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<p>The announcement Sept. 5 of a forthcoming boxed set devoted to the early work of Hüsker Dü, “Savage Young Dü,” immediately prompted yet another wave of nostalgia for the pioneering punk band on social media. Old-school fans once again daydreamed aloud: As one of the very few legendary bands of the era never to reunite, could this be a first step?</p>
<p>Few but a handful of close followers know just how impossible that dream had become, with <a href="http://variety.com/t/grant-hart/" type="external">Grant Hart</a> suffering from the final stages of cancer. In the early morning hours of Sept. 14, the news broke that <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/husker-du-grant-hart-dead-1202558122/" type="external">Hart had passed away at age 56</a>.</p>
<p>With his soulful vocals and rapid-fire drumming, Hart was a hero to an entire “alt” generation, with many considering Hüsker Dü one of the all-time greatest bands in the genre, and 1984’s sprawling and ambitious “Zen Arcade” to be one of the most expansive albums produced by an American band in that decade. They were a band of firsts — the first to come above-ground from the hardcore scene, perhaps, to explore such rich melodies or sometimes odd subject matter, and the first to controversially exit their punk indie imprint or a corporate major label. They were also a band of lasts — as in being just about the last major band in rock to refuse to give in to reunion fever even for a one-off, so acrimonious was their ’87 split.</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/bob-mould/" type="external">Bob Mould</a> was the most visible member of the trio, as the primary singer and songwriter for Hüsker Dü’s first few albums. But some fans identified more with Hart, the underdog who pushed his way from having only a couple of his songs make it onto some of the band’s mid-period albums to claiming nine out of 20 on their two-LP swan song, “Warehouse: Stories and Songs.” (There may have been significance to those numbers; in a typical gripe, Hart claimed that, at the end, Mould had a policy of not letting him take the lead on more than 45 percent of an album.)</p>
<p>By the time of “New Day Rising” in 1985, Hart was rising within the group, offering a more melodious voice than Mould’s in blistering yet hook-driven tracks like “The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill,” even as he brought an odder lyrical sensibility to numbers like “Terms of Psychic Warfare” and “Books About UFOs,” in the best Syd Barrett tradition of weirdo pop. “As (for) our embrace of pop;” Hart said, “we weren’t the only band that went more pop-sounding, but as far as making that travel from where we originated to where ended up, it was a great leap.”</p>
<p>For a season, at least, he wrote some more straightforward material, including songs that were covered by bands they influenced (and which became much more well-known than they were). When Green Day covered a Hüsker Dü song, it was Hart’s modern-rock radio fave “Don’t Want to Know if You Are Lonely.” When the Foo Fighters did one, it was Hart’s “Never Talking to You Again.” (He was at his most cantankerous when asked about Dave Grohl’s hero-worshipping cover: “I do not care for the Foo version of ‘Never’,” he said. “I think they never made too much effort… Honestly, I am glad those fellows are free to do something else.”)</p>
<p>Depending on whose stories fans listened to, the band came to an end either over Hart’s anger at Mould’s control issues or Mould’s outrage over Hart’s heroin habit at the time. Until recently, the three never again shared a space or got beyond the most perfunctory and sporadic business emails, although there is one sort-of exception: In 2004, minus Husker bassist Greg Norton, Hart and Mould did manage to smoke the peace pipe just long enough to perform two songs together at a Minneapolis benefit for cancer-stricken Soul Asylum member Karl Mueller. But practically within minutes, they seemed to have retreated to their separate corners, Mould all but spitting on the idea of a band reunion, and Hart leaving the door open but responding to Mould’s slights with ever pithier retorts.</p>
<p>Asked about being treated dismissively in Mould’s memoir, Hart said that the book “really sounds like it was written by the President of the Bob Mould Fan Club rather than by Bob Mould.” And: “I think he has burned more bridges than the interstate highway system ever built.” Yet he occasionally let some sorrow over the fissure show: “Bob’s got some hurt to put behind him yet. I think the world of the guy, but he doesn’t even want to talk about the pain that I’ve been able to work out by talking to other people, and if I sincerely wounded him, you know, I’d like that put that right. This is supposed to be the part of a person’s life where they start thinking about how they’ve lived their life, who they’ve touched and who they’ve affected.”</p>
<p>But Hart came off as at least as determined to be forward-facing. “Nobody has ever loved Bob Mould like I have,” he said in a 2013 Facebook chat. “I scaled great heights with him musically. Our admiration for each other, never physical, brought forth a new way of music.” (The “never physical” aside was another confirmation to inquiring minds that Hart, a bisexual, and Mould, a gay man, had never been romantically involved.) “Wouldn’t there be unfair pressure on the two of us if we made music live again?… The reunion fad seems to be energized by mid-life crisis. I am sure Bob would agree with me on this. I would rather have Grant Hart fans coming to my own shows than Hüsker Dü fans… I want people coming that don’t feel like they are settling for something less. My shows are not compromises with the past. My shows are as much about the future as I can make them. And the future is right f—ing now!”</p>
<p>He took the words out of some other sages’ mouths in a 2012 interview with the Village Voice, saying, “I’ve always lived with the doctrine of Patti Smith: ‘I don’t f— much with the past but I f— plenty with the future.’ I tend to like that philosophy. I like the way John Cage used to sign his correspondence: he would just write: ‘Looking forward.’”</p>
<p>By all accounts the pair were on much-improved terms in recent months; Mould wrote his former friend and bandmate a touching tribute early Thursday. (Article continues below.)</p>
<p>Some musicians react to a split in a panicked way, by turning to ever more accessible fare to prove their commercial bona fides on their own. That may have factored into Mould’s post-Dü stint as the leader of the radio-friendly Sugar, but it hardly characterized Hart’s solo career, as he continued to challenge himself in provocative ways over the succeeding three decades. Take his last released solo album, 2013’s “The Argument” — not just an 89-minute adaptation of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” but an adaptation as filtered through the ideas of William S. Burroughs, with whom Hart had had a passing acquaintanceship and picked up some additional Miltonian tips. Hart said it was his intention to condense the sprawling “Paradise Lost” into an hour and a half in part by leaving out all the Old Testament elements — not so much because he had no use for religion, though that certainly was the case, but because he figured listeners already knew all the biblical stuff.</p>
<p>Or, take the project that Hart was reportedly working on in his final year: “From what I understand, his new record is a concept piece based on the life of [Unabomber] Ted Kaczynski,” Norton recently told Rolling Stone.</p>
<p>Hart made what was apparently his final on-stage appearance two and a half months ago, at the Hook and Ladder Theater &amp; Lounge in his hometown. It had been billed as a gig with Hart headlining, but when he showed up, he was surprised to find it had turned into a tribute show full of local all-stars, organized by Babes in Toyland drummer Lori Barbero. “They managed, by some Olympian feat, to keep this [tribute] unknown to me until I arrived at 8:00 tonight. I was truly flabbergasted,” Hart was quoted as saying in The Current. It may have been partly an act of mercy to turn most of the show over to others, as Hart had to cut his own participation short when he grew weak. But the guest list was illustrious: Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner sang “Terms of Psychic Warfare” and other Hart numbers, echoing the moment in 2004 when Hart played a beat-cancer benefit for a Soul Asylum member. Joining Pirner on stage: the other long estranged member of Hüsker Dü, Greg Norton.</p>
<p>“The sweet sound of music. They’ll never take that away from us,” Hart was said to have uttered, as one of the makeshift tribute bands played on. For the length of one touching last hurrah, his fellow Minnesotans helped prove that a reunion of affectionate hearts can overwhelm any longing for original lineups.</p> | false | 1 | announcement sept 5 forthcoming boxed set devoted early work hüsker dü savage young dü immediately prompted yet another wave nostalgia pioneering punk band social media oldschool fans daydreamed aloud one legendary bands era never reunite could first step handful close followers know impossible dream become grant hart suffering final stages cancer early morning hours sept 14 news broke hart passed away age 56 soulful vocals rapidfire drumming hart hero entire alt generation many considering hüsker dü one alltime greatest bands genre 1984s sprawling ambitious zen arcade one expansive albums produced american band decade band firsts first come aboveground hardcore scene perhaps explore rich melodies sometimes odd subject matter first controversially exit punk indie imprint corporate major label also band lasts last major band rock refuse give reunion fever even oneoff acrimonious 87 split bob mould visible member trio primary singer songwriter hüsker düs first albums fans identified hart underdog pushed way couple songs make onto bands midperiod albums claiming nine 20 twolp swan song warehouse stories songs may significance numbers typical gripe hart claimed end mould policy letting take lead 45 percent album time new day rising 1985 hart rising within group offering melodious voice moulds blistering yet hookdriven tracks like girl lives heaven hill even brought odder lyrical sensibility numbers like terms psychic warfare books ufos best syd barrett tradition weirdo pop embrace pop hart said werent band went popsounding far making travel originated ended great leap season least wrote straightforward material including songs covered bands influenced became much wellknown green day covered hüsker dü song harts modernrock radio fave dont want know lonely foo fighters one harts never talking cantankerous asked dave grohls heroworshipping cover care foo version never said think never made much effort honestly glad fellows free something else depending whose stories fans listened band came end either harts anger moulds control issues moulds outrage harts heroin habit time recently three never shared space got beyond perfunctory sporadic business emails although one sortof exception 2004 minus husker bassist greg norton hart mould manage smoke peace pipe long enough perform two songs together minneapolis benefit cancerstricken soul asylum member karl mueller practically within minutes seemed retreated separate corners mould spitting idea band reunion hart leaving door open responding moulds slights ever pithier retorts asked treated dismissively moulds memoir hart said book really sounds like written president bob mould fan club rather bob mould think burned bridges interstate highway system ever built yet occasionally let sorrow fissure show bobs got hurt put behind yet think world guy doesnt even want talk pain ive able work talking people sincerely wounded know id like put right supposed part persons life start thinking theyve lived life theyve touched theyve affected hart came least determined forwardfacing nobody ever loved bob mould like said 2013 facebook chat scaled great heights musically admiration never physical brought forth new way music never physical aside another confirmation inquiring minds hart bisexual mould gay man never romantically involved wouldnt unfair pressure two us made music live reunion fad seems energized midlife crisis sure bob would agree would rather grant hart fans coming shows hüsker dü fans want people coming dont feel like settling something less shows compromises past shows much future make future right fing took words sages mouths 2012 interview village voice saying ive always lived doctrine patti smith dont f much past f plenty future tend like philosophy like way john cage used sign correspondence would write looking forward accounts pair muchimproved terms recent months mould wrote former friend bandmate touching tribute early thursday article continues musicians react split panicked way turning ever accessible fare prove commercial bona fides may factored moulds postdü stint leader radiofriendly sugar hardly characterized harts solo career continued challenge provocative ways succeeding three decades take last released solo album 2013s argument 89minute adaptation john miltons paradise lost adaptation filtered ideas william burroughs hart passing acquaintanceship picked additional miltonian tips hart said intention condense sprawling paradise lost hour half part leaving old testament elements much use religion though certainly case figured listeners already knew biblical stuff take project hart reportedly working final year understand new record concept piece based life unabomber ted kaczynski norton recently told rolling stone hart made apparently final onstage appearance two half months ago hook ladder theater amp lounge hometown billed gig hart headlining showed surprised find turned tribute show full local allstars organized babes toyland drummer lori barbero managed olympian feat keep tribute unknown arrived 800 tonight truly flabbergasted hart quoted saying current may partly act mercy turn show others hart cut participation short grew weak guest list illustrious soul asylums dave pirner sang terms psychic warfare hart numbers echoing moment 2004 hart played beatcancer benefit soul asylum member joining pirner stage long estranged member hüsker dü greg norton sweet sound music theyll never take away us hart said uttered one makeshift tribute bands played length one touching last hurrah fellow minnesotans helped prove reunion affectionate hearts overwhelm longing original lineups | 825 |
<p>It’s been a bad couple of months for Obamacare. News stories have finally started focusing on the reality of what the law will mean, not on the president’s unsubstantiated happy talk. Notwithstanding assertions to the contrary, millions of currently insured Americans will be forced to pay substantially higher premiums in 2014 because of the law’s regulations.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn-files.soa.org/web/research-cost-aca-report.pdf" type="external">One analysis</a>&#160;estimates that costs in the individual market will jump about 32 percent on average. Employers have strong incentives to slow down hiring to avoid Obamacare’s fines and penalties, and to move as many workers as possible out of full-time status and into part-time roles. This is already having an effect on the national work force.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, with deadlines looming, it is becoming increasingly apparent to everyone involved — including Democrats in Congress — that the Obama administration is badly mismanaging the law’s implementation. It’s widely expected that processes needed for a smooth rollout will not be in place by 2014 and that, as a consequence, participation in the program is likely to fall far short of what was predicted, at least in Year One. Younger and healthier Americans may refrain from signing up for coverage, pushing average premiums up in the Obamacare exchanges.</p>
<p>With so much chaos on the horizon, it is not surprising that congressional Democrats are&#160; <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/obamacare-democrats-2014-90780.html" type="external">attempting to distance themselves</a>&#160;from the law’s implementation by pointing fingers at the Obama administration. Their clear intent is to avoid blame in the event that voters view the law as a bust and vote accordingly in the 2014 elections.</p>
<p>All of this creates a huge opening for Republicans. At the time of enactment, GOP opponents warned the public that the law was handing over far too much power to a distant and clumsy federal bureaucracy that would make no apologies for upending existing arrangements and imposing great economic harm on millions of workers and businesses as well as state governments. And that’s exactly what is happening. It should not be surprising that Obamacare’s&#160; <a href="http://www.politico.com/playbook/0413/playbook10554.html?hp=l6" type="external">poll numbers are now falling</a>.</p>
<p>But for Obamacare opponents to take full advantage of the law’s vulnerabilities, they need to be united around a sound strategy for winning this fight. Recent events indicate that no such consensus exists.</p>
<p>Last week, House Republican leaders wanted to pass the Helping Sick Americans Now Act. Supporting this bill should have been an easy call for conservative members. The bill would eliminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund created by Obamacare and use some of the savings to reopen a high-risk pool to insure Americans with pre-existing conditions, a pool that the Obama administration had recently closed to new enrollment. The prevention fund isn’t really a public-health program at all. It is a permanent tap on the treasury (eventually rising to $2 billion per year) that the executive branch is using for just about any purpose it wants. Right now, that purpose is to fund Obamacare implementation because legitimate funding for the law’s implementation was rightly denied by the House GOP in the normal appropriations process. It is hard to imagine a funding stream that’s more of an affront to sound budgeting and accountability than the “prevention fund.”</p>
<p>The high-risk pool, too, was created in Obamacare, and was also poorly conceived. It imposed new rules on eligibility instead of allowing states to manage the funding. Incredibly, the administration found a way to waste taxpayer funds even as enrollment was anemic. The $5 billion set aside for the pool was spent on just 135,000 enrollees — far short of the 300,000 that the administration said at the time of enactment would be served. But instead of fixing the program, the administration chose to close off further enrollment when the funds ran out — leaving about 40,000 people out in the cold for the remainder of 2013.</p>
<p>This was a telling moment in the health-care fight. The president never tires of declaring how much he cares about people, the downtrodden, the struggling middle class, the sick, etc., etc. And yet, instead of actually doing something to help people with real illnesses get insurance coverage, the administration walked away from them, choosing to focus its resources on the Obamacare leviathan.</p>
<p>The political opening could not be wider, and House GOP leaders correctly decided to try and take advantage of it. Overall, the bill would cut $10.8 billion over a decade from the prevention fund (and much more over the longer term) and spend $2.8 billion to re-open the high-risk pool. The balance — $8 billion over ten years — would go toward reducing future federal borrowing. As the bill moved toward full consideration by the House, the administration announced that the president would veto it, presumably to keep wavering House Democrats from jumping ship.</p>
<p>The political talking points for this bill write themselves, starting with: “In order to protect funding for his political activist allies, the president is threatening to veto legislation that would provide 40,000 sick Americans with health insurance.”</p>
<p>Unfortunately, some House GOP members objected to the bill, apparently because they perceived that it would put new resources into an Obamacare-created program. The opponents were relatively few but enough to force a postponement of the bill’s consideration by the House. Their criticism is far off the mark. High-risk pools, even a poorly constructed one, are essentially a conservative reform, not a liberal one. The Obama administration never really liked the idea of the risk pool and therefore neglected the program it created, which is one reason it foundered. Done right, high-risk pools can be a key component of&#160; <a href="http://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/how-to-cover-pre-existing-conditions" type="external">eliminating the problem of pre-existing conditions</a>&#160;within a market-driven health system.</p>
<p>The back-and-forth over the merits of the House bill has also brought to the surface a long-simmering disagreement about the state of the overall health-care debate and how to move forward in the aftermath of the 2012 election.</p>
<p>There is within the anti-Obamacare coalition a vocal contingent that believes that creating a confrontation over full repeal or full defunding is the best, and really only, course to advance the overall cause. They are crafting measures to that effect and pushing to attach them to “must pass” bills, such as the debt-limit extension or appropriations bills. They are also against advancing bills that would highlight for repeal the most unpopular aspects of the law, fearing that those bills would get enacted and then make full repeal less likely.</p>
<p>The problem with this kind of approach is that it ignores entirely the most important consideration in this ongoing debate, which is&#160;how to win the public argument over the future of American health care. For the moment, the future of Obamacare isn’t a question of legislative tactics. It’s a question of political strategy — how to build a wave of public support behind a credible program to repeal Obamacare and replace it with something far better, and how to get that sentiment to prevail at the polls in 2014 and 2016. The excesses and deficiencies of Obamacare will go a long way toward convincing the public that there must be a better way. But the congressional GOP can and should also take steps to build its case and gain the upper hand in the argument. The bill to close down the prevention fund and apply some of the savings to a high-risk pool is one small step in that direction.</p>
<p>But it shouldn’t be the only step. The House should also consider a clean bill to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board — and force Democrats to defend the concept of delegating massive regulatory power in Medicare to an unelected board of 15 “experts.” And it should take up a clean repeal of the individual-mandate tax, too, and force its defenders to make the case for taxing the uninsured. These kinds of votes will be winning battles for the coalition opposed to Obamacare. But they are not the end game and should not be viewed as such.</p>
<p>The end game remains repeal and replace. It should be obvious to everyone that the current political context is not one in which conservatives can win that fight. But it is the right moment for slowing implementation as much as possible and, with a series of tactical successes, setting the stage for ultimate victory. Passing the House bill to defund the prevention “kitty” and provide insurance to the uninsurable is a great place to start.</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 | bad couple months obamacare news stories finally started focusing reality law mean presidents unsubstantiated happy talk notwithstanding assertions contrary millions currently insured americans forced pay substantially higher premiums 2014 laws regulations one analysis160estimates costs individual market jump 32 percent average employers strong incentives slow hiring avoid obamacares fines penalties move many workers possible fulltime status parttime roles already effect national work force meanwhile deadlines looming becoming increasingly apparent everyone involved including democrats congress obama administration badly mismanaging laws implementation widely expected processes needed smooth rollout place 2014 consequence participation program likely fall far short predicted least year one younger healthier americans may refrain signing coverage pushing average premiums obamacare exchanges much chaos horizon surprising congressional democrats are160 attempting distance themselves160from laws implementation pointing fingers obama administration clear intent avoid blame event voters view law bust vote accordingly 2014 elections creates huge opening republicans time enactment gop opponents warned public law handing far much power distant clumsy federal bureaucracy would make apologies upending existing arrangements imposing great economic harm millions workers businesses well state governments thats exactly happening surprising obamacares160 poll numbers falling obamacare opponents take full advantage laws vulnerabilities need united around sound strategy winning fight recent events indicate consensus exists last week house republican leaders wanted pass helping sick americans act supporting bill easy call conservative members bill would eliminate prevention public health fund created obamacare use savings reopen highrisk pool insure americans preexisting conditions pool obama administration recently closed new enrollment prevention fund isnt really publichealth program permanent tap treasury eventually rising 2 billion per year executive branch using purpose wants right purpose fund obamacare implementation legitimate funding laws implementation rightly denied house gop normal appropriations process hard imagine funding stream thats affront sound budgeting accountability prevention fund highrisk pool created obamacare also poorly conceived imposed new rules eligibility instead allowing states manage funding incredibly administration found way waste taxpayer funds even enrollment anemic 5 billion set aside pool spent 135000 enrollees far short 300000 administration said time enactment would served instead fixing program administration chose close enrollment funds ran leaving 40000 people cold remainder 2013 telling moment healthcare fight president never tires declaring much cares people downtrodden struggling middle class sick etc etc yet instead actually something help people real illnesses get insurance coverage administration walked away choosing focus resources obamacare leviathan political opening could wider house gop leaders correctly decided try take advantage overall bill would cut 108 billion decade prevention fund much longer term spend 28 billion reopen highrisk pool balance 8 billion ten years would go toward reducing future federal borrowing bill moved toward full consideration house administration announced president would veto presumably keep wavering house democrats jumping ship political talking points bill write starting order protect funding political activist allies president threatening veto legislation would provide 40000 sick americans health insurance unfortunately house gop members objected bill apparently perceived would put new resources obamacarecreated program opponents relatively enough force postponement bills consideration house criticism far mark highrisk pools even poorly constructed one essentially conservative reform liberal one obama administration never really liked idea risk pool therefore neglected program created one reason foundered done right highrisk pools key component of160 eliminating problem preexisting conditions160within marketdriven health system backandforth merits house bill also brought surface longsimmering disagreement state overall healthcare debate move forward aftermath 2012 election within antiobamacare coalition vocal contingent believes creating confrontation full repeal full defunding best really course advance overall cause crafting measures effect pushing attach must pass bills debtlimit extension appropriations bills also advancing bills would highlight repeal unpopular aspects law fearing bills would get enacted make full repeal less likely problem kind approach ignores entirely important consideration ongoing debate is160how win public argument future american health care moment future obamacare isnt question legislative tactics question political strategy build wave public support behind credible program repeal obamacare replace something far better get sentiment prevail polls 2014 2016 excesses deficiencies obamacare go long way toward convincing public must better way congressional gop also take steps build case gain upper hand argument bill close prevention fund apply savings highrisk pool one small step direction shouldnt step house also consider clean bill repeal independent payment advisory board force democrats defend concept delegating massive regulatory power medicare unelected board 15 experts take clean repeal individualmandate tax force defenders make case taxing uninsured kinds votes winning battles coalition opposed obamacare end game viewed end game remains repeal replace obvious everyone current political context one conservatives win fight right moment slowing implementation much possible series tactical successes setting stage ultimate victory passing house bill defund prevention kitty provide insurance uninsurable great place start james c capretta senior fellow ethics public policy center visiting fellow american enterprise institute | 780 |
<p>If over-the-top “Gomorra” types who could comfortably inhabit Little Italy as much as the neighborhoods around Vesuvius are an endless source of mirth-making, then the <a href="http://variety.com/t/manetti-brothers/" type="external">Manetti brothers</a>’ loud and brash musical about a Camorra boss and his henchmen could be an entertaining diversion. For others, this over-long, self-indulgent romp through every mafia stereotype in the book offers moments of amusement in between tiresome set pieces and musical numbers most noteworthy for their stridency. Because “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/love-and-bullets/" type="external">Love and Bullets</a>” feels different from the majority of Italian screen fare apart from the Manettis’ previous musical “Song ‘e Napule,” reaction at home will likely be positive.&#160; Offshore however, the most that can be expected is scattered European distribution and Italian showcases.</p>
<p>A semi-bleached drone shot of the Bay of Naples settles on the funeral of don Vincenzo Strozzalone (Carlo Buccirosso) and the sobs of his cheaply made-up, flamboyantly grief-stricken widow Maria (Claudia Gerini). Don Vincenzo was the underworld’s Fish King, controlling all the seafood in Naples, so it looks like the rival clan finally got to him. The first musical number, inside the coffin, lays seeds of doubt that the dead guy in the wooden box isn’t don Vincenzo at all.</p>
<p>Things jump back five days earlier, in the crime-ridden Scampia section of Naples made internationally famous by “Gomorrah.” Following a satirical dance number with a bunch of American tourists joyfully singing about their “ultimate touristic experience” after getting robbed, attention shifts to the attempted hit against don Vincenzo in his mussel factory. He’s only shot in the rear, but once home, Maria, tired of the hazards of Camorra life, recalls the plot of “You Only Live Twice” and convinces her husband to fake his death so they can escape to the Caribbean with pockets full of diamonds. A look-alike shoe salesman (also Buccirosso) is killed and substituted for don Vincenzo, who hides out with Maria in their panic suite under the house. Only his closest associates have been told.</p>
<p>There’s one hitch: Nurse Fatima (Serena Rossi) saw the kingpin in the hospital, alive, so she needs to be rubbed out by the assassin duo Ciro (Giampaolo Morelli) and Rosario (musician-actor Raiz, real name Gennaro Della Volpe), collectively known as the Tigers. When Ciro sees Fatima, he realizes she’s his childhood sweetheart, the only woman he’s ever really loved, and the feeling is mutual. So mutual, in fact, that Fatima launches into a version of the “Flashdance” song “What a Feeling,” with new Italian lyrics detailing her undying love. Their fate is sealed: Ciro can’t kill Fatima, which means he’s going to have to kill most of his associates in order to protect Fatima and get out of Naples in one piece.</p>
<p>Musical numbers are generously inserted during all the crucial moments, with lyrics that carry the narrative and offer some insight into characters whose depths aren’t exactly profound. Apart from the “What a Feeling” re-do, which is the most enjoyable of the bunch, also from a visual standpoint, none of the tunes are memorable, though they make up in assertiveness what they lack in melody. Maria’s 007 revelation is carried over into Bond-inspired scenes of speed boats in the Bay of Naples, but they’re lifelessly reproduced, offering a glimmer of amusement only because they’re easily recognizable.</p>
<p>Though the cartoonishness of her role is considerably older than Carmela Soprano, Claudia Gerini is having so much fun biting into Maria’s excesses that her enjoyment is infectious. Serena Rossi, the Italian voice of Princess Anna in “Frozen,” is also entertaining to watch thanks to an exuberant screen presence that partly disguises the clichéd nature of Fatima’s Neapolitan dummy act. Some Italian audiences will be amused by the dialect, but it’s hardly original and isn’t quite the wellspring of hilarity the Manettis think.</p>
<p>The budget for “Love and Bullets” must have far exceeded the directors’ previous efforts: Besides expansive scenes throughout the city there’s also a New York sequence (Camorra families have long arms) as well as explosions, boat chases and modest production numbers. While the duo aren’t as enamored of visual bling as Baz Luhrmann, they’re not averse to gimmicks like tracking a slow-mo bullet through the air, which feels more cheesy than cool.</p>
<p>Reviewed at Venice Film Festival (competing), Sept. 6, 2017. Running time: 139 MIN. (Original title: “Ammore e malavita”)</p>
<p>(Italy) A 01 Distribution release of a Madeleine, Rai Cinema, Manetti Bros. Film presentation of a Madeleine, Manetti Bros. Film production with Rai Cinema, in collaboration with Tam Tam Fotografie, Mompracem. (International sales: Rai Com, Rome.) Producer: Carlo Macchitella.</p>
<p>Directors: the Manetti brothers (Marco Manetti, Antonio Manetti). Screenplay: Michelangelo La Neve, the Manetti brothers. Camera (color, widescreen): Francesca Amitrano. Editor: Federico Maria Maneschi. Music: Pivio, Aldo De Scalzi.</p>
<p>Giampaolo Morelli, Serena Rossi, Claudia Gerini, Carlo Buccirosso, Raiz (Gennaro Della Volpe), Franco Ricciardi, Antonio Buonomo. (Italian, Neapolitan dialect, English dialogue)</p> | false | 1 | overthetop gomorra types could comfortably inhabit little italy much neighborhoods around vesuvius endless source mirthmaking manetti brothers loud brash musical camorra boss henchmen could entertaining diversion others overlong selfindulgent romp every mafia stereotype book offers moments amusement tiresome set pieces musical numbers noteworthy stridency love bullets feels different majority italian screen fare apart manettis previous musical song e napule reaction home likely positive160 offshore however expected scattered european distribution italian showcases semibleached drone shot bay naples settles funeral vincenzo strozzalone carlo buccirosso sobs cheaply madeup flamboyantly griefstricken widow maria claudia gerini vincenzo underworlds fish king controlling seafood naples looks like rival clan finally got first musical number inside coffin lays seeds doubt dead guy wooden box isnt vincenzo things jump back five days earlier crimeridden scampia section naples made internationally famous gomorrah following satirical dance number bunch american tourists joyfully singing ultimate touristic experience getting robbed attention shifts attempted hit vincenzo mussel factory hes shot rear home maria tired hazards camorra life recalls plot live twice convinces husband fake death escape caribbean pockets full diamonds lookalike shoe salesman also buccirosso killed substituted vincenzo hides maria panic suite house closest associates told theres one hitch nurse fatima serena rossi saw kingpin hospital alive needs rubbed assassin duo ciro giampaolo morelli rosario musicianactor raiz real name gennaro della volpe collectively known tigers ciro sees fatima realizes shes childhood sweetheart woman hes ever really loved feeling mutual mutual fact fatima launches version flashdance song feeling new italian lyrics detailing undying love fate sealed ciro cant kill fatima means hes going kill associates order protect fatima get naples one piece musical numbers generously inserted crucial moments lyrics carry narrative offer insight characters whose depths arent exactly profound apart feeling redo enjoyable bunch also visual standpoint none tunes memorable though make assertiveness lack melody marias 007 revelation carried bondinspired scenes speed boats bay naples theyre lifelessly reproduced offering glimmer amusement theyre easily recognizable though cartoonishness role considerably older carmela soprano claudia gerini much fun biting marias excesses enjoyment infectious serena rossi italian voice princess anna frozen also entertaining watch thanks exuberant screen presence partly disguises clichéd nature fatimas neapolitan dummy act italian audiences amused dialect hardly original isnt quite wellspring hilarity manettis think budget love bullets must far exceeded directors previous efforts besides expansive scenes throughout city theres also new york sequence camorra families long arms well explosions boat chases modest production numbers duo arent enamored visual bling baz luhrmann theyre averse gimmicks like tracking slowmo bullet air feels cheesy cool reviewed venice film festival competing sept 6 2017 running time 139 min original title ammore e malavita italy 01 distribution release madeleine rai cinema manetti bros film presentation madeleine manetti bros film production rai cinema collaboration tam tam fotografie mompracem international sales rai com rome producer carlo macchitella directors manetti brothers marco manetti antonio manetti screenplay michelangelo la neve manetti brothers camera color widescreen francesca amitrano editor federico maria maneschi music pivio aldo de scalzi giampaolo morelli serena rossi claudia gerini carlo buccirosso raiz gennaro della volpe franco ricciardi antonio buonomo italian neapolitan dialect english dialogue | 512 |
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<p>Some people say that it’s the 5,774th time that Iranians across the world are celebrating the ancient Persian New Year festival, Nowruz. However, some history experts believe that Nowruz has been enshrined and observed for more than 15,000 years, well before the official establishment of the Persian Empire. Like Christmas, Nowruz is an elaborate festival that brings millions of people together, but there are certain elements in Nowruz that make it a distinctive tradition, and one of these important elements is its historicity.</p>
<p>Cyrus the Great, the first king of the Persian Empire, came to throne in 550 BC, but for almost 2000 years before him, when In-Su-Kush-Siranna was the ruler of the Kingdom of Aratta, Nowruz had been celebrated in Greater Iran, which consisted of several provinces that currently constitute modern countries like Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Pakistan, Iraq, and parts of India and Turkey.</p>
<p>Nowruz is considered the most important national holiday in Iran as it marks the beginning of a new solar year and the arrival of spring. According to the Persian calendar, Nowruz begins on the vernal equinox, which starts on March 20 or 21. The beauty and wonderfulness of Nowruz is that it starts on a unique moment each time and people excitedly and breathlessly wait for the announcement of what is known as the moment of the transition of the year. This moment is astronomically calculated according to the Jalali solar calendarand officially inaugurates the New Year.</p>
<p>Unquestionably, Nowruz is one of the prominent hallmarks of the Persian culture and Iranian civilization. It represents the glory and magnificence of ancient Iran and manifests a sense of national pride and dignity for Iranians around the world. In his long epic poem, Shahnameh, the 10th century Iranian poet and philosopher Ferdowsi talks in detail about the origins and roots of Nowruz. He says that when the legendary, prehistoric Iranian king Jamshid Jam conquered the world and ascended the throne, he declared that day as Nowruz and the beginning of Iranian New Year. On that day, Iranians from across the country would come to visit Persepolis (the ancient capital of the Persian Empire) to hold festivals, receive rewards and gifts from the king, enjoy eating festive meals of dried nuts, fruits, and sweetmeat, sing happy songs, and perform plays.</p>
<p>Nowruz is important in that it comes as winter ends, and that is why Iranians believe Nowruz is a feast of rebirth and rejuvenation that injects fresh and warm blood into the veins of the frosty and frozen nature. Iran, which is famous for its climatic diversity and unique nature, is very beautiful in the spring, and especially during the 13 days of Nowruz festivals. Fragrant flowers and attractive plants grow in large quantities in northern, central, and southern parts of Iran, and the weather is predominantly mild and moderate in the majority of the cities all around the country.</p>
<p>Nowruz is celebrated from the Farvardin 1 to 13 (Farvardin is the first month of the solar calendar whose name is taken from the Zoroastrian word “Faravashis” meaning “the spirits of the dead.” Iranians believe that the spirits of their deceased beloved ones will return to the material world in the last 10 days of the year.) One of the common traditions of Nowruz that the Iranians are strongly committed to is paying visit to the elderly and meeting the other members of the family. In such meetings, Iranian families entertain each other with delicious Iranian cuisines, spring fruits, dried nuts, candies, confections, deserts, rice-cakes, pastries, and cookies.</p>
<p>Setting the “Haft-Seen” table is also one of the customs of Nowruz that is seen as a quintessential part of the New Year celebrations. Haft means “seven” in Persian, and “seen” stands for the sign of the 15th letter of Persian alphabet which sounds “s”. The Haft-Seen table is named so because there are seven items on this table whose name start with the Persian letter “seen”. Each of these seven items signifies a certain meaning. These items include “Senjed”, or silver berry, the sweet, dry fruit of the lotus tree, which denotes love and affection; “Sumaq”, or sumac, the crushed spices of berries, which symbolizes sunrise and the warmth of life; “Seeb”, or red apple, which stands for health and beauty; “Seer”, or garlic, which indicates good health and wellbeing; “Samanu”, a sweet paste made of wheat and sugar that represents fertility and the sweetness of life; “Sabzeh”, or sprouted wheat grass, which is a sign of renewal of life; and “Sonbol”, or the purple hyacinth flower, which represents prosperity and goodwill in the New Year. However, the majority of Iranian families put more than 7 items on their “Haft-Seen” table settings. The additional things are “Sekkeh”, coins that herald wealth and affluence; “Serkeh”, vinegar that symbolizes age, patience, and the toleration of hardships; and “Sangak”, a plain whole wheat sour dough flatbread that characterizes blessing and good luck. Iranians also put colored eggs and a bowl of goldfish on their traditional Haft-Seen table and consider these two elements as signs of fertility, welfare, and happiness.</p>
<p>One of the other elements placed on the beautiful Haft-Seen table is a mirror, a symbol of purity, reflection, and honesty. Iranians never forget to put a beautifully adorned and decorated mirror on their traditional table setting. They also put a copy of the Holy Quran on their Haft-Seen table, which they believe will guard their life in the coming year.</p>
<p>In an elaborate and well-researched article about Nowruz published on the <a href="http://www.iranreview.org/" type="external">Iran Review</a> website, the cultural researcher Firouzeh Mirrazavi writes, “The festival, according to some documents, was observed until the fifth of Farvardin, and then the special celebrations followed until the end of the month. Possibly, in the first five days, the festivities were of a public and national nature, while during the rest of the month it assumed a private and royal character.”</p>
<p>Since Nowruz was historically celebrated in Iran’s ceremonial capital Persepolis [Takht-e-Jamshid] in the southern city of Shiraz, every year thousands of Iranians travel to Shiraz to take part in the national celebrations of Nowruz. Even the foreign tourists who travel to Iran to take part in the celebrations prefer to visit Shiraz or Isfahan during the 13 days of Nowruz.</p>
<p>But why is Nowruz extended for 13 days? According to the ancient belief of the Iranians, 13 is an inauspicious number. On the 13th day of Farvardin, Iranian families gather in parks, gardens, farms, and other green places to eat cuisines containing certain local herbs and have friendly conversations. They also throw sprouted wheat grasses into rivers believing that by leaving the “Sabzeh” in the waterways, they throw away the misfortune associated with the number 13 and the 13th day of the year, and this way, they guarantee their New Year and prevent hardships and calamities from coming into their life. They think that the Sabzeh that is pitched into the rivers will take the bad luck with itself to an &#160;unknown destination.</p>
<p>In Nowruz, the adults in the family pay the younger members certain amounts of cash as a gift for the New Year. This reward is called “Eidi” and is not usually spent during the whole year but saved and kept as a token of blessing and wellbeing.</p>
<p>With all of its beauties and splendor, Nowruz is now considered a global festival as it was officially recognized and registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in February 2010. The same year, the UN General Assembly recognized March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz, describing it as a spring festival of Persian origin which has been celebrated for thousands of years.</p>
<p>Nowruz is a relic of past days, a remnant from the dawn of human civilization. It removes religious, cultural, lingual, and national boundaries and connects the hearts of millions of people who want to take part in a unique ceremony marking not only the beginning of New Year, but the end of the distressed winter and arrival of the delightful spring. It’s not simply a source of honor for Iranians who observe and celebrate it, but an opportunity for the congregation and solidarity of all the peace-loving and peace-making nations around the world.</p> | false | 1 | people say 5774th time iranians across world celebrating ancient persian new year festival nowruz however history experts believe nowruz enshrined observed 15000 years well official establishment persian empire like christmas nowruz elaborate festival brings millions people together certain elements nowruz make distinctive tradition one important elements historicity cyrus great first king persian empire came throne 550 bc almost 2000 years insukushsiranna ruler kingdom aratta nowruz celebrated greater iran consisted several provinces currently constitute modern countries like afghanistan tajikistan turkmenistan azerbaijan armenia pakistan iraq parts india turkey nowruz considered important national holiday iran marks beginning new solar year arrival spring according persian calendar nowruz begins vernal equinox starts march 20 21 beauty wonderfulness nowruz starts unique moment time people excitedly breathlessly wait announcement known moment transition year moment astronomically calculated according jalali solar calendarand officially inaugurates new year unquestionably nowruz one prominent hallmarks persian culture iranian civilization represents glory magnificence ancient iran manifests sense national pride dignity iranians around world long epic poem shahnameh 10th century iranian poet philosopher ferdowsi talks detail origins roots nowruz says legendary prehistoric iranian king jamshid jam conquered world ascended throne declared day nowruz beginning iranian new year day iranians across country would come visit persepolis ancient capital persian empire hold festivals receive rewards gifts king enjoy eating festive meals dried nuts fruits sweetmeat sing happy songs perform plays nowruz important comes winter ends iranians believe nowruz feast rebirth rejuvenation injects fresh warm blood veins frosty frozen nature iran famous climatic diversity unique nature beautiful spring especially 13 days nowruz festivals fragrant flowers attractive plants grow large quantities northern central southern parts iran weather predominantly mild moderate majority cities around country nowruz celebrated farvardin 1 13 farvardin first month solar calendar whose name taken zoroastrian word faravashis meaning spirits dead iranians believe spirits deceased beloved ones return material world last 10 days year one common traditions nowruz iranians strongly committed paying visit elderly meeting members family meetings iranian families entertain delicious iranian cuisines spring fruits dried nuts candies confections deserts ricecakes pastries cookies setting haftseen table also one customs nowruz seen quintessential part new year celebrations haft means seven persian seen stands sign 15th letter persian alphabet sounds haftseen table named seven items table whose name start persian letter seen seven items signifies certain meaning items include senjed silver berry sweet dry fruit lotus tree denotes love affection sumaq sumac crushed spices berries symbolizes sunrise warmth life seeb red apple stands health beauty seer garlic indicates good health wellbeing samanu sweet paste made wheat sugar represents fertility sweetness life sabzeh sprouted wheat grass sign renewal life sonbol purple hyacinth flower represents prosperity goodwill new year however majority iranian families put 7 items haftseen table settings additional things sekkeh coins herald wealth affluence serkeh vinegar symbolizes age patience toleration hardships sangak plain whole wheat sour dough flatbread characterizes blessing good luck iranians also put colored eggs bowl goldfish traditional haftseen table consider two elements signs fertility welfare happiness one elements placed beautiful haftseen table mirror symbol purity reflection honesty iranians never forget put beautifully adorned decorated mirror traditional table setting also put copy holy quran haftseen table believe guard life coming year elaborate wellresearched article nowruz published iran review website cultural researcher firouzeh mirrazavi writes festival according documents observed fifth farvardin special celebrations followed end month possibly first five days festivities public national nature rest month assumed private royal character since nowruz historically celebrated irans ceremonial capital persepolis takhtejamshid southern city shiraz every year thousands iranians travel shiraz take part national celebrations nowruz even foreign tourists travel iran take part celebrations prefer visit shiraz isfahan 13 days nowruz nowruz extended 13 days according ancient belief iranians 13 inauspicious number 13th day farvardin iranian families gather parks gardens farms green places eat cuisines containing certain local herbs friendly conversations also throw sprouted wheat grasses rivers believing leaving sabzeh waterways throw away misfortune associated number 13 13th day year way guarantee new year prevent hardships calamities coming life think sabzeh pitched rivers take bad luck 160unknown destination nowruz adults family pay younger members certain amounts cash gift new year reward called eidi usually spent whole year saved kept token blessing wellbeing beauties splendor nowruz considered global festival officially recognized registered unesco list intangible cultural heritage humanity february 2010 year un general assembly recognized march 21 international day nowruz describing spring festival persian origin celebrated thousands years nowruz relic past days remnant dawn human civilization removes religious cultural lingual national boundaries connects hearts millions people want take part unique ceremony marking beginning new year end distressed winter arrival delightful spring simply source honor iranians observe celebrate opportunity congregation solidarity peaceloving peacemaking nations around world | 774 |
<p>FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/New-York-Jets/" type="external">New York Jets</a> head coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Todd-Bowles/" type="external">Todd Bowles</a> is notorious as a man of few words, but he didn’t need to say much to convey his message to players when OTAs ended June 15.</p>
<p>“We got a lot of work done, but we have a lot of work to do when we get back,” Bowles said.</p>
<p>Boy, do they ever.</p>
<p>The Jets will convene for training camp on July 28 with a roster almost universally regarded as one of the three worst in the league. For the first time under owner <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Woody_Johnson/" type="external">Woody Johnson</a>, the Jets – with no quarterback, a barren wide receiver corps and a rebuilt offensive line and secondary – begin a season in full-on rebuilding mode and with no delusions of grandeur about competing for the franchise’s first championship in 49 seasons.</p>
<p>Instead, the Jets are widely expected to vie, along with the tanking <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/San-Francisco-49ers/" type="external">San Francisco 49ers</a> and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cleveland-Browns/" type="external">Cleveland Browns</a>, for the top pick in the 2018 draft, when several franchise-caliber quarterbacks are expected to be available in the first round.</p>
<p>Of course, Bowles can’t say that, and nor can he coach the season with 2018 in mind – especially when he’s on the hot seat following a 5-11 campaign in which he seemed to lose control of the locker room. Instead, he’ll attempt to do the impossible: Turn a ragtag bunch into a cohesive unit that has every right to declare it’s going to try and shock the world.</p>
<p>“My expectations are high and the team’s expectations are high and that’s really all that counts,” Bowles said.</p>
<p>“I’m trying to get to the playoffs and win a Super Bowl. It’s no different than any other year.”</p>
<p>TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS</p>
<p>–Find a quarterback. Whomever wins the quarterback competition will be an underwhelming choice, but the identity of the victor will be telling. If it’s <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Josh_McCown/" type="external">Josh McCown</a>, it means the Jets will want to maintain a veneer of competitiveness in the early going, as well as that Christian Hackenberg remains incapable of starting for an NFL team. A victory by Hackenberg won’t mean he’s suddenly competent – that sub-50 percent completion percentage in the PRESEASON last year is hard to forget – but will indicate the Jets see a longer-term upside in taking their beatings and getting a higher 2018 draft pick than by pretending there’s a chance they can compete this season.</p>
<p>–Build positive chemistry. The Jets went 5-11 last year because most of their older good players got old and not so good in a hurry. But a toxic locker room culture and the perpetual distraction created by <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Ryan_Fitzpatrick/" type="external">Ryan Fitzpatrick</a>‘s bizarre offseason-long holdout didn’t help. Now, with the locker room free of older underachievers as well as the divisive presence of <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Brandon_Marshall/" type="external">Brandon Marshall</a>, head coach Todd Bowles can go about building a “why not us?” culture with the young and overlooked players that will comprise the 2017 squad.</p>
<p>–Develop the offensive line: If the Jets are going to be better than awful this year, they’ll need a mostly new offensive line to protect the quarterback, whomever he is, and open some holes for running backs <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt_Forte/" type="external">Matt Forte</a> and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Bilal-Powell/" type="external">Bilal Powell</a>. The quintet of C <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Wesley_Johnson/" type="external">Wesley Johnson</a>, RG Brian Winters, LG James Carpenter, LT <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kelvin-Beachum/" type="external">Kelvin Beachum</a> and RT Ben Ijalana has never played a single down together, so expect to see the first-team line plenty during exhibition play.</p>
<p>PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART</p>
<p>QUARTERBACKS: Starter – Josh McCown. Backups – Christian Hackenberg, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Bryce-Petty/" type="external">Bryce Petty</a>.</p>
<p>RUNNING BACKS: Starter – Matt Forte. Backups – Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire, Brandon Wilds, Jordan Todman, Romar Morris, FB Julian Howsare, FB Anthony Firkser.</p>
<p>TIGHT ENDS: Starter – <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Austin-Seferian-Jenkins/" type="external">Austin Seferian-Jenkins</a>. Backups -Jordan Leggett, Eric Tomlinson, Brian Parker, Jason Vander Laan.</p>
<p>WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters – Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson, ArDarius Stewart. Backups – Marquess Wilson, Charone Peake, Chad Hansen, Myles White, Jalin Marshall, Devin Street, Frankie Hammond, Deshon Foxx, Chris Harper, Gabe Marks, KD Cannon.</p>
<p>OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – C Wesley Johnson, RG Brian Winters, LG James Carpenter, LT Kelvin Beachum, RT Ben Ijalana. Backups – G/C Dakota Dozier, T Brandon Shell, T Brent Qvale, G Craig Watts, OL Alex Balducci, OL Chris Bordelon, OL Ben Braden, OL Jonotthan Harrison, T Jeff Adams, T Javarius Leamon.</p>
<p>DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Muhammad-Wilkerson/" type="external">Muhammad Wilkerson</a>, NT Steve McLendon, DE <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Sheldon-Richardson/" type="external">Sheldon Richardson</a>, DE Leonard Williams. Backups – NT Deon Simon, DL Lawrence Thomas, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Anthony_Johnson/" type="external">Anthony Johnson</a>, DL Mike Pennel, DL Brandin Bryant, DL Patrick Gamble, DL Claude Peron.</p>
<p>LINEBACKERS: Starters – ILB Demario Davis, ILB Darren Lee, OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB Jordan Jenkins. Backups – LB Freddie Bishop, LB Bruce Carter, LB Corey Lemonier, LB Josh Martin, LB Julian Stanford, LB Frank Beltre, LB Dylan Donahue, LB Connor Harris, LB <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Spencer-Paysinger/" type="external">Spencer Paysinger</a>.</p>
<p>DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters – CB <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Morris-Claiborne/" type="external">Morris Claiborne</a>, CB Buster Skrine, FS Marcus Maye, SS <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jamal-Adams/" type="external">Jamal Adams</a>. Backups – CB <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Marcus_Williams/" type="external">Marcus Williams</a>, CB Juston Burris, CB Dexter McDougle, CB <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Darryl_Roberts/" type="external">Darryl Roberts</a>, CB Jeremy Clark, CB Xavier Coleman, CB Derrick Jones, CB Bryson Keeton, DB Corey White, S Rontez Miles, S Doug Middleton, S Ronald Martin, S Shamarko Thomas.</p>
<p>SPECIAL TEAMS: K <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chandler-Catanzaro/" type="external">Chandler Catanzaro</a>, K Ross Martin, P Lachlan Edwards, KR/PR ArDarius Stewart, KR/PR Jalin Marshall, LS Tanner Purdum.</p> | false | 1 | florham park nj new york jets head coach todd bowles notorious man words didnt need say much convey message players otas ended june 15 got lot work done lot work get back bowles said boy ever jets convene training camp july 28 roster almost universally regarded one three worst league first time owner woody johnson jets quarterback barren wide receiver corps rebuilt offensive line secondary begin season fullon rebuilding mode delusions grandeur competing franchises first championship 49 seasons instead jets widely expected vie along tanking san francisco 49ers cleveland browns top pick 2018 draft several franchisecaliber quarterbacks expected available first round course bowles cant say coach season 2018 mind especially hes hot seat following 511 campaign seemed lose control locker room instead hell attempt impossible turn ragtag bunch cohesive unit every right declare going try shock world expectations high teams expectations high thats really counts bowles said im trying get playoffs win super bowl different year top three training camp goals find quarterback whomever wins quarterback competition underwhelming choice identity victor telling josh mccown means jets want maintain veneer competitiveness early going well christian hackenberg remains incapable starting nfl team victory hackenberg wont mean hes suddenly competent sub50 percent completion percentage preseason last year hard forget indicate jets see longerterm upside taking beatings getting higher 2018 draft pick pretending theres chance compete season build positive chemistry jets went 511 last year older good players got old good hurry toxic locker room culture perpetual distraction created ryan fitzpatricks bizarre offseasonlong holdout didnt help locker room free older underachievers well divisive presence brandon marshall head coach todd bowles go building us culture young overlooked players comprise 2017 squad develop offensive line jets going better awful year theyll need mostly new offensive line protect quarterback whomever open holes running backs matt forte bilal powell quintet c wesley johnson rg brian winters lg james carpenter lt kelvin beachum rt ben ijalana never played single together expect see firstteam line plenty exhibition play projected camp depth chart quarterbacks starter josh mccown backups christian hackenberg bryce petty running backs starter matt forte backups bilal powell elijah mcguire brandon wilds jordan todman romar morris fb julian howsare fb anthony firkser tight ends starter austin seferianjenkins backups jordan leggett eric tomlinson brian parker jason vander laan wide receivers starters quincy enunwa robby anderson ardarius stewart backups marquess wilson charone peake chad hansen myles white jalin marshall devin street frankie hammond deshon foxx chris harper gabe marks kd cannon offensive linemen starters c wesley johnson rg brian winters lg james carpenter lt kelvin beachum rt ben ijalana backups gc dakota dozier brandon shell brent qvale g craig watts ol alex balducci ol chris bordelon ol ben braden ol jonotthan harrison jeff adams javarius leamon defensive linemen starters de muhammad wilkerson nt steve mclendon de sheldon richardson de leonard williams backups nt deon simon dl lawrence thomas anthony johnson dl mike pennel dl brandin bryant dl patrick gamble dl claude peron linebackers starters ilb demario davis ilb darren lee olb lorenzo mauldin olb jordan jenkins backups lb freddie bishop lb bruce carter lb corey lemonier lb josh martin lb julian stanford lb frank beltre lb dylan donahue lb connor harris lb spencer paysinger defensive backs starters cb morris claiborne cb buster skrine fs marcus maye ss jamal adams backups cb marcus williams cb juston burris cb dexter mcdougle cb darryl roberts cb jeremy clark cb xavier coleman cb derrick jones cb bryson keeton db corey white rontez miles doug middleton ronald martin shamarko thomas special teams k chandler catanzaro k ross martin p lachlan edwards krpr ardarius stewart krpr jalin marshall ls tanner purdum | 604 |
<p>The viral video showing an emaciated and starving bear desperately searching for food has garnered massive attention around the world, but in the six days since its publication serious doubts have emerged among the scientific and indigenous communities.</p>
<p>Nunavut polar bear monitor Leo Ikakhik has been surveying the animal populations on the western shore of the Hudson Bay, Canada in the periphery of the Arviat community, for the last seven years, collaborating with organizations such as the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). His work involves harm reduction and conservation efforts; essentially limiting human contact with the polar bears.</p>
<p>“I wasn’t totally surprised. These things happen,” Ikakhik told <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-edition-1.4442887/viral-video-of-emaciated-polar-bear-may-not-be-what-it-seems-nunavut-bear-monitor-says-1.4442892" type="external">CBC Radio</a>. “Mother Nature is going to do part of that. You know, it’s just part of the cycle. Everybody probably was shocked to see a really skinny bear, but this is not my first time seeing something like this.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/412569-polar-bear-canada-dying/" type="external">READ MORE:&#160;Filmmaker captures ‘slow, painful death’ of starving polar bear (VIDEO)</a></p>
<p>The viral video, which shows a beleaguered and emaciated bear desperately searching for food in an abandoned fishing camp on Somerset Island, has been viewed more than 1.4 million times on Instagram in the six days since it was uploaded, and stolen headlines and hearts across the world.</p>
<p />
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcU-6PsAoIp/" type="external">My entire @Sea_Legacy team was pushing through their tears and emotions while documenting this dying polar bear. It’s a soul-crushing scene that still haunts me, but I know we need to share both the beautiful and the heartbreaking if we are going to break down the walls of apathy. This is what starvation looks like. The muscles atrophy. No energy. It’s a slow, painful death. When scientists say polar bears will be extinct in the next 100 years, I think of the global population of 25,000 bears dying in this manner. There is no band aid solution. There was no saving this individual bear. People think that we can put platforms in the ocean or we can feed the odd starving bear. The simple truth is this—if the Earth continues to warm, we will lose bears and entire polar ecosystems. This large male bear was not old, and he certainly died within hours or days of this moment. But there are solutions. We must reduce our carbon footprint, eat the right food, stop cutting down our forests, and begin putting the Earth—our home—first. Please join us at @sea_legacy as we search for and implement solutions for the oceans and the animals that rely on them—including us humans. Thank you your support in keeping my @sea_legacy team in the field. With @CristinaMittermeier #turningthetide with @Sea_Legacy #bethechange #nature #naturelovers This video is exclusively managed by Caters News. To license or use in a commercial player please contact [email protected] or call +44 121 616 1100 / +1 646 380 1615”</a></p>
<p>A post shared by Paul Nicklen (@paulnicklen) on Dec 5, 2017 at 8:52am PST</p>
<p />
<p>The video was shot by National Geographic photojournalist and fellow Paul Nicklen for his environmental conservation organization <a href="https://www.sealegacy.org/" type="external">Sea Legacy</a>.</p>
<p>“When the animal first got up and we could see that he was actually in the late stages of starvation,” SeaLegacy co-founder Cristina Mittermeier told CBC Radio. “All of our team was in tears and feeling completely helpless to do anything about it except to roll our cameras and share it with the world.”</p>
<p>While Mittermeier and Nicklen posit that melting sea ice, caused by climate change, is to blame, Ikahik isn’t so sure, instead proposing that the bear may have been sick or injured to such a degree that it couldn’t hunt properly.</p>
<p>Ikahik added that,&#160;not only does he see healthy, well-fed polar bears in the area all the time but that locals were forced to euthanize a polar bear they encountered recently that had broken its paw. It’s also important to note that bears are apex predators and, as such, they die from starvation, sickness or battle wounds caused by other bears.</p>
<p>“Since I’m from the North, I wouldn’t really fall for the video,” he said. “I wouldn’t really blame the climate change. It’s just part of the animal, what they go through.”</p>
<p>Critics have highlighted that one singular, highly emotive video does not prove anything, especially when there was little to no communication with the local Inuit community, who have coexisted with the bears for generations.</p>
<p />
<p>I try to avoid commenting on stuff like this, at least for the first couple days when emotions are high. But since you asked…</p>
<p>— Jeff W. Higdon (@jeffwhigdon) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffwhigdon/status/939578081811009536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">December 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>I was reminded of some of the fat bears I took pictures of on September 4 ‘16. No ice with lots of black flies this time of the year, seals aren’t their only food. <a href="https://t.co/oC7aohqCrH" type="external">pic.twitter.com/oC7aohqCrH</a></p>
<p>— Gordy Kidlapik (@Ingutaq) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ingutaq/status/939262446899888129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">December 8, 2017</a></p>
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<p>Human-caused global warming is a serious, important issue. It is real. Arguing it is real because of a video of one sick bear is like claiming that it is a hoax because yesterday it snowed in southern Texas</p>
<p>— Marco Festa-Bianchet (@festa_bianchet) <a href="https://twitter.com/festa_bianchet/status/939688487804059654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">December 10, 2017</a></p>
<p />
<p>In addition, while the video was filmed in late August, during the snowless months in the tundra, it’s perceived as a disingenuous argument for the dangerous impacts of climate change, especially given that the team waited until December to publish.</p>
<p>A December 2016 <a href="http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/12/12/20160556" type="external">study</a>, published in the Royal Society’s Biology Letters, claims that up to 30 percent of global polar bear populations could disappear by 2050. An additional report, released in March by the Canada-Greenland Joint Commission on Polar Bears found that the animals are coping with the effects of climate change better than expected along Canada’s eastern Arctic.</p>
<p>The report found that in Baffin Bay, bear populations had stayed at roughly the same level for 20 years, approximately 2,800.</p>
<p>The pushback against the video from the indigenous community has also been strong.</p>
<p>The video has also generated significant debate among the scientific community, both as to its authenticity and its significance.</p>
<p>“The video shows what appears to be an old male in declining health, but clear clinical signs of starvation aren’t obvious (e.g. convulsions),” polar bear biologist Andrew Derocher told <a href="http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/what-everybody-got-wrong-about-that-viral-video-of-a-starving-polar-bear" type="external">The National Post</a>. Derocher believes the bear may have succumb to an aggressive form of bone cancer. “Bears can respond to improved conditions: We’ve followed bears that went from bone racks to obese over a few months,” said Derocher.</p>
<p>While disappearing ice is certainly having a negative impact on particular polar bear communities, others are thriving. Data collected by the Canadian Federal Government shows bear populations along the western coast of Baffin Island are “stable” and, on the southeastern side, shows a “likely increase.”</p>
<p>“Fake news for a good cause can backfire and shred your credibility. That’s something nobody who’s concerned about the environment can afford to forget,” Margaret Wente of the <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/is-fake-news-okay-if-the-cause-is-good/article37290997/" type="external">Globe and Mail</a>, wrote in an opinion piece on the subject.</p>
<p>In response to the criticism and controversy, Sea Legacy has been steadfast in defending its position.</p>
<p>“The point is that it was starving,” Mittermeier told CBC Radio Friday. “As we lose sea ice in the Arctic, polar bears will starve.”</p>
<p>Sea Legacy’s <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55d5e317e4b0d6e15133663b/t/5a2aa647652dea34ef9073a7/1512744548623/SeaLegacy+Impact+Report+2017+Web+Version.pdf" type="external">stated mission</a>“is to create healthy and abundant oceans, for us and for the planet” using a “powerful model for impact, centered around extraordinary visual storytelling.” The non-profit also claims to “bridge the gap between scientific data and human emotion.”</p>
<p>In her instagram post on the distressed animal, Mittermeier called the bear the “Face of Climate Change,” but clarified later that “we don’t know what caused this animal to starve.</p>
<p>“Some have criticized us for not doing more to help the bear, but we were too far from any village to ask for help, and approaching a starving predator, especially when we didn’t have a weapon, would have been madness,” Mittermeier said as cited by <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/starving-polar-bear-video-climate-change-spd/" type="external">National Geographic</a>.</p>
<p>“In the end, I did the only thing I could: I used my camera to make sure we would be able to share this tragedy with the world.”</p>
<p>“Without a full necropsy, it’s nearly impossible to say whether or not the bear had some kind of disease,” National Geographic’s editorial board wrote, defending the publication of the story. “As a whole, polar bear populations around the world are not in immediate peril.”</p> | false | 1 | viral video showing emaciated starving bear desperately searching food garnered massive attention around world six days since publication serious doubts emerged among scientific indigenous communities nunavut polar bear monitor leo ikakhik surveying animal populations western shore hudson bay canada periphery arviat community last seven years collaborating organizations world wildlife foundation wwf work involves harm reduction conservation efforts essentially limiting human contact polar bears wasnt totally surprised things happen ikakhik told cbc radio mother nature going part know part cycle everybody probably shocked see really skinny bear first time seeing something like read more160filmmaker captures slow painful death starving polar bear video viral video shows beleaguered emaciated bear desperately searching food abandoned fishing camp somerset island viewed 14 million times instagram six days since uploaded stolen headlines hearts across world entire sea_legacy team pushing tears emotions documenting dying polar bear soulcrushing scene still haunts know need share beautiful heartbreaking going break walls apathy starvation looks like muscles atrophy energy slow painful death scientists say polar bears extinct next 100 years think global population 25000 bears dying manner band aid solution saving individual bear people think put platforms ocean feed odd starving bear simple truth thisif earth continues warm lose bears entire polar ecosystems large male bear old certainly died within hours days moment solutions must reduce carbon footprint eat right food stop cutting forests begin putting earthour homefirst please join us sea_legacy search implement solutions oceans animals rely themincluding us humans thank support keeping sea_legacy team field cristinamittermeier turningthetide sea_legacy bethechange nature naturelovers video exclusively managed caters news license use commercial player please contact infocatersnewscom call 44 121 616 1100 1 646 380 1615 post shared paul nicklen paulnicklen dec 5 2017 852am pst video shot national geographic photojournalist fellow paul nicklen environmental conservation organization sea legacy animal first got could see actually late stages starvation sealegacy cofounder cristina mittermeier told cbc radio team tears feeling completely helpless anything except roll cameras share world mittermeier nicklen posit melting sea ice caused climate change blame ikahik isnt sure instead proposing bear may sick injured degree couldnt hunt properly ikahik added that160not see healthy wellfed polar bears area time locals forced euthanize polar bear encountered recently broken paw also important note bears apex predators die starvation sickness battle wounds caused bears since im north wouldnt really fall video said wouldnt really blame climate change part animal go critics highlighted one singular highly emotive video prove anything especially little communication local inuit community coexisted bears generations try avoid commenting stuff like least first couple days emotions high since asked jeff w higdon jeffwhigdon december 9 2017 reminded fat bears took pictures september 4 16 ice lots black flies time year seals arent food pictwittercomoc7aohqcrh gordy kidlapik ingutaq december 8 2017 humancaused global warming serious important issue real arguing real video one sick bear like claiming hoax yesterday snowed southern texas marco festabianchet festa_bianchet december 10 2017 addition video filmed late august snowless months tundra perceived disingenuous argument dangerous impacts climate change especially given team waited december publish december 2016 study published royal societys biology letters claims 30 percent global polar bear populations could disappear 2050 additional report released march canadagreenland joint commission polar bears found animals coping effects climate change better expected along canadas eastern arctic report found baffin bay bear populations stayed roughly level 20 years approximately 2800 pushback video indigenous community also strong video also generated significant debate among scientific community authenticity significance video shows appears old male declining health clear clinical signs starvation arent obvious eg convulsions polar bear biologist andrew derocher told national post derocher believes bear may succumb aggressive form bone cancer bears respond improved conditions weve followed bears went bone racks obese months said derocher disappearing ice certainly negative impact particular polar bear communities others thriving data collected canadian federal government shows bear populations along western coast baffin island stable southeastern side shows likely increase fake news good cause backfire shred credibility thats something nobody whos concerned environment afford forget margaret wente globe mail wrote opinion piece subject response criticism controversy sea legacy steadfast defending position point starving mittermeier told cbc radio friday lose sea ice arctic polar bears starve sea legacys stated missionis create healthy abundant oceans us planet using powerful model impact centered around extraordinary visual storytelling nonprofit also claims bridge gap scientific data human emotion instagram post distressed animal mittermeier called bear face climate change clarified later dont know caused animal starve criticized us help bear far village ask help approaching starving predator especially didnt weapon would madness mittermeier said cited national geographic end thing could used camera make sure would able share tragedy world without full necropsy nearly impossible say whether bear kind disease national geographics editorial board wrote defending publication story whole polar bear populations around world immediate peril | 796 |
<p>Over the past fifteen years, the pro-life movement has succeeded in enacting some modest limitations on embryo-destructive research. Passage of these depended heavily on Republican control of the Congress, and their defense in the past eight years depended heavily on a Republican president willing to use his veto pen. The new political environment puts all of these achievements at grave risk and makes further steps essentially impossible for the time being.</p>
<p>The crucial story of the past several years in stem-cell science has been the story of newly emerging sources of pluripotent stem cells. What began as a series of speculative proposals early this decade and then coalesced into a few avenues of research between 2004 and 2006 has become the story of somatic-cell reprogramming.</p>
<p>In November 2007, two teams of researchers (one in Wisconsin and one in Japan) announced they had successfully transformed regular human adult skin cells into what appeared to be the equivalent of embryonic stem cells without using human embryos. Since then, several crucial advances have made the technique more efficient, more effective, and safer, and the cells produced by this technique (called “induced pluripotent stem cells,” or “iPS cells”) have so far continued to display all the characteristics attributed to human embryonic stem cells. These techniques not only avoid any ethical concerns (concerns, of course, that researchers in the field generally do not share), but they offer a far cheaper and easier method of producing genetically matched or selected pluripotent stem cells, which makes them appealing to researchers.</p>
<p>As a result, this technique has begun to overtake the use of embryos in many stem-cell labs. At last count (in the fall of 2008), there were approximately eight hundred laboratories using iPS cells in their work, which has cut sharply into the number of those using human embryos or cells derived from embryos. If the cells involved continue to prove equal to human embryonic stem cells in abilities and characteristics, this technique offers a genuine alternative to the destruction of embryos for nearly every purpose to which human embryonic stem cells and human cloning for research have been proposed or employed. The chief exception is the study of human development itself, which certainly has some devoted champions in the scientific community but which makes for a significantly less appealing political message than does the pursuit of regenerative medicine.</p>
<p>To date, no therapeutic applications of embryo-derived cells have been demonstrated, and only one preliminary human trial has been approved by the FDA (though it has yet to begin). The work, however, is proceeding, and the political debate about the research has certainly raised its profile and thereby brought private and some state funding pouring in. There have been no game-changing breakthroughs in the use of embryonic stem cells in recent years, but researchers remain confident of their potential utility, and their use will certainly continue even as work with iPS cells will likely overtake embryonic stem-cell research in volume and scope.</p>
<p>Research in human cloning is also proceeding. Given the number and quality of labs around the world currently pursuing human cloning techniques and the increasing efficiency and success of cloning techniques in nonhuman primates, it is reasonable to expect the successful creation of a human embryo by cloning in the next year or two.</p>
<p>The most significant obstacle to such success at this point is probably the limited supply of human eggs for research, which severely restricts the ability of researchers in the United States and in most of Western Europe to engage in large-scale cloning experiments of the sort that led to the first cloning of primates a few years ago. For this reason, significant research efforts have begun to explore means to produce eggs–for instance, by transforming iPS cells or embryonic stem cells into human egg cells, by using or improving damaged or low-grade eggs discarded by fertility clinics, and by obtaining human eggs through ovarian biopsy. We should also expect to see growing pressure to ease various state and institutional limitations on the sale of eggs for research.</p>
<p>Some more eccentric embryo research–such as the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos or the development of embryonic stem cells from earlier-stage embryos–is likely to see a serious decline in interest over the next few years. The purpose of these techniques was to overcome the shortage of human eggs for straightforward (non-cloning) embryo research and to sidestep the political pressure and ethical concerns raised by the destruction of embryos for research. Both sets of problems are significantly alleviated by the development of iPS cells (and, it must be added, the political pressure is alleviated by the election of a Democratic president). It is likely, therefore, that the attempts to produce human-animal hybrid embryos (which we know have been tried in China and Great Britain) will be scaled back. Attempts to find new ways to derive cells from human embryos will be limited as well. We can, however, expect continuing efforts to extend the period of gestation of human embryos outside the body–as more developed embryos and fetuses yield more useful cells and tissues.</p>
<p>Another set of emerging techniques, which would employ pluripotent stem cells to produce human eggs and sperm, are likely to develop swiftly in the next few years. These techniques would allow for manipulations of human reproduction to permit, for instance, homosexual couples to reproduce biologically (using, say, an egg from one female, then transforming the skin cells of another female into sperm cells with her genetic characteristics, and then producing an embryo by in-vitro fertilization). These techniques are almost certainly already possible with existing iPS techniques, though the efficiency involved would be quite low and the expense quite high. They will improve dramatically in the coming years.</p>
<p>As a result of all this, the likely scientific developments over the next few years move in two opposed directions: On the one hand, techniques to produce pluripotent stem cells without the need for embryos will certainly take center stage, reducing the volume of embryo destruction. On the other hand, successful human cloning for research is very likely, and we will see growing pressure to make more eggs available for research.</p>
<p>With regard to actual medical advancement, it is important to take note of the changed tone of expectations. Researchers now speak far less frequently of actual direct-cell therapies for particular diseases and conditions, because the lessons of animal research (and some implications of human adult stem-cell research) in recent years suggest that direct delivery of cells into the body of a patient will always carry grave risks of mutation and cancer. Moreover, they will also always remain extremely difficult to scale up to levels that would be required for treatment of widespread diseases or conditions.</p>
<p>Cell biology is instead increasingly directed to the study of small molecules that may be used to manipulate the development of cells through gene activation. It seems more and more likely that the most significant findings of the stem-cell revolution will involve ways of altering existing adult cells in the body rather than replacing lost or damaged cells. This suggests a far less prominent role for human embryos in this field of biology in the long run, but it also suggests a continuing interest in the detailed study of human development in the short run, which does involve the use and destruction of embryos. The public argument that stem cells from embryos will themselves be used to tr eat sick patients, however, is becoming increasingly untenable and untethered from the work of actual researchers in the field.</p>
<p>As far as public policy in the United States goes, the effort to enact limits on the destruction of human embryos for research (and on other unethical practices at the margins of cell biology) have yielded some modest but important achievements. All of these are now at risk, and some are quite certain to be overturned.</p>
<p>In 2001, President Bush permitted, for the first time, some limited federal funding of human embryonic stem-cell research, but under rules that denied funding to the use of any newly created lines of cells–thus avoiding a federally funded incentive for the ongoing destruction of human embryos. Congress twice passed bills to overturn these limits and allow for funding of newly created lines, and Bush twice vetoed the measures.</p>
<p>During the 2008 campaign, President Obama committed to overturning the Bush policy, and he will certainly do so. The particular character of the new policy will make some difference: It could, for instance, involve parental-consent requirements that might constrain its scope somewhat. But federal support for the use of cells from destroyed embryos will certainly grow significantly.</p>
<p>At this point, such support could fund only the use of cells from embryos but not the actual process of destroying the embryos. The Dickey Amendment, attached to the federal budget since 1995, prohibits funding for work in which embryos are actually destroyed. The new Congress may choose to remove the Dickey Amendment in next year’s budget, allowing for essentially no restriction on federal funding for the destruction of human embryos.</p>
<p>Opponents of the amendment certainly have the votes to remove it, but they will need to judge whether there is sufficient demand in the scientific community to merit the political cost, which means that the pro-life movement needs to prepare its case on the Dickey amendment, to make plain that there would be a cost.</p>
<p>In 2004, Congress enacted a ban on the patenting of human embryos. This prohibition, known as the Weldon Amendment, prohibits the patent office from granting patents that encompass a human organism as a patented product. This both establishes the principle that human beings should not be treated as property and limits the appeal of some manipulations of human embryos for research. The Weldon Amendment was forcefully opposed by the lobbying arm of the biotechnology industry and by some advocates of embryo research, and it may well be at risk in the next budget process.</p>
<p>In 2006, Congress passed and Bush signed a prohibition on the use of tissues or organs from a human fetus who had been gestated for the purpose of producing such tissues or organs (a practice known as fetal farming). This prohibition, which is not just a budget amendment but a statutory ban, affecting both the private and the public sector, is not likely to be undone by the new Congress, as there is not sufficient pressure from researchers to reverse it, and a reversal would be extremely unpopular.</p>
<p>These are, more or less, the only existing protections in federal law. There is no limitation on human cloning at the federal level, no prohibition on human-animal hybrid work or similar techniques, and no restriction on the use, procurement, or purchase of human eggs for research.</p>
<p>In the past, when Republicans have proposed to prohibit human cloning, the Democrats advanced a measure they described as a cloning ban, though, in fact, it would have prohibited only the transfer of a cloned human embryo to a womb for development to birth. The Democrats might pursue such a measure as a preventative step in this new Congress, but, since current law places no restrictions whatsoever on cloning, they may more likely see it as a needless effort and leave things as they are.</p>
<p>The only real opportunity for some positive achievement (rather than successful defense) in the next few years–and even this is a long shot–involves the question of egg procurement for embryo research. We are very likely to see growing pressure from researchers to ease institutional and some state rules that limit their ability to pay for eggs and that constrain them from working closely with fertility clinics to obtain eggs. The egg issue raises some concerns for a small but potentially significant element on the left, and at this point the usual biotechnology and disease-group lobbyists have not made it a key focus of their efforts. It may be possible to form a bare majority for setting some modest boundaries on the sale or procurement of eggs for research.</p>
<p>The prospects on the embryo-research front in the coming years are grim. We will certainly see the Bush funding policy overturned, and we will likely see rolled back most of the other modest protections enacted through great and arduous effort over a decade and a half. The egg-procurement question presents the only plausible opportunity for progress, but the pro-life movement should not despair of defensive successes. The Dickey and Weldon Amendments both have determined opponents in the scientific community (and especially in the private biotechnology sector) but both have a decent chance of surviving if the political costs of eliminating them can be increased. The first budget cycle of the new Congress will be the most crucial and difficult test on both fronts.</p>
<p>— Yuval Levin is the Hertog Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, where he directs the program on Bioethics and American Democracy.</p> | false | 1 | past fifteen years prolife movement succeeded enacting modest limitations embryodestructive research passage depended heavily republican control congress defense past eight years depended heavily republican president willing use veto pen new political environment puts achievements grave risk makes steps essentially impossible time crucial story past several years stemcell science story newly emerging sources pluripotent stem cells began series speculative proposals early decade coalesced avenues research 2004 2006 become story somaticcell reprogramming november 2007 two teams researchers one wisconsin one japan announced successfully transformed regular human adult skin cells appeared equivalent embryonic stem cells without using human embryos since several crucial advances made technique efficient effective safer cells produced technique called induced pluripotent stem cells ips cells far continued display characteristics attributed human embryonic stem cells techniques avoid ethical concerns concerns course researchers field generally share offer far cheaper easier method producing genetically matched selected pluripotent stem cells makes appealing researchers result technique begun overtake use embryos many stemcell labs last count fall 2008 approximately eight hundred laboratories using ips cells work cut sharply number using human embryos cells derived embryos cells involved continue prove equal human embryonic stem cells abilities characteristics technique offers genuine alternative destruction embryos nearly every purpose human embryonic stem cells human cloning research proposed employed chief exception study human development certainly devoted champions scientific community makes significantly less appealing political message pursuit regenerative medicine date therapeutic applications embryoderived cells demonstrated one preliminary human trial approved fda though yet begin work however proceeding political debate research certainly raised profile thereby brought private state funding pouring gamechanging breakthroughs use embryonic stem cells recent years researchers remain confident potential utility use certainly continue even work ips cells likely overtake embryonic stemcell research volume scope research human cloning also proceeding given number quality labs around world currently pursuing human cloning techniques increasing efficiency success cloning techniques nonhuman primates reasonable expect successful creation human embryo cloning next year two significant obstacle success point probably limited supply human eggs research severely restricts ability researchers united states western europe engage largescale cloning experiments sort led first cloning primates years ago reason significant research efforts begun explore means produce eggsfor instance transforming ips cells embryonic stem cells human egg cells using improving damaged lowgrade eggs discarded fertility clinics obtaining human eggs ovarian biopsy also expect see growing pressure ease various state institutional limitations sale eggs research eccentric embryo researchsuch creation humananimal hybrid embryos development embryonic stem cells earlierstage embryosis likely see serious decline interest next years purpose techniques overcome shortage human eggs straightforward noncloning embryo research sidestep political pressure ethical concerns raised destruction embryos research sets problems significantly alleviated development ips cells must added political pressure alleviated election democratic president likely therefore attempts produce humananimal hybrid embryos know tried china great britain scaled back attempts find new ways derive cells human embryos limited well however expect continuing efforts extend period gestation human embryos outside bodyas developed embryos fetuses yield useful cells tissues another set emerging techniques would employ pluripotent stem cells produce human eggs sperm likely develop swiftly next years techniques would allow manipulations human reproduction permit instance homosexual couples reproduce biologically using say egg one female transforming skin cells another female sperm cells genetic characteristics producing embryo invitro fertilization techniques almost certainly already possible existing ips techniques though efficiency involved would quite low expense quite high improve dramatically coming years result likely scientific developments next years move two opposed directions one hand techniques produce pluripotent stem cells without need embryos certainly take center stage reducing volume embryo destruction hand successful human cloning research likely see growing pressure make eggs available research regard actual medical advancement important take note changed tone expectations researchers speak far less frequently actual directcell therapies particular diseases conditions lessons animal research implications human adult stemcell research recent years suggest direct delivery cells body patient always carry grave risks mutation cancer moreover also always remain extremely difficult scale levels would required treatment widespread diseases conditions cell biology instead increasingly directed study small molecules may used manipulate development cells gene activation seems likely significant findings stemcell revolution involve ways altering existing adult cells body rather replacing lost damaged cells suggests far less prominent role human embryos field biology long run also suggests continuing interest detailed study human development short run involve use destruction embryos public argument stem cells embryos used tr eat sick patients however becoming increasingly untenable untethered work actual researchers field far public policy united states goes effort enact limits destruction human embryos research unethical practices margins cell biology yielded modest important achievements risk quite certain overturned 2001 president bush permitted first time limited federal funding human embryonic stemcell research rules denied funding use newly created lines cellsthus avoiding federally funded incentive ongoing destruction human embryos congress twice passed bills overturn limits allow funding newly created lines bush twice vetoed measures 2008 campaign president obama committed overturning bush policy certainly particular character new policy make difference could instance involve parentalconsent requirements might constrain scope somewhat federal support use cells destroyed embryos certainly grow significantly point support could fund use cells embryos actual process destroying embryos dickey amendment attached federal budget since 1995 prohibits funding work embryos actually destroyed new congress may choose remove dickey amendment next years budget allowing essentially restriction federal funding destruction human embryos opponents amendment certainly votes remove need judge whether sufficient demand scientific community merit political cost means prolife movement needs prepare case dickey amendment make plain would cost 2004 congress enacted ban patenting human embryos prohibition known weldon amendment prohibits patent office granting patents encompass human organism patented product establishes principle human beings treated property limits appeal manipulations human embryos research weldon amendment forcefully opposed lobbying arm biotechnology industry advocates embryo research may well risk next budget process 2006 congress passed bush signed prohibition use tissues organs human fetus gestated purpose producing tissues organs practice known fetal farming prohibition budget amendment statutory ban affecting private public sector likely undone new congress sufficient pressure researchers reverse reversal would extremely unpopular less existing protections federal law limitation human cloning federal level prohibition humananimal hybrid work similar techniques restriction use procurement purchase human eggs research past republicans proposed prohibit human cloning democrats advanced measure described cloning ban though fact would prohibited transfer cloned human embryo womb development birth democrats might pursue measure preventative step new congress since current law places restrictions whatsoever cloning may likely see needless effort leave things real opportunity positive achievement rather successful defense next yearsand even long shotinvolves question egg procurement embryo research likely see growing pressure researchers ease institutional state rules limit ability pay eggs constrain working closely fertility clinics obtain eggs egg issue raises concerns small potentially significant element left point usual biotechnology diseasegroup lobbyists made key focus efforts may possible form bare majority setting modest boundaries sale procurement eggs research prospects embryoresearch front coming years grim certainly see bush funding policy overturned likely see rolled back modest protections enacted great arduous effort decade half eggprocurement question presents plausible opportunity progress prolife movement despair defensive successes dickey weldon amendments determined opponents scientific community especially private biotechnology sector decent chance surviving political costs eliminating increased first budget cycle new congress crucial difficult test fronts yuval levin hertog fellow ethics public policy center directs program bioethics american democracy | 1,204 |
<p>A couple suspected of killing and eating dozens of victims in Krasnodar is but the latest in a string of cannibalism cases over the past decades in Russia. Fueled by mental illness, desperation and perverse fantasy, it doesn’t detract from the shocking cruelty.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/404476-russian-cannibals-couple-detained/" type="external">Selfies with human remains: Russian ‘cannibal couple’ detained after gruesome find</a></p>
<p>Sixteen-year-old schoolgirl Karina Buduchyan’s loved 19-year-old goth Maksim Glavatskikh but her feelings went unrequited.</p>
<p>On January 19, 2009 she thought everything could change when Maksim, described as charismatic and sociable, invited her to his apartment where he was partying with friends. When she arrived, Maksim ushered most of the guests out. Karina went to the bathroom, filled the tub with hot water, undressed and got inside.</p>
<p>Soon after, Glavatskikh joined her. He then sneezed three times – a prearranged signal <a href="https://www.gazeta.ru/social/2010/05/05/3362880.shtml" type="external">according</a> to prosecutors – and his friend Yuri Mozhnov burst in. Together they held Karina’s head underwater until she drowned.</p>
<p>The goths, who police said had planned the murder long in advance, then fried several cuts of her meat with onions and potatoes and ate it.</p>
<p>When they woke up from their stupor the following day, they stole Karina’s phone and cash, dismembered her, and disposed of her body close to their home.</p>
<p>Glavatskikh, who got married and formed a band in jail,&#160; <a href="https://life.ru/t/life78/991466/ghot-liudoied_maksim_ghlavatskikh_uspiel_zhienitsia_i_sobrat_svoiu_rok-ghruppu_v_kolonii" type="external">died</a>&#160;in prison in 2017 in what authorities said was a suicide.</p>
<p>“My girlfriend kicked me out – said that I was a wuss, not a wolf. I’ll show her,” says a line in the diary of Aleksandr Bychkov who killed at least nine people.</p>
<p>“He used to go on and on about the Fuhrer, but we didn’t have sex, as he couldn’t,” replied the girlfriend to a question in a later interview.</p>
<p>As he went on his killing spree between 2009 and 2012, Bychkov dubbed himself Rambo, wore only black and drew a swastika on his arm.</p>
<p>A lonely and preposterous figure, he was also the product of a broken family – an absent father, a hard-drinking mother who took up with a succession of men while sending her small children out to the market stall to sell herbs and a brother who was disabled after an attempted robbery.</p>
<p>Despising what he believed to be a moral weakness, Bychkov’s victims were reminiscent of his mother’s companions – hard-drinking and often homeless. Like the infamous Chessboard Killer Aleksandr Pichushkin, Bychkov would get his victims drunk, then bludgeon them to death.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/404550-russian-cannibal-couple-video/" type="external">READ MORE: First images from Russian ‘cannibal couple’ apartment (VIDEO, PHOTO)</a></p>
<p>Bychkov told the police that unlike Pichushkin he also ate their organs – particularly the heart and liver, which he cooked with a cabbage broth at home. Though the decomposed bodies of his buried victims made it hard to tell the truth from the over-compensating bravado.</p>
<p>Arrested for the petty crime of stealing knives from a garden center in January 2012, Bychkov immediately confessed his crimes to the police. The 29-year-old from central Russia is currently <a href="http://www.mk.ru/incident/2012/03/29/687104-zverinyiy-oskal-kannibalizma.html" type="external">serving</a> a life sentence.</p>
<p>With four criminal convictions behind him, Sergey Gavrilov did not have a steady job and shared a flat with his mother Lyubov.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/404632-cannibal-couple-shopkeeper-interview/" type="external" /></p>
<p>On January 11, 2009, she received her pension – equivalent to a few hundred dollars – and customarily her son demanded that she share.</p>
<p>According to court documents, when she refused, he hit her on the head with a brick, strangled her with a wire, and then laid her body out in the cold on the balcony.</p>
<p>27-year-old Sergey spent her pension on vodka and slot machines in two days.</p>
<p>A month later, as other relatives became concerned, a police inspector came to the flat, only to find Lyubov’s body still in the same spot on the frost covered balcony, but with slices of meat carved from her legs.</p>
<p>“Following a conversation with the accused, it became obvious that he had no means of sustenance, and for a period of a month he survived by feeding on the body of his relative,” said a police spokesperson.</p>
<p>Gavrilov was <a href="http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=319487" type="external">sentenced</a> to 14 years in jail.</p>
<p>In a case that could be considered one of the most repulsive in criminal history even without the cannibalism element, violent schizophrenic Aleksandr Spesivtsev kidnapped, raped and tortured some adults, but mostly children of both sexes, in an ordinary housing block apartment he shared with his mother and sister in Novokuznetsk until he was caught in 1996.</p>
<p>Not only did his mother aid him in disposing the bodies by throwing them in the river at night, but she actively lured the last three victims to the apartment, asking them to help her with shopping bags.</p>
<p>First, the Siberian Ripper killed one of the three teenage girls and then he ordered the other two to strip the meat from her bones which he fed to them in a soup he also ate himself.</p>
<p>Spesivtsev, 26 at the time, was&#160; <a href="https://www.rt.com/news/404705-russia-cannibals-torture-victims/captured" type="external">captured</a>&#160;by chance, following a water pipe accident in his neighborhood after which he suspiciously refused to open the door. By this time only one of the last victims, Olya, was alive, and she gave the testimony that helped convict the cannibal, before dying from the injuries she sustained.</p>
<p>Spesivtsev initially admitted to killing 19 people, including six boys he recruited to&#160;“burgle”&#160;his own house, but later withdrew his confession, leaving just four proven cases. Police found 82 sets of clothes belonging to other people in a stack in his house. They also found Polaroids of multiple naked and tortured children whose disappearances have not resulted in prosecutions.</p>
<p>Spesivtsev is currently in a high-security psychiatric facility. His mother has been out of jail since 2008, and lives in the countryside with her daughter.</p> | false | 1 | couple suspected killing eating dozens victims krasnodar latest string cannibalism cases past decades russia fueled mental illness desperation perverse fantasy doesnt detract shocking cruelty selfies human remains russian cannibal couple detained gruesome find sixteenyearold schoolgirl karina buduchyans loved 19yearold goth maksim glavatskikh feelings went unrequited january 19 2009 thought everything could change maksim described charismatic sociable invited apartment partying friends arrived maksim ushered guests karina went bathroom filled tub hot water undressed got inside soon glavatskikh joined sneezed three times prearranged signal according prosecutors friend yuri mozhnov burst together held karinas head underwater drowned goths police said planned murder long advance fried several cuts meat onions potatoes ate woke stupor following day stole karinas phone cash dismembered disposed body close home glavatskikh got married formed band jail160 died160in prison 2017 authorities said suicide girlfriend kicked said wuss wolf ill show says line diary aleksandr bychkov killed least nine people used go fuhrer didnt sex couldnt replied girlfriend question later interview went killing spree 2009 2012 bychkov dubbed rambo wore black drew swastika arm lonely preposterous figure also product broken family absent father harddrinking mother took succession men sending small children market stall sell herbs brother disabled attempted robbery despising believed moral weakness bychkovs victims reminiscent mothers companions harddrinking often homeless like infamous chessboard killer aleksandr pichushkin bychkov would get victims drunk bludgeon death read first images russian cannibal couple apartment video photo bychkov told police unlike pichushkin also ate organs particularly heart liver cooked cabbage broth home though decomposed bodies buried victims made hard tell truth overcompensating bravado arrested petty crime stealing knives garden center january 2012 bychkov immediately confessed crimes police 29yearold central russia currently serving life sentence four criminal convictions behind sergey gavrilov steady job shared flat mother lyubov read january 11 2009 received pension equivalent hundred dollars customarily son demanded share according court documents refused hit head brick strangled wire laid body cold balcony 27yearold sergey spent pension vodka slot machines two days month later relatives became concerned police inspector came flat find lyubovs body still spot frost covered balcony slices meat carved legs following conversation accused became obvious means sustenance period month survived feeding body relative said police spokesperson gavrilov sentenced 14 years jail case could considered one repulsive criminal history even without cannibalism element violent schizophrenic aleksandr spesivtsev kidnapped raped tortured adults mostly children sexes ordinary housing block apartment shared mother sister novokuznetsk caught 1996 mother aid disposing bodies throwing river night actively lured last three victims apartment asking help shopping bags first siberian ripper killed one three teenage girls ordered two strip meat bones fed soup also ate spesivtsev 26 time was160 captured160by chance following water pipe accident neighborhood suspiciously refused open door time one last victims olya alive gave testimony helped convict cannibal dying injuries sustained spesivtsev initially admitted killing 19 people including six boys recruited to160burgle160his house later withdrew confession leaving four proven cases police found 82 sets clothes belonging people stack house also found polaroids multiple naked tortured children whose disappearances resulted prosecutions spesivtsev currently highsecurity psychiatric facility mother jail since 2008 lives countryside daughter | 514 |
<p>Half-Truths, Non-Truths and the Phony Objectivity of the Associated Press</p>
<p>An&#160;Associated Press&#160;report from this past week demonstrates how plain facts and provable, documented historical events are often described as subjective perceptions and matters of perspective in the mainstream media whenever an honest presentation and assessment of those facts would serve to reduce the fear-mongering propaganda over Iran’s nuclear energy program.</p>
<p>Writing from Tehran on January 15, 2013,&#160;AP‘s Iran correspondent Ali Akbar Dareini&#160; <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/iran-khameneis-ban-nuclear-weapons-binding" type="external">reported</a>&#160;that Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast had declared Iran’s intention to register its&#160; <a href="http://www.wideasleepinamerica.com/2012/10/the-goldberg-predilections-ignoring.html#updateii" type="external">long-stated (and officially binding binding) prohibition</a>&#160;on nuclear weapons as a legally-recognized, secular, international document.</p>
<p>“Mehmanparast could not be more definitive in dispelling suspicions that Iran may ultimately develop a nuclear weapon,” Dareini wrote, before explaining that while Iran is confident that “any ambiguities or concerns” regarding its nuclear program can be addressed and resolved as long as “a structured approach” is first agreed upon.</p>
<p>Dareini continues:</p>
<p>Iranians say they have a bitter memory of allowing IAEA inspections and providing replies on a long list of queries over its nuclear program in the past decade. Now, Tehran says such queries should not be revived or remain open-ended once the IAEA has verified them.</p>
<p>Mehmanparast said Iran provided detailed explanations to IAEA questions on six outstanding issues in the past, but instead of giving Iran a clean bill of health, the agency leveled new allegations on the basis of “alleged studies” provided by Iran’s enemies.</p>
<p>Iran uses that term to refer to a list of questions including a dispute at Parchin, a military site southeast of Tehran, where the agency suspects Iran ran explosive tests needed to set off a nuclear charge.</p>
<p>Note the repeated use of the same basic construction: “Iranians say…” and “Tehran says…” and “Mehmanparast said…” and “Iran uses…” The statements made after this routine prefix are therefore presented as subjective declarations coming from Iran and are never qualified or substantiated as facts. In short, they are used as disclaimers, readily understood by a suspicious and ill-informed audience.</p>
<p>The readers of this&#160;AP&#160;report are therefore intentionally left with the perception that these are simply Iranian contentions and therefore automatically suspect, dubious, disputed or otherwise easily dismissed; after all, the comments all came out of an Iranian government spokesman’s mouth and the mainstream media (and politicians, of course) has spent&#160; <a href="http://www.wideasleepinamerica.com/2012/05/perceptions-of-persia-persistent.html" type="external">decades training</a>&#160;its readers to believe nothing the Iranian government says or does can be trusted.</p>
<p>While Dareini writes that “Mehmanparast said Iran provided detailed explanations to IAEA questions on six outstanding issues in the past,” he omits that this isn’t just a claim made by the Iranian government.&#160; Amazingly, the “bitter memory” that Iranians have about cooperating with the IAEA inquiries only to receive international sanctions and more military threats from the world’s most well-armed and aggressive states is not merely some crazy Persian fantasy! No,&#160;it actually happened.</p>
<p>In August 2007, Iran and the IAEA agreed to a “ <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2007/infcirc711.pdf" type="external">Work Plan</a>” which defined modalities and a timetable in order to “clarify the outstanding issues” in relation to Iran’s nuclear program.&#160; With regard to the memorandum of understanding itself, IAEA Director General Mohammad ElBaradei&#160; <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&amp;sid=aiOA0sBdztCA&amp;refer=germany" type="external">pointed out</a>&#160;at the time that although “these outstanding issues are the ones that have led to the lack of confidence, the crisis,” he confirmed, “We have not come to see any undeclared activities or weaponization of their programme.” &#160;This conclusion was reached after two years of Iran’s&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/iaeairan/eu_iran14112004.shtml" type="external">voluntary implementation</a>&#160;of the IAEA’s Additional Protocol, including a complete suspension of its enrichment program, which allowed intrusive and unfettered access to Iranian facilities for its inspectors.</p>
<p>Despite the constant allegations of nuclear weapons work, the IAEA has&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2003/gov2003-75.pdf" type="external">confirmed</a> both that “[t]o date, there is no evidence that the previously undeclared nuclear material and activities referred to above were related to a nuclear weapons programme” and&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2004/gov2004-83.pdf" type="external">found that</a>&#160;“all the declared nuclear material in Iran has been accounted for, and therefore such material is not diverted to prohibited activities.”</p>
<p>The IAEA has consistently reaffirmed this finding in&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/iaeairan/iaea_reports.shtml" type="external">each of its reports over the past decade</a>.</p>
<p>It too should be remembered that Iran only suspended its voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol after the EU-3 (now referred to as the P5+1)&#160; <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4720649.stm" type="external">failed</a>&#160;to offer any substantive&#160; <a href="http://www.basicint.org/sites/default/files/PUB110805.pdf" type="external">proposals</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="http://www.basicint.org/pubs/Notes/BN050811-IranEU.htm" type="external">reneged</a>&#160;on its agreement to acknowledge Iran’s inalienable right to enrich uranium as part of a peaceful, safeguarded nuclear energy program. The proposal eventually brought to Iran by Western negotiators has been described as “vague on incentives and heavy on demands,” and even dismissed by one EU diplomat as “a lot of gift wrapping around an empty box.”</p>
<p>Regarding the&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2007/infcirc711.pdf" type="external">Work Plan</a>&#160;itself, it affirmed that the “[t]hese modalities cover&#160;all remaining issues&#160;and the Agency confirmed that there are&#160;no other remaining issues and ambiguities&#160;regarding Iran’s past nuclear program and activities” and that that IAEA had “agreed to provide Iran with all remaining questions according to the above work plan. This means that after receiving the questions,&#160;no other questions are left. Iran will provide the Agency with the required clarifications and information.”</p>
<p>In October 2007, ElBaradei&#160; <a href="http://payvand.com/news/07/oct/1291.html" type="external">confirmed</a>, “I have not received any information that there is a concrete active nuclear weapons program going on right now [in Iran],” adding, “Have we seen Iran having the nuclear material that can readily be used into a weapon? No. Have we seen an active weapons program? No.”</p>
<p>By February 2008, due to Iranian cooperation and efforts at transparency, ElBaradei was able to&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2008/iranreport0208.html" type="external">report</a>, “We have managed to clarify&#160;all the remaining outstanding issues, including the most important issue, which is the scope and nature of Iran’s enrichment programme” and the IAEA&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2008/gov2008-15.pdf" type="external">continued</a>&#160;“to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran” (emphasis added).</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the so-called “ <a href="http://americanforeignpolicy.org/the-nuclear-file/uranium-metal-and-alleged-studies-worksheet" type="external">alleged studies</a>“—information provided to the IAEA by Western and Israeli intelligence agencies that accuses Iran of engaging in research regarding uranium conversion, high-explosives testing that could be linked to the creation of a nuclear-weapon trigger, and ballistic missile designs that might be capable of accommodating a nuclear warhead—remains the sole point of contention and is often&#160; <a href="https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2008_03/IAEA" type="external">pointed to</a>&#160;by Iran alarmists and the mainstream press as evidence of Iranian duplicity and intransigence.</p>
<p>As&#160; <a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&amp;aid=17975" type="external">Iran itself</a>&#160;has&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2011/infcirc817.pdf" type="external">repeatedly</a>&#160;noted, according to the Work Plan, the IAEA was obligated to submit “all related documents” regarding these “alleged studies” to Iran and, in return, while reiterating its insistence that these accusations were “politically motivated and baseless,” Iran would “review and inform the Agency of its assessment,”&#160; which was acknowledged “as a sign of [Iran’s] good will and cooperation” (emphasis added).</p>
<p>As per this agreement between Iran and the IAEA, “no visit, meeting, personal interview, [or] swipe sampling were foreseen for addressing this matter.”&#160; Still, in yet&#160; <a href="http://www.iranaffairs.com/iran_affairs/2007/09/moving-nuclear-.html" type="external">another example</a>&#160;of&#160; <a href="http://crooksandliars.com/2007/10/01/sy-hersh-on-countdown-bush-moving-the-goal-posts-on-iran-again" type="external">constantly</a>&#160; <a href="http://www.iranaffairs.com/iran_affairs/2010/05/goalposts-on-iran-moved-yet-again.html" type="external">moving goalposts,</a>&#160;after Iran examined the documents it was allowed to see (far from the “all related documents” as promised in the Work Plan) and&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2011/gov2011-7.pdf" type="external">delivered</a>&#160;a detailed “117-page assessment in which it asserted that the documentation was forged and fabricated,” the IAEA dismissed the evaluation as being too “focused on form rather than substance” and “requested Iran to provide a substantive response.”</p>
<p>That Iran’s assessment wasn’t as substantive as the IAEA may have hoped is perhaps unsurprising considering that the IAEA didn’t provide Iran with “all related documents” as required.&#160; In fact, the IAEA openly admitted to concealing most of the alleged documentation from Iran,&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2008/gov2008-15.pdf" type="external">claiming</a>&#160;that it had “received much of this information only in electronic form and was not authorised to provide copies to Iran” and revealing that while “the Agency had been shown the documents that led it to these conclusions, it was not in possession of the documents and was therefore unfortunately unable to make them available to Iran.”</p>
<p>Furthermore, the IAEA&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2008/gov2008-15.pdf" type="external">itself</a>&#160;“noted that the [IAEA] currently has no information – apart from the uranium metal document – on the actual design or manufacture by Iran of nuclear material components of a nuclear weapon or of certain other key components, such as initiators, or on related nuclear physics studies.”&#160; The alleged “uranium metal document” referred to is identical to one produced by Pakistan, was neither commissioned nor requested by Iran and, along with other alleged documents,&#160; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2005/gov2005-87.pdf" type="external">dates</a>&#160;to “the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s.”</p>
<p />
<p /> | false | 1 | halftruths nontruths phony objectivity associated press an160associated press160report past week demonstrates plain facts provable documented historical events often described subjective perceptions matters perspective mainstream media whenever honest presentation assessment facts would serve reduce fearmongering propaganda irans nuclear energy program writing tehran january 15 2013160aps iran correspondent ali akbar dareini160 reported160that iranian foreign ministry spokesman ramin mehmanparast declared irans intention register its160 longstated officially binding binding prohibition160on nuclear weapons legallyrecognized secular international document mehmanparast could definitive dispelling suspicions iran may ultimately develop nuclear weapon dareini wrote explaining iran confident ambiguities concerns regarding nuclear program addressed resolved long structured approach first agreed upon dareini continues iranians say bitter memory allowing iaea inspections providing replies long list queries nuclear program past decade tehran says queries revived remain openended iaea verified mehmanparast said iran provided detailed explanations iaea questions six outstanding issues past instead giving iran clean bill health agency leveled new allegations basis alleged studies provided irans enemies iran uses term refer list questions including dispute parchin military site southeast tehran agency suspects iran ran explosive tests needed set nuclear charge note repeated use basic construction iranians say tehran says mehmanparast said iran uses statements made routine prefix therefore presented subjective declarations coming iran never qualified substantiated facts short used disclaimers readily understood suspicious illinformed audience readers this160ap160report therefore intentionally left perception simply iranian contentions therefore automatically suspect dubious disputed otherwise easily dismissed comments came iranian government spokesmans mouth mainstream media politicians course spent160 decades training160its readers believe nothing iranian government says trusted dareini writes mehmanparast said iran provided detailed explanations iaea questions six outstanding issues past omits isnt claim made iranian government160 amazingly bitter memory iranians cooperating iaea inquiries receive international sanctions military threats worlds wellarmed aggressive states merely crazy persian fantasy no160it actually happened august 2007 iran iaea agreed work plan defined modalities timetable order clarify outstanding issues relation irans nuclear program160 regard memorandum understanding iaea director general mohammad elbaradei160 pointed out160at time although outstanding issues ones led lack confidence crisis confirmed come see undeclared activities weaponization programme 160this conclusion reached two years irans160 voluntary implementation160of iaeas additional protocol including complete suspension enrichment program allowed intrusive unfettered access iranian facilities inspectors despite constant allegations nuclear weapons work iaea has160 confirmed date evidence previously undeclared nuclear material activities referred related nuclear weapons programme and160 found that160all declared nuclear material iran accounted therefore material diverted prohibited activities iaea consistently reaffirmed finding in160 reports past decade remembered iran suspended voluntary implementation additional protocol eu3 referred p51160 failed160to offer substantive160 proposals160and160 reneged160on agreement acknowledge irans inalienable right enrich uranium part peaceful safeguarded nuclear energy program proposal eventually brought iran western negotiators described vague incentives heavy demands even dismissed one eu diplomat lot gift wrapping around empty box regarding the160 work plan160itself affirmed modalities cover160all remaining issues160and agency confirmed are160no remaining issues ambiguities160regarding irans past nuclear program activities iaea agreed provide iran remaining questions according work plan means receiving questions160no questions left iran provide agency required clarifications information october 2007 elbaradei160 confirmed received information concrete active nuclear weapons program going right iran adding seen iran nuclear material readily used weapon seen active weapons program february 2008 due iranian cooperation efforts transparency elbaradei able to160 report managed clarify160all remaining outstanding issues including important issue scope nature irans enrichment programme iaea160 continued160to verify nondiversion declared nuclear material iran emphasis added nevertheless socalled alleged studiesinformation provided iaea western israeli intelligence agencies accuses iran engaging research regarding uranium conversion highexplosives testing could linked creation nuclearweapon trigger ballistic missile designs might capable accommodating nuclear warheadremains sole point contention often160 pointed to160by iran alarmists mainstream press evidence iranian duplicity intransigence as160 iran itself160has160 repeatedly160noted according work plan iaea obligated submit related documents regarding alleged studies iran return reiterating insistence accusations politically motivated baseless iran would review inform agency assessment160 acknowledged sign irans good cooperation emphasis added per agreement iran iaea visit meeting personal interview swipe sampling foreseen addressing matter160 still yet160 another example160of160 constantly160 moving goalposts160after iran examined documents allowed see far related documents promised work plan and160 delivered160a detailed 117page assessment asserted documentation forged fabricated iaea dismissed evaluation focused form rather substance requested iran provide substantive response irans assessment wasnt substantive iaea may hoped perhaps unsurprising considering iaea didnt provide iran related documents required160 fact iaea openly admitted concealing alleged documentation iran160 claiming160that received much information electronic form authorised provide copies iran revealing agency shown documents led conclusions possession documents therefore unfortunately unable make available iran furthermore iaea160 itself160noted iaea currently information apart uranium metal document actual design manufacture iran nuclear material components nuclear weapon certain key components initiators related nuclear physics studies160 alleged uranium metal document referred identical one produced pakistan neither commissioned requested iran along alleged documents160 dates160to late 1970s early mid1980s | 783 |
<p>David Brooks' <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/opinion/14brooks.html" type="external">critique</a> of a Wall Street Journal <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478141708959932.html" type="external">opinion piece</a> by Arthur Brooks and Congressman Paul Ryan served its intended purpose. It's gotten the right people talking, and thinking, and that's as it should be when those currently out of power have a very real shot at participating in governing again.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.economics21.org/commentary/choice-tomorrow" type="external">back and forth</a> began with Arthur Brooks and Rep. Ryan emphasizing the importance of the political moment. After years of elected officials passing laws that have piled new federal programs and commitments on top of the ones created by their predecessors, we now find ourselves with a sprawling federal apparatus that is stifling private economic initiative and bankrupting the country. It is also a powerful, self-perpetuating machine — so powerful that the long march toward ever-more activist government has continued for decades almost without interruption despite numerous efforts (think Reagan Revolution) to apply some limits to the government's reach.</p>
<p>Ironically, the failure of past efforts and the election in 2008 of a chief executive and a congress absolutely committed to accelerating the pace of federal power accumulation has sparked a national counter-reaction of such promising force and intensity that there is now renewed hope that the struggle for limited government may yet be won. That was the point of the Brooks-Ryan essay: an exhortation to voters to seize the historic, and perhaps final, opportunity before them to choose political leaders in the fast-approaching mid-term election, as well as in 2012, who are committed to changing course once and for all. This means rejecting, in a decisive way, the activism espoused by those now in power and adoption of a philosophy that puts real limits on government so that entrepreneurial capitalism can again thrive and produce the improvements in the human condition that everyone desires but which central government can never deliver.</p>
<p>David Brooks acknowledges the importance of delivering a decisive electoral rebuke to those currently stepping on the accelerator of the runaway federal freight train. Indeed, he takes it for granted that such a rebuke is coming. His interest is in what happens next. And here he finds the Brooks-Ryan narrative to be lacking in political subtlety. Yes, the federal government has gone beyond the boundaries of its competency — but that does not mean every federal initiative is unworthy. Brooks favors imposition of limits on government — but he fears that unreflective adherence to an anti-tax and anti-government creed will itself result in disappointment and a lost opportunity. Instead of rolling back the welfare state, Brooks fears reactionaries leading the new coalition will end up squandering their chance to make a difference by alienating independent-minded voters who want government to be competent in promoting growth and opportunity, even as it stays out of the way of job-creators in the private sector.</p>
<p>Of course, some of the apparent differences among these leading thinkers might be more in theory than in practice. And certainly both Arthur Brooks and Rep. Ryan took exception to the implication of the Brooks' critique that they lean too heavily toward minimalist government. Both note that they support the government's role in correcting market failure and providing a compassionate safety net.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, it's useful to see this kind of debate now — even before the election outcome is a certainty. Calls for limited government in the abstract are one thing; imposition of real limits on government — that is, cuts in programs, and the rollback of regulations — is another matter entirely. Even with a robust center-right coalition controlling Congress, it will be exceedingly difficult to get agreement on specifics, as the kind of subtle difference in emphasis on display in the Brooks-Brooks-Ryan debate plays itself out among hundreds of elected leaders coming from all parts of the country. The hard truth is that every cut creates hardship for voters somewhere, and that means hardship for politicians too.</p>
<p>It's also clear that the backlash against excessive government intervention in American life would not have near the strength it does were it not for the recognition that the country is careening toward a fiscal crisis. Yes, there is a healthy impulse arising to return to constitutional principles of governance. But even that wouldn't be enough to take on entrenched federal programs were it not for the fiscal mess we are in. The federal government is running up debt like it never has before. The Obama budget plan will produce a $10 trillion budget deficit over the coming decade. That's what motivating millions of Americans to cast their ballots for new leadership, and that's what's creating a new opening to consider cuts to federal programs that would never be considered if the numbers weren't so scary.</p>
<p>What we are actually witnessing is the end of an economic era. The democratic capitalist countries of the West have all built welfare states of varying sizes and shapes. Europe's is certainly much larger and more expensive than what has been built in the United States, but all are under severe strain. There is no escaping demographic reality. The aging of populations in the world's most advanced economies will make it impossible to sustain government programs and protections at the level that exist today.</p>
<p>What's needed now is an effort to harness the new national energy for reform and retrenchment to solve the nation's entitlement problem. That will require a frank discussion with the American people about how to apply the enduring principle of limited government to the modern circumstances of a market-driven economy operating within a competitive global environment. That is the most pressing challenge in these early years of the 21st century.</p>
<p>Fortunately for us, Congressman Ryan has already given us a <a href="http://www.americanroadmap.org/" type="external">“Roadmap”</a> to get the conversation started. And that's reason enough to have a considerable amount of hope that the healthy backlash now sweeping the country will, in time, bring about the kind of reforms we need — ones that will unlock the potential of America's private economy and thus finance a secure and stable social safety net, too.</p>
<p>James C. Capretta is a <a href="" type="internal">fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center</a> and project director of <a href="http://obamacarewatch.org/" type="external">ObamaCareWatch.org</a>.</p> | false | 1 | david brooks critique wall street journal opinion piece arthur brooks congressman paul ryan served intended purpose gotten right people talking thinking thats currently power real shot participating governing back forth began arthur brooks rep ryan emphasizing importance political moment years elected officials passing laws piled new federal programs commitments top ones created predecessors find sprawling federal apparatus stifling private economic initiative bankrupting country also powerful selfperpetuating machine powerful long march toward evermore activist government continued decades almost without interruption despite numerous efforts think reagan revolution apply limits governments reach ironically failure past efforts election 2008 chief executive congress absolutely committed accelerating pace federal power accumulation sparked national counterreaction promising force intensity renewed hope struggle limited government may yet point brooksryan essay exhortation voters seize historic perhaps final opportunity choose political leaders fastapproaching midterm election well 2012 committed changing course means rejecting decisive way activism espoused power adoption philosophy puts real limits government entrepreneurial capitalism thrive produce improvements human condition everyone desires central government never deliver david brooks acknowledges importance delivering decisive electoral rebuke currently stepping accelerator runaway federal freight train indeed takes granted rebuke coming interest happens next finds brooksryan narrative lacking political subtlety yes federal government gone beyond boundaries competency mean every federal initiative unworthy brooks favors imposition limits government fears unreflective adherence antitax antigovernment creed result disappointment lost opportunity instead rolling back welfare state brooks fears reactionaries leading new coalition end squandering chance make difference alienating independentminded voters want government competent promoting growth opportunity even stays way jobcreators private sector course apparent differences among leading thinkers might theory practice certainly arthur brooks rep ryan took exception implication brooks critique lean heavily toward minimalist government note support governments role correcting market failure providing compassionate safety net nonetheless useful see kind debate even election outcome certainty calls limited government abstract one thing imposition real limits government cuts programs rollback regulations another matter entirely even robust centerright coalition controlling congress exceedingly difficult get agreement specifics kind subtle difference emphasis display brooksbrooksryan debate plays among hundreds elected leaders coming parts country hard truth every cut creates hardship voters somewhere means hardship politicians also clear backlash excessive government intervention american life would near strength recognition country careening toward fiscal crisis yes healthy impulse arising return constitutional principles governance even wouldnt enough take entrenched federal programs fiscal mess federal government running debt like never obama budget plan produce 10 trillion budget deficit coming decade thats motivating millions americans cast ballots new leadership thats whats creating new opening consider cuts federal programs would never considered numbers werent scary actually witnessing end economic era democratic capitalist countries west built welfare states varying sizes shapes europes certainly much larger expensive built united states severe strain escaping demographic reality aging populations worlds advanced economies make impossible sustain government programs protections level exist today whats needed effort harness new national energy reform retrenchment solve nations entitlement problem require frank discussion american people apply enduring principle limited government modern circumstances marketdriven economy operating within competitive global environment pressing challenge early years 21st century fortunately us congressman ryan already given us roadmap get conversation started thats reason enough considerable amount hope healthy backlash sweeping country time bring kind reforms need ones unlock potential americas private economy thus finance secure stable social safety net james c capretta fellow ethics public policy center project director obamacarewatchorg | 553 |
<p>That no good deed goes unpunished is nicely illustrated by the terms in which several biographers have recognized Pope John Paul II as a seminal figure in the Revolution of 1989.</p>
<p>Thus Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi, in their 1996 book, His Holiness: John Paul II and the Hidden History of Our Time, argue that, yes, the Pope played a large role in the collapse of European communism–as coconspirator with the Reagan Administration in a “holy alliance” that wedded the diplomacy of the Holy See to the anti-Communist passions of conservative Republicans and the wiles of the CIA. Jonathan Kwitny agrees with the basic proposition that “1989” cannot be understood without taking account of the Polish pontiff, but his 1997 biography, Man of the Century, inverts the Bernstein/Politi proposition by arguing that the Pope, a nonviolent revolutionary on the model of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., pulled the whole thing off against the machinations of the Reaganites and the CIA.</p>
<p>What these and similar journalistic accounts tend to discount, unfortunately, is the Pope’s own reading of “the history of our time,” whose locus classicus is the 1991 encyclical, Centesimus Annus. There, John Paul argued that “1989” could not be understood through the conventional analytic categories of Realpolitik. Rather, “1989” was made possible by a prior moral and cultural revolution, which created the conditions for the possibility of the nonviolent political upheaval that swept Marxism-Leninism into the dustbin of European history. The Pope was hardly unaware of the political, military, and economic factors that contributed to the breach of the Berlin Wall on November 10, 1989. But, he suggested, if we want to grasp why “1989” happened when it did and how it did, a deeper reading of the dynamics of history and a more acute analysis of the twentieth-century crisis of European civilization are required. Against the Realist school of historiography and international relations theory, in both its left- and right-wing forms, John Paul argued for the priority of culture over politics and economics as the engine of historical change; and at the heart of culture, he proposed, is cult, or religion.</p>
<p>In the years after Centesimus Annus, John Paul II has insisted that what was true of the epic changes we call “1989” is also true for the consolidation of free societies in Central and Eastern Europe, and for the well-being of the established democracies of the West. Democratic polities and free economies, he argues, are not independent variables; absent the habits of mind and heart that make people democrats and that channel their economic energies to good ends, the free society risks becoming a “thinly-disguised totalitarianism” (as he put it in the most controversial section of Centesimus Annus). The tendency, even among some celebrants of the Pope’s role in “1989,” has been to dismiss this as so much pontifical rodomontade; and the tone-deaf Western media have generally agreed that these are the cranky protestations of an angry old man incapable of understanding the world he helped create (see, for example, Tad Szulc in his 1995 effort, Pope John Paul II: The Biography).</p>
<p>But two papal pilgrimages in mid-1997—to Poland in June, and to the 12th World Youth Day in Paris in August—provided ample evidence that John Paul II’s reading of contemporary history has not lost its salience, nor has it been blunted in its capacity to generate historical change. Moreover, the Pope’s reorientation of Catholic evangelism and social doctrine toward the conversion of culture has given him a distinctive understanding of the requirements of freedom in the third millennium—which he insists, against the backdrop of this fast-closing century of unprecedented wickedness, can be a “springtime of the human spirit.”</p>
<p>II</p>
<p>The Pope’s June 1997 journey through his Polish homeland took place under two shadows. The first was the memory of his 1991 Polish pilgrimage, the first after the Communist crack-up, which was widely (and accurately) regarded as the least successful of his visits to his native country. In retrospect, it is possible to see just how difficult the situation was in those heady days. Poles were still intoxicated with their new freedom and wanted to celebrate it with the man to whom they gave credit for their deliverance; but the prescient Pope, who had quickly decoded the new threats to freedom implicit in the value-neutral notion of democracy being exported to east central Europe from the West, wanted to talk about the dangers he saw ahead. The Polish hierarchy had not found an appropriate voice to make its presence felt in the new circumstances of democratic pluralism, particularly on the heated issue of abortion; neither had Catholic politicians who wanted to think with the Church, but who resented being instructed in their duties by bishops who seemed unable to distinguish their episcopal role from that of party bosses. The net result was a tense visit, full of controversies, in which the fervor and the sense of national unity demonstrated in the Pope’s 1979, 1983, and 1987 pilgrimages was often absent. This unhappy memory hung heavily over anticipations of the Pope’s June 1997 return home.</p>
<p>The second shadow was Poland’s recent political history. In September 1993 a coalition led by ex-Communists won the national parliamentary elections and took power in the Sejm. Two years later, on November 19, 1995, Alexander Kwasniewski, the youthful (and, some might say, Clintonesque) founder of the Democratic Left Alliance, defeated Lech Walesa for the presidency of Poland. Walesa’s erratic behavior in the years since 1989 made his dismissal by the electorate understandable; but the fact that it was understandable made it no less disconcerting. The icon of the Solidarity revolution had been displaced by a former Communist party apparatchik: what had happened to the brave dreams on which “1989” had been built? Is this what happened in a “normal society”?</p>
<p>The combination of these two factors, and concerns about John Paul’s health, made for considerable nervousness prior to the Pope’s arrival. Would a pilgrimage that might turn out to be the Pope’s farewell fail?</p>
<p>In the event, the pilgrimage was a triumph; as one exuberant Polish Dominican put it, “He’s done it again; it’s like 1979.” But what, precisely, had he done?</p>
<p>The eleven days between John Paul’s arrival on May 31 and his departure on June 10 were, to be sure, full of emotion and drama. The Pope struck a sympathetic chord and immediately re-connected with his countrymen when he said, at the arrival ceremony in Wroclaw, that he had come to them “as a pilgrim . . . filled with profound emotion,” because “every return to Poland is like a return to the family home, where the smallest objects remind us of what is closest and dearest to our hearts.” Three days later, at Gorzow Wielkopolski, John Paul reminded an immense throng that the late primate, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, had told him just after he had been elected pope that “You are to lead the Church into its Third Millennium,” and requested that they “ask God on your knees . . . that I am able to meet this challenge.” (The crowd chanted back, “We will help you!”—a phrase that conjured up memories of strikers in 1970 responding to the pleas of the new Communist prime minister, Gierek; the Pope answered the chant with a moment of papal whimsy: “I recognize the words but I hope it will be better this time.”)</p>
<p>Then there was Mass at Zakopane, the ski resort in the Pope’s beloved Tatra Mountains. The mayor, in traditional Polish highlander dress, knelt before John Paul on June 6 to thank him for “freeing us from the ‘red slavery’ and for teaching us how to eradicate from our Polish homeland all that is degrading, humiliating, and all that enslaves us.” After Mass, when the tough, craggy Polish mountain people began to sing to John Paul an old folk song about a highlander going into exile (“Mountaineer, why do you leave your beautiful hills and silvery brooks?”), one would have been hard-put to find a dry eye among the half-million present, including the Pope.</p>
<p>For eleven days, John Paul (who seemed to get stronger as the visit unfolded) worked the crowds masterfully. When hundreds of thousands of youngsters in Poznan began to chant Sto lat! (“May you live a hundred years!”), he was quick to reply, “Don’t flatter the Pope so much; you’d better think about Paris [the upcoming World Youth Day].” And, more poignantly, when an enormous congregation at the shrine of Czestochowa, home of the Black Madonna, began to chant, “Long live the Pope,” John Paul wryly responded, “He does, he does, and he grows older. . . .”</p>
<p>But the meaning of the Pope’s Polish pilgrimage should not be measured simply by the colossal crowds, with over 1.2 million in Krakow alone on June 8, when the Pope canonized Blessed Queen Jadwiga, co-foundress of the Jagiello dynasty. As in any papal event, what ultimately counts—what historians must finally deal with—are the texts. And the twenty-six major texts of this pilgrimage, taken together, spelled out John Paul’s distinctive vision of the priority of culture over politics and economics and his Vatican II-driven sense of the “public Church” as, essentially, the shaper of culture.</p>
<p>The June pilgrimage was deliberately filled with images of Poland’s Christian past: a pan-Central European celebration of the millennium of the martyrdom of St. Adalbert, held in Gniezno; the canonization of Jadwiga; the commemoration in Krakow of the 600th anniversary of the Jagiellonian University’s theology department. But this constant evocation of the past was not an exercise in pious nostalgia; rather, it was anamnesis in the service of the present and the future. As the Pope put it at the departure ceremony on June 10, “Fidelity to roots does not mean a mechanical copying of the patterns of the past. Fidelity to roots is always creative, ready to descend into the depths, open to new challenges, alert to the ‘signs of the times.’ . . . Fidelity to roots means above all the ability to create an organic synthesis of perennial values, confirmed so often in history, and the challenge of today’s world: faith and culture, the Gospel and life.” And that, he said, was why he had wanted to celebrate the canonizations of Jadwiga and John of Dukla, as well as two beatifications, during his pilgrimage: because “the Church’s saints are a particular revelation of the loftiest horizons of human freedom.”</p>
<p>The canonization of Jadwiga afforded perhaps the greatest temptation to forget present and future in a binge about Poland’s glorious past. But the Pope stoutly resisted this, and his canonization sermon focused on the fourteenth-century queen as a model for Poland today and tomorrow: Jadwiga the queen, for whom power was a question of public service; Jadwiga the diplomat, working to build a community of nations in east central Europe; Jadwiga the patroness of culture, “aware that faith seeks rational understanding,” who endowed the university that bears her dynastic name with a gift of her golden scepter; Jadwiga, born to wealth and privilege, whose “sensitivity to social wrongs was often praised by her subjects.” The message to Poland’s new democracy could not have been clearer: you are the inheritors of a great cultural tradition, and it is that tradition that will enable you to build a genuinely free society worthy of the half century of sacrifice you made in the name of freedom.</p>
<p>At the commemoration of the 600th anniversary of the Jagiellonian University faculty of theology, held in the collegiate church of St. Anne later that same day, John Paul sent another signal about the Church’s relationship to politics. As it happens, Karol Wojtyla was the last student to receive a doctorate from the Jagiellonian University theology faculty before it was shut down by the Communist regime in early 1954; and the struggle to sustain serious theological scholarship in Krakow had been one of the hallmarks of his time as cardinal-archbishop of the city. So it might have been expected that the Pope would take the occasion of this anniversary celebration to say something about Poland’s upcoming parliamentary elections, in which the heirs of the suppressors of the Jagiellonian faculty of theology were contestants. John Paul minced no words about “the dramatic struggle for existence” that that faculty had gone through “at the time of the Communist dictatorship.” And he reminded the congregation (composed of Poland’s leading intellectuals and educators, many of them his old friends) that the Church had “never resigned herself to the fact of a unilateral and unjust suppression” of the theology faculty by the Communist regime.</p>
<p>But this was not, he said, a matter of the Church’s offended amour propre. Rather, in terms reminiscent of Newman’s Idea of a University, he insisted that the defense of the theological faculty was a defense of the integrity of the intellectual life, a defense of culture, and a defense of the nation. The Church was not protesting the abuse of an ancient ecclesiastical privilege; by fighting for theology’s place in the academy, the Church “did everything in her power to ensure that the university environment of Krakow was not deprived of an academic studium of theology” that had made its own “contribution to the development of Polish learning and culture.” And a culture cut off from transcendent reference points could not serve the human good, because it could not know the truth about man.</p>
<p>Indeed, the Pope’s richly textured address at St. Anne’s, in which the politics of the present moment was not mentioned once, seemed to be saying to all concerned (within and without the Church), that while politics was undoubtedly important, the nurturance of culture, especially in the life of the mind, was far more important. You think that parliamentary elections will decide Poland’s future? No, the Pope suggested, Poland’s future really depends on “a lively awareness” that “man does not create truth; rather, truth discloses itself to man when he perseveringly seeks it.” That is what universities are supposed to do. That is why universities are, over time, of far more consequence to a nation than parliaments. And that is why the Church, embodied in her supreme pontiff, is reflecting with you on the meaning of true humanism, that “integral notion of the human person” that is a “condition for the sound development” of the intellectual life, rather than telling you for whom to vote.</p>
<p>Five days before, at Gniezno, John Paul had delivered a similar message about the free society’s dependence on a vibrant public moral culture to the presidents of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Germany: all new (or newly reunified) democracies. Politics was not just a matter of winning elections, he reminded them, nor was the success of economic reform to be measured solely by the indices of gross national product. Rather, “the greatness of the role of political leaders is to act always with respect for the dignity of every human being, to create the conditions of a generous solidarity which never marginalizes any citizen, to permit each individual to have access to culture, to recognize and put into practice the loftiest human and spiritual values, to profess and to share one’s religious beliefs.” The Realpolitik of amoral power had given Europe “this sorely tried century.” The birth of a new Europe capable of responding “to its age-old vocation in the world” depended on a European rediscovery of the continent’s ancient “cultural and religious roots.”</p>
<p>Prior to the Pope’s arrival, the scent of a valedictory was in the air. Eleven dramatic and intellectually challenging days later, speculation had already begun about a papal visit in 1998, this time to the Baltic region (where Solidarity was born) and to the Mazurian Lakes where Father Karol Wojtyla loved to kayak. It may not have been “1979 again,” as my enthusiastic Polish friend suggested. But John Paul’s politics of culture (combined with terminal ex- Communist incompetence in the face of catastrophic floods in Poland in July) had their effect: in September, the voters threw out the ex-Communists and elected a new parliament led by a reconfigured Solidarity coalition.</p>
<p>That parliament is now the steward of Europe’s fastest growing economy and east central Europe’s most stable polity. And so the great Polish experiment will continue: can democratic pluralism and a free economy be built and sustained on the basis of an intact Catholic culture? That John Paul II gave Poles and Polish culture a living past rather than a nostalgic past during his June 1997 pilgrimage bodes well for a positive answer to that historic question.</p>
<p>III</p>
<p>The evangelical potency of the Pope’s “culture first” approach to the “Church in the modern world” was also on display in Paris during the 12th World Youth Day in August 1997.</p>
<p>On his first pastoral visit to France in the spring of 1980, John Paul II, whose affection for the Gallic “Eldest Daughter of the Church” and her culture dates back to his student days, shocked a congregation of 350,000 at LeBourget Airport by bluntly asking, “France . . . are you faithful to the promises of your baptism? France, Daughter of the Church and educator of peoples, are you faithful, for the good of man, to the covenant with eternal wisdom?” Seven months later, the Pope acted on his judgment that the revitalization of French Catholicism was an urgent pastoral need by making what has been, arguably, the boldest episcopal nomination of his pontificate: the appointment of Jean-Marie Lustiger, son of Polish-Jewish parents, as archbishop of Paris.</p>
<p>Lustiger, who converted to Catholicism as a teenager, had been an innovative student chaplain at the Sorbonne and a Parisian pastor before being named Bishop of Orléans, where he spent a mere thirteen months before his translation to Paris. During his years as chaplain and pastor, Lustiger and a group of young lay intellectuals developed a distinctive analysis of the historical and cultural situation of the French Church. Prior to the French Revolution, the Church in France had been a “Church of power,” allied to the political order and in some sense dependent on it. Then came 1789 and the subsequent Terror, during which French Catholicism took the first and (until the twentieth century) hottest blast from secular modernity. Reeling from that massive and bloody assault, the Church divided. A restorationist faction sought the return of the ancient régime—at first tout court; later, when the monarchist option became politically untenable, culturally. This faction produced, over time, the extremism of Action Française, Petainism during World War II, and, ultimately, Lefebvrism in the post-Vatican II period. The counter-faction sought an accommodation with secularity and the political left, and eventually gave birth to the bizarre phenomenon of “Christian Marxism.” The bitter contestation between these two factions had divided French Catholics for over 150 years and had drained the Church of its evangelical vigor.</p>
<p>The creativity of the Lustiger group’s analysis lay in its claim that these two factions, far from being the polar opposites they claimed themselves to be, were in fact two variants on the same false option: the determination to be a “Church of power.” The two factions differed, of course, on what form of political power was preferable as a partner for the Church. But both agreed (although they could never admit it to each other) that to be the Church in France must mean to be a “Church of power.”</p>
<p>Lustiger and his friends disagreed. It was the marriage with power, they believed, that had made the Church so vulnerable to the assault of secular modernity. Nor was there any way to mediate between the claims of the accommodationist and restorationist factions: the restorationists regarded Dignitatis Humanae, Vatican II’s Declaration on Religious Freedom, as heresy (for declaring the state theologically incompetent), while the accommodationists had mistaken the Council’s opening to the modern world (in Gaudium et Spes) as an invitation to cohabit with Marxism and, later, postmodernist deconstruction, both of which led in short order to the dissolution of Christian orthodoxy.</p>
<p>In these circumstances, the Lustiger group proposed, the only option was the evangelical option: to abandon the pretense of power, to eschew alliances with any political force, and to bring France back to her baptismal promises, not through the mediation of politics but through the reconversion of culture. And this, in turn, meant taking the evangelical proposition straight to the molders and shapers of culture: the by-now thoroughly secularized French intelligentsia. After his accession to Paris, Lustiger began implementing this pastoral strategy of reevangelization “from the head down” in a dynamic fashion: in a slew of best-selling books, many of them addressing the possibility of faith amidst modernity; by refounding a seminary (and thus personally encouraging a more evangelically assertive Parisian presbyterate); and through a direct, personal, weekly outreach to students and the professoriate in a Sunday evening Mass and homily at his cathedral of Notre-Dame.</p>
<p>World Youth Day 1997 fit well into this strategy of reconversion through culture. World Youth Day would not simply happen in Paris. In the strategic vision of Cardinal Lustiger and his associates, shared by John Paul II, World Youth Day would be an integral part, perhaps even a turning point, in the reconversion of France through the evangelization of culture. Thus the Pope’s contacts with the French authorities were kept to the minimum required by protocol and good manners; there was a brief welcoming meeting with President Chirac and a brief predeparture meeting with Prime Minister Jospin. But whenever John Paul appeared in public in Paris it was in an explicitly ecclesial context: his was not a “Church of power,” but a Church of the Gospel whose witness to Christ compelled a defense of the rights of man.</p>
<p>The rhythm of the 12th World Youth Day was deliberately set by a model of pilgrimage that Lustiger had first encountered in his days as chaplain at the Sorbonne. There, Monsignor Maxim Charles, later the rector of Sacré Coeur, was reviving the French tradition of student pilgrimages with a group of young intellectuals who would later become close friends of Father Lustiger and, later, his informal advisors as archbishop. These pilgrimages, first to Notre-Dame, later to Chartres, were inspired by the theology of Louis Bouyer and his teaching that every significant Christian event should, in some fashion, recapitulate the Paschal Triduum, the core of Christian experience. Thus on every student pilgrimage, no matter at what time of the year, the retreatants would “relive” Holy Week, from Palm Sunday through the Easter Vigil.</p>
<p>The Bouyer-Charles paschal template was adapted to World Youth Day 1997 to great effect. Thus the first official day of the youth festival (which happened to be a Tuesday) “was” Palm Sunday: the Holy Year cross, given by John Paul II to the participants in the first World Youth Day in 1985, was solemnly carried in procession by a dozen youngsters from around the world, through a crowd of perhaps 500,000 young people stretched from the Eiffel Tower along the Champ de Mars to the front lawn of the Ecole Militaire, where a great platform had been built for the opening Mass. Thursday, when John Paul II arrived in Paris and first met the young people, was “Holy Thursday”; the Gospel read during the welcoming ceremony was John 13:1-15, the washing of the disciples’ feet, which the Pope explicated to the youngsters in a text read in their language-based catechetical groups the next day. On Friday, hundreds of thousands of teenagers and young adults relived Good Friday by making the Way of the Cross at dozens of venues all over Paris. On Saturday night, a candlelight baptismal vigil was celebrated by a congregation of 750,000 at the Longchamp racecourse, as the Pope baptized twelve young catechumens from every continent. And then, after this re-creation of the Easter Vigil, came the closing Eucharist on Sunday morning, which turned out to be the largest attendance at one Mass in French history, with more than a million gathering at Longchamp.</p>
<p>The massive turnout far exceeded the expectations of the event’s planners, who, as things got underway, were anticipating perhaps 250,000 youngsters all week, and a crowd of 500,000 for the closing Mass. At least twice that number of young people turned out, and the outpouring of interest from French teenagers stunned the Paris press, which spent the better part of the week editorially wondering what on earth was going on. One also had the sense that it stunned those French bishops who, having internalized a sense of their own marginality, were unsympathetic to Lustiger’s pastoral strategy and its forthrightly evangelical approach to the keepers of the French cultural flame.</p>
<p>When John Paul II visited Reims in September 1996, similar skepticism about public interest was expressed but another massive turnout ensued. Then, the focus was on the Christian roots of the French nation, the occasion being the 1,500th anniversary of the baptism of Clovis. At World Youth Day, the two “icons” proposed for reflection were drawn from the modern history of French Catholicism: St. Thèrése of Lisieux, and Frederic Ozanam, founder of the worldwide St. Vincent de Paul societies, whom the Pope beatified at Notre-Dame on August 22. This choice of patrons for the papal pilgrimage to Paris was not accidental. Both were young Catholics (Thèrése died at twenty-four, Ozanam at forty). Thèrése, perhaps the most popular of modern saints, was a contemplative, a woman who made original contributions to theology. Ozanam was an intellectual in an age of radical skepticism, a democrat detached from the ancien régime fantasies of many of his coreligionists, a servant of the poor, a devoted husband and father, and an original thinker whose writings on the just society prefigured and influenced the birth of modern Catholic social doctrine in Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum. The message being sent through this iconography was unmistakable: sanctity is possible in modernity; youthful enthusiasm can be drawn to Christ; Catholic faith can nurture a free society (liberty), human dignity (equality), and human solidarity (fraternity).</p>
<p>Cardinal Lustiger drove this point home on French national television the night World Youth Day concluded. Asked by a middle-aged interviewer how he explained such an extraordinary response to World Youth Day, the cardinal suggested that it was a question of generations. The reporter belonged to a generation that had grown up in the Church, had lost its faith (circa 1968), and had been fighting its parents, so to speak, ever since. These young people, the cardinal said, grew up empty; they have found Jesus Christ; they want to explore all that that means. Do not, he concluded, read their lives through your experience. They do not think that being Christian and being engaged, intelligent, compassionate, dedicated people are antinomies.</p>
<p>Or, as the Pope put it to the young in his closing homily at Longchamp: “Go forth now along the roads of the world, along the pathways of humanity, while remaining ever united in Christ’s Church. Continue to contemplate God’s glory and God’s love, and you will receive the enlightenment needed to build the civilization of love, to help our brothers and sisters to see the world transfigured by God’s eternal wisdom and love.” In the capital of a particularly skeptical and anticlerical Enlightenment, a new enlightenment of culture, leading to a new concept of the free society, was being proposed. The response suggested that World Youth Day 1997 may one day be remembered as a turning point in the modern history of France.</p>
<p>IV</p>
<p>Professor Stefan Swiezawski, the distinguished Polish historian of philosophy who was instrumental in bringing young Father Karol Wojtyla to the faculty of the Catholic University of Lublin, once said that the post-Conciliar Church was “living in a new epoch.” “Vatican II was not just one Council; it marked the end of the Constantinian epoch, thank God. Now the Church has no army, no state. It is a quite different situation.” Working out the implications of this post-Constantinian ecclesiology with an eye toward the third millennium of Christian history has been one of the principal leitmotifs of the pontificate of John Paul II, who played such an important role in drafting Gaudium et Spes, the Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.</p>
<p>In some respects, of course, the Church will always be engaged with “power,” as the world defines power. Vatican diplomacy continues; the Holy See exchanges diplomatic representatives with 166 states and is an active participant in international legal and political institutions. What the pontificate of John Paul II has done, in fulfillment of the promise of Vatican II and its seminal Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), is to locate this inevitable engagement with the principalities and powers in an explicitly evangelical context. The Church’s defense of human rights (and especially the first human right of religious freedom), like its groping toward an ethic of “humanitarian intervention” in the post-Cold War world, its efforts to mediate ethnic and nationalist conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere, and its proposals for securing the moral foundations of the free society, cannot be understood merely as the Church’s dealings with the “real world.” In the ecclesiology and social doctrine of John Paul II, the witness of the “public Church” is an expression of the Church’s essential task, which is the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—a Gospel with many things to say about the nature of man, of human community, and of human destiny.</p>
<p>The “real world” is the human universe that has been redeemed and transformed by the atoning death of the Son of God. The Church is not “here” and the “real world” there; the story of the Church is the world’s story, rightly understood. This belief is what grounds the public ministry of John Paul II and directs his attention, as teacher and witness, to the realm of culture: that dimension of the human universe in which the self-understanding of individuals and peoples is formed and is transmitted to new generations. Because the Church is first and foremost evangelical, the Church must, in this post-Constantinian epoch, be the evangelizer of cultures.</p>
<p>This steady insistence on the priority of culture is difficult to grasp for those who read John Paul II as another great figure on a world-historical stage whose dramatic action is defined by politics. He has been that, of course. But he is that precisely because, not in spite, of the fact that he is a Christian, a priest, and a bishop who insists that politics is not all there is. Thus there are not two John Pauls: in conventional media terms, the “social progressive” and the “doctrinal conservative.” There is only one John Paul II, as there is only one Karol Wojtyla.</p>
<p>Jonathan Kwitny’s Man of the Century is less woodenheaded in its wrestling with the complex simplicity of the life of Karol Wojtyla than were Tad Szulc and the authorial dyad of Carl Bern stein/Marco Politi. But Kwitny, who deserves full marks for demolishing the Bernstein/Politi “holy alliance” fiction and who avoids the worst of Szulc’s gaucheries about the angry old man fighting vainly against the world he helped create, also tries to force Wojtyla’s life and accomplishment onto the Procrustean bed of his own political preferences: in this instance, the Pope becomes the last great twentieth-century exponent of democratic socialism and pacifism.* The public accomplishment, Kwitny rightly claims, is a large one: Wojtyla was crucial in the destruction of the totalitarian option that caused such immense human suffering throughout the century. But is John Paul II the “man of the century” because of a political achievement?</p>
<p>The crisis of the twentieth century, which gave birth to totalitarianism in its sundry forms, has been in the first instance a crisis of culture: a crisis in the order of ideas and morals. This has been Karol Wojtyla’s conviction since he helped lead a clandestine cultural resistance to the Nazi occupation of Poland during World War II. The will to power, the hallmark of the politics of this century, was a direct consequence of the collapse of a publicly available concept of human freedom that was tethered to truth and ordered to an objectively knowable human good. A modernity that could not give a persuasive account of the truth of its highest aspiration—freedom—was a modernity in which freedom necessarily came to be understood as a neutral faculty of choice. And, absent any agreed and publicly accessible standards by which the goodness of various choices could be judged and adjudicated, the reduction of social life to a raw contest for power necessarily ensued. Nietzsche, in other words, was right; and seeing what was coming, he went mad.</p>
<p>If there is a plausibility to John Paul II as the “man of the century,” it is not because he put paid to one of the political epiphenomena of the crisis of late modernity; it is because he has advanced a proposal that cuts to the heart of the modern crisis of truth and freedom. That proposal, which has emerged from the heart of the Church, has been primarily directed toward the realm of culture because it is, first and always, an evangelical proposal: a proposal to consider the possibilities of human freedom in the light of God’s freedom, which led to the Cross. To account for the life of Karol Wojtyla, his stewardship of the office of Peter in the Church, and his impact on the history of our time means taking seriously the Pope’s conviction that reality is cruciform, and that the story of the world is, in the final analysis, the story of the Paschal Mystery.</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>* Kwitny traces the intellectual origins of this political stance to what he presents as a hitherto-undiscovered book by Karol Wojtyla, Social Ethics, published underground in 1953. The problem is that the “book” isn’t a book, and Wojtyla wasn’t the principal author. Social Ethics, as scholars have known for some time, is the text of Wojtyla’s lectures for a social ethics course in the Krakow seminary. When Wojtyla was assigned to teach this course, he adapted the lecture notes of his predecessor, Father Jan Piwowarczyk. The notes are in fact a rather conventional exposition of Catholic social doctrine (with which Kwitny seems to be unfamiliar) in the period after Pius XI’s 1931 encyclical Quadragesimo Anno. One of the Pope’s closest associates has confirmed that Father Wojtyla, for whom social ethics had not been a major intellectual interest prior to his assignment to teach the course, used the Piwowarczyk lecture notes with “some elaborations.” But “the material was not his own.”</p> | false | 1 | good deed goes unpunished nicely illustrated terms several biographers recognized pope john paul ii seminal figure revolution 1989 thus carl bernstein marco politi 1996 book holiness john paul ii hidden history time argue yes pope played large role collapse european communismas coconspirator reagan administration holy alliance wedded diplomacy holy see anticommunist passions conservative republicans wiles cia jonathan kwitny agrees basic proposition 1989 understood without taking account polish pontiff 1997 biography man century inverts bernsteinpoliti proposition arguing pope nonviolent revolutionary model gandhi martin luther king jr pulled whole thing machinations reaganites cia similar journalistic accounts tend discount unfortunately popes reading history time whose locus classicus 1991 encyclical centesimus annus john paul argued 1989 could understood conventional analytic categories realpolitik rather 1989 made possible prior moral cultural revolution created conditions possibility nonviolent political upheaval swept marxismleninism dustbin european history pope hardly unaware political military economic factors contributed breach berlin wall november 10 1989 suggested want grasp 1989 happened deeper reading dynamics history acute analysis twentiethcentury crisis european civilization required realist school historiography international relations theory left rightwing forms john paul argued priority culture politics economics engine historical change heart culture proposed cult religion years centesimus annus john paul ii insisted true epic changes call 1989 also true consolidation free societies central eastern europe wellbeing established democracies west democratic polities free economies argues independent variables absent habits mind heart make people democrats channel economic energies good ends free society risks becoming thinlydisguised totalitarianism put controversial section centesimus annus tendency even among celebrants popes role 1989 dismiss much pontifical rodomontade tonedeaf western media generally agreed cranky protestations angry old man incapable understanding world helped create see example tad szulc 1995 effort pope john paul ii biography two papal pilgrimages mid1997to poland june 12th world youth day paris augustprovided ample evidence john paul iis reading contemporary history lost salience blunted capacity generate historical change moreover popes reorientation catholic evangelism social doctrine toward conversion culture given distinctive understanding requirements freedom third millenniumwhich insists backdrop fastclosing century unprecedented wickedness springtime human spirit ii popes june 1997 journey polish homeland took place two shadows first memory 1991 polish pilgrimage first communist crackup widely accurately regarded least successful visits native country retrospect possible see difficult situation heady days poles still intoxicated new freedom wanted celebrate man gave credit deliverance prescient pope quickly decoded new threats freedom implicit valueneutral notion democracy exported east central europe west wanted talk dangers saw ahead polish hierarchy found appropriate voice make presence felt new circumstances democratic pluralism particularly heated issue abortion neither catholic politicians wanted think church resented instructed duties bishops seemed unable distinguish episcopal role party bosses net result tense visit full controversies fervor sense national unity demonstrated popes 1979 1983 1987 pilgrimages often absent unhappy memory hung heavily anticipations popes june 1997 return home second shadow polands recent political history september 1993 coalition led excommunists national parliamentary elections took power sejm two years later november 19 1995 alexander kwasniewski youthful might say clintonesque founder democratic left alliance defeated lech walesa presidency poland walesas erratic behavior years since 1989 made dismissal electorate understandable fact understandable made less disconcerting icon solidarity revolution displaced former communist party apparatchik happened brave dreams 1989 built happened normal society combination two factors concerns john pauls health made considerable nervousness prior popes arrival would pilgrimage might turn popes farewell fail event pilgrimage triumph one exuberant polish dominican put hes done like 1979 precisely done eleven days john pauls arrival may 31 departure june 10 sure full emotion drama pope struck sympathetic chord immediately reconnected countrymen said arrival ceremony wroclaw come pilgrim filled profound emotion every return poland like return family home smallest objects remind us closest dearest hearts three days later gorzow wielkopolski john paul reminded immense throng late primate cardinal stefan wyszynski told elected pope lead church third millennium requested ask god knees able meet challenge crowd chanted back help youa phrase conjured memories strikers 1970 responding pleas new communist prime minister gierek pope answered chant moment papal whimsy recognize words hope better time mass zakopane ski resort popes beloved tatra mountains mayor traditional polish highlander dress knelt john paul june 6 thank freeing us red slavery teaching us eradicate polish homeland degrading humiliating enslaves us mass tough craggy polish mountain people began sing john paul old folk song highlander going exile mountaineer leave beautiful hills silvery brooks one would hardput find dry eye among halfmillion present including pope eleven days john paul seemed get stronger visit unfolded worked crowds masterfully hundreds thousands youngsters poznan began chant sto lat may live hundred years quick reply dont flatter pope much youd better think paris upcoming world youth day poignantly enormous congregation shrine czestochowa home black madonna began chant long live pope john paul wryly responded grows older meaning popes polish pilgrimage measured simply colossal crowds 12 million krakow alone june 8 pope canonized blessed queen jadwiga cofoundress jagiello dynasty papal event ultimately countswhat historians must finally deal withare texts twentysix major texts pilgrimage taken together spelled john pauls distinctive vision priority culture politics economics vatican iidriven sense public church essentially shaper culture june pilgrimage deliberately filled images polands christian past pancentral european celebration millennium martyrdom st adalbert held gniezno canonization jadwiga commemoration krakow 600th anniversary jagiellonian universitys theology department constant evocation past exercise pious nostalgia rather anamnesis service present future pope put departure ceremony june 10 fidelity roots mean mechanical copying patterns past fidelity roots always creative ready descend depths open new challenges alert signs times fidelity roots means ability create organic synthesis perennial values confirmed often history challenge todays world faith culture gospel life said wanted celebrate canonizations jadwiga john dukla well two beatifications pilgrimage churchs saints particular revelation loftiest horizons human freedom canonization jadwiga afforded perhaps greatest temptation forget present future binge polands glorious past pope stoutly resisted canonization sermon focused fourteenthcentury queen model poland today tomorrow jadwiga queen power question public service jadwiga diplomat working build community nations east central europe jadwiga patroness culture aware faith seeks rational understanding endowed university bears dynastic name gift golden scepter jadwiga born wealth privilege whose sensitivity social wrongs often praised subjects message polands new democracy could clearer inheritors great cultural tradition tradition enable build genuinely free society worthy half century sacrifice made name freedom commemoration 600th anniversary jagiellonian university faculty theology held collegiate church st anne later day john paul sent another signal churchs relationship politics happens karol wojtyla last student receive doctorate jagiellonian university theology faculty shut communist regime early 1954 struggle sustain serious theological scholarship krakow one hallmarks time cardinalarchbishop city might expected pope would take occasion anniversary celebration say something polands upcoming parliamentary elections heirs suppressors jagiellonian faculty theology contestants john paul minced words dramatic struggle existence faculty gone time communist dictatorship reminded congregation composed polands leading intellectuals educators many old friends church never resigned fact unilateral unjust suppression theology faculty communist regime said matter churchs offended amour propre rather terms reminiscent newmans idea university insisted defense theological faculty defense integrity intellectual life defense culture defense nation church protesting abuse ancient ecclesiastical privilege fighting theologys place academy church everything power ensure university environment krakow deprived academic studium theology made contribution development polish learning culture culture cut transcendent reference points could serve human good could know truth man indeed popes richly textured address st annes politics present moment mentioned seemed saying concerned within without church politics undoubtedly important nurturance culture especially life mind far important think parliamentary elections decide polands future pope suggested polands future really depends lively awareness man create truth rather truth discloses man perseveringly seeks universities supposed universities time far consequence nation parliaments church embodied supreme pontiff reflecting meaning true humanism integral notion human person condition sound development intellectual life rather telling vote five days gniezno john paul delivered similar message free societys dependence vibrant public moral culture presidents poland czech republic slovakia hungary lithuania ukraine germany new newly reunified democracies politics matter winning elections reminded success economic reform measured solely indices gross national product rather greatness role political leaders act always respect dignity every human create conditions generous solidarity never marginalizes citizen permit individual access culture recognize put practice loftiest human spiritual values profess share ones religious beliefs realpolitik amoral power given europe sorely tried century birth new europe capable responding ageold vocation world depended european rediscovery continents ancient cultural religious roots prior popes arrival scent valedictory air eleven dramatic intellectually challenging days later speculation already begun papal visit 1998 time baltic region solidarity born mazurian lakes father karol wojtyla loved kayak may 1979 enthusiastic polish friend suggested john pauls politics culture combined terminal ex communist incompetence face catastrophic floods poland july effect september voters threw excommunists elected new parliament led reconfigured solidarity coalition parliament steward europes fastest growing economy east central europes stable polity great polish experiment continue democratic pluralism free economy built sustained basis intact catholic culture john paul ii gave poles polish culture living past rather nostalgic past june 1997 pilgrimage bodes well positive answer historic question iii evangelical potency popes culture first approach church modern world also display paris 12th world youth day august 1997 first pastoral visit france spring 1980 john paul ii whose affection gallic eldest daughter church culture dates back student days shocked congregation 350000 lebourget airport bluntly asking france faithful promises baptism france daughter church educator peoples faithful good man covenant eternal wisdom seven months later pope acted judgment revitalization french catholicism urgent pastoral need making arguably boldest episcopal nomination pontificate appointment jeanmarie lustiger son polishjewish parents archbishop paris lustiger converted catholicism teenager innovative student chaplain sorbonne parisian pastor named bishop orléans spent mere thirteen months translation paris years chaplain pastor lustiger group young lay intellectuals developed distinctive analysis historical cultural situation french church prior french revolution church france church power allied political order sense dependent came 1789 subsequent terror french catholicism took first twentieth century hottest blast secular modernity reeling massive bloody assault church divided restorationist faction sought return ancient régimeat first tout court later monarchist option became politically untenable culturally faction produced time extremism action française petainism world war ii ultimately lefebvrism postvatican ii period counterfaction sought accommodation secularity political left eventually gave birth bizarre phenomenon christian marxism bitter contestation two factions divided french catholics 150 years drained church evangelical vigor creativity lustiger groups analysis lay claim two factions far polar opposites claimed fact two variants false option determination church power two factions differed course form political power preferable partner church agreed although could never admit church france must mean church power lustiger friends disagreed marriage power believed made church vulnerable assault secular modernity way mediate claims accommodationist restorationist factions restorationists regarded dignitatis humanae vatican iis declaration religious freedom heresy declaring state theologically incompetent accommodationists mistaken councils opening modern world gaudium et spes invitation cohabit marxism later postmodernist deconstruction led short order dissolution christian orthodoxy circumstances lustiger group proposed option evangelical option abandon pretense power eschew alliances political force bring france back baptismal promises mediation politics reconversion culture turn meant taking evangelical proposition straight molders shapers culture bynow thoroughly secularized french intelligentsia accession paris lustiger began implementing pastoral strategy reevangelization head dynamic fashion slew bestselling books many addressing possibility faith amidst modernity refounding seminary thus personally encouraging evangelically assertive parisian presbyterate direct personal weekly outreach students professoriate sunday evening mass homily cathedral notredame world youth day 1997 fit well strategy reconversion culture world youth day would simply happen paris strategic vision cardinal lustiger associates shared john paul ii world youth day would integral part perhaps even turning point reconversion france evangelization culture thus popes contacts french authorities kept minimum required protocol good manners brief welcoming meeting president chirac brief predeparture meeting prime minister jospin whenever john paul appeared public paris explicitly ecclesial context church power church gospel whose witness christ compelled defense rights man rhythm 12th world youth day deliberately set model pilgrimage lustiger first encountered days chaplain sorbonne monsignor maxim charles later rector sacré coeur reviving french tradition student pilgrimages group young intellectuals would later become close friends father lustiger later informal advisors archbishop pilgrimages first notredame later chartres inspired theology louis bouyer teaching every significant christian event fashion recapitulate paschal triduum core christian experience thus every student pilgrimage matter time year retreatants would relive holy week palm sunday easter vigil bouyercharles paschal template adapted world youth day 1997 great effect thus first official day youth festival happened tuesday palm sunday holy year cross given john paul ii participants first world youth day 1985 solemnly carried procession dozen youngsters around world crowd perhaps 500000 young people stretched eiffel tower along champ de mars front lawn ecole militaire great platform built opening mass thursday john paul ii arrived paris first met young people holy thursday gospel read welcoming ceremony john 13115 washing disciples feet pope explicated youngsters text read languagebased catechetical groups next day friday hundreds thousands teenagers young adults relived good friday making way cross dozens venues paris saturday night candlelight baptismal vigil celebrated congregation 750000 longchamp racecourse pope baptized twelve young catechumens every continent recreation easter vigil came closing eucharist sunday morning turned largest attendance one mass french history million gathering longchamp massive turnout far exceeded expectations events planners things got underway anticipating perhaps 250000 youngsters week crowd 500000 closing mass least twice number young people turned outpouring interest french teenagers stunned paris press spent better part week editorially wondering earth going one also sense stunned french bishops internalized sense marginality unsympathetic lustigers pastoral strategy forthrightly evangelical approach keepers french cultural flame john paul ii visited reims september 1996 similar skepticism public interest expressed another massive turnout ensued focus christian roots french nation occasion 1500th anniversary baptism clovis world youth day two icons proposed reflection drawn modern history french catholicism st thèrése lisieux frederic ozanam founder worldwide st vincent de paul societies pope beatified notredame august 22 choice patrons papal pilgrimage paris accidental young catholics thèrése died twentyfour ozanam forty thèrése perhaps popular modern saints contemplative woman made original contributions theology ozanam intellectual age radical skepticism democrat detached ancien régime fantasies many coreligionists servant poor devoted husband father original thinker whose writings society prefigured influenced birth modern catholic social doctrine leo xiiis rerum novarum message sent iconography unmistakable sanctity possible modernity youthful enthusiasm drawn christ catholic faith nurture free society liberty human dignity equality human solidarity fraternity cardinal lustiger drove point home french national television night world youth day concluded asked middleaged interviewer explained extraordinary response world youth day cardinal suggested question generations reporter belonged generation grown church lost faith circa 1968 fighting parents speak ever since young people cardinal said grew empty found jesus christ want explore means concluded read lives experience think christian engaged intelligent compassionate dedicated people antinomies pope put young closing homily longchamp go forth along roads world along pathways humanity remaining ever united christs church continue contemplate gods glory gods love receive enlightenment needed build civilization love help brothers sisters see world transfigured gods eternal wisdom love capital particularly skeptical anticlerical enlightenment new enlightenment culture leading new concept free society proposed response suggested world youth day 1997 may one day remembered turning point modern history france iv professor stefan swiezawski distinguished polish historian philosophy instrumental bringing young father karol wojtyla faculty catholic university lublin said postconciliar church living new epoch vatican ii one council marked end constantinian epoch thank god church army state quite different situation working implications postconstantinian ecclesiology eye toward third millennium christian history one principal leitmotifs pontificate john paul ii played important role drafting gaudium et spes councils pastoral constitution church modern world respects course church always engaged power world defines power vatican diplomacy continues holy see exchanges diplomatic representatives 166 states active participant international legal political institutions pontificate john paul ii done fulfillment promise vatican ii seminal dogmatic constitution church lumen gentium locate inevitable engagement principalities powers explicitly evangelical context churchs defense human rights especially first human right religious freedom like groping toward ethic humanitarian intervention postcold war world efforts mediate ethnic nationalist conflict middle east elsewhere proposals securing moral foundations free society understood merely churchs dealings real world ecclesiology social doctrine john paul ii witness public church expression churchs essential task proclamation gospel jesus christa gospel many things say nature man human community human destiny real world human universe redeemed transformed atoning death son god church real world story church worlds story rightly understood belief grounds public ministry john paul ii directs attention teacher witness realm culture dimension human universe selfunderstanding individuals peoples formed transmitted new generations church first foremost evangelical church must postconstantinian epoch evangelizer cultures steady insistence priority culture difficult grasp read john paul ii another great figure worldhistorical stage whose dramatic action defined politics course precisely spite fact christian priest bishop insists politics thus two john pauls conventional media terms social progressive doctrinal conservative one john paul ii one karol wojtyla jonathan kwitnys man century less woodenheaded wrestling complex simplicity life karol wojtyla tad szulc authorial dyad carl bern steinmarco politi kwitny deserves full marks demolishing bernsteinpoliti holy alliance fiction avoids worst szulcs gaucheries angry old man fighting vainly world helped create also tries force wojtylas life accomplishment onto procrustean bed political preferences instance pope becomes last great twentiethcentury exponent democratic socialism pacifism public accomplishment kwitny rightly claims large one wojtyla crucial destruction totalitarian option caused immense human suffering throughout century john paul ii man century political achievement crisis twentieth century gave birth totalitarianism sundry forms first instance crisis culture crisis order ideas morals karol wojtylas conviction since helped lead clandestine cultural resistance nazi occupation poland world war ii power hallmark politics century direct consequence collapse publicly available concept human freedom tethered truth ordered objectively knowable human good modernity could give persuasive account truth highest aspirationfreedomwas modernity freedom necessarily came understood neutral faculty choice absent agreed publicly accessible standards goodness various choices could judged adjudicated reduction social life raw contest power necessarily ensued nietzsche words right seeing coming went mad plausibility john paul ii man century put paid one political epiphenomena crisis late modernity advanced proposal cuts heart modern crisis truth freedom proposal emerged heart church primarily directed toward realm culture first always evangelical proposal proposal consider possibilities human freedom light gods freedom led cross account life karol wojtyla stewardship office peter church impact history time means taking seriously popes conviction reality cruciform story world final analysis story paschal mystery george weigel distinguished senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc holds eppcs william e simon chair catholic studies kwitny traces intellectual origins political stance presents hithertoundiscovered book karol wojtyla social ethics published underground 1953 problem book isnt book wojtyla wasnt principal author social ethics scholars known time text wojtylas lectures social ethics course krakow seminary wojtyla assigned teach course adapted lecture notes predecessor father jan piwowarczyk notes fact rather conventional exposition catholic social doctrine kwitny seems unfamiliar period pius xis 1931 encyclical quadragesimo anno one popes closest associates confirmed father wojtyla social ethics major intellectual interest prior assignment teach course used piwowarczyk lecture notes elaborations material | 3,139 |
<p>A Colonized People</p>
<p>&lt;img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17331" alt="chuck-hagel" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chuck-hagel.jpg" width="470" height="282" srcset="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chuck-hagel.jpg 470w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chuck-hagel-150x90.jpg 150w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chuck-hagel-300x180.jpg 300w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chuck-hagel-440x264.jpg 440w" sizes="(max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /&gt;</p>
<p>Americans have been shamed many times by their elected representatives, who cravenly bow to vested interests and betray the American people. But no previous disgraceful behavior can match the public shame brought to Americans by the behavior of the Senate Republicans in the confirmation hearing of Senator Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense.</p>
<p>Forty Senate Republicans made it clear that not only do they refuse to put their service to America ahead of their service to Israel, but also that they will not even put their service to America on a par with their service to Israel. To every American’s shame, the Republicans demonstrated for all the world to see that they are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Israel Lobby. (The Israel Lobby is not their only master. They are also owned by other powerful interest groups, such as Wall Street and the Military/Security Complex.)</p>
<p>The most embarrassing behavior of all came from the craven Lindsay Graham, who, while in the act of demonstrating his complete subservience by crawling on his belly before the Israel Lobby, dared Hagel to name one single person in the US Congress who is afraid of the Israel Lobby.</p>
<p>If I had been Hagel, I would have written off the nomination and answered: “You, Senator Graham, and your 40 craven colleagues.”</p>
<p>Indeed, Hagel could have answered: The entire US Congress, including Rand Paul who pretends to be different but isn’t.</p>
<p>The real question is:&#160; Who in the Congress is not afraid of the Israel Lobby?</p>
<p>The hatchet job on Hagel is driven by fear of the Israel Lobby.</p>
<p>Perhaps the worst affront Israel’s American representatives ever inflicted on the US military was the coverup of the Israeli air and torpedo boat attack on the USS Liberty in 1967. The Israeli attack failed to sink the Liberty but killed and wounded most of the crew. The survivors were ordered to silence, and it was 12 years before one of them spoke up and revealed what had happened (James Ennes, Assault On The Liberty). Not even Admiral Thomas Moorer, Chief of Naval Operations and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff could get Washington to own up to the facts.</p>
<p>The facts are now well known, but as far as Washington is concerned they are dead letter facts. The entire event has been moved to some parallel universe.</p>
<p>Why are the Senate Republicans out to destroy Hagel for Israel?</p>
<p>The answer is, first, back when Hagel was a US Senator he refused to be intimidated by the Israel Lobby and declared, “I am a US Senator, not an Israeli Senator.” In other words, Hagel did the impermissible. He said he represented US interests, not Israel’s interests.&#160; Hagel’s position implies that the interests of the two countries are not identical, which is a heresy.</p>
<p>The second part of the answer is that Hagel doesn’t think that it is a good idea for the US to start a war with Iran or for the US to permit Israel to do so.</p>
<p>But a US war with Iran is what the Israeli government and its neoconservative agents have been trying to impose on the Obama regime. Israel wants to get rid of Iran, because Iran supports Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, thus preventing Israel from annexing that territory and its water resources, and because Iran supports Hamas, the only Palestinian organization that tries to oppose Israel’s total theft of Palestine, although Iran has never supplied Hamas with effective weapons.</p>
<p>The two organizations that oppose Israel’s territorial expansion, Hezbollah and Hamas, represent large numbers of Arab peoples. Nevertheless, both are declared, on Israel’s orders, to be “terrorist organizations” by the servile US Department of State, which in all reality should be called the Israeli Department of State, as it never puts US interests before Israel’s.</p>
<p>In other words, Hagel did not grovel. He did not say how much he loved Israel and how it would be his great honor to sacrifice all other interests to Israel’s, how he has waited his entire life for the chance to serve Israel as the US Secretary of Defense.</p>
<p>Hagel is not an opponent of Israel.&#160; He merely said, “First, I am an American.”&#160; His lack of craven subservience is unacceptable to the Israel Lobby, which has branded him an “anti-Semite.”</p>
<p>Lindsay Graham, in contrast, has what it takes to be Israel’s perfect choice for US Secretary of Defense.</p>
<p>Graham will go out of his way to please the Israel Lobby. He will pull out all stops and behave with maximum servility to a foreign power in his effort to embarrass the President of the United States and his nominee, a war veteran and former US Senator who simply thinks that the US Congress and the executive branch should put American interests first.</p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader Reid has used Senate rules to keep Hagel’s nomination alive.</p>
<p>If Lindsay Graham succeeds in doing the Israel Lobby’s dirty work, he will have handed a defeat of the US President to the Israeli Prime Minister, who has demeaned the President of the United States for not doing Israel’s bidding and attacking Iran.</p>
<p>Americans are a colonized people. Their government represents the colonizing powers: Wall Street, the Israel Lobby, the Military/Security Complex, Agribusiness, Pharmaceuticals, Energy, Mining, and Timber interests.</p>
<p>Two elected representatives who tried to represent the American people–Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich–found representative government to be an inhospitable place for those few who attempt to represent the interests of the American people.</p>
<p />
<p>Like Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, and Gerald Celente, I stand with our Founding Fathers who opposed America’s entanglement in foreign wars. In an effort to prevent entanglements, the Founding Fathers gave the power to declare war to Congress.&#160; Over the years Congress has gradually ceded this power to the President to the extent that it no longer exists as a power of Congress.&#160; The President can start a war anywhere at any time simply by declaring that the war is not a war but a “time-limited, scope-limited, kinetic military action.” Or he can use some other nonsensical collection of words.</p>
<p>In the first few years of the 21st century, the executive branch has invaded two countries, violated the sovereignty of five others with military operations, and has established military bases in Africa in order to counteract China’s economic penetration of the continent and to secure the resources for US and European corporations, thus enlarging the prospects for future wars. If the Republicans succeed in blocking Hagel’s confirmation, the prospect of war with Iran will be boosted.</p>
<p>By abdicating its war power, Congress lost its control of the purse. As the executive branch withholds more and more information from Congressional oversight committees, Congress is becoming increasingly powerless.&#160; As Washington’s war debts mount, Washington’s attack on the social safety net will become more intense. Governmental institutions that provide services to Americans will wither as more tax revenues are directed to the coffers of special interests and foreign entanglements.</p>
<p>The tenuous connection between the US government and the interests of citizens is on its way to being severed entirely.</p>
<p>This article was originally published at <a href="http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/" type="external">PaulCraigRoberts.org</a> and has been used here with permission.</p> | false | 1 | colonized people ltimg classaligncenter sizefull wpimage17331 altchuckhagel srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201302chuckhageljpg width470 height282 srcsethttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201302chuckhageljpg 470w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201302chuckhagel150x90jpg 150w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201302chuckhagel300x180jpg 300w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201302chuckhagel440x264jpg 440w sizesmaxwidth 470px 100vw 470px gt americans shamed many times elected representatives cravenly bow vested interests betray american people previous disgraceful behavior match public shame brought americans behavior senate republicans confirmation hearing senator chuck hagel secretary defense forty senate republicans made clear refuse put service america ahead service israel also even put service america par service israel every americans shame republicans demonstrated world see wholly owned subsidiaries israel lobby israel lobby master also owned powerful interest groups wall street militarysecurity complex embarrassing behavior came craven lindsay graham act demonstrating complete subservience crawling belly israel lobby dared hagel name one single person us congress afraid israel lobby hagel would written nomination answered senator graham 40 craven colleagues indeed hagel could answered entire us congress including rand paul pretends different isnt real question is160 congress afraid israel lobby hatchet job hagel driven fear israel lobby perhaps worst affront israels american representatives ever inflicted us military coverup israeli air torpedo boat attack uss liberty 1967 israeli attack failed sink liberty killed wounded crew survivors ordered silence 12 years one spoke revealed happened james ennes assault liberty even admiral thomas moorer chief naval operations chairman joint chiefs staff could get washington facts facts well known far washington concerned dead letter facts entire event moved parallel universe senate republicans destroy hagel israel answer first back hagel us senator refused intimidated israel lobby declared us senator israeli senator words hagel impermissible said represented us interests israels interests160 hagels position implies interests two countries identical heresy second part answer hagel doesnt think good idea us start war iran us permit israel us war iran israeli government neoconservative agents trying impose obama regime israel wants get rid iran iran supports hezbollah southern lebanon thus preventing israel annexing territory water resources iran supports hamas palestinian organization tries oppose israels total theft palestine although iran never supplied hamas effective weapons two organizations oppose israels territorial expansion hezbollah hamas represent large numbers arab peoples nevertheless declared israels orders terrorist organizations servile us department state reality called israeli department state never puts us interests israels words hagel grovel say much loved israel would great honor sacrifice interests israels waited entire life chance serve israel us secretary defense hagel opponent israel160 merely said first american160 lack craven subservience unacceptable israel lobby branded antisemite lindsay graham contrast takes israels perfect choice us secretary defense graham go way please israel lobby pull stops behave maximum servility foreign power effort embarrass president united states nominee war veteran former us senator simply thinks us congress executive branch put american interests first senate majority leader reid used senate rules keep hagels nomination alive lindsay graham succeeds israel lobbys dirty work handed defeat us president israeli prime minister demeaned president united states israels bidding attacking iran americans colonized people government represents colonizing powers wall street israel lobby militarysecurity complex agribusiness pharmaceuticals energy mining timber interests two elected representatives tried represent american peopleron paul dennis kucinichfound representative government inhospitable place attempt represent interests american people like ron paul dennis kucinich gerald celente stand founding fathers opposed americas entanglement foreign wars effort prevent entanglements founding fathers gave power declare war congress160 years congress gradually ceded power president extent longer exists power congress160 president start war anywhere time simply declaring war war timelimited scopelimited kinetic military action use nonsensical collection words first years 21st century executive branch invaded two countries violated sovereignty five others military operations established military bases africa order counteract chinas economic penetration continent secure resources us european corporations thus enlarging prospects future wars republicans succeed blocking hagels confirmation prospect war iran boosted abdicating war power congress lost control purse executive branch withholds information congressional oversight committees congress becoming increasingly powerless160 washingtons war debts mount washingtons attack social safety net become intense governmental institutions provide services americans wither tax revenues directed coffers special interests foreign entanglements tenuous connection us government interests citizens way severed entirely article originally published paulcraigrobertsorg used permission | 668 |
<p>Last year, Rep. Paul Ryan's <a href="http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Roadmap2Final2.pdf" type="external">“Roadmap”</a> — his far-reaching plan to restore long-term budget balance through tax and entitlement reform — was the subject of relentless attacks by those favoring a larger government role in American life. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman called Ryan the “Flimflam Man” in a widely cited <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/opinion/06krugman.html" type="external">opinion piece</a> in which he tried to dismiss the Roadmap as not a credible solution to the nation's budget problems. The congressional Democratic leadership followed up with an organized campaign aimed at demonizing the plan as a callous assault on Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries. Their clear intention was to use the Roadmap to damage scores of Republican candidates for House and Senate seats by association.</p>
<p>None of it worked. In fact, not only did the Roadmap survive the 2010 mid-term campaign, the election results — and the dominoes that have fallen since — have made it far safer politically for Roadmap proponents to advance the plan's ideas in the public square.</p>
<p>That the political and policy landscape has started to shift, and rather dramatically, became apparent just a week after the election when the co-chairs of a commission appointed by President Obama, on which Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, also serves, offered draft recommendations on how to close the short- and long-term budget deficits. President Obama had appointed former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles and former Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., to chair the 18 member group earlier this year, and he asked them to report back by Dec. 1 — after voters were given a chance to decide the make-up of the 112th Congress.</p>
<p>The draft proposal put forward by Bowles and Simpson caught just about everyone in Washington off guard. It's not a business-as-usual plan. Very few sacred cows were spared. It calls for radical tax reform to lower rates and broaden the base, a reduction in the corporate tax rate, long-term entitlement spending cuts, and elimination of programs that have been around for decades. Among the most controversial items now on the table for consideration by the presidentially appointed commission is the full elimination of mortgage interest and state and local tax deductions, dramatically lower future Social Security benefits for higher-wage workers, and real cuts in pay for federal workers.</p>
<p>On Nov. 17, just a week later, another bipartisan commission looking at the nation's deteriorating budget situation took its turn. This one is headed by former Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and former Clinton budget director Alice Rivlin, and is sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center. They and their commission colleagues — many of whom are Democrats — released their own version of a deficit-reduction plan, which received unanimous support from the 19 commission members.</p>
<p>Among other recommendations, the Domenici-Rivlin plan would cap the tax preference for employer-paid health insurance and then phase it out entirely over a number of years. It would also convert the Medicare program for future enrollees into a “premium support” program in which the beneficiaries get a fixed level of financial support from the government for the purchase of insurance. Enrollees selecting options more expensive than the average plan would have to pay the difference out of their own pockets.</p>
<p>Rivlin — who is also serving on the Bowles-Simpson presidential commission — followed up her work with Senator Domenici by announcing her public support for a “Ryan-Rivlin” health entitlement reform program, which the two then proceeded to offer to the presidential commission for its consideration. The Ryan-Rivlin proposal includes many of the same features in the health sector as the Ryan Roadmap. Future Medicare enrollees would receive their entitlement in the form of a fixed level of federal support for health insurance.The eligibility age would be increased gradually to age 67, up from 65 today. And the cost-sharing for current program enrollees would be modified to require most beneficiaries to pay something toward the cost of the services they receive before Medicare and secondary insurance kicked in. Medicaid would be converted into a block grant program to the states, with the states freed up to run the program as they see fit. The new long-term care program created in the health law — called the “CLASS Act” — would be repealed. And noneconomic and punitive damages in medical malpractice cases would be capped.</p>
<p>The Congressional Budget Office, <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/119xx/doc11966/11-17-Rivlin-Ryan_Preliminary_Analysis.pdf" type="external">in a preliminary analysis</a>, estimates the Ryan-Rivlin plan would reduce the federal budget deficit by $280 billion over the next decade and 1.75 percent of GDP in 2030 (with reasonable baseline assumptions). That kind of savings is going to be needed to prevent the federal budget from going entirely off the rails in the next two decades.</p>
<p>Still, there's no expectation that any of these proposals are going to sail through Congress anytime soon. Indeed, what's most likely to happen in the short term is absolutely nothing. The Bowles-Simpson commission may not find common ground, at which point Congress is under no obligation to take up draft recommendations from a subset of its membership. Moreover, both the Domenici-Rivlin plan and the Ryan-Rivlin health entitlement program have already set in motion frantic efforts to mount counter-offensives among the protectors of the status quo to prevent these ideas from gaining any political traction.</p>
<p>But what's really important about the last month is not that any reform plan is about to pass. It's that the terms of the budget, entitlement and health care debates have shifted dramatically, and very likely on a permanent basis. The fundamental elements of the Ryan Roadmap are sweeping tax reform; changes in health care which emphasize a marketplace and consumer choice; and modifications to retirement programs that reflect demographic reality. All of these elements can now be found in budget plans endorsed by prominent Democrats, including Democrats the president himself turned to find solutions to the nation's budget problems. Consequently, it will be much harder in the future for Democrats to demonize these ideas as they have tried to do in the past.</p>
<p>Paul Ryan took the courageous step of going first with a bold plan to fundamentally restructure the tax and entitlement policies that threaten to push the federal budget past the breaking point. Now others, even some from the other side of the aisle, are joining him in sponsoring similar plans. The Roadmap does indeed live on.</p>
<p>James C. Capretta is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.</p> | false | 1 | last year rep paul ryans roadmap farreaching plan restore longterm budget balance tax entitlement reform subject relentless attacks favoring larger government role american life new york times columnist paul krugman called ryan flimflam man widely cited opinion piece tried dismiss roadmap credible solution nations budget problems congressional democratic leadership followed organized campaign aimed demonizing plan callous assault social security medicare beneficiaries clear intention use roadmap damage scores republican candidates house senate seats association none worked fact roadmap survive 2010 midterm campaign election results dominoes fallen since made far safer politically roadmap proponents advance plans ideas public square political policy landscape started shift rather dramatically became apparent week election cochairs commission appointed president obama ryan republican wisconsin also serves offered draft recommendations close short longterm budget deficits president obama appointed former clinton white house chief staff erskine bowles former sen alan simpson rwyo chair 18 member group earlier year asked report back dec 1 voters given chance decide makeup 112th congress draft proposal put forward bowles simpson caught everyone washington guard businessasusual plan sacred cows spared calls radical tax reform lower rates broaden base reduction corporate tax rate longterm entitlement spending cuts elimination programs around decades among controversial items table consideration presidentially appointed commission full elimination mortgage interest state local tax deductions dramatically lower future social security benefits higherwage workers real cuts pay federal workers nov 17 week later another bipartisan commission looking nations deteriorating budget situation took turn one headed former sen pete domenici rnm former clinton budget director alice rivlin sponsored bipartisan policy center commission colleagues many democrats released version deficitreduction plan received unanimous support 19 commission members among recommendations domenicirivlin plan would cap tax preference employerpaid health insurance phase entirely number years would also convert medicare program future enrollees premium support program beneficiaries get fixed level financial support government purchase insurance enrollees selecting options expensive average plan would pay difference pockets rivlin also serving bowlessimpson presidential commission followed work senator domenici announcing public support ryanrivlin health entitlement reform program two proceeded offer presidential commission consideration ryanrivlin proposal includes many features health sector ryan roadmap future medicare enrollees would receive entitlement form fixed level federal support health insurancethe eligibility age would increased gradually age 67 65 today costsharing current program enrollees would modified require beneficiaries pay something toward cost services receive medicare secondary insurance kicked medicaid would converted block grant program states states freed run program see fit new longterm care program created health law called class act would repealed noneconomic punitive damages medical malpractice cases would capped congressional budget office preliminary analysis estimates ryanrivlin plan would reduce federal budget deficit 280 billion next decade 175 percent gdp 2030 reasonable baseline assumptions kind savings going needed prevent federal budget going entirely rails next two decades still theres expectation proposals going sail congress anytime soon indeed whats likely happen short term absolutely nothing bowlessimpson commission may find common ground point congress obligation take draft recommendations subset membership moreover domenicirivlin plan ryanrivlin health entitlement program already set motion frantic efforts mount counteroffensives among protectors status quo prevent ideas gaining political traction whats really important last month reform plan pass terms budget entitlement health care debates shifted dramatically likely permanent basis fundamental elements ryan roadmap sweeping tax reform changes health care emphasize marketplace consumer choice modifications retirement programs reflect demographic reality elements found budget plans endorsed prominent democrats including democrats president turned find solutions nations budget problems consequently much harder future democrats demonize ideas tried past paul ryan took courageous step going first bold plan fundamentally restructure tax entitlement policies threaten push federal budget past breaking point others even side aisle joining sponsoring similar plans roadmap indeed live james c capretta fellow ethics public policy center | 614 |
<p>WASHINGTON — A new accuser said Monday that as a teenager in the 1970s she was sexually assaulted by Roy Moore in a locked car, further rocking the Alabama Republican’s race for an open Senate seat. The allegation came on day when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Moore should quit the contest, and Moore fired back that it was McConnell who should step down.</p>
<p>Even before the news conference by Beverly Young Nelson, Moore’s campaign released a statement saying that attorney Gloria Allred — who’s representing Nelson — “is a sensationalist leading a witch hunt.” It said Moore is innocent and “has never had any sexual misconduct with anyone.”</p>
<p>In tears, Nelson said in New York that when she was 16, Moore offered her a ride home from the restaurant where she worked. She accused him of touching her breasts and locking the door to keep her inside his car. She said he squeezed her neck while trying to push her head toward his crotch and tried to pull her shirt off.</p>
<p>Moore finally stopped and as she fell or was pushed out of the car, he warned her no one would believe because he was a county district attorney, Nelson said.</p>
<p>Before Monday, Moore was already battling allegations reported last week by The Washington Post that he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl decades ago when he was in his 30s and pursued romantic relationships with three other teenagers.</p>
<p>“I believe the women,” McConnell, R-Ky., said Monday in response to a question at an appearance in Louisville, Kentucky. He said flatly that Moore should step aside for another GOP candidate.</p>
<p>When the Post’s story first broke last Thursday, McConnell had said Moore should step aside if the allegations were true.</p>
<p>McConnell said a write-in effort by another candidate was a possibility.</p>
<p>“That’s an option we’re looking at — whether or not there is someone who can mount a write-in campaign successfully,” McConnell said. Asked specifically about current Sen. Luther Strange, the loser to Moore in a party primary, he said, “We’ll see.”</p>
<p>Shortly after McConnell made his remarks Monday, Moore tweeted his response.</p>
<p>“The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp,” Moore wrote.</p>
<p>The crossfire escalated a GOP civil war over Moore’s Senate candidacy in a Dec. 12 special election, which until last week’s allegations was viewed as an inevitable Republican win in the deep-red state.</p>
<p>On the Democratic side, one of the Senate’s moderate members is helping Moore’s challenger raise campaign funds, underscoring the party’s wary approach in an Alabama race that until recently was viewed as a virtually certain win for the GOP.</p>
<p>In fact, the fundraising bid by Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., doesn’t mention allegations about Moore.</p>
<p>“Doug’s opponent, Roy Moore, is an extremist with a record of putting political ideology above the rule of law,” Donnelly wrote in a weekend email soliciting contributions for Democrat Doug Jones. Moore and Jones face a Dec. 12 special election to replace Strange, who was appointed to replace Jeff Sessions when Sessions was named U.S. attorney general.</p>
<p>In a further indication of Democrats’ caution, the party’s No. 2 Senate leader, Richard Durbin, dodged a question Sunday about what the Senate should do if Moore is elected. He tried to shift the focus back to Republicans.</p>
<p>“President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party in America. It’s his responsibility to step forward and say more and do more when it comes to the situation in Alabama,” Durbin, D-Ill., said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”</p>
<p>Moore said a lawsuit will be filed over the Post report that detailed the allegations against him.</p>
<p>While pressure to quit the race four weeks before Election Day intensified from within the Republican Party, Moore assured supporters Sunday night at a Huntsville, Alabama, gym that the article was “fake news” and “a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign.”</p>
<p>Moore said allegations that he was involved with a minor child are “untrue” and said the newspaper “will be sued,” drawing a round of applause. The former judge also questioned why such allegations would be leveled for the first time so close to the special election in spite of his decades in public life.</p>
<p>“Why would they come now? Because there are groups that don’t want me in the United States Senate,” he said, naming the Democratic Party and the Republican establishment and accusing them of working together. He added, “We do not plan to let anybody deter us from this race.”</p>
<p>Moore, too, has tried to raise money from the controversy, writing in a fundraising pitch that the “vicious and sleazy attacks against me are growing more vicious by the minute.”</p>
<p>Even if Moore were to step aside, his name would likely remain on the ballot. And any effort to add Strange as a write-in candidate would threaten to divide the GOP vote in a way that would give the Democratic candidate a greater chance of winning.</p>
<p>Moore is an outspoken Christian conservative and former state Supreme Court judge.</p>
<p>The situation has stirred concern among anxious GOP officials in Washington in a key race to fill the Senate seat once held by Sessions. Losing the special election to a Democrat would imperil Republicans’ already slim 52-48 majority. But a Moore victory also would pose risks if he were to join the Senate GOP under a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations.</p>
<p />
<p /> | false | 1 | washington new accuser said monday teenager 1970s sexually assaulted roy moore locked car rocking alabama republicans race open senate seat allegation came day senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said moore quit contest moore fired back mcconnell step even news conference beverly young nelson moores campaign released statement saying attorney gloria allred whos representing nelson sensationalist leading witch hunt said moore innocent never sexual misconduct anyone tears nelson said new york 16 moore offered ride home restaurant worked accused touching breasts locking door keep inside car said squeezed neck trying push head toward crotch tried pull shirt moore finally stopped fell pushed car warned one would believe county district attorney nelson said monday moore already battling allegations reported last week washington post sexual contact 14yearold girl decades ago 30s pursued romantic relationships three teenagers believe women mcconnell rky said monday response question appearance louisville kentucky said flatly moore step aside another gop candidate posts story first broke last thursday mcconnell said moore step aside allegations true mcconnell said writein effort another candidate possibility thats option looking whether someone mount writein campaign successfully mcconnell said asked specifically current sen luther strange loser moore party primary said well see shortly mcconnell made remarks monday moore tweeted response person step aside senatemajldr mitch mcconnell failed conservatives must replaced draintheswamp moore wrote crossfire escalated gop civil war moores senate candidacy dec 12 special election last weeks allegations viewed inevitable republican win deepred state democratic side one senates moderate members helping moores challenger raise campaign funds underscoring partys wary approach alabama race recently viewed virtually certain win gop fact fundraising bid sen joe donnelly dind doesnt mention allegations moore dougs opponent roy moore extremist record putting political ideology rule law donnelly wrote weekend email soliciting contributions democrat doug jones moore jones face dec 12 special election replace strange appointed replace jeff sessions sessions named us attorney general indication democrats caution partys 2 senate leader richard durbin dodged question sunday senate moore elected tried shift focus back republicans president trump leader republican party america responsibility step forward say comes situation alabama durbin dill said cnns state union moore said lawsuit filed post report detailed allegations pressure quit race four weeks election day intensified within republican party moore assured supporters sunday night huntsville alabama gym article fake news desperate attempt stop political campaign moore said allegations involved minor child untrue said newspaper sued drawing round applause former judge also questioned allegations would leveled first time close special election spite decades public life would come groups dont want united states senate said naming democratic party republican establishment accusing working together added plan let anybody deter us race moore tried raise money controversy writing fundraising pitch vicious sleazy attacks growing vicious minute even moore step aside name would likely remain ballot effort add strange writein candidate would threaten divide gop vote way would give democratic candidate greater chance winning moore outspoken christian conservative former state supreme court judge situation stirred concern among anxious gop officials washington key race fill senate seat held sessions losing special election democrat would imperil republicans already slim 5248 majority moore victory also would pose risks join senate gop cloud sexual misconduct allegations | 527 |
<p>Women&#160;spend too much time on&#160;housework relative to men, new research&#160;suggests, and it’s probably dragging on&#160;U.S. productivity.&#160;</p>
<p>That’s the first finding in this week’s economic research wrap, which also looks at changes in the way women have spent their days&#160;in recent years and summarizes studies on spillovers from central bank balance-sheet normalization. Check this column each Tuesday for new and topical research from around the world.&#160;</p>
<p>Less time for bringing home the bacon</p>
<p>Women have&#160;less time for on-the-job labor because they spend more time doing housework than their male counterparts — so they miss out when they’re working in fields that reward long hours, based on a new National Bureau for Economic Research study. Some women shy away from jobs in fields that require long workweeks, knowing they won’t have the time: a 10 percent cut in free time for women reduces&#160;their share in&#160;high-hour occupations by about 14 percent relative to men, according to the researcher’s model.</p>
<p>In total, that difference in time spent on at-home labor results in an 11 percentage point gender wage gap, their analysis estimates. All of this may seem&#160;pretty intuitive, but here’s the surprise: the pattern hurts society as a whole. If labor were instead allocated in a gender-neutral way, welfare would increase and output per hour would climb by 5.4 percent as people made better use of their time, given their skills.</p>
<p>“Our main message is that developing a theory of time allocation and occupational choice is important for understanding the forces that shape gender differences in labor market outcomes,” the researchers from&#160;Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, University of Toronto and Princeton University write.&#160;</p>
<p>Hours, Occupations, and Gender Differences in Labor Market OutcomesPublished July 2017Available on the <a href="http://www.nber.org/papers/w23636" type="external">NBER website</a></p>
<p>The silver lining in the gender labor divide</p>
<p>On the bright side, women are finding a way to spend less time on chores and shopping, even if men aren’t stepping up to the plate when it comes to housework.&#160;</p>
<p>A new Bank of America Merrill Lynch&#160;analysis of American Time Use Survey data show that only 46 percent of prime-age women engaged in housework in 2014 to 2016, versus 52 percent in 2003 to 2005. Where women did housework, they were spending five minutes less on it, on average. That shift&#160;came as prime-age men contributed a few more minutes of housework, but not enough to offset the gap, suggesting that the tasks like laundry and cleaning are probably being outsourced, while online shopping is more efficient.</p>
<p>As they spent less time on chores, women&#160;worked and slept more, the data show. The trend is probably going to persist&#160;going forward, the economists suggest, especially as younger groups of women have become more educated&#160;—&#160;affording them the affluence to work more and spend time with their families while hiring someone else to do the dusting.&#160;</p>
<p>A day in the life of a working womanPublished July 28, 2017Available to <a href="https://promo.bankofamerica.com/multiproduct/desktop/?cm_mmc=ENT-Consumer-_-Google-PS-_-bank%2520of%2520america-_-Control%2520-%2520High%2520Volume%2520-%2520Bank%2520Of%2520America%2520Exact_Bank%2520Of%2520America%2520Exact&amp;device=c&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh_CGl4221QIVVTyBCh2brAI2EAAYASAAEgKR_vD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" type="external">Bank of America</a> subscribers&#160;</p>
<p>How will balance-sheet normalization effect emerging markets?</p>
<p>As the Federal Reserve looks toward normalizing its $4.5 trillion balance sheet and the European Central Bank contemplates when to taper off its quantitative easing program, International Monetary Fund researchers are asking a timely question: will such adjustments in advanced economies have a different effect than tightening that comes via interest rates?&#160;</p>
<p>The answer is yes, based on their logic. While emerging markets can mitigate spillovers from rate changes by aligning short-term policy rates with the advanced central bank, there’s no simple way to offset cross-border financial spillovers coming from a balance sheet unwind like the one the Fed is headed toward. This matters a lot for economies that are pegged to the dollar, like Hong Kong. “Simply aligning the short-term policy rate will no longer be sufficient in shielding EMs from external monetary spillovers,” the researchers write.&#160;</p>
<p>Central Bank Balance Sheet Policies and Spillovers to Emerging MarketsPublished July 25, 2017Available at the <a href="http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2017/07/25/Central-Bank-Balance-Sheet-Policies-and-Spillovers-to-Emerging-Markets-45112" type="external">International Monetary Fund website&#160;</a></p>
<p>Speaking of spillovers…</p>
<p>Economists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. take a look at another balance sheet-relevant issue, digging into&#160;how normalization will impact other major economies.&#160;They find that U.S. rate hikes lead to a larger trade-weighted deprecation in the euro and the Japanese yen than balance-sheet unwinding, so that rate-based tightening is responsible for a bigger boost to growth and inflation in those countries. They also take a look at China, which will see a stronger currency as the U.S. tightens thanks to its dollar link.&#160;The effects on Chinese growth and inflation are most negative when the Fed hikes rates and the ECB tightens via the balance sheet, based on the Goldman analysis.&#160;</p>
<p>In a nutshell, “the FOMC’s plan to use the balance sheet rather than the funds rate as its next tightening step is helpful for China, but acts as a drag on growth and inflation in the euro area and Japan,” Goldman economist Sven Jari Stehn writes.&#160;</p>
<p>Global Economics Analyst: Policy Rate vs. Balance Sheet SpilloversPublished July 28, 2017Available to&#160; <a href="http://www.goldmansachs.com/" type="external">Goldman Sachs</a> subscribers&#160;</p> | false | 1 | women160spend much time on160housework relative men new research160suggests probably dragging on160us productivity160 thats first finding weeks economic research wrap also looks changes way women spent days160in recent years summarizes studies spillovers central bank balancesheet normalization check column tuesday new topical research around world160 less time bringing home bacon women have160less time onthejob labor spend time housework male counterparts miss theyre working fields reward long hours based new national bureau economic research study women shy away jobs fields require long workweeks knowing wont time 10 percent cut free time women reduces160their share in160highhour occupations 14 percent relative men according researchers model total difference time spent athome labor results 11 percentage point gender wage gap analysis estimates may seem160pretty intuitive heres surprise pattern hurts society whole labor instead allocated genderneutral way welfare would increase output per hour would climb 54 percent people made better use time given skills main message developing theory time allocation occupational choice important understanding forces shape gender differences labor market outcomes researchers from160universidad carlos iii de madrid university toronto princeton university write160 hours occupations gender differences labor market outcomespublished july 2017available nber website silver lining gender labor divide bright side women finding way spend less time chores shopping even men arent stepping plate comes housework160 new bank america merrill lynch160analysis american time use survey data show 46 percent primeage women engaged housework 2014 2016 versus 52 percent 2003 2005 women housework spending five minutes less average shift160came primeage men contributed minutes housework enough offset gap suggesting tasks like laundry cleaning probably outsourced online shopping efficient spent less time chores women160worked slept data show trend probably going persist160going forward economists suggest especially younger groups women become educated160160affording affluence work spend time families hiring someone else dusting160 day life working womanpublished july 28 2017available bank america subscribers160 balancesheet normalization effect emerging markets federal reserve looks toward normalizing 45 trillion balance sheet european central bank contemplates taper quantitative easing program international monetary fund researchers asking timely question adjustments advanced economies different effect tightening comes via interest rates160 answer yes based logic emerging markets mitigate spillovers rate changes aligning shortterm policy rates advanced central bank theres simple way offset crossborder financial spillovers coming balance sheet unwind like one fed headed toward matters lot economies pegged dollar like hong kong simply aligning shortterm policy rate longer sufficient shielding ems external monetary spillovers researchers write160 central bank balance sheet policies spillovers emerging marketspublished july 25 2017available international monetary fund website160 speaking spillovers economists goldman sachs group inc take look another balance sheetrelevant issue digging into160how normalization impact major economies160they find us rate hikes lead larger tradeweighted deprecation euro japanese yen balancesheet unwinding ratebased tightening responsible bigger boost growth inflation countries also take look china see stronger currency us tightens thanks dollar link160the effects chinese growth inflation negative fed hikes rates ecb tightens via balance sheet based goldman analysis160 nutshell fomcs plan use balance sheet rather funds rate next tightening step helpful china acts drag growth inflation euro area japan goldman economist sven jari stehn writes160 global economics analyst policy rate vs balance sheet spilloverspublished july 28 2017available to160 goldman sachs subscribers160 | 517 |
<p>FX’s “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/feud-bette-and-joan/" type="external">Feud: Bette and Joan</a>” led the Broadcast Television Assn.’s Critics’ Choice Television Awards nominations with six mentions, including best limited series and best actress in a TV movie or limited series (Jessica Lange). HBO’s “Big Little Lies” picked up five.</p>
<p>But it was <a href="http://variety.com/t/netflix/" type="external">Netflix</a> that was the overall nominations hog, gobbling up 20 nominations for a variety of series including “The Crown,” “Stranger Things,” “American Vandal, “GLOW,” “Godless” and “BoJack Horseman.” HBO was a few paces back with 15 nominations.</p>
<p>Drama series nominees were “American Gods,” “The Crown,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Stranger Things” and “This Is Us.” Meanwhile, “The Big Bang Theory,” “Black-ish,” “GLOW,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Modern Family” and “Patriot” filled out the comedy ranks.</p>
<p>Joining “Feud” and “Big Little Lies” in the limited series category were “American Vandal,” “Fargo,” “Godless” and “The Long Road Home.”</p>
<p>Last year’s top Critics’ Choice TV winners were “Game of Thrones,” “Silicon Valley” and “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”</p>
<p>Full list of nominations below. The 23rd annual Critics’ Choice Awards will air live on The CW network on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018.</p>
<p>Best Drama Series“American Gods” (Starz)“The Crown” ( <a href="http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/disney-hulu-fox-studios-netflix-killer-1202631006/" type="external">Netflix</a>)“Game of Thrones” (HBO)“The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)“Stranger Things” (Netflix)“This Is Us” (NBC)</p>
<p>Best Actor in a Drama SeriesSterling K. Brown, “This Is Us”Paul Giamatti, “Billions”Freddie Highmore, “Bates Motel”Ian McShane, “American Gods”Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”</p>
<p>Best Actress in a Drama SeriesCaitriona Balfe, “Outlander”Christine Baranski, “The Good Fight”Claire Foy, “The Crown”Tatiana Maslany, “Orphan Black”Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”Robin Wright, “House of Cards”</p>
<p>Best Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesBobby Cannavale, “Mr. Robot”Asia Kate Dillon, “Billions”Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”David Harbour, “Stranger Things”Delroy Lindo, “The Good Fight”Michael McKean, “Better Call Saul”</p>
<p>Best Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesGillian Anderson, “American Gods”Emilia Clarke, “Game of Thrones”Ann Dowd, “The Handmaid’s Tale”Cush Jumbo, “The Good Fight”Margo Martindale, “Sneaky Pete”Chrissy Metz, “This Is Us”</p>
<p>Best Comedy Series“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)“Black-ish” (ABC)“GLOW” (Netflix)“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon)“Modern Family” (ABC)“Patriot” (Amazon)</p>
<p>Best Actor in a Comedy SeriesAnthony Anderson, “Black-ish”Aziz Ansari, “Master of None”Hank Azaria, “Brockmire”Ted Danson, “The Good Place”Thomas Middleditch, “Silicon Valley”Randall Park, “Fresh Off the Boat”</p>
<p>Best Actress in a Comedy SeriesKristen Bell, “The Good Place”Alison Brie, “GLOW”Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”Sutton Foster, “Younger”Ellie Kemper, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”Constance Wu, “Fresh Off the Boat”</p>
<p>Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesTituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”Walton Goggins, “Vice Principals”Sean Hayes, “Will &amp; Grace”Marc Maron, “GLOW”Kumail Nanjiani, “Silicon Valley”Ed O’Neill, “Modern Family”</p>
<p>Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesMayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory”Alex Borstein, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”Betty Gilpin, “GLOW”Jenifer Lewis, “Black-ish”Alessandra Mastronardi, “Master of None”Rita Moreno, “One Day at a Time”</p>
<p>Best Limited Series“American Vandal” (Netflix)“Big Little Lies” (HBO)“Fargo” (FX)“Feud: Bette and Joan” (FX)“Godless” (Netflix)“The Long Road Home” (National Geographic)</p>
<p>Best Movie Made for TV“Flint” (Lifetime)“I Am Elizabeth Smart” (Lifetime)“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (HBO)“Sherlock: The Lying Detective” (PBS)“The Wizard of Lies” (HBO)</p>
<p>Best Actor in a Movie Made for TV or Limited SeriesJeff Daniels, “Godless”Robert De Niro, “The Wizard of Lies”Ewan McGregory, “Fargo”Jack O’Connell, “Godless”Evan Peters, “American Horror Story: Cult”Bill Pullman, “The Sinner”Jimmy Tatro, “American Vandal”</p>
<p>Best Actress in a Movie Made for TV or Limited SeriesJessica Biel, “The Sinner”Alana Boden, “I Am Elizabeth Smart”Carrie Coon, “Fargo”Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies”Jessica Lange, “Feud: Bette and Joan”Reese Witherspoon, “Big Little Lies”</p>
<p>Best Supporting Actor in a Movie Made for TV or Limited SeriesJohnny Flynn, “Genius”Benito Martinez, “American Crime”Alfred Molina, “Feud: Bette and Joan”Alexander Skarsgård, “Big Little Lies”David Thewlis, “Fargo”Stanley Tucci, “Feud: Bette and Joan”</p>
<p>Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for TV or Limited SeriesJudy Davis, “Feud: Bette and Joan”Laura Dern, “Big Little Lies”Jackie Hoffman, “Feud: Bette and Joan”Regina King, “American Crime”Michelle Pfeiffer, “The Wizard of Lies”Mary Elizabeth Winstead, “Fargo”</p>
<p>Best Talk Show“Ellen” (NBC)“Harry” (Syndicated)“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC)“The Late Late Show with James Corden” (CBS)“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC)“Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” (Bravo)</p>
<p>Best Animated Series“Archer” (FX)“Bob’s Burgers” (Fox)“BoJack Horseman” (Netflix)“Danger &amp; Eggs” (Amazon)“Rick and Morty” (Adult Swim)“The Simpsons” (Fox)</p>
<p>Best Unstructured Reality Series“Born This Way” (A&amp;E)“Ice Road Truckers” (History)“Intervention” (A&amp;E)“Live PD” (A&amp;E)“Ride with Norman Reedus” (AMC)“Teen Mom” (MTV)</p>
<p>Best Structured Reality Series“The Carbonaro Effect” (truTV)“Fixer Upper” (HGTV)“The Profit” (CNBC)“Shark Tank” (ABC)“Undercover Boss” (CBS)“Who Do You Think You Are?” (TLC)</p>
<p>Best Reality Competition Series“America’s Got Talent” (NBC)“Chopped” (Food Network)“Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)“Project Runway” (Lifetime)“RuPaul’s Drag Race” (LOGOtv)“The Voice” (NBC)</p>
<p>Best Reality Show HostTed Allen, “Chopped”Tyra Banks, “America’s Got Talent”Tom Bergeron, “Dancing With the Stars”Cat Deeley, “So You Think You Can Dance”Joanna and Chip Gaines, “Fixer Upper”RuPaul, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”</p> | false | 1 | fxs feud bette joan led broadcast television assns critics choice television awards nominations six mentions including best limited series best actress tv movie limited series jessica lange hbos big little lies picked five netflix overall nominations hog gobbling 20 nominations variety series including crown stranger things american vandal glow godless bojack horseman hbo paces back 15 nominations drama series nominees american gods crown game thrones handmaids tale stranger things us meanwhile big bang theory blackish glow marvelous mrs maisel modern family patriot filled comedy ranks joining feud big little lies limited series category american vandal fargo godless long road home last years top critics choice tv winners game thrones silicon valley people v oj simpson american crime story full list nominations 23rd annual critics choice awards air live cw network thursday jan 11 2018 best drama seriesamerican gods starzthe crown netflixgame thrones hbothe handmaids tale hulustranger things netflixthis us nbc best actor drama seriessterling k brown uspaul giamatti billionsfreddie highmore bates motelian mcshane american godsbob odenkirk better call saulliev schreiber ray donovan best actress drama seriescaitriona balfe outlanderchristine baranski good fightclaire foy crowntatiana maslany orphan blackelisabeth moss handmaids talerobin wright house cards best supporting actor drama seriesbobby cannavale mr robotasia kate dillon billionspeter dinklage game thronesdavid harbour stranger thingsdelroy lindo good fightmichael mckean better call saul best supporting actress drama seriesgillian anderson american godsemilia clarke game thronesann dowd handmaids talecush jumbo good fightmargo martindale sneaky petechrissy metz us best comedy seriesthe big bang theory cbsblackish abcglow netflixthe marvelous mrs maisel amazonmodern family abcpatriot amazon best actor comedy seriesanthony anderson blackishaziz ansari master nonehank azaria brockmireted danson good placethomas middleditch silicon valleyrandall park fresh boat best actress comedy serieskristen bell good placealison brie glowrachel brosnahan marvelous mrs maiselsutton foster youngerellie kemper unbreakable kimmy schmidtconstance wu fresh boat best supporting actor comedy seriestituss burgess unbreakable kimmy schmidtwalton goggins vice principalssean hayes amp gracemarc maron glowkumail nanjiani silicon valleyed oneill modern family best supporting actress comedy seriesmayim bialik big bang theoryalex borstein marvelous mrs maiselbetty gilpin glowjenifer lewis blackishalessandra mastronardi master nonerita moreno one day time best limited seriesamerican vandal netflixbig little lies hbofargo fxfeud bette joan fxgodless netflixthe long road home national geographic best movie made tvflint lifetimei elizabeth smart lifetimethe immortal life henrietta lacks hbosherlock lying detective pbsthe wizard lies hbo best actor movie made tv limited seriesjeff daniels godlessrobert de niro wizard liesewan mcgregory fargojack oconnell godlessevan peters american horror story cultbill pullman sinnerjimmy tatro american vandal best actress movie made tv limited seriesjessica biel sinneralana boden elizabeth smartcarrie coon fargonicole kidman big little liesjessica lange feud bette joanreese witherspoon big little lies best supporting actor movie made tv limited seriesjohnny flynn geniusbenito martinez american crimealfred molina feud bette joanalexander skarsgård big little liesdavid thewlis fargostanley tucci feud bette joan best supporting actress movie made tv limited seriesjudy davis feud bette joanlaura dern big little liesjackie hoffman feud bette joanregina king american crimemichelle pfeiffer wizard liesmary elizabeth winstead fargo best talk showellen nbcharry syndicatedjimmy kimmel live abcthe late late show james corden cbsthe tonight show starring jimmy fallon nbcwatch happens live andy cohen bravo best animated seriesarcher fxbobs burgers foxbojack horseman netflixdanger amp eggs amazonrick morty adult swimthe simpsons fox best unstructured reality seriesborn way aampeice road truckers historyintervention aampelive pd aamperide norman reedus amcteen mom mtv best structured reality seriesthe carbonaro effect trutvfixer upper hgtvthe profit cnbcshark tank abcundercover boss cbswho think tlc best reality competition seriesamericas got talent nbcchopped food networkdancing stars abcproject runway lifetimerupauls drag race logotvthe voice nbc best reality show hostted allen choppedtyra banks americas got talenttom bergeron dancing starscat deeley think dancejoanna chip gaines fixer upperrupaul rupauls drag race | 605 |
<p>In the pantheon of Notre Dame football anecdotes, “Win one for the Gipper” barely beats out Lou Holtz’s lesson in Mariology — a legendary bon mot that, though doubtless embellished over the decades, retains a certain salience today, on the cusp of the faux national championship game between the Fighting Irish and Alabama on January 7.</p>
<p>Back when Holtz was coaching the lads from South Bend, he and his team attended a night-before-the-big-game banquet with an archrival, whose chaplain was called upon to offer grace before meals. The enemy-team cleric went on at some length, asking the Lord to ensure that no one got hurt, that all would be good sportsmen, that everyone would become friends, punctuating his intentions with the antiphon, “Because we know, dear God, that You don’t care who wins tomorrow.” After the meal, Coach Holtz got up to make a few remarks, thanked the other side’s chaplain for an inspiring benediction, and said, “And it’s true: God doesn’t care who wins tomorrow. But His Mother does.”</p>
<p>God, according to orthodox theology, cannot do anything that contradicts the divine nature, so it is a certainty that the Deity cares not a whit who wins the artificial “national championship game” concocted by the cartel known as the Bowl Championship Series. For to do so would contradict that divine attribute of Absolute Truth. Whoever wins on January 7 will be the BCS champion. But to confuse that with a genuine national champion, of the sort crowned by the NCAA in its basketball tournaments every year, is to make a major category error.</p>
<p>As for God’s Mother, I can believe that she indeed cares about the many fine young men who attend Our Lady’s university and who will do their best to march “onward to victory,” as the most famous of ND fight songs bids them do in Miami next Monday. Indeed, I suspect that Our Lady’s maternal solicitude for her boys extends in a special way to ND’s stellar linebacker (and my candidate for the Heisman Trophy), Manti Te’o, a Mormon.</p>
<p>But I wouldn’t be surprised if Our Lady is very unhappy these days with the administration of her university. That unhappiness should be shared by all who understand the singular place that Notre Dame holds in both the American Catholic imagination and the American imagination about Catholicism. For given an unprecedented opportunity to do some evangelical witnessing before what many believe will be the largest audience ever to watch a college football game, Notre Dame has punted.</p>
<p>Both contenders for the BCS championship get a free 30-second spot on the ESPN broadcast, during which they can say whatever they want about themselves. Insofar as I’m aware, the spots are not subject to censorship by either the BCS or the politically correct managers at ESPN (as Super Bowl ads are subject to censorship by the equally p.c. leadership of the National Football League). It’s an open field, and you can, as Vince Lombardi would have said, “run to daylight” with impunity.</p>
<p>Now if you imagine yourself, as Notre Dame does, to be the particular embodiment of the Catholic ethos in the United States, you might see this as an opportunity to address, in a non-aggressive but unmistakable way, one or another (or both) of the two causes that define serious, culture-forming Catholicism in 21st-century America: the pro-life cause and the cause of religious freedom.</p>
<p>Fifteen days after the Alabama-Notre Dame game, millions of Catholics throughout the United States will mark the fortieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, that act of “raw judicial power” (as dissenting Justice Byron White put it) that galvanized what has become the largest movement of compassion and legal reform since the civil-rights movement, and indeed the natural heir to the civil-rights movement: the pro-life movement. As for religious freedom, Notre Dame is currently a litigant in legal action challenging the constitutionality and legality of the Obama administration’s mandate that virtually all employers must provide, as part of the health-care insurance they offer employees, coverage of procedures that the Catholic Church deems gravely immoral: a frontal assault on religious freedom that has inspired millions of Americans to take up the defense of the first freedom — religious liberty — as they had never expected they would have to do in these United States.</p>
<p>Imagine, therefore, a free, choose-your-topic Notre Dame spot during halftime of the BCS championship game that ended with “We’re Notre Dame: We help women in crisis pregnancies and we defend the right to life for all, from conception until natural death.” Or, just as topically, a spot that ended, “We’re Notre Dame: And we defend religious freedom for everyone, at home and abroad.” Such spots were suggested to the leadership of Our Lady’s university; certainly Notre Dame’s leadership, had it approached this unprecedented evangelical opportunity with that mixture of creativity and edge that the university always promotes itself as having, could have come up with ways to seize the moment and lift up the pro-life cause, or the religious-freedom cause, or both, on its own.</p>
<p>But no: The Notre Dame spot was pre-released on January 3 with the university’s usual fanfare, and after a set of images featuring “Touchdown Jesus” on the university’s library and candlelight vigils by students, Notre Dame decided to tell the country that it was “No. 1” — <a href="http://nd.edu/features/message-from-the-students/" type="external">in graduating its student-athletes</a>.</p>
<p>An admirable accomplishment? Certainly.</p>
<p>An anodyne ad that trades on Catholic imagery without an ounce of substantive Catholic message? Just as certainly.</p>
<p>A cowardly decision by the Notre Dame administration?</p>
<p>Well, as they would say on the old Monday Night Football commercials, “You make the call.”</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 | pantheon notre dame football anecdotes win one gipper barely beats lou holtzs lesson mariology legendary bon mot though doubtless embellished decades retains certain salience today cusp faux national championship game fighting irish alabama january 7 back holtz coaching lads south bend team attended nightbeforethebiggame banquet archrival whose chaplain called upon offer grace meals enemyteam cleric went length asking lord ensure one got hurt would good sportsmen everyone would become friends punctuating intentions antiphon know dear god dont care wins tomorrow meal coach holtz got make remarks thanked sides chaplain inspiring benediction said true god doesnt care wins tomorrow mother god according orthodox theology anything contradicts divine nature certainty deity cares whit wins artificial national championship game concocted cartel known bowl championship series would contradict divine attribute absolute truth whoever wins january 7 bcs champion confuse genuine national champion sort crowned ncaa basketball tournaments every year make major category error gods mother believe indeed cares many fine young men attend ladys university best march onward victory famous nd fight songs bids miami next monday indeed suspect ladys maternal solicitude boys extends special way nds stellar linebacker candidate heisman trophy manti teo mormon wouldnt surprised lady unhappy days administration university unhappiness shared understand singular place notre dame holds american catholic imagination american imagination catholicism given unprecedented opportunity evangelical witnessing many believe largest audience ever watch college football game notre dame punted contenders bcs championship get free 30second spot espn broadcast say whatever want insofar im aware spots subject censorship either bcs politically correct managers espn super bowl ads subject censorship equally pc leadership national football league open field vince lombardi would said run daylight impunity imagine notre dame particular embodiment catholic ethos united states might see opportunity address nonaggressive unmistakable way one another two causes define serious cultureforming catholicism 21stcentury america prolife cause cause religious freedom fifteen days alabamanotre dame game millions catholics throughout united states mark fortieth anniversary roe v wade act raw judicial power dissenting justice byron white put galvanized become largest movement compassion legal reform since civilrights movement indeed natural heir civilrights movement prolife movement religious freedom notre dame currently litigant legal action challenging constitutionality legality obama administrations mandate virtually employers must provide part healthcare insurance offer employees coverage procedures catholic church deems gravely immoral frontal assault religious freedom inspired millions americans take defense first freedom religious liberty never expected would united states imagine therefore free chooseyourtopic notre dame spot halftime bcs championship game ended notre dame help women crisis pregnancies defend right life conception natural death topically spot ended notre dame defend religious freedom everyone home abroad spots suggested leadership ladys university certainly notre dames leadership approached unprecedented evangelical opportunity mixture creativity edge university always promotes could come ways seize moment lift prolife cause religiousfreedom cause notre dame spot prereleased january 3 universitys usual fanfare set images featuring touchdown jesus universitys library candlelight vigils students notre dame decided tell country 1 graduating studentathletes admirable accomplishment certainly anodyne ad trades catholic imagery without ounce substantive catholic message certainly cowardly decision notre dame administration well would say old monday night football commercials make call george weigel distinguished senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc holds eppcs william e simon chair catholic studies | 533 |
<p>By Emily Flitter and Daniel Trotta</p>
<p>HOUSTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump travels to Houston and Lake Charles, Louisiana on Saturday to meet victims of catastrophic storm Harvey, one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history that is presenting a test of his administration.</p>
<p>While Trump visits, attention will also be focused on Minute Maid Park, where baseball’s Houston Astros play their first home games since Harvey devastated the fourth-most populous U.S. city. The Saturday doubleheader with the New York Mets is expected to be wrought with emotion and punctuated with moments to honor the dozens who died as a result of Harvey.</p>
<p>The storm, one of the costliest to hit the United States, has displaced more than 1 million people, with 50 feared dead from flooding that paralyzed Houston, swelled river levels to record highs and knocked out the drinking water supply in Beaumont, Texas, a city of 120,000 people.</p>
<p>Hurricane Harvey came ashore last Friday as the strongest storm to hit Texas in more than 50 years. Much of the damage took place in the Houston metropolitan area, which has an economy about the same size as Argentina’s.</p>
<p>Seventy percent of Harris County, which encompasses Houston, at one point was covered with 18 inches (45 cm) or more of water, county officials said.</p>
<p>For graphic on Harvey’s energy impact, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2xzso1S</p>
<p>For graphic on hurricane costs, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2vGkbHS</p>
<p>For graphic on storms in the North Atlantic, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2gcckz5</p>
<p>Trump first visited the Gulf region on Tuesday, but stayed clear of the disaster zone, saying he did not want to hamper rescue efforts. Instead, he met with state and local leaders, and first responders.</p>
<p>He was criticized, however, for not meeting with victims of the worst storm to hit Texas in 50 years, and for largely focusing on the logistics of the government response rather than the suffering of residents.</p>
<p>The White House said Trump will first travel to Houston to meet with flood survivors and volunteers who assisted in relief efforts and then move on to Lake Charles, another area hammered by the storm.</p>
<p>The Trump administration in a letter to Congress asked for a $7.85 billion appropriation for response and initial recovery efforts. White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert has said aid funding requests would come in stages as more became known about the impact of the storm.</p>
<p>Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said that his state may need more than $125 billion.</p>
<p>The storm, which lingered around the Gulf of Mexico Coast for days, dumped record amounts of rain and left devastation across more than 300 miles (480 km) of the state’s coast.</p>
<p>As water receded, many returned to survey the damage and left hundreds of thousands wondering how they can recover.</p>
<p>In Orange, Texas, about 125 miles (200 kms) east of Houston, Sam Dougharty, 36, returned on Friday where waist-high water remained in his backyard and barn.</p>
<p>His family’s house smelled like raw sewage and was still flooded to the ankles. A calf and a heifer from their herd of 15 were dead. The chickens were sagging on the top two roosts of their coop.</p>
<p>“We never had water here. This is family land. My aunt’s owned it for 40 years and never had water here,” he said.</p>
<p>FROM THE SHELTER TO THE STADIUM</p>
<p>Harvey came on the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which killed about 1,800 around New Orleans. Then-U.S. President George W. Bush’s administration was roundly criticized for its botched early response to the storm.</p>
<p>Some of the tens of thousands of people forced into shelters by Harvey will attend the Astros game where Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will throw out the first pitch and a moment of silence in planned for those who perished.</p>
<p>Sports have helped other cities rebound from catastrophe, such as when the New York Mets played the first baseball game in their damaged city 10 days after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, or when the New Orleans Saints returned to the Superdome in 2006 for football a year after Hurricane Katrina.</p>
<p>In the Harris County town of Clear Creek, the nearly 50 inches (127 cm) of rain that fell there equated to a once in a 40,000 year event, Jeff Lindor, meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District, said.</p>
<p>Some 440,000 Texans have already applied for federal financial disaster assistance, and some $79 million has been approved so far, Abbott said.</p>
<p>The storm shut about a fourth of U.S. refinery capacity, much of which is clustered along the Gulf Coast, and caused gasoline prices to spike to a two-year high ahead of the long Labor Day holiday weekend.</p>
<p>The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen 17 cents since the storm struck, hitting $2.519 as of Friday morning, according to motorists group AAA.</p>
<p>Meanwhile a new storm, Irma, had strengthened on Friday into a Category 3 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. It remained hundreds of miles from land but was forecast to possibly hit Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti by the middle of next week.</p>
<p>For graphic on Harvey’s energy impact, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2xzso1S</p>
<p>For graphic on hurricane costs, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2vGkbHS</p>
<p>For graphic on storms in the North Atlantic, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2gcckz5</p> | false | 1 | emily flitter daniel trotta houston reuters president donald trump travels houston lake charles louisiana saturday meet victims catastrophic storm harvey one worst natural disasters us history presenting test administration trump visits attention also focused minute maid park baseballs houston astros play first home games since harvey devastated fourthmost populous us city saturday doubleheader new york mets expected wrought emotion punctuated moments honor dozens died result harvey storm one costliest hit united states displaced 1 million people 50 feared dead flooding paralyzed houston swelled river levels record highs knocked drinking water supply beaumont texas city 120000 people hurricane harvey came ashore last friday strongest storm hit texas 50 years much damage took place houston metropolitan area economy size argentinas seventy percent harris county encompasses houston one point covered 18 inches 45 cm water county officials said graphic harveys energy impact click httptmsnrtrs2xzso1s graphic hurricane costs click httptmsnrtrs2vgkbhs graphic storms north atlantic click httptmsnrtrs2gcckz5 trump first visited gulf region tuesday stayed clear disaster zone saying want hamper rescue efforts instead met state local leaders first responders criticized however meeting victims worst storm hit texas 50 years largely focusing logistics government response rather suffering residents white house said trump first travel houston meet flood survivors volunteers assisted relief efforts move lake charles another area hammered storm trump administration letter congress asked 785 billion appropriation response initial recovery efforts white house homeland security adviser tom bossert said aid funding requests would come stages became known impact storm texas governor greg abbott said state may need 125 billion storm lingered around gulf mexico coast days dumped record amounts rain left devastation across 300 miles 480 km states coast water receded many returned survey damage left hundreds thousands wondering recover orange texas 125 miles 200 kms east houston sam dougharty 36 returned friday waisthigh water remained backyard barn familys house smelled like raw sewage still flooded ankles calf heifer herd 15 dead chickens sagging top two roosts coop never water family land aunts owned 40 years never water said shelter stadium harvey came 12th anniversary hurricane katrina killed 1800 around new orleans thenus president george w bushs administration roundly criticized botched early response storm tens thousands people forced shelters harvey attend astros game houston mayor sylvester turner throw first pitch moment silence planned perished sports helped cities rebound catastrophe new york mets played first baseball game damaged city 10 days attacks sept 11 2001 new orleans saints returned superdome 2006 football year hurricane katrina harris county town clear creek nearly 50 inches 127 cm rain fell equated 40000 year event jeff lindor meteorologist harris county flood control district said 440000 texans already applied federal financial disaster assistance 79 million approved far abbott said storm shut fourth us refinery capacity much clustered along gulf coast caused gasoline prices spike twoyear high ahead long labor day holiday weekend national average gallon regular gasoline risen 17 cents since storm struck hitting 2519 friday morning according motorists group aaa meanwhile new storm irma strengthened friday category 3 hurricane fivestep saffirsimpson scale remained hundreds miles land forecast possibly hit puerto rico dominican republic haiti middle next week graphic harveys energy impact click httptmsnrtrs2xzso1s graphic hurricane costs click httptmsnrtrs2vgkbhs graphic storms north atlantic click httptmsnrtrs2gcckz5 | 533 |
<p />
<p>In May 2005, the ruling Ethiopian Revolutionary Patriot’s Democratic Front won elections amid allegations of electoral fraud and a campaign of intimidation against opposition groups. Six months and two protests later, nearly 200 civilians were killed and tens of thousands arrested, including high profile opposition leader Birtukan Mideksa. The former judge and popular politician was initially jailed for life, then pardoned, and then commanded to serve out the rest of her sentence.</p>
<p>Next year, Ethiopians will go to the polls again, and the political maneuvering is already underway. Last week, the Sudan Tribune reported on the Meles Zenawi government claims of an alleged coup plot masterminded by former opposition leader Behanu Nega, now an academic in the United States of America. And on May 27, the opposition Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) had their permit application for a protest against the Zenawi government in Addis Ababa’s Meksel Square rejected by the city’s administration. A spokesman for the UDJ, Hailu Araya, was quoted as saying the government continued to play political games, thus weakening the UDJ’s effectiveness in the country.</p>
<p>Ethiopia is an important ally for the United States. Its strategic location near the Horn of Africa makes the country key to Barack Obama’s attempts to win the War On Terror.</p>
<p>Against the backdrop of the 2010 election, the documentary Migration of Beauty is due for release on the international film festival circuit. Directed by Chris Flaherty, the film recalls the experiences of Ethiopian genocide survivors of the 1970s and the community activism led by the Ethiopian diaspora in Washington D.C. in the run-up to the 2005 election. Flaherty spent two years researching and befriending the witnesses involved in the historic event covered in the film. Migration of Beauty has screened at the AFI Institute in Maryland and Goeth-Institute in Washington D.C.</p>
<p>The Ethiopian government has sent a chilling message to all opposition groups by declaring that it will achieve peace at all costs, a clear reference to the crackdown on protests that tainted the election four years ago that also revives haunting memories of the Dergue’s massacre of students and other civilians in the 1970s. Although the country is not officially a one-party state, the signs of political intimidation risk leading the nation along the path of Burma and Zimbabwe into tyranny.</p>
<p>Chris Flaherty&#160;spoke with David Calleja in an interview for Foreign Policy Journal about what could be in store for sub-Saharan Africa’s second most populous country.</p>
<p>Four years after the violence that occurred in the aftermath of Ethiopia’s general elections, what news do you have of the mood in the country, and how do you think this will affect the lead-up to the 2010 poll?</p>
<p>Obviously I have been keeping track of recent events as they relate to the upcoming Parliamentary election in Ethiopia. I would have to say that at this point it looks pretty grim. I think the party in power has been doing a good job at intimidating any possibility of viable opposition against themselves in 2010. With the re-arrest of one of Ethiopia’s strongest opposition leaders, Birtukan Mideksa and the recent announcement by the Ethiopian government that they have launched an investigation against people suspected of overthrowing the government, the prospects look grimmer by the day. From what I have observed many Ethiopians appear to be slipping into a feeling of helplessness. Many are saying, “Here we go again, this government will stop at nothing to retain power.” The biggest fear for me is that Ethiopians will simply give up and accept what happens no matter how illegitimate the outcome.</p>
<p>What factors compelled you to make your documentary Migration of Beauty? Why did you feel that it was necessary to tell people what happened in the 1970s under The Dergue as a prelude to the 2005 elections?</p>
<p>Perhaps the biggest factor that helped me mold the idea for Migration of Beauty was the inspiration I experienced from documenting seemingly powerless immigrants from a third world country engaging the U.S. political process. During the filming I was able to better understand the conditions that drove many of them to zealously fight for ideas that most ordinary Americans take for granted. My approach was to tell their deeply personal human stories about struggling for freedom and dying for it. Some of the people in the film lived through one of the most horrific chapters of Ethiopian history, the “Dergue” period or the “Red Terror”.</p>
<p>By bringing their stories to light I was trying to make clear that it doesn’t matter who takes away your freedom as much as it is criminal for anyone to do such a thing. If your freedom has been taken away the end result is always the same no matter who takes it away, whether it’s Adolf Hitler, Mao Tse-Tung, Mengistu Haile Mariam or Meles Zenawi. And while the current Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, has not committed acts as open and obvious as his predecessor Mengistu Haile Mariam, he is still repressing democratic ideas and has committed numerous human rights abuses. It was important for the Ethiopian Americans in Migration of Beauty to connect both stories. They have seen it all before.</p>
<p>There were some moments in the documentary in which you were prevented from filming. Who was behind the threats and what level of intimidation did they offer to the crew or yourself?</p>
<p>I did B-roll filming in Ethiopia directly after the 2005 election massacres. There was a certain tension in the streets. Foreign journalist and filmmakers are highly suspect in the eyes of the Ethiopian government. The Ethiopian government has a long history of repressing the media so I expected I might run into problems. There were two instances where I and my Director of Photography were stopped by the police. The first time I managed to talk my way out of potential arrest by speaking in Amharic and smoothing my way out of the situation. The second time it was the Ethiopian Army that tried to stop us. I quickly discovered that they did not speak Amharic, therefore my language skills yielded no results. I could not understand what they were saying but it was obvious they wanted the video camera. My DP and I simply took off running. For whatever reason they stopped following us and we lost them. We quickly realized that we had to keep our equipment “under the radar” and out of sight. I have heard of worse stories involving intense harassment and arrest of video camera operators. There is one such instance documented in my film.</p>
<p>Last year, the opposition leader Birtukan Mideksa was jailed for life. According to a Voice of America report, Prime Minster Meles Zenawi government’s official line was that “she had not asked for the pardon” handed to her. What do you think is the real reason for the order to serve out her life sentence? What does Meles Zenawi have to fear from her?</p>
<p>The situation of jailed dissident Birtukan Mideksa is a very interesting one. The former District Judge represented the biggest threat to the party currently in power, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). And while she was jailed for what would appear to be rather “convenient” technical reasons it’s obvious to me that she was put away because there was a good possibility she would beat the EPRDF in a fair election. Considering what happened in 2005 the ruling party appears not to be taking any chance of losing a national election. This is an old story and a proven formula: intimidate, jail and kill all of your viable opponents in order to keep power. No matter how proper and clean everything appears on the surface it’s all the same.</p>
<p />
<p /> | false | 1 | may 2005 ruling ethiopian revolutionary patriots democratic front elections amid allegations electoral fraud campaign intimidation opposition groups six months two protests later nearly 200 civilians killed tens thousands arrested including high profile opposition leader birtukan mideksa former judge popular politician initially jailed life pardoned commanded serve rest sentence next year ethiopians go polls political maneuvering already underway last week sudan tribune reported meles zenawi government claims alleged coup plot masterminded former opposition leader behanu nega academic united states america may 27 opposition unity democracy justice udj permit application protest zenawi government addis ababas meksel square rejected citys administration spokesman udj hailu araya quoted saying government continued play political games thus weakening udjs effectiveness country ethiopia important ally united states strategic location near horn africa makes country key barack obamas attempts win war terror backdrop 2010 election documentary migration beauty due release international film festival circuit directed chris flaherty film recalls experiences ethiopian genocide survivors 1970s community activism led ethiopian diaspora washington dc runup 2005 election flaherty spent two years researching befriending witnesses involved historic event covered film migration beauty screened afi institute maryland goethinstitute washington dc ethiopian government sent chilling message opposition groups declaring achieve peace costs clear reference crackdown protests tainted election four years ago also revives haunting memories dergues massacre students civilians 1970s although country officially oneparty state signs political intimidation risk leading nation along path burma zimbabwe tyranny chris flaherty160spoke david calleja interview foreign policy journal could store subsaharan africas second populous country four years violence occurred aftermath ethiopias general elections news mood country think affect leadup 2010 poll obviously keeping track recent events relate upcoming parliamentary election ethiopia would say point looks pretty grim think party power good job intimidating possibility viable opposition 2010 rearrest one ethiopias strongest opposition leaders birtukan mideksa recent announcement ethiopian government launched investigation people suspected overthrowing government prospects look grimmer day observed many ethiopians appear slipping feeling helplessness many saying go government stop nothing retain power biggest fear ethiopians simply give accept happens matter illegitimate outcome factors compelled make documentary migration beauty feel necessary tell people happened 1970s dergue prelude 2005 elections perhaps biggest factor helped mold idea migration beauty inspiration experienced documenting seemingly powerless immigrants third world country engaging us political process filming able better understand conditions drove many zealously fight ideas ordinary americans take granted approach tell deeply personal human stories struggling freedom dying people film lived one horrific chapters ethiopian history dergue period red terror bringing stories light trying make clear doesnt matter takes away freedom much criminal anyone thing freedom taken away end result always matter takes away whether adolf hitler mao tsetung mengistu haile mariam meles zenawi current prime minister ethiopia meles zenawi committed acts open obvious predecessor mengistu haile mariam still repressing democratic ideas committed numerous human rights abuses important ethiopian americans migration beauty connect stories seen moments documentary prevented filming behind threats level intimidation offer crew broll filming ethiopia directly 2005 election massacres certain tension streets foreign journalist filmmakers highly suspect eyes ethiopian government ethiopian government long history repressing media expected might run problems two instances director photography stopped police first time managed talk way potential arrest speaking amharic smoothing way situation second time ethiopian army tried stop us quickly discovered speak amharic therefore language skills yielded results could understand saying obvious wanted video camera dp simply took running whatever reason stopped following us lost quickly realized keep equipment radar sight heard worse stories involving intense harassment arrest video camera operators one instance documented film last year opposition leader birtukan mideksa jailed life according voice america report prime minster meles zenawi governments official line asked pardon handed think real reason order serve life sentence meles zenawi fear situation jailed dissident birtukan mideksa interesting one former district judge represented biggest threat party currently power ethiopian peoples revolutionary democratic front eprdf jailed would appear rather convenient technical reasons obvious put away good possibility would beat eprdf fair election considering happened 2005 ruling party appears taking chance losing national election old story proven formula intimidate jail kill viable opponents order keep power matter proper clean everything appears surface | 681 |
<p>Dr. Michael West, the lead scientist on the team that recently cloned the first human embryos, believes his mission in life is “to end suffering and death.” “For the sake of medicine,” he informs us, “we need to set our fears aside.” For the sake of health, in other words, we need to overcome our moral inhibitions against cloning and eugenics.</p>
<p>The human cloning announcement was not a shock. We have been “progressing” down this road for years, while averting our gaze from the destination. Now we have cloned human embryos. That means that women’s eggs were procured, their genetic material removed, the DNA from someone else inserted, and the resulting cloned embryos manufactured as genetic replicas of an existing person. In Dr. West’s experiments, the embryos died very quickly. But the hope is that someday these embryos will serve as a source of rejection-free stem cells that can help cure diseases.</p>
<p>For now, this is science fiction, or a rosy form of speculation. No one has ever been treated with “therapeutic cloning” or embryonic stem cells. There have been no human trials. But it is true that this research may work in the future (though the benefits would likely be decades away). In addition, beyond cloning, scientists have larger ambitions, including “tinkering” with DNA before it is placed in an egg, and adding designer genes that would make clones into “super clones,” stem cells into “super stem cells.”</p>
<p>Yet while Dr. West and his colleagues say that they have no interest in creating cloned humans — on the grounds that doing so is not yet safe — they do not seem too frightened by the prospect of laying the groundwork for those who would do just that. “We didn’t feel that the abuse of this technology, its potential abuses, should stop us from doing what we believe is the right thing in medicine,” Dr. West said.</p>
<p>The Senate, it seems, is also not very concerned. Majority Leader Tom Daschle wants to put off until spring a vote on the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, which the House passed by 265-162 in July. And on Monday, the Senate chose not to consider a six-month moratorium on all human cloning. As Sen. Harry Reid has said, a moratorium for “six months or two months or two days would impede science.” And that, he believes, we cannot do.</p>
<p>It is understandable that many senators want to avoid a decision on this controversial issue, and no surprise that those driven by a desire to advance science and to heal the sick at any cost resist a ban. But as the ethicist Paul Ramsey wrote, “The good things that men do can be complete only by the things they refuse to do.” And cloning is one of those things we should refuse to do.</p>
<p>The debate is usually divided into two issues — reproductive cloning (creating cloned human beings) and therapeutic cloning (creating cloned human embryos for research and destruction). For now, there is near-universal consensus that we should shun the first. The idea of mother-daughter twins or genetically-identical “daddy juniors” stirs horror in us. Our moral sense revolts at the prospect, because so many of our cherished principles would be violated: the principle that children should not be designed in advance; that newborns should be truly new, without the burden of a genetic identity already lived; that a society where cloning is easy (requiring a few cells from anywhere in the body) means anyone could be cloned without knowledge or consent; and that replacing lost loved ones with “copies” is an insult to the ones lost, since it denies the uniqueness and sacredness of their existence. For these reasons, Americans agree that human cloning should never happen — not merely because the procedure is not yet “safe,” but because it is wrong.</p>
<p>Many research advocates say that they, too, are against “reproductive cloning.” But to protect their research, they seek to restrict only the implantation of cloned embryos, not the creation of cloned embryos for research. This is untenable: Once we begin stockpiling cloned embryos for research, it will be virtually impossible to control how they are used. We would be creating a class of embryos that, by law, must be destroyed. And the only remedy for wrongfully implanting cloned embryos would be forced abortions, something neither pro-lifers nor reproductive rights advocates would tolerate, nor should.</p>
<p>But the cloning debate is not simply the latest act in the moral divide over abortion. It is the “opening skirmish” — as Leon Kass, the president’s bioethics czar, describes it — in deciding whether we wish to “put human nature itself on the operating table, ready for alteration, enhancement, and wholesale redesign.” Lured by the seductive promise of medical science to “end” suffering and disease, we risk not seeing the dark side of the eugenic project.</p>
<p>Three horrors come to mind: First, the designing of our descendents, whether through cloning or germ-line engineering, is a form of generational despotism. Second, in trying to make human beings live indefinitely, our scientists have begun mixing our genes with those of cows, pigs, and jellyfish. And in trying to stamp out disease by any means necessary, we risk beginning the “compassionate” project of killing off the diseased themselves, something that has already begun with the selective abortion by parents of “undesirable” embryos.</p>
<p>Proponents of the biogenetic revolution will surely say that such warnings are nothing more than superstitions. Naive to the destructive power of man’s inventions, they will say that freedom means leaving scientists to experiment as they see fit. They will say that those who wish to stop the unchecked advance of biotechnology are themselves “genetic fundamentalists,” who see human beings as nothing more than their genetic make-ups. Banning human cloning, one advocate says, “would set a very dangerous precedent of bringing the police powers of the federal government into the laboratories.”</p>
<p>But the fact is that society accepts the need to regulate behavior for moral reasons — from drug use to nuclear weapons research to dumping waste. And those who say that human identity is “more than a person’s genetic make-up” are typically the ones who seek to crack man’s genetic code, so that they might “improve” humans in the image they see fit. In promising biological utopia, they justify breaching fundamental moral boundaries.</p>
<p>C. S. Lewis saw this possibility long ago in “The Abolition of Man.” As he put it, “Each new power won by man is a power over man as well.” In order to stop the dehumanization of man, and the creation of a post-human world of designer babies, man-animal chimeras, and “compassionate killing” of the disabled, we may have to forego some research. We may have to say no to certain experiments before they begin. The ban on human cloning is an ideal opportunity to reassert democratic control over science, and to reconnect technological advance with human dignity and responsibility.</p>
<p>Source Notes Copyright: 2001 The Wall Street Journal</p> | false | 1 | dr michael west lead scientist team recently cloned first human embryos believes mission life end suffering death sake medicine informs us need set fears aside sake health words need overcome moral inhibitions cloning eugenics human cloning announcement shock progressing road years averting gaze destination cloned human embryos means womens eggs procured genetic material removed dna someone else inserted resulting cloned embryos manufactured genetic replicas existing person dr wests experiments embryos died quickly hope someday embryos serve source rejectionfree stem cells help cure diseases science fiction rosy form speculation one ever treated therapeutic cloning embryonic stem cells human trials true research may work future though benefits would likely decades away addition beyond cloning scientists larger ambitions including tinkering dna placed egg adding designer genes would make clones super clones stem cells super stem cells yet dr west colleagues say interest creating cloned humans grounds yet safe seem frightened prospect laying groundwork would didnt feel abuse technology potential abuses stop us believe right thing medicine dr west said senate seems also concerned majority leader tom daschle wants put spring vote human cloning prohibition act house passed 265162 july monday senate chose consider sixmonth moratorium human cloning sen harry reid said moratorium six months two months two days would impede science believes understandable many senators want avoid decision controversial issue surprise driven desire advance science heal sick cost resist ban ethicist paul ramsey wrote good things men complete things refuse cloning one things refuse debate usually divided two issues reproductive cloning creating cloned human beings therapeutic cloning creating cloned human embryos research destruction nearuniversal consensus shun first idea motherdaughter twins geneticallyidentical daddy juniors stirs horror us moral sense revolts prospect many cherished principles would violated principle children designed advance newborns truly new without burden genetic identity already lived society cloning easy requiring cells anywhere body means anyone could cloned without knowledge consent replacing lost loved ones copies insult ones lost since denies uniqueness sacredness existence reasons americans agree human cloning never happen merely procedure yet safe wrong many research advocates say reproductive cloning protect research seek restrict implantation cloned embryos creation cloned embryos research untenable begin stockpiling cloned embryos research virtually impossible control used would creating class embryos law must destroyed remedy wrongfully implanting cloned embryos would forced abortions something neither prolifers reproductive rights advocates would tolerate cloning debate simply latest act moral divide abortion opening skirmish leon kass presidents bioethics czar describes deciding whether wish put human nature operating table ready alteration enhancement wholesale redesign lured seductive promise medical science end suffering disease risk seeing dark side eugenic project three horrors come mind first designing descendents whether cloning germline engineering form generational despotism second trying make human beings live indefinitely scientists begun mixing genes cows pigs jellyfish trying stamp disease means necessary risk beginning compassionate project killing diseased something already begun selective abortion parents undesirable embryos proponents biogenetic revolution surely say warnings nothing superstitions naive destructive power mans inventions say freedom means leaving scientists experiment see fit say wish stop unchecked advance biotechnology genetic fundamentalists see human beings nothing genetic makeups banning human cloning one advocate says would set dangerous precedent bringing police powers federal government laboratories fact society accepts need regulate behavior moral reasons drug use nuclear weapons research dumping waste say human identity persons genetic makeup typically ones seek crack mans genetic code might improve humans image see fit promising biological utopia justify breaching fundamental moral boundaries c lewis saw possibility long ago abolition man put new power man power man well order stop dehumanization man creation posthuman world designer babies mananimal chimeras compassionate killing disabled may forego research may say certain experiments begin ban human cloning ideal opportunity reassert democratic control science reconnect technological advance human dignity responsibility source notes copyright 2001 wall street journal | 626 |
<p>Were you the tiniest bit surprised at the outpouring of media affection which accompanied the news that, as the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-fg-toronto-mayor-rob-ford-dies-20160322-story.html" type="external">Los Angeles Times</a>&#160;headline put it, “Rob Ford, scandal-prone former Toronto mayor, dies of cancer at 46”? It wasn’t just the crack-smoking that, caught on video, first brought him to international attention in 2013, nor the public confession in light of this damning evidence that, yes, he guessed he must have “tried” crack, “probably in one of my drunken stupors.” Nor was it the brawling, drunkenness and sexual misbehavior that characterized so much of his public life and made him, in the words of his political opponent and successor as mayor, John Tory, “a profoundly human guy whose presence in our city will be missed.”</p>
<p>Nor was it just that Canadians are more polite and, therefore, less likely to speak ill of the dead. Even south of the border, the man whom <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/23/rob-ford-canadas-trump-and-a-self-avowed-racist-was-beloved-by-immigrants/" type="external">The Washington Post</a> called “Canada’s Trump and a self-avowed racist” got considerably gentler treatment than our own profoundly human guy, a teetotaller who, so far as anyone knows, has never said anything remotely so scandalous as Mr Ford’s “I’m the most racist guy around.” Though at least as ignorant and uncouth as his American counterpart, he even seems to have been a pretty good mayor. Or so you might suppose from <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/03/sunday-review/why-us-cities-should-envy-toronto-for-electing-rob-ford.html?ref=opinion" type="external">The New York Times</a>’s appreciation by Ian Austen, headed “Why U.S. Cities Should Envy Toronto for Electing Rob Ford.”</p>
<p>Could this be the same media which had scarcely let a day go by for the previous nine months without dire warnings of the apocalyptic consequences to be expected from a Trump presidency? Perhaps “The Donald,” as they still cannot refrain from calling him, can look forward to a similarly forgiving spirit in death. But for me, the comparison between these two celebrity politicians served as a reminder of the contradiction at the heart of the post-Watergate media’s obsession with uncovering and exposing wrong-doing on the part of our public men. Scandal depends for its impact on an old-fashioned assumption of the scandalous one’s wickedness, but its importance as the media’s principal method of attracting and keeping an audience inevitably lessens the scandal-hunter’s ability to hold this moral posture. So great is the media’s need for scandal that those who willingly supply it, as Rob Ford did, are now as likely to be fawned over and lionized as they are to be anathematized.</p>
<p>As memories of Vietnam and Watergate begin to fade, our more recent examples of scandal in public life are less like that of the notorious evil-doer Richard Nixon than they are like the former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, whose attempt to sell to the highest bidder the unexpired senate term of Barack Obama got him an invitation to appear on Letterman and “Dancing With the Stars” — not to mention Mr Trump’s own “Celebrity Apprentice.”</p>
<p>The warm bath of sentimentality which greeted news of the death of “the world’s most infamous mayor” was, if anything, even more of a sign that the infamous are now hardly to be distinguished from the merely famous — which is what the media are up against in trying to demonize Donald Trump. Mr Ford, as it turned out, was not so much “scandal prone” as he was scandal-resistant, and he stands, as did ex-Governor Blagojevich and Anthony Wiener before him, for some considerable devaluation of the currency of scandal which has put food on the media’s table and kept a roof over their heads for nearly half a century now.</p>
<p>You can understand why they might feel a trifle anxious about this, but they have only themselves to blame. The example of Bill Clinton, the first celebrity president as well as the man who first made scandal ridiculous in the media’s eyes, rather than evil, remains ever before us — much, by the way, to the benefit of Mrs Clinton who, to an unbiased eye, has been much more corrupt in office than her husband ever was.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for her, the defining down of scandal has also helped Donald Trump. With the Clinton example kept still so prominently before us, the media’s mock outrage and attempts to visit the full Watergate treatment on him only make them look hysterical to those who are otherwise inclined to a measure of sympathy with the bumptious billionaire — and even many, like me, not otherwise so inclined. To be sure, the potential damage to the country of a “scandal-prone” president would be much greater than that of a similar mayor, governor or congressman, but then it is not at all clear that even those lesser forms of political catastrophe have been proportional to the media hoopla they have occasioned.</p>
<p>It would be interesting to me, merely as an experiment, to see whether the promised ruin of American credibility in the world under this media bugbear could possibly live up to the actual ruin of same under that media darling, big-brained Barack Obama. It would be a test case of the late Bill Buckley’s famous dictum that he would rather be governed by the first 2000 names in the Boston telephone directory than by the faculty of Harvard University, an educational establishment headquartered in the greater Boston connurbation. For one thing, the tack the media’s cries of outrage are taking has already set it up that way. As Janet Daley wrote in the London <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/02/would-donald-trumps-supporters-like-to-travel-in-an-airliner-flo/" type="external">Sunday Telegraph</a>, “Would Donald Trump’s supporters like to travel in an airliner flown by an amateur?”</p>
<p>I think the analogy there is a little off-beam. When it comes to flying airplanes or doing brain surgery, expertise really is essential, but lots of people, and not only Trump-supporters, looking at the results of government by the best and brightest over the last half century or so and not just under Mr Obama, may be inclined to think that there are qualities even more important to the task than knowledge or intelligence, for all Mr Trump’s own Obama-like overemphasis on mere brains.</p>
<p>The Trump campaign may or may not be dog-whistling to racists and bigots, as the media charge, but it is certainly dog-whistling to people who are fed up with government by experts, which is why his supporters are only made more fervent in their support by the media’s constant emphasis on his lack of experience or knowledge. Mr Trump himself obviously recognizes this, as <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/donald-trump-foreign-policy-experts-221528" type="external">Politico</a>noted in reporting a speech he gave in La Crosse, Wisconsin ahead of the primary there in April:</p>
<p>You look at what China’s doing in the South China Sea, and they say, ‘Oh, Trump doesn’t have experts. . . Let me tell you, I do have experts but I know what’s happening. And look at the experts we’ve had, OK? Look at the experts. All of these people have had experts. You know, I’ve always wanted to say this — I’ve never said this before with all the talking we all do — all of these experts, ‘Oh we need an expert —’ The experts are terrible. . .Look at the mess we’re in with all these experts that we have. Look at the mess. Look at the Middle East. If our presidents and our politicians went on vacation for 365 days a year and went to the beach, we’d be in much better shape right now in the Middle East.</p>
<p>Even Jonathan S. Tobin of the strongly anti-Trump <a href="https://www.commentarymagazine.com/foreign-policy/is-trump-right-about-experts-foreign-policy/" type="external">Commentary</a>&#160;had to admit that “He’s not entirely wrong about that” — before adding:</p>
<p>But even if we concede that so-called experts have been responsible for most if not all of the foreign disasters that the United States has suffered, that doesn’t constitute an argument for the complete ignorance of history and policy options that Trump exhibits.</p>
<p>Apparently a lot of people think that’s just what it does constitute. The secret of Donald Trump’s success for so long as he has had it has been the same as Rob Ford’s was before he lost it to mere media celebrity: he makes people who are not of the governing class and who have no hope of joining it feel that he is on their side against those who appear to be arrogating to themselves a right to govern. And to such people, the media are very much in and of that privileged class themselves.</p>
<p>Imagine, if you will, how they would read the observation of New York Times’s “Editorial Observer,” <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/07/opinion/blaming-the-white-victim-class.html?emc=edit_th_20160407&amp;nl=todaysheadlines&amp;nlid=57259899" type="external">Elizabeth Williamson</a>&#160;as to “Why Trump Supporters Are Angry — and Loyal.” She thinks it’s all the fault of Republicans like Ted Cruz for not doing enough to improve the “safety net”:</p>
<p>Yet who, really, has let these people down? For several election cycles — most prominently Pat Buchanan’s presidential bid in 1996 — Republican politicians have played on class- and race-based resentment to win elections. In loyalty to wealthier voters, they, including the extreme Mr. Cruz, have cut federal safety-net programs and done little to address problems of job training, wage stagnation and drug addiction that affect the lower middle class, both minority and white.</p>
<p>Left and right seem to agree that it’s all about white victimhood, either real or imagined. All those lovely manufacturing jobs have gone overseas and left the white men bereft. Or millions of Mexicans and hordes of Hondurans have suddenly appeared to take what jobs were left here after the factories moved to their countries. Ms Williamson thinks their grievances are owing to their not getting enough out of the government “safety-net programs” cut by the wicked Republicans.</p>
<p>But that sounds to me like a slander on the white working classes. What if they’re not feeling sorry for themselves so much as resentful at those, like Ms Williamson, who pretend to speak for them? Or, even more so, at the smug self-righteousness of comfortable elites engaged in the politics of what the British call “virtue-signalling” while condemning their Trump-supporting social inferiors for racism, sexism and being less intelligent, and therefore less fit to run their own lives, than the brainiacs whom God or nature or “science” has set above them?</p>
<p>Such arrogance is even more evident in the progressive media than it is in the progressive government they serve. Just look at the Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/no-america-isnt-100-percent-safe-from-terrorism-and-thats-a-good-thing/2016/03/25/af790286-f107-11e5-a61f-e9c95c06edca_story.html?wpmm=1&amp;wpisrc=nl_headlines" type="external">headline:</a>“No, America isn’t 100 percent safe from terrorism. And that’s a good thing.” Who says it’s a good thing? Juliette Kayyem, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, was of course only trying to be clever by pointing out that there has always been an element of risk in our moving about the country, and that few of us would be willing to pay the price necessary to eliminate that risk completely. But this is a straw-man argument meant to make easily enforced precautions sound as difficult as those we would all be unwilling to accept.</p>
<p>Like President Obama’s <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/an-inordinate-fear-of-terrorism-1458688966" type="external">frequent dismissals</a> of the risks of terrorism as being less than that of household accidents, or his <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/an-overheated-climate-alarm-1459984226?mod=djemMER" type="external">exaggeration of the risks of climate change</a>&#160;in the promotion of policies whose burdens will fall disproportionately on coal miners and steel workers and others in heavy industry, such arguments could only be made by people who felt pretty sure that their own insulation from risk of terrorist attack or <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/race-to-go-green-is-killing-heavy-industries-green-targets-set-to-destroy-our-industries-zq5l835gp" type="external">losing their jobs to EPA regulation</a>&#160;was pretty close to 100 percent.</p>
<p>Similarly, Lydia DePillis took to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/01/the-15-minimum-wage-sweeping-the-nation-might-kill-jobs-and-thats-okay/?wpmm=1&amp;wpisrc=nl_headlines" type="external">the Post’s Wonkblog</a>&#160;to announce that “The $15 minimum wage sweeping the nation might kill jobs — and that’s okay.” That is at least an advance on the official line that a $15 (or any other) minimum wage couldn’t possibly have a job-killing effect, but it is remarkable that no one at the Post appears to have anticipated the objection that its being okay for Ms DePillis might have something to do with the fact that it’s not her job — or that of any of the other enthusiasts for their own compassion in mandating an uneconomic minimum wage — which is being killed.</p>
<p>If Trump supporters are less angry about losing their jobs than they are with their leaders’ telling them that that’s the price they have to pay for the smugocrats’ virtue, there is a comparable resentment with respect to defense and foreign policy, most recently typified by the Obama administration’s pressuring the armed forces to admit women to combat roles, even though they must know that <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/05/putting-women-on-the-front-line-is-dangerous-pc-meddling-we-will/" type="external">men (and women) will die</a>&#160;as a result. Acceptable losses, no doubt, for the sake of purging our ever more politically correct military of the stain of “bigotry,” but, as always, it will be disproportionately the Trump-supporting classes — poorer, whiter, less-educated and male — who will be the losers.</p>
<p>J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, made a similar point in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/04/opinion/campaign-stops/why-trumps-antiwar-message-resonates-with-white-america.html?ref=opinion&amp;_r=0" type="external">The New York Times</a>&#160;about the Trumpites’ continuing resentment against George W. Bush and his own team of experts for making a mess of the Iraq war and then praising those who had to fight it for their sacrifice. “War is about more than service and sacrifice,” he wrote. “It’s about winning.”</p>
<p>Sixty years ago, Americans looked to Europe and Asia and saw continents liberated and despots defeated. With the Islamic State on the rampage, Americans today look to a Middle East that is humiliatingly worse off than the way we found it. The burden of this humiliation fell hardest on Republican strongholds. Demographically, the military draws heavily from the South, rural areas and the working and middle class. And while no racial group has a monopoly on military service, white enlistees make up a disproportionate share of those wounded and killed in action. This is the very same demographic that forms the core of the contemporary Republican base.</p>
<p>It’s a bit unfair, I think, to attribute to the Bush administration a failing he and the governing class as a whole share with predecessors going back to Harry Truman and the invention of that bureaucratic monster, ever demanding of virgin sacrifice, called “limited war.” It was then that winning wars first became politically incorrect — with the dismissal of General MacArthur and his old-fashioned notion that “in war, there is no substitute for victory.”</p>
<p>It is no surprise, then, that Mr Trump mentions MacArthur, along with George S. Patton, as his idea of proper generalship. Both men fell foul of the political correctness of their own times by sticking up for honor — the old- fashioned name for the trust which binds, or used to bind, the general to the grunt, the boss to the boiler-room and the president to the people. The ruling class and the media which serve them have long lost sight of that honor and now barely know that it ever existed, even though their whole scandal culture was originally built on its foundation.</p>
<p>But those whom the ruling class regards as dispensable have not forgotten it, even if their choice of the not so lovably scandalous Mr Trump as messenger has got in the way of the message — the message that they are at last fed up with the cant of ruling class virtue for which somebody else is always having to pay the price.</p>
<p>James Bowman is resident scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.</p> | false | 1 | tiniest bit surprised outpouring media affection accompanied news los angeles times160headline put rob ford scandalprone former toronto mayor dies cancer 46 wasnt cracksmoking caught video first brought international attention 2013 public confession light damning evidence yes guessed must tried crack probably one drunken stupors brawling drunkenness sexual misbehavior characterized much public life made words political opponent successor mayor john tory profoundly human guy whose presence city missed canadians polite therefore less likely speak ill dead even south border man washington post called canadas trump selfavowed racist got considerably gentler treatment profoundly human guy teetotaller far anyone knows never said anything remotely scandalous mr fords im racist guy around though least ignorant uncouth american counterpart even seems pretty good mayor might suppose new york timess appreciation ian austen headed us cities envy toronto electing rob ford could media scarcely let day go previous nine months without dire warnings apocalyptic consequences expected trump presidency perhaps donald still refrain calling look forward similarly forgiving spirit death comparison two celebrity politicians served reminder contradiction heart postwatergate medias obsession uncovering exposing wrongdoing part public men scandal depends impact oldfashioned assumption scandalous ones wickedness importance medias principal method attracting keeping audience inevitably lessens scandalhunters ability hold moral posture great medias need scandal willingly supply rob ford likely fawned lionized anathematized memories vietnam watergate begin fade recent examples scandal public life less like notorious evildoer richard nixon like former governor illinois rod blagojevich whose attempt sell highest bidder unexpired senate term barack obama got invitation appear letterman dancing stars mention mr trumps celebrity apprentice warm bath sentimentality greeted news death worlds infamous mayor anything even sign infamous hardly distinguished merely famous media trying demonize donald trump mr ford turned much scandal prone scandalresistant stands exgovernor blagojevich anthony wiener considerable devaluation currency scandal put food medias table kept roof heads nearly half century understand might feel trifle anxious blame example bill clinton first celebrity president well man first made scandal ridiculous medias eyes rather evil remains ever us much way benefit mrs clinton unbiased eye much corrupt office husband ever unfortunately defining scandal also helped donald trump clinton example kept still prominently us medias mock outrage attempts visit full watergate treatment make look hysterical otherwise inclined measure sympathy bumptious billionaire even many like otherwise inclined sure potential damage country scandalprone president would much greater similar mayor governor congressman clear even lesser forms political catastrophe proportional media hoopla occasioned would interesting merely experiment see whether promised ruin american credibility world media bugbear could possibly live actual ruin media darling bigbrained barack obama would test case late bill buckleys famous dictum would rather governed first 2000 names boston telephone directory faculty harvard university educational establishment headquartered greater boston connurbation one thing tack medias cries outrage taking already set way janet daley wrote london sunday telegraph would donald trumps supporters like travel airliner flown amateur think analogy little offbeam comes flying airplanes brain surgery expertise really essential lots people trumpsupporters looking results government best brightest last half century mr obama may inclined think qualities even important task knowledge intelligence mr trumps obamalike overemphasis mere brains trump campaign may may dogwhistling racists bigots media charge certainly dogwhistling people fed government experts supporters made fervent support medias constant emphasis lack experience knowledge mr trump obviously recognizes politiconoted reporting speech gave la crosse wisconsin ahead primary april look chinas south china sea say oh trump doesnt experts let tell experts know whats happening look experts weve ok look experts people experts know ive always wanted say ive never said talking experts oh need expert experts terrible look mess experts look mess look middle east presidents politicians went vacation 365 days year went beach wed much better shape right middle east even jonathan tobin strongly antitrump commentary160had admit hes entirely wrong adding even concede socalled experts responsible foreign disasters united states suffered doesnt constitute argument complete ignorance history policy options trump exhibits apparently lot people think thats constitute secret donald trumps success long rob fords lost mere media celebrity makes people governing class hope joining feel side appear arrogating right govern people media much privileged class imagine would read observation new york timess editorial observer elizabeth williamson160as trump supporters angry loyal thinks fault republicans like ted cruz enough improve safety net yet really let people several election cycles prominently pat buchanans presidential bid 1996 republican politicians played class racebased resentment win elections loyalty wealthier voters including extreme mr cruz cut federal safetynet programs done little address problems job training wage stagnation drug addiction affect lower middle class minority white left right seem agree white victimhood either real imagined lovely manufacturing jobs gone overseas left white men bereft millions mexicans hordes hondurans suddenly appeared take jobs left factories moved countries ms williamson thinks grievances owing getting enough government safetynet programs cut wicked republicans sounds like slander white working classes theyre feeling sorry much resentful like ms williamson pretend speak even smug selfrighteousness comfortable elites engaged politics british call virtuesignalling condemning trumpsupporting social inferiors racism sexism less intelligent therefore less fit run lives brainiacs god nature science set arrogance even evident progressive media progressive government serve look washington post headlineno america isnt 100 percent safe terrorism thats good thing says good thing juliette kayyem former assistant secretary department homeland security course trying clever pointing always element risk moving country us would willing pay price necessary eliminate risk completely strawman argument meant make easily enforced precautions sound difficult would unwilling accept like president obamas frequent dismissals risks terrorism less household accidents exaggeration risks climate change160in promotion policies whose burdens fall disproportionately coal miners steel workers others heavy industry arguments could made people felt pretty sure insulation risk terrorist attack losing jobs epa regulation160was pretty close 100 percent similarly lydia depillis took posts wonkblog160to announce 15 minimum wage sweeping nation might kill jobs thats okay least advance official line 15 minimum wage couldnt possibly jobkilling effect remarkable one post appears anticipated objection okay ms depillis might something fact job enthusiasts compassion mandating uneconomic minimum wage killed trump supporters less angry losing jobs leaders telling thats price pay smugocrats virtue comparable resentment respect defense foreign policy recently typified obama administrations pressuring armed forces admit women combat roles even though must know men women die160as result acceptable losses doubt sake purging ever politically correct military stain bigotry always disproportionately trumpsupporting classes poorer whiter lesseducated male losers jd vance author hillbilly elegy memoir family culture crisis made similar point new york times160about trumpites continuing resentment george w bush team experts making mess iraq war praising fight sacrifice war service sacrifice wrote winning sixty years ago americans looked europe asia saw continents liberated despots defeated islamic state rampage americans today look middle east humiliatingly worse way found burden humiliation fell hardest republican strongholds demographically military draws heavily south rural areas working middle class racial group monopoly military service white enlistees make disproportionate share wounded killed action demographic forms core contemporary republican base bit unfair think attribute bush administration failing governing class whole share predecessors going back harry truman invention bureaucratic monster ever demanding virgin sacrifice called limited war winning wars first became politically incorrect dismissal general macarthur oldfashioned notion war substitute victory surprise mr trump mentions macarthur along george patton idea proper generalship men fell foul political correctness times sticking honor old fashioned name trust binds used bind general grunt boss boilerroom president people ruling class media serve long lost sight honor barely know ever existed even though whole scandal culture originally built foundation ruling class regards dispensable forgotten even choice lovably scandalous mr trump messenger got way message message last fed cant ruling class virtue somebody else always pay price james bowman resident scholar ethics public policy center | 1,276 |
<p>By Eyanir Chinea and Corina Pons</p>
<p>VALENCIA, Venezuela (Reuters) – Venezuelan auto worker Celso Nunez spends his days moonlighting as a mover and trading salvaged building materials in his worn-out red pick-up.</p>
<p>His employer, Ford Motor Co (N:), does not mind.</p>
<p>In fact, it is paying him to stay off the job.</p>
<p>With Venezuela’s economy in shambles, Ford has furloughed Nunez and 1200 colleagues at its moribund plant here in Valencia, Venezuela’s third-largest city. The company said it wants to call them back when times are better.</p>
<p>Nunez hasn’t reported for work in ten months, save for a few days in September to work on a prototype for a new cargo truck. But he still collects a quarter of his weekly salary of 50,000 bolivars, the equivalent of just $1.70 at the widely used black-market exchange rate.</p>
<p>The father of two teenagers counts himself lucky.</p>
<p>“Ford has given me stability … to help my family,” said Nunez, proudly wearing his blue factory shirt after a recent meeting at the plant about the new prototype.</p>
<p>“We know it’s not their fault, it’s the national situation.”</p>
<p>Ford is among roughly 150 multinationals still hanging on in Venezuela. The once-prosperous OPEC nation is now in the fourth year of a recession caused by a fall in oil prices and, economists say, failed policies of its socialist government.</p>
<p>A dearth of raw materials and plummeting demand has led many to halt or vastly scale back production, furloughing many employees in a country where labor laws ban mass layoffs.</p>
<p>A handful of companies, including Clorox (N:), Kimberly-Clark (N:), General Mills (N:), General Motors (N:) and Harvest Natural Resources (N:), have given up entirely, abandoning assets or selling them cheap.</p>
<p>Most multinationals, however, say they want to keep at least a minimum presence to be ready for a future upturn in Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves.</p>
<p>In Valencia, retrenchment by multinationals including Fiat Chrysler (MI:), Colgate Palmolive (N:), Johnson &amp; Johnson (N:) and Nestle SA (S:) have rendered the city a near ghost town.</p>
<p>Last week, Nestle suspended operations at a baby food plant there, blaming a lack of supplies. In a statement, Nestle said it continues to pay the plant’s 80 workers and remains committed to Venezuela and about 3200 employees at other factories there.</p>
<p>DUST ON SEMI-ASSEMBLED CARS</p>
<p>At Ford, the company said its Valencia factory had assembled about 400 cars through August of this year, compared with 17,000 units in 2012. Still, the No. 2 U.S. automaker said in an e-mail it “has no plans to leave the country.”</p>
<p>The drastically reduced work schedules, it added, is a way to “adapt to the local market’s needs.”</p>
<p>Ford began selling cars in dollars in 2015 so it could buy parts without requesting hard currency via government exchange controls. Other automakers followed suit, but have not been able to sell many cars because few Venezuelans can afford them.</p>
<p>Venezuela’s car assembly output slumped to 2,849 units in 2016 from a record 172,418 units in 2007, according to auto industry group Cavenez. Sales, including imports, plunged to 3,008 last year from 491,899 in 2007.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>At dealerships including Ford, Chrysler and Toyota, Venezuelan-made luxury vehicles sit without buyers, priced as much as $20,000 more than in other countries. Costs are inflated by imported parts and few economies of scale, analysts said.</p>
<p>To stay afloat in such conditions, Ford and other multinationals have shortened shifts, reduced payrolls and focused on cheaper products, according to unions and company officials.</p>
<p>The cutbacks make for scenes like that at the Fiat Chrysler plant in Valencia, where dust gathers on semi-assembled 2016 Jeep Cherokees, still missing windshields and mirrors.</p>
<p>On a recent day, about 20 employees stood at the entrance to the plant, which sold more than 25,000 units in 2007 but only about 150 this year.</p>
<p>About 60 percent of workers stay home, earning a fraction of their salaries. The rest come in but are confined to maintenance and administrative activities, employees and union leaders said.</p>
<p>Despite the tough conditions, Fiat Chrysler has told employees it does not plan to close, said Henry Ospina of the Fiat Chrysler union.</p>
<p>“But there is anxiety,” he said.</p>
<p>A Fiat Chrysler spokesman said the company was making “its best efforts to keep production at levels adequate to the availability of inputs and components.” The company declined further comment.</p>
<p>“PSEUDO-EMPLOYEES,” FREE FOOD</p>
<p>Though many multinational workers said they feel like “pseudo-employees,” they fare better than most unemployed Venezuelans, who struggle to buy food and medicine. Payments from state welfare programs lag the triple-digit inflation.</p>
<p>As of April 2016, half of Venezuela’s working population was either jobless or employed only in part-time, “informal” jobs, like street vending, according to the last available official statistics.</p>
<p>Compounding the pain, consumer spending slumped by 15 percent last year and is expected to decline by yet another 25 percent this year, according to local consulting group Ecoanalitica.</p>
<p>Venezuelan businesses are enduring their worst moment in decades, with at least two in every 10 factories halted, according to a Conindustria, the country’s main industry association.</p>
<p>President Nicolas Maduro’s government defends policies, like widely-criticized currency controls, that many businesses say wrecked the economy. He blames the halving of international oil prices since 2014, which slashed Venezuela’s revenues.</p>
<p>Maduro also accuses foreign firms of intentionally limiting investment and production as part of an “economic war” waged by political opponents and the United States.</p>
<p>The Information Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.</p>
<p>At some multinationals, furloughed employees are still allowed to eat lunch at cafeterias of halted plants – a big perk at a time of increasing hunger.</p>
<p>Fiat Chrysler serves up staples like chicken, rice, pasta and plantains daily to 60 of its 800 workers. A schedule prioritizes the neediest.</p>
<p>Similar arrangements exist at Colgate-Palmolive and Johnson &amp; Johnson.</p>
<p>“It’s one meal I don’t have to pay for at home,” said Pedro Rodriguez, 44, who has worked just six days this year at Fiat Chrysler, his employer of two decades.</p>
<p>“There are colleagues who only eat half the meals and take the other half home because the situation is tough.”</p>
<p>TIRES AS SEVERANCE</p>
<p>To get around strict layoff rules, many multinationals have offered voluntary buyouts.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Ford launched a “voluntary separation program” in 2016 that about 800 employees, or 40 percent of its workforce, signed onto. Many use the severance payments to start businesses like bakeries or selling construction materials, workers said.</p>
<p>But many of these ventures are now struggling, too.</p>
<p>At Fiat Chrysler, a severance offer included four new tires, each of which is worth the equivalent of a monthly factory wage in Venezuela. As of August, 23 workers had accepted: some planned to sell their tires and use the proceeds to emigrate.</p>
<p>Elsewhere in Valencia, multinationals have struggled to adapt to other government rules, including strict price controls for some products like milk and soap. The prices rarely keep up with inflation.</p>
<p>For instance, a Colgate-Palmolive (N:) soap plant has been shut since February. Workers there said company officials told them it could not cover costs if it sold soap at the mandated price, equal to less than $0.01 per soap bar at the black-market exchange rate.</p>
<p>Colgate-Palmolive in Venezuela did not respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>Workers said Colgate recently restarted production of price-controlled toothpaste, packaged in brown cardboard. The recycled boxes are cheaper than its usual red packaging.</p>
<p>Earlier, it stopped producing children’s flavors and toothpaste with whitener, reducing its portfolio of 300 products to less than a dozen, said union representative Felix Bello.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Johnson &amp; Johnson, which once sold everything from mouthwash to moisturizers, now only produces panty liners, a feminine hygiene product.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Still, the U.S. drugmaker agreed not to lay off any of its 157 Venezuelan factory employees.</p>
<p>Only three of the factory’s seven production lines are in operation, said union representative Jaime Guevara. Workers not on the production line do maintenance work.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>“Johnson &amp; Johnson has a responsibility to our employees and the communities in which we live and work,” a company spokeswoman said.</p>
<p>(Aditional reporting by Tibisay Romero in Valencia; Writing by Brian Ellsworth and Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Christian Plumb, Marla Dickerson and Paulo Prada)</p> | false | 1 | eyanir chinea corina pons valencia venezuela reuters venezuelan auto worker celso nunez spends days moonlighting mover trading salvaged building materials wornout red pickup employer ford motor co n mind fact paying stay job venezuelas economy shambles ford furloughed nunez 1200 colleagues moribund plant valencia venezuelas thirdlargest city company said wants call back times better nunez hasnt reported work ten months save days september work prototype new cargo truck still collects quarter weekly salary 50000 bolivars equivalent 170 widely used blackmarket exchange rate father two teenagers counts lucky ford given stability help family said nunez proudly wearing blue factory shirt recent meeting plant new prototype know fault national situation ford among roughly 150 multinationals still hanging venezuela onceprosperous opec nation fourth year recession caused fall oil prices economists say failed policies socialist government dearth raw materials plummeting demand led many halt vastly scale back production furloughing many employees country labor laws ban mass layoffs handful companies including clorox n kimberlyclark n general mills n general motors n harvest natural resources n given entirely abandoning assets selling cheap multinationals however say want keep least minimum presence ready future upturn venezuela home worlds largest proven oil reserves valencia retrenchment multinationals including fiat chrysler mi colgate palmolive n johnson amp johnson n nestle sa rendered city near ghost town last week nestle suspended operations baby food plant blaming lack supplies statement nestle said continues pay plants 80 workers remains committed venezuela 3200 employees factories dust semiassembled cars ford company said valencia factory assembled 400 cars august year compared 17000 units 2012 still 2 us automaker said email plans leave country drastically reduced work schedules added way adapt local markets needs ford began selling cars dollars 2015 could buy parts without requesting hard currency via government exchange controls automakers followed suit able sell many cars venezuelans afford venezuelas car assembly output slumped 2849 units 2016 record 172418 units 2007 according auto industry group cavenez sales including imports plunged 3008 last year 491899 2007160160160160 dealerships including ford chrysler toyota venezuelanmade luxury vehicles sit without buyers priced much 20000 countries costs inflated imported parts economies scale analysts said stay afloat conditions ford multinationals shortened shifts reduced payrolls focused cheaper products according unions company officials cutbacks make scenes like fiat chrysler plant valencia dust gathers semiassembled 2016 jeep cherokees still missing windshields mirrors recent day 20 employees stood entrance plant sold 25000 units 2007 150 year 60 percent workers stay home earning fraction salaries rest come confined maintenance administrative activities employees union leaders said despite tough conditions fiat chrysler told employees plan close said henry ospina fiat chrysler union anxiety said fiat chrysler spokesman said company making best efforts keep production levels adequate availability inputs components company declined comment pseudoemployees free food though many multinational workers said feel like pseudoemployees fare better unemployed venezuelans struggle buy food medicine payments state welfare programs lag tripledigit inflation april 2016 half venezuelas working population either jobless employed parttime informal jobs like street vending according last available official statistics compounding pain consumer spending slumped 15 percent last year expected decline yet another 25 percent year according local consulting group ecoanalitica venezuelan businesses enduring worst moment decades least two every 10 factories halted according conindustria countrys main industry association president nicolas maduros government defends policies like widelycriticized currency controls many businesses say wrecked economy blames halving international oil prices since 2014 slashed venezuelas revenues maduro also accuses foreign firms intentionally limiting investment production part economic war waged political opponents united states information ministry respond request comment multinationals furloughed employees still allowed eat lunch cafeterias halted plants big perk time increasing hunger fiat chrysler serves staples like chicken rice pasta plantains daily 60 800 workers schedule prioritizes neediest similar arrangements exist colgatepalmolive johnson amp johnson one meal dont pay home said pedro rodriguez 44 worked six days year fiat chrysler employer two decades colleagues eat half meals take half home situation tough tires severance get around strict layoff rules many multinationals offered voluntary buyouts160160160160 ford launched voluntary separation program 2016 800 employees 40 percent workforce signed onto many use severance payments start businesses like bakeries selling construction materials workers said many ventures struggling fiat chrysler severance offer included four new tires worth equivalent monthly factory wage venezuela august 23 workers accepted planned sell tires use proceeds emigrate elsewhere valencia multinationals struggled adapt government rules including strict price controls products like milk soap prices rarely keep inflation instance colgatepalmolive n soap plant shut since february workers said company officials told could cover costs sold soap mandated price equal less 001 per soap bar blackmarket exchange rate colgatepalmolive venezuela respond requests comment workers said colgate recently restarted production pricecontrolled toothpaste packaged brown cardboard recycled boxes cheaper usual red packaging earlier stopped producing childrens flavors toothpaste whitener reducing portfolio 300 products less dozen said union representative felix bello160160160160 johnson amp johnson sold everything mouthwash moisturizers produces panty liners feminine hygiene product160160160160 still us drugmaker agreed lay 157 venezuelan factory employees three factorys seven production lines operation said union representative jaime guevara workers production line maintenance work160160160160 johnson amp johnson responsibility employees communities live work company spokeswoman said aditional reporting tibisay romero valencia writing brian ellsworth andrew cawthorne editing christian plumb marla dickerson paulo prada | 867 |
<p>The value in screaming at the top of one's voice for 250 pages that there is a serious goddamned threat can hardly be overstated.</p>
<p>Your purchases at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20&amp;linkId=QBLURRIJM7RG4UUE" type="external">Amazon.com</a> via affiliate links below will help support FPJ at no extra cost to you.</p>
<p>Andrew Bard Schmookler’s new book is called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01639RQ6M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B01639RQ6M&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20&amp;linkId=5NVE2BMSR7SZWVEK" type="external">What We’re Up Against: The Destructive Force at Work in Our World—And How We Can Defeat It</a>. I’ll spare you some suspense; the evil force he has in mind is the Republican Party. Here’s a <a href="http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/6QA/ni0YAA/t.1rh/jzQEJUOYQTmUEDzDmTxnPA/h0/zR1J7iRW-2BzS6i1Q9SLTfweDE-2BbgldW-2BANtuAug6jAsRpoMcFSLrdKPpWuHyoAAfQ-2BZ11Zc7BY-2F2zgZi3jxQ5lh09pjue3IN6oZVO3Y29YjMqlktSafRSdIQCeBcxnB66PAJgg6aB6mHpQNHG9G4TORkii0parKkhJJtMtYaxpK0PZOBqiwgrNWQGjwl9GGRVbEX0RskZtl9r3q-2FFqfykiAgBux6SOSnuqobyOdj7gC18uMpMkBoStzg-2FRQ6B3doVO-2FU0bQzMmr6bZOco-2BiYNDpIghRgHdXE2OanMLlNnx6H-2FGlSm-2F0LTMYMn5J1ZYCFj5AjdGLtyrx5-2B6E9FjLQcsg-3D-3D" type="external">video</a> of a speech the author gave when he was running for Congress as a Democrat in a district gerrymandered Republican. As in the book, Schmookler calls out Republicans in the speech as promoting an unprecedented evil force in U.S. culture.</p>
<p>He has in mind wars, torture, environmental destruction, racism, sexism, promotion of plutocracy, defense of gun proliferation, widespread dishonesty, and the valuing of partisanship above all else. Republican cap-and-trade is denounced by Republicans as socialism. Corporate healthcare schemes developed by Republicans are attacked as death panels, once they’re advanced by a Democrat.</p>
<p>Schmookler traces the problem to the joining of racism and corporatism in a single political party since the civil rights movement, to the growth of corporatism, and to the ability of affluent people working short hours to get into trouble. I find the last point unconvincing, as so many countries have greater economic security, shorter working hours, and less crazed rightwing politics than the United States.</p>
<p>In fact, I’m unconvinced by much of the book, including the conflation of general cultural trends with a political party. I don’t accept the author’s contention that the United States is more important than the rest of the world. I’m not persuaded by his demand for a “war” against the evil Republican force (even as his complaints with Republicans include their having turned politics into a “war” and their having waged actual wars). I find little value in all the mythologizing of the “founding fathers” and past actual wars. As for the endless Good-versus-Evil talk, if it gets some people off their butts I’m fine with it, but I’m more interested in the case for the evil of the Republicans that motivated this book than in the 90% of the book that consists of pondering the nature of “good” and “evil.”</p>
<p>Are U.S. politics, culture, and the Republican party more evil than ever before? Or just more passionately partisan? Well, I don’t know about ever before. This is a country built on slavery and genocide as mainstream acceptable institutions. But certainly the Republican Party has moved rightward in the past 40 years, and many have said, like Lincoln Chafee in the recent debate, that they didn’t leave the party, it left them. Others have stuck with the party and left behind basic standards of decency, integrity, fairness, and toleration.</p>
<p>I give a lot more blame to major media outlets, which get the barest mention by Schmookler. I don’t think blaming propagandized people is exactly blaming the victims, and Schmookler does point out that people choose to consume the worst media. But the Republican Party would be nothing without the media, the educational institutions, and the wider cultural trends that overlap with its agenda. Neither would the Democratic Party.</p>
<p>I also think Schmookler misses some major trends that have very little to do with partisanship. One is the planet’s destruction as a process that has advanced over the decades and centuries. We haven’t become more destructive so much as we have become more numerous and—even more so—we’re simply living in a time that must face up to many years of past destructive behavior. Similarly, many white Americans have not exactly become more racist, they’re simply living in an age in which the demographics of the United States are turning them into a minority—something their pre-existing racism views as a problem.</p>
<p>Then there’s war, which has so permeated our culture that Schmookler praises real and metaphorical wars even while lamenting both real and metaphorical wars. He dislikes torture, not murder. He’s upset by Republican wars, but Obama’s drone murders don’t cause any concern. The toxic impact of war on U.S. culture, including in a rise of mass-shootings, is not considered. We have a country very well trained in despising other groups, through its collective disvaluing of 96% of humanity (something Schmookler promotes in his Introduction). We have racism and violence and the erosion of civil liberties imported from distant U.S. wars, and we’re not supposed to see <a href="http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/6QA/ni0YAA/t.1rh/jzQEJUOYQTmUEDzDmTxnPA/h1/OCyNDn9i98-2BOopV0K0WrPgruAzrtVjCnMaeNxq-2Ba15Lea2S0ohP-2F-2BhuLx0Oc1EfikPjEeX-2B5fOa4RTXznMGZjkBe-2FjRzqpUa-2BnjbgaIt7CeUf-2Bjx5I-2Bk1Xg50pa6Jz3fEDZ2UtynI4oIpI9Oh0gTW4QyVwhaxbMuFCl0eJFYN8tvQmbp8uozRMzWScXyxCfBSU5l4vpyeLYajKMzn2E-2FqJnuAL8FoRmbgrviyx38-2FNY-3D" type="external">that trend</a> as contributing to current evil?</p>
<p>I think part of the trouble in seeing the evil of militarism is that it’s bipartisan. It brings peace and harmony to the halls of Congress. When we imagine that bickering in Washington is a more serious problem than, say, the death of the oceans or the slaughter of Yemeni children, that little item known as military spending that eats up over half of Congressional spending every year, has to be set aside as an exception to the important trend of partisan conflict.</p>
<p>Are Schmookler and the millions who agree with him right that the Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are good but weak? Up to a point perhaps. I think the author’s desire for the United States to “lead” the world is part of the problem. I think it’s just dumb to claim that U.S. torture programs are unprecedented or a political party in the United States opposing science is unprecedented. I think it’s simplistic to claim the Republicans are always wrong and the Democrats always right. What about when partisanship overcomes even militarism and Republicans oppose President Obama’s proposed bombing of Syria (in 2013)? I think it’s a straw man to argue that the two parties aren’t working together in a pretense of opposing each other. Democrats don’t pretend to more populist and progressive positions as part of a Republican plot, but in order to please voters (and themselves) while actually serving funders and insiders.</p>
<p>I think the danger, although Schmookler does not intend this, in literally urging us to think like Star Wars movies in terms of good and evil forces, and in claiming that an evil force started the war on Iraq, is that we miss individual agency. Bush started that war. Many helped. Chafee, for example, didn’t. If we blame a force we may end up blaming millions of people who call themselves Republicans, many of whom could be talked out of supporting the next war in 30-minutes of television-free conversation.</p>
<p>I think the value in screaming at the top of one’s voice for 250 pages that there is a serious goddamned threat, and it isn’t coming from Iran or Russia but from the rightwing madness of Washington, D.C., can hardly be overstated. If calls to metaphorical arms to rise up and denounce Good Americanism before it’s too late might move you to become active in working for peace, justice, and moral decency, then <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01639RQ6M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B01639RQ6M&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20&amp;linkId=5NVE2BMSR7SZWVEK" type="external">please read this book</a>.</p>
<p>This article was originally published at <a href="http://davidswanson.org/node/4956" type="external">DavidSwanson.org</a> and has been used here with permission.</p> | false | 1 | value screaming top ones voice 250 pages serious goddamned threat hardly overstated purchases amazoncom via affiliate links help support fpj extra cost andrew bard schmooklers new book called destructive force work worldand defeat ill spare suspense evil force mind republican party heres video speech author gave running congress democrat district gerrymandered republican book schmookler calls republicans speech promoting unprecedented evil force us culture mind wars torture environmental destruction racism sexism promotion plutocracy defense gun proliferation widespread dishonesty valuing partisanship else republican capandtrade denounced republicans socialism corporate healthcare schemes developed republicans attacked death panels theyre advanced democrat schmookler traces problem joining racism corporatism single political party since civil rights movement growth corporatism ability affluent people working short hours get trouble find last point unconvincing many countries greater economic security shorter working hours less crazed rightwing politics united states fact im unconvinced much book including conflation general cultural trends political party dont accept authors contention united states important rest world im persuaded demand war evil republican force even complaints republicans include turned politics war waged actual wars find little value mythologizing founding fathers past actual wars endless goodversusevil talk gets people butts im fine im interested case evil republicans motivated book 90 book consists pondering nature good evil us politics culture republican party evil ever passionately partisan well dont know ever country built slavery genocide mainstream acceptable institutions certainly republican party moved rightward past 40 years many said like lincoln chafee recent debate didnt leave party left others stuck party left behind basic standards decency integrity fairness toleration give lot blame major media outlets get barest mention schmookler dont think blaming propagandized people exactly blaming victims schmookler point people choose consume worst media republican party would nothing without media educational institutions wider cultural trends overlap agenda neither would democratic party also think schmookler misses major trends little partisanship one planets destruction process advanced decades centuries havent become destructive much become numerous andeven sowere simply living time must face many years past destructive behavior similarly many white americans exactly become racist theyre simply living age demographics united states turning minoritysomething preexisting racism views problem theres war permeated culture schmookler praises real metaphorical wars even lamenting real metaphorical wars dislikes torture murder hes upset republican wars obamas drone murders dont cause concern toxic impact war us culture including rise massshootings considered country well trained despising groups collective disvaluing 96 humanity something schmookler promotes introduction racism violence erosion civil liberties imported distant us wars supposed see trend contributing current evil think part trouble seeing evil militarism bipartisan brings peace harmony halls congress imagine bickering washington serious problem say death oceans slaughter yemeni children little item known military spending eats half congressional spending every year set aside exception important trend partisan conflict schmookler millions agree right republicans evil democrats good weak point perhaps think authors desire united states lead world part problem think dumb claim us torture programs unprecedented political party united states opposing science unprecedented think simplistic claim republicans always wrong democrats always right partisanship overcomes even militarism republicans oppose president obamas proposed bombing syria 2013 think straw man argue two parties arent working together pretense opposing democrats dont pretend populist progressive positions part republican plot order please voters actually serving funders insiders think danger although schmookler intend literally urging us think like star wars movies terms good evil forces claiming evil force started war iraq miss individual agency bush started war many helped chafee example didnt blame force may end blaming millions people call republicans many could talked supporting next war 30minutes televisionfree conversation think value screaming top ones voice 250 pages serious goddamned threat isnt coming iran russia rightwing madness washington dc hardly overstated calls metaphorical arms rise denounce good americanism late might move become active working peace justice moral decency please read book article originally published davidswansonorg used permission | 637 |
<p>Almost eight years ago, on the evening of Aug. 9, 2001, a new president addressed the nation about the complex challenge he confronted in deciding whether and how the federal government should support embryonic-stem-cell research. Rather than just announce the decision he had reached, George W. Bush took his national television audience through the process he had followed over the preceding months as he wrestled with that “complex and difficult issue.”</p>
<p>“Many people are finding that the more they know about stem-cell research, the less certain they are about the right ethical and moral conclusions,” Bush said. The promise of the research could be great indeed, and some of the nation's top scientists had told him it might someday lead to treatments for the sick and suffering. Yet there was no getting around the fact that human embryos were human beings in the earliest stages of development, and the research would take their lives. “At its core,” Bush told the country, “this issue forces us to confront fundamental questions about the beginnings of life and the ends of science. It lies at a difficult moral intersection, juxtaposing the need to protect life in all its phases with the prospect of saving and improving life in all its stages.”</p>
<p>Listening that night, one could tell that Bush sought a way to champion science and ethics together, rather than force an impossible choice between them. And the policy he proposed carved out such common ground.</p>
<p>The federal government had never before provided funding to research that relied on the destruction of embryos, but some human embryos had been destroyed using private funds. The lines of cells derived from those embryos already existed, and the “life or death” decision, as Bush put it, had already been made and could not be undone. He decided to permit federal support for projects using those existing lines, but not for work that relied on the destruction of embryos in the future. “This allows us to explore the promise and potential of stem-cell research without crossing a fundamental moral line, by providing taxpayer funding that would sanction or encourage further destruction of human embryos,” he said.</p>
<p>At first, his policy was welcomed by research advocates because it provided federal funds for the first time, but opposition soon emerged and grew. Those who did not share the president's concern about the morality of destroying human embryos for research argued that the science might advance more quickly if the ethical boundaries he established were brought down. Their complaints were soon amplified by politicians, especially Democrats who saw a potentially powerful wedge issue in stem cells. Rather than address the moral concerns at the heart of the debate, they argued that the Bush policy was “anti-science,” and worked to obscure its moral foundation and its practical achievements. Even as the policy supported thousands of experiments with more than $200 million in funding, and as American researchers remained the undisputed leaders in the field, Bush's opponents sought to paint the policy as obscurantist and useless.</p>
<p>Soon the stem-cell debate overflowed with reckless hyperbole: claims that 100 million Americans were dying of terrible degenerative illnesses and only embryonic-stem-cell research could save them; that the funded cells were useless; that the policy was causing American scientists to fall behind their foreign counterparts; that Bush had banned embryonic-stem-cell research entirely, and on and on. It was mostly politicians, not scientists, who uttered such patent falsehoods, and they may well have believed their statements were true. But the effect of it all was to distort the debate, steering it clear of discussions about the humanity of the embryos involved and the profound ethical dilemma President Bush had described. By the time Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards said in 2004 that “when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk,” it was clear the debate had come to have little to do with the actual science of stem cells.</p>
<p>That actual science, meanwhile, has moved dramatically, and in a direction that actually tends to justify Bush's hope that science and ethics would not have to conflict. There has been little progress toward therapeutic applications (if anything, the once common “personal repair kit” scenario seems far less plausible now), but it increasingly looks like whatever potential there is in embryonic stem cells can be harnessed without the destruction of embryos. Over the last three years in particular, a technique that transforms normal adult cells (like skin cells) into what appears to be the functional equivalent of embryonic stem cells has been sweeping the field, holding out the promise of not only a way around the ethical dilemmas but a source of genetically matched cells almost without end. Cells left over from fertility treatment have thus grown far less compelling on scientific grounds than they were when Bush made his decision, but no less problematic on moral grounds. Today, the case for funding them is weaker than ever.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the political debate has yet to recover the kind of balanced understanding of the moral quandary that President Bush offered the country eight years ago, much less catch up with the scientific developments that shift the moral balance even further away from embryo-destructive research. President Obama, confronted with the same question as Bush was, has opted to sharpen the differences between science and ethics rather than seek common ground, and has for the first time put federal dollars toward funding the destruction of human embryos for research.</p>
<p>As he did so, Obama also chose to repeat the familiar cliché that the Bush policy was a betrayal of science. In his administration, he <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-of-the-President-As-Prepared-for-Delivery-Signing-of-Stem-Cell-Executive-Order-and-Scientific-Integrity-Presidential-Memorandum/" type="external">argued</a>, “we make scientific decisions based on facts and not ideology.” The facts of the Bush administration's funding of the research, its support for science funding more generally, and the emergence of alternatives to embryo destruction seem not to count. And the fact that every human embryo is a living human being seemed unworthy of mention.</p>
<p>Science policy is not a science: It must seek to use science to the benefit of the larger society, and also to restrain science in those rare instances when it threatens that society's ideals. In hindsight, it seems increasingly clear that President Bush's stem-cell-funding policy will stand as a model of how to strike a balance between these concerns. President Obama's overturning of the Bush approach offers an unfortunate example of how fragile that balance often is.— Yuval Levin is a fellow at the <a href="" type="internal">Ethics and Public Policy Center</a>, senior editor of <a href="http://www.thenewatlantis.com/" type="external">The New Atlantis</a>, and author of <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/redirect/amazon.p?j=1594032092" type="external">Imagining the Future: Science and American Democracy</a>.</p> | false | 1 | almost eight years ago evening aug 9 2001 new president addressed nation complex challenge confronted deciding whether federal government support embryonicstemcell research rather announce decision reached george w bush took national television audience process followed preceding months wrestled complex difficult issue many people finding know stemcell research less certain right ethical moral conclusions bush said promise research could great indeed nations top scientists told might someday lead treatments sick suffering yet getting around fact human embryos human beings earliest stages development research would take lives core bush told country issue forces us confront fundamental questions beginnings life ends science lies difficult moral intersection juxtaposing need protect life phases prospect saving improving life stages listening night one could tell bush sought way champion science ethics together rather force impossible choice policy proposed carved common ground federal government never provided funding research relied destruction embryos human embryos destroyed using private funds lines cells derived embryos already existed life death decision bush put already made could undone decided permit federal support projects using existing lines work relied destruction embryos future allows us explore promise potential stemcell research without crossing fundamental moral line providing taxpayer funding would sanction encourage destruction human embryos said first policy welcomed research advocates provided federal funds first time opposition soon emerged grew share presidents concern morality destroying human embryos research argued science might advance quickly ethical boundaries established brought complaints soon amplified politicians especially democrats saw potentially powerful wedge issue stem cells rather address moral concerns heart debate argued bush policy antiscience worked obscure moral foundation practical achievements even policy supported thousands experiments 200 million funding american researchers remained undisputed leaders field bushs opponents sought paint policy obscurantist useless soon stemcell debate overflowed reckless hyperbole claims 100 million americans dying terrible degenerative illnesses embryonicstemcell research could save funded cells useless policy causing american scientists fall behind foreign counterparts bush banned embryonicstemcell research entirely mostly politicians scientists uttered patent falsehoods may well believed statements true effect distort debate steering clear discussions humanity embryos involved profound ethical dilemma president bush described time democratic vicepresidential candidate john edwards said 2004 john kerry president people like christopher reeve going walk clear debate come little actual science stem cells actual science meanwhile moved dramatically direction actually tends justify bushs hope science ethics would conflict little progress toward therapeutic applications anything common personal repair kit scenario seems far less plausible increasingly looks like whatever potential embryonic stem cells harnessed without destruction embryos last three years particular technique transforms normal adult cells like skin cells appears functional equivalent embryonic stem cells sweeping field holding promise way around ethical dilemmas source genetically matched cells almost without end cells left fertility treatment thus grown far less compelling scientific grounds bush made decision less problematic moral grounds today case funding weaker ever unfortunately political debate yet recover kind balanced understanding moral quandary president bush offered country eight years ago much less catch scientific developments shift moral balance even away embryodestructive research president obama confronted question bush opted sharpen differences science ethics rather seek common ground first time put federal dollars toward funding destruction human embryos research obama also chose repeat familiar cliché bush policy betrayal science administration argued make scientific decisions based facts ideology facts bush administrations funding research support science funding generally emergence alternatives embryo destruction seem count fact every human embryo living human seemed unworthy mention science policy science must seek use science benefit larger society also restrain science rare instances threatens societys ideals hindsight seems increasingly clear president bushs stemcellfunding policy stand model strike balance concerns president obamas overturning bush approach offers unfortunate example fragile balance often yuval levin fellow ethics public policy center senior editor new atlantis author imagining future science american democracy | 618 |
<p>We are in the midst of a political phenomenon. It is fairly extraordinary, and perhaps beyond anything we have seen in our lifetime. Our new president, Barack Obama, is not only the head of government; he has become a cultural symbol with rock-star appeal. I know people — lifelong Republican voters — who at one point viewed Obama with something close to contempt, who began to warm to him a bit during the presidential debates, and who now wish they had cast their vote for Obama. He takes office with his popularity near 80 percent and the political winds at his back.</p>
<p>What explains this appeal?</p>
<p>For one thing, Obama is benefiting from the support and unity that usually accompanies a new president. Once an election has been decided, most people sheath their political swords and are inclined to give the new president the benefit of the doubt.</p>
<p>Second, Obama has made very few unforced errors. The transition period was relatively smooth. His major appointments were fairly centrist and in some cases (like reappointing Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense) inspired.</p>
<p>Third, Obama is the object of unprecedented media adoration. Part of it, of course, is because he is the first black man to be elected president, which is an extraordinary and authentically moving achievement in American history. But ideology is also at work. If, say, Clarence Thomas had been elected president, the media attention would not be anything like what we have witnessed.</p>
<p>I find Obama to be an interesting and in many ways an attractive figure, but watching the media coverage of him over the last several days has been embarrassing. Reporters and commentators speak breathlessly and uncritically about Obama; their legs buckle in his presence and when he is on their minds. There is a palpable sense of reporters wanting his affirmation, his approval, his blessing. Obama is everything they wish they were. And so they have suspended almost all their critical faculties. One gets the sense that media figures are speaking and writing with the goal of receiving a pat on the head, a wink and a “well-done,” from Obama and his team. If they can't all be a part of his administration, they want to be a part of his Movement.</p>
<p>Mark Halperin — whose employer Time offers rapturous praise for Obama on a weekly basis — said shortly after the election that media bias was more intense in the 2008 election than in any other national campaign in recent history. Giving voice to what his press colleagues won't admit, Halperin referred to the “extreme bias, extreme pro-Obama coverage” which represented a “disgusting failure of people in our business.”</p>
<p>Thing have only gotten more disgusting since then. Take, for example, Harold Meyerson of the Washington Post, who in writing about Obama and his inaugural speech concluded his <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012003514.html" type="external">column</a> this way:</p>
<p>Good words, but what made yesterday so astounding was that the words, by the decision of the American people in voting booths assembled, were made flesh.</p>
<p>This is of course an echo of the words of St. John, who in his Gospel, in speaking about Christ, wrote, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.”</p>
<p>Perhaps Meyerson's words qualify as speaking truth to power in the Age of Obama.&#160;</p>
<p>Still, there is something else which explains, I think, Obama's appeal. For one thing, he is an extraordinary political talent, something some of us <a href="" type="external">recognized</a>back in 2007. He comes across as self-possessed, unflappable, hip, stylish. He also has an appealing cast of mind, seemingly reasonable, intelligent, detached, and serious.</p>
<p>These things are not unimportant. But Obama's appeal, while widespread, is largely aesthetic and personality-based. This explains why a somewhat unsettling cult of personality has arisen around Obama. His appeal is not rooted in ideas or political philosophy or governing achievements; indeed, it is not grounded in any acts of governance. Yet some people already speak of him as a Lincolnian and Messiah-like figure.</p>
<p>But precisely because this appeal is largely aesthetic rather than substantive, because it is not grounded in things deep or permanent, its durability is limited. Reality will intrude. A million watt smile, fashionable sunglasses, and a nice jump shot are fine — I wish I possessed each of them — but one can confidently assume that Kim Jong Il, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Hassan Nasrallah, and Hugo Chavez are immune to their charms. Inflation, deflation, and unemployment will not be determined by the eloquence of Obama's rhetoric, the dinners he attends, or the columnists and reporters he seduces.</p>
<p>My point is really a rather simple one: Obama will be judged by the outcome of events. The other things are fine — but in the end, they are far less important, and in some cases they are evanescent. People magazine and the Style section of the Washington Post are fun, but they are not serious.</p>
<p>Right now Barack Obama, having been President for all of three days, appears to be sitting on top of the world. He is a bright, talented, and able man. But the world is an untidy and unpredictable place. Pakistan may convulse. Iran may well go nuclear on Obama's watch; if so, Saudi Arabia and Egypt might soon follow, and the most unstable region in the world would be home to several nuclear powers. &#160;</p>
<p>Hard decisions need to be made, often based on incomplete information and rapidly changing events. Inter-agency clashes will occur. People and agencies thought to be competent will prove to be unreliable. Intelligence agencies will not be able to tell the President all that he wishes. A massive federal bureaucracy, an emboldened Congress, and other nations will begin to assert themselves. The law of economics will not be suspended. Entitlement programs remain unreformed and therefore unsustainable. Wasteful programs will refuse to die. The deficit is exploding. People's expectations are soaring, and soon enough they will insist on results.</p>
<p>Barack Obama may or may not succeed as president; but whether he does or not, the things people are taken up with now will not be determinative. And if things get worse rather than better, if Obama appears overmatched by events, then what are viewed as strengths now will be seen as weaknesses later. The day's vanity will become the night's remorse.</p>
<p>Barack Obama is President of the United States, not a crown prince on a white horse. Fairy tales are fine; but fairy tales are childish things.</p>
<p>–Peter Wehner is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in&#160; Washington, D.C. He served in the Bush White House as director of the office of strategic initiatives.</p> | false | 1 | midst political phenomenon fairly extraordinary perhaps beyond anything seen lifetime new president barack obama head government become cultural symbol rockstar appeal know people lifelong republican voters one point viewed obama something close contempt began warm bit presidential debates wish cast vote obama takes office popularity near 80 percent political winds back explains appeal one thing obama benefiting support unity usually accompanies new president election decided people sheath political swords inclined give new president benefit doubt second obama made unforced errors transition period relatively smooth major appointments fairly centrist cases like reappointing robert gates secretary defense inspired third obama object unprecedented media adoration part course first black man elected president extraordinary authentically moving achievement american history ideology also work say clarence thomas elected president media attention would anything like witnessed find obama interesting many ways attractive figure watching media coverage last several days embarrassing reporters commentators speak breathlessly uncritically obama legs buckle presence minds palpable sense reporters wanting affirmation approval blessing obama everything wish suspended almost critical faculties one gets sense media figures speaking writing goal receiving pat head wink welldone obama team cant part administration want part movement mark halperin whose employer time offers rapturous praise obama weekly basis said shortly election media bias intense 2008 election national campaign recent history giving voice press colleagues wont admit halperin referred extreme bias extreme proobama coverage represented disgusting failure people business thing gotten disgusting since take example harold meyerson washington post writing obama inaugural speech concluded column way good words made yesterday astounding words decision american people voting booths assembled made flesh course echo words st john gospel speaking christ wrote word became flesh dwelt among us perhaps meyersons words qualify speaking truth power age obama160 still something else explains think obamas appeal one thing extraordinary political talent something us recognizedback 2007 comes across selfpossessed unflappable hip stylish also appealing cast mind seemingly reasonable intelligent detached serious things unimportant obamas appeal widespread largely aesthetic personalitybased explains somewhat unsettling cult personality arisen around obama appeal rooted ideas political philosophy governing achievements indeed grounded acts governance yet people already speak lincolnian messiahlike figure precisely appeal largely aesthetic rather substantive grounded things deep permanent durability limited reality intrude million watt smile fashionable sunglasses nice jump shot fine wish possessed one confidently assume kim jong il mahmoud ahmadinejad ayman alzawahiri hassan nasrallah hugo chavez immune charms inflation deflation unemployment determined eloquence obamas rhetoric dinners attends columnists reporters seduces point really rather simple one obama judged outcome events things fine end far less important cases evanescent people magazine style section washington post fun serious right barack obama president three days appears sitting top world bright talented able man world untidy unpredictable place pakistan may convulse iran may well go nuclear obamas watch saudi arabia egypt might soon follow unstable region world would home several nuclear powers 160 hard decisions need made often based incomplete information rapidly changing events interagency clashes occur people agencies thought competent prove unreliable intelligence agencies able tell president wishes massive federal bureaucracy emboldened congress nations begin assert law economics suspended entitlement programs remain unreformed therefore unsustainable wasteful programs refuse die deficit exploding peoples expectations soaring soon enough insist results barack obama may may succeed president whether things people taken determinative things get worse rather better obama appears overmatched events viewed strengths seen weaknesses later days vanity become nights remorse barack obama president united states crown prince white horse fairy tales fine fairy tales childish things peter wehner senior fellow ethics public policy center in160 washington dc served bush white house director office strategic initiatives | 591 |
<p>BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 31 (UPI) — A long-awaited assault against extremist mili­tants holed up in moun­tains along Lebanon’s northeastern border with Syria is under way with Hez­bollah spearheading the attack and swiftly seizing territory.</p>
<p>The offensive began July 21 as Hezbollah units moved north from their hilltop posts southeast of the town of Arsal into terrain controlled by <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jabhat-Fateh-al-Sham/" type="external">Jabhat Fateh al-Sham</a>, for­merly known as al-Nusra Front. In just a few days, Hezbollah had seized most of the ground held by JFS and was poised to turn its at­tention to the Islamic State, which dominates the ground northeast of Arsal.</p>
<p>The Lebanese Army, which has a strong defensive perimeter around Arsal and a line of fortified observa­tion towers along the western flank of the battleground, used artillery fire against groups of militants who tried to infiltrate the town during the fighting.</p>
<p>As this battle is fought in the rug­ged mountains of northeast Leba­non, 20 miles to the south, the Leba­nese state is establishing a renewed presence along part of the tradi­tionally neglected eastern frontier with Syria. The Lebanese Army’s Fourth Land Border Regiment is build­ing a line of fortified observation posts that gives sweeping views over the mountainous terrain and a large expanse of Syria near the iso­lated Lebanese village of Tufail.</p>
<p>The project of establishing land border regiments arose in 2011 when Syria was descending into civil war. The idea was to strength­en Lebanon’s ability to secure its porous and largely unmarked bor­der with Syria.</p>
<p>With the assistance of the United Kingdom, the first Land Border Regiment deployed in early 2013 along the northern border. Since then, two other regiments have been established and arrayed along the eastern border as far south as the slopes of Mount Hermon. The Fourth Land Border Regiment plugs a sensitive gap from just south of Arsal to the town of Masnaa on the Beirut-Damascus highway. Hezbol­lah has a presence along this stretch of the border. There are also three camps manned by a pro-Damascus Palestinian faction.</p>
<p>In early 2014, Hezbollah began building a series of compounds on mountain tops in this area to defend villages in the Bekaa Val­ley from militants infiltrating from Syria. At the time, Syria-based mili­tants frequently fired rockets into the Bekaa. In September 2014, an al-Nusra Front militant set off a bomb in a suicide attack at a Hez­bollah checkpoint near Khreibe village, wounding three Hezbol­lah fighters. The following month, al-Nusra fighters briefly overran a Hezbollah compound near the vil­lage of Brital, killing at least four fighters.</p>
<p>Since then, the security situa­tion in the area has calmed down as the fighting in Syria shifted further from the border with Lebanon.</p>
<p>The calm in the area allowed for the Lebanese Army’s newly formed Fourth Land Border Regiment to de­ploy into the Tufail area, replacing the Hezbollah fighters who aban­doned their positions. It was a typi­cally Lebanese display of pragma­tism: Hezbollah freed up its fighters from watching a now-quiet stretch of the border for duties elsewhere and the Lebanese state stamped its authority on the remote location for the first time in decades.</p>
<p>The army moved swiftly to build imposing fortified compounds of 18-foot-high, rock-filled Hesco blast barriers that dominate the ground to the north, east and south in the Tufail Peninsula, a finger-like extension of Lebanese territory poking into Syria.</p>
<p>From the armor-plated watch ­tower, embellished with the Leba­nese flag on all four sides and named after the remains of a small Roman temple nearby, soldiers en­joy extensive views east and south into Syria. They say they are confi­dent that they can observe and in­tercept any attempts to penetrate this section of the border.</p>
<p>The recently abandoned Hezbol­lah outposts consisting of earth-filled oil drums and porta-cabins look frail alongside the army’s new structures. Hezbollah is still in the area but on the Syrian side of the border where they share some posi­tions with the Syrian Army.</p>
<p>At an altitude of 7,500 feet, the terrain in the barren mountains is harsh. New tracks slash through the limestone landscape and thick white dust billows from beneath the wheels of army vehicles as they grind up the hills. In winter, the mountains are blanketed with deep snow, posing another logistical dif­ficulty for troops manning the lofty outposts.</p>
<p>The fighting further north along the border near Arsal has preceded at a speedy pace. It is unclear how long IS will be able to hold on when Hezbollah has finished with JFS and turns its attention to the extremists but the outcome will almost cer­tainly spell defeat for the militants at which point Hezbollah is expected to leave the Lebanese side of the border and deploy elsewhere.</p>
<p>That would allow the Fourth Land Border Regiment to complete its deployment by moving into the area south of Arsal and build new outposts adjacent to those manned by the Second Land Border Regiment. Once that deployment is complete, the Lebanese state will have a full presence along the entirety of Leb­anon’s border with Syria for the first time since independence in 1943.</p>
<p>The next step, it is hoped, is to establish Fifth and Sixth Land Border Regiments, which would eventual­ly deploy along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.</p>
<p>This article originally appeared at <a href="http://www.thearabweekly.com/" type="external">The Arab Weekly.</a></p> | false | 1 | beirut lebanon july 31 upi longawaited assault extremist militants holed mountains along lebanons northeastern border syria way hezbollah spearheading attack swiftly seizing territory offensive began july 21 hezbollah units moved north hilltop posts southeast town arsal terrain controlled jabhat fateh alsham formerly known alnusra front days hezbollah seized ground held jfs poised turn attention islamic state dominates ground northeast arsal lebanese army strong defensive perimeter around arsal line fortified observation towers along western flank battleground used artillery fire groups militants tried infiltrate town fighting battle fought rugged mountains northeast lebanon 20 miles south lebanese state establishing renewed presence along part traditionally neglected eastern frontier syria lebanese armys fourth land border regiment building line fortified observation posts gives sweeping views mountainous terrain large expanse syria near isolated lebanese village tufail project establishing land border regiments arose 2011 syria descending civil war idea strengthen lebanons ability secure porous largely unmarked border syria assistance united kingdom first land border regiment deployed early 2013 along northern border since two regiments established arrayed along eastern border far south slopes mount hermon fourth land border regiment plugs sensitive gap south arsal town masnaa beirutdamascus highway hezbollah presence along stretch border also three camps manned prodamascus palestinian faction early 2014 hezbollah began building series compounds mountain tops area defend villages bekaa valley militants infiltrating syria time syriabased militants frequently fired rockets bekaa september 2014 alnusra front militant set bomb suicide attack hezbollah checkpoint near khreibe village wounding three hezbollah fighters following month alnusra fighters briefly overran hezbollah compound near village brital killing least four fighters since security situation area calmed fighting syria shifted border lebanon calm area allowed lebanese armys newly formed fourth land border regiment deploy tufail area replacing hezbollah fighters abandoned positions typically lebanese display pragmatism hezbollah freed fighters watching nowquiet stretch border duties elsewhere lebanese state stamped authority remote location first time decades army moved swiftly build imposing fortified compounds 18foothigh rockfilled hesco blast barriers dominate ground north east south tufail peninsula fingerlike extension lebanese territory poking syria armorplated watch tower embellished lebanese flag four sides named remains small roman temple nearby soldiers enjoy extensive views east south syria say confident observe intercept attempts penetrate section border recently abandoned hezbollah outposts consisting earthfilled oil drums portacabins look frail alongside armys new structures hezbollah still area syrian side border share positions syrian army altitude 7500 feet terrain barren mountains harsh new tracks slash limestone landscape thick white dust billows beneath wheels army vehicles grind hills winter mountains blanketed deep snow posing another logistical difficulty troops manning lofty outposts fighting north along border near arsal preceded speedy pace unclear long able hold hezbollah finished jfs turns attention extremists outcome almost certainly spell defeat militants point hezbollah expected leave lebanese side border deploy elsewhere would allow fourth land border regiment complete deployment moving area south arsal build new outposts adjacent manned second land border regiment deployment complete lebanese state full presence along entirety lebanons border syria first time since independence 1943 next step hoped establish fifth sixth land border regiments would eventually deploy along lebanons southern border israel article originally appeared arab weekly | 516 |
<p>As &#160;metaphors go, “train wreck” turned out to be pretty apt. That’s how retiring Democratic senator Max Baucus described his expectations for the implementation of Obamacare at a hearing last April. If anything, he could be accused of soft pedaling the fiasco that has been on full display since the beginning of October.</p>
<p>The main entry point into Obamacare for citizens in 36 states is healthcare.gov, an online portal through which consumers are supposed to enter personal information and then shop for health insurance. But healthcare.gov is so poorly constructed that it is essentially useless as an enrollment system. This is a website the Obama administration had three years to build. It is absolutely essential to making Obamacare work, if it is going to work at all, because the program relies on broad enrollment, especially among young and healthy Americans, to keep premiums low for everyone else. Administration officials note that applicants can apply by phone and submit paper applications to get the process started, but that approach takes weeks to complete and eventually the information must still go through the same automated systems. Without a functioning healthcare.gov, Obamacare will never get off the ground.</p>
<p>The 14 states that chose to construct their own exchanges have been modestly more competent at building the front-end user interface than the federal government. But even these states must rely on federal systems to determine eligibility for subsidies financed by federal taxpayers. And those “back-end” federal systems are as badly mangled as the entry point for consumers into the federal portal.</p>
<p>The result is that Obamacare’s launch has been far worse than a dud. For the moment, the program is at a standstill.</p>
<p>The administration is trying to convey momentum by pointing to unverifiable estimates of nearly 500,000 “applicants.” But these numbers are meaningless. One of the main problems with healthcare.gov is that it requires any curious consumer to submit an “application” and establish an account before looking at the insurance options, including the premium amounts and cost-sharing requirements. How many of the 500,000 supposed applicants are people who have other insurance today but want to see what Obamacare has to offer? And how many of these applications are for people who will decline to enroll once they see the high premiums they must pay, or are households with incomes that will put them into Medicaid instead of the federally facilitated or state-run insurance exchanges?</p>
<p>A clearer picture of what is happening emerges from data provided by the participating insurers. After all, if someone actually enrolls in a health insurance plan, and by so doing agrees to pay a monthly premium for the coverage, the insurer selling the product surely knows this and has the consumer’s relevant information. From numerous media reports, it is clear that insurers have so far received only a trickle of enrollees—maybe in the thousands, but far, far less than 500,000. The applications that have been received by insurers have made it through the entire process only because low volume has allowed the transactions to be completed through direct contact with the customers. The automated systems have been utterly unreliable and therefore are not trusted by the insurers.</p>
<p>There is no prospect that these enrollment systems will be fixed anytime soon. The surest sign of that came with the administration’s announcement that it has recruited the IT industry’s “best and brightest” to help repair the problems. The thought that outside, unpaid advisers could parachute into a multiyear IT project and untangle the mess in a matter of weeks could only come from people unfamiliar with the actual operational realities of the federal government. The truth is that fixing the problems will almost certainly require another massive investment in software programming, and probably with the same contractors who wrote the first batch of bad code. Switching now to a whole new team of players would only delay any possible fix by months.</p>
<p>It remains possible that the administration could pull these systems together into a minimally functioning whole by late November or early December. Doing so would be a near-miraculous feat, given the complexity of what’s involved. But it’s possible.</p>
<p>But that wouldn’t be the end of Obamacare’s woes. The other reality now emerging is that millions of Americans are going to be pushed into these exchanges against their wishes, and they aren’t going to like what they see.</p>
<p>The problem will be most acute for the 19 million or so people who today purchase individual insurance. As industry expert Robert Laszewski has pointed out, today’s individual market is essentially being replaced by the Obamacare exchanges. Some insurance plans can continue operating into 2014 outside of the exchanges if they are “grandfathered.” But very few insurance plans qualify for grandfathered status under Obamacare because the rules strictly prohibit even the smallest changes in coverage or cost-sharing. Consequently, about 16 million Americans will shortly find out that they can’t keep the plans they have.</p>
<p>If and when they are able to look at their options on healthcare.gov or the state-built websites, many of these consumers will quickly become unhappy. The Obama administration keeps arguing that the premiums in the exchanges are below what was expected, based on hypothetical estimates produced by the Congressional Budget Office four years ago. But that’s not the relevant comparison. Consumers want to know how much more they are going to pay for insurance under Obamacare in 2014 than what the pre-Obamacare market offers them today.</p>
<p>The Heritage Foundation has carefully looked at this question, and the results are dismaying. The average family of four will see a premium increase in the exchanges of 10 to 30 percent. For young Americans, the premium hikes are much worse, in the range of 50 to 100 percent or more for 27-year-olds, including 71 percent in Nebraska and 170 percent in Georgia. And these premiums are for plans with, in most cases, very high deductibles, ranging from $2,000 to $2,500 for the so-called silver plans and $4,000 or more for bronze plans.</p>
<p>These realities of Obamacare are surfacing in the days following the GOP’s failed effort to roll back, or at least delay, Obamacare as part of the government shutdown/debt ceiling fight. Ironically, the fallout from that failure is leading some conservatives to recommend pulling back from another Obamacare showdown during the next round of budget wrangling, at the end of this year or in early January 2014. They would like to broaden the focus to spending restraint and modest entitlement reforms, of which Obamacare changes might be one element.</p>
<p>An important subtext of this shift in emphasis is that Obamacare’s woes are now so pronounced and intractable that perhaps the best tactic for the GOP is to stand back and let its flaws speak for themselves. There are many conservatives who fully expect the law to collapse under its own immense weight, and who anticipate that they will reap the political benefits of that collapse in 2014 no matter what they do now. So why engage in another politically risky showdown with the president?</p>
<p>Certainly the GOP shouldn’t repeat the mistaken tactics of the last month. But there’s every reason to continue making a delay of the individual mandate the GOP’s top priority in the negotiations with the Obama administration and Senate Democrats over the coming months.</p>
<p>For one thing, there will never be a better time to press the case for a mandate delay. The rollout of Obamacare is a complete mess. The voters can see for themselves that enrollment in Obamacare is a completely unreasonable proposition at this stage, even with the administration’s recent announcement that it will treat any enrollment commitments made before April 1 as satisfying the coverage requirement (previously, the cut-off to avoid the uninsured tax was thought to be mid-February, because the law allows for three months without coverage in a calendar year and it can take several weeks to go from an enrollment submission to initiation of insurance coverage). It should be obvious that the system for determining subsidy amounts for households has not been tested nearly enough to ensure it is reliable and will not waste billions in taxpayer dollars. It will be impossible for the administration to continue its defense of the individual mandate if these conditions remain substantially unchanged through the end of 2013.</p>
<p>The GOP can strengthen its hand further by moving legislation to protect people who are losing their individual plans. Many millions of these currently insured Americans have already received or will be receiving soon notices from their insurers advising them of the termination of their existing plans, effective January 1. Insurers are halting these plans because Obamacare’s rules won’t let them continue to offer coverage (even outside the exchanges) under today’s rules, which generally allow lower premiums for younger and healthier consumers. But with healthcare.gov nearly impossible to navigate, individual market enrollees are losing their current plans without access to a viable alternative. And the clock is ticking. Those losing their coverage on January 1 will need to have a new plan in place by December 15 to ensure no lapse in coverage. And many would no doubt prefer to have a new plan picked sooner, to be on the safe side.</p>
<p>The GOP should come to their rescue with legislation allowing insurers to continue to offer the same plans they are offering today. Some insurers may choose not to reopen plans they have already decided to close, but others will likely resurrect their closed plans. If healthcare.gov’s problems persist into November, as they almost certainly will, legislation of this kind will have great resonance with an anxious electorate.</p>
<p>The GOP can have leverage in the next round of budget wrangling without resorting to absolutist threats. The president and Senate Democrats would like two things out of the budget process in coming months: greater certainty for 2014, and more spending on domestic programs. There’s no reason for the GOP to give on either of these objectives without getting something very significant in return. So long as the GOP continues to support “clean,” short-term appropriations bills to keep the government open, they can resist pressure from Democrats to provide higher, full-year funding amounts without significant concessions to GOP priorities.</p>
<p>Delaying the individual mandate would not be a small victory, either. The entire edifice of Obamacare is built on the premise that the individual mandate will create a stable insurance pool for the new program. That’s a dubious assumption. But there’s no doubt that some number of Americans will feel compelled to sign up with Obamacare just to avoid the uninsured tax. If the GOP were able to delay the mandate, and simultaneously to allow consumers to stay with their current individual market plans, it would dramatically change the trajectory of Obamacare and open up new possibilities for moving in a better direction in the future.</p>
<p>There are other important priorities on the GOP agenda, including spending restraint and entitlement reform. But by far the most important issue over the coming year will be Obamacare and its implementation. It is evident that the law is failing, that is true. But that’s all the more reason to keep the pressure on and not abandon the fight.</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 | 160metaphors go train wreck turned pretty apt thats retiring democratic senator max baucus described expectations implementation obamacare hearing last april anything could accused soft pedaling fiasco full display since beginning october main entry point obamacare citizens 36 states healthcaregov online portal consumers supposed enter personal information shop health insurance healthcaregov poorly constructed essentially useless enrollment system website obama administration three years build absolutely essential making obamacare work going work program relies broad enrollment especially among young healthy americans keep premiums low everyone else administration officials note applicants apply phone submit paper applications get process started approach takes weeks complete eventually information must still go automated systems without functioning healthcaregov obamacare never get ground 14 states chose construct exchanges modestly competent building frontend user interface federal government even states must rely federal systems determine eligibility subsidies financed federal taxpayers backend federal systems badly mangled entry point consumers federal portal result obamacares launch far worse dud moment program standstill administration trying convey momentum pointing unverifiable estimates nearly 500000 applicants numbers meaningless one main problems healthcaregov requires curious consumer submit application establish account looking insurance options including premium amounts costsharing requirements many 500000 supposed applicants people insurance today want see obamacare offer many applications people decline enroll see high premiums must pay households incomes put medicaid instead federally facilitated staterun insurance exchanges clearer picture happening emerges data provided participating insurers someone actually enrolls health insurance plan agrees pay monthly premium coverage insurer selling product surely knows consumers relevant information numerous media reports clear insurers far received trickle enrolleesmaybe thousands far far less 500000 applications received insurers made entire process low volume allowed transactions completed direct contact customers automated systems utterly unreliable therefore trusted insurers prospect enrollment systems fixed anytime soon surest sign came administrations announcement recruited industrys best brightest help repair problems thought outside unpaid advisers could parachute multiyear project untangle mess matter weeks could come people unfamiliar actual operational realities federal government truth fixing problems almost certainly require another massive investment software programming probably contractors wrote first batch bad code switching whole new team players would delay possible fix months remains possible administration could pull systems together minimally functioning whole late november early december would nearmiraculous feat given complexity whats involved possible wouldnt end obamacares woes reality emerging millions americans going pushed exchanges wishes arent going like see problem acute 19 million people today purchase individual insurance industry expert robert laszewski pointed todays individual market essentially replaced obamacare exchanges insurance plans continue operating 2014 outside exchanges grandfathered insurance plans qualify grandfathered status obamacare rules strictly prohibit even smallest changes coverage costsharing consequently 16 million americans shortly find cant keep plans able look options healthcaregov statebuilt websites many consumers quickly become unhappy obama administration keeps arguing premiums exchanges expected based hypothetical estimates produced congressional budget office four years ago thats relevant comparison consumers want know much going pay insurance obamacare 2014 preobamacare market offers today heritage foundation carefully looked question results dismaying average family four see premium increase exchanges 10 30 percent young americans premium hikes much worse range 50 100 percent 27yearolds including 71 percent nebraska 170 percent georgia premiums plans cases high deductibles ranging 2000 2500 socalled silver plans 4000 bronze plans realities obamacare surfacing days following gops failed effort roll back least delay obamacare part government shutdowndebt ceiling fight ironically fallout failure leading conservatives recommend pulling back another obamacare showdown next round budget wrangling end year early january 2014 would like broaden focus spending restraint modest entitlement reforms obamacare changes might one element important subtext shift emphasis obamacares woes pronounced intractable perhaps best tactic gop stand back let flaws speak many conservatives fully expect law collapse immense weight anticipate reap political benefits collapse 2014 matter engage another politically risky showdown president certainly gop shouldnt repeat mistaken tactics last month theres every reason continue making delay individual mandate gops top priority negotiations obama administration senate democrats coming months one thing never better time press case mandate delay rollout obamacare complete mess voters see enrollment obamacare completely unreasonable proposition stage even administrations recent announcement treat enrollment commitments made april 1 satisfying coverage requirement previously cutoff avoid uninsured tax thought midfebruary law allows three months without coverage calendar year take several weeks go enrollment submission initiation insurance coverage obvious system determining subsidy amounts households tested nearly enough ensure reliable waste billions taxpayer dollars impossible administration continue defense individual mandate conditions remain substantially unchanged end 2013 gop strengthen hand moving legislation protect people losing individual plans many millions currently insured americans already received receiving soon notices insurers advising termination existing plans effective january 1 insurers halting plans obamacares rules wont let continue offer coverage even outside exchanges todays rules generally allow lower premiums younger healthier consumers healthcaregov nearly impossible navigate individual market enrollees losing current plans without access viable alternative clock ticking losing coverage january 1 need new plan place december 15 ensure lapse coverage many would doubt prefer new plan picked sooner safe side gop come rescue legislation allowing insurers continue offer plans offering today insurers may choose reopen plans already decided close others likely resurrect closed plans healthcaregovs problems persist november almost certainly legislation kind great resonance anxious electorate gop leverage next round budget wrangling without resorting absolutist threats president senate democrats would like two things budget process coming months greater certainty 2014 spending domestic programs theres reason gop give either objectives without getting something significant return long gop continues support clean shortterm appropriations bills keep government open resist pressure democrats provide higher fullyear funding amounts without significant concessions gop priorities delaying individual mandate would small victory either entire edifice obamacare built premise individual mandate create stable insurance pool new program thats dubious assumption theres doubt number americans feel compelled sign obamacare avoid uninsured tax gop able delay mandate simultaneously allow consumers stay current individual market plans would dramatically change trajectory obamacare open new possibilities moving better direction future important priorities gop agenda including spending restraint entitlement reform far important issue coming year obamacare implementation evident law failing true thats reason keep pressure abandon fight james c capretta senior fellow ethics public policy center visiting fellow american enterprise institute | 1,017 |
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<p>TRIPOLI — The weather in Tripoli this New Year’s weekend is unseasonably bone chilling, with heavy rains flooding the streets reminding this observer more of dreary London this time of year than the southern Maghreb coast of the Mediterranean. My modest family-run neighborhood hotel off Omar Muktar Street is clean and cheap, but my room has no heat except what eventually builds up under a stack of velour Turkish blankets.</p>
<p>Much valued by me and the only other registered guest, a Libyan engineer from Sirte whose home was torched by rebels in early October, is the hotel proprietor, who reopened in early November following closure since last March. He is an encyclopedia of knowledge and opinion on “the current situation” here. But the hotel owner and his two English speaking sons are not the only ones who are increasingly speaking out about realities in the “new Libya” nearly two months after NATO declared another victory and stopped systematically and seemingly indiscriminately reducing to rubble this essentially defenseless and, militarily speaking, Third World country, with the First World’s most advanced arsenal.</p>
<p>My good luck this trip was to find my best friend from the months I was in Libya last summer, “Ahmad”, who, like most contacts, disappeared without a trace on August 22nd following the fall of Tripoli to NATO forces. As so many of us have learned, those we knew this summer either fled fast, were jailed, or were killed. “Ahmad” resurfaced in September via email to explain that he was in hiding. He went deep down in South Libya in a small Sahara town, the name of which he told me has never even made it on a map, much less Google Earth. Then, a few weeks later, Ahmad disappeared again when he ventured out to see his family near Tripoli. He was betrayed by friends for militia cash, was arrested, tortured, and jailed without charges simply because his family members were known to be Gadhafi supporters. The last week of Ahmad’s incarceration, which ended only because one of the guards recognized him as a former classmate, he and the other more than 100, including Sheik Khaled Fantouch, all held in a large room in a makeshift Misrata militia prison, were given nothing at all to eat and shared bottles of water to stay alive.</p>
<p>Life has become more complicated in Libya for about everyone, it seems, including foreign visitors. One example: Back in the summer, before August 21st, if one found himself on a side street somewhere face to face with some heavily armed and scowling types, it was a good idea to whisper, “Allah, Muammar, Libya, al bas (‘that all we need!’)”, and chances were quite good that you would be warmly received. Now it’s much more complicated. More than 55 rebel militia, totaling more than 30,000 armed fighters control parts of Tripoli, some of them loosely under the protection and direction of the TNC, Tripoli Military Commander Belhaj. Belhaj, formerly with Al Qaeda, spent seven years in prison here when the US and UK sent him to the Gadhafi regimes as part of its rendition program. His party, now being formed into the Muslim Brotherhood, will likely win next June’s election. His in the third largest militia in Tripoli. The largest is run by Salh Gait, from Tripoli, which according to his deputy has 5,000 fighters and is adding more.</p>
<p>These days in Libya, it is a good idea to memorize the name of the largest of the local militias and the name of its leader so when approached by the heavily armed unfriendly types one can rub two index fingers together and say the leader’s name while adding “mieh, mieh”, “good, good.” One wants to avoid saying the wrong militia and leader name because there is today an uneasy calm among militias in Tripoli after a few weeks of largely unreported skirmishes.</p>
<p>Largely unreported for the following reason: The transitional government daily touts the new freedom of the press here and they claim that there are 43 new newspapers or magazines. That on the surface sounds pretty good and there are more or fewer each week as local and foreign funders fail to deliver on funding promises or others start publishing a newspaper or magazine.</p>
<p>What is remarkable about the “new free Libya, new free media” is that it is 100 percent pro “new government”. I am advised that it’s only partly out of fear of consequences for failing to toe the line that accounts for this apparent universal support for the TNC. Another reason, according to a western ambassador who has returned to his post here, is that the new media sprang from the myriad militia and they simply have a psychological issue with criticizing any of the obvious problems which seem to be swelling by the day. Ahmad agrees. “They were so involved with NATO and its rebels that they do not want to admit that they were wrong in many ways, so they ignore what is really happening in front of their eyes”.</p>
<p>This observer witnessed one example yesterday at “Green Square”. “Almost everyone still calls it Green Square rather than its TNC re-name of Martyrs Square” the hotel proprietor explained, “because it’s been Green Square for decades and what’s wrong with that name? If you tell someone to meet you at ‘Martyrs Square’ its sounds silly to most of us. What if the new Egyptian government renames Tahrir Square? Will people in Egypt accept it?”</p>
<p>What surprised me yesterday is that there were two well attended anti-government demonstrations being held at opposite ends of this large space. One was led by two women I knew during the summer who were and openly say they remain, Gadhafi regime supporters. One ran a women’s lawyers’ group last summer and the other a women’s group. The one demonstration was demanding that the husbands and children of Libyan wives and mothers be granted Libyan citizenship. The same struggle that continues decade after decade in Lebanon.</p>
<p>The other demonstration, led by the lady lawyer who I last saw giving a speech at a conference at the Corinthia Hotel a few days before Tripoli fell, was organized by a group demanding accountability for those who have disappeared and are being held in scores of secret militia prisons around the country. According to her committee’s research, in addition to the 7,000 plus pro-Gadhafi loyalists acknowledged as imprisoned by the TTC, 80% identified by name, the Committee for Justice for the Disappeared claim that there are more than 35,000 Libyans being held secretly by militia that are outside the control and sometimes even the knowledge of the essentially powerless TNC. Ahmad agrees with this figure from what he learned in prison and explained that he would take me to a school near my hotel before classes open on January 7th, and if we walk by at night without traffic noise, we can hear the shouting of guards and screams of prisoners being held.</p>
<p>It does appear that at least for now, demonstrations are being allowed, although there were plenty of observers watching, and which ones are from the TNC and militia security forces is anyone’s guess.</p>
<p>Ahmad just arrived to pick me up and informed me that neither demonstration was reported in this morning’s papers, thanks to the new Libyan feel good media who don’t criticize the new government.</p>
<p>The lady who heads the woman’s group has several issues her group plans to raise. One is the fact that Libyan women have been disappearing from public places and not heard from again. One of her suspicions is that some are ending up in the homes of former Gadhafi relatives and supporters of the regime. She estimates that just in Tripoli more than 90 such homes, all of them in desired areas, often on the sea, were ransacked by various rebels gangs, stripped of possessions, some appearing now in various street souks for sale. Following the trashing of some of the properties, many militia members got a better idea. Why return to, say, Benghazi, Misrata, or wherever they came&#160; from when they can just live here in Tripoli and in relative luxury? Militiamen are now doing this by the hundreds, “Mara”, the women advocate, claims. “They are well-armed, living off a little militia pay, but mainly from various crimes, these groups are repairing some of the damage they caused and have moved in long-term, even charging rent to some new arrivals.” Mara added, “If they see an empty house, especially if it’s a really nice one, they assume, often correctly, that it belonged to a Gadhafi relative, official or supporter, and they think it’s theirs for the grabbing. And they are grabbing. They dare anyone or even another militia or the non-existent new government to try to remove them. They have no intention of returning to where they came from and less on given up their arms. Actually they are stockpiling more weapons and explosives both as security and to increase their political bargaining power. It appears that Libya is up for grabs for so many, local and foreign operations.” The same lady said the population of Tripoli has risen by one million and the locals want the “outsiders” to return to their towns and leave Tripoli’s real residents to take care of their city. The outsiders are said to add to traffic problems and a decline in security so people stay inside at night.</p>
<p>Some of the home invaders have moved in their families from other parts of Libya and some are accused of holding kidnapped female foreign domestic workers and are suspected by the women advocacy groups, kidnapping women off the streets and enslaving them within their sanctuaries.</p>
<p>What outrages many here is that the new “government” will not even acknowledge that these problems exist. Just as the new government has no desire for the International Criminal Court to investigate any crimes from either side because they don’t want investigators snooping around asking questions.</p>
<p>Libyans inside the country and those seeking safety in nearby countries are increasingly turning to the ten largest Libyan tribes to put an end to this situation and many other problems.</p>
<p>One situation that is said to be ready to explode in violence is from areas like Bani Wallid and Serte, where NATO and its local forces killed many civilians that no human right group even knows about. One local militia commander explained to me and my two colleagues some of what he learned while helping run a secret prison: “Whatever intra-tribal or geographical divisions existed a year ago, they are 500 times worse today. The tribes are arming and have given the new government several deadlines for committing to rebuild destroyed homes and businesses, helping homeless families, and getting the guns off the streets and sending the armed gangs back to where they came from. To date nothing has been achieved by the new government and people are growing very angry.”</p>
<p>Other current problems causing strife here are the rising prices on everything except electricity, which no one has paid in the whole country according to my sources since last February. But the electricity cuts are similar to during the NATO bombing. Lack of money is a problem with citizens not being allowed to withdraw more than 750 dinars each month. Money is still relatively scarce and if one accepts that 7 billion was taken out of Libyan banks by former Libyan officials and businessmen early last spring, more than 8 billion was withdrawn by citizens in a panic last summer before a limit of 500 dinars per month was imposed by the Gadhafi government.</p>
<p>This observer has been advised both in neighboring countries and inside Libya by Tribal officials that war in coming maybe as soon as March 1. “Our history, our culture, our dignity, is at stake. It is the responsibility of the tribes to cleanse the country of these outlaws just as we did against the Italian colonizers.”</p>
<p>During a meeting in a nearby country, one Gadhafi loyalist explained: “We know which tribes worked with NATO and sold out their birthrights. Some did the same thing with the Italians and over the years with foreign oil companies. We will fight to restore a path for the Libyan people knowing that mistakes were made by the Gadhafi regime, but also that his support today ranges from 90% in Wafala Tribe areas like Bani Walid to close to 60% in Tripoli. He is not coming back, but many of his good policies will return, inshallah.”</p> | false | 1 | tripoli weather tripoli new years weekend unseasonably bone chilling heavy rains flooding streets reminding observer dreary london time year southern maghreb coast mediterranean modest familyrun neighborhood hotel omar muktar street clean cheap room heat except eventually builds stack velour turkish blankets much valued registered guest libyan engineer sirte whose home torched rebels early october hotel proprietor reopened early november following closure since last march encyclopedia knowledge opinion current situation hotel owner two english speaking sons ones increasingly speaking realities new libya nearly two months nato declared another victory stopped systematically seemingly indiscriminately reducing rubble essentially defenseless militarily speaking third world country first worlds advanced arsenal good luck trip find best friend months libya last summer ahmad like contacts disappeared without trace august 22nd following fall tripoli nato forces many us learned knew summer either fled fast jailed killed ahmad resurfaced september via email explain hiding went deep south libya small sahara town name told never even made map much less google earth weeks later ahmad disappeared ventured see family near tripoli betrayed friends militia cash arrested tortured jailed without charges simply family members known gadhafi supporters last week ahmads incarceration ended one guards recognized former classmate 100 including sheik khaled fantouch held large room makeshift misrata militia prison given nothing eat shared bottles water stay alive life become complicated libya everyone seems including foreign visitors one example back summer august 21st one found side street somewhere face face heavily armed scowling types good idea whisper allah muammar libya al bas need chances quite good would warmly received much complicated 55 rebel militia totaling 30000 armed fighters control parts tripoli loosely protection direction tnc tripoli military commander belhaj belhaj formerly al qaeda spent seven years prison us uk sent gadhafi regimes part rendition program party formed muslim brotherhood likely win next junes election third largest militia tripoli largest run salh gait tripoli according deputy 5000 fighters adding days libya good idea memorize name largest local militias name leader approached heavily armed unfriendly types one rub two index fingers together say leaders name adding mieh mieh good good one wants avoid saying wrong militia leader name today uneasy calm among militias tripoli weeks largely unreported skirmishes largely unreported following reason transitional government daily touts new freedom press claim 43 new newspapers magazines surface sounds pretty good fewer week local foreign funders fail deliver funding promises others start publishing newspaper magazine remarkable new free libya new free media 100 percent pro new government advised partly fear consequences failing toe line accounts apparent universal support tnc another reason according western ambassador returned post new media sprang myriad militia simply psychological issue criticizing obvious problems seem swelling day ahmad agrees involved nato rebels want admit wrong many ways ignore really happening front eyes observer witnessed one example yesterday green square almost everyone still calls green square rather tnc rename martyrs square hotel proprietor explained green square decades whats wrong name tell someone meet martyrs square sounds silly us new egyptian government renames tahrir square people egypt accept surprised yesterday two well attended antigovernment demonstrations held opposite ends large space one led two women knew summer openly say remain gadhafi regime supporters one ran womens lawyers group last summer womens group one demonstration demanding husbands children libyan wives mothers granted libyan citizenship struggle continues decade decade lebanon demonstration led lady lawyer last saw giving speech conference corinthia hotel days tripoli fell organized group demanding accountability disappeared held scores secret militia prisons around country according committees research addition 7000 plus progadhafi loyalists acknowledged imprisoned ttc 80 identified name committee justice disappeared claim 35000 libyans held secretly militia outside control sometimes even knowledge essentially powerless tnc ahmad agrees figure learned prison explained would take school near hotel classes open january 7th walk night without traffic noise hear shouting guards screams prisoners held appear least demonstrations allowed although plenty observers watching ones tnc militia security forces anyones guess ahmad arrived pick informed neither demonstration reported mornings papers thanks new libyan feel good media dont criticize new government lady heads womans group several issues group plans raise one fact libyan women disappearing public places heard one suspicions ending homes former gadhafi relatives supporters regime estimates tripoli 90 homes desired areas often sea ransacked various rebels gangs stripped possessions appearing various street souks sale following trashing properties many militia members got better idea return say benghazi misrata wherever came160 live tripoli relative luxury militiamen hundreds mara women advocate claims wellarmed living little militia pay mainly various crimes groups repairing damage caused moved longterm even charging rent new arrivals mara added see empty house especially really nice one assume often correctly belonged gadhafi relative official supporter think grabbing grabbing dare anyone even another militia nonexistent new government try remove intention returning came less given arms actually stockpiling weapons explosives security increase political bargaining power appears libya grabs many local foreign operations lady said population tripoli risen one million locals want outsiders return towns leave tripolis real residents take care city outsiders said add traffic problems decline security people stay inside night home invaders moved families parts libya accused holding kidnapped female foreign domestic workers suspected women advocacy groups kidnapping women streets enslaving within sanctuaries outrages many new government even acknowledge problems exist new government desire international criminal court investigate crimes either side dont want investigators snooping around asking questions libyans inside country seeking safety nearby countries increasingly turning ten largest libyan tribes put end situation many problems one situation said ready explode violence areas like bani wallid serte nato local forces killed many civilians human right group even knows one local militia commander explained two colleagues learned helping run secret prison whatever intratribal geographical divisions existed year ago 500 times worse today tribes arming given new government several deadlines committing rebuild destroyed homes businesses helping homeless families getting guns streets sending armed gangs back came date nothing achieved new government people growing angry current problems causing strife rising prices everything except electricity one paid whole country according sources since last february electricity cuts similar nato bombing lack money problem citizens allowed withdraw 750 dinars month money still relatively scarce one accepts 7 billion taken libyan banks former libyan officials businessmen early last spring 8 billion withdrawn citizens panic last summer limit 500 dinars per month imposed gadhafi government observer advised neighboring countries inside libya tribal officials war coming maybe soon march 1 history culture dignity stake responsibility tribes cleanse country outlaws italian colonizers meeting nearby country one gadhafi loyalist explained know tribes worked nato sold birthrights thing italians years foreign oil companies fight restore path libyan people knowing mistakes made gadhafi regime also support today ranges 90 wafala tribe areas like bani walid close 60 tripoli coming back many good policies return inshallah | 1,121 |
<p>Elena Kagan may be a brilliant constitutional scholar and first-rate legal mind — but if she is, she has done a mighty fine job of hiding her intellectual light under a bushel. She has left almost no paper trail and has made no significant, or even particularly notable, contributions to our understanding of law, legal theory, or the Constitution. She appears to have been a bright, able, and well-liked dean of Harvard Law School. But President Obama's claim that “Elena is widely regarded as one of the nation's foremost legal minds” is — let's be generous here — quite an overstatement.</p>
<p>There is, however, one issue on which Kagan has planted her flag. As dean, Kagan created roadblocks for <a href="http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/05/13/elena-kagan-wins-praise-from-senators-including-the-gops-susan/" type="external">the military</a> in its effort to recruit on Harvard's campus because of the policy to keep opening gay people from serving in the military.</p>
<p>“I abhor the military's discriminatory recruitment policy,” Kagan wrote in 2003. It is a “profound wrong — a moral injustice of the first order.” She went on to say that, “I believe the military's discriminatory employment policy is deeply wrong — both unwise and unjust.”</p>
<p>These are hardly the words of an individual who has shown an “openness to a broad array of viewpoints,” who has demonstrated “fair-mindedness,” or who has the habit of “understanding before disagreeing,” which is how Obama describes Kagan. One may believe (as I now do) that it is right to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell while still acknowledging the arguments that led the military to embrace the policy.</p>
<p>In any event, Kagan followed through on her beliefs. As dean of Harvard Law School, she signed her name to an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging the 1996 Solomon Amendment, which bans federal funding to universities that refuse to allow military recruiters on campus. The constitutional and statutory arguments made by Kagan and others were unanimously rejected by the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>On this matter, and on this matter alone, Kagan decided to play the role of political activist. And the notion that Kagan basically followed a strategy toward military recruiting that was already in place is simply wrong. In 2004, Kagan reinstated Harvard's prior policy banning the military from using the main career office while permitting access through the student veterans group. As my Ethics and Public Policy Center colleague <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/49013/robert-clark-kagan-and-military/ed-whelan" type="external">Ed Whelan puts it,</a> “it appears that Kagan's decision to bar military recruiters from using the law school job's office was, in practice, the substantial equivalent of kicking them off the campus altogether. By rough analogy: Kagan didn't even permit military recruiters on the back of the bus; rather, she told them to go hitch a ride.”</p>
<p>It's revealing, is it not, that Kagan directed all of her wrath at the military rather than the Clinton administration, where she worked as both associate counsel to Bill Clinton and then as deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy; or Congress, which after all were responsible for passing and signing into law the Solomon Amendment.</p>
<p>It's certainly true that both President Clinton and Congress were reflecting the views and preferences of the military. Still, the executive and legislative branches were the action-forcing bodies when it came to passing a policy Kagan characterized in extraordinarily harsh language — yet she uttered nary a word of condemnation against either of them. It was the military, and only the military, that was the object of her furious assault. One can draw some reasonable inferences from this fact.</p>
<p>Peter Beinart, the former editor of the liberal New Republic magazine, drew <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-04-19/elena-kagans-achilles-heel/" type="external">this conclusion</a> from Kagan's actions:</p>
<p>If Solicitor General Elena Kagan gets the nod, conservatives will beat the hell out of her for opposing military recruitment on campus when she was dean of Harvard Law School. And liberals should concede the point; the conservatives will be right. The United States military is not Procter &amp; Gamble. It is not just another employer. It is the institution whose members risk their lives to protect the country. You can disagree with the policies of the American military; you can even hate them, but you can't alienate yourself from the institution without, in a certain sense, alienating yourself from the country. Barring the military from campus is a bit like barring the president or even the flag. It's more than a statement of criticism; it's a statement of national estrangement.</p>
<p>What was really on display in Harvard Law School v. Military Recruiters was the clash of two institutions: the academy, where Kagan has spent most of her adult life (Princeton University, the University of Chicago, and Harvard Law School); and the United States armed services.</p>
<p>Dean Kagan was mirroring the ethos of the institution she represented and that appears to have profoundly shaped her views and sensibilities. And among the characteristics of America's universities in general, and its Ivy League schools in particular, the military is not particularly well regarded or particularly well treated.</p>
<p>It is ironic that President Obama, who argues that a “keen understanding of how the law affects the daily lives of the American people” is an important qualification for a Supreme Court justice, would nominate someone who looks down on the public institution the American people most look up to: the military. (I don't find persuasive the claim by Kagan supporters that she hates the sins of the military but loves the sinner, given that her rhetorical attacks were isolated on the armed services rather than on politicians whose support she might eventually need. And I rather doubt the military felt the soothing, warm embrace of Dean Kagan, either.)</p>
<p>As between Harvard and the Army, as between Princeton and the Marines, most of the public, I think, will side with the latter. They comprise, after all, an institution that merits our esteem. The military is open to new thinking and encourages debating different ideas. It believes in performance and accountability. It foregoes moral preening. It has by and large created racial harmony within its ranks by not obsessing on racial differences. And while acknowledging that our country is far from perfect, they have veneration for America and its achievements.</p>
<p>The contrast between the military and some of our elite universities therefore could hardly be more dramatic. Mr. Obama has nominated for the Supreme Court a person who sided with the latter against the former.</p>
<p>Welcome to Elena Kagan's America.</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 | elena kagan may brilliant constitutional scholar firstrate legal mind done mighty fine job hiding intellectual light bushel left almost paper trail made significant even particularly notable contributions understanding law legal theory constitution appears bright able wellliked dean harvard law school president obamas claim elena widely regarded one nations foremost legal minds lets generous quite overstatement however one issue kagan planted flag dean kagan created roadblocks military effort recruit harvards campus policy keep opening gay people serving military abhor militarys discriminatory recruitment policy kagan wrote 2003 profound wrong moral injustice first order went say believe militarys discriminatory employment policy deeply wrong unwise unjust hardly words individual shown openness broad array viewpoints demonstrated fairmindedness habit understanding disagreeing obama describes kagan one may believe right repeal dont ask dont tell still acknowledging arguments led military embrace policy event kagan followed beliefs dean harvard law school signed name amicus brief support lawsuit challenging 1996 solomon amendment bans federal funding universities refuse allow military recruiters campus constitutional statutory arguments made kagan others unanimously rejected supreme court matter matter alone kagan decided play role political activist notion kagan basically followed strategy toward military recruiting already place simply wrong 2004 kagan reinstated harvards prior policy banning military using main career office permitting access student veterans group ethics public policy center colleague ed whelan puts appears kagans decision bar military recruiters using law school jobs office practice substantial equivalent kicking campus altogether rough analogy kagan didnt even permit military recruiters back bus rather told go hitch ride revealing kagan directed wrath military rather clinton administration worked associate counsel bill clinton deputy assistant president domestic policy congress responsible passing signing law solomon amendment certainly true president clinton congress reflecting views preferences military still executive legislative branches actionforcing bodies came passing policy kagan characterized extraordinarily harsh language yet uttered nary word condemnation either military military object furious assault one draw reasonable inferences fact peter beinart former editor liberal new republic magazine drew conclusion kagans actions solicitor general elena kagan gets nod conservatives beat hell opposing military recruitment campus dean harvard law school liberals concede point conservatives right united states military procter amp gamble another employer institution whose members risk lives protect country disagree policies american military even hate cant alienate institution without certain sense alienating country barring military campus bit like barring president even flag statement criticism statement national estrangement really display harvard law school v military recruiters clash two institutions academy kagan spent adult life princeton university university chicago harvard law school united states armed services dean kagan mirroring ethos institution represented appears profoundly shaped views sensibilities among characteristics americas universities general ivy league schools particular military particularly well regarded particularly well treated ironic president obama argues keen understanding law affects daily lives american people important qualification supreme court justice would nominate someone looks public institution american people look military dont find persuasive claim kagan supporters hates sins military loves sinner given rhetorical attacks isolated armed services rather politicians whose support might eventually need rather doubt military felt soothing warm embrace dean kagan either harvard army princeton marines public think side latter comprise institution merits esteem military open new thinking encourages debating different ideas believes performance accountability foregoes moral preening large created racial harmony within ranks obsessing racial differences acknowledging country far perfect veneration america achievements contrast military elite universities therefore could hardly dramatic mr obama nominated supreme court person sided latter former welcome elena kagans america peter wehner senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc served bush white house director office strategic initiatives | 586 |
<p>By Liana B. Baker and Greg Roumeliotis</p>
<p>(Reuters) – A China-backed private equity fund will seek U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval for its proposed $1.3 billion acquisition of U.S. chipmaker Lattice Semiconductor Corp (O:), people familiar with the matter said on Friday.</p>
<p>Buyout firm Canyon Bridge Capital Partners’ decision comes after it spent eight months trying unsuccessfully to persuade the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a U.S. government panel which scrutinizes deals for potential national security threats, to clear the Lattice deal.</p>
<p>The U.S. President has the final authority to approve or prohibit such investments. Lattice will be the first CFIUS case to reach Trump’s desk, at a time when relations between the United States and China are being strained by disagreements over trade and the containment of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.</p>
<p>Canyon Bridge had offered CFIUS to commit to almost doubling the number of Lattice’s employees, the sources said. The Portland, Oregon-based company reported 986 full-time employees worldwide as of the end of December.</p>
<p>However, this commitment did not sway CFIUS, the sources added.</p>
<p>The sources asked not to be identified because the decision by Canyon Bridge and Lattice has not yet been announced. Lattice, Canyon Bridge and CFIUS could not be immediately reached for comment.</p>
<p>Critics of the deal, including some U.S. lawmakers, worry that technology gained through the acquisition of Lattice could be used by China’s military, but the companies have argued that it poses no such risk.</p>
<p>The deal’s woes underscore a U.S. drive to prevent the transfer of sensitive technology to China. Chinese suitors have faced intense regulatory scrutiny in their pursuit of U.S. chip makers, which has quashed some deals in recent years.</p>
<p>The latest 75-day CFIUS review of the Lattice deal, the third since it was announced in November, expired this week. CFIUS does not disclose the outcome of individual reviews. Canyon Bridge and Lattice have extended their merger agreement to the end of September.</p>
<p>U.S. regulatory scrutiny of the Lattice deal grew after Reuters reported in late November that Canyon Bridge, based in Palo Alto, California, was funded partly by cash originating from China’s central government and had indirect links to its space program.</p>
<p>Lattice makes programmable chips known as “field programmable gate arrays” that allow companies to put their own software on silicon chips for different uses. It does not sell chips to the U.S. military, but its two biggest rivals, Xilinx Inc (O:) and Intel Corp’s (O:) Altera, make chips that are used in military technology.</p>
<p>Trump’s approach to relations with China has been mixed. He has criticized Chinese trade practices but also wants Chinese cooperation in tackling North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.</p>
<p>The Lattice deal will be the fourth time in the last three decades that a CFIUS case will go to a U.S. President for review. U.S. Presidents have sided with the committee to block the past three questionable deals. As a result, most companies have been reluctant to ask a U.S. President to defy the consensus of the country’s national security establishment.</p>
<p>In the most recent example of a direct rejection by a U.S. President of a CFIUS application, Barack Obama in December blocked China’s Grand Chip Investment GmbH from acquiring German semiconductor equipment supplier Aixtron SE (DE:).</p>
<p>Canyon Bridge, based in Palo Alto, California, is a private equity fund whose major investor is China Reform Holdings Corp, an entity that invests the money of China’s central government and also has indirect links to the country’s space program.</p>
<p>OTHER DEALS AT STAKE</p>
<p>Canyon Bridge’s ability to acquire other Western semiconductor companies could be diminished should the Lattice deal collapse. This is because most acquisition targets have U.S. operations, making them subject to a CFIUS review.</p>
<p>Canyon Bridge is currently working on a bid for British semiconductor company Imagination Technology Group Plc (L:), the sources said. Were Canyon Bridge to clinch that deal, it would be subject to CFIUS review because Imagination Technologies acquired a U.S. chip designer called MIPS in 2013.</p>
<p>While Canyon Bridge could choose to divest MIPS, which accounts for a small fraction of Imagination Technologies’ business, there is no certainty that this measure would resolve all CFIUS issues, according to the sources.</p>
<p>Imagination Technologies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>
<p>Other technology deals with Chinese acquirers are awaiting CFIUS approval, including China’s Unic Capital Management’s $580 million acquisition of U.S. semiconductor testing company Xcerra Corp (O:).</p>
<p>Some experts said Canyon Bridge’s direct appeal to Trump may not change anything.</p>
<p>“I worry that the most likely outcome is that they go to the President, the President says no and that means that other CFIUS deals continue in limbo,” said Stewart Baker, a partner at law firm Steptoe and Johnson LLP who is not involved in the Lattice deal.</p>
<p>Reuters reported in July that CFIUS was objecting to more deals this year than in previous years, indicating that the secretive committee is becoming more risk-averse under Trump.</p> | false | 1 | liana b baker greg roumeliotis reuters chinabacked private equity fund seek us president donald trumps approval proposed 13 billion acquisition us chipmaker lattice semiconductor corp people familiar matter said friday buyout firm canyon bridge capital partners decision comes spent eight months trying unsuccessfully persuade committee foreign investment united states cfius us government panel scrutinizes deals potential national security threats clear lattice deal us president final authority approve prohibit investments lattice first cfius case reach trumps desk time relations united states china strained disagreements trade containment north koreas nuclear ambitions canyon bridge offered cfius commit almost doubling number lattices employees sources said portland oregonbased company reported 986 fulltime employees worldwide end december however commitment sway cfius sources added sources asked identified decision canyon bridge lattice yet announced lattice canyon bridge cfius could immediately reached comment critics deal including us lawmakers worry technology gained acquisition lattice could used chinas military companies argued poses risk deals woes underscore us drive prevent transfer sensitive technology china chinese suitors faced intense regulatory scrutiny pursuit us chip makers quashed deals recent years latest 75day cfius review lattice deal third since announced november expired week cfius disclose outcome individual reviews canyon bridge lattice extended merger agreement end september us regulatory scrutiny lattice deal grew reuters reported late november canyon bridge based palo alto california funded partly cash originating chinas central government indirect links space program lattice makes programmable chips known field programmable gate arrays allow companies put software silicon chips different uses sell chips us military two biggest rivals xilinx inc intel corps altera make chips used military technology trumps approach relations china mixed criticized chinese trade practices also wants chinese cooperation tackling north koreas nuclear ambitions lattice deal fourth time last three decades cfius case go us president review us presidents sided committee block past three questionable deals result companies reluctant ask us president defy consensus countrys national security establishment recent example direct rejection us president cfius application barack obama december blocked chinas grand chip investment gmbh acquiring german semiconductor equipment supplier aixtron se de canyon bridge based palo alto california private equity fund whose major investor china reform holdings corp entity invests money chinas central government also indirect links countrys space program deals stake canyon bridges ability acquire western semiconductor companies could diminished lattice deal collapse acquisition targets us operations making subject cfius review canyon bridge currently working bid british semiconductor company imagination technology group plc l sources said canyon bridge clinch deal would subject cfius review imagination technologies acquired us chip designer called mips 2013 canyon bridge could choose divest mips accounts small fraction imagination technologies business certainty measure would resolve cfius issues according sources imagination technologies immediately respond request comment technology deals chinese acquirers awaiting cfius approval including chinas unic capital managements 580 million acquisition us semiconductor testing company xcerra corp experts said canyon bridges direct appeal trump may change anything worry likely outcome go president president says means cfius deals continue limbo said stewart baker partner law firm steptoe johnson llp involved lattice deal reuters reported july cfius objecting deals year previous years indicating secretive committee becoming riskaverse trump | 517 |
<p />
<p>Yemeni forces continue to push against fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda. Their major victories come on the heels of the inauguration of Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi, who is now entrusted with the task of leading the country through a peaceful transition. A new constitution and presidential elections are expected by 2014.</p>
<p>Faced with the most strenuous of circumstances—the unyielding ruling family, the US-led war on al-Qaeda, sectarian tension, unsettled political divides between south and north, and unforgiving poverty—the youth of Yemen successfully managed to introduce a hopeful chapter to an otherwise gloomy modern history. While they should be proud of this, they must also remain wary of the challenges awaiting them in the next two years.</p>
<p>The next phase will be a decisive one for Yemen. It will either take the country a step forward towards real reforms—which should resolve some of the country’s most protracted regional strife and confront the rampant inequality—or leave it to suffer a worse fate than that under Saleh’s family. The early signs are worrisome, compelling regional experts to warn that Yemen may be heading the same route as Somalia.</p>
<p>“With two conflicts carrying on simultaneously, that of the Houthi Shia in the north and the secessionist movement in the south, the militarization of Yemen and the primary US focus on it as another battlefield in which to engage al-Qaeda, is only set to continue,” wrote David Hearst in The Guardian on May 25.</p>
<p>The US has much unfinished business in Yemen. Like other US military adventures, the focus often stays solely on military targets, without taking much notice of the larger social and political challenges in the country. Needless to say, from a Yemeni viewpoint the US must be the least attractive foreign power engaging their government. During the popular revolt against Abdullah Saleh last year, Yemenis were irritated by US support of their discredited president. They were also unhappy with the US’s constant meddling in Yemeni affairs, and its unrelenting war on various militant groups. The current open coordination between the Yemeni president and the US is sure to prove costly to both parties in the long run. A recent Al Jazeera report claimed that, “Washington has stepped up drone attacks in Yemen since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February, and the Pentagon said it had recently resumed sending military trainers to the Arab state” (May 24). This kind of reporting is hardly helpful to the image of the new president who many hope will lead the country to independence.</p>
<p>The fighting is intensifying against militants affiliated with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, as many have reportedly been killed in the city of Zinjibar, the town of Jaar, and also in other areas in the south. The foolishness of engaging in traditional warfare against a decentralized network of fighters—whether directly affiliated with or inspired by al-Qaeda—without paying much attention to the underpinnings of violence in a devastatingly poor country like Yemen, cannot be overstated. The strength of such militant groups is often driven by two main factors: their successful appeal to disfranchised, angry youth in marginalized and impoverished communities, and their physical maneuverability. Such groups can strike anywhere, anytime, with minimal means.</p>
<p>Even if one could accept that the central government of Yemen, with US support, might successfully route out militants from their southern strongholds, this will certainly lead to the spreading out of terror acts to far beyond Yemeni borders. The May 21 suicide bombing during a military parade, which was readily claimed by al-Qaeda, leaves no doubt that reclaiming a few towns in the south will not rid Yemen of its chronic violence. In fact, a US-assisted war against mostly poor communities can only lead to more recruits for militant groups, and turn a traditional warfare, demarcated by tribal lines, into a violent mayhem that will complicate an already chaotic battleground.</p>
<p>The Yemeni government should know well that violence compounds, rather than resolves problems. This has been the norm since Yemen’s independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1918, and from British colonial rule in the south in 1967. Violence throughout the tumultuous years since either widened conflicts, or created new ones. Yet, the new ‘transitional’ government is playing into US hands by embarking on yet another unwinnable ‘war on terror.’ The issue is not that terror should not be fought, but how successful can such a fight be while recreating and augmenting the very circumstances that led to its inception?</p>
<p>Yemen is poor. Entire communities teeter between mere survival and complete and utter despair. The United Nations’ Human Development Index—which is measured based on life expectancy, level of education, and standard of living—ranked Yemen in one of the most dismal spots, 154th out of 177 countries. Now, due to the revolution, the regime’s insistence on holding onto power, the US war on al-Qaeda, and the latter’s unprecedented—and expected—growth, the situation is getting much worse. “More than 10 million people—almost one in two men, women and children—in Yemen— are facing a looming catastrophe. Families are surviving, but only just. Food and fuel price spikes, coupled with political instability, have left Yemen’s economy in tatters,” wrote Kelly Gilbride of Oxfam, in a heart-wrenching piece on CNN.com (May 24). She further asserted that “[a]lmost half of Yemenis do not have enough to eat today and Yemen is entering its hunger season. The world can bring Yemen back from the brink of catastrophe—but only if it acts now”.</p>
<p>But acting ‘now’ should not just translate into a few donation pledges here and there. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is largely rooted in the fact that the country is an open field of competing interests, making it susceptible to corruption, exploitation and terror. To be spared hunger, Yemen must regain its independence—not through a new flag and national anthem, but through an inclusive national program that reaches out to all sectors of Yemeni society: the disfranchised, neglected south, the war-scarred north, and the rest of the country with its chronic inequality. Schools, hospitals and factories must replace military encampments. Large chunks of the budget—especially of the newly pledged 4 billion dollars from neighboring Arab countries— should help feed people, rebuild destroyed homes, and create job opportunities. Effectively all the changes should contribute to more stable social horizons.</p> | false | 1 | yemeni forces continue push fighters affiliated alqaeda major victories come heels inauguration abd rabbuh mansur alhadi entrusted task leading country peaceful transition new constitution presidential elections expected 2014 faced strenuous circumstancesthe unyielding ruling family usled war alqaeda sectarian tension unsettled political divides south north unforgiving povertythe youth yemen successfully managed introduce hopeful chapter otherwise gloomy modern history proud must also remain wary challenges awaiting next two years next phase decisive one yemen either take country step forward towards real reformswhich resolve countrys protracted regional strife confront rampant inequalityor leave suffer worse fate salehs family early signs worrisome compelling regional experts warn yemen may heading route somalia two conflicts carrying simultaneously houthi shia north secessionist movement south militarization yemen primary us focus another battlefield engage alqaeda set continue wrote david hearst guardian may 25 us much unfinished business yemen like us military adventures focus often stays solely military targets without taking much notice larger social political challenges country needless say yemeni viewpoint us must least attractive foreign power engaging government popular revolt abdullah saleh last year yemenis irritated us support discredited president also unhappy uss constant meddling yemeni affairs unrelenting war various militant groups current open coordination yemeni president us sure prove costly parties long run recent al jazeera report claimed washington stepped drone attacks yemen since president abdrabbu mansour hadi took office february pentagon said recently resumed sending military trainers arab state may 24 kind reporting hardly helpful image new president many hope lead country independence fighting intensifying militants affiliated alqaeda arabian peninsula many reportedly killed city zinjibar town jaar also areas south foolishness engaging traditional warfare decentralized network fighterswhether directly affiliated inspired alqaedawithout paying much attention underpinnings violence devastatingly poor country like yemen overstated strength militant groups often driven two main factors successful appeal disfranchised angry youth marginalized impoverished communities physical maneuverability groups strike anywhere anytime minimal means even one could accept central government yemen us support might successfully route militants southern strongholds certainly lead spreading terror acts far beyond yemeni borders may 21 suicide bombing military parade readily claimed alqaeda leaves doubt reclaiming towns south rid yemen chronic violence fact usassisted war mostly poor communities lead recruits militant groups turn traditional warfare demarcated tribal lines violent mayhem complicate already chaotic battleground yemeni government know well violence compounds rather resolves problems norm since yemens independence ottoman empire 1918 british colonial rule south 1967 violence throughout tumultuous years since either widened conflicts created new ones yet new transitional government playing us hands embarking yet another unwinnable war terror issue terror fought successful fight recreating augmenting circumstances led inception yemen poor entire communities teeter mere survival complete utter despair united nations human development indexwhich measured based life expectancy level education standard livingranked yemen one dismal spots 154th 177 countries due revolution regimes insistence holding onto power us war alqaeda latters unprecedentedand expectedgrowth situation getting much worse 10 million peoplealmost one two men women childrenin yemen facing looming catastrophe families surviving food fuel price spikes coupled political instability left yemens economy tatters wrote kelly gilbride oxfam heartwrenching piece cnncom may 24 asserted almost half yemenis enough eat today yemen entering hunger season world bring yemen back brink catastrophebut acts acting translate donation pledges humanitarian crisis yemen largely rooted fact country open field competing interests making susceptible corruption exploitation terror spared hunger yemen must regain independencenot new flag national anthem inclusive national program reaches sectors yemeni society disfranchised neglected south warscarred north rest country chronic inequality schools hospitals factories must replace military encampments large chunks budgetespecially newly pledged 4 billion dollars neighboring arab countries help feed people rebuild destroyed homes create job opportunities effectively changes contribute stable social horizons | 606 |
<p>Only a sage could have predicted that President Bush’s first major decision would be about federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research. For the first few months of his presidency, most people expected stem cells to be a one-day story–like federal funding of overseas abortion clinics–with the usual histrionics on both the cultural right and left. But this was not to be.</p>
<p>The issue of stem cells struck a national nerve, bringing into sharp relief deep divides about right and wrong, life and death, and the meaning and source of human dignity. It introduced, in embryonic form, what may turn out to be the new bloody crossroads of U.S. politics: where giant leaps forward in medical science meet deeply entrenched differences about what makes life sacred, and where the American gospel of progress meets the biblical admonition against human pride.</p>
<p>President Bush’s address to the nation last Thursday, with great honesty and sobriety, laid out these differences and the competing goods (and evils) that underlie them. He described the “unique potential” of embryonic stem cells “to save life,” but also the prospect of a “brave new world” of “spare body parts” and “designer stem cells” made through human cloning. With the humility that he has tried to make the moral mark of his presidency, he described what is likely an accurate portrait of the American middle: “Many people are finding that the more they know about stem-cell research, the less certain they are about the right ethical and moral conclusions.”</p>
<p>Then he offered a compromise: Federal funding for research on embryonic stem-cell lines that have already been created, where, as he put it, “the life-and-death decision has already been made.”</p>
<p>This compromise was built on three principles: One, that human embryos are life–not to be discarded, harvested, cloned, or used simply “for our convenience”; two, that the hope of the sick and suffering for cures should be kindled, that the march of medical progress must continue, but that “even the most noble ends do not justify any means”; and that the government should not take life for research, but it should fund research where others have already taken life–since there is no turning back the clock, and since the memory of destroyed embryos may best be honored by giving hope to those who might still live in the here and now.</p>
<p>It was a statesmanlike speech and a statesmanlike proposal, a compromise that aimed to be at once morally serious, politically viable and practically sustainable. But whether the Bush compromise can hold is far from certain, for many reasons.</p>
<p>First, the destruction of embryos for research will continue apace in the private sector. Which raises the question: If research that involves the creation of embryos solely for research and destruction is immoral, shouldn’t there be a ban on all such research, not just on the federal funding of it? And if the guiding principle of the Bush compromise is to fund research on embryos that have already been destroyed, should the government fund research on future stem-cell lines, since, inevitably, private researchers will continue to make such life-and-death decisions in the months and years ahead?</p>
<p>Second, if this research is successful, won’t it become a regular part of modern medicine, making it hard for those who believe such research is wrong to live according to their values while remaining fully integrated in American life? Is it possible that just as a separate society of home-schoolers has grown, a separate society of “home-healers” might grow, and with it the already deep moral rift in the nation?</p>
<p>Third, what happens if the 60 or so existing stem-cell lines are “not enough,” as many leading scientists are already claiming? Will President Bush revisit his decision? Are the moral boundaries he has drawn strong enough–and widely accepted enough by the nation at large–to hold up against the next wave of medical promises?</p>
<p>For now, Bush’s decision seems to have achieved what most believed to be impossible: approval from many members of both the pro-life community and the patient-advocacy and medical research community. But this may turn out to be a Missouri Compromise–an effort to find the best possible solution, for now, with larger debates and disagreements just around the corner.</p>
<p>Throughout the campaign and during his first six months in office, the president vowed to bring a new civility and decency to American public life. After his legislative victories on tax cuts, energy and the patient’s bill of rights, his staff said he would turn his attention to America’s values, including initiatives like urging the media to put more good news in the newspaper and urging kids to e-mail their grandparents. Small and silly as these initiatives seem, they are part of a larger Bush project: to promote values without inciting conflict, to make America more virtuous without opening up the Pandora’s box of profound disagreement about what it is exactly that makes America virtuous. On a much more serious and sobering level, the president tried to accomplish this feat with stem cells: to preserve America’s shared values while reining in the nation’s deepest moral divides. It is, at best, an honorable enterprise, but whether it will prove lasting or significant, especially in the face of the looming challenges of the genetic revolution, is a great unknown.</p>
<p>After the speech, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card described Bush’s decision as “perfect for America.” Perhaps more accurately, it was a decision that perfectly reflects America’s uncertainty. A CNN/USA Today poll showed that 54% of Americans believe embryonic stem-cell research is morally wrong, but 69% believe it is medically necessary. In other words, most Americans believe it is necessary to do wrong, that it is morally right (or at least morally justifiable) to do evil. This may be the subtlety required by such life-and-death questions–the same subtlety required when good nations decide to go to war. Or it may be an untenable moral confusion–an escape from hard choices, an inability to rein in our inflamed desire for health.</p>
<p>Source Notes Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times</p> | false | 1 | sage could predicted president bushs first major decision would federal funding embryonic stemcell research first months presidency people expected stem cells oneday storylike federal funding overseas abortion clinicswith usual histrionics cultural right left issue stem cells struck national nerve bringing sharp relief deep divides right wrong life death meaning source human dignity introduced embryonic form may turn new bloody crossroads us politics giant leaps forward medical science meet deeply entrenched differences makes life sacred american gospel progress meets biblical admonition human pride president bushs address nation last thursday great honesty sobriety laid differences competing goods evils underlie described unique potential embryonic stem cells save life also prospect brave new world spare body parts designer stem cells made human cloning humility tried make moral mark presidency described likely accurate portrait american middle many people finding know stemcell research less certain right ethical moral conclusions offered compromise federal funding research embryonic stemcell lines already created put lifeanddeath decision already made compromise built three principles one human embryos lifenot discarded harvested cloned used simply convenience two hope sick suffering cures kindled march medical progress must continue even noble ends justify means government take life research fund research others already taken lifesince turning back clock since memory destroyed embryos may best honored giving hope might still live statesmanlike speech statesmanlike proposal compromise aimed morally serious politically viable practically sustainable whether bush compromise hold far certain many reasons first destruction embryos research continue apace private sector raises question research involves creation embryos solely research destruction immoral shouldnt ban research federal funding guiding principle bush compromise fund research embryos already destroyed government fund research future stemcell lines since inevitably private researchers continue make lifeanddeath decisions months years ahead second research successful wont become regular part modern medicine making hard believe research wrong live according values remaining fully integrated american life possible separate society homeschoolers grown separate society homehealers might grow already deep moral rift nation third happens 60 existing stemcell lines enough many leading scientists already claiming president bush revisit decision moral boundaries drawn strong enoughand widely accepted enough nation largeto hold next wave medical promises bushs decision seems achieved believed impossible approval many members prolife community patientadvocacy medical research community may turn missouri compromisean effort find best possible solution larger debates disagreements around corner throughout campaign first six months office president vowed bring new civility decency american public life legislative victories tax cuts energy patients bill rights staff said would turn attention americas values including initiatives like urging media put good news newspaper urging kids email grandparents small silly initiatives seem part larger bush project promote values without inciting conflict make america virtuous without opening pandoras box profound disagreement exactly makes america virtuous much serious sobering level president tried accomplish feat stem cells preserve americas shared values reining nations deepest moral divides best honorable enterprise whether prove lasting significant especially face looming challenges genetic revolution great unknown speech white house chief staff andrew card described bushs decision perfect america perhaps accurately decision perfectly reflects americas uncertainty cnnusa today poll showed 54 americans believe embryonic stemcell research morally wrong 69 believe medically necessary words americans believe necessary wrong morally right least morally justifiable evil may subtlety required lifeanddeath questionsthe subtlety required good nations decide go war may untenable moral confusionan escape hard choices inability rein inflamed desire health source notes copyright 2001 los angeles times | 559 |
<p><a href="" type="internal">The Faith Angle Forum</a>&#160;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>“God’s Name in Vain: The Wrongs &amp; Rights of Religion in Politics”</p>
<p>Prouts Neck, Maine</p>
<p>Speaker:</p>
<p>Stephen L. Carter, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law, Yale Law SChool</p>
<p>Respondent:</p>
<p>Jeffrey Rosen, Legal Affairs Editor,&#160;The New Republic</p>
<p>Moderator:</p>
<p>Michael Cromartie, Vice President, Ethics &amp; Public Policy Center</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>IMICHAEL CROMARTIE:&#160;Stephen Carter is William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale Law School. Among the books he has written are the award-winning&#160;The Culture of Disbelief: How American Law and Politics Trivialize Religion&#160;(1993) and&#160;God’s Name in Vain: The Wrongs and Rights of Religion in Politics&#160;(2000).</p>
<p>STEPHEN L. CARTER:&#160;I come to these issues of religion and politics as a scholar, but also as an evangelical Christian. I didn’t start out as an evangelical; I became one in the course of writing about law and religion and politics. And so although I try to maintain a tone of scholarly neutrality, some of it has become personal in a way that I wouldn’t have expected fifteen years ago.</p>
<p>I’m going to begin by telling a story by way of introduction to a theory I want to advance about religion in public life. Fannie Lou Hamer was a powerful and marvelous black woman who was the guiding spirit, inspiration, and founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. That party was founded in the early 1960s as a counterweight to the state’s then lily-white Democratic Party. In 1964, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party threatened a credentials fight at the Democratic National Convention against the lily-white slate. Lyndon Johnson, who was going to be nominated, wanted the convention to look like a coronation; he wanted no bumps on the road to his nomination for his first run for president in his own right. So when the credentials fight was threatened, he sent his vice-president-in-waiting, Hubert Humphrey, to negotiate with Mrs. Hamer, giving him explicit orders: find out what she wants and give it to her.</p>
<p>Humphrey met with Mrs. Hamer in a hotel room in Atlantic City and asked her what she wanted. “I want the beginning of a new Kingdom right here on earth,” she replied. Humphrey hadn’t thought of that yet; that wasn’t one of the things that Johnson had empowered him to offer. So he took a different tack. “Well, you know, I’ve been fighting for civil rights for a long time, since before it was fashionable,” he said, which was true; he had made a pivotal speech in support of civil rights at the 1948 Democratic convention. “It would be really important to have me in the White House as a strong voice for racial equality,” Humphrey continued, “and if I can’t reach a deal with you, I’m not going to become vice president.”</p>
<p>Fannie Lou Hamer had survived beating and torture in a city jail for insisting on her constitutional rights, and she was not particularly impressed. She answered, “Senator Humphrey, I know lots of people in Mississippi who have lost their jobs for trying to register to vote. I had to leave the plantation where I worked in Sunflower County. Now if you lose your job as vice president because you do what is right, because you help the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, everything will be all right. God will take care of you. But if you take the nomination this way, why, you will never be able to do any good for civil rights, for poor people, for peace, or any of those things you talk about. Senator Humphrey, I’m gonna pray to Jesus for you.”</p>
<p>So that was the end of the negotiation. Humphrey went back to Lyndon Johnson and reported that he had failed. But Johnson was a master of politics, and he knew that for every inspirational leader, there are plenty of pilot fish swimming in the leader’s way, people who are in the organization as much to serve their own ambition as to serve some vision. So he went to Mrs. Hamer’s various lieutenants and horse-traded: You can get this project; your wife can get a position on this commission. As a result they voted, in effect, to turn Mrs. Hamer into a figurehead and then to accept the shameful compromise under which the party was allowed to have just&#160;one seat&#160;on the floor of the convention where the lily-white delegation was seated. And that was pretty much the end of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.</p>
<p>I tell this story for two reasons. One is that it shows the limits, not so much of religious advocacy as such, but of action based on deep religious conviction when it runs up against the wall of practical politics. The other reason is that it shows what can happen to religiously radical movements when they become involved in the electoral side of politics. Now, I’m an avid defender of religious voices, whatever tradition they may be from, in our public life, on policy issues, and so on. I am a big believer in that. However, I want to draw a distinction between two different ways of conceptualizing the politics we talk about when we talk about religious voices in politics. One of those, the one that Fannie Lou Hamer ran up against, is electoral politics, the actual process of selecting those who will hold the coercive power of the state in their hands. The other kind of politics is the politics of philosophers, the politics of Madison, the politics of conversation, dialogue, self-governance, what we do as a people in trying to come to a public consensus or at least to a public decision. While it is a good and deeply American thing for these religious voices to be raised along with all the other voices in society in our&#160;conversational&#160;politics, it can be a dangerous thing when religious voices become involved in&#160;electoral&#160;politics — dangerous, I want to propose, not so much to democracy or to America, but to the religious institutions or people who seek that involvement.</p>
<p>About a half century ago, C. S. Lewis wrote a well-known essay entitled “A Meditation on the Third Commandment.” Lewis never quotes or describes the third commandment, since he was writing for a literate audience in an era when, if you were well educated, you would know the Ten Commandments. The essay was written in opposition to a proposal by a group of Tories to break away from the Conservative Party and form a Christian party. Lewis was against attaching the word Christian to the name of a party. A couple of his arguments are quite salient to our subject here today.</p>
<p>One of the arguments we can summarize by saying, though he didn’t put it quite this way, that a Christian party was, for Lewis, an oxymoron. On the one hand, he said, if it were truly&#160;Christian, it would preach the whole gospel and nobody would vote for it. On the other hand, if it were truly a&#160;party, it would mute some parts of the gospel and exaggerate others or make some stuff up in order to win elections, and therefore not be truly Christian. And so his biggest objection was that a Christian party was an oxymoron.</p>
<p>But Lewis had another objection. He felt that the temptations that come when you hold the levers of power in your hands are enormous, and for Christians — he could have broadened this to people of deep faith in general — could be extraordinarily dangerous. The temptation is not just a temptation of&#160;using&#160;the power but also of&#160;confusing&#160;what God wants with what you want and have the power to do. Stanley Hauerwas made the point that the Inquisition became possible when the medieval church gave up the power to die for its beliefs in exchange for the power to&#160;kill&#160;for its beliefs. You lose something precious when you hold in your hand the power to&#160;force&#160;other people to do something. And I suggest that what you lose is the power of prophetic ministry, the power of standing outside the structures of authority and pointing out what you think they’re doing wrong. What’s quite striking about the prophets of Israel is that they stood&#160;outside&#160;the corridors of power. They tried to tell the king what to do, no question, but they didn’t try to say, “I’m going to be king.”</p>
<p>Now why should that matter? Well, one of the reasons why deep religious conviction is valuable to democracy is that it leads to genuine diversity. A religion that doesn’t change who we are and how we look at the world is hardly a religion. We’re different persons because of what we believe than we would be otherwise. The more religious diversity you have, the more centers of deeply profound meaning you have, the more genuinely diverse your society is going to be. When I say “genuinely diverse” I mean diverse in the sets of ideas that are brought to the table. The very fact that people’s fundamental principles differ sharply leads to having a variety of ideas in play.</p>
<p>The main reason why a lot of evangelical parents, including myself, become so concerned about what goes on in the public schools has less to do with the desire to proselytize than with the desire to protect. It has less to do with wanting to make other people’s children more religious than with keeping one’s own children from being seduced by secularism. In my travels I’ve talked to a lot of parents in small communities in the Bible Belt. When they talk, for example, of prayer in public schools, they don’t advocate classroom prayer because they want everyone else to learn their religion. It’s because they raise their own children to believe that everything that’s important in life is through prayer, and for the state to say “This is important but it excludes prayer” is an affront to their religion. I still think they’re wrong on the merits, and I’m still against organized classroom prayer, but I don’t think their position is ridiculous or irresponsible.</p>
<p>Similarly, parents who fight against teaching evolution are not, I think, trying to proselytize. I myself analyzed some of those cases that way in some of my early writings, but I was mistaken. Instead, those parents are trying to have their children taught what they believe to be true. A large proportion of Americans believe, or at least say they believe, that the Genesis account of creation is a literally true historical account of how the world came about. Parents want their children taught what they think is true, and not taught what they think is false.</p>
<p>All that is by way of protecting what I would describe as their ability to create centers of meaning, centers of understanding, that are distinct from what they see coming from the dominant culture. It may be that the white evangelicals who backed, say, Jerry Falwell, have a different vision of what they want to protect than the black evangelicals who backed Martin Luther King. Yet while substantively the visions may be different, analytically there’s a similarity in that both are trying to create a world in which they can comfortably raise their children. In both educational theory and political theory, some voices tell us that this a very bad thing for parents to do. This theory, which goes back as far as Horace Mann, holds that it’s very important to use the public schools as a way of giving children diverse ideas and diverse experiences and of teaching them a critical style of thinking. These are things they will need in order to become responsible adults. They can then make sensible choices about religion rather than having religion imposed upon them.</p>
<p>To a lot of religious parents this is terrifying stuff. Again, for evangelicals — and this is true of Judaism as well — there is not a sense of religion as choice. God chooses&#160;you; you do not choose God. The notion that you can decide what to do is contrary to a religious message that many parents are trying to teach their children. Now that does not go to the issue of who’s right and who’s wrong; it only helps to explain why so many of these battles are so hard fought. People are trying to protect their religious visions. When they feel you are pressing on what’s most important to them, they’re naturally going to press back, and I think that a lot of the fervor we see today in some of these conservative organizations is a pressing back.</p>
<p>But there’s a problem with these organizations, and to talk about that problem I need to go back to Fannie Lou Hamer. As recently as the 1950s, it was still very respectable for black Americans to be Republicans. While my parents were both Democrats, my grandparents on both sides were Republicans back for generations. The 1964 Civil Rights Act was actually supported by a higher proportion of Republicans than Democrats in Congress. So what happened? The Republican Party’s opposition to a lot of initiatives that blacks thought were important in the years since 1964 is certainly part of it. But you also have to look at what happened to black clergy.</p>
<p>One of the striking things about the great sermons of Martin Luther King — not the “I Have a Dream” speech but a lot of the other great sermons — is a remarkable radical energy, a vision of a very different America, an America built on radically different premises than the America he saw and the America we have. It’s a vision that never comes to fruition even though, or perhaps precisely because, the black clergy make the choice, and it is a choice, to become part of the electoral coalition of the Democratic Party. As the black leadership and clergy get more involved in the Democratic Party, what you see is a falling off of radical energy; radicals get pushed to the sidelines, and pragmatists take control. Now from the point of view of politics that is a good thing. You want pragmatists to control. Politics is the art of the possible; you want compromisers. That makes sense once you make that choice to be part of a political coalition. But it comes at a price. A lot of black preachers I’ve talked to in recent years have complained about the things they do not feel free to say in the pulpit because such things are against the interests of the Democratic Party or positions that Democrats take.</p>
<p>I believe that the same thing is going to happen or is already happening to the energy of a lot of white radical evangelicals, radical perhaps for different causes. Take for example the Christian Coalition. It continues to be a reliable building block of the Republican electoral coalition and a relatively powerful entity in the primary battles. But something interesting has happened.</p>
<p>In 1995 the Christian Coalition published with much fanfare its ten-point “Contract With the American Family,” presented, as its then director Ralph Reed said, as “ten suggestions, not the Ten Commandments.” There are two striking things about these “suggestions.” The first is that there is nothing striking about them. That is to say, these ten suggestions could have emerged from any moderately conservative think tank inside the Beltway. There’s nothing distinctly Christian about them, whatever that might mean. There is also nothing “Restorationist” about them when you think of the Restorationist theology of the early Pat Robertson and the early Christian Coalition folks.</p>
<p>The second thing that is striking about them is the arguments pressed on their behalf. There is, as I recall, one biblical verse cited briefly in the discussion of one of the ten. Otherwise the argument is stated entirely in ordinary political language. Now immediately a lot of liberal critics say, “Well, it’s subterfuge. There’s a radical position working back there that they’re just not saying.” Maybe that’s true. Could be. But the fact that they feel the need to&#160;resort&#160;to subterfuge is an indication of how far the group has been successfully subverted by its involvement in politics. The “Contract With the American Family” is written by a group that is blamed for hurting the Republican Party and wants to move into the mainstream, wants, in Ralph Reed’s famous phrase, “a place at the table.”</p>
<p>Now, Ralph Reed took a lot of flak from his right wing for this document.&#160;And note that his defense is really quite innocuous. He said things like, “Well, a lot of religious people care about the capital gains tax.” That’s true, but the conservative evangelical who gets this thing in the mail might understandably think, “I don’t need them to help me with the capital gains tax issue.” In this document the Christian Coalition largely abandoned the so-called social issues that helped to give it birth. Whether subterfuge or not, whether it marks the solidifying or the fragmenting of the group, it does exemplify what C. S. Lewis was talking about: that once you get involved in politics on the side you want to win, suddenly you find you can compromise.</p>
<p>Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that “compromise is the enemy of the Word.” He wrote that, of course, at a time when the German Protestant churches were under pressure, and most of them were happily moving to become in effect the Nazi Church. And so I don’t want to lift that out of historical context. But Bonhoeffer was, I think, also making a richer theological point: that there is something about pure doctrine, as opposed to malleable doctrine, that ought to be attractive to a person of deep faith. What happens too often in politics is that the doctrine gets softened in the effort to win, or in the effort just to stay at the table.</p>
<p>That’s a dangerous thing for religion, but it’s a good thing for political organizations. If you view the Christian Coalition as primarily a political organization, then you can see this as a good thing. But to the extent that you view it as a religious organization, there’s a problem. There’s a problem when you alter what you previously said was not negotiable, or soft-pedal things previously important in order to attain a particular political goal. That was what C. S. Lewis was worried about.</p>
<p>Another point in Lewis’s essay is about the other problem with a “Christian party”: the allies it has to take on in order to win. You take on allies because you think they’re with you on a particular issue; then they disagree with you sharply on another issue, and only then do you realize what a terrible mistake you’ve made because of the rush to win.</p>
<p>In practice this has a couple of implications. The first is that people who are concerned about radical religious energy in politics — who think it’s a bad thing — should be glad for the Christian Coalition, should be glad that there are ways to take that energy, tame it, mainstream it, and fit it into the electoral coalition of the existing political framework. The people who should be upset that there is a Christian Coalition are people who think that the religious voice in politics in its genuine, authentic self is very important and ought to be liberated, ought to be untamed.</p>
<p>The second implication is that if anything like what happened to many black clergy happens also to white clergy on the evangelical side, then we’re going to see a great loss of energy at the level of leadership. It’s not clear what will happen at the level of follower-ship. Maybe a lot of radical energy will be left floating around out there and not really represented by the politically connected leadership. This is a more dangerous situation because of the potential for demagoguery in trying to take advantage of that. But it’s probably less dangerous than it seems, because the long history of America shows that once you’ve been organized you’re in trouble; you’re bound to be co-opted sooner or later.</p>
<p>The other point I want to make has to do with the idea that maybe religious conservatives, instead of trying to persuade the dominant culture to be more accommodating of their deeply held convictions, should back off into separate institutions. I find it quite intriguing to think about the retreat, if you will, of religious energy into parallel institutions, in part because I owe a debt, in my work, to Roger Williams. For all his bad qualities, Roger Williams had some really good ideas. He is probably the best American source to point to for the origin of our practice of separation of church and state. The “wall of separation” image comes from his idea of a “hedgerow” that separates the garden from the wilderness, the garden being the place where the people of faith would congregate to hear the voice of God and the wilderness being the world. The wall protected them from the wilderness. They needed that protection so that they could reason together without interference and live the lives God would want them to live without having the larger society impinging on them in any important way. Roger Williams’s garden wall was to protect the garden from the wilderness, not the wilderness from the garden.</p>
<p>Now, that is only one of many important strands in Protestant thought about separation of church and state. But here’s why I said that Roger Williams has had an important impact on my work. I believe in the importance of nurturing competing centers of meaning, so that neither the state nor the culture can say that it is the only right way of looking at the world. Therefore I believe very deeply in the importance of the wall for guarding the garden, for protecting a lot of places where people can freely build communities, creating meanings different from those you or I might want to impose if we happened to run everything.</p>
<p>When I mentioned this idea in a church in Pittsburgh somebody said, “Well, okay, but not home schooling, because if you have home schooling a lot of people will teach their kids that creationist stuff.” Well, so what? If that’s what I want to teach to my kids, it doesn’t mean that other people have to teach it to their kids. I’m always quite wary of the idea that there is just one way to be American, one set of understandings we all must have, one way of approaching the world. I myself am much more comfortable with having a lot of very diverse approaches. People say, “But some parents will teach their kids really evil things.” Well, we don’t need to work out an intricate view of church and state to do something about that. If we believe that a lot of parents are going to teach their kids evil things, then we have much more to worry about in America than what we teach in schools or where we draw these various lines.</p>
<p>I like diversity. I believe very deeply in dialogue across our different traditions, and I sharply disagree with the notion that such dialogue is impossible. I think Martin Luther King is a great exemplar of this kind of border crossing. His speeches were all sermons. Although you may find one or two where the evangelical rhetoric is toned down, for the most part they are open and unabashed sermons for a particular, narrow religious tradition. But sometimes, when we least expect it, those seemingly narrow arguments from a tradition we may not share can cross that border — the border between denominations, between traditions, between religion and non-religion — and touch the human heart, where we simply know right from wrong.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160;Thank you, Stephen. Our respondent is Jeffrey Rosen, legal affairs editor of&#160;The New Republic&#160;and the author of a new book called The&#160;Unwanted Gaze:&#160;The Destruction of Privacy in America. Jeffrey is also an associate professor of law at George Washington University. He wrote a fascinating piece in the&#160;New York Times&#160;Magazine&#160;(January 30, 2000) called, “Is Nothing Secular?”</p>
<p>JEFFREY ROSEN:&#160;It is slightly harrowing to respond to one’s former teacher, especially in a group that knows far more about this topic than I do. I will focus my response on the particular point of the legal boundaries of the public and private sphere and how this matter relates to the Roger Williams vision that Professor Carter endorses.</p>
<p>A question: why is Stephen Carter not happier than he is now? He has won, hasn’t he? The remarkable arc of the legal treatment of religion over the past decade is a vindication of Stephen Carter’s important work. He spent the first part of his career arguing eloquently against the&#160;strict separationist principle, which (a) advocated a public sphere denuded of any kind of religious expression and (b) opposed any kind of direct government aid to religion, even when it was part of a scheme that put public and private institutions on equal terms. That strict separationist vision has been rejected by the Supreme Court, and the&#160;equal-treatment vision&#160;is ascendant there. It is likely to be reaffirmed soon in the&#160;Mitchell&#160;case. [In&#160;Mitchell&#160;v.&#160;Helms, decided June 28, 2000, the Court held that distributing government funds to provide such equipment as computers both to public and to private, religiously affiliated schools does not violate the Establishment Clause.] So strict separationism has been vanquished, and the equal-treatment vision — what I think Professor Carter is arguing for — has been vindicated.</p>
<p>Moreover, the third vision, the one we might call&#160;religious supremacism, also opposed by Carter, has been rejected as well. The supremacists argue for an openly religious public sphere in which students can pray in schools and public displays of religion such as crèches are permissible. This supremacist vision has at least three adherents on the Supreme Court. We saw Justices Rehnquist, Thomas, and Scalia in recent cases wistfully looking back to a time when it seemed that a supremacist majority was in their grasp, and indeed this is the vision that candidate George W. Bush has embraced. But they’ve lost for now. So why aren’t Professor Carter and those who share his views celebrating?</p>
<p>I think it’s in part because this equal-treatment vision, while extremely appealing in theory, is very hard to carry out in practice. It’s so subtle and so complicated, and requires such delicate adherence. This is why I want to think about the&#160;Santa Fe&#160;case. On the way to that I want to trace the rise and fall of separationism and the triumph of Carterism and see how this applies in the&#160;Santa Fe&#160;and&#160;Mitchell&#160;cases. I will conclude by asking Professor Carter whether or not the Roger Williams–like vision he so eloquently posed — that the purpose of separationism is to protect the church from the state, not the state from the church — applies to many of the new state/church partnerships whose constitutionality will increasingly be upheld under this new equal-treatment vision. I’m thinking of course of charitable choice. This is not an age when the church is retreating deeper into the wilderness. It is a time when the church is administering welfare benefits on an unprecedented scale.</p>
<p>The arc of the rise and fall of separationism in America follows the rise and fall of anti-Catholicism; the basic impulse to keep state funds from sectarian schools was rooted in a robust anti-papacy. This whole debate that we’re having about the appropriate boundaries between the public and private sphere couldn’t have existed in an eighteenth-century world where welfare and education services were essentially privatized. When the church monopolized education and welfare, we didn’t have to worry about keeping the church from the encroachments of the state. It wasn’t until schools began to be state sponsored in the mid-nineteenth century that the great school battles developed. The Blaine amendment to the Constitution proposed in 1875 and narrowly rejected would have prohibited tax money from going to any sectarian schools. The resurgence of anti-Catholicism in the 1940s culminated in Hugo Black’s famous “wall of separation” metaphor: we must keep the wall high and impregnable; we cannot tolerate the slightest breach. This is Hugo Black, on one hand the great civil libertarian and textualist, on the other hand the robust anti-papist who just wanted to protect the good Protestants of America from the encroachments of Rome.</p>
<p>So separationism found its brief flowering, and it’s important to stress how brief this era was. It was really just in the 1970s and 1980s. The&#160;Lemon&#160;test, of course, is the notorious instantiation of it; it requires that governmental action be entirely secular in both purpose and impact and that it avoid excessive entanglement of the state with religion. It culminated in decisions like those that prohibited religious groups from participating on equal terms on public property — the school cases that said that, e.g., the Christian group couldn’t meet on school property but the gay and lesbian group could. This was the principle that inspired the opponents of separationism to argue for its demise.</p>
<p>The intellectual leader in defending equal treatment has been Professor Carter, who has made the case most powerfully in the public square. One of the legal architects was Michael McConnell, who argued first for the equal-treatment principle in the 1981&#160;Widmar&#160;case, in which the University of Missouri had made its facilities available to all student groups except those that had a religious purpose. At the time McConnell was, somewhat improbably, clerking for Justice William Brennan, and he persuaded Brennan to lead an 8-1 majority rejecting this exclusion and embracing the idea that public facilities should be available to religious and non-religious groups on equal terms. This extraordinarily powerful idea (which is really a First Amendment idea, a free-expression idea) has gained such ground in the past few years that it seems to be leading almost inexorably to the eventual upholding of vouchers.</p>
<p>How could the architects have anticipated that this simple non-discrimination principle would prove so powerful in eradicating the excesses of strict separationism? We saw it function in the 1995&#160;Rosenberger&#160;case, in which the Supreme Court struck down the University of Virginia regulation that made student-activities funds available for all student magazines except religiously oriented ones. We also saw it in the 1997&#160;Agostini&#160;case, where the Court struck down the refusal to allow public school teachers in New York City to provide remedial instruction to disadvantaged students in religious schools. I expect we’ll see it in the&#160;Mitchell&#160;case as well.</p>
<p>So now we have this equal-treatment vision: how does it apply to prayer? The&#160;Santa Fe&#160;case strikes me as a much harder one than this arrogant, over-confident Court suggested. The imperialism of this Court knows no bounds. Here’s the&#160;Santa Fe&#160;case: In a modified policy issued by the school district, students vote by majority, first whether or not to have an invocation at football games, and then, if they vote yes, to select a person to deliver it. A further modification by the district court said that the invocation had to be non-proselytizing and non-sectarian. In my view, the narrowest way of striking this down would have been merely to say that the requirement that the school guarantee a non-sectarian prayer by itself constitutes an illegitimate entanglement. This is the worst of all worlds: the school is imposing the prayer on unwilling students and then dictating the content of the prayer. In&#160;Lee&#160;v.&#160;Weisman, the requirement that the rabbi’s prayer be censored to ensure that it was non-sectarian represents an affront to the Roger Williams principle that it is bad for the church when its message is diluted by the state. That degree of entanglement by itself might be enough to invalidate the policy.</p>
<p>Now let’s think about the majoritarian mechanism in&#160;Santa Fe. The Court says the fact that there’s a majoritarian election means that it’s not a true public forum, because minority voices are by definition stifled. The quintessential example of private religious speech that should be permissible is that there’s an election of the speaker and then the speaker can say whatever he or she likes, can pray or not pray. Now, although a Kentucky court struck down a similar scheme, I think this is a good example of purely private speech even on state property; the mere fact that the school owns the megaphone shouldn’t settle the question. Is the fact that there’s a majoritarian election for an invocation by itself enough to make it not a question of private speech, and essentially to put the school in the business of choosing the message? Maybe or maybe not. I’m not sure I’m convinced by the Court’s notion. Justice Stevens says it would be like having a vote about whether or not to have a political rally, and then a second vote about whether to have a Democrat or a Republican. This wouldn’t be an open public forum; it wouldn’t be the case that anyone could say whatever he or she might choose to say. Basically there’s an up or down vote about whether to have a prayer. It seems to me to be very close.</p>
<p>This is why Stevens then has to go further and say, Do we really know, with regard to the&#160;Lemon&#160;test, that this was an illegitimate state purpose? The earlier draft of the Santa Fe policy had not allowed an invocation and/or&#160;message, but an invocation or benediction; it was purely prayer oriented. Now Rehnquist has a very good dissent. He says, If the concern is that this will be applied illegitimately, why not wait for an actual illegitimate application of it? Again, my own instinct is that the result was right because of the non-sectarian aspect, but the Rehnquist objection was strong here.</p>
<p>In&#160;Santa Fe,&#160;Rehnquist and Scalia and Thomas — the three religious supremacists — are slyly concealing their true colors. Remember that in&#160;Lee&#160;v.&#160;Weisman&#160;they just came out and said they thought that a non-sectarian, non-proselytizing prayer would be an appropriate recognition of the religious heritage of a religious people. Here they just want neutrality, and if there’s a problem with the application, they said, they’ll deal with that when it occurs.&#160;Santa Fe&#160;shows how just how elusive neutrality is. On the one hand you have these supremacists who were hiding their true colors. On the other hand you have the majority, led by Justice Stevens, who has this nice argument about entanglement. Then he just goes to pieces so to speak and starts citing&#160;Lemon&#160;and stressing that the real problem with this prayer is that some people might perceive it as offensive; this would send an illegitimate message that would make people feel excluded. Stevens cites some O’Connor opinions about not wanting to make people feel traumatized by being exposed to offensive and vulgar language. This is the most troubling part of the opinion, this whole vestige of the worst strains of separationism, which would make the permissibility of speech, let alone prayer, turn on the perception of the listeners and its “offensiveness.” This shows how hard the old habits die.</p>
<p>Among those joining Stevens in the majority opinion are Ginsburg and Breyer, secular Jews who came of age in an era when Leo Pfeiffer, the great head of the American Jewish Congress, was advocating separationism of the most uncompromising kind. For that generation of Jews and for some mainline Protestants (Stevens lists his religion as Protestant; the others identify themselves as Methodists or Lutherans and so forth), the old separationist habits die hard. And I guess I would say that if even the Supreme Court justices can’t make a strong case for neutrality and equal treatment, it’s not surprising that this principle hasn’t found resonance in the public square. So maybe this is why Professor Carter isn’t so happy. Legally he has achieved this paradigm-shifting Supreme Court victory, but it’s impossible in culture to convey a sense of how complete and how central this triumph is, because the battles will never stop.</p>
<p>I’m going to conclude with the question I began with, which is, Does this Roger Williams–like vision apply to many of the new church/state partnerships that will be permitted under the equal-treatment vision? I think it will be a good thing if charitable choice, which allows religious providers to compete with non-religious providers on equal terms in the administration of welfare benefits, is upheld by the Supreme Court; it’s one of our richest and most interesting social experiments. If one is concerned, as Stephen Carter so eloquently is, about protecting the church from the depredations of the state, from the temptation to dilute and compromise its message, I pose the question whether some of these church/state partnerships may not cause even greater threats than simple electoral politics.</p>
<p>The charitable-choice law in some ways protects churches from a requirement that they remove the most visible aspects of their iconography in the administration of welfare benefits. No doubt the ACLU is gunning up for a really fun decade of litigation! There’s a lot of money involved here. And as this money becomes a serious, substantial part of the budgets of certain churches — especially African-American churches, which are applying for and receiving these contracts in much greater numbers than other churches — how could pressures not operate that might pull them aside from their central message and lead them to focus their energies on non-pastoral polities that would change their very essence? So as I congratulate Professor Carter on his important victory, I also ask whether the inadvertent fruits of this victory might threaten some of the church autonomy that he so powerfully defends.</p>
<p>MR. CROMARTIE:&#160;Thank you, Jeffrey. I think Stephen wants to make a quick comment. Then we’ll open the conversation to everyone.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I’m very flattered that Jeffrey thinks I’m responsible for a change in the legal climate, but I think it’s just a matter of common sense. On the question he asks at the end: I’m very troubled by these religious court decisions; I’m very troubled by vouchers. When I say troubled by them, I don’t mean I’m&#160;opposed&#160;to them. But I do think that churches that fight for this money need to think carefully about what they’re taking, about what will happen years down the road when the strings start being applied and they have used a lot of public money to build their schools, to build this and build that. I’m not saying that they shouldn’t take it or that it’s unconstitutional; I’m saying it’s worth being very thoughtful about, very prayerful about.</p>
<p>DAVID VAN BIEMA, Time:&#160;I’m interested in the Southern Baptists because they seem to be very involved with political questions and yet they seem extraordinarily vigorous. It seems to me that there’s really a two-track thing going: you keep your rank-and-file in line because you’re talking about inerrancy, and then you pursue political policies in Washington and elsewhere. Do you foresee, as a result of the political activity, some sort of weakening or dissipation of the energies of the Southern Baptist Convention?</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;Certainly it’s a group of people with a lot of radical energy within mainstream terms. But it is important to distinguish between institutions that do church work, like the Southern Baptist Convention, and institutions that get heavily involved in the political side of things, like the Moral Majority in the past or the Christian Coalition in the present.</p>
<p>MR. VAN BIEMA:&#160;There is certainly some blurring when you see someone like Jerry Falwell being welcomed back into the fold. I think he has been described as still an independent Baptist, and that may indeed be the case, but I believe his church is now in the Convention.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I think we’ll have to see what happens in the long run. Falwell is kind of a moving target, a person who has remade himself a number of times. His most recent remaking of himself in dialogue with gays and lesbians, for example, is very interesting stuff. You’ve raised a good question, but I think we’ll have to wait and see. What I present is a kind of speculation more than a settled historical view.</p>
<p>E. J. DIONNE, The Washington Post:&#160;I come from a Catholic tradition that has always had no problem with involvement in day-to-day politics. But Stephen, if I heard you right, you are laying out a recipe for withdrawal from politics by religious people. Is that the logic of your position? If not, what are the proper terms of engagement for religious people in politics?</p>
<p>Second, a question on&#160;Santa Fe: I agree with Jeffrey; I can’t see how the Court could come out any other way, but I also didn’t like the feelings language. However, I was actually quite convinced by the majoritarian argument, and I want to know what I was missing by being so convinced. The example I thought of was a Southern Baptist quarterback having to play in a public school in a Catholic neighborhood where they pipe in a “Hail Mary” before every game. I think that would raise a serious religious-liberty problem.</p>
<p>My third point is on charitable choice. A lot of folks are suggesting that the solution for the churches is to set up 501(c)(3)s — I think there will soon be a church named St. 501(c)(3)! In a way that seems like a very good idea, because you could hive off certain activities and then the state wouldn’t get involved in the core work of the church. But a lot of advocates of charitable choice see this as a kind of separationist Trojan horse, where the separationist side is trying to say, Well, we’ll have charitable choice but we won’t&#160;really&#160;have charitable choice. I would like to ask both Stephen and Jeffrey to comment on that.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;To your first question, how should religious people get involved in electoral politics, I’d reply: the way porcupines make love — very, very carefully. I’m most concerned at this point about the corruption of institutions, partly because institutions, even in non-hierarchical denominations, are the custodians over time of a body of doctrine.</p>
<p>On the 501(c)(3) thing: I think this is not a swell idea. I think the tail has been whacked off from it. If the idea is that you should be able to participate like everybody else, then once you organize to participate, you are really looking at money that is going to dictate how you organize as a church. You’ve already lost, it seems to me, when you start saying, “I’m going to remake myself in order to get eligible for this money.”</p>
<p>On the&#160;Santa Fe&#160;case: I’m not entirely persuaded by any part of the Court’s argument. I think the dissent was probably right in saying that the case was not ripe for decision. It can’t be that on its&#160;face&#160;electing a student to speak is problematic, which is what everyone said. What has to be the case is that it’s problematic because of what we&#160;think&#160;they’re going to do. But outside of certain statutes that are said to chill free speech, ordinarily the Court doesn’t decide cases that way. It doesn’t base decisions on what&#160;might&#160;happen.</p>
<p>The emphasis on offense, I agree with Jeff, was gratuitous, but also extremely interesting. From the point of view of the religious parent, it raised interesting notions. If some people are going to object to a prayer that they see as religious because it offends them, then what do you say to evangelicals who say, “Christianity is not a religion. The others are all religions, but this one is God-given truth. I object to non-religious things that offend me, too. So if evolution is taught, I should be able to object because that offends me. It strikes at the heart of my religious sensibility. Therefore nobody should be exposed to it, so that&#160;my&#160;kids won’t be exposed to it.” The only clean way to write this opinion would be to say there could be no prayer of any kind, student initiated or state initiated, at any public school function whatsoever. That would be a clear constitutional law. It would be a&#160;lousy&#160;constitutional law, but it would be a clear one, and people could accommodate themselves to it. But because of its failure to declare a clear rule, the Court is inviting school districts to go back and try again and keep on trying.</p>
<p>MR. ROSEN:&#160;Yes, that seems exactly right. The question is, and Rehnquist poses this, Is this an argument against all majoritarian elections? So if you don’t accept a clean Carter rule and say that an elected speaker should be able to speak about whatever she or he likes, then you just want to ensure that people are not campaigning on particular messages. What invalidates the rule here perhaps is the fact that first you decided whether to have an invocation or message — that itself was content based; essentially, there was an up-or-down vote on whether to have a prayer — and then you chose who delivered it. That’s what made it not a public forum. A genuinely majoritarian election where you can elect a speaker to say whatever he or she liked would be permissible. But what makes it so tricky is that the fact that it was an invocation&#160;or&#160;message might arguably mean that you would just decide whether or not to have a speaker, and then the speaker could choose to say whatever he or she liked, which means that Stevens was surely right that it might have been more prudent to wait to see how the thing operated in practice.</p>
<p>DR. JEAN BETHKE ELSHTAIN, Divinity School at the University of Chicago:&#160;Jeffrey, I wonder if one reason that Stephen isn’t quite as happy as you think he ought to be is that in fact the stake hasn’t been driven into the heart of separationism with quite the decisiveness that you suggest. You yourself talked about Stevens’s “gratuitous referencing of&#160;Lemon” in the Santa Fe&#160;case, so it strikes me that the&#160;Lemon&#160;test is still lurking in the interstices as an ever-present possibility. We don’t know what the makeup of the Court will be in the future; this stuff could be resurrected at any point. Certainly it is alive and well in political argumentation and political philosophy, given the dominance of the sort of Rawlsian tendency in liberal political philosophy.</p>
<p>Stephen, this picks up a bit on what E. J. Dionne said: it struck me as I was listening to you that Catholics would refract the issue of civic engagement in a very different way. In part this is because the great social encyclicals make it clear that we have available to us a civic language that appeals to all persons of good will, the persons to whom the social encyclicals are addressed. You can make a partial translation — not a full and complete translation, but at least a partial and rather effective translation — of the deep religious commitments into a language that invokes natural-law principles and that makes available these common-good concerns in a way that doesn’t water down the faith. It doesn’t require that faith commitments be&#160;totally present&#160;at every point in time in order to make effectively a certain kind of argument. People have access to these arguments through reason, whether or not they have the faith commitment.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I agree with that entirely. The Catholic social tradition is a great and noble one. I think&#160;Rerum Novarum&#160;is one of the great pieces of pastoral theology. But I am not trying to say that churches should not be involved in politics, only that when it gets to the point of deciding who should be&#160;elected, we have a different kind of homiletic. I quite agree that religious traditions can remain true and authentic while speaking very effectively in a prophetic voice from outside the corridors of power. There’s a long history of that all over the world, and certainly in the United States. But when they get into the business of&#160;selecting, they don’t speak through their own best voice, I think, and then there’s a danger of backlash. I think it was in 1854 that clergy were petitioning for the abolition of the slave trade, and Congress warned that the clergy were going to take over: if you listen to this petition, Congress said, suddenly our nation will be run by clergy, and that will be a terrible thing.</p>
<p>DR. ELSHTAIN:&#160;That position you just articulated is fully compatible with John Paul’s insistence that clergy not stand for electoral office, even as you have this robust engagement in what I usually call civil society.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I think there’s much to be said for the view that clergy should not stand for public office, not because they will destroy America, but because they will lose their best selves. That’s true whether it’s Pat Robertson or Jesse Jackson.</p>
<p>MR. ROSEN:&#160;In a wonderful essay about pluralism Stephen talks about the need for people with hyphenated identities to feel free to proclaim their identities in this newly diverse public sphere. So maybe the best strategy is just to talk the language of identity politics and non-discrimination, which is a form of language that really has resonance today, and to stress that it’s a form of discrimination — the only unforgivable sin in this age — to prohibit religiously identified Americans from proclaiming their identity along with everyone else. It’s a powerful rhetoric, and it links to some other things we’ve been talking about, such as, why is it that you can come out as gay or lesbian but you feel embarrassed coming out as religiously devout? Why not just feel proud and go on the “Oprah” show to talk about it! Maybe by talking this non-discrimination language we could get to a point where the devout feel as free to proclaim their identities as everyone else.</p>
<p>DR. LEO P. RIBUFFO, George Washington University:&#160;We historians and you constitutional lawyers look at the Constitution differently. We can say, “Well, that’s an eighteenth-century document from two or three world-views ago,” and that’s that. But you guys have to put the behavior of a twenty-first-century country into the framework of an eighteenth-century document, and then you complain that the Court — which is essentially a nine-person committee — doesn’t do this in an intellectually coherent way. To the several billion people in the world who are not American constitutional lawyers, this might seem a rather bizarre way to run a country.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I’d like to say that I agree.</p>
<p>DR. RIBUFFO:&#160;Okay. Both of you don’t want the&#160;Lemon&#160;test, I gather. Does either of you have neutral principles to serve as guidance on how religion-state relations&#160;should&#160;be decided, or are you sort of&#160;ad hoc-ing here and there?</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;In a way I want to throw up my hands and say that all this legal doctrine is a lot of nonsense and you can never fix it. To some extent I believe that. But in my youth, the youth that Jeff referred to, I offered two principles. First, the state cannot discriminate among religions, and second, except for the most compelling interest, the state cannot interfere with the free exercise of religion. That’s the whole of the religion clause of the First Amendment. And that would ban classroom prayers as interference with the free exercise of religion, which includes the exercise of parents’ right to raise their children in a particular religion or no religion at all. It would also mean that when Major Goldman wanted to wear his yarmulke, the Supreme Court was wrong in saying that the Air Force could, without violating the First Amendment, enforce the regulation forbidding the wearing of “headgear.” That was a bad Supreme Court decision because it interfered with the fundamental principle of religious liberty without a sufficiently telling reason.</p>
<p>Now, when one makes an argument like this about how to read the Constitution, certainly historical challenges can be raised, but I’m more interested in the practical challenges. A few years ago I was moderating a debate between two very distinguished constitutional scholars, Michael McConnell, whom Jeff mentioned earlier, and Katherine Sullivan, now dean of Stanford Law School. It was a debate about the limits of religious freedom, and someone in the audience raised a question about human sacrifice. I figured, “That’s a no-brainer! That’s absurd!” But to my astonishment both of these very distinguished constitutional scholars, two of the most thoughtful voices on religious freedom in the country, said that such a practice might be allowable as long as it involved consenting adults and there were no coercion!</p>
<p>I do think we could reach a rich consensus on a lot of places where we&#160;should&#160;draw the line, recognizing that in the margin there will be some differences. For example, suppose that there were no constitutional right to abortion and that a certain state had laws against abortion in all circumstances, but that someone belonged to a religious tradition that permitted or even required abortion under certain circumstances. Would the state law interfere with religious freedom?</p>
<p>In Kansas City a few years ago, a young woman in law school was offered a job with the attorney general of the state of Georgia. She subsequently engaged in a same-sex marriage ceremony permitted by her religious tradition, in her house of worship, and the job offer was withdrawn. The attorney general was very careful to say that he was not withdrawing the offer because of her sexual orientation but because of the same-sex marriage ceremony, which he said is against the public policy of the state of Georgia. It strikes me that he had the matter backwards: if he had refused to hire her because of her sexual orientation, that would have been within his prerogative; but by binding his action to the same-sex marriage ceremony he was actually punishing her for what went on within the four walls of her house of worship. To me that’s a violation of the fundamental principle of religious liberty.</p>
<p>In my view, when the religious liberty issue arises, the question should always be “What is the compelling reason why the state should be able to prevent it?” rather than “What is the religious basis for it?”</p>
<p>MR. ROSEN:&#160;Here’s a simpler question that’s a different instantiation of the same impulse: public religious speech bad, private religious speech good. All the hard questions are questions of state action, and we try to figure out on which side of the line a particular problem falls. So that’s why we have our debate about&#160;Santa Fe, about whether the intervention of the election mechanism converts it into the school’s speech rather than the student’s; that’s the central question in all the voucher cases, whether or not the intervention of private choice converts it from a state to a private decision. It’s hard, and you can have very different intuitions on all these cases, but it’s very different from this expressive-harms notion, the question of the received effect of the speech or even the dominant purpose of the speech. It avoids the sort of touchy-feely questions about stigmatic injuries and expressive harms and focuses on this hard question of what’s public and what’s private.</p>
<p>This is why, as Leo Ribuffo pointed out, we constitutional lawyers have a much harder task than historians. We have an entirely different society than the one the framers inhabited; the boundaries between the public and the private sphere are both radically contested and utterly different. That’s why the dreariest of the Supreme Court’s religion decisions are the sort of one-step originalism stuff. Something like Rehnquist’s dissent in&#160;Wallace&#160;v.&#160;Jaffree —&#160;just grimly reciting the history of the first Congress and pretending that that could possibly solve all these interesting questions — is just too simplistic to be interesting. These translation questions are really hard, and there’s no obvious answer from text or history. You just have to make better and worse arguments about which side of the public/private divide a particular question falls on.</p>
<p>DR. JAMES L. GUTH, Furman University:&#160;As I was listening to Stephen talk about the distinction between entering into the conversation as religious actors, which he sees as a legitimate role for religious people, and taking part in the electoral process, which he sees as in some sense off limits, I recalled an argument made by John Mark Hansen, who teaches political science at the University of Chicago. Hansen said that the only way you really become a part of the conversation in the United States is to demonstrate electoral impact. Is that a kind of understanding you’re willing to accept, Stephen, that the participation of religious groups in the public realm is going to be constrained very severely if they choose not to engage in electoral politics?</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;Yes, I accept that description, but I hope it doesn’t make my views quite as paradoxical as they seem. What I think that religious people — especially when they’re organized in group — have to do is to hold a very fine and delicate balance. Because it&#160;is&#160;the case, to restate the point more crudely, that the more votes you can deliver, the more impact you have. No question. The problem for me from the Christian point of view is, Why do I want to get into the conversation, to be persuasive or to be coercive? Those are not the same activity. Sometimes arguments that are couched in terms of values can have resonance and can cut across lines.</p>
<p>JOHN LEO, U.S. News &amp; World Report:&#160;In line with your distinction between advocacy and electoral politics, what would you say about the Catholic clergy and bishops who’ve been drawn beyond the general principle on abortion to pushing candidates?</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I really think it’s a mistake to put the imprimatur of God’s name next to a political candidate, not because God doesn’t care, but because the possibility of error is so great. In the African-American church it is very common to find a lot of clergy endorsement and quasi-endorsement, voter guides, and the like. I think it’s a terrible mistake. The kinds of arguments that are made within a religious tradition&#160;should&#160;affect people. Our religion makes us different people than we would be without it. But I nevertheless think there’s a difference between feeling the weight of your tradition pushing you in a different direction and being told in effect that to be a godly person you&#160;have&#160;to move in this direction.</p>
<p>KENNETH WOODWARD, Newsweek:&#160;It seems to me that when you talk about&#160;church&#160;you really are talking about the small evangelical congregation. For me as a Catholic, that doesn’t do enough. If you imagine&#160;church&#160;differently, perhaps you can imagine more involvement. The tradition I’m talking about looks at two things. One is that people are going to be formed by their society no matter what. You can’t be a perfectionist and say, we’re going to live like Amish; even the Amish are affected by the kinds of formation that take place when you are living in a society, even at its margins. To some extent you have to play in the larger field. Secondly, it seems to me that there’s a danger of perfectionism in what you’re talking about. If you want any portion of justice achieved, you’re going to have to get your hands dirty. You’re going to have to see ideals compromised if as a Christian citizen you want to see at least half a loaf accomplished, on behalf of minorities or whatever the cause may be. You can’t not be involved in that sense.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I don’t think that getting one’s hands dirty is inherently a bad thing. The problem arises when people get involved in politics and decide, “Gee, this is the place for me!” That’s where the temptation comes in. It’s not so much that one should never be involved in politics at all; it’s that there are dangers to institutionalizing one’s involvement. And the model isn’t so much a small evangelical church. I think that over the years there’s been a much greater political involvement of both the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant denominations. Sometimes their efforts are great, and sometimes they have a lot of difficulties.</p>
<p>MR. WOODWARD:&#160;How about Catholic Charities or its Protestant equivalent, where they are using a lot of government dollars?</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;What I’m talking about is not the risk of getting one’s hands dirty but the risk of becoming so reliant on that money that when the strings come, when a later administration with a different view imposes conditions that should cause concern, one says, “We really need that money, so we’ll adjust to those conditions.” In 1982, when the Supreme Court decided it was not a violation of religious freedom for the IRS to withhold the preferred tax status of Bob Jones University because of its segregationist policies, Bob Jones gave up the money rather than change its policies. While I think those policies are wrong from a Christian point of view, one has to give them credit for integrity. Giving up money is very hard to do.</p>
<p>FRANKLIN FOER, The New Republic:&#160;Professor Carter, you gave Fannie Lou Hamer and the civil-rights movement as an example of the bad things that can happen when religiously motivated people try to achieve their vision through political involvement. But it seems to me that that movement was victorious, that Fannie Lou Hamer’s prophetic vision was in large part achieved.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I think what was achieved was the bureaucratization of civil rights. The vision and achievements came to be limited to things that are measurable in the fight against racial injustice. Not a bad solution if you can’t do anything else, but Fannie Lou Hamer’s broader vision of economic justice, of redistribution of land, and a lot of other things — it’s gone. It’s off the table. And it’s something that preachers who want to be part of the Democratic coalition can’t talk about. So there was indeed a civil-rights victory, and I’m not diminishing it or the work of the people who bled for it. The transformation in the law and in some parts of society was enormous. But the richer&#160;radical&#160;vision, I would say, was not achieved. I’m not sure whether it&#160;should&#160;have been achieved; I’m only describing what actually happened.</p>
<p>MICHAEL BARONE, U.S. News &amp; World Report:&#160;We talked earlier about what could happen with charitable choice, particularly the kind of thing that Bush is talking about. I think that different religious faith traditions are going to cope with this in different ways. The Catholic Church has a set of institutions, a vocabulary, and a 2,000-year history of interacting and getting along with the state and inserting its moral principles and vocabulary. They’re old pros at this, and much of that will continue to go on as it has. I think a lot will depend on how this stuff is administered. If you have some Ruth Bader Ginsburg — type separationists in the regional offices of HUD and HHS in Dallas, say, you’re going to get very different results than if you have people who are sympathetic to the program at that local level. There is tension built into that program. It suggests that the results are not going to be totally satisfying on any grounds. There may be some real messes created here or there. Some organizations may follow the suggestion implicit in what Stephen Carter said, which is, “Hey, just stay private. Raise your own money so you can do what you want to do.”</p>
<p>A question of the last thirty years that fascinates me, one I have not seen addressed, is the relationship between the black churches and the plagues of crime and poverty in the underclass black communities. Have the black churches done a lot to help? Why have they not done more?</p>
<p>MICHEL MARTIN, “Nightline”:&#160;My sense, from a reporting perspective, is that many of these churches have felt their primary mission to be mediating a relationship between the community and the outside world, i.e., the white power structure — speaking truth to power, as it were. They see themselves as the mediators between the powerless and the powerful. What is going on right now is a real shift in emphasis, achieved after a great deal of pain and in some cases saying, “You know, we are killing ourselves now. Promiscuous sex, drug use, and various sorts of irresponsible lifestyles are as great a danger to our communities and constituencies as the Klu Klux Klan ever was.” That’s why I think we’re seeing a paradigm shift.</p>
<p>MR. CARTER:&#160;I think Michel is exactly right, but there’s another point here also. If you look at black preaching, you find there was a lot said about these issues of, say, sexuality and marriage as recently as the 1950s and 60s. That fell away in the 70s and 80s and early 90s. Now it’s starting to come back a little.</p>
<p>Why is it that black preachers talked about these things very sanely in those earlier decades, then stopped, and then started talking about them again in the 90s? It’s an interesting question.</p> | false | 1 | faith angle forum160is semiannual conference brings together select group 20 nationally respected journalists 35 distinguished scholars areas religion politics amp public life gods name vain wrongs amp rights religion politics prouts neck maine speaker stephen l carter william nelson cromwell professor law yale law school respondent jeffrey rosen legal affairs editor160the new republic moderator michael cromartie vice president ethics amp public policy center 160 imichael cromartie160stephen carter william nelson cromwell professor law yale law school among books written awardwinning160the culture disbelief american law politics trivialize religion1601993 and160gods name vain wrongs rights religion politics1602000 stephen l carter160i come issues religion politics scholar also evangelical christian didnt start evangelical became one course writing law religion politics although try maintain tone scholarly neutrality become personal way wouldnt expected fifteen years ago im going begin telling story way introduction theory want advance religion public life fannie lou hamer powerful marvelous black woman guiding spirit inspiration founder mississippi freedom democratic party party founded early 1960s counterweight states lilywhite democratic party 1964 mississippi freedom democratic party threatened credentials fight democratic national convention lilywhite slate lyndon johnson going nominated wanted convention look like coronation wanted bumps road nomination first run president right credentials fight threatened sent vicepresidentinwaiting hubert humphrey negotiate mrs hamer giving explicit orders find wants give humphrey met mrs hamer hotel room atlantic city asked wanted want beginning new kingdom right earth replied humphrey hadnt thought yet wasnt one things johnson empowered offer took different tack well know ive fighting civil rights long time since fashionable said true made pivotal speech support civil rights 1948 democratic convention would really important white house strong voice racial equality humphrey continued cant reach deal im going become vice president fannie lou hamer survived beating torture city jail insisting constitutional rights particularly impressed answered senator humphrey know lots people mississippi lost jobs trying register vote leave plantation worked sunflower county lose job vice president right help mississippi freedom democratic party everything right god take care take nomination way never able good civil rights poor people peace things talk senator humphrey im gon na pray jesus end negotiation humphrey went back lyndon johnson reported failed johnson master politics knew every inspirational leader plenty pilot fish swimming leaders way people organization much serve ambition serve vision went mrs hamers various lieutenants horsetraded get project wife get position commission result voted effect turn mrs hamer figurehead accept shameful compromise party allowed just160one seat160on floor convention lilywhite delegation seated pretty much end mississippi freedom democratic party tell story two reasons one shows limits much religious advocacy action based deep religious conviction runs wall practical politics reason shows happen religiously radical movements become involved electoral side politics im avid defender religious voices whatever tradition may public life policy issues big believer however want draw distinction two different ways conceptualizing politics talk talk religious voices politics one one fannie lou hamer ran electoral politics actual process selecting hold coercive power state hands kind politics politics philosophers politics madison politics conversation dialogue selfgovernance people trying come public consensus least public decision good deeply american thing religious voices raised along voices society our160conversational160politics dangerous thing religious voices become involved in160electoral160politics dangerous want propose much democracy america religious institutions people seek involvement half century ago c lewis wrote wellknown essay entitled meditation third commandment lewis never quotes describes third commandment since writing literate audience era well educated would know ten commandments essay written opposition proposal group tories break away conservative party form christian party lewis attaching word christian name party couple arguments quite salient subject today one arguments summarize saying though didnt put quite way christian party lewis oxymoron one hand said truly160christian would preach whole gospel nobody would vote hand truly a160party would mute parts gospel exaggerate others make stuff order win elections therefore truly christian biggest objection christian party oxymoron lewis another objection felt temptations come hold levers power hands enormous christians could broadened people deep faith general could extraordinarily dangerous temptation temptation of160using160the power also of160confusing160what god wants want power stanley hauerwas made point inquisition became possible medieval church gave power die beliefs exchange power to160kill160for beliefs lose something precious hold hand power to160force160other people something suggest lose power prophetic ministry power standing outside structures authority pointing think theyre wrong whats quite striking prophets israel stood160outside160the corridors power tried tell king question didnt try say im going king matter well one reasons deep religious conviction valuable democracy leads genuine diversity religion doesnt change look world hardly religion different persons believe would otherwise religious diversity centers deeply profound meaning genuinely diverse society going say genuinely diverse mean diverse sets ideas brought table fact peoples fundamental principles differ sharply leads variety ideas play main reason lot evangelical parents including become concerned goes public schools less desire proselytize desire protect less wanting make peoples children religious keeping ones children seduced secularism travels ive talked lot parents small communities bible belt talk example prayer public schools dont advocate classroom prayer want everyone else learn religion raise children believe everything thats important life prayer state say important excludes prayer affront religion still think theyre wrong merits im still organized classroom prayer dont think position ridiculous irresponsible similarly parents fight teaching evolution think trying proselytize analyzed cases way early writings mistaken instead parents trying children taught believe true large proportion americans believe least say believe genesis account creation literally true historical account world came parents want children taught think true taught think false way protecting would describe ability create centers meaning centers understanding distinct see coming dominant culture may white evangelicals backed say jerry falwell different vision want protect black evangelicals backed martin luther king yet substantively visions may different analytically theres similarity trying create world comfortably raise children educational theory political theory voices tell us bad thing parents theory goes back far horace mann holds important use public schools way giving children diverse ideas diverse experiences teaching critical style thinking things need order become responsible adults make sensible choices religion rather religion imposed upon lot religious parents terrifying stuff evangelicals true judaism well sense religion choice god chooses160you choose god notion decide contrary religious message many parents trying teach children go issue whos right whos wrong helps explain many battles hard fought people trying protect religious visions feel pressing whats important theyre naturally going press back think lot fervor see today conservative organizations pressing back theres problem organizations talk problem need go back fannie lou hamer recently 1950s still respectable black americans republicans parents democrats grandparents sides republicans back generations 1964 civil rights act actually supported higher proportion republicans democrats congress happened republican partys opposition lot initiatives blacks thought important years since 1964 certainly part also look happened black clergy one striking things great sermons martin luther king dream speech lot great sermons remarkable radical energy vision different america america built radically different premises america saw america vision never comes fruition even though perhaps precisely black clergy make choice choice become part electoral coalition democratic party black leadership clergy get involved democratic party see falling radical energy radicals get pushed sidelines pragmatists take control point view politics good thing want pragmatists control politics art possible want compromisers makes sense make choice part political coalition comes price lot black preachers ive talked recent years complained things feel free say pulpit things interests democratic party positions democrats take believe thing going happen already happening energy lot white radical evangelicals radical perhaps different causes take example christian coalition continues reliable building block republican electoral coalition relatively powerful entity primary battles something interesting happened 1995 christian coalition published much fanfare tenpoint contract american family presented director ralph reed said ten suggestions ten commandments two striking things suggestions first nothing striking say ten suggestions could emerged moderately conservative think tank inside beltway theres nothing distinctly christian whatever might mean also nothing restorationist think restorationist theology early pat robertson early christian coalition folks second thing striking arguments pressed behalf recall one biblical verse cited briefly discussion one ten otherwise argument stated entirely ordinary political language immediately lot liberal critics say well subterfuge theres radical position working back theyre saying maybe thats true could fact feel need to160resort160to subterfuge indication far group successfully subverted involvement politics contract american family written group blamed hurting republican party wants move mainstream wants ralph reeds famous phrase place table ralph reed took lot flak right wing document160and note defense really quite innocuous said things like well lot religious people care capital gains tax thats true conservative evangelical gets thing mail might understandably think dont need help capital gains tax issue document christian coalition largely abandoned socalled social issues helped give birth whether subterfuge whether marks solidifying fragmenting group exemplify c lewis talking get involved politics side want win suddenly find compromise dietrich bonhoeffer wrote compromise enemy word wrote course time german protestant churches pressure happily moving become effect nazi church dont want lift historical context bonhoeffer think also making richer theological point something pure doctrine opposed malleable doctrine ought attractive person deep faith happens often politics doctrine gets softened effort win effort stay table thats dangerous thing religion good thing political organizations view christian coalition primarily political organization see good thing extent view religious organization theres problem theres problem alter previously said negotiable softpedal things previously important order attain particular political goal c lewis worried another point lewiss essay problem christian party allies take order win take allies think theyre particular issue disagree sharply another issue realize terrible mistake youve made rush win practice couple implications first people concerned radical religious energy politics think bad thing glad christian coalition glad ways take energy tame mainstream fit electoral coalition existing political framework people upset christian coalition people think religious voice politics genuine authentic self important ought liberated ought untamed second implication anything like happened many black clergy happens also white clergy evangelical side going see great loss energy level leadership clear happen level followership maybe lot radical energy left floating around really represented politically connected leadership dangerous situation potential demagoguery trying take advantage probably less dangerous seems long history america shows youve organized youre trouble youre bound coopted sooner later point want make idea maybe religious conservatives instead trying persuade dominant culture accommodating deeply held convictions back separate institutions find quite intriguing think retreat religious energy parallel institutions part owe debt work roger williams bad qualities roger williams really good ideas probably best american source point origin practice separation church state wall separation image comes idea hedgerow separates garden wilderness garden place people faith would congregate hear voice god wilderness world wall protected wilderness needed protection could reason together without interference live lives god would want live without larger society impinging important way roger williamss garden wall protect garden wilderness wilderness garden one many important strands protestant thought separation church state heres said roger williams important impact work believe importance nurturing competing centers meaning neither state culture say right way looking world therefore believe deeply importance wall guarding garden protecting lot places people freely build communities creating meanings different might want impose happened run everything mentioned idea church pittsburgh somebody said well okay home schooling home schooling lot people teach kids creationist stuff well thats want teach kids doesnt mean people teach kids im always quite wary idea one way american one set understandings must one way approaching world much comfortable lot diverse approaches people say parents teach kids really evil things well dont need work intricate view church state something believe lot parents going teach kids evil things much worry america teach schools draw various lines like diversity believe deeply dialogue across different traditions sharply disagree notion dialogue impossible think martin luther king great exemplar kind border crossing speeches sermons although may find one two evangelical rhetoric toned part open unabashed sermons particular narrow religious tradition sometimes least expect seemingly narrow arguments tradition may share cross border border denominations traditions religion nonreligion touch human heart simply know right wrong mr cromartie160thank stephen respondent jeffrey rosen legal affairs editor of160the new republic160and author new book called the160unwanted gaze160the destruction privacy america jeffrey also associate professor law george washington university wrote fascinating piece the160new york times160magazine160january 30 2000 called nothing secular jeffrey rosen160it slightly harrowing respond ones former teacher especially group knows far topic focus response particular point legal boundaries public private sphere matter relates roger williams vision professor carter endorses question stephen carter happier hasnt remarkable arc legal treatment religion past decade vindication stephen carters important work spent first part career arguing eloquently the160strict separationist principle advocated public sphere denuded kind religious expression b opposed kind direct government aid religion even part scheme put public private institutions equal terms strict separationist vision rejected supreme court the160equaltreatment vision160is ascendant likely reaffirmed soon the160mitchell160case in160mitchell160v160helms decided june 28 2000 court held distributing government funds provide equipment computers public private religiously affiliated schools violate establishment clause strict separationism vanquished equaltreatment vision think professor carter arguing vindicated moreover third vision one might call160religious supremacism also opposed carter rejected well supremacists argue openly religious public sphere students pray schools public displays religion crèches permissible supremacist vision least three adherents supreme court saw justices rehnquist thomas scalia recent cases wistfully looking back time seemed supremacist majority grasp indeed vision candidate george w bush embraced theyve lost arent professor carter share views celebrating think part equaltreatment vision extremely appealing theory hard carry practice subtle complicated requires delicate adherence want think the160santa fe160case way want trace rise fall separationism triumph carterism see applies the160santa fe160and160mitchell160cases conclude asking professor carter whether roger williamslike vision eloquently posed purpose separationism protect church state state church applies many new statechurch partnerships whose constitutionality increasingly upheld new equaltreatment vision im thinking course charitable choice age church retreating deeper wilderness time church administering welfare benefits unprecedented scale arc rise fall separationism america follows rise fall anticatholicism basic impulse keep state funds sectarian schools rooted robust antipapacy whole debate appropriate boundaries public private sphere couldnt existed eighteenthcentury world welfare education services essentially privatized church monopolized education welfare didnt worry keeping church encroachments state wasnt schools began state sponsored midnineteenth century great school battles developed blaine amendment constitution proposed 1875 narrowly rejected would prohibited tax money going sectarian schools resurgence anticatholicism 1940s culminated hugo blacks famous wall separation metaphor must keep wall high impregnable tolerate slightest breach hugo black one hand great civil libertarian textualist hand robust antipapist wanted protect good protestants america encroachments rome separationism found brief flowering important stress brief era really 1970s 1980s the160lemon160test course notorious instantiation requires governmental action entirely secular purpose impact avoid excessive entanglement state religion culminated decisions like prohibited religious groups participating equal terms public property school cases said eg christian group couldnt meet school property gay lesbian group could principle inspired opponents separationism argue demise intellectual leader defending equal treatment professor carter made case powerfully public square one legal architects michael mcconnell argued first equaltreatment principle 1981160widmar160case university missouri made facilities available student groups except religious purpose time mcconnell somewhat improbably clerking justice william brennan persuaded brennan lead 81 majority rejecting exclusion embracing idea public facilities available religious nonreligious groups equal terms extraordinarily powerful idea really first amendment idea freeexpression idea gained ground past years seems leading almost inexorably eventual upholding vouchers could architects anticipated simple nondiscrimination principle would prove powerful eradicating excesses strict separationism saw function 1995160rosenberger160case supreme court struck university virginia regulation made studentactivities funds available student magazines except religiously oriented ones also saw 1997160agostini160case court struck refusal allow public school teachers new york city provide remedial instruction disadvantaged students religious schools expect well see the160mitchell160case well equaltreatment vision apply prayer the160santa fe160case strikes much harder one arrogant overconfident court suggested imperialism court knows bounds heres the160santa fe160case modified policy issued school district students vote majority first whether invocation football games vote yes select person deliver modification district court said invocation nonproselytizing nonsectarian view narrowest way striking would merely say requirement school guarantee nonsectarian prayer constitutes illegitimate entanglement worst worlds school imposing prayer unwilling students dictating content prayer in160lee160v160weisman requirement rabbis prayer censored ensure nonsectarian represents affront roger williams principle bad church message diluted state degree entanglement might enough invalidate policy lets think majoritarian mechanism in160santa fe court says fact theres majoritarian election means true public forum minority voices definition stifled quintessential example private religious speech permissible theres election speaker speaker say whatever likes pray pray although kentucky court struck similar scheme think good example purely private speech even state property mere fact school owns megaphone shouldnt settle question fact theres majoritarian election invocation enough make question private speech essentially put school business choosing message maybe maybe im sure im convinced courts notion justice stevens says would like vote whether political rally second vote whether democrat republican wouldnt open public forum wouldnt case anyone could say whatever might choose say basically theres vote whether prayer seems close stevens go say really know regard the160lemon160test illegitimate state purpose earlier draft santa fe policy allowed invocation andor160message invocation benediction purely prayer oriented rehnquist good dissent says concern applied illegitimately wait actual illegitimate application instinct result right nonsectarian aspect rehnquist objection strong in160santa fe160rehnquist scalia thomas three religious supremacists slyly concealing true colors remember in160lee160v160weisman160they came said thought nonsectarian nonproselytizing prayer would appropriate recognition religious heritage religious people want neutrality theres problem application said theyll deal occurs160santa fe160shows elusive neutrality one hand supremacists hiding true colors hand majority led justice stevens nice argument entanglement goes pieces speak starts citing160lemon160and stressing real problem prayer people might perceive offensive would send illegitimate message would make people feel excluded stevens cites oconnor opinions wanting make people feel traumatized exposed offensive vulgar language troubling part opinion whole vestige worst strains separationism would make permissibility speech let alone prayer turn perception listeners offensiveness shows hard old habits die among joining stevens majority opinion ginsburg breyer secular jews came age era leo pfeiffer great head american jewish congress advocating separationism uncompromising kind generation jews mainline protestants stevens lists religion protestant others identify methodists lutherans forth old separationist habits die hard guess would say even supreme court justices cant make strong case neutrality equal treatment surprising principle hasnt found resonance public square maybe professor carter isnt happy legally achieved paradigmshifting supreme court victory impossible culture convey sense complete central triumph battles never stop im going conclude question began roger williamslike vision apply many new churchstate partnerships permitted equaltreatment vision think good thing charitable choice allows religious providers compete nonreligious providers equal terms administration welfare benefits upheld supreme court one richest interesting social experiments one concerned stephen carter eloquently protecting church depredations state temptation dilute compromise message pose question whether churchstate partnerships may cause even greater threats simple electoral politics charitablechoice law ways protects churches requirement remove visible aspects iconography administration welfare benefits doubt aclu gunning really fun decade litigation theres lot money involved money becomes serious substantial part budgets certain churches especially africanamerican churches applying receiving contracts much greater numbers churches could pressures operate might pull aside central message lead focus energies nonpastoral polities would change essence congratulate professor carter important victory also ask whether inadvertent fruits victory might threaten church autonomy powerfully defends mr cromartie160thank jeffrey think stephen wants make quick comment well open conversation everyone mr carter160im flattered jeffrey thinks im responsible change legal climate think matter common sense question asks end im troubled religious court decisions im troubled vouchers say troubled dont mean im160opposed160to think churches fight money need think carefully theyre taking happen years road strings start applied used lot public money build schools build build im saying shouldnt take unconstitutional im saying worth thoughtful prayerful david van biema time160im interested southern baptists seem involved political questions yet seem extraordinarily vigorous seems theres really twotrack thing going keep rankandfile line youre talking inerrancy pursue political policies washington elsewhere foresee result political activity sort weakening dissipation energies southern baptist convention mr carter160certainly group people lot radical energy within mainstream terms important distinguish institutions church work like southern baptist convention institutions get heavily involved political side things like moral majority past christian coalition present mr van biema160there certainly blurring see someone like jerry falwell welcomed back fold think described still independent baptist may indeed case believe church convention mr carter160i think well see happens long run falwell kind moving target person remade number times recent remaking dialogue gays lesbians example interesting stuff youve raised good question think well wait see present kind speculation settled historical view e j dionne washington post160i come catholic tradition always problem involvement daytoday politics stephen heard right laying recipe withdrawal politics religious people logic position proper terms engagement religious people politics second question on160santa fe agree jeffrey cant see court could come way also didnt like feelings language however actually quite convinced majoritarian argument want know missing convinced example thought southern baptist quarterback play public school catholic neighborhood pipe hail mary every game think would raise serious religiousliberty problem third point charitable choice lot folks suggesting solution churches set 501c3s think soon church named st 501c3 way seems like good idea could hive certain activities state wouldnt get involved core work church lot advocates charitable choice see kind separationist trojan horse separationist side trying say well well charitable choice wont160really160have charitable choice would like ask stephen jeffrey comment mr carter160to first question religious people get involved electoral politics id reply way porcupines make love carefully im concerned point corruption institutions partly institutions even nonhierarchical denominations custodians time body doctrine 501c3 thing think swell idea think tail whacked idea able participate like everybody else organize participate really looking money going dictate organize church youve already lost seems start saying im going remake order get eligible money the160santa fe160case im entirely persuaded part courts argument think dissent probably right saying case ripe decision cant its160face160electing student speak problematic everyone said case problematic we160think160theyre going outside certain statutes said chill free speech ordinarily court doesnt decide cases way doesnt base decisions what160might160happen emphasis offense agree jeff gratuitous also extremely interesting point view religious parent raised interesting notions people going object prayer see religious offends say evangelicals say christianity religion others religions one godgiven truth object nonreligious things offend evolution taught able object offends strikes heart religious sensibility therefore nobody exposed that160my160kids wont exposed clean way write opinion would say could prayer kind student initiated state initiated public school function whatsoever would clear constitutional law would a160lousy160constitutional law would clear one people could accommodate failure declare clear rule court inviting school districts go back try keep trying mr rosen160yes seems exactly right question rehnquist poses argument majoritarian elections dont accept clean carter rule say elected speaker able speak whatever likes want ensure people campaigning particular messages invalidates rule perhaps fact first decided whether invocation message content based essentially upordown vote whether prayer chose delivered thats made public forum genuinely majoritarian election elect speaker say whatever liked would permissible makes tricky fact invocation160or160message might arguably mean would decide whether speaker speaker could choose say whatever liked means stevens surely right might prudent wait see thing operated practice dr jean bethke elshtain divinity school university chicago160jeffrey wonder one reason stephen isnt quite happy think ought fact stake hasnt driven heart separationism quite decisiveness suggest talked stevenss gratuitous referencing of160lemon santa fe160case strikes the160lemon160test still lurking interstices everpresent possibility dont know makeup court future stuff could resurrected point certainly alive well political argumentation political philosophy given dominance sort rawlsian tendency liberal political philosophy stephen picks bit e j dionne said struck listening catholics would refract issue civic engagement different way part great social encyclicals make clear available us civic language appeals persons good persons social encyclicals addressed make partial translation full complete translation least partial rather effective translation deep religious commitments language invokes naturallaw principles makes available commongood concerns way doesnt water faith doesnt require faith commitments be160totally present160at every point time order make effectively certain kind argument people access arguments reason whether faith commitment mr carter160i agree entirely catholic social tradition great noble one think160rerum novarum160is one great pieces pastoral theology trying say churches involved politics gets point deciding be160elected different kind homiletic quite agree religious traditions remain true authentic speaking effectively prophetic voice outside corridors power theres long history world certainly united states get business of160selecting dont speak best voice think theres danger backlash think 1854 clergy petitioning abolition slave trade congress warned clergy going take listen petition congress said suddenly nation run clergy terrible thing dr elshtain160that position articulated fully compatible john pauls insistence clergy stand electoral office even robust engagement usually call civil society mr carter160i think theres much said view clergy stand public office destroy america lose best selves thats true whether pat robertson jesse jackson mr rosen160in wonderful essay pluralism stephen talks need people hyphenated identities feel free proclaim identities newly diverse public sphere maybe best strategy talk language identity politics nondiscrimination form language really resonance today stress form discrimination unforgivable sin age prohibit religiously identified americans proclaiming identity along everyone else powerful rhetoric links things weve talking come gay lesbian feel embarrassed coming religiously devout feel proud go oprah show talk maybe talking nondiscrimination language could get point devout feel free proclaim identities everyone else dr leo p ribuffo george washington university160we historians constitutional lawyers look constitution differently say well thats eighteenthcentury document two three worldviews ago thats guys put behavior twentyfirstcentury country framework eighteenthcentury document complain court essentially nineperson committee doesnt intellectually coherent way several billion people world american constitutional lawyers might seem rather bizarre way run country mr carter160id like say agree dr ribuffo160okay dont want the160lemon160test gather either neutral principles serve guidance religionstate relations160should160be decided sort of160ad hocing mr carter160in way want throw hands say legal doctrine lot nonsense never fix extent believe youth youth jeff referred offered two principles first state discriminate among religions second except compelling interest state interfere free exercise religion thats whole religion clause first amendment would ban classroom prayers interference free exercise religion includes exercise parents right raise children particular religion religion would also mean major goldman wanted wear yarmulke supreme court wrong saying air force could without violating first amendment enforce regulation forbidding wearing headgear bad supreme court decision interfered fundamental principle religious liberty without sufficiently telling reason one makes argument like read constitution certainly historical challenges raised im interested practical challenges years ago moderating debate two distinguished constitutional scholars michael mcconnell jeff mentioned earlier katherine sullivan dean stanford law school debate limits religious freedom someone audience raised question human sacrifice figured thats nobrainer thats absurd astonishment distinguished constitutional scholars two thoughtful voices religious freedom country said practice might allowable long involved consenting adults coercion think could reach rich consensus lot places we160should160draw line recognizing margin differences example suppose constitutional right abortion certain state laws abortion circumstances someone belonged religious tradition permitted even required abortion certain circumstances would state law interfere religious freedom kansas city years ago young woman law school offered job attorney general state georgia subsequently engaged samesex marriage ceremony permitted religious tradition house worship job offer withdrawn attorney general careful say withdrawing offer sexual orientation samesex marriage ceremony said public policy state georgia strikes matter backwards refused hire sexual orientation would within prerogative binding action samesex marriage ceremony actually punishing went within four walls house worship thats violation fundamental principle religious liberty view religious liberty issue arises question always compelling reason state able prevent rather religious basis mr rosen160heres simpler question thats different instantiation impulse public religious speech bad private religious speech good hard questions questions state action try figure side line particular problem falls thats debate about160santa fe whether intervention election mechanism converts schools speech rather students thats central question voucher cases whether intervention private choice converts state private decision hard different intuitions cases different expressiveharms notion question received effect speech even dominant purpose speech avoids sort touchyfeely questions stigmatic injuries expressive harms focuses hard question whats public whats private leo ribuffo pointed constitutional lawyers much harder task historians entirely different society one framers inhabited boundaries public private sphere radically contested utterly different thats dreariest supreme courts religion decisions sort onestep originalism stuff something like rehnquists dissent in160wallace160v160jaffree 160just grimly reciting history first congress pretending could possibly solve interesting questions simplistic interesting translation questions really hard theres obvious answer text history make better worse arguments side publicprivate divide particular question falls dr james l guth furman university160as listening stephen talk distinction entering conversation religious actors sees legitimate role religious people taking part electoral process sees sense limits recalled argument made john mark hansen teaches political science university chicago hansen said way really become part conversation united states demonstrate electoral impact kind understanding youre willing accept stephen participation religious groups public realm going constrained severely choose engage electoral politics mr carter160yes accept description hope doesnt make views quite paradoxical seem think religious people especially theyre organized group hold fine delicate balance it160is160the case restate point crudely votes deliver impact question problem christian point view want get conversation persuasive coercive activity sometimes arguments couched terms values resonance cut across lines john leo us news amp world report160in line distinction advocacy electoral politics would say catholic clergy bishops whove drawn beyond general principle abortion pushing candidates mr carter160i really think mistake put imprimatur gods name next political candidate god doesnt care possibility error great africanamerican church common find lot clergy endorsement quasiendorsement voter guides like think terrible mistake kinds arguments made within religious tradition160should160affect people religion makes us different people would without nevertheless think theres difference feeling weight tradition pushing different direction told effect godly person you160have160to move direction kenneth woodward newsweek160it seems talk about160church160you really talking small evangelical congregation catholic doesnt enough imagine160church160differently perhaps imagine involvement tradition im talking looks two things one people going formed society matter cant perfectionist say going live like amish even amish affected kinds formation take place living society even margins extent play larger field secondly seems theres danger perfectionism youre talking want portion justice achieved youre going get hands dirty youre going see ideals compromised christian citizen want see least half loaf accomplished behalf minorities whatever cause may cant involved sense mr carter160i dont think getting ones hands dirty inherently bad thing problem arises people get involved politics decide gee place thats temptation comes much one never involved politics dangers institutionalizing ones involvement model isnt much small evangelical church think years theres much greater political involvement catholic church mainline protestant denominations sometimes efforts great sometimes lot difficulties mr woodward160how catholic charities protestant equivalent using lot government dollars mr carter160what im talking risk getting ones hands dirty risk becoming reliant money strings come later administration different view imposes conditions cause concern one says really need money well adjust conditions 1982 supreme court decided violation religious freedom irs withhold preferred tax status bob jones university segregationist policies bob jones gave money rather change policies think policies wrong christian point view one give credit integrity giving money hard franklin foer new republic160professor carter gave fannie lou hamer civilrights movement example bad things happen religiously motivated people try achieve vision political involvement seems movement victorious fannie lou hamers prophetic vision large part achieved mr carter160i think achieved bureaucratization civil rights vision achievements came limited things measurable fight racial injustice bad solution cant anything else fannie lou hamers broader vision economic justice redistribution land lot things gone table something preachers want part democratic coalition cant talk indeed civilrights victory im diminishing work people bled transformation law parts society enormous richer160radical160vision would say achieved im sure whether it160should160have achieved im describing actually happened michael barone us news amp world report160we talked earlier could happen charitable choice particularly kind thing bush talking think different religious faith traditions going cope different ways catholic church set institutions vocabulary 2000year history interacting getting along state inserting moral principles vocabulary theyre old pros much continue go think lot depend stuff administered ruth bader ginsburg type separationists regional offices hud hhs dallas say youre going get different results people sympathetic program local level tension built program suggests results going totally satisfying grounds may real messes created organizations may follow suggestion implicit stephen carter said hey stay private raise money want question last thirty years fascinates one seen addressed relationship black churches plagues crime poverty underclass black communities black churches done lot help done michel martin nightline160my sense reporting perspective many churches felt primary mission mediating relationship community outside world ie white power structure speaking truth power see mediators powerless powerful going right real shift emphasis achieved great deal pain cases saying know killing promiscuous sex drug use various sorts irresponsible lifestyles great danger communities constituencies klu klux klan ever thats think seeing paradigm shift mr carter160i think michel exactly right theres another point also look black preaching find lot said issues say sexuality marriage recently 1950s 60s fell away 70s 80s early 90s starting come back little black preachers talked things sanely earlier decades stopped started talking 90s interesting question | 5,444 |
<p>Oct. 3 (UPI) — The 2017 Nobel prize for physics, <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2017/press.html" type="external">awarded overnight in Sweden</a> by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, began with a discussion 42 years ago between two scientists in a hotel room in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.its.caltech.edu/~kip/index.html/" type="external">Kip Thorne</a>, a theoretical physicist from Caltech, and <a href="http://web.mit.edu/physics/people/faculty/weiss_rainer.html" type="external">Rainer “Rai” Weiss</a>, an experimentalist from MIT, debated what would have seemed to most physicists like a far-fetched, borderline crazy idea: the detection of ripples in the fabric of spacetime called <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/gravitational-waves-9473" type="external">gravitational waves</a>.</p>
<p>But the two young men were serious. Weiss had written a <a href="https://dcc.ligo.org/public/0038/P720002/001/P720002-00.pdf" type="external">detailed technical paper</a> outlining a proposal for an experiment that would go on to become <a href="https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/" type="external">LIGO</a> (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory).</p>
<p>Thorne, meanwhile, had thought a lot about potential sources of gravitational waves and had developed a deep appreciation of just how much their detection would tell us about exotic astrophysical objects such as black holes and neutron stars.</p>
<p>A great collaboration was forged that night. And it was soon strengthened by <a href="http://www.caltech.edu/news/caltech-mourns-passing-ligo-co-founder-ronald-w-drever-54336" type="external">Ronald Drever</a>, a brilliant experimental physicist who joined the faculty at Caltech. The three came from very different cultural backgrounds.</p>
<p>Thorne grew up in a Mormon family in Utah. Weiss was born in Berlin, and when he was a child, his half-Jewish family escaped the Nazis by first moving to Prague and then fleeing Czechoslovakia just before it was invaded. Drever hailed from Glasgow, Scotland, and had a thick Scottish accent.</p>
<p>They were united by their passion to “hear” the universe with gravitational waves.</p>
<p>Gravitational waves are emitted from some of the universe’s most catastrophic events such as exploding stars and colliding black holes. Every source emits gravitational waves differently. For sources detectable by LIGO, these waves have the same frequencies as the sound waves we can hear.</p>
<p>By studying the precise “sound” of a gravitational wave, it is possible to reconstruct the event that created it. They offer a unique window on the universe, allowing us to probe black holes and other extreme objects.</p>
<p>Together, they developed the ideas behind LIGO, obtained the support of Caltech and MIT, and secured research funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation. Most importantly, they inspired two generations of physicists around the world to devote their lives to the quest for gravitational waves.</p>
<p>The chirp heard round the world</p>
<p>It took many years of dedicated teamwork to realize the vision of LIGO. The laboratory took shape under the leadership of experimental physicist <a href="http://pma.caltech.edu/content/barry-c-barish" type="external">Barry Barish</a>, now an emeritus professor at Caltech.</p>
<p>He created the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, an international team now numbering more than 1,000 scientists working on all aspects of LIGO science and technology, from laser physics to data analysis algorithms to astrophysics.</p>
<p>Australia was an early international partner in the consortium, and Australian scientists made important contributions to LIGO instrumentation, theoretical modeling and data analysis.</p>
<p>The instrument was so complex that it had to be built in two stages. The first stage of LIGO operated through the 2000s, demonstrating the technology that would be needed to detect gravitational waves. Not until the second stage, Advanced LIGO, was the equipment sensitive enough to detect the gravitational waves themselves.</p>
<p>The newly refurbished Advanced LIGO was ready to go in late 2015. Then, on Sept. 14 that year, days after Advanced LIGO was switched on, a burst of gravitational waves shook the mirrors used to monitor the curvature of spacetime by a distance of about one-thousandth of the size of a proton.</p>
<p>While this seems unimaginably small, LIGO is an instrument of unimaginable sensitivity. Even without the aid of a computer algorithm, scientists could see in the data the telltale signature of a merging pair of black holes, each 30 times more massive than the sun.</p>
<p>They could also “hear” it: the gravitational-wave signal of LIGO’s black hole merger, converted into audio, makes a characteristic chirping sound.</p>
<p>When news of the discovery broke, science enthusiasts took to social media to celebrate with their <a href="https://twitter.com/BBC_WHYS/status/697841364956909568" type="external">own renditions</a>.</p>
<p>By the time of the first announcement, Ron Drever was in a nursing home back in Scotland, sick with dementia. Nonetheless he was cognizant of the LIGO discovery, and was able to enjoy Kip Thorne’s visit sharing memories of LIGO’s early days. <a href="http://www.caltech.edu/news/caltech-mourns-passing-ligo-co-founder-ronald-w-drever-54336" type="external">Ron Drever died</a> in March this year.</p>
<p><a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/188592/area14mp/file-20171003-12115-114vw4b.jpg" type="external" /> Ronald Drever, a LIGO co-founder. American Physical Society</p>
<p>This year’s prize, to <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2017/" type="external">Weiss, Barish and Thorne</a>, “for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves”, continues the Nobel tradition of honoring astronomical discoveries of extreme phenomena in which <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Albert_Einstein/" type="external">Albert Einstein</a>‘s general relativity plays a major role.</p>
<p>One of us (Levin), was fortunate to carry out dissertation research under Thorne’s supervision. As much as he must be savoring this great Nobel honor, we’re certain that the feeling pales in comparison to the moment he set eyes on LIGO’s detection data for the first time.</p>
<p>A century after Albert Einstein’s prediction, and after a lifetime of searching, there it was: the gravitational waves from two ill-fated black holes.</p>
<p>A new era in astronomy</p>
<p>The discovery is a milestone in 21st-century science. While the detection of gravitational waves confirmed Einstein’s theory, it also marked the beginning of a new way of gazing up at the heavens: gravitational-wave astronomy.</p>
<p>Since the first detection, the collaboration has published on detections from more black holes, and is yet to publish all of the exciting results from the <a href="https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/news/ligo20170825" type="external">second advanced LIGO observation run</a> that finished in late August.</p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/gravitational-waves-arrive-in-europe-84635" type="external">For the latest published discovery</a>, the two LIGO instruments were joined by another experiment in Italy called Virgo. This allowed for a far better understanding of the direction to the colliding black holes, forging the way for conventional telescopes to try to catch a glimpse of these violent events.</p>
<p>Australia continues to play an important role in gravitational-wave astronomy. The newly funded Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational-wave Discovery ( <a href="http://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/latest-news/2016/09/new-arc-centre-of-excellence-for-gravitational-wave-discovery-announced.php" type="external">OzGrav</a>) will make the most of LIGO discoveries while laying the groundwork for the next generation of gravitational-wave detectors. One day, we might even have our own gravitational-wave lab Down Under.</p>
<p>With LIGO and other detectors, we can explore Einstein’s hidden universe. But for all the gravitational waves we anticipate, the most exciting prospect to us is that we might see something that no one has predicted. So watch this space.</p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/eric-thrane-176673" type="external">Eric Thrane</a> is a senior lecturer in physics &amp; astronomy, ARC future fellow and node leader at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav) at Monash University; Paul Lasky is a lecturer and ARC future fellow at <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065" type="external">Monash</a>; and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yuri-levin-227475" type="external">Yuri Levin</a> is a professor at Columbia University, group leader at the Flatiron Institute and adjunct professor at Monash.</p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com/" type="external">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/an-award-with-real-gravity-how-gravitational-waves-attracted-a-nobel-prize-66491" type="external">original article</a>.</p> | false | 1 | oct 3 upi 2017 nobel prize physics awarded overnight sweden royal swedish academy sciences began discussion 42 years ago two scientists hotel room washington dc kip thorne theoretical physicist caltech rainer rai weiss experimentalist mit debated would seemed physicists like farfetched borderline crazy idea detection ripples fabric spacetime called gravitational waves two young men serious weiss written detailed technical paper outlining proposal experiment would go become ligo laser interferometer gravitationalwave observatory thorne meanwhile thought lot potential sources gravitational waves developed deep appreciation much detection would tell us exotic astrophysical objects black holes neutron stars great collaboration forged night soon strengthened ronald drever brilliant experimental physicist joined faculty caltech three came different cultural backgrounds thorne grew mormon family utah weiss born berlin child halfjewish family escaped nazis first moving prague fleeing czechoslovakia invaded drever hailed glasgow scotland thick scottish accent united passion hear universe gravitational waves gravitational waves emitted universes catastrophic events exploding stars colliding black holes every source emits gravitational waves differently sources detectable ligo waves frequencies sound waves hear studying precise sound gravitational wave possible reconstruct event created offer unique window universe allowing us probe black holes extreme objects together developed ideas behind ligo obtained support caltech mit secured research funding us national science foundation importantly inspired two generations physicists around world devote lives quest gravitational waves chirp heard round world took many years dedicated teamwork realize vision ligo laboratory took shape leadership experimental physicist barry barish emeritus professor caltech created ligo scientific collaboration international team numbering 1000 scientists working aspects ligo science technology laser physics data analysis algorithms astrophysics australia early international partner consortium australian scientists made important contributions ligo instrumentation theoretical modeling data analysis instrument complex built two stages first stage ligo operated 2000s demonstrating technology would needed detect gravitational waves second stage advanced ligo equipment sensitive enough detect gravitational waves newly refurbished advanced ligo ready go late 2015 sept 14 year days advanced ligo switched burst gravitational waves shook mirrors used monitor curvature spacetime distance onethousandth size proton seems unimaginably small ligo instrument unimaginable sensitivity even without aid computer algorithm scientists could see data telltale signature merging pair black holes 30 times massive sun could also hear gravitationalwave signal ligos black hole merger converted audio makes characteristic chirping sound news discovery broke science enthusiasts took social media celebrate renditions time first announcement ron drever nursing home back scotland sick dementia nonetheless cognizant ligo discovery able enjoy kip thornes visit sharing memories ligos early days ron drever died march year ronald drever ligo cofounder american physical society years prize weiss barish thorne decisive contributions ligo detector observation gravitational waves continues nobel tradition honoring astronomical discoveries extreme phenomena albert einsteins general relativity plays major role one us levin fortunate carry dissertation research thornes supervision much must savoring great nobel honor certain feeling pales comparison moment set eyes ligos detection data first time century albert einsteins prediction lifetime searching gravitational waves two illfated black holes new era astronomy discovery milestone 21stcentury science detection gravitational waves confirmed einsteins theory also marked beginning new way gazing heavens gravitationalwave astronomy since first detection collaboration published detections black holes yet publish exciting results second advanced ligo observation run finished late august latest published discovery two ligo instruments joined another experiment italy called virgo allowed far better understanding direction colliding black holes forging way conventional telescopes try catch glimpse violent events australia continues play important role gravitationalwave astronomy newly funded australian research council centre excellence gravitationalwave discovery ozgrav make ligo discoveries laying groundwork next generation gravitationalwave detectors one day might even gravitationalwave lab ligo detectors explore einsteins hidden universe gravitational waves anticipate exciting prospect us might see something one predicted watch space eric thrane senior lecturer physics amp astronomy arc future fellow node leader arc centre excellence gravitational wave discovery ozgrav monash university paul lasky lecturer arc future fellow monash yuri levin professor columbia university group leader flatiron institute adjunct professor monash article originally published conversation read original article | 655 |
<p />
<p>What a difference a week can make. The heaviest snow in Syria in a quarter-century, some claimed, last week’s storm closed for a time even the main highway from Damascus to Beirut.</p>
<p>But that was then, and now it’s spring in Damascus, or so it feels to those of us used to New England Januarys. It’s nearly downright balmy here. Spring flowers are bursting out all over, and the city parks are crowded with mothers pushing baby carriages, kids playing, and young lovers cooing softly on the park benches. Park workers are raking the dead leaves and others trimming the palm trees and piling the branches neatly on flatbed trucks.</p>
<p>What “civil war”? What “crisis”? One is tempted to ask oneself, even though there continues to be intermittent “thuds” and a jet streaking overhead now and then en route apparently to one of the suburbs where clashes erupt intermittently.</p>
<p>It’s been a rough winter, and perhaps we are just experiencing here a false spring. Yet one senses a palpable sigh of relief and even some optimism while talking to citizens, NGO staffers, and some officials. It could be partly the wonderful weather, but perhaps also a realization that a corner may have been turned, peace and security will be restored, and the killing ended. Some refugees are to be seen returning to Damascus. Syrians and Palestinians from Lebanon — yet there are still traffic backups with cars piled high with personal belongings crossing over to Lebanon at the Masnaa border checkpoint. Meanwhile the Ministry of Interior in Damascus has pledged various forms of help to those who heed the governments call to “come back home to your people.”</p>
<p>Energized by the exhilarating park ambiance this observer decided to walk to UNESCO headquarters for an appointment. Plus it can be kind of tough at times to find a taxi these days.</p>
<p>Perhaps I should have remained in the park. Lord knows that this observer has experienced his share of irate women shouting at him over the years. Being raised by three older sisters and a no-nonsense German/Italian mother—all of them unmercifully wanting to correct my behavior—was a mere harbinger of things to come. But, even with this “training”, I was ill prepared for what the lady at the UNESCO office here in central Damascus unleashed on me.</p>
<p>And I had not done the lady wrong.</p>
<p>Except, perhaps, that I happen to be an American and there is plenty of anger here among the Syrian public, the NGO’s, and increasingly the international legal community among others — not toward the American people but toward the US government — over the effects of its sanctions which are severely and illegally targeting the civilian population. At the same time, they are directly contributing to prospects of irreparably damaging many of this millenary country’s historic sites.</p>
<p>According to archeological experts here, Syria, with its six UNESCO world heritage sites testifying to its deserved reputation as being one of the most archeologically well-preserved cradles of civilization, may soon to be the most wantonly destroyed in modern times (Iraq being the other). This frequently-predicted catastrophe is a result, not only of war in the usual sense, but war in its more subtle form of US-led sanctions aimed at political regime change.</p>
<p>Of particular concern to UNESCO, whose UN mandate includes registering and protecting World historical sites, is the preservation of the Ancient Cities of Damascus, Bosra, Palmyra, Aleppo, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’ at Salah El-Din, as well as the ancient villages of Northern Syria.</p>
<p>This week, the Syrian Directorate of Antiquities and Museums has released its detailed report of acts of vandalism and illegal excavations by armed groups and foreign thieves across Syria. The Directorate has documented violations against archeological sites and Syrian museums, as well the emerging phenomenon of artifact forgery. In Aleppo, the Antiquities division reported that al-Diriya caves in Samaan Mountain suffered from acts of sabotage, adding that “terrorists have looted the equipment of excavations, wooden columns and timbers.”</p>
<p>Also, this week, Human Rights Watch issued a report that Saudi-Qatar-US backed militants destroyed religious locations following a four-day investigation in the provinces of Latakia and Idlib. According to HRW, a Husseiniyah (a congregation hall for Shia commemoration ceremonies) was destroyed by the militants in Idlib, while two Christian churches were looted in Latakia. The Middle East director at the Human Rights Watch, Sarah Leah Whitson claimed that Syria “will lose its rich cultural and religious diversity if armed groups do not respect places of worship.”</p>
<p>Against this backdrop, it is not totally surprising that my UNESCO hostess, less than half a minute after I entered her office, literally threw at me a statement in French from Director Irina Bokova of the UNESCO HQ in Paris. It read:</p>
<p>“I am deeply distressed by the daily news about the escalation of damage to cultural heritage throughout Syria. We saw damage to the Citadel in July and the souks ten days ago, and the Umayyad Mosque, heart of the religious life of the city, one of the most beautiful mosques in the Muslim world, is being severely endangered. In Northern Syria, the region of the Ancient Villages inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2011 is heavily struck and it seems that the invaluable Saint-Simeon Byzantine complex might have been torched.”</p>
<p>Before I could finish reading, the lady exclaimed: “These testimonials from the past…!” raising her voice and glaring at me while pointing to the posters of Syrian historical sites on her wall, “the destruction of this heritage for which your sanctions are partly responsible. Your government is responsible today and will be tomorrow, for the whole of humanity.” When I was eventually able to get a word in sideways, I explained that I had come to her office precisely because I have been studying the immoral, illegal and “un-American” sanctions and that I was spending my time in Syria learning first-hand about the sanctions’ utter disregard for the humanitarian concerns of the Syrian people — in contravention to what one hears repeatedly from US officials.</p>
<p>When I added that I don’t know any Americans who would condone what the Congress and our government have been doing, if they knew the facts on the ground, she did calm down a bit and said she understood what I was saying and more or less agreed. She then mentioned a national poll conducted on 13 January by the Better World Campaign, an organization that works to support U.S.-U.N. relations, that showed that 83 percent of US citizens believe it is important that their country provide funding to UNESCO and want the US to lift its sanctioning of UNESCO and pay its withheld budget contribution, which accounts for 22% of the UN specialized agency’s budget.</p>
<p>“Let me tell you something!” she exclaimed and launched into describing the dire effects of the current US-led sanctions on UNESCO’s work in preserving and protecting historical sites. In her view, the American assault on UNESCO and its work began when UNESCO committed a sin in March of 2011 by admitting Palestine as a full member.</p>
<p>She explained: “For months our offices had been warned by Israeli officials and then Americans, that there would be a big price-tag were we to admit Palestine.” And there was. In October 2011, the U.S. cut off funding to UNESCO as payback for admitting Palestine as a member and in November 2012, the United States was one of nine member states out of 193 in the General Assembly who, on behalf of the Zionist occupiers of Palestine, tried to unsuccessfully bar Palestine from gaining non-member observer state status at the UN.</p>
<p>UNESCO and some other NGO staff here claim that much of the damage here could have been prevented if there was a lifting of the US 2011 cut-off of UNESCO’s budget. As a direct result, UNESCO cannot even replace more than 400 staffers who left from normal attrition or even hire “neighborhood watch,” local volunteer personnel, to coordinate the guarding by of many archeological sites around Syria.</p>
<p>Regarding the other layers of US-led sanctions targeting the civilian population here, a survey by NGO’s on the impact of the fake “medicine and foods” exemptions will soon be released. Its indictment of the US-led sanctions is severe. Contrary to Washington and NATO mythology, the “medicine and foods” exemptions do not exist in reality because suppliers of both fear being accused of violating the great number of sanction details. Washington and Brussels are acutely aware of this fact.</p>
<p>Among the data that will be presented in the soon-to-be released analysis, are cases of cancer patients who need weekly medicines but are now only able to receive them twice a month, with the expected dire consequences. The same obtains for many other long term care patients who need specific medicines, even as generic as penicillin, which are no longer available as they were before the US-led sanctions.</p>
<p>Just as I was preparing to leave her office, she softened a bit and asked this observer. “See here, I generally like Americans who we come in contact with here but how can you explain these sanctions — or those in Iraq or Afghanistan that have killed so many?”</p>
<p>I tried to explain that we have a culture clash in America that means that many Americans overwhelmingly support UNESCO and the work of all sixteen of the UN Specialized Agencies but we also have politicians like Arizona Senator John McCain and South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham who never saw a war they did not like. The former just returned from another visit to the region and apparently learned nothing except that he still wants a military solution.</p>
<p>The latter, who is known for his jokes on Capitol Hill that as a “true southerner” he never got over the American Civil War or what it did to American society, has repeatedly expressed his view of US “economic” sanctions by declaring recently, “Sanctions are good but they need to be tougher! Cut the bastards off at the knees.”</p>
<p>Senator Graham also noted his agreement with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who made the repulsive statement that the deaths of 500,000 children in Iraq from a US “economic sanctions” regime that “exempted foods and medicine” but in reality was a starvation program “was worth the price.”</p>
<p>Ironically, it was the arch-nemesis of the Confederacy, Yankee General William Tecumseh Sherman, who might agree with Graham regarding sanctions against a civilian population. What has bothered Senator Graham since he first studied the Civil War in school, according to one Congressional source, is that the Yankee February 17, 1865 captured Graham’s state capital of Columbia, South Carolina. It was not pretty and most of the central city was destroyed. But the Yankee and the Confederate might just agree on targeting civilian populations with economic sanctions. Wrote Sherman, shortly before his March to the Sea which fatally cut the south in two:</p>
<p>“We are not fighting against enemy armies, but against an enemy people, young and old, rich and poor, and they must feel the iron hand of war in the same way as organized armies.”</p>
<p>I left the UNESCO office sort of crestfallen. Not because of the lady’s roughness with me, but rather because of the realization, yet once again, that our species quite simply does not learn much from history and apparently will repeat it until the end of times. May God protect the people, everywhere, from the politicians.</p> | false | 1 | difference week make heaviest snow syria quartercentury claimed last weeks storm closed time even main highway damascus beirut spring damascus feels us used new england januarys nearly downright balmy spring flowers bursting city parks crowded mothers pushing baby carriages kids playing young lovers cooing softly park benches park workers raking dead leaves others trimming palm trees piling branches neatly flatbed trucks civil war crisis one tempted ask oneself even though continues intermittent thuds jet streaking overhead en route apparently one suburbs clashes erupt intermittently rough winter perhaps experiencing false spring yet one senses palpable sigh relief even optimism talking citizens ngo staffers officials could partly wonderful weather perhaps also realization corner may turned peace security restored killing ended refugees seen returning damascus syrians palestinians lebanon yet still traffic backups cars piled high personal belongings crossing lebanon masnaa border checkpoint meanwhile ministry interior damascus pledged various forms help heed governments call come back home people energized exhilarating park ambiance observer decided walk unesco headquarters appointment plus kind tough times find taxi days perhaps remained park lord knows observer experienced share irate women shouting years raised three older sisters nononsense germanitalian motherall unmercifully wanting correct behaviorwas mere harbinger things come even training ill prepared lady unesco office central damascus unleashed done lady wrong except perhaps happen american plenty anger among syrian public ngos increasingly international legal community among others toward american people toward us government effects sanctions severely illegally targeting civilian population time directly contributing prospects irreparably damaging many millenary countrys historic sites according archeological experts syria six unesco world heritage sites testifying deserved reputation one archeologically wellpreserved cradles civilization may soon wantonly destroyed modern times iraq frequentlypredicted catastrophe result war usual sense war subtle form usled sanctions aimed political regime change particular concern unesco whose un mandate includes registering protecting world historical sites preservation ancient cities damascus bosra palmyra aleppo crac des chevaliers qal salah eldin well ancient villages northern syria week syrian directorate antiquities museums released detailed report acts vandalism illegal excavations armed groups foreign thieves across syria directorate documented violations archeological sites syrian museums well emerging phenomenon artifact forgery aleppo antiquities division reported aldiriya caves samaan mountain suffered acts sabotage adding terrorists looted equipment excavations wooden columns timbers also week human rights watch issued report saudiqatarus backed militants destroyed religious locations following fourday investigation provinces latakia idlib according hrw husseiniyah congregation hall shia commemoration ceremonies destroyed militants idlib two christian churches looted latakia middle east director human rights watch sarah leah whitson claimed syria lose rich cultural religious diversity armed groups respect places worship backdrop totally surprising unesco hostess less half minute entered office literally threw statement french director irina bokova unesco hq paris read deeply distressed daily news escalation damage cultural heritage throughout syria saw damage citadel july souks ten days ago umayyad mosque heart religious life city one beautiful mosques muslim world severely endangered northern syria region ancient villages inscribed world heritage list 2011 heavily struck seems invaluable saintsimeon byzantine complex might torched could finish reading lady exclaimed testimonials past raising voice glaring pointing posters syrian historical sites wall destruction heritage sanctions partly responsible government responsible today tomorrow whole humanity eventually able get word sideways explained come office precisely studying immoral illegal unamerican sanctions spending time syria learning firsthand sanctions utter disregard humanitarian concerns syrian people contravention one hears repeatedly us officials added dont know americans would condone congress government knew facts ground calm bit said understood saying less agreed mentioned national poll conducted 13 january better world campaign organization works support usun relations showed 83 percent us citizens believe important country provide funding unesco want us lift sanctioning unesco pay withheld budget contribution accounts 22 un specialized agencys budget let tell something exclaimed launched describing dire effects current usled sanctions unescos work preserving protecting historical sites view american assault unesco work began unesco committed sin march 2011 admitting palestine full member explained months offices warned israeli officials americans would big pricetag admit palestine october 2011 us cut funding unesco payback admitting palestine member november 2012 united states one nine member states 193 general assembly behalf zionist occupiers palestine tried unsuccessfully bar palestine gaining nonmember observer state status un unesco ngo staff claim much damage could prevented lifting us 2011 cutoff unescos budget direct result unesco even replace 400 staffers left normal attrition even hire neighborhood watch local volunteer personnel coordinate guarding many archeological sites around syria regarding layers usled sanctions targeting civilian population survey ngos impact fake medicine foods exemptions soon released indictment usled sanctions severe contrary washington nato mythology medicine foods exemptions exist reality suppliers fear accused violating great number sanction details washington brussels acutely aware fact among data presented soontobe released analysis cases cancer patients need weekly medicines able receive twice month expected dire consequences obtains many long term care patients need specific medicines even generic penicillin longer available usled sanctions preparing leave office softened bit asked observer see generally like americans come contact explain sanctions iraq afghanistan killed many tried explain culture clash america means many americans overwhelmingly support unesco work sixteen un specialized agencies also politicians like arizona senator john mccain south carolina senator lindsay graham never saw war like former returned another visit region apparently learned nothing except still wants military solution latter known jokes capitol hill true southerner never got american civil war american society repeatedly expressed view us economic sanctions declaring recently sanctions good need tougher cut bastards knees senator graham also noted agreement former us secretary state madeleine albright made repulsive statement deaths 500000 children iraq us economic sanctions regime exempted foods medicine reality starvation program worth price ironically archnemesis confederacy yankee general william tecumseh sherman might agree graham regarding sanctions civilian population bothered senator graham since first studied civil war school according one congressional source yankee february 17 1865 captured grahams state capital columbia south carolina pretty central city destroyed yankee confederate might agree targeting civilian populations economic sanctions wrote sherman shortly march sea fatally cut south two fighting enemy armies enemy people young old rich poor must feel iron hand war way organized armies left unesco office sort crestfallen ladys roughness rather realization yet species quite simply learn much history apparently repeat end times may god protect people everywhere politicians | 1,034 |
<p>Toward the end of his State of the Union address, President Obama delivered a paragraph that was so blatantly absurd and self contradictory as to actually become clarifying—so incoherent that it shed a bright light on his thinking and his grave dilemma. It’s hard to believe he actually said this, but he did:</p>
<p>I’m a Democrat. But I believe what Republican Abraham Lincoln believed: That Government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more. That’s why my education reform offers more competition, and more control for schools and States. That’s why we’re getting rid of regulations that don’t work. That’s why our health care law relies on a reformed private market, not a Government program.</p>
<p>The examples he chose of course jump out as ludicrous: K-12 education in America is thoroughly dominated by the government, and the president has not proposed to make it less so. (And state governments, by the way, are also governments.) “Getting rid of regulations that don’t work” is certainly an unusual way to describe the regulatory agenda of this administration, which has involved a series of unprecedented delegations of authority to regulators (especially in health care and financial regulation) and which continues every day to spew forth an interminable array of costly, complex, and highly assertive rules that will give the federal government (and the executive agencies in particular) previously unimagined discretion over vast swaths of our economy. And “relies on a reformed private market, not a government program” is surely the most unabashedly dishonest and Orwellian way yet devised to describe Obamacare—a law that begins from the premise that the solution to our health care financing problems is to make the government an even greater provider and purchaser of health insurance, would spend well over a trillion dollars in the coming decade on yet another health care entitlement program and on the expansion of an unreformed Medicaid system, would micromanage the insurance industry in ways likely to make it even less efficient, would employ even heavier price controls in an otherwise unreformed Medicare system, and would raise half a trillion dollars in taxes on employment, investment, and medical research.</p>
<p>But even more galling than the examples was the very use of the Lincoln quote itself, which makes precisely the opposite point to the one made by the rest of the president’s speech. This speech offered a vision of a profoundly technocratic and activist government, with its hands in every nook and cranny of the nation’s economic life—a government guiding particular business decisions and nudging individual choices through just the right mix of incentives and rules to reach just the right balance between fairness and growth while designing the perfect website for job retraining programs and producing exactly the proper number of “high-tech batteries.” The president described the government’s bailout of the Detroit automakers as a roaring success and then said “What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh.” If he thinks that all the tasks he laid out for government are things that people “cannot do better by themselves” then he must have a very high opinion of how well government can do things, or a very low opinion of how well people can do things by themselves, or (most plausibly) both.</p>
<p>The intensely activist tone of the speech also meant, of course, that no real attention could be paid to what was the dominant theme of our political debates over the past year: Our out-of-control deficits and debt. Indeed, this was probably the foremost purpose of the speech. As he prepares for his reelection campaign, the president is clearly trying to move voters away from a focus on our coming fiscal disaster and toward a renewed focus on public spending and public programs—the outlook that defined the beginning of his administration, before his specific public spending and public programs soured the public on such spending and programs and (having resulted in unprecedented deficits) alarmed the Tea Party movement into being and yielded the 2010 election. But of course, those deficits and debt have only gotten worse, not better. And if we do not bring them under control—above all by reforming our health entitlement programs—we face fiscal prospects that would make an utter joke of the kind of approach to public policy and government embodied by this speech, with its explosion of spending, its barriers to economic growth, and its laughably misguided little millionaire’s surtax. Those prospects, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would involve debilitating levels of debt unlike anything we have experienced in America. This is the future from which the president needs to distract us:</p>
<p />
<p>These projections, especially compared to our fiscal circumstances in past years, also make a mockery of the now familiar nostalgia with which the president opened his speech—harkening back to the meteoric growth of the immediate postwar era in America. Even if his wistful reminiscences of that bright yesterday were better grounded in reality, the fact is that we simply cannot recreate the economic circumstances of those years, when America’s global competitors had just burned each other’s economies to the ground while ours stood ready gallop ahead. It is true that the unique explosive growth of those years also allowed for major expansions of government spending, and persisted despite fairly heavy tax and regulatory burdens. But that does not mean that it was caused by that spending or those burdens. It obviously wasn’t. And under very different circumstances, in which we must effectively compete and innovate in order to grow, we cannot afford such spending or such burdens. We must find other paths to broadly shared prosperity.</p>
<p>But the president does not seem interested in finding those paths. Instead, he prefers to shadowbox the familiar bogeymen held up by progressives for a century and more. Indeed, his striking appeals to replace our raucous republican politics with the model of military discipline at the beginning and the end of the speech offered conspicuous echoes of the progressive longing to overcome politics.</p>
<p>It all adds up to an attempt to shift the political conversation away from reality, as Mitch Daniels’s response so ably showed. But I don’t think it adds up to a very effective political strategy for the president. If tonight’s speech was indeed a preview of his election-year pitch, he’s going to have some problems.</p>
<p>Yuval Levinis the Hertog fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and the editor of National Affairs.</p> | false | 1 | toward end state union address president obama delivered paragraph blatantly absurd self contradictory actually become clarifyingso incoherent shed bright light thinking grave dilemma hard believe actually said im democrat believe republican abraham lincoln believed government people better thats education reform offers competition control schools states thats getting rid regulations dont work thats health care law relies reformed private market government program examples chose course jump ludicrous k12 education america thoroughly dominated government president proposed make less state governments way also governments getting rid regulations dont work certainly unusual way describe regulatory agenda administration involved series unprecedented delegations authority regulators especially health care financial regulation continues every day spew forth interminable array costly complex highly assertive rules give federal government executive agencies particular previously unimagined discretion vast swaths economy relies reformed private market government program surely unabashedly dishonest orwellian way yet devised describe obamacarea law begins premise solution health care financing problems make government even greater provider purchaser health insurance would spend well trillion dollars coming decade yet another health care entitlement program expansion unreformed medicaid system would micromanage insurance industry ways likely make even less efficient would employ even heavier price controls otherwise unreformed medicare system would raise half trillion dollars taxes employment investment medical research even galling examples use lincoln quote makes precisely opposite point one made rest presidents speech speech offered vision profoundly technocratic activist government hands every nook cranny nations economic lifea government guiding particular business decisions nudging individual choices right mix incentives rules reach right balance fairness growth designing perfect website job retraining programs producing exactly proper number hightech batteries president described governments bailout detroit automakers roaring success said whats happening detroit happen industries happen cleveland pittsburgh raleigh thinks tasks laid government things people better must high opinion well government things low opinion well people things plausibly intensely activist tone speech also meant course real attention could paid dominant theme political debates past year outofcontrol deficits debt indeed probably foremost purpose speech prepares reelection campaign president clearly trying move voters away focus coming fiscal disaster toward renewed focus public spending public programsthe outlook defined beginning administration specific public spending public programs soured public spending programs resulted unprecedented deficits alarmed tea party movement yielded 2010 election course deficits debt gotten worse better bring controlabove reforming health entitlement programswe face fiscal prospects would make utter joke kind approach public policy government embodied speech explosion spending barriers economic growth laughably misguided little millionaires surtax prospects according congressional budget office would involve debilitating levels debt unlike anything experienced america future president needs distract us projections especially compared fiscal circumstances past years also make mockery familiar nostalgia president opened speechharkening back meteoric growth immediate postwar era america even wistful reminiscences bright yesterday better grounded reality fact simply recreate economic circumstances years americas global competitors burned others economies ground stood ready gallop ahead true unique explosive growth years also allowed major expansions government spending persisted despite fairly heavy tax regulatory burdens mean caused spending burdens obviously wasnt different circumstances must effectively compete innovate order grow afford spending burdens must find paths broadly shared prosperity president seem interested finding paths instead prefers shadowbox familiar bogeymen held progressives century indeed striking appeals replace raucous republican politics model military discipline beginning end speech offered conspicuous echoes progressive longing overcome politics adds attempt shift political conversation away reality mitch danielss response ably showed dont think adds effective political strategy president tonights speech indeed preview electionyear pitch hes going problems yuval levinis hertog fellow ethics public policy center editor national affairs | 584 |
<p>A gushing profile of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in which New York Times star columnist Thomas Friedman praised him as the architect of the country’s “Arab Spring,” intent on moderating Islam and fighting corruption, has attracted quite a backlash.</p>
<p>During Friedman’s <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/23/opinion/saudi-prince-mbs-arab-spring.html?action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;clickSource=story-heading&amp;module=opinion-c-col-right-region&amp;region=opinion-c-col-right-region&amp;WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region&amp;_r=0" type="external">visit</a> to Riyadh, Mohammed bin Salman – or “M.B.S.” as the journalist invariably calls him – and “several senior ministers” treated him to “different lamb dishes” in the House of Saud’s “ornate adobe-walled family palace” and “wore him out with a fire hose of new ideas about transforming his country” during a conversation that lasted into the early hours of the morning. Importantly for Friedman, “M.B.S.” spoke in English.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/410900-iran-saudi-prince-salman-hitler/" type="external" /></p>
<p>While Friedman inserts several caveats into the article, its tone is relentlessly positive, and at one point he says “only a fool would not root” for the Crown Prince’s plans to succeed.</p>
<p>“[T]hey have a young leader who is driving religious and economic reform, who talks the language of high tech, and whose biggest sin may be that he wants to go too fast. Most ministers are now in their 40s — and not 60s. And with the suffocating hand of a puritanical Islam being lifted, it’s giving them a chance to think afresh about their country and their identity as Saudis,” writes Friedman, who reminds the audience of his own early journalistic career as a Middle East correspondent.</p>
<p>Friedman evidently probed “M.B.S.” on several hot-button issues, such as the Saudi-engineered political crisis in Lebanon, the humanitarian cost of the war in Yemen, and Iran. Each time, the Saudi royal, who is thought to have assumed control of the country from his father, King Salman, is allowed to state his views unchallenged. For all his spirit of openness, Mohammed bin Salman refuses to talk about the resignation of Saad Hariri, bats away questions about Yemen by saying that the war against the Houthis is nearly won, and refers to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as “the new Hitler of the Middle East” without any qualification of that statement from Friedman.After being roundly criticized in the comments, the 2,700-word profile then immediately went viral, provoking a reaction from many of the leading experts on the region and high-profile journalists.</p>
<p>Anti-terrorism expert Max Abrahms gave a capsule summary of the encounter.</p>
<p>Mohammad Bin Salman:</p>
<p>I’m a reformer.</p>
<p>Thomas Friedman:</p>
<p>You’re the best.</p>
<p>Mohammad Bin Salman:</p>
<p>I fight Nazis in the form of Iran.</p>
<p>Thomas Friedman:</p>
<p>You’re a modern day Winston Churchill.</p>
<p>Mohammad Bin Salman:</p>
<p>I like that.</p>
<p>Thomas Friedman:</p>
<p>Sure, thanks for the interview.</p>
<p>— Max Abrahms (@MaxAbrahms) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxAbrahms/status/934133607316250624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p>
<p>Indeed, according to AFP’s diplomatic correspondent Dave Clark,&#160;Riyadh was also pleased with the encounter.</p>
<p>Saudi government just sent me a copy of Friedman’s MBS piece, in case I missed it</p>
<p>— Dave Clark (@DaveClark_AFP) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveClark_AFP/status/934141232883920896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p>
<p>The Intercept journalist Glenn Greenwald in fact thought that the Saudis couldn’t even pay the NYT for such positive coverage.</p>
<p>This Tom Friedman hagiography of the Saudi tyrant who is killing actual reformers &amp; imposing famine and destruction on Yemen is – without hyperbole – utterly disgusting. If the Saudi regime bought a full-page ad in the NYT, it’d be less fawning and shameless than this column: <a href="https://t.co/5vHJ1ilWyJ" type="external">https://t.co/5vHJ1ilWyJ</a></p>
<p>— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) <a href="https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/934027180325199873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p>
<p>But according to Shane Bower, of Mother Jones, sometimes paid-for tours that end with lamb dinners in gilded palaces work better than any paid advertising.&#160;</p>
<p>Friedman’s Saudi article is a great example of the problem with access journalism. Powerful person brings you into the fold, makes you feel like part of the club, and shows what they want you to see. Then you write nice things about powerful person.</p>
<p>— Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) <a href="https://twitter.com/shane_bauer/status/934478845507440641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">25 November 2017</a></p>
<p>Adam H. Johnson, who writes for the LA Times, also noted the quality of Friedman’s research.</p>
<p>Journalist Michael Tracey thought the integrity and balance of the New York Times piece should be compared with the ceaseless bias exhibited by RT.</p>
<p>RT could put out 50 full-blown propaganda items a day and never match the sheer insidiousness of this ridiculous, bad-even-by-Tom-Friedman-standards ode <a href="https://t.co/AjD6j55UEs" type="external">https://t.co/AjD6j55UEs</a></p>
<p>— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtracey/status/934169937605689345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p>
<p>But then again, PRI’s Richard Hall noted that the “newspaper of record” knows what it’s doing.</p>
<p>The NYT’s business model is complex and multi-layered, but at its foundation is the vast traffic driven by people hate-reading Thomas Friedman.</p>
<p>— Richard Hall (@_RichardHall) <a href="https://twitter.com/_RichardHall/status/934051711462903808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p>
<p>While some shared jokes, others, such as AFP’s Sarah Hussein and freelancer David Klion, were genuinely offended.</p>
<p>Next time you hear about children starving to death in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yemen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">#Yemen</a>, where Riyadh is waging a war, remember Thomas Friedman tells us that the Saudi crown prince’s “biggest sin may be that he wants to go too fast.”</p>
<p>— Sara Hussein (@sarahussein) <a href="https://twitter.com/sarahussein/status/933947043437056000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p>
<p>There’s a lot wrong with that Friedman piece but by far the biggest problem is that we are helping the Saudi king commit genocide in Yemen right now and it really ought to be the biggest story in the world every day.</p>
<p>— David Klion (@DavidKlion) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidKlion/status/934066698617057281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p>
<p>The Daily Beast’s Paul Gottinger noted that there had already been an Arab Spring in Saudi Arabia, whose details go strangely unmentioned by the New York Times.</p>
<p>The most obscene part of Thomas Friedman’s atrocious piece on Saudi crown prince, is that many who took part in Saudi’s *actual* Arab Spring were executed or have been sentenced to death <a href="https://t.co/E6yPNQmVBX" type="external">pic.twitter.com/E6yPNQmVBX</a></p>
<p>— Paul Gottinger (@PaulGottinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulGottinger/status/934440523284336640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">25 November 2017</a></p>
<p>Murtaza Mohammad Hussein of the Intercept thought that the feature was informative ans useful, albeit not necessarily in the way Friedman was intending.</p>
<p>Thomas Friedman is obviously terrible but his writing provides a genuine insight into how the global elite thinks about things.</p>
<p>— Murtaza Mohammad Hussain (@MazMHussain) <a href="https://twitter.com/MazMHussain/status/934163465597587458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p>
<p>But perhaps the most damning response – and the most embarrassing for Friedman – was from&#160;Abdullah al-Arian,&#160;assistant professor of history at Georgetown University. He simply pulled out a dozen more starkly similar rhapsodies from the New York Times from the past century,&#160;each time vowing&#160;that the new Saudi ruler – however backward they turned out to be in hindsight – would be a reformer who would bring democracy and fairness to the Gulf State. And just like Friedman today, there was always an excitable journalist, convinced that he had received precious insight straight from the horse’s mouth, and ready to regurgitate it into the world.</p>
<p>In honor of Thomas Friedman’s latest love letter to Saudi here is 70 years of the NY Times describing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Saudi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">#Saudi</a> royals in the language of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/reform?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">#reform</a>.</p>
<p>— Abdullah Al-Arian (@anhistorian) <a href="https://twitter.com/anhistorian/status/934080718816399361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">24 November 2017</a></p> | false | 1 | gushing profile saudi crown prince mohammed bin salman new york times star columnist thomas friedman praised architect countrys arab spring intent moderating islam fighting corruption attracted quite backlash friedmans visit riyadh mohammed bin salman mbs journalist invariably calls several senior ministers treated different lamb dishes house sauds ornate adobewalled family palace wore fire hose new ideas transforming country conversation lasted early hours morning importantly friedman mbs spoke english read friedman inserts several caveats article tone relentlessly positive one point says fool would root crown princes plans succeed young leader driving religious economic reform talks language high tech whose biggest sin may wants go fast ministers 40s 60s suffocating hand puritanical islam lifted giving chance think afresh country identity saudis writes friedman reminds audience early journalistic career middle east correspondent friedman evidently probed mbs several hotbutton issues saudiengineered political crisis lebanon humanitarian cost war yemen iran time saudi royal thought assumed control country father king salman allowed state views unchallenged spirit openness mohammed bin salman refuses talk resignation saad hariri bats away questions yemen saying war houthis nearly refers irans supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei new hitler middle east without qualification statement friedmanafter roundly criticized comments 2700word profile immediately went viral provoking reaction many leading experts region highprofile journalists antiterrorism expert max abrahms gave capsule summary encounter mohammad bin salman im reformer thomas friedman youre best mohammad bin salman fight nazis form iran thomas friedman youre modern day winston churchill mohammad bin salman like thomas friedman sure thanks interview max abrahms maxabrahms 24 november 2017 indeed according afps diplomatic correspondent dave clark160riyadh also pleased encounter saudi government sent copy friedmans mbs piece case missed dave clark daveclark_afp 24 november 2017 intercept journalist glenn greenwald fact thought saudis couldnt even pay nyt positive coverage tom friedman hagiography saudi tyrant killing actual reformers amp imposing famine destruction yemen without hyperbole utterly disgusting saudi regime bought fullpage ad nyt itd less fawning shameless column httpstco5vhj1ilwyj glenn greenwald ggreenwald 24 november 2017 according shane bower mother jones sometimes paidfor tours end lamb dinners gilded palaces work better paid advertising160 friedmans saudi article great example problem access journalism powerful person brings fold makes feel like part club shows want see write nice things powerful person shane bauer shane_bauer 25 november 2017 adam h johnson writes la times also noted quality friedmans research journalist michael tracey thought integrity balance new york times piece compared ceaseless bias exhibited rt rt could put 50 fullblown propaganda items day never match sheer insidiousness ridiculous badevenbytomfriedmanstandards ode httpstcoajd6j55ues michael tracey mtracey 24 november 2017 pris richard hall noted newspaper record knows nyts business model complex multilayered foundation vast traffic driven people hatereading thomas friedman richard hall _richardhall 24 november 2017 shared jokes others afps sarah hussein freelancer david klion genuinely offended next time hear children starving death yemen riyadh waging war remember thomas friedman tells us saudi crown princes biggest sin may wants go fast sara hussein sarahussein 24 november 2017 theres lot wrong friedman piece far biggest problem helping saudi king commit genocide yemen right really ought biggest story world every day david klion davidklion 24 november 2017 daily beasts paul gottinger noted already arab spring saudi arabia whose details go strangely unmentioned new york times obscene part thomas friedmans atrocious piece saudi crown prince many took part saudis actual arab spring executed sentenced death pictwittercome6ypnqmvbx paul gottinger paulgottinger 25 november 2017 murtaza mohammad hussein intercept thought feature informative ans useful albeit necessarily way friedman intending thomas friedman obviously terrible writing provides genuine insight global elite thinks things murtaza mohammad hussain mazmhussain 24 november 2017 perhaps damning response embarrassing friedman from160abdullah alarian160assistant professor history georgetown university simply pulled dozen starkly similar rhapsodies new york times past century160each time vowing160that new saudi ruler however backward turned hindsight would reformer would bring democracy fairness gulf state like friedman today always excitable journalist convinced received precious insight straight horses mouth ready regurgitate world honor thomas friedmans latest love letter saudi 70 years ny times describing saudi royals language reform abdullah alarian anhistorian 24 november 2017 | 672 |
<p>President Donald Trump headed to Texas Tuesday tmorning o survey the response to devastating Tropical Storm Harvey, the first major natural disaster of his White House tenure, even as the lingering storm pushed floodwaters higher.</p>
<p>The slow-moving storm has brought catastrophic flooding to Texas, killed at least nine people, led to mass evacuations and paralyzed Houston, the fourth most-populous U.S. city. Some 30,000 people were expected to seek emergency shelter as the flooding entered its fourth day.</p>
<p>Harvey had also roiled energy markets and wrought damage estimated to be in the billions of dollars, with rebuilding likely to last beyond Trump’s current four-year term in office.</p>
<p>“My administration is coordinating closely with state and local authorities in Texas and Louisiana to save lives, and we thank our first responders and all of those involved in their efforts,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday.</p>
<p>Leaving now for Texas!</p>
<p>— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/902503724274331653" type="external">August 29, 2017</a></p>
<p>Trump was scheduled to arrive in Corpus Christi, near where Harvey came ashore on Friday as the most powerful hurricane to strike Texas in more than 50 years. The president will later go to the Texas capital Austin to meet state officials, receive briefings and tour the emergency operation center, the White House said.</p>
<p>Much of the Houston area remained underwater on Tuesday, and dangerous rescues went on through the night as police, firefighters and National Guard troops in helicopters, boats and trucks pulled stranded residents from flooded homes.</p>
<p>Officials believed about 1,000 households remained to be rescued, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena told ABC’s “Good Morning America.”</p>
<p>“We keep getting wave after wave after wave of rain and so that’s not calming the situation,” Pena said.</p>
<p>Forecasters drew comparisons to Hurricane Katrina, which lay waste to New Orleans and killed 1,800 people in 2005.</p>
<p>The administration of then-President George W. Bush drew accusations that his response was slow and inadequate – criticism that dealt a serious blow to his presidency.</p>
<p>Some who fled the rising floodwaters found they had few option, as roads were washed out and emergency services overloaded.</p>
<p>Emely Gonzalez, 21, said she took her wheelchair-bound mother to a hospital but was turned away because doctors determined her condition was not an emergency. Having left the woman’s oxygen tank at home, her friend Chris Pastor had to head back to the flooded home by kayak to retrieve it and had to swim back.</p>
<p>“It was just a very delicate situation,” Pastor said. The group later made it to safety in a hotel.</p>
<p>Before Harvey, the last Category 4 hurricane to make landfall in Texas was Carla in 1961. Its high winds and torrential rains destroyed about 1,900 homes and nearly 1,000 businesses, the National Weather Service said.</p>
<p>RUNWAYS TURNED INTO LAKES</p>
<p>Among the most recent deaths from Harvey was a man who drowned on Monday night while trying to swim across flooded Houston-area roads, the Houston Chronicle quoted the Montgomery County Constable’s Office as saying.</p>
<p>The storm center was in the Gulf of Mexico about 115 miles (185 km) southeast of Houston on Monday morning. It was likely to remain just off the coast of Texas through Tuesday night before moving inland over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.</p>
<p>Since coming ashore, Harvey has virtually stalled along the Texas coast, picking up warm water from the Gulf of Mexico and dumping torrential rain from San Antonio to Louisiana.</p>
<p>The Houston metro area has suffered some of the worst precipitation with certain areas expected to receive more than 50 inches (127 cm) of rain in a week, more than it typically receives for a year.</p>
<p>Harvey was expected to produce another 7 to 13 inches (18-33 cm) of rain through Thursday over parts of the upper Texas coast into southwestern Louisiana, the National Weather Service said.</p>
<p>“These stationary bands of tropical rain are very hard to time, very hard to place and are very unpredictable,” said Alek Krautmann, a weather service meteorologist in Louisiana.</p>
<p>Schools and office buildings were closed throughout the Houston metropolitan area, where 6.8 million people live.</p>
<p>The Federal Emergency Management Agency director Brock Long estimated that 30,000 people would eventually be housed temporarily in shelters.</p>
<p>Houston and Dallas have set up shelters in convention centers and Austin was preparing to house as many as 7,000 evacuees. More than 9,000 people packed into an overcrowded shelter in Houston, a Red Cross spokesman told CNN.</p>
<p>Hundreds of Houston-area roads were blocked by high water. The city’s two main airports were shut as the floods turned runways into ponds and more than a quarter million customers were without power as of Tuesday morning.</p>
<p>The Gulf of Mexico is home to half of U.S. refining capacity. The reduction in supply led gasoline futures to hit their highest level in two years this week as Harvey knocked out about 13 percent of total U.S. refining capacity, based on company reports and Reuters estimates.</p>
<p>The floods could destroy as much as $20 billion in insured property, making the storm one of the costliest in history for U.S. insurers, according to Wall Street analysts.</p>
<p>The Brazos River, one of the longest in the country, was forecast to crest at record highs well above flood levels on Tuesday about 30 miles (49 km) southwest of Houston, prompting authorities in Fort Bend County to order the evacuation of about 50,000 people.</p> | false | 1 | president donald trump headed texas tuesday tmorning survey response devastating tropical storm harvey first major natural disaster white house tenure even lingering storm pushed floodwaters higher slowmoving storm brought catastrophic flooding texas killed least nine people led mass evacuations paralyzed houston fourth mostpopulous us city 30000 people expected seek emergency shelter flooding entered fourth day harvey also roiled energy markets wrought damage estimated billions dollars rebuilding likely last beyond trumps current fouryear term office administration coordinating closely state local authorities texas louisiana save lives thank first responders involved efforts trump told reporters white house monday leaving texas donald j trump realdonaldtrump august 29 2017 trump scheduled arrive corpus christi near harvey came ashore friday powerful hurricane strike texas 50 years president later go texas capital austin meet state officials receive briefings tour emergency operation center white house said much houston area remained underwater tuesday dangerous rescues went night police firefighters national guard troops helicopters boats trucks pulled stranded residents flooded homes officials believed 1000 households remained rescued houston fire chief samuel pena told abcs good morning america keep getting wave wave wave rain thats calming situation pena said forecasters drew comparisons hurricane katrina lay waste new orleans killed 1800 people 2005 administration thenpresident george w bush drew accusations response slow inadequate criticism dealt serious blow presidency fled rising floodwaters found option roads washed emergency services overloaded emely gonzalez 21 said took wheelchairbound mother hospital turned away doctors determined condition emergency left womans oxygen tank home friend chris pastor head back flooded home kayak retrieve swim back delicate situation pastor said group later made safety hotel harvey last category 4 hurricane make landfall texas carla 1961 high winds torrential rains destroyed 1900 homes nearly 1000 businesses national weather service said runways turned lakes among recent deaths harvey man drowned monday night trying swim across flooded houstonarea roads houston chronicle quoted montgomery county constables office saying storm center gulf mexico 115 miles 185 km southeast houston monday morning likely remain coast texas tuesday night moving inland northwestern gulf mexico wednesday according us national hurricane center since coming ashore harvey virtually stalled along texas coast picking warm water gulf mexico dumping torrential rain san antonio louisiana houston metro area suffered worst precipitation certain areas expected receive 50 inches 127 cm rain week typically receives year harvey expected produce another 7 13 inches 1833 cm rain thursday parts upper texas coast southwestern louisiana national weather service said stationary bands tropical rain hard time hard place unpredictable said alek krautmann weather service meteorologist louisiana schools office buildings closed throughout houston metropolitan area 68 million people live federal emergency management agency director brock long estimated 30000 people would eventually housed temporarily shelters houston dallas set shelters convention centers austin preparing house many 7000 evacuees 9000 people packed overcrowded shelter houston red cross spokesman told cnn hundreds houstonarea roads blocked high water citys two main airports shut floods turned runways ponds quarter million customers without power tuesday morning gulf mexico home half us refining capacity reduction supply led gasoline futures hit highest level two years week harvey knocked 13 percent total us refining capacity based company reports reuters estimates floods could destroy much 20 billion insured property making storm one costliest history us insurers according wall street analysts brazos river one longest country forecast crest record highs well flood levels tuesday 30 miles 49 km southwest houston prompting authorities fort bend county order evacuation 50000 people | 569 |
<p>Seattle Mayor Ed Murray abruptly resigned Tuesday, about two hours after <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/mayor-ed-murrays-cousin-he-sexually-abused-me-too/" type="external">The Seattle Times reported</a>that his cousin said Murray had repeatedly molested him in the 1970s when he was a teenager.</p>
<p>Murray's cousin became the fifth man to accuse the mayor of sexual abuse. Earlier allegations of sexual abuse prompted Murray to drop out of his campaign for re-election but he had steadfastly refused to resign until now, <a href="http://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-times-mayor-murrays-cousin-accuses-him-of-sexual-abuse" type="external">our affiliate KOMO reports</a>.</p>
<p>He said his resignation would be effective Wednesday at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>“While the allegations against me are not true, it is important that my personal issues do not affect the ability of our city government to conduct the public’s business," Murray said in a statement issued at about 1:10 p.m. Tuesday.</p>
<p>“I’m proud of all that I have accomplished over my 19 years in the legislature, where I was able to pass what were at the time the largest transportation packages in state history, a landmark gay civil rights bill and a historic marriage equality bill.</p>
<p>“But it has also become clear to me that in light of the latest news reports it is best for the city if I step aside. To the people of this special city and to my dedicated staff, I am sorry for this painful situation."</p>
<p>Under terms of the Seattle city charter, City Council President Bruce Harrell will now take over as Seattle mayor until January, when Murray's term would have ended. Harrell will then be replaced by the winner of the mayoral race in the general election - either Jenny Durkan or Cary Moon.</p>
<p>The Times reported that Dyer, 54, said the molestation occurred when he and Murray shared a bedroom in the Dyer family home on New York's Long Island. Murray and his siblings went to live in New York after their mother died.</p>
<p>Dyer told The Seattle Times that the molestation stopped after a boy in a Catholic group home where Murray worked accused Murray of abuse.</p>
<p>Murray on Tuesday morning denied the new allegations in an interview with the Seattle Times, saying he did live with his cousin, Maryellen Sottile, and her children in New York but did not abuse Dyer. He said there has been a rift in the family for years, and this accusation is untrue.</p>
<p>Murray has also denied the allegations made by the four other men who previously accused him of molesting them when they were teenagers.</p>
<p>The Seattle Times' report on the latest allegation broke on Tuesday morning, just as Murray and representatives of the Oak View Group were going to detail plans to redevelop KeyArena. That announcement and news conference were abruptly canceled.</p>
<p>Several people had been calling on Murray to resign from the mayoral post even before the latest allegation of sex abuse, including Seattle City Council members M. Lorena Gonzalez and mayoral candidate Cary Moon.</p>
<p>The pressure for him to resign intensified in July after long-lost records unearthed by Oregon's Department of Human Services contained a child-welfare investigator's bombshell finding that Murray had sexually abused his foster son, Jeff Simpson, in 1984. The finding prompted Oregon state officials to conclude that "under no circumstances" should Murray serve as a foster parent in the future.</p>
<p>But other members of the City Council declined to call for his resignation or to take any action to remove him from office, including Council President Bruce Harrell. Harrell even went so far as to say that the sex abuse, if true, happened too long ago to be relevant.</p>
<p>Now that Murray has resigned, he is likely to face lawsuits and claims filed by his accusers.</p>
<p>Delvonn Heckard of Kent, one of Murray's original accusers, earlier filed a claim with the city of Seattle, saying he wants $1 million to $3 million from the city. He contends he was defamed by Murray and his lawyer after his allegations became public.</p>
<p>Dyer has not submitted any legal claims, but he did issue a declaration through his attorney saying that he was the victim of "repeated and prolonged" abuse.</p>
<p>"Murray is an aggravated sex predator, and I was his victim for an extended period," Dyer said in the declaration. He says in the declaration that he is willing to testify in court or impeachment proceedings against Murray.</p>
<p>Murray earlier served as a state representative from 1995 to 2007 and as a state senator, from 2007 to 2011, where he made a name for himself championing LGBTQ rights. He was elected as Seattle mayor in 2013, and began serving in January 2014.</p>
<p>---</p>
<p>Today, Mayor Murray released the following statement:</p>
<p>“I am announcing my resignation as mayor, effective at 5 p.m. tomorrow.</p>
<p>“While the allegations against me are not true, it is important that my personal issues do not affect the ability of our City government to conduct the public’s business.</p>
<p>“I’m proud of all that I have accomplished over my 19 years in the Legislature, where I was able to pass what were at the time the largest transportation packages in state history, a landmark gay civil rights bill and a historic marriage equality bill.</p>
<p>“And I am proud of what we have accomplished together at the City during my time as mayor, passing a nation-leading $15 minimum wage, and major progressive housing affordability and police accountability legislation, as well as negotiating an agreement to build a world-class arena that I believe in time will bring the NHL and NBA to Seattle.</p>
<p>“But it has also become clear to me that in light of the latest news reports it is best for the city if I step aside.</p>
<p>“To the people of this special city and to my dedicated staff, I am sorry for this painful situation.</p>
<p>“In the interest of an orderly transition of power, Council President Bruce Harrell will become Mayor upon my resignation, and will decide within the following five days whether he will fill out the remainder of my term. During this time Director of Operations Fred Podesta has been tasked with leading the transition.”</p>
<p>This report was provided by our affiliate KOMO.</p> | false | 1 | seattle mayor ed murray abruptly resigned tuesday two hours seattle times reportedthat cousin said murray repeatedly molested 1970s teenager murrays cousin became fifth man accuse mayor sexual abuse earlier allegations sexual abuse prompted murray drop campaign reelection steadfastly refused resign affiliate komo reports said resignation would effective wednesday 5 pm allegations true important personal issues affect ability city government conduct publics business murray said statement issued 110 pm tuesday im proud accomplished 19 years legislature able pass time largest transportation packages state history landmark gay civil rights bill historic marriage equality bill also become clear light latest news reports best city step aside people special city dedicated staff sorry painful situation terms seattle city charter city council president bruce harrell take seattle mayor january murrays term would ended harrell replaced winner mayoral race general election either jenny durkan cary moon times reported dyer 54 said molestation occurred murray shared bedroom dyer family home new yorks long island murray siblings went live new york mother died dyer told seattle times molestation stopped boy catholic group home murray worked accused murray abuse murray tuesday morning denied new allegations interview seattle times saying live cousin maryellen sottile children new york abuse dyer said rift family years accusation untrue murray also denied allegations made four men previously accused molesting teenagers seattle times report latest allegation broke tuesday morning murray representatives oak view group going detail plans redevelop keyarena announcement news conference abruptly canceled several people calling murray resign mayoral post even latest allegation sex abuse including seattle city council members lorena gonzalez mayoral candidate cary moon pressure resign intensified july longlost records unearthed oregons department human services contained childwelfare investigators bombshell finding murray sexually abused foster son jeff simpson 1984 finding prompted oregon state officials conclude circumstances murray serve foster parent future members city council declined call resignation take action remove office including council president bruce harrell harrell even went far say sex abuse true happened long ago relevant murray resigned likely face lawsuits claims filed accusers delvonn heckard kent one murrays original accusers earlier filed claim city seattle saying wants 1 million 3 million city contends defamed murray lawyer allegations became public dyer submitted legal claims issue declaration attorney saying victim repeated prolonged abuse murray aggravated sex predator victim extended period dyer said declaration says declaration willing testify court impeachment proceedings murray murray earlier served state representative 1995 2007 state senator 2007 2011 made name championing lgbtq rights elected seattle mayor 2013 began serving january 2014 today mayor murray released following statement announcing resignation mayor effective 5 pm tomorrow allegations true important personal issues affect ability city government conduct publics business im proud accomplished 19 years legislature able pass time largest transportation packages state history landmark gay civil rights bill historic marriage equality bill proud accomplished together city time mayor passing nationleading 15 minimum wage major progressive housing affordability police accountability legislation well negotiating agreement build worldclass arena believe time bring nhl nba seattle also become clear light latest news reports best city step aside people special city dedicated staff sorry painful situation interest orderly transition power council president bruce harrell become mayor upon resignation decide within following five days whether fill remainder term time director operations fred podesta tasked leading transition report provided affiliate komo | 543 |
<p>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The proposed Keystone XL pipeline survived nine years of protests, lawsuits and political wrangling that saw the Obama administration reject it and President Donald Trump revive it, but now the project faces the possibility of death by economics.</p>
<p>Low oil prices and the high cost of extracting Canadian crude from oil sands are casting new doubts on Keystone XL as executives with the Canadian company that wants to build it face the final regulatory hurdle next week in Nebraska.</p>
<p>The pipeline proposed in 2008 has faced dozens of state and federal delays, many of them prompted by environmental groups who ultimately persuaded President Barack Obama to deny federal approval in November 2015. President Donald Trump resuscitated the project in March, declaring that Calgary-based TransCanada would create “an incredible pipeline.”</p>
<p>After all that, a TransCanada executive raised eyebrows in the energy industry last week when he suggested that the pipeline developer doesn’t know whether it will move forward with the project. Paul Miller, an executive vice president who is overseeing the project, told an investor call that company officials won’t decide until late November or early December whether to start construction.</p>
<p>“We’ll make an assessment of the commercial support and the regulatory approvals at that time,” Miller said in the conference call Friday with investors.</p>
<p>The company has invited customers to bid for long-term contracts to ship oil on the pipeline. The bidding will run through September.</p>
<p>An energy expert said the project has been delayed so long it may no longer make economic sense.</p>
<p>“Frankly, in the current price climate, it’s probably not going to be a going venture unless there’s a massive improvement in technology” for processing Canadian crude, said Charles Mason, a University of Wyoming professor of petroleum and gas economics. Crude oil was trading at around $49.50 a barrel on Wednesday, down from highs of more than $100 in 2014.</p>
<p>The 1,179-mile pipeline would transport oil from tar sands deposits in Alberta, Canada, across Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with existing pipelines that feed Texas Gulf Coast refineries.</p>
<p>South Dakota and Montana regulators have approved the project, although there are legal challenges pending in both states. Only Nebraska has yet to give regulatory approval. The rest of the route for the oil to the Gulf would travel an existing pipeline in the network.</p>
<p>Mason said the biggest economic problem is that synthetic crude from the Canadian deposits is considered a lower-value product because it tends to be heavier, and thus more expensive to refine into gasoline and jet fuel. It’s also more expensive to extract than other oils.</p>
<p>Producers have also found other ways to ship oil, primarily by train, and many are reluctant to sign long-term contracts with a pipeline that wouldn’t go into operation for several more years, said Jeff Share, editor of the Houston-based Pipeline &amp; Gas Journal, a leading industry publication. Given the difficulties, Share said TransCanada has probably a “50-50” chance of completing the project.</p>
<p>The five-member Nebraska Public Service Commission is supposed to decide by Nov. 23 whether the project serves the public’s interests, based on evidence presented by attorneys in a formal legal proceeding beginning Monday and a series of public hearings held over the last few months. The elected commission is comprised of four Republicans and one Democrat.</p>
<p>Environmental opposition to the project has persisted in Nebraska, where opponents say the pipeline would pass through the Sandhills, an ecologically fragile region of grass-covered sand dunes, and would cross the land of farmers and ranchers who don’t want it.</p>
<p>Nebraska law enforcement authorities already have had discussions with their counterparts in North Dakota about how that state handled widespread protests during construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Indiana Reservation, said Cody Thomas, a Nebraska State Patrol spokesman.</p>
<p>Protesters led by Native American tribes and environmental groups flocked to North Dakota last summer to rally against the Dakota Access Pipeline, and some camped out in bitter cold through early this year, prompting the state to send a large law enforcement contingent that sometimes skirmished with protesters. The pipeline was ultimately completed but legal challenges remain.</p>
<p>Pipeline opponents in Nebraska said they are wary of TransCanada’s recent statements and don’t believe the company will surrender without a fight.</p>
<p>“We can’t let our guard down,” said Jim Carlson, a farmer near Silver Creek, Nebraska, who grows corn on the pipeline’s proposed route. “We’ve got to continue to be vigilant and proactive. TransCanada could be doing things just to throw us off.”</p>
<p>Carlson said TransCanada has offered him $307,000 since the company first contacted him in 2013, but he refuses to sign an easement agreement to grant access to his land. To highlight his opposition, Carlson is installing solar panels on his land directly in the path of the proposed pipeline.</p>
<p>If the Nebraska commission approves the route, TransCanada can initiate legal proceedings under eminent domain to gain access to the land of holdout property owners. TransCanada has secured agreement with roughly 90 percent of Nebraska landowners along the route.</p>
<p>The company said that if it decides to go ahead with the project, it would need six to nine months to start doing some of the staging of the construction crews followed by two years of construction.</p> | false | 1 | lincoln neb ap proposed keystone xl pipeline survived nine years protests lawsuits political wrangling saw obama administration reject president donald trump revive project faces possibility death economics low oil prices high cost extracting canadian crude oil sands casting new doubts keystone xl executives canadian company wants build face final regulatory hurdle next week nebraska pipeline proposed 2008 faced dozens state federal delays many prompted environmental groups ultimately persuaded president barack obama deny federal approval november 2015 president donald trump resuscitated project march declaring calgarybased transcanada would create incredible pipeline transcanada executive raised eyebrows energy industry last week suggested pipeline developer doesnt know whether move forward project paul miller executive vice president overseeing project told investor call company officials wont decide late november early december whether start construction well make assessment commercial support regulatory approvals time miller said conference call friday investors company invited customers bid longterm contracts ship oil pipeline bidding run september energy expert said project delayed long may longer make economic sense frankly current price climate probably going going venture unless theres massive improvement technology processing canadian crude said charles mason university wyoming professor petroleum gas economics crude oil trading around 4950 barrel wednesday highs 100 2014 1179mile pipeline would transport oil tar sands deposits alberta canada across montana south dakota nebraska would connect existing pipelines feed texas gulf coast refineries south dakota montana regulators approved project although legal challenges pending states nebraska yet give regulatory approval rest route oil gulf would travel existing pipeline network mason said biggest economic problem synthetic crude canadian deposits considered lowervalue product tends heavier thus expensive refine gasoline jet fuel also expensive extract oils producers also found ways ship oil primarily train many reluctant sign longterm contracts pipeline wouldnt go operation several years said jeff share editor houstonbased pipeline amp gas journal leading industry publication given difficulties share said transcanada probably 5050 chance completing project fivemember nebraska public service commission supposed decide nov 23 whether project serves publics interests based evidence presented attorneys formal legal proceeding beginning monday series public hearings held last months elected commission comprised four republicans one democrat environmental opposition project persisted nebraska opponents say pipeline would pass sandhills ecologically fragile region grasscovered sand dunes would cross land farmers ranchers dont want nebraska law enforcement authorities already discussions counterparts north dakota state handled widespread protests construction dakota access pipeline near standing rock indiana reservation said cody thomas nebraska state patrol spokesman protesters led native american tribes environmental groups flocked north dakota last summer rally dakota access pipeline camped bitter cold early year prompting state send large law enforcement contingent sometimes skirmished protesters pipeline ultimately completed legal challenges remain pipeline opponents nebraska said wary transcanadas recent statements dont believe company surrender without fight cant let guard said jim carlson farmer near silver creek nebraska grows corn pipelines proposed route weve got continue vigilant proactive transcanada could things throw us carlson said transcanada offered 307000 since company first contacted 2013 refuses sign easement agreement grant access land highlight opposition carlson installing solar panels land directly path proposed pipeline nebraska commission approves route transcanada initiate legal proceedings eminent domain gain access land holdout property owners transcanada secured agreement roughly 90 percent nebraska landowners along route company said decides go ahead project would need six nine months start staging construction crews followed two years construction | 552 |
<p>A Spanish court reveals that it sought an indictment against Kagame's former spymaster, now dead</p>
<p>Rwanda's former intelligence chief Patrick Karegeya, who was found strangled in South Africa, was under investigation by Spain for the killing of Seth Sendashonga, a staunch human rights defender and former Rwandan interior minister.</p>
<p>The revelation comes amid attempts by Spain's right-wing government, the ruling People's Party, to stop Spanish judges from investigating and trying cases of war crimes committed outside its territory.</p>
<p>A court in Madrid was seeking to indict Karegeya, an erstwhile ally of President Paul Kagame, for having allegedly organized the 1998 assassination of Sendashonga in Kenya, said a lawyer representing the families of Spanish, Congolese and Rwandan victims of crimes against humanity.</p>
<p>"We had evidence from witnesses that Mr Karegeya was the organizer of the killing of the former minister of interior of Rwanda Seth Sendashonga in Nairobi," said Jordi Palou Loverdos, who helped a Spanish court indict 40 senior Rwandan officers on war crimes charges, in a case of universal jurisdiction.</p>
<p>Sendashonga, an ethnic Hutu moderate and fierce critic of Kagame, was being driven to his residence in the Kenyan capital in May 1998 when two men armed with AK-47s unleashed a hail of bullets on the UN vehicle he was traveling in.</p>
<p>"We didn't have the opportunity to indict Mr Karegeya even though we were working on it. Sadly he was killed in January," Palou Loverdos said.</p>
<p>Karegeya, a former spymaster who fled Rwanda in 2007 and became a member of the opposition Rwandan National Congress was found dead in a Johannesburg hotel room on New Year's Day, apparently strangled.</p>
<p>Kagame denied having a role in Karegeya's murder but told the Wall Street Journal that he "wished" Rwanda had indeed carried out the assassination. Karegeya is believed to have amassed a trove of information implicating the Rwandan president.</p>
<p>Before his death, Karegeya had offered to testify against Kagame but the court kept its distance because an investigation was ensuing into the former spy chief's past activities, Palou Loverdos explained.</p>
<p>The court was hearing evidence against Karegeya relating to his intelligence activities abroad, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, when he was director general of Rwanda's External Security Organization and notorious for eliminating Kagame's enemies.</p>
<p>In 2008, Spanish Judge Fernando Andre Merelles indicted 40 officers of the Rwandan Patriotic Army on counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and terrorism committed in the 1990s and early 2000, in a case of universal jurisdiction before the court.</p>
<p>The doctrine of universal jurisdiction contends that crimes of genocide and torture are so serious that people accused of committing them can be tried anywhere, even in countries where the crimes did not take place.</p>
<p>In a move that grabbed headlines in 1998, Spain issued an international arrest warrant for ex Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet on charges of genocide, terrorism and torture. Pinochet was put under house arrest in London but was never extradited to Spain. He died in Chile in 2006.</p>
<p>Kagame himself is exempt from being prosecuted because the Spanish court does not have jurisdiction to indict a sitting head of state.</p>
<p>The indictment issued in 2008 against Kagame's senior officers is now in jeopardy after Spanish MPs voted in February to severely restrict its doctrine of universal jurisdiction and abolish retroactive cases.</p>
<p>Under the proposed legislation, perpetrators of war crimes would only be prosecuted if the accused resides in Spain or is a Spanish citizen.</p>
<p>Spain, which has been economically battered by the recession and seeks stable trade relations with China, sought to reform its laws after its investigative court issued arrest warrants against former Chinese president Jiang Zemin and four senior Chinese officials over past war crimes in Tibet.</p>
<p>Rights activists slammed the move, saying it amounted to abolishing universal jurisdiction altogether and that Spain would lose its reputation for holding abusive leaders accountable.</p>
<p>"It's a tremendous setback for human rights in a crucial country where the courts were pioneering the universal jurisdiction principle," Palou Loverdos lamented.</p>
<p>But he predicted the government would face legal challenges because the bill appears to violate Spain's constitution, which forbids enacting retroactive laws and requires the state to uphold international treaties.</p>
<p>He said the government would have legal difficulty abolishing indictments against Kagame's Tutsi-led regime in light of a 15-year investigation on behalf of Spanish victims who included aid workers and priests allegedly killed by Kagame's army during and after the genocide.</p>
<p>He also said Spain is a signatory to the Genocide Convention and four Geneva Conventions and therefore is legally compelled to respect these treaties at a national level.</p>
<p>"Our constitution has an article stipulating that whenever Spain signs and ratifies a convention, this comes into force directly in Spain's internal legal system as if it were national law," he explained.</p>
<p>Palou Loverdos said a public awareness campaign is underway and city councils across Spain have begun sending petitions to parliament urging the conservative party not to pass the law.</p>
<p>The Spanish investigative court, which operates independently from the government, has faced enormous hurdles since issuing the indictment against Rwandan officers. So far, none of the 40 accused have been extradited, even those who've resided in the United States and South Africa.</p>
<p>Palou Loverdos said the US State department has tried to politically meddle and lobby the Spanish government to quash the court's efforts at establishing international justice. A <a href="http://www.veritasrwandaforum.org/dosier/03.03.11_cable4.pdf" type="external">US embassy cable</a> revealing US lobbying efforts was released through WikiLeaks.</p>
<p>"It wasn't Rwanda exerting pressure, it was the US State Department and its officials," Palou Loverdos stated.</p>
<p>But Spanish lawyers insist they will continue investigating war crimes allegedly committed by Kagame and his army, and are preparing a new round of indictments.</p>
<p>"What I can tell you is that we are still collecting evidence and it's being brought to court," said the lawyer, adding that protected and public witnesses were currently testifying before Judge Merelles.</p>
<p>The latest person to testify was Theogene Rudasingwa, former cabinet chief for Kagame, now in exile in the US.</p>
<p>"Rudasingwa knew about many decisions by Paul Kagame because he was present," Palou Loverdos pointed out.</p>
<p>"He was very clear about the involvement of Kagame in the wars in the Congo, and the personal decisions that Kagame was taking regarding military strategies and killing strategies, and also the plunder initiatives in eastern Congo."</p> | false | 1 | spanish court reveals sought indictment kagames former spymaster dead rwandas former intelligence chief patrick karegeya found strangled south africa investigation spain killing seth sendashonga staunch human rights defender former rwandan interior minister revelation comes amid attempts spains rightwing government ruling peoples party stop spanish judges investigating trying cases war crimes committed outside territory court madrid seeking indict karegeya erstwhile ally president paul kagame allegedly organized 1998 assassination sendashonga kenya said lawyer representing families spanish congolese rwandan victims crimes humanity evidence witnesses mr karegeya organizer killing former minister interior rwanda seth sendashonga nairobi said jordi palou loverdos helped spanish court indict 40 senior rwandan officers war crimes charges case universal jurisdiction sendashonga ethnic hutu moderate fierce critic kagame driven residence kenyan capital may 1998 two men armed ak47s unleashed hail bullets un vehicle traveling didnt opportunity indict mr karegeya even though working sadly killed january palou loverdos said karegeya former spymaster fled rwanda 2007 became member opposition rwandan national congress found dead johannesburg hotel room new years day apparently strangled kagame denied role karegeyas murder told wall street journal wished rwanda indeed carried assassination karegeya believed amassed trove information implicating rwandan president death karegeya offered testify kagame court kept distance investigation ensuing former spy chiefs past activities palou loverdos explained court hearing evidence karegeya relating intelligence activities abroad particularly democratic republic congo director general rwandas external security organization notorious eliminating kagames enemies 2008 spanish judge fernando andre merelles indicted 40 officers rwandan patriotic army counts genocide crimes humanity terrorism committed 1990s early 2000 case universal jurisdiction court doctrine universal jurisdiction contends crimes genocide torture serious people accused committing tried anywhere even countries crimes take place move grabbed headlines 1998 spain issued international arrest warrant ex chilean dictator augusto pinochet charges genocide terrorism torture pinochet put house arrest london never extradited spain died chile 2006 kagame exempt prosecuted spanish court jurisdiction indict sitting head state indictment issued 2008 kagames senior officers jeopardy spanish mps voted february severely restrict doctrine universal jurisdiction abolish retroactive cases proposed legislation perpetrators war crimes would prosecuted accused resides spain spanish citizen spain economically battered recession seeks stable trade relations china sought reform laws investigative court issued arrest warrants former chinese president jiang zemin four senior chinese officials past war crimes tibet rights activists slammed move saying amounted abolishing universal jurisdiction altogether spain would lose reputation holding abusive leaders accountable tremendous setback human rights crucial country courts pioneering universal jurisdiction principle palou loverdos lamented predicted government would face legal challenges bill appears violate spains constitution forbids enacting retroactive laws requires state uphold international treaties said government would legal difficulty abolishing indictments kagames tutsiled regime light 15year investigation behalf spanish victims included aid workers priests allegedly killed kagames army genocide also said spain signatory genocide convention four geneva conventions therefore legally compelled respect treaties national level constitution article stipulating whenever spain signs ratifies convention comes force directly spains internal legal system national law explained palou loverdos said public awareness campaign underway city councils across spain begun sending petitions parliament urging conservative party pass law spanish investigative court operates independently government faced enormous hurdles since issuing indictment rwandan officers far none 40 accused extradited even whove resided united states south africa palou loverdos said us state department tried politically meddle lobby spanish government quash courts efforts establishing international justice us embassy cable revealing us lobbying efforts released wikileaks wasnt rwanda exerting pressure us state department officials palou loverdos stated spanish lawyers insist continue investigating war crimes allegedly committed kagame army preparing new round indictments tell still collecting evidence brought court said lawyer adding protected public witnesses currently testifying judge merelles latest person testify theogene rudasingwa former cabinet chief kagame exile us rudasingwa knew many decisions paul kagame present palou loverdos pointed clear involvement kagame wars congo personal decisions kagame taking regarding military strategies killing strategies also plunder initiatives eastern congo | 640 |
<p>Promising Hindu superiority, Hindutva has been turned into a vicious doctrine that promotes ultra-nationalism, religious fundamentalism and intolerance</p>
<p>Muslims are a suspect community in India and, in some states more than others, are increasingly becoming targets of scorn and terrorism at the hands of radical and fundamentalist Hindu outfits. What lies at the root of this is a fundamental change in the outlook of a segment of Hindus towards non-Hindus and minorities.</p>
<p>They call this doctrine of hate and terror, "Hindutva".</p>
<p>In an election related petition before the Bombay High Court the appellants contended that an appeal to vote for Hindutva amounted to an appeal to vote on grounds of religion and therefore is a corrupt practice under the law. The respondents argued that "Dharma" or "Hindutva" or "Hinduism" are all synonymous terms and appeal to vote for Hindutva was not for religion, but for culture. The Bombay High Court agreed that Hindutva or Hinduism was culture falling within Article 29 of the Constitution.</p>
<p>Later, appellants before the Supreme Court of India submitted that "Hindutva" or "Hinduism" was no religion but a way of life which incorporated noble values such as respect for all religions and the moral code of conduct for every sphere of human activity that evolved in this land from most ancient times, inter alia, included secularism.&#160; In support of this they relied on two earlier Constitution Bench Judgments of the Supreme Court in the cases of Yajnapurushdasji (1966 (3) SCR 242) and Sridharan (1976 (4) SCC 489). The court accepted the contention of the appellants and further observed that Hinduism and Hindutva accept and respect every religion and recognize the right of every individual to practice any religion.</p>
<p>Hailed as landmark judgment, this was expected to put an end to misinterpretation of Hindutva or Hinduism as religious fundamentalism or its misuse by exploiting religion for politics that could destroy the secular character of the Indian Nation. But this was not to be.</p>
<p>Most unfortunately, Hindutva has been turned into a philosophy of ultra-nationalism by right wing Hindu fundamentalists. Its votaries gloat over the rise of Hindutva on the pyre of Hinduism, for they have felt embarrassed and humiliated by Hinduism as it is.</p>
<p>Being a faith and way of life, fundamentalists saw Hinduism as weak and inferior to Semitic creeds that had a strong presence in India and which they found to be well-bounded, monolithic, masculine, organized and capable of sustaining the ideology of an imperial state. This was demonstrated by the past conquests of Hindu states by Muslim invaders from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Iran that established their dynasties at different times and later by the Christian British colonialists. Consequently, they felt a strong need to build Hindutva on the tenets of reformed Hinduism, redefine the origins and evolution of Hindu civilization and religion and project Hindu power by building India into a powerful regional player and persecute Muslims, Christians and other minorities.</p>
<p>Sangh Parivar, a family of Hindu nationalist organizations of which Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad are part, adopted new Hindutva as its guiding ideology. Shiv Sena, a highly controversial political party of Maharashtra, shares this ideology and is very closely associated with Sangh Parivar. The record of these right winga radical right wing political party a radical right wing political party a radical right wing political party radical parties in pursuing ultra-nationalist agenda and engaging in indiscriminate massacre of minorities, particularly Muslims, is enough to show the true colors of Hindutvavadis (followers of Hindutva).</p>
<p>Since the first horrific Mumbai blasts of 1992 a persistent campaign has created a perception that Muslims were behind every terror activity, promoting a shrill paranoia about the existence of a vast and homegrown Islamist terror networks that were sometimes linked to Kashmiri freedom struggle and at other times to Pakistan's ISI. This was reinforced by biased media coverage and political campaigning.</p>
<p>And it is this frame of mind that has slipped into the Indian criminal justice system too. The police, investigating agencies, intelligence agencies and even the lower courts, under the media and government pressure to show results after bomb blasts and killings, have found Muslim youth easy scapegoats for blame to be heaped on for all acts of terrorism, instead of finding actual culprits. These young men are rounded up even if Muslim communities themselves are the targets of Hindu terror. They are put away in jails without evidence, tortured without regard to their rights and even "convicted" by the courts on the basis of their so called "confessions". Their future is destroyed and their families are made destitute.</p>
<p>With this militant Hindutva on the rise, Indian secularism is clearly on the decline.</p>
<p>The well known Indian publication "Tehelka Magazine" in its January issue makes startling revelations about the Hindutva conspiracy to commit large scale killings of Muslims. It has published the voluntary confession of a zealot who has for long remained directly involved in the planning and execution of such acts of terrorism.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">&lt;img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-8521" style="margin: 5px;" title="swami-aseemanand" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/swami-aseemanand.jpg" alt="Swami Aseemanand" width="200" height="150" srcset="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/swami-aseemanand.jpg 200w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/swami-aseemanand-150x113.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /&gt;</a>According to the magazine, on December 18, 2010, Swami Aseemanand, an elderly Bengali man and key accused in 2007 Mecca Masjid blast (in Hyderabad Deccan) that claimed nine Muslims lives, voluntarily confessed before the metropolitan magistrate of Delhi his involvement in a string of terror attacks. He did this in full knowledge that his confession could take him to the gallows.</p>
<p>Naba Kumar Sarkar, popularly called Swami Aseemanand, a Hindutva leader and a rabid Muslim hater, was arrested in November 2010 after being a fugitive for two years. He was known to be very close to RSS leadership, including former RSS chief KS Sudarshan, current chief Mohan Bhagwat and politicians like Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan.</p>
<p>According to Aseemanand, it was a momentous emotional transformation that prompted him to take this step of seeking prayschit (penance). He reportedly told the magistrate, "When I was lodged in Chanchalguda district jail in Hyderabad, one of my co-inmates was Kaleem. During my interaction with Kaleem I learnt that he was previously arrested in the Mecca Masjid bomb blast case and had to spend about a year and a half in prison. During my stay in jail, he helped me a lot and used to serve me by bringing water, food, etc for me. I was very moved by Kaleem's good conduct and my conscience asked me to do prayschit (penance) by making a confessional statement so that real culprits can be punished and no innocent has to suffer."</p>
<p>The confessional statement spread over 42 pages went beyond terror attacks against Muslim communities. It unraveled the inner working of Hindutva terror network, provided names and extent of involvement of Hindutva leaders in the conspiracy, uncovered legal evidence about the planning and execution of terror acts over past several years by Hindutva zealots and provided forensic evidence that connects the missing links that has eluded investigators so far. In short, this one confession unfolds the mystery surrounding RSS reign of terror against minorities.</p>
<p>This testimony and earlier investigations have revealed new faces that lie at the heart of the terror conspiracy. One such person is Indresh Kumar, a member of the RSS central committee. His own party men have confessed before CBI investigators that he mentored, bankrolled and directed the RSS pracharaks in carrying out Malegaon, Hyderabad, Samjhauta Express, Ajmer and Mecca Masjid attacks. Evidence has surfaced that these radicals even bombed Hindu temples and blamed the attacks on the Muslims groups.</p>
<p />
<p /> | false | 1 | promising hindu superiority hindutva turned vicious doctrine promotes ultranationalism religious fundamentalism intolerance muslims suspect community india states others increasingly becoming targets scorn terrorism hands radical fundamentalist hindu outfits lies root fundamental change outlook segment hindus towards nonhindus minorities call doctrine hate terror hindutva election related petition bombay high court appellants contended appeal vote hindutva amounted appeal vote grounds religion therefore corrupt practice law respondents argued dharma hindutva hinduism synonymous terms appeal vote hindutva religion culture bombay high court agreed hindutva hinduism culture falling within article 29 constitution later appellants supreme court india submitted hindutva hinduism religion way life incorporated noble values respect religions moral code conduct every sphere human activity evolved land ancient times inter alia included secularism160 support relied two earlier constitution bench judgments supreme court cases yajnapurushdasji 1966 3 scr 242 sridharan 1976 4 scc 489 court accepted contention appellants observed hinduism hindutva accept respect every religion recognize right every individual practice religion hailed landmark judgment expected put end misinterpretation hindutva hinduism religious fundamentalism misuse exploiting religion politics could destroy secular character indian nation unfortunately hindutva turned philosophy ultranationalism right wing hindu fundamentalists votaries gloat rise hindutva pyre hinduism felt embarrassed humiliated hinduism faith way life fundamentalists saw hinduism weak inferior semitic creeds strong presence india found wellbounded monolithic masculine organized capable sustaining ideology imperial state demonstrated past conquests hindu states muslim invaders central asia afghanistan iran established dynasties different times later christian british colonialists consequently felt strong need build hindutva tenets reformed hinduism redefine origins evolution hindu civilization religion project hindu power building india powerful regional player persecute muslims christians minorities sangh parivar family hindu nationalist organizations rashtriya swayamsevak sangh rss bharatiya janata party bjp bajrang dal vishva hindu parishad part adopted new hindutva guiding ideology shiv sena highly controversial political party maharashtra shares ideology closely associated sangh parivar record right winga radical right wing political party radical right wing political party radical right wing political party radical parties pursuing ultranationalist agenda engaging indiscriminate massacre minorities particularly muslims enough show true colors hindutvavadis followers hindutva since first horrific mumbai blasts 1992 persistent campaign created perception muslims behind every terror activity promoting shrill paranoia existence vast homegrown islamist terror networks sometimes linked kashmiri freedom struggle times pakistans isi reinforced biased media coverage political campaigning frame mind slipped indian criminal justice system police investigating agencies intelligence agencies even lower courts media government pressure show results bomb blasts killings found muslim youth easy scapegoats blame heaped acts terrorism instead finding actual culprits young men rounded even muslim communities targets hindu terror put away jails without evidence tortured without regard rights even convicted courts basis called confessions future destroyed families made destitute militant hindutva rise indian secularism clearly decline well known indian publication tehelka magazine january issue makes startling revelations hindutva conspiracy commit large scale killings muslims published voluntary confession zealot long remained directly involved planning execution acts terrorism ltimg classalignleft sizefull wpimage8521 stylemargin 5px titleswamiaseemanand srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201101swamiaseemanandjpg altswami aseemanand width200 height150 srcsethttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201101swamiaseemanandjpg 200w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201101swamiaseemanand150x113jpg 150w sizesmaxwidth 200px 100vw 200px gtaccording magazine december 18 2010 swami aseemanand elderly bengali man key accused 2007 mecca masjid blast hyderabad deccan claimed nine muslims lives voluntarily confessed metropolitan magistrate delhi involvement string terror attacks full knowledge confession could take gallows naba kumar sarkar popularly called swami aseemanand hindutva leader rabid muslim hater arrested november 2010 fugitive two years known close rss leadership including former rss chief ks sudarshan current chief mohan bhagwat politicians like gujarat chief minister narendra modi madhya pradesh chief minister shivraj singh chauhan according aseemanand momentous emotional transformation prompted take step seeking prayschit penance reportedly told magistrate lodged chanchalguda district jail hyderabad one coinmates kaleem interaction kaleem learnt previously arrested mecca masjid bomb blast case spend year half prison stay jail helped lot used serve bringing water food etc moved kaleems good conduct conscience asked prayschit penance making confessional statement real culprits punished innocent suffer confessional statement spread 42 pages went beyond terror attacks muslim communities unraveled inner working hindutva terror network provided names extent involvement hindutva leaders conspiracy uncovered legal evidence planning execution terror acts past several years hindutva zealots provided forensic evidence connects missing links eluded investigators far short one confession unfolds mystery surrounding rss reign terror minorities testimony earlier investigations revealed new faces lie heart terror conspiracy one person indresh kumar member rss central committee party men confessed cbi investigators mentored bankrolled directed rss pracharaks carrying malegaon hyderabad samjhauta express ajmer mecca masjid attacks evidence surfaced radicals even bombed hindu temples blamed attacks muslims groups | 746 |
<p>While ostensibly a season of celebration and gift-giving, Christmas has found itself embroiled in number of controversies over its Christian character involving college campuses, figurines and the US president himself.</p>
<p>Though its roots can be <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas" type="external">traced back</a> to midwinter festivities of pagan and Roman Europe, Christmas has been celebrated by Christians worldwide on December 25 (or January 7 if you are Orthodox) as the birthday of Jesus Christ. Recent decades, however, have seen the religious aspects of this holiday chipped away both by secularism and rampant consumerism, and some conservative commentators have declared there is a “War on Christmas.”</p>
<p>As yuletide draws nearer, RT looks back on a few of the Chrimbo controversies that have erupted over the past few weeks.</p>
<p>Santa Claus, Christmas trees, wrapping gifts and jingle bells are all regular fixtures of the season, but not, apparently, at the University of Minnesota, where a newsletter from the Dean this week informed students that “specific religious iconography” is “not appropriate for gatherings and displays at this time of year” and advised students to “consider neutral-themed parties such as a ‘winter celebration’” instead. Jewish symbols of Hanukkah such as dreidels were also listed as undesirable.</p>
<p>The U of M ( <a href="https://twitter.com/UMNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">@UMNews</a>) shared this letter with some faculty and student employees this week The colors red &amp; green, blue &amp; white/silver are verboten during the “winter celebration” period. Images of Santa, wrapped gifts, and bells are also deemed “religious iconography.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BahHumbug?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">#BahHumbug</a> <a href="https://t.co/sxzqDXLLqY" type="external">pic.twitter.com/sxzqDXLLqY</a></p>
<p>— Jon Miltimore (@miltimore79) <a href="https://twitter.com/miltimore79/status/941125792360255488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">December 14, 2017</a></p>
<p>The handout also encouraged students to report any dissident decorating to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. However, university spokeswoman Emma Bauer told Fox News that the letter was a “conversation piece to facilitate dialogue at a voluntary, internal college event on respecting religious diversity in the workplace,” and not official college policy.</p>
<p>Among the self-proclaimed defenders of the Christmas tradition is US President Donald Trump, who has decried the role “political correctness” has had in dampening the festive spirit, and has made a point of saying “Merry Christmas” instead of the more neutral expression, “Happy Holidays,” favored by the Obamas.</p>
<p>“They don’t use the word ‘Christmas’ because it’s not politically correct,” he said in a speech in October. “We’re saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again.”</p>
<p>True to his word, the Trump family’s Christmas card this year read “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” and is signed by Melania Trump, her son Barron and the POTUS himself.</p>
<p>But there might be some discord in the First Family’s household as daughter Ivanka Trump tweeted “Happy Holidays!” on Tuesday, inadvertently inviting a wave of sarcasm. Ivanka is married to Jared Kushner, who is Jewish, and herself converted to Judaism in 2009.</p>
<p>While over half of Americans don’t mind whether they are greeted with a “Merry Christmas” or a “Happy Holidays,” according to a recent Pew <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2017/12/12/americans-say-religious-aspects-of-christmas-are-declining-in-public-life/" type="external">survey</a>, the latter can be deeply offensive to conservative Christians who consider it an attack on their beliefs.</p>
<p>Across on the other side of the Atlantic, France’s fiercely secular tradition of “laïcité” forbids the expression or proselytizing of religion in many public places, leading to court rulings against local authorities putting up nativity scenes in their town halls. But earlier in December Laurent Wauquiez, the president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and contender for the leadership of the right-wing Republicans party, found a way to get around the ban by claiming his nativity set-up was in fact a celebration of the work done by local artisans.</p>
<p>“Judges have banned us from displaying a nativity scene in the town hall and other public buildings,” Wauquiez said. “And so this year, we have organized an exhibit about the art of making santons [nativity figures].The aim is to put forward this extraordinary savoir-faire, and for people to find out more about how the traditional figurines are made.”</p>
<p>Pendant un mois la Région va accueillir une grande exposition sur les métiers d’art des santonniers. Venez découvrir le travail des santonniers de notre région, un art et un savoir-faire artisanal extraordinaire et ancien. <a href="https://t.co/aZ6ozlg1fe" type="external">pic.twitter.com/aZ6ozlg1fe</a></p>
<p>— Laurent Wauquiez (@laurentwauquiez) <a href="https://twitter.com/laurentwauquiez/status/937688670483730432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">December 4, 2017</a></p>
<p>M Wauquiez’s “exhibit” was criticized by local left-wingers, who <a href="http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/2017/12/04/25001-20171204ARTFIG00253-wauquiez-contourne-l-interdiction-de-sa-creche-de-noel-en-exposant-des-santons.php" type="external">accused him</a> of acting “like a child.”</p>
<p>Parents, officials and politicians alike complained to the Gribskolen primary school in Graested, Denmark, earlier this week after it chose to cancel the traditional Christmas service, in an effort not to exclude pupils from different religious backgrounds.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/412912-christmas-denmark-muslims-school/" type="external" /></p>
<p>“We took the decision because we have children who are not Protestant,” Marianne Vederso Schmidt, the head of the school, wrote in an intranet posting earlier this month, adding that “it must be left to the individual families whether they want to privately attend a service.”</p>
<p>A group of 10 parents were the first to criticize the decision, which was quickly picked up by the national media.“I don’t see why our tradition has to be taken away from us, just because someone else at the school believes in something else,” Mette Brüel-Holler, the mother of two enrolled daughters, told TV2. “I come from a small community, where the church is important, and these traditions are beautiful. I remember enjoying them myself as a child, and they are a fundamental part of Christmas.”</p>
<p>Some speculated that the move was made to avoid offending the sensibilities of Muslim students, and right-leaning politicians too weighed in on the argument.&#160;“We are a Christian country with our own traditions,” Marie Krarup of the Danish People’s Party wrote on her Facebook. “We should not sacrifice this in the name of multiculturalism.”</p>
<p>However, the chairman of the School Leaders Association, Claus Hjortdal, has said that there is no rule saying that there must be a Christmas service at the end of term, and pointed out that many schools do not have one at all.</p>
<p>In the past, Christmas celebrations have been banned by Puritan Christians in both England and America, as well as by communist regimes such as Cuba and Albania. These days an actual ban on festivities is only observed in a handful of mostly Muslim countries.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/413424-austria-santa-fine-burqa/" type="external" /></p>
<p>In 2015, Somali officials declared that public celebrations on Christmas have no place in a Muslim society, and may provoke an attack by militant group al-Shabaab. The few Christians remaining in the country, mostly foreigners, are allowed to practice their beliefs in private. Around the same time the sultanate of Brunei in Southeast Asia also outlawed Christmas, and anyone caught wearing a Santa hat there could face five years in jail.</p>
<p>The same year, the majority-Muslim but officially secular ex-Soviet republic of Tajikistan passed laws banning Christmas trees, gift-giving, dinners, fundraising and fireworks, having already banned Father Frost, the Russian version of Santa Claus, from TV screens in 2013. The measures apply to both Christmas time and New Year’s, and are intended to guard Tajikistan’s cultural traditions from foreign influences.</p>
<p>Christmas is banned in communist North Korea, where the nation’s Christians are forced to practice their beliefs in secret. In 2014, Pyongyang threatened to hit a Christmas tree erected on the South Korean border with an artillery strike.</p> | false | 1 | ostensibly season celebration giftgiving christmas found embroiled number controversies christian character involving college campuses figurines us president though roots traced back midwinter festivities pagan roman europe christmas celebrated christians worldwide december 25 january 7 orthodox birthday jesus christ recent decades however seen religious aspects holiday chipped away secularism rampant consumerism conservative commentators declared war christmas yuletide draws nearer rt looks back chrimbo controversies erupted past weeks santa claus christmas trees wrapping gifts jingle bells regular fixtures season apparently university minnesota newsletter dean week informed students specific religious iconography appropriate gatherings displays time year advised students consider neutralthemed parties winter celebration instead jewish symbols hanukkah dreidels also listed undesirable u umnews shared letter faculty student employees week colors red amp green blue amp whitesilver verboten winter celebration period images santa wrapped gifts bells also deemed religious iconography bahhumbug pictwittercomsxzqdxllqy jon miltimore miltimore79 december 14 2017 handout also encouraged students report dissident decorating office equal opportunity affirmative action however university spokeswoman emma bauer told fox news letter conversation piece facilitate dialogue voluntary internal college event respecting religious diversity workplace official college policy among selfproclaimed defenders christmas tradition us president donald trump decried role political correctness dampening festive spirit made point saying merry christmas instead neutral expression happy holidays favored obamas dont use word christmas politically correct said speech october saying merry christmas true word trump familys christmas card year read merry christmas happy new year signed melania trump son barron potus might discord first familys household daughter ivanka trump tweeted happy holidays tuesday inadvertently inviting wave sarcasm ivanka married jared kushner jewish converted judaism 2009 half americans dont mind whether greeted merry christmas happy holidays according recent pew survey latter deeply offensive conservative christians consider attack beliefs across side atlantic frances fiercely secular tradition laïcité forbids expression proselytizing religion many public places leading court rulings local authorities putting nativity scenes town halls earlier december laurent wauquiez president auvergnerhônealpes region contender leadership rightwing republicans party found way get around ban claiming nativity setup fact celebration work done local artisans judges banned us displaying nativity scene town hall public buildings wauquiez said year organized exhibit art making santons nativity figuresthe aim put forward extraordinary savoirfaire people find traditional figurines made pendant un mois la région va accueillir une grande exposition sur les métiers dart des santonniers venez découvrir le travail des santonniers de notre région un art et un savoirfaire artisanal extraordinaire et ancien pictwittercomaz6ozlg1fe laurent wauquiez laurentwauquiez december 4 2017 wauquiezs exhibit criticized local leftwingers accused acting like child parents officials politicians alike complained gribskolen primary school graested denmark earlier week chose cancel traditional christmas service effort exclude pupils different religious backgrounds read took decision children protestant marianne vederso schmidt head school wrote intranet posting earlier month adding must left individual families whether want privately attend service group 10 parents first criticize decision quickly picked national mediai dont see tradition taken away us someone else school believes something else mette brüelholler mother two enrolled daughters told tv2 come small community church important traditions beautiful remember enjoying child fundamental part christmas speculated move made avoid offending sensibilities muslim students rightleaning politicians weighed argument160we christian country traditions marie krarup danish peoples party wrote facebook sacrifice name multiculturalism however chairman school leaders association claus hjortdal said rule saying must christmas service end term pointed many schools one past christmas celebrations banned puritan christians england america well communist regimes cuba albania days actual ban festivities observed handful mostly muslim countries read 2015 somali officials declared public celebrations christmas place muslim society may provoke attack militant group alshabaab christians remaining country mostly foreigners allowed practice beliefs private around time sultanate brunei southeast asia also outlawed christmas anyone caught wearing santa hat could face five years jail year majoritymuslim officially secular exsoviet republic tajikistan passed laws banning christmas trees giftgiving dinners fundraising fireworks already banned father frost russian version santa claus tv screens 2013 measures apply christmas time new years intended guard tajikistans cultural traditions foreign influences christmas banned communist north korea nations christians forced practice beliefs secret 2014 pyongyang threatened hit christmas tree erected south korean border artillery strike | 681 |
<p>Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, directed by Jim Jarmusch, is quirky, witty, fun, intelligent, without ever quite being a great movie. It lacks the urgency of great films, films that create their own forms by the power of what they have to say. Jarmusch is really as interested in his little post-modernist bag of tricks—license plates from “The Industrial State,” for example, or a sign reading Alighieri Realty or a girl who impassively watches her improbable, much-older boyfriend being shot and then hands the copy of Rashomon she has been reading to the murderer. “Ancient Japan was a strange place,” she says. “You can have it, I’m finished with it.” Clearly, Jarmusch country is as much a Never-never Land as The Industrial State, and the wry pleasures he derives from constructing it are (unless I’m missing some connections) continual distractions from what he has to say.</p>
<p>This is a pity, because what he has to say is of absorbing interest. How, that is, is it possible for a man to live according to a standard in a world without standards? The film’s hero, known only as Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker), is a free-lance assassin who lives with his homing pigeons on a roof-top in an anonymous urban slum. His only friends are a Haitian ice cream truck driver called Raymond (Isaach De Bankolé) who only speaks French, as Ghost Dog only speaks English, and a little girl called Pearline (Camille Winbush) whom he meets in the park and with whom he discusses literature. He confides in Pearline that “I never understand a word he [Raymond] says,” but he understands more than he thinks he does.</p>
<p>Ghost Dog’s own favored reading is the 18th century Japanese text, Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai, and he tries to live his life according to its precepts, several of which Jarmusch quotes as a sort of punctuation to the film. One of these is: “Not to forget one’s master is the fundamental thing for a retainer.” Ghost Dog has chosen as his own “master” one Louie Botticelli (John Tormey) an Italian gangster who once saved his life. Louie and his fellow gangsters are like a geriatric version of the Godfather or Goodfellas mob, wallowing in their stereotypes even as they comically deviate from them. At one point, the landlord of the Chinese restaurant where they hang out angrily demands three month’s rent. “What kind of operation you guys running here anyway?” he asks.</p>
<p>Louie doesn’t understand all Ghost Dog’s talk of “masters” and “retainers,” but he is happy to commission mob hits from time to time, one of which sets the action of the film in motion. Even in a film so largely symbolic and atmospheric as this one is, I can’t but think it a fault that this incident is so ill-explained. Louie, acting for his mob bosses, commissions a hit on Handsome Frank (Richard Portnow) for screwing the boss’s daughter. But once Frank, a made guy, is dead, the bosses turn around and decree that Frank’s killer must be killed. Such treachery seems to be a natural part of this world, so I guess Jarmusch doesn’t see any need to explain it. Louie grumbles about it—“Everything seems to be changing. around us….Nothing makes any sense anymore.”</p>
<p>Naturally, he is prepared to carry out orders anyway until Ghost Dog, with whom he only communicates by carrier pigeon, surprises him and kills his accomplice. “I’m your retainer,” he says. “I follow a code.”</p>
<p>“Is that why you have that f****** big gun to my head?”</p>
<p>“I don’t mean no disrespect,” says Ghost Dog and shoots Louie in the shoulder so he won’t get into trouble with the bosses.</p>
<p>Later he has to shoot him there again. “You shot me in the exact same place!” cries Louie.</p>
<p>“I’m your retainer; I don’t mean no disrespect, “ says Ghost Dog again. “I don’t want to put too many holes in you.”</p>
<p>The other mob guys are not so lucky. Ghost Dog kills them all. But it then devolves on Louie, as the last survivor, to avenge the others, and in a final scene meant to summon up images of “High Noon” style gunfights, Louie and his retainer face each other in an empty street. Typically, Jarmusch has to tell us what he is doing. “This is the final shootout scene,” says Ghost Dog. “It’s very dramatic.” To Louie he says, “I understand. You have to avenge the death of your bosses, right? Well OK, then.”</p>
<p>Louie replies, almost apologetically: “It’s like you said. Better you than me, right? Nothing makes any sense anymore.” Even he has an obscure sense that both of them are bound by a code that seems an anachronism to the rest of the world. As Ghost Dog explains to Raymond, “A samurai must always stay loyal to his boss, no matter what happens. Me and him we’re from ancient tribes, and now we’re both almost extinct. But sometimes you have to stick to the ancient ways, the old school ways.”</p>
<p>Jarmusch’s use of hip hop and rap music is, I take it, meant to suggest a connection between this elegiac quality and the gang culture of the ghetto. Even Louie’s boss, the stone-faced Italian gangster, Sonny Valerio (Cliff Gorman), suddenly breaks into a performance of a few lines by his favorite rapper, Flavor Flave. That even the Crips and the Bloods may be said to live according to a code of honor like that of Ghost Dog I am entirely willing to believe, but the absence from the film of any actual gang members except the comically cinematic ones commanded by Sonny suggest that this is merely a bit of sentimentalism on Jarmusch’s part, a political gesture perhaps—like so much of rap itself. This is, like the exaggeratedly postmodern jokiness, a flaw in what is otherwise a funny and interesting meditation on that favorite conservative subject, the decline of standards.</p> | false | 1 | ghost dog way samurai directed jim jarmusch quirky witty fun intelligent without ever quite great movie lacks urgency great films films create forms power say jarmusch really interested little postmodernist bag trickslicense plates industrial state example sign reading alighieri realty girl impassively watches improbable mucholder boyfriend shot hands copy rashomon reading murderer ancient japan strange place says im finished clearly jarmusch country much nevernever land industrial state wry pleasures derives constructing unless im missing connections continual distractions say pity say absorbing interest possible man live according standard world without standards films hero known ghost dog forest whitaker freelance assassin lives homing pigeons rooftop anonymous urban slum friends haitian ice cream truck driver called raymond isaach de bankolé speaks french ghost dog speaks english little girl called pearline camille winbush meets park discusses literature confides pearline never understand word raymond says understands thinks ghost dogs favored reading 18th century japanese text hagakure way samurai tries live life according precepts several jarmusch quotes sort punctuation film one forget ones master fundamental thing retainer ghost dog chosen master one louie botticelli john tormey italian gangster saved life louie fellow gangsters like geriatric version godfather goodfellas mob wallowing stereotypes even comically deviate one point landlord chinese restaurant hang angrily demands three months rent kind operation guys running anyway asks louie doesnt understand ghost dogs talk masters retainers happy commission mob hits time time one sets action film motion even film largely symbolic atmospheric one cant think fault incident illexplained louie acting mob bosses commissions hit handsome frank richard portnow screwing bosss daughter frank made guy dead bosses turn around decree franks killer must killed treachery seems natural part world guess jarmusch doesnt see need explain louie grumbles iteverything seems changing around usnothing makes sense anymore naturally prepared carry orders anyway ghost dog communicates carrier pigeon surprises kills accomplice im retainer says follow code f big gun head dont mean disrespect says ghost dog shoots louie shoulder wont get trouble bosses later shoot shot exact place cries louie im retainer dont mean disrespect says ghost dog dont want put many holes mob guys lucky ghost dog kills devolves louie last survivor avenge others final scene meant summon images high noon style gunfights louie retainer face empty street typically jarmusch tell us final shootout scene says ghost dog dramatic louie says understand avenge death bosses right well ok louie replies almost apologetically like said better right nothing makes sense anymore even obscure sense bound code seems anachronism rest world ghost dog explains raymond samurai must always stay loyal boss matter happens ancient tribes almost extinct sometimes stick ancient ways old school ways jarmuschs use hip hop rap music take meant suggest connection elegiac quality gang culture ghetto even louies boss stonefaced italian gangster sonny valerio cliff gorman suddenly breaks performance lines favorite rapper flavor flave even crips bloods may said live according code honor like ghost dog entirely willing believe absence film actual gang members except comically cinematic ones commanded sonny suggest merely bit sentimentalism jarmuschs part political gesture perhapslike much rap like exaggeratedly postmodern jokiness flaw otherwise funny interesting meditation favorite conservative subject decline standards | 520 |
<p>It's the final award of the night and I'm so glad because my hands literally hurt from the feverish typing I've been doing for the last three hours! Oprah Winfrey handed out the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series to The Handmaid's Tale, which was incredible. Author Margaret Atwood took the stage and was given a standing ovation for creating the world behind the Hulu show.</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series goes to... Elizabeth Moss. First win and ninth nomination for Moss. She was very moved and finally put the guy working the five second delay button to work!</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series goes to... Sterling K. Brown for This Is Us, beating out his cast mate Milo Ventimiglia.</p>
<p>Anika Noni Rose standing by legend Cicely Tyson and telling her "You got this" as Tyson's nerves were getting the best of her was beautiful. They presented the Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series to HBO's Big Little Lies. Reese Witherspoon's joke about mic height was hilarious as Nicole Kidman towered next to her.</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie goes to... Black Mirror: San Junipero. Black Mirror went 2 for 2 tonight!</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie goes to... Nicole Kidman for her incredible work in HBO's Big Little Lies. So deserved!</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie goes to... Riz Ahmed for The Night Of.</p>
<p>Comedy icons Norman Lear and Carol Burnett handed out the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series to Veep! To be honest, considering what an incredible night Donald Glover has had with his show, Atlanta, I expected him to return the stage for a third time tonight.</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series goes to... Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Veep! SHE DID IT! SIX IN A ROW! AMAZING!</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series goes to... Donald Glover for his FX hit, Atlanta. This is another surprise win for Glover tonight! Jeffrey Tambor was considered the front runner in this category tonight. Glover thanked President Trump for making his award possible.</p>
<p>John Oliver attempted to thank Oprah for the second time tonight but ended up thanking her seat filler! That was spectacular. People are having all kinds of fun with that! This was my favorite reaction, though!</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Talk Series goes to... Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The award was handed out by Anthony Anderson and Priyanka Chopra, whom many on Twitter have been calling the best dressed of the night.</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series goes to... Don Roy King for Saturday Night Live - another big win for the SNL crew.</p>
<p>Viola Davis gave a beautiful intro to the In Memoriam section, which was beautifully accompanied by Hamilton's Christopher Jackson singing the Stevie Wonder classic, "As." Mary Tyler Moore turning off the newsroom lights at the end of that film really got me.</p>
<p>The Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie goes to... Charlie Brooker for Black Mirror: San Junipero.</p>
<p>The Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series goes to Reed Morano for the pilot episode of The Handmaid's Tale.</p>
<p>ALSO, THANK YOU LENA WAITHE FOR "RECLAIMING YOUR TIME!" I love Maxine Waters and that reference was the shit.</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Reality-Competition goes to multiple winner, The Voice. I love The Voice but I was hoping for a win for RuPaul's Drag Race. RuPaul Charles DID win a second Emmy this year for Outstanding Reality Show Host, though!</p>
<p>Big Sheldon Cooper and Young Sheldon Cooper presented the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series to Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe for their episode of Master of None. Lena Waithe just became the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for writing in a comedy series!</p>
<p>The Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series goes to... ANN DOWD for THE HANDMAID'S TALE!! That is a surprise to say the least... and no one was more surprised than the incredibly gifted actress herself! You'll get them next year Millie Bobby!!</p>
<p>The Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series goes to the writing team from Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.</p>
<p>I'm completely dead over RuPaul as Emmy! That was everything.</p>
<p>By the way, Alexander Skarsgård kissed Nicole Kidman on the damn lips right in front of Keith Urban, her husband! Scandalous!</p>
<p>Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda - reunited! Instant standing ovation! They presented the Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series or Movie to Alexander Skarsgård, the incredibly handsome, mustached Alexander Skarsgård. Swoon.</p>
<p>Outstanding Guest Actors Alexis Bledel and Gerald McRaney presented the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie to Jean-Marc Vallée for Big Little Lies. So well deserved!</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series goes to... Alec Baldwin for Saturday Night Live. SNL killing it tonight! "At long last, Mr. President, here is your Emmy." AMAZING!!</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series goes to... Bruce Miller for The Handmaid's Tale pilot episode.</p>
<p>We still have a bunch of awards til we get there but the Best Drama Series cateorgy is full of hits, seven shows that have captivated audiences and have loyal followings. What's your choice?</p>
<p>The Emmy for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series goes to... Saturday Night Live! No surprise there! SNL becomes the most nominated show in history this year - amazing!</p>
<p>The Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series - presented by the hilarious Dave Chappelle &amp; Melissa McCarthy - goes to Donald Glover for Atlanta!</p>
<p>JERMAINE FOWLER DOING THE VO FOR TONIGHT'S EMMY AWARDS IS GENIUS. I loved how he completely lost his shit while introducing presenter and star of Insecure, Issa Rae!</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie goes to... Laura Dern for Big Little Lies! Wow, she was INCREDIBLE in that series.</p>
<p>And the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series goes to... Kate McKinnon for Saturday Night Live!</p>
<p>Everyone seems to be looooooving Colbert as host so far... I know I certainly am.</p>
<p>Stephen Colbert coming in with that: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Emmys?src=hash" type="external">#Emmys</a> <a href="https://t.co/5t7n2shRgm" type="external">pic.twitter.com/5t7n2shRgm</a></p>
<p>First award of the evening, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series goes to: John Lithgow for The Crown!</p>
<p>The look on Melissa McCarthy's face when Sean Spicer took the stage! OMG!</p>
<p>Colbert is really letting Trump have it right now... and is really delighted in letting us all know the President has never won an Emmy... even though he has been nominated several times. And, that Emmys go to the winner of the popular vote.</p>
<p>Millie Bobby Brown - who in the world doesn't love that amazing little actress?! I'm hoping she takes home an Emmy tonight!</p>
<p>"Tonight we binge ourselves."</p>
<p>Haaaa! I love that some of those handmaids are handsome handmen! That was awesome! "clap, clap, clap, clap!"</p>
<p>OMG. "Jon Snow's butt." How much do I love Alison Janney?! Amazing.</p>
<p>Do you think comedy queen Julia Louis-Dreyfus can snag her SIXTH IN A ROW tonight? I do. I really, really do.</p>
<p>Gorgeous!</p>
<p>Yeah, Doug Stamper! Michael Kelly is absolutely one of the best actors working today... and an Emmy nominee tonight!</p>
<p>The show starts in just a few minutes... but let's talk about the fabric Debra Messing's dress is made of.</p>
<p>-----</p>
<p>Stephen Colbert is hosting the 69th Annual Emmy Awards tonight and, since Game of Thrones wasn't eligible this year, it's going to be all about "The Handmaid's Tale," "Westworld" and "This is Us," if you ask me. Saturday Night Live ties "Westworld" for a total of 22 nominations this year, so expect one of the funny ladies from SNL to walk away with some hardware tonight... but will it be Vanessa Bayer, the ever present Leslie Jones or superstar Kate McKinnon? Or will they split the votes and open it up for Veep's Anna Chlumsky?</p>
<p>Here's some looks from the pre-show red carpet:</p>
<p>I love Stanley Tucci... always have, always will.</p>
<p /> | false | 1 | final award night im glad hands literally hurt feverish typing ive last three hours oprah winfrey handed emmy outstanding drama series handmaids tale incredible author margaret atwood took stage given standing ovation creating world behind hulu show emmy outstanding lead actress drama series goes elizabeth moss first win ninth nomination moss moved finally put guy working five second delay button work emmy outstanding lead actor drama series goes sterling k brown us beating cast mate milo ventimiglia anika noni rose standing legend cicely tyson telling got tysons nerves getting best beautiful presented emmy outstanding limited series hbos big little lies reese witherspoons joke mic height hilarious nicole kidman towered next emmy outstanding television movie goes black mirror san junipero black mirror went 2 2 tonight emmy outstanding lead actress limited series movie goes nicole kidman incredible work hbos big little lies deserved emmy outstanding lead actor limited series movie goes riz ahmed night comedy icons norman lear carol burnett handed emmy outstanding comedy series veep honest considering incredible night donald glover show atlanta expected return stage third time tonight emmy outstanding lead actress comedy series goes julia louisdreyfus veep six row amazing emmy outstanding lead actor comedy series goes donald glover fx hit atlanta another surprise win glover tonight jeffrey tambor considered front runner category tonight glover thanked president trump making award possible john oliver attempted thank oprah second time tonight ended thanking seat filler spectacular people kinds fun favorite reaction though emmy outstanding variety talk series goes last week tonight john oliver award handed anthony anderson priyanka chopra many twitter calling best dressed night emmy outstanding directing variety series goes roy king saturday night live another big win snl crew viola davis gave beautiful intro memoriam section beautifully accompanied hamiltons christopher jackson singing stevie wonder classic mary tyler moore turning newsroom lights end film really got emmy outstanding writing limited series movie goes charlie brooker black mirror san junipero emmy outstanding directing drama series goes reed morano pilot episode handmaids tale also thank lena waithe reclaiming time love maxine waters reference shit emmy outstanding realitycompetition goes multiple winner voice love voice hoping win rupauls drag race rupaul charles win second emmy year outstanding reality show host though big sheldon cooper young sheldon cooper presented emmy outstanding writing comedy series aziz ansari lena waithe episode master none lena waithe became first africanamerican woman win emmy writing comedy series emmy outstanding supporting actress drama series goes ann dowd handmaids tale surprise say least one surprised incredibly gifted actress youll get next year millie bobby emmy outstanding writing variety series goes writing team last week tonight john oliver im completely dead rupaul emmy everything way alexander skarsgård kissed nicole kidman damn lips right front keith urban husband scandalous lily tomlin dolly parton jane fonda reunited instant standing ovation presented emmy outstanding actor limited series movie alexander skarsgård incredibly handsome mustached alexander skarsgård swoon outstanding guest actors alexis bledel gerald mcraney presented emmy outstanding directing limited series movie jeanmarc vallée big little lies well deserved emmy outstanding supporting actor comedy series goes alec baldwin saturday night live snl killing tonight long last mr president emmy amazing emmy outstanding writing drama series goes bruce miller handmaids tale pilot episode still bunch awards til get best drama series cateorgy full hits seven shows captivated audiences loyal followings whats choice emmy outstanding variety sketch series goes saturday night live surprise snl becomes nominated show history year amazing emmy outstanding directing comedy series presented hilarious dave chappelle amp melissa mccarthy goes donald glover atlanta jermaine fowler vo tonights emmy awards genius loved completely lost shit introducing presenter star insecure issa rae emmy outstanding supporting actress limited series movie goes laura dern big little lies wow incredible series emmy outstanding supporting actress comedy series goes kate mckinnon saturday night live everyone seems looooooving colbert host far know certainly stephen colbert coming emmys pictwittercom5t7n2shrgm first award evening outstanding supporting actor drama series goes john lithgow crown look melissa mccarthys face sean spicer took stage omg colbert really letting trump right really delighted letting us know president never emmy even though nominated several times emmys go winner popular vote millie bobby brown world doesnt love amazing little actress im hoping takes home emmy tonight tonight binge haaaa love handmaids handsome handmen awesome clap clap clap clap omg jon snows butt much love alison janney amazing think comedy queen julia louisdreyfus snag sixth row tonight really really gorgeous yeah doug stamper michael kelly absolutely one best actors working today emmy nominee tonight show starts minutes lets talk fabric debra messings dress made stephen colbert hosting 69th annual emmy awards tonight since game thrones wasnt eligible year going handmaids tale westworld us ask saturday night live ties westworld total 22 nominations year expect one funny ladies snl walk away hardware tonight vanessa bayer ever present leslie jones superstar kate mckinnon split votes open veeps anna chlumsky heres looks preshow red carpet love stanley tucci always always | 824 |
<p>Opponents of Obamacare have recently been in a vigorous debate over what, if anything, should be done to help people with pre-existing conditions when Obamacare is repealed. This debate was triggered when&#160; <a href="http://eppc.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=be333e74ea841be93db60da61&amp;id=bf4fa9c21e&amp;e=4de8d3b2b6" type="external">House GOP leaders signaled their intention</a>&#160;to bring to the floor a bill that would have drained an open-ended Obamacare fund — now being used to finance and promote the law’s “exchanges” — and used a portion of the resulting savings to bolster high-risk pools for persons with expensive health conditions.</p>
<p>Some opponents of Obamacare objected to this legislative maneuver. They questioned why the GOP would want to support a new federal funding stream for high-risk pools when most states already have such pools in place. Further, they argued that the whole point of Obamacare repeal is to disentangle the federal government from the health care system, not extend its reach, and a new federal funding stream flies in the face of that core objective.</p>
<p>These are reasonable arguments that deserve an answer.</p>
<p>It’s important to understand the political context within which this issue is being debated. The entire Obamacare edifice rests on the deceptive assertion that the law’s primary purpose is to cover persons with pre-existing conditions. The president and his team never defend the vast majority of the law’s provisions. What they do claim is that Obamacare was necessary to protect Americans, especially the sick, from the unregulated abuses of the health insurance industry. That argument, misleading as it is, resonates to some degree with the public, which is why the administration keeps repeating it over and over again.</p>
<p>And why does it resonate? Because, while the problem of pre-existing conditions is far narrower than we are led to believe, it does exist.&#160; <a href="http://eppc.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be333e74ea841be93db60da61&amp;id=144de8d2b4&amp;e=4de8d3b2b6" type="external">In an article I coauthored with my American Enterprise Institute colleague Tom Miller</a>, we estimated the number of people who have a pre-existing condition and are unable to gain access to affordable coverage at about 2 to 4 million people, or perhaps 1 percent of the U.S. population. The administration would like voters to think that tens of millions of Americans are facing this problem, which is not true. Most Americans who have expensive chronic ailments or have experienced a significant illness or injury in the past are already enrolled in very good insurance plans, mostly sponsored by their employers. Moreover, federal law already allows them to move between job-based insurance plans without fear of getting charged higher premiums based on their health history.</p>
<p>But there are cracks in today’s system. The main problem is that health insurance is owned by the employers, not the workers. When an employee needs to leave job-based insurance for the individual insurance market — for any number of possible reasons — the insurers providing coverage in that market can, under most circumstances, charge higher premiums to their potential customers who have, or had, serious health problems, even persons who have been in continuous insurance coverage for a very long time. This accepted practice in the individual market strikes a lot of people as unfair.</p>
<p>Those who seek to repeal Obamacare need to coalesce around a solution to the problem that is minimally intrusive because, without a practical alternative, it will be very difficult to dislodge the existing law.</p>
<p>Of course, solving the problem does not require anything remotely close to the massive interventions contained in Obamacare. But it does require change.</p>
<p>Which brings us back to the legislation — called the Helping Sick Americans Now (HSAN) Act — GOP leaders would like the House to consider. Some opponents of this legislation have in mind the possibility that the problem of pre-existing conditions can be resolved with deregulation and a more functioning marketplace for health insurance. And it is certainly true that the problem is caused — in part — by the favorable tax treatment granted to employer-paid insurance premiums. This encourages heavy reliance on job-based insurance that is not owned or controlled by the workers, and can’t be taken with them when they leave their jobs. The discontinuity in insurance coverage that therefore occurs in the United States compels a regulatory solution to ensure that workers who switch insurance do so without incurring significant financial risks. We would be far better off if the market for private health insurance had developed differently, with individuals purchasing and owning their coverage more, as they do with most other insurance products.</p>
<p>But there’s no sense in ignoring reality. Today, about 160 million Americans are enrolled in job-based insurance plans, and mainly they are satisfied with what they have. If Obamacare is repealed, there’s little prospect of wholesale change to this insurance system. Therefore, opponents of Obamacare need to promote solutions for pre-existing conditions that presume the continuation of job-based insurance as the dominant form of coverage.</p>
<p>The way to ensure stable insurance for persons with pre-existing conditions in a reform plan that emphasizes markets, not government, is to create a new protection for people who stay continuously insured. They should be allowed to move seamlessly between job-based and individually-owned insurance products without fear of being risk-rated based on their health status. Enacting this kind of protection will necessarily mean that many more people with histories of significant ailments will move into the individual insurance market, and thus potentially drive up premiums for current enrollees. To prevent the market from destabilizing during the transition period, it will be necessary to subsidize the premiums for the very costliest cases. That can be done with properly funded high-risk pools.</p>
<p>Some believe that the federal government should not involve itself in high-risk pool funding at all, ever. But the concept of “continuous coverage” protection for insurance enrollees will only work if it applies nationwide. After all, we have a national labor market, with people moving across state lines for new jobs very frequently. It will thus require federal legislation to ensure these workers are protected in every state, which also means that the high-risk pool funding necessary to make it work and stabilize premiums will need to be enacted at the federal level too, in the same legislation.</p>
<p>The HSAN does not go nearly this far in addressing pre-existing conditions. All it does is provide federal funding for state high-risk pools. It is a relatively small change, crafted mainly to deliver a political message. And on that score, it will succeed if given a chance.</p>
<p>But substantively it is also on firm ground. There’s nothing unsound or contrary to conservative principles about federal funding of high-risk pools. Indeed, a realistic plan to solve the problem of covering persons with pre-existing conditions — without mandates and drastic and intrusive regulations — will necessarily entail some federal funding of such pools. Done right, the end result won’t be “Obamacare-lite” but a market-driven health system in which the federal government’s role is dramatically scaled back, not expanded.</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 | opponents obamacare recently vigorous debate anything done help people preexisting conditions obamacare repealed debate triggered when160 house gop leaders signaled intention160to bring floor bill would drained openended obamacare fund used finance promote laws exchanges used portion resulting savings bolster highrisk pools persons expensive health conditions opponents obamacare objected legislative maneuver questioned gop would want support new federal funding stream highrisk pools states already pools place argued whole point obamacare repeal disentangle federal government health care system extend reach new federal funding stream flies face core objective reasonable arguments deserve answer important understand political context within issue debated entire obamacare edifice rests deceptive assertion laws primary purpose cover persons preexisting conditions president team never defend vast majority laws provisions claim obamacare necessary protect americans especially sick unregulated abuses health insurance industry argument misleading resonates degree public administration keeps repeating resonate problem preexisting conditions far narrower led believe exist160 article coauthored american enterprise institute colleague tom miller estimated number people preexisting condition unable gain access affordable coverage 2 4 million people perhaps 1 percent us population administration would like voters think tens millions americans facing problem true americans expensive chronic ailments experienced significant illness injury past already enrolled good insurance plans mostly sponsored employers moreover federal law already allows move jobbased insurance plans without fear getting charged higher premiums based health history cracks todays system main problem health insurance owned employers workers employee needs leave jobbased insurance individual insurance market number possible reasons insurers providing coverage market circumstances charge higher premiums potential customers serious health problems even persons continuous insurance coverage long time accepted practice individual market strikes lot people unfair seek repeal obamacare need coalesce around solution problem minimally intrusive without practical alternative difficult dislodge existing law course solving problem require anything remotely close massive interventions contained obamacare require change brings us back legislation called helping sick americans hsan act gop leaders would like house consider opponents legislation mind possibility problem preexisting conditions resolved deregulation functioning marketplace health insurance certainly true problem caused part favorable tax treatment granted employerpaid insurance premiums encourages heavy reliance jobbased insurance owned controlled workers cant taken leave jobs discontinuity insurance coverage therefore occurs united states compels regulatory solution ensure workers switch insurance without incurring significant financial risks would far better market private health insurance developed differently individuals purchasing owning coverage insurance products theres sense ignoring reality today 160 million americans enrolled jobbased insurance plans mainly satisfied obamacare repealed theres little prospect wholesale change insurance system therefore opponents obamacare need promote solutions preexisting conditions presume continuation jobbased insurance dominant form coverage way ensure stable insurance persons preexisting conditions reform plan emphasizes markets government create new protection people stay continuously insured allowed move seamlessly jobbased individuallyowned insurance products without fear riskrated based health status enacting kind protection necessarily mean many people histories significant ailments move individual insurance market thus potentially drive premiums current enrollees prevent market destabilizing transition period necessary subsidize premiums costliest cases done properly funded highrisk pools believe federal government involve highrisk pool funding ever concept continuous coverage protection insurance enrollees work applies nationwide national labor market people moving across state lines new jobs frequently thus require federal legislation ensure workers protected every state also means highrisk pool funding necessary make work stabilize premiums need enacted federal level legislation hsan go nearly far addressing preexisting conditions provide federal funding state highrisk pools relatively small change crafted mainly deliver political message score succeed given chance substantively also firm ground theres nothing unsound contrary conservative principles federal funding highrisk pools indeed realistic plan solve problem covering persons preexisting conditions without mandates drastic intrusive regulations necessarily entail federal funding pools done right end result wont obamacarelite marketdriven health system federal governments role dramatically scaled back expanded james c capretta senior fellow ethics public policy center visiting fellow american enterprise institute | 631 |
<p>SAN FRANCISCO — The final weekend of the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/San-Francisco-Giants/" type="external">San Francisco Giants</a>‘ season was designed to be a triumphant send-off for <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt_Cain/" type="external">Matt Cain</a> into retirement and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Johnny_Cueto/" type="external">Johnny Cueto</a> into a potential career-changing decision.</p>
<p>Instead, it turned into a celebration of <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Pablo_Sandoval/" type="external">Pablo Sandoval</a>‘s return.</p>
<p>Sandoval belted a season-ending home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday afternoon, sending the Giants into the offseason with a 5-4 victory over the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/San-Diego-Padres/" type="external">San Diego Padres</a>.</p>
<p>The win allowed the Giants to salvage the final series from the Padres after San Diego had taken the first five from its National League West rival this season.</p>
<p>“You have a game like we did (Saturday). That was a pretty good punch in the stomach,” Giants manager <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Bruce-Bochy/" type="external">Bruce Bochy</a> said of Cain’s going-away party, which the Padres ruined with a ninth-inning rally.</p>
<p>“To win a game like this says a lot about this team.”</p>
<p>In avoiding what would have been just the second 99-loss season in franchise history, the Giants (64-98) prevailed on a day Cueto might have started his final game for the team.</p>
<p>The veteran right-hander can opt out of the final four years of his six-year, $130 million contract in the offseason.</p>
<p>Cueto staggered through the game’s first five innings, leaving in a 4-4 tie. He did not get a decision, and finished the season with an 8-8 mark.</p>
<p>“The outing today was the story of Johnny’s season,” Bochy said, “He competed well without his best stuff. He kept us in the game.</p>
<p>“He hasn’t been himself (this season), but he finds a way. The fact that he didn’t cave in … 11, 12 hits … says a lot about Johnny pitching in traffic.”</p>
<p>Padres starter Luis Perdomo enjoyed a historic day himself, even though he, like Cueto, did not get a decision.</p>
<p>Perdomo helped San Diego take an early 4-1 lead, tripling off Cueto and scoring the team’s fourth run.</p>
<p>It was his fourth triple of the season. No pitcher had recorded four or more triples in a season since <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Robin_Roberts/" type="external">Robin Roberts</a> accomplished the feat in 1955.</p>
<p>Hunter Renfroe had earlier homered for the Padres (71-91), who despite six losses in their last seven games finished three games better than last season, when they were the last-place team in the NL West.</p>
<p>“You’re always ready for a break,” Renfroe said about season’s end. “It gives you a chance to see family and friends. I’m looking forward to a little relaxation period, then pick it up in spring training. We’re hoping to make the playoffs next season. That’s our biggest goal.”</p>
<p>The Giants finished last in the West this season after losing 23 more games than a year ago.</p>
<p>Sandoval’s home run came on a full count against the third Padres pitcher, right-hander Phil Maton (3-2). It was the third career walk-off homer for the former Giants star who returned in August off the scrap heap.</p>
<p>“I feel excited for that moment,” Sandoval said. “When I was running the bases, I wanted to cry. I want to be here for the rest of my career.”</p>
<p>Right-hander Hunter Strickland (4-3), who retired four of the five batters he faced after coming on with two outs in the eighth inning, got the win.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Brandon-Crawford/" type="external">Brandon Crawford</a> had two hits and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Buster_Posey/" type="external">Buster Posey</a> scored twice for the Giants, who finished the season winning five of their last six home games.</p>
<p>Travis Jankowski had three hits, and Renfroe and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Erick_Aybar/" type="external">Erick Aybar</a> two apiece for the Padres, who won the season series over the Giants 12-7.</p>
<p>The Padres out-hit the Giants 12-8.</p>
<p>Renfroe’s homer was the club’s 100th on the road this season, the second-most in franchise history.</p>
<p>“We have a lot of guys who can hit the ball out of the ballpark,” the rookie insisted. “We don’t have a (home) ballpark that’s conducive to hitting homers. But we like our ballpark. We hit well there. We’re going to break that record next year.”</p>
<p>Cueto struggled to get through five innings, allowing 12 hits but just four runs. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.</p>
<p>The 12 hits allowed were a career high for Cueto in a start of five innings or fewer.</p>
<p>The Padres strung together four of those hits consecutively to start the game. After back-to-back doubles by Jankowski and Aybar produced one run, Yangervis Solarte followed a single by Carlos Asuaje with one of his one, making it 2-0 before the game’s first out.</p>
<p>Renfroe’s homer, his 26th of the season, came in the third inning after the Giants had gotten back within 2-1 on Sandoval’s infield out in the second.</p>
<p>The Giants got even in the bottom of the fourth. Crawford doubled in a run and Jarrett Parker had an RBI single before <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Nick_Hundley/" type="external">Nick Hundley</a>‘s fielder’s choice brought home Crawford to tie the game at 4-4.</p>
<p>Perdomo retained the tie through seven innings. He allowed seven hits and one walk, striking out four.</p>
<p>NOTES: The Giants held an on-field ceremony for retiring RHP Matt Cain after the game. … The walk-off win was the Giants’ ninth of the season, their most since recording 12 in 2013. … Giants C/1B Buster Posey had a double and a walk in two plate appearances, raising his season-ending on-base percentage to an even .400. … Padres 1B <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Wil-Myers/" type="external">Wil Myers</a> did not play in the game. He finished the season with six home runs at AT&amp;T Park, tying <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Colorado-Rockies/" type="external">Colorado Rockies</a> 3B Nolan Arenado for the most by a Giants opponent in a single season in the 18-year-history of the ballpark. … Among the Giants to get an early shower was RF <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Hunter_Pence/" type="external">Hunter Pence</a>, whose final play was a diving catch in right-center field on a bid for extra bases by Padres RF Hunter Renfroe. Pence got up gingerly and staggered to the dugout, then left for a pinch hitter. … The Giants finished in a tie with the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Detroit-Tigers/" type="external">Detroit Tigers</a> for the worst record in baseball.</p> | false | 1 | san francisco final weekend san francisco giants season designed triumphant sendoff matt cain retirement johnny cueto potential careerchanging decision instead turned celebration pablo sandovals return sandoval belted seasonending home run one bottom ninth inning sunday afternoon sending giants offseason 54 victory san diego padres win allowed giants salvage final series padres san diego taken first five national league west rival season game like saturday pretty good punch stomach giants manager bruce bochy said cains goingaway party padres ruined ninthinning rally win game like says lot team avoiding would second 99loss season franchise history giants 6498 prevailed day cueto might started final game team veteran righthander opt final four years sixyear 130 million contract offseason cueto staggered games first five innings leaving 44 tie get decision finished season 88 mark outing today story johnnys season bochy said competed well without best stuff kept us game hasnt season finds way fact didnt cave 11 12 hits says lot johnny pitching traffic padres starter luis perdomo enjoyed historic day even though like cueto get decision perdomo helped san diego take early 41 lead tripling cueto scoring teams fourth run fourth triple season pitcher recorded four triples season since robin roberts accomplished feat 1955 hunter renfroe earlier homered padres 7191 despite six losses last seven games finished three games better last season lastplace team nl west youre always ready break renfroe said seasons end gives chance see family friends im looking forward little relaxation period pick spring training hoping make playoffs next season thats biggest goal giants finished last west season losing 23 games year ago sandovals home run came full count third padres pitcher righthander phil maton 32 third career walkoff homer former giants star returned august scrap heap feel excited moment sandoval said running bases wanted cry want rest career righthander hunter strickland 43 retired four five batters faced coming two outs eighth inning got win brandon crawford two hits buster posey scored twice giants finished season winning five last six home games travis jankowski three hits renfroe erick aybar two apiece padres season series giants 127 padres outhit giants 128 renfroes homer clubs 100th road season secondmost franchise history lot guys hit ball ballpark rookie insisted dont home ballpark thats conducive hitting homers like ballpark hit well going break record next year cueto struggled get five innings allowing 12 hits four runs struck two walk batter 12 hits allowed career high cueto start five innings fewer padres strung together four hits consecutively start game backtoback doubles jankowski aybar produced one run yangervis solarte followed single carlos asuaje one one making 20 games first renfroes homer 26th season came third inning giants gotten back within 21 sandovals infield second giants got even bottom fourth crawford doubled run jarrett parker rbi single nick hundleys fielders choice brought home crawford tie game 44 perdomo retained tie seven innings allowed seven hits one walk striking four notes giants held onfield ceremony retiring rhp matt cain game walkoff win giants ninth season since recording 12 2013 giants c1b buster posey double walk two plate appearances raising seasonending onbase percentage even 400 padres 1b wil myers play game finished season six home runs atampt park tying colorado rockies 3b nolan arenado giants opponent single season 18yearhistory ballpark among giants get early shower rf hunter pence whose final play diving catch rightcenter field bid extra bases padres rf hunter renfroe pence got gingerly staggered dugout left pinch hitter giants finished tie detroit tigers worst record baseball | 578 |
<p>By Carolyn Cohn and Jemima Kelly</p>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) – Insurers are counting on real-time technology to help them cut back payouts, from a system warning ships of nearby pirates to an app offering to buy&#160;sleepy drivers a coffee on the motorway.</p>
<p>The lure of products promising to save on claims in a highly competitive market has led to a leap in investment in “insurtech” in Europe to more than $400 million (294 million pounds) in the first half of 2017, from just $50 million a year ago.</p>
<p>The aim is to move insurance from a “grudge” purchase, when the only interaction with customers is after something has gone wrong, to a “nudge” product, encouraging safer behaviour.</p>
<p>While the idea is not entirely new, the technology is making it more prevalent, prompting warnings from regulators about the risk of discrimination.</p>
<p>Insurers say they can navigate those hazards as they explore blockchain – tamper-proof databases shared and updated across a network – “big data”, analysing reams of information for trends, as well as the artificial intelligence technology behind driverless cars, drones and voice-recognition software.</p>
<p>“The new technologies have the potential to change the game (from compensation to risk mitigation),” said Simon Tottman, head of insurance research, UK &amp; Ireland, for consultants Accenture.</p>
<p>The biggest surge of insurtech investment was in Britain, where, despite the vote to leave the European Union, it hit $279 million in the six months to end-June from $9 million a year earlier, analysis by Accenture of data from CB Insights showed.</p>
<p>In the rest of Europe, investment jumped to $134 million from $37 million and some insurers are also forming partnerships with insurtech firms.</p>
<p>RISKS</p>
<p>A focus in Britain on analysis of social media to assess the probability of claims has fuelled concerns about data security. British motor insurer Admiral had to abandon plans last year to take data from Facebook (NASDAQ:) to set insurance premiums following objections by the social media firm.</p>
<p>The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV) sees risks from big data in personal insurance outweighing benefits, fearing it will shift insurance from spreading risk collectively to being an arbiter of social norms.</p>
<p>New European Union data protection legislation coming into force in 2018 should strengthen consumer rights, according to a discussion paper published by European supervisory authorities in Dec 2016, which warned financial institutions to consider the legal dimensions of processing social media data.</p>
<p>European regulators also worry about social exclusion, and are checking whether data is being used in a way that makes insurance too expensive for those regarded as a higher risk.</p>
<p>Andrew Brem, chief digital officer at UK insurer Aviva (LON:), which is aiming to invest 100 million pounds over the next few years in insurtech start-ups, says the aim is only to promote less risky behaviour.</p>
<p>“In our sector, technology can be very powerful in helping people make smarter choices,” said Brem, whose company has an insurtech-focused office in a converted garage in London’s so-called Silicon Roundabout area in the east of the city.</p>
<p>Health app Tictrac, due to start working with Aviva later this year, tracks exercise, sleep patterns and the weight of employees in corporate healthcare, offering tips and setting challenges to help prevent the onset of costly conditions.</p>
<p>“Companies don’t get any access to their employees’ data,” said Martin Blinder, Trictrac CEO. “They’re able to see aggregated, anonymised utilisation trends.”</p>
<p>CLOUD, BLOCKCHAIN, APPS</p>
<p>The largest UK investment this year was in the domestically focused insurer Gryphon, which is awaiting regulatory approval to offer tailored life, critical illness and income protection insurance via financial advisers using cloud-based technology.</p>
<p>Telematics – black boxes in cars which enable insurers to check customers’ driving and reward safer habits – have been in use for a while.</p>
<p>Anton Ossip, CEO of Discovery Insure, owned by Johannesburg-based financial services firm Discovery Ltd, said accident claims had dropped more than 11 percent since it began using customers’ driving information in pricing in 2011.</p>
<p>Kenny Leitch, global connected insurance director at UK insurer RSA said it had paid nearly 2 million pounds in cash rewards to young drivers for safe driving using telematics.</p>
<p>Insurtech firms are now looking at how to use telematics in real time to prevent accidents. For example, said Tottman, an app may suggest a coffee at a service station at the insurer’s expense if it detects tiredness in a driver’s voice.</p>
<p>Consultancy EY, data security firm Guardtime, Microsoft (NASDAQ:) and ship operator Maersk are building the first blockchain-based marine insurance platform.</p>
<p>“The shared ledger can alert a ship in Somali waters that it’s approaching an area where pirates have just hijacked another ship,” said Shaun Crawford, global insurance leader at EY.</p>
<p>AXA also has a strategic fund investing in insurtech startups and investments by Allianz’s 430 million euro ($513 million) fund include U.S. firm Lemonade, a digital peer-to-peer insurer that uses artificial intelligence and behavioural economics.</p>
<p>The U.S. pulled in $4.4 billion in insurtech investment between 2010 and 2016, compared with $1.3 billion in the Asia-Pacific region and $300 million in Europe, according to Accenture’s analysis of CB Insights data.</p>
<p>More than half the 100-plus insurers surveyed by consultants Capgemini said they wanted to partner with insurtech firms, according to its annual World Insurance Report published last week with trade body Efma.</p>
<p>Murray Raisbeck, global co-head of fintech at consultants KPMG said some inroads by insurers into technology were still largely a public relations exercise, but insurtech was becoming a “permanent feature” of the market.</p> | false | 1 | carolyn cohn jemima kelly london reuters insurers counting realtime technology help cut back payouts system warning ships nearby pirates app offering buy160sleepy drivers coffee motorway lure products promising save claims highly competitive market led leap investment insurtech europe 400 million 294 million pounds first half 2017 50 million year ago aim move insurance grudge purchase interaction customers something gone wrong nudge product encouraging safer behaviour idea entirely new technology making prevalent prompting warnings regulators risk discrimination insurers say navigate hazards explore blockchain tamperproof databases shared updated across network big data analysing reams information trends well artificial intelligence technology behind driverless cars drones voicerecognition software new technologies potential change game compensation risk mitigation said simon tottman head insurance research uk amp ireland consultants accenture biggest surge insurtech investment britain despite vote leave european union hit 279 million six months endjune 9 million year earlier analysis accenture data cb insights showed rest europe investment jumped 134 million 37 million insurers also forming partnerships insurtech firms risks focus britain analysis social media assess probability claims fuelled concerns data security british motor insurer admiral abandon plans last year take data facebook nasdaq set insurance premiums following objections social media firm federation german consumer organisations vzbv sees risks big data personal insurance outweighing benefits fearing shift insurance spreading risk collectively arbiter social norms new european union data protection legislation coming force 2018 strengthen consumer rights according discussion paper published european supervisory authorities dec 2016 warned financial institutions consider legal dimensions processing social media data european regulators also worry social exclusion checking whether data used way makes insurance expensive regarded higher risk andrew brem chief digital officer uk insurer aviva lon aiming invest 100 million pounds next years insurtech startups says aim promote less risky behaviour sector technology powerful helping people make smarter choices said brem whose company insurtechfocused office converted garage londons socalled silicon roundabout area east city health app tictrac due start working aviva later year tracks exercise sleep patterns weight employees corporate healthcare offering tips setting challenges help prevent onset costly conditions companies dont get access employees data said martin blinder trictrac ceo theyre able see aggregated anonymised utilisation trends cloud blockchain apps largest uk investment year domestically focused insurer gryphon awaiting regulatory approval offer tailored life critical illness income protection insurance via financial advisers using cloudbased technology telematics black boxes cars enable insurers check customers driving reward safer habits use anton ossip ceo discovery insure owned johannesburgbased financial services firm discovery ltd said accident claims dropped 11 percent since began using customers driving information pricing 2011 kenny leitch global connected insurance director uk insurer rsa said paid nearly 2 million pounds cash rewards young drivers safe driving using telematics insurtech firms looking use telematics real time prevent accidents example said tottman app may suggest coffee service station insurers expense detects tiredness drivers voice consultancy ey data security firm guardtime microsoft nasdaq ship operator maersk building first blockchainbased marine insurance platform shared ledger alert ship somali waters approaching area pirates hijacked another ship said shaun crawford global insurance leader ey axa also strategic fund investing insurtech startups investments allianzs 430 million euro 513 million fund include us firm lemonade digital peertopeer insurer uses artificial intelligence behavioural economics us pulled 44 billion insurtech investment 2010 2016 compared 13 billion asiapacific region 300 million europe according accentures analysis cb insights data half 100plus insurers surveyed consultants capgemini said wanted partner insurtech firms according annual world insurance report published last week trade body efma murray raisbeck global cohead fintech consultants kpmg said inroads insurers technology still largely public relations exercise insurtech becoming permanent feature market | 599 |
<p>Germany has put all big arms exports requests from Turkey on hold, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said, amid the bitter dispute with Ankara. Turkey said the decision weakens Turkey’s fight against terrorism.</p>
<p>Gabriel’s comments came after German media revealed that Berlin still sells sophisticated weapons and ammunition worth millions of euros to its long-standing NATO ally.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/364079-germany-small-arms-sales/" type="external" /></p>
<p>“We have put on hold all big requests [for arms exports] that Turkey has sent to us, and these are really not a few,” Gabriel said during a panel discussion organized by ‘Handelsblatt’ <a href="http://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl/alle-schlagzeilen/handelsblatt-event-deutschland-dinner-mit-sigmar-gabriel-zum-nachschauen/20290430.html" type="external">newspaper</a>, as cited by Reuters.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Berlin is aware of its obligation to send arms to its NATO ally if requested, Gabriel said. However, he added, this was currently not possible, with some exceptions such as exports of vehicles.</p>
<p>Turkish EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik reacted to Sigmar’s statement later on Tuesday, saying that Germany’s decision compromises Turkey’s efforts to combat terrorism.</p>
<p>“This decision will weaken Turkey’s fight against terrorism, and weakening the Turkish fight would mean making Europe’s future more vulnerable. Germany must leave security issues out of political discussions,” Celik said, as cited by Reuters.</p>
<p>“The German foreign minister must formulate his comments seriously. Those arms are being used in the struggle against PKK and ISIS (Islamic State, also known as IS, ISIL),” Celik concluded. PKK or the Kurdistan Workers’ Party is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and the US.</p>
<p>Earlier a report in German media that revealed that though heated exchanges between leaders in Ankara and Berlin make headlines in Europe and elsewhere, it appears that vibrant German-Turkish arms sales still continue.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/387793-merkels-defense-minister-arms-dealer/" type="external" /></p>
<p>This year alone, Germany approved arms sales to Turkey worth €25.36 million ($30.31 million), according to the Economy Ministry’s response to a Green Party MP Özcan Mutlu obtained by DPA news agency. In the first half of 2016, Berlin gave the green light to 158 weapons deals worth €69 million ($82 million), the news agency <a href="http://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/trotz-krise-waffenexporte-in-die-tuerkei-in-millionenhoehe/20307820.html" type="external">said</a>, according to ‘Handelsblatt’ daily.</p>
<p>While not on a giant scale, the sales covered state-of-the-art weapons systems and ammunition being delivered to Turkish armed forces.</p>
<p>The two largest arms deals between Germany and Turkey included in the list provided by the ministry envisaged Berlin selling Ankara “bombs, torpedoes and aircraft” for a total amount of €18 million ($22 million). According to the German government, those two deals mostly involved deliveries of missile defense systems for the Turkish Navy’s ships.Sea and land-based weapons systems were also on the arms sales list that comprised “infrared thermal equipment,” “special naval equipment” as well as “military aircraft equipment.” Hi-tech products like military purpose electronics and fire control devices were also mentioned in the report.</p>
<p>Notably, the ministry withheld data on the sales value while reporting on ammunition, explosives and “individual protective gear.”</p>
<p>Mutlu said the very fact that Germany is selling arms and ammunition to Turkey plays right into Ankara’s hands.</p>
<p>“As business goes on, Ankara is not taking threats or the likes from Berlin seriously,” he said, according to ‘Die Welt’. “The federal government must finally follow its words in order to protect German citizens in Turkey,” he <a href="https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article168516821/Deutschland-versorgt-Tuerkei-mit-Waffenexporten-in-Millionenhoehe.html" type="external">said</a>.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/381753-germany-turkey-arms-sales/" type="external" /></p>
<p>Interestingly, the Economy Ministry in March this year denied that arms shipments from Germany to Turkey had taken place over the past months. According to a letter from the Ministry of Economic Affairs cited by Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, a total of eleven applications for arms deliveries to Turkey have been blocked by Germany.&#160;</p>
<p>The Turkish military uses numerous German-made small arms, as well as heavy armor and other military equipment. The time-proven G3 assault rifle has been in use with Turkey’s land forces for several decades, as was, for instance, the famous Leopard 2 main battle tank.</p>
<p>Two types of Turkish Navy frigates, the Yavuz-class and Barbaros-class, were designed and built by German shipyards Blohm &amp; Voss and Howaldtswerke.Relations between Berlin and Ankara remain strained following the failed July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey that resulted in a mass crackdown on opposition figures. Those affected include teachers, journalists, security personnel, army officers, and civil servants accused of being sympathetic to Kurdish separatism, and self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gülen, who Turkey says masterminded the coup.</p>
<p>Following the purges, Turkey saw a wave of obloquy coming in from European states, including Germany. Berlin also voiced concerns about the constitutional reform that handed Erdogan wide-reaching new powers after being approved at the referendum in April 2017. Prior to the vote, a number of pro-Erdogan rallies and events at which top-tier Turkish officials were to address the large Turkish community living in the EU were banned in some European countries, including Germany.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/401775-turkey-germans-detained-merkel-rethink/" type="external" /></p>
<p>Ankara has slammed the cancelations as an overreaction, and branded German leaders “Nazi remnants” who were proponents of “fascist practices.”</p>
<p>Germany has repeatedly accused Turkey of human rights violations and has demanded the release of German nationals detained by Ankara over alleged “terrorism support” and participation in the coup attempt. Turkey arrested two German journalists, one of whom has dual citizenship, having accused them of espionage.</p>
<p>Amid the row, Berlin also withdrew its troops and military aircraft from Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base. Earlier, Germany recognized the early 20th century massacre of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as “genocide.”</p>
<p>In July, the German government urged its citizens to exercise caution when visiting Turkey. However, no formal travel warning has been issued.</p>
<p>In early September, both the German Chancellor Merkel and her SPD challenger Martin Schulz agreed during a TV debate ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections that “Turkey should not become a member of the EU.”</p> | false | 1 | germany put big arms exports requests turkey hold german foreign minister sigmar gabriel said amid bitter dispute ankara turkey said decision weakens turkeys fight terrorism gabriels comments came german media revealed berlin still sells sophisticated weapons ammunition worth millions euros longstanding nato ally read put hold big requests arms exports turkey sent us really gabriel said panel discussion organized handelsblatt newspaper cited reuters160160 berlin aware obligation send arms nato ally requested gabriel said however added currently possible exceptions exports vehicles turkish eu affairs minister omer celik reacted sigmars statement later tuesday saying germanys decision compromises turkeys efforts combat terrorism decision weaken turkeys fight terrorism weakening turkish fight would mean making europes future vulnerable germany must leave security issues political discussions celik said cited reuters german foreign minister must formulate comments seriously arms used struggle pkk isis islamic state also known isil celik concluded pkk kurdistan workers party designated terrorist organization turkey us earlier report german media revealed though heated exchanges leaders ankara berlin make headlines europe elsewhere appears vibrant germanturkish arms sales still continue read year alone germany approved arms sales turkey worth 2536 million 3031 million according economy ministrys response green party mp Özcan mutlu obtained dpa news agency first half 2016 berlin gave green light 158 weapons deals worth 69 million 82 million news agency said according handelsblatt daily giant scale sales covered stateoftheart weapons systems ammunition delivered turkish armed forces two largest arms deals germany turkey included list provided ministry envisaged berlin selling ankara bombs torpedoes aircraft total amount 18 million 22 million according german government two deals mostly involved deliveries missile defense systems turkish navys shipssea landbased weapons systems also arms sales list comprised infrared thermal equipment special naval equipment well military aircraft equipment hitech products like military purpose electronics fire control devices also mentioned report notably ministry withheld data sales value reporting ammunition explosives individual protective gear mutlu said fact germany selling arms ammunition turkey plays right ankaras hands business goes ankara taking threats likes berlin seriously said according die welt federal government must finally follow words order protect german citizens turkey said160160 read interestingly economy ministry march year denied arms shipments germany turkey taken place past months according letter ministry economic affairs cited sueddeutsche zeitung newspaper total eleven applications arms deliveries turkey blocked germany160 turkish military uses numerous germanmade small arms well heavy armor military equipment timeproven g3 assault rifle use turkeys land forces several decades instance famous leopard 2 main battle tank two types turkish navy frigates yavuzclass barbarosclass designed built german shipyards blohm amp voss howaldtswerkerelations berlin ankara remain strained following failed july 2016 coup attempt turkey resulted mass crackdown opposition figures affected include teachers journalists security personnel army officers civil servants accused sympathetic kurdish separatism selfexiled cleric fethullah gülen turkey says masterminded coup following purges turkey saw wave obloquy coming european states including germany berlin also voiced concerns constitutional reform handed erdogan widereaching new powers approved referendum april 2017 prior vote number proerdogan rallies events toptier turkish officials address large turkish community living eu banned european countries including germany read ankara slammed cancelations overreaction branded german leaders nazi remnants proponents fascist practices germany repeatedly accused turkey human rights violations demanded release german nationals detained ankara alleged terrorism support participation coup attempt turkey arrested two german journalists one dual citizenship accused espionage amid row berlin also withdrew troops military aircraft turkeys incirlik air base earlier germany recognized early 20th century massacre armenians ottoman empire genocide july german government urged citizens exercise caution visiting turkey however formal travel warning issued early september german chancellor merkel spd challenger martin schulz agreed tv debate ahead forthcoming parliamentary elections turkey become member eu | 607 |
<p>In a few short weeks, the Church will read once again the Easter story from Luke’s Gospel: “ …on the first day of the week, [the women] went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead?’….” [Luke 24.1-5].</p>
<p>The Catholic Church discourages “eulogies” at the Mass of Christian Burial for precisely this reason: like the women who had followed the Lord from Galilee to Calvary, we, too, are not to seek the living among the dead. Eulogies typically focus on the past, on what has been. Eulogies are incomplete because they lead us to look among what is dead for someone who is living. And what we have celebrated in this Eucharist is the truth that David Orgon Coolidge is among “the living”: he lives in the Risen Lord who redeemed him, he lives in the Christ from whom he was born again in baptism, he lives an awareness of the presence, the majesty, and the purifying mercy of God in a way that we can only imagine and envy. So let us not look for the living among the dead.</p>
<p>Let us reflect, rather, on what David and Joanie and Jessica and the children and Dave’s Mom and all who have stood by them in friendship during these difficult months have taught us: that love is the most living thing there is. And let us pause briefly and think about all that lives from this good man. We commit him to the earth today, but we do that knowing that he is, through the redeeming power of Christ, among “the living” of whom the angels spoke to frightened women in a garden outside Jerusalem, two thousands years ago.</p>
<p>David Coolidge’s life is a model of witness. David was a faithful witness, whose faith in Christ, through the grace of Christ, made him the man who lives in Christ today. David was a witness to the power of love to transform lives and to bring new life into being. He was a witness to hope, who lived his professional life as a vocation, not merely a career. He was a witness to truth — to the truth about the dignity and value of every human life; to the truths about men and women and their loving and their fruitfulness that are built into us by the Creator. He was a witness to the truth about our country, its laws and its culture, and what we must be as citizens, if our freedom is to flourish. That witness, to faith, hope, love, and truth, lives in the myriad lives David touched.</p>
<p>Because his witness was shaped by a profound faith, an unshakable hope, and a touching, gentle, relentless love, David could and did speak the truth in ways that invited others into conversation. In doing that, David embodied in a rare and precious way the Catholic conviction that our commitment to the truth does not close us off from the world; rather, it opens us up to genuine dialogue with others. This man of profound kindness and deep humanity — qualities that are noted time and again in the hundreds of letters he and Joanie received over the past seven months — was both convinced that God had written the truth of things on the human heart and that leading others to that truth was a matter of persuasion, reasoning, conversation, argument. David Coolidge knew and lived the truth that toleration doesn’t mean ignoring differences, but rather engaging differences with a deep respect for the humanity of others.</p>
<p>This was a great witness. What David did in the Marriage Law Project was important and useful; how he did it was at least as important. He was generous in victory and steady in defeat. He was a model of reasoned argument who demonstrated, in and out of season, how the truths written on the human heart are liberating as well as binding. He lived the truth of Lord Acton’s famous saying, that freedom is not a matter of doing what we like, but rather of having the right to do what we ought. For young attorneys seeking to live their lives vocationally, I can imagine no finer model.</p>
<p>Then there was the witness of these past seven months. It would be ridiculous to deny that they have been difficult. There has been a lot of pain, there have been a lot of tears, there is still grief to be healed. And yet has any of us ever seen so clearly manifest the truth taught by Pope John Paul II in his apostolic letter Salvifici Doloris, that “the world of human suffering” summons forth “the world of human love”?</p>
<p>Many of you here, today, were part of that great summoning. With your songs and prayers, with your casseroles and desserts, by building the back porch and or simply by sharing company with a suffering friend, you were part of the rich, encompassing, saving world of love that has been called forth by David’s suffering. David and Joanie have helped all of us step out of ourselves in order to give ourselves. Their being gifts for each other, in sickness and in health, has helped us to be the gifts we were created to be.</p>
<p>This is how Christians live the suffering that is part of our Christian vocation. We cannot avoid it; we do not deny it. For in baptism we put on Christ, and the life of Christ, as we remember during these days of Lent, leads inexorably to the Cross. There, on Good Friday, the eternal Son took all the world’s suffering upon himself in a perfect act of obedience. And that perfect gift of self-sacrificing love was vindicated on Easter Sunday morning, when the angels asked the women, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”</p>
<p>We cannot know all the good that has come into the world because David Coolidge identified his suffering with the sufferings of Christ. We can know, and we can give thanks for, all the good that has come into our lives through the grace of Christ, as we walked with David and Joanie and each other up the road to this particular Calvary.</p>
<p>At a time and in a culture where suffering seems an absurdity, David Coolidge was a witness to the truth that suffering, offered to God in obedience and in identification with Christ, is redemptive. Through suffering, we become the kind of people who can live with God forever. And we thank God for the witness to that truth that David was and is for us.</p>
<p>Peter Kreeft writes that our lives, our history, look different when we see them as his-story, as Christ’s story and our participation in that story. In that perspective, Kreeft suggests, suffering is the bass note in a “harmony whose high notes are lost in heaven.” And the heaven that is promised us is the heaven described by St. John, in his exile:</p>
<p>“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne say, ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’” [Revelation 21.1-5].</p>
<p>That is the truth in which David Coolidge lived his life. That is the truth in which he gave his soul to God, as Joanie and the children sang “Dona nobis pacem” around his bed in their home. That is the truth in which he lives today.</p>
<p>We do not seek the living among the dead. We know that David, like his Redeemer, lives, and lives in the embrace of divine love.</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 | short weeks church read easter story lukes gospel first day week women went tomb taking spices prepared found stone rolled away tomb went find body perplexed behold two men stood dazzling apparel frightened bowed faces ground men said seek living among dead luke 2415 catholic church discourages eulogies mass christian burial precisely reason like women followed lord galilee calvary seek living among dead eulogies typically focus past eulogies incomplete lead us look among dead someone living celebrated eucharist truth david orgon coolidge among living lives risen lord redeemed lives christ born baptism lives awareness presence majesty purifying mercy god way imagine envy let us look living among dead let us reflect rather david joanie jessica children daves mom stood friendship difficult months taught us love living thing let us pause briefly think lives good man commit earth today knowing redeeming power christ among living angels spoke frightened women garden outside jerusalem two thousands years ago david coolidges life model witness david faithful witness whose faith christ grace christ made man lives christ today david witness power love transform lives bring new life witness hope lived professional life vocation merely career witness truth truth dignity value every human life truths men women loving fruitfulness built us creator witness truth country laws culture must citizens freedom flourish witness faith hope love truth lives myriad lives david touched witness shaped profound faith unshakable hope touching gentle relentless love david could speak truth ways invited others conversation david embodied rare precious way catholic conviction commitment truth close us world rather opens us genuine dialogue others man profound kindness deep humanity qualities noted time hundreds letters joanie received past seven months convinced god written truth things human heart leading others truth matter persuasion reasoning conversation argument david coolidge knew lived truth toleration doesnt mean ignoring differences rather engaging differences deep respect humanity others great witness david marriage law project important useful least important generous victory steady defeat model reasoned argument demonstrated season truths written human heart liberating well binding lived truth lord actons famous saying freedom matter like rather right ought young attorneys seeking live lives vocationally imagine finer model witness past seven months would ridiculous deny difficult lot pain lot tears still grief healed yet us ever seen clearly manifest truth taught pope john paul ii apostolic letter salvifici doloris world human suffering summons forth world human love many today part great summoning songs prayers casseroles desserts building back porch simply sharing company suffering friend part rich encompassing saving world love called forth davids suffering david joanie helped us step order give gifts sickness health helped us gifts created christians live suffering part christian vocation avoid deny baptism put christ life christ remember days lent leads inexorably cross good friday eternal son took worlds suffering upon perfect act obedience perfect gift selfsacrificing love vindicated easter sunday morning angels asked women seek living among dead know good come world david coolidge identified suffering sufferings christ know give thanks good come lives grace christ walked david joanie road particular calvary time culture suffering seems absurdity david coolidge witness truth suffering offered god obedience identification christ redemptive suffering become kind people live god forever thank god witness truth david us peter kreeft writes lives history look different see hisstory christs story participation story perspective kreeft suggests suffering bass note harmony whose high notes lost heaven heaven promised us heaven described st john exile saw new heaven new earth first heaven first earth passed away sea saw holy city new jerusalem coming heaven god prepared bride adorned husband heard loud voice throne say behold dwelling god men dwell shall people god wipe away every tear eyes death neither shall mourning crying pain anymore former things passed away sat upon throne said behold make things new revelation 2115 truth david coolidge lived life truth gave soul god joanie children sang dona nobis pacem around bed home truth lives today seek living among dead know david like redeemer lives lives embrace divine love george weigel distinguished senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc holds eppcs william e simon chair catholic studies | 682 |
<p>In the aftermath of the bloodshed on Tuesday, Ukrainian civil reformers of the&#160;Maidan&#160;movement were deeply apprehensive throughout Wednesday that the government of President Viktor&#160;Yanukovych&#160;would strike again with even more lethal force, in an effort to end the occupation of Kiev’s Independence Square and other key areas of the nation’s capital. As midnight (Kiev time) on Wednesday approached, those fears had abated somewhat. Sources in Kiev reported that the order to storm Independence Square had been revoked&#160;because of American pressure on the regime and some cracks opening up within&#160;Yanukovych’s&#160;Party of Regions. Confirmation of those reports seemed to come a little while later, when one opposition leader,&#160;Arseniy&#160;Yatsenyuk, announced late on Wednesday night that a truce agreement had been reached to allow negotiations between the government and the opposition to reopen.</p>
<p>Whether that agreement portends a serious dialogue between the Yanukovych regime and its opponents is unclear; calls for such a serious conversation, including appeals from the Ukrainian council of churches, have been treated with contempt by the government in recent days. But a pause of sorts seems to have been reached, which permits a review of some of the salient facts of the situation, including several new developments.</p>
<p>While Western media continue to portray the Maidan movement and the confrontation with the Yanukovych regime in almost exclusively Kiev-centered terms, one close observer of the situation said late Wednesday night that the opposition now controls nine of the country’s 25 regions. And by “control” is meant occupation of the region’s administrative center, its police headquarters, and in some cases the internal-security (Berkut) headquarters. Moreover, Yanukovych’s attempts to cordon off Kiev from the rest of the country, while complicating the reformers’ efforts, have not succeeded. People continue to come to Kiev to reinforce the protests there, breaking through the roadblocks that the regime has set up. Some of those attempts to run roadblocks have been met with gunfire, and there have been lethal shootings outside Kiev in addition to the 27 deaths now confirmed from Tuesday’s regime-initiated violence in the capital.</p>
<p>Regime provocations, almost certainly with Russian support, continue. It was widely reported in the Western press that policemen loyal to the regime had been shot on Tuesday. What was not reported so extensively (if at all) was that some security forces loyal to the regime disguised themselves in the dress of Maidan self-defense forces and began firing live ammunition at their putative comrades. Meanwhile, the regime’s security forces continue to use the&#160;titushki&#160;(gangs of thugs and hoodlums) for various sorts of dirty work and have even armed some of these gangs, in what is perhaps the clearest example of a state at war with its own citizens, using criminals as agents of repression. In one recent instance, a gang of&#160;titushki&#160;pulled an independent journalist out of a car and beat him to death with clubs and baseball bats. So questions remain as to the real identity of the ten people in uniform who were killed on Tuesday (in addition to 17 protesters).</p>
<p>During Tuesday’s lethal regime assault on civil society, two of the oligarchs who have been supportive of Yanukovych’s Party of Regions, Rinat Akhmetov and Victor Pinchuk, issued public appeals for an end to regime violence. A third oligarch, Dmytro Firtash, did the same on Wednesday. Whether this suggests effective pressure on these billionaires from EU governments and the U.S., a calculation by hard-eyed businessmen that Yanukovych’s days are numbered, or something else is unclear. But combined with the cracks that have appeared in the Party of Regions’ parliamentary caucus and the loss of regime control in nine regions, calls for restraint by the men who have bankrolled Yanukovych’s regime and profited by it suggest that something is shifting in the foundations of Yanukovych’s support. Yet the inner circle around Yanukovych remains hawkish, according to Kiev sources, and thus the danger of further spasms of regime-initiated violence is by no means completely abated.</p>
<p>Russian rhetoric about the situation continues to be harsh, and indeed became harsher on Wednesday. Russian media sources and officials continue to frame the contest as being between “the government” and “right-wing extremists,” a narrative convention (and a thoroughgoing falsehood) too often adopted by the left-leaning European press. The irony of Russians who speak openly of a final “solution to the Ukrainian question” and then complain of “right-wing extremists” will not be lost on some. Meanwhile, one Ukrainian source reports that, in a conversation with Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Vladimir Putin allowed that he was not interested in controlling rustbelt Ukraine if Yanukovych &amp; Co. lost control of Kiev, the implication being that Putin would settle for Crimea and Russia’s Black Sea–fleet port at Sebastopol. Putin’s assurances are, of course, of no greater credibility than Yanukovych’s; but at the very least the Russian “managed democracy” czar would seem to be floating notions of an ultimate fallback position.</p>
<p>On Thursday, three European foreign ministers — Laurent Fabius of France, Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany, and Radek Sikorski of Poland — are coming to Kiev, presumably to hold discussions with both Yanukovych and the opposition. Yanukovych is quite capable of using such a pause to prepare for further repression. But if EU and American sanctions are beginning to bite, and American calls for the Ukrainian military to avoid being dragooned into attacks on the Ukrainian people are being heeded by senior officers who value their relations with NATO and Western military leaders, then perhaps a new phase of this drama is opening up — although it remains entirely unclear whether that new phase involves soft or hard landings for Yanukovych and his cronies, further Russian machinations and provocations, or a newfound unity among opposition political leaders.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, as they prepare for their meetings in Kiev, the European foreign ministers might well heed a call issued today by one of Ukraine’s leading academics, Myroslav Marynovych — a veteran of the Gulag during the Soviet period — under the title&#160;“What Can Ukraine Expect from the West Now?”:</p>
<p>I write to you as a former prisoner of conscience of the Brezhnev era. All other titles are rapidly losing sense in the light of the bleeding Ukrainian Maidan.</p>
<p>All my life I admired Western civilization as the realm of values. Now I am close to rephrasing Byron’s words: “Frailty, thy name is Europe!” The strength of bitterness here is matched by the strength of our love for Europe.</p>
<p>If anyone in decision-making circles is interested, I may answer the question in my title as follows:</p>
<p>First and foremost, stop “expressing deep concern.” All protesters on the Maidan have an allergy by now to what, in these circumstances, is a senseless phrase, while the gangsters in the Ukrainian government enjoy mocking the helplessness of the EU.</p>
<p>Invoke sanctions. Don’t waste time in searching for their Achilles’ heel: It is the money deposited in your banks. Execute your own laws and stop money laundering. The Europe we want to be part of can never degrade the absolute value of human lives in favor of an absolute importance of money.</p>
<p>Cancel Western visas for all governmental gangsters and their families. It is a scandal that ordinary Ukrainians living their simple lives have to provide their ancestors’ family trees to obtain a visa to enter European countries, while ruling criminals guilty of murder, “disappearances,” and fraud in the eyes of the whole world enjoy virtually free-entry status in Europe. . . .</p>
<p>Do not listen to Yanukovych’s and Putin’s propagandistic sirens. Just put cotton in your ears. Be able to decode their lie; otherwise they will decode your ability to defend yourself.</p>
<p>Instead, listen to Ukrainian media sacrificing their journalists’ lives to provide truthful information. Do not rely so much upon the information provided by your special correspondents in other countries who come to Ukraine for a day or two. Hire Ukrainians who live in this country to translate the Ukrainian cry of pain. Secure money for that now, instead of waiting for funds from next year’s budget.</p>
<p>Come to Ukrainian hospitals and talk to so-called “extremists” who want to “subvert the legitimately elected government,” those who have “cruelly beaten” policemen and “deliberately” blasted explosives to wound themselves. Yes, the face of war is cruel. But, arriving at the Maidan, these people repeated almost literally what King George VI said to his people on September 3, 1939: “We have been forced into a conflict, for we are called&#160;.&#160;.&#160;.&#160;to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world.”</p>
<p>Get out of your comfort zone! Remember the coddled ancient Romans who refused to do that in time. Cajoling Putin won’t bring you security. Letting him take control over Ukraine could make a third world war a future possibility. A Ukraine divided by force won’t bring the world peace, just as a Poland and Germany divided by force didn’t bring peace to the world.</p>
<p>Let us conclude in solidarity with the memory of King George VI and the Ukrainian people: “The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield, but we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then with God’s help, we shall prevail.”</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.&#160;</p> | false | 1 | aftermath bloodshed tuesday ukrainian civil reformers the160maidan160movement deeply apprehensive throughout wednesday government president viktor160yanukovych160would strike even lethal force effort end occupation kievs independence square key areas nations capital midnight kiev time wednesday approached fears abated somewhat sources kiev reported order storm independence square revoked160because american pressure regime cracks opening within160yanukovychs160party regions confirmation reports seemed come little later one opposition leader160arseniy160yatsenyuk announced late wednesday night truce agreement reached allow negotiations government opposition reopen whether agreement portends serious dialogue yanukovych regime opponents unclear calls serious conversation including appeals ukrainian council churches treated contempt government recent days pause sorts seems reached permits review salient facts situation including several new developments western media continue portray maidan movement confrontation yanukovych regime almost exclusively kievcentered terms one close observer situation said late wednesday night opposition controls nine countrys 25 regions control meant occupation regions administrative center police headquarters cases internalsecurity berkut headquarters moreover yanukovychs attempts cordon kiev rest country complicating reformers efforts succeeded people continue come kiev reinforce protests breaking roadblocks regime set attempts run roadblocks met gunfire lethal shootings outside kiev addition 27 deaths confirmed tuesdays regimeinitiated violence capital regime provocations almost certainly russian support continue widely reported western press policemen loyal regime shot tuesday reported extensively security forces loyal regime disguised dress maidan selfdefense forces began firing live ammunition putative comrades meanwhile regimes security forces continue use the160titushki160gangs thugs hoodlums various sorts dirty work even armed gangs perhaps clearest example state war citizens using criminals agents repression one recent instance gang of160titushki160pulled independent journalist car beat death clubs baseball bats questions remain real identity ten people uniform killed tuesday addition 17 protesters tuesdays lethal regime assault civil society two oligarchs supportive yanukovychs party regions rinat akhmetov victor pinchuk issued public appeals end regime violence third oligarch dmytro firtash wednesday whether suggests effective pressure billionaires eu governments us calculation hardeyed businessmen yanukovychs days numbered something else unclear combined cracks appeared party regions parliamentary caucus loss regime control nine regions calls restraint men bankrolled yanukovychs regime profited suggest something shifting foundations yanukovychs support yet inner circle around yanukovych remains hawkish according kiev sources thus danger spasms regimeinitiated violence means completely abated russian rhetoric situation continues harsh indeed became harsher wednesday russian media sources officials continue frame contest government rightwing extremists narrative convention thoroughgoing falsehood often adopted leftleaning european press irony russians speak openly final solution ukrainian question complain rightwing extremists lost meanwhile one ukrainian source reports conversation chancellor angela merkel president vladimir putin allowed interested controlling rustbelt ukraine yanukovych amp co lost control kiev implication putin would settle crimea russias black seafleet port sebastopol putins assurances course greater credibility yanukovychs least russian managed democracy czar would seem floating notions ultimate fallback position thursday three european foreign ministers laurent fabius france frankwalter steinmeier germany radek sikorski poland coming kiev presumably hold discussions yanukovych opposition yanukovych quite capable using pause prepare repression eu american sanctions beginning bite american calls ukrainian military avoid dragooned attacks ukrainian people heeded senior officers value relations nato western military leaders perhaps new phase drama opening although remains entirely unclear whether new phase involves soft hard landings yanukovych cronies russian machinations provocations newfound unity among opposition political leaders meanwhile prepare meetings kiev european foreign ministers might well heed call issued today one ukraines leading academics myroslav marynovych veteran gulag soviet period title160what ukraine expect west write former prisoner conscience brezhnev era titles rapidly losing sense light bleeding ukrainian maidan life admired western civilization realm values close rephrasing byrons words frailty thy name europe strength bitterness matched strength love europe anyone decisionmaking circles interested may answer question title follows first foremost stop expressing deep concern protesters maidan allergy circumstances senseless phrase gangsters ukrainian government enjoy mocking helplessness eu invoke sanctions dont waste time searching achilles heel money deposited banks execute laws stop money laundering europe want part never degrade absolute value human lives favor absolute importance money cancel western visas governmental gangsters families scandal ordinary ukrainians living simple lives provide ancestors family trees obtain visa enter european countries ruling criminals guilty murder disappearances fraud eyes whole world enjoy virtually freeentry status europe listen yanukovychs putins propagandistic sirens put cotton ears able decode lie otherwise decode ability defend instead listen ukrainian media sacrificing journalists lives provide truthful information rely much upon information provided special correspondents countries come ukraine day two hire ukrainians live country translate ukrainian cry pain secure money instead waiting funds next years budget come ukrainian hospitals talk socalled extremists want subvert legitimately elected government cruelly beaten policemen deliberately blasted explosives wound yes face war cruel arriving maidan people repeated almost literally king george vi said people september 3 1939 forced conflict called160160160160to meet challenge principle prevail would fatal civilized order world get comfort zone remember coddled ancient romans refused time cajoling putin wont bring security letting take control ukraine could make third world war future possibility ukraine divided force wont bring world peace poland germany divided force didnt bring peace world let us conclude solidarity memory king george vi ukrainian people task hard may dark days ahead war longer confined battlefield right see right reverently commit cause god one keep resolutely faithful ready whatever service sacrifice may demand gods help shall prevail george weigel distinguished senior fellow washingtons ethics public policy center holds william e simon chair catholic studies160 | 876 |
<p>Technology and Higher Education</p>
<p>The Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>June 3, 2015</p>
<p>Speaker: Alex Tabarrok, George Mason University</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://eppc.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Tabarrok-Presentation.pdf" type="external">Presentation slides</a>&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Alex Tabarrok</p>
<p>Alex Tabarrok:&#160; Thank you all for inviting me.&#160; I’m also going to put a PowerPoint up.&#160; But I actually like PowerPoint.&#160; So we’ll see how that goes. Mostly what I want to talk about is creative destruction in education brought about by new online technologies.</p>
<p>So I’m particularly going to focus on the creative aspect; how these new online technologies can allow us to teach more people at lower cost in a better way than ever before.</p>
<p>I’ll say a little bit about destruction.&#160; Maybe we can talk more about that in the Q &amp; A.&#160; And then I’ll have a few words on the importance of the opportunities in particular for this audience.</p>
<p>So the biggest advantage of the online technology is I think the one that you all understand and that is scale.&#160; So you can teach 100,000 people online at pretty much the same cost as you can teach 100 people or ten people.&#160; These technologies scale tremendously.&#160; This is the massive in MOOC. And you’ve all heard this so I am not going to belabor the point but keep the point in mind.</p>
<p>In addition to scale, however, these technologies also allow us to teach in a better way and in a way which saves time.&#160; Now —</p>
<p>Laughter</p>
<p>— unfortunately I’m a little too familiar as most teachers are with pictures like this.&#160; And one of the reasons for this — you know when I’m teaching my students at George Mason University and I see 20% of them they are not following, 20% of them they have that look on their face, they are just not getting it.&#160; Well, it is very natural in that case for me to repeat myself.&#160; But that means that 80% of the students are hearing something twice which they only needed to hear once.</p>
<p>In the online world you never repeat yourself because in the online world the student is in control.&#160; The student can rewind.&#160; The student can move forward.&#160; The student can even speed you up so you end up talking a little faster than you usually would.&#160; It is a much more individualized approach.</p>
<p>In addition we can manage time in a much better way.&#160; We can teach the same amount of material in less time and we can manage that time in a much better way.</p>
<p>So let me show you this piece of technology, this is ancient technology.&#160; Many of you may not recognize this.&#160; This of course is a TV Guide.&#160; It tells you that in 1963 if you wanted to watch Hootenanny you had to be in front of your television set on a Saturday night between 7:30 and 8:30.&#160; If you weren’t there you didn’t see the show.&#160; You missed it.&#160; You couldn’t record it.&#160; While you were watching the show you couldn’t pause it and go get a beer.&#160; You couldn’t watch it ten minutes now and ten minutes later.&#160; You were told when and where you had to be in order to watch the show.</p>
<p>Now you are thinking this is ancient.&#160; This is ancient technology.&#160; We won’t do anything like this today.&#160; But take a look at this.&#160; This tells you if you want education and particularly if you want Barbara Don’s accounting class you’ve got to be Wednesday somewhere in a particular place between 8:15 and 9:40 a.m.&#160; Why?&#160; Why?&#160; I can get entertainment on demand.&#160; I can watch Captain America: Winter Soldier when and where I want it pretty much anywhere in the world with my iPad.&#160; Why can’t I get education on demand?&#160; Why are we restricted to forcing people in particular times and particular places in a particular way?&#160; And why do we have these 50 minute classes or two hours and 45 minute classes?&#160; Is that optimized for the human attention span?&#160; Of course not.&#160; We only do that because if you are going to require all the students and the teachers to collect in the same place at the same time you better squeeze as much education into them as you can in order to bear all those fixed costs of having to get to the university and so forth.</p>
<p>Online education changes all this.&#160; In short what online education does is online education does for education what TiVo has done for television.&#160; Pause, rewind, watch it in chunks, watch it later, different times and so forth that allow us much more control.</p>
<p>Now all of this would be moot if it didn’t work.&#160; But actually we have hundreds of studies now on online versus traditional models and they indicate that the online models work at least as well; one of the best of these is a randomized control trial by Bill Bowen of Princeton.&#160; He looked at a statistics class and he compared an online or some hybrid model with a traditional model.&#160; And what they found — the traditional model in purple, the hybrid in orange — is whether you were looking at the final exam, whether you were looking at a post test, whether you were looking at the pass rate.&#160; In every case the online students did at least as well, actually slightly better but not statistically significantly better, they did at least as well as students using the traditional model.</p>
<p>Moreover the online model was 36% to 57% less costly to run on an ongoing basis.&#160; Now if you think about those two things, about the same output with maybe 1/3 to 1/2 the inputs, okay, what that means is that the productivity of the online model is 56% to 133% higher than the traditional model.</p>
<p>Now everyone in education is concerned about the costs from the President on down to the parents.&#160; And online models are the only plausible way to seriously reduce costs.&#160; That is why I think these models are only going to grow.</p>
<p>Moreover, these costs which I’ve mentioned, these are the monetary costs.&#160; These are the costs of the university.&#160; If you actually look at the total costs, they are even lower because the hybrid format, the online students actually spent less time with the material for some of the reasons I mentioned earlier, they got at least as good results, test results but they spent less time so it was less costly to the students; big time savings for the students.&#160; And the students, they didn’t have to drive to the university and find parking, which is impossible anywhere you go.&#160; So there were huge cost savings to the students as well as to universities.</p>
<p>Now we’ve heard a lot about the MOOC, the massive and I think that is actually a little bit misleading, the idea of mass, this is a mass education model.&#160; It is actually as we move forward a much more individualized personalized model.</p>
<p>You know the ideal education form is probably the Oxford Tutorial System; each system has a tutor particularly assigned to them.&#160; Now that model has long gone away.&#160; It has long went away because it is just too costly.</p>
<p>But consider it is too costly to have a human tutor, but what about to have an artificial intelligent tutor, an AI tutor, a tutor that is available 24 hours a day, a tutor that doesn’t get cranky, a tutor also which draws on a huge data base, big data, a huge data base of knowledge of how students think.</p>
<p>You know when students make mistakes, when they make mistakes on exams; these mistakes are typically not random.&#160; The pattern of mistakes which a student makes tells an experienced teacher something about what the student didn’t quite get, what are they missing.&#160; We can, using artificial intelligence, pull that pattern out in a much better way than ever before using data from hundreds of thousands of students.&#160; So an AI tutor can look at the patterns of mistakes, look at what the student knows and what the student doesn’t know and direct each student on an individualized personalized basis to just that piece of knowledge which that student needs to complete the picture, just that piece of the jigsaw puzzle which that individual student needs to complete the picture.</p>
<p>So I think as we move forward — we are not quite there yet but as we move forward these technologies are going to become ever more powerful and useful.</p>
<p>Moreover, all of this will be built into textbooks.&#160; So textbooks on something like an iPad or a computer or something like that will watch what you are doing as you are doing it, will see what you’ve read, what you’ve looked at, will look at the questions you’ve answered, the questions you haven’t answered, the questions you got correct, the questions you’ve got incorrect and the textbook will adapt as you are reading the textbook.</p>
<p>So as I like to put it the adaptive textbook will read you as you read it.</p>
<p>The future of education I like to say is a lot like video games.&#160; And I don’t mean that at all in a pejorative sense.&#160; I mean it in the following economic sense.&#160; If we think about a major video game like Halo, the companies are spending $50 million to $100 million to produce these games.&#160; That makes sense because you are selling to a large audience.&#160; For the first time in education it is possible that we are going to have a million people taking the same course.&#160; That means it is going to make sense, economic sense to invest $50 per student; it is not unreasonable to have a $50 million course.&#160; That would be completely reasonable.</p>
<p>Now think about how a video game is produced.&#160; It is not produced by one person.&#160; It is produced by a team of computer scientists, of graphic designers, of artists, of voice actors, even psychologists.&#160; Now why would a video game designer, why would a video game company hire a psychologist?&#160; The reason is that for a really good video game you want to keep the players just on the edge between frustration and boredom.&#160; You don’t want them dying all the time so they get frustrated and quit.&#160; Nor do you want it so easy that they get bored and quit.&#160; You want to keep them on that edge.</p>
<p>Now if you think about it it is exactly what we went to do as teachers in education.&#160; We want to keep our students just on that edge between frustration and boredom so that they continually feel they are advancing, they are getting better, they are learning, they are progressing but they are not bored and they are not frustrated.</p>
<p>So a team-created approach to education is going to be very important as we move forward.</p>
<p>My own efforts in this are just beginning with Tyler Cowen.&#160; We started Marginal Revolution University or MR University or Mister University for short. &#160;Online economics is our specialty.&#160; We have a whole bunch of different courses.&#160; Most of them are quite low-tech narrated power point.&#160; More recently we’ve been investing more in producing our principles of economics course and we are going to show one of those videos, just about a three-minute video to give you some idea of what can be done as we move forward.</p>
<p>Video presentation – coming soon</p>
<p>&#160;Applause</p>
<p>Thank you.&#160; I appreciate that.&#160; I think it illustrates my point —&#160;if I had just given you a lecture on price ceilings you wouldn’t be clapping right now because it wouldn’t have been as good, it wouldn’t have been as entertaining, wouldn’t have been as interesting.</p>
<p>Let me just tell you one more thing about that video and all the videos in the Principles of Economics class.&#160; They are all closed captioned, subtitled, captioned in English, so they all have professionally created English captions.&#160; And that is interesting because once you have the English captions you can machine translate, Google will do it for you automatically, into pretty much any language in the world.&#160; So the machine translation is not great but it is actually not bad either.</p>
<p>So already just with the English captioning we now have any student from anywhere in the world can, just with one click, get captions in their own language in Arabic, in Chinese, in Japanese, in Korean, you name it.</p>
<p>And then that leaves me with my last point.&#160; And that is the opportunities in particular for this audience.&#160; You know Paul Samuelson, the Nobel Prize winning liberal economist, he once said that “I don’t care who writes the nation’s legislation so long as I get to write the nation’s textbooks.”&#160; Well, with online technologies we actually have the opportunities to rewrite not just this nation’s textbooks but to rewrite the textbooks of the world.</p>
<p>Thank you very much.</p>
<p>&#160;Applause</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 1 | technology higher education four seasons hotel washington dc june 3 2015 speaker alex tabarrok george mason university 160 presentation slides160160 alex tabarrok alex tabarrok160 thank inviting me160 im also going put powerpoint up160 actually like powerpoint160 well see goes mostly want talk creative destruction education brought new online technologies im particularly going focus creative aspect new online technologies allow us teach people lower cost better way ever ill say little bit destruction160 maybe talk q amp a160 ill words importance opportunities particular audience biggest advantage online technology think one understand scale160 teach 100000 people online pretty much cost teach 100 people ten people160 technologies scale tremendously160 massive mooc youve heard going belabor point keep point mind addition scale however technologies also allow us teach better way way saves time160 laughter unfortunately im little familiar teachers pictures like this160 one reasons know im teaching students george mason university see 20 following 20 look face getting it160 well natural case repeat myself160 means 80 students hearing something twice needed hear online world never repeat online world student control160 student rewind160 student move forward160 student even speed end talking little faster usually would160 much individualized approach addition manage time much better way160 teach amount material less time manage time much better way let show piece technology ancient technology160 many may recognize this160 course tv guide160 tells 1963 wanted watch hootenanny front television set saturday night 730 830160 werent didnt see show160 missed it160 couldnt record it160 watching show couldnt pause go get beer160 couldnt watch ten minutes ten minutes later160 told order watch show thinking ancient160 ancient technology160 wont anything like today160 take look this160 tells want education particularly want barbara dons accounting class youve got wednesday somewhere particular place 815 940 am160 why160 why160 get entertainment demand160 watch captain america winter soldier want pretty much anywhere world ipad160 cant get education demand160 restricted forcing people particular times particular places particular way160 50 minute classes two hours 45 minute classes160 optimized human attention span160 course not160 going require students teachers collect place time better squeeze much education order bear fixed costs get university forth online education changes this160 short online education online education education tivo done television160 pause rewind watch chunks watch later different times forth allow us much control would moot didnt work160 actually hundreds studies online versus traditional models indicate online models work least well one best randomized control trial bill bowen princeton160 looked statistics class compared online hybrid model traditional model160 found traditional model purple hybrid orange whether looking final exam whether looking post test whether looking pass rate160 every case online students least well actually slightly better statistically significantly better least well students using traditional model moreover online model 36 57 less costly run ongoing basis160 think two things output maybe 13 12 inputs okay means productivity online model 56 133 higher traditional model everyone education concerned costs president parents160 online models plausible way seriously reduce costs160 think models going grow moreover costs ive mentioned monetary costs160 costs university160 actually look total costs even lower hybrid format online students actually spent less time material reasons mentioned earlier got least good results test results spent less time less costly students big time savings students160 students didnt drive university find parking impossible anywhere go160 huge cost savings students well universities weve heard lot mooc massive think actually little bit misleading idea mass mass education model160 actually move forward much individualized personalized model know ideal education form probably oxford tutorial system system tutor particularly assigned them160 model long gone away160 long went away costly consider costly human tutor artificial intelligent tutor ai tutor tutor available 24 hours day tutor doesnt get cranky tutor also draws huge data base big data huge data base knowledge students think know students make mistakes make mistakes exams mistakes typically random160 pattern mistakes student makes tells experienced teacher something student didnt quite get missing160 using artificial intelligence pull pattern much better way ever using data hundreds thousands students160 ai tutor look patterns mistakes look student knows student doesnt know direct student individualized personalized basis piece knowledge student needs complete picture piece jigsaw puzzle individual student needs complete picture think move forward quite yet move forward technologies going become ever powerful useful moreover built textbooks160 textbooks something like ipad computer something like watch see youve read youve looked look questions youve answered questions havent answered questions got correct questions youve got incorrect textbook adapt reading textbook like put adaptive textbook read read future education like say lot like video games160 dont mean pejorative sense160 mean following economic sense160 think major video game like halo companies spending 50 million 100 million produce games160 makes sense selling large audience160 first time education possible going million people taking course160 means going make sense economic sense invest 50 per student unreasonable 50 million course160 would completely reasonable think video game produced160 produced one person160 produced team computer scientists graphic designers artists voice actors even psychologists160 would video game designer would video game company hire psychologist160 reason really good video game want keep players edge frustration boredom160 dont want dying time get frustrated quit160 want easy get bored quit160 want keep edge think exactly went teachers education160 want keep students edge frustration boredom continually feel advancing getting better learning progressing bored frustrated teamcreated approach education going important move forward efforts beginning tyler cowen160 started marginal revolution university mr university mister university short 160online economics specialty160 whole bunch different courses160 quite lowtech narrated power point160 recently weve investing producing principles economics course going show one videos threeminute video give idea done move forward video presentation coming soon 160applause thank you160 appreciate that160 think illustrates point 160if given lecture price ceilings wouldnt clapping right wouldnt good wouldnt entertaining wouldnt interesting let tell one thing video videos principles economics class160 closed captioned subtitled captioned english professionally created english captions160 interesting english captions machine translate google automatically pretty much language world160 machine translation great actually bad either already english captioning student anywhere world one click get captions language arabic chinese japanese korean name leaves last point160 opportunities particular audience160 know paul samuelson nobel prize winning liberal economist said dont care writes nations legislation long get write nations textbooks160 well online technologies actually opportunities rewrite nations textbooks rewrite textbooks world thank much 160applause 160 | 1,046 |
<p>The neocons, and the rest of Canada, are waiting until April to see what overall effect this chaos will have.</p>
<p>Canada has always been a part of U.S. imperial ambitions, in spite of our pretensions otherwise. Locked in as we are to the U.S. economy, and our dollar only relevant in comparison to the US dollar, up until the Harper regime, Canada was able to maintain that pretense. Our NATO political alignment, the NAFTA trade agreement, the North American Aerospace Defense Command—formerly NORAD—are a few big ticket acronyms that have kept us united and generally subordinated.</p>
<p>After achieving majority power in the last election, the Harper neoconservatives have been open advocates for causes that support U.S. imperial interests. That is not surprising when the history and roots of the Reform Party—Alliance Party—born again Conservative party—is examined. The strong attachments that the neocons have to the U.S. Republican party has been well covered recently (see <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670067016/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0670067016&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20&amp;linkId=TYVQEBEXPV46NELS" type="external">Party of One</a>, Michael Harris, Viking, 2014; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00492CN46/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00492CN46&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20&amp;linkId=FVVLYSOBCGRY7F57" type="external">The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy</a>, Yves Engler, Fernwood Publishing, 2009; among many others).The neocons share the Republican’s fundamentalist, right wing ‘might is right’, less government, corporate power agenda—and the electoral methodologies used to gain and stay in power.</p>
<p>Now that the U.S. has increased the ‘arc of instability’ and made it into its ‘empire of chaos’, Canada is either front running the hubris leading this, or is a perfectly willing assistant to creating chaos. A series of recent events highlights this in the financial world as well as in the military geopolitical world.</p>
<p>Yes, our great ally Saudi Arabia, has lost its monarch. So sad. The Saudis and our relationship to them are the height of hypocrisy and double standards.</p>
<p>This is the country that supported Bahrain in violently crushing the peaceful demonstrations by the majority Shia against their absolutist monarchy. Saudi Arabia is a country that is itself a monarchy, a fundamentalist autocratic tribal fiefdom writ large on the Arabian Peninsula, supported by the reactionary fundamentalist Sunni Wahabi sect.</p>
<p>Rule of law is Sunni sharia law with no written “rule of law”, which the Canadian neocons always tout as being one of the requirements of a country with whom they have good relationships. Misogyny, torture, beheadings, stonings, whippings, amputations, and death (well obviously for beheading) are traits of their “legal” system. “Freedom” and “democracy” have little application in Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>9/11 has the Saudi name written all over it yet nothing was done concerning those incriminating liaisons. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban—associated further back with U.S. efforts to militarize the mujahedeen freedom fighters in Afghanistan against Soviet forces—are products of U.S. geopolitical interests. The oil interests of the U.S. have protected the House of Saud in the arc of instability and allowed the free flow of dollars between the oil country and the military corporations and investment houses of the U.S. (see <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC1BKG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B000FC1BKG&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20&amp;linkId=PGHCVW4MWLYJDVZO" type="external">House of Bush—House of Saud</a>, Craig Unger, Scribner, 2004)</p>
<p>Two other events are occurring which adds more hypocrisy and double standards to the mix, both tied in with the empire of chaos: the first is a feature of war; the second is a feature of financial predation, but another part of war in itself.</p>
<p>Harper’s hatred of Islam is obvious, his concerns for its peaceful members superficial. His coinage of the pejorative term “Islamicism” to denigrate all that is Islam clearly titles his attitude.</p>
<p>Yet the current transformation of violent reactions to the continued imposed violence on the arc of instability—the region of the Middle East including Iraq, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon—has morphed into the more general empire of chaos with the violence spreading through to northern Africa, the Sahel, the Horn of Africa—well be honest, just about all of Africa. It has spread the chaos through the former Yugoslavia, created the encroachment of NATO into eastern Europe against the promises of President Clinton (yeah, like anybody should believe a U.S. promise), and now is doing its best to destabilize the Ukraine with its neo-Nazi coup installed government and then on into destabilizing Russia as per the Brzezinski “grand chessboard”.</p>
<p>But it is the current iteration of Islamic reaction to this ongoing petrodollar colonialism that has attracted most of Harper’s current concern. ISIS is seemingly an amalgam of reactionary Syrians, unforgiving Iraqi Sunnis, and many other people wanting to combat the empire. Yet for the nature of ISIS, there are questions about its origins. It is an organization that apparently draws support from Saudi Arabia, has been supplied with U.S. weapons, either through Saudi Arabia or indirectly through covert and profiteering actions.</p>
<p>All was well with ISIS until they came too close to Irbil, the main Kurdish city with many international energy corporations seeking profits there. Then the U.S. decided it had to do something. Harper of course, realizing the ability to use this arena to foster his own anti-Islamic interests and create more domestic fear of the ‘other’ domestically, climbed aboard the USS Chaos. Fortunately for Harper, two lone wolf attacks, carried out in the name of ISIS, helped reinforce that fear of the ‘other’, without any discourse or awareness as to how and why ISIS came into existence. It really doesn’t matter, because as Harper said, “We’ll just kill them.”</p>
<p>And boots on the ground?</p>
<p>Well certainly. Anytime a country sends in its special ops forces, there will obviously be boots on the ground. Well trained boots. Boots able and willing to enter conflict, to kill or be killed. A combat mission? If it looks like combat, acts like combat, then yes, it is combat.</p>
<p>Harper boasted early on about Canada becoming a super-star energy state. Well, how is that working out for you?</p>
<p>Oil is a commodity; it is also a geopolitical weapon. Canada’s financial situation has become dependent on its oil revenues to provide the neocon government the ability to cut taxes (and social services) and proclaim its achievement of a balanced budget (in spite of an increase in the overall debt to 1.8 trillion dollars!).</p>
<p>What is happening internationally with oil prices is arguable.&#160; It cannot be purely supply and demand, although the increase in U.S. production mainly through fracking has saturated the U.S. market, decreasing local demand.&#160;&#160; If it were purely free market driven, then someone, be it OPEC—in particular the Saudis—or the Russians would cut their production to increase prices.&#160; The U.S. argument for fracking is for energy independence, but that is in a large part being&#160;attained through the easy availability of cheap loans thanks to the trillions of dollars of relatively free money supplied by the U.S. Fed and not through market capitalism.</p>
<p>It could be a Saudi-U.S. alliance to attempt to destabilize Russia, but the more likely action is that of the Saudis forcing the U.S. out of the market—the fracking businesses mostly bankrupted from the above mentioned easy money—thus allowing the Saudis to once again raise prices and continue with their windfall harvest, and in that sense, controlling to a degree the petrodollar to their benefit.</p>
<p>It could simply by Saudi intransigence. Perhaps they are demonstrating that they are still too important to be done away with—or perhaps signaling that maybe they can simply sell most of its oil to energy hungry China without western interference.</p>
<p>Whatever the cause, the consequences are widespread. Canadian pundits proclaim the benefits of the extra oil dollars in the consumer’s pocket. Yet the average Canadian consumer is already over 160 percent of annual income in debt. What little is to be gained from those extra pennies will be lost as the dollar loses value compared to other currencies—the US$ in particular and the rising cost of imports—which for Canada, especially in winter, includes most everything.</p>
<p>Then there is the added feature of the decrease in drilling, the loss of direct oil employment, and the loss of related support workers in many diverse fields servicing the oil sector. First to go will be the expensive sectors—fracking first, and tar sands second. Another added feature is that much of the financing for some of the riskier more difficult projects depends on borrowed money—which, if the dollar and oil continue to slide in value, could have even more serious repercussions on the whole financial sector as bills default and loans go unpaid.</p>
<p>So what are the Harper neocons doing about it? Nothing—oh, we’re waiting until April, and we are going to decrease the prime bank rate as well. The latter will allow more speculative spending, most of which will go to the stock market, giving it an artificial boost without productivity gains similar to that of the U.S. quantitative easing boost, another hazard on the path to financial decay.</p>
<p>Well done Minister of Finance! Well done PM Harper (who, if you didn’t know, has a Masters degree in economics from U. of Calgary, Canada’s right wing republican think tank university). But then, economists are not held in much esteem by some (yours truly included):</p>
<p>“Lacking empirical testing and measurement, economics narrows into a mock science of abstract assumptions without much regard as to whether its axioms are historically grounded….To the extent that the discipline uses mathematics, the spirit is closer to numerology than to natural sciences. Indeed, astrology also is highly technical and mathematical, and like economics it deals with forecasting.”</p>
<p>“Political economy, therefore, reasons from assumed premises—from premises which might be totally without foundations in fact.” [J.S. Mills]</p>
<p>“…one need not be committed unduly as to the relation between reality and these assumptions.” [Nobel prize winner Paul Samuelson]</p>
<p>— From Michael Hudson, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009M5TBMW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B009M5TBMW&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20&amp;linkId=DW45ZTMR3LZ5JFYG" type="external">The Bubble and Beyond</a>, 2013.</p>
<p>These broad three items—the economy, oil, ISIS—with the addition of the upcoming Mike Duffy trial, narrow down to a focus towards the end of April.</p>
<p>The neocons have already delayed the budget and then hinted there might be an emphasis on the manufacturing sector. Does that mean that NAFTA will be reopened, and that the trade agreements pending between Europe and China will be put on hold in order to protect our ‘other’ industries? There is also room to approach the failed U.S. monetary policy of ZIRP, which along with massive QE has boosted the stock market without doing anything for productivity or the working person. The Canadian dollar is dropping, and unlike some other currencies, there is no gold to support it, as is evident with the current efforts by several European countries to repatriate their gold. Petro dollar—reliant only on oil.</p>
<p>Then there is oil. The big question concerns how low and for how long the price will continue to drop. In the meantime, the government’s only response so far has been to accept the Bank of Canada’s overnight lending rate change. Canada’s dollar is a petrodollar, and like many other dollars, petro or not, it is declining compared to the U.S. dollar. The U.S. dollar is rising not because of intrinsic strength of the U.S. economy, but because the U.S. has one advantage that other currencies don’t—it is the world’s reserve currency, and as such can print as many dollars as they want and still maintain their top position, regardless of whether the economy, except for the top 1 percent, has improved—which in spite of Obama’s state of the union address, it has not.</p>
<p>Next is ISIS. This serves more as the ‘fear factor’, the ability to direct the anger of the population at something other than the ineptitude of the politicians/economists and an economy hanging on the brink of deeper and longer recession. The front page argument will be all about extending Canada’s mission in Iraq and on into Syria. Sure it will go before parliament, but with a dictatorial majority, the neocons will assuredly continue their war-mongering in support of the empire of chaos.</p>
<p>Finally, the Mike Duffy trial is scheduled to begin on April 7 and is scheduled to last 41 days. Who knows what wonderful stories and denouements will rise from this continuing affair.</p>
<p>All four of these items focus on one thing—the ability to be re-elected in the fall. I would be sort of surprised if the election were to be changed to the spring, as these four items would then become great political cannon fodder for attacks on the neocon position.</p>
<p>Certainly the neocons will be obtaining information from their Republican advisors as to how to proceed with all this, and will be obtaining indirect financing from the Koch brothers to swamp the public in disinformation, innuendo, and lies.</p>
<p>Within the empire of chaos, there is some looming chaos in the Canadian sector. The neocons, and the rest of Canada, are waiting until April to see what overall effect this chaos will have.</p> | false | 1 | neocons rest canada waiting april see overall effect chaos canada always part us imperial ambitions spite pretensions otherwise locked us economy dollar relevant comparison us dollar harper regime canada able maintain pretense nato political alignment nafta trade agreement north american aerospace defense commandformerly noradare big ticket acronyms kept us united generally subordinated achieving majority power last election harper neoconservatives open advocates causes support us imperial interests surprising history roots reform partyalliance partyborn conservative partyis examined strong attachments neocons us republican party well covered recently see party one michael harris viking 2014 black book canadian foreign policy yves engler fernwood publishing 2009 among many othersthe neocons share republicans fundamentalist right wing might right less government corporate power agendaand electoral methodologies used gain stay power us increased arc instability made empire chaos canada either front running hubris leading perfectly willing assistant creating chaos series recent events highlights financial world well military geopolitical world yes great ally saudi arabia lost monarch sad saudis relationship height hypocrisy double standards country supported bahrain violently crushing peaceful demonstrations majority shia absolutist monarchy saudi arabia country monarchy fundamentalist autocratic tribal fiefdom writ large arabian peninsula supported reactionary fundamentalist sunni wahabi sect rule law sunni sharia law written rule law canadian neocons always tout one requirements country good relationships misogyny torture beheadings stonings whippings amputations death well obviously beheading traits legal system freedom democracy little application saudi arabia 911 saudi name written yet nothing done concerning incriminating liaisons alqaeda talibanassociated back us efforts militarize mujahedeen freedom fighters afghanistan soviet forcesare products us geopolitical interests oil interests us protected house saud arc instability allowed free flow dollars oil country military corporations investment houses us see house bushhouse saud craig unger scribner 2004 two events occurring adds hypocrisy double standards mix tied empire chaos first feature war second feature financial predation another part war harpers hatred islam obvious concerns peaceful members superficial coinage pejorative term islamicism denigrate islam clearly titles attitude yet current transformation violent reactions continued imposed violence arc instabilitythe region middle east including iraq israel syria jordan lebanonhas morphed general empire chaos violence spreading northern africa sahel horn africawell honest africa spread chaos former yugoslavia created encroachment nato eastern europe promises president clinton yeah like anybody believe us promise best destabilize ukraine neonazi coup installed government destabilizing russia per brzezinski grand chessboard current iteration islamic reaction ongoing petrodollar colonialism attracted harpers current concern isis seemingly amalgam reactionary syrians unforgiving iraqi sunnis many people wanting combat empire yet nature isis questions origins organization apparently draws support saudi arabia supplied us weapons either saudi arabia indirectly covert profiteering actions well isis came close irbil main kurdish city many international energy corporations seeking profits us decided something harper course realizing ability use arena foster antiislamic interests create domestic fear domestically climbed aboard uss chaos fortunately harper two lone wolf attacks carried name isis helped reinforce fear without discourse awareness isis came existence really doesnt matter harper said well kill boots ground well certainly anytime country sends special ops forces obviously boots ground well trained boots boots able willing enter conflict kill killed combat mission looks like combat acts like combat yes combat harper boasted early canada becoming superstar energy state well working oil commodity also geopolitical weapon canadas financial situation become dependent oil revenues provide neocon government ability cut taxes social services proclaim achievement balanced budget spite increase overall debt 18 trillion dollars happening internationally oil prices arguable160 purely supply demand although increase us production mainly fracking saturated us market decreasing local demand160160 purely free market driven someone opecin particular saudisor russians would cut production increase prices160 us argument fracking energy independence large part being160attained easy availability cheap loans thanks trillions dollars relatively free money supplied us fed market capitalism could saudius alliance attempt destabilize russia likely action saudis forcing us marketthe fracking businesses mostly bankrupted mentioned easy moneythus allowing saudis raise prices continue windfall harvest sense controlling degree petrodollar benefit could simply saudi intransigence perhaps demonstrating still important done away withor perhaps signaling maybe simply sell oil energy hungry china without western interference whatever cause consequences widespread canadian pundits proclaim benefits extra oil dollars consumers pocket yet average canadian consumer already 160 percent annual income debt little gained extra pennies lost dollar loses value compared currenciesthe us particular rising cost importswhich canada especially winter includes everything added feature decrease drilling loss direct oil employment loss related support workers many diverse fields servicing oil sector first go expensive sectorsfracking first tar sands second another added feature much financing riskier difficult projects depends borrowed moneywhich dollar oil continue slide value could even serious repercussions whole financial sector bills default loans go unpaid harper neocons nothingoh waiting april going decrease prime bank rate well latter allow speculative spending go stock market giving artificial boost without productivity gains similar us quantitative easing boost another hazard path financial decay well done minister finance well done pm harper didnt know masters degree economics u calgary canadas right wing republican think tank university economists held much esteem truly included lacking empirical testing measurement economics narrows mock science abstract assumptions without much regard whether axioms historically groundedto extent discipline uses mathematics spirit closer numerology natural sciences indeed astrology also highly technical mathematical like economics deals forecasting political economy therefore reasons assumed premisesfrom premises might totally without foundations fact js mills one need committed unduly relation reality assumptions nobel prize winner paul samuelson michael hudson bubble beyond 2013 broad three itemsthe economy oil isiswith addition upcoming mike duffy trial narrow focus towards end april neocons already delayed budget hinted might emphasis manufacturing sector mean nafta reopened trade agreements pending europe china put hold order protect industries also room approach failed us monetary policy zirp along massive qe boosted stock market without anything productivity working person canadian dollar dropping unlike currencies gold support evident current efforts several european countries repatriate gold petro dollarreliant oil oil big question concerns low long price continue drop meantime governments response far accept bank canadas overnight lending rate change canadas dollar petrodollar like many dollars petro declining compared us dollar us dollar rising intrinsic strength us economy us one advantage currencies dontit worlds reserve currency print many dollars want still maintain top position regardless whether economy except top 1 percent improvedwhich spite obamas state union address next isis serves fear factor ability direct anger population something ineptitude politicianseconomists economy hanging brink deeper longer recession front page argument extending canadas mission iraq syria sure go parliament dictatorial majority neocons assuredly continue warmongering support empire chaos finally mike duffy trial scheduled begin april 7 scheduled last 41 days knows wonderful stories denouements rise continuing affair four items focus one thingthe ability reelected fall would sort surprised election changed spring four items would become great political cannon fodder attacks neocon position certainly neocons obtaining information republican advisors proceed obtaining indirect financing koch brothers swamp public disinformation innuendo lies within empire chaos looming chaos canadian sector neocons rest canada waiting april see overall effect chaos | 1,156 |
<p>Expect 2017 to be a year of big changes for Nevada’s prison system.</p>
<p>The state Corrections Department in 2016 took a critical look at its use-of-force policies and examined ways to improve treatment for inmates with significant mental illnesses, among other things.</p>
<p>And department Director James Dzurenda said he’s only getting started.</p>
<p>Dzurenda, who assumed command of the department in April after a long career in state and federal corrections and law enforcement, spoke with the Las Vegas Review-Journal before the holidays to recap steps taken in 2016 and to preview some of the turns ahead.</p>
<p>“2017 is going to be our biggest impact year,” he said. “Really, it’s like creating a whole new agency.”</p>
<p>USE OF FORCE</p>
<p>Dzurenda took the reins of the Corrections Department amid a perfect storm of sorts. That was the same month state prosecutors decided to charge a former prison guard at High Desert State Prison in the shooting death of Carlos Perez, 28, who was killed during a fight with another inmate on Nov. 12, 2014.</p>
<p>Perez’s death and the ensuing — and ongoing — legal battles raised questions about the department’s use of shotguns in prison facilities as a crowd control tool.</p>
<p>Dzurenda ended the practice in May and said corrections officers are now receiving training on de-escalation tactics and being equipped with more nonlethal “tools on their tool belt,” such as rubber bullets and pepper spray canisters.</p>
<p>He said the change has already resulted in a significant reduction in use-of-force incidents. In 2017, he said, the department will look at other changes that could improve inmate behavior and reduce the need for force, including fixing the department’s troubled system for inmate grievances.</p>
<p>HIV DISCLOSURE</p>
<p>Dzurenda this year discovered what he considers a major flaw in prison regulations — and state law. Current law requires an inmate’s nonmedical records be marked if they test positive for HIV — the virus that causes AIDS — during intake. HIV-positive inmates are kept out of the general population units in segregated units.</p>
<p>Dzurenda said the process violated the inmates’ rights to medical privacy as well as federal regulations. It also created a false sense of security among guards.</p>
<p>Corrections officers need to approach every incident with caution to avoid biological hazards, not just be careful around certain inmates, he said.</p>
<p>The department will ask the Legislature to update those laws about inmates who have HIV during the 2017 session.</p>
<p>MENTAL HEALTH</p>
<p>The agency’s treatment of mentally ill inmates was a big part of Dzurenda’s 2016 agenda and will continue to be a priority in the new year.</p>
<p>Dzurenda said he noticed dozens of inmates with serious mental issues at the Ely State Prison, a maximum-security facility in rural White Pine County where mental health resources are scarce. The director decided to move the department’s worst cases up to a facility near Carson City, where there are more psychiatric and other medical professionals.</p>
<p>In the coming year, Dzurenda plans to create “step-down units” that will keep mentally ill inmates who need the most supervision under close watch but allow those responding well to therapies and medications to ease into the general population.</p>
<p>The department also is looking at asking the Legislature to create an electronic system for sharing inmates’ medical information, such as successful treatments, with hospitals outside the system, and vice versa. That would allow inmates to maintain successful regimens on the outside and get better treatment while incarcerated, Dzurenda said.</p>
<p>In any case, staff members will receive more training on mental health diagnoses to be able to better handle those inmates, he said.</p>
<p>COLLABORATIONS</p>
<p>Fostering relationships throughout the state will be critical to the agency in 2017.</p>
<p>Researchers at Nevada’s universities are partnering with the department to track trends and begin to develop best practices. Dzurenda said he wants every prison program to have a three-year track record of proven success, and he wants to cut outdated or ineffective programs.</p>
<p>The agency is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to bring Nevada prisons up to current federal standards — a requirement for the state to continue to receive federal grants to help reduce recidivism and improve re-entry programs.</p>
<p>In the coming year, the department is participating in <a href="" type="internal">a Vera Institute of Justice program</a> to help the department reduce its use of solitary confinement or segregation.</p>
<p>CULTURE CHANGE</p>
<p>The agency is seeking more money in 2017 for prison programs, increased staffing and improved pay for corrections officers, Dzurenda said. But evolving the department also will require a commitment from Nevadans and a cultural shift within the agency, he said.</p>
<p>To that end Dzurenda’s been talking to Rotary clubs, chambers of commerce and the media about the department’s new directions. He’s also been working with the governor’s office and meeting with legislators.</p>
<p>His pitch is simple: The more you improve the job the agency does rehabilitating inmates, the safer communities will be. Because the vast majority of inmates will be released sooner rather than later — only about 12 percent have sentences of 20 or more years — emphasizing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism will have a positive effect on public safety and ultimately save taxpayers money, he says.</p>
<p>Contact Wesley Juhl at [email protected] and 702-383-0391. Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/WesJuhl" type="external">@WesJuhl</a> on Twitter.</p> | false | 1 | expect 2017 year big changes nevadas prison system state corrections department 2016 took critical look useofforce policies examined ways improve treatment inmates significant mental illnesses among things department director james dzurenda said hes getting started dzurenda assumed command department april long career state federal corrections law enforcement spoke las vegas reviewjournal holidays recap steps taken 2016 preview turns ahead 2017 going biggest impact year said really like creating whole new agency use force dzurenda took reins corrections department amid perfect storm sorts month state prosecutors decided charge former prison guard high desert state prison shooting death carlos perez 28 killed fight another inmate nov 12 2014 perezs death ensuing ongoing legal battles raised questions departments use shotguns prison facilities crowd control tool dzurenda ended practice may said corrections officers receiving training deescalation tactics equipped nonlethal tools tool belt rubber bullets pepper spray canisters said change already resulted significant reduction useofforce incidents 2017 said department look changes could improve inmate behavior reduce need force including fixing departments troubled system inmate grievances hiv disclosure dzurenda year discovered considers major flaw prison regulations state law current law requires inmates nonmedical records marked test positive hiv virus causes aids intake hivpositive inmates kept general population units segregated units dzurenda said process violated inmates rights medical privacy well federal regulations also created false sense security among guards corrections officers need approach every incident caution avoid biological hazards careful around certain inmates said department ask legislature update laws inmates hiv 2017 session mental health agencys treatment mentally ill inmates big part dzurendas 2016 agenda continue priority new year dzurenda said noticed dozens inmates serious mental issues ely state prison maximumsecurity facility rural white pine county mental health resources scarce director decided move departments worst cases facility near carson city psychiatric medical professionals coming year dzurenda plans create stepdown units keep mentally ill inmates need supervision close watch allow responding well therapies medications ease general population department also looking asking legislature create electronic system sharing inmates medical information successful treatments hospitals outside system vice versa would allow inmates maintain successful regimens outside get better treatment incarcerated dzurenda said case staff members receive training mental health diagnoses able better handle inmates said collaborations fostering relationships throughout state critical agency 2017 researchers nevadas universities partnering department track trends begin develop best practices dzurenda said wants every prison program threeyear track record proven success wants cut outdated ineffective programs agency working us department justice bring nevada prisons current federal standards requirement state continue receive federal grants help reduce recidivism improve reentry programs coming year department participating vera institute justice program help department reduce use solitary confinement segregation culture change agency seeking money 2017 prison programs increased staffing improved pay corrections officers dzurenda said evolving department also require commitment nevadans cultural shift within agency said end dzurendas talking rotary clubs chambers commerce media departments new directions hes also working governors office meeting legislators pitch simple improve job agency rehabilitating inmates safer communities vast majority inmates released sooner rather later 12 percent sentences 20 years emphasizing rehabilitation reducing recidivism positive effect public safety ultimately save taxpayers money says contact wesley juhl wjuhlreviewjournalcom 7023830391 follow wesjuhl twitter | 524 |
<p />
<p>Ever so slowly over the past two decades, and gaining momentum since the April 2002 Israeli destruction of the West Bank town of Jenin, American attitudes toward Israel appear to be changing, according to some public opinion analysts. The American Public Opinion and U.S. Foreign Policy polling unit, which works on behalf of the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, has argued that the American opinion shift accelerates with each perceived Israeli outrage, such as the saturation bombing of much of south Lebanon and south Beirut during the July 2006 war; the massive civilian slaughter, more than one-third women and children, in Gaza during the winter of 2008/9; the May 2010 murders and carnage committed against the Mavi Marmara, including the assassination of 19 year old American Furkan Dogan; and the cumulative effect of a half century of Geneva Convention and international law violations by Israel against occupied Palestine and Lebanon.</p>
<p>Some opinion analysts, like the 2009 Zogby International poll of American attitudes toward Israelis and Palestinians, express surprise with what they are learning from the American public and detect significant changes in American public attitudes favoring US disengagement from Israel.</p>
<p>Such changes in attitudes are not yet evident in Congress or in the Office of the Vice President. But then, as one of Biden’s Democratic Congressional colleagues from Cleveland Ohio just recently reelected and now planning to force a Congressional vote on withdrawing from Afghanistan, noted this week, “Joe’s a nice fella but a God awful slow learner! Cracks and fissures are shooting around and inside Joe’s great American pro Israel public opinion vase etched in gold with the words: ‘US Support for Israel Must Continue Forever!’</p>
<p>The New York Times’ Tom Friedman seemed to concur during meetings in Israel recently:</p>
<p>US support for Israel could shatter like Humpty Dumpty — and it could get ugly…. You are losing the American people who believe me, are fed up with the Mideast in general. But they’re also fed up with Israel. When they see their president working hard to try to tee up an opportunity … And you say ‘No, first pay me – let Jonathon Pollard out of jail, have Abu Mazen sing Hatikva in perfect Yiddish, and then we’ll think about testing.’ It rubs a lot of Americans the wrong way.</p>
<p>Changes of US citizens’ attitudes toward Israel are evident in Lebanon also. Hundreds of Americans and other foreigners have visited Shatila and other Palestinian refugee Camps in Beirut in the past few years, according to the Sabra Shatila Foundation that conducts tours of the camp. Many visiting Americans have been surveyed by various firms and the results mirror recent surveys from the States. Several explanations are being offered by pollsters for the developing American public opinion shift away from support for Israel.</p>
<p>One is the growing perception that Israel, despite its consistent claims of self-defense and accidents, when it attacks and kills civilian populations, is in fact the aggressor and lacks respect for non-Jewish lives. Growing American revulsion at the increasing incidents of verbal assaults on Arabs and Muslims, and racist hate speech graffiti by the Israeli public, internet defamation by elements of the US Israel lobby, and seeming encouragement by Israeli officials and some Rabbis ensconced among the more than 100 illegal colonies in occupied Palestine.</p>
<p>Two often mentioned examples are the followers of the late Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, who regularly broadcast his calls that “All of the Palestinians must be killed; men, women, infants, and even their beasts”, and Rabbi Yizhak Shapiro, who lately published the book The King’s Torah, in which he detailed the “jurisprudence” sanctioning the killing of Palestinian infants and children. The White House has reportedly been surprised by the number of Americans objecting to or even knowing about these kinds of outrageous and immoral US-funded extremism that has been going on for half a century.</p>
<p>Americans are becoming weary of Israel constantly moving the goal post in the “peace negotiations” and Israeli officials undercutting the American President and flaunting their power in Congress and using the US-Israel lobby and media juggernaut to ridicule him. When Obama condemns Israeli settlement building and calls for suspension, within days, Israel often announces more settlement construction, often claiming mere coincidence.</p>
<p>A growing belief among the American public that Israel takes the US for granted and is only interested in its own economic and military benefits at American expense. Just this week, President Obama criticized Israel for announcing another stage in the approval process of 1,300 housing units in the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Pisgat Ze’ev and Har Homa. He warned:</p>
<p>This kind of activity is never helpful when it comes to peace negotiations. I’m concerned that we’re not seeing each side making the extra effort involved to get a breakthrough.</p>
<p>Israel’s reaction was immediate, condemnatory and harsh. Knesset Members as well as AIPAC staff attacked President Obama, saying that he is ignoring the reality of Israel’s needs in Jerusalem. MK Avi Dichter, told the Jerusalem Post that the American people are smart enough to “understand that there is no chance that Jerusalem will return to the 1967 borders. But they are either not smart enough or still don’t understand that the most sensitive part of the negotiations is Jerusalem. For their President to deal with Jerusalem at the beginning of negotiations is a recipe for failure.” Bar Ilan University professor Ehud Gilboa added that he does not think Obama will “lay off” Israel in the near future:</p>
<p>I believe he has an obsession with Israel. He will want to get the talks between Israel and the Palestinians going only because he wants to be remembered in history as the one who is signed on the peace agreement. We expect him to be a one term President and I don’t think he warrants being taken seriously.</p>
<p>More Americans appear to be tiring of Israeli officials telling them they don’t understand how to view Israeli land confiscations, ethnic cleansing, and use of American cash and weapons. One poll conducted during October 2010 of Americans living in Beirut asked about Israeli PM Netanyahu calling the United Nations’ Goldstone Report “a modern day blood libel.” Only 4% of the Americans believed this. But 85% believed that Israel manipulates this term and also the Nazi crimes against Jews during WW II to justify its occupation and treatment of Palestinians.</p>
<p>Opinion analysts at Rasmussen Polls Delaware believe changes in US public attitudes are also due to the collapsing American economy. The US public is getting angry, loud, and distressed. Perhaps always a little paranoid, it is more despondent and pessimistic. Americans have generally believed in the country’s capacity for regeneration, that a new awakening is possible at any time. Now, 63 percent of Americans don’t believe that they will be able to maintain their current standard of living. American companies like Apple and Coca-Cola, Google and Microsoft are putting their money, not in the US but in Asia, where labor is cheap and markets are growing. The US government’s debt now exceeds 90 percent of the gross domestic product and more than half of all Americans don’t believe that the America Dream is still realistic, but rather that their country is dysfunctional and its Congress corrupt.</p>
<p>It is not sure how the Tea Party will ultimately view Israel being given annually a total of approximately $5 billion and then investing approximately 60% of it in interest bearing accounts while every penny of the US taxpayer money it gets must be borrowed by Washington with US taxpayers paying the interest on cash gift to Israel. But isolationism and xenophobia are on the rise with growing numbers of American unhappy with what they see as Israeli “shenanigans at US taxpayer expense”, according to a Congressional staffer who, during a recent ‘brown bag’ lunch in the Cannon Congressional House Office building cafeteria, was warned about speaking out against US aid to Israel to fellow staffers. He explained:</p>
<p>We’ve got two criminal wars, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, that have cost this country, in real terms more than two trillion. The government debt continues to grow, from 57 percent of GNP in 2000 to 83 when Obama got elected and the national debt of $13.8 trillion and growing by the hour. That amounts to 94 percent of GNP, and in two years it will exceed 100 percent. We can’t afford Israel financially and never could afford them morally, politically or what they have done with American weapons!</p>
<p>Likely Republican Majority leader Eric Canton, one of the three key leaders of the Israel lobby in Congress is reportedly terrified that the Tea Party will insist, as rumored, on enacting Legislation that terminates foreign aid of all kinds if the U.S. unemployment level rises above 4-percent. Consideration would be given to restarting foreign aid when the unemployment level drops below 4-percent and remains below 4-percent for 12 months. Canton must figure out how to protect Israel’s cash with having the Tea Party come after him. I may be recalled that Canton is floating an AIPAC scheme to take US funds of Israel out of Foreign Aid and call it “Homeland Security” expenditures, “in order to save it from foreign aid cutting zealots.”</p>
<p>Public opinion analysts are increasingly seeing that the American public wants to distance itself from Israel. But it is unlikely that Congress will, in the short term, follow the public’s lead. This conclusion is supported by the just passed congressional amendments that authorized the increase of U.S. weaponry, ammunition and war supplies stored in Israel to a record $1.2 billion, Defense News reported this week. The value of U.S. weapons to be prepositioned in Israel will reach $1 billion in 2011, with another $200 million added in 2012. Once the weaponry arrives, the amount of U.S.-owned materiel available for Israel’s emergency use will have jumped threefold since 2007. Over the past two years, logisticians and war planners from U.S. European Command and the Israel Defense Forces elevated war stocks to the then congressionally authorized threshold of $ 800 of equipment — ready for Israel’s next war against Lebanon or Syria or Iran-or all three countries.</p>
<p>One pro-Israel group dismayed by the shift in American public opinion is the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which sounded the alarm this week at the Canadian governments sponsored Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism (ICCA) held at Parliament in Ottawa “to inspire parliamentary action against anti-Semitism around the world.” Fifty countries from six continents sent delegations to help combat what ADL’s Abe Foxman, claims is a dangerous softening of US public opinion for Israel.</p>
<p>The conference adopted an Ottawa Protocol on Combating Anti-Semitism — building on the 2009 London Declaration on Combating Anti-Semitism of 2009, which has built on more than 50 similar initiatives over the past 98 years since ADL was launched in 1913.</p>
<p>ADL’s current focus, according to Christopher Wolf, who chairs ADL’s Internet Task Force on “cyber hate”, is “to take the lead and show the American public why they must stick with Israel during these days of Islamist terror against Americans and their only reliable ally, Israel.”</p>
<p>One of Abe Foxman’s problems is that many Americans are distancing themselves from ADL’s nonstop “fear and smear” campaigns. Another is that history, along with the American public, is accelerating its rejection of the Zionist colonial enterprise in Palestine.</p> | false | 1 | ever slowly past two decades gaining momentum since april 2002 israeli destruction west bank town jenin american attitudes toward israel appear changing according public opinion analysts american public opinion us foreign policy polling unit works behalf chicago council foreign relations argued american opinion shift accelerates perceived israeli outrage saturation bombing much south lebanon south beirut july 2006 war massive civilian slaughter onethird women children gaza winter 20089 may 2010 murders carnage committed mavi marmara including assassination 19 year old american furkan dogan cumulative effect half century geneva convention international law violations israel occupied palestine lebanon opinion analysts like 2009 zogby international poll american attitudes toward israelis palestinians express surprise learning american public detect significant changes american public attitudes favoring us disengagement israel changes attitudes yet evident congress office vice president one bidens democratic congressional colleagues cleveland ohio recently reelected planning force congressional vote withdrawing afghanistan noted week joes nice fella god awful slow learner cracks fissures shooting around inside joes great american pro israel public opinion vase etched gold words us support israel must continue forever new york times tom friedman seemed concur meetings israel recently us support israel could shatter like humpty dumpty could get ugly losing american people believe fed mideast general theyre also fed israel see president working hard try tee opportunity say first pay let jonathon pollard jail abu mazen sing hatikva perfect yiddish well think testing rubs lot americans wrong way changes us citizens attitudes toward israel evident lebanon also hundreds americans foreigners visited shatila palestinian refugee camps beirut past years according sabra shatila foundation conducts tours camp many visiting americans surveyed various firms results mirror recent surveys states several explanations offered pollsters developing american public opinion shift away support israel one growing perception israel despite consistent claims selfdefense accidents attacks kills civilian populations fact aggressor lacks respect nonjewish lives growing american revulsion increasing incidents verbal assaults arabs muslims racist hate speech graffiti israeli public internet defamation elements us israel lobby seeming encouragement israeli officials rabbis ensconced among 100 illegal colonies occupied palestine two often mentioned examples followers late rabbi mordechai eliyahu regularly broadcast calls palestinians must killed men women infants even beasts rabbi yizhak shapiro lately published book kings torah detailed jurisprudence sanctioning killing palestinian infants children white house reportedly surprised number americans objecting even knowing kinds outrageous immoral usfunded extremism going half century americans becoming weary israel constantly moving goal post peace negotiations israeli officials undercutting american president flaunting power congress using usisrael lobby media juggernaut ridicule obama condemns israeli settlement building calls suspension within days israel often announces settlement construction often claiming mere coincidence growing belief among american public israel takes us granted interested economic military benefits american expense week president obama criticized israel announcing another stage approval process 1300 housing units jerusalem neighborhoods pisgat zeev har homa warned kind activity never helpful comes peace negotiations im concerned seeing side making extra effort involved get breakthrough israels reaction immediate condemnatory harsh knesset members well aipac staff attacked president obama saying ignoring reality israels needs jerusalem mk avi dichter told jerusalem post american people smart enough understand chance jerusalem return 1967 borders either smart enough still dont understand sensitive part negotiations jerusalem president deal jerusalem beginning negotiations recipe failure bar ilan university professor ehud gilboa added think obama lay israel near future believe obsession israel want get talks israel palestinians going wants remembered history one signed peace agreement expect one term president dont think warrants taken seriously americans appear tiring israeli officials telling dont understand view israeli land confiscations ethnic cleansing use american cash weapons one poll conducted october 2010 americans living beirut asked israeli pm netanyahu calling united nations goldstone report modern day blood libel 4 americans believed 85 believed israel manipulates term also nazi crimes jews ww ii justify occupation treatment palestinians opinion analysts rasmussen polls delaware believe changes us public attitudes also due collapsing american economy us public getting angry loud distressed perhaps always little paranoid despondent pessimistic americans generally believed countrys capacity regeneration new awakening possible time 63 percent americans dont believe able maintain current standard living american companies like apple cocacola google microsoft putting money us asia labor cheap markets growing us governments debt exceeds 90 percent gross domestic product half americans dont believe america dream still realistic rather country dysfunctional congress corrupt sure tea party ultimately view israel given annually total approximately 5 billion investing approximately 60 interest bearing accounts every penny us taxpayer money gets must borrowed washington us taxpayers paying interest cash gift israel isolationism xenophobia rise growing numbers american unhappy see israeli shenanigans us taxpayer expense according congressional staffer recent brown bag lunch cannon congressional house office building cafeteria warned speaking us aid israel fellow staffers explained weve got two criminal wars one iraq one afghanistan cost country real terms two trillion government debt continues grow 57 percent gnp 2000 83 obama got elected national debt 138 trillion growing hour amounts 94 percent gnp two years exceed 100 percent cant afford israel financially never could afford morally politically done american weapons likely republican majority leader eric canton one three key leaders israel lobby congress reportedly terrified tea party insist rumored enacting legislation terminates foreign aid kinds us unemployment level rises 4percent consideration would given restarting foreign aid unemployment level drops 4percent remains 4percent 12 months canton must figure protect israels cash tea party come may recalled canton floating aipac scheme take us funds israel foreign aid call homeland security expenditures order save foreign aid cutting zealots public opinion analysts increasingly seeing american public wants distance israel unlikely congress short term follow publics lead conclusion supported passed congressional amendments authorized increase us weaponry ammunition war supplies stored israel record 12 billion defense news reported week value us weapons prepositioned israel reach 1 billion 2011 another 200 million added 2012 weaponry arrives amount usowned materiel available israels emergency use jumped threefold since 2007 past two years logisticians war planners us european command israel defense forces elevated war stocks congressionally authorized threshold 800 equipment ready israels next war lebanon syria iranor three countries one proisrael group dismayed shift american public opinion antidefamation league adl sounded alarm week canadian governments sponsored interparliamentary coalition combating antisemitism icca held parliament ottawa inspire parliamentary action antisemitism around world fifty countries six continents sent delegations help combat adls abe foxman claims dangerous softening us public opinion israel conference adopted ottawa protocol combating antisemitism building 2009 london declaration combating antisemitism 2009 built 50 similar initiatives past 98 years since adl launched 1913 adls current focus according christopher wolf chairs adls internet task force cyber hate take lead show american public must stick israel days islamist terror americans reliable ally israel one abe foxmans problems many americans distancing adls nonstop fear smear campaigns another history along american public accelerating rejection zionist colonial enterprise palestine | 1,130 |
<p />
<p>Turkey is a secular state.&#160; So claim its government and nearly all mainstream Western media.&#160; They are mistaken.</p>
<p>In civilized, democratic countries, secularism means not only a respectful separation between church and state but also freedom of religion. &#160;As we shall demonstrate, Turkish policies have long been the antithesis of secularism.</p>
<p>The Turkish government massively supports and funds Islam – specifically Sunni Islam – inside the country.&#160; Turkey simultaneously represses religions such as Alevism, and bullies and persecutes indigenous Christians, most of whom Ottoman Turkey and post-WWI Turkish nationalist forces liquidated in 20th century genocides.&#160; Moreover, it uses Islam to project Turkish political power into Europe, Asia, and elsewhere.&#160; Turkey’s system is more properly termed State Islam.</p>
<p>This article is not a criticism of Islam or its faithful.&#160; We respect both. &#160;Turkey’s secularism myth, nevertheless, cries out to be laid bare.</p>
<p>State Islam</p>
<p>The Directorate of Religious Affairs – known as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Religious_Affairs" type="external">Diyanet</a> – is the government body that represents and directs all of Sunni Islam in Turkey.&#160; Created in 1924, a year after the Republic of Turkey was formed, the Diyanet is enshrined in Article 136 of the Turkish Constitution. &#160;The Diyanet is huge and powerful. &#160;Operating under the Prime Minister, it employs about 100,000.&#160; All Sunni clergy are salaried civil servants of the Diyanet.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.todayszaman.com/columnists/yavuz-baydar_329311-diyanet-tops-the-budget-league.html" type="external">Diyanet’s $2 billion annual outlay</a> exceeds the combined budgets of Turkey’s Foreign, Energy, and Environmental Ministries. &#160;By law a political party can be dissolved if it dares to advocate the Diyanet’s abolition.</p>
<p>Until recently, the Diyanet wrote all the sermons for its clergy, but reportedly now sometimes allows them to write their own, though their contents are controlled.</p>
<p>Would the U.S. – or any democratic Western country – be termed “secular” if it funded a huge Christian government agency that employed all Christian clergy and controlled their sermons?&#160; Obviously not.</p>
<p>Who <a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/05/turkey-mosque-ownership.html" type="external">owns</a> Turkey’s 80,000 mosques?&#160; It’s not always clear. &#160;Even many Turks wonder.&#160; For sure, however, the Diyanet controls all mosques. (Shiite Muslims represent only about 3% of Turkey’s 80 million people and are largely independent of the Diyanet.)</p>
<p>Two large mosques to be built on Istanbul’s <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-28/turkey-s-erdogan-supports-mosque-on-istanbul-hill-hurriyet-says.html" type="external">Camlica Hill and Taksim Square</a> are personal projects of Prime Minister Erdogan. &#160;The government is apparently paying most of the costs, not something a secular state would do.</p>
<p>The Diyanet operates not only in Turkey but worldwide. Turkish foreign policy and the Diyanet are intertwined.&#160; The latter promotes the country’s political influence abroad.</p>
<p>Worldwide Reach</p>
<p>The Diyanet has a Foreign Affairs department that sends religious consultants not only into Muslim countries, such as those in Central Asia and Africa, but also into the United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, and other European countries.</p>
<p>Indeed, some Turkish embassies and consulates have a religious affairs department and attachés that work with local Diyanet representatives.&#160;&#160; Turkey is very active, for instance, in the Netherlands where it reportedly pays the salaries of the Diyanet-affiliated Dutch Islamic Foundation’s staff.</p>
<p>In partnership with Turkey’s Religious Foundation, the Diyanet has in the last two decades <a href="http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/en/" type="external">constructed or renovated mosques</a> in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, northern Cyprus, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and elsewhere.</p>
<p>A $100 million, 15-acre <a href="http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com/community-news/community-news/3358-a-symbol-of-friendship.html" type="external">Turkish American Culture and Civilization Center</a> (TACCC), which includes a large mosque, is being built in Lanham, Maryland, 14 miles from Washington, D.C. &#160;It is “ <a href="http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com/community-news/community-news/3358-a-symbol-of-friendship.html" type="external">a project of the government of Turkey</a>” and the Turkish American Community Center. &#160;The latter’s <a href="http://www.taccenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=87&amp;Itemid=289&amp;lang=en" type="external">older mosque</a> is “related to the Republic of Turkey and the Department of Religious Affairs [Diyanet].” &#160;Several months ago, PM Erdogan placed a ceremonial stone at the TACCC construction site.</p>
<p>No truly secular state would do these things.&#160;&#160; Nor would it persecute persons of other religions.</p>
<p>Religious Repression</p>
<p>Last year the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), established by Congress, <a href="http://asbarez.com/101990/state-dept-%E2%80%99s-disgraceful-censorship-of-report-blacklisting-turkey/" type="external">placed Turkey in its worst category</a>, a “Country of Particular Concern,” alongside Burma, China, Pakistan, and a dozen others.</p>
<p>Turkey, noted the USCIRF, “significantly restricts religious freedom, especially for non-Muslim religious minority communities – including the Greek, Armenian, and Syriac Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches, and the Jewish community.”</p>
<p>Restrictions that “deny non-Muslim communities the rights to train clergy, offer religious education, and own and maintain places of worship, have led to their decline, and in some cases their virtual disappearance.”</p>
<p>Such mistreatment of Christians, numbering only about 100,000, is particularly reprehensible given that Ottoman Turkey and post-WWI Turkish forces carried out <a href="http://www.armenian-genocide.org/" type="external">genocide from 1915 to 1923</a> against millions of indigenous <a href="http://www.genocidescholars.org/sites/default/files/document%09%5Bcurrent-page%3A1%5D/documents/IAGS-Resolution-Assyrian%20and%20Greek%20Genocide.pdf" type="external">Christian Armenians, Greeks, and Syriacs</a>, including many Catholics and Protestants.</p>
<p>The persecution of non-Muslims continued even after the Turkish Republic came about in 1923. &#160;The infamous Capital Tax ( <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varl%C4%B1k_Vergisi" type="external">Varlik Vergisi</a>) program during WWII, as but one example, deliberately taxed Christians and Jews at extortionate rates that often exceeded their income.&#160; Men were sent to labor camps in the interior when unable to pay. &#160;Families were bankrupted.&#160; Only an international outcry stopped the program.</p>
<p>Thousands of Christian churches, schools, hospitals, orphanages, cemeteries, and other community properties have been continually seized by Turkey in the past several decades.</p>
<p>Though Turkey has recently returned some of these properties under international pressure, the vast majority has not been, and probably will not be, returned.</p>
<p>Countless ancient Armenian churches and monasteries, such as Saint Mark’s (Nshan) in Sivas, have been deliberately <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_cultural_heritage_in_Turkey" type="external">destroyed</a>, sometimes with explosives. Others serve as stables.&#160; Earlier this year in the cities of Iznik and Trabzon, old Greek churches were converted to mosques.</p>
<p>Alevism is a religion that has some 10 to 20 million adherents in Turkey. Complex and somewhat mysterious, it contains elements of Shia Islam, Sufism, paganism, and other spiritual and religious traditions. &#160;Alevis worship in houses called cemevis, not mosques.&#160; Alevis and cemevis are not recognized by the Turkish government.&#160; Alevis complain bitterly, to little avail.</p>
<p>Alevis have long been the victims of discrimination and even violent attacks, such as in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sivas_massacre" type="external">Sivas in 1993</a> when 35 leading Alevis were murdered by mobs, and most recently this year in Ankara, when police fired tear-gas at protesting Alevis.</p>
<p>“ <a href="http://www.aina.org/news/2011092819935.htm" type="external">Turkey may look like a secular state on paper</a>,” says Izzettin Dogan, a leading Alevi, “but in terms of international law it is actually a Sunni Islamic state.”&#160; He is correct, but most of the outside world is oblivious to voices such as his.</p>
<p>True Secularism</p>
<p>Some Turks feel that their country is secular because the Diyanet’s hegemony moderates Islam against extremist tendencies.&#160; There may be some truth to that.</p>
<p>But as secularism must include a respectful distance between religion and state, Turkey would still not qualify.&#160; &#160;Along with Turkey’s domestic religious repression, and employing the Diyanet in foreign policy, the claim of secularism is simply fallacious.</p>
<p>The Turkish government is in full-blown denial about secularism and religious freedom, as evidenced by PM Erdogan’s preposterous claim two years ago that <a href="https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iYbCJEmBCnS-3bEXWY9mkdKHxSwA?docId=CNG.f48d18da1b3a189681a446d568706b38.641&amp;hl=en" type="external">“Turkey is a secular state where all religions are equal.”&#160;</a></p>
<p>If Turkey is ever to be secular, it must allow the free exercise of all religions – including Islam – and guarantee the rights of the faithful to be free from harassment and compulsion.&#160; &#160;The Turkish government’s acknowledgement of its past and present wrongs, especially to the non-Turkish and non-Muslim communities, and making genuine amends, must be part of this process.</p>
<p>Until then – particularly in the West – mainstream media, governments, religious leaders, academicians, and political analysts should cease swallowing Turkey’s fraudulent claim of secularism.</p> | false | 1 | turkey secular state160 claim government nearly mainstream western media160 mistaken civilized democratic countries secularism means respectful separation church state also freedom religion 160as shall demonstrate turkish policies long antithesis secularism turkish government massively supports funds islam specifically sunni islam inside country160 turkey simultaneously represses religions alevism bullies persecutes indigenous christians ottoman turkey postwwi turkish nationalist forces liquidated 20th century genocides160 moreover uses islam project turkish political power europe asia elsewhere160 turkeys system properly termed state islam article criticism islam faithful160 respect 160turkeys secularism myth nevertheless cries laid bare state islam directorate religious affairs known diyanet government body represents directs sunni islam turkey160 created 1924 year republic turkey formed diyanet enshrined article 136 turkish constitution 160the diyanet huge powerful 160operating prime minister employs 100000160 sunni clergy salaried civil servants diyanet diyanets 2 billion annual outlay exceeds combined budgets turkeys foreign energy environmental ministries 160by law political party dissolved dares advocate diyanets abolition recently diyanet wrote sermons clergy reportedly sometimes allows write though contents controlled would us democratic western country termed secular funded huge christian government agency employed christian clergy controlled sermons160 obviously owns turkeys 80000 mosques160 always clear 160even many turks wonder160 sure however diyanet controls mosques shiite muslims represent 3 turkeys 80 million people largely independent diyanet two large mosques built istanbuls camlica hill taksim square personal projects prime minister erdogan 160the government apparently paying costs something secular state would diyanet operates turkey worldwide turkish foreign policy diyanet intertwined160 latter promotes countrys political influence abroad worldwide reach diyanet foreign affairs department sends religious consultants muslim countries central asia africa also united states france germany great britain sweden european countries indeed turkish embassies consulates religious affairs department attachés work local diyanet representatives160160 turkey active instance netherlands reportedly pays salaries diyanetaffiliated dutch islamic foundations staff partnership turkeys religious foundation diyanet last two decades constructed renovated mosques azerbaijan belarus bosnia northern cyprus japan kazakhstan kosovo kyrgyzstan russia turkmenistan ukraine elsewhere 100 million 15acre turkish american culture civilization center taccc includes large mosque built lanham maryland 14 miles washington dc 160it project government turkey turkish american community center 160the latters older mosque related republic turkey department religious affairs diyanet 160several months ago pm erdogan placed ceremonial stone taccc construction site truly secular state would things160160 would persecute persons religions religious repression last year us commission international religious freedom uscirf established congress placed turkey worst category country particular concern alongside burma china pakistan dozen others turkey noted uscirf significantly restricts religious freedom especially nonmuslim religious minority communities including greek armenian syriac orthodox churches roman catholic protestant churches jewish community restrictions deny nonmuslim communities rights train clergy offer religious education maintain places worship led decline cases virtual disappearance mistreatment christians numbering 100000 particularly reprehensible given ottoman turkey postwwi turkish forces carried genocide 1915 1923 millions indigenous christian armenians greeks syriacs including many catholics protestants persecution nonmuslims continued even turkish republic came 1923 160the infamous capital tax varlik vergisi program wwii one example deliberately taxed christians jews extortionate rates often exceeded income160 men sent labor camps interior unable pay 160families bankrupted160 international outcry stopped program thousands christian churches schools hospitals orphanages cemeteries community properties continually seized turkey past several decades though turkey recently returned properties international pressure vast majority probably returned countless ancient armenian churches monasteries saint marks nshan sivas deliberately destroyed sometimes explosives others serve stables160 earlier year cities iznik trabzon old greek churches converted mosques alevism religion 10 20 million adherents turkey complex somewhat mysterious contains elements shia islam sufism paganism spiritual religious traditions 160alevis worship houses called cemevis mosques160 alevis cemevis recognized turkish government160 alevis complain bitterly little avail alevis long victims discrimination even violent attacks sivas 1993 35 leading alevis murdered mobs recently year ankara police fired teargas protesting alevis turkey may look like secular state paper says izzettin dogan leading alevi terms international law actually sunni islamic state160 correct outside world oblivious voices true secularism turks feel country secular diyanets hegemony moderates islam extremist tendencies160 may truth secularism must include respectful distance religion state turkey would still qualify160 160along turkeys domestic religious repression employing diyanet foreign policy claim secularism simply fallacious turkish government fullblown denial secularism religious freedom evidenced pm erdogans preposterous claim two years ago turkey secular state religions equal160 turkey ever secular must allow free exercise religions including islam guarantee rights faithful free harassment compulsion160 160the turkish governments acknowledgement past present wrongs especially nonturkish nonmuslim communities making genuine amends must part process particularly west mainstream media governments religious leaders academicians political analysts cease swallowing turkeys fraudulent claim secularism | 748 |
<p>Here’s what we know about the details of the tax reform plan: almost nothing.</p>
<p>Powerful lawmakers are promising at least a framework for the overhaul by the end of the month. The broad&#160;goals are lower rates for corporations and individuals, a&#160;simpler tax code with fewer brackets, and the&#160;elimination of the estate tax and the alternative-minimum tax.</p>
<p>Sound good?&#160;Beware.&#160;</p>
<p>If you save for retirement or itemize your tax deductions, you could end up paying thousands of dollars more after tax reform than you do now. To help pay for promised cuts, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are trying to raise revenue elsewhere.&#160;</p>
<p>And the best place to get&#160;this money may be the millions of Americans who use deductions and other such strategies to lower their tax bills.</p>
<p>Upper-middle-class taxpayers&#160;in particular&#160;could face a triple whammy. On the table are&#160;limits on—or even&#160;the&#160;elimination of—three of their favorite tax perks: deductions for mortgage interest and for state and local taxes and&#160;the ability to make pre-tax 401(k) retirement contributions.</p>
<p>These perks are popular with other taxpayers, too. Except for the very poor, Americans of all income levels can use 401(k)-style plans to lower their tax bills and save for retirement. The mortgage and local tax deductions are useful to the 30 percent of filers who itemize their tax returns. That includes 39 percent of filers earning $50,000 to $75,000 a year, 56 percent of those making $75,000 to $100,000, 77 percent earning $100,000 to $200,000, and 90 percent or more of those making $200,000-plus, Internal Revenue Service data show.</p>
<p>To figure&#160;out how much is at stake, we&#160;asked the Tax Institute at H&amp;R Block to run some numbers.&#160;We looked at several hypothetical taxpayers with six-figure salaries, examining how much each one gains, and stands to lose, from&#160;tax provisions now under scrutiny.</p>
<p>Our five imaginary taxpayers are single homeowners under age 50 with salaries of&#160;$100,000, $200,000, $300,000, $400,000, and $500,000, with typical financial profiles for those income levels.&#160;They&#160;report&#160;some investment income in addition to their salaries,&#160;donate 5 percent of their salary to charity,&#160;and&#160;live in California, a state with a relatively high income tax.</p>
<p>Here’s what we found.</p>
<p>Your&#160;401(k) retirement tax break</p>
<p>Right now, workers can put up to $18,000 a year in a 401(k) retirement account, and another $6,000&#160;if they’re&#160;50 or older, bringing the&#160;total to&#160;$24,000. Those savings are made pre-tax, so they instantly drop a retirement saver’s income, and thus tax bill, in the eyes of the IRS. Money in a 401(k) is taxed only when it’s withdrawn from the account, possibly decades later.</p>
<p>Congress is exploring changes&#160;to the rules that would&#160;push workers to make more of their contributions to post-tax accounts, also known as Roth 401(k)s, from which money isn’t taxed when it’s withdrawn. For Congress, moving&#160;from traditional to Roth would bring in more money in the short term, even if it robs the Treasury of tax revenue later.</p>
<p>Workers would almost certainly notice the change.</p>
<p>For someone earning $200,000 or more and making the maximum possible&#160;contribution—as they should&#160;if they hope to keep up their standard of living in retirement—a traditional 401(k) cuts taxes owed by more than $8,000&#160;a&#160;year.&#160;&#160;Even someone making $100,000 and saving half the maximum amount in a traditional 401(k) is lowering his or her tax bill by almost $3,000 a year.&#160;(To keep things simple, our taxpayers are single and childless, but&#160;these tax breaks can be just as valuable to couples and families.)</p>
<p />
<p>The possible&#160;“Rothification” of 401(k)s is worrying many retirement experts, along with the financial firms that manage that money.</p>
<p>“Comprehensive tax reform has the potential to be one of the biggest threats to our retirement system, in a way that ruins our incentives to save,” said Bradford Campbell, a partner at the law firm Drinker Biddle &amp; Reath LLP who served in the U.S. Department of Labor overseeing employee benefits under former President George W. Bush.</p>
<p>Overall, tax breaks for 401(k)s and other workplace defined-contribution plans cost the U.S. government $102 billion this year, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, a nonpartisan congressional research group. The&#160;number is expected to rise to $146 billion by 2020.</p>
<p>Your state and local taxes</p>
<p>Tax expert Robert Willens, of New York-based Robert Willens&#160;LLC, said an area of “huge concern” for his clients is the possibility that the deduction for state and local taxes, or SALT, will go away. In a high-tax locality like New York, a client making $1 million may end up paying $120,000 in state and local taxes, he said. By deducting those taxes on a 1040&#160;return, the&#160;client might avoid $48,000 in federal taxes. If Congress kills the SALT, as the Trump administration has proposed, “that’s a massive tax increase,” Willens said.</p>
<p>The SALT will cost the government $69 billion this year, the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates. It saves lots of money for our hypothetical taxpayers, who we assume live in highly taxed California.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>While the SALT is most valuable in states with higher income taxes, it is used across the country to cushion the blow of local tax burdens, including sales and property taxes. For example, in Texas, which doesn’t have a state income tax, 23 percent of itemizers still claim a SALT deduction. In Maryland,&#160;45 percent of itemizers claim it. In three wealthy New Jersey districts represented by Republicans,&#160;SALT deductions make up a hefty 10 percent of adjusted gross incomes.</p>
<p>Your mortgage interest deduction</p>
<p>House Speaker Paul Ryan has promised to “maintain” the mortgage interest deduction,&#160;but he and other Republicans haven’t ruled&#160;out limiting the use of the tax break in some way.</p>
<p>Homeowners can currently deduct interest on their tax returns on $1 million in mortgage debt&#160;and another $100,000 in home equity&#160;loans, for both their first and their second homes.&#160;Our scenarios assume taxpayers took out a&#160;30-year mortgage with a 4 percent rate to buy homes worth $375,000 to $750,000.&#160;The mortgage interest deductions ends up lowering federal tax bills by $2,000 to $6,000 for these taxpayers, covering a significant share of the interest they pay each year.</p>
<p />
<p>Still, the deduction is&#160;a tempting target for tax reformers.&#160;In all, it&#160;will cost&#160;the U.S. Treasury&#160;$64 billion this year, the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates.</p>
<p>Whammy, whammy, whammy</p>
<p>The Tax Institute at H&amp;R Block re-ran the numbers as if all three tax breaks—401(k) contributions, mortgage interest, and SALT—were no longer available.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Combined, they’re&#160;worth from $6,500 to $31,000 annually to our upper-middle-class taxpayers.&#160;</p>
<p>The alternative minimum tax</p>
<p>It’s unlikely Congress would completely repeal all three of these tax breaks.&#160;If&#160;lawmakers end or tweak any of them,&#160;they could cushion the blow with other tax changes. One that&#160;could help affluent taxpayers is the elimination of the alternative minimum tax, or AMT. The AMT is a complicated parallel tax system designed to limit the amount by which&#160;wealthy taxpayers can lower their bills with lots of deductions.&#160;</p>
<p>In our scenarios, the wealthiest three taxpayers, making $300,000 or more, are affected by the AMT because they take big deductions for SALT, mortgage interest, and charitable contributions.&#160;The AMT costs them each several thousand dollars a year.&#160;Eliminating it would help these taxpayers offset the loss of perks like the SALT.</p>
<p />
<p>Keep in mind, though, that Congress could kill the AMT but replace it with other provisions, probably simpler, that also limit&#160;deductions.&#160;</p>
<p>Lower rates</p>
<p>Another way Congress could help out wealthy&#160;taxpayers is by lowering their tax rates. Here again, the details matter.&#160;</p>
<p>For example, don’t confuse your overall rate with your marginal rate. Your marginal rate rises along with your income, as you pay different tax rates on different bands of income. The tax bracket&#160;your final dollars of income fall into is called your marginal tax rate. In our&#160;progressive tax system, the overall tax rate you pay can be much lower than your marginal rate.&#160;Research shows taxpayers often get this wrong. What ultimately matters, after tax reform, is your overall rate.</p>
<p>One idea being floated is a doubling or tripling of the standard deduction, an amount by which every taxpayer can lower their tax bills without itemizing. That could be a boon to upper-middle-class taxpayers who have&#160;relatively few deductions to make&#160;because they don’t have a mortgage, they live in a low-tax&#160;state, or they don’t contribute much to charity.</p>
<p>For affluent homeowners in high-tax states with lots of&#160;deductions, however, tax reform could be painful.</p> | false | 1 | heres know details tax reform plan almost nothing powerful lawmakers promising least framework overhaul end month broad160goals lower rates corporations individuals a160simpler tax code fewer brackets the160elimination estate tax alternativeminimum tax sound good160beware160 save retirement itemize tax deductions could end paying thousands dollars tax reform help pay promised cuts president donald trump republicans congress trying raise revenue elsewhere160 best place get160this money may millions americans use deductions strategies lower tax bills uppermiddleclass taxpayers160in particular160could face triple whammy table are160limits onor even160the160elimination ofthree favorite tax perks deductions mortgage interest state local taxes and160the ability make pretax 401k retirement contributions perks popular taxpayers except poor americans income levels use 401kstyle plans lower tax bills save retirement mortgage local tax deductions useful 30 percent filers itemize tax returns includes 39 percent filers earning 50000 75000 year 56 percent making 75000 100000 77 percent earning 100000 200000 90 percent making 200000plus internal revenue service data show figure160out much stake we160asked tax institute hampr block run numbers160we looked several hypothetical taxpayers sixfigure salaries examining much one gains stands lose from160tax provisions scrutiny five imaginary taxpayers single homeowners age 50 salaries of160100000 200000 300000 400000 500000 typical financial profiles income levels160they160report160some investment income addition salaries160donate 5 percent salary charity160and160live california state relatively high income tax heres found your160401k retirement tax break right workers put 18000 year 401k retirement account another 6000160if theyre16050 older bringing the160total to16024000 savings made pretax instantly drop retirement savers income thus tax bill eyes irs money 401k taxed withdrawn account possibly decades later congress exploring changes160to rules would160push workers make contributions posttax accounts also known roth 401ks money isnt taxed withdrawn congress moving160from traditional roth would bring money short term even robs treasury tax revenue later workers would almost certainly notice change someone earning 200000 making maximum possible160contributionas should160if hope keep standard living retirementa traditional 401k cuts taxes owed 8000160a160year160160even someone making 100000 saving half maximum amount traditional 401k lowering tax bill almost 3000 year160to keep things simple taxpayers single childless but160these tax breaks valuable couples families possible160rothification 401ks worrying many retirement experts along financial firms manage money comprehensive tax reform potential one biggest threats retirement system way ruins incentives save said bradford campbell partner law firm drinker biddle amp reath llp served us department labor overseeing employee benefits former president george w bush overall tax breaks 401ks workplace definedcontribution plans cost us government 102 billion year according joint committee taxation nonpartisan congressional research group the160number expected rise 146 billion 2020 state local taxes tax expert robert willens new yorkbased robert willens160llc said area huge concern clients possibility deduction state local taxes salt go away hightax locality like new york client making 1 million may end paying 120000 state local taxes said deducting taxes 1040160return the160client might avoid 48000 federal taxes congress kills salt trump administration proposed thats massive tax increase willens said salt cost government 69 billion year joint committee taxation estimates saves lots money hypothetical taxpayers assume live highly taxed california160 salt valuable states higher income taxes used across country cushion blow local tax burdens including sales property taxes example texas doesnt state income tax 23 percent itemizers still claim salt deduction maryland16045 percent itemizers claim three wealthy new jersey districts represented republicans160salt deductions make hefty 10 percent adjusted gross incomes mortgage interest deduction house speaker paul ryan promised maintain mortgage interest deduction160but republicans havent ruled160out limiting use tax break way homeowners currently deduct interest tax returns 1 million mortgage debt160and another 100000 home equity160loans first second homes160our scenarios assume taxpayers took a16030year mortgage 4 percent rate buy homes worth 375000 750000160the mortgage interest deductions ends lowering federal tax bills 2000 6000 taxpayers covering significant share interest pay year still deduction is160a tempting target tax reformers160in it160will cost160the us treasury16064 billion year joint committee taxation estimates whammy whammy whammy tax institute hampr block reran numbers three tax breaks401k contributions mortgage interest saltwere longer available160160 combined theyre160worth 6500 31000 annually uppermiddleclass taxpayers160 alternative minimum tax unlikely congress would completely repeal three tax breaks160if160lawmakers end tweak them160they could cushion blow tax changes one that160could help affluent taxpayers elimination alternative minimum tax amt amt complicated parallel tax system designed limit amount which160wealthy taxpayers lower bills lots deductions160 scenarios wealthiest three taxpayers making 300000 affected amt take big deductions salt mortgage interest charitable contributions160the amt costs several thousand dollars year160eliminating would help taxpayers offset loss perks like salt keep mind though congress could kill amt replace provisions probably simpler also limit160deductions160 lower rates another way congress could help wealthy160taxpayers lowering tax rates details matter160 example dont confuse overall rate marginal rate marginal rate rises along income pay different tax rates different bands income tax bracket160your final dollars income fall called marginal tax rate our160progressive tax system overall tax rate pay much lower marginal rate160research shows taxpayers often get wrong ultimately matters tax reform overall rate one idea floated doubling tripling standard deduction amount every taxpayer lower tax bills without itemizing could boon uppermiddleclass taxpayers have160relatively deductions make160because dont mortgage live lowtax160state dont contribute much charity affluent homeowners hightax states lots of160deductions however tax reform could painful | 842 |
<p>At a dinner party in Warsaw earlier this month, I listened to a dozen highly intelligent Poles with significant experience of public life discuss the current woes of the European Union. Like so many of their&#160;countrymen, these men and women had invested considerable hopes in the EU. Indeed, a decade ago, Poland’s accession to the European club, like its membership in NATO, seemed to fulfill the bright promise of the Revolution of 1989, for these new configurations of European politics signaled the end of Poland’s exile from its natural home in the West, which had begun with the German and Soviet invasions of 1939.</p>
<p>Yet it was clear to my dinner companions that something was&#160;wrong with the EU; Brexit&#160;and what it might portend was on everyone’s mind; and so the Poles&#160;spent 90 minutes belaboring the question of what was wrong with the way the European project was working these days. Then our host turned to me and asked whether I had any thoughts. I said I hoped no one would take offense if I said that I felt as if I’d been kibitzing a conversation in Geneva in 1936, in which experienced and sophisticated people spent an evening discussing how to make the machinery of the League of Nations work better. I understood their concerns about the sometimes creaky, sometimes overbearing machinery of European governance. But, I suggested, Europe’s deeper problems really hadn’t been broached that evening.</p>
<p>The following morning, at the inaugural conference of the new Foundation for Service to the Republic, held in&#160;the library of Warsaw University and attended by senior Polish political, cultural, and business figures, I had the opportunity to identify, in a brief presentation, what seemed to me the real threats to Europe in these first decades of the 21st century, beginning with the external environment and then moving “inwards.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>THE EXTERNAL THREATS</p>
<p>One. Vladimir Putin, the president/czar/dictator of Russia, has made unmistakably clear that he intends to reverse the verdict rendered by history in 1989 and 1991, reconstituting Stalin’s internal and external empires and reasserting Russia’s predominant influence on the Continent. That he masks this neo-imperial ambition in the guise of the bizarre ideology of “Eurasianism” — when he isn’t proclaiming himself, even more weirdly,&#160;the paladin of Christian civilization and “traditional” values — is of less consequence than the massive propaganda and disinformation campaigns he is currently conducting, in a new form of war against the West. That “Europe” has found no adequate –&#160;meaning effective –&#160;response to this aggression, even when it involved, in Crimea, the first violent reconstruction of a European border since 1945, is one very dangerous measure of Europe’s current incapacity.</p>
<p>Two. American indifference to Europe is at its highest level since the 1920s and 1930s — and everyone knows, or should know, how that spasm of isolationism turned out. The next president of the United States will take office amidst any number of grave dangers. Yet foreign-policy issues — including the challenges posed to the entire West by&#160;Europe’s sclerotic condition –&#160;were rarely debated&#160;in the 2016 presidential campaign, despite the fact that the Obama administration’s “lead from behind” approach to world&#160;affairs was, to put it gently, a comprehensive failure. This indifference is, to be sure, an American problem; but it is also a threat to Europe, which has become accustomed to getting help from across the Atlantic. That help is not coming in the foreseeable future.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>THE INTERNAL THREATS</p>
<p>Three. Postmodern high culture’s insouciance about the intellectual and moral foundations of the West has magnified&#160;a crisis of civilizational confidence throughout Europe. The false claim that the roots of democracy run no deeper in the cultural subsoil of Europe than the Enlightenment has hollowed out Europe’s understanding of its own worth, by ignoring the contributions made to the modern freedom project by Biblical religion, the ancient Greek confidence in reason, and the classical Roman conviction that the rule of law is superior to the rule of coercive force. A Europe unwilling or unable to give an account of why its idea of the human person and human community is superior to others on offer in the 21st-century world is unlikely to be able to defend itself against external threats, or to cope with those once-external threats that have become internal threats.</p>
<p>Four. The failure of the European Union’s leadership to respond to Brexit with anything other than disdain bespeaks an unwillingness to acknowledge the legitimacy of British concerns about the EU’s democracy deficit, which were one significant factor in the pro-Brexit vote. This woodenheadness bodes ill for the EU’s capacity to deal with its manifest and manifold deficiencies, and may make for more opt-outs in the future as the Brussels pot of gold is further depleted and what remains of the EU is a straitjacket of bureaucratic regulation, its laces kept tight by unaccountable courts and an unaccountable EU executive.</p>
<p>Five. Europe is now deep into demographic winter, with below-replacement-level total fertility rates the norm across the EU (and among its aspirants). Like other vacuums in nature, demographic vacuums don’t remain vacuums: They are filled, and what has been filling out the population of Europe in recent decades has created massive internal problems of immigrant assimilation, law enforcement, and social cohesion, none of which are being dealt with very successfully. Even more urgent, however, is the question that Europe’s deliberate infertility poses about Europe’s people: What is happening when an entire continent –&#160;wealthier, healthier, and more secure than ever before –&#160;fails to create the human future in the most elemental sense, by creating future generations? The least unkind description of such a situation is one of rampant selfishness; other, grimmer diagnoses might also apply.</p>
<p>Six. New forms of populism that seem to have forgotten the lessons of the mid 20th century have destabilized European democracies old and new. These developments mirror a disturbing lack of confidence in democracy, and an even more disturbing willingness to embrace various forms of authoritarianism, in the “millennial” generation throughout the West. The bloom of “1989” is clearly off the democratic rose, and the flowers taking its place in the garden of Western public life are thorny at best and poisonous at worst.</p>
<p>Seven. The rise of this new populism has been paralleled by an equally troubling phenomenon: the inability of many European elites to grasp the meaning of the enduring attachments to tradition (including religious tradition), family, and national community that have found an expression in populist insurgencies. Why have those aspirations attached themselves to such unworthy vehicles? There are many reasons, but surely one is that no other vehicle for expressing those convictions has been developed. There is in Europe virtually no Burkean liberal conservatism: a party of liberty that cherishes society’s small platoons, seeks to advance their well-being, grasps the meaning of the social-ethical principle of subsidiarity, and understands that the state exists to serve society, not the other way around. That “Burke gap” is one reason traditional convictions and values have attached themselves to the various new authoritarianisms evident throughout the Continent.</p>
<p>Eight. The internal threats may be summed up in what has been called the Böckenförde Dilemma, first articulated by the German legal theorist Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde in the mid 1970s: The modern, secular liberal-democratic state rests on a foundation of moral and cultural premises — on a fund of social capital — that it cannot itself generate. Put another way, it takes a certain kind of people, living certain virtues, to make the machinery of democratic self-governance work. So if Europe is suffering from various forms of a democracy deficit, that might well be because it is suffering from a more fundamental social-capital deficit, which is to say, from a moral-cultural deficit. The rest of the West, including the United States, is most certainly not immune to this deficit. But it seems more advanced in Europe, with more immediately visible consequences.</p>
<p>All of this does have a certain 1930s feel about it. If that low decade and its results are not to be replicated in the third decade of this century, the politically correct veto on discussing these eight threats to Europe must be ignored and thus rejected, and a lot more serious attention to these challenges is going to be required in Old and New Europe alike. At the moment, alas, there seems no European figure capable of igniting the kind of debate over its future that Europe needs.</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 | dinner party warsaw earlier month listened dozen highly intelligent poles significant experience public life discuss current woes european union like many their160countrymen men women invested considerable hopes eu indeed decade ago polands accession european club like membership nato seemed fulfill bright promise revolution 1989 new configurations european politics signaled end polands exile natural home west begun german soviet invasions 1939 yet clear dinner companions something was160wrong eu brexit160and might portend everyones mind poles160spent 90 minutes belaboring question wrong way european project working days host turned asked whether thoughts said hoped one would take offense said felt id kibitzing conversation geneva 1936 experienced sophisticated people spent evening discussing make machinery league nations work better understood concerns sometimes creaky sometimes overbearing machinery european governance suggested europes deeper problems really hadnt broached evening following morning inaugural conference new foundation service republic held in160the library warsaw university attended senior polish political cultural business figures opportunity identify brief presentation seemed real threats europe first decades 21st century beginning external environment moving inwards 160 external threats one vladimir putin presidentczardictator russia made unmistakably clear intends reverse verdict rendered history 1989 1991 reconstituting stalins internal external empires reasserting russias predominant influence continent masks neoimperial ambition guise bizarre ideology eurasianism isnt proclaiming even weirdly160the paladin christian civilization traditional values less consequence massive propaganda disinformation campaigns currently conducting new form war west europe found adequate 160meaning effective 160response aggression even involved crimea first violent reconstruction european border since 1945 one dangerous measure europes current incapacity two american indifference europe highest level since 1920s 1930s everyone knows know spasm isolationism turned next president united states take office amidst number grave dangers yet foreignpolicy issues including challenges posed entire west by160europes sclerotic condition 160were rarely debated160in 2016 presidential campaign despite fact obama administrations lead behind approach world160affairs put gently comprehensive failure indifference sure american problem also threat europe become accustomed getting help across atlantic help coming foreseeable future 160 internal threats three postmodern high cultures insouciance intellectual moral foundations west magnified160a crisis civilizational confidence throughout europe false claim roots democracy run deeper cultural subsoil europe enlightenment hollowed europes understanding worth ignoring contributions made modern freedom project biblical religion ancient greek confidence reason classical roman conviction rule law superior rule coercive force europe unwilling unable give account idea human person human community superior others offer 21stcentury world unlikely able defend external threats cope onceexternal threats become internal threats four failure european unions leadership respond brexit anything disdain bespeaks unwillingness acknowledge legitimacy british concerns eus democracy deficit one significant factor probrexit vote woodenheadness bodes ill eus capacity deal manifest manifold deficiencies may make optouts future brussels pot gold depleted remains eu straitjacket bureaucratic regulation laces kept tight unaccountable courts unaccountable eu executive five europe deep demographic winter belowreplacementlevel total fertility rates norm across eu among aspirants like vacuums nature demographic vacuums dont remain vacuums filled filling population europe recent decades created massive internal problems immigrant assimilation law enforcement social cohesion none dealt successfully even urgent however question europes deliberate infertility poses europes people happening entire continent 160wealthier healthier secure ever 160fails create human future elemental sense creating future generations least unkind description situation one rampant selfishness grimmer diagnoses might also apply six new forms populism seem forgotten lessons mid 20th century destabilized european democracies old new developments mirror disturbing lack confidence democracy even disturbing willingness embrace various forms authoritarianism millennial generation throughout west bloom 1989 clearly democratic rose flowers taking place garden western public life thorny best poisonous worst seven rise new populism paralleled equally troubling phenomenon inability many european elites grasp meaning enduring attachments tradition including religious tradition family national community found expression populist insurgencies aspirations attached unworthy vehicles many reasons surely one vehicle expressing convictions developed europe virtually burkean liberal conservatism party liberty cherishes societys small platoons seeks advance wellbeing grasps meaning socialethical principle subsidiarity understands state exists serve society way around burke gap one reason traditional convictions values attached various new authoritarianisms evident throughout continent eight internal threats may summed called böckenförde dilemma first articulated german legal theorist ernstwolfgang böckenförde mid 1970s modern secular liberaldemocratic state rests foundation moral cultural premises fund social capital generate put another way takes certain kind people living certain virtues make machinery democratic selfgovernance work europe suffering various forms democracy deficit might well suffering fundamental socialcapital deficit say moralcultural deficit rest west including united states certainly immune deficit seems advanced europe immediately visible consequences certain 1930s feel low decade results replicated third decade century politically correct veto discussing eight threats europe must ignored thus rejected lot serious attention challenges going required old new europe alike moment alas seems european figure capable igniting kind debate future europe needs george weigel distinguished senior fellow washingtons ethics public policy center holds william e simon chair catholic studies | 789 |
<p>For nearly seven years now, Republican officials have vowed to “repeal and replace” Obamacare. And for nearly seven years now, they have promised that just as soon as there is a Republican majority in Congress they will pass a repeal-and-replace bill, and just as soon as there is a Republican president to sign the bill, they will repeal and replace Obamacare. Stop me if you’ve never heard the words “repeal and replace Obamacare,” please.</p>
<p>And now, of course, the Republican party is being its predictable self. There is a Republican Congress, and there is a Republican president-elect. So of course Republican office-holders are . . . hemming and hawing and shuffling and looking at the tips of their shoes. Some people are talking about “partial repeal” plans, or about “transition” plans that would leave Obamacare mostly intact until some later date when Congress will finally replace it, you know, right after it gets around to balancing the budget and paying down the debt.</p>
<p>This is nonsense, and conservatives shouldn’t let it happen. That being said, in all the mountain of political cowardice, there is a grain of comprehensibility to this sudden GOP pusillanimity. And it’s the following: For understandable political reasons, Republicans and conservatives have been so invested in the idea of repealing Obamacare that they haven’t had a real debate about what replacement should look like and how, exactly,&#160;to deal with the mess that Obamacare has left.</p>
<p>Here are the priorities an Obamacare replace plan should have:</p>
<p>1. It should get 60 votes in the Senate. This is the way the system works, and when in opposition, conservatives talk a good game about the importance of the filibuster in moderating democratic impulses and of the importance of constitutional and political norms. Republicans have a majority in the Senate, but it’s a narrow majority. A good Obamacare repeal-and-replace plan is a plan that can get passed.</p>
<p>2. It should repeal and replace in one go. None of this “put off the hard choices to never-never” stuff. Come on. This is Washington. If it doesn’t get done in the first 100 days of this administration, it will never get done.</p>
<p>3. Cover at least as many people as Obamacare. This is one of the few topics on which there has been debate among conservatives. Some conservatives, particularly those of a libertarian bent, argue even against the principle that an Obamacare replace plan should try to expand coverage, beyond eliminating regulations that restrict it. While I respect those who hold this view, I have to say that I strongly disagree with them, for a number of reasons. The first is my point (1) above. The second is political reality more generally. A replace plan that causes millions of people to lose coverage is an electoral killer for Republicans — and, frankly, for good reason. People, especially lower-middle-class and economically insecure people, feel that the government doesn’t have their interests at heart, and nothing would convince them more of this than an “I got mine” health-care plan from the GOP. Because let’s face it, under whatever plan the GOP comes up with, people who work in professional politics will still have health-care coverage. And finally, yes, there is a moral point. I’m a conservative not because I believe that helping those less fortunate isn’t important; I’m a conservative because I believe that helping those less fortunate is extremely important — so important that we can’t leave it up to discredited big-government solutions. America is the richest country in the history of the world, and it can afford to ensure that everyone has coverage. The question is how to do it without a government takeover that would make everyone worse off.</p>
<p>4. Don’t leave poor people out in the cold. This should be easy, because this is what Obamacare does. Obamacare expands coverage among low earners by expanding Medicaid, a failed government program that has been shown in all randomized field trials, the evidentiary gold standard in social science, to be just as bad for health outcomes as having no insurance at all. The poor deserve better — they deserve conservative solutions.</p>
<p>5. Fight provider cartels. One of the most pernicious effects of Obamacare has been, by expanding centralized control over health care, to encourage the formation of health-care provider cartels. Since Obamacare has passed, hospitals and hospital chains have been merging in order to keep up with government regulations. These mega providers are able to survive the onslaught of regulation and the associated rising costs, while smaller providers are driven out of business. This is a prime example of crony capitalism, and a key driver of increases in health-care costs, without a doubt the most underrated one. Conservatives can and should oppose crony-capitalist cartels.</p>
<p>6. Enable technology-driven innovation. Misguided regulations are holding back health-care innovation. This is a big driver of cost increases, but worse, it’s also in some cases literally costing lives. Innovation held back means diseases undiagnosed and untreated. With information technology and artificial intelligence, it’s possible to get an app that would do most of what most doctor visits will do. But is it legal?</p>
<p>7. Nudge people away from employer-provided insurance. The major driver of cost increases in the American health-care system, the thing about it that everyone hates, is also the thing about it that everyone loves: employer-provided insurance. Reforming the American health-care system — one way or another — has been political murder, because health insurance plans are like Congressmen: While people hate them in general, they tend to like the one they have, and they will fight to death to keep it. The problem is that providing health care through employers is a major distortion to the market, shielding insurers and providers from consumers, price transparency, the disciplining effects of competition, and the innovations that markets promote. Since it’s politically impossible to simply get rid of employer-provided insurance with a stroke of a pen, a good plan should still try to nudge us away from that system in the least disruptive way possible.</p>
<p>8. Put decisions in patients’ hands. I saved the most important for last. This is the single most important thing about American health care, and health care generally. It’s a Hayekian point. Markets and competition foster low prices and innovation not through magic but because by decentralizing decision-making, they enable those with the most information to make the most decisions, leading to discovery of prices and new innovations. The reason why the American health-care system is so dysfunctional is because it works extremely hard to take decisions away from patients and to put them in the hands of middlemen, whether the government, licensure-protected doctors, or crony-capitalist insurers and hospital chains. Just imagine what cars would look like if the way people bought them was to get a job so that their company would get a tax break for letting you rent a car. Major companies, not consumers, would decide what the cars should look like and how much they cost. All American cars would look like something out of the Soviet Union and cost a million dollars each. (If you wanted to get a good Japanese or German car, you’d have to fly over there and bring it back. And online comparison shopping would be illegal.) If you wanted to fill up the tank, you wouldn’t go to a gas station, you’d have to buy “car insurance,” which wouldn’t just cover crashes, but fill-ups. This means that to fill ’er up you’d have to make an appointment weeks in advance and fill out a dozen forms in triplicate. The oil company would negotiate prices with the insurance company. For a tank full of gas, you’d get a bill for $11,047.32, even though you’d only be charged $5, and the price on the bill would be the sticker price anyway, not the actual price negotiated between your insurer and the oil company (but even that price would be nowhere near a real market price). You get the idea. This is the major problem we face in health care. This is why conservatives have promoted health savings accounts for decades as a way to empower patients in making health-care decisions.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell, the plan that gets closest to those objectives is the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4VpAFwBu2fUYk5aV3Rud3NsUTg/view" type="external">one put out&#160;by the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity</a> (FREOPP). FREOPP was founded by Avik Roy, who was a health-care adviser to Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, as well as to Marco Rubio and Rick Perry. The FREOPP plan creates a universal tax credit, which is deposited in a health savings account, enabling anyone to buy health care, including those people currently enrolled in Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion. It gets rid of most of the most-onerous regulations holding back innovation (and dramatically expanding the cost of health care under Obamacare). It repeals Obamacare’s “Cadillac Tax” on health-care plans and replaces the employer-coverage tax break with a capped standard deduction. And it covers more people than Obamacare. It looks pretty close to a perfect Obamacare replacement. But if not this plan, then another plan that embodies those same priorities is the one conservatives should get behind.</p>
<p>— Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry, a writer based in Paris, is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a columnist at The Week.</p> | false | 1 | nearly seven years republican officials vowed repeal replace obamacare nearly seven years promised soon republican majority congress pass repealandreplace bill soon republican president sign bill repeal replace obamacare stop youve never heard words repeal replace obamacare please course republican party predictable self republican congress republican presidentelect course republican officeholders hemming hawing shuffling looking tips shoes people talking partial repeal plans transition plans would leave obamacare mostly intact later date congress finally replace know right gets around balancing budget paying debt nonsense conservatives shouldnt let happen said mountain political cowardice grain comprehensibility sudden gop pusillanimity following understandable political reasons republicans conservatives invested idea repealing obamacare havent real debate replacement look like exactly160to deal mess obamacare left priorities obamacare replace plan 1 get 60 votes senate way system works opposition conservatives talk good game importance filibuster moderating democratic impulses importance constitutional political norms republicans majority senate narrow majority good obamacare repealandreplace plan plan get passed 2 repeal replace one go none put hard choices nevernever stuff come washington doesnt get done first 100 days administration never get done 3 cover least many people obamacare one topics debate among conservatives conservatives particularly libertarian bent argue even principle obamacare replace plan try expand coverage beyond eliminating regulations restrict respect hold view say strongly disagree number reasons first point 1 second political reality generally replace plan causes millions people lose coverage electoral killer republicans frankly good reason people especially lowermiddleclass economically insecure people feel government doesnt interests heart nothing would convince got mine healthcare plan gop lets face whatever plan gop comes people work professional politics still healthcare coverage finally yes moral point im conservative believe helping less fortunate isnt important im conservative believe helping less fortunate extremely important important cant leave discredited biggovernment solutions america richest country history world afford ensure everyone coverage question without government takeover would make everyone worse 4 dont leave poor people cold easy obamacare obamacare expands coverage among low earners expanding medicaid failed government program shown randomized field trials evidentiary gold standard social science bad health outcomes insurance poor deserve better deserve conservative solutions 5 fight provider cartels one pernicious effects obamacare expanding centralized control health care encourage formation healthcare provider cartels since obamacare passed hospitals hospital chains merging order keep government regulations mega providers able survive onslaught regulation associated rising costs smaller providers driven business prime example crony capitalism key driver increases healthcare costs without doubt underrated one conservatives oppose cronycapitalist cartels 6 enable technologydriven innovation misguided regulations holding back healthcare innovation big driver cost increases worse also cases literally costing lives innovation held back means diseases undiagnosed untreated information technology artificial intelligence possible get app would doctor visits legal 7 nudge people away employerprovided insurance major driver cost increases american healthcare system thing everyone hates also thing everyone loves employerprovided insurance reforming american healthcare system one way another political murder health insurance plans like congressmen people hate general tend like one fight death keep problem providing health care employers major distortion market shielding insurers providers consumers price transparency disciplining effects competition innovations markets promote since politically impossible simply get rid employerprovided insurance stroke pen good plan still try nudge us away system least disruptive way possible 8 put decisions patients hands saved important last single important thing american health care health care generally hayekian point markets competition foster low prices innovation magic decentralizing decisionmaking enable information make decisions leading discovery prices new innovations reason american healthcare system dysfunctional works extremely hard take decisions away patients put hands middlemen whether government licensureprotected doctors cronycapitalist insurers hospital chains imagine cars would look like way people bought get job company would get tax break letting rent car major companies consumers would decide cars look like much cost american cars would look like something soviet union cost million dollars wanted get good japanese german car youd fly bring back online comparison shopping would illegal wanted fill tank wouldnt go gas station youd buy car insurance wouldnt cover crashes fillups means fill er youd make appointment weeks advance fill dozen forms triplicate oil company would negotiate prices insurance company tank full gas youd get bill 1104732 even though youd charged 5 price bill would sticker price anyway actual price negotiated insurer oil company even price would nowhere near real market price get idea major problem face health care conservatives promoted health savings accounts decades way empower patients making healthcare decisions far tell plan gets closest objectives one put out160by foundation research equal opportunity freopp freopp founded avik roy healthcare adviser mitt romneys 2012 presidential campaign well marco rubio rick perry freopp plan creates universal tax credit deposited health savings account enabling anyone buy health care including people currently enrolled obamacares medicaid expansion gets rid mostonerous regulations holding back innovation dramatically expanding cost health care obamacare repeals obamacares cadillac tax healthcare plans replaces employercoverage tax break capped standard deduction covers people obamacare looks pretty close perfect obamacare replacement plan another plan embodies priorities one conservatives get behind pascalemmanuel gobry writer based paris fellow ethics public policy center columnist week | 836 |
<p>Following heavy losses in the same-sex-marriage fight, traditionalists are anxious. “Conservatives have been routed, both in court and increasingly in the court of public opinion,” writes Rod Dreher in an elegiac piece on “sex after Christianity.” One can appreciate fully the efforts of those brave men and women who have not given up the battle and still suspect that Dreher and others who argue similarly are right. If they are, then religious believers not only in America but across the Western world are entering darker and more difficult times.</p>
<p>For one thing, surely the rewriting of laws and customs along radical new lines consistent with radical new dispensations has only just begun. How many Christian students, teachers, professors, counselors, priests, nuns, ministers, doctors, pharmacists, businessmen, and politicians of the future will run afoul of rules against ever-expanding definitions of “hate group” and “hate speech”? How many will be ostracized, or worse, in their schools and workplaces, as some already have been, for “extremism”? How many will see their children penalized for religious beliefs that seemed unremarkable in America until the day before yesterday?</p>
<p>Will the United States now go the way of Great Britain, where a couple was recently forbidden to adopt a child because they were practicing Christians and therefore on the wrong side of current right thinking? Will we follow Canada, where, as Mark Steyn reports, Catholic schools are required to include gay-straight alliances subversive of Catholic moral teaching? Father Raymond de Souza of the Archdiocese of Kingston, Ontario, recently commented that many young priests he knows think “the prospect of one of us spending some time in jail for teaching the faith is not a distant or unlikely proposition, it is a plausible reality to be prepared for.” Will men and women of the cloth in the United States someday say the same?</p>
<p>If that were the whole picture, despair would abound. But it isn’t. For 2,000 years, Christianity has weathered severe storms, surviving discrimination and outright persecution. Are we really and only now facing the Church’s terminal decline? Does the sexual revolution, alone among all cultural influences inimical to the Church throughout history, render the cross and all it stands for obsolete?</p>
<p>A contrarian case can be made that things aren’t as grim as they seem — or, conversely, that they aren’t nearly as invigorating as they seem to their adversaries. The case for cautious optimism shares many facts with the case for pessimism. In fact, the case for optimism is more or less the case for pessimism turned on its head and examined from a different angle.</p>
<p>For over a hundred years, sociology has broadcast the death of God — prematurely, it turns out, because sociologists have ignored the part played in religious belief by that great institution with which religion’s fate appears inextricably entwined: the family.</p>
<p>History shows that, in case after case, one pillar is only as strong as the other. Religion, and specifically Christianity, waxes and wanes according to the strength of marriage and family formation. Across the Western world, the first ten to 15 years after World War II saw a religion boom in conjunction with the Baby Boom. The decades since the 1960s, conversely, have seen rising out-of-wedlock childbearing and falling birthrates in conjunction with a religion bust. Family and faith are historically bound together in ways that intrinsically historicist sociology has wholly ignored. So one way of considering the future of Christianity is to ask another question: Is a revival of the natural family possible — and, with it, a revival of Christianity? The answer is and will continue to be yes.</p>
<p>Begin by meditating on an insight from the late Pitirim Sorokin, founder of Harvard’s sociology department and one of the seminal social thinkers of the mid 20th century. Sorokin wrote at a time when sociology was practiced not through finely granulated statistical analysis but rather with the broadest possible brush and the widest historical canvas imaginable.</p>
<p>In&#160;Man and Society in Calamity&#160;(1942), Sorokin dedicated his powers to a project broadly applicable to the present moment — in his case, to disentangling the ways in which historical catastrophes of various kinds, principally wars, famines, and pestilence, set countervailing social forces into motion. Reviewing wide swaths of human history, Sorokin spied a general rule: “The principal steps in the progress of mankind toward a spiritual religion and a noble code of ethics have been taken primarily under the impact of great catastrophes.” Calamity, as he saw it, is not only a possible inducement to religious revival but may even be its sine qua non.</p>
<p>Is the Western world today home to a calamity of sufficient dimensions to prove Sorokin’s rule once more? Since 2008, when the global financial crisis first burst into the consciousness of the mass of Western voters, followed by riots from London to Athens, from Barcelona to Paris and back, it has grown ever clearer that the welfare states of the West are overextended and ultimately unsustainable. Nor is this just a matter of euros and cents. The eventual civilizational implosion of the welfare state, one can argue, will be a game-changer for family decline.</p>
<p>Easier divorce and more widespread illegitimacy, along with related developments, have been taken more or less in stride for decades now, in the belief that the state can do what was once done by competent families: care for the young, tend to the sick and old, provide for the home. Family decline has so far been premised on Western affluence.</p>
<p>In the 1970s, sociologist David Popenoe predicted that one consequence of diminished Western affluence might be exactly the revival of the institution of the family. After all, he observed, families perform a function crucial to all societies, doing for free what would otherwise cost money to accomplish. “The importance of this family care-giving function,” he writes, “becomes clear when we consider what might happen if modern societies ever again fall into a serious economic depression.”</p>
<p>Could the post-welfare Western state end up imparting economic value to marriage, childbearing, and family ties, as the pre-industrial agricultural state did for many centuries? One needn’t imagine a full-scale crisis to see how the pressures of a shrinking and ageing Western population might make the family look like a grossly undervalued stock. As Stanley Kurtz observed presciently in “Demographics and the Culture War,” an article in&#160;Policy Review&#160;three years before the financial collapse of 2008:</p>
<p>It wouldn’t take a full-scale economic meltdown, or even a relative disparity in births between fundamentalists and secularists, to change modernity’s course. Chronic low-level economic stress in a rapidly aging world may be enough. There is good reason to worry about the fate of elderly boomers with fragile families, limited savings, and relatively few children to care for them. A younger generation of workers will soon feel the burden of paying for the care of this massive older generation. . . . Modernity itself may come in for criticism even as a new appreciation for the benefits of marriage and parenting might emerge.</p>
<p>Tantalizing evidence from the crash of 2008 shows just the sort of unintended consequences of economic adversity mentioned by Kurtz. Consider divorce. An economic crisis turns divorce, always expensive, into a luxury item. According to figures from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the divorce rate in the U.S. dropped 24 percent in 2008 and 57 percent in 2009, following the housing collapse. The rates then began creeping back up in 2010, as the economy improved. Like other observers, the president of the AAML was certain that the drop was in response to harder times.</p>
<p>Another inadvertent consequence of the economic crisis has been the return of many adult children to the homes of their parents. Though undertaken for financial reasons, might not the movement of the “boomerang generation” back to the nest also have the effect of reinforcing family bonds? Hard times, in short, have a way of driving people back to what’s most elemental.</p>
<p>This leads to another reason for cautious optimism about the future of family and faith: People learn. Marriage rates and childbearing among relatively affluent, educated American women, for example, are on the uptick (even as marriage continues to implode further down the socioeconomic ladder). Two can live more cheaply than one, as Robert J. Samuelson reflected in a recent column on the relationship between personal wealth and family structure, and it’s reasonable to think that more people will come to realize as much. One reason better-off women are a little more inclined toward children and traditional family may be that they have learned from the past, particularly from the tolls associated with alternative structures. If more people learn the same lesson, the natural family — and, with it, the churches — might enjoy a recovery.</p>
<p>Current, historically low rates of natural-family formation and their attendant problems are not longstanding. Single motherhood, for example, cheered by feminists in the name of “liberation” less than a generation ago, is now widely seen for what it really is: an inhumanly difficult task for almost any woman, let alone poorer women, who are more likely to be unmarried. Likewise, “Career first” is now a slogan that many educated younger women reject, including many feminists. Maybe future generations will be more kindly disposed to the idea that more is merrier than were their forebears in the 20th and early 21st centuries. It’s possible to imagine a turnaround of family-formation rates across the West both because the economics of subsidizing familial decline will have become untenable and because the social cost of alternatives to traditional families will have become more obvious to many people than it is today.</p>
<p>There’s another reason not to write the obituary for Christianity and the traditional family quite yet: demography. As Phillip Longman and Eric Kaufmann have independently documented, and as Jonathan Last energetically explores in his riveting book&#160;What to Expect When No One’s Expecting, believers have babies, and nonbelievers don’t. And among believers, the most religious have the most babies. Over time, as those who look at the numbers agree, this simple fact will tilt Western populations toward religious belief. Sociologist Rodney Stark argues that Christianity grew from a small sect to a world religion precisely because the Church’s prizing of marriage, its banning of infanticide and abortion, and its overall attentiveness to the family contributed to a demographic advantage for believers. All those conditions still obtain.</p>
<p>Consider one more fact in support of traditionalists. In&#160;Family and Civilization&#160;(1947), Carle Zimmerman, another Harvard sociologist, demonstrated that throughout history the family has followed a pattern: It grows stronger after a period of decay has incurred mounting social costs. Zimmerman argued that family strength is cyclical and that the problems resulting from periods of weak and atomized families lead to counter-cycles of strong family formation.</p>
<p>Finally, there remains on the side of contrarianism what might be called Christianity’s secret weapon. Throughout history, men and women have been drawn to the Church precisely because of the traditional moral code that so many people today love to hate. The pagans, the early Christians were instructed, could have it all: their idols, their infanticide, their contraception, their abortions, their sexual libertinism; the Christians couldn’t. And on the list went. From the beginning, these “no”s were fundamental teachings of Christianity (and in many cases, also of Judaism), but they were not only prohibitions. They were also teachings that drew many people in, fallen but serious human beings who recognized the teachings as somehow true. And such remains the case, as the legions of Western converts down to this very day go to show, sometimes in some pretty sophisticated places.</p>
<p>As a caution against the notion that anything ever is inevitable, let us consider the last boomlet of faith across the West, during the years immediately following World War II. So pervasive was religious practice in the United States then that Will Herberg, the foremost sociologist of religion in America during the mid 20th century, could observe in his classic book&#160;Protestant, Catholic, Jew&#160;that the village atheist or freethinker was a disappearing figure, that agnosticism was in decline, and that “the pervasiveness of religious identification may safely be put down as a significant feature of the America that has emerged in the past quarter of a century.”</p>
<p>Those words were written only decades ago. Religion ebbs and flows in the world in ways not dreamed of by sociologists. Belief does not simply enter and leave the earth as a unidirectional force, like a comet. Christianity in particular engages with that other spiral, the one of family, in a delicate, profound dynamic of mutual dependence.</p>
<p>None of which is to say that Western believers today can count on seeing brighter days for either institution in their lifetimes. In the short run, to reverse John Maynard Keynes, we’re all dead. As for the long run, though, several signs point the way not just to hope but to likely revival. Therein lies a limited but real case for optimism about the twinned futures of family and faith.</p>
<p>Mary Eberstadt is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. This essay is adapted from her new book,&#160;How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization.</p> | false | 1 | following heavy losses samesexmarriage fight traditionalists anxious conservatives routed court increasingly court public opinion writes rod dreher elegiac piece sex christianity one appreciate fully efforts brave men women given battle still suspect dreher others argue similarly right religious believers america across western world entering darker difficult times one thing surely rewriting laws customs along radical new lines consistent radical new dispensations begun many christian students teachers professors counselors priests nuns ministers doctors pharmacists businessmen politicians future run afoul rules everexpanding definitions hate group hate speech many ostracized worse schools workplaces already extremism many see children penalized religious beliefs seemed unremarkable america day yesterday united states go way great britain couple recently forbidden adopt child practicing christians therefore wrong side current right thinking follow canada mark steyn reports catholic schools required include gaystraight alliances subversive catholic moral teaching father raymond de souza archdiocese kingston ontario recently commented many young priests knows think prospect one us spending time jail teaching faith distant unlikely proposition plausible reality prepared men women cloth united states someday say whole picture despair would abound isnt 2000 years christianity weathered severe storms surviving discrimination outright persecution really facing churchs terminal decline sexual revolution alone among cultural influences inimical church throughout history render cross stands obsolete contrarian case made things arent grim seem conversely arent nearly invigorating seem adversaries case cautious optimism shares many facts case pessimism fact case optimism less case pessimism turned head examined different angle hundred years sociology broadcast death god prematurely turns sociologists ignored part played religious belief great institution religions fate appears inextricably entwined family history shows case case one pillar strong religion specifically christianity waxes wanes according strength marriage family formation across western world first ten 15 years world war ii saw religion boom conjunction baby boom decades since 1960s conversely seen rising outofwedlock childbearing falling birthrates conjunction religion bust family faith historically bound together ways intrinsically historicist sociology wholly ignored one way considering future christianity ask another question revival natural family possible revival christianity answer continue yes begin meditating insight late pitirim sorokin founder harvards sociology department one seminal social thinkers mid 20th century sorokin wrote time sociology practiced finely granulated statistical analysis rather broadest possible brush widest historical canvas imaginable in160man society calamity1601942 sorokin dedicated powers project broadly applicable present moment case disentangling ways historical catastrophes various kinds principally wars famines pestilence set countervailing social forces motion reviewing wide swaths human history sorokin spied general rule principal steps progress mankind toward spiritual religion noble code ethics taken primarily impact great catastrophes calamity saw possible inducement religious revival may even sine qua non western world today home calamity sufficient dimensions prove sorokins rule since 2008 global financial crisis first burst consciousness mass western voters followed riots london athens barcelona paris back grown ever clearer welfare states west overextended ultimately unsustainable matter euros cents eventual civilizational implosion welfare state one argue gamechanger family decline easier divorce widespread illegitimacy along related developments taken less stride decades belief state done competent families care young tend sick old provide home family decline far premised western affluence 1970s sociologist david popenoe predicted one consequence diminished western affluence might exactly revival institution family observed families perform function crucial societies free would otherwise cost money accomplish importance family caregiving function writes becomes clear consider might happen modern societies ever fall serious economic depression could postwelfare western state end imparting economic value marriage childbearing family ties preindustrial agricultural state many centuries one neednt imagine fullscale crisis see pressures shrinking ageing western population might make family look like grossly undervalued stock stanley kurtz observed presciently demographics culture war article in160policy review160three years financial collapse 2008 wouldnt take fullscale economic meltdown even relative disparity births fundamentalists secularists change modernitys course chronic lowlevel economic stress rapidly aging world may enough good reason worry fate elderly boomers fragile families limited savings relatively children care younger generation workers soon feel burden paying care massive older generation modernity may come criticism even new appreciation benefits marriage parenting might emerge tantalizing evidence crash 2008 shows sort unintended consequences economic adversity mentioned kurtz consider divorce economic crisis turns divorce always expensive luxury item according figures american academy matrimonial lawyers divorce rate us dropped 24 percent 2008 57 percent 2009 following housing collapse rates began creeping back 2010 economy improved like observers president aaml certain drop response harder times another inadvertent consequence economic crisis return many adult children homes parents though undertaken financial reasons might movement boomerang generation back nest also effect reinforcing family bonds hard times short way driving people back whats elemental leads another reason cautious optimism future family faith people learn marriage rates childbearing among relatively affluent educated american women example uptick even marriage continues implode socioeconomic ladder two live cheaply one robert j samuelson reflected recent column relationship personal wealth family structure reasonable think people come realize much one reason betteroff women little inclined toward children traditional family may learned past particularly tolls associated alternative structures people learn lesson natural family churches might enjoy recovery current historically low rates naturalfamily formation attendant problems longstanding single motherhood example cheered feminists name liberation less generation ago widely seen really inhumanly difficult task almost woman let alone poorer women likely unmarried likewise career first slogan many educated younger women reject including many feminists maybe future generations kindly disposed idea merrier forebears 20th early 21st centuries possible imagine turnaround familyformation rates across west economics subsidizing familial decline become untenable social cost alternatives traditional families become obvious many people today theres another reason write obituary christianity traditional family quite yet demography phillip longman eric kaufmann independently documented jonathan last energetically explores riveting book160what expect ones expecting believers babies nonbelievers dont among believers religious babies time look numbers agree simple fact tilt western populations toward religious belief sociologist rodney stark argues christianity grew small sect world religion precisely churchs prizing marriage banning infanticide abortion overall attentiveness family contributed demographic advantage believers conditions still obtain consider one fact support traditionalists in160family civilization1601947 carle zimmerman another harvard sociologist demonstrated throughout history family followed pattern grows stronger period decay incurred mounting social costs zimmerman argued family strength cyclical problems resulting periods weak atomized families lead countercycles strong family formation finally remains side contrarianism might called christianitys secret weapon throughout history men women drawn church precisely traditional moral code many people today love hate pagans early christians instructed could idols infanticide contraception abortions sexual libertinism christians couldnt list went beginning nos fundamental teachings christianity many cases also judaism prohibitions also teachings drew many people fallen serious human beings recognized teachings somehow true remains case legions western converts day go show sometimes pretty sophisticated places caution notion anything ever inevitable let us consider last boomlet faith across west years immediately following world war ii pervasive religious practice united states herberg foremost sociologist religion america mid 20th century could observe classic book160protestant catholic jew160that village atheist freethinker disappearing figure agnosticism decline pervasiveness religious identification may safely put significant feature america emerged past quarter century words written decades ago religion ebbs flows world ways dreamed sociologists belief simply enter leave earth unidirectional force like comet christianity particular engages spiral one family delicate profound dynamic mutual dependence none say western believers today count seeing brighter days either institution lifetimes short run reverse john maynard keynes dead long run though several signs point way hope likely revival therein lies limited real case optimism twinned futures family faith mary eberstadt senior fellow ethics public policy center essay adapted new book160how west really lost god new theory secularization | 1,246 |
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/martin-sheen/" type="external">Martin Sheen</a> has a lot of reasons for wanting to play the retiring old bachelor Matthew Cuthbert in “L.M. Montgomery’s <a href="http://variety.com/t/anne-of-green-gables/" type="external">Anne of Green Gables</a>,” which debuted last Thanksgiving and is premiering the second part of its story this upcoming Thanksgiving. But above all, it’s because he finds it heartwarming. In the miniseries, his character Matthew Cuthbert is surprised by a redheaded orphan — enough that the reticent old bachelor, along with his prim sister Marilla (Sara Botsford), decides to adopt the talkative, imaginative girl.</p>
<p>“They tried to take her back, but the little girl was relentless and sparked something in these old people that changed their lives,” says Sheen.&#160;“They were blessed [because] they became a family.”</p>
<p>The acclaimed actor, best known for his role as president Josiah Bartlet on Aaron Sorkin’s NBC show “The West Wing,” spoke to Variety about why he wanted a role in an upbeat show about a kid — and why his hero is <a href="http://variety.com/t/jane-fonda/" type="external">Jane Fonda</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>Matthew Cuthbert is so reticent. Even after Anne draws him out, he really just listens because she talks so much.</p>
<p>Exactly. He’s very fascinated by her. She uses big words and she has these extraordinary concepts, and he’s just fascinated by her. She becomes his teacher, really.</p>
<p>You’ve played characters who are so eloquent, so it’s an interesting choice to play someone shier.</p>
<p>Well, I think most actors are basically shy. That’s part of the reason they’re actors. Most of us, at least most of the ones I know, are very, very shy people, and they get a chance to come out of themselves through other characters. That’s part of the reason we’re so attracted to the profession.</p>
<p>Have you read “ <a href="http://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/l-m-montgomerys-anne-of-green-gables-review-pbs-1201917926/" type="external">Anne of Green Gables</a>,” or any of its sequels?</p>
<p>You know, I had read one of the books to my children — I’m going back 50 years ago. It’s been on the top list of favorite children’s books for much of the last century. First in line in any of the children bookshelves in the libraries and bookstore.</p>
<p>It must have been daunting to adapt something so beloved.</p>
<p>Yeah. Well, in fact, there was a little more pressure on me, because I was the only American in the cast. They were all Canadians. So, yeah. They had at me! But, I’m very glad to say that they thought I passed the audition.</p>
<p>What attracted you to the production?</p>
<p>Well, it was the classic nature of the work, of course. And the character, I loved. This very shy introvert who rarely speaks above a whisper is brought out to declare himself — pushed by this little firebrand. That appealed to me a lot. It was a rebirth of the old people. The brother and sister are settled in their ways and they’re just reborn again. They begin to see things that they missed, because they settled into this bachelor-type life. There was a big missing piece in their lives, and they didn’t know what it was or how to fill it until this little girl came along. And then they realized it’s about being a family.</p>
<p>“Anne of Green Gables” is ultimately such an uplifting story. In general, TV has been trending darker and grittier. This is quite the opposite. Does it feel important to you to do something warm right now?</p>
<p>It does. I’m glad you mentioned that, because there are very few examples these days of shows about young people. About a heroic young person that is a great source of inspiration. I find it hard to find any examples. Our industry at this time that is not focused on that.</p>
<p>One of the greatest problems with our entire Western culture is peer pressure. Kids are so afraid to step out and be different. On the contrary — they all want to be alike. They’ve all got their focus on these iPads or computers, and they’re all into trying to fit in instead of trying to find out. This show is an inspiration to young people to step out and stand up, and take a chance at becoming yourself and not just a reflection of the crowd.</p>
<p>Some might say that the show is sentimental, and that goes without saying. There is a lot of sentiment. But we don’t play the sentiment. It’s for the audience to find it. There is something extremely important about a young person being an inspiration on older people, and that is one of the major themes, I think, of “Anne of Green Gables.” She comes striding up the path and nothing is ever going to be the same. Thank God, you know?</p>
<p>As the only American on set, did you feel like your Canadian counterparts were looking to you for perspective on current American politics?</p>
<p>No. I thanked them for not building a wall, and letting me in.</p>
<p>You once played the American president. I imagine people look to you for guidance.</p>
<p>Well, perhaps so, because I played a very popular president, but that’s the key word, “played.” I’m not involved in politics. I do support a number of different politicians when they’re running for office, and so forth.</p>
<p>We just have to weather through this. We just have to. Up until this past election, there’s been a lot of reliance on the institutions that kept us going. We did have faith in all these very powerful institutions in the government. Now, we have to protect those institutions, because they’re at risk. That’s going to be a real test of our true patriotism — whether we go into the future with confidence, truthfully serving the general public. Or, do we just go into it blindly? And only worry about ourselves. This has really awakened the spirit of true patriotism. I think we’re going to be alright. We just have to trust one another.</p>
<p>It must feel good to be doing something for PBS right now.</p>
<p>Oh, yeah. They just came off this extraordinary documentary, “The Vietnam War,” which reignited a debate that is so healing in our culture. PBS was really the only place where this could done, ’cause there’s no ax to grind. They’re not selling products, they’re just exploring ideas. More power to them. They did it on the Civil War. They caused a great debate and a focus on what our divisions cost us. And, thank God, if we were going to have a civil war, we got it over with before they started building machine guns. It could have been a whole lot worse.</p>
<p>I would’ve hoped that they had covered more of the resistance — particularly the more heroic part of the resistance where people who suffered the most like <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/daniel-j-berrigan-pacifist-priest-who-led-antiwar-protests-dies-at-94/2016/04/30/44606680-0f1e-11e6-8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html?utm_term=.c7d548586d44" type="external">Dan Berrigan</a> and his brother <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/08/us/philip-berrigan-former-priest-peace-advocate-vietnam-war-era-dies-79.html" type="external">Phil</a>, who went to the penitentiary for burning draft files — not even draft cards! And, then, probably the most important protester of the war, who risked her life and her career, was <a href="http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/jane-fonda-harvey-weinstein-famous-white-victims-1202600709/" type="external">Jane Fonda</a>.</p>
<p>They covered her a little bit in [the parts of the docuseries on] North Vietnam, but I felt they should have interviewed her as who she is now. I felt that they were remiss in that. Very, very remiss — because she was the gutsiest one of us all. She annoyed most of the male population, because she was a gutsy woman. She was a reflection of Bobby Kennedy’s quote, “One heart with courage is a majority.” She’s my hero. With the exception of Dan Berrigan, I know of no American who risked more for their beliefs and put their life on the line for what they believed. We all gave it lip service, by and large, but she gave it her life. People find that hard to deal with, because we are so lacking in courage and we are so filled with our own image of what it means to be patriotic.</p>
<p>Not to be too fatalistic, but to your point about civil war — there is <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/are-we-on-the-verge-of-another-civil-war/" type="external">some talk by Civil War historians</a> of how the cultural moment we are in could <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/is-america-headed-for-a-new-kind-of-civil-war" type="external">portend</a> a second, contemporary civil war.</p>
<p>Those who fail to understand the past are condemned to repeat it, you know? If we still live back there, in our arrogance and our ignorance, then we’re going to exhibit a whole lot of the same kinds of feelings and thoughts that cause people to hate each other, and take issue with each other’s thinking.</p>
<p>And as you said before, something heartwarming that encourages us to trust each other is actually so radical.</p>
<p>Yeah, and to trust our instincts. Sometimes, it takes the very worst among us to inspire the very best. We’ve seen this in the last three incidents of mass murder. Look at all the numbers of people who come out compassionate and supportive, and healing. It’s far more than those that have done the damage. What inspires me is our mutual compassion and humanity. No one ever regrets an act of compassion, either received or given.</p>
<p>I’m very encouraged that the powerful acts of compassion that come out of these horrible situations, not unlike what we witnessed yesterday. [Variety spoke to Sheen the day after the Sutherland Springs, Tx. church shooting.] That’s where my focus is. I’m not focused on the division. I’m focused on the unity. We’ve come through too much, and there are far many more of us than there were during the Vietnam War, and certainly during the Civil War. And, there’s far more at stake. We have to be far more compassionate and understanding and tolerant of each other. Because there’s far more to lose.</p>
<p>You know, one of the things that I was struck by — this fascist group down in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/12/us/charlottesville-white-nationalists-rally/index.html" type="external">Charlottesville</a>, marching that night with the torches — how young they were! How coiffed they were. This was not a poor people’s campaign. They were very bright and handsome young men — and they were all men, there was not a woman among them.They need the female character, which would soften that rhetoric and that arrogance, and that stupidity. Arrogance is ignorance matured, and that’s what we’re seeing.</p>
<p>We just have to weather this storm by showing more tolerance and more compassion. More mercy for each other, more understanding of where we’re coming from. That people are hurt, they’re crying out in pain, and they just want someone to respond. I was listening [to CNN] yesterday — I don’t know if you saw it or not, but <a href="https://www.ksat.com/news/sutherland-springs/grandmother-loses-2-grandchildren-daughter-in-law-in-texas-church-shooting" type="external">the grandmother who lost a grandson</a>, I believe he was five or six. She was talking on the phone from the hospital. She was awaiting the outcome of surgery on another grandchild, and she was talking to the reporter from CNN on the phone. We didn’t see her, but we knew who she was from the enormous humanity and compassion that she was exhibiting on the phone, worried about others and expressing deep concern and faith in what had gone on. I thought, wow. That is the best part of us. That woman is an example of who we really are.</p>
<p>Weirdly, this does connect to “Anne of Green Gables,” because the book is about the life of a small town, and that shooting happened in a very small town — like 600 people, or something.</p>
<p>That congregation suffered, I believe that lost a quarter of their congregation, it was 100 people.</p>
<p>Which, I read, is <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/6/16612842/sutherland-springs-church-shooting-deaths" type="external">four percent</a> of the town.&#160;</p>
<p>It’s so hard to get your head around. I mean, really. We see on the news these horrible terrorist attacks in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India. All over the middle east. Like in Nigeria recently, the market attack. And we sort of — we’ve become immune to hearing, 40 are killed in a bomb in a police station, and 50 are killed here at a wedding, and then a drone kills 150. We’ve become immune to it. That happens right in our midst, but the same thing happens in their communities. We don’t get to see them, we don’t get to mourn with them, to comfort them, to aid them. But it’s the same. And, when something like this happens in our communities, then we can respond. We can relate to — oh my god, that’s what it’s like in a terrorist bombing in one of these remote villages in Iraq or Iran or Syria and Turkey, and Afghanistan, Pakistan, all of these less secure countries. It’s horrifying, but it’s no less a loss for people. We just are not connected to it personally.</p>
<p>As a performer you have an opportunity to bring awareness or to bring compassion on a scale that most other people don’t. It sounds like that’s a crucial part of the job for you.</p>
<p>Well, that is a part of our responsibility, yeah. To help tame the world. That’s part of our responsibility. The larger portion of that comes from the writers, of course, but our choices of what we do plays into that. In other words, you know — we can choose to do more violence. To play cynicism and anger, and violence without redemption. Or, we can choose to play characters that redeem the violence and help tame the world. I would hope that I would fall in that category. I would choose to have a positive effect on people; a non-violent effect, certainly.</p>
<p>“L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables: Fire” premieres Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. on PBS.</p> | false | 1 | martin sheen lot reasons wanting play retiring old bachelor matthew cuthbert lm montgomerys anne green gables debuted last thanksgiving premiering second part story upcoming thanksgiving finds heartwarming miniseries character matthew cuthbert surprised redheaded orphan enough reticent old bachelor along prim sister marilla sara botsford decides adopt talkative imaginative girl tried take back little girl relentless sparked something old people changed lives says sheen160they blessed became family acclaimed actor best known role president josiah bartlet aaron sorkins nbc show west wing spoke variety wanted role upbeat show kid hero jane fonda160 matthew cuthbert reticent even anne draws really listens talks much exactly hes fascinated uses big words extraordinary concepts hes fascinated becomes teacher really youve played characters eloquent interesting choice play someone shier well think actors basically shy thats part reason theyre actors us least ones know shy people get chance come characters thats part reason attracted profession read anne green gables sequels know read one books children im going back 50 years ago top list favorite childrens books much last century first line children bookshelves libraries bookstore must daunting adapt something beloved yeah well fact little pressure american cast canadians yeah im glad say thought passed audition attracted production well classic nature work course character loved shy introvert rarely speaks whisper brought declare pushed little firebrand appealed lot rebirth old people brother sister settled ways theyre reborn begin see things missed settled bachelortype life big missing piece lives didnt know fill little girl came along realized family anne green gables ultimately uplifting story general tv trending darker grittier quite opposite feel important something warm right im glad mentioned examples days shows young people heroic young person great source inspiration find hard find examples industry time focused one greatest problems entire western culture peer pressure kids afraid step different contrary want alike theyve got focus ipads computers theyre trying fit instead trying find show inspiration young people step stand take chance becoming reflection crowd might say show sentimental goes without saying lot sentiment dont play sentiment audience find something extremely important young person inspiration older people one major themes think anne green gables comes striding path nothing ever going thank god know american set feel like canadian counterparts looking perspective current american politics thanked building wall letting played american president imagine people look guidance well perhaps played popular president thats key word played im involved politics support number different politicians theyre running office forth weather past election theres lot reliance institutions kept us going faith powerful institutions government protect institutions theyre risk thats going real test true patriotism whether go future confidence truthfully serving general public go blindly worry really awakened spirit true patriotism think going alright trust one another must feel good something pbs right oh yeah came extraordinary documentary vietnam war reignited debate healing culture pbs really place could done cause theres ax grind theyre selling products theyre exploring ideas power civil war caused great debate focus divisions cost us thank god going civil war got started building machine guns could whole lot worse wouldve hoped covered resistance particularly heroic part resistance people suffered like dan berrigan brother phil went penitentiary burning draft files even draft cards probably important protester war risked life career jane fonda covered little bit parts docuseries north vietnam felt interviewed felt remiss remiss gutsiest one us annoyed male population gutsy woman reflection bobby kennedys quote one heart courage majority shes hero exception dan berrigan know american risked beliefs put life line believed gave lip service large gave life people find hard deal lacking courage filled image means patriotic fatalistic point civil war talk civil war historians cultural moment could portend second contemporary civil war fail understand past condemned repeat know still live back arrogance ignorance going exhibit whole lot kinds feelings thoughts cause people hate take issue others thinking said something heartwarming encourages us trust actually radical yeah trust instincts sometimes takes worst among us inspire best weve seen last three incidents mass murder look numbers people come compassionate supportive healing far done damage inspires mutual compassion humanity one ever regrets act compassion either received given im encouraged powerful acts compassion come horrible situations unlike witnessed yesterday variety spoke sheen day sutherland springs tx church shooting thats focus im focused division im focused unity weve come much far many us vietnam war certainly civil war theres far stake far compassionate understanding tolerant theres far lose know one things struck fascist group charlottesville marching night torches young coiffed poor peoples campaign bright handsome young men men woman among themthey need female character would soften rhetoric arrogance stupidity arrogance ignorance matured thats seeing weather storm showing tolerance compassion mercy understanding coming people hurt theyre crying pain want someone respond listening cnn yesterday dont know saw grandmother lost grandson believe five six talking phone hospital awaiting outcome surgery another grandchild talking reporter cnn phone didnt see knew enormous humanity compassion exhibiting phone worried others expressing deep concern faith gone thought wow best part us woman example really weirdly connect anne green gables book life small town shooting happened small town like 600 people something congregation suffered believe lost quarter congregation 100 people read four percent town160 hard get head around mean really see news horrible terrorist attacks iraq iran afghanistan pakistan india middle east like nigeria recently market attack sort weve become immune hearing 40 killed bomb police station 50 killed wedding drone kills 150 weve become immune happens right midst thing happens communities dont get see dont get mourn comfort aid something like happens communities respond relate oh god thats like terrorist bombing one remote villages iraq iran syria turkey afghanistan pakistan less secure countries horrifying less loss people connected personally performer opportunity bring awareness bring compassion scale people dont sounds like thats crucial part job well part responsibility yeah help tame world thats part responsibility larger portion comes writers course choices plays words know choose violence play cynicism anger violence without redemption choose play characters redeem violence help tame world would hope would fall category would choose positive effect people nonviolent effect certainly lm montgomerys anne green gables fire premieres nov 23 8 pm pbs | 1,020 |
<p>While there are few who would dispute the place Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/the-red-shoes/" type="external">The Red Shoes</a>” holds as the greatest dance film of all time — focusing as it does on the backstage energy and all-or-nothing ambition of a ballerina who quite literally lives to dance,&#160;and who dies the instant she allows love to interfere with that commitment — master choreographer <a href="http://variety.com/t/matthew-bourne/" type="external">Matthew Bourne</a> has actually found a way to improve upon the 1948 classic: For all its pleasures, “The Red Shoes” was rather short on dance, and now, as brilliantly reconceived by Bourne, it is nothing but:&#160;a kaleidoscopic pinwheel of color, movement and silent-film-style pantomime perfectly suited to the stage.</p>
<p>Performed without so much as a single word of dialogue, Bourne’s production was first staged in London last year and now makes its U.S. premiere in Los Angeles, where the film is widely known as Martin Scorsese’s favorite,&#160;but perhaps less widely seen than it deserves. Audiences would do well to (re-)watch the movie beforehand, if only to clarify the show’s central conflict, which is otherwise not apparent until a beat before intermission, when a passionate embrace between red-headed ingénue Victoria Page and the talented young composer Lucian Crasta threatens to derail both of their careers (a tragic choice of words, considering the role a train plays in her fate).</p>
<p>On screen, where such things are made clear through dialogue, the most recognizable quotation comes from Russian impresario Boris Lermontov, a Svengali-like control freak who believes that to create art is a privilege, and one must be prepared to deny life’s pleasures in its service: “The music is all that matters. Nothing but the music.”</p>
<p>For Bourne, it is dance that takes precedence, and he reworks the now-simplified plot to suit the medium, alternating between solos, duets and full-ensemble arrangements featuring his 17-person cast (the parts rotate from night to night between a company nearly three times that size). The music, meanwhile, belongs to the great screen composer Bernard Herrmann, reassembled from multiple film scores, including “Citizen Kane,” “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” and “Fahrenheit 451” (for the show’s eponymous ballet).</p>
<p>At the performance attended, Victoria Page was played by Ashley Shaw, a petite and nimble redhead who’s equal parts Moira Shearer (the actress who originated the role on screen) and Debbie Reynolds (as seen in “Singin’ in the Rain”), with eyes so big — and so cleverly accentuated by makeup — they read clearly from the back row of the house.</p>
<p>Already well known and widely respected for his revisionist takes on “Swan Lake” and “Cinderella,” Bourne actually follows Powell and Pressburger’s film more closely, but still allows himself some latitude in streamlining the story. For example, in the movie, Page is denied the opportunity to audition for Lermontov at a post-performance soirée, whereas here, it’s the perfect opportunity for the elegant dancer’s first solo.</p>
<p>At a cocktail party where the guests dance a bored waltz, Victoria makes quite the impression on all present, including Lermontov (Sam Archer), earning a chance to rehearse on the maestro’s latest show. But it is not until his prima ballerina (Michela Meazza) twists her ankle that Victoria gets her shot — marking a rather significant change from the movie, where it wasn’t injury but marriage (a voluntary crippling, in Lermontov’s view)&#160;that ended her career and clearly established the commitment that was expected of Victoria going forward.</p>
<p>In “The Red Shoes,” love and career are incompatible. In order to achieve greatness, a dancer must choose between them. And as in the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale for which it is named (and which serves as the inspiration for the stunning show-within-the-show), that choice is made the moment Victoria straps on the red shoes, for it is then that she commits herself to dance. These ruby slippers, every bit as magic as the ones that whisked Dorothy home from Oz, are pointe shoes, which literally keep the dancer on her toes: She can never rest, never retire, but must keep moving … or else die from sheer exhaustion.</p>
<p>The film cheats “The Ballet of the Red Shoes” in that Powell and Pressburger employ all kinds of visual effects —&#160;many of them dating back to the trick films of Georges Méliès —&#160;that no dancer could recreate onstage (Victoria steps into the shoes, and through the magic of a cut, they’re instantly laced, while neat splices allow other dancers to appear and disappear at her sides). But Bourne embraces that impossibility, staging this centerpiece ballet beneath a series of white arches, which double as screens on which he’s free to project cinematic imagery.</p>
<p>This is a radical reinterpretation of the movie’s signature sequence, which famously pushed the limits of Technicolor’s three-strip process with an assortment of bold, fluorescent-lit tableaux. By contrast, Bourne’s version is very nearly monochrome — save for the red shoes and the crimson pinstripes of the wicked Shoemaker’s suit —&#160;and uses that stark white backdrop to accentuate the dancers’ silhouettes throughout. It is also the only time that Bourne embraces the stage’s traditional proscenium, subliminally implying that “The Ballet of the Red Shoes” is not merely a show-within-the-show; this is the show itself.</p>
<p>To underscore that choice, set designer Lez Brotherston has constructed a smaller proscenium, complete with curtain, which rolls back and forth and rotates as required, often coming to rest at a sharp diagonal that provides theatergoers with a fresh, unconventional angle from which to observe the action. That moving arch situates the audience throughout the show, privileging the backstage view as often as not — as in a series of Monte Carlo performances, in which extravagantly dressed dancers perform with their backs the audience, while facing the footlights upstage. This device evokes not only “The Red Shoes,” but also its post-modern descendent, Bob Fosse’s meta-musical “All That Jazz.”</p>
<p>In those rare instances when the arch disappears altogether, Bourne is free to choreograph playful “offstage” interludes, such as the Busby Berkeley-esque “Ballon de Plage” sequence, set amid a beachside vacation in which the entire cast flexes its muscles in mid-century swimwear. Speaking of costumes, Brotherston outdoes himself in this department, taking cues from the film with its high-waisted pants and French mariner-striped shirts, while inventing an array of other lavish period-inspired looks to accentuate the ensemble’s graceful physiques. But of course, the detail audiences will most remember —&#160;the first and last thing on which the spotlight falls —&#160;are the red shoes themselves.</p>
<p>Ahmanson Theater, Los Angeles; 2,074 seats; $125 top. Opened Sept. 19, 2017, reviewed Sept. 21, 2017. Runs through Oct. 1, 2017. Running time: ONE HOUR, 55 MIN.</p>
<p>A Center Theatre Group presentation of a New Adventures production of a ballet in two acts, based on the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, with music by Bernard Herrmann.</p>
<p>Directed by Matthew Bourne. Choreography, Bourne. Associate director, choreography, Etta Murfitt. Sets, costumes, Lez Brotherston; music, Bernard Herrmann; lights, Paule Constable; sound, Paul Groothuis; projection design, Duncan McLean; orchestrations, Terry Davies.</p>
<p>Sam Archer, Ashley Shaw, Dominic North, Michela Meazza, Liam Mower, Leon Moran, Cordelia Braithwaite, Kate Lyons, Stephanie Billers, Seren Williams, Joshua L M Marriette, Will Bozier, Andrew Monaghan, Philip King, Nicole Kabera, Jack Jones, Joe Walking.</p> | false | 1 | would dispute place michael powell emeric pressburgers red shoes holds greatest dance film time focusing backstage energy allornothing ambition ballerina quite literally lives dance160and dies instant allows love interfere commitment master choreographer matthew bourne actually found way improve upon 1948 classic pleasures red shoes rather short dance brilliantly reconceived bourne nothing but160a kaleidoscopic pinwheel color movement silentfilmstyle pantomime perfectly suited stage performed without much single word dialogue bournes production first staged london last year makes us premiere los angeles film widely known martin scorseses favorite160but perhaps less widely seen deserves audiences would well rewatch movie beforehand clarify shows central conflict otherwise apparent beat intermission passionate embrace redheaded ingénue victoria page talented young composer lucian crasta threatens derail careers tragic choice words considering role train plays fate screen things made clear dialogue recognizable quotation comes russian impresario boris lermontov svengalilike control freak believes create art privilege one must prepared deny lifes pleasures service music matters nothing music bourne dance takes precedence reworks nowsimplified plot suit medium alternating solos duets fullensemble arrangements featuring 17person cast parts rotate night night company nearly three times size music meanwhile belongs great screen composer bernard herrmann reassembled multiple film scores including citizen kane ghost mrs muir fahrenheit 451 shows eponymous ballet performance attended victoria page played ashley shaw petite nimble redhead whos equal parts moira shearer actress originated role screen debbie reynolds seen singin rain eyes big cleverly accentuated makeup read clearly back row house already well known widely respected revisionist takes swan lake cinderella bourne actually follows powell pressburgers film closely still allows latitude streamlining story example movie page denied opportunity audition lermontov postperformance soirée whereas perfect opportunity elegant dancers first solo cocktail party guests dance bored waltz victoria makes quite impression present including lermontov sam archer earning chance rehearse maestros latest show prima ballerina michela meazza twists ankle victoria gets shot marking rather significant change movie wasnt injury marriage voluntary crippling lermontovs view160that ended career clearly established commitment expected victoria going forward red shoes love career incompatible order achieve greatness dancer must choose hans christian anderson fairy tale named serves inspiration stunning showwithintheshow choice made moment victoria straps red shoes commits dance ruby slippers every bit magic ones whisked dorothy home oz pointe shoes literally keep dancer toes never rest never retire must keep moving else die sheer exhaustion film cheats ballet red shoes powell pressburger employ kinds visual effects 160many dating back trick films georges méliès 160that dancer could recreate onstage victoria steps shoes magic cut theyre instantly laced neat splices allow dancers appear disappear sides bourne embraces impossibility staging centerpiece ballet beneath series white arches double screens hes free project cinematic imagery radical reinterpretation movies signature sequence famously pushed limits technicolors threestrip process assortment bold fluorescentlit tableaux contrast bournes version nearly monochrome save red shoes crimson pinstripes wicked shoemakers suit 160and uses stark white backdrop accentuate dancers silhouettes throughout also time bourne embraces stages traditional proscenium subliminally implying ballet red shoes merely showwithintheshow show underscore choice set designer lez brotherston constructed smaller proscenium complete curtain rolls back forth rotates required often coming rest sharp diagonal provides theatergoers fresh unconventional angle observe action moving arch situates audience throughout show privileging backstage view often series monte carlo performances extravagantly dressed dancers perform backs audience facing footlights upstage device evokes red shoes also postmodern descendent bob fosses metamusical jazz rare instances arch disappears altogether bourne free choreograph playful offstage interludes busby berkeleyesque ballon de plage sequence set amid beachside vacation entire cast flexes muscles midcentury swimwear speaking costumes brotherston outdoes department taking cues film highwaisted pants french marinerstriped shirts inventing array lavish periodinspired looks accentuate ensembles graceful physiques course detail audiences remember 160the first last thing spotlight falls 160are red shoes ahmanson theater los angeles 2074 seats 125 top opened sept 19 2017 reviewed sept 21 2017 runs oct 1 2017 running time one hour 55 min center theatre group presentation new adventures production ballet two acts based film michael powell emeric pressburger hans christian anderson fairy tale music bernard herrmann directed matthew bourne choreography bourne associate director choreography etta murfitt sets costumes lez brotherston music bernard herrmann lights paule constable sound paul groothuis projection design duncan mclean orchestrations terry davies sam archer ashley shaw dominic north michela meazza liam mower leon moran cordelia braithwaite kate lyons stephanie billers seren williams joshua l marriette bozier andrew monaghan philip king nicole kabera jack jones joe walking | 730 |
<p>SEOUL, South Korea, July 26 (UPI) — Chung Wang-ok, 78, never thought that he wouldn’t be able to see his eldest brother again when his sibling was forcibly enlisted and taken by <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/North_Korea/" type="external">North Korea</a>‘s army during the 1950-53 Korean War.</p>
<p>It was not a temporary farewell, but a decades-long painful wait with no promise of reunion as the devastating conflict left South and North Korea technically at war.</p>
<p>Chung said that he spared no effort to find the brother’s whereabouts and applied for state-arranged separated family reunions, but to no avail.</p>
<p>“I would like to know whether he is alive or not. My mother died about 20 years ago while missing him so much,” he said. “How can I express the depth of sorrow that stems from the tragedy of having to live separately from beloved ones?”</p>
<p>Chung is among some 60,500 surviving elderly South Koreans torn apart by the war, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.</p>
<p>The issue of separated families is highly emotional and the most urgent humanitarian matter for the two Koreas, as more aging Koreans have passed away without a chance of meeting with their relatives on the opposite side of the tense inter-Korean border.</p>
<p>An estimated 131,200 dispersed family members are on a waiting list for reunion events, of which about 54 percent died as of the end of June, according to data by Seoul’s unification ministry and the Korean Red Cross.</p>
<p>It showed that 62.6 percent of South Koreans hoping for reunions are over age 80, pointing to the urgency of holding family events.</p>
<p>Liberal President <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Moon-Jae/" type="external">Moon Jae</a>-in vowed a stern response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations. But he is also seeking dialogue with the North, placing top priority on resolving this issue on humanitarian grounds.</p>
<p>Seoul last week offered to hold inter-Korean military talks aimed at easing border tensions last Friday and open Red Cross talks on Aug. 1 to resume reunions of dispersed families.</p>
<p>The South hopes to hold reunions on Oct. 4, Korea’s lunar fall harvest holiday and the 10th anniversary of the second inter-Korean summit.</p>
<p>But a deadline for the military talks has passed with North Korea’s silence, while Pyongyang has yet to respond to Seoul’s offer for family reunions talks.</p>
<p>Kim Sang-young, 81, expressed hope that the North could accept South Korea’s rapprochement offer, making it possible for reunions to move forward.</p>
<p>He is hoping to meet with his elder brother and two older sisters in North Korea with whom he had to part due to the war.</p>
<p>“I am awaiting possible reunions with a mixture of hope and frustration. …I hope the Red Cross talks can be held in August as scheduled,” Kim said.</p>
<p>But the outlook for imminent family reunions remains murky as the North is trying to politicize the issue, experts say.</p>
<p>In exchange for family events, Pyongyang is demanding Seoul return 12 North Korean women who worked at a North Korea-run restaurant in China and defected to South Korea en masse last year.</p>
<p>The North has claimed that they were lured and kidnapped by Seoul’s spy agency, but the South said that they chose the defection on their own free will.</p>
<p>Separated families voiced hope that it is more urgent to identify whether their family members in the North are alive.</p>
<p>Nearly 8 in 10 divided South Korean families said the top priority should be placed on confirming their kin’s fate, according to a 2016 survey by he Ministry of Unification in charge of inter-Korean affairs.</p>
<p>Holding family reunions on a regular basis ranked second with 10.3 percent, followed by exchanges of letters with 4 percent, the poll said.</p>
<p>Since 1985, the two Koreas have held 20 rounds of face-to-face reunion events involving only some 19,800 family members from both sides. The last one was held in October 2015 at a facility on Mount Kumgang on North Korea’s east coast.</p>
<p>In 2005-07, video-based reunions were held on seven occasions, enabling about 3,750 people to see their long-lost relatives, according to the ministry.</p>
<p>South Korea has called for family reunions on a regular basis, urging the North to allow them to exchange letters at least. But Pyongyang has not responded to Seoul’s call.</p>
<p>“One-off reunions involving some 100 families from each side are insufficient to heal the suffering of divided families. Not much time is left for them,” said Shim Goo-seob, who leads a private group of separated families in the South.</p>
<p>“The government should explore ways to confirm the separated families’ fate in North Korea. Exchanges of letters or postcards need to be permitted,” he said. “Resuming video-based reunions will be a good idea as they make it possible for a larger number of families to see their relatives.”</p>
<p>South Korea said that it has conducted DNA tests on dispersed families and set up a database on their gene information so that it can be used after their death.</p>
<p>The move is aimed at identifying the blood relationship and potentially being used in inheritance or other legal disputes.</p>
<p>It has also made 10-minute video messages from around 18,000 people that contain their wishes for reunions and their personal stories. Seoul hopes to deliver them to their relatives in the North.</p>
<p>“We plan to add about 1,500 video messages this year,” said an official at the Korean Red Cross.</p>
<p>Despite the tricky situation, separated families are not losing a thread of hope for meeting with their kin on expectations that inter-Korean ties will improve under Moon’s government.</p>
<p>“I am only expecting a miracle, as I’ve done what I can do,” said Chung, a separated family member. “I hope that the government can do its best. I wish that I could know my brother’s fate.”</p> | false | 1 | seoul south korea july 26 upi chung wangok 78 never thought wouldnt able see eldest brother sibling forcibly enlisted taken north koreas army 195053 korean war temporary farewell decadeslong painful wait promise reunion devastating conflict left south north korea technically war chung said spared effort find brothers whereabouts applied statearranged separated family reunions avail would like know whether alive mother died 20 years ago missing much said express depth sorrow stems tragedy live separately beloved ones chung among 60500 surviving elderly south koreans torn apart war ended truce peace treaty issue separated families highly emotional urgent humanitarian matter two koreas aging koreans passed away without chance meeting relatives opposite side tense interkorean border estimated 131200 dispersed family members waiting list reunion events 54 percent died end june according data seouls unification ministry korean red cross showed 626 percent south koreans hoping reunions age 80 pointing urgency holding family events liberal president moon jaein vowed stern response north koreas nuclear missile provocations also seeking dialogue north placing top priority resolving issue humanitarian grounds seoul last week offered hold interkorean military talks aimed easing border tensions last friday open red cross talks aug 1 resume reunions dispersed families south hopes hold reunions oct 4 koreas lunar fall harvest holiday 10th anniversary second interkorean summit deadline military talks passed north koreas silence pyongyang yet respond seouls offer family reunions talks kim sangyoung 81 expressed hope north could accept south koreas rapprochement offer making possible reunions move forward hoping meet elder brother two older sisters north korea part due war awaiting possible reunions mixture hope frustration hope red cross talks held august scheduled kim said outlook imminent family reunions remains murky north trying politicize issue experts say exchange family events pyongyang demanding seoul return 12 north korean women worked north korearun restaurant china defected south korea en masse last year north claimed lured kidnapped seouls spy agency south said chose defection free separated families voiced hope urgent identify whether family members north alive nearly 8 10 divided south korean families said top priority placed confirming kins fate according 2016 survey ministry unification charge interkorean affairs holding family reunions regular basis ranked second 103 percent followed exchanges letters 4 percent poll said since 1985 two koreas held 20 rounds facetoface reunion events involving 19800 family members sides last one held october 2015 facility mount kumgang north koreas east coast 200507 videobased reunions held seven occasions enabling 3750 people see longlost relatives according ministry south korea called family reunions regular basis urging north allow exchange letters least pyongyang responded seouls call oneoff reunions involving 100 families side insufficient heal suffering divided families much time left said shim gooseob leads private group separated families south government explore ways confirm separated families fate north korea exchanges letters postcards need permitted said resuming videobased reunions good idea make possible larger number families see relatives south korea said conducted dna tests dispersed families set database gene information used death move aimed identifying blood relationship potentially used inheritance legal disputes also made 10minute video messages around 18000 people contain wishes reunions personal stories seoul hopes deliver relatives north plan add 1500 video messages year said official korean red cross despite tricky situation separated families losing thread hope meeting kin expectations interkorean ties improve moons government expecting miracle ive done said chung separated family member hope government best wish could know brothers fate | 561 |
<p>Leaders of the European Union, and the German political class in particular, have constantly expressed their commitment to the doctrine of soft power. Unlike those trigger-happy Americans, they argue, who treat every conflict as a confrontation, to be settled in the last instance by military force, we Europeans believe in negotiation, compromise, and the humanity of our opponent. We settle disputes gently, by offering reasons and incentives, rather than threats. We don’t use armaments – indeed, we have fewer and fewer armaments to use – but quiet diplomacy, accompanied in the worst case by sanctions.</p>
<p>That is one reason why Britain sits so uncomfortably in the European Union. The British, like the Americans, do not believe that this ‘soft power’ is worth anything, without the hard power to back it up. They see conflicts as arising, in all serious and difficult cases, from intransigence. In the presence of a party with non-negotiable demands, determined to advance by force or stealth towards a conclusion favourable only to itself, you must show determination not to yield. If you are not prepared, in the last instance, to fight, your gentle persuasion is going to persuade no one except yourself, and the façade of gentleness will move only the self-congratulatory person who stares at you from the mirror. This is the lesson that we should draw from the history of the 20th&#160;century, in which tyrants and totalitarians confronted ‘soft power’ with a simple response: submit or die. And it is a lesson that we should be applying now, not only in the Middle East, but in Europe too.</p>
<p>The nature of this soft power has seldom been more poignantly expressed than in the recent visit of the German&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_for_Foreign_Affairs_%28Germany%29" type="external">Minister of Foreign Affairs</a>&#160; <a href="http://www.frank-walter-steinmeier.de/" type="external">Frank-Walter Steinmeier</a>&#160;to Iraq, there to give public expression to his concern for the displaced and tormented victims of the new Islamic State. The&#160; <a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/76983000/jpg/_76983147_023522174-1.jpg" type="external">photographs</a>&#160;show this well-fed German in his grey suit, looking decidedly uncomfortable among the thin bodies and lined faces of bereaved <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Middle-East/Who-are-Yazidis-and-why-are-they-being-killed-by-Islamic-State/articleshow/40316704.cms" type="external">Yazidis</a>, as he explains that Germany must, of course, provide help, but that it is illegal for the Germans to use force. Who made that law? Who is preventing the Germans from tearing it up? And what is the purpose of travelling at great expense to the place of conflict, in order to display your moral superiority and to wash your hands in public?</p>
<p>Of course, there is a real question who is ultimately to blame for the present situation – maybe it has to be laid at the door of the Americans and the British, or at least, at the door of Bush and Blair. That does not alter the fact that soft power is as likely to save the Iraqi minorities from massacre as offering your sandwich to a tiger is likely to save your arm. There is a time to act, and that time is now. The European elite is unable to act, since soft power requires placing military action so far down the agenda that it will always be too little too late. An Islamic Caliphate at the gates of Europe, growing like Pakistan into a country riven with internal conflict and armed to the teeth, swallowing one by one the disintegrated fragments of the Ottoman Empire, and creating a continuous flood of refugees into a continent already unable to cope with the influx – this, you might think, is a prospect that requires something more radical than flying in an ineffectual politician to explain that, for him at least, fighting is out of the question.</p>
<p>Exactly the same effect of soft power can be witnessed in Europe itself. Naughty, naughty, the European leaders say, as Putin seizes, first parts of Georgia, and then parts of Ukraine. The disgraceful crime of shooting down a civilian airliner, ignored by Putin as merely collateral damage, is ignored also by the Germans, who continue to make their special arrangements with the Russians, so as to be supplied with the energy that they will always need, since soft power runs on hot air. The very real dangers that now confront Eastern Europe require a system of strong deterrence. But soft power deters no one. It is the soft power of the European elite that persuaded President Obama to concede Putin’s demand&#160; <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-scraps-bush-missile-defense-plan/story?id=8604357" type="external">not to install a missile defence system</a>&#160;in the Czech lands and Poland. The same soft power has led to the rapid decline of armies and air-forces all across Europe, and the down-grading of NATO to a merely diplomatic body.</p>
<p>Provoked at last into doing something to help Ukraine, the EU has put in place a system of sanctions that mean absolutely nothing to Putin, and which will have the effect – as sanctions generally do – of encouraging Russia to be more autarkic, both economically and politically. As for the very real dangers now facing the Baltic states, has anyone in Brussels even noticed them? The Poles, it is true, have become a bit jittery. But soft power tells them that nationalism is the real cause of wars, that they must stop putting the love of country above ‘European ideals’, and that the whole point of the European Union is to get rid of borders, not to defend them.</p>
<p>It is therefore significant that the only European leader to have publicly declared the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq to be a military problem has been David Cameron. Although Obama has been weak and hesitant in his response, he at least took the initiative in this direction, and Cameron followed him. Thus it will always be – and thus it has been in all recent conflicts. Something in the Anglophone culture leads us to be sceptical of the idea of soft power, and to recognise that, in the last analysis, things are kept in place not by floppy elastic but by strong lines of force. The mistakes made in 1917, when the Bolsheviks were allowed to take power in Russia and the Ottoman Empire was condemned to destruction, have led to conflict after conflict. It is pointless assigning blame for this. But it is surely important to recognise that conflicts need policing, and that policing needs force. Only a culture that acknowledges this, and that duly honours both military action and the men and women who carry it out, can bring order to the world. By contrast, a culture of soft power, accompanied by the wealth, luxury and materialism so wondrously displayed in the awkward face of Frank-Walter Steinmeier as he sat among those pain-ridden Yazidis, will simply offer the world to the one most determined to grab it.</p>
<p>— Roger Scruton is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center</p> | false | 1 | leaders european union german political class particular constantly expressed commitment doctrine soft power unlike triggerhappy americans argue treat every conflict confrontation settled last instance military force europeans believe negotiation compromise humanity opponent settle disputes gently offering reasons incentives rather threats dont use armaments indeed fewer fewer armaments use quiet diplomacy accompanied worst case sanctions one reason britain sits uncomfortably european union british like americans believe soft power worth anything without hard power back see conflicts arising serious difficult cases intransigence presence party nonnegotiable demands determined advance force stealth towards conclusion favourable must show determination yield prepared last instance fight gentle persuasion going persuade one except façade gentleness move selfcongratulatory person stares mirror lesson draw history 20th160century tyrants totalitarians confronted soft power simple response submit die lesson applying middle east europe nature soft power seldom poignantly expressed recent visit german160 minister foreign affairs160 frankwalter steinmeier160to iraq give public expression concern displaced tormented victims new islamic state the160 photographs160show wellfed german grey suit looking decidedly uncomfortable among thin bodies lined faces bereaved yazidis explains germany must course provide help illegal germans use force made law preventing germans tearing purpose travelling great expense place conflict order display moral superiority wash hands public course real question ultimately blame present situation maybe laid door americans british least door bush blair alter fact soft power likely save iraqi minorities massacre offering sandwich tiger likely save arm time act time european elite unable act since soft power requires placing military action far agenda always little late islamic caliphate gates europe growing like pakistan country riven internal conflict armed teeth swallowing one one disintegrated fragments ottoman empire creating continuous flood refugees continent already unable cope influx might think prospect requires something radical flying ineffectual politician explain least fighting question exactly effect soft power witnessed europe naughty naughty european leaders say putin seizes first parts georgia parts ukraine disgraceful crime shooting civilian airliner ignored putin merely collateral damage ignored also germans continue make special arrangements russians supplied energy always need since soft power runs hot air real dangers confront eastern europe require system strong deterrence soft power deters one soft power european elite persuaded president obama concede putins demand160 install missile defence system160in czech lands poland soft power led rapid decline armies airforces across europe downgrading nato merely diplomatic body provoked last something help ukraine eu put place system sanctions mean absolutely nothing putin effect sanctions generally encouraging russia autarkic economically politically real dangers facing baltic states anyone brussels even noticed poles true become bit jittery soft power tells nationalism real cause wars must stop putting love country european ideals whole point european union get rid borders defend therefore significant european leader publicly declared islamic state syria iraq military problem david cameron although obama weak hesitant response least took initiative direction cameron followed thus always thus recent conflicts something anglophone culture leads us sceptical idea soft power recognise last analysis things kept place floppy elastic strong lines force mistakes made 1917 bolsheviks allowed take power russia ottoman empire condemned destruction led conflict conflict pointless assigning blame surely important recognise conflicts need policing policing needs force culture acknowledges duly honours military action men women carry bring order world contrast culture soft power accompanied wealth luxury materialism wondrously displayed awkward face frankwalter steinmeier sat among painridden yazidis simply offer world one determined grab roger scruton senior fellow ethics public policy center | 560 |
<p>JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-1) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-2)</p>
<p>GAME SNAPSHOT</p>
<p>KICKOFF: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, TV: CBS, Andrew Catalon, James Lofton, Otis Livingston (Field reporter).</p>
<p>SERIES HISTORY: 12th regular-season meeting. Jaguars lead series, 6-5. The Jets have won the last three meetings, with the last coming in Week 9 of the 2015 season at MetLife Stadium, a 28-23 decision in which <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chris-Ivory/" type="external">Chris Ivory</a>, now a member of the Jaguars, rushed for two touchdowns and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Ryan_Fitzpatrick/" type="external">Ryan Fitzpatrick</a> threw for two more. The teams have met in the playoffs once, in the 1998 AFC divisional round, as <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Bill_Parcells/" type="external">Bill Parcells</a> guided the Jets to a 34-24 win at Giants Stadium. <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Curtis_Martin/" type="external">Curtis Martin</a> had 182 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, while Keyshawn Johnson caught a touchdown pass from <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Vinny_Testaverde/" type="external">Vinny Testaverde</a> and ran for another score. Three of the Jaguars’ six wins in the series have been by four points or less or in overtime.</p>
<p>KEYS TO THE GAME: Jaguars quarterback <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Blake-Bortles/" type="external">Blake Bortles</a> played one of the best games of his career last week in the rout of Baltimore with 244 yards passing and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He may have an even bigger role against a Jets defense that has been fairly efficient in shutting down running attacks as evidenced by its performance a week ago when it held Miami to 30 yards on the ground. If the Jets stack the line to shut down rookie <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Leonard-Fournette/" type="external">Leonard Fournette</a> as the Ravens did last week, Bortles will need to take advantage and get the ball to his receivers, who should have one-on-one coverage.</p>
<p>Jets quarterback <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Josh_McCown/" type="external">Josh McCown</a> hasn’t thrown an interception the last two weeks, and that will have to continue for New York to be successful against a ball-hawking Jaguars defense that has at least one interception in each of its first three games, and eight takeaways overall. The Jets do not have an established No. 1 receiver, which could be a problem for McCown in throwing against the Jaguars solid cornerback tandem of <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jalen-Ramsey/" type="external">Jalen Ramsey</a> and <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/AJ-Bouye/" type="external">A.J. Bouye</a>.</p>
<p>With Jets running back <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Matt_Forte/" type="external">Matt Forte</a> likely to miss the game with an injury, all signs point to a low score from New York.</p>
<p>MATCHUPS TO WATCH:</p>
<p>–Jets QB Josh McCown vs. Jaguars CBs Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. McCown is off to a hot start with the Jets, completing 69.8 percent of his passes, the third-best mark in the AFC. But he averages less than 28 passes a game, resulting in just 200 yards a contest through the air. He’ll be challenged by Ramsey and Bouye who form one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL. In man coverage this season, Ramsey and Bouye have allowed 11 completions in 30 attempts for 151 yards and just one score in three games. Bouye is holding quarterbacks to a 37.5 rating, Ramsey just a shade higher at 38.4. Those kind of numbers will make it difficult for any quarterback to have passing success against the Jaguars secondary.</p>
<p>–Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette vs. Jets LB Demario Davis. After hitting the 100-yard mark in his season debut against Houston, Fournette has been held to 40 and 59 yards the last two weeks. The 199 yards is still the third-highest total by an AFC back after three games. Fournette has also had a handful of runs that resulted in double-digit gains that have been nullified by penalties. Davis is second in the league with 32 tackles and roams from side to side in stopping running plays. He has shown good play recognition and with his athleticism has the ability to avoid guards and centers paving the way for their running back.</p>
<p>FRIDAY INJURY REPORT</p>
<p>JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS</p>
<p>–Out: LB Lerentee McCray (knee), WR Jaelen Strong (hamstring)</p>
<p>–Questionable: S Tashaun Gipson (knee), LB Donald Payne (hamstring)</p>
<p>NEW YORK JETS</p>
<p>–Out: RB Matt Forte (knee, toe), TE Jordan Leggett (knee)</p>
<p>–Doubtful: LB Josh Martin (ankle), T Brandon Shell (shoulder)</p>
<p>–Questionable: DE <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Muhammad-Wilkerson/" type="external">Muhammad Wilkerson</a> (shoulder)</p>
<p>PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Tight end Marcedes Lewis. The 12-year veteran had become a forgotten weapon in recent years before he came through with four catches for 64 yards and three touchdowns last week against Baltimore. In each of the last three seasons, Lewis had just one game each year in which he caught as many as four passes. The 64 receiving yards are the most since 2014 when he had a 63-yard reception and 8-yard catch for 71 receiving yards. He had two TD catches in four games in 156 previous NFL games, three of which came in 2010. Lewis suddenly becomes a weapon that opposing defenses will now have to play close attention to, especially when the Jaguars get into the red zone.</p>
<p>FAST FACTS: Jaguars QB Blake Bortles passed for 4 TDs and had a 128.2 rating last week. He has 4 career games with 4-plus TD passes. He had 381 passing yards with two TDs in the last meeting with the Jets. Jags rookie RB Leonard Fournette has rushed for a TD in each of his first three career games. RB Chris Ivory had 18 TDs (16 rush, 2 rec.) in three seasons with the Jets (2013-15). The Jaguars lead the NFL with 13 sacks. DE <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Calais-Campbell/" type="external">Calais Campbell</a> ranks third in the NFL with 4.5 sacks… Jets QB Josh McCown completed 18 of 23 (78.3 pct.) for 249 yards with a TD for a 126.3 rating last week. He aims for his third straight week with 110-plus rating. LB Demario Davis led the team with 12 tackles and had three tackles for loss last week. He has a team-high 32 tackles, tied for second most in the NFL.</p>
<p>PREDICTION: The Jekyl-and-Hyde Jaguars were dominant in both of their wins but were horrible in their lone loss. They can’t afford to lay an egg against a very beatable Jets team.</p>
<p>OUR PICK: Jaguars, 27-10.</p>
<p>–ELLEN PORT</p> | false | 1 | jacksonville jaguars 21 new york jets 12 game snapshot kickoff sunday 100 pm et metlife stadium tv cbs andrew catalon james lofton otis livingston field reporter series history 12th regularseason meeting jaguars lead series 65 jets last three meetings last coming week 9 2015 season metlife stadium 2823 decision chris ivory member jaguars rushed two touchdowns ryan fitzpatrick threw two teams met playoffs 1998 afc divisional round bill parcells guided jets 3424 win giants stadium curtis martin 182 yards scrimmage two touchdowns keyshawn johnson caught touchdown pass vinny testaverde ran another score three jaguars six wins series four points less overtime keys game jaguars quarterback blake bortles played one best games career last week rout baltimore 244 yards passing four touchdowns interceptions may even bigger role jets defense fairly efficient shutting running attacks evidenced performance week ago held miami 30 yards ground jets stack line shut rookie leonard fournette ravens last week bortles need take advantage get ball receivers oneonone coverage jets quarterback josh mccown hasnt thrown interception last two weeks continue new york successful ballhawking jaguars defense least one interception first three games eight takeaways overall jets established 1 receiver could problem mccown throwing jaguars solid cornerback tandem jalen ramsey aj bouye jets running back matt forte likely miss game injury signs point low score new york matchups watch jets qb josh mccown vs jaguars cbs jalen ramsey aj bouye mccown hot start jets completing 698 percent passes thirdbest mark afc averages less 28 passes game resulting 200 yards contest air hell challenged ramsey bouye form one best cornerback tandems nfl man coverage season ramsey bouye allowed 11 completions 30 attempts 151 yards one score three games bouye holding quarterbacks 375 rating ramsey shade higher 384 kind numbers make difficult quarterback passing success jaguars secondary jaguars rb leonard fournette vs jets lb demario davis hitting 100yard mark season debut houston fournette held 40 59 yards last two weeks 199 yards still thirdhighest total afc back three games fournette also handful runs resulted doubledigit gains nullified penalties davis second league 32 tackles roams side side stopping running plays shown good play recognition athleticism ability avoid guards centers paving way running back friday injury report jacksonville jaguars lb lerentee mccray knee wr jaelen strong hamstring questionable tashaun gipson knee lb donald payne hamstring new york jets rb matt forte knee toe te jordan leggett knee doubtful lb josh martin ankle brandon shell shoulder questionable de muhammad wilkerson shoulder player spotlight tight end marcedes lewis 12year veteran become forgotten weapon recent years came four catches 64 yards three touchdowns last week baltimore last three seasons lewis one game year caught many four passes 64 receiving yards since 2014 63yard reception 8yard catch 71 receiving yards two td catches four games 156 previous nfl games three came 2010 lewis suddenly becomes weapon opposing defenses play close attention especially jaguars get red zone fast facts jaguars qb blake bortles passed 4 tds 1282 rating last week 4 career games 4plus td passes 381 passing yards two tds last meeting jets jags rookie rb leonard fournette rushed td first three career games rb chris ivory 18 tds 16 rush 2 rec three seasons jets 201315 jaguars lead nfl 13 sacks de calais campbell ranks third nfl 45 sacks jets qb josh mccown completed 18 23 783 pct 249 yards td 1263 rating last week aims third straight week 110plus rating lb demario davis led team 12 tackles three tackles loss last week teamhigh 32 tackles tied second nfl prediction jekylandhyde jaguars dominant wins horrible lone loss cant afford lay egg beatable jets team pick jaguars 2710 ellen port | 603 |
<p>AMSTERDAM — Jonathan Harris celebrated his 30th birthday by taking a photograph, writing a story and posting the both online before going to sleep at night. He did this for another 439 days, part of a project simply entitled Today. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that the experimental artist, now 38, is quite enamored with the concept of ritual, and neither is it shocking to see that his Top Ten list – usually a list of seminal or favored films – contains a book by design theorist Christopher Alexander and the entirety of YouTube (“I’m not a scholar of film history,” Harris notes modestly).</p>
<p>Although it doesn’t fit the obvious model of documentary, Harris’s work sits well with the festival, using the internet as litmus test of human behavior – take, for example, his spectacular 2006 project We Feel Fine, essentially a large database of human feelings, which regularly searches the internet for the words “I feel” and “I am feeling” and adds some 15-20,000 new “feelings” every day. Harris sees the connection too, but claims that documentary “is just an aspect of my work”. “I guess I don’t have any one particular label that I find works well.” he muses. “For me, I’ve just been deeply curious my whole life about why we’re here, who we are, and how we make meaning – all of those questions. And I’ve tried to use all sorts of different tools and technologies over the years to approach those questions from all sorts of different angles. And I think that process will continue.”</p>
<p>Variety spoke to Harris during his visit to <a href="http://variety.com/t/idfa/" type="external">IDFA</a>.</p>
<p>Have you had much of a relationship with <a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/in-loco-parentis-review-sundance-1201960808/" type="external">IDFA</a> prior to this year?</p>
<p>Jonathan Harris: I’ve had work in the DocLab part of IDFA – I think either two or three times over the last six or seven years – and I’ve been here once in person and over that time I’ve developed a nice friendship with Caspar [Sonnen], who’s the DocLab curator and I have seen him in the U.S. a couple of times. So it’s really through him, I would say.</p>
<p>How did you feel when they came to you not only for a retrospective but for the Top Ten?</p>
<p>I was definitely flattered and humbled. I felt that it was their way of reaching into the future and, this being the 30th anniversary of the festival, looking at the ways in which cinema is evolving in this time and wanting to pick someone who had been working in a more experimental way. [Laughs] Well, that’s kind of the story I told myself about why they picked me this year rather than my particular merits, necessarily. More as an archetype, maybe.</p>
<p>How did you put together the retrospective?</p>
<p>We worked on it together. It’s a fairly complete retrospective. It’s not every single work but it’s probably the best example of each phase of my career, I guess you could say. My work has had different formats and mediums over the years and we tried to pick the best example of each of those chapters, and then it ends with a new work, Work in Progress, which is very different from any of the previous ones. It’s a series of rituals that I’ve been working on at my family’s land in Vermont. where I moved back to in early 2016. That one is presented in a little wooden church that we built in the central courtyard of the DocLab venue and the church is filled with a bunch of little surprising elements including a bunch of images from of the films that I’ve been making of the rituals as I’ve been performing them. And those are presented without a lot of explanation.</p>
<p>Is that very representative of the rest of the work?</p>
<p>The bulk of the retrospective is in a more traditional gallery space and that includes nine projects arranged basically in chronological order, starting with sketchbooks that I kept while I was in university and leading up to Network Effect and Data Will Help Us, which are art projects from, like, two years ago but also including Word Count which was the first datavisual project that I made back in 2003, and then We Feel Fine, which is probably the most well-known project I’ve made, which was kind of a search engine for feelings.</p>
<p>Looking back on your work, what kind of evolution do you see there? Or are they just phases?</p>
<p>Definitely an evolution. I grew up in a very idyllic setting on a farm in Vermont, surrounded by nature. I was a very introverted child and I had a lot of health problems as a little kid, so I used art as a way of building a world of my own, but more safe and controllable than the family world around me. So I was making drawings and comic books from a very young age, and then I got into traditional oil paintings of landscapes in high school with a really good teacher. And then in college I started keeping sketch books, travel journals – very elaborate travel journals that were part of the practice of processing life as it was unfolding around me. And then that phase of kind of painting-based work ended very abruptly in 2003.</p>
<p>What happened?</p>
<p>I was robbed at gunpoint while traveling in Central America by five people with a gun to my head and a knife cutting my bag straps away. I got pretty badly hurt and had to go to hospital after the experience. One of the things that was stolen was a sketchbook with about nine months of work in it, and I took it as a sign – a sign telling me to try to use the computer science skills that I had been learning in college as an art medium. Up until that point, the computer programming side of me had been quite separate from the art-making side of me.</p>
<p>How did you start?</p>
<p>The earliest forms that that work took were pretty kind of classic data visualization packs, working with static data sets and adding graphic design principles to them, and then a little bit of interaction design too, to allow people to explore the data sets. Word Count is a kind of a good example of that phase. And then I started working with dynamic data sets – writing computer programs that would gather new data from the internet automatically every few minutes and feed that into the structures that I would create. So there was a tension between the order of the structures and the chaos of the data that was flowing into the structures.</p>
<p>Your more recent work is much more lo-tech. Why is that?</p>
<p>From there I wanted to kind of turn the lens back onto myself, using my own life as the material and the subject. After that … well, there was kind of a gap of upward of five years of feeling a lot of ‘stuckness’ – not making any new work and feeling very unproductive. During that time I did a lot of reading and what you might call exploring the so-called inner worlds. I did some meditation retreats and became interested in the inner world rather than the outer world. Then I tried to revisit the Internet with Network Effect (2015), but that ended up being kind of a critical project – it was about the negative effect that chronic Internet use is having on our psychology. That led me to move back home last year and starting this ritual work. And so that that’s kind of where I’m at now, working working with these rituals and working with our land, trying to transform this farm of ours into a place that can host groups of artists and writers and scholars.</p> | false | 1 | amsterdam jonathan harris celebrated 30th birthday taking photograph writing story posting online going sleep night another 439 days part project simply entitled today perhaps surprise experimental artist 38 quite enamored concept ritual neither shocking see top ten list usually list seminal favored films contains book design theorist christopher alexander entirety youtube im scholar film history harris notes modestly although doesnt fit obvious model documentary harriss work sits well festival using internet litmus test human behavior take example spectacular 2006 project feel fine essentially large database human feelings regularly searches internet words feel feeling adds 1520000 new feelings every day harris sees connection claims documentary aspect work guess dont one particular label find works well muses ive deeply curious whole life make meaning questions ive tried use sorts different tools technologies years approach questions sorts different angles think process continue variety spoke harris visit idfa much relationship idfa prior year jonathan harris ive work doclab part idfa think either two three times last six seven years ive person time ive developed nice friendship caspar sonnen whos doclab curator seen us couple times really would say feel came retrospective top ten definitely flattered humbled felt way reaching future 30th anniversary festival looking ways cinema evolving time wanting pick someone working experimental way laughs well thats kind story told picked year rather particular merits necessarily archetype maybe put together retrospective worked together fairly complete retrospective every single work probably best example phase career guess could say work different formats mediums years tried pick best example chapters ends new work work progress different previous ones series rituals ive working familys land vermont moved back early 2016 one presented little wooden church built central courtyard doclab venue church filled bunch little surprising elements including bunch images films ive making rituals ive performing presented without lot explanation representative rest work bulk retrospective traditional gallery space includes nine projects arranged basically chronological order starting sketchbooks kept university leading network effect data help us art projects like two years ago also including word count first datavisual project made back 2003 feel fine probably wellknown project ive made kind search engine feelings looking back work kind evolution see phases definitely evolution grew idyllic setting farm vermont surrounded nature introverted child lot health problems little kid used art way building world safe controllable family world around making drawings comic books young age got traditional oil paintings landscapes high school really good teacher college started keeping sketch books travel journals elaborate travel journals part practice processing life unfolding around phase kind paintingbased work ended abruptly 2003 happened robbed gunpoint traveling central america five people gun head knife cutting bag straps away got pretty badly hurt go hospital experience one things stolen sketchbook nine months work took sign sign telling try use computer science skills learning college art medium point computer programming side quite separate artmaking side start earliest forms work took pretty kind classic data visualization packs working static data sets adding graphic design principles little bit interaction design allow people explore data sets word count kind good example phase started working dynamic data sets writing computer programs would gather new data internet automatically every minutes feed structures would create tension order structures chaos data flowing structures recent work much lotech wanted kind turn lens back onto using life material subject well kind gap upward five years feeling lot stuckness making new work feeling unproductive time lot reading might call exploring socalled inner worlds meditation retreats became interested inner world rather outer world tried revisit internet network effect 2015 ended kind critical project negative effect chronic internet use psychology led move back home last year starting ritual work thats kind im working working rituals working land trying transform farm place host groups artists writers scholars | 624 |
<p>A former political director for the Culinary Union, a Department of Veterans Affairs project manager and a Las Vegas-based law firm’s director of marketing and technological services have applied to Clark County in hopes of filling Ruben Kihuen’s recently vacated state Senate seat.</p>
<p>The most-prominent applicant is Yvanna Cancela, 29, who led political outreach for the Culinary Union’s 57,000 members from November 2010 until she resigned earlier this month. She is now executive director at the Citizenship Project, a local nonprofit working to increase the number of immigrant families that naturalize.</p>
<p>“There is more work to do now than ever to make sure regular people have a voice in this country,” Cancela said. “I know what it takes to represent people and their families, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”</p>
<p>Commissioners are expected to vote on who will fill the Senate District 10 seat at their Tuesday meeting. Applications were due earlier this week.</p>
<p>The appointee will serve until the November 2018 election.</p>
<p>Kihuen, 36, had held the seat since 2010. He vacated it last month when <a href="" type="internal">he was elected to the U.S. House of</a> <a href="" type="internal">Representatives</a>.</p>
<p>Another applicant, 34-year-old Melissa Clary, has spent six years working for the VA.</p>
<p>Since June 2013, she’s been a project manager for its office of information technology and has, in addition to other projects, overseen the design, procurement and installation of IT infrastructure for a 2.2 million square foot, $800 million hospital campus in Denver.</p>
<p>“As a bureaucrat, I’ve had to work with everyone over my career, so I’m confident in my ability to reach across the aisle to work with members of the other party,” Clary said. “I want to have a hand in improving (Senate District 10) and I think my academic background, combined with my professional background, would get the job done.”</p>
<p>The Las Vegas Review-Journal was not able to immediately contact the third applicant, Justin Campese.</p>
<p>According to his application, the 36-year-old works as Anderson Business Advisors’ director of marketing and technological services. Before that, he was general manager of the Fortune Hotel and Suites.</p>
<p>If chosen, Campese wrote in his application that he’d advocate for partnering with large technology companies, allocating more funding for education and raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.</p>
<p>“Legislation needs to be passed to bring Nevada together, whether it’s mending the trust between police and citizens, transparency of government or helping with social services,” he wrote.</p>
<p>As required by state law, all applicants are Democrats — as was Kihuen — and live in District 10.</p>
<p>Some 122,000 people reside in the district, which encompasses the Strip, McCarran International Airport and the UNLV campus. A potential site for a planned $1.9 billion stadium is also inside the district.</p>
<p>The 2017 session of the Nevada Legislature will begin Feb. 6 with Democrats in control of both the state Senate and Assembly.</p>
<p>LEGISLATIVE GOALS</p>
<p>During her time with the Culinary Union, Cancela served as a lobbyist at three sessions of the Nevada Legislature.</p>
<p>She worked with issues including healthcare transparency, education funding and raising the minimum wage. Cancela called Kihuen an “essential component of the Democratic caucus.”</p>
<p>“I want to be a team player in the same way that he was,” she said. “I think Democrats have an opportunity to really take advantage of having the majority in both houses again and working with the governor to pass meaningful legislation.”</p>
<p>Cancela graduated from Northwestern University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. During the summer of 2009, she interned for U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid’s office, writing daily briefings for the senator’s Spanish language website and social media accounts.</p>
<p>She moved to Las Vegas in summer of 2010 to work as a field organizer for Reid’s re-election campaign.</p>
<p>Cancela was named a White House Champion of Change in 2013 and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada’s 2014 Civil Libertarian of the Year for helping coordinate a statewide campaign for comprehensive immigration reform.</p>
<p>“I’m interested in talking about things like healthcare affordability, education…” she said. “You have to understand what your constituents need and want, and know how to fight for those things through the legislative process.”</p>
<p>A resident of Nevada since 2005, Clary worked as a business specialist for the city of Las Vegas’ parks and recreation department until 2010. In 2013 she completed Nevada Emerge training for Democratic women interested in running for office.</p>
<p>Citing her experience in federal and municipal government, Clary said she would aim to find more funding for expanding public services inside her district.</p>
<p>“Senate District 10 is ground zero for homeless and mental health (issues) and addictions,” she said. “We need to be working with the experts in mental health much more.”</p>
<p>Clary graduated from UNLV with a master’s degree in public administration in 2008 and holds a paralegal certificate in business and environmental law from University of San Diego. She said she would also focus on increasing resources for college students and universities.</p>
<p>Clary said she would fight to bring economic development to the least wealthy areas of District 10 and raise the state’s minimum wage.</p>
<p>“The district has a lower median household income by approximately $20,000 less than the rest of the state and a below poverty level of 25 percent compared to the state’s 15 percent,” she said. “We cannot look the other way on the systemic issues leading to poverty here.”</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> | false | 1 | former political director culinary union department veterans affairs project manager las vegasbased law firms director marketing technological services applied clark county hopes filling ruben kihuens recently vacated state senate seat mostprominent applicant yvanna cancela 29 led political outreach culinary unions 57000 members november 2010 resigned earlier month executive director citizenship project local nonprofit working increase number immigrant families naturalize work ever make sure regular people voice country cancela said know takes represent people families dont take responsibility lightly commissioners expected vote fill senate district 10 seat tuesday meeting applications due earlier week appointee serve november 2018 election kihuen 36 held seat since 2010 vacated last month elected us house representatives another applicant 34yearold melissa clary spent six years working va since june 2013 shes project manager office information technology addition projects overseen design procurement installation infrastructure 22 million square foot 800 million hospital campus denver bureaucrat ive work everyone career im confident ability reach across aisle work members party clary said want hand improving senate district 10 think academic background combined professional background would get job done las vegas reviewjournal able immediately contact third applicant justin campese according application 36yearold works anderson business advisors director marketing technological services general manager fortune hotel suites chosen campese wrote application hed advocate partnering large technology companies allocating funding education raising minimum wage 15 hour legislation needs passed bring nevada together whether mending trust police citizens transparency government helping social services wrote required state law applicants democrats kihuen live district 10 122000 people reside district encompasses strip mccarran international airport unlv campus potential site planned 19 billion stadium also inside district 2017 session nevada legislature begin feb 6 democrats control state senate assembly legislative goals time culinary union cancela served lobbyist three sessions nevada legislature worked issues including healthcare transparency education funding raising minimum wage cancela called kihuen essential component democratic caucus want team player way said think democrats opportunity really take advantage majority houses working governor pass meaningful legislation cancela graduated northwestern university 2010 bachelors degree communication studies summer 2009 interned us senate democratic leader harry reids office writing daily briefings senators spanish language website social media accounts moved las vegas summer 2010 work field organizer reids reelection campaign cancela named white house champion change 2013 american civil liberties union nevadas 2014 civil libertarian year helping coordinate statewide campaign comprehensive immigration reform im interested talking things like healthcare affordability education said understand constituents need want know fight things legislative process resident nevada since 2005 clary worked business specialist city las vegas parks recreation department 2010 2013 completed nevada emerge training democratic women interested running office citing experience federal municipal government clary said would aim find funding expanding public services inside district senate district 10 ground zero homeless mental health issues addictions said need working experts mental health much clary graduated unlv masters degree public administration 2008 holds paralegal certificate business environmental law university san diego said would also focus increasing resources college students universities clary said would fight bring economic development least wealthy areas district 10 raise states minimum wage district lower median household income approximately 20000 less rest state poverty level 25 percent compared states 15 percent said look way systemic issues leading poverty contact michael scott davidson sdavidsonreviewjournalcom 7024773861 follow davidsonlvrj twitter | 541 |
<p>BEIJING — Escalating efforts to repatriate one of the ruling Communist Party’s most wanted exiles, Chinese police have opened an investigation on a new allegation, rape, against New York-based billionaire Guo Wengui, who has been releasing what he calls official secrets ahead of a pivotal party leadership conference.</p>
<p>Two Chinese officials with direct knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press that police are requesting a second Interpol arrest notice for Guo, 50, for the alleged sexual assault of a 28-year-old former personal assistant.</p>
<p>Guo and his representatives did not respond to repeated requests for comment.</p>
<p>The rape allegation represents a new element in the sprawling case that Chinese prosecutors are building against the real estate tycoon, who is being investigated for at least 19 major criminal cases. Allegations against him include bribing a top Chinese intelligence official, kidnapping, fraud and money laundering.</p>
<p>The Associated Press reviewed documents related to the rape investigation and confirmed their contents with Chinese official sources in Beijing, who requested anonymity to discuss an ongoing case.</p>
<p>The Chinese officials’ disclosures to the AP — an unusual move given the political sensitivity of Guo’s case in China — underscores Beijing’s urgent effort to not only bring a fugitive to heel on criminal charges but also silence a potent irritant in the run-up to a key Communist Party congress during which political stability and the stifling of any challenges to the party head, President Xi Jinping, are paramount.</p>
<p>Although the United States does not have an extradition agreement with China, Beijing hopes that a mounting body of evidence could sway the U.S. government against extending the exiled businessman’s visa, which is believed to expire in October, the Chinese officials said.</p>
<p>Senior U.S. and Chinese officials have discussed the allegations against Guo, according to a third person with direct knowledge of the talks. The Chinese officials are asking the U.S. to cancel Guo’s visa, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity.</p>
<p>It’s unclear what steps Washington plans to take, if any. The White House would not comment on the matter.</p>
<p>The Guo saga highlights how China’s efforts to repatriate elite Chinese seeking refuge on American soil have become increasingly contentious in the bilateral relationship. The U.S. government has often refused Beijing’s demands to extradite corruption suspects, citing flimsy evidence and China’s opaque justice system. But the U.S. has sent back two Chinese fugitives in the past three months, including one suspected of rape.</p>
<p>In recent months, Guo has become a widely followed — and, in the eyes of China’s leadership, highly destabilizing — social media presence by serving up sensational, if mostly unverifiable, tales of corruption and scandal within the Communist Party’s innermost sanctum, including among Xi’s closest allies.</p>
<p>In a daily stream of Twitter posts and YouTube videos tracked by Chinese who follow political gossip, Guo has revealed what he claims are everything from top leaders’ secret homes in California to their bank account information and hidden stakes in business empires. He has vowed to continue airing the party’s secrets until China unfreezes his assets and releases his relatives who have been seized by authorities, he says, as leverage against him.</p>
<p>Pressure on Guo has been building since April when Interpol issued a “red notice” seeking his arrest on corruption-related charges. Chinese authorities later sentenced several of his employees for fraud in June.</p>
<p>Police in central China opened the rape investigation July 5 after a former employee came forward, the officials said.</p>
<p>In interviews with police, the woman described how she was plucked from her human resources position at Guo’s real estate company in Hong Kong in 2015 and sent overseas to become his personal assistant. The woman, whose identity is being withheld by the AP, said that over the next two years, she was raped several times in New York, London and the Bahamas by Guo, who she said demanded sex from female employees as a test of their loyalty.</p>
<p>At times, she said, she languished in virtual detention after Guo’s staff confiscated her smartphone, computer, passport and keys and forbade her from leaving her room in his luxury apartment in the high-end London neighborhood of Belgravia. To prove her case, the woman surreptitiously met a lawyer friend in London earlier this year to give a written statement about her ordeal and kept her underwear, pregnancy tests and abortion pills as evidence, according to police documents.</p>
<p>In a brief phone interview with the AP arranged by Chinese officials, the woman confirmed the account and described fleeing Guo’s apartment to the Chinese Embassy in London in April to apply for a new passport before returning to China. She said she was speaking of her own volition and that police had assured her she could bring charges against Guo without facing repercussions for having worked for a highly sought-after fugitive.</p>
<p>“I just want him to face justice for what he did to me,” she said.</p>
<p>Calls to Guo’s mobile phone since Tuesday evening in New York rang unanswered. Guo also did not respond to multiple requests for comment sent by an AP reporter to his WhatsApp mobile messaging account since Tuesday. Lawyers representing him at the New York firm Boies Schiller Flexner did not respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>In April, Guo told AP he believed the Interpol notice issued at the time amounted to “state intimidation” and that China had submitted bogus documents to the international police organization.</p>
<p>Interpol declined to comment about the latest warrant China is seeking for Guo’s arrest, referring questions to national authorities as is the policy in ongoing investigations.</p>
<p>Born into poverty in central China, Guo transformed himself from a humble gasoline speculator into a real estate mogul who jet-setted with the likes of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Key to his spectacular rise, according to investigative profiles in Chinese media, was an ability to befriend officials in China’s powerful security apparatus who helped him intimidate business rivals, secure deals and gain insights into the secret lives of the Chinese elite.</p>
<p>In one instance, according to these reports, Guo won the rights to build the iconic Pangu tower in 2006 as part of Beijing’s Olympics development project by working with Ma Jian, who later became China’s chief of counterintelligence, to obtain a sex tape of a Beijing vice mayor who had blocked Guo’s initial bid.</p>
<p>In 2015, anti-corruption investigators detained Ma and later accused him of accepting $8.8 million in bribes from Guo, who fled the country. Prior to that, Guo had enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with China’s intelligence service, even helping to repatriate overseas fugitives, he later said in his YouTube videos.</p>
<p>Guo in 2015 hired American private investigators to fan out across the U.S. to look for Ling Wancheng, the fugitive brother of a disgraced top aide to a former Chinese president who possibly sought to defect, a person involved in that search effort told the AP. The person was legally barred from discussing the case publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.</p>
<p>Months later, Chinese agents arrived in the U.S. to search for Ling in a covert operation that angered U.S. officials, underscoring how the issue of politically connected Chinese fleeing to the U.S. has strained relations.</p>
<p>“With political cases such as Ling Wancheng and Guo Wengui, the U.S. seems reluctant to send them back because both have valuable classified information about the top echelons of the party,” said Willy Lam, an expert on Chinese politics at Chinese University of Hong Kong. “This phenomenon is a big plus for the CIA and FBI.”</p>
<p>Lam said that although it is unlikely that Washington would send Guo back given his intelligence value, President Donald Trump “could potentially play the ‘fugitive card’ to put pressure on Beijing to make concessions on issues ranging from trade to North Korea.”</p>
<p>The prospect of becoming a bargaining chip has worried Guo, according to a leaked audio recording of a meeting he held earlier this year with former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, who offered to lobby the Trump administration for a visa extension.</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &amp; Garrison, the law firm where Johnson is partner, said a meeting between Guo and Johnson “several months ago about a possible representation appears to have been recorded and released,” but the firm ultimately did not take on Guo as a client.</p>
<p>“I want to help you,” Johnson says in the edited recording that recently surfaced online. “I am the only member of Barack Obama’s Cabinet that has met with Donald Trump.”</p>
<p>In the recording, Johnson suggests Guo meet with FBI agents and consider donating to human rights organizations to strengthen his case to remain in the U.S. After Guo expresses concern that Trump had already “made a deal” with the Chinese, Johnson and an unidentified woman who appears to be a Guo adviser quickly assure him that Trump would not give him up.</p>
<p>“He would be violating your rights,” Johnson says, while the adviser points out that Guo, who goes by the name Miles Kwok, should also consider his membership in a Trump resort in Florida as a factor working in his favor.</p>
<p>“Miles is a member of Mar-a-Lago,” she says, before Guo bursts into laughter.</p> | false | 1 | beijing escalating efforts repatriate one ruling communist partys wanted exiles chinese police opened investigation new allegation rape new yorkbased billionaire guo wengui releasing calls official secrets ahead pivotal party leadership conference two chinese officials direct knowledge investigation told associated press police requesting second interpol arrest notice guo 50 alleged sexual assault 28yearold former personal assistant guo representatives respond repeated requests comment rape allegation represents new element sprawling case chinese prosecutors building real estate tycoon investigated least 19 major criminal cases allegations include bribing top chinese intelligence official kidnapping fraud money laundering associated press reviewed documents related rape investigation confirmed contents chinese official sources beijing requested anonymity discuss ongoing case chinese officials disclosures ap unusual move given political sensitivity guos case china underscores beijings urgent effort bring fugitive heel criminal charges also silence potent irritant runup key communist party congress political stability stifling challenges party head president xi jinping paramount although united states extradition agreement china beijing hopes mounting body evidence could sway us government extending exiled businessmans visa believed expire october chinese officials said senior us chinese officials discussed allegations guo according third person direct knowledge talks chinese officials asking us cancel guos visa according person spoke condition anonymity unclear steps washington plans take white house would comment matter guo saga highlights chinas efforts repatriate elite chinese seeking refuge american soil become increasingly contentious bilateral relationship us government often refused beijings demands extradite corruption suspects citing flimsy evidence chinas opaque justice system us sent back two chinese fugitives past three months including one suspected rape recent months guo become widely followed eyes chinas leadership highly destabilizing social media presence serving sensational mostly unverifiable tales corruption scandal within communist partys innermost sanctum including among xis closest allies daily stream twitter posts youtube videos tracked chinese follow political gossip guo revealed claims everything top leaders secret homes california bank account information hidden stakes business empires vowed continue airing partys secrets china unfreezes assets releases relatives seized authorities says leverage pressure guo building since april interpol issued red notice seeking arrest corruptionrelated charges chinese authorities later sentenced several employees fraud june police central china opened rape investigation july 5 former employee came forward officials said interviews police woman described plucked human resources position guos real estate company hong kong 2015 sent overseas become personal assistant woman whose identity withheld ap said next two years raped several times new york london bahamas guo said demanded sex female employees test loyalty times said languished virtual detention guos staff confiscated smartphone computer passport keys forbade leaving room luxury apartment highend london neighborhood belgravia prove case woman surreptitiously met lawyer friend london earlier year give written statement ordeal kept underwear pregnancy tests abortion pills evidence according police documents brief phone interview ap arranged chinese officials woman confirmed account described fleeing guos apartment chinese embassy london april apply new passport returning china said speaking volition police assured could bring charges guo without facing repercussions worked highly soughtafter fugitive want face justice said calls guos mobile phone since tuesday evening new york rang unanswered guo also respond multiple requests comment sent ap reporter whatsapp mobile messaging account since tuesday lawyers representing new york firm boies schiller flexner respond requests comment april guo told ap believed interpol notice issued time amounted state intimidation china submitted bogus documents international police organization interpol declined comment latest warrant china seeking guos arrest referring questions national authorities policy ongoing investigations born poverty central china guo transformed humble gasoline speculator real estate mogul jetsetted likes former british prime minister tony blair key spectacular rise according investigative profiles chinese media ability befriend officials chinas powerful security apparatus helped intimidate business rivals secure deals gain insights secret lives chinese elite one instance according reports guo rights build iconic pangu tower 2006 part beijings olympics development project working jian later became chinas chief counterintelligence obtain sex tape beijing vice mayor blocked guos initial bid 2015 anticorruption investigators detained later accused accepting 88 million bribes guo fled country prior guo enjoyed mutually beneficial relationship chinas intelligence service even helping repatriate overseas fugitives later said youtube videos guo 2015 hired american private investigators fan across us look ling wancheng fugitive brother disgraced top aide former chinese president possibly sought defect person involved search effort told ap person legally barred discussing case publicly spoke condition anonymity months later chinese agents arrived us search ling covert operation angered us officials underscoring issue politically connected chinese fleeing us strained relations political cases ling wancheng guo wengui us seems reluctant send back valuable classified information top echelons party said willy lam expert chinese politics chinese university hong kong phenomenon big plus cia fbi lam said although unlikely washington would send guo back given intelligence value president donald trump could potentially play fugitive card put pressure beijing make concessions issues ranging trade north korea prospect becoming bargaining chip worried guo according leaked audio recording meeting held earlier year former us secretary homeland security jeh johnson offered lobby trump administration visa extension spokeswoman paul weiss rifkind wharton amp garrison law firm johnson partner said meeting guo johnson several months ago possible representation appears recorded released firm ultimately take guo client want help johnson says edited recording recently surfaced online member barack obamas cabinet met donald trump recording johnson suggests guo meet fbi agents consider donating human rights organizations strengthen case remain us guo expresses concern trump already made deal chinese johnson unidentified woman appears guo adviser quickly assure trump would give would violating rights johnson says adviser points guo goes name miles kwok also consider membership trump resort florida factor working favor miles member maralago says guo bursts laughter | 933 |
<p>Historical dramas and those rooted in real-life events can be among the most challenging to score, but also yield a proportionally high number of Oscar winners. Four such live-action releases are among the most talked-about this awards season.</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/all-the-money-in-the-world/" type="external">All the Money in the World</a>Music by Daniel PembertonFor Ridley Scott’s film about the 1973 kidnapping of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty’s grandson, now completing post-production after the last-minute replacement of lead Kevin Spacey by Christopher Plummer, English composer Pemberton made a bold choice: voices of many kinds, from operatic to Italian folk singers.</p>
<p>“Getty sees himself as this grand figure,” Pemberton explains. “We have medieval voices, which refer back to his belief that he was descended from [Roman emperor] Hadrian; and the more grand operatic music, which was a slight reflection of Rome [where much of the film was shot] but also Getty’s own vision of self-identity.”</p>
<p>For the kidnappers, whose world is “grubby, rural, coarse and out in the middle of nowhere,” Pemberton discovered the sound of tenores: “an amazing folk tradition passed down through the generations in rural parts of Italy.” The composer even traveled to Sardinia to record the singers and incorporated the vocals into the score.</p>
<p>Rather than adapt classics, Pemberton composed the grand-opera and medieval-chanting sequences himself (translating phrases into Italian and Latin, respectively) and had them performed by a 70-piece orchestra and 20-voice choir, plus soloists.</p>
<p>Pemberton expects the music to remain intact despite the last-minute scramble to re-edit the film with new Plummer scenes.</p>
<p>Adds the composer: “If we have to re-score stuff, we’ll just go and re-score it.”</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/battle-of-the-sexes/" type="external">Battle of the Sexes</a>Music by Nicholas BritellAn Oscar nomination for the score to “Moonlight” put Britell on the map in 2016. This year, he tackles a gender battle of another kind: the story of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). The key to the music of “ <a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/spotlight/dunkirk-battle-of-the-sexes-marshall-1202634321/" type="external">Battle of the Sexes</a>” was in demonstrating the individual personalities of the rivals.</p>
<p>“Billie Jean’s personal theme is this warm, ambient soundscape, these shimmering bells,” Britell says. “Then it evolves so that when you’re in the match, you’re hearing the same thematic material with a 79-piece symphony orchestra.” Riggs’ theme is more of “a smoky kind of jazz ensemble: piano, upright bass, drum kit. I was trying to focus on his own insecurities.”</p>
<p>There is a difference between the Billie Jean piano and the Bobby piano, Britell notes: “Whenever you hear a piano and you see Bobby, it’s a small upright. Whenever you hear Billie Jean’s, it’s a nine-foot Steinway concert grand. There is this beauty and power and conviction to Billie Jean. The Steinway just felt appropriate to her and her mission.”</p>
<p>Britell even recorded the score with vintage microphones. “I processed a lot of the sound with analog tape filters,” he adds. “Even if the music isn’t overtly ‘70s, we wanted it to have that kind of texture.”</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/dunkirk/" type="external">Dunkirk</a>Music by Hans ZimmerIf there’s one thing director Christopher Nolan and composer Zimmer are constantly trying, it’s upping the ante with music in their films. To wit: “Inception” and “Interstellar,” where the collaborators demonstrated their affinity for tinkering with concepts of time. On “ <a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/news/golden-globes-nominations-dunkirk-get-out-lady-bird-1202635644/" type="external">Dunkirk</a>,” they revisit the approach in soundtracking the evacuation of British forces from northern France in 1940.</p>
<p>It all started with a pocket watch, a favorite of Nolan’s, and a recording of its ticking mechanism. Zimmer describes “re-synthesizing” the sound, “rebuilding it electronically so that I could move it in pitch and time,” says the composer with 10 Oscar noms and one win. “We wanted you to feel that sense of time running out, and how, under pressure, you can feel time differently.”</p>
<p>Nolan told Zimmer he didn’t want the score to be emotional, but rather “objective.” Indeed, throughout the film, Zimmer’s music grinds and chugs and whirs and bangs away. He worked closely with supervising sound editor Richard King so that music and sound effects would intertwine completely, as boat did with sand on those bloody Channel shores. Adds Zimmer: “We made all those sounds electronically. I don’t mean sampling, but literally sitting there in front of a synthesizer and creating new sounds. … It’s really an electronic score.”</p>
<p>Other than the Edward Elgar instrumental, Zimmer notes of Nolan’s much later brainstorm involved using the “Nimrod” from Edward Elgar’s 1899 “Enigma Variations,” which he and fellow composer Benjamin Wallfisch slowed down, deconstructed and hinted at periodically before playing it in recognizable form at the end. “That music means something about honor that you can’t put into words. It allowed you a sense of humanity.”</p>
<p>The composer delivered a 100-minute score before shooting began, then wound up spending seven months “struggling with the technology and mathematics of it all” — not least of which was the musical application of the so-called Shepard tone, an audio illusion of constantly ascending pitches that helps ratchet up the tension. Adds Zimmer: “This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/mudbound/" type="external">Mudbound</a>Music by Tamar-kaliFirst-time feature composer Tamar-kali received guidance from “ <a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/awards/palm-springs-festival-honors-mary-j-blige-mudbound-1202632679/" type="external">Mudbound</a>” director Dee Rees in the form of three words: “ancestors” and “dark strings.” Rees’ aim, says the Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter of the drama set in Jim Crow-era Mississippi, was “a very intimate score that was not sentimental. She wanted the music to be indicative of the physical environment. So in addition to underscoring the personalities of the characters, I’m also scoring the personality of the farm. That’s why there are deep tones and sounds that are essentially a representation of the mud.”</p>
<p>It’s an especially stark work of music, with just eight string players and Tamar-kali overdubbing herself on vocals during the opening grave-digging scene. “There’s this underlying sense of impending danger, and misery,” she says. “There’s also the monotony of living in that environment and what that entails. I was trying to give voice to that.”</p>
<p>Tamar-kali wrote the nearly 40-minute score in four weeks late last year, and hopes to do more films. “I’ve always been inspired across disciplines.”</p> | false | 1 | historical dramas rooted reallife events among challenging score also yield proportionally high number oscar winners four liveaction releases among talkedabout awards season money worldmusic daniel pembertonfor ridley scotts film 1973 kidnapping oil tycoon j paul gettys grandson completing postproduction lastminute replacement lead kevin spacey christopher plummer english composer pemberton made bold choice voices many kinds operatic italian folk singers getty sees grand figure pemberton explains medieval voices refer back belief descended roman emperor hadrian grand operatic music slight reflection rome much film shot also gettys vision selfidentity kidnappers whose world grubby rural coarse middle nowhere pemberton discovered sound tenores amazing folk tradition passed generations rural parts italy composer even traveled sardinia record singers incorporated vocals score rather adapt classics pemberton composed grandopera medievalchanting sequences translating phrases italian latin respectively performed 70piece orchestra 20voice choir plus soloists pemberton expects music remain intact despite lastminute scramble reedit film new plummer scenes adds composer rescore stuff well go rescore battle sexesmusic nicholas britellan oscar nomination score moonlight put britell map 2016 year tackles gender battle another kind story 1973 tennis match billie jean king emma stone bobby riggs steve carell key music battle sexes demonstrating individual personalities rivals billie jeans personal theme warm ambient soundscape shimmering bells britell says evolves youre match youre hearing thematic material 79piece symphony orchestra riggs theme smoky kind jazz ensemble piano upright bass drum kit trying focus insecurities difference billie jean piano bobby piano britell notes whenever hear piano see bobby small upright whenever hear billie jeans ninefoot steinway concert grand beauty power conviction billie jean steinway felt appropriate mission britell even recorded score vintage microphones processed lot sound analog tape filters adds even music isnt overtly 70s wanted kind texture dunkirkmusic hans zimmerif theres one thing director christopher nolan composer zimmer constantly trying upping ante music films wit inception interstellar collaborators demonstrated affinity tinkering concepts time dunkirk revisit approach soundtracking evacuation british forces northern france 1940 started pocket watch favorite nolans recording ticking mechanism zimmer describes resynthesizing sound rebuilding electronically could move pitch time says composer 10 oscar noms one win wanted feel sense time running pressure feel time differently nolan told zimmer didnt want score emotional rather objective indeed throughout film zimmers music grinds chugs whirs bangs away worked closely supervising sound editor richard king music sound effects would intertwine completely boat sand bloody channel shores adds zimmer made sounds electronically dont mean sampling literally sitting front synthesizer creating new sounds really electronic score edward elgar instrumental zimmer notes nolans much later brainstorm involved using nimrod edward elgars 1899 enigma variations fellow composer benjamin wallfisch slowed deconstructed hinted periodically playing recognizable form end music means something honor cant put words allowed sense humanity composer delivered 100minute score shooting began wound spending seven months struggling technology mathematics least musical application socalled shepard tone audio illusion constantly ascending pitches helps ratchet tension adds zimmer hardest thing ive ever done mudboundmusic tamarkalifirsttime feature composer tamarkali received guidance mudbound director dee rees form three words ancestors dark strings rees aim says brooklynborn singersongwriter drama set jim crowera mississippi intimate score sentimental wanted music indicative physical environment addition underscoring personalities characters im also scoring personality farm thats deep tones sounds essentially representation mud especially stark work music eight string players tamarkali overdubbing vocals opening gravedigging scene theres underlying sense impending danger misery says theres also monotony living environment entails trying give voice tamarkali wrote nearly 40minute score four weeks late last year hopes films ive always inspired across disciplines | 578 |
<p>WASHINGTON — Congress on Wednesday passed the most significant overhaul of the U.S. tax code in 30 years, delivering a landmark legislative victory to President Donald Trump and the Republicans that had once seemed impossible for the fractured party.</p>
<p>The sweeping measure imprints a clear conservative vision on the tax code that will affect nearly every household and business. Corporations will see a massive tax cut, while most Americans will see temporary savings of various sizes. And in a move that may prove politically perilous, Republicans delivered the biggest gains to the wealthy.</p>
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<p>The bill’s passage comes after Republicans had consolidated their hold in Washington but became entangled in a string of high-profile failures during their first year in power. This time, the GOP was able to hold together, driven in part by fear of ending the year without a single major legislative achievement.</p>
<p>The passage kicks off an intense period of uncertainty for consumers and businesses as both scramble to understand the changes and take advantage of the end of the calendar year to minimize tax bills. Some local governments said they were flooded with calls from homeowners seeking to pay their 2018 property taxes this year to avoid a cap on real estate tax deductions that will begin next year.</p>
<p>The legislation also will play a huge role in the coming campaigns for the 2018 midterm elections. Republicans hope their plan will set off a flurry of economic growth and win over a public that polls suggest is deeply skeptical. Democrats, meanwhile, plan to characterize the bill as a giveaway to the wealthy, in hopes that the message will help them retake Congress in November.</p>
<p>At the White House on Wednesday, Republicans were united in ways they haven’t been at any point during the Trump presidency, rebounding from internal divisions that plagued them when they sought to overhaul the nation’s health-care laws.</p>
<p>“We’re going to see something that’s going to be very special. We’re bringing the entrepreneur back into this country,” Trump said at the White House, flanked by dozens of Republicans. “We’re getting rid of all the knots and all the ties, and ultimately what does it mean? It means jobs, jobs, jobs.”</p>
<p>After a months-long effort that stalled several times, the final votes Wednesday and Tuesday night proceeded smoothly. Through cajoling, threats and concessions, Republican leaders had secured support from an overwhelming majority of their members. All but 12 House GOP members voted for the bill and zero Senate Republicans voted against it, enough to overcome Democrats’ unanimous opposition.</p>
<p>The core of the plan is a massive and permanent cut to the corporate tax, lowering the rate to 21 percent from 35 percent, but it also includes new tax breaks for other businesses and temporary cuts to individual income tax rates at all levels.</p>
<p>The bill also doubles what’s known as the “standard deduction,” which many middle-class and working-class Americans use to reduce their tax payments. It greatly expands a child tax credit, although families with higher incomes see more of the increase than those who make less. But it would reduce deductions that new home buyers can take for mortgage interest payments and scale back deductions Americans can take for taxes paid to state and local governments.</p>
<p>The bill also would reduce the estate tax, a levy on inheritances charged only to the wealthiest Americans. Under the bill, a couple could pass on up to $22 million in assets without the beneficiaries having to pay the tax. The plan also exempts more families from the alternative-minimum tax and repeal an alternative-minimum tax for corporations.</p>
<p>In furious floor speeches ahead of the votes, lawmakers previewed the coming struggle over the public’s perception of the measure that will continue through the midterm elections.</p>
<p>Republicans promised their plan would raise the fortunes of the middle class through rates cuts and an avalanche of economic growth, promising higher wages. Democrats cited nonpartisan analyses that found the bulk of the bill’s benefits go to corporations and the wealthy, accusing the GOP of an act of class welfare that will bust the federal budget while enriching corporations and billionaire donors.</p>
<p>“This bill is not centered on a middle-class tax cut,” Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said. “The fleeting sugar high this plan offers some middle-class families is just a distraction from its giveaways to multinational corporations and powerful donors.”</p>
<p>Much of how the bill will ultimately affect the middle class depends on decisions that have not yet been made. In 2018, the vast majority of Americans would see their taxes go down.</p>
<p>In the bill’s later years, however, many of the individual tax cuts are set to expire, leaving a broad swath of Americans paying more than they do right now. Republicans promise that a future Congress will intervene to prevent that tax hike from happening, while Democrats have questioned why the GOP procured a permanent cut for corporations while subjecting the middle class to years of uncertainty.</p>
<p>Equally in dispute is the bill’s ultimate impact on the nation’s finances. Congress’s official tax scorekeeper found that the plan would add more than $1 trillion to the deficit over 10 years, even after economic growth is taken into account. That figure would climb sharply if the individual tax cuts are extended.</p>
<p>Republicans dispute that analysis, arguing that surging economic growth will reduce or even eliminate their plan’s impact on the deficit. Democrats, meanwhile, have accused the GOP of fiscal recklessness that will eventually be paid for on the backs of the middle class. In truth, tax experts say, the impact of the tax plan on the federal budget over 10 years is difficult to pinpoint because a tax cut of this scope has not been enacted in recent history.</p>
<p>Republicans were handed instant selling points Wednesday when AT&amp;T and Comcast announced new $1,000 bonuses to a combined 300,000 employees. And Fifth Third Bancorp, a large Cincinnati lender, announced it would raise its minimum hourly wage to $15 an hour and give a one-time bonus of $1,000 to 13,500 employees because of the tax changes.</p>
<p>“This bill means more take home pay,” Trump told reporters earlier. “It will be an incredible Christmas gift for hardworking Americans.”</p>
<p>Other companies, however, say they plan to use the new tax breaks to bump stock dividends or buy back shares, moves that would enrich executives but do little for the workers they employ.</p>
<p>Senior White House officials said Trump will likely wait until January to sign the tax bill into law to avoid immediately triggering a 2010 law known as “PAYGO,” or “pay-as-you-go.” The budget law requires spending cuts to Medicare and other programs if legislation is approved that’s projected to add to the deficit.</p>
<p>If Trump signed the tax bill into law before Congress adjourns in December, lawmakers could be forced to vote on the PAYGO waiver measure as soon as next month to prevent immediate spending cuts. That could amount to as much as $25 billion to Medicare throughout next year.</p>
<p>Signing the tax bill into law in January would likely defer such a spending cut until 2019, giving Congress almost a year to come up with a solution. The PAYGO rules can be waived if 60 senators vote in favor, but Republicans will only control 51 Senate seats next year, meaning they will need to cut a deal with Democrats to prevent the cuts to Medicare from going into effect.</p>
<p>The bill also extends beyond taxes and into health care by scrapping a central part of the Obama-era law known as the Affordable Care Act. The repeal of the financial penalty for not purchasing health insurance does not go into effect until 2019. Projections vary on how the mandate’s absence will affect the health-care system, but the Congressional Budget Office has estimated it will result in 13 million fewer people having health insurance after a decade.</p>
<p>Trump heralded this aspect of the bill Wednesday.</p>
<p>“When the individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed,” he said.</p>
<p>Many Democrats and Republicans have said this is not true, although the change would mark the most substantial GOP step so far in dismantling President Barack Obama’s signature law. All other aspects of the health-care law would remain intact, and some Republicans have said they want to pursue new legislation that would lessen the impact of repealing the individual mandate.</p> | false | 1 | washington congress wednesday passed significant overhaul us tax code 30 years delivering landmark legislative victory president donald trump republicans seemed impossible fractured party sweeping measure imprints clear conservative vision tax code affect nearly every household business corporations see massive tax cut americans see temporary savings various sizes move may prove politically perilous republicans delivered biggest gains wealthy bills passage comes republicans consolidated hold washington became entangled string highprofile failures first year power time gop able hold together driven part fear ending year without single major legislative achievement passage kicks intense period uncertainty consumers businesses scramble understand changes take advantage end calendar year minimize tax bills local governments said flooded calls homeowners seeking pay 2018 property taxes year avoid cap real estate tax deductions begin next year legislation also play huge role coming campaigns 2018 midterm elections republicans hope plan set flurry economic growth win public polls suggest deeply skeptical democrats meanwhile plan characterize bill giveaway wealthy hopes message help retake congress november white house wednesday republicans united ways havent point trump presidency rebounding internal divisions plagued sought overhaul nations healthcare laws going see something thats going special bringing entrepreneur back country trump said white house flanked dozens republicans getting rid knots ties ultimately mean means jobs jobs jobs monthslong effort stalled several times final votes wednesday tuesday night proceeded smoothly cajoling threats concessions republican leaders secured support overwhelming majority members 12 house gop members voted bill zero senate republicans voted enough overcome democrats unanimous opposition core plan massive permanent cut corporate tax lowering rate 21 percent 35 percent also includes new tax breaks businesses temporary cuts individual income tax rates levels bill also doubles whats known standard deduction many middleclass workingclass americans use reduce tax payments greatly expands child tax credit although families higher incomes see increase make less would reduce deductions new home buyers take mortgage interest payments scale back deductions americans take taxes paid state local governments bill also would reduce estate tax levy inheritances charged wealthiest americans bill couple could pass 22 million assets without beneficiaries pay tax plan also exempts families alternativeminimum tax repeal alternativeminimum tax corporations furious floor speeches ahead votes lawmakers previewed coming struggle publics perception measure continue midterm elections republicans promised plan would raise fortunes middle class rates cuts avalanche economic growth promising higher wages democrats cited nonpartisan analyses found bulk bills benefits go corporations wealthy accusing gop act class welfare bust federal budget enriching corporations billionaire donors bill centered middleclass tax cut sen ron wyden dore said fleeting sugar high plan offers middleclass families distraction giveaways multinational corporations powerful donors much bill ultimately affect middle class depends decisions yet made 2018 vast majority americans would see taxes go bills later years however many individual tax cuts set expire leaving broad swath americans paying right republicans promise future congress intervene prevent tax hike happening democrats questioned gop procured permanent cut corporations subjecting middle class years uncertainty equally dispute bills ultimate impact nations finances congresss official tax scorekeeper found plan would add 1 trillion deficit 10 years even economic growth taken account figure would climb sharply individual tax cuts extended republicans dispute analysis arguing surging economic growth reduce even eliminate plans impact deficit democrats meanwhile accused gop fiscal recklessness eventually paid backs middle class truth tax experts say impact tax plan federal budget 10 years difficult pinpoint tax cut scope enacted recent history republicans handed instant selling points wednesday atampt comcast announced new 1000 bonuses combined 300000 employees fifth third bancorp large cincinnati lender announced would raise minimum hourly wage 15 hour give onetime bonus 1000 13500 employees tax changes bill means take home pay trump told reporters earlier incredible christmas gift hardworking americans companies however say plan use new tax breaks bump stock dividends buy back shares moves would enrich executives little workers employ senior white house officials said trump likely wait january sign tax bill law avoid immediately triggering 2010 law known paygo payasyougo budget law requires spending cuts medicare programs legislation approved thats projected add deficit trump signed tax bill law congress adjourns december lawmakers could forced vote paygo waiver measure soon next month prevent immediate spending cuts could amount much 25 billion medicare throughout next year signing tax bill law january would likely defer spending cut 2019 giving congress almost year come solution paygo rules waived 60 senators vote favor republicans control 51 senate seats next year meaning need cut deal democrats prevent cuts medicare going effect bill also extends beyond taxes health care scrapping central part obamaera law known affordable care act repeal financial penalty purchasing health insurance go effect 2019 projections vary mandates absence affect healthcare system congressional budget office estimated result 13 million fewer people health insurance decade trump heralded aspect bill wednesday individual mandate repealed means obamacare repealed said many democrats republicans said true although change would mark substantial gop step far dismantling president barack obamas signature law aspects healthcare law would remain intact republicans said want pursue new legislation would lessen impact repealing individual mandate | 830 |
<p />
<p>The Unmaking of Israel. Gershom Gorenberg. Harper Collins, New York. 2011</p>
<p>Many recent works are reflecting an internal crisis within Israel, part of which is the increased power of the ultra-Orthodox Jews within the educational, military, and political systems of Israel. Gershom Gorenberg’s “The Unmaking of Israel” presents clear and well-argued points concerning this aspect of current Israeli life and politics, and, as reflected in other works by Jewish writers, “The ongoing occupation, the fostering of religious extremism, the undercutting of the law by the government itself all threaten Israel’s future.”</p>
<p>Gorenberg’s thesis is narrowly focused on this aspect of Israeli life, and while there are some arguable points of historical interpretation, his general argument is well presented and well thought out. It is not a work about the Palestinians per se, but about the nature of the ongoing occupation and all the hazards that it brings back to Israel. It is about the nature of the settlements, and although this is not new territory (see Yakov M. Rabkin, “A Threat From Within”, Fernwood Publishing, Canada, 2006; and “Lords of the Land,” Eldar and Zertal, Nation Books, New York, 2005), his presentation is current with the ongoing trends of the settlements and Israeli politics. He looks at the effects on the military as the ultra-Orthodox constituency becomes political—against its better wishes—but also effectively so as a majority creator in the Knesset. His third thread is the increasing power of the ultra-Orthodox community in the manner in which the military is operated, and how that influences in turn the settlements and the occupation.</p>
<p>Foundations for Future Problems</p>
<p>The second chapter provides a brief and generally accurate description of events following the nakba. Gorenberg discusses aspects of democracy within the new state and the fact that neither a constitution nor a Bill of Rights has ever been crafted. Without a constitution to restrain political power (as opposed to democratic power), Gorenberg argues that the “deification of the state was even more dangerous than the potential concentration of power,” yet the “majority in parliament held nearly unlimited power.”</p>
<p>Compromises that were made then—the financial support of the Orthodox haredi schools; the deferments given to men studying at yeshivot, Talmudic studies, from military service; the creation of a Rabbinic bureaucracy to control marriage—were all seeds for the future. “No one imagined, for instance, that by funding haredi schools, the state would transform ultra-Orthodox society and risk ending up in the palm of its hand.”</p>
<p>As for the Palestinian Arabs, they were treated as “ethnic adversaries” rather than citizens to be integrated. The creation of new property laws, the exploitation of older laws from the Ottoman Empire and the British Mandate, and the ongoing acceptance of the Jewish National Fund contributed to the double standards of Israeli Arabs being colonized citizens of a theoretically democratic state.</p>
<p>Settlers and Outposts</p>
<p>In “The Capital of Lawlessness,” Gorenberg discusses events post 1967 in relation to the settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. After the war, settlements became a means by which Israelis could reclaim the land, and at the same time, “At driving wedges between Palestinian towns and preventing the emergence of a continuous Palestinian state.” Most of the section presents information that “in acquiring land for settlement, the state’s misuse of law was particularly blatant,” that the “new technique for acquiring land was to exploit local laws to establish that the property belonged to the state in the first place…. Everything was done according to law. But the law existed to serve the cause of settlement, not the cause of justice.” As Gorenberg argues, the occupied territory became “a realm where, ultimately, there was no law.” The end result of this lawlessness, he argues, is that “Stone by stone, they were dismantling the state of Israel.”</p>
<p>The next chapter examines the next generation of the settler population. Supported by the state through large financial incentives, the religious settlement movement is “recasting nationalism, at its most tribal, as religious doctrine.” The newer outpost settlements are “the flagship project of the militant second generation” again violating Israeli law and international law. The result of the support for the outposts, “fomented the growth of a theologically driven far-right movement that saw the state and even the established settlement leadership as illegitimate.” Generally, Gorenberg gives examples of how settlements have ignored/abrogated/transgressed laws in the occupied territories. While the courts may at times uphold the law, generally the government, army and /or police involved take no action.</p>
<p>Religion, the Military, and Working Life</p>
<p>The influence of the religious academies and their co-opting of the military is the subject of the next chapter. A later development augmenting the yeshivot studies of the Orthodox was the establishment of paramilitary academies. These academies present a viewpoint in which there becomes a risk of future insubordination or mutiny, and from the events surrounding the disengagement of 2005, “the state and the army have allowed the threat to democratic control of the military to grow.” Similarly, the government’s acquiescence to clerics in the military allows the “theological right…to politicize the military,” and legitimizes “the religious right’s antihumanistic attitudes and its claim to be the voice of Judaism.” Gorenberg concludes, “Israel evolves backward, returning to the moment of a fragile state facing an armed faction [Irgun under Menachim Begin] dedicated to fantasies of power and expansion.” Only this time, it comes from within the army.</p>
<p>The final argument on Israel’s unmaking concerns the haredi role of civic society within Israel. Generally, the haredi schools “provide scant preparation for earning a living and no preparation at all for participation in a democratic society.” By exempting the haredi from basic education and allowing the ultra-Orthodox to control the state’s religious bureaucracy, the state fostered a “burgeoning sector of society that neither understand nor values democracy.” The descriptions provided of the schooling and lifestyle of the haredi as fundamentalists is reminiscent of the criticisms many on the right in the west attribute to the Muslim madrassas, and indeed of the Christian fundamentalist right.</p>
<p>The influences of this sector are felt in politics, education, the economy, the military, the courts, religious institutions, and in arguments as to who is really Jewish.</p>
<p>Importing Settler Ideology</p>
<p>The final arguments concern the “importation” of the settler’s ideology into Israel proper, behind the Green Line. This has several facets. One is the ongoing ethnic struggle for land, where “settlers” are encouraged to live in areas that are predominantly Arab, or in cultural boundary areas between Arabs and Jews. In a sense Israel has created a burgeoning one state solution, as the “Green Line had truly been erased. Israeli cities and West Bank hills were fronts in the same war.”</p>
<p>Another facet was created when Avigdor Lieberman and “Israel is Our Home” party joined a coalition with Netanyahu’s Likud. This created an “intense effort to use parliamentary power against basic democratic principles.” A declaration of allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish and Zionist state” did not receive sufficient support, but another bill introduced the same idea for civil servants and yet another for employees of the film industry, and a third required it for immigrants other than those entitled under the right of return law. Another bill allowed housing segregation in community settlements.</p>
<p>Solutions</p>
<p>Gorenberg’s solutions are obvious in consideration of his thesis and supporting arguments. He sees three basic threads:</p>
<p>First, “End the settlement enterprise, end the occupation, and find a peaceful way to partition the land between the Jordan and the Mediterranean.”</p>
<p>Secondly, “it must divorce state and synagogue—freeing the state from clericism, and religion from the state.”</p>
<p>Finally, “Graduate from being an ethnic movement to being a democratic state in which all citizens enjoy equality.”</p>
<p>A discussion on how to repatriate the settlers indicates that “For Israel to move forward, most settlers must move home….The point of evacuating settlements is to end the ethnic conflict, not to import it.” With the more recent activism by Jewish and other supporters of Palestinian/Arab rights (the BDS movement is not mentioned, but “international pressure” is) Gorenberg concludes, “The settlements do not improve Israel’s bargaining position: rather, they destroy Israeli credibility and chain Israel to the occupied territories.”</p>
<p>Realistic?</p>
<p>The solutions offered by Gorenberg make a great deal of sense, and generally amount to unraveling the complicated web of military, religious, and political structures that have developed over the decades since Israel was formed and in particular since the start of the post-war 1967 occupation. If Israel existed in an isolated scenario these solutions would be difficult enough to enact.</p>
<p>There is a larger position to consider. Israel’s overall economy now reflects the general trend of right wing governments, with corporations and the military fully entwined in the political arena (see “Start-Up Nation – The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle,” Senor and Singer McClelland &amp; Stewart, Toronto, 2009; while extolling Israel’s “miracle” economic growth, it also illustrates the intertwined roles of the army, education, the government, and corporations—free enterprise it isn’t). The union of right wing theocracy with right wing political ideology will be a difficult arrangement to overcome, as the ability to control the population becomes one of the main enterprises of the now corporate-military state.</p>
<p>The U.S. is a prime example of this, while espousing the virtues of freedom and democracy, it has in the past decade enacted many laws that take away many citizens’ rights, and has abrogated and ignored many other laws from their own Constitution to international law. The U.S. is Gorenberg’s biggest miss in his discussion. Israel is either a U.S. outpost of militarized corporations, or the U.S. is Israel’s puppet fighting for its empire in the Middle East—perhaps a bit of both. With over 3 billion annually in aid, with much more in military ordinance and military, technological, and security information trading between the borders, not only does Israel need to resolve its internal problems if it is to survive as a democracy (already an arguable proposition), it will also have to resolve its relationship with the U.S.</p>
<p>Israel tends to use or ignore the U.S. as it best sees fit for its own purposes. With several hundred nuclear weapons and a technologically advanced military, Israel will continue to exist in one form or another for a long while. Whether it does so according to Gorenberg’s suggestions, all worthwhile and valid, will also depend on how it deals with its ties to the U.S. empire.</p>
<p>“The Unmaking of Israel” is a well worthwhile study in current political thought in Israel from the Jewish perspective looking for a fair, equitable, and democratic state, alongside the same for the Palestinians. I would like to see an addendum, or perhaps a whole new volume with suggestions on how Israel will deal with its U.S. ties, ties that will continue to limit its abilities to become what Gorenberg suggests.</p> | false | 1 | unmaking israel gershom gorenberg harper collins new york 2011 many recent works reflecting internal crisis within israel part increased power ultraorthodox jews within educational military political systems israel gershom gorenbergs unmaking israel presents clear wellargued points concerning aspect current israeli life politics reflected works jewish writers ongoing occupation fostering religious extremism undercutting law government threaten israels future gorenbergs thesis narrowly focused aspect israeli life arguable points historical interpretation general argument well presented well thought work palestinians per se nature ongoing occupation hazards brings back israel nature settlements although new territory see yakov rabkin threat within fernwood publishing canada 2006 lords land eldar zertal nation books new york 2005 presentation current ongoing trends settlements israeli politics looks effects military ultraorthodox constituency becomes politicalagainst better wishesbut also effectively majority creator knesset third thread increasing power ultraorthodox community manner military operated influences turn settlements occupation foundations future problems second chapter provides brief generally accurate description events following nakba gorenberg discusses aspects democracy within new state fact neither constitution bill rights ever crafted without constitution restrain political power opposed democratic power gorenberg argues deification state even dangerous potential concentration power yet majority parliament held nearly unlimited power compromises made thenthe financial support orthodox haredi schools deferments given men studying yeshivot talmudic studies military service creation rabbinic bureaucracy control marriagewere seeds future one imagined instance funding haredi schools state would transform ultraorthodox society risk ending palm hand palestinian arabs treated ethnic adversaries rather citizens integrated creation new property laws exploitation older laws ottoman empire british mandate ongoing acceptance jewish national fund contributed double standards israeli arabs colonized citizens theoretically democratic state settlers outposts capital lawlessness gorenberg discusses events post 1967 relation settlements occupied palestinian territories war settlements became means israelis could reclaim land time driving wedges palestinian towns preventing emergence continuous palestinian state section presents information acquiring land settlement states misuse law particularly blatant new technique acquiring land exploit local laws establish property belonged state first place everything done according law law existed serve cause settlement cause justice gorenberg argues occupied territory became realm ultimately law end result lawlessness argues stone stone dismantling state israel next chapter examines next generation settler population supported state large financial incentives religious settlement movement recasting nationalism tribal religious doctrine newer outpost settlements flagship project militant second generation violating israeli law international law result support outposts fomented growth theologically driven farright movement saw state even established settlement leadership illegitimate generally gorenberg gives examples settlements ignoredabrogatedtransgressed laws occupied territories courts may times uphold law generally government army police involved take action religion military working life influence religious academies coopting military subject next chapter later development augmenting yeshivot studies orthodox establishment paramilitary academies academies present viewpoint becomes risk future insubordination mutiny events surrounding disengagement 2005 state army allowed threat democratic control military grow similarly governments acquiescence clerics military allows theological rightto politicize military legitimizes religious rights antihumanistic attitudes claim voice judaism gorenberg concludes israel evolves backward returning moment fragile state facing armed faction irgun menachim begin dedicated fantasies power expansion time comes within army final argument israels unmaking concerns haredi role civic society within israel generally haredi schools provide scant preparation earning living preparation participation democratic society exempting haredi basic education allowing ultraorthodox control states religious bureaucracy state fostered burgeoning sector society neither understand values democracy descriptions provided schooling lifestyle haredi fundamentalists reminiscent criticisms many right west attribute muslim madrassas indeed christian fundamentalist right influences sector felt politics education economy military courts religious institutions arguments really jewish importing settler ideology final arguments concern importation settlers ideology israel proper behind green line several facets one ongoing ethnic struggle land settlers encouraged live areas predominantly arab cultural boundary areas arabs jews sense israel created burgeoning one state solution green line truly erased israeli cities west bank hills fronts war another facet created avigdor lieberman israel home party joined coalition netanyahus likud created intense effort use parliamentary power basic democratic principles declaration allegiance israel jewish zionist state receive sufficient support another bill introduced idea civil servants yet another employees film industry third required immigrants entitled right return law another bill allowed housing segregation community settlements solutions gorenbergs solutions obvious consideration thesis supporting arguments sees three basic threads first end settlement enterprise end occupation find peaceful way partition land jordan mediterranean secondly must divorce state synagoguefreeing state clericism religion state finally graduate ethnic movement democratic state citizens enjoy equality discussion repatriate settlers indicates israel move forward settlers must move homethe point evacuating settlements end ethnic conflict import recent activism jewish supporters palestinianarab rights bds movement mentioned international pressure gorenberg concludes settlements improve israels bargaining position rather destroy israeli credibility chain israel occupied territories realistic solutions offered gorenberg make great deal sense generally amount unraveling complicated web military religious political structures developed decades since israel formed particular since start postwar 1967 occupation israel existed isolated scenario solutions would difficult enough enact larger position consider israels overall economy reflects general trend right wing governments corporations military fully entwined political arena see startup nation story israels economic miracle senor singer mcclelland amp stewart toronto 2009 extolling israels miracle economic growth also illustrates intertwined roles army education government corporationsfree enterprise isnt union right wing theocracy right wing political ideology difficult arrangement overcome ability control population becomes one main enterprises corporatemilitary state us prime example espousing virtues freedom democracy past decade enacted many laws take away many citizens rights abrogated ignored many laws constitution international law us gorenbergs biggest miss discussion israel either us outpost militarized corporations us israels puppet fighting empire middle eastperhaps bit 3 billion annually aid much military ordinance military technological security information trading borders israel need resolve internal problems survive democracy already arguable proposition also resolve relationship us israel tends use ignore us best sees fit purposes several hundred nuclear weapons technologically advanced military israel continue exist one form another long whether according gorenbergs suggestions worthwhile valid also depend deals ties us empire unmaking israel well worthwhile study current political thought israel jewish perspective looking fair equitable democratic state alongside palestinians would like see addendum perhaps whole new volume suggestions israel deal us ties ties continue limit abilities become gorenberg suggests | 1,014 |
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<p>The January/February issue of&#160;Foreign&#160;Affairs&#160;features&#160; <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138481/robert-jervis/getting-to-yes-with-iran" type="external">an article</a>&#160;titled “Getting to Yes With Iran: The Challenges of Coercive Diplomacy” by Robert Jervis. By “Getting to Yes”, of course, Jervis means compelling Iran to obey Washington, and by the Orwellian phrase “Coercive Diplomacy”, of course, means issuing ultimatums and threats of criminal violence.</p>
<p>Jervis begins, naturally, with the usual obligatory assumption that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. No evidence is required for this; it is simply a matter of faith for the priesthood of the state religion who have taken upon themselves the role of manufacturing consent for U.S. policy. Thus he begins,</p>
<p>It might be wise for the United States to resign itself to Iran’s development of nuclear weapons and to focus on deterring the Islamic Republic from ever using them. But U.S. leaders have explicitly rejected that course of action….&#160;U.S. officials have also made it clear that they consider direct military action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon an extremely unattractive option, one to be implemented only as a regrettable last resort.</p>
<p>It is not that Jervis is unaware of the fact that there is no credible evidence that Iran is developing nukes. Indeed, he acknowledges that according to the U.S.’s own intelligence community, “the Iranians halted their development of nuclear weapons in 2003”. Something Jervis does not point out is that&#160; <a href="" type="internal">according to</a>&#160;the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the international nuclear watchdog agency, which is actively monitoring and inspecting Iran’s nuclear program, there is “no concrete proof that there is&#160;or has been&#160;a nuclear weapon programme in Iran” (emphasis added). But the acknowledgment in passing of the U.S. intelligence assessment that Iran today has no such program does not prevent Jervis from basing his arguments entirely on the axiomatic assumption to the contrary.</p>
<p>His argument proceeds as follows: Since the U.S. has rejected the idea of acquiescing to a nuclear-armed Iran, and since it considers direct military action against Iran’s nuclear program to be an “unattractive option”, therefore</p>
<p>that leaves only two tools for dealing with Iran’s advancing nuclear program: threats and promises, the melding of which the political scientist Alexander George labeled “coercive diplomacy.” To succeed in halting Iran’s progress toward a bomb, the United States will have to combine the two, not simply alternate between them. It must make credible promises and credible threats simultaneously — an exceedingly difficult trick to pull off.</p>
<p>Exceedingly difficult, indeed, to pull off describing a policy consisting of threats and ultimatums as “diplomacy”, but we aren’t to question such doublespeak.</p>
<p>As an example of how “exceedingly difficult” it is to “pull off” such “coercive diplomacy”, Jervis cites the case of Iraq and how “the threats issued by the George W. Bush administration during the run-up to the 2003 invasion” were “rendered ineffective” because Saddam Hussein was “so suspicious of the United States that a real rapprochement was never within reach”. So if only Saddam had trusted the U.S. more, then “a reasonable settlement” could have been achieved.</p>
<p>It is difficult to know what to make of such incoherent nonsense, particularly in light of the fact that the Bush administration was&#160;lying&#160;about the threat of&#160;nonexistent&#160;weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and the only “rapprochement” it would accept was for Iraq to acknowledge and destroy all of its&#160;nonexistent&#160;WMD. Since this obviously wasn’t possible for Iraq to do, a “reasonable settlement” could indeed not be achieved, and war ensued.</p>
<p>The case of Iran, Jervis contends, is even more difficult, and “Washington faces daunting obstacles in trying to establish the credibility of its threat to strike Iran.” The fact that it is a violation of international law (namely, of the U.N. Charter) for a nation not only to use force, but to&#160;threaten&#160;to use force in international relations is irrelevant to Jervis’s discussion, just as it is irrelevant to him that there is no evidence Iran is actually trying to build nuclear weapons.</p>
<p>He continues, noting that “threatening to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities is not the only form of pressure the United States can exert”; it can also “maintain the current punishing sanctions regime” that constitutes an act of collective punishment of the civilian population of Iran, which is also a violation of international law (namely, the Fourth Geneva Convention). In addition, the U.S. can “conduct additional covert actions, especially cyberattacks” — “additional” because it is understood that the U.S. has already engaged in covert actions against Iran, including working with Israel to create the Stuxnet worm to infect Iranian computer systems.</p>
<p>Jervis next outlines how the U.S. “can make its threats more credible”, the first of which is to “voice them publicly and unambiguously”, which, he notes, has already been done.</p>
<p>Next, the Obama administration must wage “a concerted campaign to inform the American public about the impending risk of war” — just as the Bush administration did with Iraq, and once again on the false pretext of a phantom menace.</p>
<p>That campaign should include “a congressional resolution authorizing the possible use of force against Iran”, meaning, in practical terms, that Congress should be remiss in its duties and unlawfully relegate to the Executive branch the authority to make war, which is granted by the U.S. Constitution only to the Congress — a purely symbolic proposed resolution, to be sure, given the fact that presidents regularly start wars without a Congressional declaration of war as required by the Supreme Law of the Land, a usurpation of power accepted without question by members of Congress and the intelligentsia serving in the priesthood.</p>
<p>Moreover, even if there was a Congressional declaration of war against Iran, any attack on that country would constitute a war of aggression, “the supreme international crime”, as defined at Nuremberg, “differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole”.</p>
<p>Following the failure of the above steps, the U.S. “could issue an ultimatum”. How this third step differs from the first two is not entirely clear; but as a further step,</p>
<p>U.S. policymakers could also stop publicly expressing their reluctance to use force and instead emphasize that they think an attack on Iran would benefit the United States. They could claim to expect that a U.S. strike would deal a dramatic blow to Iran’s nuclear effort, serve as a powerful warning to other potential proliferators, strengthen the United States’ global reputation for resolve, and possibly even trigger an Iranian revolution.</p>
<p>In other words, U.S. policymakers should pretend to be complete idiots and act as though they are totally oblivious to the dangerous implications of any attack on Iran and the unintended but predictable consequences expert analysts have been warning about for years.</p>
<p>That is, of course, in addition to pretending that they don’t understand that the U.S.’s own intelligence community has continued to assess that Iran today&#160;has no nuclear weapons program,&#160;a fact which, even when acknowledged, as in Jervis’s case, may then be simply ignored, deemed somehow irrelevant to any analysis of the situation.</p>
<p>The “most likely deal” that the U.S. could get, Jervis suggests, would be for Iran “to stop designing warheads” — presumably, he means &#160;nuclear&#160;warheads, which there is no credible evidence Iran is “designing”, but Jervis may perhaps also be suggesting that Iran may not have even conventional missile systems — and “to refrain from enriching uranium above the 20 percent level” — which is also something Iran&#160;is not doing.&#160;Iran has only enriched to 20 percent, and no more, for civilian applications. In addition to stopping things it isn’t doing, Iran must “accept limits on the capacities of its enrichment facilities” that are undefined; “allow robust inspections of its nuclear facilities”, also undefined, but presumably above and beyond those Iran is legally obligated to permit under its safeguards agreement with the IAEA under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to which it is a party; and, finally, “agree to refrain from building facilities that the United States could not destroy.” So Iran must agree, under the threat of force, to only build facilities that the U.S. could destroy, if the U.S. were to actually act on that threat. Any refusal on the part of the Iranians to make their nuclear facilities vulnerable to destruction by the nation threatening war against them would, of course, be judged unacceptable intransigence, proof of bad faith, and a possible&#160;casus belli.</p>
<p>Jervis adds that Iran, under those terms, could keep its most protected facility, the Fordow enrichment plant, “since it is vulnerable to a U.S. strike”. In sum, Iran must stop doing a number of things it&#160;isn’t&#160;doing, and if it doesn’t, then the U.S. will threaten violence– just as it was demanded of Iraq that it destroy all the WMD that it didn’t have, and if it didn’t do that, then war would commence.</p>
<p>Further on in his article, Jervis offers another approach: the U.S. could “unilaterally suspend some of its sanctions against Iran” and “halt all its military preparations related to Iran, or declare that the option of using force is no longer on the table.” But it would be “unlikely” that the U.S. would cease punishing the civilian population of Iran for their government’s crime of disobedience to Washington or that it would cease violating international law &#160;by threatening the use of force in international relations, and so Jervis gives this option no more consideration.</p>
<p>While the comparison of the U.S.’s “coercive diplomacy” with Iraq is certainly appropriate, Robert Jervis unfortunately chooses not to heed the most important lesson it has to offer, too obvious to mention.</p> | false | 1 | januaryfebruary issue of160foreign160affairs160features160 article160titled getting yes iran challenges coercive diplomacy robert jervis getting yes course jervis means compelling iran obey washington orwellian phrase coercive diplomacy course means issuing ultimatums threats criminal violence jervis begins naturally usual obligatory assumption iran developing nuclear weapons evidence required simply matter faith priesthood state religion taken upon role manufacturing consent us policy thus begins might wise united states resign irans development nuclear weapons focus deterring islamic republic ever using us leaders explicitly rejected course action160us officials also made clear consider direct military action prevent iran acquiring nuclear weapon extremely unattractive option one implemented regrettable last resort jervis unaware fact credible evidence iran developing nukes indeed acknowledges according uss intelligence community iranians halted development nuclear weapons 2003 something jervis point that160 according to160the international atomic energy agency iaea international nuclear watchdog agency actively monitoring inspecting irans nuclear program concrete proof is160or been160a nuclear weapon programme iran emphasis added acknowledgment passing us intelligence assessment iran today program prevent jervis basing arguments entirely axiomatic assumption contrary argument proceeds follows since us rejected idea acquiescing nucleararmed iran since considers direct military action irans nuclear program unattractive option therefore leaves two tools dealing irans advancing nuclear program threats promises melding political scientist alexander george labeled coercive diplomacy succeed halting irans progress toward bomb united states combine two simply alternate must make credible promises credible threats simultaneously exceedingly difficult trick pull exceedingly difficult indeed pull describing policy consisting threats ultimatums diplomacy arent question doublespeak example exceedingly difficult pull coercive diplomacy jervis cites case iraq threats issued george w bush administration runup 2003 invasion rendered ineffective saddam hussein suspicious united states real rapprochement never within reach saddam trusted us reasonable settlement could achieved difficult know make incoherent nonsense particularly light fact bush administration was160lying160about threat of160nonexistent160weapons mass destruction wmd rapprochement would accept iraq acknowledge destroy its160nonexistent160wmd since obviously wasnt possible iraq reasonable settlement could indeed achieved war ensued case iran jervis contends even difficult washington faces daunting obstacles trying establish credibility threat strike iran fact violation international law namely un charter nation use force to160threaten160to use force international relations irrelevant jerviss discussion irrelevant evidence iran actually trying build nuclear weapons continues noting threatening bomb irans nuclear facilities form pressure united states exert also maintain current punishing sanctions regime constitutes act collective punishment civilian population iran also violation international law namely fourth geneva convention addition us conduct additional covert actions especially cyberattacks additional understood us already engaged covert actions iran including working israel create stuxnet worm infect iranian computer systems jervis next outlines us make threats credible first voice publicly unambiguously notes already done next obama administration must wage concerted campaign inform american public impending risk war bush administration iraq false pretext phantom menace campaign include congressional resolution authorizing possible use force iran meaning practical terms congress remiss duties unlawfully relegate executive branch authority make war granted us constitution congress purely symbolic proposed resolution sure given fact presidents regularly start wars without congressional declaration war required supreme law land usurpation power accepted without question members congress intelligentsia serving priesthood moreover even congressional declaration war iran attack country would constitute war aggression supreme international crime defined nuremberg differing war crimes contains within accumulated evil whole following failure steps us could issue ultimatum third step differs first two entirely clear step us policymakers could also stop publicly expressing reluctance use force instead emphasize think attack iran would benefit united states could claim expect us strike would deal dramatic blow irans nuclear effort serve powerful warning potential proliferators strengthen united states global reputation resolve possibly even trigger iranian revolution words us policymakers pretend complete idiots act though totally oblivious dangerous implications attack iran unintended predictable consequences expert analysts warning years course addition pretending dont understand uss intelligence community continued assess iran today160has nuclear weapons program160a fact even acknowledged jerviss case may simply ignored deemed somehow irrelevant analysis situation likely deal us could get jervis suggests would iran stop designing warheads presumably means 160nuclear160warheads credible evidence iran designing jervis may perhaps also suggesting iran may even conventional missile systems refrain enriching uranium 20 percent level also something iran160is doing160iran enriched 20 percent civilian applications addition stopping things isnt iran must accept limits capacities enrichment facilities undefined allow robust inspections nuclear facilities also undefined presumably beyond iran legally obligated permit safeguards agreement iaea nuclear nonproliferation treaty npt party finally agree refrain building facilities united states could destroy iran must agree threat force build facilities us could destroy us actually act threat refusal part iranians make nuclear facilities vulnerable destruction nation threatening war would course judged unacceptable intransigence proof bad faith possible160casus belli jervis adds iran terms could keep protected facility fordow enrichment plant since vulnerable us strike sum iran must stop number things it160isnt160doing doesnt us threaten violence demanded iraq destroy wmd didnt didnt war would commence article jervis offers another approach us could unilaterally suspend sanctions iran halt military preparations related iran declare option using force longer table would unlikely us would cease punishing civilian population iran governments crime disobedience washington would cease violating international law 160by threatening use force international relations jervis gives option consideration comparison uss coercive diplomacy iraq certainly appropriate robert jervis unfortunately chooses heed important lesson offer obvious mention | 866 |
<p>ATLANTA — With the game on the line on numerous occasions, No. 25 Tennessee showed that perseverance pays off.</p>
<p>The Volunteers converted two turnovers into touchdowns and overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to defeat Georgia Tech 42-41 in double overtime Monday night in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.</p>
<p>“I think our <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/John_Walker/" type="external">football</a> team showed its grit,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. “We’re continuing to evolve. We have to get a lot better and make tremendous progress, but I’m just really proud of our players.”</p>
<p>Tennessee (1-0) was led by running back <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/John_Kelly/" type="external">John Kelly</a>, who ran 19 times for 128 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Quinten Dormady, making his first start, completed 20 of 37 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, both to Marquez Callaway, who had four receptions for 115 yards.</p>
<p>“As much as Marquez Callaway sparked us, John Kelly sparked us as well,” Jones said. “He played with passion, he played with energy. He played with a toughness, and he played with a great will to win.”</p>
<p>Georgia Tech (0-1) got a record performance from quarterback TaQuon Marshall, who was making his first start. He ran 44 times for 249 yards, scored five touchdowns and set single-game school records for most rushing yards by a quarterback and most touchdowns. Marshall also completed 5 of 9 passes for 120 yards.</p>
<p>KirVonte Benson rushed 26 times for 124 yards and one touchdown for the Yellow Jackets, who outgained the Volunteers 655 yards to 369 and possessed the ball for 41:27 of the 60 minutes in regulation.</p>
<p>“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a game where you run 96 plays and have 655 yards and lose,” Georgia Tech coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Paul_Johnson/" type="external">Paul Johnson</a> said.</p>
<p>Kelly scored on a 2-yard run in the second overtime to make it 42-35, but Marshall answered with a 13-yard touchdown run. The Yellow Jackets tried to win it with a two-point conversion, but Marshall was stopped at the line and his desperation pass fell incomplete to end the game.</p>
<p>“I just felt we had a better chance of getting a two-point conversion than we did of stopping them,” Johnson said. “They had scored twice on three plays in two overtimes. The second half, once they got rolling, there wasn’t much stopping them.”</p>
<p>In the first overtime, Marshall scored on a 1-yard run and Tennessee responded with a 1-yard touchdown run from Kelly.</p>
<p>The momentum shifted in favor of Tennessee when the Vols took advantage of a turnover and tied the game at 28-28 with 1:29 left in regulation. The Volunteers got the ball when Georgia Tech’s J.J. Green was stripped by Rashaan Gaulden at the end of an 18-yard run. The fumble was recovered by Tennessee’s Micah Abernathy at the 7. Tennessee drove 93 yards and scored on Kelly’s 11-yard run.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech drove into position to win the game at the gun, but Tennessee’s Paul Bain got a hand on the 36-yard field goal try by Shawn Davis to send the game to overtime.</p>
<p>The Yellow Jackets scored on their first drive of the second half, with Marshall powering in from the 1 over the right guard for a 21-7 lead.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech appeared to be driving for another score when an illegal block penalty forced them to attempt a 47-yard field goal. But Davis, who won the kicking job this week, shanked the kick and Tennessee took over at the 30.</p>
<p>The Vols raced downfield and scored with 42 seconds left in the third period. Dormady connected with Callaway for a 10-yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone to cut the deficit to 21-14.</p>
<p>“The first half obviously offensively I do not think we played to our standard and expectations,” Jones said.</p>
<p>The two teams traded scores early in the fourth quarter. Marshall ran it in from 6 yards with 13:08 left, and Tennessee answered with a 50-yard pass from Dormady to Callaway with 11:49 remaining.</p>
<p>The Yellow Jackets held a 14-7 lead at halftime.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech scored on its third possession, driving 86 yards in 12 plays to take a 7-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets began to run between the tackles to pick up consistent yardage. The big play on the drive was a 44-yard pass from Marshall to Ricky Jeune. The touchdown came on a keeper by Marshall from the 1.</p>
<p>Tennessee evened the score with 8:11 left in the half on a 1-yard dive by Kelly. The 46-yard drive was set up when Daniel Bituli knocked the ball away from Marshall and Cortez McDowell recovered the fumble for the Vols.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech ground out another score before the half, going 70 yards in 16 plays and seven minutes. Benson scored on a 1-yard run with 1:11 left in the half to give the Yellow Jackets a seven-point lead.</p>
<p>NOTES: Both teams announced their starting quarterbacks just prior to kickoff. Georgia Tech started junior TaQuon Marshall, and Tennessee started junior Quinten Dormady. … Clinton Lynch, Georgia Tech’s most productive returning A-back, was unable to play due to an undisclosed lower-body injury. Others not dressing for the Yellow Jackets were LB Boe Tufele, DL Cortez Alston, QB Tobias Oliver and DB Gentry Bonds. Inactive for Tennessee were LB Austin Smith and WR <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Josh_Smith/" type="external">Josh Smith</a>. … Honorary captains for the game were former Georgia Tech wide receiver <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Calvin_Johnson/" type="external">Calvin Johnson</a> and former Tennessee defensive end Chuck Smith.</p> | false | 1 | atlanta game line numerous occasions 25 tennessee showed perseverance pays volunteers converted two turnovers touchdowns overcame 14point secondhalf deficit defeat georgia tech 4241 double overtime monday night chickfila kickoff game mercedesbenz stadium think football team showed grit tennessee coach butch jones said continuing evolve get lot better make tremendous progress im really proud players tennessee 10 led running back john kelly ran 19 times 128 yards four touchdowns quarterback quinten dormady making first start completed 20 37 passes 221 yards two touchdowns marquez callaway four receptions 115 yards much marquez callaway sparked us john kelly sparked us well jones said played passion played energy played toughness played great win georgia tech 01 got record performance quarterback taquon marshall making first start ran 44 times 249 yards scored five touchdowns set singlegame school records rushing yards quarterback touchdowns marshall also completed 5 9 passes 120 yards kirvonte benson rushed 26 times 124 yards one touchdown yellow jackets outgained volunteers 655 yards 369 possessed ball 4127 60 minutes regulation dont think ive ever game run 96 plays 655 yards lose georgia tech coach paul johnson said kelly scored 2yard run second overtime make 4235 marshall answered 13yard touchdown run yellow jackets tried win twopoint conversion marshall stopped line desperation pass fell incomplete end game felt better chance getting twopoint conversion stopping johnson said scored twice three plays two overtimes second half got rolling wasnt much stopping first overtime marshall scored 1yard run tennessee responded 1yard touchdown run kelly momentum shifted favor tennessee vols took advantage turnover tied game 2828 129 left regulation volunteers got ball georgia techs jj green stripped rashaan gaulden end 18yard run fumble recovered tennessees micah abernathy 7 tennessee drove 93 yards scored kellys 11yard run georgia tech drove position win game gun tennessees paul bain got hand 36yard field goal try shawn davis send game overtime yellow jackets scored first drive second half marshall powering 1 right guard 217 lead georgia tech appeared driving another score illegal block penalty forced attempt 47yard field goal davis kicking job week shanked kick tennessee took 30 vols raced downfield scored 42 seconds left third period dormady connected callaway 10yard touchdown right corner end zone cut deficit 2114 first half obviously offensively think played standard expectations jones said two teams traded scores early fourth quarter marshall ran 6 yards 1308 left tennessee answered 50yard pass dormady callaway 1149 remaining yellow jackets held 147 lead halftime georgia tech scored third possession driving 86 yards 12 plays take 70 lead yellow jackets began run tackles pick consistent yardage big play drive 44yard pass marshall ricky jeune touchdown came keeper marshall 1 tennessee evened score 811 left half 1yard dive kelly 46yard drive set daniel bituli knocked ball away marshall cortez mcdowell recovered fumble vols georgia tech ground another score half going 70 yards 16 plays seven minutes benson scored 1yard run 111 left half give yellow jackets sevenpoint lead notes teams announced starting quarterbacks prior kickoff georgia tech started junior taquon marshall tennessee started junior quinten dormady clinton lynch georgia techs productive returning aback unable play due undisclosed lowerbody injury others dressing yellow jackets lb boe tufele dl cortez alston qb tobias oliver db gentry bonds inactive tennessee lb austin smith wr josh smith honorary captains game former georgia tech wide receiver calvin johnson former tennessee defensive end chuck smith | 556 |
<p>This piece also appeared in the Los Angeles Daily Journal. The hyperlinks do not appear in the published versions.</p>
<p>Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has long seemed to enjoy remarkable good fortune in getting assigned to sit on ideologically charged cases. Suspicions that his good fortune hasn’t been entirely due to luck were bolstered recently when the 9th Circuit <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/392889/hijinks-ninth-circuit-clerks-office-ed-whelan" type="external">revealed</a> that its clerk’s office had had a longstanding but undisclosed practice of assigning expedited cases — which tend to be of special importance — to the calendar panel with the most senior presiding judge. The arch-liberal Reinhardt was appointed to the court by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 and has long been very senior among active judges, so this practice would have especially benefited his case assignments.</p>
<p>Concerns that judges or court clerks might engineer case assignments for ideological purposes can’t simply be dismissed. A Texas Law Review <a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=957650" type="external">article</a> from 2000 makes a compelling case that 5th Circuit case assignments in civil-rights cases in the early 1960s were manipulated to ensure pro-civil rights majorities. In a controversial case a decade ago, the 6th Circuit’s chief judge <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/393791/chief-judgemotions-panel-shenanigans-ed-whelan" type="external">added himself</a> to an open spot on a panel instead of using the random draw that court rules required. In trying to minimize his violation, one of his colleagues offered the curious excuse that the chief judge did that frequently.</p>
<p>Judges and court clerks are people, too. They have their biases and their temptations to indulge those biases, especially when they think they can get away with it. Respect for the courts depends on the public’s trust that they act impartially. That’s why it’s important that courts develop and implement transparent procedures designed to ensure that the assignment of judges to cases is random and neutral.</p>
<p>Just before his term as 9th Circuit chief judge ended, Alex Kozinski kindly <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/393074/chief-judge-kozinski-responds-ed-whelan" type="external">responded</a> by email to questions I posed to him about the 9th Circuit’s now-abandoned practice of assigning expedited cases. I’m sorry to say that his responses didn’t alleviate my concerns.</p>
<p>For starters, it’s not at all clear that other 9th Circuit judges were ever informed of this practice. (Kozinski’s response is vague on the point.) One veteran judge wrote to tell me he had never heard of it. That’s consistent with what I’ve heard from other chambers.</p>
<p>Even more telling was Kozinski’s evident lack of interest in ensuring that case-assignment shenanigans don’t occur. I referred him to a law-review article that faults the 9th Circuit for having a case-assignment system that could be abused and suggested that the article might be of interest to him. His blunt reply: “No.”</p>
<p>The practice that the 9th Circuit has now abandoned was rife with potential for abuse. Among other things, the clerk’s office staff has been delegated authority to decide which cases to expedite, and it can select among calendar weeks in a way that affords plenty of opportunity for panel-shopping. So, for example, the clerk’s office ordered the Nevada marriage case expedited to “be calendared as soon as possible” and then <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/393479/more-hijinks-ninth-circuit-clerks-office-ed-whelan" type="external">passed over</a> other calendar weeks to assign it to a panel with Reinhardt as the presiding judge.</p>
<p>There’s also evidence that the clerk’s office didn’t uniformly apply the practice and that it may simply have used it as one of several tools to direct cases to Reinhardt. Under the practice, the anti-Proposition 8 appeal in 2010 apparently <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/393410/re-hijinks-ninth-circuit-clerks-office-ed-whelan" type="external">should have gone</a> to a panel headed by Mary Schroeder. Instead, it went to a panel headed by Reinhardt (who, to compound the irregularities, <a href="" type="internal">declined to recuse himself</a> even though the American Civil Liberties Union affiliate his wife then headed had taken part in the case and she had publicly celebrated the district-court ruling against Prop. 8).</p>
<p>The 9th Circuit has also been <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/390294/re-somewhat-higher-one-787-trillion-ed-whelan" type="external">faulted</a> for failing to separate the process of assigning judges to panels from the process of assigning cases to panels. That lack of separation makes it all the easier for rogue personnel to engineer the assignment of cases to panels with particular judges.</p>
<p>A new <a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2520980" type="external">study</a> by law professors Adam S. Chilton and Marin K. Levy finds that case assignments in several circuits, including the 9th, display “statistically significant deviations from random assignment.” In particular, they find that the deviation in the 9th Circuit is ideological in nature. While they refrain from inferring or alleging that the skewing is intentional, they provide ample cause for others to wonder.</p>
<p>Having operated a system that allows for abuses, the 9th Circuit owes it to the public to conduct a thorough investigation into how its case-assignment process has in fact operated. That investigation, preferably assigned to an outsider, should require information from clerk’s office staff as well as from the various chief judges over the years. Among other things, it should aim to uncover just how and when the recently disclosed practice of assigning expedited cases developed and operated. It should also examine case assignments as to which questions have been raised. And it should yield a detailed public report on these matters as well as on how the case-assignment process should be improved.</p>
<p>As Kozinski himself recently noted, chief judges “don’t get picked because of [their] administrative skills.” But that’s no excuse for them not to ensure that their courts have in place neutral rules that are administered faithfully. As the U.S. Supreme Court <a href="http://scholar.google.ca/scholar_case?case=3166560998749928304" type="external">observed</a> a few years ago — in the course, as it happens, of blocking the broadcasting of the anti-Prop. 8 trial and condemning the violation of rules by Kozinski and U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker — “If courts are to require that others follow regular procedures, courts must do so as well.”</p>
<p>If the 9th Circuit fails to act responsibly on this matter, it will be inviting an investigation by the Senate or House judiciary committee.</p>
<p>Edward Whelan is president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and is a regular contributor to National Review Online’s Bench Memos blog on judicial matters.</p> | false | 1 | piece also appeared los angeles daily journal hyperlinks appear published versions judge stephen reinhardt 9th us circuit court appeals long seemed enjoy remarkable good fortune getting assigned sit ideologically charged cases suspicions good fortune hasnt entirely due luck bolstered recently 9th circuit revealed clerks office longstanding undisclosed practice assigning expedited cases tend special importance calendar panel senior presiding judge archliberal reinhardt appointed court president jimmy carter 1980 long senior among active judges practice would especially benefited case assignments concerns judges court clerks might engineer case assignments ideological purposes cant simply dismissed texas law review article 2000 makes compelling case 5th circuit case assignments civilrights cases early 1960s manipulated ensure procivil rights majorities controversial case decade ago 6th circuits chief judge added open spot panel instead using random draw court rules required trying minimize violation one colleagues offered curious excuse chief judge frequently judges court clerks people biases temptations indulge biases especially think get away respect courts depends publics trust act impartially thats important courts develop implement transparent procedures designed ensure assignment judges cases random neutral term 9th circuit chief judge ended alex kozinski kindly responded email questions posed 9th circuits nowabandoned practice assigning expedited cases im sorry say responses didnt alleviate concerns starters clear 9th circuit judges ever informed practice kozinskis response vague point one veteran judge wrote tell never heard thats consistent ive heard chambers even telling kozinskis evident lack interest ensuring caseassignment shenanigans dont occur referred lawreview article faults 9th circuit caseassignment system could abused suggested article might interest blunt reply practice 9th circuit abandoned rife potential abuse among things clerks office staff delegated authority decide cases expedite select among calendar weeks way affords plenty opportunity panelshopping example clerks office ordered nevada marriage case expedited calendared soon possible passed calendar weeks assign panel reinhardt presiding judge theres also evidence clerks office didnt uniformly apply practice may simply used one several tools direct cases reinhardt practice antiproposition 8 appeal 2010 apparently gone panel headed mary schroeder instead went panel headed reinhardt compound irregularities declined recuse even though american civil liberties union affiliate wife headed taken part case publicly celebrated districtcourt ruling prop 8 9th circuit also faulted failing separate process assigning judges panels process assigning cases panels lack separation makes easier rogue personnel engineer assignment cases panels particular judges new study law professors adam chilton marin k levy finds case assignments several circuits including 9th display statistically significant deviations random assignment particular find deviation 9th circuit ideological nature refrain inferring alleging skewing intentional provide ample cause others wonder operated system allows abuses 9th circuit owes public conduct thorough investigation caseassignment process fact operated investigation preferably assigned outsider require information clerks office staff well various chief judges years among things aim uncover recently disclosed practice assigning expedited cases developed operated also examine case assignments questions raised yield detailed public report matters well caseassignment process improved kozinski recently noted chief judges dont get picked administrative skills thats excuse ensure courts place neutral rules administered faithfully us supreme court observed years ago course happens blocking broadcasting antiprop 8 trial condemning violation rules kozinski us district judge vaughn walker courts require others follow regular procedures courts must well 9th circuit fails act responsibly matter inviting investigation senate house judiciary committee edward whelan president ethics public policy center regular contributor national review onlines bench memos blog judicial matters | 554 |
<p>A secret government program that investigated <a href="http://www.shows.vegas/shows-las-vegas/UFO/tickets" type="external">UFO</a> sightings, stored objects of unknown origin in a Las Vegas warehouse and survived for at least five years with shadowy funding secured by Harry Reid?</p>
<p>Sounds about right to Dennis McBride.</p>
<p>The Nevada historian and author could only shrug when he read the New York Times’ bizarre Dec. 16 account of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, a mysterious Defense Department initiative to investigate reports of unidentified flying objects.</p>
<p>“I wasn’t surprised. I wasn’t surprised at all,” said McBride, director of the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas. “I’m sure that there’s all sorts of things going on we don’t know about because they are secret. Why not Harry Reid?”</p>
<p>Bigelow’s involvement</p>
<p>According to the Times, Pentagon officials recently acknowledged the existence of the UFO program, claiming it began in 2007 as part of the Defense Intelligence Agency and ended after five years. But the military intelligence official who ran it said the work continued after funding from Congress dried up in 2012.</p>
<p>The Times’ investigation unearthed contracts showing the program received $22 million in federal funding between 2008 and 2011. The money went to Bigelow Aerospace, the North Las Vegas-based company founded in 1999 by Robert Bigelow, owner of the Budget Suites of America hotel chain and one of Reid’s longtime friends and campaign contributors.</p>
<p>Bigelow’s company modified buildings in Las Vegas for the storage of metal alloys and other materials reportedly recovered from unidentified aerial phenomena, the Times said.</p>
<p>Bigelow’s fascination with outer space and the paranormal is well-documented. In 1997, he gave UNLV $3.7 million to establish the Bigelow Chair of Consciousness Studies, which featured course work in metaphysics, near-death experiences and extrasensory perception.</p>
<p>His aerospace firm is now testing an inflatable space capsule attached to the International Space Station under a contract with NASA.</p>
<p>Reid declined an interview request from the Review-Journal, but he told the Times he was proud of his role in starting the program and funding it with earmarks tucked away in the Pentagon budget for classified programs. He said the idea of investigating UFOs was suggested to him by astronaut and fellow Senator John Glenn, and the initiative was supported in the Senate by Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii.</p>
<p>Bigelow wasn’t interested in talking to the Review-Journal either.</p>
<p>Reached by phone on Wednesday, he said he was in a meeting and couldn’t talk. He said he would also be in meetings later that day and all of the next day. Then he asked, “How did you get this number?”</p>
<p>Nevada connections</p>
<p>McBride said Nevada has a rich history of both secret government projects and <a href="http://www.shows.vegas/shows-las-vegas/UFO/tickets" type="external">UFO</a> lore. In some cases, those two things are almost certainly connected.</p>
<p>He said parts of Central and Southern Nevada saw a spike in UFO reports in the 1950s and again in the late ’60s and early ’70s that coincided with classified aircraft testing at the Nevada Test Site and its famously secretive Area 51. Between 1952 and 1968, the Review-Journal published at least 29 stories about UFO sightings in the area.</p>
<p>McBride said he started collecting comics about aliens and flying saucers when he was a kid, and he has been collecting newspaper reports and other accounts of UFO encounters ever since. His files include tales of strange lights and objects in the skies over Boulder City, Black Mountain in Henderson and Moapa Valley. The oldest sighting dates back to the early 1930s, during the construction of Hoover Dam.</p>
<p>McBride said tiny Nelson, Nevada, about 30 miles north of Reid’s hometown of Searchlight, seems to be a hotbed for sightings for some reason.</p>
<p>He also recalls a string of cattle mutilations around Blue Diamond and Pahrump in the 1970s that some people tried to blame on space invaders.</p>
<p>Some Southern Nevada business owners and boosters have embraced the state’s out-of-this-world reputation.</p>
<p>State Route 375, which winds past the entrance road for Area 51, is officially known as the Extraterrestrial Highway. Las Vegas’ minor league baseball team, the 51s, has Cosmo the alien as its mascot.</p>
<p>In Rachel, the Lincoln County town closest to Area 51, the Little A’Le’Inn lures customers with alien-themed food, drinks and souvenirs. In Amargosa Valley, on the other side of the test site, a legal brothel called the Alien Cathouse lures customers with … er … something else.</p>
<p>“I don’t see anything wrong with exploiting it for a few tourist dollars,” McBride said.</p>
<p>A buff and believer</p>
<p>McBride is more than just a UFO historian. He’s a true believer.</p>
<p>He said his close encounter came during a trip to Botswana in 2014, when he watched in amazement as a lighted rectangle rose from a roadless patch of jungle, made a sharp diagonal turn and shot straight up into the sky at impossible speed.</p>
<p>But even if he hadn’t seen what he saw, McBride would still be a UFO buff. “It’s intriguing and fun to talk about,” he said.</p>
<p>He just wishes the government felt the same. “I don’t understand the secrecy,” McBride said.</p>
<p>That’s why he was pleased to see the curtain raised on Reid, the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program and the government’s effort to investigate the unexplained.</p>
<p>“It’s good to see something positive done with our tax dollars,” McBride said.</p>
<p>Contact Henry Brean at <a href="" type="internal">[email protected]</a> or 702-383-0350. Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/RefriedBrean" type="external">@RefriedBrean</a> on Twitter.</p> | false | 1 | secret government program investigated ufo sightings stored objects unknown origin las vegas warehouse survived least five years shadowy funding secured harry reid sounds right dennis mcbride nevada historian author could shrug read new york times bizarre dec 16 account advanced aerospace threat identification program mysterious defense department initiative investigate reports unidentified flying objects wasnt surprised wasnt surprised said mcbride director nevada state museum las vegas im sure theres sorts things going dont know secret harry reid bigelows involvement according times pentagon officials recently acknowledged existence ufo program claiming began 2007 part defense intelligence agency ended five years military intelligence official ran said work continued funding congress dried 2012 times investigation unearthed contracts showing program received 22 million federal funding 2008 2011 money went bigelow aerospace north las vegasbased company founded 1999 robert bigelow owner budget suites america hotel chain one reids longtime friends campaign contributors bigelows company modified buildings las vegas storage metal alloys materials reportedly recovered unidentified aerial phenomena times said bigelows fascination outer space paranormal welldocumented 1997 gave unlv 37 million establish bigelow chair consciousness studies featured course work metaphysics neardeath experiences extrasensory perception aerospace firm testing inflatable space capsule attached international space station contract nasa reid declined interview request reviewjournal told times proud role starting program funding earmarks tucked away pentagon budget classified programs said idea investigating ufos suggested astronaut fellow senator john glenn initiative supported senate ted stevens ralaska daniel inouye dhawaii bigelow wasnt interested talking reviewjournal either reached phone wednesday said meeting couldnt talk said would also meetings later day next day asked get number nevada connections mcbride said nevada rich history secret government projects ufo lore cases two things almost certainly connected said parts central southern nevada saw spike ufo reports 1950s late 60s early 70s coincided classified aircraft testing nevada test site famously secretive area 51 1952 1968 reviewjournal published least 29 stories ufo sightings area mcbride said started collecting comics aliens flying saucers kid collecting newspaper reports accounts ufo encounters ever since files include tales strange lights objects skies boulder city black mountain henderson moapa valley oldest sighting dates back early 1930s construction hoover dam mcbride said tiny nelson nevada 30 miles north reids hometown searchlight seems hotbed sightings reason also recalls string cattle mutilations around blue diamond pahrump 1970s people tried blame space invaders southern nevada business owners boosters embraced states outofthisworld reputation state route 375 winds past entrance road area 51 officially known extraterrestrial highway las vegas minor league baseball team 51s cosmo alien mascot rachel lincoln county town closest area 51 little aleinn lures customers alienthemed food drinks souvenirs amargosa valley side test site legal brothel called alien cathouse lures customers er something else dont see anything wrong exploiting tourist dollars mcbride said buff believer mcbride ufo historian hes true believer said close encounter came trip botswana 2014 watched amazement lighted rectangle rose roadless patch jungle made sharp diagonal turn shot straight sky impossible speed even hadnt seen saw mcbride would still ufo buff intriguing fun talk said wishes government felt dont understand secrecy mcbride said thats pleased see curtain raised reid advanced aerospace threat identification program governments effort investigate unexplained good see something positive done tax dollars mcbride said contact henry brean hbreanreviewjournalcom 7023830350 follow refriedbrean twitter | 539 |
<p>FRISCO, Tex. — The <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Dallas-Cowboys/" type="external">Dallas Cowboys</a> can’t wait to get to training camp.</p>
<p>It will provide a nice respite from the drama that has beset them this offseason.</p>
<p>It started with defensive end <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/David_Irving/" type="external">David Irving</a> getting suspended for the first four games of the season for using a banned supplement.</p>
<p>Then cornerback <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Nolan-Carroll/" type="external">Nolan Carroll</a> was arrested for driving while intoxicated.</p>
<p>Linebacker Damien Wilson was arrested July 4 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.</p>
<p>And now with camp less a week away, the Cowboys have hit the coup de grace of offseason craziness.</p>
<p>Receiver Lucky Whitehead went viral after his dog was allegedly kidnapped and returned.</p>
<p>Receiver <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Terrance-Williams/" type="external">Terrance Williams</a> made TMZ headlines for racing outside of a strip club at 5 a.m. on Monday.</p>
<p>And running back <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Ezekiel-Elliott/" type="external">Ezekiel Elliott</a> doubled down on his elongated investigation by the NFL for domestic abuse by being involved in an altercation at a Dallas nightclub on Sunday night. Elliott allegedly punched a patron and knocked him out. Elliott was not named in the police report.</p>
<p>But the Dallas police is investigating the incident and the NFL is also seeking information and gathering facts.</p>
<p>Cowboys owner <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jerry_Jones/" type="external">Jerry Jones</a> said he has spoken with Elliott, but he declined to go into details regarding the incident.</p>
<p>“I’m not going to get into that,” Jones said of the altercation. “I’m not going into any of his activities over the last week.”</p>
<p>But even more pressing for Jones is the possible suspension for the star running back, stemming from a domestic violence allegation by a former girlfriend last July.</p>
<p>The Columbus (Ohio) District Attorney did not think there was evidence to bring charges and dropped the case. However, Elliott has been under investigation by the NFL for the last year.</p>
<p>ESPN’s <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Adam-Schefter/" type="external">Adam Schefter</a> reported last week the league has wrapped up its case and was awaiting a response from Elliott. He also said Elliott was bracing for a possible short suspension.</p>
<p>Jones said he has not spoken to the NFL and expects to get more detail in the future.</p>
<p>But more telling is that Jones was not as certain as he had been in the past of Elliott escaping any discipline from the NFL and said the team has plans in place if he does miss games.</p>
<p>“I actually don’t know the status, but I surely don’t want to speculate about any decisions from the league or any potential injury or lack of having a player available,” Jones said. “Availability is a key. Ability is a key. But availability is a key, and we really do plan personnel-wise, we plan for a player not being available. That’s just part of our DNA.”</p>
<p>Jones said Elliott is still learning and adjusting to the spotlight of being an NFL star.</p>
<p>“I know that and I can say first hand that developing an awareness of where you are with the visibility that is involved today is in and of itself a learning, evolving thing,” Jones said. “People who have been in the public eye for years and years are having to rethink about how they are and how they approach the public eye. So it’s not just someone that’s recent to the public eye, as you well know, because of his style, personality, it’s like a rock star wherever he goes as far as potential.</p>
<p>“That anybody that thinks about it but certainly anybody that’s experienced that knows that takes some getting used to, to have to learn many aspects of that. So certainly Zeke is evolving and being subject to needing to learn how to deal with the media and social media the way it is today.”</p>
<p>Jones doesn’t expect these issues to impact the Cowboys when they report to training camp on Saturday.</p>
<p>He said the team has had distractions before and they understand how to handle them.</p>
<p>But he said there is a message that must be learned.</p>
<p>“I think the biggest message is not one that has to be stated,” Jones said. “That is your actions impact an entire team. It impacts an entire fan base. There is a responsibility there to the team. It is a reminder of the interest that is in your actions and behavior. It’s not dissimilar to the message you have when you sit down with a child and a young person and you let them know they represent everybody.”</p>
<p>TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS</p>
<p>–Make sure quarterback <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Dak-Prescott/" type="external">Dak Prescott</a> is not a one-year wonder. Prescott could seemingly do no wrong last season when he went from fourth-round project to fashioning the best rookie season of any quarterback in NFL history. Now the trick is to do it again and show some sustained success with the pressure of expectations upon him as the face of the team. He won’t be able to sneak up on opponents. They have a book on him and his tendencies. There can be no sophomore slump. Prescott must build on last year’s success and be better.</p>
<p>–Develop a pass rush. The Cowboys must find a way to get to the quarterback with their front four. They drafted defensive end <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Taco-Charlton/" type="external">Taco Charlton</a> in the first round to improve the pass rush. They need <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/DeMarcus-Lawrence/" type="external">DeMarcus Lawrence</a> to rebound from his one sack of a year ago. He had eight in 2015. They need David Irving to build on his success at the end of last season when he was the team’s best lineman. Of course, he will miss the first four games of the season under suspension. Benson Mayowa also had a strong finish to the season and led the team with six sacks. He needs to make an impact from the outset. Same with defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who finished with five sacks last year. Tyrone Crawford must finally perform in what could be his last year with the team as the guaranteed money on his contract runs out.</p>
<p>–See if linebacker Jaylon Smith can play. The Cowboys have been all in on Smith since the end of the 2016 season because of need and desperation for another legitimate playmaker on defense. It is lot to ask of Smith, who missed all of his rookie season with a college knee injury and still has some nerve damage. Him being able to play at all is quite the accomplishment. Yet, the Cowboys are counting him as an impact performer. The first step is being able to practice in pads in camp and then the preseason games. How he reacts to contact and recovers for the next practice and game will be key parts of the process.</p>
<p>PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART</p>
<p>QUARTERBACKS: Starter – Dak Prescott. Backups – <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Kellen_Moore/" type="external">Kellen Moore</a>, Cooper Rush, Zac Dysert.</p>
<p>RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Ezekiel Elliott, FB Keith Smith. Backups – <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Darren_McFadden/" type="external">Darren McFadden</a>, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Alfred-Morris/" type="external">Alfred Morris</a>, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Rod_Smith/" type="external">Rod Smith</a>, Jahad Thomas.</p>
<p>TIGHT ENDS: Starter – <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jason_Witten/" type="external">Jason Witten</a>. Backups – Geoff Swaim, James Hanna, Rico Gathers, Conner Hamlet.</p>
<p>WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters – <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Dez_Bryant/" type="external">Dez Bryant</a>, Terrance Williams. Backups – <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cole-Beasley/" type="external">Cole Beasley</a>, Brice Butler, Lucky Whitehead, Ryan Switzer, Noah Brown, Andy Jones, Lance Lenoir, Uzoma Nwachukwu, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Brian_Brown/" type="external">Brian Brown</a>.</p>
<p>OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LT Tyrone Smith, LG <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jonathan-Cooper/" type="external">Jonathan Cooper</a>, C Travis Frederick, RG Zack Martin, RT Lael Collins. Backups – G Joe Looney, T Emmett Cleary, G/T Chaz Green, G/T Byron Bell, G/T Dan Skipper, G Ruben Carter, G Nate Theaker, T Clay Dubord.</p>
<p>DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – DLE Tyrone Crawford, DLT Maliek Collins, NT Cedric Thornton, DRE DeMarcus Lawrence. Backups – DE Benson Mayowa, DE David Irving, DT Richard Ash, DE Taco Charlton, DE Charles Tapper, DE Lenny Jones, DE Damontre Moore, DT Stephen Paea, DT Jordan Carrell, DT Joe Ivy, DE Zach Wood, DT Woody Baron, DE Lewis Neal.</p>
<p>LINEBACKERS: Starters – WLB Sean Lee, MLB Anthony Hitchens, SLB Damien Wilson. Backups – SLB Kyle Wilber, MLB Mark Nzeocha, MLB Jaylon Smith, WLB John Lotulelei, WLB Joseph Jones, WLB Lucas Wacha, SLB Darnell Leslie, SLB Keenan Gilchrist.</p>
<p>DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters – LCB Nolan Carroll, RCB Orlando Scandrick, SS Jeff Heath, FS Byron Jones. Backups – CB <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Anthony_Brown/" type="external">Anthony Brown</a>, S Robert Blanton, CB Chido Awuzie, CB Jordan Lewis, S Xavier Woods, S Jamiell Showers, S Kavon Frazier, CB Marquez White, CB Leon McFadden, CB Duke Thomas, CB Sammy Seamster, CB Jeremiah McKinnon.</p>
<p>SPECIAL TEAMS: K <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Dan-Bailey/" type="external">Dan Bailey</a>, P <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Chris-Jones/" type="external">Chris Jones</a>, LS L.P. Ladouceur, KOR Lucky Whitehead, PR Ryan Switzer.</p> | false | 1 | frisco tex dallas cowboys cant wait get training camp provide nice respite drama beset offseason started defensive end david irving getting suspended first four games season using banned supplement cornerback nolan carroll arrested driving intoxicated linebacker damien wilson arrested july 4 aggravated assault deadly weapon camp less week away cowboys hit coup de grace offseason craziness receiver lucky whitehead went viral dog allegedly kidnapped returned receiver terrance williams made tmz headlines racing outside strip club 5 monday running back ezekiel elliott doubled elongated investigation nfl domestic abuse involved altercation dallas nightclub sunday night elliott allegedly punched patron knocked elliott named police report dallas police investigating incident nfl also seeking information gathering facts cowboys owner jerry jones said spoken elliott declined go details regarding incident im going get jones said altercation im going activities last week even pressing jones possible suspension star running back stemming domestic violence allegation former girlfriend last july columbus ohio district attorney think evidence bring charges dropped case however elliott investigation nfl last year espns adam schefter reported last week league wrapped case awaiting response elliott also said elliott bracing possible short suspension jones said spoken nfl expects get detail future telling jones certain past elliott escaping discipline nfl said team plans place miss games actually dont know status surely dont want speculate decisions league potential injury lack player available jones said availability key ability key availability key really plan personnelwise plan player available thats part dna jones said elliott still learning adjusting spotlight nfl star know say first hand developing awareness visibility involved today learning evolving thing jones said people public eye years years rethink approach public eye someone thats recent public eye well know style personality like rock star wherever goes far potential anybody thinks certainly anybody thats experienced knows takes getting used learn many aspects certainly zeke evolving subject needing learn deal media social media way today jones doesnt expect issues impact cowboys report training camp saturday said team distractions understand handle said message must learned think biggest message one stated jones said actions impact entire team impacts entire fan base responsibility team reminder interest actions behavior dissimilar message sit child young person let know represent everybody top three training camp goals make sure quarterback dak prescott oneyear wonder prescott could seemingly wrong last season went fourthround project fashioning best rookie season quarterback nfl history trick show sustained success pressure expectations upon face team wont able sneak opponents book tendencies sophomore slump prescott must build last years success better develop pass rush cowboys must find way get quarterback front four drafted defensive end taco charlton first round improve pass rush need demarcus lawrence rebound one sack year ago eight 2015 need david irving build success end last season teams best lineman course miss first four games season suspension benson mayowa also strong finish season led team six sacks needs make impact outset defensive tackle maliek collins finished five sacks last year tyrone crawford must finally perform could last year team guaranteed money contract runs see linebacker jaylon smith play cowboys smith since end 2016 season need desperation another legitimate playmaker defense lot ask smith missed rookie season college knee injury still nerve damage able play quite accomplishment yet cowboys counting impact performer first step able practice pads camp preseason games reacts contact recovers next practice game key parts process projected camp depth chart quarterbacks starter dak prescott backups kellen moore cooper rush zac dysert running backs starters ezekiel elliott fb keith smith backups darren mcfadden alfred morris rod smith jahad thomas tight ends starter jason witten backups geoff swaim james hanna rico gathers conner hamlet wide receivers starters dez bryant terrance williams backups cole beasley brice butler lucky whitehead ryan switzer noah brown andy jones lance lenoir uzoma nwachukwu brian brown offensive linemen starters lt tyrone smith lg jonathan cooper c travis frederick rg zack martin rt lael collins backups g joe looney emmett cleary gt chaz green gt byron bell gt dan skipper g ruben carter g nate theaker clay dubord defensive linemen starters dle tyrone crawford dlt maliek collins nt cedric thornton dre demarcus lawrence backups de benson mayowa de david irving dt richard ash de taco charlton de charles tapper de lenny jones de damontre moore dt stephen paea dt jordan carrell dt joe ivy de zach wood dt woody baron de lewis neal linebackers starters wlb sean lee mlb anthony hitchens slb damien wilson backups slb kyle wilber mlb mark nzeocha mlb jaylon smith wlb john lotulelei wlb joseph jones wlb lucas wacha slb darnell leslie slb keenan gilchrist defensive backs starters lcb nolan carroll rcb orlando scandrick ss jeff heath fs byron jones backups cb anthony brown robert blanton cb chido awuzie cb jordan lewis xavier woods jamiell showers kavon frazier cb marquez white cb leon mcfadden cb duke thomas cb sammy seamster cb jeremiah mckinnon special teams k dan bailey p chris jones ls lp ladouceur kor lucky whitehead pr ryan switzer | 824 |
<p>Moshe Koppel has written a&#160; <a href="http://mosaicmagazine.com/essay/2013/07/a-modest-proposal/" type="external">brilliant critique</a>&#160;of Israel’s approach to the relationship between religious communities and the government, and in the process has offered a profound meditation on the meaning of community in modern life. In a concise and learned way, he has opened up a crucial question to which many Israelis assume the wrong answer is the only answer. At the same time, he has shown an admirable appreciation for the limits of the Israeli polity. In short, he has accomplished the rare feat of writing an essay that is simultaneously practical and deep, ambitious and modest.</p>
<p>I worry, however, that his framing of the argument risks undermining its goal. Simply put, Koppel advocates the empowerment and independence of religious communities on the basis of their being communities, rather than on the basis of their being religious. In so doing, he puts himself at odds both with the Anglo-American tradition of religious toleration and with the Israeli tradition of social-democratic statism. By drawing upon a libertarian strain in Anglo-American political thought that emphasizes too simple a notion of choice, he denies himself recourse to arguments that might better appeal to his fellow Israelis.</p>
<p>Koppel begins by describing as “outlandish” the common view that the Jewish state should be deeply involved in the institutions and practices of its people’s Judaism. This view, he says, grounded as it is in the statism that has always defined Israel’s self-understanding, commits the fundamental error of “conflating peoplehood with statehood and community with state, and ignoring the fact that membership in each is determined in completely different ways.”</p>
<p>On this distinction between the state and the community hangs a great deal of Koppel’s argument. Thus, he defines a community as “composed of members who choose to submit to its authority because they identify themselves with its ethos,” while a state “imposes obligations (approximately) equally on all within its geographic scope.” It follows that communities, being voluntary, should avoid imposing their moral views on the larger society through legislation or through connecting their institutions with those of the state.</p>
<p>In advancing this position, Koppel isn’t suggesting that such entanglement is illegitimate, only that it is imprudent and unwise. Indeed, he goes out of his way to distinguish his view from what he terms the “universalism” of liberal thinkers like John Rawls, who believe that the only legitimate moral code in politics is a thoroughly individualist one, built around the notion of a choosing self that exists prior to all community affiliations. As Koppel rightly notes, this would mean in effect that no moral arguments except utilitarian ones could be legitimately raised in the public square.</p>
<p>But Koppel’s rejection of the unaffiliated, choosing self as the basic unit of social and political analysis requires us to take another look at his own definition of community. To insist that what matters most about community affiliations is that they are voluntary is at least implicitly to accept the notion of a choosing self that pre-exists those affiliations. Even more consequentially, it is to make religious affiliation just one more choice among many.</p>
<p>That Koppel himself inclines to this view is clear from his defense of his “prudential” argument against legislating religious morality and practice. To repeat, he insists that, however unwise such legislation may be, it is not in and of itself illegitimate:</p>
<p>I don’t see why arguments from religion are unacceptable while arguments from other, no less rigid ideologies are fine. I don’t see why restrictions on selling pig meat because it is offensive to Jewish tradition are more objectionable than restrictions on selling dog meat because it is offensive to European tradition.</p>
<p>Yet this passage points to the great vulnerability of the libertarian conception of community that Koppel seeks to advance. By contrasting religious convictions with “other, no less rigid ideologies,” he suggests that religious views are in fact just another ideology. Being fundamentally voluntary and chosen, religious commitments are no less but also no more important, and no more legitimate, than other choices.</p>
<p>By contrast, the tradition of religious toleration (or what the spirit of our times now compels us to call “religious liberty”), which is the foundation of the case for separating religious and political establishments in the Anglo-American world, emphatically rejects this equation. Instead, it argues for keeping religion apart from politics on the grounds that religion is&#160;more&#160;than just another ideology. Unlike affiliations with assorted civic organizations or community groups, religious commitments are understood to flow from a profound obligation that is not a product of choice. To force a citizen to violate his religious obligations is to compel him to violate his conscience. By the same token, allowing him to meet his religious obligations is not a matter of leaving him free to make a choice but a matter of leaving him free to do what he has no choice but to do.</p>
<p>John Locke’s&#160;Letter Concerning Toleration, written in 1689 and often regarded as the cornerstone of the Anglo-American idea of religious liberty, articulate this view concisely:</p>
<p>Every man has an immortal soul, capable of eternal happiness or misery; whose happiness depends upon his believing and doing those things in this life which are necessary to the obtaining of God’s favor, and are prescribed by God to that end. It follows from thence . . . that the observance of these things is the highest obligation that lies upon mankind.</p>
<p>If religious affiliation and practice constitute our “highest obligation,” the state must take special care not to prevent us from meeting that obligation.</p>
<p>No less clear is James Madison, the author of the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution and so of America’s formal rejection of religious establishment. Here he is writing in his famous “Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments” (1785):</p>
<p>It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to Him. This duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society. Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.</p>
<p>Religion, in this reasoning, is prior to politics. The nature of each person’s or each community’s obligation to God is surely up to the judgment of that person or community. But the government cannot look upon those judgments as mere choices, because to the people involved they are not optional. Why, then, avoid the legislation of religious morality or practice? Because of the fact of religious diversity: there are contested questions among religious movements and sects, and the only way to govern people with such different views is to leave the government out of those questions.</p>
<p>It is not hard to imagine an argument along these same lines for the disestablishment of Israeli Judaism. Given the differences between secular and religious Jews in Israel, among religious Jews themselves, and among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the case for allowing religious communities to govern their own specifically religious affairs is as strong as the case&#160;againststate involvement in the management of religious institutions.</p>
<p>Koppel himself gestures toward this line of reasoning with his prudential argument against religious establishments. Entanglement with the state, he writes sharply, tends to undermine the quality of the clergy with perverse incentives and infantilizes the members of religious communities by encouraging dependence and sloth. Ultimately, however, he bases his appeal in an idea of the religious community that fails to elevate religion above assorted other choices, and he therefore fails to show why religion and politics ought to be distinguished—even in a nation that does not prize individual liberty above all.</p>
<p>Indeed, Koppel’s view of the proper relationship between state and community is even more foreign to Israel than his idea of religious communities independent of the government. After all, as he himself notes at the end of his essay, Israel’s intellectual and historical roots are not America’s.</p>
<p>Israel’s political culture is a product mainly of the social-democratic movements that emerged in central Europe in the course of the 19th century. In the Israeli political tradition, therefore, the “conflation of peoplehood with statehood,” to use Koppel’s disapproving characterization, is an absolutely fundamental principle. That conflation is nearly the essence of Zionism. It is not going away, and if it is to be refined and mitigated, the process will have to take place as the consequence, not as the premise, of a burgeoning civil society and religious community.</p>
<p>Fortunately, signs of such a burgeoning are evident all around in today’s Israel. In the fullness of time, this should make it far easier to point to the uniqueness of religion—that is, to the fact that religion is a source of unchosen obligations&#160;and&#160;a source of division and disagreement among citizens—and to argue on those grounds for a religious exception to the notion that all social institutions should be government institutions. Easier, certainly, than to make the same argument by describing religious commitments as just another choice, no more or less legitimate than other rigid ideologies.</p>
<p>In the end, yielding to the fetish of choice seems an unconstructive path to the worthy goal that Koppel has set for himself and his fellow citizens. He might do better to argue for the&#160;limits&#160;of choice, as well as the limits of politics, as foundations for a clear distinction between religion and the state, even in the Jewish state.</p>
<p>Yuval Levin is Hertog Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and editor of&#160;National Affairs.</p> | false | 1 | moshe koppel written a160 brilliant critique160of israels approach relationship religious communities government process offered profound meditation meaning community modern life concise learned way opened crucial question many israelis assume wrong answer answer time shown admirable appreciation limits israeli polity short accomplished rare feat writing essay simultaneously practical deep ambitious modest worry however framing argument risks undermining goal simply put koppel advocates empowerment independence religious communities basis communities rather basis religious puts odds angloamerican tradition religious toleration israeli tradition socialdemocratic statism drawing upon libertarian strain angloamerican political thought emphasizes simple notion choice denies recourse arguments might better appeal fellow israelis koppel begins describing outlandish common view jewish state deeply involved institutions practices peoples judaism view says grounded statism always defined israels selfunderstanding commits fundamental error conflating peoplehood statehood community state ignoring fact membership determined completely different ways distinction state community hangs great deal koppels argument thus defines community composed members choose submit authority identify ethos state imposes obligations approximately equally within geographic scope follows communities voluntary avoid imposing moral views larger society legislation connecting institutions state advancing position koppel isnt suggesting entanglement illegitimate imprudent unwise indeed goes way distinguish view terms universalism liberal thinkers like john rawls believe legitimate moral code politics thoroughly individualist one built around notion choosing self exists prior community affiliations koppel rightly notes would mean effect moral arguments except utilitarian ones could legitimately raised public square koppels rejection unaffiliated choosing self basic unit social political analysis requires us take another look definition community insist matters community affiliations voluntary least implicitly accept notion choosing self preexists affiliations even consequentially make religious affiliation one choice among many koppel inclines view clear defense prudential argument legislating religious morality practice repeat insists however unwise legislation may illegitimate dont see arguments religion unacceptable arguments less rigid ideologies fine dont see restrictions selling pig meat offensive jewish tradition objectionable restrictions selling dog meat offensive european tradition yet passage points great vulnerability libertarian conception community koppel seeks advance contrasting religious convictions less rigid ideologies suggests religious views fact another ideology fundamentally voluntary chosen religious commitments less also important legitimate choices contrast tradition religious toleration spirit times compels us call religious liberty foundation case separating religious political establishments angloamerican world emphatically rejects equation instead argues keeping religion apart politics grounds religion is160more160than another ideology unlike affiliations assorted civic organizations community groups religious commitments understood flow profound obligation product choice force citizen violate religious obligations compel violate conscience token allowing meet religious obligations matter leaving free make choice matter leaving free choice john lockes160letter concerning toleration written 1689 often regarded cornerstone angloamerican idea religious liberty articulate view concisely every man immortal soul capable eternal happiness misery whose happiness depends upon believing things life necessary obtaining gods favor prescribed god end follows thence observance things highest obligation lies upon mankind religious affiliation practice constitute highest obligation state must take special care prevent us meeting obligation less clear james madison author first amendment us constitution americas formal rejection religious establishment writing famous memorial remonstrance religious assessments 1785 duty every man render creator homage believes acceptable duty precedent order time degree obligation claims civil society man considered member civil society must considered subject governor universe religion reasoning prior politics nature persons communitys obligation god surely judgment person community government look upon judgments mere choices people involved optional avoid legislation religious morality practice fact religious diversity contested questions among religious movements sects way govern people different views leave government questions hard imagine argument along lines disestablishment israeli judaism given differences secular religious jews israel among religious jews among jews christians muslims case allowing religious communities govern specifically religious affairs strong case160againststate involvement management religious institutions koppel gestures toward line reasoning prudential argument religious establishments entanglement state writes sharply tends undermine quality clergy perverse incentives infantilizes members religious communities encouraging dependence sloth ultimately however bases appeal idea religious community fails elevate religion assorted choices therefore fails show religion politics ought distinguishedeven nation prize individual liberty indeed koppels view proper relationship state community even foreign israel idea religious communities independent government notes end essay israels intellectual historical roots americas israels political culture product mainly socialdemocratic movements emerged central europe course 19th century israeli political tradition therefore conflation peoplehood statehood use koppels disapproving characterization absolutely fundamental principle conflation nearly essence zionism going away refined mitigated process take place consequence premise burgeoning civil society religious community fortunately signs burgeoning evident around todays israel fullness time make far easier point uniqueness religionthat fact religion source unchosen obligations160and160a source division disagreement among citizensand argue grounds religious exception notion social institutions government institutions easier certainly make argument describing religious commitments another choice less legitimate rigid ideologies end yielding fetish choice seems unconstructive path worthy goal koppel set fellow citizens might better argue the160limits160of choice well limits politics foundations clear distinction religion state even jewish state yuval levin hertog fellow ethics public policy center editor of160national affairs | 809 |
<p>The French President seems to be borrowing the same costly policies that were implemented by former US President George W. Bush.</p>
<p>Francois Hollande is not a popular president. No matter how hard the ‘socialist’ leader tries to impress, there never seems to be a solid constituency that backs him. He attempted to mask his initial lack of experience in foreign affairs with a war in Mali, after his country enthusiastically took on Libya. While he succeeded at launching wars, he failed at managing their consequences, as the latest attacks in Paris have demonstrated.</p>
<p>Following the attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, he is now attempting to ride a wave of popularity among his countrymen. On January 11, an estimated 3.5 million people took to the streets of France in support of free speech – as if that were truly the crux of the problem. Nearly forty world leaders and top officials, many of whom are themselves unrelenting violators of human rights and free speech, walked arm in arm throughout the streets of Paris. It was a photo-op to show that the world was ‘united against terrorism.’</p>
<p>In the midst of it all, the embattled Hollande was at center stage, ready to act as a statesman, decisive leader, and father of a nation. And as his nation tried to come to terms with the tragedy, Hollande made his annual new year’s address, promising to escalate the exact same policies that engendered violence and what many <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/06/us-france-hollande-idUSKBN0IQ14R20141106" type="external">western pundits</a> readily refer to as ‘Islamic terrorism’.</p>
<p>“If we can combat terrorism in Iraq, just as we did in Africa, we are ensuring our own security,” he said. <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/france-steps-involvement-fight-against-isis" type="external">His plan</a> sounded as pathetic as all familiar: “If necessary we will be able to act in Iraq with more intensity and more efficacy; the aircraft carrier will be working in very narrow communication with the other forces and will be able to attack in any point in the event of supplementary tensions,” he said.</p>
<p>As if nothing has been learnt until now, Hollande seems to be borrowing the same costly policies that were implemented by former US President George W. Bush after the deadly attacks of September 11. He, too, struck violently and thoughtlessly and at the urging of powerful neoconservative groups; he carried out <a href="http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/pdf/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf" type="external">pre-conceived policies</a> to assure America’s dominance in the name of fighting ‘terror’. These policies backfired, none of the US strategic objectives were achieved, and the ‘New Middle East’ that the US administration so desperately coveted became a breeding ground for the same ‘terrorism’ that the Americans allegedly fought.</p>
<p>Prior to Bush’s misadventures in the Middle East, al-Qaeda seemed to have been a distant reality that had been heard of, but unseen. A decade after the US invasion of Iraq, al-Qaeda penetrated the Middle East and North Africa, hatching into numerous groups, sub-groups and al-Qaeda-inspired groups. In fact, al-Qaeda-turned-Islamic State (IS) is now redefining borders, carving a ‘state’ of its own that occupies massive swathes of land in Syria and Iraq.</p>
<p>But why is Hollande repeating the failed policies of the discredited Bush administration, and reversing the principled and sound choices of former French presidents, like Jacques Chirac? Foreseeing its potential disasters, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chirac-makes-his-case-on-iraq/" type="external">Chirac stood defiantly against Bush’s war in Iraq</a>; and he is still right. But since then, France itself has changed, and failed leaders like Nicolas Sarkozy, and now Hollande are responsible for that change.</p>
<p>When Hollande was elected in May 2012, some saw hope in him during times of economic crises, high unemployment, political disunity, and a collective feeling of loss and confusion; yet he failed to deliver. The economy stalled despite his promises to kickstart it. Unemployment lingered and even the proposed higher taxes on the country’s millionaires were not delivered.</p>
<p>However, this is not just a question of economic recession. The rise of racism, ensured by the rise of rightwing and fascist parties, is devouring France’s sense of national identity. Naturally, Hollande’s failures translated into bad numbers. His approval rating quickly dropped, so in order to save the day, he decided to do the exact opposite of what he had been elected to do: <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21569751-new-more-decisive-french-president-may-have-emerged-many-old-troubles-still-lie" type="external">Go to war</a>.</p>
<p>His decision on January 11, 2013 to bomb ‘Islamic militants’ scantly won him a reputation of being a ‘decisive president’. But wars are easy to start and difficult to finish. Hollande’s wars are no exception.</p>
<p>The war in Mali had little to do with religious militancy and everything to do with the existing chasm in the country itself, and the region as a whole. By adding western wars and intervention to the mix, calamity is assured.</p>
<p>With the US expanding its military presence in Africa, China expanding its economic reach, and regional powers jockeying for influence, it was Hollande’s perfect movement to appear as if a great French leader was redeeming his country’s old colonial ‘glory’ in Africa. Mali was the ideal place for Hollande to distract the world from his failures at home. The West African country, once a promising democracy, had become a failed state, with a host of problems, ethnic and racial divides and a countless stream of weapons coming in from Libya – itself destroyed by western powers, starting with France.</p>
<p>Hollande’s <a href="https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0919/The-war-against-Islamic-extremists-in-Mali-is-won-says-French-President-Francois-Hollande" type="external">moment of glory arrived on September 13, 2013</a>, when he declared that the war on ‘Islamic extremists’ had been won. But he was as hasty as the US’s military ‘mission accomplished’ declaration in Bush’s ‘victory’ speech soon after the invasion of Iraq.</p>
<p>Yet Hollande’s economic woes continued at home, and war alone could hardly help his tarnished image. In November 2014, he received the “ <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/06/us-france-hollande-idUSKBN0IQ14R20141106" type="external">worst score for a president in modern-day polling</a>: a 12 percent approval and ratings.”</p>
<p>The more such bad news arrived at home, the more France’s tentacles of interventions found their way to near and faraway places – Libya, Mali, Syria, Iraq and so on. <a href="https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/58054" type="external">War became Hollande’s only savior</a>.</p>
<p>Frivolous wars are like drugs. They may start with the intention of achieving a fleeting sense of ecstasy, but with time they become a lethal escape from reality. Like drugs, a warlord is dependent on war and can only be sustained and validated by it. Hollande is a warlord in the western sense, what Americans refer to as ‘a war president’.</p>
<p>But as Bush’s notorious legacy has proven, while war-induced fear and vain patriotism may keep a leader in office long enough, the terrible consequences of unchecked violence shall be felt for many years to come.</p> | false | 1 | french president seems borrowing costly policies implemented former us president george w bush francois hollande popular president matter hard socialist leader tries impress never seems solid constituency backs attempted mask initial lack experience foreign affairs war mali country enthusiastically took libya succeeded launching wars failed managing consequences latest attacks paris demonstrated following attack satirical magazine charlie hebdo attempting ride wave popularity among countrymen january 11 estimated 35 million people took streets france support free speech truly crux problem nearly forty world leaders top officials many unrelenting violators human rights free speech walked arm arm throughout streets paris photoop show world united terrorism midst embattled hollande center stage ready act statesman decisive leader father nation nation tried come terms tragedy hollande made annual new years address promising escalate exact policies engendered violence many western pundits readily refer islamic terrorism combat terrorism iraq africa ensuring security said plan sounded pathetic familiar necessary able act iraq intensity efficacy aircraft carrier working narrow communication forces able attack point event supplementary tensions said nothing learnt hollande seems borrowing costly policies implemented former us president george w bush deadly attacks september 11 struck violently thoughtlessly urging powerful neoconservative groups carried preconceived policies assure americas dominance name fighting terror policies backfired none us strategic objectives achieved new middle east us administration desperately coveted became breeding ground terrorism americans allegedly fought prior bushs misadventures middle east alqaeda seemed distant reality heard unseen decade us invasion iraq alqaeda penetrated middle east north africa hatching numerous groups subgroups alqaedainspired groups fact alqaedaturnedislamic state redefining borders carving state occupies massive swathes land syria iraq hollande repeating failed policies discredited bush administration reversing principled sound choices former french presidents like jacques chirac foreseeing potential disasters chirac stood defiantly bushs war iraq still right since france changed failed leaders like nicolas sarkozy hollande responsible change hollande elected may 2012 saw hope times economic crises high unemployment political disunity collective feeling loss confusion yet failed deliver economy stalled despite promises kickstart unemployment lingered even proposed higher taxes countrys millionaires delivered however question economic recession rise racism ensured rise rightwing fascist parties devouring frances sense national identity naturally hollandes failures translated bad numbers approval rating quickly dropped order save day decided exact opposite elected go war decision january 11 2013 bomb islamic militants scantly reputation decisive president wars easy start difficult finish hollandes wars exception war mali little religious militancy everything existing chasm country region whole adding western wars intervention mix calamity assured us expanding military presence africa china expanding economic reach regional powers jockeying influence hollandes perfect movement appear great french leader redeeming countrys old colonial glory africa mali ideal place hollande distract world failures home west african country promising democracy become failed state host problems ethnic racial divides countless stream weapons coming libya destroyed western powers starting france hollandes moment glory arrived september 13 2013 declared war islamic extremists hasty uss military mission accomplished declaration bushs victory speech soon invasion iraq yet hollandes economic woes continued home war alone could hardly help tarnished image november 2014 received worst score president modernday polling 12 percent approval ratings bad news arrived home frances tentacles interventions found way near faraway places libya mali syria iraq war became hollandes savior frivolous wars like drugs may start intention achieving fleeting sense ecstasy time become lethal escape reality like drugs warlord dependent war sustained validated hollande warlord western sense americans refer war president bushs notorious legacy proven warinduced fear vain patriotism may keep leader office long enough terrible consequences unchecked violence shall felt many years come | 587 |
<p />
<p>Most people imagine that historical battles were fought between opposing armies charging and countercharging over open fields. On the North American continent, however, the fortress played the pivotal role in deciding the outcome of wars rather than traditional open battle—for example, in the siege of Quebec in 1759 or in the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863. As a result, the fortress has shaped the outlook of American foreign policy makers and its military brass ever since the creation of the United States. Even today, dealing with the 21st century challenge of cybersecurity, policy makers still think in 18th century terms.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">&lt;img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8154" style="margin: 5px;" title="Security" src="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/cyber-security-300x199.jpg" alt="Cyber Security" width="300" height="199" srcset="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/cyber-security-300x199.jpg 300w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/cyber-security-280x185.jpg 280w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/cyber-security-60x40.jpg 60w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/cyber-security-118x78.jpg 118w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/cyber-security-153x100.jpg 153w, https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/cyber-security.jpg 425w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /&gt;</a>In a recent article for Foreign Affairs Magazine, Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III wrote: “In an offense-dominant environment, a fortress mentality will not work. The United States cannot retreat behind a Maginot Line of firewalls, or it will risk being overrun.” In other words, defense-centric strategies primarily aimed at blocking unauthorized access through filters such as application gateways or proxy servers is not enough to keep America safe. New strategies and new thinking are needed, which may finally end the United States’ two centuries-long romance with fortresses.</p>
<p>As the recent militarization of cyberspace illustrates, however, this romance is far from over. In 2009, President Barack Obama declared America’s digital infrastructure to be a “strategic national asset.” This promptly was followed by the integration of a new Cyber Command in May 2010 to defend American military networks and attack other countries’ systems.</p>
<p>Since then, the US military has been a dominating force in the discourse on cybersecurity in the United States. The Pentagon went on to call cyberspace a “domain,” reinforced by the description of cyber warfare as “the fifth domain of warfare after land, sea, air, and space.” This characterization implies that cyber space as a “domain” can be protected from intrusion.</p>
<p>True to the fortress mentality, efforts are currently under way to strengthen the defenses of networks with the aims of keeping the “bad guys” out, strengthening secure network communications, and boosting information insurance. The Department of Defense has increased efforts into blocking malicious software and codes entering military networks. It is decreasing the number of gateways to be protected. Booze Allen Hamilton is building a USD 14-million bunker for the United States’ new US Cyber Command. Some senior military leaders even are musing about establishing a “secure zone,” an Internet within the Internet, aimed at protecting US military networks and essential industries.</p>
<p>The Department of Defense recently obtained additional powers through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in October 2010 between the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, which aims to increase “interdepartmental collaboration in strategic planning for the Nation’s cybersecurity,{and} mutual support for cybersecurity capabilities development.” Despite the Department of Homeland Security still being the lead agency in cybersecurity, this MOU will significantly reduce its overall importance since the Department of Defense will take the lead domestically in any future computer network warfare scenario.</p>
<p>The striking thing about all of this is how inward-oriented most of these strategies still are. Even the Identify Ecosystem Framework, which was recently proposed by the White House Cybersecurity Coordinator to deal with the “attribution problem” in cyberspace for both the public and private sector, is primarily domestic-oriented and has no true provisions for international collaboration. This is not a critique of the very necessary efforts to strengthen network defenses, but rather to over emphasize it and the neglect of other fields.</p>
<p>It is true that the United States is reaching to international partners in both the public and private sector, but the outreach is largely confined to NATO countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand— traditional US allies. It is an old, often repeated truism but nevertheless worth repeating: in cyberspace, there are no boundaries. Talking to these countries and forging partnerships with them is important, but it is only one step.</p>
<p>Data moving at the speed of light along channels owned by commercial carriers knows no national boundaries and no distinction between the West and the “rest.” It helps little to forge partnerships with France and Great Britain when most hardware is manufactured in Asia and enters the United States already compromised with malicious codes embedded in them. This so-called “supply chain vulnerability” already breaches any “Cyber Maginot Line” long before any hacker encroaches upon a US server and tries to disable it with a Distributed Denial of Service Attack. True to its fortress mentality, however, US military brass is considering establishing a cyber distant early warning line for cyber surveillance and better protection against intrusions. (The original distant early warning line was a chain of radar and sonar stations to detect Soviet bombers and submarines during the Cold War.)</p>
<p>Much more pressing is better cooperation between the major cyber nations such as Russia, the United States, China, India, the EU, and Brazil.</p>
<p>What would better international cooperation look like?</p>
<p>First, international cooperation needs to be truly international, i.e., it encompasses both Russia and China despite their reputation as being “rogue cyber nations” in the United States. The United States, Russia, and China have much to gain from cooperation in protecting undersea cables, the Achilles heel of our digital world. One carefully planned attack on one of the three cable chokepoints (spots in the Luzon Strait, the Suez Canal-Red Sea-Mandab Strait passage, and the Strait of Malacca where undersea cables converge) in the world would cost the world economy billions of USD due to the loss of connectivity, which might last from a few days to a few weeks depending on how well the cable system owner, the operator of the repair vessel, and the national government involved can coordinate their efforts. In this volatile economic climate, an outage for more than 24 hours would be disastrous.</p>
<p>An additional initiative could be to gather experts from the United States, China, and Russia and compose clear, mutually agreed upon definitions of key terms that facilitate collaboration among states. For example, what exactly do we mean with terms such as “cyber war,” “information security,” and “probing”? Every nation will have a different answer to that question. A common understanding of key terms is pivotal in a truly collaborative international environment.</p>
<p>Cyber crime could be another potential field of better collaboration, if not the most important one. All industrial nations agree that cyber criminals pose the biggest threat to their respective critical infrastructures. The methods used by cyber warriors are not different from those of cyber criminals or cyber terrorists. Private-public partnerships, i.e., partnerships that share sensitive information across sectors (e.g., type of cyber attacks, level of damage, number and sophistication of attempted intrusions, etc.), play a key role in that respect. So far, they have focused primarily on domestic markets with often limited success due to too many ineffective initiatives and too little trust between the government and the private sector. Instead, these partnerships need to expand across borders.</p>
<p>To build trust, major cyber nations (US, EU, Russia, India, and China) could also compose a “Code of Conduct for Cyberspace” focusing on each other’s vulnerabilities rather than threats. This code would contain provisions of who to hold responsible for cyber crimes originating from nation states. Following the code of conduct, governments would decide upon “Cyber Risk Reduction Centers” set up in the various defense ministries, notably in Russia, China, India, the United States, and major European countries. These centers, permanently staffed and linked with each other, should reduce misunderstanding and tensions in times of crises.</p>
<p>Any fortress wall is vulnerable; they will all, sooner or later, be taken. No matter how good its defenses, every network can and will be breached. The trick is avoiding a siege altogether! In the hard world of power politics, this might not always be possible, but through an increasing emphasis on international cooperation and focus on common security interests, nations will be less vulnerable in the long term.</p> | false | 1 | people imagine historical battles fought opposing armies charging countercharging open fields north american continent however fortress played pivotal role deciding outcome wars rather traditional open battlefor example siege quebec 1759 battle vicksburg 1863 result fortress shaped outlook american foreign policy makers military brass ever since creation united states even today dealing 21st century challenge cybersecurity policy makers still think 18th century terms ltimg classalignleft sizemedium wpimage8154 stylemargin 5px titlesecurity srchttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201011cybersecurity300x199jpg altcyber security width300 height199 srcsethttpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201011cybersecurity300x199jpg 300w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201011cybersecurity280x185jpg 280w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201011cybersecurity60x40jpg 60w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201011cybersecurity118x78jpg 118w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201011cybersecurity153x100jpg 153w httpswwwforeignpolicyjournalcomwpcontentuploads201011cybersecurityjpg 425w sizesmaxwidth 300px 100vw 300px gtin recent article foreign affairs magazine deputy secretary defense william j lynn iii wrote offensedominant environment fortress mentality work united states retreat behind maginot line firewalls risk overrun words defensecentric strategies primarily aimed blocking unauthorized access filters application gateways proxy servers enough keep america safe new strategies new thinking needed may finally end united states two centurieslong romance fortresses recent militarization cyberspace illustrates however romance far 2009 president barack obama declared americas digital infrastructure strategic national asset promptly followed integration new cyber command may 2010 defend american military networks attack countries systems since us military dominating force discourse cybersecurity united states pentagon went call cyberspace domain reinforced description cyber warfare fifth domain warfare land sea air space characterization implies cyber space domain protected intrusion true fortress mentality efforts currently way strengthen defenses networks aims keeping bad guys strengthening secure network communications boosting information insurance department defense increased efforts blocking malicious software codes entering military networks decreasing number gateways protected booze allen hamilton building usd 14million bunker united states new us cyber command senior military leaders even musing establishing secure zone internet within internet aimed protecting us military networks essential industries department defense recently obtained additional powers memorandum understanding mou signed october 2010 department defense department homeland security aims increase interdepartmental collaboration strategic planning nations cybersecurityand mutual support cybersecurity capabilities development despite department homeland security still lead agency cybersecurity mou significantly reduce overall importance since department defense take lead domestically future computer network warfare scenario striking thing inwardoriented strategies still even identify ecosystem framework recently proposed white house cybersecurity coordinator deal attribution problem cyberspace public private sector primarily domesticoriented true provisions international collaboration critique necessary efforts strengthen network defenses rather emphasize neglect fields true united states reaching international partners public private sector outreach largely confined nato countries canada australia new zealand traditional us allies old often repeated truism nevertheless worth repeating cyberspace boundaries talking countries forging partnerships important one step data moving speed light along channels owned commercial carriers knows national boundaries distinction west rest helps little forge partnerships france great britain hardware manufactured asia enters united states already compromised malicious codes embedded socalled supply chain vulnerability already breaches cyber maginot line long hacker encroaches upon us server tries disable distributed denial service attack true fortress mentality however us military brass considering establishing cyber distant early warning line cyber surveillance better protection intrusions original distant early warning line chain radar sonar stations detect soviet bombers submarines cold war much pressing better cooperation major cyber nations russia united states china india eu brazil would better international cooperation look like first international cooperation needs truly international ie encompasses russia china despite reputation rogue cyber nations united states united states russia china much gain cooperation protecting undersea cables achilles heel digital world one carefully planned attack one three cable chokepoints spots luzon strait suez canalred seamandab strait passage strait malacca undersea cables converge world would cost world economy billions usd due loss connectivity might last days weeks depending well cable system owner operator repair vessel national government involved coordinate efforts volatile economic climate outage 24 hours would disastrous additional initiative could gather experts united states china russia compose clear mutually agreed upon definitions key terms facilitate collaboration among states example exactly mean terms cyber war information security probing every nation different answer question common understanding key terms pivotal truly collaborative international environment cyber crime could another potential field better collaboration important one industrial nations agree cyber criminals pose biggest threat respective critical infrastructures methods used cyber warriors different cyber criminals cyber terrorists privatepublic partnerships ie partnerships share sensitive information across sectors eg type cyber attacks level damage number sophistication attempted intrusions etc play key role respect far focused primarily domestic markets often limited success due many ineffective initiatives little trust government private sector instead partnerships need expand across borders build trust major cyber nations us eu russia india china could also compose code conduct cyberspace focusing others vulnerabilities rather threats code would contain provisions hold responsible cyber crimes originating nation states following code conduct governments would decide upon cyber risk reduction centers set various defense ministries notably russia china india united states major european countries centers permanently staffed linked reduce misunderstanding tensions times crises fortress wall vulnerable sooner later taken matter good defenses every network breached trick avoiding siege altogether hard world power politics might always possible increasing emphasis international cooperation focus common security interests nations less vulnerable long term | 826 |
<p>It’s time for the 9/11 truth movement to resolve its Pentagon debate by applying the scientific method. Doing so points conclusively to large plane impact.</p>
<p>For over fifteen years the 9/11 truth movement and some of its most visible leaders have debated this question: Did a large plane, matching a Boeing 757 in general and Flight AA 77 in particular, hit the Pentagon on September 11, 2001? In the last several years a group of scientists and engineers have presented a number of scientific papers that answer both of these questions with a resounding “Yes.” A number of these scientists and engineers are affiliated with the organization <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/" type="external">Scientists for 9/11 Truth</a>, which also fully supports the hypothesis that the impacts and resulting fires from the Boeing 767s crashing into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers (WTC1 and WTC2) on 9/11 could not account for the destruction of these buildings. Building 7 (WTC7) was destroyed without being impacted by any plane. The evidence is clear that all three of these buildings were destroyed by some form of controlled demolition. While the 9/11 truth movement generally agrees on what happened in New York City, thus far there has been no closure on the Pentagon debate.</p>
<p>As an organization, Scientists for 9/11 Truth has stood virtually alone in maintaining large plane impact at the Pentagon together with controlled demolition of the buildings in New York City. With the publication of three new works, cited below, there are now indications that the 9/11 truth movement may be ready to adopt this position also. See, for example, <a href="https://www.911tap.org/557-news-releases/615-the-pentagon-plane-puzzle%20." type="external">this article</a> on the Truth Action Project website.</p>
<p>The Pentagon question has divided the 9/11 truth movement, impeding its thrust toward truth and public credibility. Despite hundreds of eyewitnesses who saw a large plane fly towards the Pentagon and impact it, critics continue to claim otherwise, mainly because the crash scene was unlike those for other plane crashes. Few critics considered that for this unique event—a high-speed impact of a large plane with a building—preconceived expectations of the observed outcome are of little value. The plane largely penetrated the building, leaving many small fragments outside but relatively few large pieces. In a recent conversation with a “no plane impact” advocate, the advocate stated “We will only know for sure what hit the Pentagon when the people who know the answers come forward.” In fact, these “people” came forward a long time ago in video and audio recordings and in written statements, starting on 9/11 itself. Regrettably, the 9/11 truth movement at large either does not know about these hundreds of witnesses, or else has refused to listen to or believe them.</p>
<p>Eyewitnesses affirm large plane impact, and the damage trail establishes the plane path before and after impact with a high degree of precision. The plane flew low from the southwest straight toward the Pentagon on a path making a 52-degree angle with the Pentagon’s west wall. It clipped a tree; downed five light poles; struck a fence, a generator-trailer, and a low concrete wall; and impacted the building at the first and second floors, creating an 18-foot wide hole atop a 96-foot gash in the façade. Outside, plane debris was strewn to the north near the Heliport because of the speed and angle of impact. The light poles’ separation gives a plane wingspan in the range 100 to 130 feet (a Boeing 757 wingspan is 124 feet 10 inches), while the low concrete wall and generator-trailer damage separation indicates an engine separation of approximately 43 feet (Boeing 757 engine separation is 42.5 feet). See Figure 1.</p>
<p>Inside the Pentagon, the plane was increasingly fragmented by the steel and concrete columns, creating a fluid-like flow of solid debris. This flow of material destroyed or damaged many internal columns, defining a continuation of the outside path, and ultimately created an exit hole in the C ring wall.&#160;Debris, including plane parts, spilled into the AE Drive in the direction of the original plane path. Internal columns were bowed and abraded in the flight path direction and much of the first floor suddenly filled with debris. The first floor ceiling beyond the collapsed portion of the building remained intact.</p>
<p>These elements all confirm a flight path that is supported by eyewitness accounts, the radar data and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data, which was released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). There are over 62 documented eyewitnesses who saw the plane impact. Fourteen (14) witnesses saw one or more of the light poles struck. Four witnesses saw the right engine/wing hit the generator-trailer, while one witness saw the left engine hit the low concrete wall and break apart. Multiple witnesses traced the passage of the plane as it flew from the Sheraton Hotel (last radar reading) to impact at the Pentagon. There were some initial problems reading the last frame of the FDR data, but the properly decoded FDR data traces the plane’s path all the way from take-off at Dulles Airport to impact at the Pentagon.</p>
<p>Such a confluence of physical, eyewitness, and other evidence provides an overwhelming case for a large plane—a Boeing 757 and specifically Flight AA 77—impacting and penetrating the Pentagon on 9/11. The initial hypothesis of large plane impact, when examined for its consequences as shown by the eyewitness testimony, physical damage, and other supporting evidence, survives the scientific method test and becomes a theory that explains virtually all the observations. No other hypothesis, such as impact by a missile or pre-planted bombs, has even ventured to explain all this evidence.</p>
<p>This illustrates the difference between a hypothesis and a theory, and the application of the scientific method in solving physical problems. Those who deny large plane impact offer only criticisms or alternative hypotheses, not a theory. A complete theory examines the consequences of a hypothesis, compares these consequences with the evidence, and discards the hypothesis if it leads to results that do not match the evidence. Figure 2 illustrates the flow of analysis using the scientific method.</p>
<p>Let’s begin with the topmost oval in Figure 2 and ask a question: What caused the damage and deaths at the Pentagon on the morning of 9/11?</p>
<p>To answer this question, we first do some background research.</p>
<p>Eyewitnesses: According to eyewitnesses, a large plane flew (in about six seconds according to FDR data) from the vicinity of the Sheraton Hotel at the west end of the Navy Annex and impacted the Pentagon west wall. It flew above Columbia Pike, crossed the clover-leaf intersection of Columbia Pike with S. Washington Boulevard (Route 27), clipped a tree and impacted five light poles, a fence and a generator-trailer and a low concrete wall, all before hitting the Pentagon façade and then largely disappeared inside the building. Plane parts rained down on the Pentagon lawn and the highway that runs parallel to the west wall. Those who observed this fleeting event from outside the Pentagon, from the standstill traffic on route 27, from the vicinity of Arlington Cemetery, and from nearby buildings, are in substantial agreement that impact by a large plane occurred. Some witnesses identified the plane from its silver color and red and blue markings as an American Airlines plane, a Boeing 757, or both.</p>
<p>Witnesses to the aftermath of plane impact who did not see the plane hit, saw many small pieces of plane “confetti” as well as some large pieces of silver fuselage. Some witnesses did not see any large plane parts, and did not recognize the confetti for what it was. Critics have seized upon these latter accounts to try to prove that there was no plane. These accounts cannot negate the many positive observations of others as well as the abundance of photographic evidence. There are also photographs and a significant number of witnesses who described seeing plane parts in the interior of the building and in the AE Drive.</p>
<p>Photographs and Videos: Photographs taken outside and inside the Pentagon show many small pieces of silver fuselage with AA colored markings, plane and engine parts, landing gear and a tire. Abraded and bent interior columns show the direction of flow of fragmented plane parts, aligning with the known outside path to within a few degrees. Much of the first floor area under the non-collapsed ceiling suddenly filled with debris. Outside the C ring hole, debris and plane parts were strewn in the AE Drive in alignment with the flight path.</p>
<p>Radar and FDR Data: Figures 3 and 4 show the plane’s path from takeoff at Dulles Airport to a point close to the Sheraton Hotel (radar data) and to impact at the Pentagon (FDR data).</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Pentagon Security Videos: Recent work on the video from two Pentagon security cameras shows that they captured images of the approaching, low-flying plane. In his paper “ <a href="http://www.9-11tv.org/the-pentagon-plane-puzzle/85-pentagon-area-surveillance-cameras" type="external">The 85 Pentagon Area Surveillance Cameras</a>,” Ken Jenkins explains the images, how the date error came about, and the likely origins for the trailing white smoke. There is no evidence at this time that the government is withholding other images of the event captured by the surveillance cameras.</p>
<p>Ken Jenkins and David Chandler also recently took pairs of sequential images from the Pentagon surveillance video cameras, putting them together as you would see them in what is called a blink comparator. In this way, the image of the plane “pops out.” If you watch the image cycle a few times, the details of the plane are clearly visible. You can find the <a href="http://911speakout.org/wp-content/uploads/BlinkedPentagonPlane.html" type="external">blink comparisons</a> on David Chandler’s website, <a href="http://911speakout.org/" type="external">911SpeakOut.org</a>.</p>
<p>Based on the above background research, we propose and test the hypothesis that the Pentagon was struck by a large plane matching a Boeing 757 and most probably Flight AA 77.</p>
<p>Many physical hypotheses can be tested by experiment in a laboratory using relatively simple equipment. In the case of the Pentagon 9/11 event, costs to test and/or reproduce some features of the event would be prohibitive. Fortunately, there are prior relevant tests, airplane incidents and other evidence that are pertinent to the event and that support the large plane impact hypothesis.</p>
<p>The F4 Experiment: In the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVz5vhNvskk" type="external">F4 Phantom jet experiment</a>, a plane was propelled at high speed on a rocket sled into a massive and impenetrable concrete wall. The plane was completely fragmented into small pieces. This experiment supports the fragmentation of the Boeing 757 plane parts that did not enter the building.</p>
<p>Ground Effect: Because of what is known as ground effect, it is claimed by critics that the plane could not have flown closer to the ground than 56 feet, so it would have impacted at the fourth and fifth floor levels. Some experienced pilots have supported this objection. The physical evidence, such as the five downed light poles, confirms that a large plane did fly low. In addition, many witnesses actually reported that they saw a large commercial jetliner, identified as a Boeing 757, fly low and close to the ground. Actual experience confirms this behavior. For example, at an air show in Portugal, Evora 2007 (Figure 5), an Airbus A310, similar in size to a Boeing 757, repeatedly flew low, sometimes with the gear down and full flaps but with at least one pass at a relatively high speed, with no concern about any ground effect. The height of the plane above the runway was little more than the diameter of the fuselage.</p>
<p>Engineers and scientists working in the aerospace field feature an article which explains that, because of the high speed and low angle of attack, ground effect is not a relevant factor, particularly with an aircraft that is under automatic control, as was likely the case for Flight AA 77 at the end. According to Jeff Scott, “ground effect would have been quite small on Flight 77 given its high rate of speed and small angle of attack.” See <a href="http://www.aerospaceweb.org/" type="external">Aerospaceweb.org</a> and the answer by Jeff Scott, “ <a href="http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/conspiracy/q0274.shtml" type="external">Pentagon &amp; Boeing 757 Ground Effect</a>.”</p>
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<p>Clipped Tree: One witness described the plane as “picking off trees and light poles.” Photographs show that the starboard (right) engine of the plane did clip a tree. Jon Cole has shown experimentally that it is possible for the leading edge of an engine to cut the tree. Cole compared this action with similar-looking ragged branches cut with a heavy brush cutter with heavy, thick dull blades rotating at a lesser speed than the airplane that cut the woody branches of the Pentagon tree (See Figure 6). Branches ingested by the right engine can explain the smoke trail from the right engine from that point on, as seen in the security camera videos and in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVDdjLQkUV8" type="external">this simulation</a>.</p>
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<p>Rotated Generator-Trailer: Several witnesses saw the right plane engine and/or wing strike one end of a very heavy generator-trailer. The trailer was found to have rotated about the other end toward the building. In addition to the damaged end, there was a gash in the trailer top corresponding to the position of the first flap “canoe” beyond the right engine of a Boeing 757. The location and direction of the gash was consistent with the canoe’s position on the wing and the plane’s flight path.</p>
<p>Gouge in Low Concrete Wall: One witness saw the left engine hit a low concrete wall and break apart. The wall shows a curved gouge consistent with impact by an engine. The distance between the wall and the struck end of the generator-trailer is approximately 43 feet, matching the engines’ separation of a Boeing 757 of 42.5 feet. When the left engine hit the wall it was a few inches above ground level at that point. The wall sits on a high point, and this explains why the engine did not gouge the surrounding lawn as it traveled over the lawn. Some nearby, upright wooden spools were not struck as they were positioned between the plane fuselage and the low-slung left engine.</p>
<p>Debris by the Heliport Area: There was a noticeable amount of plane debris, mostly small pieces, at the Heliport area north of the impact hole. This is in accord with the plane’s path which made a 52-degree angle with the Pentagon west wall as it approached from the southwest. This distribution of debris is entirely to be expected since, after fragmentation, debris that remained outside the building would have a significant velocity component causing it to travel in a northerly direction.</p>
<p>The Impact Hole and Façade Damage: Many claims have been made that the impact hole was too small for a plane the size of a Boeing 757 to have entered the building. None of these claims have merit. The fuselage of a Boeing 757 is 12.33 feet wide and 13.5 feet high and the corresponding hole was about 18 feet wide. Early photographs were obscured by spray from fire hoses and hid a long gash of about 96 feet in the first floor façade. There were many missing outer support columns. Thus the plane’s fuselage, both engines, and the heavier, inner parts of the wings had sufficient room to penetrate the building.</p>
<p>According to witnesses and the FDR data, the plane had rolled about 5 degrees counterclockwise when it hit the wall. Façade markings, such as a long gash made by a wing, confirm these observations. Critics frequently point to the absence of a clear vertical gash that they contend should have been made by the vertical portion of the tail. There are, as shown by Jim Hoffman, markings in the area where the tail might have hit. It is possible that the tail was blown off and fragmented, and did not reach the wall intact. One witness described seeing the fuel explosion while the tail was still visible. Many witnesses saw the tail, and this criticism cannot overturn the other evidence of plane approach and impact.</p>
<p>Internal Column Damage: Figure 7 taken from The Pentagon Building Performance Report depicts internal column damage. At the top, red and blue squares depict missing and severely damaged columns. Green and yellow squares show columns with less damage. The width of the damage at the west wall (top) is about 100 feet, which is consistent with the impact of the fuselage, engines, and the heavy parts of the wings of a Boeing 757. As the fuselage moved into the building, it was shredded and scattered to the sides along its path, but a cone of decreasing width of material maintained enough focus to break through and make a hole in the C ring wall. The dark shaded area of the figure is where the building collapsed about 30 minutes after impact. The first floor area with damage but no collapse filled up with debris without the first floor ceiling collapsing. All these observations support the impact with the façade and passage of a large plane through the building primarily at the first floor level.</p>
<p>It is noteworthy that April Gallop, who has been extensively interviewed and quoted as an important witness, had an office in wedge 2 over 150 feet from the impact hole. Gallop’s office structure did collapse and the lights went out but Gallop was too far away to smell jet fuel. She, with her child and others, exited through a window near the Heliport. Once outside, Gallop collapsed, was apparently unconscious, and was moved to the outer lawn area, and then to a hospital. Gallop had no opportunity to see aircraft debris inside or outside the building.</p>
<p>C Ring Exit Hole: The C ring exit hole can be understood as resulting from the impact of many pieces of plane debris. This process and the false assertion that workers created the hole as a way to access the building interior are fully discussed in the papers listed below. The exit hole lines up with the plane path that made a 52-degree angle with the Pentagon west wall. This fact in itself points to the hole’s origin since the exact plane path was not known until some days or weeks after the event. There is no evidence that any part of the crash scene was staged to imply a non-existent plane crash. All the physical and eyewitness evidence points to actual large plane impact.</p>
<p>Debris in the AE Drive: Debris strewn outside the C ring exit hole was in line with the direction of the plane’s motion and included a plane tire and a wheel rim consistent with a Boeing 757. See Figure 8.</p>
<p>Figure 8 shows a large remnant of a tire outside the C Ring Hole (2). Also shown is a wheel rim (1). The debris angle (3) is also clearly visible. A single doorway lies in the direction pointed to by (4).</p>
<p>Both the background information that includes the eyewitnesses and the detailed examination of the plane path and damage presented above support the large plane impact hypothesis. The conclusion drawn is that a large plane matching a Boeing 757 and most probably Flight AA 77 struck the Pentagon on 9/11.</p>
<p>The hypothesis of impact by a large plane matching a Boeing 757 and Flight AA 77 is true. The next step in the scientific method is to report the results.</p>
<p>Among the first to report the results of a scientific analysis of the Pentagon 9/11 event were Jim Hoffman and Victoria Ashley. Subsequently, scientists affiliated with Scientists for 9/11 Truth, with additional authors such as engineers and computer scientists participating, produced a substantial number of papers. These papers, all listed in the Additional Reading section below, include the three new works mentioned above and listed here, together with a new article:</p>
<p>(a) “ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmoqojtdMD0&amp;feature=youtu.be" type="external">The Pentagon Plane Puzzle</a>”, a video by Ken Jenkins on the Pentagon eyewitnesses,</p>
<p>(b) “ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmoqojtdMD0&amp;feature=youtu.be" type="external">Going Beyond Speculation: A Scientific Look at the Pentagon Evidence</a>” a talk by David Chandler.</p>
<p>(c) “ <a href="http://www.scientificmethod911.org/docs/Honegger_Hypothesis_042916.pdf" type="external">The Pentagon Event: The Honegger Hypothesis Refuted</a>” a paper by Victoria Ashley, David Chandler, Jonathan H. Cole, Jim Hoffman, Ken Jenkins, Frank Legge, and John D. Wyndham.</p>
<p>Except for Victoria Ashley and Jonathan H. Cole ( <a href="http://stj911.org/index.html" type="external">Scholars for 9/11 Truth and Justice</a>), all of the foregoing individuals are members of <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/index.html" type="external">Scientists for 9/11 Truth</a>.</p>
<p>See also the article “ <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/docs/Why_Not_Use_a_Plane_v12_011616.pdf" type="external">Why Not Use a Plane?</a>” by Frank Legge and Ken Jenkins on the Scientists for 9/11 Truth <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/index.html" type="external">website</a>.</p>
<p>Since the Pentagon 9/11 event, many individuals have tried to prove that a large plane did not impact the Pentagon. These individuals often point to testimonies by witnesses who did not see the plane impact. For example, an aftermath witness might not see recognizable plane parts and claim or imply that there was no plane involved. Some Pentagon workers inside the building inferred a bomb, since to them whatever happened sounded like a bomb. But an expert witness with military experience, who also saw the plane tail just before impact and following fireball, stated that it sounded like a “2000 lb” bomb. While many witnesses reported that they smelled the odor of jet fuel, a smaller number thought they smelled cordite, an explosive that has not been in use since WWII. Although at least 14 witnesses saw the plane hit the light poles one second or less before impact, some critics claim this could not have happened without the wings being visibly damaged or destroyed.</p>
<p>Even though the event occurred in broad daylight and was viewed by hundreds of people, scores of whom were stuck in traffic on route 27 with a clear view, critics have dismissed witness accounts by claiming these to be fraudulent. However, there is not a single case where a Pentagon witness has been shown to have deliberately lied. On the contrary, there has been an attempt by some to manipulate witnesses years later and lead them to a different conclusion about what they saw at the Pentagon. This is the case with those who postulate the “North path” approach in which the physical damage could not have been done by the plane. While the advocates of a “North path” approach claim the plane flew over the Pentagon, there is not a single, unequivocal witness to this scenario, and many of the very few North path witnesses affirm that the plane impacted the building.</p>
<p>Based on these criticisms, a number of alternative hypotheses have been proposed. Although often termed theories, these hypotheses do not rise to the level of theories because they have not been subjected to the discipline of the scientific method. It is instructive to subject these alternative hypotheses to analysis according to the scientific method steps of Figure 2.</p>
<p>Those who hypothesize that there was no plane impact attribute all damage and deaths to pre-planted explosives or bombs. These researchers include Barbara Honegger in her “ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtFXYJlj61s" type="external">Behind the Smoke Curtain</a>” presentation and the <a href="http://www.citizeninvestigationteam.com/videos/national-security-alert" type="external">Citizen Investigation Team</a> (CIT). Their assumption is that the approaching plane seen by many flew over the Pentagon. Honegger has modified her hypothesis in the last several years to postulate that a white plane was destroyed with some sort of explosives outside the Pentagon near the Heliport area without any debris hitting the Pentagon wall. For these “no plane impact” hypotheses, the next step in the scientific method, Test with an Experiment, raises immediate problems.</p>
<p>The first major problem is the scores of eyewitnesses who saw the plane impact the Pentagon west wall. To solve this problem, many critics simply ignore or attempt to discredit the witnesses, claiming they are lying, incoherent, or manipulated by insiders to tell a false story. These criticisms fail for lack of proof. The witnesses cannot be explained away in any credible fashion.</p>
<p>The second major problem is how to explain the plane debris seen by witnesses and in photographs. No credible explanation has been offered as to how the large volume of plane debris was planted and distributed outside the Pentagon, inside the Pentagon, and in the AE Drive, except by a plane crash. Honegger’s “white plane destroyed” hypothesis appears to be an attempt to explain the plane debris near the Heliport, but it does not explain the plane debris found inside the Pentagon building or in the AE Drive.</p>
<p>The third major problem is a failure to explain, using bombs, the observed damage. This damage includes the clipped tree, the five downed light poles, the generator-trailer that was damaged and rotated toward the Pentagon, the gouge in the low concrete wall, the shape and nature of the façade damage, the internal bowed and abraded columns, the sudden appearance of internal plane debris, the C ring hole and the debris strewn in the AE Drive.</p>
<p>There is no credible evidence for Honegger’s “white plane.” The plane’s supposed destruction without its fragmented parts hitting the Pentagon west wall violates laws of physics, specifically the law of the conservation of momentum. The center of gravity of the combined fragments would still be moving toward the wall at the plane’s pre-explosion speed. There is nowhere near enough plane debris outside the wall near the heliport to account for an entire plane.</p>
<p>The bombs-only hypothesis fails the test of the scientific method in major ways, and the analysis shows the hypothesis is false. However, although the evidence is scant or nonexistent, it is still possible that there were some internal bombs timed to explode at the same time as large plane impact.</p>
<p>Some investigators claim that a small plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. These include Massimo Mazzucco in part 2 of his film <a href="http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36585.htm" type="external">September 11 – The New Pearl Harbor</a>, and David Ray Griffin, author of <a href="http://www.911truth.org/911-ten-years-later-when-state-crimes-against-democracy-succeed/" type="external">many books</a> on the events of 9/11. Griffin has publicly endorsed Mazzucco’s work, including that on the Pentagon. This hypothesis immediately encounters major problems.</p>
<p>The great majority of over 180 eyewitnesses to the approach of the plane and its impact with the Pentagon west wall described a large plane. Only a very small number ( <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/docs/Mazzucco_letter_Oct2013.pdf" type="external">six or less</a>) of witnesses described a small plane, and most of these viewed the plane at a great distance, making size judgments difficult and unreliable. Of the large plane witnesses, many described it as a silver American Airlines plane, a Boeing 737 or 757. One knowledgeable witness, Tim Timmerman, an airlines’ pilot, recognized it unequivocally as a Boeing 757.</p>
<p>Secondly, a small plane could not have created the observed physical damage. The downed light poles require a minimum wingspan of 100 feet, while the generator-trailer and low concrete wall separation gives the separation of the engines as about 43 feet, closely matching the actual separation of Boeing 757 engines at 42.5 feet. Given that wingtips of a plane are very light and might easily break off, a small plane would be unlikely to create a 96-foot gash in the first floor.</p>
<p>The small plane hypothesis fails the test of the scientific method and the analysis shows the hypothesis is false.</p>
<p>The missile hypothesis cannot explain the spatial characteristics of the physical damage. The light poles were effectively 100 feet apart, and the generator-trailer and low concrete wall were effectively 43 feet apart. These objects could not all have been impacted by a missile. The shape and size of the impact hole precludes a missile, the damaged internal columns were spaced apart over a wide area, and the bowed and abraded columns could not have been rendered in such a condition by a missile. A missile could possibly have created the C ring hole, but only plane parts were found in the debris in the AE Drive.</p>
<p>Donald Rumsfeld alluded to a missile, and eyewitness Mike Walter spoke of a missile, but in the metaphorical sense of a plane acting as a missile. These comments fueled the missile hypothesis. But no witnesses claimed to have seen a missile. Witnesses overwhelmingly described a large plane. The missile hypothesis fails the test of the scientific method and the analysis shows the hypothesis is false.</p>
<p>Despite the clear evidence and its analysis using the scientific method of large plane impact, a substantial portion of the 9/11 truth movement, including accepted leaders and those involved in major organizations, continues to publicly endorse, adhere to, or promulgate talks, writings and films on false Pentagon hypotheses. Some simply offer criticisms and reject or ignore evidence that would bring closure to the argument. There is clear evidence by way of disintegrating truth groups that these endorsements and communications are injurious to the movement. Public feedback shows that the false Pentagon hypotheses undermine public acceptance of other highly credible scientific findings, such as the demolitions of the Twin Towers and Building 7 (WTC7) in New York City.</p>
<p>Most rank and file members of the 9/11 truth movement take their cues on the Pentagon from well-known speakers, writers, and acknowledged leaders of the movement. The quickest way to end the ongoing damage to the movement’s credibility and bring closure would be for these prominent individuals to publicly repudiate their former endorsements, views, and statements on the Pentagon event and acknowledge the scientific method and its conclusion of large plane impact. In the absence of public repudiations, the damage caused by false Pentagon hypotheses is likely to continue indefinitely, even if those who fueled their spread cease to promote them. Consequently, the surest way to end the debate and enhance the credibility of the movement is for each individual to study, without bias or prejudice, the evidence for themselves.</p>
<p>The recent papers by scientists, engineers and others showing large plane impact at the Pentagon have been collected together on a website that invites feedback and discussion. Comments can be sent to the <a href="http://www.scientificmethod911.org/" type="external">Scientific Method 9/11</a> website which specifically invites feedback on many of the papers listed below.</p>
<p>[Editor’s note: Read the author’s responses to critical feedback at&#160; <a href="http://www.scientificmethod911.org/reviewpages/wyndham_debate.html" type="external">ScientificMethod911.org</a>. Read his most recent peer-reviewed paper, “ <a href="http://www.mdpi.com/2304-6775/5/2/16" type="external">Peer Review in Controversial Topics–A Case Study of 9/11</a>” (published in the journal&#160;Publications&#160;June 2017).]</p>
<p>This article is based on the research and writings of the following authors: Victoria Ashley, David Chandler, Jonathan H. Cole, Jim Hoffman, Ken Jenkins, Frank Legge, Warren Stutt and John D. Wyndham. These writings point to many other researchers, such as Adam Larson, Russell Pickering, John Farmer and Arabesque, who have contributed to an understanding of the Pentagon evidence.</p>
<p>The author of this article would like to thank David Chandler, Jonathan H. Cole, and Ken Jenkins for reading the manuscript and offering useful comments and suggestions.</p>
<p><a href="http://911research.wtc7.net/essays/pentagon/" type="external">The Pentagon Attack: What the Physical Evidence Shows</a> – Jim Hoffman</p>
<p><a href="http://911review.com/errors/pentagon/index.html" type="external">Pentagon Attack Errors</a> – Jim Hoffman</p>
<p><a href="http://stj911.org/evidence/pentagon.html" type="external">Evidence: The Pentagon Attack</a> – Victoria Ashley</p>
<p><a href="http://www.9-11tv.org/the-pentagon-plane-puzzle/85-pentagon-area-surveillance-cameras" type="external">The 85 Pentagon Area Surveillance Cameras</a> – Ken Jenkins</p>
<p><a href="http://911speakout.org/?page_id=219" type="external">The Pentagon – A joint statement</a> – David Chandler and Jonathan H. Cole</p>
<p><a href="http://scienceof911.com.au/pentagon/" type="external">The Science of 9/11, Pentagon</a> – Frank Legge</p>
<p><a href="http://warrenstutt.com/" type="external">Warren Stutt’s Home Page</a> – Warren Stutt</p>
<p><a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/papers.html#papers_pentagon" type="external">Papers on the Pentagon</a> – Scientists for 9/11 Truth, various scientists</p>
<p><a href="http://www.scientificmethod911.org/pentagon.html" type="external">Papers on the Pentagon</a> – Scientific Method 9/11, John D. Wyndham</p>
<p>Frank Legge, “ <a href="http://www.journalof911studies.com/volume/2009/WhatHitPentagonDrLeggeAug.pdf" type="external">What Hit the Pentagon? Misinformation and its Effect on the Credibility of 9/11 Truth</a>,” Journal of 9/11 Studies, July, 2009.</p>
<p>David Chandler (based on Ken Jenkins), “ <a href="http://911speakout.org/wp-content/uploads/BlinkedPentagonPlane.html" type="external">Blink Comparator Views of the Plane at the Pentagon</a>,” 911Speakout.org, 2016.</p>
<p>Frank Legge, and Warren Stutt, “ <a href="http://www.journalof911studies.com/volume/2010/Calibration%20of%20altimeter_92.pdf" type="external">Flight AA77 on 9/11: New FDR Analysis Supports the Official Flight Path…</a>“,&#160;Journal of 9/11 Studies, January, 2011.</p>
<p>Frank Legge and David Chandler, “ <a href="http://stj911.org/legge/Legge_Chandler_NOC_Refutation.html" type="external">The Pentagon Attack on 9/11: A Refutation of the Pentagon Flyover Hypothesis Based on Analysis of the Flight Path</a>,” STJ911.org, September, 2011 and its <a href="" type="internal">Addendum</a>, Foreign Policy Journal, December, 2011.</p>
<p>John D. Wyndham, “ <a href="http://www.journalof911studies.com/volume/2010/Wyndham1.pdf" type="external">The Pentagon Attack: Problems with Theories Alternative to Large Plane Impact</a>,” Journal of 9/11 Studies, November, 2011. Revised <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/docs/Theories_Alternative_April_2016.pdf" type="external">version (3)</a>, ScientificMethod9/11.org, April, 2016.</p>
<p>Frank Legge, “ <a href="http://www.journalof911studies.com/resources/Legge-Letter-June.pdf" type="external">The 9/11 Attack on the Pentagon: the Search for Consensus</a>,” Journal of 9/11 Studies, June, 2012.</p>
<p>John D. Wyndham, “ <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/docs/Pentagon_Event_Time_Mar19_2013.pdf" type="external">The Pentagon Attack: The Event Time Revisited</a>,” ScientificMethod9/11.org, March, 2013.</p>
<p>John D. Wyndham, “ <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/docs/Eyewitnesses_DebrisFlow_FandE_Mar4_2016.pdf" type="external">The Pentagon Attack: Eyewitnesses, Debris Flow and Other Issues – A Reply to Fletcher and Eastman</a>,” ScientificMethod9/11.org, April, 2013.</p>
<p>Victoria Ashley et al., “ <a href="http://www.scientificmethod911.org/docs/Honegger_Hypothesis_042916.pdf" type="external">The Pentagon Event: The Honegger Hypothesis Refuted</a>,” ScientificMethod9/11.org, April, 2016.</p>
<p>Jim Hoffman, “ <a href="http://911review.com/articles/stjarna/eximpactdamage.html" type="external">Pentagon – Exterior Impact Damage</a>,” 911Review.com, February, 2003.</p>
<p>Jim Hoffman, “ <a href="http://911research.wtc7.net/essays/pentagontrap.html" type="external">The Pentagon No-757-Crash Theory: Booby Trap for 9/11 Skeptics</a>,” 911Research.WTC7.net, November, 2004.</p>
<p>Victoria Ashley, “ <a href="http://www.911review.com/articles/ashley/pentacon_con.html" type="external">To Con a Movement: Exposing CIT’s PentaCon ‘Magic Show’</a>,” 911Review.com, July, 2009.</p>
<p>Jim Hoffman, “ <a href="http://911research.wtc7.net/essays/pentacon/index.html" type="external">Google Earth Exposes Pentagon Flyover Farce</a>,” 911Research.WTC7.net, July, 2009.</p>
<p>Frank Legge, “ <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/docs/Legge_Pentagon_Letter.pdf" type="external">Science, Activism, and the Pentagon Debate</a>,” Scientistsfor911Truth.org, April, 2014.</p>
<p>Ken Jenkins and David Chandler: “ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmoqojtdMD0&amp;feature=youtu.be" type="external">Pentagon Plane Puzzle + David Chandler: Going Beyond Speculation</a>,” YouTube, September, 2015.</p>
<p>Frank Legge and Ken Jenkins, “ <a href="http://www.scientistsfor911truth.org/docs/Why_Not_Use_a_Plane_v12_011616.pdf" type="external">Why Not Use a Plane?</a>,” Scientistsfor911Truth.org, January, 2016.</p> | false | 1 | time 911 truth movement resolve pentagon debate applying scientific method points conclusively large plane impact fifteen years 911 truth movement visible leaders debated question large plane matching boeing 757 general flight aa 77 particular hit pentagon september 11 2001 last several years group scientists engineers presented number scientific papers answer questions resounding yes number scientists engineers affiliated organization scientists 911 truth also fully supports hypothesis impacts resulting fires boeing 767s crashing world trade centers twin towers wtc1 wtc2 911 could account destruction buildings building 7 wtc7 destroyed without impacted plane evidence clear three buildings destroyed form controlled demolition 911 truth movement generally agrees happened new york city thus far closure pentagon debate organization scientists 911 truth stood virtually alone maintaining large plane impact pentagon together controlled demolition buildings new york city publication three new works cited indications 911 truth movement may ready adopt position also see example article truth action project website pentagon question divided 911 truth movement impeding thrust toward truth public credibility despite hundreds eyewitnesses saw large plane fly towards pentagon impact critics continue claim otherwise mainly crash scene unlike plane crashes critics considered unique eventa highspeed impact large plane buildingpreconceived expectations observed outcome little value plane largely penetrated building leaving many small fragments outside relatively large pieces recent conversation plane impact advocate advocate stated know sure hit pentagon people know answers come forward fact people came forward long time ago video audio recordings written statements starting 911 regrettably 911 truth movement large either know hundreds witnesses else refused listen believe eyewitnesses affirm large plane impact damage trail establishes plane path impact high degree precision plane flew low southwest straight toward pentagon path making 52degree angle pentagons west wall clipped tree downed five light poles struck fence generatortrailer low concrete wall impacted building first second floors creating 18foot wide hole atop 96foot gash façade outside plane debris strewn north near heliport speed angle impact light poles separation gives plane wingspan range 100 130 feet boeing 757 wingspan 124 feet 10 inches low concrete wall generatortrailer damage separation indicates engine separation approximately 43 feet boeing 757 engine separation 425 feet see figure 1 inside pentagon plane increasingly fragmented steel concrete columns creating fluidlike flow solid debris flow material destroyed damaged many internal columns defining continuation outside path ultimately created exit hole c ring wall160debris including plane parts spilled ae drive direction original plane path internal columns bowed abraded flight path direction much first floor suddenly filled debris first floor ceiling beyond collapsed portion building remained intact elements confirm flight path supported eyewitness accounts radar data flight data recorder fdr data released national transportation safety board ntsb freedom information act foia 62 documented eyewitnesses saw plane impact fourteen 14 witnesses saw one light poles struck four witnesses saw right enginewing hit generatortrailer one witness saw left engine hit low concrete wall break apart multiple witnesses traced passage plane flew sheraton hotel last radar reading impact pentagon initial problems reading last frame fdr data properly decoded fdr data traces planes path way takeoff dulles airport impact pentagon confluence physical eyewitness evidence provides overwhelming case large planea boeing 757 specifically flight aa 77impacting penetrating pentagon 911 initial hypothesis large plane impact examined consequences shown eyewitness testimony physical damage supporting evidence survives scientific method test becomes theory explains virtually observations hypothesis impact missile preplanted bombs even ventured explain evidence illustrates difference hypothesis theory application scientific method solving physical problems deny large plane impact offer criticisms alternative hypotheses theory complete theory examines consequences hypothesis compares consequences evidence discards hypothesis leads results match evidence figure 2 illustrates flow analysis using scientific method lets begin topmost oval figure 2 ask question caused damage deaths pentagon morning 911 answer question first background research eyewitnesses according eyewitnesses large plane flew six seconds according fdr data vicinity sheraton hotel west end navy annex impacted pentagon west wall flew columbia pike crossed cloverleaf intersection columbia pike washington boulevard route 27 clipped tree impacted five light poles fence generatortrailer low concrete wall hitting pentagon façade largely disappeared inside building plane parts rained pentagon lawn highway runs parallel west wall observed fleeting event outside pentagon standstill traffic route 27 vicinity arlington cemetery nearby buildings substantial agreement impact large plane occurred witnesses identified plane silver color red blue markings american airlines plane boeing 757 witnesses aftermath plane impact see plane hit saw many small pieces plane confetti well large pieces silver fuselage witnesses see large plane parts recognize confetti critics seized upon latter accounts try prove plane accounts negate many positive observations others well abundance photographic evidence also photographs significant number witnesses described seeing plane parts interior building ae drive photographs videos photographs taken outside inside pentagon show many small pieces silver fuselage aa colored markings plane engine parts landing gear tire abraded bent interior columns show direction flow fragmented plane parts aligning known outside path within degrees much first floor area noncollapsed ceiling suddenly filled debris outside c ring hole debris plane parts strewn ae drive alignment flight path radar fdr data figures 3 4 show planes path takeoff dulles airport point close sheraton hotel radar data impact pentagon fdr data pentagon security videos recent work video two pentagon security cameras shows captured images approaching lowflying plane paper 85 pentagon area surveillance cameras ken jenkins explains images date error came likely origins trailing white smoke evidence time government withholding images event captured surveillance cameras ken jenkins david chandler also recently took pairs sequential images pentagon surveillance video cameras putting together would see called blink comparator way image plane pops watch image cycle times details plane clearly visible find blink comparisons david chandlers website 911speakoutorg based background research propose test hypothesis pentagon struck large plane matching boeing 757 probably flight aa 77 many physical hypotheses tested experiment laboratory using relatively simple equipment case pentagon 911 event costs test andor reproduce features event would prohibitive fortunately prior relevant tests airplane incidents evidence pertinent event support large plane impact hypothesis f4 experiment f4 phantom jet experiment plane propelled high speed rocket sled massive impenetrable concrete wall plane completely fragmented small pieces experiment supports fragmentation boeing 757 plane parts enter building ground effect known ground effect claimed critics plane could flown closer ground 56 feet would impacted fourth fifth floor levels experienced pilots supported objection physical evidence five downed light poles confirms large plane fly low addition many witnesses actually reported saw large commercial jetliner identified boeing 757 fly low close ground actual experience confirms behavior example air show portugal evora 2007 figure 5 airbus a310 similar size boeing 757 repeatedly flew low sometimes gear full flaps least one pass relatively high speed concern ground effect height plane runway little diameter fuselage engineers scientists working aerospace field feature article explains high speed low angle attack ground effect relevant factor particularly aircraft automatic control likely case flight aa 77 end according jeff scott ground effect would quite small flight 77 given high rate speed small angle attack see aerospaceweborg answer jeff scott pentagon amp boeing 757 ground effect clipped tree one witness described plane picking trees light poles photographs show starboard right engine plane clip tree jon cole shown experimentally possible leading edge engine cut tree cole compared action similarlooking ragged branches cut heavy brush cutter heavy thick dull blades rotating lesser speed airplane cut woody branches pentagon tree see figure 6 branches ingested right engine explain smoke trail right engine point seen security camera videos simulation rotated generatortrailer several witnesses saw right plane engine andor wing strike one end heavy generatortrailer trailer found rotated end toward building addition damaged end gash trailer top corresponding position first flap canoe beyond right engine boeing 757 location direction gash consistent canoes position wing planes flight path gouge low concrete wall one witness saw left engine hit low concrete wall break apart wall shows curved gouge consistent impact engine distance wall struck end generatortrailer approximately 43 feet matching engines separation boeing 757 425 feet left engine hit wall inches ground level point wall sits high point explains engine gouge surrounding lawn traveled lawn nearby upright wooden spools struck positioned plane fuselage lowslung left engine debris heliport area noticeable amount plane debris mostly small pieces heliport area north impact hole accord planes path made 52degree angle pentagon west wall approached southwest distribution debris entirely expected since fragmentation debris remained outside building would significant velocity component causing travel northerly direction impact hole façade damage many claims made impact hole small plane size boeing 757 entered building none claims merit fuselage boeing 757 1233 feet wide 135 feet high corresponding hole 18 feet wide early photographs obscured spray fire hoses hid long gash 96 feet first floor façade many missing outer support columns thus planes fuselage engines heavier inner parts wings sufficient room penetrate building according witnesses fdr data plane rolled 5 degrees counterclockwise hit wall façade markings long gash made wing confirm observations critics frequently point absence clear vertical gash contend made vertical portion tail shown jim hoffman markings area tail might hit possible tail blown fragmented reach wall intact one witness described seeing fuel explosion tail still visible many witnesses saw tail criticism overturn evidence plane approach impact internal column damage figure 7 taken pentagon building performance report depicts internal column damage top red blue squares depict missing severely damaged columns green yellow squares show columns less damage width damage west wall top 100 feet consistent impact fuselage engines heavy parts wings boeing 757 fuselage moved building shredded scattered sides along path cone decreasing width material maintained enough focus break make hole c ring wall dark shaded area figure building collapsed 30 minutes impact first floor area damage collapse filled debris without first floor ceiling collapsing observations support impact façade passage large plane building primarily first floor level noteworthy april gallop extensively interviewed quoted important witness office wedge 2 150 feet impact hole gallops office structure collapse lights went gallop far away smell jet fuel child others exited window near heliport outside gallop collapsed apparently unconscious moved outer lawn area hospital gallop opportunity see aircraft debris inside outside building c ring exit hole c ring exit hole understood resulting impact many pieces plane debris process false assertion workers created hole way access building interior fully discussed papers listed exit hole lines plane path made 52degree angle pentagon west wall fact points holes origin since exact plane path known days weeks event evidence part crash scene staged imply nonexistent plane crash physical eyewitness evidence points actual large plane impact debris ae drive debris strewn outside c ring exit hole line direction planes motion included plane tire wheel rim consistent boeing 757 see figure 8 figure 8 shows large remnant tire outside c ring hole 2 also shown wheel rim 1 debris angle 3 also clearly visible single doorway lies direction pointed 4 background information includes eyewitnesses detailed examination plane path damage presented support large plane impact hypothesis conclusion drawn large plane matching boeing 757 probably flight aa 77 struck pentagon 911 hypothesis impact large plane matching boeing 757 flight aa 77 true next step scientific method report results among first report results scientific analysis pentagon 911 event jim hoffman victoria ashley subsequently scientists affiliated scientists 911 truth additional authors engineers computer scientists participating produced substantial number papers papers listed additional reading section include three new works mentioned listed together new article pentagon plane puzzle video ken jenkins pentagon eyewitnesses b going beyond speculation scientific look pentagon evidence talk david chandler c pentagon event honegger hypothesis refuted paper victoria ashley david chandler jonathan h cole jim hoffman ken jenkins frank legge john wyndham except victoria ashley jonathan h cole scholars 911 truth justice foregoing individuals members scientists 911 truth see also article use plane frank legge ken jenkins scientists 911 truth website since pentagon 911 event many individuals tried prove large plane impact pentagon individuals often point testimonies witnesses see plane impact example aftermath witness might see recognizable plane parts claim imply plane involved pentagon workers inside building inferred bomb since whatever happened sounded like bomb expert witness military experience also saw plane tail impact following fireball stated sounded like 2000 lb bomb many witnesses reported smelled odor jet fuel smaller number thought smelled cordite explosive use since wwii although least 14 witnesses saw plane hit light poles one second less impact critics claim could happened without wings visibly damaged destroyed even though event occurred broad daylight viewed hundreds people scores stuck traffic route 27 clear view critics dismissed witness accounts claiming fraudulent however single case pentagon witness shown deliberately lied contrary attempt manipulate witnesses years later lead different conclusion saw pentagon case postulate north path approach physical damage could done plane advocates north path approach claim plane flew pentagon single unequivocal witness scenario many north path witnesses affirm plane impacted building based criticisms number alternative hypotheses proposed although often termed theories hypotheses rise level theories subjected discipline scientific method instructive subject alternative hypotheses analysis according scientific method steps figure 2 hypothesize plane impact attribute damage deaths preplanted explosives bombs researchers include barbara honegger behind smoke curtain presentation citizen investigation team cit assumption approaching plane seen many flew pentagon honegger modified hypothesis last several years postulate white plane destroyed sort explosives outside pentagon near heliport area without debris hitting pentagon wall plane impact hypotheses next step scientific method test experiment raises immediate problems first major problem scores eyewitnesses saw plane impact pentagon west wall solve problem many critics simply ignore attempt discredit witnesses claiming lying incoherent manipulated insiders tell false story criticisms fail lack proof witnesses explained away credible fashion second major problem explain plane debris seen witnesses photographs credible explanation offered large volume plane debris planted distributed outside pentagon inside pentagon ae drive except plane crash honeggers white plane destroyed hypothesis appears attempt explain plane debris near heliport explain plane debris found inside pentagon building ae drive third major problem failure explain using bombs observed damage damage includes clipped tree five downed light poles generatortrailer damaged rotated toward pentagon gouge low concrete wall shape nature façade damage internal bowed abraded columns sudden appearance internal plane debris c ring hole debris strewn ae drive credible evidence honeggers white plane planes supposed destruction without fragmented parts hitting pentagon west wall violates laws physics specifically law conservation momentum center gravity combined fragments would still moving toward wall planes preexplosion speed nowhere near enough plane debris outside wall near heliport account entire plane bombsonly hypothesis fails test scientific method major ways analysis shows hypothesis false however although evidence scant nonexistent still possible internal bombs timed explode time large plane impact investigators claim small plane hit pentagon 911 include massimo mazzucco part 2 film september 11 new pearl harbor david ray griffin author many books events 911 griffin publicly endorsed mazzuccos work including pentagon hypothesis immediately encounters major problems great majority 180 eyewitnesses approach plane impact pentagon west wall described large plane small number six less witnesses described small plane viewed plane great distance making size judgments difficult unreliable large plane witnesses many described silver american airlines plane boeing 737 757 one knowledgeable witness tim timmerman airlines pilot recognized unequivocally boeing 757 secondly small plane could created observed physical damage downed light poles require minimum wingspan 100 feet generatortrailer low concrete wall separation gives separation engines 43 feet closely matching actual separation boeing 757 engines 425 feet given wingtips plane light might easily break small plane would unlikely create 96foot gash first floor small plane hypothesis fails test scientific method analysis shows hypothesis false missile hypothesis explain spatial characteristics physical damage light poles effectively 100 feet apart generatortrailer low concrete wall effectively 43 feet apart objects could impacted missile shape size impact hole precludes missile damaged internal columns spaced apart wide area bowed abraded columns could rendered condition missile missile could possibly created c ring hole plane parts found debris ae drive donald rumsfeld alluded missile eyewitness mike walter spoke missile metaphorical sense plane acting missile comments fueled missile hypothesis witnesses claimed seen missile witnesses overwhelmingly described large plane missile hypothesis fails test scientific method analysis shows hypothesis false despite clear evidence analysis using scientific method large plane impact substantial portion 911 truth movement including accepted leaders involved major organizations continues publicly endorse adhere promulgate talks writings films false pentagon hypotheses simply offer criticisms reject ignore evidence would bring closure argument clear evidence way disintegrating truth groups endorsements communications injurious movement public feedback shows false pentagon hypotheses undermine public acceptance highly credible scientific findings demolitions twin towers building 7 wtc7 new york city rank file members 911 truth movement take cues pentagon wellknown speakers writers acknowledged leaders movement quickest way end ongoing damage movements credibility bring closure would prominent individuals publicly repudiate former endorsements views statements pentagon event acknowledge scientific method conclusion large plane impact absence public repudiations damage caused false pentagon hypotheses likely continue indefinitely even fueled spread cease promote consequently surest way end debate enhance credibility movement individual study without bias prejudice evidence recent papers scientists engineers others showing large plane impact pentagon collected together website invites feedback discussion comments sent scientific method 911 website specifically invites feedback many papers listed editors note read authors responses critical feedback at160 scientificmethod911org read recent peerreviewed paper peer review controversial topicsa case study 911 published journal160publications160june 2017 article based research writings following authors victoria ashley david chandler jonathan h cole jim hoffman ken jenkins frank legge warren stutt john wyndham writings point many researchers adam larson russell pickering john farmer arabesque contributed understanding pentagon evidence author article would like thank david chandler jonathan h cole ken jenkins reading manuscript offering useful comments suggestions pentagon attack physical evidence shows jim hoffman pentagon attack errors jim hoffman evidence pentagon attack victoria ashley 85 pentagon area surveillance cameras ken jenkins pentagon joint statement david chandler jonathan h cole science 911 pentagon frank legge warren stutts home page warren stutt papers pentagon scientists 911 truth various scientists papers pentagon scientific method 911 john wyndham frank legge hit pentagon misinformation effect credibility 911 truth journal 911 studies july 2009 david chandler based ken jenkins blink comparator views plane pentagon 911speakoutorg 2016 frank legge warren stutt flight aa77 911 new fdr analysis supports official flight path160journal 911 studies january 2011 frank legge david chandler pentagon attack 911 refutation pentagon flyover hypothesis based analysis flight path stj911org september 2011 addendum foreign policy journal december 2011 john wyndham pentagon attack problems theories alternative large plane impact journal 911 studies november 2011 revised version 3 scientificmethod911org april 2016 frank legge 911 attack pentagon search consensus journal 911 studies june 2012 john wyndham pentagon attack event time revisited scientificmethod911org march 2013 john wyndham pentagon attack eyewitnesses debris flow issues reply fletcher eastman scientificmethod911org april 2013 victoria ashley et al pentagon event honegger hypothesis refuted scientificmethod911org april 2016 jim hoffman pentagon exterior impact damage 911reviewcom february 2003 jim hoffman pentagon no757crash theory booby trap 911 skeptics 911researchwtc7net november 2004 victoria ashley con movement exposing cits pentacon magic show 911reviewcom july 2009 jim hoffman google earth exposes pentagon flyover farce 911researchwtc7net july 2009 frank legge science activism pentagon debate scientistsfor911truthorg april 2014 ken jenkins david chandler pentagon plane puzzle david chandler going beyond speculation youtube september 2015 frank legge ken jenkins use plane scientistsfor911truthorg january 2016 | 3,186 |
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375415270/104-6900204-8983920?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=wwweppcorg-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creativeASIN=0375415270" type="external">Scott of the Antarctic: A Life of Courage and Tragedy</a>by David Crane, Knopf, 592 pp., $30.</p>
<p>Right at the end of his biography of the great British polar explorer, Robert Falcon Scott, David Crane writes: “For most of his life there had been a widening gap between the idealist on the page and the flawed man, but it is the Scott of the page, and not of everyday life, that is the real Scott, and in the tent they at last became one.”</p>
<p>Ponder those words a moment. If they were to be taken to heart by the fellowship of biographers of which Crane is so distinguished a member, they would revolutionize the entire trade, which for most of the last century has been operating on the assumption that not only Scott’s but everybody’s “flawed man” is the “real” one. Why, you might almost think that Crane was advocating a return to the sardonic lesson of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”</p>
<p>Of course, he is doing no such thing. That passage is just a gesture, a caveat, a momentary acknowledgment by (perhaps) his own “flawed man” within that, having spent so much time in the presence of a genuine hero, he can’t leave him without noting that there is something real about heroism that makes the flaws he has tried so hard to sniff out seem trivial by comparison.</p>
<p>“The tent” referred to is, of course, where Scott and his companions perished on their return journey from the South Pole in March 1912. Having walked well over a thousand miles to the pole and back, over some of the most forbidding terrain on earth, while pulling sleds weighing hundreds of pounds — and having found on getting there that they had been beaten to the pole by the dog sleds of Scott’s Norwegian rival, Roald Amundsen — they died in a blizzard, unable to move and having exhausted food and fuel, 11 miles from succor.</p>
<p>That tragic and heroic death made Scott more idolized and idealized by the popular culture in Britain than any man since Nelson, who also had a heroic death, a century earlier. Such adulation could not but have served as an invitation to biographers of the debunking kind — and Crane very briefly to the contrary notwithstanding, there has been no other kind for many years now. In Scott’s case, the most comprehensive debunking came at the hands of Roland Huntford, whose Scott and Amundsen (published in the United States in 1979 as The Last Place on Earth) dragged Scott’s flawed man, or something that could pass for him, out from behind the curtain of his legend and paraded him for all to see.</p>
<p>Crane’s biography should be counted among those that have since sought to rehabilitate at least some of the great man’s greatness, though Crane is (of course) very far from being uncritical. But his efforts are hobbled by the fact that he still has one foot in the trap of late 20th-century cultural assumptions, and in particular the assumption that, in my view, lies behind all the controversy about Scott: namely, that the Victorian and Edwardian honor culture was a disastrous failure. It is only on the basis of this assumption that the subsidiary question of whether Scott himself (always considered at the time one of the shining examples of that culture) was a failure, or not, can be answered.</p>
<p>Was he, in other words, a failure because the honor culture was a failure? Or was he a success in spite of the failure of the honor culture? The one view that is never considered by Crane, any more than it is by any others of Scott’s biographers for the last generation, is the one that prevailed at the time of his death — that he was the vindication of that culture, and his failure showed its success.</p>
<p>The reasons for this circumscription of the discussion are too complex to sort out here, but it is scarcely controversial to note that the word “honor” and its compounds and derivatives were frequently in the mouths of Scott and his admirers and supporters, just as they were in those of a great many Britons of the period, and that the word today, if heard at all, is likely to carry with it pejorative connotations, as in “honor-killing.”</p>
<p>Huntford and Scott’s other detractors tend to stress what they see as Scott’s bumbling amateurism as an explorer, and to regard his death not as heroic but as another reason for the discrediting of the Edwardian sportsman’s cult of the amateur. Not that, you’d think, any more reasons were necessary after the pummeling that particular beau idéal has taken over the last 70 or 80 years! For all Crane’s sympathy with Scott, examples of his “incompetence” — a word used to describe even the most trivial and inevitable failures and mistakes — stud his prose like raisins in a fruitcake. Nor is Crane above the portentous drawing of significance from these by frequent peeks over the horizon to such celebrated disasters of the First World War as Jutland or the Somme.</p>
<p>There is a kind of stern, unbending techno-military puritanism about such criticisms — as if the norm were perfection and any deviation from it, therefore, a moral reproach to the commander — which is also becoming routine in the ever-more strident critiques in the media and Congress of the Iraq war. This seems particularly unfair as an approach to those, like Scott, who a century-and-a-half ago were bred up in an honor culture most of whose tenets were designed as stratagems to cope with failure.</p>
<p>It’s also a failure not to recognize this, as when Crane comments: “As astonishing as any of the miseries of this journey is the spirit with which they were borne.” His astonishment must be due to his assumption that this is just a curious fact picked up along the way and not the essence of the honor culture that he is writing about without (quite) knowing it. The result is a schizophrenic quality to this book, since most of what it finds to criticize about Scott is also what it finds to admire.</p>
<p>Most admirable of all is, surely, the Herculean self-restraint — or, in critical mode, emotional repression — that was required of Scott to do what he did and to become the man he was. Here, for instance, is what Scott of the Antarctic has to say about Scott’s own book about his first Antarctic expedition in 1901-04, The Voyage of the Discovery:</p>
<p>There are problems with the book — excisions, launderings and “quotations” from the original diaries that are not the literal transcriptions that they might seem — but these are no more or less than might be expected. Behind these silences and evasions lay the long and discreet tradition of Victorian biography, and if Lytton Strachey was already waiting in the wings, it would no more have occurred to Scott to air old grievances and dislikes than it would his modern successor to leave them out. One could read the near-thousand pages of The Voyage of the Discovery and never know that there had been any tensions in the wardroom, that Scott had made Ferrar cry, that Barne had nearly lost them half a dozen men, or Armitage had spent the last year sulking in his tent. It plainly suited Scott’s purposes to project an image of contented unity to the Admiralty and to the public, and yet the real point is that there would not have been a single man in the ship — not even Armitage at this stage — who would have wanted it told differently or not closed ranks around the “myth” perpetrated in his expedition history.</p>
<p>Do I detect in those quotation marks festooning the word “myth” the dawning of a highly subversive recognition that myth is not just the creeping moss that it is the biographer’s job to clear out of his garden, but something with a truth-value of its own? One of the most striking things about Captain Scott to emerge from this biography is his quickness with praise for the honorable, noble, unselfish, eager, uncomplaining, hard-working, generous behavior of others, down to the lowliest members of his team. We are no more to imagine that these others were actually (if we could know them in every intimate detail) without fault any more than he, himself, was. But he sets us an example of how to look at men in order to bring out the best in them, and it seems only fair and equitable that we, like so many of his contemporaries who reciprocated in the warmest terms, should do as much — and rather more than David Crane does — for him.</p>
<p>As for Scott as the precursor of World War I in the discrediting of the British honor culture, we may again have reason to think that the last word was said by Scott’s great companion, Apsley Cherry-Garrard, the author of what is still the finest account of the last expedition, The Worst Journey in the World: “A war is like the Antarctic in one respect. There is no getting out of it with honour as long as you can put one foot before the other.”</p>
<p>— James Bowman, resident scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, is the author of Honor: A History.</p> | false | 1 | scott antarctic life courage tragedyby david crane knopf 592 pp 30 right end biography great british polar explorer robert falcon scott david crane writes life widening gap idealist page flawed man scott page everyday life real scott tent last became one ponder words moment taken heart fellowship biographers crane distinguished member would revolutionize entire trade last century operating assumption scotts everybodys flawed man real one might almost think crane advocating return sardonic lesson man shot liberty valance legend becomes fact print legend course thing passage gesture caveat momentary acknowledgment perhaps flawed man within spent much time presence genuine hero cant leave without noting something real heroism makes flaws tried hard sniff seem trivial comparison tent referred course scott companions perished return journey south pole march 1912 walked well thousand miles pole back forbidding terrain earth pulling sleds weighing hundreds pounds found getting beaten pole dog sleds scotts norwegian rival roald amundsen died blizzard unable move exhausted food fuel 11 miles succor tragic heroic death made scott idolized idealized popular culture britain man since nelson also heroic death century earlier adulation could served invitation biographers debunking kind crane briefly contrary notwithstanding kind many years scotts case comprehensive debunking came hands roland huntford whose scott amundsen published united states 1979 last place earth dragged scotts flawed man something could pass behind curtain legend paraded see cranes biography counted among since sought rehabilitate least great mans greatness though crane course far uncritical efforts hobbled fact still one foot trap late 20thcentury cultural assumptions particular assumption view lies behind controversy scott namely victorian edwardian honor culture disastrous failure basis assumption subsidiary question whether scott always considered time one shining examples culture failure answered words failure honor culture failure success spite failure honor culture one view never considered crane others scotts biographers last generation one prevailed time death vindication culture failure showed success reasons circumscription discussion complex sort scarcely controversial note word honor compounds derivatives frequently mouths scott admirers supporters great many britons period word today heard likely carry pejorative connotations honorkilling huntford scotts detractors tend stress see scotts bumbling amateurism explorer regard death heroic another reason discrediting edwardian sportsmans cult amateur youd think reasons necessary pummeling particular beau idéal taken last 70 80 years cranes sympathy scott examples incompetence word used describe even trivial inevitable failures mistakes stud prose like raisins fruitcake crane portentous drawing significance frequent peeks horizon celebrated disasters first world war jutland somme kind stern unbending technomilitary puritanism criticisms norm perfection deviation therefore moral reproach commander also becoming routine evermore strident critiques media congress iraq war seems particularly unfair approach like scott centuryandahalf ago bred honor culture whose tenets designed stratagems cope failure also failure recognize crane comments astonishing miseries journey spirit borne astonishment must due assumption curious fact picked along way essence honor culture writing without quite knowing result schizophrenic quality book since finds criticize scott also finds admire admirable surely herculean selfrestraint critical mode emotional repression required scott become man instance scott antarctic say scotts book first antarctic expedition 190104 voyage discovery problems book excisions launderings quotations original diaries literal transcriptions might seem less might expected behind silences evasions lay long discreet tradition victorian biography lytton strachey already waiting wings would occurred scott air old grievances dislikes would modern successor leave one could read nearthousand pages voyage discovery never know tensions wardroom scott made ferrar cry barne nearly lost half dozen men armitage spent last year sulking tent plainly suited scotts purposes project image contented unity admiralty public yet real point would single man ship even armitage stage would wanted told differently closed ranks around myth perpetrated expedition history detect quotation marks festooning word myth dawning highly subversive recognition myth creeping moss biographers job clear garden something truthvalue one striking things captain scott emerge biography quickness praise honorable noble unselfish eager uncomplaining hardworking generous behavior others lowliest members team imagine others actually could know every intimate detail without fault sets us example look men order bring best seems fair equitable like many contemporaries reciprocated warmest terms much rather david crane scott precursor world war discrediting british honor culture may reason think last word said scotts great companion apsley cherrygarrard author still finest account last expedition worst journey world war like antarctic one respect getting honour long put one foot james bowman resident scholar ethics public policy center author honor history | 721 |
<p>Forrest Gump said that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJh59vZ8ccc" type="external">life is like a box of chocolates</a>.&#160;Republican-nomination contests, however, tend to be a trip to Baskin-Robbins’ <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baskin-Robbins" type="external">31 flavors of ice cream</a>.&#160;Most try to be accessible but different — the political versions of strawberry or chocolate.&#160;Some try harder to be more distinct:&#160;think of Mike Huckabee, for example, as the GOP’s Pralines &amp; Cream or Ted Cruz as the Republican <a href="http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/americone-dream-ice-cream" type="external">Americone Dream</a>.&#160;But in the end, the winner always seems to be the candidate that most resembles <a href="http://www.activebeat.com/diet-nutrition/15-most-popular-ice-cream-flavors-the-winner-may-surprise-you/15/" type="external">America’s favorite flavor, vanilla</a>.</p>
<p>Jeb Bush’s <a href="https://jeb2016.com/news/announcement?lang=en" type="external">announcement Monday</a> offered little in the way of specifics, but struck broad themes that will resonate with the vast majority of conservative Republicans.&#160;He believes “striving leads to success”.&#160;He wants to “get back on the side of free enterprise and free people”.&#160;His goal as president is to produce “4 percent growth.”&#160;He’s against “needless spending,” for “religious charities and their rights of conscience.”&#160; He’s against the “Obama-Clinton-Kerry team”’s “phone-it-in foreign policy” and is for “rebuild[ing] our armed forces and tak[ing] care of our troops and our veterans”. You can trust him to do all of this because he has “executive experience”.</p>
<p>In short, he’s offering Republican vanilla.</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with Republican vanilla.&#160;I agree with every one of his statements, and I think most readers of this blog do too.&#160;There’s reason to wonder, however, if vanilla will prove to be as popular with both primary- and general-election voters in 2016 as it has in the past.</p>
<p>Start with the primary.&#160;The conservative movement post-Obama is more riled up than it has been since the pre-Reagan era.&#160;Vociferous, angry, feeling betrayed by the GOP leadership:&#160;movement conservatives of social, economic, and crypto-libertarian stripes all want more than traditional GOP vanilla.&#160;They want highly flavored, idiosyncratic candidates and Jeb’s vanilla does not satisfy their hunger.&#160;That’s why the most recent Fox national poll showed Jeb running fifth among self-described tea-party Republicans, tied with Donald Trump, and why the most recent <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/page/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2015/06/02/National-Politics/Polling/question_15729.xml?uuid=gynXdgkVEeWVHo4VCQ1krg" type="external">Washington Post</a>&#160;national poll shows Jeb getting only 2 percent of “very conservative” Republicans, behind Carly Fiorina and “None of these candidates.”</p>
<p>That means Jeb must do well among more centrist Republicans to win.&#160;Indeed, polls all year have consistently shown Jeb winning big among moderates and independents who plan to vote in the Republican primary.&#160;A GOP candidate can win the nomination as the overwhelming favorite among moderates; John McCain did that in 2008.&#160;But he can only do that if he is also the favorite among the largest group of Republican voters, the self-described “somewhat conservatives.”&#160; Jeb is clearly aiming to satisfy their taste buds with “steady as she goes” Republican leadership while exciting moderates with his embrace of Hispanic voters and support for educational choice for the poor and the disabled.&#160;In a sense, he’s offering French Vanilla with some spicy Tahitian beans thrown in.</p>
<p>But moderates today might want a sharper candidate, too.&#160;Rand Paul is certainly that (I’ll let you pick the appropriate flavor), and polls show a set of moderate independents prefer him.&#160; Moderates also tend to like strong personalities who ride the “Straight Talk Express”.&#160; Ohio governor John Kasich, whose fervid support for Medicaid expansion has earned him the ire of tea-party fiscal conservatives, <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419547/kasichs-squishy-svengali-alexis-levinson" type="external">recently hired John Weaver and Fred Davis</a>, strategists who worked for moderate Republican faves John McCain (2008) and Jon Huntsman (query – do they ever work for someone not named John?).&#160; That suggests Kasich plans to run to Jeb’s left, a gambit that can only work if he plans to run a highly visible, aggressive, “flavored” campaign.&#160; Given Bush’s abysmal showing among the most conservative Republicans, all these men have to do is cut deeply into Bush’s moderate support to deny him the nomination.</p>
<p>But suppose vanilla again is the GOP’s favorite flavor.&#160;Does that mean Bush is well positioned to win the general?</p>
<p>This is where Jeb’s early indications are very problematic.&#160;He clearly wants to win a much larger share of the Hispanic vote, and is relying on issues (relative moderation on immigration) and personal narrative (his wife is a Mexican native and he speaks Spanish fluently) to seal the deal.&#160;So his general election flavor looks to be <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/dulce-de-leche-ice-cream.html" type="external">Dulce de Leche</a>.&#160;There are two problems with this: His economic policies turn Hispanics off and relying on Hispanics alone won’t get him the electoral votes he needs.</p>
<p>Bush’s economic program so far is so generically Republican it might even be tapioca.&#160; He favors deregulation, unleashing exploration of energy resources in the U.S., and energizing the private sector.&#160;In service of the latter goal, he always returns to the same theme, reforming the tax code to broaden the tax base and lower tax rates.&#160;Or as he said in yesterday’s speech, “clearing out the special favors for the few, reducing rates for all”.</p>
<p>Polls show, however, that Hispanics do not think this is the best approach to create growth.&#160; The Public Religion Research Institute’s <a href="http://publicreligion.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Hispanic-Values-Survey-topline-FINAL.pdf" type="external">2013 Hispanic Values Survey</a>, for example, asked which approach would produce more growth:&#160;lower taxes on individuals and businesses and pay for the tax cuts with lower government spending, or spend more in education and infrastructure and pay for it with higher taxes on people and business.&#160;Only 33 percent chose the first, conservative option.&#160;That’s six points more than voted for Mitt Romney, but Bush needs closer to 37–40 percent of the Hispanic vote to flip the key swing states of Colorado and Nevada.</p>
<p>Even that, however, wouldn’t be enough to put him in the White House.&#160;Hispanics make up enough of the electorate to matter in only three swing states:&#160;Florida, Colorado, and Nevada.&#160; Even if one adds New Mexico to the mix, which his brother won very narrowly in 2004 but which Romney lost by ten points, would mean Hispanic-heavy potential swing states would only add 49 electoral votes to Mitt Romney’s 206.&#160;That’s 15 votes shy of the 270 needed to give him the narrowest possible majority.&#160;There’s simply no way for Jeb to win the White House without winning a larger share of the white vote in one of the other swing states — and arguing that tax cuts for all (but which will primarily benefit the rich) will produce enough growth to matter hasn’t helped a Republican win the popular vote since the Reagan era.</p>
<p>It’s still early.&#160;Jeb has left himself a lot of wiggle room in terms of policy specifics. Perhaps he’ll spice it up later this year.&#160;But if he doesn’t, his trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is likely to be a rocky road.</p>
<p>— Henry Olsen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.</p> | false | 1 | forrest gump said life like box chocolates160republicannomination contests however tend trip baskinrobbins 31 flavors ice cream160most try accessible different political versions strawberry chocolate160some try harder distinct160think mike huckabee example gops pralines amp cream ted cruz republican americone dream160but end winner always seems candidate resembles americas favorite flavor vanilla jeb bushs announcement monday offered little way specifics struck broad themes resonate vast majority conservative republicans160he believes striving leads success160he wants get back side free enterprise free people160his goal president produce 4 percent growth160hes needless spending religious charities rights conscience160 hes obamaclintonkerry teams phoneitin foreign policy rebuilding armed forces taking care troops veterans trust executive experience short hes offering republican vanilla theres nothing wrong republican vanilla160i agree every one statements think readers blog too160theres reason wonder however vanilla prove popular primary generalelection voters 2016 past start primary160the conservative movement postobama riled since prereagan era160vociferous angry feeling betrayed gop leadership160movement conservatives social economic cryptolibertarian stripes want traditional gop vanilla160they want highly flavored idiosyncratic candidates jebs vanilla satisfy hunger160thats recent fox national poll showed jeb running fifth among selfdescribed teaparty republicans tied donald trump recent washington post160national poll shows jeb getting 2 percent conservative republicans behind carly fiorina none candidates means jeb must well among centrist republicans win160indeed polls year consistently shown jeb winning big among moderates independents plan vote republican primary160a gop candidate win nomination overwhelming favorite among moderates john mccain 2008160but also favorite among largest group republican voters selfdescribed somewhat conservatives160 jeb clearly aiming satisfy taste buds steady goes republican leadership exciting moderates embrace hispanic voters support educational choice poor disabled160in sense hes offering french vanilla spicy tahitian beans thrown moderates today might want sharper candidate too160rand paul certainly ill let pick appropriate flavor polls show set moderate independents prefer him160 moderates also tend like strong personalities ride straight talk express160 ohio governor john kasich whose fervid support medicaid expansion earned ire teaparty fiscal conservatives recently hired john weaver fred davis strategists worked moderate republican faves john mccain 2008 jon huntsman query ever work someone named john160 suggests kasich plans run jebs left gambit work plans run highly visible aggressive flavored campaign160 given bushs abysmal showing among conservative republicans men cut deeply bushs moderate support deny nomination suppose vanilla gops favorite flavor160does mean bush well positioned win general jebs early indications problematic160he clearly wants win much larger share hispanic vote relying issues relative moderation immigration personal narrative wife mexican native speaks spanish fluently seal deal160so general election flavor looks dulce de leche160there two problems economic policies turn hispanics relying hispanics alone wont get electoral votes needs bushs economic program far generically republican might even tapioca160 favors deregulation unleashing exploration energy resources us energizing private sector160in service latter goal always returns theme reforming tax code broaden tax base lower tax rates160or said yesterdays speech clearing special favors reducing rates polls show however hispanics think best approach create growth160 public religion research institutes 2013 hispanic values survey example asked approach would produce growth160lower taxes individuals businesses pay tax cuts lower government spending spend education infrastructure pay higher taxes people business160only 33 percent chose first conservative option160thats six points voted mitt romney bush needs closer 3740 percent hispanic vote flip key swing states colorado nevada even however wouldnt enough put white house160hispanics make enough electorate matter three swing states160florida colorado nevada160 even one adds new mexico mix brother narrowly 2004 romney lost ten points would mean hispanicheavy potential swing states would add 49 electoral votes mitt romneys 206160thats 15 votes shy 270 needed give narrowest possible majority160theres simply way jeb win white house without winning larger share white vote one swing states arguing tax cuts primarily benefit rich produce enough growth matter hasnt helped republican win popular vote since reagan era still early160jeb left lot wiggle room terms policy specifics perhaps hell spice later year160but doesnt trip 1600 pennsylvania avenue likely rocky road henry olsen senior fellow ethics public policy center | 646 |
<p>Interracial love, religious cults, hi-so culture (Thai high society) and an appetite for raw offal enrich and distract Thai auteur <a href="http://variety.com/t/pen-ek-rataranuang/" type="external">Pen-ek Rataranuang</a>’s classic noir about a marriage turned murderous. Mystery and danger percolate in “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/samui-song/" type="external">Samui Song</a>” all the way till the elliptical ending, which leaves audiences with a sense of lingering disquiet. However, there’s a certain spark missing both from the characters and the overall muffled tone. Heading to Toronto after opening the Venice Days section, the film should pique buyer interest based on the enduring popularity of the writer-director’s mid-career work, “Last Life in the Universe” and “Invisible Waves.”</p>
<p>Viyada (Chermarn “Ploy” Boonyasak), or “Vi” for short, is hitting a snag in her professional and marital lives. A daytime soap opera queen who specializes in playing super-bitches, she longs in vain for an arthouse project to give her an image makeover. Her French millionaire husband Jerome Beaufoy (French visual artist Stéphane Sednaoui) is unable to perform in bed, and retreats to his pottery atelier to mould clay phalluses. He’s also knee-deep in a religious cult led by a guru called the Holy One (Vithaya “Pu” Pansringarm, “Only God Forgives”).</p>
<p>Ratanaruang, who also wrote the screenplay, has said that the film grew out of his curiosity about mixed-race marriages in Thailand (which isn’t terribly new, since the mercenary factors informing similar relationships have been explored more bitingly in the Laotian horror movie “Dearest Sister”). In fact, Jerome, with his trophy Asian wife and fascination with eastern mysticism, is so stereotypical of the farang (Thai slang for white foreigner) that one wonders if it’s intended as parody. One way or the other, his domestic violence towards Vi is no joke, and Ratanaruang devises a supremely creepy scene in which he makes a gift of Vi to the Holy One.</p>
<p>As resentfulness swells in Vi, who cannot divorce Jerome without losing all financial security, a solution presents itself in a chance meeting with Guy Spenser (David Asavanond) in a hospital car park. After sharing a pack of cigarettes, they swiftly progress to sharing a meal. Guy is half-Caucasian, half-Thai, and his mother is gravely ill. His smoldering eyes suggest he wants to come on to Vi; turns out his proposition is less sexy, but more practical: He offers to help her make Jerome “disappear.”</p>
<p>All this happens in flashback, starting from a car crash Vi has in the forest (shot in black-and-white), which paves the way for her fateful encounter with Guy at the hospital. The non-linear narrative structure heightens the suspense, recalling “Double Indemnity,” “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and other films noir of that ilk, though the script plans to subvert Vi’s femme fatale persona later on.</p>
<p>The buildup to Guy’s enactment of their deal, laced with clever visual ellipses by editor Patamanadda Yukol, is the most gripping portion of the film. The helmer’s characteristic dry humor also seeps out in unexpected places, as when monks from the cult blast out a song waxing lyrical about devouring liver, or when Vi’s agent trashes an arthouse film that cinephiles will recognize as “Invisible Waves.”</p>
<p>A confounding lull sets in when the plot makes an abrupt detour to the eponymous resort island of Koh Samui, where a single mother (Palika Suwannarak) of a young boy lives with her female lover. DP Chankit Chamnivikaipong shoots the sunny, scenic tourist paradise in a jittery style with morose, dark lighting, as if transporting us into another place, another film — at least, until Guy and the cult’s cohorts resurface. Then things get very gory and nasty, before the script pulls the rug out from under the audience at the end.</p>
<p>There’s no denying the cleverness of this twist and what it suggests about woman’s position in Thai society, or the inextricable links between crime, religion and patriarchy, but still it doesn’t intrigue as much as the more straightforward first half.</p>
<p>Boonyasak gives an assured performance conveying Vi’s desperation under a veneer of icy confidence. Asavanond, speaking fluent Thai, retains a continental suaveness even at his shiftiest and most down-at-heel. Pansringarm, who has become the go-to guy when it comes to casting shady police chiefs and mafia dons in Thailand-set international productions, can play 50 shades of sinister. Here, he conveys not only authority and menace, but also gives audiences plenty of room to imagine what’s on his mind. Despite fine performances from a well-chosen cast, the characters aren’t furnished with much psychological depth, and their motives remain patently simple. Perhaps they just lack the existential anomie that makes protagonists in Ratanaruang’s other films so alluring.</p>
<p>Reviewed online, Vancouver, Sept. 5, 2017. (In Venice, Toronto film festivals.) Running time: 108 MIN. (Original title: “Mai Mee Samui Samrab Ter”)</p>
<p>(Thailand-Germany-Norway) A Samui Song JV presentation of a Bluering Co. production, in association with Cinema22, in co-production with Augenschein Film Produktion, Tenk.TV with the support of Ministry of Culture Thailand, World Cinema Fund, Sorfond.&#160;(International sales: Urban Distribution Intl., Paris.) Producers: Raymond Phathanavirangoon, Rasarin Tanalerttararom. Executive producers: Thanawat Lertwattanarak, Chayamporn Taeratanachai, Srirat Chuchottaworn, Pichai Chirathivat, Chaichat Boonyarat, Perapol Suwannapasri, Karn Promayorn. Co-producers: Anuree Sriruk, Maximilian Leo, Jonas Katzenstein, Frode Sobstad.</p>
<p>Director, writer: Pen-ek Rataranuang, based on the story by Rataranuang, Phathanavirangoon. Camera (color/B&amp;W, HD) Chankit Chamnivikaipong. Editor: Patamanadda Yukol. Music: Koichi Shimizu.</p>
<p>Chermarn Ploy Boonyasak, David Asavanond, Vithaya Pu Pansringarm, Jerome Beaufoy, Palika Suwannarak. (Thai, English dialogue)</p> | false | 1 | interracial love religious cults hiso culture thai high society appetite raw offal enrich distract thai auteur penek rataranuangs classic noir marriage turned murderous mystery danger percolate samui song way till elliptical ending leaves audiences sense lingering disquiet however theres certain spark missing characters overall muffled tone heading toronto opening venice days section film pique buyer interest based enduring popularity writerdirectors midcareer work last life universe invisible waves viyada chermarn ploy boonyasak vi short hitting snag professional marital lives daytime soap opera queen specializes playing superbitches longs vain arthouse project give image makeover french millionaire husband jerome beaufoy french visual artist stéphane sednaoui unable perform bed retreats pottery atelier mould clay phalluses hes also kneedeep religious cult led guru called holy one vithaya pu pansringarm god forgives ratanaruang also wrote screenplay said film grew curiosity mixedrace marriages thailand isnt terribly new since mercenary factors informing similar relationships explored bitingly laotian horror movie dearest sister fact jerome trophy asian wife fascination eastern mysticism stereotypical farang thai slang white foreigner one wonders intended parody one way domestic violence towards vi joke ratanaruang devises supremely creepy scene makes gift vi holy one resentfulness swells vi divorce jerome without losing financial security solution presents chance meeting guy spenser david asavanond hospital car park sharing pack cigarettes swiftly progress sharing meal guy halfcaucasian halfthai mother gravely ill smoldering eyes suggest wants come vi turns proposition less sexy practical offers help make jerome disappear happens flashback starting car crash vi forest shot blackandwhite paves way fateful encounter guy hospital nonlinear narrative structure heightens suspense recalling double indemnity postman always rings twice films noir ilk though script plans subvert vis femme fatale persona later buildup guys enactment deal laced clever visual ellipses editor patamanadda yukol gripping portion film helmers characteristic dry humor also seeps unexpected places monks cult blast song waxing lyrical devouring liver vis agent trashes arthouse film cinephiles recognize invisible waves confounding lull sets plot makes abrupt detour eponymous resort island koh samui single mother palika suwannarak young boy lives female lover dp chankit chamnivikaipong shoots sunny scenic tourist paradise jittery style morose dark lighting transporting us another place another film least guy cults cohorts resurface things get gory nasty script pulls rug audience end theres denying cleverness twist suggests womans position thai society inextricable links crime religion patriarchy still doesnt intrigue much straightforward first half boonyasak gives assured performance conveying vis desperation veneer icy confidence asavanond speaking fluent thai retains continental suaveness even shiftiest downatheel pansringarm become goto guy comes casting shady police chiefs mafia dons thailandset international productions play 50 shades sinister conveys authority menace also gives audiences plenty room imagine whats mind despite fine performances wellchosen cast characters arent furnished much psychological depth motives remain patently simple perhaps lack existential anomie makes protagonists ratanaruangs films alluring reviewed online vancouver sept 5 2017 venice toronto film festivals running time 108 min original title mai mee samui samrab ter thailandgermanynorway samui song jv presentation bluering co production association cinema22 coproduction augenschein film produktion tenktv support ministry culture thailand world cinema fund sorfond160international sales urban distribution intl paris producers raymond phathanavirangoon rasarin tanalerttararom executive producers thanawat lertwattanarak chayamporn taeratanachai srirat chuchottaworn pichai chirathivat chaichat boonyarat perapol suwannapasri karn promayorn coproducers anuree sriruk maximilian leo jonas katzenstein frode sobstad director writer penek rataranuang based story rataranuang phathanavirangoon camera colorbampw hd chankit chamnivikaipong editor patamanadda yukol music koichi shimizu chermarn ploy boonyasak david asavanond vithaya pu pansringarm jerome beaufoy palika suwannarak thai english dialogue | 576 |
<p>Twitter has waded deeper still into cultural controversy by verifying Jason Kessler’s account on Tuesday afternoon. A notorious white supremacist, it was Kessler who organized the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia earlier this year.</p>
<p>The backlash since Tuesday has been intense, forcing the social media giant to halt its entire general verification program according to CEO Jack Dorsey. The original verification process was designed to authenticate the profiles of celebrities, politicians, journalists and other people who were ostensibly of public interest.</p>
<p>The blue verification badge aimed to eliminate confusion and misunderstandings, when bot or troll accounts tweeted controversial statements on their behalf. For instance, journalists use their company email accounts when applying to be verified, to prove they work for a media outlet. However the process was relaxed recently as verification was opened up to more users, a move which is understood to have led to this latest development.</p>
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<p>We should’ve communicated faster on this (yesterday): our agents have been following our verification policy correctly, but we realized some time ago the system is broken and needs to be reconsidered. And we failed by not doing anything about it. Working now to fix faster. <a href="https://t.co/wVbfYJntHj" type="external">https://t.co/wVbfYJntHj</a></p>
<p>— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/928658511311097856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>Verification was meant to authenticate identity &amp; voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon</p>
<p>— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) <a href="https://twitter.com/TwitterSupport/status/928654369771356162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>Kessler is the man who described the woman who was killed at the Unite the Right march, Heather Heyer, as a “fat disgusting Communist,” before adding that it was right to troll her posthumously.</p>
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<p>It was right to troll Heather Heyer. I media was depicting a marty, not a human being. Iconoclasm serves a purpose.</p>
<p>— Jason Kessler (@TheMadDimension) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMadDimension/status/909616466693181441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">September 18, 2017</a></p>
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<p>He was later physically attacked when he tried to give a speech following the car attack in Charlottesville.</p>
<p>Kessler capitalized on the outrage over his verification, taking advantage of the increased attention to stoke the flames of racial division even further.</p>
<p>Twitter was quickly put to the sword by some of its more influential users for perceived hypocrisy and hand-wringing in the face of a clearly problematic verification process.</p>
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<p>Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">@Twitter</a>,</p>
<p>Hope you realize there’s no such thing as being neutral when it comes to Nazis. Verifying Jason Kessler is a political act — and one that puts you on the wrong side of history. <a href="https://t.co/VlvDaMwQO3" type="external">https://t.co/VlvDaMwQO3</a></p>
<p>— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) <a href="https://twitter.com/SikhProf/status/928442572393074688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>The social media site has been accused of courting controversial figures before, drawing ire from its general user base as a result. Notorious troll Milo Yiannopoulos eventually had his account deactivated in July after a litany of alleged abuses.</p>
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<p>You verified Richard Spencer</p>
<p>— Ladies Jacket Club (@subtlerbutler) <a href="https://twitter.com/subtlerbutler/status/928656844364578817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>“It’s recognition. It’s a simple as that,” Richard Spencer, a white supremacist verified by Twitter in 2016, said in an interview, as cited by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/technology/jason-kessler-twitter-verification.html" type="external">The New York Times</a>. “The blue checkmark is useful.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/408866-twitter-rules-truth-power/" type="external">READ MORE:&#160;Twitter no longer believes in ‘speaking truth to power’ – updated rules</a></p>
<p>Twitter temporarily removed the blue check from outspoken conservative activist Laura Loomer for alleged Islamophobia… before backtracking.</p>
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<p>Twitter told me if I thought their email was an error I could reply to them and tell them why. I didn’t make any threats. Islam and Muslim are not a race, so my tweets are not racist. And, I didn’t incite violence. So, what’s the problem? Here is my reply to twitter. <a href="https://t.co/TET53Xxooi" type="external">pic.twitter.com/TET53Xxooi</a></p>
<p>— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) <a href="https://twitter.com/LauraLoomer/status/928418172918812672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>Even US President Donald Trump’s supposed abuse of the social media platform’s terms of service has been tacitly allowed, much to the chagrin of his opponents both at home and abroad.</p>
<p>Twitter also suspended actor Rose McGowan’s account for a brief period after she came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein. A hashtag campaign swiftly saw her reinstated, but added yet another faux pas to Twitter’s list of recent transgressions among the online online community.</p>
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<p />
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<p />
<p>We have been in touch with Ms. McGowan’s team. We want to explain that her account was temporarily locked because one of her Tweets included a private phone number, which violates our Terms of Service. 1/3</p>
<p>— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) <a href="https://twitter.com/TwitterSafety/status/918502629679939584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">October 12, 2017</a></p>
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<p>either twitter HQ is filled with the most oblivious people alive or some of them actively sympathize with Nazis. Which is it, Jack? Why is Spencer verified?</p>
<p>— Jules N. Binoculars hang from the head of the mule (@surfbordt) <a href="https://twitter.com/surfbordt/status/928710233479884800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>I’m gonna bet it’s the latter – tech world is rife with fascist male douchebaggery. See also Damore, James.</p>
<p>— Nandini (@nandelabra) <a href="https://twitter.com/nandelabra/status/928710516029165568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p />
<p>Of course, I’m an award-winning Jewish journalist, and didn’t start a White Nationalist riot that got someone killed, so I can see how I was overlooked.</p>
<p>— Max Sparber Jeez There Are a Lot of Nazis on Twitt (@maxsparber) <a href="https://twitter.com/maxsparber/status/928661784373981184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>Yeah, but it’s interesting who you choose to verify. I’ve been turned down three times.</p>
<p>— Erin Maher (@theerinmaher) <a href="https://twitter.com/theerinmaher/status/928654625657405440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>Others defended the decision to verify Kessler’s account, among other controversial figures, by citing the right to free speech and the importance of allowing people to express their beliefs, however distasteful, to generate debate in the free market of ideas online.</p>
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<p>And? You may not like him, I may not like him, it doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t be verified. You can’t say that he’s not influential or important.</p>
<p>— Inky (@1nkybinky) <a href="https://twitter.com/1nkybinky/status/928657801911644162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>That’s not how any of this works. Let those you disagree with speak, so that you know you disagree with them and can more readily convince others of their “wrongness” – that’s how free speech works. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/1A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">#1A</a></p>
<p>— TJ (@trejrco) <a href="https://twitter.com/trejrco/status/928669069833842688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">November 9, 2017</a></p>
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<p>The social media giant has faced a series of high profile issues in recent weeks. Just last Thursday (Nov 2) an exiting employee deactivated US President Donald Trump’s Twitter account, a key tool in his public relations machine. However, it’s worth noting that Twitter has recently doubled its character limit to 280, affording people the ability to express themselves in longer, less-truncated diatribes than ever before.</p> | false | 1 | twitter waded deeper still cultural controversy verifying jason kesslers account tuesday afternoon notorious white supremacist kessler organized unite right rally charlottesville virginia earlier year backlash since tuesday intense forcing social media giant halt entire general verification program according ceo jack dorsey original verification process designed authenticate profiles celebrities politicians journalists people ostensibly public interest blue verification badge aimed eliminate confusion misunderstandings bot troll accounts tweeted controversial statements behalf instance journalists use company email accounts applying verified prove work media outlet however process relaxed recently verification opened users move understood led latest development shouldve communicated faster yesterday agents following verification policy correctly realized time ago system broken needs reconsidered failed anything working fix faster httpstcowvbfyjnthj jack jack november 9 2017 verification meant authenticate identity amp voice interpreted endorsement indicator importance recognize created confusion need resolve paused general verifications work report back soon twitter support twittersupport november 9 2017 kessler man described woman killed unite right march heather heyer fat disgusting communist adding right troll posthumously right troll heather heyer media depicting marty human iconoclasm serves purpose jason kessler themaddimension september 18 2017 later physically attacked tried give speech following car attack charlottesville kessler capitalized outrage verification taking advantage increased attention stoke flames racial division even twitter quickly put sword influential users perceived hypocrisy handwringing face clearly problematic verification process hi twitter hope realize theres thing neutral comes nazis verifying jason kessler political act one puts wrong side history httpstcovlvdamwqo3 simran jeet singh sikhprof november 9 2017 social media site accused courting controversial figures drawing ire general user base result notorious troll milo yiannopoulos eventually account deactivated july litany alleged abuses verified richard spencer ladies jacket club subtlerbutler november 9 2017 recognition simple richard spencer white supremacist verified twitter 2016 said interview cited new york times blue checkmark useful read more160twitter longer believes speaking truth power updated rules twitter temporarily removed blue check outspoken conservative activist laura loomer alleged islamophobia backtracking twitter told thought email error could reply tell didnt make threats islam muslim race tweets racist didnt incite violence whats problem reply twitter pictwittercomtet53xxooi laura loomer lauraloomer november 9 2017 even us president donald trumps supposed abuse social media platforms terms service tacitly allowed much chagrin opponents home abroad twitter also suspended actor rose mcgowans account brief period came forward allegations sexual harassment harvey weinstein hashtag campaign swiftly saw reinstated added yet another faux pas twitters list recent transgressions among online online community touch ms mcgowans team want explain account temporarily locked one tweets included private phone number violates terms service 13 twitter safety twittersafety october 12 2017 either twitter hq filled oblivious people alive actively sympathize nazis jack spencer verified jules n binoculars hang head mule surfbordt november 9 2017 im gon na bet latter tech world rife fascist male douchebaggery see also damore james nandini nandelabra november 9 2017 course im awardwinning jewish journalist didnt start white nationalist riot got someone killed see overlooked max sparber jeez lot nazis twitt maxsparber november 9 2017 yeah interesting choose verify ive turned three times erin maher theerinmaher november 9 2017 others defended decision verify kesslers account among controversial figures citing right free speech importance allowing people express beliefs however distasteful generate debate free market ideas online may like may like doesnt mean shouldnt verified cant say hes influential important inky 1nkybinky november 9 2017 thats works let disagree speak know disagree readily convince others wrongness thats free speech works 1a tj trejrco november 9 2017 social media giant faced series high profile issues recent weeks last thursday nov 2 exiting employee deactivated us president donald trumps twitter account key tool public relations machine however worth noting twitter recently doubled character limit 280 affording people ability express longer lesstruncated diatribes ever | 619 |
<p>There are approximately 10120 board configurations possible in the game of chess. And with his previous two films in the “Outrage” series, it felt a little like <a href="http://variety.com/t/takeshi-kitano/" type="external">Takeshi Kitano</a> was going to take us through them all. Recasting corrupt cops, corporate-style gangster middlemen, bosses and lowlifes as bishops, knights, kings and pawns, and moving their dwindling number around the board in ceaseless permutations, Kitano created a labyrinthine yet hermetically contained Yakuziverse in 2010’s lean, bloody “Outrage,” and 2014’s knottier, twistier “Beyond Outrage.” But as prepared as the series’ fans might think they are for the intensely talky, overpopulated and intricate rhythms of the trilogy’s conclusion, “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/outrage-coda/" type="external">Outrage Coda</a>,” it’s undeniably a challenge to keep all the lines of loyalty and betrayal clear. With bloodletting kept to a minimum until the hour mark or so, it feels like Kitano has changed his game from chess to the less-spectator-friendly, more territorial Go — in which the possible configurations are at least 50 orders of magnitude greater and pieces are constantly added but nothing actually moves.</p>
<p>The film suffers somewhat from a sort of narrative exhaustion, with the gears grinding rustily in the opening act to get a new plot into motion after Kitano’s character, Otomo, had more or less killed everyone of note by the end of ‘Beyond.’ It especially feels the lack of the first installments’ genially two-faced policeman Kataoka, who was the yin to Otomo’s yang, eternally playing both ends against the middle, but having a grudging fondness for his ostensible adversary’s less politic approach to problem solving. Instead, ‘Coda’ gives us a couple of comparatively vanilla cop characters, whose underdeveloped motivations mean they never provide much of a foil for all the gangland infighting. Then again, that might not be so bad, considering the last thing this film needs is more men in dark suits with arcane agendas conspiring to betray their superiors, only to double-cross their co-conspirators.</p>
<p>Having slashed and burned all other bridges, then gone back to riddle them with bullets, Otomo is now off-grid on Korea’s Jeju Island working for regional boss/fixer Chang (Tokio Kaneda, always looking like he’s in the middle of a chemical peel). But when a vacationing Hanada (Pierre Taki), a mid-level member of Japan’s powerful Hanabishi clan, roughs up some of Chang’s prostitutes, Otomo is sent in to ensure reparations are made. (Incidentally, feast your eyes on the two battered call-girls, as they will be the last females you’ll see in the exclusively masculine, growly/shouty world of “Outrage Coda.”)</p>
<p>Obviously, Hanada decides it would be easier and cheaper to kill Otomo’s errand-boy and hightail it back to the protection of his powerful clan in Japan. Against Chang’s wishes, Otomo follows, accompanied by sidekick Ichikawa (Nao Omori, bringing a welcome rumpled charm) and so is drawn into the power struggle going on within the Hanabishi. Chairman Namura (Ren Ohsugi), an ex-trader who has no tattoos and served no jail time, wields authority but commands little respect from the old guard — generational tensions are an ongoing theme — including his second-in-command, Underboss Nishino (Toshiyuki Nishida), and Deputy Underboss Nakata (Sansei Shiomi). That’s a lot of three-syllable ‘N’-names to keep straight as the subtitles whip past and various underlings in identical tailoring discuss who’s loyal to whom. So it’s a testament to Kitano’s effortlessly sleek, inherently watchable filmmaking (he reteams with regular DP Katsumi&#160;Yanagijima and uses the atonal descending motif of composer Keiichi Suzuki’s score to good effect) that you’re just about kept in your seat throughout all the speechifying.</p>
<p>One of the distinguishing features of his work has always been how intelligently Kitano the director (Takeshi) uses Kitano the actor (“Beat”). And “Outrage Coda” is no exception: Kitano understands that Otomo’s inherently fascinating presence — his strange shuffling gait and his weathered, seen-it-all face, only rarely split by a slightly deranged, lopsided smile — is the film’s most potent weapon, and accordingly he deploys it sparingly. There’s relatively little of Otomo in the film’s first hour, and until the point at which he declares, simply, he’s going to “take down the Tokyo Hanabishi,” all the mayhem of which we know he’s capable remains latent.</p>
<p>Finally, we get the violent treats our patience deserves: the machine-gun-toting Otomo and Ichikawa engulf a ballroom of bad guys with a tsunami of bullets and blood squibs, then find inventive use for a ball-gag, a bomb and very long fuse. But though it ramps up to an enjoyably definitive ending (impressive given that the series’ ultimate moral, about the cyclical futility of the yakuza lifestyle, means it could easily be reset for another go-round) the final outrage of this final ‘Outrage’ might just be how little real outrage there is within a constant, repetitive coda.</p>
<p>Reviewed at Venice Film Festival (noncompeting), Sept. 9, 2017. Running time: 104 MIN.</p>
<p>(Japan) A Bandai Visual, TV Tokyo, Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, Tohokushinsha Film Corp. and Office Kitano production. (International Sales: Celuloid dreams, Paris.) Producers: Masayuki Mori, Takio Yoshida. Co-producers: Kazumi Kawashiro, Tetsuo Ota, Kiyotaka Ninomiya.</p>
<p>Director, writer, editor: Takeshi Kitano. Camera (color, widescreen): Katsumi Yanagajima. Music: Keiichi Suzuki.</p>
<p>Beat Takeshi, Toshiyuki Nishida, Nao Omori, Pierre Taki, Yutaka Matsushige, Ren Ohsugi, Sansei Shiomi, Hakuryu, Tatsuo Nadaka, Ken Mitsuishi, Taizo Harada, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Kanji Tsuda, Tokio Kaneda, Ikuji Nakamura, Ittoku Kishibe. (Japanese, Korean dialogue)</p> | false | 1 | approximately 10120 board configurations possible game chess previous two films outrage series felt little like takeshi kitano going take us recasting corrupt cops corporatestyle gangster middlemen bosses lowlifes bishops knights kings pawns moving dwindling number around board ceaseless permutations kitano created labyrinthine yet hermetically contained yakuziverse 2010s lean bloody outrage 2014s knottier twistier beyond outrage prepared series fans might think intensely talky overpopulated intricate rhythms trilogys conclusion outrage coda undeniably challenge keep lines loyalty betrayal clear bloodletting kept minimum hour mark feels like kitano changed game chess lessspectatorfriendly territorial go possible configurations least 50 orders magnitude greater pieces constantly added nothing actually moves film suffers somewhat sort narrative exhaustion gears grinding rustily opening act get new plot motion kitanos character otomo less killed everyone note end beyond especially feels lack first installments genially twofaced policeman kataoka yin otomos yang eternally playing ends middle grudging fondness ostensible adversarys less politic approach problem solving instead coda gives us couple comparatively vanilla cop characters whose underdeveloped motivations mean never provide much foil gangland infighting might bad considering last thing film needs men dark suits arcane agendas conspiring betray superiors doublecross coconspirators slashed burned bridges gone back riddle bullets otomo offgrid koreas jeju island working regional bossfixer chang tokio kaneda always looking like hes middle chemical peel vacationing hanada pierre taki midlevel member japans powerful hanabishi clan roughs changs prostitutes otomo sent ensure reparations made incidentally feast eyes two battered callgirls last females youll see exclusively masculine growlyshouty world outrage coda obviously hanada decides would easier cheaper kill otomos errandboy hightail back protection powerful clan japan changs wishes otomo follows accompanied sidekick ichikawa nao omori bringing welcome rumpled charm drawn power struggle going within hanabishi chairman namura ren ohsugi extrader tattoos served jail time wields authority commands little respect old guard generational tensions ongoing theme including secondincommand underboss nishino toshiyuki nishida deputy underboss nakata sansei shiomi thats lot threesyllable nnames keep straight subtitles whip past various underlings identical tailoring discuss whos loyal testament kitanos effortlessly sleek inherently watchable filmmaking reteams regular dp katsumi160yanagijima uses atonal descending motif composer keiichi suzukis score good effect youre kept seat throughout speechifying one distinguishing features work always intelligently kitano director takeshi uses kitano actor beat outrage coda exception kitano understands otomos inherently fascinating presence strange shuffling gait weathered seenitall face rarely split slightly deranged lopsided smile films potent weapon accordingly deploys sparingly theres relatively little otomo films first hour point declares simply hes going take tokyo hanabishi mayhem know hes capable remains latent finally get violent treats patience deserves machineguntoting otomo ichikawa engulf ballroom bad guys tsunami bullets blood squibs find inventive use ballgag bomb long fuse though ramps enjoyably definitive ending impressive given series ultimate moral cyclical futility yakuza lifestyle means could easily reset another goround final outrage final outrage might little real outrage within constant repetitive coda reviewed venice film festival noncompeting sept 9 2017 running time 104 min japan bandai visual tv tokyo warner bros pictures japan tohokushinsha film corp office kitano production international sales celuloid dreams paris producers masayuki mori takio yoshida coproducers kazumi kawashiro tetsuo ota kiyotaka ninomiya director writer editor takeshi kitano camera color widescreen katsumi yanagajima music keiichi suzuki beat takeshi toshiyuki nishida nao omori pierre taki yutaka matsushige ren ohsugi sansei shiomi hakuryu tatsuo nadaka ken mitsuishi taizo harada hiroyuki ikeuchi kanji tsuda tokio kaneda ikuji nakamura ittoku kishibe japanese korean dialogue | 562 |
<p>Fox's Glenn Beck and Sojourner's Jim Wallis are dueling about the meaning of social justice and the Bible. Neither man will be mistaken for Reinhold Niebuhr.</p>
<p>The dispute started <a href="http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/03/08/glenn-beck-urges-listeners-to-leave-churches-that-preach-social/" type="external">when Beck, on his radio show</a>, said, “I beg you, look for the words 'social justice' or 'economic justice' on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. . . . Am I advising people to leave their church? Yes! If I am going to Jeremiah Wright's church. If you have a priest that is pushing social justice, go find another parish. Go alert your bishop.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100310/glenn-beck-s-church-advice-sparks-outrage/index.html" type="external">Wallis fired back in a post</a>, saying:</p>
<p>Beck says Christians should leave their social justice churches, so I say Christians should leave Glenn Beck. I don't know if Beck is just strange, just trying to be controversial, or just trying to make money. But in any case, what he has said attacks the very heart of our Christian faith, and Christians should no longer watch his show. His show should now be in the same category as Howard Stern.</p>
<p>“When your political philosophy is to consistently favor the rich over the poor,” Wallis <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/12/beck.boycott/index.html" type="external">added</a>, “you don't want to hear about economic justice.”</p>
<p>There are several things to untangle in this dispute. The first is that Glenn Beck is hardly an authority who can (or should) speak to such matters. There is a critique to be made here, but this is not the manner in which it should be made. I have made it clear any number of times that Beck is not someone I find particularly appealing — and have I spelled out some of the things he has said <a href="http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/wehner/100152" type="external">that I find outright offensive</a>.</p>
<p>The second thing to say has to do with the terms “social justice” and “economic justice.” They are simply not offensive terms per se. The Hebrew Bible and the New Testament are filled with admonitions to pursue justice. And showing concern for the poor and the dispossessed, the alien and the sojourner, the widow and the orphan, is clearly scriptural. There are vastly more verses dealing with our treatment of the poor than there are, for example, dealing with homosexuality. So, to be in favor of social justice is not itself problematic and, rightly understood, is commendable.</p>
<p>At the same time, however, the terms “social justice” and “economic justice” have, in the hands of politically religious activists like Jim Wallis, been cheapened. They have gone from being a set of important biblical principles to becoming a justification for a liberal/Left political agenda. That's not entirely surprising in the case of Wallis, who himself is a fairly radical political figure, as anyone who has read Sojourners and Wallis over the years can attest.</p>
<p>Let's see where this self-described “public theologian” has come down on various issues over the years. We could start, I suppose, with Wallis' extraordinary claim years ago about the Vietnamese boat people. “Many of today's refugees,” he said, “were inoculated with a taste for a Western lifestyle during the war and are fleeing to support their consumer habit in other lands.”</p>
<p>In the 1980s, Jim Wallis said of the United States and the Soviet Union, “We must refuse to take sides in this horrible and deadly hypocrisy.” According to Wallis, “a totalitarian spirit fuels the engines of both Wall Street and the Kremlin.” About the communist Sandinistas in Nicaragua, Wallis said their policies “are designed to benefit the poor majority of the country more than the middle and upper classes.” He declared as well that “the gift of democracy to the Nicaraguan people came from the Sandinistas.” (See Katherine Mangu-Ward's excellent story, “ <a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/441oqlsg.asp" type="external">God's Democrat</a>,” for chapter and verse.)</p>
<p>During the welfare debate in the mid-1990s Wallis was a fierce critic of reform, saying, “The results we can now expect [from welfare reform] will be nothing short of disastrous for many people. . . . A million more children will likely be thrown into poverty, and 3 million to 4 million already in poverty will be plunged into deeper jeopardy.” Nor has Wallis been at all shy about criticizing Republican budgets as being an attack on the poor.</p>
<p>Some of Wallis' comments have been morally indefensible. Beyond that, though, he doesn't bring any particular knowledge or competence to matters of public policy or governing. And so he often makes claims that in time are exposed as ridiculous. Overhauling welfare, for example, ranks among the most successful social reforms of the last half-century. (For more, see the discussion of welfare reform <a href="http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/crimeâ??drugsâ??welfare-and-other-good-news-10999" type="external">here</a>.)</p>
<p>At other times Wallis comes across less like a self-styled prophet and more like Paul Begala. Take as just one example this <a href="http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/crime--drugs--welfare-and-other-good-news-10999" type="external">posting</a> by Wallis in the aftermath of a “60 Minutes” episode:</p>
<p>I believe that Dick Cheney is a liar; that Donald Rumsfeld is also a liar; and that George W. Bush was, and is, clueless about how to be the president of the United States. And this isn't about being partisan — I was raised in a Republican family with two Republican parents that I loved more than any two people in the world. I've heard plenty of my Republican friends and public figures call this administration an embarrassment to the best traditions of the Republican Party and an embarrassment to the democratic (small d) tradition of the United States. They have shamed our beloved nation in the world by this war and the shameful way they have fought it. Almost 4,000 young Americans are dead because of the lies of this administration, tens of thousands more wounded and maimed for life, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis also dead, and 400 billion dollars wasted — because of their lies, incompetence, and corruption.</p>
<p>But I don't favor impeachment, as some have suggested. I would wait until after the election, when they are out of office, and then I would favor investigations of the top officials of the Bush administration on official deception, war crimes, and corruption charges. And if they are found guilty of these high crimes, I believe they should spend the rest of their lives in prison — after offering their repentance to every American family who has lost a son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister. Deliberately lying about going to war should not be forgiven.</p>
<p>This comes from a man who calls for a “politics of compassion, community, and civility.” Wallis' rants would qualify him as just another partisan (and uncivil) voice on the Internet, except for the fact that he so often justifies his views by placing on them the imprimatur of God, the obvious and indisputable position held by those who care about “social justice.” Indeed, Wallis authored a book modestly titled “God's Politics” and is described on the Web site of Sojourners as a “bestselling author, public theologian, preacher, speaker, activist, and international commentator on ethics and public life.”</p>
<p>With that write up one would think he would bring a seriousness of purpose and a reasonable tone to the debate of the issues of our time. But one would be wrong.</p>
<p>Many of us believe that it is fully appropriate, and in some cases honorable, to be involved in politics and governing. Politics is a means to advance the moral good. “The end of the state,” Aristotle wrote in “The Politics,” “is not mere life; it is, rather, a good quality of life.” He went on to argue that “it is the cardinal issue of goodness or badness in the life of the polis which always engages the attention of any state that concerns itself to secure a system of good laws well obeyed.”</p>
<p>At the same time, those in politics who speak in the name of Christianity can, if they are not careful, do great harm to their faith and their witness. Their faith becomes a means to a political end, a cudgel with which to beat up those with whom one disagrees. It vulgarizes and can even corrupt Christianity; people, both within and outside that faith are understandably turned off when partisans use it to advance ideological ends.</p>
<p>Which returns us to Jim Wallis. In many respects he is, ironically enough, the mirror image of the late Jerry Falwell. Like Falwell, Wallis is drawn to power and attention like a moth to a flame on a dark summer night. Like the former founder of the Moral Majority, Wallis takes biblical principles and simplistically connects the dots to public policies he supports. He has, as the Reverend Falwell had, enormous confidence that he knows the mind of God on matters of politics. And Wallis says harsh and irresponsible things about those who hold views different than his. It is reasonable to say, I think, that there is little evidence of a spirit of grace and reconciliation in the words of Wallis.</p>
<p>“Identification of Christian social ethics with specific partisan proposals that clearly are not the only ones that may be characterized as Christian and as morally acceptable,” the Christian ethicist Paul Ramsey once wrote, “comes close to the original New Testament meaning of heresy.” That assessment is a wise and serious one — and it is one Jim Wallis, a person who undoubtedly longs to be faithful to his Lord, should carefully reflect on.</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 | foxs glenn beck sojourners jim wallis dueling meaning social justice bible neither man mistaken reinhold niebuhr dispute started beck radio show said beg look words social justice economic justice church web site find run fast social justice economic justice code words advising people leave church yes going jeremiah wrights church priest pushing social justice go find another parish go alert bishop wallis fired back post saying beck says christians leave social justice churches say christians leave glenn beck dont know beck strange trying controversial trying make money case said attacks heart christian faith christians longer watch show show category howard stern political philosophy consistently favor rich poor wallis added dont want hear economic justice several things untangle dispute first glenn beck hardly authority speak matters critique made manner made made clear number times beck someone find particularly appealing spelled things said find outright offensive second thing say terms social justice economic justice simply offensive terms per se hebrew bible new testament filled admonitions pursue justice showing concern poor dispossessed alien sojourner widow orphan clearly scriptural vastly verses dealing treatment poor example dealing homosexuality favor social justice problematic rightly understood commendable time however terms social justice economic justice hands politically religious activists like jim wallis cheapened gone set important biblical principles becoming justification liberalleft political agenda thats entirely surprising case wallis fairly radical political figure anyone read sojourners wallis years attest lets see selfdescribed public theologian come various issues years could start suppose wallis extraordinary claim years ago vietnamese boat people many todays refugees said inoculated taste western lifestyle war fleeing support consumer habit lands 1980s jim wallis said united states soviet union must refuse take sides horrible deadly hypocrisy according wallis totalitarian spirit fuels engines wall street kremlin communist sandinistas nicaragua wallis said policies designed benefit poor majority country middle upper classes declared well gift democracy nicaraguan people came sandinistas see katherine manguwards excellent story gods democrat chapter verse welfare debate mid1990s wallis fierce critic reform saying results expect welfare reform nothing short disastrous many people million children likely thrown poverty 3 million 4 million already poverty plunged deeper jeopardy wallis shy criticizing republican budgets attack poor wallis comments morally indefensible beyond though doesnt bring particular knowledge competence matters public policy governing often makes claims time exposed ridiculous overhauling welfare example ranks among successful social reforms last halfcentury see discussion welfare reform times wallis comes across less like selfstyled prophet like paul begala take one example posting wallis aftermath 60 minutes episode believe dick cheney liar donald rumsfeld also liar george w bush clueless president united states isnt partisan raised republican family two republican parents loved two people world ive heard plenty republican friends public figures call administration embarrassment best traditions republican party embarrassment democratic small tradition united states shamed beloved nation world war shameful way fought almost 4000 young americans dead lies administration tens thousands wounded maimed life hundreds thousands iraqis also dead 400 billion dollars wasted lies incompetence corruption dont favor impeachment suggested would wait election office would favor investigations top officials bush administration official deception war crimes corruption charges found guilty high crimes believe spend rest lives prison offering repentance every american family lost son daughter father mother brother sister deliberately lying going war forgiven comes man calls politics compassion community civility wallis rants would qualify another partisan uncivil voice internet except fact often justifies views placing imprimatur god obvious indisputable position held care social justice indeed wallis authored book modestly titled gods politics described web site sojourners bestselling author public theologian preacher speaker activist international commentator ethics public life write one would think would bring seriousness purpose reasonable tone debate issues time one would wrong many us believe fully appropriate cases honorable involved politics governing politics means advance moral good end state aristotle wrote politics mere life rather good quality life went argue cardinal issue goodness badness life polis always engages attention state concerns secure system good laws well obeyed time politics speak name christianity careful great harm faith witness faith becomes means political end cudgel beat one disagrees vulgarizes even corrupt christianity people within outside faith understandably turned partisans use advance ideological ends returns us jim wallis many respects ironically enough mirror image late jerry falwell like falwell wallis drawn power attention like moth flame dark summer night like former founder moral majority wallis takes biblical principles simplistically connects dots public policies supports reverend falwell enormous confidence knows mind god matters politics wallis says harsh irresponsible things hold views different reasonable say think little evidence spirit grace reconciliation words wallis identification christian social ethics specific partisan proposals clearly ones may characterized christian morally acceptable christian ethicist paul ramsey wrote comes close original new testament meaning heresy assessment wise serious one one jim wallis person undoubtedly longs faithful lord carefully reflect peter wehner senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc served bush white house director office strategic initiatives | 813 |
<p>SPOILER ALERT:&#160;Do not read if you have not yet watched the fifth episode of the second season of “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/riverdale/" type="external">Riverdale</a>,” entitled “Chapter Eighteen: When A Stranger Calls.”</p>
<p>Robert Aguirre-Sacasa’s “ <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/riverdale-season-2-premiere-ratings-cw-1202588201/" type="external">Riverdale</a>” may be an adaptation of a timeless comic book, but the fifth episode of its second season (“Chapter Eighteen: When A Stranger Calls”) is an extremely timely tale.</p>
<p>While Hollywood has been entrenched in one sexual harassment scandal after another, the small town of Riverdale has one on its hands, too. Veronica Lodge’s ex Nick (guest star Graham Phillips) came to town and promptly drugged and attempted to rape Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch). Luckily for Cheryl, her friends realized what he was up to and arrived just in time to pull him off of her and punish him.</p>
<p>The episode also saw Jughead (Cole Sprouse) finally pick a side and decide to fully join the Southside Serpents&#160;— which meant getting “jumped in” during initiation. And Betty (Lili Reinhart) not only engaged with the Black Hood but gave into his demands more than once, including outing her mother’s youthful indiscretions, breaking up with Jughead, and giving up the name of another sinner in town&#160;for the Black Hood to target.</p>
<p>The darkness of the season may have started with the new mystery of the Black Hood, but it has certainly only exploded from there. Here, Aguirre-Sacasa talks with&#160;Variety&#160;about these recent turns.</p>
<p>Jughead is running around Riverdale calling the Black Hood a serial killer, so will the show pay off that promise and actually kill off at least one more character?</p>
<p>I can tell you that the Black Hood is only getting started so far.</p>
<p>What is the biggest challenge in going this dark this season? How do you still strike the balance with the more typical teenage fare like Pussycat performances?</p>
<p>We kind of used the inspiration of a couple of movies. One was “Zodiac” and one was the Spike Lee movie “Summer of Sam.” And those movies were all about how those areas&#160;— those towns&#160;— were affected by the killer or the threat of violence. But life didn’t stop. People went to work, people went to school. They looked over their shoulders more, they tried to get home before it got dark, but life continued. And that’s what’s going on in Riverdale. From episode 5 through the resolution of the Black Hood story, it only gets more and more intense.</p>
<p>How did you select “Out Tonight” from “Rent” for Hiram’s (Mark Consuelos) business event?</p>
<p>I love that song! And it’s one I knew I wanted to do a version of since we started “Riverdale.” We knew we wanted kind of an upbeat song for the Pussycats. Sometimes we just use whatever the event of the week is as an excuse to showcase the Pussycats, and sometimes the songs are more thematically tied and sometimes less so. It varies, but in this case, I think if we had given it more thought, we would have talked ourselves out of it, honestly!</p>
<p>This version felt even more upbeat because it was juxtaposed with such a violent montage.&#160;</p>
<p>When we did it, there was a moment where we were editing the episode where I was like, “This is completely bonkers!” It felt bonkers. It also felt like only “Riverdale” could kind of hold these disparate tones in the same exact moment. But I’m not going to lie, in the edit bay, it was, “What are we doing?” I think we pulled it off, and again, it shows that “Riverdale” isn’t just one thing. Whenever we do these musical numbers, it captures the essence of the show, which is the tension between the teen, fun stuff and then the darker material.</p>
<p>The Nick and Cheryl storyline is extremely timely right now. What commentary is the show making on the kind of character Nick is and whether or not he can get away with the behavior?</p>
<p>We wrote that story before the Harvey Weinstein stuff broke, and the conceit of it was “Let’s take the Archie characters and put them in a story with a Bret Easton Ellis character and let’s see what happens.” So Nick, in our minds, was a Bret Easton Ellis character from “Rules of Attraction” or “American Psycho.” He’s a certain kind of person who’s entitled and basically has no empathy.</p>
<p>What kind of network notes did you see from stories like this, or the earlier, willing drug use from these characters? How far can you take these characters?</p>
<p>No one loves these characters more than I do&#160;— no one treasures them more than I do. So I think we try to handle things with care, but they are teenagers, and teenagers do bad things. We try to not do it for shock and salacious reasons. We try to make sure it comes out of an emotionally true place for the character, that it’s earned, and that we follow through on all of these things.</p>
<p>What kind of lingering effects are in play for Cheryl in coming episodes?</p>
<p>That started as a one episode story. We were going to be done with Nick in episode 5, but 1) the actor who plays Nick&#160;— Graham Phillips —&#160;is excellent, I think, and 2) we thought, “Wow, this is actually a huge, deep story that can continue for not just Cheryl but Veronica, their parents, and Archie.” So far, it’s something we’ve been tracking through the rest of the season.</p>
<p>With the girls beating him up and Betty giving the Black Hood his name, are you promising he will get his due?</p>
<p>Nick is going to get his due&#160;— 100%!</p>
<p>The Black Hood keeps saying he’s going after sinners, but if he really knew her, he’d know about Dark Betty, and then she might be a target.</p>
<p>Yeah that’s true. No spoilers, but I think he’s going to find out about Dark Betty.</p>
<p>How close is he to her now? Why has he picked her?</p>
<p>Well I believe what he says, which is, “You inspired me at the jubilee.”</p>
<p>So his motivations can be trusted at this point?</p>
<p>It’s our big season mystery, so there will be twists and turns. When we reveal it, it might not be who you think it is, but it might be exactly who you think it is. I can tell you this: as happened last year with Jason Blossom, the identity of the killer shifts week to week.</p>
<p>Why didn’t you land on the identity first and craft the story around that?</p>
<p>What we did last year and what we did this year is we came up with a list of three suspects that could have been Jason Blossom’s killer and could be the Black Hood. And we built the seasons with those three suspects in play so we have options as the show develops, and we’re also making sure we’re doing our homework in terms of red herrings and stuff.</p>
<p>Was it a conscious choice to put the Black Hood on speakerphone with Betty and Archie so the audience knew he was a real person and not just Dark Betty having some sort of episode?</p>
<p>That was not a conscious decision! But people thought for awhile that Betty was making up Polly, so it’s good that we did it!</p>
<p>Jughead losing Betty has to be a big loss for him. How does that change him, and does that change him more than being a Serpent may change him?</p>
<p>Betty and Jughead being apart for whatever reason, for however long, will affect them both deeply&#160;— deeply. I think [those two things] are very, very intertwined, to be honest.</p>
<p>How do Archie and Jughead bounce back as friends from this? Or, do they have to turn to others to lean on like they used to lean on each other instead?</p>
<p>They’re definitely not in a good place, that’s for sure. They’re going to work through this, but it’s not going to be an easy reset with them. They don’t have anyone else to lean on, except for each other, even though they are enemies.</p>
<p>Is there anything that could bring the North and South sides together, and even if they came together, would that actually solve anything?</p>
<p>I think if they came together it would actually solve stuff, but we’re nowhere near that. It’s only going to start getting worse!</p>
<p>Because Hiram is gentrifying the South side?</p>
<p>I think for sure, though we haven’t called him a gentrifier yet, that is what he seems to be proposing, and yeah, I think people have very mixed feelings about gentrification.</p>
<p>Watch the extended performance of “Out Tonight” below:</p>
<p>[embedded content]</p>
<p>“Riverdale” airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on the CW.</p> | false | 1 | spoiler alert160do read yet watched fifth episode second season riverdale entitled chapter eighteen stranger calls robert aguirresacasas riverdale may adaptation timeless comic book fifth episode second season chapter eighteen stranger calls extremely timely tale hollywood entrenched one sexual harassment scandal another small town riverdale one hands veronica lodges ex nick guest star graham phillips came town promptly drugged attempted rape cheryl blossom madelaine petsch luckily cheryl friends realized arrived time pull punish episode also saw jughead cole sprouse finally pick side decide fully join southside serpents160 meant getting jumped initiation betty lili reinhart engaged black hood gave demands including outing mothers youthful indiscretions breaking jughead giving name another sinner town160for black hood target darkness season may started new mystery black hood certainly exploded aguirresacasa talks with160variety160about recent turns jughead running around riverdale calling black hood serial killer show pay promise actually kill least one character tell black hood getting started far biggest challenge going dark season still strike balance typical teenage fare like pussycat performances kind used inspiration couple movies one zodiac one spike lee movie summer sam movies areas160 towns160 affected killer threat violence life didnt stop people went work people went school looked shoulders tried get home got dark life continued thats whats going riverdale episode 5 resolution black hood story gets intense select tonight rent hirams mark consuelos business event love song one knew wanted version since started riverdale knew wanted kind upbeat song pussycats sometimes use whatever event week excuse showcase pussycats sometimes songs thematically tied sometimes less varies case think given thought would talked honestly version felt even upbeat juxtaposed violent montage160 moment editing episode like completely bonkers felt bonkers also felt like riverdale could kind hold disparate tones exact moment im going lie edit bay think pulled shows riverdale isnt one thing whenever musical numbers captures essence show tension teen fun stuff darker material nick cheryl storyline extremely timely right commentary show making kind character nick whether get away behavior wrote story harvey weinstein stuff broke conceit lets take archie characters put story bret easton ellis character lets see happens nick minds bret easton ellis character rules attraction american psycho hes certain kind person whos entitled basically empathy kind network notes see stories like earlier willing drug use characters far take characters one loves characters do160 one treasures think try handle things care teenagers teenagers bad things try shock salacious reasons try make sure comes emotionally true place character earned follow things kind lingering effects play cheryl coming episodes started one episode story going done nick episode 5 1 actor plays nick160 graham phillips 160is excellent think 2 thought wow actually huge deep story continue cheryl veronica parents archie far something weve tracking rest season girls beating betty giving black hood name promising get due nick going get due160 100 black hood keeps saying hes going sinners really knew hed know dark betty might target yeah thats true spoilers think hes going find dark betty close picked well believe says inspired jubilee motivations trusted point big season mystery twists turns reveal might think might exactly think tell happened last year jason blossom identity killer shifts week week didnt land identity first craft story around last year year came list three suspects could jason blossoms killer could black hood built seasons three suspects play options show develops also making sure homework terms red herrings stuff conscious choice put black hood speakerphone betty archie audience knew real person dark betty sort episode conscious decision people thought awhile betty making polly good jughead losing betty big loss change change serpent may change betty jughead apart whatever reason however long affect deeply160 deeply think two things intertwined honest archie jughead bounce back friends turn others lean like used lean instead theyre definitely good place thats sure theyre going work going easy reset dont anyone else lean except even though enemies anything could bring north south sides together even came together would actually solve anything think came together would actually solve stuff nowhere near going start getting worse hiram gentrifying south side think sure though havent called gentrifier yet seems proposing yeah think people mixed feelings gentrification watch extended performance tonight embedded content riverdale airs wednesdays 8 pm cw | 700 |
<p>Some of the most impressive choreography on Broadway can be seen six nights a week on 45th Street, but it doesn’t happen on a stage.</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/tag/nypd/" type="external">NYPD</a> Officer John O’Gorman is the thin blue line between safety and chaos on a heavily trafficked block that is packed with six theaters, including the Minskoff, home of the ever-popular “The Lion King,” and Music Box, host of the hit tuner “Dear Evan Hansen.”</p>
<p>O’Gorman is one of eight Broadway beat cops in the <a href="http://variety.com/2015/film/news/harvey-weinstein-no-charges-groping-allegations-1201468673/" type="external">NYPD</a>’s Midtown North Precinct who are assigned to patrol specific streets in the heart of the Theater District. The busiest part of his 4 p.m.-12:30 a.m. shift is usually around 10:30 p.m. when the shows begin to let out. The moment when theater-goers come streaming out of the venues — especially after patrons have had a few drinks — can be a dangerous mix with automobile traffic on the narrow street.</p>
<p>The officer, who looks and sounds every bit the native of Cork, Ireland that he is, knows the running times down to the minute of all the shows on his turf. On a recent night, he kept one eye on the Minskoff doors at the corner of 45th and Broadway, and one eye on the Music Box, about halfway down the block. When the crowds began to bulge on the sidewalk outside both venues, O’Gorman strode into the middle of 45th and stopped the cars heading west toward 8th Avenue, using only his voice and his right arm.</p>
<p>After a few minutes, he shifted to the south side of the street and began ushering cars through again, spinning his forearm in a circlular motion with a speed that indicates how long he’s been working this beat: 16 years. Another few minutes go by and he stops traffic again briefly to allow the black-car carrying “Dear Evan Hansen” star Ben Platt to pull out as it’s trailed by a few autograph seekers. O’Gorman coordinates all of this activity and more with a nod and wink or two to the drivers, the security guards and other behind the scenes players at the theaters and at the Marriott Marquis hotel (a favorite of stars and high-level politicos) that is also on his block. And he communicates regularly with the undercover cops who are out in force in the Times Square area.</p>
<p>“You don’t really know how hard they work until you’re out here with them at 1 a.m. Everybody knows them, and everybody needs them.”NYPD Lt. Sean Burke</p>
<p>“You just have to feel it,” O’Gorman says of his one-man crowd control labors. “If you’re good with people, this job will be a fit for you.”</p>
<p>For sure, Broadway’s beat cops have to be carefully cast for the job, and it’s a coveted posting, according to NYPD Lt. Sean Burke, who oversees the Theater District patrol. First and foremost, the officers have to build strong relationships with all the key players on their turf — from theater managers to the parking garage operators to street vendors. And they must have a generally good disposition to field dozens of questions from tourists in the Times Square area every night.</p>
<p>“They 100% own their blocks,” Burke says. “You don’t really know how hard they work until you’re out here with them at 1 a.m. Everybody knows them, and everybody needs them.”</p>
<p>One of the biggest challenges is the fact that the Theater District draws a high concentration of notable stars to a small area that is wide open to the public. Bette Midler’s recent run in “Hello Dolly” at the Schubert Theatre on 44th Street created an extra bit of traffic control pressure for O’Gorman as her car headed out down his block at the end of the night.</p>
<p>Officer Delvis Perez, who works 49th Street, where the big show is “The Book of Mormon” at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, is bracing for the arrival of Bruce Springsteen at the Walter Kerr Theatre on 48th Street this month. Springsteen belongs to that breed of star that draws super-fans who don’t have tickets to the show but just want to catch a glimpse of him entering or exiting the theater.</p>
<p>The beat cops are often called on to work with other law enforcement officials to protect celebrities from stalkers. They coordinate with counter-terrorism units when Homeland Security threat levels are elevated. And they’re occasionally called inside a theater by security to help remove an unruly patron. But that’s the exception.</p>
<p>The Broadway police typically make very few arrests—to do so would take too much time away from the street to deal with paperwork and booking and such. In reality, there’s rarely much need for pulling out the bracelets, officers say.</p>
<p>“For the most part, people are pretty good—they’re here to have a good time,” Perez says.</p>
<p>O’Gorman keeps a hawkish eye out for scalpers and pickpockets — two blights on the theater community, in his eyes. He doesn’t care much for panhandlers, either, so most of them know to keep clear of his street. “We have a good understanding of how we conduct business around here,” O’Gorman says.</p>
<p>The mere presence of the badge and the uniform does most of the heavy lifting, so long as the beat cops remain highly visible, officers say. “I’m like a shark,” says Officer Michael McGlynn, who works 52nd Street. “I’ve got to keep moving.”</p>
<p>McGlynn, who sports a large cross tattoo on his left forearm, has the confident swagger of an NYPD cop straight out of a Martin Scorsese movie. Projecting that image—and keeping himself in top physical shape—is important in dealing with the public, he says. “Ninety-five percent of our interactions (with the public) are very positive,” McGlynn assures.</p>
<p>MyGlynn’s wife gets a kick out of his semi-regular encounters with A-list talent. But he’s not too starry-eyed after several years of patrolling the Main Stem.</p>
<p>“I have my job and I do it well,” he says. They have a job on stage and they do it well. I don’t go out for drinks with them afterward.”</p> | false | 1 | impressive choreography broadway seen six nights week 45th street doesnt happen stage nypd officer john ogorman thin blue line safety chaos heavily trafficked block packed six theaters including minskoff home everpopular lion king music box host hit tuner dear evan hansen ogorman one eight broadway beat cops nypds midtown north precinct assigned patrol specific streets heart theater district busiest part 4 pm1230 shift usually around 1030 pm shows begin let moment theatergoers come streaming venues especially patrons drinks dangerous mix automobile traffic narrow street officer looks sounds every bit native cork ireland knows running times minute shows turf recent night kept one eye minskoff doors corner 45th broadway one eye music box halfway block crowds began bulge sidewalk outside venues ogorman strode middle 45th stopped cars heading west toward 8th avenue using voice right arm minutes shifted south side street began ushering cars spinning forearm circlular motion speed indicates long hes working beat 16 years another minutes go stops traffic briefly allow blackcar carrying dear evan hansen star ben platt pull trailed autograph seekers ogorman coordinates activity nod wink two drivers security guards behind scenes players theaters marriott marquis hotel favorite stars highlevel politicos also block communicates regularly undercover cops force times square area dont really know hard work youre 1 everybody knows everybody needs themnypd lt sean burke feel ogorman says oneman crowd control labors youre good people job fit sure broadways beat cops carefully cast job coveted posting according nypd lt sean burke oversees theater district patrol first foremost officers build strong relationships key players turf theater managers parking garage operators street vendors must generally good disposition field dozens questions tourists times square area every night 100 blocks burke says dont really know hard work youre 1 everybody knows everybody needs one biggest challenges fact theater district draws high concentration notable stars small area wide open public bette midlers recent run hello dolly schubert theatre 44th street created extra bit traffic control pressure ogorman car headed block end night officer delvis perez works 49th street big show book mormon eugene oneill theatre bracing arrival bruce springsteen walter kerr theatre 48th street month springsteen belongs breed star draws superfans dont tickets show want catch glimpse entering exiting theater beat cops often called work law enforcement officials protect celebrities stalkers coordinate counterterrorism units homeland security threat levels elevated theyre occasionally called inside theater security help remove unruly patron thats exception broadway police typically make arreststo would take much time away street deal paperwork booking reality theres rarely much need pulling bracelets officers say part people pretty goodtheyre good time perez says ogorman keeps hawkish eye scalpers pickpockets two blights theater community eyes doesnt care much panhandlers either know keep clear street good understanding conduct business around ogorman says mere presence badge uniform heavy lifting long beat cops remain highly visible officers say im like shark says officer michael mcglynn works 52nd street ive got keep moving mcglynn sports large cross tattoo left forearm confident swagger nypd cop straight martin scorsese movie projecting imageand keeping top physical shapeis important dealing public says ninetyfive percent interactions public positive mcglynn assures myglynns wife gets kick semiregular encounters alist talent hes starryeyed several years patrolling main stem job well says job stage well dont go drinks afterward | 543 |
<p>President Obama has attempted, through his health care plan, one of the most ambitious government takeovers of the private economy in our lifetime. Republican lawmakers have, to a person, declined to assist Obama in this effort. Opposition by the out-of-power party is not unusual — though the degree of polarization we have seen during the Obama presidency is unprecedented. Barack Obama is the most polarizing first year president since the 1950s, when <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/125345/obama-approval-polarized-first-year-president.aspx" type="external">Gallup first began polling on this issue</a>.</p>
<p>What is unusual, and politically worrisome for Obama, is for a president this early in his tenure to see own party increasingly pay little heed to his wishes. For example, the Obama administration took great pride in announcing that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would be given a civilian trial in New York City, just a few blocks from where the World Trade Center buildings were attacked and destroyed.</p>
<p>This was supposed to be emblematic of what a law-abiding, image-changing administration it is. Yet late last week most of the New York Congressional delegation and other New York officials told the president that he best find a new venue. Sen. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100130/ts_alt_afp/usattacksguantanamojusticetrial_20100130033115" type="external">Chuck Schumer</a>, one of the administration's closest allies on Capitol Hill, said that he was hopeful the administration could “find suitable alternatives.” Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/78559-feinstein-says-obama-should-move-terror-trials-from-nyc" type="external">Dianne Feinstein agreed</a> that the trial should be moved, saying, “from an intelligence perspective, the situation has changed with the Christmas attack . . . and the administration should take note of that and make a change as well.” And on Sunday, Indiana Democratic Sen. Sen. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584474,00.html" type="external">Evan Bayh</a> said that the KSM trial “sounded good in theory way back when but, in practice, it just was not the right thing to do.”And so it is back to the drawing board for the Obama Justice Department.</p>
<p>In his State of the Union address, the president, speaking to his party about his crippled health care proposal, said the American people don't expect lawmakers to “run for the hills.” But hills are exactly where many Democrats are heading, petrified as they are by the political damaging effects of ObamaCare. The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, when asked about health care in the aftermath of Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts, said, “We're not on health care now. We've talked a lot about it in the past.” After having spoken about its urgency for most of the past year, <a href="http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/no-rush-on-health-care-overhaul-democrats-say/" type="external">Harry Reid said</a>, “There is no rush.” ( <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-healthcare-strategy31-2010jan31,0,4131123.story" type="external">There is talk</a> of Democrats quietly attempting to resuscitate health care legislation, but it is hard to believe they will go down this politically perilous path.)</p>
<p>Democratic lawmakers are also starting to voice their disenchantment with the head of their party. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv7NUQjwg-s" type="external">Sen. Byron Dorgan</a>, (D-N.D.), said about Obama on health care, “the timing wasn't good.” Sen. <a href="http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0110/Landrieu_Bill_on_life_support_.html?showall" type="external">Mary Landrieu</a> (D-La.), who described health care reform as on “life support,” complained that in his State of the Union address, Obama “should have been more clear . . . because that is what it is going to take if it is at all possible to get it done.” She added, “Mailing in general suggestions, sending them over the transom, is not necessarily going to work.” And for good measure she said the president's criticism of the Senate was “a little strange, a little odd.”</p>
<p>Obama has also been rebuked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi several times. Early in January, reminded that candidate Obama promised all health care negotiations would be broadcast on C-SPAN, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/05/pelosi-on-obama-there-wer_n_412291.html" type="external">Pelosi dismissively said</a>, “There are a number of things he was for on the campaign trail.” And in response to Obama's admission to House Republicans that health care involved “a messy process,” <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/obama-notwithstanding-democrats-defend-messy-lawmaking/" type="external">Pelosi shot back</a>, “The American people don't care about process.” And Pelosi dissented from Obama's call for a three-year freeze on some categories of federal spending, saying that it <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/78541-pelosi-suggests-spending-freeze-apply-to-defense" type="external">should cover defense spending</a> as well.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the president's cap-and-trade proposal is languishing in the Senate, where it is unlikely to ever see the light of day. Guantanamo Bay remains open even though Obama, in one of the first acts of his presidency, declared it would be closed within a year.</p>
<p>In sum: the Obama presidency is seeing its influence and prestige drain away at an unusually rapid rate. It is hard to recall another president who, this early in his tenure, had encountered this much trouble, including the hapless Jimmy Carter, and the more resourceful Bill Clinton, who won re-election only after significantly adjusting the direction of his presidency in the aftermath of his troubled opening act.</p>
<p>Clinton's mid-term correction didn't come in time to help House members or Senators in vulnerable districts, however, and it is rapidly dawning on many Democrats — especially ones up for re-election in 2010 — that hitching their fortunes to the president's unpopular agenda is not only unwise; it might well be political suicide. Their survival increasingly depends on pursuing an agenda different than, and sometimes at odds with, the president of their own party.</p>
<p>Republicans, sensing the seismic shift that has occurred since Obama was sworn in, are now eager to tether Democrats to their badly weakened party leader. <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/32263.html" type="external">Jonathan Martin of Politico</a> reports that Obama's fading luster is seen by opposition party strategists as a key to high Republican hopes for this year's midterm elections:</p>
<p>As buoyant Republicans devise their game plan for the <a href="http://topics.politico.com/index.cfm/topic/2010Election" type="external">2010 campaign</a>, party officials are counting on a boost from an unlikely source — <a href="http://topics.politico.com/index.cfm/topic/BarackObama" type="external">President Obama</a>. A tactic that would have seemed far-fetched a year ago, when the new president was sworn in with a 67 percent job approval rating, is now emerging as a key component of the GOP strategy: Tie Democratic opponents to Obama and make them answer for some of the unpopular policies associated with the chief executive.</p>
<p>The problem for President Obama is that there is no obvious path out of his situation, at least in the short-to-mid-term. If history is any guide, his approval ratings — which have already fallen more than any first year president in history — will fall even further in his second year. Obama's effort to reclaim the magic of his campaign is unlikely to work in light of his first year, when he pursued a hyper-partisan agenda and shattered promise after promise. According to the latest Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates, unemployment will remain at around 10 percent this year, which will be like a millstone around the neck of Democrats. ObamaCare has proven to be not only unpopular but politically toxic. The president's new budget — which projects a record-breaking, mind-blowing deficit of $1.56 trillion — is political kryptonite for Democrats; it reinforces the worst possible narrative about them (profligate, fiscally reckless, unprepared to govern).</p>
<p>Politics can be fluid, of course, and other presidents have rebounded. We will see what unfolds in the next several months. What we can judge is the current moment in time — and right now political analysts from <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/generic-ballot-polls-suggest-epic-party-disaster-for-democrats-83043362.html" type="external">Michael Barone</a> to <a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/offtotheraces.php" type="external">Charlie Cook</a> are saying, with ample empirical justification, that a mid-term blow out of potentially epic dimensions may be in store for Democrats.</p>
<p>During the presidential campaign Obama's aides modestly conferred on him the nickname “Black Jesus,” according to John Heilemann and Mark Halperin's new book Game Change. If Obama objected to the moniker, he didn't say so.</p>
<p>It now appears Obama is not only mortal but deeply flawed. The man his supporters declared — even before he took office — to be the next Lincoln or FDR appears to be on the ropes. So is his party. And things are likely to get worse rather than better. What was once a marriage seemingly made in heaven has, in recent weeks, shown severe strains. Those strains are giving way to public disputes, which may give way to a trial separation. And that trial separation may, for a significant number of Democrats running this year, give way to an amicable, we-still-respect-and-care-for-each-other divorce.</p>
<p>It was supposed to be so much easier, and he was supposed to be so much better, than this.</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 | president obama attempted health care plan one ambitious government takeovers private economy lifetime republican lawmakers person declined assist obama effort opposition outofpower party unusual though degree polarization seen obama presidency unprecedented barack obama polarizing first year president since 1950s gallup first began polling issue unusual politically worrisome obama president early tenure see party increasingly pay little heed wishes example obama administration took great pride announcing khalid sheikh mohammed would given civilian trial new york city blocks world trade center buildings attacked destroyed supposed emblematic lawabiding imagechanging administration yet late last week new york congressional delegation new york officials told president best find new venue sen chuck schumer one administrations closest allies capitol hill said hopeful administration could find suitable alternatives senate intelligence committee chairwoman dianne feinstein agreed trial moved saying intelligence perspective situation changed christmas attack administration take note make change well sunday indiana democratic sen sen evan bayh said ksm trial sounded good theory way back practice right thing doand back drawing board obama justice department state union address president speaking party crippled health care proposal said american people dont expect lawmakers run hills hills exactly many democrats heading petrified political damaging effects obamacare senate majority leader harry reid asked health care aftermath scott browns victory massachusetts said health care weve talked lot past spoken urgency past year harry reid said rush talk democrats quietly attempting resuscitate health care legislation hard believe go politically perilous path democratic lawmakers also starting voice disenchantment head party sen byron dorgan dnd said obama health care timing wasnt good sen mary landrieu dla described health care reform life support complained state union address obama clear going take possible get done added mailing general suggestions sending transom necessarily going work good measure said presidents criticism senate little strange little odd obama also rebuked house speaker nancy pelosi several times early january reminded candidate obama promised health care negotiations would broadcast cspan pelosi dismissively said number things campaign trail response obamas admission house republicans health care involved messy process pelosi shot back american people dont care process pelosi dissented obamas call threeyear freeze categories federal spending saying cover defense spending well meanwhile presidents capandtrade proposal languishing senate unlikely ever see light day guantanamo bay remains open even though obama one first acts presidency declared would closed within year sum obama presidency seeing influence prestige drain away unusually rapid rate hard recall another president early tenure encountered much trouble including hapless jimmy carter resourceful bill clinton reelection significantly adjusting direction presidency aftermath troubled opening act clintons midterm correction didnt come time help house members senators vulnerable districts however rapidly dawning many democrats especially ones reelection 2010 hitching fortunes presidents unpopular agenda unwise might well political suicide survival increasingly depends pursuing agenda different sometimes odds president party republicans sensing seismic shift occurred since obama sworn eager tether democrats badly weakened party leader jonathan martin politico reports obamas fading luster seen opposition party strategists key high republican hopes years midterm elections buoyant republicans devise game plan 2010 campaign party officials counting boost unlikely source president obama tactic would seemed farfetched year ago new president sworn 67 percent job approval rating emerging key component gop strategy tie democratic opponents obama make answer unpopular policies associated chief executive problem president obama obvious path situation least shorttomidterm history guide approval ratings already fallen first year president history fall even second year obamas effort reclaim magic campaign unlikely work light first year pursued hyperpartisan agenda shattered promise promise according latest congressional budget office cbo estimates unemployment remain around 10 percent year like millstone around neck democrats obamacare proven unpopular politically toxic presidents new budget projects recordbreaking mindblowing deficit 156 trillion political kryptonite democrats reinforces worst possible narrative profligate fiscally reckless unprepared govern politics fluid course presidents rebounded see unfolds next several months judge current moment time right political analysts michael barone charlie cook saying ample empirical justification midterm blow potentially epic dimensions may store democrats presidential campaign obamas aides modestly conferred nickname black jesus according john heilemann mark halperins new book game change obama objected moniker didnt say appears obama mortal deeply flawed man supporters declared even took office next lincoln fdr appears ropes party things likely get worse rather better marriage seemingly made heaven recent weeks shown severe strains strains giving way public disputes may give way trial separation trial separation may significant number democrats running year give way amicable westillrespectandcareforeachother divorce supposed much easier supposed much better peter wehner senior fellow ethics public policy center washington dc served bush white house director office strategic initiatives | 755 |
<p>Country legend Glen Campbell will be widely remembered by music fans for well-known radio hits as “Rhinestone Cowboy.” But to advocates for people with dementia, his greatest legacy is his bold decision to become the very public face of Alzheimer’s disease.</p>
<p>Campbell died Tuesday at the age of 81, after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s, his publicist Sandy Brokaw announced.</p>
<p>The announcement prompted a spate of tributes from mental health advocates who hailed Campbell, his wife Kimberly, and family for bravely revealed his Alzheimer’s diagnosis before embarking on a final “Goodbye Tour” that was documented in the award-winning documentary “I’ll Be Me.”</p>
<p>The film is an unflinching portrayal of the progression of Campbell’s disease on the tour, which had to be short.&#160;</p>
<p>Since then, Campbell and his family continued to advocate on behalf of the cause, sharing his story on Capitol Hill and speaking out on behalf of the 5.5 million Americans diagnosed with the memory-robbing disorder.</p>
<p>“Glen was a courageous advocate on behalf of Alzheimer’s, not only bravely sharing his diagnosis with the world, but continuing to bring joy to his fans through his music while facing the disease so publicly,” said Harry Johns, president and CEO, Alzheimer’s Association Tuesday.</p>
<p>“Glen and his family helped to bring Alzheimer’s out of the shadows and into the spotlight with openness and honesty that has rallied people to take action on behalf of the cause. In this spirit, we will continue to work aggressively to pursue greater awareness, provide support to families, and accelerate research to slow, stop and ultimately cure Alzheimer’s disease.”</p>
<p>Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the only cause among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed. Without new treatments, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is projected to nearly triple by 2050, as the baby boom generation grows into old age.</p>
<p>Since Campbell’s disclosure that he was struggling with dementia in 2011, he has become the most visible face of Alzheimer’s since Ronald Reagan.</p>
<p>The country music legend’s last hit song and video, 2014’s “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” is a heartrending musical reflection on his battle with dementia — one that hit home with relatives and advocates of Alzheimer’s sufferers across the country.</p>
<p>The song, which went viral shortly after its release, was just one in a series of courageous efforts by the Campbell family to publicize the singer-guitarist’s challenges.</p>
<p>Few people outside of Campbell’s wife and three children felt the pain of his declining mental health as deeply as Jimmy Webb, the legendary songwriter who wrote the rhinestone’s cowboy biggest hits, including “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I get to Phoenix.”</p>
<p>In a Newsmax interview shortly after the release of “I’m Not Going to Miss You,” Webb called the Campbells’ decision to go public with his story “difficult and brave,” adding: “Believe me, if there were a way for me to change this lyric, I would. Glen is one of my dearest friends.”</p>
<p>Webb said the early indications of Campbell’s advancing dementia were subtle. For instance, he’d forget the words to some of his favorite songs while the two were performing together, Webb recalled. But only those who knew him well would notice the memory lapses.</p>
<p>“It just started out with him like maybe forgetting a couple of lines in a song and I’d kind of look at him and I’d think, you know, time to cut back on the red wine or something like that,” Webb told Newsmax.</p>
<p>But it eventually became clear those little episodes were more than just minor bouts of forgetfulness.</p>
<p>Webb and his wife, Laura Savini, remained in close contact with the Campbell family through the various phases of the disease.</p>
<p>“There’s certain stages of the disease where — I don’t know how to put this, but — it’s almost like cute. There’s an endearing quality to it, almost like having a child, having a very precocious child,” Webb said. “But then it goes from there very quickly to a place where it’s no longer that, it’s something else. And it really requires constant attention.”</p>
<p>Webb called Campbell “a true musical genius” who inspired him from the time he first heard the singer’s voice on the radio as a teen growing up on a farm in Elk City, Okla.</p>
<p>Webb called “Wichita Lineman,” which won a Grammy in 1968, “a perfect record.” With Campbell’s advancing dementia, the song took on a poignant new meaning — particularly in the fading walk-off line: “He’s still on the line.”</p>
<p>Webb noted that he last collaborated with Campbell on a duet of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” — another Grammy winner — for the songwriter’s 2010 duets album, “Just Across the River.” It marked both the first and last time that the two sang the track together.</p>
<p>Although Webb’s songs have been performed by many artists over the years — including Frank Sinatra (“Didn’t We”), Art Garfunkel (“All I Know”), Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings (“The Highwayman”), the Fifth Dimension (“Up, Up and Away”), Joe Cocker (“The Moon’s a Harsh Mistress”), Donna Summer, Richard Harris (“MacArthur Park”), and Brad Paisley (“Galveston”) — Campbell has been the most public voice for his music.</p>
<p>“We were counting up the other day that he’s recorded about 70 or 80 different songs of mine,” Webb said. “So basically, he would record everything that I wrote and out of those songs came some hits. But certainly not all of them were hits and some of them are just absolutely gorgeous and nobody ever heard them.</p>
<p>Campell’s last hit release, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” recorded in 2013, may be the song that most cements his legacy.</p>
<p>“I’m still here but yet I’m gone, I don’t play guitar or sing my songs,” Campbell begins, then pays tribute to his wife, Kim, singing, “You’re the last person I will love, you’re the last face I will recall.”</p>
<p>In the accompanying video, Campbell’s moving lyrics are punctuated by personal videos and clips of performances marking his five-decade musical career.</p>
<p>Among the film’s most striking images: Footage of a doctor showing Campbell X-rays of his brain and explaining how the disease will steal his memory.</p> | false | 1 | country legend glen campbell widely remembered music fans wellknown radio hits rhinestone cowboy advocates people dementia greatest legacy bold decision become public face alzheimers disease campbell died tuesday age 81 sixyear battle alzheimers publicist sandy brokaw announced announcement prompted spate tributes mental health advocates hailed campbell wife kimberly family bravely revealed alzheimers diagnosis embarking final goodbye tour documented awardwinning documentary ill film unflinching portrayal progression campbells disease tour short160 since campbell family continued advocate behalf cause sharing story capitol hill speaking behalf 55 million americans diagnosed memoryrobbing disorder glen courageous advocate behalf alzheimers bravely sharing diagnosis world continuing bring joy fans music facing disease publicly said harry johns president ceo alzheimers association tuesday glen family helped bring alzheimers shadows spotlight openness honesty rallied people take action behalf cause spirit continue work aggressively pursue greater awareness provide support families accelerate research slow stop ultimately cure alzheimers disease alzheimers sixth leading cause death united states cause among top 10 prevented cured slowed without new treatments number americans alzheimers projected nearly triple 2050 baby boom generation grows old age since campbells disclosure struggling dementia 2011 become visible face alzheimers since ronald reagan country music legends last hit song video 2014s im gon na miss heartrending musical reflection battle dementia one hit home relatives advocates alzheimers sufferers across country song went viral shortly release one series courageous efforts campbell family publicize singerguitarists challenges people outside campbells wife three children felt pain declining mental health deeply jimmy webb legendary songwriter wrote rhinestones cowboy biggest hits including wichita lineman time get phoenix newsmax interview shortly release im going miss webb called campbells decision go public story difficult brave adding believe way change lyric would glen one dearest friends webb said early indications campbells advancing dementia subtle instance hed forget words favorite songs two performing together webb recalled knew well would notice memory lapses started like maybe forgetting couple lines song id kind look id think know time cut back red wine something like webb told newsmax eventually became clear little episodes minor bouts forgetfulness webb wife laura savini remained close contact campbell family various phases disease theres certain stages disease dont know put almost like cute theres endearing quality almost like child precocious child webb said goes quickly place longer something else really requires constant attention webb called campbell true musical genius inspired time first heard singers voice radio teen growing farm elk city okla webb called wichita lineman grammy 1968 perfect record campbells advancing dementia song took poignant new meaning particularly fading walkoff line hes still line webb noted last collaborated campbell duet time get phoenix another grammy winner songwriters 2010 duets album across river marked first last time two sang track together although webbs songs performed many artists years including frank sinatra didnt art garfunkel know kris kristofferson johnny cash willie nelson waylon jennings highwayman fifth dimension away joe cocker moons harsh mistress donna summer richard harris macarthur park brad paisley galveston campbell public voice music counting day hes recorded 70 80 different songs mine webb said basically would record everything wrote songs came hits certainly hits absolutely gorgeous nobody ever heard campells last hit release im gon na miss recorded 2013 may song cements legacy im still yet im gone dont play guitar sing songs campbell begins pays tribute wife kim singing youre last person love youre last face recall accompanying video campbells moving lyrics punctuated personal videos clips performances marking fivedecade musical career among films striking images footage doctor showing campbell xrays brain explaining disease steal memory | 585 |
<p>Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Birthplace Museum of the great American suffragist, and pro-life advocate, Susan B. Anthony. She and Elizabeth Cady Stanton led the fight for women’s suffrage in the late 19th century, a cause that would result in the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, years after Anthony’s death.</p>
<p>As I stood before the museum wall dedicated to their pro-life advocacy, especially as enunciated in their weekly women’s rights newspaper, the Revolution, I shuddered to think how these two courageous women would have responded to the amicus briefs offered to the Supreme Court this month by today’s feminist groups.</p>
<p>In its first abortion case in nine years, the highest court in the land will hear arguments in March concerning the constitutionality of state regulations requiring abortion practitioners to have admitting privileges at area hospitals and for abortion clinics to meet higher health and safety standards—regulations inspired by the horrific Gosnell case that broke two years ago in West Philadelphia.</p>
<p>How would Anthony and Stanton have reacted to the brief offered in support of the clinics’ position by more than 100 attorneys, opening with the line, “I am an attorney because I had an abortion.”</p>
<p>Or what about the brief filed by the National Women’s Law Center on behalf of “organizations committed to equality and equal opportunity for women” arguing that abortion is necessary for women’s economic and social progress? Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton would have thought that something had gone terribly wrong.</p>
<p>Indeed, Anthony and Stanton believed something like the reverse: give women the right to vote so that women might have the power and the influence to do away with the ghastly practice of abortion. Here is Stanton herself: “There must be a remedy for such a crying evil as this. But where shall it be found, at least where begin, if not in the complete enfranchisement and elevation of women?”</p>
<p>The early American feminists presumed that the evil of abortion would be abolished by the elevation of women. Today’s feminists maintain that women’s elevated status depends upon easy access to abortion.</p>
<p>Yet more than 40 years after the second wave—the abortion wave—of the women’s movement, most women still report that the number one issue facing them today is how best to combine their strong desires to care for their family alongside their professional duties and aspirations. Abortion has been a cultural cop-out, and a culturally corrosive cop-out at that.</p>
<p>Equality arguments for abortion rights are so commonplace today that perhaps we don’t quite see the tragic ironies as our forbearers would have seen them. For women like Anthony and Stanton, who had also fought for the emancipation of slaves, such an argument would have been akin to a Southern cotton farmer asserting that his economic success depended upon his right to own black men, women and children as his property.</p>
<p>And yet, the leading pro-choice rationale suggests that, because the professional and personal lives of men need not be interrupted by an ill-timed pregnancy — because, frankly, men can just walk away— equality requires that the professional and personal lives of women ought not be interrupted either.</p>
<p>In the spirit of Anthony and Stanton, I seek to challenge this now popular feminist dogma head on: not only has liberal access to abortion hampered women’s authentic social equality; abortion access has actually further burdened women, and especially poor women, with the consequences of unexpected pregnancy — even as it has further freed men.</p>
<p>But for the law to treat men and women equally, as per the Equal Protection Clause as currently interpreted by the Supreme Court, the law cannot ignore the biological differences between them. This view of the Constitution, proper in my view, points to a more authentic view of sexual equality, which as it turns out, is far better for women. When we ignore biological facts, social arrangements tend to denigrate biological difference, and that’s a whole lot of what we see today.</p>
<p>Indeed, authentic sexual equality and reproductive justice would acknowledge—not dismiss, nor be embarrassed by, nor reject—the biological fact that the human species gestates in the wombs of women.</p>
<p>Acknowledging this biological reality need not necessitate the current social reality that women are far too often left alone to care for their children or the social arrangements in which professional and public occupations are so hostile to parenting duties.</p>
<p>The very existence of abortion as the now-assumed solution to an ill-timed pregnancy has relieved a profit-driven society from the costs associated with creating environments that welcome women who have children (which is the great majority of women).</p>
<p>Authentic sexual equality and reproductive justice would require that men and society at large respect, protect, and support women’s capacity to bear children, alongside their many other talents and abilities. A culture of abortion offers men instead a quick escape hatch from relationships and responsibilities, which is why we ought not be surprised that male coercion and intimidation is the cause of many abortions.</p>
<p>Worse yet, a number of economists have demonstrated that liberal access to abortion acting as a back up to failed contraception tends to induce sexual risk-taking, leading over time to increased rates of abortion and non-marital childbearing (exactly what we have seen since the 1960s, with a slowdown in the prior more recently). Among the more disadvantaged in particular, sex disconnected from commitment has also decoupled childbearing from marriage, contributing to an epidemic of fatherlessness, the leading indicator of poverty among women and children in the U.S.</p>
<p>Authentic equality and reproductive justice would demand:</p>
<p>The early American feminists assumed that women’s equal status would ensure greater protections for the vulnerable child developing in the womb.</p>
<p>Our foremothers worked to change social institutions, calling men to recognize the distinct dignity and equality of women as women, those specially concerned with the dependent and vulnerable. The women’s movement made a grave moral and strategic error when it joined hands with abortion crusaders.</p>
<p>Mimicking the child-abandoning male through abortion would seem rather antithetical to feminist ideals but, in this now worn-out view, women reach their full potential only by imitating men.</p>
<p>It’s time to take the movement back—for women, for children, and for our relationships with men. The great and courageous Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton would expect nothing less.</p>
<p>Erika Bachiochi is a Visiting Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of “Embodied Equality: Debunking Equal Protection Arguments for Abortion Rights” (Harvard Journal of Law &amp; Public Policy, 2011).</p> | false | 1 | recently opportunity visit birthplace museum great american suffragist prolife advocate susan b anthony elizabeth cady stanton led fight womens suffrage late 19th century cause would result 19th amendment us constitution 1920 years anthonys death stood museum wall dedicated prolife advocacy especially enunciated weekly womens rights newspaper revolution shuddered think two courageous women would responded amicus briefs offered supreme court month todays feminist groups first abortion case nine years highest court land hear arguments march concerning constitutionality state regulations requiring abortion practitioners admitting privileges area hospitals abortion clinics meet higher health safety standardsregulations inspired horrific gosnell case broke two years ago west philadelphia would anthony stanton reacted brief offered support clinics position 100 attorneys opening line attorney abortion brief filed national womens law center behalf organizations committed equality equal opportunity women arguing abortion necessary womens economic social progress susan b anthony elizabeth cady stanton would thought something gone terribly wrong indeed anthony stanton believed something like reverse give women right vote women might power influence away ghastly practice abortion stanton must remedy crying evil shall found least begin complete enfranchisement elevation women early american feminists presumed evil abortion would abolished elevation women todays feminists maintain womens elevated status depends upon easy access abortion yet 40 years second wavethe abortion waveof womens movement women still report number one issue facing today best combine strong desires care family alongside professional duties aspirations abortion cultural copout culturally corrosive copout equality arguments abortion rights commonplace today perhaps dont quite see tragic ironies forbearers would seen women like anthony stanton also fought emancipation slaves argument would akin southern cotton farmer asserting economic success depended upon right black men women children property yet leading prochoice rationale suggests professional personal lives men need interrupted illtimed pregnancy frankly men walk away equality requires professional personal lives women ought interrupted either spirit anthony stanton seek challenge popular feminist dogma head liberal access abortion hampered womens authentic social equality abortion access actually burdened women especially poor women consequences unexpected pregnancy even freed men law treat men women equally per equal protection clause currently interpreted supreme court law ignore biological differences view constitution proper view points authentic view sexual equality turns far better women ignore biological facts social arrangements tend denigrate biological difference thats whole lot see today indeed authentic sexual equality reproductive justice would acknowledgenot dismiss embarrassed rejectthe biological fact human species gestates wombs women acknowledging biological reality need necessitate current social reality women far often left alone care children social arrangements professional public occupations hostile parenting duties existence abortion nowassumed solution illtimed pregnancy relieved profitdriven society costs associated creating environments welcome women children great majority women authentic sexual equality reproductive justice would require men society large respect protect support womens capacity bear children alongside many talents abilities culture abortion offers men instead quick escape hatch relationships responsibilities ought surprised male coercion intimidation cause many abortions worse yet number economists demonstrated liberal access abortion acting back failed contraception tends induce sexual risktaking leading time increased rates abortion nonmarital childbearing exactly seen since 1960s slowdown prior recently among disadvantaged particular sex disconnected commitment also decoupled childbearing marriage contributing epidemic fatherlessness leading indicator poverty among women children us authentic equality reproductive justice would demand early american feminists assumed womens equal status would ensure greater protections vulnerable child developing womb foremothers worked change social institutions calling men recognize distinct dignity equality women women specially concerned dependent vulnerable womens movement made grave moral strategic error joined hands abortion crusaders mimicking childabandoning male abortion would seem rather antithetical feminist ideals wornout view women reach full potential imitating men time take movement backfor women children relationships men great courageous susan b anthony elizabeth cady stanton would expect nothing less erika bachiochi visiting fellow ethics public policy center author embodied equality debunking equal protection arguments abortion rights harvard journal law amp public policy 2011 | 636 |
<p>If the mainstream media would do its job, people wouldn't need to turn to the demonized alternatives to gain knowledge on the issues they care about.</p>
<p>The U.S. government has now generated numerous news stories and released multiple “reports” aimed at persuading us that Vladimir Putin is to blame for Donald Trump becoming president. U.S. media has dutifully informed us that the case has been made. What has been made is the case for writing your own news coverage. The “reports” from the “intelligence community” are no lengthier than the New York Times and Washington Post articles about them. Why not just read the reports and cut out the middle-person?</p>
<p>The New York Times calls the latest report “damning and surprisingly detailed” before later admitting in the same “news” article that the report “contained no information about how the agencies had collected their data or had come to their conclusions.” A quick glance at the <a href="http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/6wA/ni0YAA/t.23t/FGkZ4n2ET7S0DaYlcAQXyg/h0/Re2LXPTZUq5Xh9fx4TOMIZkFeiK3-2BgFIteHmGiSPq4cgHrIVuHMvojlvFgW-2BBagU-2FEFJmtSau6u-2Fo9ukbozB5ecWj3prLBjyoumV1fPRzg04Kz-2BgmckcGfaoUwH9G0aCj61EBFNvYKIWzJRphGT5KTEnUlbk2qNsSIRjaRO6-2BBzHM-2BaHVmN2Y-2Fi2QRfy7Oy-2ByjpBDR2g8bR6Bs4GEOyQw1m2f43Lu2Ep3G58s-2FwJ8Q8A8c-2BTg8w8Q7jcPMHv6rZ-2FL6XyJc64XZ7x2iWFwSc0-2FoTYOM-2Fm2fuFgUUgoUUaHH8Y5Eqq686wr9m12EhX5S6noWpO69A6QiNS9KC5C8s5fvp71EACZYT9xbZwzzkGTB0-3D" type="external">report itself</a> would have made clear to you that it did not pretend to present a shred of evidence that Russia hacked emails or served as a source for WikiLeaks. Yet Congresswoman Barbara Lee declared the evidence in this evidence-free report “overwhelming.” What should progressives believe, the best Congresswoman we’ve got or our own lying eyes?</p>
<p />
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<p>If you read the “reports” that the U.S. government releases, and understand that the term “assess” is a synonym for “to claim without evidence,” it will very quickly become clear that reports on Russians’ motives for their alleged crimes (as well as for their non-criminal public actions, such as running a television network) are purely guesses. It also becomes clear that the U.S. government is not even claiming to have any evidence that Russia was a source for WikiLeaks. And, with a bit of help, it should become evident to anyone that the U.S. government is not claiming to have any actual evidence of the Russian government hacking Democratic emails.</p>
<p>Even the NSA will commit only to “moderate” confidence in what millions of Democrats will now stake their lives (and potentially everybody else’s) on. Former top NSA expert on this stuff William Binney swears the claims are utter nonsense. IP addresses produced as supposed evidence turn out in at least many cases to have nothing to do with Russia at all, much less the Russian government.</p>
<p>When the “17 intelligence organizations” put their collective multi-billion-dollar brains together and report on anything that’s publicly available, they tend to get it wrong. The facts about Russia’s television network in this latest “report” misidentify personnel, describe old programs as new ones, and screw up dates by failing to recognize that in some parts of the world people list the day before the month. Yet we are supposed to believe that anything they say about topics not publicly available must be true— despite having proved false over and over again for decades.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Of course, having a plausible alternative account is not necessary to recognize that the U.S. government has no evidence to support its account. But the fact is that Murray’s and numerous other scenarios are perfectly plausible. One ought to await evidence before declaring one of them fact. But we can go ahead and declare the CIA’s story less and less likely with each passing day. NSA whistleblowers like Binney believe that if this story were true the NSA would have evidence of it. It is safe to assume that if the NSA had evidence of it, some outline of that evidence would have been made public by now, rather than all the fluff, nonsense, and incompetent false attributions of IP addresses to Russia, etc.</p>
<p>As each new perfumed pig of a report is released in Friday evening news dumps, we can advance ever closer to declaring that, while the Russian government has indeed done far worse things, it did not do this.</p>
<p>In fact, the latest report doesn’t just produce no evidence of hacking and providing to WikiLeaks. It also tries to change the subject to things Russia openly and publicly did, that nobody disputes, but that the “intelligence” agencies still manage to screw up all the details on. I once, no kidding, invited a former CIA agent to speak at an event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and the guy was late because he was unable to find it.</p>
<p>The accusations against Russia in the latest “overwhelming” report include: favoring proposals to work with Russia over proposals to build hostility (shocking!), and running a television network that many people in the United States choose to watch (the outrage! how capitalistic!). And the television network is accused of cheering for Trump’s election—as if the British media wouldn’t have cheered for Clinton’s—as if the U.S. media doesn’t cheer for election winners abroad all the time. This network, RT, is also accused of covering third-party candidates, fracking, Occupy, vote suppression, flaws in the U.S. election system, and other forbidden topics.</p>
<p>Well why do you think people watch it? If the U.S. media gave good time to third-party candidates, would people have to turn elsewhere to learn about them? If the U.S. media could be trusted not to claim a U.S. government report was “damning” in the same article that would later admit it was devoid of evidence, would people in the U.S. search for alternative sources of information? If the U.S. media allowed honest reporting on Occupy or fracking, if it opened itself up to a wide range of points of view and debate, if it allowed serious criticism of U.S. government policies supported by both big parties, would people despise it the way they do? Would people cheer when a fascist buffoon like Trump denounces the media? Isn’t the U.S. media’s awfulness, combined with the incredible free airtime it gave Trump, a fair target of blame for his becoming president?</p>
<p>When I go on RT and suggest that the United States should end all its wars, and that Russia should too, I’m invited back on. The last U.S. network to have me on was MSNBC, and I opposed U.S. warmaking and was never heard from again. Perhaps most people watching U.S. media don’t quite realize that there are no antiwar voices allowed, no voices that actually want to abolish war. Yet most people feel there is something missing, on this and most topics. There’s lots of supposed debate on U.S. media, yet a dim—or glaring—awareness among viewers and readers that the debate is severely limited.</p>
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<p />
<p>A second example is this: Those in the U.S. government pushing for greater cold, if not hot, war with Russia, with increased desperation during these next two weeks will be benefitting weapons profiteers and perhaps “news” profiteers, but just about nobody else, while risking incredible death and destruction. If I were an “intelligence” agency, I would “assess” with “high confidence” that corruption was afoot. And I’d get 16 friends to join me in calling that “assessment” a “report” if it helped you to take it seriously.</p>
<p>This article was originally published at <a href="http://davidswanson.org/node/5403" type="external">DavidSwanson.org</a>.</p>
<p>­</p> | false | 1 | mainstream media would job people wouldnt need turn demonized alternatives gain knowledge issues care us government generated numerous news stories released multiple reports aimed persuading us vladimir putin blame donald trump becoming president us media dutifully informed us case made made case writing news coverage reports intelligence community lengthier new york times washington post articles read reports cut middleperson new york times calls latest report damning surprisingly detailed later admitting news article report contained information agencies collected data come conclusions quick glance report would made clear pretend present shred evidence russia hacked emails served source wikileaks yet congresswoman barbara lee declared evidence evidencefree report overwhelming progressives believe best congresswoman weve got lying eyes read reports us government releases understand term assess synonym claim without evidence quickly become clear reports russians motives alleged crimes well noncriminal public actions running television network purely guesses also becomes clear us government even claiming evidence russia source wikileaks bit help become evident anyone us government claiming actual evidence russian government hacking democratic emails even nsa commit moderate confidence millions democrats stake lives potentially everybody elses former top nsa expert stuff william binney swears claims utter nonsense ip addresses produced supposed evidence turn least many cases nothing russia much less russian government 17 intelligence organizations put collective multibilliondollar brains together report anything thats publicly available tend get wrong facts russias television network latest report misidentify personnel describe old programs new ones screw dates failing recognize parts world people list day month yet supposed believe anything say topics publicly available must true despite proved false decades course plausible alternative account necessary recognize us government evidence support account fact murrays numerous scenarios perfectly plausible one ought await evidence declaring one fact go ahead declare cias story less less likely passing day nsa whistleblowers like binney believe story true nsa would evidence safe assume nsa evidence outline evidence would made public rather fluff nonsense incompetent false attributions ip addresses russia etc new perfumed pig report released friday evening news dumps advance ever closer declaring russian government indeed done far worse things fact latest report doesnt produce evidence hacking providing wikileaks also tries change subject things russia openly publicly nobody disputes intelligence agencies still manage screw details kidding invited former cia agent speak event national mall washington dc guy late unable find accusations russia latest overwhelming report include favoring proposals work russia proposals build hostility shocking running television network many people united states choose watch outrage capitalistic television network accused cheering trumps electionas british media wouldnt cheered clintonsas us media doesnt cheer election winners abroad time network rt also accused covering thirdparty candidates fracking occupy vote suppression flaws us election system forbidden topics well think people watch us media gave good time thirdparty candidates would people turn elsewhere learn us media could trusted claim us government report damning article would later admit devoid evidence would people us search alternative sources information us media allowed honest reporting occupy fracking opened wide range points view debate allowed serious criticism us government policies supported big parties would people despise way would people cheer fascist buffoon like trump denounces media isnt us medias awfulness combined incredible free airtime gave trump fair target blame becoming president go rt suggest united states end wars russia im invited back last us network msnbc opposed us warmaking never heard perhaps people watching us media dont quite realize antiwar voices allowed voices actually want abolish war yet people feel something missing topics theres lots supposed debate us media yet dimor glaringawareness among viewers readers debate severely limited second example us government pushing greater cold hot war russia increased desperation next two weeks benefitting weapons profiteers perhaps news profiteers nobody else risking incredible death destruction intelligence agency would assess high confidence corruption afoot id get 16 friends join calling assessment report helped take seriously article originally published davidswansonorg | 638 |
<p>Obamacare’s defenders are busy declaring victory again.&#160; Ezra Klein&#160; <a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/9/5/6108493/obamacare-premiums-lower-2015" type="external">is touting a new survey</a> of Obamacare benchmark premiums in some regions of the country as evidence that the law is defying the predictions of critics and working to cut costs rather than increase them.</p>
<p>But, as Bob Laszewski&#160; <a href="http://healthpolicyandmarket.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-next-chapter-of-obamacare.html" type="external">notes</a>, the truth about Obamacare implementation is far less rosy than the latest round of cheerleading would indicate.</p>
<p>For starters, the federal and state websites remain largely a dysfunctional mess, although the media isn’t really covering the story anymore. The supposed “fix” that allowed millions of consumers to sign up with plans on the exchanges from December through April really wasn’t much of a fix after all. It was a workaround, allowing consumers to access large federal subsidies with minimal verification.</p>
<p>It turns out to be pretty easy to sign up millions of beneficiaries for federal assistance online if the government isn’t interested in making sure the payments are accurate. The quite predictable consequence of using unverified information to provide federal assistance is that millions of the supposed signups are by people who are either ineligible because they are not in the country legally, or are being paid the wrong subsidy amounts because their actual household income (based on government data) is different from what they reported.&#160; In Florida alone,&#160; <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/12/obamacare-enrollment-immigrants_n_5672133.html" type="external">nearly 100,000 people may soon be kicked off of their health insurance plan</a>&#160;because they lack proof of legal status. Millions more may be forced to pay back large subsidy payments when they file their income taxes next year.</p>
<p>Further, the so-called “back-end” of the website still hasn’t been built, and there’s no sign it will be in time for the second open enrollment period, which begins November 15. The back-end is the part of the application process that is supposed to automatically send verified subsidy payments from the U.S. treasury to the insurance plans that are signing up new customers on the exchanges. The whole point of the online enrollment system is to establish an integrated eligibility and payment system that minimizes errors and wasted taxpayer funds. But because it is still not working, the government has been relying on yet another “honor system” to make the actual payments. The insurers are submitting monthly invoices to the federal government of the total subsidy amounts they think they are owed, and the Obama administration is writing them checks based on the invoices. For those who might worry about giving the for-profit health insurance industry a direct pipeline into the U.S. treasury, the administration says not to worry.&#160; It will all be reconciled later with actual, verified enrollment data, whenever the data becomes available from the still unbuilt “back-end.” What could possibly go wrong?</p>
<p>Enrollment in Obamacare plans has also been steadily declining since April because some of those who signed up during open enrollment have since dropped their coverage or stopped paying their premiums. <a href="http://news.investors.com/politics-obamacare/081114-712602-obamacare-enrollment-falling-aetna-says.htm" type="external">Aetna expects</a>&#160;that about 30 percent of those who signed up for coverage from the company under Obamacare during the first open enrollment will drop out of the plans they selected by the end of the year.&#160; The implication is that there will be far fewer than the much-touted “8 million” still enrolled in Obamacare plans when December rolls around.</p>
<p>As Laszewski also points out,&#160; <a href="http://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/8627-analysis-of-2015-premium-changes1.pdf" type="external">the premium survey</a>&#160;that Klein cites, conducted by researchers for the Kaiser Family Foundation, is only a partial survey, covering just 16 metropolitan areas, so it is far from a conclusive look at nationwide trends. Moreover, it doesn’t really tell us anything about premium trends because they plans it examined are not weighted by enrollment. The government uses the second-lowest premium silver plan to establish federal subsidy payments in various markets and regions of the country, regardless of how small enrollment in that plan might be. Kaiser looked at the second-lowest silver plans in these regions and concluded that the premiums for these plans in 2015 are, on average, slightly below the second-lowest silver plan bids in 2014.</p>
<p>The method for calculating the government’s subsidy is very different in Obamacare compared to the Medicare prescription drug benefit. The 2003 law creating the Medicare drug benefit set the government contribution in each region based on the average premium from all of the bidders, weighted by their current enrollment. This has the effect of stabilizing premiums by giving more emphasis to the bids from the largest and most viable plans.</p>
<p>Using the unweighted second lowest bid to set the federal subsidy in each of the Obamacare markets allows insurers with very low enrollment to shake things up with kamikaze bids. Obamacare further encourages this kind of business strategy by promising to bail out any plan that loses money above a certain threshold (the so-called “risk corridor” provision). So, if you are an insurance plan that is having trouble breaking into a market, what’s there to lose from submitting a very low bid in order to garner more market share? Sure, you will lose a lot of money on every customer, but federal taxpayers will bail you out for most of it. And, with more enrollment from a low bid, you might have greater political leverage to keep the taxpayer support flowing in future years.</p>
<p>It is quite possible that this is the dynamic playing out in the Kaiser premium survey. In 12 of the 16 cities examined, one of the two low-cost silver plans in 2014 is no longer one of the two lowest bidders in 2015. Consequently, the enrollees in these plans could experience higher premium increases than Klein cites because their insurers are losing so much money in the first year that they had to raise premiums substantially in year two, or because the federal subsidy for the plan has fallen due to a kamikaze bid from a competing insurer becomes the new second-lowest silver plan.</p>
<p>Some of the low-bid plans in 2015 may also be utilizing very narrow network physician panels, which would have the effect of forcing many lower income consumers to drop their doctors if they want to stay with the lowest priced plan in a region. That may not be an option for many patients with chronic health conditions for which they already have selected a trusted physician.</p>
<p>So, to get a true picture of what is happening to premiums, it is important to look at what is happening to the premiums charged by plans with sizeable current enrollment, not just the premiums from the upcoming year’s low bidders.</p>
<p>There is one very important takeaway from the Kaiser survey for GOP opponents of Obamacare in the House and Senate: they should make repeal of the risk corridor provision among their highest legislative priorities. As Laszewski’s note makes clear, it is one of the most important features of the entire law. Insurance companies are making their bids for 2015 explicitly on the assumption that any losses (quite predictable in some cases) will be covered by federal taxpayers. That’s a fundamental distortion of the marketplace that protects for-profit companies from the consequences of their actions.</p>
<p>Fighting for repeal of the risk corridor provision is also a sure political winner.&#160; Who wants to be&#160;on the side of bailing out massive, for-profit insurance companies? The saying goes that good policy makes for good politics. That may or may not be true in all cases. It certainly is in this one.</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 | obamacares defenders busy declaring victory again160 ezra klein160 touting new survey obamacare benchmark premiums regions country evidence law defying predictions critics working cut costs rather increase bob laszewski160 notes truth obamacare implementation far less rosy latest round cheerleading would indicate starters federal state websites remain largely dysfunctional mess although media isnt really covering story anymore supposed fix allowed millions consumers sign plans exchanges december april really wasnt much fix workaround allowing consumers access large federal subsidies minimal verification turns pretty easy sign millions beneficiaries federal assistance online government isnt interested making sure payments accurate quite predictable consequence using unverified information provide federal assistance millions supposed signups people either ineligible country legally paid wrong subsidy amounts actual household income based government data different reported160 florida alone160 nearly 100000 people may soon kicked health insurance plan160because lack proof legal status millions may forced pay back large subsidy payments file income taxes next year socalled backend website still hasnt built theres sign time second open enrollment period begins november 15 backend part application process supposed automatically send verified subsidy payments us treasury insurance plans signing new customers exchanges whole point online enrollment system establish integrated eligibility payment system minimizes errors wasted taxpayer funds still working government relying yet another honor system make actual payments insurers submitting monthly invoices federal government total subsidy amounts think owed obama administration writing checks based invoices might worry giving forprofit health insurance industry direct pipeline us treasury administration says worry160 reconciled later actual verified enrollment data whenever data becomes available still unbuilt backend could possibly go wrong enrollment obamacare plans also steadily declining since april signed open enrollment since dropped coverage stopped paying premiums aetna expects160that 30 percent signed coverage company obamacare first open enrollment drop plans selected end year160 implication far fewer muchtouted 8 million still enrolled obamacare plans december rolls around laszewski also points out160 premium survey160that klein cites conducted researchers kaiser family foundation partial survey covering 16 metropolitan areas far conclusive look nationwide trends moreover doesnt really tell us anything premium trends plans examined weighted enrollment government uses secondlowest premium silver plan establish federal subsidy payments various markets regions country regardless small enrollment plan might kaiser looked secondlowest silver plans regions concluded premiums plans 2015 average slightly secondlowest silver plan bids 2014 method calculating governments subsidy different obamacare compared medicare prescription drug benefit 2003 law creating medicare drug benefit set government contribution region based average premium bidders weighted current enrollment effect stabilizing premiums giving emphasis bids largest viable plans using unweighted second lowest bid set federal subsidy obamacare markets allows insurers low enrollment shake things kamikaze bids obamacare encourages kind business strategy promising bail plan loses money certain threshold socalled risk corridor provision insurance plan trouble breaking market whats lose submitting low bid order garner market share sure lose lot money every customer federal taxpayers bail enrollment low bid might greater political leverage keep taxpayer support flowing future years quite possible dynamic playing kaiser premium survey 12 16 cities examined one two lowcost silver plans 2014 longer one two lowest bidders 2015 consequently enrollees plans could experience higher premium increases klein cites insurers losing much money first year raise premiums substantially year two federal subsidy plan fallen due kamikaze bid competing insurer becomes new secondlowest silver plan lowbid plans 2015 may also utilizing narrow network physician panels would effect forcing many lower income consumers drop doctors want stay lowest priced plan region may option many patients chronic health conditions already selected trusted physician get true picture happening premiums important look happening premiums charged plans sizeable current enrollment premiums upcoming years low bidders one important takeaway kaiser survey gop opponents obamacare house senate make repeal risk corridor provision among highest legislative priorities laszewskis note makes clear one important features entire law insurance companies making bids 2015 explicitly assumption losses quite predictable cases covered federal taxpayers thats fundamental distortion marketplace protects forprofit companies consequences actions fighting repeal risk corridor provision also sure political winner160 wants be160on side bailing massive forprofit insurance companies saying goes good policy makes good politics may may true cases certainly one james c capretta senior fellow ethics public policy center visiting fellow american enterprise institute | 692 |
<p />
<p>TRIPOLI — It appears, from interviews and discussions with a wide range of Libyans including students, lawyers, judges at the Ministry of Justice, shopkeepers, and casual acquaintances, that the Muslim Brotherhood currently has very little popular support among this pious conservative, Sunni Muslim society. Widely expressed opinion is along these lines: &#160;“The Brotherhood is different from how Libyans view Islam,” “They represent outsiders and interference in our country”, and “Our revolution was not about replacing one autocratic regime with another.”</p>
<p>That said, the Muslim Brotherhood is odds-on favorite to win the June elections, in the view of many observers here in Libya. The reason the MB is in such a relatively strong position is that is has the support of Qatar, assistance from the well-established MB organizations in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Turkey.&#160; The flights arriving in Tripoli from Egypt are always full and some of the passengers are MB operatives according to Professor “Dr. Ali”, a pro-Gadhafi political scientist who has so far managed to keep his teaching post.</p>
<p>The MB is far more organized, well-funded and is working today in the neighborhoods of Libya’s main cities recruiting members and campaign&#160;organizers, while trying to keep a low profile.&#160; They have asked members to shave their beards, talk about clean government, avoid arguments, and remind anxious Libyans that “Libya is not Afghanistan” and all we want is security, domestic peace and no foreign interference.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, a new edict issued by General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood organization in Egypt, Dr. Mohammad Badih, in which he writes about the possibility of his movement imposing an Islamic Caliphate in accordance with the principles laid out by the Muslim Brotherhood founder, Imam Hassan al-Banna, created wide controversy in political circles in Libya just as it did in Egypt.</p>
<p>The US, UK, and France are currently just watching and guessing at developments, according to the Ambassador from one southern African country. The US State Department is believed even by some National Transition Council officials, lawyers and Judges, (who I met with during two days of meetings this week at the Libyan Ministry of Justice inquiring about certain individuals in NTC and Militia custody,) to be unsure what the US policy should be because they have mixed feelings about the MB.&#160; Some US officials are reported to believe that an unstoppable Muslim Brotherhood arc or crescent is quickly jelling across the Maghreb, as it grows also in Turkey and that the MB will dominate&#160;in Syria when and if the Assad government is toppled.</p>
<p>The potential utility for Washington of the MB does not end there.&#160; Some in Congress and the Obama administration, as well as the Zionist lobby in and outside of Congress, hope that after all the failures of the US administration to spark a Sunni-Shia war, that the MB might just be&#160;the best and unexpected weapon in achieving this goal which has been US policy since the late 1980s.</p>
<p>These forces are said also to hope that after achieving a substantial share of the next government of Syria, the MB will quickly build itself up in Lebanon, and give the Sunni community strong effective leadership that has been lacking the past nearly seven years following the assassination of PM Rafiq Hariri, &#160;and take on Shia Hezbollah.</p>
<p>In short, NATO countries may sit on their hands regarding the coming elections, drop the current attachment to &#160;NTC officials &#160;who have only have six months left in office anyhow, and let the MB control Libya’s&#160; next government.</p>
<p>The MB in Libya is actually quite good on the issues that are increasingly concerning potential voters as the latter learn how to vote and participate in political parties, which have been outlawed since 1972 when Revolutionary Committees were established to make legislative and administrative decisions.</p>
<p>Those issues are many and include, but are not limited to the following:</p>
<p>Where suspected corruption enters the bank withdrawals problem is that, according to one Central Bank official who has spent more than 15 years in the CB office that monitors the receipt of payments for Libya oil shipments, even though oil is being shipped today as well as the past few months, zero &#160;payments have been received at the CB.&#160; The reason is said to be that NATO countries are being shipped oil, (also to gas and oil rich Qatar) free of charge&#160;under a payback arrangement with NATO for its regime change services.</p>
<p>This issue is quickly becoming a scandal. I asked the official is he was sure of his information and he brought over the lady who keeps the records and she verified it and said Central Bank officials are outraged because the money is needed at the local banks where long lines of desperate account holders who often wait hours in lines outside banks only to be told to return another day for their monthly allocation of 750 dinars of their own money. &#160;This week, I saw ugly, sad scenes at banks in the neighborhood south of Green Square and Omar Muktar Street, as I tried in vain to find a working ATM machine. &#160;One cannot but feel bad for elderly citizens standing in the rain waiting half the day to get a meager monthly withdrawal of their funds, only to be told to return another day when, enshallah, there will be money for them. Citizens have reported that they should have taken all their money out of their bank account as soon as there were signs of trouble last February. Now it’s too late and anger is growing.</p>
<p>Qatar’s favorite candidate, Abdel Hakim Belhaj, head of the Tripoli Military Council and a former leader of the militant Libyan Islamic Fighting Group,&#160;(who is suing&#160;UK ministers and MI-6&#160;for the part he claims they played in secretly sending him and his wife to Libya in March 2004 where he claims he endured seven years of torture,) has promised to fix the banking problem. Qatar&#160;is expected to play a major&#160;role as the June elections draw near.</p>
<p>Another issue that the MB is championing is the need to pay the salaries of the military, finding or creating jobs for militia fighters, many of whom are deeply suspicious of Belhaj just as the eastern militia continue to skirmish with those from the west.</p>
<p>Even women’s rights are being supported by the MB….sort of. Repairing war damage, garbage pickup, organizing traffic which has brought some crowded streets in downtown Tripoli to a near halt, (given&#160;that more than one million Libyans and others have flooded into the capital city from around the battered country with few showing signs of wanting to leave) are issues the MB is talking about while calling for sectarian dialogue.</p>
<p>Disarming the militias and pressuring young men to go back home, give up their arms, join the police force or a new Libyan army or get a real job are very sensitive issues that the MB does not address with much conviction.&#160; Privately the MB, as well as the NTC, admits that there will be no disarmament of militias anytime soon.&#160; A few young men I chatted with during a demonstration at Green Square yesterday actually said they miss the fighting and want to fight &#160;some more. “It was really exciting and fun most of the time and I made some great friends!” one kid from Benghazi told me.&#160; He plans to stay in Tripoli with his militia buddies.</p>
<p>Another development that will favor the Muslim Brotherhood in the coming Libyan elections is the draft Election law that was adopted last Monday. It eliminates many of the strongest opponents of the MB. The legislation regulates the election of a national assembly tasked to write a new constitution and form a second caretaker government. It is expected to be finalized within a month.</p>
<p>It bars, with loosely all-embracing language, “former members of Gadhafi’s regime” from being candidates in the election. &#160;Among the judges I spoke with at the Ministry of Justice some expressed dismay because they said that 80 per cent of the current staff at their Ministry, and most other Ministries, worked there, lawyers and judges included, under the Gadhafi regime and were patriotic Libyans.&#160; There is going to be lots of confusion concerning the scope of the new law and its application. &#160;The new election law also bans anyone who got a degree based on academic research on the Green Book — Gadhafi’s political manifesto that laid out his theory of government and society declaring Libya a “republic of the masses.” Thousands are covered by this exclusion because in order to get a good position it helped if one’s CV showed studies relating to theories of government espoused in the Green Book. &#160;The same idea as in China when it was a good idea to study Mao’s little Red Book and add that fact to one’s CV. Academics who even wrote about Gaddafi’s Green Book, which discusses &#160;politics, economics and everyday life, will also be barred from running under the law.</p>
<p>The draft election law has outraged women because it restricts them to only 10 per cent of the 200 election seats and the law does not indicate how many seats will go to which tribal areas. One woman angrily told me, “Ten percent is about what the Brotherhood thinks we are worth.”</p>
<p>The NTC officials will not offer much of an electoral impediment to the MB as it is increasingly under attack as it begins its last six months of existence. Last month, an umbrella group claiming to represent 70 per cent of militia fighters demanded that the NTC grant them 40 per cent of its seats which it failed to do and instead appointed fairly random technocrats with some exceptions. Mustapha Abdul Jalis plans on retiring in June and is still being criticized for reneging on his earlier pledge to resign following the fall of Sirte.</p>
<p>The coming government will likely be heavily influenced, if not controlled by Libya’s new arrival in force, the Muslim Brotherhood.&#160; The consequences for Libya and the Muslim Brotherhood’s effect on America’s withdrawal from the region is presumably being closely watched from Tehran to Washington DC and Tel Aviv.</p> | false | 1 | tripoli appears interviews discussions wide range libyans including students lawyers judges ministry justice shopkeepers casual acquaintances muslim brotherhood currently little popular support among pious conservative sunni muslim society widely expressed opinion along lines 160the brotherhood different libyans view islam represent outsiders interference country revolution replacing one autocratic regime another said muslim brotherhood oddson favorite win june elections view many observers libya reason mb relatively strong position support qatar assistance wellestablished mb organizations egypt tunisia morocco algeria turkey160 flights arriving tripoli egypt always full passengers mb operatives according professor dr ali progadhafi political scientist far managed keep teaching post mb far organized wellfunded working today neighborhoods libyas main cities recruiting members campaign160organizers trying keep low profile160 asked members shave beards talk clean government avoid arguments remind anxious libyans libya afghanistan want security domestic peace foreign interference nonetheless new edict issued general guide muslim brotherhood organization egypt dr mohammad badih writes possibility movement imposing islamic caliphate accordance principles laid muslim brotherhood founder imam hassan albanna created wide controversy political circles libya egypt us uk france currently watching guessing developments according ambassador one southern african country us state department believed even national transition council officials lawyers judges met two days meetings week libyan ministry justice inquiring certain individuals ntc militia custody unsure us policy mixed feelings mb160 us officials reported believe unstoppable muslim brotherhood arc crescent quickly jelling across maghreb grows also turkey mb dominate160in syria assad government toppled potential utility washington mb end there160 congress obama administration well zionist lobby outside congress hope failures us administration spark sunnishia war mb might be160the best unexpected weapon achieving goal us policy since late 1980s forces said also hope achieving substantial share next government syria mb quickly build lebanon give sunni community strong effective leadership lacking past nearly seven years following assassination pm rafiq hariri 160and take shia hezbollah short nato countries may sit hands regarding coming elections drop current attachment 160ntc officials 160who six months left office anyhow let mb control libyas160 next government mb libya actually quite good issues increasingly concerning potential voters latter learn vote participate political parties outlawed since 1972 revolutionary committees established make legislative administrative decisions issues many include limited following suspected corruption enters bank withdrawals problem according one central bank official spent 15 years cb office monitors receipt payments libya oil shipments even though oil shipped today well past months zero 160payments received cb160 reason said nato countries shipped oil also gas oil rich qatar free charge160under payback arrangement nato regime change services issue quickly becoming scandal asked official sure information brought lady keeps records verified said central bank officials outraged money needed local banks long lines desperate account holders often wait hours lines outside banks told return another day monthly allocation 750 dinars money 160this week saw ugly sad scenes banks neighborhood south green square omar muktar street tried vain find working atm machine 160one feel bad elderly citizens standing rain waiting half day get meager monthly withdrawal funds told return another day enshallah money citizens reported taken money bank account soon signs trouble last february late anger growing qatars favorite candidate abdel hakim belhaj head tripoli military council former leader militant libyan islamic fighting group160who suing160uk ministers mi6160for part claims played secretly sending wife libya march 2004 claims endured seven years torture promised fix banking problem qatar160is expected play major160role june elections draw near another issue mb championing need pay salaries military finding creating jobs militia fighters many deeply suspicious belhaj eastern militia continue skirmish west even womens rights supported mbsort repairing war damage garbage pickup organizing traffic brought crowded streets downtown tripoli near halt given160that one million libyans others flooded capital city around battered country showing signs wanting leave issues mb talking calling sectarian dialogue disarming militias pressuring young men go back home give arms join police force new libyan army get real job sensitive issues mb address much conviction160 privately mb well ntc admits disarmament militias anytime soon160 young men chatted demonstration green square yesterday actually said miss fighting want fight 160some really exciting fun time made great friends one kid benghazi told me160 plans stay tripoli militia buddies another development favor muslim brotherhood coming libyan elections draft election law adopted last monday eliminates many strongest opponents mb legislation regulates election national assembly tasked write new constitution form second caretaker government expected finalized within month bars loosely allembracing language former members gadhafis regime candidates election 160among judges spoke ministry justice expressed dismay said 80 per cent current staff ministry ministries worked lawyers judges included gadhafi regime patriotic libyans160 going lots confusion concerning scope new law application 160the new election law also bans anyone got degree based academic research green book gadhafis political manifesto laid theory government society declaring libya republic masses thousands covered exclusion order get good position helped ones cv showed studies relating theories government espoused green book 160the idea china good idea study maos little red book add fact ones cv academics even wrote gaddafis green book discusses 160politics economics everyday life also barred running law draft election law outraged women restricts 10 per cent 200 election seats law indicate many seats go tribal areas one woman angrily told ten percent brotherhood thinks worth ntc officials offer much electoral impediment mb increasingly attack begins last six months existence last month umbrella group claiming represent 70 per cent militia fighters demanded ntc grant 40 per cent seats failed instead appointed fairly random technocrats exceptions mustapha abdul jalis plans retiring june still criticized reneging earlier pledge resign following fall sirte coming government likely heavily influenced controlled libyas new arrival force muslim brotherhood160 consequences libya muslim brotherhoods effect americas withdrawal region presumably closely watched tehran washington dc tel aviv | 943 |
<p />
<p>Turkey seems fond of so-called ‘false flag’ operations. In 1955, for example, the Turkish government <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=SdubdhMwM1YC&amp;pg=PA8&amp;lpg=PA8&amp;dq=1955+turkish+thessaloniki+september+5&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=O7NHJneGjC&amp;sig=ajqdcxRUjGySQOuzaDDtZVTv1v8&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EduLU5GdDaeqsQSB7oCoAg&amp;ved=0CFEQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&amp;q=1955%20turkish%20thessaloniki%20september%205&amp;f=false" type="external">covertly</a> bombed its own consulate in Thessaloniki, Greece and blamed it on Greeks. The following day, Turkey stage-managed massive anti-Greek <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_pogrom" type="external">riots</a> in Istanbul that killed over a dozen Christians and caused hundreds of millions in damage.</p>
<p>Fast forward to March 2014.&#160;&#160; A leaked audiotape caught Turkish officials <a href="http://www.whiteoutpress.com/articles/2014/q1/leaked-recording-shows-turkey-to-attack-itself-blame-syria/" type="external">plotting</a> to stage ‘false flag’ military attacks on their own territory and blame them on Syrians.&#160;&#160; Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, General Yaşar Gürel, and Intelligence chief Hakan Fidan planned to use the attacks as an excuse to invade Syria.&#160;&#160; The title of this article could easily apply to that plot.</p>
<p>To close observers of the Caucasus, however, it could also describe a failed covert Turkish plan to attack Armenia two decades ago and turn the geopolitics of the region upside down.</p>
<p>In October 1993, two years after the USSR had splintered, an ethnic Chechen Muslim named Ruslan Khasbulatov – the Speaker, believe it or not, of the Russian Parliament – led a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Russian_constitutional_crisis" type="external">coup</a> against beleaguered Russian President Boris Yeltsin. According to American, French, and Greek officials, Khasbulatov and Muslim Turkey had a secret agreement.</p>
<p>If his coup succeeded, Khasbulatov would order Russian troops to withdraw from Armenia, where they helped guard the latter’s border with Turkey.&#160;&#160; That would pave the way for Turkey to invade the landlocked Christian nation of just three million inhabitants.</p>
<p>History tells us that Turkey has always wanted to overrun Armenia.&#160;&#160; Doing so would create a path to Turkic-speaking Muslim Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, and, eventually, Central Asia. It’s called pan-Turkism.</p>
<p>In 1993, of course, Azerbaijan was losing its war with Armenians over the ancient, majority-Armenian province of <a href="https://www.umd.umich.edu/dept/armenian/facts/karabagh.html" type="external">Karabagh</a>.&#160;&#160; Azerbaijan was, therefore, eager for Turkey to attack Armenia, and Turkey was ready to help Azerbaijan turn the tide.</p>
<p>The Plot Fails</p>
<p>Harkening back to the Armenian genocide, Turkish President Turgut Özal had <a href="http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/history/centers/armenian/source106.html" type="external">threatened</a> to teach Armenia “the lessons of 1915.” Tansu Çiller, Turkey’s prime minister, <a href="http://www.armenianow.com/news/politics/32122/turkey_armenia_azerbaijan_karabakh_war" type="external">warned</a> Armenia that she wouldn’t “sit back and do nothing.” Turkey was massing forces on Armenia’s western border and <a href="http://armenianhouse.org/demoyan/turkey/index.html" type="external">supplying</a> Azerbaijan with weapons, military advisors, and paramilitary forces. Chechen militants and Afghan Mujahideen were already fighting alongside Azeris.</p>
<p>A successful Turkish attack on Armenia – Russia’s only military partner in the Caucasus – would have all but destroyed Russian influence in the region. That, in turn, would have increased the likelihood that Chechnya, and much of the Muslim North Caucasus, would eventually escape the Russian Bear’s grip. For a native-born Chechen like Khasbulatov, it would all be a dream-come-true.</p>
<p>But bombarded by Russian tanks, Speaker Khasbulatov, V.P. Alexander Rutskoi, and hundreds of rebel parliamentarians and supporters <a href="http://rt.com/news/parliament-siege-yeltsin-timeline-691/" type="external">surrendered</a> the Parliament building on October 4, 1993. The coup and the plot to invade Armenia had failed.</p>
<p>The Secret Pact</p>
<p>The Khasbulatov-Turkish pact was first revealed by Leonidas T. Chrysanthopoulos in his book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1884630057/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1884630057&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=forepolijour-20&amp;linkId=AN5MW5C734LEBVGG" type="external">Caucasus Chronicles</a> (London: Gomidas, 2002).&#160;&#160; He was Greece’s ambassador to Armenia from July 1993 to February 1994.&#160;&#160; Chrysanthopoulos, now 68, has served as ambassador to Canada and Poland, and was recently Secretary General of the 12-country, Istanbul-based Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization.</p>
<p>France’s ambassador to Armenia, Mme. France de Harthing, told him that “French intelligence sources” confirmed that “the Turkish incursion into Armenia would take place immediately after Khasbulatov would have withdrawn the Russian troops from Armenia.”&#160;&#160; “This information,” wrote Chrysanthopoulos, “was later confirmed to me by my United States colleague,” Ambassador Harry J. Gilmore.</p>
<p>As a “pretext,” Turkey would claim to be targeting Kurdish PKK militant bases, which in fact have never existed, in Armenia. Such a “pretext” is similar, though not identical, to a “‘false flag”.</p>
<p>The Turkish strike would be “incursions of a limited nature,” though it’s unclear what “limited” meant. More likely, as Turkey wouldn’t find any PKK, the aim was to forge a permanent corridor across Armenia, link up with Azeri forces, and cleanse Karabagh of Armenians.</p>
<p>The U.S. and France have never, as far as is known, publicly denied the existence of the Khasbulatov-Turkish plot. Moreover, Chrysanthopoulos gives no indication that any country tried to talk Turkey out of its deal with Khasbulatov.</p>
<p>Is any of this relevant today?</p>
<p>NATO Ambitions</p>
<p>Yes, because current Turkish, American, and NATO policies in the Caucasus strongly echo the 1993 Khasbulatov-Turkish plot. For two decades, the West has been trying to penetrate and dominate the Caucasus – Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia –and eventually cross the Caspian Sea into energy-rich Central Asia.</p>
<p>One piece of the plan has already been partially implemented: constructing oil and gas pipelines from Azerbaijan through Georgia and Turkey.</p>
<p>NATO’s remaining goal: absorb the entire Caucasus. NATO would thereby threaten Russia from the south, just as it now pressures Russia from the west with its absorption of much of Eastern Europe (and, NATO hopes, Ukraine).</p>
<p>Georgia and Azerbaijan are inclined to eventually join NATO.&#160;&#160; Armenia, however, is not, though it has excellent relations with NATO and the West. Armenia has little choice but to ally itself with Russia because the former faces an ongoing existential threat from NATO member Turkey, the 1993 plot being one example.</p>
<p>Armenia is the Caucasus’s linchpin. Had the Khasbulatov-Turkish quasi-‘false flag’ operation against Armenia succeeded, Russia would probably have lost, and NATO would have gained, the entire Caucasus.&#160; New provocations, including ‘false flags,’ by Turkey and NATO cannot, therefore, be ruled out.</p>
<p>Turkish, American, and NATO leaders must also be interrogated as to whether their policies in the Caucasus are leading to peace or war.</p> | false | 1 | turkey seems fond socalled false flag operations 1955 example turkish government covertly bombed consulate thessaloniki greece blamed greeks following day turkey stagemanaged massive antigreek riots istanbul killed dozen christians caused hundreds millions damage fast forward march 2014160160 leaked audiotape caught turkish officials plotting stage false flag military attacks territory blame syrians160160 turkish foreign minister ahmet davutoğlu general yaşar gürel intelligence chief hakan fidan planned use attacks excuse invade syria160160 title article could easily apply plot close observers caucasus however could also describe failed covert turkish plan attack armenia two decades ago turn geopolitics region upside october 1993 two years ussr splintered ethnic chechen muslim named ruslan khasbulatov speaker believe russian parliament led coup beleaguered russian president boris yeltsin according american french greek officials khasbulatov muslim turkey secret agreement coup succeeded khasbulatov would order russian troops withdraw armenia helped guard latters border turkey160160 would pave way turkey invade landlocked christian nation three million inhabitants history tells us turkey always wanted overrun armenia160160 would create path turkicspeaking muslim azerbaijan caspian sea eventually central asia called panturkism 1993 course azerbaijan losing war armenians ancient majorityarmenian province karabagh160160 azerbaijan therefore eager turkey attack armenia turkey ready help azerbaijan turn tide plot fails harkening back armenian genocide turkish president turgut Özal threatened teach armenia lessons 1915 tansu Çiller turkeys prime minister warned armenia wouldnt sit back nothing turkey massing forces armenias western border supplying azerbaijan weapons military advisors paramilitary forces chechen militants afghan mujahideen already fighting alongside azeris successful turkish attack armenia russias military partner caucasus would destroyed russian influence region turn would increased likelihood chechnya much muslim north caucasus would eventually escape russian bears grip nativeborn chechen like khasbulatov would dreamcometrue bombarded russian tanks speaker khasbulatov vp alexander rutskoi hundreds rebel parliamentarians supporters surrendered parliament building october 4 1993 coup plot invade armenia failed secret pact khasbulatovturkish pact first revealed leonidas chrysanthopoulos book caucasus chronicles london gomidas 2002160160 greeces ambassador armenia july 1993 february 1994160160 chrysanthopoulos 68 served ambassador canada poland recently secretary general 12country istanbulbased black sea economic cooperation organization frances ambassador armenia mme france de harthing told french intelligence sources confirmed turkish incursion armenia would take place immediately khasbulatov would withdrawn russian troops armenia160160 information wrote chrysanthopoulos later confirmed united states colleague ambassador harry j gilmore pretext turkey would claim targeting kurdish pkk militant bases fact never existed armenia pretext similar though identical false flag turkish strike would incursions limited nature though unclear limited meant likely turkey wouldnt find pkk aim forge permanent corridor across armenia link azeri forces cleanse karabagh armenians us france never far known publicly denied existence khasbulatovturkish plot moreover chrysanthopoulos gives indication country tried talk turkey deal khasbulatov relevant today nato ambitions yes current turkish american nato policies caucasus strongly echo 1993 khasbulatovturkish plot two decades west trying penetrate dominate caucasus georgia azerbaijan armenia eventually cross caspian sea energyrich central asia one piece plan already partially implemented constructing oil gas pipelines azerbaijan georgia turkey natos remaining goal absorb entire caucasus nato would thereby threaten russia south pressures russia west absorption much eastern europe nato hopes ukraine georgia azerbaijan inclined eventually join nato160160 armenia however though excellent relations nato west armenia little choice ally russia former faces ongoing existential threat nato member turkey 1993 plot one example armenia caucasuss linchpin khasbulatovturkish quasifalse flag operation armenia succeeded russia would probably lost nato would gained entire caucasus160 new provocations including false flags turkey nato therefore ruled turkish american nato leaders must also interrogated whether policies caucasus leading peace war | 578 |
<p>By Aditya Kalra</p>
<p>NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Apple Inc (NASDAQ:) has agreed to give limited help to the Indian government to develop an anti-spam mobile application for its iOS platform, after refusing to do so based on privacy concerns, according to sources and documents seen by Reuters.</p>
<p>The U.S. tech giant has been locked in a tussle with India’s telecoms regulator for more than a year. Officials complained Apple dragged its feet on advising the government how to develop an app that would allow iPhone users to report unsolicited marketing texts or calls as spam.</p>
<p>The government app was launched on Google’s Android platform last year, but an industry source with direct knowledge of the matter said Apple pushed back on requests for an iOS version due to concerns that a government app with access to call and text logs could compromise its customers’ privacy.</p>
<p>Facing public criticism from the regulator, Apple executives flew to New Delhi last month and told officials the company would help develop the app, but only with limited capabilities, according to a government official aware of the matter.</p>
<p>Apple’s executives have told India that its current iOS platform might not allow for some of the government’s requests, such as making call logs available within the app that would allow users to report them as spam, the official said.</p>
<p>“They (Apple) will help develop an app which, to an extent, can solve the requirements,” said the official.</p>
<p>An Apple spokesman confirmed that the new iOS features to combat spam text messages would help the government build the app, but did not comment on the app’s potential inability to access call logs for reporting spam, as the Android version does.</p>
<p>The spokesman said Apple had not changed its stance on privacy.</p>
<p>Apple’s stand-off with the regulator comes at a time when it is seeking greater access in India, the world’s third-largest smartphone market. The company has been lobbying the government for tax breaks to expand its phone assembly operations in the country, where it reported doubling its revenue versus the previous year for the quarter ending Sept. 30.</p>
<p>Balancing growth and market share with protecting customer privacy has become a defining challenge for global tech companies such as Apple, which regularly clash with governments over allowing access to content on their devices, especially for law enforcement needs.</p>
<p>“This has now become more of an ego tussle between Apple and the regulator,” said Neil Shah of Hong Kong-based technology research firm Counterpoint Research. He added that Apple was unlikely to agree to any requests specific to India because of the precedent that would set.</p>
<p>The chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) R.S. Sharma said he was unhappy with Apple for not responding swiftly to the government’s requests.</p>
<p>“We’ve told them they are harming their consumers,” Sharma told Reuters in an interview. “I hope good sense prevails upon them.”</p>
<p>Apple did not comment on TRAI’s criticism, but said that it had taken time to develop a privacy-friendly solution.</p>
<p>APP TUSSLE, PRIVACY WOES</p>
<p>Pesky marketing calls and unsolicited commercial text messages have become a big problem in India.</p>
<p>Despite mobile users having the option to register themselves under a so-called “do not disturb” service to block marketers, businesses have gamed the system by using multiple phone numbers for promotions.</p>
<p>TRAI’s anti-spam mobile application, also called Do Not Disturb, has been downloaded more than 100,000 times from the Google Android app section.</p>
<p>Before the app launches, it asks the user to allow it access to contacts and view text messages. Users can then start reporting numbers as spam.</p>
<p>A spokesman for Google, a unit of Alphabet (NASDAQ:) Inc, did not directly comment on the app, but said: “We believe in openness and in the ability of users to make purchasing and downloading choices without top-down enforcement or censorship. Users are prompted with requests for permissions that they can choose to accept or decline.”</p>
<p>Apple, however, has been worried.</p>
<p>“The app can peep into logs, Apple had conveyed that their (privacy) policy does not allow this,” said the industry source familiar with the matter.</p>
<p>TRAI said the app does not raise any privacy concerns.</p>
<p>MEETINGS, E-MAILS</p>
<p>Apple has flown in several overseas-based executives to resolve the dispute with the Indian regulator, including its senior director for global privacy, and former Google executive, Jane Horvath.</p>
<p>At least seven meetings have been held between the two sides and dozens of emails exchanged since last year, according to government officials and documents reviewed by Reuters.</p>
<p>In August this year, months after the talks began, Apple wrote to TRAI saying that a technical meeting would help them establish “what is possible and not possible”.</p>
<p>The TRAI pushed back.</p>
<p>“The whole exercise in organizing the proposed meeting would be a waste of resources … please share concrete solutions that have a likelihood of addressing the issues we have been discussing over the past one year,” the regulator wrote in September.</p>
<p>Later that month, Apple again approached the TRAI saying it had identified potential solutions but they would require additional discussions with the regulator’s technical staff.</p>
<p>Horvath and other Apple executives met TRAI officials in October and conveyed they would help them develop the first version of the app with limited features.</p>
<p>“They (Apple) are adopting dilatory tactics,” said Sharma, the TRAI chief. “They’ve had meetings, meetings and meetings.”</p> | false | 1 | aditya kalra new delhi reuters apple inc nasdaq agreed give limited help indian government develop antispam mobile application ios platform refusing based privacy concerns according sources documents seen reuters us tech giant locked tussle indias telecoms regulator year officials complained apple dragged feet advising government develop app would allow iphone users report unsolicited marketing texts calls spam government app launched googles android platform last year industry source direct knowledge matter said apple pushed back requests ios version due concerns government app access call text logs could compromise customers privacy facing public criticism regulator apple executives flew new delhi last month told officials company would help develop app limited capabilities according government official aware matter apples executives told india current ios platform might allow governments requests making call logs available within app would allow users report spam official said apple help develop app extent solve requirements said official apple spokesman confirmed new ios features combat spam text messages would help government build app comment apps potential inability access call logs reporting spam android version spokesman said apple changed stance privacy apples standoff regulator comes time seeking greater access india worlds thirdlargest smartphone market company lobbying government tax breaks expand phone assembly operations country reported doubling revenue versus previous year quarter ending sept 30 balancing growth market share protecting customer privacy become defining challenge global tech companies apple regularly clash governments allowing access content devices especially law enforcement needs become ego tussle apple regulator said neil shah hong kongbased technology research firm counterpoint research added apple unlikely agree requests specific india precedent would set chairman telecom regulatory authority india trai rs sharma said unhappy apple responding swiftly governments requests weve told harming consumers sharma told reuters interview hope good sense prevails upon apple comment trais criticism said taken time develop privacyfriendly solution app tussle privacy woes pesky marketing calls unsolicited commercial text messages become big problem india despite mobile users option register socalled disturb service block marketers businesses gamed system using multiple phone numbers promotions trais antispam mobile application also called disturb downloaded 100000 times google android app section app launches asks user allow access contacts view text messages users start reporting numbers spam spokesman google unit alphabet nasdaq inc directly comment app said believe openness ability users make purchasing downloading choices without topdown enforcement censorship users prompted requests permissions choose accept decline apple however worried app peep logs apple conveyed privacy policy allow said industry source familiar matter trai said app raise privacy concerns meetings emails apple flown several overseasbased executives resolve dispute indian regulator including senior director global privacy former google executive jane horvath least seven meetings held two sides dozens emails exchanged since last year according government officials documents reviewed reuters august year months talks began apple wrote trai saying technical meeting would help establish possible possible trai pushed back whole exercise organizing proposed meeting would waste resources please share concrete solutions likelihood addressing issues discussing past one year regulator wrote september later month apple approached trai saying identified potential solutions would require additional discussions regulators technical staff horvath apple executives met trai officials october conveyed would help develop first version app limited features apple adopting dilatory tactics said sharma trai chief theyve meetings meetings meetings | 537 |
<p>WASHINGTON — Accusing her of betrayal and insubordination, President Donald Trump on Monday fired Sally Yates, the acting attorney general of the United States and a Democratic appointee, after she publicly questioned the constitutionality of his controversial refugee and immigration ban and refused to defend it in court.</p>
<p>The dramatic public clash between the new president and the nation’s top law enforcement officer laid bare the growing discord and dissent surrounding Trump’s executive order, which temporarily halted the entire U.S. refugee program and banned all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations for 90 days.</p>
<p>The firing came hours after Yates directed Justice Department attorneys not to defend the executive order, saying she was not convinced it was lawful or consistent with the agency’s obligation “to stand for what is right.” Trump soon followed with a statement accusing Yates of having “betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States.”</p>
<p>He immediately named longtime federal prosecutor Dana Boente, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, as Yates’ replacement.</p>
<p>Boente was sworn in privately late Monday, the White House said. He promptly order Justice Department lawyers to “do our sworn duty and to defend the lawful orders of our President.”</p>
<p>Boente said Trump’s executive order was “both lawful on its face and properly drafted.”</p>
<p>Yates’ refusal to defend the executive order was largely symbolic given that Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump’s pick for attorney general, will almost certainly defend the policy once he’s sworn in. He’s expected to be confirmed Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee and could be approved within days by the full Senate.</p>
<p>The chain of events bore echoes of the Nixon-era “Saturday Night Massacre,” when the attorney general and deputy attorney general resigned rather than follow an order to fire a special prosecutor investigating the Watergate scandal. The prosecutor, Archibald Cox, was fired by the solicitor general.</p>
<p>Yates’s abrupt decision reflected the growing conflict over the executive order, with administration officials moving Monday to distance themselves from the policy. As protests erupted at airports over the weekend and confusion disrupted travel around the globe, even some of Trump’s top advisers and fellow Republicans made clear they were not involved in crafting the policy or consulted on its implementation.</p>
<p>At least three top national security officials — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and Rex Tillerson, who is awaiting confirmation to lead the State Department — have told associates they were not aware of details of the directive until around the time Trump signed it. Leading intelligence officials were also left largely in the dark, according to U.S. officials.</p>
<p>Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, said that despite White House assurances that congressional leaders were consulted, he learned about the order in the media.</p>
<p>Trump’s order pauses America’s entire refugee program for four months, indefinitely bans all those from war-ravaged Syria and temporarily freezes immigration from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. Federal judges in New York and several other states issued orders that temporarily block the government from deporting people with valid visas who arrived after Trump’s travel ban took effect and found themselves in limbo.</p>
<p>Yates, who was appointed deputy attorney general in 2015 and was the No. 2 Justice Department official under Loretta Lynch, declared Monday she was instructing department lawyers not to defend the order in court.</p>
<p>“I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right,” Yates wrote in a letter announcing her position. “At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the Executive Order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the Executive Order is lawful.”</p>
<p>Trump said the order had been “approved” by Justice Department lawyers. However, the department has said the Office of Legal Counsel review was limited to whether the order was properly drafted, but did not address broader policy questions.</p>
<p>Other parts of Trump’s administration also voiced dissent Monday. A large group of American diplomats circulated a memo voicing their opposition to the order, which temporarily halted the entire U.S. refugee program and banned all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations for 90 days. White House spokesman Sean Spicer challenged those opposed to the measure to resign.</p>
<p>“They should either get with the program or they can go,” Spicer said.</p>
<p>The blowback underscored Trump’s tenuous relationship with his own national security advisers, many of whom he met for the first time during the transition.</p>
<p>Mattis, who stood next to Trump during Friday’s signing ceremony, is said to be particularly incensed. A senior U.S. official said Mattis, along with Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford, was aware of the general concept of Trump’s order but not the details. Tillerson has told the president’s political advisers that he was baffled over not being consulted on the substance of the order.</p>
<p>U.S. officials and others with knowledge of the Cabinet’s thinking insisted on anonymity in order to disclose the officials’ private views.</p>
<p>Despite his public defense of the policy, the president has privately acknowledged flaws in the rollout, according to a person with knowledge of his thinking. But he’s also blamed the media — his frequent target — for what he believes are reports exaggerating the dissent and the number of people actually affected.</p>
<p>After a chaotic weekend during which some U.S. legal permanent residents were detained at airports, some agencies were moving swiftly to try to clean up after the White House.</p>
<p>Homeland Security, the agency tasked with implementing much of the refugee ban, clarified that customs and border agents should allow legal residents to enter the country. The Pentagon was trying to exempt Iraqis who worked alongside the U.S. and coalition forces from the 90-day ban on entry from the predominantly Muslim countries.</p>
<p>“There are a number of people in Iraq who have worked for us in a partnership role, whether fighting alongside us or working as translators, often doing so at great peril to themselves,” said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.</p>
<p>On Capitol Hill, lawmakers in Trump’s party sought to distance themselves from the wide-ranging order.</p>
<p>While Spicer said “appropriate committees and leadership offices” on Capitol Hill were consulted, GOP lawmakers said their offices had no hand in drafting the order and no briefings from the White House on how it would work.</p>
<p>“I think they know that it could have been done in a better way,” Corker said of the White House.</p> | false | 1 | washington accusing betrayal insubordination president donald trump monday fired sally yates acting attorney general united states democratic appointee publicly questioned constitutionality controversial refugee immigration ban refused defend court dramatic public clash new president nations top law enforcement officer laid bare growing discord dissent surrounding trumps executive order temporarily halted entire us refugee program banned entries seven muslimmajority nations 90 days firing came hours yates directed justice department attorneys defend executive order saying convinced lawful consistent agencys obligation stand right trump soon followed statement accusing yates betrayed department justice refusing enforce legal order designed protect citizens united states immediately named longtime federal prosecutor dana boente us attorney eastern district virginia yates replacement boente sworn privately late monday white house said promptly order justice department lawyers sworn duty defend lawful orders president boente said trumps executive order lawful face properly drafted yates refusal defend executive order largely symbolic given sen jeff sessions trumps pick attorney general almost certainly defend policy hes sworn hes expected confirmed tuesday senate judiciary committee could approved within days full senate chain events bore echoes nixonera saturday night massacre attorney general deputy attorney general resigned rather follow order fire special prosecutor investigating watergate scandal prosecutor archibald cox fired solicitor general yatess abrupt decision reflected growing conflict executive order administration officials moving monday distance policy protests erupted airports weekend confusion disrupted travel around globe even trumps top advisers fellow republicans made clear involved crafting policy consulted implementation least three top national security officials defense secretary jim mattis homeland security secretary john kelly rex tillerson awaiting confirmation lead state department told associates aware details directive around time trump signed leading intelligence officials also left largely dark according us officials tennessee sen bob corker top republican senate foreign relations committee said despite white house assurances congressional leaders consulted learned order media trumps order pauses americas entire refugee program four months indefinitely bans warravaged syria temporarily freezes immigration iraq syria iran sudan libya somalia yemen federal judges new york several states issued orders temporarily block government deporting people valid visas arrived trumps travel ban took effect found limbo yates appointed deputy attorney general 2015 2 justice department official loretta lynch declared monday instructing department lawyers defend order court responsible ensuring positions take court remain consistent institutions solemn obligation always seek justice stand right yates wrote letter announcing position present convinced defense executive order consistent responsibilities convinced executive order lawful trump said order approved justice department lawyers however department said office legal counsel review limited whether order properly drafted address broader policy questions parts trumps administration also voiced dissent monday large group american diplomats circulated memo voicing opposition order temporarily halted entire us refugee program banned entries seven muslimmajority nations 90 days white house spokesman sean spicer challenged opposed measure resign either get program go spicer said blowback underscored trumps tenuous relationship national security advisers many met first time transition mattis stood next trump fridays signing ceremony said particularly incensed senior us official said mattis along joint chiefs chairman joseph dunford aware general concept trumps order details tillerson told presidents political advisers baffled consulted substance order us officials others knowledge cabinets thinking insisted anonymity order disclose officials private views despite public defense policy president privately acknowledged flaws rollout according person knowledge thinking hes also blamed media frequent target believes reports exaggerating dissent number people actually affected chaotic weekend us legal permanent residents detained airports agencies moving swiftly try clean white house homeland security agency tasked implementing much refugee ban clarified customs border agents allow legal residents enter country pentagon trying exempt iraqis worked alongside us coalition forces 90day ban entry predominantly muslim countries number people iraq worked us partnership role whether fighting alongside us working translators often great peril said navy capt jeff davis pentagon spokesman capitol hill lawmakers trumps party sought distance wideranging order spicer said appropriate committees leadership offices capitol hill consulted gop lawmakers said offices hand drafting order briefings white house would work think know could done better way corker said white house | 663 |
<p>In his recent attack on partisan conflict, Sen. John McCain made a critical point about the need for elected officials to bridge their ideological differences. As he put it, “We’ve been spinning our wheels on too many important issues because we keep trying to find a way to win without help from across the aisle.” He’s right. It’s very difficult for elected officials to move the ball forward if they don’t work together as a team.</p>
<p>Why don’t we see more cooperation and less conflict? Partisan gerrymanders and lavish campaign spending are major problems, but they’re symptoms of a much deeper problem.</p>
<p>The main source of our political dysfunction lies in our “winner-take-all” elections. Whether candidates and parties win by a landslide or by the skin of their teeth, they get all of the power, and their opponents get none. Why work with the other side on a compromise policy when you might be able to impose your preferred policy?</p>
<p>Most Republicans think they’re better off right now trying to enact a conservative agenda by themselves, rather than a moderate agenda with Democrats. Most Democrats think they’re better off if Republicans fail on their own, so the public will put Democrats back in control. If we want elected officials to work together, we need to replace our system’s incentives for conflict with incentives for cooperation.</p>
<p>Switzerland provides an excellent model of a system that encourages collaboration among elected officials. The Swiss also suffered from a 19th century civil war, and the Swiss drew an important lesson from their internal conflict. They concluded that, to bridge social divides, it is important that the majority share its power with the minority, so all citizens have a voice in their government. With their broad sharing of power, the Swiss have been able to avoid the kind of political conflict that we experience, even though the country’s population also is socially diverse. Switzerland has effectively melded its French, German, Italian and Romansh citizens, as well as its Catholic and Protestant communities.</p>
<p>Shared power provides three key benefits. First, it addresses the representation problem of winner-take-all politics. With President Donald Trump in the White House, the views of Democrats are ignored. When Barack Obama occupied the Oval Office, Republicans had no voice. But all voters deserve a say in the decisions of their government. With shared power, conservatives and liberals alike could be sure that Washington takes into account their perspectives.</p>
<p>And that would respond to the problem of partisan polarization. When only one side of the political aisle can influence policymaking, the other side is disempowered, disaffected and prone to obstruction. After Democrats won control of the White House and Congress in 2008, conservatives formed the Tea Party. When Republicans won control in 2016, liberals created their Resistance. With ideological balance in Washington, neither side would be disaffected and inclined toward obstruction.</p>
<p>Finally, shared power makes for better government. Conservative and liberal officials bring different perspectives to their work, and the public benefits when policies reflect views on both sides of the ideological spectrum. Neither side has a monopoly on the truth; both sides have their blind spots. With partisan balance, government would find a valuable middle ground between conservative and liberal ideas.</p>
<p>What would shared power look like in the United States? For Congress, the Senate and House could adopt strict filibuster rules, so any legislative proposals, votes on presidential nominees or other important actions would require a super-majority for approval, say three-fifths or two-thirds. Under strict filibuster rules, the majority party always would have to work with the minority. Indeed, even the weaker filibuster rule in the Senate resulted in a number of productive working relationships between U.S. senators from the Democratic and Republican parties, as in the case of Orrin Hatch and Ted Kennedy.</p>
<p>While Congress could adopt a system of shared power on its own, we would need a constitutional amendment to provide for the sharing of power in the White House. The Swiss model for the executive branch provides a useful template.</p>
<p>In Switzerland, all major parties are represented in the executive branch, and executive officials operate by consensus. To implement that kind of approach, we could adopt an amendment providing for a bipartisan executive with two presidents who are true equals and who come from different sides of the political spectrum. The presidential partners would have to agree whether to sign legislation, whether to issue an executive order, or whom to appoint to a Cabinet position or judicial seat. Each voter would still cast a single ballot for president, but the top two vote-getters would be elected, together with their vice-presidential running mates. It also would make sense to replace the Electoral College with election by popular vote.</p>
<p>As occurs among Swiss elected officials, co-presidents or members of Congress would cooperate across the aisle under a system of shared power. Co-presidents would have a potent incentive to collaborate and find the middle ground. Having reached the pinnacle of political life, presidents care most about their legacies. If partners in a bipartisan executive spent their terms locking horns, they would not be able to implement meaningful policy changes and generate an impressive record of accomplishment.</p>
<p>Members of Congress would come to the same middle ground. If proposals emerged from a bipartisan White House, voters on both sides of the aisle would ask their senators and representatives to provide support. Both conservatives and liberals would want the co-president for whom they voted to succeed.</p>
<p>Sen. McCain was right to condemn our hyperpolarization. But we won’t solve the problem of partisan conflict simply by calling on elected officials to work with their ideological counterparts. Rather, we need to ensure that both sides are represented in the making of public policy. Shared power works in other countries, and it can work in the United States too.</p>
<p>David Orentlicher is Cobeaga law firm professor of law and co-director of the UNLV Health Law Program at UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law. He is the author of “Two Presidents Are Better Than One: The Case for a Bipartisan Executive Branch.”</p> | false | 1 | recent attack partisan conflict sen john mccain made critical point need elected officials bridge ideological differences put weve spinning wheels many important issues keep trying find way win without help across aisle hes right difficult elected officials move ball forward dont work together team dont see cooperation less conflict partisan gerrymanders lavish campaign spending major problems theyre symptoms much deeper problem main source political dysfunction lies winnertakeall elections whether candidates parties win landslide skin teeth get power opponents get none work side compromise policy might able impose preferred policy republicans think theyre better right trying enact conservative agenda rather moderate agenda democrats democrats think theyre better republicans fail public put democrats back control want elected officials work together need replace systems incentives conflict incentives cooperation switzerland provides excellent model system encourages collaboration among elected officials swiss also suffered 19th century civil war swiss drew important lesson internal conflict concluded bridge social divides important majority share power minority citizens voice government broad sharing power swiss able avoid kind political conflict experience even though countrys population also socially diverse switzerland effectively melded french german italian romansh citizens well catholic protestant communities shared power provides three key benefits first addresses representation problem winnertakeall politics president donald trump white house views democrats ignored barack obama occupied oval office republicans voice voters deserve say decisions government shared power conservatives liberals alike could sure washington takes account perspectives would respond problem partisan polarization one side political aisle influence policymaking side disempowered disaffected prone obstruction democrats control white house congress 2008 conservatives formed tea party republicans control 2016 liberals created resistance ideological balance washington neither side would disaffected inclined toward obstruction finally shared power makes better government conservative liberal officials bring different perspectives work public benefits policies reflect views sides ideological spectrum neither side monopoly truth sides blind spots partisan balance government would find valuable middle ground conservative liberal ideas would shared power look like united states congress senate house could adopt strict filibuster rules legislative proposals votes presidential nominees important actions would require supermajority approval say threefifths twothirds strict filibuster rules majority party always would work minority indeed even weaker filibuster rule senate resulted number productive working relationships us senators democratic republican parties case orrin hatch ted kennedy congress could adopt system shared power would need constitutional amendment provide sharing power white house swiss model executive branch provides useful template switzerland major parties represented executive branch executive officials operate consensus implement kind approach could adopt amendment providing bipartisan executive two presidents true equals come different sides political spectrum presidential partners would agree whether sign legislation whether issue executive order appoint cabinet position judicial seat voter would still cast single ballot president top two votegetters would elected together vicepresidential running mates also would make sense replace electoral college election popular vote occurs among swiss elected officials copresidents members congress would cooperate across aisle system shared power copresidents would potent incentive collaborate find middle ground reached pinnacle political life presidents care legacies partners bipartisan executive spent terms locking horns would able implement meaningful policy changes generate impressive record accomplishment members congress would come middle ground proposals emerged bipartisan white house voters sides aisle would ask senators representatives provide support conservatives liberals would want copresident voted succeed sen mccain right condemn hyperpolarization wont solve problem partisan conflict simply calling elected officials work ideological counterparts rather need ensure sides represented making public policy shared power works countries work united states david orentlicher cobeaga law firm professor law codirector unlv health law program unlvs william boyd school law author two presidents better one case bipartisan executive branch | 596 |
<p>In the early years of the 20th Century, the arts entered a period of revolution. Enough of the escapism, the modernists said. Art must show modern life as it is. Only in that way can it offer real consolation. Ornament is crime, declared the architect Adolf Loos, and all those baroque facades that line the streets of Vienna, encrusted with meaningless knobs and curlicues, are so many denials of the world in which we live. They tell us that beauty belongs in a vanished past. In the face of this message, Loos set out to discover a purer beauty – beauty that belongs to modern life and also endorses it.</p>
<p>Loos’s contemporary Arnold Schoenberg rebelled against the late romantic music of which he was such a master, saying that tonal music had become banal, and that writing in the old way led to musical cliches. Schoenberg proceeded to reinvent the language of music, hoping to recover the purity and precision of Mozart or Bach. Eliot and Pound rebelled against the fairy-tale poetry of Housman and Walter De La Mare. The task of the poet, they insisted, was not to provide nostalgic dreams but to wake us up to reality. True poetry shows things as they are, and the poet’s frame of reference must be rebuilt in order to make this possible. The result will not be easy to understand. But, unlike the escapist poetry of the Victorians, it will be worth understanding.</p>
<p>In the attacks on the old ways of doing things one word in particular came into currency. That word was “kitsch”. Once introduced, the word stuck. Whatever you do, it mustn’t be kitsch. This became the first precept of the modernist artist in every medium. In a famous essay published in 1939, the American critic Clement Greenberg told his readers that there are only two possibilities available to the artist now. Either you belong to the avant-garde, challenging the old ways of figurative painting, or you produce kitsch. And the fear of kitsch is one reason for the compulsory offensiveness of so much art produced today. It doesn’t matter that your work is obscene, shocking, disturbing – as long as it isn’t kitsch.</p>
<p>Nobody quite knows where the word “kitsch” came from, though it was current in Germany and Austria at the end of the 19th Century. Nobody knows quite how to define the word either. But we all recognize kitsch when we come across it. The Barbie doll, Walt Disney’s Bambi, Santa Claus in the supermarket, Bing Crosby singing White Christmas, pictures of poodles with ribbons in their hair. At Christmas we are surrounded by kitsch – worn out cliches, which have lost their innocence without achieving wisdom. Children who believe in Santa Claus invest real emotions in a fiction. We who have ceased to believe have only fake emotions to offer. But the faking is pleasant. It feels good to pretend, and when we all join in, it is almost as though we were not pretending at all.</p>
<p>The Czech novelist Milan Kundera made a famous observation. “Kitsch,” he wrote, “causes two tears to flow in quick succession. The first tear says: How nice to see children running on the grass! The second tear says: How nice to be moved, together with all mankind, by children running on the grass!” Kitsch, in other words, is not about the thing observed but about the observer. It does not invite you to feel moved by the doll you are dressing so tenderly, but by yourself dressing the doll. All sentimentality is like this – it redirects emotion from the object to the subject, so as to create a fantasy of emotion without the real cost of feeling it. The kitsch object encourages you to think, “Look at me feeling this – how nice I am and how lovable.” That is why Oscar Wilde, referring to one of Dickens’s most sickly death-scenes, said that “a man must have a heart of stone not to laugh at the death of Little Nell”.</p>
<p>And that, briefly, is why the modernists had such a horror of kitsch. Art, they believed, had, during the course of the 19th Century, lost the ability to distinguish precise and real emotion from its vague and self-satisfied substitute. In figurative painting, in tonal music, in the cliche-ridden poems of heroic love and mythic glory, we find the same disease – the artist is not exploring the human heart but creating a puffed-up substitute, and then putting it on sale.</p>
<p>Of course, you can use the old styles, but you cannot seriously mean them. And if you use them nevertheless, the result will be kitsch – standard, cut-price goods, produced without effort and consumed without thought. Figurative painting becomes the stuff of Christmas cards, music becomes spineless and sentimental, and literature collapses into cliche. Kitsch is fake art, expressing fake emotions, whose purpose is to deceive the consumer into thinking he feels something deep and serious, when in fact he feels nothing at all.</p>
<p>However, to avoid kitsch is not so easy as it looks. You could try being outrageously avant-garde, doing something that no one would have thought of doing and calling it art – perhaps trampling on some cherished ideal or religious feeling. But <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30343083" type="external">as I argued last week</a>, this way also leads to fakes – fake originality, fake significance, and a new kind of cliche, as in so much Young British Art. You can pose as a modernist, but that won’t necessarily lead you to achieve what Eliot, Schoenberg or Matisse achieved, which is to touch the modern heart in its deepest regions. Modernism is difficult. It requires competence in an artistic tradition, and the art of departing from tradition in order to say something new.</p>
<p>This is one reason for the emergence of a wholly new artistic enterprise, which I call “pre-emptive kitsch”. Modernist severity is both difficult and unpopular, so artists began not to shun kitsch but to embrace it, in the manner of Andy Warhol, Allen Jones and Jeff Koons. The worst thing is to be unwittingly guilty of producing kitsch. Far better to produce kitsch deliberately, for then it is not kitsch at all but a kind of sophisticated parody. Pre-emptive kitsch sets quotation marks around actual kitsch, and hopes thereby to save its artistic credentials. Take a porcelain statue of Michael Jackson cuddling his pet chimpanzee Bubbles, add cheesy colours and a layer of varnish. Set the figures up in the posture of a Madonna and child, endow them with soppy expressions as though challenging the spectator to vomit, and the result is such kitsch that it cannot possibly be kitsch. Jeff Koons must mean something else, we think, something deep and serious that we have missed. Perhaps this work of art is really a comment on kitsch, so that by being explicitly kitsch it becomes meta-kitsch, so to speak.</p>
<p>Or take Allen Jones, whose art, currently on display at the Royal Academy, consists of female lookalikes contorted into furniture, dolls with their sexual parts made explicit by underwear, vulgar and childishly nasty visions of the human female, the whole as frothy with fake sentiment as any simpering fashion model. Again the result is such obvious kitsch that it cannot be kitsch. The artist must be telling us something about ourselves – about our desires and lusts – and forcing us to confront the fact that we like kitsch, while he pours scorn on kitsch by laying it on with a trowel. In place of our imagined ideals in gilded frames, he offers real junk in quotation marks.</p>
<p>Pre-emptive kitsch is the first link in a chain. The artist pretends to take himself seriously, the critics pretend to judge his product and the modernist establishment pretends to promote it. At the end of all this pretence, someone who cannot perceive the difference between the real thing and the fake decides that he should buy it. Only at this point does the chain of pretence come to an end, and the real value of this kind of art reveals itself – namely its money value. Even at this point, however, the pretence is important. The purchaser must still believe that what they buy is real art, and therefore intrinsically valuable, a bargain at any price. Otherwise the price would reflect the obvious fact that anybody – even the purchaser – could have faked such a product. The essence of fakes is that they are not really themselves, but substitutes for themselves. Like objects seen in parallel mirrors they repeat themselves ad infinitum, and at each repetition the price goes up a notch, to the point where a balloon dog by Jeff Koons, which every child could conceive and some could even manufacture, fetches the highest price ever paid for a work by a living artist – except, of course, that he isn’t one.</p>
<p>So what, then, is the real thing? How do we tell the real work of art and the fake apart, and why does it matter? This will be my topic for next week.</p>
<p>—&#160;Roger Scruton is a senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center</p> | false | 1 | early years 20th century arts entered period revolution enough escapism modernists said art must show modern life way offer real consolation ornament crime declared architect adolf loos baroque facades line streets vienna encrusted meaningless knobs curlicues many denials world live tell us beauty belongs vanished past face message loos set discover purer beauty beauty belongs modern life also endorses looss contemporary arnold schoenberg rebelled late romantic music master saying tonal music become banal writing old way led musical cliches schoenberg proceeded reinvent language music hoping recover purity precision mozart bach eliot pound rebelled fairytale poetry housman walter de la mare task poet insisted provide nostalgic dreams wake us reality true poetry shows things poets frame reference must rebuilt order make possible result easy understand unlike escapist poetry victorians worth understanding attacks old ways things one word particular came currency word kitsch introduced word stuck whatever mustnt kitsch became first precept modernist artist every medium famous essay published 1939 american critic clement greenberg told readers two possibilities available artist either belong avantgarde challenging old ways figurative painting produce kitsch fear kitsch one reason compulsory offensiveness much art produced today doesnt matter work obscene shocking disturbing long isnt kitsch nobody quite knows word kitsch came though current germany austria end 19th century nobody knows quite define word either recognize kitsch come across barbie doll walt disneys bambi santa claus supermarket bing crosby singing white christmas pictures poodles ribbons hair christmas surrounded kitsch worn cliches lost innocence without achieving wisdom children believe santa claus invest real emotions fiction ceased believe fake emotions offer faking pleasant feels good pretend join almost though pretending czech novelist milan kundera made famous observation kitsch wrote causes two tears flow quick succession first tear says nice see children running grass second tear says nice moved together mankind children running grass kitsch words thing observed observer invite feel moved doll dressing tenderly dressing doll sentimentality like redirects emotion object subject create fantasy emotion without real cost feeling kitsch object encourages think look feeling nice lovable oscar wilde referring one dickenss sickly deathscenes said man must heart stone laugh death little nell briefly modernists horror kitsch art believed course 19th century lost ability distinguish precise real emotion vague selfsatisfied substitute figurative painting tonal music clicheridden poems heroic love mythic glory find disease artist exploring human heart creating puffedup substitute putting sale course use old styles seriously mean use nevertheless result kitsch standard cutprice goods produced without effort consumed without thought figurative painting becomes stuff christmas cards music becomes spineless sentimental literature collapses cliche kitsch fake art expressing fake emotions whose purpose deceive consumer thinking feels something deep serious fact feels nothing however avoid kitsch easy looks could try outrageously avantgarde something one would thought calling art perhaps trampling cherished ideal religious feeling argued last week way also leads fakes fake originality fake significance new kind cliche much young british art pose modernist wont necessarily lead achieve eliot schoenberg matisse achieved touch modern heart deepest regions modernism difficult requires competence artistic tradition art departing tradition order say something new one reason emergence wholly new artistic enterprise call preemptive kitsch modernist severity difficult unpopular artists began shun kitsch embrace manner andy warhol allen jones jeff koons worst thing unwittingly guilty producing kitsch far better produce kitsch deliberately kitsch kind sophisticated parody preemptive kitsch sets quotation marks around actual kitsch hopes thereby save artistic credentials take porcelain statue michael jackson cuddling pet chimpanzee bubbles add cheesy colours layer varnish set figures posture madonna child endow soppy expressions though challenging spectator vomit result kitsch possibly kitsch jeff koons must mean something else think something deep serious missed perhaps work art really comment kitsch explicitly kitsch becomes metakitsch speak take allen jones whose art currently display royal academy consists female lookalikes contorted furniture dolls sexual parts made explicit underwear vulgar childishly nasty visions human female whole frothy fake sentiment simpering fashion model result obvious kitsch kitsch artist must telling us something desires lusts forcing us confront fact like kitsch pours scorn kitsch laying trowel place imagined ideals gilded frames offers real junk quotation marks preemptive kitsch first link chain artist pretends take seriously critics pretend judge product modernist establishment pretends promote end pretence someone perceive difference real thing fake decides buy point chain pretence come end real value kind art reveals namely money value even point however pretence important purchaser must still believe buy real art therefore intrinsically valuable bargain price otherwise price would reflect obvious fact anybody even purchaser could faked product essence fakes really substitutes like objects seen parallel mirrors repeat ad infinitum repetition price goes notch point balloon dog jeff koons every child could conceive could even manufacture fetches highest price ever paid work living artist except course isnt one real thing tell real work art fake apart matter topic next week 160roger scruton senior fellow ethics public policy center | 808 |
<p>KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-3) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-8)</p>
<p>KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium. TV: CBS, Ian Eagle, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Dan_Fouts/" type="external">Dan Fouts</a>, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Evan-Washburn/" type="external">Evan Washburn</a> (field reporter).</p>
<p>SERIES HISTORY: 14th regular-season meeting. Giants lead series, 10-3. The Giants have owned the Chiefs at home, winning all six games — five by double-digit margins. The Chiefs won the last meeting at Arrowhead Stadium, 31-7, during coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Andy_Reid/" type="external">Andy Reid</a>‘s first season in Kansas City. Reid is 16-13 as a head coach against the Giants, including wins in eight of his last 10 matchups.</p>
<p>KEYS TO THE GAME: The Chiefs must avoid a letdown, and coach Andy Reid was doing his best prevent that this week. “They play hard,” Reid said. “I have a lot of respect for their defensive coordinator ( <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Steve_Spagnuolo/" type="external">Steve Spagnuolo</a>). I think he does a great job and they’ve got good players.”</p>
<p>The Giants will have to do more than play hard. And that starts with tackling. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins seemed disinterested on multiple plays last week in the Giants’ 31-21 loss to previously winless San Francisco.</p>
<p>Quarterback <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Eli_Manning/" type="external">Eli Manning</a>, who was 28-for-37 in the loss, will once again need to find emerging wide receiver <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Sterling-Shepard/" type="external">Sterling Shepard</a>. The second-year wideout has 16 catches for 212 yards in his past two games.</p>
<p>The Chiefs, who are coming off their bye, need to recommit to the run. In a 28-17 loss to the Cowboys in Week 8, Kansas City rookie carried the ball just nine times.</p>
<p>After a 5-0 start, the Chiefs have lost three of four, and Hunt has not hit the 100-yard mark in any of those games. He rushed for more than 100 yards in four of his first five.</p>
<p>MATCHUPS TO WATCH:</p>
<p>–Chiefs WR <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Tyreek-Hill/" type="external">Tyreek Hill</a> vs. Giants CB Eli Apple. Hill averages 15.4 yards per reception, and Apple leads the Giants with eight passes defended. The Giants tend to play a lot of off-man coverage, and that can create space for Hill to make plays. Hill’s last five touchdown receptions all went for more than 30 yards, and he has averaged 56.3 yards on his four touchdown catches this season.</p>
<p>–Giants QB Eli Manning vs. Chiefs secondary. This game looks like a mismatch on paper, with the Chiefs among the AFC leaders at 6-3 and the Giants experiencing a disastrous 1-8 start. But Manning still can carry a team and, if the Giants pull off the win as a home underdog, it will likely be due to Manning attacking the Chiefs’ 28th-ranked secondary downfield.</p>
<p>PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Chiefs DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches. The Chiefs may need the versatile third-year lineman to play a larger role in the coming weeks with the departure of backup DT Roy Miller. Nunez-Roches, who can play all three positions along the defensive line, has 12 tackles and a half-sack. The 6-foot-2, 307-pound native of Belize brings intensity and enthusiasm to the defensive line, providing a much-needed spark at times. The team re-signed veteran Cam Thomas this week, but he hasn’t been on the field since the Chiefs cut him after the preseason. Until Thomas gets back in form, Nunez-Roches is the team’s most reliable backup at nose tackle for starter Bennie Logan.</p>
<p>FAST FACTS: Chiefs QB <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Alex_Smith/" type="external">Alex Smith</a> passed for two TDs in Week 9. He completed an NFL-record 287 consecutive passes without an interception to start the season. He leads the NFL with a 113.9 passer rating. He threw for 288 yards and three TDs in the last meeting. … RB Kareem Hunt leads the AFC with 1,131 scrimmage yards. He is one of five rookies in NFL history with 800 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards (331) in the first nine games. … WR/PR Tyreek Hill has a TD catch in the past two road games. His 17 TDs (10 receiving, three rushing, three punt returns, one kick return) are the most among AFC receivers since 2016. … TE Travis Kelce aims for fourth game in a row with a TD catch. He leads NFL tight ends with 629 yards and ranks second with 51 catches. He has recorded 50 catches in four consecutive seasons. … Giants QB Eli Manning will make his 209th consecutive start. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 50,307 passing yards and 334 TD passes. … RB Orleans Darkwa has 345 scrimmage yards (86.3 per game) in his past four games. … WR Sterling Shepard set career-highs in receptions (11) and yards (142) in Week 10. He has 408 yards (81.6 per game) in his past five games. … TE <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Evan-Engram/" type="external">Evan Engram</a> has four straight games with a TD catch and is tied for the NFL lead among rookies with five TD catches. He is second in yards (443) and third in receptions (40). … DE <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Olivier-Vernon/" type="external">Olivier Vernon</a> recorded his first career interception in Week 10. He had a sack in his only career game vs. KC (2014 with Miami).</p>
<p>PREDICTION: The Giants are bad. And on Sunday, rumors of coach Bob McAdoo’s demise will be swirling around the Meadowlands. The Chiefs should dominate all three facets of the game.</p>
<p>OUR PICK: Chiefs, 34-13.</p>
<p>–Ched Whitney</p> | false | 1 | kansas city chiefs 63 new york giants 18 kickoff sunday 1 pm et metlife stadium tv cbs ian eagle dan fouts evan washburn field reporter series history 14th regularseason meeting giants lead series 103 giants owned chiefs home winning six games five doubledigit margins chiefs last meeting arrowhead stadium 317 coach andy reids first season kansas city reid 1613 head coach giants including wins eight last 10 matchups keys game chiefs must avoid letdown coach andy reid best prevent week play hard reid said lot respect defensive coordinator steve spagnuolo think great job theyve got good players giants play hard starts tackling cornerback janoris jenkins seemed disinterested multiple plays last week giants 3121 loss previously winless san francisco quarterback eli manning 28for37 loss need find emerging wide receiver sterling shepard secondyear wideout 16 catches 212 yards past two games chiefs coming bye need recommit run 2817 loss cowboys week 8 kansas city rookie carried ball nine times 50 start chiefs lost three four hunt hit 100yard mark games rushed 100 yards four first five matchups watch chiefs wr tyreek hill vs giants cb eli apple hill averages 154 yards per reception apple leads giants eight passes defended giants tend play lot offman coverage create space hill make plays hills last five touchdown receptions went 30 yards averaged 563 yards four touchdown catches season giants qb eli manning vs chiefs secondary game looks like mismatch paper chiefs among afc leaders 63 giants experiencing disastrous 18 start manning still carry team giants pull win home underdog likely due manning attacking chiefs 28thranked secondary downfield player spotlight chiefs dl rakeem nunezroches chiefs may need versatile thirdyear lineman play larger role coming weeks departure backup dt roy miller nunezroches play three positions along defensive line 12 tackles halfsack 6foot2 307pound native belize brings intensity enthusiasm defensive line providing muchneeded spark times team resigned veteran cam thomas week hasnt field since chiefs cut preseason thomas gets back form nunezroches teams reliable backup nose tackle starter bennie logan fast facts chiefs qb alex smith passed two tds week 9 completed nflrecord 287 consecutive passes without interception start season leads nfl 1139 passer rating threw 288 yards three tds last meeting rb kareem hunt leads afc 1131 scrimmage yards one five rookies nfl history 800 rushing yards 300 receiving yards 331 first nine games wrpr tyreek hill td catch past two road games 17 tds 10 receiving three rushing three punt returns one kick return among afc receivers since 2016 te travis kelce aims fourth game row td catch leads nfl tight ends 629 yards ranks second 51 catches recorded 50 catches four consecutive seasons giants qb eli manning make 209th consecutive start ranks seventh nfl history 50307 passing yards 334 td passes rb orleans darkwa 345 scrimmage yards 863 per game past four games wr sterling shepard set careerhighs receptions 11 yards 142 week 10 408 yards 816 per game past five games te evan engram four straight games td catch tied nfl lead among rookies five td catches second yards 443 third receptions 40 de olivier vernon recorded first career interception week 10 sack career game vs kc 2014 miami prediction giants bad sunday rumors coach bob mcadoos demise swirling around meadowlands chiefs dominate three facets game pick chiefs 3413 ched whitney | 547 |
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