and its life cycle are deeply disturbed” by disability (21). Quite the opposite—the “conception of the family” is&#160;confirmed&#160;by disability.&#160;All families&#160;at some time include persons who are vulnerable and utterly dependent, people with disabilities of illness, age, injury, or congenital defects. Caring for vulnerable family members is precisely what families do best; this is where the beauty of the family shines through. Programs, institutions, and experts cannot match the ability of the family to affirm the irreplaceability and dignity of the person even in the face of great challenges; in this lies the greatness and necessity of the family.</p>
<p>The burdens and challenges that families face are indeed serious. But they are best solved by a Church, and a culture, that affirms and supports marriage, insists on the priority of the family, and understands the necessity of faithful, indissoluble marriage between one man and one woman to safeguard the rights of children and the vulnerable. The&#160;Instrumentum&#160;makes the Church seem more like an anxious, indulgent parent who, afraid that her children cannot measure up to the demands of sacrificial love, asks less of them. The Synod fathers must send a more hopeful message: the family itself is a gift to humanity, and the ordinary work of the family, sanctified by grace, nourished by the sacraments, and strengthened by the teachings of the Church will bring healing to this broken world.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 1 | following essay written for160letters synod160by160theresa farnan adjunct professor philosophy franciscan university steubenville160and mary rice hasson director catholic womens forum washingtons ethics public policy center special interest commission drafting synod2015s proposed final report ambiguities synods working document the160instrumentum laboris criticized undermining church teachings marriage sexuality conscience the160instrumentum160also suffers troubling conceptual problems go heart synods mission notably the160instrumentum160fails anchor observations clear statement family purpose relationship society state church despite listening done leadup synod2015 the160instrumentum160offers woefully inadequate diagnosis serious issues families face trivial deficiencies document glosses fundamental points familys purpose mission seems unlikely help families rediscover meaning vocation gift family life the160instrumentum160cant identify origin problems threatening family generate coherent solutions problems reflections offered address conceptual issues ccc160refers the160catechism catholic church160instrumentum160sections numbered family western society increasingly claims right redefine family demands developing nations follow suit response pope francis insists family anthropological fact ideological concept subject change definition family man woman united marriage together children form family160ccc1602202 inexplicably missing the160instrumentum laboris without firm foundation the160instrumentum160drifts times language describes family set relationships160intentionally established notion fundamental arguments supporting samesex relationships families built surrogacy assisted reproduction the160instrumentum160refers families different persons share life together states relations familymarital filial fraternalall family members willingly establish strong ties 11 thereby playing notion family willed arrangement arising intentional choice wish love necessary connection fundamental motherfatherchild relationship the160instrumentum160also refers variously procreative act 45 act generation 137 distinguishing intercourse open life given the160instrumentum160also refers unitive procreative160character160of marriage 45 hints objective moral norm regarding openness life might insupportable burden 137 lends support argue openness life need characterize overall tenor marriage every act sexual intercourse implying sexual intercourse intentionally intrinsically related procreation using language minimizes biological ties the160instrumentum160further confuses idea family familys purpose marriage family ordered good spouses procreation education children ccc1602201 the160instrumentum laboris160only superficially addresses familys right duty educate children thus misses area current vulnerability future strength the160instrumentum160acknowledges christian families duty pass faith children 146 observes progressive weakening role parents upbringing medias influence parents tendency delegate task entities 144 admits many institutions promote conceptions family radically odds christian anthropology 91 asserts church must support families vigilant responsible supervision schools academic formative programs references underplay sweep problem confronting families every day dechristianization west ideological colonization developing world statebacked schools globe become ideological deliverysystems demeaning marginalizing faith promoting practical atheism gender theory youth sexual rights samesex marriage opposition parents values the160instrumentum160is oddly silent obvious solution catholic education fails emphasize vital importance catholic educationas evangelistic opportunity cultural antidoteand urgency finding ways make catholic education widely available affordable instead the160instrumentums weak response challenges raising children hostile culture relies welcoming communities nebulous support indeterminate personalized pastoral programs 145 notes right educators distinct parents conscientious objection erroneous formation programs 86 offers nothing helpful parents send children school gain education see return lost faith similarly dismaying the160instrumentums160surrender cult experts despite churchs longstanding insistence families responsibility oversee childrens education chastity sexuality the160instrumentum160states family maintaining privileged spot education place teaching sexuality calls devising true proper programs individuals couples special attention adolescents discover beauty sexuality love 86 unlike pontifical council familys document truth meaning human sexuality urged parents reclaim responsibility teaching children human sexuality overseeing programs assist chastity formation truth meaning16024 25 the160instrumentum160seems unconvinced parents take lead teaching beauty sexuality love certainly church assist parents theology even biology human sexuality mothers fathers teach children integrate sacrifice responsibility love ways matched programs experts need churchs encouragement relationship family society divinely instituted family logical historical ontological priority state institutions including set church thus state social educational institutions exist supportive relationship familyto assist family care members support mission family ccc16022012203 2209 astonishingly the160instrumentum laboris160proposes opposite characterizing family existing compensatory relationship society familys great strength able compensate inadequacy inaction institutions respect formation person quality social ties care vulnerable 10 exactly backwards the160instrumentum160underestimates strength ordinary families suggesting institutions better suited providing formation care families fallback approach subordinates family state societal institutions breeds pessimism saps confidence families sending message families thrive propped programs experts state similarly the160instrumentums160lack clarity nature purpose priority family creates dismal picture families bent burdened life fails distinguish challenges intrinsic family life freight added culture sin circumstance thus theinstrumentum160treats ageold human trialswidowhood disability migration poverty loneliness unemploymentas something new yet fails deeply consider global cultural tsunamiroiling waters individualism secularism moral relativismthreatening families everywhere family life foundering waters dechristianized societies promote false anthropology preach hedonistic gospel resulting culture practical atheism views demands family life limitations freedom rather means realize addition cultural challenges families experience burdensconstraints religious liberty unjust economic policies ideological colonizationexternal nature family family members often burden family life making sinful choices adultery abandonment divorce polygamy pornography domestic violence substance abuse burdens result personal sin part parcel vocation family evidence familys weakening fragile character10 challenges160do160arise mission vocation family facing challenges however family grows stronger weaker unfortunately the160instrumentum160frames normal challenges life lived relationship others burdens families lovingly accept gift children resolutely care disabled elderly family members persevere faith pain loss suffering hardship emerge strongerand encourage others witness humans fall short sacrificial love required respond challenges inherent family life christian family sanctified grace indeed see family member gift cherished nurtured even difficult situations unfortunately the160instrumentum160at times loses sight truth example large familiesthose unusually high number children 93are mentioned negative context risk factor poverty ibid responsible parenthood reducible number count what160is160the baseline normal replacement level 21 counts unusually high number three seven ten absent the160instrumentum160is language of160humanae vitae praises generosity large families parents give children priceless gift siblings nowhere the160instrumentums160confusion nature family apparent section disability 2123 the160instrumentum160asserts conception family life cycle deeply disturbed disability 21 quite oppositethe conception family is160confirmed160by disability160all families160at time include persons vulnerable utterly dependent people disabilities illness age injury congenital defects caring vulnerable family members precisely families best beauty family shines programs institutions experts match ability family affirm irreplaceability dignity person even face great challenges lies greatness necessity family burdens challenges families face indeed serious best solved church culture affirms supports marriage insists priority family understands necessity faithful indissoluble marriage one man one woman safeguard rights children vulnerable the160instrumentum160makes church seem like anxious indulgent parent afraid children measure demands sacrificial love asks less synod fathers must send hopeful message family gift humanity ordinary work family sanctified grace nourished sacraments strengthened teachings church bring healing broken world 160 | 1,019 |
<p>By Howard Schneider</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) – As incoming Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell works through his holiday shopping list, he might consider the nearly 50 percent discount he could get buying Calvin Klein underwear online instead of at the local mall.</p>
<p>In the litany of reasons that explains why U.S. consumer price inflation has stalled, the drop in clothing prices last month, which was the largest in 20 years, takes its place alongside cheap cellphone contracts, one-off declines in drug prices and cheap gasoline, among others.</p>
<p>The Fed considers all of these price drops “transitory,” but there have been enough in a row for the central bank to miss its inflation target five years running, and fresh economic projections this week indicate policymakers remain mystified about why prices are not rising, given unemployment is at a 17-year low and the economy is growing steadily.</p>
<p>When the Fed met this week and raised short-term interest rates for the fifth time since late 2015, the inflation issue triggered two dissents among the nine voters on the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee, and that division could widen.</p>
<p>“Inflation … is too low and has been for some time,” Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said in a dissenting statement on Friday.</p>
<p>Evans, who will not be voting on monetary policy in 2018, framed low inflation as a long-term problem if businesses and households stop believing the Fed is committed to its 2 percent inflation target.</p>
<p>A low but steady level of inflation is considered healthy in developed economies, but it depends importantly on public psychology and expectations that Evans said “appear to me to have drifted down.”</p>
<p>NEW CHAIR, OLD PROBLEM</p>
<p>The debate will likely dog Powell during his early months as Fed chief. It will be hard for the Fed to justify further rate increases unless inflation moves toward the central bank’s target.</p>
<p>That, in turn, would saddle Powell with exceptionally low interest rates, and little room to respond with rate reductions in the event of a recession.</p>
<p>Fed Chair Janet Yellen, in her final press conference as head of the central bank, had little advice other than to acknowledge that something may be fundamentally wrong about how the Fed looks at inflation, unemployment and the important relationship between them.</p>
<p>“I have tried to be straightforward in saying that this could end up being something that is more ingrained and turns out to be permanent. It’s very important to watch it and, if necessary, rethink,” Yellen told reporters on Wednesday, referring to the Fed’s inflation miss.</p>
<p>The economic projections issued this week after the Fed’s policy meeting contained what seems to be an internal tension.</p>
<p>Economic growth is forecast to accelerate next year, and unemployment to drop to 3.9 percent from the current 4.1 percent. That should put it at a level low enough to mean workers have leverage to demand wage increases and businesses feel emboldened to raise prices.</p>
<p>Yet inflation is not seen rising and the Fed did not say it expects to raise rates any faster then already planned.</p>
<p>Fed officials say their preferred forecast for inflation is around 1.7 percent for this year, rising to 1.9 percent in 2018, then reaching 2.0 percent in 2019 and staying there.</p>
<p>They have made similar projections in the past, and been wrong.</p>
<p>On the list of possible reasons, Yellen, like Evans, cited a possible slip in public expectations. She said the Fed may also simply misunderstand how inflation and unemployment relate in the current economy, with millions of working-age adults still on the sidelines of the job market, more choosing part-time work, and an expanding “gig economy.”</p>
<p>Theoretically, there is an unemployment rate below which inflation rises, and while estimates of that “have come down,” Yellen said, “it’s conceivable that they need to come down even more.”</p>
<p>In the projections last week, the median forecast of Fed officials kept that estimated “longer-run” unemployment rate at 4.6 percent. Yet they also saw unemployment averaging below 4 percent through 2020 without any appreciable jump in inflation, another seeming contradiction.</p>
<p>Retail experts and analysts who follow inflation say the Fed’s inflation outlook is not likely to get any help soon from the prices of clothes, home appliances, electronics, cars or other goods.</p>
<p>The 1.3 percent drop in apparel prices recorded in November was the largest since 1998, when the move to globalized supply chains and the integration of China into the world economy were still gaining momentum.</p>
<p>Now, it is the transformation of how things are sold and how consumers shop that is holding down prices, said Blerina Uruci, vice president of economic research at Barclays (LON:), and there is no sign of the process letting up soon.</p>
<p>The use of e-commerce sites like Amazon (NASDAQ:) still only accounts for about 10 percent of retail sales, Uruci noted, and the impact of technological innovation on sales and distribution will likely take years to run its course.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, consumers are becoming more adept with the tools at hand. Anyone looking for underwear in a brick-and-mortar store can quickly compare prices on a phone.</p>
<p>Technology is “allowing shoppers to push retailers towards a very competitive environment,” said Rick Helfenbein, president and chief executive officer of the American Apparel and Footwear Association.</p>
<p>“Retailers have reacted.”</p> | false | 1 | howard schneider washington reuters incoming federal reserve chair jerome powell works holiday shopping list might consider nearly 50 percent discount could get buying calvin klein underwear online instead local mall litany reasons explains us consumer price inflation stalled drop clothing prices last month largest 20 years takes place alongside cheap cellphone contracts oneoff declines drug prices cheap gasoline among others fed considers price drops transitory enough row central bank miss inflation target five years running fresh economic projections week indicate policymakers remain mystified prices rising given unemployment 17year low economy growing steadily fed met week raised shortterm interest rates fifth time since late 2015 inflation issue triggered two dissents among nine voters policysetting federal open market committee division could widen inflation low time chicago fed president charles evans said dissenting statement friday evans voting monetary policy 2018 framed low inflation longterm problem businesses households stop believing fed committed 2 percent inflation target low steady level inflation considered healthy developed economies depends importantly public psychology expectations evans said appear drifted new chair old problem debate likely dog powell early months fed chief hard fed justify rate increases unless inflation moves toward central banks target turn would saddle powell exceptionally low interest rates little room respond rate reductions event recession fed chair janet yellen final press conference head central bank little advice acknowledge something may fundamentally wrong fed looks inflation unemployment important relationship tried straightforward saying could end something ingrained turns permanent important watch necessary rethink yellen told reporters wednesday referring feds inflation miss economic projections issued week feds policy meeting contained seems internal tension economic growth forecast accelerate next year unemployment drop 39 percent current 41 percent put level low enough mean workers leverage demand wage increases businesses feel emboldened raise prices yet inflation seen rising fed say expects raise rates faster already planned fed officials say preferred forecast inflation around 17 percent year rising 19 percent 2018 reaching 20 percent 2019 staying made similar projections past wrong list possible reasons yellen like evans cited possible slip public expectations said fed may also simply misunderstand inflation unemployment relate current economy millions workingage adults still sidelines job market choosing parttime work expanding gig economy theoretically unemployment rate inflation rises estimates come yellen said conceivable need come even projections last week median forecast fed officials kept estimated longerrun unemployment rate 46 percent yet also saw unemployment averaging 4 percent 2020 without appreciable jump inflation another seeming contradiction retail experts analysts follow inflation say feds inflation outlook likely get help soon prices clothes home appliances electronics cars goods 13 percent drop apparel prices recorded november largest since 1998 move globalized supply chains integration china world economy still gaining momentum transformation things sold consumers shop holding prices said blerina uruci vice president economic research barclays lon sign process letting soon use ecommerce sites like amazon nasdaq still accounts 10 percent retail sales uruci noted impact technological innovation sales distribution likely take years run course meanwhile consumers becoming adept tools hand anyone looking underwear brickandmortar store quickly compare prices phone technology allowing shoppers push retailers towards competitive environment said rick helfenbein president chief executive officer american apparel footwear association retailers reacted | 525 |
<p>Much has been written about the origins and earliest years of baseball, and much, much more has been written about the period after the founding of the American League and the introduction of the rule to make foul balls strikes in 1901, from which point most people date the modern game.</p>
<p>Much less well known is the period from the founding of the National League (NL) in 1876 to the end of the century, and Edward Achorn helps to fill in the gap with&#160;The Summer of Beer and Whiskey—an allusion to the short-lived American Association (AA), also known as the Beer and Whiskey League, for its owners’ practice (unlike that of the more abstemious NL) of selling alcoholic beverages to spectators. In particular, he concentrates on the exciting pennant race of the 1883 season, which he regards as the real beginning of baseball—or “base ball,” as it was then known—as the national pastime.</p>
<p>The AA, which was one of several startup leagues in the last quarter of the 19th century, and which was to amalgamate with the National League nine years later, had been founded the year before as a sort of&#160;salon des refusés&#160;for teams expelled from the stodgier NL by its dictatorial president, William Hulbert of the Chicago White Stockings. Hulbert objected not only to the beer and whiskey but also to the AA teams’ charging only 25 cents admission and playing on Sundays. That kind of thing, he thought, would attract the wrong sort to the game and would drive away the professional classes, which, though smaller in numbers than the raucous crowds that showed up for AA games, were clearly a better class of people.</p>
<p>Achorn’s history lesson goes down easily not only because of his account of the epic battle between the St. Louis Brown Stockings and the Philadelphia Athletics, which was full of drama and came down to the last day of the season, but also because of the colorful characters who populated the game in those days. Chief among them, and the hero of this volume, was a German immigrant named Chris Von der Ahe, a St. Louis grocer and saloonkeeper who bought the Browns chiefly as a way to sell more beer. Though he was a buffoonish character of ridiculous appearance and very uncertain command of English, Von der Ahe was farsighted about the future of baseball and deserves to be remembered as one of the pioneers of the professional game—as well as a memorable figure in his own right.</p>
<p>Von der Ahe’s own knowledge of the game was sketchy, to say the least. At one point, he bragged that his diamond at Sportsman’s Park was the biggest in the league, until it was explained to him that they were all of a standard size. But he was shrewd enough to hire as his manager an Irish immigrant named Ted Sullivan, who built the team into a powerhouse, and he was temperamental enough to fire Sullivan and take over the team himself as the season approached its exciting climax. His passionate nature got him into more than one kind of trouble, and eventually he lost the team and all his money. A hundred years ago this summer, at the age of 61, he died broke and, like so many of his star players of 30 years before, all but forgotten.</p>
<p>Even without the beer and the Sunday games, there was a more-than-faintly scandalous air about baseball in those early days. Professional players were frequently drunks and womanizers, or in trouble with the law. Some who came from what were considered “good” families—like Harry Stovey, born Harry Stowe, of Philadelphia and the Athletics—changed their names so that the family name would not be sullied and, in some cases, so that the families wouldn’t know how they were making their living.</p>
<p>The game also took a hard physical toll on its players, whose careers tended to be short. In those days, pitchers were routinely expected not only to pitch complete games but to pitch on successive days—until their arms were so worn out that a second pitcher had to be put in. Some teams ran to the luxury of a third pitcher, but usually this was a player at another position who could turn his hand to pitching when both regular pitchers were incapacitated. Then the incapacitated ones, if they were capable of walking at all, would often have to play in the field and take their turn at bat. Team rosters consisted of only 12 or 13 men, with those not playing on a given day obliged to take tickets.</p>
<p>Though the “dead ball” era is usually dated from 1901 to 1920, the 1883 ball was perhaps even deader. It was rubber-centered, rather than cork, and only one was normally used per game—which made rigor mortis set in by the late innings. Foul balls were still not strikes, but those caught on the bounce were outs. Seven balls were required for a walk, and batters could choose high or low strike zones. The plate umpire had to adjust with each batter, and was further kept busy by having to rule from behind the plate on long foul balls and plays on the base paths, as he was the only umpire on the field. There is no record of spectators actually killing an umpire, but more than one of them had to run from a mob of “fans” (Ted Sullivan may have coined the term that season)—in fear for his life.</p>
<p>Batters hit by a pitch did not take their base, which led some pitchers, such as George Washington “Grin” Bradley of the Athletics and Tony Mullane of the Browns, to hit people deliberately as a form of intimidation. Pitchers did not stand on a mound, but in a four-by-six-foot pitcher’s box, which allowed them a brief run-up for their delivery. The front edge of the pitcher’s box was only 50 feet from home plate and further increased a pitcher’s scope for intimidation. Officially, at that time, the pitcher’s elbow was not allowed to rise above his shoulder, a relic of the days when pitching had been underhand. But the rule was widely flouted in 1883 and was changed to allow an overhand delivery the following year.</p>
<p>The Athletics’ most sensational (if not always their best) pitcher was Dan “Jumping Jack” Jones, recruited right out of Yale, the Ivy League champions, in the heat of the pennant struggle as relief for the team’s fading stars, Bradley and little Bobby “Shrimp” Mathews. Jones’s distinctive delivery involved a leap skywards to give further impetus to the ball and was widely ridiculed even when it briefly made him successful. Nobody as yet wore a glove, except for the catcher—Jones’s battery-mate from Yale, Al Hubbard, was signed along with him—who had two of them, one on each hand with the fingers cut off. Naturally, playing hurt was a normal part of the game for more than just pitchers.</p>
<p>“Base Ball is old in the world,” a joke from the&#160;St. Louis Globe-Democrat&#160;of the period informed its readers, “as is proven by the very first line of Genesis: ‘In the big inning .  .  .’ ” Baseball may not be as old as the world, but it’s good to learn that the joke is almost as old as baseball, whose colorful early days and characters, especially Chris Von der Ahe, could hardly have hoped for a better retelling than Edward Achorn’s.</p>
<p>James Bowman, the author of&#160;Honor, A History&#160;and&#160;Media Madness: The Corruption of Our Political Culture, is a resident scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.</p> | false | 1 | much written origins earliest years baseball much much written period founding american league introduction rule make foul balls strikes 1901 point people date modern game much less well known period founding national league nl 1876 end century edward achorn helps fill gap with160the summer beer whiskeyan allusion shortlived american association aa also known beer whiskey league owners practice unlike abstemious nl selling alcoholic beverages spectators particular concentrates exciting pennant race 1883 season regards real beginning baseballor base ball knownas national pastime aa one several startup leagues last quarter 19th century amalgamate national league nine years later founded year sort of160salon des refusés160for teams expelled stodgier nl dictatorial president william hulbert chicago white stockings hulbert objected beer whiskey also aa teams charging 25 cents admission playing sundays kind thing thought would attract wrong sort game would drive away professional classes though smaller numbers raucous crowds showed aa games clearly better class people achorns history lesson goes easily account epic battle st louis brown stockings philadelphia athletics full drama came last day season also colorful characters populated game days chief among hero volume german immigrant named chris von der ahe st louis grocer saloonkeeper bought browns chiefly way sell beer though buffoonish character ridiculous appearance uncertain command english von der ahe farsighted future baseball deserves remembered one pioneers professional gameas well memorable figure right von der ahes knowledge game sketchy say least one point bragged diamond sportsmans park biggest league explained standard size shrewd enough hire manager irish immigrant named ted sullivan built team powerhouse temperamental enough fire sullivan take team season approached exciting climax passionate nature got one kind trouble eventually lost team money hundred years ago summer age 61 died broke like many star players 30 years forgotten even without beer sunday games morethanfaintly scandalous air baseball early days professional players frequently drunks womanizers trouble law came considered good familieslike harry stovey born harry stowe philadelphia athleticschanged names family name would sullied cases families wouldnt know making living game also took hard physical toll players whose careers tended short days pitchers routinely expected pitch complete games pitch successive daysuntil arms worn second pitcher put teams ran luxury third pitcher usually player another position could turn hand pitching regular pitchers incapacitated incapacitated ones capable walking would often play field take turn bat team rosters consisted 12 13 men playing given day obliged take tickets though dead ball era usually dated 1901 1920 1883 ball perhaps even deader rubbercentered rather cork one normally used per gamewhich made rigor mortis set late innings foul balls still strikes caught bounce outs seven balls required walk batters could choose high low strike zones plate umpire adjust batter kept busy rule behind plate long foul balls plays base paths umpire field record spectators actually killing umpire one run mob fans ted sullivan may coined term seasonin fear life batters hit pitch take base led pitchers george washington grin bradley athletics tony mullane browns hit people deliberately form intimidation pitchers stand mound fourbysixfoot pitchers box allowed brief runup delivery front edge pitchers box 50 feet home plate increased pitchers scope intimidation officially time pitchers elbow allowed rise shoulder relic days pitching underhand rule widely flouted 1883 changed allow overhand delivery following year athletics sensational always best pitcher dan jumping jack jones recruited right yale ivy league champions heat pennant struggle relief teams fading stars bradley little bobby shrimp mathews joness distinctive delivery involved leap skywards give impetus ball widely ridiculed even briefly made successful nobody yet wore glove except catcherjoness batterymate yale al hubbard signed along himwho two one hand fingers cut naturally playing hurt normal part game pitchers base ball old world joke the160st louis globedemocrat160of period informed readers proven first line genesis big inning baseball may old world good learn joke almost old baseball whose colorful early days characters especially chris von der ahe could hardly hoped better retelling edward achorns james bowman author of160honor history160and160media madness corruption political culture resident scholar ethics public policy center | 661 |
<p>The following is a dialogue between EPPC Senior Fellow Henry Olsen and&#160;New York Times contributing op-ed writer Thomas Edsall&#160;on the forces threatening to blow apart the Democratic and Republican coalitions.</p>
<p>HENRY OLSEN:&#160;Going on a year since Donald Trump’s remarkable presidential victory, Republicans and Democrats are still struggling to understand what happened in November 2016 and what it means for the country’s future—and, needless to say, for the future of the two parties. My view is straightforward: Donald Trump is president because he won the group of voters I call “Trump Democrats”—once known as Reagan Democrats. They’re blue-collar—or non-collared—white voters without college degrees. Outside the more culturally conservative South, these voters tend to support Democrats. They anchor many of the counties throughout the Midwest and Appalachia, which, before Trump, Republicans had failed to carry since the Reagan or even Nixon campaigns.</p>
<p>The Trump Democrats fit between the two parties. They don’t generally care about social issues, so they can go either way on abortion, same-sex marriage, or traditional gender roles. They are patriotic and support the military but aren’t hawkish when it comes to fighting overseas. And most important, they believe that the government should play an active but limited role in the economy—a smaller role than what Democrats envision but significantly more involvement than the typical Republican approach would allow.</p>
<p>Though these voters make up a large proportion of the electorate, they’re distributed heavily throughout swing states like Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In Trump, these voters found a presidential candidate who echoed their concerns—particularly their doubts about immigration and trade, which they see as major drivers of labor competition. They found somebody who loved them, and they loved him back.</p>
<p>THOMAS EDSALL:&#160;I agree that Trump’s appeal, especially on immigration, was a major factor in swinging this group of voters to the Republicans after so long. But the Democratic Party’s own changes, in character and composition, were just as crucial. At the policymaking level, the Democratic Party has become much more affluent and cosmopolitan. On average, Democratic voters and voters who lean toward the Democratic Party now have higher levels of education than Republicans, which was not the case throughout the twentieth century. Instead of a class-based party, the Democrats are an alliance, on the one hand, of relatively well-off whites who take liberal stands on social issues, and, on the other hand, of much less well-off minorities. The Democratic base has also become more concentrated in urban centers, while Republicans are relatively more concentrated in exurban and rural areas.</p>
<p>While in general agreement on social and identity issues, the so-called upscale and downscale wings of the Democratic Party are considerably at odds on economic issues calling for redistribution.</p>
<p>All Americans took a big economic hit beginning in 2007, but nonurban areas where Republicans made gains in 2016 have struggled to recover, whereas many of the cities where Democrats do well have come back strong. To a significant degree, the Democratic Party has become the hybrid party of college-educated, culturally liberal elites in an alliance with a majority of African-American voters (roughly 88 percent) and Hispanic voters (66 percent). The Republican Party, at the same time, has become the party of white America—the broadly defined white working and middle class—especially those white voters who perceive themselves as under siege by minorities and immigrants and as disadvantaged in labor markets by globalization and robotization.</p>
<p>OLSEN:&#160;Trump’s ability to appeal to these voters earned him a ticket to the White House, but there’s no guarantee that Republicans will retain their support. We essentially have been having a tennis game of realignment for the last decade, with the Democrats and Republicans taking turns double-faulting. They keep taking their eyes off the ball—the ball being this type of middle-of-the-road voter.</p>
<p>For Republicans to keep these voters, they have to include them, as Ronald Reagan urged them to do in his 1977 speech at the Conservative Political Action Committee’s annual meeting. But 40 years later, the Republican Party still has not embraced policies that would directly help working-class voters. The party platform consists entirely of indirect investments in workers, through corporate tax cuts—as opposed to direct investments, through programs like wage subsidies. If Republicans don’t begin to address workers’ needs directly, they won’t earn their commitment in the long term.</p>
<p>EDSALL:&#160;Trump did campaign on those ideas, at least more than any previous Republican had. Still, it remains unclear whether he will be able to deliver substantively on his promises—or if he will instead settle for delivering primarily in rhetorical and symbolic terms.</p>
<p>OLSEN:&#160;If you’re right, Trump and the Republicans would be squandering a marvelous opportunity—again. Republicans have had several chances over the last 70 years to build a long-term middle- and working-class majority. But each time, they’ve pursued an agenda that works against a key priority of those whose votes they had just won: I’m thinking of the Taft-Hartley Act that weakened unions in 1947 and the Gingrich Revolution in 1994, where Republicans decided to pursue spending cuts by cutting programs that their voters supported. Now the trend could be continuing, with the entitlement reform that Paul Ryan and the Freedom Caucus are pushing.</p>
<p>EDSALL:&#160;And yet, while the Republicans struggle to retain working-class voters, the Democrats face their own difficulties in capitalizing on Republican vulnerabilities. Their leaders are torn between prioritizing the interests of the party’s affluent wing and delivering expected benefits to their large minority constituency.</p>
<p>OLSEN:&#160;They might be deferential to their affluent voters, but the Democrats remain divided about economic matters in a way that will make it hard for them to expand their coalition. If they really want to embrace their new role as the cosmopolitan party and attract the kind of moderate conservative who voted for, say, John Kasich in the Republican primaries, they’ll have to avoid saying that we should raise taxes on the rich at three levels: an income-tax increase, a capital-gains tax increase, and a new Medicare single-payer tax increase. And they’ll have to quit lambasting people working in industries like financial services.</p>
<p>I think that for Republicans, Governor Scott Walker’s coalition in Wisconsin is the way of the future. The Walker administration has geared its tax cuts toward the middle class. An article of faith among the GOP in Washington is that the way to create growth is rapid and dramatic tax cuts for the most productive citizens—meaning corporations and wealthy people. By contrast, Walker’s income-tax cuts reduce lower-bracket rates by more. He focuses more on property taxes and income taxes. And rather than directly cutting the corporate tax rate, he’s lowered companies’ tax burdens by offering credits for job creation. Do you see anyone on the Democratic side doing this kind of thing?</p>
<p>EDSALL:&#160;I’m not optimistic about the Democratic Party. The challenges of holding together a biracial, multiethnic coalition spearheaded by a culturally liberal, relatively affluent white cosmopolitan vanguard are daunting. I’m intrigued by figures like Governor Steve Bullock in Montana, Senator Joe Manchin in West Virginia, and former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper. They are sort of Western-style Democrats. These are guys with decided bases of support who have had to make some tough choices. And a lot of them are governors. Being a governor is a much better training ground for the presidency than being a senator. You have to make zero-sum choices. If you’re a senator, you can shoot your mouth off, but governors have a range of life-and-death decisions on their hands.</p>
<p>I don’t see decisive long-term dominance for either party. Trump I see as a fading light. Insofar as the prime Republican selling point in 2016 was the Republican promise to curtail immigration radically, the party may need strong nationalists like Steve Bannon. In terms of restructuring the economy, along lines that Trump promised, a project of such economic and technological complexity may well require the guys from Goldman Sachs. In the end, it can be as hard to manage a center-right as a center-left coalition.</p>
<p>OLSEN:&#160;Democrats need to remember that there’s a difference between midterm and presidential elections. Midterms are an opportunity for resistance, which is what Republicans have done successfully in the past few election cycles. So a Democratic strategy of resistance to Trump—compounded by the president’s errors—could give them an enormous opportunity for a wave. It probably wouldn’t show up in the Senate, as many more incumbent Democrats than Republicans are up for election in 2018. But it could show up in the House and in governorship races—especially the latter. The Republicans hold 14 governorships in states that were won by Bill Clinton twice and Obama twice or won by Obama twice and Trump once. That’s where I think you’ll see the Democratic wave, if there is one.</p>
<p>Currently, the Republicans hold the governorship in every state that touches the Great Lakes other than Minnesota; but come 2018, it’s possible that Walker will be the only one to survive, once the others have termed out. Suddenly, the GOP will lose control of the congressional redistricting process, which, on the margins, has helped it retain between 10 and 20 seats.</p>
<p>EDSALL:&#160;The danger for the Democrats is that they might bank too much on Republican weakness. This strategy worked for them in 1974, after Watergate, and eventually resulted in Jimmy Carter’s victory in 1976. They did not win on the basis of a changed electorate or a new way of appealing to that electorate; and in pursuing a purely oppositional strategy, they lost their chance to build a broader coalition, which Reagan and the Republicans accomplished, beginning in 1980. The Democrats haven’t seen a change in the composition of the party, whereas the Republican Party, first with Reagan, then with Gingrich, and then with Trump, has been going through a lot of internal compositional changes. The Democratic Party has not been going through this—or the forced intellectual vigor that such change requires. I think that the Democrats have a lot of ground-level work to do—in some cases, painful work—to rebuild their appeal to swing voters.</p>
<p>OLSEN:&#160;Republicans had the same problem after 2008, of course. After Obama’s victory and the Democratic wave in the Senate, the GOP had less representation at the national level than at any time since 1978. Then, after they reclaimed the House in 2010, many Republicans thought, “Obama’s an aberration. We can just double down on our anti-governmentism.” Again, their failure to listen to the voters who swept them into office led to a fragile governing mandate.</p>
<p>The GOP in Washington remains unbelievably resistant to the idea that it has to adapt to create a majority. Many Republicans see the Trump victory as an aberration or a rejection of Hillary Clinton, rather than a popular embrace of the heterodox positions that Trump championed during the election. Like the Democrats in 2009, GOP leaders seem to think: “We’ve got an unusual majority, so let’s take the opportunity to push our old agenda through.” That kind of blindness to the things that got them elected has set them up for a potentially rude awakening in 2018, when they’ll miss a chance to increase their majority in the Senate, and may get walloped in the House.</p>
<p>Republicans have to develop a better sense of their constituents’ actual needs, and they really need to prioritize a message to their youngest constituents. The majority of young Americans are people of color, did not graduate from college, and are likely underemployed or in stagnant positions. You need a more nationalist economic agenda, one less focused on cutting taxes for the well-to-do and more designed to provide help for people struggling to do better. If Republicans do that, they will do better among young Hispanic voters, who may be trying, for example, to go to community college.</p>
<p>If Republicans run on this kind of Rudy Giuliani–style Republicanism, economically vulnerable young voters of all backgrounds will find them more attractive. The same approach might make them less appealing to the college-educated young people in professional industries because the rhetoric would be culturally conservative and the tax policy would be geared toward families and middle-earners. But that upper-class slice of young voters doesn’t present the best shot for GOP growth in the near term.</p>
<p>EDSALL:&#160;I agree with you about the political importance for both Republicans and Democrats of appealing to people of color, Hispanic voters, people struggling to do better, and economically vulnerable young voters of all backgrounds. Another point: people often raise the possibility of a third-party candidate who could bridge the gap that we’re talking about—appealing to cultural liberals and middle-class voters who stand to benefit from pro-industry policies. But I think that gaining traction from outside the two-party structure remains daunting. A third-party candidate would need to start with $1 billion just to get off the ground. So you have to start with a billionaire. And they tend to be individuals and not party people—like a Ross Perot. They’re not coherent in the sense of knowing how they want to allocate resources. As for a “centrist” third-party candidate, the trouble is that such a position is so bland that it won’t appeal to anyone. We have a very polarized electorate. Michael Bloomberg, for example, could say, “I’m going to represent reasonable, thoughtful solutions.” People just drop off to sleep. And then you have the challenges in getting on the ballot everywhere, and where do you campaign? You’re no longer targeting the 15 battleground states; you might be all over the map. Our whole structure is geared to two parties.</p>
<p>OLSEN:&#160;That’s right. Third-party candidates usually run into that wall. Sometimes they attract a committed following, but it’s always far short of a majority. Trump did something different: he took a minority of voters and created a plurality within the Republican Party, launched a hostile takeover, and then used the party’s institutional machinery to launch an attack on the other party. That cannot readily be duplicated.</p>
<p>A true third-party candidate would have almost no chance of being elected absent the sort of economic downturn that we hope not to see. If we had a massive economic depression, for instance, and voters saw both parties as irresponsible or out of touch, one could imagine it happening. But there’s no sign that that’s where we’re heading.</p>
<p>For now, the two parties and the coalitions that they’re appealing to are largely set in place. A Republican presidential candidate who tried to gain the votes of more moderate, upper-class voters would have to position himself in a way that might risk losing the support of other voters. Why? Because the sort of independent voters who backed moderate conservatives like Charlie Baker in Massachusetts would never vote for a pro-life candidate, while to hold on to the Southern evangelicals, the moderate Republican nominee would have to pretend, at least, to be pro-life.</p>
<p>You have to play in a way that retains your base while attracting just enough new voters to gain a majority. Eventually, after exhausting every alternative, one of the two parties will coalesce around a platform that looks like the Scott Walker policy model, but on a national level. That’s how I see it. It’s up to Republican leaders to secure their political majority and governing mandate.</p>
<p>Thomas B. Edsall is a&#160;New York Times&#160;contributing op-ed writer and the author of&#160; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385535198/manhattaninstitu/" type="external">The Age of Austerity: How Scarcity Will Remake American Politics</a>. Henry Olsen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. He is the author of&#160; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062475266/manhattaninstitu/" type="external">The Working Class Republican: Ronald Reagan and the Return of Blue-Collar Conservatism</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 1 | following dialogue eppc senior fellow henry olsen and160new york times contributing oped writer thomas edsall160on forces threatening blow apart democratic republican coalitions henry olsen160going year since donald trumps remarkable presidential victory republicans democrats still struggling understand happened november 2016 means countrys futureand needless say future two parties view straightforward donald trump president group voters call trump democratsonce known reagan democrats theyre bluecollaror noncollaredwhite voters without college degrees outside culturally conservative south voters tend support democrats anchor many counties throughout midwest appalachia trump republicans failed carry since reagan even nixon campaigns trump democrats fit two parties dont generally care social issues go either way abortion samesex marriage traditional gender roles patriotic support military arent hawkish comes fighting overseas important believe government play active limited role economya smaller role democrats envision significantly involvement typical republican approach would allow though voters make large proportion electorate theyre distributed heavily throughout swing states like ohio iowa michigan wisconsin trump voters found presidential candidate echoed concernsparticularly doubts immigration trade see major drivers labor competition found somebody loved loved back thomas edsall160i agree trumps appeal especially immigration major factor swinging group voters republicans long democratic partys changes character composition crucial policymaking level democratic party become much affluent cosmopolitan average democratic voters voters lean toward democratic party higher levels education republicans case throughout twentieth century instead classbased party democrats alliance one hand relatively welloff whites take liberal stands social issues hand much less welloff minorities democratic base also become concentrated urban centers republicans relatively concentrated exurban rural areas general agreement social identity issues socalled upscale downscale wings democratic party considerably odds economic issues calling redistribution americans took big economic hit beginning 2007 nonurban areas republicans made gains 2016 struggled recover whereas many cities democrats well come back strong significant degree democratic party become hybrid party collegeeducated culturally liberal elites alliance majority africanamerican voters roughly 88 percent hispanic voters 66 percent republican party time become party white americathe broadly defined white working middle classespecially white voters perceive siege minorities immigrants disadvantaged labor markets globalization robotization olsen160trumps ability appeal voters earned ticket white house theres guarantee republicans retain support essentially tennis game realignment last decade democrats republicans taking turns doublefaulting keep taking eyes ballthe ball type middleoftheroad voter republicans keep voters include ronald reagan urged 1977 speech conservative political action committees annual meeting 40 years later republican party still embraced policies would directly help workingclass voters party platform consists entirely indirect investments workers corporate tax cutsas opposed direct investments programs like wage subsidies republicans dont begin address workers needs directly wont earn commitment long term edsall160trump campaign ideas least previous republican still remains unclear whether able deliver substantively promisesor instead settle delivering primarily rhetorical symbolic terms olsen160if youre right trump republicans would squandering marvelous opportunityagain republicans several chances last 70 years build longterm middle workingclass majority time theyve pursued agenda works key priority whose votes im thinking tafthartley act weakened unions 1947 gingrich revolution 1994 republicans decided pursue spending cuts cutting programs voters supported trend could continuing entitlement reform paul ryan freedom caucus pushing edsall160and yet republicans struggle retain workingclass voters democrats face difficulties capitalizing republican vulnerabilities leaders torn prioritizing interests partys affluent wing delivering expected benefits large minority constituency olsen160they might deferential affluent voters democrats remain divided economic matters way make hard expand coalition really want embrace new role cosmopolitan party attract kind moderate conservative voted say john kasich republican primaries theyll avoid saying raise taxes rich three levels incometax increase capitalgains tax increase new medicare singlepayer tax increase theyll quit lambasting people working industries like financial services think republicans governor scott walkers coalition wisconsin way future walker administration geared tax cuts toward middle class article faith among gop washington way create growth rapid dramatic tax cuts productive citizensmeaning corporations wealthy people contrast walkers incometax cuts reduce lowerbracket rates focuses property taxes income taxes rather directly cutting corporate tax rate hes lowered companies tax burdens offering credits job creation see anyone democratic side kind thing edsall160im optimistic democratic party challenges holding together biracial multiethnic coalition spearheaded culturally liberal relatively affluent white cosmopolitan vanguard daunting im intrigued figures like governor steve bullock montana senator joe manchin west virginia former colorado governor john hickenlooper sort westernstyle democrats guys decided bases support make tough choices lot governors governor much better training ground presidency senator make zerosum choices youre senator shoot mouth governors range lifeanddeath decisions hands dont see decisive longterm dominance either party trump see fading light insofar prime republican selling point 2016 republican promise curtail immigration radically party may need strong nationalists like steve bannon terms restructuring economy along lines trump promised project economic technological complexity may well require guys goldman sachs end hard manage centerright centerleft coalition olsen160democrats need remember theres difference midterm presidential elections midterms opportunity resistance republicans done successfully past election cycles democratic strategy resistance trumpcompounded presidents errorscould give enormous opportunity wave probably wouldnt show senate many incumbent democrats republicans election 2018 could show house governorship racesespecially latter republicans hold 14 governorships states bill clinton twice obama twice obama twice trump thats think youll see democratic wave one currently republicans hold governorship every state touches great lakes minnesota come 2018 possible walker one survive others termed suddenly gop lose control congressional redistricting process margins helped retain 10 20 seats edsall160the danger democrats might bank much republican weakness strategy worked 1974 watergate eventually resulted jimmy carters victory 1976 win basis changed electorate new way appealing electorate pursuing purely oppositional strategy lost chance build broader coalition reagan republicans accomplished beginning 1980 democrats havent seen change composition party whereas republican party first reagan gingrich trump going lot internal compositional changes democratic party going thisor forced intellectual vigor change requires think democrats lot groundlevel work doin cases painful workto rebuild appeal swing voters olsen160republicans problem 2008 course obamas victory democratic wave senate gop less representation national level time since 1978 reclaimed house 2010 many republicans thought obamas aberration double antigovernmentism failure listen voters swept office led fragile governing mandate gop washington remains unbelievably resistant idea adapt create majority many republicans see trump victory aberration rejection hillary clinton rather popular embrace heterodox positions trump championed election like democrats 2009 gop leaders seem think weve got unusual majority lets take opportunity push old agenda kind blindness things got elected set potentially rude awakening 2018 theyll miss chance increase majority senate may get walloped house republicans develop better sense constituents actual needs really need prioritize message youngest constituents majority young americans people color graduate college likely underemployed stagnant positions need nationalist economic agenda one less focused cutting taxes welltodo designed provide help people struggling better republicans better among young hispanic voters may trying example go community college republicans run kind rudy giulianistyle republicanism economically vulnerable young voters backgrounds find attractive approach might make less appealing collegeeducated young people professional industries rhetoric would culturally conservative tax policy would geared toward families middleearners upperclass slice young voters doesnt present best shot gop growth near term edsall160i agree political importance republicans democrats appealing people color hispanic voters people struggling better economically vulnerable young voters backgrounds another point people often raise possibility thirdparty candidate could bridge gap talking aboutappealing cultural liberals middleclass voters stand benefit proindustry policies think gaining traction outside twoparty structure remains daunting thirdparty candidate would need start 1 billion get ground start billionaire tend individuals party peoplelike ross perot theyre coherent sense knowing want allocate resources centrist thirdparty candidate trouble position bland wont appeal anyone polarized electorate michael bloomberg example could say im going represent reasonable thoughtful solutions people drop sleep challenges getting ballot everywhere campaign youre longer targeting 15 battleground states might map whole structure geared two parties olsen160thats right thirdparty candidates usually run wall sometimes attract committed following always far short majority trump something different took minority voters created plurality within republican party launched hostile takeover used partys institutional machinery launch attack party readily duplicated true thirdparty candidate would almost chance elected absent sort economic downturn hope see massive economic depression instance voters saw parties irresponsible touch one could imagine happening theres sign thats heading two parties coalitions theyre appealing largely set place republican presidential candidate tried gain votes moderate upperclass voters would position way might risk losing support voters sort independent voters backed moderate conservatives like charlie baker massachusetts would never vote prolife candidate hold southern evangelicals moderate republican nominee would pretend least prolife play way retains base attracting enough new voters gain majority eventually exhausting every alternative one two parties coalesce around platform looks like scott walker policy model national level thats see republican leaders secure political majority governing mandate thomas b edsall a160new york times160contributing oped writer author of160 age austerity scarcity remake american politics henry olsen senior fellow ethics public policy center author of160 working class republican ronald reagan return bluecollar conservatism 160 | 1,453 |
<p>This originally <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/450356/berkeley-chancellor-dirks-mischaracterizes-goldwater-proposal" type="external">appeared</a> under the title “Berkeley Chancellor Dirks Mischaracterizes Goldwater Proposal” at National Review Online.</p>
<p>Nicholas Dirks, who recently&#160; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/17/us/nicholas-dirks-resigns-as-chancellor-of-university-of-california-berkeley.html" type="external">resigned</a>&#160;as chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, argues in a long essay in&#160;The Washington Post&#160;that universities are “ <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/08/09/the-real-issue-in-the-campus-speech-debate-the-university-is-under-assault/?utm_term=.2a1647b35715" type="external">under assault</a>” from illiberal leftist demonstrators, on the one hand, and conservative-sponsored campus free-speech legislation, on the other. Dirks is particularly disconcerted by state legislation modeled on the proposal I co-authored with Jim Manley and Jonathan Butcher of Arizona’s Goldwater Institute.</p>
<p>It’s a neat trick to equate the threats posed by antifa rioters and speaker shout-downs with&#160; <a href="https://goldwater-media.s3.amazonaws.com/cms_page_media/2017/2/2/X_Campus%20Free%20Speech%20Paper.pdf" type="external">proposed legislation</a>&#160;modeled on the classic defenses of university free-speech (Yale’s Woodward Report and the University of Chicago’s Kalven and Stone Reports). Dirks even confesses that on reading through the Goldwater proposal, “at first blush” its provisions “seem reasonable, even necessary.” Yet he maintains that provisions on institutional neutrality and on discipline for speaker shout-downs are out of bounds. He calls these provisions, “concerted efforts to take direct political control over public colleges and universities.”</p>
<p>This is a serious distortion. In characterizing the Goldwater proposal, Dirks speaks only of the legislature, never mentioning the word “trustees.” Yet the Goldwater proposal works by drawing state university trustees more deeply into the management of free-speech related issues. And of course, trustees are a public university’s rightful governing body. With administrative mishandling of campus free-speech an entirely legitimate matter of public concern, it’s time for university trustees to step up and act as a check on administrative abuse. That is what the Goldwater proposal ensures.</p>
<p>Even then, the Goldwater proposal works with a far lighter touch than Dirks implies. Institutional neutrality has been a pillar of campus free speech at least since the University of Chicago issued its famous&#160; <a href="http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/07/pdf/kalverpt.pdf" type="external">Kalven Report</a>&#160;of 1967. The idea is that universities should work to remain neutral on controversial political issues so as not to pressure students or faculty to toe an official political line. This is particularly important at public universities, which service taxpayers who hold a wide spectrum of political views. Yet neutrality can never be perfect. Some issues are so central to the university’s daily functioning—a tuition increase, for example—that a school has to take a stand on them.</p>
<p>That’s why the Goldwater proposal, contrary to Dirks’ implication, does not mandate any specific policy on neutrality. All it does is articulate the neutrality principle as broad goal worth striving for. Then it asks that a committee of trustees issue an annual public report describing how they think administrators are doing at upholding the neutrality principle. That report would not be a mandate, but it would at least put a group of trustees on record on the issue.</p>
<p>On discipline for students who shout-down visiting speakers, Dirks complains of the requirement that students be suspended after twice silencing others. But this is manifestly an area in which university administrators have failed to act. With the single and&#160; <a href="http://www.campusreform.org/?ID=9565" type="external">partial</a>&#160;exception of last school-year’s speaker shout-down at&#160; <a href="http://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2017/07/25/one-and-a-half_cheers_for_claremont_mckenna_110179.html" type="external">Claremont College</a>, university administrators have systematically failed to issue any significant discipline for shout-downs. And there have been&#160; <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/448132/year-shout-down-worse-you-think-campus-free-speech" type="external">many more shout-downs</a>&#160;than the public realizes.</p>
<p>Yale’s famous&#160; <a href="http://yalecollege.yale.edu/deans-office/reports/report-committee-freedom-expression-yale" type="external">Woodward Report</a>&#160;of 1974, the classic affirmation of campus free speech, called for suspension or expulsion of students after even a single serious shout-down. The Goldwater proposal is mild by comparison, inserting a bare minimum requirement only to prevent administrators from forgoing discipline for shout-downs&#160;ad infinitum. Unfortunately, that is precisely what the vast majority of administrators now do. UC Berkeley bears a special burden of responsibility in this regard.&#160; <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/446634/understanding-campus-free-speech-crisis" type="external">Berkeley’s failure to discipline a series of shout-downs</a>&#160;stretching from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s helped to launch the current phase of our campus free-speech crisis.</p>
<p>Beyond requiring discipline for those who repeatedly silence others, the Goldwater proposal leaves it up to a subcommittee of university trustees to issue an annual report on the administrative handling of discipline for shout-downs and related issues. Again, this report is not a mandate. It has only the power of sunlight and persuasion. Yet when it comes to universities, never underestimate the power of public scrutiny. University administrators already capitulate to hecklers just to keep their schools off the front pages. The Goldwater proposal’s purpose is to create a counter-pressure on administrators to uphold rather than surrender our liberties. That is what the public report accomplishes.</p>
<p>Dirks led UC Berkeley during last academic year’s free-speech crises, so I can well understand his aversion to further public scrutiny. Some thoughtful observers have&#160; <a href="http://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2017/02/06/berkeley_ablaze_the_new_civics_in_action_110114.html" type="external">suggested</a>&#160;that Dirks’ public statements may have contributed to the Yiannopoulos fiasco. Others believe that had the university allowed the police to be more forceful, the Berkeley riot could have been prevented. And while Dirks defends Berkeley’s handling of proposed talks by&#160; <a href="https://www.thefire.org/fire-statement-on-the-cancellation-of-ann-coulters-speech-at-uc-berkeley/" type="external">Ann Coulter</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="http://www.dailywire.com/news/18881/breaking-berkeley-follows-through-promise-find-james-barrett" type="external">Ben Shapiro</a>&#160;(but fails to mention the controversy over a proposed talk by&#160; <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=9064" type="external">David Horowitz</a>), many observers believe that the Dirks administration manipulated concerns about public safety to keep conservative speakers out.</p>
<p>A public report on UC Berkeley’s handling of free speech from a committee of trustees with full access to administrative records could clear much of this up. At minimum, the report could shed greater light on whether UC Berkeley’s administration manipulated fears of violence to silence speech. The mere prospect of such a report will act as a check on administrators inclined to capitulate to illiberal demonstrators or abuse their ability to regulate campus speech. Similarly, a truly informed and convincing report could exonerate administrators unfairly accused of missteps, boosting public confidence in the process.</p>
<p>Of course a report that came off as a whitewash would provoke public criticism, but that is all to the good. Administrators typically want these controversies to fade away, but the public rightly demands an accounting. And again, the annual trustee reports that so disturb Dirks have only the power of sunlight and persuasion.</p>
<p>Of course the legislature holds the power of the purse, while trustees can both make policy and replace administrators who refuse to protect free speech. But the Goldwater proposal adds nothing to these powers. Instead it utilizes sunlight and persuasion to prod the existing system of university governance into protecting and preserving our freedom of speech.</p>
<p>Stanley Kurtz is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a></p> | false | 1 | originally appeared title berkeley chancellor dirks mischaracterizes goldwater proposal national review online nicholas dirks recently160 resigned160as chancellor university california berkeley argues long essay in160the washington post160that universities assault illiberal leftist demonstrators one hand conservativesponsored campus freespeech legislation dirks particularly disconcerted state legislation modeled proposal coauthored jim manley jonathan butcher arizonas goldwater institute neat trick equate threats posed antifa rioters speaker shoutdowns with160 proposed legislation160modeled classic defenses university freespeech yales woodward report university chicagos kalven stone reports dirks even confesses reading goldwater proposal first blush provisions seem reasonable even necessary yet maintains provisions institutional neutrality discipline speaker shoutdowns bounds calls provisions concerted efforts take direct political control public colleges universities serious distortion characterizing goldwater proposal dirks speaks legislature never mentioning word trustees yet goldwater proposal works drawing state university trustees deeply management freespeech related issues course trustees public universitys rightful governing body administrative mishandling campus freespeech entirely legitimate matter public concern time university trustees step act check administrative abuse goldwater proposal ensures even goldwater proposal works far lighter touch dirks implies institutional neutrality pillar campus free speech least since university chicago issued famous160 kalven report160of 1967 idea universities work remain neutral controversial political issues pressure students faculty toe official political line particularly important public universities service taxpayers hold wide spectrum political views yet neutrality never perfect issues central universitys daily functioninga tuition increase examplethat school take stand thats goldwater proposal contrary dirks implication mandate specific policy neutrality articulate neutrality principle broad goal worth striving asks committee trustees issue annual public report describing think administrators upholding neutrality principle report would mandate would least put group trustees record issue discipline students shoutdown visiting speakers dirks complains requirement students suspended twice silencing others manifestly area university administrators failed act single and160 partial160exception last schoolyears speaker shoutdown at160 claremont college university administrators systematically failed issue significant discipline shoutdowns been160 many shoutdowns160than public realizes yales famous160 woodward report160of 1974 classic affirmation campus free speech called suspension expulsion students even single serious shoutdown goldwater proposal mild comparison inserting bare minimum requirement prevent administrators forgoing discipline shoutdowns160ad infinitum unfortunately precisely vast majority administrators uc berkeley bears special burden responsibility regard160 berkeleys failure discipline series shoutdowns160stretching mid1980s early 2000s helped launch current phase campus freespeech crisis beyond requiring discipline repeatedly silence others goldwater proposal leaves subcommittee university trustees issue annual report administrative handling discipline shoutdowns related issues report mandate power sunlight persuasion yet comes universities never underestimate power public scrutiny university administrators already capitulate hecklers keep schools front pages goldwater proposals purpose create counterpressure administrators uphold rather surrender liberties public report accomplishes dirks led uc berkeley last academic years freespeech crises well understand aversion public scrutiny thoughtful observers have160 suggested160that dirks public statements may contributed yiannopoulos fiasco others believe university allowed police forceful berkeley riot could prevented dirks defends berkeleys handling proposed talks by160 ann coulter160and160 ben shapiro160but fails mention controversy proposed talk by160 david horowitz many observers believe dirks administration manipulated concerns public safety keep conservative speakers public report uc berkeleys handling free speech committee trustees full access administrative records could clear much minimum report could shed greater light whether uc berkeleys administration manipulated fears violence silence speech mere prospect report act check administrators inclined capitulate illiberal demonstrators abuse ability regulate campus speech similarly truly informed convincing report could exonerate administrators unfairly accused missteps boosting public confidence process course report came whitewash would provoke public criticism good administrators typically want controversies fade away public rightly demands accounting annual trustee reports disturb dirks power sunlight persuasion course legislature holds power purse trustees make policy replace administrators refuse protect free speech goldwater proposal adds nothing powers instead utilizes sunlight persuasion prod existing system university governance protecting preserving freedom speech stanley kurtz senior fellow ethics public policy center reached commentskurtznationalreviewcom | 619 |
<p>Washington’s reckless and irresponsible destruction of the trust achieved by Reagan and Gorbachev has resurrected the possibility of nuclear war.</p>
<p>This week I was invited to address an important conference of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow.&#160; Scholars from Russia and from around the world, Russian government officials, and the Russian people seek an answer as to why Washington destroyed during the past year the friendly relations between America and Russia that President Reagan and President Gorbachev succeeded in establishing.&#160; All of Russia is distressed that Washington alone has destroyed the trust between the two major nuclear powers that had been created during the Reagan-Gorbachev era, trust that had removed the threat of nuclear armageddon. Russians at every level are astonished at the virulent propaganda and lies constantly issuing from Washington and the Western media. Washington’s gratuitous demonization of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has rallied the Russian people behind him.&#160; Putin has the highest approval rating ever achieved by any leader in my lifetime.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-24491" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/paul-craig-roberts-alexander-hamilton-300x210.jpg" alt="Paul Craig Roberts in front of a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury." width="300" height="210" /&gt; Washington’s reckless and irresponsible destruction of the trust achieved by Reagan and Gorbachev has resurrected the possibility of nuclear war from the grave in which Reagan and Gorbachev buried it.&#160; Again, as during the Cold War, the specter of nuclear armageddon stalks the earth.</p>
<p>Why did Washington revive the threat of world annihilation?&#160; Why is this threat to all of humanity supported by the majority of the US Congress, by the entirety of the presstitute media, and by academics and think-tank inhabitants in the US, such as Motyl and Weiss, about whom I wrote recently?</p>
<p>It was my task to answer this question for the conference.&#160; You can read my February 25 and February 26 addresses below.&#160; But first you should understand what nuclear war means.&#160; You can <a href="http://thebulletin.org/what-would-happen-if-800-kiloton-nuclear-warhead-detonated-above-midtown-manhattan8023" type="external">gain that understanding here</a>.</p>
<p>Address to the 70th Anniversary of the Yalta Conference, Hosted by Institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Moscow, February 25, 2015,&#160; Hon. Paul Craig Roberts</p>
<p>Colleagues,</p>
<p>What I propose to you is that the current difficulties in the international order are unrelated to Yalta and its consequences, but have their origin in the rise of the neoconservative ideology in the post-Soviet era and its influence on Washington’s foreign policy.</p>
<p>The collapse of the Soviet Union removed the only constraint on Washington’s power to act unilaterally abroad.&#160; At that time China’s rise was estimated to require a half century. Suddenly the United States found itself to be the Uni-power, the “world’s only superpower.”&#160; Neoconservatives proclaimed “the end of history.”</p>
<p>By the “end of history” neoconservatives mean that the competition between socio-economic-political systems is at an end.&#160; History has chosen “American Democratic-Capitalism.” It is Washington’s responsibility to exercise the hegemony over the world given to Washington by History and to bring the world in line with History’s choice of American democratic-capitalism.</p>
<p>In other words, Marx has been proven wrong.&#160; The future does not belong to the proletariat but to Washington.</p>
<p>The neoconservative ideology raises the United States to the unique status of being “the exceptional country,” and the American people acquire exalted status as “the indispensable people.”</p>
<p>If a country is “the exceptional country,” it means that all other countries are unexceptional.&#160; If a people are “indispensable,” it means other peoples are dispensable. We have seen this attitude at work in Washington’s 14 years of wars of aggression in the Middle East. These wars have left countries destroyed and millions of people dead, maimed, and displaced. Yet Washington continues to speak of its commitment to protect smaller countries from the aggression of larger countries.&#160; The explanation for this hypocrisy is that Washington does not regard Washington’s aggression as aggression, but as History’s purpose.</p>
<p>We have also seen this attitude at work in Washington’s disdain for Russia’s national interests and in Washington’s propagandistic response to Russian diplomacy.</p>
<p>The neoconservative ideology requires that Washington maintain its Uni-power status, because this status is necessary for Washington’s hegemony and History’s purpose.</p>
<p>The neoconservative doctrine of US world supremacy is most clearly and concisely stated by Paul Wolfowitz, a leading neoconservative who has held many high positions: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Director of Policy Planning US Department of State, Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador to Indonesia, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Deputy Secretary of Defense, President of the World Bank.</p>
<p>In 1992 Paul Wolfowitz stated the neoconservative doctrine of American world supremacy:</p>
<p>&#160;“Our first objective is to prevent the re-emergence of a new rival, either on the territory of the former Soviet Union or elsewhere, that poses a threat on the order of that posed formerly by the Soviet Union. This is a dominant consideration underlying the new regional defense strategy and requires that we endeavor to prevent any hostile power from dominating a region whose resources would, under consolidated control, be sufficient to generate global power.”</p>
<p>For clarification, a “hostile power” is a country with an independent policy (Russia, China, Iran, and formerly Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi, Assad).</p>
<p>This bold statement struck the traditional American foreign policy establishment as a declaration of American Imperialism.&#160; The document was rewritten in order to soften and disguise the blatant assertion of supremacy without changing the intent.&#160; These documents are available online, and you can examine them at your convenience.</p>
<p>Softening the language allowed the neoconservatives to rise to foreign policy dominance. The neoconservatives are responsible for the Clinton regime’s attacks on Yugoslavia and Serbia. Neoconservatives, especially Paul Wolfowitz, are responsible for the George W. Bush regime’s invasion of Iraq. The neoconservatives are responsible for the overthrow and murder of Gaddafi in Libya, the assault on Syria, the propaganda against Iran, the drone attacks on Pakistan and Yemen, the color revolutions in former Soviet Republics, the attempted “Green Revolution” in Iran, the coup in Ukraine, and the demonization of Vladimir Putin.</p>
<p>A number of thoughtful Americans suspect that the neoconservatives are responsible for 9/11, as that event gave the neoconservatives the “New Pearl Harbor” that their position papers said was necessary in order to launch their wars for hegemony in the Middle East.&#160; 9/11 led directly and instantly to the invasion of Afghanistan, where Washington has been fighting since 2001. Neoconservatives controlled all the important government positions necessary for a “false flag” attack.</p>
<p>Neoconservative Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who is married to another neoconservative, Robert Kagan, implemented and oversaw Washington’s coup in Ukraine and chose the new government.</p>
<p>The neoconservatives are highly organized and networked, well-financed, supported by the print and TV media, and backed by the US military/security complex and the Israel Lobby.&#160; There is no countervailing power to their influence on US foreign power.</p>
<p>The neoconservative doctrine goes beyond the Brzezinski doctrine, which dissented from Detente and provocatively supported dissidents inside the Soviet empire. Despite its provocative character, the Brzezinski doctrine remained a doctrine of Great Power politics and containment. It is not a doctrine of US world hegemony.</p>
<p>While the neoconservatives were preoccupied for a decade with their wars in the Middle East, creating a US Africa Command, organizing color revolutions, exiting disarmament treaties, surrounding Russia with military bases, and “pivoting to Asia” to surround China with new air and naval bases, Vladimir Putin led Russia back to economic and military competence and successfully asserted an independent Russian foreign policy.</p>
<p>When Russian diplomacy blocked Washington’s planned invasion of Syria and Washington’s planned bombing of Iran, the neoconservatives realized that they had failed the “first objective” of the Wolfowitz Doctrine and had allowed “the re-emergence of a new rival . . . on the territory of the former Soviet Union” with the power to block unilateral action by Washington.</p>
<p>The attack on Russia began. Washington had spent $5 billion over a decade creating non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Ukraine and cultivating Ukrainian politicians.&#160; The NGOs were called into the streets. The extreme nationalists or nazi elements were used to introduce violence, and the elected democratic government was overthrown. The intercepted conversation between Victoria Nuland and the US ambassador in Kiev, in which the two Washington operatives choose the members of the new Ukrainian government, is well known.</p>
<p>If the information that has recently come to me from Armenia and Kyrgyzstan is correct, Washington has financed NGOs and is cultivating politicians in Armenia and the former Soviet Central Asian Republics.&#160; If the information is correct, Russia can expect more “color revolutions” or coups in other former territories of the Soviet Union.&#160; Perhaps China faces a similar threat in Uyghurstan.</p>
<p>The conflict in Ukraine is often called a “civil war.”&#160; This is incorrect.&#160; A civil war is when two sides fight for the control of the government.&#160; The break-away republics in eastern and southern Ukraine are fighting a war of secession.</p>
<p>Washington would have been happy to use its coup in Ukraine to evict Russia from its Black Sea naval base as this would have been a strategic military achievement.&#160; However, Washington is pleased that the “Ukraine crisis” that Washington orchestrated has resulted in the demonization of Vladimir Putin, thus permitting economic sanctions that have disrupted Russia’s economic and political relations with Europe. The sanctions have kept Europe in Washington’s orbit.</p>
<p>Washington has no interest in resolving the Ukrainian situation.&#160; The situation can be resolved diplomatically only if Europe can achieve sufficient sovereignty over its foreign policy to act in Europe’s interest instead of Washington’s interest.</p>
<p>The neoconservative doctrine of US world hegemony is a threat to the sovereignty of every country.&#160; The doctrine requires subservience to Washington’s leadership and to Washington’s purposes.&#160; Independent governments are targeted for destabilization. The Obama regime overthrew the reformist government in Honduras and currently is at work destabilizing Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Argentina, and most likely also Armenia and the former Central Asian Soviet Republics.</p>
<p>Yalta and its consequences have to do with Great Power rivalries.&#160; But in the neoconservative doctrine, there is only one Great Power—the Uni-power.&#160; There are no others, and no others are to be permitted.</p>
<p>Therefore, unless a moderate foreign policy arises in Washington and displaces the neoconservatives, the future is one of conflict.</p>
<p>It would be a strategic error to dismiss the neoconservative ideology as unrealistic. The doctrine is unrealistic, but it is also the guiding force of US foreign policy and is capable of producing a world war.</p>
<p>In their conflict with Washington’s hegemony, Russia and China are disadvantaged. The success of American propaganda during the Cold War, the large differences between living standards in the US and those in communist lands, overt communist political oppression, at times brutal, and the Soviet collapse created in the minds of many people nonexistent virtues for the United States. As English is the world language and the Western media is cooperative, Washington is able to control explanations regardless of the facts. The ability of Washington to be the aggressor and to blame the victim encourages Washington’s march to more aggression.</p>
<p>This concludes my remarks.&#160; Tomorrow I will address whether there are domestic political restraints or economic restraints on the neoconservative ideology.</p>
<p>Colleagues,</p>
<p>At the plenary session yesterday I addressed the threat that the neoconservative ideology poses to international relations.&#160; In this closing session I address whether there are any internal restraints on this policy from the US population and whether there are economic restraints.</p>
<p>Just as 9/11 served to launch Washington’s wars for hegemony in the Middle East, 9/11 served to create the American police state.&#160; The Constitution and the civil liberties it protects quickly fell to the accumulation of power in the executive branch that a state of war permitted.</p>
<p>New laws, some clearly pre-prepared such as the PATRIOT Act, executive orders, presidential directives, and Department of Justice memos created an executive authority unaccountable to the US Constitution and to domestic and international law.</p>
<p>Suddenly Americans could be detained indefinitely without cause presented to a court. Habeas corpus, a constitutional protection which prohibits any such detention, has been set aside.</p>
<p>Suddenly people could be tortured into confessions in violation of the right against self-incrimination and in violation of domestic and international laws against torture.</p>
<p>Suddenly Americans and Washington’s closest allies could be spied on indiscriminately without the need of warrants demonstrating cause.</p>
<p>The Obama regime added to the Bush regime’s transgressions the assertion of the right of the executive branch to assassinate US citizens without due process of law.</p>
<p>The police state was organized under a massive new Department of Homeland Security.&#160; Almost immediately whistleblower protections, freedom of the press and speech, and protest rights were attacked and reduced.</p>
<p>It was not long before the director of Homeland Security declared that the department’s focus has shifted from Muslim terrorists to “domestic extremists,” an undefined category. Anyone can be swept into this category.&#160; Homes of war protesters were raided and grand juries were convened to investigate the protesters. Americans of Arab descent who donated to charities—even charities on the State Department’s approved list—that aided Palestinian children were arrested and sentenced to prison for “providing material support to terrorism.”</p>
<p>All of this and more, including police brutality, has had a chilling effect on protests against the wars and the loss of civil liberty. &#160; The rising protests from the American population and from soldiers themselves that eventually forced Washington to end the Vietnam War have been prevented in the 21st century by the erosion of rights, intimidation, loss of mobility (no-fly list), job dismissal, and other heavy-handed actions inconsistent with a government accountable to law and the people.</p>
<p>In an important sense, the US has emerged from the “war on terror” as an executive branch dictatorship unconstrained by the media and barely, if at all, constrained by Congress and the federal courts. The lawlessness of the executive branch has spread into governments of Washington’s vassal states and into the Federal Reserve, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Central Bank, all of which violate their charters and operate outside their legal powers.</p>
<p>Jobs offshoring destroyed the American industrial and manufacturing unions. Their demise and the current attack on the public employee unions has left the Democratic Party financially dependent on the same organized private interest groups as the Republicans.&#160; Both parties now report to the same interest groups. Wall Street, the military/security complex, the Israel Lobby, agribusiness, and the extractive industries (oil, mining, timber) control the government regardless of the party in power. These powerful interests all have a stake in American hegemony.</p>
<p>The message is that the constellation of forces preclude internal political change.</p>
<p>Hegemony’s Archilles heel is the US economy. The fairy tale of American economic recovery supports America’s image as the safe haven, an image that keeps the dollar’s value up, the stock market up, and interest rates down.&#160; However, there is no economic information that supports this fairy tale.</p>
<p>Real median household income has not grown for years and is below the levels of the early 1970s. There has been no growth in real retail sales for six years. The labor force is shrinking. The labor force participation rate has declined since 2007 as has the civilian employment to population ratio. The 5.7 percent reported unemployment rate is achieved by not counting discouraged workers as part of the work force. (A discouraged worker is a person who is unable to find a job and has given up looking.)</p>
<p>A second official unemployment rate, which counts short-term (less than one year) discouraged workers and is seldom reported, stands at 11.2 percent.&#160; The US government stopped including long-term discouraged workers (discouraged for more than one year) in 1994.&#160; If the long-term discouraged are counted, the current unemployment rate in the US stands at 23.2 percent.</p>
<p>The offshoring of American manufacturing and professional service jobs such as software engineering and Information Technology has decimated the middle class. The middle class has not found jobs with incomes comparable to those moved abroad. The labor cost savings from offshoring the jobs to Asia has boosted corporate profits, the performance bonuses of executives and capital gains of shareholders. Thus all income and wealth gains are concentrated in a few hands at the top of the income distribution.&#160; The number of billionaires grows as destitution reaches from the lower economic class into the middle class.&#160; American university graduates unable to find jobs return to their childhood rooms in their parents’ homes and work as waitresses and bartenders in part-time jobs that will not support an independent existence.</p>
<p>With a large percentage of the young economically unable to form households, residential construction, home furnishings, and home appliances suffer economic weakness.&#160; Cars can still be sold only because the purchaser can obtain 100 percent financing in a six-year loan.&#160; The lenders sell the loans, which are securitized and sold to gullible investors, just as were the mortgage-backed financial instruments that precipitated the 2007 US financial crash.</p>
<p>None of the problems that created the 2008 recession, and that were created by the 2008 recession, have been addressed.&#160; Instead, policymakers have used an expansion of debt and money to paper over the problems. Money and debt have grown much more than US GDP, which raises questions about the value of the US dollar and the credit worthiness of the US government.&#160; On July 8, 2014, my colleagues and I pointed out that <a href="http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/07/08/deteriorating-economic-outlook/" type="external">when correctly measured, US national debt stands at 185 percent of GDP</a>.</p>
<p>This raises the question: Why was the credit rating of Russia, a country with an extremely low ratio of debt to GDP, downgraded and not that of the US?&#160; The answer is that the downgrading of Russian credit worthiness was a political act directed against Russia in behalf of US hegemony.</p>
<p>How long can fairy tales and political acts keep the US house of cards standing?&#160; A rigged stock market.&#160; A rigged interest rate. A rigged dollar exchange value, a rigged and suppressed gold price.&#160; The current Western financial system rests on world support for the US dollar and on nothing more.</p>
<p>The problem with neoliberal economics, which pervades all countries, even Russia and China, is that neoliberal economics is a tool of American economic imperialism, as is Globalism.&#160; As long as countries targeted by Washington for destabilization support and cling to the American doctrines that enable the destabilization, the targets are defenseless.</p>
<p>If Russia, China, and the BRICS Bank were willing to finance Greece, Italy, and Spain, perhaps those countries could be separated from the EU and NATO.&#160; The unraveling of Washington’s empire would begin.</p> | false | 1 | washingtons reckless irresponsible destruction trust achieved reagan gorbachev resurrected possibility nuclear war week invited address important conference russian academy sciences moscow160 scholars russia around world russian government officials russian people seek answer washington destroyed past year friendly relations america russia president reagan president gorbachev succeeded establishing160 russia distressed washington alone destroyed trust two major nuclear powers created reagangorbachev era trust removed threat nuclear armageddon russians every level astonished virulent propaganda lies constantly issuing washington western media washingtons gratuitous demonization russian president vladimir putin rallied russian people behind him160 putin highest approval rating ever achieved leader lifetime ltimg classalignleft sizemedium wpimage24491 srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201412paulcraigrobertsalexanderhamilton300x210jpg altpaul craig roberts front portrait alexander hamilton first secretary treasury width300 height210 gt washingtons reckless irresponsible destruction trust achieved reagan gorbachev resurrected possibility nuclear war grave reagan gorbachev buried it160 cold war specter nuclear armageddon stalks earth washington revive threat world annihilation160 threat humanity supported majority us congress entirety presstitute media academics thinktank inhabitants us motyl weiss wrote recently task answer question conference160 read february 25 february 26 addresses below160 first understand nuclear war means160 gain understanding address 70th anniversary yalta conference hosted institutes russian academy sciences moscow state institute international relations moscow february 25 2015160 hon paul craig roberts colleagues propose current difficulties international order unrelated yalta consequences origin rise neoconservative ideology postsoviet era influence washingtons foreign policy collapse soviet union removed constraint washingtons power act unilaterally abroad160 time chinas rise estimated require half century suddenly united states found unipower worlds superpower160 neoconservatives proclaimed end history end history neoconservatives mean competition socioeconomicpolitical systems end160 history chosen american democraticcapitalism washingtons responsibility exercise hegemony world given washington history bring world line historys choice american democraticcapitalism words marx proven wrong160 future belong proletariat washington neoconservative ideology raises united states unique status exceptional country american people acquire exalted status indispensable people country exceptional country means countries unexceptional160 people indispensable means peoples dispensable seen attitude work washingtons 14 years wars aggression middle east wars left countries destroyed millions people dead maimed displaced yet washington continues speak commitment protect smaller countries aggression larger countries160 explanation hypocrisy washington regard washingtons aggression aggression historys purpose also seen attitude work washingtons disdain russias national interests washingtons propagandistic response russian diplomacy neoconservative ideology requires washington maintain unipower status status necessary washingtons hegemony historys purpose neoconservative doctrine us world supremacy clearly concisely stated paul wolfowitz leading neoconservative held many high positions deputy assistant secretary defense director policy planning us department state assistant secretary state ambassador indonesia undersecretary defense policy deputy secretary defense president world bank 1992 paul wolfowitz stated neoconservative doctrine american world supremacy 160our first objective prevent reemergence new rival either territory former soviet union elsewhere poses threat order posed formerly soviet union dominant consideration underlying new regional defense strategy requires endeavor prevent hostile power dominating region whose resources would consolidated control sufficient generate global power clarification hostile power country independent policy russia china iran formerly saddam hussein gaddafi assad bold statement struck traditional american foreign policy establishment declaration american imperialism160 document rewritten order soften disguise blatant assertion supremacy without changing intent160 documents available online examine convenience softening language allowed neoconservatives rise foreign policy dominance neoconservatives responsible clinton regimes attacks yugoslavia serbia neoconservatives especially paul wolfowitz responsible george w bush regimes invasion iraq neoconservatives responsible overthrow murder gaddafi libya assault syria propaganda iran drone attacks pakistan yemen color revolutions former soviet republics attempted green revolution iran coup ukraine demonization vladimir putin number thoughtful americans suspect neoconservatives responsible 911 event gave neoconservatives new pearl harbor position papers said necessary order launch wars hegemony middle east160 911 led directly instantly invasion afghanistan washington fighting since 2001 neoconservatives controlled important government positions necessary false flag attack neoconservative assistant secretary state victoria nuland married another neoconservative robert kagan implemented oversaw washingtons coup ukraine chose new government neoconservatives highly organized networked wellfinanced supported print tv media backed us militarysecurity complex israel lobby160 countervailing power influence us foreign power neoconservative doctrine goes beyond brzezinski doctrine dissented detente provocatively supported dissidents inside soviet empire despite provocative character brzezinski doctrine remained doctrine great power politics containment doctrine us world hegemony neoconservatives preoccupied decade wars middle east creating us africa command organizing color revolutions exiting disarmament treaties surrounding russia military bases pivoting asia surround china new air naval bases vladimir putin led russia back economic military competence successfully asserted independent russian foreign policy russian diplomacy blocked washingtons planned invasion syria washingtons planned bombing iran neoconservatives realized failed first objective wolfowitz doctrine allowed reemergence new rival territory former soviet union power block unilateral action washington attack russia began washington spent 5 billion decade creating nongovernmental organizations ngos ukraine cultivating ukrainian politicians160 ngos called streets extreme nationalists nazi elements used introduce violence elected democratic government overthrown intercepted conversation victoria nuland us ambassador kiev two washington operatives choose members new ukrainian government well known information recently come armenia kyrgyzstan correct washington financed ngos cultivating politicians armenia former soviet central asian republics160 information correct russia expect color revolutions coups former territories soviet union160 perhaps china faces similar threat uyghurstan conflict ukraine often called civil war160 incorrect160 civil war two sides fight control government160 breakaway republics eastern southern ukraine fighting war secession washington would happy use coup ukraine evict russia black sea naval base would strategic military achievement160 however washington pleased ukraine crisis washington orchestrated resulted demonization vladimir putin thus permitting economic sanctions disrupted russias economic political relations europe sanctions kept europe washingtons orbit washington interest resolving ukrainian situation160 situation resolved diplomatically europe achieve sufficient sovereignty foreign policy act europes interest instead washingtons interest neoconservative doctrine us world hegemony threat sovereignty every country160 doctrine requires subservience washingtons leadership washingtons purposes160 independent governments targeted destabilization obama regime overthrew reformist government honduras currently work destabilizing venezuela bolivia ecuador argentina likely also armenia former central asian soviet republics yalta consequences great power rivalries160 neoconservative doctrine one great powerthe unipower160 others others permitted therefore unless moderate foreign policy arises washington displaces neoconservatives future one conflict would strategic error dismiss neoconservative ideology unrealistic doctrine unrealistic also guiding force us foreign policy capable producing world war conflict washingtons hegemony russia china disadvantaged success american propaganda cold war large differences living standards us communist lands overt communist political oppression times brutal soviet collapse created minds many people nonexistent virtues united states english world language western media cooperative washington able control explanations regardless facts ability washington aggressor blame victim encourages washingtons march aggression concludes remarks160 tomorrow address whether domestic political restraints economic restraints neoconservative ideology colleagues plenary session yesterday addressed threat neoconservative ideology poses international relations160 closing session address whether internal restraints policy us population whether economic restraints 911 served launch washingtons wars hegemony middle east 911 served create american police state160 constitution civil liberties protects quickly fell accumulation power executive branch state war permitted new laws clearly preprepared patriot act executive orders presidential directives department justice memos created executive authority unaccountable us constitution domestic international law suddenly americans could detained indefinitely without cause presented court habeas corpus constitutional protection prohibits detention set aside suddenly people could tortured confessions violation right selfincrimination violation domestic international laws torture suddenly americans washingtons closest allies could spied indiscriminately without need warrants demonstrating cause obama regime added bush regimes transgressions assertion right executive branch assassinate us citizens without due process law police state organized massive new department homeland security160 almost immediately whistleblower protections freedom press speech protest rights attacked reduced long director homeland security declared departments focus shifted muslim terrorists domestic extremists undefined category anyone swept category160 homes war protesters raided grand juries convened investigate protesters americans arab descent donated charitieseven charities state departments approved listthat aided palestinian children arrested sentenced prison providing material support terrorism including police brutality chilling effect protests wars loss civil liberty 160 rising protests american population soldiers eventually forced washington end vietnam war prevented 21st century erosion rights intimidation loss mobility nofly list job dismissal heavyhanded actions inconsistent government accountable law people important sense us emerged war terror executive branch dictatorship unconstrained media barely constrained congress federal courts lawlessness executive branch spread governments washingtons vassal states federal reserve international monetary fund european central bank violate charters operate outside legal powers jobs offshoring destroyed american industrial manufacturing unions demise current attack public employee unions left democratic party financially dependent organized private interest groups republicans160 parties report interest groups wall street militarysecurity complex israel lobby agribusiness extractive industries oil mining timber control government regardless party power powerful interests stake american hegemony message constellation forces preclude internal political change hegemonys archilles heel us economy fairy tale american economic recovery supports americas image safe image keeps dollars value stock market interest rates down160 however economic information supports fairy tale real median household income grown years levels early 1970s growth real retail sales six years labor force shrinking labor force participation rate declined since 2007 civilian employment population ratio 57 percent reported unemployment rate achieved counting discouraged workers part work force discouraged worker person unable find job given looking second official unemployment rate counts shortterm less one year discouraged workers seldom reported stands 112 percent160 us government stopped including longterm discouraged workers discouraged one year 1994160 longterm discouraged counted current unemployment rate us stands 232 percent offshoring american manufacturing professional service jobs software engineering information technology decimated middle class middle class found jobs incomes comparable moved abroad labor cost savings offshoring jobs asia boosted corporate profits performance bonuses executives capital gains shareholders thus income wealth gains concentrated hands top income distribution160 number billionaires grows destitution reaches lower economic class middle class160 american university graduates unable find jobs return childhood rooms parents homes work waitresses bartenders parttime jobs support independent existence large percentage young economically unable form households residential construction home furnishings home appliances suffer economic weakness160 cars still sold purchaser obtain 100 percent financing sixyear loan160 lenders sell loans securitized sold gullible investors mortgagebacked financial instruments precipitated 2007 us financial crash none problems created 2008 recession created 2008 recession addressed160 instead policymakers used expansion debt money paper problems money debt grown much us gdp raises questions value us dollar credit worthiness us government160 july 8 2014 colleagues pointed correctly measured us national debt stands 185 percent gdp raises question credit rating russia country extremely low ratio debt gdp downgraded us160 answer downgrading russian credit worthiness political act directed russia behalf us hegemony long fairy tales political acts keep us house cards standing160 rigged stock market160 rigged interest rate rigged dollar exchange value rigged suppressed gold price160 current western financial system rests world support us dollar nothing problem neoliberal economics pervades countries even russia china neoliberal economics tool american economic imperialism globalism160 long countries targeted washington destabilization support cling american doctrines enable destabilization targets defenseless russia china brics bank willing finance greece italy spain perhaps countries could separated eu nato160 unraveling washingtons empire would begin | 1,780 |
<p>This summer, on eight successive Tuesday evenings, I am presenting a series called “Isn’t It Romantic? Romance at the Movies, 1934-1989” at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington. (Go to <a href="" type="internal">www.eppc.org/movies</a> for details or to register to attend.) The second film in the series was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033045/" type="external">The Shop Around the Corner</a> (1940) by Ernst Lubitsch, shown on June 24th. Before the screening, I spoke as follows:</p>
<p><a href="/publications/pubid.3433/pub_detail.asp" type="external">Last week I spoke of the long history of Western romance</a> that culminated in what I called the “domestic romance” – or what a more politically oriented critic than I am might call the bourgeois romance – of the golden age of Hollywood and the popular culture in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. It Happened One Night was such a romance, but there was also a strong class element to it, a looking beyond the middle class audience it was intended for and towards a quasi-aristocratic world which would once have been seen as the natural home for romance. The domestic romance is inevitably about property – the setting up of a new home – and so the happiness which it portends is naturally enhanced by the presence, even though it may be (as in It Happened One Night) only in the offing, of a large sum of money. Where would Cinderella be, after all, without the prince?</p>
<p>But tonight’s movie, The Shop Around the Corner of 1940, an adaptation of a play by the Hungarian playwright, Miklós László by the German-Jewish director, Ernst Lubitsch, is in this sense at least, a much more austere example of domestic romance. Alfred Kralik, played by James Stewart, is not a prince and Klara Novak, played by Margaret Sullavan, is not, even potentially, a princess. Both are humble assistants in the luggage and gift shop in Budapest owned by Hugo Matuschek (Frank Morgan). Neither seems remotely capable of the kind of extravagant, princely gesture that was our first introduction to Clark Gable in It Happened One Night, where he told off the boss while drunk as a sort of glorious declaration of independence. And yet Kralik shows that he is prepared to resign on a point of principle, as well as to tell the boss things that he doesn’t want to hear.</p>
<p>In spite of their emphatically lower-middle-class origins, both Mr Kralik and Miss Novak – I love how they are so formal with each other – do have one window into the world of their social betters from whence the idea of romance has descended to them. This is in their love of literature, which is the subject of their anonymous correspondence. Indeed, it appears that they themselves become poets, inspired by each other, and fall in love with a world of generous spiritedness and sensitivity that both of them harbor within them but that both must keep carefully out of sight while attending to their duties at Mr Matuschek’s shop. They profess not to be interested in “the vulgar details of how we earn our daily bread” or even in any close inquiry into what they pretend to regard as the superficial question of each other’s physical attractiveness. “What does it matter as long as our minds meet?” says Klara in the letter Kralik reads reverently to his confidant, Mr Pirovich (Felix Bressart).</p>
<p>At this distance of time we are able to note the irony by which nothing that they do so clearly marks them out as members of the lower middle class as this lust for “culture” and self-improvement, this earnest belief in the purity and disinterestedness of motive in any love worthy of the name, and this belief in the vulgarity of mere material considerations.The token, along with the red carnation, by which they are to recognize each other is Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, an example of what would have been thought to be “advanced” literature a generation or two before their time – the self-improving bourgeoisie come to these things a bit late – because it dealt with adultery. To them the novel must have been a fatal and tragic but beautiful love story resulting from the principals’ disregard of merely prudential considerations. It was also, in case anyone was interested, a token of their high-mindedness and their claim to belong to an aristocracy of taste which is part of their entitlement to engage in the old aristocratic pastime of romance.</p>
<p>It is important to recognize that Lubitsch, throughout the film, makes relentless fun of all these pretentious delusions without for a moment allowing us to lose our affection for the two deluded lovers. In realizing that they love each other, they also have to realize that they are as susceptible as anyone else to the superficial and material side of love. And when Kralik realizes this a little sooner than Miss Novak, he gives her a lesson in reality with his fable about his alter ego, Mathias Popkin, the short, bald, unemployed man who proposes to live on her salary, which so alarms her just before she learns the truth. But it takes them the whole movie to get to this point. When the chastened Alfred Kralik first realizes that he has been wrong about Miss Novak, he says gently to her, “You know, people seldom go to the trouble of scratching the surface of things to find the inner truth.”</p>
<p>Her reply is scathing. “Well I really wouldn”t care to scratch your surface, Mr. Kralik, because I know exactly what I”d find. Instead of a heart, a hand-bag. Instead of a soul, a suitcase. And instead of an intellect, a cigarette lighter – which doesn”t work.” Her scorn for her lover’s workaday self as head salesman for Matuschek and Company is really scorn for herself and for the reality of her own life. It is something she has to be purged of in order to be able to understand what love really means.</p>
<p>In general, The Shop Around the Corner explores the gap between the ideal and the real in love – not only in terms of the images that James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan have of each other from their correspondence as opposed to those that they have in the shop but also in terms of Mr Matuschek’s obviously failing marriage. The reality of adultery turns out to be nothing like the romance of Anna Karenina. There’s another way, too, in which the ideal and the real come into conflict. It’s pretty obvious that Klara Novak has been the victim of what we would call sexual harassment at one or more of her previous places of employment, and she has had recourse to the only remedy for it that was available to many another young woman of the time – if she were brave and determined enough – which was to leave and find another job. If she could. For, as in the other two pre-war films we’re showing this summer, the looming presence of the Depression is always there in the background, though seldom brought out into the open. This is why Miss Novak is so desperate to get a job at Matuschek and Company when she first comes into the shop.</p>
<p>Under the circumstances it is hardly surprising that she should attempt to escape from the sordid reality of being groped by her employer in an idealized love-affair carried on by anonymous correspondence. And yet there is an ambiguity about this as well. On the one hand, even when she is at her most hostile to Mr Kralik, she feels for him a grudging respect and pays him the compliment of saying that he is her idea of a gentleman since, as she puts it, “When you say, Miss Novak, I want you to come into the stock room and put some bags away, you really mean you want to put some bags away.” Later, however, just at the point where she thinks she is about to find happiness with somebody else and therefore is safe from the attraction that she feels, she confesses to him that “there were some days in the stockroom when you could have swept me off my feet.” The so-called “psychological confusion” that both of them confess to at this point is one way of describing the vertiginous con sciousness that welcome and unwelcome sexual advances are sometimes a little hard to tell apart – though today it would be all but impossible even to suggest such a thing.</p>
<p>This brings up a final point that follows on from something that was said in our discussion last week of It Happened One Night. Amy Kass and one or two others who were here then made the point that the marriage between Clark Gable’s Peter Warne and Claudette Colbert’s Ellie Andrews would have been doomed from the start, so little did they seem to have in common. By explaining why I think that is the wrong way to look at that film, I hope I can also explain something about tonight’s, although I expect Amy and others will want to challenge this view of the matter in the discussion that will follow our screening.</p>
<p>Every romance is a highly wrought time sculpture, and plot is as essential to it as it is to a spy thriller. This is the story of how two people met and fell in love, and every detail of that story is of significance because if the story had not happened just as it did, and the events had not taken place in precisely the order that they did, an event of life-changing importance for the principal characters would not have happened. Another way to put this is to say that the classic romance is as much about fate or destiny as it is about the characters, and that fate or destiny is, by definition, something not in their control. Looked at in this way, then, to judge not just It Happened One Night but any romance in the way that we would judge a real-life relationship if we were called in for pre-marital counseling is to miss the point. It’s just because your couple are in one way or another improbable – either through being temperamentally unlike or some other incompatibility – that that sense of fate or destiny is conveyed to us by the story teller.</p>
<p>In a way, therefore, the more unsuited or otherwise unlikely a couple show themselves to be, the more random and therefore fated seems their meeting. To say, in effect, that the events of the drama almost didn’t happen is one way to convey this sense of fatedness. Shakespeare’s romantic comedies as well as the tragedies of Romeo and Juliet and Othello are like this. Another is to say, in effect, that no one could have expected it to happen, given how unlike and antagonistic the couple are on first meeting. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, which came up in last week’s discussion, achieves its effect in this way, as does both It Happened One Night and The Shop Around the Corner. One of the things that makes the romance, either comic or tragic, what it is is this sense that, somehow and for good or for ill, the lovers were meant by something bigger and more powerful than themselves to be together.</p>
<p>In the earliest versions of the legend of Tristan and Isolde, the lovers were said to have been so much in the grip of forces larger than themselves that they couldn’t resist them even though they did not really like each other. This same theme survives in the idea of the love potion which was a part of the legend from its earliest redactions. In the lovers’ attempt to resist their fate, they were just like Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice or Peter Warne and Ellie Andrews in It Happened One Night or Mr Kralik and Miss Novak in The Shop Around the Corner: powerless and overmastered. I think that the need in so many romances for this resistance of the principals against being made into a romance lies in the generic quality of human sexual congress. Everybody knows that, physiologically speaking, this is a pretty simple matter. Rod A goes into Slot B. Any two representatives of the two sexes in a fertile state can accomplish the biological purpose of the thing without all that narrative superstructure and sense of fatality getting involved. We are always aware of this ordinariness on the material level even as we delight in the multiple particularities of romance. This, this, and this made it happen. And that makes it all seem like fate.</p>
<p>In other words, what we delight in when we delight in “love triumphant” (once again to cite the newspaper headline from It Happened One Night) is our own individuality and having a story to tell like no other. All of life is a battle against generality, the generic and the genetic, and for particularity and individuality: that is, for the chance to have a story of our own that makes us different from everyone else. That fate should have taken an interest in matching our surrogates up with each other in spite of all that mere circumstance, or mere compatibility considerations, could do to keep them apart is a reassurance that what would otherwise be sordid or practical or generic actually has a transcendent and perhaps even divine element in it.</p>
<p>The absurdity of so many of Shakespeare’s happy endings creates the same effect. Don’t try this at home, folks! Having, like Viola in Twelfth Night, your identical twin brother turn up at the last moment to take an unwanted same-sex lover off your hands and open the way for you to match up with the guy you really care about – who only thinks that you yourself are a potential same-sex lover – that’s not the sort of thing that most of us can count on in real life. There we would be better advised to concern ourselves with how much we have in common. And yet so many of the stories we delight in about love stress not commonality but difference. Like Twelfth Night or Pride and Prejudice or The Shop Around the Corner they have this sort of wild improbability built into them to remind us that there is always something reckless, irresponsible, unofficial about love.</p>
<p>My friend and former colleague, Ferdinand Mount, once wrote a fascinating book called The Subversive Family, which made what I think is the unanswerable point that the cornerstone of cultural resistance to all political and utopian scheming through the ages has been the family. But in many ways what is most subversive about the family is its formation on a wave of overmastering passion and in defiance of all rational and prudential considerations – just as Mr Kralik and Miss Novak must shyly imagine it in the full flush of their initial naïveté. This paradox in which are united innocence and experience, passion and practicality, love and hate, individuality and destiny, the generic and the gloriously particular is something that we can find in all the greatest romances – of which, I hope you’ll agree, The Shop Around the Corner is one.</p> | false | 1 | summer eight successive tuesday evenings presenting series called isnt romantic romance movies 19341989 ethics public policy center washington go wwweppcorgmovies details register attend second film series shop around corner 1940 ernst lubitsch shown june 24th screening spoke follows last week spoke long history western romance culminated called domestic romance politically oriented critic might call bourgeois romance golden age hollywood popular culture 1930s 1940s 1950s happened one night romance also strong class element looking beyond middle class audience intended towards quasiaristocratic world would seen natural home romance domestic romance inevitably property setting new home happiness portends naturally enhanced presence even though may happened one night offing large sum money would cinderella without prince tonights movie shop around corner 1940 adaptation play hungarian playwright miklós lászló germanjewish director ernst lubitsch sense least much austere example domestic romance alfred kralik played james stewart prince klara novak played margaret sullavan even potentially princess humble assistants luggage gift shop budapest owned hugo matuschek frank morgan neither seems remotely capable kind extravagant princely gesture first introduction clark gable happened one night told boss drunk sort glorious declaration independence yet kralik shows prepared resign point principle well tell boss things doesnt want hear spite emphatically lowermiddleclass origins mr kralik miss novak love formal one window world social betters whence idea romance descended love literature subject anonymous correspondence indeed appears become poets inspired fall love world generous spiritedness sensitivity harbor within must keep carefully sight attending duties mr matuscheks shop profess interested vulgar details earn daily bread even close inquiry pretend regard superficial question others physical attractiveness matter long minds meet says klara letter kralik reads reverently confidant mr pirovich felix bressart distance time able note irony nothing clearly marks members lower middle class lust culture selfimprovement earnest belief purity disinterestedness motive love worthy name belief vulgarity mere material considerationsthe token along red carnation recognize tolstoys anna karenina example would thought advanced literature generation two time selfimproving bourgeoisie come things bit late dealt adultery novel must fatal tragic beautiful love story resulting principals disregard merely prudential considerations also case anyone interested token highmindedness claim belong aristocracy taste part entitlement engage old aristocratic pastime romance important recognize lubitsch throughout film makes relentless fun pretentious delusions without moment allowing us lose affection two deluded lovers realizing love also realize susceptible anyone else superficial material side love kralik realizes little sooner miss novak gives lesson reality fable alter ego mathias popkin short bald unemployed man proposes live salary alarms learns truth takes whole movie get point chastened alfred kralik first realizes wrong miss novak says gently know people seldom go trouble scratching surface things find inner truth reply scathing well really wouldnt care scratch surface mr kralik know exactly id find instead heart handbag instead soul suitcase instead intellect cigarette lighter doesnt work scorn lovers workaday self head salesman matuschek company really scorn reality life something purged order able understand love really means general shop around corner explores gap ideal real love terms images james stewart margaret sullavan correspondence opposed shop also terms mr matuscheks obviously failing marriage reality adultery turns nothing like romance anna karenina theres another way ideal real come conflict pretty obvious klara novak victim would call sexual harassment one previous places employment recourse remedy available many another young woman time brave determined enough leave find another job could two prewar films showing summer looming presence depression always background though seldom brought open miss novak desperate get job matuschek company first comes shop circumstances hardly surprising attempt escape sordid reality groped employer idealized loveaffair carried anonymous correspondence yet ambiguity well one hand even hostile mr kralik feels grudging respect pays compliment saying idea gentleman since puts say miss novak want come stock room put bags away really mean want put bags away later however point thinks find happiness somebody else therefore safe attraction feels confesses days stockroom could swept feet socalled psychological confusion confess point one way describing vertiginous con sciousness welcome unwelcome sexual advances sometimes little hard tell apart though today would impossible even suggest thing brings final point follows something said discussion last week happened one night amy kass one two others made point marriage clark gables peter warne claudette colberts ellie andrews would doomed start little seem common explaining think wrong way look film hope also explain something tonights although expect amy others want challenge view matter discussion follow screening every romance highly wrought time sculpture plot essential spy thriller story two people met fell love every detail story significance story happened events taken place precisely order event lifechanging importance principal characters would happened another way put say classic romance much fate destiny characters fate destiny definition something control looked way judge happened one night romance way would judge reallife relationship called premarital counseling miss point couple one way another improbable either temperamentally unlike incompatibility sense fate destiny conveyed us story teller way therefore unsuited otherwise unlikely couple show random therefore fated seems meeting say effect events drama almost didnt happen one way convey sense fatedness shakespeares romantic comedies well tragedies romeo juliet othello like another say effect one could expected happen given unlike antagonistic couple first meeting jane austens pride prejudice came last weeks discussion achieves effect way happened one night shop around corner one things makes romance either comic tragic sense somehow good ill lovers meant something bigger powerful together earliest versions legend tristan isolde lovers said much grip forces larger couldnt resist even though really like theme survives idea love potion part legend earliest redactions lovers attempt resist fate like mr darcy elizabeth bennet pride prejudice peter warne ellie andrews happened one night mr kralik miss novak shop around corner powerless overmastered think need many romances resistance principals made romance lies generic quality human sexual congress everybody knows physiologically speaking pretty simple matter rod goes slot b two representatives two sexes fertile state accomplish biological purpose thing without narrative superstructure sense fatality getting involved always aware ordinariness material level even delight multiple particularities romance made happen makes seem like fate words delight delight love triumphant cite newspaper headline happened one night individuality story tell like life battle generality generic genetic particularity individuality chance story makes us different everyone else fate taken interest matching surrogates spite mere circumstance mere compatibility considerations could keep apart reassurance would otherwise sordid practical generic actually transcendent perhaps even divine element absurdity many shakespeares happy endings creates effect dont try home folks like viola twelfth night identical twin brother turn last moment take unwanted samesex lover hands open way match guy really care thinks potential samesex lover thats sort thing us count real life would better advised concern much common yet many stories delight love stress commonality difference like twelfth night pride prejudice shop around corner sort wild improbability built remind us always something reckless irresponsible unofficial love friend former colleague ferdinand mount wrote fascinating book called subversive family made think unanswerable point cornerstone cultural resistance political utopian scheming ages family many ways subversive family formation wave overmastering passion defiance rational prudential considerations mr kralik miss novak must shyly imagine full flush initial naïveté paradox united innocence experience passion practicality love hate individuality destiny generic gloriously particular something find greatest romances hope youll agree shop around corner one | 1,200 |
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<p>Most Americans now believe that China is a threat to the United States. According to the Pew Global Survey, unfavorable opinions of the Peoples Republic of China continue to skyrocket amongst the American people, increasing from 49% last year to 60% this year alone. The presidential campaign has served to stoke these fears—Governor Romney has vowed to designate China as a currency manipulator while President Obama referred to China as an “adversary” in the final presidential debate. American public opinion of China and its people is well documented. Yet, we know very little about Chinese public opinion of the United States. My research has found that China’s One Child Policy generation has optimistic views about American culture and the current bilateral relationship. These findings challenge the conventional wisdom and point to a much more optimistic future for US-Chinese relations.&#160; For Chinese people who were born before the 1979 Open Door Policy, the United States might very well be China’s biggest enemy. However, for the One Child Generation, those born under the influence of Western culture, politics, and globalization, the United States is still an ideal place to work, travel, and study. In order to find out just how exactly this generation feels about the U.S., I conducted focus groups of 60 students that included men and women, undergraduates, graduates, liberal arts majors, science &amp; technology majors, students from rural towns, and students from big cities at top universities in China: Beijing University, Tsinghua University, Capital Normal University, Jiaotong University. In addition to these universities, I interviewed students from Renmin University, also known as the Peoples University of China, for its distinct connection to the Chinese Communist Party. Surprisingly, there was no distinction between these different types of students in their opinions about America.</p>
<p>China’s One Child Policy generation has much more favorable attitudes towards the United States than most Americans could imagine. From enjoying TV shows like the Big Bang Theory and Gossip Girl to patiently waiting for the new Lady Gaga song to come out, Chinese students have been exposed to American culture and like it. Similarly, the students portrayed Americans as being both ‘friendly’ and ‘open-minded’, qualities they really admired.&#160; Their experiences and interactions with Americans in China are both positive and interesting as they enjoy celebrating with their American friends holidays like Halloween. American Soft Power can be seen throughout all of China challenging the perceptions held by China’s Cultural Revolution generation. The students like watching American movies because they always look into the future instead of the past like Chinese ones do.&#160; In addition, China’s One Child Policy generation not only has the economic means, but also the desire to go study and travel in the United States. The amount of students from China studying abroad every year continues to increase because of the perception of prestige that comes from studying at American universities.&#160; As such, Chinese students’ ties to American culture are and will continue to be enduring.</p>
<p>China’s One-Child Policy generation conceives the nature of the U.S.-China relationship differently than many in the US do. Chinese students think of the United States as more of a partner than a competitor. Between developing businesses in both countries, trading goods internationally, and making foreign policy, the students believe that in the future cooperation between both countries will deepen, as it will enhance their economies. Most importantly China’s One Child Policy generation does not believe China will be more powerful than the United States 20, 30, or even 100 years from now. Their opinions are in agreement with the general Chinese population. The Pew Global Research indicates 48% of Chinese still believe the U.S. is the world’s leading economy while only 29% believe that China is. The students argued that China needs to focus on developing its society and infrastructure domestically before it can even begin to compete with the United States. Likewise, Chinese culture cannot compare with American culture and might never be able to. American culture is both diverse and popular internationally, Chinese culture is exactly the opposite. This Chinese perception of the future is completely at odds with the discourse that most Americans seem to buy into, namely, that China is attempting to take over the United States’ position in the international arena as the world’s superpower.&#160; These findings also contradict the notion of many American economists who constantly argue that PRC is an emerging global adversary and therefore an economic threat. Chinas OCP generation is fully aware that it takes more than a strong economy in order to replace the world’s leading superpower.</p>
<p>The students’ belief that the U.S.-China relationship is critical for the future of both countries was consistent across all groups. There is no guarantee that these particular views will remain constant however.&#160; As students become more socialized into Chinese society and enter the working world, there is always the possibility that their perceptions of American culture and politics will change slightly or even drastically. Although relations between Americans and Chinese might never become harmonious, my findings suggest that there are not only common interests among people from both countries, but also the longstanding relationship we have built through the influence of soft power will be hard to break.</p> | false | 1 | americans believe china threat united states according pew global survey unfavorable opinions peoples republic china continue skyrocket amongst american people increasing 49 last year 60 year alone presidential campaign served stoke fearsgovernor romney vowed designate china currency manipulator president obama referred china adversary final presidential debate american public opinion china people well documented yet know little chinese public opinion united states research found chinas one child policy generation optimistic views american culture current bilateral relationship findings challenge conventional wisdom point much optimistic future uschinese relations160 chinese people born 1979 open door policy united states might well chinas biggest enemy however one child generation born influence western culture politics globalization united states still ideal place work travel study order find exactly generation feels us conducted focus groups 60 students included men women undergraduates graduates liberal arts majors science amp technology majors students rural towns students big cities top universities china beijing university tsinghua university capital normal university jiaotong university addition universities interviewed students renmin university also known peoples university china distinct connection chinese communist party surprisingly distinction different types students opinions america chinas one child policy generation much favorable attitudes towards united states americans could imagine enjoying tv shows like big bang theory gossip girl patiently waiting new lady gaga song come chinese students exposed american culture like similarly students portrayed americans friendly openminded qualities really admired160 experiences interactions americans china positive interesting enjoy celebrating american friends holidays like halloween american soft power seen throughout china challenging perceptions held chinas cultural revolution generation students like watching american movies always look future instead past like chinese ones do160 addition chinas one child policy generation economic means also desire go study travel united states amount students china studying abroad every year continues increase perception prestige comes studying american universities160 chinese students ties american culture continue enduring chinas onechild policy generation conceives nature uschina relationship differently many us chinese students think united states partner competitor developing businesses countries trading goods internationally making foreign policy students believe future cooperation countries deepen enhance economies importantly chinas one child policy generation believe china powerful united states 20 30 even 100 years opinions agreement general chinese population pew global research indicates 48 chinese still believe us worlds leading economy 29 believe china students argued china needs focus developing society infrastructure domestically even begin compete united states likewise chinese culture compare american culture might never able american culture diverse popular internationally chinese culture exactly opposite chinese perception future completely odds discourse americans seem buy namely china attempting take united states position international arena worlds superpower160 findings also contradict notion many american economists constantly argue prc emerging global adversary therefore economic threat chinas ocp generation fully aware takes strong economy order replace worlds leading superpower students belief uschina relationship critical future countries consistent across groups guarantee particular views remain constant however160 students become socialized chinese society enter working world always possibility perceptions american culture politics change slightly even drastically although relations americans chinese might never become harmonious findings suggest common interests among people countries also longstanding relationship built influence soft power hard break | 513 |
<p>“Songs for Screens” (formerly known as “ <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/columns/synch-this-beth-ditto-ooh-la-la-1202431039/" type="external">Synch&#160;This</a>”) is a Variety column written by Andrew Hampp, a VP at New York-based music sponsorship and experiential agency MAC Presents and former branding correspondent for Billboard. Each week, the column will highlight noteworthy use of music in advertising and marketing campaigns, as well as new and catalog songs that we deem&#160;ripe for synch use.</p>
<p>[embedded content]</p>
<p>Remember slow news days? Me neither. Where the latest news cycles have become relentlessly negative as the world does some serious soul-searching, pop music has become either deliberately escapist (witness Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” the entirety of Taylor Swift’s “Reputation”), innocuous (the back-to-back Hot 100 No. 1s of Cardi B and Post Malone) or downright nihilistic (hardcore rap).</p>
<p>As ad agencies and TV showrunners alike wrestle with how to incorporate the current political climate into their latest commercials and prime-time hits (some more <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/american-horror-story-recap-season-7-episode-1-election-night-ahs-cult-1202545651/" type="external">successfully</a> than <a href="http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/pepsi-ad-pulled-kendall-jenner-protest-1202023459/" type="external">others</a>), a new niche is being carved out for music that can address our current perpetual state of unrest.</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/active-child/" type="external">Active Child</a>’s “Cruel World” belongs at the center of that niche. Written earlier this year and released in May, after being “broke[n]” by the latest current event, the musician otherwise known as Pat Grossi pours his celestial tenor over a hymn-like arrangement of strings that builds toward a cathartic chorus of hope in the face of despair. “Keep your head up/ Hold your head up/ It’s a cruel world/ Count your blessings/ You won’t need them/ when you’re gone.”</p>
<p>The song is a bit of a departure from the sound Grossi cultivated on his first two albums as Active Child, where he cultivated a harp-driven blend of trip-hop and pop-soul that was more James Blake than Joanna Newsom. Ellie Goulding even helped him make a dent in the synch world when her haunting cover of 2011’s “Hanging On” was featured in a 2012 <a href="https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7Adn/victorias-secret-angel-fantasies-tv-song-by-ellie-goulding" type="external">Victoria’s Secret campaign</a>, which perfectly paired Grossi’s cherubic plucking with the brand’s signature winged models.</p>
<p>But for “Cruel World,” Grossi ditches the strings and lets the song’s bittersweet message speak for itself. “We’re thrown into this life / no raft no savior” he sings on the second verse, before turning the song into an ode to a person who’s helped him persevere in spite of life’s wickedness (Grossi announced his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR3diXgloln/?hl=en&amp;taken-by=active_child" type="external">marriage</a> to a longtime girlfriend in March.) It’s a gorgeous, post-apocalyptic “Wind Beneath My Wings” for the woke hipster set.</p>
<p>The song would be a perfect end-credits score for a buzzy TV drama or movie where characters overcome a particularly heinous obstacle (Hulu’s <a href="https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1507-the-handmaids-tale-is-so-much-smarter-than-its-soundtrack/" type="external">oft-criticized music supervision</a> of “The Handmaid’s Tale” comes to mind), or perhaps a commercial for an insurance, technology or banking brand looking to inspire customers with a message of rebuilding and persistence.</p>
<p>Grossi will return with more music and a proper follow-up to 2015’s “Mercy” in the coming months, but “Cruel World” is a sumptuous hold-over worthy of the same levels of exposure his collaborators like Goulding have already enjoyed.</p>
<p>SYNCH OF THE WEEK</p>
<p>Few dance cuts come with more musical pedigree than <a href="http://variety.com/t/deee-lite/" type="external">Deee-Lite</a>’s 1990 classic “Groove Is in the Heart.”</p>
<p>Fronted by Pucci-printed singer Lady Miss Kier, the track featured an all-star trio of bona fides from hip-hop, jazz and funk in the form of guest rapper Q-Tip, saxophonist Maceo Parker and bassist Bootsy Collins, whose floor-filling riff was itself an interpolation of a Herbie Hancock track from the soundtrack of Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1966 film “Blow-Up.” Perhaps because of those timeless elements, “Groove” is also noteworthy for being of the few ‘90s club cuts that has managed to avoid the fate of a pale-imitation modern hit remake, unlike hits by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqyCoAgiGnI" type="external">Snap!</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKkb13IU_DE" type="external">Robin S</a>., or even <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/right-said-fred-love-taylor-swift-marvellous-interpolation-im-too-sexy-1202539013/" type="external">Right Said Fred</a>.</p>
<p>Considering “Groove”’s many charms, it’s a marvel that <a href="http://variety.com/t/sonos/" type="external">Sonos</a> chose to build its entire three-and-a-half-minute holiday commercial around the song in nearly all of its glory, not just its hooks. Helmed by music video director Jason Koenig (Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” Macklemore &amp; Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us”), the spot shows how a little Deee-lite (and, OK, the voice-activated technology of the new Amazon Alexa-assisted <a href="http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/sonos-voice-control-spotify-1202604495/" type="external">Sonos</a> One) can bring the most screen-addicted of families together this holiday season. What follows is some of the most joyous ad dancing since the days of The Gap’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij-SBwKk12I" type="external">“West Side Story” spots</a> from the early ‘00s.</p>
<p>“It was inspired by ‘Beetlejuice’ and other cinematic moments where people are almost possessed by the music,” says Sonos’ VP of Global Brand Dmitri Siegel. “The campaign is about how Sonos can instantly transform the mood in your home using the voice, so there was a lot of personality we wanted to bring to the idea of your body being taken over by the music.”</p>
<p>Siegel and the team at Sonos worked with Deee-Lite’s publisher Downtown Music Publishing to get the song approved before the commercial was even shot, and even threw in an Easter-egg shot of a snow globe featuring footage of Lady Kier dancing in “Groove”’s music video. Though “Groove Is In The Heart” has appeared on several movie soundtracks over the years, it’s only recently made a dent in the ad world, with uses in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edN0dYJ06Yw" type="external">2012 international spot</a> for Swatch, as well as a <a href="https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7J51/target-groove-is-in-the-heart" type="external">cover by The Roots and Charli XCX for Target</a> in 2015.</p>
<p>“Deee-Lite&#160;is about positivity and hopefulness. The band takes great care to ensure their music and image are aligned with productions that reflect these messages, and have turned down many advertising requests. They’re glad to represent a product like Sonos,” says Sean McGraw, SVP-administration at Downtown Publishing.</p>
<p>The Sonos spot will run in cinemas throughout the holiday season, as well as in :15 and :30 form as a digital pre-roll for online video ads. And for Siegel, the campaign’s visibility may soon create a holiday gift for Deee-lite. “I definitely hope we see some crazy streaming of the song,” he says.</p>
<p>[embedded content]</p> | false | 1 | songs screens formerly known synch160this variety column written andrew hampp vp new yorkbased music sponsorship experiential agency mac presents former branding correspondent billboard week column highlight noteworthy use music advertising marketing campaigns well new catalog songs deem160ripe synch use embedded content remember slow news days neither latest news cycles become relentlessly negative world serious soulsearching pop music become either deliberately escapist witness ed sheerans shape entirety taylor swifts reputation innocuous backtoback hot 100 1s cardi b post malone downright nihilistic hardcore rap ad agencies tv showrunners alike wrestle incorporate current political climate latest commercials primetime hits successfully others new niche carved music address current perpetual state unrest active childs cruel world belongs center niche written earlier year released may broken latest current event musician otherwise known pat grossi pours celestial tenor hymnlike arrangement strings builds toward cathartic chorus hope face despair keep head hold head cruel world count blessings wont need youre gone song bit departure sound grossi cultivated first two albums active child cultivated harpdriven blend triphop popsoul james blake joanna newsom ellie goulding even helped make dent synch world haunting cover 2011s hanging featured 2012 victorias secret campaign perfectly paired grossis cherubic plucking brands signature winged models cruel world grossi ditches strings lets songs bittersweet message speak thrown life raft savior sings second verse turning song ode person whos helped persevere spite lifes wickedness grossi announced marriage longtime girlfriend march gorgeous postapocalyptic wind beneath wings woke hipster set song would perfect endcredits score buzzy tv drama movie characters overcome particularly heinous obstacle hulus oftcriticized music supervision handmaids tale comes mind perhaps commercial insurance technology banking brand looking inspire customers message rebuilding persistence grossi return music proper followup 2015s mercy coming months cruel world sumptuous holdover worthy levels exposure collaborators like goulding already enjoyed synch week dance cuts come musical pedigree deeelites 1990 classic groove heart fronted pucciprinted singer lady miss kier track featured allstar trio bona fides hiphop jazz funk form guest rapper qtip saxophonist maceo parker bassist bootsy collins whose floorfilling riff interpolation herbie hancock track soundtrack michelangelo antonionis 1966 film blowup perhaps timeless elements groove also noteworthy 90s club cuts managed avoid fate paleimitation modern hit remake unlike hits snap robin even right said fred considering grooves many charms marvel sonos chose build entire threeandahalfminute holiday commercial around song nearly glory hooks helmed music video director jason koenig ed sheerans shape macklemore amp ryan lewis cant hold us spot shows little deeelite ok voiceactivated technology new amazon alexaassisted sonos one bring screenaddicted families together holiday season follows joyous ad dancing since days gaps west side story spots early 00s inspired beetlejuice cinematic moments people almost possessed music says sonos vp global brand dmitri siegel campaign sonos instantly transform mood home using voice lot personality wanted bring idea body taken music siegel team sonos worked deeelites publisher downtown music publishing get song approved commercial even shot even threw easteregg shot snow globe featuring footage lady kier dancing grooves music video though groove heart appeared several movie soundtracks years recently made dent ad world uses 2012 international spot swatch well cover roots charli xcx target 2015 deeelite160is positivity hopefulness band takes great care ensure music image aligned productions reflect messages turned many advertising requests theyre glad represent product like sonos says sean mcgraw svpadministration downtown publishing sonos spot run cinemas throughout holiday season well 15 30 form digital preroll online video ads siegel campaigns visibility may soon create holiday gift deeelite definitely hope see crazy streaming song says embedded content | 582 |
<p>Medicare spending growth will be slow again in 2014 relative to historical standards, and some of the usual suspects are now crediting the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — for the good news. For instance,&#160; <a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/7/9/5883843/the-amazing-mysterious-decline-in-medicares-price-tag" type="external">a recent post at&#160;Vox</a>&#160;suggests that the slowdown in Medicare spending can be attributed, in part, to the ACA’s provision penalizing hospitals for excessive readmissions of previously treated patients.</p>
<p>This is nonsense.</p>
<p>At the time of the ACA’s enactment in March 2010, the Congressional Budget Office&#160; <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/113xx/doc11379/amendreconprop.pdf" type="external">estimated</a>&#160;that the readmission provision would reduce Medicare spending by $0.3 billion in 2014, and only $7.1 billion over a decade. That’s about one tenth of 1 percent of total Medicare spending over that time period. There has been no information from any source since 2010 suggesting that the savings from the readmission provision has escalated into a major cost-cutting reform. In the context of overall Medicare spending, the readmissions provision is simply inconsequential.</p>
<p>The same can be said for the other supposed “delivery system” reforms driven through Medicare and contained in the ACA, such as Accountable Care Organizations and efforts to promote more “bundled” payments to providers of services. These reforms were all assessed by the CBO at the time of enactment and found to be insignificant items in budgetary terms. Moreover, the early experience with these changes indicates they are unlikely to dramatically alter the way health care is delivered to Medicare patients.</p>
<p>It is true that Medicare’s spending growth rate in 2014 will be modest. The CBO’s&#160; <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/44205-2014-04-Medicare.pdf" type="external">latest baseline projections</a>&#160;show Medicare spending up only 4 percent in 2014 from&#160;2013. Since 2008, Medicare spending has risen at an&#160;average annual rate of 4.8 percent — well below the growth rate experienced throughout most of the program’s history.</p>
<p>So, if it’s not the Medicare provisions in Obamacare, what explains the slowdown?</p>
<p>One thing unmentioned in the&#160;Vox&#160;story is that much of Medicare’s improved spending outlook can be attributed to lower expected costs for the Medicare drug benefit. In 2007, the CBO thought the drug benefit would cost $100 billion in 2014; it now looks like the program will cost about $70 billion this year. About 30 percent of the drop in Medicare’s per capita costs touted in the&#160;Vox&#160;story is attributable to the drug benefit, even though that benefit makes up only 12 percent of total Medicare spending. Of course, this is rarely mentioned since it doesn’t fit with the pro-Obamacare narrative. The drug benefit was enacted in 2003, under President Bush, and the program is built on consumer choice and competition, not the extensive regulatory control that characterizes the rest of Medicare.</p>
<p>It is also clear that Medicare, like the rest of the health system, has been heavily influenced in recent years by the larger economic landscape. Last year,&#160; <a href="http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/early/2013/09/13/hlthaff.2013.0721.full.pdf+html" type="external">in an annual look at historical and projection national health expenditures</a>, the government’s official Medicare scorekeepers — the actuaries who work at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) — were reluctant to attribute the slowdown in spending that has occurred across the health system to anything other than the suppressed demand for health care that always accompanies an economic downturn.</p>
<p>Moreover,&#160;if&#160;anything is happening to slow health spending besides the slow recovery, it certainly cannot be attributable to the ACA. For one thing, the health spending slowdown can be traced back to 2003 — when Barack Obama was a state senator in&#160;Illinois and President Bush was still in office.&#160; <a href="http://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData/Downloads/tables.pdf" type="external">According to the government’s official health-spending statistics</a>, the rate of growth in per capita national health spending hit 7.8 percent in 2003, and then steadily fell until it reached 3.7 percent growth in 2008. The only significant public-policy change that occurred during this period was the large increase in enrollment in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) that occurred after HSA liberalizations were enacted with the drug benefit in 2003.</p>
<p>ACA defenders are also now pointing to the&#160; <a href="http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/45471-Long-TermBudgetOutlook.pdf" type="external">recent long-term projections from the CBO</a>&#160;to bolster their claim that the ACA has fixed Medicare. The CBO’s latest report shows Medicare spending rising from 3.0 percent of GDP today to 4.7 percent of GDP in 2040; last year, the agency projected Medicare spending would reach 5.0 percent of GDP in 2040.</p>
<p>There are two important things to note about these projections. First, while the CBO says Medicare’s spending will rise slightly less rapidly than projected one year ago, the overall fiscal picture, largely thanks to Medicare, remains dismal. Last year, the CBO projected that total debt would reach 100 percent of GDP in 2038. This year, the forecast shows debt reaching that level in 2036.</p>
<p>In addition, as the CBO notes in its report, the real effect of Obamacare on Medicare spending is not from supposed “delivery-system reforms” but from indiscriminate payment-rate reductions to hospitals and other providers of services. The ACA included something called the “productivity adjustment factor,” which lowers the inflation update built into the payments for facilities serving Medicare patients. In general, the reduction will equal about 1.1 percentage point every year, so that a 3.0 percent inflation increase under prior law has turned into a 1.9 percent increase under Obamacare. This one change dramatically lowers expected spending in Medicare.</p>
<p>But is it really a reform? As the CBO notes, this cut does not mean health-care costs will be lower. All it means is that Medicare is paying less for medical services. The cut is not calibrated to promote quality. All hospitals will be cut the same, no matter how well or badly they treat their patients. And the Medicare actuaries have made it clear in&#160; <a href="http://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/ReportsTrustFunds/Downloads/2013TRAlternativeScenario.pdf" type="external">repeated reports</a>&#160;that they are very skeptical this cut can be sustained, in large part because 15 percent of hospitals serving Medicare patients would lose so much money from the cut that they would likely be forced to stop admitting seniors into their facilities by the end of this decade.</p>
<p>Rapid Medicare spending growth is a primary reason the federal budget is already so deeply in the red today. Continued Medicare spending growth is a key factor in the CBO’s assessment that the budget is on an unsustainable trajectory over the long term.</p>
<p>Obamacare has not fixed this problem. All it has done is impose a simplistic, across-the-board payment-rate reduction that is partially obscuring how deep the hole really is.</p>
<p>James C. Capretta is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.&#160;</p> | false | 1 | medicare spending growth slow 2014 relative historical standards usual suspects crediting affordable care act obamacare good news instance160 recent post at160vox160suggests slowdown medicare spending attributed part acas provision penalizing hospitals excessive readmissions previously treated patients nonsense time acas enactment march 2010 congressional budget office160 estimated160that readmission provision would reduce medicare spending 03 billion 2014 71 billion decade thats one tenth 1 percent total medicare spending time period information source since 2010 suggesting savings readmission provision escalated major costcutting reform context overall medicare spending readmissions provision simply inconsequential said supposed delivery system reforms driven medicare contained aca accountable care organizations efforts promote bundled payments providers services reforms assessed cbo time enactment found insignificant items budgetary terms moreover early experience changes indicates unlikely dramatically alter way health care delivered medicare patients true medicares spending growth rate 2014 modest cbos160 latest baseline projections160show medicare spending 4 percent 2014 from1602013 since 2008 medicare spending risen an160average annual rate 48 percent well growth rate experienced throughout programs history medicare provisions obamacare explains slowdown one thing unmentioned the160vox160story much medicares improved spending outlook attributed lower expected costs medicare drug benefit 2007 cbo thought drug benefit would cost 100 billion 2014 looks like program cost 70 billion year 30 percent drop medicares per capita costs touted the160vox160story attributable drug benefit even though benefit makes 12 percent total medicare spending course rarely mentioned since doesnt fit proobamacare narrative drug benefit enacted 2003 president bush program built consumer choice competition extensive regulatory control characterizes rest medicare also clear medicare like rest health system heavily influenced recent years larger economic landscape last year160 annual look historical projection national health expenditures governments official medicare scorekeepers actuaries work centers medicare medicaid services cms reluctant attribute slowdown spending occurred across health system anything suppressed demand health care always accompanies economic downturn moreover160if160anything happening slow health spending besides slow recovery certainly attributable aca one thing health spending slowdown traced back 2003 barack obama state senator in160illinois president bush still office160 according governments official healthspending statistics rate growth per capita national health spending hit 78 percent 2003 steadily fell reached 37 percent growth 2008 significant publicpolicy change occurred period large increase enrollment health savings accounts hsas occurred hsa liberalizations enacted drug benefit 2003 aca defenders also pointing the160 recent longterm projections cbo160to bolster claim aca fixed medicare cbos latest report shows medicare spending rising 30 percent gdp today 47 percent gdp 2040 last year agency projected medicare spending would reach 50 percent gdp 2040 two important things note projections first cbo says medicares spending rise slightly less rapidly projected one year ago overall fiscal picture largely thanks medicare remains dismal last year cbo projected total debt would reach 100 percent gdp 2038 year forecast shows debt reaching level 2036 addition cbo notes report real effect obamacare medicare spending supposed deliverysystem reforms indiscriminate paymentrate reductions hospitals providers services aca included something called productivity adjustment factor lowers inflation update built payments facilities serving medicare patients general reduction equal 11 percentage point every year 30 percent inflation increase prior law turned 19 percent increase obamacare one change dramatically lowers expected spending medicare really reform cbo notes cut mean healthcare costs lower means medicare paying less medical services cut calibrated promote quality hospitals cut matter well badly treat patients medicare actuaries made clear in160 repeated reports160that skeptical cut sustained large part 15 percent hospitals serving medicare patients would lose much money cut would likely forced stop admitting seniors facilities end decade rapid medicare spending growth primary reason federal budget already deeply red today continued medicare spending growth key factor cbos assessment budget unsustainable trajectory long term obamacare fixed problem done impose simplistic acrosstheboard paymentrate reduction partially obscuring deep hole really james c capretta senior fellow ethics public policy center visiting fellow american enterprise institute160 | 625 |
<p>By Tim Hepher and Alexander Cornwell</p>
<p>DUBAI (Reuters) – A preliminary deal to sell 36 A380s to Emirates blew up in an Airbus hospitality chalet moments before the Gulf carrier was expected to shower $30 billion on the planemaker and its U.S. rival Boeing (NYSE:) at the start of last week’s Dubai Airshow.</p>
<p>Two top Emirates officials broke the news to Airbus CEO Tom Enders and his sales chief John Leahy that the widely expected $16 billion deal would not be signed that day, leaving uncertainty over the future of the world’s largest jetliner.</p>
<p>The halt came so swiftly that Airbus PR executives who were already in place for a double-signing ceremony a hundred yards away found themselves awkwardly among the audience as Boeing walked away with the sole Emirates order, worth $15 billion.</p>
<p>The unusual stumble in slick air show choreography highlights problems over timing and trust that may even now complicate a deal between Airbus and Emirates, people aware of the matter said.</p>
<p>One of the closest and most successful relations in aviation is looking bruised and throws up new complications for Airbus just as it struggles to maintain business as usual at a time when it faces British and French compliance probes.</p>
<p>A day after Airbus’s hopes were dashed, airline president Tim Clark publicly delivered a message from Dubai’s government saying it wanted a guarantee from Airbus that it would keep producing the A380 for 10 years, before the state-owned carrier would agree to placing a new order.</p>
<p>Enders emailed Clark calling the ultimatum, first reported by Reuters, unhelpful, two people aware of the matter said.</p>
<p>Airbus and Emirates declined comment.</p>
<p>“There is a worrying breakdown of the relationship between Airbus and Emirates,” said a person familiar with close to the talks.</p>
<p>“Airbus was confident of getting a deal,” a Gulf source added. “But Dubai does not want to be taken for granted.”</p>
<p>ENGINE HEADACHE</p>
<p>Air show delegates said Emirates and Airbus must now resolve problems of visibility if a deal is to be done.</p>
<p>Many in the industry say Airbus appears directionless as Leahy is due to retire in January, the guardian of the Emirates relationship, Habib Fekih, did so earlier this year and doubts grow over whether Enders will secure a new CEO mandate in 2019. Meanwhile the probes have badly clogged Airbus decision-making.</p>
<p>On the Emirates side, top executive Clark – although full of energy at 67 and dismissing talk of retirement – is likely to hand over the baton at some stage, and it is uncertain how committed other managers are to the A380 flagship.</p>
<p>“Nobody knows who is going to be in charge of the other side later, which doesn’t help,” said a person familiar with the matter.</p>
<p>The Airbus board will however have to think hard before giving Dubai the guarantee it wants, which would go beyond the scope of a normal contract for specific planes.</p>
<p>“It’s not something any company can easily do, especially on something dragging down the bottom line,” the same person said.</p>
<p>For Emirates, the problem runs deeper than simply buying an aircraft from Airbus.</p>
<p>Airlines deal directly with numerous suppliers, from landing gears to tyres and entertainment systems. Each takes its cue from the planemaker as conductor of a large orchestra.</p>
<p>“If you’re the only customer your fear is the manufacturer will lose interest and that becomes a signal to suppliers to make support a lower priority,” a person close to the matter said. “Then you end up unsure who is supporting what.”</p>
<p>The biggest question mark hangs over the massive engines.</p>
<p>In 2015, Britain’s Rolls-Royce (L:) won its largest-ever order, worth $9 billion, to displace U.S. consortium Engine Alliance to power a batch of 50 four-engined A380s for Emirates.</p>
<p>But to win the deal it gave ambitious fuel-consumption targets and Emirates signaled last week the cards could be shuffled again for the potential new order. “If we ordered more, we might contemplate talking to both sides,” Clark said.</p>
<p>But Engine Alliance output ends in 2018. Keeping its assembly lines warm would require a fresh commitment from its parents General Electric (N:) and Pratt &amp; Whitney (N:).</p>
<p>“That’s a pretty big ask right now. It all comes down to money,” a person close to the consortium said.</p>
<p>GE is involved in a major rethink of strategy and wants to be more selective about investments, while Pratt &amp; Whitney is absorbed with fixing delays on smaller engines.</p>
<p>SECOND-HAND MARKET</p>
<p>Keeping engine makers on board is all the more challenging because of the lack of an A380 second-hand market.</p>
<p>Engine makers make money on spares and services over the working life of an engine which is usually 20-25 years.</p>
<p>But in another accident of timing, the first A380 to carry passengers, in 2007, was being mothballed in France just as Airbus was trying to cling on to an Emirates deal at last week’s show, after just 10 years in service with Singapore Airlines.</p>
<p>That sets a worrying precedent for suppliers of Emirates, which usually operates planes for 12 years and around 20 of whose A380s may exit the fleet to make way for new purchases.</p>
<p>Faced with the possibility that any new A380 engines may have only half their budgeted life, engine makers may charge more for them up-front or more in hourly service contracts.</p>
<p>Still, Emirates believes an Airbus guarantee over the life of the programme could break the logjam and generate new orders.</p>
<p>“I would think a revitalization of the line would bring the big players together and say what can we all do to make this work … including propulsion,” Clark said.</p>
<p>Pride may yet work in favor of a deal over the A380, which is Airbus’s only path into business with Emirates for the time being after the airline placed new orders with Boeing.</p>
<p>“This (Airbus) management took the decision to launch the A380 so killing it now would make them look foolish,” a senior air show delegate said.</p>
<p>“They have got to be able to say that when they left, the A380 was still being built.”</p> | false | 1 | tim hepher alexander cornwell dubai reuters preliminary deal sell 36 a380s emirates blew airbus hospitality chalet moments gulf carrier expected shower 30 billion planemaker us rival boeing nyse start last weeks dubai airshow two top emirates officials broke news airbus ceo tom enders sales chief john leahy widely expected 16 billion deal would signed day leaving uncertainty future worlds largest jetliner halt came swiftly airbus pr executives already place doublesigning ceremony hundred yards away found awkwardly among audience boeing walked away sole emirates order worth 15 billion unusual stumble slick air show choreography highlights problems timing trust may even complicate deal airbus emirates people aware matter said one closest successful relations aviation looking bruised throws new complications airbus struggles maintain business usual time faces british french compliance probes day airbuss hopes dashed airline president tim clark publicly delivered message dubais government saying wanted guarantee airbus would keep producing a380 10 years stateowned carrier would agree placing new order enders emailed clark calling ultimatum first reported reuters unhelpful two people aware matter said airbus emirates declined comment worrying breakdown relationship airbus emirates said person familiar close talks airbus confident getting deal gulf source added dubai want taken granted engine headache air show delegates said emirates airbus must resolve problems visibility deal done many industry say airbus appears directionless leahy due retire january guardian emirates relationship habib fekih earlier year doubts grow whether enders secure new ceo mandate 2019 meanwhile probes badly clogged airbus decisionmaking emirates side top executive clark although full energy 67 dismissing talk retirement likely hand baton stage uncertain committed managers a380 flagship nobody knows going charge side later doesnt help said person familiar matter airbus board however think hard giving dubai guarantee wants would go beyond scope normal contract specific planes something company easily especially something dragging bottom line person said emirates problem runs deeper simply buying aircraft airbus airlines deal directly numerous suppliers landing gears tyres entertainment systems takes cue planemaker conductor large orchestra youre customer fear manufacturer lose interest becomes signal suppliers make support lower priority person close matter said end unsure supporting biggest question mark hangs massive engines 2015 britains rollsroyce l largestever order worth 9 billion displace us consortium engine alliance power batch 50 fourengined a380s emirates win deal gave ambitious fuelconsumption targets emirates signaled last week cards could shuffled potential new order ordered might contemplate talking sides clark said engine alliance output ends 2018 keeping assembly lines warm would require fresh commitment parents general electric n pratt amp whitney n thats pretty big ask right comes money person close consortium said ge involved major rethink strategy wants selective investments pratt amp whitney absorbed fixing delays smaller engines secondhand market keeping engine makers board challenging lack a380 secondhand market engine makers make money spares services working life engine usually 2025 years another accident timing first a380 carry passengers 2007 mothballed france airbus trying cling emirates deal last weeks show 10 years service singapore airlines sets worrying precedent suppliers emirates usually operates planes 12 years around 20 whose a380s may exit fleet make way new purchases faced possibility new a380 engines may half budgeted life engine makers may charge upfront hourly service contracts still emirates believes airbus guarantee life programme could break logjam generate new orders would think revitalization line would bring big players together say make work including propulsion clark said pride may yet work favor deal a380 airbuss path business emirates time airline placed new orders boeing airbus management took decision launch a380 killing would make look foolish senior air show delegate said got able say left a380 still built | 597 |
<p>With Fox and Disney announcing their anticipated multi-billion dollar mega-merger on Thursday, the movie industry is poised to experience the impact of consolidation and potential ripples to the companies’ employees, projects and talent. It would behoove the studios to consider the music business as a cautionary tale, albeit one that straddles the pre-crash years and the post-2008 new world order.</p>
<p>Record labels combining their resources and rosters is nothing new. As far back as the 1970s, Steve Ross formed the original WEA (the precursor of the <a href="http://variety.com/t/warner-music-group/" type="external">Warner Music Group</a>) by consolidating the Warner Bros., Reprise, Atlantic and Elektra/Asylum labels under one umbrella. That merger was followed by an endless succession of similar alliances with the big players — EMI, Sony, Universal — stacking up iconic music brands like they were balls being racked for a game of pool.</p>
<p>Truth be told, record companies and their corporate brethren have relationships that could be described as on-again, off-again. Music industry consolidation has been fueled by a number of disruptive shifts over the first part of this century. Ravaged by piracy, lagging behind on the shift to digital and distracted by a legal caseload that made every music-loving college student an infringer, the booming CD era of the 1990s yielded a bloated industry that thought the good old days would never end. But did they ever. The industry shrunk by 30 percent once the recession rolled around in 2008. And that was after two major acquisitions at the height of the market, Sony’s absorption of BMG, completed in 2008, and Terra Firma’s purchase of EMI in 2007.</p>
<p>Jim Urie, who experienced the merger merry-go-round first-hand during his years heading up <a href="http://variety.com/t/universal-music-group/" type="external">Universal Music Group</a> Distribution, insists all that consolidation has been a boon for the music industry.</p>
<p>“Size matters,” he says. “And that gives companies the financial means to make the capital investment in the systems that are needed for the more complex royalty payments and big data that come from streaming. It’s also given the companies the wherewithal to sign and develop new artists in the marketplace. Just look at this year’s Grammy nominations for proof of that. Though I’m not sure if that applies to the motion picture industry.”</p>
<p>But like the movie industry, the giants in the music space fall under umbrellas of multinational corporations whose bread and butter is not the latest album by <a href="http://variety.com/t/adele/" type="external">Adele</a> or Taylor Swift. <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/hip-hop-cop-rap-intelligence-unit-tv-show-pras-1202636807/" type="external">Universal Music Group</a> is currently owned by French water, utility and media conglomerate Vivendi, after acquisitions by Japanese electronics manufacturer Matsushita in 1990 and Edgar Bronfman’s Seagram in 1995.</p>
<p>In 1999, Seagram acquired PolyGram’s music holdings, merging the companies. Doug Morris, using his own experience from the turmoil of his messy exit from <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/warner-music-groups-2017-results-revenue-shows-strong-growth-but-losses-soar-1202630872/" type="external">Warner Music Group</a>, was instrumental in bringing the two companies together, handing the torch over to his hand-picked successor, Lucian Grainge, who has continued to guide the label to the top of the marketshare ladder. Today, Vivendi continues to be UMG’s corporate parent, despite occasional rumors of seeking a buyer for its music holdings. The latest self-touted price tag for UMG: $22 billion.</p>
<p>In 2003, <a href="http://variety.com/t/sony-music/" type="external">Sony Music</a> merged with BMG, a unit of German media giant Bertelsmann, combining the No. 2 and No. 5 music companies in terms of market share. Sony BMG became home to a wide roster of acts, and multiple imprints (among them: Columbia, Arista, Epic, Jive and RCA) catering to popular genres. But equally important was an effort to shore up a flood of looming layoffs, executives said at the time. The result: an initial culture clash between the Germans and the Japanese at a U.S.-based company. In the end, Sony bought out BMG’s share of the joint venture in 2008, having absorbed a significant portion of its staff, and pressed on finding success of unprecedented proportions following the arrival of <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/rob-stringer-music-industry-trusts-award-harry-styles-camila-cabello-1202608597/" type="external">Adele</a> — who, appropriately enough, came through a joint venture between Columbia Records and XL Recordings.</p>
<p>A less rosy picture was that of Guy Hands’ 2007 purchase of EMI. The sale price: $4.1 billion, much of which private equity firm Terra Firma borrowed from Citigroup. In hindsight – and even immediately after the deal closed – many would agree it was overvalued. Hands himself thought so, and tried to sue Citi for fraud in 2009, contending that because of the company’s “misrepresentations, Terra Firma paid a fraudulently inflated price for EMI, the equity it invested and the debt it incurred.” In 2016, Hands dropped the suit.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in 2011, EMI was again put on the auction block in a year-long process that would end with two victors: UMG, which bought most of EMI’s recorded units for $1.9 billion while Sony/ATV purchased the publishing arm for $2.2 billion (Parlophone and its associated acts, like <a href="http://variety.com/t/coldplay/" type="external">Coldplay</a>, went to Warner Music). The deals closed in Oct. 2012. Today, UMG, home to such labels as Republic, Interscope, Capitol, Def Jam, and Island, as well as Universal Nashville and UMe, leads in market share by 7% over number two, Sony, according to 2016 metrics. And it could be argued that centralizing shared services while offering creative independence to individual labels has produced a lean, mean machine – and thanks to the competitive spirit chairman and CEO Grainge espouses, a fighting one, too.</p>
<p>With only three major label groups operating today, that leaves Warner Music Group, which has also seen multiple owners in recent decades, including a 14-year home at Time Warner, arguably the largest company in the world when it was formed in 1990 by merging Time Inc. with Warner Communications. Later under the umbrella of AOL Time Warner, and then split off from the larger entity, Warner’s music assets were sold in 2004 to a consortium of investors led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. for $2.6 billion. WMG remains independently owned today, following a 2011 sale to Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries in 2011 for $3.3 billion.</p>
<p>Is the industry healthier for all these changes?&#160; With streaming in line to become the music business’ major form of distribution – itself a consolidation and elimination of traditional middle-men — this economic Darwinian survival of the fittest has conceivably created a music industry that is better prepared to act swiftly and efficiently in what has become a 24/7 on-demand content world. Though which company will emerge as a leader in the digital era remains to be seen.</p>
<p />
<p>CREDIT: Charbonneau/REX/Shutterstock</p>
<p>Indeed, it may be an indie.&#160;Glassnote Records’ Daniel Glass (pictured above, at left, with Aurora and UMG’s Grainge), who used the opening presented by industry consolidation to launch his very successful start-up in 2007, adds, “Each time this happens, it creates opportunities for young indie entrepreneurs. It’s happened in the radio, concert, festival, retail, and management businesses and each time a new upstart steals the thunder with something different and new. We relish the challenges.”</p>
<p>Veteran record industry executive Phil Quartararo, who has witnessed the phenomenon first-hand during his years at Virgin, Warner Bros. and EMI, concurs. “Consolidation in music is cyclical,” he says. “The business is always more entrepreneurial and more adventurous when the cycle turns away from the big monoliths and is more receptive to music being started outside the system.”</p>
<p>As far as superstar artists are concerned, longtime music industry attorney Dina LaPolt ( <a href="http://variety.com/t/britney-spears/" type="external">Britney Spears</a>, Fifth Harmony) posits that the downside of consolidation is that it adversely affects both the talent and executives, with less competition lowering value across the board.&#160; “The only reason to sign to a major record label these days is marketing and promotion,” she says.&#160; “And that’s something you need more people for, not fewer.”</p>
<p>Only time will tell what the benefits and consequences will be once Disney and Fox combine their mighty assets&#160;into a global juggernaut in the new on-demand universe.</p> | false | 1 | fox disney announcing anticipated multibillion dollar megamerger thursday movie industry poised experience impact consolidation potential ripples companies employees projects talent would behoove studios consider music business cautionary tale albeit one straddles precrash years post2008 new world order record labels combining resources rosters nothing new far back 1970s steve ross formed original wea precursor warner music group consolidating warner bros reprise atlantic elektraasylum labels one umbrella merger followed endless succession similar alliances big players emi sony universal stacking iconic music brands like balls racked game pool truth told record companies corporate brethren relationships could described onagain offagain music industry consolidation fueled number disruptive shifts first part century ravaged piracy lagging behind shift digital distracted legal caseload made every musicloving college student infringer booming cd era 1990s yielded bloated industry thought good old days would never end ever industry shrunk 30 percent recession rolled around 2008 two major acquisitions height market sonys absorption bmg completed 2008 terra firmas purchase emi 2007 jim urie experienced merger merrygoround firsthand years heading universal music group distribution insists consolidation boon music industry size matters says gives companies financial means make capital investment systems needed complex royalty payments big data come streaming also given companies wherewithal sign develop new artists marketplace look years grammy nominations proof though im sure applies motion picture industry like movie industry giants music space fall umbrellas multinational corporations whose bread butter latest album adele taylor swift universal music group currently owned french water utility media conglomerate vivendi acquisitions japanese electronics manufacturer matsushita 1990 edgar bronfmans seagram 1995 1999 seagram acquired polygrams music holdings merging companies doug morris using experience turmoil messy exit warner music group instrumental bringing two companies together handing torch handpicked successor lucian grainge continued guide label top marketshare ladder today vivendi continues umgs corporate parent despite occasional rumors seeking buyer music holdings latest selftouted price tag umg 22 billion 2003 sony music merged bmg unit german media giant bertelsmann combining 2 5 music companies terms market share sony bmg became home wide roster acts multiple imprints among columbia arista epic jive rca catering popular genres equally important effort shore flood looming layoffs executives said time result initial culture clash germans japanese usbased company end sony bought bmgs share joint venture 2008 absorbed significant portion staff pressed finding success unprecedented proportions following arrival adele appropriately enough came joint venture columbia records xl recordings less rosy picture guy hands 2007 purchase emi sale price 41 billion much private equity firm terra firma borrowed citigroup hindsight even immediately deal closed many would agree overvalued hands thought tried sue citi fraud 2009 contending companys misrepresentations terra firma paid fraudulently inflated price emi equity invested debt incurred 2016 hands dropped suit meanwhile 2011 emi put auction block yearlong process would end two victors umg bought emis recorded units 19 billion sonyatv purchased publishing arm 22 billion parlophone associated acts like coldplay went warner music deals closed oct 2012 today umg home labels republic interscope capitol def jam island well universal nashville ume leads market share 7 number two sony according 2016 metrics could argued centralizing shared services offering creative independence individual labels produced lean mean machine thanks competitive spirit chairman ceo grainge espouses fighting one three major label groups operating today leaves warner music group also seen multiple owners recent decades including 14year home time warner arguably largest company world formed 1990 merging time inc warner communications later umbrella aol time warner split larger entity warners music assets sold 2004 consortium investors led edgar bronfman jr 26 billion wmg remains independently owned today following 2011 sale len blavatniks access industries 2011 33 billion industry healthier changes160 streaming line become music business major form distribution consolidation elimination traditional middlemen economic darwinian survival fittest conceivably created music industry better prepared act swiftly efficiently become 247 ondemand content world though company emerge leader digital era remains seen credit charbonneaurexshutterstock indeed may indie160glassnote records daniel glass pictured left aurora umgs grainge used opening presented industry consolidation launch successful startup 2007 adds time happens creates opportunities young indie entrepreneurs happened radio concert festival retail management businesses time new upstart steals thunder something different new relish challenges veteran record industry executive phil quartararo witnessed phenomenon firsthand years virgin warner bros emi concurs consolidation music cyclical says business always entrepreneurial adventurous cycle turns away big monoliths receptive music started outside system far superstar artists concerned longtime music industry attorney dina lapolt britney spears fifth harmony posits downside consolidation adversely affects talent executives less competition lowering value across board160 reason sign major record label days marketing promotion says160 thats something need people fewer time tell benefits consequences disney fox combine mighty assets160into global juggernaut new ondemand universe | 775 |
<p>New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has brought some good news for advocates of US natural gas production. In three of the first five months of 2017, the United States exported more natural gas than it imported, reversing a trend of net-imports that’s endured for nearly sixty years.</p>
<p>Rising exports, fueled by a the shale boom which has seen a marked increase in US natural gas production, have been facilitated by new infrastructure and rising demand outside the US, most notably in Mexico and eastern Canada.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/business/398934-us-lng-europe-expensive-uniper/" type="external" /></p>
<p>The United States began importing large amounts of Canadian natural gas in 1958, when the TransCanada natural gas pipeline was completed. Significant quantities of Canadian natural gas continue to flow over the border, chiefly through pipelines in Idaho and Montana.</p>
<p>But now, rising natural gas output from the shale boom has displaced Canadian production, reducing the volume of Canadian imports. There has been a simultaneous increase in demand for US natural gas in eastern Canada, which is better supplied from US sources than from distant Alberta, the hub of Canada’s energy industry. While the US remains a net importer of Canadian energy, the urban centers of Toronto, Quebec and Montreal are becoming increasingly reliant on US natural gas piped in from the south.</p>
<p>In March 2017, US natural gas exports to Canada reached 3.21 billion cubic feet/day, nearly breaking a record of 3.25 bcf/d set in 2012. Imports of Canadian natural gas, which&#160; <a href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/n9102cn2m.htm" type="external">reached</a>&#160;a peak of 12 bcf/day in 2007, were&#160; <a href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/NG_MOVE_IMPC_S1_M.htm" type="external">around</a>&#160;8 bcf/day.</p>
<p><a href="http://oilprice.com/Energy/Oil-Prices/Daily-OPEC-Oil-Prices-Now-Public-For-The-First-Time-Ever.html" type="external">Read More on Oilprice.com:&#160;Daily OPEC Oil Prices Now Public For The First Time Ever</a></p>
<p>The real story in US natural gas exports, however, is in Mexico. Natural gas exports south of the border reached near-record levels in the first half of 2017, averaging 4.04 bcf/d.</p>
<p>Exports to Mexico have been&#160; <a href="http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=28932" type="external">steadily increasing</a>&#160;since 2010, a sign of growing US production and declining Mexican output, but also an indicator of the growing demand in Mexico for natural gas for electricity production and industrial activities. Natural gas accounts for sixty percent of Mexican electricity demand, though upstream activities have been&#160; <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/judeclemente/2017/08/06/nine-natural-gas-facts-that-you-should-know/#cffaf787e446" type="external">increasing</a>&#160;since the 2013 Energy Reforms and the country’s domestic production could swing back in the years to come.</p>
<p>The&#160; <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=28972" type="external">pipeline network</a>&#160;linking the US to Mexico has been improved and updated in the last five years, with new pipelines increasing the total export volume to 7.3 bcf/d. Plans for additional pipelines featured heavily in US President Donald Trump’s&#160; <a href="http://time.com/4839884/energy-dominance-energy-independence-donald-trump/" type="external">speech on energy policy</a>&#160;in late June 2017, despite his repeated calls that a wall be built between the two nations. The President suggested the new pipeline could be built “under the wall,” eliciting a few chuckles from his audience.</p>
<p>Jokes aside, the US is likely to remain a major source of energy for Mexican consumption in the years ahead. New pipelines, including the Roadrunner (Phase II), Comanche Trail and Presidio Crossing projects will increase U.S. capacity to deliver natural gas to Mexico, directly linking the nation’s most productive shale areas to high-growth markets. Total US natural gas export capacity to Mexico is set to increase to 15 bcf/d.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/374942-trump-dakota-keystone-approval/" type="external" /></p>
<p>The other aspect of U.S. natural gas export growth has been the increase in liquefied natural gas shipments (LNG) from the nation’s single operational LNG terminal at Sabine Pass in Louisiana. Since&#160; <a href="https://www.eia.gov/naturalgas/weekly/archivenew_ngwu/2016/02_25/" type="external">coming on line</a>&#160;in February 2016, Sabine Pass has commissioned three liquefaction trains, allowing exports to reach 2 bcf/d in 2017.</p>
<p>Some of this product has been delivered to Mexico, largely to feed demand in the country’s central regions which have experienced natural gas shortages.&#160; <a href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/ngm_epg0_eve_nus-nmx_mmcfm.htm" type="external">Shipments</a>&#160;to Mexico reached 14 bcf in January 2017.</p>
<p>Harold Hamm, a pioneer of the US shale boom, is&#160;anticipating&#160;a surge of US LNG exports. The energy lobbyist has the ear of President Trump, who has been vigorously promoting increased US energy production. Yet Hamm has acknowledged that the real barrier to LNG exports is not capacity, but demand. Right now, the US&#160;competes with other LNG exporters for markets in East Asia and South America.</p>
<p>Mexico, which has been taking LNG shipments to correct for natural gas shortages in its central regions, may be weaning itself off LNG as more natural gas becomes available via pipeline. The boom in pipeline construction linking US shale to markets in Mexico may price LNG out of the market: liquefying and transporting the gas via tanker is more expensive than simply pumping it through a pipeline.</p>
<p><a href="http://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Libyas-Oil-King-Wont-Be-Stopped-By-OPEC.html" type="external">Read More on Oilprice.com:&#160;Libya’s Oil King Won’t Be Stopped By OPEC</a></p>
<p>The EIA&#160; <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=30052" type="external">believes</a>&#160;LNG will drive increasing US energy exports, amounting to more than half of all energy exports by 2040. With natural gas now flowing out of the US to markets north and south, and with new capacity being added yearly, it seems likely that the boom in natural gas will endure&#160; <a href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdm.htm" type="external">despite</a>&#160;lower-than-average prices. All that is required is for demand to match the abundant supply.</p>
<p>This <a href="http://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Natural-Gas-Prices-Poised-To-Rise-As-Exports-Boom.html" type="external">article</a> was originally published on&#160; <a href="http://oilprice.com/" type="external">Oilprice.com</a></p> | false | 1 | new data energy information administration eia brought good news advocates us natural gas production three first five months 2017 united states exported natural gas imported reversing trend netimports thats endured nearly sixty years rising exports fueled shale boom seen marked increase us natural gas production facilitated new infrastructure rising demand outside us notably mexico eastern canada read united states began importing large amounts canadian natural gas 1958 transcanada natural gas pipeline completed significant quantities canadian natural gas continue flow border chiefly pipelines idaho montana rising natural gas output shale boom displaced canadian production reducing volume canadian imports simultaneous increase demand us natural gas eastern canada better supplied us sources distant alberta hub canadas energy industry us remains net importer canadian energy urban centers toronto quebec montreal becoming increasingly reliant us natural gas piped south march 2017 us natural gas exports canada reached 321 billion cubic feetday nearly breaking record 325 bcfd set 2012 imports canadian natural gas which160 reached160a peak 12 bcfday 2007 were160 around1608 bcfday read oilpricecom160daily opec oil prices public first time ever real story us natural gas exports however mexico natural gas exports south border reached nearrecord levels first half 2017 averaging 404 bcfd exports mexico been160 steadily increasing160since 2010 sign growing us production declining mexican output also indicator growing demand mexico natural gas electricity production industrial activities natural gas accounts sixty percent mexican electricity demand though upstream activities been160 increasing160since 2013 energy reforms countrys domestic production could swing back years come the160 pipeline network160linking us mexico improved updated last five years new pipelines increasing total export volume 73 bcfd plans additional pipelines featured heavily us president donald trumps160 speech energy policy160in late june 2017 despite repeated calls wall built two nations president suggested new pipeline could built wall eliciting chuckles audience jokes aside us likely remain major source energy mexican consumption years ahead new pipelines including roadrunner phase ii comanche trail presidio crossing projects increase us capacity deliver natural gas mexico directly linking nations productive shale areas highgrowth markets total us natural gas export capacity mexico set increase 15 bcfd read aspect us natural gas export growth increase liquefied natural gas shipments lng nations single operational lng terminal sabine pass louisiana since160 coming line160in february 2016 sabine pass commissioned three liquefaction trains allowing exports reach 2 bcfd 2017 product delivered mexico largely feed demand countrys central regions experienced natural gas shortages160 shipments160to mexico reached 14 bcf january 2017 harold hamm pioneer us shale boom is160anticipating160a surge us lng exports energy lobbyist ear president trump vigorously promoting increased us energy production yet hamm acknowledged real barrier lng exports capacity demand right us160competes lng exporters markets east asia south america mexico taking lng shipments correct natural gas shortages central regions may weaning lng natural gas becomes available via pipeline boom pipeline construction linking us shale markets mexico may price lng market liquefying transporting gas via tanker expensive simply pumping pipeline read oilpricecom160libyas oil king wont stopped opec eia160 believes160lng drive increasing us energy exports amounting half energy exports 2040 natural gas flowing us markets north south new capacity added yearly seems likely boom natural gas endure160 despite160lowerthanaverage prices required demand match abundant supply article originally published on160 oilpricecom | 530 |
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/freeform/" type="external">Freeform</a> should renew “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/the-bold-type/" type="external">The Bold Type</a>.” The sooner, the better.</p>
<p>Since it debuted in July, its overnight ratings haven’t exactly set the world on fire, but we’re long past the era in which most viewers in Freeform’s youthful target demographic — or outside it — watched TV that way. On my social media feeds, every week I see more people discussing their enjoyment of “The Bold Type,” which is understandable. Like the women whose stories it tells, the Freeform series is charming, reasonably realistic, and smart about a lot of different things.</p>
<p>While I’m very much looking forward to the season finale on Tuesday, I don’t want the season (and certainly not the series) to be over. I’ve really enjoyed spending time with fashion assistant Sutton (Meghann Fahy), social-media manager Kat (Aisha Dee) and writer Jane (Katie Stevens) — three striving young Scarlet magazine employees who have supported each other through a series of adventures, romances and professional setbacks.</p>
<p>It helps that the show isn’t incredibly dumb about how the media actually works, and to be honest, most TV programs are. I grind my teeth every time I see a “journalist” on a scripted TV show fail to use a recorder to document their interviews or a female reporter sleeping with a source.&#160;“The Bold Type” doesn’t have time for that nonsense — everyone is too busy.</p>
<p>What kind of pieces are “sticky,” how well something does on social media, what it costs to put out a glossy magazine, who might get laid off, what startup is drawing all the talent — “The Bold Type” is generally clear-eyed and unsentimental about the pressures faced by men and women churning out and promoting content every day. (You know how, on “Girls,” it seemed as though Hannah would live off selling one freelance story every few months? I can picture the characters on this show being fans of “Girls” but rolling their eyes at that.)</p>
<p>It’s truly remarkable how many tropes and boring stereotypes this series has avoided.&#160;One of the TV’s most persistent cliches is the female head honcho as a one-dimensional harpy, but the editor at Scarlet is a sharply dressed, capable woman named Jaqueline Carlisle (Melora Hardin). Unlike most women bosses onscreen, she’s not shrill, vapid, grasping, cruel, predatory, or some combination of all of the above.</p>
<p>“The Bold Type” may have overcorrected a bit —&#160; one of the executive producers is magazine veteran Joanna Coles, which may be why, on occasion, Jacqueline’s encouragement and mentoring seem almost too good to be true. That said, Hardin’s performance is layered and skilled, and more importantly, the lofty professional goals of all the women on screen — Jacqueline and her employees included — are not treated as freakish or strange.</p>
<p>Why wouldn’t these women be ambitious? But TV shows rarely feature multiple women with big dreams without setting them against each other. On “The Bold Type,” however, a women’s desire to advance in her career is not treated as something that is vaguely shameful, nor are there any dumb, lazy plots about catfights, betrayals or backstabbing.</p>
<p>“I didn’t have bosses that were the Miranda Priestlys” of “The Devil Wears Prada,” executive producer and showrunner Sarah Watson told Variety. “I had bosses that were the Jacqueline Carlisles, and I had mentors like that. It was just so exciting to get to show that character on television. Also, I feel like there’s been this convention that’s been on TV for so long, where when you have female friendships on TV, the place you’re going to look for drama is them turning on each other, and that’s not my experience at all. I have friends who always have my back, they always proofread my email for me or say ‘Yes, send that to your boss’ or don’t. Those are the female friendships I have, and that’s what I wanted to show on TV.”</p>
<p>It’s not that there weren’t challenges for the lead characters. At one point, a female co-worker took credit for Sutton’s work, and in a different episode, Kat had to fire a young woman who was not doing her job well. Jane views Jacqueline as a mentor, but she also considers a job offer from another publication. At no point were any of these women depicted as villains, bitches or shrews. The entire premise of the show revolves around the idea that women can be good friends to each other as they ascend the career ladder.&#160;</p>
<p>As Watson noted, “They were always going to lean on each other in those big moments of life challenges. We found this tone for the show where, even when there are these hard challenges of Jane getting tested for the BRCA gene or Kat getting doxxed, they’re there for each other. There is still this comfort, and it’s not just ‘me against the world,’ it’s ‘me and my squad.’”</p>
<p>All three core characters have had varied love lives this season (which included Jane’s admission that she’d never had an orgasm and found sex intimidating), even as they sought promotions and higher professional profiles. This kind of character development of multiple women doesn’t happen nearly enough on TV. Too often in the past, women could be successful, be reasonably good people or have compelling romantic relationships — but heaven forbid all three at once. (Though “Sex and the City” was groundbreaking, it, too, occasionally lapsed into some of these problematic dynamics.)&#160;“The Bold Type” may not have Carrie Bradshaw’s Louboutin collection, but it routinely stomps on those kinds of tiresome TV cliches.&#160;</p>
<p>Consider that “The Bold Type” gave the biggest and most overtly romantic arc to Kat and a hijab-wearing photographer named Adena (Nikohl Boosheri). That’s quietly revolutionary. Both halves of the fan-favorite couple Kadena are also women of color, which is still the kind of relationship too rarely round on TV. The actresses turned the ups and downs of the romance into one of the year’s most honest and charming love stories. And the show slipped in a little political commentary when it dealt with Adena’s immigration status and how she was treated when she left and entered this country.&#160;</p>
<p>Of course, there are idealized and romanticized elements to “The Bold Type” — and that’s the expected ABC/Freeform branding at work. But who says you can’t have your cake and eat it, too? The time these young women spend in Scarlet’s fashion closet is frequently a delight, not just because the central trio’s chemistry is real and the writing strikes the right balance between banter and confession.</p>
<p>The closet scenes are also fun in part because the women are surrounded by — and sometimes wearing — extremely covetable shoes, tops and dresses. What “The Bold Type” knows is that it’s entirely possible for women to be ambitious, kind, flawed and have great taste in earrings.</p>
<p>I want more of all of that. Freeform should, too.</p>
<p>Danielle Turchiano contributed to this story.</p> | false | 1 | freeform renew bold type sooner better since debuted july overnight ratings havent exactly set world fire long past era viewers freeforms youthful target demographic outside watched tv way social media feeds every week see people discussing enjoyment bold type understandable like women whose stories tells freeform series charming reasonably realistic smart lot different things im much looking forward season finale tuesday dont want season certainly series ive really enjoyed spending time fashion assistant sutton meghann fahy socialmedia manager kat aisha dee writer jane katie stevens three striving young scarlet magazine employees supported series adventures romances professional setbacks helps show isnt incredibly dumb media actually works honest tv programs grind teeth every time see journalist scripted tv show fail use recorder document interviews female reporter sleeping source160the bold type doesnt time nonsense everyone busy kind pieces sticky well something social media costs put glossy magazine might get laid startup drawing talent bold type generally cleareyed unsentimental pressures faced men women churning promoting content every day know girls seemed though hannah would live selling one freelance story every months picture characters show fans girls rolling eyes truly remarkable many tropes boring stereotypes series avoided160one tvs persistent cliches female head honcho onedimensional harpy editor scarlet sharply dressed capable woman named jaqueline carlisle melora hardin unlike women bosses onscreen shes shrill vapid grasping cruel predatory combination bold type may overcorrected bit 160 one executive producers magazine veteran joanna coles may occasion jacquelines encouragement mentoring seem almost good true said hardins performance layered skilled importantly lofty professional goals women screen jacqueline employees included treated freakish strange wouldnt women ambitious tv shows rarely feature multiple women big dreams without setting bold type however womens desire advance career treated something vaguely shameful dumb lazy plots catfights betrayals backstabbing didnt bosses miranda priestlys devil wears prada executive producer showrunner sarah watson told variety bosses jacqueline carlisles mentors like exciting get show character television also feel like theres convention thats tv long female friendships tv place youre going look drama turning thats experience friends always back always proofread email say yes send boss dont female friendships thats wanted show tv werent challenges lead characters one point female coworker took credit suttons work different episode kat fire young woman job well jane views jacqueline mentor also considers job offer another publication point women depicted villains bitches shrews entire premise show revolves around idea women good friends ascend career ladder160 watson noted always going lean big moments life challenges found tone show even hard challenges jane getting tested brca gene kat getting doxxed theyre still comfort world squad three core characters varied love lives season included janes admission shed never orgasm found sex intimidating even sought promotions higher professional profiles kind character development multiple women doesnt happen nearly enough tv often past women could successful reasonably good people compelling romantic relationships heaven forbid three though sex city groundbreaking occasionally lapsed problematic dynamics160the bold type may carrie bradshaws louboutin collection routinely stomps kinds tiresome tv cliches160 consider bold type gave biggest overtly romantic arc kat hijabwearing photographer named adena nikohl boosheri thats quietly revolutionary halves fanfavorite couple kadena also women color still kind relationship rarely round tv actresses turned ups downs romance one years honest charming love stories show slipped little political commentary dealt adenas immigration status treated left entered country160 course idealized romanticized elements bold type thats expected abcfreeform branding work says cant cake eat time young women spend scarlets fashion closet frequently delight central trios chemistry real writing strikes right balance banter confession closet scenes also fun part women surrounded sometimes wearing extremely covetable shoes tops dresses bold type knows entirely possible women ambitious kind flawed great taste earrings want freeform danielle turchiano contributed story | 615 |
<p>US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has sent a morale-boosting message to America’s demoralized diplomats: Don’t worry about Washington’s endless succession of foreign policy disasters, the State Department will enjoy some “quick wins” in the near future!</p>
<p>Speaking at the US Embassy in Brussels, currently without a US ambassador, the oil executive-turned US chief diplomat conceded that “while we don’t have any wins on the board yet,” Tillerson said the State Department is nonetheless “in a much better position to advance America’s interests around the world than we were 10 months ago.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/411669-tillerson-laughable-report-firing/" type="external">READ MORE:&#160;‘Laughable’: Tillerson dismisses report that Trump will fire him from State Dept</a></p>
<p>Tillerson reassured his underlings that some “quick wins” for the State Department were on the horizon, amid speculation that Trump intends to give him the boot.&#160;To be fair, Tillerson inherited a diplomatic nightmare from the Obama administration, but there has not been much improvement since – to put it mildly.</p>
<p>Is the Trump administration’s North Korean bloodlust (usually exhibited in 140 characters or less) an elaborate ploy to deploy more THAAD missile defense systems to South Korea, in order to “contain” China and Russia?</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/405258-trump-tillerson-korea-waste-time/" type="external" /></p>
<p>Or is the completely unnecessary Korean crisis simply an easy way to scare the dickens out of an already hopelessly distracted, easily terrified American populace, boosting network news ratings and keeping complaints about the 20 percent child poverty rate to a minimum? Nobody knows. What we do know, is that Tillerson has had a heck of a time trying to turn Trump’s insane tweeting into a reasonable, not-completely-asinine position on Pyongyang’s nuclear program.</p>
<p>Trump famously <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/914497947517227008" type="external">chided</a> Tillerson in October for “wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man.” Uninspired schoolyard nicknames aside, how are you supposed to “do diplomacy” when your boss gets on your case for “trying to negotiate?”&#160;Poor Rex.</p>
<p>Russia and China have proposed a so-called “double freeze”&#160;initiative, in which Pyongyang agrees to stop testing missiles in exchange for the US cooling its jets (flying kilometers away from North Korea). This proposal is obviously far too reasonable and adult-like for Washington to even consider.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/411236-tillerson-russia-terrorism-cooperation/" type="external" /></p>
<p>It seems naive in retrospect, but there was actually a brief time in history (circa early 2017) when there was a theoretically possible chance that the US and Russia could enjoy a somewhat-constructive relationship. Of course, the outgoing Obama administration hardly made things easy. As a late Christmas gift to global insecurity, Obama booted 35 Russian diplomats and closed two diplomatic compounds before leaving the White House. Compounded on top of years of stop-the-scary-Russian-bear-from-invading-Europe hyperventilations, Team Trump faced considerable hurdles in restoring US-Russia relations.</p>
<p>But returning the properties that Obama unlawfully seized would have been a good start. Instead, Trump slapped fresh sanctions on Moscow, setting off a tit-for-tat diplomatic row.</p>
<p>Yes, the US and Russia have made modest strides in security cooperation in Syria, but it’s amazing that Tillerson’s State Department has failed, at the very least, to distance itself from the Obama-Clinton Red Scare.</p>
<p>In late October, Tillerson said “the United States wants a whole and unified Syria with no role for Bashar al-Assad in the government.” Does that ring the Obama administration’s “Assad must go” bells? Yes, but for now it looks Assad isn’t going anywhere. Russia, Iran and Turkey have emerged as the three guarantors of the Syrian peace process, while the US military has no legal basis for operating uninvited inside Syria’s sovereign territory, which it does. The fact that Assad was not forcibly removed by the US and its proxies basically heralds the end of two decades of post-Cold War US regime change operations.Bonus: The conflict in Syria has put serious strain on US relations with its NATO ally Turkey.</p>
<p>Although Tillerson has been forced to admit that Iran is in “technical compliance” with the 2015 nuclear deal, he insists that Tehran’s “nuclear ambitions” are a threat to world peace, despite the IAEA repeatedly stating that Iran has remained within the essential limits on its nuclear activities imposed by the 2015 deal with six world powers, the US among them.</p>
<p>According to Tillerson, Iran is destabilizing Iraq (you know, the country that the US invaded – killing, maiming and displacing untold millions). Iran’s efforts in helping to stop jihadists from turning Syria into Libya 2.0. did not impress him either.&#160;Сharacterizing Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism might work, but it’s a tough sell when you’re bunkmates with the Saudis.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/402467-china-pakistan-trump-taliban/" type="external" /></p>
<p>And finally: Afghanistan. After more than fifteen years of poppy-boosting US occupation, peace may <a href="https://www.rt.com/news/384774-afghanistan-conference-moscow-us/" type="external">finally</a> be upon us – with the <a href="https://www.rt.com/news/402467-china-pakistan-trump-taliban/" type="external">help</a> of Russia, China, Pakistan, and a number of other countries, who are trying to clean up America’s mess in Central Asia. “We just felt that these talks – it was unclear to us what the purpose was,” US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in April, in explaining Washington’s absence at the 11-state Afghanistan peace conference in Moscow.</p>
<p>Russia says it wants to prevent instability from spilling into neighboring nations. But US officials <a href="https://www.stripes.com/news/russia-s-afghan-peace-initiative-seen-as-undermining-nato-mission-1.462977" type="external">reportedly</a>&#160;say Moscow’s efforts are undermining NATO’s democracy-spreading mission. By the way, Washington is now doubling down on Afghanistan – again. In August, Trump announced his administration’s new strategy, saying Americans troops are in Afghanistan to win the war and that there is no timetable for US withdrawal from the country. 3,500 more US troops are being shipped off to the war-torn country. So much for peace!</p>
<p>Riley Waggaman for RT</p> | false | 1 | us secretary state rex tillerson sent moraleboosting message americas demoralized diplomats dont worry washingtons endless succession foreign policy disasters state department enjoy quick wins near future speaking us embassy brussels currently without us ambassador oil executiveturned us chief diplomat conceded dont wins board yet tillerson said state department nonetheless much better position advance americas interests around world 10 months ago read more160laughable tillerson dismisses report trump fire state dept tillerson reassured underlings quick wins state department horizon amid speculation trump intends give boot160to fair tillerson inherited diplomatic nightmare obama administration much improvement since put mildly trump administrations north korean bloodlust usually exhibited 140 characters less elaborate ploy deploy thaad missile defense systems south korea order contain china russia read completely unnecessary korean crisis simply easy way scare dickens already hopelessly distracted easily terrified american populace boosting network news ratings keeping complaints 20 percent child poverty rate minimum nobody knows know tillerson heck time trying turn trumps insane tweeting reasonable notcompletelyasinine position pyongyangs nuclear program trump famously chided tillerson october wasting time trying negotiate little rocket man uninspired schoolyard nicknames aside supposed diplomacy boss gets case trying negotiate160poor rex russia china proposed socalled double freeze160initiative pyongyang agrees stop testing missiles exchange us cooling jets flying kilometers away north korea proposal obviously far reasonable adultlike washington even consider read seems naive retrospect actually brief time history circa early 2017 theoretically possible chance us russia could enjoy somewhatconstructive relationship course outgoing obama administration hardly made things easy late christmas gift global insecurity obama booted 35 russian diplomats closed two diplomatic compounds leaving white house compounded top years stopthescaryrussianbearfrominvadingeurope hyperventilations team trump faced considerable hurdles restoring usrussia relations returning properties obama unlawfully seized would good start instead trump slapped fresh sanctions moscow setting titfortat diplomatic row yes us russia made modest strides security cooperation syria amazing tillersons state department failed least distance obamaclinton red scare late october tillerson said united states wants whole unified syria role bashar alassad government ring obama administrations assad must go bells yes looks assad isnt going anywhere russia iran turkey emerged three guarantors syrian peace process us military legal basis operating uninvited inside syrias sovereign territory fact assad forcibly removed us proxies basically heralds end two decades postcold war us regime change operationsbonus conflict syria put serious strain us relations nato ally turkey although tillerson forced admit iran technical compliance 2015 nuclear deal insists tehrans nuclear ambitions threat world peace despite iaea repeatedly stating iran remained within essential limits nuclear activities imposed 2015 deal six world powers us among according tillerson iran destabilizing iraq know country us invaded killing maiming displacing untold millions irans efforts helping stop jihadists turning syria libya 20 impress either160Сharacterizing iran state sponsor terrorism might work tough sell youre bunkmates saudis read finally afghanistan fifteen years poppyboosting us occupation peace may finally upon us help russia china pakistan number countries trying clean americas mess central asia felt talks unclear us purpose us state department spokesman mark toner said april explaining washingtons absence 11state afghanistan peace conference moscow russia says wants prevent instability spilling neighboring nations us officials reportedly160say moscows efforts undermining natos democracyspreading mission way washington doubling afghanistan august trump announced administrations new strategy saying americans troops afghanistan win war timetable us withdrawal country 3500 us troops shipped wartorn country much peace riley waggaman rt | 550 |
<p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kansas-City-Chiefs/" type="external">Kansas City Chiefs</a> head coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Andy_Reid/" type="external">Andy Reid</a> heard the team’s personnel department mention the name of running back Kareem Hunt as a target in this year’s draft, he immediately recalled working in his office on Thursday nights last fall.</p>
<p>That is when he watched a prolific speedster for the Toledo Rockets on television as he lit up the Mid-American Conference.</p>
<p>“I did more TV scouting, which is kind of dangerous,” Reid said, “but on Thursday nights he was on quite a little bit, so you had a chance to see him and see what he was all about just as a player. I remember his name and he was a standout player at Toledo there.”</p>
<p>Now the rest of the NFL understands what caught the attention of Chiefs’ scouts who believed Hunt could be their running back of the future.</p>
<p>The Chiefs traded a compensatory third-round selection in this year’s draft, No. 104 overall, along with fourth- and seventh-round picks to move up 18 spots to take Hunt in the third round.</p>
<p>A season-ending knee injury to <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Spencer-Ware/" type="external">Spencer Ware</a> accelerated that timeline, and Hunt has more than exceeded Kansas City’s high expectations for him.</p>
<p>The rookie rattled off another big day in the Chiefs’ 24-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, picking up 172 yards rushing along with a touchdown. Hunt leads the NFL with 401 rushing yards. The next closest to him is Minnesota rookie <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Dalvin-Cook/" type="external">Dalvin Cook</a> with 288.</p>
<p>Hunt’s hot start puts him rare air among rookie running backs since 1950.</p>
<p>Only Tampa Bay’s <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cadillac_Williams/" type="external">Cadillac Williams</a>, who rushed for 434 yards in his first three games in 2005, posted more yards than Hunt has so far. He also has 538 yards from scrimmage; only Detroit’s <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Billy_Sims/" type="external">Billy Sims</a> with 562 posted more yards from scrimmage in the first three games of a career.</p>
<p>Hunt and Sims share the mark for most touchdowns in a rookie’s first three games with six each.</p>
<p>Reid says everyone is seeing what the team’s personnel department saw.</p>
<p>“You’re seeing the core strength, the yards after hit, contact, which is a big thing with backs, and the balance, the ability to catch the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/John_Walker/" type="external">football</a> and the fourth-endurance, those were all things that popped up and I remember him,” Reid said.</p>
<p>The head coach also credits the team’s running backs coach Eric Bieniemy for helping Hunt tap into his God-given physical talents.</p>
<p>“You have a feel of what you’re coaching them on and then also at the same time to open up that can of his instincts and allow him to utilize those to the best of his abilities,” Reid said. “Eric does a great job with those two things.”</p>
<p>Hunt is continuing to apply the lessons he’s learning from Bieniemy.</p>
<p>“He’s still stopping at red lights, but he’s ready to accelerate through the green ways,” Reid said. “It’s important there.”</p>
<p>The Chiefs also seem to be carefully managing Hunt’s workload, and the rookie’s productivity helps in that regard. He averaged fewer than 16 carries through his first three games. His gaudy 8.5-yard average per carry helps him pile up the yardage. He also has nine catches for 137 receiving yards.</p>
<p>Reid says he’s not worried about his rookie back hitting a wall from overuse. The coach has backup running backs he trusts in <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Charcandrick-West/" type="external">Charcandrick West</a> and Akeem Hunt.</p>
<p>The Chiefs also occasionally uses <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Tyreek-Hill/" type="external">Tyreek Hill</a> in the backfield.</p>
<p>“I’ve seen enough make it through, I’ve seen some that hit a wall,” Reid said about rookie running backs running out of steam as the season wears on. “We’ll just see how it rolls here as we go.”</p>
<p>The head coach trusts his instincts on managing Hunt’s playing time.</p>
<p>“I just go off the feel I have and experience,” Reid said. “We’ll be all right there.”</p>
<p>REPORT CARD VS. CHARGERS</p>
<p>—PASSING OFFENSE: B-minus -Hard to find fault with <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Alex_Smith/" type="external">Alex Smith</a>‘s numbers, going 16-of-21 passing for 155 yards and two touchdowns for a 128.1 quarterback rating. Yet the offensive line surrendered five sacks, and the passing game virtually disappeared for two quarters after the Chiefs raced out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Smith continues a hot start playing at the top of his game but the offensive line continues to allow too much pressure on Smith in the middle of the game.</p>
<p>—RUSHING OFFENSE: A – Kareem Hunt continues wreaking havoc on run defenses and the NFL record book, piling up another 172 yards rushing a touchdown. The offensive line continues providing just enough space for Hunt to find a hole, and the rookie running back is proving he can take it from there.</p>
<p>—PASS DEFENSE: A – The Chargers live and die with quarterback <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Philip_Rivers/" type="external">Philip Rivers</a>, and the Chiefs stifled the veteran passer Sunday to 20-of-40 passing for 237 yards and three interceptions. Rivers posted quarterback rating of 37.2, the fourth-worst in his 179 career starts. The Chiefs pass rush and secondary bottled up the Chargers much of the day, allowing only one big play, a 44-yard pass from Rivers to <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Travis-Benjamin/" type="external">Travis Benjamin</a>.</p>
<p>—RUSH DEFENSE: B – It was a tale of two halves for the Chiefs’ run defense, with <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Melvin-Gordon/" type="external">Melvin Gordon</a> bursting out his early slump with 79 yards rushing in the first half. But once Gordon left because of a knee injury, the Chiefs’ defense established its dominance, holding the Chargers to 17 yards rushing in the second half.</p>
<p>—SPECIAL TEAMS: C-plus – Akeem Hunt broke a 42-yard kick return, but other than that the Chiefs’ return game proved flat. Punter Dustin Colquitt had a nice day, averaging 49.8 yards per punt and a 47.4-yard net with three kicks inside the 20. Kicker Cairo Santos was perfect including a 34-yard field goal after taking a nasty hit to the knee. But a botched fake punt set up the Chargers with a short field, forcing the defense to bail out the special teams.</p>
<p>—COACHING: B – Head coach Andy Reid’s team moved to 3-0 thanks to a terrific start and a fantastic finish, but the 30 minutes in between left much to be desired. The Chiefs offense switch to a pure vanilla approach, and only lights-out defense kept the team in control through the second half. The Chiefs at their best this season can put on an offensive show, but Reid’s team needs to show it can play its A-game for a full 60 minutes.</p> | false | 1 | kansas city mo kansas city chiefs head coach andy reid heard teams personnel department mention name running back kareem hunt target years draft immediately recalled working office thursday nights last fall watched prolific speedster toledo rockets television lit midamerican conference tv scouting kind dangerous reid said thursday nights quite little bit chance see see player remember name standout player toledo rest nfl understands caught attention chiefs scouts believed hunt could running back future chiefs traded compensatory thirdround selection years draft 104 overall along fourth seventhround picks move 18 spots take hunt third round seasonending knee injury spencer ware accelerated timeline hunt exceeded kansas citys high expectations rookie rattled another big day chiefs 2410 win los angeles chargers picking 172 yards rushing along touchdown hunt leads nfl 401 rushing yards next closest minnesota rookie dalvin cook 288 hunts hot start puts rare air among rookie running backs since 1950 tampa bays cadillac williams rushed 434 yards first three games 2005 posted yards hunt far also 538 yards scrimmage detroits billy sims 562 posted yards scrimmage first three games career hunt sims share mark touchdowns rookies first three games six reid says everyone seeing teams personnel department saw youre seeing core strength yards hit contact big thing backs balance ability catch football fourthendurance things popped remember reid said head coach also credits teams running backs coach eric bieniemy helping hunt tap godgiven physical talents feel youre coaching also time open instincts allow utilize best abilities reid said eric great job two things hunt continuing apply lessons hes learning bieniemy hes still stopping red lights hes ready accelerate green ways reid said important chiefs also seem carefully managing hunts workload rookies productivity helps regard averaged fewer 16 carries first three games gaudy 85yard average per carry helps pile yardage also nine catches 137 receiving yards reid says hes worried rookie back hitting wall overuse coach backup running backs trusts charcandrick west akeem hunt chiefs also occasionally uses tyreek hill backfield ive seen enough make ive seen hit wall reid said rookie running backs running steam season wears well see rolls go head coach trusts instincts managing hunts playing time go feel experience reid said well right report card vs chargers passing offense bminus hard find fault alex smiths numbers going 16of21 passing 155 yards two touchdowns 1281 quarterback rating yet offensive line surrendered five sacks passing game virtually disappeared two quarters chiefs raced 140 lead first quarter smith continues hot start playing top game offensive line continues allow much pressure smith middle game rushing offense kareem hunt continues wreaking havoc run defenses nfl record book piling another 172 yards rushing touchdown offensive line continues providing enough space hunt find hole rookie running back proving take pass defense chargers live die quarterback philip rivers chiefs stifled veteran passer sunday 20of40 passing 237 yards three interceptions rivers posted quarterback rating 372 fourthworst 179 career starts chiefs pass rush secondary bottled chargers much day allowing one big play 44yard pass rivers travis benjamin rush defense b tale two halves chiefs run defense melvin gordon bursting early slump 79 yards rushing first half gordon left knee injury chiefs defense established dominance holding chargers 17 yards rushing second half special teams cplus akeem hunt broke 42yard kick return chiefs return game proved flat punter dustin colquitt nice day averaging 498 yards per punt 474yard net three kicks inside 20 kicker cairo santos perfect including 34yard field goal taking nasty hit knee botched fake punt set chargers short field forcing defense bail special teams coaching b head coach andy reids team moved 30 thanks terrific start fantastic finish 30 minutes left much desired chiefs offense switch pure vanilla approach lightsout defense kept team control second half chiefs best season put offensive show reids team needs show play agame full 60 minutes | 632 |
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/mavis-staples/" type="external">MAVIS STAPLES</a>“If All I Was Was Black”(Anti-)</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/sharon-jones/" type="external">SHARON JONES</a> &amp; THE DAP-KINGS“Soul of a Woman”(Daptones)</p>
<p>Keith Richards once dismissed the popular notion that the Rolling Stones deserved their oft-given nickname, declaring that “on any given night, it’s a different band that’s the greatest rock &amp; roll band in the world.” The term “Queen of Soul” shouldn’t be thrown around nearly so loosely, but it’s clear Aretha Franklin doesn’t have a singular hold on it as a sobriquet that merits some sharing. On any given night, Mavis Staples and Sharon Jones were, or are, America’s R&amp;B royals, as their simultaneously released new records confirm.</p>
<p>Jones’ “Soul of a Woman” is being released posthumously (its release is just one day off from the first anniversary of her passing at age 60), so she’s not getting to enjoy the same extended victory lap as Staples, 78, who spends a good chunk of every year now opening for Bob Dylan. Their respective albums are quite different in style and subject matter. But the two singers have a lot in common besides their mutual gospel music backgrounds and this week’s coincidentally shared release date. Last year, they were both captured in acclaimed documentaries that figured into the awards conversation — both of which figured, correctly, that their subjects deserved titular exclamation points (“Mavis!,” “Miss <a href="http://variety.com/2016/music/awards/sharon-jones-dead-barbara-kopple-1201926216/" type="external">Sharon Jones</a>!”).</p>
<p>Another commonality: neither former gospel singer has or had much love for the president. The political climate is a distinct undertone to Staples’ “If All I Was Was Black”; although the lyrics don’t call out anyone in particular, the one-time siren of the civil rights movement recently told hometown paper the Chicago Tribune, “It’s worse than it was in the ’60s because we have this man — I don’t like to speak his name — bringing out the worst in us. … This man is not a president. I won’t call him a thug, but he acts like one.” Jones’ music is more romantically preoccupied and less socially concerned, but she may have felt the animus: Band members have said that, at the end, the cancer-stricken singer attributed the stroke that fell her a few days before her death to becoming angry while watching election returns.</p>
<p>So there may be some sadness or madness to go around while listening to these new albums, but what you get in the end with both is the joyful noise they picked up in their early gospel days, transplanted into even tougher times with no diminishing of their ultimate exultancy.</p>
<p>One of these albums means to be a complete and utter throwback, while the other courts a more contemporary feeling. The divergent approaches achieve equally enthralling results. In Jones’ case, she’s doing what she and the Dap-Kings have always done in their 15 years together — and it’s important to give them full co-credit as a band, one that has devastatingly lost their lead singer. Their m.o. is to exactly recreate the spirit, playing, and recording technology that would lead you to believe these were tracks minted in 1965, minus the vinyl crackle (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Whenever anyone else tries to freeze that style in amber, it comes off affected, but Jones’ vitality made retro feel utterly spiritually topical.</p>
<p>There’s nothing about “Soul of a Woman” that suggests Jones felt the end was nigh and wanted to put any last feelings down for posterity. (The idea of performers deliberately crafting a final statement tends to be a myth, more often than not, as it turned out to be when we learned David Bowie thought he had licked cancer during most of the recording of “Blackstar.”) The songs, mostly written by her bandmates, are about whether romantic love will survive, not human survival itself … although, in the tortured ecstasies of soul music, you could say they’re about one and the same.</p>
<p>The second half of “Soul of a Woman” features some strings-laden slow-burner ballads, but it would be a mistake to presume that these came about because of a feeling Jones was in her last days. Actually, the Dap-Kings have said, it was more the other way around. They initially approached the album with the idea of doing songs that could employ some subtle orchestration in anticipation of the singer doing some symphony shows. In the end, though, when they began to intuit that this could be her final record, they began adding the more up-tempo soul stirrers that dominate the first half, figuring that she should go out on an album that represented her full vigor, if this turned out to be a swan song. Their instincts were solid: Jones sounds like she was in full fighting form whether she’s weeping or jubilantly wailing.</p>
<p>“Soul of a Woman” doesn’t completely ignore Jones’ mortality. The closing song, “Call on God,” wasn’t recorded for this album — it was put down in 2007 and being saved for a gospel project that never came to fruition — but it’s the benediction that was needed for a singer who devoted most of her singing life to the church, before becoming a record-making late bloomer starting at 40. Hearing her sing that she “made up my mind to be with him all the time” almost eases the hurt of knowing that no one who’s not “with him” will get to hear a follow-up album.</p>
<p>Staples’ album not only doesn’t have the Dap-King Horns, it doesn’t have any horns, or much in the way of the other old-school sounds that fill out Jones’ album. Her producer, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, isn’t particularly interested in making a record that sounds plucked right out of that classic era. But neither is he adding any modern instrumental touches, either. He’s going after the barest funk-rock minimalism, building most of the songs on “If All I Was Was Black” around sturdy, sinewy rhythm guitar riffs, some of which sound vintage, some of which recall early Talking Heads’ own appropriation of soul music, recorded in bald, state-of-the-art high fidelity. It’s one of the year’s most fantastic-sounding records, even though there’s rarely anything more on it than that modestly strutting six-string, bass, drums, and Staples’ touring backup singers. A churchy organ or sax wouldn’t have sounded out of place, but you’re glad he left the grooves as bare-bone as they are.</p>
<p>It helps that Tweedy wrote all the songs on the album, too, the first time he’s done that in the three albums he’s produced for Staples. (He took a record off while she did her last album with M. Ward.) Previously, the Wilco auteur only wrote two or three per album, but rather than bring in any of the Nick Cave, Neko Case, or John Fogerty songs she’s done in recent years — or any gospel songs, for that matter — it seems that he wanted to write a bit of a concept record, inasmuch as all the songs refer to the current national mood, as it were. He probably wouldn’t have done that in such a hopeful way if he were writing for himself and not one of the most inspirational singers of the 20th century (and beyond), so “Black” is the perfect record to put on if you want to feel elevated and grounded at the same time in late 2017.</p>
<p>The title “If All I Was Was Black” suggests an album slightly more confrontational than this one turns out to be … but don’t worry; by uplifting Staples standards, this one has its dark moments. “Got a little bit out of line/My baby won’t make it home,” she sings in the tough, funky “Little Bit,” referring to a young man shot by police. Racial matters also pop up in “Build a Bridge”: “When I say my life matters/You can say yours does, too/But I betcha never have to remind anyone/To look at it from your point of view.” “We Go High” takes off from a title clearly inspired by Michelle Obama, and urges understanding and forgiveness of the less progressive forces in American life, even as Staples and Tweedy take a moment away from all the good will to confide: “I have a mind to bury them whole.”</p>
<p>Nonetheless, lines like “They lie, and they show no shame” and “It’s like a rainy day that never goes away” give way to “I know they don’t know what they’re doing” (echoing Christ on the cross?) and “I’m gonna open my heart to a stranger.” She’s not kidding about going high, even if her voice goes wonderfully low.</p>
<p>At 78, Staples may be even more vocally appealing than when her voice kept to a slightly higher range. This album is as unconcerned with matters of sensuality as it is with overt God talk (as her full-time songwriter here, Tweedy is all about the secular gospel). But with a rasp that sweet, you might find yourself developing the same crush on her Dylan famously had 50 years ago.</p> | false | 1 | mavis staplesif blackanti sharon jones amp dapkingssoul womandaptones keith richards dismissed popular notion rolling stones deserved oftgiven nickname declaring given night different band thats greatest rock amp roll band world term queen soul shouldnt thrown around nearly loosely clear aretha franklin doesnt singular hold sobriquet merits sharing given night mavis staples sharon jones americas rampb royals simultaneously released new records confirm jones soul woman released posthumously release one day first anniversary passing age 60 shes getting enjoy extended victory lap staples 78 spends good chunk every year opening bob dylan respective albums quite different style subject matter two singers lot common besides mutual gospel music backgrounds weeks coincidentally shared release date last year captured acclaimed documentaries figured awards conversation figured correctly subjects deserved titular exclamation points mavis miss sharon jones another commonality neither former gospel singer much love president political climate distinct undertone staples black although lyrics dont call anyone particular onetime siren civil rights movement recently told hometown paper chicago tribune worse 60s man dont like speak name bringing worst us man president wont call thug acts like one jones music romantically preoccupied less socially concerned may felt animus band members said end cancerstricken singer attributed stroke fell days death becoming angry watching election returns may sadness madness go around listening new albums get end joyful noise picked early gospel days transplanted even tougher times diminishing ultimate exultancy one albums means complete utter throwback courts contemporary feeling divergent approaches achieve equally enthralling results jones case shes dapkings always done 15 years together important give full cocredit band one devastatingly lost lead singer mo exactly recreate spirit playing recording technology would lead believe tracks minted 1965 minus vinyl crackle theres anything wrong whenever anyone else tries freeze style amber comes affected jones vitality made retro feel utterly spiritually topical theres nothing soul woman suggests jones felt end nigh wanted put last feelings posterity idea performers deliberately crafting final statement tends myth often turned learned david bowie thought licked cancer recording blackstar songs mostly written bandmates whether romantic love survive human survival although tortured ecstasies soul music could say theyre one second half soul woman features stringsladen slowburner ballads would mistake presume came feeling jones last days actually dapkings said way around initially approached album idea songs could employ subtle orchestration anticipation singer symphony shows end though began intuit could final record began adding uptempo soul stirrers dominate first half figuring go album represented full vigor turned swan song instincts solid jones sounds like full fighting form whether shes weeping jubilantly wailing soul woman doesnt completely ignore jones mortality closing song call god wasnt recorded album put 2007 saved gospel project never came fruition benediction needed singer devoted singing life church becoming recordmaking late bloomer starting 40 hearing sing made mind time almost eases hurt knowing one whos get hear followup album staples album doesnt dapking horns doesnt horns much way oldschool sounds fill jones album producer jeff tweedy wilco isnt particularly interested making record sounds plucked right classic era neither adding modern instrumental touches either hes going barest funkrock minimalism building songs black around sturdy sinewy rhythm guitar riffs sound vintage recall early talking heads appropriation soul music recorded bald stateoftheart high fidelity one years fantasticsounding records even though theres rarely anything modestly strutting sixstring bass drums staples touring backup singers churchy organ sax wouldnt sounded place youre glad left grooves barebone helps tweedy wrote songs album first time hes done three albums hes produced staples took record last album ward previously wilco auteur wrote two three per album rather bring nick cave neko case john fogerty songs shes done recent years gospel songs matter seems wanted write bit concept record inasmuch songs refer current national mood probably wouldnt done hopeful way writing one inspirational singers 20th century beyond black perfect record put want feel elevated grounded time late 2017 title black suggests album slightly confrontational one turns dont worry uplifting staples standards one dark moments got little bit linemy baby wont make home sings tough funky little bit referring young man shot police racial matters also pop build bridge say life mattersyou say toobut betcha never remind anyoneto look point view go high takes title clearly inspired michelle obama urges understanding forgiveness less progressive forces american life even staples tweedy take moment away good confide mind bury whole nonetheless lines like lie show shame like rainy day never goes away give way know dont know theyre echoing christ cross im gon na open heart stranger shes kidding going high even voice goes wonderfully low 78 staples may even vocally appealing voice kept slightly higher range album unconcerned matters sensuality overt god talk fulltime songwriter tweedy secular gospel rasp sweet might find developing crush dylan famously 50 years ago | 789 |
<p />
<p>Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 there have been two further transformative events that have reshaped in enduring ways the global setting. When the Soviet empire collapsed two years later, the way was opened for the triumphalist pursuit of the American Imperial Project, seizing the opportunity for geopolitical expansion provided by its self-anointed global leadership as ‘the sole surviving superpower.’ This first rupture in the character of world order produced a decade of ascendant neoliberal globalization in which state power was temporarily and partially eclipsed by a passing the torch of lead global policymaker to the oligarchs of Davos who met annually under the banner of the World Economic Forum. In that sense, the U.S. Government was the well-subsidized sheriff of predatory globalization while the policy agenda was being set by lead bankers and global corporate executives. Although not often identified as such, the 1990s was the first evidence of the rise of non-state actors, and the decline of state-centric geopolitics.</p>
<p>The second rupture came with the 9/11 attacks, however those events are construed. The impact of the attacks transferred the locus of policymaking authority back to the United States, as state actor, under the rubrics of ‘the war on terror,’ ‘global security,’ and ‘the long war.’ This counter-terrorist response to 9/11 produced claims to engage in preemptive warfare (‘The Bush Doctrine’). This militarist foreign policy was put into practice by initiating a ‘shock and awe’ war against Iraq in March 2003, despite the refusal of the UN Security Council to back American war plans. This second rupture has turned the entire world into a potential battlefield, with a variety of overt and covert military and paramilitary operations launched by the United States without appropriate authorization from either the UN or by deference to international law. Aside from this disruption of the liberal international order, the continuing pattern of responses to 9/11 involve disregard for the sovereign rights of states in the global South as well as complicity of many states in Europe and the Middle East in violation of basic human rights through engaging in torture in response to ‘extreme rendition’ of terrorist suspects and providing ‘black sites’ where persons deemed hostile to the United States are detained and routinely abused. The response to 9/11 also was seized upon by the neoconservative ideologues that rose to power in the Bush presidency to enact their pre-attack grand strategy accentuating ‘regime change’ in the Middle East, starting with Iraq, which was portrayed as ‘low-lying fruit’ that would have multiple benefits once picked: military bases, lower energy prices, oil supplies, regional hegemony, promoting Israeli regional goals.</p>
<p>The third rupture involving the continuing worldwide deep economic recession that started in 2008, and has produced widespread rise in unemployment, declining living standards, and rising costs for basic necessities, especially food and fuel. These developments have exhibited the inequities, gross abuses, and deficiencies of neoliberal globalization, but have not led to the imposition of regulations designed to lessen such widely uneven gains from economic growth, to avoid market abuses, or even to guard against periodic market collapses. This deepening crisis of world capitalism is not being currently addressed, and alternative visions, even the revival of a Keynesian approach, have little political backing. This crisis has also exposed the vulnerabilities of the European Union to the uneven stresses exerted by varying national capabilities to deal with the challenges posed. All of these economic concerns are complicated and intensified by the advent of global warming, and its dramatically uneven impacts.</p>
<p>A fourth rupture in global governance is associated with the unresolved turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. The mass popular uprisings that started in Tunisia have provided the spark that set off fires elsewhere in the region, especially Egypt. These extraordinary challenges to the established order have vividly inscribed on the global political consciousness the courage and determination of ordinary people living in these Arab countries, especially youth, who have been enduring for their entire lives intolerable conditions of material deprivation, despair, alienation, elite corruption, and merciless oppression. The outcomes of these movements for change in the Arab world is not yet knowable, and will not be for months, if not years to come. It is crucial for supporters on the scene and around the world not to become complacent as it is certain that those with entrenched interests in the old oppressive and exploitative order are seeking to restore former conditions to the extent possible, or at least salvage what they can. In this regard, it would be a naïve mistake to think that transformative and emancipatory results can come from the elimination of a single hated figure such as Ben Ali in Tunisia or Mubarak in Egypt, even if including their immediate entourage. Sustainable significant change requires a new political structure, as well as a new process that ensures free and fair elections and adequate opportunities for popular participation. Real democracy must be substantive as well as procedural, bringing human security to the people, including basic needs, decent work, and a police that protects rather than harasses. Otherwise, the changes wrought merely defer the revolutionary moment to a later day, and an ordeal of mass suffering will resume until that time comes.</p>
<p>To simplify, what remains unresolved is the fundamental nature of the outcome of these confrontations between the aroused populace of the region and state power with its autocratic and neoliberal orientations. Will this outcome be transformative bringing into being authentic democracy based on human rights and an economic order that puts the needs of people ahead of the ambitions of capital? If it is then it will be appropriate to speak of the Egyptian Revolution, the Tunisian Revolution, and maybe others in the region and elsewhere to come, as it was appropriate to describe the Iranian outcome in 1979 as the Iranian Revolution. From this perspective a revolutionary result may not necessarily be a benevolent outcome beyond ridding the society of the old order. In Iran a newly oppressive regime resting on a different ideological foundation emerged, itself being challenged after the 2009 elections by a popular movement calling itself the Green Revolution. So far this use of the word ‘revolution’ expressed hopes rather than referred to realities.</p>
<p>What has actually taken place in Iran, and what seemed to flow from the onslaught unleashed by the Chinese state in Tiananmen Square in 1989 was ‘counterrevolution,’ that is the restoration of the old order and the systematic repression of those identified as participants in the challenge. Actually, the words deployed can be misleading. What most followers of the Green Revolution seemed to seek in Iran was reform not revolution, that is, changes in personnel and policies, protection of human rights, but no challenge to the structure or the constitution of the Islamic Republic.</p>
<p>It is unclear whether the movement in Egypt is at present sufficiently unified or reflective to have a coherent vision of its goals beyond getting rid of Mubarak. The response of the state, besides trying to crush the uprising and even banish media coverage, offers at most promises of reform: fairer and freer elections, respect for human rights. It is rather obscure about what is meant and even more so, what will happen, in the course of an ‘orderly transition’ under the auspices of temporary leaders closely tied to the old regime, and likely enjoying enthusiastic backing in Washington. Will a cosmetic agenda of reform hide the actuality of a politics of counterrevolution? Or will revolutionary expectations come to the fore from an aroused populace to overwhelm the pacifying efforts of ‘the reformers’? Or might there be a genuine mandate of reform, supported by elites and bureaucrats, enacting sufficiently ambitious changes in the direction of democracy and social justice to satisfy the publics? Of course, there is no assurance, or likelihood, that the outcomes will be the same, or even similar, in the various countries undergoing these dynamics of change, and some will see ‘revolution’ where ‘reform’ has taken place, and few will acknowledge the extent to which ‘counterrevolution’ can lead to the breaking of even modest promises of reform.</p>
<p>At stake, as never since the collapse of the colonial order in the Middle East and North Africa, is the unfolding and shaping of self-determination in the entire Arab world, and possibly beyond.</p>
<p>How these dynamics will affect the broader regional agenda is not apparent at this stage, but there is every reason to suppose that the Israel/Palestine conflict will never be quite the same. It is also uncertain how such important regional actors as Turkey or Iran will deploy or not their influence. And, of course, the behavior of the elephant not formally in the room is likely to be a crucial element in the mix for some time to come, for better or worse.</p> | false | 1 | since fall berlin wall 1989 two transformative events reshaped enduring ways global setting soviet empire collapsed two years later way opened triumphalist pursuit american imperial project seizing opportunity geopolitical expansion provided selfanointed global leadership sole surviving superpower first rupture character world order produced decade ascendant neoliberal globalization state power temporarily partially eclipsed passing torch lead global policymaker oligarchs davos met annually banner world economic forum sense us government wellsubsidized sheriff predatory globalization policy agenda set lead bankers global corporate executives although often identified 1990s first evidence rise nonstate actors decline statecentric geopolitics second rupture came 911 attacks however events construed impact attacks transferred locus policymaking authority back united states state actor rubrics war terror global security long war counterterrorist response 911 produced claims engage preemptive warfare bush doctrine militarist foreign policy put practice initiating shock awe war iraq march 2003 despite refusal un security council back american war plans second rupture turned entire world potential battlefield variety overt covert military paramilitary operations launched united states without appropriate authorization either un deference international law aside disruption liberal international order continuing pattern responses 911 involve disregard sovereign rights states global south well complicity many states europe middle east violation basic human rights engaging torture response extreme rendition terrorist suspects providing black sites persons deemed hostile united states detained routinely abused response 911 also seized upon neoconservative ideologues rose power bush presidency enact preattack grand strategy accentuating regime change middle east starting iraq portrayed lowlying fruit would multiple benefits picked military bases lower energy prices oil supplies regional hegemony promoting israeli regional goals third rupture involving continuing worldwide deep economic recession started 2008 produced widespread rise unemployment declining living standards rising costs basic necessities especially food fuel developments exhibited inequities gross abuses deficiencies neoliberal globalization led imposition regulations designed lessen widely uneven gains economic growth avoid market abuses even guard periodic market collapses deepening crisis world capitalism currently addressed alternative visions even revival keynesian approach little political backing crisis also exposed vulnerabilities european union uneven stresses exerted varying national capabilities deal challenges posed economic concerns complicated intensified advent global warming dramatically uneven impacts fourth rupture global governance associated unresolved turmoil middle east north africa mass popular uprisings started tunisia provided spark set fires elsewhere region especially egypt extraordinary challenges established order vividly inscribed global political consciousness courage determination ordinary people living arab countries especially youth enduring entire lives intolerable conditions material deprivation despair alienation elite corruption merciless oppression outcomes movements change arab world yet knowable months years come crucial supporters scene around world become complacent certain entrenched interests old oppressive exploitative order seeking restore former conditions extent possible least salvage regard would naïve mistake think transformative emancipatory results come elimination single hated figure ben ali tunisia mubarak egypt even including immediate entourage sustainable significant change requires new political structure well new process ensures free fair elections adequate opportunities popular participation real democracy must substantive well procedural bringing human security people including basic needs decent work police protects rather harasses otherwise changes wrought merely defer revolutionary moment later day ordeal mass suffering resume time comes simplify remains unresolved fundamental nature outcome confrontations aroused populace region state power autocratic neoliberal orientations outcome transformative bringing authentic democracy based human rights economic order puts needs people ahead ambitions capital appropriate speak egyptian revolution tunisian revolution maybe others region elsewhere come appropriate describe iranian outcome 1979 iranian revolution perspective revolutionary result may necessarily benevolent outcome beyond ridding society old order iran newly oppressive regime resting different ideological foundation emerged challenged 2009 elections popular movement calling green revolution far use word revolution expressed hopes rather referred realities actually taken place iran seemed flow onslaught unleashed chinese state tiananmen square 1989 counterrevolution restoration old order systematic repression identified participants challenge actually words deployed misleading followers green revolution seemed seek iran reform revolution changes personnel policies protection human rights challenge structure constitution islamic republic unclear whether movement egypt present sufficiently unified reflective coherent vision goals beyond getting rid mubarak response state besides trying crush uprising even banish media coverage offers promises reform fairer freer elections respect human rights rather obscure meant even happen course orderly transition auspices temporary leaders closely tied old regime likely enjoying enthusiastic backing washington cosmetic agenda reform hide actuality politics counterrevolution revolutionary expectations come fore aroused populace overwhelm pacifying efforts reformers might genuine mandate reform supported elites bureaucrats enacting sufficiently ambitious changes direction democracy social justice satisfy publics course assurance likelihood outcomes even similar various countries undergoing dynamics change see revolution reform taken place acknowledge extent counterrevolution lead breaking even modest promises reform stake never since collapse colonial order middle east north africa unfolding shaping selfdetermination entire arab world possibly beyond dynamics affect broader regional agenda apparent stage every reason suppose israelpalestine conflict never quite also uncertain important regional actors turkey iran deploy influence course behavior elephant formally room likely crucial element mix time come better worse | 810 |
<p>Warner Bros. is&#160;holding its breath as the studio prepares to unveil “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/justice-league/" type="external">Justice League</a>” this weekend.</p>
<p>The costly&#160;superhero team adventure carries a production budget of more than $250 million, according to several sources, and with it, the hope that DC’s interconnected cinematic universe of comic book heroes and villains&#160;can&#160;deliver huge audiences around the globe.</p>
<p>When tens of millions of dollars in worldwide marketing and distribution costs are added in, “ <a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/news/justice-league-review-roundup-1202615747/" type="external">Justice League</a>” would have to bring in a lofty sum of around $600 million from ticket sales alone and additional revenue from ancillaries like pay-TV and home entertainment in order to turn a profit.&#160;</p>
<p>Warner Bros. executives are already concerned that the movie’s debut this weekend — projected to be $110 million — is less than what they had hoped for. In comparison, last year’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” opened to $166 million.&#160;The film will also face some competition over the upcoming holiday weekend from another big release, Disney/Pixar’s “Coco,” though the animated film skews younger. So far, early reaction to “Justice League” has been mixed both among critics and fans. Some have panned it, while others have praised its lighter tone.</p>
<p>Also weighing on the picture is whether audiences will embrace new characters, the Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman, all of whom appear on the big screen for the first time. The trio will get their own standalone films, starting with Aquaman in December 2018. The Flash and Cyborg films are set for release in 2020.</p>
<p>DC’s cinematic universe has had a bumpy roll-out in recent years. While last year’s “Suicide Squad” and “Batman v Superman” collectively grossed $1.6 billion worldwide, they drew poor reviews and scorn by some comic book fans. Patty Jenkins’ “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/wonder-woman/" type="external">Wonder Woman</a>,” however, provided a much-needed jolt of success to the DC franchise, bringing critical acclaim, as well as $822 million at the global box office.</p>
<p>A “Justice League” dud would be sure to deflate DC’s sails and renew efforts at the studio to focus on individual films rather than on continuity between movies and characters.</p>
<p>“When you have iconic characters like this and a brand like ‘Justice League,’ and even the individual brands of those characters, there’s pressure on the movie to deliver,” said the film’s producer&#160;Chuck Roven. “We were really happy with the response creatively, critically and financially on ‘ <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/wonder-woman-matthew-jensen-patty-jenkins-chris-pine-1202614922/" type="external">Wonder Woman</a>.’ It would be great if this film could deliver some level of the same kind of response in those same areas. The fans are going to have to tell us.”</p>
<p>“Justice League” has a lot to live up to as 2017&#160;has featured a slew of well-reviewed superhero films like Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnorok” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” both of which had&#160;Rotten Tomato scores above 90%. Rotten Tomatoes, which delayed releasing its score of reviews of “Justice League” until Thursday, reported a score of 40%.&#160;Rotten Tomatoes delayed the release of the score to reveal it on its new Facebook show, “See It/Skip It,” early Thursday morning. The movie ratings site, which is part-owned by Warner Bros., also recently held back the score for “A Bad Moms Christmas” to reveal it on the new Facebook program.</p>
<p>“The pressure is on to keep the perfect 2017 superhero track record alive,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior analyst for ComScore.&#160;“There’s a lot of pressure on many fronts. (“Justice League”) is a key building block of the future of DC.”</p>
<p>In promoting the film, Warner dealt with the conundrum of <a href="http://variety.com/t/ben-affleck/" type="external">Ben Affleck</a> as Batman.&#160;Affleck’s turn as the Caped Crusader has not been received with the same enthusiasm as past Batmans. Warner Bros. has instead focused its marketing on <a href="http://variety.com/t/gal-gadot/" type="external">Gal Gadot</a>, capitalizing on her newfound popularity from “Wonder Woman.” Speculation&#160;persists that Affleck’s appearance in future Batman films will end with “The Batman,” the Matt Reeves-directed film that was originally set to be directed by Affleck. Studio insiders say privately that they are ready to cast a new Batman, and in a recent interview with USA Today Affleck said he would&#160;like to find a “graceful and cool” way to exit.</p>
<p>“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why ‘Wonder Woman’ is front and center in all of the marketing,” Deragarabedian said, adding: “Any time you’re changing casting, it always presents challenges. While we’ve always seen iconic characters change casting, it is always tricky because you like to have a consistency there.”</p>
<p>The almost decade-long effort to bring “Justice League” to bear comes amid an evolution in style and tone for the superhero genre as a whole. It seems that sometime during the making of “Justice League,” the ground shifted beneath the feet of DC. “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Deadpool” started to bring a levity to films that had previously seen superheroes take themselves too seriously.</p>
<p>Fast-forward to “Ragnarok,” the Marvel entry that dialed up the funny with slapstick humor and witty writing, becoming the best-reviewed Marvel film to date.</p>
<p>DC films are adjusting, too, starting with Jenkins. “Wonder Woman” teemed with themes like love, hope and friendship – a stark contrast to the “Dark Knight” trilogy, as well as “Batman v Superman,” which explored far more darker views of humanity.</p>
<p>This past summer, Warner brought in Joss Whedon, known for his wry writing style, to take on “Justice League” after director Zack Snyder stepped away&#160;in May&#160;to deal with the death of his daughter. Re-shoots, made complicated by the competing schedules of all the actors, lasted two months and cost $25 million. Roven, however, said the film will be an amalgam of Snyder and Whedon’s styles.</p>
<p>“The DNA of the movie was already set, and Joss was working on script re-shoot pages with Zack,” Roven said. “Everybody kind of knew for the most part what was going to be shot. Of course, Joss is his own creative entity so he’s going to put some of his DNA into it also, but the vast majority of it was already set.”</p>
<p>Brent Lang contributed to this report.</p> | false | 1 | warner bros is160holding breath studio prepares unveil justice league weekend costly160superhero team adventure carries production budget 250 million according several sources hope dcs interconnected cinematic universe comic book heroes villains160can160deliver huge audiences around globe tens millions dollars worldwide marketing distribution costs added justice league would bring lofty sum around 600 million ticket sales alone additional revenue ancillaries like paytv home entertainment order turn profit160 warner bros executives already concerned movies debut weekend projected 110 million less hoped comparison last years batman v superman dawn justice opened 166 million160the film also face competition upcoming holiday weekend another big release disneypixars coco though animated film skews younger far early reaction justice league mixed among critics fans panned others praised lighter tone also weighing picture whether audiences embrace new characters flash cyborg aquaman appear big screen first time trio get standalone films starting aquaman december 2018 flash cyborg films set release 2020 dcs cinematic universe bumpy rollout recent years last years suicide squad batman v superman collectively grossed 16 billion worldwide drew poor reviews scorn comic book fans patty jenkins wonder woman however provided muchneeded jolt success dc franchise bringing critical acclaim well 822 million global box office justice league dud would sure deflate dcs sails renew efforts studio focus individual films rather continuity movies characters iconic characters like brand like justice league even individual brands characters theres pressure movie deliver said films producer160chuck roven really happy response creatively critically financially wonder woman would great film could deliver level kind response areas fans going tell us justice league lot live 2017160has featured slew wellreviewed superhero films like marvels thor ragnorok spiderman homecoming had160rotten tomato scores 90 rotten tomatoes delayed releasing score reviews justice league thursday reported score 40160rotten tomatoes delayed release score reveal new facebook show see itskip early thursday morning movie ratings site partowned warner bros also recently held back score bad moms christmas reveal new facebook program pressure keep perfect 2017 superhero track record alive said paul dergarabedian senior analyst comscore160theres lot pressure many fronts justice league key building block future dc promoting film warner dealt conundrum ben affleck batman160afflecks turn caped crusader received enthusiasm past batmans warner bros instead focused marketing gal gadot capitalizing newfound popularity wonder woman speculation160persists afflecks appearance future batman films end batman matt reevesdirected film originally set directed affleck studio insiders say privately ready cast new batman recent interview usa today affleck said would160like find graceful cool way exit doesnt take genius figure wonder woman front center marketing deragarabedian said adding time youre changing casting always presents challenges weve always seen iconic characters change casting always tricky like consistency almost decadelong effort bring justice league bear comes amid evolution style tone superhero genre whole seems sometime making justice league ground shifted beneath feet dc guardians galaxy deadpool started bring levity films previously seen superheroes take seriously fastforward ragnarok marvel entry dialed funny slapstick humor witty writing becoming bestreviewed marvel film date dc films adjusting starting jenkins wonder woman teemed themes like love hope friendship stark contrast dark knight trilogy well batman v superman explored far darker views humanity past summer warner brought joss whedon known wry writing style take justice league director zack snyder stepped away160in may160to deal death daughter reshoots made complicated competing schedules actors lasted two months cost 25 million roven however said film amalgam snyder whedons styles dna movie already set joss working script reshoot pages zack roven said everybody kind knew part going shot course joss creative entity hes going put dna also vast majority already set brent lang contributed report | 589 |
<p>Facing a fresh accusation of sexual misconduct in a Congress that has become increasingly less tolerant, U.S. Rep. Ruben Kihuen will be under <a href="" type="internal">the scrutiny of an ethics</a> <a href="" type="internal">investigation</a>.</p>
<p>A lobbyist said Kihuen on several occasions touched her thighs and buttocks while he was a state senator, and <a href="" type="internal">made repeated sexual advances</a> during Nevada’s 2015 legislative session. The accusations, reported Wednesday by the Nevada Independent, come less than two weeks after a former staffer said Kihuen harassed her during his 2016 congressional campaign.</p>
<p>But not even a year ago Kihuen stood on the stairs of the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse in Las Vegas and declared himself a champion for women.</p>
<p>“This is not the time to be quiet. This is not the time to roll over. This is not the time to be complacent,” the Democrat told a Women’s March crowd a little more than two weeks after he took office in Congress.</p>
<p>“This is the time to speak up, to fight back, to push back and to make sure that we hold every single elected official accountable.”</p>
<p>Minutes earlier, Kihuen had marched through downtown Las Vegas with his fist raised in solidarity. Now, standing before the crowd, he gripped the microphone and pointed at his audience.</p>
<p>“An attack on women,” he declared, “is an attack on all of us.”</p>
<p>Calls to resign</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Kihuen’s office on Thursday sent a statement</a> saying the lawmaker will not discuss details of relationships he has had with women while in elected office. Kihuen, 37, is unmarried.</p>
<p>“During my 10 years in the legislature, I dated several different women. Out of respect for their privacy, I won’t discuss my communications or any other details of those relationships,” the statement read.</p>
<p>But as sexual harassment and misconduct allegations continue to rock Capitol Hill, Democratic leadership has taken a strong stance on the issue, and called for Kihuen — a Mexican immigrant and once undocumented U.S. citizen — <a href="" type="internal">to</a> <a href="" type="internal">resign</a>.</p>
<p>The House Ethics Committee announced Friday that it has launched an investigation into Kihuen’s actions.</p>
<p>House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Thursday said Kihuen should step down. She was echoing her previous statement, released the day after the first account of sexual harassment was made public.</p>
<p>“I’ve asked him to resign from the start,” Pelosi told reporters. She initially wrote that “the young woman’s documented account is convincing, and I commend her for the courage it took to come forward. In light of these upsetting allegations, Congressman Kihuen should resign.”</p>
<p>Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., chairman of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, has also called for Kihuen to step down. But other Democrats have stopped short of calling for such drastic measures, including Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland.</p>
<p>Kihuen is among a growing number of lawmakers whose political careers have been thrust into uncertainty or ended altogether by allegations of sexual misconduct.</p>
<p>Last week, three lawmakers announced their departures from Capitol Hill after facing accusations of inappropriate behavior, including Reps. <a href="" type="internal">John Conyers,</a> <a href="" type="internal">D-Mich.</a>, and <a href="" type="internal">Trent Franks,</a> <a href="" type="internal">R-Ariz.</a>, and <a href="" type="internal">Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn.</a> Each had faced an ethics investigation.</p>
<p>On Thursday, <a href="" type="internal">embattled Texas Rep. Blake</a> <a href="" type="internal">Farenthold</a>, who settled an $84,000 sexual harassment lawsuit with his former communications director in 2015, said he will not run for re-election after the House Ethics Committee announced it would conduct an investigation. In recent days, former staffers also shared accounts of a toxic work environment in which Farenthold berated and bullied staffers.</p>
<p>Culinary support</p>
<p>Kihuen campaigned as a champion for the working class people who are the backbone of the Strip’s workforce. That, and a blessing from retiring Sen. Harry Reid, helped win him the endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226.</p>
<p>The Culinary is Nevada’s biggest union, with more than half its 57,000 members Latino. Nearly half are women. One of those is Kihuen’s mother.</p>
<p>Strip cocktail server and Culinary member Brittany Bronson said if not for union protection, these low-wage workers — housekeepers, bartenders and other resort and casino employees — risk losing their jobs by speaking out against harassers.</p>
<p>“Dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace is something I would say our members deal with on a weekly basis,” Bronson said.</p>
<p>“I think that’s why this example is particularly poignant and frustrating.”</p>
<p>Union leadership has said nothing publicly about Kihuen, but did release a statement from secretary-treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline:</p>
<p>“Our union’s history is one of challenging a discriminatory status quo. As a union of strong women who have never accepted sexual harassment and gender discrimination, we respect the women who come forward to change what should never have been. We demand equality and a harassment-free environment at home, at school, at work, and everywhere we go.”</p>
<p>UNLV associate professor of history Michael Green said Kihuen’s political career hinges on the union.</p>
<p>“If the Culinary withdraws its support it is the final nail,” he said.</p>
<p>In 2016, “that was one of his most important group of supporters, if not his most important supporter,” Green said. “The union has been very organizing get out the vote efforts, ranging from door knocking to transportation and in that way can deliver a lot of votes, or not deliver them.”</p>
<p>According to the union’s website, its members visited more than 85,000 households and volunteered hundreds of hours to propel Kihuen to victory in an eight-way primary.</p>
<p>Much of the responsbility fell on the shoulders of then-Culinary political director Yvanna Cancela, who has called Kihuen a friend and mentor.</p>
<p>A friend and mentee of Kihuen’s who was appointed to his state senate seat after the 2016 election, Cancela, who was appointed to Kihuen’s state Senate seat after he was elected to Congress, said in a statement after Kihuen’s first accuser came forward that she was heartbroken by the allegations.</p>
<p>“I’m struggling to reconcile the fact someone who has been a leader in our community and who I worked hard to elect is being accused of indefensible behavior,” Cancela said in the statement, also calling for an investigation.</p>
<p>For others, like union member Bronson, there’s already no room for leniency.</p>
<p>“As much as I’ve supported his policies — and I know he has fought for women’s issues and women’s right in his lawmaking — that doesn’t excuse his behavior,” she said. “If we really want to be a party of women or you want to be someone who supports women I don’t think we can let this go without consequences.”</p>
<p>Contact Michael Scott Davidson at <a href="" type="internal">[email protected]</a> or 702-477-3861. Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/@davidsonlvrj" type="external">@davidsonlvrj</a> on Twitter. The Associated Press contributed to this report.</p> | false | 1 | facing fresh accusation sexual misconduct congress become increasingly less tolerant us rep ruben kihuen scrutiny ethics investigation lobbyist said kihuen several occasions touched thighs buttocks state senator made repeated sexual advances nevadas 2015 legislative session accusations reported wednesday nevada independent come less two weeks former staffer said kihuen harassed 2016 congressional campaign even year ago kihuen stood stairs lloyd george us courthouse las vegas declared champion women time quiet time roll time complacent democrat told womens march crowd little two weeks took office congress time speak fight back push back make sure hold every single elected official accountable minutes earlier kihuen marched downtown las vegas fist raised solidarity standing crowd gripped microphone pointed audience attack women declared attack us calls resign kihuens office thursday sent statement saying lawmaker discuss details relationships women elected office kihuen 37 unmarried 10 years legislature dated several different women respect privacy wont discuss communications details relationships statement read sexual harassment misconduct allegations continue rock capitol hill democratic leadership taken strong stance issue called kihuen mexican immigrant undocumented us citizen resign house ethics committee announced friday launched investigation kihuens actions house minority leader nancy pelosi dcalif thursday said kihuen step echoing previous statement released day first account sexual harassment made public ive asked resign start pelosi told reporters initially wrote young womans documented account convincing commend courage took come forward light upsetting allegations congressman kihuen resign rep ben ray lujan dnm chairman house democrats campaign arm also called kihuen step democrats stopped short calling drastic measures including democratic whip steny hoyer maryland kihuen among growing number lawmakers whose political careers thrust uncertainty ended altogether allegations sexual misconduct last week three lawmakers announced departures capitol hill facing accusations inappropriate behavior including reps john conyers dmich trent franks rariz sen al franken dminn faced ethics investigation thursday embattled texas rep blake farenthold settled 84000 sexual harassment lawsuit former communications director 2015 said run reelection house ethics committee announced would conduct investigation recent days former staffers also shared accounts toxic work environment farenthold berated bullied staffers culinary support kihuen campaigned champion working class people backbone strips workforce blessing retiring sen harry reid helped win endorsement culinary workers union local 226 culinary nevadas biggest union half 57000 members latino nearly half women one kihuens mother strip cocktail server culinary member brittany bronson said union protection lowwage workers housekeepers bartenders resort casino employees risk losing jobs speaking harassers dealing sexual harassment workplace something would say members deal weekly basis bronson said think thats example particularly poignant frustrating union leadership said nothing publicly kihuen release statement secretarytreasurer geoconda arguellokline unions history one challenging discriminatory status quo union strong women never accepted sexual harassment gender discrimination respect women come forward change never demand equality harassmentfree environment home school work everywhere go unlv associate professor history michael green said kihuens political career hinges union culinary withdraws support final nail said 2016 one important group supporters important supporter green said union organizing get vote efforts ranging door knocking transportation way deliver lot votes deliver according unions website members visited 85000 households volunteered hundreds hours propel kihuen victory eightway primary much responsbility fell shoulders thenculinary political director yvanna cancela called kihuen friend mentor friend mentee kihuens appointed state senate seat 2016 election cancela appointed kihuens state senate seat elected congress said statement kihuens first accuser came forward heartbroken allegations im struggling reconcile fact someone leader community worked hard elect accused indefensible behavior cancela said statement also calling investigation others like union member bronson theres already room leniency much ive supported policies know fought womens issues womens right lawmaking doesnt excuse behavior said really want party women want someone supports women dont think let go without consequences contact michael scott davidson sdavidsonreviewjournalcom 7024773861 follow davidsonlvrj twitter associated press contributed report | 623 |
<p>The Obamacare open-enrollment season (supposedly) closed yesterday, so it is good time to step back and assess where things stand with the law and its first-year implementation.</p>
<p>Interestingly, Obamacare remains something of a Rorschach test for journalists and health-policy analysts. Looking at the same set of facts, two observers can reach very different conclusions.</p>
<p>For instance, Noam Levey of the&#160;Los Angeles Times&#160; <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-obamacare-uninsured-national-20140331,0,6550360,full.story#axzz2xYVbfomi" type="external">writes</a>&#160;that Obamacare “has spurred the largest expansion in health coverage in America in half a century.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, health consultant Howard J. Peterson, writing at the&#160;Philadelphia Inquirer&#160;news site,&#160; <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20140330_Numbers_of_uninsured_are_not_being_decreased.html" type="external">says</a>&#160;“the first four years of Obamacare has led to solving about 10 percent of the problem of uninsured citizens.” He expects no further improvement in the coming years.</p>
<p>So which is it? Is Obamacare on track to be an historic achievement? Or is it falling well short of the lofty goals set for it by the administration?</p>
<p>The Obamacare exchanges reportedly will have enrolled at least 7 million persons in health insurance plans through the end of March. As the Obama administration predicted, there was a large increase in sign-ups in the final days of the open-enrollment period, pushing the total enrollment numbers up even beyond the 6 million estimate touted by the president just last week.</p>
<p>This is without question good news for the law’s supporters and a significant turnaround since last November. After the first two months of shaky enrollment numbers, I expected the first year sign-up totals to be far short of projections. I was clearly wrong about that.</p>
<p>Administration officials realized when the fiasco was unfolding last fall that nothing mattered in the first year except getting people on the program — and so they did whatever was necessary to HealthCare.gov to make signing up easy. Those fixes are likely to lead to a large percentage of erroneous subsidy payments, as controls and other checks were turned off. That’s clearly a price the administration will gladly pay to get more people onto the program.</p>
<p>Seven million is also an overstatement of true enrollment in the insurance plans. About 20 percent or so of the enrollees have failed, or will fail, to continue payment of their required premiums, according to insurance-industry observers. So 7 million sign-ups translates into a little less than 6 million people who are expected to receive coverage.</p>
<p>And who are these enrollees? Remember, Obamacare forced the cancellation of many millions of insurance plans sold in the individual insurance market. The president later indicated that these plans could be reopened, but only in states with insurance regulators willing to go along with the president’s last minute change of heart. Some number of people with canceled plans likely ended up in the exchanges because they had no other real choice. Thus, several surveys have unsurprisingly shown that a relatively small percentage — perhaps one-third or lower — of the enrollees in the exchanges were previously uninsured. That implies that, so far, enrollment in the exchanges has reduced the ranks of the uninsured by about 2 million people.</p>
<p>It is also clear at this point that there are large state-by-state differences in enrollment experience. In states with activist governments pushing hard for enrollment, such as California and New York, the enrollment numbers are relatively high. But in large parts of the country, the numbers are far lower. For instance,&#160; <a href="http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2014/MarketPlaceEnrollment/Mar2014/ib_2014mar_enrollment.pdf" type="external">at the end of February</a>, enrollment in the California exchange had reached 2.3 percent of the state population. Meanwhile, in West Virginia, it was just 0.6 percent, and in Oklahoma it was just 0.9 percent. The numbers will obviously go up with March added to the enrollment totals, but the state disparities are unlikely to disappear entirely.</p>
<p>Each state is its own insurance market, whether it uses the federal exchange system or not. These state differences could mean that the Obamacare exchanges are viable in some states and regions of the country, while in other states and regions the numbers remain too low to sustain a stable insurance pool.</p>
<p>The administration also touts the Medicaid expansion as helping to reduce the uninsured. But most of the millions of new sign-ups in Medicaid are by people who were previously eligible for the program anyway. The number of people now on Medicaid who would otherwise have been uninsured is likely around 3 million or so at this point.</p>
<p>The original goals for Obamacare were far more ambitious. At the time of enactment, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)&#160; <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/113xx/doc11379/amendreconprop.pdf" type="external">estimated</a>&#160;that Obamacare would lower the ranks of the uninsured by 19 million in 2014. Even as recently as last May, CBO <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/43900-2013-05-ACA.pdf" type="external">estimated</a>&#160;the reduction in the uninsured would be 14 million this year.</p>
<p>Moreover, for every newly insured American, there are several others who are now getting far worse health coverage than they had last year. Their premiums have gone up. They are facing much higher deductibles. And they are being forced to pay for mandated benefits that they would rather not have. This is the reason that Obamacare’s poll numbers continue to sink, and are unlikely to be buoyed by encouraging enrollment numbers.</p>
<p>At its heart, Obamacare was a large-scale redistribution program. It provides large new subsidies to lower-income households and to those with previously expensive insurance due to risk rating of their premiums. These subsidies are paid for by raising premiums on many millions of previously insured households, raising taxes significantly, and cutting Medicare.</p>
<p>The end result will be a reduction in the uninsured of some magnitude, that’s for sure. But it was never going to be hard to reduce the uninsured if that was all that concerned policymakers. Massive public subsidies and expansion of free public-insurance programs can expand insurance enrollment, so long as others were willing to pay for it.</p>
<p>But that wasn’t what was promised. Americans were told that reform would lower costs&#160;for everyone, and that no one would lose the policies they previously held and liked. People are dissatisfied with Obamacare because they’ve realized the law will never deliver on these promises. Indeed, just yesterday&#160; <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/03/30/health-care-spending/7007987/" type="external">it was announced</a>&#160;that health-care costs rose at the fastest pace in a decade in the last three months of 2013. Most Americans are seeing no benefit whatsoever from Obamacare, and in fact are paying much more than they ever have before.</p>
<p>In its first year, Obamacare did not completely collapse from lack of support or interest. That’s true. But that’s not the same thing as saying the law is out of the political woods and on track to be broadly accepted by the American people. Far from it.</p>
<p>James C. Capretta is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.</p> | false | 1 | obamacare openenrollment season supposedly closed yesterday good time step back assess things stand law firstyear implementation interestingly obamacare remains something rorschach test journalists healthpolicy analysts looking set facts two observers reach different conclusions instance noam levey the160los angeles times160 writes160that obamacare spurred largest expansion health coverage america half century meanwhile health consultant howard j peterson writing the160philadelphia inquirer160news site160 says160the first four years obamacare led solving 10 percent problem uninsured citizens expects improvement coming years obamacare track historic achievement falling well short lofty goals set administration obamacare exchanges reportedly enrolled least 7 million persons health insurance plans end march obama administration predicted large increase signups final days openenrollment period pushing total enrollment numbers even beyond 6 million estimate touted president last week without question good news laws supporters significant turnaround since last november first two months shaky enrollment numbers expected first year signup totals far short projections clearly wrong administration officials realized fiasco unfolding last fall nothing mattered first year except getting people program whatever necessary healthcaregov make signing easy fixes likely lead large percentage erroneous subsidy payments controls checks turned thats clearly price administration gladly pay get people onto program seven million also overstatement true enrollment insurance plans 20 percent enrollees failed fail continue payment required premiums according insuranceindustry observers 7 million signups translates little less 6 million people expected receive coverage enrollees remember obamacare forced cancellation many millions insurance plans sold individual insurance market president later indicated plans could reopened states insurance regulators willing go along presidents last minute change heart number people canceled plans likely ended exchanges real choice thus several surveys unsurprisingly shown relatively small percentage perhaps onethird lower enrollees exchanges previously uninsured implies far enrollment exchanges reduced ranks uninsured 2 million people also clear point large statebystate differences enrollment experience states activist governments pushing hard enrollment california new york enrollment numbers relatively high large parts country numbers far lower instance160 end february enrollment california exchange reached 23 percent state population meanwhile west virginia 06 percent oklahoma 09 percent numbers obviously go march added enrollment totals state disparities unlikely disappear entirely state insurance market whether uses federal exchange system state differences could mean obamacare exchanges viable states regions country states regions numbers remain low sustain stable insurance pool administration also touts medicaid expansion helping reduce uninsured millions new signups medicaid people previously eligible program anyway number people medicaid would otherwise uninsured likely around 3 million point original goals obamacare far ambitious time enactment congressional budget office cbo160 estimated160that obamacare would lower ranks uninsured 19 million 2014 even recently last may cbo estimated160the reduction uninsured would 14 million year moreover every newly insured american several others getting far worse health coverage last year premiums gone facing much higher deductibles forced pay mandated benefits would rather reason obamacares poll numbers continue sink unlikely buoyed encouraging enrollment numbers heart obamacare largescale redistribution program provides large new subsidies lowerincome households previously expensive insurance due risk rating premiums subsidies paid raising premiums many millions previously insured households raising taxes significantly cutting medicare end result reduction uninsured magnitude thats sure never going hard reduce uninsured concerned policymakers massive public subsidies expansion free publicinsurance programs expand insurance enrollment long others willing pay wasnt promised americans told reform would lower costs160for everyone one would lose policies previously held liked people dissatisfied obamacare theyve realized law never deliver promises indeed yesterday160 announced160that healthcare costs rose fastest pace decade last three months 2013 americans seeing benefit whatsoever obamacare fact paying much ever first year obamacare completely collapse lack support interest thats true thats thing saying law political woods track broadly accepted american people far james c capretta senior fellow ethics public policy center visiting fellow american enterprise institute | 612 |
<p>Let’s say you and I are neighbors. You’re an emergency room doctor, and I don’t work, thanks to a pile of money my grandparents left me.</p>
<p>You spend your days and nights stitching up gunshot wounds and helping children survive asthma attacks. I’ve gotten really good at World of Warcraft, winning EBay auctions, and frying shishito peppers to just the right crispiness.</p>
<p>Let’s also say we both report $300,000 in income to the Internal Revenue Service this year. Who pays more in taxes?</p>
<p>You do, by a lot. You&#160;owe the IRS&#160;about $38,500 more, assuming each of us pays the maximum with no special deductions. I also have more flexibility to lower my burden with tax planning strategies and other tricks, and I get to skip about $24,000 in payroll taxes that you and your employer must fork over each year.</p>
<p>This isn’t some quirk of the U.S. tax code. Politicians have intentionally set tax rates on wages much higher than those on long-term investment returns. The U.S. has a progressive tax system in the sense that well-paid workers sacrifice much more than poor workers on their “ordinary income.” But Americans with so-called unearned income—qualified dividends and&#160;long-term capital gains—get a break.&#160;A billionaire investor can pay about the same marginal rate as a $40,000-a-year worker, a fact Warren Buffett has famously lamented.</p>
<p>The last time Congress passed comprehensive tax reform, in 1986, it&#160;eliminated the gap between workers’ and investors’ taxes. Their rates didn’t start diverging again until the early ’90s, when&#160;Congresses controlled by Democrats boosted taxes on wealthy Americans’&#160;wages more than on their investments. Republican-controlled Congresses widened the gap further by slashing rates on rich investors in the late 1990s and early 2000s.</p>
<p>A 1986-style rebalancing is&#160;unlikely to happen this fall, however, as&#160;President Trump and his fellow Republicans in&#160;Congress attempt to tackle&#160;tax reform. The gap may even widen further.&#160;</p>
<p>A key goal is to “simplify the [tax] code so much that you can fill out your taxes on a postcard,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said on CNN on Aug. 21. While other details of proposed tax reform remain fuzzy, Ryan and other Republicans have been promoting a draft of that postcard on social media.</p>
<p>The first line asks filers to write down their previous year’s wages. For you—the ER&#160;doctor in the fictional scenario above—that would be $300,000. The second line asks filers to add just half of their investment income. For me, that would be $150,000.</p>
<p>The form’s simplicity makes its priorities clear: No matter what rates are applied or which deductions or credits are allowed, a worker would end up paying twice as much in taxes as an investor with the same income.</p>
<p>Americans in the top 1 percent, and especially the top 0.1 percent, have seen their wealth and income&#160;multiply in recent decades as the rest of the country’s&#160;share of the economic pie shrank. Since 2000, a recent study found, the top 1 percent have made those gains almost entirely on income from capital, especially corporate stock—not on labor income. One reason may be the financial options of the wealthy:&#160;Business owners can lower their tax bills by paying themselves in dividends rather than in&#160;salary, for example.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury is expected to run a 2017 deficit of $693 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s latest estimate, some $108 billion more than in the 2016 fiscal year. As baby boomers retire and health-care costs rise over the next few decades, the government’s fiscal situation is expected to worsen.</p>
<p>The argument in favor of&#160;lower taxes on investors—and on corporations, another GOP priority—is an economic one.</p>
<p>“We want a tax code built for growth,” Speaker Ryan said. “We want a tax code that raises wages, keeps American companies in America, gives us faster economic growth.”</p>
<p>Trump, Ryan, and other Republicans in Congress are wrangling over&#160;a variety of competing goals for reform. The most aspirational is a tectonic&#160;simplification of the tax code&#160;that really would allow everyone to file&#160;using a postcard. But more realistic legislative targets are lowering tax rates on&#160;individuals and corporations as well as eliminating the estate tax and&#160;alternative minimum tax. They may also try again to kill the&#160;Affordable Care Act taxes—including those on all that investment income raked in by the wealthy.</p>
<p>By taxing investors less, some economists argue, you give taxpayers more of an incentive to save. The more savings in the economy, the more capital that companies and entrepreneurs can invest in ways that expand the economy and make workers more productive. Everyone, including workers, wins, according to this theory.</p>
<p>But there are potential negative consequences to such a policy.&#160;By lowering taxes on investors, you shift more of the tax burden to well-paid workers. This may&#160;give highly skilled and creative people a disincentive to work hard or improve their skills so they can earn more money, while also giving children of wealthy parents another reason not to work at all.</p>
<p>The most famous economic boom in U.S. history occurred when top tax rates on dividends were as much as 90 percent</p>
<p>And why do people need a special tax break to motivate them to save? Aren’t there already powerful incentives to be thrifty? Invested well, money can compound and multiply over time in extraordinary ways. Wealth also provides security, status, and power—including the means to make campaign donations to politicians.</p>
<p>Economists have answers to some of these questions, if you trust their theoretical models. An often-cited 1999 Federal Reserve study used dozens of algebraic equations to divine the ideally efficient tax system. It concluded that the optimal tax rate on investment income is “zero.” That’s contradicted, however, by another theoretical model, published in the American Economic Review in 2009, that found the best rate is more like 36 percent.&#160;</p>
<p>Nevertheless, given economic theory’s recent track record, it may be better to stick to real-world data.</p>
<p>There’s evidence, for example, that investors feel influenced by taxes far more than workers do. If you worry about tax incentives distorting the economy, taxes on workers should worry you less: People tend to keep going to work everyday no matter what. Most economists agree that men in the prime of their careers “are not particularly responsive to the tax rate,” said University of Michigan economics professor Joel Slemrod. Similarly situated women are only “responsive at the margins.”</p>
<p>Investors, by contrast, are much more sensitive—at least in the short term. It’s happening now: If taxes on the wealthy drop next year, as many tax planners assume they will, then rich people have an incentive to wait until 2018 to recognize investment income&#160;by selling stocks or businesses they own. And that seems to be what they’re doing; revenue&#160;to the U.S. Treasury dipped this year even as the economy remains strong.</p>
<p>In other words, governments should tax workers more because they can get away with it. However unfair it might be, the disparity doesn’t affect economic behavior as much.</p>
<p>“Taxing investors less is really not what the U.S. needs now”</p>
<p>There’s a big flaw, though, in the&#160;argument&#160;that lower taxes on the rich stimulate longer-term&#160;investment, and thus jobs, famously labeled as “trickle-down economics.”&#160;While tax rates might affect the timing of some investor decisions in the medium term, it’s much harder to see how they affect long-term behavior. No matter the tax rate, investors ultimately look for opportunities to get richer.</p>
<p>“There is little empirical evidence showing that taxing investors less stimulates savings and growth,” said Emmanuel Saez, an economist at the University of California at Berkeley.</p>
<p>Supply-side economists disagree, and can point to tax cuts in the 1980s that seemed to spur the U.S. and&#160;U.K. economies. But there’s little evidence of a&#160;relationship between economic growth and investment taxes over the long term.</p>
<p>The most famous economic boom in&#160;U.S. history, right after World War II, occurred when the top rates on dividends were between 70 and 90 percent. Rapid growth also followed tax hikes on wealthy investors in the late 1980s and early ’90s. And more than a decade later, the Great Recession swamped any conceivable benefits from then-President George W. Bush’s tax cuts, which&#160;dropped&#160;the top rate on dividends by half.</p>
<p>Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, have proposed higher taxes on investment income. For example, the so-called Buffett Rule would have imposed a minimum rate of 30 percent on all taxpayers with income of $1 million or more, no matter where the money came from. That didn’t pass, but Congress did bump up the&#160;rate on capital gains and dividends from 15 percent to 20 percent. And&#160;it imposed the net investment income tax, or NIIT, a 3.8 percent levy on wealthy investors, to help fund the Affordable Care Act.</p>
<p>Efforts to kill the NIIT stalled in the&#160;Senate along with bids to repeal the ACA, but some House Republicans aren’t giving up. The NIIT is “incredibly anti-growth,” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, a Texas Republican, said in July. Last month he acknowledged, however, that getting a repeal bill past the Senate could be “a challenge.”&#160;The Tax Foundation, a conservative think tank that relies on its own models, estimates repealing the NIIT would boost the U.S. economy by 0.7 percent over the next 10 years.</p>
<p>An unprecedented amount of wealth may soon be inherited</p>
<p>Even if you believe low investment taxes can spur economic growth, you might question whether lowering taxes further will have much of an effect these days.&#160;The vast majority of wealth held by the&#160;middle class is held in homes and retirement accounts. Tapping a retirement account never triggers a capital gains tax, and selling a home only does if the gain is more than $250,000 for a single person and $500,000 for a couple. If you have less than $38,000 in investment income, you already pay a tax rate of zero.</p>
<p>Eliminating the NIIT or lowering other investment taxes is&#160;then, at its core, about stimulating the economy by getting the wealthy to save and invest more. But the rich are already saving—a lot. Saez and his Berkeley colleague Gabriel Zucman calculate the top 1 percent of America&#160;by wealth have consistently saved more than 30 percent of their income since at least the 1970s.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the bottom 99 percent has been saving less and less—a factor contributing to growing inequality along with stagnant middle-class wages and rising debt levels.</p>
<p>While retailers complain there’s not enough consumer spending, trillions of dollars are sitting in investment accounts. Banks have a glut of deposits, stock market valuations are high, corporations are flush with cash, and prominent investors have more money than they know what to do with. Buffett’s cash pile is just shy of $100 billion.&#160;The median U.S. worker from&#160;age 55 to 64, however, has just $15,000 saved in&#160;retirement accounts, according to a recent study by New School for Social Research’s Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis.</p>
<p>Click <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-28/-dynamic-scoring-and-more-tax-terms-to-know-quicktake-glossary" type="external">here:</a> Here Are the Tax-Reform Terms You Need to Know</p>
<p>“Taxing investors less is really not what the U.S. needs now,” Saez said. “Instead, we should focus on trying to rebuild middle-class wealth” by encouraging families to save for retirement and pay down mortgages.</p>
<p>Never mind the arguments over what’s best for the economy, though. There’s that ultimate American question about taxation we’re forgetting: What’s fair?</p>
<p>It’s not right, some conservatives&#160;argue, to tax investments at all. It’s “double taxation” to take a&#160;bite out of money flowing from assets that were taxed when first earned. (Technically, it’s dividends and gains that are&#160;taxed, not the original amount that’s saved, but the IRS makes no provision for inflation.)</p>
<p>Taxing workers&#160;more than investors&#160;is fair, conservatives also&#160;argue, because investors and workers are really the same people at different stages of their lives. When you’re young, you save and pay high tax rates on your wages. When you’re old, you get to enjoy the lightly taxed proceeds of that invested income.</p>
<p>The wrench in these arguments is the massive jump in inherited American wealth—driven by rising&#160;income inequality and loose tax laws. In practice, the person who successfully accumulates assets is often not the person who spends them. Affluent retirees are increasingly reluctant to even touch their nest eggs.&#160;A huge and disproportionate share of the nation’s largest fortunes is in the hands of people in their 80s and 90s.&#160;And the estate tax, already very easy for the wealthy to avoid, is targeted for elimination by the Trump administration.</p>
<p>As a result, an unprecedented amount of wealth may soon be inherited. The generation on the receiving end of this familial largesse&#160;will get a tax break every time they cash in on the&#160;fruits of others’&#160;labor.</p>
<p>Yes, many of these lucky heirs and heiresses go to work anyway, or contribute in other ways. Still, it’s hard to argue that productive members of society—people like our ER&#160;doctor—should pay twice as much in taxes as people who sit around playing video games.&#160;But that’s the choice that underlies America’s tax code—and&#160;one that will figure in the debate over how, or whether, to rewrite it.</p> | false | 1 | lets say neighbors youre emergency room doctor dont work thanks pile money grandparents left spend days nights stitching gunshot wounds helping children survive asthma attacks ive gotten really good world warcraft winning ebay auctions frying shishito peppers right crispiness lets also say report 300000 income internal revenue service year pays taxes lot you160owe irs160about 38500 assuming us pays maximum special deductions also flexibility lower burden tax planning strategies tricks get skip 24000 payroll taxes employer must fork year isnt quirk us tax code politicians intentionally set tax rates wages much higher longterm investment returns us progressive tax system sense wellpaid workers sacrifice much poor workers ordinary income americans socalled unearned incomequalified dividends and160longterm capital gainsget break160a billionaire investor pay marginal rate 40000ayear worker fact warren buffett famously lamented last time congress passed comprehensive tax reform 1986 it160eliminated gap workers investors taxes rates didnt start diverging early 90s when160congresses controlled democrats boosted taxes wealthy americans160wages investments republicancontrolled congresses widened gap slashing rates rich investors late 1990s early 2000s 1986style rebalancing is160unlikely happen fall however as160president trump fellow republicans in160congress attempt tackle160tax reform gap may even widen further160 key goal simplify tax code much fill taxes postcard house speaker paul ryan said cnn aug 21 details proposed tax reform remain fuzzy ryan republicans promoting draft postcard social media first line asks filers write previous years wages youthe er160doctor fictional scenario abovethat would 300000 second line asks filers add half investment income would 150000 forms simplicity makes priorities clear matter rates applied deductions credits allowed worker would end paying twice much taxes investor income americans top 1 percent especially top 01 percent seen wealth income160multiply recent decades rest countrys160share economic pie shrank since 2000 recent study found top 1 percent made gains almost entirely income capital especially corporate stocknot labor income one reason may financial options wealthy160business owners lower tax bills paying dividends rather in160salary example meanwhile us treasury expected run 2017 deficit 693 billion according congressional budget offices latest estimate 108 billion 2016 fiscal year baby boomers retire healthcare costs rise next decades governments fiscal situation expected worsen argument favor of160lower taxes investorsand corporations another gop priorityis economic one want tax code built growth speaker ryan said want tax code raises wages keeps american companies america gives us faster economic growth trump ryan republicans congress wrangling over160a variety competing goals reform aspirational tectonic160simplification tax code160that really would allow everyone file160using postcard realistic legislative targets lowering tax rates on160individuals corporations well eliminating estate tax and160alternative minimum tax may also try kill the160affordable care act taxesincluding investment income raked wealthy taxing investors less economists argue give taxpayers incentive save savings economy capital companies entrepreneurs invest ways expand economy make workers productive everyone including workers wins according theory potential negative consequences policy160by lowering taxes investors shift tax burden wellpaid workers may160give highly skilled creative people disincentive work hard improve skills earn money also giving children wealthy parents another reason work famous economic boom us history occurred top tax rates dividends much 90 percent people need special tax break motivate save arent already powerful incentives thrifty invested well money compound multiply time extraordinary ways wealth also provides security status powerincluding means make campaign donations politicians economists answers questions trust theoretical models oftencited 1999 federal reserve study used dozens algebraic equations divine ideally efficient tax system concluded optimal tax rate investment income zero thats contradicted however another theoretical model published american economic review 2009 found best rate like 36 percent160 nevertheless given economic theorys recent track record may better stick realworld data theres evidence example investors feel influenced taxes far workers worry tax incentives distorting economy taxes workers worry less people tend keep going work everyday matter economists agree men prime careers particularly responsive tax rate said university michigan economics professor joel slemrod similarly situated women responsive margins investors contrast much sensitiveat least short term happening taxes wealthy drop next year many tax planners assume rich people incentive wait 2018 recognize investment income160by selling stocks businesses seems theyre revenue160to us treasury dipped year even economy remains strong words governments tax workers get away however unfair might disparity doesnt affect economic behavior much taxing investors less really us needs theres big flaw though the160argument160that lower taxes rich stimulate longerterm160investment thus jobs famously labeled trickledown economics160while tax rates might affect timing investor decisions medium term much harder see affect longterm behavior matter tax rate investors ultimately look opportunities get richer little empirical evidence showing taxing investors less stimulates savings growth said emmanuel saez economist university california berkeley supplyside economists disagree point tax cuts 1980s seemed spur us and160uk economies theres little evidence a160relationship economic growth investment taxes long term famous economic boom in160us history right world war ii occurred top rates dividends 70 90 percent rapid growth also followed tax hikes wealthy investors late 1980s early 90s decade later great recession swamped conceivable benefits thenpresident george w bushs tax cuts which160dropped160the top rate dividends half democrats including former president barack obama proposed higher taxes investment income example socalled buffett rule would imposed minimum rate 30 percent taxpayers income 1 million matter money came didnt pass congress bump the160rate capital gains dividends 15 percent 20 percent and160it imposed net investment income tax niit 38 percent levy wealthy investors help fund affordable care act efforts kill niit stalled the160senate along bids repeal aca house republicans arent giving niit incredibly antigrowth house ways means committee chairman kevin brady texas republican said july last month acknowledged however getting repeal bill past senate could challenge160the tax foundation conservative think tank relies models estimates repealing niit would boost us economy 07 percent next 10 years unprecedented amount wealth may soon inherited even believe low investment taxes spur economic growth might question whether lowering taxes much effect days160the vast majority wealth held the160middle class held homes retirement accounts tapping retirement account never triggers capital gains tax selling home gain 250000 single person 500000 couple less 38000 investment income already pay tax rate zero eliminating niit lowering investment taxes is160then core stimulating economy getting wealthy save invest rich already savinga lot saez berkeley colleague gabriel zucman calculate top 1 percent america160by wealth consistently saved 30 percent income since least 1970s meanwhile bottom 99 percent saving less lessa factor contributing growing inequality along stagnant middleclass wages rising debt levels retailers complain theres enough consumer spending trillions dollars sitting investment accounts banks glut deposits stock market valuations high corporations flush cash prominent investors money know buffetts cash pile shy 100 billion160the median us worker from160age 55 64 however 15000 saved in160retirement accounts according recent study new school social researchs schwartz center economic policy analysis click taxreform terms need know taxing investors less really us needs saez said instead focus trying rebuild middleclass wealth encouraging families save retirement pay mortgages never mind arguments whats best economy though theres ultimate american question taxation forgetting whats fair right conservatives160argue tax investments double taxation take a160bite money flowing assets taxed first earned technically dividends gains are160taxed original amount thats saved irs makes provision inflation taxing workers160more investors160is fair conservatives also160argue investors workers really people different stages lives youre young save pay high tax rates wages youre old get enjoy lightly taxed proceeds invested income wrench arguments massive jump inherited american wealthdriven rising160income inequality loose tax laws practice person successfully accumulates assets often person spends affluent retirees increasingly reluctant even touch nest eggs160a huge disproportionate share nations largest fortunes hands people 80s 90s160and estate tax already easy wealthy avoid targeted elimination trump administration result unprecedented amount wealth may soon inherited generation receiving end familial largesse160will get tax break every time cash the160fruits others160labor yes many lucky heirs heiresses go work anyway contribute ways still hard argue productive members societypeople like er160doctorshould pay twice much taxes people sit around playing video games160but thats choice underlies americas tax codeand160one figure debate whether rewrite | 1,297 |
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>From <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Rush+Limbaugh?tid=informline" type="external">Rush Limbaugh</a> to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Tom+DeLay?tid=informline" type="external">Tom DeLay</a>, voices that once held sway over the Republican rank and file unloaded on <a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m000303/" type="external">John McCain</a> over the last week, trying to use a conservative electorate in <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/South+Carolina?tid=informline" type="external">South Carolina</a> to derail the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Arizona?tid=informline" type="external">Arizona</a> senator's quest for the Republican nomination. But though McCain failed to persuade many of the old Republican power brokers, he wrapped up the Republican establishment where it counted most, South Carolina… Limbaugh led the way with a verbal blitz, not just against McCain but against his closest rival in South Carolina, former <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Arkansas?tid=informline" type="external">Arkansas</a> governor <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Mike+Huckabee?tid=informline" type="external">Mike Huckabee</a>. “I'm here to tell you, if either of these two guys get the nomination, it's going to destroy the Republican Party. It's going to change it forever, be the end of it,” Limbaugh fumed on his radio show Tuesday. It was a line of argument that he kept up all week long.</p>
<p>New York Times columnist David Brooks makes a similar case in his column on Tuesday. After mentioning Limbaugh, Brooks writes:</p>
<p>Conservative voters have not followed their conservative leaders. Conservative voters are much more diverse than the image you'd get from conservative officialdom… While various conservative poobahs threaten to move to Idaho if Huckabee or McCain gets the nomination, the silent majority of conservative voters seem to like these candidates… The fact is, this has been a bad year for the conservative establishment… Regular Republican voters don't seem to mind independent thinking. There's room for moderates as well as orthodox conservatives. Limbaugh, Grover Norquist and James Dobson have influence, but they are not arbiters of conservative doctrine.</p>
<p>I have several thoughts in response:</p>
<p>1. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, whom Brooks said created a “political earthquake” with his win in Iowa, seems to be sinking quickly, having never broken through and branched out his support beyond his evangelical base. In the aftermath of Huckabee's win in Iowa, Brooks wrote, “He took on Rush Limbaugh, the free market Club for Growth and even President Bush. The old guard threw everything they had at him, and their diminished power is now exposed.” That pronouncement looks less accurate now than it did then — and the demise of Huckabee can be attributed in part, I think, to the concerns raised about him by Limbaugh and others. The “political earthquake” Brooks thought he witnessed two weeks ago turns out, perhaps, to have been more like a political tremor.</p>
<p>2. It's not clear to me that grassroots conservatives are ignoring, at least in large numbers, the counsel of Limbaugh and other “conservative poobahs” when it comes to Senator McCain. Obviously some conservatives and Republicans are voting for him — but certainly not in massive numbers. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/20/AR2008012002521_pf.html" type="external">As the Washington Post wrote on Monday</a>:</p>
<p>McCain has yet to clearly win the Republican vote in any contest this year. In South Carolina… the senator's margin came from independents, who represented one-fifth of the vote. The same pattern occurred in New Hampshire, where McCain and Romney evenly split Republicans and McCain won by a big margin among independents. In Michigan, Romney decisively won Republicans on his way to victory there.</p>
<p>Michael Barone <a href="http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2008/1/22/the-political-plot-thickens.html" type="external">makes a similar point</a> when he writes, “[McCain] hasn't been winning self-identified Republicans by any significant margin even where he has won, in New Hampshire and South Carolina. He has been running behind his 2000 percentages everywhere (though then he was in what was essentially a two-candidate race).”</p>
<p>3. One of the reasons Senator McCain is getting the support he is from conservatives is because no compelling conservative alternative has emerged. Why that has not occurred is a fascinating matter; but whatever the reasons are, no figure in the GOP race has excited or galvanized conservative leaders or the conservative movement. The result is that conservatives, uninspired by any of the choices, are split in their support — with some (often unenthusiastically) lining up behind McCain. And to the extent that Senator McCain is securing the GOP vote, it's because he's emphasizing his conservative bona fides — on national-security issues above all, where he has a compelling case to make. It's worth noting, too, that McCain has already reversed himself on taxes — he is now portraying himself as a Kemp-like tax cutter, even though he opposed the Bush tax cuts earlier this decade — and, at a minimum, has changed his emphasis on immigration, all in an effort to make himself more acceptable to conservatives. We'll see if it's enough.</p>
<p>4. Until this nomination and election plays itself out, it's difficult to draw any definitive conclusions about the state of the conservative movement. It is still a vital force in American politics — but there is an understandable effort underway to take conservative principles, which are enduring, and apply them to issues and circumstances that are different than they were a quarter of a century ago. These two aspects of conservatism — the part characterized by timelessness and a reliance on tradition and the part that is characterized by reform and adaptation — are what people are in the midst of sorting out.</p>
<p>5. I think there is some amount of ignorance when it comes to people who don't often listen to Rush Limbaugh trying to explain him and his influence. For one thing, he doesn't view himself as the commanding general of a political army and his listeners as his troops. He has said, time and again, that his listeners are not “mind-numbed robots” who take order from him or anyone else. Limbaugh is above all a radio-talk-show host — an immensely talented, humorous, and well-informed one, and among the most important voices in the history of radio. He is that before he is anything else — and he has never fashioned himself as a political kingmaker or even the leader of a movement. Obviously he exerts great influence over conservatism and has influenced our understanding of it. Yet he calls things as he sees them, and sometimes his audience doesn't agree with him. He seems wholly untroubled by that. I recall that in 1992, many o f his listeners were early and enthusiastic supporters of Ross Perot. Limbaugh knew all that — and yet he criticized Perot anyway. It turned out he was right and his listeners were wrong about Perot — but at the time, Limbaugh was said to be out of step with the views of his audience. Yet he continued to make his case — and, eventually, he won over many of his early critics.</p>
<p>6. Having made the mistake of declaring the end of the Clinton Era prior to the New Hampshire primary — perhaps I was the victim of my own wishful thinking — I would caution others against dancing in the end-zone when it comes to declaring the diminishing influence of Limbaugh and the “conservative establishment.” Rush in particular has maintained his talk-radio fastball for 20 years, and his run of success is akin to what Johnny Carson achieved on late-night television. Both men were phenomenally talented and endured through all sorts of different circumstances. They developed a bond with their audience which was deep and enduring and difficult for others to fully grasp. I suspect in the case of Limbaugh, that'll continue for some time to come. And by the way, if he's lost so much of his influence, why in the world does it seem like everyone is writing about Rush these days?</p>
<p>— Peter Wehner, former deputy assistant to the president, is a senior fellow at the <a href="" type="internal">Ethics and Public Policy Center.</a></p> | false | 1 | 160 rush limbaugh tom delay voices held sway republican rank file unloaded john mccain last week trying use conservative electorate south carolina derail arizona senators quest republican nomination though mccain failed persuade many old republican power brokers wrapped republican establishment counted south carolina limbaugh led way verbal blitz mccain closest rival south carolina former arkansas governor mike huckabee im tell either two guys get nomination going destroy republican party going change forever end limbaugh fumed radio show tuesday line argument kept week long new york times columnist david brooks makes similar case column tuesday mentioning limbaugh brooks writes conservative voters followed conservative leaders conservative voters much diverse image youd get conservative officialdom various conservative poobahs threaten move idaho huckabee mccain gets nomination silent majority conservative voters seem like candidates fact bad year conservative establishment regular republican voters dont seem mind independent thinking theres room moderates well orthodox conservatives limbaugh grover norquist james dobson influence arbiters conservative doctrine several thoughts response 1 former arkansas governor mike huckabee brooks said created political earthquake win iowa seems sinking quickly never broken branched support beyond evangelical base aftermath huckabees win iowa brooks wrote took rush limbaugh free market club growth even president bush old guard threw everything diminished power exposed pronouncement looks less accurate demise huckabee attributed part think concerns raised limbaugh others political earthquake brooks thought witnessed two weeks ago turns perhaps like political tremor 2 clear grassroots conservatives ignoring least large numbers counsel limbaugh conservative poobahs comes senator mccain obviously conservatives republicans voting certainly massive numbers washington post wrote monday mccain yet clearly win republican vote contest year south carolina senators margin came independents represented onefifth vote pattern occurred new hampshire mccain romney evenly split republicans mccain big margin among independents michigan romney decisively republicans way victory michael barone makes similar point writes mccain hasnt winning selfidentified republicans significant margin even new hampshire south carolina running behind 2000 percentages everywhere though essentially twocandidate race 3 one reasons senator mccain getting support conservatives compelling conservative alternative emerged occurred fascinating matter whatever reasons figure gop race excited galvanized conservative leaders conservative movement result conservatives uninspired choices split support often unenthusiastically lining behind mccain extent senator mccain securing gop vote hes emphasizing conservative bona fides nationalsecurity issues compelling case make worth noting mccain already reversed taxes portraying kemplike tax cutter even though opposed bush tax cuts earlier decade minimum changed emphasis immigration effort make acceptable conservatives well see enough 4 nomination election plays difficult draw definitive conclusions state conservative movement still vital force american politics understandable effort underway take conservative principles enduring apply issues circumstances different quarter century ago two aspects conservatism part characterized timelessness reliance tradition part characterized reform adaptation people midst sorting 5 think amount ignorance comes people dont often listen rush limbaugh trying explain influence one thing doesnt view commanding general political army listeners troops said time listeners mindnumbed robots take order anyone else limbaugh radiotalkshow host immensely talented humorous wellinformed one among important voices history radio anything else never fashioned political kingmaker even leader movement obviously exerts great influence conservatism influenced understanding yet calls things sees sometimes audience doesnt agree seems wholly untroubled recall 1992 many f listeners early enthusiastic supporters ross perot limbaugh knew yet criticized perot anyway turned right listeners wrong perot time limbaugh said step views audience yet continued make case eventually many early critics 6 made mistake declaring end clinton era prior new hampshire primary perhaps victim wishful thinking would caution others dancing endzone comes declaring diminishing influence limbaugh conservative establishment rush particular maintained talkradio fastball 20 years run success akin johnny carson achieved latenight television men phenomenally talented endured sorts different circumstances developed bond audience deep enduring difficult others fully grasp suspect case limbaugh thatll continue time come way hes lost much influence world seem like everyone writing rush days peter wehner former deputy assistant president senior fellow ethics public policy center | 646 |
<p>There is a re-emergence of the dirty tactics of the Cold War, where information is weaponized and truth becomes the first casualty.</p>
<p>Normally, a Russian worker suing their employer on the grounds that they failed to provide her with the requisite paperwork detailing the terms of her contract and subsequent dismissal would not make international news. But when that worker, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/29/russia-troll-sues-former-employer" type="external">Lyudmila Savchuk</a>, was a self-confessed internet troll, and the firm she worked for, Internet Research, is , then one can understand why this would become a matter of international interest.</p>
<p>Savchuk is rightly being feted as a brave whistleblower, casting a light into the dark heart of the Kremlin´s campaign to bombard international news sites with pro-Putin rhetoric and drown out opposing voices.</p>
<p>If only she had a Western counterpart who could likewise reveal the extent of digital foul play being perpetrated by the West in its ongoing propaganda campaign against Russia and other perceived enemies….</p>
<p>But she does, of course, and his name is Edward Snowden, who is ironically seeking political asylum in Russia for exposing very similar tactics on behalf of his own government.</p>
<p>Part of the treasure trove of files leaked by Snowden relate to the existence of a number of clandestine programs aimed at doing exactly the same thing as the Russian troll factories: <a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/07/14/manipulating-online-polls-ways-british-spies-seek-control-internet/" type="external">manipulating online debates</a> to cast the Western foreign policy in a more favorable light.</p>
<p>Included in these are project Gateway, a tool for artificially increasing traffic to a website; Clean Sweep, a program aimed at creating fake Facebook accounts to post pro-Western messages to websites (essentially performing the same function as the Russian Troll factory); Scrapheap Challenge, for sending fake emails from targeted Blackberry users; Underpass, for changing the results of online polls; and Spring Bishop, for accessing the private Facebook photos of targeted individuals.</p>
<p>What this points to is the re-emergence of the dirty tactics of the Cold War, where information is weaponized, and truth becomes the first casualty.</p>
<p>Added to this toxic mix is the Trans Regional Web Initiative emanating from the US Department of Defense and constituting a more nuanced approach to guiding public opinion. The <a href="http://toinformistoinfluence.com/2013/07/25/trans-regional-web-initiative-survives-congressional-assault/" type="external">TRWI</a>consists of several websites located in strategic hotspots around the world like the Middle East, the horn of Africa, and central Asia which purport to deliver an unbiased view of global events to counter radical opinions. That would be all fine and dandy, if it were in fact the case, but the reality is that these US government funded news websites tend to keep silent about human rights abuses committed by client states like <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/11/22/propagandastan/" type="external">Uzbekistan</a> while making much of perceived Russian aggression.</p>
<p>Perhaps even more pernicious than the manipulation of the online political discourse, however, is the use of NGOs to do the same thing in the real world. When the Kremlin made foreign NGOs operating in Russia <a href="http://qz.com/203935/countries-are-right-to-ban-usaid/" type="external">register as foreign agents</a> it was easy to paint this as a throwback to the paranoia of the Cold War;but this is one conspiracy theory that Putin could be forgiven for indulging in. This is not tinfoil-hat political science. Even respected academics are calling on Washington to pack up its bags. A recent <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/we-are-losing-hearts-and-minds-former-soviet-empire-358989" type="external">study</a> conducted by two professors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the ex-Soviet space called on the U.S to stop funneling money into local civil society organizations, as aiding NGOs has made it easier for local strongmen to accuse the U.S of fomenting regime change.</p>
<p>USAID, which explicitly states on its website that its “foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America’s interests while improving lives in the developing world”, was <a href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/7069" type="external">expelled</a>from Bolivia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Ecuador, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic on the grounds that it was being used as a tool to destabilize those governments.</p>
<p>In Russia itself, leaked emails surfaced showing that Russian opposition groups were receiving funding from USAID, despite their claims to independence.</p>
<p>What good can come of all this subterfuge? What little trust people have in the Internet will be completely destroyed as genuine citizens are left to wade through reams of misinformation being churned out by biased websites and commented on by fake account holders. Using agencies like USAID for these kinds of purposes in the real world is especially underhanded and counterproductive as it compromises the work of genuine aid agencies that will come under suspicion of being Trojan horses for political meddling.</p>
<p>If the West was really interested in selflessly helping emerging democracies, it would have left those countries to find their own way. Intervening in a country’s political evolution hijacks the process and blocks new elites from rising up and standing on their own two feet.</p>
<p>in the aftermath of the Euromaidan, real, homegrown NGOs (in contrast to “Ukrainian NGOs” that are heavily financed by the West) sprang up and managed to keep the country on an even keel. When the state foundered, civil society stepped in: grassroots volunteers kept order and distributed aid alike. Volunteerism is on the rise, especially in Eastern Ukraine, where <a href="http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/here-s-why-i-m-hopeful-about-eastern-ukraine-now" type="external">youth platforms</a> such as Freedom Home, Teplytsia, Center UA or the Lviv Education Foundation have helped businesses and IDPs to cope with the fallout from the war. One such homegrown initiative, <a href="http://restoring-donbass.com/en/information-about-the-initiative/" type="external">Restoring Donbass</a>, has sought to unearth such groups and give them a bully pulpit to reach out to Ukrainians in need. People rallied round the flag out of the sheer desire to help their compatriots, building patriotism and hope for a better tomorrow in the process—you don’t need USAID for that.</p>
<p>If the claim that America is the leader of the free world claim is to be anything more than the obnoxious, self-serving, lie that all empires spout to legitimize might over right, then Washington would do well to lead by example. The problem until now of course is that they have been doing just that: setting an atrocious example which their vassal states and adversaries have been only to eager to follow to further their own ends.</p> | false | 1 | reemergence dirty tactics cold war information weaponized truth becomes first casualty normally russian worker suing employer grounds failed provide requisite paperwork detailing terms contract subsequent dismissal would make international news worker lyudmila savchuk selfconfessed internet troll firm worked internet research one understand would become matter international interest savchuk rightly feted brave whistleblower casting light dark heart kremlins campaign bombard international news sites proputin rhetoric drown opposing voices western counterpart could likewise reveal extent digital foul play perpetrated west ongoing propaganda campaign russia perceived enemies course name edward snowden ironically seeking political asylum russia exposing similar tactics behalf government part treasure trove files leaked snowden relate existence number clandestine programs aimed exactly thing russian troll factories manipulating online debates cast western foreign policy favorable light included project gateway tool artificially increasing traffic website clean sweep program aimed creating fake facebook accounts post prowestern messages websites essentially performing function russian troll factory scrapheap challenge sending fake emails targeted blackberry users underpass changing results online polls spring bishop accessing private facebook photos targeted individuals points reemergence dirty tactics cold war information weaponized truth becomes first casualty added toxic mix trans regional web initiative emanating us department defense constituting nuanced approach guiding public opinion trwiconsists several websites located strategic hotspots around world like middle east horn africa central asia purport deliver unbiased view global events counter radical opinions would fine dandy fact case reality us government funded news websites tend keep silent human rights abuses committed client states like uzbekistan making much perceived russian aggression perhaps even pernicious manipulation online political discourse however use ngos thing real world kremlin made foreign ngos operating russia register foreign agents easy paint throwback paranoia cold warbut one conspiracy theory putin could forgiven indulging tinfoilhat political science even respected academics calling washington pack bags recent study conducted two professors university wisconsinmadison exsoviet space called us stop funneling money local civil society organizations aiding ngos made easier local strongmen accuse us fomenting regime change usaid explicitly states website foreign assistance always twofold purpose furthering americas interests improving lives developing world expelledfrom bolivia nicaragua venezuela ecuador cuba dominican republic grounds used tool destabilize governments russia leaked emails surfaced showing russian opposition groups receiving funding usaid despite claims independence good come subterfuge little trust people internet completely destroyed genuine citizens left wade reams misinformation churned biased websites commented fake account holders using agencies like usaid kinds purposes real world especially underhanded counterproductive compromises work genuine aid agencies come suspicion trojan horses political meddling west really interested selflessly helping emerging democracies would left countries find way intervening countrys political evolution hijacks process blocks new elites rising standing two feet aftermath euromaidan real homegrown ngos contrast ukrainian ngos heavily financed west sprang managed keep country even keel state foundered civil society stepped grassroots volunteers kept order distributed aid alike volunteerism rise especially eastern ukraine youth platforms freedom home teplytsia center ua lviv education foundation helped businesses idps cope fallout war one homegrown initiative restoring donbass sought unearth groups give bully pulpit reach ukrainians need people rallied round flag sheer desire help compatriots building patriotism hope better tomorrow processyou dont need usaid claim america leader free world claim anything obnoxious selfserving lie empires spout legitimize might right washington would well lead example problem course setting atrocious example vassal states adversaries eager follow ends | 549 |
<p>Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray this week asking whether the bureau ever briefed, or warned President Trump’s camp about any alleged attempts by the Russian government or those connected with the Russians to infiltrate the presidential campaign.</p>
<p>But the wording in <a href="http://https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2017-09-20%20CEG%20to%20FBI%20(Trump%20Campaign%20Defensive%20Briefing).pdf" type="external">Grassley's letter</a>was also met with backlash by Arizona Republican John McCain (R-AZ) and some of his former staff who contend that during the 2008 campaign there was no warning from U.S. intelligence but that those warning came earlier in 2005 and 2006, according to sources who spoke to Circa.</p>
<p>Grassley wanted to know if the FBI warned Trump about former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was allegedly under investigation by the FBI since 2014 for his lobbying work and extensive connections to Russian oligarchs, as <a href="" type="internal">reported by Circa</a>.</p>
<p>“After he was fired, [FBI Director James] Comey acknowledged in public testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee that President Trump had never been one of the individuals under investigation,” Grassley states in the letter. “Recent news articles have claimed that Paul Manafort was one of the campaign associates under FBI investigation. This raises the question of whether the FBI ever alerted Mr. Trump to the FBI’s counter-intelligence concerns regarding his campaign manager and others associated with the campaign—so that he could take defensive action to prevent the campaign from being infiltrated.”</p>
<p>The FBI told Circa the bureau does not comment on ongoing inquiries from Congressional members.</p>
<p>“We have the letter but in keeping with our usual practice any response would be given directly to the member of Congress who sent the inquiry,” said FBI spokeswoman Carol Cratty.</p>
<p>Grassley asked Wray to respond to his inquiry by Oct. 4, the letter states.</p>
<p>In June, Circa reported that a decade earlier McCain also had run-ins with many of the same players that haunted the Trump campaign: Manafort, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and former Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak. Oleg Deripaska, a Russian metals magnet, had his visa blocked by the United States over concerns within the intelligence community about his ties to Moscow.</p>
<p>McCain met twice with Deripaska and the meetings were arranged by Manafort and his lobbying firm partner Rick Davis, who later would become McCain's campaign manager, as reported by Circa in June.</p>
<p>McCain's office did not return Circa's request for comment, but spokeswoman Julie Tarallo told CNN that "Neither Senator McCain nor anyone on his staff recalls receiving such warnings from the intelligence community.”</p>
<p>However, John Weaver, a former top campaign adviser to McCain, told Circa in June, that during his time with the senator U.S. intelligence raised concerns to the Senator’s staff about work that Manafort, and his then lobbying partner Rick Davis, who would later become McCain’s campaign manager, were doing overseas, as well as McCain’s contacts with a Russian oligarch.</p>
<p>"We got two heads ups,” said Weaver, in an earlier interview.</p>
<p>Still, Weaver, disputed parts of Grassley’s letter Friday telling Circa that during the 2008 campaign they were “not contacted or warned by anybody.” The warnings came earlier, in 2005 and 2006, and to McCain’s Senate staff, as Circa reported in June.</p>
<p>Tarallo told CNN that McCain "had two interactions with Mr. Deripaska in 2006, and both were social occasions and entirely incidental.”</p>
<p>In the letter, Grassley asked Wray to inform him “If the FBI did provide a defensive briefing or similar warning to the campaign, then that would raise important questions about how the Trump campaign responded. On the other hand, if the FBI did not alert the campaign, then that would raise serious questions about what factors contributed to its decision and why it appears to have been handled differently in a very similar circumstance involving a previous campaign.”</p>
<p>"Then we got another warning about Deripaska,” Weaver added. “Bush administration was not happy. He was persona non grata, banned I think from US from getting visa in some dispute with the FBI over some ties to bad guys."</p>
<p>Regarding Manafort and Davis, Weaver said he told the Senator, “to send Rick [Davis] packing. He agreed initially. I told him don't let Rick cry in your ear and take him back. He said he wouldn't. But Rick cried in his ear and he got to come back at some point.”</p>
<p>"Manafort was trying to get into the campaign officially but I kept him out,” Weaver said.</p>
<p>Weaver said that the difference between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin versus McCain’s situation is that the Arizona senator’s views on Russia and Putin hardened during that time-period, “and his already strong commitment to pro-democracy movements in Eastern Europe solidified as well.”</p>
<p>“My sense is that Davis and Manafort, who were already doing pro-Putin work against American national interests, were using potential meetings with McCain --- who didn't know this and neither did we until after the fact -- as bait to secure more rubles from the oligarchs,” said Weaver.</p>
<p>Weaver stated in June that “U.S. intelligence raised concerns to McCain’s staff about the Davis Manafort work.”</p>
<p>CNN revealed this week that the FBI also sought a FISA warrant from the courts to wiretap Manafort in 2014, which was then under former FBI Director James Comey. The FBI's wiretap allegedly ended for lack of evidence. But then in 2016, the FBI allegedly sought a second FISA warrant to wiretap Manafort, which continued until early this year, according <a href="http://http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/politics/paul-manafort-government-wiretapped-fisa-russians/index.html" type="external">to CNN</a>.</p>
<p />
<p>RELATED LINKS | <a href="" type="internal">Grassley raised concerns about FBI leadership to Christopher Wray at his confirmation hearing</a> <a href="" type="internal">Here's the Russia influence controversy that John McCain doesn't want you to know about</a></p> | false | 1 | judiciary committee chairman sen charles grassley ria sent letter fbi director christopher wray week asking whether bureau ever briefed warned president trumps camp alleged attempts russian government connected russians infiltrate presidential campaign wording grassleys letterwas also met backlash arizona republican john mccain raz former staff contend 2008 campaign warning us intelligence warning came earlier 2005 2006 according sources spoke circa grassley wanted know fbi warned trump former campaign chairman paul manafort allegedly investigation fbi since 2014 lobbying work extensive connections russian oligarchs reported circa fired fbi director james comey acknowledged public testimony senate intelligence committee president trump never one individuals investigation grassley states letter recent news articles claimed paul manafort one campaign associates fbi investigation raises question whether fbi ever alerted mr trump fbis counterintelligence concerns regarding campaign manager others associated campaignso could take defensive action prevent campaign infiltrated fbi told circa bureau comment ongoing inquiries congressional members letter keeping usual practice response would given directly member congress sent inquiry said fbi spokeswoman carol cratty grassley asked wray respond inquiry oct 4 letter states june circa reported decade earlier mccain also runins many players haunted trump campaign manafort russian oligarch oleg deripaska former russian ambassador united states sergey kislyak oleg deripaska russian metals magnet visa blocked united states concerns within intelligence community ties moscow mccain met twice deripaska meetings arranged manafort lobbying firm partner rick davis later would become mccains campaign manager reported circa june mccains office return circas request comment spokeswoman julie tarallo told cnn neither senator mccain anyone staff recalls receiving warnings intelligence community however john weaver former top campaign adviser mccain told circa june time senator us intelligence raised concerns senators staff work manafort lobbying partner rick davis would later become mccains campaign manager overseas well mccains contacts russian oligarch got two heads ups said weaver earlier interview still weaver disputed parts grassleys letter friday telling circa 2008 campaign contacted warned anybody warnings came earlier 2005 2006 mccains senate staff circa reported june tarallo told cnn mccain two interactions mr deripaska 2006 social occasions entirely incidental letter grassley asked wray inform fbi provide defensive briefing similar warning campaign would raise important questions trump campaign responded hand fbi alert campaign would raise serious questions factors contributed decision appears handled differently similar circumstance involving previous campaign got another warning deripaska weaver added bush administration happy persona non grata banned think us getting visa dispute fbi ties bad guys regarding manafort davis weaver said told senator send rick davis packing agreed initially told dont let rick cry ear take back said wouldnt rick cried ear got come back point manafort trying get campaign officially kept weaver said weaver said difference trump russian president vladimir putin versus mccains situation arizona senators views russia putin hardened timeperiod already strong commitment prodemocracy movements eastern europe solidified well sense davis manafort already proputin work american national interests using potential meetings mccain didnt know neither fact bait secure rubles oligarchs said weaver weaver stated june us intelligence raised concerns mccains staff davis manafort work cnn revealed week fbi also sought fisa warrant courts wiretap manafort 2014 former fbi director james comey fbis wiretap allegedly ended lack evidence 2016 fbi allegedly sought second fisa warrant wiretap manafort continued early year according cnn related links grassley raised concerns fbi leadership christopher wray confirmation hearing heres russia influence controversy john mccain doesnt want know | 556 |
<p>CHICAGO — <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jose-Ramirez/" type="external">Jose Ramirez</a> homered again, rookie Francisco Mejia got his first hit and the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cleveland-Indians/" type="external">Cleveland Indians</a> keep on winning.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Carlos_Santana/" type="external">Carlos Santana</a> also hit a home run and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Trevor-Bauer/" type="external">Trevor Bauer</a> pitched 6 1/3 strong innings as the Indians extended their season-high winning streak to 12 games with a 5-3 victory over the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chicago-White-Sox/" type="external">Chicago White Sox</a> on Monday.</p>
<p>Ramirez, who went 5-for-5 with three doubles and two home runs Sunday, hit his 23rd home run in the eighth inning.</p>
<p>“We’re happy, we’re relaxed, we’re having a good time, we’re united and that’s something that’s really important,” Ramirez said through an interpreter.</p>
<p>Bauer (15-8) struck out nine, walked one and allowed two runs and three hits for his career-high eighth straight win.</p>
<p>Santana, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Francisco-Lindor/" type="external">Francisco Lindor</a> and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Roberto-Perez/" type="external">Roberto Perez</a> had two hits apiece for the Indians, who have outscored opponents 84-21 during their streak and improved to 34-16 since the All-Star break.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cody-Allen/" type="external">Cody Allen</a> issued two walks in the ninth before securing his 24th save in 28 chances.</p>
<p>White Sox starter <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/James_Shields/" type="external">James Shields</a> exited in the seventh inning with a right knee contusion after getting hit with a line drive by Mejia. Shields (2-6) is listed as day to day after X-rays were negative.</p>
<p>After he was checked out by White Sox staff, Shields was able to walk off the mound. He allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings.</p>
<p>“I feel all right,” Shields said. “It’s a little sore, but everything came out all right. I think maybe a few inches and I might have been in some trouble.”</p>
<p>Jake Petricka replaced Shields and allowed an inherited runner to score on Lindor’s RBI single for a 4-2 Indians lead.</p>
<p>Things got chippy between White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia and Bauer during the game. During Garcia’s at-bat in the fourth, Bauer motioned for Garcia to get back in the box and then gestured for him to return to the dugout after the strikeout. In the sixth, Bauer began walking off the mound after throwing what he thought was a third strike, but Garcia eventually drew a walk and flipped his bat.</p>
<p>“I don’t know. He speaks Spanish so I couldn’t tell,” Bauer said about what Garcia said. “But he likes to run his mouth … talking like, ‘They don’t throw me fastballs, all they do is throw me breaking balls.’ He said it before. I’m not sure he knows that the rules of this game say you can throw whatever pitch you want. So he started yapping at me.”</p>
<p>Garcia didn’t speak to reporters.</p>
<p>“I threw him a first -pitch slider, he fouled it off, stared right at me, said something while he was nodding his head like, I’m right on you or something,” Bauer said. “So I told him, ‘if you’re that confident, step back in the box, let’s go, get back in the box.’ Then he fouled off another one he should have hit and it was right down the middle and he missed it. He looked at me and started nodding again so I threw him a curveball and he swung and missed, so I decided to remind him of the rules of the game, that three strikes, you’re out, you can go sit back in the dugout.</p>
<p>“To his credit, he took it like a champ. He put his head down and shut his mouth and he walked back to the dugout. Good for him.”</p>
<p>Santana hit his 22nd home run to lead off the second inning. Yandy Diaz followed with a double and scored on Perez’s double.</p>
<p>Mejia, who started at designated hitter in the eighth spot, singled for his first major league hit and RBI in the fourth to extend the Indians’ lead to 3-0.</p>
<p>“I feel super happy for him because first of all he’s so young, but he’s also from my town,” Ramirez said. “But he’s a really good hitter.”</p>
<p>White Sox enter fielder Adam Engel robbed <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Austin_Jackson/" type="external">Austin Jackson</a> of a solo shot with a leaping catch with his glove over the wall in the fifth inning. Engel bounced off the wall, lost his cap and held onto the ball.</p>
<p>“I thought I had a chance,” Engel said. “The wind was blowing out a little bit so I thought I actually had a little more room before the ball but the wind here carries a bit. Carried it further than I thought it was going to.”</p>
<p>The White Sox pulled within one on Rymer Liriano’s two-run homer in the fifth inning. It was his first home run with the team and second of his career. His first was in 2014 with the Padres.</p>
<p>Chicago got within one again on Liriano’s RBI double in the seventh.</p>
<p>“He was really good,” Indians manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Terry_Francona/" type="external">Terry Francona</a> said about Bauer. “He hung a breaking ball for the two-run home that because of the score all of a sudden was 3-2, but other than that he was pretty good. I thought he could have kept going. We need to get ( <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Joe_Smith/" type="external">Joe Smith</a>) in there and not have so many days off.”</p>
<p>NOTES: Indians CF Bradley Zimmer is in the concussion protocol program after he was injured attempting a catch in Saturday’s game against Detroit. He was expected to participate in a full day of activity Monday before possibly returning Tuesday, manager Terry Francona said. Zimmer may not have a concussion, but he had vision issues, Francona said. … Indians OF <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jay_Bruce/" type="external">Jay Bruce</a> (stiff neck) missed his third straight game. … Indians rookie C Francisco Mejia started at designated hitter against the White Sox and DH <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Edwin_Encarnacion/" type="external">Edwin Encarnacion</a> got rest. … Indians RHP Adam Plutko was optioned to Class A Lynchburg to pitch more with the Triple-A season ending, Francona said. … White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada (right shin contusion) and 3B Nicky Delmonico (right wrist sprain) are doing well, participating in baseball activities and are close to a return, manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Rick-Renteria/" type="external">Rick Renteria</a> said.</p> | false | 1 | chicago jose ramirez homered rookie francisco mejia got first hit cleveland indians keep winning carlos santana also hit home run trevor bauer pitched 6 13 strong innings indians extended seasonhigh winning streak 12 games 53 victory chicago white sox monday ramirez went 5for5 three doubles two home runs sunday hit 23rd home run eighth inning happy relaxed good time united thats something thats really important ramirez said interpreter bauer 158 struck nine walked one allowed two runs three hits careerhigh eighth straight win santana francisco lindor roberto perez two hits apiece indians outscored opponents 8421 streak improved 3416 since allstar break cody allen issued two walks ninth securing 24th save 28 chances white sox starter james shields exited seventh inning right knee contusion getting hit line drive mejia shields 26 listed day day xrays negative checked white sox staff shields able walk mound allowed four runs 6 13 innings feel right shields said little sore everything came right think maybe inches might trouble jake petricka replaced shields allowed inherited runner score lindors rbi single 42 indians lead things got chippy white sox right fielder avisail garcia bauer game garcias atbat fourth bauer motioned garcia get back box gestured return dugout strikeout sixth bauer began walking mound throwing thought third strike garcia eventually drew walk flipped bat dont know speaks spanish couldnt tell bauer said garcia said likes run mouth talking like dont throw fastballs throw breaking balls said im sure knows rules game say throw whatever pitch want started yapping garcia didnt speak reporters threw first pitch slider fouled stared right said something nodding head like im right something bauer said told youre confident step back box lets go get back box fouled another one hit right middle missed looked started nodding threw curveball swung missed decided remind rules game three strikes youre go sit back dugout credit took like champ put head shut mouth walked back dugout good santana hit 22nd home run lead second inning yandy diaz followed double scored perezs double mejia started designated hitter eighth spot singled first major league hit rbi fourth extend indians lead 30 feel super happy first hes young hes also town ramirez said hes really good hitter white sox enter fielder adam engel robbed austin jackson solo shot leaping catch glove wall fifth inning engel bounced wall lost cap held onto ball thought chance engel said wind blowing little bit thought actually little room ball wind carries bit carried thought going white sox pulled within one rymer lirianos tworun homer fifth inning first home run team second career first 2014 padres chicago got within one lirianos rbi double seventh really good indians manager terry francona said bauer hung breaking ball tworun home score sudden 32 pretty good thought could kept going need get joe smith many days notes indians cf bradley zimmer concussion protocol program injured attempting catch saturdays game detroit expected participate full day activity monday possibly returning tuesday manager terry francona said zimmer may concussion vision issues francona said indians jay bruce stiff neck missed third straight game indians rookie c francisco mejia started designated hitter white sox dh edwin encarnacion got rest indians rhp adam plutko optioned class lynchburg pitch triplea season ending francona said white sox 2b yoan moncada right shin contusion 3b nicky delmonico right wrist sprain well participating baseball activities close return manager rick renteria said | 561 |
<p>By Mica Rosenberg and Reade Levinson</p>
<p>BENSALEM, Pennsylvania (Reuters) – Dozens of police departments in the United States have been granted new powers, or are seeking them, to check the immigration status of people they arrest, aiding President Donald Trump’s broad crackdown on people living in the country illegally.</p>
<p>Since Trump took office in January, 29 departments have joined a special program under which they are deputized to perform some tasks of immigration agents, doubling its size in 10 months, according to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. And the administration hopes that is just the beginning.</p>
<p>Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request show that the administration has also had contact with scores of additional jurisdictions about the program, and 38 of those told Reuters in interviews they have submitted applications for the program or are potentially interested in joining. [Graphic: http://tmsnrt.rs/2A115Sm]</p>
<p>The program, known as 287(g), deputizes local officers trained by ICE to use federal records to vet arrestees they suspect of being in the country illegally and then turn them over to federal agents if they are.</p>
<p>The Department of Homeland Security has said in the past that police forces taking part in the program have flagged tens of thousands of people for deportation.</p>
<p>The broad expansion of the program comes as Trump seeks to accelerate arrests and deportations of people living in the United States illegally. The large number of departments expressing interest in the program has not been previously reported.</p>
<p>Most of the police departments that have joined, or are seeking to join, the program have relatively small populations, typically fewer than 100,000 residents, with small immigrant populations. In contrast, the roughly three dozen so-called “sanctuary cities” that have limited their cooperation on immigration enforcement have a median population of half a million people and larger foreign-born populations, according to a Reuters analysis.</p>
<p>Under President Barack Obama, the 287(g) program was downsized and its funding reduced amid concerns that some participating police departments were over-zealous in their targeting of Latinos. Critics also said it eroded trust of police in immigrant communities. By the end of fiscal year 2016 only 32 agreements were left in place, down from a peak in 2010 when some 70 jurisdictions were participating. Today, 60 departments in 18 states participate.</p>
<p>Three-quarters of the agencies that have already signed 287(g) agreements or are interested in doing so are in counties that voted for Trump in 2016, according to a Reuters analysis of electoral data.</p>
<p>ICE would not confirm which jurisdictions had shown interest until they had signed agreements. An ICE official, who asked not to be named, said interest increased after Trump took office and signed an executive order that included expanding support for the program.</p>
<p>TOWN VS CITY</p>
<p>The township of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, just half an hour up the road from Philadelphia, is one of those hoping to join the 287(g) program.</p>
<p>Fred Harran, director of public safety in the city of 60,000, says that any immigrant in the country illegally who commits a crime, even a misdemeanor like shoplifting or possession of a small amount of drugs, should be considered for deportation, and he welcomes help from ICE.</p>
<p>“If deporting you out of this country when you commit a crime is a tool at my disposal, you are darn right I am going to use it,” Harran said.</p>
<p>In neighboring Philadelphia, police commissioner Richard Ross Jr. favors a different approach. Like many police chiefs in large cities with significant immigrant populations,&#160;he wants immigrant residents to feel comfortable cooperating with authorities to solve crimes.</p>
<p>While Philadelphia and other big cities say they will turn over serious criminals to ICE, they do not believe local police should be doing the work of federal immigration agents.</p>
<p>“There’s no way in the world that you would want to come forward as a source of information if you believe you are in jeopardy of being deported,” Ross testified at a court hearing in October.&#160;Philadelphia is suing the Trump administration over its threats to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities.</p>
<p>In Bensalem, Harran says he first reached out to ICE about joining 287(g) during Obama’s presidency. But in 2012, Obama ended the part of the program he had hoped to join. It had allowed local officers out on patrol to question and arrest people suspected of violating immigration laws. Obama left in place the part of the program Trump has now expanded.</p>
<p>In a February memo, then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said ICE would consider bringing back the discontinued part of the program. An ICE official familiar with the program said he was “unaware of any plans right now” to revive it.</p>
<p>MONEY-MAKING OPPORTUNITY?</p>
<p>Once a jurisdiction is approved for the 287(g) program, it designates local personnel to be trained at a federal facility. Local jurisdictions pay for travel, housing, and expenses for officers during training. ICE pays to install its databases and other technology in local offices for certified officers to use.</p>
<p>Cities not participating in the program can still approach ICE if they have suspicions about arrestees, but the process can be time consuming and cumbersome.</p>
<p>Participating jurisdictions also, as part of their agreement with ICE, have the option of signing separate contracts to house immigrant detainees for a fee.</p>
<p>“It’s an opportunity to make money for a county that is facing economic hardship,” said Chris Kleinberg, the sheriff of Dakota County, Nebraska. He said it has applied to be part of the program.&#160;</p>
<p>Of the 98 jurisdictions that have existing agreements or are interested in getting them, at least 27 already house people for ICE, according to ICE data through April 2017.</p>
<p>Some police departments, however, have backed down from their support of 287(g) in the face of political pressure.</p>
<p>Orange County, the only place participating in program in California, will end its agreement on Jan. 1 following the passage of a statewide ‘sanctuary bill,’ which prevents police from inquiring about people’s immigration status throughout California, said Ray Grangoff from the sheriff’s department.</p>
<p>CONCERNS ABOUT PROGRAM</p>
<p>ICE says the 287(g) program increases the number of immigrants it is able to deport. A 2010 report from the DHS inspector general said the program accounted for “a significant portion of nationwide ICE removal activity.” In fiscal year 2008 for example, 287(g) officers identified 33,831 immigrants for deportation, or 9.5 percent of all removals during that period, the report said.</p>
<p>Detractors question the program’s value.</p>
<p>A 2011 study of seven 287(g) jurisdictions by the Washington-based nonpartisan think tank Migration Policy Institute found the program did not target the most serious criminals and led to an increase in immigrants’ mistrust of local authorities. The study found that in the first 10 months of fiscal year 2010, half of the immigrants flagged to ICE in the 287(g) jurisdictions had committed misdemeanors, including immigration violations that are often civil not criminal offenses.</p>
<p>“Many of the immigrants that are arrested in traffic stops or for loitering are not the real threats to public safety,” said Chris Rickerd from the American Civil Liberties Union.</p>
<p>In November, the ACLU identified 14 jails and counties applying for the program as having had problems in the past, including poor detention conditions or accusations of racial bias.</p>
<p>One such place is Alamance County, North Carolina, which had its 287(g) program terminated in 2012. The Justice Department sued Sheriff Terry Johnson that year over allegations his office discriminated against Latinos at traffic stops and checkpoints. At trial, the department presented evidence that officers used derogatory terms like “wetback” and “taco eater,” which the sheriff’s office denied.</p>
<p>The judge dismissed the case, but in 2016 the county entered into a settlement with the government to avoid an appeal, committing to “bias free” policing.</p>
<p>Johnson said in a phone interview that he was contacted by ICE about rejoining the 287(g) program earlier this year. He applied, and in March he sent a letter to Tom Homan, the acting director of ICE, saying it was “one of the best law enforcement programs” he had ever been involved with during his 45-year career.</p>
<p>&lt;^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^</p>
<p>Graphic on 287(g) program http://tmsnrt.rs/2A115Sm</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^&gt;</p> | false | 1 | mica rosenberg reade levinson bensalem pennsylvania reuters dozens police departments united states granted new powers seeking check immigration status people arrest aiding president donald trumps broad crackdown people living country illegally since trump took office january 29 departments joined special program deputized perform tasks immigration agents doubling size 10 months according immigration customs enforcement ice agency administration hopes beginning documents obtained freedom information act request show administration also contact scores additional jurisdictions program 38 told reuters interviews submitted applications program potentially interested joining graphic httptmsnrtrs2a115sm program known 287g deputizes local officers trained ice use federal records vet arrestees suspect country illegally turn federal agents department homeland security said past police forces taking part program flagged tens thousands people deportation broad expansion program comes trump seeks accelerate arrests deportations people living united states illegally large number departments expressing interest program previously reported police departments joined seeking join program relatively small populations typically fewer 100000 residents small immigrant populations contrast roughly three dozen socalled sanctuary cities limited cooperation immigration enforcement median population half million people larger foreignborn populations according reuters analysis president barack obama 287g program downsized funding reduced amid concerns participating police departments overzealous targeting latinos critics also said eroded trust police immigrant communities end fiscal year 2016 32 agreements left place peak 2010 70 jurisdictions participating today 60 departments 18 states participate threequarters agencies already signed 287g agreements interested counties voted trump 2016 according reuters analysis electoral data ice would confirm jurisdictions shown interest signed agreements ice official asked named said interest increased trump took office signed executive order included expanding support program town vs city township bensalem pennsylvania half hour road philadelphia one hoping join 287g program fred harran director public safety city 60000 says immigrant country illegally commits crime even misdemeanor like shoplifting possession small amount drugs considered deportation welcomes help ice deporting country commit crime tool disposal darn right going use harran said neighboring philadelphia police commissioner richard ross jr favors different approach like many police chiefs large cities significant immigrant populations160he wants immigrant residents feel comfortable cooperating authorities solve crimes philadelphia big cities say turn serious criminals ice believe local police work federal immigration agents theres way world would want come forward source information believe jeopardy deported ross testified court hearing october160philadelphia suing trump administration threats cut federal funding sanctuary cities bensalem harran says first reached ice joining 287g obamas presidency 2012 obama ended part program hoped join allowed local officers patrol question arrest people suspected violating immigration laws obama left place part program trump expanded february memo thenhomeland security secretary john kelly said ice would consider bringing back discontinued part program ice official familiar program said unaware plans right revive moneymaking opportunity jurisdiction approved 287g program designates local personnel trained federal facility local jurisdictions pay travel housing expenses officers training ice pays install databases technology local offices certified officers use cities participating program still approach ice suspicions arrestees process time consuming cumbersome participating jurisdictions also part agreement ice option signing separate contracts house immigrant detainees fee opportunity make money county facing economic hardship said chris kleinberg sheriff dakota county nebraska said applied part program160 98 jurisdictions existing agreements interested getting least 27 already house people ice according ice data april 2017 police departments however backed support 287g face political pressure orange county place participating program california end agreement jan 1 following passage statewide sanctuary bill prevents police inquiring peoples immigration status throughout california said ray grangoff sheriffs department concerns program ice says 287g program increases number immigrants able deport 2010 report dhs inspector general said program accounted significant portion nationwide ice removal activity fiscal year 2008 example 287g officers identified 33831 immigrants deportation 95 percent removals period report said detractors question programs value 2011 study seven 287g jurisdictions washingtonbased nonpartisan think tank migration policy institute found program target serious criminals led increase immigrants mistrust local authorities study found first 10 months fiscal year 2010 half immigrants flagged ice 287g jurisdictions committed misdemeanors including immigration violations often civil criminal offenses many immigrants arrested traffic stops loitering real threats public safety said chris rickerd american civil liberties union november aclu identified 14 jails counties applying program problems past including poor detention conditions accusations racial bias one place alamance county north carolina 287g program terminated 2012 justice department sued sheriff terry johnson year allegations office discriminated latinos traffic stops checkpoints trial department presented evidence officers used derogatory terms like wetback taco eater sheriffs office denied judge dismissed case 2016 county entered settlement government avoid appeal committing bias free policing johnson said phone interview contacted ice rejoining 287g program earlier year applied march sent letter tom homan acting director ice saying one best law enforcement programs ever involved 45year career lt graphic 287g program httptmsnrtrs2a115sm gt | 787 |
<p>Everyone, from the editorial board of the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/opinion/20wed1.html?ref=opinion" type="external">New York Times</a> to the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120346780432378493.html?mod=opinion_main_review_and_outlooks" type="external">Wall Street Journal</a> to <a href="http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-20-voa7.cfm" type="external">President Bush</a>, seems to be delighted with the results of the election in Pakistan. Color me skeptical. Have a look at <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/world/asia/21pstan.html?hp" type="external">this</a> article declaring that: “Pakistan Victors Want Dialogue With Militants,” and you'll see why. Pakistan's victorious opposition parties are signaling a new approach to terrorism. That strategy “is more likely to be responsive to the consensus of the Pakistani public than was Mr. Musharraf's and is more likely to shun a heavy hand by the military and rely on dialogue with the militants.” Ah, democracy — or rather, “democracy.”</p>
<p>Let's review. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban make their headquarters in the hills of northwest Pakistan. From Pakistan, they launch assaults against NATO's forces in Afghanistan and spawn terror plots against Europe. Pakistan harbors Osama bin Laden and others responsible for 9/11, a network that actively continues to plan mass-terror attacks on the U.S.</p>
<p>Thus, the U.S. has every right to go to war with Pakistan. That we have not done so is a matter of prudence, given the fact that the chaos of war could leave some of Pakistan's nuclear weapons or materials in bin Laden's hands. Rumor has it that, shortly after 9/11, when President Bush presented President Musharraf with the choice to stand “with us or against us,” Bush made it clear that choosing “against” would mean a devastating military attack. This is the essential background against which the results of Pakistan's election have to be assessed. We seem to have forgotten these fundamental facts.</p>
<p>The people of Pakistan do not support the war on terror. In a recent poll, a third of Pakistanis expressed support for al-Qaeda, while half supported local jihadist groups. Since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, that support has dropped. But let's be clear: Pakistanis may abhor terrorists who kill Pakistanis, but all signs point to their being largely untroubled by terrorists who aim to destroy the West. Above all, as the Times noted Wednesday, the Pakistani consensus opposes military attacks on the tribal sanctuaries of al-Qaeda and the Taliban.</p>
<p>That sort of direct or indirect support for terrorism is fundamentally illiberal — a far cry from the larger meaning of democracy as a broad cultural stance (rather than in the narrow sense of mere elections). The people of Pakistan are nowhere close to being liberal democrats in any sense that would yield a meaningful “democratic peace” — a phenomenon in which the fundamental interests and attitudes shared by liberal democracies lead them to cooperate and refrain from war. On the contrary, given the people of Pakistan's strong opposition to the war on terror, a “democratic” poll is likely to — surprise! — severely compromise the war on terror. If Wednesday's story in the Times is to be believed, that is exactly what's happened.</p>
<p>Conceivably, some well-placed pressure from the U.S. on Pakistan's new leaders might help to restore Pakistan's cooperation in the war on terror. But it's too likely that the West has been snookered. As <a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGIyN2JkMDg1OGYzNjY2MGRiZDMwMTU3ZTQ3MzE0ODA" type="external">I've argued before</a>, Westerners — who generally understand little of Pakistan — are easily manipulated by English-speaking Pakistanis who understand a great deal about us. Western papers regularly quote politically biased Pakistani analysts, who tend to push an anti-Musharraf pro-“democracy” line that dresses up personal political interests in bogus assurances to Americans about the war on terror.</p>
<p>The most popular tactic is <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-op-hoodbhoy18nov18,1,2586197.story?coll=la-news-comment&amp;ctrack=1&amp;cset=true" type="external">the claim</a> that only a popularly elected party could “explain” to the Pakistani people that the war on terror is in their own interest. Wednesday's Times story is filled with such assurances. Yet when juxtaposed against pledges by Pakistan's new leaders to stop using the army to fight against terrorists, these assurances ring hollow. The question is why we ever believed them in the first place.</p>
<p>What's happened is quite the reverse of what Pakistani analysts have promised. Pakistan's new leaders are actually “explaining” to Americans why the war on terror will end in Pakistan. How could it be otherwise? Nawaz Sharif <a href="http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=M2VkZWFiYmIzZmY2NWZhZDZmZDQ3NGRhYjhiNGFlMjc" type="external">explicitly campaigned</a> against military cooperation with America — bragging about his repeated refusal to take calls from President Clinton over the development of Pakistan's bomb, and contrasting this with Musharraf's knuckling under to Bush after just one phone call.</p>
<p>It's true that Sharif will play a double game with the U.S., making small gestures of cooperation when he can. But his constituency is fundamentally opposed to the war on terror, and playing to that view will be irresistible in his “democracy.” What's so striking about Wednesday's Times story is that even Benazir Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, now echoes Sharif's anti-war-on-terror line.</p>
<p>It's also true that Musharraf was playing a double game, caught as he was between a tenuous alliance with the U.S. and a Pakistani public that loathes the war on terror. His own army and intelligence services are deeply divided over the issue, and Pakistan has strategic interests in maintaining ties to the Taliban (who represent Pakistan's best lever to prevent Afghanistan from allying with India, should NATO pull out of Afghanistan.) Yet Musharraf's independent base of support in Pakistan's heretofore all-powerful military provided far more room to cooperate with the U.S. than the leaders of either victorious “democratic” opposition party will enjoy.</p>
<p>As incomplete and unsatisfactory as Musharraf's cooperation has been, he has done far more to help in the war on terror than he is given credit for doing. While Musharraf did settle with the Taliban over a year ago, allowing its power to spread, it was only after Pakistan essentially lost a four-year campaign to gain control of the tribal northwest. And after declaring emergency rule, Musharraf ordered a significant and largely successful assault against Taliban positions in Swat.</p>
<p>Then, just before the election, the army executed an important <a href="http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODhlMWQxZWEwZTA4ODViOTFjZDEyMzMxNGVhYTgyN2U" type="external">offensive</a> in South Waziristan, which exploited tribal rivalries and succeeded in opening up <a href="http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTQxOWJmM2QwNjk3NWViMTZlYWQ2NjFmZDMwMDBiN2I" type="external">important rifts</a> within the Taliban. True, the assault was halted as part of a deal with the Taliban to reduce terror attacks during the election, but the offensive showed that Pakistan's army is capable of containing the Taliban if and when it wants to, a fact that allowed the army to bargain from strength.</p>
<p>Caught between the U.S. and a public that opposes the war on terror, Musharraf has little choice but to deal in half-measures. Even so, his base in the army gives him far more ability to bring resu lts than “democratic” leaders with no links to the army, who came to power thanks to an electorate that wants to end military assaults in the northwest.</p>
<p>Enraptured by the romance of bogus democratization, the American media has simply failed to report on any of this. Wednesday, the Times piously explained that Pakistan's newly elected leaders plan to shun Musharraf's “heavy handed” military approach. But when Musharraf declared a state of emergency, the Times essentially refused to cover the military's offensive in Swat, not to mention its subsequent assaults in South Waziristan. Back then, the media line was that Musharraf declared an emergency to fight terror — but hadn't lifted a finger to do so. The Western media simply follows whatever anti-Musharraf line is being doled out by Pakistani analysts and opposition leaders, and utterly shirked its duty to do independent reporting on the military actions that took place during the state of emergency.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, conservative supporters of the war on terror have consistently ignored or minimized Musharraf's military actions because they hope for the sort of systematic destruction of the Taliban that no Pakistani leader can afford to undertake. Like so many liberals, a lot of conservatives believe the myth that mere electoral democracy will solve all of these problems. Supposedly, genuinely popular elected leaders will convince the Pakistani people that the war on terror is in their interest. But this is expecting a degree of leadership wholly unlikely in a fragile, illiberal, and utterly “populist” (in the worst sense) democracy.</p>
<p>However much our ignorance about Pakistan's internal politics left us subject to the manipulations of Pakistan's English-speaking elite, fundamentally we were fooling ourselves. We didn't want to acknowledge that, in a country as underdeveloped and illiberal as Pakistan, electoral democracy actually cuts against the war on terror — not in favor of it. Liberals look to democracy as a substitute for war. Conservatives hope for democracy as a go-ahead for the definitive battle against the Taliban and al Qaeda. But Pakistanis see democracy as an opportunity to put an end to America's war on terror, and we are fools to think otherwise.</p>
<p>They'll take our money, though. Already Senator Joseph Biden is <a href="http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-19-voa32.cfm" type="external">talking about</a> tripling our already substantial aid to Pakistan. Biden wants to shift aid to civilian projects and rigidly control the use of any military aid. (I didn't notice anything about controls on abuse of civilian aid, though.) I agree with Biden that, over the long term, building up Pakistan's secular schools and creating modern infrastructure is the best way to bring cultural change and give the Pakistani people a stake in the alliance with America. Yet this will make a difference only over time, and the war on terror can't be put off for years.</p>
<p>There is plenty of reason to believe that the already famously corrupt leaders of Pakistan's “democratic” parties will use American aid more as a source of loot for their cronies than to help their country. I'd be willing to risk such abuse if these leaders showed any signs of actually working to persuade Pakistanis to cooperate in the war on terror. But after Wednesday's Times story, I say: “Not a penny more.” Will Congress now triple aid to corrupt leaders who have pledged to end military action against terrorists who want to destroy us? Continue military aid at current levels and block Biden's increase until the new civilian leaders change their tune.</p>
<p>One could argue that Wednesday's public claims by Zardari and Sharif should not be taken too seriously. After all, they have to placate a public that opposes the war on terror. When push comes to shove, perhaps Zardari and Sharif will cooperate with us. Unfortunately, I find it very difficult to put such a benign interpretation on their statements against military action. The whole point of this election (the West was repeatedly assured by Pakistani politicians and analysts) was to allow democratic leaders to persuade the Pakistani people to look more favorably on the war on terror. The public statements so clearly promising a break with Musharraf's policy of cooperation will be tough to take back. They constitute a promise to the Pakistani people, and they may have been made so quickly in order to present the U.S. with a fait accompli.</p>
<p>In short, we have been snookered — but we've done it to ourselves. Liberal and conservative alike, we kept comparing Musharraf to the alternative of a genuine terror-fighting democracy and find him wanting. That is a mistake. What we should be comparing Musharraf to is the alternative of full-scale war with a chaotic and nuclear-armed Pakistan. We've chosen poorly, and the hour is late.</p>
<p>— Stanley Kurtz is a senior fellow at the <a href="" type="internal">Ethics and Public Policy Center</a> and an NRO contributing editor.</p> | false | 1 | everyone editorial board new york times wall street journal president bush seems delighted results election pakistan color skeptical look article declaring pakistan victors want dialogue militants youll see pakistans victorious opposition parties signaling new approach terrorism strategy likely responsive consensus pakistani public mr musharrafs likely shun heavy hand military rely dialogue militants ah democracy rather democracy lets review alqaeda taliban make headquarters hills northwest pakistan pakistan launch assaults natos forces afghanistan spawn terror plots europe pakistan harbors osama bin laden others responsible 911 network actively continues plan massterror attacks us thus us every right go war pakistan done matter prudence given fact chaos war could leave pakistans nuclear weapons materials bin ladens hands rumor shortly 911 president bush presented president musharraf choice stand us us bush made clear choosing would mean devastating military attack essential background results pakistans election assessed seem forgotten fundamental facts people pakistan support war terror recent poll third pakistanis expressed support alqaeda half supported local jihadist groups since assassination benazir bhutto support dropped lets clear pakistanis may abhor terrorists kill pakistanis signs point largely untroubled terrorists aim destroy west times noted wednesday pakistani consensus opposes military attacks tribal sanctuaries alqaeda taliban sort direct indirect support terrorism fundamentally illiberal far cry larger meaning democracy broad cultural stance rather narrow sense mere elections people pakistan nowhere close liberal democrats sense would yield meaningful democratic peace phenomenon fundamental interests attitudes shared liberal democracies lead cooperate refrain war contrary given people pakistans strong opposition war terror democratic poll likely surprise severely compromise war terror wednesdays story times believed exactly whats happened conceivably wellplaced pressure us pakistans new leaders might help restore pakistans cooperation war terror likely west snookered ive argued westerners generally understand little pakistan easily manipulated englishspeaking pakistanis understand great deal us western papers regularly quote politically biased pakistani analysts tend push antimusharraf prodemocracy line dresses personal political interests bogus assurances americans war terror popular tactic claim popularly elected party could explain pakistani people war terror interest wednesdays times story filled assurances yet juxtaposed pledges pakistans new leaders stop using army fight terrorists assurances ring hollow question ever believed first place whats happened quite reverse pakistani analysts promised pakistans new leaders actually explaining americans war terror end pakistan could otherwise nawaz sharif explicitly campaigned military cooperation america bragging repeated refusal take calls president clinton development pakistans bomb contrasting musharrafs knuckling bush one phone call true sharif play double game us making small gestures cooperation constituency fundamentally opposed war terror playing view irresistible democracy whats striking wednesdays times story even benazir bhuttos husband asif ali zardari echoes sharifs antiwaronterror line also true musharraf playing double game caught tenuous alliance us pakistani public loathes war terror army intelligence services deeply divided issue pakistan strategic interests maintaining ties taliban represent pakistans best lever prevent afghanistan allying india nato pull afghanistan yet musharrafs independent base support pakistans heretofore allpowerful military provided far room cooperate us leaders either victorious democratic opposition party enjoy incomplete unsatisfactory musharrafs cooperation done far help war terror given credit musharraf settle taliban year ago allowing power spread pakistan essentially lost fouryear campaign gain control tribal northwest declaring emergency rule musharraf ordered significant largely successful assault taliban positions swat election army executed important offensive south waziristan exploited tribal rivalries succeeded opening important rifts within taliban true assault halted part deal taliban reduce terror attacks election offensive showed pakistans army capable containing taliban wants fact allowed army bargain strength caught us public opposes war terror musharraf little choice deal halfmeasures even base army gives far ability bring resu lts democratic leaders links army came power thanks electorate wants end military assaults northwest enraptured romance bogus democratization american media simply failed report wednesday times piously explained pakistans newly elected leaders plan shun musharrafs heavy handed military approach musharraf declared state emergency times essentially refused cover militarys offensive swat mention subsequent assaults south waziristan back media line musharraf declared emergency fight terror hadnt lifted finger western media simply follows whatever antimusharraf line doled pakistani analysts opposition leaders utterly shirked duty independent reporting military actions took place state emergency meanwhile conservative supporters war terror consistently ignored minimized musharrafs military actions hope sort systematic destruction taliban pakistani leader afford undertake like many liberals lot conservatives believe myth mere electoral democracy solve problems supposedly genuinely popular elected leaders convince pakistani people war terror interest expecting degree leadership wholly unlikely fragile illiberal utterly populist worst sense democracy however much ignorance pakistans internal politics left us subject manipulations pakistans englishspeaking elite fundamentally fooling didnt want acknowledge country underdeveloped illiberal pakistan electoral democracy actually cuts war terror favor liberals look democracy substitute war conservatives hope democracy goahead definitive battle taliban al qaeda pakistanis see democracy opportunity put end americas war terror fools think otherwise theyll take money though already senator joseph biden talking tripling already substantial aid pakistan biden wants shift aid civilian projects rigidly control use military aid didnt notice anything controls abuse civilian aid though agree biden long term building pakistans secular schools creating modern infrastructure best way bring cultural change give pakistani people stake alliance america yet make difference time war terror cant put years plenty reason believe already famously corrupt leaders pakistans democratic parties use american aid source loot cronies help country id willing risk abuse leaders showed signs actually working persuade pakistanis cooperate war terror wednesdays times story say penny congress triple aid corrupt leaders pledged end military action terrorists want destroy us continue military aid current levels block bidens increase new civilian leaders change tune one could argue wednesdays public claims zardari sharif taken seriously placate public opposes war terror push comes shove perhaps zardari sharif cooperate us unfortunately find difficult put benign interpretation statements military action whole point election west repeatedly assured pakistani politicians analysts allow democratic leaders persuade pakistani people look favorably war terror public statements clearly promising break musharrafs policy cooperation tough take back constitute promise pakistani people may made quickly order present us fait accompli short snookered weve done liberal conservative alike kept comparing musharraf alternative genuine terrorfighting democracy find wanting mistake comparing musharraf alternative fullscale war chaotic nucleararmed pakistan weve chosen poorly hour late stanley kurtz senior fellow ethics public policy center nro contributing editor | 1,027 |
<p>SAN FRANCISCO — Three outs from a stinging series loss to the last-place <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/San-Francisco-Giants/" type="external">San Francisco Giants</a>, lightning struck the playoff-contending <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Milwaukee-Brewers/" type="external">Milwaukee Brewers</a> on Wednesday afternoon.</p>
<p>It hit them in the foot, adding to the pain.</p>
<p>Jarrett Parker’s check-swing, two-run double broke a seventh-inning tie and sent the Giants to a 4-2 victory and series win over the Brewers, who might have lost slugger <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Travis-Shaw/" type="external">Travis Shaw</a> in the process.</p>
<p>The star third baseman fouled a ball off his right foot in the ninth inning and, after drawing a walk, left the field with a serious limp moments later.</p>
<p>“We don’t know,” Brewers manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Craig_Counsell/" type="external">Craig Counsell</a> said of the extent of the injury. “He’ll get X-rays.”</p>
<p>Left-hander <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt_Moore/" type="external">Matt Moore</a> pitched six strong innings before handing off the ball to the bullpen, helping the Giants win for a second time in the three-game series.</p>
<p>“I thought everybody did well,” Moore said of the series win. “They have a good chance to get into the postseason. So for us to come in here and kind of ruin someone’s day, it was something for us moving forward that we can build on as a club.”</p>
<p>The loss dropped Milwaukee to 3-3 on its nine-game Western swing.</p>
<p>“We just didn’t do enough today,” Counsell lamented. “They pitched well and their bullpen did a nice job. We just couldn’t push the runners across.”</p>
<p>Pinch-hitter <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Denard_Span/" type="external">Denard Span</a>‘s one-out double down the right field line against the Brewers’ third pitcher, right-hander Jacob Barnes (3-4), got the decisive seventh inning rolling for the Giants.</p>
<p>After Gorkys Hernandez was hit by a pitch, Barnes struck out Kelby Tomlinson for the second out before jamming Parker with a fastball that the lefty hitter blooped just inside third base and into the Giants’ bullpen, easily scoring Span and Hernandez with the difference-making runs.</p>
<p>“You hear good things happen to you when you put the ball in play, and he did,” Giants manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Bruce-Bochy/" type="external">Bruce Bochy</a> noted. “I don’t think that was the swing he was looking for on the first pitch, but that’s a break for us. We’ll take it.”</p>
<p>Barnes came within one strike of retiring Hernandez before grazing his jersey with a fastball.</p>
<p>“Had a little bad luck there,” Counsell said of Parker’s hit. “The hit by pitch ended up hurting us.”</p>
<p>Right-handers Hunter Strickland (3-3), <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Mark_Melancon/" type="external">Mark Melancon</a> and Sam Dyson took it from there, limiting the Brewers to just one run on one hit over three innings to cap a 4-3 season-series win that was the Giants’ fourth in a row against Milwaukee.</p>
<p>Aided by an insurance run produced by a Carlos Moncrief sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning, Dyson allowed a solo home run to pinch-hitter Stephen Vogt in the ninth before recording his 12th save.</p>
<p>Vogt’s homer was his fifth of the season and the first of his career as a pinch hitter.</p>
<p>Hernandez had two doubles for the Giants, who totaled five doubles among their nine hits.</p>
<p>Tomlinson and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Brandon-Crawford/" type="external">Brandon Crawford</a> also had two hits for San Francisco.</p>
<p>Domingo Santana collected a single and a double for the Brewers, who were seeking their first series win in San Francisco since 2010.</p>
<p>Both starting pitchers left with the game tied 1-1 after strong efforts that began with first-inning runs.</p>
<p>Moore allowed five hits, including doubles by Santana and Shaw that gave the Brewers a quick 1-0 advantage.</p>
<p>“It’s about how you finish in this game,” Bochy said of Moore’s season, which began 3-12 before he’s turned things around with three straight solid efforts. “We’re all going to have our struggles, our hiccups, our bumps in the road, whatever. What’s important is how you deal with it.”</p>
<p>Moore walked two and struck out six.</p>
<p>The Giants got even against Brewers right-hander <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt_Garza/" type="external">Matt Garza</a> after loading the bases against him in the last of the first on a double by Hernandez, a single by Tomlinson and a walk to Parker.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Buster_Posey/" type="external">Buster Posey</a> tied the game with a sacrifice fly, after which Garza escaped further damage.</p>
<p>Garza allowed five hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out six.</p>
<p>“I was going into the game thinking: If Matt gives us 15 outs, we’re in good shape,” Counsell noted. “One run in five innings. I’ll take that every single time. He did exactly what we asked him to do.”</p>
<p>The Giants out-hit the Brewers 9-6.</p>
<p>NOTES: There were just 15 total runs scored in the series, the fewest in any Giants three-game series this season. Their previous low had been 16 against Washington on May 29-31. … The Brewers and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Tampa_Bay_Rays/" type="external">Tampa Bay Rays</a> totaled just eight runs in a three-game series earlier this month. … Giants RHP Sam Dyson’s 12 saves since July 1 are tied for the most in the National League. … Giants RF <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Hunter_Pence/" type="external">Hunter Pence</a> (sore left hamstring) was held out of the starting lineup for the second straight day. … Before the game, the Brewers claimed RHP <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Aaron_Brooks/" type="external">Aaron Brooks</a> off waivers from the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chicago-Cubs/" type="external">Chicago Cubs</a>. He was sent to Triple-A Colorado Springs. RHP Paolo Espino was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Brooks. … Both teams are off Thursday before starting road series on Friday, the Brewers in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers, and the Giants in Arizona to duel the Diamondbacks.</p> | false | 1 | san francisco three outs stinging series loss lastplace san francisco giants lightning struck playoffcontending milwaukee brewers wednesday afternoon hit foot adding pain jarrett parkers checkswing tworun double broke seventhinning tie sent giants 42 victory series win brewers might lost slugger travis shaw process star third baseman fouled ball right foot ninth inning drawing walk left field serious limp moments later dont know brewers manager craig counsell said extent injury hell get xrays lefthander matt moore pitched six strong innings handing ball bullpen helping giants win second time threegame series thought everybody well moore said series win good chance get postseason us come kind ruin someones day something us moving forward build club loss dropped milwaukee 33 ninegame western swing didnt enough today counsell lamented pitched well bullpen nice job couldnt push runners across pinchhitter denard spans oneout double right field line brewers third pitcher righthander jacob barnes 34 got decisive seventh inning rolling giants gorkys hernandez hit pitch barnes struck kelby tomlinson second jamming parker fastball lefty hitter blooped inside third base giants bullpen easily scoring span hernandez differencemaking runs hear good things happen put ball play giants manager bruce bochy noted dont think swing looking first pitch thats break us well take barnes came within one strike retiring hernandez grazing jersey fastball little bad luck counsell said parkers hit hit pitch ended hurting us righthanders hunter strickland 33 mark melancon sam dyson took limiting brewers one run one hit three innings cap 43 seasonseries win giants fourth row milwaukee aided insurance run produced carlos moncrief sacrifice fly bottom eighth inning dyson allowed solo home run pinchhitter stephen vogt ninth recording 12th save vogts homer fifth season first career pinch hitter hernandez two doubles giants totaled five doubles among nine hits tomlinson brandon crawford also two hits san francisco domingo santana collected single double brewers seeking first series win san francisco since 2010 starting pitchers left game tied 11 strong efforts began firstinning runs moore allowed five hits including doubles santana shaw gave brewers quick 10 advantage finish game bochy said moores season began 312 hes turned things around three straight solid efforts going struggles hiccups bumps road whatever whats important deal moore walked two struck six giants got even brewers righthander matt garza loading bases last first double hernandez single tomlinson walk parker buster posey tied game sacrifice fly garza escaped damage garza allowed five hits five innings walked two struck six going game thinking matt gives us 15 outs good shape counsell noted one run five innings ill take every single time exactly asked giants outhit brewers 96 notes 15 total runs scored series fewest giants threegame series season previous low 16 washington may 2931 brewers tampa bay rays totaled eight runs threegame series earlier month giants rhp sam dysons 12 saves since july 1 tied national league giants rf hunter pence sore left hamstring held starting lineup second straight day game brewers claimed rhp aaron brooks waivers chicago cubs sent triplea colorado springs rhp paolo espino designated assignment make room 40man roster brooks teams thursday starting road series friday brewers los angeles face dodgers giants arizona duel diamondbacks | 521 |
<p>Mainland Chinese cinema is bloated with youth romances wallowing in ’90s nostalgia, yet this pivotal stage in life has never appeared as pure, beatific and cruel as depicted in “Youth,” the latest from Chinese box office king <a href="http://variety.com/t/feng-xiaogang/" type="external">Feng Xiaogang</a>. Tracking the tempestuous fates of a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) dance troupe from the Cultural Revolution to the ’90s, the film serves as a paean to idealism and endurance, yet the word “heart-breaking” comes to mind scene after scene.</p>
<p>Even if China’s millennials has no time for the vintage subject, a large contingent of older viewers who collectively share Feng’s sense of nostalgia should lend the epic heart-felt support. On the other hand, the film’s long 146-minute running time and seeming glorification of the military may influence overseas reception.</p>
<p>Without the technical contrivances of “I Am Not Madame Bovary,” Feng employs traditional craftsmanship to draw a sweeping historical canvas with profound human upheavals that mirror virtues and flaws of the Chinese people, without ever losing sight of the personal experiences that he dramatizes with such acute sensuality.</p>
<p>The narrator Suizi (Zhong Chuxi), a stand-in for screenwriter <a href="http://variety.com/t/yan-geling/" type="external">Yan Geling</a> (“The Flowers of War” and “Coming Home”), whose semi-biographical novel was the film’s literary source, belongs to a military dance troupe stationed in the Great Southwest. However, the central figure is actually Xiaoping (Miao Miao), whose father has been branded a Rightist and thrown in a re-education camp. She is recruited from Beijing by the good-looking and kind-hearted lead dancer Liu Feng ( <a href="http://variety.com/t/huang-xuan/" type="external">Huang Xuan</a>).</p>
<p>The pristine surroundings of their training center and dreamy soft focus that accompanies the young dancers whenever they rehearse revolutionary ballets exude a rarefied atmosphere that reinforces how privileged the troupe is, shielded from hunger, violence and back-breaking labor at the height of the Cultural Revolution. And yet, a hierarchy based on political pedigree is firmly in place in the so-called classless society. Shuwen (Li Xiaofeng) the daughter of a general and hospital supervisor, is the queen bee. Dingding (Yang Caiyu) scores with her looks, while Mongolian Drolma (Sui Yuan) plays her ethnic minority card.</p>
<p>Xiaoping’s blemished parentage condemns her to the bottom of the ladder, and most of the drama revolves around her being picked on, as when she is shamed for slipping into Shuwen’s army uniform to pose for a photo. It is not until the late ’70s, after the fall of the Gang of Four, that Xiaoping reveals why she took that photo. The reason, which has nothing to do with vanity or patriotism, is heartwrenchingly personal.</p>
<p>While the film is unabashedly romantic in its evocation of the dancers’ physical beauty and innocence, a furtive sensuality ripples beneath the surface of their cloistered lives, as in a locker room scene when the girls’ lingerie glisten with water droplets, or when Dingding has a tryst with a soldier who spoon-feeds her orange marmalade in a dark alley. As a sign of changing times, foreign imports that trickle in, like flares and banned songs of Taiwanese popstar Teresa Teng, stir up repressed desires and promise unknown pleasures.</p>
<p>In a dark twist on the relaxation of sexual mores, Feng’s untimely confession of a long-held crush has disastrous consequences, exposing not only the obscene prurience of senior army officers, but the hypocritical morality of his once-adoring comrades. This allows the plot to segue to the Sino-Vietnam border wars in the 80s. Recalling his civil war drama “Assembly,” Feng shoots the battle scenes as propulsive spectacles of bloodshed, making one realize what an idyllic bubble the protagonists’ vocation was.</p>
<p>The film’s ubiquitous display of military regalia and the characters’ awed veneration of the PLA ostensibly smacks of jingoism, but the colossal human sacrifices depicted, and eventual unceremonious phasing out of the troupe as their propagandist function wanes, demonstrate Feng’s subtle departure from the conventions of “main rhythm” (government endorsed) cinema.</p>
<p>This is most discernible in the case of Feng, whose altruistic character earned him the nickname “Lei Feng”– a legendary model worker upheld as a Chinese counterpart of the Soviet Stahkanov. Ironially, his endeavor to live up to that name is presented as delusional. As Suizi comments: “He yearned to be a martyr so that his ordinary life could become heroic history.” Sporting a clean-shaven image as Feng, Huang projects the aura of someone always under a halo, but humanizes his role in the latter half with an outburst of bitter emotions.</p>
<p>The one who draws the most sympathy is Xiaoping, who struggles stoically to rise above her misfortunes. Though Feng refrains from sentimental treatment, he orchestrates two dance setpieces that are wonderful to behold and deeply cathartic, even as they serve as a veiled criticism of authorities through Suizi’s conclusion that “the collective abandoned her.”</p>
<p>The epilogue, set in Hainan in 1991, is arguably too drawn out, yet it’s an unconventional inversion of the Chinese youth nostalgia formula in which grassroots protagonists all become corporate execs and entrepreneurs. Instead, the scene is decidedly downbeat, as the proles stay downtrodden while the offspring of party elites rule the neo-capitalist market in the age of reform.</p>
<p>Production values are generous without seeming overly lavish. Feng’s regular DP Luo Pan’s stately cinematography works wonders with a green color palette that evokes the freshness of youth amid the sea of khaki uniforms, luxuriant foliage and grasslands from its Yunnan and Qinghai settings. Production and costume design by Shi Haiying are immaculate, instilling elegance to the humble simplicity of early communist era decor and paraphernalia. The score by Zhao Lin, Dai and Xiaofei reflects the heavy orchestral tenor of the period’s state music, while the mournful theme song, whose lyrics reference the Chinese title “Fragrant Youth,” encapsulates the film’s theme.</p>
<p>Reviewed online, Taipei, Aug. 16, 2017. (In Toronto Film Festival — Special Presentation.) Running time: 146 MIN. (Original title: “Fang Hua”)</p>
<p>(China) A Huayi Brothers Pictures (in China), China Lion Distribution (in U.S.) release of a Zhejiang Dongyang Mayla Media, Huayi Brothers Pictures, iQiyi Motion Pictures (Beijing) Co., Beijing Sparkle Roll Media, Beijing Jingxi Culture &amp; Tourism Co., August First Film Studio production.&#160;(International sales: IM Global, London.) Producers: Wang Zhonglei, Wang Zhongjun, Gong Yu, Song Ge, Qi Jianhong, Zhang Fangjun. Executive producers: Feng Xiaogang. Co-producers: Jenny Ye, Hu Xiaofeng, Ya Ning, Du Yang, Yan Pin.</p>
<p>Director: Feng Xiaogang. Screenplay: Yan Geling, based on her novel. Camera (color, HD): Luo Pan. Editor: Zhang Qi. Music: Zhao Lin, Dai Xiaofei.</p>
<p>Miao Miao, Huang Xuan, Zhang Chuxi, Li Xiaofeng, Yang Caiyu, Sui Yuan, Zhao Lixin, Wang Tiancheng. (Mandarin dialogue)</p> | false | 1 | mainland chinese cinema bloated youth romances wallowing 90s nostalgia yet pivotal stage life never appeared pure beatific cruel depicted youth latest chinese box office king feng xiaogang tracking tempestuous fates peoples liberation army pla dance troupe cultural revolution 90s film serves paean idealism endurance yet word heartbreaking comes mind scene scene even chinas millennials time vintage subject large contingent older viewers collectively share fengs sense nostalgia lend epic heartfelt support hand films long 146minute running time seeming glorification military may influence overseas reception without technical contrivances madame bovary feng employs traditional craftsmanship draw sweeping historical canvas profound human upheavals mirror virtues flaws chinese people without ever losing sight personal experiences dramatizes acute sensuality narrator suizi zhong chuxi standin screenwriter yan geling flowers war coming home whose semibiographical novel films literary source belongs military dance troupe stationed great southwest however central figure actually xiaoping miao miao whose father branded rightist thrown reeducation camp recruited beijing goodlooking kindhearted lead dancer liu feng huang xuan pristine surroundings training center dreamy soft focus accompanies young dancers whenever rehearse revolutionary ballets exude rarefied atmosphere reinforces privileged troupe shielded hunger violence backbreaking labor height cultural revolution yet hierarchy based political pedigree firmly place socalled classless society shuwen li xiaofeng daughter general hospital supervisor queen bee dingding yang caiyu scores looks mongolian drolma sui yuan plays ethnic minority card xiaopings blemished parentage condemns bottom ladder drama revolves around picked shamed slipping shuwens army uniform pose photo late 70s fall gang four xiaoping reveals took photo reason nothing vanity patriotism heartwrenchingly personal film unabashedly romantic evocation dancers physical beauty innocence furtive sensuality ripples beneath surface cloistered lives locker room scene girls lingerie glisten water droplets dingding tryst soldier spoonfeeds orange marmalade dark alley sign changing times foreign imports trickle like flares banned songs taiwanese popstar teresa teng stir repressed desires promise unknown pleasures dark twist relaxation sexual mores fengs untimely confession longheld crush disastrous consequences exposing obscene prurience senior army officers hypocritical morality onceadoring comrades allows plot segue sinovietnam border wars 80s recalling civil war drama assembly feng shoots battle scenes propulsive spectacles bloodshed making one realize idyllic bubble protagonists vocation films ubiquitous display military regalia characters awed veneration pla ostensibly smacks jingoism colossal human sacrifices depicted eventual unceremonious phasing troupe propagandist function wanes demonstrate fengs subtle departure conventions main rhythm government endorsed cinema discernible case feng whose altruistic character earned nickname lei feng legendary model worker upheld chinese counterpart soviet stahkanov ironially endeavor live name presented delusional suizi comments yearned martyr ordinary life could become heroic history sporting cleanshaven image feng huang projects aura someone always halo humanizes role latter half outburst bitter emotions one draws sympathy xiaoping struggles stoically rise misfortunes though feng refrains sentimental treatment orchestrates two dance setpieces wonderful behold deeply cathartic even serve veiled criticism authorities suizis conclusion collective abandoned epilogue set hainan 1991 arguably drawn yet unconventional inversion chinese youth nostalgia formula grassroots protagonists become corporate execs entrepreneurs instead scene decidedly downbeat proles stay downtrodden offspring party elites rule neocapitalist market age reform production values generous without seeming overly lavish fengs regular dp luo pans stately cinematography works wonders green color palette evokes freshness youth amid sea khaki uniforms luxuriant foliage grasslands yunnan qinghai settings production costume design shi haiying immaculate instilling elegance humble simplicity early communist era decor paraphernalia score zhao lin dai xiaofei reflects heavy orchestral tenor periods state music mournful theme song whose lyrics reference chinese title fragrant youth encapsulates films theme reviewed online taipei aug 16 2017 toronto film festival special presentation running time 146 min original title fang hua china huayi brothers pictures china china lion distribution us release zhejiang dongyang mayla media huayi brothers pictures iqiyi motion pictures beijing co beijing sparkle roll media beijing jingxi culture amp tourism co august first film studio production160international sales im global london producers wang zhonglei wang zhongjun gong yu song ge qi jianhong zhang fangjun executive producers feng xiaogang coproducers jenny ye hu xiaofeng ya ning du yang yan pin director feng xiaogang screenplay yan geling based novel camera color hd luo pan editor zhang qi music zhao lin dai xiaofei miao miao huang xuan zhang chuxi li xiaofeng yang caiyu sui yuan zhao lixin wang tiancheng mandarin dialogue | 700 |
<p />
<p>Authors of serious books seldom have cause to celebrate, but Larry Stratton and I have two reasons to open the champagne. Crown Publishing, a division of Random House, has announced a second printing of the second edition of The Tyranny of Good Intentions, and the noted civil libertarian and defense attorney, Harvey Silverglate, has just published a book covering many of the same legal cases and vetting our conclusion that in the United States every American is in grave danger from unscrupulous prosecutors who target the innocent.</p>
<p>For two decades I have been attempting to make Americans aware that the danger to their liberty comes not from foreign adversaries, terrorists, or criminals, but from prosecutors, who have destroyed law as a shield of the innocent and turned law into a weapon against the innocent. The Tyranny of Good Intentions (the publisher's title) documents how the legal principles that protect our civil liberties were eroded by prosecutors even before the Bush regime obliterated what remained of the Bill of Rights.</p>
<p>The struggle has been uphill, because neither the right-wing nor the left-wing is emotionally content with the facts that Stratton and I present. Conservatives tend to see civil liberties as liberal coddling devices for criminals and, today, for terrorists. Predisposed to "law and order," conservatives align with police and prosecutors. They object to accounts of police misbehavior and prosecutorial abuse as propaganda in behalf of the criminal class.</p>
<p>The left-wing tends to see law as a tool of oppression that "the rich" use to control the lower classes, and liberals fret that "the rich" get off by hiring good lawyers, while the poor and minorities are ground under. Consequently, leftists object to the demonstration that even the very rich, such as Michael Milken, Martha Stewart, and Leona Helmsley, and even law and accounting firms, are victims of wrongful prosecution. Confusing wealth with villainy, leftists cannot free themselves from the emotional predilection that a convicted rich person must have been so guilty that not even the best lawyers could get them off.</p>
<p>The Tyranny of Good Intentions had a second printing of a second edition because of word of mouth, not because of reviews. Neither the right nor the left objects to wrongful prosecution as long as the victim is a bete noir. Sir Thomas More's question (A Man For All Seasons)?what will happen to the innocent if we cut down the law in pursuit of devils??rings no warning among right or left.</p>
<p>With this point made, I have come not to praise myself and my coauthor, but to praise Harvey Silverglate. If The Tyranny of Good Intentions cannot convince you, then perhaps Three Felonies A Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent can, and, if not, then both together surely will.</p>
<p>The Tyranny of Good Intentions is a broad stroke. It demonstrates how each civil liberty has been eroded away. Prosecutorial abuse is one chapter in the book.</p>
<p>Silverglates? Three Felonies A Day focuses on how federal prosecutors invent creative interpretations of statutes, sometimes creating new felonies out of vague language or thin air, felonies never legislated by Congress. Federal criminal law is today so vast and so poorly worded that Silverglate reports, truthfully, that each of us, every American, commits three felonies every day without knowing it.</p>
<p>Federal judges, an increasing number of whom are former federal prosecutors, permit the prosecution of Americans for crimes that the defendants did not know were crimes, crimes that never before existed until the federal prosecutor brought the charge. The invention of crimes by prosecutors violates every known legal principle in Anglo-American law. Yet, it has become commonplace. Defense attorneys, a group that also increasingly consists of former federal prosecutors, as Silverglate accurately reports, have lost confidence that it is possible to defend a client from a federal prosecution and see their role, not as the defense, but as negotiator of a plea bargain that reduces the charges and prison time of the defendant, no matter how innocent.</p>
<p>Silverglate shows that many of the plea bargains create precedents that prosecutors can exploit to trap more innocent victims.</p>
<p>The reader by now is asking why prosecutors would waste time on the innocent when there are so many real crimes. Silverglate provides conclusive answers. For example, politically ambitious federal prosecutors, such as Rudy Giuliani and William Weld, pick high profile targets to frame in order to build name recognition for political careers. Giuliani picked Michael Milken and Leona Helmsley. Weld picked Boston mayor Kevin White. Giuliani went on to be Mayor of New York and a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. Weld went on to be a two-term governor of Massachusetts. Leura Canary, perhaps at the urging of Karl Rove, picked Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. Michael J. Sullivan picked Thomas Finneran, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and so on.</p>
<p>From Silverglate's book, the reader can learn how federal prosecutors manage their frame-ups of innocents. For a targeted city or state political figure, the prosecutor first hunts for a criminal act somewhere in the bureaucracy. Perhaps some low level person has extorted a bribe for a permit. Once such a person is caught, he or she is told that charges will be dropped if information is given that can be used to implicate the mayor or Speaker of the House or governor. As federal district court judges now permit hearsay and uncorroborated testimony, a totally innocent high profile person can be snared on the basis of testimony by a petty crook low in the bureaucracy.</p>
<p>This is the way America works today. Just as state and local police cannot stand up to the FBI, elected state and local officials are powerless in the face of their pursuit by corrupt federal prosecutors.</p>
<p>Silverglate himself was the attorney in some of the landmark cases that he reports. The reader, even one with the usual illusions and delusions that blind Americans to their predicament, will be scared by Silverglate's documented account, case by case, of how easy it is in "freedom and democracy" America to frame the totally innocent.</p>
<p>In Silverglate's concluding chapter, "For Whom the Bell Tolls," the answer is obvious even to a naif: "It tolls for all."</p> | false | 1 | authors serious books seldom cause celebrate larry stratton two reasons open champagne crown publishing division random house announced second printing second edition tyranny good intentions noted civil libertarian defense attorney harvey silverglate published book covering many legal cases vetting conclusion united states every american grave danger unscrupulous prosecutors target innocent two decades attempting make americans aware danger liberty comes foreign adversaries terrorists criminals prosecutors destroyed law shield innocent turned law weapon innocent tyranny good intentions publishers title documents legal principles protect civil liberties eroded prosecutors even bush regime obliterated remained bill rights struggle uphill neither rightwing leftwing emotionally content facts stratton present conservatives tend see civil liberties liberal coddling devices criminals today terrorists predisposed law order conservatives align police prosecutors object accounts police misbehavior prosecutorial abuse propaganda behalf criminal class leftwing tends see law tool oppression rich use control lower classes liberals fret rich get hiring good lawyers poor minorities ground consequently leftists object demonstration even rich michael milken martha stewart leona helmsley even law accounting firms victims wrongful prosecution confusing wealth villainy leftists free emotional predilection convicted rich person must guilty even best lawyers could get tyranny good intentions second printing second edition word mouth reviews neither right left objects wrongful prosecution long victim bete noir sir thomas mores question man seasonswhat happen innocent cut law pursuit devilsrings warning among right left point made come praise coauthor praise harvey silverglate tyranny good intentions convince perhaps three felonies day feds target innocent together surely tyranny good intentions broad stroke demonstrates civil liberty eroded away prosecutorial abuse one chapter book silverglates three felonies day focuses federal prosecutors invent creative interpretations statutes sometimes creating new felonies vague language thin air felonies never legislated congress federal criminal law today vast poorly worded silverglate reports truthfully us every american commits three felonies every day without knowing federal judges increasing number former federal prosecutors permit prosecution americans crimes defendants know crimes crimes never existed federal prosecutor brought charge invention crimes prosecutors violates every known legal principle angloamerican law yet become commonplace defense attorneys group also increasingly consists former federal prosecutors silverglate accurately reports lost confidence possible defend client federal prosecution see role defense negotiator plea bargain reduces charges prison time defendant matter innocent silverglate shows many plea bargains create precedents prosecutors exploit trap innocent victims reader asking prosecutors would waste time innocent many real crimes silverglate provides conclusive answers example politically ambitious federal prosecutors rudy giuliani william weld pick high profile targets frame order build name recognition political careers giuliani picked michael milken leona helmsley weld picked boston mayor kevin white giuliani went mayor new york candidate republican presidential nomination weld went twoterm governor massachusetts leura canary perhaps urging karl rove picked alabama governor siegelman michael j sullivan picked thomas finneran speaker massachusetts house representatives silverglates book reader learn federal prosecutors manage frameups innocents targeted city state political figure prosecutor first hunts criminal act somewhere bureaucracy perhaps low level person extorted bribe permit person caught told charges dropped information given used implicate mayor speaker house governor federal district court judges permit hearsay uncorroborated testimony totally innocent high profile person snared basis testimony petty crook low bureaucracy way america works today state local police stand fbi elected state local officials powerless face pursuit corrupt federal prosecutors silverglate attorney landmark cases reports reader even one usual illusions delusions blind americans predicament scared silverglates documented account case case easy freedom democracy america frame totally innocent silverglates concluding chapter bell tolls answer obvious even naif tolls | 577 |
<p>In today’s International Newswire, TV conference <a href="http://variety.com/t/mipcom/" type="external">Mipcom</a> honors Discovery chief <a href="http://variety.com/t/david-zaslav/" type="external">David Zaslav</a>; London Film Festival unveils its Industry Program; Amazon adds PBS shows and classical music to its U.K. channels service; and PBS and the BBC unveil the cast of “Press,” Mike Bartlett’s series about two rival newspapers.</p>
<p>Following in the footsteps of Leslie Moonves, Jeffrey Katzenberg and, last year, Shonda Rhimes, Discovery Communications’ president-CEO David Zaslav will be honored at October’s Mipcom trade fair and conference, where he will also deliver a Media Mastermind keynote address on Oct. 18.</p>
<p>Zaslav will join other speakers such as HBO chairman-CEO Richard Plepler, who will receive the Variety Vanguard Award, chef-TV host Gordon Ramsay, and National Geographic’s Courteney Monroe, Domingo Corral at Spain’s Movistar+, and Facebook’s Ricky Van Even.</p>
<p>Few will be able to talk across such a broad agenda as Zaslav, however. If one of his achievements at Discovery, where he has served as CEO since 2007, is to have ramped up Discovery’s international business revenues tenfold to more than $1 billion plus a year, another is to have diversified in content genres and formats, driving into sports with the purchase of Eurosport and into OTT with streaming apps.</p>
<p>With Discovery stock having taken a battering over recent years, Zaslav is near sure to talk up the growth potential of the purchase of Scripps Networks Interactive, digital and international as Discovery sets out, as he said in a statement thanking Mipcom for the honor, to “nourish super-fan audiences across every screen and service around the world.”</p>
<p>LONDON FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS INDUSTRY PROGRAMThe 61st BFI London Film Festival, which runs Oct.4-15, has unveiled its industry program. Guests include Oscar-winners like producer Iain Canning (“The King’s Speech”), costume designer Jenny Beavan (“Mad Max: Fury Road”) and VFX supervisor Sara Bennett (“Ex Machina”), and the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts &amp; Sciences, Dawn Hudson.</p>
<p>Other speakers include Ben Roberts, director of the BFI Film Fund, Daniel Battsek, director of Film4, and Rose Garnett, director of BBC Films, who will discuss their respective strategies for supporting films and filmmakers.</p>
<p>Other topics being debated include a look at how films can secure stars without their financing in place; how to improve the diversity of crews; how to encourage more women to enter the VFX industry; how to attract the 16-30s audience; the art of costume design; and the likely impact of Brexit.</p>
<p>AMAZON OFFERS PBS SHOWS, CLASSICAL MUSIC EVENTS IN U.K.Amazon Video has added PBS America On Demand and Stingray Classica to its Amazon Channels lineup in the U.K.</p>
<p>Shows available on the PBS service include series by filmmaker Ken Burns, such as “The Civil War,” – the most watched TV series on American public television – and the Oscar-nominated feature documentary “Last Days in Vietnam.” Burn’s back catalog of historical films will also be available, including “Prohibition,” “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History” and “The Dust Bowl.”</p>
<p>Stingray Classica is devoted to classical music, offering a wide range of ballets, operas and classical concerts. It features performances from the top orchestras and ballet companies in the world, like the Berlin Philharmonic, and the productions are filmed in renowned venues, such as Sheldonian Theater in Oxford, the Teatro alla Scalla, the San Francisco Opera House, and London’s Royal Opera House.</p>
<p>PBS, BBC REVEAL CAST OF ‘PRESS’PBS’ Masterpiece and the BBC have unveiled the cast of “Press,” Mike Bartlett’s drama series about two competing newspapers.</p>
<p>Charlotte Riley (“Jonathan Strange &amp; Mr Norrell”) will play the deputy news editor of broadsheet The Herald, and Ben Chaplin (“The Thin Red Line”) will play the editor of tabloid newspaper The Post, while Priyanga Burford (“London Spy”) will play The Herald’s editor.</p>
<p>Paapa Essiedu will play The Post’s newest reporter and Shane Zaza its news editor, while Ellie Kendrick (“Game of Thrones”) will be a junior reporter, Al Weaver (“The Hollow Crown”) an investigative journalist, and Brendan Cowell (“Game of Thrones”) The Herald’s news editor. They will be joined by David Suchet (“Poirot”), who will play the chairman and CEO of Worldwide News, owner of The Post.</p>
<p>“Press” will be directed by Tom Vaughan (“Victoria,” “Doctor Foster”) and produced by Paul Gilbert (“Humans”).</p>
<p>CANAL PLUS TO LAUNCH TELENOVELA CHANNEL IN FRANCEAs Latin America moves into higher-end limited series, France’s Canal Plus Group is ramping up its telenovela offering. It is launching a new channel, Novelas TV, France’s first 100% telenovela specialty channel, which will tap novelas from the likes of Telemundo, Televisa, Globo and TV Azteca.</p>
<p>Launching Sept. 26 as part of the Essential Family package on Canal Plus, Novelas TV follows up on the large success of the same-titled channel in French-speaking Africa, where it forms part of Les Bouquets Canal Plus. It will also target the diaspora market in France as Canal Plus frames ever more clearly-delineated niche channels, such as a Polar Plus, focusing on crime thrillers, for ever more fragmenting audiences.</p> | false | 1 | todays international newswire tv conference mipcom honors discovery chief david zaslav london film festival unveils industry program amazon adds pbs shows classical music uk channels service pbs bbc unveil cast press mike bartletts series two rival newspapers following footsteps leslie moonves jeffrey katzenberg last year shonda rhimes discovery communications presidentceo david zaslav honored octobers mipcom trade fair conference also deliver media mastermind keynote address oct 18 zaslav join speakers hbo chairmanceo richard plepler receive variety vanguard award cheftv host gordon ramsay national geographics courteney monroe domingo corral spains movistar facebooks ricky van even able talk across broad agenda zaslav however one achievements discovery served ceo since 2007 ramped discoverys international business revenues tenfold 1 billion plus year another diversified content genres formats driving sports purchase eurosport ott streaming apps discovery stock taken battering recent years zaslav near sure talk growth potential purchase scripps networks interactive digital international discovery sets said statement thanking mipcom honor nourish superfan audiences across every screen service around world london film festival presents industry programthe 61st bfi london film festival runs oct415 unveiled industry program guests include oscarwinners like producer iain canning kings speech costume designer jenny beavan mad max fury road vfx supervisor sara bennett ex machina ceo academy motion picture arts amp sciences dawn hudson speakers include ben roberts director bfi film fund daniel battsek director film4 rose garnett director bbc films discuss respective strategies supporting films filmmakers topics debated include look films secure stars without financing place improve diversity crews encourage women enter vfx industry attract 1630s audience art costume design likely impact brexit amazon offers pbs shows classical music events ukamazon video added pbs america demand stingray classica amazon channels lineup uk shows available pbs service include series filmmaker ken burns civil war watched tv series american public television oscarnominated feature documentary last days vietnam burns back catalog historical films also available including prohibition roosevelts intimate history dust bowl stingray classica devoted classical music offering wide range ballets operas classical concerts features performances top orchestras ballet companies world like berlin philharmonic productions filmed renowned venues sheldonian theater oxford teatro alla scalla san francisco opera house londons royal opera house pbs bbc reveal cast presspbs masterpiece bbc unveiled cast press mike bartletts drama series two competing newspapers charlotte riley jonathan strange amp mr norrell play deputy news editor broadsheet herald ben chaplin thin red line play editor tabloid newspaper post priyanga burford london spy play heralds editor paapa essiedu play posts newest reporter shane zaza news editor ellie kendrick game thrones junior reporter al weaver hollow crown investigative journalist brendan cowell game thrones heralds news editor joined david suchet poirot play chairman ceo worldwide news owner post press directed tom vaughan victoria doctor foster produced paul gilbert humans canal plus launch telenovela channel franceas latin america moves higherend limited series frances canal plus group ramping telenovela offering launching new channel novelas tv frances first 100 telenovela specialty channel tap novelas likes telemundo televisa globo tv azteca launching sept 26 part essential family package canal plus novelas tv follows large success sametitled channel frenchspeaking africa forms part les bouquets canal plus also target diaspora market france canal plus frames ever clearlydelineated niche channels polar plus focusing crime thrillers ever fragmenting audiences | 537 |
<p>Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle is poised to become the Obama administration’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, according to several news <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/daschle-takes-human-services-cabinet-post/?hp" type="external">stories</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTcyOTAzNWY4MmFjZTEyYTJkMmFiZjIzNzRkNTI0YjM=" type="external">That’s not surprising</a>. For a time, Daschle contemplated running for president himself, but he quickly pulled his name from the list of contenders and endorsed Sen. Barack Obama instead. His early support of the relatively unknown freshman senator, at a time when most other high-profile Democrats were lining up behind Sen. Hillary Clinton, means Team Obama now owes him “big time” (to use a quaint Bush-era term).</p>
<p>But Daschle apparently never had his sights on any of the “big four” slots (State, Defense, Treasury, or Justice) which are typically the biggest prizes. No, for months now, he has let it be known that his only interest was in becoming the HHS Secretary.</p>
<p>Why, one might wonder? After all, running HHS well will be no picnic. It’s a sprawling bureaucracy, which means the Secretary is often accountable but not always fully in control. And HHS’s most important day-to-day responsibilities are not at all glamorous: ensuring drugs entering the marketplace are safe without unnecessarily delaying access to life-saving medicines; protecting the food supply, including food imported from abroad; and ensuring vigilance against all manner of potential public-health threats (natural and man-made). The reality is that the only time anyone notices what HHS is doing in these areas is when something goes wrong.</p>
<p>Daschle is apparently eager to take the assignment not so much because he relishes the challenge of managing the vast HHS enterprise but because, like many of his former colleagues in Congress, he wants to cap his career by being closely associated with passage of a nationalized-health-care plan. And he senses, as others do, that the moment may have arrived.</p>
<p>And it very well may have. With 58 Democratic votes in the Senate (and counting), there will be a strong push from Democrats to seize the political momentum and pass something very big next year.</p>
<p>That’s why there has been so much jockeying for position in recent days to be health-reformer-in-chief in the 111th Congress. In the House, Congressman Henry Waxman is trying to unseat current Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell. Much of the speculation regarding Waxman’s motives has centered on disputes with Dingell over energy and environmental issues. But Energy and Commerce also has jurisdiction over a large portion of health-care policy. Certainly Waxman would also relish holding the gavel when a governmental-health-care plan is being considered by the Committee.</p>
<p>In the Senate, Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus released his own <a href="http://finance.senate.gov/healthreform2009/finalwhitepaper.pdf" type="external">blueprint</a> for reform just eight days after the election, making it clear as he did so that he has no intention of letting Sen. Ted Kennedy have the health-care stage to himself.</p>
<p>For his part, Kennedy seems to be taking the opposite tack, avoiding any mention of legislative details while setting in motion processes he hopes will build consensus by sharing the credit. He has directed his staff to meet with all manner of interested parties and ask for their input, and he recently deputized Sens. Clinton, Tom Harkin, and Barbara Mikulski to oversee the drafting of various components of the emerging legislation.</p>
<p>Daschle, of course, will have his say before all is said and done. That’s why he wants the job. And what he seems most likely to push is his pet reform idea: creation of an <a href="http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=is_congress_the_problem_with_health_care" type="external">independent body</a> to oversee the most important decisions in American health care. In the past, he has suggested that such a body would do for health care what the Federal Reserve Board has done for the banking and financial sector. (He may be rethinking that talking point.) Still, he is unlikely to abandon the contention that decisions regarding what should or should not be available as a universal benefit to all Americans should be decided by an independent body of experts and wise men, not the marketplace or the political process. A powerful, unaccountable über-regulator of health care would be exactly what proponents of market-based health care dread.</p>
<p>Daschle will also urge President Obama to avoid the mistakes he perceives the Clintons made in 1994. He has long argued that the Clintons would have won the health-care fight if they had tried to pass the legislation in 1993, when the president was still popular, instead of 1994. Moreover, even in 1994, a bill could have been passed if the Clintons had been more open to compromise and securing two-thirds of what they were seeking. Instead of a deal to vastly broaden insurance coverage, they got nothing.</p>
<p>With Daschle at HHS, and Kennedy desperate to secure his legacy, it would seem the odds of something like an Obama-Kennedy-Daschle-Waxman-Baucus-Clinton health-care plan getting passed in the next Congress are very high indeed. Right?</p>
<p>Perhaps. But there remains at least one potential stumbling block: the reform plan itself. It’s got many problems, substantively and politically. For starters, the Obama framework would impose massive new costs on workers. The “pay or play” employer mandate and costly new minimum-benefit rules would destroy hundreds of thousands of private-sector jobs in the middle of a steep recession. That would seem to be a hard sell. Moreover, Obama would create a new public-insurance option that would draw tens of millions of people out of private insurance and into public coverage. Voters who heard Obama say his plan is not government-run health care may find this surprising, and disconcerting.</p>
<p>And then there is the matter of costs. All of the Democratic reform plans contemplate vast new subsidy arrangements for millions of households. But there is nothing in these Democratic plans that would substantially slow the pace of rising costs. Consequently, absent other changes, the Democratic plans would make what is already a challenging budgetary outlook much, much worse.</p>
<p>In the end, budgetary reality is likely to force the would-be Democratic reformers to choose between two unpleasant options. They could either impose government-enforced cost constraints, and thus implicitly ration care, or they could pay for rapidly rising health-care spending with a massive tax increase.</p>
<p>Whichever way they go, it won’t be popular. Faced with this reality, perhaps it will be possible to introduce into the discussion a third, more rational option: building a true marketplace for health care.</p>
<p>—James C. Capretta is a fellow at the <a href="" type="internal">Ethics and Public Policy Center</a> and a health policy and research consultant.</p> | false | 1 | former senate democratic leader tom daschle poised become obama administrations secretary health human services according several news stories thats surprising time daschle contemplated running president quickly pulled name list contenders endorsed sen barack obama instead early support relatively unknown freshman senator time highprofile democrats lining behind sen hillary clinton means team obama owes big time use quaint bushera term daschle apparently never sights big four slots state defense treasury justice typically biggest prizes months let known interest becoming hhs secretary one might wonder running hhs well picnic sprawling bureaucracy means secretary often accountable always fully control hhss important daytoday responsibilities glamorous ensuring drugs entering marketplace safe without unnecessarily delaying access lifesaving medicines protecting food supply including food imported abroad ensuring vigilance manner potential publichealth threats natural manmade reality time anyone notices hhs areas something goes wrong daschle apparently eager take assignment much relishes challenge managing vast hhs enterprise like many former colleagues congress wants cap career closely associated passage nationalizedhealthcare plan senses others moment may arrived well may 58 democratic votes senate counting strong push democrats seize political momentum pass something big next year thats much jockeying position recent days healthreformerinchief 111th congress house congressman henry waxman trying unseat current energy commerce chairman john dingell much speculation regarding waxmans motives centered disputes dingell energy environmental issues energy commerce also jurisdiction large portion healthcare policy certainly waxman would also relish holding gavel governmentalhealthcare plan considered committee senate finance committee chairman max baucus released blueprint reform eight days election making clear intention letting sen ted kennedy healthcare stage part kennedy seems taking opposite tack avoiding mention legislative details setting motion processes hopes build consensus sharing credit directed staff meet manner interested parties ask input recently deputized sens clinton tom harkin barbara mikulski oversee drafting various components emerging legislation daschle course say said done thats wants job seems likely push pet reform idea creation independent body oversee important decisions american health care past suggested body would health care federal reserve board done banking financial sector may rethinking talking point still unlikely abandon contention decisions regarding available universal benefit americans decided independent body experts wise men marketplace political process powerful unaccountable überregulator health care would exactly proponents marketbased health care dread daschle also urge president obama avoid mistakes perceives clintons made 1994 long argued clintons would healthcare fight tried pass legislation 1993 president still popular instead 1994 moreover even 1994 bill could passed clintons open compromise securing twothirds seeking instead deal vastly broaden insurance coverage got nothing daschle hhs kennedy desperate secure legacy would seem odds something like obamakennedydaschlewaxmanbaucusclinton healthcare plan getting passed next congress high indeed right perhaps remains least one potential stumbling block reform plan got many problems substantively politically starters obama framework would impose massive new costs workers pay play employer mandate costly new minimumbenefit rules would destroy hundreds thousands privatesector jobs middle steep recession would seem hard sell moreover obama would create new publicinsurance option would draw tens millions people private insurance public coverage voters heard obama say plan governmentrun health care may find surprising disconcerting matter costs democratic reform plans contemplate vast new subsidy arrangements millions households nothing democratic plans would substantially slow pace rising costs consequently absent changes democratic plans would make already challenging budgetary outlook much much worse end budgetary reality likely force wouldbe democratic reformers choose two unpleasant options could either impose governmentenforced cost constraints thus implicitly ration care could pay rapidly rising healthcare spending massive tax increase whichever way go wont popular faced reality perhaps possible introduce discussion third rational option building true marketplace health care james c capretta fellow ethics public policy center health policy research consultant | 603 |
<p />
<p>According to <a href="http://nationaljournal.com/" type="external">news accounts</a>, Senator Clinton “lit into” the Bush administration for supposed entitlement indiscretions and for attempts to “undo” Social Security and Medicare. She also announced her opposition to “privatization” of Social Security as well as any benefit adjustments, including changes in the retirement age. On the issue of Medicare, she said the solution was a universal health-care plan and government price setting for prescription drugs, not changes in Medicare’s structure. In sum, she saw no reason to change the programs at all. All of this, of course, was music to her audience’s ears.</p>
<p>And it could very well pay dividends for her. There is no denying the salience of political attacks which play on the fears of seniors, however untrue they may be. President Bill Clinton made his comeback in 1996, in large part, by scaring the public with exaggerated attacks on the Republican plan to trim Medicare spending in the balanced budget. And it is, of course, standard operating procedure for Democratic candidates to accuse their Republican opponents of harboring secret plans to dismantle Social Security. Senator Clinton is simply following this tried-and-true Democratic playbook, while setting herself up as the next great defender of the entitlement status quo.</p>
<p>But Senator Clinton’s pronouncements do naturally lead one to ask: what would she do about mounting entitlement costs? Here, she is on much shakier ground.</p>
<p>Between 2006 and 2020, the population over age 65 will increase by 16 million people. The <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/" type="external">Congressional Budget Office</a> (CBO) projects that spending on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will increase to about 12-percent of GDP in <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/69xx/doc6982/Data.xls" type="external">2020</a>, up from about 8.5-percent of GDP <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/budget/historical.xls" type="external">last year</a>, and that is assuming a relatively benign growth in per capita health-care costs. The Social Security trustees <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TR/TR07/II_project.html#wp105724" type="external">project</a> that the trust funds will run out of reserves in 2041, and Medicare’s trustees <a href="http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ReportsTrustFunds/downloads/tr2007.pdf" type="external">estimate</a> the program’s unfunded liability exceeds $70 trillion in present value terms. The pressures from an aging population and rising health-care costs cannot be wished away.</p>
<p>In ruling out even modest reform of the programs, Senator Clinton has signaled that, when pushed, she would choose the only other options available: higher taxes and government rationing of health care.</p>
<p>Senator Clinton would undoubtedly deny that this is what she said. But there really is no other logical conclusion to her remarks.</p>
<p>To divert attention from her own irresponsible position, Senator Clinton tried to argue that Social Security could be made more solvent with a return to “fiscal responsibility.” To bolster her case, she <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/04/clinton-courts-the-retiree-vote/" type="external">asserted</a> that when her husband left office, the Social Security trust funds were solvent to 2055 and President Bush’s tax cuts had somehow brought that date forward by 14 years. But that is false. In April 2000, the trustees <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/history/pdf/tr00summary.pdf" type="external">estimated</a> Social Security would go broke in 2037, four years earlier than today’s estimate. The Bush tax cuts did not change any aspect of Social Security revenue or benefits&#160;— but did promote strong economic growth. And, of course, President Bush tried in 2005 to put the program on a solvent basis permanently, with progressive changes in the benefit formula. Senator Clinton opposed that effort.</p>
<p>If no benefit adjustments are made in Social Security, the only way to close the financing gap is with a tax increase. The trustees <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TR/TR07/II_project.html#wp107685" type="external">estimate</a> that it would require about a 2-percentage-point increase in the Social Security tax rate, now 12.4-percent of payroll, to keep the trust funds solvent for seventy-five years. For the median income household, that would be a tax increase of about $960 per year.</p>
<p>To slow health-care costs in Medicare, Senator Clinton told her audience that she was returning to the fight she led in 1993 and 1994 by pushing again for a universal health-care plan. Implicit in this approach are government-enforced health spending targets, which in turn require health-care price and supply controls. In every other country with such a system, the result is waiting lists and rationing of care. Still, Senator Clinton made the same “free lunch” sales pitch she made in 1994, saying her approach “lowers costs for everybody, improves quality for everybody, and covers everybody.” Unfortunately for her, the public is likely to have the same reaction this time around: no thanks. Americans continue to instinctively distrust health-care “solutions” which give the government the power to decide when and where they can get health care.</p>
<p>The country is fast approaching the first years of the baby-boom retirement. Those born in 1946 will be eligible for early Social Security retirement in 2008 and gain Medicare coverage in 2011. Political leaders should be preparing the public for the many changes in entitlement programs that will be necessary to ensure they remain affordable.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, comments like those delivered by Senator Clinton are common during election years, and make bipartisan cooperation on entitlement reform nearly impossible.</p>
<p>In this environment, the only way to move the debate forward is to make it clear to the public that there really is no free lunch here. Senator Clinton may promise “no changes in benefits,” but her plan has costs too. In the case of Social Security, there will be a tax increase, and most likely the middle class will pay it. And to keep Medicare costs from rising, she would allow the government to tell some beneficiaries they cannot get the care they seek. Presented with this information, perhaps the public will be open to more sensible reforms.— James C. Capretta, a Fellow at the <a href="" type="internal">Ethics and Public Policy Center</a>, was an associate director at the Office of Management and Budget from 2001 to 2004.</p> | false | 1 | according news accounts senator clinton lit bush administration supposed entitlement indiscretions attempts undo social security medicare also announced opposition privatization social security well benefit adjustments including changes retirement age issue medicare said solution universal healthcare plan government price setting prescription drugs changes medicares structure sum saw reason change programs course music audiences ears could well pay dividends denying salience political attacks play fears seniors however untrue may president bill clinton made comeback 1996 large part scaring public exaggerated attacks republican plan trim medicare spending balanced budget course standard operating procedure democratic candidates accuse republican opponents harboring secret plans dismantle social security senator clinton simply following triedandtrue democratic playbook setting next great defender entitlement status quo senator clintons pronouncements naturally lead one ask would mounting entitlement costs much shakier ground 2006 2020 population age 65 increase 16 million people congressional budget office cbo projects spending social security medicare medicaid increase 12percent gdp 2020 85percent gdp last year assuming relatively benign growth per capita healthcare costs social security trustees project trust funds run reserves 2041 medicares trustees estimate programs unfunded liability exceeds 70 trillion present value terms pressures aging population rising healthcare costs wished away ruling even modest reform programs senator clinton signaled pushed would choose options available higher taxes government rationing health care senator clinton would undoubtedly deny said really logical conclusion remarks divert attention irresponsible position senator clinton tried argue social security could made solvent return fiscal responsibility bolster case asserted husband left office social security trust funds solvent 2055 president bushs tax cuts somehow brought date forward 14 years false april 2000 trustees estimated social security would go broke 2037 four years earlier todays estimate bush tax cuts change aspect social security revenue benefits160 promote strong economic growth course president bush tried 2005 put program solvent basis permanently progressive changes benefit formula senator clinton opposed effort benefit adjustments made social security way close financing gap tax increase trustees estimate would require 2percentagepoint increase social security tax rate 124percent payroll keep trust funds solvent seventyfive years median income household would tax increase 960 per year slow healthcare costs medicare senator clinton told audience returning fight led 1993 1994 pushing universal healthcare plan implicit approach governmentenforced health spending targets turn require healthcare price supply controls every country system result waiting lists rationing care still senator clinton made free lunch sales pitch made 1994 saying approach lowers costs everybody improves quality everybody covers everybody unfortunately public likely reaction time around thanks americans continue instinctively distrust healthcare solutions give government power decide get health care country fast approaching first years babyboom retirement born 1946 eligible early social security retirement 2008 gain medicare coverage 2011 political leaders preparing public many changes entitlement programs necessary ensure remain affordable unfortunately comments like delivered senator clinton common election years make bipartisan cooperation entitlement reform nearly impossible environment way move debate forward make clear public really free lunch senator clinton may promise changes benefits plan costs case social security tax increase likely middle class pay keep medicare costs rising would allow government tell beneficiaries get care seek presented information perhaps public open sensible reforms james c capretta fellow ethics public policy center associate director office management budget 2001 2004 | 531 |
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<p>“The only solution to the Palestinian issue is for the invaders (Israelis) of the occupied Palestinian land to leave, and give the Palestinians their rights and return all the Palestinian refugees to their original land. &#160;Iran supports Lebanon’s bitter struggle in confronting Israeli assaults. We demand with all seriousness and insistence the liberation of all occupied land in Lebanon and Syria”. — President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Bint Jbeil October 15, 2010</p>
<p>Shatila Camp, Lebanon — In the days since Iran’s president Ahmadinejad completed his visit to Lebanon, and given the continuing lively discussion across the local and international political spectrum evaluating the impact of his historic appearance, one thing appears fairly clear.&#160; US State Department official Jeffrey Feltman, who came to Beirut quick from Saudi Arabia on orders from the White House to “do something!” to offset the Iranian’s unprecedented&#160; reception, may have been a bit wide of&#160; the mark in his evaluation. Feltman repeated this past weekend the March 14 pro-US and Saudi prediction that: “I don’t think Ahmadinejad’s visit will have a lasting effect.&#160; It’s not something extraordinary. Its impact will remain for a couple days and that’s it.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">&lt;img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7716" style="margin: 5px;" title="ahmadinejad-lebanon" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ahmadinejad-lebanon1-300x208.jpg" alt="Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Lebanon (Reuters)" width="300" height="208" /&gt;</a>One largely unnoticed achievement of the Iranian President’s visit remains among the Palestinian refugee community in Lebanon.&#160; Close to a quarter million of whom are “living in cages”, to borrow President Carter’s description during his meeting this week with Hamas leader Khaled Mashall in Damascus of how their sisters and brothers are forced to exist in Gaza.</p>
<p>Apart from the Shia community, the largest number of the approximately 750,000 who waited at various events to greet and hear Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, were Palestinian refugees. It is the Lebanese Shia, living in south Lebanon, in the Bekaa and Dahiyeh, who are the primary beneficiaries of the more than one billion dollars in recent reconstruction aid from Iran.</p>
<p>This infusion of funding contributed to Hezbollah’s increase in political power and its ability to achieve public services in its neighborhoods which were previously ignored by the state. &#160;The massive rebuilding projects created pockets of thieving construction economies, mainly in the Hezbollah areas of Ghouberi Municipality, Bir Abed, and Haret Hreik, near the &#160;Palestinian refugee camps of Burj al Barajeneh, Mar Elias, and Shatila. This area saw, since the 2006 war, the rebuilding of 235 multi-unit apartment buildings (80% completed as of October 19, in probably the most efficient building project of its kind in history according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).</p>
<p>The Iranian largess has quietly benefited thousands of Palestinians in these areas, even though they are forbidden by law to travel to south Lebanon to visit or work and must remain north of the Litani River on penalty of arrest and imprisonment.</p>
<p>During an October 18 morning tour of nearly completed Waad (Promise) residential buildings, bombed into smoldering mountains of rubble during the 2006 war,&#160; this observer interviewed several Palestinian laborers and craftsmen working side by side with equally skilled and hard-working Syrian workers.&#160; What was learned is what Hezbollah officials have revealed, regarding Waad and Jihad al Bina (Struggle Construction Company), both now firmly on US Terrorism lists solely for political reasons. Both organizations have discretely hired, in addition to laborers, hundreds of Palestinian engineers, craftsmen, architects, and “syndicate professionals.” These job offerings go to Palestinian refugees despite being forbidden to them by Lebanese laws enacted by a government that does not even pretend to comply with internationally mandated civil rights for refugees.</p>
<p>Nearly a week now since Ahmadinejad’s departure, the 12 Palestinian camps and two ‘gatherings’, especially among the young people, are still abuzz with often excited discussions of his visit.</p>
<p>This reaction, despite much that is being erroneously reported these days about the current “lost” generation of Palestinians in Lebanon resulting, so it is said, from the devastation that beset this community following the August 1982 departure of the Palestine Liberation Organization. These are legitimate concerns with sociological studies on the subject often presenting shocking indices of social decline, ennui, passivity, and hopelessness. It is well known that Lebanon’s camps have deteriorated and that the quality of life continues to disintegrate. But the young people still appear resolved to follow the spirit of their elders who founded the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Discussions among many in the camps here inevitably turn to questions of “What went wrong?”, “How can we fulfill our parents dreams and take up the mantle of Liberation and Return that we heard from our elders?”, “How can we unite Hamas and Fatah?”, and “How to confront the expanding apartheid regime in Palestine?”</p>
<p>What President Ahmadinejad brought to the under-30 generation in the Palestinian camps is more hope, energy, and self-confidence.</p>
<p>Lacking unified leadership of their own, many Palestinians in Lebanon have been looking to Hezbollah and Iran as a model to revive the Palestinian liberation movement.&#160; The veteran American journalist Jonathan Randel, in Lebanon this week finishing a book on Palestinians in Lebanon, suggests that Hezbollah’s 1985 removal of Israeli occupation forces from one-third of Lebanon’s southern villages was likely one of the factors that gave those under occupation in Palestine confidence to achieve the first intifada, 1987-93.</p>
<p>Iran’s President easily connects with young people and is unquestionably committed to the full refugees’ right of return to their country. In a side meeting with representatives of the refugee camps community and some of their allies, Iran’s President could not have been more emphatic and clear about this.&#160; Included in his counsel to young Palestinians during his visit were the following:</p>
<p>Mohammad, a young Palestinian dentist allowed only to practice inside Shatila Camp due to Lebanon’s discriminatory labor laws explained:&#160; “President Ahmadinejad has been a hero to many of us here in the camps since he first became President of Iran.&#160; Unlike most Arab leaders, he is committed to the liberation of Palestine as if he were himself a Palestinian. He encourages us and speaks like our leaders used to speak before they seem to have given up our national struggle. &#160;If fact, he is more Palestinian than many Palestinians I know. We trust him and feel we have someone to support and protect us. Like Hassan Nassrallah, he has bolstered our confidence to struggle to return to Palestine. Both of these great men are like uncles to the Palestinian generation now becoming adults.”</p> | false | 1 | solution palestinian issue invaders israelis occupied palestinian land leave give palestinians rights return palestinian refugees original land 160iran supports lebanons bitter struggle confronting israeli assaults demand seriousness insistence liberation occupied land lebanon syria president mahmoud ahmadinejad bint jbeil october 15 2010 shatila camp lebanon days since irans president ahmadinejad completed visit lebanon given continuing lively discussion across local international political spectrum evaluating impact historic appearance one thing appears fairly clear160 us state department official jeffrey feltman came beirut quick saudi arabia orders white house something offset iranians unprecedented160 reception may bit wide of160 mark evaluation feltman repeated past weekend march 14 prous saudi prediction dont think ahmadinejads visit lasting effect160 something extraordinary impact remain couple days thats ltimg classalignleft sizemedium wpimage7716 stylemargin 5px titleahmadinejadlebanon srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201010ahmadinejadlebanon1300x208jpg altiranian president mahmoud ahmadinejad lebanon reuters width300 height208 gtone largely unnoticed achievement iranian presidents visit remains among palestinian refugee community lebanon160 close quarter million living cages borrow president carters description meeting week hamas leader khaled mashall damascus sisters brothers forced exist gaza apart shia community largest number approximately 750000 waited various events greet hear mahmoud ahmadinejad palestinian refugees lebanese shia living south lebanon bekaa dahiyeh primary beneficiaries one billion dollars recent reconstruction aid iran infusion funding contributed hezbollahs increase political power ability achieve public services neighborhoods previously ignored state 160the massive rebuilding projects created pockets thieving construction economies mainly hezbollah areas ghouberi municipality bir abed haret hreik near 160palestinian refugee camps burj al barajeneh mar elias shatila area saw since 2006 war rebuilding 235 multiunit apartment buildings 80 completed october 19 probably efficient building project kind history according organization economic cooperation development iranian largess quietly benefited thousands palestinians areas even though forbidden law travel south lebanon visit work must remain north litani river penalty arrest imprisonment october 18 morning tour nearly completed waad promise residential buildings bombed smoldering mountains rubble 2006 war160 observer interviewed several palestinian laborers craftsmen working side side equally skilled hardworking syrian workers160 learned hezbollah officials revealed regarding waad jihad al bina struggle construction company firmly us terrorism lists solely political reasons organizations discretely hired addition laborers hundreds palestinian engineers craftsmen architects syndicate professionals job offerings go palestinian refugees despite forbidden lebanese laws enacted government even pretend comply internationally mandated civil rights refugees nearly week since ahmadinejads departure 12 palestinian camps two gatherings especially among young people still abuzz often excited discussions visit reaction despite much erroneously reported days current lost generation palestinians lebanon resulting said devastation beset community following august 1982 departure palestine liberation organization legitimate concerns sociological studies subject often presenting shocking indices social decline ennui passivity hopelessness well known lebanons camps deteriorated quality life continues disintegrate young people still appear resolved follow spirit elders founded palestinian liberation organization discussions among many camps inevitably turn questions went wrong fulfill parents dreams take mantle liberation return heard elders unite hamas fatah confront expanding apartheid regime palestine president ahmadinejad brought under30 generation palestinian camps hope energy selfconfidence lacking unified leadership many palestinians lebanon looking hezbollah iran model revive palestinian liberation movement160 veteran american journalist jonathan randel lebanon week finishing book palestinians lebanon suggests hezbollahs 1985 removal israeli occupation forces onethird lebanons southern villages likely one factors gave occupation palestine confidence achieve first intifada 198793 irans president easily connects young people unquestionably committed full refugees right return country side meeting representatives refugee camps community allies irans president could emphatic clear this160 included counsel young palestinians visit following mohammad young palestinian dentist allowed practice inside shatila camp due lebanons discriminatory labor laws explained160 president ahmadinejad hero many us camps since first became president iran160 unlike arab leaders committed liberation palestine palestinian encourages us speaks like leaders used speak seem given national struggle 160if fact palestinian many palestinians know trust feel someone support protect us like hassan nassrallah bolstered confidence struggle return palestine great men like uncles palestinian generation becoming adults | 636 |
<p>WASHINGTON — If the Walt Disney Co. reaches a deal to acquire most of the assets of <a href="http://variety.com/t/21st-century-fox/" type="external">21st Century Fox</a>, it’s likely that both companies will minimize any antitrust issues, describe how just how necessary the deal is in a fast-changing media universe and point out the many bulked-up new competitors there are in the content universe.</p>
<p>It may all be true, but the Department of Justice’s lawsuit challenging AT&amp;T’s proposed merger with Time Warner has disrupted notions of what will get the green light from antitrust regulators. That’s not to say that a Disney-Fox deal is similar in structure to the AT&amp;T-Time Warner transaction, but there’s a certain hubris now in envisioning any major transaction as a sure thing.</p>
<p>CNBC reported on Tuesday that Disney and Fox are in talks for what “very well may result” in a deal in which Disney buys the film and TV studio, the Fox cable networks, the regional sports networks, the Fox share in Hulu and their ownership of Sky, the European telecom.</p>
<p>What would remain for <a href="http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/disney-hulu-fox-studios-netflix-killer-1202631006/" type="external">21st Century Fox</a> would be the Fox network, the Fox TV stations, Fox News and some of the sports networks. Rupert Murdoch’s apparent desire to keep those assets may be a good thing from a regulatory standpoint, as it takes out of the equation some serious regulatory concerns. FCC rules, for instance, prohibit a merger between any of the four major broadcast networks, meaning there would be a question of whether ABC or Fox is divested.</p>
<p>It’s even possible that the transaction, as has been reported, would avoid FCC scrutiny altogether, just as AT&amp;T and Time Warner managed to do in their transaction.</p>
<p>Yet as they found out, the Justice Department did not buy the idea that just because it is a vertical merger, in which the transaction does not directly eliminate competition, doesn’t mean that there still aren’t antitrust issues. The DOJ, in its complaint, argues that AT&amp;T could withhold or drive up prices for Time Warner’s cable channels from rival distributors, with costs ultimately borne by consumers.</p>
<p>Disney certainly owns a TV network, plenty of prized content and the prized ESPN cable network, but unlike AT&amp;T, it doesn’t have a multichannel distribution platform or its own mobile service. A Disney-Fox combination would put two of Hollywood’s legendary major production studios, each nearing a century in existence, under the same roof. That in and of itself would signal that the traditional movie and TV business is consolidating and changing in dramatic ways.</p>
<p>“This DOJ has shown that it is skeptical even of a vertical merger,” said Gigi Sohn, distinguished fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology and Public Policy and former counselor to the chairman at the FCC. “I can only imagine that they will push back on a horizontal one as well.”</p>
<p>The argument for such a horizontal merger would be that it is necessary in the face of competition from the massive influx of money coming from Silicon Valley, namely in the form of Apple, Google, Facebook and Netflix, and the drift away from the cable bundle to over-the-top programming services. Disney is developing one of its own.</p>
<p>In a recent research report, Michael Nathanson outlined this changed landscape, but wrote that “the key x-factor with all M&amp;A is awaiting the outcome of the [AT&amp;T-Time Warner] merger and the DOJ. Nonetheless, some deals could be announced so that if AT&amp;T ends up winning its case, the other deals would be ready to close shortly after the ruling.”</p>
<p>Here are other areas of potential challenge.</p>
<p>DOJ: A Disney-Fox combination would certainly raise scrutiny over the power that the combined company would have over content, and past big media mergers have focused on issues like the impact on cable advertising and sports rights. BTIG Research’s Richard Greenfield, who has been a Disney critic, asked in a note on Tuesday, “Would regulators even allow Disney to increase the scale of their dominate film studio? We presume theater owners and an array of film industry guilds would staunchly oppose more consolidation (domestically Fox and Disney represented 40% of box office in 2016 and over 30% so far in 2017).”</p>
<p>When reports surfaced in 2014 that Fox made an offer to buy Time Warner, some analysts said that what would work in its favor with regulators is that even after two fabled studios combined, there still would be three or four significant studio rivals left in the marketplace. The case could be made that since then, the influx of money from Silicon Valley has added new competitive players.</p>
<p>“I think this would not likely raise significant antitrust concerns in the current environment,” Mark Ostrau, chair of the antitrust and trade regulation group at Fenwick &amp; West in Mountain View, Calif., said in an email. “The Administration, while continuing to be concerned with deals involving content providers and content gateways (e.g., cable or satellite operators), appears to be more sanguine about combinations involving different content assets, likely in part due to the expansion of sources of content — including the rise of online or OTT suppliers like Netflix and Amazon creating their own content.”</p>
<p>Yet there is also another point of view, especially from those who have been critical of the Justice Department’s case against AT&amp;T-Time Warner.</p>
<p>Larry Downes, project director at the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy, said via email that “if the&#160;sale includes significant assets considered ‘must have’ for consumers, than Disney may face the same condemnation that the Antitrust Division has now leveled at the AT&amp;T/Time Warner deal.” He says that the DOJ case “makes no economic sense,” but says that “if the Department is going to pursue this radical new theory of antitrust, it will have to be consistent.”</p>
<p>He adds, “Traditional content producers including Disney, Fox, and Time Warner have lost substantial competitive leverage in the wake of disruptive new entertainment products and services from the likes of Amazon, Apple, YouTube, Netflix, SnapChat, Twitch and Vevo. Consumers now have new ways to enjoy even more content on new devices, new networks, and in new formats.</p>
<p>“These deals are the direct response.&#160; In challenging them on vague ‘big is bad’ grounds, the DOJ will cause significant harm to consumers, not save them from it.”</p>
<p>Politics: A merger this size would likely face lawmakers on Capitol Hill, via a hearing before the House and/or Senate Judiciary’s antitrust subcommittees, where CEOs traditionally face lawmakers ready to ask any type of question. This is mainly about political and public reaction, as mergers do not require congressional approval, but there has been an increasing focus among Democrats and even Republicans on the issue of antitrust.</p>
<p>Last summer, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced a Democratic agenda that called for tougher antitrust enforcement, including in the media sector, although some in Hollywood groused that there was too little focus on the monopoly that big tech companies have in the marketplace.</p>
<p>More specifically, though, there is the Murdoch factor. He reportedly talks to Trump on a fairly regular basis, and there will be plenty of interest in how the White House would view this transaction, given the president’s disdain for the AT&amp;T-Time Warner merger. In the same way that Capitol Hill critics have raised questions of whether Trump influenced the AT&amp;T-Time Warner review as a way to retaliate against CNN, so too is there likely to be focus on any sign of input on a Fox-Disney deal and whether there has been any favor shown to Murdoch.</p> | false | 1 | washington walt disney co reaches deal acquire assets 21st century fox likely companies minimize antitrust issues describe necessary deal fastchanging media universe point many bulkedup new competitors content universe may true department justices lawsuit challenging atampts proposed merger time warner disrupted notions get green light antitrust regulators thats say disneyfox deal similar structure atampttime warner transaction theres certain hubris envisioning major transaction sure thing cnbc reported tuesday disney fox talks well may result deal disney buys film tv studio fox cable networks regional sports networks fox share hulu ownership sky european telecom would remain 21st century fox would fox network fox tv stations fox news sports networks rupert murdochs apparent desire keep assets may good thing regulatory standpoint takes equation serious regulatory concerns fcc rules instance prohibit merger four major broadcast networks meaning would question whether abc fox divested even possible transaction reported would avoid fcc scrutiny altogether atampt time warner managed transaction yet found justice department buy idea vertical merger transaction directly eliminate competition doesnt mean still arent antitrust issues doj complaint argues atampt could withhold drive prices time warners cable channels rival distributors costs ultimately borne consumers disney certainly owns tv network plenty prized content prized espn cable network unlike atampt doesnt multichannel distribution platform mobile service disneyfox combination would put two hollywoods legendary major production studios nearing century existence roof would signal traditional movie tv business consolidating changing dramatic ways doj shown skeptical even vertical merger said gigi sohn distinguished fellow georgetown law institute technology public policy former counselor chairman fcc imagine push back horizontal one well argument horizontal merger would necessary face competition massive influx money coming silicon valley namely form apple google facebook netflix drift away cable bundle overthetop programming services disney developing one recent research report michael nathanson outlined changed landscape wrote key xfactor mampa awaiting outcome atampttime warner merger doj nonetheless deals could announced atampt ends winning case deals would ready close shortly ruling areas potential challenge doj disneyfox combination would certainly raise scrutiny power combined company would content past big media mergers focused issues like impact cable advertising sports rights btig researchs richard greenfield disney critic asked note tuesday would regulators even allow disney increase scale dominate film studio presume theater owners array film industry guilds would staunchly oppose consolidation domestically fox disney represented 40 box office 2016 30 far 2017 reports surfaced 2014 fox made offer buy time warner analysts said would work favor regulators even two fabled studios combined still would three four significant studio rivals left marketplace case could made since influx money silicon valley added new competitive players think would likely raise significant antitrust concerns current environment mark ostrau chair antitrust trade regulation group fenwick amp west mountain view calif said email administration continuing concerned deals involving content providers content gateways eg cable satellite operators appears sanguine combinations involving different content assets likely part due expansion sources content including rise online ott suppliers like netflix amazon creating content yet also another point view especially critical justice departments case atampttime warner larry downes project director georgetown center business public policy said via email the160sale includes significant assets considered must consumers disney may face condemnation antitrust division leveled atampttime warner deal says doj case makes economic sense says department going pursue radical new theory antitrust consistent adds traditional content producers including disney fox time warner lost substantial competitive leverage wake disruptive new entertainment products services likes amazon apple youtube netflix snapchat twitch vevo consumers new ways enjoy even content new devices new networks new formats deals direct response160 challenging vague big bad grounds doj cause significant harm consumers save politics merger size would likely face lawmakers capitol hill via hearing house andor senate judiciarys antitrust subcommittees ceos traditionally face lawmakers ready ask type question mainly political public reaction mergers require congressional approval increasing focus among democrats even republicans issue antitrust last summer senate minority leader chuck schumer dny announced democratic agenda called tougher antitrust enforcement including media sector although hollywood groused little focus monopoly big tech companies marketplace specifically though murdoch factor reportedly talks trump fairly regular basis plenty interest white house would view transaction given presidents disdain atampttime warner merger way capitol hill critics raised questions whether trump influenced atampttime warner review way retaliate cnn likely focus sign input foxdisney deal whether favor shown murdoch | 716 |
<p>Not everybody in showbiz hates, is panicked by, or LOLs nonstop at Donald Trump, because Mirage resort headliner Terry Fator just became the best-selling Strip headliner to go public with his enthusiastic endorsement of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.</p>
<p>The Las Vegas singing ventriloquist returned to Fox “News” on Thursday to show perceived-propagandistSean Hannity his new Trump puppet, which sang the chorus of “Another Brick in the (Mexico) Wall.”</p>
<p>“I’m a huge Trump fan,” Fator told Hannity when inquired. “My wife and I, we love him, we’re gonna vote for him, we think he’s great.”</p>
<p>Fator will not be doing anything derogatory with the Trump puppet, although he made his puppet’s hair pop up as if it weren’t attached to his head.</p>
<p>I reached Fator, Mr. “$100 million Vegas contract,” by phone on Saturday while he and wife Angie Fiore were cozying with friends and family of different political persuasions at lavish Cape Cod, dining on shrimp and champagne at sunset.</p>
<p>“We’ve got some Trump steaks,” Fator joked, and no one in his fancy party was talking politics, “but we just started drinking, so that might change.”</p>
<p>I’m not here to shame Fator. I like it when everyone speaks up. I was wondering if Fator thought his endorsement would change the flavor of his show, since Trump’s so unpopular in polls.</p>
<p>Fator, in a terrific mood, stressed he will not proselytize politics onstage.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>“In my show, you will never know who I am for,” Fator, whose show is otherwise quite apolitical, said.</p>
<p>He might add Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders puppets for jokes that would be just as “benign” for all audiences as is his Trump material, he said.</p>
<p>As a comedian, he likes that Trump is not “politically correct” and doesn’t issue apologies.</p>
<p>Asked if he has winced at things Trump has said, he answered “of course,” but added that all politicians make him wince.</p>
<p>“Believe me, Angie and I don’t agree with everything he says,” Fator said.</p>
<p>Also, Fator said comics will have a field day if Trump wins, “because the material is going to write itself.”</p>
<p>The only other bold-name-on-the-marquee Trump endorser in Vegas entertainment, it’s believed, is iconic Wayne Newton, who is playing Bally’s.</p>
<p>ROLLER-GIRLS FOLLOW-UP</p>
<p>In Saturday’s RJ, I wrote about how Glitter Gulch manager Rudy Nino used to drive to the Tip Top with its “roller girls” in the early 1960s, but avid reader and 1956-onward local Mike Moody tells me they didn’t have roller girls at the Tip Top.</p>
<p>How does Moody know?</p>
<p>“My mom soon went to work at Sills Drive Inn, which became the Tip Top,” after the family moved here from Delta, Utah, in a Studebaker “and my uncle’s cattle truck,” Moody says.</p>
<p>“She worked there as a car hop for almost a decade and they never wore roller skates,” he says.</p>
<p>PROGRAMMING NOTE</p>
<p>My buddy Norm Clarke is taking some days off. He’ll be back, don’t worry, dear lady who wrote me an angry email on Friday telling me to bring Norm back. Yes, I know Norm is beloved. He’s my friend. He is beloved among me, too. Just hold your horses. I’m only filling in. Cut some hard workers a break already.</p>
<p>Oh, wait. Norm just sent me this to share with you:</p>
<p>“To my readers: I value my relationship with all of you and wanted to let you know I’m taking some time to focus on my health. My doctors are advising me to get some rest. I’m in good hands medically and I thank my friend and colleague, Doug Elfman, for doing double duty. Hope to you see back here very soon.”</p>
<p>SNAPCHAT GUY GETS KEY?</p>
<p>If you’re into DJ Khaled, you can see him receive a “major key” to the Las Vegas Strip at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Doge’s Palace in The Venetian hotel (1 p.m. red carpet).</p>
<p>“Major key” is a play off of the DJ’s new album of the same name. He performs in Vegas regularly. He was scheduled to DJ Saturday night at Tao nightclub in The Venetian.</p>
<p>But Khaled, 40, is mostly famous among people who use Snapchat (the photo/video-sharing app) and among entertainment media that treats his sort of self-satirical Snapchat “keys” to success, such as eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch with almond milk, as if he were a motivational guru, because the media is dumb, including me sometimes.</p>
<p>However, I’m just a hater, because who is this guy to get a key to the Strip before me and you? Oh right, I wouldn’t draw a crowd at a key ceremony.</p>
<p>KARDASHIANS, EVERYWHERE</p>
<p>OK, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, you win, I’ll write about you today in my capacity as a joyful jester in this court of cards.</p>
<p>Ever since you two have broken away from your male TV cast mates Scott Disick and Lamar Odom, you’ve been coming to Vegas.</p>
<p>You both showed up at Disick’s paid hosting/birthday-cake gig at 1 Oak nightclub in The Mirage on Friday night with Khloe in a hot pink latex dress, even though co-stars Kourtney and Scott are no longer a TV couple.</p>
<p>Then, Khloe, you left 1 Oak and showed up at Drai’s nightclub, where pop music rapper The Future performed “Where Ya At,” “Low Life” and the comically titled “F**K Up Some Commas.”</p>
<p>You and Malika from your show weren’t alone in your celebrityness at Drai’s. Houston Rockets Shooting guard James Harden was at Drai’s. Floyd Mayweather was in attendance, as were rapper Tyga and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller.</p>
<p>Also at Drai’s Friday: New York Giants wide receiver O’Dell Beckham Jr., Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson, and Washington Wizards point guard John Wall.</p>
<p>After that, you, Khloe, hopped on a plane and left town.</p>
<p>Both of you Kardashian sisters were here only last weekend, eating avocado toast at Beauty &amp; Essex, watching Jennifer Lopez at Planet Hollywood, and partying at Drai’s.</p>
<p>You two are a couple of party animals. Or, possibly, you are just getting away from Odom? Or, you’re picking up appearance checks? I should care more about finding the answers to these questions. Alas, I don’t.</p>
<p>SIGHTINGS</p>
<p>Harrah’s headliners Bill Medley and Bucky Heard of The Righteous Brothers got onstage at the “Frankie Moreno — Under the Influence” show at Planet Hollywood on Friday, to perform signature high “Unchained Melody” with Moreno and his vintage homage band.</p>
<p>Doug Elfman can be reached at [email protected]. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman. On Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/VegasAnonymous" type="external">@VegasAnonymous</a></p> | false | 1 | everybody showbiz hates panicked lols nonstop donald trump mirage resort headliner terry fator became bestselling strip headliner go public enthusiastic endorsement presumptive gop presidential nominee las vegas singing ventriloquist returned fox news thursday show perceivedpropagandistsean hannity new trump puppet sang chorus another brick mexico wall im huge trump fan fator told hannity inquired wife love gon na vote think hes great fator anything derogatory trump puppet although made puppets hair pop werent attached head reached fator mr 100 million vegas contract phone saturday wife angie fiore cozying friends family different political persuasions lavish cape cod dining shrimp champagne sunset weve got trump steaks fator joked one fancy party talking politics started drinking might change im shame fator like everyone speaks wondering fator thought endorsement would change flavor show since trumps unpopular polls fator terrific mood stressed proselytize politics onstage show never know fator whose show otherwise quite apolitical said might add hillary clinton bernie sanders puppets jokes would benign audiences trump material said comedian likes trump politically correct doesnt issue apologies asked winced things trump said answered course added politicians make wince believe angie dont agree everything says fator said also fator said comics field day trump wins material going write boldnameonthemarquee trump endorser vegas entertainment believed iconic wayne newton playing ballys rollergirls followup saturdays rj wrote glitter gulch manager rudy nino used drive tip top roller girls early 1960s avid reader 1956onward local mike moody tells didnt roller girls tip top moody know mom soon went work sills drive inn became tip top family moved delta utah studebaker uncles cattle truck moody says worked car hop almost decade never wore roller skates says programming note buddy norm clarke taking days hell back dont worry dear lady wrote angry email friday telling bring norm back yes know norm beloved hes friend beloved among hold horses im filling cut hard workers break already oh wait norm sent share readers value relationship wanted let know im taking time focus health doctors advising get rest im good hands medically thank friend colleague doug elfman double duty hope see back soon snapchat guy gets key youre dj khaled see receive major key las vegas strip 130 pm sunday doges palace venetian hotel 1 pm red carpet major key play djs new album name performs vegas regularly scheduled dj saturday night tao nightclub venetian khaled 40 mostly famous among people use snapchat photovideosharing app among entertainment media treats sort selfsatirical snapchat keys success eating cinnamon toast crunch almond milk motivational guru media dumb including sometimes however im hater guy get key strip oh right wouldnt draw crowd key ceremony kardashians everywhere ok khloe kourtney kardashian win ill write today capacity joyful jester court cards ever since two broken away male tv cast mates scott disick lamar odom youve coming vegas showed disicks paid hostingbirthdaycake gig 1 oak nightclub mirage friday night khloe hot pink latex dress even though costars kourtney scott longer tv couple khloe left 1 oak showed drais nightclub pop music rapper future performed ya low life comically titled fk commas malika show werent alone celebrityness drais houston rockets shooting guard james harden drais floyd mayweather attendance rapper tyga denver broncos linebacker von miller also drais friday new york giants wide receiver odell beckham jr arizona cardinals running back chris johnson washington wizards point guard john wall khloe hopped plane left town kardashian sisters last weekend eating avocado toast beauty amp essex watching jennifer lopez planet hollywood partying drais two couple party animals possibly getting away odom youre picking appearance checks care finding answers questions alas dont sightings harrahs headliners bill medley bucky heard righteous brothers got onstage frankie moreno influence show planet hollywood friday perform signature high unchained melody moreno vintage homage band doug elfman reached delfmanreviewjournalcom blogs reviewjournalcomelfman twitter vegasanonymous | 629 |
<p>SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not watched “Of Lost Things,” the fourth episode of the third season of “ <a href="http://variety.com/tag/outlander/" type="external">Outlander</a>.”&#160;</p>
<p>When we last saw Jamie (Sam Heughan), Lord John Grey (David Berry) was dropping him off at Helwater, the estate of Lord Dunsany. When we last saw Claire (Caitriona Balfe), she was bidding her husband Frank (Tobias Menzies) goodbye after he died in a car accident.</p>
<p>In this week’s episode, the bulk of time is spent with Jamie at Helwater, where Jamie’s irresistibility to women makes it tough for him to keep a low profile. Meanwhile, Claire is determined to trace Jamie’s whereabouts through history because her love for him remains strong and true. A new love story begins with Roger (Richard Rankin) and Brianna (Sophie Skelton).</p>
<p>Helwater, England, 1756.&#160;Jamie, now calling himself Alexander Mackenzie, is told to go meet Lord Dunsany, his new boss at Helwater. Dunsany reveals he lost a son in the rebellion. Jamie empathizes and says he’s lost two children. The Lord tells Jamie he’s a groom, but reminds Jamie to never forget that he’s a prisoner. The Lord says his wife hates anyone associated with the rebellion because of the loss of their son. For now, the Lord keeps Jamie’s true identity to himself.</p>
<p>Jamie works as a groom, caring for the horses and accompanying the Lord’s daughters Isobel (Tanya Reynolds) and Geneva (Hannah James) to town or on leisurely rides. Geneva is haughty and snotty. Isobel is softer and kinder and she asks Jamie about Lord Grey –&#160;it’s clear she has a crush on him. Jamie doesn’t tell her everything he knows about Grey, instead saying Grey is married to the military. Isobel says Grey’s dedication is one of the things she finds most attractive about him. Apparently, gaydar was not a thing in 1756.</p>
<p>Geneva is to be married off to the much old Earl of Ellesmere, and she’s not at all happy about it. She asks Jamie to accompany her riding and while they’re in the woods, she asks what he thinks of her betrothed. He stonewalls her, saying it’s not his place to offer opinions. She takes off deeper into the woods and he finds her lying on the ground, but when he picks her up, she laughs; she tricked him! Jamie drops her and leaves her in the woods.</p>
<p>Lord Grey visits and while playing chess, Grey tells Jamie that Lord Dunsany likes his work. Grey’s brother, Lord Melton, visits and recognizes Mackenzie as Jamie but doesn’t say anything. Isobel continues to crush on Lord Grey.</p>
<p>While Jamie is doing one of his groom chores, shoveling horse manure, Geneva talks to him and asks if he’s ever been married. He says yes. She asks him to come to her bed because she doesn’t want old man Ellesmere “to have her maidenhead.” Jamie tells her she’s lost her mind. Then she reveals that Col. Melton told her all about Jamie’s true identity and she calls him Red Jamie. Knowing he’s in a tough spot now, Jamie tells Geneva he’s sorry her brother died in the rebellion but says he won’t return to prison. He finally consents to visit her that night.</p>
<p>When Jamie goes to Geneva’s room that night, he tells her to call him Alex. She tells him to disrobe and he tells her she can watch if she wants. She gasps when she sees his scarred back. He tells her it doesn’t hurt and then says, “Let’s get on with this.” He asks permission to touch her. She says she doesn’t know what to do and says, “I’m doing this for myself. I want it to be with someone like you.” She asks him to show her how it’s done. She asks permission to touch him as he moves on top of her. They have sex. Unlike “The Wedding” sex scene with Claire and Jamie, this one is more Cinemax sexy but perfunctory and not as passionate. After Geneva and Jamie finish having sex, he asks if he hurt her. She says it was painful at first but then she liked it. She says she loves him and Jamie explains it’s not love, just a feeling that happens after sex. He says, “Love is when you give your heart and soul to another and they give theirs in return.”</p>
<p>The show jumps in time to Geneva and Ellesmere arriving at Helwater. Geneva is pregnant because there was no birth control back then. Isobel wakes Jamie one night, telling him they have to get to Ellesmere’s because Geneva is giving birth, and she’s in distress. By the time the Dunsanys arrive, Geneva is dead after giving birth to a baby boy. A distraught Isobel slaps Jamie, saying Ellesmere knew the baby wasn’t his because Geneva never had sex with him. Ellesmere calls the baby a bastard, and brandishing a large knife in a rage, threatens to kill the baby. Lord Dunsany pulls a pistol. Jamie tries to diffuse the situation and takes the pistol from Dunsany. When Ellesmere threatens to kill the baby, Jamie drops him with one shot. Jamie holds the baby –&#160;his son. The Dunsanys take the baby home and name him William, called Willie. The show jumps in time again, to 1764, when Willie is eight years old, and Mac (Jamie) teaches him to ride a horse. Willie and Mac have bonded, and everyone notes how much Willie looks like Mac.</p>
<p>Lady Dunsany tells Jamie the matter of Ellesmere’s death is ruled that he died from grief over his wife’s death. She reveals she knows who Jamie is and that Lord Dunsany can send him back to Scotland if he’d like to do that. Jamie says he’d like to stay because working at Helwater has allowed him to send money to his family. She tells him, “When you want to leave, just ask.”</p>
<p>Jamie tells Willie he’s going home to Scotland, and Willie snaps back that he can’t go and Jamie has to listen to him because he’s his master. Jamie lashes out and calls Willie a bastard. Willie tells him “Take it back!” and Jamie does and then hugs the boy.</p>
<p>Lord Grey visits and he and Jamie talk about Jamie returning to Scotland. Grey tells him he thinks it’s a good idea because everyone can see the resemblance between Jamie and Willie, and it’s only a matter of time before Willie catches on. Jamie asks Grey to do him a favor – to watch over Willie and serve as his father. Jamie offers Grey his body in exchange for the favor, and though a dumbfounded Grey says he’ll want Jamie “until the day I die, he doesn’t accept the offer. He tells Jamie he’s marrying Isobel, and they will take care of Willie. Jamie says he’s grateful to Grey and tells him he’ll always have his friendship. The two men shake hands.</p>
<p>Willie and Jamie talk about a statue of St. Anthony that Jamie has. He explains to Willie that St. Anthony is the patron of lost things. Willie asks who Jamie prays for and Jamie says his wife and brother. Willie tells him, “Mac, I want to be like you.” Jamie baptizes Willie and tells him “William James” is his Papist name. He makes Willie promise not tell anyone he’s a Papist and gives him the item he was whittling. As Jamie rides off, Willie runs after him. As “A Hard Rain Is Gonna Fall” plays, Jamie starts to cry.</p>
<p>Meanwhile in Scotland, 1968, Claire and Brianna are trying to trace Jamie’s journey through history, with Roger’s help. Roger and Brianna flirt as they all work together. Claire is determined to find Jamie but when they run into obstacles, she worries it might not happen.</p>
<p>While in Scotland, Claire gets a call from Joe Abernathy (Wil Johnson) about one of the patients she treated. She tells him she’s sure he can handle it, but he asks her to meet for dinner, and she says “Soon.”</p>
<p>Mrs. Graham’s granddaughter Fiona (Iona Claire) gives Claire the strand of pearls Jamie gave her on their wedding night. (Reminder: Claire gave them to the Rev. Wakefield’s housekeeper Mrs. Graham when she returned from the 1700s, in a desperate effort to put her time-traveling period behind her.) Claire gets emotional and teary at the beautiful memory of Jamie. Roger and Brianna talk about all the work they’ve been doing to find Jamie, and Brianna confesses she’s afraid she’ll lose her mother for good to this pursuit. Roger tells her he doesn’t want her to go back to Boston, and they kiss.</p>
<p>The group goes to a pub where the women get stares because they’re sitting at the bar, and even though it’s 1968, that’s frowned upon. Claire doesn’t care, though. She proposes a toast, “To all of those we have lost. It’s time to go home.” On the plane back to Boston, Claire and Brianna both look very sad.</p>
<p>New episodes of “ <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/outlander-frank-randall-tobias-menzies-ron-moore-all-debts-paid-1202566840/" type="external">Outlander</a>” are on Starz Sundays at 8 p.m.</p> | false | 1 | spoiler alert read watched lost things fourth episode third season outlander160 last saw jamie sam heughan lord john grey david berry dropping helwater estate lord dunsany last saw claire caitriona balfe bidding husband frank tobias menzies goodbye died car accident weeks episode bulk time spent jamie helwater jamies irresistibility women makes tough keep low profile meanwhile claire determined trace jamies whereabouts history love remains strong true new love story begins roger richard rankin brianna sophie skelton helwater england 1756160jamie calling alexander mackenzie told go meet lord dunsany new boss helwater dunsany reveals lost son rebellion jamie empathizes says hes lost two children lord tells jamie hes groom reminds jamie never forget hes prisoner lord says wife hates anyone associated rebellion loss son lord keeps jamies true identity jamie works groom caring horses accompanying lords daughters isobel tanya reynolds geneva hannah james town leisurely rides geneva haughty snotty isobel softer kinder asks jamie lord grey 160its clear crush jamie doesnt tell everything knows grey instead saying grey married military isobel says greys dedication one things finds attractive apparently gaydar thing 1756 geneva married much old earl ellesmere shes happy asks jamie accompany riding theyre woods asks thinks betrothed stonewalls saying place offer opinions takes deeper woods finds lying ground picks laughs tricked jamie drops leaves woods lord grey visits playing chess grey tells jamie lord dunsany likes work greys brother lord melton visits recognizes mackenzie jamie doesnt say anything isobel continues crush lord grey jamie one groom chores shoveling horse manure geneva talks asks hes ever married says yes asks come bed doesnt want old man ellesmere maidenhead jamie tells shes lost mind reveals col melton told jamies true identity calls red jamie knowing hes tough spot jamie tells geneva hes sorry brother died rebellion says wont return prison finally consents visit night jamie goes genevas room night tells call alex tells disrobe tells watch wants gasps sees scarred back tells doesnt hurt says lets get asks permission touch says doesnt know says im want someone like asks show done asks permission touch moves top sex unlike wedding sex scene claire jamie one cinemax sexy perfunctory passionate geneva jamie finish sex asks hurt says painful first liked says loves jamie explains love feeling happens sex says love give heart soul another give return show jumps time geneva ellesmere arriving helwater geneva pregnant birth control back isobel wakes jamie one night telling get ellesmeres geneva giving birth shes distress time dunsanys arrive geneva dead giving birth baby boy distraught isobel slaps jamie saying ellesmere knew baby wasnt geneva never sex ellesmere calls baby bastard brandishing large knife rage threatens kill baby lord dunsany pulls pistol jamie tries diffuse situation takes pistol dunsany ellesmere threatens kill baby jamie drops one shot jamie holds baby 160his son dunsanys take baby home name william called willie show jumps time 1764 willie eight years old mac jamie teaches ride horse willie mac bonded everyone notes much willie looks like mac lady dunsany tells jamie matter ellesmeres death ruled died grief wifes death reveals knows jamie lord dunsany send back scotland hed like jamie says hed like stay working helwater allowed send money family tells want leave ask jamie tells willie hes going home scotland willie snaps back cant go jamie listen hes master jamie lashes calls willie bastard willie tells take back jamie hugs boy lord grey visits jamie talk jamie returning scotland grey tells thinks good idea everyone see resemblance jamie willie matter time willie catches jamie asks grey favor watch willie serve father jamie offers grey body exchange favor though dumbfounded grey says hell want jamie day die doesnt accept offer tells jamie hes marrying isobel take care willie jamie says hes grateful grey tells hell always friendship two men shake hands willie jamie talk statue st anthony jamie explains willie st anthony patron lost things willie asks jamie prays jamie says wife brother willie tells mac want like jamie baptizes willie tells william james papist name makes willie promise tell anyone hes papist gives item whittling jamie rides willie runs hard rain gon na fall plays jamie starts cry meanwhile scotland 1968 claire brianna trying trace jamies journey history rogers help roger brianna flirt work together claire determined find jamie run obstacles worries might happen scotland claire gets call joe abernathy wil johnson one patients treated tells shes sure handle asks meet dinner says soon mrs grahams granddaughter fiona iona claire gives claire strand pearls jamie gave wedding night reminder claire gave rev wakefields housekeeper mrs graham returned 1700s desperate effort put timetraveling period behind claire gets emotional teary beautiful memory jamie roger brianna talk work theyve find jamie brianna confesses shes afraid shell lose mother good pursuit roger tells doesnt want go back boston kiss group goes pub women get stares theyre sitting bar even though 1968 thats frowned upon claire doesnt care though proposes toast lost time go home plane back boston claire brianna look sad new episodes outlander starz sundays 8 pm | 832 |
<p>HONOLULU — The United States struck back Thursday at Russia for hacking the U.S. presidential campaign with a sweeping set of punishments targeting Russia’s spy agencies and diplomats. The U.S. said Russia must bear costs for its actions, but Moscow called the Obama administration “losers” and threatened retaliation.</p>
<p>A month after an election the U.S. says Russia tried to sway for Donald Trump, President Barack Obama sanctioned the GRU and FSB, leading Russian intelligence agencies the U.S. said were involved. Those sanctions could easily be pulled back by Trump, who has insisted that Obama and Democrats are merely attempting to delegitimize his election.</p>
<p>In an elaborately coordinated response by at least five federal agencies, the Obama administration also sought to expose Russia’s cyber tactics with a detailed technical report and hinted it might still launch a covert counterattack.</p>
<p>“All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions,” Obama said, adding, “Such activities have consequences.”</p>
<p>He said the response wasn’t over and the U.S. could take further, covert action — a thinly veiled reference to a counterstrike in cyberspace the U.S. has been considering.</p>
<p>Trump issued a statement saying it was “time for our country to move on to bigger and better things.” Yet in the face of newly public evidence, he suggested he was keeping an open mind.</p>
<p>“In the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation,” Trump said.</p>
<p>As part of the punishment, the U.S. also kicked out 35 Russian diplomats who the U.S. said were actually intelligence operatives, and shut down a pair of Russian compounds, in New York and Maryland. The U.S. said those actions were in response to Russia’s harassment of U.S. diplomats, calling it part of a pattern of aggression that included the cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman.</p>
<p>It was the strongest action the Obama administration has taken to date to retaliate for a cyberattack, and more comprehensive than last year’s sanctions on North Korea after it hacked Sony Pictures Entertainment. The new penalties add to existing U.S. sanctions over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, which have impaired Russia’s economy but had limited impact on President Vladimir Putin’s behavior.</p>
<p>Russia, which denied the hacking allegations, called the penalties a clumsy yet aggressive attempt to “harm Russian-American ties.” Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would take into account the fact that Trump will soon replace Obama as it drafts retaliatory measures.</p>
<p>The day marked a low point for U.S. relations with Russia, which have suffered during Obama’s years as he and Putin tussled over Ukraine, Edward Snowden and Russia’s support for Syrian President Bashar Assad. Maria Zakharova, a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, took to Facebook to call the Obama administration “a group of foreign policy losers, angry and ignorant.”</p>
<p>It was unlikely the new sanctions, while symbolically significant, would have a major impact on Russian spy operations. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets and block Americans from doing business with them. But Russian law bars the spy agencies from having assets in the U.S., and any activities they undertake would likely be covert and hard to identify.</p>
<p>“On its face, this is more than a slap on the wrists, but hardly an appropriate response to an unprecedented attack on our electoral system,” said Stewart Baker, a cybersecurity lawyer and former National Security Agency and Homeland Security Department official.</p>
<p>Indeed, senior Obama administration officials said that even with the penalties, the U.S. had reason to believe Russia would keep hacking other nations’ elections and might well try to hack American elections again in 2018 or 2020. The officials briefed reporters on a conference call on condition of anonymity.</p>
<p>Though the FBI and Homeland Security Department issued a joint report on “Russian malicious cyber activity” — replete with examples of malware code used by the Russians — it still has not released a broader report Obama has promised detailing Russia’s efforts to interfere with U.S. elections.</p>
<p>The report has been eagerly anticipated by those hoping to make it politically untenable for Trump to continue questioning whether Russia was really involved. But U.S. officials said those seeking more detail about who the U.S. has determined did the hacking need look only to the list of sanctions targets, which includes the GRU head, his three deputies, and two Russian nationals wanted by the FBI for cybercrimes.</p>
<p>The move puts Trump in the position of having to decide whether to roll back the measures once in office, and U.S. officials acknowledged that Trump could use his executive authorities to do so. Still, they suggested that building the case against Russia now would make it harder for Trump to justify easing up.</p>
<p>U.S. allegations of hacking have ignited a heated debate over Trump’s approach to Russia and his refusal to accept the assessment of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia’s government was responsible and wanted to help him win. Though U.S. lawmakers have long called for Obama to be tougher on Russia, some Republicans have found that position less tenable now that Trump is floating the possibility of closer ties to Moscow.</p>
<p>“While today’s action by the administration is overdue, it is an appropriate way to end eight years of failed policy with Russia,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.</p>
<p>U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia was trying to help Trump win when hackers connected to the government breached Democratic Party computers and stole tens of thousands of emails that were then posted on WikiLeaks, some containing embarrassing information for Democrats. Clinton aide John Podesta’s emails were also stolen and released publicly in the final weeks of the campaign.</p> | false | 1 | honolulu united states struck back thursday russia hacking us presidential campaign sweeping set punishments targeting russias spy agencies diplomats us said russia must bear costs actions moscow called obama administration losers threatened retaliation month election us says russia tried sway donald trump president barack obama sanctioned gru fsb leading russian intelligence agencies us said involved sanctions could easily pulled back trump insisted obama democrats merely attempting delegitimize election elaborately coordinated response least five federal agencies obama administration also sought expose russias cyber tactics detailed technical report hinted might still launch covert counterattack americans alarmed russias actions obama said adding activities consequences said response wasnt us could take covert action thinly veiled reference counterstrike cyberspace us considering trump issued statement saying time country move bigger better things yet face newly public evidence suggested keeping open mind interest country great people meet leaders intelligence community next week order updated facts situation trump said part punishment us also kicked 35 russian diplomats us said actually intelligence operatives shut pair russian compounds new york maryland us said actions response russias harassment us diplomats calling part pattern aggression included cyberattacks democratic national committee hillary clintons campaign chairman strongest action obama administration taken date retaliate cyberattack comprehensive last years sanctions north korea hacked sony pictures entertainment new penalties add existing us sanctions russias actions ukraine impaired russias economy limited impact president vladimir putins behavior russia denied hacking allegations called penalties clumsy yet aggressive attempt harm russianamerican ties putin spokesman dmitry peskov said russia would take account fact trump soon replace obama drafts retaliatory measures day marked low point us relations russia suffered obamas years putin tussled ukraine edward snowden russias support syrian president bashar assad maria zakharova russian foreign ministry spokeswoman took facebook call obama administration group foreign policy losers angry ignorant unlikely new sanctions symbolically significant would major impact russian spy operations sanctions freeze us assets block americans business russian law bars spy agencies assets us activities undertake would likely covert hard identify face slap wrists hardly appropriate response unprecedented attack electoral system said stewart baker cybersecurity lawyer former national security agency homeland security department official indeed senior obama administration officials said even penalties us reason believe russia would keep hacking nations elections might well try hack american elections 2018 2020 officials briefed reporters conference call condition anonymity though fbi homeland security department issued joint report russian malicious cyber activity replete examples malware code used russians still released broader report obama promised detailing russias efforts interfere us elections report eagerly anticipated hoping make politically untenable trump continue questioning whether russia really involved us officials said seeking detail us determined hacking need look list sanctions targets includes gru head three deputies two russian nationals wanted fbi cybercrimes move puts trump position decide whether roll back measures office us officials acknowledged trump could use executive authorities still suggested building case russia would make harder trump justify easing us allegations hacking ignited heated debate trumps approach russia refusal accept assessment us intelligence agencies russias government responsible wanted help win though us lawmakers long called obama tougher russia republicans found position less tenable trump floating possibility closer ties moscow todays action administration overdue appropriate way end eight years failed policy russia said house speaker paul ryan rwis us intelligence agencies concluded russia trying help trump win hackers connected government breached democratic party computers stole tens thousands emails posted wikileaks containing embarrassing information democrats clinton aide john podestas emails also stolen released publicly final weeks campaign | 576 |
<p />
<p><a href="https://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&amp;bc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;fc1=000000&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;t=forepolijour-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;m=amazon&amp;f=ifr&amp;md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&amp;asins=1859642624" type="external">Children of Catastrophe – Journey from a Palestinian Refugee Camp to America</a>. Jamal Krayem Kanj. Garnet Publishing, Reading, UK. 2010.</p>
<p>Children of Catastrophe is a work of courage, love – of family, friends, and country – persistence, grief, sorrow, joy, anger, bravery, fear, and frustration. In short, it encompasses all the emotions that not only are part of life, but a large part of life for a child born and raised in a refugee camp. Nahr el Bared refugee camp was established in 1949 after the nakba in Palestine. Set near the northern border of Lebanon with Syria, the camp existed, grew, and to a degree, thrived and prospered until it was destroyed by the Lebanese army in 2007.</p>
<p>Nakba and ethnic cleansing</p>
<p>The first sections of Jamal Kanj’s story outline very quickly the events of the nakba, with references to the even longer history of Zionism going back to 1896 and a declaration from Theodore Herzl concerning the endeavor “to expel the poor population across the border unnoticed, procuring employment for it in transit countries, but denying it any employment in our own country.”</p>
<p>Demographics has always been a problem for the Jewish state and give the lie to the democratic claim of the Jewish state. Jamal quotes Joseph Weitz, the head of the Jewish National Fund in 1940, saying, “Not one village must be left, not one tribe. The transfer must be directed at Iraq, Syria, and even Transjordan.” Ben Gurion, from whom comments about peaceful coexistence can be found, nevertheless felt and understood the problem created by a resident Arab population, indicating that the UN partition plan “does not provide a stable base for a Jewish state….There can be no stable and strong Jewish state so long as it has a Jewish majority of only 60%.”</p>
<p>Jamal ends his introduction with notes concerning the life of ‘survivors’: “the refugees have indefatigably remained part of a nation, without the state.” This becomes a heavily ironic comment in comparison with the declared and possibly mythological exile of the Jewish people over two thousand years. This is perhaps the underlying theme to the work: that the Palestinians “have remained part of an enduring nation in exile. The dispossession and the challenge to survive have become their very identity and a key component of what it means to be a Palestinian.”</p>
<p>Camp life</p>
<p>Life in the camp was “deprivation by circumstance” yet that deprivation was tempered by the idea that “it is not possible to lack what you have never experienced.” Protected as best as possible from life’s hardships by his parents, the family lived “a relatively normal life.” For Jamal, this was all too true, as his early life centered on life in the camp, and “life was normalized by what we had and not by what was lacking.” Higher education and a skilled trade became goals for the children of the camp.</p>
<p>Daily life consisted of fetching water for washing and cooking on a daily basis from a communal water tap. Firewood was important, gathered from local farmers’ fields and hedges from around the camp, or from the beaches of the Mediterranean where the camp was located. Bread making was another daily requirement. These activities, done mainly by Jamal’s mother, were also one of the main sources of news and gossip in the camp.</p>
<p>Jamal describes his personal economy, digging up sand and aggregate from the beaches for construction, selling scrap metals and rendered animal bones for fertilizer products. Farm labor on nearby Lebanese farms provided another source of funds. Fishing with rod and line, later supplanted by dynamite, provided food and funds.</p>
<p>Never accepted as citizens, the refugees were extremely limited with any economic or personal contact with Lebanese society, although as time passed, not only did the refugee camp become somewhat self-supporting and innovative in both a technical and business sense, it also interacted more and more with the countryside and villages around it.</p>
<p>Education and activism</p>
<p>As Jamal approached the teen years, political awareness and revolutionary ideas developed. As political and resistance activities increased in the camp, so did Israeli incursions, from land and sea. The general rule was followed in that “It was…very common for Israelis to shell civilian neighborhoods indiscriminately and disproportionally under the specious pretext of self-defense.”</p>
<p>Part of this was the delayed fused munitions that exploded well after the raids ended, when people had gathered at the scene of the attack to give assistance; another part was the cluster bombs that left hundreds of unexploded ordinances lying around that Jamal and his friends helped round up (now there’s an everyday ‘normalized’ activity that most of us have never experienced!)</p>
<p>In spite of the obstacles thrown up by being in a country that did not give citizenship to the refugees, Jamal persevered with his education. For the most part of his high school years, civil war disrupted camp life physically and economically. It also disrupted the activities of the educational institutes he needed to attend in Lebanon.</p>
<p>Outside</p>
<p>The combination of determination, perseverance, and good timing led Jamal to Baghdad in order to obtain his high school diploma. His reaction to Baghdad was very positive, as “One cannot live in Baghdad and not acquire fond memories of the place….At the time, the Iraqi government was also looking toward the future, as the zealously promoted education, self-reliance, industrialization and manufacturing. Learning was becoming an important pillar in Iraqi society.”</p>
<p>From there, he left for the United States where he earned an engineering degree (1983) and later an MBA in Global Management (2001). His story does not cover this period, but returns to a later visit to Gaza and the West Bank under UN auspices. After describing a near fatal accident while visiting Jerusalem and Bethlehem, his passage aided by his UN credentials, Jamal ends his story with an account of the destruction of the Nahr el Bared refugee camp.</p>
<p>Return to Nahr el Bared</p>
<p>Several plausible reasons are provided for the destruction of the camp. First, the “disappearance of another Palestinian camp is one less political hurdle in the complicated peace process,” in which the Arab governments tend to call for a “Just solution” rather than a right of return. Israel is suspected of playing a part in the camps destruction – no surprise with that – through their spy networks and military provisions. Another aspect mentioned is the demographic balance as “Lebanon’s democracy is held together by a thin thread balancing arrangements across the sectarian divide.”</p>
<p>The camp’s successful economy also played a part in its demise, as its proximity to Syria and the Mediterranean “helped create a relatively strong and vibrant economy,” part of which involved smuggling contraband goods, even though that money generally went to large Lebanese traders. The camp competed successfully with Tripoli and surrounding communities as costs were lower, labor costs were lower, and as the government did not recognize the camp residents as citizens, there were no taxes collected.</p>
<p>The final summation is directly stated: “Arab governments and the international community, and even the Palestinian Authority, provided a cover for the destruction of thousands of homes under the pretext of fighting “Muslim fundamentalists.”</p>
<p>The destruction of the camp deepened Jamal’s understanding of what the earlier generations had suffered, what all of Palestine had suffered during the nakba. He was “able to fathom the secret of the older generation’s eternal connection to Palestine, a nation that continued to exist only in their historical memories.”</p>
<p>Palestinian identity</p>
<p>Jamal Kanj’s story evokes all the emotions experienced through life’s trials, enhanced and exaggerated by it being experienced within a refugee camp that remained under continual stress from external forces. The book is well written and does not dwell on the deprivations, but instead emphasizes the successes of life within the camp, successes against many seemingly overwhelming odds. From that success, the success of survival and more, the Palestinian identity will remain strong within its own community. Children of Catastrophe explains that identity and brings it to life in a straight forward manner, for those beyond the borders of the community, to the larger community of global humanitarian awareness.</p> | false | 1 | children catastrophe journey palestinian refugee camp america jamal krayem kanj garnet publishing reading uk 2010 children catastrophe work courage love family friends country persistence grief sorrow joy anger bravery fear frustration short encompasses emotions part life large part life child born raised refugee camp nahr el bared refugee camp established 1949 nakba palestine set near northern border lebanon syria camp existed grew degree thrived prospered destroyed lebanese army 2007 nakba ethnic cleansing first sections jamal kanjs story outline quickly events nakba references even longer history zionism going back 1896 declaration theodore herzl concerning endeavor expel poor population across border unnoticed procuring employment transit countries denying employment country demographics always problem jewish state give lie democratic claim jewish state jamal quotes joseph weitz head jewish national fund 1940 saying one village must left one tribe transfer must directed iraq syria even transjordan ben gurion comments peaceful coexistence found nevertheless felt understood problem created resident arab population indicating un partition plan provide stable base jewish statethere stable strong jewish state long jewish majority 60 jamal ends introduction notes concerning life survivors refugees indefatigably remained part nation without state becomes heavily ironic comment comparison declared possibly mythological exile jewish people two thousand years perhaps underlying theme work palestinians remained part enduring nation exile dispossession challenge survive become identity key component means palestinian camp life life camp deprivation circumstance yet deprivation tempered idea possible lack never experienced protected best possible lifes hardships parents family lived relatively normal life jamal true early life centered life camp life normalized lacking higher education skilled trade became goals children camp daily life consisted fetching water washing cooking daily basis communal water tap firewood important gathered local farmers fields hedges around camp beaches mediterranean camp located bread making another daily requirement activities done mainly jamals mother also one main sources news gossip camp jamal describes personal economy digging sand aggregate beaches construction selling scrap metals rendered animal bones fertilizer products farm labor nearby lebanese farms provided another source funds fishing rod line later supplanted dynamite provided food funds never accepted citizens refugees extremely limited economic personal contact lebanese society although time passed refugee camp become somewhat selfsupporting innovative technical business sense also interacted countryside villages around education activism jamal approached teen years political awareness revolutionary ideas developed political resistance activities increased camp israeli incursions land sea general rule followed wasvery common israelis shell civilian neighborhoods indiscriminately disproportionally specious pretext selfdefense part delayed fused munitions exploded well raids ended people gathered scene attack give assistance another part cluster bombs left hundreds unexploded ordinances lying around jamal friends helped round theres everyday normalized activity us never experienced spite obstacles thrown country give citizenship refugees jamal persevered education part high school years civil war disrupted camp life physically economically also disrupted activities educational institutes needed attend lebanon outside combination determination perseverance good timing led jamal baghdad order obtain high school diploma reaction baghdad positive one live baghdad acquire fond memories placeat time iraqi government also looking toward future zealously promoted education selfreliance industrialization manufacturing learning becoming important pillar iraqi society left united states earned engineering degree 1983 later mba global management 2001 story cover period returns later visit gaza west bank un auspices describing near fatal accident visiting jerusalem bethlehem passage aided un credentials jamal ends story account destruction nahr el bared refugee camp return nahr el bared several plausible reasons provided destruction camp first disappearance another palestinian camp one less political hurdle complicated peace process arab governments tend call solution rather right return israel suspected playing part camps destruction surprise spy networks military provisions another aspect mentioned demographic balance lebanons democracy held together thin thread balancing arrangements across sectarian divide camps successful economy also played part demise proximity syria mediterranean helped create relatively strong vibrant economy part involved smuggling contraband goods even though money generally went large lebanese traders camp competed successfully tripoli surrounding communities costs lower labor costs lower government recognize camp residents citizens taxes collected final summation directly stated arab governments international community even palestinian authority provided cover destruction thousands homes pretext fighting muslim fundamentalists destruction camp deepened jamals understanding earlier generations suffered palestine suffered nakba able fathom secret older generations eternal connection palestine nation continued exist historical memories palestinian identity jamal kanjs story evokes emotions experienced lifes trials enhanced exaggerated experienced within refugee camp remained continual stress external forces book well written dwell deprivations instead emphasizes successes life within camp successes many seemingly overwhelming odds success success survival palestinian identity remain strong within community children catastrophe explains identity brings life straight forward manner beyond borders community larger community global humanitarian awareness | 763 |
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<p><a href="" type="internal">&lt;img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13957" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" title="ron-paul-podium" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ron-paul-podium.jpg" alt="Ron Paul" width="480" height="257" srcset="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ron-paul-podium.jpg 480w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ron-paul-podium-300x160.jpg 300w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ron-paul-podium-478x257.jpg 478w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ron-paul-podium-280x149.jpg 280w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ron-paul-podium-118x63.jpg 118w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ron-paul-podium-479x256.jpg 479w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /&gt;</a>Ron Paul is “the best-known American propagandist for our enemies”, writes Dorothy Rabinowitz in a recent Wall Street Journal <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204552304577112761003972028.html" type="external">hit piece</a>. To support the charge, she writes that Dr. Paul “assures audiences” that the terrorist attacks of 9/11 “took place only because of U.S. aggression and military actions”. It’s “True,” she writes, that “we’ve heard the assertions before”, but only “rarely have we heard in any American political figure such exclusive concern for, and appreciation of, the motives of those who attacked us”—and, she adds, he doesn’t care about the victims of the attacks.</p>
<p>The vindictive rhetoric aside, what is it, exactly, that Ron Paul is guilty of here? It is completely uncontroversial that the 9/11 attacks were a consequence of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. The <a href="http://www.911commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf" type="external">9/11 Commission Report</a>, for instance, points out that Osama bin Laden “stresses grievances against the United States widely shared in the Muslim world. He inveighed against the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam’s holiest sites. He spoke of the suffering of the Iraqi people as a result of sanctions imposed after the Gulf War, and he protested U.S. support of Israel.”</p>
<p>Notice that Rabinowitz doesn’t actually deny that the 9/11 attacks were motivated by such U.S. policies as these. Rather, Ron Paul’s sin is that he actually acknowledges this truth. The fact that other political figures choose to ignore or deny this fact hardly reflects poorly on Dr. Paul. Refusing to bury one’s head deeply up one’s arse, as Rabinowitz is so obviously willing to do, is hardly a character trait to be faulted.</p>
<p>From this position of willful ignorance, Rabinowitz then implores her readers that “a President Paul” would “be making decisions about the nation’s defense, national security, domestic policy and much else.” The conclusion one is supposed to draw is that anyone who could actually acknowledge the ugly truth that 9/11 was a consequence of U.S. foreign policy isn’t fit for office; only someone who is willing to delude him or herself that the U.S. was attacked because “they hate our freedoms” is worthy of the presidency. Anyone who wishes to change U.S. foreign policy is unfit; only a person who is willing to continue the status quo should be allowed a seat in the Oval Office.</p>
<p>Rabinowitz warns that “The world may not be ready for another American president traversing half the globe to apologize for the misdeeds of the nation he had just been elected to lead.” It’s not clear who she has in mind with the “another”, but it’s by now a familiar refrain. “I’ll never apologize for the United States of America. Ever. I don’t care what the facts are,” President George H. W. Bush declared to the world after a U.S. warship had shot down an Iranian civilian airliner in Iranian airspace, killing all 290 passengers aboard, including 65 children. Surely, any president willing to apologize for the murder of innocent children must not lead the nation. The horror of the thought!</p>
<p>And then there is Dr. Paul’s position with respect to Iran. He recently urged his host in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDKMR7mJERU" type="external">an interview</a> “to understand that Iran’s leader, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had never mentioned any intention of wiping Israel off the map.” Here, again, it’s notable that Rabinowitz doesn’t actually dispute this. Dr. Paul is, of course, correct. The claim that Iran has threatened to acquire nuclear weapons to “wipe Israel off the map” is a <a href="../../../../../2010/08/26/turning-back-from-the-point-of-no-return/" type="external">complete fabrication</a> of Western media propaganda, and mainstream corporate news agencies know it is a fabrication, but repeat it obligatorily anyway.</p>
<p>Rabinowitz presumably does, as well, so instead of challenging Dr. Paul on the facts, she quotes him saying “They’re just defending themselves” and writing, “Presumably he was referring to Iran’s wishes for a bomb.” In the interview referred to, Dr. Paul had said, “I don’t want them to get the nuclear weapon”, but pointed out that Israel’s defense minister, “Ehud Barak said that they’re acting logically, and they’re acting in their self-interest, and if he was an Iranian, he would probably think the same way” (Dr. Paul is correct on this, also; it’s true that <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/iran-is-too-rational-to-attack-israel-1.402481?trailingPath=2.169,2.225,2.227," type="external">Barak has</a> “quipped that if he were an Iranian, he would take part in the development of nuclear weapons”).</p>
<p>Rabinowitz also disinclines herself to point out what Dr. Paul said next: “But there is a gross distortion to this debate that they are on the verge of a nuclear weapon. There is no evidence that they are on the verge of a nuclear weapon, and we shouldn’t be ready to start another war” (Dr. Paul is <a href="http://www.mepc.org/journal/middle-east-policy-archives/iran-nuclear-alleged-studies-documents?print" type="external">correct</a> <a href="http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=105776" type="external">on this</a>, too, and has rightly drawn parallels to the current propaganda about Iran and the lies that preceded the war on Iraq).</p>
<p>So, once again, we see that Ron Paul’s true sin is his failure to jump on board with the war propaganda. A further sin is that he said after 9/11 that “there was ‘glee in the administration because now we can invade Iraq.’” But is the contention that those policymakers responsible for the war on Iraq were not happy that they now had the opportunity to do so sustainable? Is Rabinowitz unaware that in 1996, Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, and David Wurmser coauthored a <a href="http://www.iasps.org/strat1.htm" type="external">document</a> prepared for the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, which made the case for overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s regime? Or that the Project for a New American Century (PNAC), whose membership was a virtual who’s who of so-called “neoconservatives” calling for war on Iraq, had a <a href="http://www.newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf" type="external">manifesto</a> calling for regime change and stating that the “process of transformation” of the U.S. military into a force to “preserve American military preeminence” around the globe “is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event—like a new Pearl Harbor”? That PNAC director Robert Kagan acknowledged that the 9/11 attacks were the “Pearl Harbor” he and his ilk were looking for, <a href="http://www.newamericancentury.org/defense-20020129.htm" type="external">writing</a> in the Washington Post that 9/11 must be used to “to launch a new era of American internationalism. Let’s not squander this opportunity”?</p>
<p>Yet again, it becomes evident that Ron Paul’s sin is that he is too willing to be honest with the American people and speak the truth about U.S. foreign policy. Just as Dr. Paul <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5nGCpzel6o" type="external">predicted</a> and warned about the housing bubble and financial crisis of 2008, so did he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LygUnKidbKo" type="external">predict</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd8jPKwArsM" type="external">warn</a> prior to 9/11 that U.S. foreign policy would result in what the intelligence community terms “blowback”. Ron Paul has a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPDhLtVnqNo" type="external">long record of speaking truth to power</a> and making <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvlUx5ECD2w" type="external">predictions that have come to pass</a>.</p>
<p>Rabinowitz concludes, “It seemed improbable that the best-known of American propagandists for our enemies could be near the top of the pack in the Iowa contest, but there it is.” That Ron Paul has emerged in Iowa as a frontrunner is a hopeful sign that Americans are waking up to the realities of U.S. foreign policy and are tired of crude propagandists for U.S. wars and empire insulting their intelligence, as Rabinowitz—who is a member of the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board—does so well in her column.</p> | false | 1 | ltimg classaligncenter sizefull wpimage13957 stylemargintop 5px marginbottom 5px titleronpaulpodium srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201112ronpaulpodiumjpg altron paul width480 height257 srcsethttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201112ronpaulpodiumjpg 480w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201112ronpaulpodium300x160jpg 300w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201112ronpaulpodium478x257jpg 478w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201112ronpaulpodium280x149jpg 280w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201112ronpaulpodium118x63jpg 118w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201112ronpaulpodium479x256jpg 479w sizesmaxwidth 480px 100vw 480px gtron paul bestknown american propagandist enemies writes dorothy rabinowitz recent wall street journal hit piece support charge writes dr paul assures audiences terrorist attacks 911 took place us aggression military actions true writes weve heard assertions rarely heard american political figure exclusive concern appreciation motives attacked usand adds doesnt care victims attacks vindictive rhetoric aside exactly ron paul guilty completely uncontroversial 911 attacks consequence us foreign policy middle east 911 commission report instance points osama bin laden stresses grievances united states widely shared muslim world inveighed presence us troops saudi arabia home islams holiest sites spoke suffering iraqi people result sanctions imposed gulf war protested us support israel notice rabinowitz doesnt actually deny 911 attacks motivated us policies rather ron pauls sin actually acknowledges truth fact political figures choose ignore deny fact hardly reflects poorly dr paul refusing bury ones head deeply ones arse rabinowitz obviously willing hardly character trait faulted position willful ignorance rabinowitz implores readers president paul would making decisions nations defense national security domestic policy much else conclusion one supposed draw anyone could actually acknowledge ugly truth 911 consequence us foreign policy isnt fit office someone willing delude us attacked hate freedoms worthy presidency anyone wishes change us foreign policy unfit person willing continue status quo allowed seat oval office rabinowitz warns world may ready another american president traversing half globe apologize misdeeds nation elected lead clear mind another familiar refrain ill never apologize united states america ever dont care facts president george h w bush declared world us warship shot iranian civilian airliner iranian airspace killing 290 passengers aboard including 65 children surely president willing apologize murder innocent children must lead nation horror thought dr pauls position respect iran recently urged host interview understand irans leader mahmoud ahmadinejad never mentioned intention wiping israel map notable rabinowitz doesnt actually dispute dr paul course correct claim iran threatened acquire nuclear weapons wipe israel map complete fabrication western media propaganda mainstream corporate news agencies know fabrication repeat obligatorily anyway rabinowitz presumably well instead challenging dr paul facts quotes saying theyre defending writing presumably referring irans wishes bomb interview referred dr paul said dont want get nuclear weapon pointed israels defense minister ehud barak said theyre acting logically theyre acting selfinterest iranian would probably think way dr paul correct also true barak quipped iranian would take part development nuclear weapons rabinowitz also disinclines point dr paul said next gross distortion debate verge nuclear weapon evidence verge nuclear weapon shouldnt ready start another war dr paul correct rightly drawn parallels current propaganda iran lies preceded war iraq see ron pauls true sin failure jump board war propaganda sin said 911 glee administration invade iraq contention policymakers responsible war iraq happy opportunity sustainable rabinowitz unaware 1996 richard perle douglas feith david wurmser coauthored document prepared government benjamin netanyahu prime minister israel made case overthrowing saddam husseins regime project new american century pnac whose membership virtual whos socalled neoconservatives calling war iraq manifesto calling regime change stating process transformation us military force preserve american military preeminence around globe likely long one absent catastrophic catalyzing eventlike new pearl harbor pnac director robert kagan acknowledged 911 attacks pearl harbor ilk looking writing washington post 911 must used launch new era american internationalism lets squander opportunity yet becomes evident ron pauls sin willing honest american people speak truth us foreign policy dr paul predicted warned housing bubble financial crisis 2008 predict warn prior 911 us foreign policy would result intelligence community terms blowback ron paul long record speaking truth power making predictions come pass rabinowitz concludes seemed improbable bestknown american propagandists enemies could near top pack iowa contest ron paul emerged iowa frontrunner hopeful sign americans waking realities us foreign policy tired crude propagandists us wars empire insulting intelligence rabinowitzwho member wall street journals editorial boarddoes well column | 662 |
<p>(To view a video of the lecture on which this piece is based, <a href="https://vimeo.com/111800424" type="external">click here</a>.)</p>
<p>In November, Cardinal Walter Kasper gave a speech at the Catholic University of America in which he said, “Mercy has become the theme of [Pope Francis’s] pontificate. . . . With this theme, Pope Francis has addressed countless individuals, both within and without the Church. . . . He has moved them intensely, and pierced their hearts.” The cardinal added, “Who among us does not depend on mercy? On the mercy of God, and of merciful fellow man?”</p>
<p>Those questions move all people of good will, and they also go straight to the core of this essay. Pope Francis and Cardinal Kasper teach that mercy means meeting people where they live. We should take their counsel to heart and apply it to ourselves at the present time, looking at where many Christians in America and Europe and other places live today because they are Christians. We are not speaking here of the believers across the planet who suffer grievous harm for the sake of faith. We’re talking instead about something else: the slow-motion marginalizing and penalizing of believers on the very doorsteps of the churches of North America, Europe, and elsewhere, in societies that are the very historical strongholds of political and religious liberty.</p>
<p>Men and women of faith in these societies are well-off, compared to many others. At the same time, though, their world is unmistakably darker and more punitive than it used to be. Let us show empathy and solidarity with all people who need it. Repeating the cardinal’s watchword, mercy, we hope that moral and political and intellectual leaders of all persuasions hear it too.</p>
<p>For there is no mercy in putting butchers and bakers and candlestick makers in the legal dock for refusing to renounce their religious beliefs—but that’s what the new intolerance does. There is no mercy in stalking and threatening Christian pastors for being Christian pastors, or in casting out social scientists who turn up unwanted facts, or in telling a flight attendant she can’t wear a crucifix, or in persecuting organizations that do charitable work—but the new intolerance does these things, too. There’s no mercy in yelling slurs at anyone who points out that the sexual revolution has been flooding the public square with problems for a long time now and that, in fact, some people out there are drowning—but slurs are the new intolerance’s stock in trade. Above all, there is no mercy in slandering people by saying that religious believers “hate” certain people when in fact they do not; or that they are “phobes” of one stripe or another when in fact they are not. This, too, happens all over public space these days, with practically no pushback from anyone. This, too, is the new intolerance at work.</p>
<p>All these are facts of life for Christians and other believers in the West today. This is where a lot of real people now live, and where they need to be met.</p>
<p>The new intolerance has established residency in the societies of the West so quickly that its existence is now a commonplace. Those very three words, “the new intolerance,” have lately been the title of prominent pieces in several venues, as well as the ongoing subject, sometimes shouted and sometimes whispered, of anxious conversations around the world. The new intolerance has also been recognized by those speaking for the Church. As Bishop Mario Toso, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, put it in a statement to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe last year, “Intolerance in the name of ‘tolerance’ must be named for what it is and publically condemned.”</p>
<p>It may be tempting in the face of what looks like a juggernaut to hide from it or to pen one more jeremiad of the times. It may be tempting to reach for the Benedict Option—named for the saint, not the recent pope—and withdraw from the whole toxic scene. But we’re taking a different tack.</p>
<p>A book published forty-four years ago that doesn’t get enough use as a literary springboard in First Things circles, namely, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, comes in handy here. One particular scene in that book comes to mind. In it, the book’s narrator, accompanied by his lawyer in a hotel room, is experiencing a series of ­hallucinations:</p>
<p>“Look outside,” I said. “Why?” [says the attorney] “There’s a big . . . machine in the sky, . . . some kind of electric snake . . . coming straight at us.” “Shoot it,” said my attorney. “Not yet,” I said. “I want to study its habits.”</p>
<p>Let’s do the same to the new intolerance, study some of the habits of this swelling creature and distill them into five facts.</p>
<p>The first fact is that the new intolerance isn’t just a Christian problem. It’s an everybody problem. It shouldn’t have to be said, though the new intolerance forces it to be said, that civilized people do not stand by and hit the “like” button as their neighbors and friends and coworkers are subjected to maligning and opprobrium. Free speech isn’t just some religious quirk, and the attempt to make it one needs to be called out.</p>
<p>Or to put the point another way, as someone wrote about the forced resignation in April 2014 of Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich: “When people’s lives and careers are subject to litmus tests, and fired if they do not publicly renounce what may well be their sincere conviction, we have crossed a line. This is McCarthyism applied by civil actors. This is the definition of intolerance.” Thank you, Andrew Sullivan.</p>
<p>The new intolerance is also an everybody problem in another sense. Like related cultural unleashings, it will not stop at whatever courthouse door it’s sniffing at the moment. It will want more.</p>
<p>Translation: Nobody’s free speech is safe when little Robespierres write the rules. That includes people who now think they are safe because they have preemptively accommodated prevailing dogma and silenced themselves. Guess again. Practicing Christians who refuse to recant are on the front lines of the new intolerance today. But where they stand now, others will in the future.</p>
<p>Tomorrow it might be someone with no religious beliefs whatsoever who draws the line at, say, the legalization of polygamy. Or at lowering the age of consent, as has happened in a number of countries farther along in acquiescing to the sexual revolution’s demands than our own. Other people might think to object to other ongoing experiments, again on nonreligious grounds—such as the womb trafficking of poor Third World women to manufacture babies for rich Western ones. Or to offer another example easily imagined: Feminists who are otherwise on amiable terms with the sexual revolution today might sometime object, as has happened across the years, that pornography, especially on today’s scale, harms the interests of women and ought to be less ubiquitous.</p>
<p>If and when any such people ever do such things, the new intolerance will seek to ostracize them just as it has all other dissenters from the sexual revolution’s many desiderata. The new intolerance, to repeat, doesn’t do mercy.</p>
<p>You don’t have to be a card-carrying theist to question what’s going on out there, after all—and that’s exactly the point. In fact, much of what’s known today about the post-revolution world, ironically enough, has been mapped over the decades by people without any religious agenda whatsoever.</p>
<p>Walter Lippmann, who was hardly a cat’s-paw of St. Peter’s Square, argued that the use of contraception would change the world. Pitirim Sorokin, founder of Harvard University’s department of sociology and also not exactly a flack for the Apostolic Palace, wrote a piece in Lifemagazine half a century ago, followed by a short book, in which he condemned the sexual revolution in terms that would have had him in handcuffs in some places today and certainly denied tenure just about everywhere. Some of the sociologists who have drawn attention to the centrality of the sexual revolution in Western economies and cultures are similarly without a dog in theological fights and have nonetheless also seen yellow and red lights in assessing the scene out there—like sociologists Lionel Tiger and Kay Hymowitz, and the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan, George Gilder, Charles Murray, scores of writers for the Public Interest, and more. The bigotry that today shouts down researchers like Mark Regnerus, and any other scholar who reaches any unwanted conclusions, would shout down all of these thinkers, too—and many others.</p>
<p>The new intolerance is an everybody problem for one more reason: It penalizes people who are a clear net-plus for society, people who spend their days helping the poor, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, caring for the cast-off, and otherwise trying to live out the Judeo-Christian code of social justice. More and more, those people are also witnesses to a terrible truth: The new intolerance makes it harder to help the poor and needy.</p>
<p>I met one such witness last year, a young woman who works for Catholic Charities. She is every inch the kind of paragon who puts the rest of us to shame—someone pulled closely into the Church’s orbit by the sheer gravity of her desire to help the poor.</p>
<p>Much of her time now, she said sadly, is spent not where she wants to be, in soup kitchens or hospitals or nursing homes or with destitute immigrants. (Her particular archdiocese is half Spanish-speaking, and its humanitarian work among immigrants there is critical.) Why not? Because her days are spent largely on countering legal and other maneuvers by activists intent on closing Catholic Charities’ foster care and adoption services—for the sole reason that Christian teachings about the family infuriate sexual ­progressives.</p>
<p>This witness said, “I know the time is coming when we’ll either close our doors, or decide to keep up our work regardless—in which case we’ll end up in jail. But who will take care of the children? Not the people who have sued us out of existence—they’ll move on. Who will take care of all those kids?”</p>
<p>To repeat: The new intolerance is bad for the poor, and concern for the poor is not just some boutique Christian quirk—at least, it isn’t supposed to be. Everybody who cares about social justice ought to deplore the new intolerance.</p>
<p>Fact two about the new intolerance: It’s ­different from what’s come before. Reflecting recently in the Wall Street Journal on the galloping revival of anti-Semitism in many countries of Europe, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks drew some interesting distinctions. At one time, he points out, the Jews of Europe were hated for their religion. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, they were hated for their so-called race, and not only under National Socialism. In our own day, he continues, the main reason for anti-Semitism is something else again: hatred of the fact of their nation-state, Israel. Thus one enduring hatred, anti-Semitism, consists of different variations on the theme.</p>
<p>In an analogous way, what might be called the varieties of anti-Christianity can also be distinguished over the centuries. One current form is the antipathy in parts of Europe to acknowledging the Continent’s religious roots. Scholar Joseph Weiler has gone so far as to call this Christo-phobia. Other instantiations have abounded. The Romans persecuted Christianity because of the threat it posed to society and state. Friedrich Nietzsche and like-minded philosophers charged it with holding back humanity itself. ­Nazis and Communists killed and persecuted believers because they correctly saw in Christianity a mortal competitor to totalitarianism. (A country called Poland and a saint called John Paul II would ultimately vindicate them, as George Weigel’s writing has shown for the ages.) And of course a number of Christians themselves in different centuries found time here and there to hate each other, often over points of doctrine that seem remote today.</p>
<p>The new intolerance facing Western religious believers today differs from these. It is not an intellectual or philosophical force. In fact, it’s hardly about ideas at all. It is instead something very specific, taken from playbooks that nobody should be proud of studying. It’s about using intimidation, humiliation, censorship, and self-censorship to punish those who think differently.</p>
<p>Here’s another witness. An American friend who is a Christian writer said recently that his biggest fear in life is that his children will someday grow to hate him, because they will be ostracized on account of their religion. This happens to be someone who spends his free time on all manner of do-gooding, like riding his bike for miles to benefit handicapped kids and otherwise seeing Christ’s face in the people he meets. He’s one more example of someone the new intolerance threatens to shut down.</p>
<p>And if he can’t help thinking that way, what does that tell us about many millions of other mothers and fathers of the West? What will they decide about the religious upbringing of their children, in an age when taking them to church might get them laughed at, and maybe much worse? Anyone concerned about secularization has got to be concerned about the new intolerance—because the new intolerance will cause secularization, by making people fear for themselves and for those they love. The new intolerance gives intimidated people one more reason not to go to church. From New York to Paris to Sydney to Buenos Aires, it already is doing just that.</p>
<p>And in the name of what? If all the fury directed at religious believers could be pressed into a single word, as it can, that word would not be, say, theo­dicy. It would not be supercessionism. It would not be Pelagianism, Arianism, or other words that parted Christian waters in the past. No, in our time, that single word would be sex. Christianity present, like Christianity past and Christianity to come, contends with many foes and many countervailing forces. But its single most deadly enemy in our time, the one with which it is locked in mortal combat, is not the stuff of the philosophy common room. It is instead the sexual revolution.</p>
<p>The new intolerance is a wholly owned subsidiary of that revolution. No revolution, no new intolerance. That is another aspect of the thing that demands to be understood.</p>
<p>The fact that many Christians themselves wish that these facts were otherwise, and wish also that the new intolerance were otherwise, is a poignant human truth. It is also, of course, a strategic liability for the believers. Everyone wants to be loved—or at least not hated. The fact that the new intolerance is able to exploit this ubiquitous desire, and to use it to tear Christianity from within as well as to isolate and intimidate people in its way—this is what makes the new intolerance so lethal.</p>
<p>The desire not to be hated is a powerful and underestimated thing. Recently, while reading some of the writings of Christopher Dawson and Karl Popper and C. S. Lewis and other great minds debating the subject of historicism in the first half of the last century, I felt myself turning fifty shades of green with envy for their world. How much more fun it would be to talk here about the perils of historicism, I thought. (Admittedly, this is a nerd’s idea of fun.) Or to talk about the new stage-play being launched in the fall. How much more agreeable in every way it would be to talk about something—just about anything—else.</p>
<p>But that isn’t where people live and need to be met right now. The story of my friend is just the littlest microcosm of what happens every day under the new intolerance, and most of the time with larger and more pernicious consequences—namely, it makes people think twice about what they say in a bad way. And it makes some of them press “mute.”</p>
<p>This brings us to fact three about the new intolerance: It is dangerous not only for the obvious reason that it spells censorship, but even more because it spells self-censorship—including within the churches. Inside Christianity itself, the scramble over the sexual revolution turns a community of sinners united by the shared search for redemption into something very different: a discrete series of aggrieved factions, each clamoring for spiritual entitlement. It’s institutionally destructive.</p>
<p>In fact, it’s no exaggeration to say that the divisive tone of some discussions within Christian ranks these days is itself evidence of the power of the new intolerance. Given the sheer malignant force of the thing, capitulation seems to some an obvious if not optimal protective resort. But that’s an illusion. This is not a theological point. It’s a historical fact. Religious capitulation to the revolution’s demands has been tried over and over, and the results are plain to see: The churches that tried to protect themselves in that way are dying. They do not replace themselves literally or figuratively; their morale is low; some will not even exist a hundred years from now. Responding to the sexual revolution with religious capitulation is doomed to failure. It’s like trying to put out a house fire by throwing dynamite at it.</p>
<p>As a related matter, it’s worth at least pausing to wonder whether the revival of anti-Semitism in parts of Europe today might not have a religious component after all. For while the beatings and ostracism visited on Jewish people in parts of Europe today are delivered by those who hate the state of Israel, the inexplicable tolerance of these acts by many other people in Europe still demands explanation. Maybe some of it has to do with the shared moral code that joins Judaism and Christianity at the root—and the deep resentment of some people today that such a code has ever so much as existed.</p>
<p>Fact four about the new intolerance: It claims to command the moral high ground, but in fact it does not and cannot. Let’s start with the briefest of tallies here. In the name of the revolution defended by the new intolerance, unborn innocents are killed by the millions every year, overwhelmingly on the sole ground that they are inconvenient. The revolution singles out as particularly unwanted the fetuses who are female, millions more of whom are killed than males, to the apparent and bizarre indifference of many who claim otherwise to speak for womankind.</p>
<p>Also, as we have already seen, that same revolution is no friend of the poor—far from it. The latest compelling evidence comes from sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox and Robert I. Lerman’s seminal work, For Richer, for Poorer: How Family Structures Economic Success in America. Among the arresting findings:</p>
<p>We estimate that the growth in median income of families with children would be 44 percent higher if the United States enjoyed 1980 levels of married parenthood today. Further, at least 32 percent of the growth in family-income inequality since 1979 among families with children and 37 percent of the decline in men’s employment rates during that time can be linked to the decreasing number of Americans who form and maintain stable, married families.</p>
<p>The revolution, in other words, has been driving one of the most divisive political issues in Western society today: income inequality. It has been driving the middle class into the ground. And that is only the beginning of the problems presented to the poor by a political order that aids and abets the revolution, let alone the attending moral hazards. To name just one, there is no shortage of rich white people whose solution to the problems of poorer black people, especially in Africa, is to tell them to make fewer of themselves (a phenomenon P. J. O’Rourke has memorably dubbed “just enough of me, way too much of you”).</p>
<p>Out there in the flooded public square, two visions compete for human beings. Which one stands on higher ground?</p>
<p>Look back again at what happened when the federal government of the United States decided that the demands of the revolution included mandating that health insurance cover contraception. The particular battle between the government and the Little Sisters of the Poor came straight out of central casting—from hell.</p>
<p>It’s as if the producers of a movie had sat around pitching ideas that went like this: “I know! Let’s do something really preposterous. Let’s make the federal government beat up on nuns.” And someone else says, “I know! Not just any nuns, but nuns who work with the destitute and outcast.” And a third one says, “I know! I’ve got it! How about we have the government try and kneecap . . . the Little Sisters of the Poor?”</p>
<p>Of course, had any such meeting actually happened, everyone would have walked away from the project—because anyone in Hollywood could see that there’d be no purchase in attacking the Little Sisters of the Poor; who would stand for it? As it turned out, plenty of people—people aligned with the new intolerance. This is only high ground if you’re standing in a ditch.</p>
<p>The new intolerance says it’s on the right side of history; it isn’t, as a growing parade of witnesses proves. The idea that history has sides at all, let alone that believers are on the losing one, has been pulverized repeatedly, most recently and memorably by Robert George. Here is one more proof, a new one, of why it fails.</p>
<p>Of all the witnesses that can be produced to shut down the new intolerance, the most compelling may be the most hitherto unseen. These are the former victims of the sexual revolution themselves—the walking wounded coming in and out of those proverbial field hospitals, the people who are believers not because they want to jettison the Christian moral code, but because they want to do something more radical: live by it.</p>
<p>The truth that has not been reckoned with by religion’s cultured despisers today is this: Christianity is being built more and more by these very witnesses—by people who have come to embrace the difficult and longstanding Christian rulebook not because they know nothing of the revolution and its fallout, but because they know all too much.</p>
<p>These are the heirs to St. Augustine and every other soul who ever found in Christianity’s tough code a lifesaver, and not a noose. They line up in the pages of First Things and elsewhere with brave testimonials about why they are where they are—in church. They are witnesses like Dawn Eden, a convert who writes about overcoming childhood sexual abuse by appeal to the saints. They include Luma Simms, writing about how Humanae Vitae made her a convert, and how, as a divorced woman, she nonetheless prays that the Church will never abandon what she knows are bedrock truths. Another who steps forward is Eve Tushnet, writing often about what it is to be Catholic, attracted to women—and celibate.</p>
<p>There are many others, too, among them witnesses who plead openly that the Church keep being a sign of ­contradiction—witnesses who must be heard at an hour when the Church has put ­questions of the family front and center. Consider Louise Mensch, who wrote an essay in the London ­Spectator entitled “I’m a divorced Catholic. And I’m sure it would be a mortal sin for me to take ­Communion.” There are also people like Anny Donewald, a former prostitute recently profiled in Christianity Today who has gone on to found a ministry for other women exploited by the so-called adult ­entertainment industry.</p>
<p>There are the conscientious objectors to the new intolerance, those who come forward to avow that they do have free will—no matter how many other people insist they’re not born that way—and who are vilified all over for committing secular heresy. There are organizations like the Catholic group Courage and others that do good, despite the nonstop recrimination aimed their way.</p>
<p>And there are witnesses elsewhere, too. I think of two men who attended a conference on the social costs of pornography a few years back. Each testified before scores of strangers about what pornography had cost him personally—mainly, the loss of love. They are witnesses to the wreckage of the sexual revolution, and exceptionally courageous ones.</p>
<p>All these men and women and many others like them are living, human signs of contradiction to the times, and most especially to the new intolerance. They are part of the growing coalition of people who defend faith in all its thorniness not because they have known nothing else, but precisely because they do know the revolution. And they reject the idea of marching in lockstep with it. None of them should be on the receiving end of the vituperation hurled by the new intolerance. And neither should anyone else.</p>
<p>There’s one final reason beyond even the new intolerance why those witnesses must all be heard and not wrongly written off as losers to history. On June 10, 1194, a great fire swept through a prominent Romanesque cathedral in a town southwest of Paris. Its loss threatened to devastate people and towns for many miles around, and for many generations, too. There must have been plenty of villagers living then who wanted to give up, declare disaster the existential winner, and go elsewhere.</p>
<p>What happened instead was, and remains, something extraordinary by any standard. Those people and their leaders persevered and determined not to have their lives disfigured once and for all by disaster. In a remarkably short time, a cathedral bigger and even more magnificent was raised up in its place.</p>
<p>That cathedral is known as Chartres. One of the outstanding examples of Gothic architecture on earth, it was built up by men and women who had witnessed the signature disaster of their times—and who refused to resign themselves to it.</p>
<p>So too will the figurative cathedral of religion itself tomorrow come to be built, not by partisans of the new intolerance or by people who buckle to the new intolerance via censorship or self-censorship. It will instead be laid stone by stone by some of the very people burned in the original fire.</p>
<p>This is already happening. This act of moral jiu-jitsu is unfolding before everyone with eyes to see, though nobody has yet done justice to it. But as real as the new intolerance is the mostly unseen renewal movement that will end up its greatest contender.</p>
<p>These final witnesses, like the others mentioned here and many more, are building history, the history of the faith of the future. And they’re doing it with the same tool that Cardinal Kasper and Pope Francis hold up: mercy. Mercy that is wide enough to embrace all the people outside Christianity and also all those holding their lifesavers tight, struggling to stay inside.</p>
<p>Mary Eberstadt is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author, most recently, of&#160;How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization.</p> | false | 1 | view video lecture piece based click november cardinal walter kasper gave speech catholic university america said mercy become theme pope franciss pontificate theme pope francis addressed countless individuals within without church moved intensely pierced hearts cardinal added among us depend mercy mercy god merciful fellow man questions move people good also go straight core essay pope francis cardinal kasper teach mercy means meeting people live take counsel heart apply present time looking many christians america europe places live today christians speaking believers across planet suffer grievous harm sake faith talking instead something else slowmotion marginalizing penalizing believers doorsteps churches north america europe elsewhere societies historical strongholds political religious 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need met new intolerance established residency societies west quickly existence commonplace three words new intolerance lately title prominent pieces several venues well ongoing subject sometimes shouted sometimes whispered anxious conversations around world new intolerance also recognized speaking church bishop mario toso secretary pontifical council justice peace put statement organization security cooperation europe last year intolerance name tolerance must named publically condemned may tempting face looks like juggernaut hide pen one jeremiad times may tempting reach benedict optionnamed saint recent popeand withdraw whole toxic scene taking different tack book published fortyfour years ago doesnt get enough use literary springboard first things circles namely fear loathing las vegas hunter thompson comes handy one particular scene book comes mind books narrator accompanied lawyer hotel room experiencing series hallucinations look outside said says attorney theres big machine sky kind electric snake coming straight us shoot said attorney yet said want study habits lets new intolerance study habits swelling creature distill five facts first fact new intolerance isnt christian problem everybody problem shouldnt said though new intolerance forces said civilized people stand hit like button neighbors friends coworkers subjected maligning opprobrium free speech isnt religious quirk attempt make one needs called put point another way someone wrote forced resignation april 2014 mozilla ceo brendan eich peoples lives careers subject litmus tests fired publicly renounce may well sincere conviction crossed line mccarthyism applied civil actors definition intolerance thank andrew sullivan new intolerance also everybody problem another sense like related cultural unleashings stop whatever courthouse door sniffing moment want translation nobodys free speech safe little robespierres write rules includes people think safe preemptively accommodated prevailing dogma silenced guess practicing christians refuse recant front lines new intolerance today stand others future tomorrow might someone religious beliefs whatsoever draws line say legalization polygamy lowering age consent happened number countries farther along acquiescing sexual revolutions demands people might think object ongoing experiments nonreligious groundssuch womb trafficking poor third world women manufacture babies rich western ones offer another example easily imagined feminists otherwise amiable terms sexual revolution today might sometime object happened across years pornography especially todays scale harms interests women ought less ubiquitous people ever things new intolerance seek ostracize dissenters sexual revolutions many desiderata new intolerance repeat doesnt mercy dont cardcarrying theist question whats going alland thats exactly point fact much whats known today postrevolution world ironically enough mapped decades people without religious agenda whatsoever walter lippmann hardly catspaw st peters square argued use contraception would change world pitirim sorokin founder harvard universitys department sociology also exactly flack apostolic palace wrote piece lifemagazine half century ago followed short book condemned sexual revolution terms would handcuffs places today certainly denied tenure everywhere sociologists drawn attention centrality sexual revolution western economies cultures similarly without dog theological fights nonetheless also seen yellow red lights assessing scene therelike sociologists lionel tiger kay hymowitz late daniel patrick moynihan george gilder charles murray scores writers public interest bigotry today shouts researchers like mark regnerus scholar reaches unwanted conclusions would shout thinkers tooand many others new intolerance everybody problem one reason penalizes people clear netplus society people spend days helping poor clothing naked feeding hungry caring castoff otherwise trying live judeochristian code social justice people also witnesses terrible truth new intolerance makes harder help poor needy met one witness last year young woman works catholic charities every inch kind paragon puts rest us shamesomeone pulled closely churchs orbit sheer gravity desire help poor much time said sadly spent wants soup kitchens hospitals nursing homes destitute immigrants particular archdiocese half spanishspeaking humanitarian work among immigrants critical days spent largely countering legal maneuvers activists intent closing catholic charities foster care adoption servicesfor sole reason christian teachings family infuriate sexual progressives witness said know time coming well either close doors decide keep work regardlessin case well end jail take care children people sued us existencetheyll move take care kids repeat new intolerance bad poor concern poor boutique christian quirkat least isnt supposed everybody cares social justice ought deplore new intolerance fact two new intolerance different whats come reflecting recently wall street journal galloping revival antisemitism many countries europe rabbi jonathan sacks drew interesting distinctions one time points jews europe hated religion nineteenth twentieth centuries hated socalled race national socialism day continues main reason antisemitism something else hatred fact nationstate israel thus one enduring hatred antisemitism consists different variations theme analogous way might called varieties antichristianity also distinguished centuries one current form antipathy parts europe acknowledging continents religious roots scholar joseph weiler gone far call christophobia instantiations abounded romans persecuted christianity threat posed society state friedrich nietzsche likeminded philosophers charged holding back humanity nazis communists killed persecuted believers correctly saw christianity mortal competitor totalitarianism country called poland saint called john paul ii would ultimately vindicate george weigels writing shown ages course number christians different centuries found time hate often points doctrine seem remote today new intolerance facing western religious believers today differs intellectual philosophical force fact hardly ideas instead something specific taken playbooks nobody proud studying using intimidation humiliation censorship selfcensorship punish think differently heres another witness american friend christian writer said recently biggest fear life children someday grow hate ostracized account religion happens someone spends free time manner dogooding like riding bike miles benefit handicapped kids otherwise seeing christs face people meets hes one example someone new intolerance threatens shut cant help thinking way tell us many millions mothers fathers west decide religious upbringing children age taking church might get laughed maybe much worse anyone concerned secularization got concerned new intolerancebecause new intolerance cause secularization making people fear love new intolerance gives intimidated people one reason go church new york paris sydney buenos aires already name fury directed religious believers could pressed single word word would say theodicy would supercessionism would pelagianism arianism words parted christian waters past time single word would sex christianity present like christianity past christianity come contends many foes many countervailing forces single deadly enemy time one locked mortal combat stuff philosophy common room instead sexual revolution new intolerance wholly owned subsidiary revolution revolution new intolerance another aspect thing demands understood fact many christians wish facts otherwise wish also new intolerance otherwise poignant human truth also course strategic liability believers everyone wants lovedor least hated fact new intolerance able exploit ubiquitous desire use tear christianity within well isolate intimidate people waythis makes new intolerance lethal desire hated powerful underestimated thing recently reading writings christopher dawson karl popper c lewis great minds debating subject historicism first half last century felt turning fifty shades green envy world much fun would talk perils historicism thought admittedly nerds idea fun talk new stageplay launched fall much agreeable every way would talk somethingjust anythingelse isnt people live need met right story friend littlest microcosm happens every day new intolerance time larger pernicious consequencesnamely makes people think twice say bad way makes press mute brings us fact three new intolerance dangerous obvious reason spells censorship even spells selfcensorshipincluding within churches inside christianity scramble sexual revolution turns community sinners united shared search redemption something different discrete series aggrieved factions clamoring spiritual entitlement institutionally destructive fact exaggeration say divisive tone discussions within christian ranks days evidence power new intolerance given sheer malignant force thing capitulation seems obvious optimal protective resort thats illusion theological point historical fact religious capitulation revolutions demands tried results plain see churches tried protect way dying replace literally figuratively morale low even exist hundred years responding sexual revolution religious capitulation doomed failure like trying put house fire throwing dynamite related matter worth least pausing wonder whether revival antisemitism parts europe today might religious component beatings ostracism visited jewish people parts europe today delivered hate state israel inexplicable tolerance acts many people europe still demands explanation maybe shared moral code joins judaism christianity rootand deep resentment people today code ever much existed fact four new intolerance claims command moral high ground fact lets start briefest tallies name revolution defended new intolerance unborn innocents killed millions every year overwhelmingly sole ground inconvenient revolution singles particularly unwanted fetuses female millions killed males apparent bizarre indifference many claim otherwise speak womankind also already seen revolution friend poorfar latest compelling evidence comes sociologist w bradford wilcox robert lermans seminal work richer poorer family structures economic success america among arresting findings estimate growth median income families children would 44 percent higher united states enjoyed 1980 levels married parenthood today least 32 percent growth familyincome inequality since 1979 among families children 37 percent decline mens employment rates time linked decreasing number americans form maintain stable married families revolution words driving one divisive political issues western society today income inequality driving middle class ground beginning problems presented poor political order aids abets revolution let alone attending moral hazards name one shortage rich white people whose solution problems poorer black people especially africa tell make fewer phenomenon p j orourke memorably dubbed enough way much flooded public square two visions compete human beings one stands higher ground look back happened federal government united states decided demands revolution included mandating health insurance cover contraception particular battle government little sisters poor came straight central castingfrom hell producers movie sat around pitching ideas went like know lets something really preposterous lets make federal government beat nuns someone else says know nuns nuns work destitute outcast third one says know ive got government try kneecap little sisters poor course meeting actually happened everyone would walked away projectbecause anyone hollywood could see thered purchase attacking little sisters poor would stand turned plenty peoplepeople aligned new intolerance high ground youre standing ditch new intolerance says right side history isnt growing parade witnesses proves idea history sides let alone believers losing one pulverized repeatedly recently memorably robert george one proof new one fails witnesses produced shut new intolerance compelling may hitherto unseen former victims sexual revolution themselvesthe walking wounded coming proverbial field hospitals people believers want jettison christian moral code want something radical live truth reckoned religions cultured despisers today christianity built witnessesby people come embrace difficult longstanding christian rulebook know nothing revolution fallout know much heirs st augustine every soul ever found christianitys tough code lifesaver noose line pages first things elsewhere brave testimonials arein church witnesses like dawn eden convert writes overcoming childhood sexual abuse appeal saints include luma simms writing humanae vitae made convert divorced woman nonetheless prays church never abandon knows bedrock truths another steps forward eve tushnet writing often catholic attracted womenand celibate many others among witnesses plead openly church keep sign contradictionwitnesses must heard hour church put questions family front center consider louise mensch wrote essay london spectator entitled im divorced catholic im sure would mortal sin take communion also people like anny donewald former prostitute recently profiled christianity today gone found ministry women exploited socalled adult entertainment industry conscientious objectors new intolerance come forward avow free willno matter many people insist theyre born wayand vilified committing secular heresy organizations like catholic group courage others good despite nonstop recrimination aimed way witnesses elsewhere think two men attended conference social costs pornography years back testified scores strangers pornography cost personallymainly loss love witnesses wreckage sexual revolution exceptionally courageous ones men women many others like living human signs contradiction times especially new intolerance part growing coalition people defend faith thorniness known nothing else precisely know revolution reject idea marching lockstep none receiving end vituperation hurled new intolerance neither anyone else theres one final reason beyond even new intolerance witnesses must heard wrongly written losers history june 10 1194 great fire swept prominent romanesque cathedral town southwest paris loss threatened devastate people towns many miles around many generations must plenty villagers living wanted give declare disaster existential winner go elsewhere happened instead remains something extraordinary standard people leaders persevered determined lives disfigured disaster remarkably short time cathedral bigger even magnificent raised place cathedral known chartres one outstanding examples gothic architecture earth built men women witnessed signature disaster timesand refused resign figurative cathedral religion tomorrow come built partisans new intolerance people buckle new intolerance via censorship selfcensorship instead laid stone stone people burned original fire already happening act moral jiujitsu unfolding everyone eyes see though nobody yet done justice real new intolerance mostly unseen renewal movement end greatest contender final witnesses like others mentioned many building history history faith future theyre tool cardinal kasper pope francis hold mercy mercy wide enough embrace people outside christianity also holding lifesavers tight struggling stay inside mary eberstadt senior fellow ethics public policy center author recently of160how west really lost god new theory secularization | 2,306 |
<p>“For those who remember journalism back in a 1970s heyday they can’t explain to to [sic] the young, [David] Halberstam’s death was not just the death of a hero, it was like the death of the great Hollywood stars–Katharine Hepburn, Clark Gable.” So wrote Henry Allen in the Washington Post shortly after the car crash which brought about the melancholy event to which he refers. He reminds us of what a paltry thing, in journalism’s little kingdom, is “just” the death of a hero–at least in comparison with the apotheosis of a celebrity. Halberstam, Hepburn, Gable. When did this trinity, rather than Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, or Eisenhower, Nimitz, MacArthur, become America’s great and paradigmatic figures before the world? The answer is at about the same time, back in the 1960s, when Halberstam was helping to revolutionize journalism. As Richard Holbrooke put it, “He made it not only possible but even romantic to write that your own side was misleading the public about how the war was going.”</p>
<p>It would be hard to overstate the many implications and ramifications of that revealing remark, quoted by George Packer in The New Yorker, by someone who is spoken of as a potential secretary of state in a future Democratic administration. To start with: If it’s now romantic to expose the falsehoods and hypocrisies of your own side, in what sense is that side any longer your own? Of course, journalistic piety would have it that the reporter doesn’t take sides but is just, in Mr. Packer’s words, a “fearless truth-teller.” Yet in practice we know as well as Richard Holbrooke does that side matters. There are truths and there are truths. No one supposes that Halberstam could have become the equal of Hepburn and Gable by reporting on the misleading statements of the Viet Cong or North Vietnamese–always supposing he could have found any. It was because he was attacking, exposing, shaming what at the time would have been regarded, by the media culture as by everyone else, as his own side that he became famous.</p>
<p>Moreover, the officials he attacked occupied, however unworthily, the place of those old-fashioned, “just” American heroes whom journalists in the past had been wont to treat so deferentially. There was obviously an immense feeling of liberation and empowerment for a young man who had come to feel entitled by his powers of intellect to look down on senior military officers– a feeling well captured by Ambassador Holbrooke in his account in the Washington Post of a memorable dinner in a Saigon restaurant in 1963 with Halberstam and Neil Sheehan:</p>
<p>They especially despised the senior commander, World War II veteran Paul D. Harkins, and after giving me some advice (“Don’t trust anything those bastards tell you”), David and Neil spent most of the evening denouncing Harkins. After some wine, they conducted a mock trial of the four-star general for incompetence and dereliction of duty. In his rumbling, powerful voice, David pronounced Harkins “guilty” of each charge, after which Neil loudly carried out the “sentence”: execution by imaginary firing squad against the back wall of the restaurant.</p>
<p>Such revolutionary high-spiritedness does not immediately suggest fearless truth-telling so much as it does the anarchic exuberance of youth presented with an opportunity for rebellion against what, at about the same time, we were learning to call “the Establishment.” That’s what made Halberstam a romantic figure at the time and since. He was a David who, looked at in the right light, had brought down the Goliath of the American military and political establishment with a well-aimed pebble. Thus it seems a bit disingenuous of Richard Holbrooke to celebrate the romance of his hero’s triumph while at the same time describing as “nonsense” the view that his reporting contributed to America’s humiliation in Vietnam by undermining support for the war at home. By calling him “romantic,” isn’t he implicitly giving him credit for just that?</p>
<p>There is also a paradox involved in the romance of exposing falsehood, for romance is itself a kind of falsehood. It may be a hopeful and a benign sort of falsehood, but it is still ineluctably false. By its very nature romance amounts to an exaggeration or glorification of what, looked at more closely, is at best mundane and at worst ugly or disreputable. Journalists, like novelists and filmmakers, used to romanticize warfare by closing their eyes to much of the horror of it; now they romanticize the victims of war and so undermine war’s foundations by looking at nothing but its horrors. In the media’s reporting of war, honor and glory have become at least as invisible as the ghastly flow of blood and viscera once were to their predecessors. Nowadays, any journalist who wants to succeed knows he is in the business not of celebrating honor or trust or heroism but of exposing whatever sordid realities may be found (or invented) beneath the appearances of those things. And if the romantic prize is now awarded to those who tell tales of war’s evils, why should we not suppose that the supply of those evils will rise to meet the journalistic demand, just as the supply of heroes rose when the demand was for tales of heroism?</p>
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<p>***</p>
<p>No fearless truth-teller that I know of has ever troubled to ask this question, let alone to answer it, for to do so would be to call into question the one unquestionable article of faith in the journalist’s credo, namely his own “objectivity.” Never mind the philosophical crudeness of this model of the media as a mirror in which realities are merely reflected. The transparency of the process, the neutrality of the observer in mediating for us the things he has observed must be insisted upon–barring occasional slips like the use of the word “romantic” above–at all costs if the journalist is to retain the authority he needs to be able to say with David Halberstam to the mighty of the earth: “You lie.” Without that authority, what hope of joining Halberstam in the Pantheon of celebrity along with Gable and Hepburn? Yet that objectivity and that authority are themselves lies whose foundational nature preserves them from scrutiny even when the part the media play in shaping events–see, for instance, “ <a href="http://newcriterion.com:81/index.php?category_name=25&amp;monthnum=12&amp;name=biased-sensationalism&amp;page=" type="external">Biased Sensationalism</a>” in The New Criterion of December 2006–or being manipulated by others to shape events is obvious to anyone without a stake in the pursuit of journalistic glory.</p>
<p>Halberstam’s old employer, the New York Times, took the occasion of his death to run a piece by Dexter Filkins, who writes for the paper from Iraq, comparing now with then. “During four years of war in Iraq, American reporters on the ground in Baghdad have often found themselves coming under criticism remarkably similar to that which Mr. Halberstam endured: those journalists in Baghdad, so said the Bush administration and its supporters, only reported the bad news. They were dupes of the insurgents. They were cowardly and unpatriotic.” Small wonder then that, before he died, Halberstam himself “did not hesitate to compare America’s predicament in Iraq to its defeat in Vietnam. And he was not afraid to admit that his views on Iraq had been influenced by his experience in the earlier war. ‘I just never thought it was going to work at all,’ Mr. Halberstam said of Iraq during a public appearance in New York in January.” Yet neither Halberstam nor Mr. Filkins mentions one crucial difference between Vietnam and Iraq. In Vietnam, the enemy was militarily formidable even without any assistance from the media. In Iraq, the enemy is militarily weak and can hope to win only by exploiting the media’s negativity–and the continuing romance of their role in Vietnam–to make the war seem unwinnable. The role of fearless truth-teller is no longer available, if it ever was. Like it or not, the media are already involved in the action and must pick a side.</p>
<p>After noting how, since Halberstam, it has become part of the romance of being a reporter to question the bona fides of America’s leaders, Ambassador Holbrooke added: “But everything depended on David getting it right, and he did.” This strikes me as being equally revealing. “Getting it right” is of course an admirable ambition for a journalist, but it is an exercise that has little in common with what generals and politicians must do, which is to lead others through situations of mortal peril with appallingly incomplete and inaccurate information to guide them. Getting it wrong is a given. That’s what the romance of the Halberstamian example has made journalists–and not only journalists!–forget when they try to apply his lesson from Vietnam to the Iraq war. For the man who must act and not just observe, the only question that matters is how quickly he can recognize and recover from his mistakes and how strong is his will to keep fighting in spite of them and the inevitable setbacks they cause. On the first of these tests, the Bush administration has done rather badly, I think; on the second it has done rather well. But part of the reason for its failures has been that the mind of the media remains obsessed with the question only of its prescience–as if “getting it right” were the only thing that mattered and getting it wrong a fatal disqualification for leadership.</p>
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<p>***</p>
<p>This odd prejudice may be partly owing to the huge social premium we put on intelligence in the era of the cognitive elite. People who have no idea on earth what to do about the war or any of the problems we face as a nation think it is some kind of program to ridicule the intelligence of the President. Even the political opposition has fallen into this trap by making mere perspicacity in the anticipation of evils rather than the determined effort to combat them its test of political success. Thus in Sen. Jim Webb’s reply to the president’s State of the Union Address in January, he had no alternative to suggest to the measures for dealing with Iraq that had been proposed, but he was full of indignation on the grounds that the mistakes of the administration had been foreseeable. He knew that they were foreseeable because he himself had foreseen them. The implication was that he was much cleverer than President Bush–as if that was all that need be said to the credit of the former and the discredit of the latter.</p>
<p>The fact that the opposition and the media frame the debate in this way means that much of the administration’s energies have to be expended in defending itself against endless second-guessing, which in turn means that it is even less inclined to recognize and correct mistakes. This is infantile politics. Meanwhile, on the question of what is now to be done about the mistakes, no one seems to know any better than Sen. Webb, whose policy amounts to saying that we ought not to have made them in the first place. This is also the view of much of the Democratic Party, and almost all of the media, who repeat mechanically that we need a “change of course” in Iraq but never get around to telling us what they would change–short of surrendering, which is now becoming the default option. In April, Sen. Harry Reid finally bowed to the logic of his own position by acknowledging that the war was already lost. At any rate it had better be, if he wants to preserve the reputation for shrewdness and sagacity that he, like so many others, have cultivated by being wise after the event.</p>
<p>Events have a way of exposing bad information in ways that provide their chroniclers with endless temptations to such bogus wisdom. The chief of these is the temptation to say: “I know now, therefore they should have known then.” In this respect, Halberstam’s legacy to today’s Iraq war coverage–which was the subtext of so many of his posthumous tributes–has been not only to make yielding to this temptation OK for journalists–whose business of “getting it right” can always proceed at greater leisure and with fewer consequences for error–but to make it almost the whole business of journalism. This became apparent once again with the release of George Tenet’s memoir, At the Center of the Storm–a work which will long be remembered for its self-serving chutzpah and its ingratitude in a field that is far from short of examples of these qualities.</p>
<p>True, Mr. Tenet could not quite get away with giving his book what is said to be the unwritten subtitle of all political memoirs–“If only they’d listened to me”–since all his problems had been caused by the fact that they had listened to him. True, too, his attempts to blame others in the Bush administration for an intelligence screw-up that could clearly have been no one’s responsibility but his own did not extend to the president himself, who has paid an enormous political price for that screw-up and yet who has refused to kick the responsibility down the road to George Tenet, richly deserved though it is. Instead, this bungler was sent on his way to a prosperous retirement–the advance paid by HarperCollins for At the Center of the Storm is said to have been in the neighborhood of $4,000,000, a sum which cannot be unrelated to the prospect of the book’s giving yet another black eye to the president–with the Medal of Freedom. Yet what Mr. Tenet does do is to cast away his own best defense–that, as William Goldman once said in another context, nobody really knows anything–in order to play the sterile journalistic game of who knew what, when did they know it, and who should have known it first.</p>
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<p>***</p>
<p>In spite of its special pleading, the book does have at least one serious point to make. Although the former DCI’s claim to have been quoted out of context when he said that the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was a “slam dunk” is laughable, he has a legitimate grievance when he says that whoever leaked his remark to Bob Woodward behaved very badly. “It’s the most despicable thing that ever happened to me,” he now says. “You don’t do this. You don’t throw somebody overboard. Is that honorable? It’s not honorable to me.” A bit late in the day, some might think, for someone who has spent as much time talking to Bob Woodward as Mr. Tenet has to start complaining about what’s honorable and what isn’t when it comes to feeding the media’s scandal machine. Yet there should be more joy in heaven over the one sinner that repenteth than the ninety and nine (if you can find that many) who never strayed. Now we should all recognize, along with the Mr. Tenet who found it out the hard way, that the media pursue their own interests in deciding what to report and how to report it and that, therefore, the picture we get from them is not a mere reflection of reality but something which, like David Halberstam’s reporting from Vietnam, helps to shape it, often in ways that are disastrous for everyone but the media–and, of course, America’s enemies.</p>
<p>My favorite recent example, which also went largely unnoticed as such, was the massive coverage the media afforded a murderous rampage by a mentally unbalanced youth at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, which now prefers to be known as “Virginia Tech.” The killer, whom I forbear to name for reasons that will soon become obvious, took a higher toll–32–than others of his kind, but he had in common with them the fact that he was a fantasist with a grandiose self-image founded on an obsessive interest in movie fantasy and an inexhaustible sense of grievance against the world. It seems to me at least arguable–to put it no higher–that such a person would not have done what he did without some idea that doing it would allow him to advertise his grievances while portraying his own death as some sort of glorious martyrdom.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>What responsibility for the murders, therefore, and for more murders to come, lies with NBC, to whom the killer sent written and videotaped public statements about his rampage which NBC obligingly broadcast? “It was a tough call” for NBC, according to Bob Schieffer of CBS in a radio interview I chanced to listen to. Really? Funny, then, isn’t it, that it always gets called the same way–that is, for making such demented ramblings public instead of consigning them, unopened, unviewed and unread, to the incinerator. We have to try to understand why these things happen, the media cry. No, we don’t! In fact, it’s the trying to understand that makes them happen. By telling a potential killer that he’s eligible for understanding, you confirm him in the belief that there are reasons for him to kill and therefore, to that extent, that it is all right to kill. The therapeutic approach, which the media find it convenient to adopt in these cases, essentially concedes the killer’s case that he is a martyr to whatever wrongs, imaginary or real, he sees himself as avenging. And, of course, his efforts at self-glorification depend on the media and their ability both to elicit such a response to his actions and, by doing so, to make him famous.</p>
<p>The importance of prospective fame as a motivator for those whose grievances against the world so often include their own obscurity and loneliness can hardly be overstated. It has been investigated by Albert Borowitz in Terrorism for Self-Glorification: The Herostratos Syndrome (Kent State University Press, 2005), which I have had occasion to mention before in this space (see “ <a href="http://newcriterion.com:81/archives/23/01/honor-enduring/" type="external">Honor Enduring</a>” in The New Criterion of January 2005). But the media’s effort to understand such killers as the Virginia Tech shooter must always stop short of understanding this. Writing in the British satirical magazine Private Eye, someone identified only as “Remote Controller” thought that “the thrill of getting ahead of the other networks on the biggest story of the year will have been undercut by a very mild unease that a guy who wished to be on TV after killing thirty-two people immediately identified NBC as a sort of al-Jazeera for psychopaths.” I wish I could believe this–that NBC suffered from even a mild sense of unease about its complicity in promoting a monster as a martyr. But I doubt it. The media’s treatment of the Iraq war suggests that the myth of the journalist’s independence from and lack of any responsibility for the events he reports on is now so firmly entrenched as to be quite immovable. For that we have to thank, at least partly, the romance of David Halberstam’s–and the media’s–Vietnam.</p>
<p>— Mr. Bowman is a resident scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and writes about the media for The New Criterion.</p> | false | 1 | remember journalism back 1970s heyday cant explain sic young david halberstams death death hero like death great hollywood starskatharine hepburn clark gable wrote henry allen washington post shortly car crash brought melancholy event refers reminds us paltry thing journalisms little kingdom death heroat least comparison apotheosis celebrity halberstam hepburn gable trinity rather washington lincoln roosevelt eisenhower nimitz macarthur become americas great paradigmatic figures world answer time back 1960s halberstam helping revolutionize journalism richard holbrooke put made possible even romantic write side misleading public war going would hard overstate many implications ramifications revealing remark quoted george packer new yorker someone spoken potential secretary state future democratic administration start romantic expose falsehoods hypocrisies side sense side longer course journalistic piety would reporter doesnt take sides mr packers words fearless truthteller yet practice know well richard holbrooke side matters truths truths one supposes halberstam could become equal hepburn gable reporting misleading statements viet cong north vietnamesealways supposing could found attacking exposing shaming time would regarded media culture everyone else side became famous moreover officials attacked occupied however unworthily place oldfashioned american heroes journalists past wont treat deferentially obviously immense feeling liberation empowerment young man come feel entitled powers intellect look senior military officers feeling well captured ambassador holbrooke account washington post memorable dinner saigon restaurant 1963 halberstam neil sheehan especially despised senior commander world war ii veteran paul harkins giving advice dont trust anything bastards tell david neil spent evening denouncing harkins wine conducted mock trial fourstar general incompetence dereliction duty rumbling powerful voice david pronounced harkins guilty charge neil loudly carried sentence execution imaginary firing squad back wall restaurant revolutionary highspiritedness immediately suggest fearless truthtelling much anarchic exuberance youth presented opportunity rebellion time learning call establishment thats made halberstam romantic figure time since david looked right light brought goliath american military political establishment wellaimed pebble thus seems bit disingenuous richard holbrooke celebrate romance heros triumph time describing nonsense view reporting contributed americas humiliation vietnam undermining support war home calling romantic isnt implicitly giving credit also paradox involved romance exposing falsehood romance kind falsehood may hopeful benign sort falsehood still ineluctably false nature romance amounts exaggeration glorification looked closely best mundane worst ugly disreputable journalists like novelists filmmakers used romanticize warfare closing eyes much horror romanticize victims war undermine wars foundations looking nothing horrors medias reporting war honor glory become least invisible ghastly flow blood viscera predecessors nowadays journalist wants succeed knows business celebrating honor trust heroism exposing whatever sordid realities may found invented beneath appearances things romantic prize awarded tell tales wars evils suppose supply evils rise meet journalistic demand supply heroes rose demand tales heroism fearless truthteller know ever troubled ask question let alone answer would call question one unquestionable article faith journalists credo namely objectivity never mind philosophical crudeness model media mirror realities merely reflected transparency process neutrality observer mediating us things observed must insisted uponbarring occasional slips like use word romantic aboveat costs journalist retain authority needs able say david halberstam mighty earth lie without authority hope joining halberstam pantheon celebrity along gable hepburn yet objectivity authority lies whose foundational nature preserves scrutiny even part media play shaping eventssee instance biased sensationalism new criterion december 2006or manipulated others shape events obvious anyone without stake pursuit journalistic glory halberstams old employer new york times took occasion death run piece dexter filkins writes paper iraq comparing four years war iraq american reporters ground baghdad often found coming criticism remarkably similar mr halberstam endured journalists baghdad said bush administration supporters reported bad news dupes insurgents cowardly unpatriotic small wonder died halberstam hesitate compare americas predicament iraq defeat vietnam afraid admit views iraq influenced experience earlier war never thought going work mr halberstam said iraq public appearance new york january yet neither halberstam mr filkins mentions one crucial difference vietnam iraq vietnam enemy militarily formidable even without assistance media iraq enemy militarily weak hope win exploiting medias negativityand continuing romance role vietnamto make war seem unwinnable role fearless truthteller longer available ever like media already involved action must pick side noting since halberstam become part romance reporter question bona fides americas leaders ambassador holbrooke added everything depended david getting right strikes equally revealing getting right course admirable ambition journalist exercise little common generals politicians must lead others situations mortal peril appallingly incomplete inaccurate information guide getting wrong given thats romance halberstamian example made journalistsand journalistsforget try apply lesson vietnam iraq war man must act observe question matters quickly recognize recover mistakes strong keep fighting spite inevitable setbacks cause first tests bush administration done rather badly think second done rather well part reason failures mind media remains obsessed question prescienceas getting right thing mattered getting wrong fatal disqualification leadership odd prejudice may partly owing huge social premium put intelligence era cognitive elite people idea earth war problems face nation think kind program ridicule intelligence president even political opposition fallen trap making mere perspicacity anticipation evils rather determined effort combat test political success thus sen jim webbs reply presidents state union address january alternative suggest measures dealing iraq proposed full indignation grounds mistakes administration foreseeable knew foreseeable foreseen implication much cleverer president bushas need said credit former discredit latter fact opposition media frame debate way means much administrations energies expended defending endless secondguessing turn means even less inclined recognize correct mistakes infantile politics meanwhile question done mistakes one seems know better sen webb whose policy amounts saying ought made first place also view much democratic party almost media repeat mechanically need change course iraq never get around telling us would changeshort surrendering becoming default option april sen harry reid finally bowed logic position acknowledging war already lost rate better wants preserve reputation shrewdness sagacity like many others cultivated wise event events way exposing bad information ways provide chroniclers endless temptations bogus wisdom chief temptation say know therefore known respect halberstams legacy todays iraq war coveragewhich subtext many posthumous tributeshas make yielding temptation ok journalistswhose business getting right always proceed greater leisure fewer consequences errorbut make almost whole business journalism became apparent release george tenets memoir center storma work long remembered selfserving chutzpah ingratitude field far short examples qualities true mr tenet could quite get away giving book said unwritten subtitle political memoirsif theyd listened mesince problems caused fact listened true attempts blame others bush administration intelligence screwup could clearly ones responsibility extend president paid enormous political price screwup yet refused kick responsibility road george tenet richly deserved though instead bungler sent way prosperous retirementthe advance paid harpercollins center storm said neighborhood 4000000 sum unrelated prospect books giving yet another black eye presidentwith medal freedom yet mr tenet cast away best defensethat william goldman said another context nobody really knows anythingin order play sterile journalistic game knew know known first spite special pleading book least one serious point make although former dcis claim quoted context said existence weapons mass destruction iraq slam dunk laughable legitimate grievance says whoever leaked remark bob woodward behaved badly despicable thing ever happened says dont dont throw somebody overboard honorable honorable bit late day might think someone spent much time talking bob woodward mr tenet start complaining whats honorable isnt comes feeding medias scandal machine yet joy heaven one sinner repenteth ninety nine find many never strayed recognize along mr tenet found hard way media pursue interests deciding report report therefore picture get mere reflection reality something like david halberstams reporting vietnam helps shape often ways disastrous everyone mediaand course americas enemies favorite recent example also went largely unnoticed massive coverage media afforded murderous rampage mentally unbalanced youth virginia polytechnic institute state university prefers known virginia tech killer forbear name reasons soon become obvious took higher toll32than others kind common fact fantasist grandiose selfimage founded obsessive interest movie fantasy inexhaustible sense grievance world seems least arguableto put higherthat person would done without idea would allow advertise grievances portraying death sort glorious martyrdom responsibility murders therefore murders come lies nbc killer sent written videotaped public statements rampage nbc obligingly broadcast tough call nbc according bob schieffer cbs radio interview chanced listen really funny isnt always gets called waythat making demented ramblings public instead consigning unopened unviewed unread incinerator try understand things happen media cry dont fact trying understand makes happen telling potential killer hes eligible understanding confirm belief reasons kill therefore extent right kill therapeutic approach media find convenient adopt cases essentially concedes killers case martyr whatever wrongs imaginary real sees avenging course efforts selfglorification depend media ability elicit response actions make famous importance prospective fame motivator whose grievances world often include obscurity loneliness hardly overstated investigated albert borowitz terrorism selfglorification herostratos syndrome kent state university press 2005 occasion mention space see honor enduring new criterion january 2005 medias effort understand killers virginia tech shooter must always stop short understanding writing british satirical magazine private eye someone identified remote controller thought thrill getting ahead networks biggest story year undercut mild unease guy wished tv killing thirtytwo people immediately identified nbc sort aljazeera psychopaths wish could believe thisthat nbc suffered even mild sense unease complicity promoting monster martyr doubt medias treatment iraq war suggests myth journalists independence lack responsibility events reports firmly entrenched quite immovable thank least partly romance david halberstamsand mediasvietnam mr bowman resident scholar ethics public policy center writes media new criterion | 1,531 |
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<p>What motivated an Egyptian-born Coptic Christian, “Sam Bacile,” (real name Nakoula Basseley Nakoula[1]) whose notability is as a criminal, a bankrupt, and an ex-convict,[2] rather than as a committed activist for any cause other than his own financial well-being, to make a film that was guaranteed to inflame Muslims across the world?</p>
<p>What sparked the riots and violence across the Muslim world was not the movie, per se, which is called “Desert Warrior,” “which was a bust, a wash,” according to “consultant, ” Steve Klein,[3] but the more widely seen YouTube trailer called “Innocence of Muslims.”</p>
<p>The frontman and hence the fall-guy for an action that was obviously also going to place him in extreme danger, must surely have been offered a sizable financial incentive considering the personal risks to a man who has hardly been known for his selflessness. Nakoula had been declared bankrupt in 2000 and had been involved in criminal schemes before and since. A Los Angeles Times report states of Nakoula:</p>
<p>…Some of those activities were criminal. He was convicted on state drug charges in 1997. In 2010, he was convicted in an identity theft scheme. According to the court file, Nakoula, who ran gas stations in Hawaiian Gardens, operated under a dizzying array of aliases, including Kritbag Difrat. He was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and was released last summer.[4]</p>
<p>The individual that soon emerged as the “significant other” behind Nakoula is Steve Klein, a leading neocon Zionist associated with Robert Spencer, Pamela Geller, and Daniel Pipes, in what one Jewish investigative journalist, Max Blumenthal, calls the “Axis of Islamophobia.”[5] Klein is stated to be the script consultant.[6]</p>
<p>Klein, a Vietnam veteran, has made a name for himself doing what he calls finding “al Queda cells” in California and leading “anti-Islam protests outside of mosques and schools.” Klein claimed to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg that he did not know Bacile’s real name but that Bacile had sought him out due to his prominence in agitating against Islam. For someone who claims that ferreting out Muslim terrorist cells in the USA is “a piece of cake,”[7] Klein’s feigned ignorance about Bacile seems unlikely. The more likely scenario is that Nakoula (aka Bacile) was selected by Zionist handlers as someone who could be paid to do their bidding. Klein told Goldberg: “After 9/11 I went out to look for terror cells in California and found them, piece of cake. Sam found out about me. The Middle East Christian and Jewish communities trust me.” Klein sounds like more than the usual two-bit neocon Islamophobic agitator, and we are entitled to ask, “Who looked for whom?” Klein assured Goldberg that “Israel is not involved” and stated that Nakoula’s original claim to having been an “Israeli Jew” “is a disinformation campaign.” So does this mean that Klein, the pro-Zionist Islamophobe, is claiming that he was willingly (or unwillingly?) part of a Muslim-serving “disinformation campaign?” Was the man who is so canny that he finds “uncovering al Qaeda cells in California,” “a piece of cake,” duped by a low-class crim? Or is it a more plausible possibility that Klein recruited Nakoula?</p>
<p>It seems clear that the film was intended to be a provocation that would incite anti-Israel sentiments just as much as anti-American, with the aim being to generate a mass wave of resentment against Muslims. Nakoula was claiming “that he raised the $5 million to make the film from ‘more than 100 Jewish donors’.”[8] Why was Nakoula deliberately inciting Muslims to anti-Israel sentiment, along with anti-US sentiment, if not to provide a pretext for an American-Israeli military reaction? In particular, why were the two main Copts behind the film creating a situation that could only place their fellow Copts in Egypt and elsewhere in extreme danger from Muslims?</p>
<p>Somehow Nakoula had sufficient contacts, we are supposed to believe, to bring together a multinational task force of some Copts but mostly “Evangelicals” from Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt.[9] However, it is Klein who states that he is “trusted” by “Middle East Christians,” which presumably means Copts, and hence it would not be difficult for Klein to search out a dubious character with financial troubles, who could be induced to take the wrap for enough cash. If nothing else, he could have simply consulted his Coptic colleague Nassralla, whose company, Media for Christ, made the movie.</p>
<p>Who is Steve Klein?</p>
<p>Max Blumenthal reports that Steve Klein writes on Pamela Geller’s anti-Muslim, Zionist website Atlas Shrugs,[10] Geller apparently being a bit of a name in the neocon movement.[11] Klein is also supported by Robert Spencer’s “Jihad Watch,” which promoted a “9/11 Rally at Ground Zero” involving Klein, as “founder of the Concerned Citizens for the First Amendment” and, of particular interest, “The courageous Coptic Christian activist Joseph Nasralla,” founder of The Way TGV satellite network.[12] Klein is also “founder of Courageous Christians United.”[13]</p>
<p>Klein, despite the suggestive character of his name, is not Jewish, as far as can be ascertained. He would appear, rather, to be yet another Evangelical Shabbez Goy.</p>
<p>However, despite the amateur nature of the film, which is in fact a 14 minute “trailer,” Nakoula-Bacile was backed by a well-established Evangelical media production company, Media for Christ run by Joseph Nassralla Abdelmasih, although Abdelmasih is in hiding and denying involvement, while simultaneously stating he was “logistics manager.” The company claims to be upset and repudiates the film, “But Duarte’s deputy city manager said she had been told by sheriff’s officials that the permits to shoot the movie had been issued to Media for Christ.”[14]</p>
<p>As stated above, Robert Spencer’s “Jihad Watch” has referred Joseph Nasralla of the Way TV, which the L.A. &#160;Times reports is the satellite network for Media for Christ. The L.A. Times reports of Steve Klein that his “views have been tracked by Muslim groups and others for years. One of his platforms was a weekly show on Media for Christ’s satellite network, The Way TV.”[15] Hence there is a close association between Klein and the pro-Israeli Copt Nassralla of Media for Christ, both of whom were involved in a “9/11 Remembrance Rally.” The L.A. Times further states:</p>
<p>While Media for Christ public filings describe it as an evangelical organization working to spread the Gospel, Nassralla has devoted himself in recent years to criticizing Islam in speeches and interviews. With Klein, Nassralla joined in accusations that Sheriff Lee Baca was embracing the Muslim Brotherhood by allying with a prominent Muslim American civil rights group.</p>
<p>“I fled to America with my family because of the violence directed against me for my Christian faith,” Nassralla was quoted as saying last year on an anti-Islamic website. “Sheriff Baca must be fired, and the County must apologize to all of us who have suffered at the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood.”</p>
<p>In a 2010 speech in New York, Nassralla criticized violence against Christians in Egypt and deplored plans to build a mosque near the former World Trade Center site in New York. “Wake up, America…. Stop Islamicization of America,” he said. [16]</p>
<p>Surely one might ask just how Nassralla, who “fled to America” to get his family away from the murderous Muslims, thinks that such a film would serve his Coptic brothers and sisters in Egypt and elsewhere?</p>
<p>Just how “Christian” the motivation behind the film is can be surmised from its director, Alan Roberts, being a veteran of the “soft porn” movie genre.[17]</p>
<p>As for Klein, despite at first seeming to downplay his involvement, he is unrepentant. The film is doing its job in manipulating Muslims into another Zionist-contrived PR disaster: “Do I have blood on my hands? No. Did I kill this guy? No … Do I feel guilty that these people were incited? Guess what? I didn’t incite them. They’re pre-incited, they’re pre-programmed to do this.”[18]</p>
<p>In the Same Mould as the Cartoons Provocation</p>
<p>The scenario and outcome are close to a similar contrivance several years ago, the publishing of caricatures of Mohammed, by the same types of people.</p>
<p>The Mohammed cartoon saga was symptomatic of the “clash of civilizations” that Israel and its Gentile lackeys want to foist on “The West.” The cartoons published in Denmark were a contrived provocation against Muslims with the same purpose as the Innocence of Muslims film. They were first published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands‑Posten at the instigation of its “cultural editor,” Flemming Rose, a follower of anti-Muslim neocon guru Daniel Pipes, editor of Middle East Forum. After Rose visited Pipes in 2004 he wrote a puff piece on Pipes. When rioting occurred as the result of Rose’s publication of the cartoons, Pipes, like Klein regarding the present riots, blamed the situation on “Islamic extremists,” while then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice condemned the Syrian and Iranian governments because of protests in those states. Pipes then issued a clarion call to fight the “Muslim extremists” by appealing to The West’s secular-liberal values:</p>
<p>Will the West stand up for its customs and mores, including freedom of speech, or will Muslims impose their way of life on the West? Ultimately, there is no compromise. Westerners will either retain their civilization, including the right to insult and blaspheme, or not.[19]</p>
<p>Pipes cited one of his fellow Islamophobes: “Robert Spencer rightly called on the free world to stand ‘resolutely with Denmark.’ The informative Brussels Journal asserts, ‘We are all Danes now.’”</p>
<p />
<p /> | false | 1 | motivated egyptianborn coptic christian sam bacile real name nakoula basseley nakoula1 whose notability criminal bankrupt exconvict2 rather committed activist cause financial wellbeing make film guaranteed inflame muslims across world sparked riots violence across muslim world movie per se called desert warrior bust wash according consultant steve klein3 widely seen youtube trailer called innocence muslims frontman hence fallguy action obviously also going place extreme danger must surely offered sizable financial incentive considering personal risks man hardly known selflessness nakoula declared bankrupt 2000 involved criminal schemes since los angeles times report states nakoula activities criminal convicted state drug charges 1997 2010 convicted identity theft scheme according court file nakoula ran gas stations hawaiian gardens operated dizzying array aliases including kritbag difrat sentenced 21 months federal prison released last summer4 individual soon emerged significant behind nakoula steve klein leading neocon zionist associated robert spencer pamela geller daniel pipes one jewish investigative journalist max blumenthal calls axis islamophobia5 klein stated script consultant6 klein vietnam veteran made name calls finding al queda cells california leading antiislam protests outside mosques schools klein claimed journalist jeffrey goldberg know baciles real name bacile sought due prominence agitating islam someone claims ferreting muslim terrorist cells usa piece cake7 kleins feigned ignorance bacile seems unlikely likely scenario nakoula aka bacile selected zionist handlers someone could paid bidding klein told goldberg 911 went look terror cells california found piece cake sam found middle east christian jewish communities trust klein sounds like usual twobit neocon islamophobic agitator entitled ask looked klein assured goldberg israel involved stated nakoulas original claim israeli jew disinformation campaign mean klein prozionist islamophobe claiming willingly unwillingly part muslimserving disinformation campaign man canny finds uncovering al qaeda cells california piece cake duped lowclass crim plausible possibility klein recruited nakoula seems clear film intended provocation would incite antiisrael sentiments much antiamerican aim generate mass wave resentment muslims nakoula claiming raised 5 million make film 100 jewish donors8 nakoula deliberately inciting muslims antiisrael sentiment along antius sentiment provide pretext americanisraeli military reaction particular two main copts behind film creating situation could place fellow copts egypt elsewhere extreme danger muslims somehow nakoula sufficient contacts supposed believe bring together multinational task force copts mostly evangelicals syria turkey pakistan egypt9 however klein states trusted middle east christians presumably means copts hence would difficult klein search dubious character financial troubles could induced take wrap enough cash nothing else could simply consulted coptic colleague nassralla whose company media christ made movie steve klein max blumenthal reports steve klein writes pamela gellers antimuslim zionist website atlas shrugs10 geller apparently bit name neocon movement11 klein also supported robert spencers jihad watch promoted 911 rally ground zero involving klein founder concerned citizens first amendment particular interest courageous coptic christian activist joseph nasralla founder way tgv satellite network12 klein also founder courageous christians united13 klein despite suggestive character name jewish far ascertained would appear rather yet another evangelical shabbez goy however despite amateur nature film fact 14 minute trailer nakoulabacile backed wellestablished evangelical media production company media christ run joseph nassralla abdelmasih although abdelmasih hiding denying involvement simultaneously stating logistics manager company claims upset repudiates film duartes deputy city manager said told sheriffs officials permits shoot movie issued media christ14 stated robert spencers jihad watch referred joseph nasralla way tv la 160times reports satellite network media christ la times reports steve klein views tracked muslim groups others years one platforms weekly show media christs satellite network way tv15 hence close association klein proisraeli copt nassralla media christ involved 911 remembrance rally la times states media christ public filings describe evangelical organization working spread gospel nassralla devoted recent years criticizing islam speeches interviews klein nassralla joined accusations sheriff lee baca embracing muslim brotherhood allying prominent muslim american civil rights group fled america family violence directed christian faith nassralla quoted saying last year antiislamic website sheriff baca must fired county must apologize us suffered hands muslim brotherhood 2010 speech new york nassralla criticized violence christians egypt deplored plans build mosque near former world trade center site new york wake america stop islamicization america said 16 surely one might ask nassralla fled america get family away murderous muslims thinks film would serve coptic brothers sisters egypt elsewhere christian motivation behind film surmised director alan roberts veteran soft porn movie genre17 klein despite first seeming downplay involvement unrepentant film job manipulating muslims another zionistcontrived pr disaster blood hands kill guy feel guilty people incited guess didnt incite theyre preincited theyre preprogrammed this18 mould cartoons provocation scenario outcome close similar contrivance several years ago publishing caricatures mohammed types people mohammed cartoon saga symptomatic clash civilizations israel gentile lackeys want foist west cartoons published denmark contrived provocation muslims purpose innocence muslims film first published danish newspaper jyllandsposten instigation cultural editor flemming rose follower antimuslim neocon guru daniel pipes editor middle east forum rose visited pipes 2004 wrote puff piece pipes rioting occurred result roses publication cartoons pipes like klein regarding present riots blamed situation islamic extremists us secretary state condoleezza rice condemned syrian iranian governments protests states pipes issued clarion call fight muslim extremists appealing wests secularliberal values west stand customs mores including freedom speech muslims impose way life west ultimately compromise westerners either retain civilization including right insult blaspheme not19 pipes cited one fellow islamophobes robert spencer rightly called free world stand resolutely denmark informative brussels journal asserts danes | 884 |
<p>The first time “Law &amp; Order” creator and executive producer <a href="http://variety.com/t/dick-wolf/" type="external">Dick Wolf</a> attempted to tell the story of the Menendez brothers, it was in the first-season episode “The Serpent’s Tooth,” which aired in March 1991. In the episode, wealthy squash aficionados Greg (Stephen Mailer) and Nick (Matt Hofherr) Jarmon are held on suspicion of murdering their parents, Evelyn and Karl, after the two are shot point blank with one of the family’s shotguns. The details were sanded off, but the voyeurist rush of peering into a scandal remained.</p>
<p>As is the case with many such “Law &amp; Order” episodes, the central moral quandary didn’t need to be solved because of a third act twist. In real life, Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents, confessed to the murders, alleged physical and sexual abuse at the hands of both parents and in 1996 were sent to prison without the possibility of parole. In “The Serpent’s Tooth,” the detectives finds another lead, a suspect who ultimately exonerates the sons. It’s a neater, nicer story.</p>
<p>With “Law &amp; Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” — which does not use the signature two-note sound cue — Wolf’s expansive franchise takes its favorite marketing phrase and, for once, attempts to follow through to the complicated finish. But the moral quandary cannot be pirouetted away from: The stubborn facts of the case must be reckoned with. The ambiguity in the story of Eric and Lyle Menendez, who are both in prison without parole, is not if they did it — they did — but if the alleged abuse mitigates that crime or, more practically, their sentence. Wolf has declared his own bias already, and it’s one that feels familiar from watching years of his shows, where victims using extrajudicial means to settle their scores are tacitly offered sympathy. “This is a show that has an agenda to it,” he said <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/dick-wolf-law-order-true-crime-menendez-murders-1202514905/" type="external">at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in August</a>. “They probably should have been out eight or 10 years ago because they probably should have been convicted of first-degree manslaughter.” Based on remarks he made at the Television Critics Assn. press tour and elsewhere, it seems that Wolf is less concerned with the justice system’s harsh sentencing than he is with the particulars of this case.</p>
<p>The result has a way of obliquely demonstrating what made “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” so brilliant: It wasn’t the wigs or the self-seriousness, which “The Menendez Murders” has in spades; it was the relentless contextualizing. “The Menendez Murders” offers a little, but not enough. And the “Law &amp; Order” spinoff goes further: It draws the viewer into its gambit.</p>
<p>Of the two episodes presented to critics, the first is markedly better: The scene is set in 1989 Beverly Hills, with tactics that use both the style of “Law &amp; Order” and more sophisticated approaches. The opening scene, in which the camera rakes over the bloody bodies of Joe and Kitty Menendez, is over-the-top yet chillingly effective at conveying the intimate horror of the crime; the parents were watching TV on their couch when their sons opened fire. A detective’s lone drive through Beverly Hills is overlaid with the brothers’ frantic 911 call. In the foreground, the usually controlled Lyle (Miles Gaston Villanueva) sounds hysterical. In the background, Erik (Gus Halper) — the sensitive one — can be heard moaning with grief, as if possessed.</p>
<p>Around the murder, the show revels in the trashier details of this period production. The hair is bad; the clothes are worse. Right before he is arrested, Lyle swings into his open-top Jeep Wrangler wearing a Nantucket red button-down and khakis, next to a friend in an absurd upswept do with a sweater tied around his neck. (You almost expect one of them to turn to the other and shout, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTrxEQnPtAg" type="external">“Orange mocha frappuccinos!”</a>) MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” is playing loudly as they swerve through the side streets of Beverly Hills.</p>
<p>The cast populates quickly, with many recognizable faces: Josh Charles, Elizabeth Reaser, Anthony Edwards and Heather Graham all have supporting roles. But it’s Edie Falco as Leslie Abramson who keys into the emotional element of the case. No matter how the show does, it will be a reel-worthy performance from Falco, who commits to her showstopping perm and her character’s odd sympathy for dangerous young men in equal parts. And the show is stronger around her: With Leslie, the series can ease into the well-worn “Law &amp; Order” storytelling arc of a driven attorney. Every actor, from Falco to supporting players Reaser and Edwards, seems to be relishing the chance to ham it up a little, and at least in that arena, “Law &amp; Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” delivers admirably.</p>
<p>At first it is surprising, for a franchise that is almost entirely about detectives, that the investigators of the case are barely impressionable enough to make it through a bit of crime-scene banter. As the series progresses, it becomes clear that director and executive producer Lesli Linka Glatter’s camerawork — which, characteristically, elevates the material she’s working with — is inviting viewers themselves to become the detective, themselves. Erik and Lyle are the main characters, but they are depicted with an odd lack of interiority — a flatness that forces the viewer to home in on every casual gesture, every dropped phrase. Except that because this is a re-enactment performed by actors, the investigation feels disingenuous. Showrunner and executive producer Rene Balcer has said that previously unknown facts will play a role in “Law &amp; Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders,” but it is difficult to imagine unearthing new exonerating material in this almost campy format. Details in the first two episodes suggest that flashbacks will dramatize the alleged abuse between parents and sons when that comes to light. Regrettably, any indication that the abuse is in reality alleged might be hard to find. In depicting nonfiction material, there is a covenant of trust with the viewer to present a case impartially, and by the second episode, that trust has mostly evaporated.</p>
<p>“Law &amp; Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” might be most interesting — and most illuminating — in the context of Wolf’s oeuvre, which has produced and packaged urban horror on television for decades. There are questionable elements to “Law &amp; Order,” as a whole, but it’s hard to deny how compulsively watchable and generally entertaining it is. But “Law &amp; Order” accomplishes that through artifice, not honesty; the franchise glosses over the real drudgery of police work, or the deadly boring proceedings of county courtrooms, because that rarely makes for good TV.</p>
<p>“Law &amp; Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” is, curiously, taking the tried-and-true Wolf vision and inverting it: not ripping from the headlines but ripping into the headlines. The crime franchise typically seeks to scandalize real life, either through curation or elision. With this miniseries, is the goal to de-scandalize the Menendez murders — or re-scandalize them? Either way, the show shrugs off responsibility; it places the onus of judgment on the viewer, which, given the stated biases of the production, is disingenuous indeed. This is a show addicted to its own thrills without asking why. Where “People v. O.J.” was an analysis of race and gender masquerading as a trashy, stilted soap opera, this series is simply a soap opera — baited with the barbed hook of reasonable doubt. It’s titillation with a veneer of utility. I confess it is hard to look away.</p>
<p>Limited series, 8 episodes (2 reviewed): Tues. Sept. 26, 10 p.m. 60 min.</p>
<p>Executive producers, Dick Wolf, Rene Balcer, Lesli Linka Glatter, Peter Jankowski, Arthur W. Forney</p>
<p>Edie Falco, Heather Graham, Miles Gaston Villanueva, Gus Halper, Carlos Gomez, Lolita Davidovich, Josh Charles, Julianne Nicholson, Anthony Edwards, Elizabeth Reaser, Chris Bauer, Sam Jaeger, Constance Marie</p> | false | 1 | first time law amp order creator executive producer dick wolf attempted tell story menendez brothers firstseason episode serpents tooth aired march 1991 episode wealthy squash aficionados greg stephen mailer nick matt hofherr jarmon held suspicion murdering parents evelyn karl two shot point blank one familys shotguns details sanded voyeurist rush peering scandal remained case many law amp order episodes central moral quandary didnt need solved third act twist real life lyle erik menendez killed parents confessed murders alleged physical sexual abuse hands parents 1996 sent prison without possibility parole serpents tooth detectives finds another lead suspect ultimately exonerates sons neater nicer story law amp order true crime menendez murders use signature twonote sound cue wolfs expansive franchise takes favorite marketing phrase attempts follow complicated finish moral quandary pirouetted away stubborn facts case must reckoned ambiguity story eric lyle menendez prison without parole alleged abuse mitigates crime practically sentence wolf declared bias already one feels familiar watching years shows victims using extrajudicial means settle scores tacitly offered sympathy show agenda said television critics assn press tour august probably eight 10 years ago probably convicted firstdegree manslaughter based remarks made television critics assn press tour elsewhere seems wolf less concerned justice systems harsh sentencing particulars case result way obliquely demonstrating made people v oj simpson american crime story brilliant wasnt wigs selfseriousness menendez murders spades relentless contextualizing menendez murders offers little enough law amp order spinoff goes draws viewer gambit two episodes presented critics first markedly better scene set 1989 beverly hills tactics use style law amp order sophisticated approaches opening scene camera rakes bloody bodies joe kitty menendez overthetop yet chillingly effective conveying intimate horror crime parents watching tv couch sons opened fire detectives lone drive beverly hills overlaid brothers frantic 911 call foreground usually controlled lyle miles gaston villanueva sounds hysterical background erik gus halper sensitive one heard moaning grief possessed around murder show revels trashier details period production hair bad clothes worse right arrested lyle swings opentop jeep wrangler wearing nantucket red buttondown khakis next friend absurd upswept sweater tied around neck almost expect one turn shout orange mocha frappuccinos mc hammers cant touch playing loudly swerve side streets beverly hills cast populates quickly many recognizable faces josh charles elizabeth reaser anthony edwards heather graham supporting roles edie falco leslie abramson keys emotional element case matter show reelworthy performance falco commits showstopping perm characters odd sympathy dangerous young men equal parts show stronger around leslie series ease wellworn law amp order storytelling arc driven attorney every actor falco supporting players reaser edwards seems relishing chance ham little least arena law amp order true crime menendez murders delivers admirably first surprising franchise almost entirely detectives investigators case barely impressionable enough make bit crimescene banter series progresses becomes clear director executive producer lesli linka glatters camerawork characteristically elevates material shes working inviting viewers become detective erik lyle main characters depicted odd lack interiority flatness forces viewer home every casual gesture every dropped phrase except reenactment performed actors investigation feels disingenuous showrunner executive producer rene balcer said previously unknown facts play role law amp order true crime menendez murders difficult imagine unearthing new exonerating material almost campy format details first two episodes suggest flashbacks dramatize alleged abuse parents sons comes light regrettably indication abuse reality alleged might hard find depicting nonfiction material covenant trust viewer present case impartially second episode trust mostly evaporated law amp order true crime menendez murders might interesting illuminating context wolfs oeuvre produced packaged urban horror television decades questionable elements law amp order whole hard deny compulsively watchable generally entertaining law amp order accomplishes artifice honesty franchise glosses real drudgery police work deadly boring proceedings county courtrooms rarely makes good tv law amp order true crime menendez murders curiously taking triedandtrue wolf vision inverting ripping headlines ripping headlines crime franchise typically seeks scandalize real life either curation elision miniseries goal descandalize menendez murders rescandalize either way show shrugs responsibility places onus judgment viewer given stated biases production disingenuous indeed show addicted thrills without asking people v oj analysis race gender masquerading trashy stilted soap opera series simply soap opera baited barbed hook reasonable doubt titillation veneer utility confess hard look away limited series 8 episodes 2 reviewed tues sept 26 10 pm 60 min executive producers dick wolf rene balcer lesli linka glatter peter jankowski arthur w forney edie falco heather graham miles gaston villanueva gus halper carlos gomez lolita davidovich josh charles julianne nicholson anthony edwards elizabeth reaser chris bauer sam jaeger constance marie | 747 |
<p>In the arena of law, it’s commonly known —&#160;and widely derided —&#160;that one can unfairly “win” any debate by using the so-called “Helen Lovejoy defence,” named after the self-righteous wife of the town reverend in “The Simpsons,” whose fallback argument on any issue amounts to the inarguable emotional plea, “Won’t somebody please think of the children!?” As it happens, British law has someone tasked with doing exactly that, and she is the subject of <a href="http://variety.com/t/richard-eyre/" type="external">Richard Eyre</a>’s beautifully complex “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/the-children-act/" type="external">The Children Act</a>,”&#160;adapted by <a href="http://variety.com/t/ian-mcewan/" type="external">Ian McEwan</a> from his 2014 novel of the same name, which is itself christened after a 1989 U.K. law known as the Children Act, dedicated to the welfare of minors.</p>
<p>From the moment she awakens till her head hits the pillow at night, family court judge Fiona Maye does little more than think of the children, ruling on whether to separate conjoined “Siamese” twins with one case (a tricky decision, as it means sentencing one to certain death so that the other might live) before turning around to evaluate whether to allow a 17-year-old Jehovah’s Witness to reject a life-saving blood transfusion that violates his religion.</p>
<p>Fiona is played by the great <a href="http://variety.com/t/emma-thompson/" type="external">Emma Thompson</a> in her best role since 2001’s “Wit” — and one that ought to remind her remind the casting gods that Thompson’s good for more than playing magical governesses (“Nanny McPhee”) and the women who write about them (P.L. Travers in “Saving Mr. Banks”). It’s not that Fiona doesn’t have other things on her mind, but her job is such that she takes each case rather personally, leaving her very little energy to tend to her personal life, including a marriage to her devoted, yet woefully neglected husband Jack (Stanley Tucci), who asks her after 11 months of bed-death whether he might have her permission embark on an extra-marital affair.</p>
<p>Told with a depth of empathy so profound —&#160;and so British&#160;—&#160;that a rather sizable segment of the viewing public will either reject or ignore it outright, “The Children Act” is that rarest of things: an adult drama, written and interpreted with a sensitivity to mature human concerns — not just the quite personal complexities of maintaining a 30-year relationship with no children of their own, but the more broad-reaching tension between the law and firmly held religious belief.</p>
<p>More restrained than the helmer’s earlier work (“Iris,” “Notes on a Scandal”), yet driven by an energy for which Eyre is directly responsible (as when the camera chases a pair of tardy reporters through courtroom corridors in order to arrive breathlessly just in time for a verdict), the wonderfully nuanced film concerns Fiona’s attempts to reconcile these two weighty challenges: There is the fate of the Jehovah’s Witness, Adam Henry (Fionn Whitehead), which rests in her hands, and there is the future of her marriage, which she has successfully shifted to the back burner for so long, but now hangs in the balance.</p>
<p>For Fiona, it’s clear: As someone who embodies the governing principle of the Children Act — which states that “children’s welfare should be the paramount concern of the courts” — it would be selfish of her to think of anything above the life of a child, even one she has never met. And yet Jack knows that her work will always take precedence, and that a disheartening pattern has taken hold at home, where their love holds strong, but he can scarcely pull her attention away from her court briefings for even a moment. Perhaps unwisely, he goes through with his plan to seek physical intimacy elsewhere, to which Fiona reacts harshly, but not unreasonably, by initiating divorce proceedings.</p>
<p>Through it all, Fiona’s attention remains as focused as the can possibly manage on the case at hand, Adam’s blood transfusion, calling an emergency session of court and making the highly unconventional decision to visit the young man in hospital. In testimony, Adam’s religious-minded parents (played with earnest conviction by Ben Chaplin and Eileen Walsh) describe their son as an exceptional person, and Fiona soon discovers for herself what they mean.</p>
<p>Adam is no robot, blindly reciting the beliefs of his parents and church. However medieval it may sound, he sincerely believes that a person’s God-given soul resides in his blood, and that to contaminate it with another’s is to reject the sacred gift of life —&#160;a naïveté that co-exists alongside a precocious interest in music and poetry. An easily avoidable tragedy waiting to happen, Adam sits in his hospital bed holding a guitar, and in the first of several unabashedly sentimental such scenes, he and Fiona sing “Down by the Salley Gardens” together, a folk song whose words were written by Yeats.</p>
<p>The encounter sparks something in Adam, who becomes obsessed with Fiona, making things awkward after she has moved on to other cases. Whitehead (who played the childlike English soldier who survives the opening scene of “Dunkirk”) is clearly quite the discovery, a young actor with desperate eyes and an early ability to access so many levels, and he manages to sell the risky, some-might-say overripe romantic fixation Adam develops for Fiona, who is the first adult other than his parents ever to have taken an interest in him.</p>
<p>Their song, “Down by the Salley Gardens,” and music by extension serves as a recurring motif here, as Fiona indulges but one extracurricular pastime: rehearsing piano with her friend Mark (Anthony Calf), a High Court barrister. That hobby sets up the film’s climactic emotional scene — one whose raw, wrenching power depends entirely on how successfully audiences consider every preceding element to have worked. Thompson interprets the moment beautifully, and indeed, the entire film hinges on how deeply felt her performance comes across. The actress is playing someone whose brain is constantly working, which she depicts as a kind of distraction: While her body is there in frame, her mind is often miles away, thinking of the children — those she’s saved, those she’s lost and those of her own which she and Jack will never have.</p>
<p>Reviewed at the Wilshire Screening Room, Los Angeles, Aug. 25, 2017. (In Toronto Film Festival — Special Presentation.) Running time: 105 MIN.</p>
<p>(U.K.) A Toledo Prods. production. (International sales: FilmNation Entertainment.) Producer: Duncan Kenworthy. Executive producers: Glen Basner, Ben Browning, Joe Oppenheimer, Beth Pattinson. Co-producer: Célia Duval. Andrew Dunn.</p>
<p>Director: Richard Eyre. Screenplay: Ian McEwan, based on his novel. Camera (color): Editor: Dan Farrell. Music: Stephen Warbeck.</p>
<p>Emma Thompson, Fionn Whitehead, Stanley Tucci, Jason Watkins, Ben Chaplin, Anthony Calf, Eileen Walsh.</p> | false | 1 | arena law commonly known 160and widely derided 160that one unfairly win debate using socalled helen lovejoy defence named selfrighteous wife town reverend simpsons whose fallback argument issue amounts inarguable emotional plea wont somebody please think children happens british law someone tasked exactly subject richard eyres beautifully complex children act160adapted ian mcewan 2014 novel name christened 1989 uk law known children act dedicated welfare minors moment awakens till head hits pillow night family court judge fiona maye little think children ruling whether separate conjoined siamese twins one case tricky decision means sentencing one certain death might live turning around evaluate whether allow 17yearold jehovahs witness reject lifesaving blood transfusion violates religion fiona played great emma thompson best role since 2001s wit one ought remind remind casting gods thompsons good playing magical governesses nanny mcphee women write pl travers saving mr banks fiona doesnt things mind job takes case rather personally leaving little energy tend personal life including marriage devoted yet woefully neglected husband jack stanley tucci asks 11 months beddeath whether might permission embark extramarital affair told depth empathy profound 160and british160160that rather sizable segment viewing public either reject ignore outright children act rarest things adult drama written interpreted sensitivity mature human concerns quite personal complexities maintaining 30year relationship children broadreaching tension law firmly held religious belief restrained helmers earlier work iris notes scandal yet driven energy eyre directly responsible camera chases pair tardy reporters courtroom corridors order arrive breathlessly time verdict wonderfully nuanced film concerns fionas attempts reconcile two weighty challenges fate jehovahs witness adam henry fionn whitehead rests hands future marriage successfully shifted back burner long hangs balance fiona clear someone embodies governing principle children act states childrens welfare paramount concern courts would selfish think anything life child even one never met yet jack knows work always take precedence disheartening pattern taken hold home love holds strong scarcely pull attention away court briefings even moment perhaps unwisely goes plan seek physical intimacy elsewhere fiona reacts harshly unreasonably initiating divorce proceedings fionas attention remains focused possibly manage case hand adams blood transfusion calling emergency session court making highly unconventional decision visit young man hospital testimony adams religiousminded parents played earnest conviction ben chaplin eileen walsh describe son exceptional person fiona soon discovers mean adam robot blindly reciting beliefs parents church however medieval may sound sincerely believes persons godgiven soul resides blood contaminate anothers reject sacred gift life 160a naïveté coexists alongside precocious interest music poetry easily avoidable tragedy waiting happen adam sits hospital bed holding guitar first several unabashedly sentimental scenes fiona sing salley gardens together folk song whose words written yeats encounter sparks something adam becomes obsessed fiona making things awkward moved cases whitehead played childlike english soldier survives opening scene dunkirk clearly quite discovery young actor desperate eyes early ability access many levels manages sell risky somemightsay overripe romantic fixation adam develops fiona first adult parents ever taken interest song salley gardens music extension serves recurring motif fiona indulges one extracurricular pastime rehearsing piano friend mark anthony calf high court barrister hobby sets films climactic emotional scene one whose raw wrenching power depends entirely successfully audiences consider every preceding element worked thompson interprets moment beautifully indeed entire film hinges deeply felt performance comes across actress playing someone whose brain constantly working depicts kind distraction body frame mind often miles away thinking children shes saved shes lost jack never reviewed wilshire screening room los angeles aug 25 2017 toronto film festival special presentation running time 105 min uk toledo prods production international sales filmnation entertainment producer duncan kenworthy executive producers glen basner ben browning joe oppenheimer beth pattinson coproducer célia duval andrew dunn director richard eyre screenplay ian mcewan based novel camera color editor dan farrell music stephen warbeck emma thompson fionn whitehead stanley tucci jason watkins ben chaplin anthony calf eileen walsh | 634 |
<p>South Carolina has further cemented Donald Trump as the frontrunner for the GOP nomination. It should be obvious by now that he won’t be stopped with wishful thinking. His opponents need to continue to take the fight to him aggressively — on his many reckless and false statements, his faux conservatism, and his appalling nativism and vulgarity.</p>
<p>But the other candidates must also offer a realistic economic plan that would be attractive to Trump’s supporters.</p>
<p>This is not a new problem. Since President Reagan left office, the GOP has been struggling to connect with Americans who are culturally conservative but inclined by their working-class environment to be suspicious of Republican economic philosophy. Without strong support from these voters, the GOP has lost the popular vote in five of the last six presidential elections.</p>
<p>At the same time, it would be foolish for the GOP to abandon its traditional adherence to limited government, fiscal discipline, low taxes, and free markets. Those are the pillars of a dynamic and growing economy, and abandoning them would cost more votes than would be gained.</p>
<p>But belief in a free market is not inconsistent with concern for those who struggle when firms and entire industries come under pressure from global competition. The GOP must acknowledge the economic dislocation that has occurred and offer an agenda to help families who have seen their prospects dim over the past two decades. Here’s a start.</p>
<p>1. Tax Cuts The GOP is the party of tax-cutting, but the focus needs to shift toward relief for families who live paycheck to paycheck. Middle- and lower-income households pay more in federal payroll taxes than in income taxes. For those in the middle quintile of the nation’s income distribution, the average effective income-tax rate was 4.3 percent in 2013, far below the effective rate of 10 percent for payroll taxes. But GOP tax-reform plans focus much more on income-tax rates — and thus on households with substantial income and assets.</p>
<p>Income-tax reform is absolutely essential to improve growth, but it must be coupled with a realistic assessment of current economic conditions. The GOP should supplement income-tax reform with payroll-tax cuts for the working class. One approach would be to exempt some wages from the tax, or to lower the tax rate on those wages. For instance, exempting the first $30,000 of wages from the employee share of the Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes would provide a family with $40,000 in earned income with a $2,300 tax cut annually. The workers would still earn credits toward future Social Security and Medicare benefits, so the lost revenue to the trust funds would need to be addressed in a broader tax-reform plan.</p>
<p>2. Wage Credits Some in the GOP have proposed a new wage credit program as an alternative to increasing the minimum wage. The idea deserves serious consideration. The credit would be a substitute for programs that provide low-income support but discourage work. Recipients would get a pay raise, financed by the federal credit, and work experience, which is the surest way to improve their long-term economic prospects.</p>
<p>3. Health Care Republicans are right to call for repeal of Obamacare, but many working-class families do not get health insurance through their place of work. The GOP must embrace a replacement plan for Obamacare that gives these families a tax credit so they can purchase an affordable plan in the marketplace. And governors should be given the flexibility to give Medicaid beneficiaries access to higher-quality private insurance plans.</p>
<p>4. Relocation and Other Assistance Trump thinks he can undo decades of U.S. commitments under the global trading regime — built largely under bipartisan U.S. leadership. He is wrong, and he is also wrong about the effects of existing rules. Trade increases the purchasing power of most U.S. households. According to President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, middle-class families get what amounts to a 29 percent pay raise because of their access to goods and services produced around the world. At the same time, global trade agreements have increased U.S. exports substantially and have added $1,300 to the wages of the average middle-class worker.</p>
<p>Still, some industries have contracted, and workers in those industries are faring worse than others.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, millions of low-skilled, native-born Americans are unintentionally encouraged to stay in slow-or-no growth communities affected by trade because of the structure of federal unemployment, disability, and income support programs. These workers should be given relocation assistance — call it the New Homestead Act — financed through a reform of existing programs. They could then move to areas with more plentiful opportunities and thus get back on their feet. The GOP also should support temporary income-replacement programs for those forced to accept lower wages due to trade, and vouchers for training and education for those seeking to switch careers and industries.</p>
<p>5. Immigration Reform Immigration is overblown as an issue in the GOP presidential campaign. In 2011, only 5.2 percent of the total workforce was foreign-born in 31 states, and the unauthorized immigrant population was only 2 percent in 39 states. Studies also indicate that immigration enhances, rather than retards, overall economic growth. Still, there is a high concentration of both legal and illegal immigrants in certain states; nearly one in four workers in California, New York, and New Jersey were foreign-born in 2012. But Trump’s proposal to build a wall on the southern border is not the answer; it would cost at least $20 to $25 billion, and $1 billion in annual maintenance expenses. And his implausible plan to locate and deport the 11 to 12 million people residing illegally in the U.S. would cost tens of billions more, even as it would wreak havoc on families and communities across the country.</p>
<p>The border can be secured at far less expense by employing a combination of tools, including a wall along certain stretches, more fencing, enhanced surveillance of various kinds, more patrols, and stronger sanctions on those caught attempting illegal entry. Deportation should be imposed on recent illegal entrants; a fair process should apply differing sanctions on persons who have been here longer, are self-reliant, have no other criminal record, and have family who are legal residents. Moreover, the GOP should embrace a policy of controlled, economically focused immigration that limits entry in the future based on family connections. The total level of legal immigration should be more limited for a period of years to allow time for assimilation, given the elevated levels of immigration since the mid-1990s.</p>
<p>Trump offers a vague economic nationalism that would risk isolation and decline. The GOP should resist the temptation to embrace this agenda, even if he becomes the nominee. But the GOP must also provide an alternative to Trump’s simplistic and counterproductive pronouncements. Otherwise, voters desperate for hope will remain vulnerable to appeals that play to their fears, not their aspirations.</p>
<p>Henry Olsen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. James C. Capretta is a senior fellow at EPPC and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.</p> | false | 1 | south carolina cemented donald trump frontrunner gop nomination obvious wont stopped wishful thinking opponents need continue take fight aggressively many reckless false statements faux conservatism appalling nativism vulgarity candidates must also offer realistic economic plan would attractive trumps supporters new problem since president reagan left office gop struggling connect americans culturally conservative inclined workingclass environment suspicious republican economic philosophy without strong support voters gop lost popular vote five last six presidential elections time would foolish gop abandon traditional adherence limited government fiscal discipline low taxes free markets pillars dynamic growing economy abandoning would cost votes would gained belief free market inconsistent concern struggle firms entire industries come pressure global competition gop must acknowledge economic dislocation occurred offer agenda help families seen prospects dim past two decades heres start 1 tax cuts gop party taxcutting focus needs shift toward relief families live paycheck paycheck middle lowerincome households pay federal payroll taxes income taxes middle quintile nations income distribution average effective incometax rate 43 percent 2013 far effective rate 10 percent payroll taxes gop taxreform plans focus much incometax rates thus households substantial income assets incometax reform absolutely essential improve growth must coupled realistic assessment current economic conditions gop supplement incometax reform payrolltax cuts working class one approach would exempt wages tax lower tax rate wages instance exempting first 30000 wages employee share social security medicare payroll taxes would provide family 40000 earned income 2300 tax cut annually workers would still earn credits toward future social security medicare benefits lost revenue trust funds would need addressed broader taxreform plan 2 wage credits gop proposed new wage credit program alternative increasing minimum wage idea deserves serious consideration credit would substitute programs provide lowincome support discourage work recipients would get pay raise financed federal credit work experience surest way improve longterm economic prospects 3 health care republicans right call repeal obamacare many workingclass families get health insurance place work gop must embrace replacement plan obamacare gives families tax credit purchase affordable plan marketplace governors given flexibility give medicaid beneficiaries access higherquality private insurance plans 4 relocation assistance trump thinks undo decades us commitments global trading regime built largely bipartisan us leadership wrong also wrong effects existing rules trade increases purchasing power us households according president obamas council economic advisers middleclass families get amounts 29 percent pay raise access goods services produced around world time global trade agreements increased us exports substantially added 1300 wages average middleclass worker still industries contracted workers industries faring worse others unfortunately millions lowskilled nativeborn americans unintentionally encouraged stay sloworno growth communities affected trade structure federal unemployment disability income support programs workers given relocation assistance call new homestead act financed reform existing programs could move areas plentiful opportunities thus get back feet gop also support temporary incomereplacement programs forced accept lower wages due trade vouchers training education seeking switch careers industries 5 immigration reform immigration overblown issue gop presidential campaign 2011 52 percent total workforce foreignborn 31 states unauthorized immigrant population 2 percent 39 states studies also indicate immigration enhances rather retards overall economic growth still high concentration legal illegal immigrants certain states nearly one four workers california new york new jersey foreignborn 2012 trumps proposal build wall southern border answer would cost least 20 25 billion 1 billion annual maintenance expenses implausible plan locate deport 11 12 million people residing illegally us would cost tens billions even would wreak havoc families communities across country border secured far less expense employing combination tools including wall along certain stretches fencing enhanced surveillance various kinds patrols stronger sanctions caught attempting illegal entry deportation imposed recent illegal entrants fair process apply differing sanctions persons longer selfreliant criminal record family legal residents moreover gop embrace policy controlled economically focused immigration limits entry future based family connections total level legal immigration limited period years allow time assimilation given elevated levels immigration since mid1990s trump offers vague economic nationalism would risk isolation decline gop resist temptation embrace agenda even becomes nominee gop must also provide alternative trumps simplistic counterproductive pronouncements otherwise voters desperate hope remain vulnerable appeals play fears aspirations henry olsen senior fellow ethics public policy center james c capretta senior fellow eppc visiting fellow american enterprise institute | 693 |
<p>By Jason Patinkin</p>
<p>PALORINYA, Uganda (Reuters) – Oliver Wani found sanctuary from South Sudan’s civil war in a Ugandan refugee camp. But when the food ran out, he returned home only to be killed in the conflict he had fled.</p>
<p>The 45-year-old farmer was one of more than a million South Sudanese living in sprawling camps just across the border in northern Uganda, seeking refuge from the four-year war that has devastated their homeland.</p>
<p>But funding gaps and organizational problems often delay or reduce their meager rations, driving some desperate families back to the lands they fled and underscoring the struggle to cope with Africa’s biggest refugee crisis in two decades.</p>
<p>Refugees from South Sudan have been arriving in Uganda at an average rate of 35,000 a month this year. The Bidi Bidi camp was home to 285,000 people at the end of September, according to the U.N.’s refugee agency, making it the biggest in Africa.</p>
<p>The U.N. agency (UNHCR) said funding had only covered 32 percent of $674 million requested to help refugees in Uganda in 2017 and the U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP) said it was facing a $71 million shortfall for the next six months.</p>
<p>Wani, who cared for his elderly parents, received no food in October because distributions had been delayed, his father Timon said. The memory of the crops Oliver had left behind proved too tempting and he returned to South Sudan to find food.</p>
<p>Two weeks later, other returning refugees recognized his remains alongside another dead refugee on a forest path in South Sudan, where the ground was littered with bullet casings.</p>
<p>“He went back to look for food,” said Timon, a tall, thin man who wiped away tears with his handkerchief as he spoke at a memorial service for his first-born child in the Palorinya refugee camp. “I’m heartbroken.”</p>
<p>DESPERATE REFUGEES</p>
<p>The four-year war in oil-rich South Sudan, a country only founded in 2011, has forced more than a third of its 12 million citizens to flee their homes. Tens of thousands have died, some in ethnic killings, others from starvation and disease.</p>
<p>Palorinya is the second biggest camp in northern Uganda after Bidi Bidi and alone houses 185,000 refugees.</p>
<p>Each refugee is supposed to get 12 kg of grain, 6 kg of dry beans, cooking oil and salt each month, but the U.N.’s WFP said this was delayed in October because grain was scarce in Uganda and the roads to Palorinya were bad.&#160;</p>
<p>Food distributions did not start camp until Oct. 26, WFP said. It takes two weeks to complete a distribution, so tens of thousands of refugees did not get any food that month.</p>
<p>Desperate, some returned to the war zone. At least eight refugees from Palorinya were killed in South Sudan after returning to look for food in October, according to family members and the Anglican church, which tracks civilian deaths.&#160;</p>
<p>In August and September, when rations were distributed normally, just two refugees from the camp were killed when they returned to find food, the church diocese in South Sudan’s volatile Kajo Keji region said.</p>
<p>Modi Scopas John, chairman of a Refugee Welfare Committee in Palorinya, said refugees were returning home every day.</p>
<p>“If you have nothing to eat, what do you do?” he asked, perched on a plastic chair under a spindly tree. “You have to look for food.”</p>
<p>FOOD SHORTAGES</p>
<p>Wani was killed in Kajo Keji, where the government and two rebel groups are battling for control in a war sparked by a feud between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar.</p>
<p>Next to Wani lay the body of Yassin Mori, 35, who had also left Palorinya to look for food, according to Mori’s two brothers who ventured into South Sudan to look for him.</p>
<p>Mori left two wives and nine children behind.</p>
<p>“Now we need support because we are left with his children and widows,” Taha Igga, one of the brothers, said at a memorial service in the Ugandan refugee camp.</p>
<p>&#160; &#160; Mutabazi Caleb, from aid group World Vision, which runs the distributions, said that Palorinya is two months&#160;behind other camps in its food distributions.</p>
<p>WFP said it had substituted half the cereal ration with money in September in some other camps so refugees could buy food and was expanding its infrastructure to prevent future delays.</p>
<p>But refugees said even when food arrives, it doesn’t last a month. Of the 12 kg of grain, refugees said they sell one to pay for grinding the rest into flour, and another to buy soap, which is in short supply.</p>
<p>They also complained that the beans were sometimes inedible.</p>
<p>“They are not okay, others are rotten, and they are smelling,” said mother-of-four Liong Viola, 32, picking through her sack of shriveled legumes during an Oct. 26 distribution.</p>
<p>WFP country director El Khidir Daloum said it was investigating the complaint and, “is committed to providing our beneficiaries with the highest quality of food”.</p>
<p>John, the Refugee Welfare Committee chairman, said he urged people to stay in the camps.</p>
<p>“At least let us die here of the hunger rather than go back to South Sudan and be killed like a chicken,” he said.</p>
<p>But hungry refugees often ignore the pleas. At dusk last Saturday, Pastor Charles Mubarak packed extra clothes into a plastic bag to take back into South Sudan where he hoped to harvest cassava fields he left behind when he fled in January.</p>
<p>“As a family, we are 10 in number, and I’m not in position to feed them,” he said. “If I get killed I get killed once, but dying of hunger is too difficult.”</p>
<p>Mubarak kissed each neatly folded shirt as he placed them in the bag.</p>
<p>“If they give us the food rations, I wouldn’t think of going back to South Sudan,” he said. “Food is life.”</p> | false | 1 | jason patinkin palorinya uganda reuters oliver wani found sanctuary south sudans civil war ugandan refugee camp food ran returned home killed conflict fled 45yearold farmer one million south sudanese living sprawling camps across border northern uganda seeking refuge fouryear war devastated homeland funding gaps organizational problems often delay reduce meager rations driving desperate families back lands fled underscoring struggle cope africas biggest refugee crisis two decades refugees south sudan arriving uganda average rate 35000 month year bidi bidi camp home 285000 people end september according uns refugee agency making biggest africa un agency unhcr said funding covered 32 percent 674 million requested help refugees uganda 2017 uns world food programme wfp said facing 71 million shortfall next six months wani cared elderly parents received food october distributions delayed father timon said memory crops oliver left behind proved tempting returned south sudan find food two weeks later returning refugees recognized remains alongside another dead refugee forest path south sudan ground littered bullet casings went back look food said timon tall thin man wiped away tears handkerchief spoke memorial service firstborn child palorinya refugee camp im heartbroken desperate refugees fouryear war oilrich south sudan country founded 2011 forced third 12 million citizens flee homes tens thousands died ethnic killings others starvation disease palorinya second biggest camp northern uganda bidi bidi alone houses 185000 refugees refugee supposed get 12 kg grain 6 kg dry beans cooking oil salt month uns wfp said delayed october grain scarce uganda roads palorinya bad160 food distributions start camp oct 26 wfp said takes two weeks complete distribution tens thousands refugees get food month desperate returned war zone least eight refugees palorinya killed south sudan returning look food october according family members anglican church tracks civilian deaths160 august september rations distributed normally two refugees camp killed returned find food church diocese south sudans volatile kajo keji region said modi scopas john chairman refugee welfare committee palorinya said refugees returning home every day nothing eat asked perched plastic chair spindly tree look food food shortages wani killed kajo keji government two rebel groups battling control war sparked feud president salva kiir former deputy riek machar next wani lay body yassin mori 35 also left palorinya look food according moris two brothers ventured south sudan look mori left two wives nine children behind need support left children widows taha igga one brothers said memorial service ugandan refugee camp 160 160 mutabazi caleb aid group world vision runs distributions said palorinya two months160behind camps food distributions wfp said substituted half cereal ration money september camps refugees could buy food expanding infrastructure prevent future delays refugees said even food arrives doesnt last month 12 kg grain refugees said sell one pay grinding rest flour another buy soap short supply also complained beans sometimes inedible okay others rotten smelling said motheroffour liong viola 32 picking sack shriveled legumes oct 26 distribution wfp country director el khidir daloum said investigating complaint committed providing beneficiaries highest quality food john refugee welfare committee chairman said urged people stay camps least let us die hunger rather go back south sudan killed like chicken said hungry refugees often ignore pleas dusk last saturday pastor charles mubarak packed extra clothes plastic bag take back south sudan hoped harvest cassava fields left behind fled january family 10 number im position feed said get killed get killed dying hunger difficult mubarak kissed neatly folded shirt placed bag give us food rations wouldnt think going back south sudan said food life | 579 |
<p>By Phil Stewart</p>
<p>THE EYE OF HURRICANE IRMA (Reuters) – The sky darkened, lightning flashed and a jolt of turbulence shook the cabin of the hulking Air Force turbo-prop aircraft as it plied its way toward the eye of Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded.</p>
<p>Piloting the four-engine, WC-130J aircraft was Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Jim Hitterman, who over the past 22 years has flown into 40 to 50 hurricanes.</p>
<p>Every storm is different but he likens the experience to driving through a car wash – with one big difference.</p>
<p>“As you’re driving through that car wash, a bunch of gorillas start jumping on top of your car,” Hitterman said, adding that sometimes shaking gets so bad, he cannot see his instruments.</p>
<p>On Friday and Saturday, Reuters accompanied the Air Force Reserves’ “Hurricane Hunters,” whose hard-won data taken directly from the center of storms like Hurricane Irma are critical to U.S. forecasts that save lives.</p>
<p>Experts say U.S. satellite data simply cannot do the job.</p>
<p>“We can estimate by satellite what the strength and size of a hurricane is. But only if you go into the hurricane can you really get an accurate measure of its exact center location, the structure, the maximum winds,” said Rick Knabb, a hurricane expert at the Weather Channel and a former director the National Hurricane Center.</p>
<p>The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s “Hurricane Hunters” are based at&#160;Keesler Air Force Base&#160;in Biloxi, Mississippi. Its members trace the origin of hurricane hunting to a 1943 barroom dare by two then-Army Air Corps pilots to fly through a hurricane off Texas.</p>
<p>Today, the missions are carried out largely by Air Force reservists who, after a few days or weeks of chasing storms, return to their jobs in the civilian world.</p>
<p>Hitterman, 49, flies for Delta Airlines (NYSE:) most of the time and, as a hobby, races motorcycles.</p>
<p>The flight meteorologist, Major Nicole Mitchell, is an experienced television news meteorologist and mother of an eight-month-old baby boy. She normally lives in Minnesota.</p>
<p>The way Mitchell sees it, the more accurate her data is, the more accurate the forecasts can be that tell U.S. citizens whether to evacuate their homes as Irma or other storms advance.</p>
<p>“It’s a fact that we make a difference,” she said.</p>
<p>RISKY BUSINESS</p>
<p>Mitchell’s plane would make four passes in total through Irma’s eye during that mission, some entries and exits more turbulent than others. Its final pass came on Saturday, as Hurricane Irma walloped Cuba’s northern coast.</p>
<p>Irma’s interaction with Cuba’s terrain weakened the storm from a Category 5 to a Category 4 hurricane but U.S. National Hurricane Center warned the storm was anticipated to strengthen again.</p>
<p>Irma was expected to hit Florida on Sunday morning, bringing massive damage from wind and flooding to America’s fourth-largest state by population. Millions of Florida residents have been ordered to evacuate.</p>
<p>Despite the severity of storms like Irma and the undeniable danger on the ground, these U.S. flights into hurricanes have an incredible safety record – not one aircraft has been lost in more than four decades. The last time was in 1974.</p>
<p>But they are not without risk. Some six hurricane or typhoon hunting aircraft have been lost in total, costing 53 lives, according to the Weather Underground website.</p>
<p>Jeff Masters, director of meteorology of The Weather Underground, recalled an extremely close call during a flight into Hurricane Hugo in 1989 organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which also fields its own turbo-prop aircraft.</p>
<p>The pilot lost control of the aircraft, one of the engines caught on fire, and the aircraft descended rapidly, all because satellite data had given his crew the sense they were flying into a Category 3 storm. It turned out to be a Category 5.</p>
<p>They were flying much too low for a storm that potent.</p>
<p>“We went in at 1,500 feet, which is a no-no in a Category 5 and we got clobbered,” recounted Masters. The pilot was able to recover control after entering Hugo’s eye.</p>
<p>On the mission into Irma, jolts of turbulence also shook the equipment in the cabin as it neared the eye of the hurricane. Emergency parachutes swayed.</p>
<p>But then, suddenly, everything in the plane settled down.</p>
<p>It was safe enough to take off seat belts. The flying was smooth.</p>
<p>Inside the eye, the sky opened up. The dark “eyewall” – the surrounding ring of clouds – could be seen outside the cockpit window.</p>
<p>DRONES AND SONDES</p>
<p>Masters says someday drones might be able to do the risky job now done by experienced air crews.</p>
<p>But, from the cockpit of this Hurricane Hunter flight, that possibility still seems distant.</p>
<p>This aircraft, like all of the 53rd’s 10 WC-130J planes, are specially equipped to gather meteorological data and send it to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Some of that equipment is operated manually.</p>
<p>That includes releasing sensors through the belly of the aircraft that, as they fall, transmit storm data including Irma’s pressure, wind speed and direction.</p>
<p>As the mission got underway, the sensors – known as dropsondes – appeared to be malfunctioning.</p>
<p>Technical Sergeant Karen Moore, the loadmaster who releases the dropsondes from the aircraft, among many other duties, said she could not get its GPS signal as it fell into Irma’s winds.</p>
<p>So, Moore took out a screwdriver and literally started fixing them on the fly, one by one. That is something a drone would not be able to do.</p>
<p>Hitterman said he also could see a future where pilotless planes fly into hurricanes to get the data Americans need.</p>
<p>“But I think it’s a ways off,” he said.</p> | false | 1 | phil stewart eye hurricane irma reuters sky darkened lightning flashed jolt turbulence shook cabin hulking air force turboprop aircraft plied way toward eye hurricane irma one strongest atlantic storms ever recorded piloting fourengine wc130j aircraft air force reserve lieutenant colonel jim hitterman past 22 years flown 40 50 hurricanes every storm different likens experience driving car wash one big difference youre driving car wash bunch gorillas start jumping top car hitterman said adding sometimes shaking gets bad see instruments friday saturday reuters accompanied air force reserves hurricane hunters whose hardwon data taken directly center storms like hurricane irma critical us forecasts save lives experts say us satellite data simply job estimate satellite strength size hurricane go hurricane really get accurate measure exact center location structure maximum winds said rick knabb hurricane expert weather channel former director national hurricane center 53rd weather reconnaissance squadrons hurricane hunters based at160keesler air force base160in biloxi mississippi members trace origin hurricane hunting 1943 barroom dare two thenarmy air corps pilots fly hurricane texas today missions carried largely air force reservists days weeks chasing storms return jobs civilian world hitterman 49 flies delta airlines nyse time hobby races motorcycles flight meteorologist major nicole mitchell experienced television news meteorologist mother eightmonthold baby boy normally lives minnesota way mitchell sees accurate data accurate forecasts tell us citizens whether evacuate homes irma storms advance fact make difference said risky business mitchells plane would make four passes total irmas eye mission entries exits turbulent others final pass came saturday hurricane irma walloped cubas northern coast irmas interaction cubas terrain weakened storm category 5 category 4 hurricane us national hurricane center warned storm anticipated strengthen irma expected hit florida sunday morning bringing massive damage wind flooding americas fourthlargest state population millions florida residents ordered evacuate despite severity storms like irma undeniable danger ground us flights hurricanes incredible safety record one aircraft lost four decades last time 1974 without risk six hurricane typhoon hunting aircraft lost total costing 53 lives according weather underground website jeff masters director meteorology weather underground recalled extremely close call flight hurricane hugo 1989 organized national oceanic atmospheric administration noaa also fields turboprop aircraft pilot lost control aircraft one engines caught fire aircraft descended rapidly satellite data given crew sense flying category 3 storm turned category 5 flying much low storm potent went 1500 feet nono category 5 got clobbered recounted masters pilot able recover control entering hugos eye mission irma jolts turbulence also shook equipment cabin neared eye hurricane emergency parachutes swayed suddenly everything plane settled safe enough take seat belts flying smooth inside eye sky opened dark eyewall surrounding ring clouds could seen outside cockpit window drones sondes masters says someday drones might able risky job done experienced air crews cockpit hurricane hunter flight possibility still seems distant aircraft like 53rds 10 wc130j planes specially equipped gather meteorological data send us national hurricane center equipment operated manually includes releasing sensors belly aircraft fall transmit storm data including irmas pressure wind speed direction mission got underway sensors known dropsondes appeared malfunctioning technical sergeant karen moore loadmaster releases dropsondes aircraft among many duties said could get gps signal fell irmas winds moore took screwdriver literally started fixing fly one one something drone would able hitterman said also could see future pilotless planes fly hurricanes get data americans need think ways said | 553 |
<p>One of the most talked about groups in recent elections has been the white working class. Although the group has declined as a share of the nation since World War II, it is still very large at nearly 40 percent of the national electorate. Understanding its views and values is essential to political victory, so it isn’t surprising that politicians of all stripes are working hard to gain such an understanding. Andrew Levison’s insightful new book&#160; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-White-Working-Class-Today/dp/0692019790" type="external">The White Working Class Today: Who They Are, How They Think, and How Progressives Can Regain Their Support</a>&#160;tries to provide his fellow progressives with a road map for success with a group Democrats have lost by double digits in recent elections. But the book is more valuable as a source of data and information crucial to strategists of all ideological stripes.</p>
<p>Levison argues that the white working class, contrary to most elite opinions, is not a largely Republican constituency even though Republicans have won the group by double-digit margins in recent elections. He persuasively documents this with opinion surveys that show that these voters are less ideologically conservative than generally recognized. He further shows that many white working class voters hold contradictory views on most issues, views that blend themes from the right and the left. Accordingly, Levison argues that progressives can target these “moderates” by changing their message from a “we know best” top-down approach to a “you’re right, and we’re here to help you” bottom-up one. This message can succeed, he says, only by engaging in a serious ground game that literally meets these voters where they live and brings their voices to Washington year-round.</p>
<p>Levison is at his best when describing the attitudes and lives of today’s white working class. Census data, for example, demonstrates that white working class voters earn less and work more in physically demanding jobs than do more educated whites. Working class men and women are very likely to work in jobs that pay them an average of $21,000 (women) to $31,000 (men) a year. At these wages, it would take two full-time average jobs for a family to earn the median American family income, which perhaps explains why divorce rates are much higher among working class couples today. A single working class mother, however, must be under even greater stress. With her meager earnings, she is highly likely to require government aid to pay for medical care and child care, which places the Obama campaign’s Julia film (and his electoral success among single women) in its proper context.</p>
<p>The Working Class Divide: Big Ten versus SEC</p>
<p>All members of the white working class are not alike, of course, and it is essential to look carefully at their differences. The most important but overlooked traits are religion and region.</p>
<p>There is a very large difference between how southern and non-southern working class whites vote, one Levison indirectly points toward. He finds, as one might expect, that evangelicals hold more conservative views on most issues than do mainline Protestants, especially those dealing with morality and religion. But on core issues of the size of government or the need for government to help the poor, both branches of Protestantism are largely in agreement, only slightly favoring a smaller government and largely supporting more help for the needy even if it means going further into debt. These findings give Levison hope that progressives can win moderate working class voters.</p>
<p>However, it is not clear whether Levison has much to worry about. Only 20 percent of evangelicals hold a BA or higher, which means that attitudes specific to evangelicals are more likely to be found among working class voters. But since evangelicals disproportionally live in or near the South, that means as an electoral matter their views (and their Republican voting patterns) are more of a southern phenomenon than a working class one. Other working class voters who live in large numbers outside the South are less socially conservative and less focused on religion, and hence are less likely to vote Republican.</p>
<p>A deeper dive into the data sources Levison examines further documents this North-South white working class divide. White Catholics, a group Levison curiously overlooks, represent about 17 percent of Americans and are a much higher percentage in key midwestern swing states such as Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The Pew data for Catholics show they are much closer to mainline Protestants than evangelicals on social and economic issues. Since most working class whites living outside the South and border states are either Catholics or mainline Protestants, one would expect to find that support for Democrats and President Obama is much greater among northern and midwestern working class whites than among southerners.</p>
<p>That is in fact what the data show. Political scientist Larry Bartels, writing in the respected electoral blog The Monkey Cage, finds that President Obama won a majority among non-southern whites in households earning less than $45,000 a year. The president’s margin among Levison’s core working class white households — those earning $30,000 a year or less — rises to 55 percent. This figure is supported by exit poll data cited by the National Journal’s Ron Brownstein that shows President Obama carried whites without a college degree in Iowa, received 49 percent of their votes in New Hampshire, and 45 percent in Wisconsin. In each state, between 52 and 55 percent of residents are either mainline Protestant or Catholic. Unless Levison hopes for even larger margins, it seems progressives already are attractive to moderate, non-evangelical working class whites.</p>
<p>The Conservatives’ Midwestern Mind</p>
<p>These findings suggest that conservatives, not progressives, are the ones in need of an electoral strategy to capture this key segment of the electorate. The data Levison provides should serve as a starting point for any thoughtful conservative who wants to regain the White House and the Senate.</p>
<p>Conservatives currently rely on three primary messages to reach these non-evangelical white working class voters. First, delegitimize government by arguing that it is unable to help them get ahead and raise their families whereas the private sector can. Second, argue that when government does act, it too often does so on behalf of undeserving groups, usually illegal immigrants and those who refuse to work. Third, emphasize that conservatives stand on the side of religious liberty and traditional moral values. However, data show that the white working class is not nearly as receptive to these messages as many conservatives hope.</p>
<p>The data show that the white working class does not like government, but has serious questions about whether it can get ahead in today’s economy. A 2011 Washington Post poll found that 43 percent of whites without college degrees believed that hard work was no longer a guarantee of success. Nearly half thought they did not have the education or skills to compete in today’s job market. Attitudes like this strongly suggest that many working class whites do not instinctively see personal benefits flowing from an untrammeled market.</p>
<p>Many members of the white working class are particularly suspicious of the idea that business leaders and financial experts have their interests at heart. Levison cites data for the white working class from a 2011 Pew survey,&#160; <a href="http://www.people-press.org/2011/05/04/beyond-red-vs-blue-the-political-typology/" type="external">Beyond Red vs. Blue</a>, that shows that well over half believe that business makes too much profit and that Wall Street does more to hurt than to help the economy. Three-quarters believe that a few large companies hold too much power. These voters do see government as a problem, but they also believe that big government is not the only obstacle in their paths.</p>
<p>Working class whites also hold more nuanced views on immigration and government’s role to provide for the poor than conservatives usually surmise. Levison shows that large majorities of working class whites think increased immigration is bad for America and favor increased border security rather than immigration reform. But they also strongly oppose free trade agreements. Pew found that the poorest and least-educated part of the white working class, labeled “Disaffecteds,” think free trade agreements are bad for the United States by a two-to-one margin. These people are being pressed by competition from foreigners at home (immigration) and abroad (free trade), and they don’t like it. Conservatives therefore often do not gain the political advantage on immigration that they seek because their free trade views convince working class whites that conservatives are not on their side.</p>
<p>Working class white attitudes toward government help for the poor are also nuanced. The Pew study found that half of the white working class believes poor people have hard lives because government benefits don’t go far enough and that government should go deeper into debt to help needy Americans. This attitude exists even among usually conservative evangelicals.</p>
<p>Most importantly, delegitimizing government does not cause the white working class to distrust or oppose all government activity, especially those programs that directly impact them. For example, the Pew survey found that 82 percent of “Disaffecteds” oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare to help reduce the federal budget deficit. Only 17 percent favor focusing on cutting major programs to reduce the deficit compared with 59 percent of “Staunch Conservatives.”</p>
<p>Conservatives since 1980 have hoped to garner the votes of these economically moderate voters by emphasizing “social issues.” It is true that white working class voters are likely to say that religion is an important part of their lives, and even among Pew’s economically distressed “Disaffecteds,” 41 percent say they attend religious services at least weekly. But that formal religious commitment does not extend to making social issues a top voting priority.</p>
<p>Levison’s data show that the white working class is at best morally moderate. Only 52 percent of whites who have never attended college say that a belief in God is needed to live a moral life. They oppose efforts to get government more involved in protecting traditional morality by a 50-39 percent margin. On homosexuality, 55 percent of whites with a high school degree or less think homosexuality should be accepted by society.</p>
<p>Data for non-evangelical whites with no college experience are not provided, but we should assume given what the data do show about evangelicals generally that these numbers would be even more tilted towards the moral moderation of mainline Protestants and Catholics in this group. Outside of the South and evangelical outposts, then, the stereotypical Reagan Democrat simply doesn’t exist.</p>
<p>These data should not come as a surprise to conservatives or the GOP political class. Canadian conservative political wunderkind Patrick Muttart discovered these trends of economic and moral moderation among the Canadian white working class, especially its Catholic members, back in the middle of the last decade. He used that information to propel Prime Minister Stephen Harper to three straight election wins. Real Clear Politics’ Sean Trende has noted that Ross Perot in 1992 hiked turnout and got a large vote share in regions of the country dominated by white, non-evangelical working class voters by running on such an economically and socially moderate platform. This “Perotlandia” is also the part of the country that saw the largest declines in turnout between 2008 and 2012. Nevertheless, I suspect these data remain shocking to most on the right.</p>
<p>Do Conservatives Really Love Raymond?</p>
<p>Conservatives ought to be worried about these findings, but they ought to be more worried about the moral consensus that animates them. Today’s conservative movement increasingly emphasizes “getting ahead,” “owning your own business,” and economic dynamism as essential to the American dream. That’s what “you built that” was all about. For whites without any college education, however, these are largely alien concepts.</p>
<p>Levison does a great job in outlining the moral worldview of these voters. They aren’t simply not attracted to these goals; they define themselves&#160;in opposition to&#160;these goals.</p>
<p>Levison draws on ethnographic studies to show that for the typical white working class person, family and stability are more important than career and upward mobility. They saw their middle-class bosses as people who “worried all the time,” were “cold and snobbish,” and as “arrogant, very arrogant people.” They saw their work as “just a job,” not a rewarding activity of itself. As befits people who work in teams and do heavy labor, they saw collegiality and practical knowledge to be of greater worth than individual striving and theoretical knowledge. Levison describes this combination as a “distinct combination of viewing work, family, friends, and good character as central values in life while according a much lower value to wealth, achievement, and ambition.”</p>
<p>Perhaps this is the conclusion of a progressive seeing the white working class world through very rose colored glasses. But why, then, did über-conservative Patrick Muttart find exactly the same values among white workers in his studies?</p>
<p>Muttart expressed nearly identical sentiments in an extended interview he gave me in 2010. Working class whites, he told me, are fiscally conservative (low taxes) but economically populist (suspicious of trade, outsourcing, and high finance). They are culturally orthodox but not generally concerned with social issues because their lives won’t change much no matter the outcome. Most importantly, they are modest in their aspirations for themselves. They do not aspire to be “Type A business owners”; they want to go to work, do what’s asked of them, not have too much stress in their lives, and spend time with their families. They want structure and stability in their lives so that things they need are taken care of and they don’t have to worry.</p>
<p>If Muttart and Levison are correct, and I think they are, then both parties have huge problems attracting these voters. But conservative Republicans have the greater problem because these voters have resisted orthodox Republican economic policies, such as reducing entitlement spending, for decades.</p>
<p>Packers and Lions and Bears: Oh My!</p>
<p>Conservatives who want to regain the presidency cannot ignore these facts. The road to the White House runs through the working class voter, whether he is white and non-evangelical, as is the case in the Midwest, or Hispanic and marginally Catholic, as is the case in Florida, Colorado, and Nevada. To win their votes, conservative Republicans must first win their trust.</p>
<p>They can do that if they demonstrate that they understand and respect the moral underpinning of working class life. That moral view places emphasis on hard work and effort and gives respect to those who perform it, regardless of how much money is directly earned. It is one that emphasizes that life is about much more than making money or getting ahead: it’s about family, friends, and experiencing the time we have on Earth. Such views cannot be derided as “whiling away the time”; they are central to the working class world and must be respected.</p>
<p>These views lead to a substantial, but not a dominant, role for government in people’s lives. Government should be prepared to help people where they cannot always help themselves, through regulation and redistribution if necessary. Even school vouchers, a conservative Holy Grail, is at heart a redistributive policy that taxes the well-off to give money to the working class to afford a decent education for their kids.</p>
<p>But a conservative theory of government will be substantially different from a progressive one because conservatives understand better than do progressives that working class voters are makers of their own lives. A conservative approach would emphasize that help would only go to those who help themselves and to those who need it. That means strong work and behavior conditions attached to entitlements and welfare policies, and sharply reducing corporate welfare and tax deductions for the well-to-do. A conservative approach would reduce where possible government’s monopoly provision of services and let people choose from among providers competing for their favor. A conservative approach would recognize that citizenship means more than voting, and accordingly do more to help people whose lives are unduly stressed because of economic dislocation.</p>
<p>Progressives offer the working class handouts and hands-on regulation of their lives. Libertarian-inspired Republicans offer them a hands-off society that is indifferent to their fate. Conservatives should offer them a new deal. They should offer them what they really want: a hand up.</p> | false | 1 | one talked groups recent elections white working class although group declined share nation since world war ii still large nearly 40 percent national electorate understanding views values essential political victory isnt surprising politicians stripes working hard gain understanding andrew levisons insightful new book160 white working class today think progressives regain support160tries provide fellow progressives road map success group democrats lost double digits recent elections book valuable source data information crucial strategists ideological stripes levison argues white working class contrary elite opinions largely republican constituency even though republicans group doubledigit margins recent elections persuasively documents opinion surveys show voters less ideologically conservative generally recognized shows many white working class voters hold contradictory views issues views blend themes right left accordingly levison argues progressives target moderates changing message know best topdown approach youre right help bottomup one message succeed says engaging serious ground game literally meets voters live brings voices washington yearround levison best describing attitudes lives todays white working class census data example demonstrates white working class voters earn less work physically demanding jobs educated whites working class men women likely work jobs pay average 21000 women 31000 men year wages would take two fulltime average jobs family earn median american family income perhaps explains divorce rates much higher among working class couples today single working class mother however must even greater stress meager earnings highly likely require government aid pay medical care child care places obama campaigns julia film electoral success among single women proper context working class divide big ten versus sec members white working class alike course essential look carefully differences important overlooked traits religion region large difference southern nonsouthern working class whites vote one levison indirectly points toward finds one might expect evangelicals hold conservative views issues mainline protestants especially dealing morality religion core issues size government need government help poor branches protestantism largely agreement slightly favoring smaller government largely supporting help needy even means going debt findings give levison hope progressives win moderate working class voters however clear whether levison much worry 20 percent evangelicals hold ba higher means attitudes specific evangelicals likely found among working class voters since evangelicals disproportionally live near south means electoral matter views republican voting patterns southern phenomenon working class one working class voters live large numbers outside south less socially conservative less focused religion hence less likely vote republican deeper dive data sources levison examines documents northsouth white working class divide white catholics group levison curiously overlooks represent 17 percent americans much higher percentage key midwestern swing states michigan iowa wisconsin pew data catholics show much closer mainline protestants evangelicals social economic issues since working class whites living outside south border states either catholics mainline protestants one would expect find support democrats president obama much greater among northern midwestern working class whites among southerners fact data show political scientist larry bartels writing respected electoral blog monkey cage finds president obama majority among nonsouthern whites households earning less 45000 year presidents margin among levisons core working class white households earning 30000 year less rises 55 percent figure supported exit poll data cited national journals ron brownstein shows president obama carried whites without college degree iowa received 49 percent votes new hampshire 45 percent wisconsin state 52 55 percent residents either mainline protestant catholic unless levison hopes even larger margins seems progressives already attractive moderate nonevangelical working class whites conservatives midwestern mind findings suggest conservatives progressives ones need electoral strategy capture key segment electorate data levison provides serve starting point thoughtful conservative wants regain white house senate conservatives currently rely three primary messages reach nonevangelical white working class voters first delegitimize government arguing unable help get ahead raise families whereas private sector second argue government act often behalf undeserving groups usually illegal immigrants refuse work third emphasize conservatives stand side religious liberty traditional moral values however data show white working class nearly receptive messages many conservatives hope data show white working class like government serious questions whether get ahead todays economy 2011 washington post poll found 43 percent whites without college degrees believed hard work longer guarantee success nearly half thought education skills compete todays job market attitudes like strongly suggest many working class whites instinctively see personal benefits flowing untrammeled market many members white working class particularly suspicious idea business leaders financial experts interests heart levison cites data white working class 2011 pew survey160 beyond red vs blue shows well half believe business makes much profit wall street hurt help economy threequarters believe large companies hold much power voters see government problem also believe big government obstacle paths working class whites also hold nuanced views immigration governments role provide poor conservatives usually surmise levison shows large majorities working class whites think increased immigration bad america favor increased border security rather immigration reform also strongly oppose free trade agreements pew found poorest leasteducated part white working class labeled disaffecteds think free trade agreements bad united states twotoone margin people pressed competition foreigners home immigration abroad free trade dont like conservatives therefore often gain political advantage immigration seek free trade views convince working class whites conservatives side working class white attitudes toward government help poor also nuanced pew study found half white working class believes poor people hard lives government benefits dont go far enough government go deeper debt help needy americans attitude exists even among usually conservative evangelicals importantly delegitimizing government cause white working class distrust oppose government activity especially programs directly impact example pew survey found 82 percent disaffecteds oppose cutting social security medicare help reduce federal budget deficit 17 percent favor focusing cutting major programs reduce deficit compared 59 percent staunch conservatives conservatives since 1980 hoped garner votes economically moderate voters emphasizing social issues true white working class voters likely say religion important part lives even among pews economically distressed disaffecteds 41 percent say attend religious services least weekly formal religious commitment extend making social issues top voting priority levisons data show white working class best morally moderate 52 percent whites never attended college say belief god needed live moral life oppose efforts get government involved protecting traditional morality 5039 percent margin homosexuality 55 percent whites high school degree less think homosexuality accepted society data nonevangelical whites college experience provided assume given data show evangelicals generally numbers would even tilted towards moral moderation mainline protestants catholics group outside south evangelical outposts stereotypical reagan democrat simply doesnt exist data come surprise conservatives gop political class canadian conservative political wunderkind patrick muttart discovered trends economic moral moderation among canadian white working class especially catholic members back middle last decade used information propel prime minister stephen harper three straight election wins real clear politics sean trende noted ross perot 1992 hiked turnout got large vote share regions country dominated white nonevangelical working class voters running economically socially moderate platform perotlandia also part country saw largest declines turnout 2008 2012 nevertheless suspect data remain shocking right conservatives really love raymond conservatives ought worried findings ought worried moral consensus animates todays conservative movement increasingly emphasizes getting ahead owning business economic dynamism essential american dream thats built whites without college education however largely alien concepts levison great job outlining moral worldview voters arent simply attracted goals define themselves160in opposition to160these goals levison draws ethnographic studies show typical white working class person family stability important career upward mobility saw middleclass bosses people worried time cold snobbish arrogant arrogant people saw work job rewarding activity befits people work teams heavy labor saw collegiality practical knowledge greater worth individual striving theoretical knowledge levison describes combination distinct combination viewing work family friends good character central values life according much lower value wealth achievement ambition perhaps conclusion progressive seeing white working class world rose colored glasses überconservative patrick muttart find exactly values among white workers studies muttart expressed nearly identical sentiments extended interview gave 2010 working class whites told fiscally conservative low taxes economically populist suspicious trade outsourcing high finance culturally orthodox generally concerned social issues lives wont change much matter outcome importantly modest aspirations aspire type business owners want go work whats asked much stress lives spend time families want structure stability lives things need taken care dont worry muttart levison correct think parties huge problems attracting voters conservative republicans greater problem voters resisted orthodox republican economic policies reducing entitlement spending decades packers lions bears oh conservatives want regain presidency ignore facts road white house runs working class voter whether white nonevangelical case midwest hispanic marginally catholic case florida colorado nevada win votes conservative republicans must first win trust demonstrate understand respect moral underpinning working class life moral view places emphasis hard work effort gives respect perform regardless much money directly earned one emphasizes life much making money getting ahead family friends experiencing time earth views derided whiling away time central working class world must respected views lead substantial dominant role government peoples lives government prepared help people always help regulation redistribution necessary even school vouchers conservative holy grail heart redistributive policy taxes welloff give money working class afford decent education kids conservative theory government substantially different progressive one conservatives understand better progressives working class voters makers lives conservative approach would emphasize help would go help need means strong work behavior conditions attached entitlements welfare policies sharply reducing corporate welfare tax deductions welltodo conservative approach would reduce possible governments monopoly provision services let people choose among providers competing favor conservative approach would recognize citizenship means voting accordingly help people whose lives unduly stressed economic dislocation progressives offer working class handouts handson regulation lives libertarianinspired republicans offer handsoff society indifferent fate conservatives offer new deal offer really want hand | 1,588 |
<p>As Venezuela’s oil industry goes down it flames, it’s reportedly looking like it may just take Cuba down with it.</p>
<p>Venezuela, once the crude powerhouse of South and Central America, “is no longer able to produce enough oil to sustain its own economy, much less those of other countries,” <a href="https://flipboard.com/@flipboard/-venezuelas-oil-industry-is-collapsing-a/f-203b219226%2Fbusinessinsider.com" type="external">Business Insider</a> reports.</p>
<p>“Cuba is frantically drilling in search for new reserves and reaching out for new suppliers, but there is no guarantee they’ll be able to stabilize their oil income any time soon,” the report stated.</p>
<p>“In the midst of political unrest and economic devastation, Venezuela’s oil exports have plummeted by 40 percent in the last 3 years. During an export drought that lasted the better part of last year, the Cuban government has been combatting the stemmed fuel flow with regular energy rationing. In an attempt to avoid blackouts, the government has ordered cuts in electricity and fuel consumption to most state-run companies and entities (a huge pool in a communist country) by 50 percent, resulting in workers hours slashed and access to vehicles severely restricted,” the BI account stated.</p>
<p>To be sure, to avert default, Venezuela is seemingly turning to its secretive bag of tricks.</p>
<p>In the wake of Goldman Sachs’s controversial purchase of $2.8 billion of bonds held in Venezuela’s vaults, investors have been trying to quickly figure out what other hidden assets the country might be sitting on, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-15/to-avert-default-venezuela-turns-to-its-secretive-bag-of-tricks" type="external">Bloomberg reports.</a></p>
<p>The stakes are high. As the central bank’s officially published foreign-reserve figure dwindles to just over $10 billion, that secretive stockpile might ultimately decide whether the nation averts default or not.</p>
<p>Calculating the value of those securities, as you might expect, is tricky. Estimates range from $15.5 billion of assets that could be made liquid from perennial contrarian Francisco Rodriguez to as little as zero from Nomura Inc.’s Siobhan Morden. Barclays Plc landed in the middle, at about $10 billion.</p>
<p>Adding to the complex calculations is speculation that Venezuela is going to have a tougher and tougher time finding buyers for these securities. After Goldman was loudly criticized in Venezuela and abroad for last month’s deal, Wall Street banks and investors are growing increasingly hesitant to finance a regime that’s routinely accused of human-rights violations and blamed for widespread shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities.</p>
<p>“There’s something that has undergone a big change,” said Alejandro Grisanti, the director of the Caracas-based consultancy Ecoanalitica. “And that’s the issue of the market’s willingness to buy what has been offered.”</p>
<p>Reserves &amp; Gold</p>
<p>Venezuela reports foreign reserves of about $10.4 billion, $7.6 billion of which is composed of gold that was on the central bank’s balance sheet as of March. The cash component is easy enough to spend, but questions have swirled around the gold since ex-president Hugo Chavez brought most of it into the country several years ago. It’s unclear how much is still in Caracas and how much has been sent back to overseas banks where it could be counted as collateral to raise funds. (Officials at the Finance Ministry declined to comment, while the central bank didn’t return emails seeking comment. Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, for his part, has promised he has the funds to pay debt through next year.)</p>
<p>Wherever Venezuela’s gold is, it isn’t particularly easy to sell billions of dollars of precious metal. That’s why Grisanti, a former head of Latin America research at Barclays, doubts that the reserves should be considered truly liquid.</p>
<p>Bonds</p>
<p>Then there’s the murkier set of assets. Some of the bond stash is believed to date from a highly unusual practice that the government had for pumping dollars into the foreign-exchange market through the Venezuelan central bank. Others may have been purchased by government entities including pension funds. It’s been tough for investors to get a handle on how much of the bonds are still knocking around in Venezuela.</p>
<p>One big chunk surfaced last month when Goldman Sachs purchased $2.8 billion of securities that had previously been held by the central bank. Goldman bought the bonds at a deep discount, triggering outrage among Venezuela’s critics, who accused the bank of throwing a lifeline to Maduro. There’s still $5 billion of sovereign bonds due 2036 that were sold to a state bank. Traders have said they’ve seen attempts to shop those around too.</p>
<p>In all, Barclays analyst Alejandro Arreaza estimates Venezuela could raise up to $4.4 billion selling the securities. Rodriguez, the chief economist at Torino Capital, estimates the government could squeeze $5.1 billion out of them, especially if it seizes onshore bonds held by locals.</p>
<p>Cash Accounts</p>
<p>Venezuela also has funds in various off-balance-sheet accounts. Barclays estimates it’s as much as $6.1 billion, though how much of that is truly accessible is unclear because some portion comes from Chinese loans that carry restrictions on their use.</p>
<p>Rodriguez counts $4.8 billion in off-budget funds. He also puts a value on trade credits associated with Venezuela’s program of selling cheap oil to allies in the Caribbean and Central America. He says Venezuela may be able to monitize the IOUs to the tune of $3.5 billion. He also thinks the country could raise another $2 billion by selling various public-sector overseas investments.</p>
<p>“Most of these assets are illiquid,” Rodriguez said. “They can be sold, or securitized, and so they can be made liquid.”</p>
<p>The next big test for how long the money will last is October, when the state oil company has to make a payment of just under $1 billion on its 2020 bond.</p>
<p>(Newsmax wires services contributed to this report).</p> | false | 1 | venezuelas oil industry goes flames reportedly looking like may take cuba venezuela crude powerhouse south central america longer able produce enough oil sustain economy much less countries business insider reports cuba frantically drilling search new reserves reaching new suppliers guarantee theyll able stabilize oil income time soon report stated midst political unrest economic devastation venezuelas oil exports plummeted 40 percent last 3 years export drought lasted better part last year cuban government combatting stemmed fuel flow regular energy rationing attempt avoid blackouts government ordered cuts electricity fuel consumption staterun companies entities huge pool communist country 50 percent resulting workers hours slashed access vehicles severely restricted bi account stated sure avert default venezuela seemingly turning secretive bag tricks wake goldman sachss controversial purchase 28 billion bonds held venezuelas vaults investors trying quickly figure hidden assets country might sitting bloomberg reports stakes high central banks officially published foreignreserve figure dwindles 10 billion secretive stockpile might ultimately decide whether nation averts default calculating value securities might expect tricky estimates range 155 billion assets could made liquid perennial contrarian francisco rodriguez little zero nomura incs siobhan morden barclays plc landed middle 10 billion adding complex calculations speculation venezuela going tougher tougher time finding buyers securities goldman loudly criticized venezuela abroad last months deal wall street banks investors growing increasingly hesitant finance regime thats routinely accused humanrights violations blamed widespread shortages food medicine basic necessities theres something undergone big change said alejandro grisanti director caracasbased consultancy ecoanalitica thats issue markets willingness buy offered reserves amp gold venezuela reports foreign reserves 104 billion 76 billion composed gold central banks balance sheet march cash component easy enough spend questions swirled around gold since expresident hugo chavez brought country several years ago unclear much still caracas much sent back overseas banks could counted collateral raise funds officials finance ministry declined comment central bank didnt return emails seeking comment venezuela president nicolas maduro part promised funds pay debt next year wherever venezuelas gold isnt particularly easy sell billions dollars precious metal thats grisanti former head latin america research barclays doubts reserves considered truly liquid bonds theres murkier set assets bond stash believed date highly unusual practice government pumping dollars foreignexchange market venezuelan central bank others may purchased government entities including pension funds tough investors get handle much bonds still knocking around venezuela one big chunk surfaced last month goldman sachs purchased 28 billion securities previously held central bank goldman bought bonds deep discount triggering outrage among venezuelas critics accused bank throwing lifeline maduro theres still 5 billion sovereign bonds due 2036 sold state bank traders said theyve seen attempts shop around barclays analyst alejandro arreaza estimates venezuela could raise 44 billion selling securities rodriguez chief economist torino capital estimates government could squeeze 51 billion especially seizes onshore bonds held locals cash accounts venezuela also funds various offbalancesheet accounts barclays estimates much 61 billion though much truly accessible unclear portion comes chinese loans carry restrictions use rodriguez counts 48 billion offbudget funds also puts value trade credits associated venezuelas program selling cheap oil allies caribbean central america says venezuela may able monitize ious tune 35 billion also thinks country could raise another 2 billion selling various publicsector overseas investments assets illiquid rodriguez said sold securitized made liquid next big test long money last october state oil company make payment 1 billion 2020 bond newsmax wires services contributed report | 558 |
<p />
<p>The intensity and the extent of popular anger against the tyranny and incompetency of Hosni Mubarak regime in Egypt have undoubtedly taken the whole world by surprise. The U.S. government has been sending mixed messages to its close ally and its angry population alike. With rhetoric swinging between realism and idealism, the Obama administration has expressed willingness to help the regime implement necessary reforms, urged all parties to refrain from violence, and acknowledged the "universal" rights of the people.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">&lt;img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8652" style="margin: 5px;" title="mubarak-1" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mubarak-1-300x200.jpg" alt="Hosni Mubarak" width="300" height="200" /&gt;</a>The real story is that the United States and the European Union are keen to see social, economic, and political reforms initiated by the existing regime, and, given the circumstances, this is the right policy to be pursued. In other words, Hosni Mubarak's ability to retain his power until the September's Presidential elections offers the best prospect for instillation of democracy and preservation of stability in Egypt.</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, now that the status-quo is shaking, there have been countless expressions of amazement that the U.S. government made its bed with such a dictatorial regime for so long. The Obama administration has been criticized for its lack of support for pro-democracy advocates and failure to uphold the principles of American exceptionalism; namely, respect for human rights and promotion of democratic norms and values. Some have gone even further arguing that America ought to utilize its leverage to force Mubarak to stand down. Sadly, such views are at best inconsistent with realities on the ground and at worst na've.</p>
<p>The stakes are sky high and that Western preference for an "orderly transition" to democracy should not be hard to understand.</p>
<p>First of all, Mubarak's regime, in spite of all the passion on the street, could survive and would remember well any wavering of U.S. support. Mubarak's NDP is the most powerful force in Egypt thanks to its composition which is a coalition of business and political elites who have a vested interest to preserve the status-quo. In addition, the military is highly likely to remain loyal to the President because it has been enjoying an unprecedented fiscal autonomy under Mubarak's rule. The military has its own companies that produce consumer products, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured goods. The officer corps also benefit from higher salaries, better housing, and high-quality health care. This is of paramount importance because how the Egyptian army behaves will play a pivotal role in determining the course of the revolt.</p>
<p>Secondly, other regimes in the region might become disenchanted if the U.S. fails to back its long-time ally, especially given that a spill-over effect is no longer a probability but a strong possibility. And if large-scale demonstrations spread to Jordan and Saudi Arabia, regional catastrophe would become inevitable.</p>
<p>Finally, any sudden change in composition of power in Egypt could potentially empower a popular movement that is less supportive on US foreign policy, thereby endangering U.S. policies such as the blockade of Gaza. However, this is not merely an "Ikhwanophobia". There are concerns with continuation of U.S. naval access to the Suez Canal as well as the U.S. - Egyptian intelligence cooperation. The U.S. Navy, which sends a dozen of ships through the Suez Canal per month, receives expedited processing for nuclear warships to pass through the Canal, a valued service that can normally take weeks for other foreign navies. Egypt also provides over-flight rights to U.S. aircraft, and it also assembles the "Abrams" M-1 tank at a government facility near Cairo. Egypt is now in possession of some highly advanced American artilleries and that U.S. and its western allies are concerned with the possibility of all that weaponry, or technology behind it, falling into the hands of hostile forces.</p>
<p>As such, Washington must get off the fence and publicly explain where it stands. This does not and should not require it to be either with the Egyptian public or against them. At this point, almost any outcome is possible, and thus the U.S. needs to make policy with an eye on its long-term interests.</p>
<p>Egypt does not need a revolution but a series of radical reforms. As the Iranian experience illustrates, revolutions are inherently unpredictable and may inspire a hard liner with a well-established constituency to seek power thereby, elevating himself into a position of political authority that he is later reluctant to relinquish. Obviously, Iran and Egypt are different, but revolutions are not.</p>
<p>A sudden end to Mubarak's tenure is highly unlikely to lead to establishment of an inclusive social, economic, and political system. The Obama administration should hence seek to help Mubarak to calm the society without resorting to violent means, freeze its foreign-aid package to Egypt until after elections, refrain from endorsing any particular candidate or party, and use the time span between now and September to help foster civic activities. The Egyptian nation must understand that it needs to do more than rejecting the ways of the past, and try to truly grasp the ideas of liberty and responsible governance if it is serious about democracy.</p>
<p>Political actors, in turn, need to define what their strategies are and how they are going to address Egypt's socio-economic ills so Egyptians can make well-informed decisions on the voting day. This is important, given that current contesters have offered rhetoric as opposed to policy prescriptions, and experience shows that democracy requires more than vague slogans such as "Islam is the solution" or "change is coming".</p>
<p>It is critical that September elections will be held in a free and fair manner and western governments recognize the winner whoever that may be. If the regime tries to cancel, postpone, or rig the elections, this would put an end to any claim the United States has of promoting democracy and reform. As a result, the Obama administration ought to be credited for making it clear to Mubarak that it cannot be business asusual and that it is the retirement time for the 82 year old incumbent. However, foreign governments can do more by encouraging opposition leaders to take part in the government-backed dialogue in order to help defusing the ongoing unrest. After all, creating a pluralistic order will have to entail a measure of goodwill and pragmatism from all parties involved.</p>
<p>In the meantime, the U.S. government itself should rethink its grand strategy in the Middle East. The U.S. must reconsider its military aid policy with an eye on linking it to domestic performance of its allies. More importantly though, as recent events in the region illustrate, the U.S. might have to deal with Islamic parties on a more regular basis because they are a part of the region-wide democratic movements and might gain power through elections. Regional political landscape is changing and that Israel's uncompromising stance on a number of issues is likely to turn it into a strategic burden. This requires the administration to critically evaluate the extent to which its unconditional security commitments towards Israel can negatively affect U.S. flexibility in its regional encounters.</p> | false | 1 | intensity extent popular anger tyranny incompetency hosni mubarak regime egypt undoubtedly taken whole world surprise us government sending mixed messages close ally angry population alike rhetoric swinging realism idealism obama administration expressed willingness help regime implement necessary reforms urged parties refrain violence acknowledged universal rights people ltimg classalignleft sizemedium wpimage8652 stylemargin 5px titlemubarak1 srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201102mubarak1300x200jpg althosni mubarak width300 height200 gtthe real story united states european union keen see social economic political reforms initiated existing regime given circumstances right policy pursued words hosni mubaraks ability retain power septembers presidential elections offers best prospect instillation democracy preservation stability egypt unsurprisingly statusquo shaking countless expressions amazement us government made bed dictatorial regime long obama administration criticized lack support prodemocracy advocates failure uphold principles american exceptionalism namely respect human rights promotion democratic norms values gone even arguing america ought utilize leverage force mubarak stand sadly views best inconsistent realities ground worst nave stakes sky high western preference orderly transition democracy hard understand first mubaraks regime spite passion street could survive would remember well wavering us support mubaraks ndp powerful force egypt thanks composition coalition business political elites vested interest preserve statusquo addition military highly likely remain loyal president enjoying unprecedented fiscal autonomy mubaraks rule military companies produce consumer products pharmaceuticals manufactured goods officer corps also benefit higher salaries better housing highquality health care paramount importance egyptian army behaves play pivotal role determining course revolt secondly regimes region might become disenchanted us fails back longtime ally especially given spillover effect longer probability strong possibility largescale demonstrations spread jordan saudi arabia regional catastrophe would become inevitable finally sudden change composition power egypt could potentially empower popular movement less supportive us foreign policy thereby endangering us policies blockade gaza however merely ikhwanophobia concerns continuation us naval access suez canal well us egyptian intelligence cooperation us navy sends dozen ships suez canal per month receives expedited processing nuclear warships pass canal valued service normally take weeks foreign navies egypt also provides overflight rights us aircraft also assembles abrams m1 tank government facility near cairo egypt possession highly advanced american artilleries us western allies concerned possibility weaponry technology behind falling hands hostile forces washington must get fence publicly explain stands require either egyptian public point almost outcome possible thus us needs make policy eye longterm interests egypt need revolution series radical reforms iranian experience illustrates revolutions inherently unpredictable may inspire hard liner wellestablished constituency seek power thereby elevating position political authority later reluctant relinquish obviously iran egypt different revolutions sudden end mubaraks tenure highly unlikely lead establishment inclusive social economic political system obama administration hence seek help mubarak calm society without resorting violent means freeze foreignaid package egypt elections refrain endorsing particular candidate party use time span september help foster civic activities egyptian nation must understand needs rejecting ways past try truly grasp ideas liberty responsible governance serious democracy political actors turn need define strategies going address egypts socioeconomic ills egyptians make wellinformed decisions voting day important given current contesters offered rhetoric opposed policy prescriptions experience shows democracy requires vague slogans islam solution change coming critical september elections held free fair manner western governments recognize winner whoever may regime tries cancel postpone rig elections would put end claim united states promoting democracy reform result obama administration ought credited making clear mubarak business asusual retirement time 82 year old incumbent however foreign governments encouraging opposition leaders take part governmentbacked dialogue order help defusing ongoing unrest creating pluralistic order entail measure goodwill pragmatism parties involved meantime us government rethink grand strategy middle east us must reconsider military aid policy eye linking domestic performance allies importantly though recent events region illustrate us might deal islamic parties regular basis part regionwide democratic movements might gain power elections regional political landscape changing israels uncompromising stance number issues likely turn strategic burden requires administration critically evaluate extent unconditional security commitments towards israel negatively affect us flexibility regional encounters | 642 |
<p>SAN SEBASTIAN — “Boy or girl?” jokes Adi (Adrian Schiop), poking the vast dome of a belly of boyfriend Alberto (Pavel Vasile-Digudai), who lies on his sofa, on which he takes up frequent residence, in the mid-stretch of “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/soldiers/" type="external">Soldiers</a>. A Story from Ferentari.”</p>
<p>Even in physical terms, the love story of Adi, a wiry thin-rim-glassed intellectual and Alberto, an young ox of a man who has gone to fat, seems a near surreal conjunction. And sex is one of the best things the couple’s got going for them.</p>
<p>Adi and Alberto meet when Adi moves into a dreary flat in the Ferentari Roma neighborhood of Bucharest, to research a doctorate on menele, Roma urban folk music. But homosexuality is frowned upon in Ferentari. The lovers can frolic together in a park in the rich part of Bucharest, but not even hold hands in the neighborhood. Adi comes from Romania’s middle-class, a Roma ex-con who is treated like a serf by his cousin. Adi feeds Alberto dreams of getting a job at the local rail yard. Alberto spends the money Adi gives him on slot machines.</p>
<p>Shot in near-documentary style, and based on Adrian Schiop’s book, “Soldiers. A Story from Ferentari” marks the fiction feature debut of Serbia’s <a href="http://variety.com/t/ivana-mladenovic/" type="external">Ivana Mladenovic</a>.</p>
<p>The film’s caché has grown steadily given its backing – “Toni Erdmann” co-producer Ada Solomon at Romania’s Hi Film Productions, Serbia’s Film House Bas Celik, Belgium’s Frakas Prods – as well as pickup for world sales by Beta Cinema and the film’s selection for Toronto’s Discovery section and competition at San Sebastián. “Soldiers” delivers a searing comment on the gulf between Roma and middle-class Romanians, and en passant on poverty porn. Odd couples have rarely seemed odder, though endearing, or a love story so rigorously realist and at times – and this also goes for interludes, such as of a Roma wedding – at the same time so surreal.&#160; Variety talked to Mladenovic before her San Sebastián competition screening.</p>
<p>The film’s heart, and warmest scenes, are those of Adi and Alberto is the park, or just chilling out in the flat, or walking with mischievous smiles on their lips, almost holding hands, to the countryside to make love. How did you get such performances from two actors who are after all non-pros?</p>
<p>Once I found the person who was going to play Alberto’s character, I felt at ease. After all, he was the one who was hard to find – the looks of an ex-con Roma who would be able to be good at acting long monologues, none the less. When I met Pavel Vasile-Digudai, it seemed almost impossible that a family, married man from a very traditional gypsy community, who is not even gay, would accept the role of Alberto. But once he accepted, we started a long process of working on acting. He would come every weekend to Bucharest (he works as a bodyguard in a city far away from Bucharest) and participate in long casting sessions with actors while I was trying to fill the role of Adi. At the same time he would learn from them, even what improvisation means. It lasted for one year and a half, until I finally decided to take the real Adi for the role of Adi the character. It was strange for Alberto at the beginning because it was hard for him to act with someone he knew was openly gay. But when he met Adi he discovered that he had so much in common that the two became friends. We rented a small apartment in Ferentari, almost similar to the one in the movie, and we started filming rehearsals for two months before the actual shoot.</p>
<p>Festival films from Latin America are sometimes accused of being “poverty porn,” exquisitely-lensed depictions of dirt squalor and hopelessness. You seem conscious of this not only in your commentaries on the films – “Poverty is not to be contemplated” but in developing “Soldiers” as a study of the psychology of poverty and ostracism. Adi’s been dumped by his girlfriend, conceives a romantic scheme to rescue Alberto, which also helps him restore his self-respect. Alberto is ostracized by his family or treated as a neo-pet by rich Roma Borcan.&#160; &#160;</p>
<p>I had the temptation to focus more on the framework, the poverty around me – Ferentari is a world in itself, somewhat different from the rest of Bucharest, and your eyes are easily stolen by the landscape, you want to put the camera on what you see around. Even though Adi’s novel in real life (on which this film is actually based) has a sociological dimension, with all kinds of interesting episodic characters or examples of atrocious poverty, I preferred to ignore them in my film. In the novel, such characters and situations are packed by the narrator’s voice in a mixture of dry cynical empathy: “That’s how it is, that’s the way things work”. But in my film, in the absence of a voiceover, this approach would have been pathetic and ostentatious, as it is with porn. Which is why I preferred to obsessively observe the relationship of the two men; to reveal the paths of poverty and psychology through Alberto: the status of a servant in cousin Borcan’s house; his legitimate desire to gain his personal autonomy at any cost; and his gambling addiction that is also based on the hope of getting out of poverty.</p>
<p>From the very first scene, when Adi discusses the rent, money runs through the film, with Adi haggling over price of anything from a Nokia phone to a prostitute. The film seems at once tender and acutely aware of what separates Adi and Alberto…the movie has been described as a Roma Romeo and Juliet, but it’s one where Romeo can go back to his well-heeled family. Only Juliet dies.&#160;</p>
<p>It’s true: Romeo and Juliet came from worlds of similar economic and status quotient, whereas Adi and Alberto come from radically different economic worlds (clearly in favor of Adi). As long as there’s enough money for sustenance, Adi’s relationship with Alberto goes smoothly: a kind of affection that we can call love. In that sense, money adds to love. But when money finally runs out, the problems begin. Alberto realizes that Adi is without money and power, even though he comes from a different background to Alberto’s.</p>
<p>If we circle back to the comparison to Romeo and Juliet, it is first and foremost the idea of ​​an impossible relationship that has no success in the real world: the differences between the worlds where the protagonists come from is difficult to reconcile and here it is not just about money.</p>
<p>As for the fact that only ‘Juliet’ dies – in the consumerist world we live in today, the sublime tragedy has been replaced with the drama. In the tragic version, perhaps Adi would have had to stay with Alberto until they get kicked out of the apartment, work his days while sleeping in a social shelter and maybe end up setting themselves on fire in front of the town hall in protest against the course of society. But Alberto is not a piece of clay waiting to be molded, and Adi does not want to take the responsibility in the end, Alberto ends up worse than he was at the beginning.</p>
<p>You’ve said that ”Soldiers. Story of Ferentari” is a love story which then becomes one about guilt. That’s not only Adi’s, however, but the spectator’s I think…</p>
<p>At one point I was tempted to make the film from Alberto’s perspective but I realized I would not be honest with myself. I was not able to rebuild the psychology of a poor, ex-con Roma. Mediation through the eyes of a character in the same social class as mine seemed more credible. Staring at the idea of ​​the perspective through Alberto’s eyes, I also realized that the meaning of the film would have been reversed: Alberto would have become a kind of hero who risked everything to get rid of Borcan’s captivity by replacing it with another captivity, to a drunken homosexual, poor and rather stingy guy who at the end abandons him. Adi would have become a moral monster in a boring and conformist fable, which was 100% politically correct. That’s not what I wanted. I wanted a movie that empathizes with both characters. Watching the story through Adi’s eyes, the spectator tends to identify with him, put himself in his shoes. Through Adi’s eyes, the mechanisms of the racism against the Roma are dismantled – the fear and paranoia towards them. Then, as a spectator, you get attached to Alberto and discover that he is actually a funny and sensitive guy and that he deserves a better life. Then you begin to identify with him. Of course the question that concerns both of them is what can Adi do for Alberto, under the circumstances? After his relationship with Adi, Alberto cannot go back home, and Adi is trapped in an one-way situation. We begin to identify with Adi’s guilt.</p>
<p>The film has been praised by the few who have seen it for its taboo-busting. That seems to me to be across the board. You show queer love in a Roma community. You don’t steer away from the district’s simmering threat of violence in its men or admissions of petty-criminality. &#160;</p>
<p>Before this film, I have made a documentary about three young men released from prison. Spending almost three years making that film I have seen that poverty attracts crime; that it’s a vicious circle that can be very hard to escape. That’s why I didn’t steer away of showing either the violence or the petty criminality in Ferentari: it’s part of the poverty landscape; it did not make sense to hide it. But I did not insist on it either; I preferred to suggest it. I was afraid that too much insistence risked detracting the message of the film to other areas. The film is first and foremost a love story between two individuals. It’s neither an ethnographical study of a Roma cartier nor a sociological radiography of the ghetto. But from their love story you realize step by step how things work with poverty and homosexuality in the Roma: that homosexuality is regarded as a defiled thing that can throw you among the untouchables; that it is hard to wash, only with the priest; that it is forgiven if you did it only in jail and only as the active person; and that in the end, homosexuality is something that you have to get rid of. Alberto’s schizophrenia is so great that even when he does it with Adi he feels the need to talk about women or look at hetero porn. On the other hand, even in Romanian society in its entirety things are not much better: Before Alberto, Adi had a heterosexual relationship for a few years, in discussions with his friend Andrei makes it clear that Adi is not at all a homosexual virgin. As Adi mentions in his novel, in Romania, homosexuality – just like crime – is done in silence, naturally, under the cover of an honorable family business.</p>
<p>When you set out to direct “Soldiers. Story from Ferentari” what guidelines did you give yourself regarding direction?</p>
<p>Not to lose patience with non-professional actors and not to be confined to and actually forget about the script whenever I could.</p>
<p>You’re Serbian but based out of Bucharest. Also an actress. What are your plans for the future? Was acting in Radu’s film just a one-off?</p>
<p>I moved to Romania 13 years ago, and this is where I studied film directing and where I stayed to live. It’s like a second home and it feels good to have two countries. While waiting to make my fiction debut, I was offered to act in Radu Jude’s film “Scarred Hearts.” It was an amazing experience that I have accepted because I was a complete non-professional and I was about to direct a bunch of non-professional actors for my own film. I’m not sure if I would do it again, but if I believe in the director and their vision, which was definitely the case with Radu Jude, I would embrace it most probably.</p> | false | 1 | san sebastian boy girl jokes adi adrian schiop poking vast dome belly boyfriend alberto pavel vasiledigudai lies sofa takes frequent residence midstretch soldiers story ferentari even physical terms love story adi wiry thinrimglassed intellectual alberto young ox man gone fat seems near surreal conjunction sex one best things couples got going adi alberto meet adi moves dreary flat ferentari roma neighborhood bucharest research doctorate menele roma urban folk music homosexuality frowned upon ferentari lovers frolic together park rich part bucharest even hold hands neighborhood adi comes romanias middleclass roma excon treated like serf cousin adi feeds alberto dreams getting job local rail yard alberto spends money adi gives slot machines shot neardocumentary style based adrian schiops book soldiers story ferentari marks fiction feature debut serbias ivana mladenovic films caché grown steadily given backing toni erdmann coproducer ada solomon romanias hi film productions serbias film house bas celik belgiums frakas prods well pickup world sales beta cinema films selection torontos discovery section competition san sebastián soldiers delivers searing comment gulf roma middleclass romanians en passant poverty porn odd couples rarely seemed odder though endearing love story rigorously realist times also goes interludes roma wedding time surreal160 variety talked mladenovic san sebastián competition screening films heart warmest scenes adi alberto park chilling flat walking mischievous smiles lips almost holding hands countryside make love get performances two actors nonpros found person going play albertos character felt ease one hard find looks excon roma would able good acting long monologues none less met pavel vasiledigudai seemed almost impossible family married man traditional gypsy community even gay would accept role alberto accepted started long process working acting would come every weekend bucharest works bodyguard city far away bucharest participate long casting sessions actors trying fill role adi time would learn even improvisation means lasted one year half finally decided take real adi role adi character strange alberto beginning hard act someone knew openly gay met adi discovered much common two became friends rented small apartment ferentari almost similar one movie started filming rehearsals two months actual shoot festival films latin america sometimes accused poverty porn exquisitelylensed depictions dirt squalor hopelessness seem conscious commentaries films poverty contemplated developing soldiers study psychology poverty ostracism adis dumped girlfriend conceives romantic scheme rescue alberto also helps restore selfrespect alberto ostracized family treated neopet rich roma borcan160 160 temptation focus framework poverty around ferentari world somewhat different rest bucharest eyes easily stolen landscape want put camera see around even though adis novel real life film actually based sociological dimension kinds interesting episodic characters examples atrocious poverty preferred ignore film novel characters situations packed narrators voice mixture dry cynical empathy thats thats way things work film absence voiceover approach would pathetic ostentatious porn preferred obsessively observe relationship two men reveal paths poverty psychology alberto status servant cousin borcans house legitimate desire gain personal autonomy cost gambling addiction also based hope getting poverty first scene adi discusses rent money runs film adi haggling price anything nokia phone prostitute film seems tender acutely aware separates adi albertothe movie described roma romeo juliet one romeo go back wellheeled family juliet dies160 true romeo juliet came worlds similar economic status quotient whereas adi alberto come radically different economic worlds clearly favor adi long theres enough money sustenance adis relationship alberto goes smoothly kind affection call love sense money adds love money finally runs problems begin alberto realizes adi without money power even though comes different background albertos circle back comparison romeo juliet first foremost idea impossible relationship success real world differences worlds protagonists come difficult reconcile money fact juliet dies consumerist world live today sublime tragedy replaced drama tragic version perhaps adi would stay alberto get kicked apartment work days sleeping social shelter maybe end setting fire front town hall protest course society alberto piece clay waiting molded adi want take responsibility end alberto ends worse beginning youve said soldiers story ferentari love story becomes one guilt thats adis however spectators think one point tempted make film albertos perspective realized would honest able rebuild psychology poor excon roma mediation eyes character social class mine seemed credible staring idea perspective albertos eyes also realized meaning film would reversed alberto would become kind hero risked everything get rid borcans captivity replacing another captivity drunken homosexual poor rather stingy guy end abandons adi would become moral monster boring conformist fable 100 politically correct thats wanted wanted movie empathizes characters watching story adis eyes spectator tends identify put shoes adis eyes mechanisms racism roma dismantled fear paranoia towards spectator get attached alberto discover actually funny sensitive guy deserves better life begin identify course question concerns adi alberto circumstances relationship adi alberto go back home adi trapped oneway situation begin identify adis guilt film praised seen taboobusting seems across board show queer love roma community dont steer away districts simmering threat violence men admissions pettycriminality 160 film made documentary three young men released prison spending almost three years making film seen poverty attracts crime vicious circle hard escape thats didnt steer away showing either violence petty criminality ferentari part poverty landscape make sense hide insist either preferred suggest afraid much insistence risked detracting message film areas film first foremost love story two individuals neither ethnographical study roma cartier sociological radiography ghetto love story realize step step things work poverty homosexuality roma homosexuality regarded defiled thing throw among untouchables hard wash priest forgiven jail active person end homosexuality something get rid albertos schizophrenia great even adi feels need talk women look hetero porn hand even romanian society entirety things much better alberto adi heterosexual relationship years discussions friend andrei makes clear adi homosexual virgin adi mentions novel romania homosexuality like crime done silence naturally cover honorable family business set direct soldiers story ferentari guidelines give regarding direction lose patience nonprofessional actors confined actually forget script whenever could youre serbian based bucharest also actress plans future acting radus film oneoff moved romania 13 years ago studied film directing stayed live like second home feels good two countries waiting make fiction debut offered act radu judes film scarred hearts amazing experience accepted complete nonprofessional direct bunch nonprofessional actors film im sure would believe director vision definitely case radu jude would embrace probably | 1,029 |
<p>By Emily Flitter</p>
<p>(Reuters) – In early 2016, agri-business giant Monsanto (NYSE:) faced a decision that would prove pivotal in what since has become a sprawling herbicide crisis, with millions of acres of crops damaged.</p>
<p>Monsanto had readied new genetically modified soybeans seeds. They were engineered for use with a powerful new weed-killer that contained a chemical called dicamba but aimed to control the substance’s main shortcoming: a tendency to drift into neighboring farmers’ fields and kill vegetation.</p>
<p>(For a graphic on dicamba drift damage click http://tmsnrt.rs/2hWoPNf)</p>
<p>The company had to choose whether to immediately start selling the seeds or wait for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to sign off on the safety of the companion herbicide.</p>
<p>The firm stood to lose a lot of money by waiting. Because Monsanto had bred the dicamba-resistant trait into its entire stock of soybeans, the only alternative would have been “to not sell a single soybean in the United States” that year, Monsanto Vice President of Global Strategy Scott Partridge told Reuters in an interview.</p>
<p>Betting on a quick approval, Monsanto sold the seeds, and farmers planted a million acres of the genetically modified soybeans in 2016. But the EPA’s deliberations on the weed-killer dragged on for another 11 months because of concerns about dicamba’s historical drift problems.(For a graphic on a timeline of the Monsanto crisis click http://tmsnrt.rs/2zmsuxL)</p>
<p>That delay left farmers who bought the seeds with no matching herbicide and three bad alternatives: Hire workers to pull weeds; use the less-effective herbicide glyphosate; or illegally spray an older version of dicamba at the risk of damage to nearby farms.</p>
<p>The resulting rash of illegal spraying that year damaged 42,000 acres of crops in Missouri, among the hardest hit areas, as well as swaths of crops in nine other states, according to an August 2016 advisory from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The damage this year has covered 3.6 million acres in 25 states, according to Kevin Bradley, a University of Missouri weed scientist who has tracked dicamba damage reports and produced estimates cited by the EPA.</p>
<p>The episode highlights a hole in a U.S regulatory system that has separate agencies approving genetically modified seeds and their matching herbicides.</p>
<p>Monsanto has blamed farmers for the illegal spraying and argued it could not have foreseen that the disjointed approval process would set off a crop-damage crisis.</p>
<p>But a Reuters review of regulatory records and interviews with crop scientists shows that Monsanto was repeatedly warned by crop scientists, starting as far back as 2011, of the dangers of releasing a dicamba-resistant seed without an accompanying herbicide designed to reduce drift to nearby farms.</p>
<p>In 2015, just before Monsanto released its soybeans seeds, Arkansas regulators notified the firm of damage from illegal spraying of its dicamba-resistant cotton seeds. Some cotton farmers chose to illegally spray old versions of dicamba because other herbicides approved for use on the seeds were far less effective.</p>
<p>The EPA did not approve the new dicamba formulation that Monsanto now sells for use with cotton and soybean seeds – XtendiMax with Vapor Grip – until after the 2016 growing season.</p>
<p>Monsanto’s Partridge acknowledged that the company misjudged the regulatory timeline for approval of its new herbicide.</p>
<p>“The EPA process was lengthier than usual,” Partridge said.</p>
<p>Monsanto, however, denies culpability for the crisis that followed the two-stage approval.</p>
<p>“The illegal misuse of old dicamba herbicides with Xtend seeds was not foreseeable,” the company’s attorneys said in a response to one class action suit filed by farmers in Missouri. “Even if it were foreseeable that farmers would illegally apply old dicamba to their Xtend crops, which it was not, Monsanto is not liable for harms caused by other manufacturers’ products.”</p>
<p>Monsanto’s Partridge said in a written statement that the reports of damage from illegal spraying of dicamba on its cotton seeds in 2015 were “extremely isolated.”</p>
<p>“Those who applied dicamba illegally should be held responsible,” Partridge said.</p>
<p>Monsanto’s handling of the delayed herbicide approval may cause the firm legal and public relations damage, but it has boosted the company’s business considerably. Instead of halting seed sales while waiting on herbicide approval, Monsanto captured a quarter of the nation’s massive soybean market by the start of 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.</p>
<p>Even the damage from dicamba may have boosted sales. Some farmers whose crops were harmed said in interviews that they bought Monsanto’s new dicamba-resistant seeds as a defense against drift from nearby spraying.</p>
<p>State regulators believe the illegal spraying of dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybean crops continued in 2017 – after the EPA approved Monsanto’s new herbicide. Farmers would still benefit from using old versions of dicamba because it is cheaper than XtendiMax. Many growers also have dicamba on hand because it is legal to use for limited purposes.</p>
<p>Regulators have not yet determined, however, how much damage came from illegal spraying and how much came from the legal application of XtendiMax, which weed scientists say still vaporizes under certain conditions.</p>
<p>Monsanto concedes that XtendiMax has caused crop damage, but blames farmers who the company says did not properly follow directions for applying the herbicide.</p>
<p>The EPA, after delaying a decision on XtendiMax, gave the herbicide a limited two-year approval – as opposed to the standard 20 years – in case drift issues arose.</p>
<p>A U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman, Rick Corker, acknowledged in a statement to Reuters that the release of an engineered seed before its companion herbicide caused problems. The department, he said, is now in talks with the EPA about whether to coordinate approvals of paired seeds and chemicals.</p>
<p>“USDA and EPA are in discussions regarding the timing of our deregulations,” Corker said in a statement.</p>
<p>The EPA did not comment on whether it planned any policy changes in response to the dicamba crisis.</p>
<p>EARLY WARNINGS</p>
<p>Dicamba is cheap, plentiful, and has been used as a weed killer for decades. But its tendency to damage nearby fields had caused U.S. regulators to limit its use to the task of clearing fields before planting or after harvest, when there are no crops to damage and cooler temperatures make it less likely the substance will migrate.</p>
<p>Farmers who illegally sprayed dicamba during growing season are now facing fines of up to $1,000 for each violation of EPA rules limiting the use of dicamba, which are enforced by state regulators.</p>
<p>Farmers with damaged crops have filed at least seven lawsuits — five class-action suits and two by individuals — seeking compensation from Monsanto. The suits claim the company should have known that releasing the seeds without a paired herbicide would cause problems.</p>
<p>Monsanto officials had been repeatedly warned of the potential for damage from illegal spraying of dicamba on seeds designed to resist the chemical.</p>
<p>In October 2011, five scientists from Ohio State University addressed a conference in Columbus focused on the future of dicamba. In attendance were agriculture researchers from across the country as well as representatives of the companies Monsanto, Dow Chemical (NYSE:) and BASF.</p>
<p>According to Douglas Doohan, one of the conference’s organizers, three Monsanto employees, including Industry Affairs Director Douglas Rushing, attended the meeting. Monsanto had a keen interest in the topic because the company was far along in developing its new line of dicamba products at the time.</p>
<p>In their introduction to the symposium, Doohan and his colleagues outlined what they called an increased risk of illegal dicamba spraying by farmers once dicamba-resistant seeds became available. They also argued that dicamba-resistant seeds – and the illegal spraying that might accompany them – would lead farmers whose crops were damaged to buy their own dicamba-tolerant seeds to protect themselves from further drift, according to conference records.</p>
<p>In another general session, Doohan said, he and Ohio State Professor Joe Heimlich outlined the risks of illegal spraying in a memorable way – a skit in which Doohan played a farmer digging out an old container of dicamba to spray on his dicamba-resistant crops, without regard for regulatory standards.</p>
<p>Monsanto’s Rushing gave his own presentation about dicamba to the symposium, according to conference records. Rushing explained the need for a new herbicide-and-seed combination to replace those that had grown less effective as weeds become more tolerant to certain chemicals, according to slides outlining Rushing’s conference presentation. He raised the issue of damage from dicamba drift, but said the risks could be reduced by using certain kinds of sprayers and taking other precautions.</p>
<p>Rushing could not be reached for comment. Monsanto did not directly respond to questions about the symposium.</p>
<p>DAMAGE REPORTS</p>
<p>Years later, some of what the scientists outlined in their presentations was becoming reality.</p>
<p>Monsanto released its dicamba-resistant cotton seed in the summer of 2015. The seed was compatible with two other legally available herbicides, giving farmers options for dealing with weeds before the EPA’s approval of XtendiMax.</p>
<p>But farmers started digging into their dicamba stockpiles anyway, and damage reports started to trickle in. Monsanto officials were among the first to see those reports, according to minutes of an Arkansas Plant Board committee meeting in July 2015.</p>
<p>Jammy Turner, a Monsanto salesman, was on the Arkansas Plant Board, the agricultural regulator that investigated the complaints. He and Duane Simpson, a Monsanto lobbyist, attended the committee meeting. There, the board’s Pesticide Division Director Susie Nichols gave a report about drift damage complaints linked to the new seed technology.</p>
<p>At that meeting, lobbyist Simpson was asked by the board what Monsanto was doing about drift damage complaints, according to the minutes. Simpson told the committee that the firm had been telling farmers not to spray dicamba illegally, even over crops specifically designed to withstand it. He said the company would consider pulling whatever licenses Monsanto had given to offending farmers to use its technology.</p>
<p>At an Aug. 8, 2016 meeting of the same committee, Simpson was asked again how Monsanto was dealing with farmers illegally spraying dicamba on Xtend crops. This time, he responded that Monsanto saw no way to pull farmers’ seed licenses over the issue.</p>
<p>Monsanto did not comment on Simpson’s statements in response to written questions from Reuters. The company said it would consider revoking a particular farmer’s license if asked to do so by state regulators “when they have investigated and adjudicated an egregious violation.”</p>
<p>Larry Steckel, a weed scientist and professor at the University of Tennessee, said those early damage reports should have been a red flag to Monsanto against releasing its soybean seeds the following year.</p>
<p>“It turned out to be a precursor of what was to come,” he said.</p>
<p>Neither Turner nor Simpson responded to calls and emails seeking comment. Monsanto did not comment on the company’s involvement in the Arkansas investigations.</p>
<p>By the end of 2015, the damage reports linked to the Xtend cotton seeds were making the rounds among scientists. Weed scientist Michael Owen, a professor at Iowa State University, said he warned at the ISU Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference on Dec. 2-3, 2015 that no dicamba formulations had been approved for use on Xtend crops. He told attendees it wasn’t clear when the formulas would be greenlighted, and that the situation was cause for concern.</p>
<p>Monsanto representatives attended that conference, according to ISU Program Services Coordinator Pringnitz, who handled the registration. He would not identify them.</p>
<p>Owen said he also repeated his warning directly to Monsanto officials around the same time, but did not name them.</p>
<p>Monsanto did not comment on Owen’s assertion that he warned the company about dicamba spraying.</p>
<p>FLAWED ASSUMPTIONS</p>
<p>Farmers who spoke to Reuters and others who gave testimony recorded in state records described a variety of reasons why they purchased Xtend seeds before XtendiMax was available.</p>
<p>One farmer in Arkansas, Doug Masters, planted Xtend cotton in 2015 and was caught illegally spraying dicamba, according to Arkansas Plant Board records. He said the Monsanto salesman who sold him the Xtend seeds told him that, by the time the plants came up in the summer of 2015, it would be legal to spray dicamba and he should go ahead and do it, according to the board records.</p>
<p>Masters declined to identify the Monsanto salesman to Arkansas regulators, records show. He declined again, when reached by Reuters, to identify the representative. Masters admitted that he illegally sprayed dicamba, and the Plant Board fined him $4,000, assessing the maximum penalty allowed for four violations.</p>
<p>Monsanto did not comment on Masters’ testimony to the plant board.</p>
<p>Ritchard Zolman, another Arkansas farmer caught illegally spraying his cotton in 2015, said in a disciplinary hearing held by the Arkansas Plant Board that he’d planted Xtend seeds because he thought he could spray dicamba legally over his fields 14 days before his crops came up from the ground, according to records.</p>
<p>But the Plant Board ruled it was illegal to spray dicamba onto a field where planted crops had not yet sprouted, disciplinary records show. Zolman was fined $3,000 for three dicamba spraying violations, records show.</p>
<p>Zolman declined to comment.</p>
<p>In Missouri, Gary Dalton Murphy III said he and his family planted Xtend soybeans in 2016 after “hearing” that dicamba would be legal to spray by the summer. He did not say who told him dicamba would be legal that season.</p>
<p>When Murphy learned XtendiMax would not be available, the family got rid of their weeds by hand, hiring extra workers to help.</p> | false | 1 | emily flitter reuters early 2016 agribusiness giant monsanto nyse faced decision would prove pivotal since become sprawling herbicide crisis millions acres crops damaged monsanto readied new genetically modified soybeans seeds engineered use powerful new weedkiller contained chemical called dicamba aimed control substances main shortcoming tendency drift neighboring farmers fields kill vegetation graphic dicamba drift damage click httptmsnrtrs2hwopnf company choose whether immediately start selling seeds wait us environmental protection agency epa sign safety companion herbicide firm stood lose lot money waiting monsanto bred dicambaresistant trait entire stock soybeans alternative would sell single soybean united states year monsanto vice president global strategy scott partridge told reuters interview betting quick approval monsanto sold seeds farmers planted million acres genetically modified soybeans 2016 epas deliberations weedkiller dragged another 11 months concerns dicambas historical drift problemsfor graphic timeline monsanto crisis click httptmsnrtrs2zmsuxl delay left farmers bought seeds matching herbicide three bad alternatives hire workers pull weeds use lesseffective herbicide glyphosate illegally spray older version dicamba risk damage nearby farms resulting rash illegal spraying year damaged 42000 acres crops missouri among hardest hit areas well swaths crops nine states according august 2016 advisory us environmental protection agency damage year covered 36 million acres 25 states according kevin bradley university missouri weed scientist tracked dicamba damage reports produced estimates cited epa episode highlights hole us regulatory system separate agencies approving genetically modified seeds matching herbicides monsanto blamed farmers illegal spraying argued could foreseen disjointed approval process would set cropdamage crisis reuters review regulatory records interviews crop scientists shows monsanto repeatedly warned crop scientists starting far back 2011 dangers releasing dicambaresistant seed without accompanying herbicide designed reduce drift nearby farms 2015 monsanto released soybeans seeds arkansas regulators notified firm damage illegal spraying dicambaresistant cotton seeds cotton farmers chose illegally spray old versions dicamba herbicides approved use seeds far less effective epa approve new dicamba formulation monsanto sells use cotton soybean seeds xtendimax vapor grip 2016 growing season monsantos partridge acknowledged company misjudged regulatory timeline approval new herbicide epa process lengthier usual partridge said monsanto however denies culpability crisis followed twostage approval illegal misuse old dicamba herbicides xtend seeds foreseeable companys attorneys said response one class action suit filed farmers missouri even foreseeable farmers would illegally apply old dicamba xtend crops monsanto liable harms caused manufacturers products monsantos partridge said written statement reports damage illegal spraying dicamba cotton seeds 2015 extremely isolated applied dicamba illegally held responsible partridge said monsantos handling delayed herbicide approval may cause firm legal public relations damage boosted companys business considerably instead halting seed sales waiting herbicide approval monsanto captured quarter nations massive soybean market start 2017 according us department agriculture even damage dicamba may boosted sales farmers whose crops harmed said interviews bought monsantos new dicambaresistant seeds defense drift nearby spraying state regulators believe illegal spraying dicambatolerant cotton soybean crops continued 2017 epa approved monsantos new herbicide farmers would still benefit using old versions dicamba cheaper xtendimax many growers also dicamba hand legal use limited purposes regulators yet determined however much damage came illegal spraying much came legal application xtendimax weed scientists say still vaporizes certain conditions monsanto concedes xtendimax caused crop damage blames farmers company says properly follow directions applying herbicide epa delaying decision xtendimax gave herbicide limited twoyear approval opposed standard 20 years case drift issues arose us department agriculture spokesman rick corker acknowledged statement reuters release engineered seed companion herbicide caused problems department said talks epa whether coordinate approvals paired seeds chemicals usda epa discussions regarding timing deregulations corker said statement epa comment whether planned policy changes response dicamba crisis early warnings dicamba cheap plentiful used weed killer decades tendency damage nearby fields caused us regulators limit use task clearing fields planting harvest crops damage cooler temperatures make less likely substance migrate farmers illegally sprayed dicamba growing season facing fines 1000 violation epa rules limiting use dicamba enforced state regulators farmers damaged crops filed least seven lawsuits five classaction suits two individuals seeking compensation monsanto suits claim company known releasing seeds without paired herbicide would cause problems monsanto officials repeatedly warned potential damage illegal spraying dicamba seeds designed resist chemical october 2011 five scientists ohio state university addressed conference columbus focused future dicamba attendance agriculture researchers across country well representatives companies monsanto dow chemical nyse basf according douglas doohan one conferences organizers three monsanto employees including industry affairs director douglas rushing attended meeting monsanto keen interest topic company far along developing new line dicamba products time introduction symposium doohan colleagues outlined called increased risk illegal dicamba spraying farmers dicambaresistant seeds became available also argued dicambaresistant seeds illegal spraying might accompany would lead farmers whose crops damaged buy dicambatolerant seeds protect drift according conference records another general session doohan said ohio state professor joe heimlich outlined risks illegal spraying memorable way skit doohan played farmer digging old container dicamba spray dicambaresistant crops without regard regulatory standards monsantos rushing gave presentation dicamba symposium according conference records rushing explained need new herbicideandseed combination replace grown less effective weeds become tolerant certain chemicals according slides outlining rushings conference presentation raised issue damage dicamba drift said risks could reduced using certain kinds sprayers taking precautions rushing could reached comment monsanto directly respond questions symposium damage reports years later scientists outlined presentations becoming reality monsanto released dicambaresistant cotton seed summer 2015 seed compatible two legally available herbicides giving farmers options dealing weeds epas approval xtendimax farmers started digging dicamba stockpiles anyway damage reports started trickle monsanto officials among first see reports according minutes arkansas plant board committee meeting july 2015 jammy turner monsanto salesman arkansas plant board agricultural regulator investigated complaints duane simpson monsanto lobbyist attended committee meeting boards pesticide division director susie nichols gave report drift damage complaints linked new seed technology meeting lobbyist simpson asked board monsanto drift damage complaints according minutes simpson told committee firm telling farmers spray dicamba illegally even crops specifically designed withstand said company would consider pulling whatever licenses monsanto given offending farmers use technology aug 8 2016 meeting committee simpson asked monsanto dealing farmers illegally spraying dicamba xtend crops time responded monsanto saw way pull farmers seed licenses issue monsanto comment simpsons statements response written questions reuters company said would consider revoking particular farmers license asked state regulators investigated adjudicated egregious violation larry steckel weed scientist professor university tennessee said early damage reports red flag monsanto releasing soybean seeds following year turned precursor come said neither turner simpson responded calls emails seeking comment monsanto comment companys involvement arkansas investigations end 2015 damage reports linked xtend cotton seeds making rounds among scientists weed scientist michael owen professor iowa state university said warned isu annual integrated crop management conference dec 23 2015 dicamba formulations approved use xtend crops told attendees wasnt clear formulas would greenlighted situation cause concern monsanto representatives attended conference according isu program services coordinator pringnitz handled registration would identify owen said also repeated warning directly monsanto officials around time name monsanto comment owens assertion warned company dicamba spraying flawed assumptions farmers spoke reuters others gave testimony recorded state records described variety reasons purchased xtend seeds xtendimax available one farmer arkansas doug masters planted xtend cotton 2015 caught illegally spraying dicamba according arkansas plant board records said monsanto salesman sold xtend seeds told time plants came summer 2015 would legal spray dicamba go ahead according board records masters declined identify monsanto salesman arkansas regulators records show declined reached reuters identify representative masters admitted illegally sprayed dicamba plant board fined 4000 assessing maximum penalty allowed four violations monsanto comment masters testimony plant board ritchard zolman another arkansas farmer caught illegally spraying cotton 2015 said disciplinary hearing held arkansas plant board hed planted xtend seeds thought could spray dicamba legally fields 14 days crops came ground according records plant board ruled illegal spray dicamba onto field planted crops yet sprouted disciplinary records show zolman fined 3000 three dicamba spraying violations records show zolman declined comment missouri gary dalton murphy iii said family planted xtend soybeans 2016 hearing dicamba would legal spray summer say told dicamba would legal season murphy learned xtendimax would available family got rid weeds hand hiring extra workers help | 1,340 |
<p>Many Americans would be surprised to learn that the federal budget outlook has improved considerably over the last three years. The gap between federal revenue and spending continues to narrow, with the full-year deficit for 2007 likely to come in near 1.1 percent of GDP (or lower) — which would make 2007 one of the best budget years of the last four decades.</p>
<p>The public’s surprise at the improving budget picture would be understandable since a shrinking deficit runs directly counter to the media’s portrayal of a hopeless U.S. fiscal situation caused by the Bush tax cuts. The remarkable, three-year revenue surge simply does not fit with that storyline.</p>
<p>But facts are facts: The revenue surge that began in 2005 continues into 2007.&#160; The Treasury Department <a href="http://www.fms.treas.gov/mts/mts0407.pdf" type="external">reported</a> last week that federal revenue is up more than 11 percent in the first seven months of this fiscal year compared with the same period last year. This increase comes on the heels of a 12 percent revenue increase in 2006 and a 15 percent increase in 2005. This strong growth in tax collections has reduced the federal budget deficit substantially. In 2004, the deficit was 3.6 percent of GDP; by 2006, the deficit was just 1.9 percent of GDP, well below the recent historical average of about 2.4 percent of GDP.</p>
<p>And all signs indicate that the deficit in 2007 again will fall substantially. Through April, the budget deficit for this fiscal year totaled just $81 billion, down more than $100 billion compared to the same seven-month period in 2006.</p>
<p>The lesson here is simple: For deficit reduction, there is no substitute for strong economic growth.</p>
<p>The large budget deficits that emerged during Bush’s first term were unavoidable because the economy was weak. The bursting of the tech stock bubble in 2000, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the revelations in 2002 of several high-profile corporate scandals all contributed to a prolonged period of high unemployment and poor income and earnings growth. With the economy in the tank, federal revenues fell in nominal terms in three consecutive years — 2001 to 2003 — for the first time in four decades. No amount of fiscal discipline would have kept the budget surpluses of the late 1990’s from turning into deficits in the early Bush years.</p>
<p>Yet just as the budget deficits of 2003 and 2004 were largely the predictable result of outside events and a stagnant economy, today’s more favorable fiscal outlook is due almost entirely to the remarkable economic performance that has taken place since the 2003 tax cuts were signed into law. It is worth remembering that President Bush proposed and championed the 2003 tax changes — which included a tax cut for dividends and the acceleration of rate relief — in the face of fierce criticism from opponents still smarting from the passage of the 2001 tax law. And it is now clear that 2003 marked a real turning point in the performance of the economy.</p>
<p>The unemployment rate has fallen from 6.3 percent in June 2003 to 4.5 percent in April of this year, with more than 7.8 million new jobs having been created since August 2003.&#160; U.S. businesses have booked record profits and U.S. households have prospered, with wealth accumulation up nearly 40 percent since 2002. The Dow Jones, meanwhile, now stands at over 13,200, up nearly 50 percent since mid-2003.</p>
<p>Predictably, federal tax receipts also have soared, with strong growth in both individual and corporate tax payments.</p>
<p>Official deficit and revenue estimates, as usual, have been slow to catch up to the trend.&#160; Both Bush administration and Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates of the full-year 2007 deficit are thus likely to again be too high since their revenue estimates are too low. The administration predicted in February that the full-year 2007 deficit would be $244 billion. But with seven months in the books, the deficit in the last five months of the year would have to be nearly $100 billion above the level recorded during the last five months of fiscal year 2006.</p>
<p>The CBO predicted in March that the 2007 deficit would be just over $200 billion, assuming enactment of the war supplemental. (The CBO estimated the deficit at $177 billion under current law, with the president’s war request adding another $27 billion in spending this year.) The CBO’s deficit estimate, however, assumed revenues would increase just 5.6 percent in 2007 compared with 2006. For this to happen, tax receipts in the last five months of this fiscal year would have to be nearly 2 percent below tax receipts for the same period a year ago.</p>
<p>The CBO has noted that some tax payments recorded in April were booked earlier this year than in past years, which could suppress tax collections in the fiscal year’s final months. But even if revenue growth tails off to a 3 percent rate, revenue for the full fiscal year would still be nearly $50 billion higher than the CBO’s March estimate. A 2007 federal budget deficit in the range of $150 billion, or just 1.1 percent of GDP, is entirely possible.</p>
<p>The improving short-term budget outlook should strengthen Bush’s leverage in coming budget confrontations. If the current expansion continues, even at a more moderate pace, it is entirely possible that the budget could balance in the next few years without the tax increases that Democrats argue are necessary.</p>
<p>Somewhat counter-intuitively, the improving budget situation also should help Bush enforce spending discipline. With balance much more within reach, there will be a stronger political impulse to do what it takes to finish the job. And, having put his own, detailed balanced-budget plan on the table, the president now has the credibility to oppose new spending that would make the goal less attainable.</p>
<p>In the end, though, the most important factor for continued progress on the budget deficit is the performance of the U.S. economy. If the economy weakens, no realistic budget plan could close the resulting budget deficits, nor should policymakers try. And it is worth noting that strong tax collections tell us more about the strength of the economy in the recent past than what we can expect in the future. Nonetheless, it is clear that we have been in the midst of a very strong expansion. If it continues, all that will be needed to attain a balanced budget is a modicum of spending discipline.</p>
<p>— James C. Capretta, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, was an associate director at the Office of Management and Budget from 2001 to 2004.</p> | false | 1 | many americans would surprised learn federal budget outlook improved considerably last three years gap federal revenue spending continues narrow fullyear deficit 2007 likely come near 11 percent gdp lower would make 2007 one best budget years last four decades publics surprise improving budget picture would understandable since shrinking deficit runs directly counter medias portrayal hopeless us fiscal situation caused bush tax cuts remarkable threeyear revenue surge simply fit storyline facts facts revenue surge began 2005 continues 2007160 treasury department reported last week federal revenue 11 percent first seven months fiscal year compared period last year increase comes heels 12 percent revenue increase 2006 15 percent increase 2005 strong growth tax collections reduced federal budget deficit substantially 2004 deficit 36 percent gdp 2006 deficit 19 percent gdp well recent historical average 24 percent gdp signs indicate deficit 2007 fall substantially april budget deficit fiscal year totaled 81 billion 100 billion compared sevenmonth period 2006 lesson simple deficit reduction substitute strong economic growth large budget deficits emerged bushs first term unavoidable economy weak bursting tech stock bubble 2000 911 terrorist attacks revelations 2002 several highprofile corporate scandals contributed prolonged period high unemployment poor income earnings growth economy tank federal revenues fell nominal terms three consecutive years 2001 2003 first time four decades amount fiscal discipline would kept budget surpluses late 1990s turning deficits early bush years yet budget deficits 2003 2004 largely predictable result outside events stagnant economy todays favorable fiscal outlook due almost entirely remarkable economic performance taken place since 2003 tax cuts signed law worth remembering president bush proposed championed 2003 tax changes included tax cut dividends acceleration rate relief face fierce criticism opponents still smarting passage 2001 tax law clear 2003 marked real turning point performance economy unemployment rate fallen 63 percent june 2003 45 percent april year 78 million new jobs created since august 2003160 us businesses booked record profits us households prospered wealth accumulation nearly 40 percent since 2002 dow jones meanwhile stands 13200 nearly 50 percent since mid2003 predictably federal tax receipts also soared strong growth individual corporate tax payments official deficit revenue estimates usual slow catch trend160 bush administration congressional budget office cbo estimates fullyear 2007 deficit thus likely high since revenue estimates low administration predicted february fullyear 2007 deficit would 244 billion seven months books deficit last five months year would nearly 100 billion level recorded last five months fiscal year 2006 cbo predicted march 2007 deficit would 200 billion assuming enactment war supplemental cbo estimated deficit 177 billion current law presidents war request adding another 27 billion spending year cbos deficit estimate however assumed revenues would increase 56 percent 2007 compared 2006 happen tax receipts last five months fiscal year would nearly 2 percent tax receipts period year ago cbo noted tax payments recorded april booked earlier year past years could suppress tax collections fiscal years final months even revenue growth tails 3 percent rate revenue full fiscal year would still nearly 50 billion higher cbos march estimate 2007 federal budget deficit range 150 billion 11 percent gdp entirely possible improving shortterm budget outlook strengthen bushs leverage coming budget confrontations current expansion continues even moderate pace entirely possible budget could balance next years without tax increases democrats argue necessary somewhat counterintuitively improving budget situation also help bush enforce spending discipline balance much within reach stronger political impulse takes finish job put detailed balancedbudget plan table president credibility oppose new spending would make goal less attainable end though important factor continued progress budget deficit performance us economy economy weakens realistic budget plan could close resulting budget deficits policymakers try worth noting strong tax collections tell us strength economy recent past expect future nonetheless clear midst strong expansion continues needed attain balanced budget modicum spending discipline james c capretta fellow ethics public policy center associate director office management budget 2001 2004 | 636 |
<p>As the Weinstein Co. struggles under the weight of scandal and debt, two competing female-led investor groups are hoping to acquire the company in an effort to turn its assets into a source of funding for victims of sexual abuse and harassment.</p>
<p>Killer Content, the parent company of the long-established indie <a href="http://variety.com/t/killer-films/" type="external">Killer Films</a>, has pulled together a group of investors, including Abigail Disney and the New York Women’s Foundation, who are prepared to field a bid for some of Weinstein Co.’s film and TV assets. Maria Contreras-Sweet, former head of the Small Business Administration during the Obama years, is assembling a similar offer, according to individuals with knowledge of the talks.</p>
<p>Weinstein Co. is expected to send out briefing books with details on the company’s financial state to prospective bidders early next week. The company is under pressure to find a buyer as it battles a lawsuit from investor Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries over a $45 million loan that is in default. Weinstein Co. faces the prospect of some or all of its assets being frozen following a scheduled Dec. 13 court hearing on the Access Industries suit. Given the dire state of the company, with more than $500 million in debt and creative and business partners fleeing, a bankruptcy filing may well be the only recourse for the company if a quick sale cannot be arranged.</p>
<p>In addition to Killer Content and the Contreras-Sweet group, media firms taking a deeper look at Weinstein Co. are said to include Viacom, Lionsgate, and MGM. Weinstein Co. has been reeling for nearly two months after the New York Times and New Yorker published exposes alleging a pattern of sexual assault and harassment conducted by company co-founder Harvey Weinstein, who was fired last month. The company and Harvey Weinstein are also in the middle of a legal battle over his dismissal.</p>
<p>Killer Content has lined up several prominent female investors and the New York Women’s Foundation to support its bid. Disney is honorary chairwoman and a past board member of the foundation. The organization works as something of philanthropic venture capitalist, said Ana Oliveira, the foundation’s president-CEO.</p>
<p>“We were approached by Killer Content with an irresistible proposition — to use the assets of the Weinstein Co. to help shift the paradigm and change the rules so we’re not forever in this place where we’re always hearing these stories of harassment,” Oliveira told Variety. “A significant part of the proceeds from the company would go to a fund that would support work on the ground on behalf of victims or to those working to change the cultural norms within corporations and government.”</p>
<p>If Killer is successful, the expectation is that Weinstein Co. as a company would cease to exist. Management of Weinstein Co.’s film development and library would be largely handled by <a href="http://variety.com/2016/film/awards/christine-vachon-has-killer-awards-season-1201715636/" type="external">Killer Films</a> principals Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, both respected veterans of the indie film biz. The New York Women’s Foundation, a public foundation with more than 10,000 donors including blue-chip corporate backers, would handle the distribution of profits from Weinstein Co. titles to various non-profit organizations.</p>
<p>“The poetic beauty here is that would be almost an alchemic process,” Oliveira said. “Taking the good assets of the <a href="http://variety.com/t/weinstein-company/" type="external">Weinstein Company</a> and transforming them into a means of extinguishing sexual harassment.”</p>
<p>Separately, Contreras-Sweet, the founder of ProAmerica Bank, has stitched together a consortium of investors from Wall Street and Hollywood. The group wants to buy the <a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/news/nyt-urges-harvey-weinstein-to-release-women-from-nondisclosure-agreements-1202582894/" type="external">Weinstein Company</a> whole instead of picking off parts in contrast to many of the other potential bidders. The group is said to be composed of largely female entrepreneurs including several actresses and prominent talent agents.</p>
<p>“I believe we have now reached a crossroads where it is imperative that a woman-led board acquire control of the Company and create content that continues to inspire audiences around the world, especially our young girls and boys,” wrote&#160;&#160;Contreras-Sweet in her offer letter sent to Weinstein Co. last week.</p>
<p>Contreras-Sweet began assembling the group over the past two or three weeks. She has been in discussions with the Weinstein Company board since early November. The two parties are currently hashing out a price (reports of a $275 million bid are erroneous, say insiders).</p>
<p>No deal is expected this week, but there is a sense of urgency to the negotiations. The Weinstein Co. continues to have serious cash flow issues and the bidders are worried that third-party distributors such as Netflix will try to use the studio’s financial woes to unwind deals. They also would like to prevent a staff exodus. Contreras-Sweet’s group wants to retain the studio’s senior leadership, including COO David Glasser. They do not want Weinstein Co. co-chairman Bob Weinstein to be involved, and they want to ensure that neither he nor Harvey Weinstein profits from the sale.</p>
<p>As part of the sale, the Contreras-Sweet group would set aside funds to compensate women who were abused by Harvey Weinstein. Ultimately the investors believe that the library of Oscar-winning films, such as “The Artist” and “The King’s Speech,” as well as the “Project Runway” franchise still have value despite the scandal. They’re also impressed with a few dozen projects that are in various stages of development.</p>
<p>Moelis &amp; Co. is handling the sale process for Weinstein Co. Moelis and a rep for Weinstein Co. declined to comment.</p> | false | 1 | weinstein co struggles weight scandal debt two competing femaleled investor groups hoping acquire company effort turn assets source funding victims sexual abuse harassment killer content parent company longestablished indie killer films pulled together group investors including abigail disney new york womens foundation prepared field bid weinstein cos film tv assets maria contrerassweet former head small business administration obama years assembling similar offer according individuals knowledge talks weinstein co expected send briefing books details companys financial state prospective bidders early next week company pressure find buyer battles lawsuit investor len blavatniks access industries 45 million loan default weinstein co faces prospect assets frozen following scheduled dec 13 court hearing access industries suit given dire state company 500 million debt creative business partners fleeing bankruptcy filing may well recourse company quick sale arranged addition killer content contrerassweet group media firms taking deeper look weinstein co said include viacom lionsgate mgm weinstein co reeling nearly two months new york times new yorker published exposes alleging pattern sexual assault harassment conducted company cofounder harvey weinstein fired last month company harvey weinstein also middle legal battle dismissal killer content lined several prominent female investors new york womens foundation support bid disney honorary chairwoman past board member foundation organization works something philanthropic venture capitalist said ana oliveira foundations presidentceo approached killer content irresistible proposition use assets weinstein co help shift paradigm change rules forever place always hearing stories harassment oliveira told variety significant part proceeds company would go fund would support work ground behalf victims working change cultural norms within corporations government killer successful expectation weinstein co company would cease exist management weinstein cos film development library would largely handled killer films principals christine vachon pamela koffler respected veterans indie film biz new york womens foundation public foundation 10000 donors including bluechip corporate backers would handle distribution profits weinstein co titles various nonprofit organizations poetic beauty would almost alchemic process oliveira said taking good assets weinstein company transforming means extinguishing sexual harassment separately contrerassweet founder proamerica bank stitched together consortium investors wall street hollywood group wants buy weinstein company whole instead picking parts contrast many potential bidders group said composed largely female entrepreneurs including several actresses prominent talent agents believe reached crossroads imperative womanled board acquire control company create content continues inspire audiences around world especially young girls boys wrote160160contrerassweet offer letter sent weinstein co last week contrerassweet began assembling group past two three weeks discussions weinstein company board since early november two parties currently hashing price reports 275 million bid erroneous say insiders deal expected week sense urgency negotiations weinstein co continues serious cash flow issues bidders worried thirdparty distributors netflix try use studios financial woes unwind deals also would like prevent staff exodus contrerassweets group wants retain studios senior leadership including coo david glasser want weinstein co cochairman bob weinstein involved want ensure neither harvey weinstein profits sale part sale contrerassweet group would set aside funds compensate women abused harvey weinstein ultimately investors believe library oscarwinning films artist kings speech well project runway franchise still value despite scandal theyre also impressed dozen projects various stages development moelis amp co handling sale process weinstein co moelis rep weinstein co declined comment | 526 |
<p>As an economist, I can't identify in history any economy whose affairs have been so badly managed and prospects so severely damaged as that of the USA.</p>
<p>Do the Wall Street Journal’s editorial page editors read their own newspaper?</p>
<p>The frontpage headline story for the Labor Day weekend was “Low Wage Growth Challenges Fed.” Despite an alleged 4.4% unemployment rate, which is full employment, there is no real growth in wages. The front page story pointed out correctly that an economy alleged to be expanding at full employment, but absent any wage growth or inflation, is “a puzzle that complicates Federal Reserve policy decisions.”</p>
<p>On the editorial page itself, under “letters to the editor,” Professor Tony Lima of California State University points out what I have stressed for years: “The labor-force participation rate remains at historic lows. Much of the decrease is in the 18-34 age group, while participation rates have increased for those 55 and older.” Professor Lima points out that more evidence that the American worker is not in good shape comes from the rising number of Americans who can only find part-time work, which leaves them with truncated incomes and no fringe benefits, such as health care.</p>
<p>Positioned right next to this factual letter is the lead editorial written by someone who read neither the front page story nor the professor’s letter.&#160;The lead editorial declares: “The biggest labor story this Labor Day is the trouble that employers are having finding workers across the country.” The Journal’s editorial page editors believe the solution to the alleged labor shortage is Senator Ron Johnson’s (R.Wis.) bill to permit the states to give 500,000 work visas to foreigners.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>I have reported on a number of occasions that according to Federal Reserve studies, more Americans in the 24-34 age group live at home with parents than independently, and that it is those 55 and older who are taking the part time jobs. Why is this? The answer is that part time jobs do not pay enough to support an independent existence, and the Federal Reserve’s decade long zero interest rate policy forces retirees to enter the work force as their retirement savings produce no income. It is not only the manufacturing jobs of the middle class blue collar workers that have been given to foreigners in order to cut labor costs and thus maximize payouts to executives and shareholders, but also tradable professional skill jobs such as software engineering, design, accounting, and IT—jobs that Americans expected to get in order to pay off their student loans.</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal editorial asserts that the young are not in the work force because they are on drugs, or on disability, or because of their poor education. However, all over the country there are college graduates with good educations who cannot find jobs because the jobs have been offshored. To worsen the crisis, a Republican Senator from Wisconsin wants to bring in more foreigners on work permits to drive US wages down lower so that no American can survive on the wage, and the Wall Street Journal editorial page editors endorse this travesty!</p>
<p>The foreigners on work visas are paid one-third less than the going US wage. They live together in groups in cramped quarters. They have no employee rights. They are exploited in order to raise executive bonuses and shareholder capital gains. I have exposed this scheme at length in my book, <a href="https://amzn.to/2x3hWOJ" type="external">The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism</a> (Clarity Press, 2013).</p>
<p>When Trump said he was going to bring the jobs home, he resonated, but, of course, he will not be permitted to bring them home, any more than he has been permitted to normalize relations with Russia.</p>
<p>In America, Government is not in the hands of its people. Government is in the hands of a ruling oligarchy. Oligarchic rule prevails regardless of electoral outcomes. The American people are entering a world of slavery more severe than anything that previously existed. Without jobs, dependent on their masters for trickle-down benefits that are always subject to being cut, and without voice or representation, Americans, except for the One Percent, are becoming the most enslaved people in history.</p>
<p>Americans carry on by accumulating debt and becoming debt slaves. Many can only make the minimum payment on their credit card and thus accumulate debt. The Federal Reserve’s policy has exploded the prices of financial assets. The result is that the bulk of the population lacks discretionary income, and those with financial assets are wealthy until values adjust to reality.</p>
<p>As an economist I cannot identify in history any economy whose affairs have been so badly managed and prospects so severely damaged as the economy of the United States of America. In the short/intermediate run policies that damage the prospects for the American work force benefit what is called the One Percent as jobs offshoring reduces corporate costs and financialization transfers remaining discretionary income in interest and fees to the financial sector. But as consumer discretionary incomes disappear and debt burdens rise, aggregate demand falters, and there is nothing left to drive the economy.</p>
<p>What we are witnessing in the United States is the first country to reverse the development process and to go backward by giving up industry, manufacturing, and tradable professional skill jobs. The labor force is becoming Third World with lowly paid domestic service jobs taking the place of high-productivity, high-value added jobs.</p>
<p>The initial response was to put wives and mothers into the work force, but now even many two-earner families experience stagnant or falling material living standards. New university graduates are faced with substantial debts without jobs capable of producing sufficient income to pay off the debts.</p>
<p>Now the US is on a course of travelling backward at a faster rate. Robots are to take over more and more jobs, displacing more people. Robots don’t buy houses, furniture, appliances, cars, clothes, food, entertainment, medical services, etc. Unless Robots pay payroll taxes, the financing for Social Security and Medicare will collapse. And it goes on down from there. Consumer spending simply dries up, so who purchases the goods and services supplied by robots?</p>
<p>To find such important considerations absent in public debate suggests that the United States will continue on the country’s de-industrialization, de-manufacturing trajectory. ­</p>
<p>This article was originally published at&#160; <a href="http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2017/09/29/us-economy-failing-paul-craig-roberts/" type="external">PaulCraigRoberts.org</a>&#160;on September 29, 2017.</p> | false | 1 | economist cant identify history economy whose affairs badly managed prospects severely damaged usa wall street journals editorial page editors read newspaper frontpage headline story labor day weekend low wage growth challenges fed despite alleged 44 unemployment rate full employment real growth wages front page story pointed correctly economy alleged expanding full employment absent wage growth inflation puzzle complicates federal reserve policy decisions editorial page letters editor professor tony lima california state university points stressed years laborforce participation rate remains historic lows much decrease 1834 age group participation rates increased 55 older professor lima points evidence american worker good shape comes rising number americans find parttime work leaves truncated incomes fringe benefits health care positioned right next factual letter lead editorial written someone read neither front page story professors letter160the lead editorial declares biggest labor story labor day trouble employers finding workers across country journals editorial page editors believe solution alleged labor shortage senator ron johnsons rwis bill permit states give 500000 work visas foreigners reported number occasions according federal reserve studies americans 2434 age group live home parents independently 55 older taking part time jobs answer part time jobs pay enough support independent existence federal reserves decade long zero interest rate policy forces retirees enter work force retirement savings produce income manufacturing jobs middle class blue collar workers given foreigners order cut labor costs thus maximize payouts executives shareholders also tradable professional skill jobs software engineering design accounting itjobs americans expected get order pay student loans wall street journal editorial asserts young work force drugs disability poor education however country college graduates good educations find jobs jobs offshored worsen crisis republican senator wisconsin wants bring foreigners work permits drive us wages lower american survive wage wall street journal editorial page editors endorse travesty foreigners work visas paid onethird less going us wage live together groups cramped quarters employee rights exploited order raise executive bonuses shareholder capital gains exposed scheme length book failure laissez faire capitalism clarity press 2013 trump said going bring jobs home resonated course permitted bring home permitted normalize relations russia america government hands people government hands ruling oligarchy oligarchic rule prevails regardless electoral outcomes american people entering world slavery severe anything previously existed without jobs dependent masters trickledown benefits always subject cut without voice representation americans except one percent becoming enslaved people history americans carry accumulating debt becoming debt slaves many make minimum payment credit card thus accumulate debt federal reserves policy exploded prices financial assets result bulk population lacks discretionary income financial assets wealthy values adjust reality economist identify history economy whose affairs badly managed prospects severely damaged economy united states america shortintermediate run policies damage prospects american work force benefit called one percent jobs offshoring reduces corporate costs financialization transfers remaining discretionary income interest fees financial sector consumer discretionary incomes disappear debt burdens rise aggregate demand falters nothing left drive economy witnessing united states first country reverse development process go backward giving industry manufacturing tradable professional skill jobs labor force becoming third world lowly paid domestic service jobs taking place highproductivity highvalue added jobs initial response put wives mothers work force even many twoearner families experience stagnant falling material living standards new university graduates faced substantial debts without jobs capable producing sufficient income pay debts us course travelling backward faster rate robots take jobs displacing people robots dont buy houses furniture appliances cars clothes food entertainment medical services etc unless robots pay payroll taxes financing social security medicare collapse goes consumer spending simply dries purchases goods services supplied robots find important considerations absent public debate suggests united states continue countrys deindustrialization demanufacturing trajectory article originally published at160 paulcraigrobertsorg160on september 29 2017 | 606 |
<p>With contract negotiations at an impasse, Clark County’s largest employee union is a facing a key deadline and yet another possible blow to its health.</p>
<p>Next week, a federal mediator will join discussions for the collective bargaining agreement between the county and Service Employees International Union Local 1107. If a deal is not struck by July 1, when the current contract expires, the county says it will halt scheduled wage and benefit increases for unionized employees until a new contract is agreed upon. Retroactive pay raises would not be granted.</p>
<p>Brenda Marzan, vice president of the union’s non-supervisory bargaining unit at Clark County, believes that would be catastrophic to SEIU’s future.</p>
<p>“We’re already being told by our membership that, unfortunately, they will give themselves a raise if we don’t give them a raise, which basically means that they will drop the union,” she said.</p>
<p>Marzan said the number of SEIU-represented county employees who are dues-paying members of the union is below 55 percent. If that number sinks below 50 percent, the county could claim the union no longer represents a majority of employees and discontinue negotiations with SEIU.</p>
<p>Management at Desert Springs Hospital and Valley Hospital Medical Center did that this year.</p>
<p>On March 31, Marzan and seven other local SEIU executive board members sent <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/345024743/Letter-to-the-executive-board-from-Clark-County-officers" type="external">a letter</a> to the union’s international president and executive board, the governing body for all SEIU local chapters. The letter pleaded for intervention and expressed disapproval with how local President Cherie Mancini is guiding the union.</p>
<p>“We feel the necessity to let you know that we do not believe that we will have a contract in place by July … ,” the letter states. “The leadership within the Clark County unit are informing you that we cannot continue in the same direction we are today.”</p>
<p>Failure to compromise</p>
<p>Last week, SEIU 1107’s bargaining team voted 13-0, with two members abstaining, to declare an impasse, union spokeswoman Dana Gentry said. The action was taken after eight fruitless bargaining sessions that spanned from mid-January to April 5.</p>
<p>“Clark County negotiators failed to compromise to a degree that would yield even a single tentative agreement,” Gentry wrote in a statement.</p>
<p>Sandy Jeantete, the county’s director of human resources and lead negotiator, disagreed with the union’s characterization of the negotiations.</p>
<p>“We are bargaining in good faith, we are exchanging proposals (and) offering counter proposals on issues,” she said. “It’s certainly not unusual for parties to be in disagreement with what they think is reasonable.”</p>
<p>SEIU represents about 5,000 county employees. The next bargaining session is scheduled for April 19, Jeantete said.</p>
<p>“Hostile” negotiations</p>
<p>The executive board members who wrote SEIU International believe their members’ voices are not being considered by the union in the contract negotiations, Marzan said.</p>
<p>“We come to the table with what we feel is reasonable suggestions or considerations and basically we’re shut down all the time by the (union) hall (staff),” she said.</p>
<p>The officers were troubled that Mancini chose not to bring union attorney Michael Urban back to the bargaining table. Urban led the union’s negotiations for the current contract with the county, which took longer than two years to complete and went into both mediation and arbitration.</p>
<p>“He knew our plan,” Marzan said “He knew which (contract) articles we had problems with.”</p>
<p>The union’s chief negotiator now is Peter Nguyen, SEIU’s Director of Organizing and Representation since May 2016.</p>
<p>Marzan said negotiations led by Nguyen have been “hostile” at times.</p>
<p>“Our side is adversarial toward the county. I have not seen (in the past) where people have called the other side names,” she said.</p>
<p>Mancini was not available for an interview Wednesday, but she responded to the letter by email.</p>
<p>“The President of SEIU Nevada is responsible for selecting the chief negotiator, and I have the utmost confidence in Peter Nguyen,” she wrote.</p>
<p>Ongoing schism</p>
<p>The executive officers’ letter to SEIU International is the latest example of a <a href="" type="internal">schism</a> between SEIU 1107’s executive officers and staff that first came to a head last year.</p>
<p>After a confrontation at the union hall in August, Nguyen filed an internal harassment and discrimination complaint against Executive Vice President Sharon Kisling and got a protective order against her. Kisling was one of the board members who signed the letter sent to SEIU International last month.</p>
<p>In September, Kisling and union trustee Clara Thomas, who also signed the letter, accused Mancini of corruption and recommended she be suspended from office. Later that month, Marzan accused Mancini of leading an “undemocratic process” in the local union.</p>
<p>In October, Mancini accused Kisling of advocating for the succession of union members at University Medical Center.</p>
<p>Responding to the charges, SEIU’s international executive board convened in Las Vegas to conduct a private two-day hearing in late October. The hearing’s results have not been returned.</p>
<p>Contact Michael Scott Davidson at [email protected] or 702-477-3861. Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/@davidsonlvrj" type="external">@davidsonlvrj</a> on Twitter.</p>
<p>Previous Bargaining</p>
<p>Service Employees International Union Local 1107’s last contract with Clark County took more than two years to negotiate. Talks started in May 2013, but stalled because the parties disagreed whether to discontinue longevity pay for new hires.</p>
<p>That contract expired on July 1, 2013, and the union declared an impasse in February 2014. The case went before an arbitrator on July 1, 2015 because the sides could not decide whether the new contract should expire.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the county stopped all wage and benefit increases for SEIU-affiliated employees a month before arbitration started. The county cited a 2015 law that prevents raises while a labor contract is expired.</p>
<p>SEIU filed a complaint with Nevada’s Local Government Employee-Management Relations Board because of the move.</p>
<p>An “evergreen clause,” the union argued, allowed the expired contract to continue on an annual basis during negotiations. Therefore the new law freezing raises could not apply to SEIU-affiliated employees until at least July 1, 2015.</p>
<p>In August 2015 the arbitrator sided with the county in the dispute over the new contract. Longevity pay ended for future hires and county employees received retroactive cost-of-living increases. That contract expires June 30.</p>
<p>As for the frozen wage and benefit increases, the EMRB ruled in the union’s favor in November 2015. The county was required to pay a total of $900,000 to 253 unionized employees with anniversary dates in June 2015.</p>
<p>In September 2016, the county agreed to pay $1.5 million in retroactive wage and benefit increases to about 400 workers who had an employment anniversary dates in July and August 2015.</p>
<p>Under current law, there is no evergreen clause in SEIU’s current contract, which is set to expire on July 1.</p>
<p /> | false | 1 | contract negotiations impasse clark countys largest employee union facing key deadline yet another possible blow health next week federal mediator join discussions collective bargaining agreement county service employees international union local 1107 deal struck july 1 current contract expires county says halt scheduled wage benefit increases unionized employees new contract agreed upon retroactive pay raises would granted brenda marzan vice president unions nonsupervisory bargaining unit clark county believes would catastrophic seius future already told membership unfortunately give raise dont give raise basically means drop union said marzan said number seiurepresented county employees duespaying members union 55 percent number sinks 50 percent county could claim union longer represents majority employees discontinue negotiations seiu management desert springs hospital valley hospital medical center year march 31 marzan seven local seiu executive board members sent letter unions international president executive board governing body seiu local chapters letter pleaded intervention expressed disapproval local president cherie mancini guiding union feel necessity let know believe contract place july letter states leadership within clark county unit informing continue direction today failure compromise last week seiu 1107s bargaining team voted 130 two members abstaining declare impasse union spokeswoman dana gentry said action taken eight fruitless bargaining sessions spanned midjanuary april 5 clark county negotiators failed compromise degree would yield even single tentative agreement gentry wrote statement sandy jeantete countys director human resources lead negotiator disagreed unions characterization negotiations bargaining good faith exchanging proposals offering counter proposals issues said certainly unusual parties disagreement think reasonable seiu represents 5000 county employees next bargaining session scheduled april 19 jeantete said hostile negotiations executive board members wrote seiu international believe members voices considered union contract negotiations marzan said come table feel reasonable suggestions considerations basically shut time union hall staff said officers troubled mancini chose bring union attorney michael urban back bargaining table urban led unions negotiations current contract county took longer two years complete went mediation arbitration knew plan marzan said knew contract articles problems unions chief negotiator peter nguyen seius director organizing representation since may 2016 marzan said negotiations led nguyen hostile times side adversarial toward county seen past people called side names said mancini available interview wednesday responded letter email president seiu nevada responsible selecting chief negotiator utmost confidence peter nguyen wrote ongoing schism executive officers letter seiu international latest example schism seiu 1107s executive officers staff first came head last year confrontation union hall august nguyen filed internal harassment discrimination complaint executive vice president sharon kisling got protective order kisling one board members signed letter sent seiu international last month september kisling union trustee clara thomas also signed letter accused mancini corruption recommended suspended office later month marzan accused mancini leading undemocratic process local union october mancini accused kisling advocating succession union members university medical center responding charges seius international executive board convened las vegas conduct private twoday hearing late october hearings results returned contact michael scott davidson sdavidsonreviewjournalcom 7024773861 follow davidsonlvrj twitter previous bargaining service employees international union local 1107s last contract clark county took two years negotiate talks started may 2013 stalled parties disagreed whether discontinue longevity pay new hires contract expired july 1 2013 union declared impasse february 2014 case went arbitrator july 1 2015 sides could decide whether new contract expire meanwhile county stopped wage benefit increases seiuaffiliated employees month arbitration started county cited 2015 law prevents raises labor contract expired seiu filed complaint nevadas local government employeemanagement relations board move evergreen clause union argued allowed expired contract continue annual basis negotiations therefore new law freezing raises could apply seiuaffiliated employees least july 1 2015 august 2015 arbitrator sided county dispute new contract longevity pay ended future hires county employees received retroactive costofliving increases contract expires june 30 frozen wage benefit increases emrb ruled unions favor november 2015 county required pay total 900000 253 unionized employees anniversary dates june 2015 september 2016 county agreed pay 15 million retroactive wage benefit increases 400 workers employment anniversary dates july august 2015 current law evergreen clause seius current contract set expire july 1 | 665 |
<p>Don’t take it from me. Listen to the <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/19/MNGD1PU67N1.DTL" type="external">liberal San Francisco Chronicle</a>: Kennedy is “among the craftiest lawmakers in the Senate. His aides insisted the family-based system will remain intact. For the next eight years, they said, the proposal would award 75 percent of new green cards to family members to clear the existing backlogs.”</p>
<p>So one of the key conservative victories in the grand immigration bargain is in reality a defeat. The advertised shift from family unification (currently 60 percent of legal immigration) to a merit-based point system actually disguises a 15-percent increase in family-based immigration. That gives disgruntled business lobbyists and immigration advocates eight long years to replace, or gut, a merit-based point system scheduled to kick in three presidencies from now. Clearly, the crafty Senator Kennedy is playing conservatives for a bunch of saps.</p>
<p>If Kennedy’s own aides haven’t convinced you, let’s hear from some conservatives. What about Heritage Foundation analyst Robert Rector, the policy-wonk who first brought merit-based immigration to the attention of Congress? Is Rector happy with the compromise supposedly built around his own idea? “I think anybody who takes that bargain is a fool,” <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0524/p01s01-ussc.html" type="external">says Rector</a>. Given the eight year delay, “the change [to a merit based system] would never occur.”</p>
<p>Or how about Sen. Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican who seized upon Rector’s merit-system idea in 2006 and turned it into a personal crusade? Sessions <a href="http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/05/22/MNG7QPV65L1.DTL" type="external">dismisses</a> the eight-year delay on the promised merit system as bogus “bait for conservatives.” “We all bit it, and it’s not there.”</p>
<p>But wait, aren’t powerful business lobbyists going to line up behind the shift from family unification to a merit-based point system? Surely high-tech businesses are thrilled at the prospect of a growing pool of educated and highly skilled English-speaking immigrants. Nope. <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_5946740?nclick_check=1" type="external">Here’s</a> Robert Hoffman, co-chair of Compete America, a coalition of high-tech companies: “…we have concluded that [the point system] is the wrong approach. Under the current system, you need an employer to sponsor you for a green card. Under the point system, you would not need an employer as a sponsor. An individual would get points for special skills, but those skills may not match the demand.”</p>
<p>Don’t even ask about low-skill employers. A merit-based point system may bring in the sort of immigrant most likely to assimilate, and least likely to impose a burden on the welfare system, but it would simultaneously reduce the number of workers likely to be employed in hotels, restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals, and the construction industry. In short, both high-tech and low-skill employers are determined to kill a merit-based point system (not even scheduled to kick in for eight more years).</p>
<p>In fact a coalition of business and immigrant groups have <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/4089.html" type="external">already</a> killed off a similar reform. Back in 1995, a federal commission headed by liberal Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Jordan recommended paring back family-based immigration and moving toward a skill-based system. But when Jordan died a year later, business and immigrant groups united to block any changes.</p>
<p>So business and immigrant groups are dead-set against the shift from family unification to a point system. But don’t Democrats realize that it’s in their interest to throw conservatives a bone in exchange for support of amnesty, and a citizenship path, for the 12 million immigrants already here illegally? Oh yeah.</p>
<p>Is that why Speaker Pelosi has already said, “I have serious objection to the point system that is in the bill now, but perhaps that can be improved.” (I’ll bet.) Then there’s Hillary Clinton. Is the woman-who-would-be-president eager to cement the grand immigration bargain? Is Hillary bent on signaling Republicans that, if elected, she would uphold the bill’s central compromise? Yeah, right. Actually, Clinton is just now offering an amendment specifically designed to restore family-based immigration. Should Hillary become president, what do you suppose is going to happen to the point system?</p>
<p>So the point system won’t kick in for eight years. So family reunification will actually accelerate during that time. So key conservative proponents of the point system think the “compromise” bill is bogus. So both high- and low- tech business lobbyists, immigrant advocacy groups, the Speaker of the House, and the prospective Democratic presidential nominee are all out in front trying to kill the point system and restore extended-family reunification. Can’t we at least take some heart from the fact that all of those folks are squawking? Doesn’t the chorus of complaints actually prove that Republican negotiators got something important in exchange for amnesty?</p>
<p>Nope.</p>
<p>The chorus of complaints is mostly coming from immigrant groups too panicked to know that the fix is already in. Senator Kennedy is in a bit of a pickle here. He can’t openly brag about the meaninglessness of the “concessions” he’s made on family reunification, because that would undercut his claim to have compromised in the first place. That’s why it was Kennedy’s aides who explained the “craftiness” of his empty compromise to the San Francisco Chronicle — and why Kennedy himself has been more circumspect.</p>
<p>San Francisco is a nexus of Hispanic and Asian immigration — and especially of Asian immigrant advocacy groups. These Asian advocacy groups are particularly worried about family reunification, because Asian extended families and clans find our current policies particularly congenial. (Extended-family-unification policies are a huge danger in the age of terror, I’ve argued in “ <a href="" type="internal">Assimilation Studies</a>” and “ <a href="" type="internal">Assimilation Studies II</a>“) Kennedy’s people were forced to be frank with a sophisticated paper from an immigration-wise town that was seriously probing the issue of extended-family unification. And as San Francisco’s representative in Washington, Speaker Pelosi has no doubt found it particularly difficult to maintain strategic silence in advance of her inevitable attempt to gut the point system and restore extended-family unification in the House. (For a good take on Kennedy’s strategic dilemma, and the complications caused by Pelosi’s talkative ways, see <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/opinion/ny-oppin225224212may22,0,1620143.column?coll=ny-opinion-print" type="external">this piece by Jim Pinkerton</a>.)</p>
<p>So the liberal knives are out for the immigration “compromise.” And there’s more. Kennedy’s got a failsafe mechanism that his aides haven’t mentioned yet. The proposed merit-based point system could be openly cut back in favor of a return to family unification, but there’s a smarter and more subtle way to kill the compromise. The point system can be subverted from within.</p>
<p>While the point totals allocated for employment-related criteria (47), education (28), knowledge of English (15), and family connections (10) have been revealed, no one has yet said how many points it takes to achieve a passing grade. If it takes 70 out of 100 points to pass, then the “new” (eight years from now!) system would clearly favor highly-educated immigrants. But if the “pass mark” is, say, only 30 points, then with 10 points allocated for family relationships, the supposed merit-based system would end up admitting pretty much the same folks who are already coming in under the family reunification policy. Clever, huh? It looks like a “merit-based” point system, but it’s actually the old family-reunification system in disguise.</p>
<p>Grassroots immigrant organizations are finding it tough to stem their members’ panic over a system that won’t even kick in for eight years, and will likely never see the light of day. The more sophisticated immigrant lobby groups, are holding their fire and waiting to turn the “merit-based” point system into a meaningless shell over time. And if the immigrant groups, Speaker Pelosi, and Hillary don’t succeed in gutting the point system in the current session, they have every likelihood of doing so within the next few years.</p>
<p>Remarkably, the “pass mark,” as well as other critical details of the point system — like whether or not the pass mark will “float” (i.e. adjust according to the qualifications of the available applicant-pool) — are still entirely unknown.</p>
<p>Let’s think about that. A low pass mark and a “no float” policy would quickly turn the so-called merit-based point system into a meaningless shell. So isn’t it interesting that senators are debating, proposing amendments, and taking positions for and against a bill, a central plank of which may already be entirely meaningless?</p>
<p>This highlights Kennedy’s craftiness — but also his dilemma. If Kennedy eventually announces a low pass mark and a no-float policy, his (already pretty obviously) bogus promise of reform will immediately be revealed as a hoax. On the other hand, if Kennedy sets a high pass mark and/or a floating pass mark policy, it will become very difficult to keep the Democrats on board with the bill. At best, this means the compromise will collapse if the details of the point system fully and finally expose Kennedy’s farce. Yet no matter what the final details of the point system turn out to be, the truth is that a serious merit-based system will never ultimately go into effect — not under this bill, and not under this correlation of national political forces.</p>
<p>The notion that any serious deal on family reunification and a merit-based immigration has been offered is a joke. I speak as someone who, in the past, and in contrast to many dyed-in-the-wool “restrictionists,” has been open to an authentic immigration compromise. I also speak as someone deeply concerned about the role of family-based chain migration in Europe’s immigration disaster.</p>
<p>Nothing would please me more than an actual shift away from an extended-family reunification policy to a merit-based point system. Precisely because I care about this issue, however, I am acutely aware of the fact that our supposed “victory” on the question of family unification and merit-based immigration is in fact hollow. The crafty senator is playing us all for fools. This bill is not the reform we’re looking for. What we need now instead is linguistic reform. Henceforth the tired old idiom “window dressing” ought to be replaced by a phrase for our age: “Kennedy drafted.”</p>
<p>—Stanley Kurtz is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.</p> | false | 1 | dont take listen liberal san francisco chronicle kennedy among craftiest lawmakers senate aides insisted familybased system remain intact next eight years said proposal would award 75 percent new green cards family members clear existing backlogs one key conservative victories grand immigration bargain reality defeat advertised shift family unification currently 60 percent legal immigration meritbased point system actually disguises 15percent increase familybased immigration gives disgruntled business lobbyists immigration advocates eight long years replace gut meritbased point system scheduled kick three presidencies clearly crafty senator kennedy playing conservatives bunch saps kennedys aides havent convinced lets hear conservatives heritage foundation analyst robert rector policywonk first brought meritbased immigration attention congress rector happy compromise supposedly built around idea think anybody takes bargain fool says rector given eight year delay change merit based system would never occur sen jeff sessions alabama republican seized upon rectors meritsystem idea 2006 turned personal crusade sessions dismisses eightyear delay promised merit system bogus bait conservatives bit wait arent powerful business lobbyists going line behind shift family unification meritbased point system surely hightech businesses thrilled prospect growing pool educated highly skilled englishspeaking immigrants nope heres robert hoffman cochair compete america coalition hightech companies concluded point system wrong approach current system need employer sponsor green card point system would need employer sponsor individual would get points special skills skills may match demand dont even ask lowskill employers meritbased point system may bring sort immigrant likely assimilate least likely impose burden welfare system would simultaneously reduce number workers likely employed hotels restaurants nursing homes hospitals construction industry short hightech lowskill employers determined kill meritbased point system even scheduled kick eight years fact coalition business immigrant groups already killed similar reform back 1995 federal commission headed liberal democratic congresswoman barbara jordan recommended paring back familybased immigration moving toward skillbased system jordan died year later business immigrant groups united block changes business immigrant groups deadset shift family unification point system dont democrats realize interest throw conservatives bone exchange support amnesty citizenship path 12 million immigrants already illegally oh yeah speaker pelosi already said serious objection point system bill perhaps improved ill bet theres hillary clinton womanwhowouldbepresident eager cement grand immigration bargain hillary bent signaling republicans elected would uphold bills central compromise yeah right actually clinton offering amendment specifically designed restore familybased immigration hillary become president suppose going happen point system point system wont kick eight years family reunification actually accelerate time key conservative proponents point system think compromise bill bogus high low tech business lobbyists immigrant advocacy groups speaker house prospective democratic presidential nominee front trying kill point system restore extendedfamily reunification cant least take heart fact folks squawking doesnt chorus complaints actually prove republican negotiators got something important exchange amnesty nope chorus complaints mostly coming immigrant groups panicked know fix already senator kennedy bit pickle cant openly brag meaninglessness concessions hes made family reunification would undercut claim compromised first place thats kennedys aides explained craftiness empty compromise san francisco chronicle kennedy circumspect san francisco nexus hispanic asian immigration especially asian immigrant advocacy groups asian advocacy groups particularly worried family reunification asian extended families clans find current policies particularly congenial extendedfamilyunification policies huge danger age terror ive argued assimilation studies assimilation studies ii kennedys people forced frank sophisticated paper immigrationwise town seriously probing issue extendedfamily unification san franciscos representative washington speaker pelosi doubt found particularly difficult maintain strategic silence advance inevitable attempt gut point system restore extendedfamily unification house good take kennedys strategic dilemma complications caused pelosis talkative ways see piece jim pinkerton liberal knives immigration compromise theres kennedys got failsafe mechanism aides havent mentioned yet proposed meritbased point system could openly cut back favor return family unification theres smarter subtle way kill compromise point system subverted within point totals allocated employmentrelated criteria 47 education 28 knowledge english 15 family connections 10 revealed one yet said many points takes achieve passing grade takes 70 100 points pass new eight years system would clearly favor highlyeducated immigrants pass mark say 30 points 10 points allocated family relationships supposed meritbased system would end admitting pretty much folks already coming family reunification policy clever huh looks like meritbased point system actually old familyreunification system disguise grassroots immigrant organizations finding tough stem members panic system wont even kick eight years likely never see light day sophisticated immigrant lobby groups holding fire waiting turn meritbased point system meaningless shell time immigrant groups speaker pelosi hillary dont succeed gutting point system current session every likelihood within next years remarkably pass mark well critical details point system like whether pass mark float ie adjust according qualifications available applicantpool still entirely unknown lets think low pass mark float policy would quickly turn socalled meritbased point system meaningless shell isnt interesting senators debating proposing amendments taking positions bill central plank may already entirely meaningless highlights kennedys craftiness also dilemma kennedy eventually announces low pass mark nofloat policy already pretty obviously bogus promise reform immediately revealed hoax hand kennedy sets high pass mark andor floating pass mark policy become difficult keep democrats board bill best means compromise collapse details point system fully finally expose kennedys farce yet matter final details point system turn truth serious meritbased system never ultimately go effect bill correlation national political forces notion serious deal family reunification meritbased immigration offered joke speak someone past contrast many dyedinthewool restrictionists open authentic immigration compromise also speak someone deeply concerned role familybased chain migration europes immigration disaster nothing would please actual shift away extendedfamily reunification policy meritbased point system precisely care issue however acutely aware fact supposed victory question family unification meritbased immigration fact hollow crafty senator playing us fools bill reform looking need instead linguistic reform henceforth tired old idiom window dressing ought replaced phrase age kennedy drafted stanley kurtz senior fellow ethics public policy center | 954 |
<p>In an era when zillionaires strut their hipness, and boost their investment portfolio, by snapping up the latest follies of Jeff Koons, Tracey Emin, or Maurizio Cattelan, it’s good to be reminded that vast wealth is not always synonymous with bad taste.</p>
<p>Consider the case of Paul Mellon (1907–1999), whose visionary philanthropy is now being commemorated by Washington’s National Gallery.</p>
<p>“In Celebration of Paul Mellon” features eighty-eight dazzling drawings, watercolors, prints, and books (mostly nineteenth- and twentieth-century French, British, and American) in observance of the museum’s seventy-fifth anniversary.1</p>
<p>The National Gallery was founded and largely paid for by Paul’s father, Andrew, a wealthy banker, the Ambassador to the Court of St. James, and Secretary of the Treasury in the administrations of Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover, the three presidents who, it was said, “served under him.”</p>
<p>In 1937, despite the fact that the Roosevelt administration had unsuccessfully prosecuted him for tax evasion, Andrew Mellon gave his important collection of paintings to the people of the United States, along with $10 million to house it in John Russell Pope’s brilliant neo-classical gallery (neither Mellon nor Pope, who died twenty-four hours apart, lived to see it completed).</p>
<p>His great act of democratic beneficence was the spark for many other major donations, all carefully overseen by the three visionary leaders of the museum: the founding director, David Finley, his successor, John Walker III, and his formidable protégé, John Carter Brown.</p>
<p>Paul Mellon, unlike his father, sought no public office, nor did he follow him into the banking trade. But like Andrew, he was a major benefactor. He enriched the Gallery with endowments and works of art (over a thousand of them) and served on its board for many years. In an act of philanthropic symmetry, he paid for an I. M. Pei–designed wing just to the east of the original classical building. But, in what was perhaps an act of filial independence, Paul’s building is modernist, severe, all sharp angles and devoid of ornament, in stark contrast to his father’s classically inspired museum. Unlike the many donors who now give for ego only, the Mellons did not want their names on the buildings of the National Gallery: their gifts were for the nation, not themselves.</p>
<p>A bit of a late bloomer, Paul Mellon was already in his fifties when he started to collect in earnest. He had been interested in English art and literature since his days as a student at Cambridge University, but it was a chance meeting with the art historian Basil Taylor that sent him (aided by Bunny, his second wife) on the path to becoming a distinguished collector, especially of British art. In the 1960s he was the major creative and financial force behind the Yale Center for British Art, the institution that created an American appreciation of the then-neglected works of our mother country’s painters and sculptors.</p>
<p>Paul Mellon had an instinctive sense for quality and very deep pockets. He demanded, and got, superb examples of first-rate works. But, above all, he collected because he loved art. “He never,” he said, “bought a picture as an investment, except as an investment in pleasure.” He modestly called himself “an amateur connoisseur of art,” a statement belied by his brilliant acquisitions, many assembled for his private collection before he gave them to the National Gallery.</p>
<p>Throughout the exhibition, brief wall texts with quotations from Mellon about his collecting link him with visitors, a very nice touch indeed, while the limited number of works allows them to study the choice, small-scale objects (many no larger than a sheet of paper) at leisure.</p>
<p>The curators rightly decided not to hang the works in the usual chronological or thematic order. Mellon bought what he liked. He was not a systematic, scholarly, or dogmatic collector, and the works here are of widely different subjects, dates, and media. Seen side-by-side, the visitors get a vivid sense of the eclectic, highly personal way he collected; this also encourages them to make their own contrasts and comparisons between varying eras, styles, materials, and artists.</p>
<p>Several artists are represented by multiple works. A half-dozen enchanting watercolors by Winslow Homer, especially a shimmering depiction of two boys wading and a luminous, wind-blown scene of berry pickers, are alone worth a visit to the National Gallery. There are multiple sheets by Claude Monet (four) and Pablo Picasso (five), and two glowing watercolors by J. M. W. Turner. The twentieth century is well represented by Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Giorgio Morandi, and Georges Braque, among others.</p>
<p>Mellon said that he bought portraits because he was fascinated by the “sitter’s character, air of intelligence, or hint of humor.” Would “he like her or him?”</p>
<p>This interest in character is evident in the many portraits he acquired. Three graphite sketches by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, notably a self-portrait and drawing of the architect Henri Labrouste, portray their sitters’ pensive faces with an economy and delicacy of touch that astounds. A pencil sketch (strongly influenced by Ingres) of René de Gas by the young Edgar Degas is one of eleven works by him, including depictions of Lydia Cassatt and her artist sister Mary. Mary’s large pastel portrait of a woman in a black hat, a blaze of vivid blue and black, is also here. Self-portraits by Paul Cézanne and Henri Matisse further demonstrate Mellon’s unerring and eclectic eye.</p>
<p>To get such prizes, Paul Mellon had to be a strong competitor in the art market, an attribute he also brought to sports, especially to his championship fox hunting.</p>
<p>Several sheets in the show reflect his keen interest in competitive sports. There are boxing scenes by George Bellows and Théodore Géricault, and three bold preparatory drawings (one chalk and two charcoal) of jockeys by Degas. Executed with a sure and fluid touch, they must have appealed to both Mellon’s sporting and aesthetic interests.</p>
<p>Choice, modest, and timely, “In Celebration of Paul Mellon” is a fitting tribute to him, and to the institution he loved: si monumentum requiris, circumspice.</p>
<p>I’d hazard a guess that Mr. Mellon would not be pleased by what’s happened just up the street at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery (NPG).</p>
<p>Although the NPG shares the splendid Old Patent Office with the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, it has always existed in the shadow of its bigger sister.</p>
<p>Kim Sajet, who came to the NPG three years ago after a successful tenure at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (despite budgetary woes), is determined to move out of that shadow while casting a klieg light on herself and her institution.</p>
<p>Recently, she told The Washington Post that she “thinks bigger” than “she ever did before” and that “big gesture is important. The vision thing, right?” Sajet said that she’s “not good at safe,” and that she is “very much about experimentation.” “You know,” she asserted, “nothing is a sacred cow. Let’s look at breaking down the hierarchies, experimenting, and piloting things.”</p>
<p>Unfortunately, much of this “piloting” detracts from the museum’s mission, which is to collect, exhibit, and explain, carefully and soberly, portraits of Americans from all eras who have made a lasting and substantial contribution to the nation. Instead, Sajet seems fixated with fashion, pop culture, and gimmicky attention-grabbing, star-studded events intended to attract well-heeled donors and promote the museum as “hip”—a word not usually associated with Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>Part of this campaign is the NPG’s “Portrait of a Nation Award,” whose recipients are represented in the museum’s collection. At a 2015 black-tie dinner, which the Washingtonian called a “high gloss event,” the prizes went to Hank Aaron, Aretha Franklin, Maya Lin, the Medal of Honor winner Kyle Carpenter, and Carolina Herrera, all notable Americans with sterling achievements. Sajet, wearing a borrowed Herrera ball gown, proclaimed that, “in the age of the selfie, we have embraced and changed the meaning of portraiture”—a statement that just might be meaningful to those whose understanding of the ancient art of portraiture extends no further than the tips of their selfie sticks.</p>
<p>Admirably, the event raised over $150 million for the museum, but the fear is that the funds will be used to further the director’s cult of contemporary celebrity, so clearly seen in three NPG events.</p>
<p>“Hollywood and Time: Celebrity Covers” displays “largely recognizable celebrity images” from Tinsel Town culled from the magazine’s famous cover art.2 A “curatorial statement” informs us that the covers were chosen “based in part on the prominence of sitters and artists, on gender, and on identity” (whatever that may mean in this context). Notice: gender, prominence, and “identity,” but not a word about the stars’ lasting contribution to the nation. The statement also apologizes for not showing the black Oscar winners Hattie McDaniel and Sidney Poitier because they “like most Oscar winners never appear inside Time’s red borders.”</p>
<p>The NPG has also launched a new performance art series entitled “Identify.” Sajet has asked the artists, according to The Washington Post, “to examine issues of race and gender as well as their personal and family histories to present a new kind of active portrait through music, movement and monologue.” It’s unclear if selfies will be featured.</p>
<p>The second celebrity jamboree at the NPG was “Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze,” on view last spring.3 The trendy title is baffling: what exactly is “Eye Pop” (an ocular disorder?), and how does the “celebrity gaze” (whatever that may mean) differ from the gaze of less famous mortals? But none of this matters because the fifty-three portraits of contemporary luminaries “who have been at the top of their fields” are what the NPG hopes would attract attention to “Eye Pop,” which, it claimed, “allow[ed] us to question celebrity and peel back its layers.”</p>
<p>There are portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Brad Pitt, Eminem, Eva Longoria, Serena Williams, and Kobe Bryant. An entire wall is devoted to a large icon-like painting of the pop singer Katy Perry, herself the garish embodiment of celebrity culture. Most of the wall labels accompanying the portraits are just brief notes in English, and Spanish, on the life and deeds of the sitters. There is little information about the portraitists, and scant discussion of their art.</p>
<p>The third NPG celebrity shindig is a single painting: the British artist Jonathan Yeo’s portrait of Kevin Spacey as the evil President Francis Underwood, the star of “House of Cards,” Netflix’s blockbuster television series.</p>
<p>The over-life-sized image was unveiled in an evening event for an invited audience. Spacey, Yeo, members of the Washington Press Corps, and other notables attended, and Netflix produced a video of the fictional President Underwood’s motorcade arriving at the ceremony. Following the presentation, the audience watched the first episode of the new season of “House of Cards.”</p>
<p>Sajet told the audience:</p>
<p>Now “binge watching” television has put control into the hand of consumers, who can watch their favorite shows at their leisure. Not only does it reflect the impact of popular contemporary culture on America’s story but it also exemplifies the fine art tradition of actors portrayed in their roles.</p>
<p>What exactly that means and what it has to do with the NPG’s mission is uncertain. It is clear, however, that it’s another indication of Sajet’s pursuit of celebrities. And one might, of course, also question the propriety of the NPG’s promotions of Netflix.</p>
<p>The NPG was authorized by Congress to acquire and display portraits of “men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the United States.”</p>
<p>But evidently the current “mission” of Sajet’s museum, as a wall text proclaims, is “to tell the story of America by portraying the people who shape the nation’s history, development, and culture.”</p>
<p>This shift from the past tense (“have made”) to the present tense (“who shape”) reflects a 2000 decision by the museum to include living Americans in the collection. This was unwise. A century from now, Condoleezza Rice and the founders of Google will probably be seen as shapers of American life, and thus worthy of a place in the national collection of portraits. But many others enshrined by the NPG, such as the snowboarder Shaun White, the skateboarder Tony Hawk, the dancer and performance artist Dana Tai Soon Burgess, Katy Perry, or even Kevin Spacey, may well be ephemeral figures consigned, if at all, to the dusty corners of the American story. Much of what the NPG is now acquiring is current events (much of it politically correct), not history.</p>
<p>“My aspiration,” Sajet has said modestly, “is to turn on its head the traditional notions of portraiture as commemorating the dead, to that of living people recognizing and identifying with the lives of the people they meet through amazing art.”</p>
<p>At an event in Georgetown last year, Sajet called a self-portrait made of grains of rice “a kind of fun house full of ideas about how people see themselves, are seen by others, and remembered.” And, she added, “there’s room almost for everybody.”</p>
<p>It may be a fun house, but it’s not what Congress voted for or what our citizens deserve.</p>
<p>1 “In Celebration of Paul Mellon” opened at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., on May 8 and remains on view through September 18, 2016.</p>
<p>2 “Hollywood and Time: Celebrity Covers” opened at the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., on April 1 and remains on view through September 11, 2016.</p>
<p>3 “Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze” was on view at the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., from May 22, 2015, through July 10, 2016.</p>
<p>Bruce Cole is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.</p> | false | 1 | era zillionaires strut hipness boost investment portfolio snapping latest follies jeff koons tracey emin maurizio cattelan good reminded vast wealth always synonymous bad taste consider case paul mellon 19071999 whose visionary philanthropy commemorated washingtons national gallery celebration paul mellon features eightyeight dazzling drawings watercolors prints books mostly nineteenth twentiethcentury french british american observance museums seventyfifth anniversary1 national gallery founded largely paid pauls father andrew wealthy banker ambassador court st james secretary treasury administrations warren harding calvin coolidge herbert hoover three presidents said served 1937 despite fact roosevelt administration unsuccessfully prosecuted tax evasion andrew mellon gave important collection paintings people united states along 10 million house john russell popes brilliant neoclassical gallery neither mellon pope died twentyfour hours apart lived see completed great act democratic beneficence spark many major donations carefully overseen three visionary leaders museum founding director david finley successor john walker iii formidable protégé john carter brown paul mellon unlike father sought public office follow banking trade like andrew major benefactor enriched gallery endowments works art thousand served board many years act philanthropic symmetry paid peidesigned wing east original classical building perhaps act filial independence pauls building modernist severe sharp angles devoid ornament stark contrast fathers classically inspired museum unlike many donors give ego mellons want names buildings national gallery gifts nation bit late bloomer paul mellon already fifties started collect earnest interested english art literature since days student cambridge university chance meeting art historian basil taylor sent aided bunny second wife path becoming distinguished collector especially british art 1960s major creative financial force behind yale center british art institution created american appreciation thenneglected works mother countrys painters sculptors paul mellon instinctive sense quality deep pockets demanded got superb examples firstrate works collected loved art never said bought picture investment except investment pleasure modestly called amateur connoisseur art statement belied brilliant acquisitions many assembled private collection gave national gallery throughout exhibition brief wall texts quotations mellon collecting link visitors nice touch indeed limited number works allows study choice smallscale objects many larger sheet paper leisure curators rightly decided hang works usual chronological thematic order mellon bought liked systematic scholarly dogmatic collector works widely different subjects dates media seen sidebyside visitors get vivid sense eclectic highly personal way collected also encourages make contrasts comparisons varying eras styles materials artists several artists represented multiple works halfdozen enchanting watercolors winslow homer especially shimmering depiction two boys wading luminous windblown scene berry pickers alone worth visit national gallery multiple sheets claude monet four pablo picasso five two glowing watercolors j w turner twentieth century well represented picasso alberto giacometti giorgio morandi georges braque among others mellon said bought portraits fascinated sitters character air intelligence hint humor would like interest character evident many portraits acquired three graphite sketches jeanaugustedominique ingres notably selfportrait drawing architect henri labrouste portray sitters pensive faces economy delicacy touch astounds pencil sketch strongly influenced ingres rené de gas young edgar degas one eleven works including depictions lydia cassatt artist sister mary marys large pastel portrait woman black hat blaze vivid blue black also selfportraits paul cézanne henri matisse demonstrate mellons unerring eclectic eye get prizes paul mellon strong competitor art market attribute also brought sports especially championship fox hunting several sheets show reflect keen interest competitive sports boxing scenes george bellows théodore géricault three bold preparatory drawings one chalk two charcoal jockeys degas executed sure fluid touch must appealed mellons sporting aesthetic interests choice modest timely celebration paul mellon fitting tribute institution loved si monumentum requiris circumspice id hazard guess mr mellon would pleased whats happened street smithsonian national portrait gallery npg although npg shares splendid old patent office smithsonian museum american art always existed shadow bigger sister kim sajet came npg three years ago successful tenure historical society pennsylvania despite budgetary woes determined move shadow casting klieg light institution recently told washington post thinks bigger ever big gesture important vision thing right sajet said shes good safe much experimentation know asserted nothing sacred cow lets look breaking hierarchies experimenting piloting things unfortunately much piloting detracts museums mission collect exhibit explain carefully soberly portraits americans eras made lasting substantial contribution nation instead sajet seems fixated fashion pop culture gimmicky attentiongrabbing starstudded events intended attract wellheeled donors promote museum hipa word usually associated washington dc part campaign npgs portrait nation award whose recipients represented museums collection 2015 blacktie dinner washingtonian called high gloss event prizes went hank aaron aretha franklin maya lin medal honor winner kyle carpenter carolina herrera notable americans sterling achievements sajet wearing borrowed herrera ball gown proclaimed age selfie embraced changed meaning portraiturea statement might meaningful whose understanding ancient art portraiture extends tips selfie sticks admirably event raised 150 million museum fear funds used directors cult contemporary celebrity clearly seen three npg events hollywood time celebrity covers displays largely recognizable celebrity images tinsel town culled magazines famous cover art2 curatorial statement informs us covers chosen based part prominence sitters artists gender identity whatever may mean context notice gender prominence identity word stars lasting contribution nation statement also apologizes showing black oscar winners hattie mcdaniel sidney poitier like oscar winners never appear inside times red borders npg also launched new performance art series entitled identify sajet asked artists according washington post examine issues race gender well personal family histories present new kind active portrait music movement monologue unclear selfies featured second celebrity jamboree npg eye pop celebrity gaze view last spring3 trendy title baffling exactly eye pop ocular disorder celebrity gaze whatever may mean differ gaze less famous mortals none matters fiftythree portraits contemporary luminaries top fields npg hopes would attract attention eye pop claimed allowed us question celebrity peel back layers portraits barack michelle obama justice sonia sotomayor brad pitt eminem eva longoria serena williams kobe bryant entire wall devoted large iconlike painting pop singer katy perry garish embodiment celebrity culture wall labels accompanying portraits brief notes english spanish life deeds sitters little information portraitists scant discussion art third npg celebrity shindig single painting british artist jonathan yeos portrait kevin spacey evil president francis underwood star house cards netflixs blockbuster television series overlifesized image unveiled evening event invited audience spacey yeo members washington press corps notables attended netflix produced video fictional president underwoods motorcade arriving ceremony following presentation audience watched first episode new season house cards sajet told audience binge watching television put control hand consumers watch favorite shows leisure reflect impact popular contemporary culture americas story also exemplifies fine art tradition actors portrayed roles exactly means npgs mission uncertain clear however another indication sajets pursuit celebrities one might course also question propriety npgs promotions netflix npg authorized congress acquire display portraits men women made significant contributions history development culture people united states evidently current mission sajets museum wall text proclaims tell story america portraying people shape nations history development culture shift past tense made present tense shape reflects 2000 decision museum include living americans collection unwise century condoleezza rice founders google probably seen shapers american life thus worthy place national collection portraits many others enshrined npg snowboarder shaun white skateboarder tony hawk dancer performance artist dana tai soon burgess katy perry even kevin spacey may well ephemeral figures consigned dusty corners american story much npg acquiring current events much politically correct history aspiration sajet said modestly turn head traditional notions portraiture commemorating dead living people recognizing identifying lives people meet amazing art event georgetown last year sajet called selfportrait made grains rice kind fun house full ideas people see seen others remembered added theres room almost everybody may fun house congress voted citizens deserve 1 celebration paul mellon opened national gallery art washington dc may 8 remains view september 18 2016 2 hollywood time celebrity covers opened national portrait gallery washington dc april 1 remains view september 11 2016 3 eye pop celebrity gaze view national portrait gallery washington dc may 22 2015 july 10 2016 bruce cole senior fellow ethics public policy center former chairman national endowment humanities | 1,312 |
<p />
<p>This conventional wisdom is unsound. Briefly put: Under long-established Senate practice, every Supreme Court nominee is afforded an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. A departure from that practice would threaten to impose severe political costs on Senate Democrats. In a competently run confirmation campaign, a strong proponent of judicial restraint will win majority approval in the Senate, with votes to spare.</p>
<p>Now for the extended version:</p>
<p>1. The long-established practice is that the Senate will afford every Supreme Court nominee an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. Specifically, Supreme Court nominees (unlike lower-court nominees) are referred out of the Judiciary Committee whether or not they receive a favorable vote in committee, and there has never been a partisan filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee. The historical record on these points (which I draw largely from a Congressional Research Service report (updated June 2, 2006), an earlier version of which is available online <a href="http://www.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33247_20060124.pdf" type="external">here</a>) is worth detailing.</p>
<p>Ever since the Senate began routinely referring Supreme Court nominations to the Judiciary Committee in 1835, there has never been an instance in which the Judiciary Committee has killed a nomination by failing to take action on it. <a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/print/c/section/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/blank.htm#_ftn1" type="external">[1]</a> Moreover, in each of the ten instances in which the Judiciary Committee reported a nominee unfavorably (six instances) or without recommendation (four instances), the full Senate voted on the nomination&#160;— and confirmed six of the ten nominees (including three of the six who had been reported unfavorably). Recent practice is consistent with this tradition. In 1987, the Judiciary Committee unfavorably reported the nomination of Robert Bork, and the Senate proceeded to vote on (and to reject) his nomination. And in 1991, the Committee reported Clarence Thomas’s nomination without recommendation, and the Senate voted to confirm him. In both of these recent instances, the Senate was in Democratic hands.</p>
<p>For the past 130 years&#160;— since 1874&#160;— there has only been one instance in which the Senate has failed to proceed to a final floor vote on a Supreme Court nominee reported from the Judiciary Committee. That instance occurred in 1968, when a broadly bipartisan filibuster initiated by a Republican minority prevented cloture on President Johnson’s nomination of Abe Fortas to be Chief Justice. Specifically, at a time when cloture under Senate rules required the votes of two-thirds of senators present, the cloture vote on Fortas’s nomination fell short by 14 votes: 45 for, 43 against. Remarkably, of the 66 Democrats in the Senate, a bare majority&#160;— 35&#160;— voted for cloture, 19 voted against, and 12 somehow managed not to be present at the time their leader scheduled the vote. The 19 Democrats voting against cloture accounted for nearly half (over 44%) of the total votes against and for over 65 percent of the votes needed to defeat cloture.</p>
<p>What sort of precedent does the broadly bipartisan filibuster of Fortas provide for efforts to filibuster President Bush’s next nominee? Well, I’ll agree in advance that if there’s ever a realistic prospect that Republicans will account for 44 percent of the votes against cloture or that barely half of them will vote for cloture, then a Democrat-led filibuster would be broadly bipartisan.</p>
<p>2. Why will longstanding Senate practices constrain how Democrats handle the next nominee? Because these practices embody a political reality that Democrats can defy only at considerable political cost.</p>
<p>The practice of having a full Senate vote on Supreme Court nominees who have been reported unfavorably (or without recommendation) from the Judiciary Committee reflects the judgment that the decision not to confirm a Supreme Court nomination is too momentous to be delegated to whatever senators happen to sit on the committee. That judgment applies with particular force now. Democrats won their majority position in the Senate by running unconventional candidates like pro-lifer Bob Casey in Pennsylvania. But the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee tilt heavily to the far left ideological base of the party, and no nominee worthy of a Supreme Court spot has any realistic prospect of winning a single Democratic vote in committee. (When their votes didn’t matter and when they were positioning to defeat the next nominee, three Democrats voted for Chief Justice Roberts in committee; none voted for Alito.) Neither Democrats generally nor the dozen or more individual Democrats presenting themselves to their constituencies as moderates can afford to let the likes of Teddy Kennedy and Chuck Schumer decide the fate of a Supreme Court nominee.</p>
<p>In a sort of reverse political jujitsu, the Democrats’ majority status makes the threat of a filibuster even more extreme. In the context of ordinary legislation, the filibuster is recognized and defended as a tool of the minority. In the words of now-Majority Leader Harry Reid, “The filibuster is a critical tool in keeping the majority in check.” Until 2003, when Democrats unleashed the filibuster against President Bush’s lower-court nominees, the partisan filibuster had never been used even by a minority party against judicial nominees. Now that they are the majority party, Democrats risk looking ridiculous and will exacerbate their internal divisions if they try to sustain an unprecedented partisan filibuster against a Supreme Court nominee.</p>
<p>It is, of course, impossible to forecast just how the politics of obstruction would play out. But a strong proponent of judicial restraint should have the upper hand over Senate Democrats. As the Roberts and Alito confirmation battles showed, the conservative case against liberal judicial activism has strong appeal across a broad swath of the American public. Americans understand that judges should be neutral umpires, not judicial activists. Further, unlike lower-court nominations, which can be buried in obscurity, a Supreme Court nomination will be prominent in the public eye. The public will expect and demand action. (All the more so if the Supreme Court seat is already vacant.) And in the event that the next nominee is a woman or a minority, the nominee will have added political punch.</p>
<p>Ironically, success in filibustering a nominee would probably produce the riskiest situation for Democrats, especially if President Bush steadfastly stood by an appealing nominee. Going into the 2008 election year, Democrats would be foolish to highlight the gulf between the parties, and between their presidential candidates, on the proper role of the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>3. With Vice President Cheney’s potential tie-breaking vote, President Bush’s next nominee will need the votes of 50 senators to be confirmed. The Democrats have the narrowest of margins in the Senate&#160;— 51 to 49&#160;— and a quality nominee should hold all or nearly all Republicans. It’s also easy to identify plenty of possible Democratic votes. Start, for example, with the four Democrats who voted for Alito&#160;— Byrd (West Virginia), Conrad (North Dakota), Johnson (South Dakota), and Ben Nelson (Nebraska). Look to other Democrats in “red” states, especially those who are running for reelection in 2008&#160;— two, Landrieu (Louisiana) and Pryor (Arkansas), are prime targets. And add in newly elected moderate (or moderate-posing) senators like Casey (Pennsylvania) and Tester (Montana). There’s simply no reason to think that a strong proponent of judicial restraint won’t earn the votes to be confirmed.</p>
<p>To be sure, there will be plenty of timid voices counseling President Bush to go wobbly. A number of Republican senators, for example&#160;— including some conservatives&#160;— will encourage the hopeless illusion of a consensus pick. Confident that they will win an issueless reelection campaign, they would prefer to avoid the controversy of a contentious confirmation fight, even if that controversy will most likely redound to their benefit. Why, they ask themselves, incur even a small downside risk? Some White House advisers may fear that political capital will be diverted from their own favored priorities, and others may believe that the benchmark of a successful nomination is a quick and quiet confirmation, rather than the appointment of a quality justice.</p>
<p>President Bush’s appointments of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito are perhaps his greatest domestic achievements. If another vacancy develops, President Bush can enrich his legacy with another outstanding appointment or jeopardize it by an inferior selection. The choice will be his, and no one should mistakenly believe that the bare Democratic majority in the Senate prevents him from selecting another strong proponent of judicial restraint.</p>
<p>— Edward Whelan is president of the <a href="" type="internal">Ethics and Public Policy Center</a> and is a regular contributor to NRO’s <a href="http://bench.nationalreview.com/" type="external">“Bench Memos” blog</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/print/c/section/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/blank.htm#_ftnref1" type="external">[1]</a> The 1866 nomination of Henry Stanbery was mooted when Congress reduced the size of the Court and abolished the seat to which he had been nominated, and the 1968 nomination of Homer Thornberry to fill Abe Fortas’s seat as Associate Justice was mooted by Fortas’s failure to be confirmed as Chief Justice. There have also been a few instances in which the committee evidently lacked time to act on a nomination submitted very late in a session; in each of those instances, when the nomination was resubmitted in the next session, the committee acted on it.</p> | false | 1 | conventional wisdom unsound briefly put longestablished senate practice every supreme court nominee afforded upordown vote senate floor departure practice would threaten impose severe political costs senate democrats competently run confirmation campaign strong proponent judicial restraint win majority approval senate votes spare extended version 1 longestablished practice senate afford every supreme court nominee upordown vote senate floor specifically supreme court nominees unlike lowercourt nominees referred judiciary committee whether receive favorable vote committee never partisan filibuster supreme court nominee historical record points draw largely congressional research service report updated june 2 2006 earlier version available online worth detailing ever since senate began routinely referring supreme court nominations judiciary committee 1835 never instance judiciary committee killed nomination failing take action 1 moreover ten instances judiciary committee reported nominee unfavorably six instances without recommendation four instances full senate voted nomination160 confirmed six ten nominees including three six reported unfavorably recent practice consistent tradition 1987 judiciary committee unfavorably reported nomination robert bork senate proceeded vote reject nomination 1991 committee reported clarence thomass nomination without recommendation senate voted confirm recent instances senate democratic hands past 130 years160 since 1874160 one instance senate failed proceed final floor vote supreme court nominee reported judiciary committee instance occurred 1968 broadly bipartisan filibuster initiated republican minority prevented cloture president johnsons nomination abe fortas chief justice specifically time cloture senate rules required votes twothirds senators present cloture vote fortass nomination fell short 14 votes 45 43 remarkably 66 democrats senate bare majority160 35160 voted cloture 19 voted 12 somehow managed present time leader scheduled vote 19 democrats voting cloture accounted nearly half 44 total votes 65 percent votes needed defeat cloture sort precedent broadly bipartisan filibuster fortas provide efforts filibuster president bushs next nominee well ill agree advance theres ever realistic prospect republicans account 44 percent votes cloture barely half vote cloture democratled filibuster would broadly bipartisan 2 longstanding senate practices constrain democrats handle next nominee practices embody political reality democrats defy considerable political cost practice full senate vote supreme court nominees reported unfavorably without recommendation judiciary committee reflects judgment decision confirm supreme court nomination momentous delegated whatever senators happen sit committee judgment applies particular force democrats majority position senate running unconventional candidates like prolifer bob casey pennsylvania democrats judiciary committee tilt heavily far left ideological base party nominee worthy supreme court spot realistic prospect winning single democratic vote committee votes didnt matter positioning defeat next nominee three democrats voted chief justice roberts committee none voted alito neither democrats generally dozen individual democrats presenting constituencies moderates afford let likes teddy kennedy chuck schumer decide fate supreme court nominee sort reverse political jujitsu democrats majority status makes threat filibuster even extreme context ordinary legislation filibuster recognized defended tool minority words nowmajority leader harry reid filibuster critical tool keeping majority check 2003 democrats unleashed filibuster president bushs lowercourt nominees partisan filibuster never used even minority party judicial nominees majority party democrats risk looking ridiculous exacerbate internal divisions try sustain unprecedented partisan filibuster supreme court nominee course impossible forecast politics obstruction would play strong proponent judicial restraint upper hand senate democrats roberts alito confirmation battles showed conservative case liberal judicial activism strong appeal across broad swath american public americans understand judges neutral umpires judicial activists unlike lowercourt nominations buried obscurity supreme court nomination prominent public eye public expect demand action supreme court seat already vacant event next nominee woman minority nominee added political punch ironically success filibustering nominee would probably produce riskiest situation democrats especially president bush steadfastly stood appealing nominee going 2008 election year democrats would foolish highlight gulf parties presidential candidates proper role supreme court 3 vice president cheneys potential tiebreaking vote president bushs next nominee need votes 50 senators confirmed democrats narrowest margins senate160 51 49160 quality nominee hold nearly republicans also easy identify plenty possible democratic votes start example four democrats voted alito160 byrd west virginia conrad north dakota johnson south dakota ben nelson nebraska look democrats red states especially running reelection 2008160 two landrieu louisiana pryor arkansas prime targets add newly elected moderate moderateposing senators like casey pennsylvania tester montana theres simply reason think strong proponent judicial restraint wont earn votes confirmed sure plenty timid voices counseling president bush go wobbly number republican senators example160 including conservatives160 encourage hopeless illusion consensus pick confident win issueless reelection campaign would prefer avoid controversy contentious confirmation fight even controversy likely redound benefit ask incur even small downside risk white house advisers may fear political capital diverted favored priorities others may believe benchmark successful nomination quick quiet confirmation rather appointment quality justice president bushs appointments chief justice roberts justice alito perhaps greatest domestic achievements another vacancy develops president bush enrich legacy another outstanding appointment jeopardize inferior selection choice one mistakenly believe bare democratic majority senate prevents selecting another strong proponent judicial restraint edward whelan president ethics public policy center regular contributor nros bench memos blog 1 1866 nomination henry stanbery mooted congress reduced size court abolished seat nominated 1968 nomination homer thornberry fill abe fortass seat associate justice mooted fortass failure confirmed chief justice also instances committee evidently lacked time act nomination submitted late session instances nomination resubmitted next session committee acted | 849 |
<p>Somewhere near the beginning of Heist, Joe Moore (Gene Hackman), one of those immensely clever thieves with which the cinematic underworld seems to abound, is seen explaining how he did something that he insists he was not smart enough to do. “I just thought of a guy who was smarter than I was and then imagined what he would do.” That turns out to have been more or less exactly what David Mamet did in thinking up Joe Moore, who — stop reading now if you plan to see the film and want to savor such surprise (not much) as its ending may have to offer you — is always way ahead not only of the cops but of his gangland rivals and his own accomplices. This line, then, is his little post-modern joke. He knows that we know that he knows that these are nothing like real people — let alone real criminals, who are generally quite stupid. Instead, they are counters in a game of greed and treachery which we are meant to be happy to let Mamet play with his hypothetically smarter self.</p>
<p>I don’t know about you, but I like the people in movies to be, like people in real life, capable of being surprised. It is when life sneaks up behind us and smacks us with the wet fish of love or tragedy or joy or bitterness that we are at our most human. And it is in how we respond to life’s little surprises that we define ourselves in the eyes of others. But Joe Moore is a man whom nothing can surprise. “You know me, baby,” he says to his much younger wife, Fran (Rebecca Pidgeon): “I don’t tie my shoes without a back-up plan.” Already, by this time, it has been made clear to us that Joe will always have a back-up plan, so the only thrill the movie has to offer is in waiting to see how, each time his enemies seem to get the upper hand, Joe’s back-up plan, or Joe’s master plan, will put Joe back on top.</p>
<p>Even when Fran betrays him — and all the way through we are meant not to be sure whether she has betrayed him or only pretended to have done so as part of Joe’s plan — the smile on Joe’s face tells us that, yeah, he’d already planned on this too. In other words, it’s not the betrayal that matters, as it would in real life. It’s that Joe knows. In fact, Joe always knew. He was just waiting for the audience to catch up with him. Meanwhile, we really have no idea why his enemies are his enemies, or why Fran would betray him with a younger but much less prepossessing thief, Jimmy Silk (Sam Rockwell), when there is no obvious attraction between them. Danny DeVito plays a sort of fence who, for reasons that are never clearly spelled out for us (Mamet obviously has no interest in the subject), has the power to make Joe, against his will, pull one last job. The job to end all jobs. Where have I heard something like this before?</p>
<p>It’s the Swiss job. But, as Mametian budgets don’t run to shooting on foreign locations, the Swiss job is actually pulled off in Boston, which is where, fortunately, Joe happens to be anyway. At least, he’s there until he gets his share of the Swiss gold, hides it with characteristic cleverness, and sails off to the Carribean on his handsome sailing yacht with the shiny brass fittings. Actually, the camera’s lingering on the shiny brass fittings is just another one of the deutero-Mamet’s sleights of hand. Don’t be silly! Would the mastermind do anything as obvious as that? But then it’s not as if the gold turns out to be disguised decking, or masts or cutlery or fish-hooks either. Since nothing cleverer than hiding the gold in plain sight occurs to Mamet’s smarter self, he just puts it, well, somewhere else. The point is that Joe knows and nobody else guesses, so the illusion of Joe’s ever-superior cleverness is preserved.</p>
<p>This game has no charm for me. And I find Mamet’s patented weird-clever dialogue more weird than clever. Occasionally he gets off a good line or two, as when someone at a bar tells Fran that the whisky she is drinking will rot her stomach. “Yeah,” she says, “but I get to drink it first.” Once Joe’s sidekick Bobby Blane (Delroy Lindo) tells Jimmy, who claims (with considerable understatement, I should say) not to be a religious man, of a guy he knew in the army who was always a-praying and who kept his Bible close to his heart. And what do you think? One day that Bible stopped a bullet “that woulda just tore up his heart.” Bobby pauses and then says: “Yeah, and if he’d-a had another Bible to put in front of his face he’d-a been alive today.” Jimmy doesn’t laugh much. Nobody in a Mamet movie laughs much, unless it is bitter, ironic laughter. If his people laughed more they would be more like people, and his movies would be the better for it.</p>
<p>But of course they don’t laugh because they are deadpanning the author’s jokes for him, not making them, or listening to them, themselves. Most of the weird-clever stuff consists of what are meant to be snappy comebacks to conventional conversational banalities. Thus: “Nobody lives forever/ Frank Sinatra gave it a shot.” Or “Everybody needs money. That’s why they call it money.” Huh? Even when the Baroque metaphors sort of come off, we are more conscious of the fact that this is not something that anyone but David Mamet would ever actually have said. “I’ll be as quiet as an ant pissing on cotton,” says Jimmy Silk to Joe. “I don’t want you to be as quiet as an ant pissing on cotton,” says Joe fiercely. “I want you to be as quiet as an ant not even thinking about pissing on cotton.” Yeah, old Mamet can think up some pretty good lines. But I wish he’d use them in a stand-up routine instead of going to all the trouble of making a movie just to put them in.</p> | false | 1 | somewhere near beginning heist joe moore gene hackman one immensely clever thieves cinematic underworld seems abound seen explaining something insists smart enough thought guy smarter imagined would turns less exactly david mamet thinking joe moore stop reading plan see film want savor surprise much ending may offer always way ahead cops gangland rivals accomplices line little postmodern joke knows know knows nothing like real people let alone real criminals generally quite stupid instead counters game greed treachery meant happy let mamet play hypothetically smarter self dont know like people movies like people real life capable surprised life sneaks behind us smacks us wet fish love tragedy joy bitterness human respond lifes little surprises define eyes others joe moore man nothing surprise know baby says much younger wife fran rebecca pidgeon dont tie shoes without backup plan already time made clear us joe always backup plan thrill movie offer waiting see time enemies seem get upper hand joes backup plan joes master plan put joe back top even fran betrays way meant sure whether betrayed pretended done part joes plan smile joes face tells us yeah hed already planned words betrayal matters would real life joe knows fact joe always knew waiting audience catch meanwhile really idea enemies enemies fran would betray younger much less prepossessing thief jimmy silk sam rockwell obvious attraction danny devito plays sort fence reasons never clearly spelled us mamet obviously interest subject power make joe pull one last job job end jobs heard something like swiss job mametian budgets dont run shooting foreign locations swiss job actually pulled boston fortunately joe happens anyway least hes gets share swiss gold hides characteristic cleverness sails carribean handsome sailing yacht shiny brass fittings actually cameras lingering shiny brass fittings another one deuteromamets sleights hand dont silly would mastermind anything obvious gold turns disguised decking masts cutlery fishhooks either since nothing cleverer hiding gold plain sight occurs mamets smarter self puts well somewhere else point joe knows nobody else guesses illusion joes eversuperior cleverness preserved game charm find mamets patented weirdclever dialogue weird clever occasionally gets good line two someone bar tells fran whisky drinking rot stomach yeah says get drink first joes sidekick bobby blane delroy lindo tells jimmy claims considerable understatement say religious man guy knew army always apraying kept bible close heart think one day bible stopped bullet woulda tore heart bobby pauses says yeah heda another bible put front face heda alive today jimmy doesnt laugh much nobody mamet movie laughs much unless bitter ironic laughter people laughed would like people movies would better course dont laugh deadpanning authors jokes making listening weirdclever stuff consists meant snappy comebacks conventional conversational banalities thus nobody lives forever frank sinatra gave shot everybody needs money thats call money huh even baroque metaphors sort come conscious fact something anyone david mamet would ever actually said ill quiet ant pissing cotton says jimmy silk joe dont want quiet ant pissing cotton says joe fiercely want quiet ant even thinking pissing cotton yeah old mamet think pretty good lines wish hed use standup routine instead going trouble making movie put | 518 |
<p>FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Certainly, the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/New_England_Patriots/" type="external">New England Patriots</a>‘ (14-3) offense was always going to be in the spotlight this week leading up to Sunday’s AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium against the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jacksonville-Jaguars/" type="external">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> (12-6).</p>
<p>New England’s No. 1 overall offense and No. 2 scoring attack is set to take on Jacksonville’s defense that’s No. 2 in both yards and points.</p>
<p>It’s a classic battle.</p>
<p>The focus on the Patriots’ offense only grew Wednesday afternoon in Foxborough when <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Tom_Brady/" type="external">Tom Brady</a> failed to make it to his scheduled afternoon press conference set to air live on NFL Network. New England’s public relations staff announced that Brady was meeting with the team’s medical staff and would be on the forthcoming injury report, which he was listed as limited for the day’s work due to an injury to his right hand.</p>
<p>Shortly afterwards, the Boston Herald reported that Brady suffered the new injury – he was listed at various points during the regular season with both left shoulder and Achilles injuries – occurred when “one of his teammates accidentally ran into him and jammed his right throwing hand. X-rays were taken revealing no structural damage.”</p>
<p>History would seem to indicate that Brady will be under center when New England takes the field on Sunday because other than missing all but one quarter of action in 2008 to a torn ACL, he has never missed a game to injury.</p>
<p>But the issue certainly bears watching for the 40-year-old All-Pro, especially given the challenge that the Jaguars present. Jacksonville in many ways is built around its defense, even if the unit did allow the Steelers to score 42 points in the divisional playoff.</p>
<p>Jacksonville has the NFL’s No. 1 passing offense thanks to a combination of All-Pro cornerbacks, linebackers and defensive linemen. The Jaguars had 55 sacks during the regular season, and had four guys with eight or more sacks led by <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Calais-Campbell/" type="external">Calais Campbell</a>‘s 14.5. They also had 21 interceptions among their 33 takeaways, second-most in the NFL in each category.</p>
<p>“They are competitive. They are a very, very competitive defense – fast, tough, physical and like I said, competitive,” Patriots All-Pro tight end <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Rob_Gronkowski/" type="external">Rob Gronkowski</a> said. “You have to be ready to bring it. You have to be ready to play. You have to be ready to make tough plays. There are going to be no easy open plays or wide-open plays. They are going to be tough, contested plays that we are going to have to make. They are just very competitive.”</p>
<p>Not only do the Jaguars make traditional good plays on defense, they score points. Jacksonville had seven defensive touchdowns during the regular season. All-Pro linebacker Telvin Smith had a 50-yard scoop-and-score fumble recovery in last weekend’s win in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>“Top of the league in everything, starting with turnovers, sacks, negative plays (forced) and points, you name it,” head coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Bill_Belichick/" type="external">Bill Belichick</a> said. “They are good tacklers and they are good at stripping the ball. Everybody is good at stripping the ball – their whole team is. Their front guys, their linebackers, their secondary – they are all good at taking the ball away with strips, interceptions, tipped balls and so forth. That’s why they have so many of them. They are a very explosive group on defense. They can score when you have the ball and that’s always a very threatening thing. Not only can they take the ball away, but they can take the ball away and score. I think that speaks to the explosiveness of their team.”</p>
<p>Belichick then concluded by dismissing a question wondering if the Jacksonville defense had any weaknesses that New England could exploit.</p>
<p>“I think we’re going to have to play our best game of the year,” Belichick said simply.</p>
<p>That will require Brady to prove he’s healthy enough to lead the New England offense against by far the best, most talented defense the Patriots have faced all season.</p>
<p>“We have to be ready. We have to be prepared. It is going to be a big, tough challenge, for sure,” Gronkowski said.</p>
<p>SERIES HISTORY: 12th all-time meeting. Patriots lead series, 10-1. Though New England and Jacksonville have played a mere 11 times since the Jaguars inception in 1995, that includes four previous postseason matchups. New England won three of the previous four playoff battles, all in Foxborough, the lone loss coming in January 1999, a 25-10 defeat in head coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Pete_Carroll/" type="external">Pete Carroll</a>‘s final game in New England. The Patriots won a previous AFC title game meeting 20-6 at the old Foxboro Stadium to advance to Super Bowl XXXI. New England won the last playoff battle with Tom Brady’s undefeated Patriots defeating <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/David_Garrard/" type="external">David Garrard</a>‘s Jaguars 31-20 in January 2008, and the last meeting overall, a 51-17 beatdown at Gillette Stadium in September 2015.</p>
<p>–Experience is generally seen as a benefit, whether it be in sports or life. The Patriots will be playing in their seventh straight AFC title game on Sunday. Head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady will be in their 12th conference title game together. New England’s roster is littered with guys with plenty of big-game experience.</p>
<p>But Belichick, for one, doesn’t see that as an advantage for his team.</p>
<p>“I have never talked about experience, so I don’t really think it is a relevant conversation,” Belichick said. “I think the team that plays well on Sunday, that will be the team that is victorious. I don’t think experience has anything to do with that.”</p>
<p>Belichick’s players often say that the coaches tell them experience means nothing.</p>
<p>“Well, it doesn’t,” Belichick says. “Because we are talking about how the teams are going to compete on Sunday. That is what is going to determine the winner in that competition. It is what happens Sunday, not what happened last year, two years ago, five years ago, 15 years ago, 1996 or whatever it is. Those games don’t make any difference, with all due respect.”</p> | false | 1 | foxborough mass certainly new england patriots 143 offense always going spotlight week leading sundays afc championship game gillette stadium jacksonville jaguars 126 new englands 1 overall offense 2 scoring attack set take jacksonvilles defense thats 2 yards points classic battle focus patriots offense grew wednesday afternoon foxborough tom brady failed make scheduled afternoon press conference set air live nfl network new englands public relations staff announced brady meeting teams medical staff would forthcoming injury report listed limited days work due injury right hand shortly afterwards boston herald reported brady suffered new injury listed various points regular season left shoulder achilles injuries occurred one teammates accidentally ran jammed right throwing hand xrays taken revealing structural damage history would seem indicate brady center new england takes field sunday missing one quarter action 2008 torn acl never missed game injury issue certainly bears watching 40yearold allpro especially given challenge jaguars present jacksonville many ways built around defense even unit allow steelers score 42 points divisional playoff jacksonville nfls 1 passing offense thanks combination allpro cornerbacks linebackers defensive linemen jaguars 55 sacks regular season four guys eight sacks led calais campbells 145 also 21 interceptions among 33 takeaways secondmost nfl category competitive competitive defense fast tough physical like said competitive patriots allpro tight end rob gronkowski said ready bring ready play ready make tough plays going easy open plays wideopen plays going tough contested plays going make competitive jaguars make traditional good plays defense score points jacksonville seven defensive touchdowns regular season allpro linebacker telvin smith 50yard scoopandscore fumble recovery last weekends win pittsburgh top league everything starting turnovers sacks negative plays forced points name head coach bill belichick said good tacklers good stripping ball everybody good stripping ball whole team front guys linebackers secondary good taking ball away strips interceptions tipped balls forth thats many explosive group defense score ball thats always threatening thing take ball away take ball away score think speaks explosiveness team belichick concluded dismissing question wondering jacksonville defense weaknesses new england could exploit think going play best game year belichick said simply require brady prove hes healthy enough lead new england offense far best talented defense patriots faced season ready prepared going big tough challenge sure gronkowski said series history 12th alltime meeting patriots lead series 101 though new england jacksonville played mere 11 times since jaguars inception 1995 includes four previous postseason matchups new england three previous four playoff battles foxborough lone loss coming january 1999 2510 defeat head coach pete carrolls final game new england patriots previous afc title game meeting 206 old foxboro stadium advance super bowl xxxi new england last playoff battle tom bradys undefeated patriots defeating david garrards jaguars 3120 january 2008 last meeting overall 5117 beatdown gillette stadium september 2015 experience generally seen benefit whether sports life patriots playing seventh straight afc title game sunday head coach bill belichick quarterback tom brady 12th conference title game together new englands roster littered guys plenty biggame experience belichick one doesnt see advantage team never talked experience dont really think relevant conversation belichick said think team plays well sunday team victorious dont think experience anything belichicks players often say coaches tell experience means nothing well doesnt belichick says talking teams going compete sunday going determine winner competition happens sunday happened last year two years ago five years ago 15 years ago 1996 whatever games dont make difference due respect | 563 |
<p>PHOENIX — The <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Arizona-Diamondbacks/" type="external">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> almost always know what they are getting from <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Zack_Greinke/" type="external">Zack Greinke</a>, and they got it again. Now they can only hope they will keep getting results from a newly reinforced lineup.</p>
<p>Greinke remained unbeaten at home this season with a strong eight-inning outing, and J.D. Martinez hit his first homer with Arizona, leading the Diamondbacks past the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Atlanta-Braves/" type="external">Atlanta Braves</a> 10-2 Monday night.</p>
<p>A.J. Pollock added two doubles and a two-run homer, his fifth, while driving in four runs for Arizona, which had dropped two in a row and 11 of 15.</p>
<p>However, the Diamondbacks didn’t have Martinez during that stretch, and Pollock missed about half the season with a groin injury. Now, manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Torey-Lovullo/" type="external">Torey Lovullo</a> finally has the kind of batting order he wanted.</p>
<p>“It’s a fun lineup — you look up there and there’s a lot of guys who can get on,” Pollock said. “That puts pressure on the other team, the pitchers get a little uncomfortable. If we get everybody clicking, it’s going to be pretty scary.”</p>
<p>As Greinke is on the Chase Field mound. Greinke (12-4) improved to 10-0 with a 2.39 ERA in 12 starts in his home ballpark, limiting the Braves to pinch hitter <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Sean_Rodriguez/" type="external">Sean Rodriguez</a>‘s two-run homer in the fifth and retiring the final 10 batters he faced.</p>
<p>“He mixes it up, changes speed, keeps the ball down and he’s hard to get a hold of, as evidenced by his numbers,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s tough.”</p>
<p>Greinke scattered five hits while striking out six and walking none. He also contributed a run-scoring double and two sacrifice bunts at the plate.</p>
<p>“I was throwing a lot of strikes early on,” Greinke said. “The goal is to keep doing what you’re doing. It’s definitely happened before where you feel really good starting but you lose it a little bit. You’ve got to stay focused and keep making pitches.”</p>
<p>Martinez, playing his first full game for the Diamondbacks since being acquired July 18 from the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Detroit-Tigers/" type="external">Detroit Tigers</a>, powered a three-run shot in the sixth to boost the lead to 8-2. It was his 17th homer of the season overall.</p>
<p>Martinez started for the first time since being struck in the left hand by a pitch in his first game with Arizona on Wednesday.</p>
<p>“Everybody’s excited when you’re traded, you kind of want to get here and show everybody why you’re here, what you can do,” said Martinez, who admittedly was excited by homering in his first Arizona home game.</p>
<p>Pollock is enthused, too.</p>
<p>“He has a great swing, it looks like he’s about to do damage on every pitch,” Pollock said. “We’re happy we have him.”</p>
<p>Atlanta, getting its shortest start of the season from <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/R.A._Dickey/" type="external">R.A. Dickey</a> (6-7), lost its third in a row and sixth in eight games. The Braves swept Arizona in a three-game series at Atlanta immediately after the All-Star break.</p>
<p>The first pitching matchup between former <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cy_Young/" type="external">Cy Young</a> Award winners Greinke and Dickey didn’t last long.</p>
<p>The knuckleball-throwing Dickey was wild from the start — hitting a batter and walking another in just the first three plate appearances. He allowed four runs, walked five, gave up five hits and threw four wild pitches in 3 2/3 innings. The Braves threw six wild pitches altogether.</p>
<p>“I was fighting things out there,” Dickey said. “(The knuckleball) was moving well, but the umpire was struggling with it, Tyler (Flowers, the catcher) was struggling with it, I was struggling to throw strikes.”</p>
<p>Dickey’s wildness showed up in the second.</p>
<p>After Dickey walked Daniel Descalso and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jeff_Mathis/" type="external">Jeff Mathis</a> singled a batter later, Greinke lined a double to left field — his sixth hit of the season — to score Descalso.</p>
<p>David Peralta popped up, but Pollock doubled to left to score two more runs.</p>
<p>The Diamondbacks chased Dickey in the fourth when Mathis singled again, moved up on Greinke’s sacrifice bunt and the first of Dickey’s two wild pitches in the inning and scored on Peralta’s single.</p>
<p>“I had the stuff to get us past the fourth inning. It quite embarrassing when you can’t get your club into the sixth inning, seventh,” Dickey said. “I take that seriously.”</p>
<p>The Braves finally got to Greinke in the fifth when Rodriguez — batting .071 — hit a two-run homer into the left field seats following Johan Camargo’s two-out double. Rodriguez’s homer was his first since he needed major shoulder surgery following a serious car accident last winter, and his first in the majors as a pinch hitter.</p>
<p>Rodriguez had been 1-for-14 since being activated July 17 following rotator cuff surgery that required months of recovery.</p>
<p>NOTES: The Braves traded LHP <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jaime_Garcia/" type="external">Jaime Garcia</a> (4-7, 4.30 ERA) and C Anthony Recker to the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Minnesota-Twins/" type="external">Minnesota Twins</a> for 19-year-old pitching prospect Huascar Ynoa. Garcia was scheduled to start Wednesday. RHP Aaron Blair, acquired from Arizona in a December 2015 trade, is expected to be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to replace him. … Braves All-Star OF Ender Inciarte was given a day off, only his second in 98 games. … Diamondbacks C Jeff Mathis, who came in hitting .196, went 3-for-4 with a walk and scored twice. … Arizona CF A.J. Pollock is 11-for-22 (.500) with four doubles, two triples, two homers, nine runs and six RBIs in his past five games.</p> | false | 1 | phoenix arizona diamondbacks almost always know getting zack greinke got hope keep getting results newly reinforced lineup greinke remained unbeaten home season strong eightinning outing jd martinez hit first homer arizona leading diamondbacks past atlanta braves 102 monday night aj pollock added two doubles tworun homer fifth driving four runs arizona dropped two row 11 15 however diamondbacks didnt martinez stretch pollock missed half season groin injury manager torey lovullo finally kind batting order wanted fun lineup look theres lot guys get pollock said puts pressure team pitchers get little uncomfortable get everybody clicking going pretty scary greinke chase field mound greinke 124 improved 100 239 era 12 starts home ballpark limiting braves pinch hitter sean rodriguezs tworun homer fifth retiring final 10 batters faced mixes changes speed keeps ball hes hard get hold evidenced numbers braves manager brian snitker said hes tough greinke scattered five hits striking six walking none also contributed runscoring double two sacrifice bunts plate throwing lot strikes early greinke said goal keep youre definitely happened feel really good starting lose little bit youve got stay focused keep making pitches martinez playing first full game diamondbacks since acquired july 18 detroit tigers powered threerun shot sixth boost lead 82 17th homer season overall martinez started first time since struck left hand pitch first game arizona wednesday everybodys excited youre traded kind want get show everybody youre said martinez admittedly excited homering first arizona home game pollock enthused great swing looks like hes damage every pitch pollock said happy atlanta getting shortest start season ra dickey 67 lost third row sixth eight games braves swept arizona threegame series atlanta immediately allstar break first pitching matchup former cy young award winners greinke dickey didnt last long knuckleballthrowing dickey wild start hitting batter walking another first three plate appearances allowed four runs walked five gave five hits threw four wild pitches 3 23 innings braves threw six wild pitches altogether fighting things dickey said knuckleball moving well umpire struggling tyler flowers catcher struggling struggling throw strikes dickeys wildness showed second dickey walked daniel descalso jeff mathis singled batter later greinke lined double left field sixth hit season score descalso david peralta popped pollock doubled left score two runs diamondbacks chased dickey fourth mathis singled moved greinkes sacrifice bunt first dickeys two wild pitches inning scored peraltas single stuff get us past fourth inning quite embarrassing cant get club sixth inning seventh dickey said take seriously braves finally got greinke fifth rodriguez batting 071 hit tworun homer left field seats following johan camargos twoout double rodriguezs homer first since needed major shoulder surgery following serious car accident last winter first majors pinch hitter rodriguez 1for14 since activated july 17 following rotator cuff surgery required months recovery notes braves traded lhp jaime garcia 47 430 era c anthony recker minnesota twins 19yearold pitching prospect huascar ynoa garcia scheduled start wednesday rhp aaron blair acquired arizona december 2015 trade expected called triplea gwinnett replace braves allstar ender inciarte given day second 98 games diamondbacks c jeff mathis came hitting 196 went 3for4 walk scored twice arizona cf aj pollock 11for22 500 four doubles two triples two homers nine runs six rbis past five games | 532 |
<p>WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration’s political woes hung like a cloud over the U.S. State Department Saturday night at the first of two events held to celebrate this year’s recipients of the <a href="http://variety.com/t/kennedy-center-honors/" type="external">Kennedy Center Honors</a>. But a spontaneous series of inspiring life stories delivered by honorees and their friends turned the evening into an uplifting occasion.</p>
<p>The setting was the State Department’s neoclassic diplomatic greeting rooms, packed with priceless heirlooms from the nation’s attic. It is there each year that some 200 invited guests toast honorees as they receive their festive ribbons during an after-dinner ceremony. It is a coveted invitation for artists, politicos and supporters of the Kennedy Center. It’s an intimate affair, in contrast to Sunday’s black-tie gala that will be filmed for a CBS special to air Dec. 26.&#160;</p>
<p>This year’s KenCen spotlight has fallen on dancer/choreographer Carmen de Lavallade, musical superstars Gloria Estefan, LL Cool J, Lionel Richie, and pioneering writer-producer and entrepreneur Norman Lear.&#160;</p>
<p>Official host for the occasion was embattled Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who paused from his welcoming duties to refute media reports that he will soon be fired by President Trump. Anti-Trump fervor is so strong among honorees that the White House back in August canceled the traditional reception held there when Lear, Richie and de Lavallade said they would not attend. Trump even bowed out of this year’s honors, a rare occurrence for the U.S. commander-in-chief.</p>
<p>Trump’s absence was perfectly fine with Lear. The 95-year-old industry legend told Variety he was “happy not to go to the White House,” but doubted that he would enjoy a politics-free weekend.&#160; “You can’t avoid the politics – my head is spinning,” he said, referring to the never-ending swirl of controversy and partisan battles surrounding the Trump administration.</p>
<p>While studiously avoiding overtly political statements during the evening’s formal presentations, the honorees articulated their personal experiences battling discrimination and prejudice, ending their remarks with expressions of defiance, hope, and insight into the bridge-building role of the arts.</p>
<p>Emcee for the occasion was 2001 KenCen honoree Julie Andrews, who kept a loose rein as she introduced speakers to reflect on each honoree. Per a recently altered format, honorees are invited but not required to make personal remarks following testimonials, their only speaking obligations of the weekend.</p>
<p>First up was Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds to tout his longtime chum Richie as a “surprisingly nice” guy for one who’s a “superstar genius.”&#160;Richie opened with a vigorous message on the three simple words that epitomize his philosophy and success:&#160;“I love you.”</p>
<p>“I’m in the business of reminding the world that love is the answer,” said Richie of his repertoire of hits, noting that fans want to hear him say it wherever he travels. The message that never grows old, he mused.</p>
<p>Cuba-born Estefan was saluted by 2015 KenCen honoree Rita Moreno. After reviewing her personal attributes and career successes, Moreno got to the point:&#160;“Not lost on me is that one immigrant girl can honor another for her work. This is the stuff of the American dream, and we are living every minute of it,” she said.</p>
<p>In her remarks, Estefan thanked Puerto Rico-born Moreno for being “an example for all immigrants in this country.” She said her father brought his family to the U.S. to enjoy freedom, but then issued a warning. “You can lose this freedom.&#160;We must hold these truths to be self-evident,” Estefan said.</p>
<p>LL Cool J was toasted by Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, who sported a black AC/DC T-shirt for the occasion.</p>
<p>“This is crazy, man,” McDaniels said as he gazed around the room full of formal attire. “You all have no idea how crazy this is” for rap stars to be included. He then brought down the house with a ribald testimonial interrupted by a cell phone call from his wife – which he answered – while explaining the significance of his fellow artist’s unorthodox rise to success as a solo artist in an era of groups.&#160;</p>
<p>The sentiments were echoed by LL Cool J, who described himself and his compatriot as “the guys on the other side of the tracks.” But he said, “I want you to know that the inner city is a whirlpool.&#160;Every now and then somebody like me will make it out. What you’re looking at is possibilities – what every young inner-city black man could potentially be if given the opportunity and if someone put their arm around him.”</p>
<p>Surrounded by family and colleagues including 2001 honoree Quincy Jones and CBS Corp. chairman-CEO Leslie Moonves, the “NCIS: Los Angeles” star assured that when talented people from underprivileged backgrounds are given an opportunity, “they don’t always squander it.”</p>
<p>Toasting de Lavallade was actress/choreographer Debbie Allen, who praised her longtime friend’s persistence to overcome racism and other roadblocks en route to success. The soft-spoken de Lavallade, who along with her late husband Jeffrey Holder frequently attended the honors as guests and entertainers, delivered an impassioned message about the ability of the arts to break barriers. “Creativity is the most important thing we have in this world,” she said.</p>
<p>Last to come was the testimonial for Lear, which was delivered by respected journalist and commentator Bill Moyers. “Every stream of American life that converged here tonight began in the nurturing of this man, whose vision of ‘All in the Family’ opened the road to many travelers who had never been allowed on it,” he opined.</p>
<p>Moyers said that longtime friend Lear “revolutionized television, put primetime in long pants, and baptized America in a cold bath of truth.” He did so by invoking the plain speech of everyday people to peel away the whitewash of hypocrisy, and persisting against denial of race, gender and justice. “And he did it all with laughter,” said Moyers, praising the “moral indignation for which [Lear] has given his life.”</p>
<p>Lear trundled to the podium and gazed around the room. “Holy s—,” he said to laughter. Lear confessed to being overcome by being in the famous Ben Franklin room, “crying over every word” of LL Cool J’s impassioned remarks.</p>
<p>The World War II vet recalled that when he was discharged after the war, he recalled being “in love with America.” He said his form of patriotism means embracing the promises America has made to offer all citizens equal opportunity and equal justice under the law. Lear added that while those words may still be deep in our hearts, “we have promises to deliver.”</p>
<p>(Pictured: Back row: LL Cool J and Lionel Richie. Front row: Carmen de Lavallade, Norman Lear and Gloria Estefan)</p> | false | 1 | washington dc trump administrations political woes hung like cloud us state department saturday night first two events held celebrate years recipients kennedy center honors spontaneous series inspiring life stories delivered honorees friends turned evening uplifting occasion setting state departments neoclassic diplomatic greeting rooms packed priceless heirlooms nations attic year 200 invited guests toast honorees receive festive ribbons afterdinner ceremony coveted invitation artists politicos supporters kennedy center intimate affair contrast sundays blacktie gala filmed cbs special air dec 26160 years kencen spotlight fallen dancerchoreographer carmen de lavallade musical superstars gloria estefan cool j lionel richie pioneering writerproducer entrepreneur norman lear160 official host occasion embattled secretary state rex tillerson paused welcoming duties refute media reports soon fired president trump antitrump fervor strong among honorees white house back august canceled traditional reception held lear richie de lavallade said would attend trump even bowed years honors rare occurrence us commanderinchief trumps absence perfectly fine lear 95yearold industry legend told variety happy go white house doubted would enjoy politicsfree weekend160 cant avoid politics head spinning said referring neverending swirl controversy partisan battles surrounding trump administration studiously avoiding overtly political statements evenings formal presentations honorees articulated personal experiences battling discrimination prejudice ending remarks expressions defiance hope insight bridgebuilding role arts emcee occasion 2001 kencen honoree julie andrews kept loose rein introduced speakers reflect honoree per recently altered format honorees invited required make personal remarks following testimonials speaking obligations weekend first kenneth babyface edmonds tout longtime chum richie surprisingly nice guy one whos superstar genius160richie opened vigorous message three simple words epitomize philosophy success160i love im business reminding world love answer said richie repertoire hits noting fans want hear say wherever travels message never grows old mused cubaborn estefan saluted 2015 kencen honoree rita moreno reviewing personal attributes career successes moreno got point160not lost one immigrant girl honor another work stuff american dream living every minute said remarks estefan thanked puerto ricoborn moreno example immigrants country said father brought family us enjoy freedom issued warning lose freedom160we must hold truths selfevident estefan said cool j toasted darryl dmc mcdaniels sported black acdc tshirt occasion crazy man mcdaniels said gazed around room full formal attire idea crazy rap stars included brought house ribald testimonial interrupted cell phone call wife answered explaining significance fellow artists unorthodox rise success solo artist era groups160 sentiments echoed cool j described compatriot guys side tracks said want know inner city whirlpool160every somebody like make youre looking possibilities every young innercity black man could potentially given opportunity someone put arm around surrounded family colleagues including 2001 honoree quincy jones cbs corp chairmanceo leslie moonves ncis los angeles star assured talented people underprivileged backgrounds given opportunity dont always squander toasting de lavallade actresschoreographer debbie allen praised longtime friends persistence overcome racism roadblocks en route success softspoken de lavallade along late husband jeffrey holder frequently attended honors guests entertainers delivered impassioned message ability arts break barriers creativity important thing world said last come testimonial lear delivered respected journalist commentator bill moyers every stream american life converged tonight began nurturing man whose vision family opened road many travelers never allowed opined moyers said longtime friend lear revolutionized television put primetime long pants baptized america cold bath truth invoking plain speech everyday people peel away whitewash hypocrisy persisting denial race gender justice laughter said moyers praising moral indignation lear given life lear trundled podium gazed around room holy said laughter lear confessed overcome famous ben franklin room crying every word cool js impassioned remarks world war ii vet recalled discharged war recalled love america said form patriotism means embracing promises america made offer citizens equal opportunity equal justice law lear added words may still deep hearts promises deliver pictured back row cool j lionel richie front row carmen de lavallade norman lear gloria estefan | 626 |
<p>The White House has argued that the March 1 sequester of federal spending — a cut of approximately 5 percent from the domestic-spending programs covered by the sequester requirement, along with 8 percent cuts to defense programs — will bring about the most dire of consequences. According to the president, “this meat-cleaver approach…will jeopardize our military readiness [and] eviscerate job-creating investments in education and energy and medical research.”</p>
<p>Maybe more alarmingly, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued a press release earlier this month claiming that the cuts in federal spending “could” force reductions in food inspections, which “could” lead to outbreaks of more food-borne bacteria, such as E. coli. Administration officials and their allies are making similarly alarming claims regarding what “could” happen to workplace safety, law enforcement, and education.</p>
<p>It seems clear that the administration has the capacity to make sequestration’s impact excessively unpleasant, and these statements could make one wonder whether the administration is determined to do so. But does a sequester have to be disastrous? Could the White House wield the scheduled cuts in such a way as to minimize the impact felt by the American people? Our experience inside the executive branch suggests that this is indeed the case: The administration could have prepared for the sequester in ways that would steer cuts toward less sensitive programs and activities. In fact, it still has the capacity to adjust some, although certainly not all, of the ways in which the sequester is applied.</p>
<p>Let’s start with the big picture. The total amount of the sequester’s cuts — $85 billion in 2013 — is just 2.4 percent of a $3.6 trillion budget. Even with the cuts, total spending in 2013 will exceed what was spent in 2012. Indeed, federal spending has been roughly $600 billion higher during the last four years than it was in 2008, and the sequester will hardly offset that overall increase. The size of the sequester barely exceeds the $80 billion or so of new spending that was recently appropriated for Hurricane Sandy relief.</p>
<p>The administration argues that the impact of the cuts will be magnified because we are already five months into the fiscal year, so instead of a 5 percent cut in domestic accounts over a full year, agencies and departments will have to cut 9 percent over the final seven months of the year.</p>
<p>This is indeed a problem, but it is a problem of the White House’s making. All of Washington has known for a year and a half that there was a good chance the sequester would be implemented in early 2013. The president even publicly threatened to veto attempts to undo it. And yet the administration apparently prevented federal agencies from preparing for it. Last July, the OMB sent a memorandum to the agencies instructing them to proceed with “normal spending and operations” in 2013 because there was plenty of time to avoid the sequester. The budget office could have told senior managers to begin contingency planning for reduced budgets. Instead, they insisted there would be no cuts, and, while some federal officials appear to have prepared prudently anyway, other federal officials overspent early in the year, making the sequester’s effects more severe.</p>
<p>In explaining those effects, the administration points out, correctly, that the law requires across-the-board cuts of all non-exempt budget accounts. As stated in the law, the cuts are to be applied uniformly to all “programs, projects and activities within a budget account,” and what constitutes a “budget account” as well as “programs, projects, and activities” is supposed to be found in the appropriations acts passed by Congress and their accompanying reports. But these acts and reports leave far more to administrative interpretation and discretion than the president’s remarks and OMB press releases would suggest.</p>
<p>In nearly all agencies, within various budget accounts, it is possible to impose deeper cuts on administrative functions and non-essential grant-making while leaving front-line service provision intact. For instance, in the Food and Drug Administration, the budget account for food safety includes both direct public-health-protection efforts and administrative functions. A responsible step would be to order agencies to tilt the cuts toward non-essential spending within budget accounts as much as possible.</p>
<p>Moreover, Congress generally provides agencies with the ability to transfer some amount of funds between appropriated accounts. Those authorities are not rescinded by the sequester, so the administration also has the ability to move funding from less sensitive to more sensitive accounts if it chooses to do so. For instance, in HHS, the law allows the secretary to transfer up to 1 percent of total appropriated funds, or about $750 million, among accounts. Those funds could be used to eliminate many short-term service problems. Congress might also consider expanding such transfer authority during this fiscal year to allow the administration to move even larger sums to sensitive accounts.</p>
<p>The sequester is most worrisome for its effects on national security. House Republicans were right to propose and pass alternative cuts last year for this reason, although the Senate has failed to take them up. But even here, there are administrative options for mitigating the sequester’s impact. Specifically, Republicans should push for maximum flexibility for moving the cuts within the Department of Defense to subaccounts that can be replenished later, such as long-term equipment upgrades, and wherever possible away from operations subaccounts that are directly related to short-term readiness.</p>
<p>In dealing with the sequester, the administration appears to favor the “Washington Monument” strategy — making all cuts as painful and prominent as possible for maximum political leverage. This is a reprise of the playbook used to great effect by President Bill Clinton against Speaker Newt Gingrich in the 1990s. But the 1990s showdown was a confrontation over a&#160;full government shutdown. When the sequester hits next month, the federal government will continue full operations and, with some creativity, could do so with little discernible drop in public services.</p>
<p>In the hands of a president committed to responsible deficit reduction, sequestration could be a powerful tool for good. The sequester that the president and his team proposed is a blunt instrument that is far less desirable than sensibly targeted cuts, but that is no reason to administer it irresponsibly.</p>
<p>James C. Capretta, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, was an associate director at the OMB. Tevi Troy, a senior fellow at Hudson Institute, is a former senior White House and HHS official.</p> | false | 1 | white house argued march 1 sequester federal spending cut approximately 5 percent domesticspending programs covered sequester requirement along 8 percent cuts defense programs bring dire consequences according president meatcleaver approachwill jeopardize military readiness eviscerate jobcreating investments education energy medical research maybe alarmingly white houses office management budget issued press release earlier month claiming cuts federal spending could force reductions food inspections could lead outbreaks foodborne bacteria e coli administration officials allies making similarly alarming claims regarding could happen workplace safety law enforcement education seems clear administration capacity make sequestrations impact excessively unpleasant statements could make one wonder whether administration determined sequester disastrous could white house wield scheduled cuts way minimize impact felt american people experience inside executive branch suggests indeed case administration could prepared sequester ways would steer cuts toward less sensitive programs activities fact still capacity adjust although certainly ways sequester applied lets start big picture total amount sequesters cuts 85 billion 2013 24 percent 36 trillion budget even cuts total spending 2013 exceed spent 2012 indeed federal spending roughly 600 billion higher last four years 2008 sequester hardly offset overall increase size sequester barely exceeds 80 billion new spending recently appropriated hurricane sandy relief administration argues impact cuts magnified already five months fiscal year instead 5 percent cut domestic accounts full year agencies departments cut 9 percent final seven months year indeed problem problem white houses making washington known year half good chance sequester would implemented early 2013 president even publicly threatened veto attempts undo yet administration apparently prevented federal agencies preparing last july omb sent memorandum agencies instructing proceed normal spending operations 2013 plenty time avoid sequester budget office could told senior managers begin contingency planning reduced budgets instead insisted would cuts federal officials appear prepared prudently anyway federal officials overspent early year making sequesters effects severe explaining effects administration points correctly law requires acrosstheboard cuts nonexempt budget accounts stated law cuts applied uniformly programs projects activities within budget account constitutes budget account well programs projects activities supposed found appropriations acts passed congress accompanying reports acts reports leave far administrative interpretation discretion presidents remarks omb press releases would suggest nearly agencies within various budget accounts possible impose deeper cuts administrative functions nonessential grantmaking leaving frontline service provision intact instance food drug administration budget account food safety includes direct publichealthprotection efforts administrative functions responsible step would order agencies tilt cuts toward nonessential spending within budget accounts much possible moreover congress generally provides agencies ability transfer amount funds appropriated accounts authorities rescinded sequester administration also ability move funding less sensitive sensitive accounts chooses instance hhs law allows secretary transfer 1 percent total appropriated funds 750 million among accounts funds could used eliminate many shortterm service problems congress might also consider expanding transfer authority fiscal year allow administration move even larger sums sensitive accounts sequester worrisome effects national security house republicans right propose pass alternative cuts last year reason although senate failed take even administrative options mitigating sequesters impact specifically republicans push maximum flexibility moving cuts within department defense subaccounts replenished later longterm equipment upgrades wherever possible away operations subaccounts directly related shortterm readiness dealing sequester administration appears favor washington monument strategy making cuts painful prominent possible maximum political leverage reprise playbook used great effect president bill clinton speaker newt gingrich 1990s 1990s showdown confrontation a160full government shutdown sequester hits next month federal government continue full operations creativity could little discernible drop public services hands president committed responsible deficit reduction sequestration could powerful tool good sequester president team proposed blunt instrument far less desirable sensibly targeted cuts reason administer irresponsibly james c capretta senior fellow ethics public policy center visiting fellow american enterprise institute associate director omb tevi troy senior fellow hudson institute former senior white house hhs official | 619 |
<p>In a series of posts on National Review Online’s Bench Memos blog, EPPC President Ed Whelan&#160;examines the Justice Department’s claim that&#160;North Carolina’s implementation of its recently enacted H.B. 2 would place it in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.</p>
<p>May 5, 2016</p>
<p>Yesterday, Vanita Gupta, the principal deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, sent a <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2823410-Civil-Rights-Division-letter-on-HB2.html#document/p1" type="external">letter</a> to North Carolina governor Pat McCrory in which she presented the Department’s utterly ill-founded claim that North Carolina’s implementation of its recently enacted <a href="http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2015E2/Bills/House/PDF/H2v4.pdf" type="external">H.B. 2</a> would place it in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Ms. Gupta has oh-so-graciously given Governor McCrory until the end of the day on Monday to inform her whether he will surrender to DOJ’s threat.</p>
<p>In a series of posts, I will show that Gupta’s threat is a lawless assault that, if it succeeds, portends dramatic consequences nationwide.</p>
<p>Let’s start by getting the basics straight:</p>
<p>1. H.B. 2 provides that “single-sex multiple occupancy bathroom and changing facilities [e.g., locker rooms and shower rooms]” in public schools and government agencies shall be “designated for and only used by persons based on their biological sex.” At the same time, as an accommodation to individuals who have a gender identity that differs from their biological sex, H.B. 2 allows schools and agencies to provide single-occupancy bathrooms and changing facilities.</p>
<p>In short, in public schools and government buildings, men’s or boys’ bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers that are “multiple occupancy” are reserved for biological males, and women’s or girls’ bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers that are “multiple occupancy” are reserved for biological females.</p>
<p>But, wait: Isn’t that exactly the state of affairs that nearly everyone has understood to exist throughout the country both before and since the enactment of Title VII in 1964? Yes, it is.</p>
<p>Let me add a couple of additional points of clarification. (For more, read this “ <a href="https://ncadmin.nc.gov/press-release/myths-vs-facts-what-new-york-times-huffington-post-and-other-media-outlets-arent" type="external">Myth vs. Facts</a>” document issued by the North Carolina government.)</p>
<p>H.B. 2 defines “biological sex” as the “physical condition of being male or female, which is stated on a person’s birth certificate.” If a person undergoes a surgical so-called “sex change,” North Carolina law enables that person to change the sex listed on his birth certificate.</p>
<p>H.B. 2 does not speak at all to how private businesses set up their multiple-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms, and showers. So if, say, a private gym wants to allow men who think they’re women to use the women’s locker rooms, it is free to do so.</p>
<p>2. <a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/titlevii.cfm" type="external">Title VII</a> states, in relevant part, that no employer shall “discriminate against any individual with respect to his … terms [or] conditions … of employment, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” (Emphasis added.)</p>
<p>3. Gupta’s core claim in her letter is twofold: first, that Title VII’s bar on discrimination based on sex includes a bar on discrimination based on gender identity; and second, that H.B. 2 “is facially discriminatory against transgender employees on the basis of sex [read: gender identity] because it treats transgender employees, whose gender does not match their ‘biological sex,’ as defined by H.B. 2, differently from similarly situated non-transgender employees.”</p>
<p>As I will show (largely repeating my <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/434659/fourth-circuit-transgender-discrimination" type="external">refutation</a> of the Obama administration’s similar claim under Title IX), the second part of Gupta’s claim has things entirely backwards. Assigning facilities on the basis of biological sex does not discriminate at all on the basis of gender identity. Instead, it is Gupta and the Obama administration who seek to compel North Carolina to discriminate “because of”—in favor of—gender identity. Their claim not only misconceives what discrimination is; it also <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/434535/fourth-circuit-transgender-ruling" type="external">collapses into incoherence</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 5, 2016</p>
<p>Before diving into the legal arguments, permit me a diversion of sorts.</p>
<p>G.K. Chesterton famously advised that “long comfortable words … save modern people the toil of reasoning” and that it is therefore “a good exercise to try … to express any opinion one holds in words of one syllable.” I’m not going to be able to meet the one-syllable goal, but I’m going to try here to express in simple terms what is at stake.</p>
<p>Here’s some of what the Obama administration believes:</p>
<p>1. Because Johnny thinks he’s a girl, he should use the same locker room at school that Mary and Suzie and other girls use. He should be able to watch them take off their clothes and use the shower, and he should be able to walk around in front of them without any clothes on. It doesn’t matter whether Johnny and the girls are six or sixteen years old. If Mary or Suzie or their moms or dads don’t like it, too bad for them. They’re evil or stupid.</p>
<p>2. Same thing when Johnny goes off to college. What’s more, he should share a dorm room with girls. If they don’t like it, too bad for them. They’re evil or stupid.</p>
<p>3. When John grows up and gets a job, his boss has to let him use the women’s restroom. He can’t be asked to use a single-stall room instead. That would be so mean. If the women who work with him don’t like it, too bad for them. They’re evil or stupid.</p>
<p>4. John should be able to use the women’s restrooms and showers wherever he is. So what that an open door for John means an open door for any guy who wants to lurk? All we care about is John and folks like him. No one else matters. Anyone who disagrees is evil or stupid.</p>
<p>5. We have to say that John is a woman because he says he’s a woman. A woman with male genes and organs, yes. But things like biology&#160;don’t count. All that counts is what John thinks. So he should be called “she.” Anyone who disagrees is evil or stupid.</p>
<p>6. We don’t want to try to get new laws. That’s hard work. You’d have to try to tell people stuff they know is nuts. Let’s just claim to read all this into the laws that are now on the books. So what that no one ever thought this before? We have the judges now. No one can stop us. Anyone who tries is evil or stupid.</p>
<p>7. But we’ll cut our friends a lot of slack, at least for now. We’ll first just go after folks we don’t like. That way, no one will care much. Because we all know those folks are evil or stupid.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 5, 2016</p>
<p>Let’s now address Vanita Gupta’s central claim that H.B. 2 “is facially discriminatory against transgender employees on the basis of sex [read: gender identity] because it treats transgender employees, whose gender does not match their ‘biological sex,’ as defined by H.B. 2, differently from similarly situated non-transgender employees.”</p>
<p>(As faithful readers will recognize, this post is very similar to my Part 3 <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/434659/fourth-circuit-transgender-discrimination" type="external">post</a> on the Fourth Circuit’s recent Title IX transgender case.)</p>
<p>As I will show in this post, reserving women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities for biological females (and men’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities for biological males) does not in fact involve any discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Rather, under the guise of nondiscrimination rhetoric, the Obama administration is pressing the substantive claim that gender identity trumps biological sex under Title VII—in other words, that employers must discriminate in favor of gender identity. That is a policy position that transgender advocates are welcome to push for in the legislative arena. But it is a baseless and absurd reading of Title VII.</p>
<p>For the sake of argument, I will assume here that Title VII’s ban on discrimination “because of … sex” includes a ban on discrimination “because of” (or, as Gupta puts it, “on the basis of”) gender identity.</p>
<p>A person discriminates on the basis of a trait when he takes that trait into account in his decisionmaking,* and he doesn’t discriminate when he disregards that trait. So, for example, an employer discriminates on the basis of race when he factors a job applicant’s race into his hiring decision, and he doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race when he disregards the applicant’s race in making his hiring decision. Similarly, an employer discriminates on the basis of gender identity when he factors a job applicant’s gender identity into his hiring decision, and he doesn’t discriminate on the basis of gender identity when he disregards the applicant’s gender identity in making his hiring decision.</p>
<p>But in the context of single-sex bathrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities, the very same concept of discrimination on the basis of gender identity plays very differently from what transgender advocates contend. In this context, an employer complies with the norm of nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity when he&#160;disregards the employee’s gender identity&#160;and instead assigns the employee to the facilities that correspond with the employee’s biological sex.</p>
<p>In other words, it is Gupta and the Obama administration, as well as other advocates of transgender access to bathrooms and showers, who, under the guise of their nondiscrimination rhetoric, are in fact seeking to discriminate on the basis of—in favor of—gender identity. That’s exactly what a policy of making gender identity override biological sex entails: It makes gender identity determine which restrooms and showers a person is allowed to use, just as a policy of race-segregated restrooms and showers makes race determine which facilities a person is allowed to use. (I am of course not asserting that racial discrimination and discrimination in favor of gender identity are moral equivalents.)</p>
<p>* Perhaps better stated: A person discriminates on the basis of a trait when he takes that trait into account in his decisionmaking&#160;when there is no compelling or inherent justification for doing so.&#160;Thus, for example, it’s not discrimination on the basis of sex to have research dollars for uterine cancer go entirely to research on female subjects. (There might be a broader claim that the allocation of research dollars for cancer research generally discriminates on the basis of sex, though the apples-to-apples comparison could become very difficult.)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 5, 2016</p>
<p>Title VII having been enacted in 1964, it’s been long&#160;established that an employer’s maintenance of separate bathroom and shower facilities for male and female employees does not&#160;discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of Title VII.* The Obama administration purports to respect the existence of single-sex facilities. What it objects to is the exclusion of “transgender employees” from the facilities that match their gender identities.</p>
<p>But the Obama administration’s <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">utterly backwards understanding</a> of what discrimination is, if embraced, would make it impossible to retain any system of single-sex facilities, including the system of transgender-modified single-sex facilities that it favors.</p>
<p>Let’s continue to assume, for the sake of argument, that Title VII’s ban on discrimination on the basis of sex includes a ban on discrimination on the basis of gender identity. If the Obama administration were correct that an employer must allow a male employee who thinks he’s a woman to use the women’s restrooms and showers, then it would indisputably be discrimination on the basis of gender identity for that employer to bar a male employee who knows he’s a man from using those same facilities. After all, the only difference between the two biological males is that they&#160;have different gender identities. How could one of the men be allowed to use the women’s facilities and the other be barred from doing so if Title VII bars discrimination on the basis of gender identity?</p>
<p>In short, the Obama administration’s unsound proposition that separate facilities assigned by biological sex involves discrimination on the basis of gender identity collapses into incoherence, as this transgender illogic would disallow any system of single-sex facilities to survive.</p>
<p>* To be sure, single-sex facilities by their very nature distinguish on the basis of sex. But that distinction has never been regarded as discrimination under Title VII (or other similar laws) for the obvious reason that the distinction reflects the fact that men and women are different and that separate facilities serve basic privacy and safety interests that arise from those differences.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 5, 2016</p>
<p>Vanita Gupta, author of the DOJ <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2823410-Civil-Rights-Division-letter-on-HB2.html#document/p1" type="external">letter</a> threatening North Carolina governor Pat McCrory, did toss in two citations to legal decisions. But neither decision helps her legal claim, and the second in fact would defeat it.</p>
<p>First, Gupta observes that the EEOC recently adopted, in Lusardi v. Dep’t of the Army, exactly the position that the Obama administration is asserting: that (in the words of theEEOC) “denying transgender individuals access to a restroom consistent with gender identity discriminates on the basis of sex in violation of Title VII.” And so it did—but not because any plausible reading of Title VII could actually support that <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">elementary misunderstanding</a> of what discrimination on the basis of gender identity means.</p>
<p>As I pointed out in my <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/417944/eeocs-transgendered-mutilation-reality-ed-whelan" type="external">critique</a> of that sharply divided April Fool’s decision last year, the EEOC majority maintained that “On this record, there is no cause to question that Complainant—who was assigned the sex of male at birth but identifies as female—is female.” (Emphasis in original.) Never mind that the record in question indicated that the complainant, who recently changed his legal name from Todd Lusardi to Tamara Lusardi, wasn’t arbitrarily “assigned the sex of male at birth” but is in fact genetically male and, yes, even retains (or, at least at the time of the events in question, retained) male genitalia. Anyone who thinks that “there is no cause to question” that Lusardi “is female” is an idiot or a lunatic—or a transgender ideologue.</p>
<p>So, yes, the same <a href="https://pjmedia.com/blog/every-single-one-since-2009-obamas-doj-civil-rights-division-hired-only-leftist-lawyers-hundreds/" type="external">sort of “fringe leftists”</a> who run DOJ’s Civil Rights Division also have operating control of the EEOC. That won’t be news to anyone who’s been following the two entities.</p>
<p>Second, Gupta states that “in interpreting the analogous sex discrimination provision of Title IX,” a Fourth Circuit panel recently held in G.G. v. Gloucester Co. School Board that the “Department of Education’s guidance that educational institutions ‘generally must treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity’ is entitled to ‘controlling weight’ under Auer v. Robbins.”</p>
<p>Gupta’s statement is confused because (as I explain in <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/434666/fourth-circuit-transgender-ruling" type="external">Part 5</a> of my <a href="" type="internal">series of posts</a> on the G.G. ruling) the panel majority never actually interpreted what Title IX means.</p>
<p>More significantly, the panel majority’s analysis in G.G. cuts sharply against her legal claim for two reasons. First, Gupta’s own informal interpretation of the statutory language of Title VII, unlike the Education Department’s interpretation of its own regulation, has no plausible claim to judicial deference. Second, the Fourth Circuit made clear that the word “sex” in that 1975 regulation was best read as referring to biological sex and that it was only under Auer’s standard of super-deference that it would allow the Department to apply a different meaning to its regulation. (See point 4 <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/434664/fourth-circuit-transgender-ruling" type="external">here</a>.) The very reasons that the Fourth Circuit offered for why the best reading of the word “sex” meant biological sex apply equally to the text of Title VII. So Gupta’s claim about Title VII loses under the Fourth Circuit’s analysis in G.G.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 5, 2016</p>
<p>Some observations to wrap things up, at least for now:</p>
<p>1. The Obama administration’s claim, in its threatening letter to North Carolina governor Pat McCrory, that the state’s H.B. 2 violates Title VII is utterly baseless.</p>
<p>Even on the assumption that Title VII prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, H.B. 2 <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">clearly does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity</a>. Rather, it is the Obama administration’s position in favor of transgender access to bathrooms and showers that discriminates (explicitly so) on the basis of gender identity.</p>
<p>The Obama administration’s confused conception of discrimination on the basis of gender identity <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435035/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina" type="external">collapses into incoherence</a>, as its transgender illogic would disallow any system of single-sex facilities to survive, even the system of transgender-modified facilities that it favors.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435041/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina" type="external">Neither of the two decisions that the DOJ letter cites supports its claim</a>, and the analysis in the second decision—the recent Fourth Circuit ruling on transgender bathroom access—would defeat DOJ’s claim.</p>
<p>2. It should be no surprise that H.B. 2 does not violate Title VII, for, wild myths and propagandizing aside, <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435020/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina" type="external">all that H.B. 2 does</a> is codify, for North Carolina’s public schools and government buildings, the basic rules of bathroom and shower access that have long existed for multiple-occupancy facilities. It allows schools and agencies to provide single-occupancy facilities available to anyone, And it leaves private businesses free to adopt their own rules.</p>
<p>3. It is appalling that the Obama administration does not have the courage to attempt to pursue its bizarre and radical <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435024/doj-transgender-war-chesterton" type="external">transgender agenda</a> through the democratic processes and that it is instead pursuing it through bureaucratic bullying.</p>
<p>4. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is only a war against North Carolina. Like any bully, the Obama administration is picking first on targets that it thinks are weak. But it is intent on imposing its agenda on restrooms and showers nationwide, and it’s counting on being able to intimidate everyone else into surrender.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 6, 2016</p>
<p>In an Atlantic <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/a-scalia-decision-sets-the-precedent-for-why-hb2-is-illegal/481569/" type="external">essay</a>, liberal legal journalist Garrett Epps tries to defend the proposition that North Carolina’s H.B. 2 violates Title VII’s ban on sex discrimination. I’ll briefly explain here why his effort fails. (I’ll leave alone his broader embrace of the transgender dogmas that any effort to reserve girls’ bathrooms and showers for girls reflects “hatred” and that “trans people are people for whom the birth-certificate designation has proved to be erroneous,” but I would submit that it’s those dogmas that are steering him off the road.)</p>
<p>1. Epps’s major argument is that a ban on discrimination on the basis of sex necessarily includes a ban on discrimination on the basis of gender identity. He bases his argument on a very expansive reading of Justice Scalia’s 1998 opinion for the Court in <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/96-568.ZO.html" type="external">Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services</a>, which held that sexual harassment claims cognizable under Title VII extend to same-sex harassment claims.</p>
<p>Epps would seem to have you believe that Scalia and Oncale stand for the proposition that Title VII covers any discrimination based on “sex-based considerations.” But that phrase comes not from Oncale but from a plurality (not majority) opinion in <a href="http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/490/228.html" type="external">Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins</a> (1989), from which Scalia dissented.</p>
<p>Over a period of decades—both before and after Oncale and Price Waterhouse— <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/421592/eeoc-vs-congress-and-courts-title-vii-and-sexual-orientation-discrimination-ed" type="external">every federal courts of appeals that has addressed the question</a> has ruled that Title VII’s bar on sex discrimination in employment does not encompass a bar on sexual-orientation discrimination. In other words, the courts have not adopted Epps’s very expansive reading of Oncale.</p>
<p>That, of course, doesn’t mean that the courts won’t end up adopting that very expansive reading. But it does mean, contrary to what Epps suggests, that the Obama administration is being very aggressive in using a novel theory as the basis for threatening North Carolina.</p>
<p>2. In my explanation why DOJ is wrong to contend that H.B. 2 violates Title VII, I have nonetheless assumed for the sake of argument that Title VII bars discrimination on the basis of gender identity and I have shown that <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">H.B. 2 does not discriminate on that basis</a> (and that DOJ’s position does).</p>
<p>Epps states that “equality is more than words on a page; it is a practical concept, relating to the way people live.” I won’t disagree with his proposition, stated at that level of vapidity. But the fact of the matter is that DOJ contends that H.B. 2 is “facially discriminatory against transgender employees,” so that contention&#160;does indeed focus attention on “words on a page.” And the words of H.B. 2 do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity.</p>
<p>Epps further observes, drawing on his “segregated childhood” (he’s white, by the way), that “telling people what bathrooms they can and can’t use is at least potentially one” way to discriminate. Indeed, it is. But Epps has things backwards. As I wrote in my <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">Part 3</a> post:</p>
<p>[I]t is [DOJ official Vanita] Gupta and the Obama administration, as well as other advocates of transgender access to bathrooms and showers, who, under the guise of their nondiscrimination rhetoric, are in fact seeking to discriminate on the basis of—in favor of—gender identity. That’s exactly what a policy of making gender identity override biological sex entails: It makes gender identity determine which restrooms and showers a person is allowed to use, just as a policy of race-segregated restrooms and showers makes race determine which facilities a person is allowed to use.</p>
<p>3. Like the Obama administration, Epps seems not to recognize (as I explain in <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435035/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina" type="external">Part 4</a>) that his theory that H.B. 2 discriminates on the basis of gender identity would mean an end to any system of single-sex facilities, including the system of transgender-modified single-sex facilities that he favors. In other words, his position collapses into incoherence.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 10, 2016</p>
<p>My National Review (magazine) article on the Fourth Circuit’s transgender/bathroom ruling from last month is <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/435172/transgender-bathrooms-title-ix-justice-department-transgender-activism" type="external">now available</a> on NRO. (My fuller set of posts on the ruling is collected&#160; <a href="" type="internal">here</a>.)</p>
<p>The Fourth Circuit’s ruling is a confused mess, but its analysis actually cuts strongly in favor of North Carolina’s H.B. 2 law on access to single-sex multi-occupancy bathrooms and showers in public schools and government buildings. Let me briefly sketch why:</p>
<p>1. As I discuss in the article (and more extensively in this <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/434666/fourth-circuit-transgender-ruling" type="external">post</a>), the Fourth Circuit never reached the legal question whether Title IX requires that schools allow boys who identify female to use the girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, and showers facilities and allow girls who identify as male to use the boys’ facilities. Instead, it seems to have thought (mistakenly) that its deference to a 1975 Department of Education regulation ended the legal work that it needed to do. So its ruling did not generate a Fourth Circuit precedent on the Title IX question.</p>
<p>2. The Fourth Circuit majority’s analysis of the Department regulation dictates a victory for North Carolina’s H.B. 2. Specifically, the majority ruled against the school board only because it applied the Auer standard of extreme deference to the Department’s interpretation of the word “sex” in its own regulation. The Fourth Circuit found that dictionary definitions “suggest that the word ‘sex’ was understood at the time the regulation was adopted to connote male and female and that maleness and femaleness were determined primarily by reference to the factors the district court termed ‘biological sex.’” But those definitions, it concluded, did not entirely foreclose the Obama administration’s new reading of sex as gender identity.</p>
<p>By contrast to an agency’s interpretation of its own regulations, DOJ’s informal interpretation of Title VII and Title IX has no plausible claim to judicial deference. (And it’s well settled that EEOC’s decisions also receive no judicial deference.) So the question in the HB2 matter is what is the best reading of the word “sex” in those laws. And the Fourth Circuit majority’s analysis, as well as every other indicator of what the word sex was best understood to mean in 1964 and 1972, cuts strongly in favor of reading sex to mean biological sex.</p>
<p>3. In the end, though, this whole question doesn’t really matter in this context, for even if Title VII and Title IX and other federal laws were read to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity, H.B. 2 <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">doesn’t discriminate</a> on the basis of gender identity—and nothing in the Fourth Circuit’s ruling suggests otherwise.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 10, 2016</p>
<p>I’ve already explained in detail much of the <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">illogic</a> and <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435035/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina" type="external">incoherence</a> that pervade the Obama administration’s claims that reserving single-sex restrooms and showers on the basis of biological sex violates Title VII and Title IX. The Obama administration also <a href="https://doc-0g-2o-apps-viewer.googleusercontent.com/viewer/secure/pdf/mon19pv2p4b90e9m6cjkbbr46dsdtqpt/a896aejcm2b6bjnp3p88ndki3f8nl9f5/1462811850000/lantern/02580649623366985324/ACFrOgA_wh1yQ6A-I5TY-Meg6w_qe-HNijBF5AXtzXx75mPDfMPDWeCX8Nn08p01Y-Zr8Z0M4P2ZMpGIJwD8XzSq6uiDLX8PFtRt1DZGsEXgHKjL_AVMScEjMn4lYoY=?print=true&amp;nonce=3hd3a12debpfc&amp;user=02580649623366985324&amp;hash=u37l11rgoqls6cfe4iii68o2vm4lfvk2" type="external">claims</a> that North Carolina’s H.B. 2 discriminates on the basis of sex in violation of the federal Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, and that VAWA claim is defective for the same reasons.</p>
<p>Plus, the Department of Justice’s reckless ideologues are now at war with themselves.</p>
<p>In her VAWA letter, Vanita Gupta, principal deputy in the Civil Rights Division, tells Frank L. Perry, head of North Carolina’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), that VAWA requires that “transgender individuals” be allowed to “access restrooms and changing facilities that are consistent with their gender identity in buildings controlled or managed by DPS or its sub-recipients.” The buildings controlled or managed by DPS include North Carolina’s prisons.</p>
<p>But DOJ has issued prison <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/115.42" type="external">regulations</a>, applicable to <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/115.5" type="external">state prisons</a>, that firmly reject any bright-line treatment of “transgender individuals” according to their gender identity. Indeed, on the very question whether to put a man who thinks he’s female (or a woman who thinks she’s male) in a men’s prison or a women’s prison, “the agency shall consider on a case-by-case basis whether a placement would ensure the inmate’s health and safety, and whether the placement would present management or security problems.” Ditto for all “other housing and programming assignments,” which clearly include the assignment of shower facilities. Indeed, while generally prohibiting the practice, the regulations even leave open the possibility that “transgender” prisoners could be housed in “dedicated facilities, units, or wings solely on the basis of” their transgender status.</p>
<p>In short, DOJ’s prison regulations contradict DOJ’s unsound claim that reserving single-sex restrooms and showers on the basis of biological sex is unlawful discrimination under VAWA.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 10, 2016</p>
<p>The Obama administration <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article75647942.ece/BINARY/Read:%20DOJ%20letter%20to%20UNC" type="external">misreads</a> Title IX to require that a school receiving federal funds “treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity” for single-sex “restrooms, locker rooms, shower facilities, housing, [and] athletic teams.” (Emphasis added.) Its illogic would in fact mean an end to any girls’ and women’s sports teams in schools and colleges—yes, an end even to the transgender-modified system of such sports teams that it is pushing for.</p>
<p>Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, what is <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">clearly the not case</a>: that it is unlawful discrimination on the basis of gender identity to reserve, say, membership on a girls’ soccer team to biological females. If boys who think they’re girls must be eligible for membership on that team, then it would clearly be discrimination on the basis of gender identity to bar boys who know they’re boys from being on the team. After all, the only distinction between the two sets of boys is gender identity. How could one set of boys be allowed to compete for the girls’ team and the other set be barred from doing so if Title IX forbids discrimination on the basis of gender identity?</p>
<p>So one ironic result of the Obama administration’s ill-conceived and lawless transgender campaign under Title IX would be to put an end to women’s sports.</p>
<p>I wonder if the elite progressive parents who won’t object to having boys shower with their daughters won’t countenance the prospect that their daughters will lose their opportunities for college sports scholarships.</p>
<p>(The attentive reader might recall&#160;note that I’ve made a <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435035/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina" type="external">similar argument</a> about how the Obama administration’s position would mean an end to any system of single-sex bathrooms and showers. The same argument applies equally to single-sex housing.)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 10, 2016</p>
<p>It’s farfetched to think that the Obama administration is actually interested in enforcing a misreading of Title IX that would consistently require that schools receiving federal funds treat “transgender students consistent with their gender identity.”</p>
<p>Consider these examples:</p>
<p>1. A high-school boy tells a school counselor that he identifies as a female but that he’d like to continue using the boys’ restrooms and showers (perhaps because his appearance remains fully male, perhaps because he’s be uncomfortable using the girls’ facilities, perhaps because he has a modicum of respect for the privacy of his female classmates).</p>
<p>Do you really think that the Obama administration expects the school to bar the boy from using the boys’ facilities and to require him to use the girls’ facilities (or a single-stall room)? Do you think that such a school would be threatened with the loss of federal funds? Ridiculous.</p>
<p>So what the Obama misreading of Title IX really means is that students who identify as transgender have the option—unavailable to other students—of using either the boys’ or the girls’ facilities (or both).</p>
<p>2. A star player on the girls’ soccer team tells her coach that she now identifies as male. Must the coach kick her off the team, which (under the Obama misreading of Title IX) is open only to individuals who identify as female? Is that something that the Obama administration would countenance, much less require?</p>
<p>3. A young women enrolled at Mount Holyoke College decides she’s male. Must the college expel her, as the Obama administration’s Title IX position would require?</p>
<p>I’ll note that Mount Holyoke’s public stated <a href="https://www.mtholyoke.edu/policies/admission-transgender-students" type="external">policy</a> is to admit both men who say they’re female and women who say they’re men—and to allow women who, after enrollment, decide to identify as men to continue at the college. I don’t see how that policy can be reconciled with the Obama administration’s reading of Title IX. But why hasn’t the Obama administration threatened Mount Holyoke?</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 11, 2016</p>
<p><a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/titlevii.cfm" type="external">Title VII</a> of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from (among other things) “discriminat[ing] against any individual with respect to his … terms [or] conditions … of employment, because of such individual’s … sex.” So-called <a href="http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/titleix.htm" type="external">Title IX</a>, enacted in 1972, provides generally that no person “shall, on the basis of sex, be … subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”</p>
<p>These laws, in short, make it unlawful for a broad range of employers, colleges and schools to discriminate on the basis of sex. They make no exception for restrooms or showers. So how is it, the mind besotted by modern confusions about “discrimination” might wonder, that it’s been long accepted that employers and schools may have single-sex restrooms and showers?</p>
<p>The obvious answer is that a system of single-sex restrooms and showers doesn’t discriminate on the basis of sex but instead recognizes and accommodates the legitimate privacy concerns that arise from the basic biological differences between the sexes. This is an elementary point that everyone used to recognize—yes, even Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/05/09/prominent-feminist-bans-on-sex-discrimination-emphatically-do-not-require-unisex-restrooms/" type="external">wrote</a>&#160;in 1975 that single-sex restrooms were entirely compatible with a norm of nondiscrimination on the basis of sex:</p>
<p>Separate places to disrobe, sleep, perform personal bodily functions are permitted, in some situations required, by regard for individual privacy. Individual privacy, a right of constitutional dimension, is appropriately harmonized with the equality principle.</p>
<p>(H/t <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/05/09/prominent-feminist-bans-on-sex-discrimination-emphatically-do-not-require-unisex-restrooms/" type="external">Eugene Volokh</a>.)</p>
<p>To be sure, individuals who identify as transgender have privacy interests that merit reasonable accommodation as well (such as the single-unit facilities that the Obama administration and transgender ideologues reject). But it’s impossible to graft onto an existing system of single-sex restrooms and showers a uniform right of “transgender” individuals to the facilities “consistent with their gender identity” without <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435024/doj-transgender-war-chesterton" type="external">trampling</a> on the privacy interests of other individuals. And it’s <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">absurd</a> to claim that Title VII and Title IX somehow require this trampling.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>May 12, 2016</p>
<p>In defense of the Obama administration’s <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435095/garrett-epps-north-carolina-hb2" type="external">ill-founded</a> claims that Title VII, Title IX, and VAWA all require that “transgender” individuals be treated “consistent with their gender identity,” Vanita Gupta, the acting head of DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/05/10/for-the-two-women-battling-north-carolina-law-prejudice-is-a-personal-issue/" type="external">declared</a> the other day:</p>
<p>Transgender men [i.e., women who identify as men] are men — they live, work and study as men. Transgender women [i.e., men who identify as women] are women — they live, work and study as women. [Emphasis added.]</p>
<p>Gupta thus starkly demonstrates the point that I made in my National Review (magazine) <a href="" type="internal">article</a> on the Fourth Circuit’s (thoroughly confused) transgender ruling:</p>
<p>The foundational premise of the transgender agenda is that the&#160;objective&#160;fact of biological sex is some sort of arbitrary fiction “assigned at birth” and that the&#160;subjective&#160;conception of gender identity is the genuine reality that demands recognition and respect — including the use of wrong pronouns, thus yielding such absurdities as, from&#160;The New Republic, “She . . . tried to castrate herself by tying off her testicles.” That premise, with its disjunction between reality and perception, is a stark illustration of what everyone used to recognize as lunacy. But the Obama administration now claims that federal statutes adopted decades ago embrace and compel that lunacy.</p>
<p>But let’s set aside&#160;that foundational lunacy. Let’s also set aside that North Carolina’s H.B. 2 clearly <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435027/doj-transgender-war-north-carolina-discrimination" type="external">does not discriminate</a> on the basis of gender identity. Let’s further set aside the elementary fact that a man’s self-identification as female does nothing to lessen the privacy and safety concerns that women and girls have when he tries to shower with them (or when, as the transgender folks implicitly concede—point 2 <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/435160/transgender-bathroom-access-hb2" type="external">here</a>—he has a male appearance when clothed but insists on using the women’s restrooms).</p>
<p>Let’s ponder instead what Gupta might possibly mean by saying that “transgender men … live, work and study as men” and that “transgender women … live, work, and study as women.”</p>
<p>In an age in which sexist stereotypes are forbidden, what does Gupta think that it means to “live, work and study as men”? Obviously, the Obama administration would never embrace the heteronormative prejudice that part of living as a man might include wanting to date women. So let’s take some simpler examples: If a women who thinks she’s a man is attending a women’s college, is she living and studying as a man? If a girl who thinks she’s a boy is playing on a girls’ sports team, is she living as a boy? One would certainly think not. But why then hasn’t the Obama administration, as part of its aggressive enforcement agenda, threatened supposedly single-sex colleges like Mount Holyoke that admit women who identify as men (and that don’t expel women who, after enrollment, first come to identify as men)? Why hasn’t it told high schools that girls who identify as boys can’t play on the girls’ sports teams?</p>
<p>Contradicting Gupta, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/transgender/transfaq" type="external">GLAAD</a> tells us that gender identity&#160;“is a person’s internal, personal sense of being a man or a woman (or someone outside of that gender binary)” (emphasis added)—and thus evidently not something that is necessarily reflected in outward action. Indeed, GLAAD makes clear that while “most transgender people seek to bring their bodies more into alignment with their gender identity” (emphasis added), trying to do&#160;so is not essential to being transgender.</p>
<p>Does living as a man mean wearing distinctively male clothing? &#160;What permissible meaning would that question even have for the Obama administration? If a woman who identifies as a man prefers to wear androgynous clothing, is she therefore not transgender under Gupta’s standard?</p>
<p>At bottom, all that Gupta’s puddle of goo really seems to mean is that a woman lives, works, and studies as a man, and that a man lives, works, and studies as a woman, when each wants to use the restrooms and showers of the opposite sex.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Ed Whelan is president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.</p> | false | 1 | series posts national review onlines bench memos blog eppc president ed whelan160examines justice departments claim that160north carolinas implementation recently enacted hb 2 would place violation title vii civil rights act 1964 may 5 2016 yesterday vanita gupta principal deputy assistant attorney general us department justices civil rights division sent letter north carolina governor pat mccrory presented departments utterly illfounded claim north carolinas implementation recently enacted hb 2 would place violation title vii civil rights act 1964 ms gupta ohsograciously given governor mccrory end day monday inform whether surrender dojs threat series posts show guptas threat lawless assault succeeds portends dramatic consequences nationwide lets start getting basics straight 1 hb 2 provides singlesex multiple occupancy bathroom changing facilities eg locker rooms shower rooms public schools government agencies shall designated used persons based biological sex time accommodation individuals gender identity differs biological sex hb 2 allows schools agencies provide singleoccupancy bathrooms changing facilities short public schools government buildings mens boys bathrooms locker rooms showers multiple occupancy reserved biological males womens girls bathrooms locker rooms showers multiple occupancy reserved biological females wait isnt exactly state affairs nearly everyone understood exist throughout country since enactment title vii 1964 yes let add couple additional points clarification read myth vs facts document issued north carolina government hb 2 defines biological sex physical condition male female stated persons birth certificate person undergoes surgical socalled sex change north carolina law enables person change sex listed birth certificate hb 2 speak private businesses set multipleoccupancy restrooms locker rooms showers say private gym wants allow men think theyre women use womens locker rooms free 2 title vii states relevant part employer shall discriminate individual respect terms conditions employment individuals race color religion sex national origin emphasis added 3 guptas core claim letter twofold first title viis bar discrimination based sex includes bar discrimination based gender identity second hb 2 facially discriminatory transgender employees basis sex read gender identity treats transgender employees whose gender match biological sex defined hb 2 differently similarly situated nontransgender employees show largely repeating refutation obama administrations similar claim title ix second part guptas claim things entirely backwards assigning facilities basis biological sex discriminate basis gender identity instead gupta obama administration seek compel north carolina discriminate ofin favor ofgender identity claim misconceives discrimination also collapses incoherence 160 may 5 2016 diving legal arguments permit diversion sorts gk chesterton famously advised long comfortable words save modern people toil reasoning therefore good exercise try express opinion one holds words one syllable im going able meet onesyllable goal im going try express simple terms stake heres obama administration believes 1 johnny thinks hes girl use locker room school mary suzie girls use able watch take clothes use shower able walk around front without clothes doesnt matter whether johnny girls six sixteen years old mary suzie moms dads dont like bad theyre evil stupid 2 thing johnny goes college whats share dorm room girls dont like bad theyre evil stupid 3 john grows gets job boss let use womens restroom cant asked use singlestall room instead would mean women work dont like bad theyre evil stupid 4 john able use womens restrooms showers wherever open door john means open door guy wants lurk care john folks like one else matters anyone disagrees evil stupid 5 say john woman says hes woman woman male genes organs yes things like biology160dont count counts john thinks called anyone disagrees evil stupid 6 dont want try get new laws thats hard work youd try tell people stuff know nuts lets claim read laws books one ever thought judges one stop us anyone tries evil stupid 7 well cut friends lot slack least well first go folks dont like way one care much know folks evil stupid 160 may 5 2016 lets address vanita guptas central claim hb 2 facially discriminatory transgender employees basis sex read gender identity treats transgender employees whose gender match biological sex defined hb 2 differently similarly situated nontransgender employees faithful readers recognize post similar part 3 post fourth circuits recent title ix transgender case show post reserving womens bathrooms locker rooms shower facilities biological females mens bathrooms locker rooms shower facilities biological males fact involve discrimination basis gender identity rather guise nondiscrimination rhetoric obama administration pressing substantive claim gender identity trumps biological sex title viiin words employers must discriminate favor gender identity policy position transgender advocates welcome push legislative arena baseless absurd reading title vii sake argument assume title viis ban discrimination sex includes ban discrimination gupta puts basis gender identity person discriminates basis trait takes trait account decisionmaking doesnt discriminate disregards trait example employer discriminates basis race factors job applicants race hiring decision doesnt discriminate basis race disregards applicants race making hiring decision similarly employer discriminates basis gender identity factors job applicants gender identity hiring decision doesnt discriminate basis gender identity disregards applicants gender identity making hiring decision context singlesex bathrooms locker rooms shower facilities concept discrimination basis gender identity plays differently transgender advocates contend context employer complies norm nondiscrimination basis gender identity he160disregards employees gender identity160and instead assigns employee facilities correspond employees biological sex words gupta obama administration well advocates transgender access bathrooms showers guise nondiscrimination rhetoric fact seeking discriminate basis ofin favor ofgender identity thats exactly policy making gender identity override biological sex entails makes gender identity determine restrooms showers person allowed use policy racesegregated restrooms showers makes race determine facilities person allowed use course asserting racial discrimination discrimination favor gender identity moral equivalents perhaps better stated person discriminates basis trait takes trait account decisionmaking160when compelling inherent justification so160thus example discrimination basis sex research dollars uterine cancer go entirely research female subjects might broader claim allocation research dollars cancer research generally discriminates basis sex though applestoapples comparison could become difficult 160 may 5 2016 title vii enacted 1964 long160established employers maintenance separate bathroom shower facilities male female employees not160discriminate basis sex violation title vii obama administration purports respect existence singlesex facilities objects exclusion transgender employees facilities match gender identities obama administrations utterly backwards understanding discrimination embraced would make impossible retain system singlesex facilities including system transgendermodified singlesex facilities favors lets continue assume sake argument title viis ban discrimination basis sex includes ban discrimination basis gender identity obama administration correct employer must allow male employee thinks hes woman use womens restrooms showers would indisputably discrimination basis gender identity employer bar male employee knows hes man using facilities difference two biological males they160have different gender identities could one men allowed use womens facilities barred title vii bars discrimination basis gender identity short obama administrations unsound proposition separate facilities assigned biological sex involves discrimination basis gender identity collapses incoherence transgender illogic would disallow system singlesex facilities survive sure singlesex facilities nature distinguish basis sex distinction never regarded discrimination title vii similar laws obvious reason distinction reflects fact men women different separate facilities serve basic privacy safety interests arise differences 160 may 5 2016 vanita gupta author doj letter threatening north carolina governor pat mccrory toss two citations legal decisions neither decision helps legal claim second fact would defeat first gupta observes eeoc recently adopted lusardi v dept army exactly position obama administration asserting words theeeoc denying transgender individuals access restroom consistent gender identity discriminates basis sex violation title vii didbut plausible reading title vii could actually support elementary misunderstanding discrimination basis gender identity means pointed critique sharply divided april fools decision last year eeoc majority maintained record cause question complainantwho assigned sex male birth identifies femaleis female emphasis original never mind record question indicated complainant recently changed legal name todd lusardi tamara lusardi wasnt arbitrarily assigned sex male birth fact genetically male yes even retains least time events question retained male genitalia anyone thinks cause question lusardi female idiot lunaticor transgender ideologue yes sort fringe leftists run dojs civil rights division also operating control eeoc wont news anyone whos following two entities second gupta states interpreting analogous sex discrimination provision title ix fourth circuit panel recently held gg v gloucester co school board department educations guidance educational institutions generally must treat transgender students consistent gender identity entitled controlling weight auer v robbins guptas statement confused explain part 5 series posts gg ruling panel majority never actually interpreted title ix means significantly panel majoritys analysis gg cuts sharply legal claim two reasons first guptas informal interpretation statutory language title vii unlike education departments interpretation regulation plausible claim judicial deference second fourth circuit made clear word sex 1975 regulation best read referring biological sex auers standard superdeference would allow department apply different meaning regulation see point 4 reasons fourth circuit offered best reading word sex meant biological sex apply equally text title vii guptas claim title vii loses fourth circuits analysis gg160 160 may 5 2016 observations wrap things least 1 obama administrations claim threatening letter north carolina governor pat mccrory states hb 2 violates title vii utterly baseless even assumption title vii prohibits discrimination basis gender identity hb 2 clearly discriminate basis gender identity rather obama administrations position favor transgender access bathrooms showers discriminates explicitly basis gender identity obama administrations confused conception discrimination basis gender identity collapses incoherence transgender illogic would disallow system singlesex facilities survive even system transgendermodified facilities favors neither two decisions doj letter cites supports claim analysis second decisionthe recent fourth circuit ruling transgender bathroom accesswould defeat dojs claim 2 surprise hb 2 violate title vii wild myths propagandizing aside hb 2 codify north carolinas public schools government buildings basic rules bathroom shower access long existed multipleoccupancy facilities allows schools agencies provide singleoccupancy facilities available anyone leaves private businesses free adopt rules 3 appalling obama administration courage attempt pursue bizarre radical transgender agenda democratic processes instead pursuing bureaucratic bullying 4 dont fooled thinking war north carolina like bully obama administration picking first targets thinks weak intent imposing agenda restrooms showers nationwide counting able intimidate everyone else surrender 160 may 6 2016 atlantic essay liberal legal journalist garrett epps tries defend proposition north carolinas hb 2 violates title viis ban sex discrimination ill briefly explain effort fails ill leave alone broader embrace transgender dogmas effort reserve girls bathrooms showers girls reflects hatred trans people people birthcertificate designation proved erroneous would submit dogmas steering road 1 eppss major argument ban discrimination basis sex necessarily includes ban discrimination basis gender identity bases argument expansive reading justice scalias 1998 opinion court oncale v sundowner offshore services held sexual harassment claims cognizable title vii extend samesex harassment claims epps would seem believe scalia oncale stand proposition title vii covers discrimination based sexbased considerations phrase comes oncale plurality majority opinion price waterhouse v hopkins 1989 scalia dissented period decadesboth oncale price waterhouse every federal courts appeals addressed question ruled title viis bar sex discrimination employment encompass bar sexualorientation discrimination words courts adopted eppss expansive reading oncale course doesnt mean courts wont end adopting expansive reading mean contrary epps suggests obama administration aggressive using novel theory basis threatening north carolina 2 explanation doj wrong contend hb 2 violates title vii nonetheless assumed sake argument title vii bars discrimination basis gender identity shown hb 2 discriminate basis dojs position epps states equality words page practical concept relating way people live wont disagree proposition stated level vapidity fact matter doj contends hb 2 facially discriminatory transgender employees contention160does indeed focus attention words page words hb 2 discriminate basis gender identity epps observes drawing segregated childhood hes white way telling people bathrooms cant use least potentially one way discriminate indeed epps things backwards wrote part 3 post doj official vanita gupta obama administration well advocates transgender access bathrooms showers guise nondiscrimination rhetoric fact seeking discriminate basis ofin favor ofgender identity thats exactly policy making gender identity override biological sex entails makes gender identity determine restrooms showers person allowed use policy racesegregated restrooms showers makes race determine facilities person allowed use 3 like obama administration epps seems recognize explain part 4 theory hb 2 discriminates basis gender identity would mean end system singlesex facilities including system transgendermodified singlesex facilities favors words position collapses incoherence 160 may 10 2016 national review magazine article fourth circuits transgenderbathroom ruling last month available nro fuller set posts ruling collected160 fourth circuits ruling confused mess analysis actually cuts strongly favor north carolinas hb 2 law access singlesex multioccupancy bathrooms showers public schools government buildings let briefly sketch 1 discuss article extensively post fourth circuit never reached legal question whether title ix requires schools allow boys identify female use girls restrooms locker rooms showers facilities allow girls identify male use boys facilities instead seems thought mistakenly deference 1975 department education regulation ended legal work needed ruling generate fourth circuit precedent title ix question 2 fourth circuit majoritys analysis department regulation dictates victory north carolinas hb 2 specifically majority ruled school board applied auer standard extreme deference departments interpretation word sex regulation fourth circuit found dictionary definitions suggest word sex understood time regulation adopted connote male female maleness femaleness determined primarily reference factors district court termed biological sex definitions concluded entirely foreclose obama administrations new reading sex gender identity contrast agencys interpretation regulations dojs informal interpretation title vii title ix plausible claim judicial deference well settled eeocs decisions also receive judicial deference question hb2 matter best reading word sex laws fourth circuit majoritys analysis well every indicator word sex best understood mean 1964 1972 cuts strongly favor reading sex mean biological sex 3 end though whole question doesnt really matter context even title vii title ix federal laws read prohibit discrimination basis gender identity hb 2 doesnt discriminate basis gender identityand nothing fourth circuits ruling suggests otherwise 160 may 10 2016 ive already explained detail much illogic incoherence pervade obama administrations claims reserving singlesex restrooms showers basis biological sex violates title vii title ix obama administration also claims north carolinas hb 2 discriminates basis sex violation federal violence women reauthorization act 2013 vawa claim defective reasons plus department justices reckless ideologues war vawa letter vanita gupta principal deputy civil rights division tells frank l perry head north carolinas department public safety dps vawa requires transgender individuals allowed access restrooms changing facilities consistent gender identity buildings controlled managed dps subrecipients buildings controlled managed dps include north carolinas prisons doj issued prison regulations applicable state prisons firmly reject brightline treatment transgender individuals according gender identity indeed question whether put man thinks hes female woman thinks shes male mens prison womens prison agency shall consider casebycase basis whether placement would ensure inmates health safety whether placement would present management security problems ditto housing programming assignments clearly include assignment shower facilities indeed generally prohibiting practice regulations even leave open possibility transgender prisoners could housed dedicated facilities units wings solely basis transgender status short dojs prison regulations contradict dojs unsound claim reserving singlesex restrooms showers basis biological sex unlawful discrimination vawa 160 may 10 2016 obama administration misreads title ix require school receiving federal funds treat transgender students consistent gender identity singlesex restrooms locker rooms shower facilities housing athletic teams emphasis added illogic would fact mean end girls womens sports teams schools collegesyes end even transgendermodified system sports teams pushing lets assume sake argument clearly case unlawful discrimination basis gender identity reserve say membership girls soccer team biological females boys think theyre girls must eligible membership team would clearly discrimination basis gender identity bar boys know theyre boys team distinction two sets boys gender identity could one set boys allowed compete girls team set barred title ix forbids discrimination basis gender identity one ironic result obama administrations illconceived lawless transgender campaign title ix would put end womens sports wonder elite progressive parents wont object boys shower daughters wont countenance prospect daughters lose opportunities college sports scholarships attentive reader might recall160note ive made similar argument obama administrations position would mean end system singlesex bathrooms showers argument applies equally singlesex housing 160 may 10 2016 farfetched think obama administration actually interested enforcing misreading title ix would consistently require schools receiving federal funds treat transgender students consistent gender identity consider examples 1 highschool boy tells school counselor identifies female hed like continue using boys restrooms showers perhaps appearance remains fully male perhaps hes uncomfortable using girls facilities perhaps modicum respect privacy female classmates really think obama administration expects school bar boy using boys facilities require use girls facilities singlestall room think school would threatened loss federal funds ridiculous obama misreading title ix really means students identify transgender optionunavailable studentsof using either boys girls facilities 2 star player girls soccer team tells coach identifies male must coach kick team obama misreading title ix open individuals identify female something obama administration would countenance much less require 3 young women enrolled mount holyoke college decides shes male must college expel obama administrations title ix position would require ill note mount holyokes public stated policy admit men say theyre female women say theyre menand allow women enrollment decide identify men continue college dont see policy reconciled obama administrations reading title ix hasnt obama administration threatened mount holyoke 160 may 11 2016 title vii civil rights act 1964 prohibits employers among things discriminating individual respect terms conditions employment individuals sex socalled title ix enacted 1972 provides generally person shall basis sex subjected discrimination education program activity receiving federal financial assistance laws short make unlawful broad range employers colleges schools discriminate basis sex make exception restrooms showers mind besotted modern confusions discrimination might wonder long accepted employers schools may singlesex restrooms showers obvious answer system singlesex restrooms showers doesnt discriminate basis sex instead recognizes accommodates legitimate privacy concerns arise basic biological differences sexes elementary point everyone used recognizeyes even ruth bader ginsburg wrote160in 1975 singlesex restrooms entirely compatible norm nondiscrimination basis sex separate places disrobe sleep perform personal bodily functions permitted situations required regard individual privacy individual privacy right constitutional dimension appropriately harmonized equality principle ht eugene volokh sure individuals identify transgender privacy interests merit reasonable accommodation well singleunit facilities obama administration transgender ideologues reject impossible graft onto existing system singlesex restrooms showers uniform right transgender individuals facilities consistent gender identity without trampling privacy interests individuals absurd claim title vii title ix somehow require trampling 160 may 12 2016 defense obama administrations illfounded claims title vii title ix vawa require transgender individuals treated consistent gender identity vanita gupta acting head dojs civil rights division declared day transgender men ie women identify men men live work study men transgender women ie men identify women women live work study women emphasis added gupta thus starkly demonstrates point made national review magazine article fourth circuits thoroughly confused transgender ruling foundational premise transgender agenda the160objective160fact biological sex sort arbitrary fiction assigned birth the160subjective160conception gender identity genuine reality demands recognition respect including use wrong pronouns thus yielding absurdities from160the new republic tried castrate tying testicles premise disjunction reality perception stark illustration everyone used recognize lunacy obama administration claims federal statutes adopted decades ago embrace compel lunacy lets set aside160that foundational lunacy lets also set aside north carolinas hb 2 clearly discriminate basis gender identity lets set aside elementary fact mans selfidentification female nothing lessen privacy safety concerns women girls tries shower transgender folks implicitly concedepoint 2 herehe male appearance clothed insists using womens restrooms lets ponder instead gupta might possibly mean saying transgender men live work study men transgender women live work study women age sexist stereotypes forbidden gupta think means live work study men obviously obama administration would never embrace heteronormative prejudice part living man might include wanting date women lets take simpler examples women thinks shes man attending womens college living studying man girl thinks shes boy playing girls sports team living boy one would certainly think hasnt obama administration part aggressive enforcement agenda threatened supposedly singlesex colleges like mount holyoke admit women identify men dont expel women enrollment first come identify men hasnt told high schools girls identify boys cant play girls sports teams contradicting gupta glaad tells us gender identity160is persons internal personal sense man woman someone outside gender binary emphasis addedand thus evidently something necessarily reflected outward action indeed glaad makes clear transgender people seek bring bodies alignment gender identity emphasis added trying do160so essential transgender living man mean wearing distinctively male clothing 160what permissible meaning would question even obama administration woman identifies man prefers wear androgynous clothing therefore transgender guptas standard bottom guptas puddle goo really seems mean woman lives works studies man man lives works studies woman wants use restrooms showers opposite sex 160 ed whelan president ethics public policy center | 3,372 |
<p>The eye of Hurricane Maria was nearing the Turks and Caicos early Friday as Puerto Rico sought to recover from the storm’s devastation.</p>
<p>Two days after Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, flooding towns, crushing homes and killing at least two people, millions on the island faced the dispiriting prospect of weeks and perhaps months without electricity. The storm knocked out the entire grid across the U.S. territory of 3.4 million, leaving many without power.</p>
<p>The loss of power left residents hunting for gas canisters for cooking, collecting rainwater or steeling themselves mentally for the hardships to come in the tropical heat. Some contemplated leaving the island.</p>
<p>“You cannot live here without power,” said Hector Llanos, a 78-year-old retired New York police officer who planned to leave Saturday for the U.S. mainland to live there temporarily.</p>
<p>Like many Puerto Ricans, Llanos does not have a generator or gas stove. “The only thing I have is a flashlight,” he said, shaking his head. “This is never going to return to normal.”</p>
<p>Maria’s death toll across the Caribbean, meanwhile, climbed to at least 19, nearly all of them on the hard-hit island of Dominica. In Puerto Rico, the government said at least two were killed but media on the island were reporting additional deaths and the actual toll appeared unlikely to be known for days.</p>
<p>As of Friday morning, Maria was moving near the Turks and Caicos with winds of 125 mph (205 kph). The storm was expected to move near or just east of the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas on Friday. From there, it is expected to veer into the open Atlantic, no threat to the U.S. mainland. Maria was also expected to weaken over the next two days.</p>
<p>In Puerto Rico, the grid was in sorry shape long before Maria — and Hurricane Irma two weeks ago — struck.</p>
<p>The territory’s $73 billion debt crisis has left agencies like the state power company broke. It abandoned most basic maintenance in recent years, leaving the island subject to regular blackouts.</p>
<p>“We knew this was going to happen given the vulnerable infrastructure,” Gov. Ricardo Rossello said.</p>
<p>The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would open an air bridge from the mainland on Friday, with three to four military planes flying to the island every day carrying water, food, generators and temporary shelters.</p>
<p>“There’s a humanitarian emergency here in Puerto Rico,” Rossello said. “This is an event without precedent.”</p>
<p>He said his administration was trying to open ports soon to receive shipments of food, water, generators, cots and other supplies.</p>
<p>The government has hired 56 small contractors to clear trees and put up new power lines and poles and will be sending tanker trucks to supply neighborhoods as they run out of water. The entire island has been declared a federal disaster zone.</p>
<p>Mike Hyland, senior vice president of engineering services for the American Public Power Association, a utility industry group that is sending repair crews into the Caribbean, refused to speculate on how long it would take to restore power in Puerto Rico.</p>
<p>“Let’s see what the facts tell us by the end of the weekend,” he said. But he acknowledged: “This is going to be a tall lift.”</p>
<p>Maribel Montilla already had two large barrels filled with water but worried about how long it would last for her, her daughter, her son-in-law and six grandchildren.</p>
<p>“You know what I think? We’re going to be without power for six months now,” she said.</p>
<p>Cellphone and internet service collapsed in much of Puerto Rico. The only radio station that remained on the air during the hurricane — WAPA 680 AM — was relaying messages to help connect friends and families.</p>
<p>Other concerns were more prosaic. Across the street, someone yelled at a neighbor, “Listen, do you have Netflix?!”</p>
<p>Jaime Rullan, a sports commentator, has a gas stove at home but tried not to think about the lack of air conditioning on an island where the heat index has surpassed 100 degrees (37 Celsius) in recent days.</p>
<p>“We’re used to the lights going out because of storms here in Puerto Rico, but this time, we’re worried,” he said. “We should prepare ourselves mentally to be at least a month without power.”</p>
<p>Deysi Rodriguez, a 46-year-old caretaker for elderly people, does not have a gas stove. And unlike others who have been lining up at the few fast-food restaurants that have reopened, Rodriguez is a diabetic and has to be more careful about what she eats.</p>
<p>Rodriguez said she might temporarily move to New Jersey if the situation gets worse.</p>
<p>Pedro Cartagena, a 57-year-old dock supervisor, said he planned to shower, eat and sleep at his company’s office. He plans to buy food at the few restaurants that are open and operating on generators.</p>
<p>“That’s going to drain my bank account,” he said, “but if I want to eat, that’s my only option.”</p>
<p>In an upscale neighborhood in San Juan, 69-year-old retiree Annie Mattei’s condominium has a generator. But she said maintenance will shut it off between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to save fuel.</p>
<p>“This has been devastating,” she said as her eyes welled with tears.</p>
<p>In the Dominican Republican, Maria knocked down trees and power lines. But Joel Santos, president of the country’s hotel association, said the hurricane did not damage the tourism infrastructure, even though it passed close to Punta Cana, the major resort area on the eastern tip of the island.</p>
<p>In Dominica, where Maria laid waste to hundreds of homes and was blamed for at least 15 deaths, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit wept as he spoke to a reporter on the nearby island of Antigua.</p>
<p>“It is a miracle there were not hundreds of deaths,” he said. He added: “Dominica is going to need all the help the world has to offer.”</p> | false | 1 | eye hurricane maria nearing turks caicos early friday puerto rico sought recover storms devastation two days maria ravaged puerto rico flooding towns crushing homes killing least two people millions island faced dispiriting prospect weeks perhaps months without electricity storm knocked entire grid across us territory 34 million leaving many without power loss power left residents hunting gas canisters cooking collecting rainwater steeling mentally hardships come tropical heat contemplated leaving island live without power said hector llanos 78yearold retired new york police officer planned leave saturday us mainland live temporarily like many puerto ricans llanos generator gas stove thing flashlight said shaking head never going return normal marias death toll across caribbean meanwhile climbed least 19 nearly hardhit island dominica puerto rico government said least two killed media island reporting additional deaths actual toll appeared unlikely known days friday morning maria moving near turks caicos winds 125 mph 205 kph storm expected move near east turks caicos southeastern bahamas friday expected veer open atlantic threat us mainland maria also expected weaken next two days puerto rico grid sorry shape long maria hurricane irma two weeks ago struck territorys 73 billion debt crisis left agencies like state power company broke abandoned basic maintenance recent years leaving island subject regular blackouts knew going happen given vulnerable infrastructure gov ricardo rossello said federal emergency management agency said would open air bridge mainland friday three four military planes flying island every day carrying water food generators temporary shelters theres humanitarian emergency puerto rico rossello said event without precedent said administration trying open ports soon receive shipments food water generators cots supplies government hired 56 small contractors clear trees put new power lines poles sending tanker trucks supply neighborhoods run water entire island declared federal disaster zone mike hyland senior vice president engineering services american public power association utility industry group sending repair crews caribbean refused speculate long would take restore power puerto rico lets see facts tell us end weekend said acknowledged going tall lift maribel montilla already two large barrels filled water worried long would last daughter soninlaw six grandchildren know think going without power six months said cellphone internet service collapsed much puerto rico radio station remained air hurricane wapa 680 relaying messages help connect friends families concerns prosaic across street someone yelled neighbor listen netflix jaime rullan sports commentator gas stove home tried think lack air conditioning island heat index surpassed 100 degrees 37 celsius recent days used lights going storms puerto rico time worried said prepare mentally least month without power deysi rodriguez 46yearold caretaker elderly people gas stove unlike others lining fastfood restaurants reopened rodriguez diabetic careful eats rodriguez said might temporarily move new jersey situation gets worse pedro cartagena 57yearold dock supervisor said planned shower eat sleep companys office plans buy food restaurants open operating generators thats going drain bank account said want eat thats option upscale neighborhood san juan 69yearold retiree annie matteis condominium generator said maintenance shut 11 5 pm save fuel devastating said eyes welled tears dominican republican maria knocked trees power lines joel santos president countrys hotel association said hurricane damage tourism infrastructure even though passed close punta cana major resort area eastern tip island dominica maria laid waste hundreds homes blamed least 15 deaths prime minister roosevelt skerrit wept spoke reporter nearby island antigua miracle hundreds deaths said added dominica going need help world offer | 561 |
<p>WASHINGTON — When President Donald Trump <a href="" type="internal">nominates a Supreme Court</a> <a href="" type="internal">justice</a>, Senate Democrats and Republicans will immediately face intense political pressure, with liberals demanding that Democrats block the choice and the new president urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to blow up longstanding rules to secure confirmation.</p>
<p>What happens depends in part on Trump’s choice for the opening.</p>
<p>Federal appeals court judges William Pryor, Neil Gorsuch and Thomas Hardiman are front-runners to fill the seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, according to a person familiar with the process who was not authorized to speak publicly about internal decisions and discussed the search on condition of anonymity.</p>
<p />
<p>Trump said he plans to announce his court pick on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>A look at what to expect in the Senate:</p>
<p>TO FILIBUSTER, OR NOT TO FILIBUSTER?</p>
<p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will oppose any nominee outside the mainstream. He will likely decide whether to try to block, or filibuster, based on the nominee’s performance in confirmation hearings and feedback from his Democratic caucus, including the 10 senators who are up for re-election in states that Trump won last year.</p>
<p>The advantages of trying a filibuster are clear — make Republicans work to find the 60 votes needed to end it, including at least eight Democrats, and as a result, delay or block the nomination. Republicans hold a 52-48 majority.</p>
<p>But there are also downsides. Democrats running for re-election next year in states Trump won in 2016 could face political consequences for their party’s attempted obstruction. And if Republicans change the rules and eliminate the filibuster altogether, Democrats would have lost their most powerful weapon in future Supreme Court fights.</p>
<p>Republicans did not try to filibuster either of former President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominees. The only filibuster attempt in the past few decades was by Democrats against Justice Samuel Alito, nominated by former President George W. Bush. The effort failed and Alito was confirmed.</p>
<p>FINDING THE VOTES</p>
<p>If there’s an attempted filibuster, Republicans would first try to woo eight Democrats to vote with them to overcome it. But those votes aren’t a given. While there are several senators up for re-election in Republican-leaning states, some are loyal Democrats who rarely cross party lines.</p>
<p>Gorsuch and Hardiman won broad Senate support when they were confirmed for their appeals court judgeships. Gorsuch was confirmed by voice vote in 2006; Hardiman 95-0 in 2007. Pryor, who backed a Texas law that made gay sex a crime, will face opposition. He was confirmed 53-45 in 2005.</p>
<p>Conservative groups are ready. The Judicial Crisis Network has said it will spend $10 million to ensure Trump’s pick is confirmed.</p>
<p>“We will force vulnerable senators up for re-election in 2018 like Joe Donnelly and Claire McCaskill to decide between keeping their Senate seats or following Chuck Schumer’s liberal, obstructionist agenda,” said Carrie Severino, the chief counsel and policy director of the group.</p>
<p>Donnelly, D-Ind., and McCaskill, D-Mo., both represent states that Trump won with more than 55 percent of the vote.</p>
<p>NUCLEAR OPTION?</p>
<p>If Democrats decide to try to filibuster and McConnell can’t get enough Democratic votes to overcome it, he’ll have a major decision to make. Does he change the rules of the Senate and make it impossible to filibuster a Supreme Court nominee? A last resort, getting rid of the filibuster is dubbed “the nuclear option.”</p>
<p>Then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid changed the rules for lower-court judges in 2013 after Republicans had blocked many of President Barack Obama’s nominations. McConnell, a devout Senate institutionalist, strongly criticized Reid for doing that and is seen as reluctant to make a similar move.</p>
<p>Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Thursday that he would encourage McConnell to go that route, however.</p>
<p>OTHER STRATEGIES</p>
<p>Conservatives are already somewhat split on whether McConnell should “go nuclear” if he can’t find the votes. The Heritage Foundation warned of the consequences, suggesting that eliminating the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations could set a precedent for getting rid of the legislative filibuster, which has been used successfully by both parties, when in the minority, to block legislation.</p>
<p>The Heritage memo pushed another strategy for getting around the filibuster called the “two-speech rule.” The idea is to use Senate rules allowing senators only two speeches in a legislative day, which is different from a calendar day. By extending a legislative day over several days or weeks, Republicans could wait until all Democrats had given their two speeches and none were left to speak, allowing the Senate to move to a simple majority vote.</p>
<p>That strategy would require a lot of time and effort, and Democrats would likely look for procedural ways to thwart it.</p>
<p>ROLE REVERSAL</p>
<p>Whatever happens, look for each side to bring up history.</p>
<p>“What we hope would be that our Democratic friends will treat President Trump’s nominees in the same way that we treated Clinton and Obama,” McConnell said this week.</p>
<p>Scalia died last February, and McConnell said within hours of his death that the next president, not Obama, should have the pick. Republicans didn’t even hold hearings on Obama’s nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, and the strategy paid off.</p>
<p>Democrats will be mindful of McConnell’s refusal to consider Garland when deciding how to treat Trump’s nominee.</p>
<p>In turn, Republicans are already reminding Democrats of their slogan for much of last year: “We need nine,” referring to a full slate of judges on the court.</p> | false | 1 | washington president donald trump nominates supreme court justice senate democrats republicans immediately face intense political pressure liberals demanding democrats block choice new president urging majority leader mitch mcconnell blow longstanding rules secure confirmation happens depends part trumps choice opening federal appeals court judges william pryor neil gorsuch thomas hardiman frontrunners fill seat late justice antonin scalia according person familiar process authorized speak publicly internal decisions discussed search condition anonymity trump said plans announce court pick tuesday night look expect senate filibuster filibuster senate minority leader chuck schumer new york said democrats oppose nominee outside mainstream likely decide whether try block filibuster based nominees performance confirmation hearings feedback democratic caucus including 10 senators reelection states trump last year advantages trying filibuster clear make republicans work find 60 votes needed end including least eight democrats result delay block nomination republicans hold 5248 majority also downsides democrats running reelection next year states trump 2016 could face political consequences partys attempted obstruction republicans change rules eliminate filibuster altogether democrats would lost powerful weapon future supreme court fights republicans try filibuster either former president barack obamas supreme court nominees filibuster attempt past decades democrats justice samuel alito nominated former president george w bush effort failed alito confirmed finding votes theres attempted filibuster republicans would first try woo eight democrats vote overcome votes arent given several senators reelection republicanleaning states loyal democrats rarely cross party lines gorsuch hardiman broad senate support confirmed appeals court judgeships gorsuch confirmed voice vote 2006 hardiman 950 2007 pryor backed texas law made gay sex crime face opposition confirmed 5345 2005 conservative groups ready judicial crisis network said spend 10 million ensure trumps pick confirmed force vulnerable senators reelection 2018 like joe donnelly claire mccaskill decide keeping senate seats following chuck schumers liberal obstructionist agenda said carrie severino chief counsel policy director group donnelly dind mccaskill dmo represent states trump 55 percent vote nuclear option democrats decide try filibuster mcconnell cant get enough democratic votes overcome hell major decision make change rules senate make impossible filibuster supreme court nominee last resort getting rid filibuster dubbed nuclear option thensenate majority leader harry reid changed rules lowercourt judges 2013 republicans blocked many president barack obamas nominations mcconnell devout senate institutionalist strongly criticized reid seen reluctant make similar move trump told fox news sean hannity thursday would encourage mcconnell go route however strategies conservatives already somewhat split whether mcconnell go nuclear cant find votes heritage foundation warned consequences suggesting eliminating filibuster supreme court nominations could set precedent getting rid legislative filibuster used successfully parties minority block legislation heritage memo pushed another strategy getting around filibuster called twospeech rule idea use senate rules allowing senators two speeches legislative day different calendar day extending legislative day several days weeks republicans could wait democrats given two speeches none left speak allowing senate move simple majority vote strategy would require lot time effort democrats would likely look procedural ways thwart role reversal whatever happens look side bring history hope would democratic friends treat president trumps nominees way treated clinton obama mcconnell said week scalia died last february mcconnell said within hours death next president obama pick republicans didnt even hold hearings obamas nominee judge merrick garland strategy paid democrats mindful mcconnells refusal consider garland deciding treat trumps nominee turn republicans already reminding democrats slogan much last year need nine referring full slate judges court | 556 |
<p />
<p>The posture of solidarity with the struggle of ‘the other’ is more complex than it might appear at first glance. It seems a simple act to join with others in opposing severe injustice and cruelty, especially when its reality is experienced and witnessed first-hand as I have for several decades in relation to the Palestinian struggle. I was initially led to understand the Palestinian (counter-) narrative by friends while still a law student in the late 1950s. But my engagement was more in the spirit of resisting what Noam Chomsky would later teach us to call ‘indoctrination in a liberal society,’ a matter of understanding how the supposedly objective media messes with our mind in key areas of policy sensitivity, and none has turned out in the West, especially in North America, to be more menacingly stage managed than the presentation of Palestinians and their struggle, which merge with sinister forms of racial and religious profiling under the labels of ‘the Arab mind’ and ‘Muslim extremism.’ The intended contrast to be embedded in Western political consciousness is between the bloodthirsty Arab/Palestinian/Muslim and the Western custodian of morality and human rights.</p>
<p>Perhaps, for very personal reasons I had since childhood taken the side of the less privileged in whatever domain the issue presented itself, whether in sports or family life or in relation to race and sexual identity, and professionally, in foreign policy. Despite being white and attracted sexually only to women, I found myself deeply moved by the ordeal in democratic America of African Americans, gays, and later, members of indigenous communities. I have sustained these affinities despite a long career that involved swimming upstream in the enclaves of the privileged as a longtime member of the Princeton University faculty.</p>
<p>In recent years, partly by chance, most of these energies of solidarity have been associated with the Palestinian struggle, which has involved mainly in my case the bearing of witness to abuses endured by the Palestinian people living under occupation or in varying forms of exile, especially in my role as UN Special Rapporteur. This is an unpaid position, and affords me a much higher degree of independence than is enjoyed by normal UN career civil servants or diplomats serving a particular government. Many of these individuals work with great dedication and taken on dangerous assignments, but are expected to conform to institutional discipline that is exercised in a deadly hierarchical manner that often links the UN to the grand strategy and geopolitical priorities of a West-centric world order. This structure itself seems more and more out of step with the rise of the non-West in the last several decades. Just days ago the Indian representative at the UN called for a restructuring of the Security Council to get rid of its anachronistic cast of characteristics that overvalues the West and undervalues the rest.</p>
<p>Bearing witness involves being truthful and as factually accurate as possible, regardless of what sort of consensus is operative in the corridors of power. In a biased media and a political climate that is orchestrated from above, the objectivity of bearing witness will itself be challenged as ‘biased’ or ‘one-sided’ whenever it ventures onto prohibited terrain. In actuality, the purpose of bearing witness is to challenge bias, not to perpetuate it, but in our Orwellian media world, it is bias that is too often presented as balanced, and truth witnessing that is either ignored or derided.</p>
<p>The witness of unwelcome truths should always exhibit a posture of humility, not making judgments about the tactics of struggle employed by those fighting against oppression, and not supplying the solutions for those whose destinies are directly and daily affected by a deep political struggle. To do otherwise is to pretend to be a purveyor of greater wisdom and morality than those enduring victimization. In the Palestine/Israel conflict it is up to the parties, the peoples themselves and their authentic representatives, to find the path to a sustainable and just peace, although it seems permissible for outsiders to delineate the distribution of rights that follow from an application of international law and to question whether the respective peoples are being legitimately represented.</p>
<p>These comments reflect my reading of a passionate and provocative essay by Linah Alsaafin entitled “How obsession with ‘non-violence’ harms the Palestinian cause,” which was published online in the Electronic Intifada on July 11, 2012. The burden of her excellent article is the insistence that it is for the Palestinians, and only the Palestinians, to decide on the forms and nature of their resistance. She writes with high credibility as a recent graduate of Birzeit University who was born in Cardiff, Wales and lived in England and the United States, as well as Palestine. She persuasively insists that for sympathetic observers and allies to worship at the altar of Palestinian non-violence is to cede to the West the authority to determine what are acceptable and unacceptable forms of Palestinian struggle. This is grotesquely hypocritical considering the degree to which Western militarism is violently unleashed around the planet so as to maintain structures of oppression and exploitation, more benignly described as ‘national interests.’ In effect, the culturally sanctioned political morality of the West is indicative of an opportunistically split personality: nonviolence for your struggle, violence for ours. Well-meaning liberals, by broadcasting such an insidious message, are not to be welcomed as true allies.</p>
<p>In this connection, I acknowledge my own carelessness in taking positive note of this shift in Palestinian tactics in the direction of nonviolent forms of resistance, being unwittingly paternalistic, if not complicit with an unhealthy ‘tyranny of the stranger.’ It is certainly not the case that Alsaafin is necessarily advocating Palestinian violence, but rather she is contending that unless the Palestinians realize that they must mobilize their own masses to shape their own destiny, which leads her to lament because it is not yet happening, nothing will change, and the occupiers and oppressors will continue to dominate the Palestinian scene. In effect, Alsaafin is telling us that deferring to Western canons of struggle is currently dooming Palestinians to apathy and despair.</p>
<p>I find most of what Alsaafin has to say to be persuasive, illuminating, and instructive, although I feel she neglects to take note of the courage and mobilizing impact of the prison hunger strikes that have ignited the imagination of many Palestinians in recent months. Also, to some extent, my highlighting of nonviolence was never intended as an input into the Palestinian discourse or as favorable commentary, but seeks to challenge and expose the untrustworthiness of Western liberals who have for years been lecturing the Palestinians to abandon violence for the sake of effectiveness, arguing that a supposedly democratic and morally sensitive society such as they allege exists in Israel would be responsive to a nonviolent challenge by the Palestinians, and this would in turn lead to a more reasonable and fair negotiating approach by the Israelis out of which a just peace could emerge.&#160; As should have been understood by the harsh Israeli responses to both intifadas, Israel turns a blind eye to Palestinian nonviolence, or even does its best to provoke Palestinian violence so as to have some justification for its own. And the usually noisy liberal pontificators such as Tom Friedman and Nicholas Kristof go into hiding whenever Palestinian creativity in resistance does have recourse to nonviolent tactics. These crown princes of liberal internationalism were both silent throughout the unfolding and dramatic stories of the various long hunger strikes. These were remarkable examples of nonviolent dedication that bear comparison with Gandhi’s challenges hurled at the British Empire or the later efforts of the IRA to awaken London to the horrors of prison conditions in Northern Ireland, and certainly were newsworthy.</p>
<p>At the same time, there are some universal values at stake that Alsaafin does not pause to acknowledge. There are two of these truths intertwined in bewildering complexity: no outsider has the moral authority or political legitimacy to tell those enduring severe oppression how to behave; no act of violence whatever the motivation that is directed against an innocent child or civilian bystander is morally acceptable or legally permissible even if it seems politically useful. Terrorism is terrorism whether the acts are performed by the oppressor or the oppressed, and for humanity to move toward any kind of collective emancipation, such universal principles must be affirmed as valid, and respected by militants.</p>
<p>Also absent from the article is any effort to situate the Palestinian struggle in an historical and geographic context. There are tactical realities in some situations of conflict that may make those who act in solidarity a vital part of the struggle that participate on the basis of their own political calculus. The Vietnamese recognized the importance of an autonomous Western peace movement in weakening the will of the American political establishment to continue with the Vietnam War. The global anti-apartheid campaign turned the tide in South Africa, and allowed the internal forces led by the African National Congress to prevail in their long struggle against settler colonial rule and racism. We all need to remember that each struggle has its own originality that is historically, politically, and culturally conditioned, and the Palestinian struggle is no exception.</p>
<p>As Alsaafin powerfully reminds us who attempt to act in solidarity, while she is addressing a related message to the Palestinians, it is for the Palestinians to exert leadership and find inspiration, and for the rest of us to step to one side.&#160; We must be humble for our sake as well as theirs, they must be assertive, and then our solidarity might make a welcome contribution a rather than unintentionally administering a mild depressant.</p> | false | 1 | posture solidarity struggle complex might appear first glance seems simple act join others opposing severe injustice cruelty especially reality experienced witnessed firsthand several decades relation palestinian struggle initially led understand palestinian counter narrative friends still law student late 1950s engagement spirit resisting noam chomsky would later teach us call indoctrination liberal society matter understanding supposedly objective media messes mind key areas policy sensitivity none turned west especially north america menacingly stage managed presentation palestinians struggle merge sinister forms racial religious profiling labels arab mind muslim extremism intended contrast embedded western political consciousness bloodthirsty arabpalestinianmuslim western custodian morality human rights perhaps personal reasons since childhood taken side less privileged whatever domain issue presented whether sports family life relation race sexual identity professionally foreign policy despite white attracted sexually women found deeply moved ordeal democratic america african americans gays later members indigenous communities sustained affinities despite long career involved swimming upstream enclaves privileged longtime member princeton university faculty recent years partly chance energies solidarity associated palestinian struggle involved mainly case bearing witness abuses endured palestinian people living occupation varying forms exile especially role un special rapporteur unpaid position affords much higher degree independence enjoyed normal un career civil servants diplomats serving particular government many individuals work great dedication taken dangerous assignments expected conform institutional discipline exercised deadly hierarchical manner often links un grand strategy geopolitical priorities westcentric world order structure seems step rise nonwest last several decades days ago indian representative un called restructuring security council get rid anachronistic cast characteristics overvalues west undervalues rest bearing witness involves truthful factually accurate possible regardless sort consensus operative corridors power biased media political climate orchestrated objectivity bearing witness challenged biased onesided whenever ventures onto prohibited terrain actuality purpose bearing witness challenge bias perpetuate orwellian media world bias often presented balanced truth witnessing either ignored derided witness unwelcome truths always exhibit posture humility making judgments tactics struggle employed fighting oppression supplying solutions whose destinies directly daily affected deep political struggle otherwise pretend purveyor greater wisdom morality enduring victimization palestineisrael conflict parties peoples authentic representatives find path sustainable peace although seems permissible outsiders delineate distribution rights follow application international law question whether respective peoples legitimately represented comments reflect reading passionate provocative essay linah alsaafin entitled obsession nonviolence harms palestinian cause published online electronic intifada july 11 2012 burden excellent article insistence palestinians palestinians decide forms nature resistance writes high credibility recent graduate birzeit university born cardiff wales lived england united states well palestine persuasively insists sympathetic observers allies worship altar palestinian nonviolence cede west authority determine acceptable unacceptable forms palestinian struggle grotesquely hypocritical considering degree western militarism violently unleashed around planet maintain structures oppression exploitation benignly described national interests effect culturally sanctioned political morality west indicative opportunistically split personality nonviolence struggle violence wellmeaning liberals broadcasting insidious message welcomed true allies connection acknowledge carelessness taking positive note shift palestinian tactics direction nonviolent forms resistance unwittingly paternalistic complicit unhealthy tyranny stranger certainly case alsaafin necessarily advocating palestinian violence rather contending unless palestinians realize must mobilize masses shape destiny leads lament yet happening nothing change occupiers oppressors continue dominate palestinian scene effect alsaafin telling us deferring western canons struggle currently dooming palestinians apathy despair find alsaafin say persuasive illuminating instructive although feel neglects take note courage mobilizing impact prison hunger strikes ignited imagination many palestinians recent months also extent highlighting nonviolence never intended input palestinian discourse favorable commentary seeks challenge expose untrustworthiness western liberals years lecturing palestinians abandon violence sake effectiveness arguing supposedly democratic morally sensitive society allege exists israel would responsive nonviolent challenge palestinians would turn lead reasonable fair negotiating approach israelis peace could emerge160 understood harsh israeli responses intifadas israel turns blind eye palestinian nonviolence even best provoke palestinian violence justification usually noisy liberal pontificators tom friedman nicholas kristof go hiding whenever palestinian creativity resistance recourse nonviolent tactics crown princes liberal internationalism silent throughout unfolding dramatic stories various long hunger strikes remarkable examples nonviolent dedication bear comparison gandhis challenges hurled british empire later efforts ira awaken london horrors prison conditions northern ireland certainly newsworthy time universal values stake alsaafin pause acknowledge two truths intertwined bewildering complexity outsider moral authority political legitimacy tell enduring severe oppression behave act violence whatever motivation directed innocent child civilian bystander morally acceptable legally permissible even seems politically useful terrorism terrorism whether acts performed oppressor oppressed humanity move toward kind collective emancipation universal principles must affirmed valid respected militants also absent article effort situate palestinian struggle historical geographic context tactical realities situations conflict may make act solidarity vital part struggle participate basis political calculus vietnamese recognized importance autonomous western peace movement weakening american political establishment continue vietnam war global antiapartheid campaign turned tide south africa allowed internal forces led african national congress prevail long struggle settler colonial rule racism need remember struggle originality historically politically culturally conditioned palestinian struggle exception alsaafin powerfully reminds us attempt act solidarity addressing related message palestinians palestinians exert leadership find inspiration rest us step one side160 must humble sake well must assertive solidarity might make welcome contribution rather unintentionally administering mild depressant | 834 |
<p>By Tim Cocks and David Lewis</p>
<p>NIAMEY/NAIROBI (Reuters) – When Doundou Chefou first took up arms as a youth a decade ago, it was for the same reason as many other ethnic Fulani herders along the Niger-Mali border: to protect his livestock.</p>
<p>He had nothing against the Republic of Niger, let alone the United States of America. His quarrel was with rival Tuareg cattle raiders.</p>
<p>Yet on Oct. 4 this year, he led dozens of militants allied to Islamic State in a deadly assault against allied U.S.-Niger forces, killing four soldiers from each nation and demonstrating how dangerous the West’s mission in the Sahel has become.</p>
<p>The incident sparked calls in Washington for public hearings into the presence of U.S. troops. A Pentagon probe is due to be completed in January.</p>
<p>Asked by Reuters to talk about Chefou, Nigerien Defence Minister Kalla Mountari’s face fell.</p>
<p>“He is a terrorist, a bandit, someone who intends to harm to Niger,” he said at his office in the Nigerien capital Niamey earlier this month.</p>
<p>“We are tracking him, we are seeking him out, and if he ever sets foot in Niger again he will be neutralized.”</p>
<p>Like most gunmen in so-called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, which operates along the sand-swept borderlands where Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso meet, Chefou used to be an ordinary Fulani pastoralist with little interest in jihad, several government sources with knowledge of the matter said.</p>
<p>The transition of Chefou and men like him from vigilantes protecting their cows to jihadists capable of carrying out complex attacks is a story Western powers would do well to heed, as their pursuit of violent extremism in West Africa becomes ever more enmeshed in long-standing ethnic and clan conflicts.</p>
<p>For now, analysts say the local IS affiliate remains small, at fewer than 80 fighters. But that was also the case at first with al Qaeda-linked factions before they tapped into local grievances to expand their influence in Mali in 2012.</p>
<p>The United Nations this week released a report showing how IS in northern Somalia has grown to around 200 fighters from just a few dozen last year.</p>
<p>The U.S. military has ramped up its presence in Niger, and other neighboring countries, in recent years as it fears poverty, corruption and weak states mean the region is ripe for the spread of extremist groups.</p>
<p>GENESIS OF A JIHAD</p>
<p>For centuries the Tuareg and Fulani have lived as nomads herding animals and trading – Tuareg mostly across the dunes and oases of the Sahara and the Fulani mostly in the Sahel, a vast band of semi-arid scrubland that stretches from Senegal to Sudan beneath it.</p>
<p>Some have managed to become relatively wealthy, accumulating vast herds. But they have always stayed separate from the modern nation-states that have formed around them.</p>
<p>Though they largely lived peacefully side-by-side, arguments occasionally flared, usually over scarce watering points. A steady increase in the availability of automatic weapons over the years has made the rivalry ever more deadly.</p>
<p>A turning point was the Western-backed ouster of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. With his demise, many Tuareg from the region who had fought as mercenaries for Gaddafi returned home, bringing with them the contents of Libya’s looted armories.</p>
<p>Some of the returnees launched a rebellion in Mali to try to create a breakaway Tuareg state in the desert north, a movement that was soon hijacked by al Qaeda-linked jihadists who had been operating in Mali for years.</p>
<p>Until then, Islamists in Mali had been recruiting and raising funds through kidnapping. In 2012, they swept across northern Mali, seizing key towns and prompting a French intervention that pushed them back in 2013.</p>
<p>Amid the violence and chaos, some of the Tuareg turned their guns on their rivals from other ethnic groups like the Fulani, who then went to the Islamists for arms and training.</p>
<p>In November 2013, a young Nigerien Fulani had a row with a Tuareg chief over money. The old man thrashed him and chased him away, recalls Boubacar Diallo, head of an association for Fulani livestock breeders along the Mali border, who now lives in Niamey.</p>
<p>The youth came back armed with an AK-47, killed the chief and wounded his wife, then fled. The victim happened to be the uncle of a powerful Malian warlord.</p>
<p>Over the next week, heavily armed Tuareg slaughtered 46 Fulani in revenge attacks along the Mali-Niger border.</p>
<p>The incident was bloodiest attack on record in the area, said Diallo, who has documented dozens of attacks by Tuareg raiders that have killed hundreds of people and led to thousands of cows and hundreds of camels being stolen.</p>
<p>“That was a point when the Fulani in that area realized they needed more weapons to defend themselves,” said Diallo, who has represented them in talks aimed at easing communal tensions.</p>
<p>The crimes were almost never investigated by police, admits a Niamey-based law enforcement official with knowledge of them.</p>
<p>“The Tuareg were armed and were pillaging the Fulani’s cattle,” Niger Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum told Reuters. “The Fulani felt obliged to arm themselves.”</p>
<p>“SELF-DEFENSE”</p>
<p>Gandou Zakaria, a researcher of mixed Tuareg-Fulani heritage in the faculty of law at Niamey University, has spent years studying why youths turned to jihad.</p>
<p>“Religious belief was at the bottom of their list of concerns,” he told Reuters. Instead, local grievances were the main driving force.</p>
<p>Whereas Tuareg in Mali and Niger have dreamed of and sometimes fought for an independent state, Fulani have generally been more pre-occupied by concerns over the security of their community and the herds they depend on.</p>
<p>“For the Fulani, it was a sense of injustice, of exclusion, of discrimination, and a need for self-defense,” Zakaria said.</p>
<p>One militant who proved particularly good at tapping into this dissatisfaction was Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, an Arabic-speaking north African, several law enforcement sources said.</p>
<p>Al-Sahrawi recruited dozens of Fulani into the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA), which was loosely allied to al Qaeda in the region and controlled Gao and the area to the Niger border in 2012.</p>
<p>After French forces in 2013 scattered Islamists from the Malian towns they controlled, al-Sahrawi was briefly allied with Mokhtar Belmokhtar, an al Qaeda veteran.</p>
<p>Today, al-Sahrawi is the face of Islamic State in the region.</p>
<p>“There was something in his discourse that spoke to the youth, that appealed to their sense of injustice,” a Niger government official said of al-Sahrawi.</p>
<p>Two diplomatic sources said there are signs al-Sahrawi has received financial backing from IS central in Iraq and Syria.</p>
<p>How Chefou ended up being one of a handful of al-Sahrawi’s lieutenants is unclear. The government source said he was brought to him by a senior officer, also Fulani, known as Petit Chapori.</p>
<p>Like many Fulani youth toughened by life on the Sahel, Chefou was often in and out of jail for possession of weapons or involvement in localized violence that ended in deals struck between communities, the government official said.</p>
<p>Yet Diallo, who met Chefou several times, said he was “very calm, very gentle. I was surprised when he became a militia leader”.</p>
<p>U.S. and Nigerien sources differ on the nature of the fatal mission of Oct 4. Nigeriens say it was to go after Chefou; U.S. officials say it was reconnaissance mission.</p>
<p>One vehicle lost by the U.S. forces was supplied by the CIA and kitted with surveillance equipment, U.S. media reported. A surveillance drone monitored the battle with a live feed.</p>
<p>The Fulani men, mounted on motorbikes, were armed with the assault rifles they first acquired to look after their cows.</p> | false | 1 | tim cocks david lewis niameynairobi reuters doundou chefou first took arms youth decade ago reason many ethnic fulani herders along nigermali border protect livestock nothing republic niger let alone united states america quarrel rival tuareg cattle raiders yet oct 4 year led dozens militants allied islamic state deadly assault allied usniger forces killing four soldiers nation demonstrating dangerous wests mission sahel become incident sparked calls washington public hearings presence us troops pentagon probe due completed january asked reuters talk chefou nigerien defence minister kalla mountaris face fell terrorist bandit someone intends harm niger said office nigerien capital niamey earlier month tracking seeking ever sets foot niger neutralized like gunmen socalled islamic state greater sahara operates along sandswept borderlands mali niger burkina faso meet chefou used ordinary fulani pastoralist little interest jihad several government sources knowledge matter said transition chefou men like vigilantes protecting cows jihadists capable carrying complex attacks story western powers would well heed pursuit violent extremism west africa becomes ever enmeshed longstanding ethnic clan conflicts analysts say local affiliate remains small fewer 80 fighters also case first al qaedalinked factions tapped local grievances expand influence mali 2012 united nations week released report showing northern somalia grown around 200 fighters dozen last year us military ramped presence niger neighboring countries recent years fears poverty corruption weak states mean region ripe spread extremist groups genesis jihad centuries tuareg fulani lived nomads herding animals trading tuareg mostly across dunes oases sahara fulani mostly sahel vast band semiarid scrubland stretches senegal sudan beneath managed become relatively wealthy accumulating vast herds always stayed separate modern nationstates formed around though largely lived peacefully sidebyside arguments occasionally flared usually scarce watering points steady increase availability automatic weapons years made rivalry ever deadly turning point westernbacked ouster libyas muammar gaddafi 2011 demise many tuareg region fought mercenaries gaddafi returned home bringing contents libyas looted armories returnees launched rebellion mali try create breakaway tuareg state desert north movement soon hijacked al qaedalinked jihadists operating mali years islamists mali recruiting raising funds kidnapping 2012 swept across northern mali seizing key towns prompting french intervention pushed back 2013 amid violence chaos tuareg turned guns rivals ethnic groups like fulani went islamists arms training november 2013 young nigerien fulani row tuareg chief money old man thrashed chased away recalls boubacar diallo head association fulani livestock breeders along mali border lives niamey youth came back armed ak47 killed chief wounded wife fled victim happened uncle powerful malian warlord next week heavily armed tuareg slaughtered 46 fulani revenge attacks along maliniger border incident bloodiest attack record area said diallo documented dozens attacks tuareg raiders killed hundreds people led thousands cows hundreds camels stolen point fulani area realized needed weapons defend said diallo represented talks aimed easing communal tensions crimes almost never investigated police admits niameybased law enforcement official knowledge tuareg armed pillaging fulanis cattle niger interior minister mohamed bazoum told reuters fulani felt obliged arm selfdefense gandou zakaria researcher mixed tuaregfulani heritage faculty law niamey university spent years studying youths turned jihad religious belief bottom list concerns told reuters instead local grievances main driving force whereas tuareg mali niger dreamed sometimes fought independent state fulani generally preoccupied concerns security community herds depend fulani sense injustice exclusion discrimination need selfdefense zakaria said one militant proved particularly good tapping dissatisfaction adnan abu walid alsahrawi arabicspeaking north african several law enforcement sources said alsahrawi recruited dozens fulani movement unity jihad west africa mujwa loosely allied al qaeda region controlled gao area niger border 2012 french forces 2013 scattered islamists malian towns controlled alsahrawi briefly allied mokhtar belmokhtar al qaeda veteran today alsahrawi face islamic state region something discourse spoke youth appealed sense injustice niger government official said alsahrawi two diplomatic sources said signs alsahrawi received financial backing central iraq syria chefou ended one handful alsahrawis lieutenants unclear government source said brought senior officer also fulani known petit chapori like many fulani youth toughened life sahel chefou often jail possession weapons involvement localized violence ended deals struck communities government official said yet diallo met chefou several times said calm gentle surprised became militia leader us nigerien sources differ nature fatal mission oct 4 nigeriens say go chefou us officials say reconnaissance mission one vehicle lost us forces supplied cia kitted surveillance equipment us media reported surveillance drone monitored battle live feed fulani men mounted motorbikes armed assault rifles first acquired look cows | 726 |
<p />
<p>President Obama’s 2013 advisory panel on NSA spying included some interesting people, considering that the justification for such crimes against democracy always go back to 9/11. One member was Cass Sunstein, who had previously&#160; <a href="http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24406.htm" type="external">advised the president to “cognitively infiltrate”</a>&#160;citizen groups that sought the truth about 9/11. Another panel member was Richard Clarke, the former “counterterrorism czar,” whose opinions on the subject continue to be widely publicized despite suspicions that Clarke might have been in league with the 9/11 terrorists.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-19419" style="margin: 5px;" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan-200x300.jpg" alt="Another Nineteen by Kevin Ryan" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan-493x739.jpg 493w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan-500x750.jpg 500w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan-146x220.jpg 146w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan-638x957.jpg 638w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan-118x177.jpg 118w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan-479x718.jpg 479w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/another-nineteen-kevin-ryan.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /&gt; In one of several interviews with TV host Bill Maher, a supporter of NSA spying, Clarke suggested that Osama bin Laden was never worried about being caught before he was killed because he “ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4o6MDE-WPk" type="external">thought he’d get tipped</a>.” Clarke meant that Bin Laden was helped by retired intelligence officials and would be tipped off to any operation. In the same interview, Clarke told Maher that Afghanis were pathetic and that Pakistanis were “pathological liars.”</p>
<p>However, there are good reasons to believe that it is Clarke who is a pathological liar. Those reasons include that it was Clarke who tipped off Bin Laden’s friends in the years before 911, effectively preventing the capture or killing of that alleged terrorist mastermind. Clarke later promoted lies about a man called Abu Zubaydah, whose torture testimony is behind much of the&#160;9/11 Commission Report.</p>
<p>People need to know more about Richard Clarke before taking any more of his comments at face value.&#160; The following excerpts from my book&#160; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DT5DI5M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00DT5DI5M&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20" type="external">Another Nineteen</a>&#160;might make that point a little more obvious.</p>
<p>Not Just Another COG</p>
<p>Clarke began his government career in the Ford&#160;Administration. He worked as a defense department nuclear weapons analyst and shared a Pentagon office with Wayne Downing, who later became a leader of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). Clarke went on to become President Reagan’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence. In that role, Clarke negotiated for a U.S. military presence in Arab countries, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>In 1984, Clarke was selected to take part in one of the most highly classified projects of the Reagan Administration. This was the secret Continuity of Government (COG) program run by the National Program Office&#160;that continued up to and after the attacks of September 11. Other than Clarke, the members of the COG group included Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, George H.W. Bush, Kenneth Duberstein, and James Woolsey. If not a formal member of the group, Oliver North&#160;reported to it and acted on its behalf. Although Cheney and Rumsfeld were not government employees throughout the twenty years that Clarke participated in this official government program, they both continued to participate.</p>
<p>COG was developed to install a shadow “government in waiting” to replace the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Constitution in the event of a national emergency like a nuclear war. In 1998, Clarke revised the COG plan for use as a response to a terrorist attack on American soil.&#160;The first and only time that COG was put into action was when Richard Clarke activated it during the 9/11 attacks. As of 2002, that shadow government&#160; <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/09/AR2006060900891.html" type="external">continued to be in effect as an “indefinite precaution</a>.”</p>
<p>George H.W. Bush&#160;had appointed Clarke to be his Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, under James Baker. Clarke was in that position until 1992. According to his book, Clarke remembers that Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney specifically asked him to coordinate relations with the UAE.&#160;Over the following decade, Clarke negotiated many deals with the Emirates, essentially becoming an agent of the UAE, and he was particularly close to the UAE royal family.</p>
<p>Not long after Clarke began going there,&#160;the royal family of Abu Dhabi took over full ownership of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI). BCCI is significant relative to 9/11 because it was involved in funding terrorists and was in partnership with the Pakistani intelligence network from which several alleged 9/11 conspirators came, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM). In fact,&#160;TIME&#160;magazine reported in September 1991 that, relative to BCCI, “You can’t draw a line separating the bank’s black operatives and Pakistan’s intelligence services.”</p>
<p>More importantly, authors Peter Truell and Larry Gurwin noted in their historic book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395623391/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0395623391&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20" type="external">False Profits</a>&#160;that the CIA was involved in the founding of BCCI. The CIA connection to the origins of the BCCI terrorist network is revealing because the royal family of the UAE was also said to have played a primary role in the creation of BCCI. As the official U.S. government report on the subject pointed out, that there was no relationship more central to BCCI’s existence than that between BCCI and the ruling family of Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p>Clarke’s friends in the UAE royal family not only created the BCCI terrorist network, they took it over when the Bank of England&#160;shut it down. Soon after, Bush&#160;named Clarke to the National Security Council staff as Special Assistant to the President and he became chairman of the Interagency Counterterrorism Committee. One might think that Richard Clarke’s close relationship to the royal family of the UAE, and this new role as the NSC head of counterterrorism, might have posed a slight conflict of interest. But no one seemed to notice.</p>
<p>Likewise, few have noticed that the attacks attributed to al Qaeda&#160;began just after the UAE gained full control of BCCI, when the first Bush Administration left office. It was in December of 1992 that al Qaeda is said to have first committed an act of terrorism by bombing U.S. troops in Yemen. Attacks and plots in Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and many others places located near the production and transport routes of fossil fuels have been attributed to al Qaeda since that time.</p>
<p>Continuing as “counterterrorism czar” in the Clinton Administration, Clarke was not interested in pursuing the remnants of the BCCI terrorist network. Instead, he had a different approach to combating terrorism. In 1993, the United States began a practice known as “rendition.” Throughout the rest of the world, rendition is known as torture. The policy behind this program was proposed by Clarke, who worked to get “snatch teams” in place to kidnap suspects for torture. The success of Clarke’s rendition proposal led to the post-9/11 U.S. program of secret kidnappings and torture around the world.</p>
<p>In the summer of 1994, Clarke&#160;played a leading role in the international failure to intervene in the Rwandan genocide. People who worked to stop the slaughter before it happened cite Clarke as a&#160; <a href="https://shoestring911.blogspot.com/2010/02/911-counterterrorism-chief-richard.html" type="external">heartless, malicious man who was “scandalously oblivious”</a>&#160;to the evidence of the looming genocide. Although the U.S. could have taken many steps to prevent the tragedy, it did not due to Clarke’s “structurally empowered skepticism and stonewalling.” Instead, over a period of 100 days, approximately 800,000 people were killed.</p>
<p>In September 1994, high-ranking UAE&#160;and Saudi government ministers, such as Saudi Intelligence Minister Prince Turki al-Faisal, began frequent bird hunting expeditions in Afghanistan. It was reported that, “They would go out and see Osama, spend some time with him, talk with him, you know, live out in the tents, eat the simple food, engage in falconing, some other pursuits, ride horses.” Two members of&#160; <a href="http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=united_arab_emirates" type="external">the UAE royal family that participated in these trips</a>&#160;were Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum&#160;and Sheikh Zayed&#160;bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of the UAE.</p>
<p>As these UAE meetings with OBL&#160;occurred, Clarke’s relationship with the UAE royals blossomed. At the same time, he engaged in preparations for terrorist events on U.S. soil. In 1998, he chaired a tabletop exercise&#160;in which a Learjet filled with explosives would be flown on a suicide mission into a target in Washington, DC. At a conference&#160; <a href="https://www.fas.org/irp/news/1998/10/98100802_plt.html" type="external">in October 1998, Clarke predicted</a>&#160;that America’s enemies “will go after our Achilles’ heel” which is “in Washington. It is in New York.”</p>
<p>Clarke updated the COG&#160;plans, in early 1998, so that they could be utilized in the event of a terrorist attack like the one that he predicted that year (and that occurred in 2001). National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, who was later caught stealing documents that had been requested by the 9/11 Commission, was the one to suggest that Clinton create the new Counterterrorism Czar position that Clarke would fill at the time of his prediction. Berger was also the one to introduce Clarke’s COG partner, James Woolsey, to Clinton. Woolsey went on to become Clinton’s CIA director.</p>
<p>In early February 1999, Clarke met with Al-Maktoum, one of the UAE royals known to hunt with Bin Laden, in the UAE. Al-Maktoum was a big supporter of the Taliban&#160;and al-Qaeda. And although people often forget, two of the 9/11 hijackers were citizens of the UAE and the funding that supported the attacks flowed through the UAE, according to the official account.</p>
<p>Just a few months after Clarke’s UAE visit, in July 1999, the CIA claimed that Bin Laden had “been&#160; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/08/world/us-officials-say-aid-for-terrorists-came-through-two-persian-gulf-nations.html" type="external">allowed to funnel money through the Dubai Islamic Bank&#160;in Dubai</a>, which the United Arab Emirates Government effectively controls.” Apparently Bin Laden “had a relationship with the bank, which they believed had been arranged with the approval of the officials who control the bank.”</p>
<p>Bin Laden was not the only al Qaeda link to Clarke’s friends in the UAE. Reportedly, KSM&#160;was living in the city of Sharjah, UAE at the time of Clarke’s trip. Sharjah&#160;was reportedly a major center of al Qaeda activity then. The plot’s alleged money man Mustafa Ahmed al-Hawsawi&#160;was also based in Sharjah. Saeed Sheikh,&#160;known as the 9/11 paymaster, was said to have established an al Qaeda base in the UAE while openly working with the Pakistani ISI. Some have suggested that Hawsawi and Sheikh were the same man.</p>
<p>Al-Maktoum, whom Clarke met with in 1999, later tried to take over the management of six major U.S. ports.&#160; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Ports_World_controversy" type="external">George W. Bush&#160;lobbied on his behalf</a>&#160;but the deal fell through.</p>
<p>The&#160; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00514033Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00514033Y&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20" type="external">9/11 Commission Report</a>&#160;has six references to the UAE, most of which can be found on page 138. One of these suggests that “but for the cooperation of the UAE, we would have killed Bin Ladin two years in advance of September 11.”</p>
<p>Therefore it is difficult to understand why the leading authority on counterterrorism in the U.S. would be meeting and maintaining close personal relationships with the UAE friends of Bin Laden just two years before 9/11. This was three years after Bin Laden had first declared holy war against the United States, and one year after his more recent such proclamation.</p>
<p>Clarke’s Tips Helped Bin Laden And Misled Americans</p>
<p>It is far more difficult to understand why Clarke was personally behind the failure of two CIA attempts to kill or capture Bin Laden in 1999. The first of these occurred just a few days after Clarke’s visit to the UAE. The CIA&#160;obtained information that OBL&#160;was hunting with UAE royals in Afghanistan at the time, and President Clinton&#160;was asked for permission to attack the camp. According to author Steve Coll in his book&#160; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P2A43Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B000P2A43Q&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20" type="external">Ghost Wars</a>, Clarke voted down that plan and others within the U.S. government speculated that his ties to the UAE were behind his decision.</p>
<p>The next month, when the CIA had tracked Bin Laden’s location again and was prepared to take him out during another of the Afghanistan hunting trips, Clarke took it upon himself to alert his UAE friends about the CIA monitoring their meetings with Bin Laden. Of course, the UAE royals tipped off Bin Laden and the U.S. lost another opportunity to kill or capture its number one enemy. Considering that CIA plans are top secret national security priorities, and that OBL was wanted for the bombings in East Africa, Clarke’s action should have been seen as treason.</p>
<p>When questioned by Congressman Richard Burr&#160;as part of the Joint Congressional Inquiry&#160;into 9/11, Clarke was evasive about his actions to protect his UAE friends and bin Laden. The fact that Clarke was allowed to testify without being under oath, in a special agreement in which&#160; <a href="http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2002_hr/061102clarke.pdf" type="external">his comments were considered only a “briefing,”</a>&#160;was itself telling.</p>
<p>Regarding the second attempt that Clarke had foiled, Burr asked, “Did the CIA, in fact, brief you that the camp was an ideal situation, that they did have real time intelligence, that the collateral damage would be extremely limited, involving only the camp facility? And as a follow-up [to] my last question, Mr. Clarke, did, in fact, you call the royal family and inform them of the information we had about the intelligence of that camp and that exercise?” Clarke replied, “I think those facts are slightly wrong,” clarifying that the information the CIA had was not exactly real-time yet essentially admitting that he tipped off the UAE royals.</p>
<p>Somehow, Clarke’s two efforts to keep OBL from being captured or killed in 1999 slipped his mind when he testified to the 9/11 Commission. Apparently, those events were also not important enough to mention to Bill Maher when suggesting that Bin Laden relied on such tips from rogue, retired intelligence officials.</p>
<p>Whether he was protecting his UAE friends or not, Clarke failed to act on information about al Qaeda operatives living in the United States. After an al Qaeda “millennium plot” was said to be broken up in Jordan, Clarke authorized an investigation of one of the plotters, Khalil Deek, who lived in Anaheim, California for most of the 1990s. The investigative team reported to Clarke and the NSC directly in December, 1999, stating that Deek’s next door neighbor was operating an al Qaeda sleeper cell&#160;in Anaheim. No action was taken by Clarke or the NSC.</p>
<p>A few months later, in April 2000, Clarke was quoted in the&#160;Washington Post&#160;as saying that terrorists “will come after our weakness, our Achilles Heel, which is largely here in the United States.” Although this was a bold statement, it was unfortunate that Clarke did not have time to arrest the terrorists that he knew were living and plotting in the United States.</p>
<p>In late May 2001, Clarke wrote a memorandum to Condoleezza Rice&#160;and her assistant, Stephen Hadley. The title of the memo was “Stopping Abu Zubaydah’s Attacks.” Cited as part of the evidence that the “System was Blinking Red,” the 9/11 Commission said the memo claimed that Zubaydah was preparing to launch “a series of major terrorist attacks” and, when they occurred, “we will wonder what more we could have done to stop them.”</p>
<p>Clarke went on to write in his 2004 book&#160; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC1CPK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B000FC1CPK&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20" type="external">Against All Enemies</a>&#160;that Zubaydah, whose torture testimony presumably led to the capture of KSM&#160;and others, was one of “al Qaeda’s top operational managers.”</p>
<p>Apparently, all of those claims were false as the U.S. government said in 2009 that <a href="http://digwithin.net/2012/10/15/zubaydah/" type="external">Zubaydah was never associated with al Qaeda</a>&#160;in any way. &#160;Clarke has not said a word about Zubaydah since that time.</p>
<p>Some might wonder why Clarke never thought of his good friends within the UAE royal family, who met with OBL regularly, as sources on al Qaeda. Surely people who met with OBL personally in the two years before 9/11 and were big supporters of al Qaeda, like Clarke’s friend Al-Maktoum, might have had some information to provide. Another reason to suspect such knowledge is that, although only two of the alleged 9/11 terrorists were said to be citizens of the UAE, nearly all of the alleged hijackers arrived in the United States by traveling through the UAE.</p>
<p>These days, Clarke works with his COG partner, former CIA Director James Woolsey, at Paladin Capital, which has offices in New York and the UAE. Clarke is also the chairman of Good Harbor Consulting, where he is in partnership with many people who are making a fortune off the War on Terror. &#160;Good Harbor Consulting has an office in Abu Dhabi&#160;as well, and&#160; <a href="http://www.intelligenceonline.com/business-intelligence-and-lobbying/firms/2009/03/19/richard-clarke-s-big-footprint-in-united-arab-emirates,57815108-ART" type="external">Clarke is known to have a “big footprint” in the UAE</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile many Americans remain blissfully ignorant of real threats to civil rights and national security, like having terrorism suspects advise the president on protecting us from terrorism. But here’s some advice for the rest of us. Before we accept any more “Real Time” wisdom about terrorism and NSA spying from Bill Maher’s guests, maybe we should take a closer look at those guests, starting with Clarke and his colleagues.</p>
<p>This article was originally published at <a href="http://digwithin.net/" type="external">DigWithin.net</a> and has been used here with permission.</p> | false | 1 | president obamas 2013 advisory panel nsa spying included interesting people considering justification crimes democracy always go back 911 one member cass sunstein previously160 advised president cognitively infiltrate160citizen groups sought truth 911 another panel member richard clarke former counterterrorism czar whose opinions subject continue widely publicized despite suspicions clarke might league 911 terrorists ltimg classalignleft sizemedium wpimage19419 stylemargin 5px srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryan200x300jpg altanother nineteen kevin ryan width200 height300 srcsethttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryan200x300jpg 200w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryan493x739jpg 493w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryan500x750jpg 500w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryan146x220jpg 146w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryan638x957jpg 638w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryan118x177jpg 118w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryan479x718jpg 479w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201402anothernineteenkevinryanjpg 1000w sizesmaxwidth 200px 100vw 200px gt one several interviews tv host bill maher supporter nsa spying clarke suggested osama bin laden never worried caught killed thought hed get tipped clarke meant bin laden helped retired intelligence officials would tipped operation interview clarke told maher afghanis pathetic pakistanis pathological liars however good reasons believe clarke pathological liar reasons include clarke tipped bin ladens friends years 911 effectively preventing capture killing alleged terrorist mastermind clarke later promoted lies man called abu zubaydah whose torture testimony behind much the160911 commission report people need know richard clarke taking comments face value160 following excerpts book160 another nineteen160might make point little obvious another cog clarke began government career ford160administration worked defense department nuclear weapons analyst shared pentagon office wayne downing later became leader science applications international corporation saic clarke went become president reagans deputy assistant secretary state intelligence role clarke negotiated us military presence arab countries including kuwait united arab emirates uae qatar saudi arabia 1984 clarke selected take part one highly classified projects reagan administration secret continuity government cog program run national program office160that continued attacks september 11 clarke members cog group included dick cheney donald rumsfeld george hw bush kenneth duberstein james woolsey formal member group oliver north160reported acted behalf although cheney rumsfeld government employees throughout twenty years clarke participated official government program continued participate cog developed install shadow government waiting replace us congress us constitution event national emergency like nuclear war 1998 clarke revised cog plan use response terrorist attack american soil160the first time cog put action richard clarke activated 911 attacks 2002 shadow government160 continued effect indefinite precaution george hw bush160had appointed clarke assistant secretary state politicomilitary affairs james baker clarke position 1992 according book clarke remembers secretary defense dick cheney specifically asked coordinate relations uae160over following decade clarke negotiated many deals emirates essentially becoming agent uae particularly close uae royal family long clarke began going there160the royal family abu dhabi took full ownership bank credit commerce international bcci bcci significant relative 911 involved funding terrorists partnership pakistani intelligence network several alleged 911 conspirators came including khalid sheikh mohammed ksm fact160time160magazine reported september 1991 relative bcci cant draw line separating banks black operatives pakistans intelligence services importantly authors peter truell larry gurwin noted historic book false profits160that cia involved founding bcci cia connection origins bcci terrorist network revealing royal family uae also said played primary role creation bcci official us government report subject pointed relationship central bccis existence bcci ruling family abu dhabi clarkes friends uae royal family created bcci terrorist network took bank england160shut soon bush160named clarke national security council staff special assistant president became chairman interagency counterterrorism committee one might think richard clarkes close relationship royal family uae new role nsc head counterterrorism might posed slight conflict interest one seemed notice likewise noticed attacks attributed al qaeda160began uae gained full control bcci first bush administration left office december 1992 al qaeda said first committed act terrorism bombing us troops yemen attacks plots somalia saudi arabia many others places located near production transport routes fossil fuels attributed al qaeda since time continuing counterterrorism czar clinton administration clarke interested pursuing remnants bcci terrorist network instead different approach combating terrorism 1993 united states began practice known rendition throughout rest world rendition known torture policy behind program proposed clarke worked get snatch teams place kidnap suspects torture success clarkes rendition proposal led post911 us program secret kidnappings torture around world summer 1994 clarke160played leading role international failure intervene rwandan genocide people worked stop slaughter happened cite clarke a160 heartless malicious man scandalously oblivious160to evidence looming genocide although us could taken many steps prevent tragedy due clarkes structurally empowered skepticism stonewalling instead period 100 days approximately 800000 people killed september 1994 highranking uae160and saudi government ministers saudi intelligence minister prince turki alfaisal began frequent bird hunting expeditions afghanistan reported would go see osama spend time talk know live tents eat simple food engage falconing pursuits ride horses two members of160 uae royal family participated trips160were sheikh mohammed bin rashid almaktoum160and sheikh zayed160bin sultan al nahyan ruler uae uae meetings obl160occurred clarkes relationship uae royals blossomed time engaged preparations terrorist events us soil 1998 chaired tabletop exercise160in learjet filled explosives would flown suicide mission target washington dc conference160 october 1998 clarke predicted160that americas enemies go achilles heel washington new york clarke updated cog160plans early 1998 could utilized event terrorist attack like one predicted year occurred 2001 national security advisor sandy berger later caught stealing documents requested 911 commission one suggest clinton create new counterterrorism czar position clarke would fill time prediction berger also one introduce clarkes cog partner james woolsey clinton woolsey went become clintons cia director early february 1999 clarke met almaktoum one uae royals known hunt bin laden uae almaktoum big supporter taliban160and alqaeda although people often forget two 911 hijackers citizens uae funding supported attacks flowed uae according official account months clarkes uae visit july 1999 cia claimed bin laden been160 allowed funnel money dubai islamic bank160in dubai united arab emirates government effectively controls apparently bin laden relationship bank believed arranged approval officials control bank bin laden al qaeda link clarkes friends uae reportedly ksm160was living city sharjah uae time clarkes trip sharjah160was reportedly major center al qaeda activity plots alleged money man mustafa ahmed alhawsawi160was also based sharjah saeed sheikh160known 911 paymaster said established al qaeda base uae openly working pakistani isi suggested hawsawi sheikh man almaktoum clarke met 1999 later tried take management six major us ports160 george w bush160lobbied behalf160but deal fell the160 911 commission report160has six references uae found page 138 one suggests cooperation uae would killed bin ladin two years advance september 11 therefore difficult understand leading authority counterterrorism us would meeting maintaining close personal relationships uae friends bin laden two years 911 three years bin laden first declared holy war united states one year recent proclamation clarkes tips helped bin laden misled americans far difficult understand clarke personally behind failure two cia attempts kill capture bin laden 1999 first occurred days clarkes visit uae cia160obtained information obl160was hunting uae royals afghanistan time president clinton160was asked permission attack camp according author steve coll book160 ghost wars clarke voted plan others within us government speculated ties uae behind decision next month cia tracked bin ladens location prepared take another afghanistan hunting trips clarke took upon alert uae friends cia monitoring meetings bin laden course uae royals tipped bin laden us lost another opportunity kill capture number one enemy considering cia plans top secret national security priorities obl wanted bombings east africa clarkes action seen treason questioned congressman richard burr160as part joint congressional inquiry160into 911 clarke evasive actions protect uae friends bin laden fact clarke allowed testify without oath special agreement which160 comments considered briefing160was telling regarding second attempt clarke foiled burr asked cia fact brief camp ideal situation real time intelligence collateral damage would extremely limited involving camp facility followup last question mr clarke fact call royal family inform information intelligence camp exercise clarke replied think facts slightly wrong clarifying information cia exactly realtime yet essentially admitting tipped uae royals somehow clarkes two efforts keep obl captured killed 1999 slipped mind testified 911 commission apparently events also important enough mention bill maher suggesting bin laden relied tips rogue retired intelligence officials whether protecting uae friends clarke failed act information al qaeda operatives living united states al qaeda millennium plot said broken jordan clarke authorized investigation one plotters khalil deek lived anaheim california 1990s investigative team reported clarke nsc directly december 1999 stating deeks next door neighbor operating al qaeda sleeper cell160in anaheim action taken clarke nsc months later april 2000 clarke quoted the160washington post160as saying terrorists come weakness achilles heel largely united states although bold statement unfortunate clarke time arrest terrorists knew living plotting united states late may 2001 clarke wrote memorandum condoleezza rice160and assistant stephen hadley title memo stopping abu zubaydahs attacks cited part evidence system blinking red 911 commission said memo claimed zubaydah preparing launch series major terrorist attacks occurred wonder could done stop clarke went write 2004 book160 enemies160that zubaydah whose torture testimony presumably led capture ksm160and others one al qaedas top operational managers apparently claims false us government said 2009 zubaydah never associated al qaeda160in way 160clarke said word zubaydah since time might wonder clarke never thought good friends within uae royal family met obl regularly sources al qaeda surely people met obl personally two years 911 big supporters al qaeda like clarkes friend almaktoum might information provide another reason suspect knowledge although two alleged 911 terrorists said citizens uae nearly alleged hijackers arrived united states traveling uae days clarke works cog partner former cia director james woolsey paladin capital offices new york uae clarke also chairman good harbor consulting partnership many people making fortune war terror 160good harbor consulting office abu dhabi160as well and160 clarke known big footprint uae meanwhile many americans remain blissfully ignorant real threats civil rights national security like terrorism suspects advise president protecting us terrorism heres advice rest us accept real time wisdom terrorism nsa spying bill mahers guests maybe take closer look guests starting clarke colleagues article originally published digwithinnet used permission | 1,593 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The London&#160;Independent’s i100 website recently dug up an old&#160; <a href="http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/this-is-a-real-advert--gk9xkRyZkb" type="external">advertisement</a>that appeared in Life&#160;magazine in February of 1962, and put it up under the shock headline: “This is a real advert.” Life’s double-page spread&#160;was a real advert, but the real advert in the present tense was the Indy’s web-page where we read: “It may seem difficult to believe, but this is a genuine advert from an oil company published in the 1960s.” This was followed by a photo of the mouth of a mighty glacier beneath which, in large type, are the words: “Each day Humble supplies enough energy to melt 7 million tons of glacier.” Beneath that, if your screen is big enough, you can just about make out the original ad copy:</p>
<p>This giant glacier has remained unmelted for centuries. Yet, the petroleum energy Humble supplies — if converted into heat — could melt it at the rate of 80 tons each second! To meet the nation’s growing needs for energy, Humble has applied science to nature’s resources to become America’s Leading Energy Company. Working wonders with oil through research, Humble provides energy in many forms — to help heat our homes, power our transportation and to furnish industry with a great variety of versatile chemicals. Stop at a Humble station for new Enco Extra gasoline and see why the “Happy Motoring” Sign is the World’s First Choice!</p>
<p>Nowadays, of course, such an “advert” would never do. It is far too wordy, taking nearly a hundred words before it gets to the pay-off about new Enco Extra gasoline — which, after all, nobody wanted to use to melt glaciers anyway.</p>
<p>Not that The Indy seems to understand that. Silently correcting that long-ago copy-writer’s verbosity, it provides a slightly garbled but larger-type version of the first two sentences only and thereby implies that Humble, the irony of whose name needs no comment, once pumped its oil for melting glaciers with, and was proud of it. The larger irony of its post, however, is that The Independent — whose name is at least as comically inappropriate as Humble’s — ridicules the commercial propaganda of half a century ago in sublime unconsciousness that its own appeal to the social and intellectual prestige of “science” puts it in the same business. The advertising business. There is nothing “difficult to believe” about the Life advertisement. Fashions change. But to The Independent as to the media culture in general, fashion has taken on a moral dimension.</p>
<p>The paper’s editorial comment reads: “Let’s just be glad we’ve come so far” — and beneath that there is a looped tape of Senator James Inhofe throwing a snowball above the single word: “Sigh.” Poor Senator Inhofe has been the butt of many such satirical attacks since taking the opportunity of a snowfall in Washington earlier this year to demonstrate his skepticism about what was lately called “global warming” and is now fashionably known as “climate change.” Fair enough. Fashions change, as we have already noticed, and The Independent is at least as proud as Life magazine or Humble Oil ever were about being au courant with the latest in intellectual fads. But why all the effort among the fashionable to portray those who don’t wish to be part of the latest trends as either very stupid or very wicked?</p>
<p>It is just worth mentioning, perhaps, that with the moralization of fashion comes the implied claim that it is not fashion at all. For morality, unlike fashion, doesn’t change. At least it used not to be thought to change. Nowadays, people are much more willing than they formerly were to believe (or at least to accept) that morality can and does change, and that what was universally regarded as wrong or absurd yesterday is today not only right but laudable and virtuous. I’ll come back to that curious feature of our times, and that which distinguishes them from almost all other times, in a moment, but first I want to look a little further into the matter of intellectual fashion which, thanks to advances in advertising that would have astonished whoever wrote that ad for Humble Oil half a century ago, is now all we have to take the place of the rational argument whose virtual disappearance from our public life can hardly be coincidental.</p>
<p>In April, the final seven episodes of Matthew Weiner’s long-running TV drama Mad Menbegan airing on the AMC network. AMC originally stood for “American Movie Classics” — “classics” being the word once applied to works of art thought to be less susceptible to changes in artistic fashion than the norm. Lately, however, the classics, too, have fallen out of fashion, at least to the extent that the cable channel is now known only by its initials, and its old movies, by no means all of them classics, have taken a decided back seat to highly ambitious original programming likeMad Men and Breaking Bad. Indeed, Mad Men can and should be seen as the great national epic of progressive America, for it shares the progressive view of the social, political and artistic upheavals of the 1960s as a virtual re-foundation of the Republic.</p>
<p>For nearly eight years the show has presented, as it were in time-lapse photography, a picture of moral enlightenment gradually dawning upon what it sees as the inchoate moral darkness of the 1950s and before. Best of all, this process of moral growth and development can be observed taking place in the very nerve-center of the WASP, male establishment of the day, metonymically known as Madison Avenue. In other words, it is a show about changing fashions set in the contemporary world of fashion, broadly considered, which is the advertising industry. The show presumes, as so many of us now do, that the old, bad America — the America, as we are supposed to think it, of racism and sexism, homophobia and hypocrisy, greed and excess — must be continually warned against, presumably lest we find ourselves unexpectedly and scandalously attracted to it.</p>
<p>All these vices appear in a sophisticated urban milieu where today we would not expect to find them, and they bring those indulging in them nothing but unhappiness and moral desolation. Cleverly, however, Mr Weiner and his enormous team of writers do not deny the audience any of&#160;its&#160;nostalgic satisfaction in this historical retrospective. They do not play down what many are still likely to think the more attractive aspects of life in the 1960s — the drinking, the smoking, the drug-taking, the sexual promiscuity — but emphasize them, along with the still-popular art and music of the period. The principal characters are all attractive people, impeccably dressed in the most attractive fashions of the day, many of which have become fashionable again as a result. It presents them as they would have wished to be presented.</p>
<p>This is a rather troubling feature of the show for certain progressives who would presumably have preferred the political satisfactions of straight propaganda unadorned by Mr Weiner’s artfulness. James Meek in the <a href="http://www.lrb.co.uk/v37/n07/james-meek/the-shock-of-the-pretty" type="external">London Review of Books</a>, for example, greets the final phase of the show with an article headed “The Shock of the Pretty” which begins by noticing its representation of an image of the allegedly perfect American nuclear family of circa 1964, buying a Christmas tree as the snow falls gently, in the opening of the second episode of Mad Men’s fourth season.</p>
<p>We don’t need to have watched the previous forty episodes of the series (out of 85 aired so far, with another seven still to go) to guess that this tableau must be undermined by some horrid sinkhole of reality. Peace, prosperity, health, the nuclear family, fulfilment through consumption and a white, white Christmas: even if you’ve never read Yates or Cheever or Salter, generations of cinematic art, from Hitchcock to Lynch, have prepared you for the nastiness below the surface of stuff like this. You assume there’s a dark underbelly, and there is.</p>
<p>Of course, Mr Meek recognizes that what TV today wants us to remember about the past is that it was false, hypocritical, oppressive and repressed, not to mention racist, sexist etc. — in short, the very opposite of what the TV of the period itself wanted us to believe in. Hence the cliché of the hollowness or falseness lurking behind the appearance of happiness in the perfect Sixties family. Only he doesn’t believe that it is a cliché at all. To him, only the ideal family of 1964 is a cliché; the miserable one introduced to us by Yates or Cheever or Salter and carried on by Mad Men is mere “reality.”</p>
<p>But what, here, is undermining what? What if, with or against our will, we aren’t shocked by the darkness beneath the surface, but childishly delighted by the prettiness of the surface shimmering over the darkness? What if the vintage fashion-shoot perfection of the Christmas scene leaves a more powerful impression on us than our awareness of the suffering of Betty [one of the show’s heroines] and her children?</p>
<p>At the risk of sounding presumptuous, I think I detect a certain lack of self-irony here, a failure to grasp the extent to which the writer is not really in the position he thinks he is to look down with such contempt upon the self-deceived happy family of 1964 but every bit as much in thrall as they are to a socially-constructed model of “reality.”</p>
<p>Mr Weiner and company wisely do not allow themselves the luxury of that contempt. On the contrary, they do their heroes the honor of seeing the world as they themselves are supposed to have seen it, which makes their (and our) constant disillusionment all the more powerful when it comes, as of course (Mr Meek is right about this) we know it must. They know they can trust their audience to see things their way even if, or especially if, they are also given a pleasant dose of nostalgia for all the more charming elements of the Swinging Sixties. The characters’ very physical perfection, looking as soigné and well turned out as the glossy ads they were producing, alerts us to their fakery, which stands for the much greater fakery of the culture of which they are seen as the leading figures.</p>
<p>You simply could not, having watched Mad Men all the way through, ever imagine going back to the world it depicts or anything like it. Being over with forever — always assuming, of course, that it ever existed in the first place — is of that world’s very essence, which is what makes it so valuable to the progressive as a stand-in for the America that non-progressives continue, so unfashionably, to venerate. The show’s creators know they can depend on the support of the media and the educational establishment in portraying their country’s past, up until the 60s revolution, as Mr Meek’s “horrid sinkhole of reality” whose destruction by the social forces unleashed in that decade was a necessary and inevitable preliminary to the reconstruction begun then and still underway today.</p>
<p>Perhaps, then, it was not entirely coincidental that the final installments of Mad Menbegan to air just as the country was gripped by the latest skirmishes in what, since the original Mad Men strode the earth, have come to be known as the “culture wars.” So much has been written about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and its recent enactment in Indiana that I cannot hope to add anything much to the discussion here. It is worth noticing, however, that those who argue against religious freedom tend to be so far without other intellectual resource as to be reduced to the pitchman’s claim that what they are pleased to call the “bigotry” of Brand X moralism is clean out of fashion and no longer regarded as the dernier cri among the best people.</p>
<p>Frank Bruni of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-same-sex-sinners.html?ref=opinion" type="external">The New York Times</a>, for example, thinks that it behoves Christians to recant any such traditional beliefs, particularly as they relate to homosexuality, because they have become outmoded by “advances of science and knowledge”</p>
<p>So our debate about religious freedom should include a conversation about freeing religions and religious people from prejudices that they needn’t cling to and can indeed jettison, much as they’ve jettisoned other aspects of their faith’s history, rightly bowing to the enlightenments of modernity.</p>
<p>There is, once again, no slightest hint of self-irony on the part of the man who takes it upon himself to speak for “the enlightenments of modernity.” But then we don’t expect that from the Mad Men who have new fashions to sell.</p>
<p>Yet we must remember the fundamental contradiction here. On the one hand, the fashionable folk tell us that the morality of the past is out of fashion and out of date — that, being past, it belongs in the past — while on the other hand they are telling us that the new morality, the fashion of times present, is to be regarded as permanent and unchanging. In other words it’s not like fashion at all but like, er, morality. Or like morality once was supposed to be but wasn’t. But, surely, both things cannot be true? Either morality, like everything else, is subject to the whims of fashion or it is not. If it is, so is the New Morality, a phrase that I seem to remember was fashionable back in theMad Men era. If not, if the New Morality (but not the old) is echt morality and not subject to change, what makes it thus different from the unfashionable and therefore disposable kind?</p>
<p>If you are as philosophically naive as Frank Bruni your answer is likely to be “science.” So, too, the editors of The Independent would doubtless to be quick to claim that “science” is what makes the current fashion for “climate change” and the policy consequences thought to follow from it into the sort of permanent truth that the former fashion for energy and growth and the domestication of nature were not. Neither claim, however, can stand up to scrutiny. “Science” can’t tell us what is right and wrong today any more than it could in the 1960s. Even if we grant that the alleged science in both cases is 100 per cent accurate, it does not imply any particular moral attitude either to homosexuality or to climate change. The former might be as natural as it is now said to be —or as the latter is said not to be — and yet still be (like many other natural things) wrong. So, too, global warming might be 100 per cent anthropogenic, and yet it might still not be right to cripple the world economy, which is currently lifting so many out of poverty, by raising energy prices enough to stop or reverse it.</p>
<p>At some level the media’s shils for the new progressive utopia may even know this, but a lifetime in thrall to the ad man’s obsession not with what is true but with what is hip and fashionable has left them without a moral compass or any understanding of the need for one. Like everything else belonging to the pre-Mad Men era, that kind of unchanging morality has gone out of fashion — which, to their credit, would have come as a shock to the Mad Men themselves.</p>
<p>— James Bowman is a resident scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.</p> | false | 1 | 160 london160independents i100 website recently dug old160 advertisementthat appeared life160magazine february 1962 put shock headline real advert lifes doublepage spread160was real advert real advert present tense indys webpage read may seem difficult believe genuine advert oil company published 1960s followed photo mouth mighty glacier beneath large type words day humble supplies enough energy melt 7 million tons glacier beneath screen big enough make original ad copy giant glacier remained unmelted centuries yet petroleum energy humble supplies converted heat could melt rate 80 tons second meet nations growing needs energy humble applied science natures resources become americas leading energy company working wonders oil research humble provides energy many forms help heat homes power transportation furnish industry great variety versatile chemicals stop humble station new enco extra gasoline see happy motoring sign worlds first choice nowadays course advert would never far wordy taking nearly hundred words gets payoff new enco extra gasoline nobody wanted use melt glaciers anyway indy seems understand silently correcting longago copywriters verbosity provides slightly garbled largertype version first two sentences thereby implies humble irony whose name needs comment pumped oil melting glaciers proud larger irony post however independent whose name least comically inappropriate humbles ridicules commercial propaganda half century ago sublime unconsciousness appeal social intellectual prestige science puts business advertising business nothing difficult believe life advertisement fashions change independent media culture general fashion taken moral dimension papers editorial comment reads lets glad weve come far beneath looped tape senator james inhofe throwing snowball single word sigh poor senator inhofe butt many satirical attacks since taking opportunity snowfall washington earlier year demonstrate skepticism lately called global warming fashionably known climate change fair enough fashions change already noticed independent least proud life magazine humble oil ever au courant latest intellectual fads effort among fashionable portray dont wish part latest trends either stupid wicked worth mentioning perhaps moralization fashion comes implied claim fashion morality unlike fashion doesnt change least used thought change nowadays people much willing formerly believe least accept morality change universally regarded wrong absurd yesterday today right laudable virtuous ill come back curious feature times distinguishes almost times moment first want look little matter intellectual fashion thanks advances advertising would astonished whoever wrote ad humble oil half century ago take place rational argument whose virtual disappearance public life hardly coincidental april final seven episodes matthew weiners longrunning tv drama mad menbegan airing amc network amc originally stood american movie classics classics word applied works art thought less susceptible changes artistic fashion norm lately however classics fallen fashion least extent cable channel known initials old movies means classics taken decided back seat highly ambitious original programming likemad men breaking bad indeed mad men seen great national epic progressive america shares progressive view social political artistic upheavals 1960s virtual refoundation republic nearly eight years show presented timelapse photography picture moral enlightenment gradually dawning upon sees inchoate moral darkness 1950s best process moral growth development observed taking place nervecenter wasp male establishment day metonymically known madison avenue words show changing fashions set contemporary world fashion broadly considered advertising industry show presumes many us old bad america america supposed think racism sexism homophobia hypocrisy greed excess must continually warned presumably lest find unexpectedly scandalously attracted vices appear sophisticated urban milieu today would expect find bring indulging nothing unhappiness moral desolation cleverly however mr weiner enormous team writers deny audience of160its160nostalgic satisfaction historical retrospective play many still likely think attractive aspects life 1960s drinking smoking drugtaking sexual promiscuity emphasize along stillpopular art music period principal characters attractive people impeccably dressed attractive fashions day many become fashionable result presents would wished presented rather troubling feature show certain progressives would presumably preferred political satisfactions straight propaganda unadorned mr weiners artfulness james meek london review books example greets final phase show article headed shock pretty begins noticing representation image allegedly perfect american nuclear family circa 1964 buying christmas tree snow falls gently opening second episode mad mens fourth season dont need watched previous forty episodes series 85 aired far another seven still go guess tableau must undermined horrid sinkhole reality peace prosperity health nuclear family fulfilment consumption white white christmas even youve never read yates cheever salter generations cinematic art hitchcock lynch prepared nastiness surface stuff like assume theres dark underbelly course mr meek recognizes tv today wants us remember past false hypocritical oppressive repressed mention racist sexist etc short opposite tv period wanted us believe hence cliché hollowness falseness lurking behind appearance happiness perfect sixties family doesnt believe cliché ideal family 1964 cliché miserable one introduced us yates cheever salter carried mad men mere reality undermining arent shocked darkness beneath surface childishly delighted prettiness surface shimmering darkness vintage fashionshoot perfection christmas scene leaves powerful impression us awareness suffering betty one shows heroines children risk sounding presumptuous think detect certain lack selfirony failure grasp extent writer really position thinks look contempt upon selfdeceived happy family 1964 every bit much thrall sociallyconstructed model reality mr weiner company wisely allow luxury contempt contrary heroes honor seeing world supposed seen makes constant disillusionment powerful comes course mr meek right know must know trust audience see things way even especially also given pleasant dose nostalgia charming elements swinging sixties characters physical perfection looking soigné well turned glossy ads producing alerts us fakery stands much greater fakery culture seen leading figures simply could watched mad men way ever imagine going back world depicts anything like forever always assuming course ever existed first place worlds essence makes valuable progressive standin america nonprogressives continue unfashionably venerate shows creators know depend support media educational establishment portraying countrys past 60s revolution mr meeks horrid sinkhole reality whose destruction social forces unleashed decade necessary inevitable preliminary reconstruction begun still underway today perhaps entirely coincidental final installments mad menbegan air country gripped latest skirmishes since original mad men strode earth come known culture wars much written religious freedom restoration act recent enactment indiana hope add anything much discussion worth noticing however argue religious freedom tend far without intellectual resource reduced pitchmans claim pleased call bigotry brand x moralism clean fashion longer regarded dernier cri among best people frank bruni new york times example thinks behoves christians recant traditional beliefs particularly relate homosexuality become outmoded advances science knowledge debate religious freedom include conversation freeing religions religious people prejudices neednt cling indeed jettison much theyve jettisoned aspects faiths history rightly bowing enlightenments modernity slightest hint selfirony part man takes upon speak enlightenments modernity dont expect mad men new fashions sell yet must remember fundamental contradiction one hand fashionable folk tell us morality past fashion date past belongs past hand telling us new morality fashion times present regarded permanent unchanging words like fashion like er morality like morality supposed wasnt surely things true either morality like everything else subject whims fashion new morality phrase seem remember fashionable back themad men era new morality old echt morality subject change makes thus different unfashionable therefore disposable kind philosophically naive frank bruni answer likely science editors independent would doubtless quick claim science makes current fashion climate change policy consequences thought follow sort permanent truth former fashion energy growth domestication nature neither claim however stand scrutiny science cant tell us right wrong today could 1960s even grant alleged science cases 100 per cent accurate imply particular moral attitude either homosexuality climate change former might natural said latter said yet still like many natural things wrong global warming might 100 per cent anthropogenic yet might still right cripple world economy currently lifting many poverty raising energy prices enough stop reverse level medias shils new progressive utopia may even know lifetime thrall ad mans obsession true hip fashionable left without moral compass understanding need one like everything else belonging premad men era kind unchanging morality gone fashion credit would come shock mad men james bowman resident scholar ethics public policy center | 1,294 |
<p>It’s almost as if neocons support the most aggressive foreign policy option possible regardless of circumstances and craft their rationale afterwards.</p>
<p>In the bubble regularly occupied by neoconservatives and foreign policy hawks, August 2013 was a seminal moment in American history. To hear them tell it, a hundred years from now as the world lies in smoking ruins, we will look back with horror and regret to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/world/middleeast/syria.html?_r=0" type="external">that one time</a> when the President of the United States decided that unilaterally bombing Syria was not in our national interest.</p>
<p>It was (apparently) a simpler time before Barack Obama’s reign: the United States was <a href="http://www.pewglobal.org/2008/12/18/global-public-opinion-in-the-bush-years-2001-2008/" type="external">universally respected</a>, our allies knew they could count on us and the tyrannical regimes who threatened U.S. interests abroad were <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/11/06/the-seduction-of-george-w-bush/" type="external">cowed into submission</a> by the very strength of our collective resolve.</p>
<p>Then, tragically, Obama fatally undermined America’s standing in the world. While discussing his rationale for keeping U.S. military assets out of the Syrian civil war at a 2012 news conference in Stockholm, Obama stated that the use of chemical weapons by Assad’s army would cross “a red line” and would “change the calculus” for considering military action. When <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/nearly-1500-killed-in-syrian-chemical-weapons-attack-us-says/2013/08/30/b2864662-1196-11e3-85b6-d27422650fd5_story.html" type="external">reports</a> began surfacing of <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&amp;ion=1&amp;espv=2&amp;ie=UTF-8#q=chemical%20weapons%20attack%20in%20syria%202013" type="external">multiple chemical weapons attacks</a> in Syria throughout 2013, Obama went back on his word and refused to defend international norms. Aides would later insist that President’s “red line” comments were uttered <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/08/obamas-off-the-cuff-red-line-creates-syria-dilemma/" type="external">“off-the-cuff”</a> and given far more weight by critics and the media than originally intended.</p>
<p>To his critics, this failure to back words with actions smacked of weakness. Now, with its credibility in tatters, America is on the run. Our enemies no longer fear us, our allies no longer trust we mean what we say and the world is a much more dangerous place as a result.</p>
<p>Like many neoconservative history lessons, this narrative is both self-serving and patently false. President Obama first planned to conduct airstrikes on Bashar Al-Assad’s government <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/08/obama-says-he-doesnt-need-congress-permission-to-strike-syria-so-why-is-he-asking-for-it/453249/" type="external">without congressional authorization</a>, but quickly changed course when <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/09/obama-congress-syria-vote-in-doubt/2788597/" type="external">Congress</a>, the American <a href="http://www.people-press.org/2013/09/03/public-opinion-runs-against-syrian-airstrikes/" type="external">public</a>, and our <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23892783" type="external">closest European ally</a> all balked at the prospect of becoming enmeshed in yet another Middle Eastern civil war. Airstrikes on Syria would have further destabilized the region and given the United States ownership of another drawn-out, nation-building exercise it could neither fix nor walk away from.</p>
<p>Secretary of State John Kerry <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/09/09/syria_chemical_weapons_did_john_kerry_just_accidentally_find_a_workable.html" type="external">suggested</a> that Assad could avoid airstrikes by agreeing to remove all chemical weapons caches from the country. Shortly thereafter, Russia stepped in and brokered a deal to do just that. While <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/syria-got-rid-of-its-chemical-weapons-but-reports-of-attacks-continue/" type="external">independent reports</a> have confirmed that Syrian caches of <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/removal-of-chemical-weapons-from-syria-is-completed-1403529356" type="external">mustard and sarin</a> gas precursors were removed, the Syrian government still utilizes chlorine gas bombs (chlorine is considered a <a href="https://www.opcw.org/about-chemical-weapons/what-is-a-chemical-weapon" type="external">dual-use chemical</a> with general applicability. It is not listed on any of the three schedules listed by the Chemical Weapons Convention, but is still <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11088205/Syria-chemical-weapons-watchdog-confirms-Telegraph-analysis-of-chlorine-gas-attacks-on-civilians.html" type="external">lethal and devastating</a>.) Stripped of both his public rationale and the support of stakeholders both inside and outside the United States, Obama quickly abandoned any plans for military intervention.</p>
<p>This series of events has been largely swept away by foreign policy hawks and neoconservatives in favor of their preferred narrative that Obama “blinked” in a staring match with Assad and the world has suffered ever since. &#160;It is as close to an article of faith these days among hawks and neoconservatives as you will find. Arizona Senator John McCain <a href="http://www.arcamax.com/politics/therubinreport/s-1801243" type="external">called it</a> a “defining moment” that struck a “gigantic blow” to the reputation of the U.S. One of the leading Republican presidential contenders, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, regularly mocks Obama on the campaign trail for not enforcing the red line (while omitting the fact that Cruz himself <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ted-cruz-why-ill-vote-no-on-syria-strike/2013/09/09/34750cde-1972-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html" type="external">led opposition</a> to the strikes in the Senate). Richard Haas, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, gave a <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/tv/morning-joe-guest-u-s-credibility-took-major-hit-after-obamas-syria-red-line/" type="external">typical, hyperbolic analysis</a> last year of how hawks have interpreted the fallout:</p>
<p>“Probably the most consequential thing the president didn’t do in his presidency was follow up on his pledges in Syria to attack the regime after they used chemicals,” said Haas. “That had consequences not just in Syria, not just in the Middle East, but throughout the world.”</p>
<p>Writer Daniel Larison of The American Conservative remains one of the most consistent voices on the right pushing back against the hawkish, neoconservative logic that still largely dominates foreign policy in his party (while making <a href="http://time.com/4265947/hillary-clinton-aipac-speech-transcript/" type="external">major inroads</a> in the other.) Among his favorite piñatas is the “credibility” argument put forth by U.S. hardliners, and he has documented over the years that, despite repeated cries that the decision harmed U.S. interests and emboldened bad actors like Russia and China, there <a href="http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-cult-of-credibility-revisited/" type="external">isn’t any actual evidence</a> that this is true.</p>
<p>“It is simply taken for granted that U.S. ‘credibility’ has been lost [by not striking Syria] because that is what proponents of this view believe must have happened,” <a href="http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-cult-of-credibility-revisited/" type="external">writes</a> Larison, pointing out that claims the red line incident influenced Russia’s actions with respect to Ukraine or China’s behavior in the South China Sea “have been debunked again and again.”</p>
<p>Larison’s argument is simple: failing to follow through on an ill-advised, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/08/obamas-off-the-cuff-red-line-creates-syria-dilemma/" type="external">off-script</a> remark threatening military action is not remotely the same as violating a formal treaty or abandoning an ally in need. Furthermore, our friends (and enemies) readily understand the difference, even if hawks do not. The U.S. has no formal obligation to attack or defend any party in Syria, and in any case Obama was able to accomplish his stated rationale for airstrikes (removing Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles) through non-military means.</p>
<p>Still, the argument that the “The Red Line” tarnished U.S. credibility remains persistent, with critics lamenting the issue to this day. So it is rather odd that many of the people who fret the most over our inability to follow through on a non-binding threat are the same ones strenuously arguing in favor of walking away from the nuclear deal with Iran, something that actually would dramatically harm U.S. credibility on the global stage.</p>
<p>The same John McCain who agonized over how the international community might not forgive the U.S. for failing to follow through on its word has also called for Congress to <a href="" type="internal">formally reject</a> the Iranian nuclear deal after the Obama administration (along with allies Great Britain, Germany and France) has already agreed to terms. Cruz has famously promised to rip up the agreement “on day one” of his presidency.</p>
<p>Despite the fact that the U.S. and its allies have dedicated <a href="https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheet/Timeline-of-Nuclear-Diplomacy-With-Iran#2011" type="external">years of effort</a>, sacrificed <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35317159" type="external">their own</a> economic interests and expended <a href="http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/markaz/posts/2014/03/21-iran-sanctions-russia-crimea-nuclear" type="external">substantial political capital</a> reaching an agreement, “credibility” hawks seem to believe that sinking the nuclear deal will bring with it no meaningful consequences or repercussions. Some have <a href="http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/02/11/how-to-unwind-the-iran-nuclear-deal/" type="external">suggested</a> that after killing the deal, the U.S. could convince the international community to keep the sanctions regime in place by threatening to cut off trade with any nation who dares to do business with Iran.</p>
<p>For one, the other countries involved in negotiations have already warned Congress that they won’t support continued sanctions if the U.S. walks away from the agreement. As for restricting trade to countries that deal with Iran, The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation rightly <a href="http://armscontrolcenter.org/the-real-facts-on-the-iran-nuclear-negotiations/" type="external">called this</a> approach “ludicrous” and pointed out that such economic warfare would likely harm U.S. economic interests as much or more than it did the countries we targeted. The center also argues that if the U.S. walks away now, the next round of negotiations will be “at a table for one” as none of the other nations (or Iran) are interested in renegotiating the terms of the deal. Iran would then get best of both worlds, receiving “sanctions relief without having any constraints on its nuclear program.”</p>
<p>Obama’s critics claim that the U.S. left a better deal on the table, but it took years of fragile negotiations before an agreement was reached, and only then after <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/08/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-talks.html" type="external">multiple extensions</a>. Congressional hawks frequently imagine what other countries must think of the U.S. after failing to use force against Syria, but are dismissive when allies warn them of the <a href="http://thebulletin.org/europe-wont-bow-anti-iran-deal-us-congress8685" type="external">very real</a> consequences of scuttling the Iran deal.</p>
<p>None of these contradictions ever penetrate the bubble, and those who regularly deploy arguments about reputation and credibility in favor of enforcing the Syrian red line almost never apply them to Iran. It’s almost as if neoconservatives and hawks support the most aggressive foreign policy option possible regardless of circumstances and craft their rationale afterwards.</p>
<p>The reality is that for a large part of the American foreign policy establishment, Iran remains more of a personal grudge than business. In 1953, a CIA/MI6-orchestrated coup installed a Western-friendly government, giving the U.S. and Great Britain access to Iranian oil and <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/iran-long-lasting-legacy-1953-uscia-coup-214329" type="external">a proxy</a> to carry out their other foreign policy objectives. The overthrow of the Shah and the painful, drawn-out hostage crisis that followed has left bitter wounds on both sides.</p>
<p>It’s not just history pushing confrontation. Two of America’s closest allies in the Middle East, Israel and Saudi Arabia, are also the two strongest powers in the region. Much of that is due to <a href="http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/224071.pdf" type="external">generous subsidies</a> from the United States. <a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2015/country-chapters/saudi-arabia" type="external">Neither</a> has a sterling record of <a href="http://time.com/4183059/why-human-rights-watch-is-urging-companies-to-pull-out-of-israeli-settlements/" type="external">human rights</a>, and both pursue policies that deeply undercut long-term U.S. foreign policy objectives for the region, but both countries give America a footprint in a very hostile (and oil-rich) region of the world.</p>
<p>A similar reconciliation between Washington and Tehran, a normalizing of diplomatic relations, could threaten the balance of power in the Middle East. The emergence of Iran as a potential partner could provide future U.S. presidents with new options for diplomatic engagement and perhaps reduce the power and influence of its other clients. And so naturally, Saudi Arabia and Israel are the two most vocal opponents of any deal that might remove the specter of a nuclear Iran from the stage.</p>
<p>Like many important issues, the fate of the Iranian nuclear agreement will rest on the results of the U.S. election. If either Trump or Cruz win, the deal will be dead before they take office. Cruz has promised to “rip up” the Iran agreement on day one of his administration, and his past thoughts on the <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/we-can-still-stop-the-iran-dealheres-how-213134" type="external">very legitimacy</a> of the current deal suggests he would have no difficulty <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/we-can-still-stop-the-iran-dealheres-how-213134" type="external">finding a pretext</a> to walk away from anything signed by the Obama administration. Like he has on many issues, Trump has issued contrasting statements on Iran, but has called the nuclear agreement a “horrible deal” and stated that Israel would <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/09/09/trump-israel-will-not-survive-with-iran-nuclear-deal-in-place/" type="external">“not survive”</a> the deal in its current negotiated form. With the U.S. no longer presenting a good faith negotiator, hardliners on both sides will be empowered, and the U.S. and Iran will slide inexorably back onto the path to war.</p>
<p>Neoconservatives and hawks are hopelessly invested in the narrative that declining to use force in Syria undermined America’s reputation with the international community. The reality is that unnecessary military interventions in countries like Iraq and Libya (and the enduring chaos they created) have done far more to tarnish America’s standing in the world. By sinking the nuclear deal, the U.S. would be shutting the door on the first meaningful chance for engagement with Iran in a generation and setting itself up in the future for another preventative war over uncertain weapons of mass destruction. If it goes anything like our last few Middle Eastern engagements, one can only hope that we come out the other side with some of our credibility intact.</p> | false | 1 | almost neocons support aggressive foreign policy option possible regardless circumstances craft rationale afterwards bubble regularly occupied neoconservatives foreign policy hawks august 2013 seminal moment american history hear tell hundred years world lies smoking ruins look back horror regret one time president united states decided unilaterally bombing syria national interest apparently simpler time barack obamas reign united states universally respected allies knew could count us tyrannical regimes threatened us interests abroad cowed submission strength collective resolve tragically obama fatally undermined americas standing world discussing rationale keeping us military assets syrian civil war 2012 news conference stockholm obama stated use chemical weapons assads army would cross red line would change calculus considering military action reports began surfacing multiple chemical weapons attacks syria throughout 2013 obama went back word refused defend international norms aides would later insist presidents red line comments uttered offthecuff given far weight critics media originally intended critics failure back words actions smacked weakness credibility tatters america run enemies longer fear us allies longer trust mean say world much dangerous place result like many neoconservative history lessons narrative selfserving patently false president obama first planned conduct airstrikes bashar alassads government without congressional authorization quickly changed course congress american public closest european ally balked prospect becoming enmeshed yet another middle eastern civil war airstrikes syria would destabilized region given united states ownership another drawnout nationbuilding exercise could neither fix walk away secretary state john kerry suggested assad could avoid airstrikes agreeing remove chemical weapons caches country shortly thereafter russia stepped brokered deal independent reports confirmed syrian caches mustard sarin gas precursors removed syrian government still utilizes chlorine gas bombs chlorine considered dualuse chemical general applicability listed three schedules listed chemical weapons convention still lethal devastating stripped public rationale support stakeholders inside outside united states obama quickly abandoned plans military intervention series events largely swept away foreign policy hawks neoconservatives favor preferred narrative obama blinked staring match assad world suffered ever since 160it close article faith days among hawks neoconservatives find arizona senator john mccain called defining moment struck gigantic blow reputation us one leading republican presidential contenders texas senator ted cruz regularly mocks obama campaign trail enforcing red line omitting fact cruz led opposition strikes senate richard haas president council foreign relations gave typical hyperbolic analysis last year hawks interpreted fallout probably consequential thing president didnt presidency follow pledges syria attack regime used chemicals said haas consequences syria middle east throughout world writer daniel larison american conservative remains one consistent voices right pushing back hawkish neoconservative logic still largely dominates foreign policy party making major inroads among favorite piñatas credibility argument put forth us hardliners documented years despite repeated cries decision harmed us interests emboldened bad actors like russia china isnt actual evidence true simply taken granted us credibility lost striking syria proponents view believe must happened writes larison pointing claims red line incident influenced russias actions respect ukraine chinas behavior south china sea debunked larisons argument simple failing follow illadvised offscript remark threatening military action remotely violating formal treaty abandoning ally need furthermore friends enemies readily understand difference even hawks us formal obligation attack defend party syria case obama able accomplish stated rationale airstrikes removing syrias chemical weapons stockpiles nonmilitary means still argument red line tarnished us credibility remains persistent critics lamenting issue day rather odd many people fret inability follow nonbinding threat ones strenuously arguing favor walking away nuclear deal iran something actually would dramatically harm us credibility global stage john mccain agonized international community might forgive us failing follow word also called congress formally reject iranian nuclear deal obama administration along allies great britain germany france already agreed terms cruz famously promised rip agreement day one presidency despite fact us allies dedicated years effort sacrificed economic interests expended substantial political capital reaching agreement credibility hawks seem believe sinking nuclear deal bring meaningful consequences repercussions suggested killing deal us could convince international community keep sanctions regime place threatening cut trade nation dares business iran one countries involved negotiations already warned congress wont support continued sanctions us walks away agreement restricting trade countries deal iran center arms control nonproliferation rightly called approach ludicrous pointed economic warfare would likely harm us economic interests much countries targeted center also argues us walks away next round negotiations table one none nations iran interested renegotiating terms deal iran would get best worlds receiving sanctions relief without constraints nuclear program obamas critics claim us left better deal table took years fragile negotiations agreement reached multiple extensions congressional hawks frequently imagine countries must think us failing use force syria dismissive allies warn real consequences scuttling iran deal none contradictions ever penetrate bubble regularly deploy arguments reputation credibility favor enforcing syrian red line almost never apply iran almost neoconservatives hawks support aggressive foreign policy option possible regardless circumstances craft rationale afterwards reality large part american foreign policy establishment iran remains personal grudge business 1953 ciami6orchestrated coup installed westernfriendly government giving us great britain access iranian oil proxy carry foreign policy objectives overthrow shah painful drawnout hostage crisis followed left bitter wounds sides history pushing confrontation two americas closest allies middle east israel saudi arabia also two strongest powers region much due generous subsidies united states neither sterling record human rights pursue policies deeply undercut longterm us foreign policy objectives region countries give america footprint hostile oilrich region world similar reconciliation washington tehran normalizing diplomatic relations could threaten balance power middle east emergence iran potential partner could provide future us presidents new options diplomatic engagement perhaps reduce power influence clients naturally saudi arabia israel two vocal opponents deal might remove specter nuclear iran stage like many important issues fate iranian nuclear agreement rest results us election either trump cruz win deal dead take office cruz promised rip iran agreement day one administration past thoughts legitimacy current deal suggests would difficulty finding pretext walk away anything signed obama administration like many issues trump issued contrasting statements iran called nuclear agreement horrible deal stated israel would survive deal current negotiated form us longer presenting good faith negotiator hardliners sides empowered us iran slide inexorably back onto path war neoconservatives hawks hopelessly invested narrative declining use force syria undermined americas reputation international community reality unnecessary military interventions countries like iraq libya enduring chaos created done far tarnish americas standing world sinking nuclear deal us would shutting door first meaningful chance engagement iran generation setting future another preventative war uncertain weapons mass destruction goes anything like last middle eastern engagements one hope come side credibility intact | 1,074 |
<p><a href="" type="internal">The Faith Angle Forum</a> is a semi-annual conference which brings together a select group of 20 nationally respected journalists with 3-5 distinguished scholars on areas of religion, politics &amp; public life.</p>
<p>“Welcoming the Stranger?&#160;Religion and the Politics of Immigration”</p>
<p>South Beach, Florida</p>
<p>Speakers:&#160;Dr. Peter Skerry,&#160;Professor of Political Science, Boston College,&#160;Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution Dr. John C. Green,&#160;Director, Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics,&#160;Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Akron</p>
<p>Moderator:&#160;Michael Cromartie, Vice-President, Ethics and Public Policy Center</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Click here to listen to an audio recording of this event.</a></p>
<p>Michael Cromartie</p>
<p>MICHAEL CROMARTIE:&#160; Today’s topic, as you know, could not be more timely, and we’re delighted about that because we want our topics to be timely, and this one certainly is. And we have two gentlemen who are political scientists who are experts on the subject. Their biographies are in your pamphlets. You both know them by reputation.</p>
<p>We’re going to first hear from Dr. Peter Skerry, Professor of Political Science at Boston College, giving us kind of an overview of history of immigration in American politics and life and why different people look at it different ways. And then we’re going to have Dr. John Green from the University of Akron, who many of us feel is the leading political demographer of religious voting behavior in America on almost any topic. And John is going to talk to us about the different way religious groups view immigration questions.</p>
<p>Dr. Peter Skerry</p>
<p>DR. PETER SKERRY:&#160; Thank you, Mike. It’s great to be here today. I appreciate the invitation and all the help from you and your staff to make this really a pleasant and, I think, a rewarding couple of days.</p>
<p>So what I’m going to do is I’m going to look at, for a few minutes, assumptions that I see informing the views of religious leaders across the board — we could talk about specific religious leaders later if you like — about immigration.</p>
<p>And it’s not as though these religious leaders’ views, I think, are so distinctive from other elites, but that is the topic on the table, so that’s what I’m going to focus on. And the real thrust of my remarks is that these assumptions typically don’t bear up under scrutiny, whether we’re looking at immigration in the past or in the present.</p>
<p>The three assumptions, just to lay them out quickly, are that immigrants are typically the poorest, and therefore the neediest, segments of the societies whence they come. We all know there are high-skilled immigrants, but the discourse is always focusing on immigrants who are the poorest and the neediest.</p>
<p>The second assumption is that, typically, no meaningful distinctions get drawn between immigrants and refugees, or the differences between immigrants and refugees get confounded and muddled all the time.</p>
<p>And the third assumption that gets made by religious as well as other leaders is that those arriving here intend to stay here and become Americans.</p>
<p>Now, not coincidentally, these assumptions are embedded in Emma Lazarus’ famous sonnet, “The New&#160;Colossus,” which I will now inflict upon you. Just to remind us:</p>
<p>Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door</p>
<p>We’ve all heard these words. Yet they’re really misleading. This sonnet and these assumptions are now entwined with the image, of course, of the Statue of Liberty, where these words are found at the main entrance to the statue.</p>
<p>Now, we’re clearly in the realm of myths and symbols at this point, which understandably suffuse the topic of immigration, which is obviously integral to our self-understanding as a nation and a people. Symbols like the Statue of Liberty are particularly powerful, but they’re also changeable and protean, and that’s what I want to talk about for a few minutes.</p>
<p>After all, at its origins, as many of you may know, the statue had nothing to do with immigration.&#160; Rather, it was a gift conceived by embattled French republicans in the wake of France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. During the 1870s, they were trying to appeal to their fellow and more successful republicans across the Atlantic. Liberty’s torch was intended not to light the way for immigrants to come into America, but to send out rays of hope to inspire republicans around the globe to foster free and liberal institutions where they lived.</p>
<p>But, of course, the statue’s dedication in 1886 coincided with a growing influx of immigrants arriving into New York Harbor who felt themselves literally greeted by Liberty’s torch, and it became part of immigrant lore and part of our national story.</p>
<p>Then, too, Emma Lazarus’ sonnet had an important role to play in this transformation of the statue’s image. It was originally written for an art exhibit that was undertaken to raise money for the statue’s pedestal, but then it contributed to the confusion — the sonnet did — up to this day, between immigrants and refugees, the second of those three assumptions that I highlighted at the beginning of my remarks.</p>
<p>What Emma Lazarus is talking about there is a refugee story, not an immigrant story: people who were forced out of where they live and who came to America for refuge. I’ll have more to say about this in a minute.</p>
<p>And this was no accident, that Lazarus was moved to write about this. She was responding to the plight of her fellow Jews — she being a particularly assimilated American Jew — but she was responding to the plight of her fellow Jews fleeing pogroms in Tsarist Russia at the time.</p>
<p>In any event, at the time of the statue’s 50th anniversary in 1936, Lazarus’ sonnet was displayed in a very obscure place inside the pediment on the second story beneath the statue, and the public was barely aware of it. In a ceremony at the statue in 1936, President Roosevelt did not even mention Lazarus’ sonnet, though he did mention immigration, rather tangentially, and mostly to say that it was a thing of the past. As he put it, “We have within our shores today the materials out of which we shall continue to build an even better home for liberty.” But the story was that the door had more or less shut.</p>
<p>It was not until a few years later, with the plight of Jews in Nazi-dominated Europe, that Lazarus’ work really began to receive serious attention, undoubtedly fueled in part by our less-than-generous response to those in need of refuge. And in this way, the statue came to be confounded as the symbol of welcome to immigrants seeking opportunity and advancement (which was the immigrants’ story coming into New York Harbor) but especially at the same time to refugees fleeing danger and persecution, especially during World War II.</p>
<p>So this brings us up to those three key assumptions underlying the understanding of immigrants, broadly construed, among our religious leaders — that first assumption, again, that those arriving here are typically the poorest of the poor. As Lazarus put it, “your tired, your poor.”</p>
<p>But as economic historians Timothy Hatton and Jeffrey Williamson, among lots of other scholars, have pointed out, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the poorest of the poor were seldom the ones who migrated here. Rather, it was those one or two strata above the poorest, those with the wherewithal to be aware of opportunities to migrate, probably those who were literate, and who had the means to plan and save for passage to the United States.</p>
<p>Today, putting aside the obvious fact that many educated and skilled individuals seek to come here, at the other end of the spectrum it’s still not the poorest of the poor who migrate here, but those of modest means, nevertheless able to save and to afford the opportunity costs of not working while making the trek here and then to pay the substantial fees charged by a smuggler (or “coyote”) to gain entrance into the United States.</p>
<p>Now, maybe some fine-tuning is in order in this story. It’s gotten to be the case that in Mexico, at least, coming to the United States is part of a routine, sometimes almost a rite of passage in many villages in Central Mexico and in some cities. The costs and risks of the journey are hardly negligible, but they’re greatly relatively lower than when the migration first began many years ago.</p>
<p>The second assumption that gets made by our religious leaders is that immigrants are equivalent to refugees and that the circumstances that have driven and continue to drive immigrants here are not fundamentally different than those confronting refugees — the “your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore” in the sonnet.</p>
<p>So as I’ve suggested, Lazarus’ powerful imagery has contributed to this confusion, but so have the needs of politicians and advocates striving to build coalitions, who have minimized or ignored the differences between refugees confronted with few choices and economic migrants choosing to come here.</p>
<p>A salient example of this occurred in 1965 when President Johnson signed that year’s historic immigration reform bill, the Hart-Cellar Act, which abolished the much-criticized national origin quotas from the 1920s. He did so at the base of the Statute of Liberty, and unlike FDR 30 years before, cited Lazarus’ sonnet, and then used the occasion, after signing the major immigration reform bill of the century, to announce a large-scale program for the reception of refugees from Castro’s Cuba. There’s that confusion again.</p>
<p>It should, then, be no surprise, and perhaps pardonable, I would suggest, when a couple of years ago, Senator Marco Rubio claimed that his family was part of that refugee exodus out of Cuba when, in fact, his parents had arrived here as ordinary immigrants in the 1950s, before the Revolution.</p>
<p>Now, the third assumption, the notion that immigrants and refugees alike come here intending to become Americans and make this their new home. This assumption has generally been true of groups such as Russian Jews, Cubans fleeing Castro, perhaps the famine Irish in the middle of the 19th century, and Vietnamese boat people in the 20th century. But it should not be applied to many other strictly construed immigrants arriving here.</p>
<p>Indeed, at the turn of the 20th century, immigrants arriving were typically referred to as “birds of passage.” At that time these were typically southern and some eastern Europeans who came here intending to work hard, save money, and return home to their families.</p>
<p>And in the period leading up to World War I, the most noteworthy example of this pattern was among Italian immigrants. Two-thirds of all Italian males who arrived here in that period subsequently returned home, reflecting in part the speed and relatively low cost of steamship travel, as compared to earlier means of transatlantic voyages. But more fundamentally, for our purposes this highlights their basic motivations to come here, work hard, save money, and go home.</p>
<p>Similarly today, illegal immigrants — especially, but not exclusively, from Mexico and Central America — come here not intending to stay, but to work hard at two or more jobs, minimize their living expenses to save money, bunking in with as many as 10 or 12 other people, often young men, not always, and then returning home with enough to buy land, machinery, start a business, or build a house. Social scientists refer to these as “target earners.” They obviously take big risks and often get exploited by middlemen and, of course, employers. But in many respects, such individuals can be regarded as exploiting themselves. In order to reach their target earnings, they put themselves through all sorts of travail and often put themselves at risk or in danger. But in so doing, they also reap substantial gains, by augmenting their earning power many times over compared to what they would be earning back home.</p>
<p>But, of course, most of them — many of them — typically don’t return home, at least not permanently, and most end up remaining here, settling down, having children who are born here and are, therefore, citizens, and then raising their families. Yet their original intentions don’t evaporate, and their dreams of returning home linger and shape their lives and those of their children and of those around them as well. For example, in the case of undocumented Irish in New York City in the 1990s, not a group we focus a lot on in the current debate, one researcher, Linda Almeida, points out how such undocumented Irish got “trapped in their transience.” As she observes, employers weren’t always willing to invest training, time, and money in a worker if that person was likely to leave without notice or be deported as an illegal alien. So this is a somewhat different view of how employers treat undocumented workers. And I would submit that it’s a bit more ambiguous than the simple story about the exploitation of undocumented workers that we generally hear.</p>
<p>Another researcher, Mary Corcoran, reports on another aspect of the transience among undocumented Irish — on the social ties and relations in such immigrant communities. She quotes an undocumented Irishwoman: “You tend to not trust people here. You talk a lot of bullshit for a couple of hours, and then they want you in bed before you know it. At home, you had a lot of supports, family and friends. Here you don’t really trust anybody the same way.”</p>
<p>Alternatively — a different group, a different setting — labor activists who have tried to organize undocumented immigrant workers express similar frustrations. Jennifer Gordon, an activist lawyer who unsuccessfully attempted to organize a union among Central American day laborers in Central Long Island, concludes that such populations are, as she puts it, “settlers in fact, but sojourners in attitude.”&#160; And she continues, “Such immigrants may decide that their current wages and working conditions are good enough in the short term, which is the only term in which they imagine themselves living here.”</p>
<p>Even pithier are the comments of the organizer Bill Pastreich, a stalwart of efforts during the 1960s to organize welfare mothers, if any of you are old enough to remember that. Pastreich later went on to organize labor unions, and then Gordon hired him to assess her situation, her efforts among undocumented immigrants in Long Island. His advice to Gordon, quoted in Gordon’s fascinating account, Suburban Sweatshops, was, and I’m quoting here: “There are just too many workers, most of whom are incredibly transient, and too few jobs, and the whole scene is so fluid and uncontrollable. The employers are too small and too varied to make organizing them practical.” He concluded, “Give it up and go find an organizing campaign where you have a prayer of success.”</p>
<p>Among other things, this raises a whole lot of questions, which I won’t explore now, about the wisdom or perhaps the seriousness of unions like the Service Employees International Union (the SEIU) which have made a big point of their commitment to organizing undocumented workers.</p>
<p>One final piece of evidence about how the original intentions of such immigrants not to settle here have a lingering, but frequently overlooked, impact: Of the 2.7 million undocumented who obtained amnesty under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, today, a quarter century later, only 40 percent of that cohort have gone on to secure the U.S. citizenship for which they are eligible. Fully 60 percent have settled for a green card.</p>
<p>To conclude, it is such motivations, mixed and complicated and often counterintuitive motivations and outcomes, that our religious leaders as well as other elites seem completely oblivious to, so wedded are they to the misleading rhetoric and imagery of our immigration lore, as embodied in Emma Lazarus’ sonnet and now enshrined by the Statue of Liberty.</p>
<p>One final point in this regard about a different, but related, assumption relied on by the leaders of my own faith tradition, the U.S. Catholic bishops, involves their readiness to address the presumed needs of migrants to change their circumstances. And in focusing on this, the bishops have grown reliant on the biblical imagery of “welcoming the stranger,” the title of one of their letters to the faithful in which they express skepticism about the sanctity of national borders and assert a right to migrate.</p>
<p>Yet it is worth noting that not all national conferences of Catholic bishops see things the same way. In Poland, for example, during the heyday of Solidarity’s battle against Soviet domination, the bishops there spoke out against those young Poles who took advantage of opportunities to leave their homeland and thereby deprived the movement of needed skills and leadership. So too have the bishops of Ireland at various times in recent years bemoaned and criticized the outmigration of young, educated youth to America and elsewhere. For such church leaders, liberal migration policies represent not a welcome to strangers, but a threat to the well-being of their own societies.</p>
<p>Such alternative perspectives highlight, once again, it seems to me, how our religious leaders here in America are reliant on assumptions that need much, much closer scrutiny. I’ll stop there. Thank you.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Thank you, Professor Skerry. Thank you very much. We appreciate it. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>(Applause)</p>
<p>Dr. John Green is the Director of the Ray Bliss Institute of Applied Politics and a Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Akron. And many of you know John because many of you have quoted John because of John’s so excellent work on voting behavior and the data therein. John is going to show us some charts about all of this. Do you have handouts that we need to give to everyone, or are we just going to go with the…</p>
<p>Dr. John Green</p>
<p>DR. JOHN GREEN:&#160; We’re just going to go with the overhead.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; And if people want copies?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; I’ll be more than happy to email the PowerPoint presentation to anybody who wants it.</p>
<p>Just let me know.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Okay. Thank you, John. You’re on.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Oh, well, thank you very much. It’s wonderful to be back at the Faith Angle Conference.&#160; Michael and I were debating last night whether I had been here four or three times, and I think the answer’s three, but it seems like four.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Yes.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; It was — but I’ve been here many times and really enjoyed it, and —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; It’s number four now.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Yeah, it’s number four now, so it’s really wonderful. I’d like to look a little bit at the attitudes of different religious groups in the mass public. We’ll start out by looking at some general attitudes towards immigration, then we’ll focus in on some of the policy questions.</p>
<p>I apologize that some of — I just realized when I got here that for people sitting in the back of the room who may have weak, old eyes like mine, some of these charts may be a little bit difficult to look at, but what really counts is the patterns, and that’s what I want to focus on is the patterns.</p>
<p>But a couple of general points. You might argue that immigration and immigration reform or laws regarding immigration is sort of the original cultural conflict in the United States. We talk a lot, and in recent times have talked a lot, about culture wars. Well, these were, in some sense, the original culture wars, but, of course, there’s an economic aspect to it.</p>
<p>And what you’ll see in some of the attitudes that we’ll look at — and even in some of the questions that my colleagues at the Pew Research Center ask in these surveys — you’ll see some of the assumptions that Peter was talking about. They don’t just inform the attitudes of religious elites; they inform the public and even pollsters.</p>
<p>Religion has played a very significant role in attitudes towards immigration, now in the present and in the past. It changes a lot with the circumstances, but religion has been an important factor. The key thing to know, though, is that the primary way that religion affects issues related to immigration is through religious affiliation — the groups that people belong to.</p>
<p>Now, in just a minute we’re going to look at some fairly crude descriptions of some major religious traditions in the United States, but even these crude measures show some really interesting differences.&#160; And many of my colleagues call this the politics of belonging, that identifying and belonging to a particular group determines the attitudes that people have on these issues.</p>
<p>So first we’re going to look at these religious traditions and attitudes towards immigration in general, then we’ll turn to the immigration policy issues that we’re debating in Washington right now. These data come from the Pew Research Center. The great bulk of the surveys were conducted in 2013, so this is very fresh data. This is the time where I have to issue my disclaimer: while I’m using Pew Research Center and I often work with them, these views are mine and mine alone and not the responsibility of the Pew Research Center.</p>
<p>We’ll spend a little bit of time on this first picture. All the other pictures will look a lot like this. There’s a standard question that’s been asked for many years in various forms. It’s a dichotomous question. It asks people which comes closer to their views and the part that’s in red reads, “The growing number of newcomers from other countries threatens traditional American values.” And the alternative is, “The growing number of newcomers from other countries strengthens American society.”</p>
<p>This question’s been asked for 30, 40 years, and it varies a lot — the results vary a lot with the circumstances, including what’s happening with immigration. Now, down the side of this chart are the religious groups that we’ll look at. At the very top are white evangelicals. Below that are white Catholics.&#160; Below that are white mainline Protestants. Then the unaffiliated — we called them the Nones yesterday; they’re actually better called the unaffiliated. And then some other groups. There’s a group called “Other Christians.” Those are all the other Christians that aren’t in one of the other categories, so it’s a polyglot group, but the sample size is so small that we can’t break out a lot of these. Then we have a category of “Other Faiths.” Those are basically non-Christians of one kind or another. Again, we don’t have a big enough sample size to break out the component groups. Then black Protestants, the historic black Protestant tradition, and then all Hispanic Christians, Protestants and Catholics put together. As many of you know, there are differences between Hispanic Protestants and Catholics on many political issues, but on immigration they look a whole lot the same.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />So as you can see, if you just look at the patterns of the red and blue — by the way, the gaps between the red and blue are people who didn’t have an opinion; couldn’t answer the dichotomous question — you can see a really pretty clear pattern. White evangelicals these days are the most skeptical of new people coming into our country because they, in their view, threaten American values. We can see that white Catholics, white mainline Protestants, other white Protestant traditions — white Christian traditions — tend to share that kind of skepticism, but as we go farther down towards the group that contains the most immigrants these days, the Hispanic Christians, that skepticism declines. But notice that even among Hispanic Christians there’s roughly a quarter that have that view of newcomers.</p>
<p>Now, what’s interesting about this question is it doesn’t identify who the newcomers are; it’s just about the idea of immigrants, the idea of new people coming into the country. But as you can see, there are also large groups of Americans that think that newcomers strengthen American society. In fact, if you would look at this as a whole, not broken out by religious groups, a majority — 52 percent of Americans — think this year that the growing number of newcomers strengthens American society. This is a view of immigration from a cultural lens.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />This next chart looks at an economic lens. The red part of the graph is “Immigrants today are a burden on our society because they take jobs, housing, and healthcare.” And that gets back to one of Peter’s points that many times immigrants are seen as the neediest people who not only take jobs, but they also take social services of one kind of another. It is basically the same picture, but a couple of interesting differences. You’ll notice the other Christian category, which is down sort of towards the middle of the chart. Other Christians include lots of people of different status — Mormons, Orthodox, Christians, black Catholics, any group that wouldn’t fit into one of the other categories. They’re much more sensitive on the economic issue than on the cultural issue. That’s also true of black Protestants.&#160; And, of course, this may have something to do with the economic circumstances of these groups.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Just to put this in context, let’s look at a contemporary culture war issue, which is support or opposition to same-sex marriage. Same religious groups: opposition or support. You can see a much, much sharper gradient if you look at the red bar from white evangelicals and move down towards the unaffiliated — just very, very sharp change, much sharper than on immigration. But then notice when we get sort of towards the bottom of the chart, the other Christians, black Protestants, and even Hispanic Catholics, have a large minority that are also opposed to same-sex marriage. So there is a difference between the cultural issues that are associated with immigration and those things that are associated with sexual conduct. So we have different kinds of culture conflicts, if you will.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />One of the really interesting things is the impact of worship attendance. Now, many of you know that it’s not just the politics of belonging today. We also have the politics of believing and behaving. And this is just a very simple chart. What it does is it takes that newcomers are a threat and it plots across these religious groups the differences in attitudes between those who are frequent attenders and less frequent attenders. The red line are frequent attenders — people who say they go to worship once a week or more — and the dashed line are less frequent attenders.</p>
<p>What’s interesting about this picture is on this basic immigration question it’s the less frequent attenders who have the more conservative attitudes. The more frequent attenders actually have more liberal attitudes. Now, that might be the impact of religious elites talking about immigration reform, but it also may be that this isn’t about religiosity; it’s about group membership, and if one is threatened by members of other groups, it’s not the content of the religion, it’s the group that one belongs to.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />And just to show how different this is, this is what the same measure of attendance looks like for same-sex marriage. Notice that across all of these religious groups, it’s the frequent attenders who are the most conservative, most opposed to same-sex marriage, and it’s the less frequent attenders who are less opposed.</p>
<p>So you can see how the cultural politics of immigration — different kind of politics than the politics of same-sex marriage or abortion, because when we talk about those sexual issues — the new culture war issues, if you will — we’re talking about the impact of believing and behaving in religious terms, not just belonging.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Here’s a really interesting diagram that’s worth looking at, and this really, I think, captures the cultural milieu of the moment. This question asks, “Compared to the immigrants of the early 1900s, today’s immigrants are less willing to adapt to the American way of life” and there are other options: “more willing” and “just as willing” to do that. And what I’ve plotted here is just the answer “less willing” than those immigrants from a previous era.</p>
<p>Now, there are relatively few people in this sample that actually remember the immigration of the early 1900s. Probably a few, but not very many. So this is really about symbolism. It’s about was the past better than the present when it comes to immigration?</p>
<p>And you’d see this really interesting gradient across the bars, moving from white evangelicals over — I guess would be on your right — over to Hispanic Christians. White Christian communities tend to see, maybe not surprisingly, their ancestors — people who migrated earlier — as being more willing to fit into American society than these other groups, who are characterized by more recent immigrants. It was really kind of interesting. You get a sense of the group impact of these religious traditions on basic attitudes towards immigration.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Let’s switch gears a little bit and let’s talk about contemporary immigration policy. One of the questions we asked this year at Pew was what’s the biggest problem with immigration? And we asked is it illegal immigrants, is it legal immigration? And as you can see with the big red lines that sort of pop out across, just about everybody thinks the big problem is illegal immigration. That’s the big issue. You can see with the little purple lines that there are some people that think that legal immigration has its problems too, but overwhelmingly, that’s what the debate is about; that’s what the public is interested in, the question of illegal immigration.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />This next chart is a kind of interesting one. What it plots is the percentage of these different religious communities that would like to see restrictions in both legal and illegal immigration. The red line is illegal immigration and the dashed line is legal immigration, and it’s interesting. Many more people would like to see illegal immigration restricted — well, probably because it’s illegal — but notice that there is some sentiment at a lower level for reducing legal immigration as well.</p>
<p>And if you look at the first part of the chart, you’ll notice that the lines were almost parallel. When you look at the large white Christian traditions, they’re very, very similar. But when you get over to the newer traditions, to some of these combined groups, notice that it’s really legal immigration that’s the problem; it really pops up. And even when we go over to the far, far side to Hispanic Christians, there is a significant group of people that want both legal and illegal immigration restricted, and that shows that there’s some diversity within these religious communities.</p>
<p>I think this fits with some of the attitudes we just looked at, that there is a kind of skepticism on primarily cultural grounds, but also economic grounds, about immigration, whether it’s illegal or legal, but, of course, illegal immigration being much more serious.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Here’s a counterintuitive finding. This is a question that Pew has been asking for a couple of years now and it’s a dichotomous question. It asks, “Should illegal immigrants be allowed to stay in this country under certain conditions?” — that’s the blue bars — or “Should illegals not be allowed to stay?” Should people who are here illegally be made to leave or be deported? And I think what’s counterintuitive about this is notice the size of the blue bars. Every single one of these religious groups — a large majority believes that illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay under certain conditions. I’ll talk about the conditions in just a second.</p>
<p>Now, if you look at the red bars, which are much smaller, you can see the effects of those attitudes we were looking at in some of the previous slides. The white Christian tradition’s more skeptical of immigration, but everybody thinks that the people who are here should be allowed to stay under particular conditions. And there’s, of course, quite a debate about what those conditions would be.</p>
<p>Now, I think this is counterintuitive, because if you just looked at those attitudes that we looked at before, you might think that the groups towards the top of the chart — white evangelicals, white Catholics — would actually be more in favor of deportation, but they’re not. This may be one of those rare instances where the public actually learns something from the debate. As you know, the mass public is not very well informed on the details of debates. But in this same survey, we asked people if they thought it was practical to deport or have illegal immigrants leave the United States. An overwhelming majority of all these religious groups have said it’s simply not practical, can’t be done. So people might want to do it, right? They might have those sort of sentiments. They might be skeptical about the impact these people are having in the United States, but they think it’s impractical.</p>
<p>Now, before you think that the American public has now become enormously informed, the same survey showed that majorities of all these groups think that illegal immigration is growing by leaps and bounds. And as I’m sure you all know, it actually slowed down because of the recession. So, the public’s not completely informed, but this is one place where information actually seems to impact attitudes in a way that goes against some of the underlying values.</p>
<p>What are some of the conditions? One condition that was very popular was that the normalization of illegal status would involve being able to speak English. Actually, all the religious groups have majorities that think that’s a good idea. Much more controversial is the paying of fines. White evangelicals are actually interested in paying fines as a way for undocumented workers to stay here. Hispanic Christians think that’s a terrific idea; and maybe that goes to Peter’s point about the economic motivation of many immigrants in the United States. In some ways, the most controversial of these conditions in the survey was should there be a ten-year waiting period for people to have their status normalized? White evangelicals thought that was a great idea and as you go down the groups, down the chart, people became less and less interested in it, and Hispanic Christians are not interested in it at all. So there is some debate about the conditions.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />But the fulcrum of the debate is really something else. We asked another question, which was, “If we had immigration reform, which of the following things comes closer to your view?” “We should secure the borders first” or “We should secure the borders at the same time that other requirements are being implemented.” That’s really — from the point of view of the mass public — that’s really where the debate is, and you can see that in this chart. If you look at white evangelicals at the top, a large majority thinks that the borders have to be secured first, and that reflects some of the skepticism that white evangelicals have about immigration, particularly in cultural terms, but perhaps also in economic terms. If you go down to the bottom of the chart, where you see Hispanic Christians, almost the reverse is the case. The larger group thinks that — the larger bar is that we should secure borders, but at the same time that other things are being implemented.</p>
<p>What’s interesting to me, though, besides this big dichotomy between these two large religious groups, is if you look at white Catholics and white mainline Protestants, the second and third steps down in the chart, they’re pretty evenly divided about whether it should be the border first or along with other types of changes.</p>
<p>Now, I think this is significant if you think about the politics of immigration, because many of the representatives, both in Congress and in the lobbying community that are pushing for the border security first, come from areas where white evangelicals are very common, very populous, but they also come from areas where the Hispanic population is large as well, so there’s a lot of tension in this sort of thing.</p>
<p>So in many ways, this is the fulcrum of the debate from the point of view of the politics of belonging.&#160; Now, it turns out that these things — the two groups worry about different things. Many of the people who agree with the “secure the borders while we’re making other arrangements” are very worried about economic issues. They’re worried about, on the one hand, that this normalization process will reduce jobs and use up social services, but at the same time, many of them see great benefits to the economy of normalizing the legal status of illegal immigrants.</p>
<p>On the other hand, for people who are worried about securing the border first, they’re concerned that if the borders aren’t secured first, that that will encourage more illegal immigration. They’re also concerned that there are certain types of social dysfunction — crime, so forth — that are associated with not having secure borders.</p>
<p>And it’s interesting because if you look at this chart you can easily imagine or easily see the popular foundation for the debate between Republicans and Democrats, but if you look deeper in the survey there are arguments among Democrats and among Republicans about exactly how these things could be implemented.</p>
<p>So in conclusion, I think there’s a couple of interesting things to know here. One is that in the mass public, religious affiliation is a significant factor when it comes towards immigration. If you subject these — the kind of data we’ve been looking at — to statistical controls, the impact of religious affiliation persists, so it suggests that the membership in these groups is important. The clear focus of the debate in the mass public is illegal immigration. Despite considerable skepticism about immigration in some religious communities, most religious groups support some mechanism to allow people who are here illegally to stay in this country, but the major division is about securing the border, which goes back to some of those images that Peter was talking about, about who immigrants are and what their role will be in American society. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Thank you. Okay. Paul Edwards is up, and then Mike Gerson and Karen, and I think Will — when Will starts smiling broadly, I think that’s — you’re raising your hand.&#160; Did you raise —</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; He smiled the whole time I was talking.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; He smiled the whole time you were. Paul Edwards is first here, please.</p>
<p>Paul Edwards</p>
<p>PAUL EDWARDS, Deseret News:&#160; Thank you both for very informative presentations. Peter, I wanted to respond from — I’m looking at this from, of course, being at the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah — from how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has looked at this. And I think it’s important that — I just want to clarify, from their perspective, looking over their statements about immigration, which became very focused — in the 2011 year in the State of Utah there was a lot of discussion about immigration reform, and there was initially the introduction of a bill very similar to what had been presented in Arizona and the efforts came underway to modify and create a slightly different dialogue in Utah.</p>
<p>But the way the Mormon Church talked about immigration in their official statements was in part from an ethical framework, but I think it’s interesting to note one of the statements begins with this. It says, “As a worldwide church dealing with many complex issues across the globe,” and then it goes on into its statement about some different principles.</p>
<p>And my experience is that as much as anything, some of these churches are seeing this just as an organizational issue at a very pragmatic level so that as they operate a worldwide operation and they have people that are, in fact, migrating in and out of different countries, that they just experience interesting things within a congregation. How do you deal with the issues of congregational life when you have parishioners who are undocumented and you’re trying to help them with housing and work and those kinds of things?</p>
<p>And so I think some of it may be, just at a very practical level, about how an organization that doesn’t see borders in its mission as a — although recognizing that it operates within those kinds of laws and constraints, just how they deal with some of the practical concerns.</p>
<p>And so you may be overstating the narrative of idealism and refugees and those kinds of things that come into play when churches are speaking out on certain kinds of immigration issues.</p>
<p>And just to put a slightly finer point on that, this has come up significantly with the way the Latter-Day Saints deal with missionary service, because as undocumented Mormons come of age to serve as missionaries, just the issue of where they are assigned becomes a very practical concern, because if they are assigned outside of the United States, they can’t get back in, and so it creates a real issue for their families. So I think just the practicalities may play a larger role than you gave credit for.</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Well, first of all, I want to acknowledge Paul, not only his question, but his help. I met him for the first time when I arrived here two days ago, but had interviewed him by telephone a year, year and a half ago when I came across an editorial in Deseret News that was talking about illegal immigration and that made this really interesting point about how Americans who were upset about illegal immigration were invoking a kind of civil law notion that was quite antithetical to our common-law traditions. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t see too many allusions to that kind of discourse in editorials and newspapers, much less in Utah, in the Deseret News, if I may say in my Eastern arrogance. So I sought this guy out. I didn’t even know who wrote it at first and I was — through intermediaries — led to Paul, who was extremely helpful, and it turned out that he had studied at law school with somebody whose work I knew well.</p>
<p>So Paul has taught me a lot about what was going on with the Mormon Church in Utah. So I can’t and won’t disagree with what you just put on the table, Paul, but I will say this — I don’t think my focus on the idealistic narrative contradicts at all what you just put out there. But if one wants to explore the pragmatic aspects of things, well, then the story gets a whole lot more complicated and perhaps verges — I’ll speak about the Catholic bishops — to a certain extent perhaps on hypocrisy. Certainly the Catholic Church has heavy investments in the prevailing immigration policies. The Church is in trouble and Hispanic immigrants are fresh recruits, albeit ones that are turning their back on the Church and becoming evangelical Protestants.</p>
<p>We’re here in Miami, and when I was here a few years ago, I learned talking to people in the archdiocese how dependent the Miami archdiocese in particular is on funding from the federal government for refugee services. A huge part of the Church’s budget, here and elsewhere, comes from providing services to immigrants.</p>
<p>Now, is that a criticism? No. I’m glad the Church is doing these things, but they don’t talk about that when they’re espousing this more idealistic set of principles. So I agree with you, but I think to me the interesting story is probably the interplay of these two things — self-interest and idealism.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Mike Gerson, and then Karen. Tweet away, folks.</p>
<p>Michael Gerson</p>
<p>MICHAEL GERSON, The Washington Post:&#160; One of the most important, interesting things I found in your presentation was how culture war issues get differently treated in these communities. And you talked about same-sex marriage as religious attendance being an indicator of a more conservative position and religious attendance being an indicator of a less conservative position on immigration, right? I mean, I caught that correctly.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. GERSON:&#160; Okay.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Right.</p>
<p>MR. GERSON:&#160; I can understand that in the context of maybe the Catholic tradition, where you have teaching on this topic, where the people who regularly attend might be getting teaching on this topic. I think that’s probably a lot less likely in white evangelical settings. So is that distinction true in white evangelical settings as well? And can you explore just a little bit why that would be, what the explanation would be?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Well, I think it has to do with the different kinds of issues, and the sexual issues, the new — what we call the new culture war issues. Well, we tend to call them the culture war issues, but they’re relatively new in American politics — are closely connected. Attendance is a good measure, but it’s not just regular attendance; it’s also the beliefs that go along with regular attendance.</p>
<p>Across almost all religious traditions there is a more traditional view of marriage by people who tend to hold more traditional beliefs within that tradition. Now, that’s a little bit convoluted way to put it, but that’s because the impact of belonging doesn’t completely go away, right? A regular mass-attending Catholic is still a Catholic, right? And a regular church-attending evangelical is still an evangelical, but — and part of those traditional beliefs are connected to ideas about sexual behavior.</p>
<p>So when issues like abortion and same-sex marriage came onto the scene — now, some of this was politics, but some of this was just the way people thought about it, that very traditional views were closely connected to one side of the debate, whereas these other kinds of cultural issues, immigration being an example — there’s a few other ones as well — really don’t engage traditional beliefs as much.&#160; What they have to do with is the identity that people have by belonging to a particular group.</p>
<p>And so it’s interesting that in the case of these immigration data, that less frequent attending members of these religious traditions still have strong group identity, but they’re — it’s not their religiosity that’s engaged, but their group identity.</p>
<p>This is actually not a new phenomenon. If you were to go back and look at voting behavior in the — not at these issues, but at voting behavior in the 1950s and ’60s, you would find that worship attendance did not predict voting behavior at all, but group membership did. So, for instance, when John Kennedy was elected in 1960, Roman Catholics that attended mass weekly were no more or no less likely to vote for John Kennedy than Roman Catholics who had never darkened the door of a church in years, because it was — what was going on there was a group identification with a particular candidate that shared that identification.</p>
<p>So, I think there’s two different ways that people’s religion gets connected to these types of issues. One is group identity, and the other is religious beliefs and practices. Now, it could very well be that part of what’s going on here is politics, and in the case of the new culture war issues, of course, there were lots of prominent leaders in both the evangelical and the Catholic community, a bunch of other communities, that actually campaigned on these issues and tried to draw those connections, and not only on the right, of course, also on the more liberal side, more progressive side as well.</p>
<p>It could be that — particularly in the evangelical community, we’re seeing a little bit of that with the immigration issues, but it works the opposite way, where people may be hearing from their pastors or from other leaders about how there needs to be immigration reform, there needs to be greater acceptance. As some of you know, in the last couple of years, there’s been kind of a united evangelical front to push for immigration reform, which, given some of the data we looked at today, is a little bit surprising, because a lot of the people in the pews don’t necessarily have those views.</p>
<p>So it’s possible, Mike, that part of this is that those regular attenders, even in evangelical churches, are hearing some of this message of how we need to have some changes in the policy, except it’s moving against the prevailing opinion of the community. A long, convoluted answer to a very good question.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Karen, while you’re pulling the mic over, John, where is the Tea Party in this chart?&#160; Are they up there anywhere, or —</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Well, the Tea Party isn’t in that chart.&#160; The Tea Party’s a political group.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; No, I know it’s not, but I just wondered where would you —</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Well, Tea Party advocates draw very heavily from a white Christian community, so a significant portion of Tea Party adherents are evangelicals, but also, they draw from mainline Protestants and from Catholics. So the Tea Party overlaps with these white Christian communities, but it doesn’t overlap completely. Now, there are lots of evangelicals and lots of Catholics that don’t regard themselves as part of the Tea Party, but —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; And a lot of Libertarians are Tea Party, right?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Some of you know more about this than I do, but you can think of the Tea Party as sort of a faction among Republicans, but there’s factions within the Tea Party, and there are social conservatives that are part of the Tea Party, but there’s also Libertarians, and they spend a lot of time not getting along with each other, as is the practice in American politics.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Karen? Karen Tumulty.</p>
<p>Karen Tumulty</p>
<p>KAREN TUMULTY, The Washington Post:&#160; Oh, well, thank you for all of this. It’s been great, and if anybody’s following this on Twitter, we’ve been having — Russell Moore and Ralph Reed have been weighing in on this conversation in absentia —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Are you going to ask their questions?</p>
<p>MS. TUMULTY:&#160; Well, one of them —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; I give the floor now to Russell Moore.</p>
<p>MS. TUMULTY:&#160; Well, one of the questions that he wanted asked, although I’m really wondering now if — looking at your data, if it even applies — he was wondering if there was a kind of coalition building on this issue with evangelicals and other groups that might carry over to other issues, but looking at your data, it really looks like there’s going to be a real challenge for evangelical leaders to get the rank and file to sort of throw themselves into the immigration issue the way they have on other issues. Do you — either one of you — see them coming in as a big political force on the immigration issue, despite what we’re hearing from their leaders, again, the way they have on other issues?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; I think it’ll be very difficult. It’s a real challenge to bring the people in the pews along with them. I think it’s possible, but that goes into the details of what policy reform would be. If it was perceived that there were strong border controls, I think it — there might be a larger number of evangelicals and other white Christians that might join in that kind of — so it really is a case where I think the details matter a lot, because even setting certain conditions for people who are in this country to be able to have their relationship, their legal status normalized, is going against the prevailing sentiment of many people in those communities; not everyone, of course, but to many people, so it has to be a good deal, if you will.</p>
<p>So I think it’s a real challenge, and this is not unusual in American politics for religious leaders to have a real challenge mobilizing their members behind something that they feel very strongly about. And even when you get something close to unanimity among leaders, it’s still a challenge often to bring the followers along.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Yeah. I’ll let Peter comment on it too, but, Karen, was that question Ralph and Russell’s —</p>
<p>MS. TUMULTY:&#160; Well, Ralph is just tweeting that — sorry about bringing —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; That’s why we’re here.</p>
<p>MS. TUMULTY:&#160; Well, Ralph’s thesis on this is that evangelicals are just sort of so turned off by the law-breaking aspect of this that that’s one of the reasons that it’s hard to bring them along.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; There may be a good bit of truth to that. One way to think — well, asking questions about these issues is very difficult because with many people, you get on the phone at dinnertime, the word “illegal” just jumps out, and it’s hard to — for them to get past that.</p>
<p>But I do think, particularly among evangelicals, but not exclusive with evangelicals, illegality seems like a threat.</p>
<p>MS. TUMULTY:&#160; Right. Yeah, his exact tweet is, “Mostly skeptical of amnesty/Washington undermining rule of law. Evangelicals very welcoming of legal immigrants.”</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Yeah. The data we looked at shows that while there is even some skepticism of legal immigration among evangelicals, it’s much, much lower. The problem really is illegality. And I’m not sure that’s because evangelicals are, quote, unquote, “legalistic” in their religiosity. I just think it’s because, in this particular debate, order is important to them, and they see law-breaking as a source of disorder.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Peter, any comments?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; I would just — a couple of things. Looking at John’s data, it seemed to me almost on every question, white evangelicals were followed pretty directly by white Catholics. So, not to deflect your question, but it’s — there’s a kind of similar dynamic going on.</p>
<p>And then just to throw out a perspective that doesn’t speak to the immediate political dynamics, but I’ve always been struck and have certainly argued — and this is part of what Paul Edwards and I have gone back and forth about — is that it’s rather curious to me, the way this dichotomy between legal and illegal has gotten defined. I think at some point, Republicans allowed themselves to buy into this in a way that’s — I suppose on the one hand, makes some sense for them — but puts them in somewhat of a box.</p>
<p>We never talk, of course, about if there’s 11 million illegal immigrants in this country, there’s at least 11 million employers who hired them illegally, and, in fact, it’s a crime to do so. It wasn’t always a crime in our history. It became one in 1986. And we never talk about such employers, and certainly Republicans don’t, but maybe they should. I can understand the politics of that, but I think there’s a lack of realism to this discussion.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I’m not at all convinced — and I can’t prove this; I can certainly argue it and adduce some evidence — but I’m not at all convinced that the public is actually that more anxious about illegal immigration than it is about legal immigration. Clearly, the numbers defy what I just said, but that’s the state of the debate.</p>
<p>These categories, I think, are very confounding. If you ask and talk to people or look at the evidence of people who have talked to people about what really eats at them about immigrants, generally — or illegal immigrants in particular — they’ll certainly cite illegal immigration right off the bat. Then they’ll go on with a litany of things — some of which are true, some of which aren’t — that illegal immigrants aren’t learning English, they’re not paying taxes, all these kind of things. Some — like I said — some of which are true, some of which aren’t.</p>
<p>But then if you ask them about legal immigrants, they won’t say they’re here illegally, but they’ll say the same things. They’ll list the same litany. And I think that speaks to the fact that there are more basic — John kept referring to cultural dynamics. That’s part of it. I would also — in my remarks, I was trying to suggest what social scientists would call structural dynamics; the fact that immigrants introduce certain levels of disorder in communities and pose challenges about maintaining normal community dynamics, and that’s true whether they’re here illegally or legally. I think illegals pose particular challenges, but they’re not all that different. So I just wanted to throw that out there, that this distinction that we all have come to rely on is an artifact of our politics, and I’m not sure how helpful it is.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; William Saletan? Pull the mic over, please. Either ask your question or what the tweeters are asking you to ask.</p>
<p>William Saletan</p>
<p>WILLIAM SALETAN, Slate:&#160; I haven’t been checking the Twitter feed, sorry. I’m trying to live in this world right now.</p>
<p>I wanted to reverse the question and ask a little bit about the attitudes of immigrants on some of these religious and moral issues. And we may not have any good data on it, but maybe we can extrapolate a little bit.</p>
<p>So this is in the political context, so obviously there are a lot of Republicans who are very afraid that new Hispanic citizens will be a reliable Democratic voting bloc. And the argument on the other side is that Republicans can somehow use cultural issues to tap into conservative cultural views among this group.</p>
<p>So looking at, John, your data on gay marriage, it looked like there’s some basis for this argument, although somewhat limited. It looked like the white evangelicals were about 70 percent on gay marriage and about 15 percent among the unaffiliated, and about 40 or 45 among the Hispanic group in&#160;Catholic, Protestant.</p>
<p>So there’s somewhat — there’s some basis for that, it looks like, but, of course, in the larger context, a lot of polls have been showing shifts to the left on these cultural issues, not just on gay marriage over time, but — which is moving very radically — recently we saw polls on legalization of marijuana, death penalty, and maybe there’s no correspondence, but it does look like there’s somewhat of a liberalization pattern.</p>
<p>So my question is can the two of you put your heads together on this? Peter, you have — first of all, what are the trend data on cultural issues within currently polled Hispanic and particularly recent Hispanic immigrants? Has that been established at all, or is it just sort of the Hispanic group? And Peter, what do your data tell us about any changes in the nature of the folks who are coming here and whether the data that we have on current Hispanic voters would resemble the future? Are there changes going on that make it so that we can’t extrapolate?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Well, the first thing to know about Hispanic immigrants is that, as many of you know, the term “Hispanic” is actually an American invention, and if you go talk to the Hispanic community, they don’t think of themselves as Hispanics; they think of themselves as Mexicans or Cubans or — really, it’s more their nation of origin. And it’s actually a very diverse stream of people.</p>
<p>A large group of Mexican immigrants are religiously traditional. They’re traditional Catholics, some of them traditional evangelicals. Some traditional Catholics that come to the United States become evangelicals; there’s an evangelism process and they tend to be quite culturally conservative. But not all Hispanic immigrants are of that nature. Many of them are younger, upwardly mobile people, come from cities, or if they came from rural areas they were anxious to get out of rural areas, just like my ancestors were anxious to get out of rural Oklahoma because they wanted to go to the big city where they could have more choices. So, you have that kind of group as well.</p>
<p>So if you look at the overall trend in Hispanics, just like in the entire country, there has been a liberalization on a number of these issues, and same-sex marriage being a very good example of that. But that tends to occur among younger, less religious, better-educated members of these immigrant groups, just like it’s those people among Catholics and evangelicals that are moving in that direction as well.</p>
<p>I think Republicans have some opportunities on cultural issues. My sense — with Hispanic immigrants — I think that the relative power of cultural issues, though, is diminished, partly because of the liberalizing attitudes in the United States. But there are other ways that Republicans could appeal to this group.</p>
<p>As Peter pointed out, many of these people come here for economic opportunity, and a lot of the Republican policies about small business and economic opportunity might very well appeal to some of those folks. In these — I didn’t put it in these data — but in these surveys that I was reporting on, a question was asked would it help the Republicans or hurt the Republicans if they supported immigration reform? And among the Hispanic Christians, Protestants, and Catholics, a large percentage said this would really help the Republicans.</p>
<p>Now, does that mean all those folks are going to go out and vote Republican? I don’t know that that would be the case, but it does suggest that the immigration issue may be a problem for some Republicans, at least, with Hispanic voters that might otherwise want to vote for them, be it for economic or for social issue reasons.</p>
<p>Let me just say one more thing. There are religious distinctions within the Hispanic community. The evangelical Hispanics are more Republican than Hispanic Catholics. In most elections, they still vote majority Democratic, but at a much lower rate than Hispanic Catholics. So part of the Republican outreach would be to go to evangelical Hispanics, rather than to Catholic Hispanics.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; A quick point on that, Peter?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Yeah, quickly. I don’t have a whole lot to add, but I would just, I suppose, chime in and point out that there are lots of other ways Republicans can appeal to Hispanics on immigration-related issues that they haven’t done much about. Putting Mitt Romney to one side and his unfortunate formulation of the issue, there’s a whole raft of issues, such as promoting English language acquisition, around which lots of white Republicans could get behind, but certainly lots of Hispanics as well.</p>
<p>We all talk a lot about English acquisition. We don’t do much about it. If you’ve ever spent any time in ESL classes — my experience is that they tend to be inspiring failures that are greatly underfunded and under-theorized, as it were. There’s lots more we could do in much more imaginative ways if we put our minds to it and invested in it, and Hispanics would welcome that if it were done right.</p>
<p>We could also do more about naturalization. Now, I understand Republicans have concerns about that, but there’s ways of welcoming people here without necessarily opening our doors to ever more immigrants, which clearly is a problem for Republicans, and none of those kinds of opportunities seem to me like they’re being explored.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; David Rennie, you want to pull the mic up? And then Mollie. Mollie Hemingway, then Molly Ball, and then Michelle.</p>
<p>David Rennie</p>
<p>DAVID RENNIE, The Economist:&#160; (Inaudible) questions just on cause versus correlation for Dr. Green.&#160; White evangelicals and their sort of outlier opposition, do you think that that is something within the theology of the evangelical faith, or is it simply that very conservative people tend to edge towards that denomination?</p>
<p>And for Dr. Skerry, there’s a lot of news reports about how — the new kind of fashionable thing to write about in this debate is that evangelical church leaders are coming to Congress and lobbying in favor of comprehensive immigration reform. I’d just like to hear whether you think that’s hype or whether something’s going on and whether that represents a kind of broad trend or a sort of splintering within the evangelical movement.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Well, ordinary people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about theology. They probably should, but they don’t. But one of the reasons that evangelicals are conservative is because their religious beliefs, in our present context, lead them on balance to favor more conservative policies.</p>
<p>And the movement of evangelicals from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, which happened over the last 40 years, had a lot to do with religious beliefs. Now, I’m not sure that that was particularly sophisticated, but I do think it had to do with beliefs. And the new cultural issues were the leading edge of that, but it wasn’t only that. There were lots of other things that — other policies where evangelicals slowly but surely found a Republican Party more congenial because it was a party that took more conservative positions. So I do think there is a religious influence in there.</p>
<p>Of course, if you try to track this in real time, the causality becomes very complicated, because if a particular campaign mobilizes a particular set of people, then for the next campaign, those people are different because they voted for a particular candidate. So, if you look over the grand sweep, I think there really is a connection between religious beliefs, perhaps in some ways unsophisticated versions of theological statements, but the actual causal mechanism is very complicated.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Peter?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY: &#160;Yes. Well, with regard to the recent evangelical initiatives, as I see this, this isn’t particularly novel. This has been going on for some time. Back in the ’90s, Ralph Reed worked with Grover Norquist and led similar efforts — successful efforts — in the immigration reform of 1996. Richard Land with the Southern Baptists led prominently and has argued up until very recently for liberalization. So has Richard Cizik with the National Association of Evangelicals. So I don’t — from where I sit, this is not recent. It’s ongoing, for some time now. I don’t know what the data look like — John could inform us all — how such leadership positions have impacted attitudes among evangelicals toward immigration. My sense is not much, but I don’t know.</p>
<p>And to me, this just reinforces what I was trying to suggest in my remarks, which is that there’s very much an elite versus non-elite phenomenon going on here; that immigration and trade are — again, I would defer to John — two issues where the spread between elites and non-elites, I think, are widest of any issues. And that speaks, I think, to a whole dimension of immigration politics that doesn’t always get talked about, which is that immigration doesn’t benefit everyone in American society equally.</p>
<p>And Washington elites — us, people sitting around tables such as this — tend to look upon immigrants as a bonus. We go to the restaurants where they’re waiters, we are at the hotels where they’re waiters, they provide services to us. But large numbers of Americans don’t see it that way. They don’t use their services, and they see them — usually mistakenly — as labor market competitors. But they also see them as competitors for resources or for community values or community stability, and it seems to me that the leaders of the evangelical churches are prone to this elite phenomenon. And that shouldn’t be a surprise, and I think that’s a great part of what we see playing out here.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; So a question here for John Green. You made the point that many of them feel that they take jobs, they take away opportunity, this — what does the data show about that? Not about attitudes of religious people, but do they add to the market, or do they take jobs from people? Do you have some data on that?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Well, like a lot of things, that’s complicated —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Because that would help the political consultants in this room, if there are any, to give a real strong answer on that.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Again, it depends on the nature of the immigrants. I think that a lot of people think that low — a lot of scholars think that low-skilled immigrants, in these days, particularly from Mexico, do compete for lower-skilled jobs with Americans, but they also take jobs that Americans don’t want, so it’s kind of a wash when you put the sort of big picture together.</p>
<p>Higher-skilled workers tend to compete less. What they have is synergies with existing workers in the United States. And so some of you may be aware of the strong argument that Silicon Valley has made for expanding legal immigration for people with certain kinds of skills.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; What’s the argument?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; The argument is that if you bring more programmers and engineers to the United States, you won’t displace the jobs of American programmers and engineers. What you’ll do is you’ll expand those industries because we’ll have more talent. And so there’s — you might argue that there’s competition there, but at that level, those kinds of workers, this is seen actually as a net positive, because it creates economic growth.</p>
<p>And if you sort of flip that on its head, the assumption is that with low wage jobs, you’re not adding much to economic growth, so there’s much more of a zero-sum game between the different competitors. So it really — Michael, it has a lot to do with the nature of the workers.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Yeah. Peter, you comment on that. We need some real numbers on this before the next election, so if you gentlemen would hurry up and give us those numbers as soon as you can.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; We’ll do our best, Mike.</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Well, I think, broadly speaking, the numbers are out there. There are a lot of economists — Giovanni Peri and George Borjas have done a lot of work on this — and while they disagree — and this kind of builds on what John just said, putting it maybe a little differently, which is that the net benefit to the economy of prevailing immigration policies up to now, which is mostly slanted toward unskilled immigrants of varying sorts — that may be changing. We’ll see. But it is not as large as we tend to think. There’s debates whether it’s 0.1 percent additional GDP. That’s not very much. That’s arguably negligible — towards something that might be 2, 3, 4, 5 times larger than that, which would make it a half of a point of GDP. That’s not a lot in the overall economy.</p>
<p>What the big impact tends to be is not the size of the pie, but how the pie gets divided up. Certain sectors of the economy benefit greatly from immigration. Certain sectors of the population benefit greatly, Silicon Valley being one of them. Upper-middle-class, educated people, again, coming back to the point I made before, tend to benefit from it and see themselves as benefiting from immigration.</p>
<p>So for these purposes, it is if you will, not one economy. It depends on where you are in the economy — how you perceive immigrants, I think, relates to those kinds of economic outcomes.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Okay.</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Which doesn’t mean, by the way, that they always get perceived accurately. I would emphasize and reiterate that the kinds of ordinary Americans, Tea Party types, the people who showed up in John’s data, invariably exaggerate the economic competition that they see from unskilled immigrants. I would argue that there are other sources of competition and challenge from immigrants that, for a variety of reasons, people don’t articulate, but they put all their chips on the economic, the labor market competition, which I think is exaggerated.</p>
<p>Mollie Hemingway</p>
<p>MOLLIE HEMINGWAY, The Federalist:&#160; The religion and immigration story that I find most interesting is about Muslim immigration, and that’s a long story, a long part of American history, but it seems like we’re maybe in the second generation of significant Muslim immigration.</p>
<p>My sense is that there’s been a change from a few decades ago to now in how Muslims talk about American identity. Leaders might have said in the near past that what was most important for Muslims is that they have a Muslim identity and that America is sort of a hostile place or whatnot. Now my sense is that Muslim public leaders are speaking very differently about it, that they are talking about being more engaged in American politics, being more engaged in the community and whatnot.</p>
<p>Do you have anything on that, Dr. Skerry, on is this a change that’s happening, and what are some of the consequences of that, not only in terms of how maybe older —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Dr. Skerry has a book coming out on this, so he does have something on that.</p>
<p>MS. HEMINGWAY:&#160; Yeah, the consequences not only of Muslims maybe changing their own views on this, but maybe pushback among other groups, or just anything on that topic.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Are you — you’re writing a book on this, Peter.</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Go ahead and tell the people.</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Well, yeah, Mollie’s, I think, pretty much on target. If we’re talking about Muslim immigrants, there has been a big shift. For much of their time here up to 9/11, certainly, they not only viewed America as hostile; many of them also viewed it as dangerously seductive and spent as much time urging their young people and each other to avoid assimilating, and not — and what’s interesting, I think, about Muslims is this — to avoid assimilation for the reasons that Hispanic immigrants or Mexican immigrants might avoid it, out of some sense of preserving their culture or their heritage. Rather, they viewed this as a question of saving their souls, that as Muslims, they shouldn’t even be here, properly understood, much less adapt to this society. That was what their leaders were telling them.</p>
<p>Certainly in the ’70s and ’80s and ’90s, it had begun to change, but 9/11 really turned that around, and it seems to have persuaded Muslim leaders and many of their followers, not all, that it was time to embrace America, if only because they had to protect themselves, and that’s what they’re busily doing now.</p>
<p>The irony of that story is that — to my mind — what went before, I think, is largely forgotten by Muslims, so that younger Muslims today aren’t very mindful, or even their elders aren’t very mindful, of how America was seen before 9/11, as this sort of dangerously seductive place.&#160; And while they’re fighting now and trying to claim their rights as Americans, they’re doing that in a context which and in a way that seems to deny large parts of their own cultural conservatism.</p>
<p>You don’t find Muslim leaders or even young people at universities, young Muslims, talking about their hostility or their anxiety about, well, homosexuality, which is difficult to deal with in Islam, or sexual relations outside of marriage, or any of the cultural issues that were very salient to them before 9/11. All that’s been sort of put to one side, with a focus on claiming their rights as American citizens. There’s a lot of reasons for that, but I think it’s an unnatural posture for Muslims that will sooner or later have to change. But that’s kind of the state of play.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Molly Ball, you’re up next. Thank you.</p>
<p>Molly Ball</p>
<p>MOLLY BALL, The Atlantic:&#160; (Inaudible) said what I was going to say, but responding to this idea that the legal versus illegal distinction is really important, John, it seemed to me that your first few charts rebutted that notion, that when people are saying immigrants threaten our way of life, immigrants are a burden on society, they’re not making that distinction, and they seem to see — I wonder how much of this you think is and also has been historically about a fear of the “other,” and particularly about white people, specifically, fearing the erosion of their majority status, since that seems to be an undercurrent of a lot of the data that you’ve presented.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; I think you’re right. One of the reasons I liked those questions that I presented is because they’re general statements. And as you can imagine, those can get quite complicated when you don’t — when you ask a question that doesn’t have a word like “newcomer” or “immigrant,” but actually identifies a particular group, because some groups are perceived as much more threatening than other groups.</p>
<p>But it is interesting — this gets to Peter’s point, and I wish I had articulated it as well as he did, that the — we have this background suspicion skepticism of immigration, but the debate we’re having has drawn this distinction between legal and illegal. And I think that — and partly because of the questions pollsters ask, but partly because of the way elites present the debate — the public has picked up on that distinction, and that distinction has resonated with them.</p>
<p>But, as some of the other data suggested, there’s not as much skepticism or opposition to legal immigration as illegal immigration, but there still are significant numbers of these groups that are concerned about this.</p>
<p>You can describe this in a lot of different ways. I do think it is the fear of the “other.” If you identify with a particular group and you draw boundaries around your group and other groups do the same thing, then there’s a certain fear and tension.</p>
<p>Another way to look at it is that that’s the flipside of American pluralism. To pick up on one of Peter’s themes, many of us tend to celebrate American pluralism, right? The most diverse nation in the world, the nation made up of all nations. And that’s a very comforting narrative. But there’s another side to pluralism; it’s that groups don’t get along with each other, and that’s not a new phenomenon. The groups are a little different, but that goes back historically. And many of these groups of white Americans who now fear non-whites, their ancestors feared each other. So that — I think there is that dynamic, and that’s a lot of what has to do with the politics of belonging. Part of belonging is that you don’t belong to other groups and there’s tension with them.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Do you want to comment on that, Peter? And then, Michelle, you’re going to take us into the break.&#160; So I want to tell the cameraman that Michelle is over here, and you’ll want to get pictures of her from over there. And our man with the mic, the next person up is here. Are you going to comment, Peter?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; If I could, please. Yeah, well, in some ways, I would echo what John just said. Maybe I’ll put it a bit more strongly. We’re going through enormous changes — obviously not just in America, but globally. And there are all sorts of examples about the way large numbers of Americans express their anxieties about these changes, and they often get put and articulated in ways that lend themselves to “othering” that kind of narrative.</p>
<p>But I do resist those kinds of interpretations because it seems to me they are conducive to — particularly to people who study and write about these things — “othering” Americans, as if their negative reactions are symptoms of a disease that they have. And such interpretations also fit too easily into a kind of racial prejudice kind of explanation that writers and analysts reach for too readily and too often. I just find too many alternative explanations for why many Americans react negatively to mass immigration — whether we’re talking about anxieties about cultural change, which I take to be real, or about the fiscal impacts of immigration on local and state budgets. If immigrants come here and have different ways of doing things that people feel threatened by, I want to look at those and see exactly what those reactions are all about and not simply categorize them as “racist” or “othering.”</p>
<p>Or, again, the kinds of more concrete challenges that immigrants pose — labor market competition, or if you live in a struggling, marginal, blue-collar neighborhood, and suddenly the house next door to you that used to have a nice, old couple is suddenly occupied by 12 Central American guys who work two jobs, have eight cars, and play lots of soccer on what used to be the lawn next door to you, well, is that “othering,” is that racism, or is that just good, old-fashioned “what’s happening to my neighborhood?”</p>
<p>I live in Newton, Massachusetts in an upper-middle-class community, where if you want to build a bike path down an old railroad bed, you suddenly find out that this is the opening wedge of the end of Western civilization. So I resist those kinds of racial interpretations and try to focus more on these more concrete manifestations of places where people feel pinched and squeezed and competed against.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Very, very helpful. Michelle Cottle is next.</p>
<p>Michelle Cottle</p>
<p>MICHELLE COTTLE, The Daily Beast:&#160; All right. Well, I have — just along the same lines as what Molly’s looking at, so I guess probably I’ll look at it more with a question about methodology. We all know people lie to pollsters, and we all know people lie to themselves because they know they’re not supposed to be either racist or culturally kind of nativist or whatever. What methods do we have for drilling down into things like what I do suspect is something of a false distinction between the illegal and legal complaints?</p>
<p>For instance, we used to know that if you wanted to find out what people really thought about having a black president or a woman president, you didn’t ask them if they were ready for it. You asked them if their neighbor was ready for it, and you get wildly different results. Kind of what can we do or what are we doing to kind of pick apart this sort of thing?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Well, it’s really very difficult, and I have to give my colleagues at the Pew Research Center and other polling organizations a lot of credit for being very aware of what you’re talking about, how difficult it is to measure these things. And that’s why there’s — the wording is sometimes a bit elliptical. They’re trying to get people to feel comfortable to answer honestly.</p>
<p>And there are indirect ways of measuring that and you just gave a really good example. Back in 2008, there was a lot of concern among pollsters that a lot of Americans were really not prepared to vote for an African-American presidential candidate for racial reasons, and so one of the questions that would be asked is what about the people in your community? Would people in your community be willing to do this?</p>
<p>Well, it turned out what those experiments showed — they weren’t true experiments, but those new kinds of questions showed was that while there was a lot of unrevealed prejudice, the unrevealed prejudice wasn’t quite as big as a lot of people thought. And, of course, Barack Obama was elected and he was elected with a lot of white votes from people that one might have suspected, based on past surveys, were maybe not being entirely honest.</p>
<p>But this is an extremely difficult thing to get at and the technical term for it is “social desirability effects.” Yesterday we were talking about the rise of the Nones, the increase in the unaffiliated population — and among scholars, there’s a sense that some of that increase might not be because there’s more unaffiliated people; it’s just people feel more comfortable saying they’re unaffiliated. And that, in fact, those same sorts of people 10, 15 years ago would have said, “Well, I’m kind of a Catholic,” but now they feel comfortable saying, “I’m really not anything.” So “social desirability effects” are really an important thing.</p>
<p>I think in the end, survey research can’t answer that question, and we have to move to other types of things, to focus groups, to in-depth interviews, to participant observation methodologies, because you can only do so much. See, a telephone survey, or if you do it on the Internet, it’s really a conversation between the interviewer and the interviewee.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Not in my house, it’s not.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; And, well, you’ve heard it right here, a Luddite person. But it’s a — there’s some limit to what you can do in that kind of conversation. You need to have other kinds of conversations to really get at the deeper attitudes that people have.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Peter, respond to that quickly, and —</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Yeah, quickly, I —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Do people lie to you when you take surveys?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; My wife does, but, sure. I don’t do surveys. I do interviews, and, sure, people lie. But what you do, to try to get behind that, is you also look at behavior. And it seems to me that if you — and this kind of reminds me of the conversation earlier yesterday about whether we’re forgetful or not as a people and how conscious we are of history — it seems to me — and I kind of suggested this in my question earlier yesterday — that we are rather forgetful, and sometimes that has its virtues. If you look at what happened to German immigrants around World War I, which I was talking to Mollie Hemingway about last evening, that was a pretty reprehensible episode in our history. Yet I think it has a more complicated story than we acknowledge.</p>
<p>But then, five, six years later, when we invoked rigid country quotas in our immigration law, we toted up the number of Germans in America and established a quota for them that was very high, like it was for other Western European countries, and all that sturm und drang around World War I was quickly forgotten. It may not have been entirely forgotten by the Germans, but the people who were giving them a hard time seemed to have forgotten about it.</p>
<p>And then if — bringing it up to today — if you look at the levels of intermarriage between Hispanics and non-Hispanics, which I think by the second, third generation, we’re talking about crowding 50 percent — I haven’t looked at the numbers recently — of marriages. That’s typically to non-Hispanic whites. To me, that suggests whatever kind of reaction we’re getting to immigrants, again, is not deep-seated hostility, animosity, racism toward the other. It’s these kinds of situational factors that can be negotiated and overcome. So I’ll stop there.</p>
<p>Dr. Jennifer Wiseman</p>
<p>DR. JENNIFER WISEMAN, American Association for the Advancement of Science:&#160; This question just springs to mind as to whether — you’ve talked a lot about how different religious groups feel about maybe the kind of negative or the threat aspects of immigrants and so forth, or even for some, the positive aspects of adding more talent and skill and good things to the nation.</p>
<p>My question, though, is that for some religious groups, evangelism or service to others or such is supposed to be part of their calling, and many times they’ve had to travel to distant lands to do this kind of work, and all of a sudden people from the distant lands are coming here. Do any of these groups sort of see that as a great opportunity — welcoming these people from other lands so that they can fulfill this calling, whether it’s of service in terms of material needs or service in terms of sharing their faith with these people or this kind of thing? Does anybody sort of see it in that kind of light?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Oh, yeah, a lot of people do, and we talked a little bit about it earlier with Paul’s question about the views of the LDS Church, where there’s kind of institutional interest. But the present immigration debate has created some really interesting dynamics, for instance, in the evangelical community, where there’s a lot of interest in proselytizing. They would call it evangelizing, but the academic term is proselytizing — and have had a lot of success in immigrant communities, particularly Hispanic immigrants. And some of that’s the fruit of evangelizing efforts in Latin America in a previous period of time. So, some of the interest in immigration issues has to do with these opportunities. And there have been similar debates in different denominations about the service component. Here’s a real opportunity to share Christ’s love with people who are strangers, and they may be poor, and they may be discriminated against, but they’re certainly strangers. They’re new to this community.</p>
<p>So, I think there’s a lot of discussion and debate within religious communities about how does the church or the religious organization live out its mission? And that occurs side by side with a lot of these tensions with the new groups and some of the problems that occur in those communities. So, it’s a really interesting one. Where I noticed it most fully, I spoke at a conference of Hispanic evangelists. And it was interesting because they had this great complaint about their white colleagues, saying, “Why aren’t you with our community on this? We collaborate to save souls, but then on other areas we don’t collaborate, and we find this distressing,” which was just — it was really interesting to me.</p>
<p>And as often happens at those kinds of meetings, some of the white evangelists were appropriately sorrowful that they really needed to cooperate more. So I do think there’s a lot of tension within religious communities about how one deals with this issue.</p>
<p>And it’s like Peter was mentioning earlier, there are other issues that have similar problems. An example might be trade. Trade can help the communities flourish. There’s real opportunities for churches to be part of economic development. On the other hand, it does displace industries. It does create problems.</p>
<p>So, I do think that there’s not just the negative tensions, but there’s tensions between the negatives and the positives.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Fred Barnes? Pull the mic.</p>
<p>Fred Barnes</p>
<p>FRED BARNES, The Weekly Standard:&#160; Let’s see if you all agree with this. Americans always seem to be — and maybe not a majority, but it seems like a majority always oppose immigrants who haven’t gotten here —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Who haven’t what?</p>
<p>MR. BARNES:&#160; — who are just beginning to come, like the Irish, even before the Civil War, and so on, through Hispanics today. And yet once they get here, then Americans are congratulating themselves on our being a nation of immigrants, and yet we continue to cycle where there’s an awful lot of — for a nation of immigrants to oppose immigrants who are coming seems awfully odd to me. Did either of you have any thoughts about that?</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; That’s Michael Barone’s argument, isn’t it, Fred, in his new book — Michael Barone’s argument in his new book about immigration?</p>
<p>MR. BARNES:&#160; Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; That these groups, we oppose them until they get here.</p>
<p>MR. BARNES:&#160; Yeah, right. Well, I think Mike’s right. And he knows a lot more about immigrants than I do.</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Well, I guess my response would be and has been, sure, that’s part of our history, but it’s the conclusions that one draws from that. Usually the conclusion is: what’s the big deal? Haven’t we gone through this before? And I guess I resist that formulation, because it seems to look past the travail that is at hand.</p>
<p>It’s also the case that the kinds of reactions that we got to immigrants — that Americans expressed in the past — aren’t necessarily the same, in their origins aren’t the same as we’re experiencing today. There’s some similarities: there’s intergroup ethnic tensions and conflicts. Okay, but generally that perspective, to me, is a way of changing the conversation. It seems to me that today we are in the middle of some big challenges that — in a period of greatly increasing inequality — lots of Americans feel squeezed. Are immigrants the cause of that? No, not in most cases, but are they connected to it? Yes.&#160; Have our leaders done a very good job of interpreting it to the mass of ordinary Americans? No, I don’t think so. I don’t think certainly that academics have done a very good job either.</p>
<p>But so, yes, but….It seems to me, Fred, that the perspective you’re highlighting is a way of assuming that this is all going to work out in the end. It’s kind of whiggish, you know? And I just resist that because I’m not convinced it’s all going to work out if we don’t attend to it more carefully. Also, that perspective assumes a kind of automatic righting of things, and I don’t think we can assume that at all.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Let me pick up on Peter’s point there. The flipside of these waves of immigration is the process of assimilation and we’ve talked here today about how we have sort of pleasant stories about how this takes place, but even a casual reading of history suggests that the assimilation process has often been very difficult and at different eras, the assimilation process has had different problems and different characteristics.</p>
<p>The assimilation of Catholics into American society, let alone American public life, was very, very hard to do. And partly that had to do because Catholics had to change, not just Catholic immigrants and their children, but the worldwide Roman Catholic Church had to change some of its perspectives. But, of course, the then Protestant majority in the United States had to adapt as well to kinds of adjustments.</p>
<p>So there is a process of assimilation. What makes it particularly tricky, to compare one era to another, is that the people who are assimilating keeps changing.</p>
<p>I remember talking to my grandmother, who passed away a number of years ago, but she was utterly amazed that non-Irish Catholics would celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. That just seemed to her like the oddest thing. She thought it was a very good thing, but it was a very odd thing, because when she was growing up, that was still a symbol of the separateness of Irish Catholics.</p>
<p>And so you can imagine if that story were to play out in the future, there would be a time in the future, there would be a time in which we all celebrate Cinco de Mayo because a society that eventually accepted St. Patrick’s Day as a sort of general holiday, is not the same society anymore. It’s a society that’s profoundly changed by assimilation.</p>
<p>I think assimilation’s very important and I think Peter’s right that those types of issues really have to be attended to. There isn’t — there are patterns, but they’re not always the same pattern.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE: &#160;Erica. Over here.</p>
<p>Erica Grieder</p>
<p>ERICA GRIEDER, Texas Monthly:&#160; I was wondering if either of you could elaborate on this concept of legality. I’m trying to think through — when somebody raises that as a concern, that an unauthorized immigrant has broken the law and has to make redress for that, crossing the border, unauthorized entry is a civil crime, but beyond that, I don’t think we have any data showing that there’s a high rate of further illegal behavior. If anything, I think the opposite about migrants work, they don’t cause crimes at a higher rate than the population at large.</p>
<p>So what’s your understanding of when somebody says that’s their concern? What are they — are they not seeing that data, or are they —</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Oh, they’re not looking at data. This is an impression. And a lot of people that we have interviewed, but also people that I’ve talked to, look at particularly the southwestern border as an area with a lot of disorder, and many people — and I think there’s probably some truth to that. But if you — and a lot of that’s laid at the feet of immigrants who — and some of them are legal immigrants or people who are here — maybe they’re not immigrants, but they’re here with visas, they’re crossing the border in a legal fashion. But the breaking of the law in terms of coming to reside in the country is often linked, probably inaccurately, with things like drug smuggling and weapons and the drug cartels and all kinds of other problems, including the very distressing stories about immigrants who are mistreated when they come into the country.</p>
<p>So I think to a lot of people, this just looks like a bunch of disorder, and the biggest piece of it, or the most salient piece to that, seems to be illegal immigrants. But there’s some pretty good evidence that many of the folks who have come to this country without documents are not particularly disorderly people and it may be that their presence causes some kind of disorder in terms of public services and so forth. And as Peter was pointing out, some of these people plan on going back. They may not actually ever make it back, but they plan to. So they have a different — have strong incentives to not want to get in trouble.</p>
<p>But anyway, I think that’s where the perception comes from because of the overlay of these different kinds of disorder.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Peter?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY: &#160;Well, this is something I’ve wrestled with. First thing I would say is with regard to crime rates among immigrants, generally, which is all we really have data for. You’re right in one sense.&#160; Immigrants have crime rates that are roughly equivalent to what the general population is, but I’m not sure that ends the discussion. I’ve often found that among immigration analysts, their response to such data tends to be — their conclusion is — “Well, so what’s the problem?” Well, it seems to me it’s an open question, whether we want immigrants, legal or illegal, to exhibit the same proclivity to crime that we Americans have. Maybe we should have higher standards for them. That doesn’t seem to me totally unreasonable. But I’ll leave it at that on that point.</p>
<p>With regard to the whole question about legality and illegality, I spent a lot of time with Border Patrol agents along the southwest border just before and after 9/11, and I was struck by what I found there. Every single Border Patrol agent I ever spent any time talking to — and I spent a lot of time talking to a lot of them — they all invariably would say two things. They would all assert very defensively — volunteer — that “We’re federal law enforcement agents, and we’re just as good as any other law enforcement agents that the federal government employs.” And they would emphasize, “We are armed,” which was not because they were trigger-happy, but because being armed signified status and pay in the federal bureaucracy. They routinely insisted, “We’re just as good as the FBI, and it’s important for you to know that.”</p>
<p>Then the second thing they would invariably volunteer, usually later into the evening after things had sort of died down, after the evening rush of illegal immigrants across the border, they would mention that, “You know, if I were in their shoes” (the illegals’ shoes, the undocumenteds’ shoes) “I’d be doing the same thing as them. I’d be finding a way to come here and better things for myself and my family.”</p>
<p>Well, that tells you a lot. These are people preoccupied with their low position on the federal law enforcement totem pole, telling you they’re as good as FBI agents, also telling you that they would — if necessary — be committing the crime that they’re supposed to be enforcing the law against.</p>
<p>You certainly don’t find ordinary cops saying, “If I was in that guy’s shoes, I’d be dealing drugs or robbing banks.” But you do find Border Patrol agents in that somewhat contradictory posture.</p>
<p>So we’re dealing with something really conflicted here. And the best I can do to try to directly answer your question is that — and this comes back to my conversations with Paul Edwards — the way to think about what is legal or not isn’t prudently thought of as simply something that gets enacted by a legislature or ruled by a court. That’s a very formalistic notion of what’s legal and illegal.</p>
<p>I think a more useful way to think about this is that law is embedded in social ties, in social relations, and that, for example, when the Supreme Court ruled in Brown versus Board of Education, it was mindful that while it was issuing a dictum, that decision had to work its way into the body politic, which is why the Court allowed lots of time — “all deliberate speed” — for that to happen. The Court understood that more than just promulgating a decision, the American people had over time to be persuaded.</p>
<p>And it seems to me that what’s going on with our tensions over illegal immigration: it’s not so much that these people broke the law, even though Americans articulate it this way all the time; it’s more that illegal immigration manifests itself to Americans on a routine or daily basis where they live and work, and that illegal immigrants tend to generate disorder, not because they’re inherently disorderly people but due to the circumstances under which they come here — to the fact that we’re typically talking about large numbers of young, unattached males congregating together. After all, whether they’re Hispanic laborers or Anglo college boys getting together, you’re going to encounter issues. This was true in mining camps at various times in our history, or at spring break in more recent times. In such situations, when you’ve got concentrated populations of individuals removed from their usual social context and relations, they are likely to act out in ways that pose challenges and threats to prevailing modes of behavior and the established social order.</p>
<p>This doesn’t explain all of illegal immigration, but it’s a big slice of it. And it’s why in my prepared remarks I kept alluding to ways in which people come here, how they don’t plan to stay, how they often pull their kids out of school and they go “home” for long holidays at Christmas, and how they crowd themselves into apartments in order to save money — either to send home or to return home themselves.</p>
<p>All these kinds of things speak to the various ways that the undocumented do things that strain the heretofore common understandings of the way things were getting done, and that’s, I think, what many Americans, even though they wouldn’t articulate it this way — feel what’s wrong with illegal immigrants. That’s what is “illegal” about them, that they’re doing things in a way that threaten the ordinary conduct of business.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Andy Ferguson is next, right next to her.</p>
<p>Andrew Ferguson</p>
<p>ANDREW FERGUSON, The Weekly Standard:&#160; We touched on this a little bit before. John used a phrase that I hear in these debates all the time, which is “jobs that Americans won’t do.” Do we know what those jobs are? Is there evidence that people who are already here won’t do them? And on the other side, jobs that I assume Americans would want to do — for example, in Washington now, the building trades are completely Hispanic, mostly Central American, I gather. Now, surely those are great jobs, relatively speaking. How is it that those jobs, especially in the building trades, have become, in certain areas, monolithically Hispanic and then on the other side, there are jobs that just Americans refuse to do? I don’t know what that would be. Is it mowing lawns or —</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; Peter, do you want to take a crack at that?</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Go ahead.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; You want to go — go ahead.</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; You want me to take a crack at it? Well, I’m not sure I’ve got a well-thought-through scenario for this. It’s a good question. I think on the one hand, part of what we’re talking about is which “Americans.” Right? And when you mentioned Washington, D.C., the obvious group that one thinks about that seemingly didn’t get those jobs, apparently didn’t get those jobs, is African Americans. And that gets into tricky territory, but it seems to me that there’s a lot of evidence — and I mean research evidence, not just casual observations — that employers find immigrants, and in this case, Hispanic immigrant workers, easier to deal with than African Americans. And some of that is attitudinal in terms of what the expectations are on the part of African-American workers as to how they feel they ought to be dealt with on job sites.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Despite the language barrier also?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Well, it depends on the job. If you want somebody to do sales at a hardware store, if you can’t speak English, that’s a problem. But, if you need somebody to be a laborer on a work site, it’s not so much of a problem. But it also has to do with structural factors, that immigrants come here through networks, and if you hire one immigrant, you typically get plugged into a network where he will willingly produce his brother, or cousin, who will also be willing to work for you. And you, the employer, will have a means of exerting some influence over them, because if one guy screws up, then you’ve got some people to hold accountable.</p>
<p>Those networks don’t work the same way for African Americans. They’re not as strong. And I think this is a big problem. I don’t report this news gladly, because I think one of the — I noticed John’s data showed African American support for immigration at what I took to be higher levels than I would have thought. I haven’t looked at the numbers lately.</p>
<p>But I think one of the difficult aspects of our prevailing immigration policy is its impact on African Americans. I think they’ve been disproportionately negatively impacted. When we talk about unskilled people with less than a high school education, that’s disproportionately African Americans. It’s very hard to get their leaders to acknowledge or talk about this, because they generally see themselves as part of the pro-immigration coalition.</p>
<p>So that’s part of an answer. And I also think there are certain jobs that Americans — not just for economic, but for sociological reasons — just don’t see themselves doing; that — however high the unemployment rate has been in the last few years — large numbers of Americans haven’t been willing, at prevailing wage rates, to go out and pick strawberries. And I don’t think — I can’t prove this, and I’m sure if an economist were here, he would violently disagree with me, to the extent that economists ever get violent — that many unemployed workers would go out and pick strawberries even if the rates were greatly increased, because that’s hard, unpleasant work that most Americans just don’t see themselves doing. And after all, there are alternative ways of making money, like unemployment.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; John, do you have any comment?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; The only thing I’d want to add is that —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; And then we have one more question.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; You’re right. In the debate, it’s jobs that Americans don’t want. Well, a lot of that has to do with jobs that are unpopular, and maybe under other circumstances, people would want those jobs, but they’re seen as unpopular. Many of them are arduous; they’re dirty jobs of one kind or another. But then also, a lot of it has to do with the pay and in the Western part of the United States where there’s lots of migrant labor — and there’s been migrant labor there for decades and decades — it’s not a new thing. A lot of that farming is profitable, and sometimes very profitable because they can hire low-wage workers. And there may be a lot of American citizens who wouldn’t want to do that at that wage.</p>
<p>And one could imagine — I don’t know about picking strawberries; that might always be labor intensive — but at other points in our history, when labor became expensive, then capital was deployed in agriculture. Well, it may very well be that in some areas of agriculture right now, as long as there’s a cheap source of labor, capital won’t be deployed, and so there are lots of people who have other alternatives and wouldn’t want to take that job. So I think maybe a better way to say it is there’s unpopular jobs.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; We have actually two more questions, and Elizabeth, and then Mindy Belz, and then we’ll go for lunch, and we’ll end our conference. But Elizabeth.</p>
<p>Elizabeth Dias</p>
<p>ELIZABETH DIAS, TIME Magazine:&#160; I wanted to ask a bit more broadly about religion and immigration outside of the United States, even outside of the Western Hemisphere, and just — I’m hoping for, really, any insight or data you all can point to for these kinds of things, like I think of Christian, Orthodox, Catholic women in Ethiopia who are adopting Muslim practices to go get domestic labor jobs in Saudi Arabia, et cetera. Or I think of —</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; This is a trend?</p>
<p>MS. DIAS:&#160; Well, it’s happening. I’ve heard about it. But — or how, say, different religious communities in India — what is the discussion in some of these other places about religious interaction and dialogue about immigration and how that works?</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; That’s a really good question and I don’t know the answer to it. I know it’s a problem in lots and lots of countries, but I don’t know how different religious communities are responding abroad.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Peter, do you know?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; I’m afraid I’m not much more help. Sorry.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Maybe you have the —</p>
<p>MS. DIAS:&#160; That’s okay.&#160; If you have any thoughts just on who might be resources for something like that.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; International immigration.</p>
<p>MS. DIAS:&#160; Yeah, international immigration religion questions.</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY: &#160;Nothing leaps to mind, but let me ponder it.</p>
<p>MS. DIAS:&#160; Thanks.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Mindy, you get the last question of our time together, and so no pressure.</p>
<p>Mindy Belz</p>
<p>MINDY BELZ, World Magazine:&#160; In response to Jennifer’s question, the three largest refugee resettlement agencies are Catholic Relief Services, Lutheran Refugee Services, and I believe World Relief.&#160; Those are the three largest in this country. And so there is this robust effort, I think, to take care of strangers, if we want to call it that, among Christian groups. And you alluded to this earlier, this confusion that we have of dealing with refugees and dealing with immigrants. I hear this all the time because people will lump the problems of refugees in with the problems of immigration, and yet we know that refugees get here a very different way than immigrants do.</p>
<p>And so I guess all of that leading to a little bit of a frustration that I had looking at your categories, as helpful as they are, that white evangelicals becomes this very large — and I’m speaking as one, so I may be taking it personally — but white evangelicals become — and I don’t see myself up there, is what I would say – become this very large group, whereas I think if you broke that down, as we’ve been trying to do in our own reporting, we’ve realized that too often we are covering the debate on immigration instead of covering the immigrants and immigration per se. And if you break that white evangelical group down, you begin to see that white evangelicals living in border states are going to have different views than white evangelicals living in the middle part of the country and that suburban and urban evangelicals are going to have different views too, depending on their experiences — all of that to say is there data that breaks down what you presented, which I found so helpful, but I also find we’re not quite getting at where African Americans figure into this debate. I’m not sure we’re quite getting at where white evangelicals really are in this debate. I think that what we’ve seen in our reporting is a much more diversity of opinion than what I saw in that data. And I realize that’s the difference between data and reporting, but I’m just wondering if there is an attempt to do that, because there seemed to be a lot of misperceptions about what immigration actually is, and you’ve highlighted some of those today, and what immigrants actually do once they’re here, that kind of thing.</p>
<p>DR. GREEN:&#160; The religious categories we looked at in the data today are really very crude, really crude.&#160; And I say that as somebody who’s spent his entire career trying to measure religious communities very, very accurately.&#160; But some of that’s just the nature of the instrument we’re using. I think the virtue of those surveys was that we got kind of up-to-date, general opinion of the surveys that were conducted this year, so we have a sense of where people’s opinions are at the moment, but the cost of that is there’s not very much detail, and there — but there have been scholars that have either aggregated surveys or have done much more in-depth studies, and they do pick up on some of the nuances that you’re talking about. There’s a good bit more diversity within those communities.</p>
<p>The central tendencies that we see in these survey data are still there, but there’s a lot more nuance and a lot more detail. But it’s also important to remember that measures of public opinion, but within a religious community there, are all different — there’s public opinion, but then there’s clergy, and there’s activists, and there are volunteers, and there are different kinds of organizations. And this kind of data doesn’t deal with those sorts of things. But other data that does shows the kind of nuance that you’re talking about, that lots of congregations — evangelical congregations, Catholic congregations, are engaged in various kinds of relief efforts that you wouldn’t be able to measure in this kind of data.</p>
<p>But that gets to Peter’s point, and I really think Peter probably answered your question better. I do think, among people I’ve interviewed in congregations, there is this confusion between refugees and immigrants. And one place where those two things seem to overlap is the idea of relief, because many of those organizations also engage in disaster relief around the world, including in the United States.&#160; And so from their operational point of view — and I’m probably overstating this, but they tend to see people in need, and the distinctions are a little less important, sometimes, than the need that needs to be addressed. But what that means is there’s a certain degree of confusion as to what they’re about. &#160;Peter?</p>
<p>DR. SKERRY:&#160; Well, yeah, I would agree with what John just said, and maybe hit even a little even harder on the confusion and take the occasion to say again what I said in passing in my remarks — which is that this confusion is really to be traced back in great part to refugee advocates, whom I mentioned. When I have talked with them about this confusion, and when they’ve been straightforward, they acknowledge that even though opinion polls routinely demonstrate that Americans are more receptive to refugees than to immigrants, that’s an advantage they are prepared to put to one side. Indeed, they’re more than happy to throw in their lot with immigration reform advocates, because they feel that, however well-received refugee issues are among the American public, they’re not that popular. So, refugee advocates understandably conclude that they need allies. So that’s an advantage that they’re willing to take a pass on. In essence, then, refugee advocates are complicit in fostering this confusion. Now, I might do the same thing if I were them, but I’m not sure. In any event, they are prepared to cede this high ground.</p>
<p>And then, this is another opportunity for me to say, again, that your question underscores why I tend to resist attitudinal or ideological interpretations of reactions to immigrants, because they are invariably very context-specific. It’s not even just immigrants; it’s a question of which immigrants — high-skilled, low-skilled, or with some other specific profile or characteristics. We’ve been talking here a lot about Hispanic immigrants. That’s a topic worthy of a bit of attention. For all the talk about diversity in America today, our preoccupation with diversity, the fact is that our current influx of immigrants is probably less diverse — arguably less diverse — than it’s ever been. And it’s because we have this huge preponderance, this one agglomerated group that we call — and they now call themselves — Hispanics. That one, overwhelmingly large group is something we haven’t quite dealt with before.</p>
<p>But putting this factor to one side, reactions to Asian immigrants, I think, are much more positive; not uniformly, but much more positive for a lot of different reasons. And it matters whether we’re talking about Central Maine versus the border area in Texas or the Central Valley of California.</p>
<p>So it just is a reminder to me that all these contextual factors really need to be looked at very carefully, and it sounds to me that’s the kind of reporting you’re doing, which sounds good. But such an approach does lend itself to a very different perspective than what we generally hear when overall immigration patterns and national policy are being debated.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160; Well, ladies and gentlemen, the success of this program is because we get such quality speakers like Professor Skerry and Professor Green. And it’s also a success because of you and your contributions to this, and we’re very grateful for your participation. We’re always grateful when we write you and you say, “Yes, I’m coming.” We’re also grateful when you say, “Yes,” and you stay there and say “Yes” and end up showing up. Sometimes that doesn’t happen, for various reasons, so we’re delighted that you could be here, and thank you so much, and we’ll look forward to seeing you in the spring, hopefully. Thank you.</p> | false | 1 | faith angle forum semiannual conference brings together select group 20 nationally respected journalists 35 distinguished scholars areas religion politics amp public life welcoming stranger160religion politics immigration south beach florida speakers160dr peter skerry160professor political science boston college160nonresident senior fellow brookings institution dr john c green160director ray c bliss institute applied politics160distinguished professor political science university akron moderator160michael cromartie vicepresident ethics public policy center click listen audio recording event michael cromartie michael cromartie160 todays topic know could timely delighted want topics timely one certainly two gentlemen political scientists experts subject biographies pamphlets know reputation going first hear dr peter skerry professor political science boston college giving us kind overview history immigration american politics life different people look different ways going dr john green university akron many us feel leading political demographer religious voting behavior america almost topic john going talk us different way religious groups view immigration questions dr peter skerry dr peter skerry160 thank mike great today appreciate invitation help staff make really pleasant think rewarding couple days im going im going look minutes assumptions see informing views religious leaders across board could talk specific religious leaders later like immigration though religious leaders views think distinctive elites topic table thats im going focus real thrust remarks assumptions typically dont bear scrutiny whether looking immigration past present three assumptions lay quickly immigrants typically poorest therefore neediest segments societies whence come know highskilled immigrants discourse always focusing immigrants poorest neediest second assumption typically meaningful distinctions get drawn immigrants refugees differences immigrants refugees get confounded muddled time third assumption gets made religious well leaders arriving intend stay become americans coincidentally assumptions embedded emma lazarus famous sonnet new160colossus inflict upon remind us like brazen giant greek fame conquering limbs astride land land seawashed sunset gates shall stand mighty woman torch whose flame imprisoned lightning name mother exiles beaconhand glows worldwide welcome mild eyes command airbridged harbor twin cities frame keep ancient lands storied pomp cries silent lips give tired poor huddled masses yearning breathe free wretched refuse teeming shore send homeless tempesttost lift lamp beside golden door weve heard words yet theyre really misleading sonnet assumptions entwined image course statue liberty words found main entrance statue clearly realm myths symbols point understandably suffuse topic immigration obviously integral selfunderstanding nation people symbols like statue liberty particularly powerful theyre also changeable protean thats want talk minutes origins many may know statue nothing immigration160 rather gift conceived embattled french republicans wake frances defeat francoprussian war 1870s trying appeal fellow successful republicans across atlantic libertys torch intended light way immigrants come america send rays hope inspire republicans around globe foster free liberal institutions lived course statues dedication 1886 coincided growing influx immigrants arriving new york harbor felt literally greeted libertys torch became part immigrant lore part national story emma lazarus sonnet important role play transformation statues image originally written art exhibit undertaken raise money statues pedestal contributed confusion sonnet day immigrants refugees second three assumptions highlighted beginning remarks emma lazarus talking refugee story immigrant story people forced live came america refuge ill say minute accident lazarus moved write responding plight fellow jews particularly assimilated american jew responding plight fellow jews fleeing pogroms tsarist russia time event time statues 50th anniversary 1936 lazarus sonnet displayed obscure place inside pediment second story beneath statue public barely aware ceremony statue 1936 president roosevelt even mention lazarus sonnet though mention immigration rather tangentially mostly say thing past put within shores today materials shall continue build even better home liberty story door less shut years later plight jews nazidominated europe lazarus work really began receive serious attention undoubtedly fueled part lessthangenerous response need refuge way statue came confounded symbol welcome immigrants seeking opportunity advancement immigrants story coming new york harbor especially time refugees fleeing danger persecution especially world war ii brings us three key assumptions underlying understanding immigrants broadly construed among religious leaders first assumption arriving typically poorest poor lazarus put tired poor economic historians timothy hatton jeffrey williamson among lots scholars pointed 19th early 20th centuries poorest poor seldom ones migrated rather one two strata poorest wherewithal aware opportunities migrate probably literate means plan save passage united states today putting aside obvious fact many educated skilled individuals seek come end spectrum still poorest poor migrate modest means nevertheless able save afford opportunity costs working making trek pay substantial fees charged smuggler coyote gain entrance united states maybe finetuning order story gotten case mexico least coming united states part routine sometimes almost rite passage many villages central mexico cities costs risks journey hardly negligible theyre greatly relatively lower migration first began many years ago second assumption gets made religious leaders immigrants equivalent refugees circumstances driven continue drive immigrants fundamentally different confronting refugees huddled masses yearning breathe free wretched refuse teeming shore sonnet ive suggested lazarus powerful imagery contributed confusion needs politicians advocates striving build coalitions minimized ignored differences refugees confronted choices economic migrants choosing come salient example occurred 1965 president johnson signed years historic immigration reform bill hartcellar act abolished muchcriticized national origin quotas 1920s base statute liberty unlike fdr 30 years cited lazarus sonnet used occasion signing major immigration reform bill century announce largescale program reception refugees castros cuba theres confusion surprise perhaps pardonable would suggest couple years ago senator marco rubio claimed family part refugee exodus cuba fact parents arrived ordinary immigrants 1950s revolution third assumption notion immigrants refugees alike come intending become americans make new home assumption generally true groups russian jews cubans fleeing castro perhaps famine irish middle 19th century vietnamese boat people 20th century applied many strictly construed immigrants arriving indeed turn 20th century immigrants arriving typically referred birds passage time typically southern eastern europeans came intending work hard save money return home families period leading world war noteworthy example pattern among italian immigrants twothirds italian males arrived period subsequently returned home reflecting part speed relatively low cost steamship travel compared earlier means transatlantic voyages fundamentally purposes highlights basic motivations come work hard save money go home similarly today illegal immigrants especially exclusively mexico central america come intending stay work hard two jobs minimize living expenses save money bunking many 10 12 people often young men always returning home enough buy land machinery start business build house social scientists refer target earners obviously take big risks often get exploited middlemen course employers many respects individuals regarded exploiting order reach target earnings put sorts travail often put risk danger also reap substantial gains augmenting earning power many times compared would earning back home course many typically dont return home least permanently end remaining settling children born therefore citizens raising families yet original intentions dont evaporate dreams returning home linger shape lives children around well example case undocumented irish new york city 1990s group focus lot current debate one researcher linda almeida points undocumented irish got trapped transience observes employers werent always willing invest training time money worker person likely leave without notice deported illegal alien somewhat different view employers treat undocumented workers would submit bit ambiguous simple story exploitation undocumented workers generally hear another researcher mary corcoran reports another aspect transience among undocumented irish social ties relations immigrant communities quotes undocumented irishwoman tend trust people talk lot bullshit couple hours want bed know home lot supports family friends dont really trust anybody way alternatively different group different setting labor activists tried organize undocumented immigrant workers express similar frustrations jennifer gordon activist lawyer unsuccessfully attempted organize union among central american day laborers central long island concludes populations puts settlers fact sojourners attitude160 continues immigrants may decide current wages working conditions good enough short term term imagine living even pithier comments organizer bill pastreich stalwart efforts 1960s organize welfare mothers old enough remember pastreich later went organize labor unions gordon hired assess situation efforts among undocumented immigrants long island advice gordon quoted gordons fascinating account suburban sweatshops im quoting many workers incredibly transient jobs whole scene fluid uncontrollable employers small varied make organizing practical concluded give go find organizing campaign prayer success among things raises whole lot questions wont explore wisdom perhaps seriousness unions like service employees international union seiu made big point commitment organizing undocumented workers one final piece evidence original intentions immigrants settle lingering frequently overlooked impact 27 million undocumented obtained amnesty immigration reform control act 1986 today quarter century later 40 percent cohort gone secure us citizenship eligible fully 60 percent settled green card conclude motivations mixed complicated often counterintuitive motivations outcomes religious leaders well elites seem completely oblivious wedded misleading rhetoric imagery immigration lore embodied emma lazarus sonnet enshrined statue liberty one final point regard different related assumption relied leaders faith tradition us catholic bishops involves readiness address presumed needs migrants change circumstances focusing bishops grown reliant biblical imagery welcoming stranger title one letters faithful express skepticism sanctity national borders assert right migrate yet worth noting national conferences catholic bishops see things way poland example heyday solidaritys battle soviet domination bishops spoke young poles took advantage opportunities leave homeland thereby deprived movement needed skills leadership bishops ireland various times recent years bemoaned criticized outmigration young educated youth america elsewhere church leaders liberal migration policies represent welcome strangers threat wellbeing societies alternative perspectives highlight seems religious leaders america reliant assumptions need much much closer scrutiny ill stop thank mr cromartie160 thank professor skerry thank much appreciate thank much applause dr john green director ray bliss institute applied politics distinguished professor political science university akron many know john many quoted john johns excellent work voting behavior data therein john going show us charts handouts need give everyone going go dr john green dr john green160 going go overhead mr cromartie160 people want copies dr green160 ill happy email powerpoint presentation anybody wants let know mr cromartie160 okay thank john youre dr green160 oh well thank much wonderful back faith angle conference160 michael debating last night whether four three times think answers three seems like four mr cromartie160 yes dr green160 ive many times really enjoyed mr cromartie160 number four dr green160 yeah number four really wonderful id like look little bit attitudes different religious groups mass public well start looking general attitudes towards immigration well focus policy questions apologize realized got people sitting back room may weak old eyes like mine charts may little bit difficult look really counts patterns thats want focus patterns couple general points might argue immigration immigration reform laws regarding immigration sort original cultural conflict united states talk lot recent times talked lot culture wars well sense original culture wars course theres economic aspect youll see attitudes well look even questions colleagues pew research center ask surveys youll see assumptions peter talking dont inform attitudes religious elites inform public even pollsters religion played significant role attitudes towards immigration present past changes lot circumstances religion important factor key thing know though primary way religion affects issues related immigration religious affiliation groups people belong minute going look fairly crude descriptions major religious traditions united states even crude measures show really interesting differences160 many colleagues call politics belonging identifying belonging particular group determines attitudes people issues first going look religious traditions attitudes towards immigration general well turn immigration policy issues debating washington right data come pew research center great bulk surveys conducted 2013 fresh data time issue disclaimer im using pew research center often work views mine mine alone responsibility pew research center well spend little bit time first picture pictures look lot like theres standard question thats asked many years various forms dichotomous question asks people comes closer views part thats red reads growing number newcomers countries threatens traditional american values alternative growing number newcomers countries strengthens american society questions asked 30 40 years varies lot results vary lot circumstances including whats happening immigration side chart religious groups well look top white evangelicals white catholics160 white mainline protestants unaffiliated called nones yesterday theyre actually better called unaffiliated groups theres group called christians christians arent one categories polyglot group sample size small cant break lot category faiths basically nonchristians one kind another dont big enough sample size break component groups black protestants historic black protestant tradition hispanic christians protestants catholics put together many know differences hispanic protestants catholics many political issues immigration look whole lot see look patterns red blue way gaps red blue people didnt opinion couldnt answer dichotomous question see really pretty clear pattern white evangelicals days skeptical new people coming country view threaten american values see white catholics white mainline protestants white protestant traditions white christian traditions tend share kind skepticism go farther towards group contains immigrants days hispanic christians skepticism declines notice even among hispanic christians theres roughly quarter view newcomers whats interesting question doesnt identify newcomers idea immigrants idea new people coming country see also large groups americans think newcomers strengthen american society fact would look whole broken religious groups majority 52 percent americans think year growing number newcomers strengthens american society view immigration cultural lens next chart looks economic lens red part graph immigrants today burden society take jobs housing healthcare gets back one peters points many times immigrants seen neediest people take jobs also take social services one kind another basically picture couple interesting differences youll notice christian category sort towards middle chart christians include lots people different status mormons orthodox christians black catholics group wouldnt fit one categories theyre much sensitive economic issue cultural issue thats also true black protestants160 course may something economic circumstances groups put context lets look contemporary culture war issue support opposition samesex marriage religious groups opposition support see much much sharper gradient look red bar white evangelicals move towards unaffiliated sharp change much sharper immigration notice get sort towards bottom chart christians black protestants even hispanic catholics large minority also opposed samesex marriage difference cultural issues associated immigration things associated sexual conduct different kinds culture conflicts one really interesting things impact worship attendance many know politics belonging today also politics believing behaving simple chart takes newcomers threat plots across religious groups differences attitudes frequent attenders less frequent attenders red line frequent attenders people say go worship week dashed line less frequent attenders whats interesting picture basic immigration question less frequent attenders conservative attitudes frequent attenders actually liberal attitudes might impact religious elites talking immigration reform also may isnt religiosity group membership one threatened members groups content religion group one belongs show different measure attendance looks like samesex marriage notice across religious groups frequent attenders conservative opposed samesex marriage less frequent attenders less opposed see cultural politics immigration different kind politics politics samesex marriage abortion talk sexual issues new culture war issues talking impact believing behaving religious terms belonging heres really interesting diagram thats worth looking really think captures cultural milieu moment question asks compared immigrants early 1900s todays immigrants less willing adapt american way life options willing willing ive plotted answer less willing immigrants previous era relatively people sample actually remember immigration early 1900s probably many really symbolism past better present comes immigration youd see really interesting gradient across bars moving white evangelicals guess would right hispanic christians white christian communities tend see maybe surprisingly ancestors people migrated earlier willing fit american society groups characterized recent immigrants really kind interesting get sense group impact religious traditions basic attitudes towards immigration lets switch gears little bit lets talk contemporary immigration policy one questions asked year pew whats biggest problem immigration asked illegal immigrants legal immigration see big red lines sort pop across everybody thinks big problem illegal immigration thats big issue see little purple lines people think legal immigration problems overwhelmingly thats debate thats public interested question illegal immigration next chart kind interesting one plots percentage different religious communities would like see restrictions legal illegal immigration red line illegal immigration dashed line legal immigration interesting many people would like see illegal immigration restricted well probably illegal notice sentiment lower level reducing legal immigration well look first part chart youll notice lines almost parallel look large white christian traditions theyre similar get newer traditions combined groups notice really legal immigration thats problem really pops even go far far side hispanic christians significant group people want legal illegal immigration restricted shows theres diversity within religious communities think fits attitudes looked kind skepticism primarily cultural grounds also economic grounds immigration whether illegal legal course illegal immigration much serious heres counterintuitive finding question pew asking couple years dichotomous question asks illegal immigrants allowed stay country certain conditions thats blue bars illegals allowed stay people illegally made leave deported think whats counterintuitive notice size blue bars every single one religious groups large majority believes illegal immigrants allowed stay certain conditions ill talk conditions second look red bars much smaller see effects attitudes looking previous slides white christian traditions skeptical immigration everybody thinks people allowed stay particular conditions theres course quite debate conditions would think counterintuitive looked attitudes looked might think groups towards top chart white evangelicals white catholics would actually favor deportation theyre may one rare instances public actually learns something debate know mass public well informed details debates survey asked people thought practical deport illegal immigrants leave united states overwhelming majority religious groups said simply practical cant done people might want right might sort sentiments might skeptical impact people united states think impractical think american public become enormously informed survey showed majorities groups think illegal immigration growing leaps bounds im sure know actually slowed recession publics completely informed one place information actually seems impact attitudes way goes underlying values conditions one condition popular normalization illegal status would involve able speak english actually religious groups majorities think thats good idea much controversial paying fines white evangelicals actually interested paying fines way undocumented workers stay hispanic christians think thats terrific idea maybe goes peters point economic motivation many immigrants united states ways controversial conditions survey tenyear waiting period people status normalized white evangelicals thought great idea go groups chart people became less less interested hispanic christians interested debate conditions fulcrum debate really something else asked another question immigration reform following things comes closer view secure borders first secure borders time requirements implemented thats really point view mass public thats really debate see chart look white evangelicals top large majority thinks borders secured first reflects skepticism white evangelicals immigration particularly cultural terms perhaps also economic terms go bottom chart see hispanic christians almost reverse case larger group thinks larger bar secure borders time things implemented whats interesting though besides big dichotomy two large religious groups look white catholics white mainline protestants second third steps chart theyre pretty evenly divided whether border first along types changes think significant think politics immigration many representatives congress lobbying community pushing border security first come areas white evangelicals common populous also come areas hispanic population large well theres lot tension sort thing many ways fulcrum debate point view politics belonging160 turns things two groups worry different things many people agree secure borders making arrangements worried economic issues theyre worried one hand normalization process reduce jobs use social services time many see great benefits economy normalizing legal status illegal immigrants hand people worried securing border first theyre concerned borders arent secured first encourage illegal immigration theyre also concerned certain types social dysfunction crime forth associated secure borders interesting look chart easily imagine easily see popular foundation debate republicans democrats look deeper survey arguments among democrats among republicans exactly things could implemented conclusion think theres couple interesting things know one mass public religious affiliation significant factor comes towards immigration subject kind data weve looking statistical controls impact religious affiliation persists suggests membership groups important clear focus debate mass public illegal immigration despite considerable skepticism immigration religious communities religious groups support mechanism allow people illegally stay country major division securing border goes back images peter talking immigrants role american society thank much mr cromartie160 thank okay paul edwards mike gerson karen think starts smiling broadly think thats youre raising hand160 raise dr skerry160 smiled whole time talking mr cromartie160 smiled whole time paul edwards first please paul edwards paul edwards deseret news160 thank informative presentations peter wanted respond im looking course deseret news salt lake city utah church jesus christ latterday saints looked think important want clarify perspective looking statements immigration became focused 2011 year state utah lot discussion immigration reform initially introduction bill similar presented arizona efforts came underway modify create slightly different dialogue utah way mormon church talked immigration official statements part ethical framework think interesting note one statements begins says worldwide church dealing many complex issues across globe goes statement different principles experience much anything churches seeing organizational issue pragmatic level operate worldwide operation people fact migrating different countries experience interesting things within congregation deal issues congregational life parishioners undocumented youre trying help housing work kinds things think may practical level organization doesnt see borders mission although recognizing operates within kinds laws constraints deal practical concerns may overstating narrative idealism refugees kinds things come play churches speaking certain kinds immigration issues put slightly finer point come significantly way latterday saints deal missionary service undocumented mormons come age serve missionaries issue assigned becomes practical concern assigned outside united states cant get back creates real issue families think practicalities may play larger role gave credit dr skerry160 well first want acknowledge paul question help met first time arrived two days ago interviewed telephone year year half ago came across editorial deseret news talking illegal immigration made really interesting point americans upset illegal immigration invoking kind civil law notion quite antithetical commonlaw traditions dont know dont see many allusions kind discourse editorials newspapers much less utah deseret news may say eastern arrogance sought guy didnt even know wrote first intermediaries led paul extremely helpful turned studied law school somebody whose work knew well paul taught lot going mormon church utah cant wont disagree put table paul say dont think focus idealistic narrative contradicts put one wants explore pragmatic aspects things well story gets whole lot complicated perhaps verges ill speak catholic bishops certain extent perhaps hypocrisy certainly catholic church heavy investments prevailing immigration policies church trouble hispanic immigrants fresh recruits albeit ones turning back church becoming evangelical protestants miami years ago learned talking people archdiocese dependent miami archdiocese particular funding federal government refugee services huge part churchs budget elsewhere comes providing services immigrants criticism im glad church things dont talk theyre espousing idealistic set principles agree think interesting story probably interplay two things selfinterest idealism mr cromartie160 mike gerson karen tweet away folks michael gerson michael gerson washington post160 one important interesting things found presentation culture war issues get differently treated communities talked samesex marriage religious attendance indicator conservative position religious attendance indicator less conservative position immigration right mean caught correctly dr green160 yeah mr gerson160 okay dr green160 right mr gerson160 understand context maybe catholic tradition teaching topic people regularly attend might getting teaching topic think thats probably lot less likely white evangelical settings distinction true white evangelical settings well explore little bit would explanation would dr green160 well think different kinds issues sexual issues new call new culture war issues well tend call culture war issues theyre relatively new american politics closely connected attendance good measure regular attendance also beliefs go along regular attendance across almost religious traditions traditional view marriage people tend hold traditional beliefs within tradition thats little bit convoluted way put thats impact belonging doesnt completely go away right regular massattending catholic still catholic right regular churchattending evangelical still evangelical part traditional beliefs connected ideas sexual behavior issues like abortion samesex marriage came onto scene politics way people thought traditional views closely connected one side debate whereas kinds cultural issues immigration example theres ones well really dont engage traditional beliefs much160 identity people belonging particular group interesting case immigration data less frequent attending members religious traditions still strong group identity theyre religiosity thats engaged group identity actually new phenomenon go back look voting behavior issues voting behavior 1950s 60s would find worship attendance predict voting behavior group membership instance john kennedy elected 1960 roman catholics attended mass weekly less likely vote john kennedy roman catholics never darkened door church years going group identification particular candidate shared identification think theres two different ways peoples religion gets connected types issues one group identity religious beliefs practices could well part whats going politics case new culture war issues course lots prominent leaders evangelical catholic community bunch communities actually campaigned issues tried draw connections right course also liberal side progressive side well could particularly evangelical community seeing little bit immigration issues works opposite way people may hearing pastors leaders needs immigration reform needs greater acceptance know last couple years theres kind united evangelical front push immigration reform given data looked today little bit surprising lot people pews dont necessarily views possible mike part regular attenders even evangelical churches hearing message need changes policy except moving prevailing opinion community long convoluted answer good question mr cromartie160 karen youre pulling mic john tea party chart160 anywhere dr green160 well tea party isnt chart160 tea partys political group mr cromartie160 know wondered would dr green160 well tea party advocates draw heavily white christian community significant portion tea party adherents evangelicals also draw mainline protestants catholics tea party overlaps white christian communities doesnt overlap completely lots evangelicals lots catholics dont regard part tea party mr cromartie160 lot libertarians tea party right dr green160 know think tea party sort faction among republicans theres factions within tea party social conservatives part tea party theres also libertarians spend lot time getting along practice american politics mr cromartie160 karen karen tumulty karen tumulty karen tumulty washington post160 oh well thank great anybodys following twitter weve russell moore ralph reed weighing conversation absentia mr cromartie160 going ask questions ms tumulty160 well one mr cromartie160 give floor russell moore ms tumulty160 well one questions wanted asked although im really wondering looking data even applies wondering kind coalition building issue evangelicals groups might carry issues looking data really looks like theres going real challenge evangelical leaders get rank file sort throw immigration issue way issues either one see coming big political force immigration issue despite hearing leaders way issues dr green160 think itll difficult real challenge bring people pews along think possible goes details policy reform would perceived strong border controls think might larger number evangelicals white christians might join kind really case think details matter lot even setting certain conditions people country able relationship legal status normalized going prevailing sentiment many people communities everyone course many people good deal think real challenge unusual american politics religious leaders real challenge mobilizing members behind something feel strongly even get something close unanimity among leaders still challenge often bring followers along mr cromartie160 yeah ill let peter comment karen question ralph russells ms tumulty160 well ralph tweeting sorry bringing mr cromartie160 thats ms tumulty160 well ralphs thesis evangelicals sort turned lawbreaking aspect thats one reasons hard bring along dr green160 may good bit truth one way think well asking questions issues difficult many people get phone dinnertime word illegal jumps hard get past think particularly among evangelicals exclusive evangelicals illegality seems like threat ms tumulty160 right yeah exact tweet mostly skeptical amnestywashington undermining rule law evangelicals welcoming legal immigrants dr green160 yeah data looked shows even skepticism legal immigration among evangelicals much much lower problem really illegality im sure thats evangelicals quote unquote legalistic religiosity think particular debate order important see lawbreaking source disorder mr cromartie160 peter comments dr skerry160 would couple things looking johns data seemed almost every question white evangelicals followed pretty directly white catholics deflect question theres kind similar dynamic going throw perspective doesnt speak immediate political dynamics ive always struck certainly argued part paul edwards gone back forth rather curious way dichotomy legal illegal gotten defined think point republicans allowed buy way thats suppose one hand makes sense puts somewhat box never talk course theres 11 million illegal immigrants country theres least 11 million employers hired illegally fact crime wasnt always crime history became one 1986 never talk employers certainly republicans dont maybe understand politics think theres lack realism discussion hand im convinced cant prove certainly argue adduce evidence im convinced public actually anxious illegal immigration legal immigration clearly numbers defy said thats state debate categories think confounding ask talk people look evidence people talked people really eats immigrants generally illegal immigrants particular theyll certainly cite illegal immigration right bat theyll go litany things true arent illegal immigrants arent learning english theyre paying taxes kind things like said true arent ask legal immigrants wont say theyre illegally theyll say things theyll list litany think speaks fact basic john kept referring cultural dynamics thats part would also remarks trying suggest social scientists would call structural dynamics fact immigrants introduce certain levels disorder communities pose challenges maintaining normal community dynamics thats true whether theyre illegally legally think illegals pose particular challenges theyre different wanted throw distinction come rely artifact politics im sure helpful mr cromartie160 william saletan pull mic please either ask question tweeters asking ask william saletan william saletan slate160 havent checking twitter feed sorry im trying live world right wanted reverse question ask little bit attitudes immigrants religious moral issues may good data maybe extrapolate little bit political context obviously lot republicans afraid new hispanic citizens reliable democratic voting bloc argument side republicans somehow use cultural issues tap conservative cultural views among group looking john data gay marriage looked like theres basis argument although somewhat limited looked like white evangelicals 70 percent gay marriage 15 percent among unaffiliated 40 45 among hispanic group in160catholic protestant theres somewhat theres basis looks like course larger context lot polls showing shifts left cultural issues gay marriage time moving radically recently saw polls legalization marijuana death penalty maybe theres correspondence look like theres somewhat liberalization pattern question two put heads together peter first trend data cultural issues within currently polled hispanic particularly recent hispanic immigrants established sort hispanic group peter data tell us changes nature folks coming whether data current hispanic voters would resemble future changes going make cant extrapolate dr green160 well first thing know hispanic immigrants many know term hispanic actually american invention go talk hispanic community dont think hispanics think mexicans cubans really nation origin actually diverse stream people large group mexican immigrants religiously traditional theyre traditional catholics traditional evangelicals traditional catholics come united states become evangelicals theres evangelism process tend quite culturally conservative hispanic immigrants nature many younger upwardly mobile people come cities came rural areas anxious get rural areas like ancestors anxious get rural oklahoma wanted go big city could choices kind group well look overall trend hispanics like entire country liberalization number issues samesex marriage good example tends occur among younger less religious bettereducated members immigrant groups like people among catholics evangelicals moving direction well think republicans opportunities cultural issues sense hispanic immigrants think relative power cultural issues though diminished partly liberalizing attitudes united states ways republicans could appeal group peter pointed many people come economic opportunity lot republican policies small business economic opportunity might well appeal folks didnt put data surveys reporting question asked would help republicans hurt republicans supported immigration reform among hispanic christians protestants catholics large percentage said would really help republicans mean folks going go vote republican dont know would case suggest immigration issue may problem republicans least hispanic voters might otherwise want vote economic social issue reasons let say one thing religious distinctions within hispanic community evangelical hispanics republican hispanic catholics elections still vote majority democratic much lower rate hispanic catholics part republican outreach would go evangelical hispanics rather catholic hispanics mr cromartie160 quick point peter dr skerry160 yeah quickly dont whole lot add would suppose chime point lots ways republicans appeal hispanics immigrationrelated issues havent done much putting mitt romney one side unfortunate formulation issue theres whole raft issues promoting english language acquisition around lots white republicans could get behind certainly lots hispanics well talk lot english acquisition dont much youve ever spent time esl classes experience tend inspiring failures greatly underfunded undertheorized theres lots could much imaginative ways put minds invested hispanics would welcome done right could also naturalization understand republicans concerns theres ways welcoming people without necessarily opening doors ever immigrants clearly problem republicans none kinds opportunities seem like theyre explored mr cromartie160 david rennie want pull mic mollie mollie hemingway molly ball michelle david rennie david rennie economist160 inaudible questions cause versus correlation dr green160 white evangelicals sort outlier opposition think something within theology evangelical faith simply conservative people tend edge towards denomination dr skerry theres lot news reports new kind fashionable thing write debate evangelical church leaders coming congress lobbying favor comprehensive immigration reform id like hear whether think thats hype whether somethings going whether represents kind broad trend sort splintering within evangelical movement dr green160 well ordinary people dont spend lot time thinking theology probably dont one reasons evangelicals conservative religious beliefs present context lead balance favor conservative policies movement evangelicals democratic party republican party happened last 40 years lot religious beliefs im sure particularly sophisticated think beliefs new cultural issues leading edge wasnt lots things policies evangelicals slowly surely found republican party congenial party took conservative positions think religious influence course try track real time causality becomes complicated particular campaign mobilizes particular set people next campaign people different voted particular candidate look grand sweep think really connection religious beliefs perhaps ways unsophisticated versions theological statements actual causal mechanism complicated mr cromartie160 peter dr skerry 160yes well regard recent evangelical initiatives see isnt particularly novel going time back 90s ralph reed worked grover norquist led similar efforts successful efforts immigration reform 1996 richard land southern baptists led prominently argued recently liberalization richard cizik national association evangelicals dont sit recent ongoing time dont know data look like john could inform us leadership positions impacted attitudes among evangelicals toward immigration sense much dont know reinforces trying suggest remarks theres much elite versus nonelite phenomenon going immigration trade would defer john two issues spread elites nonelites think widest issues speaks think whole dimension immigration politics doesnt always get talked immigration doesnt benefit everyone american society equally washington elites us people sitting around tables tend look upon immigrants bonus go restaurants theyre waiters hotels theyre waiters provide services us large numbers americans dont see way dont use services see usually mistakenly labor market competitors also see competitors resources community values community stability seems leaders evangelical churches prone elite phenomenon shouldnt surprise think thats great part see playing mr cromartie160 question john green made point many feel take jobs take away opportunity data show attitudes religious people add market take jobs people data dr green160 well like lot things thats complicated mr cromartie160 would help political consultants room give real strong answer dr green160 depends nature immigrants think lot people think low lot scholars think lowskilled immigrants days particularly mexico compete lowerskilled jobs americans also take jobs americans dont want kind wash put sort big picture together higherskilled workers tend compete less synergies existing workers united states may aware strong argument silicon valley made expanding legal immigration people certain kinds skills mr cromartie160 whats argument dr green160 argument bring programmers engineers united states wont displace jobs american programmers engineers youll youll expand industries well talent theres might argue theres competition level kinds workers seen actually net positive creates economic growth sort flip head assumption low wage jobs youre adding much economic growth theres much zerosum game different competitors really michael lot nature workers mr cromartie160 yeah peter comment need real numbers next election gentlemen would hurry give us numbers soon dr green160 well best mike dr skerry160 well think broadly speaking numbers lot economists giovanni peri george borjas done lot work disagree kind builds john said putting maybe little differently net benefit economy prevailing immigration policies mostly slanted toward unskilled immigrants varying sorts may changing well see large tend think theres debates whether 01 percent additional gdp thats much thats arguably negligible towards something might 2 3 4 5 times larger would make half point gdp thats lot overall economy big impact tends size pie pie gets divided certain sectors economy benefit greatly immigration certain sectors population benefit greatly silicon valley one uppermiddleclass educated people coming back point made tend benefit see benefiting immigration purposes one economy depends economy perceive immigrants think relates kinds economic outcomes mr cromartie160 okay dr skerry160 doesnt mean way always get perceived accurately would emphasize reiterate kinds ordinary americans tea party types people showed johns data invariably exaggerate economic competition see unskilled immigrants would argue sources competition challenge immigrants variety reasons people dont articulate put chips economic labor market competition think exaggerated mollie hemingway mollie hemingway federalist160 religion immigration story find interesting muslim immigration thats long story long part american history seems like maybe second generation significant muslim immigration sense theres change decades ago muslims talk american identity leaders might said near past important muslims muslim identity america sort hostile place whatnot sense muslim public leaders speaking differently talking engaged american politics engaged community whatnot anything dr skerry change thats happening consequences terms maybe older mr cromartie160 dr skerry book coming something ms hemingway160 yeah consequences muslims maybe changing views maybe pushback among groups anything topic mr cromartie160 youre writing book peter dr skerry160 yeah mr cromartie160 go ahead tell people dr skerry160 well yeah mollies think pretty much target talking muslim immigrants big shift much time 911 certainly viewed america hostile many also viewed dangerously seductive spent much time urging young people avoid assimilating whats interesting think muslims avoid assimilation reasons hispanic immigrants mexican immigrants might avoid sense preserving culture heritage rather viewed question saving souls muslims shouldnt even properly understood much less adapt society leaders telling certainly 70s 80s 90s begun change 911 really turned around seems persuaded muslim leaders many followers time embrace america protect thats theyre busily irony story mind went think largely forgotten muslims younger muslims today arent mindful even elders arent mindful america seen 911 sort dangerously seductive place160 theyre fighting trying claim rights americans theyre context way seems deny large parts cultural conservatism dont find muslim leaders even young people universities young muslims talking hostility anxiety well homosexuality difficult deal islam sexual relations outside marriage cultural issues salient 911 thats sort put one side focus claiming rights american citizens theres lot reasons think unnatural posture muslims sooner later change thats kind state play mr cromartie160 molly ball youre next thank molly ball molly ball atlantic160 inaudible said going say responding idea legal versus illegal distinction really important john seemed first charts rebutted notion people saying immigrants threaten way life immigrants burden society theyre making distinction seem see wonder much think also historically fear particularly white people specifically fearing erosion majority status since seems undercurrent lot data youve presented dr green160 think youre right one reasons liked questions presented theyre general statements imagine get quite complicated dont ask question doesnt word like newcomer immigrant actually identifies particular group groups perceived much threatening groups interesting gets peters point wish articulated well background suspicion skepticism immigration debate drawn distinction legal illegal think partly questions pollsters ask partly way elites present debate public picked distinction distinction resonated data suggested theres much skepticism opposition legal immigration illegal immigration still significant numbers groups concerned describe lot different ways think fear identify particular group draw boundaries around group groups thing theres certain fear tension another way look thats flipside american pluralism pick one peters themes many us tend celebrate american pluralism right diverse nation world nation made nations thats comforting narrative theres another side pluralism groups dont get along thats new phenomenon groups little different goes back historically many groups white americans fear nonwhites ancestors feared think dynamic thats lot politics belonging part belonging dont belong groups theres tension mr cromartie160 want comment peter michelle youre going take us break160 want tell cameraman michelle youll want get pictures man mic next person going comment peter dr skerry160 could please yeah well ways would echo john said maybe ill put bit strongly going enormous changes obviously america globally sorts examples way large numbers americans express anxieties changes often get put articulated ways lend othering kind narrative resist kinds interpretations seems conducive particularly people study write things othering americans negative reactions symptoms disease interpretations also fit easily kind racial prejudice kind explanation writers analysts reach readily often find many alternative explanations many americans react negatively mass immigration whether talking anxieties cultural change take real fiscal impacts immigration local state budgets immigrants come different ways things people feel threatened want look see exactly reactions simply categorize racist othering kinds concrete challenges immigrants pose labor market competition live struggling marginal bluecollar neighborhood suddenly house next door used nice old couple suddenly occupied 12 central american guys work two jobs eight cars play lots soccer used lawn next door well othering racism good oldfashioned whats happening neighborhood live newton massachusetts uppermiddleclass community want build bike path old railroad bed suddenly find opening wedge end western civilization resist kinds racial interpretations try focus concrete manifestations places people feel pinched squeezed competed mr cromartie160 helpful michelle cottle next michelle cottle michelle cottle daily beast160 right well along lines mollys looking guess probably ill look question methodology know people lie pollsters know people lie know theyre supposed either racist culturally kind nativist whatever methods drilling things like suspect something false distinction illegal legal complaints instance used know wanted find people really thought black president woman president didnt ask ready asked neighbor ready get wildly different results kind kind pick apart sort thing dr green160 well really difficult give colleagues pew research center polling organizations lot credit aware youre talking difficult measure things thats theres wording sometimes bit elliptical theyre trying get people feel comfortable answer honestly indirect ways measuring gave really good example back 2008 lot concern among pollsters lot americans really prepared vote africanamerican presidential candidate racial reasons one questions would asked people community would people community willing well turned experiments showed werent true experiments new kinds questions showed lot unrevealed prejudice unrevealed prejudice wasnt quite big lot people thought course barack obama elected elected lot white votes people one might suspected based past surveys maybe entirely honest extremely difficult thing get technical term social desirability effects yesterday talking rise nones increase unaffiliated population among scholars theres sense increase might theres unaffiliated people people feel comfortable saying theyre unaffiliated fact sorts people 10 15 years ago would said well im kind catholic feel comfortable saying im really anything social desirability effects really important thing think end survey research cant answer question move types things focus groups indepth interviews participant observation methodologies much see telephone survey internet really conversation interviewer interviewee mr cromartie160 house dr green160 well youve heard right luddite person theres limit kind conversation need kinds conversations really get deeper attitudes people mr cromartie160 peter respond quickly dr skerry160 yeah quickly mr cromartie160 people lie take surveys dr skerry160 wife sure dont surveys interviews sure people lie try get behind also look behavior seems kind reminds conversation earlier yesterday whether forgetful people conscious history seems kind suggested question earlier yesterday rather forgetful sometimes virtues look happened german immigrants around world war talking mollie hemingway last evening pretty reprehensible episode history yet think complicated story acknowledge five six years later invoked rigid country quotas immigration law toted number germans america established quota high like western european countries sturm und drang around world war quickly forgotten may entirely forgotten germans people giving hard time seemed forgotten bringing today look levels intermarriage hispanics nonhispanics think second third generation talking crowding 50 percent havent looked numbers recently marriages thats typically nonhispanic whites suggests whatever kind reaction getting immigrants deepseated hostility animosity racism toward kinds situational factors negotiated overcome ill stop dr jennifer wiseman dr jennifer wiseman american association advancement science160 question springs mind whether youve talked lot different religious groups feel maybe kind negative threat aspects immigrants forth even positive aspects adding talent skill good things nation question though religious groups evangelism service others supposed part calling many times theyve travel distant lands kind work sudden people distant lands coming groups sort see great opportunity welcoming people lands fulfill calling whether service terms material needs service terms sharing faith people kind thing anybody sort see kind light dr green160 oh yeah lot people talked little bit earlier pauls question views lds church theres kind institutional interest present immigration debate created really interesting dynamics instance evangelical community theres lot interest proselytizing would call evangelizing academic term proselytizing lot success immigrant communities particularly hispanic immigrants thats fruit evangelizing efforts latin america previous period time interest immigration issues opportunities similar debates different denominations service component heres real opportunity share christs love people strangers may poor may discriminated theyre certainly strangers theyre new community think theres lot discussion debate within religious communities church religious organization live mission occurs side side lot tensions new groups problems occur communities really interesting one noticed fully spoke conference hispanic evangelists interesting great complaint white colleagues saying arent community collaborate save souls areas dont collaborate find distressing really interesting often happens kinds meetings white evangelists appropriately sorrowful really needed cooperate think theres lot tension within religious communities one deals issue like peter mentioning earlier issues similar problems example might trade trade help communities flourish theres real opportunities churches part economic development hand displace industries create problems think theres negative tensions theres tensions negatives positives mr cromartie160 fred barnes pull mic fred barnes fred barnes weekly standard160 lets see agree americans always seem maybe majority seems like majority always oppose immigrants havent gotten mr cromartie160 havent mr barnes160 beginning come like irish even civil war hispanics today yet get americans congratulating nation immigrants yet continue cycle theres awful lot nation immigrants oppose immigrants coming seems awfully odd either thoughts mr cromartie160 thats michael barones argument isnt fred new book michael barones argument new book immigration mr barnes160 yeah mr cromartie160 groups oppose get mr barnes160 yeah right well think mikes right knows lot immigrants dr skerry160 well guess response would sure thats part history conclusions one draws usually conclusion whats big deal havent gone guess resist formulation seems look past travail hand also case kinds reactions got immigrants americans expressed past arent necessarily origins arent experiencing today theres similarities theres intergroup ethnic tensions conflicts okay generally perspective way changing conversation seems today middle big challenges period greatly increasing inequality lots americans feel squeezed immigrants cause cases connected yes160 leaders done good job interpreting mass ordinary americans dont think dont think certainly academics done good job either yes butit seems fred perspective youre highlighting way assuming going work end kind whiggish know resist im convinced going work dont attend carefully also perspective assumes kind automatic righting things dont think assume dr green160 let pick peters point flipside waves immigration process assimilation weve talked today sort pleasant stories takes place even casual reading history suggests assimilation process often difficult different eras assimilation process different problems different characteristics assimilation catholics american society let alone american public life hard partly catholics change catholic immigrants children worldwide roman catholic church change perspectives course protestant majority united states adapt well kinds adjustments process assimilation makes particularly tricky compare one era another people assimilating keeps changing remember talking grandmother passed away number years ago utterly amazed nonirish catholics would celebrate st patricks day seemed like oddest thing thought good thing odd thing growing still symbol separateness irish catholics imagine story play future would time future would time celebrate cinco de mayo society eventually accepted st patricks day sort general holiday society anymore society thats profoundly changed assimilation think assimilations important think peters right types issues really attended isnt patterns theyre always pattern mr cromartie 160erica erica grieder erica grieder texas monthly160 wondering either could elaborate concept legality im trying think somebody raises concern unauthorized immigrant broken law make redress crossing border unauthorized entry civil crime beyond dont think data showing theres high rate illegal behavior anything think opposite migrants work dont cause crimes higher rate population large whats understanding somebody says thats concern seeing data dr green160 oh theyre looking data impression lot people interviewed also people ive talked look particularly southwestern border area lot disorder many people think theres probably truth lot thats laid feet immigrants legal immigrants people maybe theyre immigrants theyre visas theyre crossing border legal fashion breaking law terms coming reside country often linked probably inaccurately things like drug smuggling weapons drug cartels kinds problems including distressing stories immigrants mistreated come country think lot people looks like bunch disorder biggest piece salient piece seems illegal immigrants theres pretty good evidence many folks come country without documents particularly disorderly people may presence causes kind disorder terms public services forth peter pointing people plan going back may actually ever make back plan different strong incentives want get trouble anyway think thats perception comes overlay different kinds disorder mr cromartie160 peter dr skerry 160well something ive wrestled first thing would say regard crime rates among immigrants generally really data youre right one sense160 immigrants crime rates roughly equivalent general population im sure ends discussion ive often found among immigration analysts response data tends conclusion well whats problem well seems open question whether want immigrants legal illegal exhibit proclivity crime americans maybe higher standards doesnt seem totally unreasonable ill leave point regard whole question legality illegality spent lot time border patrol agents along southwest border 911 struck found every single border patrol agent ever spent time talking spent lot time talking lot invariably would say two things would assert defensively volunteer federal law enforcement agents good law enforcement agents federal government employs would emphasize armed triggerhappy armed signified status pay federal bureaucracy routinely insisted good fbi important know second thing would invariably volunteer usually later evening things sort died evening rush illegal immigrants across border would mention know shoes illegals shoes undocumenteds shoes id thing id finding way come better things family well tells lot people preoccupied low position federal law enforcement totem pole telling theyre good fbi agents also telling would necessary committing crime theyre supposed enforcing law certainly dont find ordinary cops saying guys shoes id dealing drugs robbing banks find border patrol agents somewhat contradictory posture dealing something really conflicted best try directly answer question comes back conversations paul edwards way think legal isnt prudently thought simply something gets enacted legislature ruled court thats formalistic notion whats legal illegal think useful way think law embedded social ties social relations example supreme court ruled brown versus board education mindful issuing dictum decision work way body politic court allowed lots time deliberate speed happen court understood promulgating decision american people time persuaded seems whats going tensions illegal immigration much people broke law even though americans articulate way time illegal immigration manifests americans routine daily basis live work illegal immigrants tend generate disorder theyre inherently disorderly people due circumstances come fact typically talking large numbers young unattached males congregating together whether theyre hispanic laborers anglo college boys getting together youre going encounter issues true mining camps various times history spring break recent times situations youve got concentrated populations individuals removed usual social context relations likely act ways pose challenges threats prevailing modes behavior established social order doesnt explain illegal immigration big slice prepared remarks kept alluding ways people come dont plan stay often pull kids school go home long holidays christmas crowd apartments order save money either send home return home kinds things speak various ways undocumented things strain heretofore common understandings way things getting done thats think many americans even though wouldnt articulate way feel whats wrong illegal immigrants thats illegal theyre things way threaten ordinary conduct business mr cromartie160 andy ferguson next right next andrew ferguson andrew ferguson weekly standard160 touched little bit john used phrase hear debates time jobs americans wont know jobs evidence people already wont side jobs assume americans would want example washington building trades completely hispanic mostly central american gather surely great jobs relatively speaking jobs especially building trades become certain areas monolithically hispanic side jobs americans refuse dont know would mowing lawns dr green160 peter want take crack mr cromartie160 go ahead dr green160 want go go ahead dr skerry160 want take crack well im sure ive got wellthoughtthrough scenario good question think one hand part talking americans right mentioned washington dc obvious group one thinks seemingly didnt get jobs apparently didnt get jobs african americans gets tricky territory seems theres lot evidence mean research evidence casual observations employers find immigrants case hispanic immigrant workers easier deal african americans attitudinal terms expectations part africanamerican workers feel ought dealt job sites mr cromartie160 despite language barrier also dr skerry160 well depends job want somebody sales hardware store cant speak english thats problem need somebody laborer work site much problem also structural factors immigrants come networks hire one immigrant typically get plugged network willingly produce brother cousin also willing work employer means exerting influence one guy screws youve got people hold accountable networks dont work way african americans theyre strong think big problem dont report news gladly think one noticed johns data showed african american support immigration took higher levels would thought havent looked numbers lately think one difficult aspects prevailing immigration policy impact african americans think theyve disproportionately negatively impacted talk unskilled people less high school education thats disproportionately african americans hard get leaders acknowledge talk generally see part proimmigration coalition thats part answer also think certain jobs americans economic sociological reasons dont see however high unemployment rate last years large numbers americans havent willing prevailing wage rates go pick strawberries dont think cant prove im sure economist would violently disagree extent economists ever get violent many unemployed workers would go pick strawberries even rates greatly increased thats hard unpleasant work americans dont see alternative ways making money like unemployment mr cromartie160 john comment dr green160 thing id want add mr cromartie160 one question dr green160 youre right debate jobs americans dont want well lot jobs unpopular maybe circumstances people would want jobs theyre seen unpopular many arduous theyre dirty jobs one kind another also lot pay western part united states theres lots migrant labor theres migrant labor decades decades new thing lot farming profitable sometimes profitable hire lowwage workers may lot american citizens wouldnt want wage one could imagine dont know picking strawberries might always labor intensive points history labor became expensive capital deployed agriculture well may well areas agriculture right long theres cheap source labor capital wont deployed lots people alternatives wouldnt want take job think maybe better way say theres unpopular jobs mr cromartie160 actually two questions elizabeth mindy belz well go lunch well end conference elizabeth elizabeth dias elizabeth dias time magazine160 wanted ask bit broadly religion immigration outside united states even outside western hemisphere im hoping really insight data point kinds things like think christian orthodox catholic women ethiopia adopting muslim practices go get domestic labor jobs saudi arabia et cetera think mr cromartie160 trend ms dias160 well happening ive heard say different religious communities india discussion places religious interaction dialogue immigration works dr green160 thats really good question dont know answer know problem lots lots countries dont know different religious communities responding abroad mr cromartie160 peter know dr skerry160 im afraid im much help sorry mr cromartie160 maybe ms dias160 thats okay160 thoughts might resources something like mr cromartie160 international immigration ms dias160 yeah international immigration religion questions dr skerry 160nothing leaps mind let ponder ms dias160 thanks mr cromartie160 mindy get last question time together pressure mindy belz mindy belz world magazine160 response jennifers question three largest refugee resettlement agencies catholic relief services lutheran refugee services believe world relief160 three largest country robust effort think take care strangers want call among christian groups alluded earlier confusion dealing refugees dealing immigrants hear time people lump problems refugees problems immigration yet know refugees get different way immigrants guess leading little bit frustration looking categories helpful white evangelicals becomes large im speaking one may taking personally white evangelicals become dont see would say become large group whereas think broke weve trying reporting weve realized often covering debate immigration instead covering immigrants immigration per se break white evangelical group begin see white evangelicals living border states going different views white evangelicals living middle part country suburban urban evangelicals going different views depending experiences say data breaks presented found helpful also find quite getting african americans figure debate im sure quite getting white evangelicals really debate think weve seen reporting much diversity opinion saw data realize thats difference data reporting im wondering attempt seemed lot misperceptions immigration actually youve highlighted today immigrants actually theyre kind thing dr green160 religious categories looked data today really crude really crude160 say somebody whos spent entire career trying measure religious communities accurately160 thats nature instrument using think virtue surveys got kind uptodate general opinion surveys conducted year sense peoples opinions moment cost theres much detail scholars either aggregated surveys done much indepth studies pick nuances youre talking theres good bit diversity within communities central tendencies see survey data still theres lot nuance lot detail also important remember measures public opinion within religious community different theres public opinion theres clergy theres activists volunteers different kinds organizations kind data doesnt deal sorts things data shows kind nuance youre talking lots congregations evangelical congregations catholic congregations engaged various kinds relief efforts wouldnt able measure kind data gets peters point really think peter probably answered question better think among people ive interviewed congregations confusion refugees immigrants one place two things seem overlap idea relief many organizations also engage disaster relief around world including united states160 operational point view im probably overstating tend see people need distinctions little less important sometimes need needs addressed means theres certain degree confusion theyre 160peter dr skerry160 well yeah would agree john said maybe hit even little even harder confusion take occasion say said passing remarks confusion really traced back great part refugee advocates mentioned talked confusion theyve straightforward acknowledge even though opinion polls routinely demonstrate americans receptive refugees immigrants thats advantage prepared put one side indeed theyre happy throw lot immigration reform advocates feel however wellreceived refugee issues among american public theyre popular refugee advocates understandably conclude need allies thats advantage theyre willing take pass essence refugee advocates complicit fostering confusion might thing im sure event prepared cede high ground another opportunity say question underscores tend resist attitudinal ideological interpretations reactions immigrants invariably contextspecific even immigrants question immigrants highskilled lowskilled specific profile characteristics weve talking lot hispanic immigrants thats topic worthy bit attention talk diversity america today preoccupation diversity fact current influx immigrants probably less diverse arguably less diverse ever huge preponderance one agglomerated group call call hispanics one overwhelmingly large group something havent quite dealt putting factor one side reactions asian immigrants think much positive uniformly much positive lot different reasons matters whether talking central maine versus border area texas central valley california reminder contextual factors really need looked carefully sounds thats kind reporting youre sounds good approach lend different perspective generally hear overall immigration patterns national policy debated mr cromartie160 well ladies gentlemen success program get quality speakers like professor skerry professor green also success contributions grateful participation always grateful write say yes im coming also grateful say yes stay say yes end showing sometimes doesnt happen various reasons delighted could thank much well look forward seeing spring hopefully thank | 9,814 |
<p>CHICAGO — <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Willson-Contreras/" type="external">Willson Contreras</a> is doing just about everything for the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chicago-Cubs/" type="external">Chicago Cubs</a> these days, including leading them back into first place.</p>
<p>The catcher blocked one run in the first inning, slammed a go-ahead home run in the sixth and confidently handled new starter Jose Quintana and three relievers in Chicago’s 5-3 victory over the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/St-Louis-Cardinals/" type="external">St. Louis Cardinals</a> on Sunday.</p>
<p>“He’s hitting fourth, he’s catching, he’s handling a really good pitching staff, he’s throwing people out, he’s blocking the ball really well,” said Cubs manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Joe_Maddon/" type="external">Joe Maddon</a>. “And he’s hitting homers.”</p>
<p>Chicago (51-46) moved into a first-place tie with the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Milwaukee-Brewers/" type="external">Milwaukee Brewers</a> in the National League Central and improved to a season-high five games over .500.</p>
<p>Contreras snapped a tie with a two-run home run, driving in <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kris-Bryant/" type="external">Kris Bryant</a> with his 15th, the top total among NL catchers.</p>
<p>“It feels great (but) it’s not about me, it’s about the team,” Contreras said. “I’m not thinking about first place, I’m thinking about the game that we have tomorrow against the White Sox and keep doing what we’ve been doing.”</p>
<p>The Cubs took two of three in the weekend series and caught Milwaukee (53-48) in the division with their eighth victory in nine games. Chicago has made up a 5 1/2-game deficit on the Brewers since the All-Star break.</p>
<p>The Cardinals (47-51) absorbed their fourth loss in five games and fell 4 1/2 games out in the NL Central.</p>
<p>“We’re putting up some good games against some good teams, but something’s not letting us finish it one way or the other — whether it’s enough offense or enough pitching and defense,” Cardinals manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Mike-Matheny/" type="external">Mike Matheny</a> said.</p>
<p>“There’s enough to be seen that I know the rest of the league knows this team’s for real.”</p>
<p>Cubs starter Jose Quintana, 2-0 since coming from the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chicago-White-Sox/" type="external">Chicago White Sox</a> on July 13 and 6-8 overall, worked six innings for the victory. He allowed three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out seven.</p>
<p>“I was really excited tonight for being the first (game) at Wrigley,” Quintana said. “First hitters, I was behind the counts, but I made adjustments.”</p>
<p>Cardinals starter Michael Wacha (7-4) pitched six innings in his 100th career start. He allowed five runs on six hits, struck out six and gave up two home runs.</p>
<p>“Curveball was an effective pitch for me tonight, I got some swings and misses, got some big outs for me,” Wacha said. “I left a couple cutters — one cutter over the middle to (Kyle) Schwarber and one to Contreras, both homers.”</p>
<p>Cubs closer <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Wade_Davis/" type="external">Wade Davis</a> gave up a leadoff single in the ninth before retiring the next three batters for his 20th save.</p>
<p>Bryant went 2-for-4 to lead the Cubs. Jedd Gyorko, Randal Grichuk and Paul DeJong each had two hits for the Cardinals.</p>
<p>St. Louis was denied in the first as <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jason_Heyward/" type="external">Jason Heyward</a> made a leaping grab at the wall in right for one out, and left fielder Schwarber and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Addison-Russell/" type="external">Addison Russell</a> collaborated to stop Cardinals leadoff batter <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt-Carpenter/" type="external">Matt Carpenter</a> from reaching home on Gyorko’s double with two gone.</p>
<p>Schwarber picked up the ball on a rebound and threw to Russell. The shortstop fired to catcher Contreras, who tagged Carpenter as the pair collided.</p>
<p>Carpenter did not return for the second inning due to right quad tightness. He was replaced by Luke Voit.</p>
<p>St. Louis got on the board in the second with Grichuk’s two-run, one-out home run to center in the second. Grichuk, who now has five homers in his past seven games and 12 for the season, drove in <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Yadier_Molina/" type="external">Yadier Molina</a> for a 2-0 lead.</p>
<p>The Cubs replied with a pair of third-inning runs as Russell doubled to lead off and came home on Heyward’s RBI two-base hit to deep right with two outs. Heyward scored on Bryant’s bloop single to right.</p>
<p>DeJong’s 12th homer into the left field basket with two outs in the fourth opened a 3-2 St. Louis lead. Schwarber matched it in the bottom of the inning with his one-out blast deep into the right field bleachers for his 15th home run and first since July 14.</p>
<p>NOTES: The Cardinals wound up 4-6 on a road trip that ended Sunday. They open a seven-game home set on Monday as RHP <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Mike_Leake/" type="external">Mike Leake</a> (6-8, 3.39 ERA) goes against Colorado RHP Antonio Senzatela (10-3, 4.67 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series. … The Cardinals and Cubs meet again in a three-game series in mid-September. … The crosstown White Sox visit the Cubs for two interleague games on Monday and Tuesday. Cubs RHP <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kyle-Hendricks/" type="external">Kyle Hendricks</a> (4-3, 4.09 ERA) makes his first start since a seven-week stay on the disabled list after recovering from right hand tendinitis. He goes against White Sox RHP Miguel Gonzalez (4-9, 4.89 ERA). The teams travel to Guaranteed Rate Field for games on Wednesday and Thursday. … The Cubs did not allow a run in the first inning for the ninth straight game. Until the All-Star break, they had given up 80 runs in the opening inning through 88 games.</p> | false | 1 | chicago willson contreras everything chicago cubs days including leading back first place catcher blocked one run first inning slammed goahead home run sixth confidently handled new starter jose quintana three relievers chicagos 53 victory st louis cardinals sunday hes hitting fourth hes catching hes handling really good pitching staff hes throwing people hes blocking ball really well said cubs manager joe maddon hes hitting homers chicago 5146 moved firstplace tie milwaukee brewers national league central improved seasonhigh five games 500 contreras snapped tie tworun home run driving kris bryant 15th top total among nl catchers feels great team contreras said im thinking first place im thinking game tomorrow white sox keep weve cubs took two three weekend series caught milwaukee 5348 division eighth victory nine games chicago made 5 12game deficit brewers since allstar break cardinals 4751 absorbed fourth loss five games fell 4 12 games nl central putting good games good teams somethings letting us finish one way whether enough offense enough pitching defense cardinals manager mike matheny said theres enough seen know rest league knows teams real cubs starter jose quintana 20 since coming chicago white sox july 13 68 overall worked six innings victory allowed three runs five hits walked two struck seven really excited tonight first game wrigley quintana said first hitters behind counts made adjustments cardinals starter michael wacha 74 pitched six innings 100th career start allowed five runs six hits struck six gave two home runs curveball effective pitch tonight got swings misses got big outs wacha said left couple cutters one cutter middle kyle schwarber one contreras homers cubs closer wade davis gave leadoff single ninth retiring next three batters 20th save bryant went 2for4 lead cubs jedd gyorko randal grichuk paul dejong two hits cardinals st louis denied first jason heyward made leaping grab wall right one left fielder schwarber addison russell collaborated stop cardinals leadoff batter matt carpenter reaching home gyorkos double two gone schwarber picked ball rebound threw russell shortstop fired catcher contreras tagged carpenter pair collided carpenter return second inning due right quad tightness replaced luke voit st louis got board second grichuks tworun oneout home run center second grichuk five homers past seven games 12 season drove yadier molina 20 lead cubs replied pair thirdinning runs russell doubled lead came home heywards rbi twobase hit deep right two outs heyward scored bryants bloop single right dejongs 12th homer left field basket two outs fourth opened 32 st louis lead schwarber matched bottom inning oneout blast deep right field bleachers 15th home run first since july 14 notes cardinals wound 46 road trip ended sunday open sevengame home set monday rhp mike leake 68 339 era goes colorado rhp antonio senzatela 103 467 era opener threegame series cardinals cubs meet threegame series midseptember crosstown white sox visit cubs two interleague games monday tuesday cubs rhp kyle hendricks 43 409 era makes first start since sevenweek stay disabled list recovering right hand tendinitis goes white sox rhp miguel gonzalez 49 489 era teams travel guaranteed rate field games wednesday thursday cubs allow run first inning ninth straight game allstar break given 80 runs opening inning 88 games | 527 |
<p>**Remarks from the 25th Anniversary Conference of the Association of Christian Economists (ACE) at Baylor University, Waco, TX, 17 April 2009 — additional charts and graphs are included in the power point slides which can be downloaded&#160; <a href="" type="internal">here</a>.**</p>
<p>I seem to be an outsider even among outsiders: a non-academic at a conference of Christian economists whose views are often classed (as in our panel) as “heterodox.” Yet as historian of economics Henry William Spiegel noted of the “marginal revolution” that ended classical and launched neoclassical economics in the 1870s, “Outsiders ranked prominently among the pioneers of marginal analysis because its discovery required a perspective that the experts did not necessarily possess.” My paper argues that “neoscholastic” economists building on the original scholastic foundation will similarly prevail because they are more orthodox–not yet in a sociological but already in the strict sense of having right opinion: a theory both more complete and empirically accurate.</p>
<p>I begin with a simple but widely overlooked fact: the logical and mathematical structures of scholastic, classical and neoclassical economics differ fundamentally. Few economists today are aware of the differences because American university economics departments, led by the University of Chicago in 1972, abolished the previous requirement that students of economics master its history before being granted a degree. This calls for a brief, remedial history of economics.</p>
<p>What is economics about?&#160; Jesus once noted–and I interpret this as an astute empirical observation, not divine revelation–since the days of Noah and Lot people have been doing, and until the end of the world presumably will be doing, four kinds of things. He gave these examples: “planting and building,” “buying and selling,” ‘marrying and being given in marriage,” and “eating and drinking” (Luke 18:27-28). In other words, we produce, exchange, give, and use (or consume) our human and nonhuman goods.</p>
<p>That’s the usual order in our action.&#160; But as St. Augustine first explained, the order is different in our planning. First we choose For Whom we intend to provide; next What to provide as means for those persons. This means we always act on two scales of preference–one for persons as ends and the other for other things as means: personal love and utility, respectively.&#160; Since man is a social creature, Augustine noted, “human society is knit together by transactions of giving and receiving. But these outwardly similar transactions may be of two essentially different kinds, he added: “sale or gift.” But finally, Thomas Aquinas latter added, we choose How to provide the chosen means, through production (always) and exchange (almost always). So, economics is essentially a theory of providence: it describes how we provide for ourselves and the other persons we love, using scarce means that have alternate uses.</p>
<p>Scholastic ‘AAA’ economics (c.1250-1776) began when Aquinas first integrated these four elements (production, exchange, distribution, and consumption), all drawn from Aristotle (distributive justice, production, and justice in exchange) and Augustine (personal distribution and utility), into an outline of personal, domestic, and political economy, both positive and normative. The scholastic economic system is comprehensive, logically complete, mathematical, and empirically verifiable. It was taught at the highest university level for more than five centuries by every major Catholic and (after the Reformation) Protestant economic thinker before Adam Smith–notably Lutheran Samuel von Pufendorf, whose work was used by Adam Smith’s own teacher to teach Smith economics and also highly recommended by Alexander Hamilton.</p>
<p>Classical economics (1776-1871) began when Adam Smith cut the four elements to two, trying to explain what he called “division of labor” (specialized production) by production and exchange alone.</p>
<p>Neoclassical economics (1871-c.2000) began when three economists dissatisfied with the practical failure of Smith’s classical outline independently but almost simultaneously reinvented Augustine’s theory of utility, starting its reintegration with the theories of production and exchange.</p>
<p>Thus Adam Smith’s chief significance is not what he added to, but rather subtracted from economics. [Slide 7] As Joseph Schumpeter noted in his History of Economic Analysis,, “The fact is that the Wealth of Nations does not contain a single analytic idea, principle or method that was entirely new in 1776.” The necessity of describing all four facets of any economic event with at most three explanatory equations has condemned classical and neoclassical economists frequently to resort to circular logic and/or empirically false assumptions.</p>
<p>The (neo-) scholastic model is a powerful tool of analysis. In an appendix I compare the scholastic, classical, and neoclassical models and can suggest several applications at the drop of a question. In view of our severe time limits, though, I will focus in my remarks on one simple and striking example, since it provides direct evidence for Augustine’s theory of personal distribution and illustrates the empirical superiority of (neo-) scholastic to neoclassical economics: the inverse tradeoff between fatherhood and crime.</p>
<p>In a famous paper co-authored with John J. Donohue and later featured in his book Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt argued that after abortion was legalized by several states starting in the late 1960s and nationwide by Roe v. Wade in 1973, millions of fetuses were killed who, when old enough, would have been disproportionately likely to commit crimes. Abortion’s culling of them should therefore have lowered crime rates. To prove this, Levitt and Donohue looked at crime rates 15-18 years after Roe and claimed to have found the drop they had predicted.</p>
<p>However, Levitt and Donohue actually found their results indistinguishable whether they used 1970s or 1990s abortion rates to try to explain overall ’90s crime rates. When both were included the models went statistically haywire (“standard errors explode due to multicollinearity”). Failing to uncover any statistically valid evidence for either a 20-year lag or for no lag, Levitt and Donohue replaced the missing facts with an arbitrary assumption: “Consequently, it must be recognized that our interpretation of the results relies on the assumption that there will be a fifteen-to-twenty year lag before abortion materially affects crime.”</p>
<p>They justified their assumption by quipping that “infants commit little crime.”&#160; But nearly all violent crime is committed by men (women are equal only in nonviolent crime) precisely the ages of the fathers of aborted children. [Slide 9] In short, the missing variable is “economic fatherhood.” (“Economic” fatherhood is defined not by biological paternity nor residency with but provision for one’s children.) The relationship between economic fatherhood and crime is a straightforward application of Augustine’s personal “distribution function” to the most valuable scarce resource of mortal humans: our time.&#160; [Slide 10]</p>
<p>Including “economic fatherhood” as a variable not only invalidates Levitt’s claim but reverses it. As far back as data exist, rates of economic fatherhood and homicide have been strongly, inversely “cointegrated”–a stringent statistical test characterizing inherently related events, like the number of cars entering and leaving the Lincoln Tunnel. Donohue and Levitt’s correlation is thus shown to be a “spurious regression,” which was misspecified by omitting a crucial variable: the one describing Augustine’s personal “distribution function.”&#160; [Slide 11 Legalizing abortion didn’t lower homicide rates 15-20 years later by eliminating infants who might, if they survived, have become murderers: it raised the homicide rate almost at once by turning their fathers back into men without dependent children–a small but steady share of whom do murder. The homicide rate rose sharply in the 1960s and ’70s when expanding welfare and legal abortion sharply reduced economic fatherhood, and it dropped sharply in the ’90s partly due to a recovering birth rate, but mostly because welfare reform and incarceration raised the share of men outside prison who were supporting children. This scenario didn’t occur to Levitt not because of a lack of ingenuity or data but because of the inherent weakness of the theory he was trying to apply, which Nobel Prize-winning economists George J. Stigler and Gary S. Becker, Levitt’s mentor, called the “economic approach to human behavior.” Levitt was unable to see the true correlation between abortion and crime because he was among the first victims of the epic change in the teaching of economics orchestrated by Stigler, with Becker’s support.</p>
<p>The choice of 1776. [Slide 12] What I call “Smythology” (with two &#160;y’s) is the myth that Adam Smith invented or is somehow indispensable to understanding economics. By far the most influential piece of “Smythology” was Milton Friedman’s linking in Free to Choose of “two sets of ideas–both, by a curious coincidence published in the same year, 1776…. the economic principles of Adam Smith…and the political principles expressed by Thomas Jefferson.”&#160;Like many other conservatives I found Friedman’s argument persuasive and incorporated it into my own views, until I discovered that the “choice of 1776” was actually a divergence, not a convergence, and of three, not two world views. The third event of 1776 was the death of David Hume.</p>
<p>When the Apostle Paul preached in the marketplace of Athens (probably in 51 A.D.), he prefaced the Gospel with a Biblically orthodox adaptation of Greco-Roman natural law. The evangelist Luke tells us that “some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him” (Acts 17:18). The same dispute has continued ever since, particularly among scholastic, classical, neoclassical, and now neoscholastic economists.</p>
<p>In (neo-) scholastic natural law, economics is a theory of rational providence, describing how we choose both persons as “ends” (expressed by our personal and collective gifts) and the scarce means used (consumed) by or for those persons, which we make real through production and exchange. By dropping both distribution and consumption, Smith expressed the Stoic pantheism that viewed the universe “to be itself a Divinity, an Animal” (as he put it in an early but posthumousely published essay), with God conceived as its immanent soul, so that sentimental humans choose neither ends nor means rationally; instead, “every individual…intends only his own gain…and is led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.” By restoring consumption but not distribution, neoclassical economics expresses the Epicurean materialism that claims humans somehow evolved in an uncreated world as merely clever animals–highly adept at calculating means but not ends, since “reason is, and ought only to be, the slave of the passions,” as Hume put it. The three theories provide three views of both human and divine nature, but only the anthropology and theology of the scholastic theory is compatible with Christian orthodoxy.</p>
<p>I don’t underestimate the time or effort it will take. But I confidently predict that in coming decades, neoclassical economists now advocating the “economic approach to human behavior” will either become or else be supplanted by “neoscholastic” economists, who will find full employment rewriting that theory because they understand the original “human approach to economic behavior” of Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas.</p> | false | 1 | remarks 25th anniversary conference association christian economists ace baylor university waco tx 17 april 2009 additional charts graphs included power point slides downloaded160 seem outsider even among outsiders nonacademic conference christian economists whose views often classed panel heterodox yet historian economics henry william spiegel noted marginal revolution ended classical launched neoclassical economics 1870s outsiders ranked prominently among pioneers marginal analysis discovery required perspective experts necessarily possess paper argues neoscholastic economists building original scholastic foundation similarly prevail orthodoxnot yet sociological already strict sense right opinion theory complete empirically accurate begin simple widely overlooked fact logical mathematical structures scholastic classical neoclassical economics differ fundamentally economists today aware differences american university economics departments led university chicago 1972 abolished previous requirement students economics master history granted degree calls brief remedial history economics economics about160 jesus notedand interpret astute empirical observation divine revelationsince days noah lot people end world presumably four kinds things gave examples planting building buying selling marrying given marriage eating drinking luke 182728 words produce exchange give use consume human nonhuman goods thats usual order action160 st augustine first explained order different planning first choose intend provide next provide means persons means always act two scales preferenceone persons ends things means personal love utility respectively160 since man social creature augustine noted human society knit together transactions giving receiving outwardly similar transactions may two essentially different kinds added sale gift finally thomas aquinas latter added choose provide chosen means production always exchange almost always economics essentially theory providence describes provide persons love using scarce means alternate uses scholastic aaa economics c12501776 began aquinas first integrated four elements production exchange distribution consumption drawn aristotle distributive justice production justice exchange augustine personal distribution utility outline personal domestic political economy positive normative scholastic economic system comprehensive logically complete mathematical empirically verifiable taught highest university level five centuries every major catholic reformation protestant economic thinker adam smithnotably lutheran samuel von pufendorf whose work used adam smiths teacher teach smith economics also highly recommended alexander hamilton classical economics 17761871 began adam smith cut four elements two trying explain called division labor specialized production production exchange alone neoclassical economics 1871c2000 began three economists dissatisfied practical failure smiths classical outline independently almost simultaneously reinvented augustines theory utility starting reintegration theories production exchange thus adam smiths chief significance added rather subtracted economics slide 7 joseph schumpeter noted history economic analysis fact wealth nations contain single analytic idea principle method entirely new 1776 necessity describing four facets economic event three explanatory equations condemned classical neoclassical economists frequently resort circular logic andor empirically false assumptions neo scholastic model powerful tool analysis appendix compare scholastic classical neoclassical models suggest several applications drop question view severe time limits though focus remarks one simple striking example since provides direct evidence augustines theory personal distribution illustrates empirical superiority neo scholastic neoclassical economics inverse tradeoff fatherhood crime famous paper coauthored john j donohue later featured book freakonomics steven levitt argued abortion legalized several states starting late 1960s nationwide roe v wade 1973 millions fetuses killed old enough would disproportionately likely commit crimes abortions culling therefore lowered crime rates prove levitt donohue looked crime rates 1518 years roe claimed found drop predicted however levitt donohue actually found results indistinguishable whether used 1970s 1990s abortion rates try explain overall 90s crime rates included models went statistically haywire standard errors explode due multicollinearity failing uncover statistically valid evidence either 20year lag lag levitt donohue replaced missing facts arbitrary assumption consequently must recognized interpretation results relies assumption fifteentotwenty year lag abortion materially affects crime justified assumption quipping infants commit little crime160 nearly violent crime committed men women equal nonviolent crime precisely ages fathers aborted children slide 9 short missing variable economic fatherhood economic fatherhood defined biological paternity residency provision ones children relationship economic fatherhood crime straightforward application augustines personal distribution function valuable scarce resource mortal humans time160 slide 10 including economic fatherhood variable invalidates levitts claim reverses far back data exist rates economic fatherhood homicide strongly inversely cointegrateda stringent statistical test characterizing inherently related events like number cars entering leaving lincoln tunnel donohue levitts correlation thus shown spurious regression misspecified omitting crucial variable one describing augustines personal distribution function160 slide 11 legalizing abortion didnt lower homicide rates 1520 years later eliminating infants might survived become murderers raised homicide rate almost turning fathers back men without dependent childrena small steady share murder homicide rate rose sharply 1960s 70s expanding welfare legal abortion sharply reduced economic fatherhood dropped sharply 90s partly due recovering birth rate mostly welfare reform incarceration raised share men outside prison supporting children scenario didnt occur levitt lack ingenuity data inherent weakness theory trying apply nobel prizewinning economists george j stigler gary becker levitts mentor called economic approach human behavior levitt unable see true correlation abortion crime among first victims epic change teaching economics orchestrated stigler beckers support choice 1776 slide 12 call smythology two 160ys myth adam smith invented somehow indispensable understanding economics far influential piece smythology milton friedmans linking free choose two sets ideasboth curious coincidence published year 1776 economic principles adam smithand political principles expressed thomas jefferson160like many conservatives found friedmans argument persuasive incorporated views discovered choice 1776 actually divergence convergence three two world views third event 1776 death david hume apostle paul preached marketplace athens probably 51 ad prefaced gospel biblically orthodox adaptation grecoroman natural law evangelist luke tells us epicurean stoic philosophers argued acts 1718 dispute continued ever since particularly among scholastic classical neoclassical neoscholastic economists neo scholastic natural law economics theory rational providence describing choose persons ends expressed personal collective gifts scarce means used consumed persons make real production exchange dropping distribution consumption smith expressed stoic pantheism viewed universe divinity animal put early posthumousely published essay god conceived immanent soul sentimental humans choose neither ends means rationally instead every individualintends gainand led invisible hand promote end part intention restoring consumption distribution neoclassical economics expresses epicurean materialism claims humans somehow evolved uncreated world merely clever animalshighly adept calculating means ends since reason ought slave passions hume put three theories provide three views human divine nature anthropology theology scholastic theory compatible christian orthodoxy dont underestimate time effort take confidently predict coming decades neoclassical economists advocating economic approach human behavior either become else supplanted neoscholastic economists find full employment rewriting theory understand original human approach economic behavior aristotle augustine aquinas | 1,042 |
<p>**Remarks prepared for delivery to the Fourth World Congress of Families Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw, Poland.**</p>
<p>I’m honored to be here in sunny Warsaw, among so many old and new friends, to address the fourth World Congress of Families about family-friendly fiscal policy. (I will go beyond taxation because, for reasons I will explain, family-friendly fiscal policy must address social benefits as well as the taxes that typically pay for them.) I will try to do three things: first, briefly sketch the economics of the family; second, use it to explain why the birth rate has fallen below the replacement rate in most of developed Europe and Asia while hovering near the replacement rate in the United States; and finally, outline two basic principles of family-friendly fiscal policy that are necessary for any country (including the United States) to avoid or survive what has aptly been called “demographic winter.”</p>
<p>People and property. I’ll begin by calling to your attention two highly significant features of family economics. The first was pointed out by Aristotle back in the 4th Century, B.C. : Household wealth is of two kinds, people and property — or as University of Chicago economist (and later Nobel laureate) Theodore W. Schultz dubbed them around 1960, “human and nonhuman capital.” Both are “reproducible”; both may be tangible or intangible (e.g. our bodies vs. education, a machine vs. a patent); both require maintenance to remain productive; and both depreciate in use. Labor compensation is the return on previous investment in people, while property compensation is the return on previous investment in property.</p>
<p>Yet there is an important difference: the rate of return on property is the same for everyone in a competitive market (other things, like risk, being equal); but the rate of return on investment in people varies with the age of the person. For example, the average real rate of return in the U.S. on college tuition at age 20 was about 16 percent recently,&#160; compared with the U.S. stock market’s long-term average of 6 to 7 percent. But the same study found that after about age 40, the rate of return fell below the average rate in the stock market; and that after age 50, the return on further education turned increasingly negative. (The main reason is that four years of college roughly double average annual earnings, but as we get older we can realize those earnings for fewer years before death.)</p>
<p>These basic facts account for the pattern of lifetime earnings in the following chart, which I believe is universally true of developed countries today:</p>
<p>Early in life, income is mostly labor compensation, which starts at zero while we spend time learning valuable skills; rises rapidly between childhood and the mid-30s as we enter and gain experience in the labor market; rises more slowly to peak at around age 50; then drops finally to zero in retirement. Property income starts close to zero early in life (for those with little or no inherited property), but becomes increasingly significant as the expected rate of return on investment in human capital falls below the rate on investment in property. And for those who acquire significant wealth from any source — whether inheritance, talent, luck, or hard work — the only practical way to save it is in the form of claims on property (stocks, bonds, etc.).</p>
<p>The central role of intra-family gifts. This leads us to the other important fact about family economics. Though family members acquire their incomes mostly by exchanging services or products with those outside the family, within the family transactions are mostly gifts, not exchanges. We all need to be fed, clothed, sheltered, and transported, whether or not we earn income. Our income therefore typically exceeds our consumption during parenthood and the “empty nest” (i.e. after children have left home), while consumption exceeds income during childhood and old age. This requires extensive gifts, not only from parents to dependent children (whose rearing depends almost entirely on such gifts); but also between husbands and wives (men’s labor market earnings typically average about twice women’s); and from adult children to their aged parents.</p>
<p>The retirement gap. Even with modern private capital markets, an inherent “retirement gap” arises from the fact that for anyone to retire, labor compensation must fall to zero, yet evenly distributed consumption is ordinarily higher than the property income that could typically result from earlier saving of stocks and bonds. The retirement problem is how to fill this gap without forgoing retirement, suffering a sharp fall in consumption during retirement, or lowering one’s total lifetime earnings and consumption (which would result if early in life one invested more in lower-yielding property and less in higher-yielding human capital).</p>
<p>Positive and negative impact of government retirement pensions. Without government social benefits, the retirement gap could be bridged only by a gift from someone (most often one’s adult children) whose own consumption is thereby reduced. Pay-as-you-go Social Security went a long way toward solving the retirement problem by providing an asset that private financial markets cannot. While a financial account is essentially a claim on property, a pay-as-you-go Social Security retirement pension amounts to a share in a diversified human capital mutual fund. Social Security makes it possible for workers, by pooling a fraction of their current labor income, in effect to transfer labor compensation from their working years to retirement, and to surviving spouses and dependents after their deaths, with a higher rate of return than on low-risk government bonds. Starting a well-designed pay-as-you-go system typically boosts the birth rate: for example, the parents of the American Baby Boomers were the first generation covered throughout their working careers by Social Security. However, it is important to recognize that after such benefits have closed the retirement gap, any further expansion necessarily comes at the expense of smaller investment in either children or productive property.</p>
<p>Why people have children. This was clear in a recent study,&#160; in which I showed that just four factors explain most variation in birth rates among the 50 countries for which data were available (which comprise about two thirds of world population). The birth rate is strongly and about equally inversely proportional to both per capita social benefits (see first chart below) and per capita national saving (second chart below), both adjusted for differences in purchasing power.</p>
<p>After taking these economic factors into account, I found that a current or long legacy of past totalitarian government was also highly significant, further reducing the birth rate by about 0.6 children per couple.</p>
<p>Finally, the birth rate is strongly and positively related to the rate of weekly worship (third chart, below). On average, a couple that never worships will have about 1.4 children in their lifetimes — too few to replace themselves — while those who worship every week average about 3.4 children, or about 2.1 more than those who don’t. (I found relatively little variation by religious denomination.)</p>
<p>The study showed, I believe, that couples around the world have children for basically two reasons: either because they love the children for their own sakes, or because they love themselves and expect some advantage from the children. Both per capita social benefits and private saving are inversely related to the birth rate because they measure the average adult’s provision for his (or her) own future well-being. But the rates of worship and fertility are positively related because both acts devote scarce resources like time and money to another person (whether God or a child) for that person’s sake rather than our own advantage. Both require us to raise the other person and lower ourselves in our scale of preference for persons: the Two Great Commandments (to love God and neighbor) are empirically linked — lending support to the thesis of my colleague at EPPC, George Weigel.</p>
<p>The main reasons, then, for below-replacement birth rates in Europe and Asia compared with the United States are: per capita social benefits that are so high as to displace gifts within the family, including fertility; the legacy of communism in Eastern Europe and Russia; and relatively low rates of religious observance (with the notable exceptions of Poland, Ireland, and a few others).</p>
<p>American demographic exceptionalism? A respected American demographer, Nicholas Eberstadt, has written recently that “U.S. demographic exceptionalism is not only here today; it will be here tomorrow, as well. It is by no means beyond the realm of the possible that America’s demographic profile will look even more exceptional a generation hence than it does today. If the American moment passes, or U.S. power in other ways declines, it won’t be because of demography.”&#160; However, the conclusion of my own study was far less confident about the demographic future of the United States.</p>
<p>The U.S. Congressional Budget Office has projected that the share of American national income absorbed by social benefits (mostly Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid) will roughly double over the next 75 years.&#160; If so, the empirical relationships I mentioned suggest that the U.S. birth rate will decline over the next 75 years from the current 2.1 replacement level to about 1.6, even if America’s religious observance does not decline. I concluded that the proposed method of funding benefits will likely raise the relatively low U.S. unemployment rate substantially. The United States could still avoid a declining population by ending legal abortion, which has reduced the American birth rate since the early 1970s by about one-quarter (an average of 0.6-0.7 children per couple). So could Russia, which has a total fertility rate of about 3.1 before and 1.3 after legal abortions. But abortion rates are inversely correlated with religious observance.</p>
<p>Two basic principles. My research indicates that two basic principles of family-friendly fiscal policy are necessary to avoid or escape “demographic winter.” I will describe their specific application to the United States, but believe they are also applicable to any other country.</p>
<p>Income tax reform. First, as I suggested in 1995 to the National Commission on Economic Growth and Tax Reform,&#160; general government operations (that is, the cost of current government consumption of goods and services&#160; excluding social benefits) should be funded with an income tax levied equally on labor and property income at the lowest possible rate. I recommended that this be done by eliminating all deductions, exemptions and credits, except for a single refundable credit based solely on family size, which would rebate both the income and payroll taxes on an amount exceeding the poverty level. For administrative simplicity, the tax would be collected as part of the cost of goods and services purchased (including new investment property) rather than on the same income when received by workers and owners of productive property. The flat income tax would therefore work about the same as a typical value-added tax, except that investment property would not be exempt from taxation. In this way, the income tax could be collected from only several million businesses and other employers, rather than separately from more than 130 million households.&#160; I estimated that with such a tax base, both the U.S. personal and corporate income taxes could be replaced, without a regressive tax burden, with a single flat tax rate of 16 percent (or 18 percent when combined with the 3 percentage-point Social Security payroll tax cut that I will mention shortly).</p>
<p>Reform of social benefits. Second, each social benefit program must be balanced with payroll taxes on a pay-as-you-go basis, at a level of social benefits as a share of national income calibrated so as to prevent the birth rate from falling below the replacement rate. Since the United States is now at the replacement rate of 2.1, this would require that, rather than doubling, U.S. social benefits must not be permitted to increase at all as a share of national income. For many European countries, this would require a decline in the share of national income devoted to social benefits, all of which ultimately are paid from families’ labor income.</p>
<p>Since about 1990, the U.S. Social Security retirement system has been collecting about 25 percent more from workers in payroll taxes than necessary to pay current retirement benefits; as a result, American workers have been subsidizing general government operations that ought to have been paid for with an income tax on both labor and property income. Over the next couple of decades the situation is expected to reverse, so that annual benefits exceed payroll tax revenues by a similar proportion. Democrats have proposed to “solve” this problem by raising taxes on individual and corporate income, capital gains and estates, thus forcing property owners to pay for worker’s benefits. But as I showed in the same study mentioned earlier, this necessarily raises the cost of hiring and so the unemployment rate, as in most of Europe. My fellow Republicans, meanwhile, have sought to divert the surplus payroll taxes to subsidize property ownership with tax-advantaged financial retirement accounts. By further reducing families’ after-tax labor income, this could only further reduce the birth rate, as in Europe and Asia.</p>
<p>I suggested that the simplest way to balance U.S. Social Security is to cut retirement payroll taxes immediately by about 25 percent (3 percentage points), thus returning the current trust fund surplus to American working families to invest without restriction either in raising and educating their children or in stocks and bonds, depending on their family situation. Prospective deficits would be removed at the same time by phasing in a reduction of equal proportion in promised benefits, pro-rated for the number of years the workers received the payroll tax cuts. New episodes of imbalance would then be prevented by automatically adjusting the benefits in inverse proportion to the birth rate and longevity.</p>
<p>Government health insurance programs must also be reformed by linking each program’s benefits to prior payroll contributions and maintaining overall annual balance in the same way as for Social Security. Rather than allowing current spending per recipient to drive the programs’ shares of national income, the calculation must be reversed by starting with the target share of social benefits in national income and dividing by the number of beneficiaries.</p>
<p>These two reforms would vastly increase fiscal fairness and simplicity, make it far easier for families to have and raise children, and so help assure (as the theme of this Congress has put it) that “demographic winter” is replaced with a springtime for the family.</p>
<p>— John D. Mueller is author of Redeeming Economics: Free Markets and the Human Person (ISI Books), director of the Economics and Ethics program at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and president of LBMC LLC, a financial-market forecasting firm.</p> | false | 1 | remarks prepared delivery fourth world congress families palace culture science warsaw poland im honored sunny warsaw among many old new friends address fourth world congress families familyfriendly fiscal policy go beyond taxation reasons explain familyfriendly fiscal policy must address social benefits well taxes typically pay try three things first briefly sketch economics family second use explain birth rate fallen replacement rate developed europe asia hovering near replacement rate united states finally outline two basic principles familyfriendly fiscal policy necessary country including united states avoid survive aptly called demographic winter people property ill begin calling attention two highly significant features family economics first pointed aristotle back 4th century bc household wealth two kinds people property university chicago economist later nobel laureate theodore w schultz dubbed around 1960 human nonhuman capital reproducible may tangible intangible eg bodies vs education machine vs patent require maintenance remain productive depreciate use labor compensation return previous investment people property compensation return previous investment property yet important difference rate return property everyone competitive market things like risk equal rate return investment people varies age person example average real rate return us college tuition age 20 16 percent recently160 compared us stock markets longterm average 6 7 percent study found age 40 rate return fell average rate stock market age 50 return education turned increasingly negative main reason four years college roughly double average annual earnings get older realize earnings fewer years death basic facts account pattern lifetime earnings following chart believe universally true developed countries today early life income mostly labor compensation starts zero spend time learning valuable skills rises rapidly childhood mid30s enter gain experience labor market rises slowly peak around age 50 drops finally zero retirement property income starts close zero early life little inherited property becomes increasingly significant expected rate return investment human capital falls rate investment property acquire significant wealth source whether inheritance talent luck hard work practical way save form claims property stocks bonds etc central role intrafamily gifts leads us important fact family economics though family members acquire incomes mostly exchanging services products outside family within family transactions mostly gifts exchanges need fed clothed sheltered transported whether earn income income therefore typically exceeds consumption parenthood empty nest ie children left home consumption exceeds income childhood old age requires extensive gifts parents dependent children whose rearing depends almost entirely gifts also husbands wives mens labor market earnings typically average twice womens adult children aged parents retirement gap even modern private capital markets inherent retirement gap arises fact anyone retire labor compensation must fall zero yet evenly distributed consumption ordinarily higher property income could typically result earlier saving stocks bonds retirement problem fill gap without forgoing retirement suffering sharp fall consumption retirement lowering ones total lifetime earnings consumption would result early life one invested loweryielding property less higheryielding human capital positive negative impact government retirement pensions without government social benefits retirement gap could bridged gift someone often ones adult children whose consumption thereby reduced payasyougo social security went long way toward solving retirement problem providing asset private financial markets financial account essentially claim property payasyougo social security retirement pension amounts share diversified human capital mutual fund social security makes possible workers pooling fraction current labor income effect transfer labor compensation working years retirement surviving spouses dependents deaths higher rate return lowrisk government bonds starting welldesigned payasyougo system typically boosts birth rate example parents american baby boomers first generation covered throughout working careers social security however important recognize benefits closed retirement gap expansion necessarily comes expense smaller investment either children productive property people children clear recent study160 showed four factors explain variation birth rates among 50 countries data available comprise two thirds world population birth rate strongly equally inversely proportional per capita social benefits see first chart per capita national saving second chart adjusted differences purchasing power taking economic factors account found current long legacy past totalitarian government also highly significant reducing birth rate 06 children per couple finally birth rate strongly positively related rate weekly worship third chart average couple never worships 14 children lifetimes replace worship every week average 34 children 21 dont found relatively little variation religious denomination study showed believe couples around world children basically two reasons either love children sakes love expect advantage children per capita social benefits private saving inversely related birth rate measure average adults provision future wellbeing rates worship fertility positively related acts devote scarce resources like time money another person whether god child persons sake rather advantage require us raise person lower scale preference persons two great commandments love god neighbor empirically linked lending support thesis colleague eppc george weigel main reasons belowreplacement birth rates europe asia compared united states per capita social benefits high displace gifts within family including fertility legacy communism eastern europe russia relatively low rates religious observance notable exceptions poland ireland others american demographic exceptionalism respected american demographer nicholas eberstadt written recently us demographic exceptionalism today tomorrow well means beyond realm possible americas demographic profile look even exceptional generation hence today american moment passes us power ways declines wont demography160 however conclusion study far less confident demographic future united states us congressional budget office projected share american national income absorbed social benefits mostly social security medicare medicaid roughly double next 75 years160 empirical relationships mentioned suggest us birth rate decline next 75 years current 21 replacement level 16 even americas religious observance decline concluded proposed method funding benefits likely raise relatively low us unemployment rate substantially united states could still avoid declining population ending legal abortion reduced american birth rate since early 1970s onequarter average 0607 children per couple could russia total fertility rate 31 13 legal abortions abortion rates inversely correlated religious observance two basic principles research indicates two basic principles familyfriendly fiscal policy necessary avoid escape demographic winter describe specific application united states believe also applicable country income tax reform first suggested 1995 national commission economic growth tax reform160 general government operations cost current government consumption goods services160 excluding social benefits funded income tax levied equally labor property income lowest possible rate recommended done eliminating deductions exemptions credits except single refundable credit based solely family size would rebate income payroll taxes amount exceeding poverty level administrative simplicity tax would collected part cost goods services purchased including new investment property rather income received workers owners productive property flat income tax would therefore work typical valueadded tax except investment property would exempt taxation way income tax could collected several million businesses employers rather separately 130 million households160 estimated tax base us personal corporate income taxes could replaced without regressive tax burden single flat tax rate 16 percent 18 percent combined 3 percentagepoint social security payroll tax cut mention shortly reform social benefits second social benefit program must balanced payroll taxes payasyougo basis level social benefits share national income calibrated prevent birth rate falling replacement rate since united states replacement rate 21 would require rather doubling us social benefits must permitted increase share national income many european countries would require decline share national income devoted social benefits ultimately paid families labor income since 1990 us social security retirement system collecting 25 percent workers payroll taxes necessary pay current retirement benefits result american workers subsidizing general government operations ought paid income tax labor property income next couple decades situation expected reverse annual benefits exceed payroll tax revenues similar proportion democrats proposed solve problem raising taxes individual corporate income capital gains estates thus forcing property owners pay workers benefits showed study mentioned earlier necessarily raises cost hiring unemployment rate europe fellow republicans meanwhile sought divert surplus payroll taxes subsidize property ownership taxadvantaged financial retirement accounts reducing families aftertax labor income could reduce birth rate europe asia suggested simplest way balance us social security cut retirement payroll taxes immediately 25 percent 3 percentage points thus returning current trust fund surplus american working families invest without restriction either raising educating children stocks bonds depending family situation prospective deficits would removed time phasing reduction equal proportion promised benefits prorated number years workers received payroll tax cuts new episodes imbalance would prevented automatically adjusting benefits inverse proportion birth rate longevity government health insurance programs must also reformed linking programs benefits prior payroll contributions maintaining overall annual balance way social security rather allowing current spending per recipient drive programs shares national income calculation must reversed starting target share social benefits national income dividing number beneficiaries two reforms would vastly increase fiscal fairness simplicity make far easier families raise children help assure theme congress put demographic winter replaced springtime family john mueller author redeeming economics free markets human person isi books director economics ethics program ethics public policy center president lbmc llc financialmarket forecasting firm | 1,435 |
<p>WASHINGTON — How big is the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals? The San-Francisco-based circuit is so big that it represents nine states, including Nevada, 20 percent of the U.S. population and 40 percent of the nation’s land mass. It’s so big that Congress has looked at bills to split the circuit since 1941, and it’s so big that none of those measures have succeeded.</p>
<p>This year, however, Sens. Jeff Flake and John McCain, both R-Ariz., see the possibility of success. They’ve introduced legislation to create a new 12th Circuit by peeling away six states — Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Arizona and Alaska. The slimmed-down 9th Circuit would continue to hear appeals from California, Oregon and Hawaii, as well as Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.</p>
<p>The last time Washington created a new federal circuit — the 11th — was 1981. There were proposals to split the 5th and 9th Circuits, but the 9th remained the same while the 5th Circuit — Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida — was split. “It was easy to do. You had six states. You could divide them three-three,” Pittsburgh School of Law Professor Arthur Hellman observed.</p>
<p>Also, Hellman noted, “There was a consensus among the legal community that the split should happen.”</p>
<p>Not so the 9th. Some circuit judges have resisted attempts to reduce its size, which also would reduce their national impact.</p>
<p>‘NUTTY 9TH’ HAS 29 JUDGES</p>
<p>There’s a price to be paid for that clout, said Walter Olson, Cato Institute senior fellow and founder of the “Overlawyered” blog. The 9th Circuit is the only circuit to hold “en banc” — or full bench — hearings with 11 of its 29 judges. Olson has taken to calling the 9th Circuit “the court that’s not all there.”</p>
<p>“It’s so big the three-judge panels cannot keep track of what they’re all doing. You’ve got a panel over here that says one thing and a panel over there that says the opposite thing,” Vanderbilt Law School professor Brian Fitzpatrick said.</p>
<p>Flake has argued that the district’s size contributes to a court case gridlock.</p>
<p>“The average wait time for a decision is 15 months,” the senator told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt. “The one bedrock principle we have in this country is the swift access to justice. If you live in the 9th Circuit, particularly Arizona, you don’t have that.” &lt;img src="https://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/SUBTRACT-THE-NINTH-FEB07-17.jpg" style="margin: 1em 0; width:100%; max-width: 640px" alt="Proposed bill would split the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals into two districts (Gabriel Utasi/Las Vegas Review-Journal)" /&gt;</p>
<p>For years conservatives have mocked the 9th Circuit as the “Nutty 9th,” partly because of its unusually high rate of U.S. Supreme Court reversals, some of them unanimous. “If you can’t get anyone on the Supreme Court to agree with you,” Fitzpatrick opined, “it’s not a good sign.”</p>
<p>With Republicans controlling the White House, Senate and House, Flake has timing on his side, although he has said that he will try to win support from Nevada’s newest senator, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto. According to staff, Cortez Masto is studying the issue.</p>
<p>HELLER IN FAVOR</p>
<p>Nevada’s GOP senator, Dean Heller, supports the concept. “The severe backlog of the 9th Circuit forces Nevadans to wait too long for their day in court,” Heller said, citing the 15-month delay. “It’s clear the need for a 12th Circuit is warranted. I support Nevadans’ right to a timely day in court.”</p>
<p>What’s in it for Nevadans?</p>
<p>University of Nevada, Las Vegas law professor Ruben Garcia doesn’t see a new circuit mitigating backlogs. “I think we’d have the same number of trial courts,” he said. The smaller 12th Circuit would have 10 judges — 19 would remain in the 9th — which means residents “would lose the expertise from judges” in 9th Circuit states.</p>
<p>Like Garcia, Hellman doesn’t see the new circuit ending caseload problems because the number of judges would not grow. As for the 10-judge panel proposed for the 12th Circuit, it would be smaller, but its rulings would be more predictable.</p>
<p>Flake has argued that a smaller circuit could do a better job representing Western states’ approach to land use, which departs from the approach of many California judges.</p>
<p>Last week, U.S. District Senior Judge James Robart got the attention of President Donald Trump when he issued a nationwide ruling that stayed Trump’s immigration executive order. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit heard arguments Tuesday as it considered whether to restore the order or maintain the hold.</p>
<p>Before the hearing, Trump issued a tweet that called Robart a “so-called judge” — a personal attack that Fitzpatrick believes makes it harder to pass the Flake bill.</p>
<p>“I don’t think Republicans like it when the president attacks judges,” he said. And, “it’s going to make the Democrats stiffen their spines.”</p>
<p>Amy Rose, legal director of ACLU Nevada, believes that if Robart’s decision intrudes on the debate over the 9th Circuit’s fate, “that’s exactly the reason not to pass the bill.”</p>
<p>Scholars have different views over which city should serve as a 12th Circuit headquarters. Some mention Seattle, others Phoenix.</p>
<p>Hellman recalls a late law professor who argued in favor of Las Vegas, with its central location and good airline service. More to the point, because the 9th Circuit has so many judges, which makes it harder to predict outcomes, the scholar joked, the circuit’s headquarters should be in Las Vegas because it’s such a gamble.</p>
<p>Contact Debra J. Saunders at [email protected] or at 202-662-7391. Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/@DebraJSaunders" type="external">@DebraJSaunders</a> on Twitter.</p> | false | 1 | washington big 9th us circuit court appeals sanfranciscobased circuit big represents nine states including nevada 20 percent us population 40 percent nations land mass big congress looked bills split circuit since 1941 big none measures succeeded year however sens jeff flake john mccain rariz see possibility success theyve introduced legislation create new 12th circuit peeling away six states nevada washington idaho montana arizona alaska slimmeddown 9th circuit would continue hear appeals california oregon hawaii well guam northern mariana islands last time washington created new federal circuit 11th 1981 proposals split 5th 9th circuits 9th remained 5th circuit texas louisiana mississippi alabama georgia florida split easy six states could divide threethree pittsburgh school law professor arthur hellman observed also hellman noted consensus among legal community split happen 9th circuit judges resisted attempts reduce size also would reduce national impact nutty 9th 29 judges theres price paid clout said walter olson cato institute senior fellow founder overlawyered blog 9th circuit circuit hold en banc full bench hearings 11 29 judges olson taken calling 9th circuit court thats big threejudge panels keep track theyre youve got panel says one thing panel says opposite thing vanderbilt law school professor brian fitzpatrick said flake argued districts size contributes court case gridlock average wait time decision 15 months senator told radio talk show host hugh hewitt one bedrock principle country swift access justice live 9th circuit particularly arizona dont ltimg srchttpswwwreviewjournalcomsitesdefaultfilessubtracttheninthfeb0717jpg stylemargin 1em 0 width100 maxwidth 640px altproposed bill would split 9th circuit court appeals two districts gabriel utasilas vegas reviewjournal gt years conservatives mocked 9th circuit nutty 9th partly unusually high rate us supreme court reversals unanimous cant get anyone supreme court agree fitzpatrick opined good sign republicans controlling white house senate house flake timing side although said try win support nevadas newest senator democrat catherine cortez masto according staff cortez masto studying issue heller favor nevadas gop senator dean heller supports concept severe backlog 9th circuit forces nevadans wait long day court heller said citing 15month delay clear need 12th circuit warranted support nevadans right timely day court whats nevadans university nevada las vegas law professor ruben garcia doesnt see new circuit mitigating backlogs think wed number trial courts said smaller 12th circuit would 10 judges 19 would remain 9th means residents would lose expertise judges 9th circuit states like garcia hellman doesnt see new circuit ending caseload problems number judges would grow 10judge panel proposed 12th circuit would smaller rulings would predictable flake argued smaller circuit could better job representing western states approach land use departs approach many california judges last week us district senior judge james robart got attention president donald trump issued nationwide ruling stayed trumps immigration executive order threejudge panel 9th circuit heard arguments tuesday considered whether restore order maintain hold hearing trump issued tweet called robart socalled judge personal attack fitzpatrick believes makes harder pass flake bill dont think republicans like president attacks judges said going make democrats stiffen spines amy rose legal director aclu nevada believes robarts decision intrudes debate 9th circuits fate thats exactly reason pass bill scholars different views city serve 12th circuit headquarters mention seattle others phoenix hellman recalls late law professor argued favor las vegas central location good airline service point 9th circuit many judges makes harder predict outcomes scholar joked circuits headquarters las vegas gamble contact debra j saunders dsaundersreviewjournalcom 2026627391 follow debrajsaunders twitter | 561 |
<p>Os Guinness first became a fixture on Christian reading lists with the publication of The Dust of Death: A Critique of the Establishment and the Counter Culture–and a Proposal for a Third Way (InterVarsity, 1973; reissued with a new foreword–and a new subtitle–by Crossway in 1994). Born in China and raised and educated in England, where he took an advanced degree from Oxford University, Guinness was one of many young Christians of diverse persuasions to be markedly influenced by Francis Schaeffer. Guinness, who has lived in the United States since 1984, was the executive director of the Williamsburg Charter Foundation from 1886 to 1989. He is currently the senior fellow of the Trinity Forum, a seminar-style forum for senior executives and political leaders that engages the leading ideas of our day in the context of faith. Guinness is the author of many books, including most recently The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life (Word).</p>
<p>Michael Cromartie met with Guinness in Washington, D.C., to talk about his new book.</p>
<p>What was the burden that caused you to write The Call?</p>
<p>Nearly 25 years ago, I left L’Abri after one of the most stimulating and fertile periods in my life. As I left, I wrote down the outline of 25 books that I hoped to write. This was one of the central two or three that I always had in mind to write.</p>
<p>I think calling is the key to two things. On the one hand, it is the key to the enormous quest for individual purpose today, which you see across the Western world: to find the idea, as Kierkegaard put it, for which I can live and die. Clearly, some people are turning toward the East, which is no answer because it ends up in renunciation. Some people are going the Western route toward a kind of Nietzschean Superman. But the deepest answer to individual longing for purpose is to rise to the call of our Creator. So that’s the first reason, the search for individual purpose.</p>
<p>The second is to find and rediscover a truth in the gospel powerful enough to blow aside the constrictions of modernity. As I’ve looked at the great periods of history I’ve asked myself: What was it in the gospel that was so powerful, culturally and historically? Clearly the top two answers are the cross of Christ and calling. Calling was there at Sinai at the birth of the Jewish movement; calling was there at Galilee at the birth of the Christian movement; calling was there critically in the Reformation and its contribution to the rise of the modern world.</p>
<p>I would argue that no truth of the gospel has been more influential in shaping the United States than calling. So when Tocqueville says he sees the whole future of America imprinted in the first Puritan who steps ashore in New England, what he’s talking about centrally is a notion of calling. Even something like “manifest destiny” is a nationalistic, secular distortion of calling. Even the American dream, you could say, is an economic distortion of calling. But much of the dynamism, much of the progress, much of the forward-looking thrust of this great country comes from the Puritan contribution of calling.</p>
<p>Calling has always been critically and powerfully explosive when it has been clearly understood. We need such a truth again today.</p>
<p>When you write about calling, what exactly do you mean?</p>
<p>It is often distorted on one side by being spiritually narrowed into simply meaning guidance. On the secular side, it has been distorted into becoming just your job. By calling I mean that God calls us so decisively in Christ that everything we are, everything we have, and everything we do is invested with a direction and a dynamism because it is done in response to his summons and his call.</p>
<p>You say in your book, “The heart of our yearning is to know why we are each unique, utterly exceptional, and therefore significant as human beings.” You say this in the context of magazines and popular seminars that encourage people to find their true identities in their work. What is it about the Christian view of calling that is different from all that?</p>
<p>There are a number of reasons why there is such a yearning for this today. One is that it has always been the deepest human longing. Another is that in modern society, with all the choice and change we have, the expectation is created that each of us can choose a lifestyle and, above all, a job, that we can really be ourselves in. But the third reason blocks the other two. Of the roughly 20 civilizations in the course of human history, if you take on Toynbee’s reckoning, Western secular civilization is the first that has no agreed-on answer to what is the meaning of individual life. There is a deep yearning today for purpose, and yet enormous ignorance and confusion in terms of how we discover it.</p>
<p>You distinguish in the book between “primary” calling and “secondary” calling. What is the significance of that distinction?</p>
<p>I’ve reintroduced some of the terms that the Reformers used. The primary call is the call by the Lord, to the Lord, for the Lord. That is first and foremost calling as summarized in Jesus’ words “Follow me.” The secondary calling is what we do when we rise to follow him. Some people are taken into homemaking, some into teaching, some into law, some into politics. Our secondary calling is all that we do in response to the primary call. Now the great thing is, the primary must always remain primary, and it must never be cut off from the secondary.</p>
<p>You suggest that when that happens, work becomes idolatry.</p>
<p>Yes. Historically there are two great distortions of calling. One is the Catholic distortion, which is a form of spiritual dualism. It makes the spiritual higher than the secular, so you have a distinction between higher and lower, sacred and secular. As Eusebius called it, a perfect life for the monks, nuns, and priests. Now that is the Catholic distortion, although many Protestants have fallen for it. In evangelical circles we hear of “full-time Christian service,” a term suggesting that a call to the ministry, or the mission field, or evangelism is higher than a call to being a businessperson. This is an utterly disastrous distortion of the scriptural understanding of calling.</p>
<p>The other distortion is the Protestant distortion. Calvin and Martin Luther rightly said that ordinary work, too, is of our calling. But within a hundred-odd years, work and employment began to be used interchangeably with calling and vocation, so that calling became merely your job. Of course, calling is far, far more than that. Above all, it means we are called to Christ in whatever we do.</p>
<p>You quote William Perkins as saying “the action of a shepherd in keeping sheep, performed as I have said in his kind, is as good a work before God as is the action of a judge in giving sentence, or of a magistrate in ruling, or a minister in preaching.” Why was this explosive in its cultural implications?</p>
<p>Perkins was the great “door-opener” of the truth of calling to the English-speaking world, picked up later by John Cotton in New England. And Perkins in turn was following Luther and the great pages in The Babylonian Captivity, written in 1520, where Luther says that the farmer in the fields, or the farmer’s wife in the farmhouse, if they are doing their work by faith for the glory of God, are fulfilling as high and holy a calling as the pastor in the pulpit. Immediately such an outlook gives to the whole of life a dignity.</p>
<p>Back to what you call the “Protestant distortion.” Can you clarify the Protestant overreaction?</p>
<p>After 150 years of Protestantism, what happened was that work was made sacred and calling was made secular. The Bible never makes work sacred. Work has an inherent dignity because we are made in the image of God as subcreators. But in a fallen world, work is partly creative, partly cursed. The Protestant ethic made work itself sacred over time.</p>
<p>By the same token, calling was secularized. The irony of today is that you have many wonderful Catholic brothers and sisters who are closer to Martin Luther on this subject than we are. You have many Protestants, by contrast, who are closer to those Martin Luther attacked. Spiritual dualism regarding work and calling is rearing its ugly head again and is alive and well in Protestant circles.</p>
<p>You say: “If there is no Caller, there are no callings, only work.” What do you mean by that? On the one hand, you have ignorance about calling in Christian circles. On the other, in secular or New Age circles, people are picking up the notion of calling to try to give dignity to work. A simple example is Marilyn Ferguson, whose book The Aquarian Conspiracy is virtually the Bible of the New Age movement. Ferguson rightly says that we want to have a life, not just make a living. But when she introduces the notion of vocation, she is simply juggling with words.</p>
<p>The word vocation, rooted in the Latin word vocare, is exactly the same as the word call, which has an Anglo-Saxon root. There is no such thing as a calling without a Caller. I think we need some of Nietzsche’s honesty. If God is dead, you can’t live as if God is still alive. We need to see that a lot of people in modern society are semantic frauds. They think that by using the word vocation or calling they give a dignity to work even though they don’t believe in God.</p>
<p>You suggest that there is a dark side to calling, “the temptation of conceit.”</p>
<p>There is always one great shadow side of calling. One minute we feel the Lord has said to us, “You are chosen, you are called, you are special, you are gifted.” And the next minute the Devil has whispered the same words in our ear and we say to ourselves, “I’m called, I’m chosen, I’m special, I’m gifted.” There is no question that when you look at the history of calling, many of those who had the strongest sense of calling–including, let’s be honest, many who were Reformed–grew into a sense of destiny that became conceit.</p>
<p>There is a wonderful story of Winston Churchill, who had a Presbyterian in his cabinet, Sir Stafford Cripps, who was known to be rather full of his own sense of individual destiny. Once when he left the cabinet room, Churchill turned to the others and said, “There, but for the grace of God, goes God.”</p>
<p>Why do you suggest that drudgery is part of the cost of discipleship?</p>
<p>Abraham Lincoln said something like “in politics, every man must skin his own skunk.” There is an awful lot in a fallen world that is just a dirty job. Sadly, it often falls to the poor people or, in a family, to the mother. But diapers have to be changed. Trash has to be taken out. Dishes have to be washed. There are certain things that have to be done. We are like Peter, James, and John, who much prefer to be at the top of the mountain and see the vision. But Jesus doesn’t let them stay there when they want to build tabernacles, and instead takes them straight back down in the valley where the demon-possessed son is. Jesus is realistic and practical. He doesn’t think of the moment in the limelight; he picks up a towel and washes the dirty feet of his disciples. There is a realism to calling that makes us face the whole of life in its unvarnished quality.</p>
<p>Something I myself find difficult is doing the menial, the humdrum, with a sense of calling. Yet that is what it used to mean in the past. Calling means not only that there are no “ordinary people” but also, as C. S. Lewis writes in Letters to Malcolm, no “ordinary things.” When you see everything as it is, created by God, you revel in the splendor of the ordinary. The wrinkles of an old woman’s face, the beauty of the tiles on a roof, an old cat–Lewis calls these “patches of God-light.” In other words, in the shadows of a fallen world, the sun from eternity breaks through.</p>
<p>You can see this magnificently in the Shakers. They taught that you make the back of the chair as well as the front and the bottom of the chair as well as the top. Because, as they said, you wanted to make a chair that was “fit for an angel to sit on.”</p>
<p>Contrast that to this: My son and I were down in Orlando at Universal Studios. When the guide was showing us some of the film-set houses, he quipped, “Nothing in Orlando is real that the camera doesn’t see.” And that’s the modern way. It is the surface appearance that is important. What you are in private and on the inside is irrelevant.</p>
<p>How does the notion of calling counter the modern pressures toward secularization?</p>
<p>Secularization is a slippery notion. At its heart is the idea that our consciousness is restricted to the world of the senses–what you can see, touch, taste, weigh, measure, calculate, and so on. We have become as one-dimensional as Elisha’s servant who couldn’t see the chariots and horses of fire. Now Jesus lived in a busy and public world where there was no room to move and hardly room to eat. But in the middle of that, he found time for solitude, prayer, and fasting. So calling, to live as Jesus lived, to follow his way of discipleship, includes being called to the spiritual disciplines, which open up to us a world beyond the five senses.</p>
<p>I remember when I was in Australia, speaking on modernity, a visiting Japanese CEO came up to me and said, “When I meet a Buddhist monk, I meet a holy man in touch with another world. When I meet a Western missionary, I meet a manager who is only in touch with the world I know.” You could say today that many, many Christians are atheists unawares; they are implicit, practicing atheists because they are so secular in their consciousness. So we have words like prayer, supernatural, revival, but we don’t actually operate in the world named by those words. To live with the spiritual disciplines opening us up to another reality, to other powers and other dimensions, cracks secularization very powerfully.</p>
<p>You say that calling is central to the challenge and privilege of finishing well in life. How so?</p>
<p>Previous generations of Christians took seriously the notion of dying well, and you can see that in great old lives like Michelangelo. But today, with lengthy retirement, better health, and higher prosperity, the notion of a golden age (which isn’t in fact always that golden) is possible. Our notion is not simply dying well, but finishing well.</p>
<p>Here is where many of the old problems come again. If you’ve identified calling with your job, and your whole sense of identity and self-worth comes from the job you do, what happens when you lose your job or retire? But the person with a true sense of calling is never uncalled, even if he is unemployed or retired.</p>
<p>Finishing well, of course, ultimately means dying well. When William Wilberforce died, just three days after the abolition of slavery passed in the House of Commons, in the great tribute to him they said that the termination of his life and the termination of his labors coincided. That’s unusual. For most of us, our life will be terminated before our labors.</p>
<p>We need to remember that within the Christian view is a sense of incompleteness. We’re never expected to have completion in the here and now. Very few people will reach a ripe, fully accomplished old age and then die, like a Wilberforce or Winston Churchill. Many more people, whether they are longing for their children’s salvation or something to happen in the world, will see their dreams incomplete. Death is an interruption to what we are doing in this world, but it is also a call home to the Caller. It is not an interruption of our calling; it is the culmination and climax of our calling.</p> | false | 1 | os guinness first became fixture christian reading lists publication dust death critique establishment counter cultureand proposal third way intervarsity 1973 reissued new forewordand new subtitleby crossway 1994 born china raised educated england took advanced degree oxford university guinness one many young christians diverse persuasions markedly influenced francis schaeffer guinness lived united states since 1984 executive director williamsburg charter foundation 1886 1989 currently senior fellow trinity forum seminarstyle forum senior executives political leaders engages leading ideas day context faith guinness author many books including recently call finding fulfilling central purpose life word michael cromartie met guinness washington dc talk new book burden caused write call nearly 25 years ago left labri one stimulating fertile periods life left wrote outline 25 books hoped write one central two three always mind write think calling key two things one hand key enormous quest individual purpose today see across western world find idea kierkegaard put live die clearly people turning toward east answer ends renunciation people going western route toward kind nietzschean superman deepest answer individual longing purpose rise call creator thats first reason search individual purpose second find rediscover truth gospel powerful enough blow aside constrictions modernity ive looked great periods history ive asked gospel powerful culturally historically clearly top two answers cross christ calling calling sinai birth jewish movement calling galilee birth christian movement calling critically reformation contribution rise modern world would argue truth gospel influential shaping united states calling tocqueville says sees whole future america imprinted first puritan steps ashore new england hes talking centrally notion calling even something like manifest destiny nationalistic secular distortion calling even american dream could say economic distortion calling much dynamism much progress much forwardlooking thrust great country comes puritan contribution calling calling always critically powerfully explosive clearly understood need truth today write calling exactly mean often distorted one side spiritually narrowed simply meaning guidance secular side distorted becoming job calling mean god calls us decisively christ everything everything everything invested direction dynamism done response summons call say book heart yearning know unique utterly exceptional therefore significant human beings say context magazines popular seminars encourage people find true identities work christian view calling different number reasons yearning today one always deepest human longing another modern society choice change expectation created us choose lifestyle job really third reason blocks two roughly 20 civilizations course human history take toynbees reckoning western secular civilization first agreedon answer meaning individual life deep yearning today purpose yet enormous ignorance confusion terms discover distinguish book primary calling secondary calling significance distinction ive reintroduced terms reformers used primary call call lord lord lord first foremost calling summarized jesus words follow secondary calling rise follow people taken homemaking teaching law politics secondary calling response primary call great thing primary must always remain primary must never cut secondary suggest happens work becomes idolatry yes historically two great distortions calling one catholic distortion form spiritual dualism makes spiritual higher secular distinction higher lower sacred secular eusebius called perfect life monks nuns priests catholic distortion although many protestants fallen evangelical circles hear fulltime christian service term suggesting call ministry mission field evangelism higher call businessperson utterly disastrous distortion scriptural understanding calling distortion protestant distortion calvin martin luther rightly said ordinary work calling within hundredodd years work employment began used interchangeably calling vocation calling became merely job course calling far far means called christ whatever quote william perkins saying action shepherd keeping sheep performed said kind good work god action judge giving sentence magistrate ruling minister preaching explosive cultural implications perkins great dooropener truth calling englishspeaking world picked later john cotton new england perkins turn following luther great pages babylonian captivity written 1520 luther says farmer fields farmers wife farmhouse work faith glory god fulfilling high holy calling pastor pulpit immediately outlook gives whole life dignity back call protestant distortion clarify protestant overreaction 150 years protestantism happened work made sacred calling made secular bible never makes work sacred work inherent dignity made image god subcreators fallen world work partly creative partly cursed protestant ethic made work sacred time token calling secularized irony today many wonderful catholic brothers sisters closer martin luther subject many protestants contrast closer martin luther attacked spiritual dualism regarding work calling rearing ugly head alive well protestant circles say caller callings work mean one hand ignorance calling christian circles secular new age circles people picking notion calling try give dignity work simple example marilyn ferguson whose book aquarian conspiracy virtually bible new age movement ferguson rightly says want life make living introduces notion vocation simply juggling words word vocation rooted latin word vocare exactly word call anglosaxon root thing calling without caller think need nietzsches honesty god dead cant live god still alive need see lot people modern society semantic frauds think using word vocation calling give dignity work even though dont believe god suggest dark side calling temptation conceit always one great shadow side calling one minute feel lord said us chosen called special gifted next minute devil whispered words ear say im called im chosen im special im gifted question look history calling many strongest sense callingincluding lets honest many reformedgrew sense destiny became conceit wonderful story winston churchill presbyterian cabinet sir stafford cripps known rather full sense individual destiny left cabinet room churchill turned others said grace god goes god suggest drudgery part cost discipleship abraham lincoln said something like politics every man must skin skunk awful lot fallen world dirty job sadly often falls poor people family mother diapers changed trash taken dishes washed certain things done like peter james john much prefer top mountain see vision jesus doesnt let stay want build tabernacles instead takes straight back valley demonpossessed son jesus realistic practical doesnt think moment limelight picks towel washes dirty feet disciples realism calling makes us face whole life unvarnished quality something find difficult menial humdrum sense calling yet used mean past calling means ordinary people also c lewis writes letters malcolm ordinary things see everything created god revel splendor ordinary wrinkles old womans face beauty tiles roof old catlewis calls patches godlight words shadows fallen world sun eternity breaks see magnificently shakers taught make back chair well front bottom chair well top said wanted make chair fit angel sit contrast son orlando universal studios guide showing us filmset houses quipped nothing orlando real camera doesnt see thats modern way surface appearance important private inside irrelevant notion calling counter modern pressures toward secularization secularization slippery notion heart idea consciousness restricted world senseswhat see touch taste weigh measure calculate become onedimensional elishas servant couldnt see chariots horses fire jesus lived busy public world room move hardly room eat middle found time solitude prayer fasting calling live jesus lived follow way discipleship includes called spiritual disciplines open us world beyond five senses remember australia speaking modernity visiting japanese ceo came said meet buddhist monk meet holy man touch another world meet western missionary meet manager touch world know could say today many many christians atheists unawares implicit practicing atheists secular consciousness words like prayer supernatural revival dont actually operate world named words live spiritual disciplines opening us another reality powers dimensions cracks secularization powerfully say calling central challenge privilege finishing well life previous generations christians took seriously notion dying well see great old lives like michelangelo today lengthy retirement better health higher prosperity notion golden age isnt fact always golden possible notion simply dying well finishing well many old problems come youve identified calling job whole sense identity selfworth comes job happens lose job retire person true sense calling never uncalled even unemployed retired finishing well course ultimately means dying well william wilberforce died three days abolition slavery passed house commons great tribute said termination life termination labors coincided thats unusual us life terminated labors need remember within christian view sense incompleteness never expected completion people reach ripe fully accomplished old age die like wilberforce winston churchill many people whether longing childrens salvation something happen world see dreams incomplete death interruption world also call home caller interruption calling culmination climax calling | 1,329 |
<p>CANTON, Ohio — There might be no better word than surreal to describe the astounding journey of <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kurt_Warner/" type="external">Kurt Warner</a> to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>That journey culminates Saturday night when Warner’s speech wraps up end this year’s enshrinement ceremony and bring to 310 the number of players, coaches and contributors with busts in the Hall.</p>
<p>Consider: Starting for only one season at Northern Iowa. Cut by the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Green_Bay_Packers/" type="external">Green Bay Packers</a> after being signed as an undrafted free agent of which there are now 17 in the Hall of Fame. Becoming a standout for the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League.</p>
<p>A tryout that never happened with the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chicago_Bears/" type="external">Chicago Bears</a> because of a spider bite on his throwing arm during his honeymoon. A tryout with the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/St-Louis-Rams/" type="external">St. Louis Rams</a> in 1997 that wasn’t attended by the team’s offensive coordinator, Jerry Rhome. Playing for the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe while under contract to the Rams, and heading to training camp wondering if he could beat out Will Furrer for the No. 3 quarterback job.</p>
<p>Earning a roster spot in 1998, but left unprotected in the 1999 expansion draft for the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cleveland-Browns/" type="external">Cleveland Browns</a>, who selected quarterback Scott Milanovich. Feeling beat down by Rams offensive coordinator <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Mike_Martz/" type="external">Mike Martz</a>, but then becoming the starter when <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Trent_Green/" type="external">Trent Green</a> tore his ACL in a preseason game against the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/San-Diego-Chargers/" type="external">San Diego Chargers</a>.</p>
<p>After all that, the quick version of his ascent was taking the NFL by storm and leading “The Greatest Show on Turf” to a Super Bowl XXXIV win over the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Tennessee-Titans/" type="external">Tennessee Titans</a> and being named MVP for the regular season and the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>But wait, there’s more.</p>
<p>He moved on from the Rams in 2004, signed with the N.Y. Giants, who made a trade during the draft that year to acquire first-round pick <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Eli_Manning/" type="external">Eli Manning</a>. Warner then headed to the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Arizona-Cardinals/" type="external">Arizona Cardinals</a> in 2005, who then selected quarterback <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt_Leinart/" type="external">Matt Leinart</a> in the first round of the 2006 draft.</p>
<p>Warner decided to wear a glove near the end of the 2006 season, and wearing it for the rest of his career, guided the Cardinals to a Super Bowl appearance after a 9-7 regular season in 2008.</p>
<p>Surreal? Warner can’t disagree.</p>
<p>“As a competitor, you think of high goals like the Hall of Fame when things are happening as they did in St. Louis,” Warner said. “But then, for things to go sideways as it did, that type of dream kind of disappears as you chase just another opportunity. But as you look back, you’re amazed at how many things seemed to go against you, yet every time you get that one opportunity to make it right again.</p>
<p>“I was fortunate to be in some great situations. That’s what I’ve reflected on more than anything; the path. The defining moments that pop into my head at different times. ‘Man if it wasn’t for that or it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in today.'”</p>
<p>Warner signed with the Rams for the 1998 season and allocated to NFL Europe to play for the Amsterdam Admirals, whose head coach, Al Luginbill, convinced Rams general manager Charley Armey to give him a look.</p>
<p>Warner wondered, no matter how well he played in Europe, whether he had a legitimate chance to make the team. But Armey remained in contact, and that gave Warner a lift.</p>
<p>“That was the first sign,” Warner said, “that maybe there will be a chance that someone will believe in me. Charley seemed very much in my corner and he said I have a chance to make (the) roster and play at this level.”</p>
<p>Still, he rarely played in the preseason, but clearly recalls seeing head coach Dick Vermeil while walking in the hallway at Rams Park on cutdown day.</p>
<p>Before saying “congratulations,” Vermeil told me, “I just feel there is something special about you. I don’t know what it is. It’s early and we haven’t seen a whole lot, but there’s something about you that’s different. I couldn’t let you go without exploring to see what that was.</p>
<p>“Ultimately, it was his decision and it was nice to know the guy making the decision truly believes in you. After that, I finally felt I would get the chance and now it’s up to me to prove him right.”</p>
<p>Little did he know it would be the next year after Green’s injury after which Vermeil told the media, “We will rally around Kurt Warner and we will play good <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/John_Walker/" type="external">football</a>.”</p>
<p>Boy, did they ever.</p>
<p>“I was really surprised by that comment. I joke around to this day that he was crying when he said that,” Warner recalled.</p>
<p>Sadly, it didn’t last. There was another Super Bowl appearance, a loss to the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/New_England_Patriots/" type="external">New England Patriots</a> two seasons later, but after more injuries and Warner playing just one game in 2003, he departed St. Louis for the Giants and then the Cardinals.</p>
<p>Leading Arizona to a Super Bowl and the level he played when in the postseason cemented his election to the Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>Warner is being enshrined one year after Rams left tackle <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Orlando_Pace/" type="external">Orlando Pace</a>. Running back <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Marshall_Faulk/" type="external">Marshall Faulk</a> entered the Hall in 2011. Wide receiver <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Isaac_Bruce/" type="external">Isaac Bruce</a> was a finalist this year, while wide receiver <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Torry_Holt/" type="external">Torry Holt</a> has been a semifinalist three times.</p>
<p>Warner admitted, “My big regret not staying in St. Louis was to see how good we could have been. Could we have been a dynasty? Could we have written the record book in an even more crazy way? We didn’t get a chance as a team to see what we could really do together. There’s always that ‘What if?’</p>
<p>“To see it fall apart the way it did is probably the most disappointing part. Still, it’s an honor to be part of that group because I still believe we’ve never seen an offense put together like we had with the Rams.”</p>
<p>Now, Warner’s appreciation is bountiful.</p>
<p>“Looking back,” he says, “I’m grateful my career took the path that it did. The great thing is now I know the end of the story and I’m so grateful that it did play out this way.”</p>
<p>With a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>–Howard Balzer is a senior football writer for The Sports Xchange, covered football for four decades and is on the Hall of Fame Selection Committee.</p> | false | 1 | canton ohio might better word surreal describe astounding journey kurt warner pro football hall fame journey culminates saturday night warners speech wraps end years enshrinement ceremony bring 310 number players coaches contributors busts hall consider starting one season northern iowa cut green bay packers signed undrafted free agent 17 hall fame becoming standout iowa barnstormers arena football league tryout never happened chicago bears spider bite throwing arm honeymoon tryout st louis rams 1997 wasnt attended teams offensive coordinator jerry rhome playing amsterdam admirals nfl europe contract rams heading training camp wondering could beat furrer 3 quarterback job earning roster spot 1998 left unprotected 1999 expansion draft cleveland browns selected quarterback scott milanovich feeling beat rams offensive coordinator mike martz becoming starter trent green tore acl preseason game san diego chargers quick version ascent taking nfl storm leading greatest show turf super bowl xxxiv win tennessee titans named mvp regular season super bowl wait theres moved rams 2004 signed ny giants made trade draft year acquire firstround pick eli manning warner headed arizona cardinals 2005 selected quarterback matt leinart first round 2006 draft warner decided wear glove near end 2006 season wearing rest career guided cardinals super bowl appearance 97 regular season 2008 surreal warner cant disagree competitor think high goals like hall fame things happening st louis warner said things go sideways type dream kind disappears chase another opportunity look back youre amazed many things seemed go yet every time get one opportunity make right fortunate great situations thats ive reflected anything path defining moments pop head different times man wasnt wasnt wouldnt position im today warner signed rams 1998 season allocated nfl europe play amsterdam admirals whose head coach al luginbill convinced rams general manager charley armey give look warner wondered matter well played europe whether legitimate chance make team armey remained contact gave warner lift first sign warner said maybe chance someone believe charley seemed much corner said chance make roster play level still rarely played preseason clearly recalls seeing head coach dick vermeil walking hallway rams park cutdown day saying congratulations vermeil told feel something special dont know early havent seen whole lot theres something thats different couldnt let go without exploring see ultimately decision nice know guy making decision truly believes finally felt would get chance prove right little know would next year greens injury vermeil told media rally around kurt warner play good football boy ever really surprised comment joke around day crying said warner recalled sadly didnt last another super bowl appearance loss new england patriots two seasons later injuries warner playing one game 2003 departed st louis giants cardinals leading arizona super bowl level played postseason cemented election hall fame warner enshrined one year rams left tackle orlando pace running back marshall faulk entered hall 2011 wide receiver isaac bruce finalist year wide receiver torry holt semifinalist three times warner admitted big regret staying st louis see good could could dynasty could written record book even crazy way didnt get chance team see could really together theres always see fall apart way probably disappointing part still honor part group still believe weve never seen offense put together like rams warners appreciation bountiful looking back says im grateful career took path great thing know end story im grateful play way bust pro football hall fame howard balzer senior football writer sports xchange covered football four decades hall fame selection committee | 566 |
<p>The Second Vatican Council, which ended 50 years ago this month, produced 16 documents. Together, those texts contain hundreds of pages of reflection on the nature of the Catholic Church and its mission in the world. In all that wealth of teaching, no other 18 sentences bore a greater weight of historical memory, or suggested a greater opportunity for a new and providentially guided future, than the fourth section of the Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions — the brief document known by its first words as Nostra Aetate (In Our Time):</p>
<p>4. As the sacred synod searches into the mystery of the Church, it remembers the bond that spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham’s stock.</p>
<p>Thus the Church of Christ acknowledges that, according to God’s saving design, the beginnings of her faith and her election are found already among the Patriarchs, Moses, and the prophets. She professes that all who believe in Christ — Abraham’s sons according to faith — are included in the same Patriarch’s call, and likewise that the salvation of the Church is mysteriously foreshadowed by the chosen people’s exodus from the land of bondage. The Church, therefore, cannot forget that she received the revelation of the Old Testament through the people with whom God in His inexpressible mercy concluded the Ancient Covenant. Nor can she forget that she draws sustenance from the root of that well-cultivated olive tree onto which have been grafted the wild shoots, the Gentiles. Indeed, the Church believes that by His cross Christ, Our Peace, reconciled Jews and Gentiles, making both one in Himself.</p>
<p>The Church keeps ever in mind the words of the Apostle about his kinsmen: “Theirs is the sonship and the glory and the covenants and the law and the worship and the promises; theirs are the fathers and from them is the Christ according to the flesh” (Romans 9:4–5), the Son of the Virgin Mary. She also recalls that the Apostles, the Church’s mainstay and pillars, as well as most of the early disciples who proclaimed Christ’s Gospel to the world, sprang from the Jewish people.</p>
<p>As Holy Scripture testifies, Jerusalem did not recognize the time of her visitation, nor did the Jews in large number accept the Gospel; indeed not a few opposed its spreading. Nevertheless, God holds the Jews most dear for the sake of their Fathers; He does not repent of the gifts He makes or of the calls He issues — such is the witness of the Apostle (Romans 11:28–29). In company with the Prophets and the same Apostle, the Church awaits that day, known to God alone, on which all peoples will address the Lord in a single voice and “serve him shoulder to shoulder” (Zephaniah 3:9).</p>
<p>Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies as well as of fraternal dialogues.</p>
<p>True, the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ; still, what happened in His passion cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today. Although the Church is the new people of God, the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God, as if this followed from the Holy Scriptures. All should see to it, then, that in catechetical work or in the preaching of the word of God they do not teach anything that does not conform to the truth of the Gospel and the spirit of Christ.</p>
<p>Furthermore, in her rejection of every persecution against any man, the Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel’s spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.</p>
<p>Besides, as the Church has always held and holds now, Christ underwent His passion and death freely, because of the sins of men and out of infinite love, in order that all may reach salvation. It is, therefore, the burden of the Church’s preaching to proclaim the cross of Christ as the sign of God’s all-embracing love and as the fountain from which every grace flows.</p>
<p>To mark the golden anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Vatican office that oversees the Catholic Church’s formal interreligious dialogue with world Jewry issued a “reflection” on what has happened theologically over the past half-century, in a conversation that many would have found difficult to imagine a century ago. Taking its title from the sentence in Paul’s letter to the Romans cited in Nostra Aetate — “The Gifts and Calling of God Are Irrevocable” — the reflection was both a review of what had been accomplished since Vatican II and a gentle, if quietly bold, suggestion for where the Jewish–Catholic dialogue should go in its next phase.</p>
<p>Unhappily, in a world media environment that now operates on autopilot, according to the template Post-Franciscum ergo propter Franciscum (“If it happened after the election of Pope Francis, it happened because of Pope Francis — and it’s something radically new”), the reflection was instantly misrepresented, or at least spun, as a virtual about-face in Catholic doctrine about the relationship of the Church and its people to Jews and Judaism. Or, to quote an e-mail I received from a highly intelligent Israeli friend, who was relying solely on press reports, “I would be fascinated to know your thoughts about the Vatican`s decision that Catholics have no obligation to convert Jews, as it seems quite revolutionary.”</p>
<p>Well, not quite. But there is something dramatic afoot here, and it’s important to identify it. So, seven points (a good Biblical number) on “The Gifts and Calling of God Are Irrevocable,” <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/relations-jews-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20151210_ebraismo-nostra-aetate_en.html" type="external">which can be read in full here</a>.</p>
<p>1. As the text itself states, “The Gifts and Calling of God Are Irrevocable” is “not a magisterial document or doctrinal teaching of the Catholic Church.” Rather, it’s a “reflection” by a Vatican office on what has happened in the Jewish–Catholic dialogue over the past half-century and a proposed “starting point for further theological thought with a view to enriching and intensifying&#160;.&#160;.&#160;.&#160;Jewish–Catholic dialogue.” And thus the first crucial point: The Catholic Church thinks of this unique conversation in theological terms, as a matter of deepening its understanding of its Jewish parent and its own self-understanding. This is not, in other words, about either politics or historical reckoning, important as those are. This conversation, as the Church understands it, is about Jews and Catholics thinking together, as they haven’t done since perhaps 70 a.d. and the “parting of the ways” (at the time of the first Jewish–Roman War and the destruction of the Temple), about what it means to be elect people who are called to live in a covenant relationship with the God who first revealed himself to Abraham and whom Jesus called “Father.” That, the reflection suggests, is the important stuff today, now that almost two millennia of Catholic sins against Jews and Judaism have been reckoned with, confessed before God, and repented of.</p>
<p>2. The reflection then insists that Catholics cannot understand themselves rightly if they live in ignorance of the patrimony they have received from the People of Israel: “Without her Jewish roots the Church would be in danger of losing its&#160;.&#160;.&#160;.&#160;anchoring in salvation history and would slide into an ultimately unhistorical Gnosis.” Which is to say, absent the Old Testament, the people of the New Testament would become votaries of a cluster of mythic abstractions, untethered to the experience of God-among-us. And since Gnosticism — the rejection of the grittiness of history and the givenness of human nature, and the claim that everything in the human condition is plastic and malleable for those who are “enlightened” — is arguably the premier heresy of our post-modern age, this is a very weighty claim indeed: a claim that calls Jews to ponder the religious meaning of their relationship to these Catholics who claim to have received their faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the People of Israel. Catholic–Jewish relations are not, in other words, a matter of civility in tolerant societies alone, important as that is; as the Catholic Church understands itself, Catholics and Jews are religiously entangled, and must be. Jews have, and with reason, typically rejected such a claim as threatening to their very identity. Might a newly confident Judaism, which has built a vibrant democratic state in Israel and whose diaspora is as secure in the United States as Jews have been at any time in history, reexamine that traditional reluctance to enter into religious conversation with Catholics? Might, for example, faithful Jews acquaint themselves with the New Testament, one of the foundational documents of Western Civilization?</p>
<p>3. The reflection continues by stating, in what seems a genuine development since Nostra Aetate, that the Jewish–Catholic dialogue is intrafamilial in a way that the Church’s dialogues with other “non-Christian religions” aren’t, and cannot be. Thus the reflection makes the bold proposal that this conversation is “interreligious dialogue” only “by analogy”; Judaism has “a completely different character and is on a different level in comparison with the other world religions,” and this is not, therefore, a conversation “between two intrinsically separate and different religions.” Rather, the reflection suggests, it’s much more entangled than that. For as Saint John Paul II said at the Synagogue of Rome in 1986, Catholics consider Jews their “elder brothers.” So a question is posed: What do 21st-century Jews and Judaism make of the reflection’s claim that “Jews and Christians have the same mother and can be seen, as it were, as two siblings who — as is the normal course of events for siblings — have developed in different directions”? Can faithful Jews “fit” Christianity into Jewish self-understanding as something religiously distinctive and religiously related to God’s covenant with the People of Israel?</p>
<p>4. The reflection states flatly, in a brisk reiteration of the truth taught by Saint Paul two millennia ago and reaffirmed by Vatican II, that “the covenant that God has offered Israel is irrevocable.” The implication of that for Catholics is clear: Christian supersessionism – the notion (as the reflection describes it) that “the people of God of Israel has ceased to exist” – is heresy and must be firmly rejected. But what does that mean on the other side of the dialogue? Can faithful Jews “read” the Catholic rejection of supersessionism as something more than an affirmation of civility and mutual respect, and see in it a call to return to the conversation about election, covenant, and being-a-light-to-the-nations that was so tragically cut off two millennia ago? That conversation, the reflection candidly admits, will always be marked by a “basic tension,” rooted in two different ways of reading the Hebrew Scriptures. But on the basis of the experience of the past half-century, the reflection suggests that that tension can be religiously and theologically fruitful, and not merely a cause of disagreement leading to acrimony.</p>
<p>5. At the deepest level, the reflection concedes, all of this is beyond us. Yes, Christians confess that Jesus is Lord of history and the cosmos and the unique savior of humanity. Yet, as the reflection states unambiguously, “it does not in any way follow that the Jews are excluded from God’s salvation because they do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah of Israel and the Son of God,” for to claim that would be to call Saint Paul a liar. But how all this works – the Church’s confession that “the Jews are participants in God’s salvation” even “without confessing Christ explicitly” –&#160;is, was, and likely always will be “an unfathomable divine mystery.” It is also perhaps the most powerful, and poignant, expression of Paul’s confession, in Romans 11, of the inscrutability of God’s judgments and the unsearchability of God’s ways. Which is to say, it’s not up to us to figure out some sort of formula that makes this providential entanglement algebraically or geometrically logical. At the end of each Catholic–Jewish dialogue, there remains silence before the Mystery.</p>
<p>6. As for what all this means in terms of Catholic responsibilities toward Jews, the reflection states that “the Catholic Church neither conducts nor supports any specific institutional mission towards Jews,” although Catholics are “called to bear witness to their faith in Jesus Christ also to Jews, although they should do so in a humble and sensitive manner, acknowledging that Jews are bearers of God’s word, and particularly in view of the great tragedy of the Shoah.” This may be the most forthright statement of the implications of Nostra Aetate from a Vatican body, but it’s really nothing “revolutionary.” Indeed, it reflects the approach of Catholics, among whom I count myself, who believe that our first religious responsibility to our Jewish friends is to urge them to be the best Jews they can be — to be the faithful people of the covenant they were elected to be by the providence of God. Somewhere down the line, when we’re all being the best Catholics and the best Jews we can be, thanks to God’s grace, we’ll be able, again, to talk about messianic hope and its possible fulfillment. For the moment, there is the task of bearing common religious witness to the dignity of the human person as revealed in the Creation account we share, in a world that regularly and often brutally denies that dignity because of warped religious fanaticism or the cult of the imperial autonomous Self.</p>
<p>7. So while “The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable” is a welcome development of Nostra Aetate, its implications address both parties in the ongoing Catholic–Jewish conversation that Nostra Aetate jump-started. This anniversary reflection challenges both parties to religious solidarity and theological seriousness is a world that too often considers “theological” a synonym for “mindless.” And it is, finally, a call to acknowledge that God’s ways are not our own: a confession that ought to lead to mutual respect and common work to embody the truths of the moral code that Jews and Christians bear into the world.</p>
<p>— George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of Washington’s Ethics and Public Policy Center, where he holds the William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies.</p> | false | 1 | second vatican council ended 50 years ago month produced 16 documents together texts contain hundreds pages reflection nature catholic church mission world wealth teaching 18 sentences bore greater weight historical memory suggested greater opportunity new providentially guided future fourth section councils declaration relation church nonchristian religions brief document known first words nostra aetate time 4 sacred synod searches mystery church remembers bond spiritually ties people new covenant abrahams stock thus church christ acknowledges according gods saving design beginnings faith election found already among patriarchs moses prophets professes believe christ abrahams sons according faith included patriarchs call likewise salvation church mysteriously foreshadowed chosen peoples exodus land bondage church therefore forget received revelation old testament people god inexpressible mercy concluded ancient covenant forget draws sustenance root wellcultivated olive tree onto grafted wild shoots gentiles indeed church believes cross christ peace reconciled jews gentiles making one church keeps ever mind words apostle kinsmen sonship glory covenants law worship promises fathers christ according flesh romans 945 son virgin mary also recalls apostles churchs mainstay pillars well early disciples proclaimed christs gospel world sprang jewish people holy scripture testifies jerusalem recognize time visitation jews large number accept gospel indeed opposed spreading nevertheless god holds jews dear sake fathers repent gifts makes calls issues witness apostle romans 112829 company prophets apostle church awaits day known god alone peoples address lord single voice serve shoulder shoulder zephaniah 39 since spiritual patrimony common christians jews thus great sacred synod wants foster recommend mutual understanding respect fruit biblical theological studies well fraternal dialogues true jewish authorities followed lead pressed death christ still happened passion charged jews without distinction alive jews today although church new people god jews presented rejected accursed god followed holy scriptures see catechetical work preaching word god teach anything conform truth gospel spirit christ furthermore rejection every persecution man church mindful patrimony shares jews moved political reasons gospels spiritual love decries hatred persecutions displays antisemitism directed jews time anyone besides church always held holds christ underwent passion death freely sins men infinite love order may reach salvation therefore burden churchs preaching proclaim cross christ sign gods allembracing love fountain every grace flows mark golden anniversary nostra aetate vatican office oversees catholic churchs formal interreligious dialogue world jewry issued reflection happened theologically past halfcentury conversation many would found difficult imagine century ago taking title sentence pauls letter romans cited nostra aetate gifts calling god irrevocable reflection review accomplished since vatican ii gentle quietly bold suggestion jewishcatholic dialogue go next phase unhappily world media environment operates autopilot according template postfranciscum ergo propter franciscum happened election pope francis happened pope francis something radically new reflection instantly misrepresented least spun virtual aboutface catholic doctrine relationship church people jews judaism quote email received highly intelligent israeli friend relying solely press reports would fascinated know thoughts vaticans decision catholics obligation convert jews seems quite revolutionary well quite something dramatic afoot important identify seven points good biblical number gifts calling god irrevocable read full 1 text states gifts calling god irrevocable magisterial document doctrinal teaching catholic church rather reflection vatican office happened jewishcatholic dialogue past halfcentury proposed starting point theological thought view enriching intensifying160160160160jewishcatholic dialogue thus first crucial point catholic church thinks unique conversation theological terms matter deepening understanding jewish parent selfunderstanding words either politics historical reckoning important conversation church understands jews catholics thinking together havent done since perhaps 70 ad parting ways time first jewishroman war destruction temple means elect people called live covenant relationship god first revealed abraham jesus called father reflection suggests important stuff today almost two millennia catholic sins jews judaism reckoned confessed god repented 2 reflection insists catholics understand rightly live ignorance patrimony received people israel without jewish roots church would danger losing its160160160160anchoring salvation history would slide ultimately unhistorical gnosis say absent old testament people new testament would become votaries cluster mythic abstractions untethered experience godamongus since gnosticism rejection grittiness history givenness human nature claim everything human condition plastic malleable enlightened arguably premier heresy postmodern age weighty claim indeed claim calls jews ponder religious meaning relationship catholics claim received faith god abraham isaac jacob people israel catholicjewish relations words matter civility tolerant societies alone important catholic church understands catholics jews religiously entangled must jews reason typically rejected claim threatening identity might newly confident judaism built vibrant democratic state israel whose diaspora secure united states jews time history reexamine traditional reluctance enter religious conversation catholics might example faithful jews acquaint new testament one foundational documents western civilization 3 reflection continues stating seems genuine development since nostra aetate jewishcatholic dialogue intrafamilial way churchs dialogues nonchristian religions arent thus reflection makes bold proposal conversation interreligious dialogue analogy judaism completely different character different level comparison world religions therefore conversation two intrinsically separate different religions rather reflection suggests much entangled saint john paul ii said synagogue rome 1986 catholics consider jews elder brothers question posed 21stcentury jews judaism make reflections claim jews christians mother seen two siblings normal course events siblings developed different directions faithful jews fit christianity jewish selfunderstanding something religiously distinctive religiously related gods covenant people israel 4 reflection states flatly brisk reiteration truth taught saint paul two millennia ago reaffirmed vatican ii covenant god offered israel irrevocable implication catholics clear christian supersessionism notion reflection describes people god israel ceased exist heresy must firmly rejected mean side dialogue faithful jews read catholic rejection supersessionism something affirmation civility mutual respect see call return conversation election covenant beingalighttothenations tragically cut two millennia ago conversation reflection candidly admits always marked basic tension rooted two different ways reading hebrew scriptures basis experience past halfcentury reflection suggests tension religiously theologically fruitful merely cause disagreement leading acrimony 5 deepest level reflection concedes beyond us yes christians confess jesus lord history cosmos unique savior humanity yet reflection states unambiguously way follow jews excluded gods salvation believe jesus christ messiah israel son god claim would call saint paul liar works churchs confession jews participants gods salvation even without confessing christ explicitly 160is likely always unfathomable divine mystery also perhaps powerful poignant expression pauls confession romans 11 inscrutability gods judgments unsearchability gods ways say us figure sort formula makes providential entanglement algebraically geometrically logical end catholicjewish dialogue remains silence mystery 6 means terms catholic responsibilities toward jews reflection states catholic church neither conducts supports specific institutional mission towards jews although catholics called bear witness faith jesus christ also jews although humble sensitive manner acknowledging jews bearers gods word particularly view great tragedy shoah may forthright statement implications nostra aetate vatican body really nothing revolutionary indeed reflects approach catholics among count believe first religious responsibility jewish friends urge best jews faithful people covenant elected providence god somewhere line best catholics best jews thanks gods grace well able talk messianic hope possible fulfillment moment task bearing common religious witness dignity human person revealed creation account share world regularly often brutally denies dignity warped religious fanaticism cult imperial autonomous self 7 gifts calling god irrevocable welcome development nostra aetate implications address parties ongoing catholicjewish conversation nostra aetate jumpstarted anniversary reflection challenges parties religious solidarity theological seriousness world often considers theological synonym mindless finally call acknowledge gods ways confession ought lead mutual respect common work embody truths moral code jews christians bear world george weigel distinguished senior fellow washingtons ethics public policy center holds william e simon chair catholic studies | 1,207 |
<p>NEW YORK — Six months ago, the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/New-York-Yankees/" type="external">New York Yankees</a> thought if <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Aaron-Judge/" type="external">Aaron Judge</a> could consistently get the barrel of the bat on pitches, many of those swings would result in home runs and other big hits.</p>
<p>Maybe not 50 home runs, but enough for Judge to be a productive run producer.</p>
<p>Judge became a record-breaking home run hitter Monday afternoon when he tied <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Mark_McGwire/" type="external">Mark McGwire</a>‘s rookie mark for homers in the third inning. He then broke the record in the seventh as the Yankees beat the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kansas-City-Royals/" type="external">Kansas City Royals</a> 11-3 during a makeup game.</p>
<p>“I really didn’t know what to expect,” said New York manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Joe_Girardi/" type="external">Joe Girardi</a>, who didn’t name Judge the starting right fielder until the last week of spring training. “As we got to spring training, what I said is if he gets the barrel to the ball he’s going to do a lot of damage, and if he does it on a consistent basis he’s going to have a huge year for us. And that’s what he’s done.”</p>
<p>Judge tied McGwire’s 1987 record by hitting a full-count fastball from Jakob Junis (8-3) into the back rows of the lower portion of the right-center field seats with one out in the third. Judge tied McGwire after looking at a called strike two and thinking he walked.</p>
<p>Judge reached 49 in his 150th game and 525th at-bat. McGwire did it in 151 games and 547 at-bats.</p>
<p>In his first attempt at getting the 50th homer, Judge struck out with a runner on third in the fifth.</p>
<p>Judge emphatically broke McGwire’s mark in his next at-bat, hitting a 2-1 breaking ball from <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Trevor_Cahill/" type="external">Trevor Cahill</a> into the left-center field seats and clearing the Royals bullpen, giving the Yankees a 7-3 lead.</p>
<p>“It’s been an incredible ride, this whole year,” Judge said.</p>
<p>Judge became the fifth Yankee to reach 50 homers and did so in his 527th at-bat, earning a curtain call from fans at Yankee Stadium after his teammates encouraged it.</p>
<p>“I think if there’s a player deserving of a curtain call, I think what he did today, reaching that milestone, I think he deserved to go out,” Girardi said.”</p>
<p>Said Judge: “First curtain call, I hope it was a good one.”</p>
<p>The 25-year-old wound up getting both home run balls back and said he will give them to his parents.</p>
<p>It was his fourth multi-homer game in the last 14 contests and seventh of the season. It also earned him emphatic endorsement for the American League MVP award from CC Sabathia.</p>
<p>“One thousand percent,” Sabathia said when asked if Judge should be the MVP. “What he’s done, 50 home runs, carrying this team to the playoffs, we can honestly say we’re in this spot because of him.”</p>
<p>Besides the homers, Judge increased his RBI total to 108 and reached 124 runs. It is the third-best rookie RBI total in team history, trailing Hall of Famers Tony Lazzeri (114 in 1926) and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Joe_DiMaggio/" type="external">Joe DiMaggio</a> (125 in 1936).</p>
<p>Judge’s milestone homers were among four blasts by the Yankees, who won for the 17th time in 24 games and can clinch home-field advantage in next Tuesday’s wild-card game with a win or a loss by the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Minnesota-Twins/" type="external">Minnesota Twins</a> on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Greg Bird hit a two-run homer to give the Yankees a 6-0 lead in the sixth and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Gary-Sanchez/" type="external">Gary Sanchez</a> hit his 33rd while Judge was conducting his curtain call.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Didi-Gregorius/" type="external">Didi Gregorius</a> hit a run-scoring groundout in the first inning, scored on <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt_Holliday/" type="external">Matt Holliday</a>‘s double in the sixth and added an RBI single in the eighth. Holliday drove in New York’s final run with a sacrifice fly.</p>
<p>Judge came up in the eighth after <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Brett_Gardner/" type="external">Brett Gardner</a>‘s RBI double but drew his 120th walk and was lifted for a pinch runner.</p>
<p>“He’s had a tremendous year,” Kansas City manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Ned_Yost/" type="external">Ned Yost</a> said. “It’s very impressive what he’s able to do.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Salvador-Perez/" type="external">Salvador Perez</a> hit a two-run homer and Mike Moustakas extended his team record with his 38th homer for the Royals, who will be officially eliminated from postseason contention with their next loss or a Minnesota win on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Sabathia (13-5) improved to 9-0 after a Yankees loss this season by allowing three runs on six hits in six-plus innings. He also improved to 4-0 since returning from a brief disabled list stint due a knee injury on Aug. 19.</p>
<p>He took a shutout into the seventh before Perez and Moustakas homered.</p>
<p>Junis lost for the first time in seven decisions since June 29, allowing six runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.</p>
<p>“You just can’t make a mistake,” Junis said. “You just have to try and make your pitches. And if you don’t he’s going to take advantage of it like he did.”</p>
<p>NOTES: Yankees manager Joe Girardi said none of his players have mentioned any protests of the national anthem to him. … Royals manager Ned Yost said he wants to give SS <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Alcides_Escobar/" type="external">Alcides Escobar</a> the chance to play in all 162 games. Escobar made his 327th straight start, the longest streak at shortstop for one team since <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cal_Ripken/" type="external">Cal Ripken</a> started 2,216 straight games there from 1982 to 1996 for the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Baltimore-Orioles/" type="external">Baltimore Orioles</a>. … Royals CF Lorenzo Cain started at DH for the second time this season and fifth time in his career. … Besides reaching 50 homers, Yankees RF Aaron Judge was named American League Player of the Week for the second time. He also received the honor June 5-11.</p> | false | 1 | new york six months ago new york yankees thought aaron judge could consistently get barrel bat pitches many swings would result home runs big hits maybe 50 home runs enough judge productive run producer judge became recordbreaking home run hitter monday afternoon tied mark mcgwires rookie mark homers third inning broke record seventh yankees beat kansas city royals 113 makeup game really didnt know expect said new york manager joe girardi didnt name judge starting right fielder last week spring training got spring training said gets barrel ball hes going lot damage consistent basis hes going huge year us thats hes done judge tied mcgwires 1987 record hitting fullcount fastball jakob junis 83 back rows lower portion rightcenter field seats one third judge tied mcgwire looking called strike two thinking walked judge reached 49 150th game 525th atbat mcgwire 151 games 547 atbats first attempt getting 50th homer judge struck runner third fifth judge emphatically broke mcgwires mark next atbat hitting 21 breaking ball trevor cahill leftcenter field seats clearing royals bullpen giving yankees 73 lead incredible ride whole year judge said judge became fifth yankee reach 50 homers 527th atbat earning curtain call fans yankee stadium teammates encouraged think theres player deserving curtain call think today reaching milestone think deserved go girardi said said judge first curtain call hope good one 25yearold wound getting home run balls back said give parents fourth multihomer game last 14 contests seventh season also earned emphatic endorsement american league mvp award cc sabathia one thousand percent sabathia said asked judge mvp hes done 50 home runs carrying team playoffs honestly say spot besides homers judge increased rbi total 108 reached 124 runs thirdbest rookie rbi total team history trailing hall famers tony lazzeri 114 1926 joe dimaggio 125 1936 judges milestone homers among four blasts yankees 17th time 24 games clinch homefield advantage next tuesdays wildcard game win loss minnesota twins tuesday greg bird hit tworun homer give yankees 60 lead sixth gary sanchez hit 33rd judge conducting curtain call didi gregorius hit runscoring groundout first inning scored matt hollidays double sixth added rbi single eighth holliday drove new yorks final run sacrifice fly judge came eighth brett gardners rbi double drew 120th walk lifted pinch runner hes tremendous year kansas city manager ned yost said impressive hes able salvador perez hit tworun homer mike moustakas extended team record 38th homer royals officially eliminated postseason contention next loss minnesota win tuesday sabathia 135 improved 90 yankees loss season allowing three runs six hits sixplus innings also improved 40 since returning brief disabled list stint due knee injury aug 19 took shutout seventh perez moustakas homered junis lost first time seven decisions since june 29 allowing six runs seven hits 5 23 innings cant make mistake junis said try make pitches dont hes going take advantage like notes yankees manager joe girardi said none players mentioned protests national anthem royals manager ned yost said wants give ss alcides escobar chance play 162 games escobar made 327th straight start longest streak shortstop one team since cal ripken started 2216 straight games 1982 1996 baltimore orioles royals cf lorenzo cain started dh second time season fifth time career besides reaching 50 homers yankees rf aaron judge named american league player week second time also received honor june 511 | 552 |
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<p>&lt;img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17993" alt="Qusayr (ABC News)" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/qusayr.jpg" width="470" height="264" srcset="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/qusayr.jpg 470w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/qusayr-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/qusayr-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /&gt;</p>
<p>BEIRUT — Although al-Qusayr may not be the decisive battle for Syria, it is irrefutably an important turning point in the crisis and has given the regime much sought military momentum. Plenty of adjectives and some clichés are being bandied about from Washington to Beirut to describe the al-Qusayr battle’s results and significance.&#160; Among them are “game-changer,” “mother of all battles,” “altered balance of power,” critical “turning point in the civil war,” and so on.</p>
<p>It does appear that the victory of the Syrian government forces at al-Qusayr is a strategic achievement, if also a humanitarian disaster for the civilian population still waiting for the ICRC and SARCS (Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society) emergency help. Al Qusayr is located in Homs province, an area central to the success of the Syrian government’s military strategy. It is situated just west of the shortest route from Damascus to the coast, at a juncture where regime forces have struggled to maintain control. Rebel control of al-Qusayr had disrupted the regime’s supply lines from the port of Tartus and was open for the cross-border movement of Gulf arms to rebels via Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.</p>
<p>Government control of al-Qusayr also provides a ground base for the Assad government to move to retake control of the north and east of Syria. This crossroads city just 6 miles from the Lebanese border has many strategic ramifications: breaking the opposition’s 18 month control of much of Homs province, facilitating government forces momentum generally across Syria, and psychologically raising the morale of exhausted Syrian forces while energizing the Assad government and its allies to finish the conflict and focus on long-promised reforms and try to relieve Syria from the nearly 27 months of hell for its people.</p>
<p>Perhaps less appreciated here in Beirut are al-Qusayr’s effects on the Zionist occupiers of Palestine and their currently traumatized US lobby.</p>
<p>From conversations and emails with former colleagues at the Democratic National Committee (on which this observer served during the Carter administration) as well as with Congressional insiders, a picture emerges of nearly debilitating angst among those committed to propping up the apartheid state in the face of truly historic changes in this region that have only just begun to re-shape the region.</p>
<p>The reactions from various elements of the pro-Israel lobby range from the Arabphobic Daniel Pipes’ fantasy essay in the Washington Times this week entitled “Happy Israel” to Netanyahu’s increased threats issued from Tel Aviv about what Israel might do if his three cartoon “red lines” are breached, to more pressure on the White House by Israel’s agents in Congress who are demanding that Obama act immediately to undo “the major damage done at Qusayr”.</p>
<p>Several aspects of “the Qusayr rules and results” are being discussed at the HQ of the racist anti-Defamation League (ADL) which has summoned an emergency gathering of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to craft a solution to the problem. The tentative agenda reportedly includes for discussion and action the following:</p>
<p>The twin defeats at al-Qusayr and at Burgas, Bulgaria (. Bulgaria is claiming there is not probative evidence to conclude that Hezbollah was involved in the attack on Israelis last year)—the latter should not be underestimated, according to one AIPAC activist who works on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, given that it substantially knocks out the props from the lobby’s project to get the European Union to list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, thus interfering with the Islamist party’s fundraising.</p>
<p>The lobby is also reacting angrily to Austria’s Chancellor Werner Faymann and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger’s statement about that country’s decision to withdraw its 380 peacekeeping troops, more than one-third of the 1,000 United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) contingent, from the Golan Heights.</p>
<p>The lobby is claiming that Austrian move constitutes an existential threat to Israel because it opens the Quneitra crossing, the door to the Golan, for the Syrian civil war to spill over the border into Israel. At the same time it is being argued that al Qusayr lifts pressure off Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria as well as the Palestinian resistance, and will gain more fighters who sense victory for the current regime and major gains for all in the political dynamics of the region.</p>
<p>The Israel embassy in Washington has chimed in with a statement that the Austrian withdrawal threatened the role of the UN Security Council in any future negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, while at the same time encouraging Hezbollah to move into the Golan.</p>
<p>Israel stalwart, Eric Cantor (R-Va) told a “brown bag” lunch gathering in the House Rayburn Building cafeteria late this week that the fall of al Qusayr will facilitate the Assad regime’s advance on areas north of Homs province and will likely return to Damascus control of important rebel-held areas in the north and the east. Cantor claims that the Assad regime victory effectively cuts off an important supply route to the rebels, which will leave the armed opposition even more weakened and scattered. Israel is demanding an immediate US supported counter-offensive consistent with the demands made by US Senators John McClain and Lindsay Graham.</p>
<p>The apartheid state also is demanding that the White House scrap Geneva II, claiming that Assad is now too strong for the US/Israel to benefit from such a dialogue. “If the international community is serious about seeking to enforce a negotiated settlement, they will first have to do something to decisively change the balance of power on the ground ahead of any serious negotiations,” he added.</p>
<p>When asked about giving US aid to Lebanon, Cantor reportedly sneered, as he expressed his shock that Hezbollah had so many troops and how, without US boots on the ground, it would be very difficult for Israel to defeat, “Forget about Lebanon, it never as a real country anyway, just call the whole place over there Hezbollah and let’s send in the marines to finish the job.”</p>
<p>One congressional staffer who attended the meeting winced at the thought of US marines again being sent to Lebanon given their previous experience there nearly 30 years ago.</p>
<p>The Lobby is also concerned about the fact that the Arab League and the Gulf countries might be softening in their ardor to confront Syria and Hezbollah, who they view as now being full partners in this crisis. A media source at the Saudi Embassy in Washington has complained that the six member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has spent more than a billion dollars on the opposition and have, to date, little to show for their “investment.” Nor does Israel have much to show to date for its deepening role in the crisis given that its air strikes are widely viewed in Washington and internationally as being counterproductive and helping to unite Muslims and Arabs in the face of their common global enemy.</p>
<p>The ADL reportedly wants the White House to act fast “to do something” in light of a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released on Wednesday, the day of the Syrian government’s victory at al Qusayr, showing that only 15% of Americans polled advocated taking military action, and only 11% supported providing the rebels with arms. A quarter of respondents, 24%, favored taking no action, similar to the current White House position.</p>
<p>Abe Foxman, ADL’s President for Life, and inveterate anti-Semite tracker, myopically sees anti-Semitism, and surely not Israel’s decades of crimes against humanity as the cause for other “anti-Semitic” polls released this week. Those included the recent one commissioned by the BBC which confirmed that Israel is not only ranked second from the bottom of 197 favorably viewed countries, including as a danger to world peace, and just about the world’s most negatively viewed country, but its support globally continues to evaporate. Views of Israel in Canada and in Australia remain very negative with 57 and 69 per cent of their citizens holding unfavorable views. In the EU countries surveyed, views of Israeli influence are all strongly negative with the UK topping the list with 72 per cent of the population viewing Israel negatively.</p>
<p>As Ali Abunimah noted this week, “The persistent association of Israel with the world’s most negatively viewed countries will come as a disappointment to Israeli government and other hasbara officials who have invested millions of dollars in recent years to greenwash and pinkwash Israel as an enlightened, democratic and technological ‘Western’ country.” (“Israel one of world’s most unpopular countries and it’s getting worse: BBC survey,” Ali Abunimah, Electronic Intifada, June 6, 2013.)</p>
<p>With Wednesday’s National Lebanese Resistance (Hezbollah) victory at al-Qusayr, coming as it does 97 years to the month after the Triple Entente’s (UK, France and Russia) May 1916 secret Asia Minor Agreement, generally known as Sykes-Picot, the scheme to control the Middle East following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire has furthered crumbled. Its “Rosemary’s Baby” progeny, the colonial Zionist occupation of Palestine, is increasingly being condemned by history to an identical fate.</p>
<p>According to a growing number of US and European officials and Middle East analysts as well as public opinion polls, it is solely a matter of time until, like al-Qusayr, Palestine is returned to her rightful, indigenous inhabitants.</p> | false | 1 | ltimg classaligncenter sizefull wpimage17993 altqusayr abc news srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201306qusayrjpg width470 height264 srcsethttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201306qusayrjpg 470w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201306qusayr150x84jpg 150w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201306qusayr300x169jpg 300w sizesmaxwidth 470px 100vw 470px gt beirut although alqusayr may decisive battle syria irrefutably important turning point crisis given regime much sought military momentum plenty adjectives clichés bandied washington beirut describe alqusayr battles results significance160 among gamechanger mother battles altered balance power critical turning point civil war appear victory syrian government forces alqusayr strategic achievement also humanitarian disaster civilian population still waiting icrc sarcs syrian arab red crescent society emergency help al qusayr located homs province area central success syrian governments military strategy situated west shortest route damascus coast juncture regime forces struggled maintain control rebel control alqusayr disrupted regimes supply lines port tartus open crossborder movement gulf arms rebels via lebanons bekaa valley government control alqusayr also provides ground base assad government move retake control north east syria crossroads city 6 miles lebanese border many strategic ramifications breaking oppositions 18 month control much homs province facilitating government forces momentum generally across syria psychologically raising morale exhausted syrian forces energizing assad government allies finish conflict focus longpromised reforms try relieve syria nearly 27 months hell people perhaps less appreciated beirut alqusayrs effects zionist occupiers palestine currently traumatized us lobby conversations emails former colleagues democratic national committee observer served carter administration well congressional insiders picture emerges nearly debilitating angst among committed propping apartheid state face truly historic changes region begun reshape region reactions various elements proisrael lobby range arabphobic daniel pipes fantasy essay washington times week entitled happy israel netanyahus increased threats issued tel aviv israel might three cartoon red lines breached pressure white house israels agents congress demanding obama act immediately undo major damage done qusayr several aspects qusayr rules results discussed hq racist antidefamation league adl summoned emergency gathering conference presidents major american jewish organizations craft solution problem tentative agenda reportedly includes discussion action following twin defeats alqusayr burgas bulgaria bulgaria claiming probative evidence conclude hezbollah involved attack israelis last yearthe latter underestimated according one aipac activist works house foreign affairs committee given substantially knocks props lobbys project get european union list hezbollah terrorist organization thus interfering islamist partys fundraising lobby also reacting angrily austrias chancellor werner faymann foreign minister michael spindeleggers statement countrys decision withdraw 380 peacekeeping troops onethird 1000 united nations disengagement observer force undof contingent golan heights lobby claiming austrian move constitutes existential threat israel opens quneitra crossing door golan syrian civil war spill border israel time argued al qusayr lifts pressure hezbollah iran syria well palestinian resistance gain fighters sense victory current regime major gains political dynamics region israel embassy washington chimed statement austrian withdrawal threatened role un security council future negotiations israel palestinians time encouraging hezbollah move golan israel stalwart eric cantor rva told brown bag lunch gathering house rayburn building cafeteria late week fall al qusayr facilitate assad regimes advance areas north homs province likely return damascus control important rebelheld areas north east cantor claims assad regime victory effectively cuts important supply route rebels leave armed opposition even weakened scattered israel demanding immediate us supported counteroffensive consistent demands made us senators john mcclain lindsay graham apartheid state also demanding white house scrap geneva ii claiming assad strong usisrael benefit dialogue international community serious seeking enforce negotiated settlement first something decisively change balance power ground ahead serious negotiations added asked giving us aid lebanon cantor reportedly sneered expressed shock hezbollah many troops without us boots ground would difficult israel defeat forget lebanon never real country anyway call whole place hezbollah lets send marines finish job one congressional staffer attended meeting winced thought us marines sent lebanon given previous experience nearly 30 years ago lobby also concerned fact arab league gulf countries might softening ardor confront syria hezbollah view full partners crisis media source saudi embassy washington complained six member gulf cooperation council gcc spent billion dollars opposition date little show investment israel much show date deepening role crisis given air strikes widely viewed washington internationally counterproductive helping unite muslims arabs face common global enemy adl reportedly wants white house act fast something light new wall street journalnbc news poll released wednesday day syrian governments victory al qusayr showing 15 americans polled advocated taking military action 11 supported providing rebels arms quarter respondents 24 favored taking action similar current white house position abe foxman adls president life inveterate antisemite tracker myopically sees antisemitism surely israels decades crimes humanity cause antisemitic polls released week included recent one commissioned bbc confirmed israel ranked second bottom 197 favorably viewed countries including danger world peace worlds negatively viewed country support globally continues evaporate views israel canada australia remain negative 57 69 per cent citizens holding unfavorable views eu countries surveyed views israeli influence strongly negative uk topping list 72 per cent population viewing israel negatively ali abunimah noted week persistent association israel worlds negatively viewed countries come disappointment israeli government hasbara officials invested millions dollars recent years greenwash pinkwash israel enlightened democratic technological western country israel one worlds unpopular countries getting worse bbc survey ali abunimah electronic intifada june 6 2013 wednesdays national lebanese resistance hezbollah victory alqusayr coming 97 years month triple ententes uk france russia may 1916 secret asia minor agreement generally known sykespicot scheme control middle east following defeat ottoman empire furthered crumbled rosemarys baby progeny colonial zionist occupation palestine increasingly condemned history identical fate according growing number us european officials middle east analysts well public opinion polls solely matter time like alqusayr palestine returned rightful indigenous inhabitants | 907 |
<p>By Yeganeh Torbati and Ann Saphir</p>
<p>(Reuters) – Ilka Eren, 25, came to the United States from Turkey with her parents more than 15 years ago and lives in the country without legal authorization.</p>
<p>While in college, she applied and qualified for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an Obama-era program that President Donald Trump vowed to end during his 2016 presidential campaign.</p>
<p>The program does not change an immigrant’s legal status but rather protects from deportation and gives the right to work to so-called “Dreamers,” young people brought to the United States as children and living in the country illegally. Nearly 800,000 immigrants have received DACA protection since the program’s launch in 2012.</p>
<p>Eren’s DACA status opened the door to several internships, and eventually to a job in New York at Ovation Travel Group, which provides travel services to corporations, as executive assistant to the chief financial officer.</p>
<p>“DACA literally changed my life,” she said. “I really don’t know where I would be without it.”</p>
<p>Paul Metselaar, Ovation’s chief executive, doesn’t know where he’d be without Eren.</p>
<p>He said her job responsibilities have grown because of her abilities. He said she reminded him of his own grandparents, who immigrated to the United States to seek a better life. If Eren were to lose her work eligibility it would be a blow to his company, Metselaar said.</p>
<p>But, he added, “it would be much more of a blow to her family, and to who we are as a country.”</p>
<p>Trump is expected to announce a decision to end DACA on Tuesday, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation, but with a delay of up to six months to allow Congress to find a legislative solution.</p>
<p>On the campaign trail, Trump promised to quickly repeal the program, but since taking office – even as he has stepped up immigration enforcement – he has at times taken a softer tone about DACA. “We love the Dreamers,” he told reporters on Friday.</p>
<p>Immigration hardliners within the Republican Party have pressured the president&#160;to scrap the program. Nine Republican state attorneys general have said they will file a legal challenge to the program if the Trump administration does not end it by&#160;Tuesday.</p>
<p>Many business leaders have urged the president to keep DACA protections in place, including the heads of tech giants Microsoft (O:) , Apple (O:) and Facebook (O:). They have generally cited a potential hit to the economy if the program were to end, although there is scant government data on Dreamers as a distinct economic group.</p>
<p>Still, with the U.S. economy at close to full employment, ending DACA would bring a net loss in productivity, said Giovanni Peri, an economics professor at the University of California, Davis who studies immigration.</p>
<p>Groups that support stricter immigration enforcement say that eliminating the program would bring benefits, too.</p>
<p>“The end of DACA would result in much-welcomed job openings for American college graduates and other American workers who are either unemployed or underemployed and feel completely locked out of the workforce and blocked from achieving their American dream,” said Dave Ray, communications director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which favors reduced immigration.&#160;</p>
<p>In interviews with Reuters, DACA recipients and their employers emphasized another aspect of what it would mean to end the program: The holes such a move would leave in lives and workplaces.</p>
<p>“I KNEW SHE WOULD BE SOMEONE”</p>
<p>Georgina Lepe, who runs a real estate law and probate practice from her office in Rancho Cucamonga, California, liked Karla Martinez so much she hired her twice. &#160;</p>
<p>She first met Martinez when she was busing tables at a Mexican restaurant owned by Lepe’s family and was impressed with her work ethic. When Martinez graduated from the University of Southern California in December 2016, Lepe hired her to help temporarily with marketing.</p>
<p>Martinez left after a few months to work elsewhere. Lepe later tracked her down and asked her to come back, this time as a full-time legal assistant.</p>
<p>“Even when she was working at the restaurant, I knew she would be someone,” said Lepe, who is 30 and, like Martinez, from a Mexican family. “The difference between (us) is, my family was able to help me out financially to achieve my goals.”</p>
<p>Martinez, who came to the United States with her mother when she was four, helps pay the bills in the home she shares with her mother and two younger siblings. Now 24, she’s planning to apply to law school – if DACA doesn’t end and she can still afford to go back to school.</p>
<p>“Obviously I think about it and it’s a little scary but I don’t let it take over me,” Martinez said.</p>
<p>Lepe says if Martinez’s work permit is rescinded, “I would keep Karla until the very last second” and probably wouldn’t hire a replacement. “I don’t think anyone can compare,” she says.</p>
<p>“IT REALLY EMPOWERS YOU”</p>
<p>Chuck Rocha, the founder of Solidarity Strategies, employs DACA recipient Luis Alcauter at his Washington D.C.-based political consulting firm, which specializes in outreach to Latinos. Losing Alcauter “would be devastating,” Rochca said.</p>
<p>Alcauter, 27, came to the United States from Mexico when he was 13, and attended California State University, Fresno, where he developed an interest in politics, which led to his interning on Capitol Hill.&#160; The internship was possible, he said, because of his DACA status.</p>
<p>“To be able to have the documents and be able to apply wherever you want, it really empowers you to think beyond the place you were,” Alcauter said. “It just empowers people to be able to find a job, to get a car, to buy a house, to move around, to contribute to their families.”</p>
<p>“I ACTUALLY HAVE A GOOD CAR”</p>
<p>Juan Ochoa, CEO of Miramar Group, an Illinois-based facilities management company that oversees 1,200 buildings nationwide, said his company will hire an attorney to try to keep DACA employee Jay Meza, 23, if the program ends.</p>
<p>“I have a good job now,” said Meza, who came to the United States from Mexico with his parents and brother when he was 3 years old. “I actually am looking forward to buying my first house. I actually have a good car.”</p>
<p>Ochoa said Meza started at Miramar doing data entry and analyzing spreadsheets and went on to help the company build a system allowing it to track its buildings and employees.</p>
<p>“We have invested a lot of time and money in training Jay, and so it would be a significant loss to us,” he said.</p> | false | 1 | yeganeh torbati ann saphir reuters ilka eren 25 came united states turkey parents 15 years ago lives country without legal authorization college applied qualified deferred action childhood arrivals daca obamaera program president donald trump vowed end 2016 presidential campaign program change immigrants legal status rather protects deportation gives right work socalled dreamers young people brought united states children living country illegally nearly 800000 immigrants received daca protection since programs launch 2012 erens daca status opened door several internships eventually job new york ovation travel group provides travel services corporations executive assistant chief financial officer daca literally changed life said really dont know would without paul metselaar ovations chief executive doesnt know hed without eren said job responsibilities grown abilities said reminded grandparents immigrated united states seek better life eren lose work eligibility would blow company metselaar said added would much blow family country trump expected announce decision end daca tuesday according two sources knowledge situation delay six months allow congress find legislative solution campaign trail trump promised quickly repeal program since taking office even stepped immigration enforcement times taken softer tone daca love dreamers told reporters friday immigration hardliners within republican party pressured president160to scrap program nine republican state attorneys general said file legal challenge program trump administration end by160tuesday many business leaders urged president keep daca protections place including heads tech giants microsoft apple facebook generally cited potential hit economy program end although scant government data dreamers distinct economic group still us economy close full employment ending daca would bring net loss productivity said giovanni peri economics professor university california davis studies immigration groups support stricter immigration enforcement say eliminating program would bring benefits end daca would result muchwelcomed job openings american college graduates american workers either unemployed underemployed feel completely locked workforce blocked achieving american dream said dave ray communications director federation american immigration reform favors reduced immigration160 interviews reuters daca recipients employers emphasized another aspect would mean end program holes move would leave lives workplaces knew would someone georgina lepe runs real estate law probate practice office rancho cucamonga california liked karla martinez much hired twice 160 first met martinez busing tables mexican restaurant owned lepes family impressed work ethic martinez graduated university southern california december 2016 lepe hired help temporarily marketing martinez left months work elsewhere lepe later tracked asked come back time fulltime legal assistant even working restaurant knew would someone said lepe 30 like martinez mexican family difference us family able help financially achieve goals martinez came united states mother four helps pay bills home shares mother two younger siblings 24 shes planning apply law school daca doesnt end still afford go back school obviously think little scary dont let take martinez said lepe says martinezs work permit rescinded would keep karla last second probably wouldnt hire replacement dont think anyone compare says really empowers chuck rocha founder solidarity strategies employs daca recipient luis alcauter washington dcbased political consulting firm specializes outreach latinos losing alcauter would devastating rochca said alcauter 27 came united states mexico 13 attended california state university fresno developed interest politics led interning capitol hill160 internship possible said daca status able documents able apply wherever want really empowers think beyond place alcauter said empowers people able find job get car buy house move around contribute families actually good car juan ochoa ceo miramar group illinoisbased facilities management company oversees 1200 buildings nationwide said company hire attorney try keep daca employee jay meza 23 program ends good job said meza came united states mexico parents brother 3 years old actually looking forward buying first house actually good car ochoa said meza started miramar data entry analyzing spreadsheets went help company build system allowing track buildings employees invested lot time money training jay would significant loss us said | 625 |
<p>The final month of the 2016 election is going about as terribly as this awful year might have led us to expect, don’t you think? Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are doing their best to affirm the worst opinions voters have of them, and the election seems more than ever like a lose-lose proposition for the country.</p>
<p>The core problem with Trump (though not the only one of course) has always been a character problem. He is unfit for the presidency by virtue of his lack of virtue, and of his intemperate temperament, thuggish bully instincts, unabashed infidelity to all who rely on his word, and staggering lack of focus, discipline, responsibility, and restraint. These are dangerous traits in a decision maker, and a person manifesting them is unlikely to be improved by being given immense power.</p>
<p>As if to prove the point, Trump has spent the past two weeks essentially going mad in public—and in the process recklessly assaulting the legitimacy of our democratic institutions—in response to provocations that involve nowhere near the level of intensity and pressure he would routinely face as president. He has spent this month confirming many of the greatest fears of those intent on keeping him from the presidency.</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton has enormous character problems too, but the deepest of the many problems with her candidacy involve her substantive ambitions—the policies and role of government she wants to advance with the powers of the president and the means by which she seeks to do so. These strike many people as not quite so shocking as Trump’s problems, because they are shared in common with the bulk of contemporary liberals. But as Ramesh Ponnuru and I <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/440362/hillary-clinton-presidential-campaign-threatens-america-republican-system" type="external">suggested</a>&#160;in NR a few weeks ago, they are more, not less, of a problem for being so.</p>
<p>In that article, we emphasized Hillary’s dangerous approach to the Constitution (though we could easily have added her views on abortion, religious liberty, and much else), and she has emphasized that approach herself in recent weeks. The most prominent instance was probably in the second debate. When she was asked what would be most important to her in selecting Supreme Court justices, Clinton <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/us/politics/transcript-second-debate.html?_r=0" type="external">said</a> this:</p>
<p>Thank you. Well, you’re right. This is one of the most important issues in this election. I want to appoint Supreme Court justices who understand the way the world really works, who have real-life experience, who have not just been in a big law firm and maybe clerked for a judge and then gotten on the bench, but, you know, maybe they tried some more cases, they actually understand what people are up against.</p>
<p>Because I think the current court has gone in the wrong direction. And so I would want to see the Supreme Court reverse Citizens United and get dark, unaccountable money out of our politics. Donald doesn’t agree with that.</p>
<p>I would like the Supreme Court to understand that voting rights are still a big problem in many parts of our country, that we don’t always do everything we can to make it possible for people of color and older people and young people to be able to exercise their franchise. I want a Supreme Court that will stick with Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose, and I want a Supreme Court that will stick with marriage equality.</p>
<p>Now, Donald has put forth the names of some people that he would consider. And among the ones that he has suggested are people who would reverse Roe v. Wade and reverse marriage equality. I think that would be a terrible mistake and would take us backwards.</p>
<p>I want a Supreme Court that doesn’t always side with corporate interests. I want a Supreme Court that understands because you’re wealthy and you can give more money to something doesn’t mean you have any more rights or should have any more rights than anybody else.</p>
<p>So I have very clear views about what I want to see to kind of change the balance on the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>Pretty much none of this has anything to do with the role that judges should play in our system of government. It is not about how to interpret the Constitution and the laws but about what policies and outcomes to advance.&#160;It is the job description of a liberal political activist, and Clinton is not hiding her intentions to appoint liberal political activists to rubber stamp the left’s agenda from the Court.</p>
<p>And when she does hide her intentions, as in speeches delivered to Wall Street firms that she sought to keep hidden until Wikileaks turned them up, she apparently touts open borders throughout the Western hemisphere, among other bright ideas. The people around her, meanwhile, turn out to be about as hostile to religious traditionalists as the most alarmist traditionalists have feared. The case against Clinton, too, has grown stronger and stronger this month.</p>
<p>It has been pretty clear since Trump clinched the Republican nomination in May that our next president would be a disaster, and it is now clearer still. That’s cause for alarm however the election goes. But it should also be cause for focusing on restraining and countering the president, which means it is cause for electing a Republican majority in Congress.</p>
<p>That is a cause that should unite conservatives, because almost all conservatives are protest voters of one type or another in this presidential election. If the very considerable harm Clinton would do is enough for you to overlook Trump’s horrible flaws, you still have to admit that he would need to be constrained and directed by a reasonably conservative congress if possible. If Trump’s manifest unfitness somehow moves you to overlook the damage Hillary would do, you have to acknowledge all the more the need to resist and restrain her. If you think, as I do, that Trump and Clinton are individually unacceptable and for non-commensurable reasons—that he is unfit to be president, she would do great harm as president, and one’s faults do not lessen or counterbalance the other’s and so neither candidate is worthy of affirmation—then you have to acknowledge that one of them will nonetheless be elected over your objections and know all the better that we must have an assertive congress ready to stand in the way of the president’s worst excesses.</p>
<p>Some conservatives think an assertive congress is impossible given today’s Republican Party, but it seems to me that even the highly imperfect Republican congresses of the Obama years prove otherwise. Think of what the Obama era would have involved without the first two years, in which Democrats controlled Congress. For a start: no liberal stimulus, no Obamacare, no Dodd-Frank. This might have yielded a president more willing to compromise with Republicans in these areas, or it would have yielded more gridlock, either of which would have been preferable to what a Democratic president and Congress yielded.</p>
<p>The Obama administration has certainly managed to make mischief since those first two years, but it has been either a direct extension of those early legislative measures or (especially in immigration and environmental regulation) executive hyper-reaching that has remained very contentious and that to various degrees has been restrained by Congress and the courts for now. Clinton could do a lot of damage of this sort, but it is lesser by orders of magnitude than what she could do with a Democratic Congress.</p>
<p>There may even be some reason to think that a meaningful number of voters see this point. The NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released this weekend showed Clinton leading Trump by 11 points (which makes the poll something of a pro-Clinton outlier even in a sea of polling projecting a Clinton win). And yet, as <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/clinton-holds-11-point-national-lead-over-trump-nbc-wsj-n666986" type="external">NBC’s write-up of the poll</a>&#160;put it, “by a 53 percent-to-40 percent margin, the poll also finds registered voters saying they’d be more likely to support a Republican candidate who will be a check and balance to Hillary Clinton and congressional Democrats, versus a Democratic candidate who will help Clinton and Democrats pass their agenda.”</p>
<p>This year has not been kind to political hopes of any sort. But wherever you come down on the presidential race, a conservative Congress willing and able to check the next president is worth hoping and voting for.</p>
<p>Yuval Levin is the Hertog Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.</p> | false | 1 | final month 2016 election going terribly awful year might led us expect dont think donald trump hillary clinton best affirm worst opinions voters election seems ever like loselose proposition country core problem trump though one course always character problem unfit presidency virtue lack virtue intemperate temperament thuggish bully instincts unabashed infidelity rely word staggering lack focus discipline responsibility restraint dangerous traits decision maker person manifesting unlikely improved given immense power prove point trump spent past two weeks essentially going mad publicand process recklessly assaulting legitimacy democratic institutionsin response provocations involve nowhere near level intensity pressure would routinely face president spent month confirming many greatest fears intent keeping presidency hillary clinton enormous character problems deepest many problems candidacy involve substantive ambitionsthe policies role government wants advance powers president means seeks strike many people quite shocking trumps problems shared common bulk contemporary liberals ramesh ponnuru suggested160in nr weeks ago less problem article emphasized hillarys dangerous approach constitution though could easily added views abortion religious liberty much else emphasized approach recent weeks prominent instance probably second debate asked would important selecting supreme court justices clinton said thank well youre right one important issues election want appoint supreme court justices understand way world really works reallife experience big law firm maybe clerked judge gotten bench know maybe tried cases actually understand people think current court gone wrong direction would want see supreme court reverse citizens united get dark unaccountable money politics donald doesnt agree would like supreme court understand voting rights still big problem many parts country dont always everything make possible people color older people young people able exercise franchise want supreme court stick roe v wade womans right choose want supreme court stick marriage equality donald put forth names people would consider among ones suggested people would reverse roe v wade reverse marriage equality think would terrible mistake would take us backwards want supreme court doesnt always side corporate interests want supreme court understands youre wealthy give money something doesnt mean rights rights anybody else clear views want see kind change balance supreme court pretty much none anything role judges play system government interpret constitution laws policies outcomes advance160it job description liberal political activist clinton hiding intentions appoint liberal political activists rubber stamp lefts agenda court hide intentions speeches delivered wall street firms sought keep hidden wikileaks turned apparently touts open borders throughout western hemisphere among bright ideas people around meanwhile turn hostile religious traditionalists alarmist traditionalists feared case clinton grown stronger stronger month pretty clear since trump clinched republican nomination may next president would disaster clearer still thats cause alarm however election goes also cause focusing restraining countering president means cause electing republican majority congress cause unite conservatives almost conservatives protest voters one type another presidential election considerable harm clinton would enough overlook trumps horrible flaws still admit would need constrained directed reasonably conservative congress possible trumps manifest unfitness somehow moves overlook damage hillary would acknowledge need resist restrain think trump clinton individually unacceptable noncommensurable reasonsthat unfit president would great harm president ones faults lessen counterbalance others neither candidate worthy affirmationthen acknowledge one nonetheless elected objections know better must assertive congress ready stand way presidents worst excesses conservatives think assertive congress impossible given todays republican party seems even highly imperfect republican congresses obama years prove otherwise think obama era would involved without first two years democrats controlled congress start liberal stimulus obamacare doddfrank might yielded president willing compromise republicans areas would yielded gridlock either would preferable democratic president congress yielded obama administration certainly managed make mischief since first two years either direct extension early legislative measures especially immigration environmental regulation executive hyperreaching remained contentious various degrees restrained congress courts clinton could lot damage sort lesser orders magnitude could democratic congress may even reason think meaningful number voters see point nbcwall street journal poll released weekend showed clinton leading trump 11 points makes poll something proclinton outlier even sea polling projecting clinton win yet nbcs writeup poll160put 53 percentto40 percent margin poll also finds registered voters saying theyd likely support republican candidate check balance hillary clinton congressional democrats versus democratic candidate help clinton democrats pass agenda year kind political hopes sort wherever come presidential race conservative congress willing able check next president worth hoping voting yuval levin hertog fellow ethics public policy center | 711 |
<p>That sound you hear is of Conventional Wisdom cracking on the Iraq war.</p>
<p>A few weeks ago <a href="http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1002/10/lkl.01.html" type="external">Vice President Biden</a> stated that Iraq “could be one of the great achievements of this administration.” (That's right; one of the greatest achievements of the Obama administration.) Then last week came the much-commented upon <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/234281" type="external">Newsweek cover story</a>, which declared that “something that looks mighty like democracy is emerging in Iraq. And while it may not be a beacon of inspiration to the region, it most certainly is a watershed event that could come to represent a whole new era in the history of the massively undemocratic Middle East.” And then, earlier this week, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/opinion/10friedman.html" type="external">Tom Friedman</a> of the New York Times weighed in, saying “Former President George W. Bush's gut instinct that this region craved and needed democracy was always right.”</p>
<p>That Iraq has seen a dramatic turnaround in its fortunes since 2006 is indisputable. A nation that was broken and sliding toward civil war is on the mend and in the process of creating a representative government in the heart of the Middle East (General David Petraeus refers to it as “Iraqracy.”)</p>
<p>Whether it lasts is impossible to know; it will be up to the Iraqis themselves to take this opportunity to make something durable out of what has been accomplished so far. Forming a new government in the aftermath of the recent elections will take time, and it's sure to be fractious. The impending drawdown of troops (from roughly 100,000 to 50,000 by the end of August) may put additional stresses on Iraq's transfer of power.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, perhaps we can agree that whatever mistakes were made in the early execution of the war — and they were considerable and costly — the United States was not “imposing” democracy on the people of Iraq. We might be able to agree, too, that the new counterinsurgency strategy announced by President Bush in January 2007 — a strategy that was fiercely opposed by Messrs. Biden and Obama, by virtually the entire Democratic Party, the political class, and almost all of the foreign policy establishment — was a wise and politically courageous decision. That doesn't necessarily mean the war itself was worth the cost. Where Iraq finally ends up will determine that matter. But it's clear, I think, that the commonly held view that Iraq was “probably the biggest foreign policy mistake in American history” ( <a href="http://www.time.com/time/question/ask_joe_060130.html" type="external">Joe Klein</a>) was wrong and foolish. The former American ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, put it as well as anyone has: “In the end, how we leave and what we leave behind will be more important than how we came.”</p>
<p>One thing that has gotten almost no attention, though, is how much the military has changed, and in some respects been transformed, in part because of the Iraq war. The Vietnam war badly damaged the morale and the public's faith in the military as an institution. Out of the crucible of the Iraq war, however, the military has made some extraordinary progress, learning some things and building on others.</p>
<p>The military has learned war-fighting tactics and strategies that we're effectively applying in Afghanistan (with the full awareness that the countries and the nature of the conflicts are different in important respects). Our commanders have jettisoned an approach that wasn't working (using a “light footprint” approach in the midst of industrial-strength insurgencies) and replaced it with a much more effective one (a traditional counterinsurgency strategy that relies in part on winning over the population.)</p>
<p>Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have accelerated the advent and development of a host of technological and conceptual advances — Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with full-motion video and armaments; breakthroughs in every discipline of intelligence (including imagery, signals, human, and measurement); intelligence fusion; advanced command, control, communications, and computer systems; wheeled armored vehicles; precision munitions for virtually all large caliber weapons; and battlefield medicine advances, to name just a few.</p>
<p>We now have, by far, the most experienced military in the world and in our history. (All our recent long wars have been fought by draftees who, in Vietnam and Korea, did their tours and left; World War II was, for the most part, a year-long endeavor for the average GI, though clearly some entered combat in 1942-43 and served longer.) Never before have we had commissioned and non-commissioned officers with this depth of experience. We also recognize the need for what the military call “pentathlete leaders,” meaning leaders who can just about do it all — not just major combat operations but also stability and support, or “nation-building” — operations. Our military overall is much better trained, educated, and equipped for “full-spectrum operations,” not just for the high-end operations.</p>
<p>None of this has happened by accident. People like General Petraeus and others took a difficult war — one that imposed great burdens on our fighting men and women and their families — and not only turned the war around, but in the process they began to reform the doctrine and attitudes of mind of the military itself.</p>
<p>We live in an age in which trust in our public (and many of our private) institutions is at low ebb. This is something that is harmful and corrosive to our nation. The military is one of the few institutions whose reputation has actually improved. In the midst of two difficult wars, including one that was edging toward defeat, it undertook the task of self-examination and thoroughgoing reform. This ranks as among the most impressive, if overlooked, achievements in our time. It is a tribute to the intelligence, skill, and imagination of a remarkable generation, one that did not grow weary in doing good.</p>
<p>Peter Wehner is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. He served in the Bush White House as director of the office of strategic initiatives.</p> | false | 1 | sound hear conventional wisdom cracking iraq war weeks ago vice president biden stated iraq could one great achievements administration thats right one greatest achievements obama administration last week came muchcommented upon newsweek cover story declared something looks mighty like democracy emerging iraq may beacon inspiration region certainly watershed event could come represent whole new era history massively undemocratic middle east earlier week tom friedman new york times weighed saying former president george w bushs gut instinct region craved needed democracy always right iraq seen dramatic turnaround fortunes since 2006 indisputable nation broken sliding toward civil war mend process creating representative government heart middle east general david petraeus refers iraqracy whether lasts impossible know iraqis take opportunity make something durable accomplished far forming new government aftermath recent elections take time sure fractious impending drawdown troops roughly 100000 50000 end august may put additional stresses iraqs transfer power nevertheless perhaps agree whatever mistakes made early execution war considerable costly united states imposing democracy people iraq might able agree new counterinsurgency strategy announced president bush january 2007 strategy fiercely opposed messrs biden obama virtually entire democratic party political class almost foreign policy establishment wise politically courageous decision doesnt necessarily mean war worth cost iraq finally ends determine matter clear think commonly held view iraq probably biggest foreign policy mistake american history joe klein wrong foolish former american ambassador iraq ryan crocker put well anyone end leave leave behind important came one thing gotten almost attention though much military changed respects transformed part iraq war vietnam war badly damaged morale publics faith military institution crucible iraq war however military made extraordinary progress learning things building others military learned warfighting tactics strategies effectively applying afghanistan full awareness countries nature conflicts different important respects commanders jettisoned approach wasnt working using light footprint approach midst industrialstrength insurgencies replaced much effective one traditional counterinsurgency strategy relies part winning population operations iraq afghanistan accelerated advent development host technological conceptual advances unmanned aerial vehicles uavs fullmotion video armaments breakthroughs every discipline intelligence including imagery signals human measurement intelligence fusion advanced command control communications computer systems wheeled armored vehicles precision munitions virtually large caliber weapons battlefield medicine advances name far experienced military world history recent long wars fought draftees vietnam korea tours left world war ii part yearlong endeavor average gi though clearly entered combat 194243 served longer never commissioned noncommissioned officers depth experience also recognize need military call pentathlete leaders meaning leaders major combat operations also stability support nationbuilding operations military overall much better trained educated equipped fullspectrum operations highend operations none happened accident people like general petraeus others took difficult war one imposed great burdens fighting men women families turned war around process began reform doctrine attitudes mind military live age trust public many private institutions low ebb something harmful corrosive nation military one institutions whose reputation actually improved midst two difficult wars including one edging toward defeat undertook task selfexamination thoroughgoing reform ranks among impressive overlooked achievements time tribute intelligence skill imagination remarkable generation one grow weary good peter wehner senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc served bush white house director office strategic initiatives | 518 |
<p>By Manoj Kumar</p>
<p>NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India could be forced to cut spending on key infrastructure such as railways and highways as lower-than-expected tax collections and sluggish growth have upset the government’s budget calculations, two finance ministry officials said.</p>
<p>Tax receipts were about $7.8 billion in July – a little over half the monthly target – mostly because millions of firms failed to comply with the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) system that harmonizes all state and federal sales taxes but is still a work in progress.</p>
<p>The big worry is that economic growth, which slipped to a three-year low in the last quarter, could take a further hit if the public spending that largely underpinned expansion were to be slashed.</p>
<p>“There is a concern over lower tax collections,” a senior finance ministry official said.</p>
<p>The revenue shortfall could be at least 800 billion rupees ($12.5 billion) if the current trend continues until the end of the year, a second official said, forcing a re-think in government spending.</p>
<p>He said receipts from individual and corporate income tax may slightly overshoot the target of 9.8 trillion rupees ($152.8 billion) for the whole year, partly due to a crackdown on tax evaders. And in coming months, GST collections may pick up.</p>
<p>Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity.</p>
<p>Without spending cuts, the second official said, the fiscal deficit could slip to 3.5 percent of GDP, from the target of 3.2 percent that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has set for 2017/18.</p>
<p>GST “CHAOS AND PANDEMONIUM”</p>
<p>The main problem has been the introduction of the GST, billed as India’s biggest tax reform in 70 years.</p>
<p>Ambiguous rules, an onerous return filing system and glitches with its IT back-end have made doing business far more complicated for many companies. Frequent changes in tax rates after the GST’s launch have heightened business uncertainty, resulting in many firms failing to register for the new tax.</p>
<p>Manpreet Singh Badal, finance minister of the northern state of Punjab, told Reuters the new tax was launched in a “hurry resulting in a lot of chaos and pandemonium”.</p>
<p>Punjab, for example, had suffered a revenue shortfall of about 8 billion rupees in the first month of the July-June fiscal year, he said as the textile, engineering goods and other small industries were hit. The state expects to raise near 395 billion rupees ($6.17 billion) in tax in 2017/18.</p>
<p>Under a GST deal, the federal government has to compensate states if their receipts fall below an annual growth of 14 percent in taxes for the next five years.</p>
<p>India’s GDP growth itself has slowed to 5.7 percent in the April-June quarter from 7.9 percent a year earlier, a slowdown also partly blamed on the introduction of the GST, adding to the pressure on the state coffers.</p>
<p>Dividends from state-run companies are expected to fall and a $11 billion share sale program is slowing down.</p>
<p>“If the revenues remain below target, then the government could cut spending on railways and road transport,” the second finance ministry official said.</p>
<p>Aiming to boost growth, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley increased budgetary allocations for the railways by one-fifth to 550 billion rupees and by 24 percent for highways development to 649 billion rupees this fiscal year from a year ago.</p>
<p>Complicating the finance ministry’s budget arithmetic further, the Reserve Bank of India announced last month that its annual surplus, a dividend transferred by the central bank to the government each year, would be only $4.9 billion, less than half the initial estimate, largely due to costs of Modi’s shock “demonetisation” initiative last year.</p>
<p>“This is an abnormal year. A shortfall in tax and non-tax revenue could give a shock,” said N.R. Bhanumurthy, an economist at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, a Delhi-based think-tank funded by the finance ministry.</p>
<p>He said the economy was still recovering from Modi’s move to withdraw 86 percent of high value banknotes as part of a fight against graft.</p>
<p>TAX COLLECTIONS</p>
<p>A finance ministry spokesman said tax receipts were expected to improve as problems related to the new GST system and the technology underpinning it were tackled.</p>
<p>In his annual budget presented in February, finance minister Jaitley had projected a 17 percent growth in tax collections, while estimating spending of nearly $335.05 billion in the current fiscal year.</p>
<p>Jaitley also has to set aside funds for India’s stressed state-run banks, which need nearly $60 billion in extra capital to meet new international banking rules by March 2019 according to Fitch Ratings estimates.</p>
<p>Balancing those demands while trying to control the fiscal deficit would involve a cut in public spending, analysts said.</p>
<p>Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economist at State Bank of India (NS:), said in a research note this month that first quarter economic growth was supported by higher state spending but the need to rein in the fiscal deficit could force the government to cut expenditure.</p> | false | 1 | manoj kumar new delhi reuters india could forced cut spending key infrastructure railways highways lowerthanexpected tax collections sluggish growth upset governments budget calculations two finance ministry officials said tax receipts 78 billion july little half monthly target mostly millions firms failed comply new goods services tax gst system harmonizes state federal sales taxes still work progress big worry economic growth slipped threeyear low last quarter could take hit public spending largely underpinned expansion slashed concern lower tax collections senior finance ministry official said revenue shortfall could least 800 billion rupees 125 billion current trend continues end year second official said forcing rethink government spending said receipts individual corporate income tax may slightly overshoot target 98 trillion rupees 1528 billion whole year partly due crackdown tax evaders coming months gst collections may pick officials spoke condition anonymity without spending cuts second official said fiscal deficit could slip 35 percent gdp target 32 percent prime minister narendra modis government set 201718 gst chaos pandemonium main problem introduction gst billed indias biggest tax reform 70 years ambiguous rules onerous return filing system glitches backend made business far complicated many companies frequent changes tax rates gsts launch heightened business uncertainty resulting many firms failing register new tax manpreet singh badal finance minister northern state punjab told reuters new tax launched hurry resulting lot chaos pandemonium punjab example suffered revenue shortfall 8 billion rupees first month julyjune fiscal year said textile engineering goods small industries hit state expects raise near 395 billion rupees 617 billion tax 201718 gst deal federal government compensate states receipts fall annual growth 14 percent taxes next five years indias gdp growth slowed 57 percent apriljune quarter 79 percent year earlier slowdown also partly blamed introduction gst adding pressure state coffers dividends staterun companies expected fall 11 billion share sale program slowing revenues remain target government could cut spending railways road transport second finance ministry official said aiming boost growth finance minister arun jaitley increased budgetary allocations railways onefifth 550 billion rupees 24 percent highways development 649 billion rupees fiscal year year ago complicating finance ministrys budget arithmetic reserve bank india announced last month annual surplus dividend transferred central bank government year would 49 billion less half initial estimate largely due costs modis shock demonetisation initiative last year abnormal year shortfall tax nontax revenue could give shock said nr bhanumurthy economist national institute public finance policy delhibased thinktank funded finance ministry said economy still recovering modis move withdraw 86 percent high value banknotes part fight graft tax collections finance ministry spokesman said tax receipts expected improve problems related new gst system technology underpinning tackled annual budget presented february finance minister jaitley projected 17 percent growth tax collections estimating spending nearly 33505 billion current fiscal year jaitley also set aside funds indias stressed staterun banks need nearly 60 billion extra capital meet new international banking rules march 2019 according fitch ratings estimates balancing demands trying control fiscal deficit would involve cut public spending analysts said soumya kanti ghosh chief economist state bank india ns said research note month first quarter economic growth supported higher state spending need rein fiscal deficit could force government cut expenditure | 523 |
<p />
<p>Abstract</p>
<p>This paper examines the interface between globalization and terrorism in Nigeria. There has been an increasing trend of terrorism in Nigeria. The success of these attacks proves that the government does not have the capacities to curb this emerging trend. The attacks in Abuja, the nation’s capital, during Independence Day celebrations, and in Jos, the plateau state, on Christmas Eve in 2010, readily come to mind. This paper thus examines the following questions: Is terrorism in Nigeria a consequence of globalization? Are terrorists in Nigeria exploiting the tools of modern globalization in carrying out terrorist activities? The paper submits that the genesis of terrorism can be traced to colonialism, which came before modern globalization. Therefore, while terrorism in Nigeria is a legacy of colonialism, modern globalization also facilitated the creation of conditions for the continued existence of terrorism. Lastly, the paper submits that terrorists in Nigeria are comfortably using tools of globalization to perpetuate their nefarious acts to the detriment of the government, and warns that these activities could graduate to even more dangerous levels, should government activities completely go online due to the large presence of cyber criminals popularly known as “yahoo yahoo boys” and hackers.</p>
<p>INTRODUCTION</p>
<p>Globalization and terrorism are two concepts that are intertwined. Although, globalization has resulted in development in every strata of our society—economic, political, technological, and socio-cultural it has been argued that globalization begets terrorism. In other words, terrorism and other related violent activities are consequences of globalization. Cronin asserted that “The current wave of international terrorism, characterized by unpredictable and unprecedented threats from non-state actors not only is a reaction to globalization but is facilitated by it.”[1] Also Rourke was of the view that the gap between the rich countries and poor countries have expanded over the last 20 years owing to the effects of globalization,[2] thereby fuelling animosities and violence among the poor, marginalized countries located in the Third World, against the Western pioneers of globalization and its antecedent characteristics, expressed in economic and political terms. “Whether deliberately intending to or not, the United States (and her Western counterparts) are projecting uncoordinated economic, social, and political power even more sweepingly than it is in military terms.”[3] Cronin thus concluded thatthis results in aggression&#160; in the form of terrorism in the Third World against the pioneers of these policies that disarticulates their economy and leaves them with&#160; nothing.[4] One of the root causes of terrorism in the Third World, it cannot be dichotomized from poverty, which is an end-product of the evil effects of globalization facilitated by the Bretton Woods institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and the World Trade Organization (WTO), which are largely controlled by the Western industrialized capitalist states. The economic policies emanating from these institutions have helped to maul the economies of the Third World countries, especially in Africa, and ensured perpetual domination. The effects of these policies, such as the structural adjustment programs, have resulted into extreme poverty of the people and cursing hatred towards their governments, which dance around these institutions. Thus, the expression of hatred through violent attacks on government institutions, both foreign and local. In the words of the Paul Martin, Canadian Minister of Commerce, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States:</p>
<p>For the terrorist, however, the aims of their criminal act was not only the destruction of life—they were seeking to destroy our way of life. The terrorist did not choose their target randomly. New York’s World Trade Center stood at the heart of the international financial district. It was a symbol of accomplishment and confidence. It was targeted for that reason. The terrorist sought to cripple economic activity, to paralyze financial relations, to create new barriers between economics, countries and people.[5]</p>
<p>Karascasulu stated that, “today global terror is a giant problem for all humanity. September 11, gave a message that target was the main leader of globalization, the United States. World Trade Center as one target in the United States symbolized economic dimension while the Pentagon symbolizes political and military dimension.”[6]</p>
<p>Like other countries in the Third World, Nigeria has had its fair share of the evil effects of globalization, which have resulted in terrorist activities and have also aided it. The various policies of governments that were sold to them by the IMF and World Bank in the 1980s led to untold economic hardships on the citizens, which prompted various groups to react violently against these policies. This period set the stage for terrorist violence in Nigeria, from the militants in the Niger Delta, who adopted terrorist tactics to fight the government, whom they believe are agents of foreign capital, to the Boko Haram followers, who were frustrated by poverty and unemployment, tore their university and college certificates, and destroyed the institutions of government they believed were the cause of their plight. However, all this begs these questions: What is the relationship between globalization and terrorism in Nigeria? Is terrorism in Nigeria a consequence of globalization? Have terrorists in Nigeria been exploiting the tools of globalization to wreak havoc on the populace?</p>
<p>This paper seeks to examine whether terrorism is a consequence of globalization in Nigeria and how terrorists in Nigeria have exploited the instruments of globalization to destroy the institution and forces responsible for it in Nigeria. However, it is expedient that these two concepts be thoroughly discussed.</p>
<p>CONCEPTUAL ISSUES</p>
<p>Terrorism</p>
<p>The concept of terrorism today is a subject shrouded in a lot of controversies. There have been questions as to what constitutes terrorism. For the purpose of this study, the definition of terrorism can be perceived from two schools of thought. The first school is termed the idealistic conception of terrorism, and the second school of thought is termed the realist conception of terrorism. The idealist school of thought stressed the fact that every act that produces fear, terror, or death, whether legitimately carried out or not, by an individual group or state, is an act of terrorism. The realist school of thought, on the other hand, sees terrorism essentially as an attack by clandestine groups on non-combatants or civilians in order to draw attention by imbuing fear in the public to coerce a state actor from carrying out an action for their political objectives.</p>
<p>One of the proponents of the realist school of thought is the United States Government. Title 22 United States Code (USC) Section 2656 (f)) provides a definition of terrorism by the United States. According Title 22, “terrorism is defined as premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetuated against non combatant targets by sub national or clandestine agents usually intended to influence an audience.”[7] The US State Department defines a terrorist group as “any group practicing, or that has significant sub groups that practice international terrorism.”[8] Wiotti and Kauppi defined terrorism as “a politically motivated violence, aimed at achieving a demoralizing effects on publics and government.”[9] Wilkinson defines terrorism as “a systematic use of coercive intimidation usually to serve political ends. It is used to create and exploit a climate of fear among a wider target group than the immediate victims of the violence and to publicize a cause as well as to coerce a target into assenting to aims”[10] Cronin conceives of terrorism as “the threat or use of seemingly random violence against innocents for political ends by a non state actor.”[11]</p>
<p>The essential features of the definitions of terrorism as posited by the realist scholars is that they place emphasis on non-state actors, such as clandestine groups perpetuating violence on the public and having political objectives. More so, these definitions shield state actors. This therefore raises two questions: is a lone attacker or bomber a terrorist? What political objectives does a lone attacker or bomber have? For instance, the Unabomber, a name given by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to an elusive perpetrator of a series of bombings between 1975-1995 that killed three and wounded many people. More so, what are his objectives? An individual terrorist can be motivated by personal reasons, such as unfair dismissal from work place, divorce, death of loved ones, frustration, depression, unstable homes or insecurity at home, or, as has been suggested by Lee and Pearl, financial motivation.[12]</p>
<p>The idealists on the other hand, view every act, legitimate or not, that breeds an atmosphere of fear, destruction of lives and properties as terrorism. Among the proponents of this school of thought are Spiegal and Wheling, They define terrorism as “violence across international boundaries intended to coerce a target group into meeting political demands”.[13] The African Union defines terrorism as “any act which is a violation of the criminal laws of a state party and which may endanger the life, physical integrity or freedom of, or cause serious injury or death to any person, any member or group of persons or causes or may cause damage to public or private property, natural resources, environmental or cultural heritage.”[14] The Nigerian government has very recently provided a definition for terrorism.&#160; They define a terrorist as “anyone who&#160; [is] involved or who causes an attack upon a person’s life which may cause serious bodily harm or death; kidnapping of a person; destruction to a government or public facility, transport system, an infrastructural facility including an information system, a fixed platform located on the intercontinental shelf, public place or private property likely to endanger human life or result in major economic loss.”[15]</p>
<p>Proponents of this school further argue that “the consequences of an action are what matters and not the intent. Collateral or unintended damage to civilians from an attack is the same as a terrorist bomb directed deliberately at the civilian target with the intent of creating that damage”[16]</p>
<p>This is the reason why it has been said that “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. This school of thought adopts a moralistic and pacifist view point in their conception of terrorism. However, one question raised here about the definition of terrorism from this viewpoint is its emphasis on violence perpetuated outside the country. What about terrorism perpetuated against citizens within the boundary of the state?</p>
<p>However, irrespective of these schools of thought as regards the definition of the concept of terrorism, the United Nations, which is a platform where various countries meet, have not reached a consensus on the definition of concept. This is based on the fact that some countries, especially in the Middle East, are careful not to subscribe to any definition of terrorism that opposes a legitimate fight for freedom from foreign occupation. However, despite this obstacle, the UN has loosely agreed that terrorism violates certain principles on which the institution is established. The UN Policy Working Group on Terrorism enumerated these principles, which include “assault on the principles of law or order, human rights and peaceful settlement of disputes.” [17] For the purpose of this discussion, terrorism may be defined as violent attack by faceless groups, individuals, or the state in order to push forward their political, primordial, and personal objectives. This definition incorporates both the realist and idealist conception of terrorism. It takes into consideration all groups, individuals, and states and looks at the factors that engenders terrorism, such as political reasons, which may come in form of liberation from foreign occupation, one country trying to influence the decisions or policies of another country, or trying to force its policies on its own citizens, through coercive means; primordial reasons such as age long acrimony between two groups, especially religious groups; personal reasons, such as loss of job, marginalization, frustration and depression, instability or lack of security in the family; or financial reasons due to excessive poverty and trying enrich oneself. This definition illuminates the concept of terrorism.</p>
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<p /> | false | 1 | abstract paper examines interface globalization terrorism nigeria increasing trend terrorism nigeria success attacks proves government capacities curb emerging trend attacks abuja nations capital independence day celebrations jos plateau state christmas eve 2010 readily come mind paper thus examines following questions terrorism nigeria consequence globalization terrorists nigeria exploiting tools modern globalization carrying terrorist activities paper submits genesis terrorism traced colonialism came modern globalization therefore terrorism nigeria legacy colonialism modern globalization also facilitated creation conditions continued existence terrorism lastly paper submits terrorists nigeria comfortably using tools globalization perpetuate nefarious acts detriment government warns activities could graduate even dangerous levels government activities completely go online due large presence cyber criminals popularly known yahoo yahoo boys hackers introduction globalization terrorism two concepts intertwined although globalization resulted development every strata societyeconomic political technological sociocultural argued globalization begets terrorism words terrorism related violent activities consequences globalization cronin asserted current wave international terrorism characterized unpredictable unprecedented threats nonstate actors reaction globalization facilitated it1 also rourke view gap rich countries poor countries expanded last 20 years owing effects globalization2 thereby fuelling animosities violence among poor marginalized countries located third world western pioneers globalization antecedent characteristics expressed economic political terms whether deliberately intending united states western counterparts projecting uncoordinated economic social political power even sweepingly military terms3 cronin thus concluded thatthis results aggression160 form terrorism third world pioneers policies disarticulates economy leaves with160 nothing4 one root causes terrorism third world dichotomized poverty endproduct evil effects globalization facilitated bretton woods institutions international monetary fund imf world bank world trade organization wto largely controlled western industrialized capitalist states economic policies emanating institutions helped maul economies third world countries especially africa ensured perpetual domination effects policies structural adjustment programs resulted extreme poverty people cursing hatred towards governments dance around institutions thus expression hatred violent attacks government institutions foreign local words paul martin canadian minister commerce september 11 2001 terrorist attacks united states terrorist however aims criminal act destruction lifethey seeking destroy way life terrorist choose target randomly new yorks world trade center stood heart international financial district symbol accomplishment confidence targeted reason terrorist sought cripple economic activity paralyze financial relations create new barriers economics countries people5 karascasulu stated today global terror giant problem humanity september 11 gave message target main leader globalization united states world trade center one target united states symbolized economic dimension pentagon symbolizes political military dimension6 like countries third world nigeria fair share evil effects globalization resulted terrorist activities also aided various policies governments sold imf world bank 1980s led untold economic hardships citizens prompted various groups react violently policies period set stage terrorist violence nigeria militants niger delta adopted terrorist tactics fight government believe agents foreign capital boko haram followers frustrated poverty unemployment tore university college certificates destroyed institutions government believed cause plight however begs questions relationship globalization terrorism nigeria terrorism nigeria consequence globalization terrorists nigeria exploiting tools globalization wreak havoc populace paper seeks examine whether terrorism consequence globalization nigeria terrorists nigeria exploited instruments globalization destroy institution forces responsible nigeria however expedient two concepts thoroughly discussed conceptual issues terrorism concept terrorism today subject shrouded lot controversies questions constitutes terrorism purpose study definition terrorism perceived two schools thought first school termed idealistic conception terrorism second school thought termed realist conception terrorism idealist school thought stressed fact every act produces fear terror death whether legitimately carried individual group state act terrorism realist school thought hand sees terrorism essentially attack clandestine groups noncombatants civilians order draw attention imbuing fear public coerce state actor carrying action political objectives one proponents realist school thought united states government title 22 united states code usc section 2656 f provides definition terrorism united states according title 22 terrorism defined premeditated politically motivated violence perpetuated non combatant targets sub national clandestine agents usually intended influence audience7 us state department defines terrorist group group practicing significant sub groups practice international terrorism8 wiotti kauppi defined terrorism politically motivated violence aimed achieving demoralizing effects publics government9 wilkinson defines terrorism systematic use coercive intimidation usually serve political ends used create exploit climate fear among wider target group immediate victims violence publicize cause well coerce target assenting aims10 cronin conceives terrorism threat use seemingly random violence innocents political ends non state actor11 essential features definitions terrorism posited realist scholars place emphasis nonstate actors clandestine groups perpetuating violence public political objectives definitions shield state actors therefore raises two questions lone attacker bomber terrorist political objectives lone attacker bomber instance unabomber name given federal bureau investigations fbi elusive perpetrator series bombings 19751995 killed three wounded many people objectives individual terrorist motivated personal reasons unfair dismissal work place divorce death loved ones frustration depression unstable homes insecurity home suggested lee pearl financial motivation12 idealists hand view every act legitimate breeds atmosphere fear destruction lives properties terrorism among proponents school thought spiegal wheling define terrorism violence across international boundaries intended coerce target group meeting political demands13 african union defines terrorism act violation criminal laws state party may endanger life physical integrity freedom cause serious injury death person member group persons causes may cause damage public private property natural resources environmental cultural heritage14 nigerian government recently provided definition terrorism160 define terrorist anyone who160 involved causes attack upon persons life may cause serious bodily harm death kidnapping person destruction government public facility transport system infrastructural facility including information system fixed platform located intercontinental shelf public place private property likely endanger human life result major economic loss15 proponents school argue consequences action matters intent collateral unintended damage civilians attack terrorist bomb directed deliberately civilian target intent creating damage16 reason said one mans terrorist another mans freedom fighter school thought adopts moralistic pacifist view point conception terrorism however one question raised definition terrorism viewpoint emphasis violence perpetuated outside country terrorism perpetuated citizens within boundary state however irrespective schools thought regards definition concept terrorism united nations platform various countries meet reached consensus definition concept based fact countries especially middle east careful subscribe definition terrorism opposes legitimate fight freedom foreign occupation however despite obstacle un loosely agreed terrorism violates certain principles institution established un policy working group terrorism enumerated principles include assault principles law order human rights peaceful settlement disputes 17 purpose discussion terrorism may defined violent attack faceless groups individuals state order push forward political primordial personal objectives definition incorporates realist idealist conception terrorism takes consideration groups individuals states looks factors engenders terrorism political reasons may come form liberation foreign occupation one country trying influence decisions policies another country trying force policies citizens coercive means primordial reasons age long acrimony two groups especially religious groups personal reasons loss job marginalization frustration depression instability lack security family financial reasons due excessive poverty trying enrich oneself definition illuminates concept terrorism | 1,097 |
<p>The last time <a href="http://variety.com/t/camila-cabello/" type="external">Camila Cabello</a> performed at the Z100 Jingle Ball at New York City’s Madison Square Garden was also one of her final appearances as part of the pop powerhouse <a href="http://variety.com/t/fifth-harmony/" type="external">Fifth Harmony</a>. At that same show, Cabello was an MVP on the lineup, joining Machine Gun Kelly onstage as a last-minute fill-in for Meghan Trainer, who had to cancel due to laryngitis.</p>
<p>One full year later, Cabello is transforming into a full blown solo superstar, as was evidenced by one of the loudest reactions of Friday night (Dec. 8) as she took to the stage to perform her smash, “Havana.”</p>
<p>Cabello’s performance was one of many highlights at the New York stop of <a href="http://variety.com/t/iheartradio/" type="external">iHeartRadio</a>’s Jingle Ball tour, which featured <a href="http://variety.com/t/taylor-swift/" type="external">Taylor Swift</a>, Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, Sam Smith, <a href="http://variety.com/t/halsey/" type="external">Halsey</a>&#160;with Special Guest&#160;G-Eazy, Fall Out Boy, Demi Lovato&#160;with Special Guests&#160;Cheat Codes,&#160;Logic, Charlie Puth, <a href="http://variety.com/t/niall-horan/" type="external">Niall Horan</a>, <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/camila-cabello-announces-release-date-for-debut-solo-album-1202631018/" type="external">Camila Cabello</a>, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels&#160;and&#160;Why Don’t We.</p>
<p>The petite Cabello — who suffered a wardrobe malfunction minutes before hitting the stage, prompting an emergency repair from wardrobe department to fix a tear in her pants — certainly has plenty to celebrate. The day before the show, she announced that her debut album is set for release on Jan 12, and gave fans a taste of a terrific track, “Never Be the Same,” strapping on a guitar and show a musical side she was never able to express within the confines of a girl group.</p>
<p>Another song on the album also points to her time in <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/camilla-cabello-drops-hilarious-telenova-inspired-video-for-havana-watch-1202597619/" type="external">Fifth Harmony</a>. “Real Friends” was inspired by her journey to the “paper town” of Los Angeles, “by myself,” Cabello told Variety.&#160; The song, which is already resonating with her fan base, surprisingly almost didn’t make the album.&#160;“’Real Friends’ was the last song that I wrote for the album, and ‘Havana’ was the first one,” she explained, saying that both songs as well as the collective finished record reveals both her Cuban side as well as the more “emo” parts of her personality. “I finished it two weeks ago, and then it had to be mixed and mastered in two days,” she added.</p>
<p>During Cabello’s performance at Jingle Ball, she was clearly feeling the love from the many young girls in the arena, which lit up in a sea of lights and screams of fandom. Later in the evening, she happily stopped to snap pictures with fans and hung out with Bleachers frontman and <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/taylor-swift-announces-more-dates-for-her-2018-reputation-tour-1202629591/" type="external">Taylor Swift</a>/Pink producer Jack Antonoff as she checked out the other performers and cheered from the wings. It’s no wonder she was the belle of the Jingle Ball.</p>
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<p>CREDIT: Getty Images for iHeartMedia</p>
<p>“One thing I have noticed about these pop stars lately, is how nice they are,” marveled Z100 morning man Elvis Duran, who presided over the festivities and mingled with “Dear Evan Hansen” Tony Award winner Ben Platt before the two introduced Sam Smith’s set onstage. “They are so appreciative of everything.”</p>
<p>The tour exemplifies the heart of that appreciation with the succession of surprise artist collaborations onstage, including Sheeran joining headliner Swift for their reputation collaboration, “End Game,” in Los Angeles; Lovato bringing out Cheat Codes&#160;for “No Promises;”&#160; <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/halsey-disappointed-in-american-music-awards-lack-of-female-nominees-1202588387/" type="external">Halsey</a>&#160;calling on&#160;G-Eazy&#160;and Fifth Harmony’s <a href="http://variety.com/t/lauren-jauregui/" type="external">Lauren Jauregui</a> for collabs on “Him + I” and “Strangers,” and Halsey again taking the stage to perform “Closer” with The Chainsmokers (a treat considering the group did not have her available at last year’s Jingle Ball for the same song). The Chainsmokers also brought out co-writer Emily Warren to perform “Don’t Let Me Down.”</p>
<p>Backstage, the scene on the red carpet, the gifting suite, and a taxi that served as a sleigh was equally festive. Other highlights included:</p>
<p>· Taylor Swift, who was accompanied by boyfriend Joe Alwyn to the show, had a big little fan introduce her: Suri Cruise. The adorable 11-year old was joined by her mother, Katie Holmes, as she excitedly announced Swift’s set.</p>
<p>·&#160; Logic interrupted his set to acknowledge a 13-year old fan in the front row, prompting the entire arena — including actress Lindsay Lohan who took in the entire show by the side of the stage — to sing “Happy Birthday.” The vibe in the room mirrored Logic’s message of “positivity,” as he encouraged the crowd to light up the night for his Grammy award nominated song—“1-800-273-8255” (with Best New Artist nominees Khalid and Alessia Cara). Asked about his nominations, Logic (who walked the carpet in a “Star Wars” themed sweatshirt (and excitedly talked about his anticipation for the new film, “The Last Jedi”) praised Khalid and Cara. “It feels good to know that me,&#160; my friends and my peers are all going to go together and enjoy and celebrate and enjoy one another,” Logic told Variety.</p>
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<p>CREDIT: Getty Images for iHeartMedia</p>
<p>· Sabrina Carpenter looked like a snow angel in wintry white, and is looking forward to 2018 and the completion of her forthcoming album and new acting projects.&#160; After Jingle Ball, she plans to catch up with “sleep and a gingerbread cookie,” while keeping Taylor Swift’s new album, “Reputation,” in heavy rotation. “I really like ‘I Did Something Bad,’” said Carpenter. “She is one of those artists that is changing and evolving and it’s nice to be refreshed and not do what everybody else is doing, and she is doing a great job of that.”</p>
<p>· The Taylor Swift love was strong at the Jingle Ball. In the gifting suite, artists received bags from the play, “Dear Evan Hansen,” but only one was “tailor” made. Swift’s bag was monogrammed: “Dear Taylor Swift.”</p>
<p>·&#160; Overheard: YouTube star Jacob Sartorius—who got an enthusiastic response at the Coca Cola Preshow unveiling his single, “Cozy” — did not want to leave until he saw one act: “I want to see Taylor Swift.”</p>
<p>· Broadway star Todrick Hall made it to Madison Square Garden in record time, dashing from The Ambassador Theatre, where he is starring in “Chicago,” to MSG to catch Swift’s entire set. Hall dances in Swift’s video for “Look What You Made Me Do” and is playing Billy Flynn through Jan. 14.</p>
<p>·&#160; Former One Direction member Liam Payne was adorable warming up side stage before performing his set—which included the hit “Strip Down” and “Bedroom Floor”—dancing along to Sam Smith’s smooth ballad, “I’m Not the Only One.” The singer took in the moment onstage,&#160; reminiscing about his last appearance at the Jingle Ball when he was “seventeen.” He then praised his mate, Horan’s set to a screaming fan base.</p>
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<p>CREDIT: Getty Images for iHeartMedia</p>
<p>·&#160; Cabello wasn’t the only Fifth Harmony member making waves at the Garden. <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/fifth-harmony-lauren-jauregui-donald-trump-daca-twitter-1202546884/" type="external">Lauren Jauregui</a>’s performance with Halsey was a big highlight. She told Variety that 2018 will be even busier with Fifth Harmony’s upcoming tours of Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. “I am so grateful to be working still with the girls and also getting&#160; to explore myself individually and experiment with myself and figure out who I am as an individual. It’s cool for me because I love collaborative art and I love working with other artists. Chart success doesn’t mean a lot to me, but that is not ever my intention when I am making music so that is always a plus. “</p>
<p>· Sheeran had some news to share during his set opener: his single, “Perfect” (featuring Beyonce) is No. 1 “in my home country, and hopefully, fingers crossed, it’s going to hit No. 1 here over the weekend.”</p>
<p>· Boy band Why Don’t We (featuring American Idol Season 14 alum Daniel Seavey –who reshared a tweet from exactly one year ago reading “Wonder what I’ll be doin a year from now” with the answer “Well Shoot…MSG Today”) had a blast at the Coca Cola Preshow, and was met with enthusiastic support on the main stage at Jingle Ball. The group also posed for pictures backstage with fans.</p>
<p>· G-Eazy supported girlfriend Halsey watching her performance with Chainsmokers side stage. The cute couple exited the building holding hands towards the end of the show.</p>
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<p>CREDIT: Getty Images for iHeartMedia</p>
<p>· Fall Out Boy brought out the pyro for their rocking set which previewed tracks from their new record, “M A N I A.” The group, veterans of the Jingle Ball, got into the holiday spirit with intro music provided by the Transiberian Orchestra before opening with “Centuries.” &#160;Prior to their performance, Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz grabbed Demi Lovato for a hug and a photo.</p>
<p>·&#160; New Jersey native Charlie Puth marked his third appearance at the Jingle Ball honoring the memory of Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell with a dedication of “See You Again.” Puth entertained with his newer, upbeat singles “Attention” and the catchy earworm “How Long” from his forthcoming record, “Voicenotes.”</p>
<p>· New Interscope signing Alex Aiono chatted up reporters after his set at the Coca Cola preshow promoting his new EP “Does it Feel Like Falling.” “There was an amazing energy out there today,” he said of the preshow, which featured sets from Olivia Holt, Sabrina Carpenter, and Manhattan rockers Acting Natural, whose music is reminiscent of classic rock bands with a splash of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the mix. “We had an amazing lineup.” His plans for 2018 include his first headlining tour and new music added to his YouTube channel, which has swelled to over 12 million viewers.</p> | false | 1 | last time camila cabello performed z100 jingle ball new york citys madison square garden also one final appearances part pop powerhouse fifth harmony show cabello mvp lineup joining machine gun kelly onstage lastminute fillin meghan trainer cancel due laryngitis one full year later cabello transforming full blown solo superstar evidenced one loudest reactions friday night dec 8 took stage perform smash havana cabellos performance one many highlights new york stop iheartradios jingle ball tour featured taylor swift ed sheeran chainsmokers sam smith halsey160with special guest160geazy fall boy demi lovato160with special guests160cheat codes160logic charlie puth niall horan camila cabello liam payne julia michaels160and160why dont petite cabello suffered wardrobe malfunction minutes hitting stage prompting emergency repair wardrobe department fix tear pants certainly plenty celebrate day show announced debut album set release jan 12 gave fans taste terrific track never strapping guitar show musical side never able express within confines girl group another song album also points time fifth harmony real friends inspired journey paper town los angeles cabello told variety160 song already resonating fan base surprisingly almost didnt make album160real friends last song wrote album havana first one explained saying songs well collective finished record reveals cuban side well emo parts personality finished two weeks ago mixed mastered two days added cabellos performance jingle ball clearly feeling love many young girls arena lit sea lights screams fandom later evening happily stopped snap pictures fans hung bleachers frontman taylor swiftpink producer jack antonoff checked performers cheered wings wonder belle jingle ball credit getty images iheartmedia one thing noticed pop stars lately nice marveled z100 morning man elvis duran presided festivities mingled dear evan hansen tony award winner ben platt two introduced sam smiths set onstage appreciative everything tour exemplifies heart appreciation succession surprise artist collaborations onstage including sheeran joining headliner swift reputation collaboration end game los angeles lovato bringing cheat codes160for promises160 halsey160calling on160geazy160and fifth harmonys lauren jauregui collabs strangers halsey taking stage perform closer chainsmokers treat considering group available last years jingle ball song chainsmokers also brought cowriter emily warren perform dont let backstage scene red carpet gifting suite taxi served sleigh equally festive highlights included taylor swift accompanied boyfriend joe alwyn show big little fan introduce suri cruise adorable 11year old joined mother katie holmes excitedly announced swifts set 160 logic interrupted set acknowledge 13year old fan front row prompting entire arena including actress lindsay lohan took entire show side stage sing happy birthday vibe room mirrored logics message positivity encouraged crowd light night grammy award nominated song18002738255 best new artist nominees khalid alessia cara asked nominations logic walked carpet star wars themed sweatshirt excitedly talked anticipation new film last jedi praised khalid cara feels good know me160 friends peers going go together enjoy celebrate enjoy one another logic told variety credit getty images iheartmedia sabrina carpenter looked like snow angel wintry white looking forward 2018 completion forthcoming album new acting projects160 jingle ball plans catch sleep gingerbread cookie keeping taylor swifts new album reputation heavy rotation really like something bad said carpenter one artists changing evolving nice refreshed everybody else great job taylor swift love strong jingle ball gifting suite artists received bags play dear evan hansen one tailor made swifts bag monogrammed dear taylor swift 160 overheard youtube star jacob sartoriuswho got enthusiastic response coca cola preshow unveiling single cozy want leave saw one act want see taylor swift broadway star todrick hall made madison square garden record time dashing ambassador theatre starring chicago msg catch swifts entire set hall dances swifts video look made playing billy flynn jan 14 160 former one direction member liam payne adorable warming side stage performing setwhich included hit strip bedroom floordancing along sam smiths smooth ballad im one singer took moment onstage160 reminiscing last appearance jingle ball seventeen praised mate horans set screaming fan base credit getty images iheartmedia 160 cabello wasnt fifth harmony member making waves garden lauren jaureguis performance halsey big highlight told variety 2018 even busier fifth harmonys upcoming tours australia new zealand asia grateful working still girls also getting160 explore individually experiment figure individual cool love collaborative art love working artists chart success doesnt mean lot ever intention making music always plus sheeran news share set opener single perfect featuring beyonce 1 home country hopefully fingers crossed going hit 1 weekend boy band dont featuring american idol season 14 alum daniel seavey reshared tweet exactly one year ago reading wonder ill doin year answer well shootmsg today blast coca cola preshow met enthusiastic support main stage jingle ball group also posed pictures backstage fans geazy supported girlfriend halsey watching performance chainsmokers side stage cute couple exited building holding hands towards end show credit getty images iheartmedia fall boy brought pyro rocking set previewed tracks new record n group veterans jingle ball got holiday spirit intro music provided transiberian orchestra opening centuries 160prior performance fall boy bassist pete wentz grabbed demi lovato hug photo 160 new jersey native charlie puth marked third appearance jingle ball honoring memory soundgarden singer chris cornell dedication see puth entertained newer upbeat singles attention catchy earworm long forthcoming record voicenotes new interscope signing alex aiono chatted reporters set coca cola preshow promoting new ep feel like falling amazing energy today said preshow featured sets olivia holt sabrina carpenter manhattan rockers acting natural whose music reminiscent classic rock bands splash red hot chili peppers mix amazing lineup plans 2018 include first headlining tour new music added youtube channel swelled 12 million viewers | 907 |
<p>Forty-eight hours into his visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI had done something remarkable: he had successfully buried the cartoon Joseph Ratzinger, a nasty caricature created decades earlier by his theological enemies and subsequently marketed to the world press. From his first moments at Andrews Air Force Base, however, it was clear that this was no hard-edged theological enforcer, no Rottweiler. Instead of the cartoon Ratzinger, America was introduced to a modest, friendly man, a grandfatherly Bavarian with exquisite manners and a shock of unruly white hair, full of affection and admiration for the United States.</p>
<p>Nor was Ratzinger’s cartoon image the only thing crumbling on the brilliant spring morning of April 16, when President George W. Bush formally welcomed the pope to America. Forty-five years before, a White House fearful of the political backlash from anti-Catholic prejudice insisted that a brief meeting in Rome between President Kennedy and Pope Paul VI be described as informal and unofficial. Now an evangelical Texas Methodist pulled out all the ceremonial stops to welcome the Bishop of Rome on the south lawn of the White House–and the Bishop of Rome, a former American POW, could be seen singing the refrain of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” along with the U.S. Army choir. It all seemed a very long way indeed from the days when the Know Nothings bludgeoned the marble sent by Pope Pius IX for the Washington Monument and threw the fragments into the Potomac. What historian Arthur Schlesinger Sr., used to call the deepest prejudice in American history–anti-Catholicism–was largely a thing of the past, save in the fever swamps where ancient bigotries and hatreds fester.</p>
<p>The transformation of the papal image was complete when Benedict XVI surprised everyone (including many senior churchmen) by meeting privately for conversation and prayer with five Boston-area victims of clergy sexual abuse. On the flight to America the pope had forthrightly seized control of this issue, speaking of his own “shame” over the behavior of priests who had abused the young; he later acknowledged the parallel and related disgrace of bishops who had failed in their duty to protect the flock. Still, it took that meeting with those who had suffered at the hands of something both they and he loved–the Catholic Church–to drive home the point that Benedict XVI was not just a friendly scholar. By meeting, praying and even crying with those who had been deeply hurt, Benedict made unmistakably plain what those who had known him already knew: that he is a man with a pastor’s heart and a true priest’s compassion.</p>
<p>That pastoral touch continued to be displayed throughout the six days of Benedict’s visit to New York. His masterful sermon in St. Patrick’s Cathedral–in which he used the building’s stained glass, its symmetry, and the countervailing tensions in its stonework as metaphors for the life of the Church–was a brilliant, evocative exercise in the preacher’s art and a useful reminder to pastors of all denominations that “preaching up,” rather than “preaching down,” is the way to inspire and nourish. The pope’s reception by 25,000 young people at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers made clear that, while his is a different form of magic, he shares with the pyrotechnic John Paul II the capacity to call the younger generation to lives of spiritual and moral grandeur. Then there was Ground Zero, and the pope’s prayer for the conversion of the hearts of the violent and wicked. Nothing maudlin, nothing artificial, a candle lit in memory, and words of compassion to those who bear the burden of survival.</p>
<p>This magnificent Catholic theater shouldn’t have been a distraction from the substance of Benedict XVI’s message, but it was, almost inevitably. A world of sound bites and rapidly shifting images does not take easily to Professor Ratzinger, the pope who answers questions in complete and coherent paragraphs and whose demeanor is not electric. And that, perhaps, explains some of the inattention to this very substantive man of ideas in the three years since his election. Yet there are ideas Benedict proposed that are very much worth pondering in the afterglow of his American media debut, ideas about the way the world works, ideas about interreligious dialogue and ideas about Christian ecumenism. The common thread among them was the Benedictine project of turning noise into conversation through the recovery of moral reason.</p>
<p>Human Rights: The World’s Moral Vocabulary The primary purpose of Benedict’s transatlantic pilgrimage was to address the General Assembly of the United Nations. He did not blast the Bush administration for Iraq, as some uninformed sources had declared he would during the previsit spin games. Nor did he conduct the international tour d’horizon that the diplomats of the Vatican might have preferred. Rather, Benedict XVI put on Professor Ratzinger and gave the General Assembly a thoughtful lecture on how to turn noise into conversation.</p>
<p>Benedict XVI is profoundly aware of the world’s dissonance, which to his mind is not simply a reflection of the world’s plurality. In addition to the radically different political, religious, philosophical, and ideological claims being pressed in the global public square, there is the problem of a West that has lost its faith in reason–a West that has a very shaky hold on the conviction (fundamental to Western civilization from Socrates through the scientific revolution) that human beings can know the truth of things, including the moral truth of things. And that seems to Benedict not just a grave problem in itself, but a grave political problem. For how can the conversation, debate and argument that are the lifeblood of any humane politics happen when everyone is speaking a different language, no one can agree on a translator, and the very need for “translation” is regarded by the postmodern avant-garde as impossibly old hat? In these circumstances, conversation is impossible and noise dominates.</p>
<p>So Benedict came to the U.N. to suggest that noise could be transformed into a genuine engagement of differences through the moral reason that all human beings share in common, and through one of the lessons that moral reason teaches rational people about how they should treat with each other. We call that lesson, today, “human rights.” Thus the notion of human rights as a global vocabulary that can turn noise into conversation (which was a leitmotif of John Paul II’s remarks to the General Assembly in 1995) was the centerpiece of Benedict’s U.N. address. Noting the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Benedict reminded his listeners that here, in fact, was noise turned into conversation. For “this document was the outcome of a convergence of different religious and cultural traditions, all of them motivated by the common desire to place the human person at the heart of institutions, laws and the workings of society, and to consider the human person essential for the world of culture, science and religion.” Then he drove the point home: “Human rights are increasingly being presented as the common language and the ethical substratum of international relations.”</p>
<p>How can we know that these “rights” exist, the pope asked. We can know them because “they are based on the natural law inscribed on human hearts and present in different cultures and civilizations.” Human rights, properly understood, are a universal moral patrimony; they are not benefices to be awarded by states for good behavior, nor are basic human rights a cultural imposition from the West on the rest. Human rights are built into us–Benedict would say by “God’s creative design for the world and for history,” which reaches its “high point” in the human person. Still, the pope’s argument that universal human rights are the reflection of universal moral truths “built into” the human person is a claim that can be engaged by nonbelievers, as well as by believers of all religious traditions that cherish reason.</p>
<p>Voltaire must be spinning in his grave at the thought of the See of Peter as the defender of reason in the modern world. Yet Benedict, like John Paul II, has set his face, and his church, against the sundry irrationalities (including religious irrationalities) that now stalk the world, wreaking havoc with human affairs. Moreover, by suggesting that the United Nations’ moral legitimacy derives not from the black letters on paper that are the U.N. Charter but from the United Nations’ commitment to protecting and promoting basic human rights and its effectiveness in doing so, the pope has helped advance, however slightly, the cause of U.N. reform.</p>
<p>Truth-Centered Dialogue The pope also had some important and challenging things to say about turning noise into conversation among religions, and within the fractured Christian household.</p>
<p>In a meeting with representatives of world religions in Washington, the pope previewed his U.N. address by summoning people of faith to put their moral convictions at the service of the defense of human rights, especially religious freedom. He then made clear that, in his mind, tolerance does not mean avoiding differences in an exchange of pleasantries and banalities; rather, he gently suggested, true dialogue means taking differences seriously and exploring them, within a bond of civility created by mutual respect in the quest for truth: “… Religious freedom, interreligious dialogue and faith-based education aim at something more than a consensus regarding ways to implement practical strategies for advancing peace. The broader purpose of dialogue is to discover the truth. What is the origin and destiny of mankind? What are good and evil? What awaits us at the end of our earthly existence. Only by addressing these questions can we build a solid basis for the peace and security of the human family.”</p>
<p>In other words, genuine interreligious dialogue, capable of turning noise into conversation, does not avoid the hard questions; it begins with the hard questions. It is not difficult to imagine that Benedict had in mind here the dialogue he has been slowly nurturing with Islam, a dialogue focused on religious freedom and the separation of spiritual and political authority in the state. Unlike those veterans of the Catholic-Islamic dialogue who have long preferred to avoid those questions, Benedict insists, quietly but firmly, on beginning with them. Whether his approach helps support those Islamic reformers working to build an Islam that can live with pluralism and political modernity is one of the great questions on which a lot of 21st-century history will turn.</p>
<p>Benedict was equally challenging in discussing the grand strategy of the intra-Christian ecumenical dialogue. At “just … the time when the world is losing its bearings and needs a persuasive common witness to the saving power of the Gospel,” Christians are deeply divided, the pope noted–a standard ecumenical lament. But then Benedict sharply raised the ecumenical ante by asking his fellow Christian leaders to consider whether those divisions did not reflect a “relativistic approach” to Christian doctrine and moral teaching strangely parallel to secularist critiques of Christianity: a “relativism” about the truth of Christian faith that is shaped by the assumption that “science alone is ‘objective’,” an assumption that relegates all religious conviction “to the subjective sphere of individual feeling.” Benedict’s personal answer to that question is, undoubtedly, yes. Which suggests that this man who once took a professor’s post at Tubingen precisely to deepen his own theological dialogue with Lutheran colleagues now realizes that the real future of serious ecumenical conversation lies with the Catholic Church’s encounter with those Christian communities (largely, but not exclusively, evangelical) that still believe that the Gospel and the creeds stand in judgment on our theological speculation, rather than vice versa. The Gospel and the creeds, the pope suggested, are the boundaries within which real conversation can grow from ecumenical noise.</p>
<p>The Intellectual as Pastor For three years Benedict XVI has thought that his will be a relatively short pontificate. He was, after all, 78 when elected. Yet he also seemed quite energized during most of his U.S. visit, and that energy calls to mind a story about Pope Leo XIII, the inventor of the modern papacy as an office of moral persuasion, who died in 1903 at the age of 93. A few years before his death Leo received an American bishop in private audience. Toward the end of their meeting, the story goes, the bishop got a little emotional and, wiping away a tear, said, “Holy Father, I suppose this is the last time we shall see each other in this world.” At which the nonagenarian pontiff reached over, took his visitor’s hand, and replied, “My dear man, you didn’t tell me you were feeling poorly.”</p>
<p>No one, including Benedict XVI, knows whether he has another decade in the chair of St. Peter or whether he will ever visit the United States (a country he manifestly loves) again. Even if he never returns, however, he has given Americans of all faiths and no faith important things to think about. The American majority was reaffirmed in its conviction that religiously informed moral argument has a place in public life. The nonbelieving minority experienced a religious leader who took care to speak in a language nonbelievers could understand. In a season of increasingly adolescent political cantankerousness, it was refreshing to be in the presence of an adult–an adult who treated his hosts as adults by paying them the compliment of making serious, sustained arguments. Moreover, by showing his pastor’s heart, one of the world’s most learned men embodied a truth of which both he and John Paul II were firmly convinced: faith and reason go together. If Benedict XVI was received warmly in the United States, that may have had something to do with his ability to gently remind all Americans of one of the truths on which our democracy rests, and indeed has long rested.</p>
<p>George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. and holds EPPC’s William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies.</p>
<p /> | false | 1 | fortyeight hours visit united states pope benedict xvi done something remarkable successfully buried cartoon joseph ratzinger nasty caricature created decades earlier theological enemies subsequently marketed world press first moments andrews air force base however clear hardedged theological enforcer rottweiler instead cartoon ratzinger america introduced modest friendly man grandfatherly bavarian exquisite manners shock unruly white hair full affection admiration united states ratzingers cartoon image thing crumbling brilliant spring morning april 16 president george w bush formally welcomed pope america fortyfive years white house fearful political backlash anticatholic prejudice insisted brief meeting rome president kennedy pope paul vi described informal unofficial evangelical texas methodist pulled ceremonial stops welcome bishop rome south lawn white houseand bishop rome former american pow could seen singing refrain battle hymn republic along us army choir seemed long way indeed days know nothings bludgeoned marble sent pope pius ix washington monument threw fragments potomac historian arthur schlesinger sr used call deepest prejudice american historyanticatholicismwas largely thing past save fever swamps ancient bigotries hatreds fester transformation papal image complete benedict xvi surprised everyone including many senior churchmen meeting privately conversation prayer five bostonarea victims clergy sexual abuse flight america pope forthrightly seized control issue speaking shame behavior priests abused young later acknowledged parallel related disgrace bishops failed duty protect flock still took meeting suffered hands something lovedthe catholic churchto drive home point benedict xvi friendly scholar meeting praying even crying deeply hurt benedict made unmistakably plain known already knew man pastors heart true priests compassion pastoral touch continued displayed throughout six days benedicts visit new york masterful sermon st patricks cathedralin used buildings stained glass symmetry countervailing tensions stonework metaphors life churchwas brilliant evocative exercise preachers art useful reminder pastors denominations preaching rather preaching way inspire nourish popes reception 25000 young people st josephs seminary yonkers made clear different form magic shares pyrotechnic john paul ii capacity call younger generation lives spiritual moral grandeur ground zero popes prayer conversion hearts violent wicked nothing maudlin nothing artificial candle lit memory words compassion bear burden survival magnificent catholic theater shouldnt distraction substance benedict xvis message almost inevitably world sound bites rapidly shifting images take easily professor ratzinger pope answers questions complete coherent paragraphs whose demeanor electric perhaps explains inattention substantive man ideas three years since election yet ideas benedict proposed much worth pondering afterglow american media debut ideas way world works ideas interreligious dialogue ideas christian ecumenism common thread among benedictine project turning noise conversation recovery moral reason human rights worlds moral vocabulary primary purpose benedicts transatlantic pilgrimage address general assembly united nations blast bush administration iraq uninformed sources declared would previsit spin games conduct international tour dhorizon diplomats vatican might preferred rather benedict xvi put professor ratzinger gave general assembly thoughtful lecture turn noise conversation benedict xvi profoundly aware worlds dissonance mind simply reflection worlds plurality addition radically different political religious philosophical ideological claims pressed global public square problem west lost faith reasona west shaky hold conviction fundamental western civilization socrates scientific revolution human beings know truth things including moral truth things seems benedict grave problem grave political problem conversation debate argument lifeblood humane politics happen everyone speaking different language one agree translator need translation regarded postmodern avantgarde impossibly old hat circumstances conversation impossible noise dominates benedict came un suggest noise could transformed genuine engagement differences moral reason human beings share common one lessons moral reason teaches rational people treat call lesson today human rights thus notion human rights global vocabulary turn noise conversation leitmotif john paul iis remarks general assembly 1995 centerpiece benedicts un address noting 60th anniversary universal declaration human rights benedict reminded listeners fact noise turned conversation document outcome convergence different religious cultural traditions motivated common desire place human person heart institutions laws workings society consider human person essential world culture science religion drove point home human rights increasingly presented common language ethical substratum international relations know rights exist pope asked know based natural law inscribed human hearts present different cultures civilizations human rights properly understood universal moral patrimony benefices awarded states good behavior basic human rights cultural imposition west rest human rights built usbenedict would say gods creative design world history reaches high point human person still popes argument universal human rights reflection universal moral truths built human person claim engaged nonbelievers well believers religious traditions cherish reason voltaire must spinning grave thought see peter defender reason modern world yet benedict like john paul ii set face church sundry irrationalities including religious irrationalities stalk world wreaking havoc human affairs moreover suggesting united nations moral legitimacy derives black letters paper un charter united nations commitment protecting promoting basic human rights effectiveness pope helped advance however slightly cause un reform truthcentered dialogue pope also important challenging things say turning noise conversation among religions within fractured christian household meeting representatives world religions washington pope previewed un address summoning people faith put moral convictions service defense human rights especially religious freedom made clear mind tolerance mean avoiding differences exchange pleasantries banalities rather gently suggested true dialogue means taking differences seriously exploring within bond civility created mutual respect quest truth religious freedom interreligious dialogue faithbased education aim something consensus regarding ways implement practical strategies advancing peace broader purpose dialogue discover truth origin destiny mankind good evil awaits us end earthly existence addressing questions build solid basis peace security human family words genuine interreligious dialogue capable turning noise conversation avoid hard questions begins hard questions difficult imagine benedict mind dialogue slowly nurturing islam dialogue focused religious freedom separation spiritual political authority state unlike veterans catholicislamic dialogue long preferred avoid questions benedict insists quietly firmly beginning whether approach helps support islamic reformers working build islam live pluralism political modernity one great questions lot 21stcentury history turn benedict equally challenging discussing grand strategy intrachristian ecumenical dialogue time world losing bearings needs persuasive common witness saving power gospel christians deeply divided pope noteda standard ecumenical lament benedict sharply raised ecumenical ante asking fellow christian leaders consider whether divisions reflect relativistic approach christian doctrine moral teaching strangely parallel secularist critiques christianity relativism truth christian faith shaped assumption science alone objective assumption relegates religious conviction subjective sphere individual feeling benedicts personal answer question undoubtedly yes suggests man took professors post tubingen precisely deepen theological dialogue lutheran colleagues realizes real future serious ecumenical conversation lies catholic churchs encounter christian communities largely exclusively evangelical still believe gospel creeds stand judgment theological speculation rather vice versa gospel creeds pope suggested boundaries within real conversation grow ecumenical noise intellectual pastor three years benedict xvi thought relatively short pontificate 78 elected yet also seemed quite energized us visit energy calls mind story pope leo xiii inventor modern papacy office moral persuasion died 1903 age 93 years death leo received american bishop private audience toward end meeting story goes bishop got little emotional wiping away tear said holy father suppose last time shall see world nonagenarian pontiff reached took visitors hand replied dear man didnt tell feeling poorly one including benedict xvi knows whether another decade chair st peter whether ever visit united states country manifestly loves even never returns however given americans faiths faith important things think american majority reaffirmed conviction religiously informed moral argument place public life nonbelieving minority experienced religious leader took care speak language nonbelievers could understand season increasingly adolescent political cantankerousness refreshing presence adultan adult treated hosts adults paying compliment making serious sustained arguments moreover showing pastors heart one worlds learned men embodied truth john paul ii firmly convinced faith reason go together benedict xvi received warmly united states may something ability gently remind americans one truths democracy rests indeed long rested george weigel distinguished senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc holds eppcs william e simon chair catholic studies | 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<p>AVONDALE, Ariz. — <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt_Kenseth/" type="external">Matt Kenseth</a> claimed his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win of 2017 in the next-to-last event of the season and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Brad_Keselowski/" type="external">Brad Keselowski</a> nailed down the final spot in next weekend’s championship race.</p>
<p>Kenseth took his final lead of the race with a pass of <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chase-Elliott/" type="external">Chase Elliott</a> with nine laps remaining in his penultimate race with <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Joe_Gibbs/" type="external">Joe Gibbs</a> Racing and won the Can-Am 500 on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway.</p>
<p>“I don’t know what to say except thank the Lord,” said Kenseth, who does not have a ride yet for next season. “It’s been an amazing journey. Just got one race left and everybody dreams of going out a winner. We won today. Nobody can take that away from us.”</p>
<p>Elliott held off <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Martin_Truex/" type="external">Martin Truex</a> Jr. to take the runner-up spot, but it wasn’t enough to advance to the Championship Four of the playoffs next Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.</p>
<p>“We were so close to having another shot next week,” Elliott said. “But, man, I can’t say enough for our team and our Hooters’ Chevrolet this weekend. We fought really hard today and gave ourselves a chance.</p>
<p>“Our car was really fast on those short runs after a caution and after pit cycles on tires. It fired off really good, and we did pretty good on the short run all day and got really tight as the run went long. And once the rubber laid back down, I was just hanging on and hoped I could get to traffic before I started going away.</p>
<p>“It’s just such a bummer. I was telling my guys we’ll get it right someday, or I’ll get it right someday. We’ve had so many good opportunities and at some point we’ve just got to close.”</p>
<p>Truex finished third, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Erik-Jones/" type="external">Erik Jones</a> was fourth and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kevin_Harvick/" type="external">Kevin Harvick</a> rounded out the top five.</p>
<p>Keselowski struggled through most of the race, winding up 16th at the finish, but headed into Phoenix with enough of a point cushion to join already-clinched drivers Harvick, Truex and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kyle_Busch/" type="external">Kyle Busch</a> in the Championship Four next weekend.</p>
<p>“We overcame a lot of obstacles and jumped a lot of hurdles today,” Keselowski said. “I am glad I don’t have to relive this day, that is for sure. I am just looking forward to going to Homestead. This feels a little bit like Christmas.</p>
<p>“Sometimes you need a little luck on your side. Today we had that. It wasn’t by any means where we wanted to run. We wanted to run up front and have a shot for the win. That wasn’t in the cards. We tried to run the smartest race we could and survive and it ended up paying off in the end.”</p>
<p>Kenseth first led when he got off pit road ahead of <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Denny_Hamlin/" type="external">Denny Hamlin</a> during a lap 228 caution. Hamlin hesitated pulling out of his pit stop, not getting a signal when pit service was completed.</p>
<p>After dominating the race to that point, Hamlin retired in the final 50 laps after contact with Elliott gave him a tire rub that led to a blown tires, sending his car hard into the wall.</p>
<p>As a result, Hamlin, like Elliott, was eliminated from the playoffs.</p>
<p>Kenseth continued to lead until Elliott was able to pass him with 28 laps remaining.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kyle-Larson/" type="external">Kyle Larson</a> and Hamlin were stage winners in the first 150 laps of the race, with Larson taking the first 75-lap stage and Hamlin the second.</p>
<p>Hamlin got out of the pits first to take the lead at the start of the second stage and maintained his advantage throughout the stage. He also led more than half of the opening stage.</p>
<p>After pole-sitter <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Ryan-Blaney/" type="external">Ryan Blaney</a> and Elliott led laps early, Hamlin took the lead on Lap 26 but lost that lead to Larson on Lap 68.</p>
<p>Not long after winning the opening stage, Larson wound up in the garage, retired from the race because of an engine issue.</p>
<p>“I think I was passing a lap earlier, and when I lifted, I heard it start to blow up,” Larson said. “I was hoping it wasn’t, but by the time I got back to the gas, I knew it was done.</p>
<p>“It’s just unfortunate to have four DNFs in a row — two from engines and then, two from wrecks. It’s a crappy way to end the season. I thought I had, by far, the best car here today, so I was really happy about that. The Refresh Your Car! Chevrolet was definitely the best car I’ve had at Phoenix, so I’m happy about that. I just hate that we don’t really get a shot to race for the win.”</p>
<p>Championship contender <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jimmie_Johnson/" type="external">Jimmie Johnson</a>‘s chances of an eighth Cup Series title ended with a right-front tire problem that sent him into the wall with one lap remaining in the second stage.</p>
<p>Needing a win to advance to the Championship Four at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 19, Johnson took his car to the garage.</p>
<p>“I really didn’t have any warning,” Johnson said. “I knew I was hard on the brakes, but the run before, we didn’t have any issues reported back, so I felt like I was kind of doing the same thing.</p>
<p>“Unfortunately, with so few laps to go to the end of the stage, as soon as I went in the corner and touched the brakes, the right front just blew, so I hate it for this team. They’ve worked so hard all year long and I’m very proud of their efforts.</p>
<p>“It’s obviously not the result that we want, but we’re Hendrick strong and I’m proud of my Team 48 and very thankful for this sport that Lowe’s and Kobalt gives us and Chevrolet. Unfortunately, we won’t have a chance to make eight this year, but we’ll come back next year and try real hard.”</p>
<p>The fourth driver eliminated from the playoffs was Blaney.</p>
<p>NOTES: Ryan Blaney dominated the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, leading 147 of 200 laps, winning two stages and finishing second. … Kevin Harvick is the winningest driver at Phoenix with eight victories, including four straight between 2013 and 2015. His most recent win at PIR came in March 2016. … Joey Logano won last year’s Can-Am 500. … <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Ryan_Newman/" type="external">Ryan Newman</a> won the most recent race at Phoenix in March 2017.</p> | false | 1 | avondale ariz matt kenseth claimed first monster energy nascar cup series win 2017 nexttolast event season brad keselowski nailed final spot next weekends championship race kenseth took final lead race pass chase elliott nine laps remaining penultimate race joe gibbs racing canam 500 sunday phoenix international raceway dont know say except thank lord said kenseth ride yet next season amazing journey got one race left everybody dreams going winner today nobody take away us elliott held martin truex jr take runnerup spot wasnt enough advance championship four playoffs next sunday homesteadmiami speedway close another shot next week elliott said man cant say enough team hooters chevrolet weekend fought really hard today gave chance car really fast short runs caution pit cycles tires fired really good pretty good short run day got really tight run went long rubber laid back hanging hoped could get traffic started going away bummer telling guys well get right someday ill get right someday weve many good opportunities point weve got close truex finished third erik jones fourth kevin harvick rounded top five keselowski struggled race winding 16th finish headed phoenix enough point cushion join alreadyclinched drivers harvick truex kyle busch championship four next weekend overcame lot obstacles jumped lot hurdles today keselowski said glad dont relive day sure looking forward going homestead feels little bit like christmas sometimes need little luck side today wasnt means wanted run wanted run front shot win wasnt cards tried run smartest race could survive ended paying end kenseth first led got pit road ahead denny hamlin lap 228 caution hamlin hesitated pulling pit stop getting signal pit service completed dominating race point hamlin retired final 50 laps contact elliott gave tire rub led blown tires sending car hard wall result hamlin like elliott eliminated playoffs kenseth continued lead elliott able pass 28 laps remaining kyle larson hamlin stage winners first 150 laps race larson taking first 75lap stage hamlin second hamlin got pits first take lead start second stage maintained advantage throughout stage also led half opening stage polesitter ryan blaney elliott led laps early hamlin took lead lap 26 lost lead larson lap 68 long winning opening stage larson wound garage retired race engine issue think passing lap earlier lifted heard start blow larson said hoping wasnt time got back gas knew done unfortunate four dnfs row two engines two wrecks crappy way end season thought far best car today really happy refresh car chevrolet definitely best car ive phoenix im happy hate dont really get shot race win championship contender jimmie johnsons chances eighth cup series title ended rightfront tire problem sent wall one lap remaining second stage needing win advance championship four homesteadmiami speedway nov 19 johnson took car garage really didnt warning johnson said knew hard brakes run didnt issues reported back felt like kind thing unfortunately laps go end stage soon went corner touched brakes right front blew hate team theyve worked hard year long im proud efforts obviously result want hendrick strong im proud team 48 thankful sport lowes kobalt gives us chevrolet unfortunately wont chance make eight year well come back next year try real hard fourth driver eliminated playoffs blaney notes ryan blaney dominated nascar xfinity series race phoenix international raceway saturday leading 147 200 laps winning two stages finishing second kevin harvick winningest driver phoenix eight victories including four straight 2013 2015 recent win pir came march 2016 joey logano last years canam 500 ryan newman recent race phoenix march 2017 | 581 |
<p>Aug. 16 (UPI) — Not everyone will be watching next week’s eclipse from ground level. As part of the Eclipse Ballooning Project, some 50 high-altitude balloons launched from 20 locations will offer a view of the phenomenon from the edge of space.</p>
<p>For those in the path of Monday’s total solar eclipse, the star attraction will be skyward. Necks will be craned as moon’s path intercepts the sun and casts a shadow stretching 70 miles across.</p>
<p>Thanks to the cameras and live-streaming technology installed on most of the balloons’ payloads, online viewers will be able to look down on the eclipse.</p>
<p>“The focus of the live stream will really be on the shadow,” said Angela Des Jardins of Montana State University.</p>
<p>The project, which includes dozens of student research teams from colleges and universities across the country, is Jardins’ brainchild.</p>
<p>Helium will carry the balloons to an altitude of 100,000 feet, but the research teams will time their launches so the balloons are between 70,000 and 80,000 feet when the eclipse starts.</p>
<p>“From that perspective you see curvature of Earth and the blackness of space,” Jardins said. “You can see up to 200 miles in any direction.”</p>
<p>For those on the ground, the total solar eclipse will last just under 3 minutes. But from the stratosphere, the spectacle will last significantly longer.</p>
<p>“We’ll be able to see the shadow coming for about 10 minutes before the full eclipse, and see it moving away for about 10 minutes after,” Jardins said.</p>
<p>Jardins is the director of BOREALIS, a high-altitude balloon launching program organized under the Montana Space Grant Consortium, which includes several Montana schools and is one of 52 consortiums in the national Space Grant network.</p>
<p>In 1989, NASA established the Space Grant program as a way to connect colleges and universities around the country with the space agency’s aeronautics and space research projects. Today, there are consortiums in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.</p>
<p>“It was really NASA’s Space Grant network that allowed this grass-roots effort to grow and come into being,” Jardins says.</p>
<p>Last summer, teams of students, researchers and faculty from all over the country came to Montana State University — home to one of the country’s most active and respected balloon-launching programs — to learn about the eclipse project.</p>
<p>With the help of the Jardins and her colleagues at BOREALIS, teams designed and built their balloons and payloads, which were then shipped back to their respective colleges and universities. Teams have spent the last year perfecting their balloons and preparing for next week’s launch.</p>
<p>In recent weeks, teams have practiced launching balloons and retrieving their payloads. Because the balloons rise at a relatively constant rate, scientists know where they will be and when. But weather is still a factor. Researchers need to have a good idea of where their parachuting payloads will land, if they want to find their instruments and reordered data.</p>
<p>Monday’s launch will feature two main types of balloons. The larger of the two will feature a variety of cameras. In addition to offering live streaming, these balloons will also capture high-definition still photographs, as well as 360-degree panoramas.</p>
<p>Teams will also launch weather balloons, the same type used by the National Weather Service. These smaller balloons, which won’t travel quite as high, will be tasked with recording all sorts of atmospheric data before, during and after the eclipse.</p>
<p>“These balloons will help us understand how the eclipse affects the atmosphere as the shadow moves across, which we don’t know a lot about,” Jardins said. “The test case will teach us more about the atmosphere in general.”</p>
<p>Atmospheric data will be organized and analyzed by student research teams as well as scientists from NASA and NOAA.</p>
<p>NASA scientists are also excited about the larger balloons. Their payloads will carry strips of metal with bacteria cultures. Researchers are keen to understand whether or not microbes that hitch a ride to the Red Planet on Martian rovers can survive conditions on the alien planet. As the sky is darkened by the eclipse, the stratosphere’s cold, thin air — with just the right amount of ultraviolet radiation — will resemble conditions on Mars.</p>
<p>While the dozens of participating teams are spread out from Maine to New Mexico, all of them will be traveling to a launch site along the path of totality. The solar eclipse will only be experience as a total eclipse along a coast-to-coast path arcing from South Carolina across the heart of the country and the Rockies to the coast of Oregon.</p>
<p>The path of totality will miss Montana, so several teams from the state will travel south next week. They’ll be gathered in a field near a small airport in Rexburg, Idaho.</p>
<p>“There are going to be 50 to 100 people camping at the launch site,” said Darci Collins, a student on the MSU Eclipse Ballooning team. “A lot of the interns are bringing plus ones.”</p>
<p>For all the students and teachers present from the balloon-launching action, many more who helped make the project possible will be watching online. Each of the teams have relied on the work of dozens of students over the course of the last year.</p>
<p>“I got involved in the project my senior year at Central Washington University,” said Shellbie Liberty, who graduated at the beginning of the summer. “My work focused more on design and construction of the weather balloon payload box and rotating camera.”</p>
<p>In addition to the obvious thrill of such a research opportunity, many participating students see the project as a chance to learn skills useful to their future careers.</p>
<p>“I have career aspirations in planetary science,” Liberty said. “As a mechanical engineer, I hope to eventually work in the aerospace industry.”</p>
<p>Collins, who became involved with the Montana State team through a summer research grant offering through the National Science Foundation, also wants to pursue a career in aeronautics.</p>
<p>“I would like go into some kind of astronomy research career field,” Montana State team member Katie Lee said.</p> | false | 1 | aug 16 upi everyone watching next weeks eclipse ground level part eclipse ballooning project 50 highaltitude balloons launched 20 locations offer view phenomenon edge space path mondays total solar eclipse star attraction skyward necks craned moons path intercepts sun casts shadow stretching 70 miles across thanks cameras livestreaming technology installed balloons payloads online viewers able look eclipse focus live stream really shadow said angela des jardins montana state university project includes dozens student research teams colleges universities across country jardins brainchild helium carry balloons altitude 100000 feet research teams time launches balloons 70000 80000 feet eclipse starts perspective see curvature earth blackness space jardins said see 200 miles direction ground total solar eclipse last 3 minutes stratosphere spectacle last significantly longer well able see shadow coming 10 minutes full eclipse see moving away 10 minutes jardins said jardins director borealis highaltitude balloon launching program organized montana space grant consortium includes several montana schools one 52 consortiums national space grant network 1989 nasa established space grant program way connect colleges universities around country space agencys aeronautics space research projects today consortiums 50 states district columbia puerto rico really nasas space grant network allowed grassroots effort grow come jardins says last summer teams students researchers faculty country came montana state university home one countrys active respected balloonlaunching programs learn eclipse project help jardins colleagues borealis teams designed built balloons payloads shipped back respective colleges universities teams spent last year perfecting balloons preparing next weeks launch recent weeks teams practiced launching balloons retrieving payloads balloons rise relatively constant rate scientists know weather still factor researchers need good idea parachuting payloads land want find instruments reordered data mondays launch feature two main types balloons larger two feature variety cameras addition offering live streaming balloons also capture highdefinition still photographs well 360degree panoramas teams also launch weather balloons type used national weather service smaller balloons wont travel quite high tasked recording sorts atmospheric data eclipse balloons help us understand eclipse affects atmosphere shadow moves across dont know lot jardins said test case teach us atmosphere general atmospheric data organized analyzed student research teams well scientists nasa noaa nasa scientists also excited larger balloons payloads carry strips metal bacteria cultures researchers keen understand whether microbes hitch ride red planet martian rovers survive conditions alien planet sky darkened eclipse stratospheres cold thin air right amount ultraviolet radiation resemble conditions mars dozens participating teams spread maine new mexico traveling launch site along path totality solar eclipse experience total eclipse along coasttocoast path arcing south carolina across heart country rockies coast oregon path totality miss montana several teams state travel south next week theyll gathered field near small airport rexburg idaho going 50 100 people camping launch site said darci collins student msu eclipse ballooning team lot interns bringing plus ones students teachers present balloonlaunching action many helped make project possible watching online teams relied work dozens students course last year got involved project senior year central washington university said shellbie liberty graduated beginning summer work focused design construction weather balloon payload box rotating camera addition obvious thrill research opportunity many participating students see project chance learn skills useful future careers career aspirations planetary science liberty said mechanical engineer hope eventually work aerospace industry collins became involved montana state team summer research grant offering national science foundation also wants pursue career aeronautics would like go kind astronomy research career field montana state team member katie lee said | 568 |
<p>In March, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a <a href="http://eppc.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be333e74ea841be93db60da61&amp;id=9dbe6a18e0&amp;e=4de8d3b2b6" type="external">new study</a> on employee migration out of job-based plans and into ObamaCare’s state exchanges. The effect of ObamaCare on employer-based insurance has been a hotly debated topic ever since the law was enacted in March 2010. Several independent analysts predict that “dumping” into the exchanges will occur at a much higher rate than CBO assumed in its original estimates of ObamaCare and have argued that the result would be much higher federal costs than CBO estimated.</p>
<p>Perhaps not surprisingly, CBO used the release of its most recent assessment of the law’s impact on insurance arrangements to defend its original cost estimates and again argue that the law will, on a net basis, reduce future budget deficits. CBO’s latest estimates indicate that 3 to 5 million fewer workers will be in job-based insurance plans in 2019 to 2022 due to Obamacare’s incentives—a relatively small number compared to the nearly 160 million Americans who are expected to get their coverage from their place of work in the coming years. Moreover, CBO suggests that, even if migration out of employer plans is higher than what the agency is currently projecting, it won’t add much to the federal budget deficit because taxes would rise almost enough to fully offset any spending increase. Most news accounts dutifully reported these finding from CBO as the primary takeaways of the study.</p>
<p>But there’s actually a whole lot more to this story than that.</p>
<p>For starters, CBO’s analysis confirms a crucial point about ObamaCare which remains poorly understood, which is that the law creates a massive inequity in insurance subsidies for working families with low wages.</p>
<p>Under the new law, workers with incomes below 400 percent of the federal poverty line but above the level for Medicaid eligibility who get their coverage through the new state exchanges can get federally financed “premium subsidies.” These subsidies will be phased down as incomes rise but are quite substantial for persons at about twice the poverty rate or just above that level. At the same time, workers who get their insurance from their place of work also get an indirect federal subsidy because employer-paid premiums are excluded from workers’ taxable income.</p>
<p>The problem is that the subsidies inside the exchanges will far exceed the tax subsidy for employer-paid premiums at the lower end of the wage scale. How big is the gap? CBO quantified it for us in its recent analysis. For a family of four at twice the poverty rate ($50,000 in annual income in 2016), the cost of health insurance would be $11,300 less in the health exchanges than in employment-based coverage, largely because the federal subsidies in the exchanges far exceed the tax benefit for health insurance for families in low marginal tax brackets. For a family of four at three times the poverty rate, the cost of health insurance would be $3,000 less in the exchanges than in employment-based insurance, again largely due to the fact that the government would be paying a larger share of the costs for them in the exchanges.</p>
<p>So, if workers would be better off in the exchanges, why does CBO assume so few of them will migrate out of employer plans? CBO acknowledges that the numbers could be far higher than its 3 to 5 million estimate. As the analysis documents, there are 48 million people in households who today get their insurance through their place of work and have incomes above the level for Medicaid eligibility (138 percent of the federal poverty line) but below 300 percent of the federal poverty line. These are the people who would benefit substantially from getting dumped by the employer plans into the exchanges. Why does CBO assume that won’t happen?</p>
<p>In sum, CBO believes that other preexisting labor laws will make it very difficult for employers to selectively dump their workers into the exchanges. Due to non-discrimination rules, an employer can’t offer insurance just to high-wage workers. That means an employer that stopped offering insurance would have to dump higher-paid workers into the exchanges too. And if higher-wage workers stopped getting employer-paid health insurance, that would reduce the government’s deficit as these workers would get far less in exchange subsidies than they would lose in terms of forgone tax benefits for employer-paid premiums.</p>
<p>But what if CBO is wrong and employers are able to find ways around the existing rules to create a two-pronged approach to coverage, with high-wage workers staying in tax-preferred employer plans and low-wage workers migrating to the exchanges? In effect, that’s what CBO modeled (though with very modest assumptions) in what it called “scenario 4.” In that simulation, CBO assumes that 20 percent of those with income below 250 percent of the federal poverty line but above Medicaid eligibility would migrate from job-based plans to the exchanges. Net federal costs under this scenario would be $36 billion higher than CBO’s base case, even after assuming some higher federal revenue from the assumption of higher levels of taxable compensation. And that’s assuming just 20 percent of these households would find their way into the exchanges. What if the number is 50 percent? Or 75 percent? Then the hit to the budget would be far higher.</p>
<p>What CBO’s latest report does not attempt to address is the likelihood that this kind of inequity will be allowed to exist for very long in federal law. Because, make no mistake, if CBO is right and migration out of employer plans is minimal, that will mean low-wage households with employer-based insurance will be getting far less support from their government than others who have the same incomes but get their insurance through the exchanges. And the differences wouldn’t be trivial but would amount to many thousands of dollars every year. So, even if CBO is right and the rules are strong enough to prevent segregation of the workforce by income, how long is that kind of disparate treatment of similar households going to be tolerated by politicians?</p>
<p>The history of new federal entitlement programs is that spending is almost always higher in reality than it was projected to be at enactment because, once the government sets the rules for eligibility, more people than expected come out of the woodwork and adjust as necessary to get on the program and take advantage of the government’s new offer of financial help. Based on CBO’s latest analysis of the future of job-based health insurance, there’s no reason to believe Obamacare will be any different.</p>
<p>James C. Capretta is a fellow at the <a href="http://eppc.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be333e74ea841be93db60da61&amp;id=bffb608f35&amp;e=4de8d3b2b6" type="external">Ethics and Public Policy Center</a> and project director of e21’s <a href="http://eppc.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be333e74ea841be93db60da61&amp;id=2cde733c27&amp;e=4de8d3b2b6" type="external">ObamaCareWatch.org</a>. He was an associate director at the Office of Management and Budget from 2001 to 2004.</p> | false | 1 | march congressional budget office cbo released new study employee migration jobbased plans obamacares state exchanges effect obamacare employerbased insurance hotly debated topic ever since law enacted march 2010 several independent analysts predict dumping exchanges occur much higher rate cbo assumed original estimates obamacare argued result would much higher federal costs cbo estimated perhaps surprisingly cbo used release recent assessment laws impact insurance arrangements defend original cost estimates argue law net basis reduce future budget deficits cbos latest estimates indicate 3 5 million fewer workers jobbased insurance plans 2019 2022 due obamacares incentivesa relatively small number compared nearly 160 million americans expected get coverage place work coming years moreover cbo suggests even migration employer plans higher agency currently projecting wont add much federal budget deficit taxes would rise almost enough fully offset spending increase news accounts dutifully reported finding cbo primary takeaways study theres actually whole lot story starters cbos analysis confirms crucial point obamacare remains poorly understood law creates massive inequity insurance subsidies working families low wages new law workers incomes 400 percent federal poverty line level medicaid eligibility get coverage new state exchanges get federally financed premium subsidies subsidies phased incomes rise quite substantial persons twice poverty rate level time workers get insurance place work also get indirect federal subsidy employerpaid premiums excluded workers taxable income problem subsidies inside exchanges far exceed tax subsidy employerpaid premiums lower end wage scale big gap cbo quantified us recent analysis family four twice poverty rate 50000 annual income 2016 cost health insurance would 11300 less health exchanges employmentbased coverage largely federal subsidies exchanges far exceed tax benefit health insurance families low marginal tax brackets family four three times poverty rate cost health insurance would 3000 less exchanges employmentbased insurance largely due fact government would paying larger share costs exchanges workers would better exchanges cbo assume migrate employer plans cbo acknowledges numbers could far higher 3 5 million estimate analysis documents 48 million people households today get insurance place work incomes level medicaid eligibility 138 percent federal poverty line 300 percent federal poverty line people would benefit substantially getting dumped employer plans exchanges cbo assume wont happen sum cbo believes preexisting labor laws make difficult employers selectively dump workers exchanges due nondiscrimination rules employer cant offer insurance highwage workers means employer stopped offering insurance would dump higherpaid workers exchanges higherwage workers stopped getting employerpaid health insurance would reduce governments deficit workers would get far less exchange subsidies would lose terms forgone tax benefits employerpaid premiums cbo wrong employers able find ways around existing rules create twopronged approach coverage highwage workers staying taxpreferred employer plans lowwage workers migrating exchanges effect thats cbo modeled though modest assumptions called scenario 4 simulation cbo assumes 20 percent income 250 percent federal poverty line medicaid eligibility would migrate jobbased plans exchanges net federal costs scenario would 36 billion higher cbos base case even assuming higher federal revenue assumption higher levels taxable compensation thats assuming 20 percent households would find way exchanges number 50 percent 75 percent hit budget would far higher cbos latest report attempt address likelihood kind inequity allowed exist long federal law make mistake cbo right migration employer plans minimal mean lowwage households employerbased insurance getting far less support government others incomes get insurance exchanges differences wouldnt trivial would amount many thousands dollars every year even cbo right rules strong enough prevent segregation workforce income long kind disparate treatment similar households going tolerated politicians history new federal entitlement programs spending almost always higher reality projected enactment government sets rules eligibility people expected come woodwork adjust necessary get program take advantage governments new offer financial help based cbos latest analysis future jobbased health insurance theres reason believe obamacare different james c capretta fellow ethics public policy center project director e21s obamacarewatchorg associate director office management budget 2001 2004 | 631 |
<p>His Holiness: John Paul II and the Hidden History of Our Time. By Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi. Doubleday. 582 pp. $27.50.</p>
<p>On October 21, 1978, five days after the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla as Pope John Paul II, the “liberal” Polish Communist journal Polityka opined that, since World War II, Poland had been “a special example of a creative and fruitful coexistence between nonbelievers and Catholics”-which seems, in retrospect, an almost unimaginably self-delusional judgment, even by Communist standards. Polityka‘s editors may have hoped that, with Wojtyla’s ascension to the papacy, a period of “mutual understanding” would ensue, securing the Yalta legacy in a continued Communist hegemony over Eastern Europe. In fact, precisely the opposite happened: John Paul II’s election marked the beginning of the end, not only of Stalin’s external empire, but of the Soviet Union itself.</p>
<p>That the Pope played an indispensable role in the Communist crack-up is now widely conceded. What remains deeply controverted is how we should understand his impact on the world of affairs. In 1992, former Washington Post reporter (and Watergate celebrity) Carl Bernstein argued in a Time magazine cover story that the Pope had forged a “Holy Alliance” with President Ronald Reagan for the explicit purpose of toppling European communism. Bernstein now joins with Marco Politi, veteran Vatican correspondent for La Repubblica, to expand the “Holy Alliance” argument and wed it to a more comprehensive account of John Paul II’s life and papal ministry.</p>
<p>On both these counts, His Holiness fails. The “Holy Alliance” hypothesis-which hinges on a June 1982 meeting between the Pope and President Reagan at the Vatican-is chronologically deficient. John Paul II had been in office for almost four years by the time he met Reagan and had, by Soviet lights, already done catastrophic damage to the Yalta system with his historic June 1979 pilgrimage to Poland. That pilgrimage was the moral, spiritual, and psychological impetus behind the formation, in the summer of 1980, of Solidarity, the Polish independent trade union that was also a political opposition with ten million members. Bernstein and Politi add some interesting detail (gleaned from recently released Soviet archives and interviews with Reagan Administration officials) to the story of how the Holy See and the White House helped nurse Solidarity through the imposition of martial law in December 1981 and the hard years of struggle that led to the electoral dismantling of Polish communism in June 1989. But does intelligence- sharing amount to a “Holy Alliance”? Solidarity activists derided the Bernstein hypothesis when it was first bruited in 1992, and there is nothing in His Holiness to suggest that their judgment was mistaken.</p>
<p>Conspiracy theories of history are usually unilluminating, and His Holiness is no exception. The “hidden history of our time” is not the fact that John Paul II and U.S. special ambassador Vernon Walters studied satellite intelligence photography together in the papal library or that the U.S. government provided clandestine financial support for Solidarity during the 1980s. The real “hidden history” of the Communist collapse took place in the minds, hearts, and souls of those millions who were moved to take the risk of resistance by John Paul II’s challenge to “call good and evil by name” (as the Pope put it on his second pilgrimage to Poland in 1983).</p>
<p>Any treatment of John Paul as essentially a political actor in these epic events misses the rich texture of the great human drama that took place in the Warsaw Pact countries between 1979 and 1989. It also, and just as unfortunately, misses the singular nature of John Paul II’s address to world politics, which is first and foremost religious and moral, rather than political and ideological. Indeed, John Paul II’s strategy toward communism marked a decisive shift beyond the more accommodationist currents prevalent in Vatican quarters during the pontificate of Paul VI. The Polish Pope explored the possibilities of what might be called a post-post-Constantinian approach to the Church’s engagement with the principalities and powers. That approach-which stresses the defense of basic human rights as a defense of the human person made in the image of God and repositions diplomacy within the context of bold and public moral witness-struck communism at its most vulnerable point. Over the past eighteen years, it has also had a marked effect in such diverse places as the Philippines, Chile, Paraguay, and the World Conference on Population and Development at Cairo in 1994. But for all his impact on the politics of nations, John Paul II cannot be understood as a “political” pope. His evangelical diplomacy is framed by religious and moral conviction, not by the Rules-of-the-Game as the world understands those conventions.</p>
<p>His Holiness is even less satisfactory when its authors turn their attention to John Paul II’s impact on the Roman Catholic Church. Here, all the tired journalistic clichés are trotted out yet again. John Paul II is a misogynist Polish authoritarian, uncomfortable with women, determined to “systematically crush dissent,” feverishly committed to a “headlong flight to doctrinal conformity” based on “rigid philosophical distinctions,” etc., etc. You will look long, hard, and futilely to find in His Holiness any serious analysis of the Pope’s ground- breaking nuptial theology of the human body, or his emerging feminism, or his intense ecumenical outreach to Orthodoxy and the Reformation churches, or his commitment to a theological dialogue with Judaism unprecedented in nearly two thousand years, or his refocusing of Catholic social doctrine, or his passionate interest in the universality of sanctity in the Church, or his dialogue with atheist and agnostic philosophers and scientists, or his commitment to the “method of persuasion” in a revitalized Catholic evangelism, or his millennial sensibility.</p>
<p>What you will find, in a variant on the regnant caricature, is an angry old man, “left to rail at the new world he had helped bring about.”</p>
<p>This crude image of John Paul as a Polish Lear raging impotently on the heath underlies what is perhaps Bernstein and Politi’s most egregious passage: an eight-page account of the March 1994 meeting between the Pope and Mrs. Nafis Sadik, the UN bureaucrat who was to chair the Cairo world population conference in September of that year. The entire exchange between John Paul and Mrs. Sadik is given in quotation marks, and features an outraged Pope charging that “the irresponsible behavior of men is caused by women.” The authors claim that their reconstruction is based on a “memorandum” prepared after the fact by Mrs. Sadik. But not the slightest question is raised as to whether Mrs. Sadik (whose plans to have abortion declared a universal human right were derailed by the Holy See at Cairo) might not have an axe to grind in her “reconstruction” of her meeting with the Pope. Nor do the authors bother to explain why, in this single instance, John Paul should behave in a manner wholly alien to his personality and his approach to debate. Nor do the authors discuss the draft program of action, prepared for the Cairo conference by Mrs. Sadik and her colleagues of the UN Fund for Population Activities, which ignored marriage and would have required governments around the world to conduct propaganda campaigns on behalf of the sexual mores prevalent in certain of the less agreeable sections of Copenhagen. (See “What Really Happened at Cairo,” First Things, February 1995-Eds.)</p>
<p>This is not reporting or serious historical analysis; this is Oliver Stone does John Paul II, the man with a “tormented relationship to womankind.” In the wake of this unfortunate book and of Tad Szulc’s unsatisfactory 1995 effort, Pope John Paul II: The Biography, it seems ever more clear that this singular man, Karol Wojtyla, can be understood only “from inside.” Those interested in understanding one of the most dramatic lives of the century (and one of the most important pontificates of the second millennium) have to be prepared to take Karol Jozef Wojtyla as what he says he is: a radically committed Christian believer for whom a central, defining conviction-“Jesus Christ is the answer to the question that is every human life”-is the source of both his thought and his action. No other approach can get at the essence of the man and his work.</p>
<p>George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. and holds EPPC’s William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies.</p> | false | 1 | holiness john paul ii hidden history time carl bernstein marco politi doubleday 582 pp 2750 october 21 1978 five days election cardinal karol wojtyla pope john paul ii liberal polish communist journal polityka opined since world war ii poland special example creative fruitful coexistence nonbelievers catholicswhich seems retrospect almost unimaginably selfdelusional judgment even communist standards politykas editors may hoped wojtylas ascension papacy period mutual understanding would ensue securing yalta legacy continued communist hegemony eastern europe fact precisely opposite happened john paul iis election marked beginning end stalins external empire soviet union pope played indispensable role communist crackup widely conceded remains deeply controverted understand impact world affairs 1992 former washington post reporter watergate celebrity carl bernstein argued time magazine cover story pope forged holy alliance president ronald reagan explicit purpose toppling european communism bernstein joins marco politi veteran vatican correspondent la repubblica expand holy alliance argument wed comprehensive account john paul iis life papal ministry counts holiness fails holy alliance hypothesiswhich hinges june 1982 meeting pope president reagan vaticanis chronologically deficient john paul ii office almost four years time met reagan soviet lights already done catastrophic damage yalta system historic june 1979 pilgrimage poland pilgrimage moral spiritual psychological impetus behind formation summer 1980 solidarity polish independent trade union also political opposition ten million members bernstein politi add interesting detail gleaned recently released soviet archives interviews reagan administration officials story holy see white house helped nurse solidarity imposition martial law december 1981 hard years struggle led electoral dismantling polish communism june 1989 intelligence sharing amount holy alliance solidarity activists derided bernstein hypothesis first bruited 1992 nothing holiness suggest judgment mistaken conspiracy theories history usually unilluminating holiness exception hidden history time fact john paul ii us special ambassador vernon walters studied satellite intelligence photography together papal library us government provided clandestine financial support solidarity 1980s real hidden history communist collapse took place minds hearts souls millions moved take risk resistance john paul iis challenge call good evil name pope put second pilgrimage poland 1983 treatment john paul essentially political actor epic events misses rich texture great human drama took place warsaw pact countries 1979 1989 also unfortunately misses singular nature john paul iis address world politics first foremost religious moral rather political ideological indeed john paul iis strategy toward communism marked decisive shift beyond accommodationist currents prevalent vatican quarters pontificate paul vi polish pope explored possibilities might called postpostconstantinian approach churchs engagement principalities powers approachwhich stresses defense basic human rights defense human person made image god repositions diplomacy within context bold public moral witnessstruck communism vulnerable point past eighteen years also marked effect diverse places philippines chile paraguay world conference population development cairo 1994 impact politics nations john paul ii understood political pope evangelical diplomacy framed religious moral conviction rulesofthegame world understands conventions holiness even less satisfactory authors turn attention john paul iis impact roman catholic church tired journalistic clichés trotted yet john paul ii misogynist polish authoritarian uncomfortable women determined systematically crush dissent feverishly committed headlong flight doctrinal conformity based rigid philosophical distinctions etc etc look long hard futilely find holiness serious analysis popes ground breaking nuptial theology human body emerging feminism intense ecumenical outreach orthodoxy reformation churches commitment theological dialogue judaism unprecedented nearly two thousand years refocusing catholic social doctrine passionate interest universality sanctity church dialogue atheist agnostic philosophers scientists commitment method persuasion revitalized catholic evangelism millennial sensibility find variant regnant caricature angry old man left rail new world helped bring crude image john paul polish lear raging impotently heath underlies perhaps bernstein politis egregious passage eightpage account march 1994 meeting pope mrs nafis sadik un bureaucrat chair cairo world population conference september year entire exchange john paul mrs sadik given quotation marks features outraged pope charging irresponsible behavior men caused women authors claim reconstruction based memorandum prepared fact mrs sadik slightest question raised whether mrs sadik whose plans abortion declared universal human right derailed holy see cairo might axe grind reconstruction meeting pope authors bother explain single instance john paul behave manner wholly alien personality approach debate authors discuss draft program action prepared cairo conference mrs sadik colleagues un fund population activities ignored marriage would required governments around world conduct propaganda campaigns behalf sexual mores prevalent certain less agreeable sections copenhagen see really happened cairo first things february 1995eds reporting serious historical analysis oliver stone john paul ii man tormented relationship womankind wake unfortunate book tad szulcs unsatisfactory 1995 effort pope john paul ii biography seems ever clear singular man karol wojtyla understood inside interested understanding one dramatic lives century one important pontificates second millennium prepared take karol jozef wojtyla says radically committed christian believer central defining convictionjesus christ answer question every human lifeis source thought action approach get essence man work george weigel distinguished senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc holds eppcs william e simon chair catholic studies | 801 |
<p>As the US prepares for its second major hurricane in a matter of weeks, the internet is struggling to explain the natural disasters. The outlandish explanations range from storms being punishment for President Trump to Texas being the “worst state.”</p>
<p>Hurricane Irma has already made its mark on the Caribbean, leaving at least 19 dead. It’s now preparing to hit Florida over the weekend, just two weeks after Hurricane Harvey left parts of Texas, particularly Houston, under historic-level floodwaters.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/402454-fema-hurricane-irma-devastate/" type="external">READ MORE:&#160;Hurricane Irma will devastate the US – FEMA</a>&#160;</p>
<p>Some have blamed climate change for the back-to-back hurricanes, while others say it’s just Mother Nature in a bad mood. However, there are those who say the natural disasters are actually “punishment.”</p>
<p>The first such claim to make headlines occurred in late August, when Kenneth Storey, an assistant sociology professor at the University of Tampa, took to Twitter to suggest that Texans deserved Hurricane Harvey because they voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.</p>
<p>“I don’t believe in instant karma but this kinda feels like it for Texas. Hopefully this will help them realize the GOP doesn’t care about them,” said the tweet, which was later deleted.</p>
<p>Storey – who was fired for his sentiments – isn’t the only person who believes Texas deserved the wrath of Harvey, which left at least 70 people dead in the state.</p>
<p>Harris County, where Houston is located, overwhelmingly voted for Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>“Y’all know this Hurricane Harvey [is] punishment for Texas being the worst f**king state in America, right,” another person wrote on Twitter.</p>
<p />
<p>y’all know this hurricane harvey punishment for texas being the worst fucking state in america right</p>
<p>— bitch ass (@dogmom1996) <a href="https://twitter.com/dogmom1996/status/901294621631893504" type="external">August 26, 2017</a></p>
<p />
<p>Even actress Jennifer Lawrence chimed in, also suggesting that Mother Nature was hitting the US hard because Donald Trump was elected president.</p>
<p>“You know you’re watching these hurricanes now, and it’s really hard especially while promoting this movie, not to feel Mother Nature’s rage and wrath,” she <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/kristine-marsh/2017/09/07/jennifer-lawrence-mother-natures-rage-directed-us-because-trump" type="external">told</a> Britain’s Channel 4, after noting that the result of the presidential election was “startling.”&#160;</p>
<p>However, some conservatives believe Harvey hit Texas because of Houston’s former mayor, Annise Parker, who was openly gay. Houston’s current mayor, Sylvester Turner, is African-American.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/402478-americans-fan-irma-event/" type="external" /></p>
<p>One of those people is Minister Kevin Swanson, who hosts an online radio show titled ‘Generations.’</p>
<p>According to Swanson, Houston has sinned because it voted for a “very, very aggressively pro-homosexual mayor.”</p>
<p>“Jesus sends the message home, unless Americans repent, unless Houston repents, unless New Orleans repents, they will all likewise perish,” he told his radio show. “That is the message that the Lord Jesus Christ is sending home right now to America.”</p>
<p>His comments came just days after Christian radio personality Rick Wiles also blamed Houston for its progressive stance on issues including homosexuality.</p>
<p>“Here’s a city that has boasted of its LGBT devotion, its affinity for the sexual perversion movement in America. They’re underwater,” he said.</p>
<p>Former child star Kirk Cameron, known for his conservative Christian views, made a video in which he cited scripture as saying that God sends weather for one of two reasons – “for punishment, or to water his land and demonstrate his faithful love.”</p>
<p>He said the hurricanes are a “spectacular display of God’s immense power. And when he puts his power on display, it’s never without reason. There’s a purpose… it’s not random.”</p>
<p>While Cameron did not specifically mention any reasons the hurricanes may be hitting the US, he said weather is “set to cause us to respond to God in humility, awe, and repentance.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, conservative commentator Ann Coulter, who is no stranger to controversy, said that while she doesn’t believe Harvey was punishment for Houston’s (former) gay mayor, that explanation is “more credible than climate change.”&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>I don’t believe Hurricane Harvey is God’s punishment for Houston electing a lesbian mayor. But that is more credible than “climate change.” <a href="https://t.co/K7d7mopY5Q" type="external">https://t.co/K7d7mopY5Q</a></p>
<p>— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnCoulter/status/902373016818126849" type="external">August 29, 2017</a></p>
<p />
<p>In response, one person tweeted to Coulter that Harvey is actually God’s punishment for passing laws against abortion and homosexuals.&#160;</p>
<p>“God loves all people [and you] shouldn’t judge others,” he wrote.</p>
<p />
<p>Hurricane Harvey is God’s punishment for passing laws against abortion and homosexuals. God loves all people &amp; u shouldn’t judge others.</p>
<p>— Mike Schiller (@streak69) <a href="https://twitter.com/streak69/status/902498556380143617" type="external">August 29, 2017</a></p>
<p />
<p>Another person said Harvey was the result of Houston’s acceptance of millionaire pastor Joel Osteen, whose ‘megachurch’ is located in the city.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Harvey is God’s punishment for Houston’s acceptance of Joel Osteen.</p>
<p>— 8 Rusty Staples (@8rustystaples) <a href="https://twitter.com/8rustystaples/status/902496209822248960" type="external">August 29, 2017</a></p>
<p />
<p>Osteen faced backlash during Harvey for not opening his massive church’s doors as a shelter, claiming it was flooded when photos on social media appeared to show otherwise.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, others have looked outside of Texas and focused more on national reasons why Harvey and Irma might be pounding the US.</p>
<p>“If I wasn’t an atheist, I would think that Harvey and Irma are a punishment from a superior entity for withdrawing from the Paris agreement,” one Twitter user wrote. &#160;</p>
<p />
<p>If I wasn’t an atheist, I would think that Harvey and Irma are a punishment from a superior entity for withdrawing from the Paris agreement.</p>
<p>— Pere Miro (@PereMiroChem) <a href="https://twitter.com/PereMiroChem/status/905998159477825536" type="external">September 8, 2017</a></p>
<p />
<p>Another person said the hurricanes were punishment for Trump’s controversial travel ban for citizens of mainly Muslim countries.</p>
<p />
<p>Notice how hurricanes never form in the Persian Gulf or Arabian Sea? Harvey Irma Jose etc are punishment for the Muslim ban</p>
<p>— WellDressdSerialKilR (@Fuggitwatevr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fuggitwatevr/status/905966341512982529" type="external">September 8, 2017</a></p>
<p />
<p>American’s general treatment of immigrants must be to blame, according to another.</p>
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<p>Did you guys ever think that maybe the hurricanes are punishment for poor treatment of immigrants? Irma and Jose are not laughing</p>
<p>— Ty Tomasta (@Ty_On_AIR) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ty_On_AIR/status/905444708796772352" type="external">September 6, 2017</a></p>
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<p>One person claimed Harvey was due to the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia – the scene of a white nationalist rally in August.&#160;</p>
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<p>Hurricane Harvey is punishment from the Lord bcuz of what took place in charlottesville</p>
<p>— andre hollins (@drethegemini) <a href="https://twitter.com/drethegemini/status/902526097912410113" type="external">August 29, 2017</a></p>
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<p>Back in 2006, Pastor John Hagee said that Hurricane Katrina, which had devastated the city of New Orleans the year prior, was “the judgment of God.”</p>
<p>“New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God,” Hagee said, because “there was to be a homosexual parade there on the Monday that the Katrina came.”</p> | false | 1 | us prepares second major hurricane matter weeks internet struggling explain natural disasters outlandish explanations range storms punishment president trump texas worst state hurricane irma already made mark caribbean leaving least 19 dead preparing hit florida weekend two weeks hurricane harvey left parts texas particularly houston historiclevel floodwaters read more160hurricane irma devastate us fema160 blamed climate change backtoback hurricanes others say mother nature bad mood however say natural disasters actually punishment first claim make headlines occurred late august kenneth storey assistant sociology professor university tampa took twitter suggest texans deserved hurricane harvey voted donald trump 2016 presidential election dont believe instant karma kinda feels like texas hopefully help realize gop doesnt care said tweet later deleted storey fired sentiments isnt person believes texas deserved wrath harvey left least 70 people dead state harris county houston located overwhelmingly voted hillary clinton yall know hurricane harvey punishment texas worst fking state america right another person wrote twitter yall know hurricane harvey punishment texas worst fucking state america right bitch ass dogmom1996 august 26 2017 even actress jennifer lawrence chimed also suggesting mother nature hitting us hard donald trump elected president know youre watching hurricanes really hard especially promoting movie feel mother natures rage wrath told britains channel 4 noting result presidential election startling160 however conservatives believe harvey hit texas houstons former mayor annise parker openly gay houstons current mayor sylvester turner africanamerican read one people minister kevin swanson hosts online radio show titled generations according swanson houston sinned voted aggressively prohomosexual mayor jesus sends message home unless americans repent unless houston repents unless new orleans repents likewise perish told radio show message lord jesus christ sending home right america comments came days christian radio personality rick wiles also blamed houston progressive stance issues including homosexuality heres city boasted lgbt devotion affinity sexual perversion movement america theyre underwater said former child star kirk cameron known conservative christian views made video cited scripture saying god sends weather one two reasons punishment water land demonstrate faithful love said hurricanes spectacular display gods immense power puts power display never without reason theres purpose random cameron specifically mention reasons hurricanes may hitting us said weather set cause us respond god humility awe repentance meanwhile conservative commentator ann coulter stranger controversy said doesnt believe harvey punishment houstons former gay mayor explanation credible climate change160 dont believe hurricane harvey gods punishment houston electing lesbian mayor credible climate change httpstcok7d7mopy5q ann coulter anncoulter august 29 2017 response one person tweeted coulter harvey actually gods punishment passing laws abortion homosexuals160 god loves people shouldnt judge others wrote hurricane harvey gods punishment passing laws abortion homosexuals god loves people amp u shouldnt judge others mike schiller streak69 august 29 2017 another person said harvey result houstons acceptance millionaire pastor joel osteen whose megachurch located city160 harvey gods punishment houstons acceptance joel osteen 8 rusty staples 8rustystaples august 29 2017 osteen faced backlash harvey opening massive churchs doors shelter claiming flooded photos social media appeared show otherwise meanwhile others looked outside texas focused national reasons harvey irma might pounding us wasnt atheist would think harvey irma punishment superior entity withdrawing paris agreement one twitter user wrote 160 wasnt atheist would think harvey irma punishment superior entity withdrawing paris agreement pere miro peremirochem september 8 2017 another person said hurricanes punishment trumps controversial travel ban citizens mainly muslim countries notice hurricanes never form persian gulf arabian sea harvey irma jose etc punishment muslim ban welldressdserialkilr fuggitwatevr september 8 2017 americans general treatment immigrants must blame according another guys ever think maybe hurricanes punishment poor treatment immigrants irma jose laughing ty tomasta ty_on_air september 6 2017 one person claimed harvey due recent events charlottesville virginia scene white nationalist rally august160 hurricane harvey punishment lord bcuz took place charlottesville andre hollins drethegemini august 29 2017 back 2006 pastor john hagee said hurricane katrina devastated city new orleans year prior judgment god new orleans level sin offensive god hagee said homosexual parade monday katrina came | 657 |
<p>By Rod Nickel and Julie Ingwersen</p>
<p>WINNIPEG, Manitoba/CHICAGO (Reuters) – Chicago’s iconic sandwiches – Italian beef heroes dripping with gravy, and hot dogs loaded with pickles and hot peppers – wouldn’t be such culinary institutions without the bread.</p>
<p>But this fall, bakers faced a crisis getting the right kind of bread to delis and sandwich shops locally and across the United States.</p>
<p>Gonnella Baking Co – which supplies the buns to Major League Baseball’s Wrigley Field – faced an unusual problem in October when flour from this year’s U.S. wheat harvest arrived at their factories containing low levels of protein.</p>
<p>(For a graphic on dwindling wheat crops in the United States, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2zXkpR6)</p>
<p>That meant bakers couldn’t produce bread with the airy texture customers demand, setting off two weeks of tinkering with temperatures and the mixing process, and the eventual purchase of gluten as an additive. By the time the alchemy was done, Gonnella had thrown away more than $20,000 worth of substandard bread and buns, said president Ron Lucchesi.</p>
<p>“That really was a headache,” Lucchesi said.</p>
<p>The problem spans the $23 billion U.S. bread market and highlights a paradox in the global wheat trade. Despite a worldwide grains glut, high-protein hard wheat is scarce after two years of poor U.S. harvests. The shortage hurts bakers and millers who prize high-protein wheat, along with the farmers who grow it.</p>
<p>Wholesale bakers such as Grupo Bimbo, Flowers Foods Inc and Campbell Soup Co’s Pepperidge Farms are feeling the squeeze on margins, said Stephen Nicholson, senior grains and oilseeds analyst with Rabobank. All three companies have seen their stock prices fall over the last two years, a period when the benchmark gained more than 26 percent.</p>
<p>Millers such as Archer Daniels Midland Co, Ardent Mills, General Mills Inc (NYSE:) have been able to pass on much of their higher wheat costs in sales of flour to bakers, he added. But bakers have not been able to pass those costs to grocers, who have been unwilling to pay higher prices because of increased competition and price deflation.</p>
<p>Global wheat inventories have risen to record-high levels due in part to heavy production from Russia. Meanwhile, U.S. per capita consumption of wheat flour in 2016 fell to its lowest level in nearly three decades, and U.S. farmers planted their smallest winter wheat crop in more than a century.</p>
<p>“It’s a low-margin, pennies business, but now you’ve got even more disruption,” said Robb MacKie, CEO of the American Bakers Association.</p>
<p>Ardent Mills – a joint venture of Cargill Inc, CHS Inc and ConAgra Foods (NYSE:) – is finding enough high-protein wheat but also incurring higher costs, said Buck VanNiejenhuis, Ardent’s general manager in Canada. ADM faces a similar situation, said Aaron Brown, its manager for Canadian origination and exports.</p>
<p>Campbell Soup declined to comment, but the company said in August that it expected costs to rise by two to three percent in 2018. Representatives for General Mills and Grupo Bimbo’s U.S. bakery division declined to comment. Flowers Foods did not respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>SHRINKING PROFITS, FEWER ACRES</p>
<p>Two years of heavy spring rains in Kansas, the largest producer of hard winter wheat, have sapped the protein levels of a crop that thrives in arid conditions.</p>
<p>Hard winter wheat makes up about 40 percent of the $10 billion U.S. wheat crop, which peaked in value at $17.4 billion in 2012 amid higher prices and plantings.</p>
<p>Total wheat plantings in Kansas fell this year to 7.6 million acres. That’s down from 9.4 million acres in 2012 and represents the second-smallest planting since the U.S. Department of Agriculture started keeping records in 1919.</p>
<p>Kansas farmers have seen their returns steadily diminish, with some incurring losses. Farmers received an average of $3.20 per bushel for the 2016 harvest, down from $6.07 two years before. Data for the 2017 harvest is not yet available.</p>
<p>Further north, farmers have been selling high-protein spring wheat for a premium due to tight supply. Protein premiums in Manitoba, the Canadian province, have reached their highest levels in at least five years.</p>
<p>Farmer Dan Mazier, located near Justice, Manitoba, sold his high-protein wheat for delivery next spring to squeeze out the highest price.</p>
<p>“If you have high-protein wheat, you’re in the driver’s seat,” he said.</p>
<p>Last spring, as the rains poured down in Kansas, that state’s Stafford County Flour Mills stockpiled as much high-protein wheat as it could find in anticipation of a substandard wheat crop. The protein level of the latest wheat harvest was “the lowest I’ve seen,” said general manager Reuel Foote.</p>
<p>He said the company bought 600,000 bushels of high-protein wheat – more than a quarter of its total wheat purchases – at a premium of 75 cents to $1 a bushel.</p>
<p>GLUTEN FEE</p>
<p>The additional gluten that some millers and bakers are using to compensate for the wheat’s low protein content comes at a cost. Gonnella paid up to 20 percent more for gluten than usual because of the surge in demand, Lucchesi said.</p>
<p>But bakers can’t necessarily charge retail outlets more to make up those costs. Bread lacks the consumer loyalty of other food staples, such as meat and fruit, and sales would likely slide if grocers raised prices, said Sylvain Charlebois, professor of food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.</p>
<p>Export markets are also affected. The limited amount of high-protein wheat available has caused the market to ration demand, maintaining shipments to countries willing to pay a premium, such as Japan, and sending less than usual to price-sensitive markets such as Mexico, said Rhyl Doyle, a wheat trader at Winnipeg-based Paterson Grain.</p>
<p>Some bakers are tapping a protein pipeline to farms. Warburton’s, the largest bakery in the United Kingdom, buys flour from mills that is made from wheat grown to the bakery’s specifications in a dedicated supply system.</p>
<p>Others, though, are counting on a drier spring than the last two years. A third straight low-protein crop would leave millers hard-pressed to scrounge up enough supply to meet blending needs, said Foote, of Stafford County Flour Mills.</p>
<p>“If next year’s crop is low like this, we’ll have a problem,” he said.</p> | false | 1 | rod nickel julie ingwersen winnipeg manitobachicago reuters chicagos iconic sandwiches italian beef heroes dripping gravy hot dogs loaded pickles hot peppers wouldnt culinary institutions without bread fall bakers faced crisis getting right kind bread delis sandwich shops locally across united states gonnella baking co supplies buns major league baseballs wrigley field faced unusual problem october flour years us wheat harvest arrived factories containing low levels protein graphic dwindling wheat crops united states click httptmsnrtrs2zxkpr6 meant bakers couldnt produce bread airy texture customers demand setting two weeks tinkering temperatures mixing process eventual purchase gluten additive time alchemy done gonnella thrown away 20000 worth substandard bread buns said president ron lucchesi really headache lucchesi said problem spans 23 billion us bread market highlights paradox global wheat trade despite worldwide grains glut highprotein hard wheat scarce two years poor us harvests shortage hurts bakers millers prize highprotein wheat along farmers grow wholesale bakers grupo bimbo flowers foods inc campbell soup cos pepperidge farms feeling squeeze margins said stephen nicholson senior grains oilseeds analyst rabobank three companies seen stock prices fall last two years period benchmark gained 26 percent millers archer daniels midland co ardent mills general mills inc nyse able pass much higher wheat costs sales flour bakers added bakers able pass costs grocers unwilling pay higher prices increased competition price deflation global wheat inventories risen recordhigh levels due part heavy production russia meanwhile us per capita consumption wheat flour 2016 fell lowest level nearly three decades us farmers planted smallest winter wheat crop century lowmargin pennies business youve got even disruption said robb mackie ceo american bakers association ardent mills joint venture cargill inc chs inc conagra foods nyse finding enough highprotein wheat also incurring higher costs said buck vanniejenhuis ardents general manager canada adm faces similar situation said aaron brown manager canadian origination exports campbell soup declined comment company said august expected costs rise two three percent 2018 representatives general mills grupo bimbos us bakery division declined comment flowers foods respond requests comment shrinking profits fewer acres two years heavy spring rains kansas largest producer hard winter wheat sapped protein levels crop thrives arid conditions hard winter wheat makes 40 percent 10 billion us wheat crop peaked value 174 billion 2012 amid higher prices plantings total wheat plantings kansas fell year 76 million acres thats 94 million acres 2012 represents secondsmallest planting since us department agriculture started keeping records 1919 kansas farmers seen returns steadily diminish incurring losses farmers received average 320 per bushel 2016 harvest 607 two years data 2017 harvest yet available north farmers selling highprotein spring wheat premium due tight supply protein premiums manitoba canadian province reached highest levels least five years farmer dan mazier located near justice manitoba sold highprotein wheat delivery next spring squeeze highest price highprotein wheat youre drivers seat said last spring rains poured kansas states stafford county flour mills stockpiled much highprotein wheat could find anticipation substandard wheat crop protein level latest wheat harvest lowest ive seen said general manager reuel foote said company bought 600000 bushels highprotein wheat quarter total wheat purchases premium 75 cents 1 bushel gluten fee additional gluten millers bakers using compensate wheats low protein content comes cost gonnella paid 20 percent gluten usual surge demand lucchesi said bakers cant necessarily charge retail outlets make costs bread lacks consumer loyalty food staples meat fruit sales would likely slide grocers raised prices said sylvain charlebois professor food distribution policy dalhousie university halifax nova scotia export markets also affected limited amount highprotein wheat available caused market ration demand maintaining shipments countries willing pay premium japan sending less usual pricesensitive markets mexico said rhyl doyle wheat trader winnipegbased paterson grain bakers tapping protein pipeline farms warburtons largest bakery united kingdom buys flour mills made wheat grown bakerys specifications dedicated supply system others though counting drier spring last two years third straight lowprotein crop would leave millers hardpressed scrounge enough supply meet blending needs said foote stafford county flour mills next years crop low like well problem said | 665 |
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